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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Gift of the Publishers

PUBLISHED ON THE FUND ESTABLISHED IN
MEMORY OF GANSON GOODYEAR DEPEW

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE

THE DIARY OF
ROGER LOWE
of
Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire
1663-74
Edited by
WILLIAM L. SACHSE
B.Litt., Ph.D.

Foreword by
PROFESSOR WALLACE NOTESTEIN

NEW HAVEN
YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS
1938

5S t ,

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN

TO MY PARENTS
AND NAN

FOREWORD
WE have had so many diaries and autobiographies of
country gentlemen and gentlewomen that it is not
hard to reconstruct their daily round of activities at a
given time, or to gather something of their outlook upon
fife and of their attitudes towards their fellows in other
classes. About clergymen, too, we know a good deal
and something of well-to-do business men in country
towns. What we do not know about is the lesser folk in
villages. Of servants and farm labourers we have only
occasional mentions in the diaries and letters of their
superiors. Joseph Lister is the only servant in the
seventeenth century whose account of himself I can recall,
and there are not many in the centuries following. How
such men and women lived, what they feared and hoped,
remain in most cases unknown. Sometimes a playwright
gives us a clue, occasionally a man from the fields walks
unobtrusively into the letters of the lady of the manor.
But such instances are rare.
That is why Roger Lowe's record of his daily comings
and goings is worth attention. Had we made a mid
summer-eve's wish for a diary of a common man, we
could not have asked for one better than that of this
shopkeeper. He was at the centre of village life. He
knew everyone in the country round about and had
dealings with most of them.
Moreover, he happened to be a young man who drew
others to him and went out to meet them. The farmers
and farm labourers came to his shop to buy and stayed
to talk. They lured him off with them to their club, the
alehouse. They went with him to all the alehouses in
the parishes around as well as to the chapels. He was up
and down the country. Horses could be borrowed
vii

viii FOREWORD
sometimes, and if they were not as fleet as motor-cars
to-day, they did get over the ground. When horses were
not available Roger and his friends took to their feet
and walked seven or eight miles and back again.
The young women seem to have been almost as good
walkers, a vigorous lot, who did their full share of the
work of the community. But they missed little that was
going on. They were not shy, they really knew their
worth, and seldom waited on male initiative; apparently
they were not expected to do so. Yet they were, so far
as I can judge, a fairly well-behaved lot and rarely fell
into that frailty common to the housemaids of English
diaries. There will be those to doubt this opinion and to
read more into Roger's narratives of his episodes with
young women than I have done.
We can read more, of another kind. Roger had an
amusing way of talking, and his friends liked nothing
more than to draw him out. He was willing to oblige,
and even with stories against himself. Two of these
stories he had embodied in the diary, one about leading
a recalcitrant ram and the other about eating hot por
ridge at the servants' table. These relations are as
delightful examples of rollicking peasant humour as are
to be found in the plays or prose of the seventeenth
century. The makers of source books and anthologies
will include them; the students of humour will refer to
them. Nothing is more interesting about Roger than his mili
tant conformity. It is a fashion nowadays to sing low
about nonconformity. In some way the notion has been
conveyed to the public that everything unlovely and
middle-class was connected with puritanism and es
pecially with nonconformity. Yet it is puritanism more
than any other one factor that has differentiated the
English in character from their Continental neighbours.
lt is nonconformity that has given them much of their
particular quality. Those who would interpret the
English should spend less words upon country houses,

FOREWORD ix
parish churches, bellringers and cricket — those aspects
of Englishry dear to The Times — and more upon non
conformity in its many phases. What a lot of Enghsh
thought and movement is concerned with Quakers and
Unitarians and Congregationalists! Who can talk about
the English village and leave out the Wesleyan chapel?
Roger's nonconformity was not of the loveliest type.
He wished to make the best of this world and the next.
His expressive piety was a kind of servility towards that
Providence who would, he trusted, facilitate his pursuit
of the main chance. He was Anglo-Saxon to the core.
From the days of Richard Hakluyt who wished to see
the Enghsh develop colonies in order to foster trade and
spread Christianity to the days of Franklin Roosevelt
who mixes social idealism and poUtical tie-ups with the
underworlds of the great cities, the Anglo-Saxons have
known how to do good to others and to do well by
themselves. Yet the reader cannot but Uke Roger. His Uvely
personaUty appears in every paragraph. We are as glad
to hear him talk as were the men and women of Ashton.
We can understand his anxiety for the end of the funeral
and the beginning of the feast. He loved food as much
as any — a roast goose by preference. He Uked to look
across the chapel at pretty wenches and to meet them on
the town heath. He was not a Samuel Pepys, he Uved
in a smaUer world, but he was not less human.
WALLACE NOTESTEIN

PREFACE
'"TTHE Diary of Roger Lowe is preserved in the Leyland
-*¦ Free Library and Museum, in Hindley, Lancashire.
Extracts first appeared in the "Local Gleanings" columns
of The Manchester Courier, beginning on April 21, 1876,
and were reprinted in the first volume of Local Gleanings
Relating to Lancashire and Cheshire, edited by J. P. Ear
waker. In the autumn of 1876 the diary was printed in
the antiquarian columns entitled the "Chronicle Scrap
Book" in The Leigh Chronicle, of Leigh, Lancashire. The
following year it was reprinted, with a brief introduction
and notes, by the Chronicle, as a separate publication.
This edition omitted a number of passages, however,
which have been included here.
I wish to thank Mr. Herbert H. Smith, Librarian and
Secretary of the Leyland Free Library and Museum, and
his Committee, for their permission to publish the diary;
Professor Wallace Notestein, of Yale University, for
introducing me to Roger Lowe; and Mr. John Espey,
of Merton College, Oxford, for a memorable trip to
Lancashire and eyes quick to detect the editor's errors.
W. L. S.
June 5, 1938.
New Haven.

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H T I I

INTRODUCTION
WITH the sole exception of letter-writing, diary-keep
ing is the single form of Uterary achievement to
which aU may attain. We readily grant professional
status to the essayist, the novelist, the poet: but who has
ever heard of the professional diarist? Every man and
woman, of high and low estate, of adventurous or mono
tonous daily Ufe, has one story to tell, and who can tell it
better? "No kind of reading," wrote Macaulay, "is so
deUghtful, so fascinating, as this minute history of a man's
self." And for the student of history or of society no
document is more revealing. Kept under lock and key
by the author, no writing is less influenced by self-con
sciousness or promoted by self-interest; there is no con
fessional more secluded.
Unfortunately for students of bygone days the keys to
many diaries have been lost forever. Particularly is this
true of those kept by persons of humble estate. It is only
comparatively recently that Clio, occupied with the
annals of kings and war-lords, has considered the butcher
and baker and candlestick-maker worthy of her attention.
Diarian entries not relating to public events or to persons
Usted in Who's Who have been rigorously blue-pencilled
by the most scholarly of editors, and deposited in the
waste-baskets of many a publisher. The incentive of pre
servation is thus gone, and the means, too : for the cot
tager has no muniment-room or Ubrary in which to file
his papers with those of his forefathers.
A diary of a seventeenth-century apprentice, such as is
presented here, can therefore be regarded as an historical
document of considerable rarity and importance. Roger
Lowe was an apprentice to a south-Lancashire mercer, a
dealer in smaU wares, and resided in Ashton-in-Maker-
1 B

2 INTRODUCTION
field, a small town of some importance because of its
situation midway between Wigan and Warrington. Here,
between 1663 and 1674, he kept a diary which fills, in
manuscript form, one hundred and fifty closely-written
pages. Lowe was not a faithful diarist: his entries are
very irregular, and as time goes on the gaps between dates
become wider and wider.
What induced Roger Lowe to keep a diary at aU? The
answer to this question must be conjectural, for Lowe
himself offers us no explanation. Different persons keep
diaries for different reasons : egotism, addiction to habit,
the "itch to record," as Lord Ponsonby calls it, a philoso
phical urge to survey life, an introspective nature — all
these motivations and more must be reckoned with.
Lowe Uved in a period which Joseph Hunter, in his Life
of Oliver Heywood, has called "peculiarly the age of
diaries." The keeping of diaries, universal as it was to
become, cannot be traced in England with any certainty
before the sixteenth century; but by the close of the
seventeenth courtiers and country gentlemen, clergymen
and barristers, soldiers and travellers had all tried their
hands at daily autobiography, Pepys and Evelyn had
written their classic Unes, and diaries were common
literary opera.
The chief impetus given to diary-writing in the seven
teenth century came from the nonconformists. Puritani
cal writers of devout manuals advocated the daily record
ing of thoughts as a means to cultivate a holy life by the
discipUne of self-examination and self-revelation. Isaac
Ambrose, in his Media: The Middle Things, first published
in 1650, has a section in commendation of diary-keeping,
the uses of which he outlines :
" 1 . Hereby he (the diarist) observes something of
God to his soul, and of his soul to God. 2. Upon
occasion he pours out his soul to God in prayer ac
cordingly, and either is humbled or thankful. 3. He
considers how it is with him in respect of time past, and
if he have profited, in grace, to find out the means

INTRODUCTION 3
whereby he hath profited, that he may make more
constant use of such means; or wherein he hath de
cayed, to observe by what temptation he was overcome,
that his former errors may make him more wary for
the future."*
Now Ambrose's works were extremely popular in Lanca
shire, where his reputation was considerable. Angier,
Newcome, Martindale, Meek, Heywood, and many other
nonconformist clergymen practised what they preached
and kept journals. And Roger Lowe, a staunch Presbyter
ian, was very likely influenced by the very passage just
cited, for his diary attests his familiarity with the work.
But Roger Lowe's diary is not, fortunately, just a reU
gious exercise. It goes beyond the Puritan and gives us
the man. Lowe does not write of events other than those
which figure in his daily life and in the Uves of those with
whom he associates. Living in what had been but a few
years before one of the theatres of the Civil Wars, the
young apprentice makes but one fleeting reference to the
Duke of Hamilton's invasion. A zealous Presbyterian in
a time when Church and State were applying legislative
screws to the propagators of that faith, Lowe does not
once mention the Conventicle Act or the Five-Mile Act,
made law even as he wrote. The Dutch War, which
extended from 1665 to 1667, is noticed but once— and
then because of patriotic services in the local churches.
A lone reference is made to the Fire of London, six
weeks later, because philanthropical Ashtonians were
passing the hat to help the stricken city. The Plague of
1665, the Portuguese marriage ofthe King, the downfaU
of Clarendon: all occurred while Lowe diarized, but he
used no ink on them. Not once is the recently restored
Charles mentioned. >*_
Living far from the national capital and never ventur*/
ing, so far as we can learn from the diary, beyond the
confines of Lancashire and Cheshire, Lowe knew Uttle
* Isaac Ambrose, Prima, the First Things, in Reference to the
Middle and Last Things, etc. (London, 1674), 118.

4 INTRODUCTION
and perhaps cared less about national events. He was
content to write of births and christenings, of wedding
festivities and funeral refreshments, of "trading and how
to get wives," of nonconformists' "private days of
prayer," of wakes and fairs and ales, of sets of bowUng
and nights of wooing and visits to neighbouring country-
house and manor — in short, to paint a word picture,
crude and sketchy in places but drawn from Ufe, of
seventeenth-century rural Lancashire. And Lowe, with
wide acquaintance, was eminently quaUfied to do this.
For, humble apprentice though he was, he was a com
paratively big fish in the small pond of Ashton. His is a
role seldom noticed, because inconspicuous, on the stage
of English social history. Historian, ballad-monger, and
novelist have, often enough, introduced us to the duarchy
ofthe English village: clergyman and squire, the Church
and State of the British countryman. Lowe, raised above
his fellow-townsmen and regarded as somewhat of a
scholar because of his ability to read, write, and reckon,
was the unofficial notary of his rustic commurtohicA
hundred clerkly duties devolved upon him in an agewhen
the mother of the Under-Sheriff of Lancashire required
his services when she wished to write to her son. The
general illiteracy of the time should not be forgotten. A
lass wishes to write a love-letter : Lowe acts as amanuen
sis and wiU not show it to two curious old codgers in the
alehouse. A sick man wishes to make his will: Lowe
drafts it "somewhat handsomely." The petty constables
are preparing their presentments: Lowe indicts them.
Many an apprentice was indentured by Lowe, many an
account he reckoned up. Occasionally he is prevailed
upon to instruct the young "to endite letters and to cast
account up," a task which he seems to accept without
enthusiasm. He is recognized universally as a very useful
person; he knows all and is known by all, from Mr.
Greensworth, the Under-Sheriff, and such local aristo
crats as the Byroms and the Gerards, to John Chaddock,
his fellow-apprentice.

INTRODUCTION 5
Although, Uke Martindale, Lowe seems to have
pocketed some recompense for his duties as pubUc secre
tary, the score was probably more frequently evened by
a tankard at the alehouse, and his income from this source
amounted to little more than pin-money. To keep body
and soul together he tended shop, buying and selUng all
sorts of small wares for his master. He had been appren
ticed — at what age we know not — for nine years. Of his
birth and rearing he tells us nothing; his parents, accord
ing to the entry of September 13, 1663, both lay buried in
the Vicarage Fields in Leigh. His brothers and sisters,
occasionally mentioned in the diary, were evidently older
than Roger, and had families of their own. Like many
other country lads who did not drift to the cities or take
to the sea, Lowe may have apprenticed himself as much
to find a temporary home as to insure for himself a future
Uvelihood. He does not seem to have wasted any affec
tion on his trade: "I thought it sad," he writes, "for me
to bev ingagd 9 yeares to stay in Ashton to sell my Mas
ter's waijie of[f] and get no knowledge." He harps con
tinually on his commercial "greefes," and his unsuccess
ful career as an independent trader after his graduation
from apprenticeship -reveals an incompatibihty with the
life of a shopkeeper.
Lowe's master, although held in considerable respect
by the young apprentice, seems to have used him well, and
the diary records not a single complaint against him. His
identity can only be conjectured. Apprentices' indentures
meant a contractual relationship between the master and
the apprentice, the former promising meat, drink, and
lodging, and often articles of clothing and other neces
saries, plus instruction in a trade, and the latter pledging
to abide by the regulations laid down by his master — all
for a stipulated length of time. These regulations con
cerned not only the trade which the apprentice was
striving to master, but his personal and moral conduct as
weU. The master was, in theory, the guardian of his
apprentice, and it was the master's duty, to quote a

6 INTRODUCTION
CaroUne indenture, "in due and decent manner to chas
tise and correct him his said servant." Although Lowe's
master did not fall short in this particular, the relations
between the pair seem to have been ideal. "My Master
came to towne," writes Lowe (March 24, 1665), "and
he had told me that he had heard many things of me and
wishd me for my good to be cautious. He spoke very
loveingly to me, and I was efraid before he came, lest he
would have beene angry." It is obvious that Roger stood
in the good graces of his master's wife, who on one occa
sion, when equipping him with a new wardrobe, "was so
forward as she would have had the tailor left others'
worke for to have done my clothes against Sabbath day."
His master, moreover, seems to have hearkened to his
complaint about his nine-years servitude, for a year later,
when Lowe's books showed a profit, he "proffered"
him the shop, gave him his freedom, and granted him
time in which to pay for the goods on the shelves.
Lowe was sorry to leave him, and wrote: "So I was
made free; tho I was very sorowfulle, yet my trust is in
God." Lowe's accommodations in the Ashton shop were
apparently preferable to Uving in his master's house, for
he caUs a summons to come home "sad news." It is
easy enough to see why. He enjoyed considerable free
dom in Ashton. He was in and out of his shop so much
that even Mary Naylor, one of the principal inducements
to leave it, was angered at his negligence — "folkes had
beene thendTenquireing for me . . . soe shee was troubled
att me."/(Vut Roger was young and unmarried (during
most of this period, at least) and sociable; he enjoyed
good times, and no imported sophistication hindered him
from seeking and finding them in Ashton and the neigh
bouring countryside. Let him who clings to the tradi
tional behef that the Puritan philosophy of Ufe repre
sented the complete negation of everything that is fun
spend a day or two with Roger Lowe, bowUng for two
shiUings a set on Golborne Cop, accompanying him to

INTRODUCTION 7
Brynn to see a race, and watching him ride in one from
Golborne stocks to Ashton town, witnessing a cock-fight
— and solacing his uneasy conscience afterward — hunting
foumarts and fishing and robbing magpies' nests. He
will discover that many of Roger's evening hours are
passed in courting various Lancashire lasses, who seem
to have considered him a presentable swain, for they per
sistently "make much" of him. He will find that the
young apprentice did not go to bed with the chickens—
and late hours, especiaUy without one's own doors, were
a rarity in the seventeenth century, when dark, unpaved
country roads made one's safe arrival home a gambhng
proposition, and candles flickered one to sleep. As far as
we can tell from the diary he will not find Lowe dancing
or playing cards, but should he lose track of Roger he
had better look in the alehouse.
Here Lowe spent nearly as much time as in his shop,
and his diary casts a good deal of Ught on the social
functions of the country alehouse. The alehouse of this
period, as the pubUc house is to-day, was the poor man's
club, and the poor woman's, too, if we may believe the
diary. Here villagers and local farmers would gather to
"accomodate" one another to a drink or two of ale, the
seal of approval, perhaps, on some mutual transaction,
or the reward of a victory at bowls, or just a friendly
treat to be gossiped over. The frequent resort to ale
houses in a Puritan community such as Ashton reminds
us that a generation which was to regard moral conduct
and abstinence as synonymous had not yet come into
iSgilgg4-*'Nor should we by any means attribute beer-
\guzzUng propensities to those who began the day with
drink and a chat at the alehouse, Jefferson cautions us in
his Book about the Table. The morning draught of ale in
the seventeenth century was practically the counterpart
of the modern cup of breakfast coffee; the custom bears
a close resemblance to the German zweite Fruhstuck.
Indeed, the frequent recourse to morning draughts pre
sages a correspondingly consistent moderation on the

8 INTRODUCTION
previous evening, if seventeenth-century constitutions
reacted as do those of our own day.
Lowe's visits to the alehouse were not always charac
terized by such moderation, and many a sickly night and
dreary morning are naively confessed in the pages of his
diary. But it was necessary to be a good feUow. Many a
tankard of ale he lays to the exigencies of trade: he had
gsne to the alehouse because "they ware good customers
to me and I durst not but goe for fear of displeasure." As
he told the reproachful Reverend Mr. Woods: "I could
not trade if att some times I did not spend 2d." But
drunkenness and rowdyism revolted him; after a visit to
Chester Castle yard he wrote: "The souldiers was most
of them all drunke, and glad I was when I was gotten
oat of the gates from amongst them."
>C The alehouse as well as the church stood open on
Sundays, and Lowe and his companions, including clergy
men, patronized them impartially: Ellen Scott and he,
we read, "went into Hugh Worthington's and spent
8d; so went into church." On another Sunday he writes:
"We ware all afternoone in Ale house. The Lord forgive
us." Here, indeed, as in a few other Sunday entries, such
as: "This day was not weU spent, I must confesse. The
Lord humble me for it," we have a hint of Sabbatarian
scruples, but they do not seem to have amounted to a
deterrent force. We find no mention pf Sunday bowUng
or hunting or horse-racing, it is true, but, besides the ale
house merriment we read of fittings by the tailor, jour
neys as far afield as to Liverpool and to Chester fair,
reckoning of accounts, and sociable intercourse with his
friends. For Lowe Sunday was a day when he need not
rush back to his counter when a friend tipped him off
that his master was in town, a weekly holiday to do with
as he would, after he had performed his devotions.
For it was also the "Lord's Day." And for Lowe the
regular attendance of religious services was a part of his
Puritan training and weekly routine. Church attendance
was to him an obhgation to God : when he skips a Sunday

INTRODUCTION 9
he writes: "It was a rainy day, and I was very negligent
in my duty to God. The Lord forgive me." His Presby
terian convictions were very real. Because, for instance,
he felt that "standing att GospeUe, with other ceremonies
now in use, was a meere Romish foperie," he refused to
do it, and when reproached declared his intention to
betake himseff " to such recepticles where I could, to my,
poor abiUtie, serve God without disturbance." , fy
Many a nonconforming clergyman had, in 1662, fol
lowed Lowe's example, and of these men we read much
in his diary. In 1662 ParUament passed an Act of Uni
formity, which provided that after the 24th of August,
St. Bartholomew's Day, aU clergymen refusing to sub
scribe to the newly revised Prayer Book, or whose holy
orders had not been confirmed by episcopal ordination,
would be deprived of their Uvings. Rather than comply
with the "Bartholomew Act," as it came to be known,
about 1,200 clergymen rehnquished their benefices. Fur
ther repressive legislation foUowed: in 1664 the Conven
ticle Act forbade, under pain of imprisonment and for a
third offence, of transportation, the assembly of five or
more persons not of the same family for reUgious obser
vances where the forms of the EstabUshed 'Church were
not used. Next year appeared the Five-Mile Act, which
barred nonconformist ministers from teaching school,
or from coming within five miles of a corporate town or
city, unless they swore to the UlegaUty of bearing arms
against the King and pledged themselves not to "en
deavor the alteration of government in Church and
State." These measures naturaUy drove Presbyterianism under
ground. The ejected clergy usuaUy continued their mini
strations in private, and Lowe's diary records many a
"private day of prayer," conducted by some ejected
clergyman in the home of a staunch nonconformist, and
attended by the young apprentice. The diary gives us
some idea of the confraternal spirit, intensified by perse
cution, which existed between the nonconformist minis-

10 INTRODUCTION
ters and laymen, and hints, to those willing to read be
tween the lines, that then as now the social attraction of
group meetings helped to fill the empty pews. With many
of the ejected clergy Lowe was personally acquainted,
and his diary, bristling with references to these men in
the obscure post-ejectment period, should be of interest
to the successors of Baines and Calamy. These clergy
men, conscious of Lowe's zeal and abihty, found in him
a wiUing adjutant, reading the Practice of Piety at the
bedside of a dying woman, praying with another, repeat
ing a sermon, tolling the church-bell.
Presbyterianism was the strongest force in his Ufe. His
reading, according to the diary, was confined to devo
tional works, such as Ambrose's Media and Foxe's Book
of Martyrs. His ventures in verse— for he was an amateur
poet, and occasionally inserts an opus into his diary —
are frequently concerned with reUgion and morality. To
him God was a very near and real Being, and his own
unworthiness a very disconcerting problem: the same man
who spends one night over a jelly-bowl of wine in the
alehouse may spend the next kneehng in solitary prayer
by a ditch on Ashton Heath, oppressed with his "unsettled-
ness" and a sense that God was "highly offended" with
him. The man who can write so racily about his adventures
with a ram can also periodically express his feeUngs,
whether downcast or fearful or jubilant, in passages of a
semi-Bibhcal style, introspective enough in character, but
so stereotyped as to minimize their value to any psycholo
gist, who might try to reconstruct Lowe's mind. But
Backneyed as these entries are, they ring with an unmis
takable, earnestness .
The seriousness with which Lowe took his reUgion in
volved him in many a verbal fray with the adherents of
Canterbury and Rome. Yet he did not permit his reli
gious ardour to turn him into a fanatic; hot as the dispu
tation waxed the contestants usually departed friends,
and even when theological rancour sent them off in anger,
a reconciUation was generaUy effected in short order. As

INTRODUCTION 11
Lowe has it: "each of us ware of differant judgments and
each would vindicate his one way, and many times fall
into an exceedinge passion, tho it never occasiond us to
love the lesse, which I often marked as a providence of
God." Staunch Presbyterian as he was, the charge of
bigotry cannot be hurled at him. He counted conforming
clergymen among his acquaintances — he was married by
Joseph Ward, the Rector of Warrington. He made
several expeditions to Wigan to hear Dr. George Hall,
the Rector there, and Bishop of Chester. He often dates
^us diary by saints' days.
^ * There is another characteristic of Roger Lowe's which
does not fit in with the traditional portrait of the seven
teenth-century Puritan. This is his love for music. The
effectiveness with which church-organs had been sup
pressed during the Interregnum is forcibly brought to our
attention by the entry: "When we came to Winwicke I
went ... to heare Organes. I never heard any before."
Lowe apparently lost no opportunity to hear them there
after. On a visit to Manchester he went to church, heard
the choristers, and was "exceedinglie taken with the
meUodie." Likewise at Chester he heard the " organs and
quiristers." "Right glad am I," wrote a music-lover in
1662, "that when Musick was lately shut out of our
Churches, on what default of hers I dare not to enquire,
it hath since been harboured and welcomed in the Halls
... of the primest persons of this Nation. . . . Thanks
be to God I have Uved to see Musick come into request
. . . and begin to flourish in our Churches and elsewhere.ij,
To this Roger Lowe would have said amen. \y
But it is time to let Roger speak for himseff. Oujiside
of the pages of this diary, and an official document or
two, there is nothing to be learned about him: time has
erased or hidden what records of his birth, parentage,
and upbringing ever existed. That he was dead before
April 22, 1679 is proved by "a true and perfect inventory
of aU the goods, cartels, chattels, debts and rights of
Roger Lowe, late of Ashton, late deceased," which bears

12 INTRODUCTION
that date.* He died intestate and the administration of
his estate was granted to his widow, Emma Lowe — the
"Emm" of the diary. He evidently remained a trader aU
his days : the largest single item in the inventory is labeUed
"goods beinge in the shop," and amounts to £29 3s. of
the £60 6s. 4d. total appraised value of the estate. The
Act Book of Chester describes him as a "husbandman,"
but this means a man of lower rank than a yeoman, not
an agriculturist.
Appended to the manuscript diary is an obituary list,
entitled "An Account of the Seaverall Names and Per
sons that are dead in Ashton and buryed at Winwicke,"
extending from 1671 to 1678, a list of burials between
1661 and 1669, and, on the last page, a Ust ofthe kings of
the Saxon Heptarchy. But these passages tell us nothing
of Lowe, except than he maintained his residence in Ash
ton, and we have not included them here.
"No editor can be trusted not to spoil a diary," says
Lord Ponsonby. I have tried not to spoil this one. It is
presented in its entirety — poetry, receipts for diseased
livers, and all. The irregular and inconsistent spelhng
has been preserved in the hope that a certain archaic
charm and indescribable bygone atmosphere might not
be dulled. The student of the Lancashire dialect, at least,
should be grateful for this. I have, however, taken the
liberty to provide capitals uniformly where usage requires
them, to introduce punctuation, and to apostrophize
when necessary, even to the point of adding an occasional
'"s". This has been done with the object of rendering
Lowe's style more readily comprehensible to the reader.
Lastly, I have employed the New Style of dating through
out the diary.
* See Appendix A.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
JENUERY, 1663
1. — Friday. Ann Barrow sent for me this morneinge.
I went and stayd all day. I was some thinge sickly, yet
aU day I was feareing the exceptance of love, and att last
she vouchsafed a time for consideracion. This evening
when I came home I answerd an envitation and went to
Thomas Heyes', and should have beene there all night,
but would not; came home att 1 or 2 aclocke in night.
2. — Saturday. I was sent for to Robert Rosbothom
and was aU night and
3 day, Lord's day, we came to chappell; Mr. Madocke1
preached. I was ingaged in the Ale house att a weddinge
of IsibeU Hasleden, and promisd to go into Reinford2
with them.
4. — Lord's day. I was envited to go with Thomas
Tickle and his wife into Reinford. John Hasleden went
with me. We rid of Raphe's 2 mares. The reason of our
goeing was to avince3 to old Sephon the young couple's
mariage. We came thither and the old man seemd to be
displeased, but it was but a while. The next day
5, Tusday, we went to Chappell to Lawrance Gaskell's,4
and spent each man 4d., but old man payd all. Thence
we went to Barington's and did likewise. It began to be
late and I desird to go home, and moved John Hasleden
to go. Old man plaid upon me, which made me willinge
to go, but John would not go, being invited by his unkle
to stay. I parted; came home my selfe in darke night — a
13

14 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
very sad night — and as I came in Ashton near Widow
Marshe's old James Hanys lived [?] over against, and was
nearly drowned.
6. — Wedensday. My brother cald one me to go with
hime to take a house and ground near Pisley windy mill,
but we tooke none. We mett my Cozen Hugh Low; went
to Ale house. I spent 6d. and soe parted.
7. — Thursday. I went this night to Thomas Heyes on
purpose to read over some writeinge for hime.
11. — Lord's day. John Bradshawe came from Leigh
to see me. I was very sad all day, but the Lord is my
comfort. 14. — John Battersbie, sometime Leigh's schoole mas
ter, came to towne, and I was with hime all night and
19 Jenuery. — Tusday. I went into Goleborne5 to
James . . . mith for to gett in some monys. From thence
I went to Ann Barrowe's, and I suposd she hid her selfe.
Att last I parted from house and she came after me, but
I returned home with discomfort, tho I was very much
satisfied; for I went with a purpose to free my selfe and
not to have nothinge to doe with her.
26. — Tusday. John Parr of Tilsley Bangs6 beyond Leigh
came to town and forced me with hime to go to Alehouse,
which I did, and it cost me nothinge. I was att this time
very sad in spirit.

FEBRUERY, 1663
3. — Wedensday. I was all day indeavoringe to rectifie
some things between old John Jenkins and his sonne
Mathew, who ware att suite, the one against the other;

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 15
and after a peace was concluded and all things rectifide
in and amongst them, we all went to Alehouse togather,
and I made Bond for to pay such a summe of moneys
att such a time, and so parted.
Thursday. Roger Naylor and Richard Twisse came,
and would have me to goe with them to Alehouse. I
went, and very mery we ware. I must not spend a Id.,
but yet I did.
5th. Friday. I was much troubled att a buisnes that
befeU about writeing a letter for Ellin Ashton to her sonne
Charles. She related that I writt to have her sonne come
downe, that she knew not of — which was a false lye.
6. — Saturday. This morneinge I went to Ellin Ashton's
and spent 2d., and peace was concluded, which was matter
of great satisfaction to my mind.
8th. — Munday. I went to Thomas Holly's and WilUam
Chadocke's to buy swines grasse,7 which I did, and when
I came home I was very pensive and sad in consideracion
of my povertie, and I sunge the 24th psalme, and after I
was very hearty. God will comfort and suply the wants
of his poor servents, and God att present deny [wjorldly
things, yet if in the meane while God put comffort?] into
hurt, this is better, and that God that gives . . . [iUegible].

MARCH, 1663
1. — Lord's day. Att night I, being somewhat sad, re
sorted to Ashton Towne Heath, and there pourd out a
prayer to God, being aside of a ditch. Att my returne I
found Thomas Smith, and he would have me to goe to
Mr. Woods',8 which we did, but I stayd not. Mr. Woods
lent me a booke.

16 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
7th. — Saturday. I was sent for to Christopher Bate to
Brinn,9 and I went, and very Joyfully. To my joy I was
payd the debt oweing to me per Mr. Brinkes, and very
JoyfuUy I came home.
11. — Wedensday. My Master came to Ashton and I
was halfe afraid of his anger, but the Lord turned it to
best, for he said great deale to me which did very much
rejoice me. The Lord's name be magnifide.
15. — Lord's day. Att after evening prayer there was a
few went to Mr. Woods' to spend the remaineing part of
day. I repeated sermon and stayd prayer, and then came
our way.
17. — Tusday. I went to the funerall of a child cald
Margrett Hill, child of Mathew Raphe's wife. When we
came to Winwicke I went with John Haselden, James
Jenkins, Ann Hasleden, Margret Tankerfeild, Ann Tay
lor, to Mr. Barker's to heare Organes. I never heard any
before, and we ware very mery. I spent 6d., and soe we
came home.
22. — Lord's day night. I went to Mr. Woods', stayd
prayer, and Edmund Winstanley would have me home
with hime to supper, and I went with hime.
24th.— Tusday. Went to Leigh.
29. — Lord's day. Went with John Hasleden to Wig-
gan,10 and when I came home I was scarcely well. We
stayd drinkeing att Georg Burdekin's house.

APRILL, 1663
Lord's day. I was in a troubled condition in my mind
considering my unsettlednes, and that God was highly

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 17
offended with me. Therfor I went into Ashton Heathes
and kneeld me downe in a ditch side and made my prayer
to the Lord.
6. — Munday. Old Mr. Woods went to Chewbent,11
and I brought hime one his way.
9. — Thursday. Mr. Woods returnd againe and cald
on me, told where he had beene and how he had made
peace betweene Mrs. Duckewild of Bickerstaffe and her
son James. He seemd to be very glad. I went to bring
hime towards home, and he told me he Ught of a receite
for diseases since he went, and puld out a paper and lent
me to write out. Told hime he had made it him selfe, as
I supose he did. This it was :
An heaUnge receit for a diseased Uver.
First fast and pray, and then take a quart of repentance
of Ninivah, and [pu]t nine handfulls of faith in the bloud
of Christ with as much hope and charitee as you can gett,
and put it into a vessell of a clean consciance. Then boile
it on the fire of love so longe till you se by the eyes of
faith a blacke scumm of the love of this world . . . [il
legible]. Then scum it of cleane with the spoone of faith-
fuU prayers. When this is done, put in the pouder of
patiance; then straine altogather in the cupp of a humble
hart; then drinke it burneing hott next thy heart, and
cover thee warme with as many clothes of amendment of
Ufe as God shaU enable thee to beare, that thou maist
sweat out aU the poyson of wantones, pride, whoredome,
idolotrie, usury, sweareing, lyeing, with such Uke, and
when thou feelest thy selfe altred from the afore namd
vices, take the pouder of say well and put it upon thy
tongue; but drinke it with thrice as much of do well
daUy. Then take the oyle of good workes and anoint
therwith eyes, eares, heart, hands, that thou be readie
and nimble to minister to the poor distressed members of
Christ. When this is done, then in God's name arise
c

18 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
from sin willingly, read in the Bible dayly, take up the
crosse of Christ boldly and stand to it manfully, bear all
visitations patiently, pray continually, rest thankfully,
and thou shalt live everlastingly and come to the hill of
joy quickly, to which place hasten us, good Lord,
speedily. 12. — Lord's day. Being comanded by my Master to
come to Leigh I went, and measure was taken on me for
a suit of clothes. Att noone my Master and I went to see
his child, which was nursd at Morles. From thence we
went to John Hindley upon Mosse side,12 for he was sicke,
but our cheife occasion was to se John Chadocke, who
lyed sicke att Mr. Whithead's in Astley. We stayd
awhile; then we came home, and I came to Ashton.
13. — Munday. I went to Warrington to buy como-
dities. 15. — Wedensday night. I went to Mr. Woods' to be
aU night. Mr. Woods had a private day of prayer. He
would have had me to have come, but I said I durst not.
23. — Thursday. Mr. Woods came to take leave of
every inhabitant,13 and cald upon me. I went with hime,
and with great lamentation at his going, with advise to
every family to live welle.
24. — Friday. John Woods came to shop and gave me
these verses followeing, being made by a minister in
prison, a Nonconformist:
Though I am shutt from Thy house and my one,
I both enjoy in Thee, my God alone.
First for Thy servent I to prison went,
Now for Thy Son to prison I am sent.
For biden prairs was my treason then ;
For that was Daniell cast int' lyons' denne.
The wheele is turnd: preaching is now my crime;

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 19
Was it not so in the Apostles' time?
Rejoice, my soule, and be exceeding glad !
Such measure in old time the prophets had.
PauU in his hired house in bonds did preach;
In neither I permitted am to teach.
Father, blesst b' Thy name, Thy kingdom come,
Thy wiU be done though I remaine dumbe.
My bonds e'en preach now, e'en Thy Word be bound,
Prelate e'en once more falls to the grounde
And never rise againe for Thou hast putte
AU Thy Sonne's enemies under Thy foote.
My Sovereigne one His throne I joy to see,
Thy Sonne sacred is by Thy decree;
My prayer Thou hast heard through Christ and I
Beleeve Thou canst not this request deny:
A wife and chUdren Thou hast given me;
This wife and chUdren I have left to Thee,
ChUdren borne to Thee, and therfor Thine:
Thou, Lord, wilt be their God, for Thou art mine.
26. — Lord's day. I went to Mr. Woods' house with
Thomas Smith; stayd prayer. It was the last Lord's day
night that Mr. Woods stayed in Ashton, he intending to
goe to Cheshire to Uve. He preacht amongst us out of
the 14th psalme, 5 verse: "The Lord is my refuge;"
very much effected he was with parteing with Ashton.
Gave him 12d., bended,14 but he would take no leave of
me, for he thought to see me often. 1663.
30. — Thursday. I went to Leigh. To my great greefe
my Master tooke on me 3 U. that I had gotten with write-
inge and had given me where I had lived, as in Warring
ton, Lirple.15 I was sent for to Whitleige Greene this
night to one WiUiam Marsh, who lay sicke and had
seaveraU times sent for me to write his will, which I did.
John Hasleden went with me in night and WilUam Knowle
was there, and I composd the man's will somwhat hand
somely.

20 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE

MAY, 1663
3. — Lord's day. Att noone Thomas Smith and severall
young women we assembled togather in feilds, and I
repeated sermon. I was this day somewhat pensive this
day by reason of some greevences that ware upon my
spirit. 5. — Tusday. Being envited to goe to Banfor longe16
to Ann Greinsworth, I was goeing, and was in Roger
Naylor's, and word was sent me my Master was pasd to
shopp, soe I went after and overtooke hime, but he was
not offended. Afterwards I went to Banforlonge. Att my
comeing home I cald att Roger Naylor's and partly in-
gagd to come beare them company that night; I comeing
downe to shop and stayd awhile, and then went againe
and privatly ingagd to Mary to sit up awhile to let us
discourse, which she promisd, and the maine question
was because we Uved seaverally that we wuld not act soe
publickely as others, that we might Uve privately and love
firmely, that we might be faithfull to each other in our
love tiU the end : aU which was firmely agreed upon. This
was the first night that ever I stayd up a wooing ere in
my Ufe.
12. — Tusday. My Master brought me a suite of clothes,
which did much comfort me.
14. — Thursday. I was envited to goe to the funeraU of
Edward CaUand to Winwicke, which I did.
17. — I was to goe to Wiggin with Thomas Smith; Ales
Lealand had promisd me she would then and there answer
my desire either pro or con in a final ingagement to
Thomas. Att this time Mary Naylor and I were solemnly
agreed to be faithfuU to each other.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 21
20. — Wedensday. John Chadocke came to Ashton to
help cast up shop, and it answered my expectation. I
desire to blesse God for it, for the Lord hath beene
pleasd to blesse it hitherto in my hands.
30. — Sabath day. I went to Wiggan and should have
mett John Chadocke, but he came not.

JUNE, 1663
3. — Wedensday. I was envited to goe to Mr. Leanders'
house and I went. Att my comeing home I mett with
Mr. Leanders, and he would have me to Ale house.
4. — Thursday. I went to the funeralle of old Mrs.
DuckenfeUd, first to Bickershawe, then to Wiggan. I
thought I should have mett with Mr. Hayhurst17 and
Mr. Downes, but they were not there. I came considering
how one day houses, lands, goods, yea and friends and
all wui leave us, as I particularisd it to her that was
dead. 5. — Friday. I was adopted to be sonne and twindle18
with Richard Bordman of Ashton, wherein we had a
great . . . [Ulegible].
6. — Saturday. I made 3 bonds for old Jenkins.
8. — Munday. I went to Roger Naylor and Mary cryd
to me, said she would have nothinge to doe with me,
was highly displeased att me; but in the conclusion she
was weU pleased, would have me goe with her day after
to Banfor longe, and she would goe before; and to sig-
nifie she was before, she would in such a place lay a bough
in the way, which accordingly she did, and I found it
upon

22 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
9, Tusday, upon my goeing to Banfor longe and att
house I found her. As we came home we went into a
narrow lane and spoke our minds walkeing to and fro,
and ingagd to be faithfull till death. As we ware comeing
I saw John Chadocke goeing home, haveing beene att
Ashton bringeinge me a parcell of cloth. I cald one hime
and get hime backe againe.
15. — Munday. A tedious stitch tooke in my backe, so
that I was unable to stay shop, and held me very sore
till noone, and then the Lord helped me.
16. — Tusday. I was sent for to Runners feid to be aU
night, but I went not.
17. — I was Invited to goe with Sarah Jenkins to John
Naylor's, of Edg Greene.
21. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh, and there Mr. James
Woods came into church, was lately maried Thursday
before and his wife was now with hime; and att noone
I went into George Norris's, where he was, and sent for
hime into a chamber where I was, and when he came he
sent for his wife, that I should see her. Att night I came
to Sushey, and there I mett with Margret Wright, Mr.
Sorowcold's maid. She needs would have me with her
home. I went and she made much of me. I came from
thence to Roger Naylor's and there they ware att super.
I went with Mary and other wenches to a well bottome
of Towne Feild.
22. — Munday. I heareing that old Mr. Woods was att
John Robbinson's, I hasted to goe see hime, which I did.
There we sate and discoursed awhile of the times, and
they tooke theire leaves of house, and I went with them,
they intending to call att Neaw HaU,19 and there I left
them, being greeved in spirit.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 23
24. — Wedensday. I went into Windle to my brother's,
and he was gone to Warington. I went and fished a litle
time, but catchinge nothing I came home.
28. — Sabath day. There was no service att Ashton
and I went to Banfor longe and stayd awhile and came
home againe. I promisd to go unto EUin Scott Sabath
day after . . . [iUegible].

JULY, 1663
5. — Lord's day. After many envitations to goe with
Ellen Scott to Holland, this day I answerd her envitation
and went to Banfor longe where she lived, and get her
readie. So we went to Holland togather, and when we
came there it was befor service time. We went into Hugh
Worthington's and spent 8d.; so went into church. A
younge lad preached. Att noone we went to her mother's
in Dorton,£0 stayd diner. Then EUzebeth Scott livd att
Ashurst Hall,21 and she tooke us downe thither as we
ware goeinge. We looked up and downe, stood upon a
hill and saw the land round about. It's the pleasentst
place that ere I saw, a most gallant prospect. Came to
Ashurst HaU and EUzebeth tooke us into the chambers,
up and downe — a most pleasant place and gaUant walkes.
We envited EUzebeth, feUow servent, to goe take part of
\ a dozen, which was done. We went togather to one
Ascroft's, and as we went we gat winbery.22 From
thence we parted and came home.
8. — Wedensday. I was in a sad condition of mind, for
Roger Naylor was from home and Mary would not
assent to have me come thither, but I went and she was
somethinge displeased. She went give Calfe drinke; I
followed her and there we speake to either, which was
very satisfactory to both, and the other day after she
came to shopp, and was very glad to see me. Said shee,

24 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
"Am not I a wise wench to ingage myselfe thus?" Att
those times my effections ran out violently after her, so
as that I was never contented one day to an end unles I
had seene her, and cheefely my effections were sett upon
her virtues and womenly quaUities.
13. — Munday. I went to Leigh for comodities, and
my Dame was brought to bed. She sent for me into
parler for to get her some wine from Ashton. I said I
would come againe and bring her some, tooke my leave,
and came home. I was sent for to Bainfor longe to Anne
Greinsworth to write letters to London and Preston,
tooke my leave, and came to Roger Naylor's house, the
Cabinet that received the choice of my effection. Her
father was not att home. She gave me an handkercheife
because I was hott, to dry me with. I went and bought
wine and set forward to Leigh; when came thither I went
to see my sister, and Robt. Reynolds went and gave me
\ a dozen, lent me his watch. The other day I came home,
and when comen I went to Roger Naylor's, and there
Mary was put in fright with her father concerning me,
for which shee reserved the telling of it till another time,
but it was matter of much trouble to me. I was sent for
to Banfor longe and I went, but it was with a sad heart,
for I sincerely loved her — and now what a greefe is it
that such amicable freind as love is, such a freind as is
desird every where and without which a comon weale,
nay, a family wuld not subsist, yet that this freind that
we two have made choice of above all other, yet that
there should be such acters and abetters against it as her
father and others! Some cry "Murther O!", others cry
"Let hime remaine silent in the cabinet' of our hearts,"
and indeed that's our resolution till mallice and spite
have said theire worst and best, and then weele advance
this our freind to the highest protection : tiU then we wiU
be silent.
15. — Wedensday. I sent Tho. Smith underhand to

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 25
Mary to know aU the buisnes, so the buisnes was Utle;
she was put in affright and sent for me to come the other
day. 16. — Thursday. I went and we went into parlor and
very sorowfuUy we ware att some buisnes. We concluded
to be more privat and keape more faithfuUe.
16. — Thursday. Att night James Naylor came and
asked me to goe with him to Neawton, which I did. He
wood Anne Barrow, and she sent for us to Stirrop's,
where we came and get into chamber where she was,
and after a while parted.
18. — Saturday. I set forward to go to ThelwaUe in
Cheshire to old Mr. Woods, for I had promisd hime to
come, and as I was goeing in Warington I went into Mr.
Pickering's shop and stayd awhile, for it rained. I bought
a booke of Mr. Love's, being his last sermon.23. I sat
forward, and upon Latchford Heath there ware a great
compeny of persons, with 2 drums amongst them. The
young men were playing att prison barrs,24 where I stayd
awhile to see them, but concluded it was but vanitie.
Came to Mr. Woods', where they ware glad to see me.
19th. — Lord's day. We went altogather to Limme25
church and
20th, Munday, I came home.
22. — Wedensday. Richard Naylor came over and sent
for me, so I went, and we went to Leeche's. I spent 6d.
Att night James Naylor asked me to goe with him to
Neawton, as formerly, so I went, and we ware sent for to
goe to Mr. Collier's, so we went and stayd awhile. Anon
Mr. ColUer comes in drunke and falls in discoarse with
James, and James being not able to defend hime selfe, I
tooke hold and answerd to the well likeinge of James.

26 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
25. — I rid upon one of Raph Hasleden's horses to
Leigh to our child's christeninge. He was named Ed
ward.

AUGUST, 1663
1. — Saturday. I went to Winwicke to the funeralle of
old John Tankerfeild. I hasted home and went to see
Mary Naylor, for she was scarce well, being troubled with
tooth ach.
2. — Lord's day. Mr. Wood sent for me into Hadocke26
to Nicholas Burscoe's, where Thomas Smith and I went
and stayd pra[yer] and so came home.
7. — Friday. Old Mr. Woods came to towne to me, and
Peter Lealand, William Knowles, WiUiam Hasleden,
Thomas . . . [illegible] ware altogather in Alehouse, very
merry. 9. — Lord's day. Mathew Lythgo, Edward Bradshaw,
Robert Reynolds came frome Leigh, sent for me to Tan-
kerfeild's and had wenches that mett them. We ware aU
afternoone in Ale house. The Lord forgive us.
12. — Wedensday night we were alltogather in Thomas
Leeche's, takeing leave with Thomas Greene haveinge his
apprentishipe ended.
18. — Wedensday. Richard Naylor came over out of
Yorkshire and Henry Low and I ware with hime very
mery, and ware adopted brathren.
19. — Wedensday. I was sent for to Banforlonge to
cast up Anne's accounts.
21. — Thursday. I was in Ale house with Roger Naylor

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 27
when we parted. I was som what effected and betooke
my seffe soUterily into Townes Feild, and there kneeld
me downe on side of a came butt27 and prayd.
23. — Lord's day. Att night Tho : Smith and I went to
Robert Rowbotham's to be aU night; the other day
24. — Robert gat us plumes. We hasted away, for
there was a race to be runne from Goleborne Stockes to
Ashton towne. I gat a horse and ran with theme.
28. — Friday. I went to Wiggan; there was a pedler
lived there, one Humphrey Starbotham, who ought me
some monys, but I gat nonne.
29. — Thomas Smith and I went to Edward Clarke's to
be aU night. As soone as we ware gotten into house he
told us that Ales Lealand was lately dead that eveninge,
a very godly younge women.
30. — Lord's day. Mary Naylor frowned one me all
day and I was very much troubled to know the reason
and cause of it, so I went to bringe Anne Greinsworth
towards home, and att my returne homeward I went into
house and found her alone and wild her to teU me the
reason of her frowneinge, but she would not; but I was
very much troubled att it. But I comitt all to God, for
my trust is hime. I had before this time presented my
service to Elhn Marsh of Ashton, who had a house and
liveinge, and kept a private mediator to intercede for
me, from whom and by whome I received answer that
she would give me the meeteinge ere longe, onely I must
be sacret, to which I promisd I would. The Lord worke
for me which way may be most for His glory and my
comfort and direct me what best to take in hand and
order all my effaires.

28 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE

SEPTEMBER, 1663
1 . — Munday. Roger Naylor was gone to Chester, and
I went downe and Mary and I went into parlour and
talked 2 howres att least, and she cryd to me and seemed
to be very sad, and the reason was because of fear of her
freinds, lest they would never respect her; so she would
have us part. I was endifferant, tho sadly troubled, but
ere we parted she was very mery because she had eased
her spirit to me. So we parted, but it was with a further
resolution of faithfuU and constant effection.
2d. — Tusday. Ellin Ashton came to me to write a
letter for her, which I did. Att this present I was very
much discomposed in spirit, being troubled in mind in
consideracion of my poorenes in the world; but my trust
is in God, for the earth is His and the fullnes thereof.
4. — Thursday. It was a rany day and- 1 went with
WilUam Sixsmith and John Potter to Whitleig Greene.
My intentions ware to see some that owed me monys, to
get it and come home againe, but we went into Watt's
and spent each man 2d. and made a sett of Bowleinge,
for each man 2d. in Ale. I was one to bowle and lost,
came home, shutt up windowes and went againe and
found them in house, get my mony that I had lost and
came home. But a sad eveing and a sad day of sicknes I
had afterwards.
6. — Lord's day. My Master came to towne and was
something displeasd I came not to Leigh of a Lord's
day; but he was not over much angry, but very well
pleasd with me. He went to Dock Lane to diner. Att
night I, being very sad in spirit, went to Towne Feild
and up and down. Att last I get to Towne Heath, and
upon a ditch side I read a psalme and sunge part of

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 29
another and came home being very weU satisfied, for the
Lord wiU be a rocke to those that trust in Hime.
10. — Thursday. I was sent for to Banferlonge to Anne
Greinsworth to write, and it was a very Rany day. This
day Hamblett Ashton was att Warrington buryd, being
Munday before hangd att Chester for murder.28 The
Lord preserve us from such practices and such end.
Amen. 13. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh and att noone John
Bradshaw and I went into Vicars Feild and talked of
former things. I was att this time very sad in spirit by
reason of my selfe and seeing my father's and mother's
grave29 and pondering of other deaths, for I went round
about church to looke att graves of such as I knew.
15. — Tusday. Mr. Woods came to shop to see me, and
he told me of his sadnes for Eles Lealand's death, and
he dehverd to me a paper of verses that he had made
and gave me them to write out, and wiUd me to come
this eveninge to Bates' in Haddocke; he would be there
this night, and I promisd I would come to hime as soone
as I had writt them.
Some verses I composed upon the sad and serious
thoughts of EUce Lealand's death:
Anne Epiteph upon the death
of EUce Lealand, maid of Ashton,
who dyed 29th of August 1663
and was buryd 30 August att Ashton chappeUe,
being Lord's day in the evening, and these
verses ware made by Mr. James Woods,
Senior, and was given me to write out
by hime 15 September 1663.
Dear Alice, though thy portion was but smaU
In riches, beauty, things terrestriall,
Yet of the in ward beauty thou hadst share,

30 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Thy soule adornments ware both great and rare.
What others had in out ward garbe and blee30
In in ward graces was made up to thee.
O blessed saint, though thou wast poor and meane,
Thy life was gracious, conversation cleane.
Thou much of heaven hadst, of earth but litle;
Thou hadst the soUid, wantedst but the britle.
Of out ward wealth and riches thou hadst none,
Like Christ nor house nor harbor of thy one;
Thou scarcely hadst an hole to hide thy head,
Yet wantest not a pallace, being dead.
Dead, did I say? that word doth much apalle;
My troubled spirits makes my hart to quaile.
Me thinkes thou art not dead, but stiU I see
Thy lovely visage present to myne eye;
Thy chearfull countenance I still behold,
Which seemes to me of more than mortell mold.
Me thinkes thy lovely lockes and virgin face,
Thy blessed soule so armd with truth and grace,
So fixed in my thoughts do still remaine
Theile never out till I thee see againe.
Me thinkes I still thy gracious words do hear,
Humble confessions mixt with godly fear,
Thy gracious speech without all taunts or Nipps
Did shew that grace was powred into thy lips.
Thy tongue did still on sacred subjects Runne,
With them thou ended and with them begunne.
Thou hadst a rare and blessed memorie,
Of sacred things a well stord treasurie;
Thy gifts ware not discernd nor seene of many
And yet, I fear, scarce pareleld by any.
Clear, rare perfections hardly could be seene;
Thine inward worth and vertues lay within.
God's holy Word to thee was very sweet,
When naked Word and naked heart did meete.
The wants of nature grace did much suply,
And all its errors sweetly certifie.
Grace made thy life and conversation sweete,

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 31
Grace made thee chast, pure, humble and discreet;
The worth and worke of grace apeard in thee
And shined forth in great Excelencie.
Thy heart was humble, thine effections pure,
Thy conscience tender, judgment firme and sure;
Thy smallest slipps did seeme more great to thee
Then unto others sins of highst degree,
And thou an idle word deplored more
Then others some of lyes and oathes a score.
Yea, I have seene thy blubberd eyes to swell
And teares drop downe as from a fountaine well
When with temptations thou hast beene oprest,
Or sight of sine hath brought thee much unrest.
But O! how full of joy and sweet content
Have I thee seene with mirth and merriment
When faith and hope have gott the victorie
And thou hast overcome triumphantly.
Of aU condicions thou experiance had,
And knewest how to joy and to be sadd ;
Yea, thou with God most sweetly did converse
That it my selfe surpasseth to expresse.
How much of heaven did in thee apear
Whilst thou wast here on earth who will declare?
'Twas but awhile that thou didst sojourne here,
But 'twas with reverence and godly feare;
But thou in that same while more worke didst doe
Then some that twise thy age had lived unto.
Thou madest hast unto thy journey's end,
Longing to meete that loved spouse and freind;
And now thy wearie pUgrimage is past
And to thy heaven thou art come att last,
And thou art hapie and shall ever be
Perfect and blest to all eternitie.
When I the Lives of Popes and CardinaUs
And prelats proud in their pontificalls
Do seriously consider and observe
How men of learneing, parts, and gifts do swarve,
How many that of precious soules have charge

32 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Are careles, covetous, and Uve att large —
Then thee, poor Eles, I often thinke upon:
That more of God and true reUgion
Was in the heart of such poor siUy babyes
Then in the heart of heads of such learnd Rabies,
Their formall service and outside devotion,
With Utle of devine and heavenly motion,
Was far inferior to thy sacred straine,
When with thy prayers teares did flow amaine
And holy, fervent, set thy heart on fire,
That it did kindle such a stronge desire
That thou didst seldom from God's presance parte
Till God had heard thy prayers, cheard thy heart.
Thou seldom partedst from God's presance sad,
His soule refreshments made thy heart most glad;
With hidden manna thou didst often meete,
And God's returns unto thy soule was sweete.
And though thou nothinge hadst yet thou hadst all,
For thou hadst Christ who was thy all in all;
Thou hadst content in that thy poor estate
And so wast richer than a potentate.
Christ was thy portion, Christ thy food and clothinge,
Christ was thy treasure . . . nothing.
Thou dyedst rich though scarce a penny had,
Thou now art joyful, though here often sad;
And yet more sad for others then thy selfe,
Thou nere wast sad for want of wordly pelfe.
In greatest wants thou allwayes had anough,
Thy way was pleasant, wheither smooth or Rough.
Thou fedst on promises in time of want
And Uvedst in Christ when other things ware scant.
Thou thy poore calling chearfully didst follow
When pyneing cares did others seeme to swallow.
Thou now triumphest in those joyes above,
Sorrounded aU about with peace and love.
Thy warfare now is finisht, race is runne,
Thou est kept the faith, th' jubilee begunn;
All teares from thy eyes are wipet away,

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 33
Sorow nor sadnes make no longer stay.
Thou now art perfect and for ever blest
Where we thee leave to thy eternaU rest.
Sorie I am I was not att thy death,
When thou expired thy last and sweatest breath,
Nor att thy funerall some teares to sheede,
As parents for their children that are dead.
Yet, to expresse my true respects to thee
These verses here a monument shall be,
Which may perhaps not without teares be read
When I as weU as thou am buried;
And I doe hope that longe it will not be
But I, blest saint, shall blessed be with [thee].
Sic finitur lacrimationes
15 September amicorum Jacobus Woods.
1663 Rogerus Lowe.
After I had written this I sett forward according to my
promise to foUow him, and att Henry Bates' in Hadocke
I found hime att prayer, for Henry's sister was dis-
temperd. As soone as he could leave them we walked
2 feUd's breadth and parted, both being very sad. I
came to old John Robfinson]; they would have had me
to have eaten, but [I] stayd awhUe and then parted,
onely I let hime se 4 verses I made upon his not remem
brance of me in a letter to Ashton, which I had intended
to have writt in a letter and sent it to hime.
When I into your letter once did see
And bee-held no remembrance of poor me,
Then to myselfe I said, "Hodge, thou'rt forgot,
For he in his letter Lowe remembers not."
att the readinge of which he laughed heartily.
17. — Thursday. I went to bowleing Alley and lost
12d., att which I was sore greeved, came home, and this
evening I went with James Naylor to Neawton awooing
Ann Barrowe. She had sent for me to come speake with
D

34 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
her. I went to Mr. Collier's to fetch her to us into widow
Heapy's, for there we resided. I put of my one hatt and
put on another, and made also my[selfe] as if I ware
John Naylor's man and was sent to towne upon an occa
sion, and so had something to speake to Anne from her
sister. Get her out, and she, with much requesting,
promisd to come to us after supper, which shee did;
desird me to meete her att Winwick, Lord's day after.
17. — Friday. I helpt att the desire of old John Jenkins
to picke sheaves of Barley of carte.
18th. — I was in a great perplextie by reason of Mary
Naylor, who was too strange to me in her effections.
19. — Lord's day. I went to Winwicke with James Nay
lor to meete Anne Barrowe according to my promise. I
went, but she could not come. We came to Heapy's att
noone and stayd drinkeing 8d. ; then, being sent for by
her, we went into Mr. Collier's and [were] taken into
parlour, and I conferred with her awhile to move her to
exceptance. After awhile I left her and hime to their
best discourse.
21. — Munday. John Bradshaw came from Leigh to see
me and we went to Gawther's and drunke, and then
afterwards went to Brinne to see a Race, but it was runne
before we came, so we came to shop againe.
22. — Tusday. Nicholas Corles of Abreham31 came to
towne to me, tooke me to Ale house. I went and brought
hime a gate32 towards home, and so parted. This night
Mary Naylor came to me and spake kindley to me, to
my great satisfaction. This night John Hasleden was
pretty merry, and he goes to John Potter's and sends 6d.
for Ale, and sent for me. It was made in a jelly, bowle and
I was sent for to the drinkeing of.33 Att this time I was
neither mery nor sad, but in an endifferant state, rather

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 35
in greefe; but the Author of my faith and hope is fixed
in God. He can, He will redeeme me out of all my feares
and greefes; I shaU se better times wherein I shall have
further occasion to blesse the Lord.
24. — Thursday. Eles Lealand came from Mr. Woods'
in Cheshire. I brought her towards home; we talked of
Eles Lealand's death. In the close of her discourse she
desird me to do a message for her to Tho. Smith from
Mr. Woods, which I promisd I would — and because
Thomas seldome came to shop and I could not see hime
I writt the Arrend downe to hime and in bottome of pag
I made and writt these verses :
Your freindship's like the morneing's deaw,
No sooner comne, but bids adiew;
With other objects you are taken
And Utle Hodge is quite forsaken.
But I'me content: let it be soe,
Though freinds will nere freinds them put fro.
This afternoone I went downe to Roger Naylor's, and
Mary and I talked togather. After she and I ware parted
James and I went to Leashe,34 and when I came home
there was a direct N and halfe of M providentially made
upon my breeches, plaine to view in any man's sight,
made of mire with leapeing. I looked upon it to be from
providence, and fortold somethinge in my aprehension.
The smallest of God's providences should not be past by
without observetion.
25. — Friday. I went to Roger Naylor and Roger was
gone to Wiggan to a buryinge and poor Mary was sicke
in bed. I went to her and hild35 and stayd awhile. She
promisd to send Joseph to teU me how she did. I parted,
and when I came to shop Raph Stirrope, my father,36 send
for me to Gawther's. I went.
26. — Peter Lealand came and I writt Mr. Woods'

36 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
verses for hime. This night there was a Robery done att
clay pitts ; a younge man was stricken of his horse very
timely in night and his monys taken of hime.
27. — I went to Leigh and gave me Master 5 li. 10s. Att
my comeing home Margret Naylor cald of me and en
joined me to come to their house when John Naylor was
away. Att this time I was somewhat greeved in mind by
reason I saw not those smileing providences of God, as
others have. But it's good to waite on God.
28. — Munday. John Hasleden and I with some others
were in Tankerfeild's and ware merry. John and I
begann to bett each with other, which was contrarie to
custome that we should so act one against another.
29. — James Naylor envited me to their house. I went
and found Mary alone and very pleasant. This night I
sange in shopp by a candle the cheife verses of the 71
psalme with alacritie and heart chearfuUnes.

OCTOBER, 1663
1. — Thursday. I had goods sent me from Leigh in a
Cart, being come frome Chester faire, and I was in a very
harty condition.
2. — Friday. I went to Roger Naylor and Mary and I
sate togather in parlour and discoursed to both our satis
factions. I came to shop and anon John Chadocke came
and brought me some comodities, told me that my Mas
ter intended to have me home, and that some of his ladds
should be set up in Ashton, all which greeved me ex-
tramely. But it's best to fly to the helpe that never failes,
and to hold one still waiteing one God. He who hath
brought me through infancie and youth will not now
leave me nor forsake me, for my trust is in Hime.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 37
3. — Saturday. I ecqueinted Mary Naylor with my
thoughts about these former things above said, about my
departure from Ashton, att which she was greeved and
would have me speake to my Master. I was all this day
sad, yea, very sad in heart, but there's a God to comfort
a discomfortable soule when we see nothing in ourselves
but miserie, nor nothing in world but trouble. Then
looke up wards, looke up to God; I will looke up unto
the Lord. I will waite one the God of my salvation; my
God wiU heare me. I went this eveninge with James
Naylor to Neawton to Ann Barrow awooing. She had
beene sicke.
4. — Lord's day. My brother came to Ashton. I told
hime how that my Master intended to take me home.
He was sory in the thinge, but hoped aU might be for
best. 5. — Munday. Mary Naylor sent for me to their house.
We talked togather concerneing our privat matters, and
this morneing she promisd never to marry any except
my seffe.
6. day — Tusday. I was sent for to Thomas Heyes to
Reckon with them, and they owed me 3s. 10d., and I said
2s. 10d., . . . was mistaken.
7. — Wedensday. I sent them word this day. My Mas
ter sent Utle Thomas to me for me to teach, which
greeved me very sore.
8. — Thursday. WilUam Scofeild, a mercer in Warring
ton, came to Ashton and envited me to goe with hime to
Ale house, where I did, and we talked about tradeinge
and how to gett wives.
11. — Lord's day. It was a rainy day, and I was very
negUgent in my duty to God. The Lord forgive me.

38 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
12. — Munday. I had a packe of candles came from
Leigh. I was somwhat merry at this time in consideracion
of Mary Naylor's love to me, the consideracon therof
amidst other greefes. Yet that is comfort to me and
much rejoices my spirit in sadnes.
13. — Tusday. I sat in shop all day. Onely I went up
Greene to old parson Lee's37 and John Haselden and
Thomas Rosbothom and we alltogather jesting. Thomas
Rosbothom and John Hasleden attempted with either of
them a good kibbow38 to suprize poor parson and I in
parson's shop, but we defended our selves awhile, but in
Conclusion I was glad to creepe up into a loft to secure
my selfe, but was taken att last and sufferd efliction. I
made them to laugh in telling them how once I was
hurried with a Tupp39 in a Rope, who comeing towards
Leigh with Tupp in feilde, the tupp sett upon poor
Hodge and so geper knowd [?] me that in the conclusion
I cryd out. But none heard me, and I, being onecqueinted
how to act with tuppe in Rope, let hime have the length
of Rope, and tupp rann all wayes backewards and fell
one me, so that I was put in a terrible fright what to doe
to save me shinnes. I was almost in a . . . [illegible] con
dition. I layd me down with my head opon my leggs,
thinkeing to save my leggs, and he gave me such a patt
on the head [as] made me turne up white eyes. I thought
and was halfe efraid lest I had gotten old Nicke on the
Rope. I prayd to God to deliver me from the tuppe
and Rope, but in the conclusion my bones ware sore,
braines sicke, and heart dead with feare what to do with
tupp. I looked att tupp with an angry countenance, but
could not tell how to be revenged. Kill hime I durst not
— then I should have had the labour to have caryd
himme, which I could not. Faire words would not paci
fic hime nor angry countenances efright hime, but att
last I resolved upon a manly resolution thus: "What,
Hodge? art in a streite? What's the reason of thes feare
and greefe? A tupp. A tupp? does that daunt thee?

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 39
Stand upon thy leggs and fight manfully in answer ther
unto! " I did, and gett a kibbow out of hedge, and tupp
and I fell to it, but the tupp orecame me. I could doe no
good, but downe on my knees againe. I get hold of
tupp's homes and of one of his feet, and cast hime. " So
now, tupp, I intend to be revenged on thee," and smote
hime on the head. But with great difficultie I gat hime
to Leigh, but I nere was in such a puzle in all my life as
I was with that tupp. When I saw the tupp set on me,
so I though: "What have I gotten on Rope? A sheep is
a harmles creature, they say. What is this, old Nicke?"
He did so nicke me up that he made me to leap and
friske. I exercisd feet, hands, tongue, and aU members
of my body was exercised about tupp head. Sometimes
shaked in revenge braines troubled how to be revenged,
tongue in uttering most wofull lamentations and some
times loud hankerings [?], but since then I have knowne
tupps, the very name of tupps hath been trouble to my
eares. I remember another story which once was to my
greefe, as well as this which occasions me to remember
it, Ukewise that the world may see what streites I have
beene in and what troubles I have undergone in my Ufe.
When I Uved with Mr. Livesey,40 he sent me to High
Lee41 to Mr. Henry Lee about a minister for his chap
pell, and going from Budworth to High Lee without
victuals I came just att diner's time. Mr. Lee was att
diner. I sent letter to hime; he sent word I should stay
diner, which I did, and was very hungery. I was sett att
table with servents. Every servent a great bowlefuU of
podige, anon a great trencher Uke a pott Ud I and all
others had, with a great quantity of podige. The dishes
els ware but smaU and few. I put bread into my podige
thinking to have a spoone, but none came. While I was
thus in expectation of that I could not obtaine, every
man haveing a home spoone in their pocketts, haveing
done their pottage, fell to the other dishes. Thought I,
these Hungery Amallakites that I am gotten amongst
wiU devoure all if I doe not set upon a resolution. I,

40 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
lookeing towards them to see theire nimblenes in the
exercise of their hands from dish to their mouth, made
me to forgett my hunger, but I cast my eyes from them,
thinkeing it ware best to bethinke my selfe of my one
hungery condition. What would it advantage me though
I was sat there to table and not satisfie hunger? I cast
an eye to my trencher — there was a whole sea of pottage
before. Thought I, what must I doe with all these;
wished in my hart many times that those hungery Rogues
had them in their gutts, but that would not doe, for still
they ware there before me, and I durst not set them away,
tho it was manners so to have done. Well, I resolved:
"Hodge, if thou will have any victualls here, thou sees
how the case is and into whose compeny thou art falne
into, what a hungery spirit possesses these men. Thou
must now resolve upon action;" and a speedy dispatch
with these pottage accordingly I did, and sweeped them
as if I would have drunke. Than when I had them in
my mouth I was in such a hott fitt in my mouth [as]
turned meditation into action, but att last, to my lamen
tation, I was werse then before. I would gladly have
given 5s. that I had but had the benefitt of aire or a
northern blast. My tongue in my mouth was in a sad
condition; helpe my selfe I could not, for table was
before me and a wall behind me upon my backe, a women
with her flasket42 upon right hand, and a man with his
codd peece upon the other, and in this sad condition I
sat Mothering,43 knew not what to doe best. Those few
pottage I tasted was both diner and supper. I att last
rise from table with a hungery belly but a lamenting
heart, and ere since I have beene cautious how to supp
pottage, and Ukewise wary. Nothing werser to a man
then over hastiness, especially in hott concernements :
hott women, hott pottage, and angry tupps be ware of
and pray to be deUverd frome.
13. — Tusday. Att night I went with John Hasleden
into Hadocke; he had a letter come from London, and

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 41
he went to gett a workeman to come and helpe hime.
It was a very rainy night and filthy gate44 and very darke.
15. — Thursday. Att night old Ezibell envited John
Hasleden, Dicke Asmull, and I to drinke with her son in
law. We went in night, but before we went I was some
what disconsolate, and was in shop, and Mary Naylor
came into shop and we stayd togather, and it did satisfie
me very much. She would have me to bringe her over
brid[ge], which I did. Afterwards, when I had taken
leave of her, I went with some younge folkes to this
man's house, and by vertue of Marye's compenie it made
me as hearty as might be.
16. — Friday. I was sent for to Thomas Heyes'. I
went. When I came thither it was but upon shop effaires.
I sett forward to Banfer longe; there I stayd and dranke
Botle Ale and Common Ale45 and was very merry. Set
forward for home; when I was about Roger Naylor's I
went in, and Mary was angry with me [that] I had beene
out of shop, for folkes had beene there enquireing for
me, which angred her very sore, soe shee was troubled
att me.
17. — Saturday. I had a very sickly day, but the Lord
instigated the paine. My love was very earnest to Mary
att this time. This night was a sad night to me in paine
of my head, but the Lord was favorable to me in the
morneing, for I was in health. I blesse God: weepeing
may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morneing.
18. — Lord's day. I went downe to Mary when her
father was come up to chappell. She was very respectfuU
to me. I was not harty this day, but in a sad condition.
19. — Munday. Ann Greinsworth came to towne to
goe brew att Lodge. I was glad to se her; went and
brought her to Ellin Ashton; spent 2d. on her.

42 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
21. — Wedensday. I went to Roger Naylor's. As I
came againe att Thomas Naylor's I bought a Henn and
6 chickens for 6d. Afterwards Ann Barrow sent for me
to John Naylor's. I went and we conferred togather of
time and place, when and where James and I must meete
her. But in this discourse I intreated for my selfe to be
the next in succession if in case they two should breake
of, to which she did not say no, neither yea. When I
parted I sett forward to Banferlonge, where EUin Scott
did very joyfully entertaine me. After I had gotten re
freshments I came home.
22. — Thursday. Roger Naylor and Thomas Insworth
came up towne to me and envited me to Ale house, and
Roger said it should cost me nothinge, soe I went, and
when we ware togather we ware discourseing of Esop's
fable. I was spakeing of the fable of dogge and peece
of flesh, who, swiminge over River, caught shadow and
lost substance. Says Roger, "Take [care] of you doeing
so," which speech did much amaze me, for I was troubled
att it very sore. But I made my prayer to the Lord and
the Lord releived. He is my shepheard ; He will provide.
Therfore I fear not. This night James Low and I went
togather to Banferlonge and stayd there till far in night.
There was Ann Marsh there, who hee wood, and Ellin
Scott and I talked of other things. I had a great cold that
troubled me very sore.
23. — Friday. Roger Naylor went from home, and I
went to house and Mary and I sat togather in parlor, and
it satisfied me very much.
25. — Lord's day. Ann Barrow came to Ashton and
gave me a letter to answer for her into Yorkeshire to
Richard Naylor. This eveninge old Izibell and John
Hasleden and I went to Gawther's and ware merry when
we parted. We went all togather into old John Jenkins' ;
we thought he would have dyed this night. When I was

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 43
with hime he shooke me by the hand, and I conferred
with hime. After awhile I parted.
27. — My Master came to towne and was very loveing
to me, wished me to gett all the monys I could against
Christmas. Henry Low came to town and would have
me to speake to EUzebeth Hindley for hime, which I
promisd to doe this evening. I went with James Naylor
into Goleborne awooing to Ann Barrowe. I was att this
time very sad in spirit, for I had not seene Mary of a
good while.
28. — Wedensday. Mary Naylor went to Warington
and stayd all night att her unkle John Lowe's in Hoome,46
and upon the
29. — Thursday, I went as far as to Neawton47 to meet
her, but I could not Ught of her and came home again
in a sadd Fitt. This night John Hasleden and I went to
Banforlonge and ware very wellcomly entertained, and
as we came home we talked of wenches. He told me that
he loved a wench in Ireland, and so the day after I writ
a love letter for hime into Ireland. Att this time I did
love Mary extreamely, and was sad I could not see her
nowithstanding. 30. — Friday. She came to me and was very loveinge
which did very much satisfie me.
31. — My Brother's wife came and brought me nutts
and victualinge. This night I went up Greene to Mary,
but could not have the oportunitie to speake to her.

NOVEMBER, 1663
1. — Lord's day. Mr. Woods came to towne. He was
att WUUam Hasleden's att diner. I went to bring hime

44 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
a pipe of tobacco, but could not stay, for I was ingagd
into Compenie. Ann Barrow and James Naylor and we
ware alltogather at noone in Gawther's. Mr. Woods left
word with IzibeU that he would goe to Robt. Rosbotham
to be all night, and he would have me to come to hime,
so att night Thomas Smith and I went thither, but we
went away by Peter Lealand's. Thomas sent me into
house and he stayd of me. When I came to door they
were singing psalmes. I went in and Peter would have
me pray, but I was unfitt att that time and so desird ex
cuse. Wenches and we went altogather to Robt. Ros
botham. Thomas Smith and I ware altogather, and he
spoke low and told us he intended a Comunion Thursday
night next att James Lowe's, Neawton Commin.
2. — Munday. I went downe to Roger Naylor's and
Mary was not so favorable to me as I conceived she
should be, and I was troubled very sore.
3. — Tusday. It was Ashton Court,48 and I was to sue
John Robbinson; he had given his word for Robbin
Taylor. It was a great trouble to my spirit. My Brother
came to me this night and was aU night with me. I was
up till far in night to hear vardict.
5. — Thursday. Att night I went to James Lowe's of
Neawton Comin. There Mr. Woods was and a compeny
of Christians, where we receivd comunion and Mr.
Woods preacht out of 7 Ecclesiastes, 14 verse. Mr.
Gregg49 was at prayer when I came in. It was a joyfuU
night and a sad night.
7. — Saturday. Att night I went with Thomas Ros
botham, James Lee, James Naylor a foomert hunteinge,60
but we catched a hedge hogge, but nothing els.
8. — Lord's day. Att night Richard Weinwright came
to me and said he would go to Bainforlonge. I said I

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 45
would goe with hime if he would let me ride behind hime,
which he promisd to do. Anon EUin Scott came rideing
from HoUand, and her mother was on foote waiteing att
Roger Naylor's. When we mett theme I would have
turnd home againe, but they would not lett me, but sett
me behind old women on horsbacke, so we ridd like
Irish folkes. When we came there we spent night in
feasting and discourseing, and att 10 of the clocke in
night Dick and I tooke horse and parted.
9. — Munday night. I went with James Naylor to old
Barrowe's in Goleborne to woo Ann. It was very darke
and stormy and late in night ere we came home.
12. — Grace Garard had an Ale, cald neighbors, went
to spend monye. I went with them and spent . . . d., and
I came home to bed and left neighbors and musicke and
aU. 13. — Friday. Jane Wright, Mr. Sorrowcold's maid,
came to towne and we ware very merry togather. I ac
comodated her with Ale, and so we parted. I was att
this time in a very fair way for pleaseing my carneU seffe,
for I knew my selfe exceptable with Emm Potter, not
withstanding my love was entire to Mary Naylor in
respect of my vow to her, and I was in hopes that her
father countenanced me in the thinge.
15. — Lord's day. It was a very rainy day day [sic] and
Mr. Blakeburne51 came not to chappell, but sent Mr.
Barker52 to read, and I was som what troubled. Old
Roger Naylor came and sate with me all afternoone.
This day was not well spent, I must confesse. The Lord
humble me for it.
16. — I kept shop aU day and had a fire. Old Roger
Naylor came to me and Thomas Smith, and we spent
each of us 1 d. for Ale. I was very hearties att this presant.

46 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
18. — Wedensday. I was sent for to Banforlonge and
cald att Thomas Heyes' and received 8s. for comodities.
Then went to Bainforlonge, where I was accomodated
with Ale, and when I had writt some accounts for Anne
I parted and came to Roger Naylor's, where Mary was
busy. I had a deale to say to Mary, but could not have
the opertunitie, soe came to shop.
20. — Friday. I was sent for to Bainforlonge to Ann
Greinsworth to write a letter to London to her Brother,
and I went.
22. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh and cald of Ann
Barrow, and shee tooke me into parlour and gave me
spiced beere and we conferred awhile. I spoke much for
my selfe by way of motive that shee would except of me,
and after awhile parted, being enjoined by her to come
att noone backe againe. I went to Leigh and att noone
John and I went to Twisse barne to see all those prepara
tives in readines to the casting of Leigh great Bell and
third bell, both which Bells lay in steeple.53 We came up
to Richard Darwell and spent 2d. and came into towne
and so parted. I sat forward for home and by the way
cald on Ann Barrow accordinge to promise, but she was
sent for to goe into Pemberton ; but she left word I must
stay till shee came, but I would not. But EUzebeth Hart
told me that shee said that if shee thought" her father
would dye soone she would waite for me, because I had
presented my effections to her, and this shee said upon
better motive to her for me. But yet, the greefe of aU
was behind, for Bett told me how perfidiously and
knavishly James Naylor had dealt with me, for he wooing
Ann would allwayes have me with hime, and I had some
effections to his sister, and had sent her seaverall litle
notes, which shee putt in her box, and this one eveninge,
the 9th of this presant November, and he cald for a band
and Mary bid hime go take one out of her box, so he
rifled her box up and tooke all my letters, which I had

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 47
sent her att seaveraU occasions, and tooke them in his
pockett, and when we came into Goleborne to Barowe's
I went into parlor to John Hart and he followed Ann into
another chamber and let her see my sacrets to Mary, and
I had writt in one that I wishd Mary would be as faithfull
to me as Ann was to hime, and this stinkeing Raskell
betrayed his one sister and me, who I went allwayes with
and spent my monys for his sake and advised hime the
best I could. Nay, and above all he backebitt me, and
said it would doe well if I could gett monys against my
comeing out, and said I durst never come in his father's
sight, which was a lye. He said as soone as his sister
angerd hime he would tell his father of all — and this is
the actinge of a seemeing pretended freind to me as can
be, when in truth is no better then a deivelish, malicious,
dissembleing, knavish rascaU. Butt Ann was displeasd
att me att first, tho caryd nobly and loveingly to my face,
but Bett Hart told me this that I might know my freinds
from my foes. And now it's best to gett and feare God
for a freind, for we see man will faile us and world will
faile but God wUl not faile those that trust in hime. But
this was matter of much greife to me and I was very sad
upon it. I tooke leave from Bett and cald att old James
Damme's. John, his sonne, did manifest abundance of
love to me, gave me aples, brought me to Edge Greene,
made me to promise to come att Christmas. So that the
Lord wiU not leave me freindles in this world.
23. — Tusday. I went to Roger Naylor's. He was gone
to Chester and I told Mary all above writt and of all
James' knaverie to me and to her, and she was highly
offended and was very respectfull to me. Att night she
sent for me; James would have me be all night with
hime, and she told me what she had said. I did not stay
aU night, but came to shop to injoy bed, and as I was
comeing I mett with Richard Worrell of Warington,
apothecarie, and John Earle, who tooke me with them to
Ale house.

48 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
25. — Thursday. I kept shopp all day, onely Ann
Barrow and her sister came to go to Peter Kenion's, and
I brought Ann towards that place and spoke my mind to
her concerneing James' fact54 against me. I was very
much displeased concerneing it. When I came to shop
I was very sadd all day after, but God is my comfort
and tho I walk in greefes, yea, in the vale of death, yet
then God's rod and staffe will be matter of comfort
to me.

1 DECEMBER, 1663
Tusday. Being Warington faire I kept shop all day,
being very sollemne and sad. Henry Low came and we
discoursed togather about all our effaires and greefes. I
went with hime to bottome of Towne Feild and there
parted with a joint resolution that what we said each to
other should lye dead. This night Richard Naylor came
to me, wished me to come down to his father's house,
which I did. He was very sad concerninge EUzebeth Sed-
don's acteings to hime; wishd me to compose a letter
to her in his name, which I did.
6. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh. John Chadocke's
wife was brought to Bed att noone. I parted with Leigh
and came towards home, and cald att Henry Barrow's
in Goleborne, but Ann Barrow was gone frome home,
so I came forward to Roger Naylor and stayd supper —
Roger forced me to stay. I was very glad to see that
respect I see I had from them.
9. — Wedensday. I went to Beinforlonge, was very
much made of, tooke leave and came to Thomas Heyes'
and stayd awhile, and then came home.
11. — Fridey. Att night Henry Low came to me for to
goe with hime a wooinge to Thomas Heyes' to Anne

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 49
Hasleden. She tented55 her sister, who was lyeinge in,
and Ann had moved me sundry times to gett Henry [to]
come, and this night we both went, and had spiced
drinke, and very much made of we ware; but it was a
very darke night and we stood without a great while . . .
[Two pages are gone from the diary.]

[JANUARY, 1664]
17. — Saturday. Being envited and leave granted by
my Master to goe to Hughe's Hindley of West Leigh, this
day I went with John Hasleden and ware all night, and
other day we went to Leigh and then backe againe to
Hughe's; after dinner went forward for Ashton.

FEBRUERY, 1664
1. — Sabath day. Att night I went to Mr. Woods', and
we being some younge people that som times associeted
togather, and providence seemeing to make a breach
amongst us, we ware sore discomforted, some in theire
removall far of and I my seffe in thoughts of beeing re
moved out of towne.
2. — Munday. We went againe, viz., Thomas Smith
and I, being envited, intending to have spent the night
to the edification of one another. Att this time I was sore
discouraged in regard John Chadocke, my fellow apren-
tice, was in goeing from my Master, and knew not how
God would dispose of me; but the Lord is my trust, and
in God is my confidence.
5. — Thursday. Before day my fellow prentice, John
Chadocke, cald me up with WiU Parkinson, John Hind
ley, and others. He was going to be maried, and had
£

50 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
stolne his love away from Mr. Whitehead's, and my Mas
ter gave assent I should goe with them. I gate a horse
of WiUiam Sixsmith and we went altogather to BilUnge
Chappell56 and stayd att Humphrey Cowley's till 2 came
againe from fetching Mr. Bispam. When they came
they brought word we must meet hime att Holland att
one Thomas Prescott's. We tooke horse, came thuther,
get the ceremonie overpast, and dined. I was sent afore
to Wiggan to buy 7 yards ribbin, and they came into
Wiggan. We each of us had a yard of ribbin of 12d. per
yard, and so rid through towne. I saw them through
towne and so parted. I was aU this whUe in a sad hart.
13. — Friday. Thomas Smith came to me to goe be
aU night att Mr. Woods'. I went and Mr. Woods and
I sat till far of night talkeing about ministers and other
things. He said Mr. CaUamy,57 who was put in prison
for preachinge one Sabeth day, had above 500 U. given
hime in one weeke's imprisonment of his beloved people.
15. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh, and as soone as I
came there my Master and Dame both said I must have
measure taken of me for a suite of clothes and a coate,
and Taylor came att night to take measure of me. But
my Master would let me have nothinge but a coate, soe
I would have none and parted with greefe, and as I
came I overtooke Hugh Hindley and I told hime my
greefe. He bid me feare not; he would goe to hime the
other day and would move hime, but the consideracion
of this moved me to great lamentation. In my comeinge
home att noone Robert Reynolds tooke me into George
Norris's, and we 2 with Clarke ware mery awhile and
then parted. Afterwards we went into Robt Feilding's
and ware with Thomas Naylor, and he would let me pay
nothinge, soe we parted and went to church.
17th. — Tusday. I went to Leigh very early, and soe
early as I tooke John Chadocke in bed. He opend shop

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 51
door and he went to bed againe. I sat att bed's feete
and we talked of every thinge, somethinge about his
marige, and about what had hapend upon Lord's day
about clothes for me. And att this tune I expected some
anger from my Master, but he said nothinge to me; but
John told me my Dame was displeasd that I should be
so hasty. Nevertheles amidst aU . . . my trust is in the
Lord. 18. Febwedensday. Widow Low came and gave me
Is. for a sermon writeinge.
22th. — Tho. Smith and I went to Mr. Woods' and ware
aU night. Mr. Woods was gone to the funeralle of his
wive's mother, soe I repeated sermon. There was foure
younge folkes presant stayd on purpose to hear repeti
tion. 28. — Saturday. Tho. Smith and I went to Robert
Rosbothom in Parke Lane, being very welcomly enter
tained. Our discourse was about these times; and the
other morneing, being Lord's day, I was excercisd to
pray, and after we had had prayer with a chapter and
psalme with other things, we came towards Ashton
chappeU, being envited to come againe. But this time
I was very sad in consideracion . . . providence towards
me . . . The greater will in time not deny the lesse, and
why should I fear? God's providence is the poor man's
inheritance, and God hath anough in store for me, for
the earth is the Lord's with the fullnes therof. Therfore
it's good to waite and trust in the Lord.
10. — Wedensday. I went to Thomas Heyes' and Bein-
forlonge to reckon, and att this time Ann Greinsworth
was perswaded I loved Ellin Scott, and I satisfied her to
the contrarie. I writt her some letters and so parted.
14. — Att after eveninge prayer I went into Ale house

52 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
with one Roger Lowe and spent 4d., but had a very
sickly night and
15. — Munday, I had a very sad, sickly day all day,
but the Lord strengthened me.
19. — Friday. I cast up debt bookes and see how I
stood with my Master, and my charge was to my Master
that I had in goods from my Master 148 U. 8s. 9d. in
one year, and his receit in mony from me, and in debts,
135 ii. 5s. Id., and in that year I cleared the shop to my
Master within 13 U. 7s. 7d., and this did rejoice my spirit.
21. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh and stayd till noone,
and Mr. James Woods was there and envited me to his
house all night. I went to hime to Georg Norris's house
att after dinner and spent 3d., so parted. Thence I went
to see my sister Katherin, gave her 4d.; so came to my
Master and parted, and intended to Hugh Hindley's, for
John Hasleden was there and I was to come to hime, but
I mett Hugh and family towards church, and John was
gone for Ashton; so I parted and came my selfe and cald
on my sister Ellin and so parted, and as I was comeinge
near Barrowe' s Ann Barrow cald of me, for we had beene
out one against the other; so I went to her. Shee tooke
me in to parlor and we rectifide all buisnesses, so I came
away. 25. — Thursday. Thomas Atherton was to part with
neighborhood, so I was envited amongst neighbors to go
to Ale house to drinke, and John Potter and I begann to
discourse concerneing the manner of God's worship. He
was for Episcopecie and I for Presbittery. The conten
tion had like to have beene hott, but the Lord prevented.
It was 2 or 3 dayes ere we speake, and I was efraid lest
he should doe me some hurt, and I went into house and
all anger was removed.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 53

MARCH, 1664
6 day — Lord's day. I was very pensive and sad aU
day, and I betooke my seffe to soUtarines, for I walked
downe to Town Heath and presented my suplication to
the Lord. I prayd to God and showd hime aU my trouble
and I hope the Lord heard, for I was abundantly com
forted in my spirit.
8th. — Tusday. John Hasleden, James Jenkins, and I
walked into feilds. John Hasleden had ingagd himselfe
to Dicke Asmull night befor, in a drunken humor, to
serve hime as aprentice for 4 yeares, and we contrivd
how to gett hime of in the feilds. This night I was in a
troubled condition, for Sarah Hasleden spoke in a backe-
biting way of me, and she would teU her brother of me,
but all was in a causeles matter, for me spendinge 2d.
But she was handsomely taken up in my behalfe by John
Potter of LiUy Lane and by her husband, and God onely
is my defence.
10. — Thursday. Humphrey Harrison came to shop
and stayd with me a great while and att last moved me to
instruct his son in teachinge hime to endite letters and to
cast account up, which I promisd I would doe. This
night I was envited to goe to Gawther Taylor's to drinke
Braggod, for wife bought her comodities of me, and she
said if I would not come, then farewell; so I was con
strained to goe, but I stayd but for a short time.
11. — Fridey. Ann Barrow came to towne and moved
me to write a letter for her in answer to a love letter
from Richard Naylor. I did, and movd her to sett her
one name. Mr. Maddocke and old Roger Naylor ware
in shop and ware very earnest to see letter, but I would
not let them. Mr. Madocke and Roger wishd me to goe
to Ale house with them, which I did, and after Mr.

54 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Maddocke went with Roger home to be all night, and
they stayd on me till I had shutt up shop, and I went
downe to Roger's with them and stayd supper and
prayer, and so came to bed.
12. — Saturday. Mr. Maddocke came with Roger Nay
lor and envited me to Ale house and as we ware drinke-
inge James Astley, a Wiggan man, came into house and
gave me a letter with a lemmon, which was a token sent
from Richard Naylor from Wakefeild in Yorkeshire.
This night I had promisd to goe to Robert Rosbothom's
house, and did, with Thomas Smith with me, and was aU
night, and they lent me Mr. Gee's booke concerneinge
prayer;58 he was minister at Eccleston. And upon the
15th day, Tusday, I was readinge in his booke, and in
consideracion of the man's person and gravitie I was
posesd with sadnes and composd these verses :
Renowned Gee, thou now enjoyest glory,
Yet thy name shall remaine earth's lastinge story.
In thought of thee, ah! I can sitt and weepe
That thou by death shouldst now be laid esleepe.
How lovely was thy life, joyfuU thy "1
death; 1^ sic cantat
Angells receivd thy soule att latest f Rogerus Lowe
breath. J
Fie say no more, but weepe, yet would joy to see
My seffe in hapines with blessed Gee.
Gee now in joy triumphs, his sorrows past,
And he that place enjoyes that aye shall last.
Therfore, blest Gee, this once Fie bid farewell,
Hopeing ere longe t' be there where thou dost dwell.
His name was Edward Gee, minister att Eccleston Church;
he dyed about or in the year 1660 or 1659 or therabouts.
But the church of God sustained great losse in his death
and Mr. Herle's59 of Winwicke and Mr. Johnson's60 of
HaUsall, who all flourished and dyed about this time

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 55
aforesaid, in so much as it was the lamentation of Mr.
Goleborne, att Leigh excercise in his prayer, that we
now wanted our Herles, our Gees, and our Johnsons.
This was upon the 25 December, 1660. Old Mr. Woods
joined with hime.
17. — Thursday. My sister EUin came to towne of
Ashton to buy comodities of me. Her husband was not
well. I brought her to Town Heath. I moved att parte-
inge to serve God and go to church and labour to instruct
her children in the wayes of God, and in so doeinge God
would blesse her and make them comfortable to her. I
was att this time sad in spirit, but God will refresh.
18. — Friday. I was sent for to John Naylor's wife, of
Edge Greene, and I was in some greefe by reason of
Cooke's wife, a very wrathfull, mahcious women, had re
ported that I said such things concerneinge women's
naturaU infirmities, which I never did, and troubled me
extramely. But the Lord wiU prevent aU my feares and
wiU procure respect for me.
20th. — Lord's day. Lidia Scott and Joseph Scott and
Raph Bradshawe came out of Dalton beyond Holland,
and Lidia came to me for to have me to goe to them into
Tankerfeild's. I did, and att night I went to bringe them
towards home, and soe parted.
21 . — Munday morneinge. Sarah Hasleden sent to me
to come write a letter for her to London, which I did.
This day John Hasleden came into shopp, and James
Jenkins, and I said I had a brasse shillinge. "Oh," says
John Hasleden, "I have another. Come," says he, "lett's
goe to . . . Baty's; we can gett them of." It was con
cluded one and we all went, and when it came to the
effect of the buisnes, John's 12d. she receivd, but mine
she would not, and they ware both in the hand of James
Jenkins to give her. So John Hasleden bid us goe; he

56 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
thought he could move her to take it in our absence, but
it could not be. James and I waited of John's compenie
home, but he came not. We resolved for home, and
when we came home we gat our super. John stiU came
not; I was ill troubled that we had left hime. We re
solved after super to sett thither and went, and so we
mett hime in the way and came togather into towne and
went to John Jenkins' and there spent each 2d. and ware
merry in consideracion of our actings.
22. — Tusday. I was sadly sicke and had a very sicke
night, but the Lord restord me in the other morneinge.
25.- — Friday. John Naylor's wife came to town and
wishd me to goe with her into an Alehouse. I went.
27. — Lord's day. Ann Greinsworth came to towne
and wishd to say nothing, and she would let me se a
buisnes, and she pulls out a love letter writt in Roman
hand with R L in the conclusory, and this was found
before gates att Bainforlong, directed to Ellin Scott. I
was something displeased, but the matter was of small
vallue. This day John Grimsheye's prentice came and
borowed of me 3s. 6d., and so ran away from his Master.
He borowed it in his Master's name, and his Master Uved
in Goleborne.

APRIL, 1664
1. — Friday. I was sorely troubled in my mind, for I
had given Roger Naylor, senior, great occasion of offence
in telhng hime of a letter being found writt in my name,
and the occasion being his, as I suposd, and I particuler-
izd the buisnes as if he should be the man, and he was
highly offended att me, which was my great greife. But
God will help.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 57
2. — Saturday. John Hasleden and I went into his
Brother's ground to see Colepits, and this afternoone
Thomas Smith and I went to Thellwell to Mr. Woods'
and stayd tiU Munday, and as soone as we came thither,
after a short rest, we went to Gropenall61 church to visit
one George Clare, who lay sicke, and I went into church (
yard to looke att graves, as it is my common custome,
and there stayd awhile admiringe the common frailtie of
mankind: how silently now they were lyeinge in dust.
It being somwhat late we parted to Mr. Woods' the next
day. Lord's day. We went to Limme, Thomas and I, and
heard one Mr. Grimshey out of the 36 psalme, 8 verse.
Att noone we came home and stayd to hear Mr. Swetnam
att TheUweUe out 1 James, 12.
4. — Munday. We sett for Ashton and att Latchford
Heath we mett with Roger Naylor and Peter Aspin-
woUe62 att a litle Alehouse; we went to them. I spent my
2d. with them and soe parted to Warington, where I
caUd att Mr. Scofeild's shop, and John Naylor and he
ware togather. He sent for Ale for me. We discoursed
awhUe and then parted, went into Stationer's shop and
Thomas Peake's shop, and so bid farewell to Towne;
came to Ashton, and seaveraU had enquired for me.
5. — Tusday. I writt to Richard Naylor in Wakefeild
in Yorkeshire.
7.-r-Friday. My Dame sent me 4 new bands63 which
pleasd me very well. This night old Peter Lealand came
to mei|. and sit in shop a good while, and att night I went
to bringe hime towards home, and we talked of times and
about Mr. Woods. After a while we parted.
9. — Easter day. I went to Leigh and att noone John
Chadocke and I went to Latley Comon64 to a house cald

58 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Sumnor's to se one Ann Smith who was there in Hold,65
that had drownd her child in Hurst Ground, and she
was very much greeved, as she seemed. She sate att
chimney's end, hangeing downe her head, and I spoke to
her to move her to repent, told her God was mercifull:
he pardond Devid, who was adulterer and murderer. I
came away being very sorowfuU for her; came to Leigh
Church, and he was att his sermon. Mr. Woods' maid
would have had me gone home with hime, but I refusd.
11. — Munday. I was pensive and sad and went into
Town FeUd and prayd to the Lord, and I hope the Lord
heard. 12. — Tusday. Thomas Naylor sent for me to make a
bond betweene hime and Mr. Byrome. I did. He gave
me 6d. and the neighborhood of Ashton envited me to
goe with them to Ale house this eveninge, which I did,
and spent 6d.
13. — Wedensday. EUin Scott came to towne, and
Roger Naylor did woo her, and there was some differ-
ance betweene hime and me, and now he sent for me, and
this eveninge aU was in love and I was glad. We see God
can make them who somtimes [are] enemies turne to be
freinds. 15. — Friday. I was envited to goe with Ann Taylor
and EUzebeth Taylor to WiUiam Anderton's in Pember
ton, and there was with us John Hasleden, Emm Potter,
and others. We stayd tiU after sunne goeinge downe and
then parted; came to Goose Greene and there stayd in
an Alehouse, but it was my great trouble to stay or to
have gone this gate, onely they ware good customers to
me and I durst not but goe for fear of displeasure.
17. — Lord's day. I began to write sermon this morne-
inge. John Potter and wife and John Hasleden invented

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 59
to efright me in teUinge me I was cited to Bishop's Court
for Nonconfformitie to Common Prayer; so att noone
John Hasleden and I came togather to diner and he
seluted me with this : that I was cited, at the heareing of
which I eate no more, but went to Town Heath and
prayd to God to deUver me and consulted with my selfe
how to doe. But att noone it was found out, and I was
glad. 18. — Munday. I writt a letter by the advice of Peter
Asmulle to John Hasleden from his unkle from Reinford
for John Speedie comeing to Reinford, and I sent letter
down towne by a stranger; and upon the other day, being
Tusday, John hasted for Reinford — away he hasted this
day. Lee Bowden, Steward att Lodge, and Roger Naylor
and I ware togather in John Jenkins' and old Mr. Woods
came to shoppe and thought much I was in Ale, warned
me to take heed. I told hime I could not trade if att some
times I did not spend 2d.
20. — Wedensday. John Jenkins, Constable, tooke John
Hasleden and my seffe to every Ale house with hime in
night, in answer to a warrant to make pri[vate] search.66
24. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh and I cald on my
sister ElUn; they gave me a Cocke chicken. When I came
to Leigh young Mr. Woods' wife did very earnestly en-
vite me home with her att noone. John Chadocke and
I went into feilds, and in a feild cald Horse Shoo we sat
us downe by a great pitt side and conversed togather of
our greefes concerneing our callinge, and att night he
brought me to West Leigh Heath and our discourse was
the same.
27. — Wedensday. Younge John Jenkinson and I went
to looke Bird nests out in feilds and my legs ware cruelly
pricked. I was att this time in great fear because shopp
was to be cast up and I was efraid it would not answer

60 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
my Master's expectation. Now the Lord helpe me
through my prentishipp, that I may be freed frome
these sad charges of goods I stand indebted with, and
am so posessed with such feares by reason of my ingage-
ments to my Master I know not how to rest. The Lord
keape me from miscaryinge, for the Lord's sake!

MAY, 1664
1. — Lord's day. I was som what pensive all day in
consideracion of my unsetlements in this world, but yet
much comforted in trustinge in God. Their not so hapy
as have these worldly enjoyments as those who have
God for their Lord. Ann Greinsworth very earnestly
envited me to Bainforlonge, and I promisd to comme.
3. — Tusday. Henry Feildinge, an Hower glasse maker
whom I had hower glasses of, came, and I was ingagd
for 1 dozen and \ of hower glasses, and this day I payd
hime and made meet with hime and upon
4th May, being Wedensday, I tooke 30 glasses more,
and he intended for Leigh and I writt a letter to John
Chadocke to move hime to take some of hime, and a
very honest man he was to me. I had them of the rate
of 10s. a dozen and sold them after 12, and he gave me
4£ hower glasses and 6d. in monys when I payd hime.
6. — Friday. John Chadocke came from Leigh to cast
up shop, and efraid I was least I should not answer my
Master's expectation. Att after we had cast up shop we
went to Heath a shooteinge, came to towne againe, and
supt att younge John Jenkns', and was there aU night.
I slept litle, expectinge to go to Leigh the other morne-
inge, which I did betimes in the morneinge, John and I
togather. When we came to Leigh I was ingaged to my
Master 200 U. and up wards, and it pleased God to

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 61
blesse my indeavors that I had profited my Master
21 U. Is. 5d. I was glad; then I boldly speake my greev-
ences, and my Master told me he had bought me a steake
and would give me ... of it. I had measure taken of me
for a new dublett, and was to have a new hatt and a new
pair stockins, and my Master told me he intended shop
for me and att Michealmas next I was to go with hime
to Chester faire. And thus the Lord favord me and
turnd my feares into joyes. Praise the Lord, O my
soule! 8th. — Lord's day. This eveninge Richard Bordman
was very ill. I made his wUl this night.
9th. — Munday. I went with Richard Weinwright to
Nicholas Bursco's marie pitt; gave marlers £ tobacco.
10th. — Tusday. I went to Bainforlonge to Anne
Greinsworthe, but stayd not.
11. — Wedensday. I went downe to Roger Naylor's.
He was from home and I spoke Roughly to Mary and
shee seemed to be very effectionate, but I Utle matered
it. I cald her a false dissembleinge harted person. She
tooke it heinously.
12. — Thursday. Lawrance Pendlebery was maried this
day, and he intreated my compenie. I desired excuse,
but this eveninge I went and spent 6d. with them, and
parted. 14th. — Saturday. I went to my Brother's into Windle
and upon the
15th day, being Lord's day, Tho. Smith came to me
and we went 2 and 2 togather to Cowley HiU to hear
Mr. Gregg preach att one Mrs. Harper's, in the parlor.
There he preached out 3 MaUichi, 15, 16, 17, 18 verses.

62 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
When sermon was done we came to my brother's. I was
not weU, but departed from my brother's sicke; but the
Lord suported me, that ere I got home I was pretty weUe.
17. — Tusday. Ann Greinsworth sent for me to Bain
forlonge. I writt a letter for her to her Brother, then in
London. She made much of me. I sat downe aU her
accounts att this time. I came away by Roger Naylor's
and spoke my mind to Mary Naylor, which was not
excepted, though was very favorable to mee; and I set
her light as she did to me, and so I parted.
19. — Thursday. I went to Billinge Chappell to a race
and James Darbishire sawe me and envited me to goe
with hime into Humphrey Cowley's to spend 2d., he
beinge come from Bolton. So I went, and in the spence
of 2d., Nicholas Houghton came to us [as] we ware in
Butterie, and he begann to give disdaininge words out
against the Art of a grocer or mercer, and so particuler-
ized it as to me in so much as I was very angry, in so
much as Humphrey Cowly's wife was angry att me in a
very furious manner, and I was sadly troubled. Yet the
wife went out, and some compeny as she went out too
comended me highly, in so much as she came againe and
made a recantation for what she had said, and I was
better satisfied.
20. — Friday. John Jenkinson and Joshua Naylor and
I went togather to take a throsteU67 nest, and by chance
we mett with a py annot68 nest. We tooke [it]; every
one had one pye, and one we gave to Tho. Winstanly,
and so came homme. Old Jenkins this day came and
payed me for making his will and other things. He payd
me lis. 9d., tooke me to Ale house and spent his 6d. on
me. This night John Jenkins, Constable, and I went
togather to lay night hookes, but
21. — Goeing, there was nothing found.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 63
22. — Lord's day. I went [to] Wiggan and heard Mr.
John Blakeburne preach. I dinde att Eles Leigh's. John
Jenkins and wife ware both with me.
24. — Tusday. John Naylor's wife sent for me to write
a letter for her to one Mrs. Shaw in Nesson69 in Worrell
in Cheshire, and I went and she made much of me.
28. — This morneing I went betime to Leigh, and was
pretty hearty in my returne.
30th. — Munday. I went into Billinge and bought tenn
dozen of syth stones for to send to Leigh. I was in a
pensive condition att this time.

JUNE, 1664
4. — Saturday. Gilbert Naylor came to me to have me
to goe with hime to his sister Margrett's into Houghton.
I went with hime this eveninge, and att Castle HiU70 in
Hindley he would have me to goe into Astley's, an Ale
house, and as we ware drinkinge Robert Reynolds,
junior, of Leigh, but now of Blackerhead,71 came in. He
was just now sett up att Blackerhead. He was glad to
se me. We stayd drinkeinge of 8d. and I payd not aid.;
so we parted and came to Houghton Common and
went into WiUiam Rycrof's house, and WUUam dis
coursed and told us many things concerneinge Dean
Church, Mr. Tilsley,72 and Mr. Eanger,73 who being a
conforming manne and now beeinge att Deane Church
began to quarreUe. We parted from thence and went to
Hugh Rigbie's — that was the place we intended too —
and they ware in bed. Wife gets up, makes a fire, gets
us supper, and we go to bed with an intention to go to
Deane Church in the morneinge, but we lay too longe
in our beds. After dinner we sett towards home. When
I came to Ashton Mary Naylor had a sweet heart comne,

64 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
and I was som whatt greeved and went to Towne Heath
and meditated upon these words: "It's good to hope
and quietly to waite." Observation: that hopeing and
waiting for a possible thing is a Christian's duty in time
of difficultie.
13. — Munday. Thomas Jameson was in Jenkins' and
sent for me to come drinke with hime, and we stayd late
in night, and we began a Controversie. He, a papist,
beganne to speake revileingly of Luther and Calvin,
which I labored to defend, conceiveinge them to be meere
CaUumnies of the papists because of his revolt from his
friership. We ware in love and peace in our discourse.
14. — Tusday. Att night Raph Hasleden sent for me.
His youngest daughter was dead; it was conceived she
had eaten Asnicke,74 for Sarah had laid Asnicke in meale
and in Butter, and the child getting to it gett that which
was laid in Butter, and so dyd; and he intreated me to go
to Warington to Mr. Finche's to gett them [to] come to
funerall, which I did, and cald at Winwicke and bespoke
bread and drinke, and when I came to the formost, Mrs.
Finch would not let me goe till the next morneinge, for
it was late. So I stayd and att day I arose and went to
sadle horse, and so came homme.
15. — Wedensday. My Dame came to the funeraUe,
and sent for me to come and bring all monys with me I
had, to pay funeraUe expences with. When we came to
Winwicke they causd me to set down in seller to take
account of flaggons drawen. I rid home, and att Thomas
RothweU's we stayd drinkeinge, but the
16th day, Thursday, I lay all day sicke, but was much
comforted by Emm Potter's care of me.
20. — Munday. I went to Beinfor longe and was much

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 65
made of, ecqueinteing Anne Greinsworth of a servent
maid she might have.
21. — Tusday. Mathew Low and I ware falne out a
Utle and he came to shop and we went to Ale house and
ware reconcUd.
23. — Wedensday. I went to Leigh and gave my Dame
9 U. in monys. She would have the Taylor take measure
on me for a paire of Breeches, dublett, and coate, and
she and I went into shop to looke out cloth, and she
made me take my choice, soe we tooke two Remlents75
into house and she kept them in her custodie. This newes
sent me joyfuUie towards Ashton. It was the Lord that
movd her; nay, she was so forward as she would have
had the taUor left others' worke for to have done my
clothes against Sabbath day.
26. — Lord's day. Edmund Winstanly envited me to
dinner with hime and I went.

JULY, 1664
3. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh. I had a new suit of
clothes and a coat. I went to WiUiam Gerrard's and we
discoursed awhUe concerneinge my time and other
things; so I parted. Att night my Dame would not let
me goe tiU I had supd. I came to Ashton and went to
John Jenkins' and anon Mr. James Sorrowcold came
into house, and he spent 6d. on me. I brought hime
home, for he tooke me alonge with hime, and I was aU
night, and I lay in his chamber.
4. — Munday. Betime in the morninge I came home,
and John Chaddocke was come from Leigh and had
some odd comodities of me. I brought hime a gate to
wards home.

66 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
5. — Tusday. Very early I went to Leigh.
10. — Lord's day. I was envited per Widow Taylor
to ride before her daughter to the funeraUe of Thomas
Taylor of Sankey Halle, and I assented. Raph Hasleden
and his wife and EUzebeth Taylor rid altogather. This
eveninge I was all night att Sankey Hall; there was att
Hall a younge man, a papist named Robert Kenion. He
and I conversed longe togather about papistrie, and after
our discourse he was very loveinge.
llth. — Munday. Early I got up and went to Waring
ton, and in Mr. Pickering's shop I found parator76 Dicke
Tildsley, and Ale he would give me; so I went with hime
and stayd awhile, and so parted. Came to Mr. Worrelle
and payd 3s. 6d. and so went to HaU; there was wine
and bisketts to be had. So about 11 clocke he was
fatched out and led on a coach to Winwicke, and this is
the conclusion of this story, by which we may se how
that one day freinds and world and all here below we
must part with: the grave is the parting place. Freinds
that did much honor this funeraUe came to attend it to
the grave, and there parted. Now the Lord grant us
such grace as, tho we may part with freinds and world,
yet we may never part with Christ, and that wiU be our
comfort. 14. — Thursday. I was with Daniell Chaddocke and
Dr. Naylor in the Ale house, and I was very sicke.
15. — Friday. I went to Warrington to buy candles of
Richard Nichols. I had but 4 dozen, and I brought them
home upon horseback.
17.— Lord's day. I went with Thomas Smith to St.
Ellin Chappell,77 and we cald on my brother and re
freshed ourselves with victualls, and so went to chappelle.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 67
It was a very rainy day. Mr. Ambrose78 preached. We
came home att noone, and Mr. AsmuUe preached at
Ashton. 22. — Friday. I went with John Jenkinson to Wiggan
and I gatt in that old debt that was oweinge me per
Humphrey Starbothome, a pedler in Wiggan.
24. — Lord's day. I went with Tho. Smith to Wiggan,
and we heard Bishop79 preach. Dined att Eles Leigh's.
Robert Reynolds was in towne; he gave 2d. in Ale to
me, and enjoined me to make for hime an Indenture,
because that Wiginers did threaten hime. I parted frome
hime, and att after eveninge prayer Thomas and I came
to Peter Lealand's and was all night. The other day,
comeing home, I mett with Thomas Heyes, who said he
had beene att shop att one, but found me not; so he de
sird me to go backe with hime to William Chadocke's to
make up some accounts. So I did and they gave me 6d.,
so I parted.
28. — Thursday. I was intreated per Richard AsmuUe
to go with hime and John Hasleden into Hindley. There
was a wench had laid a child on hime. So we went, and
in Mr. Lanckton's feilds she was, and she ardently mani
fested hime to be the father of the child in her wombe;
so we parted. Att Piatt Bridge he tooke us into Hugh
Piatt's and spent 6d. on us. As I came home I cald att
Bainforlonge and Ann was glad to see me.
29. — Saturday. One Mr. Lowe,80 vicar of Highton,
came to towne and would have me to come to hime, and
abundance of effection he pretended to me; but att last
we began in disputeinge about episcopecie and presbit-
tery. He said they ware apostollicalle. "Yea," quoth I,
"they are apostaticalle from the truthes of God;" and
he seemd to be displeasd.

68 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
AUGUST, 1664
8.— Munday. Being Ashton wakes,81 att this time I
had a most ardent effection to Emm Potter, and she was
in compeny att Tankerfeild's with Henry Kenion, and it
greeved me very much. Henry Low came to me and
would have me to go to Tankerfeild's [to] spend 2d., so
we went to the next chamber to that they ware in. Att
last they came by us and I movd Emm to stay to drinke
with me, which she did, but would not stay with me,
neither there nor no where els; would not come to me,
tho she said she would; and I was in a very sad eflicted
estate, and aU by reason of her.
10. — Wedensday. Emme went to bringe one Pegg
Lightfoote tords homme and I went after her and we
spoke to each other, and Ellin Harrison came unto us
and tooke82 us and was in a great rage against Emme,
and this was matter of great greife of harte unto me. But
my trust is in God, who will helpe in trouble. Tho the
storme be now, yet I have hopes I shaU see a calme.
This is my hopes and till then I'll waite one God.
14. — Lord's day. I went ot Neawtowne and heard
Mr. Blakeburhe, and he enjoind old WiUiam Hasleden
and I to come to Rothwell's, which we did and had 2
pints of wine, which he would have payd for, but I would
not suffer it. After I came home I went to EUzebeth
Rosbothome, and I spoke my mind to her concerneinge
Emme, which I could not doe without teares, and she
did pitie my state. I was very discomforted.
15. — Munday. The sun began to shine, for EUzebeth
Rosbothom had told EUin my greefe, and she pitied my
condition so as she resolved she would never act against
me so. I went to John Rosbothome's and stayd awhile,
and both EUin and Emme came downe, and EUin went

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 69
her way and Emme and I went into chamber and there
we professed each other's loves to each other; so I was
abundantly satisfied within my seffe and I promisd this
night to come see her in her chamber. God wUl arise
and show pitie to his distressed servent.
16. — Old Mr. Woods came to towne and was aU night
att WUUam Hasleden's, and they would have had me to
super, but Mr. Woods ingagd me to come to be with
hime. I was this afternoone with WiUiam Chadocke and
Thomas Heyes casting up their accounts, and after I had
done with them I came to shop and shutt it up and went
to WUUam Hasleden's. They ware att prayer. After
prayer Mr. Woods' discourse was concemeinge wars and
troubles that he and old WUUam had beene in togather,
so att far in night I came my way and came to the win
dow that Emm Potter lay in chamber, and I would
gladly have come in, but she durst not let me in; but she
rise up to the windowe and we kisd, and so I went to
bed. 17. — Att night I went to Docke Lane to get Raph
Hasleden to go for me to Leigh to fetch goods. He was
not att homme, but I spoke to Sarah and bought 2 U. of
waxe. 18th. — Thursday. This morneinge we went with cart,
and waters ware up att Penington bridge. We gat our
comodities into carte and so parted Leigh and came weU
homme. 19. — Friday. I borowed a horse and went to Humphrey
Burscoe's in Lowton for to buy hony and wax of his sis
ters, but they ware too hard for me.
20. — Saturday. Constables of Hadocke and Goleborne
came to have me write theire presentments for assizes,

70 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
and when I had donne I writt: "Poore is provided, high-
wayes repaired, these querys answerd, and clarke un
rewarded," att which they laughed most heartily.
22. — Munday. I was desired by Gawther Taylor's wife
to ride before Eles, her daughter, to the funeraUe of
Lucie Taylor of Sankey Halle, and I left my Master's
occasions att Ashton to answer their expectation. Went
to Sankey Hall, came againe with buryinge to Winwicke,
and whiles drinkeinge was I gat Emme into a place above,
where we talked about some things, and in this while
Eles Taylor, like an unworthy women, went and tooke
another to ride before her, so that when I came to take
horse there was none for me. I was highly perplexd, yet
bore it very patiently. John Moody and I came home
togather, and as we ware comeinge John Potter and Emm
behind hime overtooke us, and he askd me what I would
give hime att Neawton. I promisd hime a quart of Ale
and at Neawton he light and we stayd and ware very
mery. Anonne Dicke Naylor comes and falls a quarrel-
Unge with me, in so much as we fell to it, but John Potter
vindicated my cause nobly and poor Emme stickd close
to mee; so they gatt Dicke away with a deale of shame
to his part. So we all came togather home, and WUUam
Sixsmith would needs have John Moody and I ride behind
hime, which we did, and so ridd into towne, but it was
night. I tooke John Potter into Alehouse and spent 6d.
on hime.
26. — Fridey. I went to Docke Lane to see Raph this
morneing, who had receivd a hurt by a fall of a horse as
he was goeinge to assizes. I was very much troubled in
my thoughts by reason of Dr. Naylor's and mine faUing
out, but especially my greefe was because of my greatt
love to Emme, which by reason of my longe time could
not be perfected. But God is alsufficiant. Trust in the
Lord, O my soule, and thou shalt see the event of all to
God's glory and thy comfort in the end.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 71
28. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh. My Master was
gone to Assizes att noone. I was very disconsolate, but
I went to John Chadocke's house and mett with John
Hindley. We went, hee and I, to top of steeple and dis
coursed of former dayes and passages past and gonne.
There was buryd one Sander Sixes, who had his necke
broken in rideinge between Dean church and Bent.83
When we ware come from top of steeple John Chadocke
was seekeing us, so we went altogather to Ale house and
spent each of us Id.; so parted. Att night I came home
to Ashton and went to see Raph Hasleden, and parted
and came to bed.
29. — Munday. Dr. Naylor came to me and we ware
in John Jenkins' and made freinds and ware very merry.
The Lord worked graciously for me in many respects.
Therfore I blesse the Lord.
30. — Tusday. Young Mr. Woods came with his ser
vent to go to Georg Markland's and I gat a horse and
went with hime. We dined at Widow Clarke's in Windle.
After I came home I went to Robert Rosbothom.

SEPTEMBER, 1664
4. — Lord's day. I was with Mr. Sorowcold's servents
in Ale house, and was merry.
5. — Munday. I went to my father Stirrop's to buy
hony and wax, and I gat Ann Taylor to goe with me.
My father was not att homme, so I bargaind not.
10. — Saturday. I was envited to go to the funeraUe of
old AsmuUe at Sendelly Greene.84 I went with John
Hasleden and John Potter to Winwicke.
11. — Lord's day. I went to Wiggan with John Potter

72 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
to hear Bishop, but he was gone. We stayd all afternoone
in Eles Leighe's and att night we came home and I went
into Thomas Harrison's, and Emm had been with Kenion,
she told me, but it was against her will.
12. — Munday. Mr. Gerrard of Bainforlonge came to
towne and envited me to Tankerfeild's and gave me the
Ale and envited me to his house.
16. — Friday. Att night between the howers of 7 and 8
departed this life Richard Bordman, in Ashton. I waked
most of this night. John Potter and I went to Ringe
Bell. He dyd of a dropsie.
17. — I went to Winwicke to the interreinge ofthe same
Bordman. 18th.— I went with John Potter to Wiggan to hear
Bishope. 19. — Mr. Potter came to towne and I made a Bond for
hime and Anne Johnson. He received 20 U. in monys. I
made it in hast. Mr. Henry Gerrard came to towne and
causd me to goe with hime to ElUn Ashton's. He spent
his 6d. on me and envited me to come to Beinforlonge.
.21. — Wedensday. Dr. Naylor met me with a younge
man with hime, who intreated me to get his sister out
for that younge manne, soe I promisd I would do my
indeavor. I went to Thomas Naylor and get her leave
to go to an Ale that old Harvie's wife had ; so as soone as
I had her out I conferrd her upon the younge man. So
I went away to homme and told Emme what I had done,
and she was very angry.
25. — Lord's day. It was a very rainy morneinge, and
I was for to go to Leigh, but was prevented by raine. I
went to chappell, and att noone, when I came out, it was

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 73
faire and I sett for ward for Leigh, and I overtooke John
Naylor of Edg Green; he would needs have me to goe
[to] diner, but as I came againe he Ught of me,85 and supd
with hime I did; so I came home. I deUvered to my
Master 12 U. in monys.
25. — Munday. Tho. Naylor and Tho. Greenhough
came to me to make a Bond, and they tooke me to Ale
house and we ware merry.
29. — Thursday. Gilbert Naylor came to have me make
a Bond for hime and WiUiam Sixsmithe.

OCTOBER, 1664
2. — Lord's day. I went to the funeraUe of old John
Jenkins to Winwicke, and att after drinkeinge I went
with John Potter and Raph Low, church warden, to HaU
Winwicke,86 and went to see chappell, and went to top
of house and up and downe, and then we parted and I
came for home, and when we ware come home James
Jenkins envited me and John Hasleden to go to his
brother's to spend 2d. He had a buisnes to disclose to
us and none els. We went, and when we came it was to
ecqueint us of his compeny keapeinge with a younge
women who was worth 11 ti. per Annum in house and
ground; and he moved us to go with hime to meet her
att Warington the Lord's day after, and we promisd we
would. 5. — Wedensday. I went to my Brother's, was aU
night. His wife was brought to bed, so I was ingaged to
go with hime to Prestcott upon Lord's day after. This
day the Under Sheriffe of Lancashire, Mr. Robert
Greinsworth, came to towne and sent for me. He was
freindly with me by reason I write for his mother.

74 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
7. — Friday. I went to Wiggan to have a deske made
me of James Leythect, but it was not made. He gave
Joshua Naylor and me 6d. in Ale, and he would procure
a wife for me — Robt. Winstanly's daughter. John Ham-
son was in towne and spent 4d. on me. Our discourse
was concerneing his sonne, to be bound to my Master.
When I came to Ashton I heard of a stirke87 that my
Master had sent me, but it was not according to my
mind. I was this night with Townmen of Ashton in Ale
house.

9. — Lord's day. This morneing I went to my Brother's
into Windle. He had a child to be christened att Prest-
cott, so I was ingagd to be the one godfather and Raph
Falster, near Carr Mill, was the other, and my coz, Ann
Shey, was god mother. We went to Prescott and drunke
att Edward Darbishire's, clarke of church, and Ralph
Falster and I went to top of steeple and into church.
There was Sextones makeing a grave for one Jacke or
Georg Massy, a Runer, who was buryd this day att after
eveninge prayer. We went into Darbishire's house againe
and stayd and drunke; it cost Raph Falster and me,
either of us, 15d. : 2s. 6d. in all, and we payd it jointly.
I had intended to have come home, but the latenes of
night prevented me, so came to my brother's and stayd
aU night.
16. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh. Mr. Henmar88
preached att noone. John Hampson, John Chadocke,
and I went to Jane Mull's and had 3 quarts discourseinge
about John Hampson's son, who should be my Master's
prentice. Att night William Knowles went home with
me to Ashton. As I came I overtooke sister ElUn and
Mr. Battersbie, whome I wished to speake to my Master
concerneinge me. I thought it sad for me to be ingagd
9 yeares to stay in Ashton to seU my Master's ware of
and get no knowledge; so he promisd to speake to Hugh

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 75
Hindley of it, and they two would goe togather to my
Master, and speake my greevences.
31. — Munday. I went to Wiggan and bought 1 dozen
and \ of twist for coates for Raph Jenkins, and stuffe for
a cap. I ridd. Att this time I was som what troubled in
my thoughts concerneinge my effaires in world. This
night I was with John Potter with his freinds that ware
come from Winwicke, in John Jenkins'. I spent lOd.
and att far in night I went to bed.

NOVEMBER, 1664
3. — Wedensday. EUin Scott came from Beinforlonge,
and Richard Weinwright and I and Peter Buckstone ware
aU att TankerfeUd's takeing leave of her. We had a
wessell.89 11, 12, 13 dayes. — I was in an eflicted state in my body
by reason of cold, in so much as I could scarcely goe.
14. — Munday. Raph Hasleden sent for me to come to
diner; his chUd was christened the day before, and I went.
20. — Lord's day. Thomas Smith and I went to Robert
Rosbotham's and stayd tiU far in night and then came
homme. 27. — Lord's day. Henry Low, Dr. Naylor, James
Naylor, and I had a 12d. sent from Yorke from Henry
Gyles to be drunke amongst us, and this night we ware
togather to spend this 12d. Afterwards I went into
Thomas Harrison's, and Thomas' wife was not welle,
and if I would spend 2d. he would spend 3d., so we sent
for drinke, and I was very earnest to have John Potter
there, and went and fatched hime. So he and John
Hasleden and I, we spent each lid. apeece.

76 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
31.— St. Andrewe's day.90 I went to Beinforlonge to
Anne Greinsworth to cast up her accounts. She made
very much of mee, so I came home.

DECEMBER, 1664.
3. — Saterday. My Master sent title Thomas to me
with comodities, and I thought he had over charged
them, and it troubled me very much.
8. — Thursday. WiUiam Hey came to me to have me
go with hime to Wiggan to cast up some accounts be
tween hime and Mr. Totty about the buyinge and seUinge
of beasts; so I promisd to go in the eveninge, because I
could not deferr my Master's service, but I should do it
[at] night. So this afternoone I went to Beinforlonge and
cald of hime, and we went togather and ware most part
of night, and in the other morneinge came my way; but
there was some differances between them, and we did
nothinge to purpose.
9. — And when I was come home Friday Mrs. Finch
sent for me to Raph Hasleden and intreated me to
bringe her home att night, which I promisd to doe.
18. — Lord's day. I went to the funeraU of Henry Ash
ton, son of William de Whitleige Greene. Att comeinge
home there was Tho. Harison, John Potter, and some
others, and we cald att Heapye's and spent 2d. apeece.
So came home, and att John Jenkins' we did as so before
we parted, and so bid farewelle to one another when
twopeny flaggon was concluded.
19. — Munday. Robert Nelson came in to shop and
through my importunacie was preveUd with to let me
understand the words [which] ware usd in stanching
bloud, which is privatly usd amongst countrie persons,

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 77
and not pubUckly knowen; and the words are to be
seriously said 3 times togather, and so hath beene usd
to stanch bloud, said 3 times togather:
There was a Babe in Bethlem borne
And christiand in the water of flem91 Jorden;
The water it was both wild and wood,92
The child it was both meeke and goode —
Stanch bloud in God's namme.
See this three times togather.
21. — Wedenesday. I was with John Potter and Tho.
Harison att Tankerfeild's with the Harthman93 that came
to view Harthes in Ashton, and spent 4d.
24th. — I was this night with Mathew Raphes and John
Hasleden in Joshua Naylor's on purpose to take a house
for Joshua and we did take a house of Mathew Raphes.'
On this night I saw a comett in the aire, a Starr with a
traine along with it.94
28. — Wedensday. I was envited to supper to Roger
Naylor's and went.
29.— Thursday. Att night I went with WilUam Hasle
den to be aU night att Thomas Heyes', and in the other
morneinge I came home.

JENUERY, 1665
1. — I went to Leigh, and Schoole Master had gotten
me leave to goe with hime to Mr. Woods' to be aU night,
but I refusd to goe for this time. Att noone my sister
ElUn came to me in the church yard and we went, both
of us, to my father and mother's grave and stayd awhUe,
and both wept. Went to my sister's, Katherin's, and
we had 2d. in Ale and so parted. I went into church and

78 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
there was some christenings, and I went out againe, for
my Master's son was to come home with me, and dayes
ware short, so I resolved to come homme.
2. — Munday. I went to the funeraUe of Jane Potter,
John Potter's daughter, of Lilly Lane, who was this day
interred at Winwick, and att our comeinge home I was
with John Potter of Ashton and James Low and some
others, and we went togather into a house cald Spoiler's,
in Neawton; spent 4d. and so came home. When I came
home Thomas Tickle was come out of Reinford with
John Hasleden, and was att John Jenkinson's drinkeinge.
They sent for me and I went, but it cost me nothinge, for
Raph and John spent, either of them, 12d.
6. — Friday. I went to Beinforlonge, and John Jenkins'
wife with me.
8. — Lord's day. Att noone I went home with Robert
Rosbothome to dinner, and this night Thomas Smith and
I went togather to John Taylor's in Goleborne and heard
Mr. Woods preach, and we had a sacrement. We came
home this night.
9. — Munday. I was sent to the funerall of my brother's
child, cald Raph. I [sic] dyd att Tho. Gerard's house in
Windle, and was buryd att St. Ellin this same day.
10. — Tusday. Tho. Tickle came to me out of Reinford
to go with hime to old Mr. Woods, who was att John
Robinson's. He would receive sacrement. I went with
hime, but all was done before we came, and we stayd all
night there.
14. — Saturday. Thomas Smith and I went to younge
Mr. Woods' in Atherton, where he livd with his wife in
Gyles Greene's house. As we went we cald of John
Hampson in Hindley, who brought us to Mr. Woods'

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 79
house. After I had beene in house John and I went to
Bent, where Mr. Woods was, and John and I stayd awhile,
then parted.
15th. — We all went to Houghton chappell and heard
Mr. Lever95 preache. Att noone John Hampson tooke
me home with hime to dinner. The next day we intended
home, but Mr. Woods would not suffer us, but all after
noon we shufled att table96 in Bent. There was Tho.
Moxon and I and Peter Twisse playd with Mr. Woods
and his partners. We beat them. The other day we came
home; Anne Woods and Mr. Woods' maid came with
us, and att Ashton we tooke them into Ale house and
promisd them to come to them att Widow Clarke's in
Windle; but I could not.
29th. — Lord's day. Henry Gerrard sent to mee to
procure hime a man to go to Lancer [?] and thence to
London, which I did. I get John Jenkinson and this after
noone I wente with hime to Beinforlonge; but Henry
Gerard was not att home, and it was suposd he had
gotten one.

FEBRUERY, 1665
8. — Wedensday. John Naylor's wife of Edg Greene
sent for me thither. They had buryd a lad cald Joseph
day before.
9. — Thursday. I went to Blackly Hurst to the funeraUe
of Mr. Thomas Blakeburne, who was buryd att Win
wick. 10. — Friday. Emm Potter and I feU out, and
11. — Saturday, Being in a sad Fitt, I composd these
verses FoUoweing, on thought of somethinge her sister

80 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
should speake against me on Shrove Tusday night att
John Jenkinson' s, upon which Emm and I parted :
Well, I'me content, tho fortune on me frowne,
God wiU me raise, tho the world would cast me downe,
And I with patiance will their maUice bear
Who seeke to defame me — nay, do curse and swear
And lye in oposition what they've said.
But vengeance wiU att last light on their head;
Let world say best and worst: aU's one to me,
In time my quarreUe will revenged be.
TiU then I'll waite and onely seeke to God
That Hee'le be pleasd t' remove this flicting rod,
And I doe hope that I shall live to see
Myself inlargd and freed frome callumnie.
And they that are the acters of my greefe
May they cry out and yet find no releife.
But this I wish not: O, that they might be
Preservd from all such kind of miserie.
This day my old father Stirrope came to towne and movd
me to go alonge with hime to Gawther's. I did. He spent
his 6d. on me.
15. — Wedensday. I went to Beinforlonge to Anne
Greinsworthe to set downe accounts for her.
19.— Lord's day. I went to Winwick to see John
Hasleden's love.
26. — Lord's day. I went to Winwick; there was no
preachinge att Ashton.
27th. — Munday. Mr. Robt. Greinsworth came from
London and cald on me and forced me to go with hime
to Beinforlonge; so I gat hime to gat John Jenkins to
come with me, because it was night, and I would come.
So John and I went and stayd till 12 clock in night
drinkeing, and afterwards we came home, and

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 81
28. — Tusday, I was sicke aU day, but ere night the
Lord restord me.

MARCH, 1665
2. — Thursday. Henry Houghton came to me to have
me make a lease for hime of his house, between Mr.
Byrome de Byrome and hime.
3. — Friday. I went to his house to buy a heifer in
calve, and I bought her for 39s., and he was to keape her
a month. 14th. — Tusday. Henry Houghton came to me and
WiUiam Crouchley and had me to go with them to Parr
Hall97 to seale lease to Mr. Byrom. He seald it, and Mr.
Edward Byrom and his two Brothers that ware distracted
went and brought us to an Ale house, where we sat
drinkeinge a good while. Then we passed for homme,
and Att Ashton I mett with some Leigh people that in
gagd me to be with them, and I was with theme.
24th. — Friday. My Master came to towne, and he
had told me that he had heard many things of me and
wishd me for my good to be cautious. He spoke very
loveingly to me, and I was efraid before he came, lest
he would have beene angry.
26. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh, and John Chadocke
and I walked after the Brookeside in Slate feilds att
noone, discoursing about my effaires and my Master.
Att our returne into Towne I went into George Norris's
house to old Mr. Woods, who was there, and stayd awhile;
then went into church, and Mr. Crampton98 preached
and I was glad of it. G

82 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
28. — Tusday. I was envited and went to John Hasle
den's mariage att Winwick; was his manne.

APRILLE, 1665
2. — Lord's day. John Hasleden and I went to the Lees
beyond Holland to heare Mr. Baldwin99 preach, and att
Hugh Worthington's in Holland we ware to meet with
Thomas Tickle and other Reinford men, which we did
and stayd drinkeing of 8d., and so went to one Mr.
Lawrance Hallewelle's, where Mr. Baldwin was, and he
preacht in the forenoone and intended to preach in the
afternoone, but we ware prevented with some women
that came into house, and some of them ware papists, so
we ware forced to come home before later sermon was
preached; and att Holland we stayd drinking of 12d.
and then parted home, but Thomas Tickle payd it.
3. — Munday. Mr. Banister de Banke100 came through
Ashton, being slaine att Forest of DelUmore, being ac-
compenide with store of gentry. Att sunn settinge this
eveninge Ann Johnson departed this life.
5. — Wedensday. I went to Standish to the funeraUe of
Anne Johnson, and I came into the church when Mr.
Bowker was preachinge, for it was a day of HumiUetion
For the King's navy.101 Set out att after she was interred
and was come into house, where we dranke and saw
how they intended to serve us who ware come out of
Ashton, with every one a loafe.102 John Potter and I
ware som what Hungery and angry. We tooke Height
to Wiggan to Eles Leighe's and there refreshed our
selves. 11. — Tusday. I went to the funeraUe of Grace Gerard
to Winwicke, who was there interred.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 83
16. — Saturday. I went with John Hasleden and his
wife into Reinford to Henry Sephon, and
18th. — Munday. We came home togather.
23. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh.
28. — Friday. I was in greefes all day in consideracion
of my charge, for fear shop should not answer my Mas
ter's expectation, being now to be cast up. But my trust
is in the Lord, who never faUes those who trust in hime.
29. — Saturday. Peter Leyland came to towne and
wishd me to go bringe hime towards home, and in Wil
Uam Knowe's feild, cald Horse Head under Banke, we
sat down, and he told me his trouble in regard of his
daughter's distemper, which was falUng sicknes,103 and
his two sonnes, that the one was void of a calUnge and
the other weake and infirme, and amidst our talke we
both feU fast esleepe.
30. — Lord's day. Mr. Pilkington, person of Crosson,104
preacht here, and att night I went downe to hime. He
was att Thomas Naylor's and [I] envited hime to take a
flaggon. We went to Thomas Leeche's and stayd awhile
and so parted.

MAY, 1665
1. — Munday. This morneinge I went with Thomas
Harison with a sterke to Lodge to have her scord.105
2. — Tusday. My Brother with his wife came with his
beasts, removeing out of Windle into Houghton to Dazy
Hillocke to Peter Ryland's house, he that was the seques
trator, and I brought them towards Houghton, and I was
exceedingly troubled in my mind for my poor Brother.

84 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
7. — Lord's day. Mr. Byrom came to towne. Mr. Bow-
ker preachd, and att night John Jenkinson and I went
with Mr. Byrom to bringe hime towards home.
1 1th May. — My Master came to Ashton and told me I
must come home and bid me to set all things in order.
This was sad newes, but it's good to submitt to God in
his verious providences.
15. — Munday night. I went to be all night att John
Robbinson's. There was old Mr. Woods and Mr.
Martindale.106 16. — Tusday. I went to Beinforlonge, and this night
I was in a sad condition by reason of Ann Taylor's come-
inge to ElUn Harison and teUinge her storys of me, [in]
so much as Emm Potter beinge att Halsalle, I was almost
intendinge to have gone in night. I was sadly troubled
and was att this time very vehement107 in effection
towards her.
17. — Wedensday. I went about twelve aclocke att
noone to meet her, and upon the Brow this side Orrell
Moor, short of the barne that stands by it seffe in the
vally there, in a ditch I sate where I might see aU the
moor over, desireing to see my wished sight. It raind,
and after I was almost tyred in waiteing I resolved to go
down Brow towards Barne, and in goeinge I mett with
Devid Pendlebery, an Ashton man, homewards; so I
asked hime wheither he would go spend this ld. att
Skenneing John's, who said he would. We ware no
sooner gotten into house and had a flaggon, but Mr.
Leigh, schoole Master of Ashton,108 came in. It was a
rainy day and my expectations was frustrate. That
troubled me much, so we stayd 2 or 3 flaggons and then
parted, and I came home and she was come before me
and was undrest; but notwithstanding Taylor had done

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 85
her indeavor to incense her against me, yet it was in
vaine and I was very glad to see her.
28. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh and had a title Hare
for children. Att noone I went to John Chadocke's and
he and I went awalking and discourseing about me:
what I should doe in answer to my seffe, betweene me
and my Master. Att night my Dame would have me
take mare home with me, and title Thomas behind me,
so we did. Litle Thomas was troubled with sores, and
they would have me to go with hime to Markland's the
other morneing, which we did, and left mare we rid off
att widow Clarke's till we returnd backe from Mark-
land's. So att our returne to Ashton I went to see how
he could ride, and brought hime to further end of Towne
Greene, and so left hime.

JUNE, 1665
1. — Thursday. I went with Sarah Jenkinson's brother-
ley109 and brother to Henry Frances in Pemberton to
see the burneing weU,110 and we had 2 eggs, which was
. . . [tilegible] by no materiaU fire. We returnd backe
to Watt's of Whitleige Greene, and there I had informa
tion that Robert Pendleberry had sent for ribbininge111
to marie pitt, which causd my hast to shop, and thence
to Robert's.
3. — Saturday night. James Jenkins and I went aU up
and downe to find John Jenkins, who was suposd to be
drownd, but att 12 clocke in night we found hime fast
esleepe amidst Town Feild.
5. — Munday. Daniell Chadocke was come to towne
to Meete Mr. Taylor, who was come over and gone to
his unkle Stirrope. We went, Daniell Chadocke, John
Jenkinson, and I, to Goleborne Copp,112 and sent to Mr.

86 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Taylor to have hime come thither, and when we came we
went to the Alley and playd att bowles; and annon Mr.
Potter came, and Mr. Widowes, John Jenkins, and I beat
Mr. Potter, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Chadocke in each of
them 4d. in Ale.
6. — Tusday. I went to Warington to buy some ware
I wanted and to pay some mony, and Mr. WorreU was
very respectfull to me, and comforted me very much for
dayes to come, and so did Mr. ScofeUd.
7. — Wedensday. I was sent for to Beinforlonge to
Anne Greinsworth, and went.
1 1 . — Lord's day. In the afternoone I went to Neawton
to hear Mr. Taylor preach. I was very pensive and sad
att this time in consideracion of my condition in this
world. But God is the rocke to which I hold, and the
waters of consolation is stiU distilled frome hime, amidst
the greatest discouragments.
13. — Tusday. I was sent for to Beinforlonge, and I
went. 18. — Lord's day. I went to Wiggan and heard Mr.
Kenion,113 pastor of Prestwidge, most excelantly preach.
19. — I went to Leigh and was ill wett.
22. — Thursday. I went to Leigh and had borowed six
pound for my Master against Chester faire.
24. — Saturday. In the afternoone Mr. Leanders came
and wild me to goe to Goleborne Copp to bowle, and I
see a game or two bowld and came home againe.
25. — Lord's day. Mr. Taylor preacht att Ashton. I
went to Beinforlonge this night to make streight Anne's

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 87
accounts, for she was effraid her brother would come
from London.
27. — Tusday. I went to John Robbinson's, For his
daughter, widow Jaxon, had envited me upon a privat
account to ecqueint me of some private buisnes, and this
afternoone I had spent with Mr. Bowker, vicker of
Standish, and Mr. Leanders; and after I had parted with
them I went towards John Robinson's and it was a very
rainy eveninge. I went to Symon Marsh and bought
1 dozen of sythes and so returned to John Robinson's
and was aU night, and the matter she had to ecqueint me
was that if I ware leafe Mr. Martindale had and could
provide a good wife for me, a women in Chester, his one
sisterley, Major JoUye's114 fil, [who] hath 120 li. to her
portion. I was glad of the buisnes and had some hopes
of freedom frome my Master.
28. — Wedensday. Betime in the morneinge I came
home, and Mr. Bowker sent for me, and we ware to
gather a certaine time.
29th. — Thursday. I was with the white smiths115 of
Ashton, and made an agreement For them to goe to
counsell with about their trade. This night I went to
Robert Rosbothom's and was there all night, and Richard
Orme askd me to make a pair of Indentures and two
bonds, and he gave me directions about them. I was at
this time sadly troubled concerneinge Mrs. Rosthorne's
death, who dyed att Bold Hall,116 where she was borne,
and then caried to Lodge117 in Chowbent, and upon the
31th June was interred att Leigh. She was caried dead
from Bold to Atherton in a horse Utter.

JULY, 1665
1. — Lord's day. Mr. Henmar preached att Ashton,

88 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
and att night Tho. Smith and I went to old John Rob
binson's and there repeated both sermons.
6. — Friday. Anne Barrow sent for me. She livd with
her sister, Margret Naylor, on Edg Greene, and there I
repeated Mr. Henmar's sermons.
11. — Wedensday. I went to Leigh.
30. — Lord's day. I went to Wiggan. Joshua Naylor
and John Hasleden went along with me, and when we
came to Eles Leighe's we stayd and had each a cupp of
ale, and then I left them drinkeing and I went into
church, and att noone when I came out they ware gone
homewards. I was all this time in expectation of my
Master, to come cast up shop, and he came not, which
troubled me very much.

AUGUST, 1665
6. — Lord's day. Edward Hayhurst, junior, of Chow
bent sent For me this morneinge and wishd me to goe
with hime to Denton Green. He wood Tho. Holland's
daughter, and I promisd hime I would. He hyred me a
horse and we went to Denton Greene to one Darbishire's
ale house, and sent for her, but she was gone to church
and the wife sent for us; so we went and stayd there tiU
she came home and ware much made of; but we had a
rainy eveninge home.
8. — Tusday. Richard Orme came, and I went with
hime and John Potter into Windle to seale Indentures I
had made for to bynd Henry Orme prentice to Josiah
Clarke, sadler. When he was bound, we rid upp to Den
ton Greene, For John Potter, I thanke hime, let me ride
behind hime; and att Denton Green we stayd and playd

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 89
three games of bowles and spent each 2d. And so we
parted and ware iU wett.
12. — I went with Mr. Launders to Goleborn Copp and
playd att bowles.
13. — Lord's day. Edmund Hayhurst came and en
joined me to go to Mr. Sorowcold to move hime to goe
act the buisnes for him for a marige.
14. — Betime this morneing I went to Mr. Sorowcold
upon that buisnes. Att my comeing home I went to
Winwick to the funeraU of a child of Josiah Naylor, and
John Potter and I went with Thomas Lyon to Hoornes
Greene, where ere we parted there was some differance
betweene Thomas Lyon and Darbishire, who ware in
gagd in a game of Bowles and could not agree; and in
Parlor, where we ware, was Mr. Mather, an attorney
that defended Thomas Lyon's case and provokd us to
much passion. But John Potter and I ware for peace,
and this Mather puts us aU in one and intends to sue us.
23 day. — I went to Warington and John Potter, too,
on purpose to know his pleasure, and att home att Thomas
Kerfoote's I cald. He and his wife had spoke much for
me, so I gat them to go along with me, which they did,
and Mather said he would be civiU with me — that was
aU. I went to seeke John Potter and found hime not tUl
I was just parting with towne, where I found hime in
Mather's sister's house; so we went to his hot house118
and spent 2d., and he let me ride bebinde hime home, and
we ware both exceedingly hungry, and we cald att
Heapy's in Neawton and whiles we ware eateing and
drinking we had almosj. fain out about presbittery and
episcopecie. 20. — Lord's day. I was with young Mr. Woods att
old John Robinson's, and I was all night. Mr. Woods

90 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
preached and he would not let me passe home, and the
other day he came to towne with me.
27. — Lord's day. I went to Wigin, Thomas Smith with
me, and we cald of Robert Rosbothom, and he and his
wife went along with us. I told Thomas Smith my gree-
vences about Emm and me fallinge out, and her sister;
so we cast119 that Thomas should come on Thursday
after to Tankerfeild's and send for Emm, and there con
clude a peace. Att night Robert and wife ware gone
home and Thomas and I followed, and we cald att Adam-
son's of Goose Greene, and spent 3d. So we parted to
Robert's, where they ware att super. We stayd super,
and so came homme.
30. — Wedensday. I received a letter from Thomas
Johnson of Laverpoole and a lad with a horse, where he
desired me to go with the lad and pay James BoydeUs
for caridge of wine and receive it for Thomas, which I
did, and when I was upon Louton Comon I tooke horse
and went to Leigh and gat some goods, and so passed
away back againe.

SEPTEMBER, 1665
3. — Lord's day. I went to Billinge Chappell in the
afternoone with John Potter and others, and we went and
cald on Henry Birchalle in the Feilds, and spent each
2d., and so went to chappelle. When eveninge service
was done Mr. Blakeburne envited me into house, but I
could not goe, but desired excuse. We came backe
againe to Henry Birchalle and stayd awhile and so came
for homme.
12. — Tusday. In the afternoone I went to John Rob-
binson's; there was a privat day and a sacrement. Old
Mr. Woods preached. I came as he was preaching, and

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 91
I receivd the sacrement: the Lord sanctifie it unto me.
There was Mary Barkon there, to whom I had some
thoughts, too, and intended to send Tho. Smith to speake
my buisnes. This night Thomas Smith was made up to
Eles Lealand in old John Robinson's chamber.
23 — Wedensday. My Master had sent me a very
shrewd messege by Peter Higson, and I framed a letter
and gat Thomas Smith to go speake my buisnes. He
went on St. Mathew's day120 and my Master was sore
displeasd. 29. — Friday. I went with Edward Hayhurst to Denton
Greene; he hired me a horse.

OCTOBER, 1665
8. — Lord's day night. Thomas Smith asked me to go
with hime to Peter Lealand's, which I did. Sarah Hasle
den asked me to come to their house, which I did, and
there was a Rosted goose and I eate my super.
9. — Munday. I went with Thomas Smith to Winwick
to his mariege with Eles Lealand. Att night I was en
vited per old Peter to goe home with them, which I did,
and stayd super.
13. — Friday night. I went with old WiUiam Hasleden
and his horses with two strangers to Laverpoole within
night, meerely out of my one mind.
23. — Munday. I went into Haddock to seaverall
houses to gett monyes, but I gat none.
30th. — Tusday. I went with John Potter, Richard
Asmull, John Darbishire to Winwick to meet Mr. Mather,
one that threatend to sue us and for which I was under

92 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
great trouble, but when we came thither he was att
Neawton att Rothell's; so we all went thither and sent
for hime. But his demands was so extreordinerie that we
all came home very sad.

NOVEMBER, 1665
1. — Wedensday. I went to Leigh, and when I came
into Towne I found Raph Jenkins in the stocks121 and a
fire upon the Crosse by hime; he had beene aU night
there. Att my comeinge home I gate a horse and resolved
to goe to Winstanly to speake and move Mr. Blakeburne
to be my freind about Mather's buisnes. We came downe
to Humphry Atherton's, sate in the parlour by the fire,
and talked a great while, of every thing some thinge, and
he showd very great respect, and he would doe what lye
in him to doe for me.
5. — Lord's day. I went to Billinge chappell and heard
Mr. John Blakeburne preach. He shewd me a letter he
had receivd from Mather, and he promisd to reverse the
buisnes that terme, and Mr. John told me he would not
be wantinge in any thinge for me. I dined att John
Cowly's. 7. — Tusday night. I went to Thomas Smith's ; he lived
att Cooke's house near to Robert Rosbothom's house.
I was there all night with hime. The other morneinge
Thomas and I went to his fatherley's, Peter Lealand, to
get hime to goe to Watt's house to see if he could take it
for them.
14. — Tusday. My Master came and I was in a sad
sorowfuU estate for fear of being under hand. My Master
profferd to let me have goods and to free me.
17.— Friday. I rid before Sarah Hasleden to Leigh to

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 93
see my accounts. I was chargd with 205 U. and I had
profited 48 li. I was glad then. I went with Sarah to
Hugh Hindley's, for his daughter was lyeing in. Att our
returne againe my Master was proffering shop to me,
and I excepted of it, and I was to pay in such time. So
I was made free; tho I was very sorowfuUe, yet my trust
is in God.
20th. — Munday. I went to Warington and bought
ceronce122 and other comodities.
14. — My Master came and cast up shop and thought
I had beene far behind hand, but on the 17th day I and
Sarah Hasleden went to Leigh, and I went to perfect all
accounts, and I had gained my Master 48 li. in a yeare
and a haffe, and I was very glad. I went with Sarah to
Hugh Hindley's, for his daughter was lying in, but when
I came to Leigh againe, my Master profferd me to trust
me for the goods in Ashton, and to give me my time,
which I excepted of. God hath beene with me hitherto :
his name be glorifide.

DECEMBER, 1665
20. — I went to Leigh and gat my Master to let me have
some comodities I wanted, which he did, and sent his
sone to bring them me. I was att this time sadly troubled
for fear of miscaryinge, and knew not how to get cloth
and things. Yet God raised up freinds for me, for a
Yorkeshire man came through towne and profferd to let
me have cloth for three months.
21. — I went to Warrington and Thomas Peake was
very earnest with me to have me be a journy man for
hime in Laverpoole, which I danyd. I bought some
comodities upon trust of Mr. WorreU; so came home.

94 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
26. — Tusday. I went with John Potter and Thomas
Harison to Manchester. We ware up very early and gat
to Boothes towne by day; came [to] Earlome's and spent
each 2d. apeece, for I begun to be very feeble. And then
we came to Manchester, and in the first place we went to
church and lookd about us, and anon the quiristers came
and we stayd morneinge prayer. I was exceedinglie taken
with the mellodie. Then we three, haveing each seaverall
buisnes to do, and goeinge to get John Potter's buisnes
done first: I showd Thomas Harrison Mr. Sandiforth's,
where he was to doe his buisnes, and he and I went and
enquird for hime. As soone as he see me [he] very kindUe
tooke me in and would not let me passe till I had dined
with hime, and so did Thomas, too. But this while we
had lost John Potter, and made much labour to find
hime, and whiles we ware afinding hime I gat my buisnes
perfected with Mr. Howham. But when we had found
John Potter he was very angry att us. Then we went
altogather to a house John Jenkins brought us to, where
we ware troubled with fowle sheets all night. But aU this
day we could not perfect nothing of John Potter's buisnes,
which was to be done with one Robert Johnson, a draper,
who was out of town; but in far of night we went to his
house, when we heard of his comeinge home by John
Hopwood, to whom we ware ingagd much to, and gat
his buisnes done.
27. — We sat out of Manchester, and John Potter was
not well, and besides, he over went Thomas and me to
Earlom's and never gave us word, all which troubled me
exceedinglie in my mind. But we all came to Earlom's
and there we ware mery, and thence we came to Leigh
and at widow Raniker's we stayd and spent each of us
2d. apeece. From thence we came home, but by the way
had a title unhapy discourses about religion, as too of
we have been overtaken with too much passion ; for each
of us ware of differant judgments and each would vindi
cate his one way, and many times fall into an exceedinge

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 95
passion, tho it never occasiond us to love the lesse, which
I often marked as a providence of God; for I received so
many singular favours from them as causd me to love
them entirely. Att our comeing into Tho. Harison's we
found an old man and his wife, that Thomas was ingagd
too. We went to Ale house and ware very mery togather.
30. — Saturday. Robt. Rosbothom sent for me; Mr.
Woods was come to his house, and I went, and Mr.
Woods preached. I lay att Thomas Smith's, who Uved
then att Cooke's house.

JENUERY, 1666
1. — Munday. I went to Nicholas Croft to bid hime
fatch the cow.
2. — Tusday. I went a hunteinge and the hare tooke
into the rapits' holes, and I was exceedingly wearied.
3. — Wedensday. I went to Leigh to speake to Mr.
Swift, who was come and gone againe. I was sadtie
troubled. I came away by my sister Ellin's and stayd
awhile, and so came to Richard Orme's, for I should have
stayd there all night. Richard was not att home and so
I came home.
4. — Thursday. I gat Tho. Harison to goe along with
me to Peter Lealand's, Hadocke Wood, to looke att a
chest for me, which I was to buy.
10. — Wedensday. I went a hunteinge awhUe and then
came home.
15. — Munday. I hired Tho. Leech's horse and rid to
Standish on purpose to buy me a suite of brown shagge,123
but there was none. I came backe to Wiggin and stayd

96 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
to speake with Mr. Pilkinton about mony that a servent
of his owd my Master. I had the compenie of one Hugh
Toppinge of Warington, who told me there was the head
of some Christian lay bare to pubUcke view above
ground, and that it was charitie to bury it, which I said
I would doe.
16. — Tusday. I went to bury it. It lay in the High
Lane as one goes to Barlyman's, just att the crosse caw-
saw.124 I caried it in my hands to the dungeon's stift in
the Town Feild, and there buryd it; I digd the hole with
my fingers. It was suposd to have beene a Scott, and there
slaine when Duke Hamleton invaded England.125
17. — Wedensday. I went to Warington and payd
Richard Worrell all that I owd hime. I bought me a new
Hatt and stockins. Came to Neawton and there spent 4d.
19. — Friday. I went to the FuneraU of old Mrs. Birch,
beinge envited by John Jenkins.
23. — John Jenkinson desired me to goe with his chUd
to Winwick to stand as a godfather. Mr. Bowker had
faild and could not come, so he intreated me to go with
hime, which I did, and he went into Clarke's att after
the christeninge and spent 3s. Then we went to widow
Barker's and we spent other 3s. But it was a very rugged
night and darke, yet John and I came home.

FEBRUERIE, 1666
2. — Friday. I went with John Potter and his wife to
his wive's sister's, who lived att a place called Lawnes,
and we ware much made of. Att after diner we went up
to Holland to Thomas Prescott's and ware mery, and
then to Humphry Naylor's and stayd awhile, and so came
to Lawnes againe, where we all of us supt; and then John

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 97
Potter and I came home, and honest Thomas BirchaU
would not leave us, but came home with us. But James
Low stayd all night there and left us, which was not well
taken. Att this time there was one Gaskell, who owed
[sic] Tower HiU house above the Lawnes, had hanged
hime seffe.
3. — Saturday. Emm and I ware exceedinglie falne
out, which greeved me sore, and she was gone with Ann
Taylor towards Goleborne Coppe, and I gat Mathew
Turton to go with me, and we went and tooke them in
the Copp house. I sat down with them, but shee would
not be movd. I spent 12d. and was more greeved then
before. 4. — Lord's day. I went with John Potter to Billinge
ChappeU, and att noone we came to Henry Birchall's to
diner, where we stayd all afternoone and drunke.
5. — Munday. I was sent for to my sister Ellin, who
was brought to bed and was likely for death, and when
I came to her she was speecchles, which greeved me sore.
I stayd all the after noone and att night, after sun go
downe, I parted and came home, and about 8 of clock in
night when I was gone she dyd.
6. — Tusday. I went to the Funerall of my dear sister,
and her child was christend the same day she was buryd
att Winwicke, per Mr. Potter. Mr. Watt came to the
Funerall to acompenie me, which I was ingagd for. My
sister's child was namd Roger.
10. — Saturday. Mr. Bowker came to Ashton, and I
went to bringe hime to Nicholas Burscoe's house, For
there he was all night, and in the way we FeU out ex-
tremetie about reUgion, but one
llth. — Lord's day, In the morneinge, when he came
H

98 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
to Ashton backe againe, he sent for me and we ware
freinds. 18. — Lord's day. I went to Winwick with John Potter.
We came home att noone. Mr. Potter would have me
to diner.
19. — Munday. I was sadly troubled in my thoughts
by reason of the debts I did owe and for fear lest I should
miscary. Now the Lord help me and be my helper tiU
death and att death; now the Lord bring me out of these
troubles in His good time.

MARCH, 1666
6. — Tusday. Att night I went to Robert Rosbothom's
and was there all night.
7. — Wedensday. I went to John Robinson's and was
all night.
8. — Thursday. I went to Mr. John Blakeburn to Win
stanly to treate with hime about Mather's buisnes, who
had sent to hime, so he sent to me to have me come to
hime; and concerneinge this buisnes I was much ingagd
to honest Mr. Blakeburne. I envited Mr. Blakeburne
down to Humphry Winstanly's; we went. I told hime
they had assessed me in Ashton for a personell state, and
I had none, so he told me what course to take, which I
did. After we had drunke awhile I parted. Att my
comeing to Ashton I resolved to set forward to Leigh
and from thence to Light Okes,126 but when I came to
Leigh Sir Henry Slater was in towne. I gat my Master to
go with me to hime, and so ecqueinted hime with my
buisnes. He movd me to come the day ensuing, and it
should be done. I parted and went from Leigh to Mr.
James Woods' house, who Uved then att James Dawson's

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 99
in Atherton and was in a weake condition. We ware a
title mery the other day; I stayd tiU noone readinge in the
Booke of Martirs,121 and then departed to my brother's,
who lived att Ryland's house att Dazy Hillock, and stayd
awhile there, and so went to Leigh, where I found Sir
Henry Slater and Mr. Rosthorne att Robinson's, and
Thomas Naylor, who was Sir Henry's clarke, made great
professions of love to me, writt me and order and causd
it to be signd by the two Justices, and would have no
thinge for his labour, so I came home. I found the Lord
a helper of me in my distresses; His holy name be praised.
12. — Munday. I was advisd to give this order I had
gotten from the Justices to the Constable, which I did,
and went with the Constable to Thomas Naylor's, because
he had causd me to be layd.128
14. — Wedensday. I went to Warrington to pay some
monys I owd to Scholefeild.
18. — Lord's day. Emm and I fell out this eveninge.
I went to old John Robinson's, was all night. Old Mr.
Woods was there and preached, and there was Mary
Barton there all night, and I intended to send to her, which
I did. Edmund Winstanly's wife the other day . . .
25th March 1666. I went, being Lord's day, to the
FuneraU of old AUin's wife, who was interred att Win
wick. I was with John Potter and Thomas Harison with
some others, and we spent 3d. apeece att after the
funerall, and thence came to Rothwell's in Neawten, and
spent each other 3d. beside, and so we parted home. I
was ill aU night, but the Lord had mercie on me the other
morneinge. 27. — Tusday. I went to Laverpoole to buy comodities.
I Ught of Mr. Reynolds, Sir Wiltiam's steward, who en-

100 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
joined me to come to Mr. Christian's to hime. We spent
most of the afternoone in drinkeing. I parted and came
to Mr. Johnson's shop, where I gate some buisnes done,
and in the doeinge of my affaires I mett with Mr. Swift,
whome I intended to go too. He lived in Chester; he
was a Bristoll marchant and traded in Bristoll goods. I
was to goe to hime the next morneinge, which I did, and
went up to his chamber where he lyed and he causd a
potle129 of butt end [?] ale to come up, so I gat my
buisnes done and then set forward for Ashton, and made
Highton my way. Cald of Mr. Low, the vicar, and we
went to the Clarkes' house and ware merry awhile, and
then I came home.
30. — Friday night. I was all night att Robert Rosbo-
thom's. This night Raph Low, son of Dame End, hanged
him seffe in shippon130 before beasts.

APRILL, 1666
13th. — Good Friday. John Hasleden's wife was under
the pangs of child birth, and they sent for me to pray
by her, which I did. Att this time I was in great sadnes,
not knoweing what to doe.
16. — Munday. I went to Leigh to pay some monys to
my Master, and he was out towne. WilUam Dewnelle
was in towne about his daughter's mariage with Mr.
Chadock; he sent for me and I rid behind hime home.
The remainder of this month to the 14th May I was sadly
eflicted with pains, but the Lord restord me.

MAY, 1666
14. — Munday. I went to Robert Rosbothom' s and was
all night.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 101
28. — Munday, was the first day I could say I was well,
so that it pleased God to eflict me for 5 weekes just. The
last day of this month I was but weake and I went with
Joshua Naylor to Whitleige Greene on purpose to recreate
my selfe, and Watt's wife made much over me. Mr.
Sorowcold's man came for me. Att my comeinge home
I had a booke of Mr. Ambrose's, late minister of Preston,
who att the end of his booke had these psalms in
meeter:

Psalm 100
All men of morteU birth
That dwell in all the earth,
O make a noise to God with joys
And serve the Lord with mirth.

Oh come before His throne
With singeinge every one,
For certainly the Lord most high,
Even He is God alone.
He made us and not we,
Not we our selves, but Hee;
His folke and flock and pasture stock
He made us for to be.
With praise come to His gate
And to His courts relate
His laud and fame, and bless his name,
His honor celebrate.
For God is good For ever,
His mercie Faileth never;
His truth doth last all ages past
And constant doth persever.

102 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Psa. 108, 1 part
O God, I fix my hart,
My glory bears apart,
And as my tongue, so shall my songe
Praise Thee with musick's art.
Wake, harpe and psaltery,
Right early wake will I;
Thy praises, Lord, will I record,
The people standing by.
I'le praise Thee with my songe
The nations all amonge;
To heavens high, to clouds of sky
His truth and mercies throng.
Exalted be Thy name
Above the heavens' frame;
Let earth below the trumpet blow
Of Thy renowned fame.

Psal. 150
Praise, praise the Lord most high
Within His sanctuary;
In topmost tower of His great power
With praise Hime magnifie.
Praise Hime for acts renownd
With excelancie crownd;
Acording to His greatnes do
Praise Hime with trumpet sound.
O praise Hime chearfuly
With harp and psalterie,
And let the dance His praise advance,
And timbrals mallodie.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 103
Praise Hime with joint consents
Of stringed instruments ;
The organs bringe, loud cimbals ringe:
Each one His praise presents.
High-sounding Cimbals ringe,
Let everie breathinge thinge
The praise record of this great Lord
And haleluiah singe.

JUNE, 1666
1. — Friday and Saturday. Both these days I was in a
sadded condition in my thoughts by reason of my great
debts; but my hope is in God that He will helpe me out.
3. — Lord's day. I went to Billinge chappell to hear
Mr. Blakeburne, and he was glad to se me recovered. He
tooke me into Humphrey Cowly's and spent 6d. on me,
and then I walked downe to Blackly Hurst, and so
parted. 8. — Friday. I went to bringe John Jenkins' wife's old
Cock towards Winwick. I intended to go to Winwick,
bit I found my seffe unable and soe returned home.
14. — Thursday. I went to Whitleige Greene with John
Potter and Thomas Harison and lost 2d. att bowles, and
so came home.
20th. — Wedensday. Att night I went to old John
Robinson's and was there all night, and widow Jackson
promisd me her horse to go to Chester on.
24. — Lord's day. I went att noone into Abram to
Anne Taylor's, and Emme Potter was there, but shee
would not admitt me to speake to her, soe I had Thomas

104 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Hesketh with me and we went to the Brinne and cald att
Beinforlonge of younge Mr. Gerard, and he accomodated
us with drinke; so returninge thankes we parted and came
to Brinne to se some worke tooles that he had hid, and
so we came home.
28th. — Thursday. I sat Forwards for Chester. Widow
Jaxon lent me a horse, and near Fradsam bridge131 the
horse halted extreamly. I alighted of and puld a single
spikeinge out of his foote and the horse did a title halt.
I gat well to Chester by God's helpe; went to Mr. Swift
to whom I payd ten pound. I lay att Dragon. I went
to hear organs and the quiristers, and I was so wearie as
I went in the midle of their service.
29th. — Friday. I sat homewards, haveing, as I thought,
well done my buisnes, and att Warington I lighted and
stayd awhile and so came home, but withall mett in the
way Mr. John Potter, ill tipled, whom I did not leave tiU
I came home.

JULY, 1666
1. — Lord's day. The schoole master of Ashton came
and intreated me to goe with hime to Standish to speake
to Mr. Bowker to be his freind for the obtaininge of a
schoole near Preston. I went with hime, being bound in
charitie. It rained; notwithstandinge, we went, and when
we came to Standish he was in one Thomas Smith's, and
he sent for me. We went to hime and att noone we dined
with hime att Thomas Taylor's, in the Brick house, and
he promisd to doe what in hime did lye.
2. — Munday. Mr. Hopwood and his wife ware att
John Jenkinson's and sent for me. I went and spent me
4d., which was contrarie to Mr. Hopwood's mind.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 105
3. — Tusday. Em Potter had ecqueinted me that she ]
was told that my mother bore me a bastard. I conceived i
who had spoken it for to be Elizebeth Potter, and she
was att this presant in towne, so I sifted it out and found
she was the women, and she told me that William Morris
had expressed it. I resolved for Leigh and intended to
be the death of WiUiam and intended to call of my
brother and have hime with me, but I was prevented, for
I cald att Heapy's, and there was John Chadock came
by and Mr. Holecroft. I rid behind John Chadock to
Lowton Smithy's and so came to Leigh to IzibeU Grun-
die's, cald for a chamber and sent for William Morris.
He came, and Thomas Insworth with hime. I wishd
hime to give place awhile; when he was gone I to Will
and buffeted hime very mery. Nicholas Mather came up
and was very vehamant against me. We parted that
house and went to widow Ranicar's. I spent me 12d., so
came and did lye with Clarke. The other morneinge I
went to doe some buisnes with my Master, and I told
hime my case; he was ill troubled att it and counseld me
for my good, so I came home with a sad spirit and I cald
of my brotherley, Henry Houghton, and he was gone to
be maried, so I parted.
16. — Munday. I went with John Potter and Joshua
Naylor to Henry Birchall's to see a Cock to fight. I was
ill troubled in my mind that I went.
28. — Lord's day. I went to Wiggan on purpose to
hear the Bishop, for I was som what discomposd in mind
by reason of Em Potter and me Fallinge out, and I went
to shake it of me, and I heard the Bishop. He preached
against atheisticalnes. AUGUST, 1666
1. — Wedensday. I went to Neawton faire132 in the
afternoone and mett with my Master.

106 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
5.— Lord's day. I went to BilUnge ChappeUe to hear
Mr. Blakeburne. I went in the afternoone.
9th. — I went to Warrington and payd 52 shillings,
where I owd it up and downe.
13. — I went to Wiggan, but came too late to hear the
Bishop preach.
15. — I went to Prescott, being Wedensday, and I went
upon an idle occasion. God forgive me.
16. — I was pensive and sad aU day by reason I had
heard some thing of Emm's unfaithfulnes to me, and it
greeved me very sore.
26. — Lord's day. I went to Wiggan to hear the Bishop
preach. I dined with John Naylor att Eles Leighe's.
There was buryd behind the great church door, within
the church, one Sarjant Lanchshaw. He Uved in the
Scowles.133 24th. — Friday. Being Bartholomew Day I hired a
horse and went with Thomas Leech to Crosson. Mr.
Pilkington was parson and one Will Harys lived with
hime, and he owd I monys, and we went to get it, but
found not hime att home. We found Thomas Naylor
there and through hime and his son's perswasion we went
with them to Chorley; it was the faire. I was no sooner
gotten into the Towne but I mett with Robt. Reynolds,
and when I was alight he and I went to see a show con
cerneing the lifes of man from his infancie to old age.
We parted, and when I came to receive my horse I wanted
a shoo. All I spent was 2d., so I came easily homewards,
and amidst Chorly Moor I gat a shoo ; came homewards,
and in Wiggan Mr. Bowker envited me to Anne Cason's,
gave me a part of a botle or two of Rosbary ale, and so
I came home.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 107
31. — Thursday. I went to Warrington and att my
comeinge home I was not weU, yet get home.

SEPTEMBER, 1666
2. — Lord's day. I went with John Potter to Wiggan
to hear the bishop, but he was gone to Knowsley, and
he had burned 4 or 5 bey134 of stableinge and shipeninge
this morneinge by the carelesnes of the groome, who let
the candle burne att his bed's head, and he fell asleepe.
4. — Tusday night. I went to old John Robinson's;
was all night. O how comfortable is the comunion of
Saints! 18. — Friday. I went with John Potter to Winwick,
and Mr. Potter envited me to dinner, and att after
prayers — for it was St. Mathew's Day — he went with us
into the Springe and we spent 4d., and att night, as we
came home, we overtooke Emm and Kenion togather,
and I was ill troubled.
19. — Saturday. I went to my brother's into Burton
Wood, and on Lord's day morneinge we came for Ash
ton and cald to se Braidley HaU,135 which I admird to se
so goodly a fabrick lying wast.

OCTOBER, 1666
13th. — Friday. I went with Raph Winstanley and John
Potter to the FuneraUe of old Mr. Bankes of Winstanley,
who was interred att Wiggan. Mr. Bl[a]ke[burne]
preached. 16. — Monday. Mr. Blakeburne wishd me to go [with]
John Naylor and WiUiam Chadocke to see what people

108 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
would give towards the releife of such needie persons as
had sustaind losse by the great fire in London, and to set
their names downe, which we did over the one haffe of
Ashton. 29th. — I went to Roberts Rosbothom's and was all
night.

NOVEMBER, 1666
3d. — Lord's day. I went with John Potter to Win
wick, and Mr. Potter envited me to Diner and I went.
27. — Tusday. I went to Leigh and made all things
streight with my Master and turned over John Green-
hough and Thomas Greenhough to discharge the debt
I owd, which my Master assented to. He would have
faine concluded me with . . . the debt, but I would not,
so he tooke Thomas Greenough's bond with his son John
Greenhough bound For all the debt I owd to hime; so
he cleard me before John Chadocke in his one shope
and before John Greenhough, who came with me home
and att Joshua Naylor's spent either 6d.
30th. — Friday — St. Andrewe's Day. I went to Gars-
wood136 about widow Taylor's buisnes of exchangeinge
the lease, and Sir William 137 made a promise per the
way between hall and Kitchin that he would speake to
his sonn, for he it was that must doe that buisnes.

DECEMBER, 1666
2. — Lord's day. John Potter and I went to Billinge
chapell; Mr. Blakeburne preached. It was a cold day
and att noone Humphry Cowly's house was so thronged
that we could not ataine a fire to sit by, but we sacrificed

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 109
ourselves ore the twopeny flagone in a cold chamber.
All noone there was Henry BirchaU with us, the younger.
We had each of us a messe a pottage ; we spent 3d. apeece.
15. — Saturday. I went to the dolefull funeraUe of the
reverand Mr. John Blakeburne att Winwick. Mr. Potter
preached in a very pethaticall maner out ofthe 14 Revela
tions, 1 part ofthe 13 verse: "Blessed are the dead that
dye in the Lord." He in the close of his sermon spoke
excelanthe truely, tho mournfulUe, in comendation of
Mr. John, and indeed the neighborhood sustaine great
losse by his death.
16. — Lord's day. I went to the funeraUe of Ann Tay
lor, who was maried to Raph Ashton in Abram, and I
went fastinge from home, so at noone, when we had
buried the corps and expected acording to custome to
have some refreshment and ware a compenie of neighbors
sate togather round about a table, as John Poter, Tho.
Harison, and others, the Doctor comes and prohibits the
filling of any drinke tiU after prayers ; so I came home
with Thomas Harison and we expected to have cald att
Neawton, but here we ware disapointed. But att last
with much vexetion I gat to Ashton with a hungry belly,
and honest Thomas Harison and right true harted EUin,
tho hastie, yet all love, did much refresh my hungry
pallet with a bigg cup once full, and after that \ full
againe of good pottage.
18. — Tusday. I went to Leigh and gat my bonds in
from my Master.
21. — Friday night. I went into old WilUam Hasleden's
in Ashton; his wife was sicke and I read in the Practice
ofPietie,138 and as I was reading she gave up the ghost.
23. — Lord's day. I went to Wigan, being much dis-

110 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
consolated. Yet the Lord incouragd me, for my hope is
in Hime.
27th. — Old Thomas Harison was come over out of
Halsall, and his sone and others, amongst whome I was
one, went to Jenkins' to drinke, and Mr. Hopwood had
sent a letter out of Ouldham to envite me with John
Jenkins to his house, and John moved me to goe, soe I
was resolved to goe forthwith that night, and it was a
hoary, snowy night. But, indeed, the maine reason that
movd me to goe this night was because Emm was gone
to Chadocke Hall,139 whome I intended to see, but could
not. Soe we came to Manchester about 3 or 4 a clock
and with much adoe gat a fire in Fennell streete at one
Humphrey Peacocke's, where we stayd till prayers in the
church, and then we went to morneing prayer. When it
was done we went into a litle old women's house att
goeing out of the church, and we bought a puding for a
ld. and a loafe [for] Id., and eate part and gave the rest
to old women, and so parted to Ouldham, where we
stayd till Munday, and then came home away by Midle
ton and over Walkeden Moore,140 where we ware much
disconsolated; but with much trouble of mind and weari-
nes of bodie we came home.

JENUERY, 1667
2. — Wedensday. I went to the FuneraU of younge
John Potter of Lilly Lane, to Winwicke.
6. — Lord's day. Mr. Swift was come to Leigh and
sent for me. I owd hime 9 li. and had no monys to pay
hime, and I was troubled. But it pleased God that I got
3 li. in readines forthwith, I blesse God, and it gave
good content. I was al night with John Chadock and
supd with my Master.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 111
24. — Thursday. I went to Warrington and payd some
debts I there owd, and att my comeing home was well-
comed with the news of John Greenhoughe's runneing
away, which was no title trouble to me, for I looked upon
my selfe even as blasted in the bud, unles the Lord be
my helpe, who hath helped me hithertoo and surelie wiU
not now forsake me; for my expectation is Frome hime
— 3 li.

FEBRUERY, 1667
2. — Saturday morneinge. Thomas Parkinson came to
me to write a letter to his wife for hime, for he had beene
under the execution of a warrant, and was gotten From
his attendencers.
3. — Lord's day. I went with John Potter and Tho.
Harison to fatch their wives home From Holland. I was
nott att this time mery, for I could not, becaus I lay
under sad reproches of persequuteing tongues, such as
Tho. Naylor, Glasier, Joshua Naylor, and Mary Roger-
son, about the debt of John Greenhough. But I trust in
God for aid; He is my refuge. These Himeneus and
Philetus and Alexander, as Copersmiths, if not worse,
have done me much evill. The Lord reward them.
5. — Tusday. I went to Wigan to Mr. JoUey, who was
sole executor for John Greenhough and I movd hime for
me, but before I intreated Mr. Earle, curate, his assis
tance, and I told hime all my mind. I came home better
satisfied a great deale.
6. — Wedensday. My Master came to Ashton and
some writeings I had to seale which ware seald betweene
hime and Raph.
1 1 . — Wedensday. I received that sad sorowfulle newes
of Mr. Woods' death, and upon the . . .

112 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
[The Diary is imperfect here; the last entry is crossed
through, and the remainder of the page is blank, except
for the lines :
It's God that fixt my love on onely one,
Whom I'le love till I dye or dye a Nunne.]
MARCH, 1667
28. — Thursday. I went with Constable of Ashton to
helpe hime to gather the Pole mony. I was att this time
in a sad, sorowfuU estate by reason of my fear of pover-
tie, but O, my soule, cast thy burden upon the Lord; He
will sustaine thee. Many be the miserys of the righteous,
but the Lord will deliver. Dos not Christ call, Harke:
"Come unto me all ye that are weary, and I will give you
rest"? Indeed, I must confesse I have a proud envious
spirit, seeing and thinkeing of others in theire prosperitie,
and am apt to censure God for hard measure unto me.
Yet Grudge not to see wicked men prosperous: it's but
awhile they shall florish thus; prosperitie will be hard
peniworthe for them. Waite thou on God, O my soule,
and keape His way. O labour to be content with thy
presant condition; God sees it good, it should soe be.
O do thou so too labour, O my soule, to bringe thy
desires to thy condition, and not thy condition to thy
desires. 30. — Lord's day. I went to Winwick with John Potter
and dined att Mr. Potter's house.

APRILL, 1667
1. — I went this Munday morneinge to Warington to
buy some comodities.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 113
7. — Lord's day. I went with Sarah Hasleden to Wig
gan and heard Bishop preach . . . [illegible].
8. — Munday. I was sent for to Leigh by my Master,
who had a child interred on this day. Raph Hasleden
lent me a horse.
14. — Saturday. I was sadlie unfavoured in my thoughts
this morneinge through fear of world, and therefore tooke
pen in hand and made these verses followeinge:
The greifes are many i'th world, I forsee;
Ah Lord, when wilst Thou come to pitie poor me?
I'me soe beset with greifes I cannot tell
Not how to Uve i'th' world, nor where to dwell.
But this I'me sure: my hope is fixt in Thee,
And this joyes me in greatst extremitie.
Thou wilst not suffer me long t' Uve in woe;
Sure, Lord, Thou'le come to visit Thy poor Lowe.
Amen. Even soe come Lord Jesus in mercie and
not in Justice to me Thy servent.
22.— Lord's day. I went with Thomas Smith and title
John Smith to hear Mr. Gregge, who preacht att John
Sutton's, and when we war att Parbridge, by reson it
was a rainy day we went to hear Mr. Aspinalle. It was
nearer and we all runn home very wett, but John Smith
had lost his Gloves, and turned againe From Par Hall and
found them.
23. — Munday night. I went to John Robinson's and
was all night. After this time I was sadly troubled in my
thoughts; but the Lord is my suport.
29th.— Lord's day. I went to hear Mr. Gregge preach
att WiUiam Turner's in Par. Att afternoone I came home
and there was some Leigh persons att Chapelle, and I
i

114 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
ingagd them into Tankerfeild's, where I spent 6d. But
after theire parteinge a sad disaster befell me, viz., a
fallinge out betweene Henry Kenion and me. The after
days I made it the lamentation of my private thoughts.

MAY, 1667
1. — Wedensday. Henry Kenion came to Tankerfeild's
and sent for [me] and we ware both reconcild, and I was
som what joyfull.
2. — Thursday. I went to Warington and payd some
mony I there owed. As I came home I intended to caU
on Mr. Potter, meerely out of love, but he would not goe
to take part of 2d. in Beere, but seemed as if he ware
angry, Which troubled me very sore. I came home very
pensive and sad and not very well.
17. — Friday. I went to Warington and sold Josephus,
a booke soe cald Concerneinge Jewish Warrs.ul I was
att this time partly ingagd to go to Mr. Harwoode, who
lived in Shrowsbury, to Uve with hime, and he had
ingagd one Edw. Bowker de Warington to enquire of my
disposition. It troubled me sore.
19. — Lord's day. I went with WilUam Know, William
Hasleden, and others into Windle to Cowly Hill to Mrs.
Harper's house, and -heard Mr. Gregge preach out of
these words: "Try aU things, but hold all Fast that which
is goode."

JUNE, 1667.
2.— Lord's day. I went to Wiggan and dined att James
Astleye's, For he would have me to dinner.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 115
9. — Lord's day. I went to one Tickle's house in Sutton
with William Knowle and title John Smith, and heard
Mr. Gregge out of these words : " Beware yea ofthe leaven
of the Pharisees, which is hipocresie."
23. — Lord's day. I sat forward with James Jenkins for
Chester faire, and when I came there I was scarcely welle;
yet it pleased God to inable me so as I did my buisnes
very weUe.
25th. — Tusday. I came homme.
28. — Friday. I went with William Naylor to Crosson
to Mr. PUkington's man, who owd me Master 30s., but
I could not get it. Emme Potter and Eles Taylor was att
HalsaU; therfore I hasted thither on the
29th day, Saturday, which was 8 miles; came to HalsaU
and sent for them, and they stayd rather too longe, that
I went my seffe downe to old Thomas Harison's, who
made much of me and constraind me to stay all night.
We went all togather to the Ale house and ware mery,
and the next day I came home.

JULY, 1667
9. — Lord's day. I went to James Lowe's on Neawton
Comon, where Mr. Baldwin preacht.
10. — Munday. I went to Warington faire and mett Mr.
Swift. 15. — Munday. I went to HalsaU for to fatch Eles
Taylor home, but she could not come with me, soe I lost
my labour. Att Ormeskirke I stayd and spent 2d. and
went into church and lookd in Earle Darbye's Tombe,142
and soe came home; onely I cald att Holland att one
Corles' house and gave my horse 4d. in Ale.

116 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
18.— Thursday. I went to Prescott for to receive
5 li. 10s. of John Walls for Henry Feildinge, but received
none. I came away by my brother's, who Uved att one
Traves' house, near Windleshey ChapeUe; stayd diner
and soe came home, and att the gate that enters into the
further end of Town Feild, comeing from Dock Lane, I
found a shoo with a stiver claspe in the highway.
20. — Saturday. I went to Halsalle to fatch home EUs
Taylor, and mett her att Ormeskirke.
28. — Munday. I went to Warington in compenie with
John Potter to Winwick, who was exceedinglie troubled
with tooth ach, and James Corles in pullinge it out broke
it. Att my comeinge frome Warington I went to Mr.
Potter's, and John Potter was laid downe, soe I went to
the Schoole and Mr. Jones and I went to the Springe and
sent for John Potter, who came. As we came home we
cald att Heapie's and there had a hott rye loafe and
butter, and I had some suger and nutmeg given me att
Warington. I would have a flagon burnt for John, and
had. 29. — Tusday. I went to the funerall of Thomas Leech,
Inkeaper.

AUGUST, 1667
2. — Tusday. I wente to Neawton faire and to the race
with John Potter, but stayd not longe nor was not very
merye. 4. — Lord's day. I went with John Jenkins to Standish
Church and heard Mr. Bowker preach and dined with
hime. 6. — Tusday. I went with William Hasleden to Wiggan
to speake to Mr. Earle to mary hime.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 117
15.— Thursday. I went to Mr. WaUs in Prescott, but
did not gat no monys.
18. — Lord's day. I went to see Tom BirchaU, who was
sicke. 27 August. — Tusday. I went to Prescott againe to Mr.
WaUs, but he was not att homme.

SEPTEMBER, 1667
8. — Munday. I went to Winwick to Mrs. Potter's
Funerall and Elizebeth Taylor rid behind me.
10. — Wedensday. I went to Warington. John Plump-
ton tooke his leave of Ashton this day, and I parted with
hime att Warington bridg very dolefuUie. Thomas Peake
would gladlie hire me.
13. — Friday. I went to Prescott to Mr. Walls. John
Hampson went with me, both about one and the same
occasion, but he would not be seene.
1 8. — Wedensday. I went to Warington and I promised
Peake to serve hime 3 yeares for 20 ti.
22. — Lord's day. I went to Wiggan, haveing no occa
sion, but meerely to put of a troubled minde.
23. — Munday. According to my promise I went to
Warington to meet Tho. Peake.
29. — Lord's day. I went to John Robinson's and was
all night, for they lent me a horse to Chester faire. A very
rugged night it was. The other morneinge I hasted away,
and it was a very tempestuous morneinge, and in Waring
ton George Chapman gave me 2d. in ale, and behind

118 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
Fradsham Hamond overtooke me. I gat to Chester and
payd the Londoners, for my intentions was to buy no
thinge, and I went to the Castle to see a man condemned
to dye — a pretie younge man he was and very sorie I
was. I gave a man 2d. in ale to let me admittance into
the Castle yard, and he tooke me up and downe. The
souldiers was most of them all drunke, and glad I was
when I was gotten out of the gates from amongst them.

OCTOBER, 1667
1. — Tusday. I came home, I blesse God, very weU, but
it was a very stormie and rainie day.
28. — I quitted my selfe of all shop effaires in Ashton,
and resigned them over to Thomas Hamond, and ingagd
my selfe in Thomas Peake's service. After I came to
hime I found his wffe of soe crosse a disposition that it
put me in a troubled condition, and occasiond me to
write theise verses Followinge:
Int' what strange ragion am I posted now —
Soe hott a climate as I know not howe
T' enjoy my seffe, much more to live in peace,
Unles Jehovah move their tongues to cease.
The Lord of Hosts, that rules in heaven high,
Looke downe and help Thy servant mightily;
Show me such favour as the world may know
That Thou esteemeth of Thy servant Lowe,
That such as have no reason, nor yet faith
May learne to live in peace and not in wrath.
Lord, if Thou please to show Thy seffe my freind
I matter not this world for to offend;
My Saviour dear, in greifes I'le come to Thee:
There's safe protection in necessitie.
I live in greifes; I know not where to goe;
I come to Thee, Lord ; shelter Thy poor Lowe.
Deliverance, I hope, wiU come ere longe,

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 119
And I shall singe not longe the mourner's songe.
Providence sees it good i tossd should be
Upon the waves of worldly miserie,
And tho I be thus fetterd in world's greife,
Providence wtil att last yeild me releife.
And this I'me sure: my faults have caused this;
Require not then — God doth nothing amisse.
My Soul, Frett not, be patiant but awhUe;
That face now frownes wtil ere long on thee smile,
And though He suffer thee in Keder to dweU
Amongst such blacke mouths as doe yawn Uke heU,
Yet be assurd, God will preserve thee soe
They may thee scare, they shaU not hurt poor Low.
Trust then in God — Hee'le comfort thee in trouble
And answer aU thy greifes with care joyes double.
Waite on the Lord, live upright in God's way;
Hee'le rescue out of greifes, Hee'le not longe stay.
Take patiantly the world's affronts — for why?
Because it loves its owne, none wiU deny;
Aprove thy seffe a stranger to the world's freinds,
For heaven att last to such will make amends.
I had made a peece of a promise to stay three yeares with
Mr. Peake, but I found his wife of such a pestilentiall
nature that I was weary in a few weekes. In December it
pleasd God sorely to visit me with a sad afliction, and
longe for the space of nine weekes, after which It pleased
God to recover me, and I went againe to Mr. Peake, after
many envitations; in which time I sent to Emme my
designes and thoughts, enclosed in letters, and in short
time made a conclusion of my overtyred thoughts, and
upon the 23 March 1668, we consumated our grand de
signe of mariage att Warington, done by Mr. Ward,143
minister of Warington, att my Cozen Beckeinson's house.
William Eccleston was my good freind. I brought Emme
to Neawton, and shee was turned off from her sister and
knew not where to Lodge all night. It was her pleasure
I should turne backe againe to Warington, which I did

120 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
with William Eccleston and Henry Heckenbothom, who
accompenied us to Neawton.
[The diary breaks off here.]

FEBRUARIE, 1668
1. — Munday. I did nothing, but stayd att home; but
was angerd in my mind att Martha Knowle, who had
undermind me and gotten a booke out of my hands.
2. — Tusday. I went with Thomas Harrison to HalsaU
to seale 2 indentures betwixt Thomas Harison and Robert
Neale, his aprentice. I went before Thomas, and att
Ormeschurch I staid on hime. We stayd tiU Thursday
and soe came home.
6. — Saturday. William Eccleston came to towne and
he gave me a quart of ale and enjoined me to goe the
Lord's day following to Broad Oake and give Mr.
Harye's daughter a note. This day Mr. Jones, Winwick
schoole master, sent for me to come to Winwick upon
Monday followinge, for his patron, Mr. Leegh,144 would
come and he would make a speech.
7. — Lord's day. I went to Broad Oake. Mr. Gregg
preached out 2 PhiUp. 9, 10.
9. — I went to Winwick and heard Mr. Jones make his
speech to Mr. Leegh. I went to Hall Winwick and dind
there; after I came with Mr. Watt to the Clarkes' house,
and Coz Potter had given Mr. Watt ld. to spend and I
laid another 2d. to it, and when that was drunke I parted.
9.— Tusday. Richard Orme came to Ashton, and I
was with John Potter and hime late in Alehouse — which
the Lord forgive.

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 121
10. — Wedensday. I went to Nicholas Croft's to get in
a debt, but gat nothing.
11. — Thursday. I went to Senelly Greene to get a debt
oweinge me by Mr. Gerard, Schoole master. Att my
returne home I mett with Mr. James Woods comeing
out of his unkle's, Raph Lowe's, soe he asked me to goe
with them to the Ale house, and I went with them to
Tom Hasleden's, and Mr. Woods was very hartie and
healthfuU. I spent 2d.
[A whole page in the diary is here left blank.]
5. — Lord's day. I received some peece of disgrace in
the Chapell from Mr. Atkinson145 by reason I did not
with others stand up att the readinge of the Gospell, but
as to the pubticke it was title noted. But I tooke it
heineously in my one thoughts by reason I had bespoke
my thoughts to hime befor: that I could not conforme to
any such Formes; but att after evening prayer I went to
hime att ElUns Ashton's and I told hime my mind to the
FuU: that standing att GospeUe, with other ceremonies
now in use, was a meere Romish foperie and I should
never doe it; but sith I could not come to the publicke
ordinances without pubticke disturbance for a ceremoniall
faileinge, I should thence forward betake my seffe to
such recepticles where I could, to my poor abilitie, serve
God without disturbance. Raph Winstanley, Atkinson's
deciple of the Blacke tribe of Gad, came in and spoke
his venome in a very arogant manner; but I flie to God
for refuge.
16. — Munday. I went to Edge Greene to get some
mony oweing to me by Nicholas Crouker, but gat none.
Cald att Tho. Whitle's, tooke a pipe of tobacco, and then
went and bought of Cooper some Ash wood to be two
cheares, and brought a peece home with me.

122 THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE
18. — Wedensday. Emme and I went to Warrington
and bought some odd things and came home, and was in
night; it was a very stormie night. John Low, Blacke-
smith, let her ride behind hime.
25. — Thursday. I went to Winwick to the Funerall of
Dicke Landers. Mr. Potter preached out 10 Job, 20 verse.

MARCH, 1669.
Munday. I went to John Lowe's Smithie to get some
odd things made and I went to old John Robbinson to
bespeake John Marshe's thoughts to widow Jaxon, old
John's daughter, being desired by John Marsh, and shee
consented he should come Thursday come seavenight
after. 7. — Lord's day. I went to my Cozen Robert Ros
bothom and heard Mr. Baldwin preach out 8 Romans,
25, 26 verses.
11. — Thursday. Honest Mr. Hayhurst came to Towne
to see me and I was glad to see him.
14. — Lord's day. I went to Leigh to bid a farewelle to
poor Mr. Braidley Hayhurst. Mr. Lever preacht out
14 Pro., 9 ver[se]. Att my comeing home I cald on my
sister Katherin and advisd her for her good to bethinke
her selfe and Uve godly, consideringe she had but a short
time to Uve here, but she was highly offended, so I came
homme, being late in the night.
19. — Friday. I went to the FuneraUe of EUin Potter,
daughter to Thomas Potter, and [she] was interred att
Winwick. As we came into Winwick churchyard, Cap-
taine Risleye's soldiers ware traineinge, and when we ware

THE DIARY OF ROGER LOWE 123
att prayers in the church upon the Funeral's occasion the
souldiers discharged their musquets three times.
20. — Saturday. I went to Winwick Schoole to get
Mr. Jones [to] pay me 30s., but I gat none. This eveninge
old Thomas Harison was come over and I spent 2d.
21. — Lord's day. I went For Laverpoole, was all night
att my Brother's, and the next day went Forward to
Laverpoole; payd Mr. Johnson 5 li. I owd hime.
22 day. — Came home.
27th. — Saturday. I went to Leigh; bought of my Mas
ter 9 yards and a \ of Cersie146 for a suite of clothes for
my selfe.
29. — Munday. I went to Warington, and Mrs. Peake
had laid a lye on me about their debts, which occasiond
some greife, but I cleard my seffe to her shame.

[MARCH, 1674]
12 March, 1674. I went to Coz Robert Rosbothome
to Rixham147 faire to seeke his mare that was stolne over
night, and we mett with Mathew Cooke, who we con-
jecturd to be the theefe, and upon our wordes he fled
and left a stolne mare, which we securd in town and was
after ownd ownd [sic].
THE END

NOTES
Abbreviations :
Baines = Edward Baines, History of the County Palatine and
Duchy of Lancaster, revised edition by John Harland, 1 868-70.
D.N.B. = Dictionary of National Biography.
V.H.L. = Victoria History ofthe County of Lancaster, edited by
William Farrer and J. Brownbill.
' He had succeeded James Woods at St. Thomas's Chapel in
Ashton in 1663; his Christian name seems to be unknown:
V.H.L., IV, 147.
' Rainford, Lanes.
s Evince.
* "On the restoration of the Prayer Book services in 1662 the
objectors under the ministry of the ejected curate, James Woods,
worshipped in a farm-house": V.H.L. , IV, 148. For information
regarding the Gaskells see V.H.L., IV, 406.
1 Golborne, Lanes.
6 A corruption of the name "Tyldesley Banks."
' Knot-grass, or ragwort, so called because it was given to
ailing swine.
8 James Woods, of St. Thomas's Chapel, Ashton; he was in
charge of that cure as early as August, 1645. The Commonwealth
Church Survey found him to be "a very godly preacher, a man of
good life and conversation," appointed "by free election of the
whole town." He was ejected in 1662 by the terms of the Act of
Uniformity, or Bartholomew Act: V.H.L., IV, 147.
' Brynn, one of the ancestral estates of the Gerards, obtained
with Ashton and other properties in the hundreds of West Derby
and Leyland by the marriage, in the fourteenth century, of Wil
liam Gerard and Joan, daughter and co-heiress of Alan de Burn-
hull: V.H.L., IV, 142.
10 Wigan's importance and wealth in the seventeenth century
may be appreciated from its ship-money assessment in 1636: fifty
pounds, the highest levy in the county, and twice as much as
Liverpool's: Baines, I, 211.
11 Chowbent, now in Atherton town.
I! Part of the old Ashton town division of the parish of Ashton-
under-Lyne. See V.H.L., IV, 338-9.
13 He went to Thelwall, Cheshire.
14 Bent.
IS Liverpool. 124

NOTES 125
11 Bamfurlong, in Abram township, Lanes.
" Probably Bradley Hayhurst, Vicar of Leigh, from c. 1646 to
c. 1657, when he resigned. In 1661 he was presented to the living
of Taxall, Cheshire, where he was probably silenced for non
conformity. In 1661-3 he lived in Manchester; in 1671 he became
minister of Macclesfield, resigning in 1682, shortly before he
died: V.H.L., Ill, 419.
18 Twin.
1 * New Hall, an estate in Ashton acquired in the seventeenth
century by the Launder or Lander family.
" Dalton, Lanes.
" This was the principal mansion of Dalton, and the seat ofthe
Ashurst family. It existed as early as 1649 : Baines, II, 1 86-7. The
"most gallant prospect" which Lowe enjoyed was occasioned by
Dalton's location upon hilly ground south of the River Douglas,
Ashurst Hall lying on the western slope of the ridge: V.H.L.,
IV, 97.
23 Whortleberries.
"Christopher Love (1618-51) was a militant Presbyterian
divine and a prolific writer of sermons, many of which were pub
lished. In 1651 Love was found guilty of plotting against the
Commonwealth, being charged with corresponding with Charles II
and Queen Henrietta Marie; he was executed August 22, 1651.
The book which Lowe bought is entitled Grace: the Truth and
Growth and Different Degrees thereof: the Sum and Substance of
XV Sermons. Preached by . . . Mr. Christopher Love . . . They
being his Last Sermons. To which is added a Funeral Sermon, being
the very Last Sermon He ever Preached, London, 1 652. See D. N.B.
" Prisoners' base.
" Lymm, Cheshire.
" Haydock, an ancient manor and township in the parish of
Winwick. The local pronunciation is "Haddock" : V.H.L., IV, 1 37.
17 Probably a hedge-bank, or._one of earth thrown up from a
ditch. "> According to the obituary notes kept by Lowe, Ashton was
hanged for murdering a tapster in Nantwich, Cheshire.
" These graves cannot now be located.
30 Complexion.
31 Abram, Lanes.
" Distance, way.
38 September 22 and 23 were the annual fair-days in Ashton,
which doubtless occasioned more than usual merriment: Baines,
II, 214.
31 Leigh, Lanes.
38 Held, remained.
" Godfather.
" Possibly William Leigh, Rector of Newchurch, Culcheth,

126 NOTES
Lanes., apparently as early as 1645, and afterwards in charge of
Gorton Chapel, whence he was ejected in 1662. He was a Fellow
of Christ's College, Cambridge. According to Calamy he died of
the stone in 1664, aged about fifty. See V.H.L., IV, 165, and
Edmund Calamy, Nonconformist's Memorial (ed. of Samuel
Palmer, 1802-3), II, 363.
38 Kibbo, stick or cudgel.
88 Ram.
"James Livesey (16257-82) was Vicar of Great Budworth,
Cheshire, from 1657 until his death in 1682. His works show him
to have been a man.pf scholarly abilities. See D.N.B.
" High Leigh, Cheshire.
" Shallow basket.
43 Making a fuss and noise.
41 Way, road.
48 Bottled ale and draught ale.
" Hulme, Lanes.
*' Newton-in-Makerfield, Lanes.
48 As late as 1836 courts leet and baron were held twice a year
at Ashton: V.H.L., IV, 146.
48 This may refer to Thomas Gregg, ejected from the pulpit of
St. Helens Episcopal Chapel in 1662, by the Bartholomew Act.
See B. Nightingale, Lancashire Nonconformity, IV, 128-9.
80 Foumart, or polecat, hunting.
51 Possibly Thomas Blackburne, who ministered at St. Peter's
Church, Newton-in-Makerfield, from 1650, coming into the living
by the general consent of the chapelry. It may also refer
to "Mr. John Blakeburne," mentioned later in the diary:
V.H.L., IV, 136.
83 Possibly the Mr. Bowker whom Lowe refers to as "Vicar of
Standish" in his entry for June 27, 1665.
83 In 1693 the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Leigh, "possessed
four bells said to have been given by Queen Elizabeth, two of
which — the great bell and the third bell — had been cast at Leigh
in 1663": V.H.L.,lll, 4\5.
64 Course of conduct.
88 Took care of, attended.
88 The township of Billinge has long been split into two halves,
regarded as separate townships, and known as Chapel End and
Higher End. Lowe evidently refers to Chapel End: V.H.L., IV, 83.
81 Edmund Calamy (1600-66) was an eloquent Presbyterian
preacher in London from 1639 till 1662 when, although he had
favoured the Restoration, and had been offered the Bishopric of
Coventry and Lichfield, he was ejected for nonconformity. He
continued, however, to attend the church whence he had been
ejected; on December 28, 1662, the preacher not appearing,
Calamy was prevailed upon by the congregation to preach, for

NOTES 127
which he was committed to Newgate under the Lord Mayor's
warrant — the first of the nonconformists to get into trouble for
disobeying the Act of Uniformity. He was liberated, however,
by order of the King. He was co-author of the celebrated treatise
entitled Smectymnuus from the initials of its authors: S. Marshall,
E. Calamy, T. Young, M. Newcomen, and W. Spurstowe. His
grandson and namesake was the well-known biographer of non
conformity: D.N.B.
88 This was A Treatise of Prayer and of Divine Providence as
relating to it, published in 1653. Edward Gee (1613-60), minister
of Eccleston from 1643 till his death, became a zealous Presby
terian and was active in administering the Presbyterian system in
Lancashire. Adam Martindale called him a "great knocker for
disputation": Life, 91 ; and see D.N.B.
88 Charles Herle (1598-1659), presented in 1626 to the rich
rectory of Winwick by Sir Edward Stanley, was an active and
influential Presbyterian, and the most distinguished of Winwick's
modern rectors. Frequently a preacher before the Long Parlia
ment, he was one of the twelve divines appointed to license books
on divinity, and took a leading part in matters pertaining to
Presbyterian organization and doctrine. In 1643 he was President
of the Westminster Assembly. He did not reside in Winwick
during the war, but returned thither in 1650, and was buried there
in 1659. See D.N.B.; V.H.L., IV, 128.
80 Thomas Johnson became Rector of HalsaU in 1645: V.H.L.,
Ill, 189.
81 Grappenhall, Cheshire.
83 Very likely this was Peter Aspinwall, the nonconformist
divine who was ejected from Heaton, Lanes., in 1662. He after
wards assumed ministerial duties in Warrington, Lanes., dying
there in 1692: Nightingale, Lancashire Nonconformity, IV, 213-14.
88 A collar, lying flat upon the dress, worn by both men and
women. 84 Lately Common, in Bedford township.
88 Custody, confinement.
88 A search for vagrants and such petty offenders, carried out by
the constables upon the order of the Justices of the Peace.
•' Thrush.
8 8 Piannet, or pianet, a local name for the magpie.
88 Great Neston, in the hundred of Wirrall, Cheshire.
" This hill is supposed to have been the site of a watch-tower:
Baines, II, 190.
71 Blackrod, Lanes.
'2 John Tilsley (1614-84) became Vicar of Dean in 1643. He
was described in 1650 as "a painful, godly, preaching minister"
and about that time suffered temporary loss of his benefice,
owing to his refusal to take the engagement. He assisted in the

128 NOTES
formation ofthe Chetham Library, the founder having nominated
him a trustee. He was ejected from Dean Church in 1662, but
was allowed to preach there as a lecturer until he was silenced by
Bishop Pearson in 1673. He then retired to Manchester, where
he died in 1684: D.N.B.; V.H.L., V, 4.
78 John Angier (1605-77) was in charge of Denton Chapel from
1631 until his death, and was one of the most famous Puritans
of Lancashire, where he had come in 1629, intending to proceed
to New England. Gaining the support of the Hyde and Holland
families he was able to remain at Denton after the passing of the
Act of Uniformity. He is noted for his dictum against long
sermons: "I would rather leave my hearers longing than loath
ing": D.N.B.; V.H.L., IV, 322.
71 Arsenic.
'8 Remnants.
78 Apparitor, a summoning officer in an ecclesiastical court.
7 7 The Episcopal Chapel of St Helens was called, according to
Halley "St. Mary's by Church folk, but Mary's-in-Ellen's by true
Presbyterians" : Lancashire Puritanism and Nonconformity, II,
320. 78 Isaac Ambrose (1604-64), a Lancashire nonconformist
divine and theological, writer. He was, as minister in Preston
(1640-54), and in Garstang until ejected in 1662, closely associated
with the establishment of Presbyterianism in Lancashire. Called
by Halley the most meditative Puritan of Lancashire, he was an
advocate of diary-keeping to foster personal piety: D.N.B., and
see Introduction above.
7 ' George Hall, son of Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich, was
made Bishop of Chester in 1662. He held the archdeanery of
Canterbury and the rectory of Wigan in commendam. He died
in Wigan in 1668: D.N.B.
8 ° John Lowe was Vicar of Huyton, succeeding William Bell,
ousted in 1662, until his death in 1706. In 1665 he was presented
"for not reading divine service as he ought," and for omitting
and slighting prayers "to the great displeasure of the parish
ioners." He was returned as conformable in 1689: V.H.L., Ill,
155. 81 Wakes were originally annual festivals kept in commemora
tion of the completion and dedication of a church, characterized
by an all-night watch in the church. The devotional aspect de
creased as time went on, and wakes became mere fairs or markets.
The Book of Sports of Charles I included wakes among feasts
which should be observed.
83 Overtook [?].
88 Chowbent, Lanes.
84 Seneley Green.
88 Happened to come upon.

NOTES 129
88 The rectory of Winwick. Dr. Kuerden described it in 1695
as "a princely building, equal to the revenue": V.H.L., IV, 123.
87 A heifer from one to two years old; sometimes a young bull.
88 Probably either Joseph Hanmer, Curate of Ellenbrook,
1664-69? or Samuel Hanmer, his successor.
89 Wassail, drinking bout.
90 St. Andrew's Day is actually November 30.
91 Fleam, river.
93 Raging.
98 Hearthmen or chimney-men were the collectors ofthe hated
hearth-tax, which existed from 1662 to 1689, when its unpopu
larity induced the government to abandon it. It was England's
only direct tax and amounted to £170,000 annually.
84 If Lowe saw any supernatural significance in the comet's
appearance, he does not indicate it here. Adam Martindale
alludes to this "dreadfull" comet in his diary (p. 179). John
Evelyn, an educated man of the world, noting the appearance of
a comet in 1680 adds: "We have had of late severall comets,
which tho' I beUeve appeare from naturall causes, and of them
selves operate not, yet I cannot despise them. They may be warn
ings from God, as they commonly are forerunners of his animad
versions": Diary (Wheatley ed., 1906), II, 380.
98 John Lever (1631-92), ejected from Cockey Moor in 1662.
"During the time the Nonconformists were outcasts and wan
derers, he continued to preach and celebrate the rites of religion
as he had opportunity in Bolton and the neighbourhood." After
the death of Richard Goodwin in 1685 Lever ministered to the
nonconformists in Deansgate. A namesake was then Vicar of
Bolton: Nightingale, Lancashire Nonconformity, III, 5.
88 Played slide-groat or shuffleboard.
97 A manor-house in Parr township, once the property of the
Parre family, Barons of Kendall. In Lowe's time it was the chief
seat of the Byroms: Baines, II, 249.
93 Thomas Crompton was minister ofthe Chapel of St. Stephen,
at Astley, consecrated in 1631, from 1632 until his death in 1683.
A zealous Presbyterian, ejected for nonconformity in 1662, he
remained in charge of the chapel for twenty years thereafter
owing to a dispute over the patronage: V.H.L., Ill, 448-9.
99 This is very likely Roger Baldwin, Curate of Eccles, 1646-7,
Vicar of Penrith, Cumberland, and after the Restoration, accord
ing to Calamy, minister of the nonconformist congregation at
Monks' Hall, Eccles: V.H.L., IV, 391.
18 " This refers to Henry Banister of Bank who, according to
Lowe's obituary notes "was drawen on a Litter dead through
this Town being slaine by Colket att Sir Philip Edgerton att a
Race on Forrest of De la Mare." Delamere Forest is in northern
Cheshire. K

130 NOTES
"" England was from 1665 to 1667 engaged in the Second
Dutch War. Evelyn notes that April 5, 1665 was "a day of public
humiliation and for successe of this terrible war, begun doubtlesse
at secret instigation of the French to weaken the States and
Protestant interest": Diary, II, 179.
183 The Autobiography of William Stout, a Lancashire merchant
who lived at the close of the seventeenth century, casts some light
on funeral customs of the time. Stout writes: "At this time we
sold much cheese to funerals in the country, from 30 lb. to 100 lb.
weight, as the deceased was of ability; which was shived into two
or three in the lb., and one with a penny manchet [loaf] given to
all attendants. And then it was customary, at Lancaster, to give
one or two long, called Naples, biscuits, to each attending the
funeral": p. 35.
193 Epilepsy.
104 James Pilkington was Rector of Croston from 1662 until
his death in 1683: Baines, II, 116.
iot purge(i.
103 Adam Martindale (1623-86), the Presbyterian divine and
autobiographer. Ejected from Rosthorne, Cheshire, vicarage in
1662, he was at this time evidently employed as a tutor in the
family of Sir Richard Hoghton, of Hoghton Tower. His sister
Margaret died in Ashton in 1665: Life, 177-9, 186.
107 Ardent.
188 A school was founded in Ashton in 1588: V.H.L., IV, 148.
188 Brother-in-law.
110 It was caused by a temporary escape of carburetted hydro
gen gas.
111 Ribanding.
113 A cop is a top of a hill.
113 Edward Kenyon was Rector of Prestwich from 1660 to 1668.
He became a Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, where he
was educated, in 1653. Appointed before the Restoration "his
connections and training would put him on the Presbyterian side,
but he seems to have conformed readily to the restoration and
the Prayer-book services, and held the rectory till his death":
V.H.L., V, 73.
114 James Jollie (1610-66), known as Major Jollie, was a wealthy
clothier. He became Provost-Marshal General for the Parlia
mentary forces in Lancashire. In 1646 he was nominated an
elder for Gorton in the Manchester classis of the Presbyterian
organization in Lancashire, but being an independent did not
serve: V.H.L., IV, 285; D.N.B.
118 This word has several meanings; it may connote a tinsmith,
one who finishes metal goods (in contrast to one who forges them),
or, more generally, a worker in metals.
118 A Gothic building of stone, surrounded by a moat, rebuilt

NOTES 131
in 1616 by Sir Richard Bold. It has since fallen into ruin: Baines,
II, 250.
117 Lodge Hall, an ancient moated manor-house: Baines, II,
202. 118 The meaning here is probably ale-house. A hot-house can
also be a house for hot baths, or a brothel.
119 Contrived.
138 September 21.
131 An instrument of punishment by which a person was made
to sit with his ankles secured between two planks, and sometimes
his wrists likewise.
133 Currants.
133 A cloth, usually of worsted but sometimes of silk, having
on one side a velvet nap.
134 Causey, causeway.
125 Lowe's only reference to the Civil War. This royalist cam
paign occurred in July and August, 1648, when an armed force
raised by General Sir Marmaduke Langdale in Lancashire and
Westmorland was joined to Scottish troops, and the united body,
over 20,000 strong, under the command ofthe Duke of Hamilton,
began a march on Manchester. It was intercepted and routed by
Cromwell in three battles in three days: Preston, Wigan, and
Warrington. 138 An estate in Bedford township, acquired in the seventeenth
century by Sir Henry Sclater: V.H.L., Ill, 434.
137 A history of the persecution of reformers in England, by
John Foxe, published in 1563. It was entitled Acts and Monu
ments, but popularly known as the Book of Martyrs.
123 Assessed.
139 Pottle, a two-quart pot or tankard.
13 ° Shippen, cow-house or stable.
131 Frodsham Bridge: it crosses the River Weever at Frodsham,
Cheshire. 133 In 1301 Edward I granted two fairs to John de Langton of
Newton Manor, to be held on the eve, day, and morrow of St.
John ante Portam Latinam (May 6), and of St. Germain (July 31):
V.H.L., IV, 135.
133 The Scholes, a district in Wigan.
134 Bay, a compartment in a barn.
138 The manor of Bradley was at this time the property of the
Leghs of Lyme. The "fabrick" which Lowe viewed was never
reconstructed, and a brick farmhouse was afterwards called Brad
ley HaU: V.H.L., III, 327.
138 A seat of the Gerard family in the township of Ashton-in-
Makerfield, razed early in the nineteenth century: Baines, II, 214.
137 Sir WilUam Gerard, who succeeded his father as baronet in
1630. He had been an ardent champion of the royal cause at the

132 NOTES
outbreak of the Civil War; appointed Governor of Denbigh
Castle, he had sold his Derbyshire estates to help finance the
campaign. His estates were consequently sequestrated by Parlia
ment and sold under the confiscatory Act of 1652, but all or most
of them were recovered. A contemporary letter describes Sir
William as a "subtle jesuited Papist": V.H.L., IV, 145.
138 The Practice of Piety was written by Lewis Bayly, Bishop of
Bangor, and constitutes his chief claim to fame. The date of its
first publication is unknown, but by 1613 it had reached its third
edition. Its popularity in Puritan circles knew no bounds: in
1735 it was in its fifty-ninth edition and had been translated into
many foreign tongues, including the language of the Indians
living around Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bunyan ascribes to it
his first spiritual experiences: D.N.B.
138 Located in the township of Tyldesley, Lanes.
140 A desolate region in winter at this time. The Eccles parish
register records the burial of a man who had perished in crossing it.
141 Flavius Josephus' The Jewish War, the oldest of his extant
works, written near the end of Vespasian's reign (69-79).
143 The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Ormskirk, said to
have been estabUshed by one Orm in 1068, contains the Derby
Chapel, with the family vault, constructed in 1572 by Edward
("the Bountiful"), third Earl of Derby.
148 Joseph Ward, Rector of Warrington from 1664 till 1691.
He was listed as conformable in 1689: V.H.L., Ill, 312.
144 Piers Legh, Esq., of Lyme. The school was founded in the
reign of Henry VIII by Gowther Legh, and refounded by Sir
Peter Legh in 1619: V.H.L., IV, 130.
148 He succeeded Mr. Maddock as Vicar of Ashton in 1668:
V.H.L., IV, 147.
148 Kersey, a kind of coarse narrow woollen cloth, usuaUy
ribbed. 147 Rixton[?].

APPENDIX
ROGER LOWE seems to have been taken til early in
1679, and to have died without making a wtil. Ad
ministration of his property was granted to Emma Lowe,
his widow, and an inventory, preserved in the Probate
Court at Chester, was taken April 22, 1679. The ad
ministration and inventory read:
Roger Lowe, late of Ashton, husbandman; admini
stration to Emma Lowe, widdow, the relict, 5 May
1679. The 22 Aprill 1679. A true and perfect inventory of
aU the goods, cattels, chattels, debts, and rights of
Roger Lowe, late of Ashton, late deceased, apprised
and valued by us, Matthew Deane, John Potter,
Thomas Harrison, and WiUm Lowe.
Imprimis, two milke cowes at .
Item, one presse in the loft over the house
Item, one long table in the said loft .
Item, 6 cheeres in the said loft
Item, one table cloth ....
Item, 3 chusshions .....
Item, one bedstead in the roome over the
shop, 2 featherbeds, 2 feather boulsters,
one chaffe boulster, three feather pil-
lowes, 2 coverlids, and 2 blankitts, at .
Item, one arke in the said roome
Item, one truncke ....
Item, 3 tresses, 2 boxes, 2 cowfors,* and 4
chusshions  0 9 0
* Coffers. 133

li. s.

d.

6 0

0

0 8

0

0 10

0

0 16

0

0 1

0

0 2

0

3 0

0

0 10

0

0 4

0

134

APPENDLX

Item, one bedstead and bedding in the
chamber as it now stands .
Item, one cubboard in the house
Item, one settle in the house .
Item, one tittle table, 2 cheeres, fall board
backestoole ....
Item, one clocke weights and case .
Item, one close stoole, 2 looking glasses
Item, one backestone, 2 iron grates, and
other iron geere . -
Item, one churne and other treene ware
Item, in earthen vessels .
Item, 4 dosin of trenchers
Item, one white plate
Item, in pewter
Item, in brasse
Item, in linnen
Item, two bedsteads and one table
Item, for goods beinge in the shop*
Item, in moneyes oweinge by severall per
sons in the debt booke

Apprised by
Matthew Deane
John Potter
Thomas Harrison
Willm. Lowe

Suma tot

1 10 0
1 0 0
0 6 0
0 5 0
1 10 0
0 3 0
1 0 0
0 10 0
0 2
0 3
0 1 0
1 16 0
1 11 0
2 0 0
1 6 0
29 3 0
6 0 0
60 6 4

00

: Indicating that Lowe remained a trader all his days.

INDEX

Abram, 34, 103, 109
Accounts, reckoning of, 21, 26,
46, 52, 60, 62, 67, 69, 76,
80, 87, 93
Ale, accommodation with,
45-6; bottled and com
mon, 41 ; jelly-bowl of, 34;
roseberry, 106
Ambrose, Isaac, 67, 101
Angier, John, 63
Apparitor, 66
Apprentice, runaway, 56, 111
Apprenticeship, ending of, 26;
of a drunken youth, 53
Apprenticing, 74, 88
Ashton, Hamblett, 29
Ashton-in-Makerfield, chapel,
51; court, 44; school, 84,
104; schoolmaster, 84,
104; Town Field, 22, 27-8,
48, 58, 85,96, 116; Town
Green, 85; Town Heath,
15-7, 28, 53, 55, 59, 64;
Vicars of, 13, 121
Ashurst HaU, 23
Assizes, 69-71
Astley, 18
Atheism, sermon against, 105
Atherton, 78, 87, 99
Atkinson, — , Vicar of Ashton,
121
Baldwin, Roger(?), 82, 115, 122
¦ Bamfurlong, 20-4, 26, 29, 41-4,
46, 48, 51, 56, 60-2, 64, 67,
72, 75-6, 78-80, 84, 86,
104
Banister, Henry, 82
Barrow, Anne, 13-4, 25, 33-4,
42-8, 52-3, 88

Battersbie, John, 14
Beer, spiced, 46
Bell, toUing, 72
BeUs, casting of Leigh, 46
Berry-picking, 23
Best man, Lowe a, 82
Betting, 36
Billinge, 63; Chapel, 50, 62, 90,
92, 97, 103, 106, 108
Birds' nests, hunting, 59, 62
Bishop of Chester, 67, 72,
105-7, 113
Bishop's Court, 59
Blackly Hurst, 79, 103
Blackrod, 63
Blakeburne, — , 45, 103, 106-7,
John, 92, 98, 108-9
Blood, verse for staunching, 77
Bold Hall, 87
Bolton, 62
Bonds, making, 58, 72-3, 87
Book of Martyrs 99
Bowker, — , 82, 84, 87, 96-7,
104, 116
BowUng, 28, 33, 86, 88-9, 103
Bradley HaU, 107
Broad Oak, 120
Brothers, references to Lowe's,
14, 23, 37, 44, 61-2, 73-4,
83, 99, 123
Brynn, 16, 34, 104
Budworth, Cheshire, 39
Burning weU, 85
Burton Wood, 107
Byrom famUy, 58, 81, 84
Callamy, Edmund, 50
Candles, purchase of, 66
Carr MiU, 74
Castle Hill, 63

135

136

INDEX

Chadocke, John, 18, 21-2, 36,
49-50, 57, 59-60, 65, 71,
74,81,85, 105, 108,110
Chadocke Hall, 110
Cheshire, 18, 25, 35
Chester, 28-9, 47, 87, 100,
103-4, 118; Castle, 118;
Fair, 36, 61, 86, 115, 117
Child-birth, 73, 93, 97, 100
Choristers, 94, 104
Chorley, 106; Moor, 106
Chowbent, 17, 71, 79, 87-8
Christenings, 26, 74-5, 78, 96-7
Clothing, 18, 20, 50, 61, 65, 95,
123
Coal-pits, 57
Cock-fight, 105
Comet, 77
Communion, 44, 78, 90
Constables, 69, 112
Cowley Hill, 61, 114
Crompton, Thomas, 81
Croston, 83, 106, 115
Daisy Hillock, 83, 99
Dalton, 23, 55
Dame, Lowe's, 24, 50-1, 57,
64-5,85
Dean Church, 63, 71
Debts, collecting, 27-8, 37, 67,
91,106,114,117,121,123;
paying, 99-100, 106, 108,
110-1, 123
Delamere Forest, 82
Denton Green, 88, 91
Derby, tomb of Earl of, 115
Dock Lane, 28, 69-70, 116
"Dragon" (Chester), 104
Drink, spiced, 49
Drunkenness, 118
Earle, —,111, 116
Eccleston, 54; Church, 54
Edge Green, 22, 47, 55, 79, 88,
121
Episcopacy and presbytery,
discourses on, 52, 67, 89

Feebleness, after iUness, 101,
103
Fire, 107; of London, 108
Fishing, 23
Foumart-hunting, 44
Frodsham, Cheshire, 118;
Bridge, 104
Funerals, 16, 20, 26, 64, 66,
70-1, 76, 78-9, 82, 89,
96-7,99,107,109-10,113, 116-7, 122; refreshment
at, 109
Garswood, 108
Gaskell, Lawrence, 13
Gee, Edward, 54
Gerard, Sir WiUiam, 99, 108
Godfather, 35, 71, 80; Lowe,
a, 96
Golborne, 14, 27, 43, 45, 47-8,
56, 69, 79; Cop, 85-6, 89,
97; stocks, 27
Goose Green, 58, 90
Grappenhall Church, Cheshire,
57
Graves, looking at, 57, 77
Greensworth, Anne, 20, 24, 27,
29, 41, 46, 51, 56, 59, 62,
65, 76, 80, 86; Robert,
73 80 87
Gregg,' Thomas(?), 44, 61,
113-5
HaU, Dr. George (Bishop of
Chester), 67, 72, 105-7, 113
Halsall, 54, 84, 110, 115-6, 120
Hanulton, Duke of, 96
Harvesting, 34
Hasleden, John, 13, 16, 19, 34,
36, 38, 40-3, 49, 52-3,
55-9, 67, 71, 73, 75, 77-8,
81-3, 88
Haydock, 26, 29, 33, 40, 69,
91; Wood, 95
Hayhurst, Bradley, 21, 122
Hearthman, visit of, 77
Heifer, purchase of, 81

INDEX

137

Hen and chickens, purchase
of, 42
Herle, Charles, 54
High Leigh, Cheshire, 39
Hindley, 63, 67, 78
Holland, Lancashire, 23, 45,
50,82,96, 111, 115
Horse, loan of a, 104, 113, 117;
theft of a, 123
Horse-head-under-Bank Field,
83
Horse-race, 27
Horseshoe Field, 59
Houghton, 63, 79, 83; Chapel,
79; Common, 63
Hour-glasses, purchase of, 60
Hulme, 43
Hunting, 95
Hurst Ground, 58
Huyton, 67, 100
Illnesses, Lowe's, 22, 28, 41-2,
44, 52, 56, 62, 66, 75, 81,
99-101, 115, 119
Indentures, making, 67, 87;
sealing, 120
Jewish War, The, 1 14
Johnson, Thomas, 54
JoUie, Major James, 87
Jones, — , Winwick School
master, 120, 123
Josephus, Flavius, 114
Journeyman, Lowe sought as,
93
Kenyon, Edward, 86
Kersey, 123
King's Navy, 82
Knowsley, 107
Lancashire, Under-Sheriff of,
73
Latchford Heath, Cheshire, 25,
57
Lately Common, 57
Lawsuit, 44

Lealand, Alice, 20, 27, 29, 35
Lease, making a, 81
Leigh — , Ashton schoolmaster,
84; Piers, 120: WUliam,
38—9
Leigh, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24, 26,
28-9, 34-6, 38, 46, 48-50,
52, 57, 59-60, 63, 65-6, 69,
71-4, 77, 81, 83, 85-8, 90,
92-5, 98-100, 105, 108-10,
113, 122-3; bells, 46;
Church, 58; exercise, 55;
schoolmaster, 14, 77;
stocks, 92
Lemon, 54
Letter-writing, for others, 24,
28, 42-3, 46, 48, 51, 53,
62-3
Lever, John, 79, 122
Light Oaks, 98
Lilly Lane, 53, 78, 110
Liver, receipt for diseased, 17
Liverpool, 19, 91, 93, 99, 123
Livesey, James, 39
Loaf, 110, 116
Lodge, Chowbent, 87
London, fire of, 108
Love, Christopher, 25
Love-letter, found, 56; writing
a, 43
Low, Hugh, 14
Lowe, John, 67, 100; Roger, in
wedding party, 13, 49-50;
82; as mediator, 14-5,
adopted "son and
twindle," 21; visit to
Ashurst Hall, 23; visits
Mr. Woods in ThelwaU,
Cheshire, 25, 57; in horse
race, 27; visits parents'
graves, 29, 77; becomes
master's son's teacher, 37,
sues in Ashton court, 44;
visits coal-pits, 57; visits
woman accused of infan
ticide, 58; accompanies
constable during private

138

INDEX

search, 59; controversies
on religion, 52, 64, 67, 89;
• visits St. Helen's Chapel,
66; hears Bishop of Ches
ter, 67, 72, 105, 113; a
godfather, 74; sees comet,
77; attends funeral of
brother's child, 78; visits
burning weU, Pemberton,
85; at Liverpool, 91, 99,
123; becomes free, 92-3;
at Manchester, 94, 110;
death of sister, 97; at
Chester, 104, 115, 118; sees
cock-fight, 105; at Bradley
Hall, 107; at Chester
Fair, 115; at Warring
ton Fair, 115, retires from
trade in Ashton, 118;
enters service of Thomas
Peake, 118; marries Emma
Potter, 119; quarrel with
Vicar of Ashton, 121
Lowton, 69; Common, 90
Lymm, Cheshire, 25, 57
Madocke, — , Vicar of Ashton,
13
Manchester, 94, 110
Mare, a stolen, 123
Marl-pit, 61
Marriage, Lowe's, 119
Martindale, Adam, 84, 87
Master, references to Lowe's,
16,18,19-20,28,36-7,43,
49-52, 60-1, 70, 73-6, 81,
83-8, 91-3, 96, 98, 105,
108-11,113,115,123
Match-making, 73-4, 87
Middleton, 110
Moss Side, 18
Music, 45, 94, 104
Navy, 82
Naylor, Mary, 20-8, 34-8,
41-3, 45-7, 61-3
Nephew, named Roger, 97

New Hall, 22
Newton-in-Makerfield, 25, 33,
37, 43, 68, 70, 78, 86, 89,
92, 96, 99, 109, 119-20;
Common, 44, 115; Fair,
105, 116
Night-hooks, 62
Nutmeg, 116
Observation, 64
Oldham, 110
Organs, 16, 104
Ormskirk, 115-6, 120
OrreU Moor, 84
Papists, 64, 66, 82
Park Lane, 51
Parr Bridge, 113; HaU, 81, 113
Peake, Thomas, 57, 93, 117-9;
Mrs. Thomas, 118-9, 123
Pemberton, 46, 58, 85; burning
well at, 85
Philanthropy, 108
Pilkington, James, 83, 106, 115
Piatt Bridge, 67
Plums, 27
Poetry by Lowe, 33, 35, 54, 80,
112-3
Poll-money, 112
Pottage, 39
Potter, Emma, 45, 58, 64, 68,
70, 72, 79, 84, 90, 97, 99,
103, 105-7, 110, 115, 119,
122
Practice of Piety, 109
Prayer, 15-6, 42, 44, 51, 53-5,
58-9, 100, 110; evening,
67; private day of, 18, 90
Prescot, 73-4, 106, 116-7
Presentments for assizes, 69-70
Preston, 101, 104
Prestwich, 86
Prisoners' base, 25
Psalm-singing, 15, 28-9, 36, 44
Pudding, 110
Race, 34, 116

INDEX

139

Rainford, 13, 59, 78, 82-3
Receipt for diseased Uver, 17
Religion, argument on, 94, 97
Ribbon, 50
Risley, Captain, 122
Robbery, 36
Roseberry, ale, 106
Sacrament, 78, 90-1
St. Helen's, 78; Chapel, 66
Sankey HaU, 66, 70
Scholes, 106
Scofield, William, 37
Scott, EUen, 23, 42, 45, 51, 56,
58,75
Scythe-stones, purchase of, 63,
87
Search, private, 59
Seneley Green, 71, 121
Sermons, 19, 44, 57, 61, 67, 78,
81-2, 86-8, 90, 105-7, 109,
114-5, 120, 122; repetition
of, 16, 20, 51, 88; writing
of, 51, 58
Sheets, foul, 94
Shooting, 60
Show, 106
Shrewsbury, 114
Shuffleboard, 79
Sisters, Lowe's: EUen, 52, 55,
59, 74, 77, 95, 97; death of
EUen, 97; Katherine, 52,
122
SkuU, 96
Slate Fields, 81
Slater, Sir WUliam, 98-9
Soldiers, drunken, 118; train
ing, 122-3
Standish, 82, 87, 95, 104;
Church, 116
Staunching blood, verse for, 77
Stocks, 92
Sugar, 116
Suicide, 100
Sutton, 115
Taylor, Lucy, 70
Teaching, 37, 53

Thelwall, Cheshire, 25, 57
Tilsley, John, 63
Tobacco, 44, 61, 121
Tooth, extraction of a, 116
Tup, adventure with a, 38
Twist, purchase of, 75
Tyldesley Banks, 14
Under-Sheriff of Lancashire, 73
Vicar's Field, Leigh, 29
Wakefield, Yorkshire, 54, 57
Walkden Moor, 110
Ward, Joseph, 119
Warrington, 18-9, 23, 25, 29,
37, 43, 47, 57, 64, 66, 73,
86, 89, 93, 96, 99, 104,
106-7, 111-2, 114; Bridge,
117; Fair, 48, 115
WassaU, 75
Wax, purchase of, 69, 71
Weddings, 13, 49-50, 82;
Lowe's wedding, 119
West Leigh, 49; Heath, 59
Whitesmiths, 87
Whitleigh Green, 19, 28, 76,
85, 101, 103
Wigan, 16, 20-1, 27, 35, 50, 63,
67, 71-2, 74-6, 82, 86, 88,
90, 95, 105-7, 109, 111,
113-4, 116-7
Wills, drawing, 19, 62
Windle, 23, 61, 71, 74, 78-9,
83,88
Wine, 68
Winwick, 16, 20, 26, 34, 54, 64,
66, 70-3, 75, 78-80, 82,
89, 91, 96-9, 103, 107-10,
112, 116-7, 120, 122; Hall,
73, 120; school, 120, 123;
Schoolmaster, 120, 123
Woods, James, 15-9, 22, 25-6,
29, 35, 43-4, 49-51, 55,
57-8, 69, 77, 81, 84, 90,
95, 99; death of, 111
York, 75
Yorkshire, 26

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