Blackburn as it is: a topographical, statistical and historical account, ... including ... biographical sketches, a directory for 1852, etc

Front matter

T±[\]}\miJ}mkmu££;ji< e_>%^ G-^pWz*/ BLACKBURN AS IT IS : 1 WOGBAPMCAl, STATISTICAL, AND E1SI0BICA1 ACCOUNT ,OF THE BOROUGH OF BLACKBURN, IN THE HUNDRED OF BLACKBURN (LOWER DIVISION), IN THE COUNTY PALATINE OF LANCASTER J ITS ANTIQUITIES AND MODERN IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING §, mxmt tm of % garter GRANTED IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA ; BIO GRAPHICAL SKETCHES OP EMINENT MEN, &c, A DIRECTORY FOR 1859, WITH A LIST OF THE STREETS, &c. BY P. A. WHITTLE, F.S.A., AUTHOR OF THE "ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OP PRESTON ;" "MARINA," OR A HISTORY OP SOUTHPORT, LYTHAM, AND BLACKPOOL, &C, &C. We have a deep concern in preserving from destruction the manners and thoughts ofthe past, the leading conceptions of all remarkable forms of civilization, the achievements of genius or virtue, and of the benevolent improvements of man.

PEESTON: PRINTED BY H. OAKEY, FISHEEGATE ; AND SOLD BY JAS. WALKDEN, J. N. HAWORTH, CHAS. TIPLADY, WM. WOOD, EDWARD WHARTON, AND WM. FISH, BOOKSELLERS, BLACKBURN J AND BY THE PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS IN LANCASHIRE. MDCCCLII. This New History of Blackburn As it Is, is respectfully dedicated to Sir Wm. Henry Feilden, Baronet, of Perriscowles, Deputy Lieutenant and Magistrate of the County Palatine of Lancaster, in testimony of his kindness and affability expressed to the Author, by giving him permission to publish the work under his auspices, and out of respect for the many eminent services rendered by the family to the town and neighbourhood of Blackburn. It is inscribed, With all due respect, By his most faithful servant, THE AUTHOK. Preston, 1852.

Preface

. We should know little of ages gone by, but for the picture of the past, painted by the pen ofthe historian. The study of the local history of our country may be classed among the most important pursuits ofthe topographer, and it is by his indefatigable researches that we obtain access to a knowledge of what has passed before in ages long gone by, and by these means gain information ofthe progress of human society, in its rise from a state of barbarism to every grade of improvement whatever, till we reach to a state of civilization. We owe all to the wisdom that first established order, directed agricultural industry and trade, which formed a pathway to opulence, and opened out the portals of science, refinement, and legal power. It must be admitted that the information thus acquired is beneficial in proportion as it is rendered capable of practical application.

Whatever knowledge of the arts which the ancient Britons of those parts acquired, it was when they were under the dominion of the Eomans, for upwards of three hundred years. This was a genesis to civilization. When the Eomans abandoned the country, having enough to do in their own, the remains of their greatness here was destroyed, and the Britons relapsed into a state of deseutude. The Saxons were invited and came as invaders, and when arrived became masters, and ruled as such all over the king dom. They most certainly were superior in mental knowledge to the subjugated natives. After this the Danes harassed this part, made sad havoc in their incursions, and were considered a body of intruders who wanted all the spoils ofthe country, and thenreturned home again, renewing their visits when want prompted them to do so.

When Alfred began to reign, laws and institutions were formed, and were the precursors of intellectual improvement, which constitutes the civilization of man. This had a great effect upon the people in this part, yet they were rude, wanting that polish so necessary to the comforts of life ; still trade was at a low ebb, for even when the Normans took possession of the country, they were uncivilized. The language and manners of both parties were unsuited to each other ; indeed they had a difficulty in under standing each other in the most common occurrences of daily life. However, changes took place, and led to a degree of social inter course, so essentially necessary to the good of the nation, and which has ultimately continued to raise the country at the present day to a high pinnacle of freedom and refinement. Exceptions to the general rule will be found. VI

PREFACE.

. We have been rather diffuse respecting the ancient state of this district (which is applicable to others), and have been obliged to mention certain historical facts brought forward in other parts of the work, which may be called a repetition. We hope to be excused, as it was unavoidable. Our exertions have not been wanting in gaining whatever coidd by possibility be deemed authentic, and the rest we have omitted. Errors there will be, from which no work is exempt. " When a man fulfils, to the best of his knowledge and belief," as Clayton says, " one of the great designs of creation, by exalting his mind and cultivating its powers ; when under the influence of doing good, in the most extensive meaning of the word, he applies the wisdom which he has gained to the purpose of enlightening the ignorance of his fellow creatures; when, by instruction, arguments, and examples, he teaches the rich how to use prosperity, the poor how to support want, and the afflicted how to procure consolation, it may in truth be asserted, that he is not neglecting the third and highest branch of his obligations, his duty to his Creator."

The present work was designed as a manual to the inhabitants of Blackburn, excluding as much as possible all tiresome details, and should combine the two advantages of a moderate price and appearing in good type. How far the author has been enabled to perform his task, and to leave unnoticed no object of peculiar interest, must be left to the reader to determine. In conclusion, we have done our utmost to produce a history of the ancient town of Blackburn from what resources we had and could procure. The town has been neglected in a historical point of view by all topographers. We are sensible that the true pur pose of education is to cherish and unfold the seed of immortality already sown within us, to develope to their fullest extent the capacities of every kind with which God who made us has endowed us.

This has been our greatest aim. Then we shall be fitted for all circumstances that may happen, or know how to fit circum stances to ourselves. As a historian, we know there is but one way of securing universal equality to man, and that is, to regard every honest employment as honourable, and then for every man to learn in whatever state he may be in to rest content, and to fulfil with strict fidelity the duties of his station, and to make every condition a post of honour.* We are proud of this, and have made our condition similar, leaving others to improve upon it, as events occur in the stream of time. * This precept is inculcated throughout in respect to the working classes, not to turn out for high wages, or congregate together for riotous purposes, thereby cnlaogering the safest of public property, and transgressing the laws of the country.