October 1791

Officers

Court Leet, October 26^th, 1791, before Thomas Greaves (Mayor).

Jury

Presentments : —

1. John Brewer, Henry Slater, James Fencoats, William Bradley, Henry Cook, Matthew Fencoats, Artaxerxes Cocking, Philip Adams, Thomas Thompson, John Smith, Richard Rogers, James Barnes and James Bolton all of the Borough aforesaid Labourers each for laying and placing divers heaps or quantities of Dung, ashes and manure opposite to the Houses occupied by them respectively near the Tythe Barn Street in Preston aforesaid And if the same are not removed within two days after Notice We amerce them in the sum of 20s. respectively.

2. Christopher Dickinson, Margt Pennington, Ellen Fisher, George Slater, Henry Law, George Towers, Henry Thompson, Joseph Bragg, Robert Dewhurst, Margaret Parker widdow, James Pye, Christ Carr, William Cottam, Geo: Sims?, John Whittle, John Nailor, Geo: Woods, Henry Slater, James Fencoats, William Bradley, Thomas Cook, Mattw Fencoat, Artarxerxes Cocking, Philip Adams, Thomas Thompson, John Smith, Richd Rogers, James Barnes, James Bolton, John Swindlehurst, John Fowler, Robt Newshamw, Ann Wood, John Barnes, Richd Gregson, Richd Rawcliffe, John Fencoat, James Greenall, James Hargreaves, Ann Bramwell, Thomas Eastham, Henry Polding and Thomas Richmond for not repairing their respective shores of the Streets or Highwayss opposite their respective Houses, Barns, Stables and Shippons in a certain Street within the sd Boro' called Tythe Barn or Moor Street beginning at a certain Sough or Channel in or near the House inhabited by Christr Dickinson and the House of Mr James Meadow and also from the House of Willm Bradley thro' ye Street or Road beyond the Tythe Barn Street and if the same is not suffly repaired near or before ye 24^th day of June next we amerce them severally in the sum of 20s.

3. William Roper, Jane Garviss, Robert Salts, John Ainsworth, Margt Jackson, John Sharples, Martha Bates, Ellen Pannington, Mary Hesketh, Roger Law, Thomas Salkeld, John Clitheroe and William Burton each for not inclosing and repairing from ye Road by a sufft wall or fence ye Midding used by them at the top of a certain Street within Preston aforesaid called the Wood street And if the same is not so incloses or separated within three Months after Notice hereof We amerce them in the sum of 20s. each.

4. Henry Bryning the elder for placing or having a large quantity of Dung and one Cart in a certain Lane within ye said Borough called the Back lane and if ye same are not removed within 2 days after Notice hereof We amerce him in the sum of 6s. 8d.

5. Edwd Abbatt for placeing & leaving 2 Carts in the same Lane and if the same are not removed within 2 days after notice We amerce him in ye sum of 6s. 8d.

6. George Taylor for placing and having a Cart or Carts in same lane and if the same is not removed within 2 days after Notice We amerce him in the sum of 6s. 8d.

7. Thomas Livesey for placing and leaving a cart or Carts om ye House of Correction Wient And if the same is not removed within 4 days after notice We amerce him in ye sum of 50 shillings.

8. Matthew Cuerden for placing and leaving a Cart in the same Wient and if ye same is not removed within 2 days after notice we amerce him in ye sum of 13s. 4d.

9. Thomas Cooper, Mr Aldn John Grimshaw, the Revd James Barton Clerk, James Thompson, Willm Brade, Sarah Shawe Widdow, Thomas Wilson, Ruth Bullen Widdow, Robert Shepherd, William Hoghton, Joseph Taylor, Richd Cottam, Henry Hulton Esq., William Birchall, John Crowe, William Walmesley, John Danson, Thomas Garstang, Samuel Moor, John Birchall, Timothy Buck, The Oversears of the Poor, _____ Mackerall Widow, Thomas Whittle, Edwd Ellithorn, Willm Westby, John Bates, Dabiel Laycock, John Foster, Thomas Parker, William Harrison, John Baxter, Anthony Thistlethwaite, Willm Brandreth, John Watson the elder, William Salisbury, John Joseph, James ???, James Spencer, Joseph Myers Esq., John Watson, Edwd Satterthwaite, James Chatham, Will Talbot and the Mayor, Bailiff & Burgesses of the said Borough for not repairing then respecting their respective parts of a cetain Road within the said Borough beginning at the end of the Cockerhole opposite the House of one Henry Ward & ending at ye field Gate beyond Avenham Walk in ye possn of William Talbot and if ye same are not well and sufficiently repaired on or before ye 24^th day of June next, we amerce in ye sum of 39s. each.

10. Ye Revd James Barton Clerk and Thomas Cooper for not scouring and cleansing a Ditch or watercourse in ye Cockerhole and for not covering ye same with sufft Flags And if the same is not well and suffly repaired on or before ye 24^th day of March next we amerce them in ye sum of 10s. each.

11. John Smith for permittng his soap Lees to run into a certain Street in Preston afresd called ye back wient, And if her suffers the same to be repeated in future we amerce him in the sum of 39s for every offence.

12. Mr Aldn Cowburn and Thomas Glover for not repairing the Roads opposite their respective Fields near St Georges Chapel, And if ye same are not well & suffly repaired on or before ye 24^th day of December next We amerce them sevly in ye sum of £5.

13. John Nabb, gent., and Robt. Abbatt for not well and suffly[sufficiently] opening their respective Ditches and Watercourses in a certain walk near Saint George's Chapel, called Roper's Walk, and if ye same are not well and suficly opened and scowered and cleansed on or before ye 1^st day of Dec. next we amerce them in ye sum of 13s. 4d. each.

Roper's Walk was a narrow way, now known as Chapel Walks, between Fishergate and St. George's, and ropes used to be made in it.

14. Mary Jameson Widow, Elizabeth Atherton Widow, Sarah Simpson widow, Robert Loxham, Wm Smith, Thos Eastham, Thos Shepherd, John Bostock, Thos Hubbersty, Mary Wyke Widdow, Charles Sayfield?, John Carr, Bradshaw Hodgkinson, John Chew, Stephen Tempest, Peter Hodgkinson, John Hodgkinson, James Sagar, Richd Hodgkinson, James Whittle, Francis ???, Nathan Myers, Thos Martin, Wm Bancroft, _____ Fisher widow, John Copper, Peter Gornall, James Charnock, Hugh Smith and John Hodgkinson for not repairing ye Shambles within the sd Boro' And if ye same are not well and suffly repaired on or before ye 1^st day of August next we amerce them in the sum of £20 each.

15. Catherine Wilkinson, Christr Dawson, James Cheetham, William Fairbrother, Wm Townsend ye elder, Roger Edmondson, Nich Edmondson, John Livesey, Jane Thompson, Robt Bell, James Edmondson ye elder and Edmd Gregson for not repairing a certain Road or Street within ye sd Borough called ye Square and if the same is not well & suffly repaired and if sufft wall or Fence is not erected to keep in ye Dirt and sd Filth on or before ye 24^th day of June next We amerce them severally in the sum of 39 shillings.

16. The sevl occupiers of Lands leading from the House of Mr James Meadow to a certain Shop in a certain Lane within ye Boro afsd called Sleter Lane for not well & suffly repairing their respective parts of ye same Road, and if ye same is not well & suffly repaired on or before ye 24^th day of June next we amerce them severally in the sum of 40s.

17. James Hargreaves and Henry Brewer for laying and placing two Midding Steads in a certain Street within ye said Borough called the Tythe Barn Street and if ye same is not removed on or before the 24^th day of Dec. next We amerce them severally in the sum of £10.

18. Francis Chadwick for obstructing ye ancient watercourse running from Feeble Street thro' his orchard near such Street whereby great detriment & inconvenience arises to the Inhabts there and all o[the]r persons passing and repassing And if ye same is not well and suffly opened and cleansed on or before the 24^th day of Dec. next We amerce him in ye sum of £20.

19. Thomas Shepherd of the Boro' afsd Butcher for placing a Quantity of Dung near the House of Mr John Green in the Back Weend and if ye same is not removed within 2 days after Notice We amerce him in the sum of 10s.

20. John Addison, Esq., for laying and placing a large quantity of Earth near a certain place within the Borough called the Starch-house, and if not removed within 14 days after notice we amerce him in ye sum of £5.

In 1774, two very email enclosed spaces, at the bottom or south end of a field called Platford Dale, near where Back-lane and the present high-street and Lawson-street converge, formed what afterwards became the site of the Starch-house. This house was surrounded by a number of small, primitive-looking buildings in which a number of people lived and did handloom weaving as well as they were able. The first representation of the place appears in Shakeshaft's original plan of Preston (1809) ; it is by this defined in general outline — is triangular, with an open centre, the entrance being at the north-west corner, and it is designated Starch House. Shakeshaft's revised plan (1822) shows a similarly formed place, bearing the same name; but the previously depicted open centre is occupied with a square building. Alderman J. J. Myres's map (1836) gives the same general outline, with an addition to the central structure; and the name of the general block is pluralised — called Starch houses, the name which it still goes by. Originally, the Starch-house may have been used for sizing or size-making purposes Early in last century there were sizers in a closely adjoining part (High-street), and they may have had some connection with the Starch-house, or have been employed at a competing if not prior-going concern.

Starch House actually regularly appears in these records from 1755 taking back the date of construction to, at least, this date.

21. _____ he being the Scavenger for a certain place in Preston called the back wient and which Street is not properly cleansed and if the same is not well & sufficiently cleansed within 2 days after Notice We amerce him in the sum of 20s.

22. Henry Bryning, Edward Abbott and Robert Hilton for laying Dunghills in the Back Lane within the said Borough, and if the same are not removed within three Days after Notice We amerce them in the Sum of 5s. each.

23. John Windle, William Marlow, James Davis and Peter Davis for placing their ashes in the back lane near the Starch house and if the same are not removed within three days after Notice We amerce them in the sum of 5s. each.

24. Robert Hilton and Edwd Abbatt for setting and placing Carts and Carriages in the back Lane and suffering ye same to remain there to the great inconvenience and danger of passengers And if the same are not removed immediately after Notice hereof we amerce them in the sum of 5s each.

25. _____ for not repairing a certain part of the Road within the sd Boro' beginning opposite a ffactory belonging to Wm Boothman and ending at a certain place within the Boro' afsd called the Plantatn and if the same is not well and suffly repaired on or before ye 5^th day of May next We Amerce them in the sum of 5s. each.

26. Edwd. Clayton, he being the scavenger for Church-street,beginning at the Cockerhole and ending at the Church-street Bars, and which is not properly cleansed, and if the same is not well and suffly cleansed immediately after notice we amerce him in the sum of 40s.

27. Mr Wm Culliford for Laying & placing a Quantity of Rubbish in the Church Street opposite the House of him ye sd Wm Culliford and if the same is not removed on or before ye 24^th day of Dec. next We amerce him in the sum of £11.

28. John Davis for laying & placing a large Quantity of Ashes, Dung and Ashes Compost in a certain Street within Preston aforesd called ye Church Street And if the same is not removed within 3 days after Notice We amerce him in ye sum of 20s.

29. James Spencer for laying and placing a large Quantity of Dung and other Compost in a certain Street in Preston aforesaid called ye Church Street to ye great Nuisance of all persons passing & repassing that way and if the same is not removed within one week after Notice We amerce him in the sum of £5.

30. Ralph Heald for laying and placing a Quantity of Dung in the Church Street within the sd Borough to the great Nuisance of all persons passing and repassing that way. And if the same is not removed within 2 days after Notice we Amerce him in ye sum of 10s.

31. The like as to Joseph Walton in the same Street.

32. The Inhabitants of the said Borough for not repairing the road leading from the bottom of the Church Street in Preston then to the great detriment and inconvenience of all persons passing and repassing that way and if ye same is not well and sufficiently repaired on or before ye 1^st day of May next We Amerce them in the sum of £30.

33. John Sumner ye Younger for not cleaning & scouring a Ditch and lopping or cutting a Hedge belonging to him near the new House of Correction in Preston afsd And if the same is not done within 7 days after Notice we Amerce him in the sum of 40s.

34. Mr Jas Meadow for not opening & scouring a Ditch near his Mill in the Church Street and if the same is not done within 14 days after Notice we amerce him in ye sum of 40s.

35. Thomas Holland for fixing and setting up a Stoop or post in a certain yard within Preston aforesd called the Clark Yard And if the same is not removed within 7 days after Notice We amerce him in ye sum of 20s.

36. Robert Townley for frequently leaving open a Cellar in his possession, to the great danger of all persons passing that way and if he suffers ye same to be open in future We amerce him in the sum of 40s. for every offence after Dark.

37. John Danson for not erecting or placing a sufft [sufficient] wall to inclose his middingstead in a certain yard called ye old Coffee house yard, and if the same is not done on or before ye 2d day of Feby next we amerce him in the sum of £20.

38. James Noble for laying and placing Ashes in a certain yard in Preston aforesd called the Clark Yard to the great Nuisance of all persons passing that way and if the same is not removed immediately after Notice We amerce him in the sum of 6s. 8d.

39. The Bailiffs for not hav[in]g a secure and wholesome Prison as a place of temporary security, and also ano[the]r Prison in different rooms for ye Confinement of Debtors of both sexes, and if ye same is not well and suffly provided on or before the 29^th day of September next we amerce them in ye sum of £60.

40. The Inhabitants of the said Boro' for not repairing a certain part of a road leading to Ribbleton beginning at the Churchgate and ending at the turn of the Hill on ye otherside of Messers Swainsons & Chippindales Factory And if the same is not well and sufficiently repaired within 3 months after Notice We amerce them in the sum of £30.

41. John Watson ye elder for not cleansing and scouring a Ditch belonging to his Lands on the Northside of Ribbleton Lane and at the end of the Moor end Houses and if ye same is not well & suffly cleansed and scoured within 14 days after Notice We amerce him in the sum of 10s.

42. The Mayor, Baliffs & Burgesses of the sd Boro' for not repairing the Channel running across the Church Street and into ye Cockerhole and if the same is not well & suffly repaired on or before the 25^th day of March next We amerce them in the sum of £10.

43. Thomas Winckley Esq., for not cleansing the Ditch in ye Brewery Lane and also ye Ditch in the Syke ffieldd And if the same are not done within one month after Notice We amerce him in the sum of £10.

44. Charlett Butler widdow, Thos Glover, Geo: Bolton Gent, James Pedder Gent, John Cross Gent, John Hankinson Gent, John Taylor, J. J. J. Vernon Esq., Thos Winckley Esq., Edmd Lodge Gent, John Charnock, Mr Ald Prichard, Mr Ald Wm Green, Margt Hornby widdow and John Baxter for putting and placing Rubbish in ye Ditch or Watercourse near the bottom of their respective Gardens beyond their respective Houses and other premises in ye Fishergate by means whereof such Ditch or watercourse is very much obstructed and if the same is not removed and their respective parts of the sd Ditch or Watercourse cleansed within 21 days after Notice hereof respectively We amerce them sevly in ye sum of 20s.

45. James Sted, John Thornton, Charles Sharples and Thomas Turner for not removing Ashes and other dirt from before their respective Houses and for not removing the Stoops and if the same Ashes, dirt and Stoopes are not removed within 21 days after Notice We Amerce them in the sum of 20s each.

46. Jonathan Tursley? for setting and placing carts and Carriages in a certain Street in Preston afsd called the Fishergate and suffer ye same to remain there and if the same are not removed immediately after Notice hereof We amerce him in ye sum of 20s.

47. The Mayor, Bailiffs & Burgesses of the sd Boro' for not repairing a certain plat Bridge lying and being in a certain Street in Preston afsd called the Fishergate and near the Almshouses And if the same is not well and suffly repaired on or before ye 24^th day of December next We amerce them in the sum of 39s.

48. John Baxter of the Boro' aforesd Alehousekeeper for not placing a sufft platt or Gutter and also not putting a sufft Stoop in a certain ffield in Preston called ye Syke ffield and near a Field belonging to Thos Winckley Esq., and if ye same is not well and suffly done within 14 days after Notice We amerce him in the sum of 20s.

49. Robert Abbott for not lopping or cropping a Hedge belonging to him lying near a place in Preston aforesd called the Folly and if ye same is not done within one Month after notice hereof We amerce him in the sum of £40.

50. The Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of the sd Borough for not well & suffly cleansing and repairing and also for want of a sufft Ditch and Chain? in a certain place in Preston aforesd called ye Middle Syke to ye great detriment and inconvenience of all persons wanting water and if the same is not well & suffly cleansed, repaired and provided as aforesd within one Month after Notice We amerce them in the sum of £5.

51. John Harrison for not cleaning & scouring a certain watercourse opposite his premises near a certain place in Preston aforesd called the Syke Hill, and if not done within fourteen days after Notice hereof We amerce him in the sum of 20s.

52. _____ for not well and suffly cleansing and paving a certain Yard in Preston aforesd called the Turks Head Yard And if ye same is not well & suffly paved and cleansed on or before ye ??? day of May next we amerce them severally in the sum of 40s.

53. The Mayor, Bailiffs and Burgesses of ye sd Borough for not cleansing and keeping clean a certain nesessary house within Preston afsd near a certain School in Preston afsd called ye ffree school and if ye same is not well & suffly cleansed and well as suffly cleansed within one Month after Notice We amerce them in ye sum of £5.

54. John Scott, James Howarth and John Marsh for not repairing thier respective Shares of a certain Yard on Entry within Preston aforesd called the Gin Bow Entry opposite to their respective Dwelling Houses And if ye same is not well & suffly repaired on or before ye 25^th day of March next We amerce them sevlly in the sum of 39s.

55. Elizth Sergeant, John Sutton, Will Shawe, Jane? Loxham, Thomas Hurst, John Birkett, Geo: Sharples, ??? ???, John Wyke, Peter Gornall, Edwd ???. Ann Moss widow and Rd Anderson for not repairing their respective Shores of a certain yard or Entry within Preston aforesd called ye Mitre Entry opposite their Dwelling houses and Shops and if ye same are not well and suffly repaired on or before ye 25^th day of March next we amerce them severally in the sum of 39s.

56. Ann Troughton widow and Jas Houghton for not repairing their respective Shares of a certain yard or Entry within Preston afsd called ye Anchor Entry opposite their respective Dwelling houses and if the same are not well and suffly repaired on or before ye 25^th day of March next We amerce them severally in ye sum of 39 shillings.

57. Thomas Hubberstey, John Hoggett, and John Baxter, for not having sufft stiles or platts in their respective Fields adjoining ye Brewery Lane, and if there are not sufft stiles or platts and the Roads suffcy repaired on or before ye 2d day of Feby. next We amerce them in ye sum of 39s. each.

58. William Brandreth for having an improper Stoop in the Cock Yard nearly opposite his House and if the same is not removed or a proper one fix't in the same place within one Month after Notice hereof We amerce him in ye sum of 39 shillings.

The following orders were made at the Court Leet on the 26th of October, 1791 :—

That all persons residing within the Borough shall sweep the footpaths before their Houses, Warehouses, Shops, and other Buildings for three yards from ye front of such respective Buildings, where there are no such Foot causeways ascertained by side stones or posts, on every Saturday and Wednesday, upon pain of forfeiting five shillings for every offence or neglect. That no person or persons shall throw into or lay any ashes, dirt, or other offensive matter in the Public Streets, Lanes, Highways, or other Passages within this Borough, on pain of forfeiting the like sum of Five Shillings for every offence of this nature. — That no person or persons whomsoever shall ride on or lead or drive any Horse or other Cattle on any of ye Causeways or Foot Paths in the Streets or Highways within this Borough on pain of ye like forfeiture. — That no person or persons whomsoever shall leave or place any Timber, stone, or other matter m the Public Streets or Highways within this Borough on pain of forfeiting ye sum of ten shillings. — And that all Inhabitants of Courts, Lanes, and Passages where ye Scavengers cannot go with Carts are to carry their Ashes or other dirt [with one exception] unto him as soon as he shall make his first appearance in the Public Streets near their respective Houses or other Premises, on pain of forfeiting the sum of five shillings.