The History of Tarleton & Hesketh Bank and Their Maritime Past

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The History of Tarleton & Hesketh Bank and their Maritime Past

“We Built This Village on Rock’n’Coal”

David Edmondson

A version of this book is accessible on-line at http://www.heskethbank.com/history.html It is intended that the on-line version will be amended and updated as further information on the villages’ history emerges

The author can be contacted on: [email protected]

Index Dedication

Preface

Introduction

Geography & General History of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank Time line Village photographs

Tarleton & Hesketh Bank Population – Names and Numbers Population Infant mortality, life expectancy, and Causes of Death Surnames Occupations What did Village People Look Like and Sound Like?

Influences on the Maritime Economy Roads Rivers Canals Railways

Cargos on the Ribble-Douglas-Canal waterway

Sailing Ships Built at Tarleton and Hesketh Bank Historical Background List of Ships Built at Tarleton and Hesketh Bank

Boatmen, Sailors and Mariners List of Identified Mariners of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank

Ship Owners List of Ships with Owners from Tarleton and Hesketh Bank

Summary

A Bonus: Oddments Collected along the Way: Crime, Religion, Mayors of Tarleton, Types of Sailing Ships, Reading Old Handwriting, Local Dialect, Chelsea Pensioner, Col. Banastre Tarleton

Further Sources to be Explored

This book is dedicated to my father:

John Henry Edmondson

1914-1999

He was born in Tarleton and died in Tarleton.

In between he was postman to the villages of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank for 32 years, and was Clerk to Tarleton Parish Council for 48 years. He knew the villages well and was well known in the villages.

Preface

I would have liked to have written the definitive history of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank. I am not in a position to do so. To attempt it would risk my becoming a permanent and unfulfilled researcher. I have settled for a history of these villages told with a particular emphasis, namely their maritime history. To document the maritime history of the villages’ detached from its context in the broader history of the villages, would I believe, have limited how informative and satisfying to the reader, and to me, the end product would be. Other people could write a history with a different focus, just as valuable. So it is a history, not the history.

Other histories have already been written, for which we should be hugely grateful, each a valuable record, each also revealing the thought processes which dominated the writer. Baines ‘History of the County Palatine’ is dominated by family dynasties, church, and physical attributes; more recently Janet Dandy’s book captures the common knowledge of village folk in her reminiscences before it was lost for ever. My account, besides its maritime focus, has an analytical research bias. This research bias is fed by my formal education which started at Tarleton Church of England School and ended with a degree in Pure Maths and Chemistry with postgraduate studies in Operational Research. This numerical bias in my higher education may become painfully obvious to readers in some sections of this book. The research bias is also assisted by the availability of information provided by the now open-door approach of the previously bureaucratic holders of historical documents, and the analytical capability offered by information technology.

Introduction

Tarleton, in west Lancashire, to the casual visitor would appear to be an inland village, and so it is. It is a modern village not lightly giving up a sense of its past, likewise the neighbouring village of Hesketh Bank. The agricultural past might well be guessed, and be seen in its modern form all around the outskirts of the urbanisation, but few such visitors, and probably not all of the villages’ current residents, would have much inclination of the maritime history that was such a major part of these villages’ past. True each village still boasts a working boatyard but they are hard to find. When found, whilst both have healthy businesses at their heart meeting today’s demand, the waterside surrounding these businesses looks like the resting place for half pursued pastimes and over-optimistic projects, with a few serious endeavours lurking amongst them.

But these boatyards are the key to unlock the maritime history of these two West Lancashire villages, standing as they do on the River Douglas. The Douglas forms the eastern boundary to both villages and runs into the bigger River Ribble which provides the northerly boundary of Hesketh Bank. Significantly these two Rivers are tidal at this point and for some way beyond inland. In a time when our current-day means of transport didn’t exist this made them significant geographic assets and the focus of much maritime activity in the villages. I use the word maritime in an exaggerated sense to mean the commercial involvement with boats: seagoing and inland.

In the mid 1800s very roughly a quarter of the adult male workforce was engaged with boats. Many were described as Boatmen principally working on barges. Some in the loading and unloading of cargos to and from landing stages or to and from larger seagoing vessels; others engaged in shipping goods inland by river or canal and bringing return loads. Other men were sea-going, described as Sailors or Mariners. As the century wore on, this later group provided Mariners, and especially Master Mariners, for the expanding ports elsewhere, particularly Barrow-in-Furness, about fifty miles by sea north of Tarleton (eighty miles by road) on the coast of what is now Cumbria. Most of these seafarers worked coasters up and down the English and Welsh coast, but a few of them would sail to Ireland, France and Spain for cargos. Their descendants are settled around the west coast, but especially in the Barrow and Ulverston area.

Ship building forms a substantial part of this maritime history. Around sixty sea-going sailing ships built at Tarleton or Hesketh Bank between 1762 and 1886 have been identified. These ranged from 50 to100 feet long, with tonnage in the same range. Most were rigged as Schooners but some are also described as Sloops, Flats and Wherries. These sailing ships have been identified by their registrations in their home port, a requirement which only began in 1786 and only applied to sea-going vessels. Many more which didn’t need to be registered were built: fishing boats (Nobbys) at Hesketh Bank, sailing barges at Tarleton. These have proved more difficult to identify.

Despite there being little evidence on the ground of this almost vanished economy, a considerable amount of information is available. Some is in the form of original documentation: the registration book of sailing ships for Preston, crew lists for various ports, both these originals at Lancashire County Records Office; and the Tarleton lock keeper’s log book held privately, etc. Other information is now easily available via the web: census records; births, marriages, and deaths; both giving extensive information on names and occupations. Available it may be, but to make it powerful does require some painstaking work to extract and analyse. Encouragement in this labour of analysis is gained from the fact that what was at the time the mechanical workings of an emerging bureaucracy is now a peep-hole into the history on our doorstep held in large leather bound books writ in flowing ink oozing the aura of the time and showing us how things worked. They also give us occasional insights into personal stories: ‘The Joseph’ built at Tarleton 1816 lost with its Master Lawrence Johnson and all hands, off Whitehaven 1866 (testified by his sister Mary Norris); the disastrous launch in 1879 of ‘The Tarleton Lass’ which cost its captain William Higham the lives of two of his children, and three other young people.

It is the aim of this book to present the results of this analysis in a framework which paints a picture of the maritime history of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank particularly over the period from the late 1700s to the end of the 1800s, a period which saw the rise of this economy to its peak and the beginnings of its decline, but also to set this activity in the broader context of the development of the villages over time, and the influential causes.

In doing so, some sections of the book will be a narrative whilst others will contain extensive lists and numerical analysis. Consequently the book should be readable to those with an interest in the subject or the locality, whereas others may use the details contained within it to discover references to particular mariners, ships, etc. which will launch them into further research in primary sources. The reader will also quickly identify avenues into adjacent topics worthy of research and analysis. I hope it does prompt a few people to research these areas, it needs ‘anoraks’ to do so – the good news is that technology has made techno-anoraks fashionable.

Geography & General History of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank

Our story concerns four ‘villages’: Hesketh Bank, Becconsall, Tarleton and Sollom. They run in that sequence from north to south on the westerly bank of the River Douglas. Becconsall is now a sub-district of Hesketh Bank and Sollom a sub-district of Tarleton. Mere Brow and Holmes (sub-districts of Tarleton) and Hundred End (part of Hesketh Bank) though detached from the rivers do receive some references in the text.

The geography of the villages’ area, both natural, and man’s manipulation of it, have fashioned their history.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recalls the conquest of North Meols in 923 by the English king and its transfer from Northumbria to Mercia. So for some time after, the River Ribble formed the boundary between these two ancient kingdoms and so our villages were the very last at the north end of Mercia. In those days probably the whole of the Lancashire plain was forested, as evidenced by the many antlers found in excavating for Preston Dock and later Crossens pumping station. At the time of the Norman Conquest only 10-12,000 people lived in the area between the Mersey and the Ribble. Hesketh Bank and Tarleton, like a number of other lowland villages in Lancashire are built on the raised ground of boulder clay left by the retreating Ice Age. The sea subsequently cut a shallow cliff line into this clay. This cliff line can be seen along Shore Road Hesketh Bank and the Tarleton bank of the Douglas, at which point it fades away. Silted up watercourses caused this clay ridge to be surrounded by boggy land and peat: Hesketh Bank Moss, Tarleton Moss, Mere Brow and Holmes. This low lying land had always been vulnerable, as in 1720 when a storm caused the sea to flood bringing destruction and death to Hesketh Bank, Tarleton and North Meols. This land was eventually drained and strengthened the villages’ agricultural standing, but prior to this they had the appearance of moated villages.

Hesketh Bank was originally centred on the point where at that time the Douglas joined the River Ribble and so it had a tide lapping its doorstep on two sides and comprised largely a strip of houses facing onto the broad shallow marshes of the Ribble. In recent centuries man has intervened on the course of both rivers and the geography has changed - more of this later.

Becconsall was close to Hesketh Bank but was centred on the point on the Douglas most suitable for crossing to relevant villages on the other bank, particularly Croston which provided the mother church (for Tarleton also) up until 1821. Becconsall is now absorbed into Hesketh Bank and would be out of consciousness were it not for: the official name of the village (for both church and state) being Hesketh-with-Becconsall, the recently demolished Becconsall Hotel, Becconsall Lane leading down to the crossing point of the river (and hence Ferry House and the present boatyard), Becconsall (Hall) Farm, and the persistence of Becconsall as a local surname.

Likewise Tarleton was focused on the river where crossings were afforded and men in boats could make a livelihood. Sollom, one of several hamlets within Tarleton, but the only one relevant to our maritime angle, remains detached from the main village and is and always has been a strongly agricultural settlement. It did however enjoy a heyday (perhaps as opposed to a hay-day) resulting from the arrival of the canal in 1781, but more of this later.

Like many villages there are varying explanations of the origins of the names

7 of the villages. Often these explanations recognise the origins as Scandinavian, resulting from the Norse Vikings, suggesting that the maritime theme was present from over a thousand years ago and a fair (no pun intended) proportion of the population were incoming foreign Mariners, welcome or otherwise. The Vikings’ age of raiding, exploration, trading, and colonisation began in the late 700s with a series of attacks on the coasts of Britain, Ireland and France. The east coast of England was the target for Danish Vikings whereas it was those from Norway who invaded Ireland and western England. It was not until 902AD that the Queen of the Mercian English gave them permission to settle on the Wirral between the Rivers Dee and Mersey. Subsequently they migrated inland and north until they had settled the whole area from the Dee to the Solway. Perhaps the access afforded by rivers such as The Ribble, Mersey and Dee to inland areas was a particular attraction. The River Douglas, and its tributary the Alt, allowed the invaders to penetrate the boggy land beyond the coastline. Recent genetic analysis, together with archaeological and place-name evidence, confirms that the north west of England, in particular West Lancashire and The Wirral, was once heavily settled by Scandinavians, many of whom were refugees expelled from Ireland around AD 900. More on this subject can be found in Stephen Harding’s book ‘Viking Mersey’, including suggested origins of place names in West Lancashire.

Hesketh Bank is said to have evolved from the Scandinavian words for horse and racetrack. This racecourse is said to have been on the sands where the Douglas joins the Ribble – horse racing, a popular sport of the Vikings, is said to have taken place on two sites on the Wirral. By 1293 the name had evolved to Heskyth. However, another explanation attributes the name as Celtic.

Becconsall is said to be from the beacons lit on a hill, or at least higher ground, to guide shipping. But again there is at least one alternative which gives the origins as Viking with Irish connections meaning the burial hill of Bekan.

Tarleton’s root is given as Tharald’s farmstead, Tharald being a Viking. A record of 1246 has the village as Tharilton.

I am aware of no explanation for Sollom, though it does exist as a surname, but not locally.

Baines ‘History of the County Palatine of Lancashire’ tells us that “Roger de Montebegon granted to the Cluniac priory of Thetford, in the county of Norfolk, an island near the more of Croxton, the land called Tarleton, and Littlehole, with the men and all that pertained to them. About the same time, John Malherbe, said to be brother of Roger de Montebegon, gave to the abbey of Cockersand all the holms, or marsh lands, near the more of Tarleton in Lailonde-schire, upon which the prior of Thetford quitclaimed to the abbot all his right in the holms”. In 1397 some of the land is in the possession of the Banastres of Bank Hall (Bank Hall being on the easterly

8 bank of the Douglas is just in the neighbouring village of Bretherton). Bannister is still a surname in both Tarleton and Hesketh Bank (though unless one of them has recently won the lottery they fall short of being Lords of the Manor). Eventually they were succeeded by the Heskeths and more recently by descendants of the Fleetwood family, so for decades the village has been dominated by the Bank Hall estate. It was only in the second half of the 1900s that the tenanted farms belonging to the estate, which characterised the village centre, have been sold and built on.

Between the reigns of Henry VIII and William III (1509-1702) Becconsall and Becconsall Hall were the property and residence of the de Becconsalls, while Hesketh was vested in the Heskeths of Rufford.

A branch of the Fleetwood family lived for a while in Hesketh Bank and William Fleetwood, c1524-c1594, was born there. He was a lawyer and went on to become Recorder of London in 1560 in the reign of Elizabeth I. He was a respected Historian and Antiquarian and in 1574 bought, and lived in, Great Missenden Abbey in Buckinghamshire.

In August 1644, 2000 Royalist troops under Lords Goring and Molyneux, after defeat at Marston Moor, fled southwards over the river Ribble in the Hesketh Bank area at the turn of the tide. The Parliamentary forces commanded by Sir John Meldrum were prevented from reaching them by the rising tide, but later routed the Royalists at Ormskirk.

The first reference to Hesketh Bank is said to be in 1259. Up to the sixteenth century and beyond villagers worked mostly for the Lord of the Manor with access to some common land. In that century it became possible to lease land and stretches of the river bank. Unlike Tarleton, Hesketh Bank has not in the last century had the same country estate orientation. Much of the farmed land is reclaimed land (more on this subject later) and so does not have many long established farmhouses. Furthermore, the last great sale of land was in 1911 when the Heskeths’ estate sold off large amounts of both reclaimed and established farmland mainly to the existing, non- farmhouse dwelling, un-wealthy tenants. Sale books of the time are still available. So since 1911 the movement from serfdom to independence has been completed, land has been owned by the populous at large rather than there being one dominant landowner.

Throughout rural England the wooden housing of ordinary people was not replaced by brick and stone until the 1600s. Clearly there had long been dwellings of these fabrics for the rich and for the more established Farmers, and the picture in towns was also different. But village Labourers, Husbandmen, Shoemakers and the rest, lived in wattle and daub houses with thatched roofs built on the side of the roads. The last of these have disappeared in recent memory – see photographs later. Consequently, the old housing which remains, more in Tarleton than Hesketh Bank, dates at its oldest from this period. The earliest houses still standing are in Plox Brow and are dated 1635 and 1651. Then they were at the heart of Tarleton

9 village and the area where it fell to the river was to become known as Town End.

In 1666 the Hearth Tax recorded 73 hearths in Tarleton. In Hesketh Bank there were 23, but the only house of any size was that of the Heskeths (occupied by John Molyneux) with six hearths, this was Becconsall Hall. This gives us an indication that there was quite a way to go before most people lived in brick houses, but then few people owned land and building as a tenant was risky as leases were likely to only be for 25 years. Tarleton and Hesketh Bank stand in part on a raised clay bank so bricks were handmade of local clay, the marl pits being in Blackgate Lane and in Gorse Lane, long since closed and filled in, and Hesketh Bank had a brickworks albeit much later (1877-1970).

Disputes over the ‘ownership’ of land, in a time before legal ownership was as clear cut as it now is, have often exercised the legal processes of the time. In 1554 a case was heard in Westminster regarding ‘The Wykes’, twelve acres of meadow in North Meols, bounded by the Martin Mere (much bigger then than now) and some moss ditches. This was between William Stopforth ‘Gentleman of Martyn in the township of Bursckough’ and Thomas Ball (who incidentally claimed to be about 106 years old) tenant of Thomas Hesketh, knight. Stopforth complained that ‘a servant of Ball, John Wright, together with Percival Brekyll, Thomas Ball, Edmund Mathue, William Jump, Richard Ball the younger, Richard Ball the elder, Hugh Mathue, and Edmund Ball, with divers other riotous persons unknown, assembled at the close called Baldermeryhokes and with stronge hand and multytude of men did mow and cut down grass growing there’. And at a later date ‘accompanied by John Rumor, Robert Rumor, Thomas Copeland, William Haywarthe, John Nycawson, Christopher Blundell, Pcrcs (?) Rumor, Christopher Ball, Edmund Ball, Robert Mathue, Robert Wright of Balywick (Blowick), Peter Rumor of Byrkedale (Birkdale), and Peter Wynstanley of Byllynge (Billinge), with forty others gathered themselves together at the said meadow, arrayed with swords, bucklers (shields), daggers &c., in warlike manner, and carried away a hundred loads of hay to the value of 50li’. The defendant claimed right to the land and to mow it as his ancestors had done. The other defendants said they cut and carried away the hay in peaceable manner and only carried weapons wherewith to mow the grass, and they ‘com all upon one daie for because to have it mowen and ledde home whyle the wethere was fayre, for the ground is a maryse ground’.

So life was not always tranquil in this rural backwater, or more accurately rural backbog.

In the early 1700s land enclosure by the local gentry became contentious. There had been enclosures before then, much earlier in some parts of the country, but in west Lancashire they had been amicable, affecting largely land belonging to and used exclusively by the gentry. In 1725 the Hesketh and the de Trafford families as Lords of the Manor sought to enclose 800 acres of land known as Croston Finney. Though this land was described as

‘waste’ land it was used for a variety of purposes by the local populous: some land was cultivated (with or without tenancy), cottagers grazed a single cow, the Finney provided furze and turves for fuel, clay for building, and an abundance of marl which served as the chief source of fertilizer. It was also the source of a rumbling, acrimonious dispute which stretched back into the sixteenth century and was only settled, at least in law, by the enclosure act of 1725. This coming to a head was prompted in part by the Heskeths’ involvement in the Douglas Navigation scheme which took away the threat of flooding on the land and therefore made it more attractive to the landowner to convert into tenanted fee paying farms. Similar disputes had occurred in the area: In 1710 Longton village ‘charterers’ petitioned, with some success, for a share of the land enclosed by the Heskeths on their marshland.

I am not aware of any such unrest in Tarleton or Hesketh Bank. So why then you may think do I mention the goings on in the adjacent villages of North Meols and Croston? Because it was indicative of what was happening in rural society at that time, a radical and irreversible change in ordinary people’s lives. At that time most ordinary people earned some, or all, of their livelihood through agricultural activity. It was subsistence living, by which I do not mean bare survival, though it might have been, but rather it was close to self sufficiency. Land was owned by the local Lord, Squire, church, etc. but Cottagers and others had access to some part of the land on a variety of bases. This access to land may have been benevolent or otherwise; leases may have been loose or formal; access may have been through rights of common, written or customary. Some were required to do ‘boond work’ for the landlord as part of their tenancy – work on his estate in lieu of rent money – the origins of the surname Boond, later Bond. They would meet their family’s needs by growing, rearing, catching, building what was necessary for their own consumption, rather than selling their labour, though they may have a craft to generate a little income to buy what they had to. Their ‘occupation’ when required to give one might be a general title of ‘Husbandman’. For the villagers of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, working in, with, or on boats might be part of one man’s mix of activities fending for his family, but was not a significant ‘occupation’. The enclosure of land forced such people to either become the possessor of exclusive rights to some land, or to sell their time: indirectly as a craftsman or directly as an employed person. Occupations became more specialised. So it is not surprising that we see over the next century people being sucked into the job opportunities presented by the expanding maritime trade of these villages. Later such people would be found in the emerging cotton mills of Tarleton and elsewhere. Now, in the 21st century, like everywhere else virtually all residents sell their time, subsistence living has become the basis of twee television programmes.

This enclosure may seem like the wealthy landowners exerting their power over the less fortunate for their own benefit, and so it was, and as such was resisted. Though an upheaval at the time, it did however in the longer term have some benefits to the populous at large. Some, probably not all, went on

11 to lead better lives by moving to a secure cash income as small landed Farmers, jobbing craftsmen, or employees. Also the land owners, having more complete control of land, undertook major projects (drainage etc.) and land quality in the area significantly improved and established the area as a strong food producer in a wider context. Whether this was the most considerate way of bringing about these changes is open to discussion. The Croston Enclosure of 1725 is covered in an article by GRAHAM ROGERS of The University of Lancaster published in The Agricultural History Review

What was happening in Tarleton, Hesketh Bank and the rest of the world?

Battle of Trafalgar 1805 Battle ofTrafalgar American Independence Independence American Richard III at Bosworth Richard IIIatBosworth

Henry Tudor defeats defeats Tudor Henry

Pendle witches trial trial witches Pendle First Enclosure of Croston Finney Finney Croston of Enclosure English CivilWar Armada Spanish

Rest of World Railway State Education for all for all Education State Monasteries dissolved breaks from Rome. Rome. from breaks Church of England England of Church Isaac Newton’s book book Isaac Newton’s opened

World War II WarII World Caxton’s first World p

rinted book

War

Industrial Revolution begins, Wooden houses replaced Cotton industry follows by stone & brick in rural Wars of Slavery Roses abolished 2000 1900 1800 1700 1600 1500

Elizabeth II Victoria George III Cromwell Elizabeth I Henry VIII Douglas Navigation built built Navigation Douglas Becconsall family leave Firstproper census 1841 Becconsall Hall1702 Hesketh Bank mainly to mainly Hesketh Bank Heskeths sale of land in in land of sale Heskeths local farmers 1911 Railwa Southport to Hesketh Bank Bank Hesketh to Southport Ram’sbuilt Head 1640 to PrestonRailway opened turnpike built road 1771 being delivered to Tarleton to Tarleton delivered being St Helens becomes Tarleton Tarleton becomes St Helens 1733-42 Liverpool to Preston Preston to Liverpool Grain & other produce produce &other Grain from Liverpool 1565 y Parish Church Church 1821 Parish closed 1878-82 First attempt to drain Martin todrain Martin First attempt Canal arrivesSollom at 1781 Ribble Navigation clears clears Navigation Ribble Last recorded schooner schooner Last recorded “Margaret Gore” 1886 built atTarleton: SS main channel c1850 Mere 1692 SS “Juno” builtat

Tarleton 1762 Canal arrivesat Tarleton 1805 Tarleton & Hesketh Bank 13

Tarleton cottages pictured in the early 1900s in Blackgate Lane, Hesketh Lane (at Church Road), and Plox Brow. Typically low, thatched, and by the roadside.

Farms and cottages in Hesketh Bank pictured in 1915: Back Lane (now Chapel Road) Farm, Marsh Farm at the meeting of the Ribble’s original tide line and the Douglas, and Meadow Lane cottages at the top of the brow, the natural Ribble bank.

Tarleton & Hesketh Bank Population – Names, Numbers and Occupations.

Population

Censuses broadly of the form we have now began in 1841, but some headcount figures were produced before that date. Together they show us how the villages have grown over the decades and centuries.

Census Hesketh Bank Tarleton Total year Male Female All Male Female All 1801 174 179 353 542 574 1116 1469 1811 154 193 347 629 652 1281 1628 1821 248 228 476 789 827 1616 2092 1831 261 262 523 955 931 1886 2409 1841 282 271 553 949 928 1877 2430 1851 365 327 692 1030 915 1945 2637 1861 435 369 804 1041 946 1987 2791 1871 402 397 799 967 950 1917 2716 1881 462 401 863 968 932 1900 2763 1891 486 447 933 874 898 1772 2705 1901 406 441 901 926 874 1800 2701 1911 1057 1997 3054 1921 633 626 1259 1039 1076 2115 3374 1931 1546 2407 3953 1941 Census not completed 1951 932 932 1864 1334 1440 2774 4638 1961 908 912 1820 1434 1567 3001 4821 1971 1221 1225 2446 1779 1839 3618 6064 1981 1670 1665 3335 2260 2285 4545 7880 1991 1767 1800 3567 2363 2418 4781 8348 2001 1967 1906 3873 2614 2736 5350 9223 2011 4041 5652 9693

12000

10000

8000

H. Bank 6000 Tarleton TOTAL 4000

2000

0 1801 1811 1821 1831 1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011

Infant mortality, life expectancy, and Causes of Death

Records of births, marriages and deaths were not kept by the state until 1837. However, the religious ceremonies of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials were recorded by the church before and after that date in Parish Registers, most of which still exist for the villages we are interested in and many can now be searched online at Lancashire On-line Parish Clerk Project website. They provide thousands of events and the associated details, all religiously (pun intended) noting personal details of those involved. Religiously recorded they may have been, i.e. very few escaped, but alas they were, in matters of detail, often inconsistently and inaccurately, recorded. Croston and North Meols, the location of mother churches for their surrounding areas have Parish Records available further back than Tarleton and Hesketh Bank. A flavour of these early records can be seen by this marriage record for Croston in 1539, typical of all the adjacent entries: ‘14 Jan 1539 John Idan Jenett Harison’. It tells us the names of the two people being married and the date, no more. Furthermore it contains idiosyncrasies of spelling. Such spellings appear to reflect how the surnames were pronounced or written at that time combined with the idiosyncrasies the officiating Minister, all fuelled by parishioners who didn’t write, nor as we shall see later, remember/admit how old they were: so the names cannot be relied upon exactly. Similarly we see a Baptism at North Meols: ‘Baptism: 29 May 1595 St Cuthbert, North Meols, Lancashire Alys Ball – Daughter of John Ball’. No mention of the mother or which village the parents and child came from, just as there was no mention at the Croston marriage of the village(s) the bride and groom came from, nor reference to their parents. As centuries passed, generally more information, albeit subject to variation, was recorded per event: ages, abode, occupation, witnesses, etc. This means that these

16 thousands of records can be analysed to give an insight into how society was working.

In the following paragraphs records have been analysed to measure life expectancy and the causes of death in this community. This allows us to view the facts of life and death and to compare the conclusions emerging with any preconceptions we may have of the life and times.

The first registers giving ages of those being buried are those starting 1789 for Tarleton and 1813 for Hesketh Bank. The last registers available for the 1800s end in 1883 and 1899 respectively. As a sample of the age at which people died I have taken 100 entries at the beginning of their availability and 100 at the end for each of the two villages, i.e. a total sample of 400. Whilst making comparisons between samples as small as 100 lead to very speculative conclusions of how villages compared or things changed over time, subject as they are to waves of illnesses, the total picture of the 400 combined deaths does allow stronger conclusions. It should however be pointed out that a 3 year old who died in 1883 has lived their whole life in the 1880s, whereas an 83 year old dying in that year has had their life and health influenced by the whole of the 1800s to date.

The village shown in the table below is the one where the burial took place. Whilst the vast majority were from that village, for some the ‘Abode’ was elsewhere. The Hesketh Bank 1813+ entries include quite a few living in Tarleton as well odd ones from Freckleton, Warton, Lytham, Parbold, Whittingham, Leyland, Chorley, Ulverston, Liverpool as well as John Weaver from Botany Bay and a stranger ‘found cast on shore’. This probably indicates movement tied in with boats, but as occupations were not given it is not certain. Those for 1894+ also include people whose abode was in adjacent villages but also have residents of towns figuring more strongly: Preston, Southport, Leyland, and Chorley. For Tarleton the Abode is not given in 1789 but in 1881+ there are only a few from Hesketh Bank and some from Croston, Rufford, Lathom, Scarisbrick, Burscough, Whittingham, again probably testifying to the effect of the canal, but still no occupations to confirm this. Life Deaths in Deaths prior to Average Adults living Expectancy Infancy (<1yr) Adulthood (1- lifespan of beyond 70y (samples of 100) % 20yrs) Adults (21+) % of all % Years adults Tarleton 21 28 55 35 1789- 1805 Hesketh Bank 9 40 58 39 1813-1822 Tarleton 25 19 58 29 1881-1883 Hesketh Bank 29 26 61 49 1894-1899 Combined 21 28 58 37

These figures show a fairly consistent picture: in all four samples it is consistently close to 50% of the population who achieve adulthood. There is a relatively low figure of infant deaths in the earlier Hesketh Bank statistics, but fate catches up with them before they get to 21. The fact that I have chosen 21 years of age as the definition of adult is fairly arbitrary in that males, in the sense of the nature of their work (and though largely not recorded, the same would also be true of females) stopped being boys long before this age. We will see later that it was the Merchant Shipping Act 1854 that required for a “Foreign-going or Home Trade Passenger Ship” the Master must be twenty-one years of age, the Mate eighteen and the Second Mate seventeen. Hence in a demanding occupation a 17-yearold could be in charge of men of all ages. No doubt this was true in other occupations.

For the whole of the decade, for the 50% who made it to adulthood, they could expect to live to an average age of 58, and a third or more get their biblical three score and ten years.

I have some personal information which presents an even better picture of those who achieved adulthood. I have populated my family tree with 250 direct ancestors, that is not counting siblings. Of these ancestors 72% of them are from Tarleton, Hesketh Bank or Croston. For over 100 of the 250 ancestors I know their age at death, giving me a stepladder back into the past, a generation at a time. I have calculated the average length of life for each generation. These are shown in the table below. This is a biased sample: not only did they achieve adulthood but they also married and had children. The consistently higher average length of life than that shown in the above table may well be because those who got to breed were the more healthy ones. What I cannot claim realistically is that Edmondson genes give long lives since whilst my surname is Edmondson only one of my four grandparents had the surname Edmondson and when I get back to Great x10 grandparents there are 4096 ancestors and potentially only one of them an Edmondson (but in fact since so many are from Tarleton etc. the same names repeat). So I would have to lay the same claim for 4000 other names’ genes which would include virtually all traditional Tarleton/Hesketh Bank names.

Generation Earliest birth-year Latest death-year Number with Average age at known yob & yod death Parent 1914 1999 2 66 Grandparent 1889 1968 3 73 G Grandparent 1849 1956 4 67 Gx2 Grandparent 1822 1929 12 64 Gx3 Grandparent 1781 1909 19 71 Gx4 Grandparent 1752 1878 17 66 Gx5 Grandparent 1713 1831 14 66 Gx6 Grandparent 1692 1829 11 62 Gx7 Grandparent 1668 1775 9 57 Gx8 Grandparent 1630 1739 7 60

Gx9 Grandparent 1590 1750 8 62 Gx10 Grandparent 1575 1680 4 70 Gx11 Grandparent 1569 1634 3 66 Gx12 Grandparent 1524 1627 2 82 Gx13 Grandparent c1495 0

The last three rows are shown in italics because there is doubt as to whether the individuals concerned were, or were not, ancestors of mine: this does not cast doubt on their existence or lifespan, so I include them. They not only extend the table above but also provide examples to two points arising later. Great x 13 grandfather Christopher Christopherson of North Meols, born circa 1495, married Elsie Fleming and had a son John, John Christopherson. John Christopherson had a daughter Ann, Ann Johnson. Whilst her children took her husband’s name, her brother’s children were called Johnson. This is a belated example of patronymic surnames (father’s first name + son) dying out in this isolated rural community. Though I have yet to identify him, Christopher Christopherson’s father will be Christopher Somethingson.

The second point exampled by these distant ancestors relates to lifespan. John Christopherson was born in North Meols in 1524 and died there in 1627, that is, he lived to the age of 103. Not as might be supposed, a slip of the quill, but supported by his will. The official scribing his will in the pre- amble indicates why it is time to be making a will by recording JC’s age as over 100 (in lieu of the usual threat of impending death contained in the phrase ‘…being sound in mind but weak in body…’).

Tarleton and Hesketh Bank registers of burials seldom give cause of death. However the Croston registers are generally more extensive and the registers starting with the one for 1783- 1791 to that for 1806 -1812 do in most cases give a cause of death, and in doing so give insights into everyday life, and sadly in many cases everyday death. These records of course predate the advent of the civil (i.e. on behalf of the state) registration of deaths and are recording the religious ceremony of burial. To what extent the words used to record the cause of death are words which emanate from the relatives, the officiating Minister, or some medical practitioner is not known to me. My presumption would be that they are largely down to the Minister since they are not driven by meeting a civil bureaucratic requirement and they seem to have periods where one or other forms of words are favoured. It could however be argued that they could equally reflect the idiosyncrasies of the current local Physician, or be in part determined by the ebb and flow of different illnesses and their understanding.

I have taken it that the recorded causes of death in the Croston register (which since Croston was still the mother church at these dates, included people from Tarleton as well as from Bretherton, Rufford, Mawdesley, Ulnes Walton, etc.) provide a reasonable approximation of what was going on in Tarleton and Hesketh Bank. I have taken the first 100 deaths in the first register to show causes of death occurring in 1783/4, and the first 100

19 deaths in the last such register and so occurring in 1806/7 and noted the causes in each of the four groups used above: Infants, Children & adolescents, Adults aged 21-69, Adults over 70. The percentage of people dying in each category in Croston is not markedly different to those showing in the Tarleton/Hesketh Bank table above, though there does seem to be a marginal depression of life expectancy due to outbreaks of particular illnesses, but not sufficient to suggest their lives are much different. So what were people dying of. Well in the first instance it is interesting to note what they were not dying of. They were not being cut off in there prime by meeting ‘violent’ deaths through work, play or crime. Out of the 200 deaths two people drowned and no other violent deaths appear. Four women did die in childbirth which out of say 50 women achieving adulthood is high by modern standards even taking account of the high birth rate, but doesn’t compete with the major causes of death in the 21 to 69 bracket. Nor does the lifestyle: diet, work and housing, prevent them from being able to live on in old age – there are plenty achieving 70, 80 and even a few 90s. This is the analysis of the two groups of 100 deaths:-

Sample Infants Children & Adults Older People dates <1year Adolescents 21-69years 70+years 1-20years 1783/4 Still born 8 Fever 8 Consumption15 Fever 10 Fever 8 Consumption 7 Fever 8 Consumption 3 Consumption 3 Smallpox 7 ‘Child bed’ 2 Palsy 2 Not given 3 Apoplexy 1 Palsy 1 Apoplexy 1 Convulsions 2 ‘Coughing & Dropsy 1 Not given 1 Apoplexy 2 Braking out’ 1 Cancer of Smallpox 1 mouth 1 Premature 1 Rupture 1 ‘Stoppage of bowels’ 1 Drowned Total 28 Total 24 Total 30 Total 17

1806/7 Not given 12 Fever 13 Fever 8 Old Age 8 Still born 5 Not given 10 Decline 8 Fever 1 Fever 4 Quinsy 4 Not given 7 Fits 1 Quinsy 1 Decline 2 Paralytic 2 Decline 1 Fits 1 Consumption 1 ‘Child bed’ 2 Measles 1 Scarlet Fever 1 Apoplexy 1 Dropsy 1 Drowned 1 Measles 1 Consumption 1 Cramp 1 Old Age 1 Total 24 Total 34 Total 31 Total 11

Modern spellings of illnesses have in most cases replaced those used in the registers. Interesting to note that giving no cause of death and using ‘Old Age’ occurs often in the later register, but not in the earlier register. There appears to be a greater need to be specific in 1783 where almost all children have a specific cause given and even a 98 year-old is given as ‘Consumption’ and a 95 year-old ‘Fever’ rather than settle for ‘Old Age’.

In summary the combined causes of death (with brief explanation where

20 necessary) of the 200 people are:-

Fever (high body temperature?) 60 Not given 33 Consumption (tuberculosis) 30 Still born 13 Decline (loss of strength possibly due to tuberculosis) 11 Old Age 9 Smallpox 8 Quinsy (inflammation of the throat) 5 Apoplexy (unconsciousness or stroke) 5 Childbirth 4 Palsy (paralysis and/or convulsions) 3 Fits 2 Measles 2 Dropsy (fluid retention) 2 Paralytic (Paralysis, not ‘dead drunk’) 2 Drowned 2 Convulsions 2 Scarlet Fever 1 Premature (birth) 1 Coughing & braking out (?) 1 Cramp 1 Rupture 1 Cancer of mouth 1 Stoppage of bowels 1 ----- 200

Surnames

This sub-section looks at the surnames prevalent in the villages and how they changed over time. Surnames have existed since the Middle Ages when individual taxes, in the form of the Poll Tax, were introduced to help fund the army in times of war. The first Poll Tax was in 1377 and was a flat rate of a groat (four old pence) per head above a certain age with the poor always being exempt, especially servants and spinsters, thereby excluding 40% of the population. In 1524 these individual taxes were replaced by taxes on land and goods at 24-28% more akin to present taxation schemes.

As referred to earlier, patronymic surnames (father’s first name + son) had only just died out in the area at the beginning of the 1500s, so for some of the people referred to in the coming paragraphs, they would be of the first generations to have a hereditary surname, the first people for whom this section would make any sense.

Particular surnames arise for a variety of reasons. Some are widely distributed, for example those based on common occupations, Smith or Carter. Others are localised, such as those based on a place-name e.g. those

21 ending -ley, -nall, -shaw indicate a settlement, giving us Fazakerley, Forshaw, Wignall. The National Trust surnames website gives us valuable information on surname distribution. In particular it shows the concentration of a name in 1881, thereby largely predating the population movement of the 1900s and consequent increased dispersal of names around the country. Not surprisingly the 1881 National Trust database shoes Fazakerley, Forshaw, and Wignall having their origins tightly located in Lancashire. We know where Fazacker-settlement is, albeit now in Merseyside, Four Oak Wood is said to have been a hamlet near Prescot also now in Merseyside, - and Wig is said to come from the Old English word for a beetle and relates to a location in the Tarleton hamlet of Holmes.

By using a range of sources we are able to trace the progression of names in and around the villages.  From the 1300s we can see the existence in West Lancashire of what we now recognise as Tarleton/Hesketh Bank names.  By the 1500s we have a small sample of surnames populating Tarleton and its immediate vicinity.  By the 1600s Parish Records give us large structured samples which we can tie down to the villages, and provides a list of virtually all names present in the villages at that time, and their relative frequency.  Extensive data is available for the 1700s and 1800s - almost too much to handle coherently.

The genetic study referred to earlier is a paper whose academic seriousness is indicated by its title: ‘Excavating Past Population Structures by Surname Sampling: The Genetic Legacy of Vikings in North West England’ dated 2007. The study used genetic testing to establish the strong Scandinavian history of West Lancashire and the Wirral and provides the earliest data available to me regarding surnames of West Lancashire. It used a specially selected sample, namely: men with surnames which were not only local to these areas but were also shown to have been present there many centuries ago. The use of this surname based sample was to reduce the diluting effect of population movement in recent centuries. In the case of West Lancashire the prime source of these names was those promising to contribute to the stipend of the priest of the altar of Our Lady of Ormskirk 1366. The area covered by this stipend was adjacent to Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, but neither was included in the catchment which reached only as far as Burscough. It is interesting nevertheless to note some of the names identified are recognisable as appearing in subsequent centuries, some present in the modern day, in these villages: Balshaw, Baxter, Bird, Bretherton, Cowdrey, Dobson, Foster, Jackson, Leadbetter, Leigh/Lee/Lea, Melling, Moss, Porter, Rimmer, Sargeant, Spencer, Sutton, Taylor, Topping, Waring, Webster, Wilson. These are given in their modern form. Out of these Cowdrey stands proud. It stands proud because all of the others remain

22 current in the area to this day. Proud, literally because this was a name present because of the family being part of the local gentry: marrying into and inheriting from the North Meols gentry. The name persisted in the village, as gentry or hoi-polloi, for several hundred years after the 1300s. Bannister has a similar heritage and continues to exist locally to this day.

Transcripts of the Manor Court held in Tarleton in 1577 (see Hesketh Bank and Tarleton website) give us some surnames specific to the villages of our interest. They also give us an insight into the misdemeanours taking place in this small rural village in the 1500s. Most of the business of the court can be seen to be bringing to heel those who were not behaving as ‘good villagers’, e.g. not cleaning their ditches, or brawling, rather than acting as villains. It also shows how these transgressions were dealt with: fines, fairly hefty ones.

However for the purposes of this text, the proceedings are used to identify a sample of village occupants in the 1500s and their surnames: the sample in this case being transgressors and others having been called to court. I am not clear of the jurisdiction of the court at Tarleton and it may be that matters from surrounding villages were dealt with there, so the names should for now be taken as typical of the area immediately local to Tarleton (as the familiarity of some of the names testify).

Excluding the two lords and their steward officiating there are 83 people named, mostly men. I do not know the population of Tarleton at this time but the 52 names appearing must be a good sized sample of the surnames. Where the surname (often not consistently spelled the same) has an obvious current day equivalent the current spelling is used in the listing of the 83 individuals below:-

Surnames appearing in the Manor Court, Tarleton 1577 Abr(ah)am Hugh Richard Archer Richard Bannister Richard Adam John Ball William Becconsall Robert Blackhurst Thomas Breakell Oliver Edward Bretherton Henry Thomas Call John Caterall Ralph Caunce Lawrence Henry Cawdrey Robert Richard Cliff Margaret(a) Coket Richard Collins Alice Collison Thomas Cross Edward Dandy James(s) James(jun) John William(sen) William(j)

Dobson William James Eden William Robert Fazakerley Henry Fisher Jenetta Forshaw Nicholas Hugh Gyrdler John Hesketh Robert Hodges Henry Hosker Richard Howick Richard Thomas Hunt William Hunter James William Jenkinson William Robert Adam John Johnson Robert Jump William Richard Lawrence Henry Thomas Leatherbarrow William Loxom Richard Mawdesley Hugh Norris George Nicholas Robert Park John Philipson Richard Richardson Hugh Smythe/Smith James Sutton William Thomas Taylor Nicholas Henry Thornton Hugh John Todd Mathew Richard Tomes Hugh (this could be Hugh Richardson above who had the alias Thomason) Wallbank Henry Whittle Thurstan Wignall Thurstan Thomas Hugh John Edmund Wilding Edward Williamson Hugh

Many of the names are reassuringly familiar (shown in their modern spelling) through the centuries and to the present day – the four with most individuals in court (Jenkinson excepted): Wignall, Bannister, Dandy, and Norris have maintained a steady presence, and Jenkinson’s Farm remains. This is also true of the Christian names being used, though Thurstan (stone of Thor the god of thunder) died out despite being used as late as the 1700s.

As we will now see many of these surnames continued healthily through the 1600s and later some of these blossomed in the 1700s: Taylor, Wignall, Johnson, Dobson, Fazakerley all being in the top ten surnames in the village in that century. However other very common names of the 1700s do not appear in the 1577 list: Iddon, As(h)croft, Cookson, Watkinson, Lee/Legh/Leigh. Is it because these families had yet to appear in the village,

24 or that they were present but none had business with the court? Since I have all of these five names amongst my ancestors I prefer the second explanation.

What is equally, possibly more, intriguing is the presence in 1577 of names not associated with Tarleton in recent centuries: Cawdrey again, but also Call, Coket, Eden, Loxom, Park. Were they transient, did they just die out, or did the name transform into something we would recognise?

In the 1600s the religious ceremonies were held at the mother church at Croston. The Croston Parish Records 1630 – 1699 indicate those baptisms which were of residents of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank. There are 412 identified as such. Their breakdown of surnames, given in present form, is as follows.

Surname frequency in 1600s Occurences Surname(s) 55 Wignall 22 Norris 18 Taylor 17 Dobson, Whittle 12 Dandy 11 Jenkinson 10 Forshaw, Leadbetter 9 Ball, Bannister, Bretherton, Fazakerley, Hunter, Ryding, Sutton, Thornton 8 Thompson 7 Lawrence, 6 Wallbank, 5 Becconsall, Blackhurst, Simpkin, Wilkinson 4 Ashcroft, Cocket, Hosker, Hunt, Johnson, 3 Call, Fairclough, Holme, Iddon, Jackson, Janson, Jump, Loxam, Moss, Park, Rutter, Sharrock, Wane, Wilding 2 Abraham, Carr, Cawdrey, Harrison, Haworth, Kilshaw, Mason, Melling, Parker, Percival, Rigby, Robinson, Walton, 1 Allerton, Alty, Archer, Blundell, Bolton, Bradshaw, Buck, Caunce, Clarkson, Clough, Cole, Cookson, Critchley, David, Dawson, Dikes, Duckworth, Eden, Farrington, Foster, Godber, Halsall, Hill, Howard, Knowles, Martin, Maudesley, Miller, Parkinson, Simons, Tarleton, Todd, Warburton, Watkinson, Wearden, Wilson, Woosey

These figures confirm, for the first time in statistical terms, that Wignalls are out in front, and by some way, but Norris, Dobson, and Taylor have made strong running in the second half of the century, while late entries Leadbetter and Ryding, from neighbouring villages, are making good ground.

Equally interesting is the relatively low numbers of future mainstay names such as: - Iddon, Harrison, Alty, Blundell, Bolton, Buck, Cookson, Howard, Parkinson, Watkinson, etc. Does this suggest that in the 1600s they were recently arrived in the villages?

Though not covering all of the early years of the century, the table below gives us a picture representative of the 1700s and I have assumed that birth-rates in the missing years were broadly in line with those of available years. We can see that Wignalls are still out in front with over two births per year throughout the century, with Iddons, Dobsons and Taylors running at 11/2 per year. Surames occurring infrequently in the 1700s list and the 1880s list later have not been included, though my cut-off point is arbitrary.

Surname frequency in 1700s Name Hesketh Bank Tarleton Combined (1745-1812) (1719-1812) ‘1700s’ births/10years births/10years births/10years Wignall 12.7 10.1 22.8 Iddon 1.8 13.4 15.2 Dobson 6.6 8.2 14.8 Taylor 1.5 12.3 13.8 Johnson 1.5 8.9 10.4 Ashcroft 1.8 8.4 10.2 Cookson 0.6 7.5 8.1 Fazakerley 0.3 7.7 8.0 Watkinson 0.3 6.8 7.1 Hunter 0.9 6.1 7.0 Rimmer/Rymer 4.8 2.2 7.0 Tinsley/Tildsley 2.1 4.7 6.8 Whittle 1.0 5.8 6.8 Lee/Legh/Leigh 0 6.5 6.5 Harrison 0.9 4.7 5.6 Wilson 0 5.1 5.1 Hesketh 0.1 4.4 4.5 Robinson 0.4 4.1 4.5 Bolton 0 4.4 4.4 Bond/Boond 1.3 2.7 4.0 Duckworth 0 4.0 4.0 Halsall 2.3 1.2 3.5 Sumner 0.1 3.4 3.5 Lawson 2.4 0.1 2.5 Sharples 1.8 0.1 1.9

Lawson and Sharples are included despite having a relatively low combined villages’ birth-rate merely because they deserve a mention for both being in the top ten Hesketh Bank names in the 1700s. We can also see the Boond/Bond’s geographical progress through the villages. Though Bond/Boond had been present in North Meols since at least 1612 the first

26 recorded birth in Tarleton was 1725, and 1795 in Hesketh Bank. As we will see later the Bonds of Hesketh Bank became distinguished mariners. Similarly Iddon was much more a Tarleton name in the 1700s than a Hesketh Bank name. The Iddons also went on to produce some notable Mariners.

The picture for the 1800s is shown in the table below. Though the villages are adjacent, some names show strong affiliations to one or other village.

Surname frequency in 1800s Name Hesketh Bank Tarleton Combined (1813-1856) (1813-1888) ‘1800s’ births/10years births/10years births/10years Iddon 9.1 26.8 35.9 Taylor 4.4 23.5 27.9 Ashcroft 4.7 21.9 26.6 Johnson 2.6 23.3 25.9 Ball 10.2 11.6 21.8 Cookson 0.9 19.3 20.2 Dobson 6.5 9.9 16.4 Watkinson 3.3 12.8 16.1 Fazakerley 2.3 13.2 15.5 Edmondson 1.4 14.0 15.4 Miller 5.8 9.3 15.1 Forshaw 4.2 10.3 14.5 Banks 8.6 5.5 14.1 Coulton 2.1 11.9 14.0 Dandy 0.9 12.5 13.4 Rimmer/Rymer 11.9 1.5 13.4 Wilson 3.3 10.1 13.4 Blundell 9.8 2.8 12.6 Harrison 1.6 10.9 12.5 Wignall 7.4 4.5 11.9 Wright 4.9 6.1 11.0 Rigby 0 10.3 10.3 Sumner 2.1 8.1 10.2 Lea/Lee/Leigh 2.3 7.7 10.0 Barron 0.7 8.8 9.5 Hodson 0 9.3 9.3 Mayor/Mayo 0.5 8.7 9.2 Caunce 1.2 7.9 9.1 Hunter 3.3 5.5 8.8 Parkinson 0 7.2 7.2 Jackson 0 6.9 6.9 Tinsley/Tildsley 2.8 4.0 6.8 Higham 6.3 0.4 6.7 Thompson 0 6.7 6.7 Latham 0 5.5 5.5

Bridge 0 5.2 5.2 Sutton 0 3.6 3.6 Porter 3.0 0.5 3.5 Halsall 2.3 1.1 3.4 Norris 1.4 2.0 3.4 Bond 1.9 0.1 2.0

Again some of the names at the bottom of the table have been included, despite relatively low birth-rates, just because of their interest: Norris and Sutton were ever present from the 1500s at least and up to the present day, Lathoms a significant family of Mariners, etc.

The increased populations of the villages show their affect on the figures: Iddons, Taylors, Ashcrofts and Johnsons all running at about three births per year. Wignalls, for so long the race leaders, appear to be in decline. With three of my four grandparental surnames being Edmondson, Taylor and Cookson, each figuring strongly in the table, I can truly claim to be a man of the common people – ‘common as muck’ you might say.

Upon seeing the above measured evidence regarding surnames it is difficult for me, and no doubt for others familiar with the surnames in these villages prior to the influx of new names in recent decades, not to also throw in some random unmeasured observations, and I do so below.

The surnames above are shown in most cases in their current stable form. Many have in official records been spelled in a variety of ways, presumably because the possessors of these names were not too acquainted with writing them down, combined with the fact that the Ministers of the church were usually arrivals from elsewhere and obliged to guess how the parishioner’s pronunciation converted into written letters in the register. We can see in the parish registers newborns of the same parents being given successive approximations to the standard form as the minister found his feet (or perhaps his dialect ears) in his new parish. It is not surprising to see Cooton often appearing in registers since, for the now rapidly diminishing few old time villagers, it is the dialect way of saying Coulton (now pronounced variously as ‘Coalton’ or ‘Coolton’). What is perhaps more surprising is that in a few cases, I have cited Rimmer/Rymer and Ashcroft/Ascroft above, a variation which is presumably accidental rather than signifying an alternate root, has in the last century been protected zealously by some as a valued distinction. ‘What’s in a name?’ – History and identity obviously.

It was common into the mid 1900s in Hesketh Bank and Tarleton for a family nickname (i.e. applying to the whole family rather than one individual) to be used. So one branch of Coultons was known as Lukes: Tom Luke, Jack Luke, etc., and my grandfather’s branch of Cooksons to be Hugh Cliff (the Coalman), Bill Cliff (the Station Porter), etc. Since the origins of these nicknames were not known nor were they written down I cannot be sure that I am spelling them right. Seeing how common Coulton and Cookson were one can well understand the need.

Whilst most Christian names used are familiar, simple, common, and in many cases still in use today, a few stop you in your tracks: Silvester Taylor (d 1674), Zacharia Carr, Zebulun Riding, Haggai Tyndsley, and Thurstan Hosker. Parents must have been closer to their bibles in those days (proud to give their babes an almost literal cross to bear) and playground bullying less prevalent. Now a child would need the protection of rich celebrity parents to survive such names.

Occupations

This section looks at Occupations and how they changed as time passed by. It is an analysis of occupations by name and numbers using sources available at different times, with consequent inconsistencies. In none of the sources are women’s occupations provided sufficiently for meaningful analysis, so the figures and most of the text relates only to men’s occupations. For those readers who don’t want to go through the detail, I start with a summary of the broad picture.

Births, marriages and deaths in the early 1700s give a sample of 300 persons’ occupations. The vast majority, 70%, are living a self-sufficient agricultural lifestyle on land they occupied, describing themselves as Husbandmen or Yeomen dependent upon the nature of their tenure on the land. Neither they nor virtually anyone else is selling their time to an employer, but a few like Blacksmiths, Shoemakers sell the products of their time and skill. There are no Mariners recorded. In the mid-1700s there are a few snippets of evidence of Mariners being around in neighbouring villages, but data is sparse.

By the early 1800s the effect of the enclosure of land (common and otherwise) has changed the nature of work for many. Husbandmen have gone, many are now employed Labourers. The proportion of the population working in agriculture, including the Labourers, has fallen to 50%, many of whom are Farmers (the name Yeomen having been dropped) employing Labourers. Mariners have appeared and represent about 20% of the workforce. There are also a significant number of Weavers amongst the craftsmen.

The 1841 census for the first time gives a full list of the male workforce of 600 villagers, and where they are geographically. At the broadest level 60% of them worked on farms, 13% on boats, and the remaining 25% did a variety of craft related work around the villages, and there were still a significant number of cottage Weavers, men and women. Boatmen and Sailors were mainly in Tarleton Town, Sollom being in decline after the completion of the canal from Sollom to Tarleton. Holmes was a thriving and substantial farming community.

The second half of the 1800s saw farming hold its dominant position, but

Mariners fall away from 15% to 3% by the end of the century, however some of these Mariners had gone to ply their trade in bigger ports like Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness. The 1901 census shows a picture which would be familiar well into the 1900s with Market Gardeners and Produce Merchants joining the numbers of those engaged in agriculture (including 100 men working specifically with horses).

And now that broad story in more detail.

The earliest information we have on the jobs people did, that is how they maintained themselves and their families, in Hesketh Bank and Tarleton are taken from Parish Records of the early 1700s. They are a short window when, for a reason I cannot explain, occupations were given – occupations weren’t given before and they weren’t for some time afterwards. In the sample they give us, some are from Croston church (122 of them), and some from Tarleton & Hesketh Bank churches (179), but all are for men resident in Tarleton or Hesketh Bank. They are drawn from births, from marriages and from deaths and all 301 of them fall between 1719 and 1731. Occupation breakdown early 1700s Occurrences Occupations % of Population 149 Husbandman 50 59 Yeoman 20 26 Labourer 9 15 Taylor 5 11 Shoemaker 4 10 Blacksmith, (Linen) Webster/Weaver 3 each 5 Miller 2 4 Carpenter/Joiner 1 3 Innkeeper/Alehouse Keeper 1 2 Sexton, Whitener/Yarn Bleacher 1 each 1 Servant, Curate, Traveller, Roper, Carrier <1 each Total 301 17 Occupations 100

This shows the vast majority of villagers in the early part of the 1700s still living a self sufficient agricultural lifestyle on the land they occupied. Most were described as Husbandmen, who would have a loose ongoing tenure of their land and probably make use also of any common land available. The others were styled as Yeomen having a stronger possession of their land, but living a similar lifestyle. Labourers are present but in small numbers compared with those we will see in later years, and interestingly not one Labourer recorded at Croston. Similarly there is just one ‘Servant’ recorded, yet by the first proper census in 1841 Labourer and Servant are the two most common occupations. This suggests that the process of moving from independent Cottager Farmers to employed hands selling their time, prompted by increased enclosure of land and the emergence of industrialisation, had begun, but barely begun, in the early 1700s.

Given that our special interest is the maritime histories of the villages, we immediately notice that there are neither Mariners nor anyone else whose

30 occupation suggests they have an involvement in the river or the sea. Big blow. Hard to believe that in Hesketh Bank where the tide, and the fish that it carried, lapped at their very doorstep, where travellers were routinely being guided across the Ribble on foot, let alone by boat, that no villagers were involved with the water as a prime occupation. In Tarleton where we have fragments of evidence of cargoes offloaded in the 1500s, and where later in the 1700s, if not before, ships were being built; it is difficult to believe that no villagers were involved to the extent of it being their occupation.

Unfortunately for the remainder of the 1700s the Parish Records: baptisms, marriages, and burials, virtually never show a man’s occupation. By the time that occupations return to the records, in the early 1800s, the picture is significantly different, particularly with respect to Mariners, Sailors, Boatmen, Flatmen – they exist in abundance. This leaves uncharted the very period when Mariners emerged as a significant ongoing presence in the villages, the very period we would wish to see what story we could learn from the details of these first recognised Mariners.

A few snippets are available from Croston for the mid 1700s. There are less than twenty instances between 1730 (the end of the brief period where occupations were regularly recorded, as analysed above) and 1754 where a man with an abode given as Tarleton or Hesketh, also has an occupation shown. None are Mariners, indeed almost all are Husbandmen. For the remainder of the century just two Mariners living in Tarleton can be identified; these come from the burials record. On 17 January 1753 Elizabeth wife of Roger Ashton, Mariner, Abode Tarleton, was buried at Croston. Similarly the burial took place on 8 August 1760 of Mary Hilton daughter of Henry and Alice Hilton, Abode Tarleton, the entry being followed by ‘Mar’. Given that we know there to have been Hiltons born in Tarleton in the late 1700s that went on to be Mariners, we can reasonably assume this Mar is to indicate Mariner. Further searching of Parish records show that Alice Hilton died aged 78 in 1784 (her husband’s occupation being given at that time as Carpenter), so we might deduce that Henry Hilton was born about 1705. This is precious little of substance to cover this gap of almost 100 years. There is however some additional contextual evidence. Amongst the marriages are the following, all given as being ‘of this Parish’, so likely to be from Croston rather than Tarleton or Hesketh Bank:-  1755 – Robert Yates, Ship Carpenter; Thomas Ashton, Mariner; Samuel Neild, Sailor.  1757 – William Wilson, Mariner  1758 – John Parkinson, Mariner  1762 – Mercer Ormson, Ship Carpenter  1765 – James Tatersall, Sailor; James Cottam, Sailor.

Amongst the burials for 1758 is Richard Robinson of Bretherton, Mariner. Also amongst the marriages are two not ‘of this Parish’:-  1755 – Nicholas Taylor, Mariner of North Meols

 1766 – William Stythe, Sailor of Cartmel

Nicholas Taylor indicates something that we would have expected, that there were at this time active Mariners in neighbouring North Meols, a parish bounded by the open sea. In North Meols records for 1772 there are mentions for Thomas Right, Robert Wright, Thomas Harrison, all Mariners.

The above contextual information poses as many questions as it answers. There are small numbers of Mariners about, but more in Croston than Tarleton and Hesketh Bank. How did Croston-based Mariners work, and even more Ship Carpenters, were they using the small tributary River Yarrow which ran through Croston, or trudging to the Douglas at its nearest point? Whilst the surnames are not all foreign to Tarleton, some are and overall they do not resemble a collection of names of the sort we will see emerge in the coming decades as the Mariner families of our chosen villages.

The next opportunity to see large numbers of occupations comes from the baptism records early in the 1800s (no occupations are available for this period from Marriages or Burials). These cover a sample of over 500 occupations recorded between 1813 and 1819 and are given below. Now over 20% of the workforce are Mariners, Sailors, Boatmen, Flatmen, Sailmakers or Ship Carpenters – the industry is in full swing. Together with Farmers and Labourers they make up 70% of the workforce, with only Weavers as a group of any size.

Occupational breakdown early 1800s Occurrences Occupations % of Population 128 Labourer 25 115 Farmer 23 87 Mariner/Sailor 17 64 Weaver 13 17 Husbandman 3 11 Wheelwright 2 10 Flatman, Carpenter/Joiner 2x2 9 Miller 2 7 Innkeeper/Publican/Victualler, 1x2 Cordwainer 6 Boatman, Tailor 1x2 5 Servant, Blacksmith 1x2 4 Sailmaker 1 3 Grocer, Maltster/Maltman 1x2 2 Shopkeeper, Yeoman, Ropemaker, <1x4 Gamekeeper 1 Ship Carpenter, Shoemaker, Steward, <1x5 Butcher, Warehouseman Total 510 27 Occupations 100

A snapshot of occupations a little later than the dates for the above analysis

32 is given by the Militia Book for Tarleton made in 1826. Militia books were drawn up throughout the country at intervals in order to produce an identified portion of men in the population who were available to be called into the Army to meet its fluctuating needs in peacetime and in conflict. All villages, towns and cities were to produce there fair share of ‘potential conscripts’. The process was to have a list produced of all those men falling within the age range, normally 18 to 45 or 50. Each man was then established as exempt or not. Exemption was normally on the basis of having a physical incapacity or having too many dependant young children, though exemption could also be because the man had already signed up for the Militia of his own accord. From this list of those eligible and not exempt a draw was made to produce the required number of men for service. Since the process appears to have been quite loosely and inconsistently interpreted by the officials carrying it out, and these officials are regarded as having been open to influence, the lists cannot be regarded as always being full and accurate data on what they purport to be. Some lists from various stages of the selection process survive. The 1826 list for Tarleton of those eligible, together with whether they are deemed exempt or not, and the reason, is one such survivor. It names over 200 individual men aged between 18 and 41 and gives their occupations. However as a statistical sample of occupations it has a number of weaknesses. The list would seem to cover only about half the likely adult male population, most not on for the obvious reason of their age, but comparisons with baptism, marriage and burial records quickly show that others who might be expected to be there are not. This is likely to bias the sample towards or away from occupations. Also ‘Inmate’ is the most common occupation given, and the second is ‘Labourer’, the third being ‘Servant’. These general, and potentially overlapping, titles account for 2/3rds of the sample. Inmates are lodgers, presumably living on the premises of their employers: we will see them referred to as Male Servants in the 1841 census. Nevertheless, they do give more or less the picture we might expect – apart from the three occupations mentioned there are only significant groups of Farmers (including a few Husbandmen), Boatmen (including one Mariner), and a lesser number of Weavers supported by sprinklings of various trades.

Moving forward, the 1841 Census gives us our first opportunity to see a full list of the numbers of people in the villages engaged in the different occupations of the day - literally ‘the day’ as it is a snapshot in time taken on the day of the census. This was the first census of broadly the type with which we are now familiar, and covered each village broken down into districts, 4 for Tarleton 2 for Hesketh Bank. This first census recorded only:-  Place: often no more than which part of the village, sometimes a road, very occasionally a house, each household is identified separately.  Names: ‘of each person who abode therein the preceding night’. Though neither was recorded (as they were in later censuses) the ‘head of the household’ is implied by being the first listed for that household and relationships may in the main be deduced by name and age.

 Age and Sex: age in years, or months if less than 1 year.  Profession, Trade, Employment or of Independent Means: this critical column is dealt with below.  Where born: this recorded only whether born in Lancashire, yes or no, and for those to whom it applied whether born in Scotland, Ireland or Foreign Parts; apart from showing that members of the Clergyman’s household were born in Scotland this later column was unused.

To call the census a full list of occupations and numbers is an overstatement as we can see by looking at the entries for ‘Profession, Trade’ etc. For many no occupation was given. For children this is to be expected, but for many teenagers living at home, male and female, there is no occupation shown, despite the fact that they would at this age be doing full time work, and this applies even to a few over 20 years. This is particularly the case where the head of the house is a Farmer, perhaps it was taken as read by the census recorder that readers would understand that all worked around the farm, probably male and female? Consequently the figures given in the analysis below may underestimate those working in agriculture. Teenagers and adults employed on a live-in basis, male and female, are shown as Male Servant or Female Servant. This therefore records more their employment terms rather than telling us what they did. They may well be doing exactly the same work as a man living in his own home that would be shown as say an Agricultural Labourer. Again this is likely to most affect figures for agriculture. Finally, many women, perhaps most, had no occupation shown. This may be because they were fully occupied in unpaid domestic work in their own home, certainly wives normally have no occupation given. Some wives did have an entry in the occupation column, namely Boatman’s or Sailor’s Wife: this occurred only when the husband was not at home, as most Boatmen appear not to have been on the night of the census. The purpose may have been to indicate that there was a person missing from the census (though possibly recorded elsewhere in the country) and that person’s occupation, which is very useful for our purposes. However Boatman’s/Sailor’s Widow was also frequently recorded, so why this special accolade was afforded just to Mariners is not clear. Besides the many Female Servants there were some women who did have an occupation given: a number of Weavers, Dressmakers, a Farmer, Schoolmistress, Toll Collector. These all appear to be full time employed and single. Nevertheless it prevents meaningful inclusion of women in the analysis and the figures given below are just for men. Few people, men or women, were shown as ‘independent’: those who were appear to be past the age of work or widows supported by their resident adult children. Some 70 year-olds did claim occupations e.g. John Watkinson aged 85, Labourer living with his 75 year-old wife Margaret.

As well as telling us what occupations existed at the time of the census and the numbers doing them, they also tell us a little about where in the villages these occupations were being done.

In its definition of the area for the collection of the census 1841 The Enumerator’s Schedule defines the areas as: England and Wales, County of Lancaster, Northern Parliamentary Division, Leyland Hundred, Parish of Croston, Chapelry of Tarleton; Superintendent registrar’s District Ormskirk, Registrar’s District Tarleton: Enumeration District 1: “All that part of the Chapelry of Tarleton except Sollom which lies West and North of the Turnpike Road from Liverpool to Preston and East of the highway from Ormskirk to Hesketh Bank”. Enumeration District 2: “All that part of the Chapelry of Tarleton which lies West of the highway from Ormskirk to Hesketh Bank and North (difficult to read) of Cuerden Lane”. Enumeration District 3: “All that part of the Township of Tarleton called Sollom which boundary is well known”. Enumeration District 4: “All that part of the Township of Tarleton called Holmes which boundary is well known”.

Similarly for Hesketh Bank; Superintendent registrar’s District Ormskirk, Registrar’s District Tarleton: Enumeration District 7: “All that part of the Township of Hesketh with Becconsall which lies East of the highway from Tarleton to Hesketh Bank and South and West of Back Lane”. Enumeration District 8: “All that part of the Township of Hesketh with Becconsall which lies West of the highway from Tarleton to Hesketh Bank and North and East of Back Lane”.

As a shorthand for these Districts, 1,2 3,4 7, 8, I have called them Tarleton Town, Tarleton Moss, Sollom, Holmes, Becconsall & Hundred End, and Hesketh Bank, which need further clarification. Tarleton Town was that tight strip of land defined by the historic clay ridge now represented by Church road and Hesketh Lane as a western boundary and the River Douglas to the east beginning at the south at Wingate (then the turnpike, now the A59) and ending at the Hesketh Bank boundary, Mill Lane, in the north. This thin strip hugging the river bank was the essence of Tarleton and therefore ‘Town’. Tarleton Moss is more loosely defined. Cuerden Lane is lost in time, but is likely to have been the farm track known in recent times as Front Lane (which parallels the modern day Southport New Road) running east towards Holmes from opposite the Ram’s Head, or more significantly the nearby Cuerden Farm. It would therefore include not only the moss but also the close to ‘town’ roads of Blackgate Lane, Gorse Lane, Carr Lane, Kearsley Avenue (then Rope Walk) and to that extent ‘Tarleton Moss’ is a misleading name. The census says that Sollom’s boundaries are well known, and they are but we need remember that they come up to the now Tarleton traffic lights and so include The Ram’s Head and the nearby old school, both of which would have served Tarleton ‘town’. Holmes we can accept as having well known boundaries so long as we include Mere Brow and those parts of Holmeswood not being in Rufford parish. The division of modern day Hesketh Bank is better understood by looking first at District 8: my ‘Hesketh Bank’. This is the small, in area, north east triangle bounded

35 by the rivers Douglas and Ribble to the east and north, and Chapel Road (then Back Lane). This also is defined by the natural clay ridge which formed the original bank to these rivers. The rest is ‘District 7’ the ‘hamlets’ of Becconsall and Hundred End. ‘District 7’ indeed; how the ancient inhabitants of Becconsall would have rejected the notion of being a hamlet, the rump of Hesketh Bank, containing as Becconsall did, the church, the boatyard, the ferry to the mother church, at least one pub and the Hall, the most monumental building of Hesketh-with-Becconsall. They would equally have rejected being combined with ‘Johnny-come-lately’ Hundred End, the last hamlet of the Leyland hundred built precariously on reclaimed bog land. District 7 did however contain not only Newarth Lane (new earth as it ran off the clay ridge and within a few hundred yards into land reclaimed from the mossy ground) and also the southern side of Back Lane. So, much of District 7 was close to the hub of ‘Hesketh Bank’.

But what story do the figures tell?

Occupational headcount at 1841 Census Occupations Tarleton Tarleton Sollom Holmes Becconsall Hesketh Total Town Moss &Hundred Bank End Agricultrl. Labourer 27 44 21 55 14 17 178 Male Servant 9 14 26 28 22 2 101 Farmer 12 21 15 26 15 1 90 Boatman/Sailor 22 22 7 9 20 80 Weaver 4 8 4 2 2 20 Shoemaker 3 3 1 5 2 5 19 Tailor 1 2 1 4 3 11 Blacksmith 3 2 3 2 10 Labourer 1 4 3 2 10 Wheelwright 2 2 3 2 1 10 Grocer 2 3 3 8 Brewer/Beerseller 1 2 1 4 Bricklayer 1 2 1 4 Carpenter/Joiner 3 1 4 Carter/Carrier 2 1 1 4 Excise Officer/Coastwaiter 1 1 2 Gamekeeper 1 2 1 4 Clerk 1 2 3 Publican/Innkeeper 1 1 1 3 Shopkeeper 2 1 3 Basket Maker 2 2 Canal Agent 2 2 Clergyman 2 2 Draper 2 2 Miller 2 2 Ropemaker 1 1 2 Saddler 1 1 2 Army P? 1 1 Butcher 1 1 Chairmaker 1 1 Clogger 1 1 Coachman 1 1 Fisherman 1 1 Gardener 1 1 Glazier 1 1

Parish Clerk 1 1 Pavier 1 1 Police Officer 1 1 Sailmaker 1 1 Schoolmaster 1 1 Shepherd 1 1 Shuttlemaker 1 1 Surgeon 1 1 Traveller 1 1 TOTAL 100 135 88 137 75 64 599

The first thing which stands out is that Holmes, a largely unsung hamlet of Tarleton has more workers than any other, the biggest farming community, 5 Shoemakers, 4 Tailors, 3 Blacksmiths, 3 Grocers, and the centre of the Porter bricklaying dynasty.

Predictably the Boatmen and Sailors are concentrated in Tarleton Town, or the village end of the lanes leading out onto Tarleton Moss, or in Hesketh Bank. There are relatively few in Sollom where numbers will have declined since the opening of the extension of the canal from Sollom to Tarleton town. Surprisingly there is only one Fisherman, James Wright of Hesketh Bank. A Coastwaiter or Tidewaiter is a Customs Officer who waited on the tide when vessels arrived to collect duty on goods imported

The pubs and inns are slightly confusing. Though the name of the pub in Tarleton town, and its exact location, is not given, it would almost certainly be the Cock & Bottle, since listed next door was the Blacksmith. A Blacksmith operated behind the Cock & Bottle into the second half of the 1900s. The Publican is Daniel Barron and his wife is Betty. The Brewer is in the Tarleton Moss division; his name was James Woodcock, not particularly a local name. He and his wife and three children lived on Cuerden Lane, where there were just two other houses. He presumably sold his beer to the beersellers or local pubs. The Innkeeper in Sollom was of course at The Ram’s Head: Robert Howard by name and he was also a Farmer. He had an extensive household: 11 members of his family, 3 Male Servants, 4 Female Servants, an Agricultural Labourer (an Irishman called Murphy) and a Traveller staying. There was also a Beerseller at Sollom Lock and another elsewhere in Sollom: for a population of 88 workmen that’s some going. There is neither Publican nor Beerseller in Holmes, no mention of the Leigh Arms. Becconsall has The Bay Horse Inn, the publican being Thomas Carter, which stood on the plot on the corner of what is now Station Road and Newarth Lane now occupied by a bungalow. Inexplicably there is no mention of The Hesketh Arms, Hesketh Bank’s established pub. As we will see later it had a new Publican in 1843, the appropriately named Henry Porter; perhaps it was in a dormant period in 1841.

There are a good number of Weavers, especially if women were to be added, most referred to as Cotton Weavers and particularly concentrated on Blackgate Lane, Gorse Lane and Carr Lane.

Shops were also spread around including Grocers and Drapers, as were

Shoemakers and Tailors. Traditional crafts of Blacksmith, Wheelwright, Basket Maker, Saddler and Chairmaker were present. A Wheelwright named Whiteside still operated in the second half of the 1900s on School Fold, Hesketh Bank and a Basket Maker named Thompson in Tarleton.

What is also interesting is the occupations not showing. Whilst there are Bricklayers, Carpenters & Joiners, and a Glazier there does not appear to be Builders as such, nor Masons, Plasterers, Thatchers or Slaters (though as we will see later there were ship loads of slate being moved through Tarleton in the 1840s). Were most houses and farm buildings largely self-build efforts? More disturbingly, though there are Boatmen and Sailors aplenty in the census, and a couple of Ropemakers (presumably for farm use as well as sailing ships) and a Sailmaker, there is no claim of anyone having occupations associated with the ship building going on at Tarleton and Hesketh Bank at that time. As we will see later, villagers who owned shares in ships were, when registering their vessels at Preston at same time as the census, describing themselves differently: John Hull, Merchant of Tarleton, John Allison, variously Merchant, Ship Owner, Ship Builder, John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Hesketh Bank, James Bannister the Shipbuilder at the Tarleton yard. Substantial tonnages of coal were being shipped out through Tarleton’s wharf and yet puzzlingly no-one describes themselves as a Coal Merchant, or at least not on the census.

But aside from these puzzles, the big picture from this census is that in Tarleton & Hesketh Bank combined in 1841 the male workforce was occupied as: Agricultural Labourers 30%, Male Servants 17%, Farmers 15%, Boatmen/Sailors 13%, Weavers (men) 3%. This underestimates the amount of weaving being done as there were additionally about as many women full time weavers as the men shown. Or to put it even more simply about 60% of men worked on farms, 15% on boats and the remaining 25% did a variety of mainly craft related work around the villages.

As an aside it is interesting to note a further ambiguity in names used to describe occupations. Each wedding taking place in 1841 would normally tell us three men’s occupations: the groom’s, and the bride’s and groom’s fathers’. Examination of these wedding records show that no man was described in the register in 1841 as a Servant, indeed out of the 119 weddings in Tarleton in the whole of the 1840s, and the 346 occupations given, there was only one man, James Miller, son of a Boatman, who was described as a Servant. Perhaps not surprising that on their big day in church, in front of the new bride and the in-laws no man sat easy with that description, whereas on census day in the house of your employer and landlord you had little choice but to accept that station. Also at these marriages, Labourers are described just as Labourers without the Agricultural pre-fix and so account for nearly half of the men referred to (including presumably quite a few ‘Servants’). A small number still describe themselves as Husbandmen, harking back to a quickly dying out lifestyle.

Analysis of records for the decade 1840 – 1849 gives a sample of 346 occupations from 119 weddings. They lead us to conclude that of the adult male workforce 41% were labourers (I assume mostly Agricultural Labourers), 27% Farmers (and another 1 ½ % Husbandmen) and 15% Boatmen/Seamen/Sailors leaving about 15% doing other things, some e.g. Carter almost certainly closely linked with one or more of the other groups. Of the 15% involved with boats the vast majority are described as Boatmen (rather than Sailor or Seaman) which I take (without evidence) to mean that they were involved in the loading/unloading of ships and the inland movement of cargo rather than being sea-going.

A similar analysis for the decade 1870-79 paints a different picture. They indicate that those occupied working on boats has fallen to only 5% of the adult male workforce and now few were Boatmen, most were Sailors. The expansion of Lytham dock, and subsequently Preston, the increasing role of the railway culminating in the Southport to Preston railway in1882, all presumably having effect on Boatmen’s job numbers. We know from records relating to Ulverston and Barrow that Tarleton provided substantial numbers of Mariners, many Masters, to the sailing ships of those ports and many moved to live there. The village was settling back to being dominated by agricultural work. Farmers (42%) by this time had overtaken Labourers (38%) as a proportion of the adult male workforce, presumably reflecting increased possession of land (tenant or owner).

A quick sample (160 person references) of occupations gleaned from the inconsistent records available in baptisms/marriages/deaths shows that at around 1890 just over 50% of men were billed as Labourers, 12% as Farmers, 7% as Mariners (Bargemen, Boatmen, Flatmen, Sailors either not present or not used as a descriptor); and other than those three occupations, only Shoemakers, Platelayers, Mechanics and Hay & Straw Dealers getting above 2 % as a job title. The occupational breakdown for Hesketh Bank appears more traditional, less affected by social development, than that for Tarleton – Farmers, Mariners, Shoemakers, Fishermen, Wheelwrights are in Hesketh Bank; the few Mechanics, Platelayers are in Tarleton. Weavers and Brewers seem to have gone from both villages.

So how did the century close? A good view of how the working men of the villages earned their living is obtained from the 1901 census. Agriculture still dominated: 25% were Farmers and another 23% Agricultural Labourers. When combined with the 12% who were Horsemen or Carters, 3% who were Cattlemen, and a few other oddments we have around 65% (over 600 men)of the adult male workforce directly working on the land. Market Gardeners and Produce Merchants had appeared in significant numbers. Clearly large numbers of horses were involved – over 100 men gave their occupation as Horseman, Teamster, Ostler, Carter, or Carrier. No wonder that the evolving Market Gardeners took to growing mushrooms with horse manure as a vital ingredient. Mariners were down to 3% (many describing themselves as Bargeman). When the 6 Shipbuilders were added this gives just 30

‘Mariners’ in the census (and probably a small number more who were away on the day of the census) compared with 84 from a smaller total population back in 1841. Many of the Mariners we had seen earlier in the century would have relocated to Ulverston or Barrow, they or their descendants plying their trade on a bigger stage.

But back in Hesketh Bank, 22 people from the villages worked on the railway, and about 40 at the brickworks. About 8 % were craftsmen, and of course specific new occupations had emerged: Insurance Agent, Telegraph man, Cycle maker, etc. An adult male workforce of just over 900 compared with the 600 of 1841. The world was changing. A World War that would touch everyone in the villages was not far off, but this is a story for someone else to tell.

What did Village People Look Like and Sound Like? I have tried in this book to describe Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, and their peoples, largely in terms of fact and analysis. This has its limitations. To really know what the place was like, to feel as a time traveller would have felt if dropped there two or three centuries ago, the things which would strike us would not be limited to the size of the population, their life expectancy, nor the names they were called by. Maybe how they were earning their living would have caught our eye; but what would probably have impacted on us mostly would have been what they looked like and sounded like, and to a lesser extent the smell and the taste of things round here. I make little attempt to deal with this here; perhaps it also is a job for someone else.

I have however tried to include some photographs where they are available to give a feel of the houses and the people and their dress. There will be many more photographs which could help give a bigger and better picture of the villages and their peoples, some already in the public arena, some lying untapped in drawers and attics. Photographs only came into being in any way meaningful to us in 1839 and so we can only realistically hope for photographs of village life for the second half of the 1800s. Before that we are reliant on paintings, which fortunately Mariners seemed rather fond of.

The following extract gives another form of picture, a word picture, recorded at the time.

An Outsiders Contemporary View of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank 1872 Extract from: Our Country Churches and Chapels By Atticus A Hewitson 1872 (Available on Hesketh Bank & Tarleton website) Tarleton is a rather peculiar part of the globe. It is a grey rough-and ready, primitive looking village, standing upon an eminence, with one, long, rambling, bewildering “street” in it; bordered with houses of all sizes, scattered up and down and in and out in every nook and corner, just as if they had got “mis- mixed" and required shaking up afresh and putting in order again. There are

some of the hardest workers and best ale drinkers in England at Tarleton. The district is essentially agricultural, very productive, and in the main full of plain, homely, hospitable folk, who evince a greater curiosity in respect to strangers than any other class of country people we have yet encountered. The moment you enter the village nearly everybody walks to the door, or glides to the window, and begins to eye you all over; old women with their hands huddled up under check aprons, and young women nursing children, will drop their gossiping and turn out to inspect you; youngsters by the road side suspend their operations with dirt and stones, and look up wonderingly at you; brawny young fellows lean against wall sides, in half-dozen rows, and speculate upon your appearance; and folk you meet in the road will, on passing, turn round and examine you – then walk on a bit, then turn round again, then go a bit further, then make another turn, then stop with somebody and enter into a serious conversation as to who you are, and what you can really want in the village.

We visited Tarleton on a Sunday afternoon, “put up" at the classic hostelrie of the "Cock and Bottle,” and after a moment's conversation with the landlord - the gentlest and sweetest-tempered soul in Britain - we made our way to the church. The journey to it was interesting - very. Everybody, of course, had a long earnest look at us and we noticed that about 75 per cent of the young men had their necks shaven - had "bare poles" for about two and half inches above the coat collar, and for all the world looked as if they were wearing wigs. But, then, they are a privileged race, these Tarleton young fellows. We also observed that they had only two kinds of articles upon their heads - half of them wore little round felt hats, and the other dark rough beaver-skin caps; that when walking they went in rows of six or eight; and that if they stopped anywhere they began climbing walls and sitting upon them in long lines, swinging their legs and “running the rigs” upon people who were passing.

People at a distance have an idea that Hesketh with Becconsall is a very barbaric and sterile part of the country, made up of sea sand and wild heathery land; but they are mistaken. The district is a fine one - beautiful for its scenery, and remarkably good in the fertility of its land. There are some of the strongest horses and finest potatoes in the country in this locality; 'and the young men here are rare specimens of strong, untamed English flesh and blood; they have arms, and legs, and fists, and faces of the most Cyclopean type; you see none of the muling, mawking, sicklied-all-o'er look of townspeople, in them. They are brawny, muscular, healthy, and mean everything they do; are devoid of all superficialism - work, court, kiss, fight, drink, and sleep in downright earnest, and a day spent with them is a fine relief to the dawdling, simpering, sentimental monotony and over-reaching craft of town life.

Though the above gives some illuminating observations, sadly it makes little note of how the locals spoke; such contemporary evidence had it existed might have given a launch pad for an examination of local speech. I am not in a position to either make any extensive written record of, or analysis of the local dialect: again a subject for someone else, perhaps a whole book. I do however include a few comments in the section ‘A Bonus: Oddments Collected along the Way’ towards the end of this book.

Influences on the Maritime Economy

Roads

The following description of the development of Lancashire’s roads has been taken largely from Lancashire County Council’s website. In the late Iron Age the area which was to become Lancashire was included in the territory of the Brigantes, which seems to have been a federation of smaller tribes. Most of the population lived in farms and small hamlets, comprising small groups of round houses with conical thatched roofs surrounded by small fields and paddocks. In Lancashire, one such lowland settlement (the only one known from the County to date) has been investigated by archaeologists, at Lathom, where at least two houses dating to 200-0 B.C. have been excavated. The farms and fields would have been linked by tracks probably with longer drove routes linking lowland farms with seasonal grazing in the uplands and in the lowland mosses and even the tribal centres are likely to have used the tracks and drove-ways as communication routes to outlying areas.

The incorporation of Britain into the Roman Empire began in A.D. 43 when four legions, supported by auxiliary troops landed on the south coast. Within five years the Roman army had occupied the south as far as a line running from the Severn to the Trent, with the frontier marked approximately by the line of the Fosse Way, a long distance road running from Exeter to Lincoln. Beyond the frontier, the Roman administration also seems to have made a treaty with the Brigantes, who were ruled by a queen, Cartimandua. Under Petillius Cerealis the Roman army penetrated north across Brigantia and established a permanent presence with the construction of the first forts in the northwest.

The main road network connecting the forts would have been completed fairly rapidly after the Roman conquest. This is shown in the attached map. There was a marching fort at Wigan (Coccio/Coccium). This was on the coastal route north, offering a route for land forces operating in conjunction with naval transports landing troop detachments along the coast and up the estuaries including the rivers Ribble to Walton and Douglas to Wigan.

There is little evidence of the Romans in West Lancashire, but then much of it would have been semi-tidal and boggy.

Through the Middle Ages and up until the 1700s only tracks existed between villages. These tracks were suitable for walking or riding a horse or carrying goods on pack horses, they were not easily used by carts or the few stage coaches. Some better roads existed on major routes; the Liverpool to Preston road passing through Tarleton was one. By its location on this main route, Tarleton has enjoyed better road access to the north and south than its near neighbour Hesketh Bank.

A Fundamental change in society that began in the early 18th Century became known as the Industrial Revolution. Improvement to transport was a critical feature of this change. To move raw materials and the finished products from the new factories that replaced the cottage industries required more transport than was provided by the packhorse trains. The movement of population to factory towns and the total increase of population required greater movement of food.

The common law of the land and ancient right of passage over the Kings Highways made it illegal to charge tolls except where specifically granted in ancient charters such as pontage for bridge repairs or paving tax for some Boroughs. Landowners could, however, construct a new road as a private road and levy tolls on other users. Surprisingly the Parishes were not relieved of their responsibilities and could still be indicted for the non repair of a Turnpike Road. There was however a wide range of exceptions to the tolls, in particular for local people. Foot passengers travelled free, and that included virtually all the poor, wagons in use for agriculture, carrying road materials or vagrants were exempt, as was the Army, Post Horses, attending Church on Sunday and going to vote at elections! Turnpikes were intended to facilitate the movement of goods by wagon load. In 1662 wagons were restricted to 3 cwts. and moved only in summer, by 1741, the load was

43 increased to 3 tons and in 1765 to 6 tons, compare this to a packhorse carrying only 2 to 3 cwt. In practice several horses were needed to drag the wagon through the mire (one horse moves 50 tons by canal boat). By comparison with much of England the development of Turnpikes in Lancashire was slow. The first wholly Lancashire Act was in 1725, when Liverpool Merchants obtained an Act for repairing and enlarging the road from Liverpool to Prescot (A.57) after a wet summer affected coal prices.

The diagram below from the Lancashire CC website shows the development of turnpike roads through the 1700s and into the early 1800s. It shows that, apart from the 30 mile long Liverpool to Preston turnpike through Tarleton built 1771 (at the time much longer than any other turnpike in Lancashire and now the A59) as far as West Lancashire was concerned it was all happening – somewhere else! The Toll House for the Liverpool to Preston turnpike by Carr House at the Bretherton junction (locally referred to as ‘Toll Bar’) existed until recently but has now been replaced by a roundabout. There was also a toll gate at Wingate corner (Tarleton traffic lights) with the Toll House on the North Side which would put it close to Hodson’s Farm. The 1861 census shows that the toll was still in operation showing as it does Robert Bannister, occupation Tollgate Keeper, living with his wife Ellen at Tarleton Toll Gate, Turnpike Road. The road heading to Southport is a recent construction and so did not exist at the time. The first coach from Liverpool passed through in1774. The Ram’s Head Inn built in 1640 was a coaching inn upon the advent of the turnpike road and had many stables and out buildings. It continued to be an inn, working farm, and popular halt for motorised coaches into the mid 1900s under the stewardship of Blakemores/Sagars? who also ran coaches themselves (check).

To put this in the context of roads as we know them now: turnpike roads were mainly developed in the 1700s. This pre-dates John Loudon Macadam the Scotsman pioneer of road construction who was most active around 1820 introducing his formula of built up graded layers of stone with side ditches to form a serviceable lasting roadway. Tar only came into the formula much later still with the development of the car whose higher speeds brought about the over-spraying of tar to prevent dust and wear. So not surprisingly waterways were still a major force in transport in the 1700s and were yet to become even more important. After the waterways hey-day in the 1800s, the railways, after the railways the roads really came to the fore, and don’t we know it.

Insert ‘street map’ for Tarleton circa 1780, use census ward division definitions. Yet to be obtained

Rivers

In the early 1700s and beyond, the Ribble estuary and the other important river which flowed into it, the Douglas (or Asland), were central to the lives of the few thousands of people who lived along their banks. This was particularly true of Lytham and Freckleton in the north and North Meols (now Southport), Hesketh-with-Becconsall (now Hesketh Bank), Tarleton, Hoole and Longton. These communities were all too far from towns for there to be any kind of life other than agricultural, perhaps mixed with a bit of fishing.

The rivers were of course also barriers between the neighbours who lived on their opposite banks, but these neighbours shared a life style, a life style which was tied up with the rivers. Roads too were quite a challenge and sometimes were subject to a toll. So by foot or ferry boat, or in the course of their work on boats, crossings of the shallow river were quite common, as evidenced by the surnames common to the villages either side of the waters. Crossing the rivers was not to be taken lightly, especially the Ribble whose wide shallow expanse was subject to changing pattern of sand on the river bed and deep mud and gullies on its marshes. As inducement, the ferry at Hesketh Bank cut 28 miles off the journey from Lancaster to Chester. Guides and ferrymen were available to help across the customary routes from Freckleton or Warton to Hesketh Bank or Longton, for instance. The use of these guides was advisable for all but the most experienced travellers.

A report from The Liverpool Mercury 20 September 1822 states:-

“On Thursday last a man, supposed to be a smith, belonging to either Southport or Kirkham, was drowned in attempting to cross the Ribble without a guide, from Hesketh-bank to Warton”

On 3 September 1836 The Preston Chronicle reported:-

An inquest was held at Lytham on the body of John Froth who was drowned whilst attempting to cross the Ribble from Hesketh Bank to Wharton. Robert Clarkson

45 deposed that he had seen deceased at Hesketh Bank bat about 1 o’clock on the day of his death, deceased expressed his intention of crossing the river on foot, and witness endeavoured to prevail upon him not to cross without a guide. He, however, was unwilling to pay the expense of a guide, saying he had crossed the same place on the Tuesday preceding, without one. There was considerable “fresh” in the river, and the current was running very strong at the time. William Warle, of Lytham, a fisherman, stated that he found deceased on Sunday morning; had on all his wearing apparel, except his coat. There was one sovereign, 2s 6d and some copper in his pockets. He appeared to be about fifty years of age, and he, witness believed he had come from Kirkham. Verdict “Found Drowned”

The earliest map we have available is a navigation chart produced by Fearon and Eyes in 1737 (a copy in the possession of Sefton Metropolitan Council). Unfortunately it is drawn up with north to the left so you may need your sea legs to read it.

It shows a wide entrance with several wide channels and a multitude of (shifting) banks. This was to be subject to much manipulation by man (more later), but it was the Douglas (barely shown here) that was first subject to man’s intervention at about the time this map was being drawn up.

The Douglas was referred to as Ascalon in 1223 and in 1650 as the Astlan and in 1719 as Asland, a name still used for the river as an alternative. The Asland has two tributaries: the Yarrow which flows through Croston and the Tawd which comes from Skelmersdale. Each of these rivers has their source around Rivington by Winter Hill. The name Douglas has now largely replaced Asland though a few references to Asland still exist in Tarleton.

In 1692 Thomas Fleetwood, squire of Bank Hall Tarleton, set out a plan to drain Martin Mere using the Douglas to take away the water. His main

46 purpose was to gain farming land. Despite the use of 2000 labourers, he failed, though other efforts over the next 200 years (culminating in the Crossens Pumping station of 1961) did succeed. As early as the 15th and 16th centuries the Ribble and Douglas estuaries had been busy with shipping. Cargoes were brought as far as a point near the Toll House at Bretherton. No surprise then that Thomas Fleetwood’s attempts to alter the flow of the river was followed by the Douglas Navigation Scheme of 1719 which proposed to make the Douglas navigable from the Ribble estuary to Wigan. Coal from Wigan for use on the Fylde and elsewhere across the Ribble, an area without coal deposits, was a major reason. Coal was also in demand in Northern Britain, especially for iron smelting in Furness, and also in Ireland. A special Act of Parliament was passed as early as 1720 to enable the necessary clearance work to be carried out to make the river navigable from the River Ribble to Wigan, an operation which was completed between 1733 and 1742. The promoters were William Squire and Thomas Steeres, both of Liverpool. They claimed that it would be 'beneficial to trade, advantageous to the poor & convenient for the carriage of coal, cannel, stone, and slate. Landowners were to retain rights of fishing and fouling, also right to carry manure free in their own boats.'

The project went ahead and involved not only working on the channel and banks of the river, but also installing locks and shortcuts, effectively canalising some parts of the river – the canal from Rufford to Sollom was built as part of the Douglas navigation opened in 1760 and the original lock at Sollom is from that date. The Douglas also had a lock in the river downstream of the present lock from the canal, at the end of Sutton Avenue, Tarleton (which for this reason is still by some referred to as ‘The Lock’). It was also the location for the boatyards and wharfs, and the Wharf Master’s house which is still in use as a domestic house. Ironic then that in 1771 the Douglas Navigation Company was bought out by Leeds & Liverpool Canal Company who replaced it with a canal from Burscough to Wigan. This eventually became part of the Leeds/Liverpool mainline and in 1781 the lower Douglas was superseded by the Rufford branch of the canal. Until 1805 the canal joined the Douglas at Sollom prior to its extension to Tarleton. The canal traffic brought prosperity to the hamlet: at Sollom Lock there was a public house, a number of cottages, one of which was a tramps' lodging house. So Sollom had a brief hey-day before Tarleton took centre stage.

A substantial business of exporting coal, and later a variety of industrial products, was developed, coupled with the importation from Ireland of a number of farm products. Boats from Wigan crossed from Hesketh Bank to Lytham and Freckleton and ferried passengers as well as goods. It continued as a thriving connection for 100 years or more.

Lytham was for many years a smallish port but of some importance: the deepest natural channel of the Ribble passed close by, it was the first opportunity for ships entering the Ribble to land and avoid waiting to catch the tide to negotiate the tricky river into Preston. We will see later in the

47 section dealing with cargoes how the upgrading of port facilities at Lytham in the mid 1800s dealt a mortal blow to Tarleton as a port. In turn Lytham also gave way to the expansion of Preston dock and consequently became an early, substantial and international player in the building of powered iron vessels, including paddle driven river boats for South America. See A History of Shipbuilding at Lytham by Jack M Dakres, World Ship Society. It is unlikely that the present day residents of the apartments built on ‘Lytham Quays’ will be aware of its significance to the area in centuries past.

Moves to manage the expansive channels of the Ribble were a hundred years after those successful on the Douglas. The idea of dredging and 'training' the river by constructing guide walls so as to create a deeper and narrower single channel had been discussed as a business proposition since early in the 19th century, but the chief financial incentive seemed to have been in respect of reclaiming land which could be sold for agriculture. This was reinforced by the emerging industrialisation, especially cotton, and the benefits it could bring to Preston. So for the latter of the three Ribble Navigation Companies (which spanned 1806-83) it was getting bigger ships unimpeded to Preston and its then modest dock facilities that was the focus, the first company being owned and financed mainly by the Ribble landowners.

In 1834 the Heskeths of Rufford reclaimed much land previously washed over by the tidal flow of the Ribble. By the middle of the century considerable progress had been made in dredging the main channel of the river, over 900 acres of land had been reclaimed, the most important areas were around Hesketh Bank (436 acres). In more recent years the local landowner, Sir Fermor Hesketh, bought marsh from the Ribble Conservators, and reclaimed a much greater area of excellent arable land. This continued through to 1880 and the map of Hesketh Bank and its agriculture had been transformed forever.

The focus of manipulating the flow of the Ribble post 1880 was Preston and so not relevant here, but it is worth mentioning that it went on to produce Preston Dock as the largest wet dock in the world at that time. But, for various reasons, it fell into decline and closed in 1982. Now it is a marina and smart apartments. More information on the wayward Ribble is found in ‘The Ribble Estuary Over Two Centuries’ by Frank Bamford and in various publications and charts by James Barron who was Chief Engineer for Ribble Navigation for many years and was responsible for the map below showing the state of this work in 1937

Three things are evident from this chart. Firstly the main channel is well defined and narrow (but deep), secondly large amounts of arable land have been added to Hesketh Bank whose village centre is now separated from the river Ribble, and thirdly large amounts of tidal flats still remain at the mouth of the river.

In conclusion the changes to the River Douglas’ natural course were early compared with similar work on the Ribble and their impact was almost entirely to the benefit of shipping. By comparison the later, and more extensive, changes to the Ribble affected, so far as Hesketh Bank and Tarleton are concerned, mainly agriculture, releasing as it did a huge area of productive reclaimed farm land. The benefits to shipping were mainly to Preston at the expense of Tarleton and subsequently Lytham.

As referred to above, the Act of Parliament 1720 to allow the navigation of the Douglas stated that landowners would retain their fishing rights. How significant fishing as an activity was at that time on the Douglas is not clear. So far as the Ribble is concerned we have a little more evidence available, as indicated in the following extract from John Cotterall’s book ‘North Meols to South Ribble’.

‘There was a ready supply of fish from the Ribble in pre-pollution days. A law suit in 1691 revealed that “from time immemorial stakes and piles were placed in the bed of the river for fishermen to hang their nets upon, and it was customary before the season for the fishermen of Penwortham, Ashton and Lea to draw lots for priority and, having settled this, the river was fished right across from bank to bank from sunrise to sunset” Mr Fleetwood was particularly successful in 1704, when he obtained 3,190 salmon-type fish from the river at the end of his garden; second and third draughts produced 600 and 200 fish respectively. In addition of his fishing rights because of his ownership of Penwortham Hall, Henry Fleetwood had claim to an annual day’s free fishing and to “a sixth part, including his tythe,

49 of all fish taken within the Manor of Penwortham.”

On 19th July 1821 a Mr Melling caught 116 fine salmon during a night and a mornings fishing near Fishergate [Preston]. The total weight was 1000 pounds and was sold for 9d a pound on the Yorkshire market.

Conscious of the danger of over-fishing, the Special Commissioners for English Fisheries put restrictions, in 1867, on John Wright and Henry Dobson, who had nets in Hesketh-with-Becconsall; William Moss and William Wilkins (Longton Sands); Sir Thomas Hesketh (between Banks and the Douglas) and the Scarisbrick Trustees, who fished from the foreshore of North Meols. But over-fishing and pollution took their toll. In 1867, over 15,000 salmon were caught in the Ribble; only 34 were landed in 1900.’

So despite the fact that precious little evidence of Fishermen arises in the analysis of occupations referred to earlier (by comparison neighbouring Banks and Crossens are said to have had between them a hundred Fishermen in 1860), it is as expected clear that fishing took place in our villages on both the Ribble and the Douglas. The catches seem to have included salmon, eels, flounders, and at the Ribble’s mouth shrimps, cockles and muscles. As will be referred to later, fishing boats were built at Crossens and later at Hesketh Bank.

The tidal mudflats of the Ribble has meant that Hesketh Bankers have historically made use of it for shooting the wide range of ducks and geese, and also for gathering edible seaweed (samphire, often referred to as sampy). The area is now part of the Ribble Marshes National Nature Reserve. Local wildfowl and (non-local) samphire is still available in the area.

Canals

Not only did the Navigation of the Douglas precede that on the Ribble but so did the digging of the canal (essentially to replace upper reaches of the Douglas) and further speed up navigation along the Douglas valley. So at the end of the 1700 it was the smaller Douglas that was the focus of investment and activity. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal was authorised in 1770 and constructed in sections until the main line, delayed by wars with France, was finally complete by 1816. It was a major undertaking producing at 127 miles the longest canal in Britain built as a single waterway. Via its connection with the Aire & Calder at Leeds, it offers a coast-to-coast route across the north of England. It was the idea of Bradford based businessmen, and they sought and received the support of Lancashire businessmen; but it was not a smooth running project. They had different objectives and fell out over the route. They also ran out of money. For these reasons the two halves of the canal remained separate for some time. The Liverpool to Wigan section was opened in 1777 still unconnected to the Yorkshire cut. In 1781 the Douglas Navigation was closed following the opening of the branch canal from Burscough to Rufford and Sollom Lock where it joined the Douglas (the

50 lock at Sollom was not a stepping lock on the canal, but one to join it to the river, now superseded). In 1805 the Rufford Branch was extended from Sollom Lock to Tarleton. Stone for construction of Tarleton’s new lock from canal to river was brought from Parbold Quarry and some stone came from the old Douglas Navigation half-tide lock at Tarleton which was about 200 yards below the present lock. The new canal finally opened on 25th July 1805. The building of the Warehouse pictured below (English Heritage) at Tarleton (Bank) Bridge was in 1803.

At this point Railways weren’t on the scene and wouldn’t be for 50 years. The canals, often working in tandem with coastal vessels, reigned supreme and Tarleton and to a lesser extent Hesketh Bank had 100 busy years. It is these 100 years, the 1800s which will be the interest of the remainder of the book.

Compared to the narrow boats of the narrow Midland canals, pay was good on the broader Leeds-Liverpool. The wooden horse boats had a cabin fore and aft, each with a stove, folding table, benches and bunks. So, more than one family could be based on a boat. Boat people were regarded as hard working respectable people. The leaflet below suggests that this was not the national view.

The Memorial of the Committee of the Lord's Day Observance Society of London To the Owners, Proprietors, and Managers of Canals, and to all persons interested in Inland Navigation by Canal and River.

GENTLEMEN, For many years efforts have been made to improve the condition of the Men employed on Flats, Boats, and Barges, and to educate and christianize their families. The necessity for such efforts was great. As a class Boatmen on Canals and Rivers were debased and ignorant, much addicted to drink, and living in habits morally degrading. Their children, whose only home was the Barge or Flat, grew up without education and without the wholesome restraint of religious associations. Wandering from place to place, away from Churches and Schools, crowded together in narrow cabins, under conditions which set decency at defiance, this class of persons, numbering many thousands, became a byeword for immorality and crime. Impressed with their misery, philanthropic persons sought to elevate and instruct them. Churches and Schools were built at various points on the Canals, Chaplains and Schoolmasters were appointed, and attempts made to give them homes on shore. The Legislature also stepped in, and enacted laws for the better regulation of the conditions in which they lived, and eventually the Canal Boats Act of 1877 was passed, with the object of securing to the classes affected by it the advantages of fixed homes and educational opportunities. These various efforts have resulted in considerable improvement; and a more stringent enforcement of the Act of 1877 will produce still further amelioration; but it is now felt that neither the religious and educational efforts of owners and other philanthropic persons, nor the enactments of the Legislature, can effectually operate to the elevation of the Boatmen and their families, so long as they have, as a class, no rest on the Lord's Day" A quiet Sunday is to many thousands of them an impossibility. They are continually in motion on that day, and cannot, even when they would avail themselves of the means of grace, or secure for their children the advantages of Sunday School Teaching. On some Canals there is absolute rest on the Lord's-day—no lock being opened and no boat moving—and on those Canals are found the most steady sober, and civilized portion of the Boatman class. On other Canals there is partial cessation of traffic, with partial good results. It is surely possible, though it may be difficult, so to regulate Canal traffic that the whole class may have their day of rest. The traffic might be remodelled, so that by the more careful choice of days for the loading and dispatch of boats, the re-arrangement of voyages, and the concentration of rest—which is now taken irregularly and uncertainly— on the one day of the week, as much business would be transacted as now, while, the social and moral gain to the Boatmen would be immense; leading, among many results, to more sober and conscientious service, and, in the long run, conferring on employers and proprietors benefits only less important than those resulting to the men themselves. On this review of facts, and under the conviction above expressed, your memorialists believe themselves fully justified in a very earnest request that you would give effect to the benevolence of those who have built Churches and Schools for the Boatman class, and to the Canal Boat Act of 1877, by making arrangements for the cessation of Canal traffic on the Lord's Day. It is earnestly requested that those who receive this Circular will kindly communicate any suggestions which may be helpful towards the end sought, so that the way may be opened to conference on the question, and to the ultimate deliverance of the Canal population from the burden and demoralization of Sunday toil. Signed, by Order of the Committee,

JOHN GRITTOX, D.D., May, 1881. 20, JOHN STREET. ADEI.PHI, LONDON, W.C.

In England generally from the late 1700s working people had a form of basic health insurance by paying dues to friendly societies. In 1844 a Lodge of Odd-Fellows was formed at the Hesketh Arms, Hesketh Bank – it was fairly normal to have friendly society meetings at a pub where dues were paid. In the 1830s a group of Manchester Methodists, partly because of their unease at the use of pubs, formed a temperance friendly society called The Independent Order of Rechabites which required members to sign a pledge that they and their family would abstain from all alcoholic drink. At some time after that a branch, known as a tent, was formed in Tarleton and similarly in other like villages including Freckleton where membership was prevalent amongst the shipbuilders and boatmen. Both the Tarleton and Freckleton ‘tents’ survived well into the 1900s with Tarleton’s being one of the last in the area to close having had regular Sunday School styled meetings for children into the 1950s. My father was the Secretary of the Tarleton Tent in its later years and I took the pledge of abstinence, a pledge not difficult to deliver aged six. I have systematically failed to meet the requirement in adulthood. This Rechabite stronghold, and the strength of Methodism in the area, with its anti-drink stance, presents a different image of Boatmen to the leaflet of 1881.

By the time of the above leaflet many crews lived on land taking one boat on the outward journey and changing over by roster to another for the return home. Leeds/Liverpool boats, though decorated were not so decorated as Midland narrow boats. After the era of family boats, a crew was usually Captain, Mate, and Boy: the boy going on ahead to work the locks. See ‘Pennine Waterway’ by Gordon Biddle.

Clothing was mainly dark blue corduroy pants with a flap at the front, long john under pants, clogs with wooden soles & irons & heavy knit roll neck gansy (jersey, or more accurately Guernsey) usually also dark blue made of oiled wool and seemless, under the neck of which was nearly always worn a small silk muffler, and cloth cap to the head. When doing a lot of bending down, a common practice was either a small leather belt or a piece of string tied around the pants on the leg below the knees to keep slack around the knees & known as bow yanks. From the Leeds Liverpool Canal Society.

A Boatman’s Gansy

Steamers were introduced in 1880 capable of towing one or more ‘dumb’ barges (or ‘butties’). Canal companies were initially banned from operating their own boats, being regarded as a provider of a waterway for others in return for a toll per ton mile dependant on the commodity. Later the Leeds Liverpool Canal Co assembled its own fleet as can be seen in the records below of 1870. The turn of the century saw the canals in decline and in 1921 the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company disposed of its carrying fleet. In the 1950s the canal at Tarleton was littered with redundant metal craft, floating coal skips, once towed by a tug. At the same time the river at Hesketh Bank downstream of the boatyard was equally littered with skeletons of wooden vessels half covered in the mud. It was in 1964 when the last regular traffic on the Leeds-Liverpool main line finished and canals became just for fun.

Commercial traffic through Tarleton Lock 1870s

Harry Mayor was recently the Lock Keeper at Tarleton Lock where the Tarleton branch of the Leeds Liverpool canal joins the River Douglas (and hence via the River Ribble out to the open sea, and visa-versa). Harry and his ancestors have been shipbuilders and lock keepers for 150 years or more. Consequently Harry had in his possession the original book used in the 1870s by his Great Grandfather (?) the then lock keeper to record the movement of commercial craft through the locks by permits to use the canal system. The records kept in this book include that information necessary to determine the charges which applied, and to whom they applied. They therefore record: name of boat, ‘owner’, Master, cargo, where from and to, tonnage. These records give us a (possibly partial) picture of who was doing what on the river/canal, and the level of their activity. To a lesser extent they give an impression of how things were changing over time, albeit over only ten years.

The records in the book cover the decade of the 1870s, pretty well no more nor less. I have taken a sample of two months activity, one at the beginning of the decade and in winter, the other towards the end of the decade and in summer. The entries are tabulated in detail in the document below ‘Station Accounts of Permits for Tarleton Locks’ and these notes should be read in conjunction with that document if some of the details are to be understood. These are small samples: 2 months out of 120. Consequently some of the changes between the two sample months may be due to say the time of year rather than a bigger change over time. For example we might expect that the movement of manure could have been affected by the season. Equally, regardless of season, particular projects may affect the pattern of movements at a point sample, e.g. movements of stone might be significantly raised for a short period when The Ribble Navigation Co. were shoring up sea defences on the main channel. So conclusions should not be drawn too strongly regarding changes through the decade while they remain based on such a limited sample. A cursory glance through the whole book suggests that traffic through the lock was in a broad sense the same throughout the decade.

Station Accounts of Permits for Tarleton Locks: Sample dates during 1870s Compiled by David Edmondson 2009 – source: Lockkeeper’s register in possession of Harry Mayor, Lock Cottage, Tarleton Week Permit Boat Owner Master Species of From To Average Tons ending received Lading Water Draught 8 Jan 1870 Jan 2nd James L Hunter D Watkinson Slack Wigan Bank Bridge 14 3’3” 36 4th Sisters & Brothers Thomas Iddon J Iddon Coal Wigan Tarleton 19 3’3” 36

5th Henrietta Peter Rigby G Spencer Slack Douglas Bank Ribble 3’7 1/2” 34 5th Mary Alice Wignall Ed Langton Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’4” 44

5th Dunkirk John Rigby R Iddon Coal Dean Ribble 3’7 1/2” 34 8th Susanah Ellen Giles Ascroft Ed Aspinall Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 32 3’3” 44

Different writing 1st Surprise Hugh Staziker T Iddon Coal Wigan Tarleton 3’4” 36 1st No 4 West Lancs Railway N Taylor Goods Liverpool Tarleton Not given Not given 2nd Ann Wigan Coal & Iron Co J Lamb Coal West Leigh Tarleton 3’3” 36 4th No 4 W L Ry N Taylor Goods Liverpool Tarleton Not given Not given 5th Dunkirk Ribble Navigation R Iddon Stone Appley Ribble 3’7” 32

15 Jan 1870 9th James L Hunter D Watkinson Coal Wigan Tarleton 19 3’3” 34 10th Sisters & Brothers John Hall J Iddon Coal Wigan Tarleton 18 3’5” 40 10th James James Wright H Edmondson Coal Wigan Tarleton 18 3’5” 34 11th Mary Ann Alice Wignall J Iddon Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’3” 44 12th Mary John Baldwin J Banks Coal Wigan Tarleton 18 3’6” 38 14th First of May J Wright J Yates Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 3’3” 42

Different writing 1st Ann Wigan C&I Co J Lamb Coal West Leigh Tarleton 3’3” 36 1st Saphire Check this block

2nd No 4 West Lancs Railway N Taylor Goods Liverpool Tarleton Not given 193/4 4th No 4 W L Ry N Taylor Goods Liverpool Tarleton Not given 20 5th Dunkirk Ribble Navigation R Iddon Stone Appley Ribble 3’7” 32

22 Jan 1870 Jan 15th Jane Ralph Whitehead R Waring Manure Kirkdale Tarleton 32 3’3” 44 15th Henrietta Peter Rigby G Spencer Coal Ince Ribble 3’7” 34 17th Trio Ellen Rigby R Abram Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 32 3’0” 44

Week Permit Boat Owner Master Species of From To Average Tons ending received Lading Water Draught 17th James R Crewdson D Watkinson Slack Wigan Bank Bridge 19 3’31/2” 36 18th Harriet Alice Wignall H Watkinson Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’4” 44 19th Betsy Robert Barron R Barrow Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’4” 44 21st Brothers James Taylor T Banks Coal Wigan Tarleton 18 3’6” 39 21st Albany William Dobson J Aspinall Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’2” 44 21st Derwent Alice Wignall J Edmondson Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’4” 44 21st Mersey William Dobson J Aspinall Manure Liverpool Sollom 29 3’2” 44 21st James James Wright H Edmondson Coal Wigan Tarleton 18 3’4” 34 21st Henrietta Peter Rigby G Spencer Coal Ince Ribble 3’7” 34

31 Jan 1870 23rd Dunkirk John Rigby R Iddon Coal Douglas Bank Ribble 22 3’8” 34 ? Mary Ann Edward Taylor J Iddon Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 32 3’3” 44

? Tweed Wigan C&I Co F Waterworth Coal Leigh Tarleton 3’71/2” 47 ? Lonsdale Ellen Alty T Rimmer Manure Liverpool Sollom 3’1” 44 ? Sisters & Brothers John Iddon J Iddon Coal Douglas Bank Tarleton 3’5” 40

5 Feb 1870 Feb 1st Patriot William Taylor J Abram Manure Liverpool Tarleton 32 3’4” 44 1st Harriot Thomas Wignall W Watkinson Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’4” 44 2nd Derwent Robert Topping T Edmondson Manure Kirkdale Tarleton 32 3’4” 44 2nd Mersey Robert Topping J Aspinall Manure Liverpool Tarleton 32 3’1” 44 2nd Albany Thomas Topping J Aspinall Manure Liverpool Tarleton 32 3’1” 44 3rd Sarah Ellen Alty J Crank Manure Liverpool Sollom 30 3’1” 44 3rd Mary Jane Thomas Wignall J Hilton Manure Wigan Sollom 16 3’4” 44 3rd Henrietta Peter Rigby G Spencer Coal Wigan Ribble 22 3’7” 34 th 4 Sisters & Brothers Thomas Iddon J Iddon Coal Douglas Bank Tarleton 17 3’41/2” 40 5th First of May James Wright J Yates Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 32 3’2” 42

2 Aug 1879 Aug 1st Ruby Cross, Tetley & Co R Small Coal Bamfurlong Tarleton 3’3” 36 2nd Sisters James Lund G Spencer Coal & Slack Brynn Moss Becconsall 3’3” 36 nd 2 Betty West Lancs Railway W Hodgkinson Goods Liverpool Becconsall 243/4 2nd Dunkirk Ribble Navigat’n Co R Iddon Stone Appley Ribble 3’7” 32

Week Permit Boat Owner Master Species of From To Average Tons ending received Lading Water Draught th 9 Aug 1879 4 No 1 West Lancs Railway W Taylor Goods Liverpool Becconsall 211/2 6th No 1 West Lancs Railway W Taylor Coal Douglas Bank Becconsall 3’3” 28 th 7 Ada West Lancs Railway ? Prescot Goods Liverpool Becconsall 251/2 7th Henrietta Ribble Navigat’n Co T Edmondson Stone Appley Ribble 3’7” 32 7th M Elizabeth T Hilton Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 3’3” 44 8th J James West Lancs Railway W Watkinson Goods Liverpool Becconsall 13 8th Thomas Thomas Ashcroft J Grimshaw Manure Liverpool Sollom 3’3” 44

th 16 Aug 1879 10 James West Lancs Railway W Taylor Goods Liverpool Tarleton 171/4 11th John Hugh Stazicker T Disley Coal Moss Hall Bank Bridge 3’2” 36 th 13 No 1 West Lancs Railway W Taylor Goods Liverpool Tarleton 241/2 13th George Cross & Co J Moss Coal Bamfurlong Tarleton 3’2” 38 13th Margaret West Lancs Railway J Tasker Goods Liverpool Tarleton 18 14th Magdelene Thomas Wright J Iddon Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 3’3” 44 14th Amelia John Preston J Deakin Stone Newburgh Becconsall 3’4” 36 th 14 Star L & L C Co J Blundell Goods Liverpool Becconsall 161/2 th 14 George Nuttall Cross & Co J Moss Coal Bamfurlong Becconsall 3’31/2” 36 th 15 Pinpoint West Lancs Railway J Blundell Goods Liverpool Becconsall 263/4 15th M Elizabeth Thomas Wilson J Hilton Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 3’3” 44 15th Dunkirk John Rigby R Iddon Coal Low Hall Ribble 3’7” 32 th 16 James West Lancs Railway H(?) Rimmer Goods Liverpool Becconsall 141/2

23 Aug 1879 Aug 17th No 1 West Lancs Railway H Iddon Groceries Liverpool Tarleton 3 th 18 Ruby Cross & Co R Small Coal Bamfurlong Tarleton 3’31/2” 36 19th Sisters James Lund G Spencer Coal Brynn Moss Becconsall 3’3” 36 th 19 No 2 West Lancs Railway J Coulton Groceries Liverpool Tarleton 23/4 20th No 1 West Lancs Railway H Iddon Groceries Liverpool Tarleton 5 20th No 2 West Lancs Railway J Coulton Coal Orrell Becconsall 3’7” 26 21st Henrietta Jane Rigby T Edmondson Coal Bamfurlong Ribble 3’7” 32

Week Permit Boat Owner Master Species of From To Average Tons ending received Lading Water Draught 22nd Dunkirk Ribble Navigation R Iddon Stone Appley Bridge Ribble 3’7” 32 nd 22 No 1 West Lancs Railway H Iddon Goods Liverpool Tarleton 41/2 21st Two Sisters Henry Taylor T Hilton Manure Liverpool Sollom 3’3” 44 23rd No 1 L & L C C W Taylor Timber Bank Hall Becconsall 8 23rd Sisters James Lund G Spencer Coal & Slack Bryn Moss Becconsall 3’3” 36

th 31 Aug 1879 24 No 2 West Lancs Railway J Coulton Groceries Liverpool Tarleton 31/4 25th Magdelene Hugh Staziker J Iddon Coal Plank Lane Tarleton 3’3” 36 th 26 No 1 West Lancs Railway H Iddon Goods Liverpool Becconsall 91/2 26th George James Lund J Moss Coal Bamfurlong Tarleton 3’2” 36 28th No 2 West Lancs Railway J Coulton Goods Liverpool Becconsall 13 28th No 1 West Lancs Railway W Taylor Coal Orrell Becconsall 3’0” 25 28th Dunkirk James Hargreaves R Iddon Coal Low Hall Ribble 3’7” 32 th 29 No 1 West Lancs Railway H Iddon Goods Liverpool Becconsall 71/2 29th Sisters James Lund G Spencer Timber Dean & Newb’rgh Astland 11 30th Magdelene T & R Banks J Iddon Manure Liverpool Bank Bridge 3’3” 44 30th Henrietta Jane Rigby T Edmondson Coal Bamfurlong Ribble 3’7” 32 st 31 No 2 West Lancs Railway W Taylor Goods Liverpool Becconsall 83/4

Matters of note There are relatively low numbers of boats with permits, less than 2 per day. By the 1870s though the mainline of the canal was busy carrying coal from Wigan to Liverpool, and general goods from Liverpool to East Lancashire and West Yorkshire, usage of the Tarleton branch had declined and it was used largely for those cargos heading for the open sea and boats going to Mayor’s boatyard. Though the number of boats held up through the 70s the tonnage on them was declining. The figures are shown in the table below. A rough estimate of the cargoes carried (paying regard to the breakdown by both tonnages and number of loads) in the 1870s as shown by the log of permits is: Coal & slack 42% Manure 33% Stone 6% Timber 1% Goods 15% Groceries 3% Goods and Groceries are categories exclusive to West Lancs Railways’ vessels who were using canal boats to take goods between Liverpool and Becconsall or Tarleton prior to the railway arriving in these villages. Coal and stone were carried in loads of around 36 tons, Manure always 44 tons, Goods and Timber in significantly smaller tonnages, and groceries were small, 3-5 tons.

All coal came from the Wigan area: Wigan, Bryn, Bamfurlong, Orrell, etc. It was taken to Tarleton or into the Ribble for loading onto seagoing craft. Coal coming down the canal, and prior to that coal brought down the Douglas navigation, was transhipped at Tarleton, or earlier at Sollom, for delivery around the Lancashire coast. The navigation had owned wharves at Freckleton and near Milnthorpe for supplying Kendal. Coal also went to Dublin. But by the end of the 1870s, the Railway having just arrived at Hesketh Bank, it was also taken to Becconsall (to be loaded onto rail trucks?).

Manure was always from Liverpool (just one occasion from Wigan) in loads of 44 tons. It was destined for Tarleton itself occasionally but usually for Bank Bridge and Sollom. The manure was a mixture of ‘nightsoil’ (a euphemism for human excrement: before sewers or septic tanks it was gathered overnight) and street sweepings, streets being full of horses, which came mainly from Liverpool, although other large towns on the canal also had similar traffics. Around the 1870s, 150,000 tons (equal to about 10 boats per day, every day) were handled by the Leeds-Liverpool canal annually, most for the agricultural lands of West Lancs. There seems to be a link between the draining of wet lands and the provision of manure to bring the drained land into agricultural condition. Later, in the early 1900s Liverpool Corporation had six barges with which they carried out of Liverpool to places as far as Burscough on the canal mainline, waste vegetables, rubbish, manure from horse stables and at times waste offal

from slaughter houses to deliver to farmers for spreading on land. In fact, on Liverpool side of Burscough an off loading place was known as the Muck Quay. (Information from Leeds-Liverpool Canal Society). It is also said that those shipping manure had a contract to clear manure from ships arriving in Liverpool from overseas with livestock cargos. Evidence that this manure was distributed around Tarleton, Hesketh Bank and Banks has been found by the discovery of Liverpool related artefacts found in the earth of farmland.

There appears to be more company owned boats at the end of the decade: Ribble Navigation, Cross (Tetley) & Co (a Wigan coal mining company), L & L CC (Leeds Liverpool Canal Co?), but especially West Lancashire Railway Co.

Questions arising

1. The named ‘Owner’ of the same boat changes week to week, e.g. “Sisters & Brothers” ‘owned’ by Thomas Iddon on 4 Jan but by John Hall on 10th Jan. Are the ‘Owners’ really charterers? 2. Records elsewhere show that seagoing vessels of the time such as those built at Tarleton (and registered at Preston) had multiple owners, each with an identified number of sixty-fourth shares, one of whom was appointed the ‘Managing Owner’. An example, one of the largest, would be the “Harvest Maid” a 94ft schooner of 118 tons built at Tarleton in 1860 and registered at Preston in 1860 and again in 1870, owned by Hugh Forshaw, John Hull, James Taylor and James Ashcroft, all of Tarleton/Hesketh Bank and each owning 16/64. Were these canal vessels also multiple owned? 3. What are the numbers shown in destinations: Tarleton 19, Tarleton 18, Sollom 30, etc? Quays, Berths, Warehouses? 4. Masters appear to have been jobbing captains on various boats day to day with different ‘Owners’. There are a few lasting combinations: e.g. the boat ‘James’ with owner James Wright and Master H Edmondson, carrying coal from Wigan to Tarleton. 5. Women ‘owned’ boats: Alice Wignall, Ellen Rigby, Ellen Alty, Jane Rigby. Were they left them by their fathers or were they entrepreneurs? 6. The ‘Permit Received’ dates indicate that the canal was worked on Sundays as well as the other six days of the week. 7. Privately owned boats get names like ‘Sisters & Brothers’, ‘Patriot’, ‘Susannah Ellen’, ‘First of May’; Railway Company boats are called ‘No 1’, ‘No 2’, ‘No 4’!

Tarleton Lock Permits 1870s: Summary Figures

Source: ‘Station 1870 1879 Combined Accounts of Permits’ Log book held at Tarleton Lock by H Mayor Cargo % of % of % of % of % of % of loads tonnage loads tonnage loads tonnage Coal & Slack 44 43 35 46 40 44 Manure 44 49 12 21 28 38 Stone 4 4 8 11 6 6 Timber 4 1 2 0.5 Goods 8 4 31 20 20 11 Groceries 8 1 4 0.5

Traffic volumes 1.3 50 tons 1.5 39 tons 1.4 44 tons boats per day boats per day boats per day per day per day per day

Delivering manure near Tarleton – Leeds-Liverpool Canal Society.

Railways

Preston has been an important railway junction from the 1840s. Southport’s first line was to Liverpool in 1848 then to Wigan and Manchester in 1855. This resulted in a huge increase in visitors to the already wealthy town. The first stage of a Southport to Preston line was opened from Hesketh Park, Southport to Hesketh Bank in 1878 but not completed through to Preston until 1882 (via a swing bridge at Hesketh Bank over the Douglas to allow sailing barges through on the tide. The traffic was 12 trains per day. Was this for passengers or freight, or both? The original intention certainly had involved significant freight for onward shipment inland and to sea by river and barge from Hesketh Bank and Tarleton. For the first five years there

was a River Douglas station showing on the timetable for a connection to a paddle steamer service operating on the river going to Lytham (note: rear paddled craft were built at Lytham). The branch line from Becconsall to Tarleton’s landing stages was built for freight traffic (when?).

The arrival of the railway is likely to have reduced the connections across the rivers by foot or ferry to village neighbours across on opposite banks, particularly for the Ribble as it coincided with the deepening of the main channel. It will also have offered an alternative means of transporting bricks from the brickworks of Hesketh Bank and Longton. Henry Alty’s brickworks established 1877 at Hesketh Bank were initially using a barge but subsequently had their own railway sidings which existed until the railway closed in the 1964.

In the second half of the century waterborne trade declined and the railway will have had some impact on this. A textile mill was established in the late 1800s in Tarleton, again probably in response to the railway.

Cargos on the Ribble/Douglas/Canal waterway.

The first report of trading on the Ribble is said to be in 1357. Though various text references are available to cargos carried on the Ribble-Douglas and on the canal through Tarleton, it is difficult to give a measured summary of traffic over the decades and centuries. Some quantifiable data is available for the rivers but it tends to cover only a few years so gives a limited picture of how things changed over time. More information is available for the Leeds-Liverpool canal; the issue here is getting Tarleton specific data.

Some examples of cargos from the 1500s (Elizabeth I reign) are given in ‘Recollections of Tarleton’ by Janet Dandy, but the primary source of this information is not given. The cargoes mentioned are: Iron (ore presumably rather than metal?), Salt, Oats, Peas, Wheat.

Trade to the Douglas is shown by the ships' charters:- "Bond £40. Nicholas Norres de Tarleton, Nicholas Bonnde de Meales, Ranulph Mellyng de Liverpoole are by deed dated the 18th day of January, the eighth yere of Elizabeth our Queen (1563) to discharge at Hesket Bancke out of the Bartholomew of Liverpool of which Nicholas Bonnd is Master 2 tons of (Ferri) iron."

Bond bought the Bartholomew, and so a charter runs: - Bond £40. Nicholas Norres de Hesket Bancke in the County of Lancaster, Merchant; and Nicholas Bonde de Meales in the Countv of Lancaster, Mariner, are by deed this 1st day of August, the 8th year (1565) of the reign of' Elizabeth our Queen to discharge at Hesket Bancke out of the Bartholomew of Meales 3 Tons of (Ferri) iron and 1Ton of (Sal) Salt."

Old Trading Accounts show the following: 1565 5th July the boate Gud Lucke, of Liverpole, shipped 25 windles of (Avenax) oats for Mylthrop. 1565 8th July the boate Luke, of Liverpole, shipped 30 quarters of (Avenax) oats & two sacks of peas for Mylthorp. 1565 8th July the boate Elizabeth, of Liverpole, shipped xi quarters 10 windles of (Avenax) oats and 6 windles of wheat for Mylthorp.

Less wheat was shipped as wheat four was used by the richer classes, whilst the working people used oats. A windle was 'a measure of corn' used in the north of England. There being no registered standards at the time, the size of a windle was approximate, but is said by the Complete Oxford Dictionary to be 'about three bushels' and to weigh 'around two hundredweight'.

The same book states that in the 18th and 19th centuries: - schooners sailed from Tarleton to trade along the coast and to France. The types of cargo were slate from North Wales (previously houses had either been thatched or roofed with stone slabs), iron ore from Millom, gunpowder (used in quarrying) from Ulverston and coal from Wigan. Tarleton-based vessels like the schooner ‘Tarleton Lass’ made voyages to Dublin, Peel and the Lancashire ports with a variety of cargoes including hides, coal and limestone. Canal barges plied between Tarleton and Wigan carrying coal and unloading at Ball's yard at Town End. Quantities of raw cotton were brought by barge from Liverpool Docks and stored in a large warehouse on Bank Bridge. From here it was taken by road to various cotton manufacturing towns.

It would be useful to have a clearer view of the period over which these cargoes were being carried and from where to where. Slate from Wales looks to be a rational commodity for seagoing vessels to bring up river and inland as far as possible so minimising the overland hauling. Even smaller schooners could carry 10-20 wagon loads. As ordinary people didn’t live in brick or stone housing until the 1700s in rural areas, and early Tarleton houses were long single story thatched houses, this trade is likely to have been in the 1800s for local use or destined for inland towns if earlier. Millom was a source of iron ore, and a user also as there were smelting operations there. Smelting was also a major activity on the banks of the Mersey and the Dee and also in South Wales. Ore was also brought for smelting in the North West from Cornwall and even from France and Spain. We know that ships built at Tarleton and Tarleton mariners were involved in shipping iron ore but there seems little evidence that they brought ore up the Douglas. The normal pattern, in the 1800s at least, was coal outgoing from the Wigan area to the smelters, ore from its source also to the smelting sites, and iron and iron products to many areas including the mines of Wigan. Gunpowder was brought in also for the mining industry from Ulverston with a store close to the current canal lock at Tarleton. Limestone also appears to be a rational cargo as it was needed in large amounts by agriculture. In the 1700s at the planning stage for the Leeds-Liverpool canal, limestone was seen as the main cargo, though in the event it didn’t turn out that way, especially when the significance of coal as a cargo was realised. Though both

63 hides and cotton are feasible loads I have no information to bring to bear to support this.

Lists of ships registered in the north west of England appear later in this text, in particular they are the ships built at Tarleton or Hesketh Bank, or having owners from those villages. The registration records include the names and occupations of the owners and cover over a hundred years. We might speculate that the occupation of the owners could imply why they wanted to own a ship, in particular what the intended cargoes were. If one of the owners was a Coal Merchant or a Stone Mason, etc. then we may be confident of their intentions. Unfortunately not only were owners less well documented in early registrations, but also in transcribing the registration details I have concentrated only on owners with a local connection. Furthermore it tells us nothing of the many ships plying there trade in and out of the Ribble and Douglas which neither had local owners nor were built locally. But a hundred years plus of data, even crude data is worth a look.

The biggest occupational group of all who held shares in ships were those involved in the ship itself – Mariners, Rope makers, Sail-makers, Ships Carpenters, etc. Farmers are the next most well represented group amongst my recorded owners from the late 1700s and especially in the late 1800s. Were they moving bulky farm produce to markets such as Liverpool? Coal Merchants appear in the early 1800s and persist in numbers throughout the century. Both of these cargoes would be outgoing. Grocers appear as owners in the 1800s and Publicans, Innkeepers and Beer-sellers are present throughout 1786-1884, so both groceries and beer (and possibly wine and spirits judging by an advertisement for the Hesketh Arms 1843) were possible incoming cargoes. Local Stonemasons figure as does a Slate Miner from Furness: these materials would be incoming, but in the late 1800s bricks from local makers were outgoing. Other cargoes implied by owners include: Grain, Timber, Cloth, Leather/Hides, and Iron. Quite why a Watchmaker took a share is not obvious, perhaps he was making ship’s instruments.

Fortunately we have a short period in the 1800s where we do have some stronger data, to offset against the above speculation. Because of the volume of traffic on the river there was for part of that century a Custom House at Hesketh Bank. My indirect evidence suggests that it was there from 1848 until 1859. I have yet to uncover any of the Custom House’s own original, potentially illuminating records, either at Lancashire County Records or from a distance at The National Archives in Kew, Surrey. However, some specific information is available as the Shipping News given in the Preston Guardian newspaper for the period does identify vessels, cargoes and voyages.

The Shipping News gives what appear to be weekly arrivals and departures of vessels at various local ports, including Hesketh Bank – it is referred to as Hesketh Bank presumably because that is where the Custom House was, though the port facilities were at Tarleton. I say ‘appears’ to give weekly

64 movements since though there is not an entry for Hesketh Bank in Shipping News every week, they do sometimes occur in successive weeks, and I therefore assume that it was merely due to the haphazardness of the reporting by the Custom House, and the newspaper editor’s use of these movements, that accounts for the absent weeks. In my analysis of this information I have also assumed that the weeks printed are typical of traffic in the missing weeks. In the unlikely event that the reason for missing weeks is that there was no traffic in or out in those weeks then my analysis will still hold good for the mix of cargoes and ports being traded with, but it will significantly over-estimate the volume of traffic.

I have taken a sample of 77 weeks traffic. The sample is taken disproportionately densely from the beginning of the period: 1848, and from 1859: the point where there appeared to be a major change, but with some examples through the 1850s. In the 23 weeks of shipping printed in the newspaper in 1848 there were 276 vessels loaded or unloaded. This averages 12 vessels per week. Though they weren’t exactly the same vessels arriving and departing in the week, it equates to turning round 6 vessels, unloaded and re-loaded, per week. Ten years later, for 1859 instead of 6 turn-rounds per week, the average is 2. What brought about this change? Hesketh Bank (that is Tarleton) port declined through the 1850s, but in 1859 Lytham seems to have burst onto the scene, or at least onto the Shipping News. Lytham dock was completed in 1843 and immediately leased by Ribble Navigation/Preston Dock? Company for 20 years at £150 per annum. They did not renew their lease in 1863, their interest may understandably have moved to the expansion of Preston dock, but why they abandoned it when the last 4 years of the 20 had been so successful is not known to me. More significantly, what around 1859 caused the sudden movement of trade to Lytham, much of it involving ships which had been trading through Hesketh Bank, whose demise resulted? It has been said that dues were imposed around this time which resulted in the Customs Officer being withdrawn, but I have no information on what these dues might have been and why they affected Hesketh Bank specifically. The railway had arrived in Lytham as early as 1846, it would not appear in Hesketh Bank until 1878 and later still for the branch to Tarleton wharf. Whatever the reason, by 1860 Lytham had taken over from Hesketh Bank as the Customs point for the two ports. Preston continued to directly record its own considerable and varied cargoes (give examples – porter from Dublin, wine, etc.) landed there. Tarleton’s hey-day was over with only a declining canal trade to look forward to. Lytham had its day in the sun, but presently it too was outshone by Preston who in turn was put in the shade by Liverpool. Lytham however had its finest hour, as reported elsewhere, in building powered ships built of metal.

If our short sample of ‘Shipping News’ tells us the above about the changing volume of traffic at Tarleton, what does it tell us about cargoes and voyages? In the 77 weeks about 600 arrivals or sailings are recorded. These are listed in the table:-

Ships, Destinations and Cargoes at Hesketh Bank from Shipping News, Preston Guardian {Bold: built at Tarleton, Underlined: Tarleton/HB owner}

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships Prior to 1848 recorded as Preston 5.2.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Sprightly, Buony, Jane, Alice, Ellen, Hero – from Ulverston; Princess Royal – General Cargoes 7 from Carnarvon Sailed Brilliant – for Dublin; Rover – for Wexford Coals 2 Jane – for Liverpool Ballast 1 12.2.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Raker – from Ulverston; Fanny – from Carnarvon Slate 2 Sailed Ann & Catherine, Buony, Rose, John, Hero, Lady of Lune, Ellen, Turner, Coals 12 Jane, Ruby, Cousins, Lord Stanley – for Ulverston 18.3.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Ellen, Alice, Bouny, Dove – from Ulverston Basket rods 4 Sailed Sprightly, Jupiter, Ruby, Rose, Fly, John, Undercliff – for Ulverston Coals 7 15.4.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Raker, Princess Royal, James, Jupiter, Ruby, Sprightly, Fly – from Ulverston General Cargoes 7 Sailed Ant, Hero, Cousins, Ellen, John, Alice, Undercliff, Raker, Ann & Catherine, Coals 13 Fanny, Catherine, Jupiter, Princess Royal – for Ulverston 29.4.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Briton, Dove, Rose, Alice, Raker, Buony – from Ulverston Limestone 6 Sailed Dove, Rose, Briton, Turner, Hero, Fly, Cousins, Ruby – for Ulverston Coals 8 6.5.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal, Ann & Catherine, Hero – from Ulverston Slate 3 Sailed Frances, John, Alice, Sprightly, Raker – for Ulverston; Princess Royal – for Coals 6 Carnarvon 20.5.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Fly, Hope, Ellen, Susannah, Speakman, Briton, Dove, Raker – from Ulverston Timber 8 Princess Royal – from Carnarvon Slate 1 Sailed Ellen, Catherine, Ann & Catherine, Elizabeth, Rose, Hero for Ulverston Coals 6 27.5.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Britannia, Dove, Lady of Lune – from Ulverston Timber 3 Sailed Speakman, Fly – for Ulverston; Princess Royal, Sprightly for Carnarvon Coals 4 3.6.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Fanny, Alice, Raker – from Ulverston Stone 3 Sailed Lady of Lune, Dove, Briton – for Ulverston Coals 3 24.6.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Ann & Catherine, Fly, Undercliff, Sprightly – from Ulverston General Cargoes 4 Sailed Britannia, Cousins, Sir Robert Peel, Ellen, Lord Stanley, Delight, Ann & Coals 9 Catherine, Bouny – for Ulverston; Raker – for Carnarvon

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships 22.7.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Eleanor, Jupiter, Frances – from Ulverston; Lady of Lune – from Liverpool; Slate 5 Sprightly – from Carnarvon Sailed Ellen, Alice, Hero, Lady of Lune, Fly – for Ulverston Coals 5 12.8.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Hero, Ruby, Ant, Fly, Ellen, Alice, Briton – from Ulverston General Cargoes 7 Fanny – from Carnarvon Slate 1 Sailed Turner, Ann & Catherine, Sprightly – for Ulverston; Princess Royal – for Coals 4 Carnarvon 19.8.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Eleanor, Hope, Dove, Delight, Jane – from Ulverston Limestone 5 Raker – from Carnarvon Slate 1 Sailed Frances, Flower of May, Cousins, Ellen, Ant, Ruby, Briton – for Ulverston; Coals 8 Fanny – for Llanelly 26.8.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived John, Turner – from Ulverston; Princess Royal – from Carnarvon Slate 3 Sailed Elephant, Dove, Eleanor, Fly, Hero, Turner – for Ulverston; Raker – for Coals 7 Carnarvon 9.9.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Flower of May, Ellen, Lady of Lune, Britannia, Briton, Ruby, John, Eleanor, General Cargoes 10 Fly, Ant – from Ulverston Sailed John, Rose, Undercliff, Ellen, Lady of Lune, Catherine, Briton, Jupiter, Coals 10 Flower of May – for Ulverston; Princess Royal – for Carnarvon 16.9.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Dove, Undercliff – from Ulverston; Raker – from Carnarvon Slate 3 Sailed Ruby, Monarch, Eleanor, Cousins – for Ulverston; Thetis – for Port Madoc Coals 5 30.9.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Britannia, Ruby, Lady of Lune, Lord Stanley, Undercliff, Elephant – from General Cargoes 6 Ulverston Sailed Catherine, Hero, Turner, Alice, Sprightly, Jane – for Ulverston; Ant, Fanny Coals 8 – for Carnarvon 21.10.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Ellen, John, Dove – from Ulverston Timber 3 Sailed Eleanor, Undercliff, Ellen, Alice, Briton – for Ulverston; Princes Royal – for Coals 7 Caernarvon; Delight – for Newry 4.11.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Turner, Bouny, Undercliff, Lady of Lune – from Ulverston; Ant – from Slate 5 Caernarvon Sailed Fly, Cousins, Ruby, Lord Stanley, Undercliff, Turner, Elephant, Ann & Coals 11 Catherine – for Ulverston; Jane, Fanny, Princes Royal – for Caernarvon 18.11.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Ann & Catherine, Lady of Lune, Lord Stanley, Hero, Briton, Fly, Dove – from General Cargoes 7 Ulverston

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships Sailed Ant, Lady of Lune, Buony, Dove, Raker, Alice, John, Rose, Briton, Sir R Peel, 14 Eleanor, Fly, Lord Stanley - for Ulverston; Delight - for Drogheda Coals 25.11.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal, Monarch, Jane, Fanny – from Carnarvon Slate 4 Sailed Lady of Lune, John – for Ulverston Coals 2 Ulverston Arrived Buoney – from Hesketh Bank Not given 1 Sailed Alice, Raker – for Hesketh Bank Not given 2 2.12.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Flower of May – from Carnarvon; Raker – from Ulverston Slate 2 Sailed Princess, Monarch – for Carnarvon; Elephant, Hero, Alice, Ann & Catherine, Coals 7 Cousins – for Ulverston 30.12.1848 Hesketh Bank Arrived Delight, Fly, John, Frances – from Ulverston General Cargoes 4 Sailed Alice, Fly, Rose – for Ulverston Coals 3 20.1.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Eleanor – from Ulverston Stores 1 Sailed Ann & Catherine, Frances, Undercliff, Sprightly – for Ulverston; Princess Coals 7 Royal, Fanny, Ant – for Carnarvon 3.2.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Lord Stanley, Briton, Britannia, Fly, Hero, Catherine, Rose, Alice – from General Cargoes 10 Ulverston; Elephant, Monarch – from Carnarvon Sailed Thomas, Eleanor, Lord Stanley, Briton – for Ulverston Coals 4 17.2.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Sir R Peel, Sprightly, Cousins, Dove, Frances, Ann & Catherine – from General Cargoes 6 Ulverston Sailed Ellen, Alice, Hero, Britannia, Elephant, Catherine, John, Rose, Fly, Monarch Coals 10 – for Ulverston 3.3.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Ellen, Briton, Fly, Alice – from Ulverston General Cargoes 4 Jane – from Liverpool Grain 1 Sailed Ann & Catherine, Dove, Sir Robert Peel, Sprightly, Undercliff, John, Ruby, 11 Lady of Lune, Jupiter, Frances – for Ulverston; Raker – for Carnarvon Coals 10.3.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal – from Carnarvon Slate 1 Sir Robert Peel, Catherine – from Ulverston Basket rods 2 Sailed Lord Stanley, Fly – for Ulverston Coals 2 9.6.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal, Raker – from Carnarvon; Briton, Fly, Dove – from Ulverston General Cargoes 5 Sailed Alice, Victory, Turner – for Ulverston Coals 3

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships 28.7.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Lord Stanley, Buony, Briton, Hero Limestone 4 Ruby Slate 1 Ellen – from Ulverston Gunpowder 1 Sailed Alice, John, Ant, Flower of May, Briton – for Ulverston Coals 5 6.10.1849 Hesketh Bank Arrived Briton, Alice, Frances – from Ulverston 5 Ocean Wave – from Carnarvon Thetis – from Port Madoc Slate Sailed Magnet, Dove, Victory, Rose, Lovely Lea, Buony, Elephant – for Ulverston Coals 7 27.7.1850 Hesketh Bank Arrived Britannia, Alice, Arrow, Ruby, Rose, Diamond – from Ulverston Limestone 6 Sailed Magnet, Bouny – for Ulverston Coals 2 17.5.1851 Preston Sailed Monarch – for Hesketh Bank Ballast 1 31.5.1851 Preston Sailed Ann & Catherine – for Hesketh Bank Light 1 Hesketh Bank Arrived Alice, Ellen, Catherine – from Ulverston Basket rods 3 Britannia, Magnet, Ruby, Dove – for Ulverston Limestone 4 Sailed Lord Stanley, Turner Briton - for Ulverston Coals 2 4.12.1852 Hesketh Bank Sailed John Bull, John, Mary & Ann, Monarch, Ruby, Victoria, Emerald, Rose, Coals 13 Dove, Hero, Briton, Ellen – for Ulverston; Princess Royal – for Caernarvon 19.8.1854 Hesketh Bank Arrived Hero, John Bull, William, Limestone 3 Arrow, Iron-ore 1 Turner, Prop-wood 1 Alice – all from Ulverston; Slate & Stone 1 Gleaner – from Caernarvon Slate 1 27.1.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived Arrow, Alice, Briton Limestone 3 Ellen, Hero Basket Rods 2 John Basket Rods & Gunpowder 1 Rose – from Ulverstone Slate 1 Sailed John Bull, Ellen, Hero, Alice, Rose – for Ulverston; Arrow – for Barrow Coals 6 3.2.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived Victory – from Ulverston Light 1 Britania – from Caernarvon Slate 1 Sailed Briton – for Ulverston Coals 1 10.3.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived Arrow, Princess Royal – from Barrow; Monarch – from Caernarvon Slate 3

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships Sailed Ellen, John, Victory, Monarch – for Ulverston Coals 4 Arrow – for Ulverston Charcoal 1 Princess Royal – for Caernarvon Light 1 24.3.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived Sprightly – from Barrow Basket Rods 1 Hero – from Barrow; Ruby, Briton – from Ulverston Limestone 3 Sailed Alice, Emerald, Britannia, Sprightly – for Ulverston Coals 4 21.7.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived Hero, Ruby, Alice – from Ulverston Limestone 3 Rose – from Preston Light 1 Sailed Rose - for Caernarvon Coals 1 11.8.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived John – from Ulverston Gunpowder 1 Ellen – from Ulverston Prop-wood 1 Sailed John, Hero, Ruby – for Ulverston; Raker – for Barrow; Britannia – for Cnvn Light 5 Monarch – for Caernarvon; Victory – for Ulverston; Ann, Dee, Alice – for Brw Coals 5 1.9.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived Alice, Dee – from Ulverston Stones 2 Victory – from Liverpool; Monarch – from Caernarvon Slate 2 Sailed John Bull – for Ulverston; Princess Royal – for Caernarvon Coals 2 Ruby – for Ulverston Light 1 6.10.1855 Hesketh Bank Arrived Arrow – from Lytham Light 1 John – from Ulverston Gunpowder 1 Raker – from Barrow Iron-ore 1 Sailed Monarch, Arrow – for Caernarvon; Mary & Jane, Alice – for Barrow; Hero – Coals 5 for Ulverston 19.1.1856 Hesketh Bank Arrived Monarch, Arrow – from Caernarvon Slate 2 Sailed Britannia, Briton, John, Victory, Dee, Ball, Ant – for Ulverston Coals 7 John Bull – for Preston Timber 1 3.5.1856 Hesketh Bank Arrived Britannia – from Barrow Slate 1 John – from Ulverston Basket Rods 1 Sailed Ellen, Ball – for Ulverston; Arrow, Dee – for Barrow Coals 4 Hero – for Ulverstone Charcoal 1 Bee – for Barrow Light 1 24.5.1856 Hesketh Bank Arrived Alice – from Liverpool Light 1 Sailed John, Briton – for Ulverston; Princess Royal – for Caernarvon Coals 2 Hero – for Ulverston Light 1 8.11.1856 Hesketh Bank Arrived Monarch – from Caernarvon Slate 1 Alice – from Lytham Light 1

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships Sailed Princess Royal, Britannia - for Caernarvon; Hero – for Ulverston Coals 3 Lady Arabella – for Barrow Light 1 13.12.1856 Hesketh Bank Sailed Ruby, Hero, John, Ant, Alice – for Ulverston; Arrow, Dee – for Barrow Coals 7 Swan – for Ulverstone Charcoal 1 20.12.1856 Hesketh Bank Arrived Monarch, Mary Jane, Amethyst – from Caernarvon Slate 3 Alice – from Ulverston Limestone 1 Sailed Victory, Briton – for Ulverston; Britannia, Princess Royal – for Barrow Coals 4 John Bull – for Ulverston Charcoal 1 10.1.1857 Hesketh Bank Arrived John – from Ulverston Gunpowder 1 Sailed Alice – for Ulverston Cinders 1 Monarch – for Beaumaris; Amethyst for Barrow Coals 1 13.6.1857 Hesketh Bank Arrived Ellen – from Southport Light 1 Dee – from Ulverston Gunpowder 1 1.8.1857 Hesketh Bank Sailed Arrow – for Dutton; Ellen – for Barrow; Sarah – for Ulverston; Monarch – Coals 4 for Caernarvon 24.7.1858 Hesketh Bank Arrived Mary – from Barrow Gunpowder 1 Sailed Ruby, Hero, Ant – for Ulverston; Britannia – for Rampside; Monarch – for Coals 6 Beaumaris; Princess Royal – for Caernarvon 11.9.1858 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal – from Caernarvon; Sprightly – from Barrow Slate 2 Victory – from Lytham Light 1 Sailed Ann & Catherine – for Ulverston Charcoal 1 Arrow – for Barrow Coal 1 Hero, Ruby – for Ulverston Light 2 15.1.1859 Hesketh Bank Sailed Princess Royal, Jane – for Caernarvon; Arrow, Ellen – for Barrow Coals 4 Ruby – for Preston Light 1 29.1.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal – from Caernarvon Slate 1 26.2.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal – from Caernarvon Slate 1 19.3.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Swan, William, Victory – from Ulverston Basket rods & 3 Limestone 9.4.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princess Royal – from Caernarvon Slate 1 Sailed Victor, Irwan – for Ulverston; William – for Caernarvon Coals 3 30.4.1859 Hesketh Bank Sailed Jane, William – for Ulverston Coals & 2 Charcoal

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships 28.5.1859 Hesketh Bank Sailed Monarch, Bee – for Caernarvon Coals 2 Ant – for Ulverston Charcoal 1 Ruby, Briton – for Preston Light 2 11.6.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Mary Jane, Princess Royal – from Caernarvon Slate 2 Hero, Briton – from Ulverston Limestone 2 Dove – from Ulverston Basket rods 1 Sailed Ant – for Ulverston; Mary Jane – for Caernarvon Coals 2 18.6.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Monarch, Britannia – from Caernarvon Slates 2 Dee – from Ulverston Limestone 1 Ant – from Ulverston Light 1 Sailed Princess Royal, Monarch – for Caernarvon Light 2 25.6.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Mary Jane – from Caernarvon Slates 1 Bee – from Preston Light 1 9.7.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Hero, Dee, Ruby, Victory, Ellen, Swan, Emma – from Ulverston Stones 7 Monarch, Beehive – from Ulverston Slates 2 Britannia – from Ulverston Basket rods 1 Sailed Alice, William – to Ulverston; Bee – for Carnarvon Coal 3 Mary Jane – for Carnarvon Light 1 23.7.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Hero – from Ulverston Limestone 1 Mary Jane, Gleaner – from Carnarvon; Dee – from Barrow Slates 3 Sailed Britannia – for Barrow Coals 1 20.8.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Princes Royal – from Carnarvon Slates 1 Swan – from Ulverston Light 1 24.9.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Hero, Victory – from Ulverston Limestone 2 Arrow – from Ulverston Basket rods 1 1.10.1859 Hesketh Bank Arrived Sprightly, Princess Royal, Britannia – from Caernarvon; Diamond – from Slates 4 Ulverston 7.5.1864 Lytham, for Arrived Lively – not given where from Wind-bound ? 1 Hesketh Bank 29.10.1864 Lytham, for Arrived Ant, Alice – from Ulverston Light 2 Hesketh Bank 7.1.1865 Lytham, for Arrived Arrow – from Barrow Gunpowder 1 Hesketh Bank 6.5.1865 Lytham, for Arrived Ant – from Ulverston Basket rods 1 Hesketh Bank Sprightly - Caernarvon Slates 1

Date Port In/out Ships’ names, where from or to Cargo No. ships 20.5.1865 Lytham, for Arrived Briton – From Dublin Iron-ore 1 Hesketh Bank 8.7.1865 Lytham, for Arrived Hero, Dee – from Ulverston Stones 2 Hesketh Bank Neptune – for Southport Wind-bound 1 11.11.1865 Lytham, for Arrived Harriet & Eliza, Lady Arabella – from Duddon Iron-ore 2 Hesketh Bank Ruby – from Ulverston Stones 1 11.5.1867 Lytham, for Arrived Hero, Ruby, Sir Robert Peel, Emma, Emerald, Arrow – from Ulverston Stones 6 Hesketh Bank None showing after this date: may be included in Lytham

Summary of above - Ports with whom Tarleton/ Hesketh Bank were trading: Port of Origin Origin Destination Combined Or Destination Main cargoes Number % Main cargoes Number % Number % Ulverston Limestone, Slate, 207 77 Almost always Coal, 258 78 465 78 Stones, Basket Rods a little charcoal Caernarvon Always slate 46 17 Always coal 41 12 87 15 Other Welsh ports Slate 1 <1 Always coal 4 1 5 <1 Irish ports Iron-ore 1 <1 Always coal 3 1 4 <1 Barrow Gunpowder, slate 9 3 Always coal 21 6 30 5 Other English ports Slate, Iron-ore, Grain 4 2 Coal 4 1 8 1 Total 268 100 331 100 599 100

Before the detailed analysis of the figures, I give some broad observations, some to set against the earlier speculation regarding cargoes. About half the ships plying their trade in and out of the Douglas were owned at least in part by people from Tarleton or Hesketh Bank and a good proportion built there: so the community was involved in this wholeheartedly not merely as a host or conduit. Secondly, my earlier speculation that owners took shares in ships in order to carry cargoes related to their occupation does not hold water (another pun), at least not during the period that these recordings apply. Though Farmers figure large amongst owners there is no mention of crops amongst cargoes, nor of beer for Innkeeper-owners, nor stone for Mason-owners. Such connections that there are, are few and tenuous.

See tables ‘Cargoes in Ships with Owners from Tarleton & Hesketh Bank’ and ‘Cargoes of Tarleton Built Ships’ later.

Thirdly, it may not be exactly ‘this town was built on rock and roll’ but more ‘this village was built on rock and coal’. Or at least this maritime aspect of these villages’ history was built on the heavy industrialisation that swept through the country in the 1800s and particularly its need for coal - ironically coal put the wind in the sails of a whole fleet of Tarleton built and Hesketh Bank owned sailing vessels, but it never powered them, Tarleton was finished as a port before steam driven ships came to dominate. Virtually every single outgoing cargo (97%) in this sample period was coal. Of the identified return cargoes 74% were rock: slate, limestone, stones.

The numerical breakdown for the sample period covering 1848 – 1867 is as follows: -

Outgoing cargoes % Incoming cargoes %

Coals 92 General Cargoes 28 Charcoal 2 Slate 25 Timber <1 Limestone 16 Cinders <1 Stones 8 Ballast <1 Basket Rods 7 Light (of cargo) 6 Timber 5 Gunpowder 3 Iron-ore 2 Prop-wood 1 Grain 1 Stores 1 Light (of cargo) 19

Total 100 100

‘General Cargoes’ is a term only used, albeit extensively, in the first 18 months of the records for Hesketh Bank ‘Shipping News’. In the absence of information to the contrary I have regarded it as typical of later specified cargoes.

This data also gives us a nineteen year long snapshot of the ports that Tarleton was trading with. Again I make a general observation before dealing with the detailed facts. The trade in this period was localised to specific other ports and pretty well specific products: the vast majority of trade (78%) was with Ulverston, coal in return for rock of various sorts, and to a lesser extent (15%) with Caernarvon, coal for slate. Anything else was small change. There was a small amount of trade with other North Wales ports, Port Madoc, Beaumaris, and an isolated trip to Llanelli, a similarly small number to Ireland, Wexford, Newry, Drogheda, and Dublin, and occasional trips to or from Liverpool, Preston, Duddon near Millom, and Rampside near Barrow, but these collectively amounted to little. Trade with Barrow appeared in small amounts towards the end of this period, but this would no doubt increase in proportionate terms as Barrow expanded quickly and ousted Ulverston as the major port in Furness. The full breakdown is shown at the end of the table Ships, Destinations and Cargoes at Hesketh Bank.

Cargoes of Ships with Owners from Tarleton & Hesketh Bank Compiled by David Edmondson 2009 – source: Registers of Sailing Ships, LCRO & Preston Guardian Shipping News NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Inbound cargo Outbound Cargo Tonnage port)/ official year at/ year of ship number John Tarleton Preston 1802 Charles Broomfield, Gentleman of James Hunter 1802 General Cargoes 2 Coals 11 65 of Preston 1802 Preston Henry Houghton Gunpowder 4 Light 1 1802 Peter Houghton 1802 Basket rods 1 John Wheeler 1806 Timber 1 Sprightly Tarleton Lancaster 1833 John Rimmer, Master Mariner of J Rimmer General Cargoes 4 Coals 7 38 th of Preston 1814 Hesketh Bank (16/64 share); T Miller Slate 4 Edward & Matthew Ellam, Coal T Rimmer by William 19829 Merchants of Standish. Basket rods 1 Cottam Preston 1855 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Hesketh Bank 16/64ths share & Mathew Ellam, Ship Owner of Standish & Edward Ellam, Coal Merchant of Kingley? Jane Burscough Fleetwood 1840 John Hull, Rope Maker of James Iddon 1840 Limestone 1 Coals 4 39 of Fleetwood 1833 Tarleton Thomas Iddon 1844 Grain 1 Ballast 1 Rbt Edmondson 1855 1711 Briton Newbrough Fleetwood 1841 John & Anthony Cartmel, Ship’s Daniel Forshaw 1841 General Cargoes 5 Coals 14 35 of Fleetwood 1841 Carpenters of Newbrough; John Limestone 5 Light 1 Allinson, Farmer of Tarleton Timber 1 Slate 1 Iron-ore 1

Sir Robert Peel Lytham Fleetwood 1843 John Hull, Merchant of Tarleton John Gore 1843 Stones 1 43 of Fleetwood 1840 James Iddon 1844 Thomas Iddon 1844 Turner Blackburn Fleetwood 1843 John Allinson, Merchant of Thomas Hilton 1843 Slate 1 Coals 8 32 of Fleetwood 1824 Tarleton Prop-wood 1 Delight Ulverstone Preston 1844 John Rimmer, Master Mariner of Thomas Rimmer 1844 General Cargoes 1 Coals 3 45 of Preston 1833 Hesketh-w-Becconsall 48/64ths; James Lee 1847 Limestone 1 Edward Allan, Coal Merchant of Standish 16/64ths

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Inbound cargo Outbound Cargo Tonnage port)/ official year at/ year of ship number Ellen Hoole Preston 1846 James Iddon, Master Mariner of Thomas Iddon 1846 General Cargoes 4 Coals 15 37 of Preston 1818 Hesketh Bank James Iddon 1848 Basket Rods 3 19819 Timber 2 Prop-wood 1 Gunpowder 1 Stones 1 Light 1

Fly Tarleton Preston 1846 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Robert Iddon 1846 General Cargoes 9 Coals 9 35 of Preston 1818 Hesketh Bank George Iddon 1849 Timber 1 Lady of Lune Tarleton Preston 1847 Robert Lovett Magrath, Coal John Sumner 1847 General Cargoes 3 Coals 6 46 th of Preston 1847 Agent of Shevington (48/64 Timber 1 share); John Sumner, Master 1426 Mariner of Tarleton (16/64th Slate 2 share) Thetis Tarleton Preston 1848 John Allinson, Shipbuilder of John Strickland 1848 Slate 1 Coals 1 70 of Preston 1847 Tarleton Lady Stanley Lytham Preston 1849 Thomas Hindle, Schoolmaster & William Carr 1849 General Cargoes 3 Coals 6 39 of Preston 1840 John Allinson, Farmer, both of Limestone 1 Tarleton 17202 Preston 1853 John Allinson, Farmer of Tarleton, James Blundell 1853 then half sold to Robert Howard, James Lee 1855 Innkeeper of Tarleton & George Ascroft of Ormskirk Rose Freckleton Preston 1850 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of John Iddon 1850 General Cargoes 1 Coals 11 37 of Preston 1839 Hesketh Bank (32/64ths share) Limestone 2 and John Wright, Ship Carpenter 17257 of Freckleton Slate 1

Arrow Tarleton Preston 1850 John Allinson, Ship Owner of Thomas Wignall 1850 Slate 2 Coals 7 37 of Preston 1849 Tarleton (64/64ths share) James Lee 1850 Limestone 2 Charcoal 1

Builder: James 19825 Preston 1852 Robert Howard, Innkeeper of Iron-ore 1 Bannister Tarleton & George Ascroft of John Lee 1855 Gunpowder 1 Ormskirk Basket rods 1 Stones 1 Light 1

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Inbound cargo Outbound Cargo Tonnage port)/ official year at/ year of ship number Amethyst Preston Preston 1851 John Rimmer, Mariner of Hesketh Robert Latham 1851 Slate 1 42 of Preston 1835 Bank Richard Gore 1851 19821 Britannia Latham 1832 Preston 1852 John Rimmer, Mariner of Hesketh John Ball 1852 General Cargoes 3 Coals 9 36 of Preston Bank Limestone 2 Light 1 19813 Slate 3 Timber 1 Basket Rods 1

Magnet Preston Preston 1852 Robert Latham, Master Mariner John Latham 1852 Coals 2 42 of Preston 1830 of Tarleton 1985(3?)2 Lady Arabella Tarleton Preston 1855 James Taylor, Farmer of Hesketh James Sumner 1855 Iron-ore 1 47 th of Preston 1855 with Becconsall (32/64 share) & Light 1 James Ashcroft, Grocer of Sollom 12137 Mary & Jane Hesketh Preston 1855 James Taylor, Farmer of Hesketh Not given at Coals 1 42 of Preston Bank with Becconsall (d 21.10.80 aged registration 60) & Thomas Harrison, Farmer 19830 1855 of Tarleton. Mary Jane Parbold Preston 1857 James Latham, Master Mariner of Not given on Slate 5 Coals 1 38 of Preston 1857 Tarleton 16/64ths share; Joseph registration Light 1 Goldsworthy, Copper Ore Agent 18691 of Ulverston; Jane Garton, Widow of Southport;. Then Joseph Fisher, Shipping Agent of Barrow 8/64ths share then 16/64ths 1871 Swan Tarleton Preston 1866 John Allinson, Ship Builder of Not given at Basketrods & Limestone1 Charcoal 1 28 of Preston 1855 Tarleton. Then Richard Silcock, registration Stones 1 Yeoman of Tarleton 14919 Light 1 Sir Robert Peel Lytham Preston 1867 John Hull, Merchant of Tarleton Thomas Iddon General Cargoes 1 Coals 3 36 of Preston 1840 Basket Rods 1 1769 Stones 1

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Inbound cargo Outbound Cargo Tonnage port)/ official year at/ year of ship number Ruby Preston Preston 1872 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Not given at General Cargoes 3 Coals 10 71 of Preston 1842 Hesketh Bank; Matthew Ellam, registration Limestone 3 Light 5 Coal Proprieter of Standish; 12129 Edward Ellam, Coal Proprieter of Stones 3 Kingley Colliery. Fanny Northwich Fleetwood John Allinson, Merchant of Thomas Rimmer 1841 Stones 1 Coals 5 46 of Fleetwood 1790 1841&44 Tarleton Thomas Taylor 1844 Slate 1 (previously Liverpool) later 48

Sailing Ships Built at Tarleton and Hesketh Bank

The Ribble and the Douglas have for centuries been the location for the building of boats, mainly close to the estuary but also, in smaller numbers, inland as far as Parbold and Newburgh . These boats included sailing ships, fishing boats, barges, and no doubt a variety of small craft. Whilst recognised boatyards existed at Lytham, Hesketh Bank and Tarleton, ships were also built at Hoole, Longton, Freckleton, Lea, and Ashton, some being built out in the open on the marshes.

Historical Background

Registration of sailing ships began in the 1600s but few records survive before 1786. The general registration of ships began in 1786 and the original registration books exist in Lancashire County Records Office, Preston, for Preston, Fleetwood, and Lancaster registrations; (with a few missing years), and for Liverpool at The Maritime Museum, Albert Dock; and at Barrow Records Office for Barrow and other Cumbria ports. The requirements for registration developed over time:- 1786-1825 Registration compulsory for all British ships of over 15 tons having a deck. The details required were broadly as shown in the listings shown later. 1825-54 Ownership to be given in 64ths and changes notified. 1854-89 Official number allocated to a ship became constant throughout its whole life. Now required name of builder, and for steamships, engine details. ‘Where built’ refers to the hull.

A copy of the registration was carried on board ship (as changes to e.g. Master could be made at any port called at). The registration books often show the testifying (sometimes by the widow of the captain) of the loss of these important papers when ships had been lost. They are one of the many insights offered by these ostensibly bureaucratic records into the building, owning, sailing of these ships being played out in people’s lives.

The ships which were registered in 1786 had in many cases been built some years earlier. The first registered ship built at Tarleton was built in 1762, but none are shown as built at Hesketh Bank before 1786. Of course many other vessels will have been built but are not recorded as they did not require registration because they were small. This would include fishing boats which did not require registration until much later, but more of them presently.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s these two little villages existed in relative isolation, more isolated by land than by water. However, there was a bigger world going on which they connected to, albeit tentatively. In the years immediately after the start of registrations in 1786 there are many ships registered with an entry in the ‘Where Built’ column showing as ‘Prize’, i.e. they had been seized from Mariners of nations with whom Britain had hostile relations. In the 1770s and 80s ships were taken from the French,

Spanish, Dutch and especially the Americans. The American War of Independence had begun in 1775 and by 1783 Britain had been obliged to evacuate loyalists from the colonies. The French were seen to be supporting the Americans but it was not until 1793 that 22 years of war with France (along with Spanish, Dutch and other allies at various times) began. The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 demonstrated Britain’s ruling of the waves, if not yet the land in Europe, or ever again in America.

The ships, and their crew, who captured ‘enemy’ trading vessels were Privateers authorised by the King’s ‘Letter of Marque’ issued by the government. The costs of commissioning privateers were borne by investors hoping to gain a significant return from prize money earned from enemy merchants. The captured cargo and the prize vessel itself, if serviceable, would be sold at auction with the proceeds distributed among the privateer's owners, officers and crew. This was a useful way of supplementing the Navy in hostilities where supremacy at sea was significant. But this worked both ways; British merchant ships were also at risk from foreign privateers, even in home waters.

The Lancaster was a full-rigged, two-decked ship built at Lancaster and first registered there on the 22nd August 1796. The Lancaster was owned by Joseph Sharp, of Lancaster. The ship’s commander Capt.Wilson wrote to the owners of an action in the Irish Sea on the 6th December 1798: "We discovered a ship ahead, standing to the southward. At eight o'clock she tacked towards us, and although she had English colours on I made her plainly an enemy mounting twenty guns, many full of men. Our guns were well loaded with round and grape and the men at their quarters when she came alongside, hauled the English colours down and hoisted French ... After engaging us two hours he had enough of it and hauled his colours down but our vessel being in a shattered position without a brace or any rope to get the yards round, he took advantage of it and made off ... We had one man killed and four wounded and the sails awry, much torn and cut." "The Making of Lancaster: People, Places and War, 1789-1815", by George Howson.

No ‘Prizes’ were registered at Preston, certainly not in the 1786-1815 registry (Fleetwood were not a registration port at this stage). However when the existing sailing ships of Lancaster were registered for the first time in 1786, 4 of the first 104 were Prizes, their entries showing as below (clearly they had been given English names). 31 Aug 1786: Triton, “a prize taken from the French, duties paid at Lancaster on ship and her apparel”. She was a two masted Brigg, 60 feet long and of 122 tons. 3 Oct 1786: Betsy, “a prize taken from His Majesty’s Rebellious Subjects, and duty paid at…”. She was a Pink sterned Briggantine of 60ft and 74 tons. 18 Oct 1786: Tom, was “a prize to his Majesty’s ships Diamond and Greyhound and condemned at a Court of Vice Admiralty held at Halifax some time in October 1777 and duty on the value of said vessel, and

her Apparrel at the time of condemnation paid at Lancaster”. She was shown as British built Hake sterned ship. 7 Nov 1786: Two Friends, “a prize taken and legally condemned at New York 20 June 1782 and made free by a certificate granted at London on the 28 Feb 1787”. A 71 ft 143 ton Brigg.

Between 1786 and 1817 forty five vessels registered at Lancaster were recorded as ‘Taken’, being taken ‘as prize’, ‘from rebels’, ‘from French’, ‘Prior to war with Prussia’, and 21 ‘Taken by …’ naming the British ships which captured them, and 5 ‘Taken at …’ showing that they were captured at Caracao x 2, Berberie, New York, Surinam.

The records of registrations at Liverpool in 1786 and shortly after show a much greater proportion (at a superficial glance there may be as many as a third) of vessels captured from nations we were at odds with. Again some were described as having been ‘liberated’ from e.g. the French by sailors having a warrant from the king to capture foreign vessels.

In between 1786 and 1868 it is common amongst the registration of ships whose homeport is in Lancashire to find ships built in Canada, specifically Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This has been said to be due to the unavailability of sufficient timber in England, this in turn being blamed on the consumption resulting from the various sea oriented wars around 1800. I have no hard information to hand on this subject.

Landed gentry in Lancashire, as elsewhere, were not only merchants exporting goods to the colonies and bringing back the produce of those colonies (including mahogany, prompting cabinet making in Lancaster), but in some cases also owners of plantations, and so for some involved with slaving. A document from The Cavendish (of Holker Hall) collection, held at Lancs. County Records Office dated 21 Aug 1759 is a letter sent from Antigua by an agent offering advice on what cargo Capt. James Fell of the Lancaster ship ‘Britannia’ might next obtain considering their cost and marketability. At Guadalupe Rum was 2/6 a gallon, Sugar & Cotton £16- 1700 for the ship load, and £10-1100 for a load of slaves.

Lancaster in the early1800s became the third busiest ports in the UK; and in the 1700s was the fourth (after Liverpool, London and Bristol) most important in the UK's slave trade and Lancaster ships are estimated to have carried around 30,000 slaves in the period 1736 to the 1790s when it ceased in Lancaster. Whitehaven was involved in the slave trade earlier: 1711-1769. The slave trade was legally abolished in 1807, though their freedom was yet to be achieved as the following cutting from the Preston Chronicle of 9 August 1834 shows:- “SLAVE EMANCIPATION. - Yesterday week, the 1st instant, this town, Lancaster, and other towns throughout the county, divine service was performed and prayers were offered up in commemoration of Slave Emancipation in the British Colonies – which, according to the Act of Parliament, took place on that day. At some places collections were made

82 towards defraying the expense of furnishing each liberated slave with a copy of the bible.”

So at the end of the 1700s and the early years of the 1800s this was the world the seagoing ships and their crews, some from Tarleton and Hesketh Bank, were brushing up against.

Whilst vessels were built at both Hesketh Bank and Tarleton, the Tarleton yard operated on a bigger scale. It was situated at the bottom of what is now Sutton Avenue where there was a wharf and as part of the Douglas Navigation a lock was built. Just as in neighbouring boatbuilding villages such as Freckleton, rope makers worked in parallel with the boatyard, their product also being used in agriculture. The Rope Walk was situated near where Kearsley Avenue now is, and linked Hesketh Lane to Carr Lane. The twine was passed round a post at one end of the field and taken and twisted round one at the other end. The rope walker walked backwards twisting the strands until the required thickness was obtained. A public footpath ran alongside the Rope Walk, but was closed when Kearsley Avenue was constructed.

The following pages list ships built at Tarleton or Hesketh Bank as taken from the registers of ships now held at Lancashire County Records Office which cover the ports of Preston, Lancaster, Fleetwood. I regard this as close to a complete list of ships which required registration built at these villages, i.e. were over 15 tons and had a deck. They are potentially incomplete for three reasons. Firstly I have dismissed the possibility of ships built in our villages but only ever registered at ports not in North West England, Liverpool to Cumbria. Whilst we know that some vessels built here found there way into ownership and registration in Scotland and elsewhere, I anticipate few if any would have gone directly out of the North West immediately after being built. Secondly I have yet to go through all the registrations at Barrow and Liverpool. A very large number of vessels were registered at Liverpool and a full day’s work going through records covered only a small sample of the whole. There were however no new registrations emerging in the sample, only a small number of vessels already picked up on earlier registrations, and I have at this stage no plans for a full check at Liverpool. Barrow will have vessels from the villages first registered there, an example being the Sarah Jane built for a Barrow Shipping Company. The records at Barrow, which also cover Ulverston and other ports, therefore do need researching, although small numbers are anticipated. Finally, some registration years are missing for Preston, namely 1816-25 and 1892-1910. The second of these does not seem significant as large vessels seem to have stopped being built at Tarleton by that time. The first will mean some early sailing ships will go undiscovered; the number is likely to be about 5.

Some of these sailing ships are worth a particular mention as fleshed-out examples of the tabulated lists of ships which follow. Firstly, as referred to above: the Schooner Sarah Jane was built in 1869 by Peter Lund at

Tarleton. Her hull was towed by a Preston tug from the Ribble to Barrow, where she was fitted-out. Sails were by Capt. Porter, rigging and cordage by Henry Stuart and blocks by Mr.Sharp, according to a newspaper report. Capt. John Taylor was her first owner and master. The Sarah Jane came under the management of John Walton, Barrow ship-owner, in 1869. Her entry in the Barrow Shipping Register, where she was described as a wherry (a large light barge), was closed in 1914.

The next to last ship in the list ‘The Tarleton Lass’ was a two masted brig built at Tarleton on the River Douglas. Her launch on the 11th February 1879 was marked by the tragic death of four sightseers, who were drowned after a small boat capsized. Two of the dead were children of Capt. William Higham, the vessel's future master. The Hesketh with Becconsall parish register records their burial on 15 Feb 1879 at All Saints of Jane Higham age 17 and Henry Higham age 6, abode Hesketh. The vessel came to her own end just 5 years later. From the Times newspaper, Tuesday, 28th October 1884, page 8 : “On Sunday morning the schooner Tarleton Lass went ashore on the South end of Walney, and it is feared she will break up before high tide can float her.” The Tarleton Lass was reported wrecked in the Barrow Herald on the 1st November 1884. She was described as a brig of 70 tons burthen, a frequent visitor to Barrow. She had been trying to run for the shelter of Piel Island in a gale. Her crew were saved. Her owner was Robert Wright of Preston.

‘The Falcon’ a 73 ft 67 ton Schooner built 1858 for a varied collection of men from Preston and Blackburn and Captained by Robert Johnson.

Ships built at Tarleton and Hesketh Bank

As mentioned previously, the following list of sailing ships associated with Tarleton or Hesketh Bank are mostly taken from the original hand written registration books now held at the County Records Office in Preston. Similar documents exist in Liverpool and Barrow for ships registered there. The web site ‘Through Mighty Seas’ gives access to a large amount of structured details relating to ships and mariners of Barrow and nearby ports.

Ships built at Tarleton & Hesketh Bank – Registered at Preston, Lancaster & Fleetwood 1786-1816, 1825-92 Compiled by David Edmondson 2009 – source: Registers of Sailing Ships, Lancs County Records Office NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Juno Tarleton Lancaster Hugh Ketsey, Sail Maker of J Taylor Round sterned 53x15ft 70 Single masted. 7.4’ hold of Lancaster 1762 1786 Lancaster J Ketsey Sloop Liverpool Owner’s name looks like Kilsey John Taylor All other details unchanged June 1788 56 Nelly Tarleton Lancaster Various Mariners & Farmers from Richard Warwick Round sterned 50x15ft 46 Single masted. 6.7ft hold of Ulverstone 1766 1786 Bardsea and elsewhere John Cobb Sloop I(E)ngine Tarleton Preston 1786 John Wignall, Mariner of Hesketh John Wignall 1786 Round sterned 52x15ft 50 Single mast, 5’10” hold of Preston 1768 Bank Sloop

Preston 1794 Robert Stythe 1794 Hugh Rymer 1795

Preston 1797 Lawrence Ashworth, Mariner of Lawrence Ashworth Hesketh Bank &others 1797 Molly & Nancy Tarleton Preston 1786 James Livesley, Mariner of Tarleton James Livesley 1786 Round sterned 52x15ft 50 Single mast, 5’5” hold of Poulton D(L)ock & James Standen of Poulton Thomas Greenall 1789 Sloop Henry Caunce 1790 1768 John Ball & Robert Wright of Preston 1790 Hesketh Bank Henry Caunce 1790 J Eccleston 1790 James Fell 1795 Thomas Whittle 1802 William Wignall 1803 3 Croston Merchants of Preston 1778? Preston 1804 Thomas Pearson 1804 Lost Grifith William 1804 Ellen Tarleton Lancaster Henry Rawcliffe, Mariner of H Rawcliffe Round sterned 57x14ft 48 Single masted. 5.9’ hold of Lancaster 1774 1786 Lancaster Jasper Bowskill Flatt Richard McPherson Liverpool Henry Rawcliffe No change to details 1788 Peggy Tarleton Lancaster Robert Charnley, Stone Mason of Thomas Peet Round sterned 55x14 46 Single masted. 4.6’ hold of Lancaster 1776 1786 Lancaster John Parker Sloop Matthew Dixon

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number The Betty Tarleton 1776/9 Preston 1796 John Whittle of Longton & others Thomas Whittle 1796 Square sterned 53X14ft 54 Single mast, 4’9”hold of Ulverstone Flatt Peter Houghton, Publican of Preston 1801 Hesketh Bank & others Henry Houghton 1801 of Preston Thomas Whittle 1803 45 James Halsall 1803 James Johnson 1805 The Lively Tarleton Preston 1786 John Parkinson, Mariner of John Parkinson jun Round sterned 43/54ft 55/57 Single mast, 5’3” hold of Preston 1778 & 1802 Hesketh Bank 1786 Sloop long John Parkinson 1802 Preston 1805 Henry Houghton of Warton Henry Houghton 1805 Lancaster Robert Rimmer 1809 Ref SS5/1 1810&15 1810 R Preston J Storey The Betty Tarleton Lancaster John Morris, Farmer of Crakeside; H Parker Round sterned 59X14ft 55 5’9” hold of Ulverstone 1779 1786 Henry Parker, Mariner of Sloop Ref Lancaster Reg SS5/1 1807 Ulverstone; Matthew Harrison, Gentleman of Conistone; John May be same vessel Clare, Mariner of Liverpool as above? Peter Houghton of Hesketh Bank Peter Houghton 1807 Preston 1807 JamesHoughton 1812 Elias Houghton 1814

The Union Tarleton Preston 1786 Richard Duckworth of Tarleton & Richard Duckworth Square sterned 42x11ft 46 Single mast, hold depth 5’1” of Preston 1782 others 1786&89 Sloop Henry Caunce 1787 William Iddon 1787&89 William Coulton 1787 Liverpool Richard Duckworth, Mariner of Richard Duckworth ‘88 1788 Tarleton & others Still shown as 46 tons Preston 1800 Walton & Dewhurst, Merchants of John Greaves 1800 Preston William Stythe 1807 Thomas Sharples 1807 The Union cont. Tarleton Preston 1806 Dewhurst & Buxton of Preston Thomas Fell 1806 Round sterned 41X11 40 1 mast, 5’1” hold. Same vessel? 1782 Richard Hosker 1809 Sloop Register records “Lost” under name, no date given.

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Liberty Tarleton Lancaster John Robinson of Ulverstone & W Dixon Round sterned 55x16ft 58 Single masted. 5.6’ hold of Ulverstone 1784 1786 Richard Fell of Liverpool, both W Brockbank Flatt Merchants L Hewitson Liverpool Robinson now shown as Maltster W Dixon 1788 Good Intent Tarleton Lancaster James Bowskill, of Bardsea; J Bowskill Round sterned 54x15ft 55 Single masted. 5.0’ hold of Ulverstone 1785 1786 Edward Jackson of Hawkshead & Edward Bowskill Flatt Isaac Pertt(?), of Broughton, all J Blackburn Merchants The Venus Tarleton Preston 1786 James Cottam Mariner of Hesketh James Cottam 1786 Round sterned 43ft long 53 Single mast, 5’3” hold of Preston 1786 Bank & Sam Bold of Wigan George Jefferson 1799 Sloop

Glory Tarleton Lock Preston 1786 William Hosker, Mariner of William Hosker 1786 Round sterned 47 Single mast, 5’3” hold of Preston 1786 Hesketh Bank Sloop

Preston 1800 5 Freckleton Mariners Thurston Hosker 1800 Molly & Nancy Hesketh Bank Preston William Eccleston, Mariner of William Eccleston 1786 Round sterned 58X16ft 62 Single mast, 5’5” hold. of Preston 1786 1786&94 Hesketh Bank & others William Eccleston jun Sloop 1894 Registered as 58x16ft 1791&4 square sterned sloop with 7’5” hold – modified? Lost in Scotland Catherine Tarleton Lock Lancaster John Bolton of Preston & Edward John Miller 1828 Square sterned 58x13ft 55 Ref SS5/2 76&180 of Preston 1795 1828 & 1834 Ellam of Standish, both Coal Thomas Rimmer 1833 Lugger/Schoon 2 masted, 4.5ft hold Merchants Christopher Sumner Fleetwood Robert Mayor, Coal Merchant of 1840 er 1840 & 49 Freckleton William Blundell 1849 Later shown as 63x13ft 49 Lost Isle of Man 1864 James Lee 1854 R/s Wherry Amity Tarleton Lock Preston 1806 Peter Brown, Yeoman & Peter Peter Houghton 1806, Square sterned 55X14ft 50 Single mast, 4’10””hold of Preston 1799 Houghton, Publican of Hesketh 14, 16 Sloop Bank James Houghton 1807, [From London Gazette 24.2.1814 13 Peter Houghton victualler of HB Elias Houghton 1813, declared bankrupt Liverpool] 14, 16

Margaret & Peggy Tarleton Preston 1801 Robert Norris & Daniel Baron, John Rymer 1801 Round sterned 57X16ft 63 Single mast, 5’11” hold of Preston 1801 Maltsters of Croston & Tarleton James Hunter 1803 Sloop John Kirkby 1805 Thomas Wignall 1805 Edward Greaves 1815 Ralph Wilding 1815 Lancaster Daniel Dewhurst, Merchant of William Wilson 1830 Ref SS5/2 122 & 1826(Pr)

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number of Lancaster 1830 Preston R Wilding R/s Schooner 67 /3 1826(Pr) & 274 John Sumner 1833 John Tarleton Preston 1802 Charles Broomfield, Gentleman of James Hunter 1802 Round sterned 63X11ft 65 Single mast, 5’2”” hold of Preston 1802 Preston Henry Houghton 1802 Sloop Peter Houghton 1802 John Wheeler 1806 Sally Tarleton Preston 1802 Ogle & Ambler, Merchants of Thomas Cookson 1802 Round sterned 62X16ft 69 Single mast, 6’ hold of Preston 1802 Preston & Thomas Cookson, Robert Cookson 1805 & Sloop Mariner of Lytham 07 James Fell 1806 & 07

Francis Tarleton Preston 1847 John Whalley, Coal Merchant of William Dawson 1847 Square sterned 55x12 32 2 masted, 4.7’ hold of Preston 1811 Lytham John Fairclough 1847 Flat Lancaster Fairclough Ref SS5/4 153&173 later of Lancaster & J Iddon Fleetwood Fleetwood Sam Hope & William Atkinson of 57x14 28 4’9” hold 16413 1861 Fleetwood Sprightly Tarleton Lancaster John Rimmer, Master Mariner of J Rimmer Square sterned 56x14ft 38 Ref SS5/2 164 & /3 th of Preston 1814 1833 Hesketh Bank (16/64 share); T Miller Flat 1826(Pr)&226 Edward & Matthew Ellam, Coal T Rimmer by William Cottam 19829 Merchants of Standish. John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Later: Round 67x15ft Single mast Preston 1855 Hesketh Bank 16/64ths share & sterned Flat 5.9’ hold. Mathew Ellam, Ship Owner of Standish & Edward Ellam, Coal Transf. to Wigton 1877 Merchant of Kingley? Richard Tarleton Lock Lancaster John Bolton, Merchant of Preston. Thomas Miller 1830 Square sterned 54x13ft 50 Ref SS5/2 105 & /5 62 of Lancaster 1814 1830 Hugh Singleton & Henry T Fisher Sloop, Flat or Swarbrick, Carpenters of F’wood Henry Richardson 1849 Single masted, 4.1’ hold & Fleetwood Fleetwood Sam Hope, Coal Merchant of Robert Wilson 1850 Lighter 17253 1849/50/61 Fleetwood Thomas Anyon 1851 Friends Tarleton Lock Lancaster John Bolton, Merchant of Preston. Thomas Mayor 1830 Square sterned 60x14ft 54 Single masted, 4.6 hold of Lancaster 1816 1830 Flat or Lighter Ref SS5/2 106&192? Joseph Tarleton Preston 1845 Samuel Speakman, Shipbuilder of Samuel Speakman 1845 Square sterned 63X13ft 55 later Single masted, 4.6 hold of Preston 1816 & 1854 Preston then (1845) William Bond, William Wignall 1845 Flat 48 Later: 2 masted, 6’6” hold. Stonemason (later Ship Owner) of John Porter 1848 Lost off Whitehaven 1866 with 8748 Ashton Joseph Sumner 1854 Later: Round Master & Owner Lawrence sterned Johnson and crew – testified by Schooner his sister Mary Norris 1867.

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Fly Tarleton Preston 1846 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Robert Iddon 1846 Square sterned 60x13ft 35 2 masted, 4.3 hold of Preston 1818 Hesketh Bank George Iddon 1849 Flat Lost on Ribble Bank 1849 Frances Tarleton Lock Lancaster John Bolton, Merchant of Preston. J Fairclough 1830 Square sterned 57x14ft 49 Single masted, 4.7 hold of Lancaster 1821 1830 Flat or Lighter Ref SS5/2 104&107 by William Cottam Records of registrations at Preston 1816-1825 are missing Lady of Lune Tarleton Preston 1847 Robert Lovett Magrath, Coal Agent John Sumner 1847 Round sterned 59x13ft 46 2 masted, 6.1 hold th of Preston 1847 of Shevington (48/64 share); John Flat Lost 1872 Sumner, Master Mariner of 1426 Tarleton (16/64th share) Thetis Tarleton Preston 1848 John Allinson, Shipbuilder of John Strickland 1848 Round sterned 63x16ft 70 2 masted, 8.0’ hold. Woman’s of Preston 1847 Tarleton Schooner bust head. Transferred to Goole 1859 Arrow Tarleton Preston 1850 John Allinson, Ship Owner of Thomas Wignall 1850 Square sterned 60X13ft 37 Single mast, 5’ hold of Preston 1849 Tarleton (64/64ths share) James Lee 1850 Sloop

Builder: James 19825 Robert Howard, Innkeeper of Bannister Preston 1852 Tarleton & George Ascroft of John Lee 1855 Ormskirk Lady Arabella Tarleton Preston 1855 James Taylor, Farmer of Hesketh James Sumner 1855 Round sterned 59X14ft 47 2 masted, 7.1ft hold th of Preston 1855 with Becconsall (32/64 share) & Schooner Launched 19 Sept 1855 at James Ashcroft, Grocer of Sollom Tarleton (Preston Chronicle) 12137 Mary & Jane Hesketh Bank Preston 1855 James Taylor, Farmer of Hesketh Not given at Round sterned 64X16 42 Single mast, 6.36’ hold of Preston 1855 with Becconsall (d 21.10.80 aged 60) registration Smack Wrecked Balcarry Bay 1883 & Thomas Harrison, Farmer of 19830 Tarleton. Swan Tarleton Preston 1866 John Allinson, Ship Builder of Not given at Square sterned 59X14ft 28 Single masted, 4.6ft hold of Preston 1855 Tarleton. Then Richard Silcock, registration Sloop Lost in Ribble 1866 Yeoman of Tarleton 14919

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Robert Marsden Tarleton Preston 1856 Peter Rigby, Ship Owner of Not given at Round sterned 65X16ft 40 2 masted, 5.9ft hold of Preston 1856 Freckleton. Then Samuel Jervis, registration Schooner Agent of Barrow; John Hogg, Coal 19840 Agent of Chester; William Podmore, Station Master of Ulverstone; George Booth, Agent of Ulverstone; Richard Postlethwaite, Farmer of Walney; Henry and Thomas Johnson, Slate Miners of Kirkby Ereleeth. Northern Lights Tarleton Preston 1857 James Taylor, Farmer & Ship Thomas Taylor 1871 Round sterned 76X18ft 70 2 masted, 8.4ft hold. Head: of Preston 1857 & 1871 Owner of Hesketh with Becconsall; (no cert) Schooner woman’s bust. Thomas Harrison & Hugh 18689 Forshaw, Farmers of Tarleton Ocean Pearl Tarleton Preston 1858 James Ashcroft, Ship Owner of Not given on Round sterned 74X18ft 57 2 masted, 7.7ft hold. of Preston 1858 Tarleton 32/64ths; James Taylor, registration Schooner Head: Fiddle Farmer of Hesketh Bank 16/64; John Cumby, Telegraph Clerk by Robert Bannister 19447 Hugh Forshaw, Farmer of Tarleton of Barrow took share 1870 of Hesketh Bank 16/64 (d 25.12.1874 aged 54) James Taylor above 48/64 & James See newspaper report of launch 1878 Jackson, Farmer of Holmes 16/64. Margaret Anne Tarleton Preston 1858 Joseph Whiteside, Farmer of Not given at Round sterned 76X18ft 71 2 masted, 8.6ft hold of Preston 1858 Hesketh Bank 32/64; Thomas registration Schooner Head: Female bust Hindle, Schoolmaster of Tarleton 19449 16/64;John Ball, Master Mariner of Hesketh Bank 8/64; Henry Breakall, Gentleman of Hesketh Bank 8/64 Peter Houghton 1871 Lost at sea 1873 Falcon Tarleton Preston 1858 Charles Darley, Solicitor of Preston. Not given at Round sterned 73X18ft 67 2 masted, 8.6ft hold of Preston 1858 Then: John Leach, Watchmaker of registration Schooner (later Head: Falcon Preston; Christopher Tattersall, Taken into full ownership by 26851 Gentleman of Blackburn; John described as a George Lawson the younger, Hope, Master mariner of Preston; Ketch) Corn Merchant of Preston 1870. George Lawson, Corn Merchant of (needs checking). Registration ?; John Robinson Knowles, Ship transferred to Cardiff 1906 Broker of Preston. rigged as a Ketch. Newland Tarleton Lancaster Thomas Roper, Iron Master of R Gore 1859 Round sterned 61x14ft 28 Single masted. 5.0’ hold of Lancaster 1859 1859 Newland Sloop Ref SS5/5 63 Struck railway viaduct, Plumpton 1864, not lost 21760 Harvest Maid Tarleton Preston 1860 Hugh Forshaw, Farmer of Tarleton Not given at Round sterned 94X20ft 118 2 masted, 10.7ft hold.

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number of Preston 1860 & 1870 16/64; John Hull, Farmer of registration Schooner Head: Female/Billet 28903 Tarleton 16/64 (d 26.9.1873); James 1868 William Iddon Foundered Bideford Bay with Taylor, Farmer of Hesketh Bank all hands 6.12.1891 16/64; James Ashcroft, Ship Owner See Crew Lists of Tarleton 16/64. Margaret Elizabeth Tarleton Preston 1866 Peter Rigby sen., Ropemaker of Not given at Round sterned 76X18ft 66 2 masted, 8.1ft hold of Preston 1866 & 1871 Freckleton. registration Schooner

52888 Richard Hilton 1871

Jane Tarleton Preston 1868 John Platt, Coal Merchant of Lawrence Fairclough Round sterned 71X17ft 55 2 masted, 7ft hold of Preston 1868 Liverpool; William & James Taylor, Wherry Farmers of Hesketh Bank; 56686 Lawrence Fairclough, Master Mariner of Hesketh Bank; James Ashcroft, Grocer of Tarleton; James Ashcroft, Shipowner of Barrow. Later: Richard Ainscough, Corn Miller of Burscough. Alice & Eliza Tarleton Preston 1868 Henry Bond, Master Mariner of Roger(?) Higham 1868 Round sterned 72x17 56 2 masted, 7.4’ hold of Preston 1868 Barrow; John Blundell, Farmer of (no cert) Schooner Tarleton; Joseph Sharpe, 62761 Brickmaker & John Barron, Blacksmith both of Barrow. Richard Miller, Mariner of Tarleton 1870 & others. Crystal Spring Tarleton Preston 1870 James Taylor, Ship Owner of Lawrence Fairclough? Elliptical 74x18 59 2 masted, 7.6’ hold. of Preston 1870 Hesketh Bank;John Platt, Coal sterned Lost 1904 Merchant of Liverpool;William 62766 Taylor, Farmer of Hesketh Bank; Schooner Lawrence Fairclough, Master Mariner of Hesketh Bank; Thomas Hornby, Labourer of Hesketh Bank. Copious Tarleton Preston 1871 Edward Hornby, Farmer; James William Gore Round sterned 75x17 68 2 masted, 8.1’ hold of Preston 1871 Taylor, Ship Owner; William Gore, Schooner Transferred to Bridgewater, Master Mariner; Lawrence Somerset 1890 62769 Fairclough, Master Mariner, all of Hesketh Bank; William Cartmel, Beerseller; Thomas Cartmel Gentleman, both of Burscough

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Elizabeth Higham Tarleton Preston 1872 James Taylor, Farmer of Tarleton; Not given at Round sterned 76x18 65 2 masted, 8.1’ hold of Preston 1872 Richard Iddon, Farmer of Hesketh registration Wherry Bank; William Taylor, Master 62773 Mariner of Tarleton; William Builder: Peter Lund Taylor, Farmer, and William of Tarleton Higham, Master Mariner, both of Hesketh Bank; John Latham and John Johnson, both Master Mariners of Tarleton; Robert Wright, Shoemaker of Hesketh Bank; and others. Margaret Johnson Tarleton Preston 1873 John Platt, Coal Merchant of Not given at Elliptical 77x18 68 2 masted, 8.2’ hold of Preston 1873 Liverpool; James & William Taylor, registration sterned Farmers of Hesketh Bank; John 62774 Jackson, Ship Owner of Preston; Schooner John Johnson, Master Mariner of Tarleton; Elizabeth Foster, Widow of Newbourgh; Thomas Latham, Master Mariner of Tarleton Olivia Tarleton Preston 1874 John Platt, Coal Merchant of James Wignall? Elliptical 77x18 68 2 masted, 8.3’ hold of Preston 1874 Liverpool; James Taylor, Ship sterned Head: Knee Owner of Hesketh Bank; William Wrecked Kilkeel 1907 69703 James Lamb, Ship Owner of Wigan; Schooner Peter Henry Dawson, Gentleman of Longton; James Wignall, Master Mariner of Hesketh Bank P H Dawson Tarleton Preston 1875 Peter Henry Dawson, Gentleman of Not given at c 85x21ft 89 2 masted. 10.6’ hold. Head: knee of Preston 1875 Longton 8/64; James Taylor, Ship registration Owner of Hesketh Bank 6/64; by Peter Lund 73472 William Taylor, Master Mariner of Tarleton 4/64; William Higham, Master Mariner of Hesketh Bank 2/64; Richard Gore, Master Mariner of Hesketh Bank; and others.

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Edith May Tarleton Preston 1877 Robert Wright, Shoemaker 2/64; Not given at Elliptical 80x21ft 72 2 masted. 9.4’ hold of Preston 1877 James Taylor, Farmer 6/64; registration sterned Lawrence Fairclough 6/64; Thomas Transferred to Wexford 1894 by Peter Lund 73476 Spencer 4/64; William Higham Schooner 4/64; John Wignall 4/64; Richard Gore 4/64; all of Hesketh Bank; John Johnson 4/64; William Taylor 2/64; Robert Taylor 2/64; all Master Mariners; Thomas Taylor 2/64 all of Tarleton; & others. Harmony Tarleton Preston 1878 Richard Rimmer 4/64; Richard Not given at Elliptical 80x20ft 89 2 masted. 9.2’ hold of Preston 1878 Gore 2/64; William Higham 2/64; registration sterned Wherry all Master Mariners; John Rimmer by Peter Lund 73479 Grocer 2/64; James Taylor, Farmer Lost Wexford 1915 4/64; William Gore, Seaman 2/64; William Cookson, Farmer 4/64; all from Hesketh Bank; James 2/64 & John 2/64 Johnson, Master Mariners of Tarleton, Cristianna Johnson, widow of Tarleton 2/64; Thomas Ashcroft ?? 2/64; and others. Tarleton Lass Tarleton Preston 1879 William Higham 4/64; Richard Not given at Elliptical 83x20ft 69 2 masted. 8.3’ hold. Head: knee of Preston 1879 Gore 4/64; Richard Rimmer 2/64, registration sterned Wherry Her launch on the 11th Master Mariners; Robert Wright, February 1879 was marked by by Peter Lund 73480 Shoemaker 2/64; James Taylor, the tragic death of four Farmer 8/64, all of Hesketh Bank; sightseers, who were drowned William Taylor, Master Mariner after a small boat capsized. Two 2/64; Thomas Taylor, Grocer 2/64; of the dead were children of Christiana Johnson, Farmer 2/64, Capt. William Higham, the all of Tarleton; & others. vessel's future master. Totally lost 1930? Cf 1884 report

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Satellite Tarleton Preston 1880 John Johnson, Master Mariner Not given at Round sterned 84x20ft 79 2 masted. 9.0’ hold. Head: knee of Preston 1879 10/64; Thomas & James Latham, registration Wherry Mariners 2/64 each; James Lund, by Peter Lund 81231 Coal Merchant 2/64; Daniel Ball & William Moss, Labourers 2/64 each, all of Tarleton; James Taylor, Farmer 8/64; Thomas Ashcroft, Lost at Milford Haven 1895 Tailor 6/64; John Rimmer, Shoemaker 2/64; Robert Harrison, Blacksmith 2/64, all of Hesketh Bank; & others. James Taylor Tarleton Preston 1881 Richard 4/64 & William 2/64 Gore; Not given at Elliptical 86x21ft 98 2 masted. 9.9’ hold. Head: knee Of Preston 1881 James Wignall 2/64; Richard registration sterned Rimmer 2/64, all Master Mariners; by Peter Lund 81233 Robert Wright, Shoemaker 2/64; Schooner William Gore, Mariner 4/64; Robert Harrison, Smith 2/64; John Hornby, Farmer 2/64, all of Hesketh Bank; William Higham & William Taylor, Master Mariners Vessel lost at entrance to 2/64 each; William Dandy, Thames 1892 Carpenter 2/64, all of Tarleton; & others. Jane Taylor Tarleton James Wignall 4/64; Richard Gore Not given at Elliptical 82x21ft 92 2 masted. 9.5’ hold. Head: knee of Preston 1881 4/64; William Gore 2/64; Richard registration sterned Wright 2/64, all Master Mariners; by Peter Lund 81235 Robert Wright, Shoemaker 2/64; Schooner William Gore, Mariner 4/64; Nicholas Taylor, Farmer 2/64; David Rimmer, Water Bailiff 2/64, Totally lost 1906 all of Hesketh Bank; William Taylor, Master Mariner of Tarleton 2/64; & others.

NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port) / official year at/ year (LXW) number Harvest Home Tarleton Preston 1882 Thomas Ashcroft, Tailor & Draper Not given at Round sterned 88x21ft 88 2 masted. 9.6’ hold of Preston 1882 16/64; Richard Rimmer, Master registration Schooner Mariner 6/64; Nicholas Taylor, by Peter Lund 81238 Farmer 4/64; Jane Taylor, Spinster 4/64; Robert Harrison, Blacksmith 2/64; David Rimmer, Salmon Transferred to Wexford 1909 Keeper 2/64; John Rimmer, Grocer 2/64, all of Hesketh Bank; John Lund, Carrier 2/64; John Wignall, Labourer 2/64, both of Tarleton; & others. Agnes Glover Tarleton Preston 1883 James Wignall; Richard Gore; Not given at Round sterned 87x21ft 86 3 masted. 9.8 hold. of Preston 1883 William Gore, all Master Mariners registration Schooner 2/64 each; William Gore, Mariner by Peter Lund 88711 2/64, Robert Wright, Shoemaker 2/64; Robert Harrison, Smith 2/64, all of Hesketh Bank; William Higham 4/64; William Taylor 2/64, Master Mariners of Tarleton; & Robert Miller 1901 others. (census) Transferred to Castletown 1912 Earnest Tarleton Preston 1884 Robert Harrison; Daniel Hull, Not given at Elliptical 92x21ft 95 3 masted. 9.9 hold. Head: knee. of Preston 1884 Farmers 2/64 each; William Taylor, registration sterned Master Mariner 4/64; John 88712 Johnson, Labourer 3/64; Thomas Schooner Wilson, Innkeeper 3/64; Ellen Hall, Widow 2/64, all of Tarleton; Richard Gore; James Wignall, Master Mariners 2/64 each; Jane Taylor, Spinster 2/64; Nicholas Taylor, Farmer 4/64, all of Hesketh Bank; & others. Margaret Gore Tarleton Preston 1886 Richard 7/64 & William 5/64 Gore, Not given at Elliptical 94x22ft 98 3 masted. 9.7’ hold. Head: knee. of Preston 1886 Coal Merchants; William Gore 5/64 registration sterned & Hugh Wignall 2/64, Master Probably named after Margaret by Latham & Lund 88715 Mariners, all of Hesketh Bank; Schooner Gore (nee Hornby, d of Thomas Mayor & Thomas Latham, Edward) wife of William Gore, Master Mariners 2/64 each; Peter m HB 1850. Lund, Coal Merchant 2/64, all of Tarleton; & others. Vessel lost Milford 1892 Records missing 1892 To 1910 None showing after 1910

Fishing boats (not registered until 1869 – check legislation).

Though the list of sailing ships above includes the ‘Molly and Nancy’ a 62 foot sloop built 1786, Hesketh Bank seems to be more associated with the building of fishing vessels. The only other sailing ship showing in the listings above as built there is ‘Mary and Jane’ a 42 ft Smack (i.e. fishing vessel). Whether this means that few were built there in these times, or more likely that no others were big enough to need registering I am unable to say. It would be understandable if Hesketh Bank builders were oriented more towards fishing boats given the Ribble lapping at there doors, and consequently associate themselves more with builders established at Crossens and Marshside at the north end of what is now Southport. We do know that in 1901 Robert Latham’s shipbuilding yard at Crossens (on the site of what is now the pumping station) burnt down and he moved to Hesketh Bank on the Douglas. Wright’s yard made a similar move. See ‘Southport & North Meols Fishermen & Boat Builders’ by Len J Lloyd 1998.

A Southport Nobby (restored) built by Wright Brothers of Marshside.

Possibly Insert photo of ‘Wright’s Yard’ Hesketh Bank, c1915.

I have little understanding of fishing or fishing boats, but for those who do the following paragraphs gleaned from various sources may give those who do an insight into the fishing boats operating in the area.

The Lancashire nobby was used down the north west coast of England from 1840 until World War II. It was primarily a shrimp trawler towing beam trawls sized for common brown shrimp, pink shrimp, or flatfish. The nobby ranged in size from about 25 feet up to 32 feet for single handed boats and from 36 to 45 feet for two man boats. Compare these with fishing boats registered at Lancaster typically 23/4 ft, 4 ton, crewed by one man or one man and a boy, described only as ‘smacks’, usually trawling for shrimps e.g. ‘Pink’ of Thomas Edmondson, navigated by oars only, raking for mussels. Check registrations again. They were all pole masted cutters with gaff topsail.

The Morecambe Bay nobby emerged about 1840 as the local type. A report in the Lancaster Gazette of 7 November 1840 indicates that Southport

96 smacks were also fishing in Morecambe Bay, providing another source of influence on the nobby design.

All of the boats had wide side decks and a long cockpit, with low freeboard and a low rail to facilitate lifting the gear on board. These shrimp boats, about 32ft long, were fast and handy in the shallow waters of Morecambe Bay.

Boatmen, Sailors and Mariners

The above three titles cover virtually all the occupations of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank men working on boats and ships up to 1900 so far as official records such as censuses are concerned. Some Mariners were described as Master Mariners, and there were also other occupations associated with ships and boats: Shipwrights and Ropemakers, both present in the villages, and Sailmakers are present in the villages on the north bank of the Ribble. The description of Fisherman occurs rarely, even in Hesketh Bank, which seems surprising. There were large numbers of men described as Labourers, and no doubt the vast majority were Agricultural Labourers, but it is possible that some of these worked on the loading and unloading of cargoes.

I have no clear definition of Boatmen versus Sailors versus Mariners. My un-evidenced presumption is that Mariners were sea-going and a few chose to call themselves Sailors merely by preference. Boatmen I take to be those engaged on the inland waterways particularly the navigations and canals, but also those acting as Lightermen in the rivers, but it has been suggested that some of these may have worked on sea-going vessels.

Records relating specifically to ships, e.g. crew lists, tend more to refer to a persons role on that ship (sometimes specifically on that trip e.g. Cook). Here we see not only Master (Mariner) but also Mate being used. Earlier records, when these Mariners were part of a more local operation, Owners, Masters and crew appear to have been operating over time as a partnership, often with clear family connections. By the middle second half of the 1800s the expanded coastal trade, and the decline of Tarleton as a port, meant these men took their knowledge and experience, many of them as Masters, further afield working on ships based elsewhere and as a result many moved to places such as Barrow-in-Furness. In these operations they were working in crews assembled from around the west coast and some from overseas, Masters as well as men taking different ships on different voyages. Examples of crew make up: roles, foreign sailors, etc. – see crew lists and Through Mighty Seas web-site.

Not surprisingly greater regulation was instituted. In 1835 Britain introduced a system of central registration for all British merchant seamen, regardless of rank, which continued until 1857. Masters and mates active between 1835 and 1857 should, therefore, have a register ticket number

97 and the ticket will give information about them. In reality the vast majority of the coastal trade were little affected. The authorities were primarily interested in ships going overseas or carrying passengers and whilst safety standards for people and property were no doubt a consideration the whole system seems closely allied to the Insurance of both ship and cargo offered by Lloyd’s of London and to the certification of the seaworthiness of ships by Lloyd’s Registry. It seems unlikely that much coastal trade had insurance. Further legislation ensued in 1845: voluntary examinations for men intending to become Masters or Mates of foreign-going merchant ships; and in 1850 this was made compulsory and later extended to home trade vessels under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1854 so that “no ‘Foreign-going Ship’ or ‘Home Trade Passenger Ship’ can legally proceed to sea from any port in the United Kingdom unless the Master thereof, and Mates(s) possess valid certificates”.

In the 1850s there were two types of certificate for masters and mates:

 A Certificate of Service was issued to men who already had proof of experience as officers prior to 1850; and  A Certificate of Competency could be gained by Board of Trade examination from 1850 onwards and there were specific exams for Master, First Mate, Second Mate, etc.

An ‘Only Mate’, which would apply to the size of ship we are concerned with, as opposed to the First and Second Mate of larger ships, had to meet the following requirements: They must be 18 years of age and have been 4 years at sea. In terms of Navigation they were required: -  to write with a legible hand;  understand the first five rules of arithmetic and use logarithms  correct the courses steered for variations and lee-way, and find the differences of latitude and longitude therefrom;  correct the sun’s declination for longitude, and find his latitude by meridian altitude of the sun;  work a day’s work complete, including the bearings and distance of the port he is bound to, by Mercator’s method;  observe and calculate the amplitude of the sun, and deduce the variation of the compass therefrom;  know how to lay off the place of the ship on the chart, both by bearings of known objects, and by latitude and longitude;  to use a sextant and determine its error, and adjust it, and find the time of high water. In terms of Seamanship they were required: -

 give satisfactory answers as to the rigging and unrigging of ships, stowing of holds, &c.;  understand the measurement of the log-line, glass, and lead-line;  be conversant with the rules of the road, as regards both steamers and sailing vessels, and the lights carried by them;  know how to moor and unmoor, and to keep a clear anchor;  to carry out an anchor;  to stow a hold and make the requisite entries in the ship’s log. The things to be noted from the above requirements are as follows. A first Mate only needed to be 18; that they needed 4 years at sea (a Second Mate only needed to be 17 and have 4 years at sea, implying that going to sea at 13 was not out of the way); the requirement to use instruments and make reasonably complex calculations with consistent accuracy is stipulated; similarly there were significant practical demands of their seamanship; though not mentioned here, the Mate would be providing some level of leadership, and as we can see from crew lists this would often be to men older than themselves; the examination lasted 5 hours and was available only at nominated larger ports. Set all this against the educational background: in 1870, Parliament passed the Forster's Education Act, requiring all parts of Britain to provide schools to children aged 5 to 12. However, not all these schools were free so many could not afford the 'school's pence' each week. As it was not mandatory to attend school many children still didn't go to school. They worked and earned money for the family instead. It wasn't until 1880 that schooling became mandatory. All children had to attend a school until they were 10 years old. In 1889, the school leaving age was raised to twelve, and in 1891, the school's pence fee was abolished and schools became free. However we know that in 1872, and possibly before, there was in Tarleton a Sunday and day school in connection with the church, situated on the road to Sollom in the still existing cottages just beyond the Ram’s Head Inn, at which the average daily attendance was 80, and another school at the village of Mere Brow, on the Southport road, with an average daily attendance of 60. In Hesketh Bank there were day and Sunday schools belonging to the church, the attendance at the day school averaging about 54, whilst on Sundays it was about 60. If we look at the marriage records for 1850 we can see that of the first 50 grooms and 50 brides about half the men marked rather than signed the register, and about three-quarters of the women, which seems to show 50% of men and 75% of women did not to posses the most basic level of writing. So if the content of the examination for a Mate’s ticket is indicative of the work they had to do, whether certificated or not, it would appear that those mariners who were anything more than ordinary hands were drawn from the better educated portion of village men. This contrasts with the description used in the Lord’s Day Observance Day Society pamphlet shown earlier saying “As a class Boatmen on Canals and Rivers were debased and

99 ignorant”. There may be a distinction here between sea-going Mariners and inland Boatmen, but as cited earlier there is also some opinion that the Boatmen and Bargemen of the Tarleton branch of the Leeds Liverpool canal, and possibly elsewhere on it, did not fit this stereotype. For Master Mariners the demands were of course greater. They must, over and above the requirements of a Mate: -  be 21 years of age and have been 6 years at sea and 2 years as Mate;  able to find the latitude by a star &c.;  answer as to the nature of the attraction of the ship’s iron upon the compass and the method of determining it;  know what he is required to do by law: as to the management of his crew, as to penalties and entries to be made in the official log;  have knowledge of invoices, charter-party, Lloyd’s agent, and as to the nature of bottomry (using the ship as collateral to finance a voyage);  be acquainted with the leading lights of the channel he has been accustomed to navigate or going to use. In 1861 examinations became compulsory for engineers, but I will not detail these requirements here as we are primarily interested in sailing ships (even though the first steam powered ships appeared in the early 1800s). Information on the service of Masters (and some Mates) in British overseas trade between 1869-1947, can be found in the original Lloyd's Captain's Registers kept by the Guildhall Library, London which give full name, place and date of birth, certificate number, date and place of examination, a complete service history showing vessels’ names, capacity in which the holder served (Master or Mate), and the general area of voyaging. Also for those Masters active in 1869 their service back to 1850 is shown. Rich pickings it would seem in getting chapter and verse on the Master Mariners of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank and their vessels and journeys. Sadly not so, or at least not so far. This is for a number of reasons. Mainly because these records seem not have shown much interest in the coastal trade, perhaps there was a weight cut-off, perhaps the insurance involvement was limited. Many of our Mariners were engaged only in trade up and down the west coast of Britain and few ventured beyond the north and west coast of Europe. Secondly the appropriate records are kept at sites in London and Cardiff and are in original paper form and so expensive to research in terms of time, travel and accommodation. Thirdly the records are not always indexed nor recorded as precisely as would be liked, for instance the place of birth may be given as Lancashire, and though I know for instance Edmondson to be a Tarleton name, I also know there were Capt. Edmondsons from Liverpool, Lancaster, Barrow, etc. all of whom would show as Lancashire. So though we know the identity of many Tarleton/Hesketh Bank Mariners through local Parish Records, censuses, crew lists, registration of ships – these men are listed later in this document – my efforts so far to tie down

100 certificated Master Mariners from the villages has produced relatively few with certainty: - William Iddon born Lancashire 1819 appears as the very first entry in the Lloyd’s Captains Register for surnames I-J for 1868-1873. His certificate (No 41678) was obtained on account of his service (rather than examination, suggesting that he was well established as a captain prior to the requirement for certification). His ship at that time was the Harvest Maid sailing to the Mediterranean. William Iddon was born 6 Apr 1819 son of Hugh Iddon, Mariner of Hesketh, & Ellen and baptised 6 Jun 1819 at All Saints, Hesketh with Becconsall. The Harvest Maid was a 94ft 118 ton two masted Schooner built at Tarleton in 1860. In her busy career she received maintenance at the Freckleton boatyard and had several captains, some local, before her demise when she foundered at Bideford Bay with the loss of all hands 6th of December 1891.

Another strong candidate is John Latham who was born in Lancashire in 1829. His certificate 75588 was also on the basis of service. The Parish Records show no John Lathom born in our villages in 1829, though Robert Lathom, a Boatman of Tarleton, and his wife Ellen had their son John baptised there on 3 October 1828. If this is the same John Latham, and ages and year of birth are fairly often wrong, then we know some detail of him, his vessel, and their sad fate.

The James & Agnes was the largest two-masted schooner built at the Ashburner shipyard in Barrow, she could carry about 220 tons of cargo, and she was strongly built to a high classification, 12 years A1. She was launched in October 1864. Until about 1880 the James & Agnes was commanded by certificated masters, including Capt. John Latham who was later drowned with the Mary Bell. These masters were able to take her outside the limits of home waters, and the James & Agnes existed almost entirely in foreign trade in these years. However, she never crossed the Atlantic, and most of her trade was in the Mediteranean or to Spanish and Portugese ports. The Mary Bell was built by William Ashburner and Son at Barrow-in- Furness and was managed by Thomas Ashburner & Co. She was a large three-masted schooner finished with copper bolts, indicating that after her first year she would have been felted and yellow metalled. She was well- built, being accorded Lloyd's highest classification for a wooden ship, 12A1. Her surveyor stated that "a large quantity of high class materials has been judiciously used in the construction of this vessel, with extra fastenings and superior workmanship". Despite her good construction, the ship was lost within a year of her launch, and the furthest she ever travelled into the Atlantic was Madeira. After being launched in some style on the 26th April 1873, the Mary Bell was put under the command of Capt. John Latham, who had previously commanded the James & Agnes. He took her to Madeira and to the Guadiana River ports for copper ore. Early in 1874 he returned to Madeira

101 carrying a coal cargo from Newport, then picked up a cargo of copper pyrites at Pomaron. Returning to Gloucester, the Mary Bell disappeared in the Bay of Biscay after being last sighted on the 6th April. Capt. Latham, his 19-year old son James, and five other crewmen were lost with her. Though it was a dangerous occupation, families like the Lathams seemed committed to it. In Tarleton graveyard at the ‘old’ church is a gravestone recording Henry Latham drowned at sea on board the schooner Sarah Brown 5thy July 1870 aged 64. Also his son Richard drowned in the same incident aged 25 buried Isle of Man. My great great Grandfather Henry He died in Plymouth in 1890, Edmondson is more typical of the presumably on a voyage, I have so next level of Master Mariners. He far failed to identify the cause. So was born in Tarleton in 1835 the far as I know he never had a youngest of seven children of a Master’s ticket. Boatman. By his late 20s he was working as Captain for a coastal shipping company in Barrow and was living there with his wife Margaret (nee Troughton). Her farming family had also been sucked into the expanding industrial town that Barrow had become with the arrival of the railway: bringing together a deep water port, iron, coal and ship building, replacing Ulverston in that role. On the night of the 1871 census he was recorded on his ship ‘Mary Jane’ as Master in Barrow dock with his cousin Thomas Edmondson as Mate. His various vessels moved iron ore up and down the west coast from Cumbria to Cornwall with similar return loads. He, his wife and children lived in one of the many terraced houses built specially for the expansion of the town. Others lived in tenement blocks. Barrow has a large number of listed Victorian buildings, but was still a far cry from village life in Tarleton. Captain Henry Edmondson 1835-1890

Henry Edmondson’s move to Barrow was following in the wake of other villagers who had steered that course earlier, including a whole family of Bonds. The following is taken from the web-site ‘Mighty Seas’ which carries extensive data on Mariners and their ships associated with the maritime

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activities of the Furness area, including pictures of many sailing ships. A list of Captains resident in Ulverston and Barrow around 1850, more in Ulverston than Barrow at that stage, includes a good smattering of Bonds, Iddons, Edmondsons, Taylors, Sumners, Faicloughs, and there is a Porter, a Higham, a Dobson, and a Ball.

Henry Bond was born in 1813 in Hesketh Bank. He was the youngest child of William and Alice Bond. Henry joined his older brothers (John, William and Michael) in going to sea. He married Jane Brade in 1836 and in the following year he is recorded as master of the newly-built Mary, which was managed and part-owned by his eldest brother William. Capt. Michael Bond also had shares in this vessel and was already living in Ulverston. In 1841, Jane was living with her parents-in-law in Hesketh. Presumably Henry was away at sea at census time. The registration document of the Fox in 1841 shows Henry to be the master, and that he owned shares in her. Sometime between 1841 and 1843, Henry and Jane Bond moved to Furness. This coincided with the decline in importance of the River Douglas ports (Hesketh Bank & Tarleton) and a general movement of Tarleton sea captains to the Furness and Duddon ports. The Bonds settled in Greenodd and had two surviving children Henry, born in 1843 and Eliza, born 1853. In April 1856 Henry 'of Barrow' took delivery of a new vessel the Eliza Bond. She plied the coastal trade predominantly between Barrow, Duddon or Ulverston and the ports of the Dee and the Mersey. There was an occasional foray across the Irish Sea! Her cargoes included coal, gunpowder, general goods, sulphur and ore. On the personal side, Henry's wife, Jane died in Dalton in 1856. He married again sometime before the census of 1861. His second wife was Janet Mc.Callum, a widow. In 1861, the family were living in Burlington Road, Barrow. Henry had obviously had close links with the Ashburner family from his earliest days in Furness. His brother, Capt. Michael Bond, was master and part-owner of a vessel, Margaret, built by Richard Ashburner at Greenodd in1848. Henry, himself, was a shareholder in two of the early Ashburner schooners. In September 1865 the Ashburner schooner Alice Latham was christened by "Miss Bond (Eliza), daughter of one of the owners". By the 1860s Henry jnr. had joined his father as mate on the Eliza Bond. This partnership endured until Henry snr.'s death on the 13th October 1866. The Barrow Herald reported on the 26 October 1866: THE CHOLERA IN BARROW: On Saturday morning last Captain Henry Bond, who had just arrived in Barrow from Saltney on the previous day, healthy and well, had an attack of cholera and after a few hours illness died...... Also on the same page is the Shipping News and on the 19th, Henry jnr. left Barrow aboard the Eliza Bond for another trip to Saltney. He remained master of the family ship until 1869.

Henry’s elder brother Michael Bond was born at Hesketh Bank in 1811. Michael was probably the first to settle in Furness. By 1837, when he was listed as part-owner of the Mary, he was living in Ulverston. In 1848 he was

103 master and part-owner of the schooner Margaret. Michael's wife was Mary Ann and she accompanied her husband on some voyages, as in the 1861 census they are both enumerated on board the Mary Ann Bond. Unlike his brother Henry, Michael sailed to foreign ports and provides us with another example of a Hesketh Bank man registered under the Mercantile Marine Act of 1850, being given a certificate of service. In 1862, Michael was master of the Fairy. In June that year he survived the demise of the vessel. 'The Fairy (schooner) of Lancaster from Barrow to Newport with iron ore foundered off Tuskar 11th.June; one man drowned' (Lloyds List). Tuskar Rock is just off the SE coast of Ireland. Capt. Bond lost his master's certificate in the wreck, and his application for a replacement certificate gave the following details: Borough of Liverpool: to wit, I Michael Bond of Ulverstone in the County of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland do solemnly and sincerely declare that I was Master of the Schooner 'Fairy' of Lancaster and that on the 11th June 1862 the said vessel foundered in St Georges Channel (when on a voyage from Barrow to Newport) and that we did not save a single article of any description more than the clothes we stood in at the time of her going down and that my Certificate of Service as Master no.49681 was lost with the said vessel and that this declaration is mark for the purpose of getting a Duplicate of said Certificate. A new certificate (74506) was issued on March 30th 1863. Lloyds Captains' Register and the records at the Public Record Office show Michael sailing the Mary Jane to Riga, amongst other places, in 1867 and 1868. Riga a port in the Baltic Sea was then Russian (now Latvia) and the railway had just arrived giving it improved access to the raw materials of Russia, especially timber. Scandinavian, Dutch and German vessels frequented the port. Michael Bond would have had difficulty conceiving the thought that a century and a half later the lads of Hesketh Bank would be flying in to Riga for stag weekends, but then he would have difficulty conceiving that someone would be writing about him. By 1869 he was master of the Maggie Brocklebank , one of William Postlethwaite's fleet. With this ship he made two journeys to Seville in 1869, a giant step for Hesketh Bank mankind from Shore-side cottages to the Moorish cathedral of Seville. Michael Bond was pensioned on 31 January 1873 when he was 62 years old. In 1881 he was a widower and lodging in the house of James Booth, wheelwright and coal dealer, in Lund Street, Ulverston. He died the following year, a sad end to the life of a successful pioneer: Barrow Herald, 28th January 1882 page 6: "The body of Captain Bond, a man advanced in years, and who had retired some years ago from sea-faring pursuits, was on Saturday found in the Ulverston canal, opposite to the works of the North Lonsdale Iron & Steel Company. He was last seen at Canal Foot, and left there to go to Ulverston, taking the south bank of the canal". Information provided by Sue Bond.

John Bond born 1795, the eldest of the brothers, stayed in Hesketh Bank and in 1851 was living on Shore Road and described himself as a Retired Mariner despite being only 55, who is to say which the wise one was?

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Tarleton Boatmen in Parish Records Tarleton Parish Records show that from the 1830s to the 1870s inclusive there were 100-120 marriages per decade, roughly one a month. This against a relatively level population of just under 2000. Prior to 1830 the records are broken and scant, but where they do record marriages, record much lower levels. Whether this was due to a much lower population level, the fact that Tarleton had initially a chapel under Croston Parish, or other reasons is at this point for me only speculation. Why it fell away dramatically in the 1890s and beyond is also speculation – major wars, growth of Methodism, etc.?

These marriage records give a snapshot of occupations at the time, recording as they normally do the occupation of the groom and of the fathers of the groom and bride, i.e. a sample of three on each occasion.

Analysis of these records for the decade 1840 – 1849 gives a sample of 346 occupations from 119 weddings. Some fathers appear more than once but assuming they are representative they will not significantly affect the analysis. They lead us to conclude that of the adult male workforce 41% were labourers (I assume mostly Agricultural Labourers), 27% Farmers (and another 1 ½ % Husbandmen) and 15% Boatmen/Seamen/Sailors leaving about 15% doing other things, some e.g. Carter almost certainly closely linked with one or more of the other groups. Of the 15% involved with boats the vast majority are described as Boatmen (rather than Sailor or Seaman) which I take (without evidence) to mean that they were involved in the loading/unloading of ships and the inland movement of cargo rather than being sea-going.

The following are the 41 Boatmen (unless described otherwise) whose names appear in the weddings in the 1840s, either as grooms or fathers. The order should very loosely relate to when they were born, earliest first, Christopher Sumner was born in Tarleton 1785, William Mayor was born in Tarleton in1824.

Fathers Grooms Christopher Sumner (Seaman) John Sumner (Seaman) Thomas Hilton William Hilton, Richard Hilton John Hart Joseph Hart William Turner James Ashcroft Robert Iddon Robert Iddon, George Iddon, James Iddon John Iddon Hugh Iddon, Thomas Iddon Richard Watkinson John Watkinson, Richard Watkinson James Miller Barnaby Iddon Thomas Iddon Richard Gore Thomas Gore, Richard Gore (Sailor) William Edmondson

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Henry Dawson William Dawson Hugh Taylor Robert Forshaw (Sailor) Thomas Forshaw William Taylor (Sailor) William Hunter John Mayor Thomas Spencer Thomas Iddon John Fairclough John Fairclough John Latham Thomas Mayor William Mayor

It is clear that at this time most younger Boatmen etc. were sons of Boatmen (only 2 of the 20 grooms were not).

A similar analysis for the decade 1870-79 paints a different picture. They indicate that those occupied working on boats has fallen to only 5% of the adult male workforce and now few were Boatmen, most were Sailors. The expansion of Lytham dock, and subsequently Preston, the increasing role of the railway culminating in the Southport – Preston railway in1882, having its effect on Boatmen’s job numbers. We know from records relating to Ulverston and Barrow that Tarleton provided substantial numbers of Mariners, many Masters, to the sailing ships of those ports and many moved to live there. The village was settling back to being dominated by agricultural work.

The 1870s list of Grooms and Fathers, corresponding to that for the 40s above, has only 13 names (one: William Taylor maybe the Groom on the 40s list). Thomas Leadbetter was born in Banks in 1824, Nicholas Taylor was born in Tarleton in 1849 and was my great grandfather. Though a Sailor in his 30s he was driving a road roller by his 50s and later a Grocer.

Nicholas Taylor b1849

Fathers Grooms Thomas Iddon (Sailor) Thomas Leadbetter (fisherman) Thomas Iddon (Sailor) Richard Johnson (Sailor) Robert Johnson (Sailor) John Whittle (Sailor) William Taylor (Sailor)

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Henry Edmondson Richard Ditchfield (Sailor) John Iddon (Sailor) Nicholas Taylor (Sailor) Richard Iddon John Parkinson (Sailor)

Farmers (42%) by this time had overtaken Labourers (38%) as a proportion of the adult male workforce, presumably reflecting increased possession of land (tenant or owner).

List of Identified Mariners

The information in the List of Identified Mariners of Tarleton and Hesketh Bank has been assembled from a variety of sources (normally indicated in the table). Earlier sources rely heavily on parish records (births marriages and deaths: see Lancashire Online Parish Records website) and census details. Later requirements for the registration of sailors generated much more detail through Merchant Navy/Seaman Lists, though crew lists and even ship registrations give some quite early examples.

Not surprisingly different sources provide different information on individuals and so matching can be difficult. Generally I have taken birth date/year as the only reliable confirmation (and that is not entirely reliable as this seems sometimes to be wrongly recorded, accidently or otherwise). Some duplication in my list is therefore inevitable.

Summarising the information in the table relating to our mariners appearance shows them averaging around 5’ 6” tall, which is roughly in line with British adult male heights in the late 1800s, and about 5 inches less than current average. Hair colour is mostly brown, from light to dark; complexion is varied: fair, light, and dark; and eyes seldom given as blue but mostly grey or brown. Images of Mariners’ Masters & Mates certificates (tickets) & service records can be found on the website Ancestry. Photographs of some of the villages’ Mariners are available from their Mariners Tickets, though only on the tickets produced around 1900 and therefore having birth years late in the 1800s. Some examples of tickets and photographs are shown after the full tabulated list.

A substantial amount of information about Boatman families is available on the Ormskirk and District Family History Society. The following link for example gives names and family connections of Tarleton Boatmen: http://www.odfhsboatfamilies.org.uk/site/placesearch.php?psearch=Tarlet on . This could be useful in tracing the connections between individuals on my list.

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List of Identified Mariners of Tarleton & Hesketh Bank - Various Sources Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Back Lane Ashcroft Hugh Tarleton Master Sailor 1798? 7.1.1798 1851 census S of William & Betty Pilling Ashcroft Hugh Tarleton Seaman 20.12.1827 Merchant Navy Ticket No. 171320. 5’81/2” tall, List 1845 brown eyes, fair complexion, blue eyes. Can write Tarleton Ashcroft Hugh Tarleton Seaman 12.8.1829 Merchant Navy Tkt no 179242. 5’31/4” tall, light List ’45 hair, light complexion, grey eyes. Preston Can’t write Ashcroft Hugh Hesketh Bank 1830 Lady Zetland Merchant Navy List ‘56

Carr Lane Ashcroft James Not given Boatman 1804 2.2.1800 1841 census S of James & Ellin Not given Ashcroft James Tarleton Boatman 1795 Militia Book 1 child <14 Not Exmt Windgate Cottage, Ashcroft James Tarleton Ship Owner 1831 Not given 1861 census m Mary Turnpike Rd. Fleetwood Ashcroft Robert Tarleton Seaman 1800 21.3.1800 Merchant Navy Tkt no 171370. 5’71/2” tall, light List hair, dark complexion, blue eyes. Can write. Not given Ashton James Hesketh Bank Boy 1869 Furness Maid Crew list Ashton John Hesketh Bank 1826 24.12.1826 Merchant Navy s of Samuel Ashton, tailor, & List ‘45 Margret. M Margaret Higham 530728 Tarleton Ashton Roger Not given Mariner ~1710 LOPR Cr bu bu 1753 of wife Eliz at Croston Tarleton Ashton Thomas Not given Sailmaker ~1755 LOPR HB bu bu 26.1.1795 Hesketh Bank Ball Not given Sailor 1780 1841 census Husband of Francis b 1781 (Shore Road?) Ball John North Meols Mariner 1818 18.1.1818 1851 census S of John & Mary Hesketh Bank Ball John Not given Sailor 1816 1841 census With Thos 29 & Betty 25 Hundred End Ball William Hesketh Moss Sailor (Seas) 1883 1901 census s of Wm Ball & Charlotte Lancaster Ball Richard Hesketh Bank Seaman 1820 15.3.1820 MSL ‘45 Tkt No. 179215. 5’ 11/4” tall, brown hair, light complexion, brown eyes, mole on face. Can’t read. Hesketh Bank Ball Richard Hesketh Bank Mariner ~1835 6.12.1835 LOPR m HB, f of Catherine m ‘88 MSL Ticket no. 415120 Ball Roger Hesketh Bank Boy (1847) 1829 23.11.1828 Merchant Navy Ticket no. 93540. 5’£1/2” tall. Son List ’47 (Carlisle) of Thos. Ball & Mary Hesketh Bank Ball Thomas Hesketh Bank Seaman 1820 ?.12.1824 Merchant Navy TKT no 179243. 5’6” tall, brown List ‘45 hair, light complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write. Ball William Tarleton MSL Ticket no. 331007 Not given Banks Daniel Tarleton Sea Captain 1845 Elizabeth Latham 1881 Census At Barrow

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Master Isabella Cert of Reg., Cumbria RO A Thomas Ashburner sailing ship Preston Banks Daniel Tarleton Sailor 1847 Life boat 1891 census Living in Preston Not given Banks William Tarleton Mate 1840 Elizabeth Latham 1881 Census At Barrow, Thos Ashburner ship Hesketh Lane, Bannister Hugh Burscough Ship Carpenter 1827 19.4.1829 1851 census Bp Ruff s of James B & Isabella, m moved to Barrow Alice Latham of T ~1852 Not given Bannister James Hesketh Bank Mate 1848 Holly How, Crew list Lancs RO, discharged Furness Maid Carr Lane Bannister James Hoole Shipcarpenter 1785 1851 census bp not showing Croston, f of Hugh Not given Bannister James Tarleton Ships Carpnter 1736? LOPR Son’s Marriage JB1784 Not given Bannister James Tarleton Ships Carpnter 1784 LOPR M to 30yr old Alice As Not given Bannister James Tarleton Master 1851 20.1.1850 Holly How, Alice 1881 census At Portishead, Somst Bannister, Mary Miller s of Hugh & Alice ’81, Lough Fisher ’91 11Harrison St, & Bannister James Tarleton? Mate 1851 Ann Sumner Crew list Shows 1870 b Barrow & 1872 b Shakespeare St, Master Lytham Barrow Not given Bannister John Tarleton Boy 1853 Furness Maid Crew list First ship

23, Shakespeare Bannister Richard Tarleton Mate ‘81 1856/ Alice Bannister, Mary 1881 census At Portishead, Somst St, Barrow Master ‘91 8 Miller, Strait Fisher, MSL Bp not found on LOPR T, HB, Cr Bay Fisher (steam) ‘91, Stream Fisher (steam) ‘91 Not given Bannister Thomas Hesketh Bank Mate 1852 Isabella+ 1881 census At Wallasey Cert of Reg., Cumbria RO Not given Bannister Thomas Hesketh Bank Mate 1854 Furness Maid Crew list ‘81 Rbt Cookson Mstr Accrington Lass ‘81 Lough Fisher ‘91 Coe Lane Bannister Thomas Not given Boatman 1810 Not found 1841 census Not found TorC poss HB Not given Bannister Thomas Tarleton Captain Margt Bannister Barrow vsls Moved to Isabla 1878 Master Isabella Certificate Village Barron John Tarleton Sailor 1880 8.2.1880 1901 census s of Thos. & Mgt. Tarleton Bickerstaffe Hugh Tarleton Seaman 1822/4 4.2.1822 Merchant Tkt no 179232. 5’5” tall, brown Seaman List hair, light complexion, grey eyes. ‘45 Can’t read.

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

1851: Dundalk Bickerstaffe James Hesketh Bank Master 1815 bp Hugh Barclay Merchant Copy of Certificate available. Cert later: (prob b 1826 12.2.1815 (reg Fleetwood) Seaman list no 67596. States b Mar. 1815, HB. or 1829 North Mary Ann (Preston) Bp not found on LOPR HB, T, Cr 42 North St, Tarleton, bp Meols John Clifton 1881 census At Llanelly Newport, Mon. North Meols) (Dundalk) & others Tarleton Bickerstaffe John Tarleton Seaman 1817 24.4.1817 Merchant Navy Tkt No. 179284. 5’53/4”, sandy List Preston hair, light complexion, blue eyes. ‘45 Can write. Hesketh Bank Bimpson Nicholas Hesketh Bank Seaman 20.7.1810 MSL ‘45 Tkt No 237143. 5’5” tall, brown hair, dark complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write. Hesketh Bank Blundell James Hesketh Bank Ordinary 24.7.1824 Merchant Navy Tkt no 237156. 5’41/4” tall, light Seaman List ‘45 hair, fair complexion, light brown eyes. Can write. Blundell John Hesketh Bank Merchant Navy No. 541713 List ‘45 Runcorn Blundell Robert Hesketh Bank Seaman 1818 5.11.1818 Merchant Navy Tkt no. 159254. 5’9” tall, brown List ‘47 hair, dark complexion, blue eyes, No 159254 no marks. Can read. First went to sea as Cook ‘35. Preston Blundell Robert Hesketh Bank Seaman 5.12.1822 MSL ‘44 Tkt no 60016. 5’91/4” tall, brown hair, dark complexion, brown eyes, cut on left hand. Can’t read. First went to sea as Boy ’38. Blundell Thomas Hesketh Bank Merchant Navy No. 518592 List (Shore Road?) Blundell William Hesketh Bank Mariner 1816 28.5.1820? 1851 census S of Thomas & Betty Not given Blundell William Hesketh Bank Mariner 1830 30.4.1830 LOPR: mrg Blundell William Hesketh Bank MSL Ticket No. 179234 Plox Brow Blundell William Tarleton Ship Carpenter 1830 23.1.1830 1851 census Illigit s of Isabella Blundell Not given Bond Henry Hesketh Bank Master 1813 1813 Fox U&L vessels s of Wm& Alice Bond Merchant Navy List ‘45 Hesketh Bank Bond Henry Not given Sailor 1815 5.9.1813 1841 census s of William B, Labourer & Alice (Shore Road?) Bond John Hesketh Bank Retired Mariner 1796 27.12.1795 1851 census S of William Bond & Alice Hesketh Bank Bond John Not given Sailor 1796 1841 census Not found. W Mary 40 Not given Bond Michael Hesketh Bank Master 1811 17.3.1811 Margaret U&L vessels s of Wm& Alice Bond Merchant Navy List ‘46 Hesketh Bank Bradshaw Richard Not given Mariner 1840 LOPR: mrg s of Rbt; m Eliz Lee Chapel House Carr William Not given Boatman 1815 Not found 1841 census m Fanny Iddon 1836

110

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Hundred End Carr William Tarleton Mariner 1812 Not found 1851 census m Hannah(Fanny)Iddon Not given Caunce Lawrence Tarleton Mariner 1790 19.4.1789 Militia Book 0 child <14 Exempt Tarleton Cookson Henry Tarleton Seaman 12.4.1827 Merchant Navy Ticket No. 152,043 at Lancaster List ‘49 1849; 5’5” tall, brown hair, brown eyes. Could write. Voyages 1851. Not given Cookson Robert Mate 1838 24.12.1837 Furness Maid Crew list ’76 & Lancs RO 90 Cavendish Tarleton Master 23.9.1838 Hope 80 Furness Maid owned by Henry or Crew agreemnt Bond, Barrow St, Barrow (Sollom) 28.7.1839 1881 census At Workington Tarleton Cookson Thomas Not given Ropemaker 1806 2.12.1804? 1841 census S of Robert & Anne Tarleton Cookson William Not given Ropemaker 1821 22.7.1821 1841 census Drogheda Coulton Henry Hesketh Bank Seaman 1820 29.5.1819 MSL ‘45 Son of Ellen. Ticket no. 45956. 5’7” bp ‘Harry’ tall, brown hair, dark complexion, 18.6.1819 brown eyes. Can’t write. Warton Coulton Richard Hesketh Bank Mate 7.4.1811 LOPR Son of William & Ellen Cooton, m bp ‘Cooton’ MSL ‘45 1805 Cr. Ticket no. 331060. 5’5” 20.4.1811 tall, black hair, dark complexion, brown eyes. Can’t write. Dandy Benjamin Tarleton 1834 Lion? Merchant Navy or ‘31 List Not given Dandy Henry Tarleton Master 1841 Jane & Ellen 1881 census At Bradden, IOM. Built at Lytham, owned by Thos Iddon, Greenod Hesketh Bank Dandy Henry not given Mariner ~1835 LOPR m HB f of Mgt m ‘88 Not given Dandy Robert Tarleton Boy 1857 10.8.1856 Mary Alice 1871 census In Runcorn Ch; s of Hnry & Susan Gorse Lane Dawson Adam Not given Boatman 1826 1841 census ?or Dobson? Tarleton Dawson Henry Tarleton Seaman 31.3.1820 MSL ‘45 Tkt no 237147. 5’7” tall. Dark brown hair, dark complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write Blackgate Lane Dawson William Tarleton Boatman 1781 17.10.1781 1841 census Illigit s of Ellin Seaman MSL ‘45 Ticket No. 237141. 5’7” tall, light brown hair, light complexion, grey eyes, WM. Dawson on right arm. Can’t write. 4 yrs in Royal Navy. Gorse Lane Dawson William Tarleton Boatman 1817/20 29.9.1816 1851 census M Betty Taylor 1845 Hesketh Bank Dean Not given Sailor 1812 1841 census Husband of Margaret b 1813 Smith Lane Dobson William Not given Boatman 1781 Not found 1841 census Not found. s James aged 29 Gorse Lane Edmondson Henry Tarleton Boatman 1801 11.1.1801 LOPR: mrg Brother of Thomas E 1796, h of ‘41/51 census Mary b c1806, LOPR 8 Florence St, Edmondson Henry Tarleton Master 1835 1.11.1835 Mary Jane 1871 census Died in Plymouth (on a voyage?) Barrow aged 54 Not given Edmondson Hugh Tarleton Boatman 1804 2.9.1804 Militia Book 0 child <14 Not Exempt

111

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

LOPR: mrg Brother of Thomas E 1796 Not given Edmondson Hugh Tarleton Master 1833 8.4.1832 Anna Maria, Storm MSL ? Some early ships were Liverpool King, Shuttle registered. MG at Lancaster Mary Goldsworthy 1881 census At Whitby Cheshire 18 Fairfield Edmondson Hugh Tarleton Mate 1850 Several Furness Maid Crew list Lancs RO Cottages, Barrow Master various alternatives Lily Baynes 1881 census At Milford Haven later (’91) Grange dates b Tarleton Crew list ‘81 At Barrow for John Fisher Co. Bidsie & Bell Crew list ‘91 B&B Owner: Edmondson, Barrow Not given Edmondson Robert Tarleton Mariner 1768 6.3.1768 LOPR ? F of Thomas E 1796 Gorse Lane Edmondson Robert Tarleton Boatman 1831 10.10.1830 1851 census Son of Henry (above) & Mary Not given Edmondson Robert Tarleton Mate 1849 Furness Maid Crew list Paid off Nov 70 Gorse Lane Edmondson Thomas Not given Bargeman, 1796 17.4.1796 LOPR mrg Cr s of Robert & Betty; m Martha Boatman 1841 census Johnson ’18, f of Thos ‘30 Tarleton Edmondson Thomas Tarleton Mariner 1830 1.3.1830 LOPR: mrg s of Thos & Martha; m Sarah ‘51@HB Hornby; f of Thomas (~54) Not given Edmondson Thomas Tarleton Mster Mariner 1845 24.1.1845 1871 census Became Th Taylor Hesketh Bank Edmondson Thomas not given Mariner ~1835 LOPR m HB f of Wm m ‘91 Tarleton Edmundson William Tarleton Seaman 12.2.1822 MSL ‘45 Tkt No 179239. 5’61/2” tall, sandy hair, light complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write. Gorse Lane Edmundson Robert Not given Boatman 1768 6.3.1768 1841 census d 1821, wid Betty b c1776 Not given Fairclough James Tarleton Master 1828 20.8.1826 T&EF 1881 census At Tryddyn, Flint. TE&F of Barrow Blackgate Lane Fairclough John Tarleton Bargeman 1794 30.11.1794 Militia Book 4 (poor man) Exempt Boatman 1851 census s of Laurence F & Jane Blackgate Lane Fairclough John Tarleton AB Seaman 1821 7.1.21 MSL ‘45 Tkt no. 331057. 5’101/4” tall, dark Boatman bp 1851 census brown hair, fresh complexion, dark 11.2.1821 LOPR brown eyes, cut on nose. Can’t write. m Jenny Jackson 1846 Ulverston Fairclough John Tarleton Master 1851 1.7.49 Twin Sisters Crew list ‘78 LRO. Discharged Furness Maid Blackgate Lane Fairclough Lawrence Tarleton Mariner 1816 5.11.1817 1851 census Tkt no 179240. 6’ tall, red hair, MSL ‘45 fair complexion, green eyes. Can’t write. Back Lane Fairclough Lawrence Tarleton Mariner 1825 24.6.1824 1851 & S of John, B’tman & Alice; ‘01 retd Shore Side 1901census Fairclough Samuel Hesketh Bank Mate 1860 Bidsie & Bell Crew list ‘91 Master of B&B was Hugh Edmondson, owner Edmondson, Barrow Not given Fairclough Thomas Hesketh Bank AB Seaman 1852 10.8.1851 Ruby 1881 census At Workington Mate

112

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Blackgate Lane Fairclough Thomas Tarleton Mariner 1829 18.1.1829 MSL ‘45 Tkt No 131905. 5’51/4” tall, dark hair, dark complexion, dark eyes. Can’t read. 1851 census s of John F, Bargeman & Alice (Disley?). D: ‘47 Not given Fairclough Thomas Tarleton Boatman 1788 9.5.1790 Militia Book 2 (poor man) Exempt Not given Fairclough Thomas Tarleton Flatman 1790 LOPR B of daughter (w Jane) Brackenberry St Fairclough Thomas Tarleton Master 1832 Coniston Crew list ‘81 ‘Coniston’ owned by Barratt, Preston ? Barrow, before by Wm Postlethwaite, Holborn Hill, C’bria Blackgate Lane Fazakerley Not given Boatman 1800 Not found 1841 census h of Alice b c1801 Fazakerley James Tarleton Ordinary 1839 ? Coniston Crew list ’81 & ‘Coniston’ owned by Rbt Johnson Seaman ‘91 of Millom (see Thos Fairclough) Hesketh Lane Forshaw ? Tarleton Sailor 1820 1841 census Tarleton Forshaw Daniel Lathom Boatman ~1820 LOPR bp ’43, m Harriet ‘42, f of Richard, Mariner 45, 47, 48, 51 Catherine, William, Daniel, Harriet; all baptised at Hesketh B 99 Westby St, Forshaw Daniel Tarleton Master 1848 26.11.1848 Accrington Lass Crew lists ships owned by Fisher, Barrow at HB ’81,91,09 Lytham Creek Fisher Forshaw Edward Tarleton ? Ticket No. 568119 Not given Forshaw John Tarleton Cook 1850 Ann Sumner Crew list Forshaw Richard Tarleton Merchant Navy List Sollom Lock Forshaw Robert? Not given Boatman 1800 Not found 1841 census Not found Hesketh Bank & Forshaw Robert Rufford Master 1826 ? Beatrice Crew list ‘83 Preston Not given Forshaw Thomas Hesketh Bank Mate 1856 bp 1.7.55 Beatrice Crew list ‘83 s of Robert F, sailor. Sollom Lock Forshaw Thomas Tarleton Sailor 1822 31.3.1822 1851 census Bp Rufford, s of Robert F, Sailor Not given Goar Richard Tarleton Boatman 1787 17.3.1788 Militia Book 6 (poor man) Exempt Hesketh Bank Gore Not given Boatman 1820 1841 census Husband of Jane b 1821 Hesketh Lane Gore James Tarleton Sailor 1826 8.4.1827 1851 census s of Rchd ‘78 Tarleton Gore John Tarleton Boatman/Flatman 23.10.1814 prob. Sir Robert LOPR, SS regs s of Richard (’78) & Mary, m Jane /Mariner/Sailor Merchant Navy Miller (d of Wm M, B’man) Peel ‘43 List Hesketh Lane Gore Richard Tarleton Flatman/Boat 1783 21.6.1778 prob. Part owner 1841/51 S of Rchd & Eliz?, h of Mary (nee man/Sailor Amethyst 1851 census Duckworth), f of John, Thomas, Richard, William, James. d 1844 Hesketh Bank Gore Richard Tarleton Seaman/Sailor 23.7. 1822 Pt Owner LOPR, SS s of Rchd ’78, h of Alice (nee /Mariner bp Harmony, Tarleton registrations Croston/Chadwick). 4.8.1822 Lass, Jane Taylor, MSL ‘46 Tkt no 245599. 5’53/4” tall.

113

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Agnes Glover, Earnest Lock Houses Gore Thomas Tarleton Boatman/Seaman 1818 (6.7.1817) 1851 census S of Rchd ’78, h of Eliz. (nee /Mariner Iddon), b 1868HB 28.5.1817 Merchant Navy Ticket no. 60,0019, issued 1844. List 5’5”tall brown hair. Could write. Went to sea as boy 1830 Not given Gore Thomas Tarleton Mate 1851 Ann Sumner Crew list Back Lane Gore William Tarleton Sailor/Mariner 1825 7.12.1823 Pt Owner 1851 census, S of Richard (’78) & Mary, h of Copious, Jane LOPR, SS Margaret (nee Hornby) Taylor, Agnes registrations Glover, Mgt Gore Not given Halsall Abraham Hesketh Bank Master 1842 4.3.1841 Ocean Pearl 1881 Census At Thornton-le-Fylde Back Lane Halsall Henry Hesketh Bank Mariner 1803 17.7.1803 1851 census S of John & Mgt Halsall Richard Hesketh Bank MSL ‘45 Ticket No. 541749 Back Lane Halsall Thomas Hesketh Bank Ferryman 1778 5.1.1777 1851 census S of Henry & Margery Back Lane Halsall Thomas Sailor, Mariner 1812 24.5.1812 LOPR: m & bp S of William & Susan; m Eliz (& Shore Road?) ’37; ‘51 census Whalley ’32; f of Jane; away ’41 Merchant Navy census List Hesketh Bank Halsall Thomas Hesketh Bank 1832 10.5.1832 MSL ‘47 TKT no 331064. 5’93/4” tall, light brown hair, sallow complexion, light grey eyes, cut above right eye. Can write. Not given Halsall Thomas Hesketh Bank Seaman Ordin 1866 Ocean Pearl 1881 Census At Thornton-le-Fylde Lytham Harrison John Hesketh Bank Mate 12.10.1815 MSL ‘45 s of Thomas (Publican) & Dorothy. bp Master’s cert ‘51 Cert no 61193, copy available. D: 3.12.1815 Census ‘51 1848 Lytham Harrison Thomas Hesketh Bank Seaman 12.1.1823 MSL ‘45 s of Thomas (Publican) & Dorothy bp Ticket no. 179209. 5’51/2” tall, 11.2.1821 sandy hair, fair complexion, brown eyes. Can’t write. (Shore Road?) Hart Joseph Lathom Boatman 1816 Not found 1851 census M Betty Turner T 1840 Not given Hesketh Hugh Hesketh Bank Mate 1835 18.1.1835 Golden Sunset++ 1881 census At Lundy Is, Devon Merchant Navy Ticket No. 547772 ? Copy of Only List Mate’s Certificate available. ’45 Warton, Hesketh John Hesketh Bank ’45 Seaman 1820 9.10.1820 Mary Agnes (’61) Crew list Tkt no 179281. 5’81/4” tall, black ’81: 7 John St., ’81: Master Merchant Navy hair, dark complexion, dark brown Lytham List ‘45 eyes. Can write. d: 18.12.’91 Warton Hesketh John Hesketh Bank Seaman 1826/8 1.1.1827 Crew list Tkt no 179277. 5’5” tall, light MSL ‘45 brown hair, fair complexion, grey eyes. Can write. Renewed Master’s cert 1860: no 42877.

114

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Hesketh Richard Hesketh Bank Cook, Mate, 24.11.1821 Certificate S of Thomas Hesketh, Bargeman/ Master bp image Flatman, & Betty (nee Peet). Tkt no 6.1.1822 75316. Copy of Certificate of Service. D: 1904. Served in coastal & foreign trades. Moss Lane Hesketh Thomas Not given Sailor 1781 1841 census S of Robert & Jane. Not found. D 1845 Fylde Warren St Hesketh Thomas Hesketh Bank Master 1803/4 MSL ‘45 Died 4.9. 1856, Fleetwood 52yrs Fleetwood Mariner Death certs for old. Widow Bridget d 1878 Flt’wd. Thos & widow F of William 1828 Warton Hesketh Thomas Hesketh Bank Boy 1830 3.1.1830 Merchant Navy Tkt no 116460. 5’1” tall, light List ‘45 brown hair, pale complexion. Can write Warton Hesketh William Hesketh Bank Seaman 1828 9.5.1828 MSL S of Thomas & Bridget. M: Sarah Wicklow Master Master’s Bryan, Wicklow. Tkt no 116459. Certificate (Pr) Copy of Cert. available. 5’8” tall, W Ham, London dark brown hair, pale complexion, brown eyes. Can write. D: 13.7.1900 West Ham, London Back Lane Higham ? Hesketh Bank Mariner 1818 Not found 1851 census (Shore Road?) Higham Henry Mariner 1834 6.4.1834 1851 census S of Henry & Ellen Back Lane Higham Henry Hesketh Bank Boatman 1800 Not found 1851 census m Mgt Bond 1825 Hesketh Bank Higham Henry Not given Boatman 1800 1841 census Not found Back Lane Higham Henry Hesketh Bank Boatman 1833 6.4.1834 1851 census S of Henry, Mariner & Mgt Higham James Hesketh Bank 1816 Merchant Navy List Hesketh Bank Higham John Not given Boatman 1795 27.5.1792 1841 census S of John H & Betty Hesketh Bank Higham John Hesketh Bank Seaman 1816 27.5.1818 Earl of Ulster MSL ‘45 Tkt no 63724. 5’5” tall, brown hair, Watchman Dock 1818 light complexion, blue eyes. Can 1881 census write. At Thornton-le-Fylde Higham Roger Hesketh Bank MSL ‘45 Tkt no 237134 or 512555 Not given Higham William Hesketh Bank Master 1840 7.11.40 Elizabeth Hyam Crew list Rbt Wright HB ownr Tarleton Hilton Henry Not given Mariner 1705 LOPR bu Cr m Alice, f of Mary bu 1760 Croston Carr Lane Hilton Richard Not given Boatman 1801 Not found 1841 census Back Lane Hilton Richard Tarleton Mariner 1819 27.2.1820 1851 census S of Thos Hilton, Mariner & Ellen Freckleton Hilton Richard Tarleton Seaman 5.5.1825 MSL ’45 Tkt no 237142. 5’5” tall, brown (Sollom) Preston hair, dark complexion. Can’t write. Townend Brow Hilton Thomas Bretherton Boatman/ Mariner 1787 2.3.1787 1851 census s of Willm H, Mariner & Mary Coe Lane Hilton Thomas Not given Boatman 1790 2.3.1787? 1841 census Not given Hilton Thomas Tarleton Master 1833 16.12.1832 Diamond 1871 census At Whitehaven

115

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Townend Brow Hilton Thomas Tarleton Boatman 1833 16.12.1832 1851 census S of Betty Ilton (d of Thos) Not given Hilton Thomas Tarleton Mariner c1790 22.4.1783 LOPR From b of son Carr Lane Hilton William Not given Boatman 1817 27.4.1817 1841 census S of Thomas & Ellen Gorse Lane Hilton William Tarleton Boatman 1817 27.4.1817 1851 census Son of Thomas H & Ellen Not given Hilton William Tarleton Boatman 1791 12.6.1791 Militia Book 5 (poor man) Exempt Back Lane Hindle? Thomas? Hesketh Bank Mariner 1818 Not found 1851 census m Thomas Kendal ?? 1847 HB Southport Road Hornby John Hesketh Bank Sailor (Seas) 1871 1891 census s of John & Ellen H Southport Road Hornby Robert Hesketh Bank Sailor (Seas) 1867/9 1891, 1901 cens s of John & Ellen H Hesketh Lane Hosker Tarleton Sailor 1775 1851 census Deceased. Widow Alice b c1777 Hesketh Bank Hosker William Captain ~1746 LOPR HB bu bu 8.8.1796 Back Lane Houghton Ashcroft Hesketh Bank Mariner/Boatman 1824/5 Not found 1851 census, Not found HB, T, C; m of d Mary Shoreside, HB or Freckleton Master Mariner X LOPR m HB Ann HB ’92, w ANN (HB), s Peter ’61 census Liverpool Houghton Elias Hesketh Bank Mate 11.3.1797 MSL ‘45 Ticket No 63774. 5’81/2” tall, brown hair, fair complexion, blue eyes. Can write. (Elijah) (29.2.1795) LOPR S of Peter Houghton & Betty Hesketh Bank Houghton Peter Hesketh Bank Master 1848 27.4.1845 Master’s cert Copy of ’71 Master’s Cert available. ‘71 No. 9512. M Mary Whiteside. D 1936 Back Lane Hunter James Tarleton Formerly Mariner 1775 3.7.1777? 1851 census S of William & Jane? Gorse Lane Iddon Not given Boatman 1815 1841 census Deceased husband of Jane Sollom Iddon Barnaby Mariner LOPR bp Bp of son Barnaby 1814 Iddon Benjamin Tarleton 1815 Merchant Navy List Town End Iddon Christopher Tarleton Canal Boatman 1864 1901 census s of Thos, Boatman; m Catherine Iddon 1890 Bank Bridge Iddon David Tarleton Canal Boatman 1852 1901 census s of Eliz. Not given Iddon Henery Tarleton Mate 1816 Edwin & Emma 1871 census In Liverpool Dock. E&E reg. L’pool Back Lane, HB Iddon Henry Tarleton Master 1844 1901 census m Eliz, b Elsmere Port Village Iddon Henry Tarleton Boatman 1851 1901 census m Mary Not given Iddon Hugh Master Providence U&L vessels Not given Iddon Hugh Master Monarch Hesketh Bank Iddon Hugh Not given Sailor 1775 1841 census d 1835. Baptism not found Hesketh Bank Iddon Hugh Mariner Poss LOPR bp Wm F of William b 1819, w: Ellen 10.4.1789 1819 S of William & Margery? (Shore Road?) Iddon Hugh? Hesketh Bank Mariner 1806 1851 census 1811? Back Lane Iddon Hugh? Hesketh Bank Mariner 1823 20.4.1817? 1851 census ?Hugh s of William

116

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Iddon Hugh Hesketh Bank 1816 Merchant Navy List Hesketh Bank Iddon Hugh Not given Sailor 1821 1841 census S of Will & Jane 50 Iddon Hugh Tarleton 1830 Woodbine Merchant Navy Padyona (Lanct.) List Not given Iddon Hugh Tarleton Mate/Master 1850 22.12.1850 Mary Alice 1871/81 census s of William ‘07 & Sarah, lived at Barrow ‘81 Iddon James Tarleton 1798 Merchant Navy List Not given Iddon James Master Isabella Cumbria RO Certificate of Registry Lower Lock Iddon James Not given Boatman 1800 3.3.1799 1841 census S of William & Mgt Not given Iddon James Tarleton Boatman 1800 3.3.1799 Militia Book 0 child <14 Not Exmt (Shore Road?) Iddon James Tarleton Mariner 1800 3.3.1799 1851 census S of William Iddon & Mgt Carr Lane Iddon James Tarleton Boatman 1811 1841 census S of John or Barnaby. w Mary MSL ‘45/6 (Shore Road?) Iddon James Tarleton Mariner 1812 12.7.1812 1851 census s of Barnaby & Nanny. m Mary Ash Gorse Lane Iddon James Tarleton Boatman 1818 26.4.1818 1851 census Son of Robert I, Mariner & Jane Shoreside, HB Iddon James Tarleton Master 1830 1901 census f of Catherine b ’57 HB Mariner (Retd) Not given Iddon James Hesketh Bank Mate 1846 Furness Maid Crew list Discharged Not given Iddon James Hesketh Bank Captain 1848 7.11.1847 Anglican 1881 Census At Thornton-le-Fylde Village Iddon James Tarleton Boatman 1888 1901 census s of James Sutton Not given Iddon John Master Mary U&L vessels Coe Lane Iddon John Not given Boatman 1786 16.1.1785 1841 census s of John I & Betty Tarleton Iddon John Not given Boatman 1803 1841 census 2 born 1802 & others Iddon John Tarleton 1804 Merchant Navy List Freckleton Iddon John Tarleton Master 7.4.1805 Thomas, Richard LOPR Son of Barnaby & Nanny Iddon. Robert & Master’s Cert Cert no 41665 issued at Preston. of Service ‘51 JI signed. Copy of Cert available. (Shore Road?) Mariner 1806 Elizabeth 1851 census Covers 35-51. D; 1881 Village Lane Iddon John Tarleton Boatman 1810 12.10.09 1851 census W Jane 46 T, s Henry 6 T Hesketh Bank Iddon John Not given Sailor 1810 1841 census Several possibles Townend Brow Iddon John Tarleton Boatman 1813 12.7.1812 1851 census S of Robart, & Jane Hesketh Bank Iddon John Hesketh Bank Seaman 28.1.1816 MSL ‘45 Tckt no 179223. 5’5”, grey hair, light complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write. Not given Iddon John Tarleton Master 1826 Whitrigg 1881 Census At Barrow

117

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Town Lane Iddon John Tarleton Boatman 1829 26.6.1827 1851 census S of Thom & Cath bp12.8.182 MSL ‘45 Tkt no 179224. 5’51/4” tall, sandy 7 hair, light complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write. Not given Iddon John Hesketh Bank Master 1849 28.7.1850 Ellie Park 1881 Census At Barrow Hesketh Bank Iddon John not given Mariner ~1835 LOPR m HB f of John m ‘91 Hesketh Ln, HB Iddon John Hesketh Bank Able Seaman/ 1869 1901 census s of Thos I Mast Mar (in ’98); m Master Mariner LOPR m 1898 Eliz Bradshaw ’98 (b 72), f of Mgt. Not given Iddon Matthew S Tarleton Mate 1864 27.3.1864 Twin Sisters 1881 Census At Barrow Sollom Lock Iddon Richard Not given Boatman 1781 23.4.1780 1841 census s of Hugh & Isabel Hesketh Bank Iddon Richard Not given Boatman 1816 3.2.1817 1841 census s of Hugh, Mrnr&Betty. wMary Gorse Lane Iddon Richard Tarleton Boatman 1812 1851 census Seaman 24.12.1812 Merchant Navy Tkt no 152023. 5’6” tall, brown List ‘45 hair, fair complexion, blue eyes, (Lancaster) mark on lower lip. Can write. Lock Houses Iddon Richard Tarleton Boatman 1821 17.9.1820 1851 census s of Robert & Jane Gorse Lane Iddon Robert Not given Boatman 1791 1841 census 89 or 93 Coe Lane Iddon Robert Not given Boatman 1816 23.10.1815 1841 census s of Rbt I, Mariner & Jane Tarleton Iddon Robert Tarleton Seaman 1818 MSL ‘45 Tkt no 237187. 5’103/4” tall, brown hair, dark complexion, hazel eyes. Can’t write. Went to sea ’31 as Boy Lock Houses Iddon Robert Ulverston Canal Boatman 1867 1901 census Not given Iddon Thomas Hesketh Bank Master 1852 22.6.1851 Mary Agnes 1881 Census At Liverpool Not given Iddon Thomas Hesketh Bank Master 1855 13.8.1854 Lancashire Lass 1881 Census Brombro/Eastham West of Hesketh Ln Iddon Thomas Not given Boatman 1796 4.6.1797 1841 census w Catherine Town Lane Iddon Thomas Tarleton Boatman 1798 4.6.1797 1851 census S of William I & Cthrine. w Cath Iddon Thomas Tarleton 1799/ Merchant Navy 1800 List Coe Lane Iddon Thomas Not given Boatman 1810 1841 census Several poss c1810 Iddon Thomas Tarleton 1811 Merchant Navy List Hesketh Lane Iddon Thomas Not given Boatman 1816 Not found 1841 census Coe Lane Iddon Thomas Not given Boatman 1821 30.7.1820 1841 census Illgt s of Ellen I Bank Bridge Iddon Thomas Tarleton Boatman 1808 30.10.08? 1851 census M Martha Ashcroft 1831 (Shore Road?) Iddon Thomas Tarleton Mariner 1812 8.4.1810 1851 census s of Barnby, Marin. m Eliz Barron Hesketh Lane Iddon Thomas Tarleton Mate, Sailor 1813 b21.8.1813 MSL ‘45 Tkt No 179237. 5’41/2” tall,brown bp 1851 census hair, light complexion, brown eyes, 19.9.1813 scar on nose. Can’t write. S of Robert I, Mariner & Jane

118

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Not given Iddon Thomas Tarleton Mate 1836 Furness Maid Crew list Tarleton Iddon Thomas Tarleton Mariner 1841 28.3.1841 Edwin&Emma ‘71 LOPR bp 1864; f of Matth Sutton I, h of Mgt; s of Censuses Wm & Sarah, IOM ‘61, Preston ‘01 (Master 1871) Forshaw (1901) Lock Houses Iddon Thomas Ulverston Mariner 1859 1901 census m Mgt. b ~1870 IOM Tarleton Iddon Thomas Mariner not given ~1855 LOPR bp T H of Mgt, f of Jan? bp ‘90 Not given Iddon Thomas Tarleton Mate 1849 16.3.49 Elizabeth Hyam Crew list Flint RO Carr Lane (51-81) Iddon William Tarleton Master (1861) 1806- Edwin & Emma LOPR bp; 13 Mary Alice 1861/71 census Merchant Navy Carr Lane Iddon William Not given Boatman 1806 5.10.1806 1841/51 S of William & Katharine census Tarleton Iddon William Tarleton Mate 19.6.1807 MSL ‘45 s of John & Alice. Ticket No. bp 26.7.07 179229. 5’61/2” tall, brown hair, light complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write Freckleton Iddon William Tarleton Seaman 25.5.1812 MSL ‘45 Ticket no. 63731. 5’ 81/2” tall, sandy hair, fresh complexion, blue eyes. Can’t write. Freckleton Iddon William Hesketh Bank Master 41678 1819 5.4.1819 Harvest Maid, Grace, Lloyds Cpt Reg Son of Hugh Iddon, Mariner, & Preston Seaman bp6.6.1819 Liberty, Cacique, Merchant Navy Ellen. Sailing to Med. Cert Margaret Peggy, List ‘45 available. Coasting & foreign trade. Princess Charlotte, Tkt no 45974 (issued Drogheda). Pretty Clifton, Robert 5’61/4” tall, light brown hair, fair & Elizabeth, Gleadner, complexion, hazel eyes. Can write. Albion, Ann, Richard, D: 1889. Barbara, Lord Most ships from Preston but also Willoughby Leith & Whitehaven. Cover 1832- 51. Town Lane Iddon William Tarleton Ropemaker 1831 5.11.1829 1851 census S of Thom & Cath Iddon William Tarleton 1835 Gazette Merchant Padyona reg. Lancaster. Padyona Seaman List Not given Iddon William Hesketh Bank Master 1847 William Gilmore 1881 census At Swansea Carr Lane Iddon William Tarleton Mate, Sailor 1848 19.3.1848 Tarleton Lass** 1881, ’01 cens At Liverpool; s of Wm & Sarah Village Iddon William Ulverston Sailor dredging 1868 1901 census s of Thos. Marn; m Mgt. Mayor ‘96 Shoreside Iddon William Liverpool Able Seaman 1873 1901 census m Alice b HB ~’76; f of Wm ‘99 Blackgate Lane Jackson John Not given Boatman 1816 Not found 1841 census Johnson Alfred Tarleton AB 24.5.1884 MSL 1918 Ticket No. 374580. Photo exists. Not given Johnson Charles Tarleton Mate 1855 30.3.1856 Falcon 1881 census At Bradden, IOM Hesketh Bank Johnson James Not given Boatman 1790 1841 census W Jane 54, s Thos 12 Hesketh Lane Johnson James Tarleton Master 1840 Hope 1871, ‘01 cens From Maritime Histy

119

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Not given Johnson James Tarleton Master 1850 10.3.1850 Falcon 1881 census s of Richard. At Bradden, IOM Hesketh Lane Johnson John Tarleton Twine Spinner 1841 1851 census Tarleton Johnson John Ball Not given Mariner 1875 30.1.1875 LOPR mrg ‘99 s of Robert J, Mar; m Agnes Wright MSL 1918 Tckt no 311958. Photo available. Not given Johnson Joseph Tarleton Mate 1849 Furness Maid Crew list Anna Park Hesketh Bank Johnson Lawrence Not given Sailor 1791 1841 census S of James J aged 70 ? Hesketh Bank Johnson Lawrence Hesketh Bank Seaman 1811 10.5.1811 MSL ‘45 Tkt no 237145. 5’71/2” tall, light brown hair, fair complexion, grey eyes, cut above left knee. Can’t write. Carr Lane & Johnson Richard Tarleton Boatman 1820 4.5.1817 1841 census s of Robert J Farmer/Boatman Hesketh Lane Mariner 1818 1851 census Gorse Lane Johnson Robert Tarleton Boatman 1811 24.12.1810 MSL ‘45 Tkt no 116488. 5’8”, sandy hair, bp6.1.1811 1841/51 fair complexion, grey eyes, crooked census nose. Can’t write. s of Robart J & Molly Not given Johnson Robert Not given Mariner ~1850 LOPR mrg f of John Ball J ‘75 Tarleton Johnson Robert Not given Mariner ~1855 LOPR bp T H of Jane, f of d 1889&90 Not given Johnson Thomas Tarleton Boatman 1815 22.1.1815 LOPR Mrge, s of Rbt & Mary Gorse Lane Johnson William Not given Boatman 1793 21.4.1793 1841 census d 1828 Gorse Lane Johnson William Tarleton Boatman 1793 21.4.1793 1851 census Deceased. m Margaret Mayor 1814 West of Hesketh Ln Johnson William Not given Boatman 1811 12.2.1809 1841 census m Ann jaclson 1830 Town Lane Johnson William Tarleton Boatman 1809 12.2.1809 1851 census S of Rbt & Moly. d 1850 Not given Johnson William Tarleton Ship Carpnter 1863 21.12.1862 LOPR m, 91 cn m Mary Iddon (d of Rchd,Boatman) Coe Lane Latham Henry Not given Boatman 1810 Not found 1841 census Tkt no. 245575 Not given Latham Hugh Tarleton Boatman 1801 2.10.1803 Militia Book 0 child <14 Not Exmt Latham James Tarleton 1817 MSL ‘45 Hesketh Lane Latham James Tarleton? Mariner 1833 Not found LOPR, 1901 s of Thos (b ~1793) & Alice census Wignall. m Eliz. Taylor 1858 f of Jas ‘61 Tarleton Latham James Tarleton Mariner 1862 1.9.1861 LOPR s of James & Eliz Taylor. H of Ann Dobson, F of John bp ‘90 Coe Lane Latham John Not given Boatman 1801 1841 census m Jane Sumner ‘24 Townend Brow Latham John Tarleton Boatman 1799 1851 census Not bp Tarleton Not given Latham John Tarleton Master 1819 Alice Latham Crew List From ‘Mighty Seas’ Not given Latham John Tarleton Captain 1819 Alice Latham Shps launch Sons Wm, Jn, Th 1872 Tarleton ‘45 Latham John Tarleton Master 1829 5.10.1828 Furness Maid LOPR S of Robert, Boatman, & Ellen. Llys Cpt Reg Master’s No 75588

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Harvest Maid ‘65 MSL Ticket no 237111. 5’21/4” tall, Crew list brown hair, fair complexion, brown eyes. Can write (age 16) Not given Latham John Tarleton Master 1842 Wm Stonard 1881 Census At Thornton-le-Fylde Not given Latham John Tarleton AB Seaman 1858 15.11.1857 Wm Stonard 1881 Census At Thornton-le-Fylde Alice Latham Crew List Son of above JL1819 Hesketh Lane Latham John Tarleton Master 1872 1901 census Not given Latham Robert Master Isabella Cert of Reg. Cumbria RO Turnpike Road Latham Robert Tarleton Boatman 1796 3.4.1796 1841 census s of John Latham & Nanny Sollom Bargeman 1851 census Tarleton ‘45 Latham Robert Tarleton Seaman 1826 26.5.1826 Merchant S of Robert, Boatman, & Ellen. bp11.6.’26 Seaman List Tkt no 237112 (Preston). 5’71/4” ‘45 tall, black hair, dark complexion, brown eyes Gorse Lane Latham Thomas Not given Bargeman, 1790/ 20.1.1793 1841 census s of John & Anne. M Alice Wignall Boatman, 91 in 1815; f of Thos ’23 & Jas ~ ’33. Mariner Militia Book 2 (poor man) Exempt. d 1835 Townend Brow Latham Thomas Tarleton Sailor/Mariner 1824 14.12.23 LOPR, ’51cen S of Thomas L, Boatman & Alice Wignall; m Anne Mayor 1850 Not given Latham Thomas Tarleton crew 1861 Alice Latham Crew List Son of above JL1819 Not given Latham William Tarleton crew 1852 Alice Latham Crew List Son of above JL1819 Back Lane, Lee James Tarleton Mate 1823/ b21.8.1823 Margaret Ann ‘81 LOPR S of John, Boatman & Jane; Hesketh Bank Mariner 24 bp 1851, ’81, At Garston ’81. 31.8.1823 MSL ‘45 Tkt no 179252. 5’103/4” tall, light Seaman brown hair, light complexion, grey 1901Census eyes. Can write. 1901 Retired @ Hesketh Brow Hesketh Bank Lee James Hesketh Bank Mariner 1833 7.4.1833 1851 census s of John & Charlotte, m Molly LOPR mrg ‘61 Iddon of HB ‘61 Hesketh Bank Lee James not given Mariner ~1835 LOPR m HB f of Richard m ‘91 Hesketh Brow Lee John Hesketh Bank Mariner, Mate 1854 4.5.1854 Useful, Gleaner, Mate’s Cert ‘75 Copy of ’75 Mate’s certificate Liverpool ‘75 Ruby (’70), John available no 99378, and service 1881,1901 record. Cartmel, census At Lezayre, IOM 1881. Amphitrite, Jane LOPR Note: a John Lee was baptised at & Ellen, Eliz HB 23.5.1847 son of James Lee, Worthington Mariner. (Shore Road?) Lee John North Meols Mariner 1809 Not found 1851 census M Charlt Watkinson ’32, b Tar ~’02. NM bp na; f of James ‘33 Hesketh Bank Lee John Mariner 1795? Not found LOPR: mrg m Charlotte Watkinson; f of Eliz. &

121

Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

James ‘33 Hesketh Bank Lee John Not given Sailor 1805 1841 census Not found Not given Lee Joseph Hesketh Bank Master 1860 Margaret Ann 1881 Census At Garston (Shore Road?) Lee Robert Tarleton Mariner 1821 26.11.1820 1851 census W Ann, Scholmistress, b Freck’ton. MSL ‘45 Tkt no 59344. Townend Mayor James Tarleton Canal Boatman 1874 21.12.1873 s of William Mayo & Jane Townend Brow Mayor John Tarleton Boatman 1819 1.8.1819 1851 census S of Thos & Jenny Not given Mayor John Tarleton Mate 1843 Furness Maid Crew list Paid off Not given Mayor John Tarleton Mrnr/Flatman c1790 20.11.1791 LOPR From b of son Coe Lane, Mayor Thomas Tarleton Boatman/Flat 1791 3.5.1789 1841, 51 S of John Maire & Anne; M 1821; Townend Brow man census, LOPR, 3 (poor man) Exempt, F of Thos Militia book Not given Mayor Thomas Tarleton Mariner, 1821 29.7.1821 Lillia LOPR, 1881 d. marriage. At Liverpool (Bootle) Captain Census 1881 with wife Alice Hesketh Lane Mayor Thomas Tarleton Retired 1852 29.2.1852 1901 census s of Thos & Alice Mariner Not given Mayor William Tarleton Mariner c1790 12.1.1783 LOPR From b of son Plox Brow Mayor William Tarleton Boatman 1824 21.3.1824 1851 census S of Thos M, Boatman & Jenny Blackgate Lane Miller Not given Boatman 1810 1841 census h of Margaret b c1811 Miller John Tarleton 1795 MSL ‘45 Tarleton Miller John Not given Boatman 1816 29.5.1814? 1841 census s of Rbt M, Mrner & Alice Back Lane Miller John Tarleton Boatman 1815 29.5.1814 1851 census S of Robert, Mariner & Alice Miller John Tarleton 1818 MSL ‘46 Higher Lock Miller John Not given Boatman 1826 1841 census Not given Miller John Tarleton Boatman 1792 2.6.1793 Militia Book 0 (Militia) Exempt Gorse Lane Miller John Not given Boatman 1796 2.6.1793 1841 Census Poss 1793 (Militia) Carr Lane Miller John Tarleton Boatman 1810 1851 census 2nd marge? m Ann Tinsley Not given Miller John Tarleton OS/Mate 1850 Furness Maid Crew list Paid off Not given Miller Richard Tarleton Boatman 1801 19.4.1801 Militia Book 0 child <14 Not Exmt Miller Robert Tarleton Master Mariner 1838 20.5.1838 Margaret LOPR s of John (B’tman) & Ellen; m Ellen ’91 Southport (Seas) Sir Robert Peel 1861 Census Carrington of Lathom. Later m Selina of Hoveton, Herefordshire Road, HB Ocean Pearl Agnes Glover 1881 Census At Thornton-le-Fylde. D: 1931. Miller Thomas Tarleton 1797 MSL ‘45 Townend Brow Miller Thomas Tarleton Boatman 1826 8.5.1825 1841 census Illegitimate son of Betty Miller Tarleton Town Lane Miller William Tarleton Boatman C1791 6.11.91? Militia Book 5 (poor man) Exempt

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

1851 census M Alice Smith (d 1841) in 1821? Preston Miller William Tarleton Seaman 1819 10.10.1819 MSL ‘45 Ticket no. 179214. 5’5” tall, sandy hair, fair complexion, grey eyes. Can’t write. Not given Miller William Tarleton Master 1828 23.3.28 Furness Maid Crew list Lancs RO Town Lane Miller William Tarleton Ropemaker 1834 1.9.1833 1851 census S of William & Alice Tarleton Parker John Not given Boatman 1813 2.2.1812 1841 census Parker on m to Mgt. Blackgate Lane Pedder John Not given Boatman 1816 14.9.1817? 1841 census b B’sco s of John P Bman Back Lane, Peet Hugh Banks Waterman, 1873 1901 census m Jane b HB ~’76; f of Mgt Ann Hesketh Bank Dredging Hesketh Bank Peet Thomas Not given Sailor 1791 1841 census Not found Rimmer Hugh Hesketh Bank 1819 MSL ’45-48 Not given Rimmer James Tarleton Mate 1849 Ann Sumner Crew list Owner Henry Bond, Barrow No 16679 Lytham Rimmer Jeffrey Hesketh Bank Apprentice ‘39 26.11.1822 Content, Henry Master’s cert Mostly Preston registered ships. Mate ‘47 Clifton, Lucy Neal, ‘53 Both Mate’s & Master’s Certificates Johns, Coromdell, of Service no 52658 available, Master ‘48 William Henry together with hand written letter by JR. (Shore Road?) Rimmer John Bretherton Formerly Mariner 1811 31.5.1811 1851 census S of Thomas, Farmer & Peggy Not given Rimmer John Hesketh Bank Master 1850 Ruby 1881 Census At Barrow, ship owned by John Mariner built Preston ‘42 Crew list Rimmer, HB. Tkt No. 12129. Not given Rimmer John Hesketh Bank Boy 1870 Ruby 1881 Census At Barrow (Shore Road?) Rimmer Richard Bretherton Mariner 1806 29.6.1805 1851 census S of Thomas, Husbandman & Mrgt Not given Rimmer Richard Hesketh Bank Master 1838 14.10.38 Harvest Home Crew list Owner: Rimmer (Shore Road?) Rimmer Thomas Hesketh Bank Boatman 1822 Not found 1851 census S of Rchd & Ellen Not given Rimmer Thomas Hesketh Bank Mate 1843 5.6.1842 Diamond 1871 census At whitehaven Not given Rimmer Thomas Hesketh Bank Mate 1844 Furness Maid Crew list Lancs RO, discharged Not given Rimmer William Hesketh Bank Master 1846 26.7.1845 Hope 1881 census At Tryddyn, Flint ? Rymer Edward Hesketh Bank Mate or Master 1824 ? M&M’s cert ‘51 Ticket No. 176429 Rymer James Hesketh Bank 1811 MSL ‘48 Lytham Rymer Robert Hesketh Bank Seaman ?.9. 1786 MSL 1845 Ticket No. 179254. 5’33/4” tall, grey hair, light complexion, brown eyes. Can write. Went to sea as App1795 Rymer Thomas Hesketh Bank Captain 1814 Albion (Lancaster) MSL ‘36 Tkt no. 8687. Captain at age 22. Hesketh Bank Sharples Hesketh Bank Mariner 8.5.1757 LOPR b&m s of Thomas of Hoole, br of Thos, Bartholemew John, m Alice Breakel Hesketh Bank Sharples John Hesketh Bank Master 6.1.1754 prob. Dart 1791 LOPR s of Thomas of Hoole, br of Thos,B

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Sharples John Hesketh Bank MSL 1845 Ticket No. 232016 Hesketh Bank Sharples Thomas Hesketh Bank Sailor/Master 30.6.1751 prob. Neptune 1808 LOPR s of Thomas of Hoole, br of John,B North Meols Smith Simeon Tarleton Boy 1.7.1826 Merchant Navy Ticket no. 179244. 5’93/4” tall, List ‘45 brown hair, light complexion, brown eyes. Hesketh Bank Spencer Not given Sailor 1805 1841 census Husband of Catherine b1806 Carr Lane Spencer James Tarleton Boatman 1812/ 6.1.1811 1841 census S of Thos & Mgt Gorse Lane 15 1851 census MSL ‘45 Hesketh Bank Spencer Thomas Tarleton Boatman 1802 17.10.1802 Militia Book 0 child <14 Not Exmt ‘46 MSL ‘46 Not given Staziker Hugh Tarleton Mate 1854 Furness Maid Crew list Discharged 20 Greengate, Staziker Thomas Tarleton Master ‘47 1848 Furness Maid Crew list ‘76 Free will Barrow Sumner Christopher Tarleton 1784 MSL ‘45 Sollom Sumner James Not given Boatman 1816 28.2.1813 1841 census s of Rch Mar, m Jane Hodson36 Not given Sumner James Tarleton Master 1820 27.2.20 Furness Maid Crew list Vessel No 45683, signed crewlist 68. Paid off 69. Lancs RO Flint RO AB Mary Watkinson Sumner James Tarleton 1829 25.1.1829 Merchant Tkt no 261140. 5’83/4” tall, brown Seaman List hair, ruddy complexion, grey eyes. ‘45 Can’t write. Chapel House Sumner John Not given Boatman 1816 24.12.1815 1841 census w Nanny @ Blackgate Ln below Not given Sumner John Tarleton Master 1816 Ann Sumner Crew list Merchant Navy List Chapel House Sumner John? Not given Boatman 1790 1841 census Alice Ditchfield m John S 1809 (Shore Road?) Sumner Peter Tarleton Mariner 1796 14.2.1796 1851 census S of Richard & Mary Sumner Richard Hesketh Bank 1820 Merchant Navy List Not given Sumner Richard Hesketh Bank Mst of Fishg Bt 1826 4.2.1827 Dolphin 1881 census At German, IOM Tarleton Sutton James Tarleton ? Mariner, Sailor 1830 LOPR mrg s of John; m Ellen Mayo 1860 Tarleton Moss Sutton Matthew Tarleton Ship Carpenter 1840 9.5.1841 1861 census s of John (b Much Hoole) Village Sutton James Tarleton Boatman 1866 2.7.1865 1901 census s of James Sutton & Ellen; m Mgt. Gorse Lane Sutton John Tarleton Sailor 1863 28.4.1861 LOPR, ’01 cens Son of JS1830; m Jane Iddon ‘85 Back Lane Taylor Hesketh Bank Mariner 1818 1851 census h of Margaret b c1820 Hesketh Bank Taylor Not given Boatman 1788 1841 census Husb of Jane b 1791 Not found Gorse Lane Taylor Hugh Not given Boatman 1801 12.6.1796 1841 census

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Taylor Hugh Hesketh Bank Engineer 16.1.1884 MSL 1918 Ticket No.122291 ‘Croston Parish’ Taylor James Not given Bargeman, 1790 LOPR m m Jinny Sharples, 1813, f of Flatman William ’25, James ‘28

Townend Brow Taylor James Hesketh Bank Flatman 1829 b22.8.1829 Undercliff, Fanny, LOPR S of James T, Boatman & Jenney. Barrow Boy, Seaman, (?) Raker, Elephant, 1851 census 1869 Master’s Cert of Service no. bp Master’s Cert 75640 available. Master (1842- 5.10.1828 Mary, Fox, Leven, of Service ships from Preston & Lancaster. ‘69+) Lady Arabelle, Covers ’40-’69. Henry & Ellen, Lady Lilford 11 Canning Taylor John Hesketh Bank 1816/ b16.7.1816 Undercliff, Raker, MSL ‘45 S of James T & Jenny,bp28.7.1816 Place 18 states on Beehive, Northern Master’s Cert Master’s Cert no 53890 available. Cert: Covers ’44-’59. (Liverpool?) 25.7.1818 Light Not given Taylor Nicholas Tarleton Bargeman 1787 10.6.1787 LOPR: mrg m to Nanny W 1807; F of WT1822 Village Taylor Nicholas Tarleton Sailor 1847 11.2.1849 1901 census; s of John Whittle & Nanny Taylor; LOPR m Martha Dandy (nee Taylor) ‘76 Not given Taylor Nicholas Tarleton Ship Carpnter 1860 18.9.1859 LOPR: mrg S of William Taylor Village Taylor Robert Tarleton Canal Boatman 1877 21.1.1877 1901 census s of Nicholas & Martha; m Peggie Taylor Thomas Hesketh Bank 1814 MSL ‘45 ? Gorse Lane Taylor William Tarleton Sailor 1822 10.2.1822 1851 census, s of Nichs & Nanny, m Betty LOPR son’s Edmondson (str of Cpt. Hy E), f of mrg above NT Tarleton Taylor William Tarleton Seaman March MSL ‘45 Ticket No 179210. 5’73/4” tall, 1823 brown hair, light complexion, brown eyes. Can’t write. Hesketh Bank Taylor William Hesketh Bank 1825 s of James (Flatman) & Jenny Not given Taylor William Tarleton Boatman 1855 11.3.1855 LOPR: mrg S of William Taylor Hesketh Bank Taylor William not given Mariner 1870 s of Jas T, age 22 m Alice Buck ‘92 Village Taylor William Tarleton Mariner 1878 10.2.1878 1901 census s of Nicholas & Martha Not given Tinsley James Hesketh Bank Mate 1840 Furness Maid Crew list Discharged Lock Turner Thomas Much Hoole Lock Keeper 1807 1851 census Carr Lane Watkinson Daniel Rufford Boatman 1805 3.3.1805 1851 census Father Richard W, Boatman Not given Watkinson James Tarleton OS 1844 9.8.46 Elizabeth Hyam Crew list Flint RO Higher Lock Watkinson James? Not given Boatman 1805 27.1.1805? 1841 census Carr Lane Watkinson John Not given Boatman 1800 23.2.1800 1841 census See Militia Book & LOPR Coe Lane Watkinson John Not given Boatman 1805 29.6.1802? 1841 census Bp Rufford bro of Daniel? Village Lane Watkinson John Rufford (Lathom) Boatman 1802 29.6.1802 1851 census S of Richard W & Jane

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Not given Watkinson John Tarleton Boatman 1802 23.2.1800 Militia Book 1 child <14 Not Exmt Lock Watkinson John Tarleton Boatman 1834 20.4.1834 1851 census Watkinson Peter Hesketh Bank MSL ‘45 Ticket No 179227. Hesketh Lane Watkinson Richard North Meols Boatman 1776 ?.?.1777 1851 census S of John W & Anne of Banks Hesketh Lane Watkinson Richard Rufford Boatman 1811 18.8.1811 1851 census Hesketh Bank Watkinson William Not given Sailor 1811 1841 census M Jane Rymer ’30, d Eliz aged 7 (Shore Road?) Watkinson William Tarleton Retired Mariner 1805 Not found 1851 census Not given Whittle John Tarleton Boatman 1806 27.4.1806 Militia Book 0 child <14 Not Exmt Not given Whittle John Tarleton OS 1852 7.3.1852 Edwin & Emma 1871 census In Liverpool Dock (? See below) Tarleton Whittle John Not given Mariner 1855 LOPR bp T H of Alice, f of d bp 1889 Not given Whittle John Tarleton Mate 1850 Furness Maid Crew list Lancs RO Not given Whittle John Tarleton AB 1851 7.3.1852 Hope 1871 census From Maritime Histy Not given Whittle Nicholas Tarleton Mate 1849 Hope 1871 census From Maritime Histy Not given Whittle Richard Tarleton or Boatman 1795 8.5.1796T Militia Book 0 child <14 Not Exmt. A Richard Hesketh Bank 7.9.’94HB MSL ‘45 Whittle b 1794 in Hesketh shows or M&M’s Cert in the Merchant Navy List . Master 17.8.’92HB & Mate’s Cert issued Perth for Richard W b 1792 HB. Sollom Lock Whittle Thomas Not given Boatman 1811 8.9.1811 1841 census s of Richd & Ellin. m Mg Driver Back Lane, Wignall George Hesketh Bank Mariner on 1870 1901 census m Jane b HB ~1871; f of Isabella Hesketh Bank Dredger ’90, James ‘91 Not given Wignall Hugh Hesketh Bank Mate 1861 Olivia 1881 Census At Barrow. Married Elizabeth. B Tarleton, see photo Wignall Hugh Hesketh Bank 2nd Engineer 1888 20.6.1888 MSL Ticket no. 107416. Photo available. Hesketh Bank Wignall Hugh Not given Sailor 1794 6.7.1794 1841 census S of John & Ellen. M Alice Halsall. d 1823 Not given Wignall James Hesketh Bank Boy 1831 5.2.1830 Olivia MSL ‘45 Tkt no 95359. 5’6” tall. Master 1830 1881 Census At Barrow Gravestone d 1886, m Elizabeth, later Nanny Wignall James Hesketh Bank Mate 1887 13.11.1887 Merchant Navy Tkt no 26228. Photo available. List Hesketh Bank Wignall John Not given Captain ~1746 LOPR HB bu bu 13.7.1796 Back Lane Wignall John Hesketh Bank Seaman, Sailor 1817 7.12.1817 MSL ‘45 Tkt No 179238. 5’ 51/4” tall, brown 1851 census hair, light complexion, grey eyes, seal on right hand. Can’t write. S of Hugh(d), Mariner& Alice(w) Hesketh Bank Wignall John Not given Sailmaker 1766 1841 census Not found Not given Wignall John Tarleton Master 1853 Furness Maid Crew list ‘78 Lancs RO R&M Charnley

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Address NAME Birthplace Occupation Est.yob Ident. Dob Vessel Source Notes

Not given Wignall John Tarleton Master 1854 Harvest Maid 1881 Census At Garston Lytham 1844 Wignall Richard Hesketh Bank Seaman 1808 22.08.1808 Merchant Navy Tkt no 67575. 5’33/4” tall, dark List hair, brown complexion, grey eyes. Can write. Went to sea as Apprentice Aged 9. Newry, Ireland Wignall Richard Tarleton Mate 1815 25.9.1814 LOPR s of Thos W, Mariner, & Betty. 1845 (15.8.1815) MSL MSL gives dob as 15.8.1815. Tkt no 237100. 5’71/4” tall, sandy hair, fair complexion, grey eyes, excrescence on 4th finger of left hand. Can write. Hesketh Bank Wignall Robert Not given Sailor 1800 1841 census d 1840 Not given Wignall Robert Tarleton Boatman 1791 5.4.1792 Militia Book 0 (Militia) Exempt Tarleton Wignall Thomas Hesketh Bank Mariner ~1790 LOPR W: Betty. Bp of s Richard 1814. MSL Back Lane Wignall William Hesketh Bank Sailor, Mariner 1778 8.5.1777 1841/51 cens S of Robert & Jane; m Mary Bxtn Hesketh Bank Wilson Richard Not given Mariner ~1749 LOPR HB bu bu 16.4.1799 Hesketh Bank Wilson Robert Not given Mariner ~1813 LOPR mrg f of Mgt m ‘76 Hesketh Bank Wilson William Not given Mariner, Sailor 1803 29.8.1802 1841 census h of Mary, f of John, Ellen, Betty, Ann; d 1840 Back Lane Wright James Hesketh Bank Mariner 1818 Not found 1851 census m Agnes Pickup Merchant Navy Voyages recorded in 1845/6. No List other details Hesketh Bank Wright James Not given Fisherman 1801 Not found Not given Wright John Hesketh Bank Mate 1862 Jane 1881 census At Bradden, IOM Not given Wright Rbt John Master Isabella Cert of Reg. Cumbria R. O. Not given Wright Richard Hesketh Bank Master 1853 Jane 1881 census At Bradden, IOM Not given Wright Robert Hesketh Bank Master 1845 Useful+ 1881 census At Lezayre, IOM Not given Wright William Tarleton OS 1842 Ann Sumner Crew list Italic entries indicate probable duplicate of earlier person.

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Example tickets and photographs

John Iddon, born Tarleton 7th April 1805

Hugh Wignall, born Hesketh Bank 1888

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Ship Owners

Just as the Registration of ships, mainly at Preston, has allowed us to identify those ships built at Tarleton, so the same registration books give us access to the names and occupations of Hesketh Bank and Tarleton people, usually men but not always, who owned ships, or at least a share in one. Ships were required to be owned in 64ths and in later registration this fraction was recorded, even if it was 64/64ths. The amount of detail recorded in the registers increased over the decades.

The lists on the following pages focus on the owners from the villages, so those shared owners from elsewhere are not generally noted down here. The occupations of the owners give us an insight into how the trade worked. Some owners appear just to be people with money: Bankers, Professional people, seeking to make an income relatively passively. Others have a direct interest: the ship’s builder, Master Mariners, Coal Merchants. Though not recorded on the following pages, one person was normally identified as the Managing Owner.

For some individuals or families the move to being principally a Ship-owner seems to be gradual: their traditional livelihood caused them to take a share in a ship, and go on to take more shares until it became their livelihood itself. This appears to be the case for Taylors from Hesketh Bank who were Farmers, Ashcrofts, eventually of Hesketh Bank, who started from a base of Drapers etc. see picture below. Books and films have given us a romantic connection between pubs and the sea, and here we see life reflecting fiction: Robert Howard Innkeeper of Tarleton having a half share in the Lord Stanley. More significantly as early as 1786 we see Peter Houghton who had a family background of Mariners, having a share in, and sometime Master of, The ‘Betty’ and in 1806 ‘Amity’ but also being declared as a Publican of Hesketh Bank. The Hesketh Arms, perched as it was on the edge of the natural tide line and being Pub and farm and involved in transport (like The Ram’s Head at Tarleton) must have been a major focus for the village; a focus also for those from outside the village as we can see from the later advert below posted in The Preston Chronicle 8.7.1843 by a new landlord.

Henry Porter begs respectfully to inform his friends and the inhabitants of Hesketh Bank, Crossens, Meols and Southport, Tarleton and neighbourhood that he has entered upon the Hesketh Arms, which he intends to conduct so as to secure the comfort of his guests. For the accommodation, more particularly of his sporting friends, the various publications relating to coursing, hunting, racing, etc. will be regularly received. Prime home brewed ale, fine London and Dublin porter, choice wines, spirits, etc.

Another repeated advertisement read:-

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9th day of August an annual fair for the sale of horned cattle, sheep , geese etc. to be held at the Hesketh Arms, Hesketh Bank – Preston Chronicle

In Her book Janet Dandy describes Hesketh Bank prior to the growth in the popularity of Southport and Blackpool: The place once enjoyed great prosperity. There was much through traffic. Crews of coasting vessels frequenting the River Douglas resided here, and spent the money obtained by lawful trade and by smuggling from the Isle of Man. 'In the summer season Hesketh used to be a place of considerable resort for bathing and marine recreations, and the visitors were plentifully supplied with salmon and flounders taken near the mouths of the rivers. The grazing of sheep also was carried on to a great extent on the marshes." So it is not difficult to romanticise about the smoke kippered rafters hanging heavy with salty tales, quenched by fine porter and sealed with handshaken deals, while the steady lapping of the tide awaited the unwary outside. Even into the second half of the 1900s the Ribble Bus Company conductor on the buses to and from Southport would call out “Hesketh Arms” at the stop at the top of The Brow, despite it having not been a pub for quite some years.

The above is SS Welcome a 94ft Schooner which was captained by John Banks. This picture is in the ownership of Harry Hall of Freckleton. It was built for Thomas Ashcroft of Hesketh Bank in the Freckleton yard by Peter Rawstrone in 1885 as a 94ft 3 masted Schooner. By the time he bought this ship, and immediately sold shares to others, Thomas Ashcroft was describing himself as a Ship-owner, having previously in the 1870s and 80s bought shares in several vessels as a Tailor and Draper.

Ships with Tarleton or Hesketh Bank Owners The details in the list below are also taken from the original ship registration documents held in Lancashire County Records Office, Preston.

130

Ships with Owners from Tarleton & Hesketh Bank – Registered at Preston 1786-1814, 1825-92 Compiled by David Edmondson 2009 – source: Registers of Sailing Ships, Lancs County Records Office NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port)/ official year at/ year (LXW) number The Friendship Parbold Preston 1786 Thomas Iddon of Hesketh Bank & Thomas Iddon 1786 Square sterned 46ft long 46 Single mast, hold 4’9” Of Preston 1778 others James Fell 1788 Sloop Thomas Couton 1788 Johnh Greaves 1790 John Richardson 1794 The Sprightly Hoole Preston 1786 Elizabeth Rymer of Hesketh Bank Hugh Rymer 1786 Round sterned 44ft long 60 Single mast Of Preston 1784 & others James Taylor 1789 Sloop James Higham 1793 June Hoole Preston 1786 Thomas Rymer, Mariner of Thomas Rymer 1786 Round sterned 60 Single mast, 5’ hold of Preston 1786 Hesketh Bank & Ann Smith John Sharples 1789 Sloop widow of Bretherton The Dart Hoole Marsh Preston 1787&8 Daniel Bradshaw, Mariner of Daniel Bradshaw 1787 Round sterned 53x15ft 52 Single mast, 5’ hold of Preston 1786 Hesketh Bank, Thomas Rutter & Thomas Peet 1788 Sloop Evan Caunce of Mawdesley John Wignall 1789 Robert Wright 1790 John Sharples 1791 William Dobson 1793 Lottery Walton Preston 1797 James Higham, Mariner of James Higham 1797 Round sterned 55X14ft 47 Single mast, 5’1” hold of Preston 1797 Hesketh Bank Sloop Rebecca Norwich, Preston 1797 James Clayton, Ship Carpenter of Robert Allenby 1797 Square sterned 40X14 50 Single mast, 5’2” hold of Preston Cheshire &1800 Tarleton John Coulburn 1800 Sloop Richard Tinsley 1802 1766 Hugh Iddon 1802 William Wignall 1803 William Charnley Thomas Eccles Morning Star Lea Marsh Preston 1801 James Higham, Mariner of James Higham 1801 Square sterned 70X17ft 93 Single mast, 8’10” hold of Preston 1801 Hesketh Bank & others William Burtonshaw Schooner 1803 Richard Hudson 1804 John Morgan 1805 David Williams 1807

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NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port)/ official year at/ year (LXW) number Neptune Lea Preston 1804 Edward Higham, Mariner of Edward Higham 1804 Round sterned 58X15ft 58 Single mast, 6’3”” hold of Preston 1799 Hesketh Bank Thomas Sharples 1808 Sloop Richard Wignall 1814 William Sumner 1815 Hugh Iddon 1815 John Russell 1818 Ellen Hoole Marsh Preston 1806 John Parkinson, Mariner of John Parkinson 1806 Round sterned 57X15ft 59 Single mast, 5’6”” hold of Preston 1806 Hesketh Bank & others Sloop 1831: Owned by John Allison of T, was ‘upset’ at North Bank Liverpool. All hands inc. Master Mr Allen lost. Sharston Northwich, Preston 1806 Edward Higham, Mariner of Edward Higham Square sterned 63X16ft 72 Single mast, 6’5”” hold of Preston Cheshire Hesketh Bank 1808 Flatt Robert Stythe 1808 1802 Tarleton Lancaster Preston 1810 Daniel Barron, Maltster of James Hunter 1810 Not given 58X14ft 53 Single mast, 4’8” hold. of Preston 1805 Tarleton Edward Greaves 1813 Broken up 1817. Daniel’s son & 16 John, Maltster, declared bankrupt William Pearson 1815 1825 (national newspaper report) Barrow Ulverstone Preston 1815 William Higham, Mariner of William Higham 1813 Round sterned 55X16ft 63 Single mast, 6’4” hold of Preston 1813 Hesketh Bank & others Sloop Lively Ulverstone Preston 1814 Edward Higham, Mariner of Hugh Iddon 1814 Round sterned 57X16ft 65 Single mast, 6’4” hold of Preston 1814 Hesketh Bank Richard Wignall 1815 Sloop Richard Whittle 1817 & of Fleetwood Fleetwood 1841 John Hull, Ropemaker of Richard Whittle 1841 later Schooner 19807 Tarleton, Nancy Whalley, Widow of Lytham Records of registrations at Preston 1816-1825 are missing Jane Burscough Fleetwood 1840 John Hull, Rope Maker of James Iddon 1840 Round sterned 59x13ft 39 2 masted, 5.6ft hold of Fleetwood 1833 Tarleton Thomas Iddon 1844 Flat Rbt Edmondson 1855 1711_ Fanny Northwich Fleetwood John Allinson, Merchant of Thomas Rimmer 1841 Square sterned 50x13ft 46 Single masted, 5.3’ hold of Fleetwood 1790 1841&44 Tarleton Thomas Taylor 1844 Flat (previously Liverpool) later Round later later 48 Later 2 masted, 6.2’ hold sterned Schooner 63x13ft Lost all hands 1869 Briton Newbrough Fleetwood 1841 John & Anthony Cartmel, Ship’s Daniel Forshaw 1841 Square sterned 50x13ft 35 2masted, 5.0’ hold of Fleetwood 1841 Carpenters of Newbrough; John Flat Allinson, Farmer of Tarleton

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NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port)/ official year at/ year (LXW) number Sir Robert Peel Lytham Fleetwood 1843 John Hull, Merchant of Tarleton John Gore 1843 Square sterned 61x13ft 43 2 masted, 5.5’ hold of Fleetwood 1840 James Iddon 1844 Flat Thomas Iddon 1844 Turner Blackburn Fleetwood 1843 John Allinson, Merchant of Thomas Hilton 1843 Square sterned 64x12ft 32 2 masted, 4.6 hold of Fleetwood 1824 Tarleton Flat Delight Ulverstone Preston 1844 John Rimmer, Master Mariner of Thomas Rimmer 1844 Round sterned 55x14 45 Single masted, 6’ hold of Preston 1833 Hesketh-w-Becconsall 48/64ths; James Lee 1847 Sloop Edward Allan, Coal Merchant of Standish 16/64ths Ellen Hoole Preston 1846 James Iddon, Master Mariner of Thomas Iddon 1846 Round sterned 58x13ft 37 2 masted, 5.4’ hold of Preston 1818 Hesketh Bank James Iddon 1848 Flat 19819 Lady Stanley Lytham Preston 1849 Thomas Hindle, Schoolmaster & William Carr 1849 Square sterned 60x13ft 39 2 masted, 5.1’ hold of Preston 1840 John Allinson, Farmer, both of Lugger Tarleton Rose Freckleton Preston 1850 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of John Iddon 1850 Square sterned 55X13ft 37 2 masted, 5’1” hold of Preston 1839 Hesketh Bank (32/64ths share) Flat and John Wright, Ship Carpenter 17257 of Freckleton Amethyst Preston Preston 1851 John Rimmer, Mariner of Hesketh Robert Latham 1851 Round sterned 57X13ft 42 2 masted, 5’7” hold of Preston 1835 Bank Richard Gore 1851 Flat 19821 Britannia Latham 1832 Preston 1852 John Rimmer, Mariner of Hesketh John Ball 1852 Square sterned 60X13ft 36 2 masted, 5’ hold of Preston Bank Flat 19813 Magnet Preston Preston 1852 Robert Latham, Master Mariner John Latham 1852 Round sterned 60X13ft 42 2 masted, 5’4” hold of Preston 1830 of Tarleton Flat 1985(3?)2 Industry Newbrough Preston 1853 Thomas Craven of Tarleton John Iddon 1853 Round sterned 60X13ft 47 2 masted, 6’ hold of Preston 1840 Flat No num given Lord Stanley Lytham Preston 1853 John Allinson, Farmer of Tarleton, James Blundell 1853 Round sterned 60X13ft 48 later Single masted, 6’3” hold of Preston 1840 then half sold to Robert Howard, James Lee 1855 Sloop 41 Innkeeper of Tarleton & George 17202 Ascroft of Ormskirk

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NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port)/ official year at/ year (LXW) number Henry & Ellen Ashton Preston 1856 James Ashcroft, Ship Owner of John Fazakerley 1869 Round sterned 66X18ft 51 2 masted, 7.4’ hold of Preston 1856 Tarleton Schooner Lost 19.10.1869 19841 Confidence Lytham Preston 1856 Thomas Latham, Master Mariner Not given on Round sterned 69C16ft 51 2 masted, 7.1ft hold of Preston 1856 of Tarleton; James Latham, registration Schooner Shipwrecked Porthclais 1905 Master Mariner of Lytham,; Mark 14921 Whineray, Grocer of Ulverston; William Whineray, Grocer of Liverpool; Michael Satherwaite, Grocer of Ulverston; Esther Richey, Grocer of Manchester; Hugh Bannister, Ship Builder of Lytham; John McMudie, Ship Builder of Much Hoole; Jonathan Burton, Watch Maker of Ulverston. Mary Jane Parbold Preston 1857 James Latham, Master Mariner of Not given on Round sterned 64X15 38 2 masted, 5.9ft hold of Preston 1857 Tarleton 16/64ths share; Joseph registration Flat Goldsworthy, Copper Ore Agent 18691 of Ulverston; Jane Garton, Widow of Southport;. Then Joseph Fisher, Shipping Agent of Barrow 8/64ths share then 16/64ths 1871 Cambria Liverpool Preston 1857 Peter Rigby, Rope Manufacturer Not given on Square sterned 59X17ft 61 2 masted, 9.3ft hold of Preston 1826 of Freckleton; John Rimmer, Ship registration Schooner Owner of Hesketh 19111 Jubilee Freckleton Preston 1857 Peter Rigby, Ropemaker of Not given on Round sterned 69X17ft 59 2 masted, 7.5ft hold of Preston 1857 Freckleton; John Rimmer, registration Schooner Heads: Billet Merchant of Hesketh Bank Robert Breakall 1871 Lost & broken up Orfordness 19446 16/64ths; Hugh Southworth, 1914 Farmer of Holmes near Chorley Mary Agnes Ashton Preston 1859 James Ashcroft, Ship Owner of Not given on Round sterned 78X19ft 83 2 masted, 9.1ft hold. of Preston 1859 Tarleton; James Taylor, Farmer of registration Schooner Head: Female bust. Hesketh Bank. James Ashcroft is said to be from 26852 Possibly William Barrow on the vessels re- Davis of Lytham 1866 registration in 1869

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NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port)/ official year at/ year (LXW) number Lady Lilford Whitehaven Preston 1863 & James Taylor, Master Mariner of Not given at Round sterned 73X19ft 67 2 masted, 7.8ft hold of Preston 1862 1870 Barrow 4/64; James Taylor, registration Schooner Tranferred to Greenock 1884 Farmer of Hesketh Bank 16/64; In 1911 she was run down by a 45666 James Ashcroft, Ship Owner of steamer at Belfast Lough with the Tarleton 40/64; Hugh Ashcroft, loss of all hands. Farmer of Tarleton 4/64. Alice Hilton Conway Preston 1866 Richard Iddon, Farmer of Not given at Round sterned 79X20ft 77 2 masted, 8.7ft hold of Preston 1866 Hesketh Bank 16/64; Richard registration Schooner Head: Fiddle Hilton, Master Mariner of 52889 Hesketh Bank 12/64; Hugh Prob. Richard Hilton Anderson & Thomas Thornber, 1866 Provision Dealers of Preston; George Tuer(?), Contractor of Preston; John Jackson, Ship Owner of Preston. Martha Burscough Preston 1866 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Thomas Ball 1866 (no Round sterned 66X15ft 40 2 masted, 6ft hold of Preston 1828 Hesketh Bank Cert.) Flat Converted to coal barge for West Lancs. Railway Co. 1877 19805 Sir Robert Peel Lytham Preston 1867 John Hull, Merchant of Tarleton Thomas Iddon Round sterned 68X14ft 36 2 masted, 5.1ft hold of Preston 1840 Wherry 1769 Lizzie Conway Preston 1868 Richard Iddon, Farmer of Richard Hilton (no Round sterned 78X19ft 82 2 masted, 8.9ft hold of Preston 1868 Hesketh Bank; James Patterson & Cert.) 1868 Schooner Later 63 Hugh Anderson, Provisions 56694 Dealers of Preston; Richard Hilton, Master Mariner of Warton; Thomas Jackson, Land Surveyor of Broughton; Richard Hilton, Mariner of Hesketh Bank. George Lamb Freckleton Preston 1871 William Rimmer, Farmer; Richard Richard Hilton? Round sterned 66x18 71 2 masted, 9.2 hold. of Preston 1854 Hilton, Master Mariner; Richard Schooner Wrecked Campbeltown 1886 Iddon, Farmer, all of Hesketh 17262 Bank; and others. Ruby Preston Preston 1872 John Rimmer, Ship Owner of Not given at Round sterned 68x17 71 2 masted, 8.5’ hold of Preston 1842 Hesketh Bank; Matthew Ellam, registration Schooner Coal Proprieter of Standish; 12129 Edward Ellam, Coal Proprieter of Kingley Colliery.

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NAME of (home Where built/ Registered Owners Masters /year Type Dimensions Tonnage Notes port)/ official year at/ year (LXW) number Jane Freckleton Preston 1878 George Spencer 2/64 & Thomas Not given at Elliptical sterned 80x20ft 88 2 masted. 9.2’ hold of Preston 1878 Mayor 2/64, both Master registration Schooner Mariners of Tarleton; & many Transferred to Lancaster 1888 by Peter 73478 others from Freckleton. Rawstrone Mary Agnes Ashton Preston 1878 James Taylor, Farmer of Hesketh Not given at Round sterned 78x19ft 73 2 masted, 9.1’ hold. Head: Female of Preston 1859 Bank 64/64 registration Schooner bust 26852 Perseverence Freckleton Preston 1882 Thomas Ashcroft, Tailor 5/64; Not given at Round sterned 84x21ft 83 2 masted. 9.6 hold of Preston 1882 Thomas Martin, Brick Co. registration Schooner Manager 2/64; John Lee, Master by Peter 81236 Mariner 2/64; Richard Iddon, Rawstrone Farmer 2/64, all of Hesketh Bank; Henry Iddon, Grocer of Tarleton 2/64; & others. Kezia Harrison Middlesborough Preston 1883 Thomas Ashcroft, Shipowner of Not given at Elliptical sterned 82x21ft 94 2 masted. 9.0’ hold. Head: ¾ of Preston 1876 Hesketh Bank 64/64 registration Schooner woman. Previously registered at London. Shares sold by TA 1883 73648 to various Hesketh Bank & North Meols people. Welcome Freckleton Preston 1885 Thomas Ashcroft, Shipowner of John Banks Round sterned 94x22 99 3 masted. 9.6’ hold. of Preston 1885 Hesketh Bank 64/64 Schooner Shares sold by TA 1885 to various others. 88713 by Peter Rawstrone No records 1892 to 1910 None Showing after 1910

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Summary

Tarleton and Hesketh Bank have for most of their post medieval history been semi-feudal agricultural villages with populations of subsistence cottage dwellers. Two forces came together to change these villages: the desire of local land-owning gentry to acquire more land by reclamation, and the industrialisation which was sweeping the whole of the country, but especially the north west of England. Elsewhere the response to this threat and opportunity might have been factories; here it was a massive expansion of the existing maritime trade, a trade carried on with almost industrial specialisation as part of a bigger machine: coal out, stone in, day after day, year after year. When the work moved elsewhere the committed moved with it, the rest fell back to being what they had been: workers of the land, many on a small scale on the released reclaimed land of moss and marsh. The villagers entered the 1800s as cottager farmers and entered the 1900s as Farmers, Farm Workers, and an emerging group of Market Gardeners, and much of the world has forgotten the maritime years between.

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A Bonus: Oddments Collected along the Way

Crime Next time you are sat in the pub bemoaning the outrageous crimes going on around us in the twenty first century, and hankering after the good old days, remember this from the Preston Chronicle on the 9th of June 1832:-

“BURGLARY. - In the night of yesterday week, the house of Mr. Peter Blundell, of Hesketh Bank, was broken into. The burglars after having gained entrance, the more safely to affect their purpose of plundering the house, corded Mr. and Mrs. Blundell and their neice (sic), a young girl fast in bed. They consumed part of a bottle of spirits, and some eatables which they found in the house. Many questions were put to Mr. and Mrs. Blundell, as to where their property was lodged, which for personal safety were readily answered, and the thieves succeeded in finding and carrying off, eighteen pounds in cash, and some silver spoons, besides a quantity of wearing apparel. The young girl, soon after the thieves had left the house, extricated herself, and afterwards released her uncle and aunt. From the questions put by the midnight robbers, there is little doubt but they were well acquainted with the whole circumstances of the plundered party.”

Also 9.6.1832, Preston Chronicle reported: ‘On Friday night 1st Inst. The house of John Wignall, of Hesketh Bank, was broken into, and a quantity of wearing apparel and other articles were taken away. Some chimney sweepers (two men and a boy) who had been in the neighbourhood were suspected of being the offenders’.

13.1.1849 Report of burglars entering the house of John Leadbetter Hesketh Moss while he was away at Liverpool market. They were in search of money as they had ‘removed every article out of its place in the house’. ‘By their footsteps in the snow there were two of the villains and they had come from the direction of North Meols’.

Having noted the above you can then return to your justified complaints about today’s crimes also, and take a drink to the memory of Mr & Mrs Blundell and their discomfort.

Religion John Cotterall, in his book ‘North Meols to South Ribble’ writes:- ‘A Nineteenth century historian wrote “All along the coast from Southport to Longton, the Dissenters have a stronghold; the established church is nowhere taking the entire range and as for Roman Catholics, why you can’t find a single church or chapel of theirs in any part of it!” The Methodist tradition goes back to 1831 and there were meetings in cottages and in a cart shed before a chapel was built. The first Hesketh Bank Methodist converted through the work of preachers from Preston. A local carrier, born in 1800 and originally a member of the choir of the Anglican Church, Thomas Martin held the early

138 meetings in his house on The Brow. Under his leadership, nobody was allowed to speak for more than two minutes.’

Amongst a collection of photographs, originally belonging to my great aunt May Cropper, is a photograph said to be of Thomas Martin 1836-1908, who I take to be son of the above Thomas Martin b c1800. Though Thomas sen. and his wife Jenny (Ashcroft) had earlier children born in Hesketh Bank, Thomas was, according to his marriage to Margaret Lawson of Hesketh Bank, born in Treales near Kirkham. Margaret Lawson was May Cropper’s grandmother’s sister.

Thomas Martin

Mayor of Tarleton It is a surprise to me to discover that Tarleton had a Mayor in the 1800s and to see words like borough, corporation, town, aldermen, burgesses used in that connection. But the cuttings from newspapers which follow show that it surely did. The people holding office do not appear to be from the village: the report either states them to be from some other town, or their surnames indicate that they are. The whole tenor of these reports seems to indicate that the office of Mayor was something visited upon the village from outside. What purpose these offices served, other than processing, eating and drinking, and speechmaking is not clear.

Preston Guardian, 29th April 1848: On Monday last, the day fixed for electing the Mayor of Tarleton for the ensuing year, and the day of the fair, the mayor, Mr Charles Utley, of this town, and corporation went in procession from The Ram’s Head Inn through the village halting at The Cock & Bottle. Mr G Dandy of Tarleton proposed Mr H Armstrong, Mr George Parker proposed Mr Halfey jun. of Southport, and Mr W Wilkins proposed Mr Harpin of Liverpool. After the voting Mr T Ambler of Preston declared Mr Armstrong was duly elected.

Preston Guardian 29th June 1850: The Mayor of Tarleton undertook for a wager of 40s to stand Blackburn market last Wednesday and sell at a fair market price, six couple of ducks, 20lbs. of butter, two hampers of gooseberries, which he did, realising over the cost price, about 11s. We hear that his worship so delighted the old women that he is to have the whole of their future patronage.

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The Preston Guardian August 21, 1852 Meeting of ‘Our Own Delight’ lodge of The Oddfellows took place at The Rams Head, together with a procession with the Tarleton band through the village to the church and the Cock and Bottle. The Reverend Mr Brown was called to the chair and Mr Parker, the worthy mayor of Tarleton occupied the vice-chair.

Liverpool Mercury etc (Liverpool, England), Monday, August 3, 1857: A lengthy description of the ‘Mayorial Festivities given by the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Tarleton, Jas. Sykes Esq., wine merchant of Liverpool to the numerous aldermen and burgesses of that ancient and loyal borough. 70 people partook from Preston, Liverpool, Wigan, Southport and Ormskirk. There were grand speeches regarding the Army and Navy and how after 40 years of peace they had thwarted the Russian bear in his nefarious designs and how success in the mission to India was equally expected.

1st May 1858; 'Tarleton was the scene of much gaiety on Friday last, that being the day fixed for the annual election of the Mayor and other officers of "that ancient & honourable corporation". Mr James Sykes was the mayor for the past year and out of respect to him and his successor, Mr John Swift, a large number of persons from Liverpool, Southport and other places attended.

There is no sign of Hesketh with Becconsall having had a Mayor.

Types of Sailing Ships:

Pink A small square-rigged sailing ship, typically with a narrow, overhanging stern. Wherry A shallow-draughted single-sailed boat suitable for cargo or passengers on rivers and canals. The bows may be long and overhanging for use where there is no landing stage. The hull is generally clinker-built (overlapping planks) out of oak. Its single mast is tall, holding one edge of its vast pointed sail to catch the breeze. Schooner A sailing ship with two or more masts, typically with the foremast smaller than the mainmast. Sloop A single masted sailing boat with a mainsail and jib rigged fore and aft. Smack A general term for a single masted sailing boat used for fishing or coasting. Nobby The Lancashire Nobby was a shallow draft fishing boat suitable for catching shrimps and flat fish in shallow water, especially Morecombe Bay. Flat(t) Boat with a flat bottom for transport in shallow waters. Ketch Sailing boat with two masts, a taller main mast being forward of a shorter second (or mizzen) mast) Brig(antine) A two masted square-rigged ship, typically having an additional lower fore-and-aft sail on the gaff and a boom to the mainmast.

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Reading old Handwriting Documents used as sources for this text have in the main been post 1750, and so little affected by the comments that follow here. However it is worth noting that reading original hand written documents from not long before that date presents some practical problems. I had in the past naively assumed that someone writing a document in England in the 15 and 1600s were using the same sounds to speak, and the same symbols (letters) to represent the sounds made in speech, as we are today. That is, the list of sounds used to make spoken words and the letters (alphabet) used to either directly, or by specific combinations (eg ch), represent those sounds, was the same then as now – they had the same building blocks of sound and symbol even if they chose to use them in words, spellings and pronunciations that we have over the years changed. I thought that if I found old documents hard to read it was because of the quirky way they wrote at that time: ‘Right trusty and well beloved father…’ (written as we would write those words), or quirkiness of script, e.g. the seeming use of ‘f’ instead of ‘s’, or just sheer inconsistency and slovenliness in writing. Not so. The Tudor and Stuart alphabet had two letters we do not: yogh and thorn. The symbol yogh, like a z with a tail, represented the dzh sound, a sound we no longer use. Thorn, originally a harp-like ‘p’ represented the th sound, but came to resemble a y which lives on long after the letter was dropped in ‘Ye Old Hart’ where the word is and should be pronounced still as The. Our separate letter j was for them interchangeable with i. They also used ‘ligatures’ and ‘contractions’: respectively joining two letters together for ease of writing by pen, and missing letters out and marking their absence (more liberally than we do now) with a colon.

The above differences between then and now probably cause less volume of confusion than the fact that nearly all the alphabet symbols were written so differently to now that it is difficult without study to recognise them. This is all explained in ‘Reading Tudor and Stuart Handwriting’ by Munby, Hobbs and Crosby.

Local Dialect

We seem to be at a critical time where few people remain in the village that have direct experience of the dialect, so I feel I must make some brief observations. The way of speaking I am referring to persisted as something like the norm until roughly the nineteen sixties, a decade where ‘britches’ (breeches) and Beatles could fleetingly co-exist. By norm, I mean that virtually all established locals, of every age, could understand it, and the

141 majority of them, the ordinary folk, would use it when speaking, at least when speaking to each other.

By ‘dialect’ I of course mean much more than accent. I would regard the accent of a society (Tarleton and Hesketh Bank folk in this case) as being demonstrated by their peculiar pronunciation and intonation of words, words which are used by themselves and by other societies – a deviation from a standard pronunciation if such a thing existed. So a villager saying ‘tung’ rather than tongue is a matter of accent: everyone up and down the nation is trying to say the word tongue but different societies saying it differently. Once our villager says ‘thi tung’ there is more than accent at play, whilst it means ‘your tongue’ our villager is not trying to say ‘your’, but rather an accented version of the old fashioned word ‘thy’. So one aspect of the local dialect is the use of old words such as thy, thou, yonder, hither, etc. and then stylising them with accent. This use of outdated words, perhaps rural society lagging behind more dynamic urban society, is not confined to the use of biblical sounding words like thou. Examples of words in everyday use in dialect, and still appearing even today in the Oxford Dictionary, but not in normal use by the population nationally would be fettle=mend, Old English meaning to prepare (something), shive=slice of bread, middle ages, gawp=stare open mouthed, 17thC. Logically we might expect these and/or other such words not to be peculiar to just one area, but I have no information on this.

No doubt many societies, particularly in rural areas have retained old words after they have gone out of general use. However, some substituted words are not obviously based on old common words: the use of ‘mon’ and ‘morned’ for must and mustn’t. When an old lady says she has a ‘touch o couth’ the word she intends to say is couth not cold. Even now an extensive list of these words could be drawn up, but the opportunity is fast passing. Some dialect words are not alternatives to another word in that they don’t have word for word equivalents: ‘aumpling’ means to walk in a laboured way, ‘pown’ is a mixture of hampered and awkward in one’s actions.

The above is a simplistic attempt by me to impose some structure in examining a dialect into a) accent, b) use of outdated words, and c) use of local alternative words for standard English words. An internet search reveals many attempts to grapple with this problem, with limited success - perhaps not surprisingly. In West Lancashire dialect where becomes weer, there becomes theer, stairs becomes steers, but the same sound in fair does not become feer, nor hair become heer. Rules are hard to find. So much of the material on dialect on the internet is just lists of examples of words etc. seen by the contributor as characteristic of the dialect. Interestingly many of the examples given are recognisable across many dialects (e.g. crying as Screeting, scriting etc.), and yet as heard regional dialects are undoubtedly different, and substantially so; some would claim to even be able to distinguish between neighbouring villages. So the challenge to define a dialect in text is a big one.

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But there seems to be scope for recording, analysing and explaining our specific local dialect, and if it has not been done then I hope someone takes up the mantel at this eleventh hour.

Chelsea Pensioner The 1851 census for Tarleton shows Lawrence Fairclough aged 48 living on Blackgate Lane and stating his occupation as Chelsea Pensioner. Lawrence was born in Tarleton 12th September 1802, his wife having been born in St James, Middlesex.

Colonel Banastre Tarleton I have no reason to suppose that Banastre Tarleton born 1754 in Castle Street, Liverpool had himself any direct connection with Tarleton the village. However his names suggest that his ancestors did, each being surnames with strong local connections to Tarleton village. In legal records, William de Tarleton is referred to as having land in Bretherton and Tarleton in 1353, and in 1543 William Tarleton refers to his ‘manor of Tarleton'. The Banastres were the first occupants of Bank Hall, the dominant residence of Tarleton and Bretherton for generations, and the Banastres were present before the building of the present Hall, and of course the by Joshua Reynolds name persists locally to this day as Bannister.

But Banastre Tarleton was such a colourful character that even this tenuous connection is sufficient excuse to include him in the Tarleton story. He has three claims to fame, and in each case his fame is mixed also with infamy. His fames are as a British military leader in the American War of Independence (or American Revolution as he would have described it), as one half of a lengthy and volatile relationship with the equally colourful society figure of Mary Robinson (one time mistress of the future king), and thirdly his fame as Member of Parliament for Liverpool.

Political ‘spin doctors’ may not have been invented then, but propaganda, satire and gossip certainly had, and a person such as he who lived his life on the edge of right and wrong and in full public gaze was liable for his fair

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share, or unfair share. The debate about the real Banastre Tarleton continues to this day prompted by the Mel Gibson film ‘The Patriot’ and the book clubs’ favoured ‘Perdita, The Life of Mary Robinson’ by Paula Byrne. There is even a Banastre Tarleton website and at least one pub named after him (in Yorkshire!).

Banastre Tarleton was commissioned into the King’s Dragoon Guards in 1775 and immediately volunteered to fight in the American war of Independence. From his arrival there until his capture at the surrender of Yorktown in 1776, he proved to be a most able and energetic commander, frequently surprising and defeating far larger American forces.

Banastre Tarleton was born to upper middle-class parents, members of one of the most prominent Liverpool merchant families of the time, his father John Tarleton was Mayor, who had made their fortune in sugar and slaves. At the University College, Oxford, he studied toward a law degree but was better known for his athletic abilities, participating in cricket, boxing, riding, and tennis. He was small physically, yet strong and active. In 1775 after a short uninspiring career at the Inner Temple, after exhausting his finances through gambling and other "fashionable amusements," he purchased a rank in the First Regiment of Dragoon Guards. Banastre eventually made his reputation as a cavalry officer during the War of American Independence. The Dictionary of National Biography states that: ‘He was a born cavalry leader, with great dash, as such he was unequalled in his time’. In America, he received promotions on the basis of merit. Always wanting to go beyond the routine of the soldier's life, he came to be known for his speed, daring, and surprise. At twenty-three, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the British Legion.

The U.S. National Park Service’s biography states:

His abilities led to initial success in the Revolutionary War, in both the Northern and Southern Campaigns. His use of light infantry in combination with his cavalry made a powerful combat team. He set a strong pace for his men to follow, and, in effect, led by example. Militia were said to panic at the sight of his green-jacketed dragoons (who were recruited in the main from American loyalists from New York and Pennsylvania).

Tarleton's early success included raids on upstate New York, and action in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In the Carolinas he took an active part in the battles of Monck's Corner, Charleston, the Waxhaws, Camden, Fishing Creek, Blackstocks, and Cowpens.

It was in the Waxhaws that Tarleton came to symbolize British cruelty in the Revolutionary War. There were numerous versions, however, of what actually happened in the Waxhaws. Traditionally, Tarleton was seen as a "butcher" when , it was said, America forces under Buford laid down their arms in an attempt to surrender yet the British continued their assault. From then on, his reputation grew and "Tarleton's quarter", in effect, came to mean "no quarter."

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After defeat at Cowpens he continued to fight on in later battles even with some amount of success, but the relationship with his commander Cornwallis was strained after the British defeat at Cowpens. Posted across the river from Yorktown, he surrendered his forces about the same time as Cornwallis.

In the tradition of the day, American officers hosted the defeated Cornwallis and other British officers at their respective tables. But no American invited Tarleton nor would any eat with him. Tarleton asked if the omission was accidental, and he was told that, indeed it was not, because of his past atrocities.

Banastre Tarleton's place in history goes beyond this defeat and his image as a "butcher". He is often not given credit for his genius in strategy. It is true he practiced total war -- burning houses, destroying crops, the end justifying the means -- when the European ideal was limited war confined to a field of battle. In effect, he was probably no more brutal then some other British officers and even some American officers. But, at the Waxhaws, his reputation for brutality stuck, as Patriot officers encouraged fear and anxiety of "butcher" Tarleton for propaganda purposes.

Banastre Tarleton, who died childless on January 16, 1833, at the age of seventy-eight, was buried in Leintwardine Churchyard. He was one of the most controversial figures in the American Revolution, possibly remembered in America more than in his native country.

Tarleton’s own account of events at Waxhaws was that his horse was shot from under him after the Americans had raised the white flag, this gave the loyalist cavalrymen the impression that the rebels had shot at their commander while asking for mercy and his own men, thinking him dead, engaged in "a vindictive asperity not easily restrained."

According to Tarleton's after battle report, the American rebel casualties were 113 men killed, 147 wounded and released on parole, and the 2 six pounders and 26 wagons captured. The British losses were 5 killed, 12 wounded, with 11 horses killed and 19 horses wounded.

The Patriot is a 2000 war film starring Mel Gibson. The protagonist, Benjamin Martin, is loosely based on real Continental Army officer Francis Marion. The antagonist, the fictional Colonel William Tavington, is "loosely based on Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who was particularly known for his brutal acts", said the film's screenwriter Robert Rodat. After the release of The Patriot, several British voices, including respected historians, criticized the movie for its depiction of the fictional villain Tavington and defended the historical character of Banastre Tarleton. Liverpool City Council, led by Mayor Edwin Clein, called for a public apology for what they viewed as the film’s "character assassination" of Tarleton.

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Mary Robinson (nee Darby), 1758-1800, is famed in modern times, in as much as she is famed, particularly by women as a woman of tenacity with an endless ability to pragmatically re-invent herself in times of feast or famine. Like Banastre Tarleton, she was born to a successful merchant family, in her case in the port of Bristol rather than Banastre’s Liverpool. There lives’ voyages were to cross, and given their natures and circumstances stormy seas were to be encountered and to a degree weathered.

When she was seven, Mary’s father Captain Darby, went to Labrador to try to establish a whaling station, leaving his wife and family in Bristol. The families fortunes declined, Mary became a young actress with the help of the leading light of the day David Garrick, began to write poems (receiving the patronage of The Duchess of Devonshire), and married a Thomas Robinson, a solicitors clerk of limited means. These means proved more limited than Mary had expected and her situation declined to the low point where Thomas, Mary and the baby lived in King's Bench prison for over a year. Thomas became involved with an Italian woman in the prison. Mary cooked, cleaned, and looked after the baby. She earned a little money by copying legal documents, work that was offered to Thomas by friends.

Mary returned to the theatre and appeared in her most famous (and infamous) role at age 21, a four-year veteran of the stage. Her success as Perdita in A Winter's Tale led to a royal request for a command performance. On December 3, 1779, the 17-year-old Prince of Wales (later King George IV) determined to make her his mistress. Lord Malden was sent to negotiate with her on the Prince's behalf. A hot exchange of letters ensued between "Perdita" and "Florizel", and the prince paid her marked attentions in public. Papparazzi of the time, such as the Morning Post and Morning Herald, were quick to scent a scandal.

Eventually she agreed to become the Prince's mistress. The newspapers followed the relationship with glee, publishing sometimes daily notes on its suspected progress.

Although the affair lasted less than a year, 'the Perdita' was notorious from then on; her gowns, her carriages, and her alliances became a constant source of discussion and speculation in the newspapers. The Prince's defection left Mary Robinson in a difficult position. Both the Robinsons were living on borrowed money, deeply in debt. She had ruined her reputation and given up a promising career as an actress, and received only promises in return. The Prince might have been expected to make some provision for his ex-mistress, but he did not.

Lord Malden, the Prince's original emissary, was now Mary's most frequent companion, and her lover. Rumour also associated her with Charles James Fox, who negotiated the annuity settlement for her.

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In 1782, a poor army officer named Banastre Tarleton joined the Prince's circle. Tarleton had achieved considerable fame, but little financial reward, for his military service in the Americas. But as far as the British public back home were concerned, Tarleton was the one romantic figure in a drawn-out, dirty, disappointing war. When he had returned to his native Liverpool in January 1782, he was given a hero's welcome. He then went down to London to bask in his glory. He was introduced to the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cumberland, and he embarked on a social whirl, with ladies swooning at the sight of his green tunic and war mangled hand. His helmet, adorned with swan's feathers, took on the same notoriety as Mary Robinson's Parisian hats. He had only a half-pay income of £173 per year to live on. Like the Robinsons, he was involved in an elegant but ruinous way of life which he could not support, gambling fortunes with the Prince, Lord Malden, and other cronies. Their bets were often absurd ones; they were as likely to race geese and turkeys as horses.

One night Lord Malden, Mary's 'protector', bet 1000 guineas that Mary would be true to him if Banastre Tarleton tried to seduce her. Several weeks later, Tarleton won both Mary's affections and the bet. Mary, when she learned what they had done, was furious with both men. Lord Malden, feeling himself betrayed when he had believed in her, rejected her. Tarleton seemed to care little for what happened. But after an accident in her phaeton, it was Banastre Tarleton who hurried to Mary's side - and she forgave him. Their seemingly unlikely relationship was to continue for the next 15 years. They were soon the talk of the town.

"Yesterday, a messenger arrived in town, with the very interesting and pleasing intelligence of the Tarleton, armed ship, having, after a chace of some months, captured the Perdita frigate, and brought her safe into Egham port. The Perdita is a prodigious fine clean bottomed vessel, and had taken many prizes during her cruize, particularly the Florizel, a most valuable ship belonging to the Crown, but which was immediately released, after taking out the cargo. The Perdita was captured some time ago by the Fox, but was, afterwards, retaken by the Malden, and had a sumptuous suit of new rigging, when she fell in with the Tarleton. Her manoeuvering to escape was admirable; but the Tarleton, fully determined to take her, or perish, would not give up the chace; and at length, coming alongside the Perdita, fully determined to board her, sword in hand, she instantly surrendered at discretion. " (Morning Post, September 21, 1782).

Tarleton and Robinson spent the next few years living intermittently in France and in Germany. Mary Robinson found comfort in writing poems such as "Ode to Valour. Inscribed to Colonel Banastre Tarleton.". They worked together composing and revising Tarleton's History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781 (1787). In 1787, Tarleton returned to London for the book's publication. It gained him some prestige, but little income. They took up residence in London and though they experienced several breakups and reconciliations, the relationship with Tarleton continued until 1798. During that time, Banastre Tarleton pursued his interests in politics. He became a

147 member of Parliament, and was promoted to Colonel and later General. During the same time, Mary Robinson wrote prolifically. Her poetry and fiction achieved considerable acclaim. (Her attempts at writing for the theatre were less successful.)

On December 17, 1798, Tarleton married Susan Priscilla Bertie who was an illegitimate daughter of Robert Bertie, 4th Duke of Ancaster. The two remained married until his death on January 25, 1833. Tarleton had no children in either relationship.

The third aspect of Banastre Tarleton’s fame is politics, though his achievements are modest and again tinged with infamy. He gave up his military career to become a Member of Parliament. Having failed in 1784, he successfully contested the parliamentary election at Liverpool in 1790. He retained this seat in 1796 against his brother, John, who stood as a Tory. Though Banastre had divorced himself from the family business, he continued nonetheless to serve closely both his family's and his constituents' interests particularly during the 1790s when he emerged as an outspoken critic of William Pitt’s and William Wilberforce's plans to abolish the slave trade. So his final infamy: there he was, unfortunately for his legacy, a fierce defender of the African slave trade upon which his family fortune was based; though he was not alone either here in Britain or in America in a futile resistance of the inevitable abolition of slavery.

So Banastre Tarleton was a man of character, but one who backed the wrong causes: in war, in relationships and in politics, and perhaps most of all in backing himself – his failings if accurately reported are too extreme to be written off as a lovable old scoundrel.

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Further sources to be explored for possible inclusion

Liverpool Wool Registers 1739-92, Maritime Museum :The primary source for the database was the Liverpool Plantation Registers, which were formerly held in the Customs House at Liverpool and now held in the archives of the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool. Compiled by local customs officials in accordance with the Navigation Act of 1696, which required that vessels trading to England's plantations be registered in a manner prescribed in the Act, four volumes of plantation registers for Liverpool have survived. Covering the periods from 1744 to 1773 and 1779 to 1784, the Liverpool registers are the largest surviving set of plantation registers for any British port before the general registration of British shipping in 1786.

UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES, LIVERPOOL: compiled by the late Mr. Maurice M. Schofield

D.514/1/ Research notes etc. (ii) Ships registered at Preston (A-Z) and with list of vessels listed as suitable for Preston river

D.514/1/16 Exeter University's print-outs of commissioned vessels belonging to Chester, Lancaster, Whitehaven and Workington in each of the wars in the period 1702-1815: (a) War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14) (War of the Quadruple Alliance (1781-20)) (b) War of the Austrian Succession (1740-5) (and War of Jenkins' Ear (1739-48)) (c) American War of Independence (1775-83) (and War of 1812) (d) French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1801) Napoleonic Wars (1803-15) (and Peninsular War (1808-13)) D.514/1/17 (XXYi) Lancaster registered ships, 1762-1787, 1789, 1791-1806.

D.514/1/28 Miscellaneous notes taken from primary and secondary sources: (i) Lancaster, Preston, etc. shipping and trade. (ii) Lancaster, Preston, Poulton, etc. slaver ships.

Liverpool Registrations (at Liverpool Maritime Museum, Albert Dock) done:-

31 Aug 1786 – 11 Mar 1788 4 ships (all previously found elsewhere) 13 May 1850 – 4 July 1851 None found* Jan 1875 – 31 Dec 1875 None found Remainder yet to be searched.

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