Forest of Rossendale. 133 



From the enumeration which was then made, it was found that 

 the number of able-bodied men capable of actual service, residing 

 within the Forest of Rossendale, amounted to 2000 ; a respectable 

 number out of a population of barely 10,000 young and old. 



The following are some of the entries above referred to : — 



1797. 



Expenses to VVhalley in attending on Magistrates on supple- 

 mentary Militia, .. .. .. .. .. .. £0 ■T, o 



To Summoning Cavalry to be sworn in, .. .. .. .. 0120 



1798. 

 Expenses of Peter Warburton to Rochdale, to prove him a 



Disarter, .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 076 



The Peace of Amiens brought with it a brief interval of 

 tranquillity, which was again rudely disturbed by the renewal of 

 hostilities with France in 1S03, caused by the insulting menaces 

 and restless ambition of Napoleon I., who began to make immense 

 preparations for the invasion of Great Britain. The whole 

 Country was at once in arms to resist the invader ; the utmost 

 enthusiasm prevailed, and a Yeomanry and Volunteer Corps 

 400,000 strong, rose as one man, to defend their hearths and 

 homes. About 30,000 of that number were raised in Lancashire, 

 and to these Rossendale contributed its full share. The Greave of 

 the Forest records in numerous entries, extending over a lengthened 

 period, that meetings and consultations for the " Defence of the 

 Nation" were held at " Bacop, Kewchurch, and Edgeside." No 

 half-hearted patriotism was displayed. An enumeration was made 

 of the number of males between the ages of 17 and 55, within the 

 district. Men were enrolled for the " Army of Reser\'e," and 

 Volunteers poured in from every valley and hill side. A List of 

 the Resident Ministers was made, and a return of the Copyholders 

 and Freeholders, with the number of Cotton and Woollen Mills, 

 and of Cattle within the district was prepared. Altogether, 1 803 

 was a year of agitation and preparation, which has scarcely found 

 its parallel in later times. 



