Part 10 (1/2)
Map
Names of Places.
County.
Number of Miles From +--+------------------+----------+-----------+-------------+ 37
Ashtead pa
Surrey
Epsom 2
Leatherhead 2
7
Ashton to
Chester
Chester 8
Tarporley 7
11
Ashton pa
Devon
Chudleigh 4
Exeter 6
22
Ashton to
Lancaster
Preston 2
Kirkham 7
22
Ashton[A] to
Lancaster
Lancaster 3
Garstang 8
28
Ashton pa
Northamp
Northamp 7
Towcester 5
28
Ashton ham
Northamp
Wandsford 5
Stamford 5
28
Ashton ham
Northamp
Oundle 1
Wandsford 8
41
Ashton-Giffard to
Wilts
Warminste 7
Hindon 6
15
Ashton chap
Gloucester
Evesham 5
Tewkesbury 8
41
Ashton-Keynes pa
Wilts
Cricklade 4
Cirencester 6
34
Ashton, Long[B] pa
Somerset
Bristol 3
Keynsham 7
+--+------------------+----------+-----------+-------------+
Dist.
Map
Names of Places.
Number of Miles From
Lond.
Population.
+--+------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+ 37
Ashtead pa
Ewell 4
17
607
7
Ashton to
Frodsham 6
185
405
11
Ashton pa
Moreton Ha. 6
174
333
22
Ashton to
Garstang 11
219
...
22
Ashton[A] to
Overton 3
237
213
28
Ashton pa
Stoney Strat. 7
62
380
28
Ashton ham
M. Deeping 4
89
126
28
Ashton ham
Stilton 8
81
129
41
Ashton-Giffard to
Wilton 12
90
...
15
Ashton chap
Winchcomb 8
102
301
41
Ashton-Keynes pa
Malmesbury 8
89
1182
34
Ashton, Long[B] pa
Axbridge 14
120
1423
+--+------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+
[A] ASHTON. Near this village is Ashton Hall, a seat of his Grace the Duke of Hamilton. It formerly belonged to the family of the Laurences, but came into the present family by the marriage of James, Earl of Arran, afterwards Duke of Hamilton, with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Lord Gerrard Digby, of Bromley. The mansion is a large building, with some square embattled towers, an ancient hall, and other features of a magnificent baronial castle. It is situated in a fine park, through which flows a small rivulet, forming a narrow bay, at the western side of the grounds. The park abounds with wood, and is agreeably diversified with hill and dale, and affords, from many parts, extensive views across the river Lune to Morecambe Bay, the Irish sea, &c. The mansion has undergone considerable alteration, yet care has been taken to preserve its ancient character.
_Mail_ arrives at Galgate Bridge, one mile distant, 9.20 P.M.; departs 2.20 morn.
[Sidenote: Seat of the Duke of Hamilton.]
[B] ASHTON, or LONG ASHTON, is situated in a rich woody vale, protected on the north by a range of picturesque though bleak hills, and on the north lies the lofty ridge of Dundry. In this parish the inhabitants raise fruit and vegetables for the Bristol market. There is much garden-ground in Long Ashton, in which many Roman coins have been discovered. The houses are in general well-built, much company resorting thither during the summer season. The circ.u.mjacent scenery is delightful, and in the vicinity are the remains of two Roman encampments, Stokeleigh and Burwalls. The church is an old but very handsome building, founded by the family of Lyons; the nave and aisles are divided from the chancel by a beautiful gothic screen of fret and flower work, painted and gilt, and executed in the most admirable style.
One of the 6 bells contained in the tower is inscribed ”Sancte Johannes Baptiste ora pro n.o.bis;” on the tower are the arms of Lyons, in stone.
Amongst several painted figures and coats of arms on the gla.s.s of the windows, are the portraits of Edward IV. and his Queen, Elizabeth Widville. Here are several handsome monuments, but that of Sir Richard Choke and his lady is eminently magnificent and beautiful. Ashton Court, the manor house, originally founded by the Lyons family, but materially altered by Inigo Jones, occupies the S.E. slope of Ashton Down, and the remains of another old manor house, called the Lower Court, still stands in a valley to the S.W. of the village.
Map
Names of Places.
County.
Number of Miles From +--+-------------------------+---------+------------+------------+ 22
Ashton-under-Lyne[A] p
Lancaster
Manchester 7
Stockport 7
22
Ashton-in-Mackerfield}[B]
o & chap }
Lancaster
Newton 3
Prescot 7
7
Ashton-upon-Mersey }
to & pa }
Chester
Stockport 9
Manchester 7
+--+-------------------------+---------+------------+------------+
Dist.
Map
Names of Places.
Number of Miles From
Lond.
Population.
+--+-------------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+ 22
Ashton-under-Lyne[A] p
Mottram 5
186
33597
22
Ashton-in-Mackerfield}[B]
o & chap }
Wigan 5
196
5912
7
Ashton-upon-Mersey }
to & pa }
Altringham 4
184
2078
+--+-------------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+
[A] ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE is a large town situated at the south-eastern extremity of the county. It consists of several narrow streets, built on a high bank, which rises from the river Tame. It appears from an ancient ma.n.u.script, that Ashton was formerly a borough, yet for some centuries it sent no members to Parliament; but, by the Reform Bill of 1832, it now returns one member, and the mayor of the town is the returning officer. The borough comprises the whole district, over which the lighting and paving act of the 7th and 8th of Geo. IV. extends. A court is held here for the recovery of debts, not exceeding five pounds, by 48th Geo. III. c. 18; any person may sue, under the general regulations, and defendants sued elsewhere are to have their costs. Defendants removing out of the jurisdiction, may be followed in person and goods, by removing the record to the superior courts, but wagers, &c. are not recoverable. The princ.i.p.al part of the landed property of this parish belongs to the Earl of Stamford, in whose family it was conveyed, by the marriage of Sir William Booth to the daughter of Sir Thomas Asheton, whose family possessed some peculiar privileges in this manor: among which was, the power of life and death over their tenantry. In commemoration of this privilege, and its having been sometimes exercised, a field near the old hall is still called Gallows Meadow.
There is also an ancient custom here, called ”riding the black lad,”
celebrated every Easter Monday, to perpetuate some act of great tyranny exercised by Sir Ralph Asheton, in 1483, when vice-constable of England.
The ceremony consists in exhibiting the effigies of a man on horseback through the streets, which is afterwards suspended on the cross in the market place, and there shot. The figure was formerly cased in armour, and the expenses of it were defrayed by the court. Another account of the origin of this custom states, that Thomas Asheton, in the reign of Henry III., particularly distinguished himself at the battle of Neville's Cross, and bore away the standard from the Scotch King's tent.
For this heroic deed the King conferred on Ashton the honour of Knighthood, who, on his arrival at his manor inst.i.tuted the custom described. At the village of Fairfield, in this parish, there is a Moravian settlement, who have erected a chapel for their followers. The males are princ.i.p.ally employed in spinning and weaving: they form a very industrious and orderly community. On the western side of the town is Ashton Moss, which supplies the poor with peat turf. Oak and fir trees are frequently found by those who dig for the peat.
_Market_, Wednesday.--_Fairs_, March 23, April 29, July 25, and November 21, for horned cattle, horses, and toys.--_Bankers_, Buckley, Roberts, and Co.; draw in London on Jones, Lloyd, and Co.--_Inn_, Commercial Hotel.
[Sidenote: Court of Requests for the recovery of 5. Defendants may be followed.]
[Sidenote: The lord of the manor possessed a power of life and death.]
[Sidenote: Custom of riding the black lad.]
[Sidenote: Moravian settlement.]
[B] ASHTON. This village is generally called Ashton in Makerfield, or Ashton in the Willows; it enjoys a very pleasant situation on the road between Newton and Wigan. The hardware and cotton manufactories give employment to the inhabitants. The church is a large old building, part of which appears to have been erected by the lords of the manor. On the pews are some ancient carvings; and in the windows are exhibited some painted figures. Several of the Ashtons lie interred here, and their names are inscribed on the windows. Near the church is a curious mansion, called the Old Hall, the oldest parts of which are said to have been built in 1483; adjoining this stands a pile, which was formerly used as a prison.
Map
Names of Places.
County.
Number of Miles From +--+-------------------------+---------+--------------+---------------+ 41
Ashton-Steeple[A] pa & ti
Wilts
Trowbridge 3
Melksham 4
41
Ashton, West to
Wilts
... 3
... 5
21
Ashurst pa
Kent
Tunbridge 7
Tunbr. Wells 5
38
Ashurst pa
Suss.e.x
Steyning 4
Henfield 3
11
Ashwater pa
Devon
Holsworthy 7
Oakhampton 14
18
Ashwell[B] pa
Herts
Baldock 4
Royston 6
32
Ashwell pa
Rutland
Oakham 4
Cottesmere 3
27
Ashwell-Thorpe pa
Norfolk
Wymondham 3
Attleburgh 7
34
Ashwick pa
Somerset
Shepton Mall 4
Frome 9
27
Ashwicken pa
Norfolk
Lynn 5
Castle Rising 5
35
Ashwood ham
Stafford
Stourbridge 4
Dudley 3
22
Ashworth chap
Lancaster
Rochdale 3
Bury 3
43
Aske to
N.R. York
Richmond 2
Reeth 8
+--+-------------------------+---------+--------------+---------------+
Dist.
Map
Names of Places.
Number of Miles From
Lond.
Population.
+--+-------------------------+------------------------+-----+---------+ 41
Ashton-Steeple[A] pa & ti
Devizes 7
96
1754
41
Ashton, West to
... 9
98
374
21
Ashurst pa
Groombridge 2
34
206
38
Ashurst pa
W. Grinstead 4
47
423
11
Ashwater pa
Launceston 8
209
862
18
Ashwell[B] pa
Biggleswade 6
41
1072
32
Ashwell pa