Forest of Rossendale. 77 



At the Assizes held at Lancaster in March 1833, an action was 

 brought against the late James Maden, Esq., of Greens House, 

 Bacup, by the lord of the manor of Rochdale, in respect to the 

 manorial rights of a certain portion of the Freehold lands above 

 particularised; and which were claimed by Mr. Dearden, the 

 plaintiff, as being part and parcel of his said manor. At the time 

 when the suit was tried, the following persons were directly 

 interested therein, having come into possession of the Estates 

 either by purchase or bequest : — 



Miss Ann Roberts, owner of Ancient House, Rockliffe ; Mr. 

 John Hoyle and wife, of Rockliffe Hey-head, and Hoyle Hey- 

 head; Mr. James Whitaker, of Rockliffe estate; Mrs. Mary 

 Veevers, of Higher Tong ; Mrs. Lord, of Hoyle Hey ; Mrs. 

 Susannah Ormerod, of Stubbylee ; Mr. James Maden, of Greave 

 Clough ; Mr. John Law, of Greave and High Houses. 



either meet yourself or any friend to discuss the subject. I have no parti- 

 cular propositions to make, but am willing to adjust the business on what 

 may be deemed an equitable basis, either by arbitration or a mutual agree- 

 ment. My motives for this are simply that I think it would spare anxiety to 

 both sides, and I am neither instigated by avidity nor necessity. My 

 expenses for the suit are paid up to its present period, so that if I lose 

 it I should be but where 1 was, whereas if you lose, the loss will be con- 

 siderable, since the litigated property has been and still is in your present 

 occupation. 



I should be willing to part also with the undisputed part of Rochdale manor, 

 because I wish to invest the produce of that as well as other monies abroad, 

 since I do not reside in England, and have thought of permanently settling 

 either in Italy or elsewhere. Perhaps, therefore, a mode might be found of 

 combining the two, viz., the adjustment of our lawsuit and the sale of the 

 remainder of the manor, which might not be for your disadvantage. I repeat 

 (as a little enquiry will inform you) that I am not actuated either by avidity 

 or necessity, but by the natural wish to terminate a long lawsuit with its 

 uncertainties. My debts have long been liquidated by the sale of Newstead, 

 and the purchase money settled and invested ; and early in the winter of 

 1822 I acquired a considerable accession of income by the demise of the 

 mother of Lady B. 



It you accept this proposal for a conference either in person or by proxy 

 with the Honourable Mr. Kinnaird or Mr. Crabtree (agent of Sir Francis 



