103 A HISTORY OF LONGRIDGE. [Chap. 4. 



which he managed both teachers aud scholars. One of his most 

 intimate friends was E. H. Lightfoot, to whom I shall presently refer. 

 In 1882 his health began to visibly fail, and after a lingering illness 

 he quietly died on Aug. 16th, 1884, aged 49. The scene at the grave 

 side was a sad, yet impressive one. The coffin was covered with 

 wreaths ; a large number of people were assembled, including over 

 300 day scholars. He left a widow to mourn his loss, while almost 

 everyone in Longridge felt they had just seen the grave closed over 

 one of the truest men they had known. 



E. H. Lightfoot. 



On May 10th, 1881, passed away one of the gentlest men it has 

 been my lot to know. Eiehard Henry Lightfoot did, in a quiet way, 

 a great deal of hard and lasting work. By no means a strong man, 

 for years he conducted a children's service in the old Boys' School. 

 He was Secretary to the Day and Sunday Schools, filled the post of 

 Churchwarden, visited the sick and poor, and led a life that was 

 almost pathetic in its quiet and holy calm. He was for nearly 30 years 

 the faithful and trusted confi.dential clerk of Mr. Eobert Smith, (wiose 

 cousin he was), and from him I have learnt many a lesson which will 

 not soon be forgotten. He was a great friend of James Gregory. 

 After a long and very painful illness he died, aged 54. Alas ! 

 The stars of those two gentle eyes 

 Will shine no more on earth. 



He left a widow and familj', who have keenly felt their sore need of 

 him. 



James Dilwoeth. 



James Dilworth hailed from Chipping, where he was a hand-loom 

 " putter-out." He jnirchased Gleadale at the time it was a thatched 

 cottage. He used to go by the stage coach to Manchester to attend 

 the markets. On his return, it was his custom to have a meeting of 

 the cottagers in a room over the coach-house, called the " Chapel " to 

 this day, and there delivered the sermon he had heard in Manchester. 

 He had a warehouse in Water Street, Preston, now belonging to Mr. 

 Walter Bibby, J.P. He effected a gTeat change in the condition of the 

 roads in the vicinitj- of his " compact estate." He built one of the 

 best houses in Eibblesdale Place, Preston, now owned and occupied by 



