The History of the Church and Manor of Wigan/William Blackleach
William Blackleach, whom I suppose to have been the next rector, paid his first fruits on 22nd June, 11 Eliz., 1569.[1]
From certain pleadings in the Duchy Court in the time of the next rector it appears that Blackleach leased the tithes of the rectory of Wigan, for the term of his own incumbency, to Edmund Wynstanley and John Wodcocke and their assigns, who passed over their interest therein to John Assheton and Robert Worseley, of the Boothes, Esq.[2] I learn nothing more of this rector, who resigned the benefice within two years of his appointment.
- ↑ Record Society (Lancashire and Cheshire), vol. viii. p. 409. There was a family of the name of Blackleach (alias Blackledge) seated at Leyland at this period. Bishop Huan Blackleach (or Hesketh), Stanley's predecessor in the bishoprick of Man, is said to have been born at Blackleach Hall, in the lordship of Lathom (Leyland ?) in the county of Lancaster, and to have been the eldest son of that house (Raines' MSS., vol. vii., altered in pencil to x., p. 98, and labelled on the side "Dodsworth's MSS., vol. 149 to vol. 161. Finis.")
- ↑ Duchy of Lancaster Pleadings, 13 Eliz. vol. xlix. A. No. 19.