THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE 
 OF 
 
 LOS
 
 Goosnargh : Past and Present.
 
 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 BY 
 
 RICHARD COOKSON, 
 
 Author of "THE GOOSNARGH RAMBLER," 
 " NINE-HUNDRED AND NlNETY-NlNE THOUGHTS," 
 " HOMELY FIRE-SIDE CHAT," 
 &c., &c. 
 
 " When found, make a note of." 
 
 CAPTAIN CUTTLE. 
 
 " Every book is a quotation ; every house is a quotation, 
 out of all forests, and mines, and stone quaries ; and 
 every man is a quotation from all his ancestors." 
 
 R. W. EMERSON. 
 
 PRESTON : 
 
 H. OAKEY, PRINTER, CAXTON HOUSE, 36, FISHERGATE. 
 
 MDCCCLXXXVIII.
 
 PRINTED BY HENRY OAKEY, 36, FISHERGATE, PRESTON.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 G&3.C77 
 
 BAVING first seen the light of day in the 
 Township of Goosnargh - with - Newsham, 
 and resided in or near to it the whole of my 
 life, and served several public offices in the said 
 Township, and known something of the manners 
 and customs of the people ; and, moreover, 
 having a liking for collecting information and 
 imparting the same, it seemed to me that I 
 might gratify my scribbling propensity, and at 
 the same time render a little service to my 
 native place, especially to the young and rising 
 generation, by noting down and putting in print 
 what I have culled from various sources, and 
 adding some of my own observations and reflec- 
 tions thereon. 
 
 RICHARD COOKSON. 
 
 GOOSNARGH, 
 
 JUNE 21, 1887.
 
 GOOSN ARGH : 
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 THE Township of Goosnargh-with-Newsham 
 is in the Parish of Kirkham (but ecclesias- 
 tically Kirkham has now no claim upon 
 Goosnargh), County of Lancaster, Hundred of 
 Amounderness, Union of Preston, Diocese of 
 Manchester, Archdeaconry of Lancaster, Province 
 of York ; Judicially in the Northern Circuit. It 
 is situate between 53 and 54 north latitude, 
 and 2 and 3 west longitude. Goosnargh village 
 is 7 miles N. N.E. of Preston, and Newsham is 
 4^ rniles N. of Preston. 
 
 Townships and Hundreds owe their origin to 
 King Alfred. A township or tithery was so- 
 called because ten freeholders, with their families, 
 comprised one, and each of these had originally 
 a church, and as ten families of freeholders were 
 a town or township, so ten townships originally 
 made a hundred, consisting of ten times ten 
 families. 
 
 An indefinite number of hundreds made a 
 county, called also a shire, because the Govern- 
 ment was vested in the sheriff. Many of the 
 hundreds have been dismembered, but there are 
 yet some that number one hundred townships ; 
 Salford, for instance, contained exactly that 
 number.
 
 8 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Hundreds (Saxon) supposed to have been di- 
 vided into a hundred manors, and to have ready 
 for keeping the peace or for war one hundred 
 men, as the same have been called Wapentakes, 
 because at a meeting they touched each others 
 weapons in token of fidelity and allegiance. 
 Amounderness Hundred is mentioned as having 
 sixteen villages, and the rest waste. 
 
 The Parish of Kirkham contains 4i,736a. 2r. 
 sop., and its bounds were marked out in the year 
 636. 
 
 Townships are often named from ancient own- 
 ers or lords, or from the situation or nature of 
 the soil. 
 
 HOW BOUNDED. 
 
 Goosnargh is bounded on the south by the 
 Township of Whittingham, on the east and 
 south-east by the Townships of Chipping and 
 Thornley, on the north by the Townships of 
 Bleasdale and Claughton, and on the north-west 
 and west by the Townships of Bilsborrow and 
 Barton. 
 
 DOMESDAY BOOK. 
 
 Of the antiquities of Goosnargh the reader 
 must not expect very much, for however import- 
 ant the inhabitants of Goosnargh may now deem 
 this locality, it is pretty certain that it remained 
 almost a blank for nearly 3,000 years after the 
 Mosaic creation. It is uncertain at what period 
 England became the abode of man, but it is sup- 
 posed that it was about 1,000 years before the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 9 
 
 birth of our Blessed Saviour ; and turning over 
 the scanty pages of the ancient history of Britain 
 we find that about 55 years B.C. Caesar, the com- 
 mander of the Roman armies in Gaul (France), 
 resolved on attempting a conquest of this country, 
 then called Britannia, which was inhabited by 
 rude and war-like tribes, who were chiefly gov- 
 erened by Priests, called Druids. It appears, 
 however, that Goosnargh was not inhabited in 
 the year 485, for at that period it is recorded 
 that " the land between Preston and Ribchester 
 is one complete line of forest." And dating 
 from the invasion of Caesar, as above-mentioned, 
 we have to pass over many years before even the 
 names of the townships of this locality are 
 honoured with a place in history ; and again, 
 from the circumstance of this township being so 
 centrally - situated amongst the neighbouring 
 towns namely, Preston, Garstang, Lancaster, 
 and Ribchester and also from the absence of 
 any of the old Roman roads passing through it 
 (though one through Barton skirts it), it is 
 reasonable to suppose that it would be one of 
 the last districts in Lancashire that would be- 
 come inhabited ; hence it is not the place for the 
 antiquary to pitch his tent in. It appears that 
 William the Conqueror (from the year 1080 to 
 1085 inclusive), made a survey of England for 
 the purpose of compiling his memorable Domes- 
 day Book. There were only one hundred acres 
 (exclusive of Newsham), twenty-feet to the perch 
 (which would be about ninety-five acres of seven 
 yards to the rod), brought under cultivation in 
 Goosnargh. 
 
 The following is an extract of so much of the
 
 IO GOOSNARGH : 
 
 survey recorded in the said Domesday Book as 
 relates to this immediate district : 
 
 " Goosnargh, one carucate (one hundred acres 
 of twenty-feet to the perch)." 
 
 " Newsham, one carucate ; the rest is waste." 
 
 Of Goosnargh, Baines, who wrote in 1824, 
 says thus : 
 
 " The Chapelry of Goosnargh, which contains 
 the Townships or Hamlets of Goosnargh, 
 Whittingham and Newsham, each main- 
 taining its own poor, though it appears 
 part of the Parish of Kirkham, has nearly 
 lost all traces of any connection with the 
 mother parish, and is generally considered 
 a distinct parochial district." 
 
 GOOSNARGH CHURCH. 
 
 Goosnargh is an " ecclesiastical district with 
 legally defined boundaries," namely, the lower 
 division of Goosnargh and the whole of the 
 Township of Whittingham. 
 
 From the time of the suppression of the mon- 
 astries (and probably earlier), it appears to have 
 been a parochial chapelry, the only connection 
 with Kirkham being that some rates were paid 
 to the mother church, though the liability was 
 often disputed. On or about the 26th January, 
 1846, without discharging Goosnargh from its 
 liability to be rated by Kirkham, by order in 
 Council, the present limits of the benefice, with the 
 addition of Newsham (separated in 1849, under 
 the Church Building Act, i and 2 William IV., 
 c. 4, and annexed to St. Lawrence, Barton), were 
 constituted a separate benefice, to be styled the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. II 
 
 "Perpetual Curacy of Goosnargh." It is stated 
 in the document from which the above is taken 
 that previously the above townships had never 
 been legally assigned as a district to Goosnargh 
 Church. 
 
 By the same order in Council the patronage 
 of the benefice, which had hitherto belonged to 
 the Vicar of Kirkham, was transferred to the 
 Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford. 
 
 The Perpetual Curacy is now, by the Act of 
 1868, entitled The Vicarage of Goosnargh. 
 
 Fishwick, in his history of Goosnargh, says : 
 " It may be noted that the annual stipend of the 
 Curate of Goosnargh was at this time, 1562, only 
 ^"3 1 8s., paid out of tithes, and that he had no 
 house or land." 
 
 ANCIENT LORDS OP' GOOSNARGH. 
 
 It is said the first lords of the district bore the 
 name of Goosnargh (the termination " argh " or 
 " ergh," which forms the last syllable of many 
 local names, appears to be the Swedish " arf," 
 or ploughed field, and from the Latin " arvum," 
 so that Goosnargh is Goosefield or Goosegreen). 
 
 We find that one Robert de Goosnargh left a 
 daughter and co-heiress, who was married to 
 Hugh de Mytton, and who was living in yth 
 year of John. Richard, the father of Richard de 
 Catterall, married Asota, the daughter of Jordan 
 Mytton Magna ; and in 41 Henry III. (1257), 
 either the father or son was seized of Goos- 
 nargh. In i6th Edward II. (1323), Alen de 
 Catterall and Lovetta, his wife, called " love 
 daughter," and heiress of Richard Purichardon,
 
 1 2 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 in the pedigree given by Dr. Whitaker, held in 
 Goosnargh one messuage eight acres, and 
 twenty-shillings rent as in honour of Lancaster. 
 In yth Richard II. (1384), Edmund Banastre's 
 lands were escheated to the Duchy. Subsequently 
 the Cliftons, of Clifton, now of Lytham, held 
 lands here ; for Sir William de Clifton, who died 
 in 1442, settled lands in Goosnargh and Wood- 
 plumpton on his son James. In 8th Henry VII., 
 John Boteller, of Out Rawcliffe, held half a knight's 
 fee in Goosnargh and Whythyll-le-Woods ; and 
 in qth Henry VIII. (1518), William Clifton held 
 a sixth part of a knight's fee in Goosnargh. 
 
 Middleton Hall, in the I5th century, was a 
 seat of the Singletons, who were followed by the 
 family of Rigby ; and on the death of General 
 Rigby the property descended to William Shawe, 
 of Preston and Fishwick, who died in 1872 ; and 
 the present proprietor is the son of the late 
 Townley Rigby Knowles, Esq., of Fishwick, 
 Lancashire, and Gan, Basses Pyrenees, France. 
 
 In 1535 the annual value of Middleton Hall 
 estate was only 2 los. 4d. 
 
 DISTANCES OF NEIGHBOURING PLACES FROM 
 INGLEWHITE CROSS. 
 
 Measuring from Inglewhite Cross, Goosnargh 
 is distant : 
 
 MILES. YARDS. 
 
 From Garstang 6 39 
 
 From Preston 7| 272 
 
 From Chipping church gate ... 6^ 30 
 
 From Longridge church gate ... 4! 210 
 
 From Longridge railway station 4^ 113
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 13 
 
 MILES. YARDS. 
 
 From Ribchester church gate .. 8 165 
 From Oakenclough paper mill 
 
 bridge 5^ 50 
 
 From Goosnargh church door to 
 
 Whitechapel church door ... 3^ 1 88 
 
 POPULATION EXTENT VALUATION TAXES. 
 
 Population of Goosnargh-with-Newsham from 
 1801 to 1 88 1 : 
 
 1801 1558. 1811 1562. 1821 1852. 
 1831 1844. 1841 1621. 1851 1454. 
 1861 1307. 1871 1264. 1881 1197.* 
 
 Being a decrease of 655 from 1821 to 1881, a 
 period of 60 years. 
 
 This extraordinary decrease is attributable to 
 three causes, viz. : first, the introduction of the 
 New Poor Law and the giving up of the old 
 workhouse ; second, the decline of the Cotton 
 Hand-loom Weaving business ; third, the great 
 change in the system of Agriculture from arable 
 to grazing. 
 
 EXTENT. 
 
 STATUTE. 
 
 Ordnance Survey 
 
 8,672 
 
 R. P. 
 
 i 9 
 
 Tithe Commutation 
 
 8,642 
 
 3 23 
 
 Overseers' Books 
 
 8,648 
 
 i 8 
 
 Wood-land in Goosnargh ... 
 
 H3 
 
 3 
 
 Wood-land in Newsham 
 
 i 
 
 3 24 
 
 * Previous to the census of 1801 there existed no official returns of 
 the population of either England, Wales or Scotland, and the earliest 
 enumeration of Ireland took place in 1813.
 
 14 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 VALUATION. 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Valuation of Goosnargh ... 11,391 5 o 
 
 Valuation of Newsham M77 IO 
 
 Rental of Goosnargh 12,417 10 o 
 
 Rental of Newsham 1,688 15 o 
 
 TAXES AND TITHE RENT CHARGE. 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Amount of Poor Rates, Goos- 
 nargh (1884) 641 10 7^ 
 
 Amount of Poor Rates, New- 
 sham (1884) 77 2 7 
 
 By a bye-law rates are laid according to rents 
 this is neither statute law nor reason. 
 
 Highway Rates (highest rate known to be 
 collected, 6d. in the ; lowest, ^d. in the .} 
 
 s. D. 
 
 House Duty (1884) u 16 3 
 
 Property Tax (1884) 
 
 Owners, ^"273 i u 
 
 Occupiers, 1 6 15 7 289 17 6 
 
 Income Tax (1884) 10 19 9 
 
 Tithe Rent Charge (1885) 
 
 Goosnargh -with -Newsham ... 558 9 8 
 
 Let for 1843 ^285. 
 Land Tax, redeemed, ^47 2 10; 
 
 not redeemed 54 10 6 
 
 The land tax was first enforced by King 
 Ethelred, A.D. 991, and was for a long time 
 considered temporary; but in the year 1798 it 
 was made perpetual, subject to redemption or 
 purchase. The rate of purchase depends on the 
 value of money in the funds.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. . 15 
 
 LORD OF THE MANOR. 
 
 The Right Honourable Lord de Tabley was 
 formerly the reputed Lord of the Manor, and 
 claimed and collected tolls at Inglewhitefairs^. 
 according to the following tableT^ 
 
 D. 
 For every stall or stand erected on the 
 
 "Green" ... 6 
 
 For every score of sheep or lambs (paid 
 
 by the purchaser) 10 
 
 For every horse or head of horned cattle 
 sold 2 
 
 In the year 1854 the tolls amounted to ^"4, 
 but are now much less ; but at some period they 
 must at least have been worth ^"30 per annum, 
 for in the land tax assessment they are entered 
 in the column " exonerated," and charged eight 
 shillings a year. 
 
 A story has credence here, viz. : That the Lord 
 of the Manor ought to keep a free bull and stal- 
 lion in the township ; and it is said he formerly 
 kept a bull for the use of the township in Wood- 
 field, Higher Barker, and after three years' run 
 the bulls were baited on Inglewhite Green. If 
 the " baiting " was as ne'lessiiiy as ClieTceeping, 
 then I say away with both of them. 
 
 A few years ago the Lordship's right of tolls 
 and chief rents were sold to Mr. Richard Bailey, 
 and have again changed hands. 
 
 The undermentioned estates in Goosnargh are 
 subject to the following a chief rents," payable 
 to the Lord of the Manor.
 
 1 6 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Goosnargh Lodge o 3 4 
 
 Higher Beesley o 3 6 
 
 Beesley o o 6 
 
 T. Butler Cole's Land o 4 o 
 
 T. Butler Cole's Land o 3 o 
 
 Inglewhite Lodge o 10 o 
 
 Brook o 8 o 
 
 Longridge Chapel Land o 3 8 
 
 New House 012 2 
 
 Higher Crombleholme Fold ... o o 9 
 
 8 ii 
 
 INGLEWHITE AND INGLEWHITE FAIRS. 
 
 The principal fair for horned cattle is held on 
 Monday and Tuesday in Rogation-week. This 
 fair is of very ancient standing and considerable 
 note, being at one time the only cattle fair with- 
 in many miles, and was formerly called by our 
 southern neighbours " Inglewhite Bull Fair i'th 
 North," but owing to so many new fairs having 
 been established in the neighbourhood, it is of 
 course not so important as of yore. It is yet 
 however one of the most considerable fairs in 
 the district. 
 
 The inhabitants of Inglewhite village for very 
 many years claimed to have a charter under an 
 ancient statute, and exercised the privilege of 
 selling ale and porter without license during the 
 fair days. The prerogative, it was said, extended 
 to all houses within the toll-bars, and was former- 
 ly carried to an incredible extent, no less than 
 fifteen private houses being opened for that pur-
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. . IJ 
 
 pose in the lifetime of the writer of this book ; 
 but "the charter" being disputed, it was found 
 to have no foundation, or had been lost, and the 
 custom is now obsolete. 
 
 There is a stone obelisk upon The Green, 
 standing upon a pedestal of five steps, in form 
 something like the one that formerly stood in 
 Preston old market place, but upon a much 
 smaller scale, bearing the initials H.C.I.W. and 
 the date 1675 (the latter two initials no doubt 
 refer to Mr. Justice Warren), erected it is saici 
 by the lord of the manor, and formerly used as a 
 market cross. 
 
 Inglewhite was at one time of some note as a 
 place of manufacture, both of silks and cottons, 
 by water power, but fell into disuse from 70 to 
 80 years ago, owing to the insufficient supply of 
 water, the great distance from coal, and the intro- 
 duction of steam power into other mills. The 
 buildings which were formerly used for that pur- 
 pose are partially pulled down and partially used 
 for other purposes. 
 
 As recently as 1819 this ^ir (to the disgrace 
 of the authorities of the place, be it said), was held 
 on a Sunday, on which day, trading in cattle 
 was much more extensively carried on than it is 
 now on Monday, the head fair day. All the 
 publicans and "bye-brewers" kept their houses 
 open for the sale of intoxicating liquors, without 
 let or hindrance. There were also in attendance 
 a goodly supply of gentlemen of "honour," with 
 their gaming tables, lucky-bags, &c., and the 
 Green was as it were the focus of the scum and 
 dregs of all the neighbouring district ; but owing 
 to the worthy exertions of the Reverend Robert
 
 I 8 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Shuttleworth, of Barton (then minister of Goos- 
 nargh Church), aided by the neighbouring mag- 
 istrates, these disgraceful proceedings were in a 
 few years put an end to. Thanks to the Ingle- 
 white Fair reformer. 
 
 The space called The Green measures about 
 one customary acre, and is the property of the 
 Lord of the Manor. 
 
 Of Inglewhite, Baines, in his History of Lan- 
 cashire, says : 
 
 " Inglewhite, in the Township of Goosnargh- 
 with-Nevvsham, 6 miles S.E. of Garstang. 
 A market cross stands in the centre of 
 the Green, and tradition represents this to 
 have been a market town. A great fair 
 is held here annually on Tuesday in Ro- 
 gation-week ; also a fair for sheep on the 
 25th April, and a fair for calves on the 
 5th October." 
 
 It is said that owing to the mossy, swampy 
 land which adjoins the west side of the Green, 
 Inglewhite was once famous for the ignis-fatuus 
 a moving, whitish fire vulgarly called " Will- 
 with-the-Wisp " and " Jack-with-the-Lantern," 
 from which it is probable that Inglewhite had its 
 name. Ingle being another name for fire, so by 
 transposition we have Firewhite or Inglewhite. 
 
 GREAT TITHES. 
 
 Up to the year 1850 the great tithes were taken 
 in kind, and were that year (including the small 
 tithes and Easter dues of Newsham), let by 
 public auction for 260 los. od., and the com- 
 mutation rent charge, which was agreed upon in
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 19 
 
 the same year (including Easter dues ^"5, which 
 are now obsolete), were put down at ^600 per 
 annum. 
 
 The township was surveyed, valued and appor- 
 tioned for the purpose of commutation, and 
 the expenses thereof were defrayed by the land- 
 holders. The said survey and book of reference 
 are lodged with the Vicar of Goosnargh for the 
 time being. 
 
 Up to 1850, as above, the tithes of this town- 
 ship were claimed by the Dean and Chapter of 
 Christ Church, Oxford ; they, however, kept the 
 Chancel of Goosnargh Church in repair, and paid 
 to the officiating minister of Goosnargh Church 
 ^"18 IDS. od. a year. Whitechapel at that time 
 was left out in the cold. 
 
 Since the year 1850 the Dean and Chapter of 
 Christ Church have made a more sensible and 
 liberal distribution of the Goosnargh tithe rent 
 charge. They now grant to the Vicar of Goos- 
 nargh tithe rents amounting to ^139 14$. 4d. 
 gross, and to the Vicar of Whitechapel ^"93 
 us. qd. a year. 
 
 The tithe rents of Newsham, amounting to 
 ^"34 33. 9d. a year, now belong to the Vicar of 
 St. Lawrence Church, Barton (for the time being j, 
 having been purchased in the year 1878, with 
 ^"695 IDS. od., funds belonging to the said 
 Vicarage, 
 
 ORIGIN OF TITHES. 
 
 So far as I have been enabled to gather, the 
 following is the ancient statute of tithes : 
 
 "Let the priests receive the tithes of the people, 
 and keep a written account of all that have paid 
 B 2
 
 2O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 them, and divide them in the presence of such as 
 fear God, according to canonical authority. Let 
 them set apart the first share for the repairs and 
 ornaments of the Church, let them distribute the 
 second to the/oor and stranger with their own 
 hands, in mercy and humility, and reserve the 
 third part for themselves." State Paper. 
 
 The Oxford title, by which the tithes are held, 
 was a grant from the Crown. Henry the VIII., 
 of notorious memory, swayed the sceptre with 
 his iron hand, seized upon all tithes, and distri- 
 buted them as whim or interest dictated. The 
 tithes of the Parish of Kirkham (of which Goos- 
 nargh-with-Newsham, as before-mentioned, was 
 a part), were then given to the Dean and Chapter 
 of Christ Church, as above. 
 
 The "Tithe Question" is here, as well as else- 
 where, a very fruitful source of discontent and 
 disaffection in the Established Church, so much 
 so, indeed, that many of her staunch friends and 
 attached members wish to see, and are looking 
 forward to the day when there will be another 
 and a very different appropriation of the tithe 
 funds. And without at all being desirous of 
 preaching a tithe sermon, or writing a political 
 descant on the tithe question, may I just be allow- 
 ed to ask one high and broad question relative 
 thereto ? 
 
 Supposing all the tithes that now belong to 
 the Church were taken from her and applied to 
 the educating of the people, and supporting of 
 the poor (and it is presumed they are sufficient 
 for both), would the Church staff be a whit the 
 less efficient, provided only the revenues of the 
 Church were judiciously re-arranged?
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 21 
 
 SMALL TITHES AND EASTER DUES. 
 
 The small tithes of Goosnargh were collected 
 for the last time in the year 1850, and amounted 
 to the sum of ^41 i8s. y^d. 
 
 The following is the most ancient "Terrier" 
 of the small tithes and Easter dues I have met 
 with, and though it has ceased to be of use, yet 
 I think from its singularity it is worthy of record, 
 and perhaps will some day be looked upon as 
 a curiosity. The document I quote from bears 
 the date 1764, and is as follows: 
 
 The underwritten Easter Roll Tithe is taken 
 from an original copy of the late Barton Parkin- 
 son's, who was many years Clerk to the Township 
 of Goosnargh, as the same hath from time im- 
 memorial been accustomed to be paid for Easter 
 dues and small tithes within the said township. 
 
 THE MANNER OF COLUMNING THE SAME. 
 
 Household. Every householder for garden- 
 herbs (viz.), Mint, Annis and Cummin, originally 
 pays 3d. 
 
 Hay. According to the proscription and an- 
 cient custom affixed to every house, id. 
 
 Cows and Calves. All cows having their 
 calves living, or sold for veal before Martinmas 
 last, pays for : 
 
 s. D. 
 
 No. i o 2 
 
 No. 2 o 4 
 
 No. 3 ... o 7^ 
 
 No. 4 o 9^ 
 
 No. 5 ' 3 
 
 No. 6 3 
 
 No. 7 6
 
 22 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 And for every succeeding seven add the first 
 seven to the last seven, thus: 
 
 s. D. s. D. s. D. 
 
 For No. 8= 7+i ( 6 8 + 2 ) ... 6 10 
 
 No. 9= 7 + 2 (6 8 + 4 ) ... 7 o 
 
 No. 10= 7 + 3 (6 8 + 7j)... 7 3^ 
 
 No. 11= 7+4 (6 8 + 9!)... 7 5^ 
 
 No. 12= 7 + 5 (6 8 + 3 4 )...io o" 
 
 No. 13= 7 + 6 (6 8 + 3 6 )...io 2 
 
 No. 14= 7 + 7 (6 8 + 6 8 )...i3 4 
 
 No. 15=14+2 (13 4 + 2 )...i3 6 
 
 Adding in like manner for every succeeding 
 seven. 
 
 Whites (Drapes). All whites, viz. feeding 
 kine and milk kine, one cow pays i^d. ; 2, 3d. ; 
 3, 6d. ; 4, 7|d. ; 5, 9 d. ; 6, is. 
 
 Foals. All foals pay id. each. 
 
 Wool. Wool is for every fleece ^d. ; five 
 fleeces, 3d. ; seven fleeces, 6d., or tenth. 
 
 Lambs. For every lamb, id. ; five lambs, 
 is. 3d. ; seven lambs, 2s. 6d., or tenth, if not 
 collected in kind at Michaelmas. 
 
 Bees. For every swarm, id. ; five swarms, 6d; 
 seven swarms, 2s., or tenth. 
 
 Offerings. All householders, if married coup- 
 les, pay 3d. ; if widower or widow, i^d. 
 
 Communicants. All single persons and ser- 
 vants, above 16 years of age, jd. 
 
 Pigs. Pigs are collected in kind, or pay for 
 five pigs, is. ; seven pigs, 2s. 
 
 Geese. Geese are collected in kind, or pay 
 for five geese, 3d. ; seven geese, 6d. 
 
 Eggs. Eggs are collected, for every hen, two 
 eggs ; for every duck, two eggs.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 23 
 
 THE HAMLET OF NEWSHAM. 
 
 Population, according to the census of 1 881, 76. 
 
 A. R. p. 
 
 Extent (Ordnance Survey) ... 348 i 38 
 Extent (Tithe Commutation 
 
 Survey) 333 o 3 
 
 Valuation ^"i477 10 o* 
 
 On the Hamlet of Newsham, Baines thus 
 remarks : 
 
 " The Abbey of Cockersand held two caru- 
 cates of land in Newsham, or Newsom, on 
 account of which a claim was made by 
 John the Abbott to exemption from suit 
 and service to the County and Wapen- 
 take. The claim is without date, but the 
 validity of a similar claim was tried in 
 2oth Edward I. (1292), and the exemption 
 allowed as to Newsom.'' 
 
 In 1 7th Edward II. (1324), William de Hol- 
 land, of Eukestone, held a messuage, lands, and 
 a watermill in Newsom, in Amounderness. The 
 present mill is thus inscribed : 
 
 I.W. JOHN WARREN. 
 E.W. ELIZABETH WARRHN. 
 1702. 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Amount collected under the 
 head of Poor-rates for the year 
 ending March 25th, 1884 ... 77 2 7 
 
 * This includes the valuation of the canal and railway.
 
 24 GOOSXARGH : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Amount of Land Tax 
 
 Redeemed ... -fz. 13 6^ ) 
 
 TVT j. T> j j r i t I I I ^ 
 
 Not Redeemed ^519 5-| j 
 Amount of Tithe Rent Charge 
 
 (1885) 34 3 9 
 
 Amount of the Rental 1688 15 o 
 
 It appears that when the Domesday Book was 
 compiled, Newsham was not connected with 
 Goosnargh, and it has no doubt formerly been 
 a part of some other township, for it is very un- 
 likely, originally, to have been a distinct town- 
 ship. Townships originally consisted of ten 
 titheries (see above), each tithery containing ten 
 householders. It is said to have had its name 
 from the name of one of its ancient lords, or 
 tithing men, who resided at Newsham Hall, now 
 a farmhouse, within the hamlet. 
 
 How long Goosnargh and Newsham have been 
 connected, or how they became united, is not 
 known, but in all existing documents that can 
 be found relating thereto (except the Domesday 
 Book), they are spoken of as one township, and 
 down to 1850 they were so for all purposes, and 
 are yet one for all parochial uses; but ecclesi- 
 astically Newsham is now joined to the cure of 
 St. Lawrence, Barton. 
 
 Previous to the year 1824, Newsham people 
 had, on sufferance, been allowed, on paying a 
 small annual tribute to Goonargh, to conduct their 
 own parochial affairs, Goosnargh and Newsham 
 each maintaining its own poor; but a dispute 
 having arisen between the authorities of the two 
 divisions, relative to the settlement of a pauper,
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 25 
 
 the only one chargeable or presumed by the 
 authorities of Goosnargh to be chargeable to 
 Newsham, or such at least being the pretext, 
 the authorities of Goosnargh resolved upon lay- 
 ing a poor-rate assessment, through both the 
 townships and hamlet, and subjecting both to 
 one parochial rule. This resolution being forth- 
 with attempted to be carried into effect, was met 
 with great indignation and contempt by the 
 Newsham authorities. Litigation ensued, and 
 the following is recorded thereof. 
 
 On Tuesday, the yth day of April, 1825, at an 
 adjourned quarter session at Preston, held before 
 Sir Thomas Dalrymple Hesketh, baronet, and Ed- 
 ward Robert Travis, esquire, two of his Majesty's 
 Justices of the Peace for the County of Lancaster, 
 two long depending appeals by John Moon and 
 Richard Trelfall, both inhabitants of the division 
 of Newsham, within the Township of Goosnargh- 
 with -Newsham, against the rate or assessment 
 made for the relief of the poor of that township, for 
 the months of February, March, and April, and 
 part of May, 1824, remained upon the appeal 
 paper for hearing, upon the ground that News- 
 ham was not a part of the township, but separate 
 from Goosnargh. When the appeal of John 
 Moon was first heard, and after a most patient 
 hearing until nearly eight o'clock in the evening, 
 an adjournment took place until the following 
 morning, Friday, the 8th April, when the hear- 
 ing was resumed before the same Justices, and 
 the case proved by the respondents, in support of 
 the joint assessment upon Goosnargh-with-New- 
 sham, was irresistable. In fact, much of the 
 evidence adduced on the part of the appellants
 
 26 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 strongly supported the respondents' case; and 
 about noon, Mr. Fell, on the part of the respon- 
 dents, having closed his very able speech in reply, 
 the Justices retired, and in about twenty minutes 
 returned into court, when the chairman, Sir 
 Thomas D. Hesketh, from the Bench said, that 
 as the appeal had occasioned much anxiety in 
 the county, the Bench felt great anxiety also to 
 decide it uprightly, and had given the evidence 
 on both sides its best attention and consideration, 
 the result of which was, that after so long a 
 junction between the divisions of Goosnargh and 
 Newsham, they must be considered one township 
 for the maintenance of their poor, and therefore 
 the assessment must be confirmed of course. 
 The Respondents in counsel: 
 
 Mr. Fell and Dr. Baldwin Brown. 
 
 Attornies, Messrs. Grimshaw, Palmer and 
 
 Grimshaw, of Preston. 
 For the Appellants in counsel: 
 
 Mr. Raincock, 
 
 Mr. John Addison, 
 
 Mr. Brandreth. 
 
 Attornies, Messrs. Pilkington, of Preston. 
 Since the above decision, Goosnargh-with- 
 Newsham has been one township for all purposes 
 of rating, but on sufferance the inhabitants of 
 Newsham have since 1753 conducted their own 
 highway affairs, or rather, the inhabitants of 
 Newsham have been excused from contributing 
 to the repairs of the plats, bridges, &c., in the 
 division of Goosnargh ; for the only matter of 
 any importance with which the division of 
 Newsham is charged, by way of highway ex- 
 penses, is the maintenance of "Hough Clough
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 27 
 
 Bridge ," and even that they refuse to do. The 
 bridge is broken down, and Hollowforth deeps 
 are impassible, except at very low waters, and 
 since Newsham was joined to the cure of Barton 
 Church, the pathway over ^Iough_ Bridge is of 
 more importance than it formerly was. The 
 question has often been asked What must be 
 done respecting Hough Bridge ? The answer 
 is short and telling The surveyors of the high- 
 ways of Goosnargh- with -Newsham (for such 
 they are), should lay their rate through both 
 divisions of the townships, erect Hough Bridge, 
 and henceforth subject all the township to one 
 highway rule. Too much indulgence has spoilt 
 many a promising child. 
 
 The following memorandum, which is extract- 
 ed from one of the town's bocks, clearly shows that 
 the bridge in question is a public bridge, and 
 should be built and maintained accordingly. 
 "May 23, 1753. At the Easter Tuesday meet- 
 ing, Newsham people objected to our 
 repairs of plats, and which we afterwards 
 struck out of the account, and agreed for 
 the future not to allow any accounts by 
 them brought in for the repairs of Hough 
 Bridge." 
 
 The Preston and Lancaster canal, which was ' 
 made in 1797, and the Preston and Lancaster 
 railway (made in 1838 and 1839) both run 
 through the division. 
 
 There is a charity estate in Newsham, upon 
 the management of which the Commissioners 
 made the following dark report : 
 
 By indenture of feoffment, dated gth Septem- 
 ber, 1676, John Parkinson conveyed to John
 
 28 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Blackburn, Robert Parkinson of Blindhurst, John 
 Goose and Robert Parkinson of the Higher Lick- 
 hurst, and their heirs, a messuage and tenement 
 in Newsham and Hollowforth, in the Chapelry 
 of Goosnargh, containing by estimation 16 acres 
 customary measure, upon trust, after the death 
 of the said John Parkinson, and the determination 
 of certain estates and interests thereby created, 
 to employ the rents for the binding out appren- 
 tices into trades and occupations of the most 
 needful, poor and indigent children, which should 
 be from time to time inhabiting and residing 
 within Goosnargh, Newsham, and Hollowforth 
 aforesaid, or in any of them, or such of them, and 
 in such sort and manner as should be yearly from 
 time to time, for ever hereafter agreed upon and 
 thought meet by the said trustees above named, 
 and the survivors and survivor of them, his and 
 their heirs, or the greater part of them. 
 
 By indenture of lease and release, dated ) st 
 and 2nd February, 1814, Richard Pilkington, 
 John Bamber and John Wilkinson, executors and 
 divisees in trust, under the will of John Walker, 
 in consideration of ^"374 i8s od., conveyed 
 to John Dalton the elder, John Pilkington, and 
 John Dalton the younger (the then trustees of 
 this charity), their heirs and assigns, two closes 
 called the Hough Meadow and Boggart Croft, 
 containing one acre and twenty-eight perches, 
 in Hollowforth, which they had purchased by 
 auction ; and James Stewart, party thereto, having 
 purchased the greater part of the estate lately 
 belonging to the said John Walker, it was agreed 
 that the title-deeds should be lodged in his hands, 
 he covenanting to produced them when required.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2q 
 
 No trusts are stated. 
 
 By indenture of mortgage, dated 3rd February, 
 1814, the said John Dalton the elder, John Pilk- 
 ington and John Dalton the younger, in consid- 
 eration of ^"369 paid to them by the said executors 
 and devisees in trust, demised the said premises 
 for the term of 500 years, for securing the sum of 
 ^"369 with interest. 
 
 By indenture, dated 5th February, 1814, 
 reciting that the said John Dalton, John Pilk- 
 ington, and John Dalton the younger, had 
 purchased the said premises called the Hough 
 Meadow and the Boggart Croft for ^"374 i8s. od., 
 and that they had demised the same as above- 
 mentioned, by way of mortgage to the vendors, 
 for the repayment of the said sum of ^"369 and 
 interest ; and further reciting, that the said money 
 was borrowed to enable the trustees to purchase 
 the said premises, and was applied for payment 
 of the said purchase money ; and further reciting, 
 that the said trustees were desirous to unite 
 the closes last mentioned to the other trust es- 
 tates, and to charge the same with the sum of 
 ^"374 1 8s. od. and the interest thereof, and to 
 reserve to the trustees power to raise and retain 
 the same out of the rents and profits thereof; 
 and that they had agreed to appoint the said 
 Richard Pilkington a trustee. It is witnessed 
 that the said John Dalton and others conveyed 
 to the use of themselves and the said Richard 
 Pilkington, their heirs and assigns, all the prem- 
 ises in the indenture of the gth September, 1676, 
 and also the two closes last mentioned, to hold 
 the same, subject to the said mortgage, upon the
 
 3<D GOOSXARGH : 
 
 trusts declared in the said indenture of gth Sep- 
 tember, 1676. 
 
 The land originally devised, together with 
 that purchased in 1814, which measured one 
 acre aud twenty-eight perches, is scarcely 17 
 acres, although the part devised by the testator 
 is described as containing 16 acres, by estimation. 
 The principal part of what was purchased in 
 1814 is a meadow which is surrounded on three 
 sides by other property, through which a right of 
 way to the meadow was claimed. The rest is merely 
 a small cottage close to the old farmhouse. It is 
 to be observed that at the time of the purchase 
 there was a balance of about ^~6o only in favour 
 of the charity, and that nearly the whole of the 
 purchase money was borrowed on mortgage; 
 but it is stated that the object in buying these 
 premises was to secure the charity against an 
 action which had been threatened by the 
 tenant of the meadow, to establish the right 
 of way throught the old charity land. The use 
 of such right of way had long been a great 
 annoyance to the farmer of the charity land, who 
 had complained to the trustees, and had engaged 
 to pay a rent of \2 a year for the Hough Mead- 
 ow and cottage for the residue of his term in the 
 other land, of which seven years were unexpired, 
 if the trustees would purchase them. It was 
 under these circumstances that the trustees de- 
 termined to bid for the premises above mentioned, 
 which were put up by auction. It appears that 
 the bidding was fair, and that the price 
 for which the premises were sold, though 
 high, was not unreasonable, considering their 
 situation with respect to the other charity land.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 3! 
 
 Mr. Richard Pilkington, who was appointed a 
 trustee a few years after the sale, had for many 
 years managed the charity for his father, had no 
 interest whatever in the property belonging to 
 the late John Walker, under whose will he 
 was one of the devisees in trust. 
 
 Up to the year 1821, John Holmes held the 
 old farm at ^"25 a year, and the newly-purchased 
 land at 12 a year. His lease then expiring, 
 the whole farm was reviewed by two land valuers, 
 and at their suggestion the land was let to the 
 same tenant at ^"56 a year, it being understood 
 that a new barn was to be built, and the whole 
 premises put into complete repair. The rent 
 was afterwards reduced to ^"51, and the tenant 
 had applied for a further reduction which had 
 been refused, and the trustees expect to be able 
 to let it for as much as ^"56 a year. The farm 
 house has been put into complete repair, and a 
 new barn built, at an expense of upwards of ^"500, 
 which sum has been borrowed of Robert and 
 William Holmes, at five per cent. The expense 
 of this building appears to have exceeded con- 
 siderably the sum which would have been re- 
 quired to put the house into good repair, and to 
 have built a barn sufficient for the size of the 
 farm. No regular estimate was made previously 
 to the commencement of the work, and the 
 trustees seem to have incurred a greater expense 
 than they anticipated. 
 
 With respect to the sums of money which the 
 trustees have lately laid out in the purchase of 
 land and in building, they appear not to have 
 paid sufficient attention to the state of the reve- 
 nues of the charity. The property would un-
 
 32 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 doubtedly be much improved, if there were any 
 means of paying off the debts which have been 
 thus incurred, but if any part of the rents were 
 reserved for that purpose, there would be very 
 little left to be disposed of according to the di- 
 rections of the donor. 
 
 Out of the rents the interest of the two sums 
 of ^"369 and ^"500 are paid in the first place, 
 and the residue is disposed of in putting out as 
 apprentices, boys of Goosnargh and Newsham, 
 there being no district called Hollowforth.* 
 
 Since 1814 eight apprentices have been put out, 
 with fees of 10 each, and about \ us. 6d. has 
 been paid with each of them for the expenses of 
 the indentures, which although it does not seem 
 necessary, have always had a one pound stamp 
 affixed to them. 
 
 For a long period this charity has been, in 
 fact, confined to the children of Roman Catholics, 
 and it has been left to the Roman Catholic priest 
 at Goosnargh, to select such objects as he thought 
 fit. 
 
 Of the trustees of late years two have been 
 Roman Catholics, and two Protestants, but look- 
 ing at some of the earlier trust deeds it appears 
 that the names are all of Protestant families. 
 It is suggested that the donor and his family- 
 were Roman Catholics, as an excuse for confining 
 the benefit of the charity to persons of that per- 
 suasion, but if this were the fact, which there is 
 some reason to doubt, we think it would not 
 justify the total exclusion of Protestant children, 
 as the testator has not expressly excluded them 
 
 ^Newsham and Hollowforth are one and the same place.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 33 
 
 by the terms of his will, and we apprehend that 
 in case the trustees shall continue to exclude 
 Protestant children it would be considered in the 
 court of equity as an abuse of the trust reposed 
 in them. 
 
 There are only two trustees now living, 
 John Dalton, esquire, who we understand is a 
 Roman Catholic, and Richard Pilkington, who 
 is a Protestant. 
 
 The income of the charity, beyond what has 
 been disposed of as above-mentioned, has been 
 applied as follows, since 1883: 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Auction duty on purchase ... 10 12 u 
 Preparing conveyance, mort- 
 gage and trust deed ... 26 5 4 
 Surveying, valuing, and mak- 
 ing a plan of the estate ... 440 
 At the settlement of accounts, up to 3rd June 
 last, there was a balance against the charity of 
 ^"74 143. i id. but there was due from the tenant 
 62 1 8s. i id. 
 
 JOHN PARKINSON'S BEQUEST. 
 John Parkinson, by will dated i8th June, 
 1675, directed, after several specific legacies, that 
 his goods, chattels, and debts should be divided 
 into three equal shares, one part thereof to be 
 given to his wife, one to his son, and the other 
 he directed should be, by his executors, carefully 
 put out, and the increase be yearly distributed 
 amongst the poor and indigent householders from 
 time to time inhabiting within the Township of 
 Goosnargh, according to the discretion of his ex- 
 ecutors; and he appointed John Charnock and 
 John Goose, excutors. 
 c
 
 34 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 We have not been able to obtain any infor- 
 mation with respect to this legacy. It does not 
 appear that any benefit was derived by the Town- 
 ship of Goosnargh. 
 
 Complaints having been long and loud respect- 
 ing the management, or rather mismanagement, 
 of these charity funds, which coming to the ears 
 of the late Richard Oliverson, esquire, of London, 
 he undertook on behalf of the township to in- 
 vestigate the -state thereof, but the only benefit 
 derived from that gentleman's disinterested and 
 praiseworthy interference was an appointment 
 of new trustees ; he, with his characteristic liber- 
 ality, paying the expenses of the new trust deed. 
 
 The present trustees are Thomas Fitzherbert 
 Brockholes, Charles Roger Jacson, Richard 
 Cookson, Matthew Miller, George Crane, Thomas 
 Smith, and Robert Kirkham. And it is to be 
 hoped that when the Commissioners next report 
 on this charity it will have a sweeter ring with 
 it. 
 
 During the last ten years fourteen poor chil- 
 dren (fees varying from 12 to ^20), have been 
 apprenticed to various trades by the trustees of 
 the charity, and the accounts of the charity stand 
 as follows: 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Farm Rent 65 o o 
 
 Cash invested in the hands of 
 
 the Charity Commissioners 247 16 9 
 
 Cash in different banks 210 o o 
 
 Of Newsham, Fishwick writes, " Almost the 
 only place of any interest in the little township 
 of Newsham is Newsham Hall, which was for 
 many generations the seat of the Newsoms, a
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 35 
 
 once powerful and influential family in Lanca- 
 shire and Yorkshire." 
 
 The connection between the families of the 
 two counties has not been proved, but it is prob- 
 able that the Lancashire branch sprang from the 
 Yorkshire family. 
 
 At a very early period Nisandus de Newson 
 granted by charter certain lands in Newsom and 
 York to the monks of Fountains Abbey, which 
 grant was afterwards confirmed by his son, Ro- 
 bert de Neusum, whose son Ranulphus de Neu- 
 som was living A. D. 1234-1269. This Ranulphus 
 had a son Robertus de Neusom, whose wife Agnus 
 confirmed a grant to Fountains, made by Ran- 
 dulphus de Neusom, her husband's father; and in 
 1331 an Adam de Neusom granted to Sir Wil- 
 liam Bowes, and to Henry son of Adam de Clea- 
 tham, all his land in Neusom (Co. York), with 
 the reversion of the lands which Alan de Neuson 
 held in Berford, and which Adam de Sted-dale 
 held for in Barnard Castle. 
 
 A branch of the family resided at Newsham 
 Hall in the I5th century, but it is not unlikely 
 that they were here at a much earlier period. 
 No doubt it was one of the family who is said 
 to have, in 1527, taken a part in a dispute rela- 
 tive to the tithes of Newsham. 
 
 For seven generations this property descended 
 from father to son; the last of the family who 
 owned it was Richard Newsom, who married 
 Barbara, daughter of Edmund Fleetwood, of 
 Roshall (i.e. Rossall), esquire, and was living in 
 1632. 
 
 A few years after this the estate was conveyed 
 to Thomas Wilson, the eldest son of Thomas 
 c 2
 
 36 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Wilson, of Wrightington, gent., and Mary his 
 wife. Thomas Wilson the younger (of Tunley 
 and Newsham Hall), died in or about the year 
 1660, when Newsham Hall passed to his son 
 Thomas, who died intestate and without issue in 
 1702, when the property went to Henry Wilson, 
 the grandson of John Wilson, of Bretherton. 
 Henry Wilson was born in 1669, and married 
 Catherine Bamber, and died in 1726, leaving issue, 
 Thomas, John, and Ann. Thomas Wilson, who 
 succeeded his father to Newsham Hall, died in 
 1759, leaving it to his grandson, Thomas Wilson, 
 of Manchester (son of Henry Wilson, of Clifton, 
 deceased), who in 1782 sold it to John Bourne, of 
 Stalmine Hall, in the County of Lancaster, es- 
 quire, who by will bequeathed it to his nephew, 
 James Bourne, of Heathfield, who again devised 
 it to his brother, John Bourne, of Stalmine Hall, 
 whose son, James Thomas Bourne, captain in the 
 2nd Royal Lancashire Militia, is now its present 
 owner. 
 
 The building as it now stands shows no evid- 
 ence of antiquity, although there is nothing from 
 which one can fix with any degree of certainty 
 its exact or even proximate age. The present 
 tenant is Mr. Thomas Jackson. 
 
 A beautiful carved oak cupboard is still at 
 Newsham Hall, bearing the inscription 1711, 
 fFk. (doubtless Henry and Catherine Wilson). 
 On a door of an oak-panelled pew in Wood- 
 plumpton Church, belonging to Newsham Hall, 
 is cut in the solid wood the following: H.W: .... 
 W., 1714. One letter is deficient, but the initials, 
 no doubt, refer to Henry and Mary Wilson ; and 
 a slab near the altar rail records that there is
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 37 
 
 buried Ann Taylor, wife of James Taylor, and 
 daughter of Henry and Mary Wilson, late of 
 Newsham Hall, gent., A.D. 1780, aged 33. 
 
 CROW HALL. 
 
 A farmhouse of that name is now the property 
 of Mr. Stirziker, of Goosnargh. Previous to the 
 erection of New House Chapel (i.e. about the end 
 of the 1 7th century), the Roman Catholics 
 secretly held their services here, and also at Bank 
 Hall. Thomas Tyldesley, in his diary, writes 
 that on the 27th December, 1713, he went to 
 Crow Hall, where he had occasion to chide Mr. 
 John Swarbrick for disloyalty (to the house of 
 Stuart). 
 
 The person here alluded to was the Rev. John 
 Swarbrick, the founder of New House Chapel. 
 In 1716 Crow Hall is reported to the Govern- 
 ment as " given to superstitious uses." NOTE. 
 In Doomsday Book the township is called Neu- 
 house. 
 
 DIVISION OF (THE DIVISION OF) GOOSNARGH. 
 
 For ecclesiastical and local convenience Goos- 
 nargh is divided into the upper and lower divi- 
 sions, but for all other purposes it is one township. 
 The division line is a little to the north of the 
 high road, leading from Garstang to Longridge. 
 
 Population of the higher division, 1881, 561. 
 Population of the lower division, 1881, 560. 
 
 PRINCIPAL LAND OWNERS. 
 
 The proprietorship of the township is very 
 much divided. The principal land owners are 
 Thomas Oliverson, of London.
 
 38 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Townley Rigby Knowles, of Fishwick, Lanca- 
 shire ; and the 
 
 Representatives of the late George Hargreaves, 
 of Leyland. 
 
 PARISH AFFAIRS. 
 
 The parish affairs are chiefly managed by a 
 guardian, two overseers, one assistant overseer, 
 four churchwardens (two for Goosnargh and 
 Whittingham, and two for Whitechapel), two 
 collectors and overseers, one relieving officer, one 
 registrar and one deputy-registrar of births and 
 deaths, and a select vestry of twenty-four. 
 
 GUARDIAN. 
 
 The Guardian is appointed by the inhabitants 
 of the township annually, on or about the 25th 
 March, due notice thereof having been given by 
 the Clerk to the Board of Guardians of the 
 Union. Any ratepayer or owner of property 
 in the township can nominate (if he has got his 
 name registered with the Clerk of the Union for 
 that purpose), a Guardian. A prescribed form 
 is required, which may be had on application to 
 the Board , and if only one be nominated, if willing 
 and eligible to serve, he will be returned ; if two 
 or more be nominated, and none of them declare 
 their unwillingness to serve, there must be a 
 public election ; and it then becomes the duty of 
 the Clerk to the Board to forward voting papers, 
 containing the names of the persons nominated, 
 to every ratepayer in the township, and those 
 who choose to vote must place their initials the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 39 
 
 first letters of their name (I write for plain people) 
 opposite the name of the person he votes for. 
 The papers will be called for by an officer ap- 
 pointed by the Clerk. 
 
 Every ratepayer, not being a pauper, has at 
 least one vote. 
 
 An election for a Guardian costs the township 
 a farthing a head on the population. 
 
 The framers of the Poor Law Amendment 
 Act of 1834 presumed that there would always 
 be found in any township men competent and 
 willing to serve the office of Guardian without 
 any remuneration, but in this, as in many other 
 matters relating to the new poor law, they have 
 been sadly mistaken. The office of Guardian is 
 an honourable and important one, his business 
 being to stand between the oppressed and op- 
 pressor, to attend to the interest of the rate- 
 payers by an economical distribution of the rates, 
 and to see that the wants of the poor are properly 
 and humanely attended to. 
 
 In law, any person (a woman as well as a man, 
 I suppose), who is rated at 20 a year or upwards 
 to the poor, is qualified to serve the office of 
 Guardian, but in equity many other qualifications 
 are necessary, especially humanity and firmness, 
 with a discriminating mind ; to be able to judge 
 between the clamorous impostors and the modest 
 deserving poor ; and he should be a person of 
 business habits, and not of too many words. A 
 novice in parish affairs will seldom make a good 
 Guardian. 
 
 The interest of the ratepayers being great, 
 and their duty in seeing the wants of the really 
 deserving poor properly attended to, is not little;
 
 40 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 and, moreover, the local interest being so much 
 destroyed, it behoves the ratepayers to look out 
 for a properly-qualified person, and secure his 
 services someway or other. Remember the tup 
 and the tar. Those who have been behind the 
 scenes well know that \o a year is very little 
 in parish affairs. 
 
 OVERSEERS. 
 
 With regard to the mode of electing Overseers 
 of the Poor, J. Ashdown, in his Churchwardens 
 and Overseers' Guide and Directory, remarks : 
 
 "The manner of electing Overseers is for the 
 Justices to issue precepts to the several 
 high constables within their respective 
 districts, requiring them to issue warrants 
 to the petty constables, to give notice 
 to the Overseers within their liberty, to 
 make out and return to the Justices a list, 
 in writing, of a competent number of 
 substantial householders within their res- 
 pective districts, so that out of such lists 
 the Justices may appoint Overseers of the 
 Poor for the year ensuing. The appoint- 
 ment of Overseers of the Poor shall in 
 every year be made on the 25th March, or 
 within 14 days after. The persons nom- 
 inated for Overseers are generally placed 
 at the head of the list, or otherwise dis- 
 tinguished ; and unless good cause be 
 shown the Justices generally sanction the 
 choice of the parishioners by appointing 
 the persous nominated at the vestry."
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 4! 
 
 Before the new poor law came into operation 
 the office of Overseer of the Poor (especially in 
 townships where no assistant was employed), was 
 ve.y important, and is yet considerable. 
 
 The business now being chiefly to grant suffi- 
 cient rates to defray the necessary expenses of the 
 poor, and all other lawful charges usually collected 
 under the head of poor's-rates, and to make an 
 equitable assessment of the same upon all the 
 rateable property in the district for which they 
 hold office, and to see that the "calls" made by 
 the Guardians are duly paid ; to attend to the 
 quarterly audits, the publication of the voters, 
 jury, and parochial relief lists ; to attend to the 
 adjustment of all disputed settlement cases; to 
 give orders for medical assistance, and to admin- 
 ister relief in all cases of sudden and urgent 
 necessity, &c. 
 
 ASSISTANT OVERSEER. 
 
 The Assistant Overseer or, as he is now more 
 generally called, the Collecting Officer, receives his 
 appointment from the Board, which requires 
 him to give bond for the security of the money 
 with which he is entrusted. 
 
 The chief duties of this officer is to make out, 
 under the supervision and direction of the Over- 
 seers, the poor-rate assessments, and to collect 
 the rates charged therein, and to pay the "calls" 
 to the treasurer of the Union ; to render a 
 monthly statement of the township's finances to 
 the Overseers, and a quarterly account to the 
 auditor of the Union ; to make out all lists and 
 returns required by the Board, and to assist the
 
 42 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Overseers in all matters relating to the duties of 
 their office. 
 
 CHURCHWARDENS. 
 
 Upon the office of Churchwarden, J. Ashdown 
 remarks: 
 
 " Churchwardens are officers instituted to pro- 
 tect the edifice of the church, to superin- 
 tend the ceremonies of public worship, 
 to promote the observance of religious 
 duties, to perform and execute parochial 
 regulations, and to become, as occasion 
 may require, the representatives of the 
 body of the parish." 
 
 The Churchwardens are generally chosen by 
 the joint consent of the parishioners and minister ; 
 but by custom the minister may choose one, and 
 the parishioners another, or the parishioners alone 
 may appoint both. But where the custom of a 
 parish does not take place, the election is to be 
 according to the directions of the canons of the 
 church, which are that the Churchwardens in 
 every parish shall be chosen by the joint consent 
 of the minister and parishioners; but if they can- 
 not agree upon such a choice, then the minister 
 to choose one and the parishioners another; and 
 without such joint and several choice, none are 
 to take upon themselves to be churchwardens. 
 
 Every Churchwarden is an Overseer of the Poor, 
 
 although every Overseer is not a Churchwarden. 
 
 The Church-rates of the Chapelry of Goosnargh 
 
 are laid by a majority of the select vestry, and 
 
 on this head, Burns, in his "Justice," remarks : 
 
 "By custom there may be select vestries 
 
 of a certain number of persons elected
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 43 
 
 yearly to make rates and manage the con- 
 cerns of the parish for that year, and such 
 custom is a good custom; and if the 
 custom of the parish be for a certain 
 number of 'persons to have the govern- 
 ment thereof, and the account is given 
 up to them, the custom is a good custom, 
 and the account given up to them, a good 
 account." 
 
 The Church-rates of the Chapelry of White- 
 chapel are laid in open vestry. 
 
 The rates are yet laid as above, but the pay- 
 ment thereof is now voluntary. 
 
 COLLECTORS AND ASSESSORS. 
 
 There is an annual parochial meeting held in 
 Goosnargh on or about the 25th of March, at 
 which two Collectors and Overseers of land, pro- 
 perty, income, and assessed taxes, are appointed. 
 The Receiver General, who is the Crown's agent, 
 allows the collectors and assessors a percentage 
 upon every pound paid into the treasury. They 
 also receive a fee of is. for every game certificate 
 taken out, which is paid by the persons who take 
 out the said licenses. 
 
 The duties of the collectors and assessors are 
 simply to assess and collect the said several taxes, 
 and pay the monies to the said Receiver General, 
 or deputy appointed by him ; and to deliver game 
 certificates to those who demand and pre-pay for 
 the same. 
 
 Upon the office of Collectors and Assessors, I 
 again quote from J. Ashdown: 
 
 "The Churchwardens and Overseers of the par- 
 ish, for the security of the parishioners,
 
 44 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 ought to see that proper persons are ap- 
 pointed by the Commissioners for the af- 
 fairs of taxes, to collect the several taxes 
 arising within the parish, and that proper 
 security is given by such collectors for the 
 collection of the several sums given in 
 charge to them, and for payment of 
 the same to the Receiver General; for 
 should any deficiency happen, by reason 
 of the duties being in arrear, on account 
 of the failure of any collector, the parish 
 or place in which the assessment is made 
 is answerable for the amount of duties 
 charged therein ; and the amount of such 
 deficiency must be re-assessed on such par- 
 ish or place as soon after such default shall 
 be discovered, as conveniently can be done ; 
 apportioning the amount of such arrear, 
 according to each person's assessment, as 
 nearly as the case will admit." 
 It is not generally understood that a security 
 is non-effective unless renewed at the commence- 
 ment of each year. 
 
 RELIEVING OFFICER. 
 
 The Relieving Officer receives his appointment 
 from the Board of Guardians. 
 
 His principal duties are, to receive all ap- 
 plications for relief and to make entries thereof, 
 inspect the dwellings, situations and circumstances 
 of the applicants, and to make a weekly report to 
 the Board of the same ; to attend the weekly Board, 
 and also, once a week, in every township or place, 
 administer the relief granted by the Board's last 
 meeting.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 45 
 
 The relieving officer is required to give bond 
 for the monies with which he is entrusted. 
 
 REGISTRAR OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS. 
 
 The Registrar is appointed by the Board of 
 Guardians, and his principal duties are to register 
 all births and deaths that occur in his district, 
 according to a prescribed form in books provided 
 by the Registrar General, and to make a quarterly 
 return of the entries he has made of such regis- 
 tration. He must also deliver, gratis, a certificate 
 of every death which he registers to the person 
 who has charge of the funeral of the deceased, 
 which certificate must be delivered to the offici- 
 ating minister of the church or chapel where the 
 corpse is to be interred. If the parties who have 
 charge of the funeral have neglected to procure 
 a certificate before the body is taken to be inter- 
 red, it becomes the duty of the said officiating 
 minister to send a notice of such interment to 
 the registrar of the district, within ten days after 
 the funeral. 
 
 In consequence of the extra trouble which de- 
 volves upon ministers, in cases where certificates 
 have not been obtained before the funeral, they 
 are very averse to perform the funeral service 
 without first obtaining a certificate of registration, 
 and it is desirable that all parties should obtain 
 one before the funeral takes place, but no minis- 
 ter can refuse to perform the rite, or prevent the 
 interment of a corpse, solely on account of the 
 undertaker not having obtained such certificate. 
 
 In cases where the deceased person has had 
 medical advice during his or her last illness, a
 
 46 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 certificate ought to be obtained from the medical 
 man that attended upon him or her, stating the 
 cause of death, which certificate must be put into 
 the hands of the registrar when application is 
 made for a certificate of registration of the death; 
 and this is imperative, as the registrar has special 
 orders to refuse to register or grant certificates 
 of registration to all parties who neglect or refuse 
 to obtain and produce such medical certificates. 
 To many, no doubt, this will seem superfluous, 
 but it is a most effective way of obtaining one 
 very desirable link in the chain of statistics the 
 causes of death. 
 
 It is also the duty of the registrar to register 
 without fee or reward from the parents or guard- 
 ians of the children the births of all the children 
 born in their respective districts within three 
 months from the birth. Births may be registered 
 at any time before the expiration of six months 
 from the birth, but only in the presence of the 
 superintendent registrar, and on the payment of 
 a fee of 55. 
 
 The registrars are also required to obtain from 
 the respective clergymen in their district a quar- 
 terly account of the marriages that have been 
 solemnized at their respective churches and chap- 
 els, and present them along with the quarterly 
 abstracts of their own registers to the superin- 
 tendant registrar of the district. See article 
 "Parish Registers." 
 
 DEPUTY REGISTRAR. 
 
 The duties of the Deputy Registrar are to attend 
 to all the duties of the registrar in case of sick- 
 ness or unavoidable absence.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 47 
 
 SELECT VESTRY. 
 
 There is a Select Vestry here of very ancient 
 date, called the "twenty four," from the num- 
 ber it contains. 
 
 The duties of this body once were very import- 
 ant, nearly the whole of the parish affairs being 
 governed by them; at present their duties are 
 confined to the government of the church affairs. 
 (See Select Vestry under the head " Church- 
 wardens.") 
 
 The twenty-four are in possession of an old 
 manuscript, in exellent preservation, which records 
 many of the transactions of the vestry and church- 
 wardens from the year 1625 down to the pres- 
 ent time. 
 
 SURVEYORS OF THE ROADS. 
 
 The following is a memorandum of the appoint- 
 ment of the supervisors of the highways of 
 Goosnargh and Whittingham for the year 1678. 
 Sup r for ye Church Tithe 
 
 Peter Parkinson de Moore. 
 George Wilson. 
 ,, for Longley Tithe 
 William Simpson. 
 Francis Yate. 
 for Kidsnape Tithe 
 
 Richard Haydock. 
 for Threlfall Tithe- 
 Robert Parkinson de Broadhead 
 Henry Breers. 
 
 for Aspinhurst Tithe 
 Thomas Hornby. 
 
 William Walne, for the higher end. 
 ,, for Whittingham 
 
 John Fisher, for the lower end.
 
 48 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Formerly, there were two surveyors of the 
 Goosnargh roads, who were appointed annually, 
 on the 25th March, in open vestry, and their 
 duties were to erect all necessary plats and bridges 
 on public highways (except the county bridges), 
 and repair and keep in order the existing ones, 
 and also to repair the township's roads; and 
 likewise to superintend the repairs of the whole 
 of the highways and bye ways in the township, 
 and to impound all strayed cattle, or cattle de- 
 pastured on the highway without a tenter. The 
 surveyors are under the supervision of the magis- 
 trates, and may be summoned and fined for neg- 
 lect of duty. At present there is only one sur- 
 veyor, and the duty of impounding stray cattle 
 now falls upon the police. 
 
 HIGH ROADS. 
 
 The length of the highroads in this township 
 according to the "rolls" is 37 miles, and prob- 
 ably the length of the byeroads is not much less. 
 
 HOW LAID OUT. 
 
 The roads are laid out in titheries (formerly 
 one or more surveyors were appointed for each 
 tithery), namely, Church Tithery, Longley Tith- 
 ery, Kidsnape Tithery, Threlfall Tithery, and 
 Aspinhurst Tithery. 
 
 HOW REPAIRED. 
 
 The roads here have been, or rather should 
 have been, repaired from time immemorial, by
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 49 
 
 ratione tenure (rate or lot according to tenure). 
 The oldest ''rolls" extant bear the date 1770, and 
 record that they have been taken from the original 
 "rolls" of every tithery. Could the "original 
 rolls" be discovered, or their date ascertained, 
 it would be an important link in the history of 
 Goosnargh, for as the township contained five 
 titheries at the time when the roads were alloted, 
 and ten householders originally making a tithery, 
 we might then know at what period of time the 
 township contained fifty householders. 
 
 TOWNSHIP S ROAD. 
 
 There are several small portions of road in 
 different parts of the township which have been 
 omitted in the allotments and are "township's 
 road," being altogether about i^ miles, the larg- 
 est part being in Wicking's lane, which is about 
 one mile, the remaining lots being at Inglewhite, 
 Buck Horns, and Loud Bridge. 
 
 BRIDGES. 
 
 I have not been able to discover any account 
 as to when the County Bridges were erected, nor 
 that of Goosnargh Mill Bridge. Hill Clough 
 Bridge was erected in or about the year 1815, 
 Brook Bridge was erected in 1819, and in the 
 same year a bridge was erected at Whinney 
 Clough, washed down in 1858, when the present 
 bridge was put up, a substantial structure, and 
 has an inscription as follows : 
 D
 
 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 which, to future generations, no doubt, will be a 
 puzzle : it was intended to read 
 
 A.D. 1858. 
 IJ.B.R.S. 
 
 But it appears that the sculptor could handle a 
 mallet and chisel better than a pen, and in con- 
 sequence had the intended inscription marked 
 out for him on paper, and on turning the paper 
 face side down to mark by he produced No. I as 
 above satisfactory no doubt to himself, but 
 
 mystifying to passers by. 
 s 
 
 METALLING OF THE CART ROADS. 
 
 The cart roads were metalled about the year 
 1 769, and the principal part of the gravel used 
 for that purpose was obtained from "The Brock" 
 and the "Great Share" in Higher Barker estate. 
 
 Previous to the cart roads being metalled as 
 above, there was a paved road about 3 feet 6 
 inches wide along the sides of the principal high- 
 ways for the convenience of saddle horses, pack 
 horses and pedestrians. (The saddle pillion and 
 pack being at that time much used). 
 
 These "hackney causeways," as they were 
 called, were generally laid down on the sides of 
 the lanes, and protected from the encroachment
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 51 
 
 of carts by stumps and " hobbocks," and in some 
 instances the narrow causeways crossed directly 
 over from one side of the lane to the other, and 
 of course would sometimes take the nearer and 
 sometimes the farther chord at lane ends. This 
 will account for the difference in measure of some 
 of the lots from the measurement given in the 
 rolls. A few of the stumps mentioned above 
 may yet be seen in Goosnargh Mill Lane. 
 
 GOOSNARGH MILL LANE. 
 
 Of a part of Goosnargh Mill Lane there is no 
 record in the township's rolls, and the reason of 
 its omission was, at the time the said rolls were 
 made this lane was a road "on leave" only, but 
 in consequence of parties being suffered to traffic 
 thereon without paying toll, in course of time it 
 became a public highway, and the parties who 
 then were liable to the repair thereof as private 
 road, are now liable to the repair thereof as public 
 road, and the following is the allotment thereof. 
 
 The owners and occupiers of Church House, 
 from the Church House Gate to the Little Brook, 
 being 78 roods (this includes the road which is a 
 public highway, from Church Bank gate and stile 
 to the brook at the bottom of the church yard). 
 
 The owners and occupiers of Broadcroft, from 
 thence and up the Bridle Road towards Eaves 
 Green to the plat, 40 roods. 
 
 The owners and occupiers of Eaves Green, 
 from Broadcroft part to the half mile "stoop," 
 being 47 roods 5 yards. 
 
 The owners and occupiers of Cross House, from 
 thence to the "Boggart Platt," being 22 roods. 
 D 2
 
 52 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The owners and occupiers of Mill Bank or Mill 
 Hill House, from thence to the mill race at the 
 top of the Southern Mill Brow, being 61 roods 
 2 yards. 
 
 The owners and occupiers of Goosnargh Mill, 
 from thence to the south battrings of the mill 
 bridge, being 5 roods 4 yards.* 
 
 The said owners and occupiers of Mill Bank or 
 Mill Hill House, from the north battering of the 
 mill bridge to a small gutter in the lane where 
 the mill gates formerly stood, opposite to the 
 junction of the said Mill Bank or Mill Hill House 
 land, and the land belonging to Broughton 
 Church, being I r roods 3 yards. 
 
 ROAD MARKS. 
 
 The road marks are in a very irregular and 
 inefficient state. Trees which perhaps have been 
 felled a century ago, gutters which are levelled 
 up, cross causeways and buildings long since 
 removed, are referred to. 
 
 PIN FOLD. 
 
 Formerly there was a public "Pin Fold" on 
 Inglewhite Green, but after the charge of strayed 
 cattle fell into the hands of the police, it became 
 of no use and was taken down. 
 
 BYE WAYS. 
 
 An erroneous notion prevails here that the 
 surveyors of the highways have no power to en- 
 
 * In 1886 Fog Hey (53. or. i6p.) was sold off Mill Hill estate, and 
 laid to Goosnargh Mill. In consequence 8 roods and 2 yards were taken 
 of Mill Hill road and added to Goosnargh Mill, making the Milt road to 
 be 13 roods and 6 yards.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 53 
 
 force the repairs of the styles and byeways ; but 
 they are just as much under their supervisorship 
 as the highways, and the repairs thereof may be 
 enforced in like manner. But were it only out 
 of compliment to the ladies who so frequently 
 traverse our numerous sequestered byeways, I 
 think a little more attention ought to be paid to 
 the sloughs which are so common, and the stiles 
 which are so dangerous and inconvenient, than 
 is generally the case. 
 
 ROADS OF NEWSHAM. 
 
 The owners and occupiers of the hamlet of 
 Newsham have, since the year 1754, as before 
 stated, been exempted from any charges for the 
 repairs of bridges, plats or township's road in the 
 part called Goosnargh, on condition that they, 
 the said owners and occupiers of Newsham, would 
 maintain their own roads and keep the " Hough 
 Bridge " in repair. 
 
 But the Newshamites not profiting by the 
 lesson of 1825, have suffered the said bridge to go 
 down, and persist in refusing to erect a new one. 
 Well, if they will be so stiff and so blind to their 
 own interest, the only remedy is (as before stated), 
 for the surveyors of the highways of Goosnargh 
 and Newsham (for such they are), to lay a rate 
 through both townships and hamlet, erect the 
 said " Hough Bridge," and henceforward subject 
 the hamlet to the same highway rates as the 
 mother township, which ought always to have 
 been the case. 
 
 The following memorandum on the u Hough 
 Bridge " question, which I copy from the town- 
 ship's minute book of 1754, may be interesting :
 
 54 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 At our Easter meeting Newsham people objected 
 to our repairs of " Platts, &c., which we after- 
 wards struck out of ye account, and agreed for 
 the future not to allow any account by them 
 brought in for the repairs of ye Hough Bridge." 
 
 INEQUALITY OF ALLOTMENT. 
 
 A few small farms have no road allotted to 
 them ; this ought at once to be rectified by the 
 surveyors allotting to all such a reasonable pro- 
 portion of the township's road. 
 
 In consequence of the change in the mode of 
 carriage since the roads were divided many of the 
 farms are very unequally charged with road, and 
 in some instances the allotments are very inju- 
 diciously arranged, being situate at a great 
 distance from the farms to which they belong. 
 
 It is somewhat singular that Middleton Hall 
 (one of the principal farms) should not have any 
 pubic road allotted to it. I presume it has been 
 excused from maintaining public road for some 
 suit and service rendered. 
 
 GOOSNARGH CHURCH. 
 
 Those who delight in coping with difficulties 
 and solving obscure questions may have a treat in 
 riddling out the origin and foundation of Goos- 
 nargh Church, for after the most diligent enquiry I 
 am free to confess I am left on the wide and un- 
 certain field of conjecture. Of Goosnargh Church 
 the historian, Baines, remarks : 
 
 " The parochial chapel of Goosnargh, dedi- 
 cated to St. Mary, is of great antiquity. 
 In the north aisle is the Middleton ''chapel" 
 or DCW."
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 55 
 
 A chantry* was reinstituted here in 1553, and 
 according to tradition a second was shortly after- 
 wards added. Dr. Whitaker deems the present 
 edifice a restoration of Henry VIII. The reg- 
 isters commenced in 1639, and the chapel was 
 repaired in 1778. The arch for a tombt, and the 
 singularly-carved stone of three chevonels for a 
 Singleton, with the initials of a Rigby, are still 
 remaining in the Middleton choir. 
 
 The style of the Church is what architects call 
 mixed or debased style, so-called from its being 
 inferior to that of former ages, and which pre- 
 vailed from about 1380 until about the close of 
 the reign of Henry VIII. a period of about 1 50 
 years. Many of the ancient churches are of this 
 style. 
 
 Many are of opinion that the Church is much 
 older than the date assigned to it by Whitaker, 
 the learned historian ; but if we except the 
 Middleton " quoir " or pew there is nothing 
 about the Church indicative of very old age. 
 This " quoir " or pew is unquestionably much 
 older than the main part of the fabric. The 
 Gothic or pointed window was introduced be- 
 tween the reigns of Stephen and Henry III. (from 
 1 1 35 and 1216), and prevailed from 1190 to 1545, 
 the only one in the Church. The buttresses on 
 each side of the said window are of peculiar 
 design, and the masonry altogether is much 
 inferior to that of the other parts of the Church; 
 and the rude hand of time has been much more 
 telling here than on any other part of the sacred 
 edifice. 
 
 * A Chantry is a church endowed with revenues for priests to sing 
 mass for the souls of the donors. 
 
 t See the article Middleton " Quire" or Pew, page 65.
 
 56 GOOSNAKGH : 
 
 A document has lately been found at the 
 record office, which throws considerable light on 
 the foundation of this chantry. From the sub- 
 joined extract it will be seen that Roger Single- 
 ton, by deed dated 22nd August, 1508, conveyed 
 certain messuages, lands and services in Chaigh- 
 ley, Aighton, Goosnargh, and Middleton, to'cer- 
 tain trustees, to the use of Christopher Parkinson, 
 chaplain of the church or chapel of the Blessed 
 Virgin Mary, in Goosnargh, to the intent that 
 he and his successors should perform certain 
 services in the chantry there, which services were 
 more fully described in a certain deed executed 
 by the said Roger Singleton. 
 
 The exact nature of the services to be performed 
 are not named in the deed discovered, but its 
 contents prove, beyond doubt, that Roger Single- 
 ton founded the chantry, which was endowed 
 with the messuage and lands called Middleton, 
 and which at the time of the dissolution of the 
 chantries was called Goosnargh Chantry. 
 
 From the above it will be seen that the Church 
 was originally dedicated to St. Mary, but it is 
 not now commonly known by that name. A 
 croft adjoining, however, still retains the ancient 
 name of St. Mary's croft. 
 
 Excepting part of the chancel end, which is 
 comparatively new, the stones are all pebbles, 
 and tradition says that they were procured from 
 Brock a large brook at the northern boundary 
 of Goosnargh. 
 
 The stone work is very substantial, and appears 
 to be nearly as firm as if newly erected ; but, ex- 
 cepting the "spinning wheel," it bears no date or 
 inscription whatever.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 57 
 
 The tower is square, and is sixty feet high, and 
 at the base the walls are nearly six feet thick ; and 
 if the old adage be correct, " a rocking steeple 
 never tumbles," then Goosnargh Church Tower 
 bids fair to stand many a blast, for faith, when 
 the bells are at their height it has a pretty 
 gamesome swing with it. 
 
 About thirty-two years ago a parishioner of 
 Gposnargh wrote as follows: 
 
 ' Sixty years ago some over officious church- 
 wardens, who had more power over the 
 public purse than taste, prudence, or good 
 sense in laying out public money, took 
 it into their heads to roughcast this 
 venerable edifice, since which many are 
 the coats of whitewash, and much the 
 cost that has been required to keep it 
 " decent and in order," and which at the 
 best was only about as becoming as dres- 
 sing an old lady in her great grand-daugh- 
 ter's white frock. 
 
 Common-sense churchwardens, let me 
 have a word with you. Knock off the 
 " roughcast," if not all in one year, do it by 
 piece meal, as means will permit of; and 
 fill up the crevices of the stones with good 
 cement, and let the old Church appear once 
 more in the likeness of an old Church, so 
 that in a few years at the most you will 
 save the chapelry the trouble of a Church 
 disfiguring, and a worse than Church white- 
 washing, wasteful expenditure. Query ! 
 How much money has been paid to dis- 
 figure the exterior of the Church during 
 the last eighty years ?"
 
 58 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The said parishioner lived to see his wish 
 carried out. 
 
 The fittings of the Church have evidently 
 undergone various alterations, but no part of 
 the wood-work bears the mark of old age. The 
 timbers carry many dates, but not one prior to 
 the 1 6th century. 
 
 The oldest date found about the Church was 
 formerly in the inside of a panel of a pew belong- 
 ing to Sudal House, Whittingham ; the inscrip- 
 tion is as follows: R.H. 161- E.R. 1700, the 
 latter figure of the former inscription being 
 broken off. The panel above alluded to appears 
 to have been part of the fitting of a former seat. 
 
 The other dates and inscriptions as they were 
 previous to the restoration of the Church in 
 1868-9 follow according to seniority: 
 
 On the south screen of Middleton quoir, A.R. 
 1622 (Alexr. Rigby.) 
 
 Over the west entrance to the chancel, R.C. 
 J.L. J.J. J.W. 1678.* 
 
 On the inner door leading to the tower stair- 
 case, N.W.R.WJ.M.W.W. i68o.t 
 
 On the churchwarden's pew. R.P. C.H. G.W. 
 E.G. 1701.11 
 
 On the pulpit, W.B., William Bushell, the 
 father of the founder of Goosnargh Hospital, 1 707. 
 
 On the front of the singing gallery, J.T. R.W. 
 J.P. W.W. 1708.11 
 
 On the west side of the screen of Middleton 
 quoir, T.R. 1721. 
 
 * R. Charnock, John Lancaster, James Johnson and John Wareing. 
 t Nicholas White, Richard Whittingham, J. M.. and Willm. Wareing. 
 II Richard Parkinson, Goldsmith, Charles Holmes, Godfrey Whit- 
 tingham, and Edward Gabbot. 
 
 IT James Taylor. Richard Ward, John Parkinson, and William Walne.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 59 
 
 The above inscriptions were all upon oak, and 
 cut in relief. 
 
 On one of the large timbers was painted 
 
 "The Revd. C. Hull, B.D., C.Oliverson, Wm. 
 Gornall, W. Bailey, J. Eccles, church- 
 wardens: A.D. 1778. The expense of 
 repairing this Church, ^"195 125. 6d." 
 
 The font is such as they were wont to be made 
 large enough to admit of an infant being immer- 
 sed according to ancient use, when it was required 
 and certified that the child " might well endure 
 it." 
 
 In front of the hospital gallery was a small 
 brass tablet to the memory of Dr. William 
 Bushell (the founder of Goosnargh Hospital) 
 inscribed as follows : 
 
 SACRED TO THE MEMORY 
 
 OF 
 
 WILLIAM BUSHELL, E S Q R . , 
 
 FOUNDER OF GOOSNARGH HOSPITAL, 
 
 WHO DIED JUNE THE VII., 
 
 MDCCXXXV. 
 
 ERECTED BY HIS TRUSTEES : 
 MR. RICHARD LATHAM, OF EUXTON ; 
 
 MR. HENRY PORTER, GOOSNARGH ; 
 
 MR. ROBERT LAYTHOM, OF EUXTON. 
 
 MDCCC. 
 
 Underneath this tablet was printed, ''This 
 gallery erected for the use of Dr. Bushell's 
 Charity."* 
 
 * Dr. Bushell claimed descent from William the Conqueror, his 
 ancestors having come over with that monarch, and it is said \vns en- 
 abled to make out a pretty good title, and that the family enjoyed con- 
 siderable property in the neighbourhood of Penwortham, which they 
 received as a grant from the crown for services rendered.
 
 6O GOOSNARGH 
 
 There are only two other tablets in the Church, 
 which are of marble, one is to the memory of 
 James Sidgreaves, Esq., late of Inglewhite Lodge, 
 Goosnargh ; and the other to John Burch 
 Parker, Esq., the last of that name, of an ancient 
 family that long resided in this neighbourhood, 
 and brother to the late Mrs. German, formerly 
 of Whittingham House, Whittingham. 
 
 The following are their respective inscrip- 
 tions : 
 
 I. H. S. 
 
 SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF 
 JAMES SIDGREAVES, GENT., 
 
 WHOSE UNIVERSAL BENEVOLENCE 
 
 AND UNBOUNDED CHARITY TO THE POOR 
 
 RENDERED HIM IN LIFE RESPECTED AND BELOVED, 
 
 IN DEATH SORELY LAMENTED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM. 
 
 HE DIED IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD i8oS. 
 
 AGED 42. 
 HIS FAITHFUL WIDOW AND NINE CHILDREN 
 
 CAUSED THIS MONUMENT 
 
 (THE LAST PLEDGE OF THEIR AFFECTION) 
 TO BE ERECTED HERE. 
 MAY HE REST IN PEACE. 
 
 The following is the inscription upon Mr. 
 Parker's tablet, over which is a stag's head, the 
 crest of the family : 
 
 THIS TABLET 
 IS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF 
 
 JOHN BURCH PARKER, 
 WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AUGUST igrn, 1844, 
 
 AGED 22 YEARS, 
 BY HIS AFFECTIONATE SISTER, MARTHA GERMAN. 
 
 I.H.S. Jesu. hominum Salvator (Jesus the Saviour of Men). 
 May he rest in peace. May his posterity as truly earn and as justly 
 deserve a like epitaph.
 
 PAST AND PR?:SENT. 6 I 
 
 The pews and seats having been built at 
 various times over a period of at least 200 years, 
 were up to 1869 of various shapes, sizes, and 
 designs, the whole of which with the exception 
 of the singing gallery and a small space under- 
 neath it were appropriated to farms in the 
 chapelry, and the custom was when an estate was 
 disposed of the Church sitting went with the 
 property to which it was appropriated, and was 
 then thought could not by any means be separ- 
 ated therefrom. However, when the Church was 
 restored in 1869-70, the seats were all declared 
 free, the wardens allotting them for the time 
 being. There is a record of all the sittings in 
 the vestry book as they were formerly appro- 
 priated. 
 
 In 1564, Queen Elizabeth ordered that the 
 Apostles' Creed and the Lord's Prayer should be 
 set up at the east end of all churches, and they 
 were formerly so set up in Goosnargh Church, but 
 at the restoration of the said Church in 1869, 
 they were consigned to the ringing room and 
 there they remain. But what of that in the 
 place thereof we have some pretty flowers and a 
 cross ! ! ! 
 
 The lion and unicorn, the royal arms, on a 
 large scale, were also exhibited at the east end of 
 the Church over the hospital gallery, but dis- 
 appeared at the said restoration. The conjunction 
 of those animals on an ecclesiastical vestment, of 
 the period of the reformation, must be attributed 
 to religious symbolism : the lion typifying forti- 
 tude and strength, and the unicorn emblematic 
 of fortitude and chastity both may well be 
 spared in God's House
 
 62 GOOSNAKGH : 
 
 THE TOWER. 
 
 The tower is ascended by a winding staircase 
 (of rather uneven pitch), landing on a floor of 
 lead, in which is cast the following inscription: 
 
 GVLIELMVS BVSHEL, 
 
 RECTOR ECCLESIA, 
 
 DE HEYSHAM, 
 
 ET 
 
 MINISTER VIVS. 
 J.C. J.H. J.S. W.W. 1715. 
 
 Otherwise in plain mother tongue 
 
 WILLIAM BUSHEL, 
 
 RECTOR OF, AND 
 PREACHER AT HEYSHAM* CHURCH : 
 
 ALSO 
 
 MINISTER FOR THE TIME BEING HERE. 
 JC. J.H. J.S. W.W. i 7 i 5 .t 
 
 The tower has six bells, which for melody are 
 said to be equalled by few and surpassed by 
 none. 
 
 Formerly, bells told tales as follows : 1| 
 
 No. I . Christopher Swaneson, A.M., Minister, 
 1742. 
 
 No. 2. Prosperity to the Church of England. 
 A.R.t 1742. 
 
 No. 3. Abr. Rudhall || cast us all. 1713. 
 
 No. 4. God preserve the Church and Queen 
 Ann. 1713. 
 
 * Heysham, in Worstershire. 
 
 t John Clarkson, John Helme, James Sharpies, and William Walne. 
 
 I Bells were first introduced into churches about the year 900, and 
 about the year 1030 began to be baptised before they were hung up. 
 and their names or sentences out of Scripture were cast on them : but the 
 fifth has lately been recast. 
 
 t The initials of the bell founder. || Of Gloucester.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 63 
 
 No. 5. Wm. Lancaster, Edw. Edmondson, 
 Ralph Millner, Jn. Grimbaldston, C. H., Wardens. 
 
 No. 6. I to the church the living call, 
 
 And to the grave do summon all. 1753. 
 
 In 1883 the fifth bell being cracked, it was re- 
 cast at the expense of Mr. Richard Newsham, of 
 Preston, and inscribed as follows : 
 
 Mears and Stainbank, Founders, London. 
 The Gift of Richard Newsham, of Preston. 
 Charles Osborne Gordon, M.A., Vicar. 
 
 John Smith, ^ Churchwardens, 
 Thomas Smith, j A.D. 1883. 
 
 There is a circular figure cut in relief outside 
 the tower, which some traditionists say is the 
 figure of the ancient linen hand-wheel (once so 
 much used in this neighbourhood), and is to the 
 memory of some good old lady or other who built 
 the steeple to the height of the wheel with money 
 she managed to save from her earnings when 
 wages were only a penny a day. 
 
 But some antiquaries say (and I think with 
 much more probability), that the "wheel" is the 
 astrologer's stamp, and that the founders or build- 
 ers of the Church being carried away by the then 
 prevailing delusion regarding witches, and having 
 faith in the power of those astrologers, who, 
 through the ignorance and wickedness of the 
 time, were enabled to carry their machinations 
 to such an incredible height in this neighbour- 
 hood, caused one of the said fraternity to put 
 his seal upon it, to protect it from harm. If true, 
 thanks to the influence of education in dispelling
 
 64 GOOSXARGH : 
 
 such wicked and absurd notions. On the ''spin- 
 ning wheel 1 ' also see Fishwick. 
 
 MIDDLETON "QUIRK" OR PEW. 
 
 Of Middleton "Quire" or Pew, and the Church 
 generally, "Anonymous," in the Preston Chron- 
 icle of 1849, ra ther complimentary says: 
 "We don't profess to be much of an antiquary, 
 but we have sufficient developement of the 
 organ of veneration, to enjoy a saunter 
 through an old church, and the ancient 
 parochial chapel at Goosnargh, which 
 with no pretensions whatever to architec- 
 tural excellence, has some interesting anti- 
 ' quarian memorials about it that carry our 
 thoughts back to times long since past. In 
 the church-yard are many tombstones, re- 
 cording that the inhabitants of this pecu- 
 liarly healthy district have enjoyed a green 
 old age before they have been summoned to 
 another world, and many a stone "with 
 uncouth, sculpture decked," narrating the 
 death of some "mute inglorious Milton," 
 or some "Cromwell, guiltless of his coun- 
 try's blood," teaches the rustic moralist to 
 die." 
 
 Antiquaries and searchers of ecclesiastical his- 
 tory consider that the present ancient structure 
 is not the first church at which the ancestors of 
 the present inhabitants of Goosnargh worshipped, 
 but that the venerable pile, with its aisles and 
 chapel, and embattled tower, replaced an earlier 
 structure, erected probably some hundred years 
 before. We believe that the date assigned to the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 65 
 
 present building is somewhere about the time of 
 that "model monarch" the English Bluebeard 
 Henry the VIII., but about its date we shall 
 neither make a disquisition nor institute a search ; 
 but on this point we will pin our faith on the 
 sleeve of the late learned historian of Whalley, 
 Dr. Whittaker. 
 
 " The interior of the Church is really primitive ; 
 plain old oak forming the material of the 
 fittings. The chancel belongs to Christ 
 Church, Oxford, the patrons of the Vicarage 
 of Kirkham, of which the Township of 
 Goosnargh-with-Newsham forms a part. 
 
 The old chapel belonging to Middleton 
 Hall is a curious part of the Church. It is 
 very ancient, and has at some time or 
 other formed a private chapel of a noted 
 family. It was long the property of the 
 Rigby's, and is now part of the possessions 
 of their representative descendant, Wil- 
 liam Shaw, esquire, of Preston. There 
 is on the screen the inscription A.R., 1622, 
 being the initials of some member of the 
 family. In the chapel is an arch for a 
 tomb,* and a curious old tomb-stone of 
 some distinguished soldier. There is no 
 clue to its date. The arms carved on it 
 are those of the Singletons, the former 
 owners ; but there are also on it the initials 
 A.R. for some Rigbye, but these letters are 
 evidently of later date than the other part 
 of the memorial. There is one fact worthy 
 of notice in Goosnargh Church. Like many 
 
 * See the Remarks on Chancels by A. Paley, page 66. 
 E
 
 66 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 other country churches, it has received the 
 touches of would-be improving church- 
 wardens. The oaken rafters of the open 
 roof are whitewashed, and stone pillars 
 that support the roof are coloured ! It is 
 very well the marble monuments are of 
 late date, or they probably would have 
 been painted." 
 
 The chancel belongs to Christ Church, Oxford, 
 the patrons of the Vicarage of Kirkham, of which 
 the Township ofGoosnargh-with-Newsham forms 
 a part, and is kept in repair by them, and has es- 
 caped more of the touches of those " would-be 
 improving churchwardens," of which the above 
 writer complains, than many of the other parts 
 of the edifice. 
 
 The remarks of A. Paley, M.A., of St. John's 
 College, Cambridge, on the Chancels of Churches 
 before the Reformation, accord pretty closely 
 with the chancel of this Church, and perhaps may 
 not be uninteresting here. 
 
 "The chancel, which in smaller churches corres- 
 ponds with the choir of our cathedrals, 
 derives its name from the latin word, 
 cancelli, that is, railings or lattice-work, 
 because it always was, and even now not 
 unfrequently is, separated from the nave by 
 a wooden screen called the rood screen, 
 which we shall hereafter describe. This 
 portion of the church was considered the 
 most sacred, and is invariably situate at 
 the east end. It is usually somewhat nar- 
 rower and lower than the body of the 
 edifice, and the floor is generally elevated 
 above that of the latter."
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 67 
 
 The east window seems at one time to have been 
 considerably longer than it now is, some two 
 or three feet having apparently been built up, 
 which gives it a very dwarfed and stunted effect 
 when seen from the interior. 
 
 CHURCH-YARD. 
 
 The cemetery, before it was enlarged in the 
 year 1871, including the site of the Church, was 
 ir. 27^)., customary measure, and is the freehold 
 of the minister for the time being. 
 
 There was formerly a capacious bone-house 
 attached to the north-west corner of the tower, 
 filled to the brim with the mouldering remains 
 of our ancestors, reminding us of the lines: 
 
 Let us with solemn footsteps go, 
 To charnels and the house of woe. 
 
 By an order from the Bishop of Chester (when 
 he had jurisdiction here), the bone-house was 
 taken down in the year 1851, and the remains 
 interred near to the north-west corner of the 
 church-yard. 
 
 THE "PATRONS OF GOOSNARGH." 
 
 The Oliversons have a family vault here ; it 
 was built in the year i846, by the late Christopher 
 Oliverson, esquire, of Westneld House, Goos- 
 nargh, on whose death, which took place on the 
 2nd day of February, 1852, a would-be village 
 poet paid his tribute thus : 
 
 Oh, day of grief ! Oh, sad the hour ! 
 The muffled bell from yonder tower, 
 Proclaimed forth to many an ear, 
 The death of one so justly dear. 
 E 2
 
 68 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Where shall my muse begin the lay ? 
 What of his virtues shall I say ? 
 How half do justice to the praise 
 Of him who now has closed his days ? 
 
 Most unassuming, kind and good, 
 The foremost in the rank he stood ; 
 A rank he justly earned by fame, 
 And not by station or high name. 
 
 Of prudent, humble, modest mien, 
 And temper sweet as e'er was seen ; 
 For rectitude he ne'er was past, 
 Nor ne'er will be while time shall last. 
 
 His country's good laid near his heart, 
 His lib'ral hand played well its part ; 
 A man he was of virtues rare, 
 And memory long will hold him dear. 
 
 His bounteous plans were void of self, 
 Respect he ne'er would pay to pelf; 
 But worthy men of any station, 
 Always met his approbation. 
 
 Man of men ! of such a cast o'mind, 
 Where shall I look his like to find ? 
 May his blood unalloyed run, 
 Through daughter's daughter and son's son. 
 
 Except for the mercer's gains, 
 This time he might have spared his pains ; 
 For hundreds who in silk ne'er dres't, 
 Long time will hold his mem'ry blest. 
 
 The shoulder knot (the badge of woe), 
 And waving band may cast a show ; 
 * * * I've that within that passes show, 
 These but trappings, the suits of woe ! 
 
 The sculptor need not carve his fate, 
 ' Tis graven deep on mem'ry's plate ; 
 For real worth's alone held dear, 
 And justly claims affection's tear. 
 
 Can I forbear that tribute's tear, 
 To part with thee my friend so dear ? 
 A friend I've only known in part, 
 Until his day we now do part.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 69 
 
 Oh, may my deeds be pure as his ! 
 And but spring from faith in Jesus 
 As his did spring ; I hope and trust 
 We then shall meet among the just. 
 
 Meet Jesus with His holy band ; 
 Meet men of God from every land ; 
 Meet old friends and millions more ; 
 Meet all the good to part no more. 
 
 Yet day of grief! Yet sad the hour ! 
 The muffl'd bell from yonder tower, 
 Proclaimeth forth to many an ear, 
 The death of one so justly dear. 
 
 INSCRIPTIONS ON TOMBSTONES. 
 
 Altogether there are about 250 gravestones in 
 the yard ; the following is the inscription of the 
 oldest : 
 
 Here lieth interred the body of John Green, 
 aged 59 years and 4 months, who departed this 
 life on Munday, the 4th day of September, 
 anno domini, 1668. 
 
 Here lieth interred the body of Christopher, 
 brother twin of the above-named John Green, 
 who died in the 88th year of his age. 
 
 nono Decembris anno dom, 1697. * 
 
 Many of the insciptions on the moss-grown 
 stones are very brief,t recording no more than 
 that somebody, but who, nobody now knows, was 
 born on a certain day or during a certain year, and 
 died at some stated time. But some of the more 
 modern ones are very fulsome in their praise of 
 the departed, and speak with every confidence 
 of their final destination ; but to use the language 
 
 "John Green and his twin brother, Christopher, were the ancestors of 
 the Crosses of Brook Cottage, Goosnargh. 
 
 tFew tomb stones exist prior to the i6th century.
 
 7<D GOOSNARGH : 
 
 of a certain pithy writher, it is to be feared that 
 " if some of the dead were to come to life again, 
 and read the epitaphs which their friends have 
 placed over them, they would imagine they had 
 got into the wrong graves ; " for 
 
 * * * "Oft upon the stone is seen, 
 not what they were, but what they should have 
 been ; " or, as Dr. Watts puts it, " Taught to flat- 
 ter and to lie". 
 
 Poetical art has, in a few instances, been called 
 into requisition, and some of the verses are very 
 pretty, and at least convey good morals. A copy 
 of one or two may not be unacceptable. 
 
 As falls the leaves in autumn, so must we, 
 
 Tho' ne'er so blooming, yield to fates decree ; 
 
 The young, the strong, the weak, the healthy must, 
 
 At the Almighty's call, return to dust. 
 The above verse is placed over the remains of 
 two young women, who were killed almost in- 
 stantaneously by the accidental ignition of gun- 
 powder, which had been placed in the kitchen 
 oven in Lower Trotter House, and not noticed 
 when the oven was heated. 
 
 The following lines are pithy, pretty, and ex- 
 pressive : 
 
 A loving wife, a mother dear, 
 A faithful friend I buried here ; 
 She lived in love, and died in peace, 
 I hope her joys will never cease. 
 
 In the north-east part of the Church-yard are 
 tombstones which mark the family vault of the 
 Oliverson family, the patrons of Goosnargh. The 
 inscriptions read : 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Richard Oliverson, 
 late of Goosnargh, who departed this life on the 
 24th of November, 1799, m the 53rd year of his 
 age.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 7 1 
 
 Also of Elizabeth, his wife, who departed this 
 life on the TSth day of June, 1823, in the 68th 
 year of her age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Isabella, daughter of 
 Richard and Isabella Oliverson, who departed 
 this life on the 8th April, 1813, in the 2gth year 
 of her age. 
 
 And of Agnes, also daughter of Richard and 
 Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed this life on 
 the 28th March, 1846, in the yoth year of her age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Christopher, son of 
 Richard and Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed 
 this life on the 2nd day of February, 1852, in the 
 78th year of his age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Richard Oliverson, 
 late of Portland Place, London, son of Richard 
 and Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed this life 
 on the 28th of February, 1852, in the 77th year 
 of his age. 
 
 And of Ann his wife, who departed this life at 
 Hastings, on the 6th day of January, 1840, in the 
 54th year of her age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Thomas Oliverson, 
 late of Montague Square, London, son of Richard 
 and Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed this life 
 on the 1 7th of April, 1861, in the 7gth year of 
 his age. 
 
 And of Robert Oliverson, late of Avonmore 
 Lodge, Reigate, Surrey, son of Richard and Eliza- 
 beth Oliverson, who departed this life on the 22nd 
 of October, 1868, in the 8oth year of his age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Christopher Oliverson, 
 third son of the late Christopher Oliverson, of 
 WestfielJ, Goosnargh, who was born Nov. 3rd, 
 1836. and died August 1st, 1877.
 
 7O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 of a certain pithy writher, it is to be feared that 
 " if some of the dead were to come to life again, 
 and read the epitaphs which their friends have 
 placed over them, they would imagine they had 
 got into the wrong graves ; " for 
 
 * * * "Oft upon the stone is seen, 
 not what they were, but what they should have 
 been ; " or, as Dr. Watts puts it, " Taught to flat- 
 ter and to lie". 
 
 Poetical art has, in a few instances, been called 
 into requisition, and some of the verses are very 
 pretty, and at least convey good morals. A copy 
 of one or two may not be unacceptable. 
 
 As falls the leaves in autumn, so must we, 
 
 Tho' ne'er so blooming, 3'ield to fates decree ; 
 
 The young, the strong, the weak, the healthy must, 
 
 At the Almighty's call, return to dust. 
 The above verse is placed over the remains of 
 two young women, who were killed almost in- 
 stantaneously by the accidental ignition of gun- 
 powder, which had been placed in the kitchen 
 oven in Lower Trotter House, and not noticed 
 when the oven was heated. 
 
 The following lines are pithy, pretty, and ex- 
 pressive : 
 
 A loving wife, a mother dear, 
 A faithful friend I buried here ; 
 She lived in love, and died in peace, 
 I hope her joys will never cease. 
 
 In the north-east part of the Church-yard are 
 tombstones which mark the family vault of the 
 Oliverson family, the patrons of Goosnargh. The 
 inscriptions read : 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Richard Oliverson, 
 late of Goosnargh, who departed this life on the 
 24th of November, 1799, * n the 53rd year of his 
 age.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 71 
 
 Also of Elizabeth, his wife, who departed this 
 life on the I5th day of June, 1823, in the 68th 
 year of her age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Isabella, daughter of 
 Richard and Isabella Oliverson, who departed 
 this life on the 8th April, 1813, in the 2gth year 
 of her age. 
 
 And of Agnes, also daughter of Richard and 
 Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed this life on 
 the 28th March, 1846, in the yoth year of her age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Christopher, son of 
 Richard and Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed 
 this life on the 2nd day of February, 1852, in the 
 78th year of his age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Richard Oliverson, 
 late of Portland Place, London, son of Richard 
 and Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed this life 
 on the 28th of February, 1852, in the 77th year 
 of his age. 
 
 And of Ann his wife, who departed this life at 
 Hastings, on the 6th day of January, 1840, in the 
 54th year of her age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Thomas Oliverson, 
 late of Montague Square, London, son of Richard 
 and Elizabeth Oliverson, who departed this life 
 on the 1 7th of April, 1861, in the 79th year of 
 his age. 
 
 And of Robert Oliverson, late of Avonmore 
 Lodge, Reigate, Surrey, son of Richard and Eliza- 
 beth Oliverson, who departed this life on the 22nd 
 of October, 1868, in the 8oth year of his age. 
 
 Sacred to the memory of Christopher Oliverson, 
 third son of the late Christopher Oliverson, of 
 WestfielJ, Goosnargh, who was born Nov. 3rd, 
 1836. and died August ist, 1877.
 
 74 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 And but for that sad shrouded eye 
 That fires not, wins not, weeps not now ; 
 And but for that chill changeless brow 
 Where cold obstruction's apathy 
 Appals the gazing mourner's heart, 
 As if to him it could impart 
 The doom he dreads, yet dwells upon. 
 Yes, but for these, and these alone, 
 Some moments, aye, one treacherous hour, 
 He still might doubt the tyrant's power ; 
 So fair, so calm, so softly seal'd, 
 The first last look by death reveal'd !" 
 
 To the sensitive mind "the viewing of the 
 bodies" was a spectacle irresistably summoning 
 up a train of reflections at once awe-inspiring 
 and self humiliating, and filling the heart with 
 emotions so novel in character and intense in 
 degree, as to rob it of all power of utterance. 
 
 From sundry accounts of the eccentricity of 
 the mother's previous conduct which were given 
 in evidence at the inquest, the jury returned a 
 verdict of wilful murder against the mother, 
 committed under the influence of insanity. The 
 prevailing opinion being that a high spirit 
 labouring under adverse circumstances (in other 
 words pride and poverty two poor mates), were 
 the chief cause. 
 
 Their names and ages were as follows : Ann 
 Sanderson, aged 32 years (31 years was errone- 
 ously marked upon her coffin) ; Eleanor, aged 12 
 years ; Daniel James, aged 9 years ; Margaret, 
 aged 6 years ; Robert, aged 4 years ; William, 
 aged 2 years. 
 
 A subscription was opened mainly through 
 the instrumentality of the minister of White- 
 chapel, the Rev. Thomas Benn, for the bereaved 
 husband Edward Sanderson, and a handsome
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 75 
 
 sum was obtained, wherewith his debts were dis- 
 charged and some provision made to better his 
 future prospects in life. 
 
 A brief sketch of the life of this unfortunate 
 woman may not be uninteresting. 
 
 Ann Partridge, for that was the name she bore 
 previous to her marriage with Edward Sander- 
 son, was born at Ambleside, Westmorland, on 
 the 29th of October, 1805. Her father followed 
 the employment of weaving linsey-woolseys, was 
 married at St. Bees on the 1 6th of October, 1798, 
 and had three children, of whom Ann was the 
 youngest. Eventually, however, he laid aside 
 his occupation, and enlisted in the 2nd Royal 
 Lancashire Militia. From that regiment he 
 volunteered at Warrington for seven years into 
 the 47th, and passing over into Spain, was en- 
 gaged in several battles, and ultimately taken 
 prisoner by the French, by whom he was con- 
 fined in the prison of Bayonne. The widowed 
 mother in order to procure subsistence and to 
 bring up her offspring engaged herself in the 
 capacity of a monthly nurse. Ann, likewise 
 as she advanced in age, was employed by the 
 neighbours to nuise, but in process of time she 
 entered into service at the house of Mr. John 
 Holme, the Golden Ball, in Ambleside. From 
 thence she passed into the employ of Mr. Lady- 
 man, Low Wood Inn, near Ambleside, where she 
 remained half a year. About this time Mrs. 
 Gibson, of Quernmore Park, wrote to Mrs. Wil- 
 son, Dove Street, Ambleside, for a servant as 
 kitchen maid, and to this situation Ann Partridge 
 was recommended and inducted. After the death 
 of Mr. Gibson Mrs. Gibson was anxious for Ann
 
 7 6 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 to accompany her into Cheshire, but the latter 
 preferred entering into the service of Hymen and 
 making a home for herself. On account of her 
 youth, for she was then only 18 years Old, her 
 marriage was for a 'time prevented by the 
 authority of her mother. Again she came to 
 Ambleside, and was hired by Sherwood Gell, 
 Esq., of the Wood, and having been half a year 
 in that place she engaged with a family occu- 
 pying furnished lodgings at Miller Bridge, not 
 far from Ambleside ; in these lodgings the family 
 remained but a short time, and Ann was com- 
 pelled to seek another service. Mr. Willers, of the 
 Castle Hill, Lancaster, soon afterwards engaged 
 her, from which place she was married, about 13 
 years before the said sad event, to her husband 
 Edward Sanderson. After their marriage they 
 took up their dwelling at Skerton, and Sanderson 
 was employed as a day labourer at Quernmore, 
 from which place he used only to return home 
 on the Saturday evenings. During the absence 
 of her husband, Ann Sanderson "looked well to 
 the ways of her house," took in knitting and 
 sewing, and was laudably industrious. She was 
 a very intelligent woman, and remarkably good 
 looking, of a high spirited, active and aspiring 
 temperament, but somewhat characterised by 
 eccentricity. Her great and predominant failing 
 however appears to have been "empty pride :" 
 an ambition to rise above those around her. 
 Discontented with the humility of her station 
 and desirous of improving her prospects and cir- 
 cumstances she prevailed upon her mother, who 
 died about the year 1836, at Ambleside, to lend 
 heroic, with which she set up her husband in
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 77 
 
 the business of a butcher. In this business they 
 proved unfortunate and lost money, hence they 
 were induced to remove into Goosnargh, and at 
 Fairhurst they commenced shopkeeping. Fortune 
 again frowned upon them ; they became involved 
 in debt, real or imaginary difficulties surrounded 
 them, and the conduct of the wife became marked 
 by a great degree of strangeness and eccentricity. 
 On the 1 8th of May, 1838, she left her husband 
 and family, and taking with her the youngest 
 child, she set out upon an unknown journey. 
 To her husband, who furnished her with what 
 money he could raise, she represented that she 
 was going to see a brother who lived at some 
 distance. She was however heard of being in 
 Manchester, and eight weeks before this awful 
 event she returned home announcing to her hus- 
 band that the brother whom she had been to see 
 at Chatham, and who was a soldier in the 54th 
 regiment, had died of the cholera, and subse- 
 quently his wife had got married to another man. 
 The cold earth now covers her, and I will neither 
 sow a thistle nor plant a thorn on the grave of 
 her whose beautiful face and fair form seems to 
 appear before me as I write these remarks 
 
 " Observer," in 1853, wrote as follows : "The 
 burying ground is very much crowded, but in 
 consequence of so many other cemeteries having 
 lately been established in this neighbourhood, 
 the interments are not so numerous as they 
 formerly were." 
 
 The sexton, Thomas Parkinson, has held his 
 office as principal or assistant during the long 
 period of 50 years, and can point out the exact 
 locality of every family burying ground that has
 
 7 8 GOOSNAKGH : 
 
 been claimed during the time he has held office, 
 and it appears that no other person has much 
 knowledge of their situation. A plan of this 
 "field of graves" seems to be very desirable. I 
 cannot compliment the Church officers upon the 
 good order in which they keep the Church-yard : 
 the graves are filled too high, many of the tomb 
 stones are in a disgraceful disorderly state ; the 
 hedges are untrimmed, and the causeway is about 
 the only one in the village that never gets 
 weeded. (Since the above was written a plan of 
 the grave-yard has been made, and other matters 
 mended.) 
 
 There is a Sun-dial in the burying ground so 
 constructed as to point out the equated time to a 
 minute. The plate has on it the following 
 inscription, and the engraving is first-rate : 
 
 C. Swainson, M.A., Minr. of Goosnargh. 
 
 Vive memor, quam sis sevi brevis. Hor. 
 
 (Remember how short a time you have to live.) 
 
 H. Porter of Westfield Delin. & Sculp., 1748. 
 
 Lat. 53 38'. 
 
 At the north-east corner of the Church a plain 
 box stone bearing the following inscription marks 
 out Goosnargh Hospital burying ground : " This 
 burying ground belongs to the charity founded 
 by Dr. William Bushell in the year 1735." 
 
 There is an ancient upright cross pedestal in 
 the Church-yard. The cross would most prob- 
 ably be erected at the time the Church was built, 
 inasmuch as no place of worship existed prior to 
 the Reformation, or I believe for several years 
 afterwards, in communion with the Church of 
 England (I borrow this cross paragraph, but I
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 79 
 
 believe from good authority), where the cross 
 was not to be found near the principal door on 
 the south where it was probably placed to re- 
 mind the faithful of the sufferings undergone by 
 their Saviour as an atonement for their sins. We 
 find it adopted at a very early age of the Chris- 
 tian church as an emblem of their salvation. In 
 process of time it was abused by superstition on 
 the one hand and discarded by prejudice on the 
 other. Whether of these feelings is the greater 
 enemy to true religion it is difficult to determine. 
 (See article Cross Stones.) 
 
 From 60 to 70 years ago the Church-yard was 
 very properly planted round with forest trees, 
 such as chestnut, poplar, fir, &c. (than which 
 nothing tends more to set off to advantage an 
 ancient country church), but the Church-yard 
 being at that period and for some years after- 
 wards very improperly used as the school play 
 ground. Most of the plants were destroyed, 
 the few which escaped the rude hands of the 
 school boys (mine own not excepted) bid fair to 
 raise their heads on high and adorn the sacred 
 spot. 
 
 There are two public paths through the 
 Church-yard which are left open during the week- 
 days ; this ill accords with the sacredness of the 
 place, especially as it is situated so near to a large 
 public school, and as one of the paths could easily 
 be diverted, and with but very little if any incon- 
 venience to the public, it is to be hoped the 
 Church authorities will ere long see the propriety 
 and exercise their authority to keep the ashes of 
 the dead with more becoming sanctity. One 
 extreme makes theChurch-yard a public thorough-
 
 8o GOOSXARGH : 
 
 fare over people's graves, which is very unseemly ; 
 the other shuts out the contemplative visitor. 
 
 Formerly the Church tower held a very large, 
 and judging from the hard worn wheels, a very 
 ancient clock, but of its origin I find no record, 
 which oft required to be reminded by its more 
 lowly neighbour of what false steps it had taken. 
 And previous to the year 1*46 it had a very 
 shabby, shattered, hard worn face ; it was of wood, 
 and bore the date 1808, on which an anonymous 
 writer in the Preston Chronicle of the 9th April, 
 1845, rather humourously remarked 
 
 " Of all improved and improving places in the 
 North of Lancashire, I think Goosnargh 
 village stands unrivalled ; and as that far 
 famed, neat, retired spot has undergone a 
 transformation from ' the pretty ' to some- 
 thing approaching 'the magnificent,' it 
 has I think Mr. Editor a claim upon your 
 notice ; for wherever much is done much 
 is generally made to appear to want 
 doing. Among the many improvements 
 which have been made and are in progress, 
 I hope that registrar of time with his one 
 hand, the old church clock will not 
 remain long neglected. He indeed points 
 out as well as he is able in his crippled 
 state ' the fleeting moments as they pass 
 away ;' but alas ! his shattered frame lets 
 in new light through chinks that time 
 has made, and the incessant work in 
 which he has been so long engaged now 
 seems more than his single arm is able 
 to perform. He certainly struggles hard, 
 and appears almost convulsed with efforts
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 8 1 
 
 to point out the true time, but seldom if 
 ever succeeds, save when with iron tongue 
 he proclaims ' with sad and solemn sound ' 
 that another period of existence has made 
 its exit another step has been taken 
 towards ' the house appointed for all 
 living.' 
 
 I believe sir his crippled state is not owing 
 to any defect in nature, for that indeed sel- 
 dom errs, but that the fault has been in 
 nature's journeyman who made him and 
 did not make him well. His face I believe 
 was once considered handsome, round, 
 ruddy and plump as the rising sun ; but 
 the rude handkrf time has sadly wrinkled 
 his forehead and also shorn off his chin. 
 This sir is a faithful description of our 
 weather-beaten monitor ; and I think if 
 you would be so obliging as to give these 
 few remarks a corner in your valuable 
 journal, they would be responded to by the 
 proper authorities." 
 
 The new clock is thus inscribed : 
 
 THIS CLOCK ERECTED 
 
 A.D. 1861, AT THE JOINT EXPENSE OF 
 
 WM. SHAW, ESQR., OF PRESTON, AND 
 
 RICHD. OLIVERSON, ESQR., OF GOOSNARGH, ' 
 
 AND BY THEM PRESENTED TO 
 
 GOOSNARGH CHURCH. 
 
 SIMPSONS, 
 
 MAKERS, , PRESTON. 
 
 The patronage of the Church is vested in the 
 Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford, and 
 is in the incumbency of the Rev. Charles Osborne 
 Gordon, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford, who
 
 82 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 was appointed to the cure in the year 1883, and 
 the Rev. Wilson Pedder is the rural dean. 
 
 By the following return, which was made in 
 1717, at the instigation of the Bishop of Chester, 
 it will appear that the Church was then a very 
 poor living. 
 
 A copy of a letter sent to the Rev. Mr. Bushell 
 at Goosnargh. 
 
 " By direction of my Lord Bishop of Chester, 
 you are desired as soon as you conveniently 
 can, to give or send an account into the 
 public registry under your own and your 
 churchwardens' hands, of what school or 
 schools free or otherwise are kept up in 
 your parish ; when and by whom founded ; 
 what salary, rents, pensions, or exhibitions 
 is given and settled to the maintenance of 
 the master or masters thereof ; who have 
 the right of nomination of the masters ; 
 and in whose custody the books and 
 instruments relating to the revenue and 
 government of such school or schools are 
 lodged ; and also an account of all other 
 settled charitys besides what are appro- 
 priated to the maintenance of your minister 
 and schoolmaster. 
 
 J. WAITE, Dep. Regr." 
 
 The letter is without date, but by what follows 
 appears to be in 1717. 
 
 Annual 
 Payments. 
 S. D. 
 
 An ancient foundation from Christ 
 Church in Oxford to the Chapel in 
 Goosnargh of the salary of 3 1 8 o
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 83 
 
 Annual 
 Payments. 
 S. D. 
 
 An additional salary from do. to the 
 said Chapel, founded about 40 or 50 
 years ago 1600 
 
 A gift from Thomas Threlfall of Whit- 
 tingham to a schoolmaster in Goos- 
 nargh, founded about 40 or 50 
 years ago 7 o o 
 
 An additional gift to the School in 
 Goosnargh founded byoneColeburn 
 and paid by the Company of Dra- 
 pers in London, about 40 or 50 
 years ago, being 25 o o 
 
 A gift from William Lancaster of 
 Goosnargh to a schoolmaster at 
 Whitechapel in Goosnargh, founded 
 about 20 years ago 200 
 
 An additional gift to the schoolmaster 
 at the said Chapel, founded by 
 William Higham, this year, 1717, 
 being 600 
 
 Also a gift to the said Chapel founded 
 by the said William Higham, for a 
 minister to preach monthly there.. 300 
 
 Another gift by do. for buying books 
 
 for poor children that learn there... I o o 
 
 A gift to the poor of Goosnargh and 
 Whittingham, founded by the above 
 named Mr. Coleburn, and paid by 
 the said Company 5 o o 
 
 Another gift to the poor, founded by 
 one John Parkinson about 40 years 
 ago 15 o o 
 
 F 2
 
 84 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Annual 
 Payments. 
 S. D. 
 
 Another gift to the poor, founded by 
 one Know about 40 years ago, and 
 payable from the Loudscales Estate 
 within Goosnargh and Chipping, 
 
 being 210 o 
 
 Another gift to the poor, founded by 
 one Mossily, about 50 years ago, 
 
 being i o o 
 
 (Extracted from the township's minute book 
 of 1717), from which I also borrow the following 
 account respecting the Queen's Bounty : 
 
 An account in what manner money was ad- 
 vanced for augmenting the salary of Goosnargh 
 (Church) in order to obtain the Queen's Bounty 
 the first time. 
 
 Whereas, about the year 1715, there was the 
 sum of ^"50 belonging to the poor of Goosnargh 
 paid into the hands of some of the principal 
 inhabitants, which said sum had been in danger 
 to be lost; but by a considerable expense and 
 application about that time was recovered. And 
 at the instigation and pressing importunity of 
 the late Mr. Bushell (at that time curate) was 
 placed in his hand, upon a bond made payable 
 to the late Mr. James Fishwick and Chr. Park- 
 inson, both of Goosnargh, conditionally that if 
 the moneys could be raised to augment the same 
 to ^"200, it should be applied for and towards 
 raising the Queen's Bounty ; otherwise, and in 
 case of failure herein, the same should return and 
 be applied according to its original institution for 
 the benefit of the poor. But the scheme being 
 carried into execution and completed about the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 85 
 
 year 1721, the particulars were advanced as 
 underwritten : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 The poor money as above recited ... 50 o o 
 Ash wood at that time growing in the 
 
 church-yard taken by Mr. Bushell 
 
 at 50 o o 
 
 Allowed by do. for four years' interest 
 
 of the ^"50 while it lay in his hand 10 o o 
 Advanced by the churchwardens or 
 
 other officers of Goosnargh the 
 
 sum of 10 17 i 
 
 Do. by the Township of Whitting- 
 
 ham their proportion to ^"100 ... 29 3 4 
 Given by the late Richard Whitting- 
 
 ham, Esq., the sum of 30 o o 
 
 Do. by the late Lawrence Parkinson, 
 
 of Cuerdale, the sum of 20 o o 
 
 200 o 5 
 Queen's Bounty 200 o o 
 
 From the above it would appear that the 
 Queen's Bounty was obtained a second time for 
 Goosnargh Church, but I do not find any par- 
 ticulars recorded thereof. 
 
 The emoluments of the Church at present 
 stand as follows : 
 
 s. D. 
 A good and commodious parsonage 
 
 with small garden, annual value 
 
 (Overseers) 21 5 o 
 
 Farm buildings and 46a. 3r. :6p. of 
 
 land in Whittingham 50 o o
 
 86 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 From land in Whittingham 2a. or. up. 
 
 (Tithe Barn Meadow, where a 
 
 tithe barn formerly stood) ...... 3 o o 
 
 From land in Whittingham ija. y. 
 
 26p ...................... 20 o o 
 
 From land in Goosnargh 6a. 2r. 9p... 14 o o 
 Grant from Ecclesiastical Commis- 
 
 sioners, made in 1841 ......... 60 o o 
 
 Church Fees christnings, church- 
 
 ings, marriages, burials,tomb stones, 
 
 and vaults, say ............ 10 o o 
 
 From Christ Church, Oxford (paid 
 
 from the tithes of Goosnargh) ... 142 2 6 
 From Queen Ann's Bounty (annual 
 
 grant)* .................. 6 16 o 
 
 327 3 6 
 Less interest of money borrowed 
 
 for repairs ............ 12 o o 
 
 3 6 
 
 Gross ^"315 3s. 6d., Net, say ^"300. 
 
 CHURCH FEES. 
 
 Marriage by Banns (paid in advance ).\ 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Minister's Fee ............... 060 
 
 Clerk's do ................ 026 
 
 * The late lamented Richard Oliverson interested himself largely in 
 obtaining this grant, and I doubt not influentially too. 
 
 t Marriages in Churches first ordained A.D. 1 200 ; publication of banns 
 A.D. 1200. 
 
 By the nth Canon of Westminster, A D. 1200, it was enacted that no 
 marriage shall be contracted without banns, three times published in the 
 Church, unless by special authority of the Bishop .
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 87 
 
 Marriage by Licence. 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Minister's Fee o 10 6 
 
 Clerk's do 030 
 
 Churching and Christning. 
 
 Minister's Fee Voluntary 
 
 Clerk's do do. 
 
 Burial of Parishioners. \\ 
 
 Minister's Fee o i 6 
 
 Clerk's do 006 
 
 Sexton's do. Grave 5 feet deep 2s., 
 and is. for every 
 extra foot. 
 
 Do. do. Bearer o i o 
 
 Do. do. Passing Bell o i o 
 
 Burial of Non- Parishioners. 
 
 Minister's Fee 2 2 o 
 
 Clerk's do 030 
 
 Ringers fees are \ 53. each per annum, and 3d. 
 
 each for every funeral. 
 Making a vault ^5, opening a vault $. 
 
 For putting down Tomb Stones. 
 
 Minister's Fee I i o 
 
 Clerk's do o 2 6 
 
 REPAIRS OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 The chancel of the Church is kept in repair by 
 the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford. 
 
 ll'The first Christian burial place in Britain was consecrated in the 
 year'A.D. 596, burying in Churches A.D. 750.
 
 88 GOOSNARGH 
 
 Middleton "Quoir" or Pew, by the owner of 
 Middleton Hall, Townley Rigby Knowles, Esq. ; 
 and the remainder of the fabric by a pound rate 
 levied upon the occupiers of the lower division 
 of Goosnargh, and from other voluntary sources, 
 and the whole of Whittingham. 
 
 Previous to the year 1846, when the new eccle- 
 siastical districts were formed, Whitechapel was a 
 " Chapel-of-Ease " under Goosnargh Church, but 
 at that time was made independent, and Goos- 
 nargh was also tributary to Kirkham Church, 
 and paid thereto IDS. a year, but since the said 
 ecclesiastical arrangement it has been exonerated 
 from the said charge, and for ecclesiastical pur- 
 poses the lower division of Goosnargh and Whit- 
 tingham is the Parish of Goosnargh. 
 
 CHURCH RATES. 
 
 The collection of Church rates here has led to 
 many disputes, though they are but trifling 
 28 45. 5d. being the sum received by the 
 churchwardens from that source for the year 
 ending Easter 1854 but I suppose it was the 
 principle rather than the amount that was the 
 greatest grievance. 
 
 In the year 1868 Church rates were made vol- 
 untary, and so the quarrel ceased. 
 
 PARISH CLERK. 
 
 There is a Parish Clerk here ; this functionary 
 receives a salary of 6 6s. a year for his services, 
 which is paid out of the Church rates.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 89 
 
 The primitive custom of the service being per- 
 formed by the minister and clerk is all but 
 obsolete in this neighbourhood. 
 
 An old lady remarked she did not know what 
 things would come to, but perhaps before long 
 people would be saying Amen for themselves. 
 
 SEXTON. 
 
 The Sexton or Beadle of the Church has a 
 salary of ^"5 45. a year, which also is paid out of 
 the Church rates, in addition to the fees. His 
 duties are to attend upon the funerals, clean the 
 Church, wind up the clock, heat the Church, and 
 keep the yard in order. 
 
 GOOD OLD CUSTOM. 
 
 Previous to the appointment of rural police a 
 good old custom prevailed here which acted as a 
 preventive to evil. The churchwardens went 
 their beat during the hours of divine service, but 
 somehow or other they seemed to consider the 
 afternoon not quite so sacred as the morning. 
 
 STICKING BILLS. 
 
 It is the custom to stick various kinds of bills 
 on the Church door, and in some instances the 
 law (but it is not a good law) compels it. 
 
 A most ridiculous custom formerly prevailed 
 here, which shows that nothing is too absurd 
 to be tolerated if it has only custom to support 
 it. I allude to the clerk reading aloud in the 
 Church-yard, sale-bills and every discription of
 
 90 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 notices immediately after the morning service, 
 and the common inquiry then was, and has not 
 yet died away, "Anything fresh at Church?" 
 alluding to the bill calling. The clerk's fee was 
 2d. for each notice, which during the year 
 amounted to a considerable sum. Many a two- 
 pence has been paid for the following proclamation 
 at Goosnargh Church sun-dial, " Thomas Thrifty 
 is going to kill a fat bull on Tuesday next and 
 cut him down on Thursday and he will be much 
 obliged to you for your custom." (Roars of 
 laughter). But in the year 1838 one of the old 
 parish constables took it into his head to put a 
 stop to the nuisance, and absurd as the thing was 
 there were not wanting those of the old stand-still 
 class to pronounce the constable over-officious, 
 but common sense, prudence and decency coming 
 to his aid, he was soon enabled to put an effectual 
 curb upon Mr. Amen's barbarous custom. 
 
 BELL RINGING. 
 
 The Church bells are generally rung for about 
 half-an-hour before the morning and afternoon 
 service. As regards their salaries, see "Church 
 fees. " 
 
 THE CHURCH CHOIR. 
 
 Before the year 1885 I don't find that the 
 Church choir ever received any direct remuner- 
 ation for their services, but they formerly had a 
 custom (a much abused good custom) of going from 
 house to house about Christmas singing appro- 
 priate hymns and collecting the gratuities of their
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 9! 
 
 neighbours; but this hymn singing having so 
 frequently ended in drunken revels, many of the 
 most respectable class (the class the most likely 
 to serve their purpose), shut their doors upon 
 them. The time was when it was no disgrace 
 to be "as drunk as a lord," but happily that day 
 has gone by and it is to be hoped will not return 
 again. 
 
 THE TIME OF CHURCH SERVICE AND 
 CHURCH TRUANTS. 
 
 The Church service commences at half past ten 
 o'clock in the morning and at three in the afternoon, 
 but many are the Goosnargh Church truants on 
 whose conduct a journalist of the Preston Chron- 
 icle in 1848 under the signature of "A Bachelor" 
 made some caustic remarks, and though his pill 
 was bitter to some and vomited by others, yet as 
 it had a salutary effect generally, I will with Mr. 
 "Bachelor's" leave take the liberty to repeat the 
 dose. 
 
 HINT TO CHURCH GOERS. 
 
 " It is a part of my religion not to disturb the religion of 
 others. A YOUNG LADY. 
 
 To THE EDITOR or THE PRESTON "CHRONICLE." 
 Sir, I am a Church goer; and though my 
 residence is as far from the house of God as 
 most people's, yet I generally contrive to be 
 . there before the service commences ; and 
 Mr. Editor with your kind permission I 
 will endeavour to prevail upon some of my 
 neighbours to be a little more punctual 
 in their attendance.
 
 92 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 At the Church where I have the pleasure 
 to worship, about one half of the congre- 
 gation are often sadly too late and not 
 unfrequently three-fourths come in after 
 the appointed time; and I think it is too 
 bad that those few who do come in time 
 for the opening should thus be subjected 
 to the perpetual nuisance of the clapping 
 of the doors, and the clattering footsteps 
 of late comers. No doubt this irregularity 
 arises from various causes. One set of 
 Church truants, whom I call the "vanity 
 class," appear to studiously make a point 
 of being too late, to afford themselves an 
 opportunity of having a swagger up the 
 Church aisle to show themselves and their 
 robes to greater numbers, and in their 
 shallow estimation to a better advantage. 
 Another set whom I call the "grovelling 
 class," who are so beset with this world's 
 cares that they cannot finish their week's 
 worldly business in six days and therefore 
 they have so many odd jobs to attend to 
 and so many "errands to run" on a Sun- 
 day morning, that they cannot possibly 
 "without a turn of mind" be in time for 
 the service. Another set, whom I call the 
 "lounging class," saunter about the Church 
 yard picking up the week's gossip, to take 
 home for themselves and their friends to 
 feast upon during the Sunday afternoon ; 
 those thus employed generally make away 
 with five or ten minutes after the bell drops 
 before they find their way into the Church. 
 A fourth set and by far the largest, whom
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 93 
 
 I call the "thoughtless class," which com- 
 prises some of every age, sex and station, 
 and whose irregularity appears to arise 
 from nothing more or less than a loose 
 careless habit and a want of a due estim- 
 ation of their Sabbath privileges, for 
 amongst this number are to be seen many 
 who have the most spare time upon their 
 hands and who reside hard by the Church 
 door, and yet " from one new moon to 
 another" they are alway a little too late for 
 the opening. The above I conceive to be the 
 chief causes of late attendance, and yet no 
 doubt a want of reflection has a hand more 
 or less, in every instance, for if the truants 
 did but consider how great was the Sabbath 
 privileges, and how sacred and important 
 their Sabbath duties, they could not so 
 causelessly and unblushingly slight the 
 public worship of their God, and be so 
 eternally annoying to their more regular 
 neighbours. 
 
 If then we do value our Sabbath privi- 
 leges, if we wish to show a spark of good 
 breeding, if we wish a blessing upon our 
 attendance, and if we don't wish to cast 
 contempt upon God and his ordinances, 
 and not to be annoying to other worship- 
 pers, let us " keep our foot when we go 
 into the house of God," and to be sure 
 to be in time for the opening. 
 
 A BACHELOR. 
 
 Goosnargh, December 26th, 1848. 
 
 Previous to the year 1 849 a great portion of 
 
 the Church floor was of clay and littered with
 
 94 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 straw, but a subscription being opened and 
 headed by Dr. Bull and Mr. William Shaw (a 
 descendant of the founder of the Church), it was 
 liberally responded to, and in the year 1850 the 
 Church was nearly new floored. 
 
 THE VICARAGE. 
 
 The vestry book has the following honourable 
 item on the vicarage. 
 
 March 21, 1799. Be it known to future min- 
 isters of Goosnargh, to the vestry, and the 
 inhabitants in general, that Joshua Southward 
 (minister of Goosnargh), has allotted and conveyed 
 from and out of his own real estate, situate and 
 being in the Township of Whittingham, about 
 one rood of land, be the same more or less, 
 containing the site on which a parsonage house 
 is erected and other offices, together with a barn, 
 stable, and cowhouse, the remainder being appor- 
 tioned and laid out as a garden and orchard. 
 That the instrument which conveyed the above 
 specified premises has been enrolled in the high 
 court of chancery, and is now lodged in the 
 registry of Chester, being supposed the most 
 eligible place of safety, and also ready at any time 
 for inspection. Witness, Joshua Southward, 
 minister. 
 
 The house here alluded to is the present 
 vicarage, but was enlarged by the late minister, 
 Mr. Shilleto, the cost being ^"300, which he 
 borrowed from the Church Building Society. 
 The house has again been improved by Mr. 
 Gordon the present vicar, the expenses being 
 ^250, which were paid by subscription.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 95 
 
 GOOSNARGH VESTRY BOOK. 
 
 Perhaps the most interesting document which 
 the inhabitants of Goosnargh possess is an ancient 
 vestry book, in which is recorded the minutes of 
 the Twenty-four of the Chapelry of Goosnargh 
 from 1625 to the present time, from which I 
 extract the following. The first entry is without 
 date, and runs thus. 
 
 Here ensueth a catalogue of such books as 
 were given by Mr. Thomas Waring, late of 
 London, deceased, to the minister of this Chapelry 
 and his successors, lodged in the school's closet. 
 
 1. Annotations of the five Books of Moses, 
 the Book of Psalms, the Song of Songs or 
 Canticles. 
 
 2. The Lives of the Popes, from the time of 
 our Saviour till the reign of Sextus the fourth. 
 
 3. The Mystry and Marrow of the Bible. 
 
 4. Help for the understanding of the Holy 
 Scripture. 
 
 5. A Comentary or Exposition of the four 
 Evangelists, and the Acts of the Apostles. 
 
 6. The Word to come. 
 
 7. Domestical Duties eight treatises. 
 
 8. The Amendment of Life, in four books. 
 
 9. The Legacy of the Bishop of Hereford. 
 From the orthography of the above it would 
 
 appear to be out of order in the entries of the 
 book, and it is presumed the following singularly 
 worded paragraph, which shows with what care 
 and caution assessments upon the landed property 
 of this district were formerly laid, has originally 
 been the first record in this ancient book.
 
 96 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 GOOSNARGHE. 
 
 Whereas the inhabitante of ye Townshippe of 
 Goosnarghe doe all of them generallie fynd them- 
 selves agreeved with taxators and layes, which 
 hitherto synce ye enclosures of th'eir Commons, 
 have not been made by any certain rule, but 
 arbitrary at the taxors discresions. The better 
 sort of the inhabitant complayneing that they are 
 
 oftentimes occationed to their proper expenses, 
 loss of time, and neglect of their own occations, 
 and extraordinare payment in regard to the non- 
 solvency of the worser sort. They conplayneing 
 that the are unequallie taxed, although the taxors 
 used the most indifference to their understandings. 
 And whereas also the taxors have been sometimes 
 constrayned upon precepte directed by the con- 
 stables to assess greater somes thene were con- 
 teyned in the same precepte. 
 
 In regard many of the inhabitante negligent, 
 backward, and obstinate in their paying and to 
 the end the people might be satisfyed according 
 to the tenor therof, by the paymente of the more 
 forward sort of the inhabitante which hath been 
 oftentymes an apparent greivance to them that 
 
 deserved it not, and hath othertymes occationed 
 the constables and collectors at such tymes as 
 they could gather more than would satisfy the 
 said precepte to deteyne the surplusage in their 
 hands to their own uses without account thereof, 
 making to ye generalle hurt of ye inhabitante. 
 For redress of which mischief and inconvenencie 
 thereof and to give notice to all the proprietors 
 of land within the Townshippe of Goosnarghe, 
 that they meet together at the Church of Goos-
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 97 
 
 narghe to-morrow, being Munday ye eleventh of 
 this instant July, about ten of the clock in the 
 forenoon, there and then to agree upon a certain 
 ley for the whole Townshippe of Goosnarghe to 
 guide, lead, square and govern all taxations, 
 leys, goudes and assessm 1 .? hereafter to be made 
 throughout the Townshippe of Goosnarghe, 
 (excepte ye ould retyes) to be hereafter granted 
 by Act of Parliament, which is to be paid accord- 
 inge to ye anciente costome. 
 
 The aforesaid notice was published in Goosnargh 
 Church, on Sunday, the tenth of July, 1625, in 
 the full assemblie there. 
 
 And afterwards, the last day of July, in the said 
 Church of Goosnargh, there was published as 
 followeth, viz. 
 
 Whereas upon Sunday the tenth day of this 
 instant month of July, publique notice was given 
 in this Church of Goosnarghe for a generalle 
 meeteinge for the rateinge and assessinge of this 
 townshipp in a certaine ley or taxation accord- 
 ing to quantities and qualities of their land ; and 
 accordinglee a generalle meetinge was held, and 
 thereupon a certaine taxation, ley, or goude of 
 seven nobles was made, rated, and assessed 
 throughout the said townshipp upon all the 
 proprietors or occupiers of land within the said 
 townshipp, distributurelie proportunabley and 
 equally according to the quantity and quality of 
 every man's land, or as near as could be imagined, 
 these therefore are to signifie and give notice to 
 all p"sons whom it doth or may concerne. That 
 before the same ley, taxacon or goude so made 
 as aforesaid is to be engrossed in p * ment, the 
 same is written in a pay booke, which pay booke 
 G
 
 98 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 from this present day beinge the last of the 
 aforesaid month of July, Anno Domi i625,untill 
 Munday, the eight day of August next followinge, 
 shall remaine in the vestry, in the north syde of 
 the chancell of this Church, to the end ; whoso- 
 ever pleaseth may duringe that tyme p " use and 
 examine the same, and if any p^son shall fynd 
 himselfe unequally or over deeplie charged, let 
 him resort to this Church of Goosnargh upon 
 Munday the said eight day of August, about ten 
 of the clock in the forenoone of the same day, 
 when and where his complaint shall be heard 
 (and if aniejust cause appear) allowed, and his 
 taxacon eased, lessened and abated by these 
 persons, or a great number of them, hereafter 
 named, and thereunto elected out of every tith- 
 inge of this towhshipp, viz., Mr. Alexander 
 Rigby of the Church tyth, Mr. George Beesley 
 of the Beesley tyth, Mr. Mathie Latus of Long- 
 ley tyth, Thomas Wilson of Aspenhurst tyth, 
 Mr. Cuthbert Hesketh of Threlfall tyth, and 
 Thomas Parkinson of Kidsnape tyth. 
 
 And whereas upon the foresaid eight day of 
 August the said Alexander Rigby, George 
 Beesley, Mathie Latus, and Thomas Wilson came 
 to the foresaid Church of Goosnargh, and then 
 and there diligent reviewed and reexamined 
 the foresaid paper booke, and heard all such 
 complainte as were then and there offered unto 
 them, and rectified the said pay bookes in all 
 places wherein the same was then conceived to 
 be defective or excessive ; and hereupon the said 
 paper bookes is caused to be engrossed punctuallie 
 and verbatim in manner and form following, viz. 
 
 A taxation of the Townshipp and Inhabitante
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 99 
 
 of Goosnarghe in the County of Lancaster, when 
 soe much money is to be therein gathered as 
 amounteth to the sum of fortie-six shillings and 
 eightpence, according to the quantity and qualitie 
 of everie man's land in the same townshipp. 
 
 GOOSNARGHE. 
 
 Imprimis Alexander Rigby, Esq., ) FourDence 
 
 for the Ey veshall and demesne / 
 The same Alexander Rigby, for i 
 
 Midleton Topping House and > Twelvepence. 
 
 the great share ......... j 
 
 Brdcroft ............ Fivepence halfpenny. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Helme, for the Kirk- 1 o 
 
 house and his land in the > , 
 
 Church tyth ............ f halfpenny. 
 
 Mr. Edge, for Bulsnape and Mill I " shillin S 
 
 J and twopence. 
 
 Here follows the rate or assessment in full 
 which makes the sum total of " two pounds six 
 shillings and eightpence." 
 
 The elventh day of July, Anno Rex Caroli 
 Sexto, Anno Domi 1630. 
 
 Whereas in the year of our Lord God 1625 
 there was upon publique notice and consent of 
 the inhabitante of the Townshipp of Goosenargh a 
 book of rates made for the direccon of taxacons 
 leys and goudes within the said townshipp, with 
 respect to the quantities and qualities of the land 
 of the inhabitante there. 
 
 Now forasmuch as it is informed of the foure 
 and twentie of Goosenarghe, that in and by the 
 said booke of rates some p^sons and their land 
 G 2
 
 IOO GOOSNARGH : 
 
 are unequally rated, and that some parcels of 
 land are omitted in the said book of rates.. There- 
 fore for the rectifyeinge of all inequality in the 
 said book of rates, and for supply of defects 
 therein if anie such there be. 
 
 These are to give publique notice and warne- 
 inge to all the inhabitants and own r .! of lande 
 within the said townshipp. That they upon 
 Munday the nynteenth day of this instant 
 moneth of July, at eight of the clocke in the 
 fournoone of the same day, do meete in this 
 Church then and there to review and examine 
 the said booke of rates and to rectify the same if 
 it shall be found unequall or defective. By us, 
 
 ALEXANDER RIGBY 
 MATHEW LATUS 
 THOMAS TOWNLEY 
 RICHD. SIMSON 
 JOHN THRELFALL 
 JOHN LANCASTER. 
 
 This note was published in the said Church of 
 Goosneargh upon the eighteenth day of July, 
 Anno Domi 1630, and likewise upon the elventh 
 day of the said month of July, 
 
 By me, WILLM. DANE, then Clarke. 
 
 MEM. That the nyneteenth day of July, Anno 
 Domi 1630, divers of the inhabitants of the 
 Township of Goosneargh, in the County of Lan- 
 caster, did according to publique notice and 
 warneinge in that behalf given in the Church of 
 Goosneargh upon the eleventh and eighteenth 
 days of this month of July meete in the same
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. IOI 
 
 Church of Goosneargh, and then and there did 
 review and examine the booke of rates within the 
 said Townshipp of Goosenargh, made Anno Domi 
 1625, and therefore the said inhabitants did think 
 fit and agree that Mr. Gabriell Hesketh, Robert 
 Green, Mr. Thomas Hesketh, John Lancr., and 
 William Wilson, with Anthony Helme, should 
 be eased in the said booke of rates ; and that 
 whereas in the said booke of rates eightpence is 
 assessed upon the said Mr. Gabriell Hesketh, the 
 same shall be abated into sevenpence farthing ; 
 and whereas threepence is assessed upon the said 
 Robert Green, the same is to be abated to two- 
 pence halfpenny ; and whereas twopence half- 
 penny is assessed upon the said Thomas Hesketh, 
 the same to be abated to twopence farthing ; 
 and whereas twopence halfpenny is assessed upon 
 John Lancaster, the same shall be abated unto 
 twopence farthing ; and whereas twopence half- 
 penny is assessed upon William Wilson with 
 Anthony Helme, the same shall be abated to two- 
 pence farthing ; and whereas the widow of Thos. 
 Helme, for Simpson's tenement, and Mr. Robert 
 Hesketh for the Lykehurst Moore, and the widow 
 of Ralph Parkinson for a p cell of Threlfall land, 
 were omitted in the said booke of rates, and not 
 assessed herein. It is now by the said inhabitants 
 thought fitt and soe agree that they shall be 
 assessed in this manner, that is to say, when 
 seven nobles are to be collected in or throughout 
 the Townshipp of Goosneargh afforesaid, then 
 one halfpenny shall be paid for the said Simson's 
 tenement, and one penny farthing for the said 
 Sykhurst Moore, and one farthing for the said 
 parcel of Threlfall lands.
 
 IO2 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 As witness, 
 
 ALEXANDER RIGBY JOHN LANCASTER 
 
 loth July, 1630. THOMAS PARKINSON 
 MATHY LATUS ROBERT GREEN 
 
 THOMAS TOWNLEY ROBERT PARKINSON 
 GEORGE BEESLEY THOMAS BEESLEY 
 GABRIELL HESKETH WILLIAM BEESLEY 
 THOMAS WILSON ROBERT BLEASDALE 
 RICHARD SIMPSON ROBERT CROSS 
 WILLIAM PORTER JOHN WILSON 
 RICHD. TASKER 
 
 WILLIAM DARE, then Clarke. 
 
 The assessment contains 234 entries an;l is 
 divided into six titheries, namely : 
 
 S. I). 
 
 1. Church Tithery, 53 entries, amount- 
 
 ing to 8 2^ 
 
 2. Beesley 26 4 i^ 
 
 3. Longley 35 7 o" 
 
 4. Aspinhurst,, 23 40 
 
 5. Threlfall 90 19 2\ 
 
 6. Kidsnape 7 32 
 
 2 5 8 
 
 The smallest charge in the above book of rates 
 is is. 4d. and the greatest is. 6d. 
 
 The assessment bears date igth day of July, 
 1630, and is signed: 
 
 ALEXANDER RIGBY JOHN LANCASTER 
 
 MATHEW LATUS THOMAS PARKINSON 
 
 THOMAS TOWNLEY JOHN THRELFALL 
 
 ROBERT WILSON THOMAS WILSON 
 
 RICHARD SIMPSON ANTHONY KIRKHAM
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. I 03 
 
 A catalogue of the persons which this eight 
 day of April, in the year of our Lord God one 
 thousand six hundred thirtie and foure, and in 
 the tenth year of the reign of King Charles over 
 England, France and Ireland, are of the four and 
 twenty sworn men of the Parish of Goosnargh, 
 in the County of Lancaster, viz. : 
 
 1. Thomas Whittingham, of Whittingham, Esq. 
 
 2. Thomas Helme, of the Kirkhouse in Goos- 
 
 nargh, Gent. 
 
 3. Mathew Latus, of Goosnargh, Gent. 
 
 4. George Wareing, of Whittingham, Gent. 
 
 5. William Wareing, of Whittingham, Gent. 
 
 6. Thomas Beesley, of Whittingham, Gent. 
 
 7. Thomas Wilson, of Goosnargh, Gent. 
 
 8. William Wareing, of Whittingham, Yeom. 
 
 9. Christopher Salisburie, of Whittingham, Yeo. 
 
 10. Thomas Cross, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 11. George Robson, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 12. John Threlfall, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 13. John Lancaster, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 14. James Taylor, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 15. Thomas Beesley, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 1 6. Robert Cowell, of Whittingham, Yeom. 
 
 17. Thomas Parkinson, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 1 8. Richard Fishwick, of Goosnargh, Yeom. 
 
 19. John Helme, of Whittingham, Yeom. 
 
 20. Robert of Goosnargh, Husb. 
 
 21. William Turner, of Whittingham, Husb. 
 
 22. John Boyes. of Whittingham, Husb. 
 
 23. James Cross, of Goosnargh, Husb. 
 
 24. Richard Sturzaker, of Whittingham, Husb. 
 
 April the i6th, 1645. 
 
 The Overseers of the Poor have accounted for 
 three layes within the Townshippe of Goosneargh,
 
 104 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 being the sum of ^"7, and hath disbursed the 
 same unto poor people, within the said town- 
 shippe. 
 
 1656. MEM. Proportion of Goosnargh and 
 Whittingham 
 
 If the sume bee twenty shillings, then 
 
 Goosnargh payes fowerteen shillings and two- 
 pence, 
 
 Whittingham five shillings and tenpence. 
 December the I3th, 1668. 
 
 Collected in the Chapell of Goosenargh the 
 sume of seven shillings and twopence, for poore 
 sufferers by the fyre within the Citye of London. 
 By us, THOMAS BEESLEY. ) ~, u 
 
 JAMES MERCER, '{Churchwardens. 
 
 1674. It is ordered that all deeds and writings 
 that doe relate or concern the Church and schools, 
 together with the Church book shall be kept in 
 the chest with three locks upon it standing in the 
 vestry, and that the keys shall bee henceforward 
 kept, one by the preaching schoolmaster for the 
 time being. And one by one of the inhabitants 
 of Goosnargh, and one by one of the inhabitants 
 of Whittingham. 
 
 1677. It was ordered that the ringers of the 
 Parochial Chapel of Goosnargh shall upon 
 every Lord's Day ring one bell at seven of the 
 clock in the aforenoon, two bells at eight of the 
 clock and three bells at nine of the clock ; and 
 also in the afternoon, one bell at twelve of the 
 clock, two bells at one of the clock and three bells 
 at two of the clock, unless the minister of the 
 said Chapel give other directions. 
 
 The form of the acquittance which the school- 
 master of the free school of Goosnargh is to give
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. IO5 
 
 to the Company of Drapers, London, for the 
 receipt of his stipend is as follows. 
 
 Received the day of Anno Domi 
 
 by me, A. B. of and from The Right 
 Worshipful Company of Drapers, London, the 
 sum of twelve pounds and ten shillings of lawful 
 money of England, due for my half-year's salary 
 or fee ending the day of last past, as 
 
 schoolmaster of the free school of Goosnargh, in 
 the County of Lancaster, of the gift and found- 
 ation of Mr. Henry Colebron, late of London, 
 deceased. 
 
 I say received bv me, 
 
 A. B. 
 
 The form of acquittance which two of the 
 Chapelwardens are to give to the said Company 
 of Drapers for the money due to the poor is as 
 follows : 
 
 Received the day of Anno Domi 
 
 by us C. D. and E. F., Chapel-warders of 
 the Chapelry of Goosnargh-cum-Newsham and 
 Whittingham, in the County of Lancaster, of 
 The Right Worshipful Comp>' of Drapers, 
 London, the sum of fifty shillings of lawful money 
 of England, due to the poor of the said Township 
 of Goosnargh-cum-Newsham and Whittingham, 
 for half-a-year ended on the day of 
 
 last past, of the gift of Mr. Henry Colebron, late 
 of London, deceased. 
 
 We say rec d the sum of 2 los. By us. 
 
 C. D. 
 E. F. 
 
 Form of an acquittance which is to be received 
 upon the payment of eightpence per year unto 
 the feoffees of Christ College for the school house.
 
 IO6 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Received by me A. B. for the use of C. D. as 
 feoffee of Christ College from the Chapel- wardens 
 of Goosnargh, the sum of eightpence, being an 
 ancient rent due for the school house of Goosnargh 
 aforesaid. 
 
 I say received by me. 
 
 A. B. 
 
 1 68 1. April. Whereas Thomas Beesley hath 
 in his hands twenty pounds, parte of the gift or 
 legacy of Thomas Threlfall, for thebenefitt of y 1 ? 
 poor housekeepers in Goosnargh who go not 
 a-begging, and for which he is willing to give 
 better security out of his tenem 1 . which he holds 
 under Mr. Townley. It is this day ordered that 
 he shall pay on or before ye 24th day of June 
 next, give the said security to Mr. Thomas 
 Whittingham, Mr. Thomas Rigby, Mr. Bamber 
 and Robert Barton. 
 
 THE CURFEW. 
 
 1 68 1. Ordered that Thomas Clarkson shall 
 bee discharged from being a ringer for the year 
 ensuinge & that Henry Elison shall be a ringer 
 in his place, and that he shall tent the Clocke and 
 ring eight of ye. Clocke for the year ensuinge, and 
 to have ten shillings for his painse. 
 
 THE FORM OF THE VESTRY-MAN'S OATH. 
 
 1 68 1. Ordered that every vestryman shall 
 take the following oath on his admittance to 
 office : 
 
 You shall well and truly keep all ancient, 
 lawful and laudable customs as heretofore in this 
 place have been observed and kept, so far as they
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. IO7 
 
 shall agree with the laws of this realm, and the 
 good and benefit of this Chapel and Chapelry, 
 according to your power and best understanding, 
 and your own counsel and your fellows you shall 
 keep. So help you God. 
 
 1682. Ordered that the Key of the Boxe at 
 Kirkham be kept by the ministers of Goosnargh 
 successively. 
 
 1682. It is ordered that ye. Constables of 
 Goosnargh, pay to Mr. Midgehall what money he 
 is out of purse for making a new pair [of Stocks 
 in Inglewhite according to an order of sessions. 
 
 1682. It is ordered that William Wareing 
 looke to the Clock, to sweepe the Church and keep 
 it cleane, to Ring the bell at 8 of ye. Clocke, to 
 wash ye. surplices, to take care of the hackes and 
 spades and all the utensills of ye. Church, and for 
 his doeing so, he shall have the benefitte of 
 buriales in the Church. 
 
 1682. Ordered that the churchwardens for ye 
 time to come shall have their accounts entered 
 in this booke, and the minister that now is and 
 for the time to come shall be desired to enter 
 their accounts, and for his so doeing he shall have 
 yearly 2s. 6d. 
 
 1682. It is ordered that the old churchwardens 
 shall pay to the M nr 8d. wch. hee laid down to 
 two breefes, and if there remain not so much in 
 their hands at the time of their dismission from 
 the court, then ye newe ones shall pay him ye sd. 
 sum of 8d. 
 
 March ye 2gth, 1684. At a meeting of ye 
 Twenty-foure present, Thomas Whittingham, 
 esquire, Mr. John Whittingham, Mr. Robert 
 Bamber, Mr. John Parker, Mr. James Johnson,
 
 io8 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 John Cardwell, Henry Wareing, Thomas Daniel, 
 Mr. Richard Crumbleholme, James Trelfall, 
 William Woen, Mr. Henry Parker, Robert 
 Barton, Barton Parkinson, James Taylor, Thomas 
 Beesley and John Marsden. That whereas their 
 is lately erected a school-house near the south 
 style of the Parochial Chapel of Goosriargh. 
 
 It is ordered that from henceforth the said 
 school-house be repaired by ye. chappel-wardens 
 of Goosnargh and Whittingham out of ye. Church 
 lay and kept in good, decent and comely repair 
 from yeare to yeare. And for their so doing this 
 shall be their warrant. And therefore we desire 
 the chapehvarders that shall be from yeare to 
 yeare to take especial notice of this our order 
 and doe as herein is required and desired.* 
 
 April 1 8th, 1693. Ordered that the church- 
 wardens upon the request of our minister shall 
 pay the clarke for the year next ensuing the sum 
 of one pound six shillings and eightpence, to be 
 paid quarterly. 
 
 April the loth, 1694. Faculty of the Church. 
 
 MEMORANDUM. That the key which belongs to 
 the box at Kirkham, and kept in the hands of Mr. 
 Butterworth, was delivered this loth day of Ap r . 
 '94 to Mr. Henry Parker, the 24 present. Henry 
 Parker. 
 
 March ye. 26th, 1695. Ordered that the church- 
 wardens shall pay the ensuing year to the clarke 
 305. seven shillings and sixpence per quarter. 
 John Grimbaldeston, continued. Ordered that the 
 saxstones shall have two shillings and sixpence 
 
 * For a period of 150 years these strong injunctions were held sacred, 
 and the school-house kept in repair as directed, but about 1836 that burden 
 was thrown upon the schoolmasters. !!
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 1 09 
 
 per quarter for attending the clock, and advantage 
 of all the buryings, for looking to the utensills of 
 the same without account rendering for the 
 ensuing year 
 
 MEM. The tenth day of April, 1696. There 
 was delivered unto our present minister, William 
 Bushell, one table clothe, 2 napkins, 2 flaggons, 
 2 bowles, and one pewder dish, by William 
 Newsham, one of the churchwardens that year. 
 
 Ordered that the churchwardens pay unto the 
 clerk for the ensuing year 403. (viz.), los. per 
 quarter, and to be continued yearly till otherwise 
 ordered. 
 
 Ordered. That William Threlfall tend the 
 clock, sweep the Church, wash the surplises, and 
 do all other necessaries about the Church, and 
 that he shall have for his pains 205. per annum. 
 
 Ordered. That Edward Gabbott, Robert Har- 
 rison, and the said William Threlfall be ringers, 
 so long as they duly attend the Church. 
 
 Ordered. That the deed belonging to Threlfall's 
 gift for the free school be transferred according 
 to a certain clause comprised and contained 
 therein ; and that Henry Parker and Barton 
 Parkinson take care for the due performing of 
 the same ; the churchwardens for the year present 
 allowing them all necessary charges they shall be 
 at for doing the same. 
 
 April ye. 6th, 1697. Ordered. That the bond 
 given to William Walle, Hugh Cooper, and 
 Robert Barton by Edmund Rigby, Esq., be lodged 
 in the Church chest, and that the present school- 
 master, John Grimbaldeston, rec. the interest 
 thereof as it becomes due.
 
 JIO GOOSNARGH : 
 
 April ye. 22nd, 1701. ITEM. Whereas several 
 extravagant expenses have been found not only 
 in accounts of the churchwardens for the year 
 last past, but also in some former years, in enter- 
 taining of strange minis 5 when they preached 
 here. It is ordered that no churchwarden for 
 the future shall expend above 2s. upon the 
 account above said, w ht - more not to be allowed. 
 
 April ye. 7th, 1702. It was ordered. 
 
 That no particular sum in any officers' 
 accounts hereafter that amounts to the sum of $ 
 or more shall be allowed, but upon the examin- 
 ation of the major part of the 24, or such of them 
 as are appointed account-takers, without a voucher 
 or an acquittance for such individual sums. 
 
 That all other lesser pay mts - the accountant to 
 mention the day of the month when paid, for 
 what use paid. If for day works the number of 
 days, the parties named that is employed. As to 
 materials, what is bought (viz.) as to Slate, what 
 Roods or lesser quantities. As to glass, what 
 foots, or lesser quantities. As to wood, what 
 yards of seeling, ' or otherways, or in any other 
 materiale, touching the use of the Church, and 
 the persons from whom any such materiale is had 
 or bought. 
 
 March ye. 3Oth, 1703. That the Churchwar- 
 dens for the year last past, shall not be charged 
 with the sume of IDS. 4|d. Assessed upon Thomas 
 Rigby Esq r - towards the repair of the Church 
 until! a certain dispute arising upon his repairing 
 the roof over his own Quire be stated betwixt the 
 sd. Tho: Rigby and this Chapellry. 
 
 That for regulating the expenses of all public 
 meetings for this chapelry (which oftentimes
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. Ill 
 
 heretofore have proved very extravagant) It is 
 ordered, that no Officer discharging such expenses 
 shall have more allowed him than 4d. for every 
 individual person necessarly appearing at every 
 such meeting w th in the Chappelry and 6d. if out 
 of the Chappelry. 
 
 April the roth, 1705. Ordered. That Robert 
 Harrison be sexton so long as he demeans himself 
 dutifull and carefull in his place & service. Which 
 service shall be to Ring Eight of the Clock, from 
 the 2gth of September, untill the 25th of March, 
 yearly, except he be otherwise ordered. To oyle 
 the Bells, at his own charge, to sweep the church, 
 and whip the dogs out of it every Lord's day. 
 To wash the surplus and Table Linen, Flagons 
 & Bowels. To mow the weeds in the Church 
 yard, and fence the Church yard, and that he 
 shall have for his wages all. the advantage of the 
 business of the Church without account making. 
 
 That the Clerk attend to the Clock, and find 
 it with oyle, at his own charge, and to receive 
 for so doing from the Churchwardens fifteen 
 shillings per annum. 
 
 Copy of an Abstract of a Deed in Mr. Parker's 
 Box at Kirkham, taken the 22nd of February 
 1713, by William Wall and Henry Parker. 
 
 A Copy of a Deed in the Chancery of England 
 betwixt the Twenty-four of the Chapelry of 
 Goosnargh, The Thirty men of Kirkham and 
 the Company of Drapers London, about the dis- 
 tribution of Henry Coleborn's Charity wherein 
 ^"30 (part of ^"105) is appointed to the Town- 
 ships of Goosnargh cum Newsham and Whit- 
 tingham, ^"25 part of the said ^"30 is to be for 
 the maintenance of a Schoolmaster at Goosnargh,
 
 ii2 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 and $ per annum, remainder of the said ^"30 
 to the poor of the Townships of Goosnargh cum 
 Newsham and Whittingham, the Company of 
 Drapers to have the nomination and approbation 
 of the School Master, with the Thirty men of 
 Kirkham and the 24 of Goosnargh. 
 
 Dated 1713. 
 
 1673. Lease & Release bearing date as above, 
 from the Company of Drapers of the City of 
 London, to Henry Ashurst and Thomas Waring 
 Citizens and Merchant Taylors London as Trus- 
 tees in pursuance of the said decree for the use 
 and behoofe of the Parish of Kirkham, and the 
 Townships of Goosnargh and Newsham and 
 Whittingham. 
 
 1673. A Release from Henry Ashurst and 
 Thomas Waring to the Company of Drapers of 
 the City of London, in pursuance of the said 
 decree, of all that Messuage & TenemV in the 
 Parish of All Hallows Honey Lane, London. 
 The Bull Head Tavern, in the occupation, of 
 Francis Knight, Esq. A Messuage and Tenem 1 .- 
 in the possession John Dingley, All those Three 
 Messuages & Stables in or near Dowgate, in the 
 
 Parish of St. Michael, Pater Noster Row als. 
 Whittingdon College London, late in the occu- 
 pation of William Stanton. Five messuages in 
 St. Swithins Lane. Two messuages in St.Swithins 
 and Abchurch, in the Possession of Dr. Bury 
 Whitcroft. One messuage in St. Swithins, in 
 the possession of John Gorty, Two Messuages 
 in Sherburn Lane. Three Messuages in Bodolph 
 Lane. Two Messuages in Thames St. Two 
 Messuages in Grace Church Street, with a cove- 
 nant from the said Company of Drapers t;o pay
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 113 
 
 the ^"105, in such proportions as the Deed 
 directs at Michalmas and Lady day. 
 
 This is an Abstract of the Deeds 
 Taken as above 
 
 B f WM. WALL. 
 
 \ HENRY PARKER. 
 
 April 23rd 1717. Ordered. That all persons, 
 hereafter to be elected, into the number of the 
 24 shall be an inhabitant, resident within the 
 Chapelry, and in case any such person after his 
 election shall remove out of the Chapelry, and 
 not appear at the general meeting at Easter once 
 in three years at the least, that such person so 
 removing and not appearing as af? shall be 
 accounted as dead, and another chosen in his 
 stead. 
 
 April 1 5th, 1718. It was Ordered. That that 
 The Churchwardens pay unto the Ringers 
 nobles a piece for their service in ringing upon 
 Sundays and all other days of rejoicing in the year 
 whatever. 
 
 March ye. 3Oth, 1725. That when any con- 
 tribution is made by the Inhabitants of Whit- 
 tingham, towards the repairs of Whitechapel, 
 such contribution is of favour only, and not of 
 right or obligation. 
 
 April 1 2th, 1726. Order Recinded. And 
 whereas an order made, the 23rd day of April 
 Anno Dom. 1717, and a clause therein inserted 
 ( viz.) that no person or persons should be elected 
 one of the 24 of this Chapelry, but those that 
 were resident therein, which clause being sup- 
 posed and found prejudical to this Chapel, we do 
 hereby order that the said clause be made nul 
 and void.
 
 114 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 April 8th, 1729. Ordered. That no Church- 
 warden nor Church-wardens, either for Goosnargh 
 or Whittingham, defraying the expenses upon 
 Easter Tuesday, shall for the future be allowed 
 any more than I2d. a piece for themselves, and 
 every individual man of the 24 then appearing, 
 minister, Curates and Clark, what more not to 
 be allowed. 
 
 April 1 6, 1734. That all persons of the 24, 
 now being, and every person or persons hereafter 
 to be elected, into the society of the 24 sworn 
 men of this Chapelry, shall be obliged to appear 
 at the general meeting at Easter, once in three 
 years at the least, otherwise (that is in case of 
 failure), they shall be esteemed as dead, and new 
 ones elected in their room. 
 
 1738. A dispute having arisen between the 
 minister of Goosnargh and the Vestry respecting 
 the right of appointment of Sexton, upon which 
 the following is recorded in the handwriting of 
 the minister. 
 
 I hereby acknowledge the right of nomination 
 of a Sexton for the Parochial Chapel of Goosnargh, 
 to belong to the select vestry of twenty four, 
 which right I will not hereafter controvert, and 
 assure them what opposition I've hitherto made 
 to it, was owing to misinformation, and not 
 occasioned by any design formed by me wrong- 
 fully to usurp or invade it. But I hope the 
 Gentlemen that constitute that vestry will not 
 elect a man into that office, who makes it his 
 study to affront me daily. But permit George 
 Turner to exercise it, at least one year longer, 
 In which time both they and I may be better
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 115 
 
 satisfied of Edm d . Makinson's behaviour both in 
 
 general, and to me in particular.* 
 
 WM. WHITEHEAD, minister. 
 After this acknowledgement of the Curate of 
 
 Goosnargh, the select Vestry proceeded to the 
 
 nomination of a Sexton and elected John Salisbury 
 
 of Goosnargh aforesaid to be Sexton of the 
 
 Parochial Chapel of Goosnargh, for the space of 
 
 six months next ensuing 
 
 THOMAS WHITEHEAD 
 JOHN PARKINSON** 
 CROSER PARKINON 
 CHRIS": PARKINSON 
 JOHN BAINES 
 ROBERT PORTER 
 JAMES TAYLOR 
 ROB* PARKINSON 
 JOHN PORTER 
 THO? CROOKE 
 HENRY PARKER 
 On the appointment of W m Turner to the 
 
 Mastership of Goosnargh School in 1748, the 
 
 Vestry thus record 
 
 We do order and allow him to receive for his 
 
 wages, the full profits of the land and growing 
 
 Interest of the money belonging to the said 
 
 School.H 
 
 On the appointment of Henry Grimbaldeston 
 
 to the Mastership of Threlfalls School, the vestry 
 
 again record : 
 
 January 1st, 1794. We do order and allow 
 
 him to receive for his wages the full profits of the 
 
 *I fancy this note breathes the spirit of a Christian. 
 **In the year 1740 one-third of the Twenty-four wero Parkinsons 
 UWnere is the money ? Has it mumbled away ? 
 H 2
 
 n6 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 Lands belonging to the Master of the said School. 
 And that for his further diligence and support, 
 he shall have annually the privilege of teaching 
 writing and accounts for five weeks, beginning 
 generally about the I2l h May, and that he shall 
 charge weekly for writing 64 and for accounts 
 I/- per week. And be it understood that for his 
 Indulgence the said Master shall in the circle of 
 the year, makeup as much as maybe the deficiency 
 in teaching occasionally in the Holydays 
 
 March 2ist, 1799. Be it known to future min- 
 isters, to the Vestry, and to the Inhabitants in 
 general, that Joshua Southward has already 
 allotted and conveyed, from or out of his own 
 real estate, situated and being in the Townhip of 
 Whittingham, about I Rood of Land, be the same 
 more or less, containing the site on which a 
 Parsonage House is erected, with the offices, 
 together with a Barn, Stable and Cow House, the 
 remainder being apportioned and laid out into a 
 Garden and Orchard. 
 
 That the Instrument that conveyed the above 
 specified premises, has been enrolled, in the High 
 Court of Chancery, and is now lodged in the 
 Registry of Chester, being supposed the most 
 eligible place of safety, and also ready at any time 
 for Inspection. 
 
 Witness, JOSHUA SOUTHWARD. 
 
 Minister of Goosnargh. 
 
 April 1 6th, 1811. That Thomas Cowell be 
 allowed Two Guineas per year, for doing the duty 
 of Sexton. 
 
 April 2Oth, 1813. It is agreed that David 
 Waring is to have 2 12s. 6d. for his Salary for 
 officiating as Clerk at the Whitechapel.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 117 
 
 March 24th, 1818. It was determined by the 
 Minister and the 24 namely : Thomas Hornby, 
 W 1 ? 1 Lancaster, James Parkinson, William 
 Sumner, Philip Park, Chris r . Parkinson, J r - 
 Robert Clifton, Christopher Oliverson, J r - and 
 Sen r '> W Gornall, W> Cross, Mathew Miller, 
 James Walne, & Thomas Abraham : 
 
 That from this time, no Corpse shall be buried 
 within the Church, unless the grave is made six 
 feet deep, and also if a Corpse be interred under 
 any seat a Joiner shall be employed, to remove 
 carefully the woodwork, and to restore it to its 
 proper situation ; and if any Corpse be buried 
 underneath any part which is flagged, oak sleepers 
 shall be put over the part where the grave is 
 made, and the flags replaced upon those sleepers 
 in an even manner by a regular workman. 
 
 April 24th, 1821. It was further ordered 
 (in addition to the order made the 24th March 
 1818) that every funeral interred in the Church 
 for the future shall pay Two pounds, in addition 
 to the former dues, to the Churchwardens towards 
 the repair of the Church. 
 
 On the appointment of the Rev. R. Studholme 
 to the Mastership of Threlfall's (St. Mary's) 
 School, on the 2ist December 1830, the Vestry 
 record 
 
 That the Rev. Robert Studholme be appointed 
 the Schoolmaster of the said School, which is 
 endowed by the profits of a certain estate, situate 
 in Whittingham vested in the Twenty four of 
 the said Townships of Goosnargh and Whitting- 
 ham. To teach Reading, Writing, Arithmetic 
 and Grammar, and to have for his wages the net 
 profits which may arise from the aforesaid estate
 
 n8 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 in Whittingham, with which the said School is 
 endowed, and over and besides that, in lieu of 
 Scrivener (as it has been termed) he receive 
 and be paid, from the parents and Guardians of 
 those Children who may be taught writing 2/6, 
 each child per year, and from the parents and 
 Guardians of those who may be taught Writing 
 and Arithmetic 5/- for each per year. 
 
 April 1832, Register Books extant in the 
 Church of Goosnargh in the County of Lancaster 
 and Diocese of Chester. 
 
 Date of ist 1 639- 1 659 inclusive. 2nd 1660-1682 
 inclusive. 3rd 1683, and ending 3Oth March, 1729, 
 inclusive. 4th beginning April 3Oth 1730, and 
 continue till April 1739, where the marriages are 
 separated and Baptisms and Burials are continued 
 in the same Book, down to the 3ist December 
 1808. At the end of the same Book are the marri- 
 ages, beginning 1737, ending 1753. The fifth Book 
 records Baptisms and Burials from January 1809 
 to June 1813. The 6th a marriage Register from 
 1784 to 1813. Then commence, the three new 
 Register Books ruled according to act of Parliment. 
 These Registers are kept at the Parsonage House. 
 
 Mem. Richard Cookson was appointed Master 
 of the above named Threlfall School, September 
 I2th 1832. 
 
 Easter Tuesday, April gth 1833. Vote of thanks. 
 
 That the thanks of the Vestry be recorded in 
 the Vestry Book, and was unanimously voted 
 to the Messieurs Oliverson of London for their 
 Liberal offer to build for the benefit of the Parish 
 a Dwelling House & Girls School Room. 
 
 Easter Tuesday April 5th, 1836.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 1 19 
 
 On a motion made by the Rev. Thomas Benn, 
 that the thanks of the Vestry be given to Messrs. 
 Oliverson for their Charitable and praiseworthy 
 endowment of the Schoolhouse at Whitechapel 
 for the residence of the Master of Whitechapel 
 School : it was cordially sanctioned and ordered 
 that a memorandum to that effect be recorded 
 in the Vestry Book. 
 
 On the 30th day of April, 1854. The Rev. 
 John Woodhouse was licenced by the Bishop of 
 Manchester as Curate of Goosnargh Church, and 
 his "living" was ^"105 a year, ^"75 of which 
 was contributed by the Incumbent, 25 by the 
 Trustees of Dr. Bushell's Hospital and the 
 remaining -., from a fund subscribed by the 
 neighbouring Gentlemen. For the ^"25 subscribed 
 by the said Trustees, the Curate was required 
 to deliver a lecture once a week at the Hospital. 
 
 Mr. Woodhouse commenced his spiritual labour 
 at Goosnargh Church on Sunday morning, the 
 3Oth day of April, 1854. His first text was this 
 most appropriate one, taken from the latter part 
 of the 1 6th verseof gth Chapter of the first epistle 
 of Paul the apostle to the Corinthians " Woe is 
 unto me if I preach not the Gospel." 
 
 A good foundation and he built well upon it, 
 and on his resigning the Curacy here in 1861 
 he was presented with a purse of gold (sixty 
 guineas) and an address of which the following 
 is a copy. 
 
 Rev. and Dear Sir, 
 
 It is with strange and mingled feelings 
 that we present this address, on your being 
 called from your Ministry here, to another 
 and we trust a comfortable and more
 
 I2O GOOSXARGH : 
 
 permanent station. We heartily con- 
 gratulate you on the appointment you have 
 received, but sorely regret that we are about 
 to be deprived of the services and society 
 of one whose kindness and manner of 
 firmness of mind and consistency of con- 
 duct has won for himself an endearing and 
 everlasting respect. 
 
 And whilst we would scrupulously avoid 
 terms savouring of flattery, we cannot how- 
 ever overlook that during a period of over 
 seven years which you have ministered 
 here, you have kept back nothing that 
 was profitable unto us, constantly in public 
 and in private, introducing the gospel 
 message, and endeavouring to win souls 
 to Christ, always pointing us to the blood 
 sprinkled tree, and exhorting us to put 
 our entire trust in, and build our hopes 
 on the atoning merits of Christ Jesus as 
 our only hope of glory. And we believe 
 and rejoice in the belief that your ministry 
 has not been in vain, and if the harvest 
 has not been abundant, we doubl not, ( for 
 the promise standeth sure,) that much of 
 the good seed which has been so judiciously 
 and unspareingly sown will in the time of 
 the early or latter rain spring up and yield 
 fruit, which throughout eternal ages will 
 add to your joy and crown of glory: 
 playful with the children, cheerful with 
 the young, sedate with the aged, tender 
 and sympathizing with the afflicted, 
 humble and universally kind, in all things 
 approving yourself as a Minister of God.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 121 
 
 The Gift that we offer to you very 
 inadequately expresses our esteem and 
 respect, but believe it Dear Sir, to be 
 bound up with the bonds of sincerity and 
 love, and we trust you will accept it as a 
 memento to you and to your family, and 
 may you long be spared to be a guide and 
 support thereto, and may your Ministry 
 in your new station, and through a long 
 healthy life, be blest to the conversion of 
 many souls, and when you close your 
 earthly course, may those blessed words 
 sound in your ears, "Well done thou good 
 and faithful servant, enter thou into the 
 joy of thy Loid." 
 
 GEORGE PARKINSON ] -, , 
 THOMAS DIXON J Churchwardens. 
 
 To the Rev. John Woodhouse, 
 
 Curate of Goosnargh. 
 
 In 1867 the venerable Church at Goosnargh* 
 having become very dilapidated, and an effort 
 being made to effect restoration, a would-be poet 
 wrote upon it as follows : 
 
 "When I surveyed our Goosnargh Church, 
 Surely thought I, it's left i'th' lurch ; 
 Its old batter'd back broken roof 
 Is far from being water proof. 
 Its slates are sadly worn and torn, 
 The wind and rain has hard them worn, 
 Which prut is worst 'tis hard to say, 
 For timbers too are giving way. 
 Batter'd, broken, decay'd the doors, 
 Uneven, unmatted are the floors ; 
 The hospital gallery unseemly is, 
 To take it down would be no miss ; 
 
 * From the appearance of the interior of the Church, it would seem 
 that originally the roof was thatched..
 
 122 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The pews likewise, ' O goodness days,' 
 
 Are made in many forms and ways 
 
 Some are painted and varnished bright, 
 
 Some are black, some brown, some white 
 
 Some are of hard old English wood, 
 
 Some of soft deal not very good ; 
 
 Some very old, some very new, 
 
 Here single, and there double pew ; 
 
 Some very wide, some very tall, 
 
 Others narrow and very small. 
 
 The font which stands the organ nigh 
 
 For dipping made is much too high, 
 
 In the same place it long has stood, 
 
 And its internal form is good, 
 
 But it is of so rude a make, 
 
 Let us renew for decent sake ; 
 
 The oak forms without a back 
 
 Are but a clumsy ugly pack. 
 
 The chancel is not very neat, 
 
 But here I'm getting off my beat ; 
 
 Without it we have got our share, 
 
 And other hands do this repair 
 
 They are rich parties I suppose, 
 
 I hope they'll do as we propose. 
 
 The vestry is a dreary spot 
 
 And mean's the furniture it has got ; 
 
 The warming stoves are but poor, 
 
 I hope we's have them on the floor. 
 
 The burial ground I'd extend forth 
 
 In the direction of the north, 
 
 But the drainage of the ground 
 
 Very defective would be found ; 
 
 To all trees of the name of Ash 
 
 I'd say, ' Woodman, make a crash ;' 
 
 And let the proceeds expended be 
 
 In repairing the fences decently. 
 
 The pulpit has three decks you see, 
 
 Over shaded by a canopy ; 
 
 Its shape is of such olden style, 
 
 The like's not found in many a mile. 
 
 The window frames, old and tatter'd, 
 
 The lead and glass, sadly batter'd 
 
 Let's not shut out and put to flight 
 
 God's sun and His most glorious light.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 123 
 
 Whitewash enough there is no doubt, 
 Whitewash within, whitewash without ; 
 It's difficult to keep the floors dry 
 While stands the earth so very high ; 
 Snow, sleet or rain how hard it may, 
 Not a spout to carry it away. 
 Come rally round this Temple old, 
 And your purse strings wide unfold : 
 Not because we've High Church to-day, 
 Or change to Low to-morrow may 
 It's God's House, the Court of the Lord, 
 And repair surely we can afford. 
 Shall we our own houses deck 
 And let Jehovah's run to reck ? 
 No ! though our Church is decay'd, 
 Nearly new it must be made, 
 In style, simple, plain, pure and good. 
 No nonsense be it understood, 
 So send in subscriptions free and good ; 
 A few i' th' cause will do their best 
 Kindly let's see your name i' th' list. 
 
 RESTITUO. 
 Goosnargh, 1867. 
 
 As per the aforesaid village rhymster the 
 Church being in a very dilapidated state, a sub- 
 scription list was opened for funds to renovate 
 the same and responded to as follows: 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Anonymous, per Mrs. Mounsey i o o 
 
 Robert Ascroft, Whittingham 10 o o 
 
 John BairstOAv, Preston 25 o o 
 
 Rev. G. L. Beckwith, Salop 5 o o 
 
 Rev. Thomas Benn, Goosnargh ... 5 o o 
 William Lucas Benn, Goosnargh ... i o o 
 
 Mrs. Berry, Goosnargh 50 o o 
 
 John Baxter Boothman, Whittingham 500 
 
 Richard Cookson, Goosnargh 10 o o 
 
 John Cross, Liverpool 25 o o 
 
 Miss Cross Goosnargh 5 o o
 
 124 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Richard Baines Dixon, Preston 30 o o 
 
 Mrs. Eastwood, Brindle 2 o o 
 
 John Graham, Goosnargh 10 o o 
 
 Daniel Graham, Goosnargh 2 2 o 
 
 Miss Harrison, Poulton 20 o o 
 
 Rev. W. Hornby, St. Michaels 5 o o 
 
 C. R. Jacson, Barton 10 o o 
 
 Rev. John Kitton, Hutton 55 
 
 Townley Rigby Knowles, Preston ... 25 o o 
 
 Mrs. Langton, London i i o 
 
 Mrs. Harriet Lucas, London ... ... 2 o o 
 
 William Miller, Preston 10 o o 
 
 Thomas Mounsey, Goosnargh 25 o o 
 
 Richard Newsham, Preston 50 o o 
 
 Henry Oakey, Preston oio 6 
 
 Richard Oliverson, London 100 o o 
 
 Robert Oliverson, London 50 o o 
 
 Thomas Oliverson, London 100 o o 
 
 Mrs. C. Oliverson, Goosnargh 25 o o 
 
 Christopher Oliverson, Goosnargh ... 50 o o 
 Four Officers in the Preston Volunteer 
 
 Artillery, per Mrs. Mounsey 4 o o 
 
 Philip Park, Preston 50 o o 
 
 George Pownall, London 5 o o 
 
 Miss Pownall, Reigate I I o 
 
 John Scott, Whittingham 5 o o 
 
 Mrs. Scott, Whittingham 5 o o 
 
 William Shaw, Preston 50 o o 
 
 Rev. William Shilleto, Goosnargh ... 26 5 o 
 
 Mrs. Shilleto, Goosnargh 5 5 o 
 
 Thomas Sumner, Goosnargh 30 o o 
 
 Andrew Stothert, Goosnargh I o o 
 
 Mrs. R. Stothert, Goosnargh i 10 o 
 
 Thomas Smith, Goosnargh 5 o o
 
 PAST AN'D PRESENT. 125 
 
 
 
 
 s. 
 
 D. 
 
 John Slagg, Manchester 
 
 10 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 Richard Threlfall, Hollowforth... 
 
 5 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 Mr. Williamson's Executors (Whit- 
 
 
 
 
 tingham Hall) 
 
 2^ 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 
 "3 
 
 
 
 John Nuttall, Goosnargh ... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 Alice Nuttall, Goosnargh 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Henry Cowell, Goosnargh 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. W. C. Bone, London 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Ellen Rich, Goosnargh 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Robert Sharpies, Goosnargh 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 Richard Strickland, Goosnargh 
 
 
 
 IO 
 
 o 
 
 John Jackson, Whittingham 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 Edward Rich, Whittingham 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 Richard Cookson, Jnr. Whittingham 
 
 o 
 
 IO 
 
 o 
 
 Trustees of Goosnargh Hospital 
 
 IOO 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 Mr Lucas London 
 
 IO 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 Daniel Arkwright, Preston 
 
 50 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 Mr Hermon Preston 
 
 so 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 
 J w 
 
 
 
 John Howcroft, Howick 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 William James Parkinson, Preston ... 
 
 52 
 
 10 
 
 o 
 
 John Thos. Parker Parkinson, Preston 
 
 26 
 
 5 
 
 o 
 
 William Alston, Preston 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 o 
 
 Richard Walmsley, Preston 
 
 O 
 
 5 
 
 o 
 
 George Bleasdale, Goosnargh 
 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 Jonathan Charnock, Goosnargh 
 
 I 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 Anonymous, per Richard Cookson ... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 William Imery, Goosnargh 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 George Hargreaves, Leyland 
 
 50 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 Miss Ann Walmsley, Whittingham... 
 
 
 
 IO 
 
 o 
 
 Levi Yates, Whittingham 
 
 
 
 IO 
 
 o 
 
 Richard Strickland, Penwortham 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thomas Stothert, Blackburn 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 William Lancaster, Goosnargh 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 Rev. Trousfhton 
 
 IO 
 
 o 
 
 o
 
 126 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 Mrs. Parkinson, Toll Bar, Goosnargh. 
 J. W. C. Bone, London 
 Thomas Walne, Goosnargh 
 Thomas Smith, Oak Tree, Goosnargh 
 Robert Sanderson, Goosnargh 
 Thomas Parker, Goosnargh 
 Amount of Public Collections 
 Interest 
 
 
 
 i 
 i 
 o 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 62 
 
 T T 
 
 s. 
 
 
 
 I 
 10 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 A 
 
 I). 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 Church Dues, per Mr. Shilleto 
 
 18 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
 ^1369 8 7 
 
 The Rev. Charles Osborne Gordon is the 
 present vicar. The sittings are free and will 
 accommodate 450 persons. 
 
 The Church had no warming apparatus pre- 
 vious to 1850, and the Church for the first time 
 was furnished with an organ in 1856, which bears 
 the honourable inscription 
 
 THE GIFT OF ROBERT OLIVERSON, ESQUIRE, 
 
 OF LONDON. 
 
 1856. 
 
 Mr. George Pownell repaired the stone work 
 of the chancel window, the expenses were 
 /45 i os. 
 
 In prosecution of the said restoration a build- 
 ing committee was formed, who engaged Mr. 
 Paley, Architect of Lancaster to draw up a plan 
 and specification, and under his direction they 
 entered into a contract with Mr. Shaw, Builder, 
 of Lancaster, as follows :
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 127 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Contract. 
 
 Removing pulpit, new floors in 
 Church, three new dormer win- 
 dows, cleaning whitewash off roof, 
 excavating and masons' work in- 
 side Church, drains, slating and 
 plastering roof, plumbing, glazing 
 and sundry jobbing 496 4 10^ 
 
 687 cubic feet of new oak timber in 
 
 roof at 75. per foot ... 240 9 o 
 
 Plastering walls two coats as directed, 
 repairing windows, rebation and 
 drilling window stays for new lead- 
 lights, plumbing and glazing for 
 new windows, underpinning walls 
 and pillars ... , 68 10 o 
 
 Restoring vestry including new roof 
 
 and chimney 52 o o 
 
 New oak doors for porch and tower, 
 including iron work, locks and 
 keys complete, new stone work 
 for porch door, porch seating and 
 stone sills to nave window 52 19 o 
 
 New seats in body of Church 226 15 7^ 
 
 New oak door and hinges for vestry 400 
 
 Pointing front of Church, porch, 
 
 tower, windows, &c 20 14 7 
 
 New corbals and walling up recess 24 10 9 
 
 Window lintels, flue for stove, steps 
 and pillar to font and lining do. 
 with lead, cleaning roof timbers, 
 Altar table and screen, &c 41 18 10 
 
 Iron gates to porch and threshold to 
 
 outer porch door 8 12 9
 
 128 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Cleaning and repairing tower arch 
 and interior of tower, new oak 
 door to turret steps with hinges, 
 &c.,new chiselled threshold to outer 
 door of tower, repairing and glazing 
 tower windows, repairing tower 
 roof and ringers' room floor and 
 making and fixing new iron stays 
 
 for bell ropes 23 15 9 
 
 Ornamental work to chancel arch. . 30 o o 
 
 Altar rail 20 o o 
 
 Extras 13 o o 
 
 1333 6 2 
 Less Middleton Chapel (paid by Mr. 
 
 Shaw) 50 o o 
 
 1283 6 2 
 Mr. Paley's Commission (Architect) 86 2 5 
 
 ^1369 8 7 
 
 On the said restoration, Fish wick in his History 
 of Goosnargh thus writes : 
 
 "In 1868 the Church was thoroughly 
 and substantially repaired. The roof was 
 renovated and wholly restored ; the main 
 timbers repaired, and new spars added 
 throughout; the stone work of some of 
 the old windows was renewed, and new 
 dormer windows inserted. Inside the build- 
 ing, the earth was removed to the depth 
 of one foot, concrete put in its place and 
 boarded over, except in the aisles which 
 are flagged, the walls were cleaned from
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. I 29 
 
 the roughcast and whitewash by which 
 they had been so long disfigured ; the two 
 galleries and the old pews were removed, 
 and the body of the Church fitted up with 
 uniform seats, all of which are allotted. 
 The total cost of the alterations and 
 repairs was ^1938, of which /375 was 
 defrayed by the Dean and Chapter of Christ 
 Church, Oxford ; /so by Mr. W. Shaw 
 (for Middleton Chapel), the remainder 
 having been met by collections in Church 
 and public subscriptions. The reopening 
 services took place on the 24th June, 1869 ; 
 the hon. and Rev. G. T. O. Bridgman, 
 Rector of Wigan, preached the sermon. 
 To the credit of all concerned, every one 
 of the old monumental inscriptions on the 
 floor or elsewhere have not only been 
 preserved but have been replaced as near 
 as possible in their original position. 
 The Church as it now stands consists of a nave, 
 north and south aisles and chancel, with belfry 
 and tower at the west end ; the architecture of 
 the south aisle is debased and the Church bears 
 marks of having been built piece-meal. The 
 Middleton Choir is in the north aisle and is evi- 
 dently much altered from its original condition, 
 though the walls are of the same date probably as 
 those of the north aisle (which contains some 
 windows of good character), and is with the north 
 nave arches and chancel, apparently the oldest 
 portion of the present fabric. There are two 
 windows of good type in the chancel of the same 
 style as those in the north aisle, which is evidence 
 of their being constructed about the same date,
 
 1 30 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 perhaps the latter part of the I4th century. The 
 Middleton Chapel is separated from the rest of 
 the Church by an ancient oak screen, and is still 
 appropriated to the use of the owners of Middle- 
 ton Hall. On the south side of the screen is 
 carved A. R., 1622, and on the west side T. R., 
 1721. 
 
 The tower is a massive structure sixty feet high, 
 and is built for the most part (like the rest of 
 the Church) of unhewn boulder pebbles. The 
 walls at its base are several feet thick, and on two 
 of the buttresses are small shields which have 
 once had arms on them, but which time has com- 
 pletely obliterated ; they may perhaps have been 
 charged with the arms of the Singletons. 
 
 On the west face of the tower, at about 12 feet 
 from the ground, is a circular figure eighteen 
 inches in diameter, which is quite different from 
 those marks often found on old buildings known 
 as masons' or guild marks. The old tradition 
 about it is that an old lady, by the proceeds of 
 her industry at flax spinning, defrayed the ex- 
 penses of building the tower to the height 
 indicated by this circular carving, which is uni- 
 versally called the "spinning wheel." Whatever 
 may be its history there can be no doubt but that 
 it was made to answer some specific object. 
 
 The ornamental chancel window was put in by 
 Mr. William James Parkinson of Myerscough 
 House, Myerscough, as a memorial of his late 
 wife, and is inscribed as follows : 
 
 To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of 
 Mary Parkinson deceased, 27 December, 1876, aged 
 36 years. This window is erected by her husband 
 W. J. Parkinson, 1880.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 131 
 
 In 1877 the belfry, Church tower, Church-yard 
 wall and outer walls of the Church were repaired, 
 the expenses being 106 75. id., and paid for by 
 subscription. 
 
 NAMES OF THE PRESENT 24 MEN. 
 
 REV. C. O. GORDON O. HAYHURST 
 
 REV. E. D. BANISTER R. BUTLER 
 
 REV. G. B. STONES W. ALSTON 
 
 T. SUMNER J. T. P. PARKINSON 
 
 C. R. JACSON J. HOUGH 
 
 R. OLIVCRSON T. HALL 
 
 T. OLIVERSON J. HAIGHTON 
 
 W. P. PARK J. KAY 
 
 T. SMITH T. R. KNOWLES 
 
 J. SMITH Rt. BAILEY 
 
 R. COOKSON J. SMITH (Beech House) 
 
 T. WINDERS T. PORTER 
 
 The burial ground having become very crowded 
 it was thought desirable to make an effort to 
 enlarge the same, and in accordance a meeting 
 was convened and held at Goosnargh School on 
 the 1 7th day of November, 1870. 
 
 Present: Daniel Graham, Oliver Hayhurst, 
 Thomas Sumner, John Jackson, John Cross, John 
 Smith, Roger Smith, Edward Bailey, John B. 
 Boothman, Richard Cookson, senr., Richard 
 Cookson, junr., James Kay, William Lancaster, 
 Henry Riding, Christopher Oliverson, John 
 Graham, Thomas Blackburn, Jonathan Charnock, 
 and the Rev. Wm. Shilleto. 
 
 William Lancaster in the chair. 
 
 I 2
 
 132 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 1. It was unanimously resolved, subject to the 
 approval of the vicar the Rev. Wm. Shilleto 
 (who at that stage of the business had not entered 
 the meeting), that the yard be enlarged a little 
 over one half of a statute acre 31 yards north 
 from the present yard and the whole length of 
 the Church croft. 
 
 2. Also it was agreed, subject to the approval 
 of the vicar, that the west side of the old yard 
 and the west side of the new ground to be added 
 be palisaded 3 feet high, upon a stone coped wall 
 2 feet high, and that the north and east sides of 
 the enclosure be fenced with a stone wall 5 feet 
 high, with punched pointed coping. 
 
 3. It was estimated that the cost of the en- 
 largement, including the conveyance and conse- 
 cration, would be ^"150. 
 
 4. To meet the said expenses it was agreed to 
 lay a rate of 3d. in the upon the occupiers of 
 the Lower Division of Goosnargh and the whole 
 of the Township of Whittingham. 
 
 5. That a sub-committee of six persons, namely 
 William Lancaster, Edward Bailey, James Kay, 
 John Smith, Jonathan Charnock and Thomas 
 Blackburn be appointed to assist the wardens to 
 collect the rate and explain the business to the 
 ratepayers. 
 
 6. That Messrs. Thomas Sumner and John 
 Jackson be deputed to ascertain the prices of 
 palisading at different manufacturies of that 
 article. 
 
 7. That the names of Townley Rigby Knowles, 
 Esq., and Mr. Andrew Stothert be added to the 
 committee.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 133 
 
 8. That the committee meet again at Goos- 
 nargh School on the 8th December, at 3 p.m. 
 
 WILLIAM LANCASTER, Chairman. 
 
 At a meeting held by adjournment at Goos- 
 nargh School, this 8th day of December, 1870. 
 Present : The Rev. W. Shilleto, John Smith, 
 James Kay, William Lancaster, John B. Booth- 
 man, John Nuttall, John Cross, Andrew Stothert, 
 Thomas Sumner, Jonathan Charnock, Daniel 
 Graham, Oliver Hayhurst, Major Mounsey, 
 Richard Cookson, John Graham and Edward 
 Bailey. 
 
 1. It appeared that the rate ordered at the last 
 meeting to be collected had produced ^"75 los.gd., 
 and that a few pounds more may be expected 
 from the same source. 
 
 2. It was agreed that the churchwardens en- 
 gage Messrs. Garlick, Park and Sykes to make a 
 plan and specification of the work to be done and . 
 also an estimate of the cost of the same. 
 
 3. That the extent of the enlargement be one- 
 half of the Church croft (i rood and 30 perches 
 statute.) 
 
 4. That Oliver Hayhurst, Daniel Graham> 
 William Lancaster and Richard Cookson be a 
 sub-committee to meet Messrs. T. R. Knowles 
 and Shepherd Birley and solicit their aid. 
 
 Palisading being found too expensive, it was 
 resolved to enclose the ground with a stone wall 
 and supplement the amount of the above rate by 
 subscriptions to cover the expenses which were 
 as follows :
 
 134 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Account Books, Circulars, &c o 14 5 
 
 Advertising o 2 6 
 
 Deed of Transfer 8 o o 
 
 Architects' Charge 5 5 o 
 
 Draining 20 o o 
 
 Builders' Account ' 130 6 6 
 
 ^164 8 5 
 
 CHURCH TERRIER. 
 
 I am not aware that the Church authorities 
 possess any terrier : here is a loose link that 
 needs attending to. 
 
 WHITECHAPEL 
 OR THE CHURCH OF WHITECHAPEL. 
 
 I regret to be compelled to state that I have 
 not been able to ascertain the date of the found- 
 ation of Whitechapel.* 
 
 The first notice I find of it is in the Lamb 
 Libr. which is compiled from Parliamentary 
 enquiries and runs thus : 
 
 " White-chapel within Goosnargh al's Threl- 
 fall chapel, certified that nothing at all 
 belonged to it, and is served now and then 
 only out of charity and at the request of 
 the people." (This account is without 
 date.) 
 
 Another record copied from the same source 
 runs thus : 
 
 * I adopt the name by which it is usually known as being the most 
 explicit.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 135 
 
 " The date of the foundation of White-chapel 
 is unknown. In 1650 the inhabitants of 
 the Chapel of Threlfall within Goosnargh 
 desired to be made a parisht as they con- 
 sisted of fourscore families, and were three 
 miles distant from Goosnargh Chapel. 
 Their Chapel had no endowment, but $o 
 a year was allowed to Mr. Sherburne their 
 curate by the committee of plundered 
 ministers." 
 
 Whitechapel was originally dedicated to St. 
 James, and is situate about the centre of the 
 Higher Division of Goosnargh in the Threlfall 
 Tithery, and as above stated was thence called 
 Threlfall Chapel. One Threlfall t of Ashes, || 
 Goosnargh, appears to have been the great man 
 of the place from whom it is probable that both 
 the Chapel and Tithery H had their names. How 
 the Chapel obtained the name of Whitechapel I 
 cannot learn, but it appears it was known by 
 that name in the time of Queen Elizabeth. The 
 following is a record of some of their doings at 
 Whitechapel in the reign of "Good Queen Bess," 
 which I borrow from an old paper how lodged with 
 the faculty of the Chapel. 
 
 t This request was granted on the 2ist January, 1846, only 196 years 
 .fter it was petitioned for ! 
 
 me root 01 a nouse in rresion in 1745. i^ei omers ueware. 
 
 Ij This is one of the most ancient houses in the district, and a few 
 years ago on the house being repaired, some " priest-holes " or hiding 
 places were broken into and removed. 
 
 1T " King Alfred or Alfred the Great who reigned over England from 
 871 to 900, for the better regulation of his kingdom, divided it into counties 
 and parishes, and distributed the powers of government among officers of 
 different degrees, from the Earl who with the Sheriff was set over the 
 shire or county, to the Tithing man who was bound for the good behaviour 
 of his more immediate neighbours."
 
 136 GOOSXARGH : 
 
 " Donations and Contributions to the White- 
 chapel in Goosnargh, within the Parish of 
 Kirkham, and the Free School taught 
 there since the year 1 705 , for it was unknown 
 whether any salary belonged to the said 
 places before that time since the Reform- 
 ation, but it hath appeared by a promised 
 sealed security, dated the 27th day of 
 January, in the twenty-third year (1581) 
 of Queen Eliz., that a bell belonging to 
 the said Chapel was lent to Alexander 
 Houghton of Lea, Esq., by Edmund 
 Threlfall of Goosnargh ; and the said 
 Alexander did promise that if at any time 
 thereafter it did fortune that divine 
 service shall be had and commonly used 
 in the said Chapel, he, the said Alexander, 
 his heirs or assigns, upon reasonable 
 request, should deliver or cause to be 
 delivered to the said Edmund, or some of 
 the inhabitants or tenants there, the 
 said bell, to be kept and used at the Chapel 
 aforesaid, as the same heretofore had been 
 kept and used. 
 
 But upon application to Sir Henry 
 , Houghton about the year 1728 for the 
 said bell, he said ' Queen Elizabeth had 
 given a bond to his ancestors for ^"50 
 which was not worth anything at all, and 
 he had no tenants in Goosnargh.' How- 
 ever he gave ten shillings, and said they 
 (Dr. Bushell, Alderman Walls, Mr. John 
 Fishwick and Mr. John Baines) might 
 take the security and lodge it again in the 
 Church chest ; but the said gentlemen
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 137 
 
 say'd he should take the security and 
 hoped he would consider of it and give 
 more. There was no more got. There 
 was a copy of the said security taken be- 
 fore, which is lodged with the faculty 
 belonging to the said Whitechapel." 
 
 The record of the " donations and contribu- 
 tions " to the Whitechapel above referred to is 
 as follows : 
 
 Goosnargh, Easter Tuesday, 
 
 April ye. igth, 1720. 
 
 An account or record of the Queen's Bounty, 
 and the contributions in conjunction therewith, 
 for advancing the Salary of a Curate at the 
 Whitechapel in Goosnargh aforesaid. 
 
 Governours and Contributors. 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Paid by y? Governours of the Queen's 
 
 Bounty 200 o o 
 
 By Mr. James Baines of Poolton 
 
 (Poulton) 100 o o 
 
 By y^ Exec rs of W Higham of Goosn 1 : 
 
 affors d 060 o o 
 
 By y 1 : s d Exec 1 ? towards buying Books 
 for Poor Children learning at y^ s? 
 Whitechapel, being inserted and 
 allowed in y? Deeds relating thereto 020 o o 
 
 Paid by the Execu of Mr. John Cross, 
 of Barton, being charged upon y<? s d 
 Mr. John Cross upon his lands in 
 Goosnargh, now in the possession 
 of James Parkinson (Plane Tree)... 030 o o
 
 138 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 s. 
 
 And the further sum of 22 IDS., 
 arising out of a certain parcel of 
 Land in Goosnargh, affors<? now in 
 the possession of Geo. Parkinson, 
 being only a present Rent of 55. 
 per annum, and the Reversion after 
 30 years' possession now sold to y? 
 s4Geo: Parkinson .. . 022 10 
 
 In all 432 10 o 
 
 Lands Purchased. 
 
 s. D. 
 
 From Robert Eccles lying and being 
 at the Barnes Fold in Goosnargh 
 aforesl to the value of 330 o o 
 
 And from James Fishwich, Barton 
 Parkinson, Thomas Adamson, 
 James Bleasdale, Execu r . s of the last 
 Will and Testament of William 
 Higham late of Goosnargh afores"? 
 Yeom. deceasd. the Lands called 
 Beesley Ground to the value of ... 100 o o 
 
 In all 430 o o 
 
 N.B. The remaining 2 IDS. was allowed 
 towards repairing the housing at Barns Fold. 
 
 REBUILDING OF WHITECHAPEL. 
 
 Whitechapel was rebuilt and enlarged by sub- 
 scriptions in the years 1738, 1739 an d J74O, the 
 charge including the old material being ^f 176 
 i6s. d.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 139 
 
 Licence for the said rebuilding. 
 
 William Strafford Doctor of Laws, Commissary 
 in and throughout the whole Archdeaconary of 
 Richmond, in the diocese of Chester, and Com- 
 missioner of the Worshipful Peregrine 
 esquire, Bachelor of Laws, Vicar-General and 
 Official-principal of the Right Reverend Father 
 in God Samuel, by Divine permission Lord Bishop 
 of Chester, (to whom this Jurisdiction during the 
 visitation of the said Lord Bishop doth appertain) 
 lawfully constituted. To George Green, John 
 Baines, John Wilson and Christopher Oliverson, 
 Yeomen, inhabitants within the Chapelry of 
 Whitechapel, in the Township of Goosnargh, 
 Parish of Kirkham, and Archdeaconery aforesaid 
 Greeting. 
 
 Whereas We have been certified under the 
 hands of the Rev. John Penny, Clerk, Minister of 
 Whitechapel aforesaid, Robert Parkinson, Will m 
 Lancaster, John Parkinson, John Sergeant, James 
 Brandwood, Christopher Brandwood, Thomas 
 Singleton, Edmund Eccles, James Bleasdale, 
 Richard Ward and John Beesley, principal 
 inhabitants within the Chapelry of Whitechapel 
 aforesaid. That the said Chapel is lately fallen, 
 and become so ruinous, that it is impracticable to 
 repair the same without rebuilding thereof, and 
 that the congregation usually resorting thereto 
 is become very numerous, insomuch that the said 
 Chapel will not conveniently contain two-thirds 
 thereof; the said Chapel at present extending 
 only in length nine yards and in breadth 4 yards 
 and one foot.
 
 140 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 And whereas the said minister and inhabitants 
 have further certified us that it is not only 
 necessary to rebuild but also to enlarge the said 
 Chapel, so as to contain in length sixteen yards 
 and in breadth seven yards, and have petitioned 
 us to grant to you, the said George Green, John 
 Baines, John Wilson, and Christopher Oliverson, 
 our licence and authority to rebuild and enlarge 
 the said Chapel, according to the dimensions last 
 mentioned, with convenient pews or seats therein, 
 for the use of the said persons and all other 
 inhabitants within the Chapelry of Whitechapel 
 aforesaid, wherein to sit, kneel, hear and attend 
 Divine Service and sermons, at the proper costs 
 and charges of the respective inhabitants afore- 
 said, and such other well disposed persons as shall 
 be contributors thereto ; the said Chapel to be 
 rebuilt with pews or seats therein, conformable 
 to the platform annexed. And whereas, the 
 Rev. William Dickson, Vicar of the Parish 
 Church of Kirkham aforesaid, and the Rev. 
 William Whitehead, Minister of the Parochial 
 Chapel of Goosnargh aforesaid, have testified 
 their consents in writing under their hands to 
 }he rebuilding and enlarging the said Chapel. 
 We therefore having duly considered the import- 
 ance of the said petition and certificate, and 
 being desirous to encourage and forward so pious 
 a work, do hereby give unto you, the said 
 George Green, John Baines, John Wilson and 
 Christopher Oliverson our full power, licence 
 and authority to take down such part of the 
 said Chapel as is yet standing, and to make use 
 of and apply such of the materials thereof as may 
 be useful, for rebuilding and enlarging the said
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 14! 
 
 Chapel and to erect uniform seats or pews in 
 the said Chapel when rebuilt according to the 
 scheme or platform annexed; referring never- 
 the less to us and successors the power of assign- 
 ing appropriating and confirming the said seats 
 or pews when erected to such of the inhabitants 
 within the Chapelry as we or our successors for 
 the time being shall think proper. 
 
 Given under the Seal of Our Office 
 The Twenty sixth Day of May, In the Year 
 of our Lord One thousand seven Hundred 
 and Thirty Eight. 
 
 EDWARD ROBERTS, 
 
 Deputy Reg r 
 
 CONDITIONS OF THE REBUILDING OF 
 WHITECHAPEL. 
 
 A copy of the conditions and subscriptions 
 towards rebuilding of the Whitechapel, also a 
 list of those persons who subscribed for seats or 
 part of seats in the said Chapel. April 8th, 1738. 
 
 Whereas the Whitechapel in Goosnargh being 
 in a very ruinous condition, also not being suffi- 
 ciently large to contain the people in a decent 
 manner that resort thither to attend Divine 
 service, pursuant to the gift of 10 from 
 Thomas Adamson late of Goosnargh towards the 
 enlargement and rebuilding of the said Chapel. 
 
 It is agreed by the subscribers to give as fol- 
 lows towards the rebuilding of the said Chapel, 
 that they thereby may be qualified to have seats 
 in the new Chapel, proportional to their subscrip- 
 tions by lot or otherwise ; also it is agreed by
 
 142 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 the said subscribers that the subscription money 
 shall be paid unto the responsible persons that 
 shall give bond unto the commissary or his 
 agent, for rebuilding the said Chapel, in that 
 case required before the execution of the said 
 bond. 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Richard Shuttleworth 10 o o 
 
 John Penny, Minister i I o 
 
 Joseph Beesley 500 
 
 William Higham 500 
 
 Henry Kirby 5 o o 
 
 Thomas Parkinson 2 10 o 
 
 Nathaniel Heal 2 10 o 
 
 Robert Parkinson 3 3 o 
 
 Rowland Parkinson I 17 o 
 
 Christopher Tomlinson ... 5 o o 
 
 John Parkinson 2 10 o 
 
 John Fishwick 5 o o 
 
 John Sallom 5 o o 
 
 John Parkinson 5 5 o 
 
 Charles Gibson 5 o o 
 
 John Lucas 5 o o 
 
 Thomas To wnley 5 o o 
 
 Thomas Parkinson 5 o o 
 
 James Brandwood 5 o o 
 
 John Sergeant 5 o o 
 
 William Lancaster 5 o o 
 
 John Beesley 2 10 o 
 
 Geo. Green 500 
 
 John Baines 5 o o 
 
 John Wilson 5 o o 
 
 Chris 1 : Oliverson 5 o o 
 
 James Bleasdale 500 
 
 Edmund Eccles I o o
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 143 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Thomas Singleton i o o 
 
 Christopher Parkinson ... I o o 
 
 Thomas Parkinson I 2 o 
 
 Richard Ward i o o 
 
 126 6 o 
 
 N.B. Thomas Adamson gave ^"40 in addition 
 to the \Q mentioned above, making his gift in 
 the whole $o. 
 
 Also Richard Shuttleworth above said, gave 
 one bell to be used at the said Chapel. Also the 
 Worshipful William Strafford, Commissary, &c., 
 besides the \o he gave towards the rebuilding 
 of the Chapel, he also gave to the Rev. Mr. 
 Penny, minister of the said Chapel for the time 
 being, and his successors, Dr. Sharp's Sermons, 7 
 vol. 8vo. ; the Christian Institutes I vol. 8vo. ; the 
 Sacred Interpreter 2 vol. 8vo. ; and Nourse's 
 Homilies, i vol. 8vo., being in all eleven volumes, 
 most of which are still extant. 
 
 An account in what manner the Queen's 
 Bounty was raised a second time to the White- 
 chapel in or about the year 1757, and a purchase 
 made of the Hill House in Goosnargh, which 
 money was raised as underwritten. 
 
 s. D. 
 By the Commissioners of the Queens 
 
 Bounty .. 200 o o 
 
 By the Trustees of the late Will 1 ? 
 
 Strafford, Commisy Dr. of Laws, &c. 100 o o 
 By the Executors of Joseph Beesley 
 
 of Goosnargh who gave ^"40, the 
 
 interest thereof to be paid yearly 
 
 to the Minister of the aforesaid
 
 144 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Whitechapel, if he visited the sick 
 in the Higher side of Goosnargh, 
 and the principal was employed 
 
 this way 40 o o 
 
 By Mr. Parkinson of Clithero 10 o o 
 
 By Contributions obtained by the 
 Rev. Mr. Penny, Minister of the 
 said Chapel, with other assistants 
 that attended him in Goosnargh, & 
 neighbouring Townships, also in 
 Lancaster, Poulton, Kirkham, Pres- 
 ton, and Liverpool 50 o o 
 
 400 o o 
 
 The substance of the above is engraven on a 
 plain marble slab (which would-be-improvers 
 have painted black), hung upon the wall opposite 
 to the reading desk. The inscription is as 
 follows : 
 
 A.D. 1756. 
 
 S. D. 
 
 White Chapel was augm<? * in 1757 
 
 Lands purch d with 400 o o 
 
 Whereof Given by Q'} Ann's 
 
 Bounty 200 o o 
 
 By Exec? of Wm. Strafford 
 
 L.L.D 100 o o 
 
 By other Benefi 5 100 o o 
 
 The Lands' tax of the Three Estates was purch? 
 
 in 1800 
 No 76,639. 
 
 * That is, the " living " was enlarged.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 145 
 
 When the Chapel was re-erected in 1738, 39, 40, 
 the part under the singing gallery was partitioned 
 off and set apart for the school, and here it was 
 that my first school day was spent. That school 
 room was 21 ft. 3in. long and 9 ft. wide. Compare 
 this with the dimensions of the present school 
 which is not a bit too large. 
 
 In the year 1818 the Chapel had again become 
 too small to accommodate the congregation, and 
 was in that year enlarged by adding I2ft. 6in. to 
 the east end. The expenses of this enlargement 
 were defrayed by the township generally, when 
 about 40 free seats were provided and accommo- 
 dation made and licence granted by the Right 
 Rev. Geo. Henry Law, then Bishop of Chester, 
 to administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper 
 therein. Previous to the granting of this License 
 the Protestant inhabitants communicated at Goos- 
 nargh Church, and the officiating minister of 
 Whitechapel was required to assist in the admin- 
 istration of that rite at Goosnargh Church as 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Also in the year 1818 the Chapel yard was 
 consecrated and set apart as a burial ground. 
 
 The following is the register of the first inter- 
 ment that took place at this Chapel : 
 Cathrine Wearing, Goosnargh, 
 July 1 5th, 1818, aged 64. 
 
 Joseph Stuart, Curate of Admarsh. 
 
 And the following is the first baptismal regis- 
 ter : 
 
 Septr. 20th, 1818, 
 
 John, son of James and Jane Monks, 
 Goosnargh, Weaver. 
 
 Richd. Wilkinson.
 
 146 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The grandfather of the said child is yet living 
 (1885). 
 
 At the same period the belfry was enlarged 
 and reconstructed so as to accommodate two 
 bells, but they yet tinkle on with one, and perhaps 
 it makes as good music as two would do. 
 
 The sittings on the ground floor of the old 
 part of the chapel were all appropriated, and that 
 part is calculated to accommodate about 200 
 persons. 
 
 The singing gallery contains an area of 191 
 feet and is free to all. 
 
 The specification for the rebuilding of the 
 chapel is yet in existence, and of the sittings 
 therein and the part under the gallery thus re- 
 cords : 
 
 " The seats in the gallery are designed for the 
 common use of the poorer sort of people, and 
 also the school-house is designed to be laid open 
 to the chapel on the Sabbath day, if occasion for 
 room." This document bears the date 1738. 
 
 There is a snug little vestry at the north-west 
 corner of the chapel made out of a part of the 
 old school-room, being an area of 72 feet. In 
 the room there is an iron safe fixed into the wall 
 in which the register books were formerly kept, 
 but the dampness of the place nearly obliterated 
 many of the entries, but they were carefully and 
 neatly retraced by the diligent pen of the late 
 Incumbent, the Rev. T. Benn, and the said 
 books are now (1885) snugly deposited in an iron 
 safe in the Vicarage. 
 
 The old grave-yard soon became too small to 
 accommodate the funerals that took place there, 
 and in the year 1850 additional land was added
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 147 
 
 towards this alteration. William Shawe, Esq., 
 of Preston, gave a couple of pounds and the land ; 
 the remainder of the expenses of this enlarge- 
 ment were defrayed partly by subscription and 
 partly from the public rate. This is just half a 
 job, but half of a good thing is better than none. 
 
 This new part of the grave-yard was conse- 
 crated by the Right Rev. J. P. Lee, Bishop of 
 Manchester, on the I4th day of November, in the 
 year 1850. 
 
 Previous to the year 1853, Whitechapel was 
 not registered or licensed for the solemnization 
 of marriages how funny that the inhabitants of 
 the Chapelry of the now-called Church of White- 
 chapel should have been obliged to emigrate to 
 get wed ! 
 
 On interrogating the late Incumbent, Rev. T. 
 Benn, on the reason of this strange state of 
 things, he jocundly and good humouredly replied 
 (i that he would assure me it was not from any 
 scruples that existed in his mind on the subject, 
 or propriety of the marriage covenant, on the 
 contrary, he was perfectly ready to perpetrate 
 a marriage (whenever the Bishop would grant a 
 license and the parishioners pay for it) on whom- 
 soever he found (lawfully) bent on such a step, 
 but on no one sooner, nor with a better will than 
 on the historian of Goosnargh." 
 
 In the year 1853, the Church of Whitechapel 
 was licensed to accommodate love-sick swains 
 and sighing damsels ; and the first transaction of 
 this nature that took place here, was on the 6th 
 of August, 1854, upwards of a year after the 
 license was granted. 
 
 J 2
 
 148 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Whitechapel has no architectural beauties to 
 boast of, it is a plain humble temple. Our 
 ancestors evidently have had a single eye to con- 
 venience only, without any regard whatever to 
 decorations, and may very properly be designated 
 the "useful style;" but if no sculptural orna- 
 ment decks their church Built by subscription, 
 is a laurel in their caps, though gone they are. 
 
 The masons work is without date or other in- 
 scription, but on the joiners work there is abund- 
 ance, and from which it appears that nearly the 
 whole of the present fittings were put in immed- 
 iately after its restoration. Several of the pews 
 bear the date 1739 the oldest found about the 
 temple. 
 
 The patrons of the Church are the Dean and 
 Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford. 
 
 They formerly had a Parish Clerk here, and he 
 received 2 IDS. a year for his services. 
 
 The Church affairs are governed by two 
 Wardens, one chosen by the Incumbent and the 
 other by the inhabitants, and the Church rates 
 are laid by an open vestry, when any ratepayer 
 may record his vote against the rate but few 
 take the trouble to do so (of course the rate is 
 now voluntary). 
 
 Prior to the year 1846, Whitechapel was a 
 " Chapel of Ease " under Goosnargh Church, 
 and Goosnargh tributary to Kirkham ; but by an 
 Order in Council bearing date January 2ist, 1846, 
 theHigher Division of the Township of Goosnargh 
 was constituted a parish for ecclesiastical pur- 
 poses, and styled the Church of Whitechapel, and 
 the Parish of Kirkham has no control over the 
 Parish of Whitechapel, neither does it pay tribute 
 or custom to any place whatever.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 149 
 
 The dues of the new Church of Whitechapel 
 were formerly the same as those at Goosnargh 
 Church, and down to 1852 were received by the 
 Incumbent of Goosnargh, inasmuch as no pro- 
 vision to the contrary was made in the Order in 
 Council. 
 
 However when the livings of Goosnargh and 
 Whitechapel were both enlarged from the tithes, 
 the dues of the Church of Whitechapel were 
 given to the Incumbent thereof for the time being. 
 The whole of the minister's stipend from 1836 
 to 1852 was derived from the three estates of 
 land mentioned above, the rents of which were 
 as follows : 
 
 
 Barn's Fold ............... 30 
 
 Beesley Ground ............ 10 
 
 Hill House ... " ......... 30 
 
 But in 1852 the "living" was augmented from 
 the tithes by ^50 a year, and in 1853 by ^30 
 more, in all from the tithes ^"80. Again see 
 tithe rents. 
 
 Acting upon the adage, prevention is better 
 than cure, the Churchwardens formerly took a 
 round in the neighbourhood of the Church during 
 the hours of Divine Service, to see that the 
 neighbouring public-houses were closed, and that 
 no vagabond fellows were strolling about in 
 the country, or following any unnecessary . 
 secular employment. But unfortunately this 
 practice was not so strictly adhered to in the 
 latter part of the day as in a morning ; and this 
 laxity on the part of the Church officials had a
 
 I5O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 tendency to represent the Sabbath afternoons of 
 a nature less sacred than the morning hints to 
 idleness on the part of rulers are soon taken ! 
 After the establishment of rural police here, this 
 old custom fell into disuse. 
 
 There is a dial in the Church-yard which was 
 erected by subscription in the year 1745, and 
 cost 2 os. 8d. 
 
 Inscription on the plate is : 
 
 Lat. 53 40' 
 
 Vive memor Lethi fugit hora 
 Live, be mindful of Death, time flies. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Penny, Minr. 
 Henry Porter of Westfield, Fecit & Sculp : 1745. 
 
 There is a common footpath through the 
 chapel-yard, which I think is hardly in accord- 
 ance with the sacredness of the place, and I hope 
 the worthy owner of the adjoining land will see 
 the necessity and have the goodness to divert it 
 past the N.-W. corner.* 
 
 Down to the year 1841 the Church had an 
 open roof, but during that year it was ceiled 
 and the expenses defrayed out of the church 
 rate. 
 
 The only thing by way of ornament or archi- 
 tectural curiosity about the Church is the Com- 
 munion Table, and certainly it is a piece of nice 
 workmanship, and contrasts somewhat oddly 
 with the plainness of the fabric and the whole of 
 the other fittings; but what adds most to its 
 singularity is its having been made by the hand 
 
 * Since the above was written, the desired alteration has been made.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. !$! 
 
 of a former minister, the Rev. T. Benn, and 
 bears his name, "T. Benn" and date "1848," 
 and will save his friends the trouble and expense 
 of any other monument the fashion to the 
 knops round the frame of the table were in vogue 
 about three centuries ago. Altogether it is per- 
 haps one of the best pieces of carved work in the 
 Chapelry of the Church of Whitechapel ! 
 
 In 1855 the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty 
 and the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, 
 Oxford, purchased a small estate of land in the 
 immediate neighbourhood of the Church called 
 Crookall's I2a. 2r. 2Op. (tithe survey) with a view 
 of building a parsonage house on, when the next 
 presentation was made, or when one is wanted. 
 
 The purchase money of the said estate was 
 ^"600, of which Christ Church College paid ^"400 
 and the Queen Anne's Commissioners 200. 
 
 In pursuance of the said scheme, in 1880 a 
 good parsonage-house was built with suitable 
 outbuildings at the cost of ^"1,150, and paid for 
 as follows : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Accumulated rents of "Crookalls" 
 by Incumbents of Whitechapel, 
 from 1855 to 1880, and invested 
 (after deducting expenses incurred 
 in repairs of buildings) in consols 
 (from time to time), producing ... 565 I o 
 
 in hand of Queen Anne's Bounty, 
 
 being part of endowment of living 254 18 4 
 
 Grant from Diocesan Church Build- 
 ing Society 100 o o 
 
 Grant from Dean and Chapter of 
 
 Christ Church, Oxford 75 o o
 
 152 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 S. 
 
 Private subscriptions 72 10 
 
 Balance paid by Rev. E. D. Banister 
 
 (Vicar of Whitechapel) 82 10 
 
 /i, 150 o o 
 
 The population of the Parish (the Higher 
 Division of Goosnargh) is about 561. The Church 
 is calculated to seat 195, and now the sittings 
 are all free. 
 
 The "living" is worth about ^250, a year the 
 fees are little more than nominal, amounting to 
 only about ^3 a year. 
 
 In 1844 Hill House and Barn's Fold estates 
 were sold to the Fulwood Local Board for the 
 sum of ^"4,000, which is invested in three per 
 Cent, consols. 
 
 The present Vicar is the Rev. Edmund Dawson 
 Banister, who was licensed to Whitechapel 
 Church on the i6th day of December, 1873, an d 
 first took duty on the nth January, 1874. 
 
 INGLE WHITE CHAPEL. 
 
 There is an Independent or Congregational 
 Chapel at Inglewhite, erected in the year 1826, 
 and at present in the ministry of the Rev. John 
 Hargreaves, who commenced his duties on the 
 first Sunday in May, 1880. 
 
 The site of the Chapel and the land of which 
 the Chapel-yard is formed, was bought (not given 
 as commonly reported) from the late James Sid- 
 greaves, Esq., of Inglewhite Lodge, a Roman 
 Catholic, for the sum of eight pounds, but was 
 obtained it is said by a sharp manoeuvre. A pre-
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 153 
 
 tence being set up and some sham preparations 
 made for erecting a Dissenting Chapel near to 
 the south entrance gate of Inglewhite Lodge, the 
 good-natured but unsuspecting gentleman above- 
 named, in order to obviate those religionists 
 planting their temple and propagating views so 
 diametrically opposed to his own, so near to his 
 door, consented to sell the land in question 
 the plot the promoters of the intended Chapel 
 esired. 
 
 The Independents or Congregationalists first 
 held meetings in this neighbourhood at a cottage 
 at Inglewhite, occupied by John Lofthouse, about 
 the year 1820. John Birch of Lower Trotter Hill, 
 Goosnargh, whose Will bears date 3ist August, 
 1816, and whose personal estate (the deceased had 
 no real estate) was sworn under ^"1500, left the 
 whole of his property with the exception of eight 
 small legacies amounting to ^85, to three trus- 
 tees namely Ambrose Winder, Jonathan Kirk- 
 ham and the Rev. David Edwards, for the 
 purpose of establishing and endowing as their 
 means afforded a Chapel as above at Inglewhite 
 aforesaid. John Birch died on the 1st day of 
 October, 1823 ; accordingly in 1826 the present 
 Chapel was erected at the cost of ^"250 (the 
 carting of the materials probably was given), and 
 the small farm at Lower Trotter Hill and Moss 
 Dale on Eccles Moss containing ya. 3r. 28p. 
 statute was purchased for ^"450. The trustees 
 have also purchased a cottage and garden in 
 Goosnargh called Mill Cottage, for the sum of 
 ^"130, and another cottage and garden at Ingle- 
 white contiguous to the Chapel for the modest 
 sum of ^~55- They have also expended con-
 
 154 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 siderable sums in building a barn on the Lower 
 Trotter Hill Farm and in repairs of Trotter Hill 
 House and Mill Cottage, so that John Birch's 
 money has not, as oft has been the case, "mumb- 
 led" away. Towards augmenting the "living" 
 of the said Chapel, Richard Kirkham, of Goos- 
 nargh, by Will dated May 5th, 1870, left the 
 sum of $oo to the said Chapel, and whose 
 death took place on the I5th day of June, 1870. 
 The County Union formerly contributed 20 a 
 year to the income of this Chapel, but in conse- 
 quence of dissension in the camp during the 
 ministry of the late Mr. Hacket, this contribution 
 was suspended and has never been restored. 
 
 The gross amount of the emoluments of the 
 Chapel stand about as under : 
 
 s. D. 
 Rent of Lower Trotter Hill ... ... 23 o o 
 
 Rent of Mill Cottage 600 
 
 Rent of Inglewhite Cottage 3 o o 
 
 Interest of /5OO in the hands of the 
 
 Preston Corporation at 3f per cent. 1815 o 
 
 Pew Rents 14 o o 
 
 Chapel Dues (voluntary) say o 15 o 
 
 /65 10 o 
 
 The Chapel was registered for marriages in the 
 year 1878. 
 
 It appears that there has been great looseness 
 in the registration of baptisms, burials and mar- 
 riages, for the first baptism I find recorded is 
 dated 1828; the first burial, 1882; the first 
 marriage, 1880. Thanks for the civil registra- 
 tion !
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 155 
 
 The temple is a plain unpretending looking 
 building, without date, and will seat 200 persons, 
 and there is a room attached to the Chapel used 
 as a Sunday School, supported by public sub- 
 scription, and attended by 35 children and con- 
 ducted by four teachers. 
 
 In 1827 a trust deed was executed by John 
 Birch's executors, conveying the Chapel and the 
 Chapel property to 16 trustees, and in 1884 the 
 survivors of the said 16 trustees conveyed the 
 said Chapel and its belongings to 24 trustees, 
 their names being : Thomas Brewer, John 
 Marsden, John Greenall, Thomas Standing, 
 Robert Mansergh, Thomas Ball, Roger Kirkham, 
 James Knowles, Edward B. Dawson, Edward 
 Bryning, Thomas Blackburn, James Cowpe, 
 James Seed, Robert Gardner, John Crossley, 
 David Crossley, Thomas Evans, William Hough, 
 George Hunter, Ebenezer Wilson, William Par- 
 kinson, Thomas James Wilkinson, Richard 
 Brash, and William M. Miller. 
 
 HILL CHAPEL. 
 
 There is a Roman Catholic Chapel at Goos- 
 nargh situate at the " Hill," founded about the 
 middle of the last century, rebuilt in 1802, and 
 enlarged in the year 1835. Inscribed in front 
 is " Glory be to God on high, MDCCCXXXV." The 
 priest has a good dwelling-house attached to the 
 Chapel, and including the said house the endow- 
 ment will be about as follows : 
 Lands, houses and farm buildings of 
 
 the annual value of (which includes 
 
 an annual payment from Great 
 
 Westfield of /5) /6o o o
 
 156 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 Pew rents and other perquisites of 
 
 the Chapel, about /2O o o 
 
 The edifice is a plain but very convenient 
 building calculated to contain 300 persons, and 
 at present under the ministry of the Rev. Mat- 
 thew Brierley. 
 
 Near the entrance to the Chapel is an upright 
 cross, and there is a small yard which has been 
 used as a cemetery since the year 1834, and was 
 enlarged in 1880. 
 
 There is also a room attached to the Chapel 
 in which both a day and Sunday school is kept. 
 The day school commenced in i 880 and has one 
 teacher and 40 scholars. The fees were 2d. each 
 per week, and the Government grant in 1884 was 
 
 /30. 
 
 The Sunday school was opened early in the 
 nineteenth century, and is attended by 30 
 scholars. 
 
 This Chapel is licensed for the solemnization of 
 marriages. 
 
 The baptismal registers here commenced in 
 the year 1777, and the burial registers in 1835, 
 and the marriage registers in 1881. In 1879 
 permission was granted by the visiting justices 
 of the Whittingham Asylum to bury patients 
 from that institution at the Hill Chapel. Burial 
 fees to be the same as at Goosnargh, IDS. 
 
 It is probable that the Hill mission was re- 
 moved from Whitehill (hence its name), the seat 
 of Madam Hesketh, about the middle of the last 
 century. Then there were two priests of the 
 Franciscan order serving this mission, viz. : the 
 Rev. Mr. Tootle and the Rev. Mr. Fleet. They 
 were followed by the Rev. Charles Wilcock who
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 157 
 
 began the registers of baptisms. Next in order 
 were the Rev. Mr. Martin and the Rev. Mr. 
 Dinmore. 
 
 On Hill Chapel, Fishwick says : 
 " There is a Roman Catholic Chapel at Goos- 
 nargh called Hill Chapel, which was 
 erected towards the end of the last century 
 in the place of an older one which formerly 
 stood near Whitehill. There is belonging 
 to it a house for the priest and a per- 
 manent endowment. The register of 
 baptisms which have been solemnized here 
 commenced about 177-" 
 
 OLD CHAPEL NEAR DEAN HOUSE. 
 
 An old Roman chapel formerly stood near 
 Dean House in Whittingham : it was pulled down 
 in 1840. Over one of the doors was the following 
 inscription : 
 
 I.H.S. 
 1611 ^ R.I.E.I 
 
 This was probably a private chapel, and the 
 letters R.I.E.I. refer to the owners of the place. 
 There was also a wooden cross which was removed 
 to Hill Chapel. 
 
 NEWHOUSE CHAPEL. 
 
 In the Hamlet of Newsham there is another 
 Roman Catholic Chapel called the New-House, 
 rebuilt in the year 1806, near the site of a more 
 ancient one. The building is an unpretending 
 but convenient temple, and is calculated to seat 
 292 persons. Over the doorway is inscribed : 
 
 MDCCCVI 
 
 In hoc Signo vinces 
 (By this Sign thou shalt conquer).
 
 J58 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 There is an oft-frequented grave-yard attached 
 to the Chapel, in which is an upright cross, and 
 many records of the bodies lying there. The 
 Rev. Thomas Carroll is the present pastor. 
 
 The Burial Registers commence in the year 
 1808. The Baptism Registers in 1774, and 
 Marriages in 1855. 
 
 The Chapel is endowed with lands and build- 
 ings situate in Newsham. 
 
 The fee for burial is 2 is., for baptism and 
 marriage no fixed sum. 
 
 Formerly there was a Sunday School in con- 
 nection with the Newhouse Chapel, supported 
 by voluntary contributions. The school-room 
 was a neat little edifice and had inscribed on its 
 front : 
 
 " Suffer Children to come to me." 
 
 LukeC h 1 8 v r . 16. 
 Anno Domino 
 1828 
 
 N.B. The Dissenters commenced Sunday 
 Schools and the Protestants and Roman Catholics 
 followed hard in the rear. Good example does 
 much ! 
 
 The said school-room still exists, but is now 
 used as a cottage only. 
 
 In 1863 a new school-room was built by sub- 
 scription, but is used as a day-school only, and is 
 attended by 30 scholars ; the fees are 2d. per week, 
 and the government grant in 1884 was ^"22 55. 
 
 On Newsham Chapel, Fishwick in his History 
 of Goosnargh says : 
 
 <( There is a Roman Catholic Chapel dedicated 
 to St. Mary, in Newsham, which is com- 
 monly called Newhouse Chape!, and which
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 159 
 
 is supposed to have been erected early in 
 the 1 8th century, for about then the Rev. 
 John Swarbrick (a priest) gave instruction 
 to those he appointed to be his executors, 
 to invest whatever he died possessed of, for 
 the purpose of supporting a priest, provided 
 that a chapel was built at or near Midge- 
 hall (Eaves, Woodplumpton) where he 
 held property. By a subsequent arrange- 
 ment the present site was fixed upon, and 
 the chapel was then built and dedicated 
 to St. Lawrence. The first permanent 
 resident priest was the Rev. John Carter, 
 who went to meet the Pretender when he 
 marched to Preston in 1745. The old 
 Chapel was pulled down and a new one 
 built (near to where the old one stood), 
 in 1806, and a burial ground was attached, 
 about which a warm correspondence took 
 place between the Rev. Henry Carter 
 (the priest), and the Rev. Joshua South- 
 ward, minister of Goosnargh." 
 
 WESLEYAN CHAPEL. 
 
 Goosnargh Wesleyan Chapel is situate in 
 Whittingham, but close to Goosnargh Village, 
 erected by subscription in 1832, enlarged in 
 1869; to which a Sunday School is attached, 
 supported by subscription, attended by 2 teachers 
 and 1 2 scholars, on which Fish wick writes : 
 " The Wesleyan Chapel, altho' situate in Whit- 
 tingham, is usually called the Goosnargh 
 Methodist Chapel. The Wesleyans 
 formerly held their meetings and ser-
 
 l6o GOOSNARGH : 
 
 vices at an old building near to 
 
 Goosnargh Church, which had once 
 
 been used as a cotton manufactory, but in 
 
 1832 a chapel was erected on a plot of land 
 
 given for that purpose and vested in the 
 
 following trustees, viz: Messrs. George 
 
 Fishwick (George Fish wick of Springfield, 
 
 Scorton), Henry Threlfall (Garstang), 
 
 Thomas Banks, Robert Mayor, Lawrence 
 
 Seed, Henry Yates, William Preston, 
 
 Henry Reding, John Taylor Storey, James 
 
 Molyneaux and William Jenson." 
 
 In 1869 the Chapel was enlarged by subscription, 
 
 and will seat 150 persons. The present trustees 
 
 are: Henry Yates, Thomas Wilson Waterhouse, 
 
 James Jenson, John Jenson, Thomas Cornall 
 
 and Thomas Jackson. 
 
 GOOSNARGH SCHOOL. 
 
 Of the Goosnargh Schools, the Commissioners 
 reported as follows : 
 
 Free School. 
 
 The following is the earliest deed we have been 
 able to find relating to this school. 
 
 By Indenture dated the loth of February, 1673, 
 reciting that the sum of ^"200 thereinafter men- 
 tioned, was the money which was recovered by 
 Robert Midghall of Goosnargh, from Thomas 
 Whittingham, Esq 1 : 6 then deceased, for and in 
 satisfaction of a messuage and tenement there-to- 
 fore purchased by the said Thomas Whittingham 
 and one Thomas Beesley, by Thomas Threlfall of 
 Whittingham, and by him settled upon Trustees,
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. l6l 
 
 for, and towards the maintenance and keeping 
 of a Schoolmaster within the Township of Goos- 
 nargh, freely to teach, educate and bring up all 
 the children of the respective occupiers and 
 owners within the Townships of Goosnargh and 
 Whittingham in the knowledge and rudiments 
 of grammar, and in such other arts, sciences and 
 learning as were usually taught therewith, with- 
 out receiving any money, reward, or other 
 satisfaction, other than such as should be freely 
 and voluntarily given. It is witnessed that Robert 
 Richardson, in consideration of the said 200 
 conveyed to Alexander Rigby and others, being 
 the Four-and-twenty men of the Chapelry of 
 Goosnargh, their heirs and assigns, a messuage 
 and tenement in Whittingham, containing by 
 estimation 15 acres more or less, upon trust, to 
 permit such persons as the Four-and-twenty men, 
 for the time being, or the greater part of them, 
 should from time to time elect to be schoolmaster 
 at a free grammar school, to be set up and made 
 within 100 roods of the Church or Chapel of 
 Goosnargh, within the Townships of Goosnargh 
 or Whittingham, to dwell and inhabit therein, 
 and receive the rents and profits of all the 
 premises to his own use, for so long a time as 
 he should be allowed to continue Schoolmaster 
 by the approbation of the Four-and-twenty men, 
 or the major part of them, for the time being. 
 And the said Four-and-twenty, for themselves, 
 their respective heirs and assigns, promised and 
 agreed with each other, that when there should 
 be but four left, they would at the request of the 
 then Four-and-twenty, convey the premises to 
 such persons as should then be the four-and- 
 K
 
 1 62 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 twenty, or the greater number of them, upon the 
 same trusts. Provided always that the said four- 
 and-twenty, or the greater number of them, or 
 of the Feoffees for the time being, should have 
 the placing, preferring and ordering of the 
 Schoolmaster, and should also have the displacing 
 of the said Schoolmaster if there should appear 
 cause, and that the said Schoolmaster should be 
 conformable to such rules and directions as by 
 the Feoffees, or the greater number of them, for 
 the time being, should be declared and appointed. 
 
 A Legacy of 20 was left to this school by 
 the Will of Lawrence Parkinson, dated i-jth 
 November, 1719. This however was in the hands 
 of one Grimbaldeston, who failed about 40 years 
 ago, and was entirely lost. 
 
 The property now belonging to the school 
 consists of a farm-house and about 12 acres of 
 meadow and pasture land, let to John Banks, as 
 yearly tenant, at ^40 per annum, which appears 
 to be a fair rent. 
 
 The master is appointed by the four-and-twenty 
 of the township. He is not qualified to teach 
 classics, though it appears that this school was 
 intended for that sort of instruction. He is per- 
 mitted to let the property and receive the rents 
 from the tenants. It seems however very desir- 
 able that the trustees should take this burden 
 upon themselves. The school-house is likewise 
 used by the master of the free grammar school. 
 
 All the children of the Chapelry (which 
 includes Goosnargh NewshamandWhittingham) 
 are taken into these schools, and are taught 
 reading free ; but for writing 2/6 a year is paid, 
 and 5/- for writing and accounts. These pay-
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 163 
 
 ments are received by the master of the free 
 school. There are now about 70 scholars, boys 
 and girls. These are to be considered as upon 
 this foundation, though the master of the free 
 grammar school assists in their instruction. 
 There is no residence for either of the masters. 
 
 GOOSNARGH FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. 
 
 We have already stated in our account of the 
 charities of the Parish of Kirkham the history of 
 the foundation of Henry Colborne's charities. In 
 pursuance of the decree of the High Court of 
 Chancery, dated the I2th June, 1673, the par- 
 ticulars of which we have there stated, the Com- 
 pany of Drapers in London, by indenture dated 
 loth December, 1673, settled a yearly rent 
 charge of ^"105 payable out of certain premises 
 more particularly mentioned in the account of 
 Colborne's charities to which we have already 
 referred, whereof ^"30 was to be paid for the 
 maintenance of a schoolmaster and poor people 
 in Goosnargh-with-Newsham and Whittingham, 
 viz., 2$ for the maintenance of a grammar 
 schoolmaster, an University man, well and fitly 
 qualified, and obliged to preach once a month 
 within the Chapelry of Goosnargh-with-News- 
 ham and Whittingham, and fit them for the 
 University gratis ; and -$ residue of the said 
 j~3O, to be disposed of and distributed yearly 
 amongst the poor of Goosnargh-with-Newsham 
 and Whittingham ; and it was by the said inden- 
 ture and decree provided that the said school- 
 master should from time to time and at all times 
 thereafter be nominated, placed and displaced by 
 K 2
 
 164 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 the said Company of Drapers, and should observe 
 and perform all such orders as the said Company 
 should from time to time make for the better 
 regulating and managing the said school, and 
 that the school should be kept in repair by the 
 Townships of Goosnargh-with-Newsham and 
 Whittingham.* 
 
 It does not appear that the Company of 
 Drapers ever made any statutes for the govern- 
 ment of this school, but they have from time to 
 time appointed a master, and the payments above 
 mentioned are regularly made. 
 
 The person who now receives the salary not 
 being competent to teach the classics nor being 
 in holy orders, so as to be able to preach as 
 required, has been permitted by the Company of 
 Drapers to act as a provisional master until a 
 person shall be found who is properly qualified 
 for the situation, according to the directions of 
 the Court of Chancery. 
 
 There is a school in the township which is 
 repaired by the inhabitants ; it consists of two 
 rooms with a small yard adjoining, and is now 
 used as well by the master nominated on this 
 foundation as by the master of the free school 
 above mentioned. The scholars are admitted 
 indiscriminately without any reference to this 
 school as a grammar school, and the classics are 
 not taught in it. The master of this foundation 
 acts merely as an assistant to the master of the 
 Free School. 
 
 * It will be seen from the above that the donor of the school sensibly 
 enough ordered that the school-room should be kept in repair by the 
 inhabitants of the Chapelry of Goosnargh, which reasonable command 
 was complied with for the long period of 150 years, but singular enough 
 (to those who have not been behind the scenes) the repairs of the school 
 for 15 years were thrown upon the masters.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 165 
 
 GOOSNARGH BOYS' SCHOOL, 1885. 
 
 No. of scholars on books 62 
 
 Average attendance 49'5 
 
 Fees ... ... /25 2 4 
 
 Master's salary, including house and 
 
 garden (10) 100 2 4 
 
 Scale of Scholars' Fees. 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Standards 5 and 6, each scholar per quarter 3 8 
 Standards 3 and 4, ,, ,, ,, 2 9 
 
 Standards I and 2, ,, i 10 
 
 For any number above two of the same family 
 a reduction of one shilling each scholar per 
 quarter. 
 
 C. R. JACSON, Chairman. 
 W. P. PARK, Hon. Sec. 
 
 GOVERNORS : Rev. Charles O. Gordon, Charles 
 R. Jacson, Rev. E. D. Banister, Robert Jem- 
 son, Richard Cookson, John Cookson, Richard 
 Butler, and Hugh Blundell. 
 Great changes have taken place in the state of 
 these schools since the Commissioners made their 
 report, the principal of which may be stated as 
 follows : 
 
 In the year 1834, Mr.Rd.Oliverson, of Portland 
 Place, London, but formerly of Goosnargh, pur- 
 chased from Mr. David Nuttall, 863 yards of 
 land for the sum of ^"13, situate on the north 
 side of Goosnargh Lane, near to Goos- 
 nargh Church, with a view of erecting a 
 dwelling-house thereon, the same to be 
 applied at some future time for the benefit of 
 some one or other of the Goosnargh Schools. 
 In 1835 a house was accordingly erected on the
 
 1 66 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 said plot of land at the cost (including the land 
 as above) of ^"305. 
 
 Goosnargh School in 1852 had not yet re- 
 ceived any benefit from the said house and land; 
 soon after the erection of the house the premises 
 were let to Mrs. Harriet Milner, for the nominal 
 sum of ^"3 per annum, Mr. Oliverson keeping 
 the said premises in repair. But previous to the 
 death of the said Mr. Richard Oliverson, which 
 took place on the 28th day of February, 1852, he 
 had given directions for the said house and pre- 
 mises to be put in repair and conveyed to trus- 
 tees for the use or benefit of the master of the 
 Free School for the time being, and the said 
 directions were carried out by the trustees and 
 devisees (Messrs. Thomas and Robert Oliverson) 
 under the Will of the said Mr. Richard Oliver- 
 son. 
 
 In 1839, the old School-house being in a very 
 ruinous and dilapidated state, was taken down, 
 and a new and handsome School-house (consist- 
 ing of two rooms on the gound floor, one for boys 
 and the other for girls, with a room over the 
 girls' school for a library) was erected at the sole 
 expense of the said Mr. Richard Oliverson, on the 
 old and adjoining plot of ground (half a customary 
 acre) given by the Dean and Chapter of Christ 
 Church, Oxford, and Thos. Clifton, Esq., their 
 lessee. The cost of the erection of the school 
 was 8 1 8 6s. 3d. 
 
 Soon after the erection of the said school, it 
 was found to be too small, and in 1845 it was en- 
 larged at the expense of the said Mr. Richd. 
 Oliverson, the cost of the enlargement including
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 167 
 
 fittings was ^239 33. 3d., making the total cost 
 of the erection of the school ^"1,057 95. 6d. 
 
 A tablet at the south end of the school thus 
 records : 
 
 Erected at the expense of R. Oliverson, Esq., 
 of London, and formerly of this Parish. 
 MDCCCXXXIX. 
 
 The government, perquisites, and mastership 
 of the school were the same as stated in the 
 above report up to the time when it fell into the 
 hands of the Government. There were formerly 
 two masters of the school, one of whom was 
 appointed by the twenty-four vestry men of the 
 Chapelry, and his emoluments arose from the 
 rent of an estate of land in Whittingham, let for 
 ^~37 a year; the plot of land above-mentioned, 
 which is worth 2 a year; and two-thirds of the 
 perquisites of the school, amounting to about 
 \ I per annum. And the other master was 
 appointed by the Drapers' Company, and re- 
 ceived 2$ a year from them, and one-third of 
 the said perqusites, say $ IDS. per annum. 
 
 GOOSNARGH GIRLS SCHOOL. 
 
 Previous to the year 1840, no provision had 
 been made in the schools for the instruction of 
 girls in needlework, and the said Mr. Oliverson 
 thought it desirable to solicit donations from the 
 owners and occupiers of property within the 
 Chapelry and others, to be appropriated towards 
 the establishment of a Girls' School. An appeal 
 was therefore made to the country for that pur- 
 pose, and was responded to as follows :
 
 1 68 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 DONATIONS. 
 
 S. D. 
 
 The Dean and Chapter of Christ 
 
 Church, Oxford 50 o o 
 
 Christopher Oliverson, Goosnargh ... 10 10 o 
 
 Richard Oliverson, London 10 10 o 
 
 Thomas Oliverson, London ... ... 10 10 o 
 
 Robert Oliverson, London 52 TO o 
 
 Miss Agnes Oliverson, Goosnargh ... 10 10 o 
 Messrs. Oliverson, Denby, and Levie, 
 
 London 10 10 o 
 
 George Jacson, Barton 21 o o 
 
 William Shawe, Preston 10 o o 
 
 Miss Shawe, Preston 3 3 o 
 
 Robert Snell, Leyland 500 
 
 John Abraham, Preston 5 o o 
 
 James Pedder, Preston 5 5 o 
 
 Rev. Dr. Webber, Dean of Ripon ... 5 5 o 
 The Trustees under the Will of the 
 
 late Henry Parker, Whittingham... 10 o o 
 
 Trustees of Goosnargh Hospital ... 21 o o 
 
 Mrs. Cross, Red Scar 10 o o 
 
 Richard Pilkington, Preston 5 o o 
 
 Philip Park, Preston 5 5 o 
 
 Thomas Clifton, exclusive of his gift in 
 
 the land (Lytham) 800 
 
 Rev. Robert Studholme, Goosnargh... 550 
 
 John Graham, Goosnargh 5 5 o 
 
 James Blanchard 5 o o 
 
 Miss Mary Atherton, Clifton 5 o o 
 
 Edward Grimshaw, Preston 5 o o 
 
 Richard Arrowsmith, Preston i o o 
 
 Richard Newsham, Preston 3 o o 
 
 Charles Swainson, Preston 10 o o 
 
 Richard Parkinson, Preston I o o
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 169 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Grimshaw, Preston 5 
 
 Charles Lorimer, London 10 o o 
 
 Stirling ^324 8 o 
 
 Producing ,^371 133. 3d. consols; to which sum 
 the said Mr. Richd. Oliverson added ^561 i8s. 
 Stirling, making ^"628 6s. gd. consols; or a total 
 of consols of ^~i,ooo. 
 
 In pursuance of this a Girls' School was estab- 
 lished in the year 1841 in the room above alluded 
 to, and the said sum of 1000 was permanently 
 invested in the three per cents, in the names 
 of the trustees of the school, namely, the 
 Rev. R. Studholme, Mr. C. Oliverson, Mr. Wm. 
 Shawe, Mr. Wm. James Garnett, Mr. John 
 Abraham, Mr. Charles Roger Jacson, and Mr. P. 
 Park ; the interest whereof to be applied for and 
 towards the maintenance of a schoolmistress of 
 the Goosnargh Girls' School for the time being. 
 All the girls of the Townships of Goosnargh and 
 Whittingham are on application admitted into 
 the school (but it is a Church of England school) 
 and the Roman Catholics are permitted to attend 
 on sufferance only. The children are taught 
 reading free, but are charged one penny a week 
 for knitting and sewing, and a gratuity is ex- 
 pected for fire money. Out of those charges the 
 trustees pay for the cleaning and repairing of the 
 school and supply the scholars with all necessary 
 reading books. The girls who attend this school 
 and are desirous to learn writing, are sent twice 
 a day to the masters' school, and are charged 
 2s. 6d. per annum.
 
 170 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 RULES OF GOOSNARGH GIRLS' SCHOOL, 184!. 
 
 1. The hours of daily attendance are from 9 
 o'clock in the morning till 12 at noon, and in the 
 afternoon from I o'clock till 4 from the 2gth 
 of September to the 25th March, when the school 
 begins to open at 1-30 and closes at 4-30 until 
 the 29th September. 
 
 2. Reading, knitting, plain sewing and marking 
 are taught in the school. 
 
 3. Reading is taught free, the other branches 
 mentioned in Rule 2nd are charged one penny 
 per week, which is to be paid in advance, on the 
 first morning in each week of attendance. 
 
 4. No child can be admitted into the school 
 under four years of age. 
 
 5. The privileges of the school are strictly con- 
 fined to the inhabitants of this parish ; children 
 not being in this parish and attending the school 
 must pay 4d. each week. 
 
 6. Any girls who wish to learn to write or be 
 taught accounts, are to attend the master's school 
 at such stated times in the morning and afternoon 
 as the mistress may appoint. 
 
 In 1 880 this school was placed under Govern- 
 ment inspection, and the trustees are Rev. C. O. 
 Gordon, C. R. Jacson, Esq., Rev. R. Robinson, 
 Richard Oliverson, Esq., and Wm. P. Park. 
 
 In 1884 there were 60 children on the books, 
 the average attendance being 39. Government 
 grant ^36 9 s.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Schoolmistress's Salary. 
 
 s. D. 
 
 House and garden ...... 10 o o 
 
 Endowment ......... 30 o o 
 
 Half of the grant ...... 18 4 6 
 
 School pence ......... 18 i i 
 
 5 7 
 
 THE LIBRARY, 1841-1851. 
 
 The library room has been alluded to. In 
 1841 Mr. Richard Oliverson contributed ^~5 to 
 the Tract Society and ^*5 to the Society for Pro- 
 moting Christian Knowledge, in consequence of 
 which each of those societies furnished him with 
 $ worth of books for the use of the Goosnargh 
 School Lending Library. In the year 1851 Mr. 
 Oliverson added (from his own library) to the 
 above about 400 volumes of valuable books, the 
 cost price of which would not be less than ^"200. 
 Most of the books are lent out to any of the in- 
 habitants of Goosnargh and Whittingham on the 
 payment of nominal charges, and the others are 
 kept in the library as books of reference only. 
 All the Sunday school teachers can make use of 
 the books (subject to the rules of the library) 
 without any charge whatever. Such was the 
 case thirty years ago, and the books are yet there, 
 but alas ! 
 
 THE HOUSE FOR THE SCHOOLMISTRESS. 
 
 In 1850 Mr. Oliverson purchased 809 yards of 
 land from the trustees of Goosnargh Hospital for
 
 172 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 the sum of ^"13 ; this plot of land adjoins to the 
 land on which the master's house is erected. In 
 the following year (1851) he erected a dwelling- 
 house on this plot of land, for the use or benefit 
 of the mistress of the Goosnargh Girls' School 
 for the time being. The total cost, exclusive of 
 the land, being ^"312 us. yd. At the time of 
 Mr. Oliverson's death this house was scarcely 
 completed, and the trust deed was unexecuted, 
 but his trustees carried out his intention herein 
 named, and had the house and premises conveyed 
 to the trustees of the Girls' School for the pur- 
 pose named. 
 
 BOOK MONEY. 
 
 About 12 months previous to the death of the 
 said Mr. Richard Oliverson, he proposed to invest 
 ^"50 in the three per cents., the yearly interest 
 whereof to be applied in purchasing reading 
 books for the use of the scholars of the Masters' 
 Free School. A memorandum to this effect 
 having been found, his trustees carried out his 
 intentions by depositing ^50 in the Preston 
 Savings' Bank in the names of the trustees of 
 the Goosnargh School Houses. 
 
 Notwithstanding all those princely donations, 
 Mr. Oliverson had but a very small interest in 
 the Chapel ry of Goosnargh as a landed proprie- 
 tor. Paying a tribute of gratitude for the edu- 
 cation he received at Goosnargh School alone 
 actuated his munificent gifts, which may be 
 summed up as follows :
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 173 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Erection of the Master's house ... 305 o o 
 
 Erection of the Schools 1057 9 6 
 
 Paid towards the endowment of the 
 
 Girls' School 561 18 o 
 
 First gift for books 10 o o 
 
 Second gift of books 25 o o 
 
 Erection of Schoolmistress' house... 325 o o 
 
 Book money 50 o o 
 
 4~ 2 334 19 i 
 When will Goosnargh know the like again ? 
 
 WHITECHAPEL SCHOOL. 
 
 From an old manuscript belonging to this 
 township, I find the following account of the 
 endowment of Whitechapel School. 
 
 The feoffees for the time being of William 
 Higham made a purchase of the " Brook House," 
 in Goosnargh, in the year 1735, and the cash 
 was raised as follows, as by the purchase deeds 
 appears : 
 
 s. D. 
 
 By the Feoffees of William Higham 160 o o 
 By the Executors of Thomas Adam- 
 son, of Goosnargh ... .. 40 o o 
 
 By the Feoffees of William Lancas- 
 ter, of Goosnargh, linen weaver, 
 whose will bears date I2th Octo- 
 ber, 1705, being the first pious and 
 charitable gift to the White-chapel 
 or School that the Inhabitants of 
 Goosnargh hath knowledge of ... 40 o o 
 
 ^240 o o
 
 I 74 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The Commissioners report of Whitechapel 
 School as follows : 
 
 William Lancaster by will, dated I2th Octo- 
 ber, 1705, devised to James Fishwick, William 
 Higham, Thomas Adamson, and Robert Eccles, 
 a piece of land called the Fell Slack in Goos- 
 nargh containing three acres which he held by 
 lease for the life of one John Lancaster upon 
 trust, to permit the said John Lancaster to enjoy 
 the same, he paying to the said trustees the sum 
 of 6. He also devised to the said persons and 
 their heirs, a barn and 16 acres of land in Goos- 
 nargh upon the trusts thereafter mentioned but 
 with power to sell the same and to employ the pro- 
 ceeds to the same uses. He also bequeathed the 
 residue of his goods and chattels to the same per- 
 sons upon the trusts thereafter mentioned, and he 
 directed that the residue of such real and per- 
 sonal estate, after the payment of his debts and 
 funeral expenses, should be employed and put 
 forth at the discretion of his trustees, and the 
 yearly profits paid to such schoolmaster as should 
 be elected by the said trustees, to teach a school 
 at Whitechapel in Goosnargh, the said trustees 
 having a reasonable allowance for the manage- 
 ment of the trusts. The clear profits to be paid 
 to the said schoolmaster half-yearly, by equal 
 portions on the 2nd August and 2nd February ; 
 and he directed that when any two of the said 
 trustees should be dead, the survivors should 
 elect two more to make up the number four, of 
 the most substantial honest reputed Protestants, 
 inhabitants of the Township of Goosnargh. 
 
 The above-named William Higham, by Will 
 dated I7th February, 1713, devised a messuage,
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 175 
 
 barn, and outbuildings, with several closes, 
 called Hiles Fields, and Beesley Ground, with 
 other closes in Goosnargh, containing 23 acres, 
 more or less, to the said James Fishwick and 
 Thomas Adam son and two others and their 
 heirs ; and he also bequeathed to the same 
 persons the residue of his personal estate, after 
 payment of certain legacies to the charitable 
 uses thereinafter named ; and he directed that the 
 said trustees after the payment of his debts, 
 legacies, and funeral expenses, should put out 
 to interest by way of purchase or mortgage as 
 they should think fit the sum of ^"120, and that 
 they should pay the clear profits thereof half- 
 yearly or quarterly, to such schoolmaster as they 
 should elect to teach the children of any of the 
 inhabitants within the Township of Goosnargh ; 
 said that such power of election should remain to 
 them and their successors for ever ; and that the 
 said schoolmaster should demand no other fee or 
 gratuity from the parents of such children but 
 what they should be pleased to give him ; and 
 that the said schoolmaster should teach the said 
 school at the Whitechapel, in Goosnargh, or 
 within 100 roods of the same; and in case the 
 school should be removed (by way of prevention), 
 that the said profits should be paid to the poor 
 of Goosnargh, according to the discretion of his 
 trustees. 
 
 He also directed the said trustees to put forth 
 20 in like manner, the profits thereof to be 
 employed in buying necessary books for the 
 poorer sort of children that should come to learn 
 at the said school, according to their discretion. 
 
 And he further directed them to put out in like
 
 176 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 manner ^~6o, the profits thereof to be paid 
 to some honest clergyman in priest's or deacon's 
 orders, who should preach constantly at the 
 Whitechapel every Sunday once and teach the 
 said school for the salary belonging thereto ; and 
 for want of such a clergyman as would supply 
 both places, he gave the profits thereof to the 
 minister of Goosnargh and his successors, upon 
 condition that he should preach a sermon in 
 the said chapel on one Sunday every calendar 
 month ; and upon his refusal, that it should be 
 paid to the next neighbouring clergyman who 
 should accept the same, performing the service 
 last mentioned; and for want of such service 
 that they should pay the profits to the school- 
 master of the said school. 
 
 And he directed that his said trustees should 
 put forth in like manner the residue of his real 
 and personal estate, the yearly profits thereof to 
 be yearly distributed and paid unto [This is left 
 blank in the indenture of the 1st June, 1821, 
 from the recitals in which the above abtract is 
 taken] at the Whitechapel on Good Friday, 
 allowing to the trustees the reasonable charges 
 for their trouble in the execution of all their 
 several trusts out of the last-mentioned re- 
 mainders ; and he directed that when any two of 
 the said trustees should die, the survivors should 
 elect others to make up the number four ; and 
 for want of such election, that the Twenty-four 
 should choose four substantial inhabitants, 
 not being exempted from making choice among 
 themselves. 
 
 The said Thomas Adamson by will dated 7th 
 January, 1730, bequeathed to the trustees
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 177 
 
 appointed for the said Whitechapel School, 40, 
 the interest whereof he gave to the teaching 
 schoolmaster of Whitechapel, if he should duly 
 observe the school, carefully teach the children, 
 and be diligent therein, according to the judg- 
 ment of the said trustees. 
 
 By indenture of lease and release, dated 2nd 
 and 3rd May, 1735, as the same is recited in the 
 indenture of 1st June, 1821, hereafter abstracted, 
 reciting the will of the said William Lancaster, 
 and that his real and personal estate produced 
 the sum of ^"40; and reciting the will of William 
 Higham, and that the trustees had received 
 out of his real and personal estate the sum of 
 jfi6o; and also reciting the will of the said 
 Thomas Adamson. It was witnessed that in con- 
 sideration of the ^240 (the amount of the legacies 
 received as above mentioned), John Turner con- 
 veyed to James Fishwick and three others, the 
 then trustees, and their heirs, a messuage, with 
 the lands meadows and grounds thereto belong- 
 ing, in Goosnargh, containing by estimation five 
 acres, more or less ; and also another messuage, 
 with the lands meadows and grounds thereto 
 belonging, in Goosnargh, containing by estima- 
 tion five acres, more or less, upon trust, to dispose 
 of the rents and profits to such persons as should 
 from time to time, for ever thereafter be legally 
 nominated and appointed to receive the same, 
 according to the true intent of the respective 
 wills thereinbefore recited, according to the pro- 
 portion of the several sums of money threin- 
 before mentioned, to be advanced out of 
 the several charities, as the consideration or pur- 
 chase money of the above mentioned premises. 
 
 L
 
 178 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 By indenture dated 1st June, 1821, reciting the 
 several wills and the indentures above mentioned 
 (and from which the above abstracts are taken) ; 
 and reciting that the premises were then vested 
 in the co-heiresses of Richard Baines, the last 
 surviving trustee, and that the said co-heiresses, 
 together with James Dixon and others, had levied 
 a fine of the premises above mentioned on the 
 24th March then preceding. In the Court of 
 Lancaster it was declared that the said fine was 
 levied to the use of John Baines, Henry Parker, 
 Christopher Oliverson the younger, and Robert 
 Miller, all of Goosnargh, their heirs and assigns, 
 upon the trusts declared in the several wills above 
 recited ; and it was further agreed that a meeting 
 of the said trustees shonld be holden on the first 
 day of June in every year, at the school house, at 
 which meeting they should take into consider- 
 ation the state and condition of the said trusts 
 and property, and the application thereof, and 
 should audit and examine the accounts, and give 
 necessary orders for repairs, and should also 
 inquire into and examine the number and pro- 
 ficiency of the scholars, and the care and diligence 
 of the masters, and should give such orders as 
 they should see proper for effecting the charitable 
 intentions of the testator. 
 
 There is a building erected for the purpose of 
 a school near Whitechapel, which is a chapel-of- 
 ease, in Goosnargh, having no peculiar district 
 assigned to it. There is no residence for the 
 master. 
 
 The property purchased in 1735 consists of a 
 good house, and about i2a. or. 2p. of land, cus- 
 tomary measure, of seven yards to the perch, and
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 179 
 
 I 
 
 about i a. or. 21 p. of moss. The former is now 
 let to the acting overseer, for the use of the Town- 
 ship of Goosnargh, upon an agreement from year 
 to year, at the rent of ^"40 ; this is the full value, 
 and the highest rent offered at the time of the 
 letting, which was by tender. The moss is let 
 to Matthew Miller, as yearly tenant, at_^~i IDS. 
 
 Out of these rents there is paid to the school- 
 master IDS. a week during the time the school is 
 kept open, that is for 46 weeks in the year, 
 amounting to ^"23. The rest of the rent has 
 been reserved lately for defraying the expenses 
 of preparing the last trust deeds, which amounted 
 to upwards of 60 ; a considerable expense 
 having been incurred in consequence of the trust 
 having devolved upon five co-heiresses, all of 
 whom are married. Only ^"28 had been paid off 
 in September, 1823. 
 
 The present master was appointed in August, 
 1822. He is not a clergyman nor competent to 
 teach the classics ; he takes all the children of 
 Goosnargh who apply, and teaches reading, 
 writing and accounts, without making any 
 charge except for pens and paper. There are 
 now about 70 children, boys and girls, in the 
 school. In the time of the late master there 
 were only about seven* on the books. It appears 
 
 * The trustee who made this statement to the commissioners was an 
 embittered and most implacable enemy of " the late master," and took 
 this opportunity of casting a slur upon him, to give colour as he thought, 
 to his most unjust and inhuman conduct towards him. It is possible that 
 there may have been a day during the late mastership of Whitechapel 
 School when " there were only about seven " scholars in attendance, but it 
 must have been on some extraordinary occasion, for it is quite certain that 
 he had generally a very full school, and could often number from So to 90 
 scholars in actual attendance. I was one of his pupils, and though gone 
 I will give him credit for being the best master I ever had ; and though I 
 was only ten years of age when he died, I have him to thank for being 
 L 2
 
 1 80 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 from an entry in an old book belonging to this 
 township that 20 (the legacy left by William 
 Higham, for buying books as above mentioned) 
 was laid out in 1720 in the purchase of land, 
 together with ^"200 given by Queen Ann's 
 Bounty, and other money, for the augmentation 
 of the curacy of Whitechapel. For many years 
 the trustees of the school received a proportion- 
 able part of the rent in respect of the 20 laid 
 out in the purchase, but for the last six or seven 
 years the incumbent has refused to pay more 
 than 2Os. 
 
 During a discussion which has taken place on 
 this subject, nothing has in fact been paid, but 
 the incumbent is ready to pay 2Os. a year. The 
 deeds at the office of Queen Ann's Bounty have 
 been inspected on the part of the township, and 
 it is now admitted that 205. a year only is pay- 
 able in respect of this charity. The said 203. a 
 year is regularly paid by the vicar and employed 
 in buying books for the use of the said school. 
 But one pound in 1713 is not the same as one 
 pound in 1885. 
 
 Much has been done to this charity since the 
 commissioners made their report thereon. A 
 good commodious and convenient dwelling-house 
 has been erected near to the school-room, for the 
 use of the schoolmaster for the time being. It 
 was built in the year 1834 by Mr. Thomas Oli- 
 verson, of Frederick's Place, Old Jewry, London. 
 The cost of the erection was upwards of ^"300. 
 The land on which the house was erected was 
 
 able to write this book, and I am fully persuaded that had he survived and 
 held the same situation until I was 18 years old, the public would have 
 been favoured in this production with a much abler work. I pity 
 the poor schoolmasters that have enemies for trustees !
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. l8l 
 
 given by Mr. Peter Lawrenson, of Goosnargh. 
 The following is the record of the said gift : 
 
 <( Messrs. John Baines, Henry Parker, and 
 Christopher Oliverson, Gentlemen. 
 Having been informed that it is your 
 intention to erect a house for the master 
 of the school at Whitechapel in the town- 
 ship, which is to be attached to the pro- 
 perty of the said school, as a dwelling 
 house. I hereby give you full permission 
 to occupy the piece of land as road waste 
 adjoining to my lands in that situation 
 for that purpose ; and I relinquish to you 
 for ever my right and all my interest in 
 the same, as long as it is used and held in 
 this manner, and to your successors as 
 trustees of the said school. 
 
 As witness my hand, 
 this third day of November, 1832, 
 
 P. LAWRENSON." 
 
 In 1843, the schoolroom, though built so late 
 as 1811, had become too small, and was in a sad, 
 battered, and shattered condition, was taken 
 down and a new substantial and very convenient 
 school erected on the site ot the old one. The 
 materials were carted by the farmers in the 
 neighbourhood of the school, and the building 
 was erected by public subscription ; but I regret 
 to say I have been unable to meet with the par- 
 ticulars of the subscription list. Those matters 
 appear to have been more permanently registered 
 100 years ago than at the present day.
 
 1 82 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 On the stones of the school we read : 
 This School was Rebuilt by 
 
 Subscription A.D. 1843. 
 
 Rev. Thos. Benn, C. Oliverson, Esq. ) T 
 John Baines, Esq., Wm. Shawe, Esq. J J 
 
 The scholars of the day school now number 
 about 60, and the fees are as follows : 
 
 Farmers rated at -20 a year and upwards, for 
 children in standards I and 2, is. lod. ; 
 standard 3, 2s. gd. ; standards 4, 5, and 6, 
 33. 8d. per quarter. 
 
 Farmers rated undergo and labourers, for chil- 
 dren in standards I and 2, is. 4^d. ; standard 3, 
 2s. 3^d. ; standards 4, 5, and 6, 2s. gd. per quarter. 
 
 The master's salary is variable, but may be put 
 down at about 100 a year. 
 
 A Sunday school was established here by the 
 Rev. T. Benn about the year 1825. There are 
 50 scholars and four teachers. 
 
 By the help of the S. P. C. K. a lending 
 library has been attached to the said Sunday 
 school and contains about 130 volumes. 
 
 The present trustees are : Richard Oliverson, 
 Charles Roger Jacson, Townley Rigby Knowles, 
 and William Lucas Benn. 
 
 ALL THE OTHER PUBLIC CHARITIES OF 
 GOOSNARGH AND NEWSHAM. 
 
 Lawrence Parkinson's Charity. 
 
 Lawrence Parkinson, by will, dated iyth 
 November, 1719, devised and bequeathed to 
 James Fishwick, Richard Midghall, and two
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 183 
 
 others, and their heirs as feoffes in trust, among 
 other things, two closes in Goosnargh, called the 
 Three-nooked Meadow and Old Alice Meadow, 
 and the sum of^~7O, for the use of the poor needy 
 necessitous housekeepers in Goosnargh that 
 should have no relief or allowance out of the 
 township, the rents and profits of the said land 
 to be disposed of by the said trustees and their 
 heirs, and distributed at Martinmas or there- 
 abouts, yearly, in coin called groats, to such 
 housekeepers as aforesaid, according to their dis- 
 cretion. 
 
 He also bequeathed the sum 0^30, the interest 
 to be laid out and distributed in six good penny 
 manchets every Sunday, by the minister, church- 
 wardens, and clerk of Goosnargh, to such poor 
 housekeepers and needy people of Goosnargh as 
 should have no allowance out of the township 
 and should attend Divine Service that very day ; 
 and in case the people of Goosnargh should not 
 come to the Church, then in like manner to the 
 people of Whittingham who should come to 
 Divine Service there ; and for want of such like 
 poor of Goosnargh and Whittingham, to the 
 poor of any other parish or township that should 
 attend Divine Service there ; and he directed that 
 the remaining 43. should be paid to such person 
 as should buy, carry, and procure such manchets 
 weekly.* 
 
 * The said Lawrence Parkinson also left by the said will a dole, to be 
 given at his funeral, upon such St. Chrysostom thus remarks : " Doles 
 were used at funerals to procure rest to the soul of the deceased, that he 
 might find his Judge propitious." The giving of a dole and the inviting 
 of the poor on this occasion are synonymous terms. There are some strong 
 figurative expressions on this subject in Ambrose's Funeral Oration on 
 Satyrus. Speaking of those who mourned on the occasion, he says : 
 " The poor also shed tears, precious and fruitful tears, that washed away 
 the sins of the deceased ; they let fall floods of redeeming tears."
 
 184 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 By indenture dated 26th June, 1747, Thomas 
 Parkinson and Alice his wife, and Charles Gib- 
 son and others, to whom a fine had been levied 
 of the premises hereafter mentioned, conveyed 
 the same in consideration of 100 to Robert 
 Porter and John Porter and their heirs. 
 
 By indenture dated 2nd January, 1747-8, re- 
 citing that Thomas Parkinson and the other 
 parties above-mentioned, had conveyed the pre- 
 mises thereafter mentioned, to Robert Porter 
 and John Porter in consideration ol^ioo, which 
 sum was paid by them out of monies in their 
 hands for charitable uses, the said Robert Porter 
 and John Porter conveyed to the use of them- 
 selves, and of George Green and John Baines, 
 their heirs and assigns, a messuage and two acres 
 of land with the appurtances in Goosnargh, 
 upon trust, to apply the clear yearly rents as fol- 
 lows, viz. : The sum of 6d. a week to the minister, 
 churchwardens, and clerk of the parochial Chapel 
 of Goosnargh, to be by them laid out in six good 
 penny loaves of bread, called manchets, to be 
 distributed in the manner above-mentioned in 
 the will of Lawrence Parkinson, and upon trust 
 to lay out two-third parts of the residue of the 
 said rents in coin called groats, in the same 
 manner as directed by the said testator with respect 
 to the profits of the two closes in Goosnargh and 
 the sum of ^"70; to apply the remaining third 
 part of the said residue amongst poor people 
 belonging to the said Township of Goosnargh, 
 on every St. Thomas' Day, pursuant to the 
 several charitable donations given to the said 
 township for that purpose. 
 
 On the above abstracted indenture is endorsed
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 185 
 
 a memorandum : That whereas it was intended 
 that about one-third part of the ^"100 should 
 have been paid out of the money belonging to 
 the poor, it happened that such poor's money 
 could not be got in time, but that 20 belong- 
 ing to William Wareing's Charity, then in Par- 
 kinson's hands, was applied instead thereof, and 
 was to have its dividend of the rent yearly 
 arising from the said premises. 
 
 From this memorandum it appears that some 
 part of the legacies left for these charities must 
 have been lost. 
 
 By indenture dated ist September, 1798, re- 
 citing the indenture last above abstracted, James 
 Baines, the heir-at-law of the last surviving 
 trustee, conveyed, the same premises upon the 
 same trusts to Richard Oliverson t (since 
 deceased), Matthew Miller, John Sharpies, and 
 Christopher Oliverson and their heirs. These pre- 
 mises are now vested in three surviving trustees 
 named in the deed of 1798, and the two closes 
 devised by Lawrence Parkinson, called the Three- 
 nooked Meadow and Old Alice Meadow lie a 
 quarter of a mile from each other, the former 
 containing one acre and a half, and is let to John 
 Barton as yearly tenant at ^"4, which is the full 
 value of it. 
 
 The premises purchased in 1747, and called 
 Kirk Smithy House, with the two acres adjoining, 
 and Old Alice Meadow, containing two acres, are 
 let to Richard Stothert upon an agreement for 
 seven years, of which three are unexpired, at the 
 rent of ^"17. This is the full value. 
 
 t Father of the Richard Oliverson of whom so much has been said 
 herein.
 
 1 86 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Of these rents, amounting to 2 1 263. is dis- 
 posed of in purchasing six pennyworth of bread 
 weekly, which is distributed by the minister, 
 churchwardens, and clerk amongst the poor who 
 attend Goosnargh Chapel ; out of the residue, 
 us. 6d. is added to the dole money, which is 
 distributed the day before St. Thomas' Day to 
 the poor of the Township of Goosnargh, and the 
 remainder is laid out by Matthew Miller in the 
 purchase of meal, which is distributed in 
 February, yearly, at the workhouse, amongst 
 poor housekeepers of the said township who have 
 no relief. Notice is always previously given to 
 the Protestant and Roman Catholic Chapels in 
 the township. 
 
 In February, 1823, thirteen loads of meal, 
 weighing 24olbs. each, which cost^iS 133. gd., 
 were distributed amongst 165 persons of the des- 
 cription above - mentioned. As Mr. Miller 
 purchases the meal wholesale, he never bought 
 less than a load, and if there is any balance it is 
 paid to the Overseers who buy a small quantity 
 of meal according to the sum they receive, 
 and distribute in like manner. 
 
 Lawrence Parkinson also bequeathed to his 
 said trustees ^"80, upon trust, to pay the interest 
 of one moiety thereof in case his daughter Alice 
 Mary should die without issue, in buying books 
 or clothes for poor children or old people of 
 Goosnargh. 
 
 It is not known whether this charity ever took 
 effect or not.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 187 
 
 WILLIAM WAKING'S CHARITY. 
 
 William Waring, of Goosnargh, by will dated 
 I4th February, 1728, bequeathed all his personal 
 estate whatsoever (amounting according to his 
 computation to ^"300 and upwards) to Thomas 
 Edmundson and Robert Porter, of Goosnargh, 
 upon trust, in case his son should die unmarried 
 and without child or children, to apply the 
 residue thereof, after payment of three several 
 sums of ^"5, to the use, benefit, and advantage of 
 the poor, indignent, and necessitous inhabitants 
 of Goosnargh, in such way and manner as to 
 them, and the survivors of them his ex- 
 ecutors and administrators, should seem best 
 and most beneficial, yet so as not in any 
 wise to ease themselves or any other the in- 
 habitants of Goosnargh aforesaid in their rates 
 to the poor. 
 
 It is understood that the personal estate of the 
 testator originally exceeded ^"300, and we have 
 already stated that 20 part thereof, was laid 
 out with the legacies of Lawrence Parkinson ; 
 ^"300 was the amount in 1795, at which time, hav- 
 ing been previously lent out on private security, it 
 was called in, and was lent to the landowners of the 
 township of Goosnargh for the purpose of build- 
 ing a workhouse on Inglewhite Green ; and a 
 bond was drawn up, signed by several of the 
 landowners as a security. 
 
 The sum of \2 123. is annually paid out of 
 the poor rates as interest for this sum, a part of 
 it is given away in linen and woollen cloth to 
 poor persons of the township not receiving relief, 
 and the remainder is distributed in money at the
 
 1 88 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 same time. The sum given in cloth varies from 
 
 ADAMSONS CHARITY. 
 
 Jane Adamson, of Goosnargh, by will dated 
 8th September, 1732, ordered that the sum of 
 ^"40, together with 20 which her brother 
 Thomas Adamson gave to poor and indigent 
 persons of Goosnargh, should be placed at interest 
 by the executors, and that the produce of the 
 said two sums should be laid out yearly by her 
 executors and their successors, at or about Mar- 
 tinmas, in cloths, linen or woollen, at the discre- 
 tion of her executors, for the poor belonging to 
 the Township of Goosnargh, as they should deem 
 meet and convenient ; and appointed James 
 Taylor, Robert Taylor, and William Fox, all of 
 Goosnargh, her executors. The sum of 60 was 
 in the hands of the grandfather of James Sid- 
 greaves, Esq., who now pays 2 145. annually 
 in respect thereof. He states that his father and 
 grandfather used to pay the same sum ; that he 
 took some real estates under the will of his father 
 who died in 1 808, but no personal property ; 
 but that though he conceives the estate is not 
 legally charged with the payment, he considers 
 himself bound to pay it. 
 
 This sum of 2 145. is laid out annually by 
 Matthew Miller, of Goosnargh, at the request 
 of Mr. Sidgreaves, in the purchase of linen and 
 woollen cloth, which is distributed amongst poor 
 persons of the township not receiving relief. 
 
 The list of persons who partake of this charity 
 is always shown to Mr. Sidgreaves.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 189 
 
 DONOR UNKNOWN. 
 
 There is also the sum of ^"40, the origin of 
 which is unknown, but it is supposed to have 
 been left by a Miss Eccles to the poor of this 
 township. A few years ago this money was paid 
 over by Richard Eccles in who?e hands it had 
 been placed, to the governor of the workhouse, 
 and it was applied in discharge of part of their 
 debt incurred in erecting that building. It now 
 remains a charge upon the workhouse, and the 
 sum of^i 1 6s. is annually paid out of the town- 
 ship's rates, and distributed with other charity 
 money the day before St. Thomas'-day. 
 
 GRACE SHAKESHAFT'S GIFT. 
 
 Grace Shakeshaft, by will dated loth Septem- 
 ber, 1740, directed her executors to place at 
 interest upon some good security ^"60, and that 
 they should apply the interest thereof yearly, on 
 the nth November, to such poor persons in the 
 Township of Goosnargh as they should think 
 greatest objects of charity.* It appears by an 
 entry in one of the township's books that in 
 1764 this legacy was reduced to ^"40. This sum 
 with other monies amounting to ^"138 IDS. was 
 in the hands of the late Robert Clifton who paid 
 interest for the same till within these two years, 
 when his affairs became greatly embarrassed and 
 
 * There is a brass plate in Goosnargh Church vestry on which is 
 engraved the following : 
 
 " MEMORANDUM. 
 
 Grace Shakeshaft, late of Goosnargh-with-Newsham, died Janry. nth, 
 1741, leaving by her will to the poor of Goosnargh aforesd. the yearly 
 Interest of Sixty Pounds to be distributed on the nth day of November 
 yearly, by her Executors, or the Successors for ever. 
 
 JNO : MILLER, Sculp., 1742."
 
 I 90 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 his estates were sold, having been mortgaged for 
 nearly the full value. Mr. Clifton is now dead, 
 and it seems doubtful whether there is any 
 property out of which this money can be 
 recovered. 
 
 MRS. BARROW'S GIFT. 
 
 In one of the township's books there is an entry 
 made about the year 1764, stating that Mrs. 
 Letitia Barrow (whose maiden name was Moore) 
 gave to the poor of Goosnargh ^"40. 
 
 This money may possibly have been part of 
 the sum of ^138 IDS. in Mr. Clifton's hands, but 
 we could not obtain any further information with 
 respect to it. 
 
 COLBORNE'S CHARITY TO THE POOR. 
 
 The particulars of the charities founded by 
 Henry Colborne have been already given in our 
 report of the Grammar School of this Chapelry. 
 The sum of ^"5 which is to be distributed to the 
 poor of this Chapelry is divided into three parts. 
 
 s. D. 
 
 In the Township of Goosnargh there is 
 distributed at the workhouse the day 
 before St. Thomas'-day, with other 
 
 charities, the sum of 3 3 i 
 
 In the Township of Whittingham there 
 is distributed, with other charity 
 
 money, on St. Thomas'-day i 9 6 
 
 In the Township of Newsham the re- 
 mainder is given away to some one 
 or more poor person o 7 5 
 
 3
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 19! 
 
 KNOWLES'S CHARITY. 
 
 By indentures of lease and release, the latter 
 dated 8th February, 1686, Thomas Knowles, of 
 Sowerby, conveyed to Evan Wall, Thomas Mil- 
 ler, and two others, their heirs and assigns, a 
 messuage and certain lands thereto belonging, 
 containing 56 acres or thereabouts, called Loud- 
 scales, with the appurtenances, in Goosnargh 
 and Chipping, to the use of himself for life, and 
 his wife for her life, with remainder to the heirs 
 of his body ; and for want of such heirs to the 
 use of the said trustees, upon trust, to receive 
 and dispose of the yearly profits of the premises 
 in manner following, that is to say : 
 The poor of Sowerby Magna et Parva 5 s - 
 
 The poor of Inskip 505. 
 
 The poor of Tarnacre 5 OS - 
 
 And the poor of Goosnargh 505. 
 
 And to the said trustees for the care and pains 
 therein the yearly sum of 403. ; the said pay- 
 ments to the poor to be made yearly on the feast 
 of St. Andrew, in such manner as the said trustees 
 should seem most convenient. And he directed 
 that the said trustees should yearly employ all 
 the residue of the profits, after the payment of 
 the several sums aforesaid, towards the payment 
 of all such sums as should be taxed upon the 
 premises to Church and King, and for the restor- 
 ation of the said premises, without rendering any 
 account to any person or persons whatsoever ; 
 provided that when any two of the said trustees 
 should happen to die, the survivors should assign 
 the premises to one or more discreet person or 
 persons upon the like trusts.
 
 192 GOOSXARGH : 
 
 Previous to 1778 an information was filed by 
 the Attorney-General at the relation of the Over- 
 seers of the several townships interested, in the 
 Court of Chancery for the County Palatine of 
 Lancaster, setting forth the foundation of 
 this charity and praying an account against the 
 then trustees of the rents and profits of the 
 premises belonging to the charity, which it was 
 admitted the defendants had retained to their 
 own use after payment of the IQ a year 
 appointed by the testator ; whereupon it was 
 decreed on the ist of May, 1782, that it should be 
 referred to the Clerk of the Council of that Court 
 to take the account prayed, and that the truths 
 of the indenture of the 8th February, 1686, 
 should be established, and that the balance of 
 the said account, when taken, after payment of 
 the costs, should be applied towards the relief 
 of the poor of the aforesaid Townships of 
 Sowerby Magna and Parva, Inskip, Tarnacre and 
 Goosnargh, in equal proportions, and that the 
 clear rents in future ought to be applied in the 
 same manner. 
 
 By indenture of lease and release, dated re- 
 spectively 4th and 5th February, 1783, reciting 
 the indenture of release above abstracted, and the 
 decree made on the ist of May, 1782, and further 
 reciting that the then trustees, John, Richard, 
 and William Miller, had received the rents and 
 profits of the premises from the 5th February, 
 1772, to the 5th January, 1782, amounting to 
 ^"500, of which they had laid out in repairs ^"94, 
 and in distribution of the several townships ^~ioo, 
 and had retained to themselves, in respect of the 
 yearly allowance of forty shillings, 20, leaving
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 193 
 
 in their hands ^"286 ; and reciting that the costs 
 of the relations and of Thomas Knowles, the son 
 and heir-at-law of the donor (which had been 
 directed by the court to be paid out of the rents 
 of the said premises) exceeded the sum in the 
 hands of the trustees by ^"'40 JOs. ; and further 
 reciting, that in order to save the expenses of 
 proceeding further in the said suit, it had been 
 agreed that the said trustees should pay their 
 costs, amounting to ^215 IDS., upon their assign- 
 ing the premises to John Westby and others, the 
 sum of 286 which was in their hands, and that 
 in order to discharge the costs of the several 
 parties as above-mentioned, the sum of ^356 had 
 been paid in equal portions by the Overseers of 
 the Townships of Sowerby Magna et Parva, the 
 Township of Inskip, the Township of Tarnacre, 
 and the Township of Goosnargh. It was 
 witnessed that for the effectual establishment of 
 the trusts of the first-recited indenture of release 
 and the better management of the said charities, 
 and in consideration of the payment of ^"246 ios., 
 paid to the relations in the said suit for their costs, 
 and of^iSo paid to the said Thomas Knowles for 
 his costs, and of ^"215 ios. to the said trustees for 
 their costs, the said John, Richd., and William 
 Miller, with the privity and by the direction of the 
 said relations and the said Thomas Knowles, con- 
 veyed the premises above-mentioned, to John 
 Westby, of Upper Rawcliffe, Esq., and three 
 others, their heirs and assigns, upon the trusts de- 
 clared in the said indenture of release of 1 686, and 
 in pursuance of the said decree, it was provided that 
 when any two of the said trustees should happen 
 to die, the survivors should convey the premises 
 M
 
 194 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 to two or more discreet persons, owners or occu- 
 piers of lands or tenements within the several 
 townships interested, or one of them upon the 
 like trusts, and so from time to time for ever. 
 
 By indenture dated i6th June, 1801, John 
 Westby, of Upper Rawcliffe-with-Tarnacre, and 
 Henry Porter, of Bretherton, the then surviving 
 trustees, after reciting amongst other things the 
 indenture of release of 1686, and the decree of 
 May, 1782, conveyed the premises above- 
 mentioned to the use of themselves, and of the 
 Rev. Hugh Hornby, vicar of St. Michaels, and 
 William Harrison, Esq., of Upper Rawcliffe- 
 with-Tarnacre, to the intents expressed in the 
 indenture of 1686, and the said decree of 1782. 
 
 The estate called Loudscales is situate partly 
 in Goosnargh and partly in Chipping, and con- 
 sists of a farm-house and outbuildings, and 553. 
 or. I op. of land customary measure, of seven 
 yards to the perch. It is now occupied by Henry 
 Addison as yearly tenant. Up to 1812 he held 
 it upon a lease for n years at 81 ; since that 
 time the rent has varied from ^"85 to ^"115. 
 From the year 1822 he took it at the rent of 
 ^85, but at the time of our inquiry it remained 
 for the consideration of the trustees whether an 
 abatement of -20 should not be allowed to him, 
 which as it appears the difficulty of the times 
 would fairly justify. 
 
 After deducting what may have been required 
 in the course of the year for repairs and the 
 sum of 2 which was allowed by the donor to 
 the trustees, the residue of the rent is divided 
 amongst the different places interested in the 
 charity in the following manner : 
 
 Goosnargh, one-fourth.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 195 
 
 The Township of Inskip-with-Sowerby, three- 
 eighths. 
 
 Upper Rawcliffe-with-Tarnacre, three-eighths. 
 
 The division hardly differs in effect Irom that 
 prescribed by the donor, as he directs that one- 
 fourth shall be given to the poor of Great and 
 Little Sowerby, one-fourth to the poor of Tarn- 
 acre, one-fourth to the poor of Inskip, and one- 
 fourth to the poor of Goosnargh. The latter 
 being in the Parish of Kirkham and being per- 
 fectly distinct from the other places receives its 
 due proportion one-fourth ; but Great and 
 Little Sowerby lie in different townships, the 
 former making one township with Inskip, the 
 latter making one township with Upper Raw- 
 cliffe-with-Tarnacre. The one fourth therefore 
 which is directed to be given to the poor of Great 
 and Little Sowerby is divided equally, one 
 moiety being added to the share of Inskip, the 
 other to the share of Tarnacre, making the share 
 paid to each of those townships three-eighths. 
 The Hamlet however of Upper Rawcliffe has in 
 fact no title to this charity, though no regard is 
 paid to this circumstance in the distribution. 
 
 The last year (1822) the rent was disposed of as 
 follows : 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Upper Rawcliffe-with-Little Sowerby 23 12 6 
 Inskip and Great Sowerby ......... 23 12 6 
 
 Goosnargh .................. I 5 I 5 
 
 To the four trustees ............ 200 
 
 Rent retained in expectation of abate- 
 
 ment ..................... 20 o o 
 
 M 2
 
 196 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The share appropriated to each township is 
 transmitted to the Overseer or Churchwarden 
 to be distributed amongst the poor. 
 
 COLBORNE'S CHARITIES. 
 
 Henry Colborne of London, scrivener, being 
 born in the Parish of Kirkham and there 
 educated in his youth, by a codicil annexed to his 
 will dated the 7th of August, 1655, directed that 
 his trustees should purchase a lease of the 
 Rectory of Kirkham, of Christ Church Oxford, 
 with the monies that he had appointed thereto, 
 and that the said trustees should lay out the 
 profits that could or might be raised thereout for 
 the first 16 years ( excepting ^~ioo per annum to 
 his son), to purchase lands to maintain schools 
 and poor people, and that when they had bought 
 the said lands they should settle the same upon 
 the Company of Drapers in London for the uses 
 aforesaid, and that the said trustees should have 
 60 per annum between them while they had 
 the same in their hands, and the said company 
 20 per annum for ever. 
 
 Previous to the year 1673 a bill was filed in 
 the High Court of Chancery by the church- 
 wardens of Kirkham against the Drapers' Com- 
 pany, in which it was stated that the trustees 
 had purchased a lease of the Rectory of Kirk- 
 ham, and (in pursuance of a decree made I4th 
 June, 1665, in a suit instituted by the Company 
 of Drapers against the trustees and the executor of 
 the testator) the proceeds of the said rectory had 
 been paid to the said company, who were to 
 account for the same with interest at the rate of
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 1 97 
 
 4 per cent, at the end of 1 1 years, and to lay out 
 the same in the purchase of lands to be settled 
 upon the charitable uses mentioned in the said 
 codicil, and in regard to the uses in the said 
 codicil mentioned were not particularly appointed 
 to any place, it was prayed that the monies re- 
 ceived by the said company and the interest 
 might be laid out in purchasing lands and in- 
 heritance to be settled by the decree of the court, 
 in trust, for the use and benefit of schools and 
 poor people of the Parish of Kirkharn. The 
 defendants in their answer stated that the tes- 
 tator had declared his intention to be that the 
 lands to be purchased should be for the mainten- 
 ance of one or more ministers, who besides their 
 preaching would likewise overlook and take care 
 of the scholars and the schools, and should preach 
 within the Parish of Kirkham, they set out an 
 account of the monies in their hands, and pro- 
 posed to charge certain premises in London with 
 the payment of ^105 per annum in respect there- 
 of for the charitable uses therein mentioned ; 
 according to which, one-third of the said rent- 
 charge was to be applied in Goosnargh-with- 
 Newsham and Whittingham, the remainder 
 two-thirds in the 15 townships of the Parish of 
 Kirkham, and the nomination and displacing of 
 the schoolmasters, teachers and ushers, and the 
 directing and appointing the number of scholars 
 to be taught gratis in each school was to belong 
 to the said company for ever, but in which they 
 were to receive information and proposals from 
 the Thirty men of Kirkham and its townships 
 and the Twenty-four of Goosnargh. The plain- 
 tiffs in reply objected to the appointing any
 
 198 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 part of the said charities to Goosnargh, the same 
 being as they alleged no part of the Parish of 
 Kirkham. It was decreed however that the said 
 Chapelry of Goosnargh was part of the said 
 parish and should participate in the said 
 charities, and it was referred to one of the 
 masters of the court to inquire into the propor- 
 tion and extent of such township, and to take an 
 account of costs incurred by the said company, 
 and to direct the assurances to be made by the 
 said company for securing the payment of ^"105 
 per annum in such manner as proposed by them 
 in their answer, and also to apportion the said 
 sum between the said Chapelry of Goosnargh 
 and the rest of the said parish, to be distributed 
 in such manner as the said company had in their 
 answer proposed; and it was further ordered 
 that the said company and their successors 
 should have power to make orders for the better 
 regulating and managing of the said schools. 
 
 By indenture dated loth of December, 1673, 
 reciting that in pursuance of a decretal order 
 made in the High Court of Chancery on the I2th 
 June preceding, in the above-mentioned cause, 
 and to the intent that the premises thereafter 
 mentioned might be settled for the yearly sum 
 of ^"105 for ever, for the maintenance and per- 
 formance in accomplishment of a codicil 
 annexed to the will of Henry Colborne, and 
 in consideration of the sum of ^2100 re- 
 ceived by the said company out of the Rectory 
 of Kirkham for the purchase of lands for the per- 
 formance of the said uses, the said company 
 had, by indentures of lease and release, dated 8th 
 and gth of December then instant, conveyed the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 199 
 
 said premises to Henry Ashurst and Thomas 
 Waring, their heirs and assigns, upon the trusts 
 therein expressed. It was witnessed that in 
 pursuance of the trust in them reposed, the 
 said Henry Ashurst and Thomas Waring recon- 
 veyed to the same company, their successors and 
 assigns, the following premises : All that mess- 
 suage in the Parish of Allhallovvs, Honey-lane, 
 London, called the Bull Head Tavern, in the 
 tenure of Francis Knight, Esq. ; one other mes- 
 suage in the same parish in the tenure of John 
 Drigay ; three messuages in Saint Michael Pater- 
 noster Parish, in the tenure of William Stanton, 
 five messuages in Saint Swithin's Lane, in the 
 tenure of Thomas Mavley; two other messuages in 
 the said Parish of Saint Swithin and in the Parish 
 of Saint Mary Abchurch, in the tenure of Dr. 
 Whitchcott ; another messuage in the Parish of 
 Saint Swithin, in the tenure of John Parry ; two 
 messuages in Sherborne Lane, in the tenure of 
 Mary Fletcher ; three messuages in Botolph 
 Lane, in the tenure of Thomas Montague ; two 
 messuages in Thomas Street, in the tenure of 
 Thomas Gold ; and two messuages in Grace- 
 church Street in the tenure of James Hayes, with 
 the appurtenances ; upon trust, that the said 
 company should from time to time for ever, pay 
 and distribute out of the rents and profits of the 
 said premises, as the gift of the said Henry Col- 
 borne, the annual sum of ^105, without any 
 deduction or abatement thereof or any part 
 thereof (other than for taxes), by half-yearly 
 payments on Lady Day and Michaelmas Day in 
 every year for ever, by equal portions, or within 
 40 days next ensuing every of the said fast days,
 
 2OO GOOSNARGH : 
 
 being demanded at the hall of the said fraternity 
 commonly called Drapers' Hall, London, which 
 said yearly sum of ^"105 was to be paid and dis- 
 tributed by the said fraternity and their succes- 
 sors for ever, by the proportions and to the uses, 
 intents and purposes thereinafter particularly 
 mentioned, that is to say: ^"7 5 parcel thereof for 
 the maintenance of schoolmasters and poor 
 people in the said Township of Kirkham, and the 
 Townships of Greenall-cum-Thistleton, Eccles- 
 ton-cum-Larbeck, Riby, Wray, Hambleton, 
 Brining-cum-Kellamer, Singleton Magna-cum- 
 Parva, Westby-cum-Plumpton, Warton, Freckle- 
 ton, Newton-cum-Scales, Clifton-cum-Salwick, 
 Weeton - cum - Preise, Meller - cum - Wesham, 
 Trayles, Rosikar and Wharles, which said several 
 townships were within the said Parish of Kirk- 
 ham in manner and form following : ^45 for the 
 maintenance of a grammar schoolmaster at 
 Kirkham, an university man, well and fitly quali- 
 fied, and obliged to preach once a month at least 
 in the Parish Church of Kirkham aforesaid, or 
 in some of the chapels belonging to the said 
 townships, and able and obliged to instruct and 
 make fit the poor youths of the said townships 
 for the University, gratis; \> los. per annum 
 for maintenance of an inferior master to teach 
 the poor boys of an inferior order, gratis, in the 
 said townships to read and write ; and 8 per 
 annum for maintenance of an usher, to be 
 assistant to both the said masters ; and $ los. 
 per annum residue of the said ^"75 to be disposed 
 of and distributed yearly amongst the poor of the 
 said townships ; and the residue of the said ^"105 
 per annum being ^"30 per annum, to go and be
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2OI 
 
 distributed for the maintenance of a school- 
 master and poor people in Goosnargh-cum-News- 
 ham and Whittingham, being other part of the 
 said Parish of Kirkham as followeth, that is to 
 say : 2^ per annum for maintenance of a gram- 
 mar schoolmaster, an University man, well and 
 fitly qualified, and obliged to preach once a 
 month at least within the Chapelry of Goosnargh, 
 and able and obliged to instruct the boys of 
 Goosnargh-cum-Newsham and Whittingham, 
 and fit them tor the University, gratis ; and $ 
 per annum, residue of the said ^"30, to be dis- 
 posed and distributed yearly to and amongst the 
 poor of the said last-mentioned townships, all 
 which schoolmasters and ushers should from 
 time to time and at all times thereafter be nom- 
 inated, placed and displaced by the said fraternity 
 and their successors, and observe and perform all 
 such ordinances and orders which the said fra- 
 ternity and their successors from time to time 
 make for the better regulating and managing of 
 the said schools. 
 
 In the decree above referred to, dated I2th 
 June, 1673, it was ordered that all the proposals 
 of the said Drapers' Company contained in their 
 answer in the said cause, should stand decreed 
 in all points according to the contents thereof, 
 the same being adjudged reasonable and best for 
 promoting the charitable uses intended by the 
 testator ; and by reference to the said answer it 
 appears that besides other proposals which are in- 
 corporated in the said trust above alluded to, it was 
 proposed that the Townships of Kirkham and of 
 Goosnargh-with-Newsham and Whittingham, 
 should respectively repair the schools in their
 
 2O2 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 townships, and that the said company and their 
 successors should have the nomination and dis- 
 placing of the schoolmasters, preachers and 
 ushers, and the directing and appointing the 
 number of scholars to be taught gratis in each re- 
 spective school, in which they were to receive in- 
 formation and proposals from the 30 men of 
 Kirkham and its townships and the 24 men of 
 Goosnargh-with-Newsham and Whittingham, 
 and that they should have power to make orders 
 and ordinances for the government of the said 
 schools which from time to time should be ob- 
 served by the masters and ushers. 
 
 JOHN LANCASTER'S DOLE. 
 
 John Lancaster of Holehouse, Goosnargh, and 
 son of Richard Lancaster of Holehouse, died on 
 the 3ist August, 1867, and by his will left the 
 sum of t\2 95. 2d., the interest whereof to be 
 distributed every Christmas Day morning in 
 Goosnargh School amongst such poor inhabitants 
 of the Township of Goosnargh-with-Newsham 
 as may have received parish relief during the 
 year last past, and who in consequence have 
 been excluded from the doles of the township to 
 such number and such way as the trustees thereof 
 may think fit. 
 
 The trustees named are Messrs. William Lan- 
 caster, George Lancaster, John Graham, Daniel 
 Graham and Richard Cookson. 
 
 GOOSNARGH HOSPITAL. 
 
 William Bushell, by will dated 2 1st May, 
 1735, in case his daughter Elizabeth should die
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2O3 
 
 under the age of 21 years without issue, devised 
 all his real estate whatsoever (except certain lands 
 in Heysham, which he directed to be sold for the 
 purposes in his said will mentioned) to William 
 Atherton and five others, their heirs and assigns, 
 upon trust, to dispose of the clear yearly rents 
 and profits of the said premises in maintaining, 
 supporting and providing for decayed gentlemen 
 or gentlewomen, or persons of the better rank 
 of both or either sex, inhabitants of the towns or 
 townships of Preston, Euxton, Goosnargh, Whit- 
 tingham, Fulwood and Elston, in the County 
 of Lancaster, being Protestants, in a house or 
 hospital, to be provided in Goosnargh where he 
 then resided, at or near the dwelling-house of his 
 late father in Goosnargh ; and he empowered his 
 said trustees to employ a competent part of the 
 rents and profits of the said premises in erecting 
 a convenient house or hospital, or making 
 additions to the dwelling-house of his late father 
 at their discretion, and employ the same for the 
 reception and entertainment of such decayed per- 
 sons, and to appoint such officers and servants 
 and make such rules and orders as to them 
 should seem mete for the good government 
 and management of the said house or hospital, 
 and the persons to be placed therein who were 
 to be elected by the said trustees, provided that 
 no person being a Papist nor anyone who should 
 have received any relief out of the rates for the 
 poor of the said respective towns or townships 
 should be capable of receiving any benefit from 
 his intended charity, and if any person in the 
 said house or hospital should become a Papist, 
 such person should immediately be displaced
 
 2O4 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 and turned out of the said house or hospital, and 
 have no further benefit from the charity ; and 
 he further directed that when any three of the 
 said trustees should happen to die, the survivors 
 should immediately convey the premises to 
 three other proper and substantial persons, 
 inhabitants of Preston, Elston, Euxton, 
 Goosnargh, Whittingham and Fulwood, or 
 some of them, to be by such survivors or 
 the major part of them chosen for that 
 purpose, to the use of them and the three sur- 
 viving trustees, their heirs and assigns upon the 
 like trusts, and so from time to time for ever, so 
 that there should be always at least three trus- 
 tees ; and he directed that no councillor, attorney 
 or practicer of law or Papist should ever be 
 appointed a trustee for the purposes aforesaid ; 
 and he directed that his trustees should have a 
 reasonable allowance out of his estate for their 
 trouble and expenses in and about the the execu- 
 tion and performance of his said will. 
 
 By indenture dated 3 1st October, 1809, reciting 
 the will of the said William Bushell, and that 
 the testator died about the loth June, 1735, and 
 that Elizabeth his daughter, died without issue 
 on the 7th July, 1745, under theage of 21 years; 
 and reciting that by indenture dated 1 5th 
 January, 1711, Alexander Moore had demised to 
 Sarah Martin a messuage with the appurtenances 
 in Goosnargh, and two gardens for the term of 
 2,000 years, which had become vested in the 
 father of the said testator, who had taken down 
 the old buildings and built a convenient house 
 thereon, and that the said William Bushell, the 
 father, dying intestate in the lifetime of the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2O5 
 
 testator, administration had been granted to one 
 of the trustees mentioned in the will of the testa- 
 tor, and that the trustees had converted such 
 dwelling house into an hospital, which was still 
 used for that purpose ; and further reciting that 
 all the lands, tenements and hereditaments there- 
 after mentioned were then vested in Robert 
 Lytham of Euxton, the Rev. Robert Porter late 
 of Goosnargh and Oskell Somner late of Eux- 
 ton ; and that they had chosen John Clayton of 
 Euxton, Septimus Gorst of Preston and Joseph 
 Hudson of Preston to be trustees with them. It 
 is witnessed that the surviving trustees conveyed 
 to three trustees elected as aforesaid to the 
 use of them and the said survivors, the premises 
 therein mentioned. And it is further witnessed 
 that they in like manner assigned to the same 
 persons and to the same uses the leasehold pre- 
 mises, upon trust, for the several charitable uses, 
 trusts and purposes declared in the will of the 
 said testator. 
 
 The premises conveyed by the above ab- 
 stracted indenture are : 
 
 1. The dwelling-house and tenement called 
 Marsh House, otherwise Elston Hall in Elston, 
 and several closes therein named, containing 
 according to a late survey 93 acres, 2 roods, 1 1 
 perches customary measure at seven yards to the 
 perch. 
 
 2. A dwelling-house and tenement called 
 Salisbury in Elston, and the several closes there- 
 in named, containing 19 acres 3 roods 32 
 perches. 
 
 3. Six several other closes in Elston called the 
 Moor Fields, containing i r acres, with a small
 
 206 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 piece of land in Elston adjoining thereto, on part 
 thereof was erected a small wear for supplying 
 water to a mill called Grimsargh Mill. 
 
 4. Two seats in the Chapel of Grimsargh be- 
 longing to the said premises in Elston. 
 
 5. A dwelling-house and tenement called the 
 Spout House in Euxton, and the several closes 
 therein named, containing 20 acres 2 roods 17 
 perches. 
 
 6. A dwelling-house and tenement called the 
 Toy House, and several closes therein named in 
 Euxton, containing 8 acres 3 roods 23 perches. 
 
 7. Two cottages in Euxton adjoining the close 
 called Toy Meadow. 
 
 8. A dwelling-house and tenement called Stan- 
 field, with the several closes therein named in 
 Euxton, containing 41 acres and 21 perches. 
 
 9. Two pews or seats in Euxton Chapel be- 
 longing to the said premises in Euxton. 
 
 10. A close or parcel of land in Goosnargh 
 called Wilkinson Meadow, containing i acre and 
 30 perches. 
 
 11. A dwelling-house and tenement called 
 Knowle House, and several closes therein named 
 in Whittingham, and two gardens, containing 3 
 acres 2 roods and 28 perches. 
 
 j 2. Two cottages in Whittingham lately occu- 
 pied as a barn with the last mentioned premises. 
 
 13. A dwelling-house and tenement and several 
 closes therein named in Whittingham,* contain- 
 ing 12 acres 2 roods and 39 perches. (This house 
 is the hospital itself.) 
 
 * The hospital is in Goosnargh, but within a few yards of the north 
 boundary of Whittingham.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 207 
 
 14. A close in Goosnargh called the Moss, con- 
 taining i acre i rood and 1 2 perches. 
 
 15. The east gallery in the Church of Goos- 
 nargh. 
 
 1 6. Several messuages, cottages or dwelling- 
 houses, gardens and orchards in Preston, in or 
 near a street called Friargate and the Back Lane, 
 demised to the Earl of Derby by indenture dated 
 1st May, 1790. 
 
 By this indenture Henry Porter and the other 
 governors demised to the Earl of Derby the 
 several messuages and premises lying in Preston, 
 in a street called the Friargate and the Back Lane 
 (described upon a map endorsed upon the trust 
 deed) for the term of 99 years, from the date 
 thereof, at the clear yearly rent of ^"42, during 
 the last 91 years, the first payment to commence 
 in 1798 ; and the said Earl covenanted to build 
 one or more good and sufficient dwelling-houses 
 upon the said premises, and to lay out thereon 
 the sum of ^"500 or upwards, and to keep the 
 premises in repair. 
 
 17. Several messuages, cottages, or dwelling- 
 houses, shops, gardens and parcels of land in 
 Preston, beginning on the south side of the 
 Church Street, adjoining the west end of the 
 Church-yard and running southward towards 
 the sign of the Hare and Hounds, and from thence 
 westward unto the old workhouse, demised to 
 the said Earl of Derby, by indenture of the same 
 date. 
 
 By this indenture Henry Porter and the other 
 governors of Goosnargh Hospital, demised to 
 Edward Earl of Derby the above mentioned pre- 
 mises, described upon the map endorsed upon the
 
 2C>8 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 trust deed, to hold the same for 99 years, to com- 
 mence as to the gardens and orchards from the 
 2nd February preceding, and as to the messuages 
 and buildings from the day of the date thereof, 
 paying yearly during the last 91 years of the said 
 term, to the said trustees ^"70, at the feasts of 
 Pentecost and St. Martin the Bishop, free from 
 all charges and assessments ; and the said Earl 
 covenanted to build one or more dwelling-houses 
 upon the said premises or some part thereof, and 
 to lay out thereon i 500 or upwards, and to 
 keep in repair such buildings as should be erected 
 upon the same. 
 
 1 8. A close of land called Causey Meadow, 
 near Salter Lane in Preston, containing together 
 with the lane adjoining 2 acres 2 roods and 
 39 perches. 
 
 19. Another close called Cabbin Field, near 
 Friargate, Moor Lane in Preston, containing I 
 acre 2 roods and 26 perches. 
 
 20. Another close in Preston called Marsh 
 Meadow, down Fishergate Lane, near the River 
 Ribble, containing r acre i rood and 12 perches. 
 (In the prior trust deed in 1763 there is added 
 here part of another close on the south side of 
 Fishergate Lane, containing half an acre or 
 thereabouts, in the possession of John Bryers, 
 and two other closes called the Sykes, lying on 
 the north side of the north garden of Avenham, 
 containing i acre i rood of land or thereabouts, 
 in the possession of Michael Emmet. The first- 
 mentioned field was sold in 1802 to Dr. St. 
 Clare for ^"300 ; it adjoins his house in Fisher- 
 gate Lane and is now part of his gardens. One 
 of the Syke fields, containing 2 roods 16 perches
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2Og 
 
 customary measure was also sold to William 
 Cross, Esq., for ^~2io, and conveyed to him by 
 'indenture of feoffment, dated I3th September, 
 1802. The other Syke field is conveyed in the 
 trust deed of 1 809 by the description of Lower 
 Garden as hereinafter mentioned (No. 23). 
 
 21. Another close called the Town End Field, 
 at the end of the Church Street in Preston, con- 
 taining 3 acres, 2 roods, 21 perches, part where- 
 of formed reservoirs for water used by Samuel 
 Horrocks, Esq., for manufacturing purposes, and 
 upon part whereof were placed erections used 
 by him for similar purposes. (Since the date of 
 this deed, viz., in 1812, 2 roods and 4 perches, 
 part of the field above-mentioned was sold to 
 Samuel Horrocks, Esq., for ^"637 125. 8d., and in 
 1818, 24 perches, part of the same field were sold 
 to John Vose for ^"586 TOS. 
 
 22. Two other closes in Preston called the Great 
 Bull Field and Little Bull Field (part of the last- 
 mentioned field being occupied as gardens) on 
 the south side of the lane leading to Avenham, 
 opposite the old poorhouse, containing together 
 
 2 acres 3 roods i perch. 
 
 23. A dwelling-house in Preston called Aven- 
 ham House, with the outbuildings, gardens and 
 pleasure walk thereto belonging, containing i 
 rood 24 perches, and the several closes therewith 
 occupied, called the South Garden, containing 2 
 acres 16 perches the higher garden containing 
 
 3 roods 8 perches, the lower garden containing 
 i acre 29 perches all which premises were in 
 possession of the representatives of Joseph Myers, 
 held on lease. The lease above referred to bears 
 date 6th November, 1798. It recites a former lease 
 
 N
 
 2 I O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 granted in 1773 to Joseph Myers of Preston for 
 three lives, with a covenant "that within six 
 months after the death of the first life named, 
 the governors should on application grant a new 
 lease for the two surviving lives, and a third life 
 to be named subject to the payment of the same 
 rent and on the same conditions ; . and it further 
 recites that one of the said lives had dropped and 
 that notice had been given to the governors 
 within six months after, and that it had been 
 agreed to grant a new lease upon the lives there- 
 after mentioned upon the cancelling of the old 
 one ; and it is thereby witnessed that Richard 
 Latham and others trustees, in consideration of 
 ^~6o, demised to John Watson, John Myers and 
 William Myers, trustees of Joseph Myers an 
 infant, the said house called Avenham House 
 and the two fields and gardens thereto belonging 
 in Preston, containing by estimation 4 acres ; 
 and all that close of land called Browey Field 
 (since sold to the Lancaster Canal Company as 
 after-mentioned), to hold the same during the 
 lives of William Myers, Joseph Myers (then aged 
 seventeen) and John Myers (aged nine), at the 
 yearly rent of 26 free of all expense, with a 
 covenant to repair and maintain the premises 
 and not to assign the same without licence. 
 The premises demised by the above indenture 
 include the close sold to William Cross, Esq., for 
 210 as above-mentioned. 
 
 24. A parcel of land in Preston called Aven- 
 ham Walk, containing 28 perches, adjoining the 
 west side of the south garden, in possession of 
 the Mayor, bailiffs and burgesses of Preston as 
 tenants thereof.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 211 
 
 It appears by the books of the Corporation 
 that they agreed to take a lease of the land for a 
 public walk in 1697 for 1,000 years, which was 
 probably granted, and it is now used for that 
 purpose. 
 
 In the prior trust deed of 1767 there is here 
 inserted a close called Bowry Field situate at 
 Avenham Brow, containing 3 roods, and demised 
 with the other premises above-mentioned, in 
 trust for Joseph Myers. This has since been 
 purchased by the Lancaster Canal Company for 
 the purposes of the canal, under their powers 
 mentioned in the Act of Parliament, for 227 
 
 I OS. 
 
 All the above-mentioned premises are described 
 in several plans endorsed on the said trust deed. 
 
 25. Three several pews in the Parish Church 
 of Preston, therein particularly described. 
 
 Since the date of this deed other premises have 
 been purchased by the trustees which have been 
 conveyed to them by the following indentures : 
 
 ist. By indenture dated 3ist January, 1819, 
 Thomas Parkinson and others conveyed to 
 Robert Latham and the other trustees in con- 
 sideration of ^"1,025, a messuage and premises 
 containing 27 acres of land in Goosnargh. 
 
 2nd. By indenture dated I4th August, 1819, 
 John Jones and others conveyed to the same 
 trustees in consideration of ^360, a messuage, 
 garden and closes in Whittingham called The 
 Meadows, containing i acre 3 roods 21 perches. 
 
 3rd. By indenture dated 27th October, 1821. 
 Joshua Southward and another conveyed to the 
 same trustees in consideration of ^550, a mes- 
 suage, barn and two closes of land in Whitting- 
 
 N 2
 
 212 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 ham, called the Two-near-lane Fields, containing 
 I acre 2 roods 27 perches, and also a close called 
 Grimbaldstone's Near-lane Field in Whitting- 
 ham aforesaid, lately converted into two closes 
 containing I acre 15 perches. 
 
 The governors have been enabled to make 
 these purchases by selling different parcels of 
 land as above-mentioned in the town and neigh- 
 bourhood of Preston. In these transactions they 
 appear certainly to have exceeded the powers of 
 trustees for charitable purposes, but they seem to 
 have acted in every instance with a view to the 
 improvement of the charity. 
 
 The land described in the abstract No. 13 to- 
 gether with the other premises marked Nos. 10 
 and 14, containing altogether about 15 acres 2 
 roods 15 perches are held by Ellen Park, the 
 governess of the Hospital, who pays annually to 
 the trustees ^50, which is estimated as the fair 
 value of the land. The Hospital itself and the 
 gallery in the Church which is marked in the 
 abstract 15, are used by the almspeople, and no 
 rent is paid on that account to the trustees. 
 
 The measure referred to is that of seven yards 
 to the perch, which is generally used in this 
 neighbourhood. All the lands appear to be let 
 at fair rents and proper agreements are made 
 with the tenants with respect to the cultivation 
 of the farms, but the repairs are provided for by 
 the trustees out of the income of the charity. 
 
 The total amount of income derived from all 
 the above-named premises is ^"855 8s. 6d. 
 
 The premises included in the leases to the Earl 
 of Derby appear also to have been let upon fair 
 terms. Considerable sums have been laid out by
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 213 
 
 the lessee and his undertenants in building, and 
 it is estimated that at the expiration of the 
 leases the premises will let for 700 or ^"800 a 
 year. 
 
 The rent of ^"26 which was reserved upon the 
 lease granted in trust for Joseph Myers, has been 
 reduced to \2 2s. 6d. on account of the parcels 
 that have been sold off. It is understood that 
 the original lease was granted in consideration 
 of the expenses that had been incurred in build- 
 ing the present house. The premises are now 
 used as a boarding school and are valued at ^"140 
 per annum. 
 
 The Hospital about 1 2 years ago was consider- 
 ably enlarged, and additional outbuildings were 
 erected at an expense of not less than ^~i,ooo; it 
 is now a very convenient building and in excel- 
 lent repair. A governess is appointed by the 
 trustees, who with the assistance of her son 
 undertakes the management of the house. She 
 receives ^"27 for each of the inmates of the 
 Hospital, and for that sum she supplies them 
 with abundant provision. They are allowed 
 wine when recommended by the medical atten- 
 dant. Firing and washing are also provided at 
 the expense of the governess. 
 
 There are now 13 persons (men and women) 
 in the Hospital, and they are supplied by the 
 trustees with every description of clothing that is 
 needful for them as often as they require it, and 
 each person is allowed los. a quarter as pocket- 
 money ; one of the inmates reads prayers daily 
 to the rest ; they all dine together but have each a 
 separate lodging-room, and there is also a hall 
 for the men and one for the women.
 
 214 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 These persons are all advanced in life and were 
 most of them at the time of their admittance of 
 the age of 60 or upwards. No distinction is 
 made whether they are single or married pro- 
 vided they are otherwise qualified.* 
 
 There are at present two married couples in 
 the Hospital. They are chosen from the six 
 townships directed by the testator, but Preston 
 supplies the greatest number. A list of candi- 
 dates is kept, and at their quarterly meetings the 
 trustees consider the merits of the applicants 
 and examine the certificates of their characters 
 which are always required, and if they find a per- 
 son whom they think a proper object, he is 
 admitted. 
 
 There is no limit as to number ; the Hospital 
 would accommodate very conveniently several 
 more, and the funds are at present sufficient for 
 one or two more ; but though there are at pre- 
 sent about 20 candidates it is stated that there is 
 not one person who is thought fit to receive the 
 benefit of the chanty. 
 
 The persons selected are as strictly as possible 
 of the class directed by the testator. No person 
 who has received parochial relief is admitted or 
 who is not a member of the Church of England. 
 They are required to attend Church, and there 
 is a gallery built by the trustees on purpose for 
 their use. 
 
 Of the furniture in the Hospital, part belongs 
 to the trust and part to the inmates or to the 
 governess. 
 
 * The inmates of the Hospital are not allowed to intermarry with one 
 another. Surely that iron rule must have been made by some old 
 bachelors who never knew the sweets of double-blessedness ! It is to be 
 hoped that this needless and anti-Christian yoke will 'ere long be taken 
 off and laid by in the lumber-room as a curious relic of the dark ages.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 215 
 
 The expenditure on account of this charity 
 
 from May 1822 to May 1823, which was as 
 follows, does not differ materially from that of 
 former years : 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Board of 13 inmates at ^"27 each ... 351 o o 
 
 Pocket money IDS. per quarter each 26 o o 
 
 Clothing 91 ii o 
 
 Dinner for trustees 2 10 8 
 
 ,, for tenants 14 18 8 
 
 To three of four trustees allowances 
 
 for travelling expenses ^"3 35. 
 
 each 9 9 o 
 
 To two do. as stewards ^"6 6s. each 1212 o 
 
 Apothecary's bill 13 o n 
 
 Solicitor's bill 16 14 o 
 
 Insurance from fire Farms ^"4 us. ^ 
 
 ,, Hospital 2 i os. J ' 
 
 Repairs of Hospital 37 14 8 
 
 Wine and spirits 13 n 10 
 
 Repairs at Farms 78 i 5 
 
 Mr. Cussons is the present governor. 
 
 The income of this charity is now about 
 ^"2,096 a year, and the number of inmates 30. 
 
 The trustees meet quarterly at Preston. On 
 two of these days the tenants attend to pay their 
 rents and are allowed a dinner. At the other 
 quarterly meetings the trustees dine together, by 
 themselves. At each of the meetings the accounts 
 and vouchers are examined and the payments 
 are made; and at the August meeting the ac- 
 counts for the year are passed.
 
 216 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 The two trustees who are appointed stewards 
 and receive an allowance of 6 6s. each, look 
 over the property and keep the accounts. 
 
 Besides the current expenses and the sum laid 
 out in improving the Hospital, the trustees have 
 expended about ^"1,000 in building a farmhouse 
 and barn upon the Spout House Estate in 
 Euxton. This was done under the immediate 
 inspection of two of the trustees residing in the 
 township. 
 
 No money is kept in the hands of the trustees. 
 All the receipts and disbursements are through 
 the Old Bank at Preston, and interest is allowed 
 at the rate of three per cent, on whatever balance 
 may be in hand. 
 
 There was a balance on June 3Oth, 1823, of 
 /39i 193. lod. 
 
 There was in the hands of the Rev. Stieynsham 
 Master the sum of ^"1000, which arose from the 
 sale of timber in Elston wood, for which he gave 
 a bond dated 28th May, 1804. The interest was 
 regularly paid up to 1820, about which period he 
 left this country very much in debt. A dividend 
 has since been received from his trustees amount- 
 ing to ^"151 1 8s., at the rate of 35. in the pound 
 on ^"1000 us., being the amount of principal 
 and interest due on the 1st of June, 1820. It is 
 expected that a further dividend of 6s. or 75. in 
 the pound will be paid. 
 
 In the appointment of the inmates of this 
 Hospital, it has been suggested that the trustees 
 have not admitted so many persons as they 
 might have done. 
 
 The funds and the room for accommodation 
 are as we have before stated sufficient for a
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 217 
 
 greater number. There does not however appear 
 any unwillingness on the part of the trustees to 
 increase the number provided they can find 
 proper persons, and it does not appear to us that 
 there is any pretence for suspecting that they 
 have refused any candidate without good reason. 
 They certainly have shown great caution, and 
 we think they are bound so to do in not admit- 
 ting persons who have not good characters for 
 honesty and sobriety and peaceable tempers. 
 
 So ends the commissioners very long, able and 
 important report of Goosnargh Hospital.* 
 
 TRUSTEES OF GOOSNARGH HOSPITAL, 1887. 
 
 Richard Pedder. W. Philip Park. 
 
 Dr. Hammond. John Smith. 
 
 THE LIBRARY. 
 
 In the year 1850 the trustees of the Hospital 
 provided a library of about 120 volumes of 
 standard works for the use of the inmates, in 
 which may be found " milk for the weak and meat 
 for the strong." May they thereby be taught to 
 "consider their latter end," and to know Christ 
 as their only hope and trust, and receive grace 
 to clasp Him with the arms of their faith, then 
 would peace be multiplied and discord cease to 
 reign amongst them. Since 1850 the library has 
 been augmented to 200 volumes. 
 
 DR. BUSHELL'S MONUMENT. 
 
 When the Hospital was enlarged in 1843 and 
 1844 a rnonumental stone pyramid was erected 
 in front of the new wing, and thus records : 
 
 * A great effort has of lale been made by the inmates of this estab- 
 lishment to change its name from Goosnargh Hospital to Goosnargh 
 House. Oh vanity !
 
 2 1 8 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 THIS OBELISK 
 WAS ERECTED 
 
 A.D. 1844, 
 WHEN THE HOSPITAL OF GOOSNARGH 
 
 WAS ENLARGED, 
 
 AS A RECORD TO THE MEMORY OF 
 WILLIAM BUSHELL, M.D., 
 
 ITS 
 BENEVOLENT FOUNDER. 
 
 The commissioners of charities in their I ith re- 
 port on Goosnargh Hospital wind up as follows : 
 " This is undoubtedly one of the most interesting of 
 eleemosynary foundations in the County of Lan- 
 caster. The building has the appearance of a 
 gentleman's mansion, and the accommodations 
 afforded to the occupants partake much more of 
 the elegant but simple hospitality afforded by a 
 country squire than of the coarse and cheerless 
 fare of a common hospital. There is perhaps no 
 effective balm on this side of the grave for those 
 disappointed hopes which terminate in a charit- 
 able asylum, nor any compensation for the loss 
 of social domestic enjoyments ; but here the 
 corroding cares which so often embitter the 
 evening of life are banished, the pinching grasp 
 of penury is never felt, and the mind relieved 
 from the anxious and absorbing employments of 
 this life is enabled to repose on the hopes of 
 another. 
 
 The following scrap taken from the Preston 
 Chronicle of December, 1855, and headed "A 
 Curious Relic of Antiquity," may be interesting 
 here : 
 
 A little while ago as Mr. William Holland, 
 brass founder of this town, was turning over a
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2 19 
 
 quantity of old metal which he had purchased 
 some time before, he observed what he thought 
 was an inscription on a piece which looked rather 
 more antiquated than the rest. Curiosity led 
 him to make a further examination of it, when 
 he easily deciphered the lettering. We have now 
 the brass before us, and we copy from it the 
 following : 
 
 Here Lyeth interd Seath Bvshell Woollen 
 Draper Baylife, and a Brother of Preston 
 dying the XV of Septr. 1623 aged 53 gave 
 vnto his kinesfoolkes and God children in 
 legacies VI C : L. (/6oo) also XX L. (20) 
 to the poore of this towne for ever the vse 
 (interest) to be given to the said poore by 
 the Maior or his depvtie at Christs. and 
 Easter 4 L. (^"4) to the poore of Leeland 
 & Walton al ovt of his charitable minde. 
 
 The plate has evidently been on the grave- 
 stone of the person whose death and 
 whose benevolent deeds it records, and 
 there yet adhere to it some of the revits and a 
 little of the cement by which the brass was 
 fastened to the stone. It has no doubt originally 
 been on a grave in our Parish Church-yard, for 
 we find in the parish register next to an entry of 
 the 1 6th September, the following: " Sep 
 (Sepultus i. e. buried) Mr. Seth Bushell eo : die " 
 (the same day). From the freshness of the in- 
 scription and the state of the plate we do not 
 suppose that it has been exposed to the weather 
 since the date inscribed upon it. It is more 
 likely that it has become loose generations ago 
 and been buried, and having within the last few
 
 22O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 years turned up, perhaps during the recent 
 alterations of the Church, it has become for its 
 value as old metal the prize of some workman. 
 We find that this " Seath Bushell " was as 
 described on the plate, u a brother of Preston," 
 that is a member of the Corporation ; his signa- 
 ture of " Seathe Bushell " being subscribed to 
 some proceedings of the Town Council in the 
 year 1612, was witnessed to by the Vicar of 
 Preston. His signature as " Seth Bushell 
 
 and Vicar of Preston" appears several 
 times in the minute book of the parish 
 vestry between the years 1671-4. It is not 
 unlikely that Dr. W. Bushell the benevolent 
 founder of Goosnargh Hospital was of this family. 
 As respects the benefactions to the poor re- 
 corded on Seth Bushell's tombplate we can give 
 no information. The Charity Commissioners' 
 reports say nothing about the bequest to the 
 poor of this town or that to the poor of Walton 
 and Leyland. Like many others they have in 
 the lapse of ages been lost sight of, or diverted 
 from their original destinations. 
 
 In 1848 some one under the name of " Guess " 
 wrote on Goosnargh Hospital as follows : 
 
 Behold yon noble structure ; Oh, what a stately place ! 
 Thy founder was a man, not found in any place. 
 How philanthrophic his views and how noble his aim, 
 Renowned benefactor, immortal be thy name. 
 But of too kind a heart (if such a thing can be), 
 Too liberal in soul, all thoughtful men agree ; 
 Yet thy design, no doubt, was the happiness of man, 
 And fine-looking theory thy foundation did plan. 
 But thy working-architect is bound to insist 
 That idleness with happiness never can consist. 
 Degrading to noble minds it certainly must be 
 To be rendered to the world all but nonentity.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 221 
 
 For every able-bodied man with an active mind, 
 My homely muse declares some work it would find ; 
 Also the dainty dames, how peaceably they mi^ht sit 
 Employed for their poor neighbours to sew and to knit. 
 Could not the worthy trustees, by a pardonable screw, 
 The old rules of this institution somewhat renew ? 
 For idleness ever was, and evermore we shall find, 
 The nurse of foul passions and corruption of mind. 
 Strong stretches of power we frequently do see, 
 And what has been before, perchance again may be. 
 1 How hard is my daily task, and what long hours too ; " 
 The task of pray what ? task of having nothing to do.* 
 Oh, just hang on the wall, "to dress it and to keep," 
 And of a new little Eden we soon may have a peep ; 
 Then noble institution, in grandeur thou would'st stand, 
 Without any parallel, in all Queen Victory's land. 
 
 PARISH REGISTERS. 
 
 The institution of parish registers is believed 
 to be due to the celebrated Cardinal Ximenes, 
 Archbishop of Toledo. In the year 1497 at a 
 synod held by him for that diocese, he suggested 
 their adoption for the purpose of checking the 
 disorders occasioned by the frequency of divorces 
 in Spain. t 
 
 It is true that earlier mention is made of some 
 such records as these, at Avignon, dating from 
 1308 to 1373. Vellutello affirms that he con- 
 sulted them in the beginning of the i6th 
 century, but they appear to have been private 
 memoranda of the incumbent of the place. 
 
 Parish registers in this country were first ordered 
 to be kept by an injunction issued by Thomas 
 Lord Cromwell, Lord Privy Seal and Vicegerent 
 
 * There is nothing so wearisome or so destructive to the human mind as 
 the disease called nothing to do. F. T. BUCKLAND. 
 
 t Marsolier.
 
 222 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 to the King, dated September, 1583.!! He may 
 probably have picked up the hint in the course 
 of his travels, from Cardinal Ximenes. It 
 ordains that every officiating minister shall for 
 every Church keep a book wherein he shall 
 register every marriage, christening and burial, 
 and further directs the manner and time of 
 making the entries in the register book weekly, 
 in the presence of the churchwardens, any neglect 
 therein being made penal. The fine imposed for 
 neglect (three shillings and fourpence) to be em- 
 ployed in the repairs of the Church. The place 
 of deposit of the register book to be a coffer with 
 two locks. 
 
 Lord Cromwell being however regarded as an 
 enemy to Popery, and as one who favoured in- 
 novations in religion, the good intent of them 
 was much misrepresented and his order rarely 
 complied with by the clergy. Amongst the com- 
 paratively few instances of prompt compliance 
 now known to exist are the registers of Cherry 
 Hinton in Cambridgeshire, commenced within 
 a month afterwards ; Elsted in Surrey, Brent 
 Pelham, Herts, commenced in the same year ; 
 Witnesham, Suffolk, Ashton and Courtenhall in 
 Northamptonshire. 
 
 A second order of this King was issued in the 
 second year of King Edward 6th (1547), though 
 perhaps little complied with. In this year all 
 episcopal authority was suspended for a time, 
 while the ecclesiastical visitors then appointed 
 went through the several dioceses to enforce 
 divers injunctions, and amongst others that re- 
 lating to parish registers. It is as follows : 
 
 II Burnet's History. Ref. vol. i., p. 249.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 223 
 
 That the parson, vicar or curate, and parish- 
 ioners of every parish within this realm shall in 
 their Churches and Chappells keep in one book 
 or register wherein they shall write the day and 
 year of every wedding, christning and burial 
 made within their parish for their time, and so 
 every man succeeding them likewise, and therein 
 shall write every persons name that shall be so 
 wedded, christened or buried. And for the safe 
 keeping of the same book, the parish shall be 
 bound to provide of their common charges one 
 sure coffer with two locks and keys, whereof the 
 one to remain with the parson, vicar or curate, 
 the other with the wardens of every Parish 
 Church or Chappell wherein the said book shall 
 be laid up, which book they shall every Sunday 
 take forth, and in the presence of the said war- 
 dens or one of them, shall write and record in 
 the same all the weddings, christinings or burials 
 made the whole week before ; and that done, to 
 lay up the book in the said coffer as before. And 
 for every time the same shall be omitted, the 
 party that shall be in the fault thereof shall 
 forfeit to the said Church iiis. iiiid. to be em- 
 ployed to the poor men's box of that parish.* 
 
 A third order is to be met with in the Statutes 
 of the National Synod, by Cardinal Pole, about 
 the year i553-t If the parish priest had a 
 register with the names of those who were bap- 
 tised of the sponsors, of the married and the 
 dead. 
 
 The most curious parish register perhaps ever 
 enjoined is one ordered by Cardinal Pole in the 
 year 1555, on the reconciliation of the Kingdom 
 
 * Sparrow. t Life of Pole.
 
 224 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 to the Catholic Faith, to be kept by every parish 
 priest, of the names and surnames of all their 
 parishioners who on a certain day to be settled 
 on were to be reconciled and absolved. 
 
 The Act of Edward VI. was again repeated in 
 the first, seventh, and thirty-ninth years of the 
 reign of Queen Elizabeth (1559, 1565, 1597) 
 with this difference in the appropriation of the 
 fine imposed for neglect of duty : " one half to 
 be employed to the poor men's box, the other 
 half to the repairing of the Church," and with 
 the expression of these additional requirements 
 that the names of the ministers and churchwar- 
 dens be added to each page in attestation of the 
 correctness of every entry, and that a properly 
 authenticated duplicate of the register book for 
 the past year be yearly transmitted to the bishop 
 to be preserved in the archives of the diocese in 
 which the Church may be situated. It also 
 defines the book to be used : that it consist of 
 parchment, recommending that all former regis- 
 ter books composed of paper shall be transcribed 
 upon the more durable material now suggested, 
 especially such as date from the commencement 
 of the present reign, and provides for their 
 additional safety by providing three locks and 
 keys for the parish chest, in which they are 
 ordered to be deposited. || 
 
 The canons of the Church of England which 
 are now in force date their authority from the 
 beginning of the reign of James I. (1603), one 
 of these the yoth directs that in every Parish 
 Church or Chapel within this realm shall be 
 provided one parchment book at the charge of 
 
 I Sparrow.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 225 
 
 the parish, wherein shall be written the day and 
 year of every christening wedding or burial 
 which have been in that parish since the time 
 that the law was first made in that behalf, so far 
 as the ancient books thereof can be procured, 
 but especially since the beginning of the reign of 
 the late Queen ; and the minister and church- 
 wardens unto every page of that book, when it 
 shall be filled with such inscriptions, shall sub- 
 scribe their name. The only additional require- 
 ment beyond what the previous Acts had recited 
 being that the name and surname of the parents 
 of the children baptised should be included in 
 each entry of baptism.* 
 
 In the reign of Charles I., or rather during the 
 turbulent times of the Commonwealth which 
 preceded the death of the King, it was further 
 enacted (March, 1644) by authority aforesaid : 
 That there shall be provided at the charge of 
 every parish or chapelry in this realm of England 
 and dominion of Wales, a fair register book of 
 vellum to be kept by the minister and other 
 officers of the Church, and that the names of all 
 children baptised and of their parents, and of the 
 time of their birth and baptising shall be written 
 and set down by the minister therein, and also the 
 names of all persons married there and the time 
 of their marriage, and also the names of all per- 
 sons buried in that parish and the time of their 
 death and burial ; and that the said book shall 
 be shewed by such as keep the same to all per- 
 sons reasonably desiring to search for the birth, 
 baptising, marriage or burial of any person 
 
 * Sparrow.
 
 226 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 therein registered, and take a copy or procure a 
 certificate thereof.* 
 
 In the year 1653 it was enjoined by order of 
 the Commonwealth that a true and just account 
 shall be always kept as well of publications as of 
 marriages and also of the births of children and 
 deaths of all sorts of persons within this Com- 
 monwealth. Be it further enacted that a book 
 of good vellum or parchment shall be provided 
 by every priest for the registering of all such 
 marriages and of all births of children and burials 
 of all sorts of persons within every parish, for the 
 safe keeping of which book the inhabitants and 
 householders of every parish chargeable to the 
 relief of the poor or the greater part of them 
 present, shall on or before Sept. 22nd, 1653, 
 make choice of some able and honest person (such 
 as shall be sworn and approved of by one justice 
 of the peace in that parish, division or county, 
 and so signified under his hand in the said register 
 book) to have the keeping of the said book, who 
 shall therein fairly enter in writing all such 
 publications, marriages, births of children and 
 burials of all sorts of persons, and the names of 
 every of them, and the days of the month and 
 year of publications, marriages, births and 
 burials, and the parents', guardians' or overseers' 
 names, and the register in such parish shall 
 attend to the said justice of peace to sub- 
 scribe the entry of every such marriage, and the 
 person so elected, appointed and sworn shall be 
 called the parish register, and shall continue 
 three years in the said place of register, and 
 longer until some other be chosen, unless such 
 
 * Seobell's Acts of the Commonwealth.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 227 
 
 justice of the peace or the said parish with con- 
 sent of such justice shall think fit to remove him 
 sooner, and for such publication and certificate 
 thereof tvvelvepence and no more shall be taken, 
 and for every birth of child fourpence and no 
 more, and for publications, marriages, births and 
 burials of poor people who live upon alms nothing 
 shall be taken. And the said justice of peace (if it 
 be desired) shall give unto the parties so married 
 a certificate in parchment under his hand and 
 seal of such marriage and of the day of the 
 solemnization thereof, and of two or more of the 
 witnesses then present, and the justice's clerk 
 for this certificate may receive twelvepence and 
 no more, and if such certificate shall be produced 
 to the clerk of the peace for that county and re- 
 quest made to him to make an entry thereof, 
 then the said clerk of the peace is hereby re- 
 quired to enter the same in a book of parch- 
 ment to be provided for that purpose and kept 
 among the records of the said sessions, for which 
 entry the clerk of the peace may receive four- 
 pence and no more. And it is further enacted 
 that register books of marri- 
 ages, births and burials already passed shall be 
 delivered into the hands of the respective 
 registers apppointed by this Act, to be kept as 
 records.* 
 
 By Statute 30 Charles II., c. 3, the curate of 
 every parish is to keep a register to be provided 
 at the charge of the parish, wherein to enter all 
 burials and affidavits of persons being buried in 
 woollen, and if no affidavit be brought in eight 
 days (which must be reckoned from the hour in 
 
 * Scobell's Acts of the Commonwealth. 
 O 2
 
 228 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 which the corpse was interred) he must enter a 
 memorial of this default over against the name of 
 the person interred and of the time when he 
 gave notice of this default to the parish 
 officers, which notice must be given under 
 the curate's hand. The affidavit shall be 
 taken by a justice of the peace, Mayor or such 
 like chief officer in the parish where the body 
 was interred, and if there be no officer, then 
 by any curate within the county where the 
 corpse was buried (except him in whose parish 
 the corpse was buried), who must administer the 
 oath and set his hand gratis. No affidavit is 
 necessary for a person dying of the plague. 
 
 The object contemplated in this Act was "the 
 lessening the importation of linen from beyond 
 the seas and the encouragement of the woollen 
 manufactures of this kingdom." A fine of five 
 pounds was imposed upon every violation of this 
 statute, of which fine the informer received one- 
 half and the poor of the parish the other half. 
 
 After the revolution in the reign of William 
 III., an Act was passed to enforce, not a registry 
 of baptisms, but of births, and also of marriages 
 and burials as a source of revenue to the State. 
 
 By the 6th and 7th William III., c. 6 (1694), 
 a tax (to be continued for five years) was levied 
 upon all persons born, married and buried, to 
 enable the king to carry on a war with France. 
 
 At the burial of every person the sum of four 
 shillings was to be paid ; upon the birth of every 
 person (except the child or children of such as 
 received alms), two shillings ; and upon the 
 marriage of every person (except such as receive 
 alms), the sum of two shillings and sixpence. In
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 22g 
 
 addition to these charges an additional sum was 
 levied upon each person proportioned to his 
 estate ; thus, for the funeral of a duke, fifty 
 pounds, in addition to the four shillings ; for a 
 marquis, thirty pounds; and so down to a simple 
 gentleman, for whom only one pound was to be 
 paid. The charge for an archbishop was fifty 
 pounds ; for a bishop, thirty pounds ; and for a 
 canon, two pounds ten shillings. 
 
 This gave rise to another injunction on the 
 subject of registration. It is enjoined (same Act, 
 sec. 20), for the better levying and collecting the 
 duties aforesaid, that all persons in holy orders, 
 deans, parsons, vicars, curates, and their or any 
 of their substitutes, do, within their respective 
 parishes, precints and places, take an exact and 
 true account, and keep a register in writing, of 
 all and every person or persons married, buried, 
 christened or born in his or their respective 
 parishes or precints, or in such common burial 
 places as their respective parishioners are usually 
 buried in ; to which book or register the col- 
 lectors for the respective parishes and places, and 
 all other persons concerned, shall have free access 
 to view the same at all reasonable times without 
 any fee or reward. And if any such parson or 
 minister shall refuse or neglect to keep a true 
 register thereof as directed, such parson or min- 
 ister so offending shall forfeit the sum of ^~ioo. 
 
 Under this Act the clergy were compelled to 
 act gratuitously as civil officers, and to collect 
 information of the births of all children born 
 within their parishes, to whatever religious 
 denomination the parents might belong, and 
 quite irrespective of any baptismal rite performed
 
 230 GOOfNARGH : 
 
 by them, or by any minister dissenting from 
 their church. This duty having been too oner- 
 ous, and information as to births being unattain- 
 able by clergymen, since the parents by conceal- 
 ment eluded payment of the tax. The Act yth 
 and 8th William III., c. 35 (1695), provided that 
 the parents of every child should within five days 
 after birth give notice to the clergyman of the 
 day of the birth of such child, under a penalty of 
 forty shillings ; and the clergyman should under 
 a like penalty take an account of and keep a 
 distinct register of every child born and not 
 christened, for doing which the parents were to 
 pay sixpence to him. 
 
 These duties, payable to the Crown, seem to 
 have been extended beyond the time first pres- 
 cribed. The 4th and 5th of Anne, c. 23, contains 
 a recital of the former Act and a proviso for 
 neglects in registering. Many inconveniences 
 have arisen from the undue solemnization and 
 registry of marriages. An Act was passed in the 
 26th George III. (1786), entitled " an Act for the 
 better preventing clandestine marriages," which 
 directs a certain formula for the registry of mar- 
 riages, to be attested and signed by the minister 
 officiating, the persons married and two more 
 witnesses, and declares any erasure or mutilation 
 of the marriage register, or any false entry there- 
 in to be felony, without benefit of clergy, which 
 implies a capital offence. 
 
 On the 2nd October, 1783, an Act (23 George 
 III., c. 67), came into operation imposing a stamp 
 duty of threepence on every registration of burial, 
 birth, marriage and christening, to be demanded 
 by each clergyman from the undertaker, or the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 23! 
 
 parties married, or the parents of a child whose 
 birth or baptism was registered. By 25 George 
 III., c. 75, this tax was extended to Dissenters, 
 whose registration of births or baptisms or burials 
 were so recognised by law. It was repealed by 
 34 George III., c. u, the tax ceasing October i, 
 1794. The Act contained a clause exempting 
 paupers from the payment of the tax. 
 
 The Act by which the parochial registration 
 of baptisms and burials was regulated previous to 
 1857, was passed in the year 1812, and is com- 
 monly known as Sir George Rose's Act. This 
 Act, 52 George III., c. 146, is entitled "an Act 
 for better regulating and preserving parish and 
 other registers of births, baptisms, marriages, and 
 burials in England." It directs (sec. i) officiating 
 ministers to keep registers of public and private 
 baptisms of marriages and of burials; (sec. 2) the 
 king's printer to transmit to each parish a printed 
 copy and register books, adapted to forms pres- 
 cribed ; (sec. 3) registers to be kept in separate 
 books and signed within seven days after each 
 ceremony was performed ; (sec. 4) certain forms 
 to be observed where the ceremony is not per- 
 formed in the parochial church or church-yard ; 
 (sec. 5) register books to be kept by officiating 
 ministers in an iron chest, provided at the paro- 
 chial expense, and whence they may not be 
 removed ; (sec. 6) annual copies to be made by the 
 officiating minister verified and signed and by the 
 churchwardens attested ; (sec. 7 ) such copies to 
 be yearly transmitted to the registrars of each 
 diocese by the churchwardens, by post ; (sec. 8) 
 diocesan registrars to report to the bishops yearly 
 thereon ; (sec. 9) in case of neglect by officiating
 
 232 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 ministers to verify ar.d sign, churchwardens to 
 certify his default ; (sec. 10) where there are no 
 churches, a memorandum of each baptism and 
 burial to be delivered to the officiating minister 
 of an adjoining parish ; (sec. u) letters containing 
 annual copies to go by post, and free from postage ; 
 (sec. 12) annual copies transmitted to registrars 
 to be safely deposited and secured from damage 
 or destruction by fire, and carefully arranged for 
 reference, and the registrars to cause alphabetical 
 lists of all persons and places to be made and 
 kept, and to be open for search ; (sec. 13) a report 
 to be made before the first of March (1813) to the 
 privy council of the state of every place where 
 copies of parochial registers and wills are pre- 
 served, and their protection from damp and safety 
 from fire ; (sec. 15) but punishment not to attach 
 for accidental errors; (sec. 16) accustomed fees 
 to continue; (sec. 17) annual copies not to be 
 subject to any stamp duty ; (sec. 18) one half of 
 the penalties levied under the Act to go to the 
 informer, and the remainder either to the poor 
 of the parish or to such charitable purposes as 
 the bishops shall direct ; (sec. 19) list of all extant 
 register books to be transmitted by officiating 
 minister before the first of June, 1813, to diocesan 
 registrar ; and (sec. 20) the provisions to extend 
 to cathedrals and collegiate churches, and to 
 extra parochial chapels. 
 
 On this extraordinary statute the whole system 
 of parochial registration (except as relates to 
 marriages, which is controlled by a later enact- 
 ment, 6 and 7 Gul. IV., c. 86), at present depends ; 
 and that it is extraordinary will appear, if refer- 
 ence be made -first, to the title, which includes
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 233 
 
 a register of births for which no provision was 
 framed, and which cannot legally be kept ; 
 secondly, to the clauses directing the labours of 
 receiving, arranging and indexing all the copies 
 of registers, and making reports to the bishops by 
 the diocesan registrars, for which no compensation 
 is awarded ; and thirdly, to the clause for appro- 
 priating penalties which are not imposed, and of 
 which the only one directed is transportation, 
 which no informer would desire to share, nor any 
 charity to partake of. 
 
 On the ist July, 1837, the Civil Registration 
 Act, 6 and 7 Gul. IV., c. 86, came into operation. 
 It is entitled " An Act for Registering Births 
 Deaths and Marriages in England." It repeals 
 (sect, i) such portions of the Act 52 Geo. III., 
 c. 146, as relate to the Registration of Marriages, 
 confirming (sec. 49) the existing registration of 
 baptisms and burials. 
 
 This Act provides (sec. 2) for the establish - 
 lishment of a general registry office to be situated 
 in London or Westminster, and for the formation 
 of districts and the appointment of officers 
 (sec. 7) throughout England, who may carry 
 out the provisions of the Act. It directs (sec. 31) 
 that henceforth all marriage registers (amended 
 in form by the introduction of the names and 
 occupations of the parents of the several con- 
 tracting parties) shall be kept in duplicate (sec.33), 
 one copy of every such register book, when filled, 
 shall be delivered to the superintendent register 
 of the district in which the Church or Chapel may 
 be situated ; the other copy remaining in the 
 keeping of the officers of the Church or Chapel 
 within which the marriages registered therein
 
 234 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 shall have been solemnized ; and also that (same 
 sec.) every quarter of a year a true copy of all 
 entries of marriages in the register book for the 
 previous three months, certified by the rector or 
 vicar, curate or other minister, shall be delivered 
 up to the superintendent registrar, to be by him 
 transmitted (sec. 34) to the general registry office 
 in London. By this Act (since amended by I 
 Vic., c. 22, and by 3 and 4 Vic., c. 72) the regis- 
 tration of marriages is now regulated. 
 
 The Church registers commenced in 1639 
 written on parchment, and at first are very brief. 
 The following are selected as examples : 
 
 April in Anno Dno dei 1639. 
 
 Buried was Ellen the daughter of John Threl- 
 fall, the first day. 
 
 Christened was Thomas the sonne of Chris- 
 topher Salisbury flaxman, and Elizabeth the 
 daughter of John Salisbury aleman, the eight- 
 eenth day. 
 
 Buried was Alice a base daughter of Salisbury, 
 the first day. 
 
 Married was John Pendleton. (This is all 
 that is recorded of the wedding). 
 
 Christened was William the supposed sonne 
 of John Bushell, begotten of the boddie of 
 Margaret Topping the XXVI day April, 1640 in 
 templu. Buried was Elizabeth ye daughter of 
 Willm. Crumbleholme, the one and twentieth 
 day. 
 
 Deer, in templu. Buried was Ellen Godfray, 
 servant to Alex. Rigby, ye V day. 
 
 1664. Buried was a souldier found slaine, the 
 first day August.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 23$ 
 
 In 1635 the charge made by "the 24" for 
 burial within the Church was I2d., whilst the 
 fee for interment outside the Church-yard was 
 2d. Thus the old saying was verified : 
 
 Here I lie outside the Church door, 
 Here I lie because I'm poor ; 
 The further in the more they pay, 
 But here I lie as snug as they. 
 
 June 1 8th, 1817. Buried, Betty Dunn, Goos- 
 nargh, aged 100 years. 
 
 Septr. ist, 1826. Buried, Fanny Smith, Goos- 
 nargh, aged 100 years. 
 
 BENEFIT SOCIETIES. 
 
 There is a Benefit or Friendly Society held in 
 this township which was established on the i8th 
 August, in the year 1784, and holds its meetings 
 at the Grapes Inn (formerly the General Elliot). 
 The annual meeting is always held on Whit- 
 Tuesday, on which day there is service in the 
 Church, and the club members parade the 
 village, headed by a band of music, and the 
 society's banner which displays two female figures 
 emblematical of Justice and Mercy hand in hand, 
 with the motto inscribed: "Goosnargh Ami- 
 cable Society." Love as Brethren. 
 
 In addition to the annual meeting this society 
 holds foui quarterly meetings on the first Tues- 
 day of the months of January, April, July and 
 October respectively. The society is governed 
 by a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, 
 two stewards and a committe of 1 1 members. 
 
 The president and stewards are chosen 
 annually at the April meetings by ballot or
 
 236 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 otherwise, and new members are also chosen at 
 any of the public meetings. The entrance fee is 
 only 33., and the quarterly subscriptions 33. 3d.; 
 and all members who reside within ten miles of 
 the house where the annual meeting is held 
 are required to contribute 23. 6d. towards the 
 expenses of the dinner whether they attend or 
 not. The dinner which is first-rate, is served up 
 in the boys' schoolroom, and if we may believe 
 report, has often " ample justice done to it.'' 
 
 The society makes it a rule not to admit mem- 
 bers above 30 years of age, and if they are ad- 
 mitted above that age they are required to pay 
 135. a year for every year they are above that age. 
 
 Every member after he attains the age of 70 
 years is entitled to 2s. a week for life ; a sick 
 member receives 6s. a week for 26 weeks if his 
 sickness continue so long ; and after the expira- 
 tion of six months then 35. a week during the 
 next six months ; and afterwards 2s. a week for 
 and during the time of his sickness. 
 
 If a member's wife die he is entitled to 303. for 
 her funeral expenses, and at his death ^ IDS. is 
 paid towards his funeral expenses; any member 
 dying not having buried a wife and received the 
 club's funeral allowance, his friends are entitled 
 to ^ for his funeral expenses. 
 
 In 1852 the club consisted of 129 members of 
 which 10 were honorary ; they paid 123. annually 
 to the society's funds, but never received any 
 relief therefrom. (To members such as these it 
 owes its strength.) 
 
 Rules of the above Society and Scale o/ Fines. 
 
 Refusing to serve the office of president or s. D. 
 steward 5 o
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 237 
 
 S. D. 
 
 President, stewards or secretary neglecting 
 
 their duty I o 
 
 Refusing to serve on the committee ... 2 o 
 
 Neglecting to attend on the committee in 
 
 due time o 6 
 
 Members of the committee relating their 
 
 transactions 2 o 
 
 Sick members working during receipt 
 
 of the society's allowance 6 o 
 
 Sick members leaving home without leave 
 
 after sunset 2 6 
 
 Sick members refusing to be visited a 
 
 week's allowance 6 o 
 
 Neglecting to attend the annual meeting 
 
 and dinner 2 6 
 
 Cursing, swearing, giving the lie, offering 
 or accepting wagers or attending a meet- 
 ing intoxicated o 6 
 
 Assaulting a member in the clubroom ... 5 o 
 
 Gaming or promoting gaming, or speak- 
 ing ill of any member 2 o 
 
 Interrupting the officers in the discharge 
 
 of their duty o 6 
 
 Neglecting to obey the president when 
 
 he demands order in the meeting ... o 3 
 
 Neglecting to pay contribution monies 
 
 and fines first quarterly meeting o 6 
 
 Do. second quarterly meeting ... i o 
 
 Proposing or agreeing to propose to dis- 
 solve the society or making a division of 
 the funds 10 o 
 
 Refusing to pay a fine when demanded 
 and neglecting to appeal double fine.
 
 238 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The rules of this society are as follows, and 
 were enrolled by Government in the year 1831, 
 and according to the number of members its 
 funds at that date were perhaps the largest of 
 any club funds in England ; it had 600 on 
 mortgage, paying ^"4 los. per cent, and upwards 
 of ^"iooin the Preston Savings Bank. 
 
 At present (i 885) there are 84 members, seven 
 of which are honorary, and the funds of the 
 society now stand at ^500, which is in the 
 hands of the Kibble Navigation Company, who 
 pay 5 per cent, for it. 
 
 Whilst nearly all the old friendly societies 
 have been broken up for want of funds, Goos- 
 nargh Club has gathered strength with age and 
 promises fair to lend its aid to generations yet 
 unborn. This is partly owing to a more equit- 
 able adjustment of the receipts and disburse- 
 ments than those which have dwindled away, 
 but principally to its being favoured with so 
 many of those " honry " members mentioned 
 above. 
 
 Benefit societies were first established in En- 
 gland in the reign of Elizabeth (from three to four 
 hundred years ago), and were then called Guilds 
 and of the principle on which they are based 
 there can be but one opinion a provision in 
 youth and health against old age and sickness is 
 what every right-minded person must approve ; 
 and if the convivial cup could be separated from 
 the social they would be what every well-wisher 
 of society would most cordially approve of ; but 
 the revelling and drunkenness attendant on the 
 annual and quarterly meetings are great draw-
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 239 
 
 backs to their usefulness and desirableness, totally 
 excluding teetotallers and others of tender minds 
 who fear that the eternal evil outbalances the 
 temporal good. Since the above was written in 
 1852, the old club has declined both in men and 
 money. 
 
 Perhaps this festival draws together more lively 
 lads and right down bonny lasses than any other 
 " pass-time " in this country ; but I must confess 
 that I do not like to see so many nice, tidy young 
 "wenches" hawking themselves at clubs and 
 fairs. Stop at home lasses on such occasions ; 
 nothing really useful is ever lost for want of 
 looking after. Have patience a little bit, if you 
 possess merit ; merit by and by will ferret you 
 out, even if your friends have shut you up in their 
 meal arks. My pen says this, but I suppose it 
 might as well have said " lasses don't be wed ! " 
 
 Here it is that the celebrated and far-famed 
 " Goosnargh Cakes " are made. They are charged 
 one penny each, and disposed of every year to 
 the tune of something like 4000 dozens ! 
 
 Some of the inhabitants of this township are 
 members of the Oddfellows' club and other secret 
 societies, but the rules of some of them not being 
 registered by Government, their members were 
 often through internal factions liable to suffer 
 great injustice, and however unjustly they may 
 be treated by their " fellows," they being a law 
 to themselves, have no other law whereby to 
 redress their grievances ; but many of these 
 societies have taken the advantage of the privilege 
 they so loudly clamoured for and which has lately 
 been conferred upon them.
 
 240 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 On Benefit Societies, Baines in his History of 
 Lancashire remarks : 
 
 " Those institutions called Sick Clubs or 
 Benefit Societies prevail here very gener- 
 ally, and the provision made in this way 
 by the poor for themselves in sickness and 
 old age, combined with their deposits in 
 the Savings Banks, materially relieve the 
 demand upon the parish funds. The con- 
 trast in the condition of those who are 
 members of these societies and those who 
 in the same place are content to rely upon 
 the parish for relief, is often strongly 
 marked. The former are in general com- 
 paratively clean, orderly and sober, and 
 consequently happy, while the latter are 
 living in filth and wretchedness, and are 
 often from the pressure of casual sickness 
 or accident, which incapacitates them from 
 working, tempted to the commission of 
 improper acts (not to say crimes) against 
 which the sure resource of a benefit club 
 would have been the best prevention. The 
 legislature, well aware that the tendency 
 of these societies is to promote individual 
 happiness and to diminish the public 
 burdens, has invested them with the power 
 and privileges of corporations on their 
 rules being duly inspected and registered 
 at the quarter sessions, which gives them 
 great advantages in the management of 
 their funds, and protects them against dep- 
 redation. It frequently happens that the 
 anniversary of the establishment of their 
 societies is observed by the members as a
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 24! 
 
 day of festivity and sometimes of dissipa- 
 tion, but this evil cannot well be prevented, 
 and danger might ensue from such a 
 reform as would take away the festive part 
 of the ceremony. The best remedy is the 
 general inculcation of good principles and 
 temperate habits, which would teach men 
 to be at once ' merry and wise.' " 
 
 From the Report of Committee on Friendly 
 Societies, 1825, I borrow the following : 
 
 " Friendly Societies and Savings Banks some- 
 times appear as rival institutions, and 
 their respective merits are keenly can- 
 vassed. Both have certainly their peculiar 
 advantages. There is much in the con- 
 sciousness of having a small fund stored 
 up, and in the power of employing it for 
 any particular purpose at pleasure ; but 
 it cannot be doubted that a reserve fund 
 is a less efficient protection against contin- 
 gencies, such as sickness, and death itself, 
 than connection with a sound friendly 
 society. The difference is like that be- 
 tween taking one's risk of loss from fire 
 and paying into an insurance office. 
 Whenever there is a contingency the 
 cheapest way of providing against it is by 
 uniting with others, so that each man 
 may subject himself to a small deprivation, 
 in order that no man may be subjected to 
 a great loss. He upon whom the contin- 
 gency does not fall does not get his money 
 back again, nor does he get for it any 
 visible or tangible benefit, but obtains 
 security against ruin, and consequent
 
 242 GOOSXARGH : 
 
 peace of mind. He upon whom the con- 
 tingency does fall gets all that those, whom 
 fortune has exempted from it, have lost in 
 hard money, and is thus enabled to sustain 
 an event which would otherwise over- 
 whelm him." 
 
 For further information on those valuable 
 institutions, Savings Banks and Friendly Socie- 
 ties, see Chamber's Information for the Pe/pit, 
 part 17, page 305. 
 
 We have a few here that are members (f the 
 Oddfellows' Society. 
 
 Formerly it was so uncommon a thin, for a 
 working man to be provident and to lookto the 
 future for his wife and children, and pro-ide for 
 a rainy day, that those sensible men whcformed 
 the society probably called themselves "Odd- 
 fellows," to distinguish themselves from ie com- 
 mon run who were not so provident. We too 
 have a sprinkling of Rechabites anofler good 
 society. See Jeremiah 35th chapter. 
 
 How short the stay of Man 
 
 When Baines published his Historyf Lanca- 
 shire in 1825, the following are stat< to have 
 been the principal inhabitants of Goo^argh : 
 
 James Almond, Machine Maker. 
 
 John Barton, Innkeeper, GeneraElhot. 
 
 William Clifton, Land Surveyor-Stump 
 Cross. 
 
 Henry Grimbaldston, Schoolma er - 
 
 Thomas Hornby, Gent., Westfid. 
 
 James Mackarell, Joiner. 
 
 Richard Stothert, senr., Joinei 
 
 Rev. J. B. Martin, Priest Hill.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 243 
 
 Mrs. E. Park, Governess, Goosnargh Hos- 
 pital. 
 
 John Parker, Esq., Wood Heys. 
 
 John Parkinson, Innkeeper, Dog and 
 Partridge. 
 
 Richard Parkinson, Innkeeper. Horns. 
 
 James Sidgreaves, Attorney, Inglewhite 
 Lodge. 
 
 Isaac Walker, Miller, Brock Mill. 
 Only 60 years ago, and all long since dead ! 
 
 POST OFFICE. 
 
 On the 3rd day of May, 1848, a foot post was 
 established between Preston and Goosnargh 
 village, by which letters and newspapers were 
 transmitted daily (Sundays excepted) to and from 
 the said places. The first messenger then was 
 Mr. John Hodgson, and he arrived at the office 
 about nine o'clock in the morning and left for 
 Preston about three in the afternoon. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Parkinson was the post master, 
 and he received from Government _^5 a year for 
 his services and 55. for every ^5 worth of postage 
 stamps sold at his office. 
 
 Previous to the establishment of the Post 
 Office the transmission of letters in this district 
 was very irregular and very difficult. For many 
 years they were principally left by the old mail 
 coach at a public house at Broughton four-lane- 
 ends, and found their way home by chance, it 
 frequently happening that a letter was a week or 
 ten days in finding its way from Preston to 
 Goosnargh. (How did we manage without a 
 post from Preston to Goosnargh ?) Hence the 
 p 2
 
 244 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 establishment of a regular post to Goosnargh was 
 haled as a great boon by the inhabitants of this 
 locality. The post messenger now arrives at 
 Goosnargh village about seven o'clock every 
 morning and proceeds to the Post Office at 
 Inglewhite which was established there in 1884, 
 and from thence he has a run round to White- 
 chapel where there is a collecting box, and then 
 returns at 5 p.m. through Goosnargh village to 
 Preston. Two other post messengers are daily 
 despatched from the Post Office at Goosnargh. 
 Mr. William Clarkson is the Goosnargh post 
 master, where he has a savings bank and money 
 order office. His post salaries and perquisites 
 amount to about ^"40 a year. Thanks to our 
 governors, they have long made us hear when 
 they wanted anything from us, and now they 
 are attending to our especial convenience. 
 
 FUNERALS AND FUNERAL REFORM. 
 
 In 1 845 I wrote a tract on funerals as follows, 
 which I beg to repeat : 
 
 FRIEND, 
 
 Bear with me a moment, and don't be offended. 
 " In the midst of life we are in death," and in the midst of 
 death the multitude appears to be alive to the world and 
 dead to the consequences of death. Our friends and neigh- 
 bours drop around us one after another into the grave ; we 
 attend and pay our last respects, or rather to witness in the 
 dead the frailty of the living, and in the living the depravity 
 of man ; for if aught on earth be calculated to impress upon 
 the minds the awful sentence " Dust thou art and unto dust 
 thou shall return " it must be to witness its execution ; 
 but if there be one more solemn occasion than another, it 
 must be the funeral pile ; if there ever be a period when 
 serious conversation, self-examination and spiritual com-
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 245 
 
 munion become men, it must be when assembled around 
 their departed brother's remains ; if ever there be a con- 
 venient season to put a few such questions as the following to 
 one's own conscience, it must be the funeral day : -How would 
 my accounts stand were I called to give an account ? Am I re- 
 conciled to my offended Maker? Could I approach the King of 
 Terrors without dread ? Is death disarmed of its sting ? 
 Does the Spirit of God bear witness with my spirit that I 
 am a son of God ? What certain hope have I of an inherit- 
 ance in Heaven ? Does conscience speak peace ? Are my 
 sins made white in the blood of the Lamb ? Am I disposed 
 to enter into a serious enquiry respecting my eternal wel- 
 fare ? Or am not I rather like Felix, desirous to put it off to 
 another (not a more convenient) season? But is such the 
 general case ? No ! Attend the funeral gathering and 
 there does indeed appear somewhat of seriousness and re- 
 flection to pervade the assembly for a brief space, such as 
 becomes the "house of mourning, "but such I presume as not 
 well agrees with the evil spirit, and he suggests that old 
 customs must not be abandoned ; that the friends of the 
 deceased must do as their neighbours have done, or 
 they will be considered "shabby;" and that which of all 
 other things is most calculated to drive away all serious re- 
 flection : that pernicious cup ; that thought-destroying 
 draught, though it may have been absent from the house for 
 months and years must now be introduced ; yea, even though 
 the deceased met his death whilst under the influence of in- 
 toxicating liquor, yet it must be the concomitant of his burial ! 
 And need I ask what is the consequence of its introduction ? 
 The little seriousness that prevailed at the first greeting 
 gradually but quietly disappears, and worldly conversation 
 soon follows the spicy ale ; discussions of the weather ; the 
 probable yield of the harvest ; news local and political ; the 
 faults and failings of neighbours ; gossip and scandal follow- 
 ing in the train fill up the waiting period. (I am not so 
 sanguine as to suppose that this would not in some measure 
 be the case in the absence of alcoholic drinks, but I think it 
 must be obvious to every disinterested candid observer that 
 they have a strong tendency to increase it). 
 
 A functionary proclaim? the starting time, and onward 
 our departed friend's remains are borne to the place appointed 
 for all living. A most solemn scene now takes place, one 
 calculated to strike the most unthinking with awe, and send
 
 246 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 him to his home meditating in a strain somewhat like the 
 following : must I too die ? Must my body be consigned 
 to the cold ground, and my never-dj-ing soul ushered into the 
 presence of the Lord Jehovah ? And what surer footing have 
 I on earth than this my departed brother lately had ? 
 But no sooner closes the solemn service, no sooner has the 
 vibration of the words " ashes to ashes, dust to dust " closed 
 upon the ear than the company are informed that " those 
 who attend this funeral are desired to go to the public- 
 house ; " and for what ? Not in general to refresh the body 
 "with that which cheers but not inebriates," but to have a 
 fresh supply of that madding poison, and thus effectually 
 drive away all thoughts of the occasion which called them 
 together ; to banish all serious reflection from the mind, and 
 not uncommonly send numbers staggering home. This, I 
 own, is a rough picture, but it is not too highly coloured ; 
 this I have witnessed on many successive occasions. Friends, 
 neighbours, guardians and conductors of funerals, I call upon 
 you for this indulgence, to give the above a moment's con- 
 sideration, and henceforward be guided in such cases, not by 
 custom, but by prudence ; not by the consideration of what 
 the world would say, but by what conscience suggests; not by 
 what others have done in like circumstances, but what would 
 best promote the general good of others, bear reflection, and 
 bring peace at the last ; and not be awed by the sneers of 
 the unthinking and unholy. Let but a little band join 
 hand in hand ; set a better example and much might be done 
 thereby to conquer prejudice and uproot this pernicious 
 custom, and openly declare in the face of the contemptuous 
 and scornful man that it is their desire that their last earthly 
 journey may be made in peace ; that seriousness and 
 sobriety may attend the disposal of their bones; and that it is 
 their supreme desire to live the life and die the death of the 
 righteous, "that their last end may be like his;" and that 
 no intoxicating liquor be used at their funerals. 
 
 Since the above was written a great improvement has 
 taken place in the mode of conducting funerals ; but yet a still 
 greater reform is much needed, and the following rules (which 
 upon the whole I think very good) have been suggested : 
 I. The exercise of economy and simplicity in everythingapper- 
 taining to the funeral. 2. The use of plain hearses or wheeled 
 biers. 3. The disuse of crape, scarves, feathers, velvet trappings 
 and the like. 4. The avoiding of excessive floral decorations.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 247 
 
 5. The discouraging on the occasion of the funeral, as far as 
 possible, all eating and drinking beyond that of every-day 
 life. 6. The meeting in the church-yard or cemetery instead 
 of at the house of mourning. 7. The dispelling of the idea 
 that all the club money must be spent at the funeral. 8. 
 The early interment of the body in soil sufficient and suitable 
 for its resolution to its ultimate elements. 9. The use of 
 such materials for the coffin as will readily decay after burial. 
 N.B. This method is in accordance with the laws of Nature 
 and avoids sanitary evils, whilst the practice of burying in 
 almost imperishable coffins is fraught with danger to the 
 public health. 10. The substitution of burial plots sur- 
 rounded by coping for family vaults. II. The encourage- 
 ment on sanitary grounds of the removal in crowded di=tricts 
 of the body to a mortuary, instead of remaining in the rooms 
 occupied by the living. 12. The impressing upon work- 
 house officials the claims of the poorest to proper and 
 reverent burial. 
 
 GENTLEMEN'S SEATS. 
 
 Thirty years ago an historian wrote : 
 
 " I can only enumerate two gentlemen's seats 
 in this township. 
 
 Inglewhite Lodge, the residence of 
 James Sidgreaves, Esq., whose ancestors 
 have resided here successively for upwards 
 of 200 years : may it descend to ' bairn's 
 bairns/ and may the old blood run uncon- 
 taminated through posterity's posterity. 
 
 The other is Goosnargh Lodge, form- 
 erly the summer seat of the Oliverson's 
 of London, Avho having done so much for 
 this township, especially in the promo- 
 tion of education, may justly be called the 
 patrons of Goosnargh." 
 
 At present I am sorry to say both these seats 
 are now occupied as common farm houses.
 
 248 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 ANCIENT PUNISHMENT. 
 
 Three modes of punishing petty offenders 
 appear to have been adopted here, which have 
 long since fallen into disuse the foot stocks, the 
 cucking stool, and the penance sheet. 
 
 Some of the older inhabitants can remember 
 the Goosnargh foot stocks standing close to Ingle- 
 white Cross. Stocks were chiefly used to punish 
 drunken and disorderly men, that class of 
 offenders which the refinement rather than the 
 improvement of the times now punishes by a fine 
 of 5/- and. expenses. If a public exposure had 
 any good effect it was equal if not superior to 
 the mode now adopted, for a fine of 5/- seldom 
 if ever works any reformation upon the offenders, 
 and the fine and expenses though not great in 
 amount are often additional evils to all the other 
 evils to a drunkard's wife and family ; for in the 
 generality of cases those charges have to be 
 wrenched from a scanty pittance. 
 
 The Cuck-stool " was used in the Saxon times 
 for the ordeal of plunging or for putting convicts 
 to death by drowning," but in more modern 
 times it was used as a punishment for brewers 
 and bakers for transgressing their laws, and to 
 punish common scolds and common prostitutes, 
 and "cuckhold" makers by ducking them over 
 head and ears in some stinking water. The 
 cucking-stool has long ceased to be a mode of 
 punishment in Goosnargh. (I would it were 
 revived for the very idea of the thing is truly 
 rich, and I am sure it might be made very use- 
 ful). Our forefathers selected a pit at the south 
 end of Inglewhite Green for their ducking pond.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 249 
 
 The pit has lately been filled up but was known 
 to the last as " Cuck-stool pit," and 60 years ago 
 some of the oldest inhabitants could remember 
 the upright shaft of the instrument standing at 
 the brink of the said pit, the open-bottomed 
 chair and transverse beam being usually kept in 
 the care of the tithing man till necessity called 
 it into use. 
 
 We see many alterations in systems, but all 
 alterations are not improvements ! 
 
 Penance-sheet. The penance-sheet fell into 
 disuse here about a century ago ; it was chiefly 
 used to punish faithless beaux a class of offen- 
 ders who now-a-days rather glory in their shame 
 than think it any evil or disgrace. The offender 
 being condemned to stand in some conspicuous 
 place in the Church covered over with a sheet 
 during the time of Divine service ; and if anyone 
 merits a public exposure I beg to say it is of all 
 others the man who perseveringly employs a)l 
 the little arts of which he is master to raise a 
 confidence in a virtuous woman's mind with an 
 intention of deceiving her. 
 
 Tradition relates that one Edward Makinson, 
 then owner and occupier of the General Elliot 
 (now "Grapes" public house Goosnargh) was 
 the last person that was doomed to do penance 
 in Goosnargh Church, and on leaving the Church 
 after his public exposure he is said to have made 
 use of the following words: 
 
 " I've fulfilled the law, 
 But I know my own know." 
 
 Thereby intimating that the "bairn" was none 
 of his own.
 
 250 GOOSNARGH: - 
 
 It is also told of the said Edward Makinson 
 that he performed the daring feat of walking 
 round on the top of the battlements of Goos- 
 nargh Church steeple with his child Edward 
 Makinson junr. (late of Gin Bow Entry, Preston), 
 in his arms. 
 
 Blackstone, in his commentaries of the Laws 
 of England, when treating upon nuisances and 
 referring to the cucking-stool says : 
 
 '' Lastly, a common scold, communis vixatrix 
 (for law latin confines it to the feminine 
 gender) is a public nuisance to her neigh- 
 bourhood. For which offence she may be 
 indicted, and if convicted, shall be sen- 
 tenced to be placed in a certain engine of 
 correction called the trebucket castigatory 
 or cucking-stool, which in the Saxon 
 language is said to signify the scolding 
 stool, though now it is frequently cor- 
 rupted into ducking-stool, because the 
 residue of the judgment is that when she 
 is so placed therein she shall be plunged 
 in the water for her punishment." 
 
 An old writer says : 
 
 " Of members ye ton;e is worst or best, 
 An yll tonge oft doeth breede unrest." 
 
 Among the barbarous customs may be men- 
 tioned bull baiting, bear baiting, badger baiting, 
 cock fighting, and other similar pastimes once so 
 common in this neighbourhood. As late as 1726 
 the Corporation of Preston provided a bull to be 
 baited. A stone may be seen in the old market 
 place to which the ring was fixed for securing 
 the bull. Tradespeople use to sit in the square
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 251 
 
 drinking and smoking, and watching the attack 
 of the dogs on the poor animals. Cock fighting 
 happily has been discontinued (except on the sly) 
 for many years in this neighbourhood ; this 
 barbarous practice was common here riot many 
 years ago. The May pole, the outbreak into 
 beauty which nature makes at the end of April 
 and the beginning of May', exacts so joyful and 
 admiring a feeling in the human breast that 
 there is no wonder the event should be kept up. 
 In the 1 6th century it was customary for middle 
 and humble classes to go out at an early hour 
 to gather flowers hawthorn branches, for domes- 
 tic rejoicings and decorations of their houses : 
 they called this ceremony the " bringing home 
 of the May." They spoke of the expedition to 
 the woods as " going a maying, 1 ' and one of the 
 party was crowned with flowers as the " Queen 
 of the May." Then the people raised a large 
 pole literally covered with May, and erected 
 the same in some public place, around which 
 were rural dances and general rejoicing. At the 
 present little is done here in recognition of May, 
 except to decorate cart horses. 
 
 Blount says the Cuck-stool or Ducking-stool is 
 a corruption for Choking-stool, because women 
 plunged into the water by this means were com- 
 monly suffocated. The Tumbril, another instru- 
 ment of punishment ; this was a two-wheeled 
 cart in which offenders were borne through 
 towns ; it was considered a more honourable 
 mode oi punishment than the Cuckingor Ducking 
 stool, and was used for ladies of higher rank ; 
 it was also used as a punishment of disgrace and 
 infamy. Millers when they stole corn were
 
 252 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 subjected to it. People were sometimes fastened 
 by an iron chain and conveyed bare-headed amid 
 the din and cry of the populace through the 
 principal streets of a town. Another instru- 
 ment of punishment called the Scolds' Bridle or 
 Brank, fixed on the head, and used at times when 
 the ducking or tumbril had not the desired effect, 
 and was of later date than the ducking-stool. 
 The brank was also used to punish landlords for 
 brewing bad ale, and for those people who 
 would not pay their debts. 
 
 The Pillory or Neck Stocks was also used as a 
 punishment. This consisted of two pieces of 
 wood fixed on a post, and across the centre of the 
 connected parts there were three round holes for 
 the hands and head, slightly raised from the 
 ground, to give greater prominence for a repre- 
 sentative. The pillory was placed in public situ- 
 ations, in order to give greater shame. This only 
 fell into disuse in this neighbourhood about the 
 year 1814. In 1837 an Act was passed abolishing 
 this mode of punishment. 
 
 Many other punishments in former times were 
 in use, for instance the Whirligig, a circular cage, 
 in which the delinquent was placed, and this was 
 moved swiftly round on a pivot. The whirligig 
 was mainly used for offenders in the British 
 army. The Brand, for felons, was a diminutive 
 representation of a gallows, and was used before 
 the invention of the present mode of execution. 
 This representation was stamped upon each 
 offender. It is said that this mark when applied 
 rendered a man infamous for life. Stocks were 
 another kind of punishment (as before observed), 
 and were much used at one time. They consisted
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 253 
 
 of two framed horizontal pieces of wood, in which 
 two holes were cut for the feet of the delinquent, 
 and were set apart for drunken people and such 
 like. A rogue's post, too, was commonly used, 
 and at this post men were publicly flogged. 
 
 About the year 1600 a number of curious bye- 
 laws were in force. One directed that every 
 householder " shall keep his street doors shut in 
 all the time of Divine service and sermons upon 
 the sabbath days and other festival days, and 
 shall not suffer his. her, or their children, servants 
 or family, or any of them being above the age of 
 seven years, to play in the open streets at any 
 game or play whatever, or even to sit at the doors 
 in the streets." A fine of fourpence was imposed 
 for every breach of the law. 
 
 At Frome in Somersetshire, a man and his wife 
 were fined for walking during Divine service. 
 Two sweethearts were fined for a similar offence ; 
 and a boy was whipped for swinging on a gate 
 on Sunday afternoon. How different now-a-days. 
 
 Sedan Chairs were introduced into England 
 about the year 1600, and up to about 1825 were 
 in use. These were used to take the gentry to 
 church for service, or to be married. Little 
 children were, when dead, carried to the church 
 to be buried. A shilling an hour or a guinea a 
 week were the common prices for the sedan and 
 the two bearers. 
 
 GUNPOWDER PLOT. 
 
 The anniveisary of gunpowder plot which was 
 formed in the reign of James I., and discovered 
 on the 5th of November, 1604, is in common /
 
 254 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 with all other parts of England celebrated here 
 annually on the 5th November. Bonfires are lit 
 up in various parts of the township principally 
 by boys who go a begging fuel for the purpose, 
 saying or singing 
 
 "A stick or a stake for King James's sake." 
 
 Some shooting yet takes place on the anni- 
 versary of the gunpowder plot and an effigy of 
 the Pope is sometimes set up in the midst of the 
 fire as a target for the gunners to fire at. It was 
 formerly the custom on this occasion for the 
 churchwardens of Goosnargh to provide, at the 
 public cost, a pound of powder for the villagers 
 to fire, their muskets with ; they also supplied 
 the ringers with a liberal supply of beer to 
 "shoot" the bells. Herein the wardens stretched 
 their powers to perpetuate a foolish custom. 
 
 Divine service was performed annually in the 
 Protestant Churches on the 5th November accor- 
 ding to the service appointed for the day. 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 The anniversary of the Birth of our Blessed 
 Saviour is celebrated here on the 25th day of 
 December (but it is quite uncertain on what day 
 of the year He was born), and Divine service is 
 performed in nearly all the Protestant and Roman 
 Catholic Churches and Chapels in England on 
 that day, but in general there are but very thin 
 congregations ; people here (to their shame be 
 it said) make it more a day of feasting and revel- 
 ling than a day of devotion and innocent and 
 sober rejoicing.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 255 
 
 COURT LEET. 
 
 The inhabitants of Goosnargh have not the 
 benefit of a court leet, and in consequence of 
 there being generally a considerable fall for the 
 water one is not so much required, yet there are 
 cases where such a court would be useful. Court 
 Leets were formerly held by the sheriff in every 
 county, and were criminal courts of very great 
 importance all cases being tried thereat from 
 eaves dropping to high treason : they formerly 
 had and in many cases still maintain two singu- 
 lar characteristics the absence of fees and lawyers. 
 The business of Court Leets is now generally 
 confined to the superintendence and regulation 
 of the clearance of ditches and watercourses, and 
 act as a preventative of one man's negligence 
 swamping another man's grounds. 
 
 TRADE. 
 
 Goosnargh-with-Newsham is an agricultural 
 district with a smattering of cotton handloom 
 weaving. Before the introduction of steam power 
 into our manufactories a considerable business 
 was done here in the spinning and weaving of 
 cottons, linen and woollen cloths, part by water 
 power (see Inglewhite) but chiefly by the hand 
 wheel and hand loom, and in those primitive 
 days the first ladies of the land thought it not 
 scorn to put their hands to the wheel. What 
 saith Solomon of a good wife : " Who can find a 
 virtuous woman ? for her price is far above 
 rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely 
 trust in her, so that he shall have no need of
 
 256 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the 
 days of his life. She seeketh wool and flax, and 
 worketh willingly with her hands. She is like 
 the merchants' ships ; she bringeth her food 
 from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, 
 and giveth meat to her household and a portion 
 to her maidens. She considereth a field and 
 buyeth it ; with the fruit of her hands she plant- 
 eth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with 
 strength and strengtheneth her arms. She per- 
 ceiveth that her merchandise is good, her candle 
 goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands 
 to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff. She 
 stretcheth out her hand to the poor ; yea, she 
 reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is 
 not afraid of the snow for her household ; for 
 all her household are clothed with scarlet. She 
 maketh herself coverings of tapestry ; her 
 clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is 
 known in the gates, when he sitteth among the 
 elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and 
 selleth it ; and delivereth girdles unto the mer- 
 chant. Strength and honour are her clothing ; 
 and she shall rejoice in time to come. She 
 openeth her mouth with wisdom ; and in her 
 tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well 
 to the ways of her household, and eateth not the 
 bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and 
 call her blessed ; her husband also, and he prais- 
 eth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, 
 but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, 
 and beauty is vain ; but a woman that feareth 
 the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the 
 fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise 
 her in the gates." Proverbs, c. 31.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 257 
 
 In law all unmarried women are termed spin- 
 sters, which had its origin thus : In the olden 
 times no young female was considered in a position 
 to marry until she had spun sufficient for the 
 outfitting of her household. 
 
 DOMESDAY BOOK. 
 
 Goosnargh and Newsham, as before stated, are 
 both mentioned in Domesday Book, but it ap- 
 pears that when that ancient document was 
 compiled they were distinct townships or " vills." 
 How they became united or how long they have 
 been connected no record appears. At the time 
 of the Conqueror's survey the whole of the 
 Hundred of Amounderness belonged to the Earl 
 Tosti, and in each of the districts of Goosnargh 
 and Newsham he had but one carucate (one 
 hundred acres, 20 feet to the perch) to be taxed, 
 the rest was waste. 
 
 Of Domesday Book, Baines in his History of 
 Lancashire says : " William the Conqueror 
 having reduced the country to a sudden repose, 
 caused a survey to be taken of all the lands in 
 the Kingdom. This survey was commenced in 
 1080, and completed in six years, and registered 
 in a national record called Domesday Book, in 
 which the extent of land in each district, the 
 state it was in, whether meadow, pasture, wood 
 or arable ; the name of the proprietor, the 
 tenure by which it was held, and the value at 
 which it was estimated, were all duly entered, 
 and is undoubtedly the best monument to the 
 memory of the Conqueror." 
 Q
 
 258 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 To become more thoroughly acquainted with 
 the English land and the wealth of the people, 
 whether French or English, it is recorded that 
 William caused a record to be made of all the 
 estates with their possessions, large or small, from 
 which we learn that about half the lands of the 
 Kingdom were at this time in the hands of 
 spiritual powers. This was a most laborious work, 
 and the assistance of the Church, through its 
 bishops and parochial clergy, were called in for 
 its compilation. It is said that not an ox, or 
 cow or pig was passed by in this wonderful 
 inventory. What the lands were worth in pre- 
 ceding reigns, their present and past holders, how 
 many churches and monastries there were, and 
 how they were provided for, with a vast amount 
 of other information, all of which was classified 
 in such way that William could at once tell the 
 wealth of the Kingdom, and who were the most 
 powerful men in it, and their claims to the estates 
 they held. This record is known as the Domes- 
 day Book. It was so called because men's claims 
 to estates were judged from it. This great survey 
 was finished by Easter, 1086. 
 
 As the result of this survey, all the land owners 
 \vere summoned to meet the king on Salisbury 
 Plain in August of that same year, and were 
 made to take an oath of allegiance to King 
 William, and swear to obey him and fight for 
 him before all other men. Such services to be 
 rendered in proportion to their registered possess- 
 ions, whether they were lay owners or ecclesias- 
 tical possessors, because hitherto the spirituality 
 had furnished very little to the national needs, 
 most of their property having been exempt.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 259 
 
 PUBLIC-HOUSES AND DRINKING HABITS. 
 
 There are six houses in this township licenced 
 for the sale of British and foreign spirits. The 
 signs of the public-houses are : The Grapes Inn 
 (formerly General Elliott), Green Man, Black 
 Bull, Buck Horns, the Dog and Partridge and 
 the Queen. Upon the whole the inhabitants of 
 this district may be said to be a sober people, 
 and perhaps as regards their social condition the 
 greatest improvement during the last fifty years 
 has been the gradual bias to temperance in the 
 use of the "liquid fire." Changes here in the 
 proprietorship of the land ; the reverses of the 
 fortunes and standings of families which have 
 been caused by the madding bowl tell a sad tale 
 indeed. Not very many years ago there existed 
 a goodly number of yeomen in this township, 
 and singular to say (that otherwise honourable 
 class) were nearly all addicted to the glass, and 
 in consequence brought themselves and their 
 families to ruin. The number of statesmen who 
 are content and privileged 
 
 " To breathe their native air in their own grounds " 
 are now comparatively rare. 
 
 And notwithstanding the great improvement 
 that has taken place in the drinking habits of 
 the people, it must be obvious that the cup so 
 pregnant with evil is yet frequently called into 
 requisition or six houses would not be kept open 
 for the sale of spirituous liquors in this township, 
 and the worst feature in the matter is that the 
 best of days is perverted to the worst of purposes 
 Sunday is the landlord's weekly fair. 
 Q2
 
 260 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 English laws are very good upon the whole, 
 but there are some strange pages. A shopkeeper 
 may be fined for selling a pennyworth of toffy 
 on the Sabbath Day, whilst the publican can 
 throw open his house the greatest part of the 
 Lord's Day for the free sale of one of the most per- 
 nicious commodities ever brought into requisi- 
 tion. How long will this anomaly disgrace the 
 statute book ? The greatest boon that the 
 British Legislature could confer upon their 
 country would be to close the public-house for 
 the sale of intoxicating drinks on the Sabbath 
 Day. Closing the public-houses at 10 o'clock at 
 night has been a good step in advance. I hope 
 we may soon have another the abolition of the 
 grocers' spirit licence. 
 
 HARD TIMES 
 
 Just now we hear much said about bad times, 
 and what wonder that there should be hard 
 times when we have an anuual drink bill of 
 ^"136,000,000, and another of ^"100,000,000 to 
 pay in various ways on account of the drinking 
 habits of the people and what should I put down 
 to the score of snuff and tobacco ? 
 
 GROCERS' SHOPS. 
 
 Thirty-five years ago there were eight grocers' 
 shops in this township, at present there are only 
 three ; a decrease in the population and the 
 practice of so many grocers of neighbouring 
 towns bringing provisions into the district have 
 brought about this change
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 26 1 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 Tobacco is very generally used here, but prin- 
 cipally by the male sex. "The pot's companion " 
 and a noxious drug, no doubt greatly detrimental 
 to health, especially to persons of spare habit and 
 weak constitutions. The use of tobacco has been 
 often opposed and from high and influential 
 quarters, but to very little purpose ; even 
 Royalty has arrayed itself against it ; King 
 James I. took up arms and issued and circulated 
 the following mandate : " This noxious drug 
 tends to a general and new corruption both of 
 men's bodies and manners." 
 
 He also wrote and published two books against 
 the use of it, in which he described it as u the 
 breath of hell ! " One of the books was entitled 
 the " Counterblast to Tobacco ; " but unfortunately 
 his "counterblast" had not much counter effect 
 upon the blast of the pipe or five million pounds 
 would not be spent in the United Kingdom on 
 that nasty weed in a year ; and after all this 
 high-pressure puff somehow or other I don't 
 dislike to see an aged man in his arm-chair and 
 own chimney corner enjoying his pipe after his 
 day's labour is finished ; but how common and 
 how disgusting to see a young lad with his hands 
 in his breeches pockets and a short black pipe in 
 his mouth. Robert and William Chambers in 
 their valuable work " Information for the 
 People," rank it amongst intoxicating drugs, 
 and say : " Between the habitual smoker and the 
 habitual dram drinker, there can be but little 
 difference.* 
 
 * King James in his " Counterblast " is hard upon smokers. He calls 
 smoking a vile, stinking custom, borrowed from the beastly, slavish
 
 262 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 SNUFF. 
 
 Snuff-taking is not very common in this 
 neighbourhood, but the females seem rather 
 more fond of a pinch than the male sex, but 
 " happen " they will not like telling so. A 
 practice when carried to excess disfigures the 
 countenance, begrimes the raiment, hurts the 
 breathing and is a great waste of time and 
 money ; and yet candour compels me here to 
 soften down again and admit that when the 
 mind is on the poise, a pinch of snuff may some- 
 times give it a spur and suggest a good idea. An 
 old anecdote is related of a snuff-taker asking a 
 learned physician if snuff- taking would injure the 
 brain, who replied, " No, snuff-takers have no 
 brain." This anecdote though not strictly true 
 (for some of the most gifted men, not excepting 
 Napoleon, have been great snuff-takers, yet it 
 conveys a good moral. 
 
 GAME. 
 
 There is a great variety of game here, but for- 
 tunately for the farmers it is nowhere at present 
 found in great abundance (if we except rabbits), 
 and as the ownership of the land is so much 
 divided, the New Game Act which allows of 
 farmers killing hares on their own premises, will 
 always tend to keep that species at least in check. 
 It has been calculated that a hare (on grass land) 
 costs 43. 6d. a year keeping and a rabbit 2s. gd., 
 a calculation I think rather under than over the 
 
 Indians poor, wild, barbarous men. And about as much may be said of 
 snuff-taking a nasty, wasteful habit ; it seals up noses and converts 
 clear, ringing voices into " snaffles."
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 263 
 
 mark, but of course that will materially depend 
 on the value of the land they are kept upon. 
 Feathered game are not so objectionable as 
 woolly game, for they do some service towards 
 their tooth by keeping the insect tribe in check. 
 The running game are of no service whatever 
 until they are placed upon the table. The species 
 of game here are hares, rabbits, moorgame, par- 
 tridge, snipe, woodcock and landrail. 
 
 HUNTING AND COURSING. 
 
 Hunting and Coursing, though once both very 
 common here, are now but little known, and as 
 they have both a good share of cruelty and out- 
 law in their composition, especially the former, 
 and are great encouragers of idleness and dissi- 
 pation, away with them. 
 
 POACHING. 
 
 Assuredly the worst feature in the character 
 of the people of Goosnargh is their addiction to 
 poaching. I fancy there are but few districts 
 according to the population that have produced 
 more clever poachers than this township. A 
 most baleful, defaming, impoverishing vice it is ; 
 and although no crime is more discountenanced 
 by all influential and rightly-thinking men, yet 
 it is practiced in defiance of all law and opposi- 
 tion, and seems to be hereditary, often descend- 
 ing from father to son (but perhaps more by ex- 
 ample than by blood) through many generations. 
 Perhaps if the word " poacher " had never been 
 invented and the word "game-thief" used in
 
 264 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 its stead it would have had a better effect, but as 
 bad as this practice is yet a great change for the 
 better has been brought about in the last fifty 
 years. 
 
 FISH, FISHERIES AND FISHERS. 
 
 The pond fish here are tench, perch, roach, 
 bream, carp and eels. Few are preserved, and in 
 consequence (with the exception of the eels) they 
 are generally very small and scarcely worth 
 angling for. 
 
 The only brook fish are trout and eels, and of 
 the former, if there be high floods in November 
 so as to enable the milters and spawneis to 
 ascend the small streams, and those murderous, 
 maraudering fellows with their lanterns and 
 spears, coculus-indicus and other fuddling ingre- 
 dients keep out of the brooks, there is always a 
 good supply of fine, well-fed, delicious fish the 
 following spring, and to those who have a taste for 
 the solitary, contemplative art, they afford a 
 pleasant, innocent and refreshing recreation; but 
 whilst we have hosts of pond fishers of all de- 
 grees of proficiency, we have but a meagre 
 squad of brook anglers, and those generally of a 
 clumsy order. I would we had more of good 
 craftsmen in the solitary art though it were to my 
 own rivalship ; for alas ! how little does the poor 
 Bachanalian who flees to the pot and the pipe 
 and the noisy ale bench to drown his cares or 
 perhaps to get out of the way of an illtempered 
 wife know of real pleasure in comparison to the 
 angler, who can sit down after his day's toil 
 on some flowery bank beside the purling stream 
 and heartily sing
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 265 
 
 " Welcome, pure thoughts ! welcome, ye silent groves I 
 These guests, these courts, my soul most dearly loves ! 
 Now the wing'd people of the sky shall sing 
 My cheerful anthems to the gladsome spring. 
 Here dwell no hateful looks, no palace cares ; 
 No broken vows dwell here, no pale-faced fears ; 
 Then here I'll sit and sigh my hot love's folly, 
 And learn t' affect a holy melancholy ; 
 And if contentment be a stranger, then 
 I'll ne'er look for it but in Heaven again." 
 
 ROOKERIES AND ROOKS. 
 
 Formerly we had three rookeries in this town- 
 ship, but the woodman (fie for shame) has pruned 
 so near that the rooks have been forced to beat 
 a retreat and pitch their camps in more friendly 
 quarters, however there are a goodly number of 
 rooks in this neighbourhood very useful and 
 almost indispensable birds which tend materially 
 to keep the insect tribe in check. 
 
 SMALL BIRDS. 
 
 There is a great variety of small birds in this 
 neighbourhood a tiny chirping race whose ser- 
 vices I have long advocated and as it is a subject 
 on which I am rather sanguine and one on which 
 I believe much prejudice exists, I would rather 
 trust another to speak in this place than my 
 self, and will therefore take the liberty to copy 
 the following letter (with the sentiment of which 
 I perfectly agree) from the pages of the Preston 
 Pilot of October 6th, 1845, which was inserted 
 by an anonymous writer in support of a commu- 
 nication of mine on the subject of small birds, in 
 the said paper of the 2gth Sept., 1845.
 
 266 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 A few words in favour of birds and against 
 anti-bird clubs. 
 
 To THE EDITOR OP THE PRESTON PILOT. 
 
 SIR, The letter of Richard Cookson (of Goos- 
 nargh) in which he offers a defence of 
 those birds, which by the unreflecting 
 farmer are too often treated as enemies, 
 deserves the attention of those who in al- 
 most every country township encourage 
 anti-bird clubs. These associations are 
 upon the whole more mischievous than 
 beneficial. Grubs and insects of various 
 kinds are the real enemies of the farmer, 
 whilst the insectivorous birds are his 
 allies, his enemies being their favourite 
 food. At the head of his army of allies 
 stands the rook, which seeks with great 
 avidity for that noxious creature the wire- 
 worm and other insects. The presence of 
 a number of rooks on a ploughed field is a 
 pretty sure indication that the wireworm 
 &c. may be found. Wagtails, robins, 
 blackbirds and thrushes are likewise fond 
 of the wireworm, and sparrows also 
 it is believed have a similar taste. The 
 same may be said of pheasants, lapwings, 
 and partridge, and the crops of the two 
 former have frequently been found filled 
 with wireworms. With respect to 
 lapwings (sometimes called " pewits " and 
 " twists") it is said that one of these birds 
 will eat a hundred a day. In a paper by 
 Mr. Curtis, F.L.S., in a late number of the 
 Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 267 
 
 of England, it is stated : " In the marshy 
 districts of our eastern countries this bird 
 was formerly exceedingly abundant as well 
 as the ruff and the reeve, but the gun and the 
 nesthunter have so thinned their num- 
 bers that the lapwing is becoming scarce, 
 and the latter have almost abandoned our 
 shores, and as might be expected the 
 wireworms seem to be increasing rapidly 
 in such localities " Whether the 
 
 destruction of late years of whole fields 
 of corn at Oxborough, near Stoke in Nor- 
 folk, is attributable to the absence of these 
 birds, I cannot say ; but it is certain that 
 the plover formerly abounded in that 
 neighbourhood, and now scarcely a pair 
 can be seen." I refer to the wireworm in 
 particular because it is the very worst 
 enemy which the farmer has, especially 
 as regards his turnip crops. But these 
 crops are not alone subject to the ravages 
 of this destructive creature, oats, barley, 
 wheat and cabbages are liable to its 
 attacks, as well as the potato crops, 
 though at one time it was questioned 
 whether the potato ever suffered from the 
 wireworm. Wireworms (which are the 
 larvae of some species of beetles) may be 
 found almost everywhere, and indeed attack 
 almost every sort of crop, though there 
 are some vegetables which they prefer to 
 others. It is a common saying that " a 
 good crop seldom comes after clover root." 
 Clover is a plant which gives great pro- 
 tection to the insect, in the roots of which
 
 268 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 it is often bred ; this may account for the 
 frequent failure of the succeeding crop. 
 Many contrivances have been resorted to 
 for the destruction of wirworms, or the 
 checking of their increase. Soot, lime 
 and salt it is said will kill them or drve 
 them away. As they cannot live without 
 moisture the advocates of draining will 
 find an additional argument for that most 
 useful process in its tendency to limit the 
 number of these insects. But to revert to 
 birds (particularly those before speci- 
 fied) as they are the natural enemies of 
 wirewonns the wholesale slaughter of 
 them by the members of the bird clubs is 
 absurd. The robin I should observe 
 fortunately enjoys a special protection. 
 In some places rewards were formerly 
 given to idle lads or men (who would have 
 been better engaged if otherwise em- 
 ployed) for killing " small birds." The 
 indiscriminate persecution which is thus 
 kept up is both mischievous and ridiculous. 
 The hated "small birds" protect fruit 
 trees and various crops from much injury 
 from insects of various kinds. I am not 
 without authority in saying that two 
 sparrows and their young have been 
 known to destroy 3,000 caterpillers in a 
 week. Instinct is almost unerring, and 
 in ninety-nine cases out of one hundred 
 I believe that the birds which attack the 
 bloom of fruit trees confine their attention 
 to those buds in which there is a noxious 
 insect, which would have destroyed the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 269 
 
 bud if it had not itself been destroyed by 
 its feathered adversary. No immediate 
 loss therefore is sustained but a positive 
 good is done in checking the propagation 
 of an insect pest. The extensive ravages 
 of insects are well known to entomologists. 
 I might refer to some remarkable ex- 
 amples were not this letter already very 
 long. In no irreverent spirit do I quote 
 the following passage from the inspired 
 volume: "And I will restore to you the 
 years that the locust hath eaten, the canker 
 worm, and the caterpillar, and the 
 palmerworm, my great army which I 
 sent among you." Joel 2c. 25v. 
 
 Two arguments may be urged against 
 the recommendations of those who wish 
 the feathered tribe to be spared. First 
 that if they were not kept within bounds 
 they would be as destructive as insects. 
 Secondly that they would be so destruc- 
 tive that the killing of them is a matter 
 of necestity. The answer to the first 
 argument is that the birds' friends do not 
 argue in favour of an excessive number of 
 their favourites (if an excess can be 
 proved), but against the system of whole- 
 sale indiscriminate destruction, as founded 
 upon the erroneous notion that birds are 
 necessarily injurious. As soon as the bird- 
 destroyers are convinced that the supposed 
 enemies of the farmer and gardener are in 
 reality more friends than enemies there 
 will be no dispute, for then any excess (if 
 it exist) will be duly and only duly cor-
 
 27O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 reeled, and indiscriminate slaughter will 
 cease. The second argument is of no 
 greater value than the first, for the 
 amount of destruction of grain, fruits &c. 
 by birds cannot be proved (at least it has 
 never yet been proved) to be so great as 
 to justify their extermination, for that is 
 the result tacitly implied, otherwise the 
 second argument will be but a repetition of 
 the first. The fact I believe to be that the 
 amount of destruction of fruits, grain &c. 
 by birds is small in comparison with the 
 protection which they have previously 
 afforded to the growth of the products, on 
 a portion of which they may feed when 
 they cannot find insects enough to live 
 upon. " The labourer is worthy of his 
 hire ; " and the winged labourer having 
 been engaged in the destruction of the 
 destroyers of fruits, grain &c. is entitled 
 to participate in the produce which it has 
 assisted to mature. Such is plainly the 
 suggestion of reason and the ordinance of 
 Providence. ORNITHOPHILUS. 
 
 To the above I will just venture to add that I 
 really believe that were the whole race of birds 
 annihilated, we should soon be so overrun with 
 grubs and insects as to be unable to grow either 
 corn, fruit or vegetables. Despise not the day of 
 small things, nor (without some very strong 
 reason) make an indiscriminate attack upon 
 those tiny songsters which annually fill our 
 groves and hedgerows with their cheering 
 and delightful music.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 27! 
 
 About 64 years ago there existed one of those 
 "mischievous" bird clubs in this township, the 
 price of bird eggs and heads being fixed by the 
 churchwardens (and the purchase money paid out 
 of the church-rates), according to some fanciful 
 notion which our great ones of that day had of 
 the bad, worse and worst qualities of the dif- 
 ferent species, the carrion-crow and the magpie 
 being considered the greatest pests of the winged 
 tribe, and the price set upon their heads (3d. 
 each) much higher than any of the rest. And 
 well do I remember knavishly palming off upon an 
 old churchwarden of that day six rook heads as 
 carrion-crows and one pewit head as a magpie, 
 the bodies of the former having been first made 
 into pies, and the topping of the latter extracted ! 
 
 What a change has come over the minds of 
 our legislators and community generally during 
 the last 60 years, what then was to be put down 
 by law is now encouraged. 
 
 By the 24th Henry VIII., c. 10, entitled " An 
 Act made ordeyned to destroye Chouges, Crows 
 and Rokes." It is provided, For asmoche as in- 
 numerable numbre of Rookes, Crows and 
 Choughes do daily brede and increase throughout 
 this Realme, which Rooke &c. do yearly destroy, 
 devoure and consume a wonderful and marvellous 
 great quantity of Corne and Greyne of all kinds." 
 That all persons in possession of land shall do 
 their best to destroy crows &c. on penalty of 
 amerciaments in Courts Leet &c. That for ten 
 years every parish shall provide and keep in re- 
 pair crow-nets wherewith to capture the devasta- 
 tors. That for ten years the farmers shall meet 
 and take order for destroying of young crows &c.
 
 272 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 under a penalty of twenty shillings. That 
 farmers shall pay to the captor two pence per 
 dozen for all old crows &c. taken on their farms. 
 By the 8th Elizabeth, c. 15, entitled "An Act 
 for p'servacon of Grayne." A portion of the 
 above-named Act was confirmed, the remainder 
 being repealed by this new Act, the churchwar- 
 dens in every parish attested by six other 
 parishioners shall, after the Feast of St. Mychall 
 Tharchangel on one of the holy days in Easter- 
 week and at every other time when needful, tax 
 and assess every land and tithe-owner within the 
 parish to pay such sums of money as they shall 
 think meet according to the quantity of such 
 their land or tithes, and on non-payment thereof 
 within fourteen days after demand to forfeit five 
 shillings, which together with the sum assessed 
 shall be levied by distress on the goods and 
 chattels of such land or tithe-owner. By this 
 Act the various species of " noisome fowl and 
 vermin " prescribed are much more numerous 
 and the rewards for their destruction increased : 
 Old Crowes, Chawghes, Pyes or Rookes to be 
 paid for at the rate of three a peny ; everie 
 syxe Young Crows &c. a peny ; everie syxe Egges 
 unbroken a peny ; everie twelve Stares' heads a 
 peny ; everie head of Martyn, Hawkes, Furse- 
 kytte, Mold KytLe, Busarde, Schagge, Carmerat, 
 or Ringtayle, two pence; everie Irm orOspraye's 
 head four pence ; for the head of every Wood- 
 wall, Pye, Jaye, Raven or Kyte one peny ; for 
 the head of everie Byrde which is called the 
 Kyng's Fyssher one peny ; for the head of everie 
 Fox or Grey twelve pence ; and for the head of 
 everie Fitchewe, Polecatte, Wesell, Stote, Fay re
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 273 
 
 Bade or Wild Catte one peny ; for the heads of 
 everie Otter or Hedgehogge two pence ; for the 
 heads of every three Rattes or twelve Myse one 
 peny ; for the heads of everie Maldwarpe or 
 Wante one half-penny. 
 
 The 1 4th Elizabeth c. n, confirms the preced- 
 ing and extends the time for its observance. 
 
 Of the various species of vermin alluded to in 
 the above entry the glead is a description of kite, 
 and is spoken of in Deut. xiv. 13. The ring-teal 
 or ring-tale is the female of the circus cyaneus, 
 or hen-harrier, a species of falcon. In the 
 enriched vocabulary of the scribe, the words 
 Bowson, Gray and Bagger all stand for the same 
 animal the Badger. 
 
 SUNDAY SPORTS. 
 
 Sunday sports such as football, bandycad, 
 marbles, nogs, casting-stone, leaping, running, 
 which were all rather common so late as sixty or 
 seventy years ago are now almost unknown, and 
 I must attribute this sudden change in a great 
 measure to the influence of our various Sunday 
 schools. A few of the inhabitants especially of 
 one sect (I must admit) indulge in card-playing 
 on the Sabbath, and that too for money ; but 
 whilst the few practice this the many hold it in 
 great contempt and discountenance it by all 
 means in their power, and it is to be hoped that 
 that debasing and demoralising practice will ere 
 long sink into well-merited oblivion. 
 
 King James the First's " Book of Sports " and 
 his Royal proclamation which appeared shortly 
 after he visited this neighbourhood (Hoghton 
 R
 
 274 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Tower) in the year 1618, had a high and per- 
 nicious hand in the encouragement of Sabbath 
 desecration in this district When the big 'uns 
 pat the little 'uns on the back, it is " go it 
 Jemmy." (See Baine's History of Lancashire, 
 vol. i, pages 55 and 56). 
 
 In 1650 an Act was passed entitled " An Act 
 for the better preventinge and suppressinge of 
 the detestable sins of profane swearing and curs- 
 ing." The fine imposed to go either wholly or 
 in part to the poor of the parish. The following 
 are some of the provisions of this Act: I. A 
 record of all convictions to be kept by the justice 
 of the peace and the names of the offenders so 
 convicted to be published quarterly. 2. The 
 penalty to be attached to be a graduated one, so 
 as not to press too heavily upon the poor man it 
 is presumed who might be disposed to indulge. 
 For the first offence, a lord 303., a baronet 2os., 
 and esquire ios., a gentleman 6s. 8d., an inferior 
 person 33. 4d ; for the second offence, double the 
 aforesaid ; for the tenth offence he or she shall be 
 adjudged a common swearer or curser and be 
 bound with sureties to the good behaviour during 
 three years; in default of payment of the fine the 
 offender to be set in the stocks for three or six 
 hours according to the frequency or infrequency 
 of previous convictions. 
 
 In 1656 another Act was passed for the obser- 
 vance of the Lord's Day, which was required to be 
 read in all churches on the first Lord's Day in 
 March yearly, immediately before the morning 
 sermon, which for the stringency of its provi- 
 sions forms a striking contrast to the laxity of 
 conduct permitted, and even enjoined by the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 275 
 
 " Book of Sports" above mentioned, so recently 
 issued by James I. in 1618, and republished by 
 his son and successor, Charles, in 1633. It directs 
 all goods cried or put O' sale on the Lord's Day 
 or other days of humiliation or thanksgiving to 
 be seized ; travellers, waggoners &c. not observ- 
 ing the days to forfeit IDS. ; any writ, warrant 
 &c., executed on those days to be of no effect, and 
 the persons so offending to forfeit ^"5. No per- 
 son to use or travel with boat, horse, coach or 
 sedan except to Church upon pain of ios. All 
 persons which on those days shall be in a tavern, 
 alehouse, tobacco-house (unless he lodge there) 
 to forfeit i os. ; all persons dancing or profanely 
 singing to forfeit ios. ; and where no distress can 
 be made on the goods of the offenders owing to 
 their poverty, the offender to sit in the stocks for 
 six hours. 
 
 MEN, MAIDS AND MATRONS THEIR MANNERS 
 AND THEIR WAYS. 
 
 The manners of the people are generally rude 
 but kind and hospitable, their accent broad and 
 language uncouth (but fast improving), ungram- 
 matical (bad grammar is often excusable, but bad 
 manners never). They take great pains to pry 
 into one another's business, and often succeed in 
 fishing pretty near to the bottom of one another's 
 outward circumstances. Whilst the citizen is 
 every day cheated by his fellow-citizen, the 
 countryman is but rarely " done brown " by his 
 neighbour. In the southern part of the town- 
 ship their manners are more polished than in the 
 northern hilly district, but what they gain in 
 R 2
 
 276 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 politeness they lose in simplicity and sincerity, 
 indeed as a general rule the further we leave the 
 town the less duplicity we meet with. The men 
 are of active and industrious habits, strong of 
 limb, well-proportioned in body and of intelligent 
 minds, know few wants except in such cases of 
 agricultural depression as they are now labour- 
 ing under, may fairly be said to be a happy but 
 not a money-making people. They are very 
 poor politicians (which on the whole is perhaps 
 all the better), as evidenced by their carelessness 
 to have their names upon the Register of Voters, 
 whilst we see the townsman straining every 
 nerve to qualify himself to vote, the country- 
 man is often hard to prevail upon to claim the 
 vote he is entitled to. Many of the old farmers 
 are but indifferent scholars, but to their credit 
 be it recorded they generally evince a desire to 
 give their children as liberal an education as 
 their means and parish schools afford. 
 
 One peculiar characteristic of the young men 
 in this neighbourhood is their proneness to play 
 pranks upon one another, the lasses sometimes 
 lending a helping hand, this manifests a high and 
 lively flow of spirits and a singular genius of the 
 people. 
 
 Although some few of our matrons are so silly 
 as to make slaves of themselves to make a sort 
 of ladies of their daughters, and to such I would 
 apply the words of the poet : 
 
 " I tell thee, wife, I'll have our daughter bred 
 To book'ry, cook'ry, thimble, needle, thread ; 
 Make her expert and ready at her prayers, 
 That God may keep her from the devil's snares. 
 Teach her what's useful, how to shun deluding, 
 To roast, to toast, to boil and mix a pudding ;
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 277 
 
 To knit, to spin, to sew, to make or mend, 
 To scrub, to rub, to earn and not to spend." 
 
 Yet in general the young women are well trained 
 to the duties of house work, and make first-rate 
 house wives, and vie with each other in the art 
 of cheese making and in having tidy fire-sides. 
 Many of them can command a regiment of pots 
 and piggens and be ladies in company notwith- 
 standing : thafs the sort for me or any worthy 
 man to marry ! And if art would but spare them 
 pain (not to say sin) in attempting an improve- 
 ment by screwing themselves half off in the 
 middle, this district would produce female 
 figures rarely equalled and never surpassed. 
 
 PROFESSED RELIGION. . 
 
 There are four sects of professing Christians 
 in this township namely Protestant, Catholic, 
 Methodist, and Independent or Calvinist. 
 
 Between profession and possession, alas ! to 
 all appearance, how wide the gap. 
 
 Of the numerous splits amongst professing 
 Christians, the historian Baines says (and so far 
 I subscribe his creed) : " The different sections 
 of professing Christians serve by a wise ordina- 
 tion of providence to stimulate each others 
 exertions to the path of piety and benevolence. 
 Happily the spirit of the so-called religious perse- 
 cution which so much disgraced this country in 
 the 1 6th and I7th centuries (not of one party 
 only) has given place to an enlightened tolera- 
 tion, allowing every man to worship God ' under 
 his own vine and his own fig tree.' May we not 
 be so zealous for a name or a sect as to demon-
 
 278 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 strata by our most social conduct and unmis- 
 takable upright consistant lives, that 'we have 
 been with Jesus, and are partakers (by faith) of 
 His Divine nature, trusting entirely in His 
 atoning merits without the deeds of the law.' " 
 
 VALENTINE'S DAY. 
 
 The youngsters here keep up a silly, mis- 
 chievous and reprehensible custom of sending 
 (under fictitious names and in disguised hands) 
 ridiculous and indelicate letters to one another 
 annually, on about the I4th of February, where- 
 by ill will is often created by the wrong horse 
 being saddled. 
 
 JURY LIST. 
 
 On the Jury List for the Township of Goos- 
 nargh-with-Newsham there stands the extra- 
 ordinary number of 99 names ; a foolish law 
 qualifying (as an ordinary rule) every man under 
 60 years of age and assessed to the poor to the 
 amount of 20 per annum to serve on juries. 
 Surely some degree of intelligence is required, 
 and not a small amount of rating, the sole 
 standard of qualification, when so much is at 
 stake as the guilt or innocence of our fellow- 
 men, and especially where the most gifted abilities 
 are so often found wanting. 
 
 BULL BAITING, BEAR BAITING, AND COCK 
 FIGHTING. 
 
 Bull baiting, bear baiting and cock fighting, 
 three nice tripertite brothers, all lived here one
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 279 
 
 hundred years ago, the two first have long been 
 dead and buried and are almost forgotten ; and 
 the last is chased about from den to cave and is 
 dwindling out a miserable existence. 
 
 GOOSNARGH VILLAGE. 
 
 Goosnargh is a pretty little village, for im- 
 provements perhaps without a parallel, and 
 though but little it is a lively nook, for the num- 
 ber of visitors that pour into it, especially from 
 the town of Preston, is almost incredible; 
 and for two things (perhaps one is the 
 mother of the other), idle people and gossip, 
 I will back it against any village in Queen 
 Victoria's dominions. On a fine and clear day 
 the old church tower commands a pleasant and 
 extensive view of the country for many miles 
 round. Here may be had a bird's eye view of 
 the village, and truly to see it to advantage, 
 especially the neatly trimmed and tastefully laid 
 out pleasure grounds in front of the Hospital, it 
 must be from the top of the church tower; and 
 to those minds who can enjoy the vagaries of 
 frolicksome youth (and I envy not those who 
 cannot) the village school yard often affords an 
 amusing scene. In the immediate vicinity of the 
 Church, the map of the country truly delineated, 
 richly and naturally ornamented, shaded and 
 coloured unrolls before the observer's eye. And 
 to those who have a taste for the beauties of 
 nature, the well cultivated fields, the circuitous 
 roads, the variety of hill and dale, the old oak 
 and miniature park to the south of the Hospital 
 will each and all demand special attention.
 
 280 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Giving the eye a more extensive range, we see 
 dark woods not extensive but varied and numer- 
 ous, spires, church towers, squires' mansions, 
 the villages of Inglewhite and Longridge, the 
 tracks of winding brooks, substantial farm houses 
 and white-washed cottages, the happy indepen- 
 dent husbandman at his plough, his sythe or his 
 sickle, and all the variety of beautiful and varied 
 landscape. Giving the eye a still more extensive 
 scope, we see Preston with its many spires and 
 more tall chimnies and a dense cloud of health- 
 destroying effluvia hung over the heads. A dark 
 woody range marks out the course of the Ribble 
 from far above Preston, which becomes visible a 
 little below that town from whence it may be 
 traced till it falls into the Irish Channel. The 
 old Roman port, "the neb of the Nese" near 
 Freckleton, is also a prominent speck. Mellor 
 hill, Whittle hill, Hoghton tower, Pendle hill, 
 Parlick pike, Bleasdale fells and even the Welsh 
 hills may frequently be distinctly seen from off 
 Goosnargh church tower. The towers of several 
 Lord's Houses may also be seen Chipping, 
 Garstang, Longridge, Mellor, Kirkham, Brough- 
 ton, &c. 
 
 * * * * How beautiful they stand, 
 Those old grey churches of our ancient land. 
 
 The following lines not inaptly apply to Goos- 
 nargh village : 
 
 Oh ! could there in this world be found 
 Some little spot of happy ground 
 
 Without the village tattling ; 
 How doubly blest that spot would be, 
 Where all might dwell at liberty, 
 Free from the bitter misery 
 
 Of gossip's endless prattling.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 28 1 
 
 If such a spot were really known, 
 Dame Peace might claim it as her own, 
 And in it she might fix her throne 
 
 For ever and for ever : 
 There like a queen might reign and live, 
 While every one might soon forgive 
 The little slights they may receive, 
 
 And be offended never. 
 
 'Tis mischief makers that remove 
 
 Far from our hearths that warmth of love, 
 
 And leads us all to disapprove 
 
 What gives another pleasure : 
 Thev seem to take one's part, but when 
 They've heard our cares unthinking then 
 They soon retail them out again 
 
 Mix'd up with poisonous measure. 
 
 And then they've such a cunning way 
 Of telling ill meant tales, they say 
 Don't mention it I pray, 
 
 I would not tell another. 
 Straight to your neighbour then they go, 
 Narrating everything they know, 
 And break the peace of high and low, 
 
 Wife, husband, friend and brother. 
 
 Oh ! would this mischief making crew 
 Were all reduced to one or two, 
 And they were painted red or blue, 
 
 That every one might know them ; 
 Then would our villagers forget 
 To rage and quarrel, fume and fret, 
 And fall into an angry pet 
 
 With things so much below them. 
 
 For 'tis a sad degrading part 
 To make another's bosom smart, 
 And plant a dagger in the heart 
 
 VVe ought to love and cherish. 
 Then let us evermore be found 
 In quietness with all around, 
 While friendship, joy and peace are found, 
 
 And angry feelings perish !
 
 282 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 FOOTINGS. 
 
 A very bad custom prevails here especially 
 amongst trades people of "footing" new begin- 
 ners; a custom which when taken with its hand- 
 maid "rearings," has been the stepping stone to 
 ruin of many a promising young man. It was 
 formerly the custom to "foot" all the church 
 vestry men on their being elected members, the 
 new officer paying 5s., which being added to a 
 "tuit" amongst the old 'uns (the amount of 
 course) being spent in liquor, signed and sealed 
 the enrollment to office. "Footings" under all 
 circumstances are bad enough, but when con- 
 nected with Church affairs most monstrously so. 
 
 HEARINGS. 
 
 The " rearing " of a building is generally under- 
 stood to mean the placing of the main timbers of 
 the roof in position, and on that occasion the 
 workmen have a regular " spree." Sir John 
 really has been a great man, a few years ago 
 scarcely anything sacred or profane could b 
 managed without his aid, and many a worthy 
 matron has blushed to be compelled to say when 
 the bottle was empty, "I have nothing in the 
 house," but it is pleasing to see that a somewhat 
 different tone has been given to those matters 
 during the last fifty years. 
 
 TRADE. 
 
 There is very little trade here, agriculture as 
 before observed being the chief occupation, but 
 previous to the invention and introduction of
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 283 
 
 steam-power into the woollen manufactories 
 which took place in our neighbouring town of 
 Preston about the year 1777, considerable trade 
 was carried on in both the departments of spin- 
 ning* and weaving cotton and woollen cloths. 
 At present there are about two families in this 
 township employed in cotton hand-loom weav- 
 ing, and this craft is a very poor business. Very 
 little more is given for cloth manufactured by 
 the hand than that which is produced by steam- 
 power. The woollen manufactory, except a very 
 little for home consumption, has entirely left this 
 district. 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 Some 40 years ago the following was a very 
 fair picture, and in some respects its features have 
 improved ; but alas ! how age has told upon 
 others. 
 
 There are but few country townships so well 
 endowed with schools as Goosnargh, but it is to 
 be regretted that the salaries of all the masters 
 are so very small that first-rate scholars cannot 
 be obtained ; of course they will go where they 
 can be better paid, notwithstanding many of the 
 children get a plain and useful education ; and it 
 is a somewhat singular fact that the Township of 
 Gcosnargh has during the last seven years sent 
 more young men to the Chester Training College 
 than the Township of Preston ; and I believe 
 that children here are as well kept to the Sunday 
 schools of various denominations as the children 
 
 * Formerly as before stated no young woman was thought to be in a 
 position to marry until she had spun sufficient to furnish her household, 
 and hence in law all young women are termed spinsters.
 
 284 GOOSXARGH : 
 
 of any other district in England. Go on active 
 intelligent Sunday school teacher, though thy 
 power may seem small thou wieldest a long and 
 strong lever ; thy trials and thy difficulties may 
 be many, but if thou faint not thy reward shall 
 be sure. Sow in faith, teach salvation through 
 Christ alone and that word shall not return void. 
 
 COAL FIELDS. 
 
 It is the opinion of miners and others that 
 coal fields exist in this district, especially in the 
 neighbourhood of Inglewhite and Beaton Fell, 
 and sundry attempts have been made to explore 
 the beds of coal, but hitherto the efforts have 
 proved abortive. 
 
 FAIRIES AND BOGGARTS. 
 
 It does not appear that the fairy race has ever 
 been so numerous here as in some of the neigh- 
 bouring districts, our rocks and caves affording 
 but poor accommodation to such airy beings, and 
 the race is now extinct ; but according to tradi- 
 tion the boggarts have formerly had many a 
 favourite haunt here and played many a funny 
 prank, but many of them are either dead or 
 (perhaps not liking to reside in the neighbour- 
 hood of so many public schools) have emigrated 
 to other localities, but be that as it may, certain 
 it is they are now very rarely to be met with 
 scarcely one can be seen in a lifetime. 
 
 MORALS. 
 
 Morally speaking, at least so far as thieving is 
 concerned, I think we are more righteous than
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 285 
 
 some of our neighbours, for though as before 
 observed we have two active constables stationed 
 in the township, yet they can rarely find a job, 
 and were it not for drink their occupation would 
 be all but gone. 
 
 SHROVE - TUESDAY. 
 
 On Shrove-Tuesday (the first day before Lent) 
 a peculiar kind of pancake is made at nearly every 
 house in the township, to which neigh bouts 
 treat each other, it being a general and real 
 feast before a fictitious fast, and it is the greatest 
 neighbour-seeing day in the year, and many are 
 the kind compliments exchanged and much the 
 well-merited praise bestowed on the good house- 
 wive's cookery, in which there is no little emula- 
 tion. The children go from house to house and 
 are treated with ginger-bread, toffies and other 
 sweet meats. This year we had 126 children 
 here asking for sweets. 
 
 PACE-EGGING OR PEACE-EGGING. 
 
 Peace-egging week is the last week in Lent 
 and the first before Easter. Peace-egging is a 
 well-meant and very ancient custom, but appears 
 to have nearly lost its original signification. It 
 is only kept up in this district by a few of the 
 poorest old people and children who go from 
 house to house asking rather an alms-egg than a 
 peace-egg ; and occasionally young men go from 
 house to house in groups of about five or six, 
 dressed in various fantastic garbs, wearing masks, 
 singing, dancing an 1 capering. They have a
 
 286 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 soldier, a sailor, a lady and old "toss-pot" with 
 a basket for the eggs a foolish custom happily 
 on the wane. Its origin was this : Before the 
 invention of letters, signs were conveyed by em- 
 blems or figures called hieroglyphics, as for in- 
 stance the dove or figure of the dove was the 
 emblem of love ; the serpent of hatred ; the egg 
 of peace &c. And as Christ's mission on earth 
 was purely a misson of peace, a reconciling the 
 creature to the Creator by faith in that said 
 Jesus, and the anniversary of his resurrection being 
 celebrated at Easter, the giving and receiving of 
 an egg was anciently in memory of the said 
 mission of peace, and also a token of being at 
 peace with one another ! Many a worse custom 
 has been better kept up. 
 
 Another version of Easter Pasque, or Peace- 
 egging is that the universal custom of giving 
 pasque or peace-eggs is to be traced up to the 
 theology and philosophy of the Egyptians. The 
 Christians, says Hutchinson in his History of 
 Northumberland, have certainly used it on this 
 day as retaining the elements of future life for 
 an emblem of the resurrection. It seems as if 
 this egg was thus decorated for a religious trophy 
 after the days of mortification and abstinence 
 were over, and festivity had taken place, and as 
 an emblem of the resurrection of life certified to 
 us by the resurrection from the regions of death 
 and the grave. 
 
 The Persians, on the festival of the solar new 
 year, which lasts several days, present each other 
 with coloured eggs. This period is looked on as 
 the triumph of Nature the renewal of her 
 bounties as Easter by the Christians for the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 287 
 
 triumph of our Saviour over death. The Russians 
 too go from house to house presenting eggs and 
 saying " Christ is risen." They are not content 
 however with eggs alone but spiritualise the 
 tradition by large draughts of undiluted brandy. 
 
 Another version is Pasch, the old term for 
 the festival of Easter, when the Church com- 
 memorates not the coming of our Lord for that 
 is commemorated at Christmas but the resur- 
 rection of the Lord from the dead. In many 
 parts of the world the Christians salute one 
 another on this day with the words " Jesus 
 Christ is risen from the dead," to which the per- 
 son accosted answers " He is risen indeed." And 
 friends present each other with eggs stained with 
 various colours as a sort of emblem of the resur- 
 rection. 
 
 Other emblems are the serpent with its tail in 
 its mouth like a ring the emblem of eternity ; 
 the dove the emblem of God the Holy Spirit. 
 
 MAY BOUGH NIGHT. 
 
 On the night of May-eve young men play at a 
 sort of hieroglyphic branch game, by planting 
 significant boughs, &c., about their neighbours 
 houses. 
 
 A wicking, signifying my dear chicking ; 
 
 A plum tree in bloom, to be married and soon ; 
 
 A briar, for a liar, &c. 
 
 The May bough planting is a small remnant 
 of the ancient and famous May games. 
 
 APRIL NODDY DAY. 
 
 The young and gay (I had like to have said 
 silly) portion of the community here keep up the
 
 288 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 ancient custom of Noddy-making on the first day 
 of April, which practice it is said took its rise 
 from the rape of the Sabine virgins, 750 years 
 before Christ, of which history records : 
 " Romulus, the founder of the city of Rome, 
 having called a number of loose persons together, 
 all males, he procured wives for them, by inviting 
 the neighbouring tribe called Sabines to a 
 religious festival, and there directing the men to 
 seize upon the women and violate their persons." 
 This created a war, which ended in the two 
 nations being incorporated in one. 
 
 STANDISH SCHOOL RENTS. 
 
 The Usher of Standish School claims upon 
 the undermentioned estates in Goosnargh as 
 follows : 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Colburn Castle oil 6 
 
 Golden Tanners o 6 o 
 
 Sagers o 3 6 
 
 Westfield i o o 
 
 Blake Hall 076 
 
 Higher & Lower Trotter Hills 260 
 
 Coopers or Scotch Green ... o 8 o 
 
 Lickhurst on o 
 
 Snape Rake 6 6 6 
 
 COUNTY VOTERS LIST. 
 
 The Goosnargh -with- Newsham voters' list 
 contains 198 names. Every male householder, 
 not being a pauper, has a claim to vote.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 289 
 
 WASTE LANDS. 
 
 Usually waste lands are claimed by the lord of 
 the manor, but it does not appear that the lords 
 of Goosnargh ever put their paws upon them ; 
 but in their stead the overseers acted the lord 
 and put in their claim for all the " wastes," and 
 such was the high hand with which parish affairs 
 were formerly carried, and such the laxity of the 
 real owners of the " wastes " that the said over- 
 seers were for many years permitted to make 
 regular sales thereof; and many of the plots which 
 were sold by the overseers have now (through 
 their having been in the peaceable possession of 
 the person who purchased them 12 years, except 
 in case of charity land, which is 60), become per- 
 manent property. 
 
 Regular entries appear to have been kept in 
 the town's books of the sale of the said land, 
 from which I extract the following : 
 
 s. D. 
 
 "Feby 2nd, 1802. Mr. Sidgreaves ... 23 3 10 
 "May I4th, 1810. Chr. Oliverson for 
 " his encroachment at home, and 
 " another at Westfield Bridge, paid 
 " towards Matthew Miller's Bond off, 
 " respecting money hired for the use 
 
 " of the Workhouse 10 o o 
 
 "April nth, 1811. Mr. Thomas pays a Bottle 
 " of Gin in lieu of some small encroachment 
 " made at the east end of his house, which was 
 " thought by the Committee then present to be 
 " a full compensation for the same. 
 "January 6th, 1815. John Standen for a parcel 
 " of land on both sides of Cookson's guide post : 
 u price a good song." 
 s
 
 290 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The total amount of cash (exclusive of gin, 
 good songs, &c.), realized by the sale of those 
 lands appears to be ^127 8s. lod. 
 
 The first record of the sales of those waste 
 lands bears date the 22nd day of January, 1801 ; 
 and the last, January 5th, 1816. 
 
 The last mentioned plot of ground was staked 
 out for being enclosed, and no doubt Mr. Standen 
 would sing the "good song," for his vocal powers 
 were of first-rate order ; but notwithstanding, the 
 bargain fell to the ground, and the said waste 
 was afterwards purchased for 53., by Mr. Richard 
 Woods, the owner. 
 
 MOLES, AND MOLE CATCHING. 
 
 About seventy years ago this township was 
 overrun with moles ; but on the I3th of February, 
 1813, the overseers and principal land owners 
 and occupiers contracted with Jonathan Newton, 
 of Golgate, to destroy all the moles for the con- 
 sideration of \^> 73. od. a year, for the term of 
 2 1 years ; and although Mr. Newton had many 
 men at work during two or three of the first 
 years of the term, yet contrary to expectation 
 the vermin were very soon exterpated, and the 
 bargain a good one. The agreement was as 
 follows. 
 
 Articles of Agreement, 
 
 had made concluded and fully agreed upon this 
 twentieth day of February, in the year of our 
 Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, 
 between James Raby, Christopher Oliverson, and 
 James Isherwood, Overseers of the Poor of the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 29! 
 
 Township of Goosnargh, in the County of Lan- 
 caster, of the first part; the several persons, 
 whose hands are hereunto set and subscribed, 
 being landowners or renters of land or tenements, 
 and taxpayers, within Goosnargh aforesaid, of 
 the second part ; and Jonathan Newton, of 
 Golgate, in the said County, mole catcher, of the 
 third part. Whereas, the said overseers have 
 lately agreed with the said Jonathan Newton, 
 with the consent and approbation of the several 
 persons mentioned to be of the second part 
 of these presents, for him the said Jonathan 
 Newton, to kill, take and destroy the moles 
 within the said Township of Goosnargh for 
 the term of twenty-one years, upon receiving 
 such sum of money in such manner as is 
 hereinafter mentioned. Now these presents 
 witness, and the said Jonathan Newton doth 
 hereby for himself, his heirs, executors and ad- 
 ministrators agree with the said overseers and 
 their successors, overseers of Goosnargh aforesaid 
 for the time being, that he the said Jonathan 
 Newton, his heirs, executors and administrators, 
 shall and will for the consideration hereinafter 
 mentioned, kill take and destroy yearly and every 
 year from the first day of October next, for the 
 term of twenty-one years, at all proper seasons 
 and times in each year, the vermin called moles, 
 in the whole lands within the Township of Goos- 
 nargh aforesaid, in such manner as shall be 
 satisfactory to a majority of the persons men- 
 tioned to be of the second part of these presents ; 
 and that he will in the first year of the said term 
 employ four men at least for that purpose. And 
 the said overseers for themselves and their suc- 
 
 S 2
 
 292 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 ccssors do hereby agree with the consent and 
 approbation of the said several persons mentioned 
 to be of the second part of these presents, testi- 
 fied by their signing the same, that they will 
 pay unto the said Jonathan Newton, his execu- 
 tors and administrators, upon his killing and 
 destroying the said vermin called moles to the 
 satisfaction of the said persons mentioned to be 
 of the second part of these presents, or of a 
 majority of them, but not otherwise, the annual 
 sum of eighteen pounds seven shillings, for and 
 during the said term of twenty-one years, by two 
 equal payments in each year, the first payment 
 to be made upon the twenty-fourth day of De- 
 cember next, and the second and every succeeding 
 payment upon the twenty-fourth day of June in 
 each year. And it is hereby agreed that no 
 money shall be paid unto the said Jonathan 
 Newton unless he shall perform the said agree- 
 ment to the satisfaction of the said persons of 
 the second part of these presents as aforesaid. 
 And it is hereby agreed between and by the said 
 overseers and the several persons of the second 
 part of these presents that it shall and may be 
 lawful to and for the said overseers and their 
 successors to levy, collect and raise the monies 
 required for the purpose aforesaid in such manner 
 and in such proportions as the poor rates within 
 the said Township of Goosnargh are levied, col- 
 lected and raised, and to pay the same money 
 thereout accordingly. In witness whereof the 
 said parties have hereunto set their hands the 
 day and year first before written.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 293 
 
 Jonathan Newton. Mattw. Miller. 
 
 James Raby. Robert Miller. 
 
 James Isherwood. John Arrowsmith. 
 
 Chrisr. Oliverson. John Fisher. 
 
 James Blanchard Thos. Hornby. 
 
 (Trustee of). James Parkinson. 
 
 James Sidgreaves(decd.) Edwd. Parkinson. 
 
 James Blanchard. James Pettyfer. 
 
 Willtn. Cross. Richd. Taylor. 
 
 Richd. Eccles. John Eccles. 
 
 Richd. Miller. 
 Of course Mr. Newton's term expired in the 
 spring of the year 1834, anc ^ at ^ ts expiration 
 scarcely a mole hill could be seen in the district, 
 but in a few years afterwards it was found that 
 the moles were again making their way into the 
 township especially on the northern boundary, 
 and in consequence it was thought advisable to 
 put a timely check upon them. Therefore the 
 overseers and others of the township entered into 
 a verbal agreement with another mole catcher to 
 keep Goosnargh free from moles for another 
 term of 21 years, the consideration money being 
 ^~5 per annum ; this was thought at the time by 
 the townsmen to be a very moderate sum for the 
 duties required, but not so it appeal s by those 
 in the trade, for in a few years after the agree- 
 ment was made the job was underlet to another 
 mole catcher for the yearly stipend of 2 los. 
 This coming to the knowledge of the ratepayers, 
 coupled with the fact of the inattention of the 
 sub-contractor, some squabbling ensued which 
 led, in the year 1849, to tne suspension of the 
 mole catcher's salary. The moles have again 
 already become very numerous in the higher
 
 294 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 division of the township, and long and loud are 
 the complaints of the farmers against them ; but 
 making them to the worst they are not so objec- 
 tionable now when pipe tile draining is in vogue 
 as they were when sod drains were the order of 
 the day. 
 
 RURAL POLICE. 
 
 We have a policeman stationed at Goosriargh 
 and another at Inglewhite, and though it is but 
 seldom they can get up a case it must be admit- 
 ted they conduce to better government of the 
 district. " Prevention is better than cure." 
 
 CROSSES OR CROSS STONES. 
 
 We have the remains of several upright crosses 
 in this township called "cross stones," all being 
 placed near to some public road or path. The 
 corpses of the Roman Catholics are rested at 
 those stones on their way to interment, and those 
 funeral attendants who are of that persuasion 
 kneel down and offer up a short prayer for the 
 repose of the soul of the departed individual 
 whose body they are conveying to the grave. 
 There was formerly one of those ancient cross 
 pedestals in Whitechapel yard (now properly the 
 Church of Whitechapel), but the Rev. Richard 
 Wilkinson, late minister there, of anti-Romanistic 
 notoriety, in his frenzied hostility to the Roman 
 Catholics, caused it to be broken up and re- 
 moved. He also with his own hands partially 
 demolished one of those ancient relics which 
 stood in the "Pointer field'' of Beesley estate,
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2 95 
 
 the stump which yet bears the marks of his fury 
 may be seen near Beesley four lane ends ; and 
 I being at the time a little boy and unconscious 
 of the outrage he was about to commit, most 
 willingly furnished him with a large stone ham- 
 mer. How silly, to say the least of it, to vent 
 indignation upon an unoffending stone. I may 
 here also remark that a few years ago a band of 
 ruffianly fellows under cover of night demolished 
 one of those ancient cross stones which had for 
 ages stood at the top of Church bank meadow. 
 The first step was to roll it into a deep ditch 
 hard by the spot where it long had stood, where 
 it remained for a few weeks ; not yet satisfied 
 they again attacked it and broke it to pieces, and 
 the broken parts were again hashed up and used 
 for road materials. 
 
 Whilst we justly denounce as idolatrous the 
 adoration of images and the bowing to crosses, 
 we should not forget that we may fall into errors 
 on the right hand as well as on the left. Who 
 paints the cross on the ass's back ? 
 
 These crosses were erected in different parts of 
 England from the time of Edward I., who reigned 
 from A.D. 1272 to A.D. 1307, to that of Mary, 
 from 1553 to 1558, and on this head R. and W. 
 Chambers in their information for the people 
 remark : 
 
 The influencing of the devotional feelings is 
 said to be the object aimed at by the various out- 
 ward insignia, the Church holding it to be of equal 
 consequence whether the heart is touched and 
 feelings of piety and veneration are excited by the 
 exhibition of a crucifix or the preaching of a 
 sermon. But in this our day far too much is
 
 296 GOOfNARGH : 
 
 made of the material cross, for when the apostle 
 speaks of glorying in the cross of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, he evidently means in the atonement 
 made by his shameful death. (Gal. 6c. I4v). 
 
 OLD HALLS AND OTHER ANCIENT BUILDINGS. 
 
 As has been before remarked Goosnargh has not 
 many very ancient buildings to boast, and unfor- 
 tunately many of the old halls bear no inscrip- 
 tion and of their erection few records exist. 
 
 Middleton Old Hall is without doubt the most 
 ancient hall in Goosnargh, and for antiquity 
 will even take preference of the Church itself, 
 for it has been before stated its owner and occu- 
 pier was the founder of a chantry here in 1508, it 
 was built by a branch of the Singleton family it 
 is believed about the beginning of the i4th 
 century, and what is most singular the property 
 has remained in the same family down to the 
 present time, being at present the property of 
 Townley Rigby Knowles Esq. of Fishwick and 
 Gan Basses, in France, the family name having 
 only changed thrice during the period of upwards 
 of 400 years, namely from Singleton to Rigby, and 
 from Rigby to Shawe, and from Shawe to 
 Knowles. In the time of the Rigbys it is said 
 Middleton Hall estate was enclosed and deer 
 stalked about in the Park. 
 
 Inglewhite Lodge, which was till lately the 
 residence of the oldest living branch of the Sid- 
 greaves family for upwards of two centuries, 
 bears the following inscription: "IS 1636. C.S. 
 1679. A root of the Sidgreaves family held 
 lands in Fee, 22 Edward I. (1294) as appears 
 from escheats of that date.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 2g7 
 
 Bulsnape Hall is doubtless one of the most 
 ancient buildings in the township. In the deeds 
 of the property which belongs to the representa- 
 tives of the late George Hargreaves of Leyland, 
 it is called "The Manor House or reputed manor 
 house of Goosnargh," and a short time ago the 
 remains of a moat could be traced round the old 
 hall, but the levelling farmer who formerly 
 occupied the premises nearly obliterated every 
 vestige of it, 
 
 Whinney Clough Barn is a specimen of archi- 
 tectural work not excelled, if equalled, by any 
 building of the kind, ancient or modern, in the 
 neighbourhood ; it bears the inscription and 
 
 date R. " A., 1639, and bids fair to outlast the 
 best built barn in the township. 
 
 Goosnargh Mill House bears date 1722, and 
 from some remains of old walls which were dug 
 up a few years ago, it is not improbable that a 
 more ancient mill formerly stood at the higher 
 side of the road. Goosnargh Mill was formerly 
 supplied by water from a dam at the higher side 
 of Dam Plat and also from the Horn's Dam. 
 
 Latus or Longley Hall, in Longley Tithery. 
 
 Blake Hall (formerly the residence of the 
 Midgalls) contains an ancient oak family dining 
 table, dated 1630, and is fit to grace the hall of 
 Buckingham Palace. 
 
 Church House, dated 1589. 
 
 Ashes was formerly the residence of ThrelfallL 
 the tithing man from whom the tithery had its 
 name, and who it is said took an active part in 
 the Scotch rebellion of 1745, and as a very just\ 
 reward forfeited both his head and his property." 
 
 White Hill and White Lee are also both 
 ancient family residences.
 
 298 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 COUNTY BRIDGES. 
 
 Goosnargh has two county bridges, namely 
 Westfield and Silk Mill, which are repaired by the 
 High Constable of the district and the expenses 
 defrayed out of the county rates. 
 
 CORONERSHIP. 
 
 Coroners have legal jurisdiction throughout 
 the respective counties for which they hold office, 
 yet custom and courtesy assign to each officer a 
 certain locality, and by which Goosnargh-with- 
 Newsham is in the Preston District. Fortu- 
 nately inquests are of rare occurrence here, on an 
 average, not more I should say than one in a 
 year. 
 
 TEANLY NIGHT. 
 
 On the eve of All Saints some of the Roman 
 Catholics have an ancient custom of lighting up 
 fires near to their houses, and I have often been 
 told the reason of this, but the idea seems so pre- 
 posterous I will make no comment upon the 
 practice, but leave it to speak for itself. 
 
 GOOSNARGH SUNDAY SCHOOL. 
 
 There is a Sunday School connected with 
 Goosnargh Church, which was established by the 
 Rev. Robinson Shuttleworth Barton, in the year 
 1816. The following is the notice which was 
 issued at its commencement.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 299 
 
 My dear Parishioners, 
 
 It is my intention on Sunday next to attend 
 the Free Grammar School of this Chapelry 
 for the purpose of giving instruction to 
 your children, and in which I am to be 
 kindly assisted by some of our good 
 neighbours. 
 
 The school will be open from nine 
 o'clock in the morning until church- 
 time, and from a quarter before two in the 
 afternoon until half-past three, at which 
 time we shall go again to Church. 
 
 Your children will be taught free of any 
 expense to you ; and I earnestly entreat 
 such of you as are desirous of showing 
 your regard for religion, and of having 
 your children brought up in habits of in- 
 dustry, and in the knowledge and fear of 
 God, not to neglect this opportunity of 
 having them instructed. 
 
 All that I can further request of you is 
 that you will send the children as clean as 
 you can. 
 
 I am, your affectionate Friend, 
 R. S. BARTON, 
 
 Minister of Goosnargh. 
 
 All who choose to avail themselves of the privi- 
 leges of the said School are on application ad- 
 mitted, and are taught free of expense, the 
 necessary charges for books, &c., being all 
 defrayed by subscription. In 1852 there were 
 122 scholars on the books, and about 90 in
 
 300 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 regular attendance, being double the number in 
 attendance 20 years ago. In former years teachers 
 have been paid for assisting in this School, but 
 the present teachers 10 in number perform 
 their services gratuitously, as always ought to 
 have been the case. Writing and arithmetic 
 have both been taught in Goosnargh Sunday 
 School ; but such branches of education are not 
 in accordance with the sacredness of the day, and 
 were very properly discontinued to be taught in 
 the year 18381. 
 
 One of the Sunday School teachers (John 
 Farnworth of Whittingham), was never absent 
 from the School either morning or afternoon 
 (as scholar and teacher), for the long period of 
 15 years. He was a drainer by trade, and on 
 some occasions has walked from Bolton on a 
 Saturday night, from his work, to his residence 
 at Whittingham, on purpose to meet his class 
 the following Sunday morning. Alas ! Alas ! ! 
 How stands the matter now ? What less can 
 I say than Ichabod ? 
 
 A banquet was formerly given to the teachers 
 and scholars annually, about the 2ist June the 
 anniversary of the Queen's coronation which was 
 most respectfully attended. Its gatherings con- 
 sisted of most of the Church members in the 
 district ; and best of all yes, better than all 
 the ladies came smilingly up, and strove which 
 of them could make themselves the most agree- 
 able and the most useful. The number of Sunday 
 School scholars that attended this banquet in 1854 
 was 130. The expenses of the banquet are 
 defrayed by subscription, and the last year's bill 
 of fare stood thus :
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 30 I 
 
 S. D. I 
 
 Expenses of the band I 7 4 
 
 Groceries, buns, &c 3 17 5 
 
 Books o i 9 
 
 ^5 6 6 
 
 GOOSNARGH SCHOOL LENDING LIBRARY. 
 
 There is a room over Goosnargh girls' school 
 set apart for a Library, which has been furnished 
 by the late Richard Oliverson, Esq., with about 
 700 volumes. The Library was opened on the 
 1 2th day of September, 1841, and the following 
 are the 
 
 Rules. 
 
 1. Any of the Inhabitants of the Townships of 
 Goosnargh and Whittingham shall be entitled 
 to receive the Books of the Library on payment 
 of 3d. per quarter, payable in advance ; those 
 who have children at the Sunday School, 2d. 
 per quarter; and the Sunday school teachers 
 free. 
 
 2. The time allowed for reading a book is four 
 weeks, and a fine of id. per week will be exacted 
 for every week that a book is kept beyond the 
 time allowed. 
 
 3. No book to be transferred from one family 
 to another, under a fine of id. for each offence. 
 
 4. Any member injuring or losing a book 
 must replace the same, or be excluded from the 
 privilege of the Library. 
 
 6. The time for delivering and receiving the 
 books is every Sunday evening, immediately 
 after Divine service.
 
 3O2 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 N.B. Catalogues of the Books may be had at 
 the Library at 2d. each. 
 
 Goosnargh, July 27th, 1841. 
 
 At present there are only 25 readers ; and to 
 show how little this great privilege is appreciated 
 out of the great number of people at Goosnargh 
 Hospital, young and old, employed and unem- 
 ployed, we have only one reader, and that one a 
 little boy ! 
 
 Such was the poor account of the Library in 
 1852. But alas ! What now? No librarian, 
 and of course no readers ! Oh, sad ; how very 
 sad ! 
 
 CLOTHING CLUBS. 
 
 In the year 1841 Clothing Clubs were estab- 
 lished in connection with Goosnargh Church and 
 Goosnargh Sunday Schools. 
 
 The following were the Rules of the Congre- 
 gation Club : 
 
 1. That no person be admitted as a member 
 who is not a householder and resident within 
 the Chapelry of Goosnargh. 
 
 2. That no person be admitted as a member 
 who keeps more than one milch cow ; the Sunday 
 school teachers excepted. 
 
 3. All subscriptions must be paid by the mem- 
 bers, and not sent by other persons, except in 
 case of sickness. 
 
 4. No person shall be allowed to subscribe less 
 than a penny or more than 4d. weekly. 
 
 5. In the month of December twopence will 
 be added to every shilling subscribed ; so that a 
 person subscribing fourpence weekly through the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 303 
 
 year (that is 17/4 in the year) will be entitled to 
 receive 2/1 1 in addition to the money subscribed. 
 
 6. The money subscribed, together with the 
 addition above named, must be laid out in clothes 
 or bedding. 
 
 7. Subscriptions will be received in the Church 
 every Sunday afternoon, immediately after service. 
 
 8. Every subscriber will receive a check ticket, 
 on which his or her subscription shall be entered 
 at the time of payment. 
 
 9. If payment be omitted by any person for 
 four weeks in succession no further subscription 
 will be received, but the money already subscribed 
 will be returned without addition. 
 
 The following is a list of the amount of contri- 
 butions and premiums from the commencement 
 of the said Congregation Club from 1841 to 1852 
 inclusive : 
 
 YEAR. CONTRIBUTIONS. PREMIUMS. 
 
 s. D. s. D. 
 
 1841 653 i o 8| 
 
 1842 21 II O 3 12 2 
 
 1843 10 16 4 i 16 o 
 
 1844 21 10 8 323 
 
 1845 19 14 o 3 5 10 
 
 1846 17 2 8 2 17 5 
 
 1847 10 7 o i 14 10 
 
 1848 13 19 5 269 
 
 1849 9 IO 9 i 12 i 
 
 1850 16 6 6 249 
 
 1851 17 o 8 2 17 3 
 
 1852 15 6 o 2 ii 5 
 
 Defunct for want of patrons. Oh, what cool- 
 ness, what apathy has come over this rural 
 nook in my short day !
 
 304 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Rules of Goosnargh Sunday Schools 
 Clothing Club. 
 
 1. The subscription be one penny weekly for 
 each scholar. 
 
 2. That a premium of threepence in the shil- 
 ling be added from the school fund to the money 
 so subscribed. Thus, suppose a family of three 
 children have deposited during the year 125., to 
 this sum 35. will be added, making 153. instead 
 of I2s., and so in proportion for a greater or less 
 sum. 
 
 3. The money to be laid outsat the end of the 
 year in such articles of clothing as the contribu- 
 tors shall require. 
 
 4. The subscriptions to be collected in the 
 school rooms every Sunday afternoon from those 
 scholars only who answer to their names both 
 morning and afternoon when the rolls are called 
 over. 
 
 5. Any child leaving the school before the end 
 of the year shall (without premium) receive back 
 the whole of the money deposited by him or her 
 up to the time of leaving. 
 
 N.B. No child need enter the club unless he 
 pleases. 
 
 Goosnargh, April yth, 1841. 
 
 A penny saved is a penny gained. 
 
 The following is a list of gatherings and 
 amount of premiums of the said Sunday schools 
 club, from 1841 to 1855 inclusive.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 305 
 
 YEAR. CONTRIBUTIONS. PREMIUMS. 
 
 s. D. s. D. 
 
 1841 10 18 8 2 13 8 
 
 1842 19 ii 9 4 15 5 
 
 1843 21 4 10 5 3 i 
 
 1844 19 7 4 4 13 8 
 
 1845 16 4 5 3 19 8 
 
 1846 16 14 ii 408 
 
 1847 14 16 7 3 12 9 
 
 1848 14 8 8 3 ii i 
 
 1849 16 17 6 405 
 
 1850 18 o 8 4 8 ii 
 
 1851 17 7 ii 456 
 
 1852 14 16 6 3 12 9 
 
 1853 ii 6 4 2 16 7^ 
 
 1855 H53 2 15 6 
 
 This was a good institution, but was starved 
 to death for want of attendance. 
 
 MANUFACTURE OF COTTON CLOTH, &C. 
 
 At present there is only about one family em- 
 ployed in hand loom weaving. 
 
 It is uncertain when the manufactory of cotton 
 cloth by hand labour was first introduced here ; 
 about 80 years ago it was common and a 
 flourishing business. 
 
 The linen wheel and distaff, the spinningjenny 
 and the worsted wheel were formerly all 
 very common here, but the two former have 
 entirely gone out of use and the latter is rarely 
 to be seen at work. 
 
 The Weavers Company in London is the 
 oldest in that city. Linens were first made in 
 T
 
 306 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 England by Flemish weavers in 1253, before that 
 time woollen shirts were worn. Staining or 
 printing on linen was first known here in 1579 
 and on calicoes in 1676. 
 
 DEEDS AND SECURITIES OF THE VARIOUS 
 PUBLIC CHARITIES. 
 
 Many of the deeds and securities of the various 
 public charities of Goosnargh-with-Newsham are 
 scattered "here and there and everywhere." 
 Those documents ought to be collected and 
 lodged in the township's safe. 
 
 PEAT OR MOSS. 
 
 There have formerly been several mosses in 
 this township where peat has been cut, but in 
 most cases it is all used up, namely, Kidsnape 
 moss, Eccles moss, and Westfield moss ; a few 
 peats were last dug on Beaton fell, but they were 
 of very inferior quality. The vulgar and very 
 common, but very erroneous notion is that those 
 mosses are the wreck of Noah's flood, whereas 
 they are simply the remains of decayed vege- 
 table matter which has chiefly been produced on 
 the spot. 
 
 STONE QUARRIES, &C. 
 
 There are two or three small stone quarries in 
 the neighbourhood of Beaton fell, where tolerable 
 good building and draining stones are procured. 
 Black rock is found not far from the surface over 
 a considerable portion of the middle district of 
 Goosnargh, and there it is the opinion of miners
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 307 
 
 that coal exists, and several attempts have been 
 made to "bore and sink" for that useful article, 
 but these undertakings have always been given 
 up. Blocks of stone of considerable size are 
 found embedded in the soil and clay ; these 
 stones are chiefly granite, old red sand stone 
 (various) and lime stone, though no rocks of the 
 two former kinds are found in this township ; 
 these stones are nearly all rounded by attrition, 
 and must have been transported from a very 
 great distance, probably from Wales on the one 
 side and Scotland on the other. 
 
 BOOKS AND READERS. 
 
 It is with great regret that I record that the 
 inhabitants of this district possess but a poor 
 stock of books, and are not a reading people. 
 The Bible has found its way I believe into a 
 majority of houses, would it were more regularly 
 perused. Many know something more or less of 
 that second best book in the world the Pilgrim's 
 Progress ; and that old book misnamed " The 
 Whole Duty of Man" is frequently to be met 
 with. Tracts are much more commonly dis- 
 tributed than formerly, and are pretty well 
 received, generally read, and have a good effect, 
 Bishop Ryle's especially. What improves the 
 reasoning faculties and elevates the mind so 
 much as reading and studying religious, moral, 
 historical, mathematical and scientific books ? 
 
 ODD SCRAPS. 
 
 Poor rates levied in Goosnargh year ended 
 March 25th, 1865 : 
 T 2
 
 308 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 S. D. 
 
 April I2th ... i 3 
 
 August 2nd i o 
 
 August 24th i 2 
 
 December nth o 8 
 
 January 23rd i 3 
 
 5 4 
 
 Cattle plague (Rinderpest) raged here 1480, 
 1715, 1745, 1750, 1865, 1866 and 1869. 
 
 No. of cattle in Goosnargh-with-Newsham, 
 1866: 
 
 Milch cows 1074 
 
 Two years old 437 
 
 Under two years 937 
 
 Total 2448 
 
 Sheep 2373 
 
 Lambs 12 
 
 Pigs 3 11 
 
 When the writer was a boy there were only 
 about two spring conveyances kept in Goosnargh, 
 only two men with the prefix of Mr. (Mr. Sid- 
 greaves and Mr. Wilkinson), and only about half 
 a dozen females dubbed by the name of " Miss," 
 and not one man that wore his beard. At the 
 same time a farmer could not ride on a board put 
 across a common cart without paying duty for 
 it. 
 
 RIDING THE STANG. 
 
 Riding the Stang was once common here, but 
 has given place to " chaffing," which appears to 
 be quite as effective. When a man was known
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 309 
 
 to be guilty of thrashing his wife, a man rode a 
 horse, seated with his face to the tail, through 
 the country ; and it was considered to be lawful 
 if performed through three townships, if less than 
 three the man had legal remedy on the plea of 
 defamation of character. 
 
 SECOND SIGHT. 
 
 Many well authenticated cases of " second 
 sight " have occurred here : Seeing people in 
 one place when at the same time they are in 
 another. Sensational phenomenon yet to be 
 explained. 
 
 GIPSIES. 
 
 Gipsies are sometimes found " camping " here, 
 generally following the trades or occupations of 
 tinkers, potters, and fortune tellers (when they 
 can do it on the sly). The latter is often a profit- 
 able business ; the plant costs little ; and most 
 lasses are anxious to know who their husbands 
 are to be. 
 
 A noted instance of what incredible belief some 
 people have in the power of fortune tellers 
 occurred at my own door about 50 years ago. 
 My next door neighbour (no novice in public 
 business, which makes the case more remarkable), 
 got acquainted with a Gipsy woman who was 
 " camping " with her fellows near to Scotch 
 green, and she no doubt having picked up a good 
 smattering of his history, thereby so worked upon 
 him as to inspire in him a most absurd and in- 
 credible belief in her magical powers as to make
 
 3IO GOOSNARGH : 
 
 him believe (what is there so absurd that some 
 people will not believe) that there was a con- 
 siderable quantity of gold hid ( " in troubleous 
 times") somewhere about his house, and if he 
 would deposit thirty sovereigns in a certain 
 drawer in his parlour, this hidden treasure 
 would be charmed to them ; but mind you this 
 charm would not work effectually unless those 
 thirty gold pieces passed through her hands, and 
 the process was to be thus : His thirty sovereigns 
 were to be made into a brown paper parcel to 
 pass through her hands, and back again to his to 
 be deposited accordingly. The credulous farmer 
 believing the old witch, provided the brown 
 paper parcel accordingly, and of course in passing 
 through her hands it changed hands, from a 
 brown paper parcel of sovereigns to a brown 
 paper parcel of small pieces of lead (I have some 
 of them in my possession) with a strong injunc- 
 tion not to mention the circumstance to anyone 
 whatever for the space of a fortnight, or the 
 charm wouldbe broken, and no doubt it would have 
 been. As soon as the old hag had accomplished 
 her design, and pocketed the thirty bright pieces, 
 she with her confederates packed up and marched 
 off, going north, to Lancaster or that neighbour- 
 hood, and from thence turning to the south. 
 The sequel to the above incredible story is 
 about as strange as the tale itself. At the ex- 
 piration of the said fortnight, the drawer was 
 opened, and the swindle discovered. Two cute 
 and trusty friends of the old bewitched man set 
 off in pursuit of the gipsy caravan ; a wild goose 
 chase it seemed, but nevertheless they chased 
 the fugitives to Cheshire, and there found them
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 311 
 
 encamping on Delamere forest, and by lynch or 
 club law recovered the cash in full weight and 
 measure, and restored it to the credulous old man 
 (minus their expenses, five pounds), but without 
 any addition of Oliver Cromwell's hidden treas- 
 ure. 
 
 BOGGARTS. 
 
 There are at least two Boggart Haunts in 
 Goosnargh Jingling lane, at Beesley farm ; and 
 Boggart Plat, in Goosnargh mill lane. Of the 
 origin of the former I find no trace ; but of 
 Boggart Plat Ghost there is a well authenticated 
 story : that it arose through the vagary of one 
 William Co well, formerly and for many years 
 Sexton of Goosnargh Chuich, and residing at 
 Mill Top. He having imbibed pretty freely of 
 what he had a liking for at the village, and 
 having occasion to take the bier and pall home 
 to keep overnight in readiness to pass on north- 
 wards the following morning (carrying the corpse 
 was then the order of the day) and finding his load 
 inside and out heavy and fatiguing, he put down 
 the bier on a small piece of waste land near to 
 the said plat, covering himself with the pall to 
 have a nap and refresh himself; and being found 
 by a passer by in that unusual position, it gave 
 rise to the legend of Boggart Plat. 
 
 I have travelled those roads frequently at all 
 hours, but never met with anything unearthly 
 at either of those noted boggart places. 
 
 BEARDS. 
 
 A writer in Notes and Queries says of Mat- 
 thew Robinson Lord Rokeby, 1798 that his
 
 3 1 2 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 beard formed the most conspicuous trait of his 
 person, and that he was the only Peer, and 
 perhaps the only gentleman, of either Great 
 Britain or Ireland, who at that period was thus 
 distinguished. 
 
 What advances the beard has lately made ; 60 
 years ago not one man in Goosnargh wore his 
 beard. 
 
 OLD CUSTOM OF LIFTING. 
 
 Lifting at Easter was formerly common here, 
 but now is but little heard of. 
 
 A scene of this old custom has been amusingly 
 described by a country girl, as follows, in broad 
 Lancashire. (Hoo means she.) " When James 
 and Thomas and Jack and Peter came to lift 
 Ellen, ' hoo punched an' hoo scrat, an' hoo nipp'd 
 an' hoo scrat, an' hoo kicked James, an' hoo 
 basted Peter, an' hoo lugg'd Thomas, an' hoo 
 stampt up o'th floor, an' hoo shouted murder.' " 
 
 SHOE-THROWING. 
 
 The old custom of shoe-throwing at marriages 
 is sometimes practised here, but appears to have 
 all but lost its original signification. 
 
 During the marriage festival it was formerly 
 the practice to throw an old shoe into some 
 shrubbery or amongst some brushwood, and the 
 maids attending the wedding scrambled for it in 
 their bridal gear, and it was said that the young 
 lady who could retrieve it would be the next 
 married. 
 
 Throwing of rice at weddings is well kept up 
 here, and is a very ancient custom, betokening 
 fruitfulness.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 313 
 
 CHRISTENING CUSTOM. 
 
 An old christening custom is when two chil- 
 dren, a boy and a girl, have to be christened at 
 one time, the boy is christened the first. The 
 old nurse said " it is reasonable." 
 
 LEAF SUPERSTITION. 
 
 A leaf superstition yet lingers here to this 
 effect: Take in your hand a four-leafed ash and 
 a four-leafed clover, and expect as follows : 
 
 An even-leafed ash 
 
 And a four-leafed clover, 
 
 You'll see your true lover 
 'Fore the day is over. 
 
 TITHE BARNS. 
 
 I don't find that a tithe barn ever existed in 
 Goosnargh, but before the tithes were commuted 
 they were common all over the country ; and we 
 had one in Tithe Barn Meadow, Whittingham 
 near to Goosnargh Church, and probably at one 
 time it was common to both Goosnargh and 
 Whittingham. 
 
 CHURCHING OF WOMEN. 
 
 It is not usual for the mothers of illegitimate 
 children to be churched, yet we find from Crabb's 
 poems it was the custom in his day. He 
 writes : 
 
 Recorded next a babe of love I trace 
 Of many loves, the mother's first disgrace ; 
 For rite of churching soon she made her way 
 In dread of scandal, should she miss the day. 
 Two matrons came, with them she humbly knelt, 
 Their actions copied and their comforts felt.
 
 314 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 In the early part of the lyth ceutury there is 
 a record of the churching of women at Preston, 
 but I don't find any here, nor am I aware of any 
 authority for keeping such record. 
 
 YEW TREES IN CHURCH YARDS. 
 
 Of yew trees in church-yards the tradition is 
 that those trees were formerly planted in church- 
 yards (being the most protected parts) to provide 
 the best materials of which long bows were made. 
 The late Vicar planted some yew trees in Goos- 
 nargh church-yard, but they have been sadly 
 neglected. 
 
 ORIGIN OF CHURCH REGISTERS. 
 
 Church registers commence in the year 1538, 
 about 40 of which contain entries (copied prob- 
 ably from memorandums kept in old monastries, 
 family bibles, or on tomb stones, and those at 
 that date would be rare) anterior to Cromwell's 
 injunction. Here the church registers have been 
 fairly kept, but the commission of inquiry in 
 1831 into the state of church registers disclosed 
 a sad and in some cases a shameful neglect of 
 those precious documents. Thanks for civil 
 registration. 
 
 HOUR GLASSES. 
 
 Hour glasses were formerly affixed to pulpits 
 to let ministers know when they were preaching 
 how the time had sped, and a few yet remain, at 
 least their stands, but I have not been able to 
 discover that one ever existed here. They were 
 made to run 18 minutes; a broad hint for short 
 sermons.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 315 
 
 WILL O'THE WISP. 
 
 Will O'the Wisp or Will with the Wisp. The 
 cause of this phenomenon (of which see Ingle- 
 white) has not been satisfactorily proved ; the 
 general opinion is that it is caused by a gaseous 
 vapour, but others think by a flying insect. 
 
 BURYING WITHOUT COFFINS. 
 
 I have not discovered any record of burying 
 without coffins in this township, but in some 
 parts of England it was not uncommon so late as 
 1707 for the poorer sort of people to bury with- 
 out coffins, and the fees for burying without 
 coffins were less than burying with, and when 
 corpses were buried without coffins the by- 
 standers were directed to throw in earth as soon 
 as the ceremony was over, and from that no 
 doubt the practice now of throwing in earth has 
 come down to the present time. 
 
 An Act was passed in 1666 requiring (under 
 penalty of five pounds) all parties to bury their 
 dead in woollen, but was repealed in 1677. This 
 law was much disliked, being an infringement of 
 the liberty of the subject. The following verse 
 is indicative of that feeling : 
 
 Odious in woollen, 'twould a saint provoke ; 
 (Were the last words that poor Narcissa spoke), 
 No, let a charming chintz and Brussels lace 
 Wrap my cold limbs and shade my lifeless face. 
 
 The first mention of a coffin I find in the last 
 verse of the last chapter of Genesis, where it is 
 stated that Joseph died at no years of age, and 
 being embalmed, was laid in a coffin in Egypt.
 
 316 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 COCKFIGHTING. 
 
 Cockfighting was somewhat common 60 or 70 
 years ago, but I am not aware that it is at now 
 all practiced. In Strutt's " Sports and Pastimes " I 
 find this note on a Welsh main : A main game 
 was connected with the barbarous pastime of 
 cockfighting, it consists of certain or given 
 number of pairs of cocks, suppose sixteen, which 
 fight with each other until the half of them are 
 killed ; the sixteen conquerors are pitted a second 
 time in like manner and half are slain ; the eight 
 survivors a third time; the four a fourth time; 
 and the remaining two a fifth time; so that 
 thirty-one cocks are sure to be inhumanly 
 butchered for the sport and pleasure of the 
 spectators ! 
 
 ROBIN RED BREAST. 
 
 The Robin is very fortunate in the supersti- 
 tions that attach to it. The legend that attri- 
 butes its red breast to its having attended our 
 Lord upon the cross, when some of His blood 
 was sprinkled on it may have died out of the 
 memory, but still 
 
 " There's a Divinity that doth hedge a robin." 
 
 MISTLETOE. 
 
 Hanging up the mistletoe bush in the kitchen 
 or servants' hall is well kept up here and very 
 properly well patronised. 
 
 FRIEND-MADE MATCHES. 
 
 Friend-made matches are sadly too common 
 here ; a fruitful source of much unhappiness. If 
 you want to make a woman miserable for life 
 marry her to a man she has no affection for.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 317 
 
 CARTERS' LANGUAGE. 
 
 Goosnargh carters' language come eggin, 
 come hither ; gee eggin or hate off, go from me ; 
 gee up, go on ; who, whoa, wheygh, stop or 
 stand still. History informs us that a celebrated 
 combat of duel, which took place at Sheffield 
 in the year 1467, between the bastard of Bur- 
 gundy and Lord Scales, was arrested at the 
 third encounter by the King (Edward IV.) 
 throwing down his staff and calling out 
 " Whoo." 
 
 SELLING A WIFE AND EXCOMMUNICATION. 
 
 In some respects we are more righteous than 
 our neighbours, for I find no record or well 
 authenticated account of anyone selling his wife 
 or being excommunicated. 
 
 BETTING. 
 
 Betting is sadly too common here, also 
 gaming at cards. I make no objection to playing 
 at cards, far from it ; but playing with cards and 
 gaming with cards are two different things ; and 
 the same may be said of chess and drafts. 
 
 PET NAMES. 
 
 Pet Names are common here : Fan, Sal, Liz, 
 Bess, Poll, Sue, Nell, Moll, Bell, Peg and_so on ; 
 Jonny, Jackey, Tommy, Willy, Jemmy, Jimmy, 
 Dickey, Bobby, Georgy, Davey, Harry, Jerry, 
 Tony, Neddy, Charley, Kester, &c., &c.
 
 31 8 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 BEES. 
 
 We have many lovers of those industrious 
 insects bees ; but in this northern district, and 
 clove^ and bean fields being now so few and far 
 between, bees are seldom productive here, especi- 
 ally in cold and wet seasons. Pure honey from the 
 poor man's garden sweetens his tea and coffee. 
 
 " The principal for the whole use of man's life 
 are water, fire, iron and salt, flower of wheat, 
 honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil 
 and clothing." Ecclesiasticus 29 c., 26 v. 
 
 WHITE THORN. 
 
 A popular belief is that when the white thorn 
 bears an abundant crop of fruit, a hard winter is 
 indicated, from the notion of its being a provision 
 for a class of birds that otherwise would be in 
 danger of starving. This idea of a kind Provi- 
 dence is at least pleasing. 
 
 GOING ROUND WITH THE HAT. 
 
 We have a good old custom here of going 
 round with the hat at poor people's funerals, but 
 not so much needed as formerly thanks for 
 burial clubs. 
 
 HORSE SHOE SUPERSTITION. 
 
 It is common here to see a horse shoe nailed 
 to a stable door, an old remnant of a superstition 
 of placing one there as a protection against 
 witches. The belief in wizards and witches took
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 319 
 
 great hold of the people here about 300 years ago, 
 but I don't find that any of the inhabitants 
 suffered the extreme penalty of the law for being 
 accused of or for confessing this imaginary crime. 
 
 MARRIAGES IN THE TIME OF OLIVER CROMWELL. 
 
 During the usurpation of Cromwell (1653), 
 marriage was declared to be merely a civil con- 
 tract, and after banns published three times in 
 the church or market place, they were to profess 
 their mutual desire to be married in the presence 
 of a magistrate that was all ; but in 1656 parties 
 were allowed to adopt their accustomed rites of 
 religion, if they preferred them. 
 
 LARKING. 
 
 Formerly this district was much noted for 
 larking among the youth of both sexes, but 
 especially amongst the males. Rich, lively, in- 
 nocent, wild, frollicking acts were committed 
 that have been handed down from father to son, 
 and son's son ; but that frollicking spirit or genius 
 seems to be lacking in the youth of the present 
 day. 
 
 LADY BACON'S ADVICE. 
 
 Lady Bacon's advice to Lord Bacon and his 
 brother is much needed here: Look well to 
 your health, sup not nor sit up late. Surely 
 your drinking to bed-wards hindreth your and 
 your brother's digestion very much. I never 
 knew any but sickly that used it, besides being 
 ill for heads and eyes. To which I add if you 
 wish to encourage night-mare take a hearty, 
 heavy supper and go to sleep on your back.
 
 32O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 HANGING OUT THE BROOM. 
 
 Hanging out the Broom is well kept up here, 
 a sign of the mistress being absent ; a good op- 
 portunity for a bachelor's party on the "joyful 
 occasion." 
 
 THE BIBLE. 
 
 The Bible is to be met with in many of the 
 houses here, but I am sorry to say this is not a 
 reading district the newspaper excepted. Well, 
 a good newspaper is no bad week-fay book. 
 
 THE HOMILIES. 
 
 The homilies have not been read here in my 
 day (would they were), but I find that good old 
 practice has not quite died out in some parts of 
 England. 
 
 POST. 
 
 Penny post was first established at Goosnargh 
 on the loth March, 1840. Formerly the postage 
 from Preston was 3d. ; Liverpool 8d. and Lon- 
 don is. id. Money orders were first issued in 
 England in 1839. The postal system is a very 
 ancient institution, for in the gth chapter of the 
 book of Job and the 25th verse we read : My 
 days are swifter than a post. Also Esther 3 c. 
 13 v., and 8 c. 10 v. 
 
 WEATHER CHRONICLE. 
 
 March borrowed of April 
 
 Three days, and they were ill, 
 
 The first was rain, the second was snow, 
 
 The third such a wind as never did blow.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 321 
 
 MOULTRE. 
 
 Formerly a brisk but very dishonest trade was 
 carried on here in " Moultre." Cotton masters 
 at one time were not very tight as to what weft 
 they delivered with the warp to be woven, and 
 consequently weavers could "cabbage" a goodly 
 quantity of overplus weft (and in some instances 
 yarn) which they disposed of to itinerant pur- 
 chasers. With the decline of the hand-loom 
 cotton weaving business and a tighter scale of 
 delivery of weft this nefarious business came to 
 an end. 
 
 GOOSNARGH CHURCH LEGEND. 
 
 According to an old legend it was intended to 
 build Goosnargh Church in a field in Beesley 
 Estate, Goosnargh, the property of Mr. Thomas 
 Oliverson, but that some fairy or other lusty 
 body carried away in the night all the materials 
 they had provided to where the Church now 
 stands, except one large boulder-stone about a ton 
 in weight. 
 
 FAIRY RINGS. 
 
 Fairy rings are common here, and with some 
 of the more ancient inhabitants are looked upon 
 with superstitious eye yet are nothing more 
 than the effect of a decayed fungus. Every 
 fungus exhausts the ground on which it grows 
 so that no other can exist on the same spot. It 
 sheds its seeds around, and on the second year 
 instead of a single fungus as a centre a number 
 arise in an entire ring around the spot where the 
 first stood ; these exhaust the ground on which 
 u
 
 322 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 they come to perfection, and in the succeeding 
 year the ring becomes farger upon the same 
 principle. 
 
 GOOD OLD TIMES. 
 
 Good old times, as by some they are yet called. 
 The writer can remember salt at 4d. per Ib. ; 
 coarse brown sugar 8d. per Ib. ; flour 6d. per Ib. ; 
 tea 8s. per Ib. ; windows taxed (if more than 
 seven) and a farmer having to pay assessed taxes 
 if he put a board to ride upon across a common 
 cart. 
 
 FASHIONS. 
 
 High-heeled shoes have been twice in fashion 
 here amongst the ladies within the last 70 years 
 they must have been very uncomfortable. 
 Well, "fashion before ease." Seventy years ago 
 a woman's Leghorn bonnet was about 18 inches 
 long, and at different periods females have mani- 
 fested a taste for dressing as near like men as 
 they dare. Men's pig-tails were just falling off 
 when I was ushered into the world. Can the 
 fair sex invent anything more ridiculous ? 
 
 DANCING AND DRINKING. 
 
 Dancing and drinking, alas ! are too common 
 here. Sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind. 
 King David danced, it is true, but his dancing 
 was something more than mere leg-flinging and 
 whirling and twisting in a mixed ballroom. 
 
 OLD MARRIAGE CUSTOM. 
 
 When a younger sister marries before her 
 elder sister, the elder one is expected to dance at 
 the marriage festival in her " stocking feet."
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 323 
 THE CUCKOO. 
 
 Old saying : The cuckoo comes in mid- April 
 and sings in mid-May, and the first cock of hay 
 drives it away often we have it much earlier. 
 
 WRITING WITH AN IRON PEN. 
 
 The old custom of writing with an iron pen in 
 lead alluded to by Job 19 c. 23 24 v., has been 
 adopted in one instance on a tombstone in Goos- 
 nargh Church-yard. " Oh ! that my words were 
 now written or that they were printed in a book ; 
 that they were graven with an iron pen and lead 
 in the rock for ever." 
 
 SILOS. 
 
 Silos are just springing up in this neighbour- 
 hood and ensilage made therein and in stacks is 
 a new departure, the advantage whereof is yet 
 to be seen. From good grass in fine weather and 
 by good management, good hay has been made. 
 
 FIRST COUSINS. 
 
 Marriage between first cousins is common here. 
 A false notion prevails that it is not lawful for 
 second cousins to marry but yet lawful for first 
 cousins. 
 
 CORN SHEAF CUSTOM. 
 
 The old custom of giving to each cow a sheaf 
 of corn on Christmas day in the morning is fast 
 dying out, owing perhaps to the land going out 
 of cultivation for grain . 
 u 2
 
 324 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 WEDDING PRESENTS. 
 
 Wedding presents are commonly made to 
 brides on their marriage day, and in some 
 instances in great profusion, but in some countries 
 a much better marriage custom prevails, namely 
 making presents to the poor, as a wind-up to 
 marriage festivals. 
 
 TOADS. 
 
 There are many well authenticated accounts 
 of live toads having been found in solid rocks and 
 boulder stones in this neighbourhood remark- 
 able phenomena which I dare not pronounce 
 upon. 
 
 FOOTBALL. 
 
 Football is an old game here, and just now 
 there is quite a rage for it, but it is not played as 
 of yore, on Sundays. A manly, athletic but 
 rather rough amusement and recreation. Well 
 will it be if betting can be kept out of it. 
 
 BEATON FELL. 
 
 Beaton fell, Goosnargh, from its name no doubt 
 a beacon has at one time been erected upon it. 
 On Beacons (1685) Lord Macaulay writes: 
 " On the copes of the sea coast and on many 
 inland hills were still seen tall posts sur- 
 mounted by barrels. Once those barrels 
 had been filled with pitch. Watchmen 
 had been set around them in seasons of 
 danger ; and within a few hours after a 
 Spanish sail had been discovered in the
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 325 
 
 channel, or after a thousand Scottish moss 
 troopers had crossed the Tweed the signal 
 fires were blazing fifty miles off, and whole 
 countries were rising in arms." 
 
 POT-HOUSE DRINKING. 
 
 " Good health " " Good luck " " My respects 
 to you " " Come here's to you " " Come, there's 
 another good luck." 
 
 MAGPIE SUPERSTITION. 
 
 A superstition on seeing magpies prevails here 
 as well as in many other parts : 
 
 " One for anger, two for mirth, 
 Three for a wedding and four for a death," &c. 
 
 CHURCHING PEW. 
 
 Formerly we had a churching pew here which 
 stood hard by the font, but disappeared when the 
 Church was restored in 1869; and when the 
 minister saw a woman in it he without further 
 notice read the service ordained for that purpose. 
 Just fancy the feelings of the old maid who 
 stumbled into it or was peevishly directed there, 
 and got churched ! 
 
 JOHN EVELYN ON PAINT. 
 
 Some few of the fair sex here paint, of which 
 practice John Evelyn in his Diary says : "I now 
 observe that women begin to paint themselves, 
 formerly a most ignominious thing used only by 
 prostitutes."
 
 326 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 SIGN POSTS. 
 
 We have a few sign posts at cross roads, more 
 would be useful ; and if those we have were kept 
 in better order it would be an improvement. 
 
 WEATHER. 
 
 In March, 1886, we had ice seven inches thick, 
 and from the gth to the I5th May we had storms, 
 floods, sleet, snow and hail, and snow lay on 
 Bleasdale fell all the week, and nearly all the 
 swallows perished through cold and want of food ; 
 they were found lying dead by scores if not by 
 hundreds. 
 
 ANCIENT DINNER SERVICE. 
 
 At Lower Lickhurst farm there formerly ex- 
 isted a complete dinner service of pewter which 
 I have often admired, but which has lately dis- 
 appeared, and I have not been able to trace its 
 whereabouts. 
 
 WATER WORKS. 
 
 In 1883-4 the Fulwood Local Board established 
 waterworks for Goosnargh, Whittingham and 
 other places ; the principal reservoir is at Barns- 
 fold, and is calculated to supply Whittingham 
 Asylum and Fulwood, &c., with 200,000 gallons 
 a day. The Board has also two other reservoirs, 
 one at the Horns and the other at Haighton.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 3 
 
 CHURCH AND SCHOOL LAND IN GOOSNARGH 
 BELONGING TO OUT-TOWNSHIPS. 
 A. R. P. 
 
 Barnsfold 85 
 
 i 39 belong 
 3 28 
 
 12 
 
 3 39 
 3 20 
 
 3 II 
 I i 
 
 o 3 
 o 31 
 3 30 
 
 2 30 
 
 ling to Tockholes Church. 
 Warton Church. 
 Lytham Church. 
 Broughton School. 
 Walkerfold Chapel 
 Admarsh Church. 
 BroughtonChurch. 
 BroughtonChurch. 
 Harwood Church. 
 Garstang Church. 
 Broughton School. 
 
 Ryeheads 30 
 
 Ryeheads 10 
 
 Golden Tanners.. 8 
 Little Inglewhite 3 
 Loud Bridge ... 5 
 Mill Top 29 
 
 White Moss I 
 
 Rig-p ... ... 60 
 
 Goosnargh Lane. 6 
 Goosnargh Lane. 6 
 
 MARL. 
 
 " He that marls sand may buy land, 
 He that marls moss shall have no loss, 
 He that marls clay flings all away." 
 
 1864. Apples 4d. per score. 
 
 1877. Damsons is. per quart. 
 Blackberry 8d. per quart. 
 Cranberry 6d. to 8d. per quart. 
 
 Antidote for Cholera. Three or four drops of 
 camphor in a wine glass of water, and if relief is 
 not afforded in the course of ten minutes the 
 dose may be repeated. This is seldom known to 
 fail. 
 
 Recipe for Mange, &c. One pennyworth of 
 brown alaber wood in powder, mixed with lb. 
 of lard for horses. Scab in sheep, and itch in 
 man. Well rubbed in. 
 
 Cleansing Drink for a Cow. ^-Ib. of linseed, 
 ^lb. of treacle, ^lb. of butter, 3 pints of nettle 
 root tea. One half at night and the other half 
 in the morning.
 
 328 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Remedy for Slavering Distemper. One quart 
 of sweet oil for a full grown cow, given all at 
 one ; quantity in proportion for a young cow. 
 
 Poultice for Joint Foul. 3lbs. of onions well 
 chopped and well mxed in fat, lib. of soft soap, 
 with oat meal and linseed poultices added. Put 
 in a very strong bag and kept on three or four 
 days. 
 
 Recipe for Milk Fever. ^lb. of a peck of lin- 
 seed (a peck is the fourth part of a bush el), put into 
 sop at night and given in the morning, and a 
 similar quantity put into sop in the morning and 
 given at night. 
 
 Edith-sick Prescription. 2 oz. of Castile soap 
 given in a quart of warm water. 
 
 for " Shoot" in Sheep. Two table spoonfuls 
 of fat. 
 
 OLD CUSTOMS. 
 
 Fishwick in his history says : That ancient 
 form of punishment by cuckstool was formerly 
 observed in this district, and a pit at Inglewhite 
 quite recently filled up was known as " Cuckstool 
 Pit," and not very many years ago the upright 
 shaft of this instrument of torture was standing 
 on its brink. 
 
 PROVERBS. 
 
 The following are some of the every-day 
 proverbs used here, a few of which are peculiar 
 to this district : 
 
 A wet and a windy May makes a barn full of 
 
 corn and hay. 
 A full crop of haws forecasts a hard winter.
 
 JL 
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 329 
 
 ^ I If you have plenty of grass in winter sell a cow, 
 L if the land be bare in May buy one. 
 A mine begins in the cow's boost (stall). 
 If you have a full crop of hay-grass mow near 
 
 the hedges. 
 
 Old porridge is sooner warmed up than new- 
 made. 
 
 If you look at your corn in May 
 You will come weeping away, 
 If you look at it again in June 
 You will change your tune. 
 We cannot live by the dead. 
 Choose a house that the wind will blow round. 
 A cat in pattens catches no mice. 
 Faced all round like Preston Town Hall clock. 
 The old religion was : He that believeth and is 
 
 baptised shall be saved. 
 
 The new religion is: Be sprinkled and doubt. 
 A wise man will stay for a convenient season 
 
 and will bend a little rather than be torn up 
 
 by the roots. 
 Tell me what company you keep and I will tell 
 
 you what you do. 
 A handful of mother-wit is worth a bushel of 
 
 learning. 
 The sum of all is to serve God well and to do 
 
 no ill thing. 
 
 Setting down in writing is a lasting memory. 
 If you love me, John, your deeds will tell me so. 
 The fool fell in love with the lady's laced apron. 
 Nothing is valuable in this world except it tends 
 
 to the next. 
 There never was but one man who never did a 
 
 fault. 
 Civil, obliging language costs but little, and does 
 
 a great deal of good.
 
 33O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 A mule and a woman do best by fair means. 
 He who spits against heaven spits upon his face. 
 A mischief may happen which will do me (or 
 
 make me) good. 
 Good deeds will live and flourish when all other 
 
 things are at an end. 
 Since you know everything and I know nothing 
 
 will you tell me what I dreamed this morn- 
 ing ? 
 Afflictions teach much, but they are a hard, cruel 
 
 master. 
 There is no more faithful or pleasant friend than 
 
 a good book. 
 
 No old age is agreeable but that of a wise man. 
 Compare your griefs with other men's and they 
 
 will seem less. 
 He can do nothing well who is at enmity with 
 
 his God. 
 One ounce of mirth is worth more than ten 
 
 thousand weight of melancholy. 
 Great housekeeping makes but a poor will. 
 Speak but little and to the purpose and you will 
 
 pass for somebody. 
 Proverbs bear age, and he who would do well 
 
 may view himself in them as in a looking- 
 glass. 
 
 In every work begin and end with God. 
 Cheer up, man, God is still where he was. 
 Of a little meddling comes great care. 
 Better spare at the brim than at the bottom. 
 Prayer brings down the first blessing and praise 
 
 the second. 
 
 Better half a loaf than no bread. 
 A good word is as soon said as a bad one. 
 Great cry and little wool.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 33! 
 
 When sorrow is asleep wake it not. 
 
 He who gives alms makes the very best use of his 
 
 money. 
 
 Peace with heaven is the best friendship. 
 A wonder lasts but nine days. 
 Bachelors' wives and maids' children are well 
 
 taught. 
 
 Pride goes before and shame follows after. 
 Quick believers need broad shoulders. 
 If every man will mend one we all shall be 
 
 mended. 
 
 He who seeks trouble never misseth it. 
 Fly the pleasure that Avill bite to-morrow. 
 If all fools wore white caps we should look like 
 
 a flock of geese. 
 Living well is the best revenge we can make on 
 
 our enemies. 
 
 Better suffer a great evil than do a little one. 
 Fools worship mules that carry gold. 
 Take care to be what thou wouldest seem. 
 Silks and satins put out the kitchen fire. 
 Let us ride fair and softly that we may come 
 
 home the sooner. 
 
 A man's best fortune or his worst is his wife. 
 Every ass thinks himself worthy to stand with 
 
 the King's horses. 
 
 Gold goes in at every gate except that of heaven. 
 _When poverty comes in at the door love jumps 
 
 out at the window. 
 
 A wise man hath more ballast than sail. 
 Almsgiving never made anyone poor. 
 One pair of heels is sometimes worth two pair of 
 
 hands. 
 He who hath an ill name is half hanged.
 
 332 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 If the best man's faults were written on his fore- 
 head it would make him pull his hat over his 
 eyes. 
 
 What fools say doth not much trouble wise men. 
 
 Good to begin well, better to end well. 
 
 We shall lie all alike in our graves. 
 
 Giving much to the poor doth increase a man's 
 store. 
 
 Wit once bought is worth twice taught. 
 
 The charitable man gives out at the door, and 
 God puts in at the window. 
 
 Much better lose a jest than a friend. 
 
 Keep your shop and your shop will keep you. 
 
 Mention not a rope in the house of one whose 
 father was hanged. 
 
 Everyone can tame a shrew but he who has her. 
 
 He who gives wisely sells to advantage. 
 
 Whatever good thou doest give God the praise. 
 
 There are a great many asses without long ears. 
 
 The best throw of the dice is to throw them 
 away. 
 
 Giving is good fishing. 
 
 He who is an ass and takes himself to be a stag, 
 when he comes to leap the ditch finds his mis- 
 take. 
 
 A man is valued as he makes himself valuable. 
 
 Spare diet and no trouble keep a man in good 
 health. 
 
 He who doth a kindness to a good man doth a 
 greater to himself. 
 
 Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open. 
 
 Show not to all the bottom of your purse or of 
 your mind. 
 
 Suppers kill more than the greatest doctor ever 
 cured.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 333 
 
 He who plays me one trick shall not play me a 
 
 second. 
 To do good make no delay, for life and time slide 
 
 fast away. 
 The best of the game is to do one's business and 
 
 talk little of it. 
 
 The devil goes shares in gaming. 
 The sickness of the body may prove the health 
 
 of the soul. 
 He that would be master of his own must not be 
 
 bound to another. 
 Nature, time and patience are the three great 
 
 physicians. 
 
 By doing nothing men learn to do ill. 
 One eye of the master sees more than two eyes 
 
 of his servant. 
 
 True love and honour go always together. 
 Speaking without thinking is shooting without 
 
 taking aim. 
 One mild word quenches more heat than a bucket 
 
 of water. 
 
 To forgive injuries is a noble and God-like re- 
 venge. 
 When you are all agreed upon the time quoth 
 
 the curate, I will make it rain. 
 The devil turns his back when he finds the door 
 
 shut against him. 
 Good preachers give their hearers fruit, not 
 
 flowers. 
 Reason governs the wise man and a cudgel a 
 
 fool. 
 Love, knavery and necessity, make men good 
 
 orators. 
 There is no fence against what comes from 
 
 heaven.
 
 334 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 A soldier, fire and water, soon make room for 
 
 themselves. 
 Begin your web and God will supply you with 
 
 thread. 
 A wise man changes his mind when he has 
 
 reason for it. 
 Tell everybody your business and the devil will 
 
 do it for you. 
 
 Six feet of earth make all men of one size. 
 To preach well you must first practice what you 
 
 teach others. 
 The first step a man takes towards being good is 
 
 to know that he is not so already. 
 A tree is known by its fruit. 
 A rolling stone gathers no moss (but Sambo said 
 
 it gathers polish). 
 
 If Candlemas day be clear and fair, 
 The half of the winter's to come, and mair, 
 If Candlemas day be mirk and foul, 
 Half of the winter is gane at yule. 
 
 A wise head makes a still tongue. 
 Truth and sweet oil always come to the top. 
 Brawling curs never want sore ears. 
 Those who are doing nothing are doing ill. 
 
 I It is not the hen that cackles most that lays the 
 most eggs. 
 A man might as well eat the devil as drink the 
 
 broth he's boiled in. 
 That man is safest who always serves a good 
 
 conscience. 
 
 | Country people watch over one another (an old 
 \ author says " a bird of the air shall carry it."). 
 There's more flies caught with honey than alegar. 
 They are not all thieves that dogs bark at.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 335 
 
 Don't stretch your arm further than your sleeve 
 will reach. 
 
 There's no getting white meal out of a coal sack. 
 
 One half of the devil's meal runs to bran. 
 
 Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. 
 / It's the quiet sow that eats up the draff. 
 \ As the sow fills the draff sours. 
 You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. 
 || You cannot make a horn out of a pig's tail. 
 
 y f>>-'^ On Saint Valentine's day 
 
 Beans should be in the clay. 
 
 Honest water is too weak to be a sinner (it never 
 left anyone in the mire). 
 
 Whom the Gods love die young. 
 
 To know people, have dealings with them. 
 
 To know ourselves is half a cure. 
 
 Prayer and provender hinder no man's journey. 
 
 He that follows truth too near the heels will have 
 dirt kicked in his face. 
 
 You may take a horse to the water but you can- 
 not make him drink. 
 
 The latch is good to hold when nobody pulls 
 
 the string. 
 
 f March comes in like a lion and goes out like a 
 J__ lamb. 
 T If the oak's before the ash then you'll only get a 
 
 splash. 
 I If- the ash precedes the oak then expect a soak. 
 
 A sour-faced wife fills the tavern. 
 
 Content's the mother of good digestion. 
 
 Oaks never grow in hothouses. 
 
 A blazing fire and a smiling wife 
 Kill temptation and misery and strife. 
 
 | Where hard work kills ten, 
 Idleness kills a hundred men.
 
 336 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Friends and photographs never flatter. 
 Fortune helps those that help themselves. 
 
 When Adam delv'd and Eve span, 
 Where was then the gentleman ? 
 As men grew learned they grew wise, 
 From whence gentility did arise. 
 
 A creaking door hangs long on the hinges. 
 
 No thank you, has lost many a good butter cake. 
 
 T He'll go through the wood and tey the crooked 
 ^^, stick at last. 
 
 Pendle Hill and Pennygent and Little Ingleborough, 
 You'll not find three such hills seek England through. 
 
 Zeal that has not good fuel soon goes out. 
 A small boat should have a narrow sail. 
 Prayer honours Providence and Providence 
 
 honours prayer. 
 Property has its duties ; blood is thicker than 
 
 water. 
 j There is no good horse of a bad colour. 
 
 Whatsoever is less than truth cannot be truth. 
 
 As the twig is bent the tree is inclined. 
 
 A horse that carries a good load will have a 
 
 moderate speed. 
 | The drunkard is always dry ; the glutton is 
 
 never satisfied. 
 Consider the end, believe and amend. 
 
 Manchester and Thirl mere Water Works are 
 planned to pass through this township a gigan- 
 tic undertaking supposed to cost several millions. 
 
 The following document may be interesting as 
 showing the state of affairs here in 1796: 
 Money Lade out on Hyereing Men for the use of 
 his Majesty's Navy for the Township of Goos- 
 nargh.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 337 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Deer. 2nd, 1796, Meeting Rob 1 . Becon- 
 
 sall to settle betwixt the Townships 040 
 
 Spent at Same Time o 2 o 
 
 Paid for Advertisements o 5 o 
 
 Deer. 8th, Takeing Dick Cottom to be 
 
 Examined o 4 o 
 
 My Dinor and his 2s. Spent at same 
 
 Time is o 3 o 
 
 Paid Do'tor Pretchard for Examin- 
 ing him o i o 
 
 3yd 5 ! of Black Riband for a Cockade 
 
 at 6d. p o i 6 
 
 1 3th, Taking Dick to be Inroled o 4 o 
 
 My dinor and his 2s. Spent 6d. ... o 2 6 
 Paid Docter Tomlinson for Examin- 
 ing Dick o i o 
 
 Paid the regelating offisors Man for 
 
 Do o i o 
 
 Given to a Man to fetch Docter 
 
 Pretcherd o i o 
 
 Paid Dick Cottom Before the Justises 700 
 
 Paid to County Treasurer as p. Rec 1 . 14 o o 
 
 Paid to Mr. Startifant for the fine ...17 17 o 
 Going with the Money to County 
 
 Treasurer o 4 o 
 
 Paid to Richard Parkinson for Meate 
 
 for 2 Lads o 3 o 
 
 for Colecting the above Money . ... o 10 o 
 
 /4 4 o 
 
 GOOSNARGH SEVENTY YEARS AGO. 
 
 70 years ago a servant man's wage was 10 a 
 year and a servant woman's 7. 
 v
 
 338 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 1 
 
 70 years ago servant men had to mend their own 
 stockings and to find yarn for the same. 
 
 70 years ago more clogs were worn than shoes. 
 
 70 years ago drunkenness was not considered 
 disgraceful. 
 
 70 years ago rarely did a funeral take place when 
 the mourners (?) did not retire to a public- 
 house as soon as the service was over. 
 
 70 years ago it was rare to see a corpse brought 
 in a hearse for interment. 
 
 70 years ago churchwardens paid for birds' heads 
 and eggs out of the church-rates. 
 
 70 years ago (and much less) corn-tithe was 
 taken in kind. Also see article small tithes. 
 
 70 years ago there were only 1 3 inmates in Goos- 
 nargh Hospital. 
 
 70 years ago salt was 4d. per lb., tea 8s. per lb., 
 flour 6d. lb., and oat meal 6 a load. 
 
 70 years ago ministers had to keep school to eke 
 out a living. 
 
 70 years ago football, spell and knor and marbles 
 were common Sunday games by adults. 
 
 70 years ago public-houses were kept open all 
 hours on week-days and closed only during 
 Church service on Sundays. 
 
 70 years ago a householder could not have more 
 than eight windows in his house (including the 
 dairy window) without being subject to win- 
 dow duty. 
 
 70 years ago the ague ("shaking") was a com- 
 mon sickness. 
 
 70 years ago bear-baiting, bull-baiting and cock- 
 fighting were patronised by all classes. 
 
 70 years ago farmers rarely kept more than one 
 sheep on their farms.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 339 
 
 70 years ago shorthorned cows had not been in- 
 troduced. 
 
 70 years ago the corn-tithe was let for about 
 ^1,000 per annum. 
 
 70 years ago the churchwardens paid (out of 
 church-rates) for ale and powder for the in- 
 habitants to celebrate gunpowder plot. 
 
 70 years ago the Church was not decorated with 
 crosses. 
 
 70 year ago Whitechapel School was free and 
 Goosnargh School all but the same. 
 
 70 years ago children at school banquets were 
 treated with hot ale and rum. 
 
 70 years ago "Cock-Thursday" was a great day, \ '' 
 when cocks and hens were thrown for by dice 
 by school children of both sexes, and cocks I 
 run for by the boys, who had to catch them 
 with their hands tied on their backs. ( 
 
 70 years ago the cuckstool, penance sheet and 
 stocks were just dying out. 
 
 70 years ago the salaries of the ministers of 
 Goosnargh and Whitechapel did not together 
 amount to ^"200 a year. 
 
 70 years ago Inglewhite fair was held on a Sun- 
 day. 
 
 70 years ago cotton hand-loom weaving was a 
 common and flourishing business. 
 
 70 years ago the hand-spinning woollen and 
 linen wheels were in common use. 
 
 70 years ago the mowing and reaping machines 
 were unknown here. 
 
 70 years ago tile- draining had not superceded 
 sod-draining. 
 
 70 years ago bone-manure had only just come 
 into use. 
 v 2
 
 34O GOOSNARGH : 
 
 70 years ago there was no Sunday School (are we 
 coming to that again). 
 
 70 years ago a farmer's wife thought herself well- 
 attired when she wore a printed bedgown and 
 a linsey woolsey petticoat. (Oh ! for some of 
 the old careful primitive customs back again). 
 
 70 years ago love-sick swains and sighing dam- 
 sels could walk from the north side of Beaton 
 Fell to Goosnargh Church to get married. 
 
 70 years ago there was a workouse at Inglewhite, 
 and the parishioners conducted their own parish 
 business in open vestry. 
 
 70 years ago there was a bone mill a little to the 
 north of Inglewhite, and though small, did a 
 considerable business. 
 
 70 years ago a Goosnargh man (lately deceased) 
 was fined 100 for shooting a hare. 
 
 70 years ago three-year-old calving heifers were 
 sold for 6 and *] each. 
 
 70 years ago farmer's wives could walk from 
 Goosnargh to Preston and back in one day. 
 
 70 years ago (and less) there were boys in the 
 schools here learning mensuration, land sur- 
 veying, algebra, navigation and euclid. 
 
 70 years ago (and less) parish clerks were hired 
 to say Amen for the people. 
 
 CATTLE PLAGUE. 
 
 1869, Goosnargh was visited with the cattle 
 plague, "rinderpest ;" mine I understand was the 
 last case in England. I then had ten head of 
 horned cattle ; some were killed and dressed for 
 meat and the rest were buried.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 34! 
 
 ST. ANN'S WELL. 
 
 On Longley Hall Estate there is a spring of 
 water known as St. Ann's Well, which is said to 
 have had in former times great healing properties. 
 The tradition is that the benefits were not 
 derived by drinking the water but by immersion 
 in it. The appearance of the well at the present 
 time may have led to this supposition, as it is 
 built in the form of a horse-shoe (qft. by yft. 6in.) 
 and has steps down to the bottom of the water 
 which stands at about three feet deep. It is no 
 doubt the spring alluded to by Leigh, who in his 
 " Natural History of Lancashire and the Peak of 
 Derbyshire" (written in 1700), referring to 
 mineral waters " springing out of bass and sul- 
 phureous only," says: " of these the most noted 
 is one near a place called Inglewhite ; this 
 springs out of black bass, which by calcina- 
 tion I found to contain sulphur. The water has 
 a sulphureous smell as strong as that near Harro- 
 gate in Yorkshire, but contains little or no salt, 
 which is the reason that it is not purgative like 
 that." 
 
 Dr. Shott (whose work on mineral waters was 
 printed in 1740) also notices Inglewhite spa: 
 u It is the product of shale and biazie, and is a 
 strong sulphur and chalybeate water, but purges 
 not except drunk with salts." 
 
 It would appear from these two extracts that 
 the invalids were to drink of the water and not 
 to immerse themselves in it. Near the bottom 
 of the well on a stone (20 inches by 17 inches is 
 cut in letters 3^ inches high
 
 34 2 
 
 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 FONS 
 
 Mem. GOOSNARGH CHRISTMAS DOLE, 1885. 
 
 S. D. 
 
 Loudscale's 28 o o 
 
 Waring's 9 9 4 
 
 Colborne's 3 10 6 
 
 Lund's (Dun Cow Rib) o 5 o 
 
 Waring's (paid off Smithy House) ... o 8 o 
 Parkinson's do. ...036 
 
 16 4 
 
 Distributed to 44 recipients in sums varying 
 from 5. to .
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 343 
 
 O'-'OC^OOOOOVOO 
 vo N O O O O O vnoo to ro 
 ^-j-NOO > - || - 1 OOO>-i
 
 344 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 CRANBERRY, &C. 
 
 Cranberry and whinberry may both be fonnd 
 growing in the higher district of the township 
 that says moorish 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 Goosnargh is too much above the level of the 
 Irish Sea to encourage the growth of timber, yet 
 occasionally I meet with a stately tree, and there 
 is one (a sycamore) standing and growing on an 
 estate near to Whitechapel Church, the property 
 of Townley Rigby Knowles Esq., which would 
 grace Kensington Park had they it there. It is 
 about 20 yards high ; its branches from tip to 
 tip measure 29 yards ; and the trunk 7 feet from 
 the ground girths 14 feet 7 inches. 
 
 A GOOD CUSTOM. 
 
 A good custom prevails here and is peculiar 
 to this district. When it is known that a man 
 thrashes his wife, the young men scatter chaff 
 about his dwelling and it appears that one dose 
 cures; for it has not been known to require 
 repeating. 
 
 PAUPERISM. 
 
 I deem it worthy of remark that Goosnargh is 
 one of the largest townships in Lancashire, and 
 yet there is not one Goosnargh pauper in it (1885) ; 
 but the poor have not ceased out of the land.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 345 
 
 CORN MILLS. 
 
 Formerly we had four corn mills by water- 
 power, namely, Higher Brock Mill, Lower Brock 
 Mill, Goosnargh Mill and Bulsnape Mill, now 
 reduced to two, Lower Brock Mill and Goosnargh 
 Mill. 
 
 GOOSNARGH CAKES. 
 
 Goosnargh has almost a world-wide fame for 
 making penny cakes of a peculiar pastry, and 
 great as the depression of trade at present is, 
 about 4,000 dozens are disposed of annually 
 about Whitsuntide. (^"200). 
 
 LONGEVITY, &C. 
 
 The tombstones and parish registers bear re- 
 cord that many of the inhabitants have attained 
 great length of years. The oldest man in the 
 township is over 90 years and the oldest 
 woman very near upon it. The united ages of 
 four of the living inhabitant amount to 356 
 years. There is one old lady aged 79 years 
 living at the house where she first saw the light 
 of day, never having changed her residence ; and 
 there are many farms that have descended from 
 father to son, and in some instances from father 
 to son and to son's son; that speaks well for both 
 owner and occupier. 
 
 ANECDOTES. 
 
 Many are the good lively anecdotes that are 
 handed about from party to party here which
 
 346 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 keep fresh and green from one generation to 
 another, but to attempt a list thereof would be 
 to swell this work far beyond the limits intended. 
 However as a specimen I will just note down one 
 that originated at a meeting at which 1 was 
 present : 
 
 Some 50 years ago an Act was passed by 
 which people who used weights and measures 
 were subjected to have them examined by 
 officials appointed for that purpose. At the 
 period above-named I was one of a company that 
 farmed Goosnargh Mill, and when the inspector 
 came round he found two 561b. weights at the 
 mill deficient, and nearly all the weights and 
 measures in this district were in the same con- 
 dition. Amongst others two small weights were 
 taken out of an old man's smithy near to Stock's 
 House, Whittingham, of the name of Banks, a 
 very simple, rustic-looking man who wore his 
 white hair hanging on to his shoulders. All 
 who were suspected of having defective weights 
 and measures for a considerable distance round 
 Eccleston were summoned to attend and appear 
 before Messrs. Cunliffe and Wilson France, two 
 of the County magistrates, at Cart-ford Inn. 
 The house was thronged, and we had long to 
 wait before we could get our turns ; however, 
 eventually we all got brought "before our betters." 
 When Banks's turn came on, his two small 
 weights were examined, and they, like most 
 others there, were found deficient, and the magis- 
 trates fined him five shillings, and he put down 
 two half-crowns on the table before them ; 
 and as he stood there with his hat under his 
 arm, looking about as simple as a half-penny
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 347 
 
 worth of eggs, he said (( Gentlemen, you could 
 not be so good as to give me one of them back, 
 could you ? for I have not a penny to carry me 
 home." The magistrates consulted together, 
 and (what do you think) they gave him them 
 both back. He still stood there, and then said 
 " Gentlemen, you could not be so good as to give 
 me another, could you ? " That opened the 
 magistrates eyes, and Mr. Wilson France said 
 take the man away, he is delirious ; and as he 
 (Banks) was turning to leave, one of the magis- 
 trates said here, you may take your weights ; 
 when he replied " nay, I'll have none of your 
 light weights." And as three or four of us were 
 returning from Cart-ford to Eccleston by a field 
 path, he stopped short and said " yon men are 
 up to their business ; they could see in a minute 
 that I was not reet ; ' but reeter,' I fancy, than 
 many that was there that day." 
 
 Moral : Judge not according to appearance ! 
 
 Many other lively anecdotes might be told of 
 the same individual, who was a noted wit, though 
 taken by the magistrates to be daft. Like many 
 other " stars/' he had the failing of getting on 
 the spree, and after one of his too common drink- 
 ing bouts, on going home his wife would not 
 speak ; and he being aware that Dr. Eccles (father 
 of the present Dr. Eccles), was in the neighbour- 
 hood, ran at the top of his speed, and putting 
 on one of his serious looks told the doctor that 
 his wife was taken speechless, and requested him 
 to visit her immediately. On hearing this the 
 doctor mounted his horse and rode off post haste 
 to the house of the old blacksmith, and (as will 
 be guessed) he soon set Mrs. Banks's tongue
 
 348 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 a-wagging. When Banks heard of the speedy 
 recovery of his " better half," he exclaimed Dr. 
 Eccles is a " clever fellow ; " he has made a rare 
 cure of my wife. 
 
 The doctor having left his patient convalescent, 
 rode back to the Stocks House Inn, and chalked 
 Banks up 5/- in place of booking his fee. 
 
 ESSAY ON GOOSNARGH FARMING. 
 
 It must be admitted that the farming of Goos- 
 nargh is not first rate, and much behind some of 
 its neighbouring townships, yet the state of 
 agriculture is on the advance, and many great 
 and judicious improvements have been made 
 during the last fifty years. Draining has been 
 carried out on an extensive scale and in a sys- 
 tematic manner, which in this and every other 
 district where there is a clayey subsoil, is the 
 basis of all good husbandry. A great quantity 
 of land which was formerly under the plough 
 has been laid down, and artificial grasses have 
 been much more extensively used than formerly, 
 and to a very great advantage over the plan of 
 treating the old ploughed land, which was gener- 
 ally to plough it till it would, grow little besides 
 weeds, and then to leave it to take its luck. 
 Very little old sward is now broken up, and 
 when the plough is put in it has a much shorter 
 run on the same lands than formerly, experience 
 (or the corn laws) having at length taught the 
 farmer that this is not naturally a corn growing 
 district, and that over much ploughing (the 
 expenses being so heavy, and the price of grain 
 so low), tends to impoverish either the farm or
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 349 
 
 the farmer, or both. Sixty years ago there was 
 a great quantity of tillage land in Goosnargh. 
 
 Within the memory of the writer of this, the 
 corn tithes of Goosnargh were let for about ^900 
 a year, and at present less than ^"100 would buy 
 up all the corn grown in the township. Wily, 
 far-seeing people got the Tithe Commutation 
 Act passed. 
 
 MORALS AND ABILITY OF THE FARMERS. 
 
 The farmers as a body are a people of sober, 
 iudustrious and careful habits, perhaps rather 
 low in pocket but possessing a fair practical 
 knowledge of their businesss ; their systems being 
 tolerably well adapted to the respective natures 
 of the soil (as it is) and the climate. Farmers 
 coming into Goosnargh from a distance seldom 
 do so well as the natives of the soil. 
 
 LAND, HOW HELD AND LET. 
 
 The whole of the land here is held on freehold 
 tenure. Leasing of farms for life or lives was 
 formerly very common, but that mode of letting 
 is entirely done away with; some of the farms 
 are let from year to year, but the most usual 
 term is five or seven years. Many of the land- 
 lords seem inclined to let their farms for greater 
 periods but few of the tenants are disposed to 
 bind themselves for longer terms. Several of 
 the farms are held by verbal contracts only, but 
 memorandums on unstamped paper are the rule, 
 and stamped contracts the exception. 
 
 The farm buildings and "outlet field" are 
 mostly let from ist May to ist May, and the
 
 350 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 remainder of the land from Candlemas (February 
 2nd) to Candlemas- This is a very inconvenient 
 mode of letting, both land and buildings should 
 be let from the same time, say February 2nd, but 
 old customs however absurd are very difficult to 
 change. 
 
 SOIL. 
 
 The soil of the northern part of Goosnargh, 
 especially in the neighbourhood of Beaton fell, 
 is of a black moorish kind, but the soil of the 
 lower division is much stronger than the higher, 
 being for the most part clayey loam, quite equal 
 if not superior to that of the neighbouring town- 
 ships. 
 
 SUB-SOIL. 
 
 The sub-soil of the southern division of the 
 township is with few exceptions all upon clay, 
 in the northern district is a mixture of clay, 
 gravel, sand and sandstone. Marl is found in 
 greater or less quantities all over the township, 
 at a depth varying from about three to four feet, 
 but is much more common in the lower than 
 the higher division. 
 
 The Hamlet of Newsham as regards soil and 
 state of cultivation is much the same as the lower 
 division of Goosnargh. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 The climate is humid,* but draining has done 
 
 * COLD GOOSNARGH. This district has long been designated " Cold 
 Goosnargh," and it must be admitted that it would compare badly both 
 as to climate and soil with some other parts of North Lancashire, and 
 yet most singular to say, at the Royal Manchester, Liverpool and North 
 Lancashire Agricultural Society held in 1887, all the prizes for cheese 
 were awarded to Goosnargh farmers, namelv first prize to William Knowles 
 of Longley Hall, and to his dairymaid Miss Margaret Knowles, aged 15 
 years, a silver medal ; second prize to James Cowpe of Fir Trees ; and 
 third prize to Mrs. Cowell of Eaves Green.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 351 
 
 much to improve it ; the ague once very common 
 is now scarcely known, and "Will with the 
 Wisp" and "Jack with the Lantern" have made 
 their exit ; and the air being unimpregnated by 
 the smoke and effluvia of manufactures is pure 
 and salubrious. "The higher end," as its name 
 denotes, is more elevated than the lower, and 
 spring is later by three weeks in the extreme 
 north than in the southern district. 
 
 RAIN. 
 
 A. great quantity of rain falls here, especially 
 to the north of Beaton fell, the high hills bor- 
 dering upon the north of the township arrest the 
 clouds and attract their contents, which are 
 wafted by the oft prevailing western winds from 
 the Atlantic Ocean, consequently rain and mists 
 are much more common in the higher than in 
 the lower division of the township. 
 
 DRAINING. 
 
 Four sorts of draining are in vogue in this 
 township, namely sod, stone, turf and tile ; the 
 former may be called the ancient and the two 
 latter the modern methods. All four have had 
 their peculiar recommendations, and each have 
 yet their respective advocates, but pipe tile drain- 
 ing is the order of the day. And without entering 
 into detail on the merits of each particular sys- 
 tem, I beg to insert a few remarks on the subject 
 of draining by Mr. Bullock Webster of Scotland, 
 they are mtiltum in parvo (much in little). 
 
 1. No general rule can be laid down. 
 
 2. Any one system for all soils is an absurdity.
 
 352 GOOSNARGH: 
 
 3. Depth and distance of drains must depend 
 on the nature of the soil and sub-soil. 
 
 4. That grass land can be over drained. 
 
 5. The direction the drains should be laid 
 must be governed by the strata to be cut through, 
 the fall, and other local circumstances ; the rule 
 of going always with the fall is decidedly wrong. 
 
 6. There are instances (in the new red sand 
 stone) where drains will act perfectly at 40 yards 
 apart, and there are strong clay sub-soils that 
 require drains every six or eight yards. 
 
 7. On the strong clay sub-soils (not surcharged 
 with under water) drains 30 to 36 inches deep at 
 moderate intervals are much more effective than 
 deep drains at wide intervals, and on these soils 
 the clay should not be filled in over the tiles or 
 pipes. 
 
 8. It often happens that drains four feet deep 
 and 40 feet apart are placed over a field, when 
 one drain properly put in would cover the whole. 
 
 To see what draining is capable of doing we 
 need not travel to Chat or Nateby mosses but 
 only take a peep at Goosnargh moor, the pro- 
 perty of Mr. Benn. 
 
 Many old farmers are of an opinion that an 
 odd old rushy field on a dry summer, snowy 
 winter or backward spring is the most valuable 
 part of the pasture, and that a great error has 
 been committed here in draining meadows too 
 hard. Perhaps all extremes betray us. 
 
 Cropping. Random cropping is the rule, sys- 
 tematic the exception. The following rotation 
 has often been recommended, but is seldom 
 acted upon :
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 353 
 
 1. Oats. 3. Green crop. 
 
 2. Oats. 4. Oats and seeds for hay. 
 
 5. Seeds for hay or pasture. 
 
 RENTAL. 
 
 The rental of the farms is about 2 53. per 
 customary acre, a high figure considering the 
 soil, climate, state of cultivation, and the present 
 market prices. The land is divided into a great 
 number of petty holdings, and many of the 
 owners being persons of rather slender means, 
 little able if disposed to assist their tenants in 
 making improvements, and too apt to take the 
 highest bidders, hence agriculture cannot be 
 expected to make such rapid strides here as in 
 some of the neighbouring localities where the 
 lords of the soil have the power and inclination 
 to put on high pressure power. 
 
 FENCES AND ENCLOSURES. 
 
 The fences are various, irregular and deficient. 
 Here both owner and occupier may find a long 
 and a strong job the one in straightening and 
 the other in trimming. The enclosures are 
 generally small, and on that ground are often 
 condemned, but notwithstanding the received 
 notion .to the contrary, I am of a decided opinion 
 that our forefathers have not been so foolish in 
 this respect as they are sometimes represented 
 to have been, and that in the absence of planta- 
 tions, small enclosures (of pasture ground at 
 w
 
 354 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 least) with well trimmed high thick hedges in 
 this plain and cold climate are of great and 
 essential service, and those farmers who have 
 been so foolish as to level and lop their fences 
 may thank their more wise neighbours for keep- 
 ing up their barriers to ward off the "north- 
 western," otherwise they would have to reap 
 largely of their own folly. 
 
 TIMBER. 
 
 There is but very little woodland in this town- 
 ship as before noticed, but considerable hedgerow 
 timber. Nearly all descriptions of timber grow 
 well in the lower division of the township, and a 
 few years ago there were some fine specimens of 
 the old English oak on the Fieldfoot estates, the 
 property of Mr. Robert Parkinson. In the higher 
 division the trees are generally stunted, and yet 
 the largest tree, as before stated, we have is in 
 that part of the township, it measures at seven 
 feet from the ground, fourteen feet seven inches 
 in circumference and its branches cover an area 
 of . one thousand square yards, and is twenty 
 yards high. It is a sycamore, and the property 
 of Townley Rigby Knowles, Esq., and stands 
 upon an estate near to the Church of White- 
 chapel. 
 
 The saline particles which are wafted by the 
 western breezes from the Atlantic Ocean and 
 the Irish Channel have a pernicious effect upon 
 the hedgerow timber, the oak especially, in plain 
 situations. Less hedgerow timber and more 
 plantations would be a considerable improvement 
 to this district.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 355 
 
 MARLING. 
 
 Marling was practiced by the ancient Britons, 
 and numerous pits we have here bear unmistak- 
 able evidence that marling has formerly been very 
 common, and where marl of a free loamy nature 
 can be had, and used for tillage purposes on 
 mossy and other deep free soils it will produce a 
 good yield of grain ; but experience shows that 
 when its salinous and other fertilizing qualities 
 are exhausted and the land turned to permanent 
 pasture the clayey substance remains, and has a 
 tendency to retain the wet too long in the land, 
 and in consequence proves injurious to those 
 soils that lie upon a heavy clay ; and hence a 
 marling is now very rare, and my marlpit stand- 
 ard is wormeaten for want of use. 
 
 Mr. George Beesley, in his able report of the 
 state of agriculture in Lancashire, has some very 
 sensible remarks on the subject of marling. 
 
 MANURES. 
 
 Various manures are in use, the chief are bones, 
 guano, farmyard dung, lime, various composts 
 and liquid manure. Liquid manure has of late 
 been much more appreciated than formerly, and 
 tanks are rising up, or rather, I should say, 
 sinking down in all directions. This is the 
 richest mine that has yet been discovered in 
 Goosnargh, and strange to say, it has been the 
 most neglected. What might be support to the 
 farmer, often through being allowed to remain in 
 stagnant pools around his dwelling and impreg- 
 nate the air he breathes, becomes his death. 
 w 2
 
 356 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 Bone manure has been used on a somewhat 
 extensive scale, and where it has been applied it 
 has answered beyond the most sanguine expect- 
 ations, and for grass lands it is just attaining its 
 proper rank, the safest to answer, and the fore- 
 most and cheapest of all other tilth, but not 
 much of a "year to year" tenants' article. 
 Irrigation never fails, whatever be the nature or 
 the source of the liquid. Hitherto this part of 
 husbandry has been much neglected. 
 
 FRUIT TREES. 
 
 Orchards have increased very much of late, 
 and are now rather extensive. The high part of 
 the township is not well adapted for the rearing 
 of fruit trees (damsons excepted), but in the 
 lower division, in sheltered situations, and on 
 deep dry soils, they are cultivated to great advan 
 tage. The damson is the most valuable stone 
 fruit produced here, and the damson tree often 
 yields much better in the higher than the lower 
 district ; the trees bloom later, and therefore are 
 not so apt to be blighted by frosts. And with 
 regard to apples the Scotch Bridget, Old Red 
 Streak, New Town Pippin, China Virgin (Proc- 
 ter's), and Wright's Seedlings are the general 
 favourites. Pear trees answer well, and grow to 
 an extraordinary size. 
 
 SERVANTS AND WAGES. 
 
 Servants are generally hired by the year, 
 which commences at Candlemas (February 2nd.) 
 A man's wages are about 20 a year and rations. 
 A woman's ditto, 16 ditto.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 357 
 
 FARM BUILDINGS. 
 
 The farm buildings are principally of the stone 
 procured from Longridge quarries, various in 
 shape and contrivance, and generally defective in 
 size and convenience, and most especially so with 
 regard to midden steads ; this defect is a serious 
 loss to the farmer, especially in very rainy seasons. 
 Perhaps the most singular circumstance relating 
 to the History of Goosnargh is (as before stated) 
 that one of the oldest barns, if not quite the 
 oldest, in the township, bids fair to outlast the 
 newest and best built homestead in this country. 
 I allude to the one on Whinney Clough estate, 
 the property of Mr. William Philip Park of 
 Preston. 
 
 HORSES. 
 
 A considerable number of horses are bred here, / 
 a few of which are of superior quality, and fetch 
 very high prices. A breeding mare (next to a 
 good wife) is the most valuable article about a 
 farmer's house ; but the greatest part of the 
 horses are of a dwarfish size and mongrel breed, 
 and the farmers in Goosnargh pride less in their 
 teams than those of the neighbouring townships; 
 this does not bespeak a money making people. 
 Farming business is dull in all departments, with 
 the exception of breeding good horses. 
 
 cows. 
 
 From sixty to seventy years ago very few 
 besides the " long " horned breed of cows was
 
 358 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 kept here, and now they are the most uncommon 
 of all others. But some how or other when in 
 my rambles I happen to meet with one or two of 
 those natives, with their long thick jackets, 
 wide spreading or circling antlers, I can hardly 
 suppress the thought that the change has been 
 greater than the improvement, that cattle for 
 permanent stock can be too fine bred for this 
 high district, and that ultimately the farrier 
 (cow doctor) will be the greatest gainer. How- 
 ever, the finest breeds of young stock grow well 
 in most parts of the township, and for selling off 
 at one, two or three years old, perhaps make the 
 best returns ; but for milking stock, a cross 
 between the short horns and the Scotch or Welsh 
 is much preferred, and one not over tidy in shape 
 sometimes tells a good tale in the milking pail ; 
 (perhaps I am touching a sore place.) 
 
 SHEEP. 
 
 A good number of sheep are kept in this dis- 
 trict, but with the exception of Beaton fell, and 
 a few other farms in Goosnargh, is not well 
 calculated for sheep farming; for, as before 
 observed, the climate is humid and the land 
 generally too wet, both being against sheep 
 farming ; and besides this most of the farms are 
 too small to be conveniently divided into sheep 
 and cow pastures, and when sheep are suffered 
 to graze with the milking stock, " they dine at 
 the head of the table," as the old farmers say, 
 and manage to pick out the choice herbs, and in 
 consequence considerably diminish the yield of 
 the cows.
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 359 
 
 SEED TIME AND HARVEST. 
 
 Wheat is generally sown (seldom otherwise 
 than on fallow), at the latter end of September 
 or the beginning of October, and reaped in 
 August or September. The last week in March 
 or the first week in April is accounted the most 
 proper time for the sowing of oats, and they are 
 generally ready for the sickle in the month of 
 September. The yield of wheat is about ten 
 windles per acre, customary measuie, and that of 
 oats six loads of meal. 
 
 POTATOES. 
 
 Potatoes are planted in the months of March, 
 April and May, and on light and favourable soils 
 yield about I2olbs. per "fall" of 49 square yards, 
 but the murrain or rot prevails so extensively 
 that not uncommonly three-fourths of the year's 
 crop is destroyed thereby. Those planted in 
 light, dry or mossy soils have formerly proved 
 much sounder than those on heavy wet land, 
 but the destroyer now makes few exceptions, and 
 doubts begin to be entertained that ere long we 
 shall be unable to grow this useful vegetable 
 at all. 
 
 HAY HARVEST. 
 
 The hay harvest is a busy and animating scene, 
 a critical and about the most important part of 
 the farming business, but a business which all 
 can manage, and of course a subject on which 
 few will stoop to be instructed, nevertheless I 
 will venture a few remarks thereon.
 
 360 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 The artificial grasses are generally cut in June, 
 which after (very properly) lying in the swath 
 two or three fine days are " rickle-cocked," and 
 afterwards well housed without much difficulty. 
 
 The month of July, the very period in which 
 the most rain falls, is reckoned the most suitable 
 time for the hay harvest of the natural grasses ; 
 and the lower the grass is cut (provided the land 
 be not push-plowed) the better, for the aftermath 
 always grows the best where the grass is cut the 
 lowest, and cattle never like to graze lower than 
 the scythe has gone, and besides this, high and 
 rough mowing has a tendency to make future 
 crops of hay grass grow long, coarse and thin. 
 The notion which commonly prevails of low 
 mowing making poor meadows is a fallacy. 
 Thirty-five years ago the mowing machine was 
 not known here, arid now the hand scythe is all 
 but obsolete. 
 
 As to haymaking in wet and unsettled weather, 
 I would say stop the scythes, don't dabble too 
 much in the mown grass, exercise a little 
 patience, and wait the return of a few fine days, 
 and make sure of the hay being very dry before 
 it is housed, otherwise moulded hay, the worst 
 of all others, will be the consequence. The effect 
 of a sunny day on weather beaten hay is all but 
 magical ; and how very commonly do we hear 
 impatient farmers reproaching themselves on 
 such occasions, and saying, "I wish I had let 
 my hay stop out another day." It is proverbially 
 said that "dull weather makes the richest hay," 
 but if good hay be not made in hot sunny 
 weather let the right horse be saddled with the 
 blame. If the grass be stowed as soon as it is
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 361 
 
 mowed on a hot and bright day, as is generally 
 the case, the juices being in such a fluid state 
 they go off by evaporation, and hence the de- 
 ficient quality of the hay that is generally made 
 in very hot weather. But if the newly mown 
 grass be left in the swath, say 24 hours, the fluids 
 attain a greater consistency, and assume a gummy 
 or oily nature, or in other words " soak their 
 virtues into themselves," and in consequence 
 make a much more nutritive fodder than if they 
 were otherwise exposed to the scorching rays of 
 the sun as soon as they are mown. Good strow- 
 ing is so essential to good haymaking that if it 
 be indifferently performed no after pains or care 
 can remedy the defect, and a good pair of hands 
 is the best instrument ever yet invented for either 
 strewing or breaking out ; but alas ! I fear back 
 bending is going out of fashion. Excepting when 
 the grass is green or wet, rake-cocking should 
 never be practiced. Putting up hay when it is 
 dry into "double-wind-row," rake-cock is of all 
 others the most slovenly, and in case of rain 
 ensuing the most "marring." The "lap-cock" 
 (common in plain and hilly districts) if put up 
 in good order will keep well, and resist all sorts 
 of unfavourable weather longer than any other, 
 but laps are difficult to make and troublesome to 
 shake out and consequently unpopular. 
 
 Hard sweat hay, though generally recom- 
 mended for horses, is not (on account of its 
 stringent qualities) to be preferred for horned 
 cattle ; a milch cow will both yield and grow 
 better, and be more healthy when kept on green- 
 ish than dark brown hay. Hay is at the best 
 for use when it is from six to twelve months old,
 
 362 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 if it be kept over a year a second sweating or fer- 
 mentation will take place, and tend to diminish its 
 nutritive qualities. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Goosnargh forms part of the district of an 
 Agricultural Society, which was established in 
 the year 1839, and is called " The Goosnargh, 
 Barton, Broughton, Whittingham, Haighton and 
 Bleasdale Agricultural Society." It held annual 
 meetings alternately at Goosnargh and Brough- 
 ton villages, and extended over the townships 
 which compose its name. Perhaps it is super- 
 fluous to say that agricultural societies were 
 established principally by the land owners for 
 the improvement of agriculture and for the dis- 
 semination of knowledge on agricultural subjects, 
 and for the mutual good of both owner and 
 occupier of the soil. And though they may not 
 answer the expectation of some of the most 
 sanguine of the projectors, and lay themselves 
 open to objection on the score of drunkenness 
 and revelling, and undoubtedly if the tail ends 
 of these societies could be cut off without doing 
 injury to their heads, they would be the more 
 commendable ; yet the motive which instituted, 
 and the spirit which maintained them was beyond 
 question equally laudable and benevolent. Since 
 the establishment of agricultural societies, a 
 marked improvement has been effected in the 
 breed of horses, a matter of the highest import- 
 ance in this and every other agricultural district. 
 And to all who are not already wise enough, the 
 "show day" is the best and cheapest school for
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 363 
 
 learning the "points" of breed in all descriptions 
 of cattle exhibited. 
 
 For horned cattle, especially milking kine, 
 this society does not " take " so well as some of 
 its kindred neighbours, perhaps the disparity in 
 the quality of the land in the higher part of the 
 district compared with that in the lower and 
 other local causes makes against it in this re- 
 spect. 
 
 FARMERS CLUB. 
 
 On the 26th November, 1849, a meeting was 
 held at Broughton school for the purpose of 
 establishing a Farmers Club and Library ; James 
 German, Esq., the (then) Mayor of Preston, in 
 the chair. When it was resolved to establish a 
 Farmers Club and Library, to comprise within 
 its limits the Goosnargh Agricultural Society's 
 District and the townships of Fulwood, Wood- 
 plumpton, Myerscough and Bilsborrow, and that 
 monthly meetings be held at the school-rooms 
 at Broughton, Goosnargh and Barton alternately, 
 for the purpose of hearing lectures and holding 
 discussions on agricultural subjects, and that 
 2s. 6d. per annum constitute tenant farmers 
 members of the Farmers Club and Library. 
 
 The following names with the donations and 
 annual subscriptions attached were received at 
 the said meeting, namely : 
 
 Annual 
 
 Donations. Subscriptions. 
 S. D. S. D. 
 
 Charles Roger Jacson, 
 
 Esq 20 o o i o o 
 
 J. F. Anderton, Esq. . 10 o o i o o 
 
 James German, Esq... 10 o o i o o
 
 364 GOOSNARGH : 
 
 At the close of the year 1850, the donations to 
 the Library fund had amounted to ^"67 ios., and 
 the cash received from annual subscribers and 
 fines to ^"10 75. 3d., making a total of ^~77 173. 3d. 
 which was accounted for as follows : 
 
 s. D. 
 
 Bookcase ... ... 586 
 
 Books and Stationery 36 19 6 
 
 Librarian's salary 2 10 o 
 
 Sundry expenses 2 9 5 
 
 Hands of Bankers 30 o o* 
 
 Hands of Treasurer ... o q 10 
 
 TI 17 3 
 
 The library is established at Broughton village 
 and consists of about 100 volumes of elementary, 
 and standard works on agriculture, which will no 
 doubt be of permanent advantage to the neigh- 
 bourhood. And at least the farmers' club is 
 upon a good foundation, the meetings are away 
 from "the pipe and the pot," and by the rules, 
 politics are excluded, hence good without much 
 alloy may reasonably be expected. 
 
 Kind, forbearing, courteous reader, please to 
 excuse errors, and bear in mind that it is easier 
 to find fault with a history than to write one ; 
 and remember that Lord Bacon says it is time 
 enough to criticise the works of others when 
 you have done some good work yourself. 
 
 * How about the cash at the bankers ?
 
 PAST AND PRESENT. 365 
 
 " Alone I walked on the ocean strand, 
 A pearly shell was in my hand, 
 I stooped and wrote upon the sand 
 
 My name, the year and day ; 
 As onward from the spot I passed, 
 One lingering look behind I cast, 
 A wave came rolling high and fast, 
 
 And washed my lines away. 
 And so methought, 'twill quickly be 
 With every mark on earth from me ! 
 A wave of dark oblivion's sea 
 
 Will sweep across the place 
 Where I have trod the sandy shore 
 Of time, and been to me no more ; 
 Of me, my day, the name I bore, 
 
 To leave no track or trace. 
 And yet with Him who counts the sands, 
 And holds the water in His hands, 
 I know a lasting record stands 
 
 Inscribed against my name, 
 Of all this mortal soul has wrought, 
 Of all this thinking soul has thought, 
 And from these fleeting moments caught, 
 
 For glory or for shame." 
 
 FINIS
 
 I NDEX.
 
 INDEX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Adamson's Charity ... ... ... ... 188 
 
 Advice, Lady Bacon's ... ... ... ... 319 
 
 Agricultural Society ... ... ... ... 362 
 
 Allotment, Inequality of ... ... ... ... 54 
 
 Ancient Buildings ... ... ... ... 296 
 
 Anecdotes ... ... ... ... ... 345 
 
 April Noddy Day ... ... ... ... 287 
 
 Assessors ... ... ... ... ... 43 
 
 Bacon's, Lady, Advice ... ... ... ... 319 
 
 Barns, Tithe "... ... ... ... ... 313 
 
 Barrow, Mrs., Gift ... ... ... ... 190 
 
 Bear Baiting ... ... ... ... ... 278 
 
 Beards ... ... ... ... ... ... 311 
 
 Beaton Fell ... ... ... ... ... 324 
 
 Bees ... ... ... ... ... ... 318 
 
 Bell Ringing ... ... ... ... ... 90 
 
 Benefit Societies... ... ... ... ... 235 
 
 Bequest, Parkinson's ... ... ... ... 33 
 
 Betting... ... ... ... ... ... 317 
 
 Bible, The ... ... ... ... ... 320 
 
 Billsticking ... ... ... ... ... 89
 
 37O INDEX. 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Birds, Small 
 
 ... 265 
 
 Births, Registrar of 
 
 45 
 
 Boggarts 
 
 ... 284 
 
 Do. 
 
 3" 
 
 Book Money ... ... 
 
 172 
 
 
 
 Bridges 
 
 49 
 
 Bridges, County... 
 
 298 
 
 Broom, Hanging out the ... 
 
 ... 320 
 
 Buildings, Farm... 
 
 357 
 
 Bull Baiting 
 
 278 
 
 Burying without Coffins ... 
 
 315 
 
 Bushell, Dr., Monument ... 
 
 217 
 
 Bushell, W., Tablet 
 
 59 
 
 Bye ways 
 
 52 
 
 Cakes, Goosnargh 
 
 345 
 
 Carters' Language 
 
 317 
 
 Cattle Plague ... 
 
 340 
 
 Charities, Deeds &c. of ... 
 
 ... 306 
 
 Charity, Adamson's 
 
 ... 188 
 
 Do. Colborne's 
 
 ... 190 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 ... 196 
 
 Do. Donor unknown ... 
 
 ... 189 
 
 Do. Knowles's 
 
 191 
 
 Do. Parkinson's 
 
 182 
 
 
 ... 187 
 
 Choir, Church ... 
 
 9 
 
 Christening Custom 
 
 313 
 
 Christmas Day ... ... 
 
 .. 254 
 
 Christmas Dole ... 
 
 342
 
 INDEX. 371 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Church, Goosnargh ... ... ... ... 10 
 
 Do. do. ... ... ... ... 54 
 
 Do. do. Fees ... ... ... ... 86 
 
 Do. do. Goers, Hint to... ... ... 91 
 
 Do. do. Rates... ... ... ... 88 
 
 Do. do. Restoration of... ... ... 121 
 
 Do. do. Service ... ... ... 91 
 
 Do. do. Terrier ... ... ... 134 
 
 Do. do. Tower ... ... ... 62 
 
 Do. do. Yard... ... ... ... 67 
 
 Church Legend ... ... ... ... ... 321 
 
 Church Registers, Origin of ... ... ... 314 
 
 Churching of Women ... ... ... ... 313 
 
 Churching Pew ... ... ... ... ... 325 
 
 Churchwardens ... ... ... ... ... 42 
 
 Clerk, Parish ... ... ... ... ... 88 
 
 Climate ... ... ... ... ... 350 
 
 Clock ... ... ... ... ... ... 81 
 
 Clothing Clubs ... ... ... ... 302 
 
 Coal Fields ... ... ... ... ... 284 
 
 Cock Fighting ... ... ... ... ... 278 
 
 Do. do. ... ... ... 316 
 
 Coffins, Burying without ... ... ...__ ... 315 
 
 Collectors ... ... ... ... ... 43 
 
 Corn Mills ... ... ... ... ... 345 
 
 Corn Sheaf Custom ... ... ... ... 323 
 
 Coronership ... ... ... ... ... 298 
 
 Cotton Cloth &c, Manufacture of ... ... ... 305 
 
 Court Leet ... ... ... ... ... 255 
 
 Cousins, First ... ... ... ... ... 323 
 
 Cows ... ... ... ... ... ... 357 
 
 X 2
 
 372 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Cranberry, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 344 
 
 Cropping ... ... ... 352 
 
 Crosses and Cross Stones ... ... ... ... 294 
 
 Crow Hall ... ... ... ... ... 37 
 
 Cuckoo, The ... ... ... ... ... 323 
 
 Curfew, The ... ... ... ... ... 106 
 
 Custom, Good old ... ... ... ... 89 
 
 Customs, Good ... ... ... ... ... 344 
 
 Do. Old ... ... ... ... ... 328 
 
 Dancing ... ... ... ... ... 322 
 
 Deaths, Registrar of ... ... ... ".45 
 
 Deeds of Public Charities, &c. ... ... ... 306 
 
 Dinner Service, Ancient ... ... ... ... 326 
 
 Dole, Christmas ... ... ... ... ... 342 
 
 Do. John Lancaster's ... ... ... ... 202 
 
 Do. Meal, Parkinson's ... ... ... ... 343 
 
 Domesday Book ... ... ... ... ... 8 
 
 Do. do. ... ... ... ... ... 257 
 
 Draining ... ... ... ... ... 351 
 
 Drinking Habits... ... ... ... ... 259 
 
 Drinking ... ... ... ... ... 3 22 
 
 Do. Pot-house ... ... ... ... 325 
 
 Easter Dues ... ... ... ... ... 21 
 
 Education ... ... ,. ... ... 283 
 
 Enclosures and Fences ... ... ... ... 353 
 
 Excommunication ... ... ... ... 317 
 
 Extent ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 
 
 Fairies... ' ... ... ... ... ... 284
 
 INDEX. 273 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Fairs, Inglewhite ... ... ... ... 16 
 
 Fairy Rings ... ... ... ... ... 321 
 
 Farm Buildings ... ... ... ... ... 357 
 
 Farmers' Club ... ... ... ... ... 363 
 
 Farmers, Morals and Ability of ... ... ... 349 
 
 Farming, Essay on Goosnargh ... ... ... 348 
 
 Fashions ... ... ... ... ... 322 
 
 Fees, Church ... ... ... ... ... 86 
 
 Fences and Enclosures ... ... ... ... 353 
 
 Fish, Fisheries and Fishers ... ... ... 264 
 
 Football ... ... ... ... ... 324 
 
 Footings ... ... ... ... ... 282 
 
 Friend-made Matches ... ... ... ...316 
 
 Fruit Trees ... ... ... ... ... 356 
 
 Funerals and Funeral Reform ... ... ... 244 
 
 Game ... ... ... ... ... ... 262 
 
 Gentlemen's Seats ... ... ... ... 247 
 
 Gift, Grace Shakeshaft's ... ... ... ... 189 
 
 Do. Mrs. Barrow's ... ... ... ... 190 
 
 Gipsies... ... ... ... ... ... 309 
 
 Glasses, Hour ... ... ... ... ... 314 
 
 Good Old Times ... ... ... ... 322 
 
 Goosnargh ... ... ... ... ... 96 
 
 Do. Ancient Lords of ... ... ... n 
 
 Do. Cakes ... ... ... ... 345 
 
 Do. Church ... ... ... ... 10 
 
 Do. do. ... ... ... ... 54 
 
 Do. Division of ... ... ... ... 37 
 
 Do. Extent ... ... ... ... 13 
 
 Do. Guardian ... ... ... ... 38
 
 374 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Goosnargh Hospital ... ... ... ... 202 
 
 Do. How Bounded ... ... ... 8 
 
 Do. Mill Lane ... ... ... ... 51 
 
 Do. Past and Present ... ... ... 7 
 
 Do. Patrons of ... ... ... ... 67 
 
 Do. Population ... ... ... ... 13 
 
 Do. Seventy Years Ago ... ... ... 337 
 
 Do. Taxes ... ... ... ... 14 
 
 Do. Valuation ... ... ... ... 14 
 
 Do. Village ... ... ... ... 279 
 
 Grocer's Shops ... ... ... ... ... 260 
 
 Gunpowder Plot... ... ... ... ... 253 
 
 Hanging out the Broom ... 
 
 Hard Times 
 
 Harvest, Hay 
 
 Harvest and Seed Time ... 
 
 Hat, going round with 
 
 High Roads 
 
 Hill Chapel 
 
 Hint to Church Goers 
 
 Homilies, The ... 
 
 Horses 
 
 Horse Shoe Superstition ... 
 
 Hospital, Goosnargh 
 
 Do. do. Library 
 
 Hour Glasses 
 
 House for Schoolmistress... 
 Hunting and Coursing ... 
 
 Inglewhite ... ... ... ... ... 16
 
 INDEX. 375 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Inglewhite Chapel ... ... ... ... 152 
 
 Do. Cross, Distances from ... ... ... 12 
 
 Do. Fairs ... ... ... ... 16 
 
 Iron Pen, Writing with ... ... ... ... 323 
 
 Jury List ... ... ... ... ... 278 
 
 Knowles' Charity ... ... ... ... 191 
 
 Lady Bacon's advice ... ... ... ... 319 
 
 Land, How held and let ... ... ... ... 349 
 
 Land Owners ... ... ... ... ... 37 
 
 Lands, Waste ... ... ... ... ... 289 
 
 Lancaster's John, Dole ... ... ... ... 202 
 
 Language, Carters' ... ... ... ...317 
 
 Larking ... ... ... ... ... 319 
 
 Leaf Superstition ... ... ... ... 313 
 
 Legend, Goosnargh Church ... ... ... 321 
 
 Library ... ... ... ... ...171 
 
 Do. Goosnargh Hospital ... ... ... 217 
 
 Do. School Lending ... ... ... ... 301 
 
 Lifting, Old custom of ... ... ... ... 312 
 
 Longevity ... ... ... ... ... 345 
 
 Lord of the Manor ... ... ... ... 15 
 
 Lords, Ancient, of Goosnargh ... ... ... n 
 
 Magpie Superstition ... ... ... ... 325 
 
 Manor, Lord of ... ... ... ... ... 15 
 
 Manufacture of Cotton Cloth &c. ... ... ...305 
 
 Manures ... ... ... ... ... 355 
 
 Marl ... ... ... ... ... ... 327
 
 376 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Marling, ... ... ... ... 355 
 
 Marriage in time of Oliver Cromwell ... ... 3 J 9 
 
 Do. Custom, old ... ... ... ... 322 
 
 Matches, Friend made ... ... ... ... 316 
 
 May Bough Night ... ... ... ...287 
 
 Meal Dole, Parkinson's Charity ... ... ... 343 
 
 Men, Maids, and Matrons ... ... ... 275 
 
 Middleton Pew ... ... ... ... ... 64 
 
 Mill Lane, Goosnargh ... ... ... ... 51 
 
 Mills, Corn ... ... ... ... ... 345 
 
 Mistletoe ... ... ... ... ... 316 
 
 Moles and Mole Catching ... ... ... 290 
 
 Monument, Dr. Bushell's ... ... ... ... 217 
 
 Morals ... ... ... ... ... ... 284 
 
 Moss or Peat ... ... ... ... ... 306 
 
 Moultre ... ... ... ... ... 321 
 
 Names of the 24 Men ... ... ... ... 131 
 
 Names, Pet ... ... ... ... ... 317 
 
 Newhouse Chapel ... ... ... ... 157 
 
 Newsham, Hamlet of ... ... ... ... 23 
 
 Do. Roads ... ... ... ... 53 
 
 Oath, Vestryman's ... ... ... ... 106 
 
 Old Chapel ... ... ... ... ... 157 
 
 Old Customs ... ... ... ... ... 328 
 
 Old Halls ... ... ... ... ... 296 
 
 Old Marriage Custom ... ... ... ... 322 
 
 Old Prices ... ... ... ... ... 327 
 
 Old Times, Good ... ... ... ... 322 
 
 Out Townships, Land belonging to ... ... 327
 
 INDEX. 377 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Overseers ... ... ... ... ... 40 
 
 Do. Assistant ... ... ... ... 41 
 
 Owners, Land ... ... ... ... ... 37 
 
 Pace or Peace Egging ... ... ... . 
 
 Paint, John Evelyn on ... ... ... . 
 
 Parish Affairs ... ... ... ... . 
 
 Do. Clerk ... ... ... ... . 
 
 Do. Registers... 
 Parker, J. B., Tablet 
 Parkinson's Bequest 
 Charity 
 
 Patronage of Church ... ... 
 
 Patrons of Goosnargh 
 
 Pauperism 
 
 Peat or Moss 
 
 Pet Names 
 
 Pew, Middleton ... 
 
 Pin Fold 
 
 Poaching 
 Police, Rural 
 Population 
 Post Office 
 Post, Penny 
 Potatoes 
 
 Pot-house Drinking 
 Preface... 
 Presents, Wedding 
 Prices, Old 
 Professed Religion 
 Proverbs
 
 378 INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Public Houses ... ... ... ... ... 259 
 
 Punishments, Ancient ... ... ... ... 248 
 
 Rain ... ... ... ... ... ... 35* 
 
 Rearings ... ... ... ... ... 282 
 
 Recipe for Mange &c. ... ... ... ... 327 
 
 Registers, Origin of Church ... ... ... 314 
 
 Registers, Parish ... ... ... ... 221 
 
 Registrar of Births and Deaths ... ... ... 45 
 
 Do. Deputy ... ... ... ... 46 
 
 Relieving Officers ... ... ... ... 44 
 
 Religion, Professed ... ... ... ... 277 
 
 Rental... ... ... ... ... ... 353 
 
 Rents, Standish School ... ... ... ... 288 
 
 Restoration of Church ... ... ... ... 121 
 
 Riding the Stang ... ... ... ... 308 
 
 Roads, Surveyors of ... ... ... ... 47 
 
 Do. High ... ... ... ... ... 48 
 
 Do. Do. How laid out ... ... ... 48 
 
 Do. Do. How repaired ... ... ... 48 
 
 Do. Marks ... *... ... ... ... 52 
 
 Do. Metalling of ... ... ... ... 50 
 
 Do. Newsham ... ... ... ... 53 
 
 Do. Township ... ... ... ... 49 
 
 Robin Red-breast ... ... ... ... 316 
 
 Rookeries and Rooks ... ... ... ... 265 
 
 Rural Police ... ... ... 294 
 
 Sanderson, Ann ... ... ... ... ... 72 
 
 School, Free ... ... ... ... ... 160 
 
 Do. Do. Grammar ... ... ... ... 163
 
 INDEX. 379 
 
 PACK 
 
 School, Boys' ... ... ... ... ... 165 
 
 Do. Girls' ... ... ... ... ... 167 
 
 Do. Lending Library ... ... ... ... 301 
 
 Schoolmistress, House for ... ... ... 171 
 
 Scraps, Odd ... ... ... ... ... 307 
 
 Seats, Gentlemen's ... ... ... ... 247 
 
 Second Sight ... ... .. ... ... 309 
 
 Seed Time and Harvest ... ... ... ... 359 
 
 Select Vestry ... ... ... ... ... 47 
 
 Selling a Wife ... ... ... ... ... 317 
 
 Servants and Wages ... ... ... ... 356 
 
 Seventy Years Ago ... ... ... ... 337 
 
 Sexton ... ... ... ... ... 89 
 
 Shakeshaft's, Grace, Gift ... ... ... ... 189 
 
 Sheep 358 
 
 Shoe Throwing ... ... ... ... ... 312 
 
 Shrove Tuesday ... ... ... ... ... 285 
 
 Sidgreaves, J. Tablet ... ... ... ... 60 
 
 Sign Posts ... ... ... ... ... 326 
 
 Silos ... ... ... ... ... ... 323 
 
 Small Birds ... ... *.. ... ... 265 
 
 Snuff... ... ... ... ... ... 262 
 
 Societies, Benefit ... ... ... ... 235 
 
 Soil ... ... ... ... ... ... 350 
 
 Sports, Sunday ... . ... ... ... ... 273 
 
 St. Anne's Well... ... ... ... ...341 
 
 Standish School Rents ... ... ... ... 288 
 
 Stang, Riding the ... ... ... ... 308 
 
 Stone Crosses ... ... ... ... ... 294 
 
 Stone Quarries ... ... ... ... ... 306 
 
 Sub Soil ... ... ... ... ... 350
 
 380 INDEX. 
 
 PAGR 
 
 Sun Dial ... .. ... ... ... 78 
 
 Sunday School ... ... ... ... ... 298 
 
 Sunday Sports ... ... ... ... ... 273 
 
 Superstition, Horse Shoe ... ... ... ... 318 
 
 Do. Leaf ... ... ... ... 313 
 
 Do. Magpie ... ... ... ... 325 
 
 Surveyors of the Roads ... ... ... 47 
 
 Taxation of Township ... ... ... ... 99 
 
 Taxes ... ... ... ... ... ... 14 
 
 Teanley Night ... ... ... ... ... 298 
 
 Terrier, Church ... ... ... ... ... 134 
 
 Thorn, White ... ... ... ... ...318 
 
 Timber... ... ... ... ... ... 344 
 
 Do 354 
 
 Tithe Barns ... ... ... ... ... 313 
 
 Tithes, Great ... ... ... ... ... 18 
 
 Do. Origin of ... ... ... ... 19 
 
 Do. Small ... ... ... ... ... 21 
 
 Toads ... ... ... ... ... ... 324 
 
 Tobacco ... *... ... 261 
 
 Tombstones, Inscriptions on ... ... ... 69 
 
 Tower, The Church ... ... ... ... 62 
 
 Trade ... ... ... ... ... ... 255 
 
 Do. ... ... ... ... ... ... 282 
 
 Twenty-four Men, Names of ... ... ... 103 
 
 Do. do. ... ... ... 131 
 
 Valentine's Day ... ... ... ... ... 278 
 
 Valuation ... ... ... ... ... 14 
 
 Vestry Book ... ... ... ... ... 95
 
 INDEX. 381 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Vestryman's Oath ... ... ... ... 106 
 
 Vicarage, The ... ... ... ... ... 94 
 
 Wages and Servants ... ... ... ... 355 
 
 Waring's Charity ... ... ... ... 187 
 
 Waste Lands ... ... ... ... ... 289 
 
 Waterworks ... ... ... ... ... 326 
 
 Weather ... ... ... ... ... 326 
 
 Weather Chronicle ... ... ... ... 320 
 
 Wedding Presents ... ... ... ... 324 
 
 Well, St. Ann's ... ... ... ... ...341 
 
 Wesleyan Chapel ... ... ... 159 
 
 Whitechapel Church ... ... ... ... 134 
 
 Do. Queen's Bounty ... ... ... 137 
 
 Do. Rebuilding ... ... ... ... 138 
 
 Do. Do. Condition of ... ... 141 
 
 Do. School ... ... ... ... 173 
 
 Do. Sun Dial ... ... ... ... 150 
 
 White Thorn ... ... ... ... ... 318 
 
 Wife, Selling ... .., ... ... ... 317 
 
 Will o' the Wisp ... "... ... ... 315 
 
 Woodhouse, Rev. Jno. ... ... ... ... 119 
 
 Yew Trees in Church Yards ... ... ... 314 
 
 PRINTED RY H. OAKEY, 36, FISHERGATE, PRESTON.
 
 LATELY PUBLISHED, 
 
 NINE HUNDRED AND NINETY-NINE 
 THOUGHTS, 
 
 On various Subjects, or 
 
 HOW TO BE HAPPY & MAKE OTHERS 
 HAPPY, 
 
 BY RICHARD COOKSON, of Goosnargh, 
 Author of the " Goosnargh Rambler" &c. 
 
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 and the Healthy. 
 
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