I 26 History of the 



Rossendale Church from I. John, iii. 2 : Lord, may we be in 

 covenant with God, and then we may hope that all will be well 

 with us. 



" December 9th. This day, in the afternoon, I visited at Stand. 

 We hear all the Highland rebells from Scotland, who have been 

 as far as Darby towards London, intending to get a Prince upon 

 the Throne, a nurshng from Rome, are this evening all in 

 Manchester. Finding themselves not a sufficient force to engage 

 our army, they are making the best of their way for the Highlands ; 

 our army, about 1,400 strong, are pursuing them. We have 

 another army in Yorkshire about 10,000 strong. The rebells 

 plunder and do a deal of mischief The Rossendale people, 

 about 500, came our road, towards Manchester to-day, but 'tis 

 thought proper not to oppose the rebells ; they and thousands 

 were dismissed. Lord, bring good out of the troublesome times." 



"January 15th, 1746. This day, after visiting a patient in the 

 afternoon, I spent the evening at Coz. Neddy Kay's, of Brook- 

 bottom, with some other company, and lodged there. By all 

 accounts 'tis expected about this time our forces are engaging the 

 rebells in Scotland. Times at present run high amongst us, some 

 shewing themselves much in favour for the present Government, 

 and but too many for the Pretender ; an instance whereof I shall 

 give in the following lines, being a copy of what was sent to our 

 family to-day from Bury upon account of the mobb we raised to 

 oppose the rebells, and mentioned December 8 and 9, which is as 

 follows : — 



" Notice is hereby given that his Rumpish Highness, the Second 

 Pretender and Prince of the Presbyterian territories, has given 

 an order for the raising a new Regiment of Rossendale Plunderers, 

 under the most emphatical denomination of Oliverian Murderers ; 

 and that such as are willing to join are ordered to repair to the 

 Colonel Quarters at the sign of the Bloody Surgeon. . . . the 

 Ensign's Inn at the sign of Three Marshall Handkerchiefs, where 

 for their advance they shall receive full power to kill and plunder 

 all loyal subjects to the true born King, and for their further 



