A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE 



Appleton was held in bondage as three plough- 

 lands in the time of Edward II. 1 In 1351 Henry, 

 newly created duke of Lancaster, granted that each of 

 his tenants should in future hold severally and freely 

 the tenements hitherto held in bondage or at will.* 

 The history of the township is undistinguished until 

 the modern establishment of chemical works. The 

 courts appear to have been usually, or often, held at 

 Farnworth.* 



Upton* and Denton gave surnames to local fami- 

 lies, the name Denton appearing down to recent 



times. 6 The Wright family was also of importance, 

 and their residence was known as Widnes Hall. 6 

 Matthew Gregson states: 'There are [1817-24.] 

 four estates in the townships of Appleton, Widnes, and 

 Upton, which have long been known by the names of 

 Upper House, Lower House, Carter's House, and 

 Peel House .... The Upper House belongs to 

 Mr. Cowley, who resides upon it ; the Lower is the 

 property of John Leigh, esq., and Carter's House 

 that of Mr. Taylor, both of Liverpool.' 7 A family 

 named Hawarden were resident in the seventeenth 



