Forest of Rossendale. 221 



copyhold ground near, given by George Pickup, and conveyed 

 by him to John Pickup and others in trust on the 31st of 

 August, 18 15. This school was partly built by subscription ; and, 

 according to the surrender, was intended for the purpose of a 

 master from time to time to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, and 

 to instruct and educate the present and future generations of 

 children residing in the township of Lower Booths and elsewhere, 

 pursuant to certain rules set forth in a book of statutes bearing 

 equal date with the surrender. And also for a free school on 

 Sundays, for a master or masters to teach children to- read the 

 Bible and other useful and necessary learning in the English 

 language. A list of the subscribers, in the possession of the late 

 Henry King, of Oakley, gives £^1^ 3s. as the sum collected 

 towards the erection of the building. 



The Trust Deed of the Chapel bears date May 17th, 1760, the 

 building being put in trust " for the use of Protestant Dissenters 

 distinguished by the name of Independents, so long as there was a 

 minister to preach in it, and a congregation to meet in it, that could 

 and should subscribe unto a Book of Articles, entitled, ' An answer 

 to every one that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us.' " 



The first minister was Richard Whittaker, who preached here 

 about twenty years, and he was succeeded by John Ingham, above 

 mentioned. When the minister and congregation became 

 Unitarian, about 1821, they obtained a yearly grant from the 

 Trustees of Lady Hewley's Fund. The new chapel at Rawtenstall 

 was erected in 1853 ; that at Newchurch about 1816. 



The Independents have one chapel in Rossendale, viz., at Bacup. 

 They began meeting in 1848, and in 1852 they occupied a room 

 in Union Street, Mr. Waite being the first minister. The present 

 chapel, in South Street, was built in 1853. 



There are altogether over seventy places of worship in Rossendale. 

 All of these (except the Friends) have one or more Sunday Schools, 

 and many of them Day Schools attached, though the latter are 

 being gradually taken over by the School Boards. 



