Category: Burtonwood

1891: THE SANKEY VIADUCT DIVE.

Steven Dowd
Sankey Viaduct - Tommy Burns

TOMMY BURNS’ ATTEMPTED DIVE: Completed by local Collier.Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Friday 13 November 1891 The inhabitants of Earlestown, Newton and surrounding district were considerably moved last week end by the startling announcement that Tommy Burns, the champion diver, who has gained such notoriety around Liverpool, Runcorn and district by his swimming and diving feats, would dive off the Viaduct Bridge or “Nine Arches,” on Saturday afternoon at three o’clock. The bridge is nearly 70 feet high, while the water in the canal is only about seven feet deep,…

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Burtonwood: THE LIMERICK HOTEL

Steven Dowd
The Limerick Hotel

With some historical gleanings from the archives. The Limerick was a pub located at the very end of runway 22 on the north east of the airfield fronting onto Cow Lane (now Burtonwood Road). It was a typical country pub with few home comforts but served a good pint of Burtonwood beer and basic food was sometimes available. It was frequented by the local farmers and villagers from Burtonwood and suddenly burst into life when RAF Burtonwood was built. Initially the Irish navvies who built the base went there for…

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1889: A “SMALL RIOT” AT BURTONWOOD.

Steven Dowd

Leigh Chronicle – Friday 20 December 1889 Nine boys named Schofield Jackson, Charles Jackson, Thomas Haverty, James Haverty, Henry Dalton, James Dalton, Joseph Dalton, James Millington, and Ernest Naylor, were charged with assaulting Thomas Dutton at Burtonwood by throwing stones on the 17th ult. Mr. H. L. Riley prosecuted, and Mr. Jenkins defended. Mr. Riley stated that his client had been a witness in several cases in which Burtonwood boys were interested, and in consequence of that he seemed to have become obnoxious to the boys who formed something like…

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Annals of the Lords of Warrington

Steven Dowd
Annals of the Lords of Warrington and Bewsey

The following chronological list is derived from the 1873 book titled “Annals of the Lords of Warrington,” a historical account that delves into the centuries following the Norman Conquest of England. This compilation provides a detailed exploration of significant events, land transactions, and the involvement of notable families in the regions surrounding Warrington, including Newton-in-Makerfield, Burtonwood, Haydock, Parr, Winwick, Bradley Park, Bewsey, Culcheth, Great Sankey, and Lower Sankey. These records shed light on the development of these localities from the 11th century onwards, highlighting their strategic importance, social structures, and…

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THE EARLY HISTORY OF WARRINGTON

Steven Dowd
Dr James Kendrick 1909-1882 Warrington

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EARLY HISTORY OF WARRINGTON. by Dr James Kendrick. Transcribed from the newspaper: Manchester Courier Published: Serialised Weekly from 8th Jan 1842 through to the 11 June 1842 The author of the following “Contributions” has few preliminary remarks to offer. He has been urged to their publication by many of his friends, who felt an interest in them when brought forward, a short while since, in the form of lectures. Wanting both leisure and inclination to compile distinct volume on the subject, he has selected a periodical of…

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Burtonwood Parish

Steven Dowd

“Warrington Church Notes” by William Beamont, published in 1878, is a historical account focusing on the Parish Church of St. Elfin in Warrington, England, along with other churches in the parish. William Beamont was a noted historian and antiquarian of the 19th century, particularly well-regarded for his contributions to the local history of Warrington and the surrounding areas. In this publication, Beamont documented the history, architecture, and significant events associated with the churches in the different Warrington parish’s. This is what he wrote about the history of the Burtonwood Parish.…

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Sankey Canal & Viaduct 1881

Steven Dowd

VIEW OF THE VIADUCT OVER THE SANKEY CANAL. PLATE II. Through the valley of Sankey, about half way between Liverpool and Manchester, was cut the first canal for hydraulic conveyance in England; and through it also flows a small river. From the locks of the canal, the Railway Viaduct is seen to the best advantage, and from this point was the view taken; but the effect from every part here is truly delightful. Over this valley—its rivulet and canal—and the topmasts and high peaks of the barges—is carried the Railway,…

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1861: Burtonwood Census

Steven Dowd
Burtonwood 1861 Census

While I was doing some family history, and searching for a few relatives from Burtonwood, I decided it would be simpler to keep a record of the 1861 census for my future searches, so have transcribed the data, hope it proves useful Name Birth Residence Parents Siblings Spouse Children Relation to Head Jane Whitfield c1821 – Burtonwood, Lancs Broad Lane, Burtonwood, Lancs Ellen Whitfield Margaret WhitfieldPeter Whitfield Thomas Fairclough c1799 – Sankey, Lancs Cawsey Bridge Farm, Burtonwood, Lancs Mary Fairclough Thomas FaircloughSamuel FaircloughBetsey Jane Fairclough James Dennett c1836 – Sankey,…

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1938: Burtonwood Parish Church Renovations’

Steven Dowd
St Michaels Burtonwood

Burtonwood Church Alterations.Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Friday 14 October 1938 Estimated cost OF £4,500 At the Liverpool Consistory Court, on Wednesday, Chancellor Challoner Dowdall, K.C., granted faculties for alterations at St. Michael’s Church. The Chancellor granted what he described as a important application for a faculty for structural and other alterations, estimated to cost £4,500, at St. Michael’s Church, Burtonwood, near Warrington. The scheme includes the erection of a new tower, the formation of an aisle baptistry, the strengthening of the north wall of the nave with buttresses, and…

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The Burtonwood Church Dispute and Developments

Steven Dowd
St Michaels Church Scandel

A Historical Overview: The Burtonwood Church disputes highlight a complex interplay of religious, social, and personal dynamics within a small community during the late 19th century. This series of events reflects broader themes of ecclesiastical governance, community resistance, and the challenges of pastoral leadership in changing times. Detailed Chronology and Excerpts: October 30, 1891 – Death of Rev. W. Wilson Newton and Earlestown GuardianThe community of Burtonwood faced a profound loss with the death of Rev. W. Wilson, who had served the parish for fifteen years. His death was not…

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1891: SHOCKING COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT COLLINS GREEN.

Steven Dowd
Collins Green Colliery Accident 1891

Newton and Earlestown Guardian – Friday 09 October 1891 The Inquest upon the bodies of Joseph Rigby, aged 40, of Ashbury-terrace, Burtonwood, and Richard Booth, 30, of Mercer’s New Cottages, Burtonwood, who were buried alive under a fall of nearly 100 tons of roof at the Collins Green Colliery, on Tuesday evening, was held on Saturday last at the Pear Tree Inn, Collins Green, before Mr. 8. Brighouse, county coroner, Mr. Jackson, general manager, and Mr. T. Glover, miners’ agent, of St. Helens, were also present. Mrs. Ann Rigby last…

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Burtonwood in 1727

Steven Dowd
1727 Burtonwood Survey

An Eye Survey of the Manour or Lordship of Burtonwood Belonging to Peter Bold of Bold Esq. At 8 Yards to a Perch by Edmundo Taylor A.D. 1727 Burtonwood Land Renters Henry Taylor Description A (Acres) R (Roods) P (Perches) £ (Pounds) S (Shillings) D (Pence) Site, Orchard, Fould, & Croft 0 2 0 2 0 0 Meadow 0 3 0 1 4 0 Dean croft nook 1 0 0 1 4 0 Three acre 3 0 0 2 8 0 Four acre 4 0 0 3 12 0 Two…

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The Dangers of Level Crossings

Steven Dowd
St. Helens Examiner - Saturday 23 December 1882

Saturday 23 December 1882 The enthusiasm which the new Ship Canal has evoked in commercial circles, having extended to Newton, naturally caused the mind to turn for a time to the “Sankey Canal” by way of antithesis. Not that this was the first canal made in England by any means, for the Romans, during their residence in England, cut a canal from the vicinity of their metropolis, the city of York, as appears from Drake’s Eboracum. In the year 1121, Henry I made a navigable canal of seven miles in…

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Burtonwood tenants in ye year 1700

Steven Dowd

A survey of several Tenants within ye manner of Burtonwood in ye year 1700 belonging to Peter Bold Esq. (&) John Howasdon, Thom. Chorley Burtonwood James Travers of mess & tenement:1 acre, 1 Rood, 0 Perch || £2, 16 Shillings, 0 Pence Wm Lawton of mess & tenement:31 acres, 2 Roods, 0 Perch || £19, 10 Shillings, 0 Pence Mary Holt widow of mess & tenement:15 acres, 0 Roods, 0 Perch || £7, 0 Shillings, 0 Pence John Bay for Godshouse land of mess & tenement:1 acre, 0 Roods, 0…

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Burtonwood Township 1210 – 1939

Steven Dowd

St. Michael’s Church, Burtonwood. 1716 – 1939 This Book is dedicated to the Glory of Almighty God as a special means of expressing the grateful thanks of the Parishioners of Burtonwood, for the realisation of their desire in the completion of the Restoration and Enlargement of St. Michael’s Church on St. Michael’s and All Angels Day, 1939. St. Michael’s ChurchRESTORATION AND ENLARGEMENT COMMITTEE, 1939. Chairman: The Vicar, Rev. Thomas Cowing, M.C., M.M.Treasurers: Thos. Forshaw, Esq., John Gleave, Esq.Secretary: C. V. Smith, Esq., M.M.Architect: E. J. Dod, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. Diocesan Surveyor,…

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