The following particulars from old historical documents will give the reader some idea of the part Longdendale played in the Civil War; they will also afford evidence of the unrest which was the predominant feature throughout the country, in the days of the great Rebellion.
Earwaker, the learned historian of East Cheshire, quotes a series of accounts from the Harleian MSS. These relate to Hollingworth in the time of the Civil War, and are the accounts “made and sworn unto by several inhabitants of the Township of Hollingworth” in 1645. The following extract will serve as a sample of the contents of this interesting document.
The accompts of Alexander Hollinworth, of Nearer Hollinworth, in the above said Townshippe.
| Imprimis: I paid to Collonell Duckenfield, the 15th day of Deecmber (1643), for pposicon money | 5 0 0 |
| Itm: The same tyme ye said Collonell had of me a bay gueldinge ffor to be one in his Troope, well worth | 5 6 8 |
| Wch continued in his Troope until Candlemas after, and then was soe spoyled that he was not able to do any more service. | |
| Itm: After the said horse was soe lamed I sent another horse in his roome, and a man to ride him, which horse hath beene in ye said troope ev since Candlemas after to this present tyme: the horse when I put him in was worth | 8 10 0 |
| Itm: I was att charges for the man that did ride ye said horse sev’all waies above 40tye shillings | 2 0 0 |
| Itm: When Sr William Breerton marched towards Yorke wth Cheshire fforces ffor ye assistance of that County, there was 250 horse and rydrs quartered at my house; the damage I had by them in eatinge my meadowe, killinge my sheepe, and plunderinge some of my goods privily, and consuminge my victualls they found in my house, to ye value att ye least of 20tie marks | 13 6 8 |
| Itm: The damage I sustayned in quarteringe some of Captaine Rich horse and foote ye most pte of halfe a yeare Anno 1642 att the least | 10 0 0 |
| Itm: The damage I sustayned in quarteringe div’se of Captaine Eyres Troope sev’all tymes in Ann 1642 and 1643 was att the least | 5 0 0 |
| Itm: In quarteringe some of Collonell Deukenfield souldrs, Major Bradshawes, and diverse others, the tyme when Prince Rupert came to Stockport, was att the least damages to me | 3 6 8 |
| Itm: In quarteringe of 18 Troopers of Sr William Breerton Companye when they marched towards Nottingham (as they said) about 5 or 6 weeks agoe | 1 10 0 |
| Itm: I have mainteyned one musquetyer from the beginninge of theise unhappy warres, and never had the value of one penny towards the charge thereof from the Publique | 25 0 0 |
| Item: I have been sometymes att charge of one and sometymes 3 souldrs more when any publique danger was, as div’se tymes into Darbishire, to Adlington, to ye raysinge of the siege of Namptwicke, wch I verily thinke cost me above 5 markes att the least | 3 6 8 |
| _____ | |
| Sum | £82 6 8 |
John Hollinworth, of Hollingworth, had a similar bill of £70 16s., and the Booths and the Bretlands also sought recompense for the expense they had been put to in buying arms and quartering men.
One other old document may be quoted.
On the 8th of December, 1653, Colonel Dukinfield and Colonel Henry Bradshaw sat at Stockport to prepare a list of pensioners in the Stockport division in connection with the civil wars. The list contained the following names: Ellen Wagstaffe, whose husband was wounded at Adlington; Catherine Goodier, whose husband was slain at Nantwich; Ellen Heape, of Tintwistle, whose husband was slain at Nantwich; Elizabeth, wife of Hugh Wooley, slain at Chester; Jane Cooke, whose husband was slain at Middlewich; John Wylde, of Disley, wounded at Worcester; Thomas Hinchcliffe, wounded at Worcester; Elizabeth Small, whose husband was slain at Cholmondeley; Joan Small, whose husband was slain at Middlewich; John Sydebotham, wounded at Cholmondeley; Margaret Whewall, whose husband was slain at Selby; The widow of George Hopwood, wounded at Middlewich; Randal Cartwright, wounded at Hanmore; Margaret Ashton, whose husband was slain at Lichfield; Ellen Benetson, wife of William Benetson, of Dukinfield, wounded at Chester, and died.
It will be noticed that several of the above are names of Longdendale men.
