of Bosden; and descending the Brook of Bosden to the corner of a certain meadow called Parlie Meadow and a certain meadow called Reddish Meadow, and from the little bridge aforesaid, in the direct way before you as far as the aforesaid bridge called Otterspoole." I have this in Latin in an old book published by Bayley, of Macclesfield, 1798, called the Rules and Orders in the Hundred and Forest Courts of Macclesfield, in the county of Chester, to which is appended the fees of the Court printed in 1807, to which the Latin document is appended. The translation is from a History of Macclesfield printed early in the present century. This document would be issued about the year 1620. I ask wherewas the grove of hazels, from which the present name of the village is said to be derived ? If it ever existed it must have been "near a certain hill anciently called Norbury Low, lying near a house called Bullock Smithy. EDWARD HUDSON. STOCKPORT BENEFACTIONS. (Queries Nos. 169, 204, 216-April 2, 16, 23.) [240.1 So far as the present wardens of the Parish Church are concerned, I scarcely think they can be held responsible for the large sum said to be invested in the name of the wardens for apprenticing poor children to trades. The only really responsible persous, I think, are the actual wardens or praepositi whose representatives the present gentlemen who act are. These "posts" are all well-known honourable men, who would not allow the town to be wronged if they knew it. I should think a search through the church records would be the best way of fathoming the matter, and perhaps it would not be too much to ask our acting wardens to do this, and so help to put the charity to its proper use. Queries. COLCAMBO. [241.] TREACLE TOWN.-We have had some interesting explanations through the Notes and Queries relating to Congleton being named "Bear Town," and I should like to ask why Macclesfield is called so "Treacle Town." generally I have a distinct recollection that, when employed in the shipping department of one of our railways, the name of Macclesfield was much more generally expressed by " Treacle Town" than by its right title. Did the manufacture or the consumption of treacle originate in the town, or was it used to express the sweetly-sticking propensity of the natives, who even now are very very clannish and stick "closer than a brother" to anything or anybody if it only is stamped with e Macclesfield origin? JACQUES. [242] A HEALING WELL.-There are some old people who well remember the healing properties which the water about Stockport was at one time noted for. There were springs which were once noted for special diseases, especially in the neighbourhood of Edgeley and Daw Bank. One of these existed some 25 years ago, in a lane which led to some gardens, now railway sidings, at Edgeley Station. The one I refer to would be some 20 or 30 yards up the road to the station, in a line with Chatham-street. I am told it was flagged, and pat in good repair, and so celebrated was it that one of the Lady Bulkeley's attended at the ceremony of its opening. Can anyone give the particulars of this well, as to what it was said to cure? Does any account of the opening exist? It must have been an important event, and should have been chronicled either in the Advertiser or the older Manchester papers. SEMPER. SATURDAY, MAY 7TH, 1881. Notes. GREAT STORM AND TEMPEST IN CHESHIRE. [247.] a In a very old history of Macclesfield, pub. lished towards the close of the last, or early part of the present century, I find the following:-"July 20, 1662, a very stormy and tempestuous day in many parts of Cheshire and Lincashire. At Ormskirk there was such a storm of hail as brake the glass windows, and did much hurt to their corn. Mr Heywood measured a hailstone after some of it was wasted, and found it four inches about, others being thought larger. The same day, in the afternoon, in the Forest of Maxfield (Macclesfield), in Cheshire, there arose great pillar of smoke, in height like a steeple, and judged 20 yards broad, which, making a most hideous noise, went along the ground six or seven miles, levelling all in the way; it threw down fences and stone walls, and carried the stones a great distance from their places, but happening upon moorish ground, not inhabited, it did less hurt. The terrible noise it made so frightened the cattle that they ran away, and were thereby preserved. It passed over a cornfield, and laid it as even with the ground as if it had been trodden down by feet; it went through a wood and turned up above an hundred trees by the roots, coming into a field full of cocks of hay ready to be carried in, it swept all away, so that scarce a handful of it could afterwards be found, only it left a great tree in the middle of the field, which it had brought from some other place. From the Forest of Maxfield it went up by a town called Taxal, and thence to Wailey Bridge, where, and no where else, it overthrew an house or two, yet the people that were in them received not much hurt, but the timber was carried away nobody knew whither. From thence it went up the hills into Derbyshire, and so vanished. This account was given by Mr Hurst, minister of Taxal, who had it from an eye witness." The reader must form his own estimate of this wonderful relation. I have made a faithful transcript. EXTRACT FROM AN OLD MAGAZINE. "Gentleman's Magazine,” vol. lxix, for 1799, page 922. [248]" Mr Archdal!, in his 'Peerage of Ireland' vol. iii., page 118, art. Stopford, Earl of Courtown), derives the descent of his lordship from 'Nicholas de Stockport, Baron of Stockport. one of the eight barons of the county palatine of Chester, created by Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, who probably settled in that county before the Norman Conquest, as the name of Stopford is evidently of Saxon origin.' Mr. Archdall then passes with wonderful velocity from Nicholas de Stepford to James Stopford, Esq., who went to Ireland in 1641. Hiatus valde defendus Some people would with justice entertain suspicion that the descent of James Stopford from Nicholas de Stockport hal but little foun lation. However, not. withstanding Mr Archdall's wonderful neglect (I call it wonderful, for, in the other parts of his laborious work, he has displayed surprising accuracy with very few exceptions), Lord Courtowa certainly derives his origin from the barons of Stockport. His lordship now (1799) possesses the estate of Saltersford, near Macclesford, which belonged to his ancestors from time immemorial, and which is the only remaining part of their vast possessions now enjoyel by his lordship. The chief estates of Lord Courtown are in Ireland, an were obtained from Charles II. on his restoration. The Earl of Courtown was create an English peer May 28, 1796, whereupon his lordship chose the title of Lord Saltersford, of Saltersford, in the county palatine of Chester, from the estate of that name." Ardwick. D. BENNETT. STOCKPORT 100 YEARS AGO. [249.] Broster's Chester guide in 1782 published the following account of Stockport : "Stockport is a large, populous town, with many manufactories. It is situated on the River Mersey, distant from London 175 miles; the market is on Friday; it has four fairs-viz., on March the 4th, March the 25th, May the 1st, and October the 25th. A list of the principal Tradesmen, &c., in Stockport. Arden John, Esq. Astley Edward, joiner Bamford William, Esq. Bancroft Robert, cotton manufacturer Bancroft Henry, gent. Booth Henry, innkeeper Brixell James, surgeon Brown James, cotton manufacturer Chandley James, painter Wimson Thomas, innkeeper Walker Lawrence, attorney-atlaw Watson Holland, do. Williamson John, button manufacturer Woollam George, brewer Worsencroft John, linen draper Worthington Edward, ironmonger Worthington John, mercer McConnell Samuel, Esq. Milne John & Son, merchants Motham Peter, Esq. Newton Robert, attorney-at-law Nicholson Thomas, do. Norbury Bradford, corn factor There are several names in the above list which claim more than a passing notice. The John Arden, Esq., who stands at the head of it, was the representative of the Arden family of Arden Hall, whose town house was at that time in the Underbank (now occupied as the Manchester and Liverpool District Bank). The Edward Tatton, gent., herein referred to, was а Tatton of Wythenshaw, who then held a town house in Teviot Dale, near the spot where the present rail. way station is located. Another striking name is that of the famous historian of Stockport, Dr Watson, who was at this period rector of St. Mary's. Apropos of the trade of the town, we may in this list note also several industries that seem to have altogether departed from us, as silk throwsters, button manufacturers, and check manfacturers. Of each of these there appears to have been several, indeed, if the above directory be a reliable guide, they would seem to have been the staple trades of the town. Hatting, too, in Stockport is no modern innovation, for here we have no less than four firms recorded as engaged in that trade, so that in returning to this industry Stockport was simply "turning to an old love" again. ED. REMINISCENCES OF OLD STOCKPORT. [250.] In the life of Belzoni it is related that in his early days he played the part of Hercules at Astley's Amphitheatre, exhibiting himself as an athlete, and performing various feats of strength. He had a small apparatus with him, and in the intervals of other peformances he exhibited various hydraulic tricks, such as causing a ball to dance, and making a drop of water to represent a tulip, &e. As long since as I can recollect-30mewhere about 60 years-there was a man visited Stockport Market Place, who was in many respects a counterpart of Belzoni. He exhibited on a table various hydraulic contrivances, and, like Belzoni, mide flowers out of a drop of water. He likewise lifted an enormous be am of wood and balanced it on his chin, and performed other extraordinary feats of strength. Although not a very big man, he was complet and powerful; and one of the feats he undertook was to measure his strength with that of one or two horses, by pulling against them with a strap fastoned round his waist. It is not a little singular that two different men should have combined two such dissimilar perperformances. About the year 1822 a man of remarkable height and bulk attended Stockport Market, representing himself as an officer in the French army who had fought at Waterloo, but having become disabled for his profession and having no other means of subsistence, he had taken to selling little boxes containing a preparation which enabled the purchaser to ignite a match. This was, in fact, the precursor of the present lucifer match, and that was the first time I ever saw fire produced in such a way. Whilst speaking of these public characters I might mention that it was not uncommon for a party of mountebanks to take up their stand on the plot of land now occupied by Tiviot Dale Chapel which was generally the rendezvous at that time for public exhibitions and after going through variety of tricks in the open air, they proceeded to conduct a lottery for a number of prizes, which were drawn for when the requisite number of tickets had been disposed of. Sometimes medicines were sold by these itinerant performers. P. WAGES AND PROVISIONS IN 1776. [251.] In a history of Macclesfield I find the following:-" In the year 1776 the wages paid to the mill men and stewards was 7s per week; that of women employed as doublers, three shillings and sixpence. Children employed in the silk mills were hired for three years, at the rate of sixpence per week for the first year, ninepence for the second, an d one shilling for the third. The market price for butter was then fourpence per pound, best cheese [252] It may not be generally known that Thompson-street, which runs parallel with Greek-street, Stockport, is one of the oldest roads in Stockport. At a time prior to the erection of the Stockport National Schools, and when the site was covered with gardens, a road ran from Edward-street, or Ridgway Lane, to the opening by the Stockport Infirmary, and thence through Thompson-street. As this was prior to Greek-street being formed, it would be interesting to know by what line of route foot passengers and vehicles would proceed to Cheadle. Would they, after proceeding along Thompson-street to Shaw Heath, which crosses at right angles, go along Chapelstreet, or turn suddenly to the left, to get to Castlestreet? SIMPLEX. Books PRINTED IN STOCKPORT. [253.] "A Defence of Sunday Schools," by J. Mayer. Printed and sold by J. Clarke, Stockport, 1798." 870., pp. 98. "Candid Animadversions, by J. Mayer. Stockport: printed by J. Clarke, 1798." ALFRED BURTON. Replies. THE CRAB MILL, OR CRAB CHAPEL. (Query No. 209 April (16) [254.] I think there has as yet been no reply as to the locality of the old chapel mentioned by one of your querists as having been spoken of in an old document as being the place where the Unitarians met for worship prior to the present chapel in St. Peteragate, Stockport, being erected. I learnt casually during the past few days that the spot where it stood was just in the rear of the present Stockport Reform Club, and the graveyard is still to be seen, railed off to prevent desecration. It would be interesting to know why the place was called the "Crab Mill," or "Crab Chapel." That it was no nick-name-or, if so, a very ancient one-may be inferred from the fact that I have seen the name in a legal document, where the Crab Chapel was given as the only name it was then (1810) known by. S. STOCKPORT CHARITIES. (Queries 169, 204, 216, 240.-April 2, 16, 23, 29.) [255.] Respecting the sums of money once available for the apprenticing of Stockport boys to trades, a large sum of money now lost sight of, I can give a few facts which will be of interest, and pointing to the direction where we ought to look for some elucidation as to the whereabouts of the original sum of £1,050, left for this purpose. There are now several tradesmen living in the town whose premiums on being apprenticed were paid out of this fund, and the latest date it was so used, so far as I have been able to ascertain, was in 1839. By the kindness of one gentleman, I have been put in possession of a cɔpy of one of the deeds of indenture. The date is 1830, and it was drawn up in the office of the late Mr Winterbottom, solicitor, where also the other deed referred to as being made in 1839 was prepared. The parties to the deed of 1830, are the youth who is apprenticed and his father on the one part, and the Rev. C. K. Prescot, rector, and John Minshull, of Bramhall, farmer, James Roxon, of Bredbury, yeoman, and Joseph Knowles, of Bredbury, yeoman, the churchwardens of the Parish Church of Stockport, on the other part. The nomination and appointment of the said apprentice is explicitly set forth as being in the hands of the Rector and Churchwardens as trustees nominated and appointed in and by the last will and testament of William Wright, late of Stockport aforesaid, Esquire, deceased, for putting out pauper children born in the township of Stockport aforesaid, apprentice to Husbandry or Gardening, or such other trade or business as they or the survivors of them think fit. This points conclusively to the Rector and Wardens being trustees, and it is the duty of those gentlemen to enquire where the money was invested, in order that it may be secured once more to those who have a right to it. The sum paid as premium in the deed I have quoted from is £615s, the cost of the indentures being defrayed also from the same fund. The witness attesting the indentures is T. M. Ferns, who would, I think, at the time mentioned, 1830, be articled to Mr Winterbottom. I trust the matter will be taken up by the clergy and wardens without delay. "COCKSTICKS." (Query No. 231.-April 23rd.) S. W. J. [256] It was an old custom at Shrove-tide for the apprentices and schoolboys who were set at liberty by the tolling of the pancake bell, rung at 11 a.m. on Shrove Tuesday, to betake themselves to various (Queries No, 84, 227-February 19, April 23.) [257.] In order to answer this query intelligibly we must quote from ancient historians. Speaking of the old castle site in Stockport, and Roman roads, Dr. Whittaker says:-" The castle must have originally communicated its name to the town, and hence it was denominated Stockport, because Stock, Stockport, may signify a castle in the wood, or it may mean a place of settlement in general; so also Stockport, the place of the castle. Portwood is also or so denominated because it was the port and wood of the castle, and is the unveiled translation of Stockport. This definition has plainly a reference to Saxon times. It is evidently a place of great antiquity, although not mentioned in Doomsday. This is accounted for by the fact that in 870, during the Danish invasion, a great part of this district was depopulated by them, for we find it recorded in history that the neighbouring town, now city, of Mancoestre (Manchester) was seized by the Danes, after an obstinate resistance on the part of the AngloSaxon population, and it would appear that Stockport suffered in the general devastation, for a very severe conflict must have occurred, as the names of one of the townships composing the parish of Stockport, and in close proximity, indicates-Brinnington, or burning, or burnt town, as it has been rendered by Боте of our antiquarians." Speaking of the Roman occupation, he says "the station had B steep of 100 yards in descent on three sides of it, and would naturally be fortified by a fosse across the isthmus, and the Roman road into East Cheshire was effectually commanded by it, being obliged, by the winding circuit of the Mersey, to approach very near to the castle, and from the remaining steepness in the other part of the bank, appears actually to have advanced up to it and to have ascended the brow in a hollow, immediately below the castle side of it." The Rev. Wm. Marriott, in his 'Antiquities of Lyme," says, "At this place the rugged, rocky banks of the Mersey declined on both sides with an easy and regular declivity." Speaking " "That & of the Roman road, Dr. Whittaker says, Roman road, passing along the present highway, must have crossed the ford over the Mersey at Stockport." This was the present Old Road, and antiquarians say the Roman road turned by the site of the premises formerly known as Garside's Smithy, and crossing the present Manchester Hill at a considerable elevation, it gradually sloped until it reached the ford, and thus from the sharp steep stop or steep on either side of it received the appellation of Stopford from the Saxons, and was about 200 yards above Lancashire Bridge. "In a list of the clergy of the Deanery of Macclesfield attending a visitation be. tween the years 1534 and 1543, it is called Stopford" (H. Heginbotham.) In a similar visitation in 1548 it is called Stopporth. John Speed, in his England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, published in 1627, in a map of the county, calls it Starford alias Stopford. In 1644, during the time of the civil wars, it was called Stopworth (Rushton). In the Vale Royal of England by William Smith and and William Webb, 1656, it is called Stockport at Page I., yet in a list of fairs in the "Gentleman's Magazine," in 1731, it is called Stopford, in June following Stockport; in 1745, when the Pretender came here, it was called Stockport. Thus I have endeavoured to give a faithful account of the names of our good old town in the past. EDWARD HUDSON. THE OLD STOCKPORT WIND-MILL. (No. 176, 224-April 9, 23.) [258.] In addition to the particulars already given in "Notes and Queries " respecting the old wind-mill at the corner of Edward-street, Stockport, I may state that my earliest recollection of the place is that it was worked by Mr William Robinson, a corn dealer at the bottom of the Hillgate, and that a one armed man, who was familiarly known as Levi, was the miller. That portion of the premises more recently occupied by Mr James Ollerenshaw Rigby obtained some notoriety as the headquarters of the Radical section about the time of Peterloo-namely, from 1819 to 1822, when the Agitator Hunt-Orator Hunt, as he was called--was going about the country. The meetings held at the wind-mill were attended by Bagguley, Drummond, and Johnston, who were afterwards prosecuted for sedition, and served a term of imprisonment in Chester Castle. Johnston lived to be a very old man. He entered into business as a brush manufacturer in Manchester, obtained a competency, and retired to a charming little house at Northenden. It is worthy of note that of all the Tories I ever heard enunciate their views I never heard one more pronounced than he was. P. |