2i2 A HISTORY OF LONGEIDGE. [Chap. 11. 



Such is the story, told in a " few and simple words," of "the saintly 

 life and glorious death of the Goosnargh Martyrs" — George Beesley 

 and William Marsden. 



KEV. FR. GEOEGE BEESLEY. 



"Eev. Fr. George Beesley was born at a place caUed "The Mountain," 

 in Goosenor [Goosnargh] parish, in Lancashire, and was an alumnus 

 and priest of Douay College, during his residence at Rhemes [Rheims] ; 

 he was ordained priest in 1587,' and sent upon the English Mission in 

 1588. He was a man of singular courage, j'oung, strong, and robust, 

 before he fell into the hands of the jjersecutors ; but whilst he was in 

 their hands, he was so frequently and cruelly tortured by the unhappy 

 Topcliff, in order to oblige him to confess what Catholics he had coq- 

 versed with, and by whom he had been harboured or relieved, that he 

 was reduced to a mere skeleton, insomuch that they who were before 

 acquainted with him coidd scarce know him to be the same man when 

 they saw him drawn to execution. Yet all these torments he endured 

 with invincible coiu-age and patience, and woidd not be induced to name 

 anyone, or bring anyone into danger on his account. He was con- 

 demned merely for his priestly character and remaining in England 

 contrary to the statute of EUz. 37, and was hanged, bowelled, and 

 quartered in Fleet-street, July 2, 1591."= — Challoner's Missionan/ 

 Priest. 



REV. FE. EDWARD CLABKSON. 



" 1815, July 16. At 8 o'clock in y*^ morning, departed this Ufe of 

 ye Eev. Edward Clarkson, and was bui-ied in Holme Churchyard on 

 y« left side of his predecessor, Eev. T. Marsh. Weldon's ' Chronology' 

 identifies him as ' Dom Albans, Edward Clarkson, of Goosnargh, Lan- 

 cashire,' and as professed Nov. 11th, 1787." 



EEV. FR. JOHN CLAEKSON. 



"Eev. John Clarkson, born at JErinsaxgk, Lancashire, escaped from 

 Douay, France, Nov. 24, 1793, ordained Priest at Old Hall Green. 

 Missioner at Ingatestone, Essex. Died Feb. 12, 1823." 



'1586 (?). 15SC (?). 'See Mgr. GradweU's account. 



