WEST DERBY HUNDRED 



stone of the hunter series (new red sandstone) 

 extends across the south-eastern portion with small 

 areas of the permian beds intervening at Leech Hall, 

 Peckers Hill Lane, and Sutton Moss. From St. Anne's 

 Well to Thatto Heath the pebble beds of the bunter 

 series occur. 



Sutton Hall is near the centre ; Burtonhead is on 

 the western side, with Ravenhead to the north, 

 Eltonhead to the south-west, and Micklehead in the 

 southern corner. Sherdley, on the borders of Bur- 

 tonhead, has Lea Green to the west and Marshall's 

 Cross to the south ; Peasley Cross is in the north- 

 east. The various ' heads ' denote the edges of the 

 higher land on the west and south of the township. 

 Sutton Brook crosses the township from the southern 

 corner to join Sankey Brook to the east of St. Helens. 



Numerous roads radiate from St. Helens to the 

 south and south-west, and there are cross roads from 

 Prescot to Burtonwood and Parr. The London and 

 North-Western Company's lines from Liverpool to 

 St. Helens, and from St. Helens to Widnes, pass 

 through the township ; on the latter are stations at 

 Peasley Cross, Sutton Oak, and Clock Face. The 

 same company's Liverpool and Manchester line 

 crosses the southern part of the township, with 

 stations at Lea Green and St. Helens Junction. 



The Local Government Act of 1858 was adopted 

 in 1864, the board being dissolved in 1869 on the 

 creation of the borough of St. Helens. 



The rich coal fields of Sutton have long been 

 known, a ' mine of coals' being mentioned in 1556; ' 

 and they have attracted the other manufactures for 

 which the district is famous. The plate-glass works 

 at Ravenhead were established in 1773, and on 

 failure in 1794 were again set going.* 



Earthenware, especially in drainage pipes, is an 

 important trade, a peculiar clay being found here. 

 Watch movements were also made. 



St. Anne's Well lay on the border of Rainhill ; the 



PRESCOT 



water had a reputation for healing diseases of the 

 eyes.' 



SUTTON, Eccleston, and Rainhill 

 MANORS were probably members of the Widnes 

 fee in 1086,' and continued to be held 

 as one of the four knight's fees which constituted the 

 service due for this lordship. In 1212 William son 

 of Matthew de Daresbury held these manors. 6 About 

 1250 William de Daresbury 6 granted to Robert son 

 of Roger de Ireland, in free marriage with his daugh- 

 ter Beatrice, the homage of William called Samson in 

 the whole of Eccleston and Rainhill, of Robert son 

 of John de Sutton for three plough-lands in Sutton, 

 and of Matthew de Daresbury, perhaps a brother of 

 the grantor, for another half 

 plough-land there. 7 Sutton 

 by itself being assessed at four 

 plough-lands, the remaining 

 half plough-land was probably 

 held in demesne. 



Beatrice was her father's 

 heir, and her two daughters, 

 Margery and Maud, carried 

 the inheritance to their hus- 

 bands, Henry and Gilbert, sons 

 of Alan le Norreys of Formby. 6 



DARISBURY or DARES- 

 BURY . Argent, a -wolf 

 able. 



There seems to have been a fassaat s 

 division, Henry and Margery 



as the seniors taking Daresbury, 9 whilst Gilbert and 

 Maud took Sutton. Very soon, however, the latter 

 resigned their rights in Eccleston and Rainhill to the 

 others. 10 Sutton they retained for themselves. Maud 

 seems to have died early, leaving an only daughter 

 Margery as heir. 11 Gilbert married again, holding this 

 manor until his death ; his sons Robert and Richard are 

 named. 11 Margery married one John de Meols, and left 

 a son and heir Gilbert, who successfully asserted his 

 right to his grandmother's inheritance. 13 He died 

 about 1348, leaving an only son and heir Robert, 



355 



