LIFTING
Hone says that the custom of Lifting was prevalent in Chester, but that instead of being tossed in the air, the victims were swung about in a chair.
However, a correspondent in Adams’ Weekly Courant (printed in Chester, 26th March 1771) complains strongly of the custom of “Lifting, or rather the assembling in a riotous manner of a considerable number (I am sorry to say) of females at all the gates and other thoroughfares of this city to extort money from every man whose business may oblige him to pass that way. This is justly complained of by travellers, who, unacquainted with such customs (it not being suffered in any city but this) have given a considerable sum for leave to pursue their journey, and have scarce rode to the other end of the city but must again purchase the liberty of passing on.” It was practised at Chester up to about the year 1860.
The custom is supposed to have reference to the Ascension of our Lord.