​This week whilst undertaking some completely unrelated history research, I came across some documents that mentioned the manuscripts found in 1851. I can only say that these were written after the 1930’s as no other dates are given.

Here is a transcript of the documents:

The series of papers relating to the local government of the rural areas of Houghton, Middleton and Arbury were housed for some years in an outhouse attached to the Plough Inn at Houghton Green.

Formerly they had been kept in a nearby cottage which was pulled down, and the site used for the present bowling green. In this cottage were also found, many years before, bricked up in one of its walls, a quantity of documents relating to the civil wars of Cromwellian times. These are now in the archives of the Warrington Municipal Library.

The papers were contained in an oak chest about three feet long by twelve inches high and ten inches wide and standing on four legs. The attention of the owners of the Plough Inn, Messrs Greenall, Whitley & Co. was directed to their presence, and the papers were given for safekeeping to the Warrington Museum committee on the 7th April 1930. The chest remains in possession of Harry Higham the landlord of the Plough Inn.

Only one book was found in the chest namely “Willian Turner’s and Thomas Atherton’s (Constables) weekly accounts for 1819 and 1820. The book is bound in parchment and was fastened with two brass clasps, now broken.
The loose papers may be classified into the following categories-

1. Constables Papers (earliest 1705, latest 1799)
2. Papers relating to the High Constable
3. Overseers of the poor papers
4. List of persons receiving poor cloth
5. Workhouse receipts
6. Settlement Papers
7. Doctors’ bills
8. Undertakers’ bills
9. Bastardy papers
10. Prices of clothing and commodities
11. Supervisors of Highways papers
12. Building and Highway materials account
13. Wages
14. Indentures
15. Female Society forms
16. Household Inventories
17. Assessments
18. Legal Papers. Murder Indictment.
19. Window and land tax receipts
20. Robert Bates will
21. Miscellaneous receipts
22. Notices and forms
23. Miscellaneous papers
24. Plough Inn Licences

There are then some transcriptions of a selection of the accounts and the following image with the description-

Statement formerly in the Houghton, Middleton and Arbury Parish Chest, now framed and hanging in the Plough Inn at Houghton Green

Looking at the old maps of Houghton Green, there is one clear building which must have been the cottage pulled down to make way for the bowling green. The outbuilding is also shown.

So, we know where the cottage was and where the documents were, but are they still there?
​To be continued...

The following narrative of local history has been prompted by the recent
discovery at Houghton-Green, near Warrington, of a number of original
manuscripts, so closely connected with the military transactions in this
part of our county, during the Civil War between Charles the First and his
parliament, as to come peculiarly under the province of this Society for
notice.
​They consist almost entirely of warrants or precepts for the supply
of forage, provisions, and money to the troops of the party in power, alternately Royalist and Parliamentarian. A few only of the documents are in a complete state of preservation; the remainder have suffered much from the attacks of mice or insects, but about thirty can without difficulty be deciphered.

The whole were discovered in the month of May last, in the roof of an
ancient farmhouse at Houghton-Green, a hamlet about two miles distant
from Warrington. In one of the rooms on the chamber floor of the house
in question, was a walled-up cavity, apparently intended for concealment,
and in the thatch immediately covering this the manuscripts were found,
tied together with a piece of cord.

The house appears to have formerly been the residence of Thomas Sargeant, who in 1640 was constable of Houghton, and at a subsequent period served the same office for Southworth with Croft adjacent.

​In all probability, the varying occupation of the
district by Parliamentarians and Royalists, led to his wary concealment in
the thatch of his house, of these evidences of his implication with the
Royalist cause.

The above is a representation of the house at Houghton Green. The dot
shows the situation of the cavity in which the documents were found.

APPENDIX.
AN ABSTRACT OF THE CIVIL WAR DOCUMENTS FOUND AT HOUGHTON
GREEN, NEAR WARRINGTON, IN MAY 1851.

I .- A Petition from the Inhabitants of Southworth & Croft, Midleton,
Houghton and Arbury to Captain Coney (of Ditton, Lancashire)
complaining that Captain Holcroft of Holcroft had fuvoured the township
of Culcheth by imposing upon Southworth &c. an unfair proportion of
men for the train-band.

II .- A similar Petition to Mr. William Alcock (of Prescot, Lancashire).

III .-- A Report upon the above Petition by Mr. Alcock to Edward Norris, esquire,
Captain of the trainband for the hundred of West Derby, disclaiming his
connection with the above unfair imposition. Dated at Prescott Jan 6 1642.
IV .- A Precept signed " Richard Astley" to the constables of Southworth &
Croft, Middleton & Arbury, in pursuance of a precept from Henry Ogle
esquire, (of Whiston, Lancashire,) directing an assessment to raise
£21. 15. 0. imposed upon those townships. Dated 14 Jan 1642.

V .- A Precept from Sir Gilbert Hoghton to the constables of Houghton cu
Middleton, commanding them to summon all the able men of the town-
ship, between the ages of 16 and 60, to appear with their best arms on
the 13th of February following at Wigan. Dated at Wigan 10 Feb 1642.

VI .- A Precept signed " Richard Asby" under the authority of a warrant from
James, earl of Derby, addressed to the petty constables in the several
townships of the parish of Winwick, requiring them, in consequence of
the non-payment of the various assessments imposed upon the county,
to give warning to four sufficient men in each township to appear before
the earl of Derby on the 27th of February following, at the house of
Hugh Lathom in Ormskirk. Dated 25 Feb 1642.

VII .- A Precept signed " Richard Astley," under the authority of a warrant
from the earl of Derby, to the petty constables of the several townships
of Culcheth, Southworth cu Croft, Middleton & Arbury, ordering an
assessment to raise £65. 5. 0, to be paid upon the 14th of March following
at the house of Hugh Lathom in Ormskirk. Dated 9 Mar 1642.

VIII .- A Precept signed " R. Molyneux," to the constables of Southworth &
Croft, Midleton, Houghton & Arburie, requiring them at sight thereof,
to bring into the town of Newton (Lancash:) 20 bushels oats, 104 stone
of hay, 5 threave of straw, and £2. 10. 8. in money "for my lord
mollinex." Dated at Newton 23 Apr 1643.

IX .- A private note, without date, intimating that " lord muleynex's" precept to
Culcheth demanded 30 bushels of oats, 180 stone of hay, and £4. 10. 0.
in money.

X .- A Precept from Colonel Edward Norris.

XI .- Another Precept from the same.

XII .- A Precept from Sir Thomas Stanley, and Richard (Holland?), Peter
Egerton, and John Houlcrofte, esquires.

A detailed account of X, XI AND XII will follow below.

XIII .- A Precept from Sir Thomas Stanley, and Peter Egerton and John
Houlcrofte, esquires, to the constables of Southworth, Croft, &c. ordering an
assessment on the township for £10 in pursuance of an order from the
deputy-lieutenants of Lancashire, " for paying of souldiers, and necessary
defence of the same (county) in theis dangerous & distracted tymes."
Dated at Warrington 11 July 1643.

XIV .- A Precept from Colonel John Booth, governor of Warrington, and Peter
Egerton, esquire, to the constables of Houghton & Arbury,
requiring " sixe good and able teames w'th Cartes & three horses in each
Carte, together with an able driver. And tenn sufficient and able
workmen of bodie to worke w'th spads for the doinge & p'forminge of such
service in an aboute the repayre of the workes belonginge to the s'd
garrison as shall be severally Imposed on them." Dated at Warrington
14 Sep 1643.

XV .- A Receipt from Richard Abraham, of Warrington, treasurer appointed to
receive the sums imposed upon the townships, to Thomas Sargeant,
constable, for monies received in Sep. Oct. and Dec. 1643. Dated at
" Warrington Garrison."

XVI .- A Petition from Thomas Sargeant to the governor of Warrington for relief
from further serving the office of constable for Houghton, and that his
next neighbour (apparently a female,) may be compelled according to
ancient custom, "to send her son or any other to give content to the towne
and exacut the office of a constable."
No date.

XVII .- An Account of monies paid for provision, forage, and cartage during a year
by a constable, (Thomas Sargeant.) No date.
XVIII .- A Power of Attorney from Colonel John Booth, governor of Warrington,
to enable Robert Burley, "his servant, now resident in London," to receive
£1000 from the Committee of Revenue, for the payment of soldiers in
the garrison of Warrington. Dated 24 Nov 1645.

XIX .- A Precept signed "Henry Byrom" to the constables of Winwick with
Hulme, Newton, Culcheth, Southworth cu Croft, Middleton, Houghton
& Arbury, ordering assessments, by virtue of an ordinance of parliament,
to raise the sum of £45 within the said township. Dated 8 Feb 1645.

XX .- The same to the same, for raising further sums of money Dated 14 Mar 1645.

XXI .- A Precept signed "Henry Byrom" to the constables of Winwick & Hulme,
Newton, Culcheth, Southworth, Croft, Hougton, Myddelton & Arbury,
"who have served from the beginning of the present parliament, requiring
them to bring in their accounts to be exhibited to the parliamentary
commission, at the house of Geo. Woods in West Darbie, on Friday
24th of April, 1646. Dated 14 Apr 1646.

XXII .- A Precept signed "Henry Byrom" to the constables of Southworth cu Croft,
Middleton, Houghton & Arbury, requiring them by virtue of an order
of the Committee of the County, dated Aprill 25, 1646 to present to the
Committee for Sequestrations at Preston, returns to a series of questions
respecting delinquents and their estates.
Dated 25 April 1646.

XXIII .- The same to the same, with further questions. Same date.

XXIV .- A Warrant from Thomas Holcrofte to the constable of Houghton to bring
to Warrington four persons therein named to provide a soldier under his
command, or to serve in person. Dated 29 May 1646.

XXV .- A Warrant from the same to the same, empowering him by virtue of
Colonel Booth's order, to receive from Jane Robinson of Middleton, widow,
the sum of 14d. towards the hiring of a soldier. In default of payment
to distrain her goods. Dated 29 May 1646.

XXVI .- A Certificate from Will. Brocke that John Bordman of Houghton had
deposited his musket with him at Warrington. No date.
​
XXVII-XLV. These documents are in a very dilapidated state. Fortunately they
consist chiefly of Constables' Accounts and Rates, and possess comparatively
little interest.

Document X
 
To the Constables of Southworth
Middleton Houghton Arbury & Croft
 
" Theis are in his Ma'ys name straitly to chardge and comand you and
every of you that immediately upon receipt hereof you make diligent
search w'thin yo'r Constablarie for p'vision of victualls and oates and hay
for the Armie here.
And the same forth'th to bringe or cause to be
brought unto this towne of Warrington for reliefe of the souldiers, and
storeinge the same towne in case any Seige be laid thereunto by the enemie.
And hereof faile not at yo'r p'll. Given under my hand this third day
of May. Anno Dni 1643.
 
md. to bringe in noe bread, but wheate or meale instead thereof, or pease."
 
E. NORRIS
 
Endorsed on the back thus :-

"Southworth rec'd ye 4th day of May, at 8 of ye clocke in ye afternoone."

Document XI
 
 
To the Constables of Hulme, & Winwick, & all the other Constables
w'thin the p'ishe of Winwick, and to every of them greeting.
 
Se you send me an accompt of this warrant.
 
 
"Whereas very lately I directed my warrants to severall parts neare
adjacent for the calling in of all the able men unto our ayd but finding
that the Enemy was retraited was very willing that the said men should
return to their oume houses. but nowe soe it is that this day I have received
intelligence by 3 severall messengers that the Enemy intends very speedily
to assault us. Theis are therefore in his Ma't's name straitly to Charg
and Comand you that forthwith upon receit hereof you give notice and
warning to all the able men w'thin yo'r severall Constableries that are
w'thin the age of 60 yeares and above the age of 16 yeares that they come
unto this towne of Warrington with their best armes and p'vision of meate
for 4 dayes by 9 of the clocke ......... beinge the 15th daye of this instant
May ; wherein you are not to faile as you honor his Ma'ties service and
will answer the contrarie at yo'r utmost p'ille. given under my hand the
14th daye of May 1643.”
 
E.NORRIS
 
Endorsed on the back as follows:-
 
"Seene i p'suned (sic) by the Cunstables of Winwick & hulme.
Seene & p'used by the Constable of Newton.
Seene & p'used by the Con'bles of haidoke, and speedilye sent away to
the Con'bles of Golborne.
Seene & p'used by the Constable of Goulborne the 15th day between 3 &
4 of the clocke in the afternoone and speedilye sent unto Loton.
Seene by the Constable of Lawton about 7 of ye clocke ye 15 day and
sent to Kenion with speede.
Seene & p'used by the Constable of Kenyon.
Seene & p'used by the Constables of Culchet and sent away.
Seene & p'used by the Constables of Southworth en Croft and Middleton
Houghton on Arbury & sent away with al speed."
 

 The expectation of Colonel Norris that he was shortly to be the object
of an attack by the Parliamentary forces was realised within a few days
of the date of his last precept.
 
Diary entry of Edward Burghall, a Vicar in Nantwich.
 
At this time Coll. Brereton & all his Horse were at Stafford, from
whence they returned to Namptwich, & some considerable Forces out of Cheshire marched forth to meet the Forces of Manchester at Warrington, which happened to be on Whitsunday, May 21.

On Monday morning they planted their ordinances
and beset the Town round about, played upon it all that week, it being
strongly fortified, & the Souldiers behaving themselves very bravely. But
Bread & other Necessaries being scarce, upon Saturday they came to a
Parley, when it was agreed upon That the Town should be rendered up,
& that some Capts. & Comanders should depart with every man his Horse
and Pistols, and all the Souldiers to pack away unarmed, and leave all their
arms, amunition and Provision behind them, which was done accordingly.
 
And upon Trinity Sunday, Sir George Booth, being lord of the Town,
entred it, where he was joyfully entertained by the Inhabitants. There
were slain on the Parliament side only 4, & 2 of the Town, wherein the
mercy of God appeared.
 
From a contemporary source we learn that the Siege of Warrington was
upon this occasion allotted to Colonel Assheton, of Middleton, one of the
most active and successful soldiers of the Parliament. His regiment leaving
Manchester on Saturday the 20th of May, 1643, appears to have been
joined on its route by the Cheshire forces under Sir George Booth of
Dunham-Massey, and to have reached Warrington on the day following.
On Monday the assault began, lasting until Saturday, May 27th, when the
capitulation took place, followed by the formal entry of Sir George Booth
on Sunday, May the 28th.
 
During the siege one or two marvellous incidents are recorded in
"Lancashire's Valley of Achor" with the characteristic extravagance of a Puritan historian.
 
“All this while the cry of oppressed Warrington importuned heaven,
and compassion wrought in us, and having this far-fetched terrifying assistance, we entered upon a new and prosperous Voyage the twentieth day of
May: The three and twentieth of May was designed for Fasting and
Prayer in Manchester, to meet with the beginning of the enterprize against
Warrington.
 
Whilst the duty was in performing, tidings came of the taking of Winwick
Church and Steeple, they on the steeple standing on terms, till God sent a
deadly messenger out of a fowling-Piece to one of them; also a strong Hall*
possessed by professed Romane Catholikes, and stored with Provisions, as
if it had been purposely laid in, both for our supply and ease.
 
In this Warrington Siege so good a friend was God to our faith, that the
greatest Peece was made unusefull the second time it was in use, and with-
out the terrour of those Idols, the living God gave us the Church and
Steeple the 26 of May, and that strong Hold upon termes, May 28.
 
A Providence much to be observed in this Siege was this: One night our
men were to work within half musket shot of the Town: It was a great
calme, that they could not work, but the enemy would hear: when some
went to worke others went to prayers; and God raised a great winde, that
took away the noise: a Providence not altogether unlike what I have heard
in Boston: The Chancellor gave organs to Boston; before they breath in
that new world, the well-affected pray: after their prayers, a mighty winde
forceth its passage into the Church, blows down the organs, brake them and
stopt their breath!
 
That which ripened the enemies ruine, was their hard usage of prisoners,
and well-affected in the Town, their extreme cruelty in the country, killing
a godly man and his wife in their own house, and their professed confidence
and pride in their strong Hold, appearing by their hanging out a Flag of
Defiance upon the highest chimney.
 
.... Some recompence God made to tyred Warrington in
the shortnesse of the Siege, and security from spoyle, which we charitably
made an article of our Peace.”
 
* Probably Southworth Hall, one mile east of Winwick Church.
 
The episode at Winwick Church affords me an opportunity of introducing
another of the documents found at Houghton-Green. It is a precept
issued apparently by a Committee of Lancashire deputy-lieutenants, sitting
at Winwick, or at Bewsey Hall, near Warrington.

Document XII
 
"These are to will and require & immediately to charge and command
you that immediately upon the receipt hereof you summon &
require all men and others of ability w'thin your townes to come & appear
before us at Winwick upon Fryday next being the 26th. of aye ..
clock in the afforenoone to lend & contribute money .....
if they will avoid .......of their estuts and securinge of their persons
.. able men furnished with spads & mattocks & 3 days
provisions ...... for such service for the ......... as shall be appointed them.
And further that you gather in y'r ..... vittuals for p'vision of our
Armie & bringe it & the ....... in to morrowe morninge to Beusy hall
as you will answer the contrary at your ottermost p'ill.
Given under our hands this 24th of May 1643.”
 
T. STANLEY
RICHARD (Holland ?)
PETER EGERTON
JOHN HOULCROFTE
Constables of Southworth cu Croft.
 
The battery of the Parliamentarians in the Siege of Warrington was
beyond doubt placed on the Moot-Hill near the parish church, which
tradition asserts was raised higher than its former level for this express purpose.
A recent excavation of the hill has strongly confirmed this idea. Amongst
other curiosities of an earlier period which have thus been brought to light,
are a few which may be referred to the time of the Civil War, and the
Siege in 1643. Of these the most remarkable are portions of horses'
trappings, the hilt of a sword, and an ancient military spur. Traces of
cannon-shot are still visible on the eastern end of the chancel of the church,
and to the same cause may be attributed the shattered condition of the
tracery of the east window, rendering its removal a few years since necessary.
The stained glass, rich and very ancient, both here and in the Boteler
Chapel, was at the same time wholly destroyed, as we find a minute of a
Vestry Meeting in the year 1647, in which the glass of the windows is
ordered to be replaced, and other repairs of the church to be undertaken,
since it was then "far decayed in respect of the long disasters."
 
In conclusion I may remark that the surrender of the town of Warrington
by Colonel Norris was expedited by intelligence of the surprise, defeat, and
capture of Lord Goring at Wakefield by General Fairfax on the 21st of
May. It was followed by a summons to all the Earl of Derby's Lancashire
forces to join the Queen at York, and the vanquished garrison of Warrington
doubtless joined the retreating body.