THE LAXDLORDS. 135 



are best known to us at the present time. In 1845 the landownnig famiHes 

 of the chief portion of the country luinted by the R.R.D. were the 



Stanleys- - - - - of Hooton and Storcton. 



(ileggs -----,, Thurstaston and IJackford. 



Shaws ,, Arrow. 



Kings „ Bebington and Woodchurch. 



Feildens ----,, ])ebington and Alollington. 



Lord Shrewsbury - ,, Oxton, Brimstage, and Raby. 



Mainwarings - - - „ Bromborough. 



Orreds -----,, New Ferry. 



Brocklebanks - - - ,, Prenton and Tranmere. 



Websters ----,, Upton. 



Corbetts ----,, Ashfield. 



Bartons -----,, Caldy. 



Greer.s -----,, Pouhon. 



Ricliardsons - • - ,, Capenhurst. 



Parrys „ Seacombe. 



Ashtons „ Gayton. 



I^eighs „ 



Pattens" ----,, Woodchurcli, Landican.and Noctorum. 



\'vners ,, 'rhincrwall and Bidston. 



Siv llClilliam /lDa65e\? Stanley?, Bart. 



" Live ill your country here, in bani-hment, 

 With Sir John Stanley, in the Isle of Man." 



Kin^ Henry I'l, Pari II, net it, scene 3. 



This genial sportsman was the direct descendant of the elder branch of 

 the great family of Stanley, which divided in the reign of Richard II — the 

 younger branch founding the families of the Earls of Derby iSir John 

 Stanley marrying the heiress of Lathoni), Lords Stanley of Alderley, and the 

 Stanleys of Ponsonby, Cumberland. 



The Stanleys had been for centuries in possession of the manors oi 

 Storeton and Hooton, and Sir William succeeded to the title and estates on 

 the death of his father in 1S43. At the time of the inauguration of the 

 R.R.B. he was High Sherili' of the county, residing at Hooton Hall, where 

 he kept up a pack of foxhounds in good style, hunting the Hundred of 

 Wirral to the delectation of a numerous body of gentlemen from the neigh- 

 bourhood and from Liverpool. He was a good sportsman, and a great 

 favourite with every one with whom he came in contact. While himself a 



* The J. Wilson ra;ten, K.^q.. of 1845, was subsequently created Loru \Viiimar]eig!i. 



