230 History of the 



The increase in the amount of population between 1801 and 

 1891, a period of ninety years, is 380 per cent. In Rossendale 

 the Females exceed the Males by about 1 2 per cent. 



The cotton dearth, consequent on the Civil War in America, 

 denuded Rossendale of a portion of its population, many families 

 having migrated into Yorkshire and other districts in search of 

 employment. With the resumption of work, however, at the 

 various mills in 1865, many of these families returned. 



The wide district embraced within the ancient Forest of 

 Rossendale, is now, for the chief part, parcelled out between two 

 considerable Municipal Boroughs. Bacup, to which a charter of 

 incorporation was granted on August 22nd, 18S2, and Rawtenstall, 

 the date of whose charter is February 2nd, 1891. 



Bacup is divided into six Wards, viz. : — Brandwood, Tong, 

 Greens, Broadclough, Tunstead, and Irwell. The first mayor was 

 Mr. Alderman John Hargreaves. The Market Hall, a handsome 

 and commodious building, is in the Italian style of architecture, and 

 in connection with this is the Council Chamber and Town Clerk's 

 Offices. A large and beautiful Cemetery, belonging to the town, 

 provided at a cost of ;^i6,ooo, is situated at Fairwell. The Area 

 of the Borough is 6400 statute acres; Rateable Value ;^78,7i3, 

 and the population (census 1891) 23,498. 



Rawtenstall is also divided into six Wards, viz. : — North Central, 

 South Central, East, South-East, West and North. The first 

 mayor was Mr. Alderman William Lord, 189 1-2. The Area of 

 the Borough is 9528 statute acres ; Rateable Value ;£io6,507, and 

 the population (census, 1891), 29,507. 



