1. Parish Records, Constables & Overseers of the Poor.
2. Houses on the Roads on the 1820 Map.
3. Basket Making & Willow Growing.
4. Mawdesley Tea Party & Flower Show.
5.The Church.
6. The Schools
7. Bispham 1847 from the Tithe Map & Bispham School.
8. Field Paths in Mawdesley & Bispham.
9. Farming in Mawdesley.
10. School Days in the 1900's. Comrades Hut.
11. Short Stories in Dialect.
12. Mawdesley C.E. School of Managers.
13. The Mawdesley Family.

by ALAN COBHAM

Chapter 1

GRASSLAND MAWDES/LEY-FIELD
A large area in Mawdesley was sold by the Hesketh family. The church glebe land formed part of the Rufford Estate.

HENRY I married Edith Matilda (Maud) 1100 -1135.

In the reign of Henry I a moiety of the Manor of Rufford appears to have been originally granted by Richard Bussell, second Baron of Penwortham, to Richard Fitun, one of whose descedants, Richard Fitton, gave the moiety to his daughter Mawde Matilda who in the reign of Edward I (1279-1307) married Sir \\illiam Hesketh. This gentlemen's grandson Sir John Hesketh, Kt, having married Alice, daughter and heiress of Edmund Fytton, Lord of half Rufford, became so'e
Lord of t'ne Manor and assumed the arms of Fytton. It can be assumed Mawdes Ley was the dowry of Matilda-Mawde.

November 11th 1718
Sam's Brigg being an Hundred Brigg in ye Highway Roads between Wiggan and Kirkham; 300 foote or 126 poles from ye Eastern End thereof being in Mawd!esley aforesaid, hath been all newly paved as a House Causey, within ye year aforesaid.
The Expenses thereof being as next followeth to be allowed by Leyland Hundred

There was likewise these following changes within ye said year 1718 at ye foot 3 of ye southern end of Randle Brigg in Mawdesley being a Hundred Brigg.

1718. George 1st

There was likewise these following charges within the said year 1718 at the foote of the southern end of Randle Brigg in Mawdesley being an Hundred Brigg.

REPAIRS TO BRIDGES
Mawdesley, October 15th 1717—George 1st
Randle Brigg being an Hundred brigg in the Highway road between Wigan and Kirkamm, 300ft. on the North Eastern side end therof being in Mawdesleyhath been paven, now as a house causey within the said year. The expenses being as here follows, to be allowed by the Leyland Hundred.

Which said sum o£ £2 9s. 4d. was paid on the account o£ Leyland Hundred by Mr. John Heskin unto James Finch the younger, Surveyor for Mawdesley in 1718.
 

October l5th, 1717—George 1st

Tinckers Brigg being an Hundred brigg in the highway road between Preston and Ormskirk 300 ft. on the Southern end thereof being in Mawdesley hath been paved as house causey within the year aforesaid. The expenses being as here
followeth to be allowed by the Hundred.

The 1/4qts mean farthings.

November 11th, 1718 - George 1st.

Sam's Brigg being an Hundred Brigg in the Highway road between Wiggan and Kirkham 300 ft. or 12 1/2 poles from the Eastern end thereof being in Mawdesley aforesaid hath been all newly paved as a house causey within the aforesaid.
Expenses thereof being as next followeth to be allowed by Leyland Hundred.

CONSTABLES AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR

PARISH RECORDS

Dr. James Ainscough to Thos. Dandy.
October 7th. 1822

Settled same day. T. Dandy

Heskin Colliery - 22nd.January, 1823
Mr Thomas Ainscough bought of Wm. Holdi!ng.
 

Inhabitants of Rufford and Mawdesley.
To the Representatives of the late lIr. A. Radcliffe, Dr.

January 7th. 1761 - Received in full by me Ann Radcliffe of all accounts for Rufford and MawdesleyOn 1742 was paid to Mr. Radcliffe, Ten Pounds Ten Shillings.
In 1743 was paid to Mr. Radcliffe, £28 9s. 6d..

Surveyors of the Highways, 1769.
Be it declared that it was agreed at a public meeting the 12th of January 1767that the Surveyor of the Highways for the said Township, should each of them every year be allowed them for their trouble of serving the office in lieu of having their Leys allowed them.
As the town thought it more proper to allow them a fixed salary.

Backhouse Farm Ist. Record of Meeting.
1692. At a town's meeting at the house of James Backhouse it was agreedcontributions for the Highways should not be used for the Back Lanes.
Signatures—Mr. H. Mawdsley, Robert Mawdsley, Henery Dawber, John Fisher, Henry Fisher, Edward Nelson, Edward Rigby, Francis Nelson,Richard Mawdsley, Henry Fisher, Thomas Stofiorth, James Backhouse, William Eccleston, Thomas Barrett.
Memento: Mawdesley Hall and Blackmoor Hall, John Roper and Richard Cropper should all all of 'em be put on now to serve all officers in rotation.

The Bounds of Mawdesley were surveyed.
The Manor of Mawdesley begins at Bentley Brook running down the south side of a close called Higgs from the same to Dobhey Nook and from thence to the River Douglas brook divides it from the Manor of Bispham from ................
down to the river to the north side of a meadow a pasture called the Kittle pool now in the bridge possession and bounded on the west down the said river to the Eloor Brook, mouth of the Manor of Lathom from thence to the said Kittle pool in the Manor of Rufford bounding on the west said Kittle pool in a direct line over the Moss eastward to a close where formerly flood abounds called the lords of the moss, to as said line divides it from the Manor of Croston.
Bounding on the north from thence straight to a meadow called the four acre in the possession of Taylor of Lathom from thence turning to the Norward downthe water course dividing between Esq. Traffords domain and several meadows in possession of Mr. Carter, Richard Halton and others from then from thence to the broad meadow acre in possession of James Knowles of Croston from thence turning eastwards up an old ditch formerly reputed a water course to a Bridge in Sidd Brook Lane called Jams Bridge and hitherto bounded by the moss and north by the Manor of Croston from thence southward up the east side of lane to a croft in the possession of John Eccleston, then up tne east slde of the said croft into a long croft called the Gate Ridings now in the possession of Richard Nelson and following the east side of the said Gate Ridings up to the Sid Brook thence by the brook to Tinklers Bridge, thence up the said Sidd Brook to Now Nook at the end of Kesking Wood, all 10th marks as described from same bridge dividing it from the Manor and Township of Eccleston, it lies bound to the east thence to a plat in the lane by the late Mr. Hopkin's gates and thence up Hest House Lane to a place called Meadow House Nook in the possession of Henry Fisher thence southwards towards Threapers Green and after the topp of the Eugh Heys and Wiswall Croft to the Porters Hey from thence to Corkhin Road style standing on the east side of the said Threapers Green all makes described from How Brook dividing it from the manor or township of Heskin boundary on the east.
South from thence eastward right across the green to Henry Porter's gate thence straight up the lane towards the new shool in Bispham, till you come to the cross green (Jackson's Lane end)from thence to the small brook called Bentley Brook thence turning down the said brook to a field called Farnworths now in the possession of Harsnep all 10th makes describe road style dividing it from the Manors and Townships of Wrightington and Bispham, bounding on the south and west from thence behooon the said Farnworth's Field and a close called Barn Acre in the possession of Mr. Dene Nelson —a comin called Blackmoor. (Farnworth's Field, now called the Clawsus.)
Some of this Document is faded and battered, the writing and spelling is not very easy to follow.

RECORDS OF TITHES PAID, TAKEN FROM MAWDESLEY PARISH
RECORDS, AT CROSTON PARISH CHURCH.

The Account of the Collectors of Land Tax since 1715
 

The Total amount assessed: £11 12s. 7d.

PAYMENTS PAID BY CONSTABLES AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR,
TAKEN FROM PARISH RECORDS.
November l9th, 1722.
Received by John Chadwick of Charnock the sum of four pounds seven shillings and six pence from Thomas Turner and Henry Summner, Surveyors of the Highways in Mawdesley for the year 1721, for 17 perches of land at 5s. per perch. Now taken from Squire Dickinson's Land and laid to Tinkers Lane in Mawdesley for enlarging ye lane.
In witness: Matty Cragg, John Frith,

May 29th, 1714. Inventory of goods.
Belonging to Mawdesley in Henry Finch's hands. One pair of bedstocks and board and mattress, one pair of sheets, a pair of blankets and rug.
December 16th, 1714 Given to Robert Green's wife, the pair of blankets and rug that is belonging to town.
August 28th, 1716. Richard Stopford had the sheets.
September 16th, 1716. James Aiscough had the bed and bolster and board carried to the workhouse. Henry Finch has the bedstocks and ye mattress in his hands yet.
1717. John Thompson boarded with his son at £4 per annum, paid quarterly. Margaret Barron, £2 per annum, paid quarterly. Thos. Cooper boarded with Jas. Tazackerley at £4 per annum, and received from John Walmsley £2 5s. Od. per annum.

Mawdesley, 1763.
These persons underwritten pay the Charity Money that is distributed annually in the said township.
Mrs. Blackburn's Charity, £1 15s. 8d.
Mr. Vawdreys of Crooks is £1 l9s. 6d.
Stopford Charity is £2 10s. Od.
Paid to the following persons:
Thompsons pays £1. Mrs. Par pays 15s. 6d.
Richard Berry, 8s. 0d. James Lang pays 6s. 6d.

1768 Jurors elected annually to Leyland Hundred:
Jas. Finch, Thos. Finch, Richard Finch, Jas. Aiscough, Richard Stopford, Evan Mawdsley, Roger Lowe, Wm. Harrison, Geo. Norris, Jas. Lea, John Linacre, Edward Monk, James Orrell, John Threlfall.

The last list was recorded in 1881.
1691- Thos. Barrett. Francis Nelson 1691. Edward 1693.
1712 - Thos. Stopford, 2 cottages.
1709 - Churchwardens and sidesmen.
1710 - Richard Nelson.
1718 - Hugh Aiscough, Nook House.
1719 - Henry Fisher, Henry Porter, Wm. Swarbrick. Jas.Yates. Edward Nelson 2s. 6d. for conveying prisoners from Wigan to Warrington in 1715.
1717 - Thos. Finch de Lane Ends.
1723 - Hen. Fisher, Brick Barn.
1721 - Land measures Nine Fyfteens, Gaud Layers £8 0s. 0d. Township of Mawdesley Nine Fifteens ls. ld. Gaud Layers allowances
1720 - Jno Tunstall, Church Warden for both Mawdesley and Bispham.
1721 - Jno Welch, Churchwarden for both Mawdesley and Bispham. Collected the Church Ley for 1923-24.
1717 - Thos. Finch de Lane Ends.
1720 - That all those persons in Mawdesley who found men and horses in 1715 to convey prisoners from Wiggan to Warrington were paid and fully discharged for ye same by ye said town by allowing them 3s. 6d. each on ye 2 May, 1720. Save only that some of them were paid before ye by town.
Jos. Johnson served for Hoolmes Tenement.
1720 - John Welch served for John Cubhan.
1717 - Edw. Nelson.
1718 - Thos. Barrett. 4d. Richard Carter de Bispham. Occupants of Holland Meadows.
1719 - 16th May. The remaining 6d. abated from Purchasers of Mr. Crook's land.
1724 - Hugh Aiscough for his Nook House.
1717 - October 15th.
Randle Brigg being an Hundred Brigg in ye Highway between Wigan and Kirklam 300 foot on ye Northern Eastern end thereof being in Mawdesley, hath been paved. How as a House Causey within ye said year. The expenses thereof being as here followeth to be allowed by the Hundreds.

Mawdesley. October 15th. 1717.
Tinkers Brigg being an Hundred Brigg in ye High Way Road between Preston and Ormskirk. 300 foot on ye southern end thereof being in Mawdesley, hath been paved as a House, Causey within ye year aforesaid.
The expenses being as here followeth to be allowed by ye 100:
 

FROM A 1854 DIRECTORY OF LANCASHIRE

Mawdesley H,all, built on a rock of red sandstone, was for many generations a residence of the Mawdesley family, by whom Heskin New Hall in the adjoining township was erected. The last of this; ancient race was living here about the
year 1760. The Hall is now a farmhouse. The estates of Heskin and Mawdesey were purchased out of Chancery by Alexander Kershaw, Esq., and were laterpossessed by his grandson, Edmund Newman Kershaw, Esq., but are now the
property of the Mitchell family.
A moiety of the Manor of Mawdesley descended with Croston to the families of Hesketh and Trafford, by whom a court leet and baron is held here annually at Michaelmass. Mr. Thomas J. Finch of Land End is also a large landowner in this
townshp. The Nelsons, a branch from Fairhurst, held lands here 1399 as early as Richard II; and Lord Nelson, the celebrated naval hero, during the search for his pedigree expressed a strong desire to establish himself as a descendant of a Lancashire family. This most distinguished moment of the British arms must be surrendered to the County of Norfolk, Burnham. His father was a clergyman.

The Nelson Family
Enquiries have been made in recent years regarding a connection with this district of Lord Nelson. Bispham. The farm in the now-called Eccles Lane was referred to as Nelsons in the Records of the Overseers of the Poor, and the name Nelson occurs frequently as one of the Overseers. The last mention of the name was a hyphenated form Nelson-Barrett. The Barretts giving their name to Barrett House Farm in Back Lane east, which was a very large farm in the 1700's. Lee Lane in Bispham was said to be called Nelson's Walk, which makes it appear that he had visited the district. His father was a clergyman at Burnham, Norfolk, in the South of England.

The Roman Catholic Chapel was built in 1830 - Saints Peter and Paul
.
The Wesleyan Chapel was built in 1841 and converted into two houses about the year 1905. The present Chapel being built about l903.
In 1700, Peter Lathom of Bispham left several estates in trust to bind apprentices and to the poor of Lathom, Bispham, Mawdesley, Ormskirk, Newburgh, Burscough, Dalton and Rufford to poor prisoners in Lancaster Castle. The annual rent of this property amounts to £339 10s. 0d., besides which belonging to this Charity there is £1,315 12s. 8d. lodged in a bank in Preston at 21/2 per cent interest.

July 2nd, 1911. Derby Estate Office, Preston.
In reply to your letter of the 30th June, I am desired by Lord Derby to inform you that on Sandy Lane, in Mawdesley, being taken over by the Chorley Rural District Council, he is prepared to contribute the £10 promised by his father towards the cost of putting it in the necessary state of repair. When this is done I shall be glad to send you a cheque for the amount.
Windham E. Hall