 |
 BYGONE VILLAGE LIFE.
Extract from 'History
and Associations of Altham and Huncoat.' by AINSWORTH. Richard
Wardleworths: Accrington, 1932.
In the old Wardens' Book at St. James' Church, Accrington, is preserved
an eighteenth century record of poor-law administration in relation
to the apprenticeship of children. This refers to the binding of a pauper
boy apprentice from Huncoat to John Eatough, of Accrington, for the
term of six years, dated the 21st day of August, 1725. It is in the
nature of a settlement attested by the overseers of both townships.
This was done to prevent the township being over-burdened by the poor
from other districts, as persons might become chargeable by apprenticeship
or by taking service. Children bound to a master were commonly known
as town apprentices. The custom was fairly common for both boys and
girls to be sent to various farmers throughout the country. This was
further intensified when the industrial system was introduced, and children
from the workhouses were sent in batches to the early printworks and
cotton mills. Scores of children were -disposed- of in this way by Poor
Law authorities in other parts of the country and Lancashire received
them into its new industrial areas. One of these town apprentices who
came to Mist Farm as a little girl from some other district was a lady
whose married name was Nellie Grime. Her husband was better known as
"Owd Billy" Grime. They lived at Grime Row and owned two houses
there.
The principal traffic of the district in olden times was by means of
pack-horses, small hard, and mostly bred in Gallowayshire. The "gals,"
as they were termed, generally went in gangs from twelve to twenty,
under the care of a driver. Owing to the wild and mountainous character
of the country, these small packhorses formed the best means of communication
between the different villages and farms, connected often only by steep
and precipitous paths similar to that from Burnley Road to the farm
at Rake Head. Browsing along the roadsides as they went leisurely on
their journey, at night pasturing on the neighbouring moors, their cost
of upkeep was a mere trifle. The leader of the---galswas bedecked with
a leather collar on which was fastened a ring of bells as a guide to
members of the gang and gave warning to any approaching team. The chief
business of these teams was the carrying of lime from Clitheroe to moorland
farms for breaking up the rough ground and coal on the return journey.
Each sack weighed about two hundred and forty pounds. They were a familiar
sight in Huncoat, and a memorial to an old driver is erected in Altharn
Churchyard:---William. Hacking, of Huncoat, who died January 15th, 1800,
aged 85 years:
"A faithful servant resteth here
Who served one master thirty years,
He drove his team with virtuous mind,
And to his cattle was always kind."
Another mode of communication that came into being during the latter
part of the eighteenth century and which just touches Huncoat is the
Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The section between Burnley and Enfield was
opened for traffic in May, 1796, the entire length by October, 1816.
Packet boata were introduced and Houghton Barn Bridge became a packet
station for passengers.
Bull-baiting, an old-time sport was indulged in at Huncoat in the eighteenth
century in Town Gate. Bull-baiting, now regarded as a cruel and degrading
sport, was not looked upon as such by people of those days to whom it
appealed as an exciting spectacle and attracted a large number of spectators.,
It was under the sanction of the law for butchers were fined or "amerced"
for selling beef which had not been previously baited. The bull was
taken into Town Gate, secured to an iron ring and then the dogs were
"set" on to it with disastrous results oftimes to many a dog.
It was believed that the beef would be more tender for human food if
the bull had been previously baited. Bull-baiting was not abolished
by Parliament until 1835.
Cock-fighting was another cruel sport that prevailed on the hills around
Huncoat. The cock pit was common.in connection with inns, a neighbouring
field being used for the purpose. One such was behind the White Lion.
Cock-fighting was a fascinating sport to the men folk, betting and gambling
being the order of the day. The Lomaxes, Holdens and other gentry had
their mains of cocks which figured in the cock pits of Manchester, Preston
and other places. Dr. Whitaker, who on occasions visited Huncoat on
his way to and from Holme, records that while preaching in church he
distinctly heard the infernal yells and oaths which issued from a neighbouring
cock pit. Cock-fighting was prohibited by Act of Parliament in 1849.
Foot racing, tip-lad, or knur and spell, were popular sports in Huncoat
and matches were played in the field belonging to Thomas Wilkinson of
the White Lion Inn, previously used for cockfighting. People came from
Burnley, Accrington and Padiham when some well-known exponents of the
game were engaged.
Players have been known to drive the knur of "buck" 400 yards.
Anthony Wright, of Huncoat, was passionately fond of this sport and
was regarded in his younger days as a local champion
On occasions when the bounds and red-mated huntsmen appeared in the
village the handloom weavers left off their work to follow on foot and
enjoy the sport, then back to their looms and work late into the night
to make up for lost time. Wrestling was often indulged in as a sport,
many bouts being witnessed in Town Gate.
During the disturbed times following the close of the Napoleonic Wars,
Huncoat suffered from depredations committed principally by discharged
soldiers and persons rendered desperate by the conditions of the times.
Cases of highway robbery were common and poaching was the order of the
day among lawless men. On one occasion three poachers were surprised
by gamekeepers and a struggle ensued, in the course of which one of
the poachers had his gun wrested from his h ' and by one of the keepers.
By this the man was identified, arrested, tried and transported to Tasmania.
After his term of service he began farming and prospered, as did many
others who have helped to build up the Australian Commonwealth. Castle
Clough was the scene of the murder of a girl named Sellers, of Sellers'
Fold.
Illicit stills were common in the cloughs and ravines of the wild moorlands
of Hameldon slopes. Various devices were adopted to evade the revenue
officers and many exciting adventures took place among these smugglers.
Whisky was distributed by men who travelled the countryside and had
regular customers. They carried the spirits in large tins specially
made to fit capacious pockets in their coats. Each tin would hold one
gallon. Many ingenious devices were adopted such as hiding places in
walls, known only to distillers and their confederates. The receiving
places, such as inns and farmhouses, were known as "bush' shops."
There was adventure in the risks they undertook.
Marriages from Huncoat usually took place at Church Kirk, being within
that parish, apart from civil marriages before the Registrar. The village
wedding of a century ago was quite a charming feature of the place.
social events that lent gaiety and brightness to the routine of life.
The wedding parties walked in couples all the way to Church Kirk and
back, headed by the village fiddler, who enlivened the walk by playing
lively tunes. A dozen couples were frequently seen in a wedding procession.
When one of the daughters of the Wilkinsons of the White Lion Inn was
married, 27 couples followed the bride, all bedecked in dresses and
ribbons. Another daughter married Anthony Wright on another occasion
and at both events feasting and merrymaking followed at the White Lion.
Thomas Wilkinson was host of the White Lion Inn for many years and
his widow carried on the business later. Ann Wilkinson, in her younger
days, possessed a good voice and was in general request at funerals.
The custom then was for the mourners to gather outside the house of
the deceased and Ring around the bier, prior to being carried to Altham.
On these occasions she "led off- the singing of the mourners and
neighbours. Brothers of the host of the White Lion were: John Wilkinson,
farmer, overseer and village constable, who commenced a small dye works
but eventually went to America; David. Wilkinson, a local naturalist
well versed in botany who resided at Piper's Row (now demolished) near
the Stocks. Anthony Wright was host, and kept the old Hall Farm for
many years.'
|
