Windle with Hardshaw

WINDLE, with Hardshaw, a township, in the parish and union of Prescot, hundred of West Derby, S. division of Lancashire; containing 6918 inhabitants, of whom 5051 are in the hamlet of Hardshaw. Before the reign of John, Windhull gave name to a family, of whom was Edusa, widow of Alan de Windhull, who obtained from that king a summons for her dower against Alan de Windhull, son of the former. In the reign of Edward III., the manor was held under William Boteler by Peter de Burnhull, with whose heiress the Gerards acquired the property; and this latter family are the present lords. The township consists of 2908 acres, and includes that part of the town of St. Helen's comprised in Hardshaw. Hardshaw Hall, now a farm, was purchased by John Penketh Cottom, Esq., whose heirs are esteemed lords of the manor of Hardshaw, though no manorial court is held. Windle Hall belongs to Sir John Gerard, Bart., at whose annual court lor the manor of Windle, officers are chosen for the township. A Roman Catholic chapel, bearing the stamp of antiquity, formerly stood at Windleshaw, but it has crumbled to its foundation, and all that remains is the tower, with a cross; the cemetery, however, is preserved, and is still used. Mr. Barrett, the antiquary, of Manchester, describing the ruins in 1780, says: "When this place was founded, or by whom, or to what saint dedicated, I have not learned, but suspect the patron saint to be St. Thomas, for near here is a well, which goes by his name, and is bathed in oft, in summer, in regard of extraordinary virtues being ascribed to the water." The impropriate tithes have been commuted for an annual rent-charge of £315. 9., payable to King's College, Cambridge.