Townships: Heap

A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1911.

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Citation:

'Townships: Heap', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5, ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1911), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol5/pp136-141 [accessed 25 November 2024].

'Townships: Heap', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5. Edited by William Farrer, J Brownbill( London, 1911), British History Online, accessed November 25, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol5/pp136-141.

"Townships: Heap". A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 5. Ed. William Farrer, J Brownbill(London, 1911), , British History Online. Web. 25 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol5/pp136-141.

In this section

HEAP

Hepe, 1278; Hewood, 1292.

The greater part of the township of Heap lies on the south bank of the Roch, and has a detached portion, called Whittle, between Pilsworth, Unsworth, and Middleton; but there is also a considerable area to the north of the stream, containing Little Bridge, Bridge Hall, and Broad Oak on the west, and part of Bamford with Jowkin and Meadowcroft on the east. There are several detached portions, due probably to a division of the wastes between Heap on the one side and Birtle on the other. The area of the whole is 2,938½ acres. (fn. 1) The population of the borough of Heywood in 1901 was 25,458.

The principal road is that eastward from Bury across the Roch at Heap Bridge, through Charlestown and Heady Hill, (fn. 2) and the town of Heywood,. where it divides, to Rochdale on the north-west and Middleton on the south. Another road from Bury to Rochdale keeps on the northern side of the Rochr and is joined by a cross road from Heywood through Hooley Bridge. (fn. 3)

At Heywood all branches of cotton spinning and manufacture are carried on, and there are iron and brass foundries, saw mills, boiler and wagon works; power looms are made. At Heap Bridge there are great paper mills, and woollen and cotton mills.

An urn containing a large number of Roman coins was found at Plumpton House near Hooley Bridge in 1856. (fn. 4)

There were 126 hearths liable to the tax in 1666. The largest dwellings were those of Robert Heywood (with nine hearths), Roger Holt (seven), and William Bamford (six). (fn. 5)

Heap has disappeared as a township; the borough of Heywood has taken the larger part within it, and other parts have been added to the neighbouring townships. (fn. 6)

Manors

The manorial history of Heap is involved with that of Bury, but there are some estates in the hamlet or township which appear to have been considered as manors. (fn. 7)

BRIDGE HALL, on the north bank of the Roch, (fn. 8) where the road from Bury to Heywood and Middleton crossed the stream, was long held by a branch of the Holt family, (fn. 9) who were succeeded by the Nuttalls; (fn. 10) after whom came the Grundys and the Wrigleys, now owners.

BAMFORD, also on the north bank of the stream, (fn. 11) gave its name to the family which owned it from the 13th to the 19th century. Adam de Bury granted all his lands in Bamford to Alexander de Bamford at a rent of 40d. (fn. 12) There is but little record of the family. (fn. 13) Henry son of Thomas de Bamford was outlawed for debt in 1389, and it was found that he had one messuage at Bamford, held of Sir Roger de Pilkington in socage by the rent of 3s. 6d., and another in Spotland, held of John de Wolstenholme by a rent of 14d. (fn. 14) Samuel Bamford, who died on 10 June 1629, held the manor of Bamford, with messuages in Bamford and Bury, of the Earl of Derby by a rent of 3s. 4d., and also the manor of Wolstenholme. The heir was his nephew William Bamford son of William, then about thirty years of age. (fn. 15) According to the pedigree recorded in 1664 this William died without issue, and the manor passed to a cousin of the same name, who left sons William and Samuel. (fn. 16) The former, by his will in 1673, made his brother Samuel his principal heir. (fn. 17) The estate descended to William Bamford, who died in 1761, (fn. 18) leaving three daughters who died without issue, the eldest, Anne, devising it in 1779 to a distant kinsman, William Bamford of Tarleton Bridge, sheriff of Lancashire in 1787. (fn. 19) He died in 1806, when Bamford and other estates became the property of Robert Hesketh in right of his wife,—Nicholson; (fn. 20) he changed his name to Bamford, but afterwards resumed his proper one. His son Robert married the heiress of Gwrych in Denbighshire. Bamford, however, was sold in 1816 to Joseph Fenton, whose son James in 1841 took down the hall built in the time of Queen Anne, and erected a new house. Bamford became the property of a younger son, and on the failure of Fenton's Bank was sold by the trustees. The hall, park, and part of the land were purchased in 1888 by Mr. E. Stocks Massey, J.P. (fn. 21)

Bamford of Bamford. Argent a fesse engrailed gules.

Moscrop House in Bamford was part of the Agecroft Estate. (fn. 22) The Holts of Gristlehurst and of Ashworth also held lands here. (fn. 23)

WHITTLE has no special history. (fn. 24) Ferdinando Stanley lived there in 1656. (fn. 25)

LOMAX was given by Adam de Bury to Monk Bretton Priory. (fn. 26) It gave a surname to a widelyspread family, (fn. 27) and was often named as a hamlet. (fn. 28)

The Smethurst family appear to have had lands in Heap. (fn. 29) Lands called Bymonds in Heap were the subject of dispute in 1575. (fn. 30)

In 1788 the principal landowners in Heap were William Bamford, James Starky, Mrs. Nuttall, the executors of John Lancashire, the executors of Samuel Howorth, and John Partington. (fn. 31)

HEYWOOD gave a surname to a widely-spread family. (fn. 32) Adam de Bury granted to Peter de Heywood certain lands at a rent of 2s.; should Adam's pigs enter the wood of Heywood in mast time, Peter was to be at liberty to drive them out. (fn. 33) The estate descended regularly to Robert Heywood, who died on 19 March 1543–4, holding Heywood of the Earl of Derby in socage by the ancient rent of 2s., payable at St. Oswald's feast-day. James his brother and heir was forty years of age. (fn. 34) The next notable possessor of the estate is Peter Heywood, who in the Civil War was at first a captain for the Parliament, but went over to the king's side, (fn. 35) his lands being sequestrated. (fn. 36) His son Robert recorded a short pedigree in 1664, (fn. 37) and was succeeded by his son Peter, and grandson Robert, a clergyman. The last-named Robert in 1717 sold Heywood to John Starky of Rochdale, (fn. 38) whose grandson James Starky died in 1846 without issue. (fn. 39)

Heywood of Heywood. Argent three torteaux between two bendlets gules.

Richard Milnes was a freeholder in Heywood in 1600. (fn. 40)

A declaration by adherents to the Commonwealth in 1650–1 is extant. (fn. 41)

Borough

Towards the end of the 18 th century Heywood began to grow into a town. Several cotton mills were established about 1780, (fn. 42) and the manufacture has continued to advance, while other trades have been added. (fn. 43) A branch of the Rochdale and Manchester Canal was brought to the town in 1830. The station at Bluepits on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company's line from Manchester to Rochdale was opened in 1839 for the convenience of Heywood people, who were conveyed to and from the town by a packet-boat on the canal. The railway was extended to Heywood itself in 1841. A gas-lighting Act was obtained in 1826, but the town was not lighted till 1851. A local board was established in 1864, (fn. 44) and in 1867 the district was extended and renamed Heywood. (fn. 45) In 1881 the borough was incorporated; (fn. 46) the area now includes parts of Heap, Hopwood, Pilsworth, Birtle-with-Bamford, and Castleton, (fn. 47) and in 1894 this area was made a civil parish, the old township limits being abolished. (fn. 48) The town is governed by a mayor and council of six aldermen and eighteen councillors, elected by three wards—North, South, and West. (fn. 49) The gasworks are now owned by the Corporation, and the water supply, formerly owned by it, is now the property of the Heywood and Middleton Joint Water Board, formed in 1898. The corporation also own the free library, opened in 1873; the Queen's Park, 1879, the land a gift from Queen Victoria; (fn. 50) an infectious diseases hospital in Birtle; and a cemetery in Castleton. There is a bench of magistrates for the borough. There are a weekly market (fn. 51) on Friday, and fairs in April, August, and October. (fn. 52) A Mechanics' Institute, formed in 1840, existed more than thirty years. There are two newspapers—the Advertiser and the News—issued on Friday. (fn. 53)

Borough of Heywood. Or five torteaux between two bendlets engrailed and as many mascles sable.

Church

A chapel existed at Heywood before the Reformation, but it appears to have had no 'ornaments' except a bell in 1552. (fn. 54) It is said to have been rebuilt by Robert Heywood about 1640, (fn. 55) and his descendant, a century later, in selling the estates proposed to sell also the site and advowson of the chapel. It appears, however, that the rector of Bury has always presented the curate. The chapel has probably been used regularly for public worship from the beginning of the 17th century, when it was 'maintained by the inhabitants.' (fn. 56) The Commonwealth Commissioners in 1650 found that there was no endowment beyond' the use of £5,' left by William Holme. (fn. 57) Later contributions raised the endowment to £8 10s. by 1718. (fn. 58) The registers begin in 1778. The church was rebuilt in 1860, (fn. 59) and a separate district was assigned to it in 1864. (fn. 60) The following have been curates and vicars:— (fn. 61)

1692 Thomas Taylor (fn. 62)
c. 1715 Thomas Ryder (fn. 63)
1717 C. Barret (fn. 64)
1719 Nathan Stock, (fn. 65) M.A. (Brasenose Coll. Oxf.)
1729 James Bankes
1742 James Barton, B.A. (St. John's Coll. Camb.)
1745 William Barton (fn. 66)
1774 Richard Longford (fn. 67)
1803 Richard Hood, LL.D. (fn. 68)
— Thomas Hill (fn. 69)
1823 Joseph Bland Jameson, B.D. (fn. 70)
1835 Robert Minnitt, M.A. (fn. 71) (Trin. Coll., Dublin)
1850 Julius Shadwell, B.A. (fn. 72) (Balliol Coll.,Oxf.)
1865 Thomas Ramsbotham, M.A. (fn. 73) (Christ's Coll., Camb.)
1872 Thomas Julius Henderson, M.A. (fn. 74) (Wadham Coll., Oxf.)
1878 John Spittall, M.A. (fn. 75) (Trinity Hall, Camb.)
1885 Richard William Perry Circuitt (fn. 76)
1900 Edward Basil Armstrong Hughes, M.A. (fn. 77) (Wore. Coll., Oxf.)
1909 John Plumpton Wilson, M.A. (fn. 78) (Queen's Coll., Oxf.)

St. James's, built in 1836–8, and restored in 1875 and 1884, was the second church within the town ship of Heap devoted to the Established religion. The Bishop of Manchester is the patron. (fn. 79) It had a mission church, St. George's, at Heap Bridge, which in 1907 had a separate parish assigned to it; the rector of Bury is patron. St. Anne's mission church was built in 1908. St. Michael's, Bamford, was built in1885; the Bishop of Manchester is the patron.

The Wesleyan Methodists have a church in Market Street, built in 1805 and enlarged in 1828, and a mission-room. The United Methodist Church have two chapels, one of them built in 1836, and the Primitive Methodists one, opened in 1835. The New Connexion also had one in 1844.

The Baptists have a chapel in Rochdale Road, dating from 1831.

The Congregationalists began to hold services in Heywood as early as 1821, but a chapel was not built until 1836. The cause prospered, and the present church was erected in 1868–9. (fn. 80) The church at Bamford originated earlier; preaching began in 1800, and a small chapel was opened in the following year. (fn. 81)

The Swedenborgians had established themselves here early in the 19th century; New Jerusalem, in Church Street, was built in 1828, and enlarged ten years later.

The Unitarians have a chapel, built in 1860, and there is a Spiritualists' temple.

The Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph was opened in 1856. (fn. 82)

A school at Heywood existed in 1696. (fn. 83)

Footnotes

  • 1. The area of Heywood in 1901 was 3,660 acres, including 51 of inland water, according to the Census Rep.
  • 2. Here was the old district or hamlet of Lumhalghs or Lomax.
  • 3. For the mill at this place, stopped in 1861 through disputes in the Fenton family, see Heywood N. and Q. (ed. J. A. Green), i, 37. This publication gathers up a number of notes about persons and places in the district.
  • 4. Lancs, and Ches. Antiq. Soc. ix, 166.
  • 5. Subsidy R. bdle. 250, no. 9 Lancs.
  • 6. Under the Divided Parishes Act, 1882, Diggles was transferred from Heap to Birtle-cum-Bamford. The final change was made in 1894 by Local Govt. Bd. Order 31671; Heap is now divided between Heywood, Bury, Birtle-with-Bamford, and Unsworth.
  • 7. Heap as a surname occurs, but the connexion of the family with the place is not known.
  • 8. In 1278 William son of William del Bridge successfully claimed a messuage and an oxgang of land in Bury against Adam de Bury, Henry son of Cecily de Heap, and others. Roger de Bolton was the plaintiffs predecessor in title; Assize R. 1238, m. 31. It is not clear whether or not this was the Bridge family already noticed in Bury proper.
  • 9. Some deeds of the family may be seen in Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xxxi, fol. 280, &c. In 1445–6 John Holt of the Bridge, who also had Stake Hill in Thornham, agreed with John Clegg of the Mill-house concerning the marriage of his son Henry with Margery daughter of John Clegg. The deed mentions lands formerly held by Henry Holt and Margery his wife in Bury and Middleton; ibid. 181. Roger Holt of Bury, son of Henry Holt of Bridge, occurs in 1490; Pal. of Lanc. Writs Proton, file 5 Hen. VII. Roger Holt died 5 Sept. 1594, holding the capital messuage called Bridge Hall, a water-mill adjoining, and messuages, &c., in Heap, of the Earl of Derby in socage, by a rent of 2s. a year. He also had lands at Stake Hill in Middleton, Feilden in Hunddersfield, and Whittaker in Clegg. His son Richard having died before him, the heir was Richard's son Roger, eleven years of age; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xvi, no. 6. The will of Richard Holt is given in Raines, op. cit. 281; it appears that his mother's name was Anne, and he had brothers, Roger, Henry, Edward, and Francis. Roger Holt of Bridge Hall was buried 5 Feb. 1616–17; Bury Reg. Peter Holt, the next to succeed, was, according to the pedigree, a son of Roger. He took sides with the Parliament and is described as captain, being no doubt the Captain Holt of Bury who helped to defend Bolton against Lord Derby; Civil War Tracts (Chet. Soc), 81. In 1643 he married Elizabeth, widow of Henry Kelly of Manchester, his mother Mary and son and heir Roger being named. From the Bury Registers it appears that Elizabeth, 'an ancient professor,' was buried 21 Nov. 1646. At this time Peter was a member of the Bury Classis. He married again in 1649, Jane Gregory being his wife, and died 10 Aug. 1651; Bury Reg. She afterwards married Robert Gregge of Chester, and had a son Edward Gregge of Hapsford; Raines, op. cit. 282, 283, where Peter's will is given. A son, Peter Holt, M.A., 'a youth of the best hope,' died in 1644; Bury Reg. Roger, the heir, married Jane Greenhalgh of Chamber in 1644–5; ibid. He recorded a pedigree in 1664–5, when forty-four years of age; Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc), 149. He died 29 May 1682; Bury Reg. Bridge Hall appears to have gone to his brother John, who in 1697 sold it to a cousin Nathaniel Gaskell of Manchester and Clifton; Raines, op. cit. 282–5. In 1736 Hugh Lord Sempill and Sarah his wife and the other heirs sold Bridge Hall to Robert Nuttall; ibid. 289. A dispute concerning Bridge Hall and the corn mill in 1595 is recorded in Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), iii, 412. The defendant, Thomas Shaw, was guardian of Roger Holt, and appeared as plaintiff in 1601 respecting the mill; ibid, iii, 427. On the other hand the lessee of the Earl of Derby's mill at Bury complained that various inhabitants of Heap and Whittle were withdrawing suit; ibid, iii, 373, 400.
  • 10. Several deeds relating to Bridge Hall after it came into the possession of the Nuttalls are given in Raines MSS. xxxi, 290–313. Robert Nuttall had in 1718 sons Thomas and John; Thomas married Richmal daughter of Richard Kay of Newhouse in 1727. Thomas Nuttall appears in 1744, and a later Robert Nuttall's will was made in 1776, when his son and heir John was a minor. John came of age in 1790, and married Elizabeth Haworth. He mortgaged (or sold) Bridge Hall in 1807, and made his will in 1813. Robert Nuttall of Bridge Hall in 1819 married Susan Anne daughter of Randal Andrews, vicar of Ormskirk, and Richmal his wife. He was afterwards of Kempsey, Worcestershire, and on his death in 1857 left a daughter and heir Susan Eliza, who married Albert Hudson Royds of Falinge, near Rochdale.
  • 11. Bamford appears to have been divided, one half being merged in Heap, and the other forming part of the township of Birtle-with-Bamford in the parish of Middleton. There were, it is probable, two Bamford families, but it is difficult to separate them.
  • 12. Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xi, fol. 114. The rent was payable on St. Oswald's Day. The seal shows a fesse engrailed. In 1282 Richard son of Hugh de Gooden (Gulden) obtained a messuage, an oxgang of land, and the eighth part of a mill in Bamford, against Adam son of Hugh de Gooden and Eve his wife, the estate to be held of the heirs of Eve; Final Conc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 157. In this case also the rent of 12d. was payable at the feast of St. Oswald.
  • 13. The following notes may be of use. From early Ashworth deeds it appears that Robert de Ashworth was a son of Alexander de Bamford; among the witnesses to deeds are Henry de Bamford, William de Bamford, Thomas de Bamford, and Adam his brother (Raines MSS.[Chet. Lib.], xi, fol. 253); also Thomas de Bamford, Alexander, Henry, and Andrew his sons (ibid. 258). Henry de Bamford was a witness in 1287; ibid. 259. In 1311 Richard son of Thomas de Bamford was concerned in a Spotland suit; De Banco R. 189, m. 9 d. In 1332 Richard de Bamford contributed to the subsidy in Spotland; Exch. Lay Subs. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 33. Thomas son of Adam de Bamford in 1321 slew Robert de Middleton and Alexander de Wardle at Rochdale; Coram Rege R. 254, m. 48. Hugh son of Hugh de Atherton in 1330 claimed a messuage and lands against Ellis de Bamford; De Banco R. 283, m. 181 d. In 1339 Hugh de Atherton claimed lands in Bamford against Adam son of Adam de Bamford, against Nicholas son of Ellis de Bamford, and against Henry de Bamford; in each case 15 acres was in dispute; De Banco R. 320, m. 498 d. Avice daughter of Thomas daughter of Richard de Bamford was nonsuited in 1353 in a claim for lands in Spotland; De Banco R. 435, m. 17, 28. In 1371 Thomas son of Thomas de Bamford was concerned in a Spotland suit; ibid. R. 441, m. 57. A little later Nicholas de Bamford and hia son Nicholas occur; ibid. R. 452, m. 185 d, &c. Maud widow of Adam de Bamford complained in 1360 that she had been unlawfully detained in Tottington; Assize R. 451, m. 3.
  • 14. Lancs. Rec. Inq. p.m. no. 3. The plaintiffs in the suit were Robert son of Geoffrey del Holt and James del Holt, executors of the will of John del Holt the elder. Henry de Scholefield had occupied the estate for two years preceding the inquisition in 1393. Thus the outlawed Henry may be identified with a Henry de Bamford who with Ellen his wife claimed lands in Mawdesley and Croston in 1398 against Henry de Scholefield. The remainders were to Richard son of Henry and Ellen, and his heirs by Rose daughter of Thomas de Ainsworth; then to Thomas and John, brothers of Richard; to John son of Henry de Scholefield; to Henry son of John de Scholefield; to Thomas de Mawdesley, and to Thomas his son; lastly to the heirs of Ellen wife of Henry de Bamford. Margery then wife of Richard de Warburton had part of the lands as dower; Final Conc, iii, 54. Nicholas and Henry de Bamford attested a Holt charter in 1398; Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xi, fol. 262. Hugh son of Nicholas de Bamford was a defendant in 1402; Add. MS. 32108, no. 1629. Thomas Bamford and Adam his son were summoned for debt in 1524; Pal. of Lanc. Writs Prot. Lent, 15 Hen. VIII. A pedigree was recorded in 1613 beginning with an Adam Bamford, probably the father of the Thomas last mentioned; Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc), 34. William Bamford and Joan his wife made a settlement of the manor of Bamford and various messuages and lands in Bamford, Mawdesley, Wolstenholme, and Bury in 1584; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 46, m. 123. William Bamford was a freeholder in 1600; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 247. One of the name was buried 10 Nov. 1607, and his widow Janet 1 Feb. 1616–17; Bury Reg. The will of William Bamford, dated 1604, is given in Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), vi, fol. 258; his wife Joan and son and heir William are named; he left 13s. 4d. to the repair of Bury Church. William son of William Bamford recorded a pedigree in 1613, as above quoted, his son William being then seventeen years of age. William Bamford of Bamford was buried 26 July 1624 (Bury Reg.), but Samuel Bamford contributed to the subsidy of 1622; Misc. (ut sup.), i, 161.
  • 15. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xxviii, no. 35; in it is recited a settlement made by Samuel Bamford a fortnight before his death, the remainders being to William son of Edward Bamford of Mawdesley, and to Edward son of Samuel Bamford of Bretherton. William Bamford declined knighthood, paying in 1631 a composition of £10; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 216. 'Mr. Bamford of Bamford' died 10 Aug. 1649; Bury Reg.
  • 16. Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc.), 22. William Bamford died 28 Mar. 1673; Bury Reg.
  • 17. Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), vi, fol. 299. The remainder of this account of Bamford is from Canon Raines's note in Notitia Cestr. ii, 29, except where other references are given.
  • 18. A settlement was made in 1735, the deforciants in the fine being William Bamford and Margaret his wife, George Bamford and Margaret his wife, and Anne and Susan Bamford; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 315, m. 69. The estate is not described as a manor, but as messuages and lands in Bamford, Spotland, and Wolstenholme.
  • 19. P.R.O. List, 74.
  • 20. Burke, Commoners, iv, 524. For the Fentons see Burke, Landed Gentry, Fenton of Dutton Hall.
  • 21. Information of Mr. Massey, who died in Dec. 1909.
  • 22. In consequence of disputes about it between Richard Ashton of Middleton and Robert Langley of Agecroft an arbitration was arranged in 1524, and it was decided that the former ought to pay the latter a free rent of 6d.; Agecroft D. 101.
  • 23. For Gristlehurst see the account of Birtle in Middleton.
  • 24. Hawise de Whittle (Quitul), Adam of the same, and his brothers John and Roger, in 1292 sought to prove their freedom against Adam de Bury; Assize R. 408, m. 33 d. A family named Langley resided in the 17th century at Whittle; William Langley was summoned by the heralds in 1664; Dugdale, Visit, p. v.
  • 25. Manchester Free Library D. no. 100; the field names given include Warriner Wood, Reyne Cloughs, and Pingle. The Bury registers contain some entries referring to the family.
  • 26. Monk Bretton Chartul. fol. 43, 44; and Lansdowne MS. 405, fol. 49. The 'land' called 'Lummehalenges' within the bounds of Heap touched Gooden (Guledene) and the water of Roch (Rached). A claim made in 1445 by the Prior of Monk Bretton against Sir John de Pilkington may refer to this land; Pal. of Lanc. Plea R. 7, m. 3b.
  • 27. See the account of Pilsworth. The Bury registers mention Lomax of Castle Hill, Lomax of Redivales, Lomax of Croichley, Lomax of Bent, &c.
  • 28. Robert de Radcliffe held a tenement called 'Lomhalle' of Henry de Bury in 1351; Duchy of Lanc. Assize R. 1, m. 2 d. Richard son of John de Radcliffe seems to have held the same estate in 1368; De Banco R. 431, m. 351; and Sir Alexander Radcliffe in 1546; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 12, m. 253.
  • 29. Richard Smethurst died 5 June 1597 holding lands in Bury of the Earl of Derby in socage, by a rent of 6½d., also a messuage in Middleton of the queen as of her manor of Stanton Lacy in Shropshire. Richard his son and heir was twenty-six years of age; Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. xvii, no. 74. Richard Smethurst contributed to the subsidy of 1622; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 161. These seem to have been the Smethursts of Broad Oak, whose estate was afterwards acquired by the Nuttalls; Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xxxi, fol. 272, 273. Arthur Smethurst the elder made a settlement of three messuages and lands in Bury, &c., in 1568; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 30, m. 117. Arthur Smethurst of Heap married Margaret Kay on 24 Feb. 1611–12; Bury Reg. The same or another Arthur was a member of the Bury Classis in 1646.
  • 30. Ducatus Lanc. (Rec. Com.), iii, 34.
  • 31. Land tax returns at Preston.
  • 32. There are pedigrees in the Iter Lanc. (Chet. Soc.), 22; and in Lancs, and Ches. Antiq. Soc. ix, 144.
  • 33. Iter Lanc. 23; O. Heywood, Diaries, i, 124. The bounds began at Gooden (Golden) in Hopwood, descended to the Roch, ascended this to Heyden (Heedene), and this to the boundary of the lands of Adam de Bury and Roger de Middleton. The date is about 1270. In 1246 Peter son of Robert de Heywood had recovered 2 acres of land in Heywood against Gervase de Halliwell, Hawise his wife, Hugh the son of Gervase, and Wimark his wife; Assize R. 404, m. 3. In 1292 William son of Hugh de Gooden complained that he had been disseised of his common of pasture in 2 acres of moor within Bury, Peter de Heywood and his sons Henry, Richard, Robert, and Gilbert being the principal offenders; but he was nonsuited; Assize R. 408, m. 5. William de Heywood in 1344 granted all his land in Bury to his brother Richard for life, at a rent of 26s. a year; Dods. MSS. cxvii, fol. 163. Richard de Heywood appears in 1357; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xxxii, App. 336. Nicholas de Heywood in 1366 enfeoffed John de Radcliffe of Chadderton of all his lands in Bury and Middleton; Dods. MSS. loc. cit. In 1375 Nicholas complained of a trespass at Heywood; De Banco R. 460, m. 261. A Hugh de Heywood went to Portugal on the king's service in 1385; Dep. Keeper's Rep. xl, App. 524. Robert son of Nicholas de Heywood made a feoffment of his lands in Heywood in 1417; Dods. MSS. cxvii, fol. 163b. Two years later the feoffees granted Robert's lands in the hamlet of Heap in the vill of Bury and in Middleton to his brother Geoffrey; ibid. Geoffrey de Heywood in 1429–30 agreed not to alienate the lands of his father Nicholas, in view of the marriage of his son Peter with Margaret daughter of Robert Tunnicliffe; ibid. Geoffrey de Heywood survived his son, and in 1455–6 a settlement of his lands was made, by which they were to descend successively to Robert, Nicholas, Geoffrey, and James, the sons of Peter, and heirs male; in default to Nicholas, another son of Geoffrey the elder; ibid. fol. 165. Geoffrey had another son James, to whom a moiety of Hurtilcroft in Bury was granted for life at the same time, with remainder to Robert son and heir of Peter de Heywood; ibid. In 1501 an agreement was made between James Holt of Gristlehurst, Ralph his son and heir, and their partners, on one side, and Robert Heywood of Heywood, Peter his son and heir, and their partners, on the other: ibid.
  • 34. Duchy of Lanc. Inq. p.m. vii, no. 29. This recites the settlement of 1455–6, and traces the descent to Robert Heywood, who was the son and heir of the Peter last mentioned. Peter Heywood had given Leonard's Croft and other lands to trustees for the use of Elizabeth daughter of Charles Radcliffe, on her marriage with Robert his son. A settlement was made in 1539 (see Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 12, m. 7), whereby the lands in Heywood, Heap, Bury, and Middleton, were, after the death of Peter, to go to his son Robert, and in default of male issue, to a younger son James. The lands in Middleton were held of Robert Langley in socage, by a rent of 6d. James Heywood in 1559 made a settlement of his estates in Heywood and elsewhere, the remainders being to his sons Peter, heir apparent, and Robert; Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 21, m. 65. Peter Heywood succeeded before 1569, when he made a settlement; ibid. bdle. 31, m. 17. Peter Heywood was returned as a freeholder in 1600; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 247. He was buried 14 Feb. 1599–1600; Bury Reg. According to the pedigrees the Peter Heywood who assisted at the arrest of Guy Fawkes in 1605 was a younger son. The heir was the elder son Robert, who rebuilt Heywood Hall in 1611, and is described by Oliver Heywood as 'a pious, reverend old gentleman and an excellent poet'; Iter Lanc. 17; O. Heywood'a Diaries, i, 17. His Observations has been printed by the Chetham Society (vol. 76). The pedigree of 1664–5 begins with Robert Heywood, who paid £10 on refusing knighthood in 1631; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 216. He was buried 19 Jan. 1646–7; Bury Reg. By his will, dated 8 Oct. 1646, he devised his estate to the use of his son Peter, reserving dower for Margaret his wife and portions for his daughters and a younger son John; then to his grandson Robert and heirs male; in default to his said son John, &c.; 'provided that the trustees should stand seised of two houses in Rochdale to the use of his son John, upon his submission to Parliament, until he came to some ecclesiastical preferment in the Church of England of £50 a year.' This son was made rector of Walton at the Restoration. There was a further provision that if his son Peter should submit to the Parliament the trustees were 'to stand seised of the premises unto the said Peter Heywood, his heirs and assigns, for ever'; Roy. Comp. Papers (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), iii, 222, 223. It thus appears that while the father was a Parliamentarian and a member of the Bury Classis, his sons were Royalists. John was living 'at Oxford as a scholar' in 1652.
  • 35. Civil War Tracts, 230. He not only 'held intelligence with the enemy 'while a Parliamentary officer, but after he had joined the king's army 'he offered,' says Colonel Rosworm,' in the behalf of Prince Rupert, that I should have a very great sum of money paid me in my hand before my delivery of the town, that I should have great preferment under Prince Rupert,' &c.
  • 36. Roy. Comp. Papers, ut sup. His fine was £351. He also desired to compound for the dower of his wife in lands in Rochdale and Stidd, the inheritance of her former husband, Theophilus Holt. Peter Heywood died 4 Jan. 1657–8; Bury Reg.
  • 37. Dugdale, Visit. (Chet. Soc), 139. Robert was then Clerk of the Green Wax for the county palatine; his son Peter was two years of age. Robert Heywood and Mary his wife, one of the sisters and coheirs of John Haslam of Rochdale, who was son and heir of Ellis Haslam, sold land in 1671; Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xxxi, fol. 67. Robert Heywood and Peter his son were burgesses at the Preston Gild of 1682; Guild Rolls (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 189.
  • 38. Robert Heywood, son and heir of Peter, son and heir of Robert, sold the Heywood estates together with the manor of Spotland in Rochdale for £1,841 8s. 6d. The capital messuage of Heywood Hall, with water corn-mill, lands in Heap, Middleton, and Bamford, and the site and advowson of the chapel of Heywood, are mentioned, and many field names (including Coal pit field) are given; Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xvi, fol. 111. See also Pal. of Lanc. Feet of F. bdle. 279, m. 86. From another deed given by Canon Raines it appears that the vendor died before 1742.
  • 39. Extracts from the diary of John Starky of Heywood are given in Raines MSS. viii, fol. 343. In 1749 an agreement was made for the marriage of John son and heir apparent of John Starky with Esther Whalley of Blackburn. James Starky in 1786 married Elizabeth daughter of Edward Gregge Hopwood. See Raines MSS. xvi, fol. 111; and Notitia Cestr. ii, 29. James Starky also owned Tonge Hall near Middleton; he was sheriff in 1791–2; P.R.O. List, 74. In a statement of the Starky title to the advowson of Heywood in 1834, it is stated that John Starky purchased from Heywood, was succeeded by his only surviving son John, and he by his son James, seventytwo years old in 1834.; Church P. at Chester.
  • 40. Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs. and Ches.), i, 249.
  • 41. Add. Chart. 7180 (B.M.).
  • 42. In a lecture by Mr. J. A. Green in 1899, it is stated that James Kershaw of Wrigley Brook Mill purchased cotton in 1777; three other mills were also in existence, and Makin Mill was built by Peel, Yates & Co., about 1780.
  • 43. An account of the progress of the cotton manufacture is given in Barton, Bury, 276–7, from which volume are extracted several other particulars in the text.
  • 44. Lond. Gaz. 8 Mar. 1864., for Heap Middle Division.
  • 45. 30 & 31 Vict. cap. 64.; 38 & 39 Vict. cap. 76; and 42 & 43 Vict. cap. 76.
  • 46. The date of the charter is 18 Feb. 1881.
  • 47. The portion of Castleton was added in 1900; Loc. Govt. Bd. Order P, 1640.
  • 48. Ibid. Order 31671.
  • 49. A full description of the boundaries is given in the Year Bk. of the borough, lent to the editors by the town clerk, Mr. George G. Bouchier.
  • 50. It was the old park of Heywood Hall, and was purchased out of moneys which devolved to Her Majesty in right of the duchy from the estate of Charles Martin Newhouse, deceased; Year Bk.
  • 51. There were formerly two covered markets, but both have long since been converted to other uses; Information of Rev. B. Hughes, vicar.
  • 52. The Year Bk. quoted gives particulars of other municipal undertakings, as the baths, technical school and classes, electric lighting station, sewage disposal works, &c.
  • 53. The first newspaper was the Observer, in 1844; Heywood N. and Q. i, 17.
  • 54. Cb. Goods (Chet. Soc), 46. The chapel was purchased by the inhabitants; Raines, Chant. (Chet. Soc), ii, 277. It is marked in Saxton's map, 1577; and Agnes Radcliffe of Marland left 2s. to Heywood Chapel; Raines in Notitia Cestr. ii, 34.
  • 55. Gastrell, ibid.; it was 'never consecrated; the designed endowment of the founder was lost, and the estate sold.'
  • 56. Hist. MSS. Com. Rep. xiv, App. iv, 12. Mr. Buckley was 'lecturer' at Heywood in 1622, and Giles Clayton 'curate,' 1634–6; Misc. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), i, 66, 95. Robert Towne, curate in 1640, averred that he did not hold the opinions of the Grindletonians, as had been alleged; Raines MSS. (Chet. Lib.), xxii, fol. 306. Jonathan Scholefield was curate from 1647 or earlier until 1659, when he moved to Douglas chapel. He signed the 'Harmonious Consent' in 1648. In 1647 he had some dispute with his congregation, but it seems to have been adjusted; Shaw's Bury Classis (Chet. Soc), i, 22, 40, 123; ii, 253. In 1650 he was reported to be 'orthodox for divinity, well qualified for life and conversation'; Commonwealth Ch. Surv. (Rec. Soc. Lancs, and Ches.), 42. George Thomason is said to have been ejected from Heywood in 1662; Calamy, Nonconf. Mem. (ed. Palmer), ii, 94.
  • 57. Commonwealth Ch. Surv. 42.
  • 58. Gastrell, Notitia Cestr. ii, 33–5. Richard Whitehead of Pilsworth in 1671 gave money for the use of the minister at Heywood; and Richard Haworth of Heap in 1704 made a bequest 'for the sole use and benefit of such curate, minister, or preacher, as shall from time to time be appointed to officiate and serve at the chapel of Heywood, and as shall be conformable to the liturgy and service of the Church of England as by law now established, and not otherwise. And if any curate or minister shall be imposed on the said chapel or shall officiate there who shall not be conformable as aforesaid, then my said trustees shall dispose of all the said rents and profits as they shall think fit'; ibid.
  • 59. There was a dial on the east side of the chapel, bearing the date 1686, and the initials of Robert Heywood; also A.B. 1807. The column of the dial was recently found; Information of the Rev. B. Hughes. A sundial was placed in the churchyard in 1845.
  • 60. Lond. Gaz. 8 Jan. 1864. The tithes of the township of Heap were in 1857 annexed to the chapelry, and the incumbents have usually been styled rectors, but it appears, by a ruling of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, that this is incorrect.
  • 61. The list is taken from the Church P. at Chester, and Raines MSS. ix, fol. 8, 9. Few curates occur in the fifty years following the Restoration; but Ichabod Furness was there in 1671; John Battersby in 1677–9; Abraham Butterworth, B.A., in 1684; Church P. at Chester, and Mr. Earwaker's notes.
  • 62. The regular Church P. begin with him.
  • 63. Objection was made to him in 1717.
  • 64. Also at Holeombe.
  • 65. William Bamford and John Starky gave £100 to the endowment in 1719 on condition that Nathan Stock be appointed; Gastrell, Notitia, ii, 35.
  • 66. An excellent ornithologist; Raines.
  • 67. A grave and devout clergyman of the old school; Raines.
  • 68. Afterwards Dean of Kilmacduagh; Raines.
  • 69. Immoral, resigned; Raines.
  • 70. He was long suspended by the bishop, and died in an obscure beer-house where he had taken shelter from the weather. He was very poor, and left a widow and family; Raines.
  • 71. Afterwards vicar of Healey, Rochdale; he died in 1884.
  • 72. Afterwards rector of Washington, Durham.
  • 73. Resigned in 1872.
  • 74. Vicar of South Banbury, 1878; vicar of Farley, 1883.
  • 75. Exchanged the vicarage of South Banbury with his predecessor; became vicar of Havenstreet, Ryde, I.W., in 1885.
  • 76. Previously vicar of Cholsey, Berks.
  • 77. To Mr. Hughes are due several of the particulars in this account of Heywood.
  • 78. a Previously vicar of St. Paul, Peel.
  • 79. For endowments see Lond. Gaz. 8 Aug. 1865, and 10 Sept. 1844.
  • 80. Full details, with names of the ministers, are given in Nightingale, Lancs. Nonconformity, iii, 263–8. Mrs. Fenton of Bamford Hall guaranteed the expense of a preaching-room in 1821.
  • 81. Ibid, iii, 255–62; the Fentons of Bamford Hall, whose mills at Hooley Bridge brought a great increase of population, were members of the congregation and liberal benefactors. Sir James KayShuttleworth, bart., a native of Bamford, was also connected with it.
  • 82. The mission was begun in 1854; Kelly, Engl. Cath. Missions, 213.
  • 83. Gastrell, Notitia, ii, 35.
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