History of the Forest of Rossendale ... With a chapter on the Geology of Rossendale. By Captain Aitken ... And observations on the botany of the district. By A. Stansfield

Front matter

HISTORY OF THE FOREST OF ROSSENDALE. Banks *.("■ Edm7 N i;, : 'II . i. 0 7 7 17 N : A LE. OF THE HAREHOLME MILL. SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & C° LOND OK HISTORY OF THE FOREST OF ROSSENDALE BY THOMAS NEWBIGGING, MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC SOCIETY OF LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. WITH A CHAPTER ON THE GEOLOGY OF ROSSENDALE. BY CAPTAIN AITKEN, J.P., VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE MANCHESTER GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE BOTANY OF THE DISTRICT. BY ABRAHAM STANSFIELD, PRESIDENT OF THE TODMORDEN BOTANICAL SOCIETY. LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL & CO. BACUP: T. BROWN. 1868. Ta Robert Munn, Esq., J. P., of tldttth Hill, Stackslemls, Chairman ofthe Rossem/ale Bench of Magistrates, ■ŒtlijS aaiork i<3 2DeMcate&, 1>V His Obliged and Faith fid Servant, THOMAS NEWBIGGING.

Preface

. COME apology or explanation would seem to be due *—* from me to those who will peruse the present Work, why I, who am no native of the Forest of Rossendale, should have presumed to write its History. I am aware that there are those residing in Rossendale who, by their antiquarian and genealogical acquirements and their longer acquaintance with the locality, are more fitted for the duty, and have access, probably, to more copious sources of information than those of which I can boast ; but I have not been able to learn that such have ever contemplated the undertaking, though their researches, if given to the public, would be of enduring interest. Their backwardness in this respect may, therefore, be accepted as one reason why I have taken it in hand. Again, the longer such a work is delayed the more diffi cult it is of accomplishment, and the less reliable many of the sources of information become ; and how desirable it is (applying the remark to any district) that the fragments of Fact and Legendary Lore which exist on our right hand and on our left, should be gathered up and strung together.

Preface. VIII however indifferently, before they become utterly dispersed and lost. And how many there are amongst us who, possessing but vague notions of the past History of the Forest, would rejoice in a better acquaintance therewith — would delight to be told the story of its earlier existence — to learn more than they at present know of " the rude forefathers " who thinly tenanted its bleak hill-sides, or wandered centuries ago in its wooded doughs ; where, instead of the noise of manufacturing In dustry, the rush of the Red Deer through the leafy covert alone broke the prevailing stillness. But I have a further reason to assign for the present venture. A residence of nearly seventeen years has endeared me to the district (all the pleasanter for its rugged character) and its people ; and should my efforts afford pleasure to the dwellers within the boundaries of the Ancient Forest, I shall be, in some measure, repaying the debt due for kindnesses received, and which I can neither enumerate nor forget.

I have another and final plea to urge — the desire of personal gratification. The enjoyment associated with the preparation of any History, however limited in its range, or humble in its pretensions, is only such as can be fully ap preciated by those who undertake the pleasing labour. In following such pursuits we live a double life ; for, whilst enjoying the intercourse of present friends, we delight our selves in the society of those who have long since passed away. A Work of this character, to be moderately complete, must necessarily glean its material from every available source. I have spared neither pains nor expense in the search for authorities. Dr Whitaker's " History of the Parish of Whalley," of which this district forms a part, contains many interesting particulars relating to Rossendale and the neigh- Preface.

IX bourhood ; and I have freely dipped into the pages of that comprehensive work. In the " History of the County Pala tine and Duchy of Lancaster," by Edward Baines, Esq., are also some references to this locality, and of the information therein contained I have occasionally availed myself. The elaborate papers " On the Battle of Brunanburh, and the probable Locality of the Conflict," by T. T. Wilkinson, Esq., F.R.A.S. of Burnley, read besore the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, and published in the Society's Transactions, are replete with information of a Local character, and have enabled me to supply a chapter connecting the district with the events of the most important period in Saxon History. In the early stages of the Work I received valuable assistance from documents kindly placed at my service by the late Miss Maden of Greens House, and Mr George Howorth of Bacup-fold.

To George Hargreaves, Esq., J. P., of New church, and to James Rushton, Esq., of the same place, I am indebted for much that is indispensable in elucidating the bygone manners and economy of the inhabitants. Of the contributions of Captain Aitken, J. P., on the Geology, and of Mr Stalisfield on the Botany of Rossendale, it is not necessary that I should speak. Both of these gentle men are acknowledged to be authorities on the subjects of which they treat ; and their respective papers constitute by no means the least important portion of the Volume. During the progress of the Work I have received many valuable oral communications from different persons; and several unknown correspondents have supplied me with in teresting material. For all the assistance received, I am sensibly obliged, and desire to tender my sincere thanks.

Other sources of in formation are duly recognised in the body of the Volume. Preface. X Lastly, to my friend, J. H. Redman, Esq., I am anxious to express my grateful acknowledgments for counsel in matters of Literary taste, and for his kindly aid in revising the proof sheets of the Work. Let me now crave indulgence for any mistakes or omis sions which may have been made. These cannot always be avoided, even where the time at the disposal of the writer is most ample ; and in the work that is performed during the intervals of leisure to be found in the midst of other responsible duties, they may be expected to occur. Bacup, November I, 1S67 CONTENTS. BOOK FIRST.

Chapter I

Derivation os the name Rossendale — Absence of Roman remains in Rossendale — The ancient Britons, their worship, mode of life, and dwellings — The natural features of a country or a district usually its most permanent monuments — The Forest of Rossendale once the resort of wild animals of different kinds: the Wild Boar, the Wolf, Wild Oxen, the Deer tribe — Names of places in Rossendale having reference to the Deer and its kindred — Discovery of antlered horns described by Captain Aitken — Derivation of the name Bacup — Its irregular orthography — Wild animals of an inferior class — Fish formerly plentiful in the different streams — The great natural and prominent boundaries ofthe Forest — The " Watling Street" ofthe Romans — The "Limersgate," one ofthe oldest roads in the locality, . . Pp. 1-7

Chapter II

The Dykes at Broadclough — Described by Dr Whitaker and by MrT. T. Wilkinson, F.R.A.S. — Further description — Believed to be of Saxon or Danish origin — Mr Wilkinson's investigations connecting the Dyke with the Battle of Brunanburh — The history of the period recounted — Ethelred — Alfred the Great — The battle of Ethandune — Edward— Athelstan, king of Wessex — On the death of Sihtric he annexes the kingdom of Northumbria to his own dominions — Flight of Guthfred and Anlaf — The ambition of Anlaf to recover the kingdom of his father — Sails from Ireland on an expedition — Lands his forces on the banks of the Mersey, the Ribble, the Wyre, and the Lune — Their advance through the country — The Battle of Brunanburh — Saxon Ode on the Battle — Discovery of relics— The Beacon remains on Thieveley Pike — Central position of the Pike — View obtained therefrom, . Pp. 8-20 Contents.

Chapter III

The River Irwell — Its source in Cliviger— The original boundary between Cliviger and the Forest of Rossendale — Removal of the ancient meres or boundary marks— Law-suit instituted by the Proprietors of Bacup Booth against those of Cliviger during the reign of Elizabeth — First mention of the Irwell — Account of the origin of the name by Mr Whitaker, the historian of Manchester — The same by Dr Whitaker, the historian of Whalley — Further conjectures as to the derivation of the name, . . . Pp. 21-26 BOOK SECOND.

Chapter I

Pendle, Trawden. Accrington, and Rossendale Forests formerly embraced in the general name of the Forest of Blackburnshire — Signification of the term Honor — Area of the Forest of Blackburnshire — Area of Rossendale Forest — ■ Account ofthe Hundred given in Domesday Book — Measurement of Forests not included therein — Roger de Poictou first lord ofthe Honors of Lancaster and Clitheroe — Succeeding owners — The House of Lacy — Union of the Houses of Lancaster and Lacy — Thomas, Earl of Lancaster beheaded — His possessions forfeited on account of his share in the insurrection of the barons against the De Spensers — Act for reversing the attainder of his brother Thomas, obtained by Henry, Earl of Lancaster — Henry, Duke of Lancaster — John of Gaunt — Henry of Bolingbroke, afterwards Henry IV. of England ■ — The Honor of Clitheroe bestowed by Charles II. upon General Monk — Duke of Montague succeeds to the Honor — Its possession by the Duke of Buccleuch, ..... . . Pp. 27-31

Chapter II

Grant by Roger de Lacy of Brandwood to the Monastery of Stanlaw, in Cheshire — Brandwood the first part of the Forest cleared and cultivated — The Deed of Roger de Lacy — Grant of John de Lacy to the same Abbey, of the right to cut Hay in the Forest — Confirmation of the foregoing grants to the Abbot and Monks of Whalley — Suit between the Abbot of Whalley and Richard de Ratcliffe, Master Forester, for Puture of the Foresters — Deed of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, confirming previous Grants of Brandwood, &c, and relinquishing his right to pasture therein — References to Rossendale in the n 11s of the Duchy of Lancaster in tlie reign of Edward III. — Commisson Contents.

XIII os Henry VII. relating to the Puture Rents within the Forests — Character of Henry VII. — Commission for Granting of the Forests — Eleven Vaccaries in Rossendale in the time of Edward II. — Afterwards increased to Nineteen — Their names and estimated value — Particulars relating to property in Brand wood in the time of Henry VIII. — The titles to copyhold property in the Forests disputed by the Crown Lawyers of James I. — The land said to be only of the nature of assart land — Explanation of the term — Letter of Richard Towneley, Edward Rausthorn, and others — Dr Whitaker's comments upon the proceedings — Settlement of the dispute — Titles to Wapontake, or copy hold lands (of the new tenure in Blackburnshire — Freehold lands in Brand wood — Possessed by Henry VIII. after the execution of John Paslew, Abbot of Whalley — Granted bythe king to Thomas Holt of Gristlehurst — Subse quent descent of the Property — Manor of Rochdale possessed by the Byron family — Purchased by James Dearden, Esq. — Action at law respecting the manorial rights ofthe Freehold in Brandwood — Summary of the trial— Verdict of the jury, .....

Pp. 32-56 ♦ BOOK THIRD. Rossendale a favourite Hunting-ground — Disappearance of the larger animals of chase — The Deans of Whalley: Mighty hunters— Liwlphus Cutwulph — Forest Laws — Definition of a Forest — The Constitutiones de Foresta of King Canute — Forest Courts — Justice-Seat — Swainmote — Woodmote or Attachment — Officers ofthe Forest— Their duties — Signification of the terms Venison and Vert — Difference between a Forest and a Chase — Beasts of Forest — Beasts of Park and Chase — Beasts of Warren — Fowls of Warren — Appropriation of Forests by the King — Exceptions to this rule — The Forests of Lancaster and Pickering — Complaint of the Earl of Lancaster, temp, of Edward II. , of malefactors and disturbers of the peace — Saxon Forest Laws — Punishments inflicted comparatively mild — A stern and merciless code introduced after the Conquest — Severity of punishments during the reign of William Rufus— A milder policy inaugurated by Henry III. and Edward I. — Curious provision in the Carta Foresta of Henry HI. — Provision of Edward I. — Inquisition to be made of any Deer found dead or wounded — Spaniels and Greyhounds forbidden in the Forest — The Mastiff admitted — " Hambling," or " Expeditation," how performed — Agisting of goats and sheep — Agisting of lands held by persons within the boundaries of the Forests — The Boundaries of a Forest of two kinds — " Dog-draw " — " Stable-stand " "Back-Bear" — "Bloody-hand" — The Fence-month— Rhymed Oath taken by the inhabitants of the Forest — Purlieus— Parks— Musbury, the Park or Laund of the Forest of Rossendale, .... Pp. 57-65 Contents XIV BOOK FOURTH.

CHAPTER I.

The Greave of the Forest— His Duties— Fulfilment of the Office not optional- Accounts of the Greave— Dr Whitaker and Mr Baines on the Greave of Rossendale Forest — The Reeve of Chaucer — List of the Greaves of Rossendale from A.D. 1559 to 1818 — Historical value of the list, in being an enumeration of the oldest families of the district — The Cause of the Parliament espoused by the inhabitants of Rossendale during the Revolution — Names of Persons common to the locality. ..... Pp. 66-81

CHAPTER II.

Description of the Greaves' Accounts — Explanation of the various Rates for the County Palatine of Lancaster — I. The Subsidy — II. The Fifteenth — III. The Oxley — IV. The Maimed Lay — V. The Prisoners' Lay — VI. The Soldiers' Lay, or County Lay — Extracts from the Greaves' Book — The Bridle or Brank for Scolding women — The Ducking Stool — The Bridle formerly used in the Township of Pilkington — Finger or Guide Posts— The Rebellion of 171 5 — Trophey Money — The Rebellion of 1745 — List of the Posts for Rossendale Militia, 1744-5 — Pne taking of Carlisle and Stirling — Watch and Ward — Stocks in the different villages in Rossendale — Sabbath-breaking and Profane Swearing- Old Custom ofthe Churchwardens — The Town Box — Bacup Stocks — Impressing for the Navy — Dungeons at Bacup — Minute respecting Dungeons at Newchurch and Goodshaw Chapel — Dungeon at Crawshawbooth — The war with France — Expenses on account of the Militia — Numbering the Inhabitants — Able-bodied men in Rossendale capable of actual service — The Peace ofAmiens — Threatened Invasion of Great Britain — Meetings held in Rossendale for the Defence of the Nation — Returns made by the Greave — Prisoners formerly conveyed to Holmes Chapel — Public Notices in the Church — Cloughfold Pinfold— List of Pinders from 1747 to 1753 — Workhouse Accounts for 1734-5 — Other Officers appointed by the Halmot Court — The Ale-Taster's Oath — Petition of the Rossendale Ale-Taster, Pp. 82-10S BOOK FIFTH.

CHAPTER I.

Rough Lee — View of the landscape from the hill — Chapel erected there — Traditions respecting the Chapel — Description of the same — Fragments of Stones bearing inscriptions found — Conjectures respecting the foundation of the Chapel — The " Waste of Brendewode," . . Pp. 109 Contents. XV

CHAPTER II.

Decree os the Chancellor of the Duchy os Lancaster relating to the Chapel in Rossendale — The original Chapel at Newchurch — Date of its erection — Rebuilt in the third year ofthe reign of Queen Elizabeth — Addition made to the structure by Mr John Ormerod of Tunstead, and Mr John Hargreaves of Newchurch. in 1753 — Memorial to the Bishop of Chester for authority to enlarge — Extract from Bishop Gastrell's Notitia Cestricnsis — Church rebuilt and enlarged in 1S24-5 — Its Architecture and Situation — Newchurch Bell- Ringers — Legend connected with the Church — List of the Incumbents from the foundation — Copy ofthe last Will and Testament of George Gregory, the first Incumbent — Bees in Rossendale — Surrender of Lands by Lettice Jackson for the use of the New Church — Remarks by Dr Whitaker thereon — Letter from the Rev. J. B. Phillips respecting the same — Note by Canon Raines on the same — Lambeth Inquisition — Contest, for the right of Patronage, betwixt Dr Keene, Bishop of Chester; the Archbishop of Canterbury; and Mr Johnson, Vicar of Whalley — Extracts from the correspondence — Remarks thereon — National School, Newchurch — Grammar School, Newchurch — Endowments — Account of Thomas Saunders, Incumbent of Newchurch, in parochial register — John Shorrock, A.M., Incumbent — The " Book of Sports"— Goodshaw Chapel — Deed entered into for the building thereof— Extract from Bishop Gastrell's Notitia Ccstrieusis — Note by Canon Raines — Incumbents of Goodshaw. ..... Pp. 113-137

Chapter III

St John's Church, Bacup— "Th' Kirk Gate" — Foundation of St John's— Consecration — " The Old School," Bacup, used as an Episcopal place of worship- National School erected — Minister's Salary — Rev. Joseph Ogden first Incumbent — His character — Rev. William Porter, Incumbent — Fees — The Parsonage — Meadowhead Farm, near Gambleside, purchased by the Congregation of St John's — Character of Mr Porter — Living sold to the Hulmeian Trustees — Account of the origin of Hulme's foundation — Rev. E. B. Allen, Incumbent — Rev. Benjamin Tweddle — Rev. J. F. Brindle, M.A. — Bacup made a Consolidated Chapelry in 1837 — Interments in the Churchyard of St John's St Mary's Church, Rawtenstall — Its consecration — Names of principal Subscribers to its erection — Incumbents thereof— Tunstead Church, built through the efforts of Robert Munn and George Ormerod, Esquires- Patrons Incumbents — District assigned to this Church — Lumb Church— Its Consecration Patrons — Incumbent — Lumb constituted an Ecclesiastical District by Order in Council — Population of Parish— Christ Church — Cost of erection— Patron— Consecration— Incumbent— St James's Church, Waterfoot— Date of opening — Of Consecration — Cost of erection — Patrons — Incumbent— St Saviour's Church, Bacnp— Date of Consecration— Incumbent — Baptistery for Adults— School— Parsonage— Patron. . Pp. 138-145 Contents. XVI

Chapter IV

The Baptist denomination in Rossendale — Bacup at the end of the 17th century — No place of Worship in Bacup prior to the establishment ofthe Baptist denomination in Rossendale — William Mitchell and David Crossley — Their character and labours — Mitchell taken prisoner under the Conventicle Act — Crossley, the friend of Bunyan and AVhitefield — Lawrence Britliffe executed at Lancaster — The United Congregations of Bacup and Cloughfold — The Old School, Bacup, erected for the use of the Protestant Dissenters— Trust-deed of the Building — Deed of admission — Henry Lord and Joseph Piccop, successors to D. Crossley — Erection of the "New Meeting House" — Extracts from the Building Accounts — Chapel rebuilt in 1778 — Gallery erected in 1783 — Again taken down and rebuilt in 181 1 — Cloughfold Section of the Baptist Church in Rossendale — Writings belonging to the same — Endowments — Baptist Chapel at Lumb — Musical skill of the inhabitants of the Lumb and Dean Valleys— John Nuttall — Removal to Goodshaw — Other Baptist Chapels in Rossendale — Baptist Churches which have sprung from those in the district — Table, showing present position of Baptist denomination in Rossendale — Sketch of Joseph Piccop — John Hirst, forty-two years minister at Bacup. Pp* '4*-'57

Chapter V

The Methodist denomination in Rossendale — William Darney and John Maden — Sketch ofthe life of John Maden the first Rossendale Methodist — Mr Damey preaches at Heap Barn — Formation of a Society at Miller Bam, Wolfenden Booth — Mr Maden opens his house for divine service — Progress ofthe Society — Another house taken — The use of the Baplist Meeting-house obtained — — The propriety of Building a Chapel discussed — The work accomplished — The New Erection opened by John Wesley — Extracts from Mr Wesley's Journal relative to visits which he paid to Rossendale — Mr Maden's death — Interred at Mount Pleasant, Bacup — Inscription on Tombstone — Character and labours of William Darney — Number of Methodist Chapels in Rossendale — The Quakers, their place of meeting: decrease in their numbers — The Independents — Roman Catholics — Unitarians and Israelites — Original Unitarian Chapel at Rawtenstall — The old School there — Number of Places of Worship within the Forest, .... Pp. 158 164 BOOK SIXTH.

Chapter I

The inhabitants of Rossendale proverbial for their shrewd, enterprising character — The chief men of wealth and position in the district risen from the ranks — Key to the success and growing importance of Rossendale — Table showing Contents. XVII the annual value of the Rateable Property in each Township from 1815 to 1866 — Increase per cent — Acreage of each Township — Increase on the "ad vanced rents" confirmed by King James I. — Population of the district in 151 1, 1551, and during the Commonwealth — Table showing the amount of the Population in each Township, and its increase from 1801 to 1861 — Num ber of Houses inhabited, uninhabited, and in course of erection — Excess of Females over the Males in Rossendale — The Cotton Dearth — Migration of many families into Yorkshire — Statement showing number of Empty Houses in Bacup and neighbourhood in May 1864, during the Cotton famine, Pp. 165-169

Chapter II

The Climate of Rossendale— Effect of the Hills in bringing down the rain — Character of the soil — The Climate not congenial to delicate constitutions — Rain-fall in Bacup in 1864-5 — Number of days on which rain fell — Weight of rain annually deposited on the area of the district — Mean temperature of Rossendale — Its Agriculture — Dairy Farming — Epidemic diseases rare in Rossendale — Style of building not conducive to the health of the inhabitants — Advantages of Local Government when administered with judgment and efficiency — Table of Deaths for the five years 1861-5 — Average annual mortality in the rural and urban districts of England — Table of Births for the five years 1861-5 — Percentage of illegitimate births, . . Pp. 170-173 BOOK SEVENTH.

CHAPTER I.

Local worthies — John Lord, schoolmaster — Traits of his character — The Multiplication Table in rhyme — Rhyming Calendar — Rev. John Butterworth — His religious views— Author of a Concordance to the Holy Scriptures — His father Henry Butterworth, and brothers — James Hargreaves, author of the "Life of John Hirst" — Incidents in his early youth — His first essay at preaching — Joins the Baptist Society at Bacup — Removes to Bolton, and afterwards to Ogden — Commences a Boarding-School — Accepts a call to Wild Street Chapel, London— Finally settles at Waltham Abbey Cross— He is appointed Secretary of the Peace Society — His labours in connexion therewith List of his Published Works — Lawrence Heyworth — His birth and parentage — Education — Commences business — His success in Portugal — Embarks for South America— Establishes Commission houses there — Resists Sir James Chamberlain in his attempts to impose a tax upon English goods imported into Rio-de Janeiro— Founds an Establishment at Hamburgh- Retires from business, and invests. his Capital in Railways— Begins to take an Contents.

XVIII active part in Politics — His connexion with the Anti-Corn Law League— Is returned to Parliament for the borough of Derby — His Political views — Re signs his seat in Parliament — His Literary Labours — John Crabtree, M.D. — Birthplace — Early Education — Studies in Edinburgh and Dublin for the Medical Profession — Takes the degree of M.D. — Obtains his diploma — Begins to practise — Estimate of his abilities — His character — Decease, Pp. 174-1S9

CHAPTER II.

Musical abilities displayed bythe inhabitants of the Forest of Rossendale — Ihe " Deyghn Layrocks" — Sketch from the pen of Edwin Waugh — Psalm Tunes and Chants composed by the "Deyghners" — "Old Simon" — Hand-loom days — Anecdote of two Musical enthusiasts — Anniversary Services at Lumb Chapel — Description of the Singers' Gallery — The Minister peruses the Sacred Volume —His earnest prayer — The old-fashioned instruments at Lumb supplanted by the Organ — The Hallelujah Chorus — Unspeakable value to mankind of these glorious Musical Productions, . Pp. 190-196

Chapter III

Visits of Remarkable Men to Rossendale — John Wesley — George Whitefield — Christopher Hopper — William Gadsby — Fergus O'Connor — Mary Harrison, aged 108 years — Sharneyford Mill — Changes in Bacup — Bull-baiting formerly a common sport in Rossendale — "Abb o' th' Yate" — The Thrutch — Th' Arks o' Dearden and Pike Law — Legend connected with Hell Clough — The belief in Witchcraft — Tong Boggart — The Goodshaw Witch — Account of the killing of a Rossendale Witch or Wizard, from Harland and Wilkinson's " Lancashire Folk-Lore" — Another Rossendale Witch — His Satanic Majesty at Crawshawbooth — Story of a bewitched cow, . . Pp. 197-206 BOOK EIGHTH.

Chapter I

Result of the fulfilment of the decree of Henry VII. — Growth in the number of the Population — Introduction of the Woollen Manufacture during the reign of Henry VIII. — The Wool at first greased with butter in lieu of oil — The Processes of Carding, Spinning, and Weaving originally performed by hand — Invention of the Shuttle — Application of Water power in turning the Machinery — Prejudices against the Water turned Machines — Arkwright's Inventions for Spinning Cotton — Invention of the Steam Engine — Woollen Carding Mills in Rossendale from forty to fifty years ago— Spinning and Weaving formerly entirely domestic processes — Lawrence Hardman of Greens Spot- Contents. XIX land — John and James Hardman, merchants — Prior to the erection of large factories, the warp and wool "put out" to the several hands living in the district — Description of the Sizing process — Drying the Warps — Jack Spin ning — Hareholme Mill erected in 1798 — The first building in Rossendale lighted with gas — Wool combing — Festival in honour of Bishop Blaize — Par ticulars ofthe Woollen trade of the district at the present time — Silk Weav ing — Manufacture of Ginghams, .... Pp. 207 215

Chapter II

The Cotton Trade — The prosperity of the district chiefly due to its development — Increase in the population— Probably no Cotton goods manufactured in Rossendale prior to if so — Fustian Weaving — The Deeting Frame — Early records of the Trade — The oldest Cotton Factory in the district — J. & W. Clegg at Little Baltic — Handloom Weaving from 18 ij to 1830 — Robert and John Munn — A list of the largest Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers in Rossendale at the present time — Co-operative and Joint-Stock Cotton Factories — Cotton Mills in Great Britain in 1787 — Number of Power Looms in 1 820 and 1829 — Table of Particulars of the Cotton Trade in Rossendale in 1867 — Circumstances of the Operatives — Trades directly dependent upon the Cotton Manufacture — Other Trades — The Corn Mills — Mulcture for the grinding of Corn and Malt — Gas and Water Companies — The Rossendale Branch Railway — The Stone Trade — Coal Mines — Table of particulars of the Trade of the District, ..... Pp. 216-230

Chapter III

The Co-operative Movement in Rossendale — Account of the origin of the Bacup Co operative Store — Difficulties experienced by the early Co-operators — Mistakes in "buying in" — Educational appliances — Table of Industrial and Provident Societies in Rossendale — Population represented by the number of Members in the various Stores — Table giving an analysis of the working of the different establishments, .... Pp. 231-238

Chapter IV

The Power-Loom Riots of April 1826 — Description of the Rioters— Progress of the Mob through the Rossendale valley — Names of persons in Rossendale charged with being concerned in the Riots — List of persons killed in the encounter with the Military at Chatterton — Compensation paid to the Manufacturers — Distress amongst the Operatives — Opposition of the Merchants and Woollen Manufactures to the introduction of Power-Looms into the district — Extract from "Scarsdale" — Remedies suggested to mitigate the distress — Pamphlet by " A Friend to the Poor" — His arguments examined — The "Dandy-Loom" — The Luddite Riots of 1812 — The Plug Riots of August 1842 — Prevailing distress of the period — Causes of the distress— The Coin Laws abolished— Conclusion, .... Pp. 239-254 Contents. XX ON THE GEOLOGY OF ROSSENDALE.

By CAPTAIN AITKEN, J.P. Leading topographical features of the district — Geological divisions of tlie sedimentary strata of the Earth's crust — Physical and Geological Structure, and Mineral resources of Rossendale — Vertical Section of the Strata therein — Table of Elevations, ..... Pp. 255-284 OBSERVATIONS ON THE BOTANY OF ROSSENDALE. By ABRAHAM STANSFIELD. The value of a Record of the Local Flora — Destruction of Trees and Plants — Influences prejudicial to Plant Life — The Flora of Rossendale and the valley of Todmorden compared — Girths of some of the largest Trees in the district — Ferns — A List of the Plants Indigenous to the Forest of Rossendale, Pp. 285-299 APPENDIX, INDEX, Pp. 300-330 I*P* 331-337 HISTORY OF THE FOREST OF ROSSENDALE. BOOK FIRST.

Chapter I

This is the sorest primeval. The murmuring Pines and the hemlocks, Bearded with moss, and in garment** green, Indistinct in the twilight, Stand like harpers hoar, with beards That rest on their bosoms." —Longfellow. THE ancient Chase or Forest of Rossendale* has little or no Roman history. No remains Roman in their character, with the exception of the road through Mus- * With respect to the derivation of the name Rossendale, the historian of Whalley remarks : — " I was once inclined to deduce this word from the British rhos, a bottom ; but the following etymology, for which I am indebted to Baxter, (vide Gloss, in voc. Camoziacæ,) is much more appropriate: — ' Pagus isle, de Russeo futo graminum colore, Rossen dicitur, nant ejusmodi ericeum pascunm Britannorum vulgo Rhos dicilitr.' If there was a circumstance about the place which would strike the A bury,* leading to Ribchester, and the Beacon-remains on Thieveley Pike, so far as has yet been ascertained, have ever been discovered within its boundaries.