onwards, lived and had their being in their warehouses and on change, and then death stepped in to take them away, so that the places they dwelt in knew no more of them for ever. And yet their remembrance remains and is recorded upon the page of history, and when, as in this instance, a descendant of theirs dies and we see a short record of his departure in a newspaper, it is fitting that we should try and look back

to records of his ancestors, and then see if there is not 8 life story to tell which may be trusted to useful account for posterity. Twenty-six years ago Mr Phillips was high sheriff of his county, then a young man of thirty summers. What is the link that bound Radnorshire, Heaton Norris, and Manchester in the history of his family?

A CHESHIRE ANTIQUARY.

Notes.

RECOLLECTIONS OF STOCKPORT.

The buildings on the south side of Little Under bank, from the Queen's Head to the Grapes Inn, have undergone great alterations during the last 60 years. Adjoining the Queen's Head were several dingy looking shops with bow windows. The last in the row was occupied by Mr Holme, druggist, father to the late Mr Holme, of Wellington-road North, late head of the Stockport Post Office. This shop attracted my notice more than the rest by there being in the window three large globular glass bottles, each filled with a liquid of a different colour. Messrs Chapman and Watts's large establishment now occupies the site of those shops Adjoining Mr Holme's was an esplanade or yard which fronted Mr Northcliffe's gingham and check warehouse. Mr Foggitt's printing works are now in a portion of Mr Northcliffe's late warehouse. The next building to the yard was occupied by Mr Stringer, grocer. I don't know anything of the Stringer family more than that they were an old Stockport family, and at one time were numerous in Stockport, where their name is still perpetuated. The site of the Vernon Park and its surroundings at one time were called Stringer's field. The weir crossing the river Goyt is still known as Stringer's weir. There is also a Stringer-street off Newbridgelane. Mr Stringer, grocer, so I have been told, owned considerable property in the neighbourhood of the Underbank at one time. The next premises to Mr Stringer's were occupied very many years by Mr Joseph Rayner, druggist.

The Rayner family, which consiste 1 of father and mother, three sons, and several daughters, once resided in the large house adjoining the Grapes Inn, in the Underbank. The sons' names were Joseph, the druggist, John and William, both medical practitioners. I did not know the daughter's

names, but one of them became the wife of Mr Deakin, a well-known lawyer in Stockport. My first connection with this family was under rather painful circumstances to myself. As stated before, I was born in the house next door to Mr John Appleby's grocery warehouse, and nearly opposite to Mr Thomas Steel's cotton mill in Chestergate. My mother was a weaver at Steel's mill up to the time of my being about five years old. As soon as I could well walk and saw the mill gates open, I often toddled across the road and went in the mill to my mother. It was customary in most of the

mills at that time to weave with wet weft. It was so in Mr Steel's mill. A few yards from my mother's looms was a cistern partially filled with soap suds, the top of which was level with the room floor. The weavers' cops were packed in tins perforated with holes, and then the tin was put into these soap suds. The overlooker, William Cope, had been emptying the cistern of cops, and I stood watching him. He went to deliver the cops to the weavers, and as soon as his back was turned I com. menced to slide on the slippery floor, and in doing so I had the misfortune to slide into the cistern. I remember nothing more of this mishap but what I gathered from my mother afterwards. No one saw the affair happen, but when the overlooker came for some more cops he saw my feet protruding out of the soap suds. He instantly pulled me out of the cistern and pronounced me to be dead.

Joseph Rayner at this time had a wide-spread fame for curing all diseases that children were heir to, and the mothers round about Chestergate never thought of taking their children when ailing to anyone else. When I was rescued from the cistern and pronounced to be dead, my mother's in. stinct came to her aid. Instead of tearing her hair and bemoaning the loss of her boy, she instantly wrapt me in her shawl and ran with me to Mr Joseph Rayner's shop. Under that gentle

man's care I soon became well again, and I don't think my soap sud posset did me much harm. Mr Joseph Rayner was a person of lively temperament, he was fond of a little gossip, and was often seen chatting with people at his shop door. He was also erratic, and rather fond of change. No one seemed to be doing better in his business as a chemist.

One of the first alterations that took place amongst those dingy old shops in the Underbank was to gut and re-front one or two of them, and make them into a bank. One Mr Smyth was the manager. He had a daughter who became the second wife of Mr John Vaughan, one of our leading lawyers, who at one time was the town clerk of Stockport. This bank had a short reign; it wa carried on but a few years.

After the closing of this establishment the premises were tenantless for a short time. It was during this epoch in the history of Stockport that ale drinking vaults were first introduced into Stockport. The Pack Horse, in Higher Hillgate, then kept by Mr Cox, who hailed from Manchester, was one of the first of this kind of drinking places started in Stockport. Mr Cox made his vault as attractive as possible, by the introduction of several extra entrances, the enlargement of the windows, and by placing over the principal entrance in the Hillgate a large lamp, which has caused this publichouse to be known as the " Big Lamp" ever since. This vault business was a financial success to Mr Cox, and a number of other publicans soon had vaults attached to their premises. Mr Joseph Rayner well knew that ale and porter were more palatable to the human frame than physic; and seeing others prospering by trafficking in drink he concluded to embark in the same trade. At a considerable cost he caused this disused bank to be remodelled and fitted up in a grand style, and cons verted into a vault for the sale of ale and porterand he christened the premises the Tiger Vaults, After a certain time Mr Rayner got tired of his new business. At a greater cost he had these premises again remodelled and beautified, both internally and externally, and converted into a vault for the sale of wines only. He caused a representation of the vine leaf to be painted on the outside wall, over the entrance, on a gigantic scale. It was painted by Mr Roach, a clever artist, who was then residing in Stockport. Mr Rayner re-christened these premises the "Vine Leaf." This representation of the vine leaf was considered at the time a grand piece of workmanship, and was

greatly admired as such by the artists of Stockport and the public at large. I often thought myself that it was in the wrong place, and worthy of a better situation. I never knew or heard of Mr Joseph Rayner mixing with politics; I believe few people knew what his views were on public questions. He gained for himself a widespread fame in another cause. During Mr Rayner's prosperity many strikes, turnouts, and disputes took place in Stockport between the masters and the operatives. During these strifes Mr Rayner in variably coincided with the workpeople. He encouraged them in every possible way, by paying a large weekly stipend to the relief fund, and by paying the dele. gates' expenses for collecting in other towns. When the collections have run short, Mr Rayner has lent the committees large sums of money, which were never refunded. For these kind acts to the operatives he received nothing but the grossest ingratitude. I was told that he nearly ruined himself by pampering these turnouts time after time. This deluded kind-hearted man married a widow lady (Mrs Stitfall) in his declining years, and went to reside in retirement in the neighbour. hood of Greek-street. I intend resuming my remarks on the Rayner family in my next paper. Stockport. JOHN GREENHALGH

WARBURTON.

Warburton is a straggling village and parish four miles W.N.W. from Altrincham, and two miles from Lymn, Cheshire. It contains 1747 acres of land, and in 1881 had 89 houses and 426 inhabitants. The river Bollin separates this township from Lymn, and the river Mersey forms its northern boundary. At the Domesday Survey the manor was in moieties, held by the Baron of Halton and Robert Tezzon. In the reign of Richard Couer de Lion Adam de Dutton became possessor of both moieties, one in the right of his wife and the other with a moiety of Lymn Manor by grant from John (?) Lacey, the honoured constable of Chester, who, in 1128, by collecting and arming a number of fiddlers and disorderly people assembled at Chester fair, rescued Ranulph Earl of Chester from his incarceration at Rhuddlan Castle. In the thirteenth century Peter Dutton, knight, assumed the name of Warburton, and until the reign of Henry VII. the Warburtons resided here. In 1495 Sir Peter Warburton, who had built Arley Hall, removed the family residence from Warburton to Arley, where his descendants continued interrupted succession until the death of Sir Peter Warburton in 1813, when the family in the male line became extinct. However, the estates were vested in trust for the use of Rowland Eyles Egerton Warburton, who is now owner of the whole parish.

ITS NAME.

There is little doubt that in this place name is conserved the name of the daughter of Wolfere, King of Mercia-viz., the holy virgin Saint Werburg-whose feast was celebrated on the 16th day of June-which by the addition of "ton" (Anglo-Saxon enclosure) is formed Werburgton, and the coat of arms of Peter Warburton, in 1406, were circumscribed S. GALFRIDI-DE-WARBVRGTONE. From the above it is inferred that Warburton means "the enclosure of 8t. Werburg," and historical fact bears out such conclusion, as is seen in the following relative to the monastery.

THE MONASTERY.

It appears there was a monastery nere of Præmon. statention canons dedicated to S. Werburg, which existed in the twelfth century, when Adam de Dutton gave by deed a moiety of the manor to the canons of S. Werburg, at Werburgton; and the same deed speaks of John, son of Adam de Dutton, being buried in the monastery of Werburgton. When it was founded is not known, neither was it of long duration, for about 1190 it was merged in the Abbey of Cockersand, in Lancashire, an abbey of Præmonstatention canons. THE ABBEY CROFT.

The site of the residence of the canons at Werburgton, it may be inferred, was a short distance from the present church, on the west side, and near the bank of the river, as a field here still retains the name Abbey Croft.

THE CROSS.

A little N.E. of the Abbey Croft may be seen the remains of the cross, enclosed by sandstone flags raised on end. From it the monks of the monastery would teach the people, for learning in olden time was confined principally to religious establishments, or around it produce would be sold or bartered. Transfers of land or agreements which required attesting were brought to the foot of the cross for signatures; those unable to write obtained witness to their mark, which invariably was the mark of a cross. It may be this Cross was erected to commemorate a first preaching of the Gospel; if so, what story gathers around it from thence to the time of John Wesley, who, it is said, stood here and preached the "good news" with well-known eloquence to the wondering villagers.

THE CHURCH.

The church, situated on the south bank of the river Mersey, is a venerable fabric dedicated to Saint Werburg, and judging from outward appearance has undergone various restorations. The north wall, probably the oldest part of the present edifice is of considerable antiquity, being composed of frame-work and plaster; it contains a very low doorway now built up, but which forty years ago was entered by descending steps. The south wall, built of sandstone,

probably obtained from Lymm quarries,bears the date 1845. The ivy mantled tower of brick, marked 1753, is exceptionally built at the east end of the church It has not a clock in' it, nor does it appear to have been built to receive one ; it contains only one bell, whose inscription I could not sati factorily decipher, query 1575. About the east and west end there is nothing of particular interest. Inside the church comprises nave, chancel, and side aisles. Entering by the studded oaken door at the west end-though there remaineth not a vestige of the old gallery nor a sing'e rush to show how the poor carpeted the floor of the high backed pews in which they were privileged to sit-the low dark roof and the wooden pillars of the nave immediately convince us of its antiquity. About ten years ago, under the judicious care and liberality of Mr R. E. E. Warburton, the church was re-seated. A window of stained g'ass now orr aments the chancel, and an organ in the south transept pours forth the hymns of praise.

On a brass on the south wall is the following refer

ence:

The date which a stone 1645 this building bore,
Till weathered by time and the winds of heaven
Was graven above on the wall once more,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.

On a brass in the chancel is inscribed :

Subtus inhumatur corpus
docti piique viri Richardi
Grimshey, mediet de Lym
Cum Warburton. Rectoris.

qui 1 mo. die Febru, a'no
1669, Etatis suæ 670
placide in Xto, obdormivit.

There is also an ancient stone font with this inscription:

William Drinkwater, the keeper,

Its wooden Cover is dated 1595. It is said a family of the name of Drinkwater resided in Warburton for many generations, several of whose members became eminent soldiers.-Ormerod.

THE CHURCHYARD.

In the churchyard of Saint Werburg a yew tree, calculated to have been planted five hundred years, stands as a relic of Saxon Christianity. There is also a sun-dial dated 1765. The oldest legibly marked gravestone bears the date 1606, but certainly this was a burial ground long anterior. On the north side of the church, August 9, 1816, were three coffin-shaped gravestones level with the surface and partly covered with grass. 1st: Seven feet long, ornamented with a cross fleury, having two branches at the sides and a head formed by four lozenges joined by stalks in the form of a cross 2nd: Only three feet long, and quite plain. 3rd: Eight feet long, quite plain, rose to a ridge like the roof of a house. The lid was of red sandstone and the coffin part of white freestone. This

may still be seen near the church tower on the north side. Upon examination, one contained an entire skeleton, and ashes were seen in the others. In ail probability they represented interments from the ancient monastic establishments.

66

Of the Rectory and the moated site of Warburton Hall I have nothing to say, but trust that some of my readers will supply this deficiency, subscribe matters of interest by me omitted, and correct, if necessary, for it is ten years since my notes were first taken. In the transcription error may have crept in. And has there not been a new church built since then-1877 ? Stil! there are two expressions current in Warburton and neighbourhood to which I must not omit reference before conclusion. The first is to assign Warburton colloquially as Johnny Jerusalem's land." I know not why, but Sir Peter Leycester says: "John Lacey, of Chester, granted the second moiety of Warburton to Adam de Dutton, on the condition of his granting it to the Prior and Convent of St. John of Jerusalem, under whom it was held by him and his posterity." May not this explain the matter? The second is often used as an intimidation: "I'll pull you Lymn from Warburton." Did this arise with the severance of the Warburton living from its mediety of Lymn? words of institution and induction of the parson are: "Ad liberam capellam de Warburton et medietatem rectoriæ ecclesiæ de Limme," so that Warburton hath

The

the gift of half of Lymn as well as Warburton wholly. The living is now entirely separated from Lymn, for by Order in Council, December 11, 1869, Warburton was erected to an independent parish, and the Rev. D. Augustus Beaufort, M.A., was the first rector of Warburton after the severance. Again, the "old folk" talk of Warburton people being exempt from all market tolls in the kingdom, and also of Warburton once being a place of refuge to which offenders fled for safety, and deplore that these privileges were lost at the building of the iron bridge which now connects it with Lancashire. It would be interesting to learn more of these things, and I trust some learned antiquary may condescend to recite through CHESHIRE NOTES AND QUERIES the history of this primitive and historically interesting township. Bristol.

JAMES BOWLAND.

Queries.

EARDSWICK HALL FARM, CHURCH MINSHULL -Can any reader of CHESHIRE NOTES AND QUERIES, versed in county history, inform me if Eardswick Hall Farm ever belonged to anyone of the name of Yoxall, say perhaps 100 years ago; or can you inform me if ever it was in Chancery? CONSTANT READER.

Notes.

A GRIM RECORD OF THE OLD CHESTER GAOL. The following particulars respecting the executions at Chester during the past hundred years is, with additions and corrections, taken from the Chester Chronicle.

A friend has kindly compiled the following record of hangings in Chester, partly from an old manuscript list, but principally from the entries made by the sheriffs (who formerly had to attend to the hanging business personally), which are preserved at the Town Hall. The list is further remarkable as showing the changes which have come over public sentiment, there being no longer any hanging for arson, indecent out. rages upon children, or cutting and wounding with intent. The old practice of conveying the prisoner in an open cart is also wholly discontinued :

1790, September 2. John Dean of Stockport executed for the murder of his wife, his remains subsequently being hung in chains on Stockport Moor.

1813, April 23. Edith Morrey, for the murder of her husband.-June 26. William Wilkinson, James Yarwood, and William Burgess, for a rape on Mary Porter, Weston Point

1814, May 28. William Wilkinson, for arson at Offerton, near Stockport.

1815. April 22. Griffith and Wood, for burglary near Stockport.

1817. Joseph Allen, for uttering a forged note. After condemnation he took nothing but water for six days.

1818, May 9. Abraham Rosters and Isaac Moors, for burglary.-September 26, John Moor, for burglary.

1819, May 8. John Walker, for robbing his master.-September 25, Samuel Hooley and John Johnson, a black, for burglary at Bowdon.

1820, April 15. Jacob McGuinness, for shooting W. Birch at Stockport; Thomas Miller, for burglary; Robert Ellis, for burglary; and William Realing, for arson. 1821, May 5. Samuel Mealy, for highway robbery at Stockport.

1822, May 5. William Tongue, of Stockport, conricted at the last April Assizes for carnally knowing and abusing a woman child, under the age of ten years, and George Groom, of a highway robbery, were both executed this day. Messrs John Johnson and John Gardner, sheriffs. Note: Tongue and Groom were removed in a covered cart to the House of Correction through Linenhall-street at five o'clock this morning, and were executed at one o'clock afternoon pre

J. F.-1822, September 14. Thos. Brierley convicted at the last Autumn Assizes for a highway robbery, executed this day. Messrs John Johnson and John Gardner, sheriffs. Note: He was removed from the county gaol as Tongue and Groom were, except that he was taken down to the Watergate, and through the city gaol; the cart was not covered as before J. F.

1823. April 14. Samuel Fallows, convicted at the present assizes of the wilful murder of Betty Shawcross at Stockport, was executed this day, and afterwards delivered to the surgeons of the Chester Infirmary to be dissected. Messrs W. Davenport and Edward Ducker, sheriffs. Note: Samuel Fallows was removed from the county gaol this morning at five o'clock in an open cart, and was executed about one o'clock. S. F. -John Cragan, alias John Carogan, convicted at the last assizes for the county of a rape at Stockport upon a woman child, of the name of Jemina Ward, under the age of ten years, executed this day. Messrs William Davenport and Elward Ducker, sheriffs. Note Cragan was removed from the county gaol this morning at five o'clock in an open cart, and was executed about one o'clock. Note: Cragan was sentenced to be executed on Saturday, 26th April ulto., but was respited for 14 days from the day appointed for his execution, doubt being entertained as to the 14 days; the recorder was consulted, when he was of opinion that 14 days from the day appointed for his execution was this day; the 10th May. S. F.

1823, September 13. Edward Clarke, convicted at the last assizes for the county of Chester, of a highway robbery at Stockport, executed. Messrs William Davenport and Edward Ducker, sheriffs. Note: Clarke was removed at the time and in the manner the five preceding persons were. S. F.

1824, April 21. Joseph Dale, convicted at the last Autumn Assizes of the murder of William Wood, at Disley, and sentenced at the present Spring Assizes,

was executed this day about twelve o'clock. Messrs onathan Colley and George Walker, sheriffs. Note: Dale was removed at five o'clock this morning, and in the manner the six preceding prisoners were.

1826, April 26. Abraham Stones, convicted at the last city sessions for a highway robbery, was executed this day. (Samne day) Phillip McGowen, convicted at the last assizes for a highway robbery, was also executed this day. William Grace and Simeon Leet, sheriffs of the City of Chester. Note: Both these persons were ordered for execution on Saturday, the 22nd April inst., but were respited until this day upon a representation made to the Secretary of State, in Lond n, of the death of Mr William Bevin, late one of the sheriffs, which happened on the 15th April, and after the warrants were delivered for the execution. Mr Leet elected sheriff on Friday, the 21st April. Wm. Edwards.

1826, August 26. John Green, convicted at the last assizes for the county of Chester of burglary, executed this day. Messrs Wilkinson Grace and Simeon Leet, sheriffs. Green was removed at the time and in the manner the former persons were. J. F. M.

1829, May 9. John Lea, otherwise called John Lier, otherwise called John Lear, convicted at the last assizes of burglary, and John Proudlove, of highway robbery, executed this day. Messrs Thomas Bowers and John Allender, sheriffs of the City of Chester.

1829, September 26. John Benshall, for shooting at the Earl of Stamford's gamekeeper, and Joseph Wood. house, for a rape on his daughter, were executed this day, at half-past twelve o'clock, at the west point of the city gaol. Messrs Thomas Bowers and George Allender, sheriffs. Note: The convicts were conveyed in an open cart from the county to the city gaol at a quarter before five this morning. J. F. M.

1832, May 12. James Cumberledge, for arson,

executed this day at twelve o'clock; half-past twelve o'clock turned off. Richard Palin and Richard Philpot, sheriffs.

1834, April 7. Samuel Thorley, convicted at the present assizes for the murder, at Leftwich, of Mary Pemberton, was executed this day at twenty minutes past twelve o'clock. Mr George Eaton and Mr Joseph Ridgway, sheriffs. Note: Samuel Thorley was conveyed in an open cart from the county to the city gaol at five o'clock this morning. The body of Samuel Horley was returned to the county for interment within the precincts of the castle gaol pursuant to the sentence.

1834, April 19. John Carr, convicted at the last assizes for the county for feloniously stabbing; Thomas Riley, convicted at the same assizes for feloniously cutting at Stockport; William Naylor, convicted at the same assizes for feloniously shooting; James