Court Leet, October 29^th, 1777, before James Cowburn (Mayor).

Officers

Jury

Presentment : —

1. John Harlenson? Linnen Draper, Nicholas Winckley Esq., James Johnson Gardener and Richard Butler Gentleman all of the Borough aforesaid for not scouring and cleansing that part of the Ditch or watercourse which is at the bottom of the Gardens or other Lands in their respective possessions in the ffishergate; And if not sufficiently scoured and cleansed within fourteen Days after Notice We do amerce them severally the Sum of One pound one Shilling.

2. The Bailiffs of the said Borough for not repairing the fflaggs and Road and for not opening and scouring the Ditch or watercourse near the Syke at the bottom of the Minspit Weend And if not done within one week after notice we amerce them in the Sum of one pound one shilling.

3. Mr Thomas ffleetwood, Mr Joseph Shrigley?, John Dawson and John Makinson all of the Borough aforesaid for not cutting the Hedge and repairing the Cops belonging to their respective Gardens in the Stoneygate, And if not done within one Week after notice we do amerce them severally in the Sum of one pound one shilling.

4. Isaac Cook of the Borough aforesaid Paisterer for laying a Heap of Dung near the Barns in the ffishergate; And if the same if not removed within ten days after Notice we do amerce him in the Sum of one pounds one shilling.

5. George Walton of the Borough aforesaid Chapman for not repairing the Lid of the Cellar in his possession, and if not repaired within fourteen days after notice we do amerce him in the Sum of one pound one shilling.

A chapman being a peddler or hawker.

6. Joseph Scott of the Borough aforesaid Innkeeper for not repairing the Lids of the Cellar in his possession in the New Street, and if not repaired within fourteen days after Notice we do amerce him in the Sum of one pound one shilling.

7. Robert Abbott of Preston aforesaid Grocer, John Sergent and William Salisbury both of the same place Innkeepers and William Hodgkinson of the same place Shoemaker for not severally repairing the Lids of the Cellars in their respective possession And if not repaired within fourteen days after Notice We do amerce them severally in the Sum of one pound one shilling.

8. Elizabeth Holland and Jane Rouse for not repairing the Lids of the Cellars in their respective possessions in the Back weend, And if not repaired within fourteen days after Notice we do amerce them severally in the Sum of one pound one shilling.

9. Edward Cowburne, Henry ffisher, John Nightingale, William Simpson, Richard Norris, James Heald, Joseph Shrigley, Joseph Hodgkinson and Joseph Whitehead of the Borough aforesaid who being severally duly summoned to serve upon the Jury at this Leet did severally make default by not attending and for such offence We do amerce them severally in the Sum of Six Shillings and Eight pence.

10. Mrs Butler and Thomas Charnley Weaver both of the Borough aforesaid for not repairing the Lids of the Cellar in their respective possessions in the ffriergate, And if not repaired within fourteen days after Notice we do amerce them severally in the Sum of one pound one shilling.

11. John Watson the elder of the Borough aforesaid, Linnen Draper, for laying a large quantity of Dung near the High Road which is near the Gallows hill, upon Preston Moor, and if the same is not removed in one month after notice we do amerce him in the sum of five pounds.

Gallows hill was a sandy, irregular-surfaced eminence just north of Moor Brook. The old highway passed on the west side of it. When the present Garstang-road was made or improved, in the early part of last century, Gallows hill was cut through — the line of the new portion of the road going lengthwise near the middle of it. Northward this hill extended about 180 yards from where St. George's-road and Aqueduct Street junction with Garstang-road, and it was something like 100 yards wide. The Church of the English Martyrs and numerous houses, &c., in its vicinage stand upon ground which was surmounted by portions of this hill. Sixteen persons who took part in the Rebellion of 1715 forfeited their lives — four being shot and twelve hanged — on it; and it is supposed that "many more were executed at this place for complicity of a kindred character.' In 1817, when Garstang-road was being formed or improved, there were found, during the excavations in Gallows hill, two coffins containing two headless human bodies supposed to be those of Rebels. Up to 1865 a considerable portion of the hill — the bulk of it on the east side of Garstang-road was visible ; but since that time it has entirely disappeared, new streets and buildings necessitating its removal down to a proper utilisable level. The names applied to several parts of this locality are strong reminders of the Rebellion days, or rather of various persons who were executed for taking part in the revolt of 1715: Derwentwater-plaoe, Kenmure- place, and Lovat-road remind one of the Earls of Derwentwater and Kenmure and Lord Lovat who were beheaded in London ; Muncaster, Arkwright, and Shuttleworth roads are directly suggestive of Roger Muncaster, of Garstang, William Arkwright, and Richard Shuttleworth, of Preston, who were hanged on Gallows hill; whilst Lockhart-road, immediately east of the roads named, brings to remembranoe Captain Lockhart, a Rebel officer, who was shot at Preston.