BLAKELEY HALL - the dates so far.
By Allen P. Blakeley

1313 - Thomas de Gresley died. In his will, the Manor of Mamecestre, including the Township of Blakeley, was granted to Sir John and Lady Joan la Warre.
No Hall appears to have existed at this time as Blakeley was mentioned within the sporting rights of the Manor of Mamecestre.

1411 - Blakeley was still mentioned as a part of the Manor of Mamcestre.

1509 - Evidence based on the design of the Hall, puts its origins at around the early part of King Henry VIII's reign (1509 - 1547)

1519 - Francis Nuttal, who died in 1519, was described as being of Blackley Hall so the Hall must have been built some years prior to this!

1577 - Richard Assheton (1577 - 1618), on his death, was described as having lived at Mostyn Hall, near Manchester and at Blackley Hall, near Middleton, but in the Parish of Manchester

1598 - The Manor of Blackley was either sold or mortgaged by Sir John Byron to Richard and William Assheton.

1630 - The brother of John Nuttal died and was buried in Middleton. This brother was referred to as Mr James Nuttal de Blackeley.

1636 - An indenture describes " a Mansion Howse......commonly known as Blakeley Hall or The Hall of Blakeley, situate and being in Blakely in the said county of Lancaster". It was purchased by Francis Leigh, of Lyme, from Ralph Asseton and his wife Elizabeth in 1636.

1749 - Sublet to the Shaw (or Shay) family until 1749. A ghost was said to inhabit the Hall after 'Old Shay's' wife was murdered there.

1749 - Blackley Hall was leased to Joseph Scholes. They lived here until the lease expired on the death of Robert Scholes in 1815.

1760 - A schoolmaster named Nicholson rented a room at Blackley Hall from the Scholes family and kept a school for 150 pupils.

1788-9 - Mr Robert Rayson, in conjunction with the Reverend Mr. Griffiths, the Minister of St Peter's Blackley, opened a Sunday School in Blackley Hall.

1797 - A John Blackley was mentioned as owing 7s 11d in a Blackley Hall "Shot book". He is the only Blackley so far to have been found to have a connection with Blackley!

1803 - The school was taken over by Mr James Hall on the death of Mr Nicholson in 1803.

1814 - Blackley Hall, owned by the Leigh's, was sold to William Grant of Ramsbottom.

1815 - Blackley Hall was demolished.

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