PARISH OF POULTON-LE-FYLDE.
POULTON. The ancient town and port of Poulton occupies the summit of
a gentle ascent about one mile removed from the waters of Wyre at
Skippool, and three from the Irish Sea at Blackpool. Between 1080 and
’86, Poltun, as it was written in the Norman Survey, contained no more
than two carucates of land under tillage, or in an arable condition,
so that out of the 900 acres composing the township, only 200 were
cultivated by the inhabitants. A considerable proportion of the entire
area of the township, however, would be covered with lofty trees, and
provide excellent forage ground for large herds of swine, which formed
the chief live-stock dealt in by our Anglo-Saxon and early Norman
ancestors. Taking this into consideration, the comparatively small amount
of soil devoted to agriculture, may not, indeed, indicate so meagre
a population about the close of the eleventh century as otherwise it
would seem to do, but still the evidence adduced is barely sufficient
whereon to base the assumption that the antecedents of Poulton had been
less under the destructive influence of the Danes than those of its
neighbours. Regarding the locality more retrospectively, and turning
back, for a brief space, to the era of the Romans, it must be admitted
that nothing has as yet been discovered which could be construed into an
intimation that the followers of Agricola, or their descendants, ever had
a settlement or encampment on the site. It is true that the churchyard
has yielded up many specimens of their ancient coinage, whilst others
have been found at no great distance, but the character of the relics
is in no way suggestive of a sojournment, like that of the fragmentary
domestic utensils and urns of Kirkham; and when it is remembered that the
much-used Roman road (Dane’s Pad) leading to the most important harbour
of the west coast, passed through the vicinity on its way towards the
Warren of Rossall, the explanation of the presence of the coins, as
of other antiquities along its line, is obvious. The name of the town
and district now under examination is of pure Anglo-Saxon origin, and
acquired from its proximity to the pool of the Skipton, or Skippool,
the signification of the word being, it is scarcely necessary to add,
the enclosure or township of the pool. The date at which habitations
first became visible on the soil must remain in a great measure a matter
of conjecture, as the annals of history are silent respecting this and
most other towns of Amounderness, until the arrival of William the
Conqueror, but we may safely infer that it was not long after the advent
of the Saxons before a situation so convenient both to the stream of
Wyre and the frequented pathway just mentioned, attracted a small colony
of settlers. Whatever century gave birth to Poulton, it is certain
that from such epoch to 1066, the population would be constituted,
almost exclusively, of the class known as “Villani,” perhaps most
appropriately interpreted by our term villagers, and that the occupation
of these bondsmen of the soil would be the tillage of the land and the
superintendence of swine. Their huts were doubtless of very rude and
primitive construction, but somewhere within the boundaries of the
township there must have been a dwelling of more pretentious exterior,
the residence of the Town-Reve, who received the dues and tolls from
the “Villani,” on behalf of the large territorial lord, and exercised
a general supervision over them. Athelstan appears to have held the
lordship of the whole of Amounderness in 936, when he conveyed it to the
See of York, and possibly before he ascended the throne it was invested
successively in his regal predecessors.
After the Conquest, Poulton passed into the possession of the Norman
nobleman, Roger de Poictou, by whom it was granted in 1094, to the
priory of St. Mary, at Lancaster. “He gave,” says the charter, “Poltun
in Agmundernesia, and whatsoever belonged to it, and the church with
one carucate of land, and all other things belonging to it; moreover
he gave the tithe of venison and of pawnage[67] in all the woods, and
the tithe of his fishery.”[68] This extract proves beyond question
the existence of a church at Poulton exactly eight years after the
completion of the Domesday record; and further, that it was endowed with
one carucate of land, or half the cultivated portion of the township.
At the first glance it seems more probable that the sacred edifice was
overlooked by the investigators in the course of the survey than that
it was erected so shortly afterwards, but a study of other pages of the
register betrays such evident care and minuteness on the part of those to
whom the work of compilation was entrusted, that it appears impossible
for an important building like the church to have escaped their notice.
Roger de Poictou was justly celebrated for zeal in the cause of his
faith; several monastic institutions owed their establishment to his
liberality, and amongst them was St. Mary’s of Lancaster. It will
therefore be but a reasonable conclusion to arrive at, that he built and
endowed the parish church of Poulton with the intention of presenting
it to the Priory of his own founding, in connection with the abbey of
Sees in Normandy. During the reign of Richard I. (1189-99), Theobald
Walter quitclaimed to the abbot of Sees all his right to the advowson of
Poulton and the church of Bispham, owing to a suit instituted against
him by that ecclesiastic;[69] and hence it must be inferred that the
donation of Roger de Poictou had through some cause reverted to him,
being subsequently conferred on Walter in company with other of the
confiscated estates of the rebellious baron. The abbot of Cockersand
also had some interest in the town about the time the last event took
place, and in about 1216 he compounded with the prior of Lancaster for
certain tithes held by him in the parish.[70] In 1246 the mediety of the
church of Poulton and the chapel of Bispham was granted by the archdeacon
of Richmond to the priory of St. Mary, and half a century later John
Romanus, archdeacon of Richmond, confirmed the gift, bestowing on it in
addition the remaining mediety, to be received when death had removed
the present holder. A clause in the document stipulated that immediately
the second mediety had been appropriated a vicar should be appointed at
a salary of twenty marks (£13 6s. 8d.) per annum.[71] Here again it is
clear that some time in the interval between 1199 and 1246 the lands and
living of Poulton had once more been forfeited or disposed of by the
Lancaster monastery, but in the absence of any records bearing on the
subject, the manner and reason of the relinquishment must still continue
enveloped in a veil of mystery. From 1246 the vicarage of Poulton
remained attached to the Lancaster foundation until the dissolution of
alien priories, when it was conveyed to the abbey of Sion, in Middlesex,
and retained by that convent up to the time of the Reformation in 1536.
Alien priories, it may be explained, were small monastic institutions
connected with the abbeys of Normandy, and established on lands which had
been granted or bequeathed to the parent houses by William the Conqueror
or one of his followers. They were occupied by only a very limited number
of brethren and members of the sisterhood. A prior was appointed over
each, his chief duty being to collect the rents and other monies due from
their estates, etc., and transmit them over to Normandy. Such immense
sums were in that way annually exported out of the country, that it was
ultimately deemed expedient by the king and his ministers to suppress all
priories of this description.
The Banastres were a family long connected with the Fylde through landed
property which they held in the neighbourhood; originally they are
stated to have come over from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and
to have settled at Newton in the Willows. On their frequent journeys to
and from Thornton, Singleton, and Staining, the tenants of the priory of
St. Mary were in the habit of crossing over the lands of the Banastres,
by whom their intrusions were deeply resented, which led to constant
feuds between them and the head of the Lancaster monastery. In 1276, as
we learn from the “Regist. S. Mariæ de Lanc.,” Sir Adam Banastre with
several of his friends and retainers, amongst whom were John Wenne,
Richard le Demande (the collector), William de Thorneton, Richard de
Brockholes, Geoffrey le Procuratoure (the proctor), and Adam le Reve (the
reeve), attacked the prior, Ralph de Truno, and his train of attendants,
when on their way to Poulton. They seized and carried off both him
and his retinue to Thornton, where, after treating them with great
indignity, they chastised and imprisoned them. Edward I., on hearing of
the disgraceful outrage, appointed John Travers, William de Tatham, and
John de Horneby to investigate the matter and ascertain the cause, if
possible; but no paper is now to be found revealing the result of the
examination or hinting at the provocation, although a surmise may be
hazarded that it was no new quarrel, but simply the old feud, which had
at last culminated in a cowardly assault on a defenseless ecclesiastic.
In 1299, Poulton was held in trust by Thomas, earl of Lancaster, for
the prior of St. Mary; and eight years anterior to that date the abbot
of Deulacres, in Staffordshire, drew certain revenues from land in the
township, viz., £8 per annum from 16 carucates of land, about 13s. 4d.
each year from the sale of meadow land, 10s. from assessed rents, and
£5 from the profit of stock, making in all an annual total of £14 3s.
4d. The repeated disputes between Sir Adam Banastre and Adam Conrates,
prior of Lancaster, relative to the trespasses of the latter’s tenants
and the collection of tithes on the domains of the former were peaceably
settled in 1330, by an arrangement, in which Sir Adam pledged himself to
allow two good roads across his lands—one from Poulton and Thornton to
Skippool and thence across the ford of Aldwath, now called Shard, on to
Singleton, the other starting from the same localities and running to
the ford of Bulk higher up the river, probably the modern Cartford, or
in its vicinity; in addition the knight agreed to make good any damage
that the prior or his dependants might suffer over that portion of their
journeys.[72] Adam Conrates on his side promised to withdraw all actions
for trespass, etc., on the fulfilment of these conditions. In 1354 a
person named Robert de Pulton held some small possessions in Poulton, but
nothing further than that trifling fact is recorded about him, although
it is probable from the orthography of his name that his ancestors
were at some time closely and honourably associated with the town
from which their distinctive appellation appears to have been derived.
During the time of Elizabeth, James Massey, gentleman, of Carleton and
Layton, purchased from the governors of the Savoy Hospital, in London,
the tolls in the parish of Poulton, together with all the “chauntry and
appurtenances” founded in the parish church of Bricksworth, and all
messuages, lands, tenements, etc., situated in the town and parish of
Poulton; the tolls remained subject to an annual rent of £2, to be paid
on St. Michael’s day to the governors and chaplains of the hospital.
Later in the same reign James Massey sold to William Leigh, esq., of High
Leigh, in Cheshire, half of these tolls and some pasture fields, called
“Angell’s Holme,” adjoining the Horse-bridge, where in earlier days,
when the waters of Wyre made their way along a brook into the interior
of this neighbourhood, boats are said to have been built. The Rigbys, of
Layton Hall, subsequently became possessed of a great part of Poulton,
and at the present day a large number of houses are leased in their name
for the remainder of terms of 999 years; the Heskeths, of Mains, and
other leading families in the district were also considerable property
owners in the town. On one occasion the ruling powers of Kirkham made an
unsuccessful attempt to obtain the tolls arising from the cattle fairs
held in Poulton and Singleton, but on what plea such claims were urged
the record is silent.
In an entry which occurs in the lists of the Norman Roll, an impost
consisting of the ninth of corn, fleeces, and lambs, and created in 9
Edward III., 1336, it is stated that in 1291 the vicarage of Poulton
was taxed by Pope Nicholas at 10 marks, or £6 13s. 4d. modern coinage,
the prior of Norton taking £2 in garbs or wheat sheaves. Afterwards
the vicarage was freed from the payments of tenths on account of the
smallness of the living. Dr. Whittaker informs us that the priory of
Lancaster was granted by Henry V., in 1422, to the chancellor of England,
who in that year instituted a vicar to the living of Poulton, but eight
years previously, in the same reign, the priory was granted in trust
for the abbess and convent of Sion; from which seemingly contradictory
statements it may be gathered that the chancellor was the trustee for
the property, and in such capacity alone acted as patron of the church
of Poulton. In support of this supposition may be cited the fact
that the Lancaster house and its belongings were not received by the
convent in Middlesex until 1431, during the sovereignty of Henry VI.,
when the vicarage was endowed by the abbess, and William de Croukeshagh
presented to the living. This pastor, the earliest personally mentioned,
was succeeded on his death, in 1442, by Richard Brown, appointed by
the same convent. “Among the records,” writes Baines in his history of
Lancashire, “in the Augmentation Office is in indenture tripartite in
English, bearing the date 11 Henry VIII., 1579, and purporting to be made
between the Abbess of Sion on the first part, Thomas Singleton and Henry
Singleton on the second part, and William Bretherton, vicar of Poulton,
on the third part, by which the tithe-sheaf of Pulton and a tenement are
leased to the vicar, that he may better keep and maintain his house in
Pulton; the term to continue during the existence of a lease granted to
the persons named Singleton by Sion abbey.” At the Reformation the manor
and advowson were claimed by the crown, and a few years later became the
property of the Fleetwoods. The last royal presentation to the living was
made by Edward VI. in 1552, just one year before his death, whilst the
first by this family was in 1565, by John Fleetwood, lord of the manor of
Penwortham. The Rev. Charles Hesketh, M.A., of North Meols, is now the
patron.
The ancient church of Poulton stood on the site now occupied by the
existing edifice, and like it, was dedicated to the Saxon St. Chad
or Cheadda, bishop of Mercia, and seated at Chester in A.D. 669. The
original structure consisted of only a nave and north aisle, the outer
walls of which were composed of sandstone, whilst the double roof rested
on semicircular arches, extending from the chancel to the font, and
supported on four octagonal pillars. These semicircular arches belonged
to a very antique style of architecture, and have given rise to the
belief that the pillars were at first massive cylinders, being carved
into an angular form about the time of Henry VIII. The pulpit had its
place towards the south, and at the east end there appears to have been
a small gallery. A pipe clay monument _in memoriam_ of the Singletons,
of Staining, stood inside the church, but was, intentionally or
accidentally, destroyed when the building was pulled down. A rude brass
crucifix and a chalice, both of which belonged to the church previous to
the Reformation, are still preserved, one being in the possession of
a late priest at Breck chapel, and the other in the Catholic chapel at
Claughton. The upper halves of the windows, including the east one, were
semicircular in form. In 1622 the old chancel was repaired by the Rev.
Peter Whyte, the vicar, and a stone, two feet in length and one foot and
a half in depth, bearing the name “Peter Whyte,” and the date “1622,” in
raised letters about six inches long, was placed over the east window.
This piece of masonry now occupies a situation in the south-west corner
of the edifice. The churchyard, which is reported to have been usually
in a filthy and disgraceful state, was partly surrounded by a moderately
wide ditch, on the brink of which three or four fine sycamore trees
flourished, but were cut down when sundry alterations and improvements
were effected in the ground. In 1751, after the old church had been
standing six centuries and a half, it was determined to demolish it,
and erect a more commodious building on the site. The tower, however,
was retained, as, being of more recent date, it evinced none of those
symptoms of decay which had rendered the body of the edifice dangerous to
worshippers. An opinion prevails that the tower was built about the time
of Charles I., and such a view is upheld by the discovery on the removal
of the pulpit in 1836 of a square stone, having on its face the raised
letters TB. WG. in the first line, IH. TG. IH. in the second line, and
WG. 1638 in the last line. It is supposed that this stone, which is now
fixed in the wall at the south-west corner of the church, was carved in
commemoration of the erection of the tower, and the raised letters are
the initials of the churchwardens then in office, and the date when the
work was accomplished. Between this stone and the one previously referred
to, there is a stained-glass memorial window to “Robert Buck, born
1805, died 1862, presented by his sister, C. D. Foxton.” Mrs. Catherine
Dauntesy Foxton, the lady here indicated, is the representative of the
family of Bucks, of Agecroft Hall, Pendlebury, and inherited considerable
property in the neighbourhood of Poulton. During the time the new
church was in course of building, divine service was performed in the
tithe-barn, and the ceremony of baptism at the residences of the parents.
The funds required for carrying out the important undertaking were
doubtless chiefly supplied through the munificence of a comparatively
small circle of private individuals, whose contributions would probably
be in some measure supplemented by minor collections amongst the less
opulent agriculturists and peasantry. One person, named Welsh, who
resided at Marton, seems to have cherished a bitter antipathy to the
levelling of ancient structures in general, and embodied his refusal to
assist this particular work in the following rhymes:—
“While here on earth I do abide,
I’ll keep up walls and pull down pride;
To build anew I’ll ne’er consent,
And make the needy poor lament.”
It has usually been affirmed that the side galleries were not erected
until several years after the new church had been finished, but the
annexed extract from an old document discovered in 1875, shows that
authority to build them was obtained in 1751, whilst the church
was levelled with the ground; and as the parchment also discloses
that a number of seats in these galleries were allotted to certain
gentlemen of the parish in the ensuing year, there is ample evidence
that the rebuilding of the church and their erection were carried on
simultaneously:—“25 June, 1751. On the Certificate and request of Roger
Hesketh, Esq., Patron; the Rev. Robert Loxham, Clerk, Vicar; and the
Churchwardens of the Parish Church of Poulton; a Faculty was Granted to
John Bird, John Birley, and Richard Tennant, all of Poulton, Gentlemen
(for the better uniformity of the Parish Church of Poulton, which was
then taken down and rebuilding) to take down the Gallery over the
Chancel in the East of the said Church, which was then very irregular
and incommodious, and to rebuild the same with a convenient staircase,
stairs, and passage leading thereto, of their own expense, in the west
end thereof to adjoin to the north side of the gallery there then
standing, and to be made uniform therewith, and to make satisfaction
to the several owners of the seats in the said Gallery for the damage
sustained in removing the same and altering, and lessening the seats
therein; and to erect a Gallery on each side of the said Church, with
convenient staircases leading thereto at the north-east and south-east
ends of the said Church, if necessary, according to the form of the said
Certificate annexed, and also to remove the Pulpit and reading desk from
the place where the same then lately stood, near to the place where the
Churchwardens’ seat was then lately situate, as it would greatly tend to
the conformity of the said Church and to the benefit and advantage of the
Inhabitants of the said Parish, and also that they might have liberty to
sell and dispose of the seats to be contained in the said intended side
Galleries, to such persons within the said Parish as should stand most in
need thereof, to reimburse themselves the charges and expenses they would
be necessarily put to in building the said intended galleries and making
the alterations aforesaid.”
The present edifice is of stone, plain but commodious, and comprises
a chancel, body, and embattled tower, with buttresses supporting each
corner. Formerly a small shed stood on one side of the tower, and was
used as a repository for the sculls and other osseous relics of humanity,
which were unearthed during the process of making fresh graves; this
house was pulled down some years ago, and its numerous treasures returned
to the ground at the south-east corner of the yard. The chancel now
standing was erected eight years since, mainly through the exertions
of the Rev. Thomas Clarke, M.A., the vicar, who died in 1869. On the
exterior of the building, over a door at the south-east corner of the
body is the inscription:—“Insignia Rici Fleetwood Ari Hujus Eccliæ
Patroni Ann Dni 1699”; above which is a circumscribed uneven space
formerly occupied by the arms of the Fleetwood family. Within the church
the quarterings of the Heskeths and Fleetwoods are hung against the walls
in frames. At the west end of the building there is a wooden panel into
which the following names have been cut:—
Rich. Dickson.
Rich. Willson.
John Hull.
Rich. Willson.
John Woodhouse, churchwardens, 1730.
From the way in which the holders of similar offices are arranged at
present it is surmised that these gentlemen respectively represented the
townships of
Poulton.
Carleton.
Hardhorn.
Thornton.
Marton.
On the south side of the church is a mural tablet to the memory of the
Rev. Richard Buck, M.A., of Agecroft Hall, Pendlebury, born 1761, died
1845, also Margaret, his wife, and Margaret, his daughter. Another
monument bears the names of Frances Hull, born 1794, died 1847; William
Wilson Hull, born 1822, died 1847, in the Queen’s service, at Bathurst,
St. Mary’s Island in the river Gambia; Henry Mitchell Hull, M.A., born
1827, died 1853; John Hull, M.D., born 1761, died 1843—“left the eldest
of the three children of John Hull, surgeon; an orphan at six years of
age, poor, friendless, by the best use of all means of education within
his power, by unwearied industry, by constant self-denial, he duly
qualified himself for the practice of his profession[73]”; Sarah Hull,
died 1842; William Winstanley Hull, M.A., Fellow of Brazenose College,
Oxford, and Barrister-at-Law, eldest son of John Hull, M.D., F.L.S.,
born 1784, died 1873. Here also was the old churchwardens’ pew, removed
in 1876, having a brass plate inscribed thus:—“Thomas Whiteside, Jno
Wilkinson, Jno Whiteside, Thos. Cornwhite, Jno Hodgson, Churchwardens,
1737”; also the old pew formerly belonging to the Rigbys of Layton Hall,
on the door of which are carved the letters “A.R.,” a goats head, and
the date “1636,” being the initials and crest of Sir Alexander Rigby, of
Layton Hall. Until last year, when they were removed to afford space for
more modern seats, the two family pews of the Fleetwoods and Heskeths
stood on this side. The pews were walled in laterally and in front by
a high ornamental railing of oak, and in the larger of the two traces
of a crest were visible on the wall. Near this spot there are many very
ancient pews, one of which has the date and initials “17.TW.02” carved
upon it, whilst on the floor of the aisle close at hand is the gravestone
of “Edward Sherdley, gentleman, dyed 21st September, 1744, aged 71,” and
almost adjoining lies another stone, surmounting the remains of Geoffrey
Hornby, who died in 1732. On the day of the latter gentleman’s funeral
the west side of the market-place was destroyed by fire, and as the
procession passed the scarves of the mourners were scorched by sparks
driven by a high wind in showers from the conflagration. On the north
side of the church is a pew bearing the date ‘1662’; and near to are the
old pews of Burn Hall, Little Poulton Hall, Mains Hall, and Todderstaff
Hall, above which, fastened to the wall and marking the resting place
of several members of his family, are the arms of Thomas Fitzherbert
Brockholes, esq., of Claughton, the lord of Little Poulton, etc.
The chancel contains a monument in memory of Bold Fleetwood Hesketh, died
1819, and his nephew, Edward Thomas Hesketh, died 1820; also of Fleetwood
Hesketh, of Rossall, who died in 1769, aged 30, and Frances Hesketh, who
died in 1809, aged 74, all of whom were interred beneath the Communion.
In addition there are two recent tablets, one being to the memory of
the late Thomas Clarke, vicar of the parish; and the other in memory of
Francis Wm. Conry, only child of F. A. Macfaddin, surgeon, 47th regt.
Within the Communion rails are two antique and elaborately carved oak
chairs.
In the south gallery are mural tablets inscribed in remembrance of Edward
Hornby, died in 1766, and Margaret, his wife; Edward Sherdley, died 1744,
and Ellen, his wife; Giles Thornber, J.P., died 1860, and his wife;
Geoffrey Hornby, died in 1732, and Susannah, his wife; Richard Harrison,
vicar of Poulton, died in 1718, aged 65; and Christopher Albin, curate
of Bispham, died in 1753, aged 56, on a pew door opposite to which is a
brass plate engraved:—“Introite et orate, cælo supinas si tuleris manus
sacra feceris, malaque effugies.[74] Christopher and Margery Albin 1752.”
At one time a sounding board was suspended over the pulpit. An ancient
font, formerly belonging to the church and now the property of the
vicar, the Rev. William Richardson, M.A., has carved upon its exterior
the date 1649, the letters M.H., a cross, and something, in its damaged
state difficult to trace but betraying some resemblance to a crown. The
successor to this font was removed several years since to make room
for a new one presented by the daughter of the Rev. Canon Hull, of
Eaglescliffe, in memory of her sister Frances Mary Hull, who died in
1866, aged 20 years.
The old church books, extracts from which will be given subsequently,
contain many entries of sums paid for rushes to strew the pews and
aisles, a custom existing here as late as 1813. In the tower is a peal of
six bells, with the inscriptions:—
1st Bell.—“Prosperity to all our Benefactors. A. R. 1741.
2nd. ” —“Peace and good Neighbourhood. A. R. 1741.
3rd. ” —“Prosperity to this Parish. A. R. 1741.
4th. ” —“When us you ring
We’ll sweetly sing. A. R. 1741.
5th. ” —“Able Rudhall
Cast us all. M. T. Gloucester. 1741.”[75]
The 6th bell was recast by G. Mears and Company, of London, in 1865,
at the sole expense of the Rev. T. Clarke, and is inscribed:—“T.
Clarke, M.A., vicar; W. Gaulter, J. T. Bailey, W. Jolly, J. Whiteside,
churchwardens.” The original inscription was—“Robert Fishwick, John
Wilkinson, William Cookson, James Hull, John Moore, churchwardens.”
About thirty years since the roof of the church was altered and renewed.
Notwithstanding the fact that the churchyard has been in constant use
for so many centuries very few emblems of antiquity, beyond occasional
coins of the Roman era, have ever been discovered in it, and at present,
unlike most burial grounds of great age, no specimens of raised letters
are to be seen amongst the numerous gravestones, the oldest of which
still legible, intimates the resting place of Richard Elston, and has
the date 1719. At a short distance, and assisting to flag a side pathway
to the south of the church, is another stone, covering the grave of
“Richard Brown, of Great Marton, who died the third day of April, 1723”;
but neither this nor the foregoing one have any interest beyond their
antiquity. The ancient practice of tolling the Curfew-bell is still
continued in the winter evenings from the 29th of September to the 10th
of March, whilst a pancake bell is rung at 12 o’clock on each Shrove
Tuesday.[76]
VICARS OF POULTON-LE-FYLDE.
IN THE DEANERY OF AMOUNDERNESS AND ARCHDEACONRY OF LANCASTER.
------------+-------------------+---------------------+----------------
Date of | VICARS. | On whose | Cause of
Institution.| | Presentation. | vacancy.
------------+-------------------+---------------------+----------------
In 1431 |Wm. de Croukeshagh |Abbot and Convent |
| | of Sion |
” 1442 |Richard Brown |Ditto |
Before 1519 |William Bretherton |Ditto |
In 1552 |Ranulph Woodward |Edward VI. |
|Richard Cropper | |
” 1565 |Wm. Wrightington |John Fleetwood, of |Death of Richard
| | Penwortham | Cropper
” 1573 |Richard Grenhall |Bridget Fleetwood |Death of William
| | and William, her | Wrightington
| | son |
” 1582 |Peter Whyte |Edward Fleetwood |Death of Richard
| | and William Purston| Grenhall
About 1650 |John Sumner | |
|George Shaw | |
In 1674 |Richard Harrison |Richard Fleetwood, |Death of George
| | of Rossall | Shaw
” 1718 |Timothy Hall |Edward Fleetwood, |Death of Richard
| | of Rossall | Harrison
” 1726 |Robert Loxham |Ditto[77] |Death of T. Hall
” 1749 |Robert Loxham |Roger Hesketh, of |Resignation of
| | Rossall | R. Loxham
” 1770 |Thomas Turner |Exors. of Fleetwood |Death of Robert
| | Hesketh, of | Loxham
| | Rossall, by consent|
| | of his widow |
” 1810 |Nathaniel Hinde |Bold Fleetwood |Death of Thomas
| | Hesketh, of Rossall| Turner
” 1820 |Chas. Hesketh, M.A.|Peter Hesketh, of |Cession of
| | Rossall | N. Hinde
” 1835 |John Hull, M.A. |Rev. C. Hesketh, of |Resignation of
| | North Meols | C. Hesketh
” 1864 |Thos. Clarke, M.A. |Ditto |Resignation of
| | | J. Hull
” 1869 |William Richardson,|Ditto |Death of T.
| M.A. | | Clarke
------------+-------------------+---------------------+----------------
Of the earlier vicars mentioned above, nothing is known until we come
to the Rev. Peter Whyte, of whose immediate descendants it is recorded
that, after his death, they rapidly drifted into poverty, and that one
of them, a granddaughter, regularly attended the fairs of Poulton as
the wife of a pedlar or hawker. The Rev. Richard Harrison was cousin to
Cuthbert Harrison, the Nonconformist divine who suffered ejection, and
belonged to the Bankfield family. Until instituted to Poulton, Richard
Harrison was curate at Goosnargh. His son Paul gained some celebrity as
a controversial writer on matters of ecclesiastical interest.[78] The
Loxhams settled at Dowbridge, near Kirkham, and that estate is still held
by the family. The Rev. Thomas Turner purchased the living in 1770, when
it was worth no more than £75 per annum, for £200, and held it until
his death forty years later. The Rev. C. Hesketh, M.A., brother to the
late Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood, bart., is rector of North Meols and
patron of the living. During a portion of the time when he was vicar of
Poulton, the Rev. R. Bowness was curate in charge. The Rev. John Hull,
M.A., is honorary canon of Manchester, and was examining chaplain to the
Right Rev. Prince Lee, D.D., the first bishop of this diocese, by whom
he was appointed to the rectory of Eaglescliffe, near Yarm, one of the
most valuable livings in his gift. The Rev. Thomas Clarke, M.A., was
originally curate at the Parish Church of Preston, and afterwards became
incumbent of Christ Church in the same town, which living he resigned on
being presented to the vicarage of Poulton.
Subjoined are a number of extracts selected from the old account books
of the churchwardens, and in them will be found much that is both
interesting and curious:—
“1764.
“June 4.—To the Ringers, being his Majestie’s Birthday, 3s. 0d.
July 8.—To a Bottle of Wine to a strange Parson, 2s. 0d.: To
ditto to a strange Parson, 2s. 0d.
“1765.
“June 6.”—To Mr. Lomas for mending clock, 2s. 2d.
August 18.—To Thomas Parkinson for Rushes, 6s. 8d.: Spent when
Rush came, 1s. 7d.
Oct. 20.—To Mr. Loxham for a Prayer, 2d.
Dec. 25.—Spent Receiving Bassoon, 1s. 6d.: To Clark in full for
wages, £4 0s. 0d.: To Ringers Last half yʳ Sallary, 18s. 0d.: To
Singers in full, 12s. 6d.
“1766.
“Sept. 15.—Rushes for Church, 6s. 8d.: Candles, Beesoms, &c.,
12s. 6d.
“1767.
“May 13.—Court fees at Visitation, 7s. 10d.: Churchwardens’
Expenses at Preston, £1 7s. 5d.: Curat’s horse hire to Dᵒ, 2s. 6d.
July 20.—To Reed for Bassoon, 4s. 6d.
Nov. 21.—To Hugh Seed for Flaggin, £6 18s. 8½d.: To Thos. Crook
for Church steps, 18s. 4d.: Ale at fixing dᵒ, 1s. 0d.
“1768.
“Sept. 1.—To Mr. Warbrick for Cloth for Surpᶜᵉ, 10½d.: To a
Sacrament day, 11s. 6d.
“1769.
“Feb. 1.—To A New Prayer Book, £1 1s. 3d.
” 6.—To Cleaning Candlesticks, 2s. 0d.
Mar. 27.—To Cash wᵗʰ Marton Parson, 5s. 5d. Received By Miss
Hesketh’s Burial in the Church, 3s. 4d.
“1770.
“Mar. 13.—To Cash allowed Church Wardens for attending sacramᵉⁿᵗ,
5s. 0d.
“1771.
“May 29.—To Ringers ale, 3s. 0d.
Aug. 18.—Spent when Parson Hull preeched, 4s. 6d.
“1772.
Aug. 14.—To cleaning Windows, 7s.; and lowance of ale 2s. 6d.
“1774.
“July 4.—Spent on Parson Eckleston and another strange Parson,
one Red prayrs and the other preached, 3s. 6d.
Dec. 21.—To Expense of a Meeting in sending for boys that had
done Mischief at Church, 1s.
“1775.
“May 3.—To 5 Church Wardens attending 7 Sacrament Days, £1 15s.
0d.
May 6.—To Horse Hire for 5 Church Wardens twice to the
Visitation, £1 5s.: To Wᵐ Brown for ale for Richᵈ Rossall whilst
he was altering Pulpit, and at settling his accᵗ, 3s.
June 30.—Spent on Martin Singers, 10s.
Oct. 4.—Spent on St. Lawrence’s Singers, 18s. 4d.
“1781.
“July 14.—It is agreed this Day among the Parishioners of the
several Townships of Poulton that all arrears belonging to the
said Parish unto the time of Visitation last past shall be
paid and discharged by a Tax regularly laid upon the Parish in
general, and that all charges of Organ and Organist for the
Parish Church of Poulton shall not be defrayed hereafter by any
Tax levied on the Parish in general but by voluntary subscription
only. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands the Day
and Year above written.
THOMAS TURNER, Vicar of Poulton; EDWᵈ SMITH, JAMES BISBROWN,
PAUL HARRISON.
“1782.
“Feb. 6.—Recᵈ for Mr. Brockhole’s Burial in the Church, 3s. 4d.
July 27.—Memorandum: It is agreed at this Vestry Meeting by all
the parishioners who have attended here that in future the public
ringing days in this parish shall be reduced to two, namely, the
King’s Birthday and Christmas Day,—the ringers to be allowed Six
Shillings on each day; and further, that the Church Wardens’
Expenses on every Visitation shall on no pretence exceed forty
shillings.—JOSEPH HARRISON, WILLIAM DICKSON, JAMES STANDEN, EDW.
SMITH, THOS. TWISS, RICH. SINGLETON, THOMPSON NICKSON.
“1788.
“June 7.—Cartage of Rush and allowance, 9s. 0d.: Kirkham Singers,
10s. 6d.
“1793.
“Pᵈ for ale for Ringers on 29 May, 6s. 0d.
” ” do ” do on the 4 of June, 6s. 0d.
” ” do ” do on the 25 Octobʳ, 6s. 0d.
” ” do ” do on the 5 Novembʳ, 7s. 6d.
” ” do ” do on the 25 Decembʳ, 6s. 0d.
” ” do ” do on Easter Tuesday, 7s. 6d.[79]
Dec. 8.—To Cash Recᵈ for digging a grave in the Church for Mrs.
Buck, 3s. 4d.
Nov. 5.—Spent on Singers, 12s. 0d.: ditto on Ribbons for Girls,
2s. 0d.
“1798.
“Oct. 4.—To Ringers on Nelson’s Victory, 2s. 6d.[80]
“1805.
“June 9.—To Expˢ to Church Town when John Sauter Clerk convicted
himself in getting drunk, and Timothy Swarbrick for making him
drunk (when they were each fined 5s.), 1s. 6d.
Oct. 2.—To Rush, 14s. 3d.
“1806.
Nov. 9.—To Ringers at Lord Nelson’s victory of Trafalgar on the
21st, 7s. 0d.
N.B.: No money to be given to the Ringers on account of any
Victory in future on the Parish account; the Victory of Trafalgar
was so Extraordinary that 7s. was allowed to the Ringers on that
occasion.
“1811.
“Resolved that in compliance with the request of the inhabitants
of Marton one pound shall be allowed for an annual Dinner on
Easter Day in future.
“1817.
“Nov. 20.—To Expenses to Churchtown when Wᵐ Hodkinson, Wᵐ
Whiteside, and Wᵐ Butcher was convicted for getting drunk—Wᵐ
Hodkinson finde, and the other two acquitted upon the promise of
future good behaviour, 3s. 0d.”
The following extracts from the parish registers show the numbers of
marriages, baptisms, and burials, which took place during the last and
first years of the specified centuries:—
1600-1601. 1700-1701. 1800-1801.
Marriages 16 15 22 21 13 13
Baptisms 40 74 73 79 63 57
Burials 52 41 56 57 67 48
Anterior to 1674 the old vicarage was a thatched building of two stories,
the upper one being open to the roof and supported on crooks, but about
that date the vicar, the Rev. Rich. Harrison, made an addition, abutting
the west end, and put the original portion in thorough repair. This
house, which was surrounded by venerable trees, was taken down in 1835,
and the present vicarage erected on the site.
In 1830, a spacious building, capable of holding three hundred persons,
was erected in Sheaf Street by voluntary subscription for the purposes of
a Sunday School, previous to which a small cottage in the Green had been
used as a meeting place for the scholars connected with the church.
About one hundred and fifty years ago the town of Poulton presented a
very different appearance to that it wears in our day. The market-place
was surrounded by a number of low thatched houses of very humble
exteriors, if we except a few private residences, as those of the
Walmsleys and Rigbys, which stood out conspicuously from the rest, not
only by their superiority in size, but also by the possession of slated
or flagged roofs. The house of the Rigbys was built in 1693 by Sir
Alexander Rigby, of Layton Hall, who was High-sheriff of the county in
1691-2, and stands at the south end of the square, the family arms and
date of erection being still attached to the front wall. The building is
now used as a dwelling and retail shop combined, and contains little of
moment beyond the ancient oak balustrade and staircase. It is probable
that Sir Alexander Rigby built the house with the intention of using it
as a town residence for himself and family during the winter months,
for we must remember that Poulton contained several persons of note and
distinction at that time, and nothing is more natural than that the
knight should prefer the cheerful society to be found amongst them to the
long solitudes of the Hall during the dull, inclement season of the year,
when country roads were almost impassable. After Sir Alexander Rigby had
been released from prison, having satisfied the claims of his creditors,
he took up his abode permanently in Poulton until his death, Layton Hall
and other property having been sold, but whether his remains were laid in
the churchyard here, or removed elsewhere, cannot be ascertained.
At the opposite end of the market-place was the Moot Hall, connected with
which were shambles and pent-houses, the latter being continued along the
fronts of the dwellings in the square. None of the streets could boast
a pavement, and as a consequence intercourse between the inhabitants in
rainy weather was a matter of considerable inconvenience and difficulty,
visiting under such unfavourable circumstances being usually performed
by means of stepping stones. Public lamps were unknown in the streets,
and any one whose business or pleasure took him abroad after night-fall
or dusk, would have to rely on the feeble glimmer of a horn lantern to
guide him along the proper track and protect him from floundering in the
mud. Looking on this picture of discomfort, it seems pretty certain to us
that our Poultonian forefathers at least, could they but enjoy one week
of our modern life and improvements, would be the very last to join in
the wish, so often enthusiastically, but rather thoughtlessly, expressed,
for a revival of the _good_ old times. The market-square still retains
its fishstones, cross, whipping post, and stocks; and although the wooden
portion of the last has been recently renewed, we are in a position to
inform the curious or alarmed reader that it has not been done with the
view of re-introducing the obsolete punishment, but merely to preserve a
link, be it ever so painful an one, with the past. The cross surmounts
a stone pillar placed on a circular base of similar material, formed in
steps and tapering towards the column.
Although Poulton was never the scene of any military encounter during
the unsettled eras of our history, still there is ample proof that the
inhabitants were far from lethargic or indifferent to the course of
events during those times. During the reign of Henry VIII., when James
IV. of Scotland succumbed to the superiority of the English arms, and
yielded up his life on Flodden Field, the yeomanry and husbandmen of this
town were well represented; and the cheerful alacrity with which they
hastened to join the royal standard under Lord Stanley, in company with
others from the Fylde, between here and Preston, is lauded in an ancient
ballad, written to celebrate the victory, from which the following lines
are extracted:—
“From Ribchester unto Rachdale,
From Poulton to Preston with pikes,
They with yᵉ Stanley howte forthe went.”
There is no necessity to recapitulate the stirring incidents of the Civil
Wars, the bivouacking and plundering in the neighbourhood or the frequent
demands for recruits by the royal and parliamentary generals, but it
will be sufficiently convincing of the earnestness and loyalty of the
inhabitants to state, that most of the local families of influence risked
their lives and fortunes in the service of the king, leaving little doubt
that those of humbler sphere would be actuated by a like enthusiasm.
About a century ago it was customary amongst the gentry and more wealthy
yeomanry to hold their interments at night by the light of lamps or
lanterns, and during the passage of the funeral procession through the
town, each householder illuminated his windows with burning candles. The
last person to be buried with this ceremony was the Rev. Thomas Turner,
the vicar, who died in 1810.
Of the domestic habits of Poulton at that period, and rather earlier,
it need only be said that they presented little variation from those of
other towns or villages similarly situated; removed from the enervating
and seductive temptations of a city, and forced, for the most part, to
earn their bread under the broad canopy of heaven, it is not surprising
to find that the people were a long-lived and vigorous race. Their
feastings and merrymakings took place at fair-times, and at such other
seasons as were universally set apart in rural districts for rejoicings
and festivity, notably harvest gatherings and the first of May, the
latter being especially honoured. On that day the causeways were strewn
with flowers, and all things suitable for the festival were lavishly
provided; wine, ale, and sweetmeats being freely contributed by the
gentry and others. The peasantry were clothed in sober suits of hodden
grey, the productions of the “disty and wharl” or spinning wheel, without
which no household was considered complete, whilst their food was of the
plainest kind, consisting mostly of barley and rye bread, with boiled
parsnips and peas eaten in the pod, wheaten bread being reserved for
the consumption of the more wealthy classes. The present station at the
Breck, a name of Danish origin, and signifying an acclivity, stands
either on, or in close proximity to, the site of the old ducking-pond,
or rather brook, where the scolds of Poulton were wont in former days to
have the
“Venom of their spleen”
copiously diluted and cooled by frequent immersions.
A native of Poulton thus wrote of the town more than fifty years since,
and if the present generation but emulates the virtues of its forefathers
as herein stated, there are many places which would form, notwithstanding
its protracted inertitia, less agreeable homes than the ancient
metropolis of the Fylde:—
“Hail happy place, for health and peace renown’d,
Though not with riches, yet contentment crown’d.
Riches, the grand promoter of each strife,
Content, God’s first-best gift in human life.
Here hospitality has fixed her throne,
And discord’s jars by name alone are known;
The stranger here is always entertain’d
With welcome smile and courtesy unfeign’d.
Kind to each other, generous and free,
Plain, yet liberal friends to charity.”
Sixty years since Poulton contained a manufactory for sacking,
sail-cloth, and sheeting, belonging to a Mr. Harrison, who lived in the
house now in the occupation of R. Dunderdale, esq., J.P., and had his
weaving shed at the rear of those premises. That gentleman employed
from thirty to forty hands regularly during the time he conducted the
business—a period of about fifteen years. An establishment connected
with flax dressing and twine spinning, and employing several hands,
was located in the house erected by Sir Alexander Rigby, of Layton;
and a currier and leather dresser had his works in Church Street. Of
other trades and professions in the town at that date, there were four
attorneys, two surgeons, seven butchers, nine bakers and flour dealers,
three wine and spirit merchants, two maltsters, ten boot and shoe
makers, five linen and woollen drapers, four tailors, three milliners,
four grocers, three ironmongers, three joiners, two wheelwrights, two
coopers, two painters, three plumbers and glaziers, and two corn-millers.
Subsequently Harrison’s residence was used for parochial purposes, and
formed the town’s workhouse until the bill of Sir Robert Peel brought
about the joint system of pauper relief and management under the name of
Unions; and at one time small looms were placed in the old shed behind
the workhouse, for the purpose of providing remunerative occupation
for some of the inmates. Three fairs are held annually for cattle and
cloth, and take place on the 3rd of February, the 13th of April, and the
3rd of November, whilst a general market, but very indifferently, if
at all, attended, is appointed to be held each Monday. About the year
1840, when the Preston and Wyre Railway was completed and the Poulton
Station erected, a dye-house of some considerable size, and one that had
done a large business in the Fylde for many years, was taken down, and
shortly afterwards the Royal Oak Hotel built on its site. About the same
time the old brook, over which the cuckstool hung in earlier days, and
whose waters had long been polluted by discharges from the dye-house,
was arched over with brick and earth, and included in the station
premises. The Railway Hotel was erected a little anterior to the inn just
mentioned. The other hotels of Poulton, situated in the town itself,
are ancient, and by their size and number, considering the smallness of
the present population, are indicative of the former importance of its
market and fairs, and intimate that its position as the centre of a wide
district was the means of exciting and maintaining a large amount of
commercial activity, such as would necessitate the frequent visits of
business agents and others. Several private houses can be pointed out
as having been in earlier days places of public entertainment, amongst
which may be named one now used as a bakery and bread shop in Queen’s
Square, and which formerly bore the name of the Spread Eagle Hotel;
in Sheaf Street, also, there existed about half a century ago a small
but respectable hotel, called the Wheat Sheaf Inn, with bowling green
attached, but like other more pretentious establishments, it has been
converted into a dwelling-house, whilst a handsome residence occupies the
old bowling green.
The Independents were the first section of the Dissenting community to
erect a chapel for their members, which they accomplished in 1808. After
being in use twenty or thirty years, this place of worship was closed,
and not re-opened until about ten years since. In 1819 a chapel was
erected by the Wesleyans in Back Street, and in 1861 the building was
enlarged. At the Breck there is a Roman Catholic chapel, which stands
back some distance from the road leading to Skippool, and is approached
by a long avenue of trees. The chapel is a plain brick building, with
three unstained windows on each side; and above the entrance has been
placed a square stone inscribed with a verse from the Psalms—“I have
loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy House, and the place where thy Glory
dwelleth,”—and the date of erection, “A.D. 1813.” Within the edifice the
pews are open and arranged in three rows, one running down each side,
and a double set occupying the central portion of the body. The solitary
gallery at the end opposite the altar is lined with seats, and contains a
harmonium, whilst the altar itself is handsomely and suitably decorated.
The chapel is dedicated to St. John, and on the east and south sides
lies the burial ground, wherein may be seen a stone slab carved by an
eccentric character of Poulton, named James Bailey, whose remains are
now deposited beneath it. The upper surface of the stone is ornamented
with the outlines of two coffins, recording respectively the demises of
Margaret Bailey, in 1841, and James Bailey, her father, in 1853. Between
the coffins, and severing their upper portions, is a cross, with a few
words at the foot, on each side of which are the representations of a
scull and cross-bones. Other specimens of the sculptural genius of Bailey
are lavishly, if not tastefully, scattered over the remainder of the
slab. The residence of the priest is attached to the chapel, and in Breck
Road are the elegant Gothic schools connected with it. Until the opening,
in 1868, of these schools, which have since been extended by the erection
of a wing, a loft over an outbuilding facing the priests’ house, received
the Catholic children of the parish for educational purposes.
We now come to speak of Poulton as a port, and in this respect our
information, it must be acknowledged, is very scanty; the harbours of
Poulton were situated at Skippool and Wardleys, on opposite banks of
the Wyre, and it was to the cargoes imported to those places that the
custom-house of the town owed its existence. At what date it was first
established cannot be discovered, but that it was in being nearly two
centuries ago is proved by a paper on “The comparative wages of public
servants in the customs,” in which the following occurs:—
“We find that William Jennings, collector of the customs at
Poulton, in the Fylde, received in 1708, during the reign of
Queen Ann, for his yearly services thirty pounds per annum; and
five subordinate officers had seventy-five pounds equally divided
amongst them.”
The chief traffic of the port was in timber, imported from the Baltic and
America; and flax and tallow, which arrived from Russia. In 1825 Poulton
was described by Mr. Baines, in his History of Lancashire, as a creek
under Preston, and it is probable that such had been its position for
a long time anterior to that date. In 1826 Poulton was made a sub-port
under Lancaster, and later, when the town of Fleetwood sprang up at the
mouth of the Wyre, the customs were removed from Poulton to that new port.
Subjoined are the number of inhabitants of the township at intervals of
ten years from 1801, when the first official census was taken:—
1801 769
1811 926
1821 1,011
1831 1,025
1841 1,128
1851 1,120
1861 1,141
1871 1,161
In 1770, during the reign of George III., an act of parliament was
obtained by means of which a court was established in this town “for,”
according to the wording of the deed, “the more easy and speedy recovery
of small debts within the parishes of Poulton, Lytham, Kirkham, and
Bispham, and the townships of Preesall and Stalmine.” A number of
gentlemen engaged in commercial pursuits and residing in these several
districts were appointed commissioners, any three or more of whom
constituted a court of justice, by the name and style of The Court of
Requests; they were empowered to hear and determine all such matters of
debt as were under forty shillings, further they were authorised and
required, “to meet, assemble, and hold the said Court in each of the said
Parishes of Poulton and Kirkham, once in every week at least, to wit, on
every Monday at Poulton, and on every Thursday at Kirkham, and oftener
if there should be occasion, in a Court-house, or some convenient place
appointed in each of the said Parishes.” Each commissioner on being
elected took the following oath:—
“I ... do swear That I will faithfully, impartially, and
honestly, according to the best of my Judgement, hear and
determine all such Matters and Causes as shall be brought before
me, by virtue of an Act of Parliament, for the more easy and
speedy Recovery of small Debts, within the Parishes etc.; without
Favour or Affection, Prejudice or Malice, to either Party. So
help me God.”
Edward Whiteside and Simon Russell were elected, respectively, clerk and
sergeant of this court, and James Standen, of Poulton, in consideration
of having advanced money to pay the expenses of obtaining the act and
providing suitable accommodation for its administration, had authority
given to him and his heirs to appoint a person to be clerk or sergeant
as often as either of those offices should become vacant, until the
sum so advanced with lawful interest had been repaid; after which the
appointments were to be filled up by a majority of votes at a special
meeting of the commissioners, not less than eleven being present. For
the better regulation of the proceedings it was enacted that a majority,
amounting to five, of the commissioners assembled in court should have
full power and authority to make, as often as occasion required, such
rules and orders for the better management of the court as might seem
necessary and conducive to the purposes of the act, provided always such
rules or orders did not abridge or alter the scale of fees as at first
arranged, and were consistent with equity and the true intent of the act.
In the event of anyone neglecting to comply with an order from this court
for the payment of money owing an execution was awarded against the body
or goods of the debtor, if the former, the sergeant was, by a precept
under the hand and seal of the clerk, “empowered and required to take and
apprehend, or cause to be taken and apprehended, such party or parties,
being within any of the parishes or townships aforesaid, and convey him,
her, or them, to some common gaol, or house of correction, within the
county palatine of Lancaster, there to remain until he, she, or they, had
performed and obeyed such order, decree, or judgment, so as no person
should remain in confinement upon any such execution, for any longer
space of time than three months.” In the case of goods the sergeant was
similarly empowered “to levy by distress and sale of goods, of such
party, being within the parishes or townships aforesaid, such sum and
sums of money and costs as should be so ordered and decreed.”
One clause of the act stated that if any person or persons affronted,
insulted, or abused, all or any of the commissioners, the clerk, or
officers of the court, either during the sitting or in going to or
returning from the same, or interrupted the proceedings, or obstructed
the clerk or sergeant in the lawful execution of their different offices,
he, she, or they should be brought before a justice of the peace, who
was hereby empowered to inflict on conviction a fine of not more than
40s., and not less than 5s. The jurisdiction of the court did not extend
to any debt or rent upon any lease or contract, where the title of any
lands, tenements, or hereditaments came in question; nor to any debt
arising from any last will or testament, or matrimony, or anything
properly belonging to the ecclesiastical courts; nor to any debt from any
horse-race, cock-match, wager, or any kind of gaming or play; nor from
any forfeiture upon any penal statute or bye-law; nor did it extend to
any debt whatsoever whereof there had not been contract, acknowledgment,
undertaking, or promise to pay within six years from the date of the
summons, although any of the above mentioned debts should not amount
to forty shillings. No attorney or solicitor was allowed to appear
before the commissioners as attorney or advocate on behalf of either
plaintiff or defendant, or to speak on any cause or matter before the
court in which he was not himself a party or witness, under a penalty
of five pounds for each offence. It was further enacted “that no action
or suit for any debt not amounting to the sum of forty shillings, and
recoverable by virtue of this act in the said Court of Requests, should
be brought against any person or persons, residing or inhabiting within
the jurisdiction thereof, in any of the king’s courts at Westminster,
or any other court whatsoever, or elsewhere, out of the said Court of
Requests, and no suit which had been commenced in the said Court of
Requests in pursuance of this act, nor any proceedings therein, should
or might be removed to any superior court, but the judgments, decrees,
and proceedings of the said court should be final and conclusive to all
intents and purposes; provided always, that nothing in this act should
extend, or be construed to extend, to prevent any person from suing
for small debts in any other court, where such suit might have been
instituted before the passing of this act.” The various fees to be paid
to the clerk of the court were—for entering every case, 6d.; for issuing
every summons, 6d.; for every subpœna, 6d.; for calling every plaintiff
or defendant before the court, 3d.; for every hearing or trial, 6d.; for
swearing every witness, plaintiff or defendant, 3d.; for every order,
judgment or decree, 6d.; for a non-suit, 6d.; for every search in the
books, 3d.; for paying money into court, 6d., if by instalments, 6d. in
the pound more; for every execution, 6d.; for every warrant of commitment
for misconduct in court, 1s. The fees to the sergeant were—for every
summons, order, or subpœna, and attending court with the return thereof,
6d.; for calling every plaintiff or defendant before the court, 1d.; for
executing every attachment, execution, or warrant, against the body or
goods, 1s.; for carrying every plaintiff, defendant, or delinquent to
prison, 6d. more for every mile. Although this was purely a lay-court
the commissioners possessed and exercised the power of placing the
witnesses on oath previous to receiving their evidence. In 1847 the Court
of Requests was superseded by a new court, for the recovery of debts
not amounting to twenty pounds, which held its first sitting on Monday,
the 23rd of April in that year, under the presidency of John Addison,
esq., a barrister and the appointed judge, in the room belonging to the
Sunday school. This gentleman wore a silk gown, as prescribed to the
judges of these courts, and Mr. Elletson, solicitor, the clerk, was also
robed. At the first assemblage the Rev. John Hull, M.A., the vicar, and
Giles Thornber, esq., J.P., were seated on each side of the judge. The
cases for trial or arbitration only numbered seventeen, and were of
little interest, so that the initiative sitting of the court was but of
short duration. The circuits apportioned to the judges had an average
population ranging from 202,713 to 312,220 persons, and the salary paid
to each of these officials was £1,200 per annum. In the schedule of fees
it was stated that for the recovery of debts not exceeding 20s. the cost
should be 3s.; under 40s., 5s.; under £5, 9s.; under £10, £1; under £20,
£1 10s.; and in jury cases 5s. would be charged for the jurymen, while
the other court charges would be a little increased. The powers of this
court, now designated the County Court, have been considerably enlarged
since its first establishment; the following gentlemen are the officers
at present connected with it:—
Judge William A. Hulton, esq.
Registrar Mr. E. J. Patteson.
High Bailiff Mr. J. Whiteside.
Little Poulton is the name given to a district and hamlet lying on the
east of Poulton township, and in it is situated the ancient manorial
residence called Little Poulton Hall, and now used as a farm-house.
The original mansion stood on the land immediately at the rear of the
existing edifice, which was erected about one hundred and ten or twenty
years ago. Until the occupation of the present tenant, Mr. Singleton, the
foundations of the old Hall remained in the ground, but the indications
afforded by them of its dimensions and appearance were not of any great
utility. In 1570 Little Poulton Hall was occupied by George, the son
of Bartholomew Hesketh, of Aughton, a grandson of Thomas Hesketh, of
Rufford, but only in one of the junior lines. George Hesketh married
Dorothy, the daughter of William Westby, of Mowbreck, and had issue one
son, William, who inherited the estate and resided at the Hall. William
Hesketh was living in 1613, about forty years after the decease of his
father, and had two children, William and Wilfrid, by his wife Elizabeth,
the daughter of John Allen, of Rossall Hall. William, the eldest son,
seems to have removed to Maynes, or Mains, Hall, and settled there during
the lifetime of his father; it is probable that his younger brother would
remain at Little Poulton Hall, but of this we have no positive proof,
and consequently can advance it merely as a conjecture. Little Poulton
descended in the Heskeths, of Mains, until about 1750, but the name of
that family was changed, after the marriage of William Hesketh, of Mains
Hall, (living in 1714), with Mary, the daughter of John Brockholes, of
Claughton, by Thomas Hesketh, the eldest son of that union, who inherited
the estates of his maternal uncle, and assumed the name of Brockholes.
Thomas Hesketh-Brockholes died without offspring, and the property
passed, successively, to his younger and only surviving brothers, Joseph
and James, both of whom adopted the name and arms of Brockholes, and
died childless; but by the will of Joseph, Little Poulton and the other
estates descended to William Fitzherbert, the brother of his widow
Constantia, the daughter of Bazil Fitzherbert, of Swinnerton. William
Fitzherbert also assumed the title of Brockholes, and his descendant is
the present proprietor.
A family of the name of Barban preceded the Heskeths at the manor
house, and Gyles Curwen, a descendant of the Curwens, of Workington, in
Cumberland, espoused, about 1550, the daughter and co-heiress of—Barban,
of Little Poulton Hall, having issue—Thomas, Elizabeth, Grace, and
Winefrid. Thomas Curwen died unmarried; Elizabeth became the wife
of—Camden, by whom she had William Camden, Clarenceux king-at-arms;
Winefrid married and settled in London; and Grace espoused Gilbert
Nicholson, of Poulton, by whom she had issue—Francis, Grace, and Giles.
Francis Nicholson had six children—Humphrey, Grace, Bridget, Thomas,
Isabell, and Dorothy. Grace Nicholson married Thomas Braithwaite, of
Beaumont, and was the mother of nine children in 1613, the eldest,
Geoffrey, being fifteen years of age.[81]
On the south side of the Hall is a wood, covering about two acres of
land, and freshly planted within the last half century. Until recent
years, numerous decaying tree stocks were turned up out of the soil, and
their size plainly evidenced the massive nature of the timber formerly
growing there. There is a rookery in the modern wood, and it is surmised
that there was one also amongst the branches of the ancient trees, and
that a large quantity of bullets discovered in a field on its outskirts
record the periodical onslaughts on the unfortunate rooks in days when
marksmen were not so unerring as long practice and improved firearms have
rendered them now. In the hamlet of Little Poulton there are, in addition
to the Hall, three antique houses of considerable pretensions, which
were erected and occupied by persons of good social standing. One of
them, on the opposite side of the road, and a little removed from the old
mansion, was built by a gentleman named Fayle, and on an oaken beam over
a doorway, now bricked up, in an extensive barn, is the inscription, EF:
IF: 1675, the initials of the erector and his wife, with the date when
the edifice was completed. This E. Fayle was probably a relative, perhaps
grandfather, of Edward Fayle, of the Holmes, Thornton, and afterwards of
Bridge House, Bispham, who married, about 1728, Susannah, the younger
daughter of Edward Veale, of Whinney Heys, and co-heiress, with her
sister, of the Rev. John Veale, of the same place, her only brother.
Another respectable dwelling, but like the few other buildings around,
becoming dilapidated through age, bears the initials of Henry Porter,
and the date 1723, over the entrance. From sundry documents which have
come to light, it seems that Henry Porter was a gentleman of influence
and position in the neighbourhood, but beyond that no information can
be gained concerning him or his descendants. The tenement he held was
purchased by the Brockholes, of Claughton, in 1846. Close by the side
of Porter’s residence is another of the same model and size, apparently
erected by A. Worswick in 1741, but of this person nothing is known. The
remainder of the hamlet is made up of a few old thatched cottages.
A free school was established by James Baines, draper, of Poulton, in
1717, shortly before his death; and by his will, dated that year, he
bequeathed to Richard Wilson, Richard Whitehead, sen., Richard Johnson,
and Richard Thornton, of Hardhorn-with-Newton, yeomen, to Richard
Dickson, woollen draper, and Samuel Bird, yeoman, of Poulton, to Robert
Salthouse, of Staining, yeoman, and to their heirs “all that Schoolhouse
by me lately erected in Hardhorn-in-Newton, and the parcel of land
whereon the same is erected, which is enjoyed therewith, and which by
me was lately purchased from Thomas Ords, to remain, continue, and be a
Free School for ever for the persons and purposes hereinafter mentioned.
Item: I give and devise unto the seven said Trustees and their Heirs,
all that messuage and tenement, called Puddle House, with the lands
enjoyed therewith, about twenty-two acres, to the special end, intent,
and purpose, that the rents and profits over ten shillings a year,
(allowed for a dinner to the trustees, and their successors, on their
meeting about the affairs of this School on the second of February, on
which day they shall yearly meet for that purpose), and after all costs
for repairs at the said Schoolhouse and ground it stands on be paid, the
balance be given to such person as shall yearly and every year be named,
chosen, and appointed, by the said seven Trustees, and their successors,
or the major part of them, to act as Schoolmaster, to teach and instruct
in writing, reading, and other school learning, according to the best
of his capacity, all such children of the inhabitants of the townships
of Poulton and Hardhorn-in-Newton as shall be sent to the said School,
and behave themselves with care and good manners, without any other
payment or reward, except what the said children or their parents shall
voluntarily give.” The testament then proceeds to direct that when any
two of the seven trustees died, the five surviving should at the cost of
the estate appoint two other of the “most able, discreet, and sufficient
inhabitants in Poulton and Hardhorn within three months,” and that such
a practice should be observed as occasion required “to the end that the
said charity may continue for ever according to the true intent and
meaning of this Will.” The Trustees were invested with power to dismiss
any schoolmaster and appoint a successor, regarding whom there was the
following clause:—“All Schoolmasters on appointment shall give bond with
one or more sureties for good conduct, and be at duty from 7 a.m. to 11
a.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., except from the 1st November to 1st February,
in which quarter alone shall they attend on all school days from 8 a.m.
to 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; the afternoons of Thursday and Saturday
to be holiday.”
The schoolhouse is a whitewashed building, a single story high, and has
four windows in front, with one at each end. It stands in the township
of Hardhorn-with-Newton, about half a mile from the town of Poulton, and
has the annexed inscription fixed on the wall facing the main road:—“This
Charity School was Founded and Endowed by Mr. James Baines, of Poolton,
who died the 9th January, 1717. Rebuilt 1818.” The lands bequeathed by
Mr. Baines have been exchanged for others of greater value across the
river Wyre. The attendance at present is small.
Mr. Baines also left £800 to six trustees to be laid out in land, half
the annual income or interest from which he directed to be devoted to the
“maintenance, use, and best advantage of the poorest sort of inhabitants
of the township of Poulton, which receive no relief by the Poor-rate,”
and “for putting out poor children of the said township apprentices
yearly though their parents receive relief by the Poor-rate.” The other
moiety he directed to be devoted to similar purposes in the townships of
Marton, Hardhorn-with-Newton, Carleton, and Thornton.
Jenkinson’s Gift or Charity consists of the rents of a small cottage with
garden behind, and two detached crofts at Forton, in Cockerham parish,
and amounts to about £5 10s. per annum, which is expended in the purchase
of books for the scholars of Baines’s school.
Nicholas Nickson, of Compley, in Poulton, by will dated the 12th of
April, 1720, charged his estate with the payment, after the decease of
his widow, Alice Nickson, of £100 to the churchwardens and overseers of
Poulton, in trust, to invest the sum and give half the interest to the
vicar for the time being, distributing the remainder amongst the poor
house-keepers of the township not in receipt of parish relief. Until the
bequest was paid, the heirs of Nickson, after the death of the widow,
were ordered to disburse five per cent. interest on the money each year.
In 1754 the trustees of this charity released the estate from all charges
in consideration of £100, the legacy, paid to them; and on the 18th of
July, 1783, Joseph Harrison and the four other churchwardens of Poulton,
together with William Brown and Paul Harrison, the overseers, purchased
from James Standen, for £120, a close in Poulton, called Durham’s Croft,
to hold the same in trust and divide the rents into twelve parts, whereof
five were to be given to the vicar, five to indigent inhabitants not
receiving relief, and two in aid of the poor’s rates.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]