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Ashton under Lyne in Lancaster County England History and GeographyASHTON under LYNE, a parish in the hundred of SALFORD, county palatine of LANCASTER, comprising the market town of Ashton-under-Lyne, and the town ships of Audenshaw, Hartshead, and Knott-lanes, and containing 25, 967 inhabitants, of which number, 9222 are in the town of Ashton under Lyne, 60 miles (S.E.) from Lancaster, 7 (E.) from Manchester, and 187 (N.W.) from London, on the road to Sheffield. This place, in ancient records styled Ashtoun-sub-Lima, derives name from the tree so called, and the adjunct, by which it is distinguished from other places of the same name in the county, from its situation below the Lyme of Cheshire. Its original proprietors, the Asshetons, a family distinguished in the early periods of English history, exercised the power of life and death; a field near the old hall, still called Gallows' Meadow, was the place of execution. In the reign of Henry VI., a descendant of that family, still inheriting extraordinary prvileges, clad in black armour and mounted on a charger, with a numerous retinue, levied a penalty on his tenants, for neglecting to clear their lands from a pernicious weed, then called Carr gulds, on the discovery of which among his corn, every farmer was liable to forfeit a wether sheep. In commemoration of this, the ceremony of 'riding the black lad,' still takes place on Easter Monday, when the effigy of a man in black armour is placed on horseback and led in procession through the town; it is then dismounted and hung up at the cross in the old market-place, and, after having been shot at, is immersed in a stagnant pool by the populace, who return through the principal streets, throwing it at every person they meet. The town is situated on an eminence rising from the northern bank of the river Tame; the old streets are narrow and irregular, but those recently formed are spacious, and contain substantial and handsome houses. It is well paved, and is lighted with gas and supplied with water, by a Company incorporated by act of parliament in 1825, and is rapidly improving under the management of local commissioners, appointed under an act obtained in 1827. The principal branches of manufacture are those of calico, gingham and muslin, and there are numerous mills for spinning the finer kinds of yarn: the various factories, which are principally worked by steam, contain 413,116 spindles, and 390 power looms. The manufacture of hats is also carried on extensively in this district. The neighbourhood abounds with excellent coal, which is conveyed to all parts of the kingdom by the Ashton, Huddersfield, and Peak-Forest canals, which unite here. The market, which, previously to the establishment of the cotton trade, had become obsolete, was restored by act of parliament in 1828, under which act a convenient market-place is now being erected, but the market day has not yet been fixed. The fairs are held, March 23d, April 29th, and on the eve, day, and morrow of St. Swithin and St. Martin, chiefly for horses and cattle. The town was formerly incorporated, but is now within the jurisdiction of the county magistrates, who sit every Monday and Wednesday, and hold a petty session every alternate week. The powers of the local commissioners were extended by the act obtained in 1828, whereby the internal regulation of the town is entrusted to their superintendance. The lord of the manor holds a court leet half yearly in April and October for the recovery of debts under 40s.; and a court of requests for the recovery of debts under £5 is held on the Thursday in every third week, under an act of the 48th of George III., having jurisdiction over the parish of Ashton under Lyne, and the townships of Stayley-bridge, Hattersley, Matley, Newton and Duckinfield. The court house, for the transaction of the public business, is a handsome and commodious range of building, over which are the theatre and concert room. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's books at £26. 13. 4. The Earl of Stamford was patron in 1816. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a spacious structure in the later style of English architecture, with a tower built in the reign of Henry V., but much altered by subsequent repairs: it sustained considerable injury from an accidcntal fire in 1821. St. Peter's, a handsome edifice in the same style, with a square embattled tower crowned with pinnacles, was erected in 1821, by a grant from the parliamentary commissioners. There are places of worship for Independcnts, and Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists. The National school, built partly at the expense of the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, and partly by the contributions of the inhabitants, is supported by subscription. The Roman road from Manchester to Saddleworth may still be traced through the town: near the old hall are the remains of an ancient prison, and in the old market place those of a cross. From Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England 1831, courtesy of Databases 4 Sale |
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