the present field-path,47 through a field called by Robinson "Watts Cabin Hey," and Old Field Hey (W. 434), came "to a stone which stood near the "marle pit in Kirby Sytch," alias "The Captain's Pit," where the Epistle and Gospel were read. They then proceeded "up Kirby Sytch to another Gospel "Stone which stood at ye foot of the Kirkway in "the great lane that leads from Liscard to the "Hose." As explained in Note 33, Kirby Sytch and the Kirkway probably followed the course of Mount Pleasant Road, the narrow footpath into Earlston Road, and Earlston Road, the "great "lane that leads from Liscard to the Hose" being Rake Lane. This Cross then, stood near the junction of Earlston Road and Rake Lane, or more likely near the top of Earlston Road, and "was Usually "Strow'd about with flowers, where the Young "Ones usually play'd. After Gospel read. "they proceeded thro' Liscard fields and had some "reading near those butt Ends called the Loons" (L. 313), probably along the course of Withins Lane and Rice Lane to where Egremont now stands, "under Seacombe way"-i.e., through the fields between the Mersey and the old road from Seacombe to Liscard-and so came to "Molleney's door," I suppose near Seacombe Ferry, where they were entertained with ale and cakes, and so finished the first day's procession. "I "The next morning they met there and went to "Gaunder Young's alias Alexander Young's where they had reading and Entertainment, this is the "2nd day." Alexander Young's must also have been in Seacombe, for on the morning of the third day 47 The upper part of this path used to be called, at Claremount School, "Swot Lane," doubtless for the facilities it offered for the uninterrupted study of Captain Marryat and Fennimore Cooper's erudite works. แ "they met there and proceeded thro' the fields "towards Pooltown, and about the middle of "Williamson now T. Bird's Platkin Hey read Epistle and Gospel." The route followed in this section of the procession still exists-alas! how changed-in a path running from near Seacombe Church to Poolton, and lying between the Poolton road and the Pool. It has been described to me as a beautiful walk in the days before the conversion of the Pool into docks; when the green fields sloped down to the water on either side of the Pool, along the banks of which this path ran, crossing the several creeks by small wooden bridges. Even now, on a winter's afternoon, with the sun setting behind Bidston Hill, its light reflected in the water, the bare masts of the shipping and the leafless trees of Poolton standing out against the frosty sky, the smoke of Birkenhead, and the lurid glare of the forges, this walk, or that along the higher road, still has its charm ; indeed, what walks have not, to those who know them well? This path runs through the middle of Platkin Hey (P. 226-27, 246-56), past Manor Farm, crossing Sherlock Lane and into Lime Kiln Lane, which runs past Poolton Manor, and into Poolton Village, where stood "Hough's house now belong ing to the School." After stopping there, the processioners journeyed towards Wallasey, calling on the way at " Mr: Dury's now Mr: Bumburry's, "at both which last houses they had Entertain"ment, and so brought the Parson home." If "Henry Robinson, Schoolmaster," could go this walk again, he would be considerably astonished at some of the changes that have taken place since his day-changes which are by no means all for the better. APPENDIX D. VARIOUS NOTES FROM THE REGISTERS. (1.) A true & p'fect Transcript of the note Signed & Subscribed by the p'sons under named Registred & examined p' Hen: Robinson. Wee whose names are hereunder written being fully Satisfied that in the Year 1667 Severall Cattle were Imported from Ireland and Landed in our p'sh contrary to an Act of parliam & upon the aforesd Inhabitants driuing them to the Markett to make Sale of them were stopt by Severall of the Countrey & being they would not be stopt therefore the Stoppers Indited thirty eight of the Sd Inhabitants most of them being poor Labouring men, & John Dobbs the then p'sent Church warden haueing some money in his hands that was raised from Cattle soe Imported & Landed as aforesd, would pay Seventeen pound for paying the ffees of those poor men that soe there might be a Bond made to him and his Successors till the aforesd pshioners should Consider further of it, & seuerall that were compassionate to the poor, and to prevent their being throwne into prison executed a bond as aforesd & wee being satisfied that those that entred into the sd bond had not one penny of the sd Seventeen pound for their proper use but the same was Laid. out for the use aforesd & whereas the sd John Dobbs haueing many Yeares Since parted wth the Sd Bond & the same being amongst us & considering yt in process of time the true cause of entring into the sd Bond may not be knowne thereupon we consent and are willing that the sd Bond should be deliuered up to be cancelled & we unanimously consent thereunto & set our Hands the Second day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand six Hundred Tho: Deane (T) John Deane phillip Wilson Joseph Walker Edward Litherland Tho: Johnson Peter Pemberton Tho: Sherlock John Mullenex Jun' (2.) A true Transcript of the original note Subscribed by the p'sons underwritten Registred and examined p Hen: Robinson. Whereas Thomas Swinton, Charlotte Meoles, & Henry Yong all of the p'sh of Wallezey did enter into A Certain Bond of twelve pound or thereabouts to Tho: Tassy then Churchwarden of Wallezey for the use of the poor of the afores p'sh Wee therefore whose names are here Subscribed being mett to Consult about the Consernes of the poor are Content uniammously to remit to the aforesa Tho: Swinton the Sum of ffour pounds wth all Interest of the Same and all Charges of Suite by reason he hath promised to Secure unto the p'sh the Sum of eight pounds in Witness whereof we haue hereunto put our hands this third day of August 1687. Peter Pemberton Thomas Richarson (3.) Accounts of Joseph Walker and Joseph Hill overseers of the Poor of the Township of Wallezey Anno Dom 1688. Rec: from Joseph Kennyon for Interest from Robt Heskieth from Jane Gill and} Dis to Tho: Robinson for butter and) milk for Eliz: Johnes to the Miller for grotes for her - S 02:00 02 - 00 02:00 and } OI: 02 dis to Robt Letherland milk and butter tomeasure of barley for him Hen: Meoles William Gill Peter Wilson Hen: Robinson Thomas Richardson In connection with the above extract, the following entries in the accounts of the Poor's Money may be quoted : 1693. to Robt Gill als old Coronall for reliefe in his & his wifes weakeness to dressing & cleansing Catty 0:03:02 Johnes her Legg a full year - 2:00:00 |