1985: Excavation and Survey at Newton Mill, Newton-le-Willows.

Steven Dowd
Newton Mill

INTRODUCTION In April 1985, the then Archaeological Survey of Merseyside was advised by St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council of a planning proposal to re-route a sewer pipe in Newton-le-Willows. The work was to involve the construction of a manhole within the ruins of the water-mill (NGR SJ 5927 9528) which stands on the west bank of Newton Brook, southeast of Newton-le-Willows church and west of Mill Lane (Figure 12). The existing mill remains appeared to date from the 18th century, but documentary evidence suggested that there had been a mill…

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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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Coloured views on the Liverpool and Manchester railway

Steven Dowd

So most people know how mad I am about local history, and over the years I have had various copies of the different reproduction historical books of the 1831 TT Bury “Coloured views on the Liverpool and Manchester railway” but have never been able to buy or afford an original book, which sell with 6 to 12 prints at anything from 6000 to 12000 pounds. But, I think that I’ve managed to buy an original 1831 Ackerman of Plate 4, showing the “Viaduct across the Sankey Valley” which is brilliant…

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THE BARONY OF NEWTON IN MAKERFIELD

Steven Dowd
THE BARONY OF NEWTON IN MAKERFIELD

Historical Overview This liberty is almost conterminous with the Domesday hundred of Newton. During the twelfth century, it was included in the ‘corpus comitatus,’ or sheriff’s charge, at the assized rent of £8 16s. 4d., increased to £11 11s. 4d. in the year 1201. When Robert Banastre received it from Henry II, these lands appear to have been subject to the yearly payment of the former sum. When delivered to his son by the crown in 1204, the tenure was partly by knight’s service and partly in socage. The Banastre…

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A Timeline of Newton History

Steven Dowd
A Timeline of Newton History

Timeline of Newton in Makerfield and Newton-le-Willows This timeline offers a comprehensive overview of the significant historical events that have shaped the regions of Newton in Makerfield and Newton-le-Willows. Spanning from the 12th century to the modern day, the timeline highlights key developments, including landmark charters, pivotal societal changes, and major infrastructural projects that have influenced the growth and evolution of these areas. By documenting these events, the timeline not only chronicles the rich history of Newton in Makerfield and Newton-le-Willows but also reflects the broader historical trends in governance,…

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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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1901: A Fortunate Newtonian: “Struck Oil” in Texas

Steven Dowd
St Helens Examiner 1901

St. Helens Examiner – Friday 06 December 1901 Information has just reached Newton that Sam Crowther, whose parents once managed the Old Crow Inn on Crow Lane in Newton about 25 years ago, has suddenly become one of the richest men in Texas. Raised in Newton at the Old Crow Inn, Sam Crowther experienced his formative years and early adulthood there. After his father passed away, his mother remained a widow for several years before remarrying Mr. Joseph Shona, who still resides at the Old Crow. Following their mother’s death,…

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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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THE FEE OF MAKERFIELD. Part II.

Steven Dowd

By William Beaumont, Est/.(published and read 20th March, 1878.) On a former occasion, when I had the honour of reading before this Society u paper on the above title, I intimated that l might on some other occasion, if I had time and you had patience, be led to continue the subject. In mv former paper I traced the Barons of Newton through the successive lines of the Bannstres and Langton’s, and ended it when, the latter family becoming extinct by the death of the last Sir Thomas Langton, Newton…

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Burtonwood: Historical Snippets by Year

Steven Dowd

I’ve been trying to put together a year by year snippet history of Burtonwood historical notes, it’s a work in progress, it has errors, and spelling mistakes, these will most likely get edits, names and place names will be edited and checked , I am sure it will have more year snippets added to it and many updates as more documents are read and transcribed by the people helping me 1028 King Canute in his excursion against the Scots boldly made the Norwood road and took measures of common ford…

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A HISTORY OF BURTONWOOD CHAPEL.

Steven Dowd

The Chapel of Burtonwood was founded by Thos. Bold Esq., by a deed of feoffment, dated 27th, Sept. 1605. He conveyed a portion of land in trust from the Waste In Burtonwood, 40 roods In length and 20 roods In breadth. The rent charge to be one penny annually to him and his heirs on the Natal feast of St. John the Baptist. It appears by the proceedings of a Commission AD.PIUS.VSUS. before John Bishop of Chester on an inquisition taken at Wigan March 28th, 1627 That Thomas Darbishire of Burtonwood Yeoman…

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