The Annals of Manchester: a chronological record from the earliest times to the end of 1885. Edited by W. E. A. Axon

Preface

. THE volume now offered to the public, as a revised edition of the Manchester Historical Recorder, is virtually a new work, owing to the many changes and additions that have been made by the present editor. The book in its different editions has had a curious history. The utility of a concise chronological record of Manchester history appears first to have been practically recognised by James Butterworth, whose Tabula Mancuniensis—a, mere pamphlet — appeared in 1829. The next effort was made by William Ford, and then — ten years later — Mr. Charles Henry Timperley, a man of great industry and wide reading, compiled the Annals of Manchester, a little book which is highly to be commended for its usefulness. Various editions have since appeared, bringing down the record to a later period, but without any attempt at systematic revision or the incorporation of the abundance of fresh material amassed by the labours of subsequent investigators.

The following list is the completest I have been able to make of the forerunners of the present volume : — Tabula Mancuniensis ; or a Chronological Table of Events, comprising within the compass of a few pages the history of the town and neighbourhood of Manchester, from the remotest period to the present time. .- . . By James Butterworth. . . . Manchester : Printed by J. Bradshaw, 34, Church Street, 1829 ; 8vo pp. 16. In the Manchester Free Library there is a little book, believed to be unique, with a MS. title : Ford's Chronological Series of Events in Manchester, 1833. This is made up of proof slips and cuttings from the Stockport Advertiser, in which the articles appeared. The dates are 1301-1822 inclusive. This work of William Ford's does not appear to have been published, but may have formed the basis of Timperley's Annals.

Annals of Manchester : Biographical, Historical, Ecclesiastical, and Commercial, from the earliest period to the close of the year ISSd. By C. H. Timperley. Manchester : Bancks and Co., Exchange Street, 1839. 18mo, pp. 108. The Manchester Historical Recorder: or a concise Biographical, Ecclesi' astical, and Commercial History of the Rise and Progress of the 2 own and Neighbourhood, from the earliest period to the close of the year 1845. By a Native of the Town. Manchester : Horsefield and Davies, Printers, Riding's Court, St. Mary's Gate and Deansgate. 18mo, pp. iv. 156. This is described in the preface as the second edition. Records Historical, Municipal, Ecclesiastical, Biographical, Commercial, and Statistical of Manchester, from the earliest period, revised and corrected to the present time.

By E. Waugh and T. Fawcett. Published for the Pro prietors by F. Wilde, 9, Half Street, and James Ainsworth, 93, Piccadilly, Manchester ; Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., London, 1851. 18mo. vi., 174. The Manchester Historical Recorder: being an Analysis of the Municipal, Preface. Ecclesiastical, Biographical, Commercial, and Statistical History of Man chester from the earliest period, chronologically arranged. Revised and corrected to the present time. Manchester : John Heywood, 141 and 143' Deansgate. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., 1874. Those who have the curiosity to compare this new edition with its prede cessors will find that the greater portion has been completely rewritten, and that in every page there have been alterations and corrections. It is impossible in a volume dealing with such a mass of dates and data to avoid mistakes, but it is hoped that the care that has been exercised will have prevented any serious errors.

Several of the proof sheets have been read by Mr. J. E. Bailey, F.S.A., and Mr. C. W. Sutton, whose kindness for this service and for various useful suggestions I gratefully acknowledge. Mr. David Kelly, of Stretsord, kindly placed an annotated copy of the Recorder at my disposal, and has also favoured me with various items of information. Mr. Robert Wood, of Rusholme, also lent me his annotated copy. The custodians of the various public libraries of Manchester and Salford have treated me with great indulgence, and I have also to return cordial acknowledgments to Dr. Richard Garnett, of the British Museum. The history of Manchester is important, not only to its citizens but to all those who care to trace the development of modern civilisation. Its greatness in the present century sometimes leads to forgetfulness of the fact that it is one of the oldest communities in the land, and has had an unbroken existence from Roman and pre-Roman days.

The long chain of events which have trans formed the ancient village into one of the greatest commercial centres of the world are not only important in this connection, but are also interesting in themselves. The annals of the city and district contain many quaint, picturesque, and romantic incidents. The Annals of Manchester attempts to give, in chronological order, a brief and pithy analysis of the history of Manchester from the earliest times to the present day. The sale of several successive issues of the Manchester Historical Recorder has sufficiently shown the value and usefulness of such 'a manual. This edition contains, it is hoped, the most essential data in regard to the general, ecclesiastical, municipal, and commercial history of Manchester and Salford. Statistical information has been included, and biographical sketches given of the worthies of the place.

The arrangement by dates has been retained, as affording the greatest facility for research, whilst not materially interfering with a general view of the changes, social, national, religious, and commercial, in which Manchester has had a share, and often an important one. In this way the reader has brought before him the prehistoric settlement ; the Roman station ; the Saxon village ruined by the Danes ; the Norman barony ; the mediæval manor • the early manufacturing town ; the Puritan stronghold where the first blood of the Civil Wars was shed ; the town which gave so many to the fatal rebellion of 1745 ; and the busy district which saw the rise of the modern cotton trade and the development of the factory system. Particulars are also given of the struggle for local government, parliamentary reform, free trade, and the other great changes of the present century, to which Manchester has contributed in so large a measure.