Manchester Memoirs, Vol. xlv. (1901), No. 8. 43 



several neighbouring parishes, but never proceeded to 

 the University. He was generally accounted a profound 

 scholar. In 1771, he was ordained, and two years 

 later was elected headmaster of Slaidburn Grammar 

 School. In 1775, he became headmaster of Clitheroe 

 Grammar School, a position he held for nearly forty years. 

 Late in life he was presented to the living of Claughton. 

 Wilson married Susannah Tetlow, the daughter of the 

 Rector of Bolton-by-Bowland, and he died in 1813. One 

 fact of interest in his life is that in 1 791, he was presented 

 with a silver snuff-box by the Corporation of Clitheroe. 

 The inscription on the lid is signed by Samuel Cable and 

 Henry Hayhurst, Bailiffs. Wilson wrote several poems. 

 Mr. Cottam, of Whalley, I have had difficulty in tracing. 

 The Cottams or Cothames, though never very numerous, 

 appear at intervals throughout Lancashire history, and 

 the Cottams of Cottam, near Preston, though longe.xtinct, 

 were a well-known family. At different times we find 

 Cottams at Dilworth, Bilsborrow, Clitheroe, and Whalley. 

 Thus, in 1642, William Cottam warned the borough of 

 Clitheroe against an attack by Sir William Hoghton : this 

 William seems to have been connected with Thomas 

 Cottam, a Jesuit, who suffered for his religion in 1 542. 

 Mr. Wm. Cottam, of Burnley, died at Hardshaw Hall in 

 1798. He was probably the father of Cable's friend, who 

 was still living at Whalley in 1821. 

 In the next letter Cable says : — 



Liverpool, July 25th 1799. 

 We arrived here last night safe, & tolerably sound, though the roads 

 were in many places extremely rough and uneasy. I find, upon enquiry this 

 morning, that a Vessel will sail for our Island to-morrow or next day ; I 

 write therefore to request you will have the goodness to order your Servant 

 to forward Sarah's Box, which she left at Mayfield, as soon as he can make 

 it convenient, as it contains all her Sea Wardrobe, & she will, of course, be 

 rather incommoded without it. If Mrs. Philips will, at the same time, 

 forward the other trifles Sarah will feel herself much obliged to her, as well 



