The following particulars from old historical documents will give the
reader some idea of the part Longdendale played in the Civil War; they
will also afford evidence of the unrest which was the predominant
feature throughout the country, in the days of the great Rebellion.
Earwaker, the learned historian of East Cheshire, quotes a series of
accounts from the Harleian MSS. These relate to Hollingworth in the
time of the Civil War, and are the accounts "made and sworn unto by
several inhabitants of the Township of Hollingworth" in 1645. The
following extract will serve as a sample of the contents of this
interesting document.
The accompts of Alexander Hollinworth, of Nearer Hollinworth, in the
above said Townshippe.
Imprimis: I paid to Collonell
Duckenfield, the 15th day of
Deecmber (1643), for pposicon
money 5 0 0
Itm: The same tyme ye said
Collonell had of me a bay
gueldinge ffor to be one in his
Troope, well worth 5 6 8
Wch continued in his Troope
until Candlemas after, and then
was soe spoyled that he was not
able to do any more service.
Itm: After the said horse was
soe lamed I sent another horse
in his roome, and a man to ride
him, which horse hath beene in
ye said troope ev since Candlemas
after to this present tyme:
the horse when I put him in
was worth 8 10 0
Itm: I was att charges for the
man that did ride ye said horse
sev'all waies above 40tye shillings
2 0 0
Itm: When Sr William Breerton
marched towards Yorke wth
Cheshire fforces ffor ye assistance
of that County, there was
250 horse and rydrs quartered
at my house; the damage I
had by them in eatinge my
meadowe, killinge my sheepe,
and plunderinge some of my
goods privily, and consuminge
my victualls they found in
my house, to ye value att ye
least of 20tie marks 13 6 8
Itm: The damage I sustayned
in quarteringe some of Captaine
Rich horse and foote ye most
pte of halfe a yeare Anno 1642
att the least 10 0 0
Itm: The damage I sustayned
in quarteringe div'se of Captaine
Eyres Troope sev'all
tymes in Ann 1642 and 1643
was att the least 5 0 0
Itm: In quarteringe some of
Collonell Deukenfield souldrs,
Major Bradshawes, and diverse
others, the tyme when Prince
Rupert came to Stockport, was
att the least damages to me 3 6 8
Itm: In quarteringe of 18
Troopers of Sr William Breerton
Companye when they
marched towards Nottingham
(as they said) about 5 or 6
weeks agoe 1 10 0
Itm: I have mainteyned one
musquetyer from the beginninge
of theise unhappy warres,
and never had the value of one
penny towards the charge
thereof from the Publique 25 0 0
Item: I have been sometymes
att charge of one and sometymes
3 souldrs more when any
publique danger was, as div'se
tymes into Darbishire, to Adlington,
to ye raysinge of the
siege of Namptwicke, wch I
verily thinke cost me above 5
markes att the least 3 6 8
_____
Sum £82 6 8
John Hollinworth, of Hollingworth, had a similar bill of £70 16s., and
the Booths and the Bretlands also sought recompense for the expense
they had been put to in buying arms and quartering men.
One other old document may be quoted.
On the 8th of December, 1653, Colonel Dukinfield and Colonel Henry
Bradshaw sat at Stockport to prepare a list of pensioners in the
Stockport division in connection with the civil wars. The list
contained the following names: Ellen Wagstaffe, whose husband was
wounded at Adlington; Catherine Goodier, whose husband was slain at
Nantwich; Ellen Heape, of Tintwistle, whose husband was slain at
Nantwich; Elizabeth, wife of Hugh Wooley, slain at Chester; Jane
Cooke, whose husband was slain at Middlewich; John Wylde, of Disley,
wounded at Worcester; Thomas Hinchcliffe, wounded at Worcester;
Elizabeth Small, whose husband was slain at Cholmondeley; Joan Small,
whose husband was slain at Middlewich; John Sydebotham, wounded at
Cholmondeley; Margaret Whewall, whose husband was slain at Selby; The
widow of George Hopwood, wounded at Middlewich; Randal Cartwright,
wounded at Hanmore; Margaret Ashton, whose husband was slain at
Lichfield; Ellen Benetson, wife of William Benetson, of Dukinfield,
wounded at Chester, and died.
It will be noticed that several of the above are names of Longdendale
men.