SIR ROGER BRADSHAIGH'S LETTERBOOK. IN the collection of Mr. William Farrer at Hall interest concerning the internal history of Lancashire in the period immediately following the Restoration of Charles II., viz. from 1660 to 1676. It was formerly in the possession of Sir Thomas Phillipps, and is a small folio of 468 pages in a modern binding of blue morocco, lettered on the back "Military History of Lancashire, 1660-1676: Bradshaigh MS." The book contains copies of various documents addressed to Sir Roger Bradshaigh of Haigh near Wigan in his capacity as one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the county, and a few other letters and papers. Sir Roger no doubt had them copied out for reference, and the order is (roughly) chronological. Many are formal merely, as the copy of the commission to the Earl of Derby as Lord Lieutenant and the like, but others throw light on the disturbed conditions which accompanied the restoration of Monarchy and led to the Revolution of 1688. Sir Roger was made a knight in 1660 1 1 Mr. Robert Gladstone, jun., has pointed out that a century ago it was owned by Matthew Gregson, the Liverpool antiquary (see the Imperial Magazine, 1819, col. 328), who cites it, somewhat inaccurately, in his Portfolio of Fragments (2nd ed., p. 170*, 3rd ed., p. 159) under the title of "the Lord Lieutenant's Book." Gregson's errors misled the late E. W. Cox; Trans. Hist. Soc., xlii. 195 sqq. and a baronet in 1679; he represented the county in Parliament from 1660 until 1678, and was an active public man and zealous Royalist. He died in 1684. I. DEFENCE. One of the first duties imposed on the Deputy Lieutenants was the raising and equipment of an effective militia or trained-band force, to be used in case of any appearance of sedition or insurrection such as might naturally be apprehended after the Civil War period. Foot soldiers to the number of 1800 were to be raised. From various notices it appears that a landowner with £500 a year was obliged to provide a horseman fully equipped; those with smaller incomes were joined together to make similar provision. This plan led to inquiry into the value of estates and to various complaints and excuses, of which the following are specimens:1 THE NAMES OF SUCH AS ARE TO APPEAR AT PRESTON DEC. 15, 1662, TO BE CHARGED TOWARDS FYNDING OF HORSE. Darby Hundred. Thomas Ashton of Penkett, Esq. Thomas Tayler of Sanky. Mris. Elizabeth Alcocke. John Case, gent. John Tetlow of Banke (?). Mr. Mollineux of the Wood. Mr. Mayle of Mayle-Clent. Richard Lathom of Allerton, Esq., or his Agent. Thomas Bootle of Mellinge, gent. Mr. Henry Gerrard of Bamfarlonge. The heires of Lathom of Mosborrow. 1 The volume is in the handwriting of several different clerks or copyists. The spelling, but not the punctuation, has been followed in the present extracts, though it is that of the clerk and not of the original documents. Mr. Robert Walthew of Pemberton. Richard Mollineux of Hawkley, gent. The heires of John Aspinwall of Toxtoth Parke, gent. Thomas Ashurst of Ashurst, Esq. Nicholas Fezakerley of Spella House, gent. Mr. Mercer of the Edge Layne. Mr. Sorrocould of the Eay Bridge. Tho. Blackeborne of Orford, gent. John Brotherton of Hays. The above were probably gentlemen who had been overlooked at the first assessment or who had complained of being overburdened. The following orders were made at Preston in December, 1662, respecting them : Mr. Mollinexe of Wood stands charged with one horse. John Tetlocke of Bancke Dr. Sherlocke-one. proportionally Mrs. Joane Owen-two; Mr. Cuthbert Ogles contributing for £250 per annum and Mr. Henry Ogles £100 per annum. Sir Henry Slayter-one; the estate of Thomas Gerard of Ince contributing a moiety. William Bancks, Esq.-one; Piers Leigh, Esq., contributing a third part. Mrs. Alcoke-one; Richard Latham, Esq., contributing for £100 per annum; Mrs. Latham of Mosborrow, £140; and Nicholas Phizakerley of Spella House, £120. Robert Whalthew-one; Richard Mollineuxe of Hawkley contributing for £130 per annum; Mr. Henry Gerrard of Bamferlonge, 100; and Mr. James Sorrocould of Ash ton, £100. Thomas Ashurst, Esq.-one; Thomas Blackeborne of Orford contributing for £150 per annum; John Landers and his son, £150. Peter Stanley of Moore Hall-one; the heirs of Peter Legay of Childwell contributing for £200; James Halsall of Harlton, 100; and the heirs of Edward Aspinwall of Toxtaff Parke, £100. Thomas Culcheth of Culcheth, Esq.-one; Mr. Vernam of Shakerley contributing for £100 per annum. Three inquiries into the values of estates have been preserved : A PERTICULER OF THE ESTATE OF CLAYTON [LE WOODS]. The Demeanes of Clayton per ann. The Reserved Rents and Cheefe Rents in Clayton, The Rent of the Milston quarry The Tythes of Clayton. 20 An Account of the Estate of John Molyneux and Thomas Hesketh of Rufforth, Esqrs., Given in by William Willson there Steward the 16th of December (1662). The rents of the Tenements and Cottages belonging to John Molyneux and Thomas Hesketh, Esqrs., per annum The Demeanes of John Molyneux and Tho. Paid out of the afforesaid Estate to Mrs. Hesketh per annum In assessments, Taxes and Payments To the King's Chauntrys and Cheefe Rents per an. £ s. d. |