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 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030692697 
 
SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
SALT 
 IN CHESHIRE 
 
 BY 
 
 ALBERT F. CALVERT 
 
 F.C.S., Etc. 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 ' SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD ' 
 ' HISTORY OF THE SALT UNION ' 
 ' MANUFACTURE OF SALT,' ETC. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 E. & F. N. SPON, LIMITED 
 
 57 HAYMARKET 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 SPON & CHAMBERLAIN 
 
 123 LIBERTY STREET 
 1915 
 
PREFACE 
 
 If an apology is required for putting forth a volume on 
 the subject of Salt in Cheshire, I may, perhaps, be allowed 
 to point to the fact that the book represents a task that, 
 hitherto, has not been attempted. Pamphlets and articles 
 have treated of various phases of this most ancient of 
 English industries, and numberless papers — dealing with 
 the salt deposits, their formation and exploitation, the brine 
 springs, the subsidences in the salt area, and the manufacture 
 of salt — have been read before geological, chemical, and 
 other learned societies, but in the two thousand years that 
 have gone by since the Eomans erected the first open 
 pan in this country and precipitated salt from Cheshire 
 brine, nobody has been found to combine the inclination 
 and industry that were required in the preparation of a 
 work that essays, however inadequately, to cover this 
 interesting and, in some ways, unique subject. 
 
 One explanation of the unanimous reticence displayed by 
 other writers can be traced to the difficulty that one ex- 
 periences in obtaining reliable, first-hand information upon 
 the subject. A notable characteristic that has distinguished 
 each succeeding generation of salt-makers since Cheshire 
 salt first came to be writ large in the Board of Trade's 
 export statistics, has been a stubborn aversion to publicity, 
 and, as the salt trade has always been a more or less close 
 corporation, its members have had little trouble in pre- 
 serving their mining and manufacturing secrets. All such 
 details as depths of shafts, results of borings, levels of brine, 
 quantities of rock-salt won and brine pumped, have been 
 jealously concealed, and persons exhibiting a desire for 
 information on these points have been always regarded with 
 suspicion and disfavour. This display of Sphinx-like reserve 
 has served the purpose of the proprietors, for the most 
 persistent of scribes and chroniclers have been turned from 
 
vi SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 their purpose by the obstacles that were advanced against 
 their quest for facts. 
 
 The result of this disinclination on the part of the salt 
 men to take the outside world into their confidence, is, that 
 the history and development of the Cheshire salt-fields 
 have been revealed piecemeal — the subject has never been 
 treated as a whole. In the compilation of the mass of facts 
 and figures that are presented in the following pages, I have 
 taken tribute of every available pamphlet, paper, and fugi- 
 tive article that has been published, and I have had 
 the advantage of examining a great quantity of interesting 
 records that were not written for publication and have 
 not been previously published. This material has been 
 derived from many sources and has reached me through a 
 number of channels. Some of it is the reward of diligent 
 exploration in . the British Museum and other libraries, 
 and some I have obtained by word of mouth on the spot. 
 The existence of certain particulars was disclosed to me 
 by a chance clue, and I have run the details to earth 
 in the most unexpected places ; while the acquisition 
 of yet other curious and valuable information I can only 
 ascribe to kindly fortune. It may also be explained here 
 that important additional matter for this book came to me 
 at different times and frequently after long intervals. I 
 commenced the actual writing of the chapters when I had 
 collected what I judged to be sufficient data for my purpose, 
 but on two occasions, while the proofs were in hand, I 
 received so much fresh material that the work had to be 
 pulled to pieces and reconstructed in order to incorporate 
 it. The result, as the critic will have discovered, is that 
 in parts my story reveals " breaks '' or " faults " — replicas 
 of the " faults " in the salt beds of which I write — and that 
 I have sacrificed continuity of narrative to the inclusion of 
 the maximum amount of fact. This will be regarded either 
 as a defect in craftsmanship or a justifiable preference 
 awarded to matter over manner, according to the individual 
 opinion of the reader. 
 
 To the general public, such claim to interest as the 
 Cheshire salt towns make is similar to that which is associ- 
 ated with famous or curious ruins : Northwich and Winsford 
 
PREFACE 
 
 Vll 
 
 are best known by the story and pictures of the melancholy 
 consequences of their commercial prosperity — consequences 
 which are everywhere visible in the intrusive lakes and gaping 
 fissures which scar the face of the countryside, and in the 
 crazy and dilapidated buildings that disfigure the streets. 
 These, urban and rural districts alike, have paid dearly for 
 the possession of the saline wealth which underlies them, 
 and even those who are indifferent to the geological and 
 commercial ramifications of the mining and manufacture of 
 salt may feel an interest in the revelation of the hardships 
 which they have inflicted upon the people. 
 
 Since the time when salt production entered upon its 
 comparatively modern phase as a considerable factor in the 
 country's commerce, and as a source of great gain to the 
 comparatively small numbers of proprietors engaged in it, 
 the salt magnates have embroiled themselves in a protracted 
 war of extermination. They have devoted their energies 
 and dissipated their capital in desperate efforts to capture 
 the lion's share of the trade, and in their desire to crush 
 their rivals and control prices, millions of tons of salt have 
 been sold at a loss. This battle of giants, as it has 
 been described, more than once came near to ruining the 
 salt industry, and, as will be read in the following chapters, 
 it created acute suffering in the affected districts and caused 
 the formation of the Salt Union to be hailed as a public 
 boon. 
 
 But although the mischievous policy of cut-throat com- 
 petition was stemmed for awhile by the advent of the Salt 
 Union in 1888, the natural consequences of the pumping of 
 brine for the manufacture of salt were not arrested, and 
 whether the profits of the industry were reaped by indivi- 
 duals or trading corporations, the pains and penalties in- 
 separable from its operations remained the heritage of the 
 entire region. The people suffered, and their sufferings were 
 unamended by the men who caused and benefited by the 
 damage they inflicted. The more active their operations 
 and the larger their returns, the more extensive and unmis- 
 takable were the results in the presence of waterways and 
 waste places that had once been agricultural land, and the 
 spectacle of thoroughfares that appeared to be stricken with 
 
viii SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 earthquake. Under the title of " Subsidences " I have 
 attempted to describe the damage and suffering that 
 attends the pumping of brine, and in another chapter 
 I have exposed the callousness with which the salt men 
 regarded the destruction of property for which they were 
 directly responsible, and the stubborn resistance they opposed 
 to all attempts to obtain from them a measure of compensa- 
 tion for the victims of their profitable industry. 
 
 For a score of years prior to the promotion in Parliament 
 of the Cheshire Salt Districts Compensation Bill, the people 
 had made amicable but unavailing representations to the 
 salt proprietors, the county authorities, and the Trustees 
 of the Eiver Weaver Navigation, for some solatium for 
 the damage they were enduring. They were told to seek 
 redress through the constituted legal channels, but since the 
 nature of the pumping operations made it impossible to trace 
 the damage to individual pumpers, the advice was only an 
 addition of insult to injury. In 1880, the people and the 
 local authorities, splendidly served and directed by the late 
 Thomas Ward and Mr J. H. Cooke of Winsford, raised the 
 funds and organised the campaign which, in the following 
 year, was transferred from Cheshire to the committee-rooms 
 of the House of Commons. The salt proprietors contended 
 that compensation for damages was already paid -in the 
 shape of the benefits which the community derived from the 
 salt trade carried on in the districts, and that the pumping 
 did not cause the subsidences complained of, such subsidence 
 being due to natural causes which would continue even if 
 the pumping of brine ceased altogether. On these grounds, 
 supported as they were by the testimony of Mr De Ranee, 
 the Bill was defeated, and when, in 1891, the Brine Pump- 
 ing (Compensation for Subsidence) Bill was introduced, the 
 Salt Union opposed it with the same arguments. The 
 second measure succeeded, but at a tremendous expenditure 
 in trouble and money, borne by both the people of the salt 
 districts and the unfortunate shareholders in the Salt Union. 
 The Union denounced the claim for compensation as unjust 
 and inequitable ; on that plea they spent and compelled the 
 ratepayers and landowners of Northwich and Winsford to 
 spend thousands of pounds ; yet within ten years of the 
 
PREFACE ix 
 
 conclusion of hostilities, the Salt Union declared themselves 
 great sufferers from subsidence caused by brine pumping, 
 and decided to approach the other pumpers in the district 
 with a claim for the damage resulting from their brine- 
 raising operations. 
 
 Still more recently the Northwich people had to suffer 
 another flagrant and material injustice at the hands of the 
 salt proprietors, and, for reasons which it is impossible to 
 fathom, the legislature, declined to redress a palpable 
 wrong. In 1889, when a proposal was before Parliament 
 to pump brine through a pipe from Marston in Cheshire to 
 be made into salt at Widnes in Lancashire, the entire 
 salt region was dismayed by the suggestion. The Salt Union 
 championed the rights of the district and denounced the 
 principle of taking brine from the locality in which it was 
 produced — and which was subjected to serious injury by 
 the process of production- — and of robbing the neighbour- 
 hood of the trade and its accompanying benefits, which 
 would be transferred with the brine to the place of its 
 manufacture. Such an act of injustice and spoliation 
 inspired the Union to the most strenuous opposition, and 
 the Board congratulated itself upon the noble and bene- 
 ficent part it played in preventing Parliament from 
 sanctioning so dastardly a scheme. If the good folk of 
 Cheshire were grateful to the Salt Union for this interven- 
 tion on their behalf in 1889, what must have been their 
 feelings in 1911, when they learnt that the Salt Union 
 were erecting a huge new salt-making plant at Weston 
 Point, over eleven miles from Northwich, for the purpose of 
 treating annually some hundreds of millions of gallons of brine 
 raised in the Northwich district. The Salt Union calmly 
 protested its legal and just right to pursue a course which 
 a few years before it had declared was unjust and unthink- 
 able. Once more the ratepayers, landowners, shopkeepers, 
 and townsfolk subscribed the funds to promote the Brine 
 Pumping (Cheshire) Bill of 1912, and, in the result, they 
 learned that Parliament's views with regard to the iniquity 
 or propriety of conveying brine from one district to another, 
 varied with the representations of the Salt Union. When 
 the Salt Union protested against other salt-makers convey- 
 
x SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 ing brine from the locality supplying, it was an outrage 
 against the interests of the community, but to attempt 
 to prevent the operation when the Salt Union proposed 
 to undertake it, became an unwarrantable conspiracy in 
 restraint of trade. Such a curious inconsistency may not 
 account for the dwindling trade and decreasing profits 
 which the Salt Union have experienced, but it provides a 
 convincing explanation of the unpopularity of the company 
 in the district in which it trades, and, in justice - to the 
 sufferers who have been stigmatised as grasping and ungrate- 
 ful, I have thought proper to describe the situation in some 
 detail. 
 
 In connection with the two earlier Parliamentary struggles 
 between the salt proprietors and the people of the salt 
 districts, three men loomed large in the public eye. Their 
 names occur frequently in the following pages, but their 
 work and achievements call for special reference in this 
 Preface. Our knowledge of the Cheshire subsidences and 
 the contributing causes is largely based on the information 
 collected by Joseph Dickinson and Thomas Ward, while 
 our misconceptions on the subject originated in the in- 
 genious but untenable theories propounded by Charles E. 
 De Ranee. In the conflict of testimony over the question 
 of compensation for subsidence in the devastated brine 
 areas, the first bout of which ended in a committee-room 
 of the House of Commons, on May 20th, 1881, Mr Dickinson 
 and Mr Ward were among the leading witnesses for the 
 promoters of the Bill, and Mr De Eance gave weighty 
 evidence on behalf of the opponents of the measure. Mr 
 Ward, whose long and intimate experience of the salt-fields 
 and of salt-making was only equalled by his devotion to 
 his adopted county and to the trade which monopolised 
 his life's work, had been of the greatest assistance to Mr 
 Dickinson, when, as one of the first four Inspectors of Mines 
 appointed in 1850, he had visited Cheshire to report upon 
 " the landslips which have recently occurred and are still in 
 progress of development in this district." 
 
 Mr Dickinson's Report was presented to the House of 
 Commons in 1873, and remains the standard work on the 
 subject of which it treats — on account of the wealth of 
 
PREFACE 
 
 XI 
 
 information it contains, the skill displayed by the writer in 
 his investigation of causes, and the judgment revealed in the 
 conclusions at which he so confidently arrives. The appeal 
 for legislative redress made by the people of the salt 
 towns to Parliament in 1881, and ultimately obtained, to 
 a limited extent, ten years later, was based on Mr 
 Dickinson's Eeport. Before the Committee, presided over 
 by Sir Sydney Waterlow, Mr Dickinson repeated his story 
 of the condition of the salt districts, and was unshaken in 
 his evidence concerning the causes to which he attributed it 
 in his Report, and his conclusions were fully corroborated 
 by Mr Ward, who, although a high official of the Salt Union, 
 did not shrink from the duty of championing the cause of 
 the people against the interests of the institution to which 
 he was, professionally and personally, greatly attached. 
 Mr De Eance was called by the other side, and it was his 
 testimony — opposed, though it was, to scientific fact and 
 the same evidence upon which the second Bill succeeded in 
 1891 — that greatly contributed to the defeat of the first 
 measure. All three men were members of the Manchester 
 Geological Society. In March 1903, at a meeting of that 
 Society, Mr Dickinson deplored the loss that its members 
 had sustained by the death" of Thomas Ward. In June 
 1906 he seconded a resolution of sympathy with the 
 representative of the late Charles E. De Ranee, and in 
 May 1912 the President of the Society paid a last sincere 
 tribute to the personal qualities and professional abilities 
 of Joseph Dickinson, who had died, full of honours, in his 
 ninety-fourth year. 
 
 Among the many sources upon which I have drawn in 
 the compilation of this book are the volumes of evidence 
 given before the Parliamentary and Local Government 
 Board Committees on the Compensation Bills of 1881 and 
 1891, and the Brine Pumping Bill of 1912; the ancient 
 deeds in the Record Office ; the Court Rolls of Northwich ; 
 the Harleian MSS. ; Camden's " Britannia " ; Leland's 
 " Itinerary " ; King's " Vale Royal of England " ; Ormerod's 
 " History of Cheshire " ; William Furnivaf s " Statement of 
 Fact " ; Dr Holland's " General View of the Agriculture of 
 Cheshire " ; Piatt's " History and Antiquities of Nantwich " ; 
 
xii SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Dr Holland's " Art of Making Common Salt " ; Partridge's 
 " History of Nantwich " ; the Philosophical Transactions of 
 the Royal Society ; the Eecords of the Eiver Weaver 
 Navigation ; the Catalogue of the De Tabley Sale ; the 
 Annual Reports of the Salt Union, and many old documents, 
 some of which are now printed for the first time. I have 
 also to express my thanks to Mr Tom Yarwood and other 
 Cheshire notables for the information and assistance they have 
 always so courteously afforded me, and to Mr J. H. Cooke for 
 allowing me to refer to his splendid collection of books 
 relating to Cheshire. Mr Cooke's personal acquaintance 
 with the inside history of the vagaries and vicissitudes 
 of the salt trade extends over a number of years and 
 renders him an unsurpassed authority on the subject. If 
 he could have been induced to place his knowledge and recol- 
 lections at my disposal, as he did his library, some of the 
 passages in this book would have been more nearly complete 
 and instructive. 
 
 The plans and maps reproduced here have been gathered 
 together from various sources, while the half-tone illus- 
 trations are mostly from photographs supplied by T. Eeece 
 Brooks, P. G. W. Sage, Llew. Evans, and J. E. Birtles, 
 supplemented by others taken by myself. 
 
 A. F. CALVERT 
 
 "Royston," Eton Avenue, 
 London, 1915. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Introductory , 
 
 „ The Chemistry of Salt 
 
 Early History op the Cheshire Salt Industry 
 
 Salt and Salt-making in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth 
 Centuries ..... 
 
 -The Cheshire Salt Deposits . 
 
 Theories op the Formation op the Deposits 
 
 The Area op the Cheshire Salt Beds 
 
 The Top Rock Mines .... 
 
 Rock-Salt Mining in Cheshire 
 
 The Growth op the Salt Industry . 
 
 Tapping the Brine .... 
 
 The Cheshire Subsidences 
 
 The Cheshire Salt Districts Compensation Bills 
 
 The River Weaver Navigation 
 
 The Salt Trade prom 1878 to 1912 . 
 
 Salt Associations .... 
 
 Salt Union 
 
 The Salt Trade op Winspord 
 
 Northwich ... 
 
 Nantwich 
 
 MlDDLEWICH 
 
 Sandbach and Wheelock 
 
 Lawton . 
 
 Lymm 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 62 
 
 85 
 141 
 163 
 190 
 201 
 234 
 281 
 294 
 304 
 385 
 431 
 494 
 514 
 549 
 597 
 653 
 726 
 744 
 766 
 772 
 785 
 
xiv SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Salt Statistics . ..... 788 
 
 Patents relating to the Treatment of Brine and the 
 
 Manufacture of Salt ..... 795 
 
 Old Documents referring to Salt .... 800 
 
 The Salt Tax in England and Acts of Parliament 
 
 relating to Salt . . ... 834 
 
 Particulars of the De Tabley Sale in Northwich, 1828 868 
 
 Manufacture .of Salt .... . 917 
 
 Ancient Northwich Records . ... 1037 
 
 Index . . . . 1201 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Fishery or Bay Salt, manufactured by The Commercial Salt Co., Ltd., 
 
 at Lawton, Cheshire 
 Large Crystals, or Hoppers, for Fishery Salt, manufactured by The 
 
 Commercial Salt Co., Ltd., at Lawton, Cheshire . 
 Crystals, or Hoppers, for Fishery Salt, manufactured by The Com 
 
 mercial Salt Co., Ltd. .... 
 
 Fishery Salt, manufactured at Lawton , 
 
 Illustration from an article on Salt-making at Nantwich, by Dr 
 
 William Jackson, published 1669 .... 
 Illustration from Dr William Brownrigg's book on Common Salt 
 
 published 1748 ...... 
 
 Illustration from Dr William Brownrigg's book on Common Salt 
 
 published 1748 ...... 
 
 Illustration from Dr Henry Holland's book on Cheshire, published 
 
 1808 . . . 
 
 Plan showing the Salt Deposits of Great Britain 
 Sketch Plan of the Salt Districts of Cheshire . 
 Section showing probable Position of Coal Strata under Cheshire 
 Section of Strata at Northwich .... 
 
 Section of Strata at Winsford ..... 
 Sections of Strata at Marston, Winsford, Middlewich, Wheeloek 
 
 Malkin's Bank, and Lawton, 1779 
 Section from Anderton, Northwich, to Wheeloek and Lawton 
 Rock Salt in Spheroidal Form ..... 
 Strata contorted by the Solution of Rock Salt . 
 Section from Hartford to Pickmere, Northwich 
 Section of the Northwich District from Anderton to Broken Cross 
 Section from Northwich; on the S.W. to Marsden, Yorkshire; on 
 
 the N.E. through Bowdon, Altrincham, Manchester, and Glod 
 
 wick, near Oldham ; crossing Triassic and Permian Rocks, the 
 
 Manchester and S. Lancashire Coal-fields, the Millstone Grit and 
 
 Yoredale Beds of Saddleworth Valley .... 
 Key Plan of the Northwich and Winsford Salt Fields . 
 Section from Marston through the Northwich Salt Field to Winsford 
 Section from Marston through the Northwich Salt Field to Middlewich 
 Sketch Plan of Cheshire Mines ... • • 
 
 Section from Riversdale to Wadebrook . . . . 
 
 19 
 
 27 
 
 33 
 
 42 
 
 113 
 
 114 
 
 133 
 139 
 142 
 143 
 144 
 144 
 
 148 
 151 
 153 
 153 
 161 
 162 
 
 164 
 166 
 168 
 170 
 
 176 
 177 
 
XVI 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Order of Strata ......•• 
 
 Section of the Salt Districts between Barnton and Northwich 
 
 The Salt Districts of Cheshire ...... 
 
 Plan showing Land controlled and owned by Salt Manufacturers in 
 
 the Northwich District ...... 
 
 Sketch Plan showing locked-up Brine Lands mainly owned, occupied, 
 
 leased or retained by the Salt Union, Ltd., and Brunner, Mond 
 
 & Co., Ltd. ....... 
 
 Map showing Sites of Mines in the Upper Rock Salt, Eighteenth Century 
 Plan of Witton Brook in 1768 ...... 
 
 Plan of Lock Meadow, showing Rock Pit 
 
 Plan of Marbury and Wincham, 1757 . 
 
 Tracing of Map by John Earl, 1776 ..... 
 
 Plan of an Estate in Twambrooks belonging to Nicholas Ashton, Esq., 
 
 showing the Situation of the Building and Rock-pit, 1771 
 Plan of a Field and Rock-pit in Witton-cura-Twambrook, belonging to 
 
 Nicholas Ashton, Esq., surveyed, March 1789, by J. Earl 
 The Northwich Salt District . . . . 
 
 East and West Section through the Marston Bore-hole, Northwich . 
 North and South Section through the Marston Bore-hole, Northwich 
 Plan showing Brine Shafts at Nantwich, Lawton, and Wheelock, and 
 
 subsiding area near Wheelock .... 
 Sections of Borings for Salt in the Northwich District 
 Plan showing Rock Salt Mines in the Northwich District 
 Plan showing the Salt Mines in the Northwich District 
 Plan showing the Salt Mines in the Northwich District 
 Sketch Plan showing the Position of Mines filled with Brine at Dun 
 
 kirk, Northwich ...... 
 
 Section showing Borings between Witton Hall Mine and Wincham 
 
 Boring — Northwich District .... 
 
 Plan showing the Borings for Salt in the Northwich District . 
 Section of Strata passed through in sinking a Rock Salt Mine 
 
 Northwich ....... 
 
 Ordinary Brine Subsidence ..... 
 
 Section of a Mine in the upper bed of Rock Salt 
 Section of a Mine in the lower bed of Rock Salt 
 Section showing Subsidences caused by pumping Brine and crushing 
 
 of Pillars in the lower bed of Rock Salt 
 Plan of Northwich Salt District .... 
 
 Plan showing method of working the Rock Salt Mines at Stasfurth 
 Plan showing method of working the Rock Salt Mine at Wieliczka 
 Section showing the method by which the Top Bed of Rock Salt was 
 
 worked at the Marston Hall Mine, Northwich 
 Plan of Marston Hall Rock Salt Mine . 
 
 r»GR 
 179 
 
 189 
 
 191 
 
 199 
 
 200 
 203 
 205 
 20S 
 210 
 211 
 
 211 
 
 212 
 214 
 
 217 
 217 
 
 219 
 221 
 222 
 226 
 
 2211 
 
 230 
 235 
 
 236 
 237 
 23S 
 238 
 
 239 
 241 
 242 
 243 
 
 244 
 245 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xvii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Section showing Method by which the Bottom Bed of Rock Salt is 
 
 now being worked at Northwich ... . 245 
 
 Plan of the British Rock Salt Mine, Northwich . . 246 
 
 Plan of the Witton Hall Mine, Northwich . 247 
 Cavity in the Lower Mine of Mr Richard's Rock Salt Pit in Marston, 
 
 as taken the 26th September 1809, by J. Dunn . 248 
 
 Plan of Penny's Lane Mine — Northwich District . 251 
 
 Interior of Penny's Lane Mine . . 252 
 
 Interior of Penny's Lane Mine . . . 255 
 
 Map showing Centres for the World's Distribution of Salt . 293 
 Section of Brine Shafts situated at Anderton, Marbury, Marston and 
 
 Middlewich ... 295 
 
 Sections showing Brine Levels . . . 296 
 
 Diagram of Brine Levels in Brine Shafts . 297 
 
 Plan showing Brine Levels, 1865 to 1880, Northwich District 300 
 
 Northwich Brine Levels ..... 301 
 
 Winsford Brine Levels ....... 302 
 
 Plan showing Messrs Bowman, Thompson & Co.'s Borings near 
 
 Northwich .... . 303 
 
 Map of Witton Brook, 1765 .... 307 
 
 Plan of Witton Brook, 1837 . . . 308 
 Plan of the Witton Brook Navigation, 1837 . 309 
 Plan of the Northwich District showing Area in which there are per- 
 ceptible Subsidences .... 310 
 
 Plan of the Northwich District showing Area in which the serious 
 
 Subsidences have occurred . ... 311 
 
 Plan showing the serious Subsidences in Castle Street and Verdins 
 
 Park, Northwich . 312 
 
 Subsidences of the Witton Brooks 317 
 
 Plan showing the Water Lines of Witton Brooks . 318 
 
 Plan of Witton Brook in 1864 . . 322 
 Section of Dunkirk Road, Northwich . . .323 
 Marston Big Hole, Northwich ... .329 
 
 Marton Hole, Whitegate, near Winsford . • 329 
 
 Deepest Portion of Marston Big Hole, Northwich . 335 
 
 Section of Brine Hole at Marston ■ 339 
 
 Subsidence at Dunkirk, Northwich . • ui 
 
 Sinking Land near Ash ton's Works at Northwich . 345 
 The great Canal-burst and Landslip, owing to Subsidence near North- 
 wich, July 21, 1907 
 Subsiding Land, Northwich 
 Marshall's Brine Shaft ; Worthington's & Cheshire Amalgamated ; 
 Ashton's Pumping Water Station. Photo taken looking across 
 
 Dunkirk, Northwich . • 361 
 b 
 
 349 
 355 
 
XV111 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Subsidence at Dunkirk Road, Piatt's Hill Mine, Northwich . 
 Dunkirk Subsidence, near Northwich 
 
 Subsidence near Northwich . .... 
 
 Bed of large Lake at Dunkirk, near Northwich, originally caused by 
 
 Subsidence ........ 
 
 Subsiding Land near Northwich . . . . 
 
 Witton Brook, Northwich (Subsidence) .... 
 
 Marston, Northwich (Subsidence) . ... 
 
 Marston, Northwich (Subsidence) 
 Marston, Northwich (Subsidence) 
 Ashton's Works, Northwich. Scene the morning after the Subsidence 
 
 of December 7, 1880 ...... 
 
 Working in dangerous Ground after Subsidence, Dunkirk Lane, 
 
 Northwich ........ 
 
 The falling of a Chimney at Ashton's Works, through the subsidence 
 
 of 1880 . . .... 
 
 Map of the Northwich Compensation District 
 River Weaver .... 
 
 Plan of the River Weaver Navigation 
 
 The River Weaver at Northwich . . . . 
 
 Plan showing Line of Pipes of the Northwich and Mersey Salt Co., Ltd. 
 
 Plan of Salt-works in Winsford District 
 
 Salt Union Works at Winsford. Manufacturing salt by the open 
 
 pan system ........ 
 
 "Vacuum" Plant and Salt Store, with Steam Barges loading, 
 
 Winsford ........ 
 
 " Vacuum " Works at Winsford . . . . . 
 
 Subsidence at Marston, near Winsford . 
 
 Raising the Town Hall, Winsford .... 
 
 Plan showing subsiding Areas in the Winsford District, near 
 
 Northwich ...... 
 
 Sections of Borings at Stock's Stairs and Meadow Bank Rock Pit, 
 
 Winsford ...... 
 
 Section of Boring at Stock's Stairs, Winsford . 
 
 Sections of Borings at Weys Green and Stanthorne, near Winsford 
 
 Plan of the Island Salt-works, Winsford 
 
 The Old Bridge at Northwich (from an old print) 
 
 Plan of Messrs Bournes & Co.'s Salt-works at Marston, Northwich 
 
 in 1814 .... 
 Plan of the Wharton Salt-works 
 East View of the Salt-works at Wharton 
 Northwich Town Bridge 
 Plan of the Wincham Salt Mines 
 Plan of the Cheshire Amalgamated Salt Co.'s Works . 
 
 FAGK 
 
 365 
 
 371 
 375 
 
 376 
 
 377 
 378 
 379 
 
 380 
 381 
 
 382 
 
 383 
 
 384 
 415 
 433 
 449 
 455 
 56S 
 599 
 
 603 
 
 615 
 619 
 621 
 629 
 
 64S 
 
 649 
 650 
 651 
 652 
 
 655 
 
 657 
 666 
 667 
 671 
 677 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 xix 
 
 Plan of the Properties in the Township of Witton, belonging to J. S. 
 St V. Jervis, Esq., and the Cheshire Amalgamated Salt "Works 
 Co., Ltd., 1873 . . .679 
 
 Plan of Messrs Blackburne & Co.'s Salt-works, Anderton . . 680 
 
 Ground Plot of part of Salt-works in Anderton, belonging to Sir John 
 
 Thomas Stanley, Bart., 1807 .... 681 
 
 Plan of Properties at Dunkirk, "Witton, belonging to J. S. St V. 
 Jervis, Esq., and the Cheshire Amalgamated Salt Works Co., 
 
 Ltd., 1873 682 
 
 Salt Properties at Mill Lane and Wincham Brook, Northwich, formerly 
 
 belonging to Messrs Hewitt & Eenshaw .... 683 
 
 Plan of Messrs James Piatt & Son's Albert Salt Works, Marston, 
 
 near Northwich . . .... 695 
 
 Plan of the late Mr Eobert Williamson's Salt-works, AVmcham . 696 
 
 Plan of Messrs John Thompson & Sons' Witton Hall Salt-works, 
 
 Witton, Northwich . , . 697 
 
 Plan of Messrs Fletcher & Rigby's Marston Old Salt-works, Marston, 
 
 near Northwich ... . . 698 
 
 Plan of Messrs Fletcher & Rigby's New Zealand Salt-works, 
 
 Marston ....... 699 1 
 
 Plan of Mr "William Parkes' Canal Bank Salt-works, Marston . . 700 
 
 Plan of Mr A. J. Thompson's Alliance Salt-works, Marston . . 701 
 
 Plan of Messrs Parkes Bros. Salt-works, Marston . . . 702 
 
 Plan of Mrs Catherine Lovett's Anderton Salt-works, Anderton, near 
 
 Northwich ... ... 703 
 
 Plan of Messrs Hampshire, Gibson & Co.'s Anderton Hill Salt-works, 
 
 Anderton ....... 704 
 
 Plan of Mr T. H. Marshall's Salt-works, Cross Street, Witton, 
 
 Northwich ...... .705 
 
 Ground Plan of Whitehall Salt-works . . . .706 
 
 Section gone through in sinking a, Shaft from the bottom of Mr 
 Neumann's Mine, Northwich (about eighty years ago), commenc- 
 ing at a depth of 110 yards . ... 712 
 
 Alliance New Shaft at Marston, 1895 . . 713 
 
 Diagram of Trial Boring, Manor Farm Estate, Northwich . 714 
 
 Boring at Riversdale, Northwich . . 715 
 
 Boring for Coal at Marston, near Albert . . . 716 
 
 Boring on Hill Side Farm, Newbridge . . . .716 
 
 Borings at Moulton, Riversdale, and "Witton . . . 717 
 
 Boring at Leftwich ....... 718 
 
 Section of Rock Salt Mine and Brine Pit, Marston . . .718 
 
 Section of Rock Shaft, late Townshend's Shaft, Wincham, Northwich 719 
 Boring at Pimblott's Boiler Yard, Leftwich .... 719 
 
 Boring at Gunners Clough, Barnton, Winnington . . 720 
 
xx SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Section of the Strata passed through in boring an Artesian Well at 
 
 Little Leigh on the River Weaver . . . 721 
 
 The Adelaide Mine, Marston .... 722 
 
 Salt-works at Wineham .... 723 
 
 Wincham Hall Salt-works . . 724 
 
 Works at Wincham . . . 725 
 
 Boring at Nantwich (Shrewbridge Estate), 1883 735 
 
 Salt-works at Middlewich . . . 747 
 
 Messrs Brunner, Mond & Go.'s Chemical Works, Middlewich 749 
 
 Middlewich Salt Go.'s Works, Middlewich . . . 752 
 
 Chemical Works, Middlewich . . . . 753 
 Electro Bleach and By-Products, Ltd., formerly Electrolytic Alkali 
 
 Co.'s Works, Middlewich . . . . .755 
 
 Plan of the Middlewich District . . 759 
 
 Section from Winsford (Way's Green) to Middlewich (Murgatroyd's) . 760 
 
 Section of the Middlewich Salt District . . 761 
 
 Section at Murgatroyd's, Middlewich .... 762 
 
 Boring at Cledford Bridge, Middlewich . . . 763 
 
 The Middlewich Crown Salt-works Co., Ltd. . 764 
 
 Messrs Seddon & Sons' Kinderton Salt-works, Middlewich . . 765 
 
 Messrs Brunner, Mond's Works, Sandbach . . . 767 
 
 Messrs Brunner, Mond's Works, Sandbach .... 768 
 
 Brine Shaft at Malkins Bank, Sandbach, 1885-86 . . 770 
 
 Boring at Wheelock, Top Works . . 770 
 
 Plan of Salt-works at Malkins Bank . . 771 
 
 Section from Wheelock to the Lawton Salt District . 773 
 
 Section of Strata at Lawton Salt-works . 774 
 
 Plan showing Situation of the Lawton Salt-works . . 775 
 View of Commercial Salt Co.'s Brine Reservoirs, showing Brine being 
 
 pumped up, and Manager's House at Lawton . . .777 
 
 Salt in one of the Commercial Salt Co.'s Warehouses at Rode Heath, 
 
 Cheshire. Showing a heap of 300 tons of Common Salt . . 779 
 "View of a Portion of the Commercial Salt Co.'s Works on the Canal 
 
 Bank, Rode Heath ...... 781 
 
 View of the Commercial Salt Co. 's Brine Shaft, and some of their Salt 
 
 Warehouses at Lawton ...... 782 
 
 Sections of Boreholes at Heatley, near Warburton, and Lymm . 787 
 
 Plan of Properties in Northwich offered for sale in 1828 . . 872 
 
 Another Plan of Properties in Northwich offered for Sale in 1828 . 873 
 
 Plan of Baron's Croft Salt-works, Northwich, offered for Sale in 1828 877 
 
 Plan of Properties in Witton Street, Northwich, offered for Sale in 1828 880 
 
 Plan of Properties in Witton Street, Northwich, offered for Sale in 1828 881 
 Ancient Salt-works. Making Salt from Sea- water . . .919 
 
 Ancient Salt-works. Moulding the Salt .... 920 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 xxi 
 
 Ancient Salt-works 
 
 Ancient Salt-works 
 
 Ancient Salt-works 
 
 Ancient Salt-works 
 
 Ancient Salt-works 
 
 Ancient Salt-works 
 
 Drawing Broad Salt from the Pan 
 
 Dressing Fine Salt 
 
 A Row of Pans . 
 
 Firing the Pans 
 
 Making the Squares 
 
 Salt taken from Boiling Brine and placed into Moulds 
 
 Loading Salt 
 
 Pan Sheds 
 
 Brine Cistern 
 
 Brine Shaft and Cistern 
 
 Salt in Store 
 
 Bagging the Salt 
 
 A Warehouse full of Broad Salt 
 
 Loading Broad Salt ... 
 
 Bagging Broad Salt for Australia . . . 
 
 A Salt Store Shed . . . . . 
 
 A Drying Stove .... 
 
 Packing Salt ...... 
 
 Interior View of the Salt Union Vacuum Plant at Weston Point, 
 Buncorn ..... . . 
 
 Ship loading Salt by Mechanical Conveyer at Manchester Ship Canal. 
 Frontage of Salt Union Works, Runcorn . . . . 
 
 General View of the Vacuum Salt-works at Weston Point, Runcorn . 
 
 Illustration of Four Scott's Patent Double-effect Salt Evaporators, 
 with Automatic Salt Dischargers, Salt Conveyers, and Hydro- 
 Extractors ........ 
 
 Illustration of Scott's Patent Triple-effect Salt Evaporators, with Box 
 Type Salt Dischargers ...... 
 
 Samples of Salt produced by the Hodgkinson Process at the same 
 time and in one operation . 
 
 The Hodgkinson Patent Salt-making Plant, showing the three closed 
 and four open pans making every grade of salt at the same time 
 and in one operation, and producing over five tons of salt from 
 the consumption of one ton of coal .... 
 
 Pumping Wheel 
 
 Brine Pit . • 
 
 Plan of Grainer Block ... 
 
 Transverse Section of Grainer . ... 
 
 PAGE 
 
 921 
 
 923 
 925 
 927 
 929 
 931 
 935 
 937 
 940 
 941 
 9 43 
 945 
 947 
 95G 
 957 
 957 
 958 
 959 
 960 
 961 
 962 
 963 
 964 
 965 
 
 969 
 
 971 
 973 
 
 976 
 977 
 981 
 
 1003 
 1005 
 1027 
 1028 
 
XX11 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Entire Plant of a Grainer Block .... 
 
 Plan of Pan Block 
 
 Plan of Pan Block 
 
 Kanawha System at Pomeroy, Ohio, U.S.A. 
 
 Transverse Section of Kettle Block 
 
 Quadruple-effect of Salt Evaporator 
 
 Vacuum Pan and Settler of Triple-effect System 
 
 Solar Salt Plant ..... 
 
 View of Old Dunkirk Road falling in, Northwieh 
 
 Subsidence of a Builder's Office at Northwieh . 
 
 Subsidence of Solicitor's Office in Castle Street, Northwieh 
 
 Subsidence in Castle Street, Northwieh 
 
 Effect of Subsidence in Warrington Road, Northwieh . 
 
 Northwieh. Maddock's Shop, Dane Bridge, in 1882 . 
 
 Northwieh. Maddock's Shop, Dane Bridge, in 1891 . 
 
 Disastrous Effect of Subsidence in Northwieh . 
 
 Billinge Green Subsidence, some miles distant from Pumping Stations 
 
 View of Subsidence, looking to Wade Brook 
 
 Lambert's Salt-works, looking to Anderton 
 
 Cranage Brook, showing Townshend's Shaft in the distance 
 
 Section of Hole showing Brine Pipes suspended. 
 
 Subsidence near the Dane Bridge, Northwieh 
 
 Marton Hole Subsidence, near Whitegate, Northwieh . 
 
 Large Hole through Subsidence, Northwieh 
 
 Subsiding Ground off Manchester Road, Northwieh 
 
 The Flash, Winsford . 
 
 The Flash, Winsford ... 
 
 Circular Cavity on Site of Wheatsheaf Hotel, Northwieh 
 
 Subsidence of London Road, Northwieh 
 
 Ashton's Works, showing fall of roof, and ground giving way 
 
 Shop-lifting, Northwieh . . . . 
 
 All that remains of Row of Fifty Houses through Subsidence, Leicester 
 Street, Northwieh ...... 
 
 Subsidence of an Hotel at Northwieh .... 
 
 Collapse of House, Leicester Street, Northwieh 
 
 Subsidence of Business Premises at Northwieh 
 
 London Road, Northwieh, showing Streetunder Repair from Subsidence 
 
 A Door at Northwieh in the Subsiding Area . 
 
 Witton Street, Northwieh 
 
 View of the Bull Ring, Northwieh, from Dane Bridge . 
 
 Shop-lifting, High Street, Northwieh . . . 
 
 Premises in High Street, Northwieh, after Street has been raised 
 
 Street-raising in progress — High Stroet, Northwieh . 
 
 Street-raising — High Street, Northwieh . . . . 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1029 
 
 1030 
 
 1031 
 
 1032 
 
 1033 
 
 1034 
 
 1035 
 
 1036 
 
 1159 
 
 1160 
 
 1161 
 
 1162 
 
 1163 
 
 1164 
 
 1165 
 
 1166 
 
 1167 
 
 1168 
 
 1169 
 
 1170 
 
 1171 
 
 1172 
 
 1173 
 
 1174 
 
 1175 
 
 1176 
 
 1177 
 
 1178 
 
 1179 
 
 1180 
 
 1181 
 
 1182 
 1183 
 1184 
 1185 
 1186 
 1187 
 1188 
 1189 
 1190 
 1191 
 1192 
 1193 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xxiii 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Houses in Station Road, Northwich . . . 1194 
 
 Effects of Subsidence on the Angel Hotel, High Street, Northwich . 1195 
 
 Subsidence in Castle Street, Northwich .... 1196 
 
 Remarkable Subsidence at Northwich . . 1197 
 
 Raising Buildings, High Street, Northwich . 1198 
 
 The Bridge Inn, near the Bull Ring, Northwich . 1199 
 
 Road raised twenty feet in Twenty Years. None of the Buildings 
 
 shown are now standing .... . 1200 
 
 COLOURED PLATES 
 
 TO FACE PAGE 
 
 Key Plan of the Northwich and Winsford Salt Fields . 166 
 
 The Northwich and Winsford Salt Districts Section from Marston 
 
 through the Northwich Salt Field to Winsford, as marked No. 1 
 
 Section on Key Plan . . • 168 
 
 The Northwich and Middlewich Salt Districts Section from Marston 
 
 through the Northwich Salt Field to Middlewich, as marked No. 
 
 2 Section on Key Plan ...... 170 
 
SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 INTRODUCTORY 
 
 Since the age of papyrus leaf literature, salt has had its 
 honoured place in the written history of the world. Apart from 
 the universal acceptation of its hygienic value, it has been dis- 
 tinguished by its incorporation into the ritual of many religions, 
 it has inspired a number of popular superstitions, and it has been 
 held to be symbolical of most of the cardinal virtues. It may 
 be deduced from its close association with the history of civilisa- 
 tion, that before salt was directly known to the human race, 
 primitive man was without virtue and not addicted to religious 
 observances. More significant still, he was certainly ignorant 
 of the art of cookery. " This salt," wrote Dr Brownrigg in an 
 essay published in 1748, " is dispersed all over nature — it fertilises 
 the soil, it arises in vegetables, and from them is conveyed into 
 animals ; so that it may well be esteemed the universal condiment 
 of nature, friendly and beneficient to all creatures endowed with 
 life, whether it be vegetative or animal." But salt supplied no 
 want of primitive man ; he was contented with a diet which 
 contained sufficient salt essences to satisfy his requirements. 
 The flesh of animals and fish and birds is rich in sodium chloride, 
 and fruits have their natural salts. When these were eaten raw, 
 man consumed the condiment in the flesh, and although he may 
 have been cognisant of sea salt or rock salt he found no dietetic 
 value in either. But the herbivorous animals upon which he lived 
 instinctively sought out and ate the salt that their keepers ignored. 
 The grasses which were the food of the flocks are practically 
 devoid of salt, a fact that did not excite the interest of man until 
 he boiled green foods in the cook-pot and added it to his dietary. 
 He then discovered that his cooked vegetables and boiled meat 
 were insipid and unpalatable though he did not know, as a 
 scientific fact, that in the process of boiling, the meat had sur- 
 rendered to the water some 70 per cent, of its salt. 
 
 Thereafter man took tribute of such supplies of salt as were 
 
 i 
 
2 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 ■available to him. Sea water, brine springs, or solid salt may have 
 ministered to his needs. His cattle would direct his attention to 
 the sea swamps and the outcropping deposits to which they re- 
 paired to satisfy their instinctive craving for sodium chloride 
 and, following the example of his cattle, he probably first took 
 the raw material into his system by licking rock-salt. The term 
 salt-licking which is employed by early Greek and Boman writers, 
 indicates that the use of salt mixed with food in the cook-pot 
 was not employed in ancient time. But it is certain that the use 
 of added salt accompanied the introduction of the luxury of 
 cooked meats and vegetables, and the existence of the first cook- 
 pot has been traced back to the dwellers of the Palaeolithic or 
 first stone age. The discovery of three varieties of wheat, two 
 of barley, and one of millet, grown by these early agriculturalists, 
 and of fragments of pottery and coarse flint instruments in the 
 cave deposits of Belgium, proves that the cooking of grains re- 
 quiring salt was practised as early as five thousand years ago. 
 During the excavations which Dr Schlieman directed at Hissar- 
 lich, in the ruins of Ancient Troy, he found vessels of gold and 
 silver, pottery made upon the potter's wheel, and a copper kettle. 
 The city was destroyed in 1270 B.C. and in the ruins of the older 
 city that lay beneath the debris of Ancient Troy, were discovered 
 other and earlier pottery of Assyrian manufacture. Specimens 
 of pottery have been taken from the ruins of Assyria and Babylonia 
 as well as of Egypt, whose earliest records contain references to 
 cooking and to salt. Salt food probably in the form of fish pre- 
 served in salt, was eaten, on the testimony of Homer, what time 
 Troy was alive with love and slaughter. It is believed that the 
 antiseptic use of salt pre-dated its culinary use, for the Egyptians 
 prepared the bodies of the dead by immersing them in a strong 
 solution of salt for seventy days before they were committed to 
 the embalmer, and Herodotus has left us a description of the pro- 
 cess of salting to which these Egyptian mummies were subjected. 
 At a later period Cleopatra had the body of Antony pickled in 
 salt brine and she left directions that her own body should be 
 treated in the same manner ere it was laid beside that of her 
 Boman lover. 
 
 One assumes that the demand for salt for domestic and anti- 
 septic purposes was early followed by the establishment of a trade 
 in that product. The supplies for the markets of ancient 
 Egypt were obtained from the salt basin of the Sahara and the 
 
INTRODUCTORY 3 
 
 centres of the industry were Kaita, Bambara, Timbuctoo, and 
 Cairo. In the time of Herodotus North Africa was visited for 
 salt by caravans, and according to Schleiden, the oldest allusion 
 to commerce in history is a reference to the fact that the priests 
 of Egypt preferred the salt of Hammomen to sea-salt. It is 
 probable that the trade in salt is one of the most ancient com- 
 mercial enterprises, and it would be followed in the natural order 
 of things by the trade in salt fish. According to Herodotus the 
 Egyptians salted a species of sardine which inhabited the Nile, 
 and they also lived on salted ducks, quails, and smaller birds. 
 
 From its use as a condiment, a food preservative, and a basis 
 of commerce, salt entered into the sacred functions of the ancients. 
 In Old Testament history it was invested with a certain sanctity 
 as the foundation of a covenant between man and God and, as 
 the symbolization of virtue, purity, and faithfulness, it has passed 
 into the religion of almost every race and nation. Phelo, the salt 
 deity of the Chinese, has its annual feast celebrated with becoming 
 ceremonial. The founder of Buddhism writing about 1000 B.C. 
 refers figuratively to salt in his " Verbal Instructions.'' The 
 Egyptians not only employed salt water in preparing their sacri- 
 fices, but they sprinkled the entrance of their houses with the same 
 fluid. In the Levitical law, written according to general accepta- 
 tion about 1500 B.C., it was commanded : " Every oblation of 
 thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt, neither shalt thou 
 suffer the salt of thy covenant of thy God to be wanting from thy 
 meat-offering ; with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt." 
 The account given of the healing, by Elisha, of the waters of 
 Jericho, prompts that enthusiastic writer on the uses of salt for 
 agricultural and horticultural purposes, Cuthbert William Johnson, 
 to regret the brevity practised by some of the writers of the Old 
 Testament when referring to the practical application of salt to 
 such purposes. It was the universal custom, he explains, among 
 the Eastern nations to irrigate their lands, and if the waters in 
 the neighbourhood were unfit for this purpose, the soil, from the 
 heat of the climate, was rendered unproductive. This appears 
 to Johnson to have been the case at Jericho, and to heal them 
 Elisha threw in salt. " The smallness of the quantity added 
 could," he declares, " in the natural course of things, have had 
 no influence, and whether he directed it to be repeated is not 
 stated." 
 
 Johnson was puzzled, as many others have been, over- the 
 
4 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 words of the Saviour : " Salt is good : but if the salt have lost 
 its savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned, it is neither fit for the 
 land nor yet for the dunghill, but men cast it out." The allusion 
 confirmed the abundant testimony we have of salt being employed 
 as a manure in the East, but the meaning of salt losing its savour 
 remained a mystery until Mr Maundrel explained that there is 
 found in Syria a peculiar kind of fossil or rock-salt, which in 
 process of time, by exposure to the air, though to all appearance 
 as crystalline as ever, loses almost entirely its taste, except in the 
 very centre of the lumps. " How this is effected," Maundrel 
 admits, " is very difficult to explain, for it has not, to my 
 knowledge, been subjected to chemical analysis, but it is probably 
 a mixture of salts, for instance, crystallized sulphate of lime 
 (gypsum) and common salt : the first quite tasteless and nearly 
 insoluble in water ; it would consequently be very little altered 
 by exposure to the dew, rain, etc. but the common salt would in 
 moist situations readily dissolve away, leaving the remaining 
 mass little altered in appearance ; its savour would be gone, and 
 the residual sulphate of lime little fitted either for the land or for 
 the dunghill." 
 
 Having acquired its place in devotional observances, there 
 would appear to have been a confusion of the ideas of blood and 
 salt in the minds of the early worshippers. Both would seem to 
 have been credited with the possession of much the same pro- 
 perties, and in certain cases the one was used as a substitute for 
 the other ; salt taking the place of blood on the sacrificial altar. 
 Mr Clay Trumbull, hi his work on " The Covenant of Salt," 
 gives some interesting results of his researches into this close 
 connection between the two, and Professor Hermann Collitz ooes 
 so far as to suggest that sal and sanguis are derived from a 
 common root. However that may be, it is an undoubted fact 
 that tribes like the Numidian nomads, referred to by Sallust, and 
 the Bedouins of Hadramat of our own day, whose staple diet is 
 milk and roasted flesh, use no salt but employ, as a substitute 
 the blood of the slaughtered animals which they carefully pre- 
 serve for the purpose. According to Professor Bunge of Basel 
 the Samoyedes dip every mouthful of reindeer flesh in blood 
 before they eat it. Those natives, on the other hand, whose diet 
 consists chiefly of cereals and vegetables, are large consumers of 
 salt. " It is a common practice in the East,'' writes Mr Trumbull 
 " to welcome an honoured guest to one's house by sacrificino- an 
 
INTRODUCTORY 5 
 
 animal at the doorway and letting its blood pour out on the 
 threshold, to be stepped over by the guest as a mode of adoption 
 3,nd of covenant-making. When such a guest comes unexpectedly 
 and there is no time to obtain an animal for the welcoming 
 sacrifice, it is customary to take salt and strew it in lieu of the 
 blood on the threshold — salt being thus recognised as the equi- 
 valent for or as a representative of blood." We know, moreover, 
 that in the Christian sacrament the wine that is drunk is sym- 
 bolical of " the blood of the Lamb which was slain," and in the 
 •second century, when the Church was divided by the controversy 
 as to whether sins might be truly forgiven after baptism, there 
 arose a sect who took for their gospel the Book of Elkesai. These 
 people objected to the wine of the Eucharist and, instead of the 
 Sacrament prescribed by the Church, they substituted the sharing 
 of bread and salt. This confusion of the ideas of the two elements 
 still lingers in the popular belief that salt will check haemorrhage, 
 and in the superstition, not yet quite extinct, that life may be 
 restored by the injection of salt into wounds which have bled 
 freely. 
 
 In Vedic literature salt is the " sacrificial essence." When a 
 young man marries and sets up a household of his own, his first 
 duty is to make provision for sacrificing to the gods. He must 
 have fire, which represents the masculine element, water as repre- 
 senting the feminine, then gold which is the promise of seed, and 
 lastly salt, for as salt ground is good for cattle, salt is accepted 
 in this ritual as symbolical of cattle. It is the Brahminic 
 tradition that once the earth and sky were close together. 
 " When they were sundered," says Muller in his " Sacred Books 
 of the East," " they said to each other : Let there be a common 
 sacrificial essence (ya-gu-iyam) for us. What sacrificial essence 
 there was belonging to yonder sky, that is bestowed on this 
 earth, that became the salt (in the earth) ; and what sacrificial 
 essence there was belonging to this earth, that is bestowed on 
 yonder sky, that became the black (spots) in the moon. When 
 he (man) throws salt, let him think it to be that (the black in the 
 moon) : it is on the sacrificial essence of the sky and the earth 
 that he sets up his fire." In ancient Egypt salt played an im- 
 portant part in the sacrifices at the festival held at Sais to 
 celebrate the Goddess Neith or Isis. " Then all the people filled 
 lamps with oil and salt and set them in the open air just beyond 
 -the thresholds of their houses and the lights were seen burning 
 
6 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 over the length of Egypt." The origin and composition of salt 
 were a matter of tradition and poetic speculation by the ancients. 
 Hippocrates explains that the sun draws away the fine particles 
 of water, leaving the heavy salt behind. Pythagoras tells us 
 that salt is born of the sun and the ocean, and the same belief 
 was stared by Tacitus and Pliny. 
 
 In taking salt as a symbol of Covenant, the Scripture writers 
 were employing the imagery familiar to the Ancients and to the 
 East. The writings of the pagan philosophers contain frequent 
 allusions to the emblematical qualities of salt. Aristotle on the 
 subject of fidelity says we should eat a measure of salt in friend- 
 ship in order to be sure of our friend, and Cicero commends the 
 eating of salt for the same purpose. Eastern nations employ salt 
 in the making and ratification of all agreements and pacts ; it 
 is the customary pledge of hospitality and probity which is more 
 honoured in the observance than in the breach. Coggia Houssain, 
 the chief of the Forty Thieves of the " Arabian Nights " declines 
 to take supper with Ali Baba for fear he should partake of his 
 host's salt and be bound by the pledge of fidelity that the act 
 typifies. It was his obvious disinclination to make himself 
 subject to the unwritten law that led MoTgiana to suspect the 
 evil intention of the robber chieftain. That this idea of salt is 
 firmly rooted in the Oriental nature is undisputed and travellers 
 relate extraordinary instances as showing that the wildest and 
 most lawless tribes recognise the sacredness of the salt compact. 
 
 Prie, in his Mohammedan history of the Foundation of the 
 Saffaride Kaliphate, describes how Yakoob, the son of Eb-beys 
 Es-Suffar, having adopted a predatory life, excavated a passage 
 one night into the palace of Dirhem, the Governor of Sestan, and 
 after he had made up a convenient bale of gold and jewels and 
 costly stuffs, was proceeding to carry off his treasure, when he 
 happened, in the dark, to strike his foot against some hard sub- 
 stance on the floor. Thinking it might be a precious article of 
 some description, he picked it up and put it to his lips, and to his 
 astonishment and chagrin found it to be a piece of rock salt. 
 But having tasted the salt of the owner, his avarice surrendered 
 to the sacred laws of hospitality and, throwing down his booty, 
 he withdrew, empty-handed, to his own habitation. The 
 Treasurer of Dirhem, repairing on the following day to inspect his 
 charge, according to custom, made the alarming discovery that 
 a great part of the treasure had been disturbed but, on examining 
 
INTRODUCTORY 7 
 
 the package that lay on the floor, he found to his amazement that 
 not a single article had been taken away. The singularity of the 
 circumstance prompted him to report the occurrence immediately 
 to his master, who commanded it to be proclaimed throughout 
 the city that the author of the singular proceeding had earned his 
 free forgiveness and that " on repairing to the palace, he would 
 be distinguished by the most encouraging marks of favour." 
 The story runs that Yakoob repaired to the palace, made confes- 
 sion of his criminal intention, and explained the accident that had 
 turned him from his purpose, and the Governor, well pleased at 
 this fine sense of honour, at once placed him in a position of trust, 
 whence Yakoob rose to be chief ruler of Khorassan and subse- 
 quently founded the Saffaride dynasty of the Persian Kaliphs. 
 
 Macgregor hi his book, " The Rob Roy on the Jordan," relates 
 how when one day he and his party were taken captive by a band 
 of Arabs and haled before their chief, he opened a box of very 
 refined white salt that he carried in his pocket and handed it to 
 the Sheik. The latter, thinking it was sugar, for the salt used by 
 the Arabs is rough in texture and dark in colour, took a little and 
 placed it in his mouth. Macgregor did the same, and laughingly 
 explained to his captor that they had eaten salt together. The 
 Sheik was indignant at the trick that had been played upon him 
 but he bowed to the laws of hospitality and the sacredness of the 
 shared salt, and the ex-prisoner and his friends were ceremoniously 
 escorted back to the river and allowed to depart amid the good 
 wishes of their would-be despoilers. 
 
 Among the Romans salt was an essential element in sacrifice. 
 Readers of Horace and Virgil are familiar with the crackling of 
 salt cakes on the altars. The former tells us that salt was speci- 
 ally offered to the Penates, and according to Pliny, it was one of 
 the principal elements used in all Roman sacrifices. On the heads 
 of the animals used for sacrificial purposes was sprinkled a mixture 
 of salt and coarse meal. If the meal fell off the animal's head, 
 the omen was held to be inauspicious. This is the origin of one 
 of the commonest of all our superstitions— the ill-luck which is 
 supposed to attach to the spilling of salt. 
 
 Numa, the Etruscan, specifically commands : " Speak not of 
 the Deity without fire, nor sacrifice without salt." The sacer- 
 dotal uses of salt must have been concerned in some degree with 
 the popular superstition that the devil has a wholesome fear of 
 it, and to this day it is used in the exorcisms of the Catholic and 
 
8 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Greek churches. The Germans considered that the presence of 
 salt sanctified a place and made prayers more acceptable to 
 heaven. Closely associated with this belief is the widespread 
 superstition that salt brings happiness. Thus in Kussia a man 
 first crosses the threshold of his new dwelling bearing in his hand 
 a lighted candle and some salt. The Russians also present salt 
 to a bride and bridegroom, and in East Prussia women about to 
 be married still put salt in the pocket of their bridal-dress to ward 
 off evil spirits. The same use was made of salt in France and 
 Germany, and up to 1408, it was placed beside abandoned 
 children. In Denmark also, salt and light were left with infant 
 foundlings. Visitors to death-beds in Denmark kept off the 
 devil by throwing salt on the fire, and cattle under suspicion of 
 being bewitched were cured by the Eothen tribe in Germany by 
 firing at them with a gun loaded with salt. Baptismal salt is 
 used in Westphalia for cattle in labour, and in Normandy salt tied 
 Tound the horns of cows is supposed to increase their milk. Salt 
 is still put on corpses in Wales and Scotland, and bread and salt 
 are sometimes carried by the guests who " first-foot " the house 
 at the close of Hogmanay. 
 
 The phrase " sitting below the salt " is in such common usage 
 that it is unnecessary to dwell on its social significance. The 
 sanctity that clings to this necessary mineral was extended to 
 the vessel in which it was kept, and with the Romans as with the 
 English, French, and Scotch of the middle ages, the salt cellar 
 was a large and handsome piece of silver. It was elaborately 
 chased, and was handed down from generation to generation. 
 Often it was the only piece of plate in the house and, among the 
 Romans, only the very poorest of citizens would eat his salt out 
 ■of a shell. The superstition concerning the spilling and helping 
 of salt at table is of great antiquity. Dacre, in his life of Pytha- 
 goras, who lived about 600 B.C., writes : " Salt was the emblem 
 of justice ; for as salt preserves all things and prevents corruption, 
 so justice preserves whatever it animates, and without it, all is 
 corrupt." A salt-cellar, therefore, formed an ornament and a 
 symbol on the table, by order of Pythagoras, who considered the 
 spilling of the contents as a fore- warning of injustice, and in later 
 times it was thought to be unlucky to the person towards whom 
 the spilt salt fell. Leonardo da Vinci illustrated this superstition 
 in his picture of the Last Supper, painted about the end of the 
 fourteenth century, in which Judas Iscariot, stretching out his 
 
INTRODUCTORY 9 
 
 hand containing the money bag, has overturned the salt-cellar. 
 With a presage of evil attaching to so common an occurrence it 
 was obviously necessary that mankind should invent an antidote 
 against the impending calamity and, as all evil was attributable 
 to the presence of the devil behind us, it was judged necessary 
 to throw a pinch of the scattered salt over the left shoulder into 
 his eye. But if the spilling of salt might reasonably be inter- 
 preted as a warning of evil, it is less easy to account for the 
 superstition that to help a neighbour to salt is to perform an un- 
 neighbourly act. " Help me to salt," runs an old saying, " and 
 you help me to sorrow," while others regard such helping as the 
 prelude to an inevitable quarrel. The possible explanation is 
 that when the ancient gods of Olympus became degraded into 
 •devils under the Christian religion, the " divine " mineral, that 
 had played so honoured a part in pagan sacrifices, came to be 
 regarded as a sacrifice pleasing to evil spirits. 
 
 But this curious attribution of evil-working tendencies to salt 
 is more popularly contradicted by the general recognition of its 
 benign influences and, so far from its being a conductor of 
 malevolent " sendings," it was commonly believed to be the 
 sovereign averter of the evil eye. In his " Folk-lore of the West 
 of Scotland," Mr James Napier gives an interestmg account of a 
 " cure " which he underwent as a child when the spell of the evil 
 •eye was thought to have fallen on him. " A sixpence was bor- 
 rowed from a neighbour," he writes, " a good fire was kept burning 
 in the grate, the door was kept fastened, and I was placed upon a 
 chair in front of the fire. The operator, an old woman, took a 
 tablespoon and filled it with water. With the sixpence she then 
 lifted as much salt as it would carry and put it into the water in 
 the spoon. The water was then stirred with the forefinger till 
 the salt was dissolved. Then the soles of my feet and the palms 
 of my hands were bathed with this solution thrice, and after these 
 bathings I was made to taste the solution three times. The 
 operator than drew her wet forefinger across my brow — called 
 • scoring above the breath.' The remaining contents of the spoon 
 •she then cast into the hinder part of the fire, saying as she did so, 
 ' Guid preserve us frae a' skith.' These were the first words per- 
 mitted to be spoken during the operation." 
 
 Such was the treatment prescribed for one who had been 
 scathed by the evil eye. The unfortunate possessor of that optic 
 was scored on the forehead with the finger-nails, or some sharp 
 
10 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 instrument, until the blood flowed freely. It was formerly the 
 custom, in the lowlands of Scotland, to place an earthenware 
 vessel filled with salt on the breast of a corpse to keep away the 
 devil until the soul should have had time to find its way to heaven. 
 Perhaps the common metaphorical identification of the soul with 
 salt : — 
 
 " The body's salt the soul is, which, when gone, 
 The flesh soon sucks in putrefaction," 
 
 has something to do with this custom. Napier suggests that it 
 was derived from the practice of " sin-eating." In the volume 
 already quoted, he writes : " There were persons calling themselves 
 ' sin-eaters ' who, when a person died, were sent for to come and 
 eat the sins of the deceased. When they came, their modus 
 operandi was to place a plate of salt and a plate of bread on the 
 breast of the corpse and repeat a series of incantations, after which 
 they ate the contents of the plates and so relieved the dead person 
 of such sins as would have kept him hovering around his relations, 
 haunting them with his imperfectly purified spirit, to their great 
 annoyance, and without satisfaction to himself." 
 
 In one instance, at any rate, this use of salt was directly 
 sanctioned by Holy Church. Everyone is familar with the 
 mediaeval trial by boiling water, which required the accused to 
 plunge his hand into boiling fluid and have his innocence, or 
 guilt, adjudged by the consequence of the act. To avert dia- 
 bolical interference with the course of justice, the practice was 
 enjoined of adding salt, which had already been blessed, to the 
 food and drink of the prisoner — a precaution which must have 
 gone far towards relieving his anxiety as to the outcome of the 
 ordeal. 
 
 Salt has played a conspicuous part in economic history, and in 
 very early times, in certain parts of the world, salt coinage was 
 in general use, The Venetian adventurer of the thirteenth 
 century, Marco Polo, in his '* Kingdoms of the East," has left us 
 the following interesting account of his experiences : " Kain-du 
 is a western province which was formally subject to its own 
 princes. . . . The money or currency they make use of is thus 
 prepared. Their gold is formed into small rods and (being cut 
 into certain lengths) passes according to its weight without any 
 stamp. This is their greater money ; the smaller is of the follow- 
 ing description. In this country there are salt springs from which 
 
INTRODUCTORY 11 
 
 they manufacture salt by boiling it in small pans. When the 
 water has boiled for an hour it becomes a kind of paste, which is 
 formed into cakes of the value of twopence each. These, which 
 are flat on the lower and convex on the upper side, are placed 
 upon hot tiles near a fire, in order to dry and harden. On this 
 latter species of money the stamp of the grand Khan is impressed, 
 and it cannot be prepared by any other than his own officers. 
 Eighty of these cakes are needed to pass for a saggio of gold 
 (i.e. one-sixth of an ounce). But when these are carried by the 
 traders amongst the inhabitants of the mountains and other 
 parts little frequented, they obtain a saggio of gold for sixty, 
 fifty, or even forty of the salt cakes in proportion as they find the 
 natives less civilised, further removed from the towns, and more 
 accustomed to remaining on the spot, inasmuch as people so 
 circumstanced cannot always have a market for their gold, musk, 
 and other commodities. And yet, even at this rate, it answers 
 well to them who collect the gold dust from the beds of the river. 
 . . . The same merchants travel in like manner through the 
 mountainous and other parts of the province of Trebeth . . 
 where the money of salt has equal currency. Their profits are 
 considerable, because these country people consume the salt with 
 their food and Tegard it as an indispensable necessary : whereas 
 the inhabitants of the cities use for the same purpose only the 
 broken fragments of the cakes, putting the whole cakes into 
 circulation as money." 
 
 Colonel Yule, the translator of Marco Polo, makes the following 
 note : " This exchange of salt cakes for gold forms a curious 
 parallel to the like exchange in the heart of Africa, related by 
 Cosmas in the sixth century and Aloisio Cadamasto in the fifteenth. 
 Ritter also calls attention to the analogous account in Alvarez's 
 description of Abyssinia. ' The salt,' says Alvarez, who was the 
 Portuguese Ambassador to that kingdom from 1820 to 1827, ' is 
 current as money, not only in the Kingdom of Prester John but 
 also in those of the Moors and the pagans, and the people here 
 say that it passes right on to Manicongo upon the western sea. 
 This salt is dug from the mountains, it is said, in square blocks. 
 At the place where they are dug a hundred or a hundred and 
 twenty such pieces pass for a drachm of gold, equal to three- 
 quarters of a ducat of gold. When they arrive at a certain fair, 
 one day from the salt mine, there go five or six pieces fewer to- 
 the drachm. And so from fair to fair, fewer and fewer, so that 
 
12 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 when they arrive at the capital, there will only be six or seven 
 pieces to the drachm.' " Bruce, in his " Travels in Abyssinia," 
 tells of his taking possession of a pot of food which he found and 
 leaving in its place, in payment for the same, a wedge of salt, 
 " which, strange to say, is still used as small money in Gondar 
 and all over Abyssinia." Salt is described by Mungo Park as 
 the greatest of all luxuries in Central Africa, and Dr Letheby says : 
 " Amongst the Gallas and on the coast of Sierra Leone, brothers 
 will sell their sisters, husbands their wives, and parents their 
 children for salt. In the district of Accra on the Gold Coast a 
 handful of salt is the most valuable thing on earth after gold, 
 -and will purchase a slave or two." Captain Parry, in his 
 " Colonial Experiences," mentions that he once saw an ounce of 
 gold paid for a pound of salt in California in 1849. 
 
 Salt is still a highly coveted object of the wild Lotos, and the 
 chief aim of their constant raids on Chinese villages is to plunder 
 the salt stores. On the subject of the survival of the use of salt 
 currency on the same frontier, Mr Francis Gamier, the distin- 
 guished leader of the Great Kamboja River Expedition, writes : 
 " Salt currency has a very wide diffusion from Muang Yong (in 
 the Burman-Shan country, about lat. 21°4) to Sheu-pin (in 
 Yunan, about lat. 23°43). In the Shan markets, especially 
 within the limits named, all purchases are made with salt. At 
 Saumo and Pouheul (Esmok and Puer on some of our maps) silver, 
 weighed and cut in small pieces, is in our day tending to drive 
 out the custom ; but in former days it must have been universal 
 in the trade of which I am speaking. The salt itself, prime 
 necessity as it is, has there to be extracted from saline springs of 
 great depth — a very difficult affair. Marco Polo's somewhat rude 
 ■description of the process, ' il prennant le sel et le font cuire, et puis 
 la gitent en forme,' points to the manner spoken of in this note. . . . 
 The cakes are vastly greater than Marco's. Instead of a half- 
 pound they weigh a pikul, i.e. 13| lbs. In Szechwan the brine 
 wells are bored to a depth of 700 to 1000 feet and the brine is 
 drawn up in bamboo tubes by a gin. In Yunn the wells are 
 much less deep, and a succession of hand pumps is used to raise 
 the brine." 
 
 Considering that the use of salt by man has been practically 
 universal from very early times, it is not surprising that the 
 mineral has left its imprint upon many words in common use and 
 in the names of places with which the salt industry has been 
 
INTRODUCTORY la 
 
 associated. The Roman salinator was the servant whose duty it 
 was to pound, clean, and store the salt. The Roman legions were 
 paid in salt, and from sal-dare, to give salt, we derive the English 
 word soldier, and the French word soldat. The word salary 
 comes from the practice of the Roman emperors of dischargino- 
 their obligations for forced labour in oil and salt. Solarium was. 
 the payment made to the salt miners who took their wages 
 exclusively in kind. The modern word salt-cellar comes from 
 sailer, which was the name given to the ancient salt box. The 
 method of manufacturing salt, as described by Pliny, consisted 
 of pouring sea-water over glowing embers. The output by this 
 process was dirty — hence the French word sal and the Irish 
 Salah. Bay salt of the present day merits the same description. 
 The word graver from grava or gray hairs, given to the venerable 
 Celtic officers who were responsible for the salt regulations, is 
 preserved in the German title of G-raaf, while the word halle, salt,. 
 is found in the names not only of many old German towns, but 
 also in Halsall, Halstead, Hal wick, etc., in England. The suffix 
 ivich that forms part of the names of so many English towns 
 connected with the salt industry came into the language by a 
 more devious route. The Norse word wig and the Anglo-Saxon 
 wic signified, in the original, a dwelling-place, and in the latter 
 form of wich it is seen in the names of such towns as Woolwich, 
 Norwich, Harwich, Sandwich, etc. The Norse and Danish pirates 
 who visited our coasts to pillage and procure salt, established 
 wigs — afterwards iviches or hamlets — on the bays and inlets, and 
 wherever they located themselves they proceeded to make bay 
 salt. The word wich in course of time became identified not with 
 the village, but with the salt-making process that was carried on 
 there, and when brine springs were discovered in Cheshire and 
 Worcestershire, and the manufacture of salt was established in 
 those counties, the towns of Northwich, Nantwich, Droitwich, etc., 
 adopted the nomenclature that indicated the industry in which 
 the people were engaged. 
 
 The salt first used by mankind when the cook-pot denuded 
 flesh of its saline essence and made green foods unpalatable, was 
 probably derived, as has been shown, from sea swamps and the 
 sea itself, and rock salt would have found favour wherever it was 
 procurable. It is certain that manufactured salt was unknown hi 
 ancient times, and it is safe to conclude that the rock salt that 
 exists on the marge of the Dead Sea is the form in which it was 
 
14 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 familiar to the writers of Biblical history. It was rock salt which 
 the Egyptians procured from the North of Africa, and the swamp 
 salt and effloresced salt, in which Egypt is rich, relieved her from 
 the necessity of manufacturing her supplies. The rock salt of 
 the Indian mountains was known to Alexander the Great, and a 
 salt lake near Colossse in Phrygia was located by Xerxes. Four 
 kinds of salt were distinguished in India prior to the Christian era, 
 and Pliny, in the first century of grace, was acquainted with the 
 Caspian and Arral salt lakes and the rock salt of Cirbonis and 
 Gerrhce. Columella describes the operation of refining salt 
 from the water of the brine springs, and it is assumable that the 
 Chinese prepared salt in this fashion long before the discovery 
 of the manufacture of salt by solar evaporation, a method which 
 Schleiden says was first practised by Ancus Martius. 
 
 Ancus Martius was the institutor of the Salinarum Vectigal, 
 640 B.C., the first salt tax of which we have any record. The very 
 fact that salt was a common necessity of the people would early 
 mark it down as a promising source of public revenue, and if the 
 Romans laid it under heavy contribution, every civilised nation 
 has since levied a tax upon its consumption. The kings received 
 a tribute of the finest rock salt from the Egyptian priests of 
 Hammomen. The Jews paid a salt tax to their conquerors as 
 did the Syrians to Alexander the Great and King Antigonus to 
 Alexander's general, Lysimachus. Salt was taxed in France from 
 the beginning of the twelfth century, in Hungary and Germany 
 from the thirteenth century, and in Russia from the time of 
 Peter the Great. The salt tax provoked Ghent to rebel against 
 the Duke of Burgundy, and the salt laws in vogue in France con- 
 stituted one of the many intolerable grievances which found ex- 
 pression in the Revolution. 
 
 The first duty on salt hi this country was imposed as a war 
 tax in the reign of William III., and for more than a century and 
 a quarter the article was burdened with taxes, bonds, and 
 restrictions, which militated against its use in agricultural opera- 
 tions. It was Francis Bacon who spoke of the goodness of sea- 
 sands as a manure, and expatiated on the benefits derived from 
 treating various vegetables with an addition of salt, but the 
 value of salt for agricultural purposes was then already recognised. 
 A quarter of a century after Bacon's death Sir Hugh Piatt de- 
 clared that " it is salt which makes all seeds to flourish and grow," 
 and about a hundred years later, in 1748, Dr Brownrigg asserted 
 
INTRODUCTORY 15 
 
 that " when properly used as a manure, it affords ample nourish- 
 ment to corn and other vegetables and renders kingdoms rich 
 and fertile where it happens to abound in the soil." The demand 
 for refuse salt for manure increased, and in 1768 Northwich alone 
 distributed three thousand tons a year among farmers for agri- 
 cultural purposes. The duty of thirteen shillings and fourpence 
 per ton on refuse salt was so successfully evaded that in 1783 
 stricter regulations were framed by Act of Parliament to enforce 
 its collection, and when it was found that the new regulations 
 were inoperative, another Act, passed in 1785, rescinded the per- 
 mission to use refuse salt as manure and the excise officials were 
 instructed to have it consigned to the river. In 1816, in con- 
 sequence of an agitation on the subject in influential quarters, 
 Parliament was constrained to permit the use of rock-salt for 
 cattle, subject to a duty of £10 per ton, and the use of ashes, 
 steeped in brine, free from duty. In 1818 a Parliamentary Com- 
 mittee was appointed to inquire into the subject, with the result 
 that the duty was immediately reduced to £5 per ton. Later, in 
 the same year, the committee agreed to allow salt generally for 
 agriculture at a duty of half a crown a bushel ; in 1819 the duty 
 was removed from refuse salt provided that it was mixed with 
 one-fourth of ashes and soot ; in 1824 the duty on refined salt 
 was reduced from fifteen shillings to two shillings per bushel ; and 
 by yet another Act in 1825 the duty on salt was finally removed. 
 The salt tax was repealed in Norway in 1844 and in Portugal in 
 1846. With the exception of England, Norway, and Portugal, 
 every country lays salt under tribute for the purpose of national 
 revenue. 
 
 Wars have been caused and the fortunes of contending nations 
 influenced by salt. The Hermendures and Khats and the 
 Burgundians and Germans fought for possession of sources of 
 salt ; Napoleon financed his invasion of Italy with money raised 
 by a special salt tax and the Eussians subjugated the Circassians 
 by cutting off their salt supply. The Venetians founded an 
 empire on their monopoly of salt manufacture. By compelling 
 their neighbours to abandon the industry, and destroying all the 
 competing plants they could not work themselves, they got the 
 entire production into their own hands. Salt "junk " was the staple 
 food of the British navy in its fighting times, and it has played 
 an important part in military operations. The name of the " Salt 
 Tower " in the Tower of London is a sufficient indication of the 
 
16 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 purpose for which it was used, and in the middle ages when the 
 belligerent Barons were constantly at variance, they kept their 
 castles victualled with salt meat in preparedness against an in- 
 vesting army. 
 
 Of the formation of the salt region of Cheshire, the beginnings 
 and gradual expansion of the salt industry of the county, the 
 romance and realities connected with its history and the unique 
 plight into which the salt district has been brought by subsid- 
 ences caused by the abstraction of brine — these matters form 
 the subject and provide the material of which the following book 
 is composed, and the consideration of them may be excluded 
 from this general introduction. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 Common salt (sodium or sodic chloride NaCl) is an example of 
 the simplest type of chemical salt. Its molecule consists of one 
 atom of the metal sodium combined with one atom of the gas 
 chlorine, both sodium and chlorine being mono-valent elements, 
 i.e. one atom of each being able to unite with or displace from a 
 compound one atom of hydrogen. The two elements are com- 
 bined in the proportion of 23 parts by weight of sodium with 
 35-5 parts by weight of chlorine, these being the atomic weights 
 of the elements with reference to hydrogen as 1. Sodic chloride 
 has none of the properties of its constituents. It is when pure a 
 colourless crystalline substance, white in masses, brittle and 
 highly soluble, while chlorine is a sickly smelling greenish-yellow 
 gas, and sodium a lustrous metal with a violently decomposing 
 action on water. 
 
 The name " salt " was first given to the residue left by the 
 evaporation of sea-water, probably with the idea that this residue 
 was a simple substance exhibiting the properties we now associate 
 with sodic chloride. When it was found that the residue was not 
 homogeneous the designation was extended to include the other 
 substances held in solution in the sea, and chemists still further 
 extended the name to cover all those combinations of a base and 
 an acid that we now class as " salts." Sodic chloride is now dis- 
 tinguished as " common salt." For a long time in the salt-works 
 it was known as muriate of soda, muriatic acid being the older 
 name for hydrochloric acid, from murias= sea salt. 
 
 Colour. — Rock salt in an absolutely pure anhydrous state is 
 colourless and perfectly transparent. In this form, however, it 
 is by no means common. In the mines of Wieliczka in Hungary 
 (where the salt is the purest in the world containing 100 per cent. 
 NaCl) and of Nevada, considerable masses of quite transparent 
 salt are found, and small blocks occur not infrequently in most 
 of the rock salt mines. They are, however, looked on as some- 
 thing of a curiosity. At the Vienna Exhibition a rectangular 
 block of translucent salt was on view from the Mayo Mines of 
 the Panjab Salt Range, which measured some 37A cubic feet and 
 
 B 
 
18 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 weighed 2 tons 4 cwt. Dr Ratton of the Madras Army in his 
 " Hand-book of Common Salt," quotes a correspondent of the 
 San Francisco Chronicle who writes that, " On placing a mass 
 six inches thick from the Nevada salt mountains over a column 
 of the Chronicle, the fine print could be read easily." 
 
 The ordinary person is accustomed to think of rock-salt as a 
 white opaque mass, that sparkles slightly in the sunlight. This, 
 however, is the purified product of commerce. Sea salt is gener- 
 ally white though opaque owing to minute particles of water, 
 air, etc. in its intercrystalline spaces. But rock-salt is never 
 more than whitish, shading off to grey. More often it is stained 
 and coloured by earth or mineral impurities. The Salt Range in 
 the Panjab yields a substance that varies from pink to red accord- 
 ing to the different quantities of iron present as impurities. 
 That found at Marston in Cheshire varies from yellow to red 
 and brownish-red in colour. Small blocks of transparent salt of a 
 deep sapphire blue are occasionally found in the Wieliczka mines. 
 The colour disappears on heating, and when the salt is ground to 
 powder. It is attributed by some chemists to the presence of 
 subchloride of sodium, by others to the presence of thin cavities 
 having parallel surfaces with gas inclusions. 
 
 The colour of sea-water is affected by its percentage of salt. 
 A highly saline sea like the Mediterranean is deep blue in colour. 
 As the quantity of salt decreases the colour of sea- water changes 
 from blue to green. 
 
 Taste and Smell. — Common salt has a peculiar saline taste. It 
 is classed as " sweet " to distinguish it from the bitter tasting 
 salts of magnesium also present in sea-water and in large 
 quantities intermixed with some of the common salt deposits. 
 It gains in pungency with refinement, and finely powdered table 
 salt goes very much further than the coarser grained dampish 
 variety which is generally used in the kitchen. In certain 
 districts of India salt containing a trace of magnesium chloride 
 is preferred owing to the slightly bitter taste which that substance 
 imparts. In solution the smallest quantity perceptible to the 
 taste is about 15 grains to the litre, roughly 68 grains to the 
 gallon. Pure salt is odourless. The smell of sulphuretted 
 hydrogen that hangs over the salt lakes of the Indian desert is 
 due to the decomposition of animal and vegetable matter. The 
 faint scent of violets at one time noticed round the salt mounds 
 in Portugal is traceable to an admixture of bitumenous matter. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 19 
 
 Solubility. — Common salt is highly soluble in cold water and 
 rather more su in hot water. In alcohol it dissolves sli»htlv, but 
 neither ether nor oil has any effect. 
 
 One hundred parts id distilled water at (50 : ' F. (l-Vo <\) will 
 dissolve 35'9 parts of chemicallv pure Xa( '1. A saturated solution 
 
 Fishery m- Bay Salt, manufactured liy The ( Vmimercial Salt I.' 
 at Lawton, Cheshire. 
 
 Ltil. 
 
 of common salt therefore contains 2G'C2 per cent, NaCl. By nun- 
 binine; the results of the investigations made by .Midler. Karsten, 
 and Poeuiale. Mendeleeff found that between the temperatures 
 of ()-' and 1H8 1 a saturated solution at t J will contain in 100 
 .rams of water 35'7 + (Wfilt + (HM)()2 t 2 arams of sodium chloride. 
 \t lower temperatures the formula is unreliable owmu to the 
 formation of a certain amount of XaC1.2H,C>. The increase of 
 solubility of NaCl in proportion to the use m temperature was 
 
20 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 calculated by Gay Lussac and Poggiale in accordance with the- 
 subjoined table : — 
 
 
 Poggiale. 
 
 Gay Lussac 
 
 parts H„0 at 0° C. dissolve NaCl 
 
 35-52 
 
 
 14° C. 
 
 35-87 
 
 
 14f C. 
 
 
 35-84 
 
 60° C. 
 
 
 38-01 
 
 100° C. 
 
 3961 
 
 
 107-fC. 
 
 
 40-26 
 
 110° 
 
 40-35 
 
 
 The increase in solubility which occurs between 100° and 110° 
 when boiling point is passed is worth noting. This amounts 
 to an increase of - 74 parts for 10° as compared with an increase 
 of one 1-09 parts, between freezing and boiling points. A 
 saturated solution at 110° when cooled to - 15° becomes super- 
 saturated. A dense precipitate of anhydrous crystals is thrown 
 down. On examination these are found to represent 32-5 parts 
 in 100, the difference in solubility between the temperature of 
 - 15° and 110° being equal to 8 per cent. If the sodium chloride 
 is first strongly heated to a red heat it dissolves much more readily 
 than at normal temperatures. 
 
 In a double solution of NaCl and some other more soluble salt 
 as sodium or magnesium sulphate or magnesium chloride the 
 solubility of sodium chloride is very greatly reduced. A saturated 
 solution of magnesium chloride containing 274 parts MgCl 2 to 
 100 parts of water will dissolve only 2 parts of NaCl. Calcium 
 chloride and strong hydrochloric acid added to a solution of 
 common salt will both precipitate the NaCl. 
 
 The annexed table by Poggiale shows the lbs. of pure salt dissolved by 
 100 lb. of water at various temperatures : — 
 
 15° (5° F.) dissolve 
 10°(14°F.) 
 
 5°(23°F.) 
 
 0° (32° F.) 
 
 5° (41° F.) 
 
 9° (48-2° F. 
 14° (57 -2 q F. 
 25° (77° F.) 
 
 32-73 lb. 
 
 33-49 
 
 34-22 
 
 35-52 
 
 35-63 
 
 35-74 
 
 35-87 
 
 36-13 
 
 40" (104° F.) dissolve 36-64 lb. 
 
 50° (122° F.) , 36-98 „ 
 
 60° (140° F.) ,. 37-25 „ 
 
 70° (158° F.) „ 37-88 „ 
 
 80° (176° F.) .. 38-22 „ 
 
 90° (194° F.) „ 38-87 „ 
 
 100° (212° F.) „ 39-61 „ 
 
 109-7° (229° F.) „ 40-35 ., 
 
 According to G. Karsten, a saturated solution of salt at sp. gr. 1-25 con- 
 tains 26'535 per cent, of NaCl, and saturated at a boiling temperature, it 
 oontains 28-225 per cent. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 21 
 
 The boiling-points of salt solutions of various strengths are given by 
 Storer thus : — 
 
 Aqueous Solution 
 
 containing per cent. 
 
 of NaCl. 
 
 Boils at ° C. according to 
 
 Bischof. 
 
 G. Karsten. 1 Legrand. 
 
 5 
 10 
 15 
 20 
 25 
 29.4 
 
 101-50 
 
 103-03 
 
 104-63 
 
 106-26 
 
 107-93 
 
 107-9 to 
 
 108-99 
 
 101-10 100-80 
 102-38 101-75 
 103-83 103-00 
 105-46 104-60 
 107-27 106-60 
 
 More recently, however, the following Table of Solubility has 
 "been compiled by Lunge from the experiments of Landolt, 
 Bornstein and Meyerhoffer, and others 1 : — 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 Solid Residue 
 
 Parts by wgt. 
 NaCl. to 100 
 
 Observer. 
 
 °C 
 
 at Bottom. 
 
 Parts H 2 0. 
 
 
 - 6-1 
 
 Ice 
 
 10-0 
 
 De Coppet 
 
 - 13-6 
 
 
 20-0 
 
 ,, 
 
 -21-2 
 
 „ +2H 2 
 
 28-9 
 
 Meyerhoffer & Saunders 
 
 - 23-6 
 
 
 31-2 
 
 De Coppet 
 
 -22-4 
 
 „ +NaCl(?) 
 
 30-0 
 
 Meyerhoffer 
 
 
 
 NaCl 
 
 35-63 
 
 Andrese 
 
 10 
 
 
 35-69 
 
 ,, 
 
 20 
 
 
 35-82 
 
 ,, 
 
 30 
 
 
 • 36-03 
 
 ,, 
 
 40 
 
 
 36-32 
 
 ,, 
 
 50 
 
 
 36-67 
 
 ,, 
 
 60 
 
 
 37-06 
 
 ,, 
 
 70 
 
 
 37-51 
 
 ,, 
 
 80 
 
 
 38-0 
 
 ,, 
 
 90 
 
 
 38-52 
 
 Berkeley 
 
 100 
 
 
 3912 
 
 ,, 
 
 107-7 
 
 
 39-65 
 
 ,, B.-p at 745 mm. 
 
 140 
 
 
 421 
 
 Tilden and Shenstone 
 
 160 
 
 
 43-6 
 
 „ 
 
 180 
 
 
 44-9 
 
 " 
 
 An interesting calculation of the freezing-point of different 
 .strength solutions of NaCl has been made by Karsten. 
 
 i The Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid and Alkali, by George Lunge, Ph.D. 
 from which source all the following tables are taken. 
 
22 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 NaCl Solution. 
 
 Freezing-Point. 
 
 NaCl Solution. 
 
 Freezing-Point. 
 
 
 Degrees C. 
 
 
 Degrees C. 
 
 1 per cent. 
 
 -0-76 
 
 14 per cent. 
 
 -10-29 
 
 2 „ 
 
 -1-52 
 
 15 
 
 - 19-99 
 
 3 ., 
 
 -2-28 
 
 16 
 
 -11-69 
 
 4 „ 
 
 -3-03 
 
 17 
 
 - 12-39 
 
 5 „ 
 
 -3-78 
 
 18 
 
 - 13-07 
 
 6 „ 
 
 -4-52 
 
 19 
 
 -13-76 
 
 7 ., 
 
 -5-26 
 
 20 
 
 - 14-44 
 
 8 „ 
 
 -5-99 
 
 21 
 
 -15-11 
 
 9 „ 
 
 -6-72 
 
 22 
 
 - 15-78 
 
 10 ., 
 
 -7-44 
 
 23 
 
 - 16-45 
 
 11 
 
 -8-16 
 
 24 
 
 -17-11 
 
 12 „ 
 
 -8-88 
 
 25 
 
 -17-77 
 
 13 ., 
 
 -9-59 
 
 26 
 
 - 18-42 
 
 The evaporation of brine is slightly less rapid than that of 
 ordinary pure water. Between the temperatures of 7 '5° and 
 90°, the results obtained by Bischoff and Karsten coincide. In 
 comparison with the evaporation of one volume of water they 
 state the evaporation of brine to be — 
 
 From 5 % solution 0-8768 vols. 
 
 „ 10% „ 0-7780 „ 
 
 „ 15% „ 07044 „ 
 
 „ 20% „ 0-6583 „ 
 
 „ 25% „ 0-6429 ,, 
 
 The boiling-point of brine varies also with the amount of 
 NaCl present in solution The following Table gives the results 
 obtained by Karsten at a pressure of 760 mm. 
 
 Xat'l per cent. 
 
 Boiling-Point. 
 
 NaCl per cent. 
 
 Boiling-Point. 
 
 
 Degrees. 
 
 
 Degrees. 
 
 1 
 
 100-21 
 
 16 
 
 104- 14 
 
 2 
 
 100-42 
 
 17 
 
 104-46 
 
 3 
 
 100-64 
 
 18 
 
 104-79 
 
 4 
 
 100-87 
 
 19 
 
 105-12 
 
 5 
 
 101-10 
 
 20 
 
 105-46 
 
 6 
 
 101-34 
 
 21 
 
 105-81 
 
 7 
 
 101-59 
 
 22 
 
 106-16 
 
 8 
 
 101-85 
 
 23 
 
 106-52 
 
 9 
 
 102-11 
 
 24 
 
 106-89 
 
 10 
 
 102-38 
 
 25 
 
 107-27 
 
 11 
 
 102-66 
 
 26 
 
 107-65 
 
 12 
 
 102-94 
 
 27 
 
 108-04 
 
 13 
 
 103-23 
 
 28 
 
 108-43 
 
 14 
 
 103-53 
 
 29 
 
 108-83 
 
 15 
 
 103-83 
 
 29-4 
 
 108-99 
 
 When a saturated solution of NaCl is formed according to 
 Schriff, a slight contraction takes place, 100 volumes of water 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 23 
 
 and NaCl giving 96'9 volumes of brine, i.e. contraction is equal 
 to 0"1 per cent. 
 
 The following are approximate results from the experiments 
 of Karsten in the heat-capacity and conductivity of salt solutions 
 of varying strength. 
 
 , NaCl per cent. 
 
 Heat Capacity. 
 
 Heat Conduc- 
 tivity. 
 
 
 
 5 
 10 
 15 
 
 20 
 25 
 
 1-0200 
 0-9707 
 0-9408 
 0-9102 
 0-8784 
 0-8453 
 
 1-0000 
 1-0302 
 1-0629 
 1-0987 
 1-1384 
 1-1830 
 
 Specific Gravity. — A saturated solution of refined table salt 
 (i.e. a solution containing 26-4 per cent. NaCl) has at normal 
 temperatures specific gravity 1*2. Salt crystals have specific 
 gravity 2-167 at a temperature of 17°. The salt which separates at 
 high temperature contains no water of crystallisation. But when 
 the thermometer falls much below - 15° C. the crystals have the 
 composition NaC1.2H 2 and are prismatic in shape. When heated 
 these give up their water of crystallisation and take the simple 
 composition NaCl. Continued cooling will sometimes produce 
 prismatic needles which may be as much as 20 mms. in length. 
 At negative temperatures crystals of ice are formed from un- 
 saturated solutions of sodium chloride. When the composition 
 of the solution is roughly NaC1.10H 2 O it freezes completely at 
 a temperature of - 23° C. 
 
 The specific gravity of solutions of NaCl at different tempera- 
 tures has been made the subject of very detailed investigations. 
 Mendeleefi gives the equation : — 
 
 S = 9991-6 + 71-17p + 0-2140p 2 where S is the specific gravity 
 of solutions of NaCl at 15° in vacuo, and water at 4° is taken 
 as 10,000. 
 
 The following table gives the specific gravity at certain 
 
 temperatures and concentrations 
 
 p = 5 . . 
 10 . 
 15 
 20 . 
 
 in vacuo : — 
 15° 
 
 10,353 
 10,726 
 11,107 
 
 0° 
 10,372 
 10,768 
 11,164 
 11,568 
 
 11,501 
 
 30° 
 10,307 
 10,669 
 11,043 
 11,429 
 
 100° 
 
 9,922 
 
 10,278 
 
 10,652 
 
 11,043 
 
24 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Beaume's hydrometer, by which, all calculations of brine are 
 made, is graduated on the basis of a 10 per cent, solution of NaCl 
 which is taken as 10° on the scale. 
 
 According to Gerlach, the sp. grs. of salt solutions at different degrees of 
 concentration are : — 
 
 Aqueous Solution, 
 
 Contains per 
 cent, of NaCl. 
 
 Aqueous Solution, 
 
 Contains per 
 cent, of NaCl. 
 
 sp. gr. taken at 
 59° F. 
 
 sp. gr. taken at 
 59° F. 
 
 1-00725 
 
 1 
 
 1-11146 
 
 15 
 
 1-01450 
 
 2 
 
 1-11938 
 
 16 
 
 1 -02174 
 
 3 
 
 1-12730 
 
 17 
 
 1-02899 
 
 4 
 
 1-13523 
 
 18 
 
 1-03624 
 
 5 
 
 1-14315 
 
 19 
 
 1-04366 
 
 6 
 
 1-15107 
 
 20 
 
 1-05108 
 
 7 
 
 1-15931 
 
 21 
 
 1-05851 
 
 8 
 
 1-16755 
 
 22 
 
 1-06593 
 
 9 
 
 1-17580 
 
 23 
 
 1 -07335 
 
 10 
 
 1-18404 
 
 24 
 
 1 -08097 
 
 11 
 
 1-19228 
 
 25 
 
 1-08859 
 
 12 
 
 1 -20098 
 
 26 
 
 1-09622 
 
 13 
 
 1-20433 
 
 26-395 
 
 1-10384 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 Deliquescence. — Pure sodium chloride is not deliquescent. 
 But all except the most refined table salt appears to be slightly 
 so owing to the presence of minute quantities of magnesium 
 chloride, one of the most deliquescent substances known. The 
 crystals of even the finest table salt, according to Stas, are slightly 
 hygroscopic and absorb as much as '6 per cent, moisture from 
 a damp atmosphere. In some of the mines of Cheshire and 
 Austria the very fine dry dust that is diffused through the atmo- 
 sphere is found by the miners to be extremely irritating to the 
 eyes and lungs. But all the more usual kinds of salt are sufficiently 
 hygroscopic to indicate plainly the condition of the atmosphere. 
 
 Melting -Point. — Sodic chloride melts at a very high tempera- 
 ture. This is given variously by different chemists. Carnelley, in 
 1878, gave it at 772° C. ; Victor Meyer and Riddle (1893)' at 
 815-4° C. ; Lechatelier (1894) at 780° C. ; M'Crae (1895) at 811° 
 to 814° C. ; Ramsay and Eumorpopulos (1896) at 792° C. ; Ruff 
 and Plato (1903) at 820° C. At still higher temperatures sodic 
 chloride evaporates, this being greatly accelerated by passing 
 through a current of air or steam. At a white heat, according 
 to Lunge, it forms thick clouds. 
 
 Diffusion. — In the same ocean areas one would expect to find 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 25 
 
 the proportion of salt fairly constant, except where there are 
 marked differences in temperature. This, however, is not the 
 -case. The following table gives some idea of the variations in 
 the water of the Gulf of St Lawrence : — 
 
 Depth. Temperature. Specific Gravity. 
 
 10 fathoms 37'5° F. 1-023 ' 
 
 20 „ 39° F. 1-0246 
 
 50 „ 33° F. 1-026 
 
 100 „ 36° F. 1-0275 
 
 From this it is clear that masses of water of varying densities 
 are superimposed upon each other, and that no very complete 
 process of diffusion takes place between them. The differences 
 in density which occur in different parts of the same salt pan 
 are well known to everyone engaged in salt manufacture. The 
 ■co-efficient of diffusion was found by Beilstein to be 0'833 as 
 compared with potassium chloride 1'0, sodium sulphate 0'536, 
 magnesium sulphate - 350, and magnesium chloride - 404. 
 
 Decomposition. Sodium chloride is difficult to decompose by 
 ordinary methods, but the action of a galvanic current will speedily 
 reduce it to its two elements, metallic sodium being liberated at 
 the negative pole and chlorine at the positive. If the salt is in 
 solution before decomposition both the Na and CI will imme- 
 diately react on the water. The sodium will yield hydrogen and 
 caustic soda, and the chlorine will give oxygen and hydrochloric 
 acid. Oxygen, chlorine, and hydrochloric acid will therefore be 
 liberated at the positive pole, hydrogen and caustic soda at the 
 negative pole. 
 
 The double decompositions of sodium chloride are utilised to 
 ■obtain most of the other compounds of sodium and chlorine. 
 Thus hydrochloric acid, and sodium sulphate are obtained by the 
 -action on sodium chloride of sulphuric acid. Chlorine and most 
 of its compounds are prepared from hydrochloric acid, while 
 sodium sulphate is made to yield sodium carbonate, caustic soda, 
 metallic sodium, and its other compounds. It is noticeable, how- 
 ever, that common salt forms very few compounds or double 
 salts. Of these the most interesting was obtained by Ditte in 
 1870 by heating together sodium iodate with hydrochloric acid 
 until the liberation of chlorine ceased. A salt was found with 
 the composition NalO s , NaCl, 14H 2 0. 
 
 Hardness.— The hardness of a mineral depends upon the degree 
 of cohesion of its particles. The scratch made on any substance 
 
26 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 with a knife is merely the line along which the particles have 
 been thrust asunder until their cohesion has given way. Hard- 
 ness is a useful physical test for distinguishing substances out- 
 wardly very similar, such as iron and copper pyrites. 
 
 No accurate method of measuring hardness has yet been 
 devised, as no unit of hardness has been determined on, but a 
 comparative table has been drawn up by Mohs by which minerals 
 are approximately classed. In this table rock salt appears in 
 the second place. 
 
 The scale is as follows : — 
 
 1. Talc. 6. Orthoclase. 
 
 2. Gypsum or Rock Salt. 7. Quartz. 
 
 3. Calcite. 8. Topaz. 
 
 4. Fluor. 9. Corundum. 
 
 5. Apatite. 10. Diamond. 
 
 The hardness of a substance differs for different directions upon 
 the same crystal, being least along the direction of cleavage. 
 The variation is generally slight and seldom enough to vary the 
 class in which the element is placed. 
 
 The hardness of rock salt itself is estimated at 2'5. Its 
 cohesion or power of supporting pressure is therefore about twice as 
 great as that of bricks. This is taken advantage of in salt mines 
 where the galleries and roofs are supported upon pillars of salt. 
 In the mines of Wieliczka there are several underground chapels 
 hollowed out completely in the salt, adorned with carved statues 
 done from the pure crystalline mineral, some of which are con- 
 siderably more than a hundred years old. Small articles such 
 as crucifixes, rosaries, billiard balls, inkstands, etc. are made by 
 the workmen for their amusement and sold in the neighbourhood. 
 Dr Warth, the well-known authority on the Indian mines, likens 
 rock-salt to alabaster and says that it can be turned on a lathe. 
 
 Crystallography. — Common salt is a crystalline substance 
 which crystallises in the Isometric, Monometric, or Tesseral 
 system. That is to say, each crystal has three equal perpendicular 
 planes of symmetry and six equal diagonal planes of symmetry. 
 The crystals generally form cubes having six rectangular and 
 equilateral faces. When these form on the surface of brine the 
 sides often collapse, giving the distinctive " hopper-shaped " 
 forms. More rarely the crystals form in octahedra having eight 
 equal, equilateral triangular faces, or in long needles under certain 
 modifying conditions. The crystals rarely show twinning. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 27 
 
 Manufactured salt generally takes the form of a hollow quad- 
 rangular pyramid with an irregular inner surface arranged in 
 
 lame Crystals, or Hopper 8 , f " r Fishery Salt, manufactured by 
 "The Commercial Salt Co., Ltd., at Lawton, Cheshire. 
 
 steppes. This is the result of the continuous depositions of 
 crystals from a constantly saturated solution of brine during a 
 considerable period, when layer after layer of crystals are super- 
 
38 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 imposed upon each other. Mendeleeff gives an exhaustive 
 explanation of this phenomenon. 
 
 " If a solution of sodium chloride," he says, 1 " be slowly heated 
 from above, where the evaporation takes place, the upper layer 
 will become saturated before the lower and cooler layers, and 
 therefore crystallisation will begin on the surface, and the crystals 
 first formed will float — having also dried from above — on the 
 surface until they become quite soaked. Being heavier than the 
 solution the crystals are partially immersed in it and the follow- 
 ing crystallisation, also proceeding on the surface, will only form 
 crystals by the side of the original crystals. A funnel is formed 
 in this manner. It will be borne on the surface like a boat (if the 
 liquid be quiescent) because it will grow more from the upper 
 -edges. We can thus understand this, at first sight, strange 
 funnel form of crystallised salt. To explain why the crystallisa- 
 tion under the above conditions begins at the surface and not at 
 the lower edges, it must be mentioned that the specific gravity 
 of a crystal of sodium chloride is 2'16, and that a solution satu- 
 rated at 25° contains 26 '7 per cent, of salt and has a specific 
 gravity 1'2004 at 25° ; at 15° a saturated solution contains 
 26 - 5 per cent, of salt and has a specific gravity 1'203 at 15°. 
 Hence a solution saturated at a higher temperature is specifically 
 lighter, notwithstanding the greater amount of salt it contains. 
 With many substances surface crystallisation cannot take place 
 because their solubility increases more rapidly with the tempera- 
 ture than their specific gravity decreases. In this case the 
 -saturated solution will always be in the lower layers, where also 
 the crystallisation will take place." 
 
 The formation of stalactites of sodium chloride can be referred 
 to much the same cause. These are constantly found in a soft 
 and brittle form round the edges of salt boilers, and occasionally 
 in a hard and durable form are found in underground workings. 
 Dr J. J. L. Ratton speaks of finding one measuring two feet in an 
 abandoned shaft of the Marston mine in Cheshire. These stalac- 
 tites are merely casings of crystallised sodic chloride, being- 
 hollow internally, and having the usual stalactite formation of 
 an irregular inverted pyramid. The first drop of brine evaporates 
 on the surface exposed to the air, but the pressure of the brine 
 from above forces downwards the fluid in this shell which drips 
 to the ground. As fresh brine flows over this shell more crvstals 
 1 " Principles of Chemistry," vol. i., ch. 10. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 29 
 
 are deposited increasing its thickness, but the drops which form, 
 at the apex of the pyramid continue the hollow formation. 
 The pyramids grow irregularly owing to the currents of air in 
 the mines. There are some fine stalactite caves in Westphalia. 
 
 Certain forms of salt when dissolved in water are observed to 
 decrepitate. This is the case with, some of the -rock salt of 
 Wieliczka. Bubbles of gas are evolved which have been proved 
 to be carburetted hydrogen or marsh gas. This has probably 
 been formed by the decomposition of organic impurities in the 
 brine from which the salt has been deposited. It is secreted in 
 small cavities in the crystals. Air and certain fluids are also 
 secreted by NaCl crystals, especially when these have been 
 deposited from, an agitated solution at a low temperature. 
 
 " At Wieliczka a curious phenomenon has been noticed in the 
 cavities of salt crystals viewed under the microscope," says Dr 
 Ratton : " a bubble appears to fall about from one point to another 
 as the position of the crystal is changed, just as a solid ball 
 would roll about in an empty glass ; salt sections mounted on 
 slides for the microscope, showing this singular property, are 
 obtainable at Wieliczka." 
 
 The finest crystals of salt are formed from quiescent brine that 
 has been very slowly evaporated at a high temperature. By 
 artificially retarding evaporation very large crystals may be 
 obtained, when the solution has been kept in perfect equilibrium. 
 In 1848 very fine perfectly cubical crystals were found at the 
 bottom of the Dead Sea by Lieutenant Lynch of the United 
 States expedition. Crystals remaining in a saturated solution 
 increase greatly in size through these continued depositions of 
 NaCl on their outer surfaces. As of course there can be no 
 increase on the face which happens to serve as base, elongated 
 prisms or gradually tapering pyramids are constantly formed. 
 If the crystals are stirred so that each face in turn is exposed 
 to the brine they will increase quite regularly and perfect cubes 
 will be formed. Temperature has a very great influence on the 
 formation of crystals. Thus at a temperature of less than 
 - 15 C. crystals of NaCl, prismatic in shape, are formed. 
 By heating they lose their water of crystallisation, and on heat- 
 ing still further long prismatic needles of NaCl separate out. 
 At a temperature of 50° F. fine crystals, frequently as much as 
 an inch in length, can be obtained from a highly concentrated 
 solution. At a still higher temperature they are liable to dis- 
 
30 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 solve in their own water of crystallisation. Following a heavy 
 drop in the thermometer they effloresce. At 10° F. hexagonal 
 plates are sometimes deposited which break up with a slight 
 rise of the thermometer and form tiny cubes. A writer in the 
 Chemical News (vol. xxxv. p. 17) says that on dissolving some 
 sodium chloride in hydrochloric acid he obtained from the 
 solution on cooling long, needle-like crystals containing 94'4 per 
 cent. NaCl, 4'58 per cent, water, and a trace of HC1. After a 
 time the crystals broke up and small cubes took their place. 
 Long fibrous crystals like spun glass have been found in some 
 of the mines of the Panjab, which, it has been suggested, are 
 pseudomorphs of gypsum. In these same mines other unusual 
 forms of crystals are found of which the solid angles have their 
 «dges polished and bevelled. 
 
 Fracture and Cleavage. — The fracture of salt crystals is con- 
 choidal, that is to say that the attraction of the NaCl molecules 
 is the same or nearly the same in all directions, so that the co- 
 hesion of the particles will give way in all directions at the same 
 moment. This gives the curved, shell-like fracture distinguished 
 as conchoidal. Its cleavage is perfectly cubic. 
 
 Diathermancy and Refraction. — Rock-salt is highly diather- 
 manous in its transparent, crystalline state, that is to say, it will 
 transmit rays of heat as absolutely as clear glass will transmit 
 rays of light, without loss. Rock-salt dwellings would there- 
 fore be impossible if it were not that rock-salt in masses is 
 almost always opaque owing to the presence of air, gases, or 
 other impurities. 
 
 The refractive index of rock-salt is 1-5442. It occasionally 
 exhibits anomalous double refraction. 
 
 Acoustic Property of Common Salt. — Common salt is an ex- 
 cellent medium for the transmission of sound as of heat. In 
 the Mayo Mines of the Panjab, labourers communicate with 
 each other at a distance of 130 feet by knocking on the walls of 
 the galleries. The blows of the picks have been heard in the 
 Cheshire mines at a distance of two miles. 
 
 The Preservative Properties of Common Salt. — Common salt is 
 perhaps the commonest of all preservatives, having in a high 
 degree the power of staying decomposition in dead organisms. 
 Its uses in preserving meat, fish, butter, etc., are too generally 
 known to be dwelt on in any detail. Before the days of cold 
 storage, pickling was the only means of preserving foodstuff. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 31 
 
 It is stated that meat taken into a salt-mine will keep 
 sweet for long periods. Boiled sea-water is said by some 
 writers to preserve organisms as effectively as methylated 
 spirit. 
 
 Some Uses of Common Salt. — Largely owing to its preservative 
 property, common salt is an absolute necessity to the life of man 
 and the higher animals. From a quarter to half an ounce a day 
 is the allowance for an adult, and this prevents the putrefaction 
 of food in the digestive tract. In agriculture salt is valuable 
 not only as a destroyer of weeds and insect life, but used more 
 sparingly and with knowledge it forms an admirable manure. A 
 special kind of very coarse-grained salt is made for agricultural 
 purposes, which, when it is designed for export to countries that 
 impose a salt duty, is mixed with earthy impurities which make 
 it valueless for human consumption. 
 
 Besides its more strictly chemical value in the manufacture 
 ■of soda, chlorine, etc., salt plays an important part in many 
 branches of industry. It is used in dyeing, for glazing stone 
 ware, and the manufacture of the cheaper kinds of glass ; for 
 tanning, refrigerating, bleaching; in rope-making, woollen and 
 cloth manufacture, and a host of other industries, where it plays 
 a less important but still an essential part. One of its more 
 interesting uses, depending on its reaction of salts of silver, is 
 for assaying silver in the Mint. A standard solution of NaCl is 
 prepared which is added to a solution of the alloy in HN0 3 , so 
 long as the cloudy white precipitate of silver chloride forms. 
 From the amount of NaCl solution added is calculated the amount 
 of silver present in the alloy. 
 
 Action oj Heat on Common Safe.— Even at the highest tempera- 
 tures, heat cannot effect the decomposition of common salt. At 
 a red heat pure sodic chloride melts and becomes liquid, and if 
 cooled again a solid crystalline mass is formed. Ordinary • salt 
 fuses at a lower temperature and volatilises when heated in an 
 open vessel. But even in a closed vessel the purest salt will 
 volatilise at a white heat. When gases or fluids are present in the 
 crystalline cavities, heat causes decrepitation. 
 
 In the blowpipe flame common salt gives the intense yellow 
 colouration characteristic of sodium. When thrown into the fire, 
 however, it burns with a blue flame which, as it shows the same 
 bright bands in the spectrum, is probably due to the formation 
 of minute quantities of hydrochloric acid. 
 
32 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The boiling-point of salt solution has been already treated 
 under the heading of solubility. This further point, however, 
 is worth noting, that a saturated solution (with a normal boiling- 
 point at 109° C.) at ordinary temperatures can be raised to 125° C. 
 by passing through it a jet of steam at 100° C, i.e. the solution 
 reaches a temperature 25° higher than the steam which 
 heats it. 
 
 The aqueous solution of NaCl with the composition NaC1.10H 2 O 
 freezes completely at a temperature of - 23° C. Where the pro- 
 portion of salt is less, crystals of pure ice separate out at 
 negative temperatures. This is utilised by the inhabitants of 
 cold countries in the preparation of common salt. Most of the 
 water is removed by freezing instead of by evaporation, and only 
 the highly concentrated brine remaining demands the expense of 
 artificial heat. A mixture of snow or broken ice with salt pro- 
 duces intense cold, and is known as a freezing-mixture. This 
 was chosen by Fahrenheit to mark Zero on his thermometer as 
 being the lowest temperature at that time known. 
 
 Pseudomorphs and Endomorphs of Common Salt. — When one 
 mineral replaces another by chemical action it sometimes assumes 
 the outward form of that which it has displaced. It is then known 
 as a pseudomorph. An endomorph is a mineral which is found 
 enclosed within another. 
 
 Common salt occurs as a pseudomorph of anhydrite and gypsum, 
 while gypsum, polyhalite, and dolomite appear as pseudomorphs 
 of common salt. The replacement of salt by limestone, according 
 to Jukes and Geikie, appears to have extended to whole beds of 
 the mineral. In the Mayo Mine of the Panjab Halt-Range layers 
 of what is apparently salt are found in the green sandstones. 
 Dr Warth refers the explanation of this to the marine age. Salt 
 crystals being kept deposited in the mud of the shore which 
 hardened rapidly in the sun were washed awav bv a fresh influx 
 of sea-water, but the hollows that they had made in the mud 
 were left. These were filled up by sand. The passing of ages 
 has transformed the mud into marl, and the sand which filled 
 the cavities left by the salt crystals into sandstone. It is notice- 
 able that the pseudomorphous sandstone appears as it ouoht 
 to do on the under side of the sandstone strata. Scattered 
 pseudomorphous crystals have been found in the salt-bearing 
 regions of England. 
 
 Most of the minerals with which common salt is most generally 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 33 
 
 associated are found at times enclosed in particles of the salt. 
 Such endomorphs are gypsum, anhydrite, bitumen, copper 
 pyrites and fluorspar. 
 
 Crystals, or rloppers, for Fishing Salt, manufacLur 
 The Commercial Salt Co., Ltd. 
 
 Purification of Common Suit. — So far we have' been assuming 
 that tin' salt of which we have been speaking is chemically pure 
 NaCl. This, however, never occurs in a state of nature. The 
 best way to obtain the chemically pure substance is to prepare 
 
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34 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
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THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 35 
 
 a saturated solution of table salt and pass hydrochloric acid gas 
 through it. The NaCl which is insoluble in strong HC1 is pre- 
 cipitated, but all impurities remain in solution. Even the potas- 
 sium salts, according to Mendeleef, are completely removed by 
 this method. HC1 is passed a second time, the NaCl is fused in 
 order to volatilise any remaining HC1. The mass is dissolved in 
 distilled water and crystallised from the solution. 
 
 The Composition of Roch-Salt. — Eock-salt in its natural state 
 is found always associated with other salts. Only when the 
 Tock-salt is found in such preponderating quantities that the 
 other substances can be looked on as impurities is it considered 
 worth mining. The commonest minerals with which it is found 
 associated are the chlorides of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, 
 and sulphate of lime. Eed oxide of iron is responsible for the red, 
 yellow, and brown colourings of many varieties, and many double 
 salts are found in the same deposits, such as boracite, carnallite, 
 kieserite, polyhalite, etc. 
 
 The detonating salt found in crystalline granular masses at 
 Wieliczka holds small quantities of carburetted hydrogen im- 
 prisoned in tiny cavities which it gives up with decrepitation on 
 solution. When this process of solution takes place naturally 
 in the mine, part of the gas escapes, and part becomes liquefied, 
 forming petroleum. Petroleum wells are found in the salt dis- 
 tricts in parts of Asiatic Russia, in Syria and Persia. 
 
 The question of the origin and age of rock-salt deposits does 
 not come within the scope of this chapter. A detailed account, 
 however, is given a few pages further on, of the chemical pro- 
 cesses used by van't Hofl to establish the generally accepted 
 theory of the marine origin of salt deposits. 
 
 Weight of Salt 
 Some light lumps were passed through a mill and sieved, when 
 the cub. foot was not shaken the salt weighed 32 lbs., when well 
 shaken 39J lbs. ; filled with a shovel from the heap, 35^ lbs. 
 Some lumps were specially made in a pan. One side of the pan 
 was boiled— the two fires being kept up, the other side of the pan 
 was nearly boiling. The back end did not bod, but was divided 
 off. The lumps after drying were milled and sieved with the 
 following results : — 
 
36 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 From back end, 3 measures of 1 cub. foot 35, 33, 33 lbs. 
 From boiled side of pan, 3 measures of 1 cub. foot 31|, 30| r 
 
 29* lbs. 
 From scalded but not boiled side, 2 measures of 1 cub. foot 29J, 
 29ilbs. 
 
 Ordinary Factory Filled is passed through the mill and broken, 
 but not sieved — some mills break it smaller than others of course ; 
 where broken very small it weighs more. Light Lagos is milled 
 but not sieved. 
 
 Bushel op Salt 
 
 The Winchester Wine Bushel was fixed at 18| inches in dia- 
 meter and 8 inches deep. It was " to be made round with a plain 
 and even bottom 18A inches wide throughout, and 8 inches 
 deep." 13 & 14 Wm. III. 
 
 The bushel thus contains 2150'425 cub. in. or L244 cub. foot, 
 roughly this may be taken at 1J cub. ft. 
 
 In estimating the weight of salt by measurement at Marston, 
 common salt is estimated at 12 cwts. to the cub. yard and 2nd 
 Fishery 15 or 16 cwts to the cub. yard. Above will be found 
 weights of salt as proved. It would seem that the average of 
 common salt in Northwich district would be about 43 lbs. per 
 cub. foot or say 54 lbs per bushel : or 10'4 cwts. per cub. yard. 
 As, however, the salt as proved to the cub. foot was not shaken 
 down, and as salt in a warehouse is under pressure, and as the 
 common salt weighed 6A_ lbs. more to the cub. foot when shaken 
 down and not under pressure it is fair to assume that salt under 
 pressure would weigh at least i more, so that 10'4 plus i = 
 12-5 cwts. 
 
 The average of 2nd Fishery is about 54 lbs. to the cub. foot or 
 say 67 lbs. to the bushel, or 13 cwts. to the cub. yard not shaken 
 clown, or adding A as before 15-|- cwts per cub. yard. 
 
 The Cmi} position of Brine. — The composition of brine is ex- 
 tremely variable, no two districts producing brine springs of the 
 same strength and density. The composition of ocean brine 
 varies not only from ocean to ocean, but also for different parts 
 and different depths in the same plain of water, and with the 
 distances from the mouths of large rivers, etc. 
 
 Taking the average result of the different oceans, 100 parts of 
 brine are found to contain dissolved solid matter in the followino- 
 proportions : — 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 37 
 
 
 Pacific 
 Ocean. 
 
 Atlantic 
 Ocean. 
 
 German 
 Ocean. 
 
 Red 
 Sea. 
 
 Chloride of Sodium . 
 
 . 2-5877 
 
 2-7558 
 
 2-5513 
 
 3-030 
 
 Bromide of Sodium . 
 
 . 0-0401 
 
 0-0326 
 
 0-0373 
 
 0-064 
 
 Sulphate of Potassium 
 
 . 0-1359 
 
 0-1715 
 
 0-1529 
 
 0-295 
 
 Sulphate of Lime 
 
 . 0-1622 
 
 0-2046 
 
 0-1622 
 
 0-179 
 
 Sulphate of Magnesium 
 
 0-1104 
 
 0-0614 
 
 0-0706 
 
 0-274 
 
 Chloride of Magnesium 
 
 . 0-4345 
 
 0-3260 
 
 0-4641 
 
 0-404 
 
 Chloride of Potassium 
 
 
 
 
 0.288 
 
 Total 
 
 3-4708 
 
 3-5519 
 
 3-4384 
 
 4-534 
 
 Analyses of the dissolved solid matter in average samples taken 
 from the Caspian, Black, and Baltic Seas, the English Channel, 
 the Mediterranean, the Dead Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean, gives 
 the results according to the subjoined table in 100 parts dis- 
 solved solid matter. From this it will be noticed that the 
 English Channel contains the largest amount of NaCl in 
 proportion to other salts, and the Dead Sea contains the 
 smallest. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i— 
 
 ~ 
 
 
 
 Z 
 
 
 
 _, , ; 
 
 i & 
 
 0j 
 
 o 
 
 tS 
 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 rf 
 
 — 
 
 05 
 
 
 % 
 
 ►y 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 -d 
 
 
 o 
 
 Blac 
 
 Bait 
 
 ss 
 
 1 
 
 Atlant 
 
 P 
 
 Chloride of Sodium . 
 
 58-25 
 
 79-39 
 
 84-70 
 
 78-04 
 
 77-07 
 
 77-03 
 
 36-55 
 
 Chloride of Potassium 
 
 1-27 
 
 1-07 
 
 
 2-09 
 
 2-48 
 
 3-89 
 
 4-57 
 
 ,, of Calcium 
 
 
 
 
 0-20 
 
 
 
 11-38 
 
 of Magnesium 
 
 io-oo 
 
 7-38 
 
 9-73 
 
 8-81 
 
 8-76 
 
 7-86 
 
 45-20 
 
 Bromide of Sodium . 
 
 
 
 
 0-28 
 
 
 
 
 ,, Magnesium 
 
 
 0-03 
 
 
 
 0-49 
 
 1-30 
 
 0-85 
 
 Sulphate of Lime 
 
 7-78 
 
 6-60 
 
 0-13 
 
 3-82 
 
 2-76 
 
 4-63 
 
 0-45 
 
 Sulphate of Magnesium 
 
 19-68 
 
 8-32 
 
 4-96 
 
 6-58 
 
 8-34 
 
 5-29 
 
 
 Carbonate of Lime . 1 
 ,, Magnesium \ 
 
 3-02 
 
 3-21 
 
 0-48 
 
 0-18 
 
 010 
 
 
 
 Nitrogenous and Bitumi- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 nous Matter 
 
 
 •• 
 
 
 
 ■■ 
 
 
 1-00 
 
 Total 
 
 100-00 
 
 100-00 
 
 100-00 
 
 100-00 
 
 100 00 
 
 100-00 
 
 100-00 
 
38 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The English Brines. — Analysis of the different English, brines 
 gives the following results : — 
 
 In 100 parts brine. 
 
 Marston. 
 
 Wheelock. 
 
 Droitwich. 
 
 Stoke. 
 
 Chloride of sodium 
 
 25-222 
 
 25-333 
 
 22-452 
 
 25-492 
 
 ,, potassium 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bromide of sodium 
 
 ■Oil 
 
 ■020 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 Iodide of sodium . 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 5 J 
 
 j; 
 
 Chloride of magnesium 
 
 
 •171 
 
 
 
 Sulphate of potassium 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 ,, sodium 
 
 •146 
 
 
 ■390 
 
 •594 
 
 ,, magnesium 
 
 
 
 
 
 ,, lime . . 
 
 ■391 
 
 •418 
 
 •387 
 
 ■261 
 
 Carbonate of sodium 
 
 •036 
 
 
 •115 
 
 •016 
 
 ,, magnesium 
 
 •107 
 
 •107 
 
 •034 
 
 ■034 
 
 ,, manganese 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 
 
 „ lime . 
 
 >i 
 
 !> 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 Phosphate lime 
 
 )' 
 
 ,, 
 
 ,, 
 
 >> 
 
 ,, ferric oxide 
 
 ,, 
 
 >1 
 
 ?> 
 
 j » 
 
 Alumina 
 
 ,, 
 
 ,, 
 
 
 
 Silica 
 
 j j 
 
 >. 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 
 25-913 
 
 26-019 
 
 23-378 
 
 26-397 
 
 Saturated brine contains 27 per cent, of NaCl. 
 
 Analyses op Brine and Bock-Salt 
 
 The analyses given by Dr Holland in 1808 show that the percentage of 
 chloride of sodium and of earthy salts varied in the following proportions, in 
 one ale pint: — 
 
 Oz. dr. Per cent. Per cent. 
 
 Winsford brine 
 
 . 6 1, or 25-312 of salt 
 
 and 
 
 2-500 earthy s 
 
 Leftwich 
 
 . 4 15 ., 21-250 
 
 
 •625 
 
 North wich 
 
 .61,, 25-312 
 
 
 1-562 
 
 Witton . 
 
 .57,, 23-125 
 
 
 1-562 
 
 Anderton . 
 
 .66,, 26-566 
 
 
 1-875 
 
 Wheelock . 
 
 .60,, 25-000 
 
 
 •625 
 
 Middlewich 
 
 6 2 „ 25-625 
 
 
 •625 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 39 
 
 Analysis op Sample of Brine prom Lawton, Cheshire 
 
 By Weight. By Volume. 
 
 Chloride of Sodium . . 26-100 31-490 
 
 Chloride of Calcium . -052 
 
 Chloride of Magnesium . -350 
 
 Calcium Sulphate . . -410 
 
 ■063 
 •430 
 •510 
 
 Alkalinity, -003, equal to 2-1 grains Carbonate Lime per gallon. 
 
 Twuddel, at 60° Fahr., 40"5 = 1202, water = 1000. 
 Earth temperature of Brine 53° Fahr. 
 Iron and Alumina . Faint traces. 
 
 Bromides . . . Traces. 
 
 Iodides . . . Nil. 
 
 Total Solids . 26-91 °, 
 
 
 
 Water . . 73-09 % 
 
 100-00 % 
 
 The Brine is of good quality, and yields high-class salt on 
 evaporation. 
 
 Salt Contained in Brine 
 
 In the Cheshire district the Brine test or Salinometer is gradu- 
 ated to show ounces in the gallon : but the gallon is the old 
 "Winchester Gallon of 231 cub. in. and not the Imperial Gallon of 
 277 "274 cub. inch. These are related to each other in the propor- 
 tion of 10 to 12, .'. the Imperial Gallon will contain i more than 
 the old gallon. Fully saturated Brine by the Salinometer con- 
 tains 42 oz. (2 lbs. 10 oz.), \ in the Imperial gallon 50'4 oz. As 
 brines vary from 2 lbs. 8 ozs., or 40 ozs. old measure, or 3 lbs. 
 or 48 oz. Imperial to 2 lbs. 10 ozs., or 3 lbs. 2 ozs. Imperial, so 
 1000 gallons which has been chosen as the measure for assessing 
 Brine pumpers on — under the Brine Pumping Compensation for 
 Subsidence Act of 1891 — will contain under the old measurement 
 2625 lbs. and under the Imperial 3125 lbs. of salt. 
 
40 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 For every J ounce less per gallon there would be 31 '25 lbs. less 
 of salt per 1000 gallons so that the scale would run : — 
 
 Old Measure. Imperial Measure, 
 lbs. per 1000 gals. lbs. per 1000 gals. 
 
 2 lbs. 8 oz. Brine = 
 
 2 lbs. 8-i- oz. „ = 
 
 2 lbs. 9 oz. „ = 
 2 lbs. 9£ oz. „ 
 
 2 lbs. 10 oz. „ = 
 
 2500 
 
 = 3000 
 
 2531-25 
 
 = 3031-25 
 
 2562-50 
 
 = 3062-50 
 
 2593-75 
 
 = 3093-75 
 
 2623-00 
 
 = 3125-00 
 
 The quantity of brine to contain 1 ton = 2240 lbs. of salt at 
 these degrees of strength would be : — 
 
 
 Old Measure. 
 
 Impe 
 
 •iai Measure. 
 
 
 gals, to ton. 
 
 
 gals. 
 
 2 lbs. 8 oz. 
 
 = 896 
 
 = 
 
 746-6 
 
 2 lbs. 8|- oz. 
 
 884-9 
 
 = 
 
 739 
 
 2 lbs. 9 oz. 
 
 = 874-1 
 
 = 
 
 731-4 
 
 2 lbs. 9J oz. 
 
 863-6 
 
 = 
 
 724 
 
 2 lbs. 10 oz. 
 
 = 853-3 
 
 = 
 
 716-8 
 
 Fully Saturated Brixe 
 
 1 Cubic Foot = 6-25 gallons. 
 1 Gallon Brine (specific gravity T2) weighs 12 lbs. 
 1 Cubic Foot Brine weighs 6'25x 12 = 75 lbs. 
 1 Gallon of fully saturated Brine contains 3 lbs. 2 oz. of salt. 
 .-. 1 Cubic Foot contains 6-25x50 = 312-50 oz. =19-53125 lbs. 
 .-. 10 Cubic Feet contains 195-3125 lbs. = 1 cwt. 2 qrs. 
 
 27-0125 lbs. 
 • • 100 „ „ „ 1953-125 lbs. = 17 cwts. 1 qr. 
 
 21-1250 lbs. 
 
 • ••1,000 „ „ „ 19531-25 lbs. = 8 tons 14 cwts. 
 
 15-2500 lbs. 
 
 • '•2,000 „ ,, ,, =17 tons 8 cwts. lqr. 
 
 2-50 lbs. 
 
 • '■ 3000 „ „ „ =26 tons 2 cwts 1 qr. 
 
 17-75 lbs. 
 ••• 4,000 „ „ „ =34 tons 16 cwts. 
 
 2 qrs. 5 lbs. 
 •'• 5,000 „ , ., =43 tons 10 cwts. 
 
 20 qrs. 20'25 lbs. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 41 
 
 .-. 10,000 „ „ „ 19531-25 lbs. = 87 tons 10 cwts. 
 
 1 qr. 12-5 lbs. 
 
 1 Ton = 2240 lbs. = 35,840 oz. .-. ^^ = 716-8 gallons contain 
 
 50 
 
 1 ton of salt, or 
 
 716-8 
 
 6 . 25 —114-69, say 114-7 cubic feet to ton. 
 
 1 Cubic Foot of Brine = 312'5 oz. salt. 
 
 .-. -Jg- Cubic Foot of Brine = 26-0 oz. salt. 
 
 .-. for every square foot of fan 1 inch deep in brine there will be 
 
 . , 26 „ „ 
 
 ^" «*■ "J °<* 
 
 50" 
 
 
 
 Ozs. 
 
 Gals. 
 
 2 oz. deep 
 
 = 52 = 
 
 = 1-04 
 
 3 
 
 = 78 = 
 
 = 1-56 
 
 4 
 
 = 104 
 
 
 5 
 
 = 130 
 
 
 6 
 
 = 156 
 
 
 7 
 
 = 182 
 
 
 8 
 
 =208 
 
 
 9 
 
 =234 
 
 
 10 
 
 =260 
 
 
 11 
 
 =286 
 
 
 12 
 
 =312 
 
 
 Or, roughly, half a gallon of Brine 
 for every square foot of Pan sur- 
 face 1 inch deep. 
 
 ) 
 
 Old Wine and Ale Measure 
 The Wine Measure was the Standard or Winchester. 
 
 pints. 
 
 ounces. 
 
 drams. 
 
 cubic inches. 
 
 litres. 
 
 Gallon = 8 = 
 
 128 = 
 
 = 1024 
 
 231 = 
 
 3-78515 
 
 1 = 
 
 16 = 
 
 128 
 
 = 28-875 = 
 
 0-47398 
 
 The English Ale Gallon contained 282 cub. inches. 
 The Modern Imperial or Standard Measure = 277'274 cub. 
 inches. 
 
 The Contents of a Yard and Hide of Land, etc. 
 
 A 15th century MS. here (Digby S.S.) (Bodleian Library) has 
 on leaf 61 (back) a few lines which may be of use in settling the 
 question how much a hide of land was. 
 
 " Note for to mesure and mete Lande. 
 
 It ys to wete that iij Barly Cornys in the myddis of the Ere 
 makyth one ynche. And xij Enchis makyth a foote : and six- 
 
42 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 teyne fuote and a halfe makyth a perch e : And in sum euntre 
 a perche ys xviij foote. Fourty pcrcliys in lengyth makyth 
 a Rode of lande : that iiij therto (thereto) in brede, and that 
 
 Fishery Sal t, manufacturta! at Lawto 
 
 makyth an acre. And xiiij Acrys makyth a ycnle of lande 
 and v yerdis ma.kvth an hvde of lande, which vs lxx acrvs. 
 And viij hydes makyth a knightis lee, which vs vclx Acrvs 
 of Lande. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT « 43 
 
 The following table gives the above : — 
 3 Barleycorns make 1 inch. 
 
 12 inches 
 16J feet 
 40 perches 
 
 4 Eoods 
 14 Acres 
 
 5 yerdis 
 8 hydes 
 
 1 foot. 
 
 1 perch (18 ft in some places). 
 
 1 Rood. 
 
 1 acre. 
 
 1 yerde. 
 
 1 Hyde = 70 acres. 
 
 1 knights Fes = 560 acres. 
 
 THE FORMATION OF ROCK-SALT DEPOSITS 
 Geological Theories proved by Chemical Synthesis 
 
 For some considerable time geologists have explained the 
 existence of rock-salt deposits by assuming that' an arm of the 
 sea, being by some accident cut off from the ocean, underwent 
 complete solar evaporation and deposited its salts in the form in 
 which they now occur. But though this has been accepted as 
 the inevitable explanation, geologists had to assume other and 
 unknown moderating influences at work, for it was found im- 
 possible to reproduce the exact formation of, for example, the 
 Strassfurt deposits, by the simple evaporation of sea-water in 
 the laboratory. Owing, however, to the researches of van't Hoff, 
 it is now possible accurately to reproduce the natural processes 
 which must have been going through in the course of ages, and 
 thus chemically to prove the generally held theory. 
 
 The following notes are condensed from Dr A. W. Stewart's 
 account of van't Hoff's researches, published in the volume, 
 " Recent Advances in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry." 
 
 The Strassfurt deposits are made up of the following strata : — 
 
 1. At the top is a layer of carnallite (MgCl,KC16H 2 0) with a 
 
 small admixture of rock-salt not more than 30 metres 
 in depth. 
 
 2. Layer of kieserite (MgS0 4 H 2 0) containing a larger percentage 
 
 of salt and of greater depth. 
 
 3. Layer of polyhalite (MgS0 4 .K 2 S0 4 2CaS0 9 . 2H 2 0). 
 
 4. Layer of anhydrite. 
 
 5. Mass of rock-salt. 
 
44 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The polyhalite and anhydrite zones are regularly interveined 
 with layers of rock-salt. 
 
 The chemist Usiglio tried in vain to reproduce this formation 
 by the evaporation of sea-water, but was quite unable to obtain 
 any one of the three substances which preponderate in the middle 
 layers, viz., kieserite, polyhalite, and anhydrite. In 1887 van't 
 Hofi began his researches on the deposition of double salts. 
 He reversed the usual methods of procedure, and instead of 
 attempting the resolution of so complex a solution as sea-water, 
 began his experiments with simple solutions in which only one 
 substance was held dissolved and worked towards experiment of 
 greater complexity. 
 
 1. Where only one substance is held in solution. 
 
 Where only one substance is held in solution evaporation 
 takes place until solution is saturated with solute. Further 
 evaporation causes solute to separate out from the mother- 
 liquor. 
 
 2. Where two substances are held in solution which do not react 
 on each other. 
 
 Where double decomposition is not required it is necessary 
 to take two salts possessing a common ion e.g. two chlorides. 
 Now, at a temperature of 25° C. a saturated solution of sodium 
 chloride contains 111 molecules of NaCl in 1000 molecules of 
 water. A saturated solution of potassium chloride contains 
 88 molecules KC1 in 1000 molecules of water. When a saturated 
 solution of NaCl is saturated also with KC1 a constant solution is 
 obtained composed in the proportion of 
 
 KC1 . . 39 molecules 
 
 NaCl 89 
 
 Water . 1000 
 
 This may be expressed graphically as follows where 
 
 P represents saturation pt. of KC1 sol. 
 
 R represents saturation pt. of NaCl sol. 
 
 Q represents saturation pt. of double sol. of KC1 and NaCl. 
 
 All possible solutions of KC1 and NaCl must fall within this 
 figure OPQR. The addition of a further quantity of either sub- 
 stance which would lie outside the figure would mean simply 
 the precipitation of the undissolved salt. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 45 
 
 Supposing S to represent any solution of NaCl KC1 except the 
 constant solution. At any point on the line OS the ratio of the 
 KC1 and NaCl in the solution is constant. As evaporation con- 
 centrates the solution the point S travels along the line OS to- 
 wards saturation point. But at the point T its direction is 
 arrested since no solution of KCl.NaCl can exist outside the 
 figure OPQR. S now begins to travel towards Q and on reaching 
 this point is again arrested for the same reason. When this 
 
 to go ao 101 
 
 point is reached the crystals deposited by the solution will have 
 a constant composition as evaporation proceeds to dryness. 
 Q is called the end-point of crystallisation. 
 
 Van't Hoff formulates these results into the following rule : 
 " A solution in depositing a solute changes its composition away 
 from that of a saturated solution of this solute alone." 1 
 
 3. Two Substances in solution which re-act on each other. More 
 complicated than the previous case is the mixing together of 
 Magnesium and Potassium Chloride in the same solution. These 
 two substances re-act on each other with the formation of carnal- 
 lite — the mineral which chiefly composes the upper layer of the 
 Strassfurt deposits. The composition of the salt is MgCl 2 .KCl. 
 ()H 2 0. The solution, therefore, contains three solutes : viz. : 
 MgCl 2 , KC1 and MgCl 2 . KC1 6H 2 o. 
 
 1 " Van't Hoff Ozeanischen Salzablagerungen,"i. p. 12. (Quoted by A. W. 
 Stewart in " Recent Advances in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry," p. 23.) 
 
46 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 In this case there are four relations to be determined : — 
 
 1. The solubility of KC1 in water. 
 2- „ „ MgCl 2 „ 
 
 3. „ „ MgCl o -KC1.6H.,0 in MgCl 2 solution. 
 
 4. ., „ „ " „ KC1 „ 
 
 These results may be obtained graphically as before. 
 
 When MgCl 2 is added to a saturated solution of K.C1 carnal- 
 lite is at once formed. The continued addition of MgCl 2 results 
 in the formation of a constant solution of Magnesium and 
 Potassium chlorides, the two substances having the following 
 proportion : 
 
 KC1 . 11 molecules. 
 
 MgCl 2 .... 72-5 
 H 2 . . 1000 
 
 Beginning with a saturated solution of MgCl 2 to which is 
 added KC1 a constant solution of the two salts is formed when 
 they are present in the proportion. 
 
 KC1 . 2 molecules. 
 
 MgCl 2 105 
 
 H 2 . 1000 
 
 When a solution of the two salts is evaporated the excess 
 of KC1 will first separate out. If this is at once removed the 
 last-named proportion of KC1 and MgCl 2 is the end-point of 
 crystallisation. If the KC1 is allowed to remain the formation 
 ■of carnallite begins and continues until the solution is evaporated 
 to dryness. 
 
 4. The solution of the Chlorides and Sulphates of Mg 
 and K. 
 
 Advancing another step in this synthetic reconstruction of 
 the conditions which resulted in the deposition of the Strassfurt 
 salts, we come to the case of double solution of the chlorides 
 and sulphates of magnesium and potassium. When a solution of 
 MgS0 4 is added to a solution of KC1 double decomposition takes 
 place, KOI. K 2 S0 4 , MgCl 2 and MgS0 4 being formed. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 47 
 
 The solubility of these salts in 1000 molecules of H 2 is in the 
 following proportion: — 
 
 K.,C1, 
 
 44 molecules. 
 
 MgCl 2 . . 
 
 . 108 
 
 MgS0 4 .7H 2 
 
 . 55 
 
 K 2 S0 4 
 
 . 12 
 
 With these figures must be taken the relations between car- 
 nallite and its component salts : — 
 
 Molecules of 
 K 2 CU. MgCl. 2 saturate 1000 H 2 0. 
 
 K 2 C1 9 and carnallite 5 - 5 72-5 
 
 MgCl" 2 „ 1 105 
 
 and the relations of MgCl 2 to the two hydrates of MgS0 4 and the 
 mutual relations of the latter salts : — 
 
 Molecules of 
 
 MgCLj. MgS0 4 saturate 1000 H 2 0. 
 MgCl 2 and MgS0 4 .6H 2 104 14 
 
 MgCl 2 , MgS0 4 7H,0 and 73 15 
 
 MgS0 4 .6H 2 
 
 The hexahydrate is only formed when MgCl 2 is present in 
 solution. 
 
 Schonite is often formed when MgS0 4 and K 2 S0 4 are present 
 in the same solution. The relations, therefore, of these two 
 simple salts to their double derivative must be determined. 
 
 Molecules of 
 
 MgS0 4 . K 2 S0 4 in 1000 H„0. 
 
 MgS0 4 .7H 2 and Schonite 58'5 5'5 
 
 K 2 S0 4 and Schonite 22 16 
 
 Finally the relations between K 2 S0 4 and KC1 must be taken 
 into consideration. 
 
 Molecules of 
 
 K 2 C1 2 . K 2 S0 4 in 1000 H 2 0. 
 
 K 2 S0 4 and K,C1 2 42 1-5 
 
48 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 This completes the data required when the substance present 
 are taken in pairs. Taken three at a time the data are as follows : — 
 
 
 Molecules of 
 
 
 
 K 2 C1 2 . MgCL,. 
 
 MgSOj in 1000 H 2 0. 
 
 K.,C1 2 , K 2 S0 4 , schonite 
 
 
 15 21 
 
 11 
 
 KXa", MgS0 4 .7H 2 . 
 
 
 9 55 
 
 16 
 
 K 2 C1 2 , MgSO^.IHjO, 
 
 
 
 
 Mg'S0 4 .6H 2 
 
 
 8 62 
 
 15 
 
 K 2 Clo, carnallite, MgSO,. 
 
 6H 2 
 
 4.5 70 
 
 13-5 
 
 MgCl 2 , carnallite, MgSO. 
 
 ,6H 2 
 
 2 99 
 
 12 
 
 These results were expressed graphically by van't Hofl by 
 means of a highly elaborate space model. 
 
 5. Solutions of five salts. 
 
 The salts dealt with in the last section represent — with the 
 important omission of sodium chloride — the upper layers of 
 the Strassfurt mineral deposits. By adding a solution of NaCl to 
 those already obtained van't Hoff obtained an extremely com- 
 plicated solution in which he had to reckon with no less than 
 twelve different solutes, the whole series of experiments being- 
 conducted at a temperature of 25°C. This when corrected by 
 certain secondary influences of time, pressure, etc. reproduces 
 accurately the condition of things existing at Strassfurt, thus 
 justifying the theories of the geologists and at the same time 
 reconciling discrepancies which seemed to throw doubt on 
 those theories. 
 
 6. Influence of Time and Temperature. 
 
 But even when van't Hofl had obtained all the required deposits 
 from his synthetic brine, there were still difficulties to be over- 
 come. The salts kieserite, leonite and kainite appeared out of 
 their proper order and did not crystallise out until a later staoe 
 in the experiments than should theoretically have been the case. 
 He found that these retarded salts were all dehydration products 
 of salts already present in solution. The tension of the solution 
 in which these occur must obviously be less than the tension of 
 the water of crystallisation present in the undehydrated salts. 
 For instance, magnesium sulphate hexahydrate is precipitated 
 from a solution which contains magnesium sulphate hexahydrate 
 carnallite, and magnesium chloride. These retarded crystallisa- 
 tions seem to be in some way related to the mean valencies of 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 49 
 
 the compounds. The salts gypsum, glauberite, colemanite and 
 ascherite have mean valencies 1-5. 1-6, 1-83, 2-0 respectively. 
 As we go up the series the likelihood of retardation of crystallisa- 
 tion increases. 
 
 Further, van't Hofi found that at a certain temperature certain 
 of these salts cannot co-exist in solution. He therefore carried 
 out investigations to determine this transition temperature in 
 a solution containing sodium chloride. The following table 
 shows the results he obtained : — 
 
 
 
 Existence 
 
 
 
 Limits. 
 
 Mineral. 
 
 Composition. 
 
 In degrees C. 
 
 Upper. 
 
 Lower. 
 
 Thenardite 
 
 Na,S0 4 
 
 
 13-5 
 
 Glauber salt 
 
 Na,SO 4 .10H,O 
 
 18 
 
 
 Kieserite 
 
 MgS0 4 .H,0 " 
 
 
 18' 
 
 Schonite 
 
 MgS0 4 .K.;S0 4 .6H.,0 
 
 26 
 
 
 Reichardite 
 
 MgS0 4 .7H 2 
 
 31 
 
 
 Hexahydrate 
 
 K.,S0 4 .2MgS0 4 
 
 355 
 
 13 : 
 
 Langbenite 
 
 KJ30 4 .2MgS0 4 
 
 
 37 l 
 
 Loewite 
 
 2MgS0 4 .2Na,S0 4 .5H 9 
 
 
 43 
 
 YanthofBte 
 
 MgSO 4 .3Na,SO 4 .4H,0 
 
 
 46 
 
 Astrakanite 
 
 MgS0 4 .Na,S0 4 .4H.,0 
 
 60 
 
 4-5 
 
 Leonite . 
 
 MgS0 4 .K,S0 4 .4H 2 
 
 61-5 
 
 18 
 
 Kainite . 
 
 MgS0 4 .KC1.3H o 
 
 83 
 
 
 From this table it is possible to foretell exactly in what order 
 the salts will crystallise out during a steady decrease in tempera- 
 ture. What; Dr Stewart describes as a " geological thermometer " 
 has thus been provided by which it is possible to determine the 
 temperature of the brine from which the Strassfurt deposits 
 were laid down, in some cases, to a half degree. 
 
50 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 An 
 
 H 
 
 tA 
 
 o 
 
 P 
 
 Zi 
 
 -< 
 
 < 
 u 
 
 3 
 
 N 
 O 
 
 ►J 
 
 
 B 
 
 CO 
 
 3 
 
 O 
 
 a 
 
 ■HBqsiBji 
 
 98-4065 
 
 0-1135 
 
 0-8888 
 0-0281 
 0-0500 
 0-4940 
 
 o-. 
 o 
 
 00 
 Cp 
 
 Cft 
 
 •UO[B8(J 
 
 97-4728 
 
 00353 
 
 1-4413 
 
 0-0490 
 0-9520 
 
 r- 
 
 p 
 
 6 
 o 
 
 •u;oia\ 
 
 97-7598 
 
 0-0591 
 
 1-2272 
 0-0769 
 0-0564 
 0-7880 
 
 o 
 
 CD 
 
 to 
 
 3 
 CO 
 
 98-0229 
 
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THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 55 
 
 Table VI. 
 
 The Following are the Temperatures of the Rock-Salt Mines 
 taken with a standard hydrometer tested at kew 
 
 
 
 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 
 Date. 
 
 Mine. 
 
 Depth 
 in 
 
 De 
 
 grees Fahrenhf 
 
 it. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 In the Mine. 
 
 On tne 
 
 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 
 Surf 
 Dry 
 
 ace. 
 Wet 
 
 Dry 
 
 Wet 
 
 
 
 
 Bulb. 
 
 Bulb. 
 
 Bulb. 
 
 Bulb. 
 
 1871 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 June 
 
 Meadow Bank.. Winsford 
 
 159 
 
 51 
 
 50 
 
 66 
 
 63 
 
 1872 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 Aug. 
 
 Do. do. bottom of shafts 
 
 159 
 
 53 
 
 51 
 
 71 
 
 65 
 
 
 Do. do. face of workings 
 
 159 
 
 55 
 
 53 
 
 71 
 
 65 
 
 1871 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 June 
 
 Marston, Old, Northwich, old 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 workings 
 
 110 
 
 52 
 
 51 
 
 58 
 
 54 
 
 
 Do. Do. present workings . 
 
 110 
 
 52 
 
 50 
 
 58 
 
 54 
 
 28 June 
 
 Maiston Hall, Northwich, with 
 about 80 miners at work. Far 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 end of old workings 
 
 110 
 
 53 
 
 50 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 
 Do. do. present workings 
 
 110 
 
 53 
 
 49 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 5 July 
 
 Adelaide, Marston. Northwich 
 
 110 
 
 51 
 
 47 
 
 58 
 
 56 
 
 5 July 
 
 Mr Steenstrand's, Northwich 
 
 110 
 
 48 
 
 46 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 4 Dec. 
 
 Do. Do. when cut through to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 the old British Mine 
 
 110 
 
 48 
 
 44 
 
 frost 
 
 frost 
 
 4 Dec. 
 
 Old British, not at work, but 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 open to Mr Steenstrand's 
 
 110 
 
 51 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 4 Dec. 
 
 Brine in the tunnel where the old 
 reservoirs are tapped 
 
 110 
 
 
 51 
 
 
 
 5 July 
 
 Mr R. Williamson's 110 yards 
 
 110 
 
 51 
 
 47 
 
 66 
 
 59 
 
 8 July 
 
 Piatt's Hill, present workings 
 
 110 
 
 52 
 
 50 
 
 58 
 
 55 
 
 
 Do. far end of old workings 
 
 110 
 
 52 
 
 48 
 
 58 
 
 55 
 
 11 July 
 
 Mill-street, two working faces, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 each 
 
 110 
 
 52 
 
 48 
 
 62 
 
 57 
 
 
 Do. other parts 
 
 110 
 
 51 
 
 47 
 
 62 
 
 57 
 
 
 Marston Pool, working faces 
 
 110 
 
 52 
 
 48 
 
 62 
 
 57 
 
 
 Do. other parts 
 
 110 
 
 51 
 
 47 
 
 62 
 
 57 
 
 8 Sept. 
 
 Mr. Dalway's, Carrickfergus (20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 miners . 
 
 295 
 
 63 
 
 58 
 
 wet & 
 
 cold 
 
 11 Sept. 
 
 Belfast & Co.'s do. (25 miners) 
 
 220 
 
 64 
 
 58 
 
 68 
 
 60 
 
56 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Table VII 
 
 The following aee the Temperatures of Brine as it comes 
 out or the Ground, taken with a Standard Thermometer, 
 tested at Kew 
 
 
 Depth 
 
 Temperature, 
 
 
 
 of 
 
 Degrees Fahrenheit- 
 
 Date. 
 
 Brine Pit. 
 
 Shaft 
 and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bore- 
 
 
 Surface. 
 
 
 
 hole 
 
 Brine. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 Dry 
 Bulb. 
 
 Wet 
 Bulb. 
 
 1871 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 15 June 
 
 Meadow Bank, Winsford 
 
 65J 
 
 53 
 
 66 
 
 63 
 
 5 Oct. 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 65} 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 28 Dec. 
 
 Do. do. . 
 
 65,} 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 
 Do. do., 21 August 1872 
 
 65} 
 
 53-J 
 
 ii 
 
 65 
 
 15 June 
 
 Amalgamated Co.'s, do. 
 
 48 
 
 53 
 
 66 
 
 63 
 
 
 Do. do., 21 August 1872 
 
 48 
 
 51 
 
 71 
 
 65 
 
 28 Aug. 
 
 Ollershaw-lane, Northwich 
 
 46 
 
 52 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 12 Dec. 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 46 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 4 July 
 
 Adelaide do. 
 
 45 
 
 52 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 5 July 
 
 Do. do. .... 
 
 45 
 
 52 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 6 July 
 
 Alliance do. . . . 
 
 45 
 
 52 
 
 .58 
 
 56 
 
 6 July 
 
 Wincham, from the old bottom rock- 
 salt mines, pumped in pipes through 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 106 
 
 51 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 6 July 
 
 Old British Pit, pumped from the same 
 reservoirs as at Wincham, but through 
 a range of pipes in the Old British 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mine, which is open .... 
 
 112 
 
 51 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 4 Dec 
 
 Do. do., in the tunnel where the pipes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 enter the reservoirs of brine 
 
 112 
 
 51 
 
 
 
 July 
 
 Messrs. Marshall, Witton-cum-Twam- 
 brooks, pumped from the bottom of 
 the reservoirs in the old bottom rock 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 salt mines there .... 
 
 106 
 
 51 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 6 July 
 
 Amalgamated Co. 's, pumped from the 
 same reservoirs of brine as Messrs. 
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 70 
 
 51 
 
 65 
 
 59 
 
 12 Dec. 
 
 Do. do 
 
 70 
 
 501 
 
 
 
 12 July 
 
 Lord Stanley's, Anderton, pumped from 
 78 yards with the pipes at the bottom, 
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 78 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 12 July 
 
 British Works, Anderton, Northwich 
 
 7? 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 12 July 
 
 Higgins & Hickson's, Anderton, North- 
 wich, the shaft being near the River 
 Weaver, on lower ground than the 
 others, but the brine is on the same 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 level 
 
 67 
 
 53 
 
 
 .. 
 
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
 57 
 
 Table "V II. .— continued 
 Temperatures of Brine — continued 
 
 
 
 Depth 
 
 Temperature. 
 
 
 
 of 
 
 Degrees Fahrenheit. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Brine Pit. 
 
 Shaft 
 and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bore- 
 
 
 Surface. 
 
 
 
 hole 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 
 
 Brine. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Yards. 
 
 
 Dry 
 Bulb. 
 
 Wet 
 Bulb. 
 
 1871 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12 July 
 
 The temperature of the River Weaver, 
 Anderton. 
 
 
 
 
 66 
 
 13 July 
 
 Wheelock old brine shaft 
 
 62 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 13 July 
 
 Wheelock new shaft 
 
 94 
 
 54 
 
 
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 13 July 
 
 Malkin's Bank 
 
 80 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 13 July 
 
 Lawton, Odd Rode .... 
 
 74 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 18 July 
 
 Natural spring. Beam Bridge, Nantwich 
 
 
 53 
 
 67 
 
 60 
 
 24 July 
 
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 60 
 
 16 Dec. 
 
 Do. do 
 
 :: 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 24 July 
 
 Ill- Seddon's brine, Middlewich 
 
 44 
 
 hh 
 
 
 
 24 July 
 
 Do. do., deep shaft . 
 
 60 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 24 July 
 
 Messrs. Verdin's brine, do. 
 
 61 
 
 57 
 
 
 
 16 Dee. 
 
 Do. do. . 
 
 61 
 
 57 
 
 
 
 24 July 
 
 Mr Yeoman's brine do. 
 
 90 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 16 Dec. 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 90 
 
 54 
 
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 16 Dec. 
 
 Miss Chatterton's brine, do. . 
 
 77 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 22 Aug. 
 
 Droitwich Salt Co.'s, Droitwich 
 
 70 
 
 56 
 
 
 
 3 Oct. 
 
 Cross' Island, Winsford 
 
 
 52 
 
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 Do. do., 21 Aug. 1872 
 
 
 53 
 
 7i 
 
 65 
 
 3 Oct. 
 
 D. Bromilow's do. 
 
 60 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 3 Oct. 
 
 Richard Evans', do. . 
 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 3 Oct. 
 
 National Co.'s, do. 
 
 58* 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 3 Oct. 
 
 Extrix. of G. Deakin's top pit, do 
 
 75 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 3 Oct, 
 
 Beaman & Deakin's, do. 
 
 74 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 3 Oct, 
 
 Newbridge, Verdin's, do. 
 
 60 
 
 53 
 
 
 
 1872 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 21 Aug. 
 
 Runcorn Soap & Alkali Co.'s. 
 
 
 53 
 
 71 
 
 65 
 
58 
 
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THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT 
 
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EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHESHIRE SALT 
 INDUSTRY 
 
 The brine springs of Northwich and the manufacture of salt in 
 that neighbourhood are mentioned in the earliest historical records 
 that have come down to us. When the Romans invaded England 
 and overran the Midlands, they discovered the natives of Cheshire 
 manufacturing salt by pouring brine upon faggots of charcoal and 
 scraping off the crystals as they formed. At that time, in the 
 neighbourhood of the Sheath Street, Northwich, there existed a 
 little spring of brine and, from the supply from this source, the 
 Romans made the first salt that was ever produced in England 
 by the open-pan system. The ancient Britons at once adopted 
 the new method and. by reason of the whiteness of the salt so 
 produced at Nantwich, they called it " Hellath Wen " or the White 
 Pit, while " Hellath-du," or the Black Pit, was the name given 
 to Northwich. 
 
 The origin of the open-pan system is lost in the mists of anti- 
 quity. The Chinese are reputed to have procured and refined 
 salt from brine by boiling, from time immemorial ; and a medicinal 
 salt, prepared in the same manner, was known in India before the 
 Christian era. Whence the Romans obtained their knowledge of 
 the process or when they first commenced to practise it, is 
 uncertain, but it has remained the principal method for the 
 manufacture of salt in England down to the present day. 
 
 After the Roman occupation the original nomenclature intro- 
 duced into Cheshire was discontinued, and wherever a brine 
 spring was located or a manufacture of salt established, the place 
 appears to have been called " Wich." Some of the earliest 
 records of the brine springs relate to those of Droitwich. It 
 appears that in the year 816, Kenulph, King of the Mercians, 
 gave Hamilton and ten houses in Wich, with salt-furnaces, to 
 the church of Worcester ; and about the year 906, Edwy, Kino- 
 of England, endowed the same church with Fepstone and five 
 salt-furnaces, or scales. 
 
 The Cheshire Wiches, are recorded in " Domesday Book "— 
 which was prepared between the years 1084 and 1086, when 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 63 
 
 William the Conqueror caused an inquiry to be made into the 
 names of the several places, by whom held, and by whom they had 
 been held in the time of Edward the Confessor, the last heredi- 
 tary Saxon king. 
 
 According to the zincograph of the original, with an English 
 translation, by Mr William Beamont, in 1863, it is quite clear 
 that in those times, as regards Cheshire, the rights of property 
 were fully exercised over the brine-springs and salt-works, and 
 that there existed certain well-defined customs, of which the 
 following is a copy, picked out from various parts of the book, 
 but in the order in which they occur : — 
 
 " In Roeleau hundred the Earl Hugh holds Wyreham (Weaver- 
 ham) in demesne. Earl Edwin held it. A foreigner holds of 
 the Earl. There were in Wich seven salt houses belonging to 
 this manor. The Earl himself holds Frotesham (Frodsham). 
 There is in Wich half a salt house to supply the Hall." 
 
 " In Dudestan hundred. Robert Fitz-Hugh holds Beddis- 
 field (Bettisfield in Flintshire) of Earl Hugh. Earl Edwin held 
 it. The same Robert holds Burwardestone. Earl Edwin held 
 it. There is a salt house of 24 shillings. The Bishop of Chester 
 claims a hide and a half and a salt house in the manor." 
 
 " In Mildestvich hundred. The same Richard (Richard-de- 
 Vernon) holds Wice (Leftwich). Osmer and AM held it for two 
 manors, and were free men." 
 
 "In Warmundestron Hundret. The same William (William 
 Maldebeng) holds Actune (Acton by Nantwich). This manor 
 has its plea in the lord's hall, and in Wich one house free to 
 make salt." 
 
 "In Tunundune hundred. The same William (Wittiam- 
 Fitz-Nigel) holds Heletune (Halton). Orme held it. In Wich 
 there is a house waste. (In Wich 1 domus wasta.)" 
 
 " In Roelan hundred. The same Gilbert (Gilbert-de-V enables) 
 holds Herford (Hartford). Dodo held it for two manors as a 
 free man. In Wich one salt-house rendering 2 shillings, and 
 half another salt-house waste." 
 
 "In Bochelau hundred. The same Gilbert (Gilbert-de- 
 Venables) holds Wimundisham (Wincham). Dot held it, and 
 was a free man. There is one acre of wood, and a hawk's aery, 
 and one house in Wich, and one bordar. Randle holds of the 
 Earl Tatune (Tatton). Lewin held it. There is a house in 
 Wich waste." 
 
64 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Mildestvic hundred. Hugh and William hold of the Earl 
 Rode Godric and Ravesa held it for two manors and were free 
 men." 
 
 " In the same hundred of Mildestvic there was a third Wich 
 called Norwich (North wich), which was in farm at eight pounds. 
 In it there were the same laws and customs as in the other Wiches, 
 and the King and the Earl divided the receipts in the like manner. 
 All the thanes who held salt-houses in this Wich gave no Friday's 
 boilings of salt the year through. Whoever brought a cart, 
 with two or more oxen, from another shire, gave 4 pence for the 
 toll. A man from the same shire gave for his cart 2 pence within 
 the third night after his return home. If he allowed the third 
 night to pass, he was fined 40 shillings. A man from another 
 shire paid 1 penny for a horse load. But a man from the same 
 shire paid 1 styca within the third night after his return, as 
 aforesaid. A man living in the same hundred, if he carted 
 salt about through the same county to sell, gave a penny for 
 every cart, for as many times as he loaded it. If he carried 
 salt on a horse to sell, he gave 1 penny at Martinmas. Whoso 
 did not pay it at that time was fined 40 shillings. All the other 
 customs in the Wiches are the same. This manor was waste 
 when Earl Hugh received it. It is now worth 35 shillings." 
 
 " Nantivich. — In King Edward's time there was a Wich in 
 Warmundestron hundred, in which there was a well for making 
 salt, and between the King and Earl Edwin there were 8 salt- 
 houses, so divided that of all their issues and rents the Kins' 
 
 o 
 
 had two parts and the Earl the third. But besides these, the 
 Earl had one salt-house adjoining his manor of Acatone (Acton) 
 which was his own. From this salt-house the Earl had sufficient 
 salt for his house throughout the year. But if he sold any from 
 thence, the King had twopence, and the Earl a third penny, for 
 the toll. In the same Wich many men from the country had 
 salt-houses, of which this was the custom : — 
 
 " From our Lord's Ascension to Martinmas, anyone having a 
 salt-house might carry home salt for his own house. But if he 
 sold any of it either there, or elsewhere in the county of Chester, 
 he paid toll to the King and the Earl. Whoever after Martin- 
 mas carried away salt from any salt-house except- the Earl's 
 under his custom aforesaid, paid toll, whether the salt was his 
 own or purchased. These aforesaid 8 salt-houses of the Kino- 
 and the Earl, in every week that salt was boiled or thev were 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 65 
 
 used on a Friday, rendered 16 boilings of salt, of which 15 made 
 a horse-load. From our Lord's Ascension to Martinmas, the 
 salt-houses of the other men did not give these Friday's boil- 
 ings. But from Martinmas to our Lord's Ascension, these 
 boilings were given according to custom, as from the salt-houses 
 of the King and the Earl. All these salt-houses, both of the 
 lord and other people, were surrounded on one part by a certain 
 river, and on the other part by a ditch. Whosoever committed 
 a forfeiture within these bounds, might make amends, either 
 by the payment of 2 shillings, or by 30 boilings of salt, except 
 in the case of homicide, or of a theft, for which the thief was 
 adjudged to die. These last, if done here, were dealt with as 
 in the rest of the shire. If out of the prescribed circuit of the 
 salt-houses, any person within the county withheld the toll, 
 and was convicted thereof, he brought it back and was fined 
 40 shillings, if a free man ; or if not free, 4 shillings. But if he 
 carried the toll into another shire, where it was demanded the 
 fine Was the same. In King Edward's time, this Wich, with 
 all pleas in the same hundred, rendered 21 pounds in farm. 
 When Earl Hugh received it, except only one salt-house, it was 
 waste. William Maldebeng now holds of the Earl the same 
 Wich, with all the customs thereto belonging, and all the same 
 hundred, which is rated at 40 shillings, of which 30 shillings 
 are put on the land of the same William, and 10 shillings on the 
 land of the Bishop, and the lands of Bichard and Gilbert which 
 they have in the same hundred, and the Wich is let to farm at 
 10 pounds." 
 
 " Middlewich. — In Mildestvich hundred there is another Wich 
 between the King and the Earl. There, however, the salt-houses 
 were not the lord's, but they had the same laws and customs 
 that have been mentioned in the above-mentioned Wich, and 
 the customs were divided between the King and the Earl hi the 
 -same manner. This Wich was let to farm for 8 pounds and the 
 -hundred wherein it was, for 40 shillings. The King had two 
 parts, and the Earl the third. When Earl Hugh received it, 
 it was waste. The Earl now holds it, and it is let to farm for 
 25 shillings, and two wain-loads of salt. But the hundred is 
 worth 40 shillings. From these two Wiches, whoever carried 
 away bought salt in a wain drawn by four oxen or more, 
 paid id. for the toll ; but if by two oxen, 2 pence if the salt 
 were two horse-loads. A man from another hundred gave 2d. 
 
 E 
 
66 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 for a horse-load. But a man of the same hundred gave only 
 a halfpenny for a horse-load. Whoever loaded his wain so that 
 the axle broke within a league of either Wich, gave 2 shillings 
 to the King's or the Earl's officer, if he were overtaken within 
 the league. In like manner, he who loaded his horse, so as to 
 break its back, gave 2 shillings if overtaken within the league, 
 but nothing if overtaken beyond it. Whoever made two horse- 
 loads of salt out of one, was fined 40 shillings if the officer over- 
 took him. If he was not found, nothing was to be exacted 
 from any other. Men on foot from another hundred buying 
 salt, paid 2d. for eight men's loads. Men of the same hundred 
 paid Id. for the same number of such loads." 
 
 " Flintshire. — In Antiscros hundred. The same Hugh 
 (Hugh-Fitz-Osborn) holds Claventone (Claverton, Cheshire). 
 Osmer held it, and was a free man. To this manor belong eight 
 burgesses in the City, and they render 9 shillings and 4 pence. 
 And there is a salt-house in Norwich (Northwich) worth 12 
 pence." 
 
 The references to salt in the early and Middle Ages are so in- 
 frequent that every mention of the subject possesses a kind of 
 historic interest, and in a book of this nature I need offer no 
 apology for reproducing the following items from Ancient Deeds 
 in the Record Office : — 
 
 Cambridge. Grant by Lawrence the prior, and the convent of 
 
 D. 129. St Giles, Bernewell, to William son of Godso, of all 
 
 the land which Gregory the Salter (salinarius) of 
 Cambridge, formerly held of Acius Frere, of the 
 same, with further grant of land in their meadow, 
 paying half a mark yearly and one " ecthend " of 
 salt. Monday the morrow of St Peter a.d. 1237. 
 Wore. Release by John de Bisshopesdon, of all his rioht 
 
 A. 6449. in all the lands and tenements etc. which he had 
 
 at Herdewyk, in the town of Elmelaye Lovet, and 
 in the town of Wiche Bate (Droitwich) and which 
 he had formerly demised to the said Roger for the 
 term of his life. Wodecote, feast of St Nicholas. 
 D. 1073. Is a very lengthy document in a hand of the 
 
 Sussex. 13th century and contains many particulars of 
 
 the different prebends of Hastings and the bene- 
 factors. The present document is a charter by 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 67 
 
 Henry, Count of Eu (12th cent.), and recites the 
 grants made by his father and specially by his 
 grandfather, Eobert Count of Eu, the founder and 
 builder of St Mary's Hastings, and in aid of the 
 church and canons of that church and other churches 
 he grants part of a marsh for making saltpans, 
 dwellings in the castle, etc. 2000 herrings etc. a 
 year — certain measures (ambras) of salt at Rye and 
 Mimera with the tenth penny on every valuation in 
 the rape of Hastings, etc. 
 
 Sussex. Feoffment by John Sheld and Alice his wife and 
 
 A. 11033. Maud Alice's sister, daughters and heirs of John 
 Herberd of Brembre. to John Haycok of Brembre, 
 of a salt-cot (cotagium salinum) with its appurten- 
 ances in Brembre which descended to them on their 
 father's death, situate between the marsh of the 
 lord of the barony on the south, the marsh of the 
 abbot of Dureford which Robert Symeneye holds, 
 on the west, the tidal water (ripam aque maritime) 
 descending in its course from Sprottesmersh to the 
 bridge of Brembre on the north, and another salt 
 cot in the occupation of the said John Haycok, on 
 the east. Thursday the feast of All Hallows, 5th 
 Hen. IV. (1404). 
 
 Sussex Indenture made 20 April 1 Henry VI. witnessing 
 
 A. 9865. that Sir (dompnus) William Pitten, almoner of the 
 
 monastery of St Pancras of Lewes has demised to 
 Thomas Whetewey a salt house (unam domum 
 salinam) in the marsh of Brembre, formerly Hayer- 
 skys for seven years from " Hockeday " the second 
 Tuesday after Easter Sunday next : rent, ten 
 bushels of salt yearly ; bond (struck out) by the 
 said Thomas, John Whetewey, his father, and 
 William Stourode in forty shillings for observance 
 of covenants. Sealed with the seal of his office as 
 almoner. (1422.) 
 
 Herts A. 6801. Grant by John Walssh of Cheshunt, esq. to John 
 Middx. More, John Josselyn, Thomas Underhill, and 
 
 Wore. Thomas Knyghton gentlemen, and others (named) 
 
68 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of the manor of Andrewes in Cheshunt, co. Herts, 
 and of a messuage, land and a moiety of the manor 
 of " la Motelond " in Cheshunt, aforesaid and of 
 lands and tenements etc. in the street called 
 " Saboystrete" in the parish of St Clement Danes, 
 and St Mary Strond, without " Tempilbarre " 
 London, and of lands and tenements etc. and one 
 salt vat (unam bulleram unius plumbi aque salse) 
 in Wyche co. Worcester to the use of himself and 
 his heirs, and of his last will ; with letter of attorney 
 authorising John Devereux gentleman and Roger 
 Kenerdeley yoman, to deliver seisin. Dated 
 26 October 16 Henry VII. (1501). 
 
 C. 3517. Grant by Richard Leftwiche of Leftwiche the 
 
 Cheshire etc. elder, to Thomas Leftwiche of Northwiche Henry 
 Leftwiche of Leftwiche, Richard Venables of 
 Northwode, and Thomas Newhall, chaplain of a salt 
 cote in Nantwich (Wico Malbana) a messuage and 
 lands and a free rent of 4d. in Ship broke lands and 
 tenements in Bradford, free rents of 2/10d. in Shur- 
 lache, and 4/6. in Davenham, the moiety of a salt- 
 cote in Northwich and a close in Leftwiche called 
 " Long acre " for carrying out the grantors will as 
 declared in certain indentures made between him 
 and Richard his son and heir apparent. Dated 4. 
 March 21. Hen. VII. (1506). 
 
 Signed and Endorsed " memo, of names of wit- 
 nesses to delivery of seisin." 
 
 Cheshire. Feoffment by Robert Kel to Roger Throstle of 
 
 A. 9009. Maglisfield of a salt-pan (salinam) in Middlewich, 
 
 which he bought of Richard Merylun, rent one 
 penny at Midsummer ; consideration twenty four 
 shillings. Witnesses : — Sir Richard de Wilburham 
 and others. 
 
 A. 8612. Grant and quit claim by William son of Matthew 
 
 Cheshire. de Craunathe to Roger, son of Robert his brother 
 
 (fratris mei) and the heirs of his body lawfullv 
 
 begotten, of a messuage in the town of Middlewich 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 69 
 
 (Medio Wycho) and a salt put of four vats (salinam 
 de quatuor plumbis) in the same town, which the 
 said Matthew his father gave to the said Eobert 
 with Ellen his daughter in frank marriage ; to hold 
 to the said Roger and the heirs of his body, lawfully 
 begotten, in fee and heredity for ever, doing to the 
 chief lords the services due and accustomed and 
 rendering to him and his heirs silver and a pair of 
 white gloves at Christmas, for all service ; with 
 remainder in default of his issue, to Alice, sister of 
 the said Roger and the heirs of her body. 
 Witnesses :— Richard, lord of Croxton, and others. 
 
 The following copy of the ORDERS OF KING HENRY VIII., 
 issued during the minority of the heir of Lord Standley, are 
 republished from the Harleian MS. 
 
 BY THE KINGE 
 
 Trustyee and well beloved, we greet you ! And whereas it is 
 complayned unto us on the behalfe of the burgess' and inhabitants 
 of North wich in o/r County Palatyne of Chester, being in o/r 
 hands duering and by reason of the nonage of Edward Standley, 
 sonne and heire of the late Earle of Darbye, deceased, that duds 
 gent and other psons forrayne and not inhabiting w/thin the S 
 towne contrary to the libties of the s/d town and aincient customes 
 as well there used as in all other townes within o/r said County 
 Palatine where anie salte is made w/ch as they affirme will be not 
 onely to the extreme impov/rishing but also to the great decay and 
 utter desolation of o/r s/d towne, w/ch wee in noe wyse will suffer, 
 not willing or intending anything to be done during the nonage of 
 the s(ai)d Edward, being in o/r Custodie w/ch may or shall be 
 pr/uodeciall to any of the inhabitants, libties, or franchies of the 
 s/d towne. WHEREFORE we will and comand you that in any 
 case such forrayne p'son or p'sons not inhabiting within the s/d 
 towne, do, or hereafter at any time shall attempt to use makeing 
 of salt contrary to the lib/erties and ancient customes of the 
 same within the same towne without lycence of the burgess and 
 the rulers thereof. THAT then without delay ye and ether of 
 you from tyme to tyme upon complaynt or of the rulers and 
 govnors of the same towne do send for all and every such forrayne 
 p'sons as do or hereafter shall attept to make any salt within the 
 
70 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 s/d towne of Northwich contrary to the libties and ancient 
 customes of the same, without the assent and agreem/t of the s/d 
 Burgess and ruler by o/r writts of subp : to appear before you in 
 o/r Castle of Chester at there appearance to punish and reforme 
 them : And also further to order them as right and good conscience 
 shall require according to the lawes and customes heretobefore used 
 now in other wyches there abts w/th in o/r s/d County Palatyne, 
 for the Teformacon of such transgressions fayle ye not hereof as 
 ye maye intend to please us. 
 
 Given under our signet at o/r Manor of Greenw/ch, the . . . day 
 of February. 
 
 To o/r trusty and well beloved the Justice and Chamb/rlayne 
 of o/r County Palatyne of Chester. 
 
 In the Harleian MS., No. 7009, Article 8, Fo. 30a, there is 
 a document endorsed " Salt Project," which appears to be a 
 protest against the admission of salt-carrying ships of foreign 
 ports, which imported salt from abroad. Forty or fifty ships 
 were employed, and now three from western ports, and they 
 pray for inquiry and to restrain " forreners," etc. " In preference 
 to ympose a greater tax upon strangers than upon natyves 
 which may be preiudiciall." 
 
 The first private record relating to salt is dated 1132, in the 
 closing years of the reign of Henry I., when Huge Malbane 
 caused to be written in the foundation deed of Combermere 
 Abbey : — " And I also grant to the same monks the fourth part 
 of the town of Wych, and tythe of my salt and of the salt pits that 
 are mine, and Salt of Blessed Mary the Virgin, and salt on Friday, 
 and salt for the Abbots' table as freely as I have at my table." 
 In 1245 Henry III. ordered the brine springs to be destroyed to 
 prevent the Welsh, with whom he was at war, from obtaining 
 supplies of salt. 
 
 The references from that period to the commencement of the 
 sixteenth century are scanty, but they are sufficient to indicate 
 that salt manufacture was still alive in the district. Leland in 
 his " Itinerary," says that at Nantwich one spring was so 
 abundant that 111 salters were located there, and in Camden's 
 " Britannia " (published in Latin in 1607, and translated by 
 Philemon Holland, 1610) we read that " At Northwich there is a 
 deep and plentiful brine pit with stairs about it, by which, when 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 71 
 
 they have drawn the water in their leathern buckets, they ascend, 
 half naked, to their troughs and fill them, from whence it is con- 
 veyed to the wich-houses about which there stand on every side 
 many stakes and piles of wood." Referring to Nantwich, the 
 same authority says, " There is but one salt pit here (they call it 
 the brine pit) distant about 14 feet from the river. From this 
 brine pit, they convey salt water by wooden troughs into the 
 houses adjoining, where there stand ready little barrels, fixed in 
 the ground, which they fill with that water ; and at the notice of 
 a bell, they presently make a fire under their leads, whereof they 
 have six in every house for boiling the water. These are attended 
 by ' Wallers ' — a name probably derived from the Anglo-Saxon 
 weallere, a boiler, German wallen to boil — who with little wooden 
 rakes, draw the salt out of the bottom of them and put it in 
 baskets, out of which the liquor runs, but the salt remains 
 and settles." 
 
 Camden explains that the name Wiccij " may seeme to have 
 beene derived of those salt pittes, that the old Englishmen in their 
 language named Wiches. For there bee here very notable salt 
 fits, and many salt springs oftentime have been found which 
 notwithstanding are stopped up, because it was provided, (as wee 
 read) that for the saving of woods, salt should not be boiled but 
 in certain places." In the same work we read of the two wells of 
 salt-water at Middlewich, which are parted one from the other by 
 a small brook, that " one stands not open but at certain set times, 
 because folke willingly steale the watere thereof, as being of 
 greater vertue and efficacie." 
 
 Of Droitwich, which by some is termed Durt-wich by reason of 
 the wettish ground on which it stands, Camden writes that it 
 possesses " three fountaines yeelding plenty of water to make salt 
 of, divided asunder by a little brooke of fresh water passing betweene, 
 by a peculiar gift of nature spring out : out of which most pure white 
 salt is boiled for six moneths every yeare, to wit, from Midsommer 
 to Midwinter, in many set fornaces round about : wherewith a 
 mighty deal of wood is consumed, Fakenham Forest, (where trees 
 grew sometime thicker), and the woods round about, if men 
 hold their peace, will by their thinnesse, make manifest more and 
 more. But if I should write that the learned Canonist, Richard 
 de la Wich, Bishop of Chichester, here borne, obteined with his 
 fervent praiers these salt springs out of the bowells of the earth, 
 I feare me, least some might thinke me both over injurious to 
 
72. SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the providence of God, and also too credulous of old wives 
 traditions . . . 
 
 " But before that ever this Richard was borne, Gervase of 
 Tilbury wrot thus of these salt springs, though not altogether 
 truely : 
 
 " ' In the Bishopricke of Worcester there is a country towne not 
 Jarre from the City named Wich, in which at the foot of a certaine 
 little hill there runneth a most fresh water : in the banks thereof are 
 seene a jew pits or ivels, of a resonable depth : and their water is 
 most salt.'." 
 
 " The depth of the salt springs," Camden continues, " is in 
 some places not about (above ?) three or four yards. In Nantwich 
 the pit is full 7 yards from the footing about the pit : which is 
 guessed to be the natural height of the ground, though the bank 
 be 6 foot higher, accidentally raised by rubbish of long making 
 salt, or " Walling," as they call it. In two places within our Town- 
 ship, the springs break up so in the meadows as to fret away not 
 only the grass, but part of the earth, which lies like a breach at 
 least half a foot or more lower than the turf of the meadow : and 
 hath a salt liquor, ousing (oozing), as it were, out of the mud 
 but very gently." 
 
 The known springs of Cheshire, as described by Dr Holland in 
 1808, were found in the valleys of the Weaver and Wheelock and 
 nowhere else except at Droitwich, on the border of the detached 
 part of Flintshire, and Dunham, near the River Bollin, in 
 Cheshire. 
 
 According to Lawthorpe's Abridgment of the " Philosophical 
 Transactions," brine was known to exist as high up the Weaver as 
 Bickley. Brine springs were also found at Baddily, at Audlem, 
 and at Nantwich. At Brine Pits Farm, between Audlem and 
 Nantwich, there had been a salt manufacture, and also one on 
 each side of the river at Austraston and Baddington. At Nant- 
 wich the springs were numerous, and they were next found further 
 down the river, at Winsford. From Winsford to Nantwich, 
 attempts to work the brine were frustrated by the quantity of 
 fresh water that was met with. It was next found at Leftwich, 
 Northwich, Eitton, and Anderton. A weaker brine was found at 
 Barnton and at Saltersford, about a mile below Barnton. The 
 brine which existed at Weaversham in the time of William I. 
 had then ceased to be worked. On the River Wheelock, brine 
 was first met at Lawton, then at Roughwood and Wheelock, and 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 73 
 
 lastly at Middlewich, where the River Wheelock flows into the 
 Dane. No brine seems to have been found, in the valley through 
 which the Dane flows from Middlewich to North wich ; but higher 
 up the river, in the neighbourhood of Congleton, some of the 
 enclosures are named Brinefield, Brinehill, etc., which appears to in- 
 dicate that brine was located there at former times. The foregoing 
 were the only places at which brine had been found and worked 
 up to 1808, but to these Ormerod, in 1848, in the " Quarterly 
 Journal of the Geological Society," added discoveries of brine at 
 Acton, Broadlane, and Hatherton, near Nantwich, the site of the 
 viaduct of the Manchester and Crewe Railway over the Wheelock, 
 Red Lane, Elton, the Flint Mill near Middlewich, the west side of 
 Hartfordbridge, Eaton, and opposite the Vale Royal. He also 
 mentions the finding of bracken water at Minshull Vernor, and 
 added that there was no doubt that brine might be met with in 
 every part of the Weaver and Wheelock valleys, if the freshwater 
 springs did not prevent access to it. 
 
 In 1873 Mr Dickinson reported that the brine springs being- 
 worked in Cheshire were in the same valleys as in olden times, 
 but the principal works were confined to the lines of the river, 
 canal, and railway communication. Brine still flowed to the 
 surface at Brine Pits Farm and at Shewbridge, between Audlem 
 and Nantwich. Above Nantwich there were no manufactures in 
 1808, and at Nantwich itself, one of the most ancient of the Wiches, 
 the manufacture of salt had been discontinued about the year 
 1847. At Dirtwich, the higher Wich on the Cheshire side, salt 
 ceased to be worked about 1830, and the salt production of the 
 lower Wich, in Maylor Hundred, Flintshire, was discontinued 
 about the year 1856. 
 
 Dr Lister, in a paper entitled " Observations on the Midland 
 Salt Springs," written later than 1670, says : " At Northwich, 
 in Cheshire, upon the Weever, in four pits, is plenty of brine. 
 
 " N.B.— Within half a mile of these brine pits at Marbury a 
 salt rock was found by the auger in boring for coal. Here 
 and at Middlewich, also at Nantwich, and all along the river 
 Weever, which are places many miles distant, sink on either 
 side of the river and you will scarce miss of brine, as I was 
 credibly informed by the most knowing men in that particular. 
 But yet it proves a venture whether the brine will be strong 
 enough to boil and turn to account ; and for this reason their 
 pits sometimes fail them by a small sweet spring breaking 
 
74 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 into it, and sometimes the river Weever itself does them this 
 mischief." 
 
 From information contained in old papers supplied by Mr 
 Thomas Cross of Winsford, two salt-works were in operation 
 at Winsford in 1671, but only on a small scale. According to 
 Mr H. E. Falk the old spring overflowed into the river, near 
 Winsford Bridge, and was worked, according to records, three 
 or four centuries ago. 
 
 In the early days of salt-making, small lead evaporating pans 
 were used, and it was the business of a certain officer of the Court 
 Leet or town authority, to examine the leads and see that they 
 were not of too great a capacity ; if he found any that were 
 so, he had a pair of shears with which he cut a piece out of 
 the corner so that they could not hold more than the legal 
 quantity. 
 
 In 1866 some workmen who were making the slip where the 
 flats are drawn out from the river at O'Kell's Dock Castle at 
 Northwich, came upon two old salt-pans or leads. One of 
 them was cut up and sold as old lead ; the other was secured and 
 forwarded by the Weaver Trustees to the Warrington Exhibition. 
 It was subsequently transferred to the Northwich Museum. This 
 pan measures 3 feet 8 inches long on one side and 3 feet 4J inches 
 on the other ; if has a width of 2 feet 8 inches and is 4 inches deep. 
 The thickness of the lead is about half an inch, but it varies, and 
 the sides are thinner than the rest. The weight of the whole pan 
 is 2 cwts. 1 qr. 18 lbs. There are raised patterns on each end of 
 the pan, which was evidently cast, and the sides are rounded up 
 from the bottom. In the museum is also a fragment, one end of 
 a pan, 2 feet 9 inches wide by 4 inches deep. 
 
 In 1878 there was found in a field near Ashton's Salt Works, 
 Witton, a small lead pan, evidently one of the old " leads," used 
 in very early times in making salt. This pan was made out 
 of a sheet of lead 2 feet 8 inches square. The sheet was 
 bent up, leaving a rim a little over 3 inches broad. The 
 corners were hammered together. The pan measures about 
 25 inches square by 3 deep, and would only contain about 
 7 gallons. 
 
 It would seem that in the Tudor period the native inhabitants 
 of Cheshire were distinguished from the residents born outside 
 the county, and in the Northwich Book of Orders on Folio 4 is 
 written — 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 75 
 
 Forrayne ocoupyers in the town op Northwich 
 
 Randle Savage, dwelling in the Lodg. in Budworth Pish : 
 occupied 16 leads. 
 
 Hompy Marbury, in Anderton : 8 leads. 
 
 Elizth. Hightfield in Leftwich : 8 leads. 
 
 William Clolton, in the Cros : 8 leads. 
 
 John Pickmere, „ 8 leads. 
 
 Randle Wrench, in Leftwich : 8 leads. 
 
 Stephen Newhall, in Winnington : 3 leads. 
 Robt. Foxholds in Castle Northwich : 8 leads. 
 
 Richard Lawrenston, in the Cros : 16 leads. 
 
 John Bromell, in the Cros : 6 leads. 
 
 " For the proper regulation of the brine pits," writes J. W. 
 Piatt in his " History and Antiquities of Nantwich " (1819), 
 LL and for establishing the true price, and the time of making salt, 
 several persons were chosen from amongst the most wealthy of 
 the proprietors, who were sworn to uphold the ancient customs. 
 Their office extended to the adjustment of the proportion of brine 
 for each wich house, and the inspection of the pits, to see that the 
 brine was not weakened by improper means, or received a taint 
 from any nuisance." 
 
 On page 79 of the same work the author has a note on " the 
 Old Biot," which " our pious ancestors on Ascension Day decorated 
 with the branches of olives, flowers, and ribbons : and the old 
 people chanted an hymn of thanksgiving to the Almighty for 
 having blessed them with the brine. This custom was continued 
 till of late years, when like all other ancient customs, it was 
 disused . . . The Old Biot is still in existence, and supplies the 
 present Wych house with brine. It is situated on the east side 
 of the Weaver, at the distance of only six feet from the river, 
 without having its purity tainted." 
 
 From a letter received by George Johnson from Chomley, we 
 obtain the following details of the salt towns in February 1605 : — 
 
 " Nam-ptwich. 
 
 " There is in the town of Namptwich two hundred and sixteen 
 
 salthouses of six leads apeece, and every of the said houses doth 
 
 spend in wood per annum eight pounds so as there is spent in 
 
 wood yearly within the said town in omnibus annis £1728. 
 
7G SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Middlewich. 
 " There is, in the said town, one hundred and seven salt houses 
 of six leads apeece, and one of four leads and every of the said 
 houses doth spend yearly in wood the sum of £13. 6. 8, so as 
 there is spent every year within the said town, £1435. 4. 
 
 " Northwich. 
 " The said Northwich is a Burrow and holden of the Earle of 
 Chester by the service of twelve armed men to serve at the Water- 
 gate in Chester in the time of wars betwixt England and Wales. 
 There is, in the same towne or Burrow, one hundred and thirteen 
 salt houses, every one containing four leads apeece, and one odd 
 lead and one four leads which was given to the Earl of Derby by 
 the Burgesses, occupiers of the said Town, for the portion of his 
 house, and no land in the Town for it, and every four leads must 
 have in provision of wood, nine quarters and so rateable, whether 
 it be four leads or six leads, so that there is spent in wood in the 
 said town 1026 quarters and a peece after the rate of five score 
 to the hundred and after the rate of forty shillings per Quarter 
 comes to £2056. 10. Spent in the wich houses yearly in wood, 
 £5219. 14." 
 
 In King's " Vale Royal," edition of 1656, are numerous refer- 
 ences to the salt towns, and from this work the following passages 
 are extracted 1 : — 
 
 " Namptwich. — We are here to enter upon the head town of 
 that Hundred, and of all the County, which is called Namptwich 
 vulgarly, but in most of our ancient deeds and writings Wicus 
 Malbanus, Wich-Malbank ; and had the name from one 
 William Malbenge or Malbane, who had this place given him 
 at the Norman Conquest." 
 
 " The manner of making this salt here, and in the other Wiches, 
 their authentique rules and customes, which they have made a 
 binding law unto themselves for equall division of the brine to 
 the severall owners of the Wich houses therewith, rooms for 
 stowage of their wood, even to an inch : the limitations of the 
 times to draw the brine out of the Seith, and conveviug it by 
 troughs into the several wich houses, all comprehended under the 
 
 1 This work is really by William Smith, a Cheshire man, and Rouge 
 Dragon of the Heralds' College, 1597. King was a clever engraver, but of 
 no literary pretensions. 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 77 
 
 term Walling, together with the venting the same into forraign 
 parts, which is chiefly done in exchange of the best mault that the 
 Shires toward the Champion do send, in Barter for it ; with many 
 pretty observations from their continuall care and circumspection, 
 lest their pit should lack any old Rites or duties, or that Salt Vein 
 which may seem to accompany that water of Weever for many 
 miles together should receive mixture or prejudice by fresh springs 
 or other impeachments. All these things I leave to be read 
 other where, knowing well their jealous love to be such towards 
 this their beloved commodity as I should soon incur some repre- 
 hension for being too busie to look narrowly upon such a beauty." 
 
 " One happiness I will not forget to report, which it pleased 
 our gracious King His Most Excellent Majestie to adde unto them 
 in Anno. 1617, the 25th of August, who vouchsafed to make that 
 town the lodging place for His Royal Person and after he had for 
 some hours accommodated himself in the house, then His Royal 
 Court, of Thomas Wilbraham, Esq., it pleased him to walk so far 
 as to the brine seeth, and with his eyes to behold the manner of 
 the well, and to observe the labours of the briners (so they call 
 the drawers of the brine) whose work it is to fetch it up in lether 
 buckets, fastned to ropes, and emptied into the troughes : which 
 Troughes convey it into the Wich Houses, at which work those 
 briners spend the coldest day in Frost and Snow, without any 
 Cloathing more than a shirt with great cheerfulnesse. And after 
 His Majestie's gracious enquiry among the poor Drawers, of many 
 things touching the nature of the same Brine, and how they 
 proceed to convert it into salt, most princely rewarding them with 
 his own hand, His Majestie returned to the Court." 
 
 ;; A strong timber bridge over the stream of Weever is main- 
 tained by the town, which asketh no little care and cost, by reason 
 of the bosterous (sic) carriages of the wood in carts, which is 
 thither brought for the boyling of their salt." 
 
 " Naxtwich Burnt, anno 1583. This town was most part 
 miserably consumed with fire, in December Anno 1583. But 
 through the Benevolence gathered throughout the Realm, it is 
 new builded, and is in as good case or rather better than before. 
 The like mischance happened to it in July, Anno 1438." 
 
 " Kinderton is neighboured by the second town of the 
 Hundred, another of th.3 famous ' Wiches,' and by reason of the 
 
78 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 scituation between the other two called Middlewich, being a 
 market town, and in the same two brine seeths or salt pits : and 
 great store of salt there is made and vended into parts both near 
 and remote." 
 
 " And now where this wedding is kept between Weever and 
 Dane, the one as the Groom embracing the other in his bosome as 
 his Bride, and uniting both names into that one of Weever, we 
 see Northwich, the third of the salt making wiches, so renowned 
 for that commodity, a very ancient town, as the buildings and 
 scituation may testifie. The chief lordship whereof appertains 
 to the Eight Honorable the Earl of Derby ; a market town, 
 well frequented, gives name to the Hundred, and seated so near 
 the middest of the County, and so well for travell every way, that 
 it seems fit, and is oft allotted at the meetings of the Chief Gover- 
 nours in the Country, for the great affairs. One street thereof 
 called Wytton. yields obedience to the Fee and Barony of 
 Kinderton, the chief owner of them, and the whole town, within 
 the Chappelry, for so they term it, though it have a very fair 
 Church called Wytton, the name of that lordship mounted aloft 
 upon a bank that overviews the town of Northwich, and is their 
 Church, though a member as I take it, of Great Budworth Parish. 
 There is also a free Grammar School, endowed with good lands, 
 founded by Sir John Dayn, Priest, born in Shurlach, a little before 
 mentioned, who was Parson of one of the St. Bartholomew's in 
 London, and amongst other lands gave unto this school the 
 Saracen's Head in the City of Chester." 
 
 " The Manner op making Salt at Nantwich. Here at this 
 town is great store of white salt made : it hath one salt sprino- 
 which they call a brine pit, standing hard upon the river of 
 Weever : from whence they carry the Brine to the wich houses, 
 saving such as stand on the other side of the river. Within the 
 said houses are great Barrells set deep into the earth, which are 
 all filled with salt water : and then when the Bell ringeth, they 
 begin to make fire under the leads ; every House hath six leads 
 wherein they seeth the said salt water : and as it seeths, the 
 Wallers (which are commonly women), do with a wooden rake, 
 gather the salt from the bottome which they put into a long basket 
 of wicker, which they call a salt Barrow : and so the water 
 voideth, and the salt remaineth." 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 79 
 
 " The Manner of making Salt at Northwich. Northwich 
 standeth where the River of Dane falleth into the Weaver, twelve 
 miles north east from Chester, and ten miles from Nantwich, and 
 is a proper town, having every Fryday a market, and yearly two 
 fairs : that is to say, on the day of Mary Magdalen, and on St. 
 Nicholas Day, being the 6th of December. Here is also a salt 
 spring or Brine Pit, on the Bank of the River of Dane : from the 
 which the brine runneth on the ground in Troughes of Wood, 
 covered over with boards untill it cometh to the wich houses, 
 where they make salt, as before in Nantwich has been declared. 
 This town is, as it were, divided into two parts : the one part 
 thereof is called the Cross, which belongeth to Sir Thomas 
 Venables : and without the Towns-end standeth a very fair 
 Church of stone : which, although some call it Northwich Church, 
 yet is the proper name thereof Witton, and is but a Chappell, 
 which causeth me to think, that the town was named first 
 Northwich, after the finding of the salt." 
 
 " The Manner of making Salt at Middlewich. From these 
 brine pits, the brine runneth in wooden troughs over men's heads, 
 from one house to another : the pits are foursquare, very broad 
 and deep, boarded up on each side, and with great cross beams 
 in the middest, and at the four corners steps covered with lead. 
 Middlewich is no market town ; yet may it pass amongst them, as 
 well for the bigness thereof, as also it hath Burgesses and other 
 privileges, as the other wiches have, yet it hath a small market 
 of flesh and other things every Saturday, and yearly two fairs : 
 that is to say, on Ascension Day and St. Luke's Day. It hath 
 divers streets and lanes, as King Street, Kinderton Street, Wick 
 House Street, Lewis Street, Wheelock Street : Pepper Lane : 
 Cow Lane, and Dog Lane. But the chiefest place of all is a 
 broad place is the middest of the Town, in manner of a market 
 place, called the King's Mexon." 
 
 In 1674, John Ray, the celebrated naturalist, published his 
 "Collection of English Words," followed by a second edition 
 of the work in 1691. In addition to an alphabetical list of words, 
 Ray introduced several chapters on preparing and refining 
 English metals and minerals, one of which described "the 
 making of Salt at Namptwych in Cheshire," from which I 
 extract the following passages :— 
 
 " The salt spring, or (as they call it) the brine-pit, is near the 
 
80 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 river ; and is so plentiful, that were all the water boiled out 
 that it would afford (as they told us), it would yield salt enough 
 for all England. The lords of the pit appoint how much shall 
 be boiled as they see occasion, that the trade be not clogged. 
 
 '" Divers persons have interest in the brine-pit, so that it belongs 
 not all to one lord ; some have one lead-walling, some two, some 
 three, some four, or more. 
 
 " N.B. — A lead-walling is the brine of twenty-four hours' boiling 
 for one house. Two hundred and sixteen lead-wallings, or 
 thereabout, belong to all the owners of the pit. No tradesman, 
 batchelor, or widow, can rent more than eighteen lead-wallings. 
 They have four sworn officers chosen yearly, which they call 
 occupiers of walling, whose duty is to see equal dealing between 
 lord and tenant, and all persons concerned. They appoint how 
 many houses shall work at a time, and that is twelve at the most. 
 When there is occasion for salt to be made, they cause a cryer 
 to make proclamation that so all parties concerned may put to 
 their fires at the same time ; and so when they shall cease at a 
 determinate hour, at which they must give over ; else thev 
 cause their salt to be marred by casting dirt into it, or the like. 
 There are in the town about fifty houses, and every house hath 
 four pans, which the rulers are to see be exactly of the same 
 measure. 
 
 " Salt-water taken out of the brine-pit, in two hours and a 
 quarter boiling, will be evaporated and boiled up into salt. When 
 the liquor is more than lukewarm, they take strong ale, bullock's 
 blood, and whites of eggs mixed together with brine, in this 
 proportion : if one blood, one egg-shell full, the white of one 
 egg, and pint of ale, and put it into a pan of twenty-four gallons 
 or thereabouts. The whites of the eggs, and the blood, serve 
 to clarifie the brine by raising the scum, which they take off 
 just upon the boiling of the pans, otherwise it will boil in, and 
 spoil the salt. The older the blood is, the better it is, cwteris 
 paribus. They do not always put in blood, viz., when there is 
 danger of the liquors boiling too fast. If the liquor happens 
 to boil too fast, they take, to allay it, brine that had been boil'd 
 and drain' d from the salt ; crude brine, they say, will diminish 
 their salt. The ale serves, they said, to harden the corn of the 
 salt. 
 
 " After one hour boiling, the brine will begin to corn ; then 
 they take a small quantity of clear ale, and sprinkle thereof 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 81 
 
 into the pan about one egg-shell full. (Note : If you put in 
 too much, it will make the broth boil over the pan.) All the 
 while before they put in the last ale, they cause the pan to boil 
 as fast as they can ; afterwards very gently, till the salt be almost 
 dry. They do not evaporate ad siccitatem, but leave about a 
 pottle or gallon of brine in the pan, lest the salt should burn, 
 and stick to the sides of the pan. 
 
 " The brine thus sufficiently boiled and evaporated, they take 
 out the salt, and put it into conical baskets (which they call 
 barrows) and in them let the water drain from it an hour, more 
 or less, and then set it to dry in the hot-house behind the furnace. 
 
 " A barrow, containing six pecks, is sold there for Is. 4d. 
 
 " Out of two pans of forty-eight gallons they expect seven 
 pecks of salt, Winchester measure. 
 
 '' Note : The house in which the salt is boiled is called the 
 Wychhouse ; whence may be guessed what wych signifies, and 
 why all those towns where there are salt-springs and salt made 
 are called by the name of wych, viz., Namptwych, Northwych, 
 Middlewych, Droitwych. The vessel whereinto the brine is by 
 troughs conveyed from the brine-pit is called the ship. It is 
 raised up out of the pit by a pump. Between the furnace and 
 the chimney-tunnels, which convey up the smoke, is the hot- 
 house where they set their salt to dry ; along the floor whereof 
 run two funnels from the furnaces, almost parallel to the horizon, 
 and then arise perpendicularly ; in these the flame and smoke 
 running along from the furnaces heat the room by the way. 
 
 " Anno 1670, a rock of natural salt, from which issues a vigorous 
 sharp brine, was discovered in Cheshire, in the ground of William 
 Marbury, Esq. ; the rock, which is as pure as allom, and when 
 pulverized a fine and sharp salt, is between thirty-three and 
 thirty-four yards distant from the surface of the earth." 
 
 The following notes on the Salt Trade of Cheshire were published 
 in the London Magazine, 1750 : — 
 
 '• Market Towns. . . . Northwich, about 10 miles south east 
 of Frodsham, upon the River "Weaver, a very ancient town with 
 a market on Fridays, and a Grammar School well endowed. It 
 is famous for making salt which is of a stronger nature, though 
 not so white as the salt of the other ' Wiches.' . . . 
 
82 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Middlewich, about 9 (sic) miles south east of North wich, 
 a large town governed by burgesses, with a good market 
 on Saturday. It has a fair Church with monuments of persons 
 of note. Here are excellent salt pits, and the inhabitants drive 
 a great trade in that commodity. . . . 
 
 " Nantwich, or Namptwich, in writing called Wich Mal- 
 bank, about 8 miles South of Middlewich, on the River Weaver, 
 over which it has a stone bridge, the largest and most considerable 
 town in the county, next to Chester, and lying in the great road 
 from London thither. It is a mile long, and has several bye 
 streets and lanes, all well inhabited. It has a large ancient 
 Church like a Cathedral, and a great market on Saturday for all 
 manner of provisions. Its chief trade is salt and cheese. As to 
 the former, the finest and best white salt is made here, (whence 
 the Welsh call it by a name which signifies White Salt Town), in 
 order to do which they carry the brine taken out of the wells or 
 brine pits, to the wich houses, where great barrels are placed 
 deep in the earth, filled with the salt water, and at the ringing 
 of a bell, they begin to make a fire under the salt pans, in which 
 they boil the salt water ; and as it boils, the wallers, as they call 
 them, who are generally women, with a wooden raker gather the 
 salt from the bottom (and put it into a conical tub), called a 
 salt barrow, which is so placed that the water drops from it, and 
 the salt remains, which is dried by the stone heat communicated 
 to the wich houses. These salt springs are very remarkable for 
 being within a few yards of the Weaver, a fine fresh-water river, 
 and as the brine pits are on both sides of the river, the salt water 
 doubtless runs under it. The salt works here are reckoned to be 
 as ancient as the time of the Romans." 
 
 The following interesting items relating to the local develop- 
 ments in the salt district are extracted from the Diary of a Parish 
 Clerk of Witton Church :— 
 
 Ashton's Rock Pit sunk in Twambrooks . . . 1770 
 
 Mr Furey's and Hugh Oldham's houses built . .1773 
 
 Kent's Rock Pit sunk in Twambrooks . . . 1774 
 
 Mr Kent's Baron's Quay Salt Works began, — Mr Broomfield, 
 
 Clerk . . 1775 
 
 New Street began to be built by Mr Marshall . . 1775 
 
 Earthquake in Northwich, September 14th . . 1777 
 
CHESHIRE SALT INDUSTRY 83 
 
 The Rock-getter's pulled off their prices 4d. per Ton, Feb. 1780 
 A Great Stir in the Rock Trade, March 20th . 1780 
 
 Cotton Works began to be built, August . . 1780 
 
 The first Fair in York Buildings, built by Mr. Mort, 
 
 December 6th .... . 1780 
 
 The Cut for Water for the New Cotton Works finished, 
 
 June 1784 
 
 First Stone with a Brass Plate, laid in Dane Bridge, 
 
 April 7th . 1789 
 
 The First Stone laid down at Vale Royal Lock, June 5th . 1 790 
 The New Basin at Anderton cut in August . . 1793 
 
 A Slip in Weaverham Rough, stopped the River, July 22nd 1 798 
 Old Officers turned off the Salt Duties .... 1798 
 Began to pull down the Old Organ, and Organ Gallery, and 
 
 put it up again in the West end of Witton Church, in a 
 
 New Gallery erected for that purpose, October 2nd . 1834 
 Began to shift the Pulpit and Reading Desks in Witton 
 
 Church, to the situation in which they now stand, 
 
 December 8th . 1834 
 
 " This great diminution of trade," Partridge explains in his 
 " History of Nantwich " (1774), " is owing to various causes, such 
 as the discovery of new salt springs in the adjacent places, at 
 which works have been erected : the superior advantages arising 
 from the navigation at Northwich and Winsford, near Middlewich. 
 Another cause may probably be assigned from the frequent 
 destruction by fire in the works of this town, fourteen of which in 
 the memory of persons lately living, having been destroyed in 
 one day, and it is well known that large tracts of now vacant 
 ground upon both sides of the river in our grandfathers' days 
 were covered with numerous salt works, and in these places, 
 large pieces of timber with the visible marks of fire upon them 
 have been frequently dug up. The duty paid yearly at these 
 works amounts to near five thousand pounds ; and the whole 
 district, (including the works at Lawton, and the small one at 
 Durtwich), from eighteen to twenty thousand pounds ' com- 
 munibus annis ' ! . Fully sensible of the benefits accruing from 
 commerce, and in order more particularly to raise the declining 
 trade in their staple commodity, salt, by becoming partakers of 
 the common advantages of navigation, an Act of Parliament was 
 obtained above forty years ago to lengthen the navigation of the 
 
84 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 river Weaver from Winsford up to Nantwieh ; notwithstanding 
 which, the execution of it has lain dormant to this day, owing to 
 the jealousies and disputes betwixt the inhabitants and the persons 
 employed to solicit the act, who were deemed to have acted too 
 partially in favour of themselves, and precluding in a great 
 measure the advantages the other subscribers to the expence in 
 obtaining the Act ought to have enjoyed. . . . The interest of 
 the representative of the principal solicitor of the Act for making 
 the Weaver navigable from Winsford to Nantwieh was bought out 
 with a considerable sum." 
 
 " Here then," we read in " The History of Cheshire," printed by 
 Poole of Chester in 1776, " it may be proper to speak of the salt 
 works of this town, (Nantwieh), in their more ancient state, and 
 as they had been when honoured with a royal visit in the person 
 of James I. The Welsh of the North parts have always been, 
 and still are, supplied with this useful article of life from 
 hence. Their commerce, however, was not always of the friendly 
 kind, for they have frequently infested these parts, committing 
 many dangerous acts of hostility whenever they had power or 
 opportunity. They called the town " Hellath Wen," or the 
 White Pit, and Henry III in order to distress them, caused these 
 pits to be stopped up for some time. These salt works were 
 formerly more numerous, perhaps, than in most places of England, 
 supplying all the adjacent countries, and all North Wales, besides 
 large quantities exported to Ireland and to many foreign parts. 
 In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, this town contained two hundred 
 and sixteen salt works, of six leads walling each, which are now 
 reduced to two works of five large pans of wrought iron." 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING IN THE SEVENTEENTH 
 AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES 
 
 The progress of the methods of salt manufacture in Cheshire in 
 the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries may be traced in the 
 works of a number of authorities, amongst whom special interest 
 attaches to the writings of Dr Wm. Jackson, Dr Thomas Rastel, 
 Thomas Lowndes, Dr Wm. Brownrigg, Christoph Chrysel, and 
 Henry Holland. In the following pages I have reproduced the 
 principal features in the publications of all these authors, dealing 
 with them in chronological order, and beginning with an article, 
 published in the " Philosophical Transactions " of the Royal 
 Society of England (1669), entitled — 
 
 SOME INQUIRIES CONCERNING THE SALT SPRINGS 
 AND WAYS OF SALT MAKING AT NANTWICH, IN 
 CHESHIRE, ANSWERED BY WM. JACKSON, M.D. 
 
 " 1. What is the depth of the Salt Springs ? 
 
 " The depths are various, in some places not above three or 
 four yards : at Nantwich the pit is full seven yards from the 
 footing about the pit : which is guessed to be the natural height 
 of the ground, though the bank be six feet higher, accidentally 
 raised by accumulated rubbish or walling as they call it. In 
 other places the springs lie much shallower : for in two places 
 within our township the springs break up so in the meadows, 
 as to fret away, not only the grass, but part of the earth, which 
 lies like a breach at least half a foot or more lower than the turf 
 of the meadow, and has a salt liquor, oozing as it were out of the 
 mud, but very gently. 
 
 " 2. What hind of country is it where the Springs are, whether hilly, 
 etc., and what plants grow near them ? 
 
 " Generally a low ground, yet very full of collicular eminences, 
 and various risings, to distinguish it from being all meadow. 
 We have also a peculiar sort of ground in this country and some 
 adjacent parts, which we call mosses, they are a kind of moor-ish 
 boggy ground, very stringy and fat, which serves us very well for 
 
 85 
 
86 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 turfs, cut out like great bricks and dried in the sun. In these 
 mosses is found much of that wood we call fir-wood which serves 
 the country people for candles, fuel, and sometimes for small 
 timber uses. They generally seem to be places undermined by 
 some subterraneous streams ; or by the dissolution of some matter 
 that made them equal with the rest of the ground formerly : 
 In which conjecture I am confirmed by this, that near a place of 
 my Lord Cholmondeley's, called Bilkely, about nine or ten years 
 since, not far from one of these mosses, without an earthquake 
 a piece of ground about 30 yards over fell in, and drew in great 
 oaks growing on it, which hung first with part of their heads out, 
 afterwards suddenly sunk down into the ground, so as to become 
 invisible : Out of which pit they drew brine with a pitcher tied 
 to a cart rope, but could then find no bottom with the ropes 
 they had there. The pit has been since filled up with water, and 
 now does not taste salt but a little brackish, a very small rindlet 
 passing through it. The nearest salt springs to this place are 
 at Dartwich about three miles from it. We have some hills, but 
 not large, near our springs, which generally lie all along the 
 river Weever, as Hankillow, Hatherton, Osterton, Batherton, 
 Nantwich, Weever, Leftwich, Northwich. Yet there is an 
 appearance of the same vein at Middlewich nearer the river Dane 
 than Weever : which notwithstanding seems not to be out of the 
 line of the Weeverish stream : and these all be near brooks, and 
 in meadowish grounds. As to plants, I could observe no singu- 
 larity at all : for where the salt reaches the surface, it frets away 
 all, and upon the turf near the old decayed pits grows the same as 
 in the remotest place of the meadow : only where the turf is 
 fretted away, rushes maintain their station longest : yet they 
 grow also in other moist grounds, so that they are no friends to 
 the salt springs but I perceive they resist them best. 
 
 " 3. Whether there be any hot springs near the salt ones ? And 
 whether the water of the salt springs be hotter or cooler than other 
 spring water ? 
 
 " The water of the salt springs here is very cold at the bottom 
 of the pit, so that when the briners cleanse the pit, they cannot 
 abide in above half an hour, and in that time they drink much 
 strong liquor. There are no hot springs (that I can hear of) 
 nearer us than Buxton well, which is about 30 miles distant. 
 
 " i. Whether any shells are found about those springs, and what is 
 the kind of earth ? 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 87 
 
 "I cannot hear of any shells dug up, though of late several new 
 brine springs have been found by sinking deep pits : yet no one 
 knows of any shells, but rather a blackish slutch mixed with the 
 sand, which effects the whole spring (like the scuttle-fish) black 
 when it is stirred, else the water runs very clear. 
 
 " 5. How strong the water is of salt ? 
 
 " Springs are rich or poor in a double sense : for a spring may be 
 rich in salt but poor in the quantity of brine it affords. Thus they 
 have a rich brine in their chief pit at Middlewich, which yields 
 a full fourth part of salt, like the rich Burgundian springs men- 
 tioned in Kirch er's Mundus Subterraneus : yet this is so thrifty of 
 its brine, that the inhabitants are limited to their proportions 
 out of it, and their quantity is supplied out of pits that afford a 
 weaker brine. Our pit at Nantwich yields but a sixth part : 
 but then it is so plentiful a spring, that as they seldom make salt 
 in above six houses at a time, this pit is judged sufficient to 
 supply them all : besides such quick use of it extremely strengthens 
 the brine, perhaps to a degree little less than that of Middlewich 
 pit : For I have found myself, that a quart of brine, when the 
 pit has been drawn off three or four days first, to supply five or 
 six wich-houses, has yielded an ounce and a half more of salt 
 than at another time, when it has had a rest of a week or there- 
 abouts. But I conclude that the nearest conjecture is that it 
 yields one pound of salt for six pounds of brine. 
 
 " On March 8, 1668 I weighed two pounds of distilled water 
 in a narrow mouthed glass bottle, that I might make an exact 
 mark for a quart. This bottle being filled with our brine to the 
 very same mark, weighed (besides the tare of the bottle) two 
 pounds three ounces and five drachms. This was taken up when 
 the wich-houses had only begun to work, so that the pit was but 
 little drawn. I filled up the bottle with the same brine, and 
 it weighed just three drachms more. This brine being boiled 
 away without any addition or clarification made five ounces and 
 two drachms of salt. Five days after, when the pit had been 
 drawn all that while for the working of the wich-houses, viz. 
 March 13, the same bottle filled to the quart mark aforesaid with 
 brine then taken up, weighed, beside the bottle, two pounds four 
 ounces and one drachm : the same time the bottle filled as in the 
 former experiment, weighed just two pounds and a half, which 
 is three drachms more than the quart mark before : which boiled 
 into salt made six ounces, six drachms and two scruples, exceed- 
 
88 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 ing the former quantity of salt by one ounce four drachms and 
 two scruples, though the brine exceeded the former in weight 
 but four drachms. By this trial also I refuted a tradition of the 
 briners, that the brine is strongest at spring-tides ; for March 8 
 aforesaid, was only one day past the full, and then the brine was 
 weaker than it was the 13th day when it was six days past the 
 full. So that I conclude, there could be no other reason than 
 that the much drawing makes way for the salt-springs to come 
 the quicker, allows the less time for the admission of fresh springs. 
 
 "6. What is the manner of their work ? or what time of boiling 
 the salt water ? Whether they use any peculiar thing to make it 
 granulate, and if so, what that is ? 
 
 Their manner of working is this : — They have formerly boiled 
 their brine in six leaden pans with wood-fire : upon which account 
 they all claim their interest in the pit by the name of so many 
 leads walling by which they each know their proportion : but 
 in the memory of many alive they changed their six leads into 
 four iron-pans something better than a yard square, and about six 
 inches deep, still filling the contents of these to that of the six 
 leads : and of late many have changed the four iron pans into 
 two greater ; and some wall but in one : But still the rulers gauge 
 it to their old proportions. 
 
 " They use for their fuel pitcoals, brought out of Staffordshire. 
 These pans are set upon iron bars, bricked in very close. They 
 first fill their pans with brine out of the pit : which comes to them 
 in several wooden gutters : then they put into their pans amongst 
 the brine, a certain mixture, made of about 20 gallons of brine, 
 and two quarts of calves', cows', and chiefly sheep's blood. Of 
 this mixture they put about 2 quarts into a pan that holds about 
 360 quarts of brine : this bloody brine at the first boiling of 
 the pan brings up a scum which they are careful to skim off : 
 they continue their fire as quick as they can till half the brine 
 be wasted, and this they call boiling upon the fresh. But when 
 it is half boiled away, they fill their pans again with new brine 
 out of the ship (so they call a great cistern by their pan sides, into 
 which their brine runs through the wooden gutters from the 
 pump, that stands in the pit) then they put into the pan two 
 quarts of the mixture following : they take a quart of white of 
 eggs, beat them with as much brine, as before was done with the 
 blood ; and thus that which they call the whites is made. As 
 soon as this is in, they boil sharply till the second scum arise : 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 
 
 89 
 
 Fig, 4. 
 
 Fig. 5. 
 
 Fig. 6. 
 
 Fio. 7. 
 Fig. 8. 
 
 Fig. 9. 
 
 From an article on Salt-making at Nantwich, by I>r William -Jackson, 
 published 1669. 
 
 This is the model of an iron pan of that proportion, when four are used in . 
 aa. The ears to hang the pan by on the brick work. 
 /.. The several junctures of the iron plates riveted. 
 
 ' '<:. The breadth and length of the pan near four feet. 
 I'd. The depth of the side- of the pan. about six inches. 
 
 n.a. The hot-house between the wall and the chimney. 
 bb. The two tunnels. 
 
 CC. The chimney back, into which the two tunnels convey the smoke. 
 ihldd. The four pans. 
 
 E. The partition wall between the pans and the hot-house. 
 /. The tire places. 
 
 ijg. The ash holes. 
 k. The hearth below. 
 
 ii. The descent to the hearth. 
 -The bucket with its stale, with which they reach brine out of the ship t( 
 pans with. 
 
 - all. Several positions of the loots, with which they skim and gather tl 
 
 - aa. Two barrows newly filled with salt, set into the leach-trough to dr 
 
 leach or leach-brine. 
 bit. The salt heaped above the barrows, and patted down hard. 
 C. The leach-trough. 
 
 -A gutter, which they lay over from one pan to another, to run the brine 
 farthest pan. 
 
 le house. 
 
 i fill their 
 
 ie salt 
 
 ip out the 
 
90 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 then scum it off as before, and boil very gently till it corne ; 
 to procure which, when part of the brine is wasted they put into 
 each pan of the size aforesaid, about a quarter of a pint of the 
 best and strongest ale they can get : this makes a momentary 
 ebullition, which is soon over, and then they abate their fires 
 yet not so but that they keep it boiling all over though gently : 
 for the workmen say that if they boil fast here, it wastes their 
 salt. After all their leach brine is in, they boil gently till a kind 
 of scum comes on it like a thin ice : which is the first appearance 
 of the salt : then that sinks and the brine everywhere gathers 
 into comes at the bottom to it, which they gently rake together 
 with their loots, this they continue till there is but very little 
 brine left in the pan : then with their loots they take it up, the 
 brine dropping from it, and throw it into their barrows, which 
 are cases made with flat cleft wickers, in the shape almost of a 
 sugar loaf, the bottom uppermost. When the barrow is full 
 they let it stand so for an hour and a half in the trough where 
 it drains out all the leach brine, then they remove it into their 
 hothouse behind their works made there by two tunnels under 
 their pans, carried back for that purpose. The leach brine that 
 runs from the barrows they put into the next boiling, for it is to 
 their advantage being salt melted and wanting only hardening. 
 
 " This work is performed in two hours in the smaller pans, 
 which are shallower, and generally boil their brine more away : 
 wherefore their salt will last better, though it does not granulate 
 so well, because when the brine is wasted, the fire and stirring 
 breaks the cornes. But this salt weighs heavier and melts not 
 so soon : and therefore is bought for many sales to a distance. 
 But in the greater pans, which are usually deeper, they are 
 above half an hour longer in boiling ; but because they take 
 their salt out of their brine, and only harden it in their hothouse, 
 it is apter to melt away in a moist air : yet of this sort of salt the 
 longer the grain is, the longer it endures : and generally this is 
 the better granulated and the clearer, though the other be the 
 whiter. And I think it is rather the taking of the salt out of the 
 brine before it be wasted, that causes the granulating of it, than 
 the ale, to which the workmen impute it. 
 
 " They never cover their pans at all, during the whole time 
 of boiling. They have their houses like barns open up to the 
 thatch with a cover-hole or two to vent the steam of the pans. 
 
 " Possibly tiles may do better, but nobody is yet so curious as 
 
SALT AND SALT MAKING 91 
 
 to try, but the steam is such that I am confident no plaster will 
 stick : and boards will warp and their nails will rust so as 
 quickly to fret to pieces. 
 
 " 7. Whether the salt, made of these springs, be more or less apt 
 to dissolve in the air than other salt, and whether it be as good to 
 poivder beef or other flesh ivith, as French salt ? 
 
 " This question I cannot well answer in regard that French salt 
 comes not to us, to compare the efficacy of the one with the other 
 experimentally : but this I can assure for our salt, that with it 
 both beef and bacon is very well preserved sweet and good a 
 whole year together : and I do apprehend this salt to be rather 
 more searching than French salt, because I have often observed 
 that meat kept with this salt shall be more salt to the midst of it, 
 than I have observed, when I have eaten powdered meat on ship 
 board, which was probably done with French salt, I then being 
 on the South side of England and in a Dutch vessel. It is certain 
 that Cheshire sends yearly much bacon to London, which never 
 yet had any mark of infamy set upon it : and hung beef (which 
 others call Martinmas beef) ' is as good and as frequent in Cheshire, 
 as in any place,' so that I conclude this salt is fully effectual for 
 any use." 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF SALT SPRINGS AND SALT-MAKING 
 AT DROITWICH IN WORCESTERSHIRE 
 
 In an article by Dr Thomas Eastel, published in the " Philo- 
 sophical Transactions " (1678), it it will be seen that while the 
 Droitwich saltmen had their prejudices in the details of manu- 
 facture, the process of converting brine into salt is practically 
 the same there as in the Cheshire district. Di Rastel's account 
 is as follows : — 
 
 11 The country has no great hills but many small risings. On 
 the other side the Eiver Severn are Aberly Hills at about 7 miles 
 distant from us. There are many salt springs about the town, 
 which is seated by a brook called Salwark-Brook, which arise 
 both in the brook and in the ground near it though there are 
 but three pits that are made use of. The plants growing about 
 the springs I find much the same as in other places : but where 
 the springs are saltest there grows nothing at all : only by the 
 
92 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 brackish ditches there grows aster atticus, with a pale flower, 
 which I find nowhere else with us. 
 
 " The depth of the springs is various : some rise on the top 
 of the ground which are not so salt as others : those that are in 
 the pits we make use of, are various also. The great pit which 
 is called Upwich pit, is 30 feet deep, in which are 3 distinct 
 springs (rising in the bottom). The pit is about 10 feet square : 
 the sides are made with square elms, jointed in at the full length, 
 which I suppose is occasioned by the saltness of the ground, 
 which appears to me to have been a bog ; the surface of it is made 
 of ashes. That it was originally a bog I am induced to believe : 
 for not many years since digging to try the foundation of a seal, 
 for so we call the houses we make salt in, I thrust a long staff 
 over head. 
 
 " There are no hot springs near us ; and the brine is generally 
 colder than other water, yet it never freezes, but the rain water 
 that lies on the brine in extreme hard frosts will freeze, though 
 not much. 
 
 " I never observed or heard of any shells in the earth. For 
 the nature of the soil about the town on the lower side, it is a 
 black rich earth, under which 2 or 3 feet is a stiff gravelly clay, 
 then marl. Those that make wells for fresh water, if they find 
 springs in the marl, they are generally fresh ; but if they sink 
 through the marls, they come to a whitish clay mixed with gravel, 
 in which the springs are more or less brackish. 
 
 " In the great pit at Upwich, we have at once 3 sorts of 
 brine, which we call by the names of first-man, middle-man and 
 last-man, these sorts being of different strengths. The brine is 
 drawn by a pump : that which is in the bottom is first pumped 
 out ; which is that we call first-man, etc. A quart measure of 
 this brine weighs 29 ounces troy, but of distilled water onlv 
 24 ounces. This brine yields above a fourth part of salt ; so 
 that 4 tuns of brine make above a ton of salt. The two other 
 sorts less or 28 ounces. And the pit yields 450 bushels of salt 
 per day. In the best pit at Netherwich a quart of brine weighs 
 28 ounces and a half : this pit is 18 feet deep and 4 feet broad, 
 and yields as much brine every 24 hours as makes about 40 
 bushels of salt. The worst pit at Netherwich is of the same 
 breadth and depth as the former : a quart of brine out of which 
 weighs 27 ounces and yields as much brine daily as makes about 
 30 bushels of salt. 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 93 
 
 " The fuel which was heretofore used was all wood, which since 
 the iron works is destroyed, that all the wood at any reasonable 
 distance will not supply the works one quarter of the year ; so 
 that now we use almost all pit coal which is brought to us by 
 land, from 13 or 14 miles distance. The vats we boil the brine 
 in are made of lead, cast into a flat plate 5 feet and a half long 
 and 3 feet over : then the side and ends beaten up, and a little 
 raised in the middle, which are set upon brickwork, called ovens, 
 in which is a grate to make the fire on, and an ash-hole which 
 we call a trunk. In some seals are 6 of these pans, in some 5, 
 some 4, some 3, some 2. In each of these pans is boiled at a 
 time as much brine as makes 3 pecks of white salt. For clari- 
 fying the salt we should have little need, were it not for dust 
 accidently falling into the brine. The brine of itself being so 
 clear that nothing can be clearer. For clarifying it, we use 
 nothing but the whites of eggs, of which we take a quarter of a 
 white, and put it into a gallon or two of brine, which being beaten 
 with the hand, lathers as if it were soap, a small quantity of 
 which froth put into each vat raises all the scum, the white of 
 one egg clarifying 20 bushels of salt, by which means our salt is 
 as white as anything can be : neither has it any ill savour, as 
 that salt has that is clarified with blood. For granulating it we 
 use nothing at all for the brine is so strong of itself, that unless 
 it be often stirred, it will make salt as large grained as bay-salt. 
 I have boiled brine to a candy height, and it has produced clods 
 of salt as clear as the clearest alum, like Isle of May salt : so that 
 we are necessitated to put a small quantity of rosin into the brine, 
 to make the grain of the salt small. 
 
 " Besides the white salt above spoken of, we have another 
 sort called clod-salt, which adheres to the bottom of the vats, 
 and which after the white salt is laded out, is digged up with a 
 steel picker. This is the strongest salt I have seen, and is most 
 used for salting bacon, and neats' tongues : it makes the bacon 
 redder than other salt, and makes the fat eat firm, if the swine 
 are fed with mast, it hardens the fat almost as much as if fed 
 with pease, and salted with white salt. It is very much used 
 by country women, to put into their runnet pots, esteeming it 
 better for their cheese. These clods are used to broil meat with, 
 being laid on coals : but we account it too strong to salt beef 
 with, as it takes away too much of its sweetness. There is a 
 third sort of salt, called knockings, which candies on the stalls 
 
94 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of the barrow, as the brine runs from the salt after it is laded 
 out of the vats ; this salt is most used for the same purposes as 
 the clod salt, though it is not altogether so strong. There is 
 also a, fourth sort called scrapings being a coarse sort of salt that 
 is mixed with dross and dust, that cleaves to the tops of the sides 
 of the vats ; this salt is scraped off the vats when we reach them, 
 that is, when we take the vats off the fires to heat up the bottom : 
 and is bought by the poor sort of people to salt meat with. A 
 fifth sort is pigeon salt ; which is nothing but the brine running 
 out through the crack of a vat, and hardens to a clod on the 
 outside over the fire. Lastly the salt loaves are the finest of the 
 white salt, the grain of which is made something finer than the 
 ordinary, that it may the better adhere together, which is done 
 by adding a little more rosin, and is beaten into the barrows when 
 it is laded out of the vat. 
 
 " Our salt is not so apt to dissolve as Cheshire salt nor as 
 that salt that is made by dissolving bay-salt and clarifying it, 
 which is called salt upon salt, which appears by our long keeping 
 it, without any fire. 
 
 "If it is asked why we use not iron pans as in Cheshire and 
 other places, I answer, there have been trials made both of forged 
 iron pans and cast-iron. The former the strength of the brine 
 so corrodes, that it quickly wears them out, the latter the brine 
 breaks." 
 
 In 1746 was published by S. Austin, in Newgate Street, a hand- 
 somely printed, block-typed pamphlet of 40 pages, entitled 
 
 BRINE SALT 
 
 IMPROVED 
 
 or 
 
 The Method of making Salt from Brine, that shall 
 
 be as good or better than 
 
 FRENCH BAY-SALT 
 
 In a letter 
 
 To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of 
 
 The Admiralty 
 
 dated 8th July 1746 
 
 by Thomas Lowndes 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 95 
 
 In the Advertisement, the author states : — 
 
 " This treatise not only contains the method of making Salt 
 from Brine, in a letter, etc. but likewise a letter from the lords 
 of the Admiralty to the College of Physicians and their answer, 
 as also several Accounts and Estimates, shewing what quantity 
 of Foreign Salt is annually consumed in Great Britain and Ireland, 
 and in our American Fishery with other Proper Testimonies." 
 
 " N.B. The Author does not at all doubt, but that the Brine 
 of Worcestershire is of equal goodness with that of Cheshire ; 
 but having made no Experiments with the Brine of Droitwich 
 on that account he does not mention it in his letter to the Lords 
 of the Admiralty, of the 8th of July, 1746." 
 
 In his introductory letter to Thomas Corbett, Esquire, Secre- 
 tary to the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty, Mr Lowndes encloses a copy of his proposal and pre- 
 sumes that " of all the methods that can be suggested for laying 
 open my secret " the Lords Commissioners will prefer that, 
 " whereby the present Salt-makers will be induced to fall the 
 most readily and generally." The letter continues : " For the 
 greater the quantity is of salt made my way, the more satisfied 
 the Public will be, that my secret is truly made known. Not 
 that I mean, that their Lordships should buy any more salt than 
 what they think proper for the several trials. I am now very ill 
 of the colic and gravel ; but I will as soon as I am able, reduce 
 into writing and offer to their Lordships consideration, my 
 thoughts how the intent of the House of Commons may be best 
 carried into execution. For I take the liberty to assure their 
 Lordships that I mean nothing but dispatch joined with such 
 fairness as will put my conduct and undertaking beyond the 
 possibility of a trick, or the imputation of a job." 
 
 On the 4th July 1749, Mr Lowndes acquainted Mr Corbett with 
 the fact that his " method of making salt from brine as good or 
 better than the French Bay Salt " was ready to be communicated 
 to their Lordships, and on the following day Mr Corbett replied 
 that he was " commanded to acquaint you that you may deliver 
 in your method of making salt from brine, as good or better than 
 the French Bay-salt when you think fit." 
 
 On the 8th July, Mr Lowndes sent a paper containing his 
 method to Mr Corbett to be placed before the Lords Commissioners 
 with the assurance : " The facts in that paper are all true and 
 
96 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the incorrectness I hope will be excused by the very severe malady 
 I have lately been affected with, and of which I am not yet 
 recovered." The document is as follows : — 
 " My Lords, 
 
 I take the liberty most humbly to represent to your 
 Lordships, that in my infancy living at Middlewich in Cheshire, 
 I was very early in life, thoroughly acquainted with the common 
 way of making salt there. Several years after, travelling in 
 France, I went on purpose to Rochelle, and the parts adjacent 
 to observe the whole process of their making salt by means of 
 no other heat than that of the Sun. That district of France I 
 chose rather than any other ; because the greatest quantity of 
 Bay-salt is made in that Neighbourhood, and which, by all 
 Merchants, Victuallers and Fishermen, is universally looked upon 
 as the best salt in Europe. 
 
 " After my return to England, as soon as some business I was 
 then engaged in would permit, I went to Holland. The journey 
 was occasioned by my curiosity to know from whence it proceeds, 
 that the Dutch White Herrings, do always look a great deal fairer 
 and are much cleaner and will keep many months longer than 
 ours, even when we use the best foreign salt. And I found (as 
 I had often heard) that the Dutch Salt being purified is the chief 
 cause of the excellency of their fish. 
 
 " From the remarks that occurred to me in France and Holland 
 with the addition of allowing properly for the difference in the 
 materials, I deduced the method of making salt from brine, as 
 good or better than French Bay Salt. And in pursuance of an 
 address from the Honourable House of Commons, His Majesty 
 having been most graciously pleased to direct your Lordships to 
 enter into an agreement with me, for discovering the said method, 
 it is here, with the greatest deference, most humbly presented to 
 your Lordships. 
 
 " This is the Process. 
 
 " Let a Cheshire salt-pan (which commonly contains about eight 
 hundred gallons) be filled with Brine, to within about an inch of 
 the top ; then make and light the fire ; and when the Brine is just 
 lukewarm, put in about an ounce of blood from the butcher's, or 
 the whites of two eggs : let the pan boil with all possible violence ; 
 as the scum rises take it off ; when the fresh or watery part is pretti/ 
 well decreased, throw into the pan the third part of a pint of new ale, 
 
oaul ainu &AJLT-MAKING 9 
 
 or that quantity of bottoms of malt-drink : upon the Brine's begii 
 mng to grain, throw into it the quantity of a small nutmeg of fret 
 butter ; and ivhen the liquor has salted for about half an hour, th< 
 is, has produced a good deal of Salt, draw the pan, in other word, 
 tale out the Salt. By this time the fire will be greatly abatec 
 and so will the heat of the liquor. Let no more fewel be throw 
 on the fire ; but let the Brine gently cool, till one can just bear t 
 put one's hand into it ; Jceep the Brine of that heat as near as possible 
 and when it has worked for some time, and is beginning to grain 
 throw in the quantity of a small nutmeg of fresh butter ; and abou 
 two minutes after that, scatter throughout the pan, as equally a 
 may be, an ounce and three quarters of clean common Allow, pulver- 
 ized very fine ; and then instantly, with the common iron-scrape-pai 
 stir the Brine very briskly in every part of the pan, for about < 
 minute ; then let the pan settle, and constantly feed the fire, so tha 
 the Brine may never be quite scalding hot, nor near so cold as luke 
 warm : let the pan stand working thus, for about three days am 
 nights, and then draw it. 
 
 " The Brine remaining will by this time be so cold, that it wil 
 not work at all ; therefore fresh Coals must be thrown upon the fire 
 and the Brine must boil for about half an hour, but not near sc 
 violently as before the first drawing ; then, with the usual instru- 
 ment, take out such Salt as is beginning to fall, (as they term it) 
 and put it apart ; now let the pan settle and cool. When the Brine 
 becomes no hotter, than one can just bear to put one's hand into it, 
 proceed in all respects as before , only let the quantity of Allom not 
 exceed an ounce and a quarter. And in about eight and forty hours 
 after draw the pan. 
 
 " The Process being ended, permit me to acquaint your Lord- 
 ships, that, in repairing the fires, I chiefly use cinders ; because, 
 to preserve a constant, equal, and gentle heat, cinders are better 
 than epals ; though at present cinders in Cheshire are so little 
 valued, as to be generally thrown into the highways. 
 
 " There are in Cheshire two or three pits, whose Brine (thougt 
 in no way faulty) does not work kindly with butter. The bare 
 naming of this is enough ; since the meanest workman well 
 knows (what is vulgarly called) the humour of the pit he works 
 at : and to shew the physical reason for that singularity, would, 
 be both tedious and useless. And it is my humble opinion, 
 that this sort of Brine will require a less quantity of Allom to 
 a 
 
98 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 restore its grain, than is before mentioned. And 'tis also highly 
 probable, that the operations of drawing the pan the second 
 and third time, may be performed several hours sooner than 
 the time prescribed for common Brine. I design to make trial 
 of this extraordinary Brine, when I go next into Cheshire. 
 
 " I hope your Lordships will not be displeased with my mention- 
 ing, that I most industriously contrived to make my Process to 
 coincide with that now used in Cheshire ; and therefore, in the 
 first part of the work, there is not any difference betwixt the two 
 methods. But mine entirely takes place, as soon as the first 
 drawing of the pan is finished. 
 
 "And here I must be allowed to observe, that by the violent 
 boiling, without suffering the pan to settle, and to cool gently, 
 the grain of the Salt is greatly altered, both in form and texture ; 
 and the Brine not being, in any degree, sufficiently evaporated, 
 the Salt dissolves with the least humidity. Then the air being 
 admitted, and putrefaction immediately ensuing, 'tis impossible 
 that, for long voyages, provisions can be cured with Salt made 
 after the usual manner. And it is mere necessity that makes 
 it to be used at land for meat, which is to be kept any time. 
 But yet, this kind of Salt is more proper for the tender curd of 
 new cheese, and for butter designed for present spending, than 
 thorough-made Salt ; because it saves a good deal of trouble, 
 by its not wanting either to be reduced to powder, or to be 
 moistened. 
 
 " I crave leave to remark, that by long boiling with great fires, 
 Salt not only loses its spirit, strength, and shoot, but its grain 
 becomes so very loose, and soft, that it is rather a Lixivium 
 than Salt. 
 
 " But yet if Brine be not boiled violently for a due time, at the 
 beginning of the operation, the Process of making Salt will be 
 exceeding tedious : because the fresh, by all means, must be 
 consumed. And also, though Brine, when it is pumped into the 
 pan, seems to be as clear and pure as rock-water ; yet there is 
 always in it no small quantity of earthy particles, which cannot 
 be discharged, but by putting the Brine into the greatest agitation. 
 
 "Brine-Salt made by any former Process, all possible care 
 being taken, has evermore two main defects, flakeyness and 
 softness. These faults are occasioned by the Brine's being 
 boiled (at least for some time) with the most intense heat, in a 
 place where the air is not only in a great degree inclosed, but 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 99 
 
 the room is, at the same time, filled with thick clouds of steam 
 and smoak, which are let out only by a small louvre ; whereas 
 the sun, in making Marine-Salt, is vastly assisted by the acid 
 of the air, as the learned call it. In order therefore, in some 
 measure to equal that advantage from the open air, as likewise 
 to remedy the imperfections of Brine-Salt ; amongst many 
 trials of acid preparations and minerals, I had recourse to Allom, 
 which alone fully answered every thing that I proposed. For 
 it restored the Salt to its natural cubical shoot, and gave it a 
 proper hardness ; nor had it any bad effect whatever. 
 
 'Here are. then two Salts, which the Public will have in its 
 power to use. 
 
 " The one called French Bay-Salt, made by the sun from sea- 
 water. This Salt, for which the consumer here pays a great 
 rate, is always mixed with dirt and nastiness, which make up 
 a full seventh fart. The filth arises from putrefied human bodies, 
 dead fish, and the carcases of animals, and from most immense 
 quantities of different kinds of rotten weeds, together with in- 
 numerable other unwholesome mixtures, brought into the salines 
 by the tide. 
 
 " The other Salt, made according to the foregoing Process, per- 
 fectly clean, sweet, and strong, and from ingredients in every 
 respect innocent, and to be afforded at a much less price. 
 
 " Which of these two Salts is most eligible, one would think 
 could be no question. 
 
 "Yet many of the French Chymists extol the Bay-Salt even 
 for its impurity. And if their most extravagant abject zeal to 
 promote, in defiance of matter of fact, the sale of their Monarch's 
 Salt, does not render these Gentlemen incapable of conviction ; 
 I would refer them to the ancient and present practice of the 
 Hollanders. 
 
 " The Dutch, in purifying their Salt, always blend with the 
 French Bay-Salt a great quantity of Spanish and other Medi- 
 terranean Salts ; so (what is called) the vitriol of these Salts 
 keeps the French Salt from being softened. For these Salts are 
 put into great pans, properly filled with brackish water, and 
 Doiled with coal-fires. And the mildness of the French Salts 
 tempers the other Salts. 
 
 " And can it be imagined, that the parsimonious Dutch would, 
 for ages, have been at this charge and pains to their own pre- 
 judice ? If filth added any virtue to Salt, French fish cured 
 
100 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 with, dirty Salt, would then surely in foreign markets out-sell 
 Butch fish preserved with clean Salt ; whereas all Europe knows 
 the contrary, to the Hollanders very great profit. 
 
 " But after all the expence, and trouble that they take in Holland 
 to purge their Salt, and remedy its defects, it is far inferior in 
 purity, and every other good property, to our Brine-Salt, if 
 rightly made. 
 
 " And when our Legislature pleases to lay a moderate additional 
 duty upon coals exported, we shall, by that means, be able to sell 
 Brine-Salt, made to the greatest perfection, much cheaper than 
 foreigners can purify theirs : and unless foreigners do either 
 purify their Salt, or purchase ours, the greatest part of the foreign 
 fish-trade will unavoidably fall into our hands. 
 
 " Of all the kinds of Salt furnished by Cheshire, the Shivery-Salt 
 is the best. This is made on a Saturday night, and in regard 
 to the day following, it is not drawn till Monday ; and in the 
 mean while, to prevent accidents, there is less fire used. This 
 Salt the potters buy up, because being stronger, it glazes earthen 
 ware better than the common Salt. But even this Shivery- 
 Salt will neither keep meat for long voyages, nor will it cure fish 
 but very indifferently. For it has by no means a proper Grain 
 for that purpose ; nor is the Salt so thoroughly cleared of the 
 Fresh as it ought to be. 
 
 " As for the Rock-Salt of Cheshire, it has so many bad qualities, 
 that most certainly nature never could intend that either fish 
 or flesh should be cured with it ; and whether it be wholesome 
 to be eaten, let the learned Physician pronounce. 
 
 '• Your Lordships curiosity and candour (I presume) will not 
 be displeased to know, that in all the Salt-works of Cheshire, 
 there are tubs set under the barrows (or wicker-baskets) to 
 catch the droppings of the Salt, when fresh drawn ; now if one 
 of these tubs stands there eight or ten days, and has received 
 four or five quarts of liquor, there will be always found in it 
 a small quantity of Salt, perhaps about an ounce ; and should 
 the inside of the tub happen to be dirty, no one can perceive anv 
 difference between this Tub-Salt and the best French Bav-Salt, 
 only the latter is not so sweet. 
 
 " This proves the common notion, of Brine-Salt being naturally 
 of a ftakey shoot, to be erroneous. 
 
 "And in the Salt made by the sun, as well as by my way, you 
 will never fail of seeing very many little pyramids, which are 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 101 
 
 composed of a parcel of small cubical grains, piled up in a most 
 exact order, and cemented together with wonderful nicety ; and 
 the crowns of these pyramids are always cubes of a much larger 
 size than any of the rest. 
 
 ' All the little merit therefore that I can pretend to, in the 
 Improvement of Brine-Salt, is, that I have with the utmost 
 efforts, endeavoured to follow nature ; and that I made it my 
 study to accommodate my Process, as near as possible, to the 
 present practice in Cheshire, that the workmen might not pretend 
 any difficulties in executing the directions. 
 
 " And though when I have made the quantity of Salt your Lord- 
 ships shall please to order, I can then speak with more exactness, 
 as to the Price, at which Salt made my way can be afforded ; yet 
 I now beg leave upon that head to observe, that, by my method, 
 one man may easily look after four pans, and his wife and his 
 children (when they come to twelve or fourteen years of age) 
 may get their bread by working along with him. In the present 
 way, it is as much as one man can do to take care of one pan. 
 So that (cinders being much used in my Process) with regard 
 to coals and labour, my Salt will cost less than the common Salt. 
 A pan, in my way of working, will last more than three times 
 as long, ' as in that now used. My Salt needs no hot-houses, 
 which are absolutely necessary for the common Salt. Thus the 
 expence of those buildings is saved. It will not waste in carriage, 
 as the present Salt does : by this means the three Bushels in 
 forty, allowed by the Government for waste, will go towards 
 making the freight easy. And if the Salt-proprietors follow my 
 Process, they will have a vastly greater demand both here and 
 from abroad, than they ever yet had ; together with many other 
 advantages. And since to this method of mine the Salt-pro- 
 prietors cannot object any thing, except only the expence of 
 new pans, and sheds to cover them ; I don't in the least doubt, 
 but the certainty of a prosperous trade will soon make my pro- 
 posal, upon every account, acceptable to them. 
 
 " I beg leave to mention, that, for the first salting of meat, my 
 Salt must be ground or pounded pretty fine ; for the second 
 salting it must be bruised ; and if meat is to bear a long voyage, 
 or to keep a great while, then for the third salting, it must be 
 laid on whole. 
 
 " The generality of persons being ignorant of the true properties 
 of Salt, obliges me to hint, that Salt and Sugar (if good) have the 
 
102 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 like effects upon flesh and fruit, when they are neither tainted 
 nor decayed : for the air must be excluded, the out-side not 
 hardened, and the juice preserved. And if flesh well-fed, and 
 skilfully slaughtered, when it is salted, be not soft, moist, and 
 mellow, as well as perfectly sweet, beyond all dispute the Salt 
 is faulty. 
 
 ■' And since it will be (I hope) of no small advantage to the 
 Public, permit me, my Lords, to observe, that if the Inhabitants 
 of Great Britain and Ireland, when they make Salt from sea- 
 water, would for the far greater part of the Process use much 
 slower fires, and would suffer the liquor to lye a good while in 
 the pan, scarce simmering instead of boiling ; they would see 
 almost as great a difference betwixt their Salt then, and what 
 it is now, as there is betwixt the plumpest grain and chaff. I am 
 with the greatest and most real respect, 
 
 " My Lords, &c. 
 
 •' P.S. — The quantities of Allom mentioned in the Process are the 
 greatest I ever used. My most usual quantities were an ounce 
 and half in the second drawing of the pan, and an ounce and half 
 a drachm in the third, and sometimes half a drachm less." 
 
 Mr Lowndes next addressed a letter to Dr Plumptre, the Presi- 
 dent of the College of Physicians, acquainting him with the fact that 
 a pan of 800 gallons of the best brine produces 2400 lbs. of salt, 
 and of ordinary brine 1600 lbs., and deducting a third part of 
 each quantity for the first drawing of the pan, the remainders 
 to be grained and hardened by alum are, of the best brine 1600 lbs. 
 of salt, and of the ordinary brine 1036 J lbs. of salt, and 
 inquiring whether 3 ozs. of common alum, being incorporated 
 with the best of these remainders, can have any ill effect with 
 regard to health. " I design to publish my proof of making salt," 
 he adds, " together with this and many other papers upon that 
 topic, all of which in a few weeks afterwards (upon account of the 
 importance of the subject) I know will be printed abroad in Dutch 
 and French, and I would have foreigners see, that no ingredient 
 (however innocent) was put into the salt, without consulting the 
 President of the College of Physicians. Therefore be pleased to 
 return an answer." 
 
 Dr Plumptre, in the course of his reply, declared, ' L I think with 
 great certainty that the proportion used in his Process, according 
 to his account, cannot possibly be of any detriment to the health 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 103 
 
 of mankind." At the same time the Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty also approached the College of Physicians to desire 
 that they would permit Mr Lowndes to attend them with 
 specimens of his salt ; " and when they have heard him, they will 
 please to report to their Lordships their opinion of their usefulness 
 of the said salt in the Navy." 
 
 Mr Lowndes was summoned to attend a meeting of the College 
 of Physicians, and after examining the specimens of salt that he 
 had brought with him and had answered many questions concern- 
 ing it, they came to the following resolution, viz. : " It is the 
 opinion of the College from several Examinations by the usual 
 proofs of the goodness of salts, that Mr Lowndes' salt is, in all 
 respects, a strong and pure salt, equal at least, if not preferable to 
 any we are acquainted with. That it seems very likely to answer 
 in curing flesh for the Navy in long voyages ; which, being the 
 material experiment wanting, they think ought to be recommended 
 to their Lordships for trial." 
 
 On March 7th 1746, Mr Lowndes, in a letter to Mr Corbett, 
 formulates his proposals that the Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty should allow a six months' trial to prove the goodness of 
 his salt for domestic uses, twelve months to prove its excellence for 
 the purpose of the Fishery of America, and two years in which to 
 prove the efficacy in preserving beef and pork for the Royal Navy, 
 and, in the event of his salt equalling or excelling French Bay-salt, 
 he shall be paid the total sum of £7000. " And upon their 
 Lordships agreeing to these terms, I (on my part) do humbly 
 offer to disclose my secret in such manner, as their Lordships 
 shall please to direct. And, if upon trial, my salt be found in 
 every one of the above particulars, to be inferior to the French 
 Bay-salt though what I have done cannot be denied to be improve- 
 ment of no small public utility, yet I make my country a present 
 of it." 
 
 That Mr Lowndes had a full appreciation of the commercial 
 advantage he was offering to his country and of the influences 
 that were at work to disparage the value of his discovery and 
 deprive him of the pecuniary benefits he supposes himself to be 
 entitled to, is evident from the remainder of this letter. " When 
 my method is exposed," he continues, " and the reasons of the 
 Process are seriously attended to, all the salt made from sea- 
 water in these three kingdoms may be improved, so as to be (I 
 conceive) about one-third part better than it is now. But to make 
 
104 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 our Marine-salt equal in goodness, purity, price and sweetness, with 
 Brine-salt, - is wholly impossible ; because all sea-water is im- 
 pregnated with the Bittern, which probably is the offspring of 
 Vitriol, and which defies the power of chemistry to divest it. But 
 Brine is naturally quite free from that, and every other bad 
 property. Nor do I make any demand for the improvement of 
 our sea-salt, though it be the direct consequence of my intended 
 performance. Not that I am ignorant what immense quantities 
 of our common Marine salt the Navy uses, as well as the Cities of 
 London and" Westminster, Borough of Southwark, and all those 
 counties where the Thames is navigable, besides very many other 
 places. And if I fail to shew (if my advice be followed) how to 
 meliorate the marine salt of Great Britain and Ireland, let my 
 country brand me with infamy. 
 
 " I need not hint to their Lordships, the vast losses the Navy 
 constantly sustains for want of good salt, and their Lordships 
 must know that to be the cause of the too frequent unwhole- 
 someness of provisions, whereby the poor seamen's lives are 
 endangered. 
 
 " One of the main destructions to our Herring Fishery, is the 
 badness of our salt ; and it is the sole hindrance to that great 
 exportation of butter, which England and Ireland might reason- 
 ably expect to have ; these Kingdoms producing in vast abund- 
 ance the best butter in Europe. And it cannot be doubted (if 
 this attempt of mine meets with encouragement and proves 
 successful) but we shall, by means thereof, purchase our Navy 
 Stores at much easier rates, than we or our ancestors ever did, or 
 than we otherwise can do. For we shall send salt to the east 
 country, which now buys all its salt from foreign countries, and 
 especially from France, who cannot be more sensibly affected, 
 than by our interfering with her in that branch of commerce. So 
 that good Britains saving a considerable sum of money, which is 
 yearly paid to foreigners, will be one of the least advantages 
 produced by my proposal. It will too (amongst other things) 
 occasion a good market for our ordinary offal and flet-milk cheeses, 
 which are now in a manner thrown away. And when the profit 
 of our Newfoundland trade and our most beneficial and glorious 
 acquisition of Cape Breton, are the subjects of our consideration, 
 I believe there is not a subject of these three Kingdoms, who will 
 think that those places ought to depend upon France, Spain, 
 Portugal, Sicily and Sardinia for salt, if it can be prevented. 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 105 
 
 '" If their Lordships please to write to any of their officers in 
 Holland, they will inform them, that the Dutch purify by coal- 
 fires all the salt used in the curing of their white herrings, which 
 will last quite good a whole year ; and all white herrings cured 
 with unpurified salt, will not last above four months. This will 
 disprove an untruth propagated with great industry, that no salt 
 will preserve well but what is made by the sun. The fault lies 
 wholly with the unskilfulness of the persons who use coal fires. 
 And I presume it will be a very acceptable intimation to their 
 Lordships, upon good grounds to be assured that my Salt can be 
 completely made, and crystallised at a great deal less expense than 
 the Dutch can purify theirs. 
 
 " Mr Ellison of Middlewich in Cheshire, at whose works I made 
 the salt (of which samples were presented both to their Lordships 
 and to the College of Physicians) can testify to their Lordships 
 that the pans I used, did not contain less than seven hundred 
 gallons each. 
 
 " This will expose some calumniators, who have affirmed that 
 I made but very few pounds weight at one time. And I hope 
 their lordships will here indulge me the liberty to observe to 
 them, that, if my salt should answer upon the several trials above 
 proposed and if thereupon a great demand for it should ensue, 
 pans to contain sixteen hundred gallons each will be proposed for 
 the purpose ; because Brine works more kindly and salt grains 
 much better in very large pans, than in small ones. 
 
 " If I may be allowed to value anything that I can perform, I 
 should be inclined not to think amiss of my method of making salt, 
 upon account of the great easiness of the Process, and its being 
 (when all things are duly estimated) far less chargeable than the 
 method now used. All the charge is at the setting out. And 
 the present utensils will do pretty well, 'till the salt Proprietors 
 are fully convinced by experience, that what I propose is for their 
 interest. 
 
 " I don't apply to the Crown for a patent for the improvement 
 because I conceive that the act empowering the Crown to grant 
 patents, does not mean to include inventions or improvements 
 relating to the necessaries of life. 
 
 " No malice has been wanting to bring a disreputation upon 
 my salt ; and every wicked art will be practised to render its 
 virtues ineffectual. The salt Contractors are my avowed enemies ; 
 for the miscarrying of my attempt will be their gain. It is well 
 
106 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 known that the best salt in the universe may be vitiated and a 
 very large quantity of Provisions may be spoiled by a certain 
 liquor which costs but a few pence. And the officers in the 
 victualling and the pursers of ships and their clerks, cannot be 
 supposed to be ignorant of it. 
 
 " And as the success of this affair is of very great consequence 
 both to the Public and myself, their Lordships will permit me to 
 mention (with all submission to their judgment) whether a good 
 quantity, as four or five hundred bushels of my salt, should not be 
 distributed to some of the most considerable traders of New 
 Foundland ; whether eighty, or one hundred bushels, should not 
 be given to some eminent merchants, to be used in salting beef 
 and pork to be sent to climates, where provisions are with the 
 greatest difficulty preserved. And for the Royal Navy, that a 
 good large quantity of beef and pork be cured with my salt, and 
 put on board ships commanded by officers of known discretion 
 and character. No risk can possibly attend their trial for the 
 Navy, it being by the best judges allowed, that my salt far exceeds 
 that of Newcastle or Limington. That certificates of the proof 
 in the above articles be transmitted to the Lords of the Admiralty. 
 And for the goodness of my salt in domestic uses, there cannot be 
 better judges, than their Lordships in their own housekeeping. 
 
 " I therefore humbly propose to go down into Cheshire at my 
 own expense, and to make or cause to be made what quantity of 
 salt their Lordships shall please to order and to have it laid down 
 or put on board at Liverpool at eight pence halfpenny the Bushel, 
 pursuant to such Directors as their Lordships shall give." 
 
 In reply to this lengthy epistle the Secretary to the Admiralty 
 was " ordered to acquaint you that your letters are sent to the 
 Commissioners for victualling with a recommendation from their 
 Lordships to make an experiment thereof, and therefore you will 
 attend that Board for that purpose, and deliver your proposal to 
 them. But as to the reward you mention, those things are not in 
 the power of this Board, but of the Parliament." 
 
 As an appendix to his pamphlet Mr Lowndes gives the following 
 tables showing the importation and consumption of foreign salt 
 in the United Kingdom, as follows : — 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 
 
 107 
 
 
 
 . | 
 
 
 
 
 
 CC 
 
 
 
 x i 
 
 ■*+( to 
 
 co i— i ; 
 
 -* 
 
 
 -+— 
 
 < 
 
 CO 
 
 3 
 
 CM CM 
 
 1~H CO 
 
 i— i 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 c- 1 
 
 t: 
 
 ■«H • 
 
 • CO • • o 
 
 X 
 
 
 p 
 
 a 
 
 I— 1 
 
 >> 
 
 to o 
 
 ON) OS 
 
 t- 
 
 
 •^ -^ 
 
 Z, 
 
 ' 
 
 QJ 
 
 o 
 
 <M i-l 
 
 -* 
 
 
 'T-l -^H 
 
 3 
 
 ' 
 
 £ 
 
 CO 
 
 T-l 
 
 tH 
 
 
 
 
 
 (0 
 
 oo -* io 
 
 OS 00 
 
 -* 
 
 g 1 I 
 
 CO 
 
 ■«! P 
 H g 
 
 tr- 
 
 p 
 
 pa 
 
 CO CO CO 
 
 ■0*10 
 
 t- OS £— 
 
 CM 
 
 ■ • to 
 
 •CM • ■ IO 
 
 O (M 
 
 OT 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 lO 
 
 CM 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 -* 
 
 
 S ^^ 
 
 « 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 ss 
 
 
 
 ■f. 
 
 CD 00 CO 
 
 ci o as 
 
 00 
 
 CO 
 
 +2 " 
 
 g " 
 
 ^ 
 
 m 
 
 CO i-i 
 
 MM ^H 
 
 CO 
 
 cS _' S 
 
 ^ P o 
 
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 Th 
 
 
 
 
 
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 43 « T3 
 
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 CM CO (M 
 
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 CM 
 
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 15 « 
 
 
 
 
 
 M r- 
 
 hh r-< 
 
 
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 as as 
 
 t~ O 50 
 
 !-H 
 
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 i— i CM 
 
 cq 
 
 
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 00 
 
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 ■ CO oo to IO 
 
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 JvT" 
 
 as go 
 
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 Gs 
 
 
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 C to 
 
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 5 § 
 
 CO 
 
 
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 H i-H 
 
 
 
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 05 
 
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 t~ CO 
 
 t ^ r-H 
 
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 IO 
 
 
 
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 HH 
 
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 je S 
 
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 rd rt 
 
 E-i 
 
 
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 n Accou 
 C: 
 
 
 
 CD <D 
 
 .8 ^ 2 « 
 
 
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108 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 An estimate of what Foreign Salt has been consumed in England 
 and Wales for seven years, ending at Ladyday, 1743. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 end. lady-day 1737 
 
 100,792 at 84 pounds. 
 
 1738 
 
 99,624 
 
 1739 
 
 127,485 
 
 1740 
 
 100,694 
 
 1741 
 
 109,335 
 
 1742 
 
 127,392 
 
 1743 
 
 76,661 
 
 
 741,983 
 
 ' An Account of all the Foreign Salt Consumed in Scot- 
 land for seven years preceding Michaelmas, 1742, 
 distinguishing each year. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 From Michaelmas 1735 to Michaelmas 1736 . 340 
 
 thence 
 
 to ditto 
 
 1737 
 
 500 
 
 thence 
 
 to ditto 
 
 1738 
 
 900 
 
 thence 
 
 to ditto 
 
 1739 
 
 100 
 
 thence 
 
 to ditto 
 
 1740 
 
 470 
 
 thence 
 
 to ditto 
 
 1741 
 
 nil 
 
 thence 
 
 to ditto 
 
 1742 
 
 658 
 2,968 
 
 1 An Account of foreign salt imported into Ireland for 
 seven years, and from whence each year dis- 
 tinguished. 
 
 Years end- 
 ing 25th 
 
 Holland and 
 Flandeis. 
 
 Fiance. 
 
 March. 
 
 Bushels 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 69,513 
 21,864 
 18,542 
 21,062 
 81,022 
 108,632 
 36,028 
 
 1738 
 
 1739 
 1740 
 1741 
 1742 
 1743 
 1744 
 
 52 
 
 Spain and 
 Portugal. 
 
 Plantations. 
 Bushels. , Bushels. 
 
 220.741 
 
 159,081 
 
 107,564 
 
 80,030 
 
 81.434 
 
 130,924 
 
 96,950 
 
 2,488 
 
 Mr Lowndes's patience, persistence, and epistolary graces 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 109 
 
 were lost upon the Admiralty, who refused his terms. He 
 carried the scheme to the House of Commons, and in June 1746 
 the House petitioned His Majesty to instruct the Admiralty to 
 accept the terms. In September he published his pamphlet, 
 and on April 23rd 1748 — his confidence in his method and his 
 suspicion of his rivals still unabated — he printed his " Letter to 
 the Salt Proprietors of Great Britain." But he did not live to 
 see its value fully tested. On May 6th in the same year he 
 signed his will, and six days later he died. 
 
 Thomas Lowndes, who was born in 1692, was the second son 
 of William Lowndes of Overton, an old possession of the 
 Lowndes family, and a property of some value in Cheshire. 
 In 1725 he received the patent of Provest-Marshal of South 
 Carolina, and performed his duties, in the colony he never 
 visited, by deputy. In 1745 he prepared a notable scheme for 
 the prevention, without a register, of the running of wool from 
 Ireland to France, but the proposal was apparently thrown out. 
 At his death he left Overton and all his property in Cheshire to 
 found the present Lowndean Chair of Astronomy in Cambridge 
 University. 
 
 Mr Lowndes' work was followed two years later (1748) by the 
 publication of — 
 
 •' THE ART OF MAKING SALT 
 by William Beowneigg, M.D., F.R.S.," 
 from which I extract the following series of the most important 
 passages, with a few explanatory notes upon the same : — 
 
 " Amongst the vulgar arts, that of making salt, or of preparing 
 and fitting it for the uses of mankind, hath been thought worthy 
 the notice of many great and learned men, as well amongst the 
 ancients as moderns. Thus, many things relating to this art 
 are recorded by Cato and Pliny the Naturalist. And if we search 
 the writings of the moderns, we shall find the improvements in 
 this art carefully collected by George Agricola, Frederick Hoffman, 
 and many other excellent physicians. . . . 
 
 " That this art was capable of great improvement, especially 
 as practised in Britain, was the sentiment of the Royal Society 
 soon after its institution : at which time that renowned body 
 was very intent upon bringing it to greater perfection : as may 
 be gathered from the enquiries and suggestions of Dr Beal, and 
 the histories of several methods of making salt which then were 
 
110 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 published by that society. And although the English have, 
 since that time, considerably improved their methods of boiling 
 salt : yet this art is still 'practised with greater skill and success 
 by their allies, the Dutch : as the superior goodness of the fish 
 cured with their salt, doth sufficiently prove. . . . 
 
 " What Mr Lowndes hath lately done towards the improve- 
 ment of brine salt, may perhaps by some be thought to supersede 
 the necessity of any further attempts for improving and extending 
 our salt manufacture. I am very far from desiring to depreciate 
 the endeavours of that gentleman, which have met with parlia- 
 mentary encouragement : and had his discoveries appeared to 
 me sufficiently complete and extensive, I should not have given 
 the public and myself this trouble. I make no doubt but that 
 the specimen of salt which he exhibited before the College of 
 Physicians was a strong and pure salt, since such it appeared to 
 that most learned body. Whether the allum mixed with it 
 (agreeable to the ancient practice of the Cheshire salt boilers) 
 contributed anything to its goodness, will be more properly 
 considered in another place. It is only necessary here to observe, 
 in justification of the present undertaking, that Mr Lowndes' 
 method of making salt for curing provisions, doth not appear 
 to be the best that may be put in practice : since I hope to show, 
 that by other methods, a purer and stronger salt may be made and 
 at a less expence. Neither is his method so general and extensive 
 as seems to be required for the public good : since Mr Lowndes 
 confines it almost entirely to boiled brine salt : and hath given 
 no directions concerning the preparation of bay salt. He indeed 
 proposes to meliorate the British sea salt, but seems to despair 
 of preparing a salt either from sea water or the English rock salt, 
 fit for the uses of the Navy or fisheries : although the Dutch 
 salt, which is the strongest and purest boiled salt now made, 
 is entirely a marine salt, and even the brine, of which Mr Lowndes 
 makes his salt, is only a solution of the English rock salt, often in 
 very impure water, as is well known to the naturalists. . . . 
 
 " Bay Salt is prepared in a manner the most simple and easy, 
 when the water of ponds and lakes impregnated with salt is 
 totally exhaled, by the force of the sun and air, and the salt is 
 left concreted into a hard crust at the bottom of the lake or 
 pond. . . . 
 
 " White salt, as it is prepared from various saline liquours, 
 may therefore be distinguished into the following kinds, viz. : 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING Hi 
 
 (1) Marine boiled salt, which is extracted from sea water by 
 
 coction. 
 
 (2) Brine, or Fountain salt, prepared by coction from natural 
 
 brine, whether of ponds and fountains, or of ponds, lakes, 
 and rivers. 
 
 (3) White salt, prepared from sea water, or any other kind of 
 salt water, first heightened into a strong brine by the heat 
 of the sun, and the operation of the air. 
 
 (4) White salt, prepared from a strong brine or lixivium drawn 
 from earths, sands, or stones impregnated with common 
 salt. 
 
 (5) Refined rock salt : which is boiled from a solution of fossil 
 
 salt in sea water, or any other kind of salt water or pure 
 water. 
 
 (6) Lastly, salt upon salt : which is bay salt dissolved in sea 
 
 water, or any other salt water, and with it boiled into 
 white salt. 
 " The method of extracting salt from sea- water by coction is 
 only practised in places where a great plenty of fuel can be had 
 at a very low price : and therefore is used in few countries except 
 on those parts of the British Coasts which most abound with pit 
 coal, as at North and South Shields, Blyth, and other places in 
 Northumberland and Durham. . . . 
 
 " (Note.) In these two counties they have about " 200 pans 
 at work, in which they annually prepare eleven or twelve 
 thousand tons of salt . . . from whence this salt is ex- 
 ported in large quantities, under the name of Newcastle 
 salt, to London and other parts of England, and to Den- 
 mark, Norway, and other northern countries. Much 
 of this salt is also made on the coasts of Cumberland : 
 and at several works situated on the Firth of Forth, and 
 at Air and Saltcotes in Scotland : at all which places the 
 worst of their coals are applied to this use. 
 " The salt pans are made of an oblong form, flat at the bottom, 
 with the sides erected at right angles : the length of some of 
 these pans is fifteen feet, the breadth twelve feet, and the depth 
 sixteen inches : but at different Works they are of different 
 dimensions. 
 
 " (Note.) At many Works they make use of pans of a much 
 less size than here described. But those used at Shields 
 and other places nigh Newcastle are much larger, being 
 
112 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 commonly 21 ft. long, 12J ft. broad, and 14 ins. deep, 
 being the largest salt pans used anywhere in Great Britain. 
 " They are commonly made of plates of iron, joined together 
 with nails, and the points are filled with a strong cement. Within 
 the pan, five or six strong beams of iron are fixed to its opposite 
 sides at equal distances, parallel to each other, and to the bottom 
 of the pan, from which they are distant about 8 inches. From 
 these beams hang down strong iron hooks, which are linked 
 to other hooks or clasps of iron, firmly nailed to the bottom of the 
 pan : and thus the bottom of the pan is supported and prevented 
 from bending down or changing its figure. 
 
 " (Note.) The plates most commonly used are made of malle- 
 able iron, about 4J feet long, a foot broad, and the third of 
 an inch in thickness. The Scotch prefer smaller plates, 
 fourteen or fifteen inches square. Several make the sides 
 of the pan where they are not exposed to the fire, of lead : 
 those parts, when made of iron, being found to consume 
 fast in rust from the steam of the pan. Some have used 
 plates of cast iron, 5 or 6 feet square, and an inch in thick- 
 ness, but they are very subject to break when unequally 
 heated and shaken, as they frequently are, by the violent 
 boiling of the liquour. The cement most commonly used 
 to fill the joints is plaister made with lime. . . . From 
 a pan 14| feet long, 11 \ feet broad, and 16 inches deep, 
 containing about 1305 gallons, they draw from 15 to 20 
 bushels of salt every day, each bushel weighing 56 
 pounds. 
 " At the salt works at Shields and other places in Northumber- 
 land and Durham, they only draw their pans five times in a fort- 
 night, filling them up seven or eight times in each process, and 
 from each pan commonly obtain 56 bushels of salt at a draught. 
 They reckon that, in making a ton, or 40 bushels of salt, they 
 consume three chaldrons of small pit coal, which cost them 16s. 6d., 
 and pay to the salt boilers for their labour 4s. . . . 
 
 " Furthermore, when they use too hasty fires, large quantities 
 of salt often adhere to the bottom of the pan : and the 
 operators then say that the salt is burnt. . . . 
 
 " The salt which thus adheres to the pan, and all salt grained 
 with violent fires, is found unfit for preserving provisions. Such 
 salt will not endure to be long exposed to the open air, but greedily 
 imbibing the aqueous moisture, and with it runs into brine : for 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 
 
 113 
 
 From Dr William Brownrigg's book on Common Salt, published 1748. 
 
 Frc. 1. 
 
 P;o 
 
 2.— 
 
 Fig 
 
 3.— 
 
 Frii 
 
 4.— 
 
 Fio 
 
 K 
 
 Fig 
 
 6.— 
 
 
 H 
 
 •The .salt pans formerly used in Cheshire four to a furnace ; together with 
 their furnace, and the hot-house or stove behind them. 
 aaaa. The hot-house between the wall and the chimney. 
 hh. Two tunnels. 
 
 CC. The chimney hack into which the tunnels convey the smoke. 
 dcldd. The four pans. 
 
 E. The partition wall between the pans and the hot-house. 
 if. The fire-places. t///. The ash holes. 
 
 //. The hearth below. '/.' The descent to the hearth. 
 
 -Two wicker baskets or barrows rilled with salt and placed over the leach 
 
 trough, as practised at the Cheshire salt works. 
 A skimmer made of boards, more commodious than the Cheshire loot, 
 or any other instrument yet invented forskimming the brine. 
 The Dutch wooden rake, its handle twenty feet long, being preferable 
 to the iron rakes commonly used for drawing the salt, as 
 they are apt to contract rust. 
 A w ten shovel, to take the salt nut of the pan after it is drawn to one- 
 side with the rake. 
 An iron ladle to take out the bittern. 
 
114 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 Fiff . 
 
 ^4 Scale- of four FJv<rf to an tXnc/i J> 
 
 3 * J, J f y . 
 
 From Br William Brownrigg's book on Common Salt, published 1748, 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 115 
 
 "FlG. 1. — A plan of the bottom of the furnace with the grates, &c. 
 ff. The grates. 
 
 DD. The flues from which the smoke passes into the chimney. 
 e. The entrance into the chimney. 
 hh. The two mouths of the furnace. 
 m. The mid-feather. 
 
 Ichkh. These dotted lines show the dimensions of the bottom of the 
 salt pan. 
 
 Fig. 2. — A section of the furnace made lengthways. 
 
 N.B. — The letters show the same parts of the work as in the precedin 
 sections, viz. : — 
 
 A. 
 
 The salt pan. 
 
 00. 
 
 The iron beams which support its bottom. 
 
 B. 
 
 A chamber of the furnace. 
 
 a 
 
 One of its ash pits. 
 
 ii. 
 
 One of the flues. 
 
 e. 
 
 The chimney. 
 
 f. 
 
 The grate. 
 
 h. 
 
 A mouth of the furnace. 
 
 k. 
 
 Its door. 
 
 J- 
 
 Walk to the end of the salt pan. 
 
 I. 
 
 Bed of solid earth. 
 
 nn. 
 
 The partition wall and walls of the chimney. 
 
116 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 which reason, the operators say that it is not well cleared from 
 the fresh. 
 
 " (Note.) The salt found adhering to the bottom of the pans 
 at the Droitwich Salt Works, and there called ' Clod 
 Salt,' was probably salt thus burnt by hasty fires : and 
 was found unfit for preserving beef. 
 
 " The inconvenience of quick fires is fully proved by the practice 
 of the Cheshire salt boilers, who, about a hundred years ago, 
 made use of pans which only held about 48 gallons of brine, and 
 afterwards, pans which held twice that quantity, being somewhat 
 more than a yard square, and six inches deep : and so hurried on 
 their work that in the space of two hours they usually boiled 
 one of these pans of brine into salt. . 
 
 " But the salt made in this hasty manner was extremely weak, 
 and of a small loose grain, and quickly grew moist, though dried 
 in hothouses : and was therefore only made for present sale. . . . 
 
 " I am well informed that afterwards they made their salt 
 pans gradually larger, until they held about 800 gallons, which is 
 the common size of the pans now used in Cheshire. And in these 
 pans in the memory of several now living, they finished their 
 process in twelve hours : and every week, reduced twelve pans 
 full of brine into salt. They found that the salt thus made was 
 greatly preferable to that which they had made before with more 
 hasty fires, but was still too weak for curing provisions for sea 
 service. Of late years, therefore, they have proceeded in a more 
 leisurely way, and only work out six pans of brine in the week, 
 emptying their pans only once in 24 hours. . 
 
 " Nothing certain can be determined of the true quantity of 
 common salt which sea-water doth contain. As true an estimate 
 may probably be made from the experiments of the salt-boilers. 
 Those of them who have been most accurate in their trials affirm 
 that in Solway Firth on the coasts of Cumberland, they commonlv 
 obtain a pound of pure marine salt from 40 lbs. of sea-water : 
 and after the greatest draughts, seldom more than a pound of 
 salt from 35 lbs. of water : but after heavy rains and great land- 
 floods, the sea-water is there so weakened that it does not afford 
 above a fifth part of its weight of pure salt. The Newcastle salt- 
 boilers assert that on the coasts of Northumberland and Durham, 
 from 30 tons of sea-water they usually extract a ton of salt : 
 but in this calculation it is probable that they do not estimate 
 the quantity of water by weight , but by measure. 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 117 
 
 " In several parts of England, as in Somersetshire, Cumberland, 
 Westmoreland, Durham, and Yorkshire, many salt springs 
 have been discovered : but they are either weak, or situated 
 where fuel is scarce : and for these and other reasons are not 
 wrought for salt. 
 
 " (Note.) The salt springs in England and other countries 
 are, most of them, wells or pits of different depths, in 
 some of which the brine stagnates and never rises to the 
 top, but flows out at the top of other wells, when it is not 
 drawn out for use. 
 " But in other parts of England there are many rich and 
 valuable salt springs from which great store of salt is daily ex- 
 tracted. Of these, some are situated in Staffordshire, and several 
 in Lancashire : but the chief are those at Droitwich in Worcester- 
 shire, and Northwich in Cheshire : about which last mentioned 
 place, there are many rich mines of fossil salt : above and beneath 
 the beds of which, the brine is commonly found. And when, as 
 frequently happens, the salt is, in a good measure, exhausted, 
 and the brine is so weak that it can no longer be wrought, to profit, 
 they then sink pits in other likely places, and seldom fail of 
 meeting with strong brine. There are also many brine springs 
 in other parts of the last mentioned county, as at Middle wich 
 and Nantwich. 
 
 " (Note.) Most of which are situated nigh the River Weever. 
 ' Sink on either side the said river for many miles, and you 
 will scarce miss of brine.' Lister's Obs. on the Midland 
 Salt Springs. 
 " That brine may be esteemed the strongest of which a pound 
 avoirdupoize yields six ounces of pure salt. The brine of Barton 
 in Lancashire, and of several pits at Northwich is nearly of this 
 strength, being almost fully saturated with salt. That of Droit- 
 wich, Upwich, and Middlewich, contains about a quarter of salt. 
 The brines of other springs at Northwich and Nantwich yield 
 a sixth, and that of Weston in Staffordshire only about a ninth 
 part of salt : in England they seldom boil a weaker brine alone 
 than that last mentioned : but in some parts of Germany, where 
 salt is very scarce, they extract it from water which is more 
 weakly impregnated with it than the marine waters. Brine 
 hath also commonly mixed with it a large quantity of a light 
 calcareous earth or scratch, exactly resembling that of sea- 
 water. It abounds in the Cheshire brine, and in all their salterns 
 
118 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 they collect it into scratch pans ; and once a week, or oftener, 
 pick off the stoney crust which adheres to their salt pans. It is 
 also found in the brine of the German salt springs. And it is 
 probably the peculiar excellency of the Droitwich brine to be 
 entirely free from any mixture of this earth. The brine of most 
 springs is also imbued with various kinds of salts. In boiling 
 the waters of German salt springs, there remains a ponderous 
 liquor which they call ' Mutter Soole,' or mother brine, resembles 
 the marine bittern, but seeming to partake more of the muriatic 
 calcarious, than bitter salt of sea-water, as may be concluded from 
 the experiments made thereon by Dr Fred Hoffmann. Most of 
 the mineral waters of England, which are impregnated with 
 bitter salt, do, with it, hold plenty of common salt. And we are 
 assured by Dr Leigh that those two salts are also found together 
 dissolved in the brine of Cheshire. . . . 
 
 " The ancient methods of boiling brine into salt in Cheshire 
 and Worcestershire are accurately described in the Acts of the 
 Royal Society : and the method formerly used in Staffordshire 
 is related in Dr Robert Plott's Natural History of that county. 
 The method now practised in those counties, agrees pretty well 
 with that used in Germany ; and as it differs in several par- 
 ticulars from the method of boiling sea salt, it is necessary here 
 to give a short account of it. 
 
 " The brine being received from the well into the cistern, is 
 from thence drawn as occasion requires, into the salt pan. These 
 pans are of the same form with those used in boiling sea salt ; 
 but less, usually holding about eight hundred gallons : and in 
 Cheshire are made of iron, but at Droitwich, of lead. 
 
 " (Note.) At Inn'thale in Tirol the iron pans in which they 
 boil their salt are forty eight feet long, 34 ft. broad, and 
 3 ft. deep. At Salins, they use iron pans of a round form, 
 28 ft. in diameter, and 15 inches deep. 
 
 " The salt pan being filled with brine, and the scratch pans 
 placed at its corners, the fire is kindled, and some blood from the 
 butcher's is dissolved in a little of the brine, and mixed with that 
 in the pan, in order to clarify it. 
 
 " The brine, as soon as it boils, is skinned : and afterwards 
 suffered to boil violently, till the salt begins to form in it. The 
 scratch is then all separated, and the fire being slackened, it is 
 suffered to subside : and when it hath fallen into the scratch 
 pans, they are then taken out of the salt pans. But when thev 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 119 
 
 boil brine of so great strength as to be almost fully saturated 
 with salt, they cannot conveniently clarify it, because that the 
 salt begins to granulate before the brine boils : in that case, 
 therefore, they must mix no blood with it, but boil it briskly 
 for a little time till all the calcarious earth and ochre are sepa- 
 rated : these mix with the salt then formed, and render it very 
 impure : which is therefore raked out and thrown away as useless. 
 And this they call the first clearing of the pan. 
 
 " (Note.) When the brine was weak, they formerly filled 
 up the pan two or three times with new brine, as in pre- 
 paring sea salt : but now they commonly heighten such 
 weak brine with rock salt. 
 " In either case, as soon as they have cleared the pan of scratch, 
 and other impurities, and have brought the brine to such a state 
 that the salt begins to crystallize in it, they then usually mix 
 with it ale, butter, and other additions or seasonings, which they 
 add with a design, either to correct some supposed faults of the 
 brine, or to make the salt of a smaller grain, or for other purposes. 
 These seasonings being well mixed with the brine, they boil it 
 very gently during the rest of the process : and when as much 
 salt is formed as will fill two or three of their large wicker baskets, 
 they then rake it to the side of the pan, and fill it out into the 
 baskets .... placing them over the leach trough, that the 
 leach brine may drain into it from the salt. The salt taken out, 
 they call it a draught of salt, and the operation, a clearing of the 
 pan. And in this manner they draw the salt, and clear the 
 pan, five or six times in each process : leaving at last only a few 
 quarts of brine at the bottom of the pan to keep it from burning. 
 The whole process usually lasts about 24 hours. The salt after 
 it hath drained for an hour or two in the baskets over the leach 
 troughs, is removed into the hot-house behind their furnace, 
 where it remains 4 or 5 hours, till thoroughly dried, and is then 
 taken out of the baskets, and laid up in the storehouse for sale. 
 " (Note.) And here it may be proper to take notice of Mr 
 Lowndes' laudable attempts for improving the English 
 brine salt. And as he hath lately been induced by parlia- 
 mentary encouragement to reveal his secret, I shall there- 
 fore here give his process in his own words." 
 
 Dr Brownrigg reproduces the first two paragraphs of Mr 
 Lowndes' paper, which will be found on pages 96 and 97 of 
 this volume, and continues : — 
 
120 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " This is Mr Lowndes' process : only he afterwards directs 
 cinders to be chiefly used in repairing the fires, the better to 
 preserve an equal heat : and by that means also proposes to 
 save a considerable part of the expense of fewel : asserting that 
 ' at the present, cinders are so little valued in Cheshire, as gener- 
 ally to be thrown into the highways.' Mr Lowndes informs ns 
 that in a pan of the size directed by him to be used, there may be 
 prepared at each process 2400 lbs. of his salt from the best 
 brine in Cheshire : and 1600 lbs. from the ordinary brine of 
 that county. Which, as the process continues above 5 days, is 
 little more than 5| bushels of salt every day, from the best brine, 
 and a little above 4 bushels a day from the ordinary brine. 
 
 " In all the English brine-salt works, the liquor called ' leach- 
 brine,' which drains from the salt in the baskets, or remains in the 
 salt pan after the process is finished, is not thrown away, as at 
 the German Salt Works, and in the process of boiling sea-salt : 
 but is constantly mixed with the next pan full of brine, and with 
 it boiled into salt. Besides the common salt prepared as before 
 related, at most of the English brine works, they make a salt 
 which is called shivery salt, being of a firmer and larger grain 
 than that prepared by the foregoing process, and also stronger 
 and more proper for preserving provisions. In preparing this 
 salt, they begin to work on Saturday night, proceeding exactly 
 as in the foregoing process, till the salt begins to form. But 
 as they draw no salt on Sunday, they therefore only keep a very 
 gentle fire under the pan all that day, and so grain the salt with 
 a much milder heat than at other times, taking out the shivery 
 salt all at one draught early on Monday morning. They have 
 also another kind of salt, made up like sugar loaves, in small 
 wicker baskets, and therefore called loaves of salt, or basket-salt : 
 which is greatly esteemed for table use, being the whitest salt, 
 and perfectly dry, and of the smallest grain. In preparing this 
 salt, some use rosin (as at the works at Droitwich) and other 
 additions to break the grain and make it small : and for the 
 same purpose others boil it very briskly, or keep constantly 
 stirring it whilst the salt is forming. But the method most 
 approved of in Cheshire, is to proceed exactly as related in the 
 process for preparing common brine salt, and for basket salt, to 
 take the second and third draughts, which are esteemed the 
 purest salt. These draughts they do not suffer to lie so lono- 
 in the pan as when they make salt of a larger grain, but take 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 121 
 
 them out before the salt can concrete into large crystals, and 
 by this means obtain a salt of fine small grain. This salt they 
 press down hard into small wicker baskets, and when it is suffici- 
 ently drained over the leach trough, remove it with the basket 
 into the hothouse : and after it hath been there well dried, carry 
 it into the storehouse, and keep it in the baskets for sale. . . ' 
 
 Mr Lowndes' Process was mainly concerned with the improve- 
 ment of the quality of the salt manufactured from Cheshire brine, 
 but in 1787 a German scientist named Chrysel published in 
 Leipsic a traatise upon the economical side of salt-making. This 
 pamphlet was entitled : — 
 
 Remarkable and very useful Information about the present 
 Salt Works and Salt pans in England, and how with the least 
 Fire and Coal the most Salt can be made and the greatest Profit 
 received such as in no other way can possibly happen ; which, 
 with great Industry and much Pains and Cost during fourteen 
 years, has been investigated and collected and is now brought 
 to light by Christoph Chrysel, first Inventor in England, under 
 whose Salt pans more than a third part of the coal is saved and 
 yet more Salt made than beforetime, and who in the use of the 
 same was graciously privileged by His Majesty from 1773. 
 (Received a patent for 14 years.) 
 
 Mr Chrysel explains that he was persuaded while in England 
 to attempt to make a ton of common salt for the consumption of 
 less than 15 cwts. of coal, which was the quantity required by 
 the method then in use, and after some experiments he convinced 
 himself that a saving of more than a third of the fuel might be 
 effected if the pans were placed in a different and more advanta- 
 geous way. He accordingly obtained a Eoyal Patent for his 
 improved method, which he demonstrated at Mr Richard Kent's 
 Salt Works at Bye Flat, near Northwich, in Cheshire. 
 
 The pan he experimented with had two furnaces with iron 
 doors, was 24 feet long, 15 feet broad and 13 inches deep, but only 
 filled with 12 inches of Brine. It had been set up in the usual 
 way ten years before, and had been continually worked. In order 
 now to determine how much coal would be consumed under this 
 pan in half a week, it was filled three times with brine and each 
 time boiled down in 24 hours, the salt taken out and thrown into 
 a heap in the storehouse and finally weighed. The two salt- 
 boilers were Mr Kent's own workmen. Mr Chrysel subsequently 
 
122 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 rearranged tie same pan on his improved, patented method 
 and the same two workmen repeated the operation. The coal 
 and salt in each experiment were weighed in the presence of all, 
 and their total amounts attested by Mr Kent's agent in the follow- 
 ing letter : — 
 
 " Bye Flat Salt Works near Northwich in Cheshire June 12, 
 1776. 
 
 In three " firings " of 2 Furnaces under a salt pan set up on 
 the old plan ten years ago and constantly worked till the present 
 time— 24 feet long : 15 feet broad and 12 inches deep— filled 
 with Brine three times in a half week, and boiled down each 
 time in 24 hours and the salt drawn out there was burnt 5J tons 
 of Coal and made 7 tons 31 bushels or 155J cwts. of salt. 
 
 " After the experiment the Patentee, Mr Christopher Chrysel, 
 set up the same pan on his improved Patent Method, and then in 
 three similar firings in half a week as before there was only burnt 
 3 tons 5 cwts. of coal and made 8 tons 2 cwts. or 162 cwts. of salt 
 = 2 tons 10 cwts. of salt per ton of fuel. 
 
 " This was all faithfully attested before me Thomas Bromfield 
 Mr Kent's Liverpool Agent on whose salt works both the preced- 
 ing experiments were made." 
 
 The conclusions Mr Chrysel derives from his experiments, and 
 his explanation of the saving accomplished, are described in the 
 following extracts from his pamphlet : — 
 
 " Besides this advantage, my new patent has further superi- 
 ority for it not only costs less and requires only two days to get 
 ready but can be alike adapted to little and great pans however 
 different in length and breadth they may be. The peculiar 
 nature of the same may easily be understood if one bears in 
 mind that Fireheat and smoke naturally hasten into the open 
 air and disappear. If however they are confined and shut up 
 in a furnace under a salt pan they still require an opening to 
 escape to the chimney, else the fire cannot burn and is extinguished. 
 If however the opening and place of exit into the draughts and 
 chimney is too large and wide as it is generally, and particularly 
 under salt pans, not only will the draught of Air cause Wood 
 and Coal to be more rapidly consumed and changed into Ashes 
 which will choke the fire but also the Fireheat and Smoke will, 
 by the draught of the air, hasten into the draughts and chimney , 
 and the bottom of the pan will hardly be touched and scarcely 
 half the work be done. On the contrary if the opening and 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 123 
 
 exit into the draughts and chimney has a proper proportion, 
 according to the different sizes of the Pans and to the requisite 
 Fire in the Furnace under the pan, the Fireheat and Smoke 
 ■will be longer contained under the pan and that, steadily coming 
 from the Furnace, will be increased and strengthened, so that 
 double work under the pan will result, and wood or coal will 
 not so rapidly be burnt to ashes but last longer and consequently 
 do more work. All that is required in this is to calculate the 
 mathematical proportion between the different sizes of the 
 pans, the Furnace and the Fires and between the opening and 
 Exit into the draughts and chimney, and to apply it. 
 
 " Before the above proof was made openly, nobody believed 
 in the anticipated saving but everybody doubted and some 
 secretly declared it to be impossible. After however the thing 
 was made known everybody on the contrary was in a state of 
 wonderment. In a short time wonder was changed into Envy, 
 ill will and malice, and many attempts were made to suppress 
 me and destroy my patent, althought it was not possible for any 
 one to point out any failures or errors. Meanwhile I had liberty 
 and opportunity to make myself acquainted with all the advant- 
 ages which are to be met with in the best English Salt Works, and 
 to accustom myself to the usages of Salt boiling and herein I 
 spared neither Industry, pain, Time nor cost, until I got at the 
 bottom of the particulars I sought, so that now my aim is to 
 continue and complete what I had commenced in my old patent. 
 
 " Before however explaining anything further I will remark 
 generally upon English salt and salt pans. 
 
 " One sort is Bay Salt made from Sea Water which being ex- 
 posed for some days in the open air to the sun and wind becomes 
 concentrated and forms a good Brine. This is put into iron pans 
 9 feet square and 9 inches deep and boiled and salt formed. 
 This work can only be carried on in May, June, July, August 
 and September of each year. Bay salt is rightly held to be the 
 best salt in England. It is not usually put in a warm place 
 called a stove to be dried ; but when it is taken out of the pan 
 and the Bittern drained from it, it is soon put into the Store 
 house in a heap and allowed to lie there where in a short time it 
 becomes perfectly dry. It is sold for 30 shillings per ton — not 
 reckoning the excise duty. 
 
 " Another sort is Refined Salt. The English iron red rock- 
 salt is dissolved either in sea water or in spring, brook or Rain 
 
124 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 water, then refined, skimmed, and finally boiled into a pure 
 white Salt. It is sold for 20 shillings per ton not reckoning 
 the duty. 
 
 " The third sort is the Fine Salt which is made out of the 
 Brine from the brine springs by continuous boiling for 16 or 17 
 hours and is a fine soft salt. It is put into a Hot house called a 
 Stover which is built behind every pan and is heated by the fire 
 from under the pan, where it remains till it is dry and ready for 
 sale. It is worth 17 shillings per ton without the duty. This salt 
 is not much esteemed in England and is only made at Droitwich 
 in Worcestershire where it is customary to dry the salt in stoves. 
 
 " The fourth sort is Broad Salt, that is to say Coarse Salt, 
 because it has larger crystals than the foregoing salt. It is made 
 more especially in Cheshire in every salt works. The Brine from 
 the Salt springs with a very gentle and moderate fire, in large 
 pans is heated for 24 hours when large hard crystals are formed. 
 It is drawn into Salt Tubs and allowed to remain on the sides of 
 the Pans for 8 or 9 hours then taken to the Storehouse and thrown 
 into a heap and allowed to lie until it is dry, which happens in a 
 few days. I have seen it sold in two or three days and taken 
 away. The price of this Salt at the works is 14 shillings per 
 ton without the duty. 
 
 " The fifth sort is Fishery or Flakey or Shivery salt. The 
 Brine is heated with a very gentle fire for 36 hours for half a 
 pan of brine or 72 hours for a full pan, when crystals of half an 
 inch and f inch cube are formed. This is sold at 20 shillings 
 per ton without the duty and is chiefly sent to the Newfoundland 
 Fishery without paying any duty, for all salt sold and shipped out 
 of England pays no duty. On the contrary all salt used in 
 England must pay a duty of Ten pounds per ton. 
 
 "It is useless to say anything more about the two first kinds 
 of salt because they cannot be made in Germany. And of the 
 three last I will only remark that there is no particular brine 
 required for each, but all are made from the same brine. The 
 difference is caused entirely by the different degrees of heat used 
 in the boiling and the length of time the salt is in the pan, also 
 by some contrivance which the salt boilers use, but which I have 
 not time nor space enough here to enter into. 
 
 " The salt pans which are at present in use in England are of 
 different sizes. They were not so at first but only cast iron 
 kettles, which at the most would only make about a cwt. of salt 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 125 
 
 at a time. See Dr Brownrigg's Art of Salt Making wherein he 
 also recommends a similar kettle. However these oast iron 
 kettles in being filled with cold brine often got damaged and 
 leaked. This forced the Salt Proprietors to introduce leaden 
 pans (instead of the kettles) which were longer and broader, held 
 more brine and made more salt. These last gave the first idea 
 to the Salt Proprietor that larger pans were better and cheaper 
 than the little kettles and pans. 
 
 " Lead is not a suitable metal for large Salt Pans so wrought 
 iron plates were substituted rivitted together by Smiths and 
 from time to time made longer, broader and larger, so that now 
 they have reached a wonderful and astonishing size. And 
 because a great many large pans are used in Cheshire and their 
 manufacture requires a long time, it has created a distinct branch 
 of blacksmiths called Pan Smiths who are a more skilful and 
 better labourers than ordinary smiths. 
 
 " And truly for a good durable large pan many things are 
 required : but here I have neither room nor time to speak of 
 them. 
 
 " I doubt not but that the most if not all of my esteemed readers 
 will have wondered about the pan mentioned in my experiments 
 at Bye Flat and will have considered it a very big pan. A pan 
 of 24 ft. long, 15 ft. broad, and 12 inches deep is reckoned only a 
 medium-sized one in England. Indeed I can with all truth say 
 that in England I have seen with my own eyes pans, 2, 3 or 4 
 times as big and have measured them with my own hands and 
 have proved each one designedly and have seen and marked and 
 have become persuaded that from large salt pans the greatest 
 advantage and the most noted cheapness in the manufacture of 
 salt depend and proceed. 
 
 " To prove these last and to fully convince the attentive reader 
 is now my intention. And to avoid all confusion and misunder- 
 standing I will sketch everything after the German condition, and 
 use German brine and German fuel so that everything will be the 
 better understood. 
 
 Calculating with a pan 8 ft. square and 9 in. deep with 
 one furnace — " Such as I have seen at Halle, and there are no 
 bigger in Germany that I have seen " — he shows that the weekly 
 cost of making 50 cwts. would be £2, 17s. 10d., the selling price 
 £10, Is. 10d., and the profit £7, 3s. 2d. Working 5 of these pans 
 for 5 weeks he makes the selling price for the 250 cwts. of salt, 
 
126 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 £50, 6s. lOd; the working cost £14, lis. 8d., and the profit 
 £35, 15s. 2d. " Taking the case of 5 similar pans brought together 
 and made into one, so that it will be like the former pan mentioned, 
 24 ft. long 15 ft. broad and 121 in. deep with 2 furnaces, set up 
 on my improved patent plan, and with exactly the same brine as 
 at Halle, boiled into salt during 5 weeks," he assumes the pan 
 would hold 375 cubic feet containing 12J lbs. of salt per cubic foot, 
 and calculates the weekly production at 255 cwts. 17 lbs., the 
 cost, £8, lis. 8d., the selling price, £51, 7s. Id., and the profit, 
 £42, 15s. 5d. " The little pan gives in 5 weeks a clear profit of 
 £35, 15s. 2d. The pan compounded out of 5 small ones on the con- 
 trary returned £42, 15s. 5d. in one week, which is £7, 0s. 3d. more 
 and 4 whole weeks saved, which is no small advantage." 
 
 " Might not this calculation suggest that the compounding 
 of two or three of the pans, 24 ft. long 15 ft. broad and 12J inches 
 deep, already compounded out of five smaller ones, would still 
 more greatly increase the profit. There would be nothing new 
 in doing this ; for many persons in England have not only had 
 the same idea, but have carried it out and shown it to the world. 
 In truth I have seen with my own eyes astonishingly big pans in 
 England and have measured them with my own hands and 
 ascertained exactly how much coal every week was burnt under 
 each of them and how much salt made. These great pans are 
 not only remarkable curiosities, but they are also teachers of new 
 and great truths, which beforetime nobody would have conceived 
 or discovered and which would have always remained hidden. 
 For this reason these pans rightly should be observed with care 
 and attention. 
 
 " In the first place I will describe these wonderful pans shortly. 
 
 " The first pan is 36 feet long, 25 feet broad and 13 inches deep 
 and holds at one time 975 cubic feet of brine and has three furnaces. 
 
 " The second pan is 40 ft. long, 27 feet broad and 13 inches 
 deep, and holds at one time 1170 cubic feet of Brine and has 
 3 Fireplaces. Both these large pans are still to be seen in England 
 on the Baron's Quay Salt works near Northwich in Cheshire, 
 where they are worked weekly and were built more than 4 years 
 since. 
 
 " The third pan and the largest of all I saw at Droit wich in 
 Worcestershire, where it had been put up 20 years ago and had 
 been worked. It was 52 feet long, 26 feet broad and 13 inches 
 deep and held at one time 1464 cubic feet of Brine. Because 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 127 
 
 however this became very ruinous and was impossible of im- 
 provement it had been abandoned for over 9 years. There are 
 still numerous persons living in Droitwich and the neighbourhood 
 who have seen these pans and can testify to their existence. 
 
 " I will also give what the experiments with these pans have 
 proved. 
 
 " The first — 36 by 25 feet and 13 inches deep holding 975 cubic 
 feet of Brine — burnt in 3 Furnaces in one week 12 tons of coal 
 and made 32 tons 2 cwts. of salt. 
 
 " The second— 40 by 27 ft. and 13 inches deep holding 1170 
 cubic feet of brine — burnt in 3 Furnaces in a week 15 tons 18 cwts. 
 of coal and made 34J tons of salt. 
 
 " The third— 52 by 26 feet and 13 inches deep holding 1464 
 cubic feet of Brine — burnt in one week, 24 tons of coal and made 
 62 tons of salt. 
 
 Mr Chrysel proceeds to show that these three large pans are 
 equal in capacity to 9f average pans, 24 ft. long 15 ft. broad and 
 12 in. deep, which would be worked by 16 furnaces in place 
 of 10 furnaces used for boiling the three large ones and would 
 consume 52 tons of fuel as against 106 tons. 
 
 " These three large pans," he continues " are thus made three 
 irrefutable witnesses of several very remarkable new truths, 
 which until now were wholly unknown, and without these same 
 three witnesses must have remained unknown in future. Now, 
 however, being clearly placed before the eyes they will, of course, 
 be observed with all due attention. It is certainly a remarkable 
 truth that the Fire heat and smoke, out of 2 and 3 furnaces under 
 long and broad salt pans, 36, 40 and 52 feet long, are able to boil 
 the large pans filled with brine. Who, beforehand could have 
 thought, known or believed this, and have had the courage to 
 say so openly without fearing contradiction? Now, however, it 
 is, by three great witnesses, proved and confirmed. 
 
 " Further, it is a remarkable and very useful truth that these 
 great broad pans with 2 and 3 Furnaces, are able, in 24 hours, to 
 boil the brine into salt. Really it would seem to be much more 
 probable that an average pan with 2 furnaces and filled with 
 360 cubic feet of brine would boil brine to salt in a shorter time 
 than one great pan, made of three or four average pans containing 
 900 or even 1400 cubic feet of brine. And if the first required 
 24 hours one would believe, that the latter would require 36, 40, 
 or 52 hours at least. This would more easily meet with general 
 
128 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 approval. But such a conclusion is contradicted, by the above 
 three witnesses and completely overthrown : on the contrary the 
 witnesses prove that Pans 24, 36, 40 and 52 feet long will make 
 salt in the same period of 24 hours. A testimony which they, 
 in deed and truth, lay before all eyes ! . . . . 
 
 " Up to now nobody, to my knowledge, has proved what length, 
 breadth and depth of pan is calculated to make the most salt 
 with the least consumption of coal. Consequently everywhere are 
 to be found many different pans and other varieties are continually 
 being tested. And I myself cannot feel that I am capable of 
 deciding the question, nevertheless I will, from my experience 
 and conscientious conviction, say what I consider is the best, 
 cheapest and most reliable pan for this purpose. 
 
 " I have for a long time sought after this, enquired in numerous 
 saltworks, observed all Salt pans, and have come to the con- 
 clusion that a single pan — 26 feet long 18 feet broad and 12 
 inches deep with 2 Furnaces in a roomy saltworks with sufficient 
 room for the workman and baskets on both sides of the pan — 
 is to be preferred to all others in use. And I am perfectly sure, 
 that if all the salt boilers in England, and particularly in Cheshire 
 where the salt works employ more than 200 salt boilers, were 
 asked their opinion they would all unanimously agree with my 
 conclusion." 
 
 But even this excellent size is capable of improvement, and, as 
 the result of ChrysePs studies, this is effected by increasing the 
 length of the pan without altering the breadth. His ultimate 
 conclusion is that a pan 52 ft. long, 18 ft. broad, 1 ft. deep, with 
 a capacity of 936 cubic feet of brine, equipped with 2 furnaces, 
 producing 638 T -y cwts. of salt per week at a cost of £10, 5s. 6d. for 
 fuel, selling for £127, 15s. 6d. and showing a clear profit of 
 £117, 10s. is the perfect article. 
 
 Mr Chrysel advocates the removal of the warm chamber or 
 stove as unnecessary, works out the cost of making salt in his 
 perfect pan at 8Jd. per cwt. and concludes : — 
 
 " If the information herein contained is insufficient and further 
 details are desired by one or another with all due fidelity, I beo- 
 of them to drop me a line by post free to Leipsic and I promise 
 faithfully to send them an answer to the best of my knowledge 
 and information." 
 
 It may be mentioned, in dismissing the old German experi- 
 menter, that improvements have been introduced into the manu- 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 129 
 
 facture of salt since 1787, but that even by the old open pan system 
 of which he writes, it is now only possible to produce 1| tons of 
 salt from the combustion of 1 ton of coal 
 
 The treatise of Mr Lowndes and the views of Dr Brownrigg, 
 the question of the comparative merits of salt made from sea- 
 water and brine, the subject of the fuel used in making salt and a 
 full account of the manufacture as it was practised in 1808 is 
 included in a pamphlet entitled 
 
 '• THE PRODUCTION OF SALT BRINE " 
 by Henry Holland 
 
 from which I extract the following interesting and authoritative 
 passages : — 
 
 " The pans used in Cheshire, for the evaporating of the brine, 
 are now made of wrought iron. The dimensions of these vary 
 very much ; but in general, those of modern erection are con- 
 siderably larger than what were in use a few years ago ; and 
 they usually contain from 600 to 800 superficial feet. One or 
 two pans of still larger dimensions have been erected, containing 
 each nearly 1000 feet. Their usual form is that of an oblong 
 square, and their depth from 12 to 16 inches. To a pan contain- 
 ing 6 to 800 superficial feet, there are usually three furnaces, 
 from six and a half to seven feet long, and 20 to 24 inches wide. 
 The grates are from two and a half to three feet from the bottom 
 of the pan. The furnace-doors are single, and there are no doors 
 to the ash-pits. 
 
 " The different pans are usually partitioned out from each 
 other, and there is a separate pan-house to each pan. Within 
 this pan-house, at one end is the coal-hole ; the chimney occupies 
 the other end, there is a walk along the two remaining sides of 
 the pan, five or six feet wide ; and between these walks and the 
 sides of the pan-house, which are generally of wood, long benches 
 four or five feet wide, are fixed, on which the salt is placed in 
 conical baskets to drain, after it has been taken out of the pan ; 
 a wooden or slated roof is placed over the pan-house, with 
 louvres to allow the steam to pass freely out. 
 
 " After the brine has been drawn from the cistern into the 
 evaporating pan, the process of the manufacture is varied, accord- 
 ing to the state in which it is wished to have the salt procured, 
 and the uses to which it is intended to be applied. . . . 
 
130 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " The manufacture is conducted in several different ways, or 
 rather heat is applied in various degrees, to effect the evaporation 
 of the water of solution ; and according to these different degrees 
 of heat, the product is the stoved or lump salt ; common salt ; 
 the large grained flaky ; and large grained or fishery salt. 
 
 " In making the stoved or lump salt as it is called, the brine 
 is brought to a boiling heat ; which in brine fully saturated is 
 226 degrees of Fahrenheit. Crystals of muriate of soda are soon 
 formed on the surface ; and almost immediately, by the agitation 
 of the brine, subside to the bottom of the pan. If taken out, 
 each of them appears, at first sight, to be granular or a little 
 flaky ; but if more accurately examined, it is found to approach 
 to the form of a little quadrangular, though somewhat irregular, 
 pyramid. The boiling heat is continued through the whole 
 process ; and, as the evaporation proceeds, similar little crystals 
 continue to form themselves, and to fall to the bottom of the 
 pan. At the end of twelve hours, the greatest part of the water 
 or solution is found to be evaporated ; so much only being left 
 as is sufficient to cover the salt and the bottom of the pan. The 
 fires are then slackened, and the salt is drawn to the sides of the 
 pan with iron rakes. The waller then places a conical wicker 
 basket, or barrow as it is called, within the pan, and having filled 
 this with salt, by means of a little wooden spade, he suffers the 
 brine to drain from it for a short time into the pan ; and then 
 carries it to one of the benches, at the side of the pan-house, 
 where the draining is completed. It is afterwards dried in stoves, 
 heated by a continuation of the same flues which have passed 
 under the evaporating pan, and is reckoned to lose in this about 
 one seventh of its weight. In making this salt the pan is twice 
 filled in the course of twenty-four hours. 
 
 " On the first application of heat, if the brine contains any 
 carbonate of lime, the acid may be observed to quit the lime, 
 and this being no longer held in solution, is either thrown up to 
 the surface, as the ebullition takes place, along with the earthy or 
 feculent contents of the brine, whence it is removed by skimmers ; 
 or it subsides to the bottom of the pan, along with the salt first 
 formed, and with some portion of the sulphate of lime, and is 
 raked out in the early part of the process. These two operations 
 are called clearing the pan ; some of the brines scarcely require 
 them at all, and others only occasionally. 
 
 " In making the common salt, the brine is first brought to a 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 131 
 
 boiling heat, as in making the stoved salt ; with the double view 
 of bringing it as soon as possible to a state of perfect saturation, 
 and of more readily clearing from it any earthy contents. When 
 these purposes have been effected, the fires are slackened, and 
 the crystallization is carried on with the brine heated to 160 or 
 170 degrees of Fahrenheit. The salt formed in this process is in 
 quadrangular pyramids or hoppers, close and compact in their 
 texture, frequently clustered together, and larger or smaller 
 according to the degree of heat which has been applied. Little 
 cubical crystals will often be intermixed with, and attached to 
 these. The remainder of the process is similar to that of the 
 stoved salt, except that after draining in the baskets, it is imme- 
 diately carried into the store-house and not afterwards exposed 
 to heat. The pan is filled only once in 24 hours in making this 
 salt. 
 
 " The large grained flaky salt is made with an evaporation 
 conducted at the heat of 130 or 140 degrees. The salt formed in 
 this process is somewhat harder than the common salt, and 
 approaches nearer to the natural form of the crystals of muriate 
 of soda. The pan is filled once in 48 hours. As salt of this grain 
 is often made by slackening the fires betwixt Saturday and 
 Monday, and allowing the crystallization to proceed more slowly 
 on the intermediate day, it has got the name of Sunday salt. 
 
 " To make the large grained or fishery salt the brine is brought 
 to a heat from 100 to 110 of Fahrenheit ; and at this heat, the 
 evaporation of the water, and the crystallization of the salt, 
 proceed. No agitation is produced by it on the brine ; and the 
 slowness of the evaporation allows the muriate of soda to form 
 in large cubical crystals, seldom however quite perfect ; with 
 this heat it takes five or six days to evaporate the water of 
 solution. 
 
 " In the course of these several processes various additions 
 are often made to the brine, with the view of promoting the 
 separation of any earthy mixture, or the more ready crystalliza- 
 tion of the salt. These additions vary in different works ; 
 and many of them seem to have been made from particular, 
 and often ill-founded prejudices ; and without any exact idea 
 as to their probable effects. The principal additions which 
 have at various times been made are, acids; animal jelly and 
 gluten ; vegetable mucilage ; new or stale ale ; wheat-flour ; 
 resin ; butter ; and alum. 
 
132 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Acids have not been much used at any time in Cheshire, as 
 an addition to the brine ; and it is extremely doubtful whether 
 any good effects arise from their use. The Dutch were long 
 famous for their skill in the art of preparing salt ; and when it 
 became known that they were accustomed, during the crystalliza- 
 tion of the salt, to add to their brine a quantity of whey, kept 
 several years till it became extremely sour, the superiority of 
 their salt was supposed to be owing to this addition. It was 
 imagined that, during the boiling of the brine, a certain portion 
 of the muriatic acid was dissipated by the heat, and that the 
 acid of the whey united itself with the uncombined alkali, and 
 prevented the excess of it from injuring the quality of the salt. 
 There seems reason to believe that this opinion was not well- 
 founded ; and that the superiority of the Dutch salt was owing 
 solely to the gentle fires with which they carried on the evapora- 
 tion and not to the acid added to the brine. This addition is 
 now never made at any of the works in Cheshire. 
 
 " Animal jelly and gluten have been much used for clearing 
 the brine, and promoting the separation of the earthy contents. 
 The application of these to the same purpose in wine and other 
 fermented liquor, and their effect in freeing these from any 
 feculent matter contained in them, is well known ; and they 
 seem to have a similar mode of action when added to brine. 
 The substances of this kind which have been used are blood ; 
 white of eggs ; glue ; and calves' or Cows' feet. Blood has been 
 long used as an addition to brine for the purpose of clarifying 
 it. . . . It is still occasionally used at some of the salt works 
 in Cheshire, and when fresh, is found highly useful ; but the 
 difficulty of procuring it in the quantity wanted, and of keeping 
 it without putrefaction, are objections to its general use. Whites 
 of eggs have been frequently added to the brine for the same 
 purpose as blood. . . Glue is frequently used for clearing the 
 brine, and is found to answer the purpose perfectly well ; and 
 this is the only substance used at many works. The addition 
 most frequently made to the brine for assisting in clearing it, 
 is the jelly procured by boiling cows' or calves' feet. The con- 
 sumption of these at some of the works is very considerable. 
 They are salted, dried, and laid up ready for using. When 
 wanted, they are either boiled in a separate pan, and the broth 
 carried to the evaporating pan ; or a stew-pot is placed in one 
 of the corners of the evaporating pan, and the feet being put 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 
 
 133 
 
134 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 into this, the jelly is extracted from them by the heat of the 
 brine in the pan, and is added as the waller sees occasion. 
 Vegetable mucilage, as that of linseed, has been occasionally used 
 for clearing the brine, and has been found to produce the same 
 effect as animal jelly ; but an inconvenience attends the use of it 
 in the large way ; it becomes putrid soon after it is prepared, 
 and then loses its mucilaginous quality. It seems probable 
 that new or stale ale, which were long used as additions to the 
 brine for clarifying it, could have effect only as they contained 
 a certain proportion of vegetable mucilage. The spirit in the 
 ale would soon be evaporated ; and there is reason to think 
 that any acid contained in it would be of no use, as was mentioned 
 in speaking of the acid whey. Neither this, nor beer grounds, 
 which were formerly much used, are now employed in Cheshire. 
 Wheat-flour and resin have each been occasionally added to 
 brine, where the manufacturer has wished to produce a salt of 
 small grain. The mucilage extracted from the flour may have 
 some effect in separating the earthy parts of the brine, but it is 
 probable that these additions act mechanically, and by the 
 interposition of their small particles betwixt the minute crystals 
 of salt may prevent the cohesion of these, and thus keep the grain 
 small. These additions are rarely made in Cheshire. 
 
 " Butter or some other oily substance is very generally added 
 to brine during the evaporating process, and after the clearing 
 has been made, to assist the granulation of the salt, and to make 
 the brine ' work more kindly.' Dr Brownrigg seems to think it 
 produces no good effect, and that ' the salt-boilers have little 
 to plead in its favour, besides immemorial custom.' This 
 opinion of his appears not to have been well founded ; and the 
 experience of the wallers leaves little room for doubting that the 
 addition of the butter enables the salt to crystallize more readily. 
 While the evaporating process is going on, it frequently happens 
 that an adhesion takes place betwixt the sides of the little crystals 
 of salt, which form on its surface ; and that, instead of falling 
 to the bottom of the pan, these adhere together, producing a kind 
 of incrustation to a considerable extent on the surface of the 
 brine, which prevents the evaporation from going on regularly, 
 and by confining the steam occasions the brine underneath to 
 acquire too much heat. When a crust of this kind forms, the salt 
 boilers say that ' the pan is set over ' : it is somewhat raised 
 above the surface of the brine, is usually of an opaque whiteness 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 135 
 
 and has lost a large part of its water of crystallization. The 
 great use of butter seems to be to prevent the pan from ' setting 
 over.' If a very small portion of this or any other oily substance 
 is added to the brine in one of the largest pans, it may be seen in 
 a very few minutes to diffuse itself over the whole surface and 
 in its progress to occasion any crust, which may have been formed 
 on the brine, to subside to the bottom of the pan. At the same 
 time a great steam is observed to rise ; the superabundant heat 
 is carried off ; and the crystallization afterwards proceeds with 
 regularity. 
 
 " The salt boilers have long been in the habit of adding alum 
 to their brine, when they wished to procure a hard firm salt, of 
 large grain. From Mr Lowndes' account of his process, in his 
 treatise entitled ' Brine salt improved ' it appears that he 
 considered the addition of this, as his greatest improvement ; and 
 to it he ascribed the supposed superiority of his salt, as it gave it 
 a proper hardness. Dr Brownrigg on the other hand, remarks 
 ' that the grains of salt will alway be sufficiently firm and hard, 
 of their natural figure and of a large size, if formed by a gentle 
 heat so that the goodness of Mr Lowndes' salt does not seem 
 to be owing to the alum with which it is mixed, but may be 
 attributed chiefly to the gentle heat, used in the preparation.' 
 Notwithstanding the opinion which Dr Brownrigg entertained 
 on this subject, the addition of alum does appear to assist in 
 promoting the crystallization of the salt in large grains ; but in 
 what manner its effects are produced, I am unable to ascertain. 
 According to Fourcroy a double decomposition of the sulphate of 
 alumine, and muriate of soda, would take place on mixing a 
 solution of these salts ; but this affords no explanation of the 
 effect which all the workmen of whom I have made enquiry, 
 agree that alum produces ; since only three or four pounds of 
 alum are added to a quantity of brine capable of yielding as 
 many tons of muriate of soda. 
 
 " By the application of heat and the assistance of the different 
 additions which have been mentioned, a large proportion of the 
 carbonates of lime and of iron, if any are contained in the brines, 
 is separated and cleared out. Some part of these is still left in 
 the pan, and as the evaporation proceeds, subsiding to the bottom, 
 together with the sulphate of lime, they form an incrustation 
 there, called by the workmen fan-scratch or scale ; which gradu- 
 ally accumulating along with such portion of the muriate of 
 
136 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 soda, as is mixed with them, it becomes necessary to remove 
 from the pan, every three or four weeks, by picking ; an operation 
 consisting in the separation of this scale from the pan, by heavy 
 blows with sharp iron picks. 
 
 " We have remarked that the salt formed from the same brine, 
 by the application of different degrees of heat, varies very much 
 in external appearance ; and it has been generally imagined 
 that the salts produced by these variations in the process of the 
 manufacture, were equally different from each other in their 
 component parts, and in their qualities, as in outward form. It 
 has also been the prevailing opinion, that any salt formed from 
 natural brine was inferior in its power of preserving animal flesh 
 from putrefaction to bay salt, or the salt procured from sea 
 water. It is of much importance to ascertain, how far the ideas 
 which have been formed on these different points, are well founded ; 
 that if they owe their origin to groundless prejudices, these may 
 be removed ; that if on the contrary, there is any foundation 
 for them the causes of the difference in the quality of the salt 
 made from the brine, and those of the inferiority of the salt 
 made from natural brine, to that from sea water, may be 
 ascertained." 
 
 Holland proceeds at much length to prove by quotation and 
 experiment that such ideas are entirely unfounded. He quotes 
 Macquer's conclusion that " pure muriate of soda is absolutely 
 unalterable by fire," and demonstrates by experiments that " no 
 portion of the muriatic acid is dissipated, even by a much greater 
 heat than that of boiling brine." By further experiments he 
 shows that " the proportion of earthy contents, even in the salt 
 prepared by a boiling heat, is extremely inconsiderable ; and 
 much too small to have any influence in affecting its power of 
 preserving animal flesh and provisions." By re-dissolving in 
 water portions of stoved salt, or salt prepared by a boiling heat, 
 and large grained salt, or that prepared by a low degree of heat, 
 he finds that the component parts of these two salts are the same ; 
 their only difference is in outward form and in the hardness and 
 compactness of their crystals. But though differing little in 
 purity, their difference in form and compactness renders each 
 more peculiarly fitted for different purposes. For table use, the 
 salting of butter, and other domestic uses, the smallness of the 
 grain of salt prepared by a boiling heat makes it preferable, 
 while for the packing of fish and provisions it is neither so adapt- 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 137 
 
 able as large-grained fishery salt, nor does it preserve them equally 
 well from putrefaction. This, however, arises from no want of 
 purity in the salt but from the smallness of its grain and its want 
 of hardness and compactness. Mr Holland proceeds to show 
 that the action of bay salt is exactly similar to that of the large- 
 grained salt, and that neither variety has any advantage over 
 the salt prepared by a boiling heat except in the size and com- 
 pactness of its crystals and in its containing a somewhat smaller 
 proportion of the water of crystallisation ; and as the large-grained 
 fishery salt in more than equal to the bay salt in these important 
 points, it at least equals the latter in its power of preserving 
 animal flesh or provisions. 
 
 Turning from experiments to experience on a large scale, 
 Holland cites the Navy Office at Deptford, where the large-grained 
 salt, manufactured in Britain from natural-brine springs, had 
 for several years been the only salt used for packing provisions, 
 after they had been first salted with common salt, or that pre- 
 pared by a heat of 180 degrees. Though these provisions had 
 been afterwards carried to the hottest climes, the strength and 
 purity of the salt used in preserving them had never been called 
 in question. The provisions had kept perfectly well, and it had 
 never been doubted that the salt there used was in every respect 
 equal to the St Ube's salt or to any other salt prepared from 
 sea water by the natural heat of the sun. 
 
 Holland concludes his interesting and instructive article with the 
 following note upon the fuel used in making salt : " The progress 
 of improvement in any art, especially in the early and unlettered 
 ages, has usually been made by slow and gradual advances. 
 Simple as the process of making salt from brine, by the application 
 of heat to an evaporating vessel, now appears, it was long before 
 the manufacture attained this degree of perfection. The rude 
 mode of preparing it consisted only in pouring the brine upon 
 burning wood, for which the oak and the hazel were preferred, 
 and then collecting the salt deposited upon the ashes of the 
 wood. When evaporating vessels were at length brought into 
 use, wood was the only fuel employed to effect the evaporation. 
 Camden, speaking of the salt-works at Droitwich, says, ' What 
 a prodigious quantity of wood these salt-works consume though 
 men be silent, yet Feckenham forest, once very thick with trees, 
 and the neighbouring woods will by their thinness declare daily 
 more and more.' King published the ' Vale Royal ' m 1656 ; and 
 
138 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 it appears from his account, that wood continued to be the fuel 
 at that time most used at the Cheshire salt-works, and that a 
 general preference was given to it. Coal, however, began to be 
 employed at or about that period, and the work mentions, as a 
 new and singular circumstance, that it had been substituted for 
 wood at some recently erected salt-works above Namptwich. 
 
 " The considerable extension which has taken place during 
 the last century in the manufacture of salt in Cheshire, has been 
 necessarily accompanied with a proportionate demand for fuel, 
 and the use of wood, of which it would have been impossible 
 to have found a supply at all adequate to the consumption of 
 the different salt-works, is now entirely discontinued, and coal 
 substituted for it. 
 
 " At Winsford, Northwich, Anderton and all the works con- 
 tiguous to the Weaver, the supply of coal is obtained from the 
 collieries in the southern part of Lancashire, in the neighbour- 
 hood of St Helens. The flats which convey the salt from the 
 different works down to Liverpool, after discharging their cargoes 
 there, return up the Mersey to the Sankey canal, where thev 
 procure a loading of coal for back freight. The price of the coal 
 at the pits has been considerably increased within the last few 
 years ; and including the different subsequent expenses from 
 tonnage, freight, etc. the cost of it laid down at the salt-works is 
 from 13s. to Ms. per ton. 
 
 " The importance of having a supply of this article convenient 
 of access, and moderate in price, may be conceived from a state- 
 ment of the quantity annually brought up the Weaver, for the 
 supply of the works in its immediate neighbourhood. Taking 
 the average of the last ten years, ending April 5th 1806, 1 find that 
 57,780 tons have been brought up to Northwich, Anderton and 
 Witton ; and 30,860 to Winsford, making a total annual average 
 of 88,640 tons. The last of these ten years, the quantity brought 
 up exceeded that of any former year. To Northwich, Anderton 
 and Witton it amounted to 70,580 tons, and to Winsford to 
 36,460 tons, making a total of 107,040 tons. 
 
 " The entire quantity of coal thus conveyed up the Weaver it 
 is true, is not consumed in the manufacture of salt, a small pro- 
 portion of it being applied to domestic purposes at Northwich, 
 Winsford and their neighbourhood ; but this cannot amount to 
 a tenth part of the whole consumption, probably much less. 
 The remainder is used in the manufacture of salt. 
 
SALT AND SALT-MAKING 
 
 139 
 
140 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " The proprietors of the salt-works at Lawton, Eoughwood, 
 Wheelook, and Middlewich, which are situated near the Stafford- 
 shire canal, find it more convenient to procure their supply of 
 coal from the collieries in Staffordshire, and they have it laid 
 down nearly on the same terms at which it is procured for the 
 other works out of Lancashire." 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 
 
 The rock-salt of Cheshire is not found spread over enormous 
 areas like coal, but in small isolated districts, occupying the 
 lower portions of the old salt lakes of the Triassic period. It has 
 not been much disturbed since the period of its deposition, and 
 in consequence lies nearly level. The Weaver, which was made 
 navigable in 1721, is the most important stream in the county, 
 for the Mersey merely runs along the boundary, and the Dee 
 only drains one small corner. Considerably more than one-half 
 of Cheshire is drained by the Weaver and its tributaries, and it 
 is in the valleys of the Weaver and Wheelock that the salt district 
 lies. Traces of brine have been perceived as near the source of 
 the Weaver as Bickley and Baddily, as well as at Brine Pits 
 Farm between Audlem and Nantwich, but it is not until the 
 latter place is reached that any important body of brine is met 
 with. Nantwich was at one time the most important salt-pro- 
 ducing town in Cheshire, and its reputation survived the abandon- 
 ment of its manufacture. Nantwich, which is easily confused 
 with Northwich, was long referred to by writers as the salt town of 
 Cheshire, and so careful an author as Charles Kingsley, in his 
 letters on geological subjects, completely misrepresented the 
 nature of the salt formations from this cause. Writing on the 
 subject in 1873, Kingsley said : " Those vast deposits of rock-salt 
 have been long worked, and worked to such good purpose, that a 
 vast subsidence of land has just taken place near Nantwich in 
 Cheshire, and serious fears are entertained lest the town itself 
 may subside, to fill up the caverns below, from whence the salt 
 has been quarried." The subsidence, firstly, was not near 
 Nantwich ; secondly, it was not caused by the working of the 
 rock-salt ; thirdly, it did not cause fears to be entertained lest 
 the town itself should subside — seeing that the subsidence was 
 five miles from Northwich, farther from Nantwich, and two miles 
 from Winsford— and, lastly, rock-salt is not quarried under the 
 town of Northwich, though it is to a slight extent in Witton. 
 In 1670 a rock of natural salt was discovered on the Marbury 
 
142 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Estate about one mile to the north of Northwich, and the event is 
 communicated to the publisher of the " Philosophical Transac- 
 tions " of the Royal Society by Mr Adam Martindale of Rotherton 
 (Rostherna), in a letter dated December 12th 1670. In this letter 
 
 Sketch Plan of the 
 Salt Districts or Cheshire. 
 
 he says : " A gentleman of good account and reputation assures 
 me that in our county there is lately found out a great rarity, 
 viz. : a rock of natural salt, from which issues a vigorous sharp 
 brine beyond any of the springs made use of in our salt works, 
 and this not nigh to any river or great brook, as all our salt springs 
 in the county are." Mr Martindale goes on to say that he thinks 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 
 
 143 
 
 oxfoy 
 
 ovou 
 
 the information may be interesting to the Koyal Society, and 
 that if it is wished he will " view the place and enquire after 
 the circumstances and communicate 
 them." He was asked to visit the 
 place and report to the Society. He 
 did this, and wrote as follows: "I noj.mv-i\> 
 am just now returned from visiting 
 and viewing the salt works, and found 
 things according to my friend's rela- 
 tion, only whereas I understood him 
 that no running water came near it, I 
 now perceive that he spoke of none 
 that was considerable or none that 
 might annoy it, for there runs near it, 
 at least in the winter season, a small 
 rindle or gutter rather, but it is wholly 
 free from all danger of overflowing 
 which threatens all other salt pits in 
 this county through the vicinity of 
 rivers. 
 
 " The rock of salt, by the relation 
 of the workmen, is between 33 and 
 34 yards distant from the surface of 
 the earth, about 30 whereof are already 
 digged, and they hope to be at the 
 Flagg which covers the salt rock about 
 three weeks hence. 
 
 " I doubt it will be several weeks 
 before I can accommodate you with 
 a parcel of it, that which the augur 
 brought up being long since disposed 
 of. The overseer hath promised to 
 furnish me with a piece of the rock for 
 your use. 
 
 " That piece of natural salt which 
 the instrument brought up (divers 
 saw it, a pure ore) was as hard as alum 
 and as pure. The first discoverer of 
 it was one John Jackson of Halton, about Lady Day last, as he 
 was searching for coals on behalf of the Lord of the Soil (or Manor 
 I should say), William Marbury, of Marbury, Esquire." 
 
144 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 '' This is all I can at present serve you in, only I am consulting 
 diligent and experienced persons concerning the practice of the 
 Agriculture of this County and I hope ere long to give you such an 
 account, as I ever thought I cannot hope to discover anything 
 
 NORTHWICH. 
 
 Brown Clay — 18.0 
 Marl and Gypsam-105 o 
 Ordnance Datum 
 
 Brine Level- 
 
 Rock Salt 
 
 (Top Bed) — 84.0 
 
 'Jpper Blue Marlstone - - So 
 
 Broirn Marl -7'0 
 
 Loner Blue Marlstone S'O 
 
 Marl and RockSa.lt ie'0 
 
 Rock Salt 
 
 (Bottom Bed) — 84'd 
 
 Marlstones cznd 
 thin veins of 
 Rock Salt 83 '6 
 
 Marlsiones ana 
 Thin veins of 
 Rock Salt Bl'.Q 
 
 
 Rock Soilt- 
 Marlstone — 
 
 — 6.0 
 
 - /8<t. 
 
 O/ckensen Section 
 
 881 P. 56 
 
 zm^m 
 
 
 tlXi-^l.; 
 
 84 
 
 4- 
 
 WINSFORD. 
 
 4 
 
 l: ;jyjT,L7^- 
 
 
 
 wsmsm 
 
 S^A"-'':"-.^. 
 
 '_■>:■: fi 
 
 
 6'.0"- Soil 
 
 zi'o" Mart 
 
 Ordnance Datum 
 
 lG4'o~Marl and Gypsum. 
 -Brine Level 
 
 -The Flag 
 
 -Rock Salt 
 (Top Bed) 
 
 3G'o"—MaH and 
 
 Marlstone 
 
 izt.'o—ftock Salt 
 
 (Bottom Bed) 
 
 ^6'6-Rock Salt 
 IZ' 3- Mar I stones 
 5'o-Ftock Salt 
 
 7. 0" 
 lO'.O" 
 
 worth the notice of that truly Royal Society. It will be enough, 
 to satisfy my ambition if I may be continued in your thoughts as 
 a well wisher to such persons and designs." 
 
 The Cheshire salt-beds lie in the Keuper marls, though they are 
 not co-extensive with these marls. The red or Triassic marls of 
 Cheshire lie in a kind of basin comparable with an elongated 
 saucer with its longest axis lying in a nearly north and south 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 145 
 
 direction. The best-known and most important beds of rock- 
 salt are about the centre of this basin, in the neighbourhoods 
 of Northwich and Winsford. At Lawton, in the south-east corner 
 of the basin, beds of rock-salt are found at a considerable height 
 above sea-level, the lowest of which has been bored to a depth 
 of 70 feet without penetrating its entire thickness. At Northwich 
 and Winsford the rock-salt lies below the level of the sea. The 
 Keuper marls of Cheshire are covered by drift. The clays, 
 gravels, and sands of the drift are very much mixed up ; and the 
 clay is full of boulders of granite and various kinds of stone, many 
 of the softer kinds being deeply ice-marked or scratched. 
 
 The two beds of rock-salt thus proved at Marston were each 
 from 28 to 30 yards in thickness, divided from each other by 
 10 or 11 yards of marl and marlstone. The bottom part of the 
 lower bed was found to be uniformly the best quality, and, being- 
 most advantageous for working, it was the only part that was 
 exploited for many years. The depth of the bottom bed is 110 
 yards at Northwich and 159 yards at Winsford. Deeper explora- 
 tions afterwards made showed that more rock-salt lies below the 
 bottom bed, but it is in thin beds and irregular spheroidal masses 
 or lumps, none of which have been worked. 
 
 Commencing at the canal level at Northwich, which is here 69 
 feet 3 inches above the level of an ordinary spring tide at Runcorn, 
 a section of strata is as follows : — 
 
 Soil. 
 
 Drift composed of brown sand mixed with 
 
 clay varying from 1 to 100 feet in 
 
 thickness. 
 Brown clay with greenstone, etc., bouldeTs. 
 Marl in thin bands, brown and blue with 
 
 thin beds and streaks of gypsum to the 
 
 rock head. 
 Rock-salt, top bed. 
 Upper blue marlstone mixed with brown, 
 
 which falls on exposure. 
 229 7 Brown marl and marlstone, with vein of 
 
 red rock-salt. 
 234 5 Lower blue marlstone, very compact, hard, 
 
 and does not fall on exposure. 
 This forms the foundation for the wedg- 
 ing curb of the shaft cylinders.) 
 
 Depth. 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 1 6 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. in. 
 
 1 6 
 
 9 
 
 7 6 
 
 27 
 
 18 
 
 132 
 
 105 
 
 216 
 
 84 
 
 222 
 
 6 
 
Depth. 
 Ft. in. 
 246 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. in. 
 12 
 
 330 
 334 
 417 
 
 84 
 
 4 
 
 83 
 
 
 
 
 
 320 
 501 
 
 3 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 
 507 
 525 
 
 6 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 
 146 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Marl and rock-salt mixed in about equal 
 
 parts. 
 Rock-salt, bottom bed. 
 Brown and blue marlstone, with rock-salt. 
 Ditto with thin veins of rock-salt, ramifying 
 
 in various directions. 
 Rock-salt, almost pure. 
 Brown and blue marlstone, with thin veins 
 
 of rock-salt. 
 Rock-salt, almost transparent. 
 Hard blue marlstone, not sunk through. 
 
 The total thickness of rock-salt in all the beds and lumps is 
 about 180 feet. The old sections, published by Dr Holland in 
 1808, specify the thickness of the top and bottom beds of rock-salt 
 at Northwich as being 90 feet each ; but these thicknesses pro- 
 bably included some of the marl and marlstone mixed with rock- 
 salt. The thickness of each bed at Marston and Wincham is 
 about 84 feet, but, farther south, as it approaches Witton-cum- 
 Twambrooks, the top bed diminishes 15 feet in a quarter of a mile, 
 and between Witton Street and Witton Church the top bed is 
 only 48 feet in thickness in these most south ernly pits. It is 
 considered that this thinning of the top bed may be occasioned 
 by the rock head having been formed into brine, but the surface 
 of the top rock-salt generally is very irregular, varying considerably 
 in depth in short distances. 
 
 A section of the strata at Winsford, commencing 30 feet above 
 the level of the Winsford pond, on the Weaver Navigation, which 
 is 40 feet above sea-level, is as follows : — 
 
 Depth. Thickness. 
 Ft. in. Ft. in. 
 6 6 Salt and drift composed of sand and clay, 
 
 varying from 6 to 60 feet. 
 27 210 Variegated marls with beds of hard blue and 
 
 brown marl and marlstone, with scales 
 
 of marlstone, locally called " shalev " or 
 
 " shelly." 
 
 191 164 Brown and a little blue marl and marlstone 
 with gypsum. 
 
 194 3 Brown marl, granular, called " Horse 
 
 beans." 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 147 
 
 Hard marlstone, called " The Flag " over 
 the rock head. 
 
 Rock-salt, inferior. 
 
 Blue and brown marlstone, hard with 
 gypsum. 
 
 Hock-salt. 
 
 Blue marlstone, hard. 
 
 Rock-salt, top bed. 
 
 Brown and blue marlstone, with vein and 
 lump of rock-salt. 
 
 Rock-salt, bottom bed. 
 
 Blue marlstone with small irregular cubes 
 and lumps of rock-salt, and scales of 
 limestone. 
 
 Brown and blue marlstone with ditto, ditto. 
 
 Rock-salt. 
 
 Blue marlstone with limestone and a little 
 rock-salt. 
 
 Ditto, in well-bedded layers. 
 
 Brown marlstone and a few lumps of rock- 
 salt. 
 
 Rock-salt, pure. 
 
 Brown marlstone, with small veins and 
 lumps of rock-salt. 
 527 5 Rock-salt, with marlstone and scales of 
 
 limestone. 
 534 7 Brown and blue marlstone with a little rock- 
 
 salt. 
 543 9 Ditto, with very little 
 
 rock-salt. 
 The total thickness of rock-salt in all the beds and lumps at 
 Winsford is about 210 feet. 
 
 A section of the strata at Lawton is as follows : — 
 
 Depth to the rock head. 
 
 Rock-salt. 
 
 Indurated clay, brown and a little blue marl 
 
 and marlstone. 
 Rock-salt. 
 
 Indurated clay, marl, and marlstone. 
 Rock-salt, the lowest 14 yards being the 
 purest. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. in. 
 
 196 
 
 Thickness, 
 
 Ft. in. 
 
 2 
 
 211 
 
 6 
 
 15 
 
 6 
 
 214 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 247 
 
 6 
 
 33 
 
 
 
 250 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 320 
 
 
 
 69 
 
 
 
 356 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 
 
 477 
 
 
 
 121 
 
 
 
 479 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 491 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 491 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 493 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 494 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 507 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 510 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 522 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. in. 
 126 
 
 Thickness, 
 Ft. in. 
 126 
 
 130 
 
 4 
 
 160 
 
 30 
 
 172 
 
 12 
 
 217 
 
 45 
 
 289 
 
 72 
 
148 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 01 
 
 ^ o Wo us 
 
 
 Ui 
 
 u. 
 
 2 
 o 
 
 lililil,^ ! 
 
 1- 
 s- 
 
 
 i 
 
 St 
 
 2 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 ::i : ..' rt 11 ::;:::!".'."::::'. : 
 
 
 
 "I 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 "- MM"!! !;! ! ; : | 
 Wrl* ■-if::-!,! ( 
 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 "I 
 
 1 
 
 ° 
 
 a 
 m 1 
 
 01 1 
 
 
 2 
 
 |II||- ; I:::|:U:;h 
 
 ° J 1 1 
 
 2 * * 
 
 [C (q « a 
 
 • 5 
 i £ 
 
 1521 5 
 ft* * 
 
 Q 
 
 1 
 
 i iii « .. 
 i* nil i ralii; M 
 
 u. 
 
 2 
 
 
 IM 
 
 ■■ET 
 
 2 
 {? 
 
 5*' i 
 
 SB 1*4 
 
 i" o i I o is; 
 life HI t «c <0 
 
 B 5 ° ^ u 1 
 
 CO 
 C 
 1 
 
 n'Jf ! ' ' :' ;t )j'|'>'^| ^| p^l ^B 
 
 mil i 
 
 i. 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 
 
 149 
 
 Thickness of Mael between Upper and Lower Beds, and 
 Level of Bottom Bed Surface and Bottom below O.D. 
 
 
 Thickness 
 of marl. 
 
 Top of 
 bed. 
 
 Thickness 
 of bed. 
 
 Bottom 
 of bed. 
 
 Albert . 
 
 28 
 
 169-42 
 
 91-0 
 
 260-42 
 
 Baron's Quay . 
 
 30 
 (relief 
 shaft 
 
 31-6) 
 
 140-89 
 
 91-0 
 
 231-89 
 
 Neumann's (Witton). 
 
 30 
 
 150-66 
 
 80-6 
 
 231-26 
 
 Witton Hall . 
 
 27 
 
 155-30 
 
 91-6 
 
 246-90 
 
 Amalgamated . 
 
 30 
 
 166-67 
 
 84-0 
 
 250-67 
 
 Worthington's . 
 
 30 
 
 169-46 
 
 78-0 
 
 247-46 
 
 Borehole 
 
 28-4 
 
 171-60 
 
 91-75 
 
 262-85 
 
 Neumann's (Marston) 
 
 29 
 
 172-34 
 
 85-0 
 
 257-34 
 
 Crystal . 
 
 29 
 
 164-42 
 
 88-6 
 
 253-02 
 
 Adelaide . 
 
 26 
 
 164-09 
 
 89-6 
 
 253-69 
 
 Marston Old . 
 
 27 
 
 158-90 
 
 91-0 
 
 249-90 
 
 Pool Pit . 
 
 27 
 
 167-83 
 
 88-9 
 
 256-73 
 
 Marston Hall . 
 
 28 
 
 149-32 
 
 86-6 
 
 235-98 
 
 Williamson's . 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 
 Townshend's (Brine) . 
 
 27 
 
 
 
 
 Penny's Lane . 
 
 30 
 
 Average 
 
 
 — .. 
 
 
 160-0 
 
 88-0 
 
 248-0 
 
 The bottom of the top bed of rock-salt at Anderton and 
 Wilmington is 203 feet below O.D. 
 
150 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Levels of the Bottom of the Upper Bed of Rock Salt at 
 Northwich below Oednance Datum m Feet 
 
 
 Top of bed 
 below C. D. 
 
 Thickness 
 of bed. 
 
 Bottom of bed 
 bilow C. D. 
 
 Albert 
 
 47-82 
 
 93-6 
 
 141-42 
 
 (?) Baron's Quay 
 
 56-89 
 
 54-0 
 
 110-89(?) 
 
 Neumann's, Witton 
 
 90-66 
 
 30-0 
 
 120-66 
 
 Witton Hall . 
 
 57-30 
 
 71-0 
 
 128-30 
 
 Amalgamated (Brine) 
 
 64-67 
 
 72-0 
 
 136-67 
 
 Worthington's . 
 
 61-46 
 
 78-0 
 
 139-46 
 
 Borehole 
 
 47-20 
 
 90-6 
 
 137-70 
 
 Neumann's (Marston) 
 
 55-34 
 
 88-0 
 
 143-34 
 
 Crystal (Piatt's) 
 
 46-82 
 
 88-6 
 
 135-42 
 
 Adelaide (Mine) 
 
 54-49 
 
 83-6 
 
 138-09 
 
 Marston (Old Mine) 
 
 55-90 
 
 76-0 
 
 131-90 
 
 Pool Pit . 
 
 55-93 
 
 84-9 
 
 140-83 
 
 Marston Hall . 
 
 55-72 
 
 65-6 
 
 1 
 
 121-32 
 
 Penny's Lane . 
 
 
 51-0 
 
 120-0 
 
 So far as the stratification has been proved, the thickness of 
 the rock-salt varies, and it seems probable that in some portions 
 of the district it lies in basins distinct from each other. 
 In a rough way the thickness has been averaged at 150 feet, 
 and the extent 20 miles by 12 or 15 miles, but this extent 
 has not been actually proved. Practically the deposits are 
 considered inexhaustible. The upper surface of the rock-salt 
 appears to undulate, similarly to the undulations of the sur- 
 face of the ground. It is upon the top bed of the rock-salt 
 that the brine called " rock head brine " ordinarily lies. The 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 151 
 
 rock head, it seems, is never perfectly dry. The ordinary marls 
 above and below the rock-salt are ordinarily impervious to water, 
 
 "HIDJ3U1UI03 
 
 -J 
 Q 
 
 
 (SSOJJ u3>/Qjg)uossiDUp 
 
 
 ":i 
 
 and it is observed that above the rock-salt there is usually a bed 
 of marlstone, called the flag, which is very hard and impervious 
 to water, and that for a few feet below the flag the marl, in which 
 
152 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the rock-head brine runs, is of a granular structure, locally called 
 horse beans, or sometimes shaggy metal, which may be the remains 
 of the marl or other impurity that was originally combined with 
 the rock-salt, but which is now left behind, where the bed of 
 rock-salt is being dissolved into brine. 
 
 This flag ordinarily separates the rock-head brine from over- 
 lying water that might otherwise get down to it, and it serves 
 to keep the brine down ; but when the flag is cut or broken 
 through, the brine, which is usually under pressure, rises to its 
 level and will overflow the surface if the pressure be sufficient. 
 Whatever water may find its way to the rock head, none comes 
 down to the lower portion of the rock-salt, which, under natural 
 circumstances, is perfectly impervious to water or brine. 
 
 The saliferous marl and marlstone have a distinct character 
 of their own, generally readily distinguishable by an. experienced 
 eye. They mostly lie in thin beds, accompanied with gypsum 
 and a few partially calcareous beds. They are of brown, brownish 
 red, white, bluish white, pale green, and cream or dove colour. 
 The marl is soft, and when exposed to the weather it soon falls 
 and becomes clay ; but the marlstone is hard, and it does not 
 fall much even after long exposure. The marl and marlstone 
 combined are usually quite impervious to water, but when they 
 happen to be porous or get cracked, so that fresh water passes 
 through to the rock-salt, the brine near to the point of entry is 
 usually weak, until it has flowed far enough upon or among the 
 rock-salt to become saturated. In some portions of the marls 
 and marlstones the continuity of the strata is interrupted by 
 large spheroidal masses. Many of the outcrops of the marl and 
 marlstone, where the rock-salt is dissolved and gone, are twisted 
 and contorted, and there may frequently be found among them 
 cubical crystals which have apparently assumed that form, 
 either from salty matter in the marl, or from the refilling of 
 cavities left at some time by the solution of crystals of salt. 
 Some of the hard marlstones are also striated as though they had 
 been slipping when the masses of rock-salt were dissolving away. 
 
 The gypsum associated with the marls sometimes occurs in 
 beds, and sometimes in veins ramifying in various directions like 
 streaks of frozen moisture. When it is in beds, the structure is 
 usually fibrous, with fibres at right angles to the beddino- ; and 
 occasionally there are plates of selenite with diagonal fibres. 
 
 Cheshire rock-salt is usually aggregated either in a spheroidal 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 153 
 
 form or in a wavy stratification distinguishable by gradations of 
 colour almost throughout the entire mass. These gradations 
 
 y""%, 
 
 ->i,''i/i,. iiiinvN .««. ' 
 
 Rook-salt in spheroidal form. 
 
 Strata Contorted by the Solution of Rock Sali 
 
 sometimes shade off gradually and sometimes they are well 
 defined. In the workings of the old rock-salt mines these grada- 
 tions were clearly seen on the sides of the shafts, and on the 
 pillars and faces of work, and on the roofs in the mines, or at such 
 
154 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 places where the rock-salt had been dressed to a plane surface. 
 The appearances thus presented on the roof of the mines were 
 called " circles," but they were of various shapes, varying from 
 a few feet to a few yards across, such as must necessarily occur 
 by making a horizontal plane across a substance composed of 
 various shades of colour, aggregated together in waving and 
 undulating forms. From looking only at these circles on the 
 roof of the mines and not noticing the wavy and spheroidal form 
 in which the mass was aggregated, the mistake was made of 
 supposing rock-salt to be aggregated in the form of basaltic 
 columns, of which the circles were supposed to be horizontal 
 sections. When the adjacent beds of marl and marlstone are 
 of a bright red or brown colour, the rock-salt usually partakes of 
 the same tinge ; but where the adjoining marl and marlstone is 
 light coloured, the rock-salt is light coloured or yellowish. A 
 lump of hard blue or occasionally brown marlstone of irregular 
 shape is sometimes found in the midst of a main bed of rock-salt, 
 and when this, or a pipe vein, occurs, the rock-salt adjoining is 
 almost invariably white, with transparent cubical crystals. The 
 colour of the rock-salt most preferred is yellow or amber-coloured, 
 and the quality varies according to the quantity of earthy matter 
 that is combined. At Winsford the amber-coloured is commonly 
 found in the lower bed, and at North wich some is also found in 
 some pits in the lower bed, and there is at Marston some very 
 fine in the top bed . 
 
 No outcrop of rock-salt now remains in the salt districts of 
 the United Kingdom. The depth to the top of the rock-salt, 
 called the rock head, is 132 feet at Northwich, 195 feet at Winsford, 
 126 feet at Lawton, whilst at Middlewich no rock-salt has yet 
 been proved. The rock head at Lawton is 103 feet above the 
 ordinary spring-tide level at Runcorn. At Northwich it is 66 feet 
 below that spring-tide level, and at Winsford 126 feet below. 
 
 Depth of Shafts to Rock Head from Surface, from MS. of 
 John Thompson (the Elder), about 1865 
 
 Fletcher's Marston Ollershaw Lane 
 Milner's (Neumann's Brine Shaft) 
 Verdin's (New Brine Shaft, Marston) 
 British Mine .... 
 Barton's Dunkirk Mine 
 
 
 46J< 
 
 T ards 
 
 
 m 
 
 5> 
 
 
 50 
 
 ,, 
 
 
 46 
 
 
 
 47| 
 
 ,, 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 
 
 155 
 
 Hatfield's (Witton) .... 
 
 Marston Pool (Thompson's) 
 
 Higgin's Brine Shaft (Anderton) 
 
 Marshall's in North wich 
 
 Witton Mill (Brine Shaft from river level) 
 
 Caldwell's Eock Mine 
 
 Newbridge Mine .... 
 
 Falk's 
 
 52 
 
 41 
 
 64 
 
 36 
 
 30 
 
 39| 
 
 55 
 
 62 
 
 yards. 
 
 Section of Shaft, Townshend's Mine (Old British), Surface 
 above O.D. 75-67 
 
 ft. 
 
 ft. in. 
 
 Depth to First Bed of Eock Salt 140 
 
 First Bed of Eock Salt . 68 
 
 Blue and Brown Marl . . 23 
 
 Second Bed of Salt . . 81 
 
 140 
 208 
 
 232 3 
 313 11 
 
 The cavity of the mine was 15 feet. 
 
 
 9 
 
 6(?) 
 
 from surface 
 9 „ 
 
 Comparative Depth of Eock Salt Mines in the Northwich 
 
 District 
 
 1 Surface 
 1 above 
 1 sea -level. 
 
 Depth to 
 rock head. 
 
 Depth from 
 
 surface level 
 
 of 72 feet. 
 
 
 Feet, 
 
 Yards. 
 
 Yards. 
 
 Lord Stanley, Anderton 
 
 102 
 
 75 
 
 65 
 
 Brunner, Mond & Co., Win- 
 
 
 
 
 nington 
 
 142 
 
 69 
 
 46} 
 
 Heyes .... 
 
 72 
 
 44 
 
 44 
 
 Thompson, Pool Mine (?) 
 
 72 
 
 44 
 
 44 
 
 Euncorn Brine Co.,Marbury 
 
 72 
 
 46 
 
 46 
 
 Verdin's, Marston 
 
 87 
 
 46 
 
 41 
 
 Neumann's Marston 
 
 72 
 
 43 
 
 43 
 
 S. Ellson&Co.,Wincham 
 
 68 
 
 46-2 ft. 
 
 48 
 
 Steenstrands, Wincham 
 
 70 
 
 46-2 ft. 
 
 ±h 
 
 Worthington's, Dunkirk 
 
 78 
 
 46 
 
 44 
 
 Thompson's, Mill Lane . 
 
 73 
 
 46 
 
 45| 
 
 Thompson's, Witton 
 
 78 
 
 48 
 
 46 
 
 Neumann's, Witton 
 
 80 
 
 58-2 ft. 
 
 56 
 
 Thompson's, late Eeynolds' 
 
 
 45 
 
 
 Thompson's, Platts Hill 
 
 
 45 
 
 
 Firth's, Twishill . 
 
 
 47-2 ft. 
 
 
 Verdin's, Leicester Street 
 
 57 
 
 42 
 
 47 
 
 Leaving out the extremes, viz. Lord Stanley's at Anderton, 
 and Neumann's, Witton, the average depth of twelve mines, 
 
156 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 from 72 feet surface above sea-level, is 45J yards : thus the depth 
 to the rock head in the Northwich district is nearly uniform. 
 
 The list of pits is not complete, as, for instance, Fletcher 
 and Eigby's is omitted : the measurements are probably not 
 absolutely correct, but are as near as I can ascertain them. It 
 does not show clearly the dip of the bed of rock-salt, though 
 Marston appears to be the highest level, declining towards the 
 Bridgefield Works and S. Ellson & Co. at Wincham, round to 
 Neumann's in Witton on one side and Marbury and Lord Stanley's 
 at Anderton on the other. 
 
 Levels op Rock Head at Northwich and Winsford below 
 Ordnance Datum 
 
 Northwich 
 
 Adelaide Rock 
 Adelaide Brine 
 Alexandra 
 Victoria . 
 Albert (new) . 
 Neumann's 
 Worthington's 
 
 Average of seven shafts . 
 
 Feet. 
 51-34 
 53-79 
 59-54 
 65-36 
 48-79 
 53-84 
 62-93 
 
 7)395-59 
 56-51 
 
 Lord Stanley, Anderton x 
 Brunner, Mond & Co., Winnington 
 Hayes .... 
 Thompson Colmine (?) . 
 Runcorn Brine, Marbury 
 Verdin's, Marston . 
 Neumann's, Marston 
 S. Ellson & Co., Wincham 
 Steenstrands (?), Wincham 
 Worthington's, Dunkirk (?) 
 Thompson's, Mill Lane . 
 Thompson's, Witton 
 Neumann's, Witton 1 
 Verdin's, Leicester Street 
 
 Feet. 
 123 
 
 65 
 
 60 
 
 66 (?) 
 
 66 
 
 51 
 
 57 
 
 72 
 
 70 
 
 60 
 
 65 
 
 66 
 
 94 
 
 69 
 
 Average depth of 14 shafts 
 
 1 Only two extremes deeper than average. 
 
 14 )978 
 69-85 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 157 
 
 Areas of Eock-Salt Mines filled with Brine 
 
 Name of Mine. 
 Blackburn's New Pit 
 Blackburn's Old Pit 
 Ellson & Co. . 
 Chantler's Pit . 
 Littler's Pit 
 Reynolds & Dignum 
 Bate & Hadfield 
 Saxon & Miller 
 Thompson & Beynolds 
 Kent & Naylor's 
 Tomkinson's 
 Ashton's . 
 Ashton's . 
 Barton's Old Pit 
 Barton's New Pit 
 Worthington & Bate 
 Marshall's 
 Worthington & Firth 
 
 Date Mine 
 
 
 filled with 
 
 
 Brine. 
 
 Acres. 
 
 1844 
 
 5-03 
 
 1844 
 
 11-90 
 
 
 4-52 
 
 1844 
 
 2-98 
 
 1826 
 
 3-47 
 
 1855 
 
 1-27 
 
 1844 
 
 8-91 
 
 1891 
 
 21-31 
 
 1880 
 
 14-98 
 
 1840 
 
 8-06 
 
 1840 
 
 •74 
 
 it 1840 
 
 5-26 
 
 1840 
 
 2-22 
 
 1840 
 
 7-53 
 
 
 4-83 
 
 
 ■98 
 
 1840 
 
 3-55 
 
 1840 
 
 8-28 
 
 
 
 
 115-82 
 
 Areas of Mines not filled 
 
 with Brine 
 
 
 Fletcher & Rigby .... 
 
 Not working 
 
 43-28 
 
 Thompson's (Marston) 
 
 
 
 5-04 
 
 Verdin's & Sons (Adelaide) 
 
 
 
 11-90 
 
 Fletcher & Co 
 
 
 Not working 
 
 4-10 
 
 Johnson & Fletcher . 
 
 
 
 1-99 
 
 Ollershaw Lane Pit . 
 
 
 
 7-85 
 
 Hayes Mine 
 
 
 
 7-85 
 
 Williamson's 
 
 
 Not working 
 
 28-96 
 
 Witton Hall Mine . 
 
 
 
 2-30 
 
 Hadfield (Penny's Lane) 
 
 
 )? 
 
 12-96 
 
 Neumann's 
 
 
 1-50 
 
 Baron's Quay ..... 
 
 T5 
 
 ■75 
 13-08 
 
 133-71 
 
 Area of mine filled with brine . 
 
 Total 
 
 115-82 
 
 
 249-53 
 
 Several of these last mines, including Baron's Quay, have been 
 filled with brine since this list was compiled. 
 
158 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Dry Mines, capable, of being worked 
 
 1. Baron's Quay, Leicester Street . 
 
 2. Witton Hall, Warrington Road 
 
 3. Penny's Lane, Station Road, Witton 
 
 4. Neumann's, do. do. 
 
 5. Williamson's, Wincham . 
 
 6. Neumann's, Ollershaw Lane, Marston 
 
 7. Crystal, Marston 
 
 8. Fletcher's, do. . . 
 
 9. Adelaide, do. 
 
 10. Pool Pitt, do. 
 
 11. Marston Hall, Marston 
 
 12. Marston Old Mine, Marston 
 
 Acres. 
 20 
 12 
 
 ?, 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 16 
 
 6 
 30 
 40 
 
 149 
 
 The only mine now being worked for rock-salt is the Adelaide. 
 
 Flooded Mines in Dunkirk District, all connected 
 
 1. Ashton's (old bottom mine) 
 
 2. Tomkinson's 
 
 3. Kent & Naylor's 
 
 4. Piatt's Hill . 
 
 5. Barton's (old mine) 
 
 6. Thompson's. 
 
 7. Barton's new (Blackwell) 
 
 8. Worthington's 
 
 9. Wakefield's . 
 10. Marshall's . 
 
 About 60 acres. 
 
 Flooded Mines, Marston District, all connected 
 
 1. British 
 
 2. Wincham (Steenstrand) 
 
 3. Gibson's 
 
 4. Broady 
 
 5. Hatfield 
 
 6. Reynolds & Dignum 
 
 7. Chantler 
 
 8. Neumann & Ellson's 
 
 9. Blackburne's (old) 
 10. Blackburne's (new) 
 
 About 70 Acres. 
 
 Flooded Mines, Isolated 
 
 1. Caldwell's, Witton, near Weaver. 
 
 2. Swinton & Blease's, Witton, near Top of Brook. 
 
 3. Ashton's (new), Dunkirk. 
 
 4. Worthington's, Witton, near Worthington's pumping station, Dunkirk. 
 
 5. Littler's, Marston. 
 
 These are all comparatively small mines, not exceeding 20 acres in the 
 whole. 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 
 
 159 
 
 Brine and Rock-Salt Shafts 
 Northwich — South to North 
 
 
 
 
 Level of 
 
 
 
 Level of 
 
 
 
 Depth 
 
 of Shaft 
 
 in ft. 
 
 Surface 
 
 Level of 
 
 Bottom 
 
 
 
 above 
 
 Rock. 
 
 below 
 
 
 
 Ordnance 
 
 
 
 Ordnance 
 
 
 
 
 
 Head. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 
 
 Pimlott's . 
 
 309 
 
 
 
 
 
 1. 
 
 Riversdale 
 
 302 
 
 50-00 
 
 225 
 
 185 
 
 252 
 
 (JO 
 
 2. 
 
 Wilmington Salt Co. 
 
 288 
 
 13929 
 
 148 
 
 71 
 
 56 
 
 89 
 
 3. 
 
 Baron's Quay . 
 
 303 
 
 6311 
 
 120 
 
 56-89 
 
 239 
 
 89 
 
 4. 
 
 Neumann's Mine 
 
 327 
 
 84-34 
 
 175 
 
 120 90-66 242 
 
 66 
 
 5. 
 
 Witton Hall 
 
 324 
 
 78-70 
 
 136 
 
 120 57-30 245 
 
 30 
 
 6. 
 
 Amalgamated Brine 
 
 330 
 
 73-33 
 
 138 
 
 64-67 
 
 256 
 
 67 
 
 7. 
 
 Worthington's Brine 
 
 330 
 
 76-54 
 
 138 
 
 61-46 
 
 253 
 
 46 
 
 8. 
 
 Borehole for Coal 
 
 210 
 
 77-00 
 
 124 
 
 47-2 
 
 533 
 
 00 
 
 9. 
 
 Steenstrand Mine 
 
 312 
 
 69-12 
 
 138 
 
 68-88 
 
 242 
 
 88 
 
 10. 
 
 Neumann's Nelson 
 
 333 
 
 75-26 
 
 130-6 55-34 
 
 257 
 
 74 
 
 11. 
 
 Victoria 
 
 153 
 
 87-75 
 
 153 
 
 65-25 
 
 65 
 
 55 
 
 12. 
 
 Alexandra 
 
 153 
 
 87-45 
 
 147 
 
 59-55 
 
 65-55 
 
 
 Temperley 
 
 170 
 
 90? 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 Hewitt Wincham 
 
 354 
 
 60 
 
 294 
 
 
 
 13. 
 
 Crystal Piatt . 
 
 300 
 
 82-18 
 
 139 
 
 56-82 
 
 217 
 
 82 
 
 14. 
 
 Albert 
 
 336 
 
 75-18 
 
 123 
 
 47-82 
 
 260 
 
 82 
 
 15. 
 
 Adelaide (closed) 
 
 141 
 
 86-21 
 
 141 
 
 54-79 
 
 54 
 
 79 
 
 16. 
 
 Adelaide (Rock) 
 
 330 
 
 86-51 
 
 141 
 
 54-49 
 
 243 
 
 49 
 
 17. 
 
 Marston Old Mine 
 
 330 
 
 85-10 
 
 141 
 
 55-90 
 
 244 
 
 90 
 
 18. 
 
 Pool Pit . 
 
 330 
 
 85-07 
 
 141 
 
 55-93 
 
 244 
 
 93 
 
 19. 
 
 Marston Hall Mine 
 
 330 
 
 85-28 
 
 141 
 
 55-72 
 
 244 
 
 72 
 
 20. 
 
 Marbury Shaft . 
 
 174 
 
 79-95 
 
 174 
 
 94-05 
 
 94 
 
 05 
 
 21. 
 
 British Co., Anderton 
 
 225 
 
 97-25 
 
 225 
 
 127-75 
 
 127 
 
 75 
 
 22. 
 
 Higgins' Shaft . 
 Bowman Thompson 
 
 195 
 245 
 
 58-13 
 
 
 136-87 
 179 
 
 136-87 
 
 
 Williamson 
 
 
 
 
 165 
 
 
 
 Middlewich 
 Level of Canal at Marston, 83 feet above O.D. 
 
 1. Yeoman's . 
 
 2. Seddon's — New 
 
 330 103-88 
 300 90-93 
 
 226-12 
 209-07 
 
160 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Winsford 
 
 Starting from the south and 
 side of the River Weaver : — 
 
 coming northwards on the Over 
 
 1. Hamlet's 
 
 2. Garner's Bridge Works 
 
 3. Salt Union No. 1 
 
 4. Runcorn Soap and Alkali 
 
 5. Meadow Works 
 
 6. Over Works 
 
 7. Verdin's Knight's Grange . 
 
 8. Falk's No. 3 . ' . 
 
 9. Thompson's 
 
 10. Meadow Bank (1) . 
 
 11. „ „ (2) 
 
 12. Meadow Bank Mine 
 
 13. Newbridge Old Mine 
 
 Depth 
 of Shaft 
 in Feet. 
 
 Level of 
 Ground 
 
 above 
 Datum 
 
 Line. 
 
 Level of 
 Bottom 
 of Shaft 
 below 
 Datum. 
 
 225 
 
 Feet. 
 
 82-00 
 
 143 
 
 00 
 
 195 
 
 71 
 
 00 
 
 124 
 
 00 
 
 172 
 
 63 
 
 83 
 
 108 
 
 67 
 
 170 
 
 61 
 
 24 
 
 108 
 
 26 
 
 171 
 
 60 
 
 56 
 
 110 
 
 44 
 
 180 
 
 75 
 
 81 
 
 104 
 
 19 
 
 183 
 
 71 
 
 06 
 
 111 
 
 94 
 
 183 
 
 90 
 
 31 
 
 92 
 
 69 
 
 162 
 
 69 
 
 31 
 
 92 
 
 69 
 
 184 
 
 74 
 
 11 
 
 110 
 
 39 
 
 180 
 
 74 
 
 71 
 
 105 
 
 29 
 
 480 
 
 88 
 
 23 
 
 391 
 
 77 
 
 360 
 
 71 
 
 85 
 
 288 
 
 15 
 
 Return on Wharton Side 
 
 1. 
 
 Newbridge N. Shaft 
 
 187 R 
 
 55-75 
 
 131-25 
 
 2. 
 
 S. „ . 
 
 177 R 
 
 56-92 
 
 120-08 
 
 2a 
 
 . Shaft sunk to rock S. of works 
 
 156 R 
 
 ?56 
 
 100-00 
 
 3. 
 
 Bostock (4) . 
 
 228 
 
 134-81 
 
 93-19 
 
 4. 
 
 ., (3) . 
 
 232 
 
 130-07 
 
 102-43 
 
 5. 
 
 Nahoxal Mine 
 
 423 
 
 61-15 
 
 361-85 
 
 6. 
 
 Brine, 2 
 
 181 
 
 72-13 
 
 109-37 
 
 7. 
 
 Perrin's 
 
 213 
 
 119-72 
 
 93-28 
 
 8. 
 
 Cheshire Amalgd. 1 . 
 
 213 
 
 113-91 
 
 99-09 
 
 9. 
 
 Wharton Railway and River 
 
 198 
 
 90-73 
 
 107-27 
 
 10. 
 
 Wharton Lodge 
 
 169 
 
 68-48 
 
 101-02 
 
 11. 
 
 Uploont 
 
 179 
 
 73-09 
 
 105-41 
 
 12. 
 
 Birkenhead 
 
 170 
 
 70-69 
 
 98-81 
 
 13. 
 
 Birkenhead (New) 
 
 170 
 
 63-99 
 
 105-51 
 
 14. 
 
 Wharton (Evans) 
 
 222 
 
 111-84 
 
 110-16 
 
 15. 
 
 Island Works (Thompson) . 
 
 141 
 
 64-41 
 
 76-59 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DEPOSITS 
 
 161 
 
 Section from Hartford to Pickmere, northwich. 
 
 I 4 z ? 
 
 L i 1 il i ) i I 
 
 Horizontal Sceile. 
 
 34-S' 
 
 100 75 50 SS 
 
 I I I I -I- 
 
 t/erticPtl Szoile. 
 
162 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Section of the Northwich District from 
 Mnoerton to Broken Cross 
 
 ORDNANCE 
 
 ROCK 
 
 SALT WLzoz's' 
 
 a o 
 
 I MILE 100 75 50 E5 
 
 I II I- 
 
 HorizontcHl Scale 
 
 Vertical Scale 
 
THEOKIES OF THE FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 
 
 It is clear from all the evidence that has been collected respect- 
 ing rock-salt that in all geologic ages in which deposits are found , 
 and in all parts of the world, clay is the chief accompaniment 
 of rock-salt, and is, in most cases, mixed up with it. The fact 
 that the salt is mixed up with clay and that clay is deposited in 
 water, leads to the inevitable conclusion that salt is a deposit out 
 of water. Salt does not mix mechanically with water, but forms 
 a solution, and will never deposit until the solution becomes 
 super-saturated, and then it will not fall or be precipitated but will 
 crystallise out. Salt has not been deposited like sedimentary 
 Tocks but is a crystallisation, mixed very often with a clay deposit. 
 The fact that a salt solution containing 26 per cent, of salt may 
 be kept for an indefinite length of time without a particle of salt 
 depositing (provided that it is kept from contact with the air) at 
 once dismisses the old theory that all salt beds were deposited in 
 the sea. Such idea is obviously impossible, since sea-water rarely 
 contains more than 3h per cent of salt, and before the salt would 
 crystallise out the whole body of water must contain at least 
 26 per cent of salt. Salt can only be obtained from salt water, 
 and as it is not possible to get it from the sea naturally, it is 
 evident that what man does in isolating tracts of sea water to 
 make salt by the solar system, must have been done by nature 
 on an extensive scale in all ages. But as an isolated tract of salt 
 water is a salt lake, we are forced to the conclusion that all rock- 
 salt formations have been deposited in salt lakes. 
 
 There have been various theories propounded to explain the 
 formation of rock-salt, and for long it was a popular idea that the 
 beds of rock-salt owed their formation to volcanic action. It has 
 been pointed out in this connection that the most notable feature 
 of the eruption of Hekla on February 27th 1878, appears to be 
 the quantity of hydrochloric acid evolved from the beds of lava, 
 and the considerable sub-limitations of sesquichloride of iron. 
 Bunsen asserts that hydrochloric acid plays a less important part 
 in the volcanic phenomena of Iceland than at Vesuvius and Etna. 
 *' The hydrochloride acid fumaroles," he writes, " which not 
 
164 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 S s 
 
 .5 
 
 ■-P 
 
 
 
 ■— 
 
 
 <! 
 
 ii 
 
 c 
 
 (D 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 J=. 
 
 s 
 
 -f! 
 
 ■;-; 
 
 o 
 
 :,■ 
 
 eq 
 
 fl 
 
 
 C3 
 
 -~ 
 
 J 
 
 S3- 
 
 iij 
 
 ■-- - 
 
 9 « 
 
 g.s g 
 
 J '- oS 
 
 !!° 
 
 sol 
 
 O -T3 
 
 •rt M p 
 
 5.2S 
 
 O c3 
 
 * It 
 
 
 rk 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 
 
 165 
 
166 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 unfrequently occur on a large scale near the Italian volcanoes, 
 and are then generally accompanied by a very considerable 
 sublimation of chloride of sodium, appear to be of less importance 
 in Iceland. I was only able to detect traces of hydrochloric acid- 
 in a free state in the crater fumaroles a few months old, which 
 owed their origin to the last eruption of Hekla (in 1845), as well 
 as in the exhalations of vapour from the lava which was then 
 erupted." 
 
 "For the future," writes G. F. Rodwell in " Nature " (Jan. 23, 
 1879), " ws must reckon hydrochloric acid as one of the products 
 of the volcanic action of Hekla. During the last eruption it was 
 produced in considerable quantity. I had not proceeded far by 
 the side of the lava in 1878, erupted five months previously, 
 before I saw patches of brilliant red and yellow sublimations on 
 the lava. These I naturally mistook for sulphur, but, on a closer 
 approach, warm vapours of hydrochloric acid were found to be 
 issuing from the lava, and the sublimations, when removed from 
 the lava, speedily deliquesced, forming an intensely acid and 
 corrosive solution of sesquichloride of iron. I only succeeded in 
 bringing one specimen of this sublimate to England. 
 
 " The specimen of chloride of iron sublimate has been quali- 
 tatively analysed in our school laboratory by H. M. Elder, who 
 finds it to contain, in addition to sesquichloride of iron and 
 free hydrochloric acid, chloride of aluminium, and very small 
 quantities of the chlorides of ammonium, sodium, and calcium. 
 During our journey to the scene of the eruption of 1878, we 
 frequently saw large patches of this sublimate ; and near one of 
 the new craters, in an inaccessible portion of the lava field, an 
 area of several hundred square miles was covered with it. Most 
 clearly, therefore, a notable feature of the eruption has been the 
 emission of large quantities of hydrochloric acid. The formation 
 of this substance during the eruption is easy to account for. 
 Sub-limitations of a white substance were frequently visible in 
 the crevices of the new lava. These, according to Herr Nielssens 
 of Eyrabakki, consist of chloride of sodium, not of chloride of 
 ammonium." 
 
 Professer Silvestri, in different sublimations in the lava of 
 Etna, erupted in 1863, found quantities of chloride of sodium 
 which varied from 50 per cent, to 90 per cent. Chloride of sodium, 
 if it be heated in contact with silica and steam, undergoes decom- 
 position, silicate of sodium and hydrochloric acid being formed. 
 
KEY PLAN OF THE NORTHWICH AND WlNSFORD SALT FIELDS. 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 167 
 
 Bunsen has pointed out the fact that hydrochloric acid fumaroles 
 can only exist when the high degree of temperature necessary for 
 the decomposition of the chloride of sodium has not receded far 
 below the surface. For if it has so receded, the hydrochloric 
 acid, before reaching the surface, will necessarily act upon the 
 contiguous rocks, with the formation of chlorides which do 
 not possess a sufficient degree of volatility to be brought to the 
 surface." 
 
 In discussing the Cheshire salt formation, Professor C. Thompson 
 says : " As to how it has been formed, I must confess that the 
 more I think, the more I am perplexed. If I make a theory, I 
 soon have to demolish it ; and I give up to try again with my 
 usual tenacity, again to be discomfited. I think some enormous 
 electrical force has been at work in its crystallisation, but not a 
 great heat — probably only about 60° or 70°, that is in the forma- 
 tion of the rock-salt. But I think the bed of clay or stone has 
 parched and cracked under a very high tropical temperature, and 
 that the brine menstruum has poured upon it, filling the cracks. 
 These cracks, or chinks, you have observed, so I need not describe 
 thsm. It is the rings which are observable in the roof that lead 
 me to speak of electrical force. But it may be that peculiar law 
 of crystallisation of large massss to evolve electricity or to 
 form themselves into a system of network, such as is observed in 
 these rings. I am amazed when I think of the deposit : what 
 an enormous time it must have taken to lay it ! At 1 inch in ten 
 years, which I think is about a fair calculation, we find it would 
 take 21,000 years to lay 60 yards." 
 
 Ormerod, in 1842 and 1843, contributed three papers to the 
 Manchester Geological Society — one being An Inquiry into the 
 Origin of the Salt Field of Cheshire ; the two others on the 
 subject of the General Geology of the Central or Midland parts of 
 the county, and of the environs of Lymm. In the first paper 
 mentioned he gave a description of the Cheshire salts beds and 
 brine springs, stating the various localities in the county where 
 they existed, and showing their geological situation in the red 
 marl of gypseous beds and their chemical analysis. He then 
 proceeded to state : — 
 
 A. That from the lithological character of the accompanying- 
 beds and partings, and from the regularity in the thickness of 
 the respective beds, as far as the same were now known, these 
 
168 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 salt beds were, in his opinion, deposited from an aqueous mens- 
 truum, and had not been injected. 
 
 B. That from the absence of marine remains, from the sale 
 deposits containing matter not found in the ocean, and from 
 similar beds of salt not being in any place known to have been 
 formed from the ocean, he considered that there were not satis- 
 factory reasons for ascribing the origin of the salt found in the 
 new red standsone of England to marine deposits. 
 
 C. That from the minerals found associated with the salt, 
 and adjoining red sandstone rocks, being similar to those found 
 together with it in volcanic districts in other parts of the world ; 
 that from former or present volcanic action being apparent at 
 localities in various parts of the globe, at which beds of salt of 
 similar character are found, and the origin of which can be 
 evidently traced to that cause, and from the salt beds in England 
 being always found accompanied by neighbouring traces of 
 volcanic action, he considered that there were satisfactory reasons 
 for ascribing the origin of the salt fields of England to volcanic 
 agency. 
 
 In conclusion, he stated that he considered that the Cheshire ' 
 salt fields were the result of volcanic action which had impregnated 
 neighbouring lagoons, and formed the aqueous menstruum from 
 which those beds were precipitated; that these lakes lay in 
 depressions of the upper New Eed Sandstone ; and that the alterna- 
 tion of the strata of rock and salt had arisen from subsidences, 
 followed or accompanied by fresh discharges of the same impreg- 
 nating matter. 
 
 Although held by so respected an authority as Ormerod, this 
 theory is untenable, for beyond the fact that in volcanic eruptions 
 salt has been ejected, or has accompanied other matters, there is 
 scarcely anything to support it. Volcanic action is always 
 accompanied with intense heat, and the fact that the pure rock 
 crystal is, undoubtedly, one of slow growth in a cool liquid and 
 not of rapid formation in a hot fluid, at once disposes of the 
 volcanic theory. 
 
 A more satisfactory conclusion as to the formation of Cheshire 
 rock-salt is easily arrived at. It will be remembered that the salt 
 districts occupy a very small portion of the great red marl area, 
 of which they mainly occupy the central position — in other 
 words, the salt formation is not commensurate with the marl 
 formation, but seems to occupy the lowest portions of the great 
 
tferiical Scnlg one men - Z6* ft. 
 
 Jui Mttrston Mine 
 
 inunctnteci Mines N°3 
 
 nunc4ated Mines N?<*. 
 
 /'£ Borons Quay Mine. 
 NORTHWICH. 
 
 LEFTWICH. 
 
 Riversoicile 
 
 Moulton Hill 
 Newbridge worKs 
 
 g Mearfonbank Mine 
 
 Salt Works 
 
 WINSFORO. 
 
 2 Bottom Flash, 
 
 l Top Flash 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 169 
 
 basin which contains the Keuper marls in the centre of which the 
 red rocks lie at a great depth. It follows that whatever was the 
 original area of the huge lake in which the salt and marls were 
 •deposited, it must, at least, have been commensurate with the 
 present red marl area. The enormous body of marl deposited 
 throughout the lake area makes it evident that very considerable 
 streams, bearing large quantities of mud, must have flowed into 
 this lake, in the same manner as the Jordan flows into the Great 
 Salt Lake of Utah, as the Volga and Ural flow into the Caspian, 
 the Looni into the Runn of Kutch, and the brooks and streams 
 flow into Elton and other salt lakes. But if this Cheshire salt 
 lake was of great depth — as is concluded from the enormous 
 thickness of the combined beds of salt and marl contained in it — 
 the difficulty is to understand how, in one short, dry season, 
 sufficient evaporation could take place to make the water suffi- 
 •ciently saturated to deposit its salt in crystals on the bottom of 
 the lake. Judging from the position of the beds of salt, which 
 evidently occupy the deepest part of the lake, a shrinkage must 
 have taken place which reduced the area by many miles. Since 
 such enormous shrinkage of a deep lake is improbable in any age, 
 and in the present age it is unknown, enormous thickness and 
 •comparatively limited area of the beds of rock-salt all over the 
 world has always made it difficult to comprehend the manner 
 of their formation. But if it is not easy to explain everything 
 that occurred in the formations of past geologic ages, the fact 
 does not prevent us from reaching at conclusions with reasonable 
 certainty as to the leading principles and conditions of formation. 
 The theory on the subject which is now generally accepted 
 is based on the conviction that the Cheshire salt lake was situated 
 in a desert, or more probably a swampy a'cppe, such as are found 
 in the neighbourhood of the Caspian Sea, and that the climate was 
 not like the present Cheshire climate, but was divided into wet 
 and dry seasons. The presence of rock-salt supports these ideas, 
 because the marl could only be formed in a period of heavy rain- 
 fall, and the salt could only crystallise out in a dry, water-evaporat- 
 ing period. It is further evident that the lake, though extensive 
 in area, was shallow, and that the dry season caused extensive 
 shrinkage of the lake, and salt to form in the saturated water left 
 in the deeper parts. The occurrence of such deep deposits in a 
 shallow lake is explained by the constantly varying elevation 
 and depression of the earth's surface. Nothing is more certain 
 
170 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 in geologic science than that all the sedimentary rocks, and all 
 clays and sands, whatever their position at the present time, 
 whether on the top of the highest mountains or at the. bottom 
 of the deepest valleys — were originally deposited under water. 
 All mountain ranges have been elevated through long-continued 
 ages, and the process of gradual elevation must of necessity cause 
 either absolutely or relatively corresponding depression. It is 
 possible, then, to accept the explanation that while the Derby- 
 shire hills and those between Staffordshire and Cheshire were 
 gradually being elevated, the Cheshire salt lake — originating as 
 a tract of sea cut off by a gradual elevation of a part of the 
 sea-bottom — was gradually sinking, so that for ages the amount 
 of subsidence might only be small enough to make up for the 
 thickness of the deposit of marl and salt. The difficulty of 
 explaining how the salt in this lake could be renewed to enable 
 the waters to go on depositing for a geologic age is recognised, 
 but it is no greater than that which is presented by scores of 
 existing salt lakes out of which thousands of tons of salt are 
 taken annually without causing any apparent diminution in the 
 salt forming year by year. And when it is consid.ered that, in a 
 lake having a probable area of from 500 to 1000 square miles, 
 the known salt deposits do not occupy 50 square miles, and in 
 many portions contains 50 per cent, of marl, the difficulty does 
 not seem to be insuperable. It is, moreover, safe to conclude that,, 
 when the bar rose that eventually cut off the Cheshire lake from the 
 sea, it would be many years before the high tides ceased to wash 
 over it and replenish the lake, and Dr Ball's theory as to the 
 enormity of the tides that occurred in past ages — owing to the 
 moon being nearer to the earth than at present — reveals a means 
 by which the lake might continue to receive fresh accessions of 
 sea-water for many generations. 
 
 Irrespective of all theories, the outstanding fact remains that 
 enormous beds of salt were deposited in the Cheshire salt lake, 
 and all examination of the strata in the Northwich section will 
 enable the salt to tell its own history. The salt formation ha& 
 not been bored through, but at a depth of 525 feet we find an 
 unpierced stratum, 18 feet thick, of hard marl. Above it are six 
 feet of pure rock-salt, then 81 feet of marl with thick veins of rock- 
 salt, then three feet of nearly pure salt, then 83 feet of marl with 
 thin veins of salt, and above it i feet of marl and salt. So far it 
 is evident that the wet seasons predominated, and that marl was 
 
vertfctxt Scale, One Inch - zei Fee* 
 
 en Mdrston Mine 
 
 o- Inundated Mines N? 3 
 
 CO 
 
 5-. inundated Mines w?4. 
 *a Dunkirk- NQRTHWICH. 
 
 Northmen Soili Co. 
 
 Wttfon House 
 
 j£tn Biltinge 
 
 Whntcroft. 
 
 5 Yeom&ns 
 
 MIDQLLWICH 
 
 Cheshire Alkali Co. 
 
 Atneins 
 Murgatroyds 
 
 Bartons, Ciedford 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 171 
 
 deposited far more extensively than salt. For a time a cycle of 
 dry seasons seems to have prevailed ; a great change occurred, 
 and a bed of rock-salt, 84 feet in thickness, was deposited. In 
 other parts the bed of rock-salt varies from 80 to over 100 feet in 
 thickness, none of which is perfectly pure, and not more than 20 
 feet of it is sufficiently pure to be of any commercial use. The 
 greatly changed seasons are indicated by these formations. A 
 portion near the bottom contains less clay, showing that the 
 rainfall was not so copious or long continued, and that the salt 
 deposited had less mud brought upon it by the streams than in 
 ordinary seasons. The seasons of less rainfall were succeeded 
 by very wet seasons, as indicated by the rock-salt in the roofs 
 of the mines, which contains much clay. After a time, so much 
 ram fell that for a period sufficiently long for about 30 feet of 
 marl to deposit, practically no salt formed. Here and there in 
 this deposit are veins of salt, and as these are perpendicular and 
 run as if deposited in rifts or cracks of the marl, the salt doubtless 
 belongs to the next period when another change occurred and 
 another bed of salt, varying from 50 to 80 feet in thickness, was 
 deposited. The whole of this bed is fairly full of marl, and, for an 
 untold period, marls were deposited, covering up the rock-salt. It 
 is impossible to tell the history of these beds from Triassic times 
 to the time of the boulder clays and sands, as the latter lie 
 immediately upon the salt marls, but we can trace the cycles of 
 more or less rainfall by the greater or less preponderance of marls. 
 We see evidences of it again in the crystallization of salt and the 
 form in which rock-salt is found. The perfect crystals of rock- 
 salt are cubes which stand towards each other in no regular order. 
 Each starts as a minute crystal from some independent point of 
 rock-salt, and as they continue to grow and increase they thrust 
 themselves into one another and form at their bases a mass 
 showing no distinct lines or features. As this is the rule which 
 governs all salt crystals, it will be seen how, during the dry 
 season, the salt crystals were formed at the bottom of the old salt 
 lake. Had the dry season continued for a long period a thick 
 mass of rock-salt would have been formed. The floor of the lake 
 would have been covered with salt crystals, Hire the crystal floor 
 of a mine, and the moment the rainy season commenced, and the 
 brooks began to bring in fresh water and mud, these crystals, 
 being attacked by non-saturated water, immediately lost their 
 sharp angles and became covered with a fine layer of mud. 
 
172 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 As soon as the crystals became completely covered they ceased 
 "to dissolve, but the angles and cubes disappeared and a shapeless 
 mass of mixed salt and mud was formed. With the next dry 
 season, crystallisation again set in and another crystal floor was 
 produced, to be again destroyed by the succeeding wet season. 
 This constant growth and destruction of crystals went on for 
 ages until the salt beds were formed and the water ceased to 
 become super-saturated . 
 
 In support of this theory I have made a reference to the salt- 
 forming regions of Southern Russia, America and India, and it is, 
 perhaps, advisable to deal with these examples at rather greater 
 length, for there we can see on a small scale what must have 
 taken place on a much more extensive scale in past ages. The 
 steppes of South Eussia, near the Caspian, afford a clear illustra- 
 tion. It is evident that, at one time, the Caspian Sea extended 
 over all the low-lying country in the western and northern direc- 
 tions, and on its retreat left behind it, in the lowest portions of 
 the country, bodies of water which now form salt lakes, the 
 intervening land being chiefly swampy and, in the dry season, 
 covered with a saline afflorescence. These numerous salt lakes, 
 in all ordinary seasons, deposit a large quantity of salt, which is 
 •collected by the Russian Government. Some of these lakes, 
 like Lake Elton, are of very considerable size, and the neighbour- 
 ing steppes are drained by salt brooks which run into them. In 
 India, again, there are a number of salt lakes, in which salt is 
 deposited during the dry season. Lake Sambhur, in Rajpootana, 
 in the rainy season extends over a district of from fifteen to 
 twenty miles in length , while in the dry season it has a length of 
 only three or four miles, and presents the appearance of a succes- 
 sion of small pools of water with salt-encrusted ground between 
 them. In the great desert of Mongolia, many square miles of 
 land are spread with salt encrustations. " The plain of Tsaidam," 
 says Colonel Prejevalsky, " which, at a comparatively recent 
 geological age, formed the bed of a huge lake, is now covered with 
 morasses so thickly impregnated with salt, as to be encrusted 
 with a layer which, in some places, is half an inch to an inch in 
 thickness.'' Again, he says, " Here lies the salt basin of Djaratai 
 Dabas, about twenty-six miles in circumference, presenting a 
 layer of excellent salt a foot thick in the middle, diminishing to 
 an inch round the edges." And of another lake bed, Prejevalskv 
 writes, " This lake bed occupied the lowest part of the whole of 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 173 
 
 Ala Shan, and is 3100 feet above the sea ; it is about 33 miles 
 in circumference and is encrusted with a layer of pure salt two 
 to six feet thick." In America, similar dried-up lakes are also 
 found. In Nevada, at the sink of the Carson River, a bed of 
 rock-salt, five miles square has been discovered, evidently forming 
 the bottom of a dried-up salt lake. These are illustrations of 
 salt lakes, some completely dried up, and their salt left in large 
 masses of varying degrees of thickness, and others furnishing 
 annually hundreds of thousands of tons of salt which, if left 
 untouched , would help to form rock-salt deposits. 
 
 Mention must also be made of the Dead Sea, which, during 
 the dry season, when the Jordan sends down but little water, 
 is, at the southern extremity, merely a salt lake. From the 
 bottom of this sea, fine crystals of rock salt have been brought 
 up by the sounding line, and so deep is the sea that, should this 
 salt-forming go on for ages, as seems probable, huge beds of salt 
 will be deposited. These will be mixed up with the sediment 
 brought down by the Jordan, and in the course of ages the sea 
 will be completely filled with it. The famous Great Salt Lake 
 between the Wahsatcb mountains and the Nevadas in America, 
 is merely the remains of a large inland sea which once covered the 
 district and, should the climate become drier than it is now, 
 the shrinkage, which went on for ages, will be resumed and a huge 
 salt deposit will be formed. 
 
 In addition to the lagoons and inland lakes, we have the Kara 
 Boghaz or Black Gulph on the eastern side of the Caspian Sea, 
 which presents a remarkable instance of what may be described- 
 as a combination of the two. The Black Gulph is an enormous 
 body of water, separated from the Caspian by a narrow channel 
 about 150 yards wide and 5 feet deep. Owing to the great 
 evaporation and the absence of streams running into the Gulph- 
 a constant current sets in from the Caspian with an average 
 speed of three miles an hour. The result is, that the water, in 
 which no animal life exists, has become saturated with salt, and 
 layers of salt are being deposited on the mud at the bottom. As 
 this has been going on for a long time, and seems likely to continue, 
 we may expect that a mass of rock salt will be deposited there,, 
 similar to those which formed in past geologic ages. Van Baer 
 has estimated the quantity of salt contained in the water passing 
 daily from the Caspian into the Black Gulph at 250,000 tons. 
 Schleidan puts it at 420,000 tons and Ochsenius at 630,000 tons. 
 
174 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The lowest of these estimates amounts to 127,750,000 tons 
 per annum which, in the course of centuries, will form a salt 
 ■deposit of enormous magnitude. 
 
 In India we have the Eunn of Kutch, which may be cited as a 
 convincing illustration of the formation of salt. There is no 
 doubt that a depression has existed here for a long period, but 
 since the great earthquake of 1819 an area of 10,000 square miles 
 is periodically flooded by sea water. Some parts of this tract of 
 -country lie above the level of the sea, and other parts are just 
 below sea level and when inundated the water is everywhere 
 shallow. Over this enormous area, salt, with its inseparable 
 .accompaniment of mud, is continually being formed and the 
 district has been described as a desert of salt and mud. On a 
 plan of the old fort of Sindree which, owing to subsidence, is 
 surrounded by water, we read " Shallow water, deeper to the 
 east ; intensely saline, a thick layer of salt beneath it." In 
 another place, " Shallow water, layer of salt beneath," then, " salt 
 over mud." The salt upon the Eunn is generally from one to 
 three inches in depth, but in the Sindree basin, it was found 
 beneath the water with a thickness of from three to four feet. 
 The general opinion is that the Eunn has been elevated from 
 beneath the sea during recent geologic time. Speaking of one 
 portion of the Eunn, Wynne, " On the Geology of Kutch," says : 
 " The miles of mud which had to be crossed show, however, that 
 after wet seasons or partial rains, this Sindree depression would 
 be flooded. It has, doubtless, been reduced in depth by fifty 
 years' accumulation of salt, but this would appear to have been 
 so evenly distributed as to still preserve a hollow where the river 
 ran, and to have been partial or absent where the salt was found 
 three feet thick." 
 
 It will be noticed that in rainless districts the salt lakes soon 
 dry up and the salt, being quickly deposited, is almost pure ; in 
 the cases referred to, of dried-up lakes, the salt is mostly described 
 as pure. These instances, however, are exceptional, and in dealing 
 with existing salt-depositing lakes, we find continual reference 
 to the mud or clay. 
 
 Speaking of Lake Elton, Herr Cech says : 
 
 " The yearly layers (of salt) are separated from one another by 
 a layer of black mud ; beneath the fourth layer is found black 
 clay, and underneath this, once more, layers of salt of a more solid 
 quality." Pallas, in his " Travels in Eussia," repeatedly refers 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 175 
 
 to the mud. Speaking of one lake, nearly dried up, lie says : 
 " Here the rock salt forms a very extensive stratum, as beautiful 
 and pure as crystals ; it is immediately beneath a bed of loam." 
 Further on he says : "In the pit which we cleared it was evident 
 that the rock salt did not form a completely horizontal stratum, 
 but had an inflected superficies, and was irregularly waved with 
 grey streaks, and apparently originating from a black mire. 
 Immediately above this bed of salt, there was a waved stratum 
 of grey clay, which forms the whole of the incumbent surface." 
 Again, " After passing an eminence, we saw a saline lake, nearly 
 dry, which had deposited a considerable crust of salt upon its 
 mire." In the report of the examination of the Dead Sea, by 
 Lieutenant Lynch, we read : " The bottom consisted of blue mud 
 and sand, and a number of crystals of salt, some of them perfect 
 cubes." At the southern end, near Jebel Usdum, "the beach 
 was a soft slimy mud incrusted with salt " ; and on one of the 
 party landing " his feet sank first through a layer of slimy mud a 
 foot deep, then through a crust of salt, and then through another 
 foot of mud." At a depth of 1308 feet the bottom was found to 
 be " soft brown mud with rectangular crystals of salt." At 
 Lake Sambhur, in India, we are told that " to reach the thick 
 crust of salt they have to wade some 300 or 400 yards, ankle deep 
 or deeper, through soft, fetid, black mud, loaded with sharp-edged 
 salt crystals." 
 
 Scbleiden, in speaking of Lake Elton, says : " On this old salt 
 is deposited a blackish mud layer (salt clay) which separates the 
 salt from the next succeeding layer. In 1805 Gobel bored, in the 
 very shallow lake, about 1| miles from the shore. He found forty- 
 two distinctly separated layers of rock salt, the uppermost from 
 1 to 4 inches thick, the lowest 9 inches thick. The deeper he bored 
 the more solid the salt was, and the more pure. At the hundredth 
 layer the salt was so hard that the iron tool broke." A Russian 
 report of an inspection of the north-eastern shores of the Caspian 
 says that " the area of the whole of the salt lakes is about 24,000 
 acres. On the surface is a layer of about 2 inches of pure strong 
 salt, above a layer of black lake mud, underneath which is a 
 strong bed of salt." Darwin, speaking of the salt lakes of Patagonia 
 and La Plata says : " This salt rests always on a thick bed of 
 black muddy sand." Stransbury, in describing the broad plain 
 country to the west of the Great Salt Lake, says : " The first part 
 of the plain consisted simply of dried mud, with small crystals 
 
176 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of salt scattered thickly over the surface. Crossing this, we came 
 upon another portion of it, three miles in width, where the ground 
 was entirely covered with a thin layer of salt in a state of delique- 
 scence, and of so soft a consistence that the feet of our mules 
 sank at every step into the mud beneath. But we soon came 
 upon a portion of the plain, where the salt lay in a solid state." 
 
 It will be seen from the foregoing extracts, that in whatever 
 quarter of the world salt lakes occur, the same characteristics are 
 encountered, viz. : salt depositing on mud and covered by mud. 
 Every shower of rain creates a certain amount of mud and sand 
 and every brook and stream running into the salt lakes convey 
 during the rainy season a certain quantity of mud and sand. 
 The mud represents the wet season of the year and the salt the 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 177 
 
 dry season. The geological conditions must nave been the same 
 when salt was deposited in Cheshire, and with the instances of 
 
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 modern salt-forming regions before us and the strata of the 
 Cheshire salt country to guide us, one must conclude that the 
 genesis of rock-salt must, modified by local circumstances, have 
 
178 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 been the same in every case. Indeed, in the face of the evidence 
 it seems certain that the Cheshire beds of rock salt have been 
 crystallised out of the saturated waters of salt lakes, and that 
 their admixture of marl has been caused by streams running into 
 the lakes during the wet seasons, and that the peculiar amorphous 
 mixture of marl and salt known as rock salt is the result of the 
 continual growth of pure salt crystals, and their partial destruction 
 by mud-bearing fresh waters. 
 
 The. Contemporary Review for July 1873 contains an article 
 entitled " Old Continents," by A. C. Eamsay, in which he under- 
 takes to prove that in the British Islands all the great formations 
 of a red colour, and which are partly of Palaeozoic, and partly of 
 Mesozoic or secondary age, were deposited in large inland lakes, 
 fresh or salt, thus showing that there was a long continental 
 epoch in the part of the world , comparable to, and as important 
 in a physical point of view, as any of the great continents of the 
 present day. The article is of considerable length, but the matter 
 presented is so closely woven that it is only possible to do justice 
 to Ramsay's theory by allowing the author to make good his case 
 in the appended extracts : 
 
 " The circumstances which marked the passage of the upper- 
 most Silurian rocks into old red sandstone seem to me to have 
 been the following : first, a shallowing of the sea, followed by a 
 gradual alteration in the physical geography of the district, so 
 that the area became changed into a series of mingled fresh and 
 brackish lagoons, which finally, by continual terrestrial changes, 
 were converted into a great fresh-water lake : or if we take the 
 whole of Britain, and areas now sea-covered beyond , into a series 
 of lakes. The occurrence of a few genera or even species of fish 
 and Crustacea common to the salt, brackish, or fresh waters 
 does not prove that the passage beds and those still higher are 
 truly marine. At the present day, animals Commonly supposed 
 to be essentially marine are occasionally found inhabiting fresh 
 water. In the inland fresh lakes of Newfoundland, seals which 
 never visit the sea are common, and breed freely. The same is 
 the case in Lake Baikal, 1280 feet above the sea level in Central 
 Asia ; and though these facts bear but slightly on my present 
 subject, seals being air-breathing mammalia, yet in the broad 
 mouth of the Amazon, far above the tidal influence of sea water, 
 marine mollusca and other kinds of life are found ; and in some 
 of the lakes in Sweden there are marine Crustacea. This may 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 
 
 179 
 
 easily be accounted for in the same way that I now attempt to 
 account for analogous peculiarities in the old red sandstone. 
 These Swedish lakes were submerged during the glacial period, 
 
 ORDER OF STRATA. 
 
 Post tertiary 
 Period. 
 
 TERTIARY 
 
 Oft CAINOZOIC ■ 
 
 PER/OD. 
 
 Surface Soil. 
 
 Alluvium 
 
 Diluvium 
 
 Pliocene 
 
 Miocenq 
 
 Triassic or 
 
 New Red Sandstone 
 
 Carboniferous 
 
 Devonian or 
 
 Old Red Sandstone 
 
 Metamorphic 
 
 and remained as deep basins whils the land was emerging, and 
 after its final emergence the salt waters of the lake freshened so 
 slowly that some of the creatures inhabiting them had time by 
 degrees to adjust themselves to new and abnormal conditions. 
 "If by changes in the physical • geography of the area of a 
 
180 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 continental kind, a portion of the Silurian Sea got isolated frora 
 the main ocean, more or less like the Caspian and Black Sea, then 
 the ordinary marine conditions of the ' passage beds,' accom- 
 panied by some of the life of the period, might be maintained for 
 what in common language seems to us a long time. There is 
 geological proof that the Black Sea was once united to the Caspian, 
 the two forming one great brackish lake. Since they were dis- 
 united, and the Bosphorus opened, the Black Sea, as it may be 
 inferred, has been steadily freshening ; and it is easy to conceive 
 that by the re-closing of the Bosphorus (a comparatively small 
 geographical change), it might in the course of time again be 
 converted into a fresh sea. At present a great body of salt water 
 is constantly being poured out through the Bosphorus, and its 
 place taken by the fresh waters of the Danube and other rivers, 
 while owing to the uncongenial quality of the freshening sea, 
 some of the Black Sea shells are strangely distorted, as was 
 shown by Edward Forbes. Or if we take the Caspian alone as 
 an example ; there we have a brackish inland sea, which was once 
 joined to the ocean, as proved by its molluscan fauna. Changes 
 in physical geography have taken place of such a kind that the 
 Caspian is now separated from the ocean, while its waters, 
 gradually growing Salter by evaporation, are still inhabited by a 
 poor and dwarfed marine molluscan fauna. If, by increase of 
 rainfall, the Caspian became freshened, evaporation not being 
 equal to the supply of water poured in by rivers, it would by and 
 by, after reaching the point of overflow, be converted into a 
 great fresh-water lake, larger in extent than the whole area of 
 Great Britain. Under these circumstances, in the Caspian area, 
 we should have a passage more or less gradual from marine to 
 fresh-water conditions, such as I conceive to have marked the 
 advent of the old red sandstone. 
 
 "It is unnecessary to dilate on the well-known continental 
 aspect of a large part of the carboniferous strata which succeed 
 the old red sandstonj, especially of the coal measures, which in 
 the North of England and in Scotland are not confined to the 
 upper parts of the series, but reach down among strata which 
 elsewhere are only represented by the marine beds of the car- 
 boniferous limestone. The soils (under clays), forests, and 
 peat mosses of the period, now beds of coal; the suncracks, 
 on rain-pittings, bones and footprints of Labyrintbodont Amphibia 
 on mud, now hardened into shale ; the esturine and fresh-water 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 181 
 
 •shells — all point to vast marshes and great deltoid deposit, 
 formed in a country which underwent many changes in its physical 
 geography and yet retained its identity throughout. 
 
 " I will now discuss the conditions under which the British 
 Permian strata were deposited. These rocks, in their general 
 characters, very much resemble the Rothliegende, Kupperschiefer, 
 or Marl State and Lechstein of the Thurmgerwald and other 
 parts of Germany, with this difference, that where the English 
 magnesian limestone (Zechstein) is in force between Tynemouth 
 and Nottingham, theie are no real sandstones, marls, and con- 
 glomerates (Rothliegende) between the limestone and the coal 
 measures, and in all the other parts of Britain where the red 
 sandstone, etc., occur, there is only in two instances a little 
 magnesian limestone lying, not at the top, but in the midst of, 
 or inter-stratified with, the sandy and marly series. The Permian 
 marls, sandstones, conglomerates, and sub-angular breccias of 
 Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Lancashire, North Wales, 
 the Valley of the Eden, and the south of Scotland, are all red, 
 and, in fact, I nowhere recollect any important grey, yellow, or 
 brown shales and sandstones among them. All of our Permian 
 strata were deposited not in the sea, but in the inland water- 
 lakes, which were probably mostly salt, but may possibly some- 
 times have been fresh or brackish. 
 
 " As with the red strata of the old red sandstone, so I consider 
 that the red colouring matter of the Permian sandstones and 
 marls is due to the precipitation of peroxide of iron in a lake or 
 lakes, in the manner already stated, and the nearly total absence 
 of sea shell in by far the largest part of the areas occupied by the 
 strata coloured red, strongly points to this conclusion. There 
 is other evidence bearing upon the question. The British plants 
 ■of Permian age were mostly of genera common in the coal 
 measures, though of different species. Among them are Calamites 
 and Lepidodendron, Walchia, Chondrites Ullmania, Cardiscarpen, 
 Alethopteris, Sphenopheris, Neuropteris, and many fragments of 
 undermined coniferous wood. This, however, forms no perfectly 
 conclusive proof of the lacustrine origin of the strata, though it 
 is not unlikely that land-plants drifted by rivers should have 
 been water -logged and buried in the sediments of lakes. 
 
 " The evidence derived from reptilian remains more strongly 
 points in the same direction. First we have the labyrinthodont 
 amphibian, Dasyceps Bucklands, from the Permian sandstones 
 
182 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 near Kenilworth : next, the footprints mentioned by Professor 
 Harkness in the red sandstones of the Vale of Ed 3n ; and again, 
 the numerous footprints in the sandstones of Corncockle Moor, 
 in Dumfriesshire, long ago described by Sir William Jardine. All 
 of these prints indicate that the amphibia were accustomed to 
 walk on damp surfaces of sand or mud open to the air, and the 
 impressions left by their feet were afterwards dried in the sun, 
 before the water flooded anew, overspread them with layers of 
 sediment, in a manner that now annually takes place, during the 
 variations of the seasons on the broad flats of the Great Salt Lake 
 of Utah, and in other salt lakes. The occurrence of pseudo- 
 morphs of crystals of salt in the Permian beds of the Vale of Eden 
 also helps to this conclusion, together with the ripple marks, 
 suncracks, and rain-pittings impressed on the beds. Crystals of 
 common salt were not likely to have been deposited in an open 
 sea, for to form such crystals, concentration of chloride of sodium 
 by evaporation is necessary. Deposits of gypsum common in 
 the Permian marls could also only have been formed in inland 
 waters by concentration, or on occasional surfaces of mud ex- 
 posed to the sun and air, for no reasonable explanation can be 
 offered of a process by means of which sulphate of lime can be 
 deposited amid common mechanical sediments at the bottom 
 of an open sea. 
 
 " The question now arises, how to account for the formation 
 of the bands of magnesian limestone, sparingly intermingled 
 with the red marls and sandstones of Lancashire and the Vale 
 of Eden, and of that more important limestone district in the 
 eastern half of the north of England, forming a long escarpment 
 between Tynemouth and Nottingham. In these we have a true 
 but restricted marine fauna, intermingled, however, with the 
 relics of amphibian and terrestrial life. Let us broadly compare 
 the marine life of the preceding epoch, that of the carboniferous 
 limestone series, with the fossils of the magnesian limestone.. 
 The marine fauna of the carboniferous limestone of Britain, 
 contains about 1500 species, most of which are Mollusca (869), 
 corals (12-4), echinodermata Crustacea (149), and fish (203). 
 The Permian fauna feebly resembles that of the carboniferous 
 epoch, but instead of the vast assemblage of many kinds of life 
 found in the latter, the magnesiam limestone of England only 
 holds 9 genera and 21 species of Brachiopoda, 16 genera and 
 .31 species of Lamellibranchiata, and 11 genera and 26 species. 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 183 
 
 of Gasteropoda, 1 Pteropod (Them), and 1 Cephalopod, 
 (Nautilus). The whole comprises only 38 genera and 80 species, 
 and all of these are dwarfed in size when compared with their 
 carboniferous congeners, when such they are. 
 
 " I cannot easily account for this paucity of numbers and 
 dwarfing of the forms, except on the hypothesis that the waters 
 in which they lived were uncongenial to a true ocean fauna. 
 And in this respect the general assemblage may be compared to 
 the still more restricted marine faunas of the Caspian Sea, and 
 the Sea of Aral, or rather to that a little more numerous and 
 partly fossil, of the Great Aralo-Caspian area of inland drainage, 
 at a time when these inland brackish lakes formed part of a much 
 larger body of water. Some of the fish of the marl slate have 
 strong generic affinities with those of carboniferous age, a number 
 of which undoubtedly penetrated into the shallow estuarine lakes 
 and salt lagoons of that period. Associated with the Permian 
 mollusca, we find the Labyrinthodont, Amphibian, Lepidotosanrus 
 Duffi, together with Proterosaurus Speneri, and P. Huleyi, 
 both of which were true Lacertilian land reptiles. 
 
 " Besides the poverty of species, and the small size of the 
 mollusca of the true magnesian limestone, the chemical composi- 
 tion seems to afford strong hints that they were formed in an 
 inland salt lake, the sediments of which were partly 
 deposited through the effect of solar evaporation. Broadly 
 stated, the rock may be said to consist of a mixture of 
 carbonate of lime, and carbonate of magnesia in proportion 
 more or less equal, mingled with a little silicious sand mechanically 
 deposited. The solid dolomite still contains about one-fifth per 
 cent, of salts soluble in water, consisting of chlorides of sodium, 
 magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sulphate of lime. These 
 must have been produced at the same time as the dolomite, 
 and caught in some of the solution then present, which is thus 
 indicated to have been of a brine character (Sorby). But, 
 instead of such deposits having been formed in open sea water, 
 I submit that this evidence, joined to the facts previously stated, 
 leads me to believe that our Permian dolomite was formed in an 
 inland salt lake, in which carbonates of lime and magnesia 
 might have been deposited simultaneously. This deposition was 
 chiefly the result of concentration of solutions caused by evapora- 
 tion, the presence of carbonate of lime in the rock being partly 
 due to organic agency, or the life and death of the molluscs that 
 
184 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 inhabit the waters. I cannot understand how the deposits of 
 carbonate of magnesia could have taken place in an open sea, 
 where necessarily lime and magnesia only exist in solution in 
 very small quantities in a vast bulk of water. In the open sea, 
 indeed, the formation of all beds of limestone is produced simply 
 by the secretion of carbonate of lime, effected by mollusca 
 corals and other organic agents, and I know of no animal that 
 uses carbonate of magnesia to make its bones. 
 
 " The same kind of arguments apply to the magnesian lime- 
 stones of Lancashire and the Vale of Eden, and the miserable 
 marine fauna in some of these beds also indicates inland unhealthy 
 waters, while tie deposits of bedded gypsum, so common in the 
 marls of the series, show that the latter could not have been 
 deposited in the sea. 
 
 " Taking all the circumstances into account, the poverty of 
 the marine fauna, the terrestrial lizards, the amphibia, and the 
 land plants, I cannot resist the conclusion that the Permian rocks 
 of England were deposited in a lake, or in a series of great inland 
 continental lakes, brackish or salt, and if this be true, it will 
 generally apply to some other regions of Europe. The strata 
 that succeed the Permian formations in the geological scale are 
 those included in the word ' trias ' on the Continent of Europe. 
 These consist of three sub-divisions : first and lowest, the Bunter 
 Sandstone ; second, the Muschellcalh ; and third, the Keuper Mare 
 ■or Marnes irisees. The Bunter Sandstone, on the Continent, 
 consists chiefly of red sandstones, with inter-stratified beds of red 
 marl, and thin bands of limestone, sometimes magnesian. These 
 form the Ores bigarres of France. In these strata near Strasburg 
 about thirty species of land plants are known, chiefly ferns, 
 Calamities, Cycads, and Conifera ; and with them remains of 
 fish are found, and Labyrinth odont Amphibia. In the same 
 series there occur Lamellibranchiate marine molluscs of the 
 genera Trigonia Mya, Mytilus, and Posidonia, so few in number 
 that they suggest the idea, not of the sea, but of an inland salt 
 lake, especially when taken in connection with the Labyrinthodont 
 Amphibia and the terrestrial plants. 
 
 "The Muschelkalk next in the series is essentially marine. A 
 partial submergence took place, and a large and various fauna of 
 Mesozoic type occupied the area previously covered by the lake 
 deposits of the Bunter sandstone. 
 
 " Above this comes the Keuper Series, with gypsum and 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 185 
 
 •dolomite laud plants, fish and Labyiinthodont remains, and a 
 few genera and species of marine shells, again suggesting the idea 
 of a set of conditions very different from those that prevailed 
 when the Muschelkalk was formed. 
 
 " These strata, as a whole, are the geological equivalents of 
 the new red sandstone, and marl of England, with this difference, 
 that the Muschelkalk is entirely absent in our country, and we 
 only possess the new red. sandstone (Bunter), and the new red 
 marl (Keuper). 
 
 " The kind of arguments already applied to part of the Permian 
 strata may, with equal force, be used in relation to the new red 
 sandstone and marl of England. I have for long held that our 
 mew red sandstone was deposited in an inland lake, 
 probably salt, and that our new red marl was certainly 
 formed in a salt lake. Pseudomorphous crystals of salt are 
 common throughout tbe whole formation, which, besides, contains 
 two great beds of rock salt, each 80 or 100 feet thick, which could 
 •only have been deposited in a lake that had no outflow, and 
 from which all the waters poured into it by the rivers of the 
 country was entirely got rid of by evaporation caused by solar 
 heat. It has been proved by analysis that all spring and river 
 waters contain chloride of sodium and other salts in solution, and 
 in such a lake, by constant evaporation, salts must in time have 
 become so concentrated that the water could hold no more in 
 solution. This state of evaporation is now going on in the com- 
 paratively rainless areas of the Dead Sea, the Great Salt Lake of 
 Utah, and in numerous lakes in Central Asia, though it is by no 
 means asserted that in all of these positive depositions of salt 
 has begun to take place. At length saline deposits began to be 
 formed, which, in the case of the new red marl, consisted chiefly 
 of common salt. This is impossible in any ordinary ocean, for 
 the salt in solution cannot there be sufficiently concentrated to 
 permit of deposition. 
 
 " Gypsum, and other salts contained in the red marl, may slso 
 have been formed in the like manner, and as in the Permian and 
 old Ted formations, I consider that the peroxide of iron which 
 stains both salt and marl may have been carried into the lakes 
 in solution as carbonate of iron, to be afterwards deposited as a 
 peroxide." 
 
 (Ramsay has fallen into error here, as the red colour of the rock 
 salt is not a proper stain, but red clay. The crystals of salt are 
 
186 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 all perfectly clear, the colour is the result of the clay or marl 
 imbedded in the salt, and which shines through. The salt is not 
 a true deposit in the ordinary acceptation of the term, but a 
 crystallisation out of a saturated solution. Eock-salt forms at 
 the bottom of the salt lake in perfect cubes, growing into and on 
 one another at all angles and inclinations, and enveloping any 
 matter falling upon the crystals. The clay is undoubtedly the 
 sediment brought down by brooks and rivers during the rainy 
 season, and spread over the whole crystalline bottom of the lake. 
 In the dry season the salt crystals would again form and envelop 
 the clay.) 
 
 " The remains of plants," to return to Ramsay, " found in the 
 British Keuper beds also speak of a surrounding land, while the 
 crocodile {Stagonolepis), and Dinosauria (land reptiles), lizards 
 (one of them a true land lizard, Telerpeton), and six supposed 
 species of Labyrinthodont Amphibia, all tell the same tale of land. 
 Eain prints and suncracks are not wanting to help in the argu- 
 ment, and while the fishes yield no conclusive proof, the well- 
 known bivalve crustacean Estheria minuta might have lived in 
 any kind of area occupied by salt water, while the small mar- 
 supial mammal Microlestes antiquus speaks conclusively of land. 
 
 " Taken as a whole it seems to me that the nearest conception 
 we can form of part of the old continent in which the Permian 
 and new red strata were deposited, is that it physically resembled 
 the great inland drainage of Central Asia, in which, from the 
 Caspian three thousand miles to the eastward, almost all the lakes 
 are salt in a region comparatively rainless, and in which the area 
 occupied by inland salt or brackish waters was formerly much 
 more extensive than at present." 
 
 In his inaugural address at the British Association Meeting at 
 Swansea, in August 1880, Dr Ramsay, in discussing the circum- 
 stances that produced numerous recurrences of the development 
 of beds of various salts in many formations, repeats his conclusions 
 that the British Permian strata were deposited, not in the sea, 
 but in salt lakes, " comparable in some respects to the Great Salt 
 Lake of Utah, and, in its restricted fauna, to the far greater salt 
 lake by the Caspian Sea. The gypsum, the dolomite or magnesian 
 limestone, the red marls covered with rain-pittings, the suncracks, 
 and the impressions of foot-prints of reptiles made in the soft 
 sandy marls when the water was temporarily lowered by the solar 
 evaporation of successive summers, all point to the fact that our 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 187 
 
 Penman strata were not deposited in the sea, but in a salt lake 
 or lakes once upon a time connected with the sea." 
 
 In the Proceedings of the Geographical Society, on January 21, 
 1853, Mr H. E. Strickland described the discovery near the 
 village of Blaisdon in Gloucestershire, of some thin flaggy beds 
 of the peculiar white sandstones alternating with greenish marl, 
 which are recognised in this country as the equivalents of the 
 Keuper sandstone of Germany. These beds, which are elevated 
 at the unusually high angle of about 45 degrees, are ripple-marked 
 on their surface, and the surfaces both upper and lower of some of 
 the sandstone beds, which alternate with lamina? of marl, are 
 studded over with small bodies resembling crystals of cubical or 
 nearly cubical form. On examination these apparent crystals 
 prove not to be crystalline in their interior, but to be wholly 
 composed of white sandstone passing into and inseparable from 
 the stratum from whose surfaces they projected. It was also 
 evident that the grains of sand which composed them were not 
 held together by crystalline matter, like those in the well-known 
 sandstone crystals of Fontainebleau, as they presented no trace of 
 cleavage planes and their cubical forms proved them not to be 
 due to carbonate of lime. It was therefore evident that these 
 crystal-like bodies belonged to the class termed pseudomorphous, 
 and to the lowest subdivision of that class ; and in attempting to 
 determine what was the nature of the original crystals which had 
 been replaced by sand it was found that the necessary conditions 
 of crystallisation were completely fulfilled by supposing chloride 
 of sodium to have been the material which formed the moulds 
 for these pseudomorphous crystals. 
 
 " The ripple marks," as Mr Stickland pointed out, " the cracks 
 formed by desiccation in the argillaceous beds, and afterwards 
 filled with sand poured in from above, and the not infrequent 
 impressions of the feet of air-breatbing reptiles, all of which 
 phenomena especially characterise the Keuper sandstones of our 
 English counties, seem to point to a very shallow state of the sea, 
 abounding with sandbanks, and extensive salt-water marshes, 
 often laid bare in the intervals of the tides. If now we suppose 
 that at the locality in question, a sandy marsh existed, which at 
 high spring tides was covered by the sea, we can easily conceive 
 that in the interval between two spring tides, or in the still longer 
 one between two equinoctial tides, the sea water, ponded up in 
 such a marsh, had time to evaporate and to deposit its crystals 
 
188 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of chloride of sodium, which, being slowly and tranquilly formed, 
 would assume their normal shape of cubes. As the desiccation 
 proceeded these crystals would be enveloped by the fine muddy 
 sediment which usually forms the last deposit of water, as it 
 evaporates to dryness. When, after a given interval, the tide 
 again overflowed the spot, the returning sea-water (not being 
 saturated) would dissolve these saline crystals, leaving cubical 
 cavities in the mud which contained them. The tide would 
 bring with it a fresh deposit of fine sand, a portion of which would 
 pour into the cavities formed by the crystals, and the remainder 
 would form a homogeneous stratum immediately above. That 
 chloride of sodium was the original substance that gave form to 
 these bodies is further shown by the fact that in one example we 
 find that peculiar concave figure so often seen in crystals of 
 common salt, and which is due to the original cube floating at the 
 surface of the brine, when a succession of smaller cubes form 
 round its margin, and ultimately give it a kind of basket-shaped 
 form, which is distinctly seen in the specimen in question. The 
 pseud omorphous crystals of salt therefore supply us with an 
 additional evidence of these subasrial agencies affecting littoral 
 ■deposits, of which the Keuper sandstone has already furnished 
 examples in the ripplings, the rain-drops, the mud-cracks, and the 
 reptilian footprints so often presented on its surface." 
 
 Similar samples of pseudomorphous crystals had been found at 
 Spetchley in Worcestershire and in Nottinghamshire, proving the 
 extension of Keuper sandstone, affected by similar conditions 
 over a considerable area in the Midland counties. 
 
 At subsequent Proceedings of the Geological Society it was 
 shown that pseudomorphous crystals of chloride of sodium have 
 been found at Holmes Chapel, Lymm, Preston on the Hill and 
 elsewhere in England ; to the south of Lake Ontario and in 
 Wayne, Monrol and Madison counties in America ; and over a 
 large proportion of Northern Germany. 
 
FORMATION OF THE DEPOSITS 
 
 im 
 
 ,o +- -s 
 
 C ta ») S tsi 
 
 <i> 
 
 cTS 
 
 QQ 2 CO -2 w 
 
 u. 
 o 
 
 z 
 o 
 
 u 
 
 Ui 
 
 to 
 
THE AREA OF THE CHESHIRE SALT BEDS 
 
 Except to the north, where the country has not been systemati- 
 cally explored, the limits of the upper bed of salt have been fairly 
 well ascertained. The borehole at Marston, in which the salt 
 was found at 47 feet below ordnance datum, appears to be on 
 the highest proved portion of the salt bed, and from this central 
 point the surface of the salt falls away gently in every direction. 
 About half a mile away to the east the farthest existing shaft 
 locates rock-salt a little over 65 feet below ordnance datum. Of 
 three borings made a little to the north of this shaft, two struck 
 salt at 95 feet below ordnance datum, and a third, situated less 
 than a hundred yards farther north, found no salt before 170 feet 
 below ordnance datum. As the bottom of the upper bed has 
 never been lower than from 140 to 150 feet below ordnance datum 
 in any portion of the Northwich district, it is evident that this 
 boring was in the lower bed of salt. A borehole put down about 
 a mile to the south-east of the central Marston borehole to a 
 depth of 354 feet from the surface (or nearly 280 feet below ord- 
 nance datum) found no salt. From this point, proceeding by 
 south to west, ranging from a mile to nearly a mile and a half 
 from the Marston borehole, a series of shafts and borings have 
 been sunk, and in no case, to the east of a north and south line 
 passing through the Marston borehole, has the upper bed of salt 
 been found at a distance of over one mile. All the shafts within 
 the one-mile radius show a gradual thinning out of the upper bed 
 or fall of the surface. Several boreholes and a shaft were sunk 
 a little over a mile in a south-easterly direction from the Marston 
 borehole and the lower bed of salt was proved, but in none was 
 the upper bed found. About 1890, a boring was made a little 
 to the west of the Northwich station, in which the upper bed 
 was found at a depth of 240 feet and the lowei bed at 502 feet. 
 Newmann's shaft, the nearest shaft to this borehole, which is 
 about 400 yards to the N.N.W., showed the upper bed to be 
 rapidly thinning out. At Neumann's the salt is reached at 90 
 feet below ordnance datum, while at Penny's Lane Mine, which is 
 less than 100 yards to the north, it is found at 67 feet. The upper 
 
AREA OF CHESHIRE SALT BEDS 191 
 
 "bed, which is 90 feet thick at the Marston borehole, is only 30 feet 
 thick at Neumann's, and a quarter of a mile farther to the west a 
 borehole was sunk to a depth of 210 feet from the surface and no 
 salt was found. 
 
 Mi James Thompson, a recognised authority upon salt and salt- 
 mining in the Cheshire district, writing on the subject nearly 
 fifty years ago, said : " The thickness of the upper bed of rock- 
 salt is about 25 yards, but this thickness is only maintained within 
 a circle of about three miles in circumference, outside of which it 
 
192 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 thins off rapidly on the upper surface. I have proved a thinning- 
 off of about 8 yards within a distance of about 200 yards, the 
 thickness of the upper bed being 17 yards only in Mr Hadfield's 
 (Penny's Lane Mine). A more remarkable instance, however, 
 occurs in the town of Northwich. In sinking for brine for Mr 
 Marshall in the Cotton Works yard, the rock-salt was found at 
 the usual depth, 36 yards from the surface (or about 61 feet below 
 ordnance datum). In the yard, now converted into a cattle 
 market, the distance from the brine shaft being about 150 yards 
 only, we bored down to a depth that would not only have reached 
 the rock, but more than would have passed clean through the 
 bed, and that without finding the usual clays or marls which 
 indicate the presence of rock-salt." 
 
 The borehole in the cattle-market here referred to is about 
 500 yards to the north-west of the borehole in the Dane Meadows, 
 and about a mile and a quarter from the Marston borehole. 
 About 500 yards farther west, in Pimlott's boiler yard in Leftwich, 
 near the banks of the Weaver, a borehole carried down 334 feet 
 encountered brine, but found no certain indication of rock-salt.. 
 On the Eiversdale Estate, about 600 yards due south of Pimlott's 
 borehole, and a mile and three-quarters to the south-west of the 
 Marston borehole, a bed of salt 10 feet thick was struck at a depth 
 of 225 feet, and a second bed was proved at a depth of 289 feet. 
 The first salt was 180 feet below ordnance datum, and as the 
 bottom of the upper rock-salt is nowhere lower than 110 to 150 
 feet below ordnance datum, it is certain that this salt does not 
 belong to the top bed. North-west of the borehole in Dane 
 Meadows, rather moie than 1|- miles to the south-west of the 
 Marston borehole, a shaft was sunk by the Wilmington Salt 
 Company to a depth of 81 yards without finding rock-salt. 
 
 Two shafts of Brunner, Mond & Co., nearly directly north of 
 the Winnington shaft, and rather less than 1£ miles, from the 
 Marston borehole, have proved rock-salt at 112 feet below ordnance 
 datum, and in the four nearest shafts, the Baron's Quay, Eelief 
 shaft (Baron's Quay), Neumann's (Witton Mine), and the Penny's 
 Lane shaft (Witton Mine) the depths to the bottom of the upper 
 bed of salt are 113, 117, 120, and 120 feet respectively below 
 ordnance datum. The salt in these mines cannot be the upper 
 bed, but if it is the lower bed, the customary 25 to 30 feet of marls 
 lying between the salt beds must be missing. A borehole reported, 
 the bottom of the top bed of salt at a depth of 203 feet below 
 
AREA OF CHESHIRE SALT BEDS 193 
 
 ordnance datum, while at tie Marston borehole, the top of the 
 lower bed of salt was 171 feet below ordnance datum, or 32 feet 
 higher than this (the lowest in the district), besides the 30 feet of 
 intervening marl. The possible explanation of this puzzling 
 phenomena is that the Winnington shaft being near the edge of 
 the salt, the beds may have thinned out, and in the 91 feet from 
 the surface of the salt to the bottom, there may be a thin section 
 of the top bed, then thin marls and a thin bottom bed. In the 
 diamond-drilled borehole near the Northwich station the bottom 
 bed of salt was only 60 feet thick, and in the Bowman-Thompson 
 boreholes the lower salt bed was proved to be rapidly thinning 
 off to the eastward and south. 
 
 At a spot near the Weaver, distant about two-thirds of a mile 
 from Winnington shaft, and about 1| miles from the Marston 
 borehole, there is a group of four shafts (one of which is the 
 British brine shaft at Anderton) in which no rock-salt has been 
 found, but all have brine. These shafts are down from 128 feet 
 to 137 feet below ordnance datum. About 100 yards farther 
 west a shaft was sunk in which the east side of the salt was touched 
 at a depth of 169 feet below ordnance datum. From a quarter 
 to half a mile farther west at Gunner's Clough, Barnton, and the 
 Poultry Yard, Winnington, two boreholes were carried down to 
 a depth sufficient to pass through both salt beds, supposing they 
 existed there, but no trace of either salt or brine was found. 
 The British brine shaft is the most northerly of the group of four 
 just mentioned, and no shafts or boreholes have been sunk to the 
 west, north-west, or north of it. The Marbury brine shaft, which 
 is about three- quarters of a mile from the Marston borehole and in 
 a direct line with the British brine shaft, has rock-salt at 94 feet 
 below ordnance datum. 
 
 About a mile to the north-east of the British brine shaft, and 
 about half a mile to the N.N.W. of the Marston borehole, is the 
 Marston Hall Mine shaft — the most northerly shaft in the North - 
 wich district — in which rock-salt is met with about 56 feet below 
 ordnance datum. As rock-salt is found at the same level at the 
 Pool Pit and the Marston Old Mine, which lie between the Marston 
 borehole and the MaTston Hall Mine, it is evident that there is 
 little or no fall of the salt on the north of the borehole. Taking 
 the line of shafts farthest to the north, and extending from the 
 Marston Hall on the west to the Alexandra brine shaft on the east, 
 a distance of nearly a mile, and all within about half a mile of the 
 
 N 
 
194 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Marston borehole, the upper rock-salt is met with at from 55 feet 
 to 60 feet below ordnance datum. From the figures and explana- 
 tions given — which will be readily followed by reference to the 
 plan on page 214 — it is not difficult to fix the limits of the upper 
 bed of rock-salt to the east, south, and west of its centre, and while 
 no definite line of demarcation can be drawn to the north, surface 
 indications in that direction show that the salt practically extends 
 to Pickmere and probably to Marbury Mere. 
 
 Taking the Albert brine shaft, at which the rock-salt is highest, 
 as a centre, and proceeding from it in any direction, the gradual 
 thinning out and disappearance of the upper bed of rock-salt is 
 shown to be as follows : — 
 
 Westerly. 
 
 Feet, 
 Albert (Brine Shaft, 
 
 Marston) 47 -82 
 
 Marbury (Brine Shaft, 
 
 Marston . . . 94-05 
 Smith Barry's Land 
 
 British Brine, Ander- 
 
 ton . . . 12775 
 
 Brunner & Mond 
 
 Brine, Anderton 15000 
 
 Brunner & Mond new 
 shaft, Anderton, no 
 Salt. 
 
 South-Westerly. 
 
 Albert Brine, Mar- 
 ston 
 
 Brunner & Mond 
 Brine, Winning- 
 ton 
 
 J. Dickinson, H.M.T. 
 
 Mines says 
 
 Winnington Salt 
 Co. Brine, Win- 
 nington 
 
 No Salt in Weaver 
 Valley to S.W. 
 
 South-South-West. 
 
 Feet, 
 
 47-82 
 
 11200 
 11800 
 
 148-71 
 
 Albert 
 
 Feet. 
 47-82 
 
 South-West by South. 
 Albert 47-82 Albert 
 
 Witton Hall (Rock), 
 
 Wit ton . . . 57 30 
 
 Neumann (Rock) 
 
 Witton 90-66 
 
 Dane Meadows . . 16000 
 Sunk and bored-; this 
 210 feet and sup- below- 
 posed to have I bottom 
 struck Salt but | of 
 abandoned . . upper 
 
 - bed 
 
 South. 
 
 ■ . . 47-82 
 
 Cheshire Amalgd. 
 
 Brine, Dunkirk 6467 
 
 Penny's Lane Rock. 
 Brunner tk ,Mond, 
 Witton . . 67-00 
 
 Borehole near I No top 
 
 station J rock 
 
 This borehole made 
 
 by diamond borer 
 
 was sunk to the 
 
 depth of 506 feet 
 
 and proved no 
 
 top rock and bot- 
 tom only CO feet 
 
 Baron's Quav (Rock), 
 
 Witton ." . . 56-89 
 
 Pimlott's Bore- 
 hole . . .259 
 
 Lijf twich , Bored 
 309 feet. No 
 Upper Rock Salt 
 
 Riversdale (Cliff). 191 
 Boreholes for 
 Brine Leftwich. 
 Upper Rock Sand 
 to be 10 feet 
 thick, not found 
 till lower than 
 bottom of top 
 bed elsewhere in 
 district 
 
 South -Easterly. 
 Albert . . . . 47-82 
 
 British (Mine) . . 68-88 
 
 Worthington 
 (Brine), Dun- 
 kirk . . . . 61-46 
 
 NorthwichSaltCo., 149 
 near Wadebrook, 
 no upper bed. 
 Many rumours 
 about this bore- 
 hole, but 149 
 given in evidence 
 
AREA OF CHESHIRE SALT BEDS 
 
 195 
 
 South-Easterly — near last. East-South-East. 
 
 Albert ... . 47-82 Albert 47-82 
 
 Easterly 
 
 Albert 
 
 47-82 
 
 Nelson Brine, Mars- 
 
 
 Borehole for Coal, 
 
 
 Temperley . 
 
 82 
 
 ton, late Neumann's 
 
 5534 
 
 Marston, sunk 
 2610 ft . . . 
 
 52.2 
 
 Wincham . 
 
 63-75 
 
 Williamson's Rock, 
 
 
 Hewitt & Renshaw,\ 
 
 
 Victoria brine, 
 
 
 Wincham . 
 
 74-00 
 
 borehole sunk in 
 Wincham, near 
 
 
 Wincham 
 This the most 
 
 65-25 
 
 Bowman & Thomp- 
 
 
 Canal bridge on 
 
 •No 
 
 easterly shaft sunk 
 
 
 son, Lostock 
 
 165-00 
 
 Manchester Road, 
 to depth of 354 
 
 salt 
 
 on this line 
 
 
 Boreholes — no top 
 
 
 ft. 
 
 
 
 
 bed 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (The figures are in feet below Ordnance datum. 
 
 The extent of the second or bottom bed, from which all the 
 rock-salt produced in Cheshire since 1780 has been extracted, is 
 less clearly denned , but it is known to underlie not only the whole 
 of the upper bed, but a further considerable area in all directions. 
 The limit of the bottom bed has been fixed, as will be seen by 
 the plan on page 214, by boring outside the proved area of the 
 upper bed and marking the points where no salt has been proved. 
 The Hewitt and Renshaw borehole, about a mile to the south- 
 east of the Marston borehole, was sunk to a depth of 290 feet 
 below ordnance datum without finding salt. To the west, a shaft 
 along the canal in Anderton, about 1J miles from the Marston 
 borehole, and a boring in Gunner's Clough, Barnton, a farther 
 quarter of a mile to the west, were proved to be outside the salt bed . 
 In another borehole about half a mile south of Barnton, in the 
 Poul try -Yard , Connington, no trace of either rock-salt or brine was 
 discovered at 278 feet below ordnance datum. The boring to 290 
 feet below ordnance datum in Pimlott's Boiler Yard in Leftwich 
 showed that both beds of rock-salt are practically non-existent, 
 although at Riversdale, nearly half a mile farther south, and 
 entirely away from the great mass of rock-salt, two beds of salt, 
 10 feet and 12 feet thick respectively, and separated by 54 feet 
 of marls and gravel, were proved. 
 
 At a distance of 1J miles west of the Marston borehole the lower 
 bed of salt has disappeared. At Baron's Quay, a mile to the 
 south-west, the bed retains its thickness of 91 feet, while at 1J 
 miles — at Pimlott's — it has disappeared. Going due south, at 
 the Cheshire Amalgamated brine shaft, three-quarters of a mile 
 from Marston, the bed is 84 feet thick ; at Neumann's Witton 
 
196 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Mine, one mile away, it is 80'6 feet ; and at the Diamond bore- 
 hole, on the Witton House Estate, 1J miles away, it is 60'25 feet 
 thick. At the Manor Farm borehole, a little to the east of south, 
 three-quarters of a mile away, it is 83 feet, and, at Bowman, 
 Thompson & Co.'s boreholes, another quarter of a mile distant, 
 the bed is 73 feet thick and rapidly thinning off. In the farthest 
 of the mines to the north and north-west of the Marston bore- 
 hole, half a mile to the north-west, the lower bed is 86'6 feet 
 thick. The only conclusion to be drawn from all the obtainable 
 evidence is that, at about 1 J miles from the central spot, the lower 
 bed practically dies out. Why the lower bed, which shows a 
 decreasing thickness in all the boreholes put through it as distance 
 from the centre increased in a south-west direction, should dis- 
 appear at Pimlott's and reappear at Eiversdale, which is outside 
 the marked salt area, is a problem that, without further evidence 
 to guide us, must be left unanswered. As far as proved, the area 
 of the salt beds in the Northwich district is about four square 
 miles. There is a little uncertainty as to the northward extension, 
 but as the quantity of marl mixed with the salt increases in that 
 direction, the probability is that the beds soon die out. 
 
 Let us make a more detailed survey of the deposits of salt in 
 the Northwich and Winsford districts, and calculate roughly the 
 quantity of mineral that salt-making from brine extracts from 
 the interior of the earth in the salt region of Cheshire. 
 
 Northwich District. — If we take as the extreme points of this 
 district the sinking near the Wesleyan Chapel in Leftwich 
 to the south, and the sinking near Budworth Mere to the 
 north, then again to the brine shaft of Brunner, Mond & Co. 
 to the west, and the brine shaft of Bridgefield or New Victoria 
 Works to the east, we have an area of fully 3 square miles. 
 3 sq. miles=1920 acres=9,292,800 sq. yds. 
 
 Taking^the upper bed of rock-salt at an average of 25 yds. 
 thick, we have 232,320,000 cubic yds. of rock-salt. 
 
 Taking the specific gravity of rock salt at 2-125, a cubic yard 
 
 of rock-salt weighs 32 cwts., therefore weight of rock-salt in 
 
 , , 232,020,000 x 32 tons „„, _ n 
 upper bed= - —^ =371,702,000 tons. 
 
 Taking the bottom bed as extending over the same area, 
 but having a thickness of 35 yards, we find in it — 
 
AREA OF CHESHIRE SALT BEDS 197 
 
 9,292,800 x 35 x 32 KOA 
 
 — on — —520, 396,800 tons, 
 
 or in both beds together : 892,108,800 tons. 
 
 At Billinge Green, about 2 miles from Northwich, there is 
 a considerable sinking of land, also at Whatcroft, over some 
 100 acres of land, indicating the existence of another bed 
 of rock-salt connected with either Northwich or Winsford. 
 Winsford District. — Taking Weaver Hall on the south and New- 
 bridge on the north, with Marton Hall on the west and the 
 sinkings on the Wharton side of the Weaver on the east, we 
 have a district of 6 square miles. Dickinson gives the thick- 
 ness of the beds of rock-salt as 70 yds. altogether. Taking, 
 however, 65 yds. as an average thickness of both main beds 
 and the minor ones, we shall find 1,932,902,400 tons of 
 salt. There having been but few mines sunk in this district, 
 it is quite impossible to speak accurately of either the area 
 or the thickness. 
 The Middlewich, Nantwich, and Lawton Districts all contain 
 large quantities of rock-salt. 
 This is a fair estimate. It is possible the make may have 
 exceeded this, it would certainly not be less. 
 
 As the whole of the white salt has been manufactured from 
 brine derived from the rock-salt, it represents so many tons of 
 rock-salt pumped up. Now, as the specific gravity of rock-salt 
 is 2-125, a cubic yard contains 32 cwts. This being the case, 
 we find the cubic yards of rock-salt pumped up annually in each 
 district to be, viz. : — 
 In Winsford District — 
 
 687,000x20 , of> orrK ,. 
 
 2= = 429,375 cubic yards. 
 
 On 
 
 In Northwich District 
 587,000 x 20 
 
 = 366,875 cubic yards. 
 
 32 
 
 In Middlewich District — 
 
 14,000x20 „ n ,. , 
 Ka = 8,750 cubic yards. 
 
 In Sandbach District — 
 
 78,000x20 ,_„., ,. , 
 
 — <r~ = 48,750 cubic yards. 
 
 Making a total of 853,750 cubic yards. This represents 176-5 
 acres of one yard thick. 
 
198 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 This is entirely independent of the rock-salt, which at a low 
 estimate equals 120,000 tons per annum, or say 75,000 cubic 
 yards, or 15'5 acres of 1 yard thick. 
 
 In these calculations no allowance has been made for wastage, 
 and this is very large. During the year every pan requires pick- 
 ing from six to twelve times, the stoved oftener than the common. 
 This necessitates the pan being swept out and an enormous 
 quantity of brine wasted. Besides this, the pan scale contains a 
 large percentage of salt. Again, in drawing the salt out of the 
 pans a large quantity of brine is wasted. Add to this also the 
 leakage in pipes, overflow of cisterns, leakage through defective 
 pans, etc., and the total of wastage will be very large. It is 
 scarcely possible to estimate this, but if we calculate 10 per cent, 
 we shall be under the mark. Thus, for waste, we may set down 
 136,600 tons. This would represent 85.375 cubic yards, or 17'65 
 acres one yard thick. 
 
 We thus see that 209 '65 acres of rock-salt one yard thick is 
 every year consumed in the Cheshire salt district. 
 
Plan showing land controlled and owned by salt manufacturers 
 in the Northwich district. 
 
Cheshire Salt District. 
 Sketch Plan showing lockeo-up brine lands mainlv 
 owned. Occupied, leased or Retained by 
 The Salt union Ltd. and Bhunneh, Mono & Co. ltd. 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 
 
 The story of the old top mines, up to the time of the discovery 
 of the bottom bed of salt, and their subsequent abandonment, 
 is soon told. In a word, they all fell in and, so far as their pos- 
 sibilities as producers of rock-salt are concerned, there is no more 
 to be said. At a later date the breaking in of fresh water con- 
 verted the old workings into brine reservoirs. Thereafter they 
 entered upon their second phase of usefulness in connection with 
 the salt industry and became the principal cause of the land 
 subsidences in this part of Cheshire, which will be fully dealt with 
 at a later stage. 
 
 It is almost certain that the first mine sunk for rock-salt must 
 have been very near to a small brook which drains Marbury 
 Mere and joins the Witton Brook, near the Buttevant Bridge on 
 the Marbury Estate, or else close to a small runnel or gutter which 
 runs into this small brook near the Dairy House Farm but passes 
 across the land of Mr Lyons and over the Old Marston Mine. 
 Close to the Forge Lane or road leading to Budworth across the 
 Fields, and where the road branches off to the cottages and salt- 
 works on Mr Lyons' property, there is a subsidence of an old mine, 
 and this mine is probably the earliest sunk. At all events it 
 was a very early one, and its position suits the above description. 
 In 1881, Mr Johnston Fletcher of Marston, the lessee of the Old 
 Marston Mine, gave the following evidence before a Select Com- 
 mittee on the Cheshire Salt Districts Compensation Bill, presided 
 over by Sir Sydney Waterlow : — 
 
 " I think about forty years ago you occupied some place at 
 Marston, did you not ? " 
 
 " I was then agent for the concern of which I am now one of the 
 lessees, and I remember an event which took place there that I 
 shall never forget. I held a small garden which I was in the 
 habit of working in and gathering fruit, and one night it suddenly 
 subsided to the depth of 40 yards — at least the walk of the garden 
 and a bed on each side suddenly subsided." 
 
 " That is forty years ago ? " 
 
 " Yes, quite forty years ago." 
 
a 
 
 202 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Can you tell me where it went to ? " 
 
 " That I cannot." 
 
 " Can you tell me whether there was a rock-salt mine 
 underneath ? " 
 
 " We never heard anything about it until the subsidence took 
 place, but on inquiring afterwards, and on communicating with 
 our landlord, he found some interesting papers bearing date 1720, 
 being a report from the miner, or ' gafier ' as we should call him, 
 of the pit, being a report to Mr Lyons that the mine was then in 
 danger, and that they were paying an extra price for raising or 
 drawing water (' winding ' water was the term), and, in fact, 
 that it was gaining upon them : and there was also an item m 
 some accounts which he found of a payment for oak props to 
 Mr Venables of Wincham to support the roof, showing that in 
 those days they had a very inadequate idea of the means of 
 supporting the roof." 
 
 " That shows that there was a mine underneath that place which 
 had been forgotten ? " 
 
 " Yes, I have reason to believe it was about the first mine ever 
 sunk." 
 
 " It had been lost sight of by the ordinary inhabitants about 
 120 years according to your evidence ? " 
 
 " Yes, that is so." 
 
 The mine at the most southerly point at which the top rock- 
 salt has been proved was near the old Northwich Lock, a short 
 distance to the north of the Town Bridge on the left hand of the 
 Weaver. This fell in in April 1759. Nearly opposite, in Witton, 
 on the right bank of the Weaver, was a mine that fell in in 1750. 
 The funnel-shaped indentations, caused by these collapses, which 
 are locally known as rock-pit holes, vary in depth and breadth 
 and form a characteristic feature of the Dunkirk district of Witton 
 and of the adjacent parts of Wincham and Marston. Proceeding 
 along both banks of the Weaver, we meet, on the left bank, the 
 Captain's Pit, which fell in in 1773, and Furey and Bradburne's. 
 Over these two mines and one at the Bye-flat corner of the river, 
 a large flash or lake formed which was filled up, in course of time, 
 by waste from the alkali works of Brunner, Mond & Co. On the 
 right bank of the river as far as Witton Bridge, a number of mines 
 were sunk but were destroyed by the inrush of water before much 
 work was done in them, and several old rock-pit holes are to be 
 seen along the road to Marston Forge. Alongside the Dunkirk 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 
 
 203 
 
 Eoad, which adjoins the Warrington Road from the eastward, 
 nearthe Witton Mill Bridge, are many more rock-pit holes showing 
 where old top mines once existed, some of which had fallen in 
 prior to 1770. The Dunkirk district has the largest number of 
 
 Map showing sites of mines in the Upper Rock-Salt. 
 Eighteenth Century. 
 
 old rock-pit holes, and in consequence of their becoming filled with 
 water, the district is to a large extent submerged. 
 
 Although the action of water was mainly responsible for the 
 collapse of many of these old mines, there can be no doubt but 
 that the pillars originally left to support the roof were not always 
 
204 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 strong enough for the purpose, and as these pillars gradually 
 weakened under the pressure of the superincumbent earths, the 
 roofs followed them. As the sinking did not take place evenly 
 all over the mine, but most frequently at the farthest distance 
 from the sides of the mine and generally near the shafts, the roof 
 curved down from the sides towards the sinking centre, the salt 
 cracked , and formed V-shaped openings. As the salt was occasion- 
 ally mined through the marls to the roof, especially where the 
 surface of the salt was irregular, water could not be prevented 
 from entering, and the bases of the pillars being dissolved by the 
 water, the collapse of the mine followed. The upper rock-salt 
 being mined deep, the pillars were lofty and consequently weak, 
 and the cavity of many of the mines was so great that the mine 
 could not " creep " down to the sole without causing a complete 
 rupture of the overlying salt and marls. 
 
 In consequence of the collapse of so many mines in the 
 Northwich district, exploration work was carried on further 
 a-field, and this resulted, in 1779, at Lawton, in the finding of 
 another bed of rock-salt of which the lower part was the 
 purest. This discovery at Lawton induced the owners of the 
 Marston mine at North wich to sink below the top bed in 
 which they were working. Accordingly, in 1781, a trial shaft was 
 sunk by means of a horse gin in the top mine workings, and 
 the existence of the bottom bed of rock-salt was conclusively 
 demonstrated. The old shaft by which the lower bed was thus 
 proved still remains, and the workings that were made from 
 it in the bottom bed formed part of the Marston mine ; but 
 the work in the bottom mine was subsequently carried on by 
 shafts sunk direct from the surface. 
 
 On an old survey made in 1789 there is a note of a " field wherein 
 is a rock pit with buildings and gardens in Witton-cum-Twam- 
 brooks," and the " Remarks " read : " Area of each pillar in the 
 rock pit is 23J yards. The contents of the whole 32 pillars is 
 llf perches. 
 
 ' ; Depth of the day shaft is 41 J yards. 
 Depth of the day metal below that is 8| yards. 
 And depth of the hollow llf yards." 
 
 This note refers to Ashton's top mine, regarding which Mi- 
 Dickinson reported that the proportion of supports was about 
 one part pillar to nine parts excavated, " and would appear to 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 205 
 
 have been more than adequate for the weight to be supported— 
 whereas now, one to 11 J suffices for the bottom bed, with the 
 greater weight which the pillars have to bear. In this Ashton's 
 Mine the depth of the shaft was 124 feet, the thickness of marl 
 and marlstone below that was 26 feet to the rock-salt, and the 
 
 A PLAN OF 
 
 WITTON BROOK 
 
 IN 1758. 
 
 thickness of the excavation in the rock-salt 35 feet ; and when 
 the area of the excavation was acres, 2 roods, 22 perches 
 (Cheshire measure of 10,240 square yards to the acre), the contents 
 of 32 pillars left for support was llf perches, each pillar having 
 an area of 24 square yards." 
 
206 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The Ashton Mine fell in on October 16th 1838, and was perhaps 
 the most alarming instance of a collapse of any of the rock-salt 
 mines at Northwich. At this mine the top bed had been 
 worked, and after that the bottom bed had been sunk too and was 
 being worked when the mine fell in, carrying with it the engine- 
 house, rock-salt house, banksman's house, stable and wheelwrights' 
 shop, and engulfing twelve persons, of whom seven lost their lives. 
 
 The description given at the time was to the effect that " for 
 some time previous this upper mine was considered insecure from 
 the pillars left to support the superincumbent earth being in a 
 tottering state and the men had discontinued their work." This 
 may be taken to mean that operations had been discontinued in 
 the mine itself, and it would seem that the men were at work on 
 the surface among the buildings and about the shaft when the 
 mine fell in. In the case of Ashton's Mine, very little water got 
 into the mine, so it is evident that the collapse was owing to the 
 crushing of the pillars, but in a greater number of cases the 
 destruction of these old mines was directly due to water. From 
 a commonplace book belonging to Mr John Weston of Northwich, 
 I extract a number of notes which bear out this fact. Mr Weston 
 heads this chapter of his book " Plans, etc., relating to Northwich 
 and the Neighbourhood. Nov. 1872," and writes as follows : — 
 
 " I purchased (from the representatives of the copyist, Mr Dunn 
 of Hartford, in 1829) a very beautiful copy of a map of the Manor 
 of Witton, in the County of Chester, heretofore the inheritance of 
 Peter Venables, Esq., Baron of Kinderton, and now of George 
 Venables Vernon, Esq., taken Anno Domini 1721, per John 
 Billington. To this map I have made references of the inhabitants 
 whose names are written in the margin ; from the same source, I 
 suppose, the River Weaver trustees have purchased a map dated 
 1768, from which I make the following notes with reference to the 
 older map : — 
 
 In the maigin (dated Sept. 6th, 1786) there is "An account 
 then collected from old people in and about Witton of all the rock- 
 salt and brine pits of ISir John Fleming Leicester, Baronet, in 
 Witton, as were heretofore sunk and worked as those now in 
 working, showing the particular pieces of land in which each pitt 
 was sunk, etc., etc. 
 
 " A. ' In this piece of land called " Brassey's Meadow " (Nos. 5 
 and 58, and one called "Meadow's Brown Eye"), formerly was 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 207 
 
 a rock-salt pitt. The surface of it fell in about the year 1750, and 
 much more of the land is fallen in since this map is took. 
 
 (This is the Old Eock Pit Hole in Leicester Street and 
 Witton Street.— A. F. C.) 
 " ' B. In this piece of land called Well Meadow, about the year 
 1774, Mr Kent sunk with intent of finding Rock Salt and after 
 much difficulty in sinking 31 yards found Brins, upon which he 
 took a lease of the premises called Baron's Quay (theretofore 
 Brassey, afterwards Stedman's), and rebuilt and enlarged the salt- 
 works : where a considerable salt work is carried on. (Old Map 
 Birch Meadow.) 
 
 (Between Leicester Street and the Weaver near Gibson's, now 
 
 Verdin's Rock-Salt Mine. The road to this piece of land 
 
 is still often called " Down the Well."— A. F. C.) 
 
 " ' C. In the further intake about the year 1776, Mr Boylance 
 
 attempted to sink for rock, but was stopped at the depth of 23 
 
 yards by a very great body of putrid water : to which the labourers 
 
 employed in these works, from the frequency of meeting with it, 
 
 give the name of " Roaring Megg." By this water many persons 
 
 have been stopped in sinking, both in Witton and Winnington. 
 
 (O.M. Intake, No. 5.) 
 
 (Between Leicester Street and Worthington Works. Putrid, 
 
 brackish.— A F.C.) 
 
 " " D. In the higher Yeld an attempt was made to sink by Mr 
 
 Page, about the year 1750, but was defeated by " Roaring Meg " : 
 
 he then removed into the adjacent lands of Mr Jervis, where he 
 
 had no better success. 
 
 (The site of Worthington's Salt Works, 1880.— A. F. C.) 
 " ' E. In the Yeld Meadow, about the year 1763, Mr Kendall sunk 
 a rock-salt pitt, but being wearied with it before it was completed, 
 he assigned over to Mr Kent, who, at very great expense, com- 
 pleted it, and got some rock-salt out of it : but in a little time 
 was driven out by the above-mentioned water. 
 (Site of Gibson's Dockyard.— A. F. C.) 
 '' ' There also appears two other places in this field where formerly 
 attempts have been made to sink, which are said to have been 
 defeated in like manner. Opposite to this field (across the River 
 Weaver), in Winnington, there was a very large Rock Pitt, which 
 is supposed to have extended under the river to this field. The 
 surface of this rock pit fell in about the year 1773. Many attempts 
 have been made in Winnington to find rock salt, in which they 
 
208 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 have been defeated. But in two or three places brine has been 
 
 found. 
 
 (The Captain's Pit, in what was later called the Furey, or 
 Furey and Bradburne's. — A. F. C.) 
 
 " ' F. The Bock Pit shown in the Lock Meadow is supposed to 
 have failed from the before-mentioned cause, or a cause similar 
 to that of Mr Marshall's pitt (H), by the falling in of two rock 
 pits in the lands adjoining, belonging to John Jervis, Esq. There 
 is now a good brine pitt in this meadow, and Mr Bridge's salt 
 works containing sixteen pans. 
 
 " ' G. Mr Roylance being drove out from letter (C) [O.M. 
 Intaok No. 5, 0.3.7] removed from thence to this meadow where 
 
 Yeld Meadow in O.M. Is Yealds N°5S. 
 Rock Pit is shown <=0 about the o of the 
 
 measurement I-0-32. 
 Lock Meadon is Broynshaw of o. M. anol 
 contains in the I76d Map the following 
 particulars. 
 
 he obtained a very good rock pitt about the year 1775, and 
 continued to get rock-salt therein untill the year 1785, and which 
 time a great body of brine broke into the pitt, and soon filled it, 
 and Mr Roylance quitted the premises in 1786. Opposite to this 
 meadow on the other side of the Navigation Canal (in Marbury), 
 Mr Blackburne sunk several shafts to obtain brine, and lately he 
 has got a brine pitt nearly opposite to the east end of the meadow, 
 and on lands adjoining the said Brine Pitt, which lands were 
 heretofore exchanged by the late Sir Peter Leicester for other 
 lands of Mr Barry. Mr Blackburn is now erecting salt-works, 
 and nearly opposite to the west end of the meadow he has erected 
 a weir across the Waste Water from Witton Mill, and there is set 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 209 
 
 up a Water Wheel and by a train of sliding rods pumps up a very- 
 great quantity of brine. 
 
 (Now covered by Top of the Brook, near to Firth's Works. 
 
 —A.F.C.) 
 
 " ' Toney's Meadow lies very low, and is encompassed by lands of 
 
 Mr Jervis and no room on it for salt works, and consequently no 
 
 use or advantage can be made of the Brine unless the ground 
 
 could be raised or that the Brine could be conveyed in pipes up 
 
 the road through Mr Jervis' fields into the field held by Mr Marshall 
 
 (H) distant about sixty yards. In Mr Jervis' land adjoining the 
 
 west end of Toney's Meadow, many attempts have been made 
 
 within ten years past to get rock salt or brine without the least 
 
 success, being stopped by " Roaring Meg " at about 22 yards deep. 
 
 (Under the Top of Brook now.— A. F. C.) 
 
 " ' H . The Hey wood , in the holding of Mr Marshall. In this piece 
 
 of land a Rock Pitt was sunk and a very great quantity of Rock 
 
 Salt got out of it, in the year 1783, when water from the adjacent 
 
 fallen rockpitt in the lands of Mr Jervis broke in and filled it up, 
 
 such water being the only support of half the field. 
 
 (Near Firth's Works on Top of Brook, now covered with 
 water. — A. F. C.) 
 " ' I. In the Haywood meadow many years ago, Mr Blackburne 
 sunk for rock salt, but was stopped at about 23 yaids deep. 
 
 " ' J. Heywood's Meadow in 1773. John Stubbs sank about 23 
 yards deep, and was then drove out by " Roaring Meg." 
 
 " ' K. A Rock Pitt on a small island in the tenure of Peter 
 Bancroft.' " 
 
 (Thus far from Mr Weston. The whole of the rock pits and 
 brine shafts here mentioned were in the immediate 
 neighbourhood of the present Top of the Brook, and 
 many of them are now under water. — A.F.C.) 
 
 Soon after the celebrated De Tabley sale in 1828, at which a 
 large portion of the land in Witton (Northwich) containing rock- 
 salt was disposed of, attention was directed to the supports in the 
 bottom-bed workings, and it was found that the pillars were not 
 of sufficient strength, and that the roofs were beginning to crack. 
 In 1830, Samuel Fowls, the most competent man of his time, 
 made a survey of the mine belonging to " John Blackburne, Esq. 
 & Co." in Wincham, and after reporting upon the alarmingly 
 insecure state of the pillars and roof, he concluded: " From the 
 o 
 
210 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 circumstances before stated I consider the pit in a very critical 
 and dangerous state— that the time of its failure is not very 
 distant (nor can anyone say how soon), and to use any artificial 
 means with any probability of success for the support and dura- 
 bility of the pit, they must be set about quickly and on a large 
 scale, not only in the part belonging to John Blackburne & Co. 
 but in the whole pit, likewise in the pit belonging to E. V. Town- 
 shend, Esq., with which they are connected, consequently the 
 
 pcale of thirlyfix Statute Chains 
 
 r Ceo LaifX 7-7 
 
 failure of one is certain destruction to the whole, and reports 
 state that his pits are not in a much better state than the pits I 
 have been examining." Fowls' report was looked upon as an 
 alarmist one, and two other persons were instructed to draw up a 
 report. They accordingly examined the pits belonging to John 
 Blackburne, Newman & Co., and Charles Broady & Co., and 
 reported that they found several cracks in each, but were " de- 
 cidedly of opinion that the said cracks do not proceed from any 
 weisht on the roof of the rock. We considered each pit to be 
 
Traced from the 
 
 MAP 
 
 hy John Ea 
 
 ■Scale of Chains 
 Each SS.Ya.rds. 
 
 -'—To t-hiF' r $ e 
 
 /* \ 
 
 -.. To JJvdmrth. 
 
 A Plan of an Eftat&LTv'IwamirooLi heltmamg to fyVuholaj -Mhtims 
 
 v^ontent^ in 
 
 . *t. J*- p„. 
 A ~ 3 , z.J/ 
 
 B - o . / . o 
 
 *~ ~ , . 2o 
 
 ^°t<d. . . 4 , o . // 
 
 ^C. Kjazie-e/^orh/ 6b/hir& J&rcA&j. etyfa: Forth to lA& fkrck. 
 
212 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 entirely free from any danger, and we should not hesitate to work 
 in any of them." But Fowls was correct in his conclusions. By 
 1833 the roof had fallen in and buried one of the miners, and the 
 water having obtained an entrance, the mine was flooded. From 
 that time onwards mine after mine collapsed, let in water, and 
 became filled with brine. 
 
 After the collapse of Ashton's Mine in 1838, it was not long- 
 before the whole of the Dunkirk mines— viz., Ashton's, Tom- 
 
 Plan of a field and rook pit in Witton-cum-Twambrook, belonging 
 to Nicholas Ashton, Esq., surveyed March 1789, by J. Earl. 
 
 Reference or remarks : Area of each pillar in the rock pit is 
 23J yards ; the content of the whole thirty-two pillars is 11 J perches ; 
 depth of the Day Shaft is 41 J yards ; depth of the metal below that 
 is 8} yards, and depth of the hollow, 11 j yards. Mr Marshall's pit 
 in the Day Shaft at the nearest distance from Mr Ashton's land is 
 12 yards, and in the Sump Shaft, 14J yards. 
 
 kinson's, Naylor's, Wakefield's, Workington's, and Barton's old 
 mine — had been worked out and filled with water. In 1840 there 
 were seven flooded bottom mines in the Marston and Wincham 
 district, eight in the Dunkirk district, and two in Witton, near the 
 Weaver. Many of these, especially in the Dunkirk district, had 
 over them what are locally called rock-pit holes, where the shafts 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 213 
 
 had collapsed. Once the water which fills the old workings 
 becomes saturated with brine, no change will take place for an 
 indefinite period. 
 
 It must be borne in mind that although rock-salt mining was 
 actively carried on after 1670 in the upper salt bed, and after 1780 
 in the bottom bed of salt, the process of manufacturing white salt 
 from brine was also continued. A copious supply of brine was 
 discovered in 1670 to be flowing over the rock head of the upper 
 bed, and this was won by sinking shafts to tap the supply and 
 raising the fluid by pumping. When, about 1850, the quantity 
 of rock-head salt began to fail, attention was turned to the 
 enormous reservoirs of brine in the old inundated mines. As the 
 water that had flooded them had come in over the surface of the top 
 rock-salt and down the shafts, they had been a long time in filling, 
 and had drained off a good deal of the rock-head brine. The first 
 attempt to pump brine out of the bottom pits was successful, 
 and for a time a good supply was obtained. By degrees, however, 
 the pits in the Dunkirk district became pumped down. Connec- 
 tions were made with neighbouring pits full of brine, and after 
 some years the same results followed. About 1870, Captain 
 Townshend commenced to pump out his flooded mines, which 
 were connected with the Marston group. As the mines were 
 pumped down, Blackburn's, Neumann's, and Ellson's — which 
 had collapsed many years before — gave way, and, the top mines 
 also collapsing, let the water of a small brook which crossed the 
 surface of the land into the mines below. In the hollow, caused 
 by the subsidence of the land overlying the mines, a lake was 
 formed. At intervals, as the mines below become partially 
 exhausted, the water of this lake broke in and replenished the 
 supply of brine. In the Dunkirk district (the bottom mines of 
 which were not connected with the Marston district) the mines 
 were pumped very low in 1880, and on the 6th of December of that 
 year a great collapse occurred on the surface over the Kent and 
 Naylor's and the Tomkinson Mines, letting down the waters of 
 the Cranage Brook, which found its way through the old top 
 mines into the bottom mines, and from them through the thin 
 partition into the Piatt's Hill Mine, which was a working and not 
 an abandoned rock pit. All the water from the Cranage Brook 
 and the Wadebrook, as well as a great deal from the Weaver, 
 flowed for many hours into the Piatt's Hill and adjacent old 
 mines, to replenish the supply of brine, and a large lake formed 
 

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THE TOP ROCK MINES 215 
 
 over the subsided surface area. In 1893 the Piatt's Hill shafts 
 collapsed and the lake gradually approached towards the enormous 
 hole that was left. A further subsidence of the land let in the 
 contents of the lake, and the enormous quantity of water that went 
 down literally flooded all the underlying strata. 
 
 As soon as the Salt Union was formed in October 1888, a desire 
 arose on the part of speculators and promoters of companies to 
 find brine and rock-salt on lands outside of those obtained by the 
 Salt Union. To this end numerous borings and shafts were put 
 down, and the extent of the salt beds was proved to be greater 
 than was estimated. The promoters of the Salt Union were 
 anxious to secure all known salt lands having good railway and 
 water communications, and those not either purchased or leased 
 were as far as possible retained by a small annual payment, so that 
 the Salt Union could always have the first offer of purchase. As 
 far as the Northwich and Winsford districts were concerned the 
 efforts of the Union were almost entirely successful. At Middle- 
 wich, as no salt had been found and the brine during all time had 
 been only scarce and often weak, no attempts were made to secure 
 other than the existing works, the more so as being on the canal 
 and only partly on rail, little trade was being done. 
 
 Some of the earliest attempts to find salt were made in the 
 Weaver Valley, below the Northwich salt district and near to 
 Acton Bridge. Mr Otto Pohl put a boring down some 500 or 
 more feet, and though he occasionally met with traces of weak 
 brine, and some rock-salt in a very thin layer, he met with nothing 
 indicating any body of salt. The same was the case with a shaft 
 put down on the Aston Estate, near the Dutton Viaduct of the 
 L. & N. W. Railway Co. At Acton Bridge, in a field a short distance 
 to the N.W., belonging to a Mr Rawlands, a borehole was put 
 down over 200 feet but no salt found. Another boring was under- 
 taken by a Mr Allen, who professed to have detected a stream of 
 brine in the same field, and whose faith was strong in the " divin- 
 ing rod." Farther north, at Crewood Rough, Mr Otto Pohl dis- 
 covered traces of a weak brine spring. At Anderton, Brunner, 
 Mond & Co., in their latest shaft alongside the canal, proved that 
 the top bed of salt had run out. Lower down the river this had 
 been proved many years since, and Mr Pohl's boring at or opposite 
 to Wilbraham's Quay showed no salt. The probability is that 
 none exists in this part of the district. 
 
 In the Northwich district proper comparatively few attempts 
 
216 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 have been made that have been successful. At Wicham, on Mr 
 Temperley's estate, rock-salt and brine were found. This was 
 expected, but as there was no communication with either water 
 or rail the find was of little use. An attempt was made to get a 
 Bill in Parliament to take this brine to Widnes, but the attempt 
 failed (1890). 
 
 Mr E. Clark of Acton and Cuddington floated a company called 
 the Northwich Salt Co. He put down a boring on a piece of land 
 close to the junction of a small brook or ditch coming from 
 Shurlach by Penny's Lane to the Wadebrook — close to the North- 
 wich Water Co.'s pumping-station. The first boring put down 
 was said to have struck rock-salt at 85 yards from the surface. 
 Now the first bed of salt should have been struck at about 45 
 yards at this spot, consequently the top bed of salt was non- 
 existent and the bottom bed was thinning off — say marls, etc., 
 47 yards — salt 25, marl 10 = 82 yards to bottom bed — i.e. if 
 normal. No brine here except such as made by water passing 
 down borehole. Brine pumped very weak and very muddy. A 
 shaft was sunk further up the Wadebrook, but the Local Board 
 obtained an injunction to restrain the sinkers from putting salty 
 water into the Wadebrook. On the opposite side of Wadebrook 
 — on land belonging to Brook of Mere — Dr Okell of Over Winsford 
 and Mr Hewitt of Over sunk a shaft and found rock-salt at 80 
 yards but no brine. Here again the top rock-salt or brine- 
 making salt is non-existent. 
 
 A borehole was put down by Mr Hewitt at Wincham nearly 
 opposite Hesketh's corn-mill, on the low ground alongside the 
 Wincham Brook. No salt or brine were found. On the Manor 
 Farm (Lonsdale's land), to the west of the Manchester Road, and 
 in the field having the Branch Railway Line to Marston on the 
 south side, a borehole was put down and rock-salt found but no 
 brine. A Widnes syndicate started to sink a shaft in the Dane 
 Meadows — near the railway arches of the Cheshire Lines Railway 
 —on the Witton side of the Dane. This shaft was through 160 
 feet of sands with water 120 gallons to the minute. After great 
 expense, and sinking more than 70 yards without finding any salt, 
 a borehole was put down which found salt but proved that the 
 top rock was non-existent and no brine. The shaft has been 
 abandoned and filled in. The same syndicate put down the 
 deepest boring in the district on a small triangular piece of land 
 between the Cheshire Lines Railway and Middlewich Branch of 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 217 
 
 London and North Western Kail way, part of Witton House Estate. 
 Eoek-salt was struck at 80 yards, and said to be 60 feet thick : 
 
 
 Lower Bed of Rock Salt. 
 East and west section through the Marston bore-hole, North wich. 
 
 East 
 
 North 
 
 m 
 
 \\__.Mean Sea Level j 
 
 \}r-(& 
 
 m# 
 
 .VVl-'X-.'' 
 
 .■'>v!'-.-.,': ;; 
 
 :v-^ 
 
 South 
 
 No S cult 
 
 Lower Bed of Rock-Salt 
 
 North and south section through the Marston bore-hole, Northwich. 
 
 this again was the bottom bed of salt — there was no top bed. 
 The rock-salt terminated at 306 feet or 102 yards, showing 22 
 yards of salt — which is scarcely the thickness of the bottom bed. 
 The boring was continued to 502 feet through blue and red marls 
 
218 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 very hard, and giving striated cores with now and then gypsum. 
 At this point, having met with only 3 feet 6 inches of rock-salt, the 
 boring was abandoned. 
 
 In a boring on the Eiversdale Estate in Leftwich alongside the 
 old course of the River Weaver, opposite Hunt's Lock, no rock- 
 salt was met with till 99 yards from the surface. Brine was said 
 to be plentiful ; but it is evident, as no brine-bearing rock-salt 
 and very little of the lower bed was discovered, that the brine 
 was only the water passing down the borehole from the sands above. 
 The whole of the borings proved no salt in the top bed on which 
 the brine is formed, and long since borings further up the Weaver 
 in the meadows proved the top bed gone. Another boring in 
 Leftwich nearer the town of Northwich was feebly carried on 
 but without results. At Shurlach, on property near the canal, 
 a boring was put down, and it was claimed that both brine and 
 salt had been proved- 
 
 At Middlewich and its neighbourhood boring was more suc- 
 cessful. Mr H. Seddon sank a shaft in the immediate neighbour- 
 hood of the Newton salt-works and found brine. He also bored 
 in the field to the north of the big factory and found brine. 
 The most remarkable discovery, however, was made by Mr 
 Murgatroyd in a field close to the railway and near to a small 
 brook called Sanderson's Brook. Here a shaft was sunk, and at 
 a depth of 66 yards from the surface rock-salt was met with. 
 This was the first rock found at Middlewich, though its existence was 
 certain : the brine was found. The rock-salt was 50 feet thick, 
 and was succeeded as at Northwich by undurated marl 34 feet 
 thick. This again was followed by a second bed of salt 94 yards 
 from the surface, which was bored into 45 feet. A tunnel was 
 made in the top rock towards the railway with an upward in- 
 clination, and brine was at last met with. Several pans were 
 erected. In the immediate neighbourhood of this shaft and 
 between it and the Newton salt-works, a shaft was sunk. Near 
 Cledford Bridge a boring was put down and brine found. 
 Also on Wallenge Farm along the canal between Middlewich 
 and Wimboldsley a boring proved the existence of brine. 
 
 At Winsford, John Hamlett sank a shaft and found brine and 
 salt immediately in the rear of the Weaver Church. Several 
 salt-pans were put up. A shaft was also sunk on land near the 
 London and North- Western Hotel at Winsford, and across the main 
 road from the Over and Wharton Station, and brine and salt found. 
 

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 219 
 
220 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Brine and salt were known to exist on other properties to trie 
 south of Winsford Bridge. Borings at Nantwich were successful, 
 and between Crewe and Sandbach attempts were made to find 
 brine, but the water proved a source of trouble. 
 
 The process of connecting and linking up the mines or brine pits 
 is explained in the following notes made by Mr S. Foster in 1896. 
 Writing of Firth & Worthington's, Wakefield's, and Marshall's, 
 Mr Foster says — 
 
 " These three mines are all connected on the sole of the pit and 
 worked into each other, the first two on line of fence from cottages 
 to brook bounding Bullock Field on west. When Marshall's were 
 working their pit before they bought the rock from De Tabley 
 they encroached on Wakefield's, and when Wakefield's worked 
 towards Marshall's they blew into Marshall's roofing. To avoid 
 law, Marshall's gave them all the work made, so the boundary 
 between Marshall's and Wakefield's was all got and the pits formed 
 one. When Marshall's pit filled it filled Wakefield's and Worth- 
 ington's. The boundary alongside Barton's pit and between 
 Marshall's and Barton's was very thin, and about half-way up 
 had a small opening at the top about the depth of the roofing 
 and some 8 feet long. Foster, when down on a raft, could not go 
 through it. On the boundary line from W. to E., between Barton's 
 and Wakefield's, near Wakefield's shaft, a hole was blown through 
 in the roofing nearly large enough to get a good cart through. 
 When Marshall's filled, no brine got into Barton's until the thres 
 pits, Marshall's, Wakefield's, & Worthington's, were filled to the 
 level of this opening. Until this happened Foster and others 
 were drawing rock out of Barton's pit. 
 
 " Barton's old pit, after the brine was in it, was connected by 
 a tunnel for brine with Barton's new pit (then BlackwelPs), some- 
 where near Foster's garden. Thompson bought the land at the 
 back of the Dunkirk Cottages where Foster lives, and sunk a rock 
 pit : this was afterwards sold to Blackwell. A tunnel for brine 
 was made through the boundary (to the west) between Thompson's 
 mine and Barton's old mine. After a time the brine in this 
 series of pits was exhausted and then two openings were made, 
 one between Blackwell's and Thompson's and the other between 
 Thompson & Barton's old pit to get rafts through. Brine still 
 being scarce, a small tunnel was made in the roofing between 
 Barton's old mine and Kent and Naylor's near the N. W. corner of 
 Barton's. This opened up a communication with Kent and 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 
 
 221 
 
 Naylor's, Tomkinson's and Ashton's, and after 1880 with Piatt's 
 Hill. This tunnel was 50 yards in length, and a borehole of 7 
 
 s (« SI — 
 
 | 1j;ek(— J-5-f 
 
 UJ-v 5 
 
 Z K 
 
 u 
 u 
 
 is I 
 eel 
 
 1* 
 
 ,5 S 5. £ s 
 
 
 — 1 
 
 
 oc 0} 
 
 o t 
 C 0) 
 
 t. ^ 
 
 or 8 feet afterwards. The brine was never completely pumped 
 out of these mines, but was low enough for men to go on rafts to 
 make the tunnels." 
 
222 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Plan showing rock-salt mines in the Northwich district. For key to plan 
 see below and following page. 
 
 LIST OF ROCK-SALT MINES 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 3. 
 
 3a. 
 
 3b. 
 
 4. 
 
 5. 
 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 
 8. 
 
 9. 
 10. 
 11 
 VI. 
 13. 
 
 Owners. 
 
 Messrs Heyes. 
 Messrs Thompson's. 
 Messrs Eleteher & Co. 
 
 Messrs Verdin & Sons. 
 Steenstrand. 
 Robert Williamson. 
 Messrs Worthington & Co. 
 Messrs Thompson. 
 
 Mr Neumann. 
 Messrs Verdin & Sons. 
 Mr Neumann. 
 
 Remarks where Situated, Etc. 
 
 Marston, near Canal end of Forge Pool, 
 between Canal and Forge Pool. 
 Great Mine. 
 Gregories. 
 (not at work). 
 
 Wincham, late Saxon & Miller. 
 
 „ (standing). 
 
 Twambrooks (standing), Dunkirk. 
 Witton-cum-Twambrooks, Witton Bank Mine. 
 
 ,, Penny's Lane. 
 
 >. (standing), near Witton Church. 
 
 Leicester Street, near Witton Street, Northwich. 
 Late Ellson & Co., Ollershaw Lane (not working). 
 Late Ellson & Co. 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 
 
 223 
 
 LIST OF OLD ROOK-SALT MINES ABANDONED O 
 
 No. 
 
 Owners. 
 
 
 1. 
 
 2. 
 
 Metcalf. 
 Richard Kent. 
 
 
 Top. 
 
 3. 
 
 Unknown. 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 4. 
 5. 
 6. 
 7. 
 8. 
 8a. 
 9. 
 10. 
 
 Unknown, The 
 Ashton. 
 Unknown, two 
 Unknown. 
 
 Barton's. 
 
 Fury, 
 pits. 
 
 -" 
 
 10a 
 
 Caldwell's. 
 
 
 
 11. 
 
 Swinton, Breeze & Co. 
 
 Bottom 
 
 12. 
 
 Bancroft & Co. 
 
 
 Top. 
 
 12a. 
 
 13. 
 
 Unknown. 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 14. 
 
 Antrobus. 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 15. 
 
 Henry Ashton. 
 
 
 Bottom. 
 
 16. 
 
 Nicholas Ashton. 
 
 
 Top & Bottom 
 
 17. 
 
 Richard Tomkinson. 
 
 
 Bottom. 
 
 18. 
 
 Marshall's. 
 
 
 Top. 
 
 18a 
 
 Barton's Old Pit. 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 19. 
 
 20. 
 21. 
 
 Messrs Worthington 
 
 &Co. 
 
 Bottom & Top 
 
 John Mort. 
 
 
 Top. 
 
 21a 
 
 Barton's New Pit. 
 
 
 Bottom. 
 
 21b 
 
 Thompson's. 
 
 
 >> 
 
 22. 
 
 Marshall's. 
 
 
 
 23. 
 
 J. Mort. 
 
 
 Top.' 
 
 24. 
 
 Bancroft & Co. 
 
 
 
 25. 
 
 British Mine, now closed. 
 
 
 26. 
 
 Messrs Thompson. 
 
 
 Bottom. 
 
 26a. „ Top. 
 
 27. Unknown (Leigh). ,, 
 
 28. Fury & Hadfield's, Broady Top & Bottom. 
 
 and two shafts. 
 
 29. Messrs Neumann, Elson & Co. , , 
 
 30. I Messrs Blackburne & Co. \ BM 
 I James Gibson & Co. f 
 
 31. Reynald, Digman & Co. 
 
 32. Unknown. Top. 
 32a. _ „ 
 
 33. Littler's. Bottom. 
 
 34. John Stubbs. Top. 
 35. 
 
 36. Blackburne & Co. Bottom. 
 
 37. ... ... Top. 
 
 Remarks where Situated, Etc. 
 
 Winnington, near Northwich Lock. 
 Witton-eum-Twambrook, Lower end of Witton 
 
 Street. 
 Winnington, lower down the river, called 
 
 Captain's Hole. 
 Winnington, near Fury & Bradburn's Works. 
 Winnington. 
 Anderton, behind late Jeotfrey's Salt Works. 
 
 ,, near Witton Brook Old Look. 
 Marbury, near Witton Brook. 
 Taken from Sir J. F. Leicester's plan, 1790. 
 Marbury, near Butterrant's Bridge. 
 Witton-cum-Twambrooks, near late Bridge's 
 
 Salt Works. 
 Witton-cum-Twambrooks, near Messrs Worth- 
 
 ington's Works. 
 Witton-cum-Twambrooks, south side of Witton 
 
 Brook on the Hill (two shafts). 
 Witton-cum-Twambrooks, Witton Brook, above 
 
 Dock Yard , shown on Sir J. F. Leicester's 
 
 plan, 1790. 
 Witton-cum-Twambrooks, near Witton Mill, 
 
 north side road to Warrington. 
 Wincham, behind Townsend Arms Public 
 
 House. 
 Witton - cum - Twambrooks, Denton's Land, 
 
 above Witton Mill. 
 Twambrooks, at Witton Works. 
 , , Ashton's. 
 
 , , now Amalgamated Co. 
 
 Old Top Pit, late J. Wakefield's. 
 
 Old Bottom Pit 
 „ Barton's Old Pit, now Marshall's. 
 
 Dunkirk Pit. 
 
 Dunkirk Pit, late Kent & Naylor. 
 ., (Thompson.) 
 
 „ (Hadfield.) 
 
 Wincham, now Townsend. 
 Wincham Piatt Hill Mine (flooded in Dec. 
 
 1880). 
 Captain's Pit. 
 Wincham, near Piatt Mill Mine. 
 
 ,, formerly Deakin & Co. 
 
 Wincham. 
 f Marston, formerly Chantler & Co., now 
 ( Newman, fallen in. 
 
 Marston, north side of road to Warrington, 
 now Smith Barry. 
 
 Wincham, farther on the road to Warrington. 
 
 Marston. 
 
 Marbury Lane end. 
 
 gone in, covered with water. 
 
 near the Canal (two shafts). 
 
 on Lyon's Estate, near Marston Forge, 
 
224 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 In April 1898, Mr Ward paid a visit to Neumann's Ollershaw 
 Lane Mine at Marston. He had been told that the brine shaft 
 put down by the late Henry Neumann, Esq., was showing signs of 
 sinking, and that there was water on the sole of the mine in many 
 places, so he determined to see the mine and shaft for himself. 
 " I went down with Mr Phipps," he says, " and inspected the 
 brine shaft as we descended. I found that the timbers some 
 distance above the rock-head were bulging out in one place, and 
 that longitudinal straps of timber which had been put on were 
 being bent and forced off. Not much water was coming in. The 
 cause as far as I could judge was that the curb on which the 
 timbers rested at the top of the bell-mouth of brickwork re- 
 mained firm — none of the strata below sinking ; but that owing 
 to the flooding of the wbole district with water and weak brine 
 through the enormous subsidences at Piatt's Hill of late, the whole 
 surface of the top bed of rock-salt has been exposed to the water 
 and the salt dissolved , and thus the overlying strata have gradually 
 subsided. This dissolution of the upper bed of salt has taken 
 place unequally, and owing to the flow of the brine to the neigh- 
 bouring pumping stations one portion has been channelled out 
 and all the property over this wide channel has gradually sunk. 
 The sinking surface takes in the shaft and engine-house and 
 chimney, and their immediate surroundings. The chimney had 
 to be lowered some time last year. It would seem from a small 
 pipe that has had to be put to lengthen the brine main upwards 
 that the land must have sunk from 6 to 9 inches. After inspecting 
 the shaft, I went into the mine and found a most unsatisfactory 
 state of things. The water which had been collected in gutters 
 in the shaft passed down a 2-inch pipe and along the sole of the 
 mine some distance away where it formed a large pool standing 
 on the sole of the mine-to the depth of 9 inches to a foot. Many 
 parts of the mine had pools of water or brine, and the mine was 
 generally in a very damp state owing to there being no draught 
 of air, as only one shaft was now open (the one which I descended). 
 The original pair of shafts had been thoroughly sealed a number 
 of years ago, and many tons of cement used at each shaft. I found 
 them perfectly tight and no water whatever coming down them. 
 Some years ago, before the rock shafts were sealed, the water 
 from the flooding of the district by falling in of mines came over 
 the cylinders and flooded the sole of the mine, cutting into the 
 pillars left to support the roof and eating away the salt in the sole 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 225 
 
 of the mine. This was pumped out after a time, but not until 
 much mischief had been done. Since then fresh water has again 
 been allowed to accumulate and has cut and is cutting under the 
 pillars and eating away the sole rock. I found the pillars cut 
 away worst towards the east side of the mine, showing that the 
 water accumulates there most and that the dip of the bed is to 
 the east and south. I examined by a staff the depth of the 
 grooves cut under the pillars and found one groove about 15 
 inches in a section of the mine. In the lowest portion of the 
 mine the grooves extended 4, 5, and up to 6 feet under the pillars 
 on all sides. The pillar standing slightly to the south of east of 
 the shaft and in the pool where the fresh water is drained that 
 comes from the shaft is cut under completely. As far as I could 
 judge this pillar is from 10 to 12 yards square. I had a cord 
 passed under the pillar, and it was taken by two men completely 
 under the pillar from one side to the other. 
 
 " I could not perceive any sign of sinking, but this is only 
 a question of time. The pillars in the mine are by no means 
 numerous, and some not very large. The grip or groove cut into 
 and under the piUar seems to be from 3 to 4 inches wide. In some 
 pillars there are two distinct grooves, one a few inches above the 
 other, caused at two distinct times. The pillar that is cut through 
 has from 800 to 1000 tons of salt in it. Those pillars, chiefly 10 
 yards square, that are cut under 6 feet, are now only 8 yards square 
 on the bearing surface. The mine is used now for passing the 
 pipes through, which convey brine from the old inundated mines 
 bordering. Originally the tunnel was cut and the borings made 
 and pipes passed from the Ollershaw Lane Mine to Neumann's and 
 Ellson's old flooded mine, but the brine was at times so muddy 
 that a fresh tunnel was made into Gibson's mine and pipes laid 
 across it and through the barrier to the British Mine, and so 
 connected with the Hatfield and Broady's Mine brine which had 
 been tapped by Mr E. Townshend. When there was danger of 
 the British Mine collapsing, the roof having crept to within 3 feet 
 of the sole in one place, the pipes were broken off and taken out 
 and the barrier between the Ollershaw Lane Mine and Gibson's 
 made good and the pipes fitted and made secure." 
 
 It having been reported in December of the same year (1898) 
 
 that blasting had been taking place in the shaft on the Eed Lion 
 
 property of Mr J. Thompson at Marston, immediately adjacent 
 
 to the Alliance Shaft, and that the tunnels made by the Salt Union 
 
 p 
 
226 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 had been injured, Mr Ward went down the shaft on the Alliance 
 Works to see what had occurred. For more than the whole of 
 
 PLAN SHOWING THE SALT MINES 
 IN THE NORTHWICH DISTRICT. 
 
 The Adelaide is the only mine in Northwich district at present 
 being worked for rock-salt. 
 
 that year, the whole of the Northwich and Marston Districts had 
 been flooded with water from the inrushes down the Old Piatt's 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 227 
 
 Hill shafts. The water had stood as much as 60 feet above the 
 rock head at one time, but had been gradually falling owing to 
 
 the Piatt's Hill shafts and openings into the mine being choked 
 by the many thousands of tons of mud and refuse and dredging put 
 down. About the end of September the water or brine had fallen to 
 
228 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the level of the rock head, and, in December it was 20 feet below 
 this level in the Dunkirk shafts. The result of this draining off or 
 pumping down of the water was that all the brine has drained off 
 from the Marston district and the Red Lion shaft, Alliance shaft, 
 and Alexandra shaft were all practically dry. " On reaching the 
 bottom of the shaft," Mr Ward says, " I found the rock-salt all 
 eaten away by water and the marl slipped into the well at the 
 bottom of the shaft. The shaft timbers are left without any 
 support, and the marls at the back of the timbers have crumbled 
 and fallen down. The water has also dissolved all the rock-salt 
 in the sole of the tunnels for a distance down and all in the sides 
 and roof, and the marls have crumbled and broken down very 
 badly. I was only able to inspect the entrance to the tunnels 
 and a yard or two up by the aid of G. Whitlow, who went in with 
 lighted candles. The marl has fallen from the roof and sides of 
 the tunnel in large lumps where the marl is tenacious or a little 
 hard and slaty, and where soft and with a good deal of gypsum 
 the marls have crumbled and fallen and form mud. The tunnels 
 are evidently very much damaged, and as much on the side 
 farthest from the Red Lion as on the nearest side. So far as I 
 can see from a very careful examination and without passing any 
 opinion about blasting, I see nothing but what is the natural and 
 inevitable result of fresh water acting upon rock-salt and rock- 
 oalt and marls." 
 
 A document of no little interest is the report made by Mr 
 Thomas Ward of the damage caused to Mr Neumann's mine 
 by the blasting operations in the adjoining Old British Mine 
 belonging to Mr Steenstrand. Mr Ward was called in to assess the 
 damage, which Mr Neumann placed at £1000, and Mr Steenstrand 
 at £100. This report is too long to reproduce in extenso, but a precis 
 of it will be sufficient to indicate the care, knowledge, and strict im- 
 partiality with which the valuer accomplished his task. In the first 
 place Mr Ward points out that if both mines had been perfectly 
 sound and there had been no fear of water getting into either, the 
 damage caused by the hole which was blown through the dividina; 
 wall of rock-salt would have been confined to the price of the amount 
 of rock-salt acquired by Steenstrand from Neumann in accidentallv 
 overstepping his boundary. But the position was complicated bv 
 the fact that Neumann's mine was badly pillared and the thinning 
 of the rock-salt partition between the two mines tended to weaken 
 the support of the roof. Moreover, to quote the actual words of 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 
 
 229 
 
 the document : " Mr Steenstrand's mine is now a continuation 
 of the Old British Mine, and this latter may at any time 
 collapse ; and as the pipes conveying the brine to Mr Townshend's 
 
 -^CyfO^tOVONfoOlO 
 
 pumping engine passs over the sole of the Old British Mine, 
 they may, and possibly will, be broken by the collapse of the roof, 
 and consequently the mines will be flooded with brine, except it 
 is possible to get to the tunnel and close the valve. Should this 
 happen, Mr Neumann contends that his mine also will be flooded 
 
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232 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 and thus destroyed. His contention is, that whenever any 
 collapse occurs in the British Mine, his mine will be destroyed. 
 The roof of the Old British Mine has been ' creeping ' for many 
 years, and a number of the pillars left to support the roof which 
 have been crushed up and broken to pieces, lie scattered about. 
 It is evidently only a question of time as to when the collapse 
 will occur." 
 
 The damage was, therefore, twofold — the actual damage in the 
 loss of rock-salt, and the prospective damage in the possible de- 
 struction of the mine. The value of the rock-salt extracted was 
 roughly estimated at 1000 tons of the value of £25, but in order to 
 be on the safe side, Mr Ward allowed £40. The question of the 
 prospective damage required closer investigation, but the utmost 
 damage that could accrue could not be more than the value, 
 present or prospective, of the mine. That value was affected by 
 various considerations which are carefully tabulated and described. 
 To begin with, the mine had ceased to be worked for 30 years, 
 owing to the unsuitability of its position for shipping rock-salt. 
 It was favourably placed for railway shipments, but the trade was 
 not good enough to warrant that expenditure. The shafts of the 
 mine had fallen into so grave a condition through neglect that it 
 would cost almost as much to repair them as to sink new shafts, 
 while the pillars supporting the mine were insufficient in number 
 and of doubtful stability. Although the dividing wall of rock- 
 salt had been reduced, no damage was likely to accrue to it. But 
 the mine, which was never considered safe and good, was practically 
 worthless, and, but for the cost involved, it would have been filled 
 up. Again the hole caused by the explosion could easily be 
 stopped and Neumann's mine rendered immune from further 
 injury, even if Steenstrand's mine became destroyed ; and in the 
 event of Steenstrand's being flooded and a slight leakage taking- 
 place through the made-up hole, the cost of drawing up the water 
 would not cost more than £1 per month. But Neumann's mine 
 would be worth more as a brine reservoir than as a rock-salt 
 mine. If inundated, it would be a most valuable property, and 
 the letting of water into the pit would be a blessing rather than a 
 curse. Then again the rock-salt in Neumann's mine lay so wide 
 of the shafts that it could not be worked at a profit, while the rapid 
 sinking and destruction of the land near the defective shafts 
 rendered it almost certain that in a few years the shafts would be 
 unworkable and worthless. 
 
THE TOP ROCK MINES 233 
 
 Under the most favourable circumstances then, Mr Ward 
 decided that Mr Neumann must be paid for his rock-salt, and Mr 
 Steenstrand must secure the hole on the most approved principle 
 to the satisfaction of a competent person. On the supposition 
 that the hole is not perfectly secured, a cost of £12 per annum 
 would be incurred in removing the water. Under the worst 
 circumstances, involving the destruction of the mine, a new shaft 
 and engine-room would cost £800, but the cost of making the old 
 shafts safe and workable would be £350 ;' and seeing that the mine 
 was practically uninjured, the sum fairly due to Mr Neumann 
 would be £800, Jess .the £350 it would cost him before he could 
 begin to work the mine with the old shafts. Allowing that the 
 mine would not collapse for at least ten years, the worth of £450 
 due in ten years would be £300. In conclusion, Mr Ward finds 
 that, " without taking into consideration the question of the 
 probable destruction of the mine, by shafts being pulled over 
 towards the Great Marston Flash : or the saving in ferriage by 
 putting down, a new shaft : or the probable destruction of the 
 pillars of the mine at an early date, if worked, or any other of 
 the various points involved in Mr Neumann's mine : 
 
 " The Compensation would stand : 
 For rock-salt . . £40 
 
 For other damage . . 300 
 
 For overlooked contingencies (10 %) 34 
 
 Total . . . £374 ; say, £375. 
 
 " Or, allowing only £300 for repairs of shafts, machinery, etc., 
 then the present worth of £500 due 10 years hence at 5 per cent., 
 =£333, 6s. 8d., and total compensation : 
 
 For rock-salt . . . £40 
 
 For damage . . . 333 6 8 
 For contingencies (10 %) 33 6 8 
 
 406 13 4 : say, £400." 
 
EOCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The original rock-salt mines in the top bed were commenced 
 with one shaft to each mine and were ventilated by means of an 
 air-pipe and a fan. A horse gin was used for winding, but the 
 winding shaft in which the gin rope worked did not go into the 
 rock-salt, but only to within a short distance of it, and it was out 
 of this shaft, at a distance of two or three yards from the bottom, 
 that a side drift was driven. From this side drift a windlass pit 
 was sunk into the rock-salt, and it was up this windlass pit that 
 the rock-salt was drawn to the drift and thence taken to and up 
 the gin shaft, the part of the gin shaft below the drift being used 
 as a sump or lodgment for water. These top bed workings did 
 not usually extend more than 100 yards from the shaft, but, as 
 the number of the mines increased, the workings from adjoining 
 shafts occasionally become connected. In this way one shaft 
 became a downcast and the other an upcast, and the air-pipe and 
 fan at each were able to be dispensed with. The thickness of 
 rock-salt worked averaged from 30 to 36 feet, and pillars of natural 
 rock-salt usually about 5 yards square, were left to support the 
 roof and superincumbent strata. 
 
 The top mines are said to have been numerous, but they all 
 either fell in or became inundated, the chief cause of collapse being 
 insufficiency of support and the water penetrating either into 
 the sump of the winding shaft or through the rock-salt into the 
 marl above it, causing the roof to fall and allowing fresh 
 water to enter. The proportion of support left in pillars in these 
 old top bed mines, as is shown in the existing plans, appears to 
 have been more than adequate to support the weight it had to 
 carry, but it was the roof between the pillars which collapsed, 
 owing to the thinness of the rock-salt left being insufficient for 
 the span between them. The rock-salt mines in the bottom bed 
 did not differ much from the original ones, but the steam engine 
 with direct shafts to the bottom of the mine replaced the horse 
 gin and windlass for winding. Improved methods for keeping 
 water out of the shaft were introduced, and more knowledge was 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 235 
 
 employed respecting the proper proportion of pillars and thickness 
 of roof for support. 
 
 A winning foe working rock-salt in the bottom bed consisted 
 of two shafts, placed from 10 to 15 yards apart, with another shaft 
 for pumping the surface water, which was sunk only as deep as 
 
 the surface water penetrated. A few of the winding shafts were 
 made wide enough for two ropes and were fitted with conductors, 
 but most of them, at the part which was cased to keep back the 
 fresh water and brine, were only about three and a half feet in 
 diameter. One of the earliest precautions found requisite in the 
 rock-salt shafts — and afterwards in brine shafts when they came 
 
236 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 to be sunk through, rock-salt — was to protect the rock-salt at 
 the sides from being dissolved by fresh water. Consequently, all 
 
 ' Indurtn ted Clays" 
 
 ;, i S- --' and v w-- 
 v '. j Gyp s unf^ 7 : i 
 
 ! ^ 
 
 ■ "il" 
 
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 Lower 
 
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 Mine 
 
 y,„ i,. 
 
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 Section of strata passed through in sinking 
 a Bock Salt mine. Northwich. 
 
 shafts going from the surface into rock-salt wece turreted or roofed 
 over to keep out rain or snow, and were carefully cased down to a 
 solid foundation below the level where surface water penetrated 
 the ground. 
 
 In olden times the casing seems to have been made of wood, 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 237 
 
 but this was subsequently partly replaced, by iron. In 1881, 
 when ten mines were working the bottom bed, the method was 
 
 ^1'iC^ V.C '■ fdpt^ftoc'k^ S tilt ! '■■'■ -' ^.'£5 
 
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 Jig. ! 
 
 J ' ■ '- 
 
 Ordinary Brine Subsidence. 
 
 to put in, first a back casing of wood which was begun a little 
 below the surface, putting it in downwards, with cramps to hold 
 
238 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 each succeeding set of timbers until the wet ground was sunk 
 through. The front casing was then begun at the bottom and 
 
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 put in upwards. A space of a few inches was left between the 
 front and back casing, and into this space wet earth or fluid puddle 
 was placed. Cast-iron tubing for the shaft casing was introduced 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 239 
 
 into the rock-salt mines of Northwich about the year 1845. The 
 construction of it was similar to that which had. long been used 
 in colliery shafts, when it was originally cast in complete cylinders 
 before the introduction of segments. The rock-salt pits being 
 small in diameter, complete cylinders were found more convenient 
 than segments. The mode of procedure, when the shaft had 
 been sunk with the back casings to a solid foundation in a bed of 
 marlstone, was to cut a ledge 12 inches wide all round, taking 
 
 
 ■•-'•c%?y^>:N\y-),v % 7:: 
 
 Upper Bed 
 
 A *-\'.\ :.-\ ;.'r ->>-•• /\- 
 
 of Rock-Salt. 
 
 Section showing subsidences caused by pumping brine and crushing of 
 pillars in the lower bed of rock-salt. 
 
 care to remove any small concretions of rock-salt in the marlstone. 
 On this ledge a wooden ring 9 inches wide and 3 inches deep was 
 laid, and upon it was placed an iron ring 9 inches broad and 9 
 inches deep, leaving an angular space 3 inches wide, all round at 
 the back. The wood and the iron were each made in two seg- 
 ments. Between the iron segments a thin slip of wood was 
 placed at the junction to make it water and brine tight, and the 
 annular space, 3 inches wide and 12 inches deep behind the two 
 rings, was filled up with pieces of wood about 6 inches in length 
 by 3 inches square, which were placed vertically and as close 
 together as possible. Wedges were then driven into the spaces 
 between the pieces of wood , and they were wedged again and again 
 
240 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 into holes made by steel points until was all tight, and the slip 
 of wood between the iron segments became squeezed to a thin 
 film. On the iron ring thus wedged there was laid a thin wedging 
 slip of wood for the iron casing to begin upon. The bottom length 
 of casing was 6 feet long and was in three segments, which tapered 
 from a diameter of about 4 or 5 feet at the bottom to 3 \ feet at 
 the top, and on that began the iron cylinders, which were 6 feet 
 long by 3J feet in diameter. 
 
 The first cylinders used had flanges, and were bolted together 
 at the front side of the shaft, but as this required the space between 
 the top and bottom flanges to be filled up to prevent the buckets 
 catching against them, they became superseded by cylinders 
 plain at the front side, with four snugs or wider parts behind on 
 the top and bottom part of each cylinder, with two holes in each 
 snug for holding the cylinders togethei . The belt-rods were made 
 of wrought iron, 1-1 inches in diameter, and there were four bolts 
 to each cylinder which, occupied four of the snug holes, the other 
 snug holes being for bolting the cylinders above. A cottril was 
 put through an eye in each rod under the bottom snug hole, and 
 a screw at the top of the rod above the top snug hole. The 
 cylinders were put in upwards, one after the other, and as the 
 cottril could not be put in after the cylinder was placed, the rods 
 for bolting each upper cylinder in its turn had to be cottered before 
 the cylinder was put on. There was, therefore, a shordder on 
 each rod to prevent it slipping down through the bottom snuo- 
 hole before the screw was put on at the top. 
 
 The improved cylinders were at first made plain at the top 
 and left rough as they were cast, but subsequently they had a 
 ledge at the back to keep the column straight, and the faces were 
 turned in a lathe to make them fit well. Wood slips were usually 
 placed between each cylinder to make a close joint, but at a 
 later date indiarubber rings, \\ inches broad and -| of an inch in 
 thickness, were substituted. The space behind the cylinder was 
 filled with cement to make all as close as possible. It was sup- 
 posed that what the wood casing failed to secure would be 
 effectually accomplished by the iron cylinders, and in most in- 
 stances where they were properly secured through the top bed 
 of rock-salt, and properly based at the bottom, this was effected. 
 But notwithstanding the greatest care taken in the castings, 
 fresh water sometimes found a passage behind the castings which, 
 if not discovered and speedily stopped, soon dissolved the rock 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 241 
 
 salt, so that the wedging ring and cylinders slipped, and the shaft 
 collapsed. 
 
 The method of working the Cheshire mines was as follows. 
 
 u 5 >6 
 
 The miners commenced, after having sunk the shaft to the depth 
 of the sole or floor of the mine, by what is called roofing, that is, 
 picking away with sharp iron picks immediately under the roof 
 Q 
 
242 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 that was to be of the mine. As soon as they had made an opening 
 wide enough, they blasted off more of the rook and worked 
 inwards, forming a chamber about five feet high. This formed, 
 they always kept it in advance, blasting off the rock-salt from the 
 edge of the slope reaching from this chamber floor to the sole of 
 
 to 
 <0 
 
 B 
 
 ROCK 
 
 PIT 
 
 =0= 
 
 PIT 
 
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 Ds 
 
 Ds 
 
 i 
 
 D6 
 
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 1 1 
 
 07 
 
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 1 
 
 1 
 
 SALT 
 
 A, 
 
 Bi 
 
 Ci 
 
 Plan showing method of workiug the rock-salt mines at Stasfurth. A level is 
 driven from A to A 1 across the strata from east to west. From this two levels, 
 B—B 1 and C—C lt with an intermediate pillar of 84 metres. Then this pillar is 
 partly taken away by levels, Dj, Do, j5 :1 , 24 metres wide and 8 metres high, 
 leaving pillars between 12 metres in width for support. 
 
 the pit. The salt was loaded into waggons, which ran along small 
 railways to the mouth of the shaft. The men engaged in blasting 
 the rock and squaring the walls and pillars (for these were left 
 quite square and well hewn) were called miners ; those who 
 loaded the trucks and conveyed them to the shaft were ferriers. 
 They were a fine set of men, and their occupation, compared with 
 coal-miners, was a very healthy one. The mines were of a very 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 243 
 
 equable temperature, and sufficiently warm for the men to work 
 without their shirts. Being lofty, the air was pure, except 
 occasionally, when much blasting took place : then the sulphur 
 of the gunpowder remained hanging in the mine, and rendered 
 it almost impossible for the men to work. 
 
 The custom before 1872 was for the gunpowder to be taken 
 into the pits in the ordinary powder barrels, containing 25, 50, or 
 100 lbs. each, and sometimes a ton or more was down one mine 
 at a time, but that was done away'with by the Metalliferous 
 
 At Wieliozka, in Austrian Poland, the rock-salt lies partly in the form of 
 irregular detached masses or nests (Nester) and partly in the form of strata 
 (Flotze), and the workings are of a depth of between 63 and 235 metres under the 
 surface. The nests are worked by making levels A — A r , B — J B 1 , and thence by 
 inclined planes, — C lf C 2 to the highest and lowest points of the nest, and then 
 all the rock-salt is worked away, commencing at the extremities. In this way 
 large irregular excavations are sometimes formed : one of these is 32 metres in 
 length, 23 metres in width, and 32 metres in height. 
 
 Mines Regulation Act. The greatest number of men down one 
 pair of shafts was about 80, and the quantity of powder used by 
 that number was about 1 cwt. a day. The drills used for drilling 
 the shot-holes were about 8 feet in length, pointed at each end, 
 and for convenience of handling and to give weight to the blow, 
 were made larger in diameter in the middle, no hammer being 
 used. In charging the shot the fine rock-salt made in drilling the 
 hole was put next to the powder, and coarser-grained rock-salt 
 upon that. The stemmers were made by iron. The prickers were 
 also of iron, exemptions under the Act being granted for the use 
 
244 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of iron for these purposes, as rook-salt does not strike a light with 
 either iron or steel. Safety fuse was very seldom used, the charge 
 being fired by a straw filled with fine powder which was lighted by 
 a piece of candle-wick. 
 
 Many of the mines were of considerable size, and some of them 
 increased at the rate of about an acre annually. The quantity 
 of rock-salt mined was small compared with coal. No mine in the 
 district yielded above forty thousand tons per annum. The 
 
 Surface of 
 
 the Ground 
 
 
 DRIFT ■>. 
 
 
 MARLSTONE ,S 
 
 - 
 
 <0 
 
 8 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 ROCKSALT "fcUlM!!, 1 <>\W\\\W\ llil'ilnjllil^i! lailtll.y 
 
 i-Su ll|lli.iil«.,,l.fi W,,,i 
 
 *m,m. v. ' 
 
 .j; :in |ij|[iU|))|iiU ii|t 
 
 MARLSTONE 
 
 ROCKSALT 
 
 Section showing the method by which the top bed 
 of rock salt was worked 
 
 Marston Hall Rock-salt Mine, Northwich, Cheshire. 
 
 demand for rock-salt being small, there was no need for a large 
 production. 
 
 Rock-salt is more free from danger than most kinds of min- 
 ing ; no explosions occur, for there are no deleterious gases, and 
 accidents are rare. In a general way the rock-salt strata are 
 remarkably free from carbonic acid gas, and in only one instance 
 in Northwich, and twice at Meadow Bank, Winsford, does fire- 
 damp appear to have been met with, and then only at pipe veins 
 and in very small quantity. There are no falls of earth as in 
 coal-mines, for the rock-salt is extremely tenacious, and the miners 
 never undermine it but blast it, which is a much safer operation. 
 The two great dangers to which rock-salt mining is exposed, though 
 they rarely result in loss to human life, are the falling in of the 
 mine bodily, or of the shafts and neighbouring earths, and the 
 breaking in of brine either at the head of the top-rock shaft or 
 from old mines, long disused and full of brine. 
 
 In dealing with the rock-salt mining of Cheshire one is writing 
 of a dead industry. It has been superseded by the production of 
 salt from brine, and at the present time only the Adelaide Marston 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 245 
 
 Mine at Northwich is working. In 1881, of the nineteen rock- 
 salt mines that were open in Cheshire, all were in the bottom 
 bed, but only nine were at work. The following is a list 
 
 10 chains 
 -I 1 
 
 Scale 
 
 Plan of Marston Hall Rock Salt Midie. 
 
 DRIFT £ 
 
 re. 
 
 X 
 
 
 MARLSTONE 
 
 
 TOP BED, ROCK SALT 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 MARLSTONE 
 
 d 
 
 BOTTOM BED, ROCK SALT 
 
 w 
 
 z 
 
 u 
 
 mmmwmmmmwmm»mmmmm-msm\ 
 
 m mmm wmam mr- 
 
 Section showing method by which the bottom Beo 
 of Rock Salt is now being worked. 
 
 Northwich, Cheshire. 
 
 of the producing mines at that date with particulars of their 
 supports : — 
 
 Marston Mine, Northwich : the oldest existing rock-salt mine 
 in England, and the first that was sunk to the lower bed ; depth 
 
246 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 330 feet, with two ropes in the winding shaft ; strata nearly 
 horizontal ; area of mine supported on about 140 pillars of natural 
 salt, 40 acres ; height of working, 15 to 16 feet ; the pillars are 
 of various sizes and at various distances apart ; several are eight 
 or nine yards square, others six or seven yards, and about 25 yards 
 apart, which seems scarcely sufficient support, as some are 
 
 plan of the 
 
 British Rock Salt Mine. 
 
 northwich. 
 
 cracked at the corners and there is a small crack in the roof at 
 one part of the mine ; the present pillars are being made either 
 10 yards square or 10 x 9 yards, and 25 yards apart. The size of 
 the pillars in the old top bed mine at Marston are about 6x4 
 yards, and at much less distances apart than in the bottom bed. 
 An old plan, dated 1786, shows the top and bottom workings as 
 they existed at that time. The area of the upper mine is now as 
 it was about a century ago, having an area of about one acre and 
 a quarter, and is still in good order, with the old shaft by which 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 247 
 
 the bottom bed was first proved still remaining but not used for 
 winding. 
 
 Marston Hall Mine, Northwich ; depth of a pair of shafts, 315 
 feet ; area of mine, supported on pillars, 28 acres ; height of 
 
 L3iUIUU_i 
 — — IF"* 
 
 PLAN OF 
 
 WITTON HALL MINE, 
 
 NORTHWICH. 
 
 working, 15 to 18 feet, with the rock-salt forming the roof not all 
 quite firm ; pillars 10 yards square and 25 yards apart, and two 
 special pillars 12 yards square and only 18 yards apart. 
 
 Marston Pool Mine, Northwich ; depth of a paic of shafts, 324 
 feet ; area of mine, supported on pillars, six acres ; two shaft 
 pillars, each about eight yards square, and the others seven yards 
 square and 25 yards apart ; but as the mine is narrow the boun- 
 dary ribs aid in supporting the roof. 
 
248 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Adelaide Marston Mine, Northwich ; depth, of a pair of shafts, 
 330 feet ; area of mine, supported on pillars, 9| acres : pillars 
 10 yards square and 20 yards apart. 
 
 British Mine (Mr Steenstrand's), Wincham, Northmen ; depth 
 
 of shafts, 330 feet, with two ropes in the winding shaft ; area of 
 mine supported on pillars, 22 acres ; some pillars 7 yards square, 
 others 10 yards square, and 20 to 25 yards apart. 
 
 The Old British Mine, which was stopped by a squeeze, is open 
 to the British, and may still be traversed ; the first pillars in it 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 249 
 
 were only 5 yards square, but as they began to crush, larger ones 
 were made, and a few buildings of rock-salt made amongst the 
 small pillars where the rock-salt roof was cracking : some of the 
 cracks are now nearly a foot in width, and open. Two ranges of 
 iron brine pipes, belonging to Captain Townshend, run through this 
 mine to a set of old rock-salt mines, now fallen in and containing 
 brine. 
 
 Witton Hall Mine, Mill Street, Witton, Northwich ; depth of a 
 pair of shafts, 330 feet ; area of mine supported on pillars, 8 acres ; 
 the first pillar that was formed was 8 yards square, the others 
 are 10 x 8 yards, at 25 yards apart. 
 
 Baron's Quay Mine, Leicester Street, Witton, Northwich ; depth 
 of a pair of shafts 300 feet, the level of the top of the shafts being 
 below that of all the others at Northwich. Height of working, 
 14 feet ; area of mine supported on pillars, 2 acres ; pillars 8 yards 
 square and 25 yards apart, but the pillars, three in number, now 
 in process, are being made 8 x 12 yards, and future pillars are to 
 be made 10 yards square. 
 
 Meadow Bank Mine, Winsford ; depth of a pair of shafts, 477 
 feet ; area of mine supported on pillars, 7f acres ; height of 
 working, 18 feet ; pillars, four at the shafts each 8 yards square, 
 others 8x6 yards ; recent pillars 12 yards square and 25 yards 
 apart. Dip, 1 in 100. 
 
 Sixteen years later, in June 1897 the Marston Old Top Mine 
 was the only one still working in the upper bed , and Mr Thomas 
 Ward, who inspected the survivor, reported it to be in very good 
 condition. It was through the sole of this mine that Mr Gilbert 
 bored or sunk and discovered the second main bed of rock-salt in 
 1781, and after this date all fresh mines were sunk to the lower 
 rock-salt. "All round the shaft," says Mr Ward, "are pillars 
 set in a circle. The four shaft pillars were four yards in face, 
 6 yards on side and rear. About 7 yards in rear of these is another 
 row of pillars 4 yards on the face and 7 yards deep. These face 
 the openings between the first pillars. The pillars, as far as I 
 could judge, are over 30 feet, probably nearly 35 feet high. The 
 ceiling or roof was all worked with the pick and showed the 
 designs — referred to in Dr Holland's " Cheshire" — making the roof 
 resemble a panelled ceiling. There were several concentric rows 
 of pillars and some in formation, also one not cut through, being 
 14 feet along the side but only 4 or 5 on the face. The mine was 
 
250 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 in exceptionally good condition, and there were very few signs of 
 the pillars being split at the corners. Only one clear case and 
 that not recent. There were several shafts besides the main one 
 down to the lower mine — also a good water pit and tank. This 
 mine is entered from the main shaft by an opening on the brick- 
 work. The main shaft is a two-tub shaft." 
 
Plan of Penny's Lane Mine — Northwich District. 
 
254 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
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ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 255 
 
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 Marston Lane . 
 Adelaide (Verdin's) 
 Marston Old Mine (Fletcher's) 
 Pool Mine (Thompson's) 
 Marston Hall Old Brine Pit 
 Marston Hall Mine 
 Williamson's 
 Old British 
 
 Marbury .... 
 British Co., Anderton 
 Higgins' .... 
 
256 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
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ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 257 
 
 
 
 
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 Bancroft & Co. . 
 
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 Tury & Hadfield 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 259 
 
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ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 261 
 
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262 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
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264 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Middlewich District 
 List or Bbine Shafts and Bobe-Holes 
 
 No. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Depths of 
 Shafts. 
 
 Level of 
 Surface 
 
 of Ground 
 above 
 
 Ordnance 
 Datum. 
 
 Level of 
 Bottom of 
 Shaft, Ord- 
 nance Datum. 
 
 1 
 
 Field Shaft 
 
 Yards. 
 25 
 
 89-27 
 
 14"27 above 
 
 2 
 
 Yeoman's 
 
 110 
 
 103-88 
 
 226-12 below 
 
 3 
 
 Wheel Shaft 
 
 30 
 
 87-57 
 
 2-43 below 
 
 4 
 
 Pepper Street . 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 In Yard 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 On Site of Milk Factory 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 Dairy and Domestic 
 Salt Company 
 
 About 100 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 Ravenscroft 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Seddon . 
 
 Over 100 
 
 90-93 
 
 209-07 below 
 
 10 
 
 Dairy and Domestic 
 Salt Company 
 
 68 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 Cheshire Alkali Co. . 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 Amans Co. 
 
 About 81 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 Murgatroyd 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 Borehole 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 Old Shaft 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 Borehole 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 Borehole 
 
 
 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 265 
 
 Notes re Rock Salt and Brine Shafts, Boreholes, Etc. 
 
 Bowman, Thompson & Co., Lostock, near railway and brook. 
 
 Surface lever 44 feet above O.D. Salt 179 feet below O.D. 
 
 ft. in. ft. in. 
 
 No. 1, to rook head . . . 245 
 
 (2nd Bed) Thickness of rock-salt 81 6 = 326 6 
 No. 2, to rock head 220 
 
 Bock-salt . 81 (2nd bed) 
 
 Next a bed of red and blue stone 
 
 Next rock-salt . . 6 
 
 Temperley — Wincham, near Victoria Works. 
 
 To rock head . .170 feet 
 
 Bored 354 feet and found no salt (1891). 
 
 Hewitt — Boring near Wincham Canal Bridge. 
 Bored 354 feet and found no salt (1891). 
 
 Jackson — Shurlach, near Canal. 
 
 ft. 
 Bock head . . 216 
 
 Bock-salt 29 
 
 Small bed of stone ^ 
 Rock-salt . j 
 
 Found weak brine at 216 or 208 feet, 2 lbs. brine. 
 
 Brook's — Manor Farm, Manchester Road, 1891. 
 
 Borehole — ft. 
 
 To rock head 174 
 
 Rock-salt 2 
 
 Marls . . . 28 — boring stopped. 
 
 Pimlott's — Leftwich. Surface 43 feet above O.D. Riversdale 
 
 boring 50 feet above O.D. 
 Borehole-^To rock head . . 309 feet, then rock-salt. 
 
 334 feet— from 243 to 301 feet— red and grey marl 
 mixed with rock-salt. 
 
266 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Clarke's (North wich Salt Co., near Wadebrook). 
 To rock head .... 114 feet (?). 
 
 Pool Pit (Marston) 
 
 ft. in. ft. in. 
 
 To rock head ... 130 
 
 Eock-salt, 1st bed . . . 84 9 
 
 Stone (indurated marl) . 27 
 
 Eock-salt, 2nd bed . . 88 9 
 
 330 6 
 
 Marston Old Mine 
 
 ft. 
 
 To rock head . . 141 
 
 Rock-salt (1st bed) . 76 
 
 Stone ... .27 
 
 Rock-salt (2nd bed) . 91 
 
 The old top mine (last now existing) — 
 
 To sole of mine . . . 187 feet 
 
 Neumann's Mine (Witton Street) 
 
 ft, in. 
 To rock head . . 175 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed 30 
 
 Stone . . 30 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . 80 6 
 
 Crystal Mine (Piatt's — Marston) 
 ft. in. 
 To top rock . . .139 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed ... 88 6 
 
 Stone ..... 29 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . . 88 6 
 
 335 
 
 Witton Hall Mine 
 
 ft. in. ft. in. 
 
 To rock head . . . . 136 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . 71 
 
 Stone . . 27 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . 91 6 
 
 325 6 
 
 315 6 
 
 345 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 267 
 
 Williamson's Mine (Wincham) 
 
 ft. 
 
 To rock head . . . . 144 
 
 Eock-salt, 1st bed ... 77 
 
 Stone . . 26 
 
 Rock-salt .... 80 
 
 327 
 
 Worlhington's Brine Shaft (Dunkirk) 
 
 ft. 
 
 To rock head .... 138 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . . 78 
 
 Stone 30 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . . 78 
 
 Cheshire Amalgamated Shaft (Dunkirk) 
 
 ft. 
 To rock head .... 135 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed ... 72 
 
 Stone 30 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . . 84 
 
 Adelaide Mine (Marston) 
 
 ft. in. 
 
 To rock head . 
 
 141 
 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . 
 
 83 
 
 6 
 
 Stone .... 
 
 26 
 
 
 Rock-salt 
 
 89 
 
 6 
 
 Hayes' Marston Hall Mine 
 
 ft. in. 
 To rock head .... 141 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . . . 65 6 
 
 Stone .... 28 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . . 86 6 
 
 324 
 
 321 
 
 340 
 
 321 
 
U68 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Albert Shaft (Brine), Marston 
 
 ft. in. 
 To rock head . . 121 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . . 93 6 
 
 Stone ... 28 
 
 Rock-salt . .91 
 
 333 6 
 
 Townshend's New Brine Shaft (Wincham), above O.D. 75-67 
 
 ft. in. 
 To rock head ... 132 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . 132 ft. . 76 6 
 
 Stone . 75-67 ft. 27 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . . 93 6 
 
 329 
 
 56-35 
 
 Baron's Quay (Relief Shaft), Top Leicester Street, Witton 
 
 ft. in. 
 To rock head . 117 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . 67 6 
 
 Stone . . 31 6 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed, this only . 66 
 
 Sunk to level of top cut in Baron's Quay Mine, and then 
 tunnelled. When worked up to this point the total thickness 
 of second bed was 91 -5 feet. 
 
 Baron's Quay Mine — (Leicester Street) 
 
 ft. ft. in. 
 
 To rock head . 120 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed . 54 
 
 Stone . . 30 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed . 91 
 
 295 
 
 Neumann's Brine Shaft (Marston) 
 
 ft. in. 
 
 To rock head . . 130 6 
 
 Rock-salt, 1st bed 88 
 
 Stone ... .29 
 
 Rock-salt, 2nd bed 85 
 
 332 6 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 26& 
 
 Penny's Lane Mine (Brunner, Mond & Co.) 
 To rock-salt . . . 145 feet from surface. 
 
 Datum line 
 Therefore rock-salt 
 Thickness of 1st bed 
 Thickness of marl 
 Thickness of 2nd bed salt 
 
 78 feet from surface. 
 67 feet below Ordnance Datum. 
 52 or 51 feet = 119 or 120 below O.D. 
 30 feet = 149 or 150 below O.D. 
 90 feet = 240 feet below O.D. 
 
 Brunner, Mond & Co. (Winnington) 
 
 No. 1, to rock-salt 
 
 Datum line . 
 
 Therefore rock-salt 
 
 No. 2, to rock salt 
 
 Datum line 
 
 Rock-salt 
 
 260 feet from surface. 
 148 feet from surface. 
 112 feet below Datum. 
 259 feet below surface. 
 148 feet below surface. 
 Ill feet below O.D. 
 
 Brunner, Mond & Co. (Anderton) 
 
 No. 1 and 2 to bottom of shaft, no salt 250 feet. 
 Datum line . . 100 feet. 
 
 Therefore bottom of shaft and no salt 150 feet below O.D. 
 
 Brunner, Mond & Co. (shaft and boring, Winnington) 
 
 To rock salt from surface 
 Marl 244 feet in shaft 
 
 ft. in. 
 261 3 
 148 surface above O.D. 
 
 Marl 
 
 Flag 
 
 9-9 to top of flag, Rock 113 3 below O.D. 
 2-0 to bottom, Rock 85 9 
 
 Broken marl 5 p 6, this to rock head 199 bottom of bed below 
 
 O.D. 
 
 261-3 
 
 Marston Mine 
 
 Top bed . 
 
 144 ft. from surface, then 30 ft. 
 
 Second bed 
 
 Feet. 
 84 thick- 
 Indurated clay 
 96 
 
■270 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Irlam Salt Works, Northwich 
 
 First bed 98 
 
 75 thick 
 Marl ... 30 „ 
 
 Second bed . . . 75 „ 
 
 Stocks Stairs 
 Glacial deposits . . 113 
 
 Marl . . 148 
 
 261 
 Level of brine stands at . . 96 at rest 
 
 Cledford Bridge 
 To rock head .... 171 
 Brine ..... 45 from top 
 
 Newbridge Shaft 
 Glacial and marl 
 Sand 
 
 Keuper marl 
 Rock-salt 
 
 210 
 3 
 79-6 
 16-6 
 
 Total .... 
 
 Fleetwood. 
 Keuper marls . 
 ■Salt rock and shale . 
 
 309 
 
 258 
 266 
 
 524 
 
 Runcorn, S. and A. Winsford 
 Shaft ..... 5J square yards 
 To rock salt .... 57 
 Rock salt proved . . 7 ft. 6 in. 
 
 Winsford Pond 
 -53-5 above O.D. 
 
 Wry's Green 
 To rock head . . . . 177 ft. 9 in. 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 271 
 
 Particulars of Brine Pits and Rock Salt Mines 
 
 COMPILED BY J. DICKINSON (1873) 
 
 List of known Brine Pits now closed 
 At Northwich : — 
 In Anderton : — 
 Andsell's. 
 Locke's. 
 One at Byeflat. 
 
 These three are now submerged by the sinking of the 
 ground. 
 Marshall & Naylor's. 
 West's. 
 In Winnington : — 
 Deakin's. 
 
 Firth and Worthington's. 
 Minor's. 
 
 Lord Stanley of Alderley's, ceased 1842. 
 Lord Stanley of Alderley's, ceased 1847. 
 In Marston : — 
 
 Milner's, near the present pit. 
 In Witton-cum-Twambrooks : — 
 Bancrofts'. 
 One at Leicester Hill. 
 Firth's at Tivis Hill. 
 One sunk for rock-salt at ditto. 
 The Witton Works at ditto. 
 The Witton Works, three others. 
 Tomkinson's (upper and lower pits). 
 In Northwich : — 
 
 At Baron's Quay, three shafts. 
 At Cotton Works Yard, one shaft. 
 At Northwich, one shaft. 
 At Winsford : — 
 
 Astley and Tyldesley Coal and Salt Co., one shaft. 
 
 Bromilow, Haddock & Co.'s. 
 
 Cheshire Amalgamated Co.'s, Limited, Top Works. 
 
 Cross, William, executors of, three shafts. 
 
 Davies, Samuel, near Poole. 
 
 Deakin, James, executors of. 
 
 Done's Hill shaft. 
 
272 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Evans, Richard, two shafts. 
 Falk's, H. E., four shafts. 
 National's. 
 
 Navigation Inn shaft, opposite to. 
 Oak Inn shaft, under the parlour. 
 Oak Brewery shaft. 
 Old Magee shaft. 
 Pensons'. 
 
 Price's Yard shaft. 
 Top Hill, Court's Land shaft. 
 Wade's, Ann. 
 At Middlewich : — 
 
 One 90 yards deep in the field south of the Big Lock. 
 One between the Big Lock and Mr Yeoman's present pit. 
 One do. do. do. shallow pit. 
 
 One at Ravenscroft, across the River Dane. 
 At Malkin's Bank : — 
 
 One now closed over, west of the present pits. 
 At Hassall Gbeen : — 
 
 One now closed, the supply being inadequate for one 
 salt-pan. 
 At Roughwood : — 
 
 One fallen in. 
 At Lawton : — 
 
 One in Odd Rode that had been worked by a water-wheel 
 since the year 1770, and, at a later date, was re-tried by 
 Messrs. Bidder & Elliot. 
 At Nantwich : — 
 
 The latest worked shafts when brine ceased to be worked, 
 about the year 1847, were at the back of the Town Hall 
 near Welsh-bridge, and at the opposite side of the 
 river near Welsh-row. 
 At Dirtwich : — 
 
 Three pits, about 20 yards deep, were worked at- the Higher 
 
 Wich, on the Cheshire side, until about the year 1830, 
 
 the latest one ceasing about the year 1840, the feeder of 
 
 brine in it being only about the size of a person's ringer. 
 
 In Staffordshire : — 
 
 There seems to be no record of the numerous old shafts 
 which have become waste. 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 273 
 
 In Worcestershire : — 
 
 At Droitwich, numerous old brine pits, of which there is no 
 record, at Stoke Prior, one shaft, now filled up, having 
 been sunk to the rock-salt in 1829. The rock-salt was 
 worked a little, and then water introduced to make brine, 
 but the water dissolved the rock-salt so that the shaft 
 collapsed and the pumps were broken up and buried. 
 
 List op Existing Brine Pits 
 
 In Andertox : — 
 
 British Salt Company, one pit, pumped for their own use. 
 
 Higgin & Hickson, pumped for their Anderton Works. 
 
 Lord Stanley of Alderley, two pits, the brine being pumped 
 for Thomas Astle, Deakin Brothers, Gibson & Darsie, 
 William Hayes, Higgin & Hickson (Winnington Works), 
 George Lovett & Co., James Shaw, and Starkey Brothers ; 
 all the foregoing being rock-head brine. 
 In Marston : — 
 
 William Hayes, one pit at Marston Hall, pumped for his 
 own use ; rock-head brine. 
 
 Edward Milner, one at Ollershaw Lane for himself ; rock- 
 head brine. 
 
 Joseph Verdin & Sons, two at Adelaide, Marston, for them- 
 selves ; rock-head brine. 
 
 Do., one partly sunk with the intention of working 
 the brine in the old bottom rock-salt workings. 
 In Wincham : — 
 
 Captain Townshend's Wincham Pit, and a second by a range 
 of pipes through the old British pit-workings, both 
 being to brine in the old bottom rock-salt workings ; 
 pumped for the Bridgefield Company, Fletcher & Rigby, 
 Hamer & Davies, Parks Brothers, Robert Williamson, 
 and William Worthington (Leftwich and Witton). 
 
 In WlTTON-CUM-TwAMBROOKS : — 
 
 Amalgamated Company, one pit, to the brine in the old 
 bottom rock-salt workings, pumped for themselves, and 
 for J. Alcock & Co., Deakin Brothers, executors of James 
 Gibson, George Lovett, James Shaw, junr., Joseph Verdin 
 & Sons (Town Works). 
 
 John and Thomas Marshall, one pit to the brine in the old 
 bottom rock-salt workings, worked for themselves. 
 
274 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 At Winsfoed in tie Township of Over, on the west side of the 
 Weaver navigation, all being rock-head brine : — 
 Cheshire Amalgamated Company, Limited, pumped for 
 
 themselves, R. Atherton, John Court, E. Leigh, and 
 
 Simpson & Son. 
 Runcorn Soap and Alkali Company, pumped for themselves. 
 Executrix of George Deakin, pumped by herself. 
 Bush & Son, pumped for themselves, one being sunk instead 
 
 of the old one. 
 James Shaw, senr., pumped for himself, Griffith & Atherton, 
 
 and Griffiths & Griffiths. 
 Bromilow, Haddock & Co., pumped for themselves, George 
 
 Lovett, and Hickson & Corker. 
 John Thompson, pumped for himself. 
 H. E. Falk, pumped for himself. 
 At Winspord in Wharton Township, on the east side of the 
 
 Weaver navigation, all being rock-head brine : — 
 Executors of William Cross, Island Works, pumped for 
 
 themselves. 
 Richard Evans, top of hill, pumped for himself. 
 David Bromilow, pumped for Stubbs Brothers and the 
 
 executors of James Deakin. 
 Joseph Verdin & Sons, pumped for themselves at Wharton 
 
 Works. 
 
 Do. do. Summer Island. 
 
 Richard Evans, pumped for himself. 
 William Lycett, pumped for himself. 
 Cheshire Amalgamated Company, Limited, two shafts 
 
 pumped for themselves and for the executrix of 
 
 G. Deakin. 
 National Patent Salt Company, pumped for themselves, and 
 
 for Samuel Hulse, William Jump, Alcocks, Digman, and 
 
 James Shaw, junr. 
 Executrix of George Deakin, top pit pumped for herself, 
 
 and J. Bush & Son. 
 Do., bottom pit pumped for herself. 
 Beaman and Deakin, pumped for themselves. 
 Joseph Verdin & Sons, Newbridge Works, Davenham, 
 
 pumped for themselves. 
 At Middlewich, all being brine from above the rock-head : — 
 Miss Chatterton, Pepper Street, pumped for herself. 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 275 
 
 Ralph Seddon, Kinderton, pumped for himself. 
 Joseph Verdin & Sons, Newton, pumped for themselves. 
 R. H. Yeoman, pumped for himself. 
 At Wheelock, Malkin's Bank, and Lawton, all being rock-head 
 
 brine, or from amongst the rock-salt : — 
 Wheelock Iron and Salt Company's, Limited, Wheelshaft, 
 
 west of Wheelock Bridge. 
 Do. new shaft east of ditto. 
 Cheshire Amalgamated Company's, Limited, two shafts, at 
 
 Malkin's Bank 
 BlackweU's in Odd Rode, Lawton. 
 In Staffordshire, at Shirley Wich and Weston-on-Trent : — 
 Chapman, at Shirleywich one shaft, 70 yards deep. 
 Weston-on-Trent Salt Company, do., Ill yards deep. 
 In Worcestershire : — 
 
 Droitwich Salt Company (Limited), three shafts, one of which 
 
 was sunk in 1872. 
 Thomas Causier (formerly Mr Noakes), one shaft. 
 Mr Joseph Ashley Fardon, one shaft. 
 John Corbett, four shafts, at Stoke Prior. 
 
 List of Old Rock-Salt Pits now closed 
 At Northwich to the top bed of rock-salt only : — 
 
 Bancroft's Island Pit, now submerged. (Near Witton Mill 
 in present Top of Brook.) 
 
 Old Pit, at west side of road to Marston, now submerged. 
 (Old rock pit near Baron's Quay fell in 1750. Pit in 
 Winnington near Simewell Block shop. Pit in Furry- 
 Captains. A number of pits near Gibson's Dock and 
 field of Servis adjoining one on Anderton side of Brook 
 to the east of Lovett's Ferry — fallen in prior to 1763.) 
 
 Marbury Lane, end collapsed. 
 
 Marbury near the Forge Brook, now submerged. 
 
 Two do., about 300 yards west of do., do. 
 
 Marston, open but not worked. 
 
 Rigby's, closed. 
 
 Piatt's Hill, near present bottom rock-salt shafts, collapsed. 
 Do., in the same field, collapsed. 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. do. 
 
 Do. do. closed but not collapsed. 
 
276 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 One in Witton-cum-Twambrooks, between Messrs Marshall 
 and Mr Weakfield's pits, now fallen in. 
 In Witton-cum-Twambrooks there have been the following top 
 pits : — 
 
 (a) Kent's, near Dunkirk Salt Works. 
 
 (b) (Doctors) do. fallen in in 1770. 
 
 (c) Ashton's— fell in 1838. 
 
 (d) Naylor's. 
 
 (e) Marshall's. 
 (/) Wakefield's. 
 
 In Witton-cum-Twambrooks, to the bottom bed of rock-salt, 
 
 the old workings being reservoirs of brine, from some of 
 
 which, if not all, the Cheshire Amalgamated Company 
 
 (Limited) and Messrs Marshall pump. 
 
 Ashton's, where lives were lost when it collapsed on the 
 
 16th October 1838. 
 Barton's, and afterwards the Amalgamated Company's brine 
 
 shaft, which became waste. 
 Caldwell's. 
 Marshall's. 
 
 Naylor's or Marshall's, No. 2. 
 Swinton's. 
 Thompson's. 
 Tomkinson's. 
 Wakefield's. 
 Worthington's. 
 
 Ashton's new pit under present salt-works. 
 In Marston and Wincham, to the bottom bed of rock-salt, the 
 old workings being now reservoirs of brine, from some of 
 which, if not all, Captain Townshend pumps at the Wincham 
 and the British shafts. 
 J. H. Blackburne's. 
 Brodie's. 
 Chantler's. 
 
 Samuel BUson & Co.'s. 
 Hadfield's. 
 
 Reynolds, Digman & Co. 
 At Lawton : — 
 
 One old rock-salt pit, near the old 1779 brine-pit, said to have 
 been sunk in the same year, and another on the opposite 
 side of the brook, about a quarter of a mile lower down 
 in the valley. 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 277 
 
 At Winsford : — 
 
 H. E. Falk's, Meadowbank, to the top bed only, now his 
 
 brine shaft. 
 Cheshire Amalgamated Company's (Limited) one shaft to 
 
 the bottom bed, at Wharton, now filled with brine, 
 
 since 1840. 
 
 Eock Salt Pits now open to the Bottom Bed of Rock-Salt 
 
 In Marston : — 
 
 Fletcher & Rigby's Marston Old. 
 Fletcher & Rigby's Marston New. 
 Gregory's Marston. 
 Wm. Hayes' Marston Hall. 
 Neumann's. 
 
 John Thompson & Sons', Pool. 
 Joseph Verdin & Sons', Adelaide. 
 In Northwich : — 
 
 Executors of James Gibson, Leicester Street, to the bottom 
 
 bed. 
 Verdin Bros., 1872. 
 In Wincham, to the bottom bed. 
 British Company's. 
 Neumann's, late Gibson's. 
 William Steenstrand's. 
 John Thompson's, Piatt's Hill. 
 Robert Williamson. 
 In Witton — 
 
 John Moore's, Penny Lane (now Thompson's) ; Neumann's, 
 and Stubbs, Mill Street (now Thompson's). 
 In Witton-cum-Twambrooks — William Worthington & Co.'s, 
 Dunkirk. 
 Of these the Marston Old, Marston Hall, Pool, Adelaide, 
 Steenstrands, Piatt's Hill, Williamson's, and Mill Street 
 are at present being worked (1872). Also the North- 
 wich mine, Verdin's, Moore's, Penny Lane. 
 At Winsford the rock-salt mines to the top and bottom bed of 
 Tock-salt are : — 
 H. E. Falk's, Meadow Bank, at work. 
 H. E. Falk's, Newbridge, open, but not at work. 
 
278 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Experimental Boring at Marston, 9th August 1890 to 
 24th January 1891 
 
 Week 
 ending 
 
 Depth 
 bored 
 
 Total 
 depth 
 bored 
 
 Nature of strata. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 1890 
 
 ft. ins. 
 
 ft. ins. 
 
 
 
 Aug. 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Getting plant on the 
 ground, and erect- 
 ing same 
 
 „ 16 
 
 1 
 o 
 
 2 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 (1 
 
 
 
 Soil 
 
 Bed pinnel 
 Sand 
 Red pinnel 
 
 
 ,, ,, 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 Red clayey sand 
 
 
 „ » 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 R 
 
 Red pinnel with 
 cobbles 
 
 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 Bound gravel 
 
 
 ,. „ 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pinnel with small 
 beds of sand 
 
 
 » 
 
 5 
 
 1) 
 
 
 
 Clayey marl 
 
 
 »» 
 
 7 
 
 (1 
 
 38 ' 
 
 9 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 
 „ 23 
 
 34 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 Soft red and blue 
 marl 
 
 
 •1 >> 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 
 • 
 
 Soft blue marl 
 
 
 „ >. 
 
 (5 
 
 
 
 84' 
 
 1 
 
 Soft red and blue 
 marl 
 
 Hole in good order 
 
 „ 30 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 96 
 
 6 J) 
 
 _2 . 
 
 Soft red and blue 
 marl with gypsum 
 
 Putting in 15J" lining 
 tubes, etc. 
 
 Sept. 6 
 
 
 
 96 
 
 6 S 
 
 CD 
 
 K 
 
 
 Putting in 13V' tubes, 
 completing the 
 erection of ma- 
 chinery and fitting 
 up 
 
 „ 13 
 
 27 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 129 
 
 / 
 
 Rock salt 
 
 Lined hole, and com- 
 menced boring 
 with machine. 
 Hole in good 
 order 
 
 „ 2C 
 
 8.5 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 6 
 
 Ij 
 
 (i 
 
 
 ■f: 
 
 Rock salt 
 
 Red marl mixed 
 
 with salt 
 Red marl 
 
 
 >> , 
 
 6 
 
 II 
 
 
 5 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 
 ,, , 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 
 r-; 
 
 Red marl 
 
 
 ,, , 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Red marl 
 
 
 ,, , 
 
 20 
 
 7 
 
 263 
 
 o 1 
 
 Rock salt 
 
 . . 
 
 ,, , 
 
 71 
 
 2 
 
 
 \ 
 
 Rock salt 
 
 
 
 (1 
 
 6 
 
 334 
 
 8 
 
 Hard blue marl 
 
 Re -boring hole to get 
 J down 11" tubes 
 
 Oct. 4 
 
 
 
 334 
 
 8 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 „ 11 
 
 
 
 334 
 
 8 
 
 
 Re-boring hole to 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 bottom 
 
ROCK-SALT MINING IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Experimental Boring at Marston — continued 
 
 279 
 
 Week Depth 
 ending. bored 
 
 Total 
 depth 
 bored 
 
 Nature of strata. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 1890 
 Oct, 18 
 
 „ Zo 
 
 Nov. 1 
 
 15 
 
 ft. ins. 
 
 4 7 
 
 6 6 
 
 4 10 
 
 4 2 
 
 1 9 
 
 6 6 
 
 6 
 
 1 4 
 
 5 2 
 1 4 
 
 5 8 
 
 1 2 
 
 12 6 
 
 9 
 
 14 6 
 
 24 6 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 li 
 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 (I 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 42 
 
 7 
 
 13 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 ft. ins. 
 334 , 8 
 
 CO 
 
 Mark A 
 with -g 
 salt 
 356 
 
 JH 
 
 <3 
 
 474 8 
 
 584 2 
 
 Hard red marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 mixed with salt 
 Rock salt with blue 
 
 marl 
 Hard blue and red 
 
 marl with veins of 
 
 gypsum 
 Hard red marl 
 Red marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 mixed with salt 
 Salt 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 mixed with salt 
 Red marl mixed 
 
 with salt 
 Blue marl mixed 
 
 with salt 
 Salt 
 Hard red marl mixed 
 
 with salt 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 mixed with salt 
 Hard red and blue 
 
 marl 
 Blue marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 Blue marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 with gypsum 
 Blue marl 
 Blue marl 
 Red marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 with gypsum 
 Blue marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 with gypsum 
 Red and blue marl 
 Red marl with gypsum 
 Red and blue marl 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 with gypsum 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 with gypsum 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 with gypsum 
 Blue marl with 
 gypsum 
 
 Completed re-boring 
 hole. Put in 11 J* 
 tubes on to bottom. 
 Preparing to bore 
 
 Red and Blue marls 
 with gypsum. 
 
280 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Experimental Boring at Marston — continued 
 
 Week 
 ending. 
 
 Depth 
 bored 
 
 Total 
 depth 
 bored 
 
 Nature of strata. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 1890 
 
 ft. 
 
 ins. 
 
 ft. ins. 
 
 
 
 Nov. 15 
 
 19 
 
 3 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 > 
 
 .. „ 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 
 Blue marl with 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 gypsum 
 
 
 
 » ,, 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 
 • 
 
 » 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 
 with gypsum 
 Red marl with 
 gypsum 
 
 Red and Blue Marls 
 1 with Gypsum 
 
 ' 
 
 " 
 
 19 
 
 6 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 1 
 
 , 
 
 ,, 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Blue marl 
 
 i 
 
 
 " 
 
 25 
 
 4 
 
 684 2 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 ) 
 
 
 22 
 
 4 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 
 with gypsum 
 Red marl with 
 
 gypsum 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 15 
 
 6 
 
 710 2 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 29 
 
 
 
 710 2 
 
 
 Lining hole with lOf " 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tubes 
 
 Dec. G 
 
 
 
 710 2 
 
 
 Preparing lining 
 tubes for next 
 gauge 
 
 „ 13 
 
 18 
 
 5 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 
 " •• 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 731 9 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 
 „ 20 
 
 39 
 
 1 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 
 .. „ 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 Blue marl with 
 gypsum 
 
 
 " " 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 
 »J 11 
 
 (i 
 
 6 
 
 
 Red marl with 
 gypsum 
 
 
 " 
 
 8 
 
 8 
 
 
 Blue marl with 
 gypsum 
 
 
 " " 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 
 Red and blue marl 
 with gypsum 
 
 
 »> 11 
 
 9 
 
 (I 
 
 818 11 
 
 
 Trying to recover 
 jammed core tube, 
 &c. 
 
 ,. 27 
 
 
 
 818 11 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. 3 
 
 
 
 818 11 
 
 
 Drew out jammed 
 tube and prepar- 
 ing to line hole 
 
 „ 10 
 
 
 
 818 11 
 
 | 
 
 Getting plant on 
 ground to draw out 
 jammed tubes, &c., 
 from hole 
 
 „ 17 
 
 
 
 818 11 
 
 . . 
 
 Do. 
 
 „ 24 
 
 
 
 818 11 
 
 | 
 
 Do. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE SALT INDUSTRY 
 
 The growth, of the salt district of Cheshire from a pastoral 
 region in which the inhabitants produced from the brine springs 
 sufficient salt to supply the needs of the local estate owners and 
 the surrounding country-side, to its present commercial importance 
 as one of the great salt-making centres of the world, has been a 
 matter of gradual development, stimulated by a succession of 
 geological, industrial, and political events of an epoch-making 
 ■character. There are no statistics giving the quantities of salt 
 made in early times, but judging from the size of the pans or leads 
 the amount must have been strictly limited. Many of the salt- 
 houses in the " Wyches " belonged to noblemen, and appear to 
 have been used for making salt for their household requirements. 
 It is on record that " There is in Wych half a salt-house to supply 
 the Hall," and in an old letter in written 1605, we read : " There 
 is in the said Towne [Northwich] one hundred and thirteen salt 
 houses every one containing four leads apeece . . . and one Four 
 leads which was given to the Earl of Derby ... for the portion 
 of his house." 
 
 In 1670, rock-salt was discovered on the Marbury Estate 
 near Northwich. We have no records of the date when the first 
 mine was sunk, but as there were no means of carrying the rock- 
 salt away in considerable quantities, it is safe to conclude that 
 only one or two mines were worked before the end of the seven- 
 teenth century. In 1721 an Act of Parliament was obtained for 
 making the River Weaver navigable, and although the work was 
 not completed until ten years later, small boats conveyed parcels 
 of salt down the stream. 
 
 Although the manufacture of white salt from brine has been 
 carried on in Cheshire without interruption from the occupation 
 -of the Romans, the output until comparatively recent times was 
 small, and its consumption was confined to the county and the 
 adjacent districts. In 1675 the three Cheshire " wiches " are 
 stated to have produced 20,000 tons annually, and there is good 
 evidence to show that the total production of the salt district was 
 never more than 30,000 tons per annum, manufactured from the 
 
282 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 natural brine springs. In this connection the following table will 
 be of interest : — 
 
 The Quantity or Salt made at the Three Cheshire " Wiches," 
 
 ACCORDING TO A CALCULATION MADE BY WlLLIAM LORD 
 
 Brereton about 1675. (He died in 1679.) 
 
 (From a discourse on the Salt Works and Fisheries, by John Collins. 
 London, 1682.) 
 
 Norths ioh 
 
 Names of the Salt Works 
 Owners 
 
 No. of 
 Pans. 
 
 Bushels 
 
 of Salt 
 
 made 
 
 weekly. 
 
 Loads 
 of Coal 
 
 spent 
 weekly. 
 
 Price of 
 the Coals. 
 
 Other 
 Coal. 
 
 Pans that 
 may be used. 
 
 Earl Rivers . 
 Baron of Kinderton 
 Mr Brook 
 Mr Marbury 
 Town Works 
 
 4 
 4 
 6 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 2,400 
 2,400 
 3342 
 1300 
 
 2772 
 
 264 
 264 
 396 
 102 
 462 
 
 £ s. d. 
 15 10 
 15 10 
 22 15 
 
 5 16 
 26 9 
 
 £ s. d. 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 14 
 3 11 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 At pleasure 
 
 7 
 
 
 23 I 12,214 
 
 1,488 
 
 81 
 
 11 5 
 
 
 MlDDLEWICH 
 
 Town Works 
 
 Baron of Kinderton 
 
 Mr Oldfield . 
 
 Mi' George Cronton 
 
 Mr Charles Mainwarins 
 
 Town Works 
 
 Sir Thomas Delves 
 
 12 
 
 1.100 
 
 282 
 
 14 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 2,210 
 
 220 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 3 4 
 
 1 
 
 400 
 
 52 
 
 2 12 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 250 
 
 39 
 
 1 19 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 340 
 
 39 
 
 1 19 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 22 
 
 4,300 
 
 632 
 
 31 12 
 
 
 
 7 10 4 
 
 40 
 At pleasure 
 1 
 
 Nantwich 
 
 24 
 3 
 
 3,840 
 360 
 
 1,016 
 200 
 
 50 16 
 10 
 
 7 
 2 
 
 27 
 
 4,200 
 
 1,216 
 
 60 16 
 
 9 
 
 At pleasure 
 
 N.B. — A load is stated to be 6 bushels or measures. 
 
 A Bushel of salt is reckoned as 56 lbs., so that there would be 
 made — 
 
 At Northwich, 305 tons 7 cwts. weekly. 
 
 At Middlewich, 107 „ 10 „ 
 
 At Nantwich, 105 „ 
 
 517 
 
 17 
 
 or 26,927 tons, 14 cwt. annually. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE SALT INDUSTRY 28S 
 
 Exports op Salt from Liverpool during the Year 1770 
 
 Foreign 
 
 
 
 White Salt. 
 
 Rock-Salt. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 Barbadoes 7,040 
 
 
 7,040 
 
 Granada . 194 
 
 3,200 
 
 3,394 
 
 Newfoundland . 18,200 
 
 
 18,200 
 
 Nova Scotia . 2,736 
 
 1,600 
 
 4,336 
 
 New England 24,656 
 
 
 24,656 
 
 New York 15,564 
 
 
 15,564 
 
 Philadelphia 199,481 
 
 
 199,481 
 
 Carolina 61,421 
 
 800 
 
 62,221 
 
 Georgia 15,000 
 
 
 15,000 
 
 Africa . . 8,651 
 
 3,680 
 
 12,331 
 
 Madeira . 3,880 
 
 
 3,880 
 
 Gibraltar . 300 
 
 
 300 
 
 Rotterdam 2,800 
 
 1,440 
 
 4,240 
 
 Dantzick 116,055 
 
 13,400 
 
 129,455 
 
 Riga 16,220 
 
 6,000 
 
 22,220 
 
 Sunderburg 18,826 
 
 
 18,826 
 
 Wismar 6,920 
 
 
 6,920 
 
 Hamburg 31,759 
 
 
 31,759 
 
 Echenford . 12,517 
 
 
 12,517 
 
 Newport (?) Menpor . 6,600 
 
 10,300 
 
 16,900 
 
 Apenrade . . 176,310 
 
 
 176,310 
 
 Bremen 36,359 
 
 
 36,359 
 
 Zeland 6,400 
 
 
 6,400 
 
 Narva . 3,200 
 
 
 3,200 
 
 Copenhagen . . 8,332 
 
 
 8,332 
 
 Gottenburg . 9,161 
 
 
 9,161 
 
 Elsenore . 44,458 
 
 6,640 
 
 51,098 
 
 Flinsburg . . 33,000 
 
 
 33,000 
 
 Hadenletien . . 8,555 
 
 
 8,555 
 
 Plymouth . . 7,200 
 
 
 7,200 
 
 Ostend 15,880 
 
 215,730 
 
 231,110 
 
 Jamaica . 22,979 
 
 
 22,979 
 
 940,654 
 
 262,790 
 
 1,203,444 
 
 A bushel of white salt is reckoned 56 lbs. 
 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Cwts. 
 
 
 940,654 bushels = 23,516 
 
 7 
 
 
 262,790 „ = 7,625 
 
 12 
 
 
 1,203,444 „ =31,141 
 
 19 
 
 
 Coastwise (Ireland) 
 
 
 
 White Salt. Rock-Salt. 
 
 Total. 
 
 272,417 bushels. 423,062 bushels. 
 
 695,479 bushels. 
 
 Tons. Cwts. Qrs. Tons. Cwts. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Cwts. Qrs. 
 
 6,810 8 2 12,276 7 
 
 19,686 
 
 15 
 
 Note. — A bushel of rock salt, after several alterations, was. 
 
284 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 fixed (for purposes of duty) at 65 lbs., and on this basis dues on 
 the Weaver have been paid till 1895, when the ton of 2240 lbs. 
 was substituted for 2600 lbs. 
 
 Total Exports. 
 
 
 
 Total. 
 
 Tons. Cwts. Qrs. Tons. Cwts. 
 
 Tons. Cwts. Qrs. 
 
 30,326 15 2 Rock = 19,901 19 
 
 50,228 14 2 
 
 White : 
 
 Extracted from " An Essay towards the History of Liverpool," 
 1772, by Enfield. 
 
 After the River Weaver was made navigable an export trade 
 in white salt commenced, and, as will be seen from the following 
 table, this trade, especially at certain periods, grew with remark- 
 able rapidity. The salt sent down the river up to 1840 
 represented the whole of the export trade, and if a quarter to 
 & third is added to the appended figures from that date for salt 
 taken away by the railways, we arrive approximately at the total 
 production. 
 
 White Salt shipped down the Weaver 
 
 Year. Tons. 
 
 1732 . . . 5,202 
 
 1744 . ... . 8,279 
 
 1764 . 18,637 
 
 1777 . . 31,000 
 
 1796 . 100,155 
 
 1820 186,666 
 
 1830 . . . 312,012 
 
 1840 ... ... 414,156 
 
 1850 . . 607,395 
 
 1860 . . . 695,772 
 
 1870 . . 901,158 
 
 1880 . . ... 1,087,214 
 
 It will be seen that, up to tha end of the eighteenth century, 
 very little salt was sent away. Between 1777 and 1796 there was 
 a rapid growth, which is accounted for by increase of the industry 
 at Winsford, which at this period contributed about a third of the 
 whole supply. The marked increase shown in 1830 was the result 
 of the removal of the duty from salt in 1825. From 1830 to 1840 
 improved means of communication led to a further large increase. 
 In 1844 the East Indies were opened to English salt, and the 
 influence of the strides made in alkali manufacture are recognised 
 in the figures for 1870. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE SALT INDUSTRY 285 
 
 H 
 O 
 
 m 
 '- 
 
 p-l 
 
 1=1 
 
 o 
 
 03 
 
 cq 
 
 D 
 iZi 
 
 H 
 M 
 
 H 
 
 c5 
 
 Zi 
 
 ? 
 o 
 w 
 
 w 
 m 
 Eh 
 
 QO 
 
 o 
 
 t- 
 
 CO 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 oo 
 
 00 
 
 CO 
 
 (33 
 
 T _ l 
 
 CO 
 
 lO 
 
 1 — 1 
 
 CO 
 
 m 
 
 
 5© 
 
 -* 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 00 
 
 <35 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 (31 
 
 <M 
 
 m 
 
 1 — 1 
 
 CO 
 
 m 
 
 
 co 
 
 -* 
 
 
 
 7-1 
 
 C5 
 
 t-- 
 
 t- 
 
 in 
 
 CO 
 
 00 
 
 _ 
 
 o 
 
 X 
 
 1— 1 
 
 CD 
 
 lO 
 
 
 CO 
 
 -f 
 
 
 
 *"* 
 
 00 
 
 03 
 
 -H 
 
 CO 
 
 00 
 
 r— 1 
 
 ^H 
 
 00 
 
 ]— ( 
 
 CO 
 
 in 
 
 — 
 
 CO 
 
 -H 
 
 
 
 l-H 
 
 00 
 
 ■* 
 
 00 
 
 Ol 
 
 t- 
 
 ,_ 
 
 03 
 
 t- 
 
 1— 1 
 
 co 
 
 m 
 
 co 
 
 -H 
 
 
 
 1-1 
 
 00 
 
 CO 
 
 Ol 
 
 Ol 
 
 t- 
 
 ■* 
 
 ^H 
 
 CD 
 
 |— 1 
 
 co 
 
 m 
 
 CO 
 
 -H 
 
 
 
 ^H 
 
 LO 
 
 in 
 
 -* 
 
 1 — 1 
 
 t- 
 
 ■* 
 
 OO 
 
 05 
 
 CO 
 
 1 — 1 
 
 co 
 
 in 
 
 in 
 
 -+ 
 
 
 
 1-1 
 
 -f 
 
 tr- 
 
 c 
 
 1 — 1 
 
 t- 
 
 CO 
 
 00 
 
 ee 
 
 C 
 
 i-H 
 
 co 
 
 m 
 
 in 
 
 -H 
 
 
 
 r-1 
 
 CO 
 
 ^H 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 Ol 
 
 00 
 
 00 
 
 in 
 
 as 
 
 T-H 
 
 CD 
 
 -* 
 
 m 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 r— 1 
 
 CI 
 
 _, 
 
 00 
 
 CO 
 
 ,_, 
 
 m 
 
 GO 
 
 -* 
 
 X 
 
 r— i 
 
 CD' 
 
 -* 
 
 in 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 ^H 
 
 _ 
 
 CO 
 
 m 
 
 CO 
 
 C 
 
 ,_, 
 
 00 
 
 <M 
 
 m 
 
 i-H 
 
 CD' 
 
 ■>* 
 
 m 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 '" H 
 
 o 
 
 t- 
 
 1 — I 
 
 CO 
 
 c 
 
 IT- 
 
 00 
 
 
 in 
 
 i-H 
 
 CD' 
 
 CO 
 
 m 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 i — 1 
 
 sr. 
 
 CO 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 
 oc 
 
 o 
 
 -f 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 
 00 
 
 <J3 
 
 ce 
 
 
 
 
 OO 
 
 00 
 
 1 — 1 
 
 
 
 
 ^H 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 
 co 
 
 00 
 
 C2 
 
 CO 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 OS 
 
 
 
 
 -H 
 
 Ol 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 3 
 
 Eh 
 
 o 
 
 ri=l 
 
 -5 
 
 o 
 
 n3 
 
 o 
 
 P 
 
 
 a 
 '£ 
 
 o 
 !25 
 
 ^a 
 
 s 
 
 5 
 
 o 
 
 P 
 
Common. 
 
 Total. 
 
 421 
 
 615 
 
 396 
 
 484 
 
 8 
 
 13 
 
 50 
 
 68 
 
 286 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The number of pans engaged in the manufacture of salt in 
 
 Cheshire in 1878 was : — 
 
 Stoved. 
 At Winsford and District . 194 
 
 At Northwich and District 88 
 
 At Middlewich and District 5 
 
 At Sandbach and District . . 18 
 
 305 875 1180 
 
 Reckoning each stoved pan to make during the year 1000 tons, 
 and each common pan to make 2000 tons (these are moderate 
 ■estimates), we find the capacity of make to be — 
 
 Stoved. Common. Total. 
 
 At Winsford and District . 194,000 842,000 1,036,000 
 
 At Northwich and District . 88,000 792,000 880,000 
 
 At Middlewich and District 5,000 16,000 21,000 
 
 At Sandbach and District . 18,000 100,000 118,000 
 
 305,000 1,750,000 2,055,000 
 
 Stoved. 
 126,000 
 
 59,000 
 3,000 
 
 12,000 
 
 Common. 
 
 561,000 
 
 528,000 
 
 11,000 
 
 66,000 
 
 Total. 
 
 687,000 
 
 587,000 
 
 14,000 
 
 78, 000 
 
 200,000 
 
 1,166,000 
 
 1,366,000 
 
 As, however, the pans on the average during the year have not 
 worked more than two-thirds time, or not more than two-thirds 
 have on the average been working, these figures will be reduced 
 to the following : — 
 
 At Winsford and District 
 At Northwich and District 
 At Middlewich and District 
 At Sandbach and District 
 
 This is a fair estimate. It is possible the make may have 
 exceeded this, it would certainly not be less. 
 
 The destination of the salt exported from the Mersey ports 
 
 of Liverpool, Runcorn, and Weston Point, for the ten years 
 
 ending December 31st 1880, will be found in the following table, 
 
 compiled from official statistics : — 
 
 Countries. 
 
 United States (North and South) . 
 
 British North America 
 
 West Indies and Central America 
 
 South America . 
 
 Africa 
 
 White Salt. 
 
 Rock-Salt. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 2,118,656| 
 
 18,827 
 
 691,1861 
 
 31,354| 
 
 40,0031 
 
 757* 
 
 34,640 
 
 2,258| 
 
 246,429 
 
 746f 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE SALT INDUSTRY 287 
 
 Countries. White Salt. Rock-Salt. 
 
 Tons. Tons. 
 
 East Indies . . 2,552,856i 115 
 
 Australia and New Zealand 137.510J 26,943 
 
 Germany 345,229 1^026 
 
 Eussia . 581,501f 23,697 
 
 Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland 197,2991 39,636 
 
 Belgium and Holland . . 81,633 644,471 
 
 France and South of Europe . 17,699 943J 
 
 England . . . 840,285 135,371 
 
 Ireland . 469,310 64,155 
 
 Scotland . 711,2291 19,631 
 
 Totals 9,067,468 1,009,9731 
 
 To the above figures must be added at least 500,000 tons of 
 white salt and 30,000 tons of rock-salt annually sent into the 
 interior by railway and canals. 
 
 This remarkable expansion has made the name of Cheshire 
 world-famous, but it has reduced Northwich and Winsford 
 to the abominations of dilapidation, and rendered the entire 
 district a standard example of terrestrial instability. 
 
 The salt in the form of brine represents so much earth removed 
 from the foundation of the surface country, and the result is seen 
 in the great subsidences which have been occurring for the past 
 century and a quarter. The table showing the quantity of white 
 salt exported from the Mersey from 1871 to 1880 inclusive, which 
 amounted to 9,067,468 tons, represents a denudation of 1170 
 acres of salt surface — or nearly two square miles — one yard deep. 
 
 From careful calculations made in 1897 and based upon the 
 shipments made by the Weaver, by canal, and the quantities sent 
 away by rail and road, the amount of salt which left the North- 
 wich district during the previous two centuries was estimated at 
 35,000,000 tons, of which 25,000,000 tons was white salt manufac- 
 tured from brine, and the remaining 10,000,000 tons being rock-salt. 
 Taking the area underlain by the salt beds at four square miles, 
 and the average thickness of each salt bed at 27 yards, this would 
 give 2560 acres of salt beds 54 yards thick, or 2560 x 4840 x 54 = 
 669,081,600 cubic yards. The average weight of a cubic yard of 
 rock-salt being 32 cwts., this cubic quantity would represent 
 1,070,530,560 tons of rock-salt. Taking this at one thousand 
 million tons, and allowing 25 per cent, for the marl contained, 
 the original quantity of salt in the Northwich area may be 
 
288 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 estimated at 750,000,000 tons. Adding 25 per cent, for wastage 
 of various kinds to the quantity of white salt made, it may safely 
 be said that 40,000,000 tons of salt had been taken from the 
 Northwich rock-salt deposit as the result of the operations carried 
 on for two hundred years. 
 
 Table showing Quantity of White Salt conveyed from: 
 wlnsford, compiled from the blue book of mineral. 
 Statistics issued by the Home Office, and the Accounts- 
 of the River Weaver Trustees 
 
 1 
 
 Year. 
 
 Conveyed by 
 
 Total. 
 
 Acres 
 Rock 
 Salt 
 
 lyd. 
 
 thick. 
 
 1. 
 
 Cheshire 
 
 Lines 
 Railway. 
 
 2. 
 L. & N.W. 
 Railway. 
 
 3. 
 
 River 
 Weaver. 
 
 1900 
 
 Tons. 
 
 19,961 
 
 Tons. 
 
 87,741 
 
 Tons. 
 
 345,718 
 
 Tons. 
 
 453,420 
 
 58 
 
 1901 
 
 25,352 
 
 63,809 
 
 331,312 
 
 420,473 
 
 54 
 
 1902 
 
 30,638 
 
 70,234 
 
 394,926 
 
 495,798 
 
 64 
 
 1903 
 
 26,980 
 
 75,582 
 
 371,624 
 
 474,186 
 
 61 
 
 1904 
 
 20,869 
 
 45,129 
 
 395,249 
 
 461,247 
 
 60 
 
 1905 
 
 20,250 
 
 54,203 
 
 381,331 
 
 455,784 
 
 59 
 
 1906 
 
 23,203 
 
 69,962 
 
 273,912 
 
 467,077 
 
 61 
 
 1907 
 
 24,654 
 
 64,016 
 
 380,510 
 
 469,180 
 
 61 
 
 1908 
 
 24,115 
 
 43,546 
 
 361,840 
 
 429,501 
 
 55 
 
 1909 
 
 25,841 
 
 45,487 
 
 356,969 
 
 428,297 
 
 55 
 
 1910 
 
 28,999 
 
 57,042 
 
 333,667 
 
 419,708 
 
 54 
 
 Total for 
 11 years 
 
 270,862 
 
 676,751 
 
 4,027,058 
 
 4,974,671 
 
 642 
 
 Average 
 
 24,624 
 
 61,523 
 
 366,096 
 
 452,243 
 
 58 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE SALT INDUSTRY 289 
 
 Total Shipment of Salt from Mersey Ports (taken from Customs Returns) Years 1884 to 1911 
 Id 1000*3 of Tons. 
 
 
 U.S.A. 
 
 B.N. 
 America. 
 
 W.lndies 
 Con. & 
 S. Amer. 
 
 Africa. 
 
 Asia. 
 
 Australia. 
 
 Europe. 
 
 Coast- 
 wise 
 U.K. 
 
 Total 
 
 1884 
 
 233 
 
 75 
 
 13 
 
 26 
 
 343 
 
 11 
 
 180 
 
 258 
 
 1,140 
 
 5 
 
 228 
 
 82 
 
 20 
 
 26 
 
 317 
 
 18 
 
 141 
 
 243 
 
 1,076 
 
 6 
 
 208 
 
 78 
 
 20 
 
 30 
 
 271 
 
 12 
 
 130 
 
 213 
 
 9U2 
 
 7 
 
 169 
 
 80 
 
 17 
 
 37 
 
 319 
 
 16 
 
 130 
 
 226 
 
 995 
 
 8 
 
 150 
 
 77 
 
 17 
 
 43 
 
 358 
 
 25 
 
 142 
 
 210 
 
 1,022 
 
 9 
 
 125 
 
 60 
 
 19 
 
 38 
 
 245 
 
 14 
 
 95 
 
 149 
 
 745 
 
 90 
 
 107 
 
 69 
 
 16 
 
 40 
 
 289 
 
 18 
 
 89 
 
 145 
 
 774 
 
 1 
 
 98 
 
 71 
 
 18 
 
 41 
 
 222 
 
 16 
 
 88 
 
 131 
 
 685 
 
 2 
 
 89 
 
 59 
 
 18 
 
 39 
 
 250 
 
 17 
 
 71 
 
 127 
 
 669 
 
 3 
 
 60 
 
 66 
 
 14 
 
 38 
 
 206 
 
 19 
 
 80 
 
 130 
 
 619 
 
 4 
 
 97 
 
 60 
 
 16 
 
 41 
 
 264 
 
 20 
 
 73 
 
 116 
 
 687 
 
 5 
 
 150 
 
 57 
 
 22 
 
 42 
 
 216 
 
 18 
 
 83 
 
 115 
 
 7»» 
 
 6 
 
 117 
 
 61 
 
 25 
 
 39 
 
 163 
 
 22 
 
 75 
 
 117 
 
 620 
 
 7 
 
 92 
 
 67 
 
 22 
 
 42 
 
 191 
 
 18 
 
 70 
 
 90 
 
 591 
 
 8 
 
 84 
 
 60 
 
 17 
 
 52 
 
 222 
 
 21 
 
 67 
 
 82 
 
 604 
 
 9 
 
 76 
 
 57 
 
 29 
 
 50 
 
 200 
 
 21 
 
 49 
 
 94 
 
 575 
 
 1900 
 
 77 
 
 73 
 
 16 
 
 42 
 
 145 
 
 15 
 
 41 
 
 73 
 
 ' 482 
 
 1 
 
 76 
 
 60 
 
 18 
 
 53 
 
 227 
 
 16 
 
 51 
 
 67 
 
 568 
 
 2 
 
 55 
 
 72 
 
 19 
 
 56 
 
 199 
 
 16 
 
 66 
 
 94 
 
 577 
 
 3 
 
 41 
 
 71 
 
 22 
 
 51 
 
 213 
 
 16 
 
 59 
 
 98 
 
 571 
 
 4 
 
 41 
 
 64 
 
 21 
 
 56 
 
 250 
 
 11 
 
 45 
 
 95 
 
 584 
 
 5 
 
 49 
 
 70 
 
 21 
 
 54 
 
 193 
 
 18 
 
 68 
 
 115 
 
 588 
 
 6 
 
 55 
 
 68 
 
 19 
 
 59 
 
 221 
 
 10 
 
 50 
 
 112 
 
 593 
 
 7 
 
 50 
 
 58 
 
 20 
 
 57 
 
 199 
 
 16 
 
 74 
 
 109 
 
 584 
 
 8 
 
 45 
 
 58 
 
 19 
 
 54 
 
 163 
 
 19 
 
 71 
 
 108 
 
 536 
 
 9 
 
 54 
 
 57 
 
 21 
 
 64 
 
 146 
 
 14 
 
 71 
 
 87 
 
 513 
 
 10 
 
 43 
 
 50 
 
 19 
 
 73 
 
 181 
 
 24 
 
 69 
 
 103 
 
 561 
 
 11 
 
 42 
 
 50 
 
 21 
 
 57 
 
 212 
 
 35 
 
 67 
 
 !>!> 
 
 585 
 
 The effect of this wholesale deprivation of its subterranean 
 supports is written large upon the face of the district. Chimneys 
 leaning more than the tower of Pisa, and with much less pretty- 
 effect ; houses cracked, propped, and holding each other up with 
 the most feeling sense of reciprocity ; sunken and distorted 
 fences, roads, and streams are the common objects of the landscape, 
 T 
 
290 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 with the disastrous consequences to the owners that the property- 
 is valueless for building purposes. This is the price that the 
 Cheshire salt region is paying for its commercial aggrandisement, 
 and nothing but its inexhaustible supply of marketable brine 
 would save it from abandonment as a place accursed. 
 
 Table showing quantity of White Salt conveyed from Cheshire Works 
 
 by Railway and Navigation Companies and by Road compiled from 
 
 the Blue Book of Mineral Statistics issued by the Home Office 
 
 YEAR 
 
 TONS 
 
 Acres 
 
 Rock Salt. 
 
 I Yard Thick 
 
 1900 
 
 
 864,664 
 
 112 
 
 1901 
 
 
 898,620 
 
 116 
 
 1902 
 
 
 824,654 
 
 106 
 
 1903 
 
 
 829,544 
 
 107 
 
 1904 
 
 
 820,790 
 
 1U6 
 
 1905 
 
 
 807,203 
 
 104 
 
 1906 
 
 
 874,616 
 
 114 
 
 1908 
 1909 
 1910 
 
 732,352 
 
 787,287 
 
 Total for 11 yearn 
 
 Average 
 
 8,976,674 
 
 810,001 
 
 1,158 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE SALT INDUSTRY 291 
 
 STATEMENT of the Imports of ALL SALT into Calcutta, also tbe Imports oF ENGLISH 
 SALT and its proportion of the total for the years 1888-9 to 1910-11 (taken from Government 
 Blue Books). 
 
 Government Year. 
 
 Total Imports. 
 
 Imports from U.K. 
 
 U.K. Percentage. 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Per cent. 
 
 1888-9 
 
 366,565 
 
 287,945 
 
 78-55 
 
 9-90 
 
 356,420 
 
 246,192 
 
 69 36 
 
 90-1 
 
 339,335 
 
 230,885 
 
 6805 
 
 1-2 
 
 323,371 
 
 193,916 
 
 59-96 
 
 2-3 
 
 330,125 
 
 205,057 
 
 6212 
 
 Average 5 years 
 
 343,163 
 
 233,199 
 
 67-93 
 
 3-4 
 
 367,233 
 
 225,633 
 
 61-44 
 
 4-5 
 
 462,338 
 
 265,420 
 
 57 41 
 
 6-6 
 
 357,586 
 
 215,765 
 
 60-34 
 
 6-7 . 
 
 299,946 
 
 162,607 
 
 54 20 
 
 7-8 
 
 4?4,822 
 
 239,155 
 
 56-29 
 
 8-9 
 
 367,898 
 
 218,256 
 
 59-32 
 
 9-1900 
 
 348,466 
 
 220,181 
 
 5683 
 
 1900-1 
 
 322,091 
 
 162,713 
 
 50-52 
 
 1-2 
 
 481,571 
 
 231,644 
 
 4810 
 
 2-3 
 
 371,782 
 
 185,363 
 
 4985 
 
 3-4 
 
 396,410 
 
 202,842 
 
 5117 
 
 4-5 
 
 421,165 
 
 207,908 
 
 49-36 
 
 5-6 
 
 397,429 
 
 164,420 
 
 41-37 
 
 6-7 
 
 428,184 
 
 200,743 
 
 46-88 
 
 7-8 
 
 488,663 
 
 162,862 
 
 33-33 
 
 8-9 
 
 511,007 
 
 170,356 
 
 33-34 
 
 9-10 _ 
 
 428,998 
 
 137,223 
 
 31-99 
 
 10-11 
 
 436,392 
 
 155,814 
 
 3509 
 
 Average 5 years 
 
 458,949 
 
 105,400 
 
 36-06 
 
292 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 STATEMENT of the Exports of Salt from the Mersey Ports to the United States of 
 America from 1880 to 1911 and the S.TJ.'s tonnage from 1889 to 1911. 
 
 . 
 
 Total ex Mersey. 
 
 S. U. 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1880 
 
 201,687 
 
 
 5 
 
 228,145 
 
 
 6 
 
 208,357 
 
 
 1 
 
 169,394. 
 
 
 8 
 
 155,171 
 
 
 9 
 
 125,310 
 
 125,310 
 
 1890 „ 
 
 106,746 
 
 106,746 
 
 1 
 
 98,301 
 
 95,857 
 
 2 
 
 88,695 
 
 83,375 
 
 3 
 
 00,056 
 
 57,446 
 
 4 
 
 96,844 
 
 •96,874 
 
 5 
 
 150,263 
 
 •138,068 
 
 6 
 
 117,304 
 
 •100,825 
 
 7 
 
 91,723 
 
 •84,463 
 
 8 
 
 83,627 
 
 70,435 
 
 9 
 
 ■v 76,437 
 
 70,990 
 
 1900 , 
 
 77,152 
 
 75,895 
 
 1 
 
 76.206 
 
 69,904 
 
 2 
 
 55,245 
 
 52,883 
 
 3 
 
 40,7-52 
 
 40,100 
 
 * 
 
 41,498 
 
 42,421 
 
 5 ... 
 
 49,019 
 
 47,049 
 
 6 
 
 54,923 
 
 •48,206 
 
 7 
 
 50,481 
 
 45,027 
 
 
 44,959 
 
 41,559 
 
 9 
 
 53,757 
 
 51,362 
 
 10 
 
 42,882 
 
 40,480 
 
 11 
 
 41,921 
 
 37,309 
 
 For the 4 years (1894-7) Salt was on the U.S.A. " Free List " under the Wilson Tariff. 
 

 Map showing centres for the world's distribution of salt. 
 
 293 
 
TAPPING THE BEINE 
 
 In view of the fact that the salt-springs of Cheshire have been 
 known from time immemorial, and that the brine has been manu- 
 factured into salt for about twenty centuries, it is amazing that 
 the beds of rock-salt from which the brine was obtained were only 
 discovered within the last two hundred and fifty years. But it 
 will be realised from the extracts I have quoted from John 
 Weston's book that the brine itself was the best custodian of the 
 secret of its source, and even when the problem of the supply had 
 been solved, the danger involved in tapping and controlling it had 
 yet to be overcome. In sinking to many of the springs, the supply 
 of brine, when cut into, was so copious that the sinkers had to 
 flee for their lives, ascending the shaft amongst the brine, and 
 having no opportunity of seeing what was underneath. In the 
 old days, when it was unknown at what depth the brine was 
 likely to be met with, there was no remedy against the sudden 
 entry of brine. But it was subsequently observed in the proved 
 districts that, before reaching the top of the rock-salt, there is 
 often a bed of hard marlstone, called " the flag," and that for a 
 few feet above it the marl is of the granular structure that is 
 known as " horsebeans." When these indications were observed 
 and the brine was expected to be found at high pressure, the 
 practice was to case the shaft sides carefully down to the flag 
 and to keep the sides secure in order to prevent surface water 
 from entering. The flag was then either blown through with 
 powder or pierced with boring rods. 
 
 One of the most satisfactory methods of tapping the brine 
 when under pressure was to sink the shaft nearly as deep as the 
 point where the brine was expected to be encountered, and then 
 to case it with iron cylinders, having an iron bottom to the lower 
 cylinder, in which were two pipe-holes. A column of pipes, about 
 four inches in diameter, was erected inside the cylinders, either 
 to the top or at the height to which the brine was expected to 
 rise, while the bottom pipe had holes in it to let out the brine 
 when it was tapped. Being thus equipped, a set of boring rods 
 was let down each pipe, and the remaining strata beneath the 
 
 294 
 
TAPPING THE BRINE 
 
 295 
 
 bottom of the cylinders was bored through into the brine. When 
 tapped, the brine rose up the borehole, and, entering the pipe, 
 
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 passed through the holes near the bottom' until it attained its 
 level in the cylindered shaft, and although the bottom of the shaft 
 might remain permanently sunk in the brine, the bore rods could 
 be used through the pipes, either for removing obstructions or 
 
296 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 deepening the holes. Further provision was sometimes made, by 
 means of a plug or tap at the bottom, below the holes in each pipe, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 fels 
 
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 V* 
 
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 v\f-= 
 
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 for the entry of brine into the shaft to be stopped, and the shaft 
 emptied. 
 
 In the brine shafts, where brine was pumped out of the old 
 
TAPPING THE BRINE 
 
 297 
 
 rook-salt mines and was met with at a much higher pressure than 
 in the rock-head brine shafts, the tapping was attended with 
 extraordinary difficulties. The brine in the old workings rose to 
 as high a level as the brine that was found at the rock-head, and 
 as it had to be tapped through a pillar near the bottom of the old 
 
 workings, the pressure was proportionately higher. The first 
 holeing that was effected into the brine at the old bottom rock-salt 
 workings was made at Wincham by the late Major Townshend. 
 The rush of the incoming brine, on that occasion, appears to have 
 been so fierce that the quantity which passed through the two bore- 
 holes, each five inches in diameter, and rose 67 yards up a shaft, 4J 
 feet in diameter, occupied only eight minutes in attaining that 
 
298 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 level. The ultimate height to which it rose was some 6 or 7 yards 
 higher. The shaft for tapping this brine was sunk in a pillar of 
 rock-salt, and near the bottom of the shaft, but leaving a few 
 yards below for a sump hole, a drift, with a borehole five-eighths of 
 an inch in diameter in advance, was driven in the rock-salt 
 towards the old workings. When this borehole penetrated into the 
 brine, it was plugged up, and two large boreholes, each 5 inches 
 in diameter, were worked into the face, until they showed damp 
 from the brine oozing through. The engineer and his assistant, 
 who was responsible for the work, provided a shelter of strong 
 timber fixed in the roof of the floor to protect themselves from 
 the rush of brine, and having made all ready, they knocked through 
 one hole and the brine entered with the report of a cannon. 
 The second hole was then made, and the two men, dashing through 
 the incoming brine, scrambled into the bucket and were drawn 
 up the shaft, closely pursued by the rising brine. 
 
 At another tapping made by Messrs. Marshall, in Witton-cum- 
 Twambrooks, a new shaft was sunk in a pillar of rock-salt, and a 
 drift was driven out in rock-salt for seven yards from the shaft. At 
 the face of the drift, a 5-inch borehole was pierced through for a 
 distance of 2 yards into the brine, and the two men who tapped 
 the brine escaped with their lives, but they left their tools behind 
 them. In 1882 fresh water ate away the top-rock, and this shaft 
 collapsed. 
 
 It was in a tapping made from the workings of the old British 
 Mine, in Wincham, that Mr Arthur Anderson, Junr., introduced a 
 new process which entirely obviated the danger that had hitherto 
 attended the operation. This was effected by boring the last 
 part of the main borehole through a stuffing-box at the other end 
 — an innovation which prevented brine from escaping during the 
 boring. A drift, with the usual five-eighths of an inch borehole in 
 advance, was driven 61 yards into the barrier, until the small bore- 
 hole showed that only 10 yards remained between the face and the 
 brine that was known to be present in the old workings. Into 
 this remaining 10 yards of barrier a hole 11 inches in diameter 
 was bored until nearly through, and a closely-fitted pipe was 
 inserted into the hole for a distance of 7 feet. The pipe was 10 
 feet long, but at 7 feet from the inner end was a disc 3 feet in 
 diameter to rest against the face of the drift, leaving the remaining 
 3 feet of pipe in the drift. About midway between the disc and 
 the outer end of the pipe were placed two strong iron uprights let 
 
TAPPING THE BRINE 299 
 
 into a trench cut 1 foot deep in solid rock-salt in the roof and floor 
 to secure the pipe against the pressure. These two uprights were 
 placed close together at the top and bottom, but in the middle they 
 were curved so as to form a circle for the pipe to pass between 
 them. The face of the drift against which the disc had to rest, 
 having been carefully dressed, and a disc of india-rubber covered 
 with red lead having been placed between the iron disc and the 
 dressed face of rock-salt, the iron disc was secured up tight against 
 the face by means of six set screws. A stop-valve was then fitted 
 to the outer end of the pipe, and to this, for the temporary purpose 
 only of completing the borehole, was attached an end piece with 
 a stuffing box and a hole in it large enough for the bore rod to be 
 worked through. The bore rock was then withdrawn and, the 
 valve being closed, the stuffing box and the temporary endpiece 
 were removed. A range of pipes was attached to the stop-valve 
 and, in this range, the brine was taken through the old workings 
 and up one of the shafts to the surface. 
 

 
 
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NORTHWfCH BRTNE LEVELS. 
 
 I S J August to <s t _ h oe©ember 1894. measured Oailv. 
 
 DUNKIRK 
 VYORTHINGTONS SHAFT. 
 
 Excavation or Mined Brine, 
 
 pumped from Workings in 
 
 Loner Rock Smlt Bed. 
 
 MARSTON 
 VICTORIA SHAFT 
 
 Artesian or Rock Head Brine. 
 
 pumped from Surface of 
 
 Upper Rock Salt 
 
 •CT. 29-30 
 -7- SO 
 
 DEC. a 
 -6Z-25 
 
 I AUG 
 -108 
 
 OCT. Z7 
 -/96-50 
 
 / AUG. TO BOEC 189* 
 -4350 MONDAY 
 MORNING LEVEL. 
 -540 WEEK-DA* 
 WORKING LEVEL. 
 
 Bottom of Shaft. 
 
 10 SO 30 40 SO 
 
 100 
 
 Scale of Feet. 
 
 Bottom of Shaft 
 
 301 
 
WINSFORD BRINE LEVELS 
 
 BOSTOCK. 
 
 130-07 
 
 MEADOW BANK 
 
 BRINE SHAFT 
 
 74- II 
 
 JAN* 
 1865. 
 
 -96-99 
 DEC. 1683 
 
 NEWBRIDGE: 
 N? I SHAFT 
 56-92. 
 
 -110-39 
 
 10 20 30 40 SO 
 
 -102-0 
 
 
 ^J^-^ 
 
 -52-0 
 
 J#« -l20-0 
 
 100 
 
 uj 01 
 
 3 
 
 Scale of Feet 
 
 302 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 
 
 The Cheshire meres are supposed by many geologists to be 
 the earliest instances of subsidence in the county. They may 
 have been so formed, but the evidence should be based on the 
 phenomena attending the later subsidences, and there is no such 
 evidence to substantiate the theory. 
 
 In 1533 Leland reports a sinking as having occurred near 
 Combermere, and the formation of a pit containing salt water. 
 The pit remained for a number of years, but no trace of it now 
 exists. This was a small sinking, being " a pease of a hill having 
 trees on hit," and was similar to a number that have occurred 
 in the Winsford district of late years. In 1657 a small sinking 
 occurred at Bickley, near Malpas. No trace of it now remains. 
 In 1713 a sinking occurred at Weaver Hall, to the south of Wins- 
 ford. This was very small, and was at once filled in. No trace 
 of it now exists. From the descriptions handed down to us, 
 these sinkings belonged to the class of funnel-shaped holes of 
 small diameter and depth. 
 
 The modern subsidences are of two kinds, and are traceable 
 to two widely different and quite distinct causes. One class 
 takes the form of a funnel-shaped hole of varying diameter and 
 depth, and is caused, as has been shown, through the falling in 
 of the top-rock mines, while the other form is trough-shaped 
 hollows varying in breadth and depth. The trough-shaped 
 hollows may be divided into three classes : — 
 
 1. Deep troughs with stepped or terraced sides, the whole 
 surface being much broken up. 
 
 2. Shallow troughs, with sides not terraced or broken up. 
 
 3. Very shallow, almost imperceptible hollows, extending 
 over a considerable area. 
 
 It is probable that the subsidences of the trough-shaped hollow 
 kind first appeared between 1780 and 1790, but the earliest 
 distinct record belongs to the latter year, and from 1790 to the 
 present time this class of sinkings has gone on increasing in 
 extent year by year. We have clear and distinct evidence 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 305 
 
 from maps and documents of 1790, 1795, 1797, 1800, 1811, 1819, 
 1829, 1837, 1842, 1848, 1857, 1875, 1880-86, of the growth of these 
 subsidences in the Northwich district. In the Winsford district 
 we have little or no evidence prior to 1820. From that date 
 down to the present time every year has seen an extension of 
 the trough-shaped hollows. It will be evident that the bottom 
 of the trough must become a receptacle of the rainfall and 
 drainage of the immediate neighbourhood, and thus small lakes 
 are formed. Where these sinkings occur in the vicinity of rivers 
 and brooks they are soon detected, as the water from the streams 
 covers the low-lying land on their banks, and a lake commences 
 which increases year by year. At Northwich a lake of over 
 100 acres in extent, which is daily increasing, has been formed, 
 besides two others, covering over 15 acres. At Winsford two 
 lakes, called the Upper and Lower Flashes, covering at least 
 100 acres, are still rapidly extending, besides several minor ones, 
 which form prominent objects in the landscape. At Billinge 
 Green, near Northwich, a lake has formed, which is at least two 
 miles from any salt-works. At Marton, near Winsford, a deep 
 lake of four acres in extent had been formed since 1870. Besides 
 the lakes, many hundreds of acres of land, comprising portions 
 of the towns of Northwich and Winsford and the adjacent 
 fields, are affected by these subsidences. 
 
 Histoey of Subsidences. 1. Geologic. Supposed Cheshire 
 Meres : sinkings now outside the salt districts. 
 
 Historic 1533 1571 1713 
 
 Combermere. Bickley. Weaver Hall. 
 
 Subsidences in the Northwich District 
 
 1750 The Old Rock Pit, near Witton St. and Leicester St. fell in. 
 1757 A hole had fallen in near Witton Bridge. (? Marbury Hole.) 
 1759 Town Pit. 
 1765 A Rock Pit near the junction of Witton Brook and Weaver 
 
 fell in. 
 1773 The Captain's Pit (in the Furey Flash), Wilmington, fell in. 
 1783 Rock Pit, near Firth's Works, Witton Brook, and two other 
 
 pits on Jervis' land adjoining, fell in. 
 u 
 
306 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1785 Eock Pit, near Firth's Works, Witton Brook, fell in. 
 
 Besides these, a number of old mines around the Weaver 
 from Northwich to Witton Brook, and around the Brook 
 itself, had fallen in, also several in Wincham near the 
 Witton Brook : all these " top mines." 
 
 1790 On an old map there is shown a sinking on Witton Brook, 
 near the old sunken mines of 1783-1785. This is the 
 first distinctly noted subsidence. 
 
 1795-1797 The sinking near Witton Brook seems to have 
 extended. 
 
 1800 Complaint made that Witton Mill had sunk 16 inches 
 during previous 25 years, but the weir had only been 
 raised 6 inches. About this time the land in Anderton, 
 near the junction of Witton Brook, commenced sinking, 
 and the salt-works were injured. 
 
 1811 The land still sinking, and the damming-up of the water by 
 the Lock causing damage to the land and injuring the 
 Mill, the Lock was removed, and alterations, lowering 
 the water 4 ft., were made ; this drained the water off 
 the meadows again. 
 
 1819 Ormerod mentions subsidence as having commenced in 
 Northwich and its suburbs. 
 
 1829 The Witton Salt Book shows considerable sinking to have 
 taken place alongside the Witton Brook, and other maps 
 show subsidences as going on at Anderton, near the 
 junction of the Weaver and Witton Brook. 
 
 1837 A plan shows the subsidences still extending along the 
 Witton Brook. The subsidence in 1790 was 130 yds. 
 long by 90 yds. wide. At this date, 1837, it was 1230 
 yds. long by 150 yds. wide. 
 
 1842 The subsidence at Witton Brook, exclusive of the stream 
 and navigable canal, extended over 20 statute acres. 
 Some of the land had sunk, from 1811 to 1843, 24 ft. 
 From 1839 to 1843 the quays on Witton Brook sank 
 more than 3 ft. 
 
 1848 No sinking along Dane. Dane Bridge not sinking. Rapidly 
 subsiding at junction of Weaver and Dane. 
 
 1848 Ormerod mentions sinking near Navigation Yard. Chester 
 Rd. had sunk 6 ft. Slight signs of subsidence up Win- 
 nington Hill. Sinking near the town weir below North- 
 wich, also about Cotton Works Yard, and vicinity. 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 
 
 307 
 
 1848 Sinking also at Bye Flat Corner, and near Furey Flash. 
 Ormerod, speaking of the top of the brook, says : " This 
 lake or pool has rapidly increased within the last few- 
 years. The depth is upwards of 20 ft. The sinking 
 
 keeps extending, apparently taking a north-easterly 
 direction." A sinking in a field between Budworth Mere 
 and Pickmere is mentioned. 
 1857 The subsidence was still extending around the top of the 
 brook. The water now extended to a width of 400 yds., 
 and the site of the old and new locks and the rock salt 
 pits and buildings were all submerged. 
 
308 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Since 1870 The sinkings in and around Northwich have rapidly 
 extended. Speaking of Northwich itself, all the town 
 from the Weaver Bridge to Dr Wolseley's (late Williams') 
 surgery is sinking fast, and a deep hollow near the Old 
 Lamporne Brook or Ditch formed. All the property is 
 seriously shaken, and the Congregational Chapel built 
 
 TOrtHSHtHDS 
 
 in 1853 has had to be taken down (1881), having sunk 
 most rapidly since 1780. The town of Northwich, along 
 the banks of the Weaver, sinks badly, and at the junction 
 of High St. and Witton St., nearly the whole of the pro- 
 perty has been taken down and Tebuilt, and the street raised 
 many feet. Within the past three years Leftwich has sunk 
 rapidly, and a series of holes have fallen in on the main 
 road and on the land between the road and the Weaver. 
 Two large holes taking in the banks of the Weaver in 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 
 
 309 
 
 Lock St. . and near the Union Bank and Northwich 
 Bridge have fallen in during the same period. The 
 Leftwich Road has been raised, and a row of seven 
 cottages pulled down. In the neighbourhood of the Old 
 Rock Pit Hole, property has sunk very rapidly in this 
 period ; and the lower part of Leicester Street has gone 
 
 PLAN OF THE WlTTON BROOK NAVIGATION ANO OF A NEW CUT LATELY MADE 
 FOR THE PRESERVATION ANO IMPROVEMENT THEREOF. 
 
 May IBS7. 
 
 on sinking. In 1880 a new sinking about the middle 
 of Leicester Street commenced. At least twenty cottages 
 and the Police Station have been most seriously injured, 
 and the dip in the street has become very serious. At 
 the lower end of Tabley St. a sinking has developed, 
 injuring twenty or more shops and houses. About 
 
310 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 100 yds. further up Witton Street, near Dr Joynson's 
 surgery, a most extensive sinking has taken place, ren- 
 dering the rebuilding of ten houses and shops absolutely 
 necessary. This keeps widening and extending both 
 
 J3 
 
 e 
 
 5 
 
 ways. About 200 yds. further up the street, a sinking 
 has commenced which is seriously affecting the cottage 
 property. Nearly the whole of Warrington Rd. or 
 Mill Lane is now sinking. The lower portion of 
 Dunkirk, near Ashton's works, is sinking most rapidly. 
 Up to two years since, the sinking was slow, though 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 
 
 311 
 
 continuous. Since December 1880, when the " great 
 subsidence " took place in the neighbourhood of these 
 works, the sinking has made very rapid progress. In 
 Marston the sinking since 1870 has been more serious, 
 
 even than in Dunkirk. Many acres of land have been 
 submerged, and since 1877 the Marston Road has sunk 
 fully 30 ft. The water from a small brook forms a lake 
 of some 7 or 8 acres in extent, which lake at times, by 
 sinkings in the bottom flows below and is pumped out 
 as brine. This sinking extends and threatens to join 
 
312 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the Top of the Brook, as both bodies of water are rapidly 
 approaching as the intermediate land continues sinking 
 rapidly. In Wimiington very rapid sinking is taking 
 place, and between Mr Neumann's house and Mr Brad- 
 burne's, an extensive depression has been forming for 
 many years ; it now seems more rapidly extending. 
 
 J 3 
 
 "I 
 
 
 o 
 n a: 
 
 So 
 
 At Billinge Green, some two miles from Xorthwich, 
 alongside the railway to Middlewich, a sinking is rapidly 
 extending. It affects more than 100 acres of land, 
 and a field is now nearly submerged. Within recent 
 years this sinking has extended towards Northwich, 
 seriously damaging the railway bridge and line. Many 
 small isolated sinkings are showing themselves on Dun- 
 kirk near Wadebrook, alongside the canal bank in 
 Wincham and towards Budworth. 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 313 
 
 Since 1870, very serious sudden sinkings have occurred 
 between Marton and Newbridge, and large holes have 
 fallen in, causing outbursts of brine. A large subsidence 
 of some 8 acres in extent called " the Ocean " has 
 developed, and is increasing. The great sinking, how- 
 ever, is up the Weaver valley, where the Flashes 
 are extending. The lower portion of Over sinks, and 
 the Weaver Church is now taken down, owing to 
 sinking ; while much property close to the church is 
 seriously injured. 
 
 The following references to subsidences in the neighbourhood 
 of Northwich, between 1758 and 1800, are taken from the Weaver 
 Navigation Records : — 
 
 1. Dec. 4, 1758. Mr Stafford desired by Trustees of Kuer 
 Weaver to take Counsel's opinion " Whether Landowners or 
 Proprietors of Salt works doing anything on their own lands 
 whereby the Navigation shall be damaged or by working for 
 Salt rock or brine are liable to make good the damages." 
 
 2. Feb. 5, 1759. Eesolved. " That there be a sufficient quan- 
 tity of brick made at or near Anderton to be ready if any accident 
 happen at Northwich Lock by the Rock pitt giving away." 
 
 March 5, 1759. " It being apprehended that the Eock pitt 
 near Northwich Lock is in great danger of immediately falling in, 
 in which case the navigation up to Winsford will be entirely 
 stopped. It is ordered that the preparations directed to be 
 made for the Cutt and New Lock at Saltersford be for the present 
 postponed, and that if General Warburton shall consent to the 
 pounding up ye water at Anderton to the Leavell above Northwich 
 Lock the undertakers do make all possible despatch in preparing 
 materially for a new Lock and Cutt at Anderton (which is proposed 
 to' throw out Northwich and Witton Locks) that in case any 
 accident should happen the Navigation from Winsford may be 
 forwarded as fast as possible." 
 
 April 2, 1759. Ordered " That a Damm be made at the upper 
 end of Northwich Lock in order to let flats pass betwixt it and 
 Hunt's Lock." 
 
 " It appearing that the Lock proposed to be erected in Anderton 
 might be prejudicial to the salt works there and that one erected 
 nearer Northwich is necessary to carry on the Navigation to 
 Winsford which is at present stopped by the falling in of the 
 
314 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Lock at Northwich. It is ordeied that a Lock be erected and a 
 Cutt made with the greatest expedition in Breyerey Eye Birches 
 Meadow and Little Meadow belonging to Sir Peter Leycester, 
 Bart., in the holding of Mr Richard Bressey." 
 
 " And Whereas several parts of the Highway containing 52 
 rods and a quarter in length leading from Witton Common to 
 the termination of the said Navigation at or near the North side 
 of Witton Bridge, have by the undermining of the lands in the 
 said Road , for the getting of Rock salt fallen in and the passage 
 through such Road is thereby rendered extremely dangerous 
 and will probably in a short time be totally destroyed, etc., be it 
 therefore enacted, etc." 
 
 Weaver Act (No. 2), 1759-60 : 
 
 Dec. 3, 1761. " Mr Brayne and Mr Pownall having made their 
 report to the Committee about the road at Witton Brow and the 
 condition and safety of Witton Bridge and who is to prepare the 
 Wing wall and the Breach on the East side thereof seeming at 
 present uncertain it is thought proper to respite the proceedings 
 about laying out a new Road till the opinion and direction of the 
 Justices at the next Quarter Sessions be had thereon." 
 
 July 1, 1762. " A plan of the Road from Northwich to Witton 
 Brow and lands adjacent being laid before the Trustees at this 
 meeting in order to fix on a proper place for a new road in lieu 
 of the old road by Samuel Cookes which is become dangerous by 
 the falling in of a Rock pit," etc. . . ordered that the Treasurer 
 and Mr Pownall do treat with Charles Leigh of Adlington, Esq., 
 for the purchase of so much of his land adjoining to the said 
 Rock pit-hole as shall be necessary to fill up the said hole and 
 make a new road on the East side thereof " etc. 
 
 Aug. 13, 1767. " Whereas John Bebbington one of the surveyors 
 of the Highways in the Township, applied to the last meeting 
 of the Committee (Aug. 6, 1767) for an order to repair that part 
 of the Highway in Wincham which is become dangerous on 
 account of a Rock Pitt being lately fallen in, out of the money 
 arising from the Tonnage rates of the said river, etc. etc." 
 
 Jan. 7. 1779. " The Surveyor of Highways for the Township of 
 Wincham having this day applied for the Committee to know if 
 the Weaver Trustees will repair a part of the Highway in Wincham 
 which is become very dangerous on account of a Rock Pitt having 
 lately fallen in there : but the Weaver Trustees having some 
 time ago taken a Councils opinion about same they find thereby 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 315 
 
 that they cannot consistent with their Trust repair the said 
 Road." 
 
 April 1, 1790. " By a minute of the gents of the Committee on 
 the 19th of June 1788 it appears that it was represented to them 
 that a certain Causeway in the Township of Wincham leading 
 from several Eock Salt pits in Wincham and Marston to the 
 North End of the County Causeway adjoining Witton Bridge 
 was by means of the heavy carriage of Bock Salt, and of the 
 sinking of some Old Rock Bits much damaged and out of repair, 
 etc. etc. . . . And it having been represented to us that a part 
 of the said Causeway is rendered nearly impassable by the sinking 
 of an old Rock Salt pit adjoining thereto, and that it will be 
 necessary to take up about three hundred and sixty yards in length 
 of the said Causeway in order to change the course thereof to 
 some distance from the said old rock pit," etc. etc. 
 
 June 16, 17, 1790. " Ordered that John Johnson do make a 
 towing path across the end of a Rock pit Hole adjoining to the 
 river near to Mr Bridge's salt works." 
 
 June 17, 1795. " It appearing to the Committee on a survey of 
 the river that part of a meadow in Witton called the Briningshaw 
 Meadow in the possession of Mr Bridge is overflowed by the 
 pounding up of Witton Brooke and by means of a ditch in the 
 said meadow which communicates with the said Brooke — 
 Ordered that John Johnson do make a Dam or Cop along the side 
 and the Upper end of the said ditch in order to prevent the water 
 overflowing the said Meadow." This was most likely caused by 
 the subsidence of the land. 
 
 December 3, 1795. " John Johnson having represented to the 
 Committee that Witton Brook Lock is very much sunk — Ordered 
 that John Johnson do raise the same with stones as soon as 
 conveniently may be." 
 
 June 6, 1796. " It appearing to the Committee on a survey of 
 the river that the Lock and Weir at Northwich are very much 
 sunk owing to the land giving way. Ordered that John Johnson 
 do from time to time raise such Lock and Weir as occasion may 
 require." 
 
 " John Johnson having represented to the Committee that the 
 bottom of the Graving Dock in Witton in the possession of Mr 
 Bridge hath been raised several times whereby the sides thereof 
 are much too low and a great waste of water ensues in filling the 
 same whereby the navigation of Witton Brooke is much injured. 
 
316 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Ordered that John Johnson do inform Mr Bridge that unless 
 the sides of the said Graving Dock are raised a sufficient height 
 and the stop gate put and kept in proper repair the Trustees 
 will not suffer any water to be taken out of Witton Brooke to 
 fill the said Graving Dock but will cause the intercourse leading 
 into the same to be filled up." 
 
 June 13, 1797. " It appearing to the Committee that the Lock 
 and Weir at Northwich are much sunk and in a very precarious 
 state and that it may be soon necessary to erect a new Lock and 
 Weir in Lieu thereof : Ordered that John Johnson do make an 
 accurate survey of the Land near Northwich and point out thereon 
 such places where it may appear to him practicable to erect a new 
 Lock and Weir." 
 
 December 7, 1798. " Whereas the road in the Township of 
 Wincham leading from certain Rock salt pits in Wincham and 
 Marston in the county of Chester to the Quays at Witton Brooke 
 where Rock Salt is shipped into Flatts and vessells for the purpose 
 of being carried down the River Weaver is (by the falling in of 
 an old Rock Salt pit) rendered dangerous and will probably in a 
 short time be totally destroyed : And whereas it is necessary that 
 a proper and convenient passage for the conveyance of Rock 
 Salt and other goods to and from the said Quays should be at 
 all times preserved. Therefore it is ordered that John Johnson 
 do immediately proceed to fill that part of the said Old Rock 
 Salt pit lately fallen in immediately adjoining the Road," etc. 
 
 December 4, 1800. " John Lovatt having this day attended the 
 Committee and stated to them that Witton Mill was much injured 
 by pounding up Witton Brooke and in his examination as to that 
 point having stated that the said Mill had within, the last 25 years 
 sunk 16 inches, and that the Mill wheel had not been raised during 
 that time nor the Diameter thereof enlarged — and Mr Johnson 
 having also stated to the Committee that the Weir in Witton 
 Brooke had not been raised more than six inches in the space of the 
 said 25 years." 
 
 " Ordered that Mr Johnson do fix a meeting with Mr Wallace 
 and the Miller at Witton Mill to make enquirys into the above- 
 mentioned circumstances and lay the result thereof before the 
 Gentlemen." 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 
 
 317 
 
 Subsidences in the Winsfokd District 
 
 There are very few records of sinking in this district prior to 
 1820 : but in— 
 
 1713 A small sinking occurred at Weaver Hall, but in a map of 
 1725 there is no trace of it. This was prior to salt making 
 at Wrnsford. 
 
 1820-10 A series of small plans is in existence showing the 
 
 growth of the Bottom Flash from a small poo] nut 
 
 h acre in extent. 
 1833 At Clive a portion of a field sank 2 ft. 
 1831 Two excellent large maps of Cheshire show no traces of 
 
 sinking at Weaver Hall near the " Top Flash," and no 
 
 trace near the Bottom Flash. 
 
318 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1848 A field was covered near Weaver Hall. Ormerod says : 
 " The land continues to sink along the course of the 
 
 river to near Winsford, forming large pools. Near Stock's 
 stairs, about half a mile above Winsford, the sinking- 
 parts branch to the west and to the east of the river, 
 leaving the banks firm. The bridge has not sunk." 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 319 
 
 1873 Dickinson says : " At Winsford the development of the 
 phenomena has been sudden and surprising. For about 
 2J miles in length by 1 mile in breadth, the surface is 
 visibly sinking. The canal in front of the landslip has 
 gone down fully 10 ft. At the Winsford end, the subsi- 
 dence is backing down to the town. The Winsford Docks 
 there have already gone down about 10 ft., and the 
 bridge for the road over the Weaver has again been raised 
 to give height for the passage of boats." (In 1880 this 
 raising had amounted to 17 ft.). The Ordnance Map 
 published in 1842 shows the extent then covered with 
 water. The area is now about doubled, and the sub- 
 sidence is rapidly extending." 
 Mr Williams, in his evidence before the special 
 Committee of the House of Commons in May 1881, 
 pointed out the rapid sinking along the Cheshire rail- 
 way lines amounting to 24 ft. since 1866. " In 1864 a 
 survey was made, and there were about 20 acres under 
 water then : which has increased now, in round numbers, 
 to 100 acres." 
 
 In order to disprove at once the salt proprietors' contention 
 that the sinkings are caused by the falling in of old mines, 
 and can be traced to purely local conditions, it may be noted 
 here that many of the subsidences are at a distance from the 
 old workings and from the brine shafts. The following is a list 
 of subsiding areas, with the distances from the pumping stations 
 as measured on 6-inch Ordnance Plans. 
 
 From Billinge Green Eailway Bridge — 
 
 To Brunner & Monds pumps 
 
 To Penny's Lane Mine 
 
 To Bowman, Thompson & Co.'s pumps 
 
 To Eiversdale Borehole 
 
 To Newbridge shafts . 
 
 To Bostock Works shaft 
 
 To Middlewich Salt Union shaft . 
 
 To Shaft on Niddries Farm, Newbridge 
 
 To Moulton Sinking Corner, Jack Lane 
 
 To Dunkirk Salt Union shafts 
 
 To Whatcroft Railway Bridge over Canal 
 
 2ft miles 
 
 m 
 m 
 i& 
 
 2A 
 2ft 
 3ft 
 
 0_2_ 
 ^12 
 
 lift 
 J-12 
 
 2 
 
320 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 From Whatcroft Kailway Bridge — 
 To Middlewich Salt Union shafts . 
 To Newbridge .... 
 To Moulton Sinking . 
 To Shaft, Niddries Farm, Newbridge 
 To Bostock Works shaft 
 
 From Marton Hole — 
 
 To Newbridge shafts ..... 
 
 To Garners & Salt Union shaft, Winsford 
 
 To Winsford shaft generally . . 2 A to 
 
 From Sinking at end of Top Flash — 
 To Winsford Bridge 
 To Meadow and Uploout shafts 
 To Newbridge .... 
 To Middlewich .... 
 Middlewich from Winsford Sinkings 
 
 2 A 
 2-A 
 
 m 
 
 2 t \ 
 2ft 
 
 2-A 
 2A 
 
 Hi 
 
 2¥s 
 3A 
 2A 
 2 ^ 
 
 miles 
 
 If we now examine the facts as regards subsidence by the 
 figures, showing the growth of the salt trade, we shall find that, 
 in exact proportion to the increase of the quantity of salt made, 
 so do the subsidences increase. Prior to 1777 we have no records 
 of the class of subsidences which are here referred to. Between 
 1777 and 1802, we find references to slight sinking along the 
 course of the Witton Brook, but at that date the channels made 
 in 1865 and following years existed, and the banks, except in one 
 small portion, were high. In 1811 the removal of a lock drained 
 all the water off the then subsided land. In 1819 Ormerod 
 mentions the commencement of sinking in Northwich and its 
 neighbourhood. So unimportant must the subsidences have 
 been at that period, that neither Holland in 1808 in his " Agri- 
 culture of Cheshire," nor Lyons in 1810 make any reference to 
 them. In 1829 the sinking had extended along the Witton Brook 
 and at Anderton. In 1837 the subsiding portion of the brook, 
 which in 1790 was 130 yards long by 90 yards wide, had 
 extended to 1230 yards long by 130 yards in width. The sub- 
 sidence at that time occupied about 20 statute acres, irrespective 
 of the area of the brook. In 32 years some of the land had sunk 
 24 feet, whilst from 1839 to 1843 portions sunk 3 feet. In 1848 
 Ormerod, in a paper communicated to the Geological Society, 
 describes pretty fully the extent of the subsidence. He men- 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 321 
 
 tions that no sinking had occurred at the Dane Bridge. Later 
 it sank rapidly, and the bridge had to be rebuilt and lifted. In 
 Leftwich no sinking had occurred ; this is now one of the worst 
 places in the district. In 1880 the top of the brook showed 
 a sinking area 4370 feet in length by 1470 feet in breadth 
 in the widest portion In 1880 it was estimated that in the 
 Northwich district over 1200 acres of land were affected, and in 
 Winsford district over 1500 acres. 
 
 Mr E. Leader Williams, in a paper read before the Institution 
 of Civil Engineers in 1882, recalled the fact that in 1860 he re- 
 ported that the stone bridge over the River Weaver was in danger, 
 and he constructed a wrought-iron girder bridge in its place to 
 enable the bridge to be raised when required. The bridge over the 
 River Dane, which was also rebuilt with girders, had since been 
 twice Hfted. In 1830 a canal, with locks, ran close to Wincham 
 Brook, and was used for conveying salt and coals to and from the 
 river. In 1882 the canal was submerged, and the largest ship then 
 afloat might have ridden at anchor there. In referring to the great 
 subsidence in 1880, Mr Williams said : "It might have been 
 expected that such a great influx of water would weaken the 
 brine. This, however, did not occur ; the rapid solution of 
 rock-salt soon restored the brine to its ordinary strength. The 
 salt-works, consequently, were only stopped for a short time 
 to allow of the brine becoming clear, and the loss of property 
 was confined to Messrs Ashton's salt-works and the waggons, 
 rails, and other plant in Piatt's Hill Mine. 
 
 In the same paper Mr Williams gives the following interest- 
 ing items on the subject of the subsidences : " The railways 
 through the district suffer considerably. Part of the London 
 and North- Western Railway between Winsford and Crewe 
 has been repeatedly raised. The Winsford branch of the 
 Cheshire Lines Railway was constructed so recently as 1866, 
 and yet part of the line originally level with the land is now on 
 an embankment 30 feet high, which is being continually raised. 
 The Trent and Mersey, and the Shropshire Union Canals, have 
 required constant care to maintain the bridges and embank- 
 ments ; but the River Weaver navigation has suffered most 
 by subsidence, the works near Northwich having undergone 
 great modifications in consequence of the sinking, and of the 
 greater liability to flooding thus caused. 
 
 " In 1790 the Marston salt-works were connected with the 
 x 
 
322 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Eiver Weaver by a canal, the water being maintained at a higher 
 level by a lock and weir. In 1811 the lock and weir were re- 
 
 moved, as the level had so altered that they were not required, 
 and there is now 60-feet depth of water where this canal formerly 
 existed, the total subsidence having been nearly 100 feet. 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 
 
 323 
 
 " The Northmen pound of the navigation was maintained 
 with great difficulty ; three times the lock and weir sunk so as 
 
 to be useless. These were rebuilt on different sites in 1827, 
 1836, and 1843. In 1859, the author advised the removal of 
 
324 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the last-constructed lock and weir, making the Northwich and 
 Winnington pounds into one long level, also doubling the length 
 of the weir at Winnington to facilitate the passage of flood- 
 water. The constant sinking of the town of Northwich, and the 
 improvement of the navigation, has caused a large outlay on 
 the river works. In 1865, and again in 1871, the author was 
 instructed to report to the River Weaver trustees on the question 
 of improvement that would allow of coasting vessels passing 
 up to the salt-works ; and the works then recommended are 
 now drawing near completion under the charge of Mr L. B. 
 Wells, the total cost having exceeded £600,000. 
 
 " The result of the improvements has been to reduce the cost 
 of carriage, and to lessen the height of floods. The subsidence 
 of the salt districts, however, continues, and, as there is no 
 remedy for the evil but in ceasing to pump brine, the mischief 
 will probably go on until great part of the land near the river 
 is submerged." 
 
 Underneath the whole of the towns of Northwich and 
 Winsford the beds of rock-salt extend, and although in the 
 case of the latter town they lie rather deeper from the sur- 
 face, the effect upon the two places is very much the same. 
 At first the subsidences in the towns were infrequent and of 
 comparative unimportance, but as time went on the damage 
 to property increased in the same ratio as the increase in the 
 salt trade, and the prospect on every side was ruin and destruc- 
 tion and danger to human life. About 1860 the number of 
 houses in Northwich injured by subsidence became so large 
 that the owners combined to obtain compensation for the 
 damage they were suffering, but the peculiar circumstances 
 of the case precluded them from obtaining legal redress. In 
 1871 " the landslips which have recently occurred, and are still 
 in progress of development, in this district," prompted the 
 Northwich Salt Chamber of Commerce to appeal to the Board 
 of Trade to send one of their practical mining officers to investigate 
 " the extraordinary phenomena occurring periodically in the salt 
 districts," and report upon the same. Mr Joseph Dickinson, 
 one of the most competent of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, 
 visited Cheshire and investigated the condition of affairs with the 
 minutest care. His report, which fully justified the concern dis- 
 played by the Salt Chamber of Commerce, was presented to 
 the House of Commons in May 1873, and as the result of some 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 325 
 
 seven further years of local agitation, a private measure, entitled 
 " The Cheshire Salt Districts Compensation Bill " was lodged 
 with Parliament in December 1880. 
 
 At that period the sinkings under the houses and streets in 
 Northwich and Winsford had destroyed property in all direc- 
 tions, and many parts of the town were rendered unfit for habita- 
 tion. Churches, chapels, town and market halls, police-stations, 
 schools and houses were alike affected. As the ground sinks 
 unevenly, the buildings in the immediate neighbourhood were 
 pulled towards the bottom of the slope and rent and cracked 
 beyond repair. In Northwich alone nearly 400 houses and other 
 structures of the value of over £100,000 were more or less seriously 
 injured by this subsiding of the ground, while in the surround- 
 ing district, acre after acre of land had sunk and become covered 
 with water, forming huge lakes of the extent and depth sufficient 
 to float the largest vessel in the British navy. The same was the 
 case to an even larger extent in the neighbourhood of Winsford, 
 and the local Boards were put to immense expense to keep the 
 streets in repair. Water-mains, sewers, and gas-pipes were con- 
 tinually being broken, bridges sank and required raising, and 
 arable and pastoral lands subsided or cracked and became useless. 
 At Winsford a fine church, almost new, was rendered dangerous, 
 and condemned. A comparatively new chapel at Northwich and 
 the Wesleyan school were in the same condition. House after 
 house and shop after shop in the town of Northwich had been con- 
 demned, pulled down, and rebuilt. In one small district of North- 
 wich and Witton, property costing over £10,000 to rebuild had 
 been pulled down within five years, and as much more property 
 was approaching the condition which would condemn it to a 
 similar fate. Whole rows of cottages were to be seen, every one 
 of which exhibited signs of sinking. The rents of many lots of 
 property were absorbed in keeping them in repair, and in some dis- 
 tricts property had been raised and rebuilt three times in eleven 
 years. " The area of the mischief is extending yearly," wrote Mr 
 Thomas Ward in 1881, " and a larger proportion of property is 
 becoming affected, and more and more land is sinking beneath 
 the water and increasing the area of the already existing extensive 
 lakes. Very few, except those conversant with the district, have 
 the slightest knowledge of the amount of suffering caused to 
 property owners by this subsiding of the land." 
 
326 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The following particulars show the areas of water in the salt 
 
 districts which have been caused by subsidence : — 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Piece close to Ferry, S.W. side of Witton Brook . 
 N.W. side of Witton Brook 
 
 N.E. side of Witton Brook 
 
 N. side of Wade Brook 
 
 S. side of Wade Brook 
 
 Small piece E. side of Witton Brook 
 
 Area of Witton Brook Sinking Total 
 
 Holes on the E. side of Warrington Boad (by the 
 
 Townshend Arms) 
 Small hole off Witton Brook 
 Hole at Wade Brook 
 Hole by Witton Brook 
 
 Holes off Lime Kiln Lane 
 
 On river side 
 
 Large Hole off N. side of Witton Brook (Dunkirk side) 
 
 Hole at Marston ... . . 
 
 Hole on river side against Leftwich . 
 
 Sinking in North wich (without Witton Brook), Total 
 
 Marston Hole . 
 Small hole east of above . 
 Next to large hole . 
 Large hole north of the Ocean 
 Next to above 
 The Ocean 
 
 Hole south of the Ocean . 
 Marston Sinking Total, 
 
 Hole at Whatcroft . 
 
 Hole at Billinge Green, south one 
 
 Hole along canal side .... 
 
 Hole in field close to one along canal side . 
 
 Hole adjoining canal between canal and railway 
 
 Hole next to above ..... 
 
 Hole on other side of railway . 
 
 Hole against large hole .... 
 
 Hole above Billinge Green 
 
 Whatcroft and Billinge Green Total 
 
 12-77 
 
 /•23 
 
 (-08 
 
 •06 
 
 1-06 
 
 •11 
 
 / -22 
 
 (•09 
 
 •45 
 
 J-07 
 
 (-46 
 
 f 1-93 
 
 { -40 
 
 •95 
 
 6-11 
 
 1-23 
 
 •10 
 
 ■47 
 
 315 
 
 ■29 
 
 2-48 
 
 1-23 
 
 8-95 
 
 •63 
 
 14 
 
 5-05 
 
 •53 
 
 •23 
 
 6-30 
 
 1-47 
 
 13 
 
 ■02 
 
 •05 
 
 14-57 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 327 
 
 A writer in " Chambers's Journal," who paid a visit to North- 
 wich in 1879, says that the first thing that strikes a stranger is 
 the dilapidated appearance of the houses and the uneven surface 
 of the streets and roads. As he walks down the main street, " a 
 number of miniature valleys seem to cross the road and in their 
 immediate neighbourhood, the houses are, many of them, far out 
 of the perpendicular. Some overhang the street as much as two 
 feet, whilst others lean on their neighbours and push tbem over. 
 Chimney-stacks lean and become dangerous ; whilst doors and 
 windows refuse to open and close properly. Many panes of glass 
 are broken in the windows ; the walls exhibit cracks from the 
 smallest size up to a width of three or four inches ; and in the 
 case of brick arches over doors and passages, the key brick has 
 either fallen out or is about to do so, and in many cases short 
 beams have been substituted for the usual arch. In the inside, 
 things are not much better. The ceilings are cracked and the 
 cornices fall down ; whilst the plaster on the walls, and the paper 
 covering it, exhibit manifold chinks and crevices. The doors 
 either refuse to open without being continually altered by the 
 joiner, or they swing back into the room the moment they are 
 unlatched. The floors cannot be kept level ; and frequently a 
 billiard-table will require packing at one end, some two or three 
 inches, to keep it level. Many of the houses are bolted and tied 
 together, but even then they cannot be kept upright. This is not 
 merely an odd case or here and there a house ; but for sometimes 
 twenty, sometimes fifty, and occasionally a hundred yards each 
 way from the little valleys crossing the streets, the houses are 
 affected in this manner. If it were no worse, it would be bad 
 enough ; but unfortunately the bolting and tying of the houses 
 cannot prevent their destruction. The time comes when they are 
 declared unfit for human habitation and must be taken down." 
 
 A " Times " correspondent, in describing the same scene three 
 years later (1882), wrote : "If a stranger were to be set down 
 some morning in the town of Northwich, the centre of the great 
 salt industry of Cheshire, without any previous knowledge of 
 its peculiarities, he would be struck with a startling and novel 
 spectacle. He would see buildings of every sort, from the 
 humble two-storeyed cottage of the artisan to the solidly built 
 church or chapel, standing many degrees out of the perpendi- 
 cular, and suggestive, all of them, were it not for the props and 
 
328 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 iron stays with which they are secured, of some recent convulsion 
 of nature. In main thoroughfares and back streets alike there 
 are houses whose sloping floors and cracked walls would lend 
 considerable colour to such an effort of the imagination. The 
 inhabitants seem to take this tumble-down state of their dwell- 
 ings quite as a matter of course. They have, in fact, to make 
 the best of a condition of things from which there is absolutely 
 no escape. The effects described are produced, not indeed by 
 any sudden catastrophe, but by a slow, though equally effective 
 process of subsidence, which may be detected in continuous 
 operation over nearly the whole area of the Cheshire salt field, 
 and which will continue to operate so long as the earth yields 
 its vast stores of salt for human consumption." 
 
 The immense lakes or bodies of water of many hundreds of acres 
 in total extent, which are to be seen in the neighbourhood of both 
 Northwich and Winsford, and are locally called " Flashes," are 
 the work of subsidences. These Flashes were at one time the flat 
 meadows, bordering the Weaver or some of its tributary brooks. 
 This land has sunk until it has become covered with water. These 
 are not mere shallow swamps, but lakes varying in depth from a 
 few feet to fifty, and over many acres they are from thirty to forty 
 feet in depth. The largest Flash, which is called " The Top of 
 the Brook," and is nearly the shape of the letter L, has a length 
 in each arm of about half a mile with a breadth averaging fully a 
 quarter of a mile — figures which give some idea of the nature and 
 extent of the sinking by which it had been produced. " The 
 whole of the surrounding district " — this was written in 1879 — 
 " still sinks rapidly, and year by year the water covers more 
 ground. The land subsides gradually here ; but when we go a 
 quarter of a mile to the north-east of the Top of the Brook, we come 
 across a subsidence of a still more alarming character. Here the 
 ground sinks bodily in immense masses to a great depth. A tiny 
 brook or ditch that a child could skip across passed over flat 
 fields some five years ago. Gradually the land began to sink, and 
 cracks opened in the surface right across the course of the brook. 
 The water went down the crevices. The land immediately sank 
 more rapidly ; huge cracks, wide enough for a man to slip down, 
 formed, and very soon a district extending fully one thousand 
 feet in length by as many in breadth, sank rapidly to a depth of 
 forty or fifty feet in the centre, and was filled up to a certain height 
 with water, which covered the hedges and trees. At times 
 
3 S 
 
 9-T 
 
 -3.3 
 .2 o 
 
 o '3 
 
 2;~ 
 
330 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 cracks opened in the bottom of this lake, and the whole of the 
 water rushing rapidly below, caused still more extensive sinking. 
 A row of cottages in the neighbourhood has recently been taken 
 down, the cracks reaching and running through the midst of them. 
 Besides these gradual subsidences, there are others of a sudden 
 character. The ground begins to sink in a circular form about 
 the size of a well. Suddenly it falls in and the sides rapidly 
 spread outwards, the circle widening as the hole deepens. Whilst 
 we are writing, this has occurred, and a hole of only eight yards 
 in diameter and four or five yards deep, of a crater-like shape, has 
 formed. This is a miniature hole. One in its immediate neigh- 
 bourhood is a hundred yards in diameter. These holes, many 
 of them forty or fifty feet deep, in time become filled with water, 
 forming small deep lakes. In one district there are eight of these 
 lakes in immediate proximity, and signs that others will soon be 
 formed." 
 
 Speaking at a meeting of the Manchester Geological Society 
 held in 1897, Sir E. Leader Williams referred to one of the sub- 
 sidences that had taken place near the Weaver at Witton Brook, 
 and gave an idea of the size of the cavity in the ground by ex- 
 plaining that " when the water got in, the river, instead of flowing 
 down to the sea, sank into the interior of the earth, and this went 
 on for a considerable length of time." Mr Wells, who was 
 Engineer of the Weaver at the time that this mine fell in, said 
 that the ponded area of the Weaver in connection with the 
 mine was about 70 acres, and the area draining into it was 300 
 square miles or upwards. The mines took in the whole of the 
 water flowing naturally off the ground in the month of December, 
 and they lowered the 70 acres of the pond ten inches. " That is 
 a true measurement," Mr Wells added, " for I had the gauge 
 examined, and it will give some idea of what the cavities must 
 have been." 
 
 " One of the most extraordinary of the subsidences that have 
 yet happened," said a writer in " Chambers's Journal " in 1881, 
 " took place at Northwich on Monday, 6th December 1880. 
 About six o'clock on the morning of that day, a rumbling noise 
 was heard in a district on the outskirts of Northwich, known 
 as Dunkirk, which is completely honey-combed with abandoned 
 salt-mines. Immediately the ground seemed to be heaving, and 
 the lakelets in the neighbourhood, varying from half an acre 
 to nearly two acres in area, and thirty or forty feet in depth, 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 331 
 
 commenced to boil and bubble all over, the water being forced 
 up violently some feet above the surface. The whole area of 
 these lakelets was in a furious state of commotion, and the noise 
 of the bubbling water could be heard 300 yards off. All round, 
 for a space of two thousand feet in diameter, at every weak spot 
 in the ground, air and foul gas were being expelled ; and where 
 in its course the gas met with water, it forced it up in jets, usually 
 accompanied with mud and sand. For a space of at least one- 
 fourth of the circumference of the largest lakelet, called Ashton's 
 Old Rock Pit Hole, which covers nearly two acres, there were at 
 intervals regular mud geysers, spouting intermittently to a 
 height of about twelve feet. In one space of about thirty yards 
 in extent, there were at least twenty of these playing at one 
 time. The more violent ebullitions subsided after three or four 
 hours ; though in two cases the bubbling and gurgling mud 
 craters continued in action for two days ; and the ebullition in 
 the various pits continued on a smaller scale for three days. 
 The whole of this bubbling and boiling was evidently caused 
 by the air that filled the old mines being violently driven out by 
 the inrush of the descending earth and water. 
 
 " The cause of this great disturbance could not at first be 
 discovered, although, by those acquainted with the district, 
 it was at once believed that it had originated either in a fall of 
 earth or an inrush of water into the mines below. It soon, how- 
 ever, became apparent that a large rift had opened directly across 
 the course of Wincham Brook. This is by no means a small 
 brook, being from fifteen to twenty feet in width. The rift 
 occurred at a spot where the brook passed through a shallow 
 lake of small size, caused by the subsidence of the land, about 
 one thousand feet from where it enters the large piece of water 
 called the Top of the Brook. This piece of water is about one 
 hundred acres in extent and of great depth, being in one spot 
 more than a hundred and fifty feet deep. Connected with this 
 lake is the River Weaver, which between Barrow's Lock and 
 Saltersford Lock has an area of at least sixty acres. We mention 
 these particulars as having an important bearing on our narrative. 
 " From six o'clock till nearly nine, there was a steady down- 
 pour of water into the rift ; but beyond a gentle flow on the 
 surface, not much was perceptible. At nine o'clock another 
 more extensive rift occurred, and pulled in a portion of the 
 ground belonging to the salt-works of Messrs Ashton & Sons. 
 
332 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 A quantity of timber and an engine and boiler were in close 
 proximity, also a large iron salt-pan some twenty-six feet long by 
 twenty-four wide. For the next few hours there was a scene 
 of great excitement, all the men being busily engaged in removing 
 the materials, etc. This they succeeded in doing, but not one 
 moment too soon, as a portion of the land sank immediately after- 
 wards. All eyes were now turned to a fine massive chimney- 
 stack, about ninety feet high and nine feet square at the base. 
 This was seen to be perceptibly leaning towards the sinking spot. 
 Up to twelve o'clock the sinking proceeded gradually, there being 
 a perceptible return current from the large lake, the lower portion 
 of the brook having evidently changed its course and begun 
 to run backwards. From twelve o'clock to three, the velocity 
 of the backward flow increased ; the huge cavity now formed 
 swallowing up the waters of the Wincham Brook itself, and 
 draining a neighbouring lakelet, three-quarters of an acre in 
 area, and at least ten feet in depth, besides receiving a rapid 
 stream, ever increasing in velocity, from the Weaver and Top of 
 the Brook. From three o'clock to four the scene was grand 
 but terrible ; the velocity of the backward flow of water tore 
 away the bottom of the brook from the edge of the huge crater- 
 like cavity for some three hundred feet in length to a depth of 
 ten feet, the brook being previously only about two feet deep. 
 At this time, the banks on both sides were torn down and carried 
 with headlong velocity into the vortex of the crater. Notwith- 
 standing this huge inflowing current, the surface of the eddying 
 waters at the centre of subsidence fell at least twelve feet. 
 
 " About four o'clock, a sudden explosion in the neighbouring 
 pool, and a geyser of mud and water thrown up to a height of 
 from twenty to thirty feet, told of another subsidence. The 
 effect of this upon the hundreds of spectators was very alarming, 
 and there was a sudden rush from the immediate neighbourhood. 
 Fortunately, instead of increasing the mischief, this subsidence 
 seemed to choke the original cavity, and the waters gradually 
 flowed in more slowly, till at six o'clock the face of the pool, of 
 more than two hundred feet in diameter, was perfectly calm, 
 and to the onlooker there was no sign of the terrible strife of the 
 previous portion of the day. Shortly before five o'clock, the tall 
 chimney, which had rapidly become more out of the perpendicular, 
 fell with a terrible crash to the ground. 
 
 " Scarcely had the original subsidence ceased, when an enormous 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 333 
 
 sinking of the whole of Ashton's Old Rock Pit Hole and the 
 surrounding land, for an area of over five hundred feet in diameter, 
 took place, leaving two very deep holes. The land was riven 
 and cracked all round, and fell in steps of two feet. Over ten 
 thousand tons of water went down into the subterranean cavities. 
 A huge brine cistern was riven in two, and the brine all lost ; and 
 two large brick kilns cut completely in halves, and the bricks 
 scattered about. The whole surface of the Weaver and the Top 
 of the Brook was lowered fully a foot over one hundred and sixty 
 acres in about four hours ; and if we add to this the whole of the 
 water of the Wincham Brook for twelve hours, we shall find, on a 
 careful computation, that not less than six hundred thousand 
 tons of water rushed below." 
 
 On the Sunday afternoon following the subsidence immense 
 crowds of people visited the locality, and amongst them were 
 a small company of local gentlemen who " improved the 
 occasion " by holding a religious service on the verge of a " yawn- 
 ing chasm " in the road. Addressing the crowd, one of the 
 party said, " Now, my friends, the ground you are standing 
 on is the rottenest in the world, and it may all go down with 
 you in a moment while you stand listening to me, and if it should 
 go as suddenly as it did in the awful calamity last Monday, how 
 many of you would go down straight into hell ? When the 
 end of the world does come, it will come as suddenly as this 
 terrible accident, but instead of the water there will be fire." 
 
 Up to the time of the event just described, which is known 
 in Cheshire as the " great subsidence," the sinking had been 
 slow but continuous, but subsequently the sinking made very 
 rapid progress. In Marston, since 1870, the subsidence has been 
 even more serious than in Dunkirk. Many acres of land have 
 been submerged, and since 1877 the Marston Road has sunk fully 
 thirty feet. The water from a small brook forms a lake of some 
 seven or eight acres in extent. This lake periodically collapses, 
 and the water flows through the bottom into the ground. This 
 piece of water is extending and threatens to join the Top of the 
 Brook. In Winnington very rapid sinking is taking place. 
 At Billinge Green, some two miles alongside the railway from 
 Northwich is affected, more than a hundred acres of land are 
 submerged, and many small isolated subsidences are showing 
 themselves around Wadebrook, Wincham, and Budworth. Very 
 serious sudden sinkings have also occurred between Marston and 
 
334 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Newbridge, and one large subsidence, some eight acres in extent, 
 called " The Ocean," is also extending. 
 
 From about 1790 to the present time this class of sinkings 
 has gone on increasing in extent, and as they very frequently 
 take place where no mines have been worked, they cannot be 
 connected with rock-salt mining. Yet it is evident that some 
 subterranean denudation must be occurring, which is removing 
 portions of the lower beds and allowing the superincumbent 
 earths to sink into the hollows thus formed. Many theories 
 have been advanced to explain the phenomena, and every 
 reason, except the simple and most obvious one, has been given 
 by the persons whose interests have sent them in search of an 
 alternative. The subsidences could not be caused by violent 
 volcanic action or the shock of earthquake, as nothing of the 
 kind has occurred in this region. It is impossible to explain 
 them by the presence of natural brine springs running away 
 to waste in the brooks and rivers, because no such springs are 
 known to exist at the present day. Prior to the commence- 
 ment of the subsidences, brine springs had been few and in- 
 significant, and, during their known history of some two thousand 
 years, no instance of subsidence in connection with them had been 
 recorded. In fact, so long as nature is allowed to work in her 
 ordinary way, the action of water on beds of salt lying below 
 the surface of the earth is practically inappreciable. Facts 
 substantiate this all over the world, for wherever salt lies and 
 brine springs escape into the streams, no subsidence has ever 
 been noticed and no record of such is in existence. 
 
 In the days of the Eomans the Cheshire brine springs rose 
 to the surface and overflowed. Down to the sixteenth and 
 seventeenth centuries the brine wells were so full that the liquid 
 was lifted out in buckets. Later, when the manufacture of salt 
 increased, hand pumps were employed to raise the brine, and 
 wells were dug along the banks of the river. When the number 
 of wells was multiplied, the brine decreased. Shafts were sunk 
 deeper, and the brine was raised to the surface by means of wind- 
 mills, and when these had been replaced by steam, it was found 
 necessary to sink down to the salt itself to get to the brine. The 
 brine in the natural springs contains a very weak solution of salt, 
 but when the reservoirs overlaying the salt beds are reached, the 
 brine is highly saturated and consists of one part salt and three 
 parts water. When this supply is pumped up its place is taken 
 

 43 .a 
 
 ja & 
 
336 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 by fresh, water which, flowing over the rock beds to the pumping 
 shafts, takes up its quota of salt and is raised to the surface in 
 the form of brine. At first the fresh water flowed over the salt 
 in irregular channels and reached the pumping centres by devious 
 routes, but after a time it made defined courses for itself exactly 
 as the rainfall carves out for itself channels on the surface of the 
 earth. These underground streams of brine all gravitate to- 
 wards the pumps, widening and deepening as the continually 
 replenished water takes up its supply of salt. Where the earths 
 overlying these brine " runs " are not too tenacious, they soon 
 follow the hollow or trough formed on the surface of the salt bed, 
 and a corresponding hollow or trough is formed on the surface 
 of the ground. Where the hollow forms at an early stage, it 
 rarely attains any considerable depth, for the sinking earths 
 impede the course of the flowing brine stream and cause the fluid 
 to spread and be diffused over a wider area. These subsidences 
 are the shallow troughs, not stepped or terraced on the sides, and 
 are best seen in streets and roads where the weight of the houses 
 and the constant passage of traffic cause the earths to gradually 
 follow the wasting surface of the salt. Where, at a considerable 
 distance from the shafts, the water has not formed for itself a 
 definite channel, it percolates over a wide area. The denudation 
 in such cases is more generally spread, and a very extensive 
 shallow trough or basin is formed. Again, where the pumping 
 stations are close together, or in the same line, the various rivulets 
 or streams of brine converge into one broad and deep channel, 
 in which the denudation proceeds with great rapidity. The 
 magnitude of these channels causes the superincumbent ground 
 to subside swiftly, forming deep troughs with stepped or terraced 
 sides, where the earths have broken away in huge masses. Where 
 the earths consist of strong marls and a kind of flagstone they 
 are very tenacious and remain suspended for a considerable 
 time over these deeper cavities. When they will bear no longer, 
 a sudden fall occurs in one spot, and tens of thousands of tons 
 of the suspended earths fall into the trough below, forcing out 
 the stream of brine at the weaker places and leaving a huge, 
 crater-shaped hole on the surface, which fills with water. 
 
 These holes show themselves more particularly in the line 
 of brine-flow from Marton Hole to the Winsford salt-works. 
 Where, on the contrary, the earths have little tenacity, and the 
 brine stream is not so large, a number of lesser subsidences occur, 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 337 
 
 leaving the small funnel-shaped holes of 15 to 20 feet in dia- 
 meter. It is these latter that occur in the town and immediate 
 neighbourhood of Northwich, and cause so much alarm. A 
 great number of these holes have fallen in in a comparatively- 
 small district, viz., the lower portions of Castle Northwich and 
 Winnington, near the River Weaver, and in Leftwich, near the 
 Weaver and the Dane. The sands in this district are very 
 thick, leaving a comparatively thin layer of marl over the rock- 
 salt. As the surface of the salt is eaten away by the brine stream 
 proceeding towards Winnington and Anderton, there is a general 
 gradual subsidence of the shallow trough kind. Of late years, 
 however, more brine has been pumped in the Winnington 
 district, and there has been a tendency towards the deep and 
 wide trough formation of subsidence, and slips and steps show 
 themselves in the Castle district. 
 
 There is another class of subsidence which arises from a combina- 
 tion of the two causes which have been described, viz., sinkings 
 connected with the mining of rock-salt and those connected with 
 the pumping of brine. In the immediate vicinity of Northwich 
 a large number of old mines have fallen in and many old shafts 
 have remained. These have been allowed to fill with water, 
 which soon becomes brine, and out of these huge brine reservoirs, 
 a great deal of the brine used in the Northwich district is pumped. 
 This pumping causes a flow of brine on the surface of the first 
 bed of rock-salt towards the shafts of the various mines, and, as 
 these are in the district where the old top-rock salt-mines were 
 worked, deep channels running towards the old shafts are formed, 
 and as the fresh water eats away the salt near the shafts, very 
 rapid and destructive sinking occurs, forming deep troughs in 
 the line leading to the shafts. Not only do the sides of these 
 troughs become stepped or terraced, but at the bottom of the 
 trough, before it becomes filled with water, the turf covering 
 the earths is forced up into scrolls of some magnitude, showing 
 how pressure can double up and contort earths. These scrolls 
 are a good instance of what pressure can do on a large scale 
 with earths that will yield, and may perhaps afford a hint as 
 to how some of the contorted strata occurring so frequently 
 in various districts have been caused. When the subsidence 
 occurs in a district where old mines exist, it is of a more destruc- 
 tive kind .than any other, for when once the upper surface of 
 salt is eaten so deep as to open up a way into the old mines, 
 
 Y 
 
338 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the overlying earths slip into the cavity, and the whole area 
 above the mines becomes broken up and full of huge crevices 
 and steps. No sooner does the water of the brooks and streams 
 cover such a broken locality — and as all the mines were near 
 streams this occurs very quickly — than a body of water rushes 
 down until, by making a puddle of the underlying clays and 
 marls, it stops itself. As the denudation of the rock-salt con- 
 tinues after the puddling, a cavity is again formed, and the 
 puddle gives way, allowing water down once more. This alter- 
 nate inrushing of water and puddling of the clays goes on con- 
 stantly, for the pumping of the brine removes the water after 
 it has saturated itself, and the water being removed, the puddle 
 slips and lets fresh water in. It will be at once perceived that 
 where large bodies of fresh water come into contact time after 
 time with the rock-salt in a very limited area, the amount of 
 solution of salt must be much greater than where the ordinary 
 rainfall gently percolates through the overlying earths, and 
 spreads over a large area. This violent destruction of salt, 
 and consequent break up and subsidence of overlying earths, 
 is completely seen at Marston and Dunkirk in the neighbour- 
 hood of Northwich. 
 
 In the Marston district the earths remain suspended over the 
 cavities formed by the water on the surface of the salt for a 
 considerable time, then fall in masses of tens of thousands of 
 tons, leaving large holes on the surface which soon fill with 
 water. Where, again, any brine streams, on their way to the 
 pumping centres, pass over rock-salt in which mines have been 
 worked, or where there is an inburst of water from the over- 
 lying stream into the old mines, a very sudden and rapid sub- 
 sidence occurs, breaking up the surface of the ground and rifting 
 it in all directions. The subsidences in the town of Northwich 
 occur in a district where the rock-salt lies comparatively near 
 to the surface, and where there are very thick beds of sand over- 
 lying the salt marls. In this district the marls, being thinner 
 than usual, cannot remain suspended long over any cavity 
 formed on the salt surface, and by their collapse they tem- 
 porarily dam the brine current. The holes formed by these 
 sinkings rarely exceed 15 to 20 feet in diameter, and as many 
 in depth. They soon choke and fill with water. The stream 
 of brine, however, shortly finds a course close to the old one, 
 and, where it is at all rapid, it soon carries away the matter that 
 
5 
 
 o 
 
 K 
 
 o: 
 
 5 
 
 o 
 
 cc 
 
 u. 
 o 
 
 a: 
 o 
 
 p 
 
 o 
 to 
 
340 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 has fallen into its course, and another sinking occurs. Where 
 the quantity of brine pumped is large, and fresh water gets to 
 the salt freely, the trough formed is wide and deep. Where 
 the stream is smaller the trough is shallower and less rifted and 
 broken. Where there is not much motion, but the water spreads 
 over the surface of a large area of the salt, the subsidence is very 
 gradual and property is comparatively little injured. Thus 
 there are very extensive areas which have subsided so gradually 
 as not to interfere with the working of engines and machinery. 
 These are all trough-shaped subsidences, more or less deep and 
 wide. 
 
 It is not the presence of water over the beds of salt or in the old 
 salt workings which causes the damage, because when such water 
 has taken up salt to the extent of a fourth of its bulk, it remains 
 inactive and makes no further ravages upon the mineral earths 
 with which it is in contact. But when the saturated brine is 
 pumped up and its place is taken with a new supply of water 
 which collects its tribute from the salt strata, and that water, 
 in its turn, is raised, to be replaced by more, and each hundred 
 tons of water that traverses the salt bed to the pumpers carries 
 away with it twenty-five tons of solid earth, the work of destruc- 
 tion that is continually going on is explained. The fact grows in 
 significance when the operation of the subterranean water on the 
 salt, is considered in connection with the figures of brine pro- 
 duction, about the time when the Cheshire landowners combined 
 to obtain compensation for the damage from which they were 
 suffering. 
 
 The contention that if the brine was not utilised it would 
 escape to the sea, and the subsidences of land and injury to pro- 
 perty would not be stayed if pumping was discontinued, was 
 raised in September 1879, when a most remarkable outburst 
 of brine occurred in a cornfield on the Bark House Farm, near 
 Bradford Mill, and the mill lane leading to Whitegate. Mr 
 H. E. Falk, a large salt proprietor in the immediate neighbour- 
 hood, improved the occasion by writing a letter to the " North- 
 wich Guardian," in which he endeavoured to prove that this 
 outburst of brine was caused by one of the numerous brine 
 streams, that flow over the rock-salt, coming to the surface and 
 overflowing into the neighbouring brook. Mr Falk proceeded 
 to contend that if the salt proprietors did not pump up the brine 
 and use it in the manufacture of salt, it would escape into the 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 341 
 
 streams by which it would be carried away to the sea, and the 
 salt district would continue to subside. Mr Thomas Ward, 
 who had always held this theory to be untenable, visited the 
 scene of the outburst of brine on October 11th, 1879, to examine 
 the occurrence, and his report is as follows : — 
 
 " Crossing the Weaver, and going up the mill lane, past 
 Bradford Mill, until a narrow road on the left side was reached, 
 which sloped down to the brook feeding the mill, I proceeded 
 down this short lane, when I saw in the bank on the right-hand 
 side, evident signs of an outburst of water. The point of out- 
 burst was about three feet up the bank, which was some fifteen 
 to twenty feet high at the point. The place of the outburst 
 would probably be about eight or ten feet above brook level. 
 The road was strewn with clay and marl and sand, and this 
 was the case from the place of the outburst to the brook 
 further down the lane. On ascending the bank into the field 
 above, I found traces of a slight overflow, which I followed to 
 a hole about six yards from the fence at the top of the bank in 
 which the outburst took place. This hole was about four yards 
 in diameter, and about four feet deep. There were no signs 
 of either water or brine, either in this hole or at the place of the 
 outburst. 
 
 " Crossing the field parallel with the brook running towards 
 the Bark House Farm in the further corner, on the slope run- 
 ning towards the brook was another hole some ten yards in 
 diameter, and nearly full of brine or water containing a good 
 percentage of salt. I was told the best showed eighteen to 
 twenty ounces per gallon. The ordinary brine of the district 
 being forty to forty-two ounces per gallon. 
 
 " From appearances, it is evident there had been a great 
 outburst of water or brine carrying with it clay and mud. This, 
 on its course to the brook, had to cross a piece of low swampy 
 ground, over which it had deposited a large quantity of mud. 
 The water, when I saw it, was perfectly still, and stood about 
 a foot from the ground surface at the lowest part of the ground 
 surrounding the hole. The level of the water here seemed to 
 be about eight or ten feet over brook level. 
 
 " In the low swampy ground between the two places of out- 
 burst was a hole some six or seven yards in diameter, in which 
 was brine. The water in this stood about one foot from the 
 ground surface. In the two holes last mentioned were the only 
 
342 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 briny waters I met with. Every spring, brook, and pool was 
 quite fresh. 
 
 " Going along the brook in the direction of Marton Sands, 
 but leaving the main stream and following a small tributary 
 along a footpath which diverged from a road leading past a 
 wood, I came at a distance of some half mile to an enormous 
 subsidence of land. 
 
 " On the right side of the small stream, the ascending ground 
 rose gradually until it must have been some fifty or sixty feet 
 in height. On the left side was a low flat meadow. At a dis- 
 tance of over a quarter of a mile from the road, the hill side 
 seemed to have slipped down ; at the same time a portion of 
 the flat meadow also seems to have disappeared. The course 
 of the tiny brook seems to be about in the centre of the present 
 pool of water. 
 
 " The land slip, or subsidence, seems to have commenced in 
 the immediate neighbourhood of the brook, and to have spread 
 right and left, the ground going down entirely. The hill side 
 is very steep, and the drainage of the land water is still carrying 
 more of the slope down into the pool. The greatest length of 
 the pool in the line of the brook was about sixty-five yards, 
 whilst I imagine the width would be about thirty yards. The 
 whole depression was full of water to the original brook level. 
 The brook runs, in fact, directly through the hole. The depth 
 I could not test, but doubtless the hole is funnel-shaped like 
 the rock-pit holes at Northwich. The water was perfectly 
 fresh. I could detect no trace of salt. 
 
 " At a rough computation, without knowing the depth of the 
 hole, there must have sunk out of sight at least forty thousand 
 cubic yards of earth. This, falling into the cavity formed by 
 the water eating away the rock-salt to form brine, must have 
 forced up with great power any body of water or brine it came 
 into contact with, and this being shut in by the falling ground, 
 would be forced along the lines of least pressure and make its 
 way with great force wherever it could find an outlet. This 
 accounts for the outbursts of brine which did not last long, but 
 were violent and short-lived. 
 
 " Any further extensive subsidences may be expected to 
 produce similar effects." 
 
 Professor Edward Hull, LL.D., F.R.S., Director of the Geo- 
 logical Survey of Ireland, in a paper read at the Royal Dublin 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 343 
 
 Society in 1881, on " The Recent Remarkable Subsidences in 
 the Ground in the Salt Districts of Cheshire," said : " The pro- 
 cess of dissolving of the salt beds by a natural process of filtra- 
 tion, underground flow of waters impregnated with salt, and 
 their discharge in the form of springs, has been going on for a 
 lengthened period, extending back into pre-human times. Such 
 springs are still flowing in some places, notwithstanding the 
 large quantity of brine artificially extracted from the ground 
 by pumping. The flow of the brine springs must have materially 
 affected the relative surface levels, and where from some cause 
 or another the dissolution has gone on more rapidly than in 
 the surrounding district, the subsidences would be more rapid, 
 and a hollow would be formed, into which the surface waters 
 would flow, and form a lake or mere. 
 
 " In this manner it is probable that all these peculiar sheets 
 of water generally lying in deep hollows, and known as ' the 
 Cheshire meres,' have been formed : and when once formed, 
 the tendency would be for them to become larger as the time 
 went on. 
 
 " It may therefore be affirmed that the origin of the Cheshire 
 meres and the NoTthwich subsidences is similar, only that in 
 the one case the process has been a natural one, in the other 
 artificial." 
 
 Professor Hull briefly described the process and results of 
 brine pumping, as follows : " Water from the surface — con- 
 sisting of a portion of the rainfall and leakage from the Eiver 
 Weaver and other streams — finds its way downwards through 
 the strata of shale, marl, and bands of stone overlying the rock- 
 salt bed, and lodges on the surface, filling old hollows and ex- 
 cavations, and dissolving the solid salt rock till impregnated 
 to an extent varying from 21 to 25'5 per cent., and the general 
 analysis shows that the components resemble those in sea-water. 
 The brine is being pumped up as fast as formed ; and as the 
 upper surface of the bed of salt is lowered, the ground above 
 necessarily falls with it. In this way the land about Northwich 
 has subsided to the extent of no less than seventy feet within 
 the memory of man ; and it is supposed that the top bed of 
 salt is in some places almost entirely dissolved away. The 
 consequence is that roads, canals, railways, and culverts, have 
 constantly to be banked up, and are rising higher and higher 
 relatively to houses and other buildings, which subside with 
 
344 
 
346 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the surface, and are often considerably out of the vertical 
 position. Should the process above described proceed till both 
 beds of rock-salt are consumed, a large tract of country, in- 
 cluding the valley of the Weaver, will be submerged beneath 
 the sea." 
 
 Mr D. C. Davies, in considering the salt manufacturers' con- 
 tention that brine pumping is a natural process which has been 
 going on since time immemorial, and their supplementary argu- 
 ment that if the brine was not pumped it would flow into the 
 River Weaver and be wasted, finds that such a conclusion proves 
 too much. " If the whole of the brine, now pumped, would, 
 if left alone, flow into the River Weaver," he wrote, "why re- 
 sort to pumping at all ? Why not catch it at its outflow ? 
 Surely the millions of gallons that are annually pumped could 
 not flow away unobserved ! Every spring and rivulet would 
 be one of salt ! The fact is, the argument proves too much : 
 neither is it an honest one. Those who use it know full well 
 that if left to itself the water, flowing in at one side of the salt 
 trough or basin, would, in its passage out, have to meet with 
 the weight of water filling the other side up to the point of the 
 outflow ; and more than this, that it would have to contend 
 against water made heavier by the salt it had taken in, that 
 it would have to contend against obstructions of all kinds, that 
 much of the water in the lower recesses of the strata would be- 
 come stationary and decrease, that the whole area would become 
 to an uncertain extent saturated, and that it would not take 
 in anything like the amount of rain that it does now. 
 
 " For now artificial channels are made for the outflow. The 
 passage of the brine is facilitated as it flows to fill the cavities 
 and vacuums created by pumping. No part of the under- 
 ground area is ever at rest. The liquid is not quietly following 
 a natural process, but it is in a state of unrest by being resist- 
 lessly sucked up to the pumps. In plain words, the natural 
 process is intensified by mechanical appliances, and by means 
 of this intensification, the surface is more rapidly damaged than 
 it would otherwise be. 
 
 " All this is so plain, that it hardly seems necessary to explain 
 it. It also seems quite plain that while the owners of land con- 
 taining coal and limestone, lead and iron, and indeed all other 
 substances, are compensated for the abstraction of these by 
 means of a royalty, with compensation for surface damage into 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 347 
 
 the bargain, the owners of salt should not be denied at least the 
 compensation they ask for that rapid destruction which is con- 
 sequent upon the enrichment of others." 
 
 In February 1881, in reply to an inquiry addressed to him by 
 Mr Ward concerning his experience of brine springs running away 
 to waste and causing land subsidences, Mr E. M. Adam wrote 
 the following interesting and informative letter which I make 
 no apology for reproducing in this connection. " I have never," 
 says Mr Adam, " seen or heard of brine springs which flow into 
 rivers or into the sea causing subsidence of the land. Nor can 
 I understand how a brine spring could overflow unless its source 
 was above the outlet, like an artesian well. Had Dickinson 
 confined himself to his assertion, page 50, ' the level of the brine 
 would rise to its original level,' and stopped there, he would have 
 been of my mind, but what he says at page 8 about brine flowing 
 away to the sea from natural springs, and at page 80, about 
 the waste from natural springs, becoming as serious as with the 
 pumping, are, I consider, mere assertions on his part. I have 
 examined some thousands of brine wells, and I never saw or 
 heard of one rising to the surface ; but then as there was no 
 rock-salt to cut away in the plains of India, there was no sub- 
 sidence of land. Still, brine springs may find an outlet through 
 the banks of rivers ; and in Western Rajputana we have a river 
 — the Loone or Salt River — which is in some places highly saline. 
 The nearest approach to your kind of subsidence which I have 
 seen was during a tour I took with Dr Warth in the hilly part 
 of the Punjab between the Mayo Mines at Khewra-Pind Dadun 
 Khan, on the Jhelum River, and Kalabagh, on the Indus River. 
 In one of the mountain gorges we saw a stream which had cut 
 into the side of a hill composed of rock-salt, and huge masses 
 of about 200 tons of pure rock-salt had subsided into the stream. 
 The result was that the stream was a saturated solution of salt, 
 and pure drinking water could not be procured nearer than five 
 miles off. But this rush of brine did not affect the Jhelum, as 
 its water is the only water used in the villages along its banks. 
 Again, in the salt region of the Trans-Indus, which I have not 
 visited, large quantities of salt are annually thrown into the 
 Indus ; but this is due to the rains washing the exposed salt 
 hills and plain — all rock-salt. For instance, at Bahadur Khegle 
 it is calculated that the yearly rainfall washes off about four 
 hundred and fifty thousand cubic feet of rock-salt (equal to 
 
348 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 about three thousand tons of salt), but here again this salt does 
 not interfere with the river water being used for potable pur- 
 poses. I adduce these causes to show that fully saturated 
 brines do run to waste, but all over India I can assure you that 
 I do not know of a single case of a brine spring running to waste, 
 and I never saw or heard of such a thing in the trip I took through 
 Europe expressly to visit all the salt sources. Don't depend 
 
 on Dr or anything he says. He was a mere dabbler 
 
 in salt matters, and cost the Government of India a lot of money 
 without showing any result whatever. And he never saw salt 
 made except from sea-water. I have a very fair amount of 
 salt literature, but I can point to no case like that you ask for. 
 I quite concur with you in thinking that naturally such sub- 
 sidences as you have had could not occur, and ever since I have 
 read the articles in the newspapers about the landowners apply- 
 ing for compensation I have thought that they had a right 
 to it, unless there was some special proviso in the Deeds of 
 Sale guarding against such claims in the event of anticipated 
 evidence." 
 
 The progress of the subsidence in the neighbourhood of Piatt's 
 Hill is of particular interest, both by reason of the actual results 
 recorded of the consequent fluctuations of the brine levels in 
 the surrounding shafts and because of the detailed account of 
 the gradual extension of the sinkings between June 1893 and 
 September 1897, that I have been so fortunate as to extract 
 from the note-books of an experienced local observer. 
 
 In the early part of December 1892, and for some weeks pre- 
 viously, the brine at Winnington and Anderton had been very 
 low, and on Friday afternoon, December 9th, the brine was 
 248 feet from the surface in the Winnington shaft at Northwich. 
 On Saturday morning it stood at 216 feet, marking a rise of 30 
 feet during the night, and it continued to rise until Monday, 
 the 12th, when the brine had reached to within 157 feet from 
 the surface, showing a rise of 91 feet. At Anderton (Brunner, 
 Mond's shafts) the brine on the 9th stood at 199 feet from the 
 surface, and on the 12th it had risen 69 feet. 
 
 At Higgins' shaft, Anderton, on the 9th, the brine was 69 feet 
 from the surface, and there was a depth of 105 feet in the shaft 
 — when the shaft was being worked there was never more than 
 from 35 to 45 feet of brine in it. On the morning of the 13th, 
 the brine had fallen 6 feet. On the 12th the brine was full 
 
350 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 strength— say 2 lbs. 8J oz.— on the 13th, it was 2 lbs. 6 oz. This 
 was about the strength in all the shafts. 
 
 At Baron's Quay Rock Salt Mine, on the morning of the 13th, 
 the brine came into the shafts, which had been dry for months, 
 through the joints of the cylinders, about at the level of the 
 "rock head." The brine gradually subsided till it reached a 
 level of about 40 feet of brine in the Winnington shafts. 
 
 The Dunkirk and Marston shafts were unaffected, and the 
 brine of full strength The Marbury shaft (late Mersey Salt 
 and Brine Co.) had a depth of 28 yards of brine — the surface of 
 the brine being only 90 feet from the surface at top of shaft. 
 
 At the Riversdale borehole and shaft the brine first became 
 muddy and weak on the afternoon of the 9th, and on 10th the 
 water in the borehole rose nearly to the level of the Weaver. 
 As there were no surface indications of subsidence, it is evident 
 the water either broke into the Riversdale shaft or got below 
 from the bottom of the river. 
 
 On February 9th, 1893, brine rose in Dunkirk shaft from 
 85 yards from the surface to 28 yards from the surface. Water 
 could be seen going down to the old workings at three .places 
 round Ashton's works, particularly near the Bay loading stage. 
 Baron's Quay, Brunner's shaft (Winnington), and No. 9 shafts, 
 Anderton, were not affected. A sinking of the land proceeding 
 at Ashton's works near the point named had been noticed some 
 ten days or more previous to this sinking. The whole of the 
 ground at this point is broken up and unreliable. 
 
 Brunner's shaft in Penny's Lane was affected by the inrush 
 of brine, as is shown by the following letter from Mr Milner, a 
 director of Brunner, Mond & Co. : " The brine in Penny's Lane 
 rose on the 10th 143 feet ; it was then quiet for a day ; and 
 between the 11th and 13th rose 30 feet higher, that is to just 
 20 feet below ordnance datum. From the 13th to to-day (15th) 
 it has fallen 13 feet only. . . . This great rise has not in any way 
 affected our Anderton or Winnington shafts." 
 
 At Dunkirk (Worthington's shaft) there were 245 feet of brine 
 in the shaft ; on the 14th February it fell to 195 feet, one yard 
 above rock head. The Marston shafts were not affected. On 
 February 15th there was a depth of 228 feet of brine, or a rise 
 of 33 feet (about 12 yards above rock head), although the pumps 
 were working till 11 p.m. 
 
 On February 18th, the brine had fallen 5 feet more than on 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 351 
 
 17th, and was 30 yards from the surface or 16 yards above rock 
 head. Penny's Lane shaft does not appear to have been affected 
 quite as rapidly. On the 16th the water at Witton Hall Mine 
 in water shaft could not be pumped down, but on the 17th it 
 fell and was pumped out as usual. 
 
 On May 27th, 1893, there was an inburst of brine into Dun- 
 kirk shafts. This inburst raised the brine from 168 feet to 220, 
 or 52 feet. At Marston, the Albert and Nelson shafts were raised 
 from 191 feet to 204 — or 13 feet only. Neither the Alexandra 
 top rock brine shaft, Baron's Quay, nor Riversdale was affected. 
 Penny's Lane (Brunner & Mond's) shaft rose 77 feet on 26th, 
 but soon fell again to Dunkirk level. 
 
 It appears that on Friday, May 26, a large sinking occurred, 
 taking in all the old waggon road and extending towards the 
 large hole in the field leading to the Wincham Road. This 
 sinking was the cause of the rise of the brine at Penny's Lane 
 and Dunkirk shafts, also at Marbury shaft. Signs of subsidence 
 at Piatt's Hill had been evident since the previous February 
 inburst of water that raised all the Dunkirk brine pits and 
 Penny's Lane. On Friday, May 26, the timber of the Piatt's 
 Hill shafts came to the surface of the water. It was now evident 
 that, since Brunner, Mond & Co. had begun to pump at Penny's 
 Lane, the sinking- was taking the line of the old workings to- 
 wards Marston. The area of subsidence on May 26 roughly 
 measured about 90 feet by 15. 
 
 From notebooks in which the developments were written up 
 from day to day on the spot, it is possible to trace the extension 
 of the sinking in the Piatt's Hill neighbourhood. It would 
 require too much space to reproduce this material verbatim, 
 but the following excerpts will give an idea of the manner in 
 which the damage increased in this district. 
 
 June 8, 1893. — To-day another slip at south-west corner of 
 Piatt's Hill hole has occurred, taking all the road at the corner 
 leading to the powder magazine. The greatest depth at Piatt's 
 Hill hole is now 132 feet. Most of the area is 124 feet. 
 
 June 13, 1893. — About 5000 tons of dredgings put in up to 
 now. The barrier between the Piatt's Hill hole and the small 
 hole to the west is now completely under water and impassable. 
 The barrier between the Marston Hole and Piatt's Hill is now 
 about from l£ to 2 feet above water-level and about 8 feet across. 
 It will soon be under water. 
 
352 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 June. 23, 1893.— Much slipping in of earth into Piatt's Hill 
 hole, especially at south-west cornei — land moving and slipping 
 whilst I was present. A large piece of earth had evidently- 
 gone at south-west. 
 
 June 27, 1893. — Another large slip of land into Piatt's Hill 
 since I was last here at the west and south-west. The barrier 
 between Piatt's Hill and small hole is now deeply covered and 
 the opening is 8 to 10 yards wide. There are deep cracks on 
 west and north-west and north, also north-east ; the barrier 
 on north-east going down very fast. 
 
 July 2, 1893. — There are many cracks and slips between the 
 Townshend's new chimney and the north-east corner of Piatt's 
 Hill hole. There seems to be a line of sinking from the hole 
 to near the chimney passing through Holford's Cottage, recently 
 abandoned owing to subsidence. There is a considerable slip 
 at north-east corner of hole, taking the footpath. The barrier 
 between Piatt's Hill and the North or Marston hole has sunk 
 nearly to water-level at west end of it. The barrier between 
 Piatt's Hill and the small north-west hole has now at least 1 
 foot of water over it and the connecting opening 10 yards wide. 
 Piatt's Hill hole is now (without the small hole) roughly 80 
 yards by 70 yards. 
 
 July 9, 1893. — The land is gradually sinking around Ashton's 
 works. The small hole that formed some time since on south- 
 east side is now joined to the large Ashton's hole, and there is 
 a depth of several inches of water where a month since was 
 dry land. 
 
 Nov. 6, 1893.— Sinking still in progress at Piatt's Hill shaft, 
 also sinking rapidly from Piatt's Hill towards Marston Eoad. 
 Piatt's Hill shafts appear to have collapsed, and the hole seems 
 very deep. The sinking has extended in farthest spot 16 yards 
 from centre of waggon road. 
 
 Nov. 25, 1893.— Old Piatt's Hill Mine. More land gone in to- 
 wards Dunkirk. Mr Hodkinson pointed out fresh sinkings, 
 field to east towards Townshend's brine, sinking rapidly ; line 
 of sinking towards White Cottages near new chimney. 
 
 Field near Amalgamated Co.'s pumping shaft sinking more 
 rapidly and going towards railway and brook — gone rapidly 
 last six months. Sinking extending over brook towards British 
 Old Mine. Ground sinking towards Brook Hole gone in along- 
 side brook, say 8 yards by 10 yards. Latest crack in Marshall's 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 353 
 
 land in a direct line between Amalgamated pumping shaft and 
 last cottages on waggon road. 30 yards from end of old tram- 
 road for coal, or about 40 from Brook Land, cracking and sinking 
 towards bole above mentioned. 
 
 March 3, 1894.— Not much further sinking at Piatt's Hill. 
 Field between Budwortb Boad and Piatt's Hill all ridged and 
 broken. Sinking extending towards Townshend's new brine 
 shaft. Sinking badly opposite Ashton's works. 
 
 March 22, 1894. — Land still gradually sinking. 
 
 June 6, 1894.— Piatt's Hill Old Mine. After last night's and 
 the previous day's heavy rain the side near the old waggon road 
 to the west appears to be slipping in. There are signs also on 
 the north or Marston side of more slipping. 
 
 June 23, 1894.— Piatt's Hill Old Rock Mine. The banks of 
 this subsidence are still sliding into the hole. 
 
 July 3, 1894. — Piatt's hole still extending down the waggon 
 road. 
 
 July 24, 1894. — Piatt's Hill sinking still continues along the 
 waggon road towards North wich, also towards Marston in the 
 line of the old rockpit holes 
 
 Sept. 1, 1894. — Piatt's Hill hole. The sinking is extending 
 towards Northwich on the west and towards Marston on the 
 north, a small slip on this latter occurred whilst I was looking 
 on. From the edge of the sinking to the nearest hole on the 
 waggon road towards the Top of the Brook there are now 17 
 yards to edge of water. 7 lengths of rails, ',2 lengths and a bush 
 have gone during last two months The road from edge of hole 
 to last visible crack, 37 yards, is sinking rapidly towards hole. 
 From edge of Piatt's Hill hole to top edge of hole leading towards 
 Marston is now 13 yards 
 
 Sep. 22, 1894.— The sinking at Piatt's Hill shows further 
 signs of cracking and slipping on the corner facing the Town- 
 shend's Arms, and half-way up the Marston side. 
 
 Sept. 29, 1894. — Signs of further cracking and slipping all 
 round the hole from the waggon road by the Marston side to the 
 waggon road again. A portion of footpath on north side cracked 
 and slipping. There is an evident movement going on. 
 
 Oct. 6, 1894. — The sinking is gradually extending, and the path 
 and another length of rails on Top of Brook side, have slipped 
 in. Cracks seen all widening. Sinking still towards Top of 
 Brook and Marston. 
 
354 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Oct. 13, 1894.— Piatt's Hill much as last week, but cracks more 
 open and extending. 
 
 Oct. 20, 1894.— Still signs of gradually sinking all round Piatt's 
 Hill hole. Cracks wider and deeper, and land sloping more 
 rapidly. 
 
 Oct. 27, 1894 (morning).— Extension of slips and cracks 
 gradually towards north and west. The water in old pit at 
 Marston near Forge went in on Oct. 22 and raised the brine at 
 Marston. The brine was raised from 44 to 23 yards below rock 
 head. 
 
 Oct. 27, 1894 (later).— About 3.45 p.m. the water began to go 
 down the Old Piatt's Hill shaft. The brine rose from 57 feet 
 of brine at Dunkirk to 246 feet, a rise of 189 feet or 63 yards. 
 
 Oct. 31, 1894.— Brine at Dunkirk 223 feet, or a fall since 27th 
 of 23 feet. Marston shafts rose from 142 feet to 252 feet, or a 
 rise of 110 feet. 
 
 Visited Piatt's Hill and found a large quantity of land, had 
 slipped into the hole in the line of the cracks mentioned on Oct. 
 27. The sides of the hole are very steep, and signs of further 
 slipping are evideat. Water is still going down, as shown by 
 the bubbles near Ashton's loading-stage to-day. 
 
 Nov. 3, 1894.— Marbury shaft 39 feet of brine (58 yards to 
 rock head) above rock head — a week since 33 feet. Brine all 
 over district same strength and clearness. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1894.— Piatt's Hill hole still extending all along the 
 north-west, north, and north-east side towards Marston, cracks 
 widening and land breaking off side of hole nearly perpendicular, 
 and varying from 3 to 20 feet in height. 
 
 Nov. 17, 1894. — Piatt's Hill cracks still opening wider and 
 earth going down all along west, north, and east sides. Boad 
 from waggon road cottages must be stopped, being unsafe. 
 
 Nov. 24, 1894. — Piatt's Hill slips still extending, especially 
 on west and north, ground crumbling down and cracks widening. 
 Boad dangerous. Notice-board put up cautioning public. 
 
 Dec. 1, 1894. — Found signs of still cracking and sinking, but 
 not much more than last week. 
 
 Dec. 8, 1894. — Not much alteration at Piatt's Hill since last 
 week, but a gradual lowering of the surface of the land and 
 opening of cracks on west, north-west, and north sides. 
 
 Dec. 20, 1894.— Visited Piatt's Hill and found the sides still 
 slipping in and the cracks widening and extending. 
 
356 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Jan. 1, 1895. — Much the same condition as on Dec. 20, except 
 more slipping in north-west corner. 
 
 Jan. 12, 1895. — Sinking still extending in the north-west 
 corner. 
 
 Jan. 22, Jan. 26, Feb. 2, 1895. — Sinking still continuing, chiefly 
 on north-west side, a piece of land having gone in between Jan 26 
 and Feb. 2. 
 
 Feb. 23, 1895. — Water in small hole to north-west has sunk 
 about 1J feet, having drained off across the Barrier, between 
 Piatt's Hill hole and this one. 
 
 March 16, 1895. — The field near to powder magazine at Piatt's 
 Hill is cracking very badly. The cracks have developed this year. 
 
 April 12, 1895. — Large cracks and slips are travelling towards 
 the cottages on the Tramway near Piatt's Hill. The Piatt's Hill 
 hole has not slipped much the. last few weeks, but there is still a 
 tendency to crack and fall in towards MaTston along north-west, 
 west, and north-east sides. 
 
 April 30, 1895.— Walked over the land to Piatt's Hill hole and 
 found Hodkinson's land along the brook opposite to Ashton's 
 works and the Amalgamated Island fast sinking, and the sinking 
 creeping towards the waggon road that led to the mine. 
 
 May 11, 1895. — Piatt's Hill very little alteration — water soaking 
 very freely through barrier between Piatt's Hill and nearest 
 Marston hole at narrowest part. 
 
 June 1, 1895. — Not much sinking now going on except a little 
 on the north-west, north, and north-east, as before, and the large 
 cracks have now broken through the rim of the crater of the pit 
 leading to Marston, the water of which is percolating through the 
 sand to Piatt's Hill hole. The pit has at least 6 feet less depth 
 of water than a short time since. The small hole to north-west 
 is lower for same reason. 
 
 July 29, 1895. — Powder magazine near Piatt's Hill sinking and 
 cracking — requires attention. Piatt's Hill on west and north- 
 west sides gradually sinking, especially the barrier between the 
 small hole and Piatt's Hill ; not much change elsewhere. 
 
 August 10, 1895. — The land near Ashton's works on the east 
 side sinks very rapidly, as does the field between the waggon 
 road to the north of Ashton's and between Ashton's works and 
 the Townshend's Arms west of the powder magazine. 
 
 Sept. 7, 1895. — Piatt's Hill hole signs of sinking in north-west 
 corner. At Marston, water was seen going down on Sept. 6, in 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 357 
 
 the large hole between Ashton's and Piatt's Hill, and the brine 
 has risen at Dunkirk from 64 yards from the surface, 17i yards 
 below rock head to 29 yards, or 17J yards above rock head. 
 
 Sept. 10, 1895. — Powder magazine, Dunkirk, scarcely fit for 
 horse and cart to go to — road full of cracks. Piatt's Hill hole 
 sinking slowly at north-west corner. 
 
 Oct. 26, 1895. — Small hole formed at Ashton's works on the 
 brick ground to south of large hole about 3 yards in diameter, 
 similar to one near same spot in 1881. The land about this hole 
 is steadily sinking. 
 
 Nov. 9, 1895. — Visited Ashton's works — find very rapid sinking 
 on all sides from north-west round to south-east by way of west 
 and south. Hodkinson's land between Piatt's Hill Tramway and 
 Ashton's Flash and Brook is rapidly going under water. The 
 land near powder magazine is sinking and cracking badly. The 
 land near Ashton's works is sinking more rapidly than about 
 Piatt's Hill at present. 
 
 Nov. 23, 1895. — Eapid sinking between Piatt's Hill and Ashton's 
 works. 
 
 Nov. 29, 1895. — Brine (or water) broke into the old pits during 
 the night and rose to 28 yards from the surface, or 18| yards above 
 rock head. 
 
 Dec. 3, 1895. — There are cracks and slips about Ashton's works 
 showing subsidence. 
 
 Dec. 9, 1895. — Water has broken in again and Dunkirk brine 
 now stands at 28 yards from surface 18|- above rock head. 
 
 Dec. 19, 1895.— The land all round Piatt's Hill hole from the 
 south-west corner by west, north-west, north, and north-east to 
 east all badly cracking. At south west corner a large slip since 
 13th inst. endangering road to magazine. The narrow neck 
 between Piatt's Hill and the hole on north sinking very rapidly 
 and cracking badly. 
 
 Jan. 2, 1896. — There has been an extensive slipping of earth 
 into Piatt's Hill hole from the south-west corner, all round to the 
 north, but more especially to the south of the waggon road a slip 
 fully 15 yards in width on the surface. 
 
 Jan. 11, 1896. — The sinking seems extending and fresh cracks 
 forming chiefly on west and north-west sides. The water has been 
 sounded this week, and a line of 70 feet would not touch the 
 bottom in the Piatt's Hill hole. On the east I find new recent 
 slips and cracks. 
 
358 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Jan. 23, 1896.— Piatt's Hill still sinking freely round west and 
 north to north-east, slipping at waggon-way on west. Many 
 cracks on north side. More movement in January than for some 
 months. 
 
 April 11, 1896.— Visited Piatt's Hill hole, found sinking at 
 south-west corner very bad, much land gone in since last visit. 
 Road to powder magazine very dangerous, full of cracks quite 
 up to magazine. Land all round, west, north-west, north, and 
 north-east sinking badly. Large cracks on the east side across 
 waggon-way, last large one only 5 yards from the rails across to 
 the east. Examined new chimney at the Townshend's new brine 
 shaft (never used), found cracks to the east and near the base. 
 This chimney is near Holford's Cottage, just abandoned because 
 of sinking. 
 
 April 13, 1896. — Visited Ashton's works and found new cracks 
 and sinking on east and north sides. The sinking on the east 
 side has been going on rapidly for some months past, and during 
 past few months on the north side. Pan No. 12, also No, 14 
 must be soon abandoned : Nos. 13 and 15 are in bad 
 condition. 
 
 April 27, 1896. — Land sinking very rapidly around Ashton's 
 Flash, the land rented by Hodkinson near the old Amalgamated 
 Island (now under water) sinking very badly. The road to the 
 powder magazine so badly rifted and cracked as to be too dangerous 
 for horses and carts — the sinking land is extending very rapidly to 
 the west at south-west corner and along west side. Large cracks 
 and much sinking on north-west, north, and north-east. Barrier 
 between the Marston hole and Piatt's Hill much lowered. 
 
 April 29, 1896. — Inspected Ashton's works and found serious 
 cracks and sinking on west side of 12 x 14, and into the Forebys 
 of the Bay pans. These are very recent — No. 12 is sinking very 
 fast, and can only be kept up with difficulty. The water is in 
 the ash-holes and in the flues of the hothouse. The pan has 
 been patched up to run for a few more months. The chimney 
 has begun to sink. 
 
 May 11, 1896. — Visited site of powder magazine and find it is 
 being dismantled as ordered. The land all round is still sinking 
 most seriously, and the road to the magazine is now incapable of 
 being used, and will soon slip into the water. The land near 
 magazine seems to have sunk more than 3 feet this year. The 
 whole of the land on the margin of the Flash near Ashton's works 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 359 
 
 is sinking very rapidly. Piatt's Hill hole is now at least 80 yards 
 by 50 and very deep. 
 
 May 17, 1896. — Sinking still going on at Ashton's works. No. 
 12 pan drawing away from No. 14. The gable between 12 and 
 14 has drawn away from the loft floor from 4 inches at the east 
 to 12 inches at the west. The weight of the roof holds the top 
 of gable. TJiis is becoming serious and dangerous. 
 
 May Jl?>, 1896. — The cracks and sinkings at Ashton's seem to 
 exjsend from the end of 14 panhouse, where the brine pipes have 
 'drawn out and broken, across the tram line to the Bay pans, and 
 thence across the rubble to the old brine shaft now alongside the 
 water (on Tomkinson's land), all the ground between No. 12 pan — 
 the salt storehouse and the shaft on the rubble seems full of cracks. 
 
 May 23, 1896.— Piatt's Hill. There has been another large 
 sinking on the west side near the road leading to the powder 
 magazine (now dismantled) ; there are cracks all over this part of 
 the land and for some 15 or 20 yards along the waggon road to 
 the west. These are some of the largest cracks I have seen, 
 and a very serious movement of all the land from Piatt's Hill to 
 near Witton Mill Bridge on both sides of the brook is going on, 
 especially at the south-west corner of Piatt's Hill and thence to 
 where Ashton's trambridge originally crossed the brook. The 
 movements on north-west, north, and north-east sides of holes 
 are steady and the land gradually sinking. There are more signs 
 of sinking in Marston district than usual. 
 
 May 27, 1896. — The house in the sewage field (Witton along- 
 side Wadebrook) as also the field are badly sinking. There are 
 large cracks along the road passing between Marshall's Rock Pit 
 hole and Ashton's. Passing towards the Flash in the direction 
 of the road that used to go to Marshall's pumping station the 
 sinking is very serious. Looking at the west side of Piatt's Hill 
 Field from Marshall's brine-pit field, it is evident there has been a 
 big fall of earth at the south-west corner at the end of the rails 
 forming th.3 field boundary. 
 
 It is now from the Flash to the Wincham Brook in an east 
 directly across the low sinking land to opposite the small hole on 
 Wincham side, 64 yards — the nearest the brook and Flash approaches 
 in this neighbourhood is 54 yards. From the point where brook and 
 Flash meet to this same point along the course of brook is 96 yards. 
 
 The most easterly (or farthest from Flash) crack and slip on the 
 field near Amalgamated pumping station crosses the old coal 
 
360 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 tramway within 1 yard of the nearest bush and 17 yards from 
 the brook end of tramway, and runs direct for the gate at the 
 west end of the engine-house, when about 20 yards from the 
 gate it turns west by south-west — 5 yards to the east another 
 crack which commences on the south side of the gate and runs 
 18 yards in a north-east direction. This crack passes through the 
 middle of the gateway and is 4 yards from corner of engine- 
 house. It runs nearly parallel with the boiler house, and is 
 barely 2-J yards from south-west corner of same ; it continues 
 farther, but is not so perceptible — this is quite a recent crack. 
 
 July 28, 1896.— Learned that Piatt's Hill hole on July 24 was 
 285 feet across from east to west, and 165 feet deep in deepest 
 part. 
 
 Aug. 3, 1896. — Piatt's Hill has not altered much, but the water 
 is just going over the narrow ridge between Piatt's Hill and the 
 large hole on Marston side. Seems slipping most at north-west 
 corner of Piatt's Hill. 
 
 Aug. 15, 1896. — The barrier between the Piatt's Hill hole and 
 the Marston hole at the side is now under water for 3 or 4 yards 
 to the depth of from 4 to 6 inches. No large sinking about 
 Piatt's Hill but gradual lowering, the south-west, west, north- 
 west, north, and north-east parts have largest cracks, and sub- 
 sidence of a large area will take place in this semicircle. The 
 north-west is now worst. 
 
 Aug. 17, 1896. — Marston. A hole formed during last night 
 alongside the road to Marston a little to the north-east of shafts 
 of Reynolds & Dignum's old mine. The hole was about 20 feet 
 by 15 for about 6 or 8 feet deep — new filled-up stuff — then about 
 9 feet in diameter for perhaps 40 feet down — about 12 feet down 
 there seemed a cavity extending some distance. The hole is now 
 being filled with cinders and rubbish. 
 
 Sept. 9, 1896. — Piatt's Hill. A good deal of sinking still going 
 on from south-west corner by west and north-west, also a little 
 on north and north-east, but not much on east and south-east 
 On the north and north-west a large piece has sunk very much 
 and will soon be under water. The barrier between Piatt's HOI 
 and large hole on north is now covered from 6 inches to a foot. 
 The rails on west side are taken away, so having nothing to mark 
 the progress by, but the whole west side is sinking and breaking 
 off continually. 
 
 Oct. 21, 1896.— The land about Piatt's Hill hole still sinks, 
 
362 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 especially on the north-east, north, north-west, west, and south- 
 west sides, more, however, on the westerly side. It is evident 
 that the land from where Ashton's tramway used to cross the 
 brook to Piatt's Hill is sinking very rapidly. As this sinking is 
 now approaching a district full of old top mines, I expect very 
 serious sinking ere long, far more than we have had. 
 
 Townshend's new chimney collapsed on the 17th inst. owing 
 to the dangerous cracks near the base. All the land near to the 
 west is badly sinking. 
 
 Oct. 31, 1896. — No. 12 stoved pan at Ashton's works ordered to 
 be dismantled owing to subsidence. 
 
 Nov. 16, 1896.— Wakefield's Old Rock Pit hole. The area of 
 water is increasing very rapidly. The water is fast encroaching 
 on Wadebrook Fields, as also on the land in Dunkirk around the 
 hole and towards Astbury's Cottage. 
 
 Dec. 14, 1896. — Piatt's Hill sinking badly frorn^seuth-west to 
 north, much gone on south-west and west, j,«d still going, CTacks 
 extending westward towards old.jaiagazine, going gradually and 
 rather rapidly — cracks .extending to north and west of magazine, 
 and field %eliind magazine and road going fast. 
 
 Jan. 6, 1897. — The sinking at Piatt's Hill goes steadily on, but 
 not so violently as some time since. 
 
 Jan. 19, 1897. — Piatt's Hill hole still sinking from south-west 
 to north-east, but more in the west. Still putting down spoil or 
 dredgings — many thousands of tons. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1897. — Astbury's land and cottage. The land is 
 breaking up very badly — the water is very rapidly extending, and 
 the pit growing larger very fast. 
 
 Feb. 4, 1897.— Visited neighbourhood of Piatt's Hill ; sinking 
 is extending rapidly along the brook towards the waggon road 
 cottages and the Marston Branch Railway Line. The most rapid 
 sinking, however, is at the west and north-west of Piatt's Hill 
 hole. Here, leading towards the old powder magazine (removed 
 last year) the land is cracking and slipping into the hole. The 
 perpendicular side of the hole is only a very few yards from the 
 site of the magazine, and large cracks are forming all across the 
 field between the magazine and the old waggon road. There are 
 a series of these extending for more than 50 yards from the present 
 edge of hole or about half-way down the field as it originally 
 existed. It seems as if the water is getting into the old top mines 
 of last century, and, as I reported some months ago, the subsid- 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 363 
 
 ences which will follow will be very serious. The Island (Cheshire 
 Amalgamated property originally), now covered with water, 
 appears to be the furthest extension of the field cracks to the north- 
 west. The cracks seem to remain in a north and south direction. 
 
 Feb. 12, 1897. — Ashton's and Dunkirk. Sinking about Ashton's 
 near brook to west. Dunkirk sinking extending over line of pipes 
 to Marston. Cracks extending eastward towards railway. Land 
 is sinking very badly — huge cracks extend right across the easterly 
 section of tramway near railway and at least 30 yards sinking — 
 a line of sinking is showing across the low fields between the 
 railway, old tramway, and brook. It seems to lead in a direct 
 line for Worthington's old mine shaft, and probably towards 
 Bowman, Thompson & Co.'s alkali works. The land is sinking 
 very badly at the corner where the brine pipes turn near the old 
 waggon road cottages. The land to the rear of the waggon road 
 cottages is all sliding towards the brook. 
 
 Piatt's Hill sinking very rapidly at west and north-west, 6 or 
 8 yards in width gone in since last visited, and on north and 
 north-east side still going very fast. 
 
 Feb. 13, 1897. — Water now in site of Marshall's old brine shaft. 
 The small bank with bushes on now all under water except tops 
 of tallest bushes — land sinking fast to north-east and north. The 
 water seems to be getting down Marshall's brine shaft and making 
 its way to the north-east and east. 
 
 March 3, 1897.— Visited Piatt's Hill, found the sinking con- 
 tinuing much as for some months past. The sinking doubtless 
 extends in a widening circle round the shafts, but seems more 
 intensified from south by west to north-east — the south-east and 
 east, though sinking, does not go so rapidly, the side from south- 
 east to south-west being under water, the changes which certainly 
 occur as proved by soundings are not visible. Buckley's and 
 Anderson's cottages (these are the cottages on the waggon road) 
 are rapidly falling to pieces. The ground is quite unfit for any 
 erections. 
 
 April 5, 1897.— The land slipping badly at the corner where the 
 pipes turn from field near waggon way towards Worthington's 
 shaft. From the first bight or bay and depression near Mar- 
 shall's old brine shaft direct to brook to east 70 yards, the land 
 sinking rapidly — full of cracks. 
 
 May 1, 1897.— Land still sinking rapidly from south-west by 
 west to north ; the water is now level with the bottom of old 
 
364 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 magazine, only 8 yards from the edge of Piatt's Hill (a few months 
 ago the bottom of the magazine was at least 4 feet above water- 
 level) to the edge of the magazine, and all broken up into large 
 cracks — one large deep crack extending 12 yards to south-west 
 of fence near magazine on west side, and all land to north and 
 between Piatt's Hill and this point badly broken up. Much of 
 this has happened since the land was ploughed and the seed sown. 
 
 May 18, 1897. — Land still breaking off and slipping into Piatt's 
 Hill at south-west corner near old magazine ; very soon all the 
 land, including the site of the magazine and due north to the 
 entrance of small hole, will be gone. There are now 17 yards 
 between the great west crack and the edge of the crack near 
 Piatt's Hill hole ; between this edge and the hole the land for 
 about 6 yards is all broken up and fast sliding into the hole. 
 
 Small bank with bushes near side of Marshall's brine shaft is 
 now entirely under water, and fully 10 yards from nearest land, 
 only the tops of the tallest bushes above the water, say north 
 bush 18 inches to 2 feet, and tall centre bush 4 feet 6 inches. South 
 bush a spray or two above. Line of sink seems direct from 
 Marshall's brine shaft to the north-east to hole across the brook 
 in Wincham Water. 
 
 May 22, 1897. — Sinking on Temperley's Land to the north 
 towards Pickmere. This is extending, and during the last two 
 years the pit hole (on the fence) has increased very much. The 
 hole now measures extreme length 75 yards, extreme width 
 66 yards — very similar to sinking at Billinge Green. The fence 
 runs through it, and is now nearly all under water. The land 
 all round slopes to the pit for some distance from say about 40 
 yards. 
 
 June. 15, 1897. — Piatt's Hill still sinking badly at south-west 
 corner, water now all over the site of the old magazine and up 
 to the fence that was at the back or west and north of it. The 
 crack farthest in field and on waggon-way to west has much 
 widened, and the whole land between the crack and the hole has 
 sunk. There seems little alteration elsewhere. The entrance 
 from Ashton's Flash seems now over 100 yards in width. The 
 brine pipes and land adjacent near Cranage Brook still sinking, 
 and most of the low land between the brook and the foot of the 
 bank at the corner where the pipes turn is now covered with 
 water. The water in Marshall's field has advanced still 
 farther. 
 
365 
 
366 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 July 27, 1897. — Piatt's Hill — Less movement than for some 
 time, but still sinking at west and south-west. 
 
 Aug. 19, 1897. — Tramway being raised at Ashton's works. 
 Advised to stop No. 15 pan — dry the salt and remove it — also to 
 securely prop the gable. The sinking all along the east side of 
 Ashton's works has been very rapid and serious for the last few 
 weeks. For some months the sinking at Ashton's has been in- 
 creasing. The site of the old powder magazine near Piatt's Hill 
 is now covered with from 4 to 6 inches of water. 
 
 Sep. 21, 1897. — Ashton's works. No. 14 H. S. stoved pan has 
 been stopped two or three weeks owing to subsidence and water 
 getting into the flues and draughts. Old No. 15, both brick 
 gables very bad and dangerous ; the east gable has gone very 
 rapidly the last month or so. During the last few weeks the 
 sinking along the east side of the works towards the old rock pit 
 hole has been very rapid, and the loading stage has required to be 
 lifted as well as the stage where the waggons are loaded and all 
 the intermediate tramway. The field between the Wadebrook 
 and Ashton's Rock Pit hole sinks very rapidly, the line of sinking 
 showing from Thompson's powder magazine to Ashton's Rock 
 Pit hole. The subsidence during the last three years has been 
 very rapid, and far in excess of anything since the great " inburst " 
 of 1880. 
 
 Sept. 25, 1897. — Ashton's Mill Room. Up to about two years 
 since, the sinking was comparatively small. Since then it has 
 gone on rapidly on the north or mill end. The sinking all round 
 the water side of the works has gone on very rapidly of late. There 
 has been a gradual sinking for more than twenty years. Have 
 decided to put a second prop to chimney of pans 1, 2, and 13. 
 This chimney must be taken down and the pans No. 13 and 15 
 dismantled. The rooms are getting into a dangerous condition. 
 
 The land and brook close to Thompson's powder magazine 
 are going down rapidly — air is bubbling up from the bottom of 
 the brook, showing that water is going down somewhere. The 
 brook has flowed over the low land at the corner of the bight 
 opposite the magazine, and is now from 7 to 8 yards over the low 
 land (this has happened since Sept. 21). The distance between 
 this water and that in Ashton's hole is now 23 yards — it was 32 
 a week or so since. If this goes on the brook will flow over this 
 low land to Ashton's Rock Pit hole. Dunkirk : Piatt's Hill 
 sinkings. The whole east and north-east side of Piatt's Hill have 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 367 
 
 sunk gradually for many months. The north side also much 
 lower. The north and north-west sides have also sunk gradually 
 for some time. The west and south-west sides sink most, and the 
 cliffs are nearly perpendicular. The opening to Ashton's hole is 
 very wide, also Piatt's Hill and the holes absorbed by it now form 
 only a deep bay or bight on the north side. The sinking has been 
 less violent for several months. Along the old cindered tramway 
 to the west of Piatt's Hill the large deep crack is 12 yards from 
 the edge of the bole. This crack extends across the tramway 
 and Hodkinson's field to Ashton's hole. The land to the east 
 of the crack has fallen from 18 inches to 2 feet for a distance of 
 55 yards in length and from 12 to over 20 yards in width. The 
 site of the old powder magazine is now from 6 to 12 inches under 
 water. The field from the old magazine and all towards Witton 
 Bridge is sinking gradually. 
 
 Sept. 25, 1897. — Not much change at and near site of Marshall's 
 brine shaft. The distance between the Cranage Brook and Ashton's 
 Flash is now in narrowest place 13 yards. The sinking on the 
 Wincham side of the Cranage Brook seems to go steadily on, and 
 the banks at the back of the waggon road cottages keep cracking 
 and slipping. The cottages go worse, and should be pulled down. 
 No perceptible change in the immediate vicinity of the Amalga- 
 mated pumping station. The line of worst sinking extends in a 
 direct north-east direction from near Thompson's powder magazine 
 and Ashton's works, east and north side, to the cottages above 
 named, or rather the holes forming to the south and east of them. 
 
 On the night of Friday, September 14, 1894, a borehole on the 
 works of Bowman, Thompson & Co., alkali manufacturers, near 
 Wadebrook, a short distance above the Northwich Water- 
 Works in Lostock parish, collapsed, taking down the pumps and 
 pumping machinery. The hole made was 30 feet wide, and 20 
 feet down to the surface of the water. This subsidence was in- 
 teresting, because Bowman, Thompson & Co., having no upper 
 bed of rock-salt and no natural brine, had, for the previous year 
 or two, been letting water into the lower bed from the adjacent 
 brook. For a long time they denied this, but the collapse proved 
 the justice of the charge. 
 
 An extensive subsidence occurred on Tuesday, November 15, 
 1898, when a considerable portion of the London Road in Left- 
 wich, on the County Bridge length and opposite the Bridge Inn 
 
368 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 and Peter Taylor & Sons' timber yard office, sank to a depth from 
 9 to 12 feet. The whole width of the road sank, and the cracks 
 extended into Taylor's yard and through the Bridge Inn, also on 
 the opposite side of the road through some wooden sheds. The 
 length of the road was about 40 yards. This ground had sunk 
 before. Gas and water pipes and the electric cable were broken. 
 Taylor's office leaned over the hole and was out of perpendicular 
 from 3 to 4 feet, but being of the timber framework style of 
 building, remained intact, and two days after was screwed up and 
 pushed back into its place, no damage having been done to it. 
 The Bridge Inn did not lean over but had some wide cracks. This 
 portion of the road had been covered with a timber-decking which 
 prevented worse consequences, and. to meet a prevalent idea that 
 quicksand and the dredging of the Weaver caused the subsidence 
 at the spot, some 37 feet piles had been driven closely together 
 between the road and the river on the side of the road. These 
 piles went down from 15 to 20 feet below the river bed. To prove 
 the fallacy of the quicksand theory, the piles subsided with 
 the rest of the timber-decking and road. For this to have 
 occurred the sinking must have been lower than the bottom of 
 the piles. 
 
 One of the most recent cases of alarming subsidence occurred 
 in the centre of the Marston brine-pumping area in February 
 1912, when the lake between the Townshend's Arms and Marston 
 village suddenly emptied itself. This lake, which was a hundred 
 yards across and 40 to 60 feet in depth, had formed in an enormous 
 cavity made by a landslip some twenty years previously, and the 
 disappearance of millions of gallons of water was followed by the 
 ominous appearance of numerous cracks in the surrounding fields. 
 As the subterranean reservoirs became replete with water, the 
 lake, which is known as Worthington's Flash, again filled. On 
 the evening of Monday, May 20, 1912, the water of the lake was 
 seen to be bubbling and to be gradually getting lower. In the 
 early hours of Tuesday morning the big slip occurred, and during 
 the morning the surface had dropped 13 feet, representing the dis- 
 appearance of at least fourteen to fifteen million gallons of water. 
 " By 7.30 on Tuesday evening," to quote from the account given 
 by the local reporter, " the water had fallen fully 20 feet, repre- 
 senting the disappearance of from 15,000,000 to 20,000,000 gallons, 
 and there/was a distinct division formed by a shelving mud bank. 
 This is a reversion to the subsidence in its original form, for 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 369 
 
 some years ago, there were two distinct holes which were after- 
 wards connected by water. During Wednesday, the subsidence 
 continued, and, by Thursday morning, the depression had under- 
 gone a transformation and presented a weird and eerie spectacle. 
 The portion of the depression on the Witton side remained un- 
 altered, but the hole on the Worthington's shaft side had deepened 
 to such an extent that it was now impossible from the slopes 
 behind Wade Brook House to see the water-level. On going to 
 the Dunkirk side, however, it was possible to see the bottom. 
 The water had fallen 70 or 80 feet, and at the point where Wade 
 Brook was running into the hole the mud floor of the basin was 
 exposed, the water passing on to a point 30 feet below the 
 separated portion of the ' flash.' The appearance of the sub- 
 sidence is difficult to describe, but, looked at from above, it is a 
 case of gazing down a steep declivity of 100 to 150 feet, the bottom 
 of which is partially mud and partially water. Owing to the 
 heavy rainfall, Wade Brook was tumbling into the basin, but 
 seemed to be making little impression on the pool of water which 
 is feeding the salt workings below. There is evidence, however, 
 that the water has nearly found its level, and, when this happens, 
 the basin will again begin to fill." 
 
 The following notes, derived from Samuel Forster and Samuel 
 Eachus of Dunkirk, and from other local sources, present a trust- 
 worthy account of the conditions of the mines as they existed 
 in September 1893 : — 
 
 1. Worthington's Rock Salt Mine across railway line towards 
 Cranage Mill. This a bottom mine only — now abandoned and 
 shafts filled in by Salt Union, 1891. 
 
 2. Worthington, Firth & Co. Mine. On Dunkirk — a bottom 
 mine only, extending under part of Bullock Field. The brine 
 broke into this pit from Wakefield's. Wakefield's and Worthing- 
 ton's were worked together, and Worthington's rilled after the 
 water got to the rock head. The shafts collapsed and left a 
 large hole alongside Dunkirk Road near the Bullock Field. 
 
 3. Wakefield's Pits — between Worthington's and the Wade- 
 brook. There were both top and bottom pits here. Water had 
 got into the top pit and eaten part of pillars, but the mine did 
 not collapse until the water broke in from Brady's pit, the next 
 to the north-west. The shaft near Wadebrook collapsed. These 
 subsidences and Worthington's now form one large hole or lake. 
 Wakefield's top pit had been filled by brine at one time to preserve 
 
 2a 
 
370 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 it. This brine was pumped at a shaft near Witton Mill. The 
 shaft to the top pit was distinct from that to the bottom, and the 
 bottom pit was worked whilst the top was full of brine. This 
 was somewhere in the 'forties, as Ashton's pit had fallen in before, 
 and this latter happened in October 1838. 
 
 4. Brady's or Barton's. This a bottom pit but worked under 
 an old top mine to the north of Dunkirk Eoad. This mine was 
 flooded from Marshall's. 
 
 5. Marshall's Mines. There were both top and bottom pits. 
 The top pit was worked through to the metal (marl), and thus 
 in 1800 the water got in and could not be stopped. The water 
 filled the top pit, then the bottom, and finally Brady's, Wakefield's, 
 and Worth ington's. 
 
 6. Ashton's. Top and bottom mine. The top pit fell in, 
 October 1838, and the bottom ultimately filled with water or 
 brine. 
 
 7. Thompson's, on north side of Dunkirk road — opposite Wor- 
 thington & Firth's. This a bottom pit sunk after another 
 had filled. This was sold to Mr Blackwell and the old mines full 
 of brine were tapped and the brine allowed to fill this mine. 
 
 8. Barton's. This a bottom mine sunk on Jervis' land. It 
 was sold to Mr Blackwell, and then the brine from the neighbour- 
 ing old mines was let in. The Cheshire Amalgamated Salt Works 
 Co. pumped this and No. 7 until the shafts gave way, they then 
 sank the present brine shaft to pump out of this and No. 7. 
 
 9. Kent's Pit. This a top pit only. It collapsed either late in 
 last century (eighteenth) or early in this (nineteenth). Brady's 
 worked under it. 
 
 10. Kent & Naylor's. Bottom pit under Marshall's land, 
 alongside Ashton's. This was worked by Marshall's. This mine 
 was drowned out when the water got into Marshall's mine; No. 5. 
 
 11. Tomkinson's. This was a bottom mine alongside Ashton's 
 and Kent's & Naylor's. Ashton's had worked under Tomkinson's 
 land, and a brick wall was built along the proper boundary. 
 When Ashton's top mine collapsed in 1838, the concussion of air 
 blew this wall down, and when Ashton's bottom mine filled, this 
 mine filled also. The pillars of this mine had been weak long 
 before, and the roof was partially supported by balks of timber 
 20 inches square hooped with iron. 
 
 12. Kent's. Top mine to west of Tomkinson's. This had col- 
 lapsed prior to 1770, as shown on an old map of Ashton's. 
 
372 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 12 (a). Mart's (Doctor's). A top mine fallen in close to No. 12. 
 Nothing known of it. 
 
 13. Ashton's Neiv Mine. Partly under present works. This a 
 bottom mine sunk after No. 6 collapsed and worked till 1846. 
 Bastard brine got in and finally the mine filled. 
 
 14. An Old Top Pit — called Kathbon.es— -it is said existed on 
 Swynfew Jervis' land near Warrington Road, now Ashton's works, 
 to south of Wadebrook. I filled this hole in 1881. 
 
 15. Penny's Lane — now Brunner, Mond & Co. — late Thompson's, 
 and prior to that Hadfield's bottom mine. 
 
 16. Neumann's Witton Mine. Bottom mine. 
 
 17. Witton Hall Mine (Warrington Road). Bottom mine. 
 
 18. Piatt's Hill, Dunkirk. Filled with brine, December 6, 1880. 
 Bottom mine belonging to John Thompson. 
 
 18 (a). Unknown top mine between Piatt's Hill and Marston 
 or Wincham Road, over Piatt's Hill and Hadfield. 
 
 18 (6). Broody's Bottom Mines. This fell in in the 'seventies. 
 Hadfield's Top Mine fell in about 1852. 18 yards from rock 
 head to side of top pit. 
 
 18 (c). Old Top Mine near to Piatt's Hill shafts fell in in 1871, 
 taking part of tramway. 
 
 19. ( Hadfield and Broady's near junction of Wincham and 
 
 20. I. Marston Roads. Bottom mines worked together. 
 
 21. British Mine. Bottom mine. 
 
 22. Ashton's Mine worked into British bottom mine : these 
 known last as Steenstrand's & Judson's. 
 
 23. Williamson's to the north of last bottom mine. 
 
 24. Gibson's, along Wincham Lane, north-west of British 
 bottom mine. 
 
 25. Adelaide Mine. Marston bottom mine. 
 
 26. Neumann's Ollershaio Lane Mine. Bottom mine. 
 
 27. Ellson's — Marston, Neumann & Ellson's. Bottom mine. 
 
 27 (a). Wilcken's. Top mine, Crabtree Croft. Old top mine. 
 Unknown. Top mine, Crabtree Croft. Old top mine. (Richards' 
 old map, 1807.) 
 
 28. Blackburne's (Old). This was below Richard's, No. 27 (6). 
 Marston bottom mine — joined to Neumann & Ellson's. All 
 flooded in 1833. 
 
 28 (a). Blackburne's (New) to north-west of No. 28 in Marston 
 bottom mine — flooded in 1845. Tunnelled into by Verdin's. 
 Collapsed near shafts in 1891. 
 
THE CHESHIRE SUBSIDENCES 373 
 
 29. Eeynolds' Pit. Opposite Broady & Hadfield's. Bottom 
 pit alongside Marston Road. 
 
 30. Littler's Mine. Bottom — under Patten's property, next to 
 Reynolds' Mine— flooded in 1825. 
 
 31. Stubbs'. Top pit alongside Forge Lane and road to 
 Marbury. Filled with brine. Rock pit hole to left of Forge 
 Lane sunk in 1773. 
 
 32. Old Top Mine— opposite to Stubbs' (sunk in 1772, Pow- 
 nall & Beckett's, old map). 
 
 32 [a). Old Top Mine to east of 32, Mr Warriner's old map, last 
 century (eighteenth). Sunk in 1771, filled in 1774-1775. 
 
 33. Chantler's Pit — between Littler' s and Neumann's & Ellson's. 
 Top and bottom pit 
 
 34 Forge Pit. Top mine — near junction of Forge Lane and 
 road to Marston Old Mine This is supposed to be the first rock- 
 salt mine sunk. Tradition says rock-salt was taken from here 
 to Frodsham on donkeys' backs. 
 
 35. Marston Old Mine. Top and bottom. The top mine the 
 only one now existing. 
 
 36. Pool Pit. Bottom mine to west of 35. 
 
 37. Marston Hall Mine. Bottom mine. 
 
 38. Fletcher's Mine (Crystal). Bottom mine. 
 
 39. Gregory's Mine. Bottom mine. The last two are near the 
 Old Marston Mine and Adelaide. 
 
 40. Blease, or Swinton & Blease. Bottom mine. Lime Kiln 
 Hill — Witton bottom mine. 
 
 41. The Old Rock Pit — near Baron's Quay. Top pit fallen in 
 very early 1750, old map. 
 
 42. Old Town Pit. Top pit near old Northwich Lock. Top 
 pit fell in in 1759, taking Lock. 
 
 43. Captain's Pit in Furey Flash. Top pit. 
 
 44. Furey & Bradburne's in Furey Flash. Top pit gone in 
 prior to 1773. 
 
 45. Bye Flat. Top pit. 
 
 46. Old Top Mine on Anderton side of Weaver and Witton 
 Brook, opposite to Island Works — had fallen in in 1765, this or 
 last probably Warburton's mentioned in Weaver Acts. 
 
 47. Blackburne's. Top mine — on Smith Barry's land near 
 Witton Brook. Two mines marked on old map of Marbury. 
 
 48. On an old map of Marbury there are indications of mines 
 near Buttevant Bridge. 
 
374 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 49. Old Top Pit on Island Works— near junction of Witton 
 Brook and Weaver — filled towards end of last century 
 (eighteenth). 
 
 50. Old Top Mine between Gibson's Dock and Worthington's 
 works— filled about 1770 to 1780. Mr Kent's pit. 
 
 51. Numerous shafts sunk between Leicester Street and the 
 Weaver about 1760 to 1780 — all drowned out. 
 
 52. Marshall's Pit. Top pit alongside the Witton Brook in 
 the Heywood — now under water, but in the corner where the 
 brook takes a turn to go to the Weaver. Flooded in 1783. 
 
 Many shafts sunk in this neighbourhood but all drowned out 
 by " Roaring Meg." Bastard brine at 22 yards. 
 
 53. The top rock pits on the land of John Jervis near Mar- 
 shall's pit — these were flooded and drowned out Marshall's (52). 
 
 54. Rot/lance's. Top pit — in Yeld Meadow near Witton Brook 
 — drowned out in 1785, sunk in 1775. 
 
 55. Bancroft's. Top pit on island between Witton Brook and 
 navigable canal alongside — now under water about half-way 
 between Marbury hole and Marshall's Mine. 
 
 56. 57. Two Rock-Salt Mines. Top mines near the 
 Townshend Arms Inn (" Witch and Devil") at the junction of 
 the roads leading to Wincham and Marbury from Northwich. 
 One is reported to have fallen in just prior to 1767, the other 
 just]" prior to 1779. A^ reference in a MS. speaks of the 
 rock pits of Robert Deakin & Co. as lying near the north end of 
 the county road leading over Witton Bridge to Wincham. 
 These might be the pits, but possibly they were pits further east 
 and nearer Wincham, probably over Hadfield & Broady's bottom 
 mines. 
 
 58. Caldwell's. Bottom pit near Worthington's Witton works. 
 
375 
 

a 
 
 378 
 
*x* 
 
 379 
 
381 
 
k" & 
 
 
 382 
 
Working in dangerous ground after subsidence, Dunkirk Lake, Northwich, 
 showing men making a shute to slide down bags f of clay in an attempt to block 
 the hole in the lake through which the water has disappeared. The hole is 
 very deep where the men are working, and the ground is treacherous, and the 
 men are consequently held by ropes. Since this photograph was taken, in 
 May 1912, this ground has split, and fallen into the hole. 
 
The falling of a chimney at Ashton's Works through the subsidence of 1880. 
 (A further series of views of subsidences will be found at the end of the book.) 
 
THE CHESHIRE SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION 
 BILLS 
 
 So far as the outside world was concerned the Cheshire sub- 
 sidences were regarded with interest by scientists and by the 
 general public with curiosity not entirely devoid of amusement. 
 The statement that the local sufferers intended to take steps to 
 have their grievances inquired into and, if possible, remedied, was 
 not taken seriously until the end of 1880, when the sensational 
 disappearance of Wincham Brook into the bowels of the earth, 
 and the damage involved, attracted wide attention to the condi- 
 tions existing, in the Cheshire salt district. 
 
 " Such occurrences as this," wrote a leader-writer in the " Daily 
 News " in December 1880, " raise a very difficult question, not so 
 much of law as of public policy, a question of which Parliament will 
 probably hear something next session. How far ought operations 
 useful in themselves, but involving possible and almost certain 
 consequences of a disastrous nature, to be interfered with by the 
 Legislature ? And who is to compensate the sufferers, of whom 
 there must be many, who cannot be justly charged with having 
 caused the disaster or contributed to it ? In some few cases the 
 ordinary law might be able to answer this latter question ; but it 
 is quite clear that the evil might reach, and probably in this 
 very case has Teached, a point at which individual responsibility 
 can neither be discovered nor enforced. To forbid brine pumping 
 altogether would cripple the Cheshire salt trade ; to forbid it 
 in one place and allow it in another would in all probability be 
 ineffectual, and could hardly be done without considerable in- 
 justice to individuals as well as at the expense of a costly and 
 doubtfully efficient system of examination and inspection. A 
 political economist of the straightest sect might perhaps say that, 
 the whole district having undoubtedly partaken of the benefits 
 of the mines, the whole district and its inhabitants collectively 
 and individually must put up with contingencies which are the 
 reverse of beneficial. The extreme opposite view to this is of 
 course that the case is a case for compensation of some sort to 
 2 b ** s 
 
386 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 be arranged by Parliament. In the meantime it certainly seems 
 that a thorough inspection ought to be made in order to ascertain 
 the probable extent of the danger. Loss of life has, as we have 
 said, hitherto been spared; but in a populous district, even if the 
 fate of actual engulfment does not menace any one, falling 
 chimneys and collapsing houses can hardly fail to do injury to 
 life and limb as well as to property." 
 
 In the meantime, the people of the affected districts had already 
 •decided to invite Parliament to take cognisance of their griev- 
 ances and were vigorously working to that end. Many years had 
 elapsed before the damages caused by subsidences attributable 
 to pumping had given rise to anything more serious than futile 
 complainings, but in 1861 the number of houses affected in North- 
 wich prompted local property owners to agitate to obtain com- 
 pensation for the injuries they were suffering. The circumstances 
 were so unusual that legal action promised no redress, and the 
 owners were neither sufficiently numerous nor wealthy enough 
 to petition Parliament. They accordingly applied to the Trustees 
 of the River Weaver to divert a portion of the surplus devoted to 
 general county purposes, to those suffering from the operations 
 of the salt trade. Their application was refused, as was their 
 subsequent appeal to Quarter Sessions, for a grant out of the 
 Weaver funds from the authorities having the disposal of them. 
 Another ten years elapsed, and then the evil, which became 
 intensified with the passage of time and the increasing activities 
 of the pumpers, culminated in a sudden series of subsidences of 
 so grave a nature that the people became seriously alarmed, and 
 even the salt-makers began to realise that the danger could no 
 longer be ignored. On May 8, 1871, the Salt Chamber of Com- 
 merce of Northwich wrote a letter to the Board of Trade, drawing 
 attention to the landslips which had recently occurred and were 
 still in progress of development in the district. 
 
 Nobody doubted that the brine pumpers were responsible for 
 the destruction of public and private property alike, and the 
 people saw their towns being destroyed by the industries of the 
 salt manufacturers, who paid no compensation for the damage 
 they inflicted. The difficulty was to locate and identify the par- 
 ticular cause of each disaster because the pumping centres were 
 ■congregated in a limited area, and the brine streams could not be 
 traced to the pumps of any particular firm. Any action against 
 individual pumpers was obviously out of the question, but it was 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 387 
 
 felt that all the pumpers jointly should pay compensation for the 
 whole of the damage for which they were jointly responsible, and 
 each should contribute in proportion to the quantity of brine 
 raised. 
 
 It is an old assumption that everything beneath a landlord's 
 property belongs to the landlord, and the landowners of the 
 Cheshire salt district objected that not only were they being 
 deprived of valuable rock-salt which legally belonged to them, but 
 their land was also being damaged and made worthless by the 
 depletion. They were being both robbed and injured, but the 
 act of spoliation was conducted in a manner for which the law 
 had provided no remedy. They did not ask for payment for the 
 salt abstracted from their property, but only for compensation 
 for the injury done to the surface of their land and the buildings 
 upon it. The justice of the claim was recognised by all but the 
 salt proprietors, and Lord Delamere, who, as an owner and letter 
 of salt lands, both benefited by and suffered serious injury from 
 the industry, said : " There is no sort of question or doubt as to 
 the damage done ; it speaks for itself only too plainly. There 
 is little or no doubt as to how the damage is done, and there is 
 no doubt that it would be desirable and fair that compensation 
 should be obtained for those who suffer, from those who cause the 
 damage." 
 
 In response to the letter sent by the Salt Chamber of Commerce, 
 the Board of Trade instructed Mr Joseph Dickinson, one of Her 
 Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, to visit and report upon the salt 
 districts of Cheshire. The report, which was presented to the 
 House of Commons in May 1873, is rightly regarded as the 
 standard work on the subject. Mr Dickinson's investigations 
 compelled him to the conclusion that the subsidences, and the 
 attendant damages to property, were caused by the pumping of 
 brine, and that many owners of property totally unconnected with 
 the salt trade were suffering heavy loss and obtaining no com- 
 pensation. The question was further complicated about this 
 time by a settlement in Northwich High Street so serious as to 
 constitute a public danger and in flood times rendered the 
 thoroughfare impassable. The Local Board had to raise a portion 
 of the street, which necessitated the raising of several houses in 
 the vicinity, and the owners of the houses sued the Board for the 
 cost of the operation. A long and costly lawsuit followed, which 
 was eventually decided in favour of the authorities, but the 
 
388 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 prospect of further litigation prompted the Board to request 
 the Government to send a commissioner to examine into the 
 whole question. Colonel Cox was appointed for the purpose. 
 His report, which came before Parliament in August 1879, cor- 
 roborated that of Mr Dickinson, and the Government, through the 
 Local Government Board, recommended the local Private Bill in 
 Parliament. 
 
 The Local Boards had, of course, to obtain the sanction of the 
 ratepayers to the expenditure of public money for the purpose 
 of obtaining the necessary Act of Parliament. It was recognised 
 and admitted by the Boards that the enterprise was one of great 
 difficulty, and the salt proprietors exerted every effort to make it 
 impossible. Meetings were held, placards and hand-bills emanat- 
 ing from both sides were circulated throughout the districts, and 
 the movement created much ill-feeling. The representatives of 
 the salt trade endeavoured to show that this was a property 
 owners' and not a ratepayers' question ; that it was an attempt 
 to saddle the ratepayers with an expense that should be borne 
 by the property owners. If, in a word, the movement had been 
 promoted in a proper manner, as property owners, the salt pro- 
 prietors declared they would have supported it, but they would 
 be no party to imposing upon the ratepayers; Moreover, they 
 asked the ratepayers to consider what the district would be 
 without the salt trade — for all the world as if the traders had 
 brought the salt to the district in order to confer a boon upon it 
 — and declared that if the Cheshire salt was taxed the industry 
 would be crippled and the whole neighbourhood would be the 
 sufferers. The supporters of the Board pointed out that it was 
 the ratepayers' business to repair the streets, the water mains, and 
 gas pipes that were damaged by subsidences caused by pumping ; 
 that the recent costly law action was forced upon them by the 
 ravages inflicted by the salt trade ; that the future cost to the 
 ratepayers, unless a Compensation Act was passed in Parliament, 
 would be without end. Mr Thomas Ward, who had had seven- 
 teen years' experience in the salt trade, and proved himself an 
 able and whole-hearted supporter of the Compensation movement, 
 pointed out that although the salt trade was doing an enormous 
 amount of good to the district, it was also doing good for itself — 
 that any other trade would confer the same amount of benefit 
 without any of its attendant injury. He admitted that it was a 
 great trade and nobody had any desire to drive it away, but he 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 389 
 
 challenged any man in the salt trade to prove that the measure 
 of compensation they sought would injure it. A week before 
 the meeting that was called at Northwich to obtain the ratepayers' 
 consent to the promotion of the Bill, Mr Ward had attended a 
 salt meeting and had helped to put sixpence on the price of salt. 
 He did not deny that a salt proprietor had a perfect right to put 
 sixpence on, but, having done so, he had no right to tell the rate- 
 payers that if he paid a penny a ton for taking their property he 
 would be ruined. He declared the proceedings to be downright 
 hypocrisy, and defied the whole salt trade to point out one single 
 market in the world that would be injured by the proposed com- 
 pensation levy. It was, he said, a question of right, a cpiestion 
 of equity, and a question- of principle ; and it was the duty of the 
 salt trade to come forward like men, admit that they were doing 
 injury in pursuit of their business, and express their willingness 
 to pay compensation. 
 
 In spite of the strenuous opposition offered by the salt pro- 
 prietors, the Local Boards of Northwich and Winsford and the 
 property owners of both districts passed resolutions to promote 
 the required Bill, the three parties agreeing to find one-third each 
 of the necessary cost of promotion. In Winsford, where the salt 
 trade was all powerful, the ratepayers carried the resolution by 
 a show of hands, but it was lost as the result of the poll which 
 the salt men demanded. The more independent ratepayers of 
 Northwich resisted the pressure brought to bear by the interested 
 opponents of the Bill, and the resolution was carried ; but as joint 
 action was negatived by the action at Winsford, a large meeting 
 of landowners, tradesmen, and others was convened, and it was 
 determined to persist with the Bill and rely upon the local 
 authorities to support the movement by issuing a petition in 
 favour of the measure. A Parliamentary and a Finance Com- 
 mittee were appointed, subscriptions amounting to over £3000 
 were promised, and Mr J. H. Cooke, the well-known solicitor 
 of Winsford, was appointed solicitor to manage the Bill. On 
 November 10, 1880, Parliamentary notice was given, and a copy 
 of the Bill was lodged in the following December. 
 
 The Cheshire Salt Districts Compensation Bill was described 
 as a Bill to make provision for the assessment, levy, and applica- 
 tion of compensation for damage by subsidence of land in the 
 salt districts of the .County of Cheshire, and for other purposes, 
 and the Preamble of the Bill was as follows : — 
 
390 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Whereas within the County of Chester there are large 
 districts in which great quantities of brine for the manufacture 
 of salt are annually raised by pumping from the beds of rock-salt 
 underlying such districts : 
 
 " And whereas such beds of rock-salt form the natural support 
 of the superincumbent strata and of the surface of the ground 
 above the same, and of the buildings, roads, and other property 
 thereon : 
 
 " And whereas by reason of such pumping as aforesaid the 
 said beds of rock-salt are continually being dissolved away and 
 the natural support is thereby withdrawn from the said super- 
 incumbent strata and surface of the ground, and great injury is 
 thereby from time to time occasioned by subsidence and other- 
 wise to such surface of the ground and to the buildings, roads, 
 and other property thereon : 
 
 " And whereas the amount of such injury as well in the case of 
 private owners and occupiers of land as in the case of sanitary 
 authorities and other public bodies in whom such buildings, roads, 
 and other property are vested is very great and is continual : 
 
 " And whereas such brine is pumped as aforesaid by divers 
 persons and companies for their own profit and for purposes of 
 salt and manufacture, and the salt in such brine is not exclusively 
 or usually derived from beds of salt owned by such persons or 
 companies pumping the same, or to which they have become 
 entitled by purchase, lease, or otherwise, but owing to the nature 
 and position of the strata and to other circumstances partly 
 natural, but partly produced by the operations of such persons 
 and companies, the salt in the brine so pumped by them is fre- 
 quently or always in great part derived from the beds of salt 
 belonging to and underlying the property of other persons, autho- 
 rities, and bodies who receive no payment or compensation 
 for the abstraction of such salt and yet suffer the damage herein- 
 before mentioned : 
 
 " And whereas by reason of the difficulty or impossibility of 
 proving from what particular lands the salt raised in brine at any 
 particular pumping station is drawn, or of proving that the 
 damage done on the surface of the ground at any particular place 
 is the effect of the pumping carried on at any particular pumping 
 station, or by any particular person, persons, or company, it is 
 impracticable for the persons, authorities, or bodies suffering such 
 damage as aforesaid to obtain any remedy by legal proceedings : 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 391 
 
 " And whereas it is just and expedient that provision should be 
 made for compensation to be made for such damage and injury 
 as before mentioned in the cases and manner by this Act 
 provided : 
 
 " And whereas it is estimated that a contribution of a sum not 
 exceeding threepence for every ton of salt in brine raised or ob- 
 tained in the districts in this Act mentioned would be sufficient 
 to provide for such compensation, and would not oppressively or 
 materially affect the salt trade of the said districts or expose it 
 unduly to competition : 
 
 " And whereas it is expedient that a Board should be constituted 
 with the necessary powers for the following purposes (that is to 
 say) : 
 
 " (1) For ascertaining the amount of such compensation to be 
 made in particular cases ; 
 
 " (2) For assessing and raising the moneys required for such 
 compensation as by this Act provided on the salt raised by 
 pumping in the districts in this Act mentioned ; 
 
 " (3) For distributing the moneys so raised amongst the persons 
 and bodies entitled thereto under this Act ; 
 
 " And generally for the purposes of this Act : 
 
 " And whereas it is expedient that the other provisions con- 
 tained in this Act should be made : 
 
 " And whereas the purposes of this Act cannot be attained 
 without the authority of Parliament : 
 
 " May it therefore please Your Majesty," etc. etc. 
 
 Briefly stated, the case that the promoters required to make 
 out required them to prove (a) the subsidence in the salt district ; 
 (b) that the subsidence was caused by the pumping of brine for 
 the manufacture of salt ; (c) that the subsidence was of a most 
 extensive and serious character, and affected the property of 
 persons deriving no benefit either from the manufacture of salt 
 in the form of compensation from the salt manufacturers for 
 the salt extracted, or for damage done to the property by such 
 abstraction ; (d) that there was no legal remedy for the injury 
 suffered, and finally (e) that the moneys required to adequately 
 compensate for the injury done, if levied upon the manufacture 
 of salt, would not injuriously affect the salt industry. 
 
 The damage could not be denied. In Northwich alone nearly 
 four hundred houses and other buildings of the value of over 
 
392 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 £100,000 were more or less severely injured by subsidences of the 
 ground, and in one small district alone of Northmen and Witton, 
 property bad been pulled down in the preceding five years that 
 would cost £10,000 to rebuild. A fine new church at Winsford 
 was condemned as being unsafe ; a chapel in Northwich was 
 rendered useless from the same cause, and private houses in all 
 directions were falling into a dangerous state of disrepair. The 
 rents of many lots of property were wholly expended in keeping 
 them habitable, and the amount of loss caused and suffering 
 endured by property owners was almost incredible to anyone not 
 intimately acquainted with the district. The damage was too 
 palpable, and the subsidences too persistent to admit 
 of refutation, but the opponents of the Bill brought forward 
 many so-called reasons why compensation should not be paid by 
 those who were responsible for the widespread destruction. They 
 declared that the towns affected were so much benefited by the 
 salt trade that they must condone the injury of which they com- 
 plained, but the facts remained that not only did the salt trade 
 — which did enormous injury without making reparation — not 
 confer greater benefit than would be derived from any other 
 industry, but many individuals who were heavy sufferers received 
 no benefit from it whatever. It was also argued that if people 
 chose to build on land that subsides or is liable to subsidence, 
 it is their own fault, and they must abide by the consequences. 
 The reply to this was that the salt trade was entirely responsible 
 for the instability of the land, and if the land were low-priced, 
 the seller must be the loser, because the salt manufacturers were 
 engaged in making it unstable and unsaleable. And even so, 
 the purchaser has a right to demand that, having bought the 
 land, it should be left in the condition in which he bought it, and 
 if it is damaged afterwards the person causing the damage should 
 be made to pay compensation. The contention that if the brine 
 were not pumped up it would run away to the sea, and the sub- 
 sidences of land and injury to property would not be stayed, is 
 refuted by the fact that until recently, while the brine trade was 
 attaining its enormous proportions, not a single subsidence could 
 be traced to the removal of brine or its escape by natural means. 
 But the most forceful argument advanced against the Bill was 
 that a compensation tax upon the salt trade would do a serious 
 injury to the industry and act as a restraint upon trade. But 
 the compensation required was not a tax but merely an apportion- 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 393 
 
 merit of proved damages. No man should be made to suffer for 
 the pecuniary benefit of another, and if paying for damages done 
 by a trade is a restraint of the trade of those doing the damage, 
 local opinion maintained that making the suffering tradesmen 
 bear this same burden was a more serious and unjust restraint 
 upon their several trades. In reply to the statement that the 
 rate of compensation demanded would be so serious a burden 
 upon the salt trade as to tend to its destruction, it was pointed 
 out (a) that the maximum charge of 3d. per ton would not affect 
 the price of salt for domestic purposes ; (b) that a rise of 6d. 
 per ton in the cost of carriage to the ports of the Mersey had 
 recently been made on exported salt ; and (c) the fluctuations in the 
 American freight charges in 1879-80, which vacillated between 
 2s. 6d. and 7s. 6d. per ton, did not perceptibly affect the trade. 
 On the face of these facts it was contended that the rate of com- 
 pensation asked would not injure the trade of salt associations 
 which in the previous ten years had advanced the price of salt 
 6d., Is., 2s., and even 2s. 6d. per ton without any warrant in the 
 way of increased cost of production or of extraordinary demand for 
 the product. 
 
 Petitions against the Bill were deposited by (1) owners, occu- 
 piers, and lessees of salt-works ; (2) ratepayers and owners of 
 property in the salt districts ; (3) Wheelock Iron and Salt Co. ; 
 (4) Trustees of the Eiver Weaver Navigation ; (5) London and 
 North- Western Eailway Co. ; and (6) Shropshire Union Rail- 
 ways and Canal Co. 
 
 The petition presented by the owners, lessees, and occupiers 
 of salt-works expressed the general reasons for objecting to the 
 Bill that were held by all its opponents, and may be summarised 
 as follows : — 
 
 1. Salt has been manufactured from brine in the County of 
 Chester from time immemorial, and the salt proprietors have a 
 natural and prescriptive right to work the brine and manufacture 
 salt according to the usage of trade without paying compensation 
 to any owner of any lands which may be injured by subsidence. 
 
 2. About 1,200,000 tons of salt are manufactured annually 
 in Cheshire. It is the staple commodity of Northwich and 
 Winsford, and employs more than two-thirds of the population 
 of the Winsford district, and any injury to the salt trade will 
 not only injure the manufacturers but prove a calamity to the 
 population of Cheshire. 
 
394 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 3. The salt proprietors, who are large ratepayers, submit that 
 there is no precedent or reason for the imposition of such a tax, 
 because the damaged lands were bought for a small price by 
 persons who knew them to be liable to the risk of injury, and the 
 object of the Bill is to compensate such people at the expense of 
 manufacturers whose operations are not the cause of the injury 
 complained of, and who, even if these operations were the cause 
 of the injury, would not be liable at law to compensate the persons 
 so injured. 
 
 4. The salt trade being entirely dependent upon the pumping 
 of brine, any rate or tax imposed on such brine would materially 
 and oppressively affect the industry. 
 
 5. The Cheshire salt trade is carried on in active competition 
 with salt manufacturers in Worcestershire and elsewhere, and with 
 the miners of rock-salt, upon whom it is not proposed to levy a tax, 
 although their operations have more to do with the subsidence 
 than the operations of the brine pumpers. As it is not proposed 
 to tax the manufacturers of Droitwich and Stafford, the 
 Cheshire pumpers will be unable to continue their competition 
 with these untaxed competitors, and the salt trade will, in all 
 probability, leave the Cheshire districts, to the injury of the manu- 
 facturers and the loss of a large population engaged in the industry. 
 
 6. The brine is raised from natural brine springs and from the 
 disused workings of rock-salt mines. These mines might have 
 been entirely worked out by the surface proprietors and so caused 
 a greater subsidence than those now complained of ; and even if 
 the pumping of the brine from such workings causes subsidence, 
 which is denied, it does not entitle anyone purchasing property 
 over disused workings to compensation, the original owners having 
 reserved the mineral rights. The salt proprietors are advised 
 and believe that if no more brine was pumped from the brine 
 springs referred to, they would ultimately — and many in fact do 
 at the present time — find their way to the sea ; and consequently 
 the wasting away of the rock-salt, which is said to be the cause 
 of the subsidence, goes on where no brine is pumped, and would 
 continue at the places where brine is pumped even if the pumping 
 of brine ceased. In no sense can the pumping of brine in relation 
 to such brine springs be the cause of the subsidence. 
 
 7. The water which percolates through the overlayer of glacial 
 drift, and enters the lower salt strata, in which some of the salt 
 is dissolved, must find its way out of the subterranean strata, 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 395 
 
 even if it were not pumped as brine, carrying the dissolved salt 
 with it in solution. The pumpers submit that if the pumping 
 of brine has had anything to do with the subsidence in the Cheshire 
 salt districts, it is due to the pumping that has been going on for 
 hundreds of years, and it would be unfair and inexpedient to make 
 persons who have had no benefit from the brine pumped centuries 
 ago responsible for injuries alleged to have been caused by such 
 pumping. Moreover, they are advised and believe that the sub- 
 sidence in these districts can be accounted for wholly by natural 
 causes, unconnected with the pumping of brine ; and that these 
 causes are recognised and well understood by competent geologists. 
 
 8. To tax salt would be injurious to the manufacture of alkali 
 and other chemicals, and would have a seriously prejudicial effect 
 upon the shipping trade of the Mersey. 
 
 9. The proposed tax is an extravagant and exorbitant one, 
 amounting to 5 per cent, on the value of manufactured salt, or 
 50 per cent, on the price of brine delivered to the manufacturers. 
 
 10. The surplus of the tolls paid by the salt trade to the River 
 Weaver authorities is paid over to the County of Chester in aid 
 of the county rate, and it is submitted that such surplus, is in 
 effect, a compensation to the ratepayers of the county for any 
 damage done to the public property by the abstraction of brine 
 from the subterranean strata. It is further submitted that the 
 position of the ratepayers and of owners of private property in 
 respect of such damage is entirely different, and even if compensa- 
 tion to ratepayers might be recognised in principle, compensation 
 to private owners would be altogether inexpedient and unjust. 
 
 11. The salt manufacturers contend that the existing law is 
 amply sufficient for the protection of all the rights of persons or 
 bodies who suffer from subsidence in Cheshire, and that, by the 
 present Bill, these persons or bodies are attempting to obtain 
 an advantage to themselves at the expense of others, to which 
 they are not entitled, and to which they have no claim in law 
 or in justice. 
 
 12. Further, they are prepared to show that the Bill is unjust, 
 inequitable, and inexpedient, and that it is framed in dis- 
 regard and defiance of certain recognised principles of political 
 economy. 
 
 13. In conclusion, the division into districts is declared to be 
 inexpedient, the constitution of the Board is unfair to the salt 
 manufacturers, the powers to be exercised by the Board are 
 
396 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 excessive, the right of appeal is so limited as to be illusory, the 
 damage is defined in such a way as to be pressed unfairly on 
 the manufacturers of salt, who will also be oppressed by the 
 expenses of a new rating body, and, 
 
 14. The Preamble of the Bill is incapable of proof. 
 
 The petition of a score of ratepayers and owners of property 
 declared the proposed rate to be exorbitant, the establishment of 
 another rating authority to be inexpedient, and the tax, being of an 
 uncertain amount, would, by means of the fact that there would 
 always be an uncertain element in the cost of production of salt, 
 paralyse commercial calculation and enterprise and prove a serious 
 injury to the trade in the County of Chester. 
 
 The Trustees of the River Weaver alleged in their petition that 
 the levying of a tax on salt would impose on the manufacture of 
 salt in the Cheshire districts an additional burden, and thereby 
 materially injure the trads of those who were the chief toll-payers 
 on the river, and prejudice the trustees in the repayment of a 
 bonded debt of upwards of £200,000, borrowed upon the security 
 of the tonnage, rates, and duties arising from the carriage of salt 
 and other goods upon the river, and be otherwise detrimental 
 to the interests of the navigation. The trustees further described 
 the powers sought for the Compensation Board as inquisitorial 
 and oppressive, and alleged that if the Bill was passed into law it 
 would be unjust to exclude their property from the operations 
 of the BUI. 
 
 The petition of the Wheel ock Iron & Salt Co. Ltd., alleged that 
 the Sandbach district in which they operated had not up to the 
 present time suffered any injury by subsidence or otherwise to 
 the surface of the ground, being situated on the outer edge of the 
 salt district, and there was no probability of any subsidence or 
 injury taking place. It further asserted that if the Sandbach dis- 
 trict was included in the Bill, it was unreasonable that any part of 
 the cost of the Bill should be charged upon the district until it 
 was shown that the injury had been occasioned by subsidence or 
 otherwise. 
 
 The Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company submitted 
 that they were entitled to the same compensation out of the pro- 
 posed fund as any other owner of property which might be damaged 
 by subsidence, and the London and North- Western Railway Co. 
 also submitted that if the Bill in its present defective state be- 
 came law, they should be placed on the same footing, in respect 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 397 
 
 of their lands and other properties, as to participate in its benefits 
 as other persons or bodies, as regarded their lands and properties 
 situate within the said respective districts. 
 
 The Bill, which was declared to have complied with standing 
 orders on January 21st, 1881, was read for the second time on 
 February 4th, and referred to a Select Committee, which com- 
 menced to sit on May 5th and terminated its sittings on May 20th. 
 
 Mr Pope, Q.C., on behalf of the promoters of the Bill, delivered 
 the opening address, and explained that, in the existing state of 
 the law, the promoters could obtain no remedy except by appeal 
 to Parliament. Mr Joseph Dickinson, the first witness called, 
 was examined upon the elaborate report he had made on the 
 Cheshire salt districts. He described the subsiding districts, 
 pointing out the various brine runs and connecting them with 
 the pumping stations, and showed the difference between sub- 
 sidences caused by brine pumping and those attributable to the 
 collapse of old mines. He estimated that at least one million 
 cubic yards of salt was annually abstracted from the salt beds in 
 the form of brine, most of which was procured at some distance 
 from the pumping shafts. He denied that the subsidence was 
 caused by quicksands or natural springs, and in cross-exami- 
 nation he showed that the escape of brine to the sea could not 
 cause the damage at Northwich and Winsford, since the brine, 
 during the period in which subsidence had occurred, was below the 
 sea-level. 
 
 Mr Thomas Ward, whose knowledge of the subject was based 
 on long experience and careful study, described the methods of 
 obtaining brine, and traced the growth of salt manufacture by 
 the increasing number of pans employed. He produced figures 
 showing the brine royalties and cost of pumping, the cost of 
 manufacturing salt, and of transport to Liverpool and Runcorn, 
 and the price of common salt each month, and monthly exports, 
 from 1871 to 1880, inclusive. From these figures he derived his 
 conclusions that the price of salt was independent of the demand, 
 and that foreign competition was so slight that all advance in 
 price of several shillings per ton, maintained for many months, 
 did not detrimentally affect the trade. From a table, showing 
 the fluctuations in salt freights to a series of ports for a number 
 of years, he pointed out that in most markets the salt trade was 
 unaffected even by fluctuations amounting to as much as 10s. 
 per ton. Considerable fluctuations had also occurred in the price 
 
398 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of fuel between 1854 and 1880, and seeing that these serious 
 variations due to freights and costs of manufacture had not de- 
 pressed the trade, he concluded that the maximum amount of 
 3d. per ton asked for as compensation could not possibly injure 
 the industry. Speaking from his own experience, he stated that 
 the subsidence increased with the increase in the manufacture 
 of salt. He showed on a series of maps that in 1765 there was 
 no subsidence at Witton Brook, that the sinking commenced in 
 1798, and had been increasing ever since. He did not deny the 
 possibility of brine escaping into the river or sea, but having very 
 carefully studied the question as far as the districts included in 
 the Bill were concerned, he could find no evidence of any escape 
 of brine. The description of the Nantwich springs, written two 
 hundred years ago, was still applicable. He concluded, after 
 examining the evidence respecting some hundreds of natural 
 brine springs on the Continent, that no appreciable subsidence had 
 occurred, or would occur naturally, there being no mention of any 
 such thing in connection with these springs. 
 
 Mr Edward Leader Williams, C.E., who had been engineer to 
 the Biver Weaver Navigation, stated that the subsidence followed 
 as a natural consequence upon the abstraction of so much solid 
 material every year from the surface of the bed of rock-salt. As 
 the brine springs did not fluctuate with the rainfall, it was evident 
 that the rock-salt was attacked by water from some other source, 
 and he believed that the water reached the salt through fissures 
 in the land in the Weaver basin. The fact that the brine was 
 fully saturated by the time it arrived at the brine shafts accounted 
 for the circumstance that there was less subsidence near the 
 shafts than at a distance, and in support of the conclusion, he 
 pointed to the Winsford Flashes, where the sinking was serious 
 although no brine was pumped in the neighbourhood. To show 
 that subsidence naturally followed extensive pumping operations, 
 he instanced Droitwich, and expressed the opinion that, if pumping 
 ceased and the brine was allowed to accumulate, there would not 
 be a sufficient escape of the brine to cause subsidence. If his 
 conclusions on this point were incorrect, subsidences must have 
 occurred at Winsford prior to the manufacture of salt in that 
 district, but no record of any such subsidence was in existence. 
 
 As long-continued natural causes produced no appreciable 
 sinkings, and as the only disturbing element introduced into 
 Winsford had been the pumping, it was only natural to attribute 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 399 
 
 the subsidence to that agency. It had been said that the great 
 subsidences on the railway and near Bradford Mill were the result 
 of a natural overflow of brine, but he contended that the explana- 
 tion of that outburst was an enormous fall of earth in the valley 
 above. He referred to the subsidences near Weaver Hall and along 
 the canal and railway ; he described the raising of the Winsford 
 and Northwich bridges ; and gave an account of the works on the 
 Weaver rendered necessary through subsidence — all of which he 
 attributed to the pumping of brine. Mr Williams stated that in 
 1864 he surveyed the Winsford Flashes,- which were then about 
 20 acres in extent ; they were now 98 acres. He declared, from 
 his knowledge of the salt trade, that the maximum of 3d. per ton 
 asked for compensation would be, in no way, injurious to the 
 industry, and it was anticipated that only Id. or lid. per ton 
 would be required. Looking at the fluctuations in the price of 
 both fuel and freights, and bearing in mind that a few years ago 
 the salt proprietors had made a permanent advance of 6d. per ton 
 on the freights to Liverpool, he failed to understand how anyone 
 could argue that a maximum imposition of 3d. per ton would be 
 hurtful to the trade. 
 
 Mr George Fortescue Wilbraham stated that forty years ago the 
 large and rapidly extending " flash " on his property at Weaver 
 Hall was not in existence. Owing to subsequent subsidence he 
 had been compelled to remove a hunting bridge across the river 
 and make a new road to his property, while Weaver Hall itself 
 had cracked repeatedly. Although neither he nor his ancestors 
 had derived any benefit from the manufacture of salt, much of his 
 property in the Winsford district was sinking. He had 100 acres 
 under water, and more which was badly damaged, through the 
 pumping of brine, and he considered that compensation ought to 
 to be paid for the damage so inflicted. 
 
 Mr Stanhope Bull, county surveyor of Chester, stated that the 
 county authorities had spent large sums in raising bridges in the 
 Winsford and Northwich district, and he attributed this necessarjr 
 expenditure to the sinking caused by the pumping of brine. Mr 
 Bull, in the course of his evidence, produced a statement of 
 account showing that the expenditure on Winsford Bridge since 
 1858 had been £3274, 13s. 6d.; and on Witton Bridge; since 1854, 
 £2296, 17s. lid. 
 
 Mr Richard Beckett, builder, of Hartford, said he had made a 
 survey, in company with Mr T. C. Hughes of Northwich, of all 
 
400 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 houses, building's, and building land in the Northwich district, 
 which had been injured by subsidence. He estimated the value 
 of this property at £311,885, the depreciation upon it at £102,945, 
 and the annual loss upon it by sinking — which was increasing 
 year by year — at £5147. In this estimate the witness had not 
 included loss arising from damage to roads, gas-pipes, and water- 
 pipes. He gave the number of property owners in the district 
 who were affected by subsidence at 240. The number of build- 
 ings more or less seriously injured by subsidence was 892, and com- 
 prised 5 public buildings, 15 manufacturing works, 21 slaughter- 
 houses and stables, 34 warehouses and workshops, 41 public- 
 houses, 140 shops, and 636 houses and cottages. He attributed 
 the cause of the subsidence to the pumping of brine ; it was too 
 palpable to be mistaken. 
 
 Mr John Aldersey Davenport, surveyor, who had surveyed the 
 Winsford district, stated that he found 644 acres of land, 6 public 
 buildings, 7 salt-works and factories, 12 warehouses and work- 
 shops, 15 public-houses, 62 shops, and 295 houses and cottages, 
 all of which were more or less damaged by subsidence. He ap- 
 proximated the value of this property at £127,621, the deprecia- 
 tion upon it at £40,037, 10s., and the annual loss to owners at 
 £1579, 18s. These estimates did not include damage to railway 
 and canal property or country roads. 
 
 Mr James Cowley, clerk to the Northwich Local Board, gave the 
 rateable value of property affected by subsidence as follows : 
 Wincham, £882 ; Leftwich, £728 ; Winnington, £1382 ; Anderton, 
 £1,878 ; Castle Northwich, £319 ; Witton, £6710 ; Northwich, 
 £4938 ; Marbury, £9. 
 
 Mr Ludwig Mond, managing-director of Brunner, Mond & Co., 
 alkali manufacturers of Northwich, expressed his opinion that 
 the proposed maximum compensation levy of 3d. per ton on salt 
 would not in any way injure the alkali trade. His firm pumped 
 and used brine and were quite prepared to pay compensation for 
 subsidence which was caused, he considered, in very great measure 
 by the pumping of brine. He stated that he approved of the 
 principle of the Bill, and held that compensation should be paid 
 by those who caused to those who suffered the damage. 
 
 Mr Henry Neumann, a pumper of brine and lessor of salt- 
 works, who had resided in Northwich for many years, gave 
 evidence that his house, built in 1838, on a district supposed to 
 be sound, had cost £6000 without the land. The district was 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 401 
 
 now seriously suffering from subsidence, and the highest price 
 offered for his house was £1500. He pumped at Marston, which 
 was sinking very rapidly, although no subsidence had occurred 
 in the district prior to the commencement of pumping operations. 
 Mr Neumann explained that he had been chairman of the North- 
 wich Local Board for several years ; he was chairman of a public 
 meeting which passed resolutions in favour of the compensation 
 proposals and of a large meeting of ratepayers which resolved to 
 promote a Compensation Bill. He had been a merchant in 
 Liverpool and a large salt exporter for a number of years, and he 
 was convinced that the proposed compensation levy would not 
 be injurious to the salt trade. He pointed out that the Salt 
 Trade Association had often made advances of 6d., Is., and 2s. 
 per ton on the price of salt, and he expressed the opinion that, 
 if the salt industry of Northwich ceased, its place would be im- 
 mediately taken by some other trade. 
 
 Mr John Henry Cooke, the well-known solicitor of Winsford, 
 who was acting as solicitor for the Bill, was the last witness for 
 the promoters of the measure. He explained at length the origin 
 of the Bill, and the case for the trade in opposition was there- 
 after immediately opened. 
 
 The line of defence proved to be a distinctly ingenious one. 
 The salt proprietors did not attempt to deny the damage that was 
 suffered in the salt districts, but they put forward two theories 
 to show that the damage was attributable, wholly or in part, to 
 causes not connected with pumping. The Winsford Flashes were 
 declared to be accountable to natural causes, the theory being 
 that water from the rainfall having percolated through the super- 
 incumbent strata and reached the salt, flowed out again in the 
 form of brine to the brooks and rivers, which bore it to the sea, 
 thus carrying away enormous quantities of salt and lowering the 
 level of the land. The Cheshire meres were thus accounted for, 
 and the continuity of the same operation was stated to have been 
 the cause of a number of subsidences mentioned in history. It 
 was further asserted that similar operations were going on in 
 other parts of the world. If this theory were tenable, it was 
 necessary to prove that the waters of the local brooks and of the 
 Weaver were more salty before the commencement of pumping. 
 Evidence was accordingly produced as to the saline contents of 
 the Weaver, and the number and strength of the brine springs, 
 and the Winsford theory was further strengthened by the 
 2c 
 
402 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 production of evidence to show that, at one time, the Weaver was 
 so strongly saturated with brine that salt was manufactured 
 from its waters. 
 
 The subsidences in the Northwich district were declared to be 
 wholly attributable to bad mining in past times. The mines were 
 said to have been so badly worked that they had fallen in and 
 thus caused the mischief that was complained of. A further 
 theory held in reserve and never pressed, to account for the sub- 
 sidences in places where no mines existed, was that the water 
 from the Weaver communicated with the sands underlying the 
 town and district, and that the said sands, flowing into the river, 
 were dredged out by the Weaver. In addition to these ingenious 
 theories, the salt proprietors claimed that they had a legal right 
 to pump brine, which was only water, and that if any injury 
 were done, the pumpers were exonerated from all liability by use, 
 custom, and the law of the land. They further pleaded that the 
 salt trade could not be saddled with a compensation tax, however 
 small the levy might be, without suffering material injury. 
 
 Mr Charles Eugene De Ranee, F.R.G.S., who was connected 
 with the Geological Survey of England, and was Secretary of the 
 Underground Water Committee of the British Association, was 
 the principal witness against the Bill. He stated that he had 
 made a special study of underground water and of the Cheshire 
 salt area, and he claimed that brine was water carrying an un- 
 usually large percentage of solid content. He pointed out that 
 the red marls, in the basin of which the salt district was situated, 
 were almost impermeable, but that there were permeable lines of 
 " horizons " in the marls down which the rainfall reached the 
 rock-salt. The amount of rainfall that got down these permeable 
 portions he placed at five inches. The basin in which the salt 
 beds lie he described as an elongated saucer, with a rim of varying 
 height, but having a chink or broken portion of the rim very near 
 to Frodsham. The bed of rock-salt lying in this saucer was 
 covered with a mass of permeable marl above which was a body 
 of marls that was impermeable. The rainfall got to the rock- 
 salt through the permeable marls, and became saturated, and 
 finding it impossible to rise through the impermeable marls, it 
 followed the permeable marls until it reached the chink in the 
 saucer through which it flowed away to the sea. The quantity 
 of brine originally escaping over the chink was the exact measure 
 of the rainfall which percolated to the rock-salt. Since the 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 403 
 
 pumping of brine had commenced, the pumps took the brine that 
 had formerly flowed away through the chink. In other words, 
 they were only doing by machinery what had formerly been 
 accomplished by nature, and Mr De Eance declared that if pump- 
 ing ceased, the brine springs would shortly commence again, the 
 same amount of solid matter would be carried away as is now 
 raised by the pumps, and the sinking would continue as it had 
 done from the earliest ages. In effect, he contended, that the 
 brine springs which had formerly been both more numerous and 
 more copious, had decreased as the work of pumping had increased, 
 but that only the same quantity of brine was being abstracted from 
 the subterranean sources of supply. Passing to the Northwich 
 district, Mr De Ranee pointed out that the district of the most 
 serious subsidences coincided pretty nearly with the area of the 
 old top rock-salt mines, and he attributed the sinking to the 
 collapse of the workings consequent upon the insufficiency and 
 instability of the pillars that had been left to support the roof. 
 He gave lengthy explanations of the quantity of water raised 
 at the various pumping stations, and claimed that the quantity 
 pumped in the salt districts was not more than would be supplied 
 by the five inches of rainfall that got into the permeable marls. 
 In conclusion, he stated, as his " most careful opinion," that " the 
 brine which is pumped up at the pumping stations would pass 
 naturally to the sea if it were not intercepted by the brine pumps 
 and raised to the surface," and as far as Winsford was concerned, 
 he was of the distinct opinion " that the subsidence of the surface 
 of the land, the destruction and injury to the buildings, and the 
 fissures in the land are not due, to any material extent, to the 
 pumping of the brine." With regard to Northwich, Mr De 
 Ranee stated that " through bad mining the roof was let down, 
 the surface waters — the streams — made their way underground, 
 and, coming in contact with the rock-salt, began at once to dis- 
 solve it, and the devastation which we see was the result." 
 
 Mr Maskell William Peace, Secretary of the Mining Association 
 of Great Britain, asserted that if the principle of paying for 
 damage done by the pumping of underground waters was adopted, 
 it would seriously affect all mining interests. He contended that 
 although brine contained a far larger percentage of solid matter 
 than water, it should not be treated differently to other water. 
 
 Mr Baldwin Latham, C.R., who was thoroughly acquainted 
 with both the laws regulating the flow of underground water and 
 
404 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 with, the neighbourhood, and the brine springs of Nantwich, cor- 
 roborated the evidence given by Mr De Ranee. He held the 
 opinion that the Cheshire meres marked the site of old, washed- 
 out salt beds. He was satisfied that the brine was entirely 
 caused, and the quantity was entirely regulated, by the rainfall, 
 and he believed that brine pumping did not cause any greater 
 dissolution of the rock-salt than would have occurred naturally 
 if no pumping had taken place. He attributed the origin of the 
 Winsford Flashes to natural causes. His opinion that the Weaver 
 was more salty in pre-pumping times was confirmed by the fact 
 that salt was formerly made at Frodsham out of Weaver water, 
 and his idea was that pumping merely utilised the brine that 
 would otherwise run to waste. The subsidences at Northwich, 
 according to this witness, were entirely due to bad mining. 
 
 Mr Charles Mountain Blades, analytical chemist, of Northwich, 
 stated that he had proved the Dane at Middlewich to contain 
 4"68 grains per gallon of salt ; at Shipbrook Bridge, 14 - 04 grains 
 per gallon ; at Dane's Farm, 18'72 grains per gallon ; and at the 
 railway arch, Leftwich, 24'57 grains per gallon. In the Weaver 
 water, above the Top Flash, he found 9'36 grains per gallon ; in 
 the Flash, 8"19 grains ; between Hartford and Barrow's Lock, 
 140'4 grains ; at Northwich Town Bridge, 81"90 grains ; centre 
 of Witton Brook, 83'07 grains ; and at Worleston, 5'85 grains 
 per gallon. 
 
 Mr Hermann John Falk, M.A., of Oxford, quoted Leland's 
 reference to the existence of disused salt-pits ; Childrey's refer- 
 ence in " Britannia Baconia" to salt water found in a pit caused 
 by subsidence at Bickley ; Ormerod's references to a sinking 
 caused by old mines near Northwich, and to further sinkings at 
 Combermere, Bickley, Weaver and Weaver Hall in 1713 ; and the 
 reference to the " braky fountains " of Nantwich and Northwich 
 in Drayton's " Polyolbion." 
 
 Mr Hermann Eugene Falk, President of the Salt Chamber of 
 Commerce, and a salt proprietor of upwards of forty years' stand- 
 ing, stated that he had made a special study of the salt formation 
 of the whole world, and thoroughly endorsed every word Mr De 
 Ranee had said in his evidence. He declared that the sinking at 
 Winsford ante-dated the pumping, and expressed the opinion that 
 if there was no pumping, all the brine would be carried off into 
 the Weaver or into another direction. He was acquainted with 
 nearly every brine spring in Cheshire, and the springs found at 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 405 
 
 Saltersford and Dutton, when making the new looks on the Weaver, 
 were, he contended, running waste to the sea. With reference to 
 the outburst of brine at Bradford Mill, he believed the same spring 
 was still running away to waste in the sands between Vale Royal 
 and Northwich. There were also, he said, " lots of brine springs 
 in Cheshire rising to the surface if not pumped, and running to 
 waste." He had seen and tested the Nantwich springs, and had 
 seen brine spring's in Wurtemburg. At Nauheim there was a 
 brine spring which rose 15 feet above the ground. In ancient 
 times, the old brine spring at Northwich ran into the Dane, and 
 the Winsford springs into the Weaver — both causing subsidences. 
 With the exception of the great war tax of £30 per ton upon 
 salt, which was taken off in 1825, Mr Falk said there never was 
 any tax, either municipal or imperial, levied on salt. There were 
 thirty thousand people in Cheshire entirely dependent upon the 
 salt trade, and he declared that " if we have a tax imposed upon 
 ns by this Bill the. prosperity of the salt trade will be sent to the 
 giave." He dilated upon the ill effect that any tax would have 
 upon the alkali and other trades, and upon the injury it would 
 cause to the salt proprietors and the whole of the salt district. 
 He agreed with Mr De Ranee that bad mining was the correct ex- 
 planation of the subsidence in the neighbourhood of Northwich. 
 
 Mr Thomas Higgin, a Fellow of the Limifean Society and a manu- 
 facturer of salt at Wilmington, considered " Mr De Ranee's state- 
 ment the only one capable of explaining the phenomena of the 
 district." He thought subsidence was not now going on more 
 than formerly except at Northwich, where it was largely due to 
 bad mining. The brine he pumped extended under the Weaver 
 to the south, and the brine leakages at Barnton and Saltersford 
 were from this run. Many years before he had salt-works at 
 Frodsham, where salt was made out of the water of the Weaver, 
 but when the brine decreased in strength in the river water, the 
 works were given up. With reference to the proposed compensa- 
 tion levy, he produced tables showing the price of salt for a 
 number of years, and maintained that a tax of 3d. per ton would 
 injure the salt trade. 
 
 Mr John Stubbs, salt manufacturer of Winsford, stated that 
 the Flashes had sunk very little in the past three years, compared 
 with the previous three years, and Mr John Fletcher, rock-salt 
 proprietor and white-salt manufacturer of Northwich, expressed 
 his undoubted opinion that the principal cause of subsidence in 
 
406 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the Northwich district was bad mining. Both Mr Stubbs and 
 Mr Fletcher believed that the 3d. per ton proposed for compensa- 
 tion purposes would injure the salt trade. Mr George Henry 
 Deakin, of the firm of George Deakin, salt proprietors of Over 
 and Wharton, gave similar evidence as to the results of the pro- 
 posed compensation levy upon the trade. Sir Edward Watkin 
 considered the salt trade would be injured by a tax of 3d. per 
 ton, and further held it would form a bad precedent for other 
 trades doing damage. 
 
 The Right Hon. Lord Delamere, owner of the Vale Royal estate, 
 and lessor of all the salt-works on one side of the Weaver at 
 Winsford, stated that his land suffered much from subsidence, 
 which he used to think was caused by pumping brine. Since 
 the Bill was proposed, he had changed his opinion on this point; 
 and, while he could not think that pumping had nothing to do 
 with the sinkings, he believed that natural causes had more to 
 do with them than was generally supposed. He was of opinion 
 that pumping had nothing to do with the Marston sinking, and 
 admitted that he derived more benefit from his land by letting it 
 for salt-works than if it were purely agricultural land. 
 
 Mr Robert Verdin, of Joseph Verdin & Sons, the largest salt 
 manufacturers in England, stated that he could produce 353,000 
 tons of salt per annum. The ratable value of the whole of his 
 property was nearly £8000. He thought an impost of 3d. per 
 ton upon salt would be most prejudicial, and he had no hesitation 
 in saying that if the levy was made, the whole salt trade of 
 North wich, in ten years' time, would be annihilated. In the 
 course of his evidence he said he believed that a tax of even one 
 penny per ton would injure the industry. Most of the sinking 
 in Marston was caused by bad mining in the old abandoned mines 
 out of which brine was pumped. The sinking area in Dunkirk 
 nearly coincided with the old mines, which now served as reservoirs 
 of brine. He explained that the sinking caused by pumping of 
 brine from natural springs is far more regular than that caused 
 by brine-pumping from disused workings ; it does not form clefts, 
 but sinks gradually down. 
 
 Mr Ezra Gandy, surveyor and land-agent, of Northwich, stated 
 that, in his knowledge, the value of property in the salt districts 
 had increased in spite of the sinking, and Mr Algernon Fletcher, 
 of North wich, solicitor to the salt proprietors opposing the Bill, 
 produced a table of ratable values, in 1871 and 1881, of all kinds 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 407 
 
 of property in the proposed compensation district, to show that 
 the ratable value of property had increased in the last ten years. 
 He stated that in the last twenty years much property had 
 changed hands at an increasing value, despite the liability of the 
 land to subsidence. 
 
 Mr William Rigby, coal-master, and director of the Wheelock 
 Coal and Iron Company, said there was no subsidence in the Sand- 
 bach district, which would be seriously injured by the proposed 
 tax on salt, as they could not recoup themselves by profits made 
 on carriage of salt down the Weaver. As regards pumping brine, 
 he looked upon it in the same light as pumping water, and 
 he believed that the Bill, if passed, would form a dangerous 
 precedent. 
 
 This concluded the whole of the evidence submitted to the 
 Committee, and counsel having been heard on behalf of the 
 Wheelock Salt and Iron Co., the ratepayers and property owners, 
 the Weaver Trustees, and the Salt Trade, Mr Pope replied for the 
 promoters of the Bill. When, after an interval, the parties were 
 recalled to the Committee Room, the chairman said : "I have 
 to announce to you that the Committee are unanimously of 
 opinion the preamble of the Bill has not been proved." 
 
 This conclusion, while coming as a great disappointment to 
 the promoters of the Bill, was quite understandable, and would 
 seem to have been arrived at by the Committee on the ground 
 that natural causes had largely contributed to the undoubted 
 subsidence ; and that, as it was impossible to separate the damage 
 caused by pumping from that arising from natural causes, it would 
 be unfair to make the salt trade pay for the whole of the damage. 
 The extent of the subsidence was established, but evidence as to 
 the exact amount of damage to be attributed to natural causes 
 and to bad mining, entirely irrespective of brine pumping, was 
 wanting — an omission which must have largely led the Committee 
 to form the opinion that " the preamble of the Bill had not been 
 proved." 
 
 Moreover, the theory put forward against the Bill by the 
 opposition was so ingenious and plausible, and was supported 
 by such boldness and exaggeration, or misstatement and mis- 
 representation — much of which was not exposed in cross-examina- 
 tion — that it could not fail to make a deep impression upon the 
 Committee. Unfortunately the fallacy of this plausible and 
 misleading evidence could only be refuted and exposed by a 
 
408 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 specialist, and this was subsequently done by Mr Thomas Ward, 
 who, for this purpose, analysed the line of defence by grouping 
 the facts adduced under the eight following heads : — 
 
 1. The beds of rock-salt were originally co-extensive with the 
 red marls. 
 
 2. The rainfall from the earliest times commenced to dissolve 
 the rock-salt at the outcrop, and has continued the solution to the 
 present time, and the process will go on till all the rock-salt has 
 dissolved. 
 
 3. This rainfall, thus dissolving the salt, becomes brine, and 
 flows away in springs to the brooks, the rivers, and the sea. 
 
 4. The place of the salt thus dissolved is taken by the overlying 
 earths, which either gradually follow the dissolving salt, or 
 remain suspended for a time and then suddenly fall in. 
 
 5. The sinking earths form basins, which become in time filled 
 with water, like the old meres and the modern flashes. 
 
 6. The brine streams running away and carrying off the salt 
 render the streams intensely salty. 
 
 7. The pumping of brine for manufacturing purposes, by taking 
 the water that formerly flowed away in springs, lessens the number 
 and flow of such natural brine springs, but, as no more water can 
 be pumped than the rainfall supplies, and as all the rainfall, 
 when saturated, formerly escaped to the sea as brine, the pumps 
 are causing no more subsidence than was caused in all time by the 
 springs. Therefore, it is a mistaken idea to say that the sub- 
 sidences are caused by the pumping, the fact being that by 
 pumping the salt is utilised, which naturally would flow away in 
 waste to the sea. 
 
 8. The natural causes operating in Cheshire are producing the 
 same effects in other salt districts in various parts of the world. 
 
 Now, if we take these points made by the defence seriatim, we 
 shall deal with all the important evidence and ascertain the sum 
 total of its reliability and value. In the first place Mr De Eance 
 put forward the theory that the beds of rock-salt were originally 
 co-extensive, or practically so, with the red marls ; but beyond the 
 existence of the old meres, he produced no facts to substantiate 
 this theory. On the other hand, it has been ascertained by 
 sinkings and borings, that beneath the 500 square miles of red 
 marl, broken up by faults, the salt lies in small isolated districts, 
 which originally formed the bottoms of the old salt lakes, as we 
 find it in the case of salt lakes in which rock-salt is now being 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 409 
 
 deposited. Moreover, except in those isolated spots in which 
 salt has been proved to exist, there is no subsidence on the 
 surface of the red marl area, and although Mr De Eance's theory 
 is that the salt beds must have existed and must have been dis- 
 solved, there exists no traces of either salt or its solution. 
 
 It is admitted as a geological fact that the rainfall, wherever 
 it reaches rock-salt, will dissolve it away ; but the process is far 
 less rapid than many suppose, and it must be remembered that 
 rock-salt contains a high percentage of clay which is left behind 
 as the salt dissolves, and, by forming a covering for the remaining 
 salt below, protects it to a great extent from the water. Granted 
 that some solution of salt by rain water must take place, it is a 
 fact that there are no known instances of underground beds of 
 salt being naturally acted upon by water, that have subsided to 
 an extent that can be measured in any reasonable time. 
 
 An instance of how a half truth can be as misleading as an inten- 
 tional untruth, is shown in the assumption that the rainfall dissolv- 
 ing the salt becomes brine and runs away in springs to the rivers, 
 and thence is carried to the sea. At the time of the Committee's 
 inquiry, the quantity of brine pumped up amounted to no less 
 than 1,600,000 tons of salt per annum, and the theory claimed that 
 this enormous body of brine, in pre-pumping days, was carried 
 away into the rivers by natural agency, and deposited in the sea. 
 But in all ages brine springs have been sought out, located, and 
 utilised ; history has recorded the discovery of every spring, and 
 its place has been marked by a town or village. Only brine 
 springs that rise to the surface and actually overflow could convey 
 the salt to the sea, and the number of brine springs all over the 
 world, running to waste, is extremely small. Indeed, such springs 
 are almost unknown, and where they overflow, the brine is 
 very weak and the flow of water inconsiderable in quantity. 
 
 To confine ourselves to the Cheshire springs, and tracing every 
 known reference that has been made to them from the records 
 in Domesday Book to the present day, we arrive at the following 
 facts, viz., that in all early times only three salt places were 
 known to exist in Cheshire. That these three places were utilised 
 for the manufacture of white salt, and that none of the springs 
 ran away copiously. That several springs never overflowed the 
 surface at all. That in sinking, brine was found in many places, 
 but always at a distance below the ground, and that when un- 
 worked, the brine never ran away at any of these places. All 
 
410 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 these facts prove most conclusively that no escape of brine, such 
 as Mr De Eance assured the Committee must have taken place, 
 ever existed. The " lip " or " nick " or " notch " in the saucer, is a 
 figment of Mr De Ranee's imagination. If such a " lip " and 
 such a copious overflow of brine existed in past times, a " Wich " or 
 salt town would certainly have marked the spot, and as certainly 
 history contains no trace of such a source. 
 
 The escape of brine, as history shows to have been the case, 
 was small, and the resultant wastage was negligible. It stands 
 to reason that there was a natural process of the solution of the 
 salt deposits, but as the springs were neither numerous nor copious, 
 the subsidences consequent upon its action were neither fre- 
 quent nor extensive. If the modern subsidences, attributable to 
 pumping, are no greater than those caused by the action of the 
 rainfall, and the natural wastage produced by the carrying off of 
 salt in the brine springs, it must follow that subsidences from the 
 earliest times were of vast extent. Otherwise, it must be admitted 
 that the extensive sinkings of modern times must been have 
 caused abnormally, and that the only abnormal cause introduced 
 into the salt district has been the pumping of brine. In order 
 to avoid any such damaging admission, Mr De Ranee contended 
 that the whole of the Cheshire meres were caused by the dissolu- 
 tion of rock-salt. The theory certainly explains the existence of 
 the meres, but it does not help us to understand why, if the rock- 
 salt was continuous with the marls, they are so small in area, or 
 why such meres are not found in other districts where rock-salt 
 has been located. And, if the theory is accepted as a probable 
 one, it proves that the workings of nature are, generally, slow, 
 systematic, and continuous — the progress of nature's denudation 
 is almost imperceptible. The meres were formed in geologic 
 times, historic records make no mention of increase in their area, 
 and if such increase has occurred it has been imperceptible. Mr 
 De Ranee maintained that the flashes had been formed naturally, 
 even as the meres were formed. But while nature produced the 
 meres in a prehistoric time, the flashes are still hi course of forma- 
 tion, and Mr De Ranee saw that to establish his theory of natural 
 causes it was necessary to produce a chain of similar effects to 
 link up the past with the present. Evidence was accordingly 
 given of a sinking near Combermere Abbey in 1533, a pit with 
 salt water in it at Bickley, which was formed in 1657, and a sub- 
 sidence at Weaver Hall in 1713. But such trivial sinkings are 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 411 
 
 not comparable at all with, modern subsidences : between 1871 
 and 1881 sinkings, many times larger than all the subsidences 
 that occured between 1533 and 1713 put together, had occurred 
 in the course of a single week. The only conclusion at which we 
 can seriously arrive is that there have been two periods of great 
 subsidences, those of the meres and those of the flashes, and the 
 interval of time between them must be measured not by centuries 
 but by ages. The subsidences that have occurred between these 
 two periods serve to prove how slowly natural causes operate, and 
 how slight are the effects produced compared with the results of 
 abnormal conditions, such as those created by brine pumping. 
 Salt has been manufactured at Nantwich for 800 years, and at 
 Middlewich for 1500 years, and no subsidence has occurred at 
 either place. Northwich has made salt for fully 2000 years, but 
 only since the manufacture has assumed its modern enormous 
 proportions has any subsidence been noted. 
 
 It was contended by the promoters of the Bill that the salty 
 quality of the Weaver and the tributary streams was caused by 
 the waste brine or salt from salt-works that had got into them. 
 The analysis showed that in the whole of the Nantwich district 
 the water in the streams held 9'36 grains of chloride of sodium 
 per gallon, and at Nantwich itself the quantity per gallon was 
 5'85 grains. In the case of brine it takes four tons to produce one 
 ton of salt, but to make one ton of salt from the water in the 
 Nantwich district it would require 7478 tons, and from Nantwich 
 water, 12,000 tons. The opposers of the Bill contended, however, 
 that the river and streams were less salty than formerly because 
 the brine that once overflowed from the springs into them is now 
 raised to the surface by pumping, and they brought out in evidence 
 that at Frodsham on the banks of the Weaver, works were erected 
 and salt used to be manufactured from the water of that river. 
 At a later period, when as a result the river water became weaker, 
 the works were given up. 
 
 On the face of it, this evidence in support of the theory of the 
 opponents of the Bill is of the utmost value, and, if it were true, 
 it would be so. But it happens to be so contrary to the facts as 
 to amount to gross misrepresentation. The actual facts are to 
 be found in " A General View of the Agriculture of Cheshire," in 
 which Henry Holland writes : " In like manner the sea or river 
 water slightly impregnated with salt, is brought to a perfect 
 state of saturation by the addition of rock-salt, and works for 
 
412 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the preparation of white salt from such solution are erected at 
 Frodsham, near the junction of the Weaver and the Mersey, and 
 on the Lancashire banks of the Mersey. The rock-salt is conveyed 
 down the Weaver to these works and there refined." 
 
 Further on, in the same work we read : " Part of the inferior 
 rock-salt which is procured there [at Northwich] is used in some 
 of the refineries of the neighbourhood : a further quantity is 
 sent down the Weaver for the supply of the refineries at 
 Frodsham, and of those in Lancashire on the banks of the 
 Mersey." Holland also explains, in speaking of the average 
 annual quantity of 51,109 tons of rock-salt sent down the Weaver, 
 for ten years ending 1805 : "In this is included what is used at 
 the Frodsham and Lancashire refineries, which may probably 
 amount to one-third of the whole." Dr John Aidkin, in 
 " England Described," published in 1819, refers to the " works 
 for refining rock-salt " at Frodsham Bridge, over the Weaver. 
 
 In Belgium, Holland, Denmark, parts of Ireland and Scotland, 
 and formerly at Dungeon and Garston in Lancashire, the salt 
 refineries are so placed as to take advantage of the sea-water, 
 which contains a proportion of about 3 per cent, of salt. The 
 Frodsham works were similarly situated, and the cistern into which 
 the rock-salt was put was opened to allow the tidal water from 
 the Mersey up the Weaver to flow into it. At high tide the com- 
 munication was closed to keep in the tidal water from the sea, 
 and to keep out the ebb water which flowed down the Weaver 
 to the sea. It may be said that not only was salt not made from 
 the Weaver, but that Weaver water was not even utilised in 
 refining the rock-salt. 
 
 To pass to the next point in this ingenious theory, we find the 
 claim roughly stated as follows : The pumping of brine drew upon 
 and diminished the number and flow of the natural brine springs, 
 but as no more water can be pumped than the rainfall supplies, 
 the result will be precisely the same whether it escapes to the 
 sea as brine or is taken up by the pumps, and that no more 
 subsidence can be caused by the one process than by the other, 
 because, while the method of obtaining the brine is different, the 
 quantity utilised is precisely the same. 
 
 The difficulty of establishing this assumption lies in the fact 
 that in the preceding century no brine springs ran to waste in the 
 Winsf ord and Northwich districts, yet in that period the quantity 
 of salt manufactured from brine per annum had increased from 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 413 
 
 150,000 to 1,600,000 tons. Up to the time when the yearly out- 
 put reached 150,000 tons of salt, scarcely a vestige of the subse- 
 quent enormous subsidences existed ; and if pumping is taking no 
 more brine and doing no more damage in the same time than was 
 done by nature, how can its action be reconciled with the fact 
 that while the subsidence caused by nature in the course of 
 centuries was not apparent to any one, the damage that had 
 occurred since the introduction of pumping had not only been 
 enormous in extent, but had increased with the increased activity 
 of the pumpers? The opposition were ready with evidence to 
 show that natural causes were producing similar and even more 
 extensive subsidences, in all parts of the world where rock-salt 
 exists, and that the occurrences in Cheshire were nothing unusual 
 or extraordinary, but merely the natural consequences of rainfall 
 reaching beds of rock-salt. References were made to the vast 
 range of salt formation on the southern slope of the Himalayas, 
 having a spur 12,000 feet above the level of the sea ; to the con- 
 nection between Lake Sambur and the Runn of Kutch ; to the 
 similarity of the Indian brine springs and those of Cheshire, and 
 of the similar subsidences caused ; and to the manufacture of about 
 10,000 tons of salt in Wurtemburg, and the similarity between 
 the subsidences in Wurtemburg and in Cheshire. 
 
 Again, the facts do not corroborate the evidence. " The gieat 
 Salt Range " is no part of the Himalayas, and it has no point that 
 is higher than 4994 feet. There is not the slightest connection 
 between Lake Sambur and the Runn of Kutch. There is not a 
 brine well in India which rises to the surface ; there is no brine 
 found upon beds of rock-salt in India as in Cheshire ; there is 
 no rock-salt in the Runn of Kutch, and there is no subsidence of 
 land. The salt manufacture of Wurtemburg was 60,000 tons at 
 that time, as against 10,000 tons mentioned in evidence. There 
 had been no subsidences in Wurtemburg caused by the natural 
 brine spring in the course of centuries, and the only danger of 
 possible subsidence was in the artificial method introduced of 
 raising the brine. Quenstedt, in " Klar und Wahr," in 1872, 
 makes this quite clear. " Our boreholes are the cheapest," he says, 
 comparing them with the " Sinkwerks " of Austria, " but they 
 are a sort of destructive works, in which the fresh water eats away 
 the rock-salt at unknown depths, and in the course easiest to 
 follow. This must originate subterranean cavities, which, under 
 certain circumstances, may become dangerous, although in 
 
414 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Wurtemburg, owing to the thickness of the Muschelkalk, the 
 danger is very small." 
 
 The " bad mining " which was put forward as a supplementary 
 theory to account for the subsidences in Cheshire has been re- 
 ferred to in another chapter, and it is unnecessary to reprint that 
 babble here. Nor is it necessary to deal with the minor heads 
 of the evidence that were brought forward on the same side, but 
 it is amusing to recall some of the statements that were 
 boldly made as irrefutable facts. The description of Newchurch 
 Common as " the desert in Egypt ... a plain of some 1000 
 acres all steeped in a saline solution in which nothing will grow," 
 was an effort of imagination that was only equalled by the a ssertion 
 that Winsford in 1840 consisted of " two cottages and a few grog- 
 shops and jerry shops, and that was all." In comparison with 
 these flights of fancy it was not surprising to be told that there 
 had been no tax on salt in England from the beginning of time, 
 or that Prussian government-made salts were pushing Cheshire 
 salt out of Central Germany, where it had never been, or that 
 the Australian Colonies were, in the first instance, peopled by emi- 
 grants upon the salt ships, which never existed. And the people who 
 uttered these astounding " facts " denounced some photographs of 
 sunken property as " gross exaggerations, like everything else in 
 this Bill which is put forward by the promoters." 
 
 But in spite of the mendacious nature of much of the evidence 
 given by the opposition, they succeeded in wrecking the Bill, and 
 for a further ten years the subsidences continued and the sufferers 
 were as far off obtaining redress as ever. Then in 1891 the 
 Brine Pumping (Compensation for Subsidence) Bill was intro- 
 duced by Mr Brunner, M.P. for the Northwich Division of 
 Cheshire, and was enthusiastically supported by the Local Boards 
 of Northwich and Winsford. This Bill proposed to authorise 
 Compensation Districts and Boards to be formed by the Local 
 Government Board, with power to levy a yearly rate not ex- 
 ceeding 3d. per 1000 gallons of brine pumped. This rate was to 
 form a fund out of which persons were to be compensated for 
 damage to their property " arising from subsidence which has 
 happened after the passing of this Act." Under the provision 
 of the Bill of 1881, there was a separate distiict for Northwich, 
 another for Winsford, a third for Middlewich, and a fourth for 
 Sandbach, each district only being liable for the damage which 
 occurred within it. But before the Bill of 1891 had reached the 
 
415 
 
416 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 STATEMENT showing the amount of Compensation levied under the Brine 
 
 Pumping (Compensation for Subsidences) Act since the commencement of the Act, 
 
 together with what could have heen levied at the full rate. 
 
 Quantity 
 Pumped for 
 Year ended 
 
 Gallons. 
 
 Actual Rate 
 
 per Thousand 
 
 Gallons. 
 
 Amount Levied. 
 
 Amount which could 
 
 have been levied at 
 
 full rate of 3d 
 
 SOU 
 
 June, 1897 
 
 450,988,975 
 
 d 
 3 
 
 £ s. d. 
 5,637 7 3 
 
 £ ». d 
 5,637 7 3 
 
 
 1898 
 
 420,206,350 
 
 3 
 
 5,252 11 7 
 
 5,252 11 7 
 
 
 1899 
 
 460,511,470 
 
 3 
 
 5,756 7 10 
 
 5,756 * 10 
 
 
 1900 
 
 537.053,500 
 
 2 
 
 4,475 8 11 
 
 6,713 3 4 
 
 
 1901 
 
 435.613,000 
 
 n 
 
 4,537 12 8 
 
 5,445 3 3 
 
 
 1902 
 
 405,220,500 
 
 n 
 
 4,846 11 
 
 5,815 5 1 
 
 
 1903 
 
 470,610,360 
 
 2 
 
 3,921 15 
 
 5,882 12 7 
 
 
 1904 
 
 465,383,000 
 
 2* 
 
 4,847 14 9 
 
 5,817 5 9 
 
 
 1905 
 
 478,482,500 
 
 2i 
 
 4,485 15 5 
 
 5,981 7 
 
 
 1900 
 
 486,708,000 
 
 IS 
 
 3,548 18 3 
 
 6,083 17 
 
 
 1907 
 
 501,959,500 
 
 ii 
 
 3,660 2 5 
 
 6,274 9 10 
 
 
 190S 
 
 500,868,600 
 
 2} 
 
 4,695 12 10 
 
 6,260 17 1 
 
 
 1909 
 
 514,247,000 
 
 1} 
 
 3,214 10 
 
 6,428 1 9 
 
 
 1910 
 
 507,311,620 
 
 11 
 
 3,170 13 10 
 
 6,341 ' 10 
 
 
 1911 
 
 539,887,500 
 
 2 
 
 4,499 1 3 
 
 6,748 11 10. 
 
 
 
 
 
 66,549 3 9 
 
 90,438 2 7 
 
 
 
 66,549 3 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 Difference 
 
 23,888 18 10 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 417 
 
 Noethwich District Compensation Board 
 
 Statements as to Claims for Compensation and Amounts 
 allowed 
 
 Year. 
 
 Date. 
 
 No. oE 
 Claims 
 sent in. 
 
 Total Amount 
 claimed. 
 
 Amount allowed. 
 
 1897 
 
 To 1st Mar. 
 
 194 
 
 £27,411 3 
 
 6 
 
 £4,527 14 11 
 
 1898 
 
 
 70 
 
 3,260 8 
 
 5 
 
 709 13 11 
 
 1899 
 
 
 133 
 
 7,379 19 
 
 
 
 1,344 11 2 
 
 1900 
 
 
 71 
 
 2,830 15 
 
 6 
 
 1,422 11 10 
 
 1901 
 
 
 80 
 
 4,271 1 
 
 2 
 
 2,348 6 9 
 
 1902 
 
 
 93 
 
 7,953 17 
 
 11 
 
 3,911 2 2 
 
 1903 
 
 
 76 
 
 2,950 1 
 
 1 
 
 1,161 13 8 
 
 1904 
 
 
 89 
 
 3,369 18 
 
 7 
 
 1,803 19 1 
 
 1905 
 
 
 91 
 
 4,438 10 
 
 2 
 
 2,483 10 11 
 
 1906 
 
 
 112 
 
 3,864 17 
 
 6 
 
 1,523 15 3 
 
 1907 
 
 
 98 
 
 3,343 15 
 
 
 
 1,391 17 
 
 1908 
 
 
 126 
 
 7,170 17 
 
 9 
 
 4,586 7 6 
 
 1909 
 
 
 131 
 
 , 2,941 4 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1,257 2 3 
 
 1910 
 
 
 142 
 
 4,985 7 
 
 3 
 
 3,021 18 3 
 
 1911 
 
 " 
 
 137 
 
 4,264 10 
 
 8 
 
 2,208 18 8 
 
 15 Years 
 
 Totals 
 
 1,643 
 
 £90,436 7 
 
 6 
 
 £33,703 3 4 
 
 i 
 
 Note. — No payments in respect of commutations in purchases 
 included in the above allowances. 
 
 2d 
 
418 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Select Committee of the House of Commons, the Local Board of 
 Winsfoid appear to have suspected that the people of Northwich 
 had not entirely agreed to this principle, and they wrote for an 
 assurance from the Northwich Local Board and Property-owners 
 " that they will not now, or at any subsequent time, attempt 
 to do anything either in the Bill, or by its provisions, whereby 
 the trade in Winsford shall be compelled to pay for the damage 
 arising in the Northwich district." Some correspondence followed, 
 but ultimately the Northwich Local Board agreed that the 
 districts should be kept separate as in the Bill of 1881. On the faith 
 of this promise Winsford lent her energetic help, without which, 
 it is claimed by Winsford, the Bill would not have become law. 
 Immediately after the Act was passed the Northwich Property- 
 owners' Committee, without consulting Winsford, memorialised 
 that the whole of the County of Chester should be formed into 
 one district. This was refused by the Local Government Board 
 without inquiry. Subsequently a memorial embracing the four 
 salt towns was despatched by Northwich, and the Local Govern- 
 ment Board, after hearing the evidence, threw out Middiewich 
 and Sandbach but issued a Provisional Order uniting Northwich 
 and Winsford in one compensation area. The Provisional Order 
 Bill was before a Select Committee of the House of Commons in 
 March 1893, where it was spiritedly opposed by the Winsford 
 Local Board, and ultimately the Committee decided not to confirm 
 the Provisional Order. Thus was Northwich made a compensa- 
 tion district by itself, and the peace that thereafter reigned over 
 the salt region was undisturbed until 1910, when the Salt Union's 
 action in installing their new works at Weston Point culminated 
 in the great struggle that is known locally as the Battle of the 
 Brine. 
 
 In 1909 the Salt Union sold property in Northwich to Messrs 
 Brunner, Mond & Co., to the value of £125,000, and with this 
 money it proceeded to enlarge its works at Weston Point on the 
 plea that a large proportion of the export trade must be supplied 
 by salt produced at the sea-board, or not at all. The Union 
 declared that it was compelled to follow the course decided 
 upon in the interests of its proprietors, and to enable it to main- 
 tain its share of the world's salt trade, " and because it believes 
 it has an undoubted right to utilise its supply of brine at 
 Weston Point to the best possible advantage." It must be ex- 
 plained that the brine was pumped at Marston, near Northwich, 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 419 
 
 and conveyed by means of the Marbury Brine Pipe, a distance of 
 11 miles, to be made into salt at Weston Point. This meant that 
 all the damage of subsidence caused by the pumping was suffered 
 in the salt district, and all the money that used to be circulated 
 for the manufacture of the salt on the spot, was to be distributed 
 in future at Weston Point. The people of the salt district were 
 naturally indignant at the injustice of this proceeding, which served 
 to aggravate a long-felt grievance arising from the action of the 
 Salt Union in purchasing and locking up brine lands. The Union 
 were not working these lands themselves, nor would they part with 
 them to anybody who might be willing to do so. It was, in short, 
 •a part of their policy of stalling off competition, and safeguarding 
 their monopoly. In reply to the representation made by the 
 Xorthwich Urban Council and others, the Union replied that they 
 had a perfectly good legal right to the Marbury Brine Pipe, the use 
 of which they had enjoyed for over twenty-one years, and on the 
 subject of the locking-up of land they asserted that " if every acre 
 were set free to-morrow, not a ton more salt would or could be 
 marketed than is now the case." 
 
 The Union further declared that, if the Urban Council carried 
 their opposition to the extreme of legal or Parliamentary pro- 
 ceedings, they would take steps to ensure that any expenditure 
 incurred should be placed on the shoulders of those responsible. 
 But the leading townspeople felt that a scheme for taking the 
 Cheshire brines anywhere outside the Cheshire district would 
 prove disastrous to the trade and working-classes of the salt 
 districts, and, in the face of the Salt Union's threat, meetings 
 were convened and the ratepayers were asked whether they 
 approved of the Councils' moving further in the matter. Salt 
 Union sympathisers who were present counselled a policy of 
 patience, conciliation, and restraint. On the other hand, it was 
 pointed out that the proposal of the Salt Union would mean 
 " empty houses, empty shops, and starvation for the children of 
 the working men." The Union, it was declared, were working not 
 in the interests of the salt towns, but of the shareholders, whose 
 object was to come into the towns and take all they could get out 
 of them, and the determination to fight was doubtless strength- 
 ened by the assurance that the Union " were about as crippled 
 in finances to fight as any company he knew." Besolutions in. 
 support of immediate action were passed at North wich,' Winsford, 
 and Middlewich, and the fight began in earnest. 
 
420 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The protracted struggle which ended in the defeat of the Brine 
 Pumping (Cheshire) Bill in the House of Commons in 1912 was a 
 misfortune for the salt districts, which, beyond any shadow of 
 doubt, had right on their side. The Salt and Allied Trades were 
 indebted to Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich, and Sandbach for 
 their necessary supply of brine, and, in return for it, the salt towns 
 benefited in respect of employment of labour, payment of wages, 
 and the expenditure of capital. It followed that if the brine was 
 simply pumped in the salt district and taken elsewhere to be 
 manufactured, the rateable value of the salt towns would most 
 seriously decrease, houses would be unoccupied, trade would go else- 
 where, and the district generally would be faced with absolute ruin. 
 It will be readily understood, therefore, why the local authorities 
 were unanimously against the removal of brine outside the brine- 
 pumping region, and Parliament, also recognising the danger of 
 such a proceeding, had invariably interposed in the past, to pre- 
 vent brine from being taken from the district in which it was 
 obtained. In 1766, 1833, and 1861, the Trent and Mersey Canal, 
 the Grand Junction Railway, and the West Cheshire Railway 
 respectively received authorisations from Parliament, but in each 
 instance a clause was inserted prohibiting the several companies 
 from conveying or permitting to be conveyed in or upon any part 
 of their properties, any brine for the making of salt to any district 
 beyond the district in which salt was then made. In 1884, when 
 the London and North- Western Railway sought to gain the repeal 
 of the brine clause in order to enable brine to be carried from one 
 salt township to another adjoining, Parliament refused to sanction 
 even such a limited modification of the prohibition. 
 
 An even more illuminating illustration of the unanimous 
 opposition of traders, inhabitants, and local authorities to the 
 conveyance of brine from the salt district in which it was 
 raised, was seen in 1890, when a Bill was promoted to obtain 
 powers to take brine to Widnes, in Lancashire. That measure 
 was unanimously rejected by the Parliamentary Committee, 
 and among the petitioners against the Bill were the Salt 
 Union and Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co., who stated that it 
 would establish competition that was wholly uncalled for 
 in the public interest, that it would be most detrimental, if 
 not ruinous, to the two companies, and would diminish, if not 
 altogether absorb, the supply of brine to their works, upon which 
 the prosperity of their trade depended. It was further stated 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 421 
 
 that the salt traders, in self-defence, would have to adopt new- 
 means of carrying their brine to the same locality and establish 
 new manufacturing works at Widnes, involving great and un- 
 necessary expense, as well as the discharge of a large number of 
 men locally engaged in the trade. 
 
 Moreover, at Middlewich, the Salt Union had forcibly removed 
 one of the brine pipes of a trade competitor which ran along 
 the towing path of a canal, alleging that pipes placed for the 
 conveyance of brine were illegal, and at Droitwich they took 
 proceedings and actually obtained an injunction to restrain 
 other trade competitors from laying pipes to carry brine from 
 their pumps to their salt pans, under one of the streets of that 
 borough. Yet in the face of these facts the Salt Union protested 
 their legal right to the Marbury Pipe, and announced their pre- 
 paredness to defend that position to the utmost of their ability. 
 
 Prior to 1882 no brine had been conveyed outside the salt 
 district, but in that year the Marbury Brine Pipe was laid by a 
 company called the Mersey Salt and Brine Company. It extends 
 for a distance of about 11 miles, from Marston, near North wich, 
 to the Marbury pumping station and thence to Weston, near 
 Euncorn. It was thought in the first instance to be a very small 
 matter, and that no danger of serious competition would follow 
 the laying of the pipe or the construction of works at Weston. 
 The Weaver Trustees and others took little notice of it, and 
 nobody raised any serious objection. It was constructed by 
 agreement across lands of private landowners. At Marbury it 
 crossed the Trent and Mersey Canal belonging to the North 
 Stafford Eailway Company, and, as that Company refused their 
 consent to the pipe crossing their canal, the Mersey Salt and 
 Brine Company laid the pipe without observing the formality of 
 obtaining the railway company's sanction. But as the North 
 Stafford Eailway authorities persisted in their objection to the 
 line, the Mersey Salt and Brine Company, in 1887, consented 
 to pay the railway company £5 a year and to remove the pipe 
 on receiving three months' notice to do so. When the Salt 
 Union was formed in 1888, they became the owners of the property 
 of the Mersey Salt and Brine Company and of the Marbury Brine 
 Pipe. By 1910 the pipe had been enlarged, powerful engines 
 capable of forcing the brine had. been erected at Marbury, and the 
 Salt Union were completing works at Weston capable of dealing 
 with one hundred and fifty million gallons of brine annually, 
 
422 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 in addition to a further hundred million gallons they were under 
 contract to supply to other traders. In fact, what had been a 
 very small affair in 1882 had grown into a very serious one in 
 1911, and it was predicted that, if the works at Weston were a 
 success, it would mean absolute ruin to the Cheshire salt district 
 in the course of another decade. 
 
 In the autumn of 1910 the North Stafford Railway took the 
 opinion of counsel as to the legality of the brine pipe crossing 
 the canal at Marbury, and, acting on that opinion, they gave 
 notice requiring the Salt Union to remove their pipe on the 31st 
 March 1911. As the Salt Union ignored the notice, meetings 
 were convened by the Councils of North wich, Winsford, and 
 Middlewich, and it was resolved, by overwhelming majorities 
 to finance the promotion of a Bill, "to regulate the convey- 
 ance of brine pumped, raised and gotten in the County of Chester 
 and for other purposes." 
 
 The Brine Pumping (Cheshire) Bill, while insisting upon the 
 damage caused to both public and private property by subsidence 
 consequent upon the pumping of brine, admitted the com- 
 mensurate benefit and advantage derived from the manufacture 
 of brine products, and asked that it should be enacted that brine 
 raised within the county should not be conveyed by pipe to any 
 place not within the county or to a greater distance than three 
 miles from the place at which it was raised. The first draft of 
 the measure was amended to meet the opposition of Messrs 
 Brunner, Mond & Co., and the existing rights of the Salt Union in 
 the Marbury Brine Pipe were recognised by a clause permitting 
 the conveyance of brine by this pipe to the extent of 250 million 
 gallons a year. By another amending clause manufacturers 
 having more works than one in their own occupation within the 
 salt district were enabled to carry brine by means of pipes from- 
 one set of works to another. Efforts were also made to negotiate 
 with the Salt Union, but that company required an absolute 
 withdrawal of the Bill, which, they declared, would be ridiculed 
 by the Committee and thrown out the first day it was before them. 
 
 It was contended by counsel representing the promoters of the 
 Bill before the Select Committee in the House of Lords, and- 
 borne out by witnesses, that both the position of the salt industry 
 and the injury inflicted by pumping were alike unique, and that 
 the only possible compensation received for the damage done 
 was derived from the manufacture of salt in the district in which 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 423 
 
 the brine was raised. The history of the protection that Parlia- 
 ment had afforded the industry in the past, and the active part 
 that the Salt Union had taken in opposing the proposal to carry 
 brine from Cheshire to Widnes, in Lancashire, were recalled, and 
 it was shown that the Salt Union had already accepted the 
 principle of the three-mile limit which they were then opposing. 
 It was further shown that the principle of restriction which the 
 Salt Union had advocated in the case of the Widnes proposal, they 
 now denounced as a restriction of trade. What they required 
 was freedom of trade for themselves and restriction for everybody 
 else, a policy they had exploited by tying up every acre of brine 
 land they could secure, with a view to keeping anybody else out 
 of the Cheshire salt district. It was contended that as the Salt 
 Union and Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co. had tied up the whole 
 district, to the exclusion of other employers of local labour, they 
 should in decency stay there themselves. 
 
 The opponents of the Bill declared that the measure had 
 nothing to do with the damage caused by subsidence, the policy 
 of locking-up of brine lands, or the payment of compensation, 
 and therefore there was nothing unique about the Bill, and there 
 were no extraordinary circumstances about the getting of brine. 
 It was simply a proposal to alter the common law of England and 
 interfere with the sacred rights of property. Parliament had 
 already intervened by the Act of 1891 to provide compensation 
 for damage inflicted by subsidence, but to intervene in the case 
 of trade, by localising an industry for the benefit of a particular 
 place and a particular undertaking like the Weaver Navigation, 
 would injure not only the Salt Union and Cheshire, but also Great 
 Britain as an exporting country. In effect, it was claimed that 
 the interests of the Salt Union were identical with the interests of 
 Cheshire and the whole nation. It was ingeniously argued that 
 the object of the Bill was to maintain the rateable value of the 
 salt towns and guarantee the tolls of the Weaver Naviga- 
 tion. There was nothing in the Bill to prevent brine being taken 
 away in barges — the cost of which would be prohibitive — but 
 only to prevent a cheap means of transit and allow the expensive 
 means of transit to continue to exist. This was described as 
 creating a monopoly of transport for which the trade of England 
 would have to pay. 
 
 Whether this line of reasoning weighed with the Committee, 
 or whether they were reassured by the evidence of the Chairman 
 
424 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of the Salt Union, who declared that his company had not the 
 faintest intention of leaving Winsford and Northwich, in which 
 they expected to do an even better trade in the future than 
 had been done there in the past, it is impossible to say. 
 
 In the peroration of his concluding address to the Committee, 
 Mr Honoratus Lloyd, for the promoters of the Bill, said : " My 
 lord, I submit to you that it has been proved beyond question 
 that there are abnormal circumstances here, that the pumping 
 of brine necessarily involves a grievous injury which the inhabi- 
 tants are willing to put up with, provided they have that which 
 is the correlative benefit of the industry in their district. If, 
 on the other hand, my learned friends say locked-up lands have 
 nothing to do with the case, if my learned friends say the Com- 
 pensation Act has nothing to do with the case, and if it be the 
 fact that we are to see them leave this district with the lands 
 locked up, to see them with the lands, when sold, sold to people 
 who are restricted from asking for compensation, and the industry 
 gone, then, my lord, I venture to think that I have proved there 
 are abnormal circumstances which would justify me in asking 
 your lordships to treat this district specially, and not to be carried 
 away by the general cry which my learned friends raise of 
 attempted restriction of trade without any justification for the 
 exceptional circumstances." 
 
 That aspect of the matter which had enlisted the protection 
 of Parliament in 1766, 1833, 1861, 1890, 1891, and 1893, failed 
 to carry conviction to the tribunal over which Lord Ribblesdale 
 presided, and at the end of the eleventh day's sitting the chairman 
 made his concluding announcement that " The Committee are 
 of opinion that the Bill cannot proceed." 
 
 From 1766 to 1893 Parliament had consistently legislated 
 against the taking of brine from the district in which it was 
 raised. In 1890, at the instigation, among others, of the Salt 
 Union, it threw out a Bill which sought to convey brine 
 through pipes to Widnes. In 1890 the Salt Union wanted the 
 brine retained in the Cheshire salt district to suit their own 
 purposes. In 1912 the Salt Union, for the same important 
 reason, wanted the brine conveyed to Weston Point. In the 
 former case Parliament intervened in the interests of the salt 
 district ; in the latter it declined, for the benefit of the Salt 
 Union, to intervene ; and at that the matter must, for the present, 
 be left. 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 425 
 
 STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF GALLONS OF BRINE 
 
 PUMPED THROUGH THE MARBURY BRINE PIPE TO WESTON 
 
 POINT WOKKS, INCLUDING DELIVERIES TO CA6TNER-KELLNER 
 CO., EACH YEAR SINCE THE SALT UNION ACQUIRED THE 
 MERSEY BRINE CO.'S WORKS. 
 
 (N.B. — For the purpose of this Table, adopting the basis of the Compensation Board, which la 
 by no means accurate, each ton of salt has been taken as equiralent to 1,000 gallons,) 
 
 Year. Gallons. 
 
 1889 66,200,000 
 
 90 62,988,000 
 
 1 49,998,000 
 
 2 57,124,000 
 
 3 40,690,00Q 
 
 4 67,900,000 
 
 5 55,459,000 
 
 6 56,820,000 
 
 7 55,973,000 (a) 
 
 8 66,447,000 
 
 9 70,338,000 
 1900 - 68,183,000 
 
 1 67,184,000 
 
 2 74,160,000 
 
 3 67,750,000 
 
 4 . -' 79,155,000 (6) 
 
 5 87,992,000 
 
 6 80,055,000 
 
 7 - 79,247,000 
 
 8 68,555,000 
 
 9 75,647 000 
 10 76,058.000 
 
 U 122,278,000 (c) 
 <a) Castner-Kellner commenced taking supplies of brine m October, 1897 
 (6) Salt Union's Mond Gas Plant commenced producing, 
 (c) New Vacuum Salt Plant commenced producing. 
 
426 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 TABLE showing (l) Coat of Pumping Brine from Wincham to "Weston ; (2) Cost of 
 
 conveying Salt from Weston to Liverpool, as compared with (3) Cost of Pumping Brine 
 
 at Winsfbrd, and conveying Salt from Wiosford to Liverpool. 
 
 (1). Cost of Pdmping Brine from "Wincham to "Weston. 
 
 Cost in pence of 
 
 pumping 1 ,000 
 
 gallons of Brine. 
 
 d. 
 
 1 Cost of Pumping from Coronation Shaft, "Wincham, to Marbury Forcing 
 
 Station " 3000 
 
 2. Rating of Coronation Shaft based on 3d. per 1,000 gallons and rates 
 
 2s. in £ . ... "300 
 
 3. Power cost Pumping from Marbury Forcing Station to "Weston ... 1*552 
 
 4. Interest and depreciation on cost of pipe line and accessories ... ... 2'255 
 
 5. Rates, Taxes and "Wayleaves on pipe line. The "Wayleaves based only 
 
 on £660 per annum ... '729 
 
 6. Compensation Tax 2"500 
 
 10'336d. 
 
 (2). Cost of Conveying Salt from "Weston to Liverpool. 
 
 Wac.fs of Steamer, "Weston to Liverpool, conveying 250 tons per trip and 
 making 2 trips in a week. 
 
 £ s. d. £ s. d. 
 
 Captain 13 
 
 Engineer ... 14 
 
 Mate 10 
 
 7 per week 
 
 Tonnage. 
 
 On a Steamer carrying 250 tons (two trips 
 per week=500 tons at 2d. per ton). 
 
 Captain , Id. per ton 
 
 Engineer ... ... ... id. ,, 
 
 Mate id. „ 4 3 4 
 
 Trip Money. 
 
 On a Steamer, 9s. per trip (2 trips per week) 18 
 
 Fuel. — 4 tons- at 7a".' per ton (being 2 tons for each 
 
 trip and return) ... ... 18 
 
 £9 16 4 
 
 Carried forward ... ... •■- 10336 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 427 
 
 Brought forward 
 
 £9 16?. 4c1. on 500 tons 
 
 A'ld Ship Canal' dues 3d. per ton . . 
 
 or Is. 6d. per ton. 
 
 (3). Cost op Pumping Brine at Winsford, and conveying Salt from 
 Winsford to Liverpool. 
 
 d. 
 10-336 
 
 4-712 
 15-048 
 
 3-000 
 18-048d. 
 
 Cost of Pumping Brine at Winsford, 2d. per 1,000 gallons 
 
 Waces of Steamer, Winsford to Liverpool, conveying 250 tons per trip and 
 making 2 trips in a week. 
 
 Captain 
 
 Engineer 
 Mate 
 
 £ 5 . d. £ 
 
 13 
 
 1 i 
 
 10 
 
 3 7 per week 
 
 2-000 
 
 Tonnage. 
 
 On a Steamer carrying 250 tons (2 trips per 
 week at 2d. a ton, same as Weston ... 
 
 4 3 4 
 
 Trip Money 
 
 On a Steamer 12s. per trip, 2 trips per 
 »eek 
 
 14 
 
 Feel, 
 
 10 tons at 7s. per ton (being 5 tons for 
 each trip and return) ... 
 
 3 10 
 
 12 4 4 
 
 £12 4s. 4d. on 560 tons equals 
 Weaver Tolls (loss rebate) 
 
 or slightly over Is. 5^d. per ton. 
 
 5-S04 
 9-750 
 
 17-614 
 
428 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Re Marbury Brine Pipe. — I have carefully calculated the coat of pumping 250,000,000 gallons of 
 Bnne per annum from Marbury to Weaton, and have prepared the following table in conjunction with 
 Mr Millei 
 
 Pumping Power Requihed — 
 
 250,000,000 gallons per annum = 28,539 gallons per hour = 5,707 lbs. pee minute 
 Note — It is assumed that a gallon of brine weighs 12 lbs. and that one ton of aalt is obtained 
 from 1000 gallons of brine. 
 
 A 15 in. pipe will deliver 28,539 gallons per hour at a gradient of 1 in 2,900 
 
 The head required to overcome friction in main 10 and l/8th miles long == 18 feet. 
 
 Add actual lift ... 155 ,, 
 
 5,707 lbs. per miuute x 173 ft. lift. 
 
 *= 30 H.P. (Theoretical). 
 
 33,000 
 or say 60 indicated horse power in engine. 
 
 The existing pumping plant at Marbury consists of two 60 H.P. units. 
 
 One of these working continuously and one in reserve will deliver 250,000,000 gallons of brine per annum. 
 
 TABLE OF COST OF PUMPING. 
 
 Coal Say 60 1 H.P x 6 lbs. per 1 H.P, x 8,760 hourB — 1,410 tons @ 10a. = . 
 
 Labour 2 Shifts x £3 = £6 per week x 52 weeks = 
 
 Oil waste and petty Btores, say 
 
 Interest and depreciation on Pumping Plant. 
 
 120 H.P installed @ £20 per H.P — £2,400 
 
 Engine Bhed, &c 600 
 
 
 
 Per ton 
 
 £ 
 
 
 of salt 
 
 J05 
 
 = 
 
 ■67 6d. 
 
 312 
 
 = 
 
 ■300 
 
 100 
 
 -=. 
 
 •096 
 
 £3,000 @ 10 per cent 
 
 Interest and depreciation on Pipe Line and Reservoirs 
 
 Pipe Line 10 and l/8th miles 15-in C.I. pipe = 17,820 Lin. yds. @ £1 =± £17,820 
 1 and l/8th miles 12-in C.I. pipe =■ 1,980 Lin. yds. @ 15s. = 1,410 
 Add valves, &c. ... .. — 770 
 
 £20,000 @ 
 
 10 per cent. = 2,000 »= 1-920 
 ■ Reservoirs at Marbufy and Weatop say £5,000 @ 5 per cent. ,*. ... 250 = -240 
 
 3,667 = 3520 
 Add additional cost of pumping brine from Mines to Marbury Pumping station com- 
 pared with cost of pumping at WinBford from Mines to works 1,041 = 1-000 
 Add Compensation tax on brine pumped at Marston (No tax at Winsford) 2,604 = 2500 
 Add way leave on brine pipe ... ... .. ... 660 = '633 
 
 Add rates and taxes (R V =1/- per Lin. yd Rates 2/- in the £) . 100 = 096 
 
 Maintenance . ... .. say 200 = -192 
 
 8,272 = 7-941 
 Add Interest and Depreciation on Pipe Line from Coronation Shaft to Marbury 
 
 Pumping Station, 1,320 Lin. Yds. @ 15/-. £990 @ 10 per cent. . 99 = 095 
 
 £8,371 8030 
 WILLIAM M BECKETT 
 
SALT DISTRICTS COMPENSATION BILLS 429 
 
 1912. 
 
 Table showing quantity of White Salt Manufactured nt the "Weston Works, from Brine 
 
 conveyed from Northwich District by the Marbury Brine Pipe, compiled from the Blue Book 
 
 of Mineral Statistics issued by the Home Office. 
 
 
 QUANTITY CONVEYED BY 
 
 TOTAL. 
 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 Manchester Ship 
 
 Canal to 
 
 River Mersey 
 
 2 
 Rail. 
 
 3 
 Inland 
 
 Acrea 
 Rock Salt 
 One Yard 
 
 Thick. 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tods. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 
 1899 
 
 23,938 
 
 36,037 
 
 1,794 
 
 61,769 
 
 7-96 
 
 1900 
 
 26,987 
 
 38,717 
 
 672 
 
 66,376 
 
 853 
 
 1901 
 
 21,719 
 
 53,319 
 
 2,325 
 
 77,393 
 
 9-95 
 
 1902 
 
 23,035 
 
 38,158 
 
 3,365 
 
 64,558 
 
 8-37 
 
 1903 
 
 17,851 
 
 40,650 
 
 2,445 
 
 60,946 
 
 7-88 
 
 1904 
 
 13,093 
 
 54,447 
 
 2,697 
 
 70,237 
 
 9 04 
 
 1905 
 
 5,168 
 
 69,348 
 
 4,191 
 
 78,707 
 
 1007 
 
 1900 
 
 5,827 
 
 60,454 
 
 3,600 
 
 69,881 
 
 902 
 
 1907 
 
 7,620 
 
 50,688 
 
 4,114 
 
 62,422 
 
 801 
 
 1908 
 
 11,485 
 
 44,762 
 
 2,394 
 
 56,641 
 
 7-36 
 
 1909 
 
 7,236 
 
 55,251 
 
 2,688 
 
 65,175 
 
 8-40 
 
 1910 
 
 8,783 
 
 52,177 
 
 2,019 
 
 62,979 
 
 8-22 
 
 Total for 
 12 Yeara. 
 
 170.772 
 
 594,008 
 
 32,304 
 
 797,084 
 
 10281 
 
 Average 
 per annum 
 
 14,231 
 
 49,500 
 
 2,692 
 
 66,423 
 
 856 
 
430 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Statement of the Comparative Cost of Producing Salt and putting f.o.b. Liverpool (as asked 
 for by the Chairman of the House of Lords Committee— page 92, 3rd day.) 
 
 1.— Ex Winsford Vacuum Plant — per barge down the Weaver to Liverpool and putting on board. 
 
 Prime cost of Salt making (same as at Weston) 
 
 Loading into barge and trimming - 44d. 
 
 Wages oF Crew, Fuel and Stores, Repairs and Sundries Is Id, 
 
 Weaver Toll - - lOd. 
 
 Discharging at Liverpool 3\d. 
 
 Liverpool Dock Dues 3d. 
 
 2s. lOd. 
 
 2. — Ex Weston Vacuum Plant — per barge along Ship Canal to Liverpool and putting on board 
 
 Prime cost of Salt making (same a 
 
 Loading into barge and trimming 
 
 Wages of Crew, Fuel and Stores, Repairs and Sundries 
 
 Ship Canal Toll - 
 
 Discharging at Liverpool 
 
 Liverpool Dock Dues 
 
 Eiine Compensation Rate 
 
 Extra Brine Cost 
 
 Total Cost of Transport and putting on Board 
 Less credit for sale of Electricity produced by the steam used for making salt 
 
 N.I! — A saving compared with Example 1 (ex Winsford) 
 
 3. — Ex Weston Vacuum Plant — direct into Ocean going Vessel. 
 
 Prime cost ol Salt making ; - (same as at Winsford) 
 
 Ship Canal Toll - * 3d. 
 
 ■ Brine Compensation Rate 2Jd. 
 
 Extra Brine Cost IJd. 
 
 u;d. 
 
 £ess— Credit for Sale of Electricity - Is. 
 
 (NETT PROFIT 5}d. 
 N.B.— A Saving compared with (Example 1 (Ex Winaford_) 3s 3+d. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 
 
 The river Weaver was at one time an insignificant stream that 
 flowed through the placid meadows of Cheshire in a northerly 
 direction to join the Mersey. Its passage was blocked with 
 shoals, its depth seldom more than 3J feet. Now by far the most 
 important stream of the county, it is also one of the finest naviga- 
 tions in England. It has a total length of fifty-one miles, of which 
 twenty are navigable for craft of 1000 tons burden. 
 
 Every year over 1,000,000 tons of salt are conveyed along this 
 waterway, and the dues levied on merchandise yields a revenue 
 of £60,000. Its waters aTe regulated by a series of locks, and 
 swing bridges, with a clearing of 60 feet, have taken the place 
 of the old-fashioned low stone structures that blocked the passage 
 of masted vessels. 
 
 So much have the Trustees of the river Weaver accomplished. 
 
 It must have been very early in the history of Cheshire that 
 some sort of traffic in salt was first started, for the evaporation 
 of brine was instituted on a fairly extensive scale before the dis- 
 covery of rock salt. We find mention in an old seventeenth 
 century document of two flats, named respectively the " Appen- 
 rade " and the " Duke of Holstein," trading on the Weaver. 
 These names seem definitely to point to a foreign export trade, 
 probably with Denmark. But the shallowness of the stream was 
 felt to be a serious obstacle to the development of trade, since 
 the cargoes of even the largest of the barges might not exceed 
 forty to fifty tons. The average cargo carried was from twenty- 
 five to thirty tons. 
 
 As early as 1663 an attempt was made to obtain a Bill in 
 Parliament to make navigable the Weaver and the Mersey. This 
 aroused a storm of opposition and failed. Further abortive 
 attempts were made in 1670 and 1710. This second effort seems 
 to have aroused resentment on the ground that the Bill was in- 
 troduced into the House of Commons "by an Alderman of 
 Liverpool " {i.e. Thomas Johnson, member for Liverpool) " who 
 hath not one foot of land either in our county or our city, and 
 
432 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 whose design in it (obvious to everybody) was only to promote 
 his trade of exporting rock salt to Ireland." This Bill was thrown 
 out owing to the opposition of the Cheshire members. Finally, 
 the Corporation of Liverpool took the matter up and appointed 
 two deputies to proceed to London " to attend and assist in the 
 solicitation for an Act of Parliament for making the river Weaver 
 navigable in concert with our Members of Parliament, at the 
 charge of the Corporation." 
 
 Alderman Squire and Mr Isaac Green, the deputies appointed, 
 were more successful than their predecessors, and in 1721 the 
 first Weaver Act was passed. Parliament realised that this en- 
 couragement of trade would be for the general good, a point 
 recited in the preamble of the Bill : " Whereas the making of 
 the river Weaver alias Weever, alias Wever, navigable for boats, 
 lighters, and other vessels, from Frodsham Bridge, in the county 
 of Chester, to Winsford Bridge in the same county, will not only 
 be very beneficial and convenient as well for the carriage of salt 
 and cheese (the great manufactures and produce of the said 
 county) as of other foods and merchandises to and from the town 
 and parts adjacent, but will employ the poor, and be a means to 
 preserve the highways in the said county and will very much tend 
 to the employing and increase of watermen and seamen and be 
 for the good of the people. . . ." 
 
 The same year another Act was passed " for making navigable 
 the river Dane from North wich, where it joins the river Weaver, 
 to the falling in of Wheelock Brook, and Wheelock Brook up to 
 Wheelock Bridge in the county of Chester." Here again the 
 providing of employment is insisted upon as one of the chief 
 reasons for the carrying out of the work. " Whereas," the 
 preamble reads, "the making of the river Daven alias Dane, 
 navigable from Northwich, in the county of Chester, where it 
 joins the river Weaver, alias Weever, alias Wever, to the falling 
 in of Wheelock Bridge, and Wheelock Brook up to Wheelock 
 Bridge near Middlewich, in the same county, is the best means 
 to preserve the present equality of trade of salt carried on be- 
 tween the said several places, and will not only render the traffic 
 for malt, coals, and other commodities into and through the said 
 county but also the commerce with the port of Liverpool more 
 readily and easily to the several counties of Stafford, Derby, 
 Nottingham and other adjacent counties by extending the 
 navigation further up into the county and carrying it up to the 
 
Scpvle of Miles. 
 
 River Weaver. 
 
 2 k 
 
434 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 [Here follow reprints of three early tracts respecting the 
 Eiver Weaver Navigation.] 
 
 C ■ ] 
 
 REASONS mod: humbly offer'd to the 
 
 Right Honourable the LORDS Spiritual and Temporal, 
 in Parliament aflembled, for patting the BILL for making 
 the River Weaver, in the County of Chefler, Navigable from 
 Winsford* Bridge to Frodjbam Bridge. 
 
 ^HEESE and Salt are the chief Produce of the faid County of Chefter, The Salt- 
 Springs andRocksof Salttherc,arcconceived tobe fufficicnt tofupplyallEiij-ope 
 with bait. From whence many Parts of this Kingdom, as well as Ireland, 
 and formerly Foreign Parts have been fupplied ; but of late, not only the 
 Foreign Paris, but many Parts of Ireland, by reafon of the great Expence 
 and flow Difpatch of Land-Carriage to F/odJham- Bridge, ( the ufual Place nf 
 Delivery to be [hipped off) and other Difcouragements, have been fupplied 
 from France and Spain. 
 
 THAT under thefe Inconvaniencies, this Trade is fo much reduced, that the Sail-Pits at 
 Nortbmcb, IVampttrkh, Middlewkb, and Parts adjacent (in which there are near a Thoufand 
 Proprietors, or Shares ) are many of them become ufelcfs, to the Impovenihment of a great 
 Number of Families, particularly at Middlewicb, a Mannour of the Crovn. 
 
 THAT as the greateft part of thefe Salt-Springs, and Rocki of Salt, lye upon or near to 
 this River, and as it runs through the Center of the County (and by confeqiiencc may he 
 a common Advantage to the "Whole,) were it made Navigable the Carriage of Salt to Frodfliam- 
 Bridge, would be reduced to lefs- than 3 s. per Ton, which now cofts 81. per Ton, the Ships 
 much fooncr difpatched, and thereby the Salt-Trade would be retrieved and greatly impro- 
 ved. 
 
 BESIDES, a much greater Quantity of Salt will U* export^ to Foreign Parts, by which 
 the Publick Revenue will be comMerably increafed, there being a Duty of ; /. per Cent ad 
 Valoicm, for all Salt eiported. 
 
 AND fuch Navigation will likewife very much incourage and improve the Cheefe-Trade of 
 this County, which for the moft part is brought to London, by reducing the Land-Carriage 
 to Frodjhw (the chief Place of its delivery to be (hipped off) to under 3 t. per Ton, which 
 is now from 101, to 1 2 j. per Ton. 
 
 FROM whence it is evident, that ahoTe i<;operCent. ( in the (ingle Inftance of the Charge 
 of Land-Carriage ) will be faved by this Navigation, and confequcntly Salt, Chccfe Butter, 
 and other Commodities, the produce of this County, come fo much cheaper to Market, which, 
 &iU be a great Relief to the Poor, Trait and Commerce in genet al be increafed, the High-Ways pre- 
 ferred, and tb'n Navigation be apparently for the good of the Publick. 
 
 THAT thefe Advantages will accrcw to the Publick from this Navigation, appears from 
 the following Petitions. 
 
 THE Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-Council 
 sfTembled, have Petition'd for the Bill, which they have not done for any other River. 
 
 THE Cheefe mongers of the Cities of London and Jfejlminjiet t and Parts adjacent, have 
 done the fame. 
 
 THE Corpotation of Liverpool hathlikewife Petition'd. 
 
 THE Inhabitants and Proprietors of Salt-Works in and about the Market-Towns aF Mid- 
 Jlewich and Norwich, in the County of Cbrfttr, have alfo Petition'd for the Bill, as the only 
 Method to rotrieve the Salt-Trade there. 
 
 THE Inhabitants of other Market-Towns in that County have alfo Petition'd. 
 THERE are Salt-lforh, or Refineries of Salt-Rock at divert Plm.es in the Counties of EfTer, 
 Suffolk, Devon, Somerfet, Cornwall, North and South Wales, and manj other Parti of this King- 
 dom, a\ veil as in Ireland, all which are fupplyed with Salt-Rock from this County, the Land- 
 Carriage whereof to Frodfham-Briigc, ii double the prime Cojl of the Salt-Rock itfilf, at appears 
 by divers other Petitions for the Bill from fevtral places in tbofe Counties. 
 
 FORMERLY great Quantities of that Salt-Rock were fold to HoSand for Refineries there, 
 which are now fupplied with Salt from France and Spa\n. 
 
 BUT if this River was made Navigablc^uib Salt- Koch would be deliver d cheaper at Frodfham 
 by <; s. 11 12S, p. Ton, and thereby the Trade would ftft regained^ 
 
 MANY Parts of the Counties of Cbtfler, Stafford, fyerby, Salop, .and Nottingham, arc fup- I 
 plied with Sugar, Tobacco, IHttt, Brandy, Pitch, far, Oylts, Pot-4j!ies, and other Commodities, 
 
 ftnt 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 435 
 
 [ » J 
 
 fentfrom London or from Liverpool, to Frodfham-Bridge, from whence the Jame are conveyed by 
 JLand-Carriage, in wbicb, by this Navigation, there will be faved above -j s. p. Ton. at appears by 
 divers other Petitions. 
 
 BUT it happens in this Cafe, as it generally does in fucli Undertakings, the more they 
 are for the good of the Publick r the greater is the Opposition from private Perfons. 
 
 GREAT are the Clamours raifed againft this Navigation, but never in any Cafe upon left 
 Ground or Foundation of Truth. 
 
 Obje8ion I 3 It is objefted, That the Gentlemen of Eftates and Quality, and generality 
 of the Free- holders in the County, are againft it ; and that the Bill is promoted by a few pri- 
 vate Perfons, with a Profpe£t of Profit only to themfelves, by malting a Property of the 
 River, and a Monopoly of the Salt-Trade to a few Works in and about Nortbwich, to the de- 
 ftm&ion of the other Salt-Works at Middlewich, and Namptwkh, and Parts adjacent. 
 
 Anfwer. ] It is notorious, That the greater Part of the Gentlemen and freeholders of the County, 
 particularly the Inhabitants and Proprietors of Salt-Works in Northwich, Middlewich, and Natnpt- 
 wich, and Parts adjacent,- are zealous for this Navigation to Winsford, as the only Profpttt to re- 
 trieve the Salt-Trade, which is now ruinous, anl at the lowefiEbb ; which appears from the fe- 
 veral Petitions from the County for the Bill. 
 
 INDEED, were the Navigation to be carried no further than Northwich, the Salt-Worh at 
 Middlewich, Namptwich, " and other Places higher upon the River, would be tinder a Difadvantagc, 
 of Trading; and therefore fuch Proprietors oppofed a former Bill H4 brought into Parlia- 
 ment for that purpofe. 
 
 AND asto the Undertakers in the Bill {JobnEgerton ofO/to* Leftwich, Oldfeldof Leftwich, 
 and John Amfon of Lees, in this County, Efqs-, ) they are Gentlemen of large Eftates and Fur- 
 tuna, and of unqueftionable Ability to perform the Navigation, and anjwer all Damages whatforver 
 in private Property, The contrary whereof will not be &mbL frr£&«vbL- 
 
 Objedion 2. ] That this Navigation ought to be undertaken for the Benefit of the County, 
 and not rof particular Perfons. 
 
 Anfwer. ] This Pretence is fct on foot by the Oppofers of the Navigation, meerlj to defeat ir, well 
 knowing, that fitch publick Undertakings are imprabuable, and have never yet fuccteded in tJ>e few Cafes 
 that have been attemptedin the like Nature. 
 
 THIS was the Pretence againrfa former Bill in 17 1 5, to carry the Navigation to Northwich. 
 And altbo' the Petition for this Bill batb been going round the County above a Tear, yit nofveh pub- 
 lick Spirit batb hitherto appeared. 
 
 ObjeSion 3. J as totne general OfejeAiw*, -Ttuit Water-Carriage leflens the Livelyhood 
 of many Farmers and poor People, who now chiefly fubfift by Land-Carriage, and by the 
 Horfes they employ, advance the Rent of Land. 
 
 Anfwer. j Tbis batb been the confiant ObjeSion agabnfl making every River Navigable, but does 
 ■*at prevail. There is indeed little in it -, for thofe Carriers get but mean and poor Lively- 
 hoods ; fromwhenceitis that the Townfhips where they moftly are, are moft burthen'd with 
 Poor \ and even thofe Hands, and a much greater Number would be more advantagioufly em- 
 ploy tt in the Navigation, and the Lands would be Grazed by Sheep, Oxen, and Cattle, ajid 
 converted into Tillage, and the Horfes employed in improving the Land, to much greater Ad- 
 vantage, ss well to the Owners as to the Publick. 
 
 Objett.4. ] AND asto the other general ObjcQion that the making Locks will caufe the 
 Meadow-Lands upon the River to be overflowed, 
 
 Anfw. ] J T bappenj in this particular Cafe that the Meadow-Grounds are naturally high three Tardt 
 or more above the River, and lefs lyable to be overflowed than any other Meadows in the County. 
 
 AND Loch are fa far f 1 om objlru&ng the Current, that where they are ereSed the River 
 is enlarged and cleared, and confequently a freer PafFage fur the Water therein, and the adjacent 
 Lands lefs liable to Floods than before. 
 
 ObjcQ, ;. ] AS to the Strefs that is laid upon the Petitions againft the Bill, the one 
 from the High-Sheriff, Deputy-Lieutenants, Juftices of the Peace, and other Gentleman 
 of the County ; the other from the City of Chejler. 
 
 Anfw ] IT appears from the very Tenor of thofe Petitions, that the Petitioners are againji 
 making the River navigable vpon any Foot : Which further appears in as much as thefe- Petiti- 
 ons have been perocured upon the Sol licitat ions of thofe Gentlemen who are avowedly a- 
 gainft this Navigation, and by particular Gentlemen in and about the City of Chefer. 
 
 WHEREAS it is notorious that a far greater Number of the Juftices of Peace, Gen- 
 tlemen, and fubftantial Freeholders of the County are zealous for this Navigation, as 
 what will greatly conduce to the Good of the County and the Publick. 
 
 THERE are three Gentlemen, viz. Mr. Warburton, Mr. Cbolmondeley and Mr. Fleetwood, 
 who under Pretenfeof Damage in their private Property, oppofe the BilL 
 
 Mr. Warburton complains that his Salt-works at Winnington ftand fo near the River, 
 that fhould the Water be raited, or the Banks cut, the River would be let into the Pitts, 
 and his Saltworks ruined. 
 
 Anfw. ] (TO obviate this, and all other ; bh ObjeOians, it is provided in the Bill, that in 
 making, perfcBing or continuing the Navigation, the Cotirfe or Current of the River Jhall not be 
 altered or brought any nearer to thofe Works, nor be deepned, or the Water by any Lock or 
 
 0! he/wife 
 
436 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 [ 3 J , 
 
 otherwifi raifed, ttor anj Turing-path, Winch, or Engine ereSed or made on the fame Side the River 
 within fifty Tardi of bis Salt-works. 
 
 AND all other Brine-pirn and Salt-iock-pitts in the County, are Sunk from thirty to 
 firty Yards deep upon the Banks of this or fome other River, and are fecured with Timber- 
 Frames and tempered Clay fto keep out freOi Springs that come in at the Sides from intermix- 
 ing with the Brine, which rifes in thejJSgJtoni of the Pitts) much higher than any Floods ever 
 come, and fa at no Water from the River^cart^fiow into, nor did any of them ever fufiain any Damage 
 by Floods, and not one of all the Proprietors (except Mr. Cholmondcley) pretends any ObjeSion, 
 but dtfires thii Navigation. 
 
 BESIDES bit Salt-works (land higher above the River than any other Salt-works in or 
 about Northwich and are not fo foon flooded, and many Pitts art funk, nearer the Brink of the River 
 than the fe Pitts arc t which are more than fourteen Foot higher than the hiver, and have ftood fecure 
 from Floods ever fincC they were made for above twenty eight Tears. 
 
 THE Tmtb of the Cafe i<, that tbm. this Opposition does not proceed from ar.y real Appre- 
 htnfion of Danger to his Salt-itoiki, but (according to his own Propofals) with a View to com- 
 pel the Undertakers to accept a Leafe of them for twenty one Tears at 40c /. per Annum; Where- 
 as in tbe -prefenf Condition of the Trade, they are not worth 100 /. per Annum. However, was 
 the River made navigable, they would be of double the yearly Value to what they are now. 
 Mr. Cbolmondeley objefls, That He will receive Hurt and Damage in his Meadow-lands and 
 Salt-works upon the River, by making it navigable. 
 
 Awf».~] AS to his Meadow-lands thty art worth about 140 1. per Annum, and for the mofi 
 Part lye about three Tards higher than the River, and there are fever Floods upon this than 
 upon any other River in the Connty, and fo far will they be from being laid under Water or 
 damaged from the Locks, that they will be 'efs liable to Floods than before, the River 
 being made wider and cleared where Locks are erected, and. four Foot Water will be" 
 more than fufficient for the Navigation ; and it is above that Depth in moft Parts already. 
 HOWEVER there are fuffirinit Provifiont in the Bill to retompence all Damages. 
 flND as to h'u Salt-works, %» for-the Reafons before-mentioned they cannot be hurt, fo there it 
 710 Ground of Complaint in this Cafe, becaufe they lie above Winsford-Bridge, and the Navh 
 gotten ii to be carried only from thence. 
 
 AND by this Navigation they will be greatly improved in the yearly Value, having 
 1101 for thelaft feveu Years been worth to, I. per Annum communihut Anvit, and yet if the 
 River was made navigable, He may let them for twenty one Years at donble that Rent. 
 
 HE has Wood and Timber within a Mile and half of this River, which He may fell 
 for a fifth Part more if made navigable. 
 
 HE has Iron-Works within a Mile of this River, and if made Navigable will fave him above 140 
 Cent, in the Carriage oF great Part of the Iron Mine and Charcoal that he ufes there, and in 
 fending his Iron to Market. 
 
 HIS Houfe is within a Quarter of a Mile of the River, and many other unforeseen Advan- 
 tages would accrew to him from making it Navigable. 
 
 HE hat often owned the making it navigable would be of great Advantage to him, wherefore 
 it may reafonabh be concluded that this Opposition proceeds , not from any Apprebenfion of Damage 
 to bimfelf, but from other Views and Motives. 
 
 Mr. Fleetwood complains of the Damage that will be done in his Msadow-lands and 
 Fifhcncs upon the River, and the falling the Rents of his Lands, by the Deftruttfon of Land- 
 Carri?ge. 
 
 Anfw. } HIS Meadows lye more than three Tards high above the River There wiU be no Cuts 
 tut where Locks are made. His Fifheries are not worth 40 s. per Annum Four Foot Wa- 
 ter will be fsiScient for the Navigation -, and the Pa JJ age for his Cattle between bit Meadows wilt 
 not be obfiruQed thereby However there are ample Provifiont in the Bill to make Bridges and re* 
 compence Damages in any Cafe happening. 
 
 THERE 11 not one Mill in any Part of this River intended to be made navigable and it u 
 conceived there will not be Occafion to ahtr tbe Courfc of the River in any Part of the Naviga- 
 tion. And us there are ample Provisions in the Bill to recompence all Damages, fo the Under- 
 takers are well able to make them good, and are fare to fare hard enough from the 
 Junes in any fuch Cafe. 
 
 AND ids computed that the Tonnage in this Bill, wbich is but fixleen Pence per Ton, is eafier than 
 upon any other Navigation of tbe tike Extent. 
 
 A N D in Regard this Navigation in the Confequences of it appears to be snore txtcnfivt 
 and benepcial to the Publick, and iefs detrimental to private Property, than any 
 other River in England not yet uavigable. 
 AND it being humbly conceived that no Reafon hath or can be offered agaiffi it, but fuch 
 as may be given againfi making any River navigble. Which Realons are of lefs 
 Confideration than the Goodof the publUk. 
 AND all private Pioperty being efeBually fecuted by p,oper Oatifes n, the Bill, and 
 tbe Undertakers being Gentlemen of tbe County of large Efiates, welt able to recom- 
 pence all Damagct. 
 It is therefore mofi humbly prayed that tbe Confideration theieof may go to 
 4 Committee, and that tbe Bill may paf,. 
 
 i 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 437 
 
 I * 1 
 
 REMARKS 
 
 UPON THE 
 
 Printed Paper, Entitled, REASONS againfl the 
 BILL for making the River Weaver Navigable. 
 
 H E Author of that Paper is driven at laft, in great meafure, to change Us 
 Complaints againft the B I L L, from what they were, and to allow that the 
 making of Rivers Navigable, is generally for the Publick Good ; but yet would 
 infinuate, That the making of this River Navigable ftands entirely different 
 from any other River in England. 
 
 HE after ts, That the making it Navigable will be deftru&ive of the Salt- 
 Trade in the County of Cbefler in particular, and to the Kingdom in general, 
 
 by giving the Advantage- thereof to Foreigners r Which be attempts to make out by 
 
 a chimerical Computation of his own, contrary 10 Fa9, and tbt known Maxims and Expe* 
 rience in Trade. 
 
 I N order to make out his Cafe, he ftates the different Accounts of the prime Cofi of Salt 1 
 Rock, and Carriage to Frodjham -, and of the prime Cofl of Brine-Salt mannfaUvi ed at home, and Car- 
 riage to Frodfham -, as the Price of the Carriage of each is now, and as it will be reduced, when 
 the River is made Navigable, which Account is ftated by him as followeth, Viz. 
 
 Salt-Rock exported to be refnei abroad. 
 
 I s d. 
 TheprimeCoft of oneTun of Salt-? 
 
 Dutyof Rock--— S ° " 4 ' C 
 
 Salt on Ex- Carnage of Ditto, o - 8 -10 
 
 portalionU^Js Duty, ■ ° " o - 8 
 
 5 I. per 
 
 Cent, ad ° *3 " 6 
 
 "Valorem. But the River being made Navigable, 
 
 The prime Coft of one Ton of Rock, 0-4-0 
 Tonnage and Charge in put. aboard, 0-3-0 
 Pays Duty, 0-0-4 
 
 Brine and Salt-Rack re find at borne, and fo exported. 
 
 I A J. 
 
 One Ton of refined Salt, being 407 , a 
 
 Bufiiels.at 6d. i. J ' CI S 
 
 Carriage of Ditto. 0-08 o 
 
 Pays Duty, 0-01-6 
 
 he makes up the Account thus, Viz, 
 One Ton of Manufactured Salt 1 - 1 - 08 
 Tonnage St Charge input, aboard, 0-3-00 
 Pays Duty, o - 1 - oj 
 
 I - S - 1; 
 
 But that Auount being reSifyi of it's Efrori, vill truly Jland thus, Viz. 
 
 Rock-Sah. 
 
 PrimeColt of one Ton at the Pits, o - 4 ■ 
 The Charge of Carriage o - 8 - 
 
 Duty accord.to prime Coft at Pits, o - o - 
 
 One Ton prime Coft, at 4 d. p. Bufh.") 
 ( the prefent and ufual Price ) 3 ° ' 
 
 Carriage to Fmifiam, by reafon its « 
 earned in Bags to keep it clean. j° * 
 
 Duty accord, to prime Coft atWorks, o ■ 
 
 Saveil by making the River Nao ( 
 vigable in the Carnage j 
 
 Saved by makingihe River Na-7 
 vigable by. Carriage, $ 
 
 ■ 5 
 
 Reduced to, 0-7-2; Reduced to 0-17-0 
 
 S O that by making this River Navigable, there vill be fayed in the Salt-Rock, y s. in 12 s. 2d. 
 '^whichii 41 J p, Cent. — And on the Brine-Salt % $ Sui 22s,6d. vhirb U 227 per Cent. 
 
 AND whether furh a Reduction in the Price be for the Advantage of the -Salt-Trade in the 
 County of Chefler in particular, and for the Good of the Publick in general, and tends to increafe 
 the Duty upon it's Exportation to the Crown, or not, muft uotorioufly appear to every Body 
 
 iron* 
 
438 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 [ * J 
 
 from what is bcfure Mated, and from the following Facts and Obfervation- 
 
 I N the firit Place, to fet this Salt-Trade in a clear Light, it is to be obferved, that Brine- 
 Salt is always manufaBurcd where the Salt-Springs arife. 
 
 BUT Rock-Salt is never manufaSured, or refined at the Pits, but is fent Coaft-ways to fupply 
 the Refineries in this Kingdom, or exported into Ireland or Holland, to fupply the Refineries 
 of Salt there •, at thick Refineries only, it it manufactured, and the fame are Situate upon the Sea- 
 Goaft, for the Advantage of Diflblving of the Rock in Salt-Water, 
 
 IT cannot be controverted but that before the Tear 1699, ( that ' any Duty was laid upon 
 Salt ) Rock-Salt was not difcovered in Chefhire, or at leaft the Vk of it not known. And that before 
 that Time there weie fevered Refineries of Salt in many Parts of England, Ireland, and Holland -, all 
 which were then wholly fupplied with French, or other Foreign Salt to be refined for Fifh, Butter, 
 Cheefe, and other Ufes, which the Courfer Salt was not proper for. 
 
 BUT after the Rock-Salt was difcovcr'd in great Quantities in Cbtjhire, and a Duty charged 
 upon all Foreign Salt imported into England, above a Third more than npon Englijb Salt, the 
 Refineries upon the Coaft of England as well as Ireland, flora that time found it more to their Ad- 
 vantage, to rtfine the Rock-Salt of the Growth of tixjbirs, thin Foreign Salt"; and eve r finccthat 
 time, the Refineries have been wholly fupplied therewith. 
 
 THAT foon after the Rock-Salt becoming of fuch general Ufe, the Parliament of England 
 laid a Duty upon it, payable, or figured to be paid at the Rock -Pits -, but allowed a Draw-back or 
 the Duty, upon it's being melted down, and converted into Salt, at any of the Refineries in £>i- 
 gland or Wales, or of its being Exported Hnd Landed in Ireland, or other Foreign Parts. 
 
 IT is a general Maxim in Trade, To make the Export of all Commodities as Cheap as can be , 
 more efpecially fuch as are the natural Product pf the Kingdom, and which ftand in Competition 
 with the like of other Countries \ and fuch is the Cafe of Rock-Salt ■, which is only to be found in 
 Chefairt t, which being coniider'd as a Mineral, what thereof is cither ManufaBured in England, or 
 Exported into Foreign Parts to' be manufactured there, is fo much clear Qcnn and Riches to the 
 Kingdom. 
 
 AND upon tbefe Confederations no doubt it was, that the Parliament waj induced to give the 
 Encouragement above-merit ion'd, to the ConGimptioii and Exportation of our Rock-Salt, by al- 
 lowing a Drawback of the Duty. 
 
 IT is Iikewife true, That the Trade for RocI-SjU to Holland, to fupply the Refineries there, batb 
 ever find the Difioveiy thereof, been snore or Ufs, according at the Siafont have bappen'd, forna- 
 khtg Salt in France, Spain, or Portugal, and as it bath been Cheaper or Dearer in thofe Countries. 
 
 NOR. was there ever any Trade to the Baltick, for Brine-Salt, or Salt manufactured in En- 
 gland but at fuch Tines as thofe Countries could not be fupplied from Frame*, Spain, or Portugal, 
 ■t a cheaper Price. 
 
 INDEED, if fuch Foreign. Parti could not be fupplied with Salt elfcwhere than from En- 
 gland, then it muft be allowed to be our Intereft to prohibit the Exportation of Salt-Rock unma- 
 nufactured : But the Cafe Being otherwife, it io tW.fb** TJemonrtralion, Tbai n t* the Interejl 
 of England to make the Exportation of it as Cheap at may be, becaufe whatever arifet from fstcb Ex- 
 portation, is fo much Qam (0 the Publick, in regard it goes to fupply thofe Parts, that otberwife %vould 
 be fupplied with foreign Salt. 
 
 IT may be farther confidered that by the making this River navigable the Proprietors both of 
 Brine and Rock-Salt in the County of Chefier will be enabled to fupply not only many more Parts 
 of England, but Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and tit Countries in the Baltick, as well with Rock 
 as with manufactured Brine-Salt at a cheaper Price by 5 *. in 8 1. in Refpecx of the Carriage, and 
 alfo to give fai greater Difpatcb in lading the Ships than now. 
 
 FROM all which it will naturally follow.that the SaltTrade-will thereby greatly improve, far great- 
 er Quantities both of Rock-Salt and manufactured Brine Salt will be exportea, and confequeutly 
 the Duty to the Crown thereupon will be fofar from being leflerted, that it will be greatly encreafea. 
 
 AS to what is objected that the Dutch Ships beihg built for Burthen are enabled to carry a third 
 era fourth Part cheaper than the Ships from England. 
 
 THAT howeverit may be true in fomeCafes,it is not fo in this ; for iheEngtijb Ships that carry Rock 
 to Holland, go from thence to other foreign Ports, and lade back with theProduclsof thofeCountries, 
 by Reaton whereof they can carry Rock-Salt cheaper to Holland than the Dutch "Ships can, which 
 bring little or no Goods from Holland, but muft make their whole Freight upon the Rock -Salt which 
 they buy here : nor can the Dutch Ships carry on that Trade upon an- equal Foot with the Englifh, 
 For that by the A3 of Navigation Foreigners can only import into Englandin tbeirown Ships, tbe'Growtb 
 of their own Country. 
 
 AND it will naturally follow, that by the faving which will be in Carriage, by the River being 
 made navigable. That the Inhabitants of Cbejhire, Lancajbire, and other Parts of England, will 
 find Encouragement to build Ships of Burthen, proper for carrying on the Salt Trade ; our own 
 Englilh-built Ship:, having greater Advantages than Foreigners by the Act of Navigation. 
 fc^" AND it may be farther obferved, tlwr for every ten tbottJandTon of Salt exported upon Englijb Shipping 
 at. 30 *. per Ton, (which is the leaft Freight that can be fuppofedj there wilt be gain'd at leafi 15,000?. 
 per Annum, and fo proportionable for a greater Quantity, in Freight only ; beiides the entire Gain to 
 England of the prime Coft and Charges of the Salt, and the Benefit of Building the Ships, and Im- 
 ployment and Increase of Sep.-men. 
 gO- INSOMUCH that by making tbit River navigable there is Reafon to believe that the Salt Trade ft on this 
 County will be improved, to be as confidtrabU and edvastagson* to the Publhk, as aojl other Branches of 
 
 Trade in England. 
 
 AS 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 439 
 
 L 3 J 
 
 AS to the Comparison that is made between a Liberty to export Englilh-Wool and Rock-falt, it 
 is as little to the Objeftor's Purpofe as the Reft of his Reafoniug. For altho" u is admitted that a 
 Liberty to export our Wool would be highly detrimental to our Woollen Manufactures, Yet it 
 ii denyed, that a Liberty to export our Rock-Salt, would be prejudicial to oar Salt ManufaQurei. 
 
 BY Reafun Cloaths cannot be made in foreign Parts to any Perfectiort without our Englifti Wool, 
 but all other Countries may be /applied with other Salt, than what is theProduft of England. 
 fc<* AND how he makes out, that the Cheapnefs of fending any of our own Produ8\ to Foreign Markets 
 will lejfenor buit the Exportation of 'em, is contrary to all the Rule 1 and Maxims in Trade, and not caly to 
 be underftood. 
 
 IT may be further remarked in Anfwer to the pretended Reafons againR this Bill, as it may 
 affecl: the particular Salt Trade of the County of Chejler, 
 
 THAT it is notorious that the Brine Salt-works in that County under the prefent Circumjianca of the 
 Tra ic ar e now of lit tie or v Value v Some of them which formerly cleared 401 Jooo I. per Annum to 
 the Proprietors, not producing a Shilling , others from 1 Joo/- per Annum are reduced to 40/ per 
 Annum ; others from 600 1. to 50. / per Annum, and foof the reft. 
 
 AND therefore all the Proprietors have petitioned for the Bill, and are xealoui to have this River made 
 navigable, as the only Expedient to retrieve the Trade, fave only Mr. Warhurton and Mr Cbolmondeiey, 
 whooppofe it. 
 chuf C Tr 3 dt AS to the Objection to the BillinRefpea of the Cheefe Trade, 
 
 Obferve % THAT in the pretended Reafons againft making this River navigable, it being admitted that 
 
 nine Miles will be faved (tho' m Fait it faves a great deal more) in the Land-carriage of Cheefe 
 
 it would be needlefs to add any thing 4 to Ihow the Advantage of this Navigation in that Itefpeft 
 
 AND it is humbly hoped the Objections to the Bill upon the Pretenfe of affecting the State of 
 
 Trade in general, are fully anfwered. 
 
 P/ivjte AS to the Objections in Refpefl of private Property and Land-carriage upon Confideration 
 
 Property had of the Provifions made in the Bill in Refpeft of Mr War burton's Salt-works and recompencing 
 
 and Land all Damages to him and others, 
 
 carnage AND upon hearing the Evidence that will be given for the Bill, it is humbly conceived there is 
 no Ground for'thefe Complaints. 
 
 BUT Mr. ifarburton, Mr Cholmondeley, and Mr. Fleetwood, who have chiefly oppofed this Bill 
 under Pretence of great Damage to their private Properties, Ihould this River be made navi- 
 gable 
 
 Mr. Warhurton, That his Salt-works which are of a great yearly Value, and may be worth 
 soccc, (.will be deftroyed thereby. 
 
 Mr. Cholmovdeley, That his Meadows will be deftroyed, and thereby his Uplands, which he 
 calls qco I. per Annum, will be rendred of little or no Value to him. 
 
 Mr. Fleetwood, that he fliall be damaged in his Meadow-Lands and Uplands, more than 
 
 jtJST Complaints indeed>iwere there, any Ground for th«d ' But to ftiew they are under ,10 
 fuch Apprehenfions, 
 
 IT lias been lately propofed by their Friends, that if this Bill may be drdpt, they'l undertake 
 that one (hould be brought in and paffed the next Seifions of Parliament to make this River naviga- 
 ble for the Benefit of the County. 
 
 BUT as there is not or can be any Objection to the Ability of the Undertakers in this Bill, to 
 make thefe Gentlemen a Satisfaction for their Damages, Will the making the River navigable by 
 other Undet tahrt by another Bill, be left prejudicial to them* 
 
 IF their Complaints are juft, will it not be equally prejudicial to thefe Gentlemen, by whm- 
 foever the River (lull be made navigable * 
 
 AND they will not pretend to be fo publick-fpirited, as to give and facrifice To great a Share of 
 their Eftates to the Advantage of the County. 
 
 THEY know very well that fuch publick Undertakings are impracticable and have never yet 
 fucceeded in the few Cafes that have been attempted in the like Nature. 
 
 THIS was the Pretence to drop a former Bill in m 5 ; Aflurences wero then given by the fame 
 Gentlemen and their Friends, that a Bill ihould pafs the then next Seflions to make this River naviga- 
 ble for the Benefit of the County, if the other Bill might be dropt But althho' that Bill was dropt 
 thereupon, yet all thofe Promifes have been forgot till now, that a Progrefs has been made in this 
 
 AND as fuch an Undertaking will be impracticable, fo it would be an unequal Imposition upon 
 the Inhabitants of the County, in Regard many of them will receive little or no Benefit from 
 the Navigation, and yet lnuft contribute to the Work, proportionable to their Eftate, equally 
 with thofe that will have the moft frequent Ufe and Benefit of it, 
 JCiV. B. AND how very unfairly the Oppofers of this Bill behave themfelves, will appear in this 
 farther Inftance, viz. They have caufed a Petition to be delivered under the Title of the humble 
 Petition of fcveral of the moft principal Inhabitants and Tradefmcn in and about the Town of 
 Northwhh in the County of Cbefier which is fubferibed as fuch by above 200 Names, 
 WHEREAS in Fafl, of all thofe 2cc or more Subfcribers, there are not above 1 z or j ; Inhabi- 
 tants of that Townwho fubferibed the fame, and of thofe, 5 or 6 of them are poor Labourers, 2 of 
 them, their Wives or Daughters, and the other (fave one or two) are of the meaner Sort. 
 " |0" ' " £ A73 as upon the Whole, it appears, that the Navigation of this River imports more tn the good of 
 the I'ullhlt and'n lefs prejudicial to private Property than any other River in England not yet na- 
 vigable. 
 
 It is therefore humbly hoped ibat fuch groUnalefi ObjeSioni at have been offered againj! 
 the Bill, will not obfl'-ua thepafftng U into a Lav 
 
440 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Anfw, 
 
 Further Anfwers to Objections of the 
 Brine-Salt-Makers in Chefbire, againft 
 making the River Weaver navigable. 
 
 n q> ^^o-^TiT^W^H ET firjl objetl that it will be improper topafs the Bill this Srfions, becavfs 
 ■i ■ ' ' mXaXXOSSm it will make the Duty both on Rock and Brine-Salt more liable to Frauds, 
 andfpoil the matwfaSuring of Brine-Salt. 
 
 TO this it is anfwered that the making this River navigable will 
 
 not give any greater Opportunity to the Running of Salt than at pre- 
 
 fent, but on the contiary will tend better to fecure it ; for as it is 
 
 now carried by Land and by Multitude of Carriers, thofe Carriers 
 
 have Opportunity to run or imbezel the Salt between the "Works and F> odjbam- Bridge. 
 
 WHEREAS if it be carried by Water, the Officers may fee it all put on Board locked 
 and fealed up in the Boats, fo that it fhall not be in the Power of the Boat-men to run 
 or imbezel any of the Salt by the Way, which will be a further Security both to the 
 Duty and the Proprietor, and {hews that there is nothing in this Part of the Objection. 
 Efperially when it is confidered that the Duty is paid or fecured at the Rock-pits and 
 Brine Salt-works, and therefore is not in Reality concerned at what (hall happen be- 
 tween the Salt-works, and Frodjbam-Bridge where it is fhipped off". 
 2a*. Ob. AS to the other ObjeSiou that it will be prtjudfrial to the mannfadbrj of Erint-SaU in 
 
 Chefhire and the Exportation of it. 
 Anfv. IT is anfwered that the making this River navigable will not give any greater Ad- 
 vantage to the Rock-Salt than to the Brine-Salt, in as much as they both will then pay 
 the fame Rate per Ton lor the Water-carriage. 
 IO* AS to theErcife Duty on Rock and Brine-Salt, "the whole is drawn back on Eipor- 
 HJ«* ration, this being no Excife Duty paid to the Crown, but for what Salt is confumed 
 in England. 
 
 BUT the Cuftom Duty on Exportation to Ireland Hands thus: Rock-Salt and Brine- 
 Salt, both pay a Duty of ; l^erCent. ad Valorem, and over and above this,' the Rock- 
 Salt pays a Duty of 9 1. per Ton ■, fo that by the Exportation of Rock-Salt the Crown 
 frets 9 s. per Ton more than by the Brine-Salt. 
 
 As to the Complaint of the Decay or lefejiing tie Exportation of Brine-Salt, to Foreign 
 Varts. 
 
 If Holland is meant? Our Brine or Manufactured Salt is in effect prohibited by a very 
 high Duty, and therefore can't be pretended to have been ever fent thither : But they Ad- 
 mit of the Importation of Rock-Salt upon en eafie Duty to fupply their Refineries^ 
 which before the Difcovery of Rock-Salt in CbeJIrire, were wholly fupplied with- French 
 and other foreign Salt, So that we can only export Rock -Salt to Holland •, and all we do 
 fend,isjb much clear Gain to the Nation : And thisTrade intirely depends upon theChcap- 
 nefs of our Rock-Salt in Comparifon with Foreign Salt, and the difpatch in lading the 
 Ships. 
 
 AND as to the Exportation of Salt to Ireland: The decay thereof, is occasioned, by 
 the great Quantities of Foreign Salt that are now imported thither in time of Peace 
 cheaper than ours i for in time of War when they could not be fupplied with Quanti- 
 ties of Foreign Salt, we fent from Chejbire five times more both of Rock and Brine-Salt 
 than now. 
 
 AND as to the Exportation of our Brine-Salt to the Northern Countries,the little Trade 
 we had thither is in great Meafure loft, for want of being able to fupply them as cheap, 
 and to load their Ships with as much difpatch as is done in other Countries ; So that the 
 Salt Trade of CheJIrire, as well that of Rock-Salt as of Brine Salt, is brought to be of 
 little or no Value either to the Nation or to the Proprietors. 
 
 AND is no waj/s to te retrieved, but by affording ow Salt cheaper, and giving Difpatch to 
 the Shipping, which <an only be effelfrd by making this Rivrr Navigablt. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 441 
 
 town of Middlewich aforesaid, the usual market for trade at 
 present ; but also will employ the poor, and be a means to pre- 
 serve the highways in the said county of Chester, and will very 
 much tend to the employing and increase of watermen and sea- 
 men, and be for the public good. . . ." 
 
 To carry out these two Acts the Weaver Trust was formed. 
 Three Cheshire gentlemen were named as undertakers, viz. : 
 John Egerton, John Amson of Leeds, and Richard Vernon of 
 Middlewich, who died before the work was carried through. Com- 
 missioners ware appointed to the number of eighty-six, to whom 
 fell the duty of arbitrating all differences between the under- 
 takers on the one hand and the property holders whose rights 
 might be interfered with in carrying out the work on the other. 
 Amongst these Commissioners, says Mr Thomas Ward, were 5 
 Earls and Lords, 2 Honourables, 17 Baronets and Knights, 53 
 Esquires, 1 Doctor of Divinity and 8 Gentlemen. For the 
 navigation of the Dane four undertakers were appointed viz. : 
 James, Earl of BaTrymore, Sir Richard Grosvenor, Charles Chol- 
 mondeley, Esquire, and Roger Wilbraham of Namptwich. The 
 number of Commissioners was fixed at 112, and consisted of 4 
 Earls and Lords, 2 Honourables, 17 Baronets and Knights, 79 
 Esquires, 2 Doctors of Divinity, and 8 Gentlemen. All the chief 
 county families had a representative among the Commissioners 
 of the two Acts. The Dane Act however was never carried 
 through partly owing to the apathy of the Commissioners, and 
 partly because the trouble and expense of the Weaver Act turned 
 out to be far greater than was anticipated at the time of the 
 passing of the measures. 
 
 The qualifications of a Commissioner under the Act of 1721 
 was transferred to the Trustees under the amending Act of 1759, 
 and has remained the same for nearly two centuries, though the 
 method of appointment has been modified. The original Act 
 provides " that no person or persons whatsoever shall sit or act 
 as Commissioner or Commissioners in any case, unless such Com- 
 missioner or Commissioners shall, at the time of such sitting or 
 acting be respectively seised of an estate of freehold in lands, 
 tenements, or hereditaments, in the said county of the yearly 
 value of one hundred pounds." The Act also provides for an 
 annual meeting of the Commissioners, and empowers a majority 
 of those present at any such meeting, to nominate new Commis- 
 sioners with the same qualification, in place of any Commis- 
 
442 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 sioners deceased or refusing to act, every such nomination to be 
 recorded in the books of the Commissioners. 
 
 For over one hundred years the Weaver Trust remained a 
 close corporation, though the rapidly increasing importance of 
 towns like Winsford and Northwich in the salt industry, made 
 its constitution an absurd anomaly. In 1867 the question of 
 apportioning the surplus Weaver dues to wipe out the cattle 
 plague rate, caused certain outlying towns, such as Birkenhead, 
 Macclesfield, and Hyde, to be granted the right of nominating 
 Trustees. This aroused strong opposition in the Salt Trade, as 
 the most important of the salt towns were entirely ignored. The 
 Chairman of the Salt Chamber of Commerce (Mr H. E. Falk), 
 voiced this grievance in a letter to the Weaver Trustees : — 
 " This Chamber," he wrote, " respectfully protests against the 
 principle of nomination of the remote towns of the county, and 
 they say that if the Trust admits of this innovation they claim, 
 as the parties paying the entire revenues of the Trust, the privilege 
 of nominating as a counterpoise to the new interests sought to 
 be established members of their own body, or inhabitants of the 
 salt towns equal in number to those nominated by the remote 
 towns." 
 
 This protest produced its effect, and the Tight of nominating 
 three Trustees was granted to the Salt Chamber of Commerce. 
 Northwich and Winsford, however, remained unrepresented until 
 1893, when each town was granted the right of nominating one 
 Trustee. Three years later, the whole constitution of the Trust 
 was remodelled and brought more into line with the industrial 
 needs of modern Cheshire. This will be more fully dealt with 
 later on. 
 
 The powers conferred on the undertakers and Commissioners 
 under the Act of 1721 were, briefly, to do everything necessary 
 to make and keep the river Weaver navigable, with the following 
 important restriction : — " The said undertakers and Trustees, 
 and their Successors, first giving satisfaction to the owners or 
 proprietors of such lands, weirs, mills, tenements or hereditaments 
 respectively, as shall be digged, cut or removed, or otherwise 
 made use of, or that in any wise shall be prejudiced or damaged 
 for, or by reason of, or for the carrying on or effecting the said 
 navigation, or for maintaining, managing, or continuing the same, 
 according to the true intent and meaning of this Act as is here- 
 after in and by this Act directed and appointed." And still more 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 443 
 
 important to the general public is the clause which insists that 
 " the said undertakers and Trustees, and their successors, shall 
 not obstruct or destroy any fords, bridges, highways, or passages 
 over the said river or brook, without making and maintaining 
 other conveniences for passing the same at or near the same 
 places, which shall be as convenient for all persons who have 
 occasion to pass over the said river or brook (i.e. the Witton 
 Brook) as those were that shall be so pulled down, stopped or 
 destroyed." 
 
 The Acts while empowering the Trustees to levy dues on all 
 merchandise conveyed along the Weaver and the Dane contained 
 also a very important clause concerning any surplus revenue which 
 should remain after all working expenses, compensation, repay- 
 ment of capital, etc. had been accounted for : — " That then the 
 clear produce of the said rates and duties shall from time to time 
 be employed for and towards amending and repairing the publick 
 bridges within the said county of Chester, and such other publick 
 charges upon the said county, and in such manner as the Justices 
 of the Peace at the Quarter Sessions to be held next week after 
 the feast of Saint Michael in and for the said county of Chester 
 shall yearly order, direct and appoint." It was clearly laid down, 
 however, that the care of the Toads leading to the river between 
 Frodsham Bridge and Winsford Bridge most used for the salt 
 traffic should be the first charge upon the Trustees. If any 
 further surplus remained it was to go towards the upkeep of the 
 other highways of the county. These provisions secured that 
 the navigation of the Weaver should in no way be turned to 
 private profit. 
 
 The cost of the work was originally estimated at £9000. The 
 money was contributed by private persons and was repayable at 
 5 per cent, interest with 1 per cent, allowed " for risque and 
 hazard," out of the first revenue received from dues and rates 
 on the completion of the work. The money was provided by the 
 undermentioned gentlemen : — 
 
 The Hon. Langham Booth . 
 
 £1000 
 
 Commissioner. 
 
 Sir George Warburton . 
 
 £1000 
 
 Commissioner. 
 
 John Egerton 
 
 £1000 
 
 . Undertaker. 
 
 Henry Leigh 
 
 £500 
 
 Commissioner. 
 
 Bandle Dod 
 
 £500 
 
 Outsider. 
 
 John Amson 
 
 £500 
 
 . Undertaker. 
 
444 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Rev. Philip Egerton . 
 
 . £500 
 
 Commissioner. 
 
 Henry Mainwaring 
 
 . £500 
 
 Commissioner. 
 
 Thos. Vernon 
 
 £500 
 
 Commissioner, 
 
 Richard Vernon . 
 
 £1000 
 
 Undertaker. 
 
 Israel Atherton . 
 
 £500 
 
 Outsider. 
 
 John Williams 
 
 £500 
 
 . Outsider. 
 
 Peter Warburton 
 
 . £500 
 
 Commissioner. 
 
 James Mainwaring 
 
 £500 
 
 Commissioner. 
 
 This Act provided for the completion of the navigation within 
 ten years but unforeseen difficulties presented themselves, ex- 
 penses multiplied, and it was 1735 before the work was really 
 finished. 
 
 In the account books of the Trust, we find among the other 
 payments the following entries, which are interesting as showing 
 the value of timber at that time. 
 
 Timber valued by Hugh Yannes and Francis Falkner on 
 account of the River Weaver's Navigation as follows (to wit) : — 
 
 1st. All the stock trees in Minshull (excepting what we have 
 returned wch. are abt. 222 in number) we divide into two values 
 (to wit) three fourths of the sd. trees whether sawn up or in log 
 we value at eightpence per foot laid down at the Locks. 
 
 2nd. The other one fourth of do. (if judged fit for the navigation) 
 we value at sixpence per foot laid down at the Locks or else to be 
 returned. 
 
 3rd. All the sound poling Timber in Minshull of a foot square 
 and under we value at lOJd. per foot, laid down at the Locks. 
 
 4th. All the sound poling Timber in Minshull above 1 foot 
 square and not more than sixteen inches we value at fifteen 
 pence per foot laid down at the Locks. 
 
 5th. All the sound poling Timber in Minshull above sixteen 
 inches square we value at eighteenpence per foot laid down at 
 the Locks. 
 
 Some of the Commissioners seem to have considered themselves 
 entitled to pretty substantial compensation for their loss of time 
 over the Weaver Navigation. One gentleman, for instance, 
 claims a guinea a day, and another values his time at two guineas, 
 both of which claims were abated by the Committee to half a 
 guinea per diem. 
 
 The work of the navigation was not carried out without con- 
 siderable trouble, and in 1726-7 we find the Commissioners back 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 445 
 
 in Parliament with a Bill for Perfecting the Navigation of the 
 rivers Weaver and Dane. 
 
 The account books of the Trust give a very detailed and 
 interesting account of the enormous expense of getting a Bill of 
 this sort through Parliament. The total cost amounts to some 
 £386, 3s. Od. of which the following are some of the more interest- 
 ing items : — 
 
 Drawing the Petition for the Bill 
 
 Copy sent into the Country 
 
 Drawing the Bill — Very long 
 
 Copy for Council ... 
 
 Pd. Mr Ward for perusing the Bill .... 
 
 His Clerk 
 
 For a close copy thereof sent into the country 
 
 Pd. the Clerk for Committee fees on the petition. 
 
 Pd. for Drawing the Report from the Committee of 
 the House . . . . 
 
 Pd. for Entering the Report in the Journal 
 
 Pd. for Order of Leave for the Bill .... 
 
 For a wide fair copy of the Bill for the Speaker of the 
 House of Commons with proper blanks 
 
 For drawing a Brief thereof for the Speaker 
 
 Pd. Mr Hartlett for perusing and settling it 
 
 For a fair Copy for the Speaker 
 
 For a fair Copy of the Bill for the Printer 
 
 Pd. the printer for printing 300 Bills 
 
 Pd. for order to read the Bill a 2nd time . 
 
 Fair copy of the Bill for the speaker with the Amend- 
 ments in the room of the other . . . .268 
 
 For drawing an additional Brief for the speaker and a 
 
 fair copy thereof . .... 16 8 
 
 Paid the fees in the Second Reading to the Speaker, etc. 13 4 
 
 And so the account of the procedure goes on with Petitions 
 and Orders and additional Orders, with amendments and fair 
 copies, for printing and engrossing and all the expensive details 
 incident to legislation. We learn further from the account books 
 that the Mayor and Burgesses of Liverpool presented a petition 
 against the Bill, ten shillings being paid for a copy of the petition. 
 Also that the Cheesemongers of the Cities of London and West- 
 
 £ 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 fi 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
446 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 minster petitioned on behalf of the Bill — cheese being at that 
 early date one of the staple industries of Cheshire. 
 
 While the Bill was in the Lords we find a second petition against 
 it from Liverpool, and another from " several proprietors of salt 
 at North wich," with a counter petition from the Gentlemen and 
 Freeholders of the County of Chester. The fees for the second 
 reading in the Lords amount to £54. It is difficult to under- 
 stand why Liverpool should have objected to this amending Bill, 
 since the Act of 1721 was largely promoted by the Corporation of 
 that City. 
 
 The estimate given later (1767) in the Minute Books of the 
 Trust for the making of a lock stands at £520, 9s. 8d. The follow- 
 ing items occur : — 
 
 " Dale balks," 8d. per foot. 
 
 Oak Timber, 2s. 6d per foot. ■ 
 
 Oak Plank, £7 per Rood. 
 
 Dale plant, 3Jd. per foot. 
 
 Oak Piles, 12d. per foot. 
 
 Iron & Smith work, 3id. per foot. 
 
 The first entries in the Weaver Toll Books of dues received 
 began October 1st, 1733. 
 
 From October 1st, 1733— March 25th, 1733-4. 
 Rock salt . . 3936 tons 
 
 White salt . . . 2876 „ 
 
 Total . 6812 tons 
 
 From March 25th, 1733-4— March 25th, 1734-5. 
 Rock salt . . . 7443 tons 
 
 White salt . . . 8322 „ 
 
 Total . 15,765 tons 
 
 Total of Rock salt 11,379 tons 
 
 „ „ White „ . 11,198 „ 
 
 From March 26th, 1750— March 25th, 1751. 
 Rock salt . . . 15,637 tons 
 White salt . . . 17,606 „ 
 
 Total . 33,243 tons 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 447 
 
 Total dues of all kinds received on the river Weaver. 
 
 From Oct. 1st 1733— March 25th 1734 . £531 2. 2. 
 
 Total Dues from March 25th, 1734— 
 
 March 25th, 1735 . . . 1302 Ill- 
 
 Total Dues from March 25th, 1750— 
 
 March 25th, 1751 . . . 2899 8 8J- 
 
 During the years, however, in which the river Weaver was being 
 made navigable certain dues were received. The entry in the 
 Accounts of the Trustees reads : — 
 
 29th Sept. 1733. By tonnage received to this time 
 with interest 
 Arrears of Tonnage now due . 260 1 1 
 
 with interest . . £1684 1 1|- 
 
 These moneys were either received directly by the undertakers 
 hi consideration of their having paid all expenses or were appro- 
 priated to them by the Commissioners. 
 
 The business transacted at most of the earlier meetings of the 
 Commissioners seems, according to the Minutes kept, to have 
 consisted chiefly in electing successors to those of their number 
 who died or resigned. On 29th May, 1731 we find an entry 
 interesting as shewing the price of land at the time : — 
 
 " Ordered that Mr Saml. Metcalf's Bill of Damages be allowed 
 which is as follows : viz. For twenty two perches of land cut 
 to set a lock on near Northwich five pounds per annum per 
 acre ... .... £17 3 9 
 
 His damage done by falling his trees, etc. 8 11 8 
 
 His tenant John Broadburn's damage . . 14 
 
 £26 9 5 
 
 Little business seems to have been transacted by the Committee 
 during the next ten years. But in 1741 numerous complaints 
 were made by landowners that land on the river banks was being 
 submerged and that slips were constantly occurring in the banks 
 themselves. With a view then to assessing damages a survey 
 was ordered to be made of lands lost and covered over several 
 miles of the river. This was carried out by Thomas Walley and 
 John Gilbody, who found that the level of the different locks had 
 risen according to the subjoined table : — 
 
448 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Inches. 
 
 Butty Meadow Lock raised by a Cap. . 6| 
 
 New Bridge . . . 
 
 Vale Eoyall . 7 
 
 Hartford ... 8 
 
 Hunts Lock 1st Cap . . 8| 
 
 „ 2nd „ . 6| 
 
 Northwich Lock . 5 
 
 Winnington . 1\ 
 
 Saltersford . . 8J 
 
 Acton Bridge ... 5 
 
 Dutton . . . . 10 
 
 Pickerings . . 8 
 
 It was found that the raising of the level of the locks had given 
 the landowners considerable cause for complaint. Moreover, 
 between Winsford and Northwich it was found that subsidence 
 of the banks had in several places caused pools to be formed of a 
 breadth of 18 or 20 yards where three flats might lie side by 
 side. A survey of the river Dane showed the same state of things 
 with several pools of 16 or 20 yards wide and one as much as 
 30 yards in breadth. 
 
 But after this flicker of energy the business of the Weaver 
 Navigation was once more sadly neglected by the Commissioners. 
 We find entry after entry in the minutes of annual meetings at 
 which a bare half dozen turned up, followed by the curt announce- 
 ment " nothing done." In 1745 we have the entry : — 
 
 Annual Meeting, Oct. %ih, 1745. " (Only one Commissioner (to 
 wit) Philip Egerton, Esq. appeared) to put the Act in execution 
 for making the river Weaver navigable — nothing done." 
 
 Thos. Paithfull, Clerk to the Commissioners. 
 
 The following year the entry is even shorter : — 
 Annual Meeting, Oct. 8, 1746. " Only Philip Egerton, Esq. 
 Nothing done." 
 
 The conscientious Philip Egerton continued to attend this 
 annual farce of a business meeting in company with three or four 
 other Commissioners. In 1753 the accounts were examined and 
 passed, but it was not until 1756 that any real business was 
 transacted. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 449 
 
 The sudden revival of interest in the navigation this year 
 was due to the attitude of the Liverpool merchants, who made 
 bitter complaints over the conduct of the navigation, and brought 
 
 ■ illlOi 
 
 d.li! 1 ""' 
 Iflll*""- 
 
 s i Villi',',',':" 
 
 E- wo J 1 3 1 
 O o ? ^ 
 
 ^' UD uj ,! 
 
 LU, <— < < 
 
 > li. < 
 
 < O =! 
 
 
 
 CC ! CQ. 
 
 > I— 
 
 QC 
 
 
 ■: s * s 5 
 
 r :,^-isi^ssi;£ 
 
 SSE^SSi.SSS 
 
 
 
 e:;?sss|eig 
 
 ^ s iS > i * £ ± 5 3 
 
 *£< >' f. f\i.*£ sc 
 
 
 forward a proposal to take over the whole business from the 
 Commissioners and undertakers. They offered to pay off all 
 debts, which amounted to £20,500, to make an annual payment 
 to the County of Cheshire of a clear sum of £800, and to get a Bill 
 in Parliament empowering them to carry through the deal. This 
 
450 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 stirred up the Commissioners, who turned up in force at the com- 
 mittee meeting in October 1756, and refused the Liverpool mer- 
 chants' offer. They then set to work to obtain another Weaver 
 Act amending and extending the Act of 1721. This was obtained 
 in 1759-60 and was entitled " An Act to amend an Act passed in 
 the seventh year of the reign of his late Majesty King George the 
 First, for making the river Weaver Navigable from Frodsham 
 Bridge to Winsford Bridge in the County of Chester ; and for the 
 more effectual preserving and improving the said river." 
 
 The preamble of this Bill is as follows : " Whereas by an Act 
 passed in the seventh year of the reign of his Late Majesty entitled 
 an Act for making the river Weaver Navigable from Frodsham 
 Bridge to Winsford Bridge in the County of Chester, certain 
 persons in the said Act named, and their successors were autho- 
 rised and empowered to make the said river navigable from 
 Frodsham Bridge to Winsford Bridge aforesaid, upon the terms 
 and under the provisions in the said Act contained ; and Com- 
 missioners were thereby appointed for settling, determining and 
 adjusting, in manner therein mentioned, all matters about which 
 any differences might arise, between the undertakers of the said 
 navigation or their successors and the owners and occupiers in 
 any weirs, mills, lands, tenements and hereditaments ; and 
 whereas- by virtue of the said "Act the said river has been made 
 navigable ; but some of the works for making and using the said 
 navigation have been greatly injured and damaged, and no 
 method is appointed by the said Act for recovering satisfaction 
 for such damages ; and the said Act is in many other parts 
 defective ; and it will be impracticable to improve or preserve 
 the said navigation unless the said Act be explained, amended and 
 rendered more effectual ; and whereas the purposes of the said 
 former Act may be more effectually answered, if trustees were 
 appointed with further and more proper powers for preserving 
 and improving the said navigation, and all the interest and pro- 
 perty of the said undertakers and their successors and "assigns, 
 in, over and upon the same, were transferred to and invested in 
 such trustees and their successors. May it, etc." 
 
 This new Act relieved the undertakers and Commissioners of 
 all their duties and liabilities and appointed in their place a body 
 of Trustees, to the number of 105. These consisted of six peers, 
 six honourables, thirteen baronets and knights, seventy-two 
 esquires, eight reverends and doctors of divinity. All the well- 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 451 
 
 known Cheshire families were represented on the Trust and most 
 of the Trustees named were county magistrates. The Act further 
 provided that the old debt of £20,500 should be made a charge 
 upon the rates and duties under the new Act. More complete 
 arrangements were made to deal with the damage to property 
 caused by the carrying out of the work of the navigation. 
 The trustees were given the power to appoint a Works 
 Committee, which has proved the most useful part of the Act. 
 
 The qualification for a Trustee remained the same as for the 
 old Commissioners, viz. the possession of freehold in the 
 county to the value of £100. Any dispute arising which might 
 affect the interest of any Trustee was to be referred to the Com- 
 missioners for Land Tax for Lancashire. All claims for damages 
 were to be made within six months of the damage being sustained. 
 A copy of the Weaver accounts was to be supplied annually to 
 the county magistrates. It was further ordered that the naviga- 
 tion should have a minimum depth of four and a half feet. 
 
 Here for the first time we hear of the disastrous subsidences 
 that have been the curse of Cheshire. A rock salt pit near Witton 
 Mill Bridge had collapsed, and the Act empowered the Trustees 
 to expend £600 in filling it up. But before the Act was through 
 Parliament a second disaster occurred. A river pit near North- 
 wich Lock fell in, destroying the lock itself. The Trustees began 
 to feel uneasy and stringent orders were given for the repairing 
 of all locks and works upon the river. A period of great activity 
 began. Frequent meetings were held, and in October 1760 we find 
 the committee threatening to file a Bill in Chancery against a 
 firm of contractors who, having been instructed in August to 
 " make good the defects in the Navigation of Witton Brook " 
 had neglected to do so. 
 
 The proposed extension of the Bridgewater Canal about this 
 time seriously alarmed the Trust lest the commerce of the Weaver 
 should be interfered with. A project was mooted for a canal 
 connecting the Weaver by Winsford Bridge with the Trent, and 
 a second for connecting the Weaver at North wich with Manchester. 
 Neither of these schemes came to anything owing, possibly, to 
 the slackness of the working of the first Weaver Act. Instead, 
 a charter was granted to the Trustees of the Trent and Mersey 
 Canal. 
 
 After the passing of the second Weaver Act trade continued 
 steadily to improve. The Trustees felt themselves able to raise 
 
452 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 wages all round. We find notes in the minutes of the raising of 
 the master carpenter's wages to two shillings per day, and a 
 general rise amongst the labourers of two pence a day all round. 
 More significant still is the following entry dated July 2, 1772. 
 " Ordered that the salary of the Collector's clerk at the Salt 
 Office in Northwich be enhanced two guineas per annum, for the 
 account he delivers in quarterly of the quantity of rock salt, 
 by reason of the increase of the rock and salt trade, he having at 
 present only four guineas per annum." On the petition of Peter 
 Bancroft the Witton Brook was widened " for the accommodation 
 of the trade on the river." The tonnage dues on" burr stones " 
 for supporting the banks of the river were reduced to twopence 
 per ton, a privilege extended much later to all paving stones and 
 road repairing materials. An application was made by Mr Kent, 
 a Liverpool merchant, that in shipping his flints and clays over 
 the river Weaver he might reckon twenty-one hundredweight to 
 the ton. This was refused as being contrary to the usage of the 
 navigation expressly laid down. Permission was also claimed to 
 remove free of charge " cinders " from one side of the river to the 
 other. From time to time there was trouble with some of the 
 salt proprietors who persisted in disregarding the regulations of 
 the Trust. We find prosecutions being frequently threatened 
 against owners of flats who have omitted to display their names 
 on the outside of their craft. We find notes of lock gates damaged 
 by flats entering the locks under sail, and in 1768 proceedings are 
 threatened against one John Bebbington who persists in throwing 
 " shudes " into Wincham Dock, and thus obstructing the naviga- 
 tion of Witton Brook Lock. There is constantly recurring trouble 
 with the falling in of old rock pits. In 1768, for instance, cur- 
 rents of water were found to be settling in the old Rock Pit Hole 
 below Northwich Lock, which resulted in the formation of sand- 
 banks in the river. This was dealt with by the laying of burr 
 stones below the lock. 
 
 In 1775 the banks of the Wielden Ferry Canal, which ran 
 parallel with the Weaver, broke down and slipped into the Weaver 
 near Baltersford Lock, causing traffic to be held up for two days. 
 A further collapse occurred at Bartington near Dutton, whereby 
 a great quantity of sand was washed into the river. No damages 
 were claimed on account of the prompt assistance rendered by 
 the labourers of the canal navigation, but orders were given that 
 a strict watch should be kept and all weak places reported to the 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 453 
 
 engineers. Many of the weirs on the river were raised several 
 inches. 
 
 But the Trustees were not moving quite quickly enough to 
 satisfy the traders. Increased trade demanded still further 
 facilities. A petition was therefore presented to the committee 
 in October 1775, signed by nine of the leading traders, which 
 began by acknowledging the improvements already made by the 
 Trustees. '" This," the petition continues, " with the improve- 
 ments in the manufacturing of salt had greatly contributed to 
 enlarge the trade as evidently appears by the increase of tonnage ; 
 we now only beg leave to refer to your consideration a much 
 greater and further improvement that might be made, an improve- 
 ment still more advantageous to trade, viz. a lock at the lower 
 end of Sutton Marsh. This would enable the proprietors to 
 answer the demands upon the shortest notice ; for the flats loaded 
 with salt rock and other goods would be ready at Sutton for the 
 Tide, whereas they are now five miles further up the river, viz. 
 at Pickering's, and in coming down from thence are frequently 
 detained by the Tide of Ebb, but if a lock was made there the 
 flats so detained at Ebb tide would have been at Liverpool." 
 The legal adviser of the Trustees decided that there was no power 
 to carry out this improvement, but an alternative was suggested, 
 viz. the making of a lock " at a certain place marked C (on tie 
 plan produced) above Frodsham Bridge." 
 
 A further petition from the salt proprietors was presented 
 asking for the Witton Brook to be made properly navigable, to 
 which the Trustees replied that they had no power under the 
 present Act to extend the navigation beyond Witton Bridge. 
 Orders were, however, given early in the following year for making 
 " a side cut and swivel bridge " at Hartford, the bridge then 
 existing being " so low as to render it very inconvenient for the 
 Vessels trading on the river to pass under the same." 
 
 Petitions were constantly being received from the Liverpool 
 merchants and the salt proprietors for a reduction of the tonnage 
 dues. After several times rejecting these demands the committee 
 decided that " if proper quays with communications and other 
 conveniences were erected and made at Anderton or Barnton for 
 reshipping of goods and merchandises into the river Weaver from 
 the Staffordshire canal, it would be a more eligible plan for the 
 benefit of trade on the Weaver than a reduction of the tonnage." 
 After much discussion, however, this plan was also rejected, and 
 
454 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 instead a project was set on foot for the mending and repairing 
 of the road " from Broken Cross to the Guide Post in Penny's 
 Lane " and for the conveying goods from the Weaver at North- 
 wich on Witton Brook to the canal at Broken Cross for lOd. 
 per ton. 
 
 The repairing of the road was pushed on for a time and new 
 wharves and warehouses erected at Broken Cross. The traders 
 were not altogether satisfied and again asked for a reduction of 
 tonnage, which was again refused. Cotton manufacturers now 
 began to realise the value of the Weaver navigation, and several 
 applications were entertained by the Trustees for permission to 
 use the waste from the different weirs in the cotton factories. 
 
 The finances of the Trust were now in a flourishing condition. 
 By 1776 the old debt of £20,500 was cleared off, and two years 
 later the first payment of surplus money was made to the County 
 of Chester. Between 1747 and 1777 the shipments of rock salt 
 were almost quadrupled. ; the following figures are extracted from 
 the account books : — 
 
 1747 
 
 13,310 tons rock salt 
 
 16,101 white salt 
 
 1764 
 
 30,141 
 
 18,637 
 
 1777 . 
 
 54,176 
 
 31,000 
 
 after which the rock salt shipments remained pretty steady until 
 the close of the century, but the quantities of white salt rose 
 rapidly to 100,000 tons. New roads were made between the 
 Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal, and finally the Trustees 
 returned to their original idea of establishing communication 
 between the river and the Staffordshire Canal. Negotiations 
 were entered into with the canal authorities, estimates drawn up, 
 and in 1791 the work was ordered to be begun, " irrespective of 
 any action that might be brought against the committee for so 
 doing." An interesting entry occurs in the minutes of the fol- 
 lowing year. A petition was received from the salt proprietors 
 of Liverpool, Northwich, and Winsford, requesting that the 
 Trustees of the Weaver " would cause a towing path to be made 
 along the said river for the purpose of hauling vessels with horses 
 instead of men." 
 
 In 1794 John Johnson, who appears to have been engineer to 
 the Trustees, was ordered to take a journey to Coalbrookdale " for 
 the purpose of examining and informing himself fully on the 
 nature and method of making the different railed roads and other 
 
456 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 works used there for shipping goods into vessels on the river 
 Weaver." It is pretty safe to conjecture that the Weaver Trustees 
 at this time had little idea what a powerful rival these " railed 
 roads " might become in the carrying trade. 
 
 But trade was still hampered by the shoals and sandbanks 
 around the mouths of the Mersey and Weaver, which made navi- 
 gation very difficult between Pickering's Lock and Frodsham 
 during the neap tides. Continual representations were made to 
 the Trustees of the navigation that a canal should be cut through 
 from the river Weaver near the township of Sutton near Frodsham 
 to the river Mersey at or near Weston Point. These applications 
 the Trustees rejected on the plea that they had no power so to 
 extend the navigation under the first and second Weaver Acts. 
 But at the general meeting held on December 22nd, 1796, a more 
 favourable view of the proposal was taken. The draft of a Bill 
 intended to be introduced into Parliament, was considered and 
 approved by the meeting, being afterwards referred to the com- 
 mittee, and it was decided that leave should be asked to bring 
 the Bill before Parliament. The proviso was added, however, that 
 the traders must undertake to pay a proposed additional tonnage 
 from the time of passing the Act, as the Trustees had no poweT to 
 give security for money necessary to be borrowed for the making 
 of the canal unless an immediate tonnage was assured. This, 
 however, the traders, with two exceptions, were not prepared to 
 guarantee. After some time they offered to find the sum of 
 £10,000, but the Trustees refused to move unless the whole cost of 
 the proposed canal was guaranteed. In 1799 the first " railed 
 road " on the Weaver navigation was built at Anderton Basin, 
 for facilitating the transhipment of the rock salt. 
 
 In 1807 the salt proprietors united with the Liverpool mer- 
 chants and at last managed to obtain a further Act in Parliament 
 " to authorise the Trustees of the River Weaver Navigation to 
 open a more convenient communication between the said river 
 near Frodsham Bridge, and the river Mersey near Weston Point 
 in the township of Weston, in the County of Chester." This was 
 Act No. 3, George III., 1807. A " navigable cut or canal " was 
 therefore constructed between these two points at considerable 
 cost. The Trustees proposed to raise the money required by 
 (1) putting an extra toll on all merchandise, (2) borrowing a sum 
 of money at interest, (3) appropriating the ordinary surplus. The 
 Act provides stringent regulations for other goods than salt, coals, 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 457 
 
 lime and limestone, from the canal to the river. These regula- 
 tions, however, being found prejudicial to the commerce of the 
 
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 river were repealed by a further Act some years later, viz. 
 6 Geo. IV. Sess. 1825. 
 
458 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Four years later the trade of the Weaver was again being dis- 
 cussed in Parliament. A Bill was obtained to incorporate the 
 Weston Canal, with its basin, piers and lighthouse with the river 
 Weaver. Further, the river Dane was also definitely made a 
 charge on the Weaver Trustees and ordered to be " scoured, 
 cleaned and deepened," thus at last securing that attention which 
 a separate Act of Parliament had failed to secure for it a century 
 previously. This Act further reaffirms all the ancient powers 
 and privileges of the Trust, but substitutes a jury for the Com- 
 missioners of Land Tax formerly deputed to hear disputes. 
 
 In 1840 the Trustees of the Weaver began to feel qualms 
 about their moral obligations to the men employed on their flats 
 and barges. A Bill was passed through Parliament enabling them 
 to build churches and schools at different points on the river 
 Weaver for the benefit of their employees and their children. 
 As the preamble of this Bill points out, in consequence of " peti- 
 tions and applications from the watermen or flatmen, haulers, 
 and others employed upon the said navigation," a bye-law had 
 been made by the Trustees " prohibiting traffic on the navigation 
 on the Sabbath day." In consequence, at different points along 
 the river, there was every Sunday quite a large floating popula- 
 tion. As a consequence the Trustees felt it incumbent on them 
 to provide in some way for the spiritual needs of the employees. 
 Under this Bill not more than three churches were to be built at 
 a cost of not more than £6000 out of the surplus tonnage, which 
 had for some years amounted to the large annual figure of £15,000. 
 Winsford Church, Castle Church, and Weston Point Church were 
 built with endowments of £100 to £150 per annum. Schoolrooms 
 were also built, in which the clergymen were to give instruction 
 in " reading, writing and other branches of elementary instruction 
 suitable to the state and degree " of the children of the watermen 
 and haulers. The ministers and curates were, however, relieved 
 of this part of their duties, which was delegated to teachers paid 
 out of the revenues of the river. We find entries in the accounts 
 of over £70 paid for a clock for one of these churches and of £40 
 paid for communion plate, and of salaries paid to the school- 
 masters of £50, " including the pennies paid by the children." It 
 is easy to understand to what heartburnings and bitter com- 
 plainings this Act had given rise among those traders and salt 
 proprietors who did not belong to the established Church of 
 England. The malcontents, however, seen to have contented 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 459 
 
 themselves with grumbling. There is no record of " passive 
 resistance." 
 
 One or two further entries in the account books throw further 
 light on the charities of the Trust. We find one year's subscrip- 
 tion to Northwich National School set down in 1824 at £10. 
 The same year, a year's subscription to Chester Infirmary is 
 entered at £21. In 1832 we find the interesting entry " Trans- 
 ferred to disposal of sub-committee to adopt measures to stay 
 the progress of the Cholera Morbus — £500." The sub-committee 
 does not seem to have bestirred itself over much, for the fol- 
 lowing year £122, 7s. of this sum was handed back. Or perhaps 
 the progress of the disease was otherwise arrested. Twice during 
 these years, when the Napoleonic wars were draining England, 
 do we find an increase of Is. per week on the wages granted to 
 the labourers on the navigation, on account of the high price of 
 corn and provisions. In the early sixties a small revolution took 
 place in the traffic of the Weaver, when for the first time Mr 
 H. E. Falk introduced a small steam barge called the " Experi- 
 ment " on to the river. This was followed in 1864 by a second 
 one named the " Improvement," which had a long and busy 
 career, only being taken off the river about 1893. In 1897 it was 
 sold by the Salt Union and broken up. 
 
 The salt manufacturers had been feeling for many years that 
 the Eiver Weaver Trust was being conducted in a manner un- 
 suited to the spirit of the age, and to the growing extension of the 
 salt trade, and, on February 1st 1861, the salt proprietors held 
 a meeting at Northwich and sent the following Memorial to the 
 Lords' Committee of the Privy Council for Trade : — 
 
 " When the first Act of Parliament was obtained in a.d. 1720, 
 constituting the present Trust, the salt trade was in its infancy, 
 and one of the alleged advantages by making the Weaver navigable 
 was the facility of conveying cheese and other agricultural produce 
 to the Mersey, bringing back manure, etc. 
 
 " The carriage of these commodities has become quite obsolete, 
 and the enormous revenue accruing to the Trust has been derived 
 almost entirely from salt sent down to Liverpool, and coal brought 
 back for the manufacture of salt, until, in the year 1860, the 
 quantity of salt has reached 628,779 tons, and of coals about 
 one-third, or 300,000 tons. It is manifest, therefore, that the 
 original object for which the Trust was established has entirely 
 changed its feature. 
 
460 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " In the session of 1857 a Bill was promoted in Parliament to 
 reduce the Weaver tolls, on which occasion your honourable 
 Board reported fully, one short extract of which your Memorialists 
 now quote : 
 
 " ' The undertaking is, therefore, and has from the beginning- 
 been a public trust. It appears to have originated with certain 
 gentlemen of Cheshire, who advanced money for the purpose, by 
 way of loan, which has long since been repaid. The Trustees are 
 now a self-elected body, consisting, as it appears, of landowners, 
 gentry, and clergy of Cheshire, but they do not represent the 
 interests of the trade which uses the navigation.' 
 
 " The Preamble of the Bill was not proved, chiefly, as your 
 Memorialists believe, from want of general support on the part of 
 your Memorialists, who did not consider that such Bill was 
 calculated to remedy the evils under which they laboured, and 
 who were further influenced by promises on the part of its oppo- 
 nents of important alterations in the management, as well as 
 a revision of the tolls complained of. Your Memorialists, how- 
 ever, regret to state that such promises have only been satisfied 
 to a very small extent, and otherwise rendered nugatory, as your 
 Memorialists are prepared to show. 
 
 " Independent of the fundamental objection to the self-consti- 
 tuted nature of the Trust, your Memorialists have serious allega- 
 tions to make as to the manner in which the actual business of 
 the Trust is conducted, and they are prepared to show that great 
 loss, detriment, and drawbacks have arisen from the same. Any 
 remonstrances or representations of the salt trade have been 
 generally disregarded by the Managers of the Navigation, and 
 the consequence has been an unprecedented succession of stop- 
 pages, delays, and impediments in the transit of your Memorialists' 
 flats or vessels, a late instance of which was pointed out to your 
 Lordships in a Memorial addressed to the Liverpool Docks and 
 Harbour Board by a number of shipmasters, unable from want 
 of salt cargoes to proceed on their respective voyages. It can 
 also be shown that in the building of new locks and bridges, and 
 making alterations in the bed of the river, the true interests of 
 salt proprietors and others largely concerned have not only been 
 seriously neglected, but extensively damnified, otherwise the 
 Navigation could have been greatly improved, and rendered 
 capable of receiving vessels of a large class. 
 
 " Your Memorialists further respectfully recall attention to the 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 461 
 
 very unsatisfactory footing on which they are placed in dealing 
 with a public body responsible to no one, or to any popular control, 
 who collect their revenue and spend it as they please, transferring 
 annually large sums of money raised in a particular trade to a 
 general county rate beneficial to their own estates, whilst the 
 towns of North wich and Winsford are left to their own resources 
 — Northwich, in particular, being in a state of dilapidation, and 
 oppressed with heavy rates for the maintenance of its poor, nor 
 could it ever have been the intention of Parliament that such an 
 incongruous state of things should have arisen on the powers 
 granted to the original Trustees ; still less can it have been con- 
 templated that the revenue would reach its present figure, other- 
 wise provisions for a more efficient control over the administration 
 of the funds would have been provided, and a more equitable 
 adjustment of the burthens of the ratepayers. The Weaver 
 Navigation exempt themselves from all local rates and taxes, and 
 leave the ratepayers and navigators without any practical appeal 
 whatever in cases where disputes between the management and 
 the public occur as to damage, the Justices of the Peace for the 
 county being mostly River Weaver Trustees themselves, and 
 sitting in judgment on their own cases. 
 
 " Your Memorialists would further observe, that the magnitude 
 of the salt trade is such that it exceeds the export of coal and 
 iron together, being one-half of the loaded tonnage clearing at the 
 port of Liverpool, dependent on the management of the Weaver 
 Navigation. 
 
 " Your Memorialists therefore respectfully call upon your 
 Honourable Board to promote a Government Bill in Parliament 
 during the present session, whereby the River Weaver Trust may 
 be made to work in unison with the trade which has enriched it, 
 and with the acknowledged principle that ratepayers should have 
 a voice in the administration of funds collected from them ; your 
 Memorialists believe that such changes would greatly promote 
 the extension of their trade, improve the value of property in the 
 Salt District, afford additional employment to the labouring 
 population, and give satisfaction to the mercantile body of 
 Liverpool, who are identified with the prosperity of the salt trade. 
 And your Memorialists further submit that a Board of Manage- 
 ment, consisting of twenty members, would be amply sufficient to 
 carry out the duties of their office, members of such Board to be 
 elected by ratepayers on the river to the extent of fifty pounds 
 
462 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 per annum and upwards — your Honourable Board appointing, 
 as in the case of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, some 
 nominee members ; or, that your Honourable Board deal with the 
 case as may appear most effectual for carrying out the objects 
 sought for. In conclusion, your Memorialists would respectfully 
 recall the recommendations contained in your Lordships' report 
 of 1857, as follows : — 
 
 " ' It appears to my Lords that the true remedy is as follows : — 
 
 " ' 1. To place the undertaking in the hands of a body fairly 
 representing the trade and Navigation of the Weaver. 
 
 " ' 2. To make the tolls fair and equal for all persons who use 
 the Navigation, and to abolish all exemptions and privileges. 
 
 " ' 3. To fix such a rate of tolls as will certainly be sufficient 
 to maintain, and if necessary to improve the Navigation, and to 
 require that, after satisfaction of any debts and of any claims 
 of individuals which may have acquired the nature of vested 
 interests, all the money levied as tolls shall be applied solely to 
 the purposes of the Navigation. 
 
 " ' 4. To require annual publication of accounts, with full powers 
 of inspection and audit, as has been commonly done in recent 
 Navigation Bills.' 
 
 "And your Memorialists will ever pray," etc. 
 
 Meanwhile the Trustees were casting about for other ways in 
 which to feed their steadily increasing trade. The idea of hand- 
 ling the trade of the Potteries had for some time been in their 
 minds. Little of this was carried on by the Weaver, as most of 
 the cargoes of china clay and flints went up to Runcorn and 
 the flats carried back salt from Anderton and Marston via the 
 Trent and Mersey Canal. Salt cargoes from the Weaver had either 
 to pass up to Runcorn at high water, or else to sail along the 
 Weston Canal, paying an additional toll. The Trustees believed 
 that they might deflect much of the Potteries' trade into their 
 own waterway by building docks at Weston Point for sea-going 
 vessels. By this, not only would the salt proprietors escape the 
 double duties of the Weston Canal and the waste of time involved 
 in waiting for high tide, but the tolls on the pottery material 
 would go to swell the revenues of the Weaver navigation instead 
 of the Runcorn dock authorities and the Trent and Mersey Canal. 
 A Bill was accordingly promoted in Parliament in 1866 ; this 
 being the seventh Act dealing with the river Weaver. 
 
 It is entitled " An Act to authorise the Trustees of the River 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 463 
 
 Weaver Navigation to raise a sum of money for the improvement 
 of their navigation and for other purposes relating to the said 
 navigation." The Trustees are authorised " to borrow at interest 
 any money not exceeding in the whole the sum of two hundred 
 thousand pounds," to be employed " only in the widening, deepen- 
 ing, and otherwise improving the navigation of the river Weaver, 
 and in executing the works necessarily incident thereto, and in 
 the making of docks, basins, locks, weirs, wharves, quays, landing 
 places, warehouses, cranes, lifts, and other conveniences for 
 the accommodation of vessels, and for the loading, unloading, and 
 protecting of goods, and in fulfilling the other purposes of this 
 Act." £60,000 is first to be expended on the completion of cer- 
 tain works, after which certain fixed tolls may be levied on all 
 vessels using the Weston Canal, or any of the docks, basins, or 
 quays. Certain minor powers were given to the Trustees (which 
 were not always taken advantage of), such as putting steam tugs 
 on to the navigation and charging for their use, and for providing 
 the Mersey with buoys as far as Hale Head. A temporary 
 arrangement was come to with the salt proprietors concerning 
 the transfer of trading vessels from the Euncorn docks to those 
 at Weston, but it was obvious that the transfer could not be 
 permanent unless the Weston docks were made equally suitable 
 for the import as for the export trade. The arrangements at 
 Anderton had been made in view of transferring goods from the 
 Trent and Mersey Canal to the Weaver, and they were unsuited 
 to the reverse process. It was decided that this could best be 
 remedied by the installation of a floating dock which could be 
 raised from one level to the other. An hydraulic lift was designed 
 by Mr E. Leader Williams, M.Inst.C.E., and powers for raising 
 sufficient money to construct the lift and dock were applied for. 
 This resulted in the eighth Weaver Act of 1872, intended, as the 
 preamble declared, to enable vessels to be transferred from the 
 river to the canal and vice versa " without the cost, risk and 
 delay of unloading and reloading at Anderton." Though the 
 Trustees had been empowered by the previous Act of 1866 to 
 borrow the sum of £200,000 this had not been done, the costs 
 of the improvements to the navigation, which had been carried out 
 to the amount of £160,000, having been defrayed out of the 
 surplus revenues of the Trust, which would otherwise have gone 
 to the county. The Act of 1872 emphasised 'the desirability of 
 borrowing money at interest to complete the work and for the 
 
464 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 construction of the new hydraulic lift at Anderton, instead of 
 meeting the cost out of the current revenue on the following 
 grounds : " Whereas it has been doubted whether any payment 
 can be made to the county by the Trustees under the provisions 
 of any of the said Acts whilst any money is due from the Trustees 
 upon Mortgages or otherwise, and whether the county can claim 
 any payment if the Trustees apply the whole of their revenue to 
 the execution of permanent works for the improvement of the 
 navigation, it is expedient that such payments should be made 
 notwithstanding the indebtedness of the Trustees." When we 
 realise that during the ten years 1858-1868 a sum of not less than 
 £127,000 had been paid over to the county we can understand 
 that from the point of view of the public good the withdrawal 
 of these payments must have been a serious matter. Power was 
 also granted to the North Staffordshire Railway Company, the 
 owners of the Trent and Mersey Canal, to arrange tolls and dues 
 with the Trustees of the Weaver. The regulations concerning 
 the moneys borrowed for the construction of the new hydraulic 
 lift, etc., provided by the Act were stringent. All sums were to 
 be repaid within fifteen years of the passing of the Act, i.e. by 
 1887 ; the sums raised were not to exceed the £200,000 provided 
 for by the Act of '66, with an additional £50,000. Tolls were to 
 be levied on all boats using the lift, but after several years this 
 clause became a dead letter, and vessels are now entitled to use 
 the lift as freely as the docks and locks on the river. 
 
 In the House of Commons the opinion of the Board of Trade 
 was taken, and a detailed report was drawn up which strongly 
 condemned the custom of paying annual sums to the county on 
 the ground that though the initial cost of the river Weaver 
 navigation was borne by private Cheshire gentlemen, the county 
 ought not to have a claim in perpetuity to all the surplus revenues. 
 Moreover, the expenditure on the churches was said to be un- 
 necessary. The tone of the report was hostile to the Trustees, 
 who were said — quite rightly — to be a '" self-elected body, con- 
 sisting of landowners, gentry, and clergy, but no representatives 
 of the Salt Trade." The report considered that the heavy surplus 
 of tlie river dues should be applied to the relief and extension of 
 the trade, and recommended that Parliament should limit the 
 powers of the Trustees in dealing with the revenues. The Bill, 
 however, was passed and the Trustees retained their rights of 
 disposal of the surplus dues. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 465 
 
 I 
 
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 s»; 
 
 •5 B 
 
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 s O 
 
 •3 < 
 
 hi 
 
 £ m 
 
 a w 
 
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 n 
 
 But in a rapidly developing industry like the salt trade one 
 extension and improvement has always to be followed by another. 
 To keep pace with increasing 
 competition and with the 
 revolution effected by the 
 almost universal application 
 of steam to the mercantile 
 marine, it became necessary 
 to admit sea-going vessels to 
 the Weaver itself, instead of 
 transferring cargoes at the 
 docks, a process which in- 
 volved both heavy expense 
 and loss of time. For this it 
 was seen that the locks must 
 be made much larger and 
 deeper, that their number 
 must be decreased, and that 
 if sea-going vessels were to 
 be admitted as far up the 
 river as Winsford or even 
 Northwich some of the exist- 
 ing bridges would have to be 
 rebuilt. The Trustees had 
 been far-sighted enough to 
 insist that all railway bridges f a 
 should be built with a clear- „, S 
 ing of sixty feet to allow for | ' 
 the passage of vessels under- < < 
 neath. But Northwich Town 1 
 Bridge was a low, old- ° 
 
 fashioned structure, beneath | 
 
 which no vessel of any size 5 
 
 could hope to pass. " 
 
 By 1877, then, we find the | 
 
 CO 
 
 question of the River Weaver S 
 
 Navigation again before Par- 
 liament. The sums required 
 for the construction of the 
 elaborate engineering works required 
 to sea-going vessels, had grown far 
 2a 
 
 h 
 
 III 
 
 i ■ 
 
 1 1 
 3 a 
 
 to open up the river 
 beyond the revenues of. 
 
466 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the Trust. The £250,000 already borrowed had been spent 
 while the work was far from completion. The new Act recited 
 and summarised all the Acts previously passed and went on to 
 authorise the Trustees to borrow a further £150,000 and to extend 
 the repayment of the whole of the three loans from fifteen to 
 forty years. The additional moneys required might be raised by 
 terminable annuities, and the £200,000 previously borrowed might 
 be converted into the same should the Trustees think fit. The 
 salt proprietors who, it must be remembered, were still unrepre- 
 sented on the Trust, managed to get a clause inserted in the Bill 
 to the effect that at least one-half of the new loan must be ex- 
 pended on " new or enlarged locks and other works for the 
 improvement of the navigation between Northwich Bridge and 
 Winsford Bridge." The Act also provided for a sinking fund for 
 the repayment of sums already borrowed otherwise than as 
 terminable annuities, out of which not less than 2J per cent, of 
 the original sum was to be repaid every year. The accounts of 
 this fund were to be laid before the Board of Trade every year, a 
 provision secured by a heavy fine should the Trustees or their 
 clerk neglect to do this. 
 
 In 1874: the new series of locks was begun. The locks built in 
 1830, eleven in number, measured 88 feet by 18 feet, and were 
 capable of passing vessels of 100 to 150 tons. The depth of the 
 river was increased to 7 feet 6 inches. In 1860 these had been 
 superseded by a second series which were placed side by side with 
 the old ones. These were 100 feet long by 22 feet wide, with 10 
 feet of water on the sills. They were capable of taking vessels of 
 320 tons burden when the river was deepened sufficiently to allow 
 the passage of such large-sized craft. The number of these locks 
 was reduced to nine. The new structures were destined to far 
 surpass the old ones, and were built large enough to accommodate 
 vessels far larger than any that had hitherto made the passage 
 of the Weaver. The following description of these locks, together 
 with the hydraulic lift, which had first been constructed at 
 Anderton, is an excerpt from the transactions of the Federated 
 Institution of Mining Engineers, published in 1892. 
 
 In 18.74 a series of improvements was commenced, which, 
 when completed, left only four locks (at Dutton, Saltersford, 
 Hunts, and Valeroyal) on the twenty miles of navigation, a navig- 
 able depth of 12 feet, and a width of 95 to 100 feet at water- 
 level, and of 45 feet at the bottom. These locks were capable of 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 467 
 
 taking a steam flat towing three barges, each carrying 250 tons, 
 or 1000 tons of cargo, at one locking. The gates were worked 
 by turbines and the locks, rilled and emptied by cyclindrical 
 equilibrium sluices in six or seven minutes, required about ten 
 minutes to pass the lock. 
 
 The following description of the locks is taken from a paper by 
 J. Watt Sandeman, M.Inst.C.E. :— 
 
 " Communication between the locks is provided by means of 
 two intermediate sluices. The locks are built of Runcorn sand- 
 stone ashlar, backed with rubble. The hollow and square groins, 
 sills, fender courses, and copings are of Anglesey limestone. 
 Portland cement concrete was employed for the stop walls in the 
 trenches at the gate sills, and under the central piers of the locks. 
 
 " The lock gates are of greenheart and of English oak timber, 
 the former being used for the heel and mitre-posts and the. latter 
 for the beams. The cleading is of American red-pine. The gates 
 are without rollers, but have caps of malleable cast-iron upon their 
 heel posts from which diagonal tie-bars extend upon both sides, 
 and are secured to the lower ends of the mitre-posts, so as to 
 sustain the overhanging of the gates. The gate pivots and shoes 
 are also of malleable cast-iron, turned to fit each other. The gate 
 anchor-straps are secured to cast-iron anchor-plates bolted to the 
 masonry. The gate pivots and caps are eccentric to the hollow 
 groins to obviate friction upon the masonry, this enabling the 
 small lock gates to be opened or closed by one man in about 
 thirty seconds. 
 
 " By means of turbines, constructed upon Schiele's principle, 
 the large lock gates are easily opened or closed in about twenty 
 seconds. The chief advantage of the turbine over other motors 
 is that by its means the head of water at the locks, a power which 
 costs nothing, can be employed. The turbines are placed in cir- 
 cular wells, adjoining those of the chain capstans and the r afting 
 of both being vertical, the latter are driven without tho inter- 
 vention of bevelled gearing. The capstans are situated at the 
 levels of the gate fastenings and chains lead from them over 
 carrying rollers to the gates. The main supply and discharge 
 pipes are 20 inches, and the branch pipes to each turbine 16 
 inches in internal diameter. The turbine wheels are 18 inches in 
 diameter, with twenty double buckets 2 inches in depth ; they 
 have exit orifices J inches wide, giving a total area of 70 square 
 inches, and are designed to work at one hundred and seventy- 
 
468 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 three revolutions per minute. There are sixteen parts in the 
 turbine casing, having a total area of 60 inches, capable of being 
 diminished to the extent of T Vths by five adjusting slides. The 
 quantity of water consumed by each turbine is 270 cubic feet per 
 minute. 
 
 " The total lift on the navigation is 37 feet 6 inches, made up 
 of 9 feet 6 inches, 7 feet 4 inches, 11 feet 2 inches, and 9 feet 
 6 inches lifts respectively. The docks at the entrance to the 
 Mersey have entrances of equal width to the locks, with sills 
 capable of taking vessels of 15 feet at the lowest tides. The docks 
 are fitted with storage wharves and rapid hydraulic cranes for 
 small weights of 30 cwts. and hand and steam power cranes for 
 heavier weights.'' 
 
 The account given in the " Transactions " of the Federated 
 Institution of Mining Engineers continues : — 
 
 " Flood-gates or sluices are erected (at Dutton, Saltersford, 
 Hunts, and Valeroyal) capable of being lifted clear of the water, 
 so as to allow of its uninterrupted passage. These sluices con- 
 sist of doors, 15 feet wide by 14 feet deep, supported by masonry 
 pillars, and lifted when required by overhead gear. Since the 
 adoption of these sluices, the flood level at Northwich has been 
 reduced by one-half, the highest since their erection being 6 feet, 
 and portions of the valley, which were formerly often under water, 
 do not now suffer at all. The quick discharge of floods is greatly 
 facilitated by having a system of rain-gauges in various portions 
 of the water-shed in charge of persons who telegraph to the head 
 office when more than half an inch of rain has fallen in the 
 twenty-four hours. The engineer then uses his judgment as to 
 the extent the sluices should be raised by the attendants. By 
 this means the river is prepared for a flood by the water being 
 drawn below the usual level beforehand to make room for the 
 first rush of flood-water. 
 
 " At Anderton the river runs near the Trent and Mersey Canal, 
 with a difference of level of 50 feet 4 inches, and the connection 
 at this point is made by means of a double hydraulic lift, capable 
 of lifting or lowering boats and cargo in bulk from one navigation 
 to the other. 
 
 " The system of hydraulic lifts for connecting two reaches of 
 a canal where the difference of level is considerable is compara- 
 tivelv modern. A simple lift with two counter-balancing troughs 
 lifted and lowered 8-ton barges a vertical distance of 46 feet on 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 469 
 
 the Great Western Canal many years ago, but it was soon 
 abandoned. The hydraulic lift at Anderton, on the Weaver 
 Navigation, was the first of its kind erected in this country. By 
 its means barges are raised or lowered in two wrought-iron troughs 
 75 feet long, 15 feet 6 inches wide, with 5 feet depth of water. 
 The total weight of water and trough is 240 tons, and each is 
 supported on a single central hydraulic ram, 3 feet diameter, 
 working in two hydraulic presses underground, which can be 
 connected at pleasure, and when the valves are open the troughs 
 exactly balance each other. One trough is always kept up and 
 one down except from Saturday to Monday. The lifts are worked 
 by removing 6 inches of water from the lower trough, and only 
 the final lift of about 4 feet 6 inches is required (when the de- 
 scending trough reaches the water in the lift-pit) , which is effected 
 by means of an hydraulic accumulator, the lift of 45 feet 10 inches 
 being performed without extraneous aid. The whole lift is 
 accomplished in two and a half minutes, and by increasing the 
 quantity of water taken from the canal it could be effected more 
 speedily. A 100-ton barge can be transferred from the river to 
 the canal and another from the canal to the river in eight minutes, 
 with an expenditure of only 6 inches depth of water over the 
 area of one trough, and the power required for the final lift of 
 4 feet 6 inches. In addition to being worked as a double lift, 
 each trough can be lifted separately by the engine and accumu- 
 lator, but this is a slow operation, lasting about half an hour. 
 The burden of the ' narrow boats ' using the lift are from 30 to 
 40 tons, and of the ' dukers ' from 80 to 100 tons. . . . 
 
 " No charge is made for dock dues for vessels using the river, and 
 vessels are towed up the Mersey free of cost. The Weaver dues 
 are as follows : For year 1892, white salt, Is. per ton ; rock 
 salt, 5d. per ton ; coal, 4d. per ton ; merchants' goods, 8d, per 
 ton ; pottery, 8d. per ton ; stone, 2d. per ton ; cinders, Id. per 
 ton ; flags, lOd. per ton ; purple-ore, 6d. per ton, and gravel, 
 Id. per ton." 
 
 After the locks had been brought thoroughly up to date and 
 the further dredging of the river carried out, the rebuilding of 
 the old-fashioned bridges became the burning question for the 
 Trustees. An application to Quarter Sessions for permission to 
 remove the Northwich Town Bridge and to substitute a swing- 
 bridge for it, resulted in a collision with the local authority of the 
 district backed up by the indignant townsfolk. It appeared that 
 
470 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 under the Weaver Acts there was no power to enable the Trustees 
 to carry out so drastic an alteration. The struggle went on 
 for some years, until 1893, when the Trustees at last got a Bill 
 into Parliament empowering them to rebuild North wich Town 
 Bridge. 
 
 The preamble of the Bill sets forth very clearly the urgent 
 necessity of this reconstruction if the trade in salt was not to be 
 seriously interfered with. Owing to the continual pumping of 
 brine in the district the surface of the ground on both sides of the 
 Biver Weaver round Northwich Bridge was constantly subsiding, 
 and in consequence the bridge itself was sinking and the headway 
 beneath the bridge diminishing. It had become impossible for 
 the large vessels in use on the river to pass under the bridge when 
 carrying only a light cargo or when returning empty, as was often 
 done. They had therefore to incur the delay and expense involved 
 in taking in ballast and enable them to pass clear of the bridge. 
 Any schemes for the raising of the bridge had been put aside as 
 useless, as the continued subsidence of the ground would render it 
 of necessity only a temporary measure. It was proposed therefore 
 to ask for powers to pull down the old bridge and to build in its 
 place two opening swing bridges through which the largest and 
 most lightly laden boats might pass without delay, and to build 
 new roads in connection with them. Also since the water mains 
 of the district of Northwich and the pipes of the Gas Company were 
 carried over the old town bridge it was proposed to divert these 
 beneath the bed of the river. 
 
 It was doubly important for the Weaver Trustees to keep the 
 Navigation in a high state of efficiency, so that the salt trade, now 
 at the height of its prosperity, should not suffer. Two-thirds of 
 the whole revenue of the Trust were derived from the tolls on salt 
 manufactured at Winsford and shipped from Winsf ord to North- 
 wich under the bridge in question. It was, as the preamble points 
 out, highly necessary that this should be maintained, " hi order 
 that the Trustees may have sufficient funds to pay the interest on 
 their borrowed money, and to maintain and preserve the Naviga- 
 tion and the works connected therewith." 
 
 The powers given to the Trustees under this Bill were carefully 
 limited, and ample provision was made with regard to compensa- 
 tion for any interference with trade or property. A five years' 
 limit was further fixed as the period during which these works 
 were to be executed, failing which the Trustees' power was to lapse. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 471 
 
 It is difficult to understand therefore why the scheme should have 
 aroused in the townspeople of Northwich so much opposition. 
 The Bill duly received royal sanction, but a clause was inserted 
 which made it obligatory on the Trustees to promote a further 
 Bill within a period of two years for the reconstitution of the 
 Trust, which had up to this time remained one of the closest 
 corporations in England. 
 
 In 1894 the question of the revision of tolls came up and the 
 Bill promoted by the Trustees was incorporated with the Bill 
 promoted by the Board of Trade for the general revision of 
 tolls and charges on all canals and railways. It is entitled 
 " An Act to confirm a Provisional Order made by the Board 
 of Trade under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, 
 containing the Classification of Merchandise Traffic, and the 
 Schedule of Maximum Tolls and Charges applicable thereto, for 
 the River Lee Navigation, and certain other Canals." The Act 
 applies to the Surrey Canal and to the Navigation of the rivers 
 Lee, Severn, Thames, and Weaver. The first section is devoted 
 to general provisions for all the navigations, the second deals with 
 each separately. The Trustees of the Weaver are empowered to 
 charge a minimum toll of five shillings on every boat laden with 
 merchandise which passes through one or more locks on the River 
 Weaver. For an empty boat, the same sum may be charged, 
 provided that such boat is not returning after delivering cargo in 
 respect of which there has been paid to the Trustees a toll of not 
 less than five shillings, or is not on its way to load cargo in respect 
 of which a like toll will become payable to the Trustees. Two 
 narrow boats, able to lie side by side in a lock, shall, if passing 
 through a lock at the same time, be reckoned as one boat. Dis- 
 tances of less than a mile are to be charged as follows : for a 
 fraction of the first mile the Trustees may charge as for a mile, 
 and for any succeeding fraction of a mile charge may be made 
 according to the number of quarters of a mile in that fraction. 
 A fraction of a quarter of a mile may be charged for as a full 
 quarter. In addition to these tolls and charges, the Trustees are 
 empowered to demand the rates authorised by section ii. of the 
 Weaver Navigation Act, 1872, in respect of boats, goods vessels 
 transferred by means of the works authorised by that Act from 
 the River Weaver Navigation to the Trent and Mersey Canal, 
 or vice versa. 
 
 The maximum tolls fixed by th« schedule vary from 45d. to 85d. 
 
472 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 per ton per mile, the first ten miles, and for the remainder of the 
 distance from 25d. to 5d., according to the class of merchandise 
 carried. The maximum wharfage charges vary from T5d. to 
 4d. per ton. An important exception, however, is made in the case 
 of salt. The maximum toll for white salt is fixed at lOd. per ton, 
 and for rock-salt at 5d. per ton, for the whole or any part of the 
 distance on the canal. The maximum wharfage charge is fixed 
 at id. per ton. 
 
 For the Western Canal the tolls run considerably higher than 
 for the Weaver Navigation, the maximum tolls for the whole or 
 any part of the distance varying from 2d. per ton to 6d. per ton in 
 the case of salt, and the maximum wharfage charges ranging from 
 l'5d. to 4d. per ton. It is further specified that Chertstone, 
 clay (china, blue, black, and bale) china, stone, flints, and felspar, 
 to be used as potters' raw material, shall be charged at not more 
 than 8d. per ton, also that the maximum toll for brick, cinders, 
 sandstone, and other stone or lime conveyed by the canal, but not 
 passing to or from the Weaver, shall not exceed Jd. per ton, nor 
 that for coal Id. per ton. In the case of merchandise carried 
 between works of the same owner on the canal and not passing 
 through a lock, not more than 5d. per ton is to be charged for 
 rock-salt and 6d. per ton for any other merchandise. For con- 
 veyance of dangerous or explosive goods, and for the passage of 
 tugs not carrying cargo on the canal, the Company is empowered 
 to make and charge as they may think reasonable, and all disputes 
 arising therefrom are to be referred to an arbitrator appointed by 
 the Board of Trade. 
 
 This Act came into operation at the beginning of 1895. 
 
 In fulfilment of their obligation to reform themselves the 
 Trustees promoted a Bill in 1894 to reconstitute the Weaver 
 Trust. The traders at the same time drafted a Bill of their own, 
 which proposed further to increase the number of Trustees and 
 also the proportion of traders. The constitution of the board 
 was finally fixed by Parliament in the following proportions : — 
 
 10 Trustees elected by the present body, and with the same 
 
 qualifications as to property as now. 
 12 County Council Representatives. 
 14 Traders. 
 
 1 Representing Northwich 
 
 1 Representing Winsford. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 473 
 
 The Trustees appointed by the County Council had either to be 
 members of the Council or be resident within seven miles of the 
 Council's district. At least five out of the twelve were to be persons, 
 other than members of the Council, possessing the original property 
 qualification laid down for the Trustees, i.e. seizin of an estate 
 of freehold in lands,. tenements, or hereditaments in the County 
 of Chester of the yearly value of at least one hundred pounds. 
 The power of the traders were strictly regulated in the amount 
 of the dues they paid. One vote was allowed for each £50 paid in 
 tolls during the year preceding the revision of the register. The 
 Trustees appointed by the County Council and those elected by the 
 traders were to serve for three years, retiring in November 1898. 
 The interests of the toll-payers or traders were further secured by 
 a provision that, on any committee appointed by the Trustees, not 
 less than one-third of the members had to be representatives 
 elected by the toll-payers. By this Act " all the powers, rights, 
 duties, and liabilities vested in, exercisable by, or imposed on the 
 existing trustees under the Weaver Navigation Acts or other- 
 wise " were to be transferred in Mo to the newly-constituted 
 body of trustees. The revenues of the new Trust were to be 
 expended (1) On the maintenance and management of the Navi- 
 gation, the upkeep of the churches, the payment of interest on 
 loans and of terminable annuities, or be set aside for a sinking 
 fund, or for providing for the expenses of improving the 
 Navigation "if the Trustees think fit"; (2) In forming a re- 
 serve fund to be used for improvements' in the Navigation, to 
 meet any deficiency or extraordinary claim or demand made 
 on the trust. The limit of this fund was fixed at £25,000. If, 
 however, the surplus, after providing for all the purposes already 
 set forth, was between £25,000 and £50,000, half of this was to 
 be paid into the reserve, if over £50,000, one-third to be paid 
 into the reserve. 
 
 The first meeting of the new Trust was held on Thursday 
 Nov. 28th, 1895, at which Col. C. H. France Hayhurst, 
 the Chairman of the old Trust, was unanimously elected 
 Chairman. The traders tried to capture the Vice-Chair 
 on the ground that they composed the largest section of 
 the board, but were defeated by the coalition of the old 
 Trustees and the County Council representatives. Mr T. W. 
 Killick was elected. The Committee elected was composed as 
 follows : — 
 
474 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Old Trustees — 
 
 Col. France Hayhurst. 
 Mr Joseph Verdin. 
 Mr. Chr. Kay. 
 Rev. J. R. Armitstead. 
 
 County Council Representatives — 
 
 Mr T. W. Killick. 
 Mr A. T. Wright. 
 Mr H. Thornber. 
 Mr J. Thompson. 
 
 Traders- 
 
 Mr T. Ward. 
 Mr E. Milner. 
 Mr J. Rigby. 
 Mr T. Moore. 
 
 The following is the complete list of the Board of Trustees 
 elected under the Act 1895 : — 
 
 Trustees of the River Weaver elected by Traders entitled 
 to vote. 
 
 (Director) 
 
 Herman John Falk 
 
 . 75 votes 
 
 
 (Distributor) 
 
 Wm. S. McDowell 
 
 • 74 „ 
 
 
 (Liverpool) . 
 
 Geo. Hampson Morrison 75 ,, 
 
 Salt Union 
 > Representa- 
 
 (Distributor) 
 (Official) 
 
 Herbert Pretty . 
 Josh Cotton Probert 
 
 • 75 „ 
 
 • 74 „ 
 
 (Engineer) . 
 
 John Rigby 
 
 ■ 75 „ 
 
 tives. 
 
 (Director) 
 
 Thos. Ward 
 
 . 75 „ 
 
 
 (Director) 
 
 David Basil Hewitt 
 
 50 „ 
 
 
 (do) 
 
 John F. L. Brunner 
 
 • 51 „ 
 
 i Brunner, Mond 
 - & Co. Repre- 
 
 
 
 
 (do) 
 
 Edward Milner 
 
 • 51 „ 
 
 I sentatives. 
 
 
 John Garner 
 
 • 47 „ 
 
 Salt Proprietor. 
 
 
 Edwin Hamlett 
 
 • 37 „ 
 
 do. 
 
 
 Chas. P. Walker . 
 
 • 58 „ 
 
 Pottery Repre- 
 sentative. 
 
 
 Thos. Moore 
 
 • 45 „ 
 
 General Traders' 
 Representative. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 475 
 
 Weaver Trustees 
 (Ten Trustees elected for life out of existing Trustees) 
 
 1. Col. C. H. France Hayhurst. 
 
 2. Mr Joseph Verdin. 
 
 3. Mr Chr. Kay. 
 
 4. Mr S. H. Sandbach. 
 
 5. Rev. J. R. Armitstead. 
 
 6. Mr. S. S. Woodhouse. 
 
 7. Sir Philip Grey Egerton. 
 
 8. Captain H. E Wilbraham. 
 
 9. Mr E. Howard Moss. 
 10. Mr W. H. Verdin. 
 
 Twelve Trustees Elected by Cheshire County Council 
 Mr W. Killick. 
 Mr A. T. Wright. 
 Mr Harry Thornber. 
 Mr John Thompson. 
 Dr W. Hodgson. 
 Mr E. W. Earp. 
 Dr J. W. Smith. 
 Mr John Edwards. 
 Mr Thos. Baxter. 
 Mr John Chattam. 
 Mr L. J. Sidebotham. 
 Mr John Small. 
 
 One Trustee elected by Northwich Urban Council 
 Mr Thos. H. Maddocks. 
 
 One Trustee elected by Winsford Urban Council 
 
 Mr Jabez Hulse. 
 
 Owing either to the dilatoriness of the old Trustees or to some 
 confusion and loss of time consequent on the reconstitution of 
 the Trust, it became obvious that the works which had been autho- 
 rised by the Act of 1893 would not be completed within the time 
 limit. The new Trustees therefore sought powers from Parliament 
 to extend the time for the compulsory purchase of lands at comple- 
 tion of these works. The limit placed on the purchase of lands 
 was originally 27th July 1896, and the extension asked for was 
 
476 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 until 27th July 1898. For the actual execution of the works an 
 extension was asked from 27th July 1898 to 27th July 1900. 
 
 The borrowing powers of the Trustees were found to be in- 
 sufficient to meet the expenses of the new construction, which 
 was estimated at £60,000. Powers were therefore sought to 
 borrow at interest on the security of the Weaver tolls sums 
 sufficient to defray this outlay, either by way of terminable 
 annuities or by the creation and issue of redeemable stock or by 
 mortgage. Strong exception to the three was, however, taken by 
 the County Council of Cheshire, which, it will be remembered, 
 was to benefit, and had benefited very greatly, under the Weaver 
 Navigation Acts, large sums out of the surplus tolls having been 
 handed over nearly every year for the use of the County. On 
 a petition presented in the House of Lords, it was pointed out 
 that the Weaver Trustees already owed sums amounting to 
 £189,000 on the security of the tolls. The financial provisions of 
 the Act of 1895 were recalled. " Your Petitioners," the document 
 recites, " are therefore directly interested in the terms upon which 
 the Trustees borrow money for the purposes of their undertaking 
 and by reducing the charges upon the tolls, and they submit that 
 while the object of the Bill is to enable the Trustees, with the 
 assistance of your Petitioners, to raise the money they require for 
 the purposes therein specified on better terms than, having regard 
 to the present financial position of their undertaking, they would 
 be able to do under the powers of their existing Acts, the Bill as 
 it now stands does not attain that object effectually or in a manner 
 to which your Petitioners could assent." Further, the County 
 Council demanded that if they were to advance money to the 
 Weaver trustees, they ought to have the best security the trustees 
 could give, and that therefore the trustees should " be empowered 
 to mortgage not any of the tolls, but also their property and 
 undertaking generally, including the reserve fund, . . and to 
 make their fund liable for making good any deficiency in the 
 interest from time to time payable by the Trustees," on any sums 
 advanced by the Council. The limitation of their borrowing 
 powers by the Local Government Board was also objected to by 
 the petitioners, as involving unnecessary delay and expense. 
 They further claimed that the County Council should be granted 
 the power, if they thought fit, to guarantee the interest on and the 
 repayment of moneys borrowed by the Trustees, instead of them- 
 selves raising the money and advancing it to the Trustees. In 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 477 
 
 accordance with this petition the Bill was somewhat modified, and 
 passed through both Houses, receiving the royal assent on 20th 
 July 1896. After this delay the work was at last completed. The 
 low, old-fashioned structure of North wich town bridge was replaced 
 by two modern swing bridges that brought the Weaver Naviga- 
 tion up to date with the requirements of the modern salt industry. 
 Industrial unrest had not passed by the Salt district. In 1892 
 a serious strike took place among the watermen of the Weaver 
 who demanded shorter hours and the consequent setting free of 
 certain craft that had been tied up by the directors of the Salt 
 Union as the result of decreasing trade in the Mersey. Serious 
 riots took place as the result of the introduction of non-Union 
 labour, the military were called in, and on the other side the 
 strikers were supported by all the federated Trade Unions of the 
 district. The strike was finally compromised, the men being 
 reinstated by agreeing to pay £500 to compensate the non- 
 union workers who had been engaged in their place. 
 
 Poundage Damages paid by Weaver Navigation 
 
 The whole county of Chester is suffering constant change 
 owing to the frequent subsidences that occur from the continual 
 pumping of the subterranean brine. Along the course of the 
 Weaver this is complicated by the occasional rise of the water 
 level and the slipping of banks which from time to time brings 
 quite large areas of land under water. This has become an im- 
 portant question at the Winsford and Witton flashes. 
 
 The first Weaver Act provided for the payment of damages to 
 landowners whose property was injured by the work of the 
 Navigation. But there was no damage done on a big scale until 
 1796 when the level of the river was pounded up seven feet on 
 the completion of the first Newbridge Lock and Weir. This 
 caused the flooding of a small area of land (less than two acres) 
 on the site of what is now the bottom flash. The first payment 
 of poundage damages made by the Trust occurred in 1804 when a 
 sum of £19, 9s. 9d. was paid to J. Huxley as compensation for 
 injury done to his property at what is now called Weaver Grove, 
 during the preceding seven years. Until the year 1815 a further 
 annual payment of £3, 17s. lid. was made to him on account of 
 submerged land to the extent of 1 acre, 3 roods, 17 perches. After 
 that date the sum gradually increased. Shortly before 1820 
 
478 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 other payments began to be made from which we gather that the 
 subsidence was steadily increasing. 
 
 The following method of estimating damages was employed 
 according to a marginal note in the account books of 1812. When 
 the river was lowered to its natural level for the purpose of repair 
 a survey was made of the land thus uncovered which gave the 
 amount submerged by the seven foot rise. What land still re- 
 mained under water was not taken into account, as the Weaver 
 authorities refused to hold themselves responsible for what 
 would have taken place in the natural course of events. But 
 during a great part of last century the river was not run off and 
 the poundage damages continued to increase. In 1888, however, 
 a careful survey was made which resulted in a reduction of £25 
 per annum in the payments made. A further survey was made 
 in 1894. 
 
 Mr Ernest V. Inman, the General Manager of the Navigation 
 visited the Winsford flashes in company with the Surveyor and 
 the Engineer in 1899. As the result of his investigations he 
 recommended a further careful survey. " There are," he writes 
 '" now three flashes — the bottom flash, a small part of which 
 existed in 1804, the top flash, which began to form about 1856, 
 and the middle flash, which made its first appearance in 1890 ; 
 and the total area now covered by water is : — 
 
 'Top Flash 
 "Middle „ 
 ' Bottom ,, 
 
 " Total, 
 
 on the pounded part of which the Trustees paid £147, 7s. 4d. in 
 1899 as against £3, 17s. lid. on 1 acre, 3 roods, 17 perches in 1805. 
 
 " The basis of payment has been as follows : An annual sum 
 has been allowed to cover the rent rates and tithe on the land 
 submerged by poundage, as well as a further sum to repay the 
 loss to the tenant in unemployed capital, and these payments 
 used to be adjusted from time to time when the river was run off. 
 
 " When the survey of 1888 was completed, it was found that 
 whilst considerable deductions could be made increases had also 
 to be recorded in places at the sides of the bottom flash, in con- 
 sequence of the deposit of " cinders " by traders, these keeping 
 
 28 acres 
 6i „ 
 67 „ 
 
 lOli „ 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 479 
 
 above the seven foot limit about 27 acres of land, the greater 
 portion of which would have otherwise sunk below it. 
 
 " The later survey in 1894 showed the same result. 
 
 " This depositing of cinders first began about twenty years ago 
 when they were deposited at defined places under the inspection 
 of a Weaver employee and the practice continued until the Salt 
 Union was formed in 1888, when a verbal arrangement was made 
 whereby the previous custom was continued. 
 
 " A curious feature in this connection is that the Weaver 
 Trustees have no jurisdiction south of Winsford Bridge and con- 
 sequently have no legal right to say where cinders may or may not 
 be deposited in the Winsford flashes, but by paying this annual 
 sum the Trustees become sub-tenants and it has hitherto been 
 thought well in the interests of the Navigation to pay the ac- 
 knowledgment in ordeT to allow the traders to deposit cinders 
 there under the supervision of a responsible man in the employ 
 of the trustees." 
 
 In conclusion, Mr Inman draws attention to the fact that 
 since the pounding up of 1 acre, 3 roods, 17 poles in 1804, the sub- 
 sidence and submerging of land along the course of the Weaver 
 has not been due to the river itself. On the other hand he doubts 
 if after a period of ninety years the old system of payment can 
 well be altered. He further raises the question whether. Traders 
 should be allowed to continue to deposit cinders at the expense 
 of the Trustees. 
 
 The system of estimating poundage damages at Witton flashes 
 is similar to that above described at Winsford. The following 
 table gives the amount of poundage damages paid since 1804, 
 estimated over periods of five years : — 
 
 Poundage damages 
 
 paid. 
 
 Per annum. 
 
 1804 . 
 
 
 £19 9 9 (compounded) 
 
 1805 . 
 
 
 3 17 11 
 
 1810 . 
 
 
 5 5 
 
 1815 . 
 
 
 8 18 3 
 
 1820 . 
 
 
 21 19 11 
 
 1825 
 
 
 33 11 8 
 
 1830 . 
 
 
 40 8 5 
 
 1835 . 
 
 
 55 9 2 
 
 1840 . 
 
 
 . 61 14 2 
 
 1845 . 
 
 
 69 5 3 
 
480 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 *. damages paid. 
 
 Per annum. 
 
 1850 . 
 
 £79 13 9 
 
 1855 . 
 
 . 119 6 3 
 
 1860 . 
 
 121 6 3 
 
 1865 . 
 
 . 106 6 3 
 
 1870 . 
 
 114 12 
 
 1875 . 
 
 114 2 
 
 1880 . 
 
 133 3 
 
 1885 
 
 135 10 6 
 
 1890 
 
 . 124 10 
 
 1895 . 
 
 . 138 12 2 
 
 1899 . 
 
 146 15 11 
 
 1731-1778 
 
 Nil. 
 
 1778-1788 
 
 £4,500 
 
 1788-1798 . 
 
 £32,000 
 
 1798-1808 
 
 £77,500 
 
 1808-1818 . 
 
 . £37,382 
 
 Surplus Weaver Dues paid to the County of 
 Cheshire 
 
 The following table gives the amounts paid to the county of 
 Cheshire by the Trustees out of the surplus of the Weaver dues. 
 In certain years no payments were made, all the revenues being 
 employed in the extensions of the Navigation : — 
 
 Repayment of debt. 
 
 Something every year. 
 
 Lost by Treasurer's Bank- 
 ruptcy £16,000 for seven years 
 surplus required for Weston 
 Canal 
 
 1818-1828 . . £103,977 Something every year 
 
 1828-1838 £162,794 
 
 1838-1848 . £160,957 
 
 1848-1858 . . £204,500 
 
 1858-1868 . £127,000 
 
 1868-1878 . . £55,000 
 1878-1888 . £85,000 
 
 1888-1894 . . £40,000 
 
 works. 
 Nothing in 1870-71. 
 
 works. 
 „ 1877-78-79. 
 
 works. 
 „ 1891-2-3-4. 
 
 New 
 
 New 
 
 New 
 
 Total Amount Paid. £1,090,610 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 481 
 
 Weaver Tonnage of Eock and White Salt prom 1758 
 
 1758. The first summary of tonnages in the Cash Book com- 
 mences in 1758 with the quarter ending December 25th. 
 
 Rock Salt. White Salt. 
 
 Tons. Bus. Tons. Bus. 
 
 Sept. 1758 to Apr. 1759 Northwich 8,970 18 5,276 11 
 
 Winsford .. .. 1,055 27 
 
 Apr. 1759 to Apr. 1760 Northwich 22,880 15,168 12 
 
 Winsford .. 2,528 32 
 
 Apr. 1760 to Apr. 1761 Northwich 20,645 38 17,806 34 
 
 Winsford .. 3,113 8 
 
 Apr. 1761 to Apr. 1762 Northwich 23,937 24 16,244 1 
 
 Winsford .. 4,015 22 
 
 Apr. 1762 to Apr. 1763 Northwich 30,391 13 20,263 33 
 
 Winsford .. 3,097 27 
 
 Apr. 1763 to Apr. 1764 Northwich 21,411 22 17,577 25 
 
 Winsford .. 3,815 35 
 
 Apr. 1764 to Apr. 1765 Northwich 24,570 20 21,361 39 
 
 Winsford .. 3,700 10 
 
 Apr. 1765 to Apr. 1766 Northwich 26,577 20 19,256 34 
 
 Winsford .. 4,765 8 
 
 Apr. 1766 to Apr. 1767 Northwich 28,397 10 18,699 25 
 
 Winsford .. 3,637 24 
 
 Apr. 1767 to Apr. 1768 Northwich 27,058 28 22,837 30 
 
 Winsford .. 3,419 .. 
 
 Apr. 1768 to Apr. 1769 Northwich 31,621 . . 23,306 6 
 
 Winsford .. 3,780 38 
 
 Apr. 1769 to Apr. 1770 Northwich 32,517 . . 28,775 36 
 
 Winsford .. 5,201 18 
 
 Apr. 1770 to Apr. 1771 Northwich 32,424 11 33,079 29 
 
 Winsford . . 3,908 17 
 
 Apr. 1771 to Apr. 1772 Northwich 34,253 12 39,424 16 
 
 Winsford .. 4,263 5 
 
 Apr. 1772 to Apr. 1773 Northwich 38,585 8 38,993 21 
 
 Winsford .. 4,324 6 
 
 Apr. 1773 to Apr. 1774 Northwich 39,215 23 36,239 4 
 
 Winsford .. 3,950 18 
 
 Apr. 1774 to Apr. 1775 Northwich 41,233 37 33,241 37 
 
 „ " Winsford .. 3,211 9 
 2h 
 
482 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Bock Salt. White Salt. 
 
 Tons. Bus. Tons. Bus. 
 
 Apr. 1775 to Apr. 1776 Northwich 39,784 39 31,006 3 
 
 Winsford .. 2,408 22 
 
 Apr. 1776 to Apr. 177 Northwich 44,679 36 24,583 9 
 
 Winsford .. 2,462 39 
 
 Apr. 1777 to Apr. 1778 Northwich 43,566 20 29,981 38 
 
 Winsford .. 3,298 36 
 
 Apr. 1778 to Apr. 1779 Northwich 38,953 . . 25,533 10 
 
 Winsford .. 2,552 31 
 
 Apr. 1779 to Apr. 1780 Northwich 40,170 32 25,580 32 
 
 Winsford .. 2,510 8 
 
 Apr. 1780 to Apr. 1781 Northwich 27,518 . . 35,814 36 
 
 Winsford .. 3,192 27 
 
 Apr. 1781 to Apr. 1782 Northwich 37,495 36 35,341 3 
 
 Winsford .. 2,467 26 
 
 Apr. 1782 to Apr. 1783 Northwich 42,397 32 38,940 30 
 
 Winsford .. 1,885 15 
 
 Apr. 1783 to Apr. 1784 Northwich 50,093 14 48,147 23 
 
 Winsford . . 3,301 3 
 
 Apr. 1784 to Apr. 1785 Northwich 52,996 21 43,492 9 
 
 Winsford .. 4,139 14 
 
 Apr. 1785 to Apr. 1786 Northwich 46,401 20 43,686 13 
 
 Winsford .. 4,436 8 
 
 Apr. 1786 to Apr. 1787 Northwich 43,047 10 45,879 25 
 
 Winsford .. 8,758 25 
 
 Apr. 1787 to Apr. 1788 Northwich 53,701 14 54,224 32 
 
 Winsford .. 10,802 30 
 
 Apr. 1788 to Apr. 1789 Northwich 52,392 20 38,668 7 
 
 Winsford .. 11,260 36 
 
 Apr. 1789 to Apr. 1790 Northwich 47,730 20 49,925 30 
 
 Winsford .. 13,769 12 
 
 Apr. 1790 to Apr. 1791 Northwich 52,505 20 51,641 19 
 
 Winsford .. 19,137 24 
 
 Apr. 1791 to Apr. 1792 Northwich 54,005 20 51,506 27 
 
 Winsford . . 17,917 28 
 
 Apr. 1792 to Apr. 1793 Northwich 48,140 20 44,114 36 
 
 Winsford .. 13,850 10 
 
 Apr. 1793 to Apr. 1794 Northwich 61,999 37 41,273 2 
 
 Winsford .. 19,524 14 
 
 Apr. 1794 to Apr. 1795 Northwich 41,917 15 54,364 16 
 
 Winsford . . 13,246 . . 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 483 
 
 Bock Salt. White Salt. 
 
 Tons. Bus. Tons. Bus. 
 
 Apr. 1795 to Apr. 1796 Northwich 45,477 28 73,234 26 
 
 Winsford .. 25,128 31 
 
 Apr. 1796 to Apr. 1797 Northwich 55,633 4 75,820 7 
 
 Winsford . . 24,335 20 
 
 Apr. 1797 to Apr. 1798 Northwich 34,028 39 70,322 9 
 
 Winsford . . 30,222 30 
 
 Apr. 1798 to Apr. 1799 Northwich 33,983 31 70,181 12 
 
 Winsford . . 38,611 23 
 
 Apr. 1799 to Apr. 1800 Northwich 46,206 8 67,690 16 
 
 Winsford . . 38,423 7 
 
 Apr. 1800 to Apr. 1801 Northwich 55,903 . . 89,794 21 
 
 Winsford . . 52,883 10 
 
 Apr. 1801 to Apr. 1802 Northwich 56,405 . . 92,343 12 
 
 Winsford .. 61,796 38 
 
 Apr. 1802 to Apr. 1803 Northwich 53,861 28 90,921 12 
 
 Winsford . . 47,825 . . 
 
 Apr. 1803 to Apr. 1804 Northwich 60,946 28 78,065 16 
 
 Winsford .. 38,200 34 
 
 Apr. 1804 to Apr. 1805 Northwich 59,826 6 99,230 3 
 
 Winsford . . 48,207 10 
 
 Apr. 1805 to Apr. 1806 Northwich 56,104 30 115,227 39 
 
 Winsford .. 63,552 26 
 
 Apr. 1806 to Apr. 1807 Northwich 51,412 4 108,317 2 
 
 Winsford . . 58,964 22 
 
 Apr. 1807 to Apr. 1808 Northwich 52,248 00 100,247 31 
 
 Winsford .. 59,564 20 
 
 Apr. 1808 to Apr. 1809 Northwich 49,562 30 90,275 38 
 
 Winsford .. 55,688 .. 
 
 Apr. 1809 to Apr. 1810 Northwich 62,351 3 96,569 10 
 
 Winsford . . 74,188 . . 
 
 Apr. 1810 to Apr. 1811 Northwich 51,181 .. 112,103 14 
 
 Winsford .. 89,696 20 
 
 Apr. 1811 to Apr. 1812 Northwich 48,466 2 67,642 11 
 
 Winsford . . 53,432 . . 
 
 Apr. 1812 to Apr. 1813 Northwich 56,660 20 104,165 26 
 
 Winsford . . 70,330 20 
 
 Apr. 1813 to Apr. 1814 Northwich 49,115 . . 96,081 34 
 
 Winsford . . 52,954 20 
 
 Apr. 1814 to Apr. 1815 Northwich 105,120 20 135,856 27 
 
 Winsford . . 108,059 . . 
 
484 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Rock Salt. White Salt. 
 
 Tons. Bus. Tons. Bus. 
 
 Apr. 1815 to Apr. 1816 Northwich 88,299 . . 120,201 27 
 
 Winsford .. 96,535 .. 
 
 Apr. 1816 to Apr. 1817 Northwich 66,673 10 67,911 38 
 
 Winsford .. 48,729 .. 
 
 Apr. 1817 to Apr. 1818 Northwich 63,764 . . 90,190 26 
 
 Winsford .. 64,065 .. 
 
 Apr. 1818 to Apr. 1819 Northwich 97,563 25 127,361 39 
 
 Winsford .. 88,692 25 
 
 Apr. 1819 to Apr. 1820 Northwich 85,280 27 109,811 11 
 
 Winsford .. 76,853 .. 
 
 Apr. 1820 to Apr. 1821 Northwich 86,684 10 103,152 3 
 
 Winsford .. 72,138 30 
 
 Apr. 1821 to Apr. 1822 Northwich 84,533 20 90,298 1 
 
 Winsford .. 61,458 20 
 
 Apr. 1822 to Apr. 1823 Northwich 109,021 . . 96,821 14 
 
 Winsford .. 58,865 20 
 
 Apr. 1823 to Apr. 1824 Northwich 138,682 20 101,467 15 
 
 Winsford .. 70,440 .. 
 
 Apr. 1824 to Apr. 1825 Northwich 117,310 9 105,298 38 
 
 Winsford .. 79,798 20 
 
 Apr. 1825 to Apr. 1826 Northwich 77,830 3 115,264 35 
 
 Winsford .. 114,843 29 
 
 Apr. 1826 to Apr. 1827 Northwich 48,422 30 138,647 6 
 
 Winsford .. 102,305 .. 
 
 Apr. 1827 to Apr. 1828 Northwich 46,479 33 165,071 17 
 
 Winsford .. 110,728 28 
 
 Apr. 1828 to Apr. 1829 Northwich 69,295 30 179,851 5 
 
 Winsford .. 132,051 2 
 
 Apr. 1829 to Apr. 1830 Northwich 83,305 20 175,897 36 
 
 Winsford .. 136,134 20 
 
 Apr. 1830 to Apr. 1831 Northwich 90,089 . . 192,034 33 
 
 Winsford 6,575 .. 143,344 34 
 
 Apr. 1831 to Apr. 1832 Northwich 88,192 10 178,174 10 
 
 124,688 . . 
 
 202,792 20 
 
 154,800 . . 
 
 222,326 10 
 
 161,820 30 
 
 200,638 . . 
 
 148,761 30 
 
 Winsford 7,710 
 
 Apr. 1832 to Apr. 1833 Northwich 81,388 
 
 Winsford 10,561 
 
 Apr. 1833 to Apr. 1834 Northwich 87,768 
 
 Winsford 5,807 
 
 Apr. 1834 to Apr. 1835 Northwich 72,626 
 
 Winsford 5,482 
 

 THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 
 
 48£ 
 
 
 
 
 Rock Salt. 
 
 White S 
 
 alt. 
 
 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Bus 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Bus 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1835 to Apr. 1836 
 
 Northwich 
 
 62,058 
 
 10 
 
 179,997 
 
 30 
 
 
 J) 
 
 Winsford 
 
 4,078 
 
 
 131,379 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1836 to Apr. 1837 
 
 Northwich 
 
 86,536 
 
 
 182,442 
 
 10 
 
 
 ft 
 
 Winsford 
 
 3,795 
 
 
 132,322 
 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1837 to Apr. 1838 
 
 Northwich 
 
 75,797 
 
 
 187,122 
 
 20 
 
 
 11 
 
 Winsford 
 
 3,003 
 
 
 141,196 
 
 20 
 
 ApT. 
 
 1838 to Apr. 1839 
 
 Northwich 
 
 103,663 
 
 
 211,108 
 
 
 
 jy 
 
 Winsford 
 
 2,669 
 
 
 174,949 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1839 to Apr. 1840 
 
 Northwich 
 
 102,516 
 
 
 245,075 
 
 30 
 
 
 11 
 
 Winsford 
 
 2,610 
 
 
 169,081 
 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1840 to Apr. 1841 
 
 Northwich 
 
 125,638 
 
 20 
 
 235,528 
 
 30 
 
 
 11 
 
 Winsford 
 
 1,206 
 
 20 
 
 170,459 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1841 to Apr. 1842 
 
 North wich 
 
 102,728 
 
 20 
 
 188,655 
 
 
 
 3 J 
 
 Winsford 
 
 186 
 
 
 152,750 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1842 to Apr. 1843 
 
 ) J 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 96,960 
 
 20 
 
 201,686 
 176,029 
 
 10 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1843 to Apr. 1844 
 
 11 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 78,812 
 
 
 231,697 
 246,034 
 
 10 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1844 to Apr. 1845 
 
 it 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 91,487 
 
 
 229,987 
 221,856 
 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1845 to Apr. 1846 
 
 Northwich 
 
 112,731 
 
 
 233,303 
 
 10 
 
 
 i ? 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 
 229,611 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1846 to Apr. 1847 
 
 Northwich 
 
 99,192 
 
 20 
 
 231,944 
 
 30 
 
 
 11 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 
 235,908 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1847 to Apr. 1848 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 98,350 
 
 
 241,470 
 259,197 
 
 10 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1848 to Apr. 1849 
 
 )5 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 107,708 
 
 
 300,243 
 338,499 
 
 30 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1849 to Apr. 1850 
 
 11 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 81,429 
 
 
 283,146 
 324,250 
 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1850 to Apr. 1851 
 
 Northwich 
 
 81,803 
 
 
 220,824 
 
 20 
 
 
 1 J 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 
 266,895 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1851 to Apr. 1852 
 
 11 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 74,466 
 
 
 256,516 
 368,942 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1852 to Apr. 1853 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 68,326 
 
 
 235,332 
 361,201 
 
 20 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1853 to Apr. 1854 
 
 11 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 59,743 
 
 
 283,885 
 341,028 
 
 30 
 30 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1854 to Apr. 1855 
 
 Northwich 
 
 60,455 
 
 
 248,589 
 
 30 
 
 
 n 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 
 319,888 
 
 10 
 
486 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Apr. 1855 to Apr. 1856 
 
 7) 
 
 Apr. 1856 to Apr. 1857 
 Apr. 1857 to Apr. 1858 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1858 to Apr. 1859 
 Apr. 1859 to Apr. 1860 
 Apr. 1860 to Apr. 1861 
 Apr. 1861 to Apr. 1862 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1862 to Apr. 1863 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1863 to Apr. 1864 
 Apr. 1864 to Apr. 1865 
 Apr. 1865 to Apr. 1866 
 
 If 
 
 Apr. 1866 to Apr. 1867 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1867 to Apr. 1868 
 Apr. 1868 to Apr. 1869 
 Apr. 1869 to Apr. 1870 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1870 to Apr. 1871 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1871 to Apr. 1872 
 Apr. 1872 to Apr. 1873 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1873 to Apr. 1874 
 
 11 
 
 Apr. 1874 to Apr. 1875 
 
 
 Rock Salt. 
 
 White Salt. 
 
 
 Tons. : 
 
 Bus. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Bus. 
 
 North wich 
 
 63,115 
 
 
 325,257 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 141 
 
 
 384,257 
 
 
 North wich. 
 
 55,789 
 
 
 367,932 
 
 20 
 
 Winsford 
 
 6,889 
 
 20 
 
 450,739 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 57,735 
 
 
 262,993 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 8,037 
 
 
 384,444 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 62,905 
 
 
 250,817 
 
 20 
 
 Winsford 
 
 6,623 
 
 
 424,594 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 60,161 
 
 
 274,934 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 7,402 
 
 
 420,838 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 63,452 
 
 20 
 
 281,384 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 7,591 
 
 
 478,092 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 68,417 
 
 20 
 
 244,450 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 6,594 
 
 
 455,736 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 56,997 
 
 
 280,038 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 8,138 
 
 
 474,671 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 50,172 
 
 20 
 
 257,307 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 7,857 
 
 
 438,300 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 41,727 
 
 20 
 
 240,338 
 
 20 
 
 Winsford 
 
 11,273 
 
 
 430,442 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 38,081 
 
 
 270,757 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 10,197 
 
 
 466,018 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 42,594 
 
 
 241,516 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 8,758 
 
 
 479,927 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 45,410 
 
 
 292,956 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 4,349 
 
 
 575,723 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 55,017 
 
 
 273,346 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 3,679 
 
 
 628,220 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 63,631 
 
 20 
 
 261,003 
 
 20 
 
 Winsford 
 
 3,778 
 
 
 640,155 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 75,952 
 
 20 
 
 277,776 
 
 20 
 
 Winsford 
 
 6,812 
 
 20 
 
 652,775 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 50,301 
 
 
 292,126 
 
 20 
 
 Winsford 
 
 10,783 
 
 
 703,254 
 
 20 
 
 Northwich 
 
 85,948 
 
 
 288,495 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 9,481 
 
 20 
 
 629,573 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 86,074 
 
 
 261,409 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 13,740 
 
 
 587,825 
 
 
 Northwich 
 
 92,289 
 
 
 262,807 
 
 10 
 
 Winsford 
 
 8,273 
 
 
 682,732 
 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 487 
 
 
 
 
 
 "Rock Salt. 
 
 White Salt. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1875 to Apr. 
 
 1876 
 
 Northwich 
 
 105,876 
 
 296,227 
 
 
 }? 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 9,927 
 
 719,110 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1876 to Apr. 
 
 1877 
 
 North wich 
 
 83,850 
 
 295,483 
 
 
 ?! 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 71,807 
 
 706,158 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1877 to Apr. 
 
 1878 
 
 Northwich 
 
 84,507 
 
 266,229 
 
 
 J) 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 14,761 
 
 647,723 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1878 to Apr. 
 
 1879 
 
 Northwich 
 
 68,891 
 
 270,990 
 
 
 »5 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 15,691 
 
 690,325 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1879 to Apr. 
 
 1880 
 
 Northwich 
 
 75,331 
 
 288,390 
 
 
 )) 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 13,512 
 
 798,824 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1880 to Apr. 
 
 1881 
 
 Northwich 
 
 78,669 
 
 326,336 
 
 
 >> 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 11,232 
 
 834,306 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1881 to Apr. 
 
 1882 
 
 Northwich 
 
 79,022 
 
 302,468 
 
 
 „ 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 16,777 
 
 821,318 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1882 to Apr. 
 
 1883 
 
 Northwich 
 
 77,392 
 
 274,915 
 
 
 )) 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 27,112 
 
 691,210 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1883 to Apr. 
 
 1884 
 
 Northwich 
 
 94,253 
 
 283,558 
 
 
 „ 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 27,613 
 
 813,100 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1884 to Apr. 
 
 1885 
 
 Northwich 
 
 79,142 
 
 289,471 
 
 
 )) 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 27,108 
 
 774,422 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1885 to Apr. 
 
 1886 
 
 Northwich 
 
 72,981 
 
 281,583 
 
 
 )? 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 28,236 
 
 668,499 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1886 to Apr. 
 
 1887 
 
 Northwich 
 
 61,824 
 
 290,195 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 17,515 
 
 683,603 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1887 to Apr. 
 
 1888 
 
 Northwich 
 
 76,270 
 
 204,309 
 
 
 it 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 23,482 
 
 679,799 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1888 to Apr. 
 
 1889 
 
 Northwich 
 
 93,335 
 
 172,303 
 
 
 J> 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 18,173 
 
 722,665 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1889 to Apr. 
 
 1890 
 
 Northwich 
 
 70,927 
 
 171,326 
 
 
 'i 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 8,282 
 
 501,548 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1890 to Apr. 
 
 1891 
 
 Northwich 
 
 73,797 
 
 170,841 
 
 
 1> 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 11,188 
 
 535,356 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1891 to Apr. 
 
 1892 
 
 Northwich 
 
 67,318 
 
 149,947 
 
 
 „ 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 15,623 
 
 489,776 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1892 to Apr. 
 
 1893 
 
 Northwich 
 
 64,973 
 
 144,947 
 
 
 T> 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 6,070 
 
 475,142 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1893 to Apr. 
 
 1894 
 
 Northwich 
 
 89,310 
 
 129,880 
 
 
 •>■> 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 1,531 
 
 437,822 
 
 Apr. 
 
 1894 to Apr. 
 
 1895 
 
 Northwich 
 Winsford 
 
 82,797 
 
 148,331 
 469,610 
 
488 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 
 Rock Salt. 
 
 White Salt. 
 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1895 to Apr. 1896 
 
 North wich 
 
 92,730 
 
 176,985 
 
 J) 
 
 Winsford 
 
 2 
 
 463,588 
 
 1896 to Apr. 1897 
 
 North wich. 
 
 47,250 
 
 183,315 
 
 5) 
 
 Winsford 
 
 68 
 
 417,249 
 
 1897 to 1898 
 
 Northwioh 
 
 45,417 
 
 153,505 
 
 ,, 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 403,455 
 
 1898 to 1899 
 
 Northwich 
 
 43,086 
 
 144,693 
 
 7) 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 403,744 
 
 1899 to 1900 
 
 Northwich 
 
 29,286 
 
 165,701 
 
 »» 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 345,718 
 
 1900 to 1901 
 
 Northwich 
 
 32,979 
 
 138,807 
 
 ,, 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 330,163 
 
 1901 to 1902 
 
 Northwich 
 
 27,907 
 
 149,491 
 
 ,, 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 394,926 
 
 1902 to 1903 
 
 Northwich 
 
 40,158 
 
 142,993 
 
 ) ) 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 371,624 
 
 1903 to 1904 
 
 Northwich 
 
 28,069 
 
 143,984 
 
 )•> 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 395,249 
 
 1904 to 1905 
 
 Northwich 
 
 35,646 
 
 133,449 
 
 77 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 381,300 
 
 1905 to 1906 
 
 Northwich 
 
 36,165 
 
 136,843 
 
 ,, 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 373,912 
 
 1906 to 1907 
 
 Northwich 
 
 30,982 
 
 105,414 
 
 ,, 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 380,510 
 
 1907 to 1908 
 
 Northwich 
 
 43,268 
 
 132,324 
 
 ) ) 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 361,840 
 
 1908 to 1909 
 
 Northwich 
 
 39,340 
 
 116,746 
 
 ) ) 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 356,969 
 
 1909 to 1910 
 
 Northwich 
 
 29,088 
 
 108,846 
 
 ,, 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 333,667 
 
 1910 to 1911 
 
 Northwich 
 
 29,744 
 
 130,277 
 
 ) 1 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 373,984 
 
 1911 to 1912 
 
 Northwich 
 
 28,984 
 
 114,670 
 
 ,, 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 331,688 
 
 1912 to 1913 
 
 Northwich 
 
 33,541 
 
 92,869 
 
 ., 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 304,976 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 489 
 
 Table showing gross total shipments of Salt from Northwich 
 and Winsford for five years from 1759 to 1914. Also the average 
 annual shipments. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Total. 
 Tons. 
 
 Animal Aver; 
 Tons. 
 
 1759-1764 . 
 
 222,890 
 
 44,578 
 
 1764-1769 . 
 
 262,983 
 
 52,596 
 
 1769-1774 
 
 375,150 
 
 75,030 
 
 1774-1779 . 
 
 366,490 
 
 73,298 
 
 1779-1784 
 
 394,850 
 
 78,970 
 
 1784-1789 
 
 513,881 
 
 102,776 
 
 1789-1794 
 
 587,035 
 
 117,407 
 
 1794-1799 
 
 686,501 
 
 137,300 
 
 1799-1804 
 
 931,261 
 
 186,252 
 
 1804-1809 
 
 1,068,423 
 
 213,684 
 
 1809-1814 
 
 1,084,933 
 
 216,986 
 
 1814-1819 
 
 1,369,018 
 
 273,803 
 
 1819-1824 
 
 1,345,503 
 
 269,100 
 
 1824-1829 
 
 1,603,192 
 
 320,638 
 
 1829-1834 . 
 
 2,153,404 
 
 430,680 
 
 1834-1839 . 
 
 2,109,621 
 
 421,922 
 
 1839-1844 
 
 2,527,650 
 
 505,530 
 
 1844-1849 
 
 3,031,486 
 
 606,297 
 
 1849-1854 
 
 3,307,786 
 
 661,557 
 
 1854-1859 
 
 4,191,199 
 
 838,239 
 
 1859-1864 
 
 3,942,531 
 
 788,506 
 
 1864-1869 
 
 4,160,328 
 
 832,065 
 
 1869-1874 
 
 5,000,891 
 
 1,000,178 
 
 1874-1879 
 
 5,236,807 
 
 1,047,361 
 
 1879-1884 
 
 5,760,711 
 
 1,152,142 
 
 1884-1889 . 
 
 5,476,963 
 
 1,095,392 
 
 1889-1894 . 
 
 . 3,963,537 
 
 752,707 
 
 1894-1899 
 
 3,344,845 
 
 668,969 
 
 1899-1904 
 
 2,761,276 
 
 552,255 
 
 1904-1909 
 
 2,718,985 
 
 543,797 
 
 1909-1914 . 
 
 2,425,389 
 
 485,077 
 
490 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
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THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 491 
 
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492 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 
 
 COMPARISON of WHITE SALT shipped down the Weaver during 1911 and 1912. and also 
 from Weston Vacuum Salt Works and No. 11 Works. f 
 
 1911. 
 
 
 
 1912 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Weston Vacuum. 
 
 
 Week 
 
 River. 
 
 No. 11 
 
 Weston 
 Vacuum. 
 
 R.wr. 
 
 No. u. 
 
 
 
 HcruJirk-, 
 
 coding 
 
 Steamers. 
 
 Bsxgea. 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 
 January 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7,450 
 
 
 as. "St. Bede,' 
 
 20 
 
 33,415 
 
 4,239 
 
 nil 
 
 26,918 
 
 1,418 
 
 f 'X : 
 
 
 
 27 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ~~ :" 
 
 ~ 
 
 
 ^. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 .31 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 990 
 
 
 February 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 4,811 
 
 
 
 4,590 
 
 
 17 
 
 22,598 
 
 3,976 
 
 nil 
 
 8,066 
 
 1,222 
 
 
 1,560 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 
 
 4,946 
 
 
 
 2,430 
 
 
 29 
 
 
 
 
 5,340 
 
 
 • 7,000 
 
 780 
 
 •S.S. " Istrar ' 
 
 March 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,270 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 11,145 
 
 
 4,000 
 
 
 S.S."Semantha 
 
 16 
 
 45,241 
 
 3,886 
 
 nil 
 
 10,228 
 
 3,031 
 
 
 350 
 
 
 23 
 
 
 
 
 6,830 
 
 
 
 4,350 
 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 6,435 
 
 
 
 3,750 
 
 
 April 6 
 
 
 
 
 7,401 
 
 
 
 1.3D0 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 5,610 
 
 
 
 1,770 
 
 
 20 
 
 41,614 
 
 5,474 
 
 nil 
 
 7,071 
 
 1,685 
 
 
 2,1.50 
 
 
 27 
 
 
 
 
 5,949 
 
 
 
 2,660 
 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 5,918 
 
 
 
 1,790 
 
 
 
 142,868 
 
 17,575 
 
 nil 
 
 116,668 
 
 7,418 
 
 18,450 
 
 29,830 
 
 
 160,443 
 
 124,086 
 Total 
 
 48,280 
 172,366 
 
 Tonnage Loss to Weaver 
 No. 11 
 
 Increase Vaouum Salt .. 
 Increase tonnage 
 May 10th, 1912. 
 
 26,000 
 10,000 
 
 36,000 
 48,000 
 
 That is to say — 
 
 38 per cent, Weston Point Vacuum went into 
 
 Ocean going. 
 62 per cent, went into Barges just as in any 
 Ordinary Works. 
 
THE RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION 493 
 
 RIVER WEAVER NAVIGATION. 
 
 Weaver Dibt outstanding at 31st March, 1912 
 
 Guaranteed by Cheshire County Council ... 
 Not guaranteed 
 
 Amounts guaranteed by Cheshire County Council, viz. 
 Annuities outstanding 
 
 £100,855 
 72,048 
 
 £179,503 
 
 £27,855 
 70,000 
 
 ANNUITIES 
 
 Amount guaranteed by Cheshire County Council for 30 years in 1904, viz. 
 Less Repaid 
 
 Leaving Balance owing at 3l6t Mareh, 1912 ., 
 
 Loans guaranteed by Cheshire County Council : — 
 
 £33,299 
 5,444 
 
 Year 
 borrowed. 
 
 Amount 
 borrowed. 
 
 Term of 
 
 Stoking Fund accumulating 
 at 21 per cent at 31st 
 March, 1912, invested 
 
 in Truat Securities 
 
 1898 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1906 
 
 £ 
 35,000 
 
 15,000 
 
 4,000 
 
 25,000 
 
 30 
 60 
 60 
 
 60 
 
 £ 
 13,451 
 
 1,670 
 
 40G 
 
 984 
 
 
 £79,000 
 
 £16,511 
 
 WEAVER NAVIGATION SINKING FUND. 
 Loans guaranteed by Cheshire County Council :— 
 
 Date wheH 
 borrowed 
 
 Amount of 
 
 Rate of 
 Interest. 
 
 Term of 
 borrowing years. 
 
 Annual Amount of Sinking 
 Fund set aside 
 
 1898 
 
 £ 
 
 35,000 
 
 1 
 3 
 
 30 
 
 £ s. d. 
 797 5 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1 ^° 
 15.000 Iff 
 
 4,000 ' ' 
 
 l > 
 
 3 
 3J 
 
 60 
 60 
 
 110 6 I 
 29 8 4 
 
 1907-9 
 
 25,000 | g| 
 
 3} 
 
 60 
 
 183 16 9 
 
 
 £97'000 
 
 £1,120 16 2 
 
 Table showing River Weaver Debt and Obligations of Cheshire County Council. 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 
 
 In compiling a somewhat detailed summary of the Cheshire salt 
 trade and remarking the causes that were responsible for the 
 fluctuations that were experienced, it is an open question as to 
 how far back such a review should be carried. It may be thought 
 that the last quarter of a century embraces the modern history of 
 the industry and with the formation of the Salt Union in 1888 
 the salt trade certainly entered upon a new era. But the decade 
 which preceded the birth of that institution was crowded with 
 matters of interest to the student of the subject and, as reliable 
 particulars are available, I have concluded to commence with the 
 close of the 'seventies, when the years of prosperity and unpre- 
 cedented development suddenly ceased. In 1875 the annual 
 export of salt of all kinds had grown to over one million tons, 
 the Indian market was steadily expanding and ever increasing 
 orders were received from Canada and the United States. By 
 the end of 1876 the depression which fell upon all British industry 
 and commerce pressed with special severity upon the Cheshire 
 salt trade. The East Indian market showed a marked decrease, 
 the demands from Australia fell off, and signs were not wanting 
 that Germany would soon begin to use her own rich supplies and 
 dispense with imported salt entirely. But the depression which 
 was general in the trade in 1878 was not due to any reduction in 
 the volume of exports, but to competition between the exporters 
 and more directly to the excessive power of production. Fighting 
 between the manufacturers led to a reduction of profits and of 
 wages for the men. This was clearly pointed out by the most 
 competent critics, but in the dawn of 1879 the lesson had not yet 
 been learnt by those most deeply interested. 
 
 1879. — Towards the end of this year trade generally showed 
 signs of a revival. In the salt trade the improvement was most 
 marked. In no previous year had so much salt been shipped 
 from the Mersey. The shipments of white and rock salt amounted 
 to the gross total of 1,096,184 tons as against 888,643 tons in 1872 
 (the worst year), and 1,051,884 in 1871 (the best previous year). 
 It was evident that the trade was increasing steadily, though the 
 
 494 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 495 
 
 pannage was still in excess of its requirements. The largest 
 increase was shown by the Indian market which had reached 
 288,000 tons — the largest shipment since '75. In Canada, 
 Cheshire held her way in spite of the competition of the United 
 States — possibly because American brine was found to be un- 
 suitable for the salting of provisions that require long keeping. 
 The practical suspension of the salt manufacture on the west 
 coast of South America owing to the war between Chili and Peru, 
 resulted in considerable demand for the foreign commodity, and 
 the exports to that continent showed an increase of 122 per cent. 
 On the other hand, the African market, once thought to be almost 
 the safest, showed a falling-off of 6019 tons — a loss largely to be 
 explained by the competition of the Azores and other islands 
 near the African coast, where vessels could load with cargoes of 
 coarse fishery or solar salt more cheaply than it could be obtained 
 from England. In fine-salt Cheshire could always hold its own, 
 and England was, as always, its best customer. France and the 
 Mediterranean countries stood in no need of imported salt. The 
 German trade, never considerable, was crippled this year by the 
 introduction of the new imperial tariff, and Cheshire exports 
 showed a further decrease of close on 4000 tons. 
 
 It was evident by this time that the steamer was fast driving 
 the sailing ship out of the carrying trade. " Instead of every 
 little port obtaining a few cargoes during the year by sailing 
 vessels," observes an authority on the trade, " some central and 
 convenient port will be chosen and a line of steamers established 
 to carry to it. The West African trade is becoming entirely a 
 steam trade. In America we find the same thing. New York, 
 Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore are the great distributing 
 ports." Meanwhile at home on the Cheshire waterways the 
 steamer with its train of barges had superseded the old sailing 
 flats. As a consequence the river Weaver had to be deepened — 
 a step which caused a great outcry in the town of Northwich, 
 where, whether from the continuous extinction of brine or the 
 dredging of the stream, the subsidence of land was ever increasing. 
 
 1880. — This was a record year for the salt trade as far as ship- 
 ments were concerned. The amount of exports exceeded those of 
 all previous recorded years, and, remarkably enough, there was 
 no special reason to account for this — such as the Franco-German 
 war, which is held to explain the briskness of trade in 1871. It 
 was not even an extraordinarily good year for the fisheries. Yet, 
 
496 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 as the following totals prove, the trade in white salt in all but two 
 markets showed an increase : — 
 
 
 1879. 
 
 1880. 
 
 Increase. 
 
 Decrease. 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Ton«. Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 United States, N. . 
 
 160,4701 158,9371 
 
 
 1,533 
 
 United States, S. 
 
 93,8021 1 105,003} 
 
 11,2011 
 
 
 Canada . 
 
 81,5141 | 109,307| 
 
 27,793! 
 
 
 West Indies and Cen-) 
 tral America f 
 
 3,670} | 5,760J 
 
 2,0891 
 
 
 South America 
 
 6,308i 7,641 
 
 1,3321 
 
 
 Africa . 
 
 20,006 i 31,587| i 11,581} 
 
 
 India 
 
 288,947 313,897 24,950 
 
 
 Australia and New 1 
 Zealand . . / 
 
 13,016i | 19,954| 1 6,937f 
 
 
 Germany 
 
 24,856 42,054 17,148 
 
 
 ? 
 
 49,7021 ' 46,811 
 
 23,201 24 ,131 1 930 
 
 2,8911 
 
 Belgium 
 
 9,780i 
 
 12,4261 | 2,646 
 
 
 Holland 
 
 
 10 10 
 
 
 France, etc. 
 
 1,689} 1,803 1131 
 
 
 England 
 
 102,088 1 120,637 ! 18,551 
 
 
 Ireland . 
 
 37,7031 | 38,871 1,1871 
 
 
 Scotland 
 
 74,1931 | 76,796 2,6021 
 
 
 Total 
 
 990,9501 !l, H5,650i 127,1241 
 
 4,4241 
 
 The net increase in all markets was, therefore, 124,700 tons. 
 The slight decrease on the shipments to the Northern United 
 States may be attributed to the raising of the freights, but the 
 drop was more apparent than real, for no doubt a great deal of 
 salt found its way across the frontier from Canadian ports. The 
 African figures seem to have disappointed shippers, for with the 
 active opening up of the interior of the continent in 1880, a much 
 greater extension of the trade had been looked for. The con- 
 tinuance of hostilities between Chili and Peru still held up the 
 demand for Cheshire salt on the Pacific coast of South America. 
 Considering that Germany had always been looked upon as the 
 weakest and most precarious of the foreign markets, the year's 
 returns were distinctly encouraging. The low freights from 
 Liverpool still enabled English shippers to compete to advantage 
 with native manufacturers and to deliver salt cheaper at Danzig, 
 Nenfahrwasser, and Konigsberg than the native product brought 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 497 
 
 by rail from the interior. Increasing importation of American 
 provisions kept down the demand for English salt in Ireland. 
 
 The rock-salt shipments were smaller than those of the preceding 
 year. Holland and Belgium took most and in about equal 
 quantities. " The United States," writes an expert this year, 
 " are gradually but slowly increasing their take of rock-salt, while 
 British North America is decreasing considerably. Probably 
 this is owing to the growing demand for iron vessels, causing the 
 colonial shipbuilding trade to decrease and hence causing our 
 salt to go out for salting the timber of the new vessels." 
 
 As regards the valuable and increasing India trade, it is worth 
 observing that there was no demand for salt in Bombay or Madras. 
 In August 1872 a load of 2125 tons was shipped to the latter port 
 by way of experiment. For fifteen months the consignees 
 endeavoured, without success, to dispose of it, but the prejudice 
 against English salt was too strong, and it was re-shipped in the 
 end to Calcutta. Not many years before another consignment 
 of Cheshire salt had to be thrown over board in Madras roads. 
 
 1881. — The improvement in the trade was not long maintained. 
 Exports which reached a fair level in the first quarter of the year 
 1881 rose considerably in volume during the ensuing six months 
 and then dropped very seriously. Though the total exports 
 (l,039,038f tons) exceeded the total of any previous year except 
 1880, a total decrease on that year's returns of 118,678 tons was 
 recorded, and during the last six months the price of salt fell to 
 the lowest point ever reached. The shipments to the northern 
 United States diminished by over 41 per cent. This was partly 
 due to the working of the Petit Anse rock-salt on the coast of 
 Louisiana. The owners of this mine bought up all the English 
 salt at Galveston and, by holding it back, succeeded in establishing 
 their own produce on the local market. Canada took nearly 
 28,000 tons less salt than in 1880 ; but the trade with the northern 
 United States increased to the extent of 3643 tons. The cessa- 
 tion of the Peruvian war released the native salt and accounted 
 for a falling off of the exports to the extent of 1959 tons. India 
 took 6000 tons more than in the preceding year, in spite of an 
 alteration in the salt duty. Out of every hundred tons of white 
 salt shipped in Liverpool, thirty-eight were for the East Indies. 
 Calcutta and Rangoon — Calcutta especially — and occasionally 
 Chittagong monopolised the trade. 
 Low prices, it will have been seen, had not increased the demand 
 2i 
 
498 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 in the world's market. During the year the price of common 
 salt at the works fell from 6s. to 3s. 6d. a ton — the lowest then 
 known. It was plain that this fall in prices was due to the bitter 
 competition and mismanagement of the manufacturers who 
 found enough money, however, to defeat the Bill promoted to 
 obtain compensation for the enormous damage done to property 
 throughout the salt area by the remorseless pumping of brine. 
 
 1882. — Exports of white salt continued to decrease throughout 
 the year 1882, the total of 982,424 tons, showing a net decrease 
 of 56,614 tons on the previous year. The fall was most con- 
 spicuous in the Indian market, in spite of the reduction of the 
 duty on foreign salt, the amount shipped being only 270,156 
 tons. This decline in the trade may have been due to a scarcity 
 of ships returning to India consequent upon the diminished 
 output of Indian exports. High freights and a bad dairy season 
 accounted for a decrease of over 10,000 tons in the salt taken by 
 the northern United States. To English ports there was a re- 
 duction of no less than 32,374 tons, explained by the depressed 
 state of the chemical trade. 
 
 Rock-salt, on the other hand, was exported to the amount of 
 108,000 tons, an increase of 3000 tons on the preceding year. 
 The Low Countries were as usual the largest customers, Holland 
 taking 33,397, and Belgium, 31,623. 
 
 Recognising the ruinous effects of unlimited competition, the 
 salt manufacturers, as they have been accustomed to do at long 
 intervals, entered into a combine known as the Pool in the early 
 part of the year. The price of common salt was advanced to 
 7s. per ton at the works. Anyone working more than one half 
 of his pans, had to contribute to the Pool a fixed sum weekly per 
 pan ; those working less than one half received a fixed sum 
 weekly from the Pool for each idle pan. For a time things went 
 on fairly well, but as many makers had to execute old contracts 
 at low prices, there began to be much grumbling about paying 
 the full sum per pan into the Pool. The scheme was modified, 
 but with such disastrous results that prices fell to 5s. 6d. per ton, 
 chemical contracts being entered into for the ensuing year in 
 some cases at lower prices even than for 1881. By the end of the 
 year this salt association was practically dead, notwithstanding 
 the new competition threatened by salt works set up by Messrs 
 Bell at Middlesbrough, estimated to produce 20,000 tons per 
 annum. " Undoubtedly," says one writing at the time, " if the 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 499 
 
 salt industry is carried on very extensively at Middlesbrough, the 
 injury will far exceed that done by Worcestershire. Middles- 
 brough is not only well situated for supplying the Tyne chemical 
 works, but for taking the great bulk of the Baltic trade. This 
 competition is the most formidable that has yet risen. . . ." 
 
 1883. — This was a good year for the salt trade, ahead of all 
 previous years in rock salt, and better in other respects than any 
 except 1880. White salt was exported to the extent of 1,072,116 
 tons ; rock salt, 122,411 tons. The most considerable increase 
 on the preceding year's exports was shown by Canada, which 
 took 105,612 tons as against 87,112 in 1882. America took 
 167,097 tons (an increase of 14,706 tons), but in the erstwhile Con- 
 federate States a decrease of 2409 tons had to be recorded. The 
 southern United States always represented a fluctuating market, 
 the shipments being regulated not so much by the demand but 
 by the needs of vessels going out to bring home cotton. India 
 as usual was the best market, but the rate of increase was per- 
 ceptibly slowing. 
 
 Australia took only 9,580 tons (15,371 tons in 1882) and the 
 German trade showed a decrease of 11,404 tons. Of the total 
 rock salt shipped, Holland and Belgium took 73,444, and the 
 British Islands over 33,000. Prices, notwithstanding the brisk, 
 demand, seldom rose above 4s. 6d. per ton. The manufacturers 
 pursued their rivalries more keenly than ever till, as one observer 
 put it, " the industry became a laughing stock to other trades. 
 The trade is being ruled neither by common sense nor business 
 experience. . . . All the skill and ingenuity of the salt proprietor 
 has been spent in devising how he can best and cheapest carry his 
 goods to his market. The rate of freight fixed half a century ago 
 for small sailing craft and increased just as the transition state 
 commenced, and continued under the new regime of steam flats 
 and large barges when it might have been reduced, has been a 
 source of unmitigated evil to smaller manufacturers. Instead of 
 keeping the freight distinct from the price of the salt and drawing 
 the amount on delivery of the salt in cash, it has been merged into 
 the price of the salt which is sold f.o.b. By doing this the real 
 selling price of the salt is hidden from view. . . . The trade is 
 gradually falling into the hands of the few who have the steam 
 flats and barges. The Calcutta trade is now carried on entirely 
 from Winsford, and Winsford is the centre that is now ruining the 
 trade. ... To outsiders the state of affairs is positively lament- 
 
500 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 able — to small men it is certain ruin. To the inhabitants of the 
 district, who see their property sinking and being destroyed by 
 the fighting parties, the thing is outrageous, and very bitter 
 feelings are being produced." 
 
 1884. — The gloom was hardly relieved this year, of which fair 
 shipments with very low prices and consequent scanty profits 
 were the prevailing features. India increased her take of white 
 salt by 32,295 tons, reaching a total of 355,438 tons. On the 
 other hand, Canadian exports fell from 105,612 tons (1883) to 
 79,379 — a decrease of 25 per cent. — and shipments to the United 
 States showed a decrease of 7570 tons. The reduced demand in 
 both these markets is more easily explained by the important 
 finds of salt in the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania and the 
 competition of Canadian salt for the Goderich distriot. The 
 rapid succession of annexations of African territory by Germany 
 had a lowering effect on exports to the Dark Continent. Russia's 
 new fiscal policy almost drove English salts from her ports, the 
 total falling from over 56,000 to little more than 23,000 tons. 
 The total exports of white salt for the year amounted to 1,041,605 
 tons — a net decrease of 30,509 tons on the previous year. Rock 
 salt was shipped to the extent of 115,121 tons — a decrease of 
 7290 tons. 
 
 1885. — In this year exports showed a further decline of over 
 71,000 tons, the total of white salt being 970,257 tons. Rock 
 salt fell to 102,118 tons. India took less salt by 42,170 tons, in 
 spite of the reduction of duty from which such great things had 
 been expected. The German market dropped by over 13,000 
 tons (1884—32,757 ; 1885—18,905). On the other hand, there 
 was a more rapid increase (7638 to 12,639 tons) on the South 
 American exports than any market had so far recorded, and that 
 violently fluctuating market — Australia — increased its demand 
 by 7499 tons. Belgium was principally responsible for the 
 diminished export of rock salt. Prices, however, showed an 
 upward tendency. This was due to the action of the East Indian 
 salt shippers, who had the good sense to desist from their insane 
 rivalry and to come to an understanding. Their example was 
 followed by the trade generally, and the price of common salt 
 rose from 4s. 6d. to 7s. a ton. But the truth of the old adage, 
 Union is Strength, had not yet been fully realized by the Cheshire 
 salt manufacturers. 
 
 1886. — In this year everything was adverse to an improvement 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 501 
 
 in prices. Exports to India dropped by nearly the same amount 
 as in tie previous year — 42,273 tons — January being the worst 
 month for Indian shipments the trade had yet known. The 
 successful exploitation of the New York salt mines resulted in a 
 reduction of 20,997 tons in the American shipments (1885 — 
 165,170 ; 1886—144,173). The growing competition of Middles- 
 brough brought down the English consumption of Cheshire salt 
 to 52,314 tons — a drop of 24,607 tons. The slight increases 
 recorded in other markets were mere fluctuations and afforded 
 little hope to the exporter. German competition threatened to 
 drive British rock salt from the Dutch market altogether. Need- 
 less to say, the lessons of adversity were lost upon the trade. 
 The East Indian Syndicate suffered from the competition of 
 those left outside the ring and prices began to fall. A well- 
 considered scheme of amalgamation was brought forward, but 
 was foiled by the ever-recurring jealousy and distrust of the 
 traders. By the end of the year even the Indian ring had 
 dissolved and the same old murderous competition was again in 
 full swing. 
 
 1887. — The Jubilee year showed an increase of 40,076 tons on 
 the exports of the preceding year, which merely means that the 
 trade was in about the position it had occupied ten years before. 
 Partly owing to the opening up of the newly acquired kingdom of 
 Burmah, the Indian market showed the substantial increase of 
 54,871 tons, but against this had to be set a fall of no less than 
 41,900 tons in the amount of white salt taken by the United 
 States. The Russian trade declined by 6311 tons. Owing to 
 the new duties, native salt could be sold more cheaply than English 
 in parts most remote from its origin, and it was only in the White 
 Sea that even a little trade was done. German competition 
 pulled down the export of rock-salt to Belgium by 6891 tons 
 (11,295 tons against 17,886 in 1886). The English coastwise 
 trade improved from 53,314 to 65,354 tons of white salt and to 
 20,434 rock salt. Prices were now lower than had before been 
 known in the salt trade. During the year East Indian salt fell 
 from 12s. a ton f.o.b. to 7s. 6d. f.o.b. ; Common salt was sold as 
 low as 2s. 9d. The big men seemed determined to squeeze the 
 little firms out of existence, and showed no regard for the interests 
 of the trade as a whole. 
 
 1888. — This is the annus mirdbilis of the salt trade. It 
 witnessed the foundation of the Salt Union which took in the 
 
502 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 majority of the works of the counties of Chester, Worcester, and 
 Stafford, and nearly all of South Durham. 
 
 During the first eight months of the year prices dropped to 
 6s. 6d. f.o.b. for Indian salt, while common salt was largely sold 
 at 2s. 6d. a ton. The large makers at last began to weary of the 
 strife, but none liked to show the white feather, while the small 
 men were being fast driven out of the trade. Curiously enough 
 it was not a salt firm which began the promotion of the much- 
 desired Union but a firm of London solicitors backed by large 
 financial houses. The prospectus was issued in October, and the 
 shares issued to the public were over-subscribed. Of the capital 
 of £4,000,000 there were Debentures at 4J per cent, amounting to 
 £1,000,000, another million in Preference shares at 7 per cent., 
 and two million Ordinary shares divided equally between the 
 public and the vendors. The Union took over the bulk of the 
 works in November, but had not assumed complete control at 
 the end of the year. The trust was harshly criticised by the 
 general Press and not unnaturally regarded as an attempt to form 
 a monopoly opposed to the consumers' interests. 
 
 The total exports of white salt had fallen during the year from 
 911,689 to 910,220 tons— a net decrease of 1,469 tons. On the 
 other hand, rock salt showed a net increase of 20,000 tons. The 
 United States trade continued to diminish (147,214 tons against 
 164,861 in 1887) ; the shipment to India (358,941 tons) was 
 ahead of all previous shipments and Belgium took 12,974 more 
 tons of rock salt than in the previous year. The Tyne market 
 had been captured by Middlesbrough, and the English coastwise 
 trade was reduced by over 22,000 tons. 
 
 1889. — The combine did not immediately justify the hopes 
 which had been formed of it. Its formation was at once followed 
 by the unprecedentedly decreased demand of 26 per cent, on white 
 salt and 43 per cent, on rock salt. The Indian market showed the 
 enormous decrease of 114,689 tons. The United States took 
 118,495 tons of white salt, compared with over 146,000 the year 
 before, but, strangely enough, there was a slight increase in the 
 take of rock salt in spite of the working of mines in Louisiana and 
 New York. Every market in the world except the very minor 
 market of South America, showed a decrease, varying from 32 
 per cent., in the case of India, to 1 per cent., in the case of 
 Russia. 
 
 The causes of this depression are not far to seek. To begin 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 503 
 
 with the Salt Union advanced prices to 7s. 6d. per ton, and in 
 anticipation of its foundation, there had been in the previous 
 year a sudden rush to secure salt at low prices and to take every 
 ton contracted for. The competition of Middlesbrough and 
 America had also begun to make itself very severely felt by the 
 Cheshire trade. 
 
 1890. — A moderate increase in shipments and the firmness of 
 prices throughout this year seemed to justify the hopes formed of 
 the Union and to falsify the prognostications of those who had 
 opposed it. The net increase on white salt exported from the 
 Mersey was 36,494 tons, or rather more than five per cent., 
 (712,636 tons). The rock salt shipment was about the same, viz., 
 61,265 tons as against 61,584 in 1889. India took 289,622 tons 
 of white salt, an increase of 45,350 on the 1889 shipments. Canada 
 showed the substantial increase of 7912 tons. Her own salt was, 
 so far, unable to capture the easternmost provinces. Over the 
 border, however, our exports fell from 77,950 to 65,072 tons, for 
 here the native commodity, protected by the M'Kinley tariff, 
 was in increasing demand. A further heavy addition (5885 tons) 
 in the total shipments of rock salt to Holland must be recorded. 
 England took 30,729 tons from Cheshire as against 33,755 tons in 
 the previous year. 
 
 1891. — This was a disappointing year. Shippers could find 
 consolation only in the reflection that the rate of decrease was less 
 than in previous years. The relapse was almost entirely in 
 white salt, rock salt (87,992 tons) remaining nearly stationary. 
 Salt shipped from Fleetwood in Lancashire, accounted for a fall 
 in the Irish take from 27,588 to 18,716 tons — a loss of 8672 tons. 
 But it was the Indian market which suffered most severely, 
 shipments being less by 65,249 tons than in 1890. The Germans 
 had now carried the war into our own camp, and had flooded 
 the Indian market with crushed rock salt from German mines. 
 The attack was formidable and caused no little dismay among 
 English exporters. The price of salt dropped rapidly and shippers 
 suffered, the Germans most of all. Besides the German salt, 
 the Cheshire product was to some extent displaced by solar salt 
 from Aden. At the end of the year the market showed some signs 
 of improvement, but it was sensitive, and fell at once on the 
 arrival of the smallest cargo. 
 
 During the year a Bill was passed into law to compen- 
 sate owners for subsidence caused by brine pumping. Prices 
 
504 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 remained fairly steady, and on the whole higher than before the 
 amalgamation. 
 
 1892. — The decrease this year was not as serious as last. 
 The total of white and rock salt shipped from the Mersey 
 was 666,863 — a decrease of 18,196 tons. Fleetwood shipped 
 40,000, Middlesbrough 160,000 tons, thus accounting for a loss 
 of 200,000 tons to Cheshire. The output of the American salt 
 industry was given at 1,448,219 tons. Added to this, there was a 
 large increase in the number of pans not connected with the 
 Union. The result of this revival of competition was a fall in 
 prices ; though this was not an unmixed evil, for it largely ex- 
 plained the rally in the Indian market, which showed an increase 
 on 1891 of 26,116 tons. The Germans retaliated by an abortive 
 effort to introduce their salts into Africa. The Russian trade 
 seemed to be passing from Cheshire into the hands of the Middles- 
 brough people. To Norway and Sweden the eastern port sent 
 9000 tons, against Cheshire's 5484. 1892 was not a good year 
 for the Salt Union, which put down a good deal of its lost trade 
 to the strike of the watermen, a strike which the masters held to 
 be most unreasonable. 
 
 1893. — This was the year of a great coal strike. In anticipation 
 of the event, salt manufacturers had begun to stock fuel, but it 
 was not so plentiful as they had supposed, and the demand drove 
 up prices. This was a bad blow to the long-suffering salt trade, 
 and from the middle of August to the end of the year it was 
 extremely difficult to execute even the most pressing orders. 
 For weeks together the works contained not more than one or 
 two days' stock, while the scarcity of fuel would not permit of more 
 than a few pans working, and these only fitfully. No orders in 
 advance could be accepted, even at enhanced prices. Never in 
 the century had there been such a reduced stock of salt as in the 
 last quarter of 1893. 
 
 Shipments to the Indies were reduced by 44,403 tons to only 
 206,086 tons. Exports to the United States dropped 28,513 tons, 
 but home troubles were not wholly responsible for this decline. 
 The strike occurring late in the year it did not much affect the 
 trade with Canada, which rose from 56,824 to 65,415 tons. A 
 good fishery season accounted for a considerable increase in the 
 exports of white salt to Denmark and Iceland (12,923 tons). 
 Scotland for the same reason took 73,015 tons — 3,548 tons more 
 than the preceding year. The total shipments of white salt from 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 505 
 
 the Mersey fell from 606,615 to 548,751 tons. Exports of rock 
 salt increased from 60,248 to 69,121 tons. The advance was due 
 to the long drought in Germany, which interfered with the river- 
 borne traffic to Holland and sent up the price of German salt. 
 
 Fleetwood was hit harder than Cheshire by the strike, her 
 shipments falling to 4000 tons. Middlesbrough was unaffected 
 by the labour trouble, and her trade increased to the extent of 
 58,000 tons. The total export of salt from the United Kingdom 
 (including coastwise trade) amounted in 1893 to 949,785 tons, to 
 which the Mersey contributed 617,872 tons (white and rock salt 
 included). The total amount of salt produced amounted to no 
 less than 1,924,019 tons, valued at £736,222. 
 
 A discovery of rock salt was made towards the end of the year 
 near the Point of Ayre in the Isle of Man. It had become evident 
 that the supply of salt vastly exceeded the demand. 
 
 1894. — This year passed without any serious industrial troubles, 
 and was more normal than its immediate predecessors. The ship- 
 ments from the Mersey totalled 686,956 tons, the largest aggregate 
 reached since 1890. The increase was only in white salt. There 
 was a smaller export of rock salt (56,981 tons) than in any previous 
 year, owing to the competition of Middlesbrough and Fleetwood, 
 and of Germany, which could put her crushed salt on the Tyne at 
 a lower price than could Cheshire. Considering that the total 
 British export of salt this year amounted to 1,066,483 tons, we 
 realise to what an extent home competition had damaged the 
 Mersey trade. The output of the United Kingdom amounted to 
 2,235,912 tons, valued at £763,629. 
 
 The shipments to India (263,754 tons) exceeded those of the 
 previous year by 57,668 tons mainly in consequence of the 
 shortage in 1893. This market was overstocked and prices 
 remained low. The exports to the southern United States 
 (53,178 tons) showed the large increase of 38,128 tons. The 
 Cheshire hold on this market depended on getting ships at low 
 freights returning across the Atlantic. 
 
 The opening of the Manchester Ship Canal did not particularly 
 benefit the Cheshire salt trade. Very little salt was sent to 
 Manchester as freight, and the rates made it too dear. Middles- 
 brough may by this time be considered to have entered fairly 
 into the East Indian trade, and Fleetwood, owing to the nearness 
 of her works to the port of shipment, was to be regarded as a 
 serious competitor. 
 
506 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1895.— Of 2,173,253 tons of salt extracted this year in the 
 United Kingdom, 1,080,601 tons were exported or sent to British 
 ports. The shipments from the Mersey of both white and rock 
 salt totalled 705,493 tons— the largest total since 1890. This 
 increase of nearly 18,000 tons was satisfactory in face of the 
 overstocking of the Indian market, which took 47,348 tons less 
 than in the preceding year. The shipments to the United States, 
 owing to the reversal of the duty on salt, were the largest since 
 1888. To the Southern States the total was 64,069, and to the 
 northern 81,338— increases of 21,417 and 28,160 tons respectively. 
 The production of salt in the United States amounted this year 
 to 1,565,187 tons. If so much English salt found its way into the 
 country, it was because of difficulties in internal transport, and 
 because salt was much in request as a ballast cargo for vessels 
 going out to southern ports for cotton. Exceptionally cheap 
 freights also enabled Cheshire proprietors to ship 10,063 tons to 
 Finland. The South American market showed a relatively larger 
 increase than any (16,597 against 10,655 in the preceding year). 
 
 Fleetwood shipped 94,000 tons of white and rock salt as against 
 60,000 in 1894. The cargo increase was almost entirely of rock 
 salt, which went to the Widnes Alkali Works. Middlesbrough 
 trade declined from 233,000 to 206,000 owing to the depression 
 of the Indian market. 
 
 1896. — This was a worse year than any except 1893. The 
 exports from the United Kingdom dropped to 1,022,617 tons, of 
 which only 620,371 tons were shipped from the Mersey. On the 
 preceding year a net decrease was recorded of 72,856 tons. 
 Sweden took 55,177 tons of white salt less than the year before. 
 One explanation advanced at the time was that steam had com- 
 pletely driven sailing ships from the sea, and that steamers were 
 inclined to reject salt for more profitable cargo. This year the 
 United States produced 1,369,844 tons of salt, a reduction of 
 over 195,000 tons on last year. Notwithstanding this fact, our 
 exports to the States diminished by 30,401 tons, though the total 
 shipped — 114,901 tons — exceeded that of any year except 1895, 
 since 1889. German competition was severely felt in Africa. 
 On the other hand, in spite of Middlesbrough, shipments from the 
 Mersey to Norway and Sweden advanced from 5507 to 12,770 
 tons. Meanwhile prices fell and threatened to become lower 
 than before the establishment of the Salt Union. 
 
 1897. — The year of the Diamond Jubilee proved worse than its 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 507 
 
 predecessor. Mersey shipments fell to 591,046 tons — a reduction 
 of 38,324 tons. This decrease was mainly due to the re-imposition 
 of the American duty on salt. The exports to the United States 
 fell to little more than 90,000 tons. The Canadians took 67,446 
 tons — an increase of 4620 tons. Shipments from the Mersey to 
 India rose from 161,209 tons to 190,571 tons. The East Coast 
 and Hamburg sent a good deal of salt, but the greatest competition 
 in this market was the crushed sea salt from the Eed Sea and 
 Arabia. Prices ruling lower than at the end of 1896 in Calcutta 
 gave England a better chance. More steamers than usual took 
 out salt in the latter part of the year. One of these, the 
 " Historian " carried 8000 tons, the largest cargo of salt shipped 
 from this or probably any other country. It was complained 
 that the ever-increasing size of steamers made shipments difficult 
 for any except the largest manufacturers. Seven or eight steam 
 barges with extra-sized derricks were required to discharge all at 
 one time into each steamer. In the month of December 5,700 
 tons were put aboard one steamer in twenty-eight working hours. 
 
 In view of the decline in trade, great efforts were now being 
 made to throw open the Chinese and Japanese markets to English 
 salt. It was argued that if Great Britain should guarantee a loan 
 to China, no better security could be offered than the customs 
 duties on imported salt. It was considered, moreover, that if 
 foreign salts were admitted to China at a duty equivalent to the 
 excise duty on the native product, the demand for the superior 
 foreign salt would enable the Imperial Government to raise more 
 than the interest payable on the loan. 
 
 The shipments this year from the East Coast of England were 
 212,067 tons— 1678 tons less than in 1896. The Fleetwood 
 shipments on the other hand rose to 119,018 tons, as against 
 114,670 in the previous year. Prices continued to rule low. 
 
 1898.— Shipments from the Mersey this year totalled 607,920 
 tons — a net increase of 16,874 tons. Of white salt, 559,742 tons 
 were exported ; of rock salt, 48,178 tons. The largest increase 
 was in the Indian market, 223,603 tons against 190,571 tons in 
 1895. 52,299 tons of white salt were exported to Africa — an 
 increase of 10,235 tons. Australia took 16,822 tons of white salt, 
 which was 3609 tons better than the year before, but the South 
 Australians were now offering their own salt in all the markets of 
 the island-continent. Exports to the United States and Canada 
 declined by 8882 and 9272 tons respectively. Middlesbrough 
 
508 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 accounted for the loss of a good deal of the home trade to Cheshire. 
 But the bad trade was general. Middlesbrough showed a decline 
 of 14,000 tons, Gloucester and Sharpness 4000, Carrickfergus 
 1000, Fleetwood 4000. From Barrow, a new competitor, 8000 
 tons were shipped. Ten years had now elapsed since the formation 
 of the Salt Union. The decrease in the last five years averaged 
 39,000 tons per annum. 
 
 1899. — As in 1898, bad trade was general. Most of the markets 
 showed a decline in exportation, yet shipments from the Mersey 
 to Indian ports increased in part owing to lower rates of freight. 
 The total exports of white salt and rock salt reached 628,445 tons, 
 or a total increase of just over 20,000 tons. The economical 
 changes in chemical manufactures, brought about by quickening 
 competition amongst salt producers, decreased the demand, but 
 the result was not unexpected. Strenuous attempts were made 
 throughout the year to rake in outside manufacturers for the 
 purpose of maintaining a higher level of prices, with but partial 
 success, for the independent competitors, rendered cautious by 
 recent history of the trade, were disinclined to amalgamate. 
 The rise in the price of fuel and other materials had enhanced the 
 cost of production, the affairs of the Salt Union were in. " a glorious 
 muddle," and the question of reconstructing the company was 
 engaging the attention of the Board. 
 
 The salt lagoons of Australia give great facilities for the winning 
 of pure white salt, and these new sources must interfere consider- 
 ably with exports to our great Colony. 
 
 1900. — There was an upward tendency in the markets notwith- 
 standing the exceptionally high rate of frieghts for export to the 
 East Indian and other ports, but the shipments from the Mersey 
 showed a general falling off, and the total quantity of salt exported 
 was only 547,395 tons. The comparative failure of the fisheries 
 around the Scotch and Irish coasts must also be credited with a 
 decline in the home trade. The rise in the cost of fuel materially 
 increased the expenses of manufacture, but the many improve- 
 ments in production gave promise of a distinct advantage in 
 economical conditions, which were expected to be of benefit to 
 the salt manufacturer. 
 
 Efforts at negotiation with independent makers of salt 
 continued, but with scant effect, for the outside manufacturers 
 preferred exemption from control. 
 
 1901. The shipments in the export trade this year totalled 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 509 
 
 617,203 tons ; the increase of 69,808 tons over the previous 
 year being explained by the lowering of freights, but for 
 chemical purposes the consumption of manufactured salt was 
 largely reduced. The fall in the price of fuel enabled manu- 
 facturers of salt to look with confidence for profit on their output, 
 a presumption that was happily realised. With the price of 
 fuel continuing to fall, together with improved methods of 
 manufacture and lower freights — all of which were confidently 
 expected — the outlook for the year 1901 was full of promise. 
 
 1902. — This year the export of salt was 613,732 tons, but the 
 trade generally continued to show progress ; the lower price of 
 fuel which ruled in the last half of 1901 was maintained, with the 
 consequent reduction on the cost of manufacture, but there was 
 a serious decrease in the use of manufactured salt for chemical 
 purposes. The markets were much more brisk than had been the 
 case in preceding years and proprietors realised considerable 
 addition to their profits. 
 
 A patent affecting salt-making which was said to utilize all 
 the heat of the fuel employed was taken out this year : hitherto 
 50 per cent, had been wasted. It was claimed that the proposed 
 new method would effect enormous reductions in the cost of salt- 
 making. The capital of the Salt Union was reduced by £1,400,000. 
 
 1903. — Although the export for the year was less than that of 
 the previous year, 584,941 tons, as against 613,732 tons in 1902, 
 the cost of manufacture was higher, the increase in production 
 being ascribed to the extra expense of fuel. Hostile tariffs in 
 America and Australia depressed the salt-making trade. The 
 adoption of new processes appeared to be likely to cheapen the 
 production of salt by affecting both economy and efficiency in 
 working. The old contention that if remunerative prices are to 
 be realised all engaged in the trade should work together in amity 
 and agreement, was very much to the front. But competition 
 very stubbornly endured, and it was plain that competitors were 
 not in accord. In the course of this year two entirely new salt- 
 works, one in Cheshire and another in the Isle of Man, were estab- 
 lished. These undertakings had to be reckoned with : competi- 
 tion as a rule means loss, except to the general public, who are the 
 last consideration in the eyes of the monopolists. 
 
 1904. — The salt trade this year was far from being in a flourishing 
 state, although the total export trade advanced to 622,429, the 
 increase in shipments being due to extra demands from the British 
 
510 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 possessions. Much loss of revenue ensued from the granting of 
 very low freights to the salt-works on the Red Sea, whereby 
 large supplies were sent to the Calcutta market, and thus the 
 Cheshire export trade to the East Indies became, for this year at 
 least, unprofitable. The chemical trade had been largely revolu- 
 tionised, the manufacturers substituting brine for salt, to the great 
 loss of the salt-makers. 
 
 The Americans were producing salt successfully, and at a cost 
 very considerably less than ruled in Cheshire. Many of the 
 English independent companies were, however, yielding sub- 
 stantial dividends, a state of things which the more colossal 
 enterprises could but envy. The application of new processes, 
 such as gas firing to the pans instead of coal firing, and the evapor- 
 ating of brine in vacuum pans, continued to give the most flattering 
 hopes with regard to their employment. The larger concerns 
 continued wooing their competitors to " regulate and maintain 
 prices " with more or less success, but those outside the great com- 
 binations remained cautious. 
 
 1905. — The strike of the dock labourers in Liverpool prevented 
 the steamers leaving that port taking as much cargo of salt as 
 they intended, and thus the Cheshire salt industry was influenced 
 to its disadvantage. The exports to India showed a decrease of 
 58,436 tons, and the total shipments only amounted to 576,175 
 tons, but the home trade made steady increase. The principal 
 cause of the diminution of profits was the failure of the great 
 combinations to maintain the agreements which were entered 
 into with the independent makers of salt. The " right " of 
 dictation which the larger concerns arrogated to themselves was 
 resented by the " outside " makers : both sides asserted that they 
 were unfairly treated, and the association came to an end. 
 Naturally, a fall in prices at once took place which continued 
 throughout the year. The larger combines were doubtless 
 willing, if not eager, to come to a " mutual understanding," but 
 apparently the free-lances preferred to retain their independence. 
 
 1906. — The output of salt for the year 1906 was somewhat less 
 than of the preceding year, and prices ruled extremely low, but 
 the total shipments from the Mersey, amounting to 622,307 tons, 
 were within a hundred tons of the quantity exported in 1904. 
 It has been said that when the general trade of the country is 
 " booming," in which condition it was at this time, the salt 
 industry is depressed ; the reasons adduced being that prices for 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 18T8 TO 1912 511 
 
 materials and coal are uplifted and that freights are raised. A 
 fierce competition raged through the great part of the year 1906, 
 and prices fell to a lower level than before known, but were 
 advanced before the end of the year owing to an arrangement 
 amongst the competitors for future "regulation." A welcome 
 rise in prices took place in Calcutta owing to a reduction in duties. 
 Salt-makers abroad were active, and manufacturers recognised 
 that it was only by cheap production and moderate freights that 
 they could retain a hold of the foreign markets. The dispute 
 between the Salt Union and Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co., showed 
 but little signs of settlement, but it was hoped that an equitable 
 arrangement might be reached. 
 
 1907. — The rise in prices which took place towards the end of 
 1906 was maintained, giving lively anticipations of a period of 
 greater prosperity. The tonnage of 582,379 tons for 1907 was 
 40,028 tons less than the figures reached in the previous year. 
 Home and foreign markets continued active and at fairly re- 
 munerative prices, which may be attributed to the cessation of 
 hostilities which had raged amongst the salt-makers throughout 
 the country. But in spite of this growth of the arts of peace 
 there were outside developments in salt production which gave 
 pause to would-be monopolists seeking to check legitimate 
 enterprise. 
 
 The dispute between the Salt Union and Brunner, Mond & Co. 
 ended in a settlement between the parties, each side undertaking 
 to pay its own law costs. 
 
 1908. — This was a year of depression, all countries participating 
 in the commercial decline. The salt trade, necessarily, could not 
 escape, sale and demand declining seriously, while grave curtail- 
 ments were experienced in exports which totalled only 523,696 
 tons. The blow from which commerce suffered may be attributed 
 to the great financial crisis that occurred in the United States of 
 America. 
 
 The activity of chemical manufacturers in supplying themselves 
 from salt-works established by themselves, was an instance of 
 their feeling against " regulated " prices, the " regulators " evinc- 
 ing no repugnance to lower prices where there was a prospect of 
 exploiting fresh channels of trade, or to retain old ones where no 
 supercession threatened. 
 
 In this year a greatly increased duty was imposed on imported 
 salt by Australia, thereby demonstrating once more the old axiom 
 
512 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 that there is little analogy between friendship and business. 
 The trade to the East had been adversely affected by the great 
 improvement shown in the quality of solar salt and the active 
 development of that market by the Spaniards. 
 
 1909. — Exports decreased to 515,443 tons this year, and, 
 owing to foreign competition, prices, particularly in the Eastern 
 markets, ruled low. The large consignments of salt manufactured 
 on the coast-board of the Eed Sea accounted in some measure for 
 the adverse returns from the shipments to India. In home 
 markets wholesome competition was rife. Great efforts were 
 made to induce independent salt-makers to join combinations, 
 but with little success. Consequently, it became the policy of 
 the Salt Union to meet opposition by great reductions in prices, 
 but this stratagem, effective though it may be in certain cases, 
 brought about a ruinous war of prices. 
 
 The activity in the Spanish solar salt has been maintained, and 
 at least in one instance, that of overstocking the Calcutta market, 
 caused an unprecedented drop in prices. In the year 1909, 
 100,000 tons of Spanish salt was landed in Calcutta, and 40,000 
 tons imported into England, being used chiefly in the fisheries. 
 
 1910. — The output of salt for the year 1910 showed a gratifying 
 increase of 47,369 tons on that of the previous year, the total 
 exports being 562,812 tons. Low prices still prevailed at Calcutta. 
 The competition of Germany, Spain, Port Said, and several Red 
 Sea ports promised to render the exportations of inland salt to 
 India entirely unremunerative. Trade generally in 1910 was in a 
 more healthy condition than in the previous year. In the home 
 trade competition kept prices low. 
 
 1911. — It may be recorded that the quantity of salt delivered 
 in 1911 was greatly in excess of that supplied in 1910, the ship- 
 ments of 604,869 tons being higher than in any year since 1906. 
 A Bill, bearing the title " Brine Pumping (Cheshire) Bill, 1912" 
 promoted by the Mid-Cheshire Urban District Councils and the 
 County Council, the purpose of which was to prevent the manu- 
 facture of brine products at a greater distance than three miles 
 from the pumping station, was presented to Parliament. 
 
 The fluctuating, not to say dwindling character of the Indian 
 markets is perhaps well illustrated by the fact that the arrival in 
 Calcutta of a cargo of solar salt, shipped from Aden by a new 
 shipper who had obtained a concession from the British Govern- 
 ment, caused an immediate fall in value of 10s, per ton, and 
 
THE SALT TRADE FROM 1878 TO 1912 513 
 
 brought values once more to a level which left losses all round. 
 There was a recovery later to a fairly remunerative price, but no 
 guarantee of permanency was forthcoming. Indeed, the insecurity 
 of the English hold on the Eastern markets was more apparent 
 than ever. 
 
 1912. — The shipments to foreign countries and British posses- 
 sions both showed a decrease this year, the total export of salt 
 only reaching 548,496 tons. There was what may be called a 
 national strike of coal miners which held up the whole industries 
 of the country, and included also the Northern salt-makers. 
 These strikes influenced directly and indirectly the salt trade by 
 interfering with the delivery of salt and increasing the price of 
 coal. But for these disabilities the output, which showed 
 increase, would have been much greater. The Brine Pumping 
 Bill, commonly called the Marbury Pipe Bill, which affected so 
 many interests in Cheshire, was, in the 1912 Session, rejected by 
 the Committee of the House of Lords. The importation of 
 Spanish solar salt into England during 1912 was nearly double 
 that of the previous year, the increase being partly attributable 
 to the great coal strike. Another effect of the strike was to send 
 up the price of coal by 50 per cent, compared with the cost three 
 years earlier. The total export and coastwise shipments for the 
 United Kingdom declined 46,000 tons. 
 
 2k 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
 Long before the idea of the Salt Union engaged the attention 
 of its ingenious promoters, salt-makers had frequently and strenu- 
 ously exerted themselves to obtain control of the trade and regulate 
 prices, and, with not a little success, they closed up their ranks 
 when occasion required, to squeeze out anyone who had the 
 audacity to enter into competition with the salt "ring." It is 
 not necessary to trace back the efforts of the salt men prior to 
 1823, when Willian Furnival erected works at Droitwich. Five 
 years later Furnival appeared at Wharton in Cheshire, and 
 attempted to get a footing in the salt industry. He had previously 
 erected works in Belgium and France, where he found himself 
 opposed to the combined hostility of the salt manufacturers of 
 both countries. In France they preferred a charge against the 
 intrusive Englishman, and succeeded in clapping him in gaol, 
 but he made his escape after four months' incarceration, and 
 returned to Winsford in Cheshire, where from 1830 to 1832 he 
 was engaged in the manufacture of salt. In 1833 he published 
 a statement of his experiences, from which one obtains some idea 
 of the lengths to which the salt men of the period were prepared 
 to go in dealing with their commercial rivals. 
 
 Since that time all sorts of associations, syndicates, trusts, 
 committees, pools, and companies have been formed by the persons 
 engaged in the salt trade for the purpose of regulating the prices 
 of salt. 
 
 On 21st May 1846, a general meeting of the White Salt Trade, 
 held at the Angel Inn, Northwich, was attended by twenty-two 
 salt-makers, or representatives of salt companies. Mr Henry 
 Ashton presided, and a committee was appointed — 
 
 " To ascertain the Stocks of Salt now on hand and to recom- 
 mend such a Curtailment of Make as they may think proper with 
 reference to such Stocks and the prospect of demand." 
 
 The following is a reproduction of the report issued : — 
 
 514 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
 515 
 
 At a GENERAL MEETING of the White Salt Teade held at the Ai:gel Inn, 
 Northwich, on the 21st May, 1846 :— 
 
 HENRY ASHTON, Esq,,— Chairman. 
 
 Mb. SUTTON 
 
 Ms. NEUMAN 
 
 Mr. HOGARTH, (National Company) 
 
 Ms. FARDON, (British Alkali ConJpany) 
 
 Ks. LEAKE 
 
 Mb. THOMAS GIBSON ' 
 
 ME. LO\#E, (J. Tfi mVinin n) 
 
 Ma. PICKERING 
 
 Mb. SLATER 
 
 Ma. CLINCH. (J. 4c T. Marshall) 
 
 Mb. KEMP, (Leigh Brothers) 
 
 Mr. ATKINSON 
 
 Mb. FALK 
 
 Ms. ELLERKER 
 
 Ms. LENG, JDK. 
 
 Ms. JOHNSON, (St. Helena) 
 
 Ma. LITLER 
 
 Ma. STOREY, (Stringer St Hann) 
 
 Mb. WORTHINGTON, Jun. 
 
 He. BRAMWELL, (Speakman, Caldwell, & Co.) 
 
 LIi ALFRED HEALD 
 
 Moved by Mr. Fardon, 
 
 Seconded by Mr. Johnson, 
 
 That the following' Gentlemen be appointed a Committee to ascertain the Stocks 
 of Salt now on hand, and to recommend such a Curtailment of Make as they may think 
 proper with reference to such Stocks and the prospect of demand, and afterwards to carry 
 the same into effect if adopted by a subsequent Meeting. 
 
 Mb. WORTHINGTON 
 Me. MANISTY 
 Me, FARDON 
 
 Mb. JOHNSON, (St. Helens) 
 Ma. ASHTON 
 
 ' Mr. Johnson, ■, 
 
 Seconded by Mr. Sutton, 
 
 That prices of Salt be fixed from this day until some plan is arranged by the 
 proposed Committee for Curtailing the Make, as under : — 
 
 Common 10s. 6d,~\ 
 
 Butter". 12s. 6d. f Less 6d. per Ton for 
 
 Shute Stoved 15s. 6d. C Cash in 10 days. 
 
 Handed Lumps... 16s. 6d. ) 
 Moved by Mr. Worthington, 
 Seconded by Mr, Kemp, 
 
 That no Contracts be entered into until after the Meeting proposed to be held 
 this day week. 
 
 Resolved, that this Meeting do adjourn until THURSDAY next, the 28th instant, to 
 ■^be held at the Angel Inn, Northwich, at 2 o'clock precisely. , 
 
 That the thanks of this fleeting be given to Mr. Ashton. 
 
516 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 July 1850 
 
 Noethwich Division 
 
 Proprietors. 
 
 Acton, James 
 Ashton, Henry 
 Beaman, Edward . 
 Blackburne, John & Co. 
 British Salt Co. 
 Bromilow, William & Son 
 Burgess, Thomas 
 Caldwell, Thomas . 
 Caldwell & Thomson 
 Cheshire, John (No. 1) 
 
 Ditto. (No. 2) 
 
 Clarke, William 
 Coward, Darsie & Co. 
 Deakin Bros. . 
 Firth, Thomas 
 Gibson, James 
 Lyon, Thomas 
 Marshall, J. & T. . 
 Minor, J. B. . 
 Neuman, C. W. 
 Pickering, James & Co. 
 Smith, John . 
 Starkey Bros. 
 Stringer & Mann 
 Thompson, John & Son 
 Thompson, John 
 Verdin, Joseph & Co. 
 Winnington Salt Co. 
 Worthington, William 
 (No. 1) 
 
 Ditto (No. 2) 
 Contributions 
 Bevan & Smith 
 Banks, J. B. . 
 
 Total 
 Shares. 
 
 Stoved 
 Shares. 
 
 Additional 
 Shares awarded ' 
 by Mr Harper. 
 
 Total 
 Present Shares. 
 
 6,600 
 11,000 7,000 
 2,200 2,000 
 
 .Common. I Sioved. Common. Stoved. 
 
 23,000 
 
 21,000 
 
 5,700" 
 
 30,500 
 
 10,500 
 
 18,500 
 
 7,500 
 
 10,000 
 
 22,000 
 
 9,000 
 
 11,000 
 
 10,000 
 
 3,500 
 
 22,000 
 
 17,000 
 
 15,000 
 
 3,500 
 
 3,300 
 
 5,200 
 
 14,500 
 
 6,500 
 
 3,000 
 
 10,500 
 
 26,000 
 
 29,000 
 
 21,000 
 6,000 
 3,000 
 1,700 
 
 11,500 
 
 3,000 
 
 5,000 
 4,200 
 
 1,700 
 
 13,500 
 
 5,000 
 
 1,700 
 2,300 
 
 3,500 
 1,700 
 
 5,500 
 19,500 
 
 5,500 
 3,400 
 
 &2,000 
 &2,000 
 &1.000 
 
 &500 
 
 MM M 1 fell M 1 1 II 1 M 1 1 1 1 II 1 1 1 II 
 
 o 
 
 11,000 
 12,000 
 23,000 
 
 15,000 
 3,400 
 
 2,100 
 
 ] 
 
 1 
 
W'insfoed Division 
 
 Proprietors. 
 
 Total 
 Shares. 
 
 Stoved 
 Shares. 
 
 Additional 
 Shares awarded 
 by Mr Harper. 
 
 Total 
 Present Shares. 
 
 Atkinson, Thomas . 
 Bradbury, T. S. . 
 Bournes & Robinson 
 Broady, Robert & Co. 
 Bromilow, Haddock & Co. 
 Bromilow Bros. & Sothern 
 Burgess, Samuel 
 Court, WUliam (No. 1) . 
 
 Ditto. (No. 2) . 
 Cross, William (No. 1) 
 
 Ditto. (No. 2) . 
 Deakin, George 
 Deakin, Thomas 
 Done, Richard 
 Dudley, John 
 Dudley, Dutton & Co. 
 Frost, Thomas, Jun. 
 Firmstone, Thomas 
 Greenough, Joseph . 
 Heald, Alfred (No. 1) 
 
 Ditto. (No. 2) 
 Johnson, J. & T. 
 Jump, W. A. . 
 Jackson, Samuel & Co. . 
 Kay & Blackwell 
 Latham, William 
 Leng, Robert & Co. 
 Leng, Robert, Senr. 
 Leng, Robert, Junr. 
 Meadowbank Works (No. 1 
 Do. Late Done 
 
 Hitchen (No. 2) 
 Do. Late S. Davies 
 
 (No. 3) . 
 Muspratt, James 
 National Patent Salt Co. 
 Newbridge Salt Co. 
 Perrin, Josiah 
 Poole, Robert 
 Prest, James . 
 
 Shaw, James . 
 Slater, A. M. . 
 Suffield, John 
 Tennent, John & Co. 
 Werninck, T. J. . 
 
 3,800 
 
 1,000 
 
 6,500 
 
 12,000 
 
 16,000 
 
 15,000 
 
 3,800 
 
 12,500 
 
 12,500 
 
 14,300 
 
 13,700 
 
 10,000 
 
 3,000 
 
 10,000 
 
 25,800 
 
 4,500 
 
 24,000 
 
 13,500 
 
 10,500 
 
 2,200 
 
 4,400 
 
 7,000 
 
 4,600 
 
 18,700 
 
 47,000 
 
 2,500 
 
 4,500 
 
 6,000 
 
 2,200 
 
 ) 6,500 
 
 2,200 
 
 2,700 
 5,500 
 
 16,000 
 2,200 
 3,500 
 5,500 
 
 7,500 
 4,700 
 
 5,500 
 1,100 
 
 1,700 
 1,600 
 2,800 
 4,200 
 
 4,200 
 3,800 
 1,600 
 3,900 
 
 4,200 
 2,500 
 
 1,000 
 2,700 
 
 3,000 
 8,000 
 
 4,200 
 
 Common. 
 
 200 
 
 500 
 200 
 
 1,200 
 
 500 
 300 
 
 500 
 1,300 
 
 700 
 
 300 
 100 
 
 400 
 
 Stoved. 
 
 1,400 
 
 Common. 
 
 4,000 
 
 12,500 
 3,200 
 
 27,000 
 
 14,000 
 2,500 
 
 6,500 
 3,500 
 
 16,000 
 
 (16,200) 
 
 (1,000) 
 
 7,800 
 
 4,800 
 
 1,500 
 
 Stoved. 
 
 4,200 
 5,600 
 
518 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Canal Proprietors. 
 
 Total Shares. 
 
 Stoved Shares. 
 
 John Ellerker . 
 
 6,000 
 
 2,400 
 
 F. & J. Mill . 
 
 6,000 
 
 4,000 
 
 J. Sutton & Co. (M ; 
 
 2,500 
 
 1,800 
 
 Do. Lawtom 
 
 5,000 
 
 3,500 
 
 Thomas Arden 
 
 2,100 
 
 1,100 
 
 W. Henshall & Co. . 
 
 1,700 
 
 1,000 
 
 Horsefield & Son 
 
 4,500 
 
 3,000 
 
 John S. Leake 
 
 11,800 
 
 5,000 
 
 
 39,600 
 
 21,800 
 
 Total original shares, North wich & Winsford 
 Additional Shares awarded by Mr Harper- 
 Common, 6,200 
 Stoved, 400 
 
 Canal Shares 
 
 Total Shares 
 
 Added 1st October for new Plans 
 
 761,900 
 
 6,600 
 
 39,600 
 808,100 
 
 10,200 
 
 818,300 
 
 The Salt Chamber of Commerce was formally installed at a 
 large meeting of salt proprietors, held at Northwich on August 
 30th, 1858, when William Worthington was chosen chairman, 
 William Clay of Droitwich was elected to the vice-chair, and a 
 council was appointed to carry out the necessary details. It was 
 on the representation of the Salt Chamber of Commerce made in 
 May 1871, that the late Joseph Dickinson, Inspector of Mines, 
 was commissioned by the Home Office to investigate the subject 
 of the subsidences which had recently occurred and were still in 
 progress of development in the Cheshire Salt Districts, and it was 
 upon his report, presented to the House of Commons in May 1873, 
 that the subsequent attempts to obtain legislative redress for 
 damage to lands and property were based. 
 
 In the year 1866 various meetings of representatives of the 
 salt trade were held under the auspices of the Salt Chamber of 
 Commerce, and on January 16th of that year, at a meeting presided 
 over by Mr H. E. Falk, it was resolved : — 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 519 
 
 " To leave the present make undisturbed until the 1st March, 
 when stocks will probably be entirely consumed, and the com- 
 mittee then recommend the trade to resume work with their full 
 capacities. The committee further recommend that prices shall 
 be advanced on the 1st March for all descriptions of salt Is. 
 per ton." 
 
 On June 6th of the same year, at a General Meeting of the 
 salt trade, it was resolved unanimously : — 
 
 " That this meeting approves of the arrangement sketched 
 forth in the document presented by the Liverpool brokers, and 
 that a Committee be formed, consisting of the Chairman, Mr 
 (1 Cross, Mr J. Blackwell, Junr., Mr Robert Verdin, Mr J. B. 
 Deakin, Mr James Deakin, Mr William Deakin, and Mr Hogarth, 
 to meet them on Friday next the 8th of June at 12 o'clock, at the 
 Clarendon Rooms, Liverpool, for the purpose of going more fully 
 into working details, and that the Secretary issue notice accord- 
 ingly. Vide their proceedings attached hereto. 
 
 " Resolved that the trade from time to time shall fix whom 
 they will recognise as their brokers, and that the Salt Trade 
 Committee be a Court of Appeal, to decide questions in dispute 
 which the brokers themselves may refer, that every party wishing 
 to become a broksr must be proposed by a constituent proprietor. 
 
 " Resolved that the names of the persons to whom salt is con- 
 tracted to be shipped below 8s. per ton, the quantity to be shipped, 
 and the prices, be given to the Chairman before Friday, to be 
 placed on record by the Secretary. 
 
 " Resolved that the prices last recommended by the Salt Trade 
 Committee, namely 8s. per ton for common, 9s. 6d. for butter, 
 and lis. for stoved, be strictly adhered to. 
 
 " Resolved that one-half the common pannage, except that 
 on the banks of the canal, shall stop on Monday next. 
 
 " Resolved that the Salt Trade Committee meet again on 
 Friday the 15th June, to hear the reports of the respective 
 Vigilance Committees, who remain as appointed hereintofore. 
 
 " John Mooee, Secretary. 
 
 " We, the undersigned salt brokers and principals selling salt 
 in Liverpool, do hereby pledge ourselves not to sell any descrip- 
 tion of salt under a fixed price, and a certain rate of discount, 
 which price is to be fixed by the Trade Committee Meeting at 
 North wich, at stated periods, in conjunction with a committee 
 
520 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 established in Liverpool, should it be deemed desirable to establish 
 
 one. 
 
 " Fourteen days' notice to be given by any party wishing to 
 withdraw from the above arrangement. 
 " Messrs — 
 
 Marwood, Goodwin & Co. 
 
 Verdin Brothers. 
 
 Per pro Dean Brothers. 
 
 C. M'Dowell. 
 William Hickson 
 J. C. Johnson & Co. 
 Arthur Eobinson. 
 W. Steenstrand. 
 John B. Livesey. 
 
 D. Holmes & Sons. 
 Liverpool, June 6, 1866. 
 
 Per pro John Thompson. 
 Thomas Ward. 
 John E. Darsie & Co. 
 Amalgamated Salt- Works 
 
 Co., Ltd. 
 J. Blackwell, Junr., Executrix 
 
 of G. Deakin per J. B. Deakin. 
 H. E. Falk. 
 John Boden. 
 
 These gentlemen formed what was called the Salt Brokers' 
 Association, to meet every alternate Monday at Mr Falk's office. 
 On June 8, 1866, the Association resolved unanimously — 
 
 " That the discount to the purchaser by the broker shall be 
 only 2^ per cent. , for cash in a month ; if sold for acceptances at 
 three months' date, the terms to be net. 
 
 " That the brokerage from the salt proprietor to the broker 
 shall be 2 \ per cent., and should a proprietor require the sales 
 guaranteed, an extra 2| per cent. 
 
 " That the broker who sells to another broker shall be entitled 
 to allow extra 2J per cent, to that broker, the broker declaring 
 in the account sales the name of the broker to whom he has 
 allowed the extra brokerage." 
 
 At this meeting it was resolved that the following prices, fixed 
 by the Trade Committee at Northwich, be adhered to until 
 
 further notice from them : — 
 
 Per ton. 
 s. d. 
 
 Common Salt . 
 
 . 8 
 
 Second Fishery 
 
 . 9 
 
 Eough Fishery 
 
 . 9 6 
 
 Butter Salt .... 
 
 . 9 6 
 
 Shute stored .... 
 
 . 11 
 
 Handed squares and bagging shutes free of 
 Butter Salt . ." . . .12 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 521 
 
 On June 15, 1866, the Vigilance Committees having reported 
 a general adherence to the recommendations of the General 
 Meeting of the trade, it was resolved " that the present status 
 of make could, in the interest of trade, continue." At a meeting 
 held on January 10th 1868, the report of the number of pans 
 working and the stocks having been discussed, and the unprece- 
 dented small demand, present and prospective, having been 
 taken into consideration, it was resolved — 
 
 " That seeing an increase of stocks, notwithstanding the total 
 stoppage of the whole Winsford district, owing to the strike of 
 the workmen, this committee recommend that portion of the 
 trade who are not affected by the strike, to put out one-half 
 of their entire pannage, instead of one-fourth as heretofore 
 recommended." 
 
 At a meeeting of the Salt Trade Committee, held at the Angel 
 Hotel, Northwich, on May 31st, 1872, with Mr H. E. Falk in the 
 chair, it was resolved — 
 
 " That the Committee having presented to them the circum- 
 stances of an enormous demand looming before the Trade imme- 
 diately, they strongly recommend Proprietors not to foresell at 
 present prices. 
 
 " That the Committee will call at the opportune moment a 
 Meeting to raise officially prices of Common to 10/- and other 
 descriptions in proportion, as it is evident that the increasing 
 prices of Fuel will necessitate great stoppage of pans or rise of 
 prices to a figure as stated." 
 
 In the course of the ensuing three months the prices of salt 
 were advanced as follows : — 
 
 
 17th July 1872. 
 
 2nd 
 
 August 1872. 
 
 24th August 1872, 
 
 Common 
 
 12s. 
 
 
 15s. 
 
 20s. 
 
 Butter 
 
 14s. 
 
 
 17s. 
 
 22s. 6d. 
 
 Shutes 
 
 16s. 
 
 
 19s. 
 
 25s. 
 
 Fishery 
 
 14s. 
 
 
 17s. 
 
 22s. 
 
 XX Rough 
 
 18s. 
 
 
 21s. 
 
 30s. 
 
 At a meeting of the salt trade held at the Angel Hotel, North- 
 wich, on May 23rd, 1874, it was resolved " that the following be 
 the prices of salt from this day : — 
 
 10s. per ton . . Common 
 
 12s. „ „ . Butter 
 
 14s. ,, ,, . . Stoved 
 
 13s. „ „ . ■ • Fishery 
 with one-quarter of stoppage of pans." 
 
522 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 On the following November 14th, at a meeting of the White 
 Salt Trade held at Northwich, the Salt Trade Association was 
 formed, and the following are among the resolutions that were 
 passed unanimously : 
 
 " 1. That a Manufacturing Committee for the Cheshire and 
 Worcestershire Salt Trade be formed at this Meeting, to hold its 
 sittings at Northwich, for the purpose of carrying out the Resolu- 
 tions of the General Meetings as to the stoppage or working of the 
 Pans, Railway rates and Wagon hire. 
 
 " 2. That all powers of fixing prices, and the working and 
 stoppage of pans, shall be vested in the General Meetings of the 
 Salt Trade, and that the Salt Manufacturing members only shall 
 have the power of voting at these meetings, in the following 
 manner, according to the number of pans he holds : — 
 
 1 to 10 . . . One Vote 
 
 11 to 20 . Two Votes 
 
 21 to 30 . Three Votes 
 
 31 to 50 . . Four Votes 
 
 51 to 70 . . Five Votes 
 
 and so on, one vote more for every 20 pans each Manufacturer 
 may hold ; and that the Chairman be appointed at each meeting 
 that is held. 
 
 " 6. That in case of any irregularity as to the working of the pans 
 or in the prices of Salt by any of its members, . either by Salt 
 Manufacturers or Brokers, the Committee shall deal with it, and, 
 if necessary, either Committee to call a General Meeting of the 
 Trade, to decide what action shall be taken. 
 
 " 7. That any member wishing to withdraw from this Associa- 
 tion shall give one month's notice in writing, and after such notice 
 being given, that he still adheres to the Trade Regulations until 
 the expiration of such month's notice. 
 
 " 8. That the Salt Manufacturing Committee be empowered to 
 levy a toll upon all pans whose owners are members of this Associa- 
 tion at the rate of 20s. per pan, immediately, towards defraying 
 Salaries and Sundry Expenses that may be incurred, and that 
 Mr Crabb be appointed Treasurer to receive tolls and defray 
 the expenses on account of the Salt Trade Association. 
 
 " 10. That in case the Manufacturing Committee order the 
 stoppage of a portion of the pannage, any member shall have the 
 option of setting two of his pans to making Rough Fishery Salt, 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 523 
 
 for every pan ordered to stand idle, in lieu of stopping his pans, 
 but that written notice, with the number of pans making Fishery 
 Salt in lieu of being still, be given to the Secretary, so that they 
 can be registered accordingly in the books of the Association. 
 
 "11. That when the make of Salt in Cheshire and "Worcestershire 
 requires equalising to meet the demand for Salt in either district, 
 the Manufacturers in each respective county may purchase or 
 sell the make of Salt to each other for the sum of £2 per pan per 
 week as may be decided at a General Meeting." 
 
 With regard to the Salt Brokers' Committee it was resolved — 
 
 " 1. That a Committee shall consist of Salt Manufacturers who 
 have offices in Liverpool and Salt Brokers, to hold its sittings at 
 the Chairman's Office, or other appointed place in Liverpool, and 
 called the Salt Brokers' Committee, whose duties shall be to see 
 that the prices of Salt fixed upon by the General Meeting were 
 being adhered to, and other matters relative to making prices for 
 Sacks, Mats, Breaking and Filling, etc. 
 
 " 3. That each Manufacturer shall confine himself to authorised 
 Salt Brokers or members of this Association or to his own office 
 only for the sale of his production to Merchants or Shippers of 
 Salt. 
 
 " 5. That the duties of the Chairman of the Salt Brokers Com- 
 mittee be as follows : — To call meetings at Liverpool not less 
 frequently than once a fortnight, and fully report any irregularities 
 as to prices or otherwise every week to the Salt Manufacturing 
 Committee or General Meetings ; his Bailway and Hotel expenses 
 being paid from the funds of the General Salt Trade." 
 
 The first-fruits of this meeting was the issue of the following 
 circular to the members of the Association :— 
 
524 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 SALT TRADE ASSOCIATlOlsr. 
 
 Northwich, Ulh November, 1874. 
 
 Bin, 
 
 Al the Geneeal Meetino of the Salt Trade held at the Angel Hotel, Northwich, this 
 day. n Code of Rules was passed by which a Salt Trade Association was again formed, and 
 I'MvpR. ic , agreed upon, namely : — 
 
 That the prices of Salt and terms be as follows, on and after this day, at the Worts : 
 
 Hijrh Dried Stored Salt, including Factory Filled 17/0 per Ton. 
 
 Handed Stored Salt 18/0 „ 
 
 Shutc Stored 
 Flutter 
 Marine 
 Patent Butter 
 Hfit Scotch Fishery 
 Second „ 
 Double Extra 
 Common 
 
 13/0 
 ll/O 
 11/0 
 
 11/0 
 12/0 
 11/6 
 18'0 
 9/0 
 
 les* ^?i per cent, discount only to Merchants, and 2^ per cent brokerage to Salt Brokers. 
 
 Payment cash in one month, and in case of sale of Salt from one Salt Broker to another at 
 l.nrqMKil nr Runcorn, an extra 2.V per cent, to be allowed by the Manufacturer, and where a Broker 
 ciiiinintLTs the payment, be shall be allowed an extra 2| per cent. 
 
 That the River Freight to Liverpool be 3,'G jicr Ton , to Runcorn or Weston Point 2/6 ; 
 A-"-" 'if iill charges. 
 
 That the price for Chemical Contracts, &c, shall be as follows — 
 
 10/G 
 
 per Ton 
 
 less 2^ per cent 
 
 11/0 
 
 „ 
 
 ,. 
 
 ii i; 
 
 
 .. 
 
 1 1 '6 
 
 „ 
 
 n .. 
 
 1 o s 
 
 „ 
 
 t. 
 
 211,0 
 
 tf 
 
 „ „ 
 
 21 O 
 
 o 
 
 •■ 
 
 16.6 
 
 a 
 
 nett cash. 
 
 io;o 
 
 „ 
 
 less 2\ per cent 
 
 11/0 
 
 „ 
 
 ii » 
 
 At Widncs, by Rail or Water- 
 
 „ St. Helens, by Rail only — 
 
 „ Do. by Water only 
 
 „ Flint 
 
 „ Old Quay 
 
 „" Tyne, by Rail 
 
 „' Do. by Water 
 
 „ Hull or Grimsby 
 
 ., Runcorn or Weston Point, for Chemical 1 
 
 Works J 
 
 „ Liverpool, for Chemical Works 
 
 That each Salt Proprietor shall have a written (guarantee from the Broker at Liverpool oi 
 Kunrorn Lhat each Flat of Salt sold at the prices fixed for Chemical Works, is sold for that purpose 
 
 I remain, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient Serrant, 
 
 JOHN MOORE, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 In February 1875, the Association resolved that the price of 
 common salt be not less than 9s. per ton ; in April the " present 
 irregularity of prices, and the desirability or otherwise of a further 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 525 
 
 regulation of pannage " was considered ; and in September the 
 rule that " no stoppage of the pans shall be ordered until the total 
 stocks amount to 50,000 tons " was rescinded. A contribution of 
 10s. per pan was required from members in November ; the prices 
 of Common, Butter, and Shutes salts were reduced to 8s., 10s., and 
 12s. respectively in the same month ; and in April and August 
 of the following year, the appended circulars were issued by the 
 Association : — 
 
 SALT TRADE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Northwich, Sth farril, 1876. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Salt Trade Association held at the Angel Hotel, Northmen, this day, 
 present 
 H. E. FALK, ESQ., in the Chair. 
 
 Mr. THOMPSON, 
 „ SULLIVAN, - 
 ,. WARD, 
 
 „ II. I. THOMPSON, 
 .. l.OVKTT. 
 „ CROSS, 
 
 Mr. JAS. SHAW, June, 
 „ WILLIAMS, 
 „ W. DEAKW, 
 ., DALE, for ) 
 
 „ WILLIAMSON. \ 
 
 It ivuh Ile*oltwt unanimously, 
 
 " That in the face of the very dismal prospects of the Trade it is desirable to reduce the make 
 to one-half the existing pannage, in order to obtain a remunerative price for the produce of the other half 
 of the pannage. That with the view of inducing Proprietors to submit to the necessary sacrifice, a Fund 
 of £ I per Pan lie formed as a guarantee to remunerate those who will stop pans in excess of the regulation 
 half." 
 
 "That a Committee, consisting of 
 
 Mr. W. DEAKIN. and 
 Mr. JAS. SHAW, Juxn.. 
 be requested to take the decision of every Proprietor as to the iiumlwr of paus which he will stop, and 
 report the same at next Meeting to be held the 22ud inst." 
 
 "That every Proprietor stopping pans in excess of his half shall receive every Saturday Two 
 Pounds per pan per week from the Guarantee Fund." 
 
 "That Proprietors who wish to work pans in excess of their allowance of one-half, shall pay 
 every Saturday Two Pounds per pan worked in such excess." 
 
 " That the accounts shall be squared every Saturday, when every Proprietor shall be present 
 himself or by proxy." 
 
 " That a Committee of the large makers shall sit every Thursday in Liverpool, under 
 Mr. Marwood, to adjudicate upon open orders on the market, 60 as to maintain the steady uniform price 
 of 8*. for Common, other sorts in proportion." 
 
 I remain, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 JOHN MOORE, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
526 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Salt Trade Association. 
 
 Northwich, 9/A August, 1876. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Salt Trade Association held at the Angel Hotel this day, 
 PRESENT 
 H. E. FALK, Esq., in the Chair. 
 Mr. FLETCHER, 
 
 Mr. BOWDKN, 
 Mr. OVEE, 
 Mr. EVANS, 
 Mr. K. VERWN, 
 Mr. J. B. DEAKIN, 
 Mr. HADFIELD, 
 Mr. BRADLEY, 
 Mr. BRYDONE, 
 Mr. SULLIVAN, 
 Mr. LOVETT, 
 Mr. MARWOOD, 
 Mr. WM. HICKSON, 
 Mr. HAMER, 
 Mr. G. H. DEAKIN, 
 Mr. JAS. SHAW, 
 
 Mr. R. STUBBS, 
 
 Mr. EARLE, 
 
 Mr. THOMPSON, 
 
 Mr. THOMPSON, for the Wharton Co., 
 
 Mr. CHAMBERS, 
 
 Mr. LOCKEY, 
 
 Mr. JNO. DEAKIN, 
 
 Mr. WM. DEAKIN, 
 
 Mr. R. DEAN, 
 
 Mr. JABEZ THOMPSON, 
 
 Mr. E. LEIGH, 
 
 Mr. WILLIAMS, 
 
 Mr. WARD. 
 
 It was Resulted unanimously, 
 
 That the following shall be the Prices of Salt from to-day : 
 7/- per Ton for Common, 
 9/- „ Butter, 
 
 11/- „ Shutes, 
 
 14/- ,, Handed Squares. 
 
 Resolved, That no Conti acts be taken between the present time and' the 1st November at lei 
 than the above Prices, and parties present stand pledged to this and foregoing Resolutions. 
 
 Resolved, That one-fourth of all stoved Pans be stopped from b'liday, the 18th inst-int. 
 
 P.:solved, That this Meeting stands adjourned to Friday, the 18th September nevi. 
 
 I remain, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 JOHN MOOUE. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
 527 
 
 SALT TRADE ASSOCIATION, MARCH 16th, 1876 
 
 Stat 
 
 
 li sliowing Number of Pans Working and Still and Stocks o 
 
 1 hand. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PANS WORKING AND TONS IN STUCK 
 
 STILL 
 
 NAJLES OP FIRMS 
 
 TbioJ 
 No. of 
 
 
 
 BTO..0, 
 
 urn. 
 
 c«™, 
 
 Co^. 
 
 1875, 1B7G 
 
 
 
 1875. 1876 
 
 1B7S 1876 
 
 1B7E. 1876. 
 
 187S. 1876 
 
 3td.Com.Std.CoTn 
 
 
 875-1876 
 
 Phi Stka Pus Stka. 
 
 Pna. SLta Piu Stk. 
 
 Put Stka Pia Stka 
 
 Pna Stka. Pna &k> 
 
 
 Cbeahiro Amal. Bali Co., t-o 1 .. 
 
 
 u> 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 500 
 
 
 
 2 26 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 200 
 
 
 
 
 
 Edmaod Lr.gh 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 J 4T Dodd 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ".V! :... ,.o R r 4 Rnor Salt Co . 
 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2000 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 200 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rortcom Soap & Alkali Co - . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 200 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J..-:-,- '.'.■.!", A Sow 
 
 
 » 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 1 1'.-.'J 
 
 
 
 
 690 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 3-1 00 
 
 
 
 
 
 Gcwvp Draluna Eiocntm .. . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 gfjno 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 Jimc Sh-, Senr 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 J.,„ .-■ Shi* Janr, No. I 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 120 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Do. ., 2, ... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Do ., B - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pnrkfl B-.ibon, No. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 350 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Do. .. 2 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 IIj»«>>ici«1 Collwij Co. 
 
 
 
 
 
 G 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1300 
 
 
 
 
 320 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 J.n.. .I.-., '1 J„c;r No 1 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J.I . Ti-.<,.|. ..-., & Son, Nil 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 180 
 
 
 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 650 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 59 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 
 G 
 
 200 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 
 
 2S0 
 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 ij.-.rf Micacx A Co. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Slubba H „,i„T». ti t . 1 ... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i;o 
 
 
 
 
 90 
 
 
 
 
 IOO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Do „ 2 .. . 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 "1 
 
 1BO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 D" " * ". 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nslional l'.i,-..i StM Workn . 
 
 
 SB 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 
 110 
 
 
 
 
 2170 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 000 
 
 
 
 
 190 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 Richard Eruia (oppor) No 1 
 
 
 ■IS 
 
 
 
 
 1250 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 2650 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to 
 
 Do, (towr) No. 2 
 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 IS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Do No. 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 170 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 Jan,.-. Dmkiii'a Biwrgton . 
 
 
 It 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 500 
 
 
 
 
 1250 
 
 
 
 
 20o 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 G90 
 
 
 
 
 
 BmI, k Swi 
 
 
 
 
 
 "a 
 
 120' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 WilUnm U!ck»u 
 
 
 JL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 90 
 
 
 
 
 120 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 60 
 
 
 
 "^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 taL.lffi«.rn.[ 
 
 
 
 
 
 96 
 
 
 
 
 OS 
 
 
 
 
 87 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 JW 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 It 
 
 310 
 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 T B. Duo if* " 
 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 810 
 
 
 
 
 200 
 
 
 
 
 250 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J J IV :■-,.:.... 
 
 
 u 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 !.■,.,[„. iim-.i,. ,-. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 "soo 
 
 
 
 
 
 Umii llmHim 
 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 250 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 llii^n. A llioluon 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 300 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wm H»v«i _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 300 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 thrli-l. SollCo, ' ,*. ",' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1600 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 - 1 
 
 Jm,,™ 1-Trtl, Jour No. 2 
 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 ioo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Jnmi* U««l,S*Bf. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 150 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 JS 
 
 
 
 
 a so 
 
 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jun-|>l> Vtrtlin A Son., Manlon 
 
 
 45 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 300 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 3500 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dn Willon 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 1400 
 
 
 
 
 
 IW fl.i.Ehcra, No. 3 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1300 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 !tl<«i«r" a So.1t Cu 
 
 
 14 
 13 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 120 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 J 
 
 360 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 800 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 riwl..™ «md, SbIl Co., No a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 VHIIijun lljck«.n . 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 t.l.nasill Works Co. 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 250 
 
 
 
 13 
 
 2000 
 
 
 
 
 1* 
 
 It IWI.-j *\ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 370 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 130 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 N. Asl.Uin 4 Sor.a 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T 1u.je.t4Co 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 660 
 
 
 
 
 230 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jobti Tbonpwni Bod, Ko 2 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tiiHtirltanwiM. 
 
 
 157 
 
 
 
 62 
 
 ! 7*0 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 4073 
 
 
 
 43 
 
 11-150 
 
 
 
 68 
 
 16330 
 
 
 
 ~n 
 
 w 
 
 R. n YenmsD. 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ralph Si-ddon 
 
 J 11 J.fllo .... 
 J. "Verdin & Sons 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 90 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ! 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 320 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total it MiD D i.n.K_H 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 .110 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 fO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 \~T 
 
 CIihIiik Amalk-amnLnd Salt Co. 
 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 wo 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 120 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 3.--0 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 185 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 Wlwcjuclc lire 4 Salt Co 
 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 350 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■10 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 1200 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 T^UiiSowicv 
 
 
 67 
 
 
 
 1(1 
 
 6M 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 160 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 15S0 
 
 
 
 ~T 
 
 185 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 19 
 
 •John Cnrbtll . . . 
 •Drontucr Ball Cu. . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 Total in Woroeatirahiro . 
 
 
 
 
 
 D~ 
 
 
 
 -4— 
 
 
 
 _l 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 _l 
 
 OMNfi Tor.t 
 
 
 TTTr^ 
 
 
 
 172 'MftSO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 356 26120 
 
 
 
 148 25290 
 
 
 
 *l 237 
 
 Grand Total of Stocks for the Four DiatncU lfitb March, 1676, 80900 Tons. 
 
528 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 On November 3rd, 1876, the Association was dissolved at the 
 annual meeting, and the balance of funds in hand, after payment 
 of all liabilities, were divided, fro rata, amongst the members. 
 
 A Salt Trade Pool was formed in 1877, and although such an 
 important manufacturer as Mr Corbett declined to join in the 
 proposal, the Committee, at a meeting held on August 14th, 
 declared his refusal should not stop the further elaboration of 
 the scheme, and the following principles were affirmed : — 
 
 A price of 5s. 3d. at the works fixed. 
 
 A selling price at Liverpool of 8s. 3d. per ton. 
 
 A difference of these 3s. per ton to be paid into a Pool. 
 
 The Pool to be divided weekly by the Accountant issuing the 
 proportion to each Proprietor, as participator to the Pool, in 
 accordance with his number of his present pans, one penny per 
 ton being retained as fund to the general Pool, to pay expenses, 
 the final residue being only divisible on the breaking-up of the 
 arrangement. 
 
 On October 16th, 1877, at a meeting of the White Salt Manu- 
 facturers held at Northwich, it was resolved to form a new com- 
 bination, and the following circular was issued : — 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 529 
 
 Angel Hotel, Northwicii. 
 
 1- Tliat the White Salt Manufacturers form themselves in an Association called The White 
 Salt Association, on and from this day of October, 1877 
 
 2. That Mr. be appointed Chairman of all General 
 
 Meetings and Committee Meetings, when present. 
 
 d. That Mr. be appointed the Secretary and 
 
 Accountant for the White Salt Association, at the rate of hun Ired pounds per 
 
 annum, and afterwards ns the General Meetings may agree upon, but to terminate on the non-existence 
 of this Association, or otherwise one month's notice to be given on either side for services to cease, and 
 also that three Inspectors be appointed by the Committee as may be agreed upon, with like notice 
 of services to cease. 
 
 4 That a Committee be formed consisting of nine Salt Manufacturers including the Chairman, 
 viz : — 
 
 and that such Committee have power to receive, along with the Secretary, threepence per ton or any 
 other amount agreed upon at the General Meetings, and to purchase the production or make of any pans 
 not authorized to be idle by any resolutions at 'the General Meetings of the Salt Trade on beat terms 
 possible out of the funds, but at one universal rate at the time being, and with power to pay all salaries 
 and expenses from said monies, and that any Cheque ' drawn ou the Bankers for the Association shall 
 have two of the Committee's and the Accountant's signatures before it can be honored. f 
 
 o. That air pans be numbered and registered, giving the number of pans each firm is working and 
 what they should work, and if any pans production'for sale ; and such register be kept in the Company's 
 office for general inspection. 
 
 fi That the sum or sums to be paid by the Committee for the rest of any pan authorized to work 
 at the General Meeting is to be £2 per pan, per week, when the price oF Common Salt is 7/- per ton at 
 the works, and £1 per week in addition at once to '€aeh and every pan voluntarily resting upon every 
 sixpence per ton that Salt is advanced. 
 
 7 That any firm is at liberty to Bell any pan's production to the Committee that is authorized to- 
 work, and at the rate agreed upon at any General Meeting from time to time, the number of each pan 
 or |-;in* to be given by the vendor to the Committee, but that no pan should have repairs done to it 
 while receiving pay from the Association. 
 
 8. That threepence per ton or other sum as may be agreed upon from time to time at the General 
 Meetings be paid on all new sales from this date, to be paid weekly into the funds of the Association to- 
 to the Secretary, whether by canal, river, or railway, by Cheque on Parr's Banking Co. or The Union 
 Bank of Manchester, as may be most convenient to the manufacturer, 
 
 9. That a Committee be also formed of the Salt Manufacturers who have offices in Liverpool and 
 Salt Brokers, appointing their own Chairman at each meeting, to bold its sittings at Liverpool, and 
 called The Salt Brokers' Cosuiittee, whose duty would be to see that the prices of Salt fixed upon 
 by the General Meeting were being adhered to, and other matters relative to making prices or sacks, 
 mats, breaking and filling, <ic. 
 
 10. That all powers of fixing prices, and the working and stoppage of pans, should be vested in 
 the General Meetings of the Salt Trade, and that Salt Manufacturing members only shall have the power 
 of voting at these meetings, in the following manner necording to the number of pans he holds 
 
 1 to II) One vote 
 
 11 to 20 Two votes 
 
 21 to 30 Three votea 
 
 31 to 50 Four -votes 
 
 51 to 70 Five votea 
 
 and eo on, one vote for every 20 pans each Manufacturer may bold. 
 
 11. That every member of this Association abide by the decision of the majority at the General 
 Meeting either as to prices fixed or proportionate working of the pans, and that they give the Secretary 
 power to get particulars of number of tons of his or their firm, from time to time, from the Railway 
 Companies, River Weaver, or Trent & Mersey Canal managers, independently of the tons given in 
 voluntarily by the Salt Manufacturers. 
 
 2l 
 
530 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 12. Thrft the prices of Salt and terms be as follows on and after this date, at the Works, whether 
 
 shipped by rail, river, or canal, including Contracts for Chemical purposes, Alkali Manufacturer*, &c. 
 
 13. That high dried stoved Salt, including Factory filled, sold or shipped in bags, or bulk, or 
 otherwise, shall not be sold under 
 
 Handed Stored Salt _ per ton at the works. 
 
 Shute 
 
 Butter „ „ 
 
 Marine „ tt 
 
 Patent Mixture „ „ 
 
 Best Scotch Fishery „ „ 
 
 Second „ „ ti 
 
 Double extra „ „ „ 
 
 Common t , 
 
 Less 2i per cent, discount only to Merchants ; and 2i per cent, brokerage to Salt Brokers. Payment 
 cash in one month, and in case of sale of salt from one salt broker to another at Liverpool or Runcorn, 
 an extra 2i per cent, to be allowed by the manufacturer. 
 
 River freight to Liverpool "■=. fid. per ton : Runcorn or Weston Point 2s. 6d. per ton. 
 
 14. And that no parties be entitled to a Brokerage who are not members of this Association. 
 
 15. And that prices of Chemical Contracts, &c, should be as follows : — 
 
 At Widnes by Rail or Water per Ton less 2^ per cent, 
 
 „ St. Helens „ „ „ " „ 
 
 Water 
 
 „ Flint „ 
 
 .. Old Quay , 
 
 „ The Tyne 
 
 ., Hull oi Grimsby „ „ 
 
 Chemical Works at Runcorn or Weston Point per ton for Salt, and all other charges 
 for delivery to be added. 
 
 16. That Sacks, Mat 1 :, and all charges be made separate from the price of Salt, and at the price* 
 agreed upon by the Brokem' Committee. 
 
 17; That Railway Rate and Wagon Hire he added their full charge to the prices, as agreed upon 
 by the Manufacturing Committee. 
 
 18, That one-fourth of the pans in the whole trade should cease producing Salt, exuept the 
 following firms, viz. : 
 
 until -list December, 1877. 
 
 IS. That in ease any proprietor or firm in the Awociatinn, should sell nt less price in any form, 
 each one hereby agrees to lee the order pass, and shall not deviate from the arrangement of prices on 
 that account, but shall refer the matter to the Chairman immediately. 
 
 20. That in case of any irregularity as to the workintr of the pans, or in the prices of salt by anT 
 of its members, each respective Committee deal witb.it, and, if necessary, the Chairman to call a General 
 Meeting of the Trade, to decide what action shall be taken. 
 
 21. That any member wishing to withdraw from this Association, shall give one month's notice in 
 writing, and after such notice being given that he still adheres to the trade regulations nntil the time 
 lias elapsed. 
 
 22. That no Committee have power to rescind any decision that may be come to at a General 
 
 Meeting. 
 
 23. That each firm deposit shilling per pan as a guarantee of good faith, irrespective 
 of the sum per ton levied by the General Meeting, the sum to be returned in its. amount to each 
 subscriber when the Association should "be dissolved, unless failing to pay the rate levied by the General 
 Meeting when the Committee have power to retain it. 
 
 24 That in no case shall any Salt Manufacturer or Salt Broker guarantee to make good any 
 deficiency in turn out of salt at .Calcutta, when making sales. 
 
 2.'). That the foregoing Resolutions bo printed and sent to each Manufacturer and Broker in the 
 trade. 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 531 
 
 At a general meeting of the White Salt Association on November 
 27th, 1877, it was resolved that "one-third absolute stoppage of 
 registered pans take place from the 1st December," and in the 
 following January a one-half stoppage of the pannage was decided 
 upon. In March 1879 the following circular was issued : — 
 
 tile Halt ^ssoriaiion 
 
 Jforthwwh, 12th March, 1878. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 At a General Meeting of the White Salt Association, held at the Angel Hotel 
 Northwich, this day, 
 
 present 
 R. VERDIN, ESQ., in the Chaib. 
 Messrs. J. B. Deaein. Messrs. Wm. Deakin 
 
 J Deakin 
 
 J Fletcher. 
 
 T. T Thompson, for Wharton Co 
 
 Jabez Thompson 
 
 Thos. Rayner. 
 
 John Stubbs. 
 
 Wm. Stuebs. 
 
 Wm. Rickson 
 
 E. Over, for New Victoria Salt Co. 
 
 T. Williams, i forW WorthingUm, 
 
 H. P Chambers, J S^ 
 
 G. H. Deajcin. 
 
 E. F11.DLAY, , for Cheshire Amal. Salt 
 
 R. Eaal, \ Co. 
 
 H. E. Falk 
 
 W Hamer. 
 
 Jas. Shaw 
 
 Geo.-Kikkham, for British Salt Co. 
 
 R. Bower. 
 
 Thos. Ward, for Ashton & Sons. 
 
 J Thompson. 
 
 — LiGHTFOOT, for R. Evans, 
 
 Jas. Lovett 
 /( teas 
 
 RESOLVED, that Resolutions 3, 4, 5 shall still remain in force, and that Salt Manufacturers, 
 Members of the White Salt Association, can sell to and purchase from each other, in accordance 
 with said Resolutions, any of their half pannage production that they are authorized to work by 
 the Association. 
 
 RESOLVED, that the Salt Trade Committee and Secretary have power to allow anj Salt 
 Manufacturer to work any description of pans over half production of pannage, and not exceeding 
 two-thirds, on his or their application to do so, and on complying with the Rules of the Association, 
 and paying a fine to the Committee or Secretary, in advance, weekly, for each extra pan they wish 
 to work, on the following terms, viz ; £2 per week per pan making Common Stoved and Butter 
 Salt, and £1 per week per pan for making Extra Rough Salt, but that the Extra Rough Pan shall 
 not be drawn oftener than once a week, and that the funds derived from this source-shall be applied 
 for salaries and other expenses connected with the carrying on of the Association, and that any 
 balance accumulating shall be divided from time to tirde, or on final breaking up of the Association, 
 pro-rata of pannage, among thob: who are then Members, and adhering to the rules and remaining 
 loyal to the Association. These rates are based upon prices of Common Salt being Seven Shillings 
 per ton at the works, and that for every Sixpence per ton of a rise in price, £1 per week more 
 per pan to be paid into the Association funds. 
 
 / remain, 
 
 Tour obedt. Servant, 
 
 JOHN MOORE, 
 
 Secretary 
 
532 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The Association on several subsequent occasions increased the 
 pannage from one-half to two-thirds, but in April 1878 the pro- 
 posal to increase the working of the pans by payment to three- 
 fourths was not adopted, and it was resolved instead to empower 
 the Committee, sitting every Tuesday, to authorise such increase 
 " if they find the circumstances of the demand require it in their 
 judgment to be urgently expedient." On August 6th, 1878, the 
 following circular was issued : — 
 
 WHITE SALT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Northwich, 6th Ahqust, 1878. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 day, 
 
 At a General Meeting of the Salt Trade, held at the Angel Hotel, Northwich, tins 
 ROBERT VERDIN, ESQ., IN THE CHAIR. 
 
 Messrs. THOMAS VERDIN. 
 G. II. DEAKIN 
 W HICKSON 
 
 — EVANS, for Ricbd Evans 
 
 E. FINDLAY for tbc Amalgamated Co., 
 
 W, ELLISON 
 
 E. OVER, for New Victoria Salt Co.. 
 
 JOHN THOMPSON 
 
 THOMAS GIBSON, 
 
 THOS DEAKIN. for Wm. Deakiu, 
 
 JOHN DEAKIN. 
 
 JAMES LOVETT. Senr 
 
 Messrs. T. WILLIAMS, | for W. Worthington 
 H. P CHAMBERS, ( Senr 
 
 W. STUBBS, for Stubba Brothers, 
 GEO. ALCOCK. 
 T. WARD, for Ashton Sl Sons. 
 W. HAMER, for Hamer'a Salt Co., 
 W. CHADWICK, for Bnsh ,t Sodi. 
 JAMES SHAW. 
 JOHNSON FLETCHER. 
 JABEZ THOMPSON 
 H. PARKS- 
 
 It was wutninwusly Resolved, 
 
 "That on and from the 4th instant to the 31st instant, 50 per cent, of the pannage Haes 
 be returned to those members who pay them, and the members present pledge themselves to support the 
 prices already resolved upon by the Trade, Tiz : 
 
 COMMON 7/- per Ton. 
 
 BUTTER 8/6 
 
 SHUTES 10/- 
 
 and I was instructed to forward you a copy of the above Resolution. 
 
 Yours obediently. 
 
 JOHN MOORE, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 In August the Committee of the Association proposed to make 
 an advance of Is. per ton in prices, but at a general meeting held 
 on the 27th of that month, it was resolved : — " That the price of 
 salt remain as at present fixed, price viz., 7s. per ton, and that 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 533 
 
 from the 1st September next, the payment for excess pannage be 
 £2 per pan for Common, Stoved, and Butter, and £1 per pan for 
 Bough, as heretofore, without any deduction." In October 
 1878, the rate of pay for pans in excess of half was raised to 
 £2, 10s. in the case of all salts except rough, which was advanced 
 to 25s. per pan. On November 18th, 1878, the following circular 
 was issued : — 
 
 WHITE SALT ASSOCIATION 
 
 NORTHWICH, 18th November, 1878. 
 
 Dear Sir 
 
 At a General Meeting of the Salt Trade, held at the Angel Hotel, this day, 
 
 it was 
 
 Resolved, 
 
 1st. That everj' member of the Association agrees to pay to the Secretary, one week in advance, 
 two pounds per pap, per week, for each pan that he may make Common, Butter, or Stoved Salt with, 
 and one pound )ier pan, per week, making Coarse Salt which is not drawn oftener than once a week. 
 
 2nd. That every pan which is registered, not working, shall receive one pound ten shillings per 
 pan, per week, payable weekly in advance. 
 
 3rd. Tiiat the balance of the accumulated Fund, received for working pans, shall be equally 
 divided on tlie 30th day of June, 1879, pro ratio, per pan, to all parties who continue members of the 
 Association to that date. 
 
 4th. That the non-payment, within fourteen days after the date eacja payment becomes due, shall 
 be deemed a forfeiture of his or their share of the accumulated Fund. 
 
 5th. That no member shall be disentitled to his or their share of the accumulated Fund, ex- 
 cepting two-thirds of the remaining members give their signatures at a General Meeting, that he is not 
 entitled to it. 
 
 6th. That prices are fixed as heretofore, viz : 
 
 Common Salt - 71- pee Ton. 
 
 Butter „ 8/6 
 
 Shutes „ • 10/- 
 
 Bagging Stoved 12/- „ 
 
 Handed Squares - 12/- „ 
 
 1st Fishery 9/- „ 
 
 2nd Fishery 8/- „ 
 
 Double Extra 12/6 „ 
 
 And the Committee shall meet weekly, on Tuesdays, at 2-30 p. m., and pnees shall be revised from time 
 to time by General Meetings, to be. called by the Committee. 
 
 / remain, 
 
 Tour obt. Servant. 
 
 JOHN MOORE, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 P. S.— I understand that the above takes effect on and from Monday next, the 25th instant. 
 
 On December 17th, 1878, by a resolution passed at a general 
 meeting, the payments were reduced to £1 per pan for common 
 and fine salts, and 10s. for rough salt pans worked in excess of one- 
 
534 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 third of the pannage of each proprietor, while those working less 
 than one-third were to receive £2, 10s. per pan from the Pool. 
 On July 1st, 1879, the resolutions passed at a general meeting 
 were issued in the following circular : — 
 
 WHITE SALT ASSOCIATION 
 
 NoRTHWICH, let July. loTU 
 
 Dear Sin, 
 
 At a General Meeting of the Salt Trade held this day, at the Angel Hotel. Noithwieli, 
 
 Present : 
 
 H. E. FALK, ESQ.. in the Chair 
 
 Messrs. R. Verdin. 
 
 Messrs. J. B. Deakin, 
 
 T. Deakin, 
 
 W H. Evans, 
 
 G. Kirkham, 
 
 James Bowden, . for New Vic 
 
 J. SLubbs. 
 
 E. Over, J tona Snlt Co 
 
 W. Stubljs, 
 
 T. Gibson, 
 
 R. W. Wright, 
 
 W. Deakin, 
 
 E. Leigh, 
 
 W. Hlckson, 
 
 John H. Falk, 
 
 W. H. Verdin, 
 
 James Lovett, 
 
 T. Williams, 
 
 F. J. Thompson, for John Thompson 
 
 E. Flnlay, lor Chra. Amml. Snlt Co 
 
 George Capper, 
 
 T. Raynor, 
 
 R. Rowbottom, 
 
 G. H. Deakin, 
 
 
 James Lovett, Junr., 
 
 Resolved Unanimously, nem. con. 
 
 That the Accounts presented by the Committee, as the result of -their proceedings of the last six 
 mouths, are hereby passed. 
 
 That the Dividend amounting to £6431 10s. ()d. be chequed .for, pro. rata., and paid to all Mem- 
 hern of the Association this day, under the usual standing rule. 
 
 That from Saturday last, in lieu of the present payment, the Contribution to the General Fund from 
 Bach Member of the Association, shall be £l be per pan per week, for each and every pan working by 
 htm, aod that the payment for pans standing shall be in future £1 5s. per pan per week. 
 
 That pans working Rough Salt shall be charged as heretofore, one half, t. 0., Vis. Gd. per pan per 
 week. 
 
 That the Division of the Funds shall take place monthly, the Committee being instructed to retain 
 in their discretion, sufficient Funds to make regular Monthly Dividends. 
 
 That the Rules of the Association as to inspection, membership, and other details, shall remain as 
 Vretoibre, those upon which the Committee has worked the previous arrangement. 
 
 That the Prices shall remain as heretofore, and are hereby repeated officially— 
 
 6,0 for Common. 
 
 7/6 „ Butter. 
 
 12/5 „ Calcutta, half-and-half, including all Charges. 
 
 ll'O „ Shute Pure Stoved. 
 
 12 „ Handed Squares. 
 
 8/0 , Second Fishery. 
 
 9/0 „ First Fishery. 
 
 River Freight — 3/G to Liverpool ; 2/6 lo Runcorn and Weslon. 
 Price of Sacks, original cost. 
 
 That a Ratepayers Association is hereby formed for the protection of the Imperial and Local 
 
 I iii' rests of the Salt Trade at elections. 
 
 Tlmt the White Salt Association Committee, which administers the affairs of the said Association, 
 is hereby appointed a Committee to draw up a code of Rules for the said, Ratepayers Association. 
 
 That the best thanks of the Trade are due to the Committee fuutheir administration of the affairs 
 nt the White Salt Association- 
 
 I icuiuiu, dear Sir, 
 
 Voun obedient Servant, 
 
 JOHN MOORE, 
 
 Secretary., 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
 535 
 
 WHITE SALT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Statement ihuvnng Number of Pans 
 and Storks an 
 
 Working and Still IM anrf 
 hand lAth April, 1879 
 
 120 
 
 April, 
 
 1879" 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 namcs or rums. 
 
 87B-1B7! 
 
 PANS KCREING AND TONS IN STOCK 
 
 mi. 
 
 £3f 
 
 b 
 
 , m ""'»7. 
 
 BB ™. 
 
 m °""°", m 
 
 ,m ""urn. 
 
 atd.Com 3ul Coo> 
 
 1 
 
 Pa.. 
 
 11 
 
 CkaUn: AmI S«U Co, ^o I. 
 Wi^nalS, £ E.™ hll Co." 
 
 v.ta. b<Li ... ;~ 
 
 G-Cppw _ 
 
 9UI.UI f'.I.VL S»H IT.jrt. 
 
 JUch«/d Emii (aispnr) No. 1 
 
 Oo ( l.-.r i No. 1 . 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 ' 
 
 Jl 
 
 
 
 
 ,; 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 n;a 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 ■; 
 
 * 
 
 U 
 
 5Gj 
 
 let 
 
 i 
 
 a) 
 21 
 
 
 " 
 
 n> 
 
 
 "' 
 
 ' 
 
 "" 
 
 " 
 
 '• 
 
 10 
 
 "=' 
 
 " 
 
 Wm Wortliipgtofi, Bonr 
 T^hb Biggin 4 Co 
 
 J™. LoioU, Jon. ft! 
 
 «mj»t i nib, ... 
 
 H-r'. B^tCo. 
 
 CWiln, lu!. Sill Co Ho& 
 
 T B^norft Cn. 
 
 Jnbo Tbovopwai Sod Ho. 3. .. 
 
 Joaepti Pwi. 
 
 
 19 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 » 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 'l 
 
 
 
 » 
 
 » 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 * 
 
 81 
 Jl 
 
 si 
 
 1 
 
 
 « 
 
 •'*• 
 
 ™ 
 
 ™ 
 
 " 
 
 """ 
 
 ^HTmu 
 
 
 
 
 
 j 
 
 : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ° 
 
 » 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 fi 
 
 2C5 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 60 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 ei ■ it!.- ■■ .lasij Soit Co . .1,, j 
 Total >i Bunnell 
 
 
 £ 
 
 
 
 ; 
 
 Si 
 
 
 
 
 » 
 
 
 
 » 
 
 J£ 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 S 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 6M 
 
 
 a) 
 
 1 
 
 «n 
 
 u 
 
 £ 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 ti"i Tom., llib April, 1870 
 
 
 „* 
 
 
 
 
 «* 
 
 
 -I- 
 
 
 .. 
 
 ™.| 
 
 
 „ 
 
 n» 
 
 
 •I- 
 
 *M u 
 
 «—<»". •»*»'.»» 
 
 
 "» 
 
 
 
 » 
 
 6+iJ 
 
 
 H-i 
 
 
 » 
 
 »| 1 |- 
 
 » 
 
 1 
 
 tp-i-l- 
 
 Agp-eglleSlocVof8alLof allkindllor tlie Four Butricia, 14 th April, 1879, 5T4I5 Todj 
 m „ „ „ Utfa April, 1S78, 3B£61 Too*. 
 
536 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 2W April 1680. 
 
 tfO TUB 
 
 SALT PROPRIETORS OF CHESHIRE. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, 
 
 For a long time your industry has Buffered from unremunerative prices through 
 causes patent to every one of you. The quantities sold have been large and satisfactory, but with powers 
 
 of production far beyond that of demand, an unsuccessful suicidal policy of reckless competition has been 
 prevalent, because each could not keep all his pans in full work ; this can never bo the case until the 
 demand be enormously increased by the opening up of :pew foreign markets. What, then, can be done to 
 remedy the evil, which is sure to bring ruin upon Salt Proprietors, and disastrous effects upon every one 
 connected, directly or indirectly, with the trade 7 
 
 Manufacturers ! pause and deliberate in your own minds what course is likely to bring about salutary 
 remits, Concessions of opinion must-be made if each wishes to do as he would be done by, and so secure 
 for himself tho fair proportion of reasonable and legitimate profit. 
 
 It is a well-known fact th.it ship freights have lately risen considerably, and as these extra freights 
 have been paid, this convincingly proves that the Salt might have had a higher price when freights 
 were lower, and that shipowners arc simply reaping all the benefit of the advance in their freights, a fair 
 portion of which otherwise should have gone into the pockets of the Salt Manufacturers. 
 
 It is desirable that no extreme prices or measures may be adopted, but it is hoped something like the 
 following might find favour among the whole trade. 
 
 With Slack at the present average price of about 5s. per ton, surely Common Salt fur foreign 
 shipment could fetch welt at the wilts, 6s. 8d. ; Shiites, 9s. fid. , and Handed Stoved, lis. 4Jd. per ton. 
 
 (These were the prices — plus discount and brokerage — fixed at the Northwich Meeting 
 of 16th October 1877, and cannot be considered extravagant prices, seeing that Iron, &c., 
 have much advanced since that date.) 
 
 Let us sec how these figures look when tabulated 
 
 
 F. 0. B. Liverpool. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Per Too. 
 Common, 10s 6d 
 
 Shu tea, 
 
 Par Ton. 
 13s M 
 
 Per Ton. 
 Handed Stoved 1 
 
 8,—, h* u 
 
 Charges. 
 
 
 
 
 
 River Freight to Liverpool, 
 
 3s 6rf 
 
 3* 6</ 
 
 
 
 3» 6d 
 
 2£ % Discount on t/ie Salt only, 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 3} 
 
 21 % Brokerage on the Salt ONLY, 
 
 ' 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 3} 
 
 4 1J 
 
 Leaves Nett at Works C 8 9 6 11 4 J 
 
 Let Runcorn Trices be Is per ton less than Liverpool , and let Gloucester Trices be the same u 
 
 Will any Manufacturer say these prices are too high, when the nature ot tho depreciation by dilapida- 
 tion to his property, and every other contingency, such as the failure of brine, Ac, to, peculiar to this 
 exceptional trade, are taken into account I 
 
 FOR THE CHEMICAL TRADE. 
 Let the price for Common Salt at the Works ho tho same ns for the Export Shipping Trade, viz., 
 'Gh. 8d nstt, oi 7s. pel ton, h-.v, 2J per cent. Discount and 2J per cent. Brokerage. 
 
 INLAND TRADE. 
 Next comes tho coiihidenition of the Homo Trade, and now let ii* bee il nil swtiolis cannot be put 
 together to make one uniform whole. 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 537 
 
 It miBt be admitted that a small trade like this — mainly 5-ton lots — entails in every way more 
 labour and risk, as well as necessitating a larger stall of clerks and other officials , besides, in place ol 
 running the risk of the debt for Salt alone, as in the shipping trade, the Proprietors doing a home trado have 
 to pay the railway tolls, cash out of pocket, and thus run the additional risk of — in m.iny cases — more than 
 equal the value of the Salt at the Works, so that actually on quite one-hulf the turn-over of the railway 
 trade there is no per rentage whatever for profit. Another feature in this section of iho trade is 
 the necessity for Travellers or Agents, whose commissions or expenses are usually estimated to average 
 la. Cd. per Ion on Handed Squares, and Is. per ton on Urund Salt. Suppose Homo Trade Makers would 
 
 be satisfied with an increase on Export Shipping Prices of Is. 8*1 
 Common, let us see how this would look 
 
 per ton 
 
 on Fir 
 
 ic, and 10U. per ton 
 
 
 Common. 
 Pur Ton. 
 
 \n 
 
 .ndcil Squares. 
 Pur Tod 
 
 Price, 
 
 7s Gd 
 
 
 Ms Oil 
 
 Travelling Expenses or Agent's Commissions 
 
 1 
 8 6 
 
 
 I 6 
 
 15 6 
 
 CONCLUSION 
 
 
 
 
 Now, then, for an endeavour to make a practical suggestion, «.■ 
 been embodied. 
 
 •ing thai 
 
 .ill sections of the trade 1 
 
 Let Makers he satisGed, in point of quantity, with their relative pioi>ortion of the total trade of I860 
 as compared with the average tonnage sold by them in the years 1877, 1878, and 1879, then the work to 
 follow is comparatively easy : and suppose the smallest Maker of S.vlt will turn out at least 1-UG tons |«ei 
 week, the difference to him of only 2s po ion will he e<[ual to £10 per week, or £500 per annum On 
 a total make of 2 million tons, 2s. per ton would he equal to £200,000 1 Gentlemen, is this not a cousum 
 mation worth trying for I 
 
 Copies of this Circular having been sent to ewiy member ol ttie trade, it is hoped that some one will 
 convene an early meeting to consider the practicability of developing either this suggestion, or if any one 
 can propound any better — "so much the better ' 
 
 For only one reason do I desire to ignore myself, and it is simply that this suggestion may be con- 
 sidered for whatever merit there may be in itself, without being looked upon as that nl any individual 
 in particular 
 
 I l«g to suLsmbc myself 
 
 A LARGE MAKER 
 
 In 1888 the Salt Union was formed, and the Board immediately 
 set to work to try and regulate prices. They had, by acquiring 
 so many salt-works, obtained control of practically the whole of 
 the output, and in many cases they entered into special arrange- 
 ments with makers and distributors. Although they only took 
 over the properties in November 1888, they issued in the same 
 month a statement to their distributors, fixing the prices at which 
 salt was to be sold at the works. The following table, which has 
 been carefully compiled from the printed sheets published by the 
 Salt Union, shows the various alterations they made, from time 
 to time, in the prices of salt. 
 
538 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 T3 
 
 03 
 
 3 
 
 CO --H 
 
 .2 P 
 
 CO , — i 
 
 |> c3 
 
 o M 
 
 °t 
 
 na , 
 
 CJ 
 
 'o -t* 3 
 
 TO q} 
 
 nH « 
 
 a ^ 
 
 o -^ 
 
 s § 
 
 ^ o 
 
 co •£ 
 
 TO & 
 
 GO H 
 
 QJ 
 
 ■a ^ 
 
 * a 
 
 O 
 
 to- 
 
 1891 
 
 ^Im^. 6. 
 
 4__ j^co «o i i sg_ j^ j^u -LSS.-L-L -L 
 
 1 oio^HOiowNHinio-^mioo 
 
 03 
 l-H i-H 
 
 CO g 
 
 "■J 
 
 J^ 4^ co_ to J^ J^ $o_ J^ J^ 4__ J^ s$_ 4^ -L -L 
 
 1 000)HOlO«(MHIO(NaiOlOIO 
 
 id 
 i— I (M 
 OS 
 
 2 5 
 
 J^ $D^ $D_ SO J^ J^ ;o_ J^ J^ J^ 4__ JD_ J^ J^ J^ 
 1 O t- <M i— lOlOOTNr- 110002000 
 
 O -H 
 
 OS 
 
 -L -L -L -L s?. -L --L \ -L -L -L -L *?. -L 4. -L 
 
 ^loiaoHooeoiNHioiQOJOTmQ 
 
 ^COnCOHNHHHHHMHlM^CO 
 
 <35 ^ 
 00 | 
 
 -L-L-L-L^-L-L^-L-L-L-L -L-L-L 
 
 OO^HOOOtCCOG^rHlOT-H HOH 
 
 ^ ^ CO COH lO H i — I ^H i— (i— ( CO i— 1 -H^ CO 
 
 
 -L-L -L-L-L-L-L^-L-L-L-L -l.-L.-L 
 
 OOi— lOOlOOtOMHlflH I hoh 
 
 ■* ^ rt n lOCTHHHHtO ^ ^ CO 
 
 oo 
 
 00 § 
 
 00 Q 
 
 -L-L-L-L^-L-L^-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L 
 
 OOHOt-OO00C<IHiOHiocrtc<)O 
 -*iltHM io<^1hhhhhh(Ni-h COCO 
 
 00 .! 
 
 00 g 
 
 -L-L ^ -Lss.-L-L -L -L-L-L 
 
 IOi-h It- 1 OCOINH |ld OlfflO 
 
 -H^C<I (N rH rH H l-H COCO 
 
 
 Middle Grain 
 
 Brisk ... . . 
 
 Handed Squares 
 
 Broken Lumps . ... 
 
 Common . . ... 
 
 Bay Salt Stoved 
 
 XX Rough 
 
 X Rough ... . 
 
 Best Scotch Fishery .... 
 
 Second Class Fishery .... 
 
 Factory Filled Stove (Foreign) . 
 
 Factory Filled Stove (Inland) 
 
 Broken Stoved . 
 
 Fine Butter ..... 
 
 Treble Refined Table .... 
 
 Extra Dairy or Fine Sifted 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
 539 
 
 THE SALT UNION. 
 Prices of Salt for December 1888. 
 
 Description or Salt. 
 
 Cnn per Lon leu 
 
 Fbc. of deliver) 
 
 
 MIDDLE GRAIN SALT. 
 
 40/ 
 
 Works 
 
 
 BRISK SALT ... — 
 
 40/- 
 
 Works 
 
 Ca-cmif. lie . .-i Edition 
 
 HANOEO SQUARES- 
 
 Inlnnd Trade, 80 lamps to the ton , 
 
 100 or 120 do. do. 
 
 Cones for Inland 
 
 81/- 
 22/- 
 21/- 
 
 Works 
 Works 
 Works 
 
 Van lure. 1/Gpcrtoii n-rd 
 Itmlnaj r-.M m sddi- 
 
 BROKEN LUMPS 
 
 20/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 COMMON or CLEAN BROAD for Curing, Agricultural, 
 anil purposes other than Chemical 
 
 Soiled Agricultural 
 
 10'S 
 9/6 
 
 Works 
 Works 
 
 Wagon !,,«, 1/- ,«, [,.", 
 tion ot destitution in 
 
 addition 
 
 COMMON SALT for Chemical purposes, 12 months' Contract 
 from Slat December, 1888, only 
 
 7/6 
 
 Works 
 
 li ie. r. &i r ., ,.„ \ r .i 
 
 r.wV.Wi.bir^.llbsJlll 
 
 COMMON SALT in Boats for Chemical purposes, 12 months' 
 Contract from 31st Dec-mber, IHUB, only 
 
 7/6 
 
 Works 
 
 
 BAY SALT, Stored 
 
 DO. Uimtoved ... 
 
 50/- 
 45/- 
 
 Works 
 Woiks 
 
 
 XX ROUGH SALT. 
 
 X do. do 
 
 BEST SCOTCH FISHERY SALT 
 
 SECOND CLASS do. do 
 
 20/- 
 18/6 
 Vil- 
 li /. 
 
 Works 
 Works 
 Works 
 Works 
 
 Wagmi hire, 1/ per W>. 
 ami Hallway rat..-* « hen 
 ecntbyra,Iu,add,t,o„ 
 
 FACTORY-FILLED STOVED SALT for Export ... 
 
 15/- 
 
 W.-rks 
 
 
 FACTORY-FILLED STOVED SALT, Inland... 
 
 21/- 
 
 Works 
 
 I -,*,<«»..*..,,.» s4,i..t„ 
 
 BROKEN STOVED for Chemical Works, nn Contract 
 
 15/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 CALCUTTA SALT, say ha!/ Shutes, half Butter ... 
 Shutes for African Market, half Indian square?, half Butter Salt 
 
 13/- 
 14/6 
 
 \Z$ 
 
 
 FINE BUTTER SALT for Coastwise and Inland 
 
 9/- 
 12/6 
 11/6 
 
 Works 
 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 
 MARINE SALT tor Coastwise Shipment only 
 
 '■»/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 PATENT BUTTER SALT for Foreign or Coastwise 
 Shipment... ... . . 
 
 9/6 
 
 Works 
 
 
 TREBLE REFINED TABLE SALT ... 
 
 82/- 
 
 Works 
 
 ^r^-s&.rsiBt* 
 
 EXTRA DAIRY or FINE SIFTED SALT 
 
 30/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 , GRAINY SALT from Fine Dairy 
 
 15/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 COMMON SALT 
 
 For shipment, and for Chemical purposes 
 
 lll/O 
 9/6 
 
 Liverpool 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 
 Dure.— Where piece of delivery in stated m at " Works," it is understood 
 that River Freight 3 / B P" lon to Liverpool, or 2/8 per ton to 
 Wntun or Runcorn, ia to be added when the Salt ia shipped Bt 
 these porta, lew 1J per cent, to distributors 
 
 
 
 
 BAGGING SALT, at Works— including Grinding. 
 " 2 cur Sacks 
 1 cwt. Sacks 
 } cwt Sacks 
 
 1/6 
 2/- 
 2/6 
 
 
 In cue of different naes 
 10 per cent, to be added 
 to cost. .(bagging 
 
 BAGGING UN3TOVEO SALTS- 
 
 1 cwt. Sacks and upwards 
 J cwt. Sacks nnd upwards 
 
 8d 
 
 V- 
 
 
 
 ROCK SALT ) 
 
 Selected Lump Rock Salt for Cottle, Inland Orders J 
 
 Do do. Shipment, 21 | 
 cwts. to the ton. J 
 
 Crushed Rock Salt for Ship's Timbers (by Hail) 
 
 Do. do. do, 
 
 Prussmn Rock do. do 
 
 25/- 
 28/6 
 27/C 
 12/- 
 15/6 
 J4/C 
 9/6 
 13/- 
 12/- 
 
 Works 
 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 Works 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 Works 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 
 PRUSSIAN ROCK SALT for Chemical Works 
 
 Do. 'or Coaatwise Shipment 
 DO. for Foreign Shipment 
 
 CRUSHED ROCK for any fort 
 
 FINE SCREENED ROCK 
 
 DUST ROCK SALT for Hargfeares Process . . 
 
 SCREENED ROCK SALT for Export j 
 
 */- 
 fi/6 
 7/3 
 5/3 
 4/9 
 6/9 
 7/6 
 3/6 
 6/6 
 7/9 
 8/6 
 
 Works 
 
 Rnncom nr Weston 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 Works 
 
 Works 
 
 Runcorn or Weiton 
 
 Li verpool 
 
 
 SOILED SALT for Chemical purpose* 
 
 2/- less than 
 Common Salt 
 
 
 
 SCREENED ROCK SALT for Contract* for Chemical Works 
 
 6/6 
 
 Works 
 
 
 SURFACE SALT 
 
 9/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 CRUSHED ROCK 'SALT (or extracting purposes ... 
 
 5/- 
 
 Works 
 
 - 
 
540 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 THE SALT UNION. 
 Prices of Salt for March 1889. 
 
 „„,„,,«,.„,<.,, 
 
 "SET 
 
 Plwcof Delivery. 
 
 
 MIDDLE GRAIN SALT 
 
 vl- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 BRISK SALT 
 
 W- 
 
 Works 
 
 BagEinc, &c.,.n addition. 
 
 HANDED SQUARES- 
 
 Jniand Trade, Bo lumps io the Ion 
 
 Cones for Inland 
 
 s'l- 
 
 S'l- 
 )'/• 
 
 Works 
 Worfcs 
 
 Works 
 
 Van hire. 1/6 per Inn. and 
 R ml way nm in add.- 
 
 BROKEN LUMPS 
 
 1°/- 
 
 Works 
 
 COMMON or CLEAN BROAD for Curing. Agricultural. 
 
 and purposes other than Chemical Contracts 
 Soiled Agricultural . . . 
 
 10/6 
 9/6 
 
 Works 
 Works 
 
 \¥» S on hire. 1/- per Ion, 
 and railway rale lo Sla- 
 
 COMMON SALT for Chemical purposes, Contract only 
 to 31BI December, rBBo . 
 
 7/6 
 
 Works 
 
 'Em-^*' .™ Tn' Sd.il^! 
 
 COMMON SALT in Boats Tor Chemical purposes, on 
 Contract only to 31st December, 18B9. . 
 
 7/' 
 
 Works 
 
 
 BAY SALT. Stoved 
 
 !«/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 XX ROUGH SALT 
 
 X do. do 
 
 BEST SCOTCH FISHERY SALT 
 
 SECOND CLASS do. do. 
 
 10/- 
 18/6 
 
 ■>;- 
 
 Works 
 Works 
 Works 
 Works 
 
 W"Con R h,,c 1/ per | UO , 
 
 FACTORY-FILLED STOVED SALT in sacks or bags 
 for Foreign Export 
 
 • si- 
 
 Works 
 
 BigeuiE una, .-,-. below. 
 
 FACTORY-FILLED STOVED SALT, Inland .. 
 
 -,<i- 
 
 Works 
 
 Bagging eilra, la below. 
 
 BROKEN STOVED Tor Chemical Works, on Contract . . 
 
 '!/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 CALCUTTA SALT, and for other Eastern markets, say 
 
 half Shulc*. half Butter 
 
 Shutes Tor African Market, half Indian squares, half Butter 
 
 Salt, in bulk only 
 
 .6/. 
 17/6 
 
 Liverpool 
 Liverpool 
 
 .,- person lota , o.der 
 
 FINE BUTTER SALT ; 
 
 "/- 
 ,,/6 
 ,,/6 
 
 Works 
 
 Runcorn orWeslon 
 
 
 MARINE SALT 
 
 ,,/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
 PATENT BUTTER SALT , . 
 
 "1 
 
 Works 
 
 
 TREBLE REFINED TABLE SALT 
 
 w- 
 
 Works 
 
 w ^riiirM*Sk"!i ssm'sl™ 1 
 
 EXTRA DAIRY or FINE SIFTED SALT, -in sacks or 
 
 bags for Foreign Export. . 
 Ditto Inland 
 
 3'/- 
 J>/- 
 
 Works 
 
 Works 
 
 
 GRAINY SALT from Fine Dairv ... 
 
 ,s;. 
 
 Works 
 
 
 COMMON SALT 
 For Shipment 
 For Australasia 
 
 ,0/6 
 ,/6 
 
 '(" 
 .1/6 
 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 Works 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 
 Note —Where plicc o< dtliiery 11 Hittd u at " Worki," it it undentood 
 lhat Kiver Freight 3/6 pri Ion to Liverpool, or 2/6 per ton to 
 
 
 
 
 BAGGING SALT, at Works— including Gnnding. 
 1 cut Sacks 
 
 i cwt. Sacks '.'. 
 
 1/6 
 1/- 
 ■/* 
 
 
 to cesi or lagEinc. 
 
 BAGGING UNSTOVED SALTS- 
 1 civi. Sacks and upwards 
 ^c»t Sacksand upwards 
 
 Ed. 
 ■/- 
 
 
 
 ROCK SALT- ( 
 Selected Lump Rock Salt for Cattle, Inland Orders j 
 
 Do. do. Shipment, it j 
 cwts. to the ton. 1 
 Prussian Ro L k for Fnland .. . . 
 Crushed Rock Salt for Ship's Timbers (by Rail) 
 
 Do. do. do 
 Prmsian Rock dp. do 
 
 ■!/- 
 18/6 
 .J/6 
 "/- 
 i!/6 
 14/6 
 8/6 
 9/6 
 ')/■ 
 ")■ 
 
 Works 
 Liverpool 
 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 Works 
 Liverpool 
 Runcorn or Weston 
 
 Works 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 
 PRUSSIAN ROCK SALT for Chemical Works, Contract 
 only 10 31st December 
 
 Do. 00 for Con jt wise Shipment 
 Do. do for Foreign Shipment j 
 CRUSHED ROCK for Consume or Foreign Shipment j 
 
 FINE SCREENED ROCK 
 
 DUST ROCK SALT for Hargrca>es Process 
 FINE CRUSHED OR SCREENED ROCK SALT fori 
 Expmt ... .. ., J 
 
 SCREENED ROCK SALT for Contracts for Chemical Work 
 CRUSHED ROCK SALT for extracting purpose* .. 
 
 */ 
 6/6 
 7/1 
 5/3 
 
 4 '9 
 6/0 
 7/6 
 9/6 
 6/6 
 
 7/9 
 8/6 
 6/6 
 5/ 
 
 Works 
 
 Runcorn or Westor 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 Runcorn or Wcslor 
 
 Runcorn or Westor 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 Works 
 
 Works 
 
 Runcorn or Westor 
 
 Works 
 Works 
 
 
 SOILED SALT for Chemical purposes 
 
 »/- less than 
 Common Sail 
 
 
 
 SURFACE SALT 
 
 9/- 
 
 Works 
 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
 541 
 
 as 
 oo 
 oo 
 
 X> 
 
 o 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 oo 
 
 00 
 
 > 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 0C> 
 
 Pm 
 
 £5 3 
 
 = -: - 
 
 r.] 
 
 J it 
 
 1*1 1 NIK 1 * f 1 »S 
 
 f | | | | 1 3 
 
 is i H II 
 
 i 1 * a \ & * 
 
 o . ] Je ' i 1 ; 
 2S i. Z 1 ji x 1 
 
 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 
 
 5 : ; | s ! 1 3 
 
 i 1 ; S u i S ; 
 
 I 
 3 
 
 Tft 1 ?n» S » 4 * « 
 
 ji 
 
 1*1 v i-aVS. , ■* -a, | SJ 
 
 1 
 
 *" ?Ja _1:s | -^1 C ■ -ft" ■*£ Ssl -»JJ -1 
 
 rf\ ^°'Sii'o-^'o L r" S u ~_3 cc?7 3 £ w^ J= _ ° O e! 
 
 OT ^ *-f £^ gs= j ,S-gg_ 5 -t2,H >i l| a .^Sa = •= °= <£ 
 
 
 -is; s;» s I s 4 
 
 ?. \ 
 
 | s l 
 
 ^fcriilfl* % | | |i|| | 4 |||||||»|i f|| 
 
 $ >t I 1 1 f ! « 1 S& 
 
 i 
 
 M^llffl* Ulllil l«ill.«l*lli 
 
 5 SS|«%,S|IS 
 
 j 
 
 n!»ti»MNaa saiaws* 
 
 I I ikiJi^isi 1 
 
 1 
 
 c ■■& < : 1"!- -|e, - . : ■ • 2 <S * ^j 
 
 . . :| . .el .£ : . . : : • Js^» ■ ' ■ = ■ : " ^ f ' s 
 ■-■1 :;- 1 :: ^fsS- = = ■ ' ' : 1 j | Jj ' 
 •1 § i .iHllf* .::■ ! | Llj 1. „ 
 
 * 5 5ul J ; E; ^Q SjjClfflod>-> OT — oo 3 - H ^ =" a 
 
 - °I^*t Z '_J0)(C "O^lQe >t = Q 5™ S - - ^1 ™ 
 -rcf)Ji =■"-)- =r- w r-3 USfTJ? "•= Z Z>2 a "-,-„-» 
 
 u5-^*':2 32,z^g'= l-sl-loo^gCpJgb' j ° * 1=1] 
 
 Hi iswif iliiiiii i i is- 
 
 eaxxcooS cj En u. tu«r mu. u. uiou-i-tijScnEC 
 
 
 
 -•"*-- * — * a= s r* rs=T?3 5 s 
 
 - ■ '- 
 
 <£ * ' - 
 
 i|1 f 1 U| 
 
 to", oo « ta.E 
 
 lis ll c il Q. li 
 o" o M o o c 
 
 O OiOUO 
 
542 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 THE SALT UNION. 
 
 Prices of Salt for the Cheshire and Worcestershire 
 Districts for March 1891. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF SALT. 
 
 :,sf|JMll^§' 
 
 »{ F«J!!%l,h_™.?t , v- «i OkM-ur, .),!. 
 
 
 
 
 "floSoS"! "" u """^ '*>' } - ■ ■ — 
 
 ««...,«.;«,.. , fcrw-t^^'- 
 
 '"*• I-*.™!™-!. .*j I.I...1 ii.. 
 
 
 #«-*£ 5t ".l. , ■ »oi«m».* 
 
 
 I" £^j^ E ™^^^^iS"dEsir!^5il 
 
 
 i^" '-*•£*— * «*- - a-fo^— ..^ 
 
 EAST INDIAN, lull »■«. Wf b™~b ™™«. tafc* ujp k? ,m| 
 
 
 f'TF"^ 1 ^ !-^££r"^=l 
 
 1 Mbl^fuu. N«,hJtoB™li™ 
 
 
 •»0«« LUUPS r»li»l «il r 
 
 nKTt ^t^S^K^}^^^.-^^' u ~ 
 
 
 
 „l 1- f».,r. SD.p^.1 -"V- (.«!- I".™- «" r™m*l 
 
 
 LJll "|.,' J |„'l..^[,^.-OIJ» (, *T, .n4 Wuhlxtg. Tc™, 
 
 
 TREBLE HEFINED TABLE 
 
 SOILED- far Af-ntiKn 1.11 "«» Ju« '•" 
 
 !il 
 
 i 
 
 •V- 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 Dvi Rivk lo* HirftaKV F"Xv- , 
 
 ESWSriS'- 
 
 - SPECIAL CONTRACT PRICE LIST. 
 
 ::; £5£SSi^ 
 
 .■■^r- 
 
 
 EXTRA CHARGES. 
 
 B^ipe... 
 
 :^:^ 
 
 ■^-. 
 
 •-Virsv^tT! 
 
 "'S« 
 
 SSer 
 
 (ttss 
 
 ^iMssffltssiiiiBKis 
 
 
 ^,Ttr l ™ , ° 
 
 
 utJS* 
 
 ISS-S 
 
 &=s 
 
 
 ■V^ji^^j;™^^!^ 
 
 l^t^. 
 
 3tT«^s;is,r."ja: 
 
 s^r 
 
 toS-iSt 
 
 ul , X™"^.*as; 
 
 -.—..— 
 
 " ""*™ 
 
 Despite the efforts of the Salt Union to maintain prices the 
 trade showed no improvement, and the unsatisfactory results in 
 1897 were summarised as due to the decrease in the price of salt, 
 to the decrease in the quantity sold, and to the increased cost of 
 make. A salt expert and shareholder in the Salt Union, writing 
 on the subject of that Company's position in November 1897, 
 says : "As long as we go on in the course we are doing it will be 
 utterly impossible to make a dividend on the ordinary shares. 
 ... If we fthe Salt Union) had a monopoly or nearly so we 
 might do better, but with outside competition able to do nearly 
 one-half of the trade of the country, we cannot possibly, without 
 hurting ourselves badly, kill them out. They will go on living 
 even if only starving, and every year sees fiercer competition and 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 543 
 
 lower prices. I know of nothing to raise prices. It is many years 
 since ordinary demand raised the price and I see no chance of 
 such demand doing so now. I have repeatedly pointed out that 
 it is only by some combination or arrangement that we can mend 
 matters. The object of a Company is to make money and we 
 must do this, and we must, as soon as possible, see if some scheme 
 cannot be devised to attain the end. No trying to make money 
 by soap, carriage or any other means will do much ; it is only in a 
 profit on our large make that we can succeed. The problem is to 
 find out the best way. Every day renders matters worse. The 
 outsiders will take nearly all our chemical contracts and then I 
 think we may possibly arrange to take their remaining supplies 
 to keep the salt out of the market. The only point we can insist 
 on is no increase of pannage. If we attempt to force any con- 
 siderable pan stoppage we shall fail. We must do the best we 
 can on this point, but a large stoppage will not be agreed to. We 
 must decide on the quantity to be made on an average of two or 
 three years." 
 
 In August 1898, the salt manufacturers in the Middlesbrough 
 district, including the Salt Union, established the North-Eastern 
 Salt Company, Ltd., and strenuous efforts were made to form a 
 similar company amongst the manufacturers in the Cheshire, 
 Staffordshire, and Lancashire districts, but without success. The 
 chairman of the Salt Union, in explaining the situation to the 
 shareholders at the general meeting held in March 1899, said that 
 Middlesbrough was the only department of the Salt Union that 
 had showed an improvement, so far as profits were concerned, 
 during the previous year. " That," he continued, " ought to be 
 an object-lesson to all salt-makers, that it is only by a reasonable 
 combination that any profit is obtainable for anybody. And by 
 combination I do not mean monopoly exactly — certainly not in 
 the sense in which it was taken up when the Salt Union was first 
 formed. The combination which we aim at is one which limits 
 production at any rate to the existing pannage, and, at the same 
 time, puts prices at a reasonable level. We don't wish, in any 
 way to, as it were, hurt the general public or the general trade, 
 but we want a reasonable and fair profit for our capital and our 
 exertions." 
 
 Failing to form a proper combination in Cheshire, a working 
 arrangement was entered into between most of the outside manu- 
 facturers and the Union, for maintaining the higher level of prices 
 
544 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 that had been recently put into operation. This arrangement, 
 however, did not result in a permanent organisation, but in 1899 
 negotiations were resumed with the result that the British Salt 
 Association was launched in that year. For a while this com- 
 bination for the regulating of prices worked fairly well, but by 
 1905 the Salt Union found that their colleagues in the Association, 
 contrary to arrangement, were making more salt than they were 
 entitled to, enlarging their plant, and, in some cases, putting up 
 new pans. The Salt Union accordingly terminated the agree- 
 ment, and on August 22nd, 1906, a new company was registered 
 under the title of the North-Western Salt Company, Ltd., with a 
 share capital of £10,000, of which the Salt Union held 3586 shares, 
 and the United Alkali Company 171. It was thought that in 
 this company a thoroughly sound and practical working scheme 
 had been devised for regulating the tonnages and prices of the 
 salt trade as a whole, as all the manufacturers and distributors, 
 with a few exceptions, had come into it. The operation that the 
 company was to perform was much in the nature of a great 
 clearing-house for all the members, who would preserve their 
 individuality, and, in selling salt, act as distributors for the 
 company. 
 
 In 1907, the salt ring was threatened with outside developments 
 in salt production, and the North- Western Salt Company promptly 
 coped with any possible competition by reducing the price for fine 
 salt to 5s. per ton. In 1908 the company had to cut prices to 
 meet the competition of the chemical firm of Chance & Hunt of 
 Stafford, which had works capable of putting 20,000 to 25,000 
 tons of common and fine salt upon the market for general con- 
 sumption ; and this firm continued to work outside the North- 
 western Company. At the end of 1911 the North- Western Com- 
 pany came to an end, and all efforts made for its reconstitution or 
 extension for a further period were unsuccessful. Ultimately six 
 of the old members combined with the Salt Union in the formation 
 of the British Salt Association, Ltd., but as ten influential manu- 
 facturers remained outside the Association, extremely low prices 
 ruled, and on December 31st, 1912, this attempt to control 
 markets was abandoned. 
 
 On December 27th, 1907, London Merchants, Ltd., was formed, 
 with a nominal capital of 2000 shares of £1 each, for the purpose 
 of buying and selling salt and carrying on the business of salt 
 merchants. Among the directors were Messrs G. H. Cox (Salt 
 
SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
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SALT ASSOCIATIONS 
 
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 548 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Union), Henry H. A. Manger, and F. G. Hamlett. 
 holders were as follows : — 
 
 Weston & Westall, Ltd. . 
 London Salt Company, Ltd. 
 Manger & Son, Ltd. 
 Arthur, Edwin, and F. G. Hamlett 
 Bumsted & Co., Ltd. 
 
 In 1908 the firm of Weston & Westall was formed into a limited 
 liability company, with a nominal capital of £20,000, divided into 
 2000 shares of £10 each, of which the Salt Union acquired 1425 
 shares out of a total of 1500 issued. By a special resolution, 
 passed and confirmed in June and July 1908, the number of 
 members was limited to 50, exclusive of persons in the employ of 
 the company. The Salt Union at that date held 1442 shares, and 
 there were 18 shareholders, all connected with the Salt Union. 
 The directors were Mr Alexander, Mr Beazley, Mr Cox, Mr Falk, 
 and Sir Thomas Eogden. 
 
 The latest attempt to form a practical salt combine was wit- 
 nessed in December 1913. A fully representative meeting of 
 the salt manufacturers of Cheshire, Lancashire, and Staffordshire 
 was held in Liverpool on the 4th of that month, and it was an- 
 nounced that while the gathering was unanimously in favour 
 of a combine, nothing of a definite character was decided 
 upon. 
 
SALT UNION 
 
 The Salt Union was formed in October 1888, but the coming of 
 the combination was foreshadowed in January of that year by 
 the publication of the following paragraph in Falk's Salt Trade 
 Circular : " The salt trade is at the most deadly crisis. Implac- 
 able competition among a small section of the largest makers has 
 brought prices below all records, salt being freely offered at 50 per 
 cent, below cost. All the large chemical contracts for 1888 have 
 been taken at ruinous prices. Nor has there been any more 
 extensive demand for the article below cost. The total export 
 shown on annexed list proves a considerable decrease on the 
 average. The principle of association has been violated again, 
 and with more disastrous results than ever yet known. Nothing 
 but a new form of general consolidation can resuscitate the 
 trade." 
 
 Various interviews and deliberations ensued and prepared the 
 way for a meeting of salt proprietors, manufacturers, and traders 
 at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, on Thursday, 5th July 1888, 
 at which the following resolution was passed : — 
 
 " Resolved that each salt proprietor and manufacturer send 
 in to Messrs Fowler & Co., within one week from this date, the 
 price which he binds himself to accept for his works, including 
 land or leases, buildings, railway wagons, steamers, barges, flats, 
 boats, and all other effects, goodwill and business, specifying the 
 sum in a Schedule, and that Messrs Fowler & Co. appoint a valuer 
 on the part of the purchaser to check and agree upon the amount 
 if possible with the vendor." 
 
 The draft form of agreement provided that the vendors agreed 
 to sell and Robert Fowler agreed to purchase at the price fixed 
 by the vendors, or at a price to be mutually agreed between the 
 vendor and Mr Thomas Ward, of Northwich, who was appointed 
 valuer by Mr Fowler. Mr Ward had been for many years manager 
 of the works of Mr Charles Andrew M'Dowell, who traded in 
 Northwich as Messrs Nicholas Ashton & Sons. Mr M'Dowell, 
 who appears to have taken a prominent part in the formation 
 of the Salt Union, signed the first of the sixty-four agreements 
 
 549 
 
550 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 by virtue of which the Union became the greatest salt proprietors 
 in the world. The price given for the Ashton works was £115,000, 
 of which £38,330 was payable in shares, and the agreement 
 upon which the deal was concluded contained the following 
 provision : — 
 
 " All salt manufactured at the Ashton Salt Works. North wich, 
 to be consigned for sale by the son of the vendor (William Samuel 
 M'Dowell) at his office in Liverpool. A commission of 2J per 
 cent, to be paid him on his sales of every description of salt (with 
 the customary allowance for weighing) except ' factory filled ' 
 salt. A commission of 5 per cent, to be paid him on his sales 
 of ' Ashton's factory filled ' salt, sold in the United States of 
 America or elsewhere, such commission to be calculated on the 
 nett proceeds of such sales." 
 
 It will be seen that the 5 per cent, commission was only to be 
 paid on the salt known as " Ashton's factory filled " salt, but Mr 
 M'Dowell's firm received also a further 5 per cent, for guaranteeing 
 the payments of the New York agents, thus making a total 
 commission of 10 per cent, as against the 1\ per cent, paid to the 
 other distributors. 
 
 Notwithstanding the large holding of the M'Dowell family, 
 which in 1891 amounted to £145,200, and his preferential com- 
 mission terms, Mr M'Dowell attacked the policy of the Union 
 at every opportunity. After his death in 1897, his son, Mr 
 W. S. M'Dowell, continued to prosecute the campaign, and 
 eventually, by forcing the board to sanction the formation of a 
 shareholders' committee, he succeeded in getting the old directors 
 turned out, and new directors, nominated by himself, installed 
 in their places. In January 1895, a scheme had been put forward 
 for terminating the Union's liabilities for commissions, etc., 
 under the agreement by which Ashton's works had been acquired, 
 but in view of the anticipated resistance of Mr M'Dowell, the 
 scheme was not persevered with. Indeed, Mr M'Dowell was 
 vigorously complaining, about this time, of the board's policy 
 in encouraging the sales of unbranded varieties of salts to dis- 
 tributors, instead of protecting Ashton's special produce on 
 which the heavy commissions were payable. 
 
 It would seem that a bad bargain had been made by the Salt 
 Union with Mr M'Dowell in the first place, and they could not 
 repudiate or revise their agreements. By October 1899, the 
 question of Ashton's works had become a sore point with the 
 
SALT UNION 551 
 
 The Share List will close on or before Friday, October 12th. 
 
 Messrs. MORTON, ROSE & Co. are authorized to invite Applications for 
 the Shares and Debentures of 
 
 THE SALT UNION 
 
 LIMITED. 
 
 Incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1662 to 18B8. 
 
 CAPITAL £3,000,000, IN SHARES OF £10 EACH. 
 
 DIVIDED INTO 
 
 200,000 Ordinary Shares of £10 each, 
 
 AND 
 
 100,000 Seven, per cent. Preference Shares of £1.0 each. 
 
 (DIVIDEND PAYABLE OUT OP THE PROFITS OP EACH YEAR.) 
 
 Payable pertShare: £1 on Application, £3 on Allotment; £2 on 1st November, 1638; £2 on 1st Decomber, 1386; 
 and £2 on 1st January, 1889. 
 
 After the" last payment the Shares may be converted into Stock, tiansferable in any amounts of not less than £10. 
 
 About £900,000 of the Ordinary Share Capita/ is Subscribed by the Vendors of Salt Properties and Lands. 
 
 Subscriptions are also invited for £1,000,000 in 4£ per Cent. First Mortgage Debenture 
 Stock in amounts of £100 each, and payable 10 per Cent, on application; 15 person:, 
 on allotment; 25 per Cent, on 1st November; 25 per Cent, on 1st December; 25 per Cent. 
 
 on 1st January next. 
 
 Such Stock to be transferable in amounts of not less than £10. This Stock will be secured upon the entire property 
 
 of the Company, and the Interest will be payable half-yearly on the 1st January and 1st July, 
 
 Conr& of ^Directors. 
 
 Chaiman— The Bight Hon. LORD THUKLOW, P.C., 33, Chesham Place, London, 8.W. 
 Deputy Chairman -'JOHN CORBETT, Esq., M.P., Impney, Droitwich, (Stoke Prior Salt Works, Worcestershire). 
 •JOSEPH -VERDIN. Esq., The Brockhurst, Northwich, (Messrs. Joseph Vehdin & Sons, Salt Proprietors, 
 
 Winsford), Managing Director Cheshire District. 
 Hon. A LIONEL ASHLEY, Audley Mansions, S W., (Director Hand in Hand Fire and Life Insurance Society). 
 •GEORGE HENRY DEAKIN, Esq.. Davenham House, Northwich, (Director Messrs. Georoe Deaxin, 
 Looted, Salt Proprietors, Winsford). 
 HERMAN JOHN FALK, Esq., 65. South John Street, Liverpool. 
 
 PASCOE ST. LEGER GRENFELL, Esq. (Messrs. Morton, Rose & Co., Bartholomew Lane, E.C.) 
 E. S. BARING-GOULD, Esq., Boxgrove Lodge, Guildford, Surrey. 
 ■RICHARD GRIGG, Esq. (Managing Director South Durham Salt Company, Limited), Managing Director 
 
 Middlesborough District 
 •CHRISTOPHER KAY, Esq., DaYenham Hall, Northwich, (Chairman Cheshire Amalgamated Salt Works 
 
 Company, Limited). 
 The Hon. CHARLES WILLIAM MILLS, M.P. (Messrs Gltn, Mills, Currib & Co., 67, Lombard St, E.C.) 
 WALTER ROBINSON, Esq., 20, Gledhow Gardens, London, S.W.. (Director Great Western Railway Co.) 
 "JAMES STUBBS, Esq., (Messrs. Stores Brothers, National Salt Works, Winsford, Cheshire). 
 •WILLIAM HENRY VERDIN, Esq., Highfield House, Winsford, (Messrs. Joseph Yeedin & Sons, Salt 
 Proprietors, Winsford). 
 
 •Will join the Board after allotment. 
 
 £ocal (Committees of Management. 
 
 Several of the Vendors may from time to time be formed into Local Committees of Management under "tho 
 
 direction of the Board. *" 
 
 $ ankers. 
 
 Messrs. GLYN, MILLS, CURRIE & Co., 67, Lombard Street, London, E.C. 
 PARR'S BANKING COMPANY, Ld.. Warrington, Liverpool, Northwich, Winsford, Sandbach, and other Branches. 
 UNION BANE! OF MANCHESTER, Ld., Manchester, Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich, and other Branches. 
 
 Solicitors, 
 
 Messrs. ASHURST, MORRIS, CRISP & Co., 6, Old Jewry, London, E.C. 
 
 £tuck grohera. 
 
 London— Messrs. BILLETT, CAMPBELL & CO., 5, Copthall Buildings, EC; and Stock Exchange. 
 Liverpool— UeeBK. A. M. McCULLOCH k CO., 18, Dale Street. 
 
 Messrs. WM. CHAMBRE8 & CO., 6, Dale Street. 
 JtfonrAMfer— Messrs. HODSON & COPPOCK, Commercial Buildings. 
 Glasgow— Messrs. OTJTRAM & HAMILTON, 48, West George Street. 
 
 &ubitove. 
 
 Messrs, COOPER BROTHERS & CO., Chartered Accountants, 14, George Street, London, E.C. 
 
 Messrs. HARMOOD, BANNER & SONS, Chartered Accountants, Liverpool. 
 
 JSlanaaer, (Uheflhtre District. 
 THOMAS WARD, Esq., J.P., Northwich, Cheshire. 
 
 principal SErnoe ©ffices.- 
 WINSFORD, NORTHWICH, DROITWICH, MIDDLESBOROUGH, and CARRICKFERGUS. 
 
 gjecretarn. Jtegiatereto ©fftce. 
 
 EDMUND C. WICKE8, Esq. SALTERS' HALL COURT, LONDON, E.C. 
 
 1. THE OBJECT OF THE COMPANY is to consolidate the undertakings of the Suit Proprietors 
 in the United Kingdom, with a view to ending reckless competition which injuriously affects the Salt industry, 
 without conferring any adequate advantage on the public. 
 
552 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 2. THE PROPERTIES TO BE ACQUIRED OR CONTROLLED BY THE COMPANY 
 are of great extent and magnitude. Some of the Salt firms have been established upwards of a century ; 
 their Bait brands are known throughout the civilized world, and the benefit of their personal business 
 connections will for the most part be. preserved. The Properties include Freehold and Leasehold salt, brine and 
 other lands, brine shafts, works, buildings, salt pans, railway sidings, tramways and lines into works ; steamers, 
 boata, flats, barges, gas works, locomotives, railway trucks and vans, quays, landing stages, timber yards, 
 fitting shops, warehouses, horses, ponies, vehicles, cottages for workmen, brick-yards* railway and nver 
 communications, and factories for making most of the articles required in the trade, rendering the aggregate 
 property one of the largest and most complete in the kingdom. 
 
 3. The following are the FIRMS, COMPANIES and PERSONS between whom and Mr. Robert 
 Fowleb, of Victoria Mansions, "Westminster, Contracts and Terms for Sale and purchase, or Leasing, or 
 Renting, have been made. 
 
 NAMES OF PARTIES. 
 
 L'cjsra. Joseph Verdin A William Hear; Verdin— Messrs. JOSEPH VERDIN It SON'S. Adelaide. Victoria, 
 
 Knight's GroDRa, Newondgi'. Baron's Qua;, Wharton Mimlra, Birkenhead and Winsiord Bait Works, and 
 
 Adelaide and Baron's Quay Rock Salt Mines 
 Mr. JOHN CORBETT, M.P., Stoke Prior Salt Works, Worcestershire 
 Mr. ChrietopherKay.on behalf of THE CHESHIRE AMALGAMATED SALT WORKS COUP ANT, LIMITED, 
 
 Northwieh, While Hall, Malkms Bank, Whtolock and Wharton Salt Works 
 Ehareholdcra m Messrs GEORGE DEAKIN LIMITED, Boslock, Wharton and Over Salt Works. Winsiord ... 
 Mr. JOSEPH EVANS, WinsfoTd Salt Works 
 
 Mr. HERMAN EUGENE FALK, Meadow Bank Salt Works and Rock Salt Mines,.Wineford, ... .. 10th Aug. 
 
 Mr. WILLIAM WORTHINGTON. Senr- LelWich and Witlon Salt Works, Bock Sail Mice and Ball Land* I2tli July 
 Messrs. Robert Stubbs, John Slubbs, William Stubbs, Charles Slubbs, Samuel Stubbs, James Slubbs, and 
 
 Reoben Slubbs— Messrs. STUBBS BBOTHERS, National and Little Meadow Salt Works, Winaford 
 Mr. Thomas H.ggin, on behalf of THE EUREKA SALT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LIMITED, 
 
 Anderton and Worboiae Sail Works, and Thomas Higgin & Co. , ..... 
 
 Mr. John Rigby, on behalf of THE WHEELOCK IRON AND SALT COMPANY, Limited, (sail portion only). 
 Messrs. William Stecnstrand and George Kvrkham, trading as THE BRITISH SALT COMPANY, British Ball 
 
 Works, Anderton . 
 Messrs. THOS RAYNER k CO, LIMITED, Salt Works, Winchem . 
 
 ih Him k Son) Mansion Hall White 
 
 THE MARSTON HALL SALT COMPANY, LIMITED, (late Wi 
 
 Bait Works and Rock Salt Mines ..... 
 
 Mt. JOHN THOMPSON, Willow Bank Over, and Witton Hall Salt Works and Rook Salt Mine, Nortlrwieh. 
 Messrs. John Simpson, Gabriel Looker Davios, and Robert Newton Davios, trading as Messrs SIMPSON, 
 
 DAVIEB k SONS, Meadow. Moolton Hall and Piggotta' Salt Works, Winaford. ... 
 Messrs. WILLIAM k ROBERT HICKSON. Enighl's Orange Salt Works. 
 Mi. WILLIAM HICKSON, WuuungtoD New and Bye Flat Bait Works. 
 COLONEL THOMAS HORATIO MARSHALL, The Dane Sa>. Works and Lands, Norlhwich 
 
 Mr. ALFRED JABEZ THOMPSON, Alliance While Bait Works, Maraton 
 
 Messrs. Johnson Fletcher and Thomas James Higlr. trading' as FLETCHER & RIGBY, Maraton Old Salt 
 
 Works ejid Rock Salt MuHt 
 
 Mr, JOHNSON FLETCHER, Maraton Book Salt Mine, Northmen 
 
 Ms. JOHNSON FLETCHER on behalf of himself and others, OUershaw Lane Salt Works and Bosk Salt Mine 
 
 Mr. C A. McDowell, trading as Messrs. N. ASHTON k BONS, Bait Works and Lands, Northwicb 
 
 Mr. HENRY INGRAM THOMPSON, Island, and Willow Bank Works, Winaford, and Witton Hill Bait Works, 
 
 Korthwioh 
 Messrs. THOMAS GD3SON A Co, Anderton Salt Works 
 Mr. Richard Henry Yeomans, trading as Messrs. YEOMANS k Co., Wineham Old Bait Works 
 
 Mr. JOHN HOWARTH PADGETT, Brookdalo Sail Works. Northwioh 
 
 Messrs. John & Henry Parka, trading as Messrs. PARKS BROTHERS, Wmohnm Bait Works, Northwich ... 
 
 Mr. WILLIAM PARKS, Ollerehaw Lane Salt Works 
 
 Mrs. KATHERINB LOVETT, Anderton and Witton Break Salt Works 
 
 Mr. GEORGE CAPPEB, Salt Works, Winstar* _ 
 
 Mr. EDMUND LEIGH, Salt Works, Winaford 
 
 Mr. RICHARD YEOMANS, The Dairy Bait Work*, Middlowioh 
 
 Messrs. William Scddon A John Borrows, trading f.d Messrs. RALPH 8EDDON as BONS. Ebdurton and 
 
 Pepper Street Salt Works, Middlewich 
 Messrs. James Plait & Herbert Piatt, trading as Mea.?& JAMES PLATT & SON, Albert Salt Works, Maraton 
 
 Mr. JOHN DEAN, Sa.lt Works, Winaford „ 
 
 Mr. DAVID CHAPLIN, Weeton Salt Works, Stafford 
 
 Messrs. WILLIAM WHITAEEB AND SAMUEL WHjTAKER, Roek Salt Mile, Wiocham 
 
 THE MERSEY SALT AND BBINE COMPANY, LIMITED, Weston Point, Rumem and Marbnry 
 
 Messrs. EDWARD MASSEY k THOMAS BIBBEY, Lawton Salt Works 
 
 Edward G. Aman, for Messrs HAH. WEST 
 
 Eieoutor of the late William OkoU, JOSEPH OKELL ... ... 
 
 Mr. H. NEUMANN FOR SELF AND BROTHERS. Salt Works, Book Salt Mine* and Land ... 
 
 Mr. ALEXANDER MISCAMPDELL, Carrickfcrgus, Rock Sill, Minos, Salt Works, Buildings, 4o, .-. 
 
 Mr. DANIEL O'ROBKE, Ballast 
 
 Messrs. M. R. DALWAY k CO.. LIMITED Camckforgns, Roek Bait Mines, Salt Works, Buildings, 4o. 
 
 Messrs. Samuel McKay Shannon and James Campbell Holden and othexa trading as THE CARRICKFERGUS 
 
 SALT MINING COMPANY, Mine . . 
 
 THE SOUTH DURHAM SALT COMPANY, LIMITS. Salt Works and Land, Middloaborougb ' 
 
 THE DBOITWICH SALT COMPANY, Limiiod, Salt Works and Land 
 
 Mr. THOMAS PATTEN, Rock Salt, Brine Lands and Buildings 
 
 Mr, THOMAB BARROW, Rock Salt and Brtno Lands ... '_[ 
 
 Mr. THOMAS WARD, Brino^nd Minerals 
 
 Mr. R. D. NICHOLSON, Rook Salt and Brine ... .. .. . ,' 
 
 Messrs. JOHN WLLBON WATSON AND ROBERT 6CRAFTON, Lnnd and Minora!*, Middlosboi-ouali ,'. 
 
 Mr. CECIL F. PARR FOR SELF AND J. 0. PABR, TOWNSHEND'S TRUSTEES, Bock Salt Mine, 
 Brine Lands and Works ... ... .... 
 
 Mr. A, U. till ITU BARRY, M.P., Book Salt and Brina Landa, Ac. 
 
 Mr. J. E. ARMSTRONG, Roek Bait and Brine Landa, Ao. 
 
 Rev. OANON T. FRANOE HAYHUB3T, Rock Salt, Bnne and other Landa, io, ... 
 
 COLOMEL 0. H. FBANCE HAYHURST, Book Salt, Brina, and other Land, Ao. 
 
 Mr ROGER W. WLLBRAHAM, Rock Sail, Brine, and olhor Land* 
 
 Cohn Maclver for Mr THOMAS HENRY LYON, Book Salt, BnnoXands, Mine, 4e 
 
 RICHARD HENRY DONE, by Townshend A Barker, his Agents, Rook Bait and Brine Lands, fto. ... 
 
 Tho Right Hon. JOHN BYRNE LEICESTER WARREN, BARON DE TABLEY, Lands, Works, Minerals, 4o. 
 Charles Leopold Samson, Joseph Handloy, John William Haalam, and James Holmes, tradino id Partnorshin as 
 
 Hth July 
 
 lith July 
 
 IBth Joly 
 101b July 
 lOlhJoJy 
 11th Jnly 
 11th July 
 
 18th July 
 17th July 
 Slat Joly 
 letb July 
 
 IBth Jnly 
 12th July 
 12th July 
 11th July 
 lfith Jnly 
 23rd Aug. 
 10th Jnly 
 11th Jnly 
 lOtb July 
 13lh July 
 
 UUi Joly 
 11th Jnly 
 
 9th July 
 17th July 
 20th July 
 SrdSepL 
 17lh July 
 
 lUScp 
 
 29th SepL 
 10th Aug. 
 11th 3«pL 
 
 39m Aug 
 1st Sept. 
 
 6th Sept. 
 7lh SepL 
 1th Oct. 
 7lhSepL 
 11th SepL 
 
 7tb Sept 
 
 SrdOct. 
 7lh6ept 
 
 6th SepL 
 1th SepL 
 
 5th OcL 
 Sth SepL 
 
 BthSepL 
 
 7th Sepi 
 7th SepL 
 24th SepL 
 5tb SepL 
 
 Glh Sept. 
 Gth BepL 
 BthSepL 
 IBth SepL 
 
 Sth BepL 
 4th SepL 
 ith BepL 
 
 4lh6apL 
 4th SepL 
 7th SepL 
 4th SepL 
 4th SepL 
 4th SepL 
 4th SepL 
 
 7th Sept. 
 4th BepL 
 4th SepL 
 4th BepL 
 Bth SepL 
 20 Ih BepL 
 Bth BepL 
 lath Aog. 
 6tb Oct 
 1st OcL 
 20th SepL 
 20th Sept. 
 20th SepL 
 
 21st SepL 
 25th SepL 
 2nd OcL 
 Sth SepL 
 19th SepL 
 25lh Sr^l 
 12lh SepL 
 Sth SepL 
 
 29lli S>pL, 
 1st OoL 
 
 1st Oct. 
 
 20th, SapL 
 29th SepL 
 1st Oct 
 29th SepL 
 Bid Oct. 
 2Stti SepL 
 
 and Ocl 
 
 THE PHCENIX SALT AND LIME COMPANY 
 Other properties ore under offer to tho eaid BobsSt Fowleb, prices c:e being adjusted, ond tho offers 
 may becomo contracts at any moment. In tho case of limited Companies the Agreements ure subject to formal 
 cvullriniiUuii by tho Saareholdsrs, 
 
SALT UNION 553 
 
 4. THE WORKS have been specially inspected and reported upon, as to Cheshire, Staffordshire and 
 Stoke Prior by Mr. Thojjas Ward, J.P., of Northwich (Manager for Messrs. N. A<;rrrou & Soss), who ii a well- 
 known authority on the Salt Trade, and has been assisted in some cases by experts as valuers ; as to Droitwich 
 by Messrs. Thomas Catter & Sojr, Valuers, Northwich ; as to Middlesborough by Mr. 0. "Willhan, C.E. ; 
 and as to Ireland by Mr. George C. Blacewell of Liverpool. 
 
 6. IN A REPORT recently made by Mr. Thomas "Waito on the Cheshire Salt District, he says ;— 
 " The highest price of Common Salt dunnc; the last ten years has been If- per Ion at the works, the lowest 2 3 , the average price 
 about 6/G per ton. For East Indian Salt the highest pneo has been 19/- f.o.b., the lowest 0/3 f.o-b. In 1872 Hie price of Common 
 Salt reached 20/- per ton and did not faU to 7/- per ton till 1S70. The average price during llie four vcais 1372-3 I C, was over 11/- 
 
 Et ton. The shipments of Sail in 187B, when the price was C,'- per ton more than in 1837, wore larger Uiun in IB87! In l&ys 80, 
 art Indian Salt was sold at IS/- per ton f.o.b., and that price could easily be obtained and muiiitaiiicd. or even a higher one] 
 without an; detriment to the trade 
 
 " A moderate rise in the price of Salt would not increase the present competition to any material client either at homo or 
 
 Nithin the radius covered by the Company Is not likely to be 
 
 "The Cheshire Bait district being so near to Liverpool and the Upper Mersey Ports of Runcorn and Weston Point possesses 
 Unsurpassed facilities for the Shipment of Salt at cheap freights to all parts of the uorld, and when tint MuNdmaler Ship Canal 
 is complete, these facilities will be still further increased. The rail and waicr communication of the Cheshire district is exceptionally 
 good, and has been mado specially to suit the Salt Trade, 
 
 "It has been long evident to all conversant wilh the Salt Trade that the only bar to its great success has been disunion amongst 
 its members. During Iho intervals that Associations hue profiled, large foiLuuea have hcen made. Tins Company by uniting 
 practically all the various works will secure that unity v.hicli has jeen lacking, and will In pi-,.i, i,tm^ ,, ,l ; |, ., .ijui [.ulition. secure prices 
 for Salt, nhicb. whilst most amply pajing all the Shareholders, will not be fell burdensome by ihc purchaser Few trades in the 
 country are capable of being so easily united and worked, and no trade can cam such good divnltnuj mtlio-il uising prices to a 
 prohibitory or injurious point. 
 
 " The Company will begin by earning good dividends. It lakes up and carries on businesses that have become of woild-v, ide 
 renown, some of which have existed for a century, and others for nearly half that period." 
 
 6. The tonnage of CHESHIRE SALT shipped in the Mersey during the years 
 1878-1887 amounted to upwards of ten million tons, exclusive of the large quantity earned by 
 Hallway, and was distributed as follows ; — 
 
 WHITE SALT. 
 
 United States (North) 
 
 (South) 
 
 British North America 
 
 West Indies and Central America 
 
 South America 
 
 East Indies 
 
 Australia, New Zealand, Ac. 
 
 1,5*21,238 
 
 AtthgAl/tonMl 
 
 7,33-1 .230 
 
 711,329 
 
 Denmark and Iceland 
 
 152.0G7 
 
 650,322 
 
 Norway and Sweden 
 
 127.040 
 
 42,683 
 
 Belgium and Holland 
 
 117.023 
 
 83.368 
 
 France and South of Europe 
 
 1-lM I 
 
 295,168 
 
 England „ 
 
 811,525 
 
 9.002,621 
 
 Ireland ... ,. ... 
 
 376.184 
 
 132,938 
 
 Scotland 
 
 807.704 
 
 200,490 
 385 206 
 
 Total While Salt Shipped 
 
 .. 9,868,156 
 
 
 Total Reels Salt shipped 
 
 1 ,020.721 
 
 7,831,288 
 
 Total li.xk and While Salt shipped 
 
 .. 10.601,880 
 
 7. The Produce of Rock Salt, White Salt made from Brine, and also Salt con- 
 tained in Brine used for making Alkali under Solvay's Process for iho year 1387, 
 amounts to 2,206,951, tons, as shewn by the following Summary from the latest Government lie turn of 
 Mining and Mineral Statistics ; — - 
 
 BOOK SALT. 
 
 ENGLAND— 
 
 WHITE SALT, 
 
 TOTAL. 
 
 1,019,462 
 
 1,700.710 
 
 186,267 
 
 136,267 
 
 5.810 
 
 5,810 
 
 252,000 
 
 252.000 
 
 13.000 
 
 48,155 
 
 2,020.529 
 
 2.200.9.U 
 
 150.267 
 
 Totals 180,422 
 
 8. REVENUE. Taking the estimated production of the works acquired by the Company 
 
 at 2,000,000 tons per annum, an average profit of five shillings per ton would yield annually £500,000, 
 
 Deducting Interest on Debenture Stock ... ... .. ... £10,000 
 
 Dividend on Preference Shares ... , ... ... ... 70,000 
 
 115,000 
 
 Would leave ... — £385,000 
 
 or nearly 20 per cent, per annum available for Reserve Fund and Dividend upon the Ordinary Share Capital. 
 
 9. THE PURCHASE MONEY, OR CONSIDERATION for the whole of the properties and 
 the benefit of the agreements, specified in Clause 3, including all charges and expenses on the part of the 
 purchaser of negotiating such agreements, valuing -works and businesses, and issuing the capital up to allotment, 
 except the legal charges and stamp duties for incorporating the Company, and brokerage, is the sum of 
 £3,704,519, in respect of which a contract dated 6th October, 1888, has been made between Robert Fowler 
 of the one part, and the Company of the other part. This is the only Contract entered into by the Company, 
 The said Bobert Fowxer has entered into subsidiary arrangements for covering the charges and expenses of certain 
 other persons in relation to the Company, but the Company is not a party to these subsidiary arrangements, and 
 will incur no liability in respect thereof, and there may also be in existence on the 31st day of October, and 
 30th November, 1888, certain trade contracts, leases, agreements and engagements connected with the various 
 properties and businesses to be taken over from those dates as going concerns and otherwise, which cannot be 
 specified here, and subscribers shall be deemed to waive the publication in compliance with the 38th section 
 of the Companies Act, 1S~67, of any further particulars in relation thereto. 
 
 10. FORMS OF APPLICATION for Shares may bo obtained at the Bankers, Brokers and Offices. 
 The Articles of Association and Contracts can bo seen at the Offices of the Solicitors. Should any Applicant 
 not receive an Allotment his deposit will be returned in full ; and such applicants as may receive a less 
 amount of Shares or Debenture Stock than they apply for, will have their surplus deposit moneys credited to 
 the sums duo on the Shares or Debenture Stock allotted to them. 
 
 Lokdok, 8th October, 1888. 
 
554 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 board, and persons in authority had unsuccessfully exerted every 
 effort to have them closed down. But any proposal for closing 
 portions of the works had invariably provoked a bitter attack 
 on the directors by Mr M'Dowell, and as the board, after 1898, 
 was nominated by Mr W. S. M'Dowell, it is not uncharitable to 
 assume that the question was not debated in a spirit of impar- 
 tiality. Owing to the subsidence, much money had had to be 
 spent to keep the works in a state of repair, and the fact that 
 thousands of pounds had been sunk in far less profitable properties 
 did not justify this expenditure. In 1901 a portion of the works 
 was so seriously affected by subsidence that pressure was put 
 upon the board to spend the further necessary money to have 
 them removed to firmer ground, and efforts were made to secure 
 American orders to justify the outlay. In May of that year, 
 however, the sinking was proceeding at a rate that constituted 
 a risk to life ; work at the mill was consequently stopped, and 
 nearly the whole of the buildings were dismantled. In the 
 return for 1913, Messrs W. S. and Charles M'Dowell held only 
 126 ordinary shares between them. 
 
 The formation of the Salt Union was heralded with many 
 flourishes of trumpets and much banging of big drums, and in the 
 general uproar the warning voice of the Times was unheard or 
 unheeded. By controlling production, the Salt Union thought 
 to obtain a monopoly of salt and raise the price at will, but as 
 the Times sapiently commented : " The syndicate has not 
 acquired the control of all the mines or works at which salt is 
 produced, and unless and until they do this they will not have 
 an absolute monopoly. The firms that keep clear of the com- 
 bination will thus be enabled to undersell the syndicate by a 
 sufficient margin of price to enable them to get a leading place 
 in the market, so far as price can give that position. . . . Again, 
 unless the syndicate obtains absolute possession of or control 
 over every inch of ground where salt can be got, the almost 
 certain result of the combination will be to bring into existence a 
 number of ' small fry ' which would not otherwise come into 
 being, and the resources of production will thereby, in all pro- 
 bability, be increased far beyond what they are now, thus defeating 
 one of the primary objects of the movement, which is that of 
 curtailing supply and creating an artificial scarcity." 
 
 On September 27th, 1888, the Times announced that the Salt 
 Union had bought the various properties on the terms proposed, 
 
SALT UNION 555 
 
 namely, two-thirds of the purchase money in cash and one-third 
 in shares, and added, " the principle on which the valuation was 
 made has not come out, but it is generally known that the selling 
 price has been quite satisfactory to the vendors." 
 
 The Times' forecast of disappointment in store for the share- 
 holders of the Union has been fulfilled in the sequence of loss and 
 misfortunes that had consistently dogged the footsteps of the 
 combination, but the principle on which the valuation was made 
 has not, until now, been revealed. The purchase price for the 
 properties secured by the series of sixty-four agreements — of 
 which the chairman, in 1896, said that " Never were covenants 
 so ingeniously framed as to cause lawsuits " — plus the sum 
 appropriated for promotion profits, was £3,704,519. If we 
 omit for the moment the £600.000 paid for Mr Corbett's works 
 in Worcestershire, and deduct the promoters' profit of £240,000, 
 the balance of the purchase price was £2,864,519. Out of the 
 sixty-four properties I have made a selection of thirty-two, and 
 from the thirty-two agreements relating to them I find that the 
 purchase price paid to the original vendors was £1,555,119. 
 
 Of the properties that were acquired for this sum, I estimate 
 the loss that has since been suffered by sale, depreciation, or 
 dismantlement amounts to no less than £1,068,700. These 
 figures are arrived at as follows : — 
 
 Amount paid by 
 Salt Union. 
 
 20 Properties dismantled .... £276,450 
 
 8 Properties transferred to Brunner, Mond & Co. 372,250 
 Estimated proportion of money paid for Properties 
 
 partly dismantled ... . 320,000 
 
 £1,068,700 
 
 This shows a deficiency of £1,068,700 on the thirty -two properties 
 purchased for £1,555,119, and I do not estimate the remainder 
 of these properties, included in the purchase and still owned by 
 the Salt Union, to be worth the balance of £486,419. Indeed, I 
 am satisfied that they are worth nothing like that sum. And 
 if the half of the promotion profit is taken into consideration, it 
 will be seen that a commission of something like £120,000 was 
 paid on properties which have involved the Union in a loss of 
 £1,068,700. 
 
 The manner in which the Salt Union conducted the purchase 
 
556 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of their properties provides one of the most amazing instances of 
 reckless optimism in the history of comparatively modern finance. 
 It is difficult to understand by what principle or system the 
 promoters of the Union were guided in making their investments. 
 It is true that a valuation was made for the promoters by the 
 late Thomas Ward, and his deep interest in the salt trade and his 
 loyal faith in the resuscitating powers of the Salt Union made 
 him, as I think, place far too high a value on the works under 
 offer to them. But Mr Ward's valuation was far exceeded by the 
 prices actually paid for the properties by the Salt Union, as the 
 following instances will show : — 
 
 Works purchased. 
 
 Mr Ward's 
 Valuation. 
 
 Price paid by the 
 
 Promoters and sold 
 
 to the Union at a 
 
 further enhanced 
 
 Price. 
 
 Thomas Higgin & Co. 
 John Thompson . 
 Joseph Verdin & Sons 
 Stubbs Bros. 
 W. & R. Hickson . 
 William Hickson . 
 R. Seddon & Sons. 
 
 £ 
 
 36,000 
 
 28,000 
 
 475,000 
 
 120,000 
 
 20,500 
 
 21,000 
 
 3,000 
 
 £ 
 
 102,150 
 
 40,000 
 
 630,000 
 
 231,000 
 
 34,500 
 
 38,000 
 
 9,750 
 
 £703,500 
 
 £1,085,400 
 
 It will be seen that in the purchase of these seven properties, 
 the difference between the value put upon them by the valuer 
 appointed by the promoters and the price at which they were 
 acquired by the promoters of the Salt Union was £381,900, and 
 this sum does not include the profit taken by the promoters. 
 According to the agreements, it would appear the price payable 
 for the several properties was £3,464,519 (although I am unable 
 to arrive at those figures), and these were transferred to the 
 Salt Union for £3,704,519 ; and, looking at the whole business in 
 the most favourable light, the price was in my opinion at least 
 £2,000,000 more than they were worth. Out of the sixty -four 
 properties acquired many have been lost to the Union, while other 
 works have been closed down because they could no longer be 
 worked at a profit. A striking illustration of the loss of trade is 
 
SALT UNION 557 
 
 to be seen in the parish of Over at Winsford. In 1888, when 
 the Salt Union was formed, there were 244 pans at work in this 
 parish. To-day the number of pans has been reduced to 90, of 
 which only 48 are working, and it would appear that the whole 
 of the reduction is on properties acquired by the Salt Union at 
 inflated prices. 
 
 I have shown that the purchase consideration paid by the Salt 
 Union was £3,704,519, but in addition to this sum the original 
 directors were landed with all sorts of obligations and liabilities 
 in the shape of commissions on the sale of salt made at the various 
 works acquired by the Union. 
 
 The purchase of the Stoke Prior Works in Worcestershire for 
 £600,000 has since occasioned the Salt Union much trouble and 
 litigation, for, in consequence of the great haste with which the 
 arrangement between the promoters and Mr John Corbett was 
 rushed through, in order that the property might be included in 
 the prospectus, points were left open which subsequently became 
 the subject of constant disputes. The Salt Union ultimately 
 brought an action against Mr Corbett for the purpose of decipher- 
 ing the meaning of the agreement, and, in the end, Mr Corbett 
 received a further sum of £60,000. Even this large additional 
 sum did not give the Salt Union the perpetual ownership of the 
 brands, etc., as, under his agreement, Mr Corbett reserved the 
 right to start manufacturing salt again himself at the expiration 
 of thirty years, when all the brands, trade marks, etc., he disposed 
 of, would revert to him. 
 
 In the course of the law proceedings it transpired that when 
 the company was floated no proper agreement was made between 
 either the promoter or the company and Mr Corbett, although 
 the contract was set out in the prospectus, and Mr Corbett joined 
 the board after allotment. The only document upon which the 
 promoter acted was a letter signed by Mr Corbett. This was dated 
 the 5th October 1888, and the company was issued to the public 
 three days later. Mr Justice Kekewich, in the course of the case, 
 said he was not satisfied that the company had power to alter 
 the terms of that document, nor was he satisfied that there was 
 any representation in the prospectus of a concluded agreement 
 between the company and Mr Corbett. The judge alluded to 
 the document which purported to be a contract as a marvellous 
 production in which every line where accuracy was required was 
 marked with a great inaccuracy. He did not know, he said, 
 
558 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 how anybody could have been so foolish as to sign such a 
 thing. 
 
 During the hearing of the case the Attorney-General, who 
 appeared for the Salt Union, stated that the Stoke Prior Works 
 belonging to Mr Corbett had been reported upon by Mr Thomas 
 Ward before the prospectus was issued, but that statement 
 was incorrect. Mr Ward did not visit these works for the purpose 
 of valuation until after the purchase, and then, to use his own 
 words, he valued them in the most liberal terms, and fixed the 
 price at £268,000, to which he added £100,000 for goodwill, and 
 £32,000 for retaining fees, bringing the total up to 400,000. 
 The Salt Union thus paid £200,000 more than Mr Ward valued 
 them at, and, owing to the absurd agreement into which they 
 entered, left themselves open to litigation which landed them 
 in the payment of a further sum of £60,000. 
 
 The whole course of the negotiations reveal Mr Corbett as an 
 extremely astute man of business. In the. first place he sold his 
 property at the very top of the market and placed a time limit 
 on the transaction. He stipulated to be appointed a director of 
 the Salt Union at a salary of £1000 per annum, and all questions 
 concerning the business of the works he had sold to the Union 
 came before the board of which he was a member. He resigned 
 his directorship in 1891, but continued to act as General Manager 
 of the Worcestershire area until after the action was commenced 
 against him by the Salt Union in July 1892. The matter was not 
 finally disposed of by the Court until April 1894, and in the course 
 of it he was quick to seize upon a slip in one of the agreements 
 in which the Union were described as acquiring his works for only 
 five years instead of thirty. If Mr Corbett had succeeded in 
 maintaining this point, the whole transaction would have proved 
 something like a record bad bargain for the unhappy Salt Union. 
 
 Yet another instance of the extremely liberal manner in which 
 the Salt Union dealt with the vendors of the, originally acquired 
 properties was furnished by the settlement in 1907 of the action 
 between the Union and Messrs Brunner, Mond. The Union, in 
 1906, brought an action against the chemical company, claiming 
 three things : First, an injunction to restrain the defendants 
 from continuing to pump brine from a shaft known as Penny's 
 Lane, near Northwich ; secondly, damages, for the abstraction, 
 since 1893, of brine or rock-salt, alleged to belong to the plaintiffs ; 
 thirdly, damages for injuries caused to houses and other property 
 
SALT UNION 559 
 
 belonging to the plaintiffs by the subsidence of the surface in 
 the district to the north of Northwich, due, as the plaintiffs 
 alleged, to the pumping of brine by the defendants at the Penny's 
 Lane shaft. The Lord Chief-Justice in giving judgment said : . . . 
 " I find as a fact substantially the whole of the brine extracted 
 from Penny's Lane shaft came from and was produced from 
 salt rock in areas in which the salt rock did not belong to the 
 defendants. ... Be it lawful or unlawful, the defendants were 
 pumping brine produced from strata of salt rock which did not 
 belong to them. ... I have no doubt, and I find as a fact that a 
 very large portion, though what portion no one can tell, of the 
 brine pumped at Penny's Lane shaft was in fact produced by the 
 dissolution of salt rock in the nine mines of the plaintiffs in the 
 Dunkirk district. ... It would, in my opinion, be wrong to 
 attribute the whole of the rock-salt thus obtained to the mines, 
 the property of the plaintiffs. Upon the other hand, for the 
 reasons which I have already stated, I have no doubt, and find 
 as a fact upon the evidence, that the defendants have by pumping 
 brine dissolved or abstracted a very large quantity of rock-salt 
 from the beds of salt rock belonging to the plaintiffs ; whether, 
 as I have said, that quantity can ever be estimated is uncertain. 
 I further find that if pumping is continued at Penny's Lane they 
 must continue to dissolve more of the plaintiffs' rock, and to 
 abstract the salt therefrom in the brine from the Penny's Lane 
 shaft. . . ." 
 
 In stating the facts relating to the plaintiffs' claim for damages 
 caused by subsidence, the Lord Chief said : " I have no means 
 of deciding how far the subsidences of which the plaintiffs com- 
 plain were caused by the defendants' pumping, or how far they 
 may have been caused or contributed to by the plaintiffs' own 
 brine pumping at Dunkirk, or by the pumping of brine at the other 
 places in the Northwich district. I have no doubt in my own 
 mind that the enormous pumping at Penny's Lane has had a 
 considerable effect on subsidences in many districts, but the 
 plaintiffs have not satisfied me that any of the subsidences of 
 which they complain would not have taken place, to the greater 
 or less extent, from pumping other than that of the defendants. 
 I have no doubt that the pumping from Penny's Lane has been 
 a very potent cause of subsidence in the whole district, but where, 
 and in what place, and to what extent, any particular pumping 
 may have caused subsidence, I do not think that anyone can 
 
560 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 say with sufficient certainty to justify me in finding, for the 
 plaintiffs. It was this fact, namely the impossibility of tracing 
 the cause of any particular subsidence to any particular pumping, 
 that led to the Brine Pumping Compensation Act, 1891 ; and 
 although the Act may have no direct bearing on the questions 
 raised in this action, as it only provided for compensation for 
 subsidence to persons other than brine pumpers, and certain 
 other persons named in section 50, it at any rate shows that the 
 legislature has recognised the difficulty or impossibility of proof 
 that the pumping at any particular shaft has been the cause of 
 any particular subsidence, and has provided a sufficient remedy 
 by levying a rate upon the brine pumpers over the district de- 
 scribed by the Provisional Order passed under the Act. . . . 
 
 " Upon the state of facts found by me, the difficult question 
 of law arises : ' Are the plaintiffs entitled to recover in respect 
 of any of their claims, and are they entitled to restrain the defen- 
 dants from continuing to pump brine at Penny's Lane ? ' With 
 regard to the claim for subsidences, I have already stated that in 
 my opinion the plaintiffs have failed to satisfy me that they are 
 entitled to recover against the defendants for any particular 
 subsidences which have occurred since the defendants began 
 pumping at Penny's Lane, but the difficult question still remains, 
 finding, as I do, that the defendants have by their pumping 
 raised a very large quantity of brine, formed by the dissolution 
 or rock-salt belonging to the plaintiffs : Have the defendants 
 committed an actionable wrong — not losing sight of the fact 
 that I also find that the brine so pumped by the defendants has 
 been more or less mixed with brine derived from other sources, 
 that is from the dissolution of rock which does not belong to the 
 plaintiffs ? This seems to me to be a proposition of the greatest 
 difficulty, and my mind has fluctuated very much, not only during 
 the arguments, but during the consideration of the case. It is 
 not, I believe, covered by authority, and it is extremely difficult 
 to see within which class of case it falls. . . . 
 
 ' ' I think this case can only be rightly decided by bearing in mind 
 the true state of the facts, and endeavouring to ascertain what 
 are the rights of the parties having regard to those facts. Long 
 prior to 1888, when the defendants and plaintiffs acquired their 
 mines respectively, the actual condition of things had been 
 wholly changed. The combined result of underground mining, 
 pumping for natural brine, and the connecting together of under- 
 
SALT UNION 561 
 
 ground and different mines followed by the subsequent inunda- 
 tions had caused a wholly artificial state of things. A shaft law- 
 fully put down through any man's freehold might reach some 
 underground channel, or cavity, from which he would pump 
 brine, the real source of which no one could accurately pre- 
 dicate, although it might be possible after the event, by tracing 
 subsequent subsidences, to form a judgment as to the area from 
 which the salt rock had been dissolved. It seems to me that to 
 such an abnormal and, from one point of view, artificial condition 
 of matters, looking moreover to the fact that the water which had 
 dissolved the salt might come from long distances, far away from 
 any particular pumping shaft, and might be in many cases under- 
 ground, or even surface water in which no property existed in 
 any one, it is not possible to apply to such a case the ordinary 
 principles of law relating to underground water. That they 
 cannot be applied in the matter of subsidences has been recognised 
 by the legislature, and led to the Brine Pumping Compensation 
 Act, 1891, but I think that when a man puts down a shaft and 
 pumps in his own land (both of which acts are, prima jade, law- 
 ful), the act does not of necessity become unlawful simply because 
 it turns out that the brine thereby obtained may be the result 
 of the dissolution of rock in another man's property. It must 
 depend upon the particular circumstances of the case. I state 
 this view with very great diffidence, but it is the best that I am 
 able to form after very careful and anxious consideration. So 
 far as .one may argue from analogy, pumping of brine under 
 such circumstances appears to me to have more in common with 
 the cases of underground water than the cases of support upon 
 which the plaintiffs rely, but I have alrea.dy indicated that the 
 cases as to underground water are not conclusive, assuming matters 
 to remain in their natural condition. . . . 
 
 " To summarise my view as applicable to the special facts of 
 this case : I find as a fact that, for many years prior to 1888, the 
 nine mines forming the Dunkirk group were connected together 
 underground by channels and means of communication which 
 no human agency or operations could close ; that through those 
 channels brine, formed in the salt rock partly in one mine and 
 partly in another, would collect, and would mix with brine 
 reaching the same open spaces from districts outside the mines, 
 mines possibly north, south, east, and west ; that in September 
 1888, Thompson granted to the defendants a right to put a shaft 
 2n 
 
562 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 down and a borehole to communicate with his inundated mines, 
 south of Wade Brook. Pumping under that licence would in- 
 evitably lead to the drawing of brine from one or more of the 
 nine Dunkirk mines and the wider area, and the consequent 
 dissolution of further rock-salt over the same district by the 
 access of fresh water from the surface . At a later date the plain- 
 tiffs acquired a similar right from Thompson, and in addition 
 property in the salt rock still existing in Thompson's mine south 
 of, and in other beds north of Wade Brook, with the certainty 
 that, whenever they pumped, their pumping would also draw 
 brine formed by the dissolution of rock partly in their own, 
 possibly in the property of others. 
 
 " Under these circumstances I am unable to come pq the con- 
 clusion that the defendants have committed any actionable 
 wrong in respect of which the plaintiffs are entitled to an injunc- 
 tion, and that upon this head, as well as in respect of their claim 
 to subsidence, T must decide against them. The action will 
 therefore be dismised with costs." 
 
 The Salt Union decided to appeal against this decision, but the 
 case was subsequently settled, the Salt Union transferring about 
 350 acres of their Northwich salt lands to Messrs. Brunner, Mond 
 for a sum of £125,000, and as each side paid the costs of the 
 protracted litigation, this sum would necessarily be much reduced. 
 The chairman of the Salt Union announced the terms of the 
 settlement to the shareholders with peculiar satisfaction that 
 seems to have been scarcely justified in view of the fact that the 
 properties which they sold for £125,000 had cost the Salt Union, 
 so far as I have been able to trace the figures, something like 
 £372,000. I am not suggesting that the Salt Union were wrong 
 to come to this arrangement ; it is even possible that they made 
 a good bargain, but the loss sustained on the properties they 
 transferred gives some idea of the extravagant prices at which 
 they had acquired them in the first place. 
 
 The misfortune attending the career of the Salt Union has 
 been continuous and complete. The attempt to command the 
 English salt deposits and control the trade has been unsuccessfully 
 persevered with for twenty-six years, and to-day, apart from the 
 fact that a number of outside firms are producing and selling salt, 
 the dominating influence in the salt lands has been usurped by 
 the firm of Brunner, Mond & Co. The power of this chemical 
 concern does not seriously jeopardise the status of the Salt Union, 
 
SALT UNION 
 
 563 
 
 
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564 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 as the two firms have arrived at an understanding whereby the 
 Salt Union is pledged to discourage the attempt of any other 
 chemical firm from maufacturing alkali in Cheshire, and Messrs 
 Brunner, Mond & Co., on their side, have undertaken not to assist 
 any persons or firms who desire to make salt in the district. These 
 two firms between them have locked up 25,000 acres of salt- 
 bearing land in Cheshire, of which they are working only a small 
 proportion — an arrangement which I believe could not be justified 
 by law, as it is clearly a form of conspiracy which comes under 
 the heading of " restraint of trade." 
 
 At the Annual General Meeting of Messrs Brunner, Mond 
 & Co., Ltd., in June 1912, Sir John Brunner referred to the firm's 
 investment of £133,000 in land, and explained that their business 
 grew so fast that they felt bound to provide themselves with sites 
 for new works, and wherever they had secured a site for new 
 works, they were bound to secure to themselves a brine supply 
 for that particular site. It was for these purposes that they had 
 been purchasing land. They had been accused — rather harshly, 
 he considered — in their own neighbourhood in Cheshire of locking 
 up land, but they were absolutely bound to provide themselves 
 with sites with a brine supply. Their intention was to carry on 
 work on land that they bought, and to use the sources of supply 
 that they acquired for the feeding of those works. The share- 
 holders in the Salt Union would doubtless rejoice if the directors 
 could justify the Union's policy of locking up brine lands on the 
 same flattering plea. 
 
 In a petition they presented to a special Parliamentary 
 Committee, Messrs Brunner, Mond declared themselves in favour 
 of freedom of trade, yet this firm and the Salt Union opposed 
 the Widnes Brine Bill because the conveyance of brine from 
 Cheshire to Lancashire would benefit the alkali manufacturers 
 of Widnes, while they as strenuously opposed a clause in the Brine 
 Pumping (Cheshire) Bill to restrict, to three hundred million 
 gallons per annum, the conveyance of brine from Northwich to 
 Weston Point, because their own interests were located in the latter 
 place. The Cheshire Bill of 1912 was thrown out because it was 
 regarded as a measure " in restraint of trade," yet freedom of 
 trade was never more defiantly flaunted than in the opposition 
 made to the Widnes Bill. Further, when in 1912 the Salt Union 
 (or the North- Western Salt Company) sought to recover damages 
 from a chemical firm, the fresh case failed on the ground that the 
 
SALT UNION 565 
 
 Jtottta^ & $ttqpig jlalt dfmnpttg 
 
 Incorporated tinder the Companies' Acts, 1862 and 1867, by which the liability of Shareholders 
 is limited to the amount of their Shares. 
 
 CAPITAL, £300,000, in 30,000 Shares of £10 each, 
 
 First Issue of 20,000 Shares. 
 
 Patmest, £\ per Share on Application , £2 per Share on Allotment 
 
 Future Calls not to exceed £1 per Share, and to be made, as required, at intervals of not less than 
 Three Months. 
 
 Id the event of no allotment bting made, the amouiit deposited wdl be returned without deduction 
 
 Should ft smaller number of Shares be allotto.l than those applied for, the balance of the aum deposited will be 
 appropriated towards the payment of the amount payable on allotment. 
 
 girerfors. 
 
 MAJOR CROSS, Widnes, (Ckaibuas ) 
 
 CHARLES J GALLOWAY. Esq . J.P., (Messrs. W & J Galloway i Sons,) Ki-ott Mill, 
 
 Mancheste 
 THOMAS ROBINSON, Esq.. (Widnes Fousdkv Co.,) Widnes. 
 
 JAMES REYNOLDS, Esq., (Messrs Robert Smith & Co.,) Liverpool 
 THOMAS WILSON. Esq.. (Messrs J * W Wilson,) Liverpool. 
 EDWARD TENNANT, Esq., Merchant, Liverpool. 
 
 Witb power to add to their number 
 
 gathers. 
 
 PARR'S BANKING COMPANY, LIMITED, 
 
 at Warrington, and branches. 
 
 ob their agents 
 
 Messrs GLYN. MILLS, and GO , London. 
 
 LIVERPOOL UNION BANK, Liverpool 
 
 Messrs. HEYWOOD BROTHERS and CO . MANUiESTtu- 
 
 Soliritars. 
 
 Messrs. PAYNE and GALLOWAY, Manchester. 
 CHRISTOPHER CHESHIRE. Esq., Northwich. 
 
 §rokcrs. 
 
 Messrs. G. and T IRVINE, Fe.nwick Street, Liverpool 
 
 <£ttgin:«r. 
 
 JOHN FREDERIC BATEMAN, Esq., C.E., F.R.S., F.G.S., 4c, 
 16, Great George Street, Westminster 
 
 JAMES THOMPSON, Esq. 
 
 Affiles. 
 
 7, Commerce Chamuess, lr>, Lord Street, Liverpool 
 
 PROSPECTUS 
 
 This Company is formed for the purpose of acquiring the interest of the present Proprietors 
 ef and in a sub-lease for the unexpired term of 94 years, from 1st January. 1872, of the right to- 
 pump Brine at Anderton, Northwich, Cheshire, on the Estate of Arthur Hugh Smith Barry, Esq., 
 M P , of Marbury Hall , also certain concessions to convey Brine, by meant, of conduits or pipes, 
 through various estates to the London and North Western Railway at Sutton Weaver, and thence, by 
 concession from the London and North Western Railway Company, over the Runcorn-Gap Viaduct 
 
566 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 into the townships of Widnes and Ditton, a total distance of about la milea of pipes. To erect Salt 
 Works at Widnes or Ditton capable of producing 200,000 tons of Salt per annum , and, also, 
 to supply Brine to the various Alkali manufacturers in Widnes, thus enabling them to manufacture 
 Salt for their own use. 
 
 The County of Cheshire supplies four-fifths of the Salt produced in the United. Kingdom. 
 
 Last year Northwich and the neighbourhood manufactured over 1,500,000 tons of Salt, and 
 of this upwards of 1,000,000 tons were exported from Liverpool. The existing Salt Works, though 
 doing a thriving trade, are subject to a charge on every ton conveyed to the Mersey, via the River 
 Weaver, of two shillings for carriage and one shilling for River Weaver dues. 
 
 In addition to the export trade from Liverpool, the manufacturers of Widnes and St. Helens 
 consume 250,000 tons, of Salt per annum. 
 
 Coal or Slaek is the most important item of cost, for, in the manufacture of two tons of Salt 
 one ton of slack is required, ajid the coal consumed at the Salt Works at Northwich and district, is 
 mainly conveyed by the Bame route as the Salt, and pays 6d. per ton freight, lOd. per ton River 
 Weaver and shipping dues, altogether Is. 4d. per ton. 
 
 This Company, by reason of the acquisition of the concessions and properties, -effects a 
 saving of, at least, 2s. per ton at Liverpool. The saving to the manufacturers at Widnes, by taking 
 Brine from this Company and evaporating on their own premises, amounts at present prices 
 to at least 25 per cent., after paying to tho Company a royalty for the Salt manufactured. This 
 saving practically gives to the Company a monopoly of the Widnes and St. Helens trade in Salt. 
 
 The price to be paid for the Brine Lease, and the various concessions for laying the pipes, 
 k, &c, is £50,000 : — say, £25,000 in cash, and £25,000 in fully paid up shares. 
 
 From calculations carefully made, the cost of erecting the pumping machinery, laying the 
 pipes sufficient to supply Brine for the manufacture of 500,000 tons of Salt per annum, constructing 
 the works to turn out 200,000 tons of Salt per- annum, purchasing of steam flats, working capital, 
 &c, &c, is estimated at £200,000. 
 
 The Directors are of opinion that the profits on the manufacture of Salt at Widnes, and the 
 royalty from the sale of Brine at Widnes, will enable the Company to pay a regular dividend of 
 fully 15 per cent, per annum, over and above the ordinary trade profit, which is well known to be 
 considerable. 
 
 The land on which it is contemplated to erect the works is contiguous to the projected 
 Canal to Hale Head, enabling ships to- take in their cargoas direct from the works, thus avoiding 
 the cost of lighterage, to Liverpool, which, in itself, is equal to a dividend of 7 per cent per 
 annum, in addition to the saving of 15 per cent, shewn above. 
 
 Particular attention is directed to the accompanying report of John Frederic Bateman, Esq., 
 C.E., F.R.S., &c., &c, the Company's Engineer. 
 
 No promotion money will be paid in connection with the undertaking, and the total charges 
 for Agency and Brokerage will not exceed One per cent, on the amount of the Company's Capital, 
 in addition to the legal, printing, and other strictly necessary expenses. 
 
 The only contracts entered into are (1st) one dated 3rd April, 1873, and made between 
 Herbert Charles Drinkwater, Thomas Symons Dennis Shephard, Robert William Henry Weech, 
 and James Thompson, of the one part, and Joseph Atkinson, a Trustee for and on behalf of tha 
 Company, of the other part ; and (2nd) another dated 30th September, 1873, and made between the 
 said Herbert Charles Drinkwater, Thomas Symons Dennis Shephard, Robert William Henry 
 Weech, and James Thompson, of the one part , and the Northwich and Mersey Salt Company, 
 Limited, of the other part ; copies of which, together with the Memorandum and Articles of 
 Association, plans and specifications, reports, &c, may be inspected at the Offices of the 
 Solicitors ; and any further information required may bo obtained of the Secretary, at the Offices 
 of the Company. 
 
 Applications in the form annexed, which must be accompanied with a deposit of £1 
 per Share, can be sent to the Company's Bankers, or direct to the Secretary, James Thompson, 
 EBq v at the Offices of the Company, 7, Commerce Chambers, 15, Lord Street, Liverpool 
 October, 1873 
 
SALT UNION 567 
 
 Jjtortkiii(]t and Dftaeg jlati fl|jriit|a»g Jlimfai 
 
 16, GREAT GEORGE STREET. 
 
 WESTMINSTER. 
 
 GlKT LIMES, 
 
 I hiive examined the country between Narthwich, Runcorn, mid Widi.cn, with tho view of ascertaining the practicability and cost 
 of constructing works for the purpose of extracting brine from tlio saMci-oiia measures at Northwicli, and conveying it by cast-iron pipes from thence to 
 Widoes, to be there evaporated and manufactured into bbIL 
 
 I am informed that arrangements have been iiuulc with Mr Smith -Barry, M.P., tlio ownei of the Murbury Estate, for the ci'ectioti of the 
 necessary pumping works, near Andcrton, and for way-leave for the pipo through his Marfaury property Arrange men ts have also been mado for way- 
 leave for the pipe through the land of different owners, throughout the whole distance, from the Marbury Estate to tho town of Widnea, and for 
 tho construction of a reservoir on the summit of the ground to bo crossed. 
 
 No works could be easier of construction They nrc simply waterworks of the most ordinnry character, the water to be pumped being salt 
 instead of fresh. The only difficulty exists m the unstable condition of the ground in which the shafts to reach the brine must be sunk, and on which 
 the pumping stations for the extraction of the brine muEt be constructed. 
 
 The brine is produced by the melting of tlio salt rock, acted upon by tho water percolating from the surface, and a gradual and sometimes a 
 sudden subsidence of the ground is the consequence. 
 
 The neighbourhood of Nortbwich exhibits abundant evidence of this action and siiWdence, and Ground which now apjieara perfectly stable 
 may, by and bye, give way, and a disturbance of the machinery for laising the brine may result. These circumstances and their attendant difficulties 
 are, however, inseparable from the nature of tho rock and the u)ienitiona earned on, iind aro such as all simitar establishments are hubject to. 
 
 In order to make reasonable provision against thein, I would suggest that two stations for the extraction of the brine should lw established at 
 sonic distance apart, and that at each of the stations dupUcato engines and pumps should be erected, M> as, as fur as possible, to prevent any serious 
 interruption in the business of the Company. By the adoption of this course we may expect that, though a subsidence at one station should create 
 temporary inconvenience and interruption, the other would probably remain undisturbed. 
 
 The brine extracted at each station should bo conveyed to a site on the Marbury property, at which, from its geological condition, there noed 
 be no apprehension of subsidence. At this place, which, for convenience, should be in close contiguity to the Trent nnd Mersey Canal, another pumping 
 station should be established for the purpose of forcing the brine to the summit of the ground to be passed over. Thia summit is reached at Seven 
 Acre Wood on the Aston Estate, about fa ur-and-o-lialf mjesfroni the Marbury or Andcrton pumping or forcing station Tins ground is at an olovation 
 of about 200 feet above the Ordnance Datum, and bore a i-cscrvoir, to bold a sufficient quantity of brine ui i-escrvc against the contingency of a 
 protracted dry season curtailing the supply from the rock itself, may be constructed, and a pipe from thence would convey the bnne to the site of the 
 proposed evaporation works at Widnea. 
 
 The pumping or forcing station near Anderton would be plaeed on ground which would be about forty or fifty feet above the Ordnance 
 Datum. The direct lift to the summit reservoir would, therefore, be about 155 feet, aDd allowing ten feet per mile for friction for four-and-a-half miles, 
 the force to be exerted would no equal to a lift of 200 feet 
 
 It is estimated that the brine would be reached at a depth of about ^00 feet, and it is proposed to establish works equal to the extraction of 
 l,2S0,0OO gallons of bnnp per day 
 
 It won Id require about 1 05 H P., working twtjve l>ours per dsy, to lift tins quantity of fresh water from a depth of 200 fret, and as tho bnno 
 m Nortbwich is Just one-fifth heavier than fresh water, tbe-net power required would be 126 hordes The same power would be required to force tha 
 bnne when lifted to the summit reservoir at Seven Acre Wood, as the height plus the friction would be the same. I, therefore, recommend that at 
 each of the two brine-pumping stations duplicate engines of 70 H.P. each, with the requisite pumps, should be creeled. Tho duplicate engines working 
 together 1 , at either station, will raise the quantity required in ten or twelve hours, or, when both stations nre at work, one engine at ench will suffice. 
 
 In like manner the bnne collected at the forcing station would be raised to the summit reservoir by two engines in duplicate of 70 H P each, 
 which working together for ten or twelve boars would force forward the full quantity of brine, or, in case of accident or repair to one engine, the other 
 would be sufficient for the purpose by working night and day. 
 
 From, this station o mam pipe of eighteen inches m diameter would be laid across the country to tho summit leservoir. This main would 
 pass, allowing Urn feet of friction per mite. 2,500,000 gallons in twenty-four hours, or 1,250,000 gallons in twelve hours. 
 
 From the summit reservoir to the evaporating works at Widnes, a distance of seven miles, a pipe of twelve inches diameter would be 
 more than sufficient for the conveyance of the full quantity of brine proposed, as the process of evaporation woald continue night and day. 
 
 There is no difficulty of any kmd along the line of pipes , and the ground on which the summit reservoir would be constructed is extremely 
 favorable for the purpose, both as regards the situation and the character of the matcnul. The joints of the pipes would be mado perfectly watertight 
 by a peculiar joint which I have adopted for the. last twenty yeara, and which combines the idvantagea of both the " turned and bored " and the " wide 
 socket " joint. 
 
 I estimate the total cost of these works, with 1 per cent for contingencies, including the land for the summit reservoir, but exclusive of way 
 leave, at £90,000, and the whole of the work may be completed in twelvt months from its commencement 
 
 The alkali makers at Widnes and St Helens are, at present, I am informed, using 5.0UO tons or halt per week, and they would either 
 purchase a supply of bnne anil >>vaporate it themselves at their respective works, ur wuuld purclnu-i -tin- nnlt i.i..imfni:lun:d by your company, if you 
 established evaporating works there. The place presents many advantages for this purpose in shipping facilities, cheapness of fuel, and suitability 
 
 1 cannot conclude without expressing my entire approval of the scheme, which will, 1 believe, if economically coined one and properly 
 
 worked, be highly remunerative to the Shareholders 
 
 r very obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) JOHN FREDERIC BATEMAN. <_'E. F.R.S. r'Ulj 
 
 APPENDIX TO MR. BATEMAN'S REPORT 
 
 Microscopical and Chemical Laboratory, Nortbwich, Cheslure. 
 Specific Weight or Bhine obtained in Northwicii and h 
 
 Captain Townsherid's Shaft, Marston . 1 206 ... lbs. 12*G .. . lbs. 75 37 
 
 Lord Stanley's Shaft, No I , Anderton . . 1 204 12 04 " . . 75 25 
 
 Lord Stanley's Shaft, No 2, Anderton . I 204 1204 .. 75 25 
 
 Bntith Salt Company's Shaft", Anderton .. I '203 12 06 75-41 
 
 Joseph Verdin and Son's Shaft, Marston .. I L'UO 12 Ob .... 75 20 
 
 The respective weights were taken at li0° Fahrenheit, on a sensitive chemical balance. 
 
 (Signed) CHARLES M BLADES. 
 Sura — Fresh Water, specific gravity I Weight per cubic foot, lbs Hi «5 
 
 WINL'HA.M. StPTEiiuLH 13m, IB73 
 TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH WICH AND MERSEY SALT COMPANY LIMITED 
 
 In accordance with your request (communicated to me by Mr .Parks,) I have thn day examined the various portions of the 
 Marbury Estate, on which I understand you have acquired the liberty to piunp foi bnne. 
 
 Your take is situated ui the midst of the richest saliTerouB district for pumping brine in the County of Cheshire , in immediate contiguity 
 you have the pumping stations of Lord Mansfield and Lord Stanley of Aldcrlry, and on the other side the station ot the late Major Townsmd and the 
 vinous shafts producing brine .it Wincham It is apjmrcut from the subsidence of the ground on the M irbaiy Estate that these various shafts derive 
 their chief supply from under this properly, and I am certain that Willi the engineering experience ol Mr Bateman to carry out your works, you mil 
 get a supply of bnne of first-class quality, equal to the carrying capacity of the pipes you propose to lay I have had great experience in sinking for 
 bnne all over this district, *ud do not know a. better place than tbo Mnrbury Estate , m this view I am continued by most of tbe men in our district 
 fully capable of forming an opinion 
 
 Youis respect fully. 
 
 THOMAS MUSORAYE 
 
568 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 conditions existing between the parties at the time the agreement 
 was made constituted a restraint of trade, and was therefore 
 illegal. 
 
 Another illustration of the manner in which the Salt Union 
 treat people who have the temerity to enter into competition with 
 
 them is seen at Droitwich, where they have been so successful in 
 tying up the land that they have a practical monopoly of the 
 salt manufacture of the district. When one firm, Messrs J. P. 
 Harvey & Co., laid a pipe by which they could convey brine from 
 their pumps to the works, the Salt Union commenced proceedings 
 and obtained an injunction against its use. On what grounds 
 they succeeded I am unable to understand, and I am still of 
 opinion that, if fought out, the injunction would not have 
 
SALT UNION 569 
 
 been granted. On January 6th, 1910, the Borough of Droitwich 
 sent a deputation to the chairman of the Salt Union with the 
 request that he would grant their traders the right to lay pipes, 
 for the conveyance of brine, along the streets of the borough. 
 The interview was a mere farce, since it was evident that the Salt 
 Union had no intention of making any such concession. The 
 chairman, however, propounded numerous arguments to give a 
 semblance of fairness to the Union's objections, and assured the 
 deputation that salt-making did not pay and people who embarked 
 in the industry would only lose their money. In the end, a 
 member of the deputation declared that the Salt Union held the 
 key of the situation and could damn or make the place at will. 
 To which the chairman of the Salt Union replied, " I do not think 
 I could damn it better than by encouraging more salt-making 
 here ! " A weird and wonderful assertion to make to a deputation 
 from a town whose staple industry for hundreds of years had been 
 the making of salt ! 
 
 In this way the Salt Union have succeeded in preventing 
 competitors from making salt in Worcestershire, for, while they 
 have miles of their own pipes in Cheshire, they have reserved to 
 themselves such powers that the town of Droitwich is unable to 
 grant facilities to persons to carry brine in pipes either under or 
 over the public thoroughfares. From the interview which the 
 Town Council's deputation had with the chairman of the Union 
 in 1910, it is evident that the people of Droitwich would be only 
 wasting their time in reopening negotiations on the question of the 
 conveyance of brine, unless they are prepared to fight for their 
 rights, if necessary, up to the House of Lords. If this course is 
 inexpedient, they would be well advised to leave the Salt Union 
 out of their consideration until the year 1918, when the rights of 
 the Union in the district practically cease, and the Corbett 
 Trustees will be free, under their agreement, to deal with their 
 various lands as they may think right and proper. 
 
 The whole question of the salt-making industry of Droitwich 
 after 1918 will be in the hands of the Corbett Trustees, and it will 
 be for them to consider whether they will allow people to go on 
 making salt as before. Of course it is quite possible that the 
 Salt Union may be prepared to make a further handsome payment, 
 and get an extension or renewal of those binding clauses, but it is 
 difficult to believe that the Trustees of the Corbett estate, -who 
 have derived so much benefit from Droitwich, will be willing to 
 
570 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 consider any further terms which, would continue to restrict the 
 ancient industry of the town. 
 
 In Middlewich the Salt Union adopted similar tactics in dealing 
 with competitive undertakings. Messrs Henry Seddon & Sons, 
 Ltd., salt proprietors of that town, entered into an agreement with 
 the directors of the North Staffordshire Railway Co., who granted 
 them permission to lay a brine pipe from one set of works in Middle- 
 wich to another. Both those works were situated on the Trent 
 and Mersey Canal, controlled by the North Staffordshire Co., 
 and the pipe to convey the brine was laid on the towing path of 
 the Canal. As a result of the pressure exercised by the Salt 
 Union, the Railway Co., gave notice to Messrs Seddon, in April 
 1905, terminating their agreement. When Messrs Seddon de- 
 clined to take up their pipes, the Salt Union sent men to break 
 one of the pipes, but Messrs Seddon's men met and dispersed the 
 intruders. On another occasion Union men succeeded, in the 
 early morning, in destroying the pipe, and the Salt Union eventu- 
 ally took legal proceedings, and compelled Messrs Seddon to 
 abandon their pipe-laying operations. 
 
 During the present month of October 1913, 1 have encountered 
 another instance of Salt Union tactics in connection with some 
 new salt-works which are in construction on the banks of the 
 same canal, where, in order to put up new plant, some buildings, 
 erected in the year 1799, were pulled down. They had not been 
 down for more than a fortnight when three prominent officials 
 of the Salt Union, including one of the directors, arrived on the 
 scene and made an inspection of the property. Two days later, 
 in the absence of the manager, the engineer and other officials 
 of the Trent and Mersey Canal visited the property, and, claiming 
 that a portion of the ground belonged to them, pegged out the 
 land to which they declared themselves entitled. As, however, 
 the pegs were placed in the centre of a site which had been covered 
 by buildings for over a hundred years, the validity of the claim 
 would be difficult to substantiate. The manager, acting upon 
 advice, pulled up the pegs and threw them off the property, and 
 he was further instructed to do the same with any other officials 
 who came on the same errand. I believe some sort of apology 
 was tendered by the officials of the railway company controlling 
 this canal, but it is not the less an outrage that people should 
 be subjected to this high-handed and illegal treatment. 
 
 With regard to the question of subsidence, the Salt Union and 
 
SALT UNION 571 
 
 other salt -makers have fulminated vehemently against the 
 various Bills promoted by the local authorities, but one has 
 only to see the enormous damage done to property in Northwich 
 by the pumping of brine and working of salt, to make one 
 sympathise with the local people, and wonder why they were 
 compelled to spend thousands of pounds and devote years of 
 labour to obtain a measure of compensation, which, even now, 
 appears to me to be quite inadequate. As a result of this un- 
 restricted pumping, houses and streets are falling in, and the new 
 houses are being built on frames in order that they can be raised 
 when any portion sinks owing to subsidence. Tn fact, the town 
 of Northwich is rendered a very uninviting place in consequence of 
 its instability, and the people of the district do not get the benefits 
 from the industry which is ruining their town. If the brine 
 raised were manufactured on the spot, it would, of course, employ 
 a certain number of people, but, as a matter of fact, only a very 
 small quantity of salt is now being made in Northwich. 
 
 In order to show that no assistance was given by the salt- 
 makers to the people who were seeking, by friendly means, to 
 obtain reasonable compensation for the damage done, I would 
 point out that the local committees approached the Salt Chamber 
 of Commerce at Northwich with a view to obtaining an interview 
 to discuss the matter. On 9th. March 1880, a meeting of the 
 Salt Chamber of Commerce was held, and the Secretary was 
 instructed to send a copy of the folio whig resolution to the local 
 committees : — 
 
 " That the salt trade, considering that the question of com- 
 pensation for subsidence is wholly without the limits of practical 
 treatment, must decline to receive a deputation on the subject." 
 
 The fact that one of the reasons for throwing out the old 
 directors was that, in such a large company, their total share- 
 holdings only amounted to £33,540, prompted me to ascertain 
 the capital qualifications of the present directors, and, in the 
 return filed by the company on 28th March 1913, I find the total 
 holding of the six directors comprises 600 preference shares and 
 1835 ordinary shares, the whole of which would realise, at the 
 outside, on the market to-day, £1887, 17s. It is possible that 
 one or more of these directors may hold some debentures, but I 
 have not been able to trace them. The chairman of the company 
 is returned as being the holder of twenty preference shares and 
 230 ordinary shares, the whole of which at current market prices 
 
572 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 would realise £126, 5s. Since this return was made, two servants 
 of the company have been added to the Board as Managing 
 Directors, Messrs Clark and Malcolm. Mr Clark in March last 
 held thirty preference shares, and Mr Malcolm held neither pre- 
 ference nor ordinary shares. 
 
 Under the Articles of Association of the Salt Union the qualifi- 
 cation of every director was the holding in his own right of shares 
 or stock of the Company of the nominal value of £1000. There- 
 fore it will be seen that it is not a very difficult matter for these 
 new directors to qualify themselves, as the £4 ordinary shares 
 can be purchased in the market to-day at 7s. 6d., and it would 
 only cost these gentlemen £93, 15s. to comply with the qualifi- 
 cation clause under the Company's constitution. 
 
 I think it is of sufficient interest to add the following table 
 showing the holdings of the several directors : — 
 
 From Return filed by Company, 28th March 1913. 
 
 Director. 
 
 Preference 
 Shares. 
 
 Ordinary 
 Shares. 
 
 Total Value at 
 Market Price, 
 October 1913. 
 
 G. H. Cox (Chairman) . 
 
 W. H. Alexander . 
 
 J. H. Beazley 
 
 C. M. Crichton 
 
 John Rigby 
 
 H. J. Falk . 
 
 F.W.Clarke 1 
 
 G. W. Malcolm 1 . 
 
 20 
 100 
 200 
 200 
 
 50 
 
 30 
 
 230 
 200 
 
 200 
 
 205 
 
 1,000 
 
 £126 5 
 
 275 
 400 
 475 
 176 12 
 375 
 60 
 
 £1,887 17 
 
 1 Elected September 1913. 
 
 In this connection there appears to be some significance in the 
 fact that although Messrs Brunner, Mond are so largely interested 
 in the Cheshire salt lands, they are very modest shareholders in 
 the Salt Union. Mr Emile S. Mond, of 22 Hyde Park Square, W., 
 is registered as a holder of 425 ordinary shares, while Sir John 
 Brunner, Mrs L. Brunner, and Mr W. C. Barclay figure in the 
 register as joint-holders of 100 ordinary shares. 
 
 The Salt Union methods throughout have been directed by a 
 
SALT UNION 573 
 
 determination to keep the trade to themselves, not by producing 
 superior and cheaper salt, but by crushing everybody who has 
 attempted to compete with them. The policy has failed, and 
 failed ignominiously., and as a last resort they have invested over 
 £100,000 in the erection of an expensive vacuum plant at Weston 
 Point, where they are manufacturing salt from brine pumped 
 through the Marbury Pipe Line. It is locally claimed that they 
 would have been better advised to have extended their works 
 at Winsford with this money, and it is certain that the Marbury 
 Pipe involved them in litigation which has cost them many 
 thousands of pounds. 
 
 The Marbury Pipe, through which the brine raised at Marston, 
 near Northwich, is pumped a distance of eleven miles, via the 
 Marbury Pumping Station, to Weston, where it is manufactured 
 into salt, is of considerable interest. It is interesting in the first 
 place because the future of the Salt Union largely depends upon 
 its Weston works, in which the Cheshire brine is treated, and in 
 the second by reason of the litigation in which it has involved 
 the Union and the Cheshire authorities, and it is thought that the 
 appended copies of the prospectuses connected with its initiation 
 might be appropriately reproduced in a book of this nature. 
 
 The Marbury Pipe was laid in or about the year 1882, previous 
 to which no brine had been conveyed outside the salt district. 
 The Mersey Salt and Brine Company, which was responsible for 
 its construction, was a small affair, and it was not thought at the 
 time that the pipe would bring Weston into serious competition 
 with the industry of the salt towns. The Weaver Trustees 
 practically ignored it, and the private landowners over whose lands 
 it was laid consented to its construction. The North Staffordshire 
 Eailway Company objected to the pipe being carried across the 
 Trent and Mersey Canal, as such a proceeding was expressly 
 prohibited by their Act of Parliament ; but the Mersey Salt and 
 Brine Company persisted in their enterprise in defiance of this 
 objection, and five years later they silenced the railway company's 
 importunities by consenting to pay a rental of £5 a year, and to 
 remove the pipe on receipt of a three months' notice requiring 
 them to do so. When the Salt Union was formed in 1888, they 
 absorbed the Mersey Salt and Brine Company, and became the 
 owners of the Marbury Pipe. In 1910 the pipe was enlarged, 
 and powerful pumping-engines were erected at Marbury capable 
 of forcing hundreds of millions of gallons of brine to Weston. 
 
574 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 What had been a very small undertaking in 1882 had become 
 so serious a matter by 1910 that the North Stafford Railway, 
 acting on counsel's advice, gave notice to the Salt Union re- 
 quiring them to remove the pipe on 31st March 1911. The 
 Union ignored the notice, and the local authorities of Northwich, 
 Winsford, and Middle wich resolved to apply for a Bill " to regulate 
 the conveyance of brine pumped, raised, and gotten in the County 
 of Chester, and for other purposes." In 1900 the Salt Union paid 
 £1100 in opposing the Widnes Brine Bill, because, " If they 
 could have brought brine across into Lancashire, it would have 
 seriously injured Cheshire." In 1912 the Salt Union as strenu- 
 ously opposed any interference with the bringing of brine from 
 Northwich to Weston because it was beneficial to their own 
 interests ; and the interests of the Cheshire salt district, which 
 were seriously injured by it, became a matter of supreme in- 
 difference to them. The first draft of the Bill was amended by 
 a clause permitting the Salt Union to pump 250,000,000 gallons 
 of brine annually through the pipe, and by another clause allowing 
 manufacturers to convey brine through pipes from one set of 
 works to another within the salt district. On the strength of 
 these amendments Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co. withdrew their 
 opposition to the projected measure, but the Salt Union refused 
 to negotiate until the Bill was withdrawn. They ventured to 
 predict that the measure would be ridiculed by the Parliamentary 
 Committee, and thrown out on the first day it came before them. 
 In point of fact a Select Committee in the House of Lords thrashed 
 out the question for eleven days in May and June 1912, but only 
 to find, in the end, that the Bill could not proceed. 
 
 This Weston Point investment is a last effort to rebuild a lost 
 business on new lines, but the Union is so overloaded with capital 
 that one hopes for, rather than feels any belief in their chances 
 of success. In this connection it is interesting to note that in 
 the evidence given in the House of Lords before the Committee 
 appointed for the Brine Pumping (Cheshire) Bill, 1912, it trans- 
 pired that the lease of the Marbury Pipe had only 30 years to 
 run from 1912, and that the vacuum plant at Weston Point is 
 only capable of treating 150,000 to 250,000 tons of salt per annum. 
 It was further admitted that while, in 1888, the Salt Union 
 practically controlled all the output of salt in Great Britain, 
 it owned, in 1912, only two vacuum plants and 684 pans — of 
 which, I am convinced, nothing like that number are being worked 
 
SALT UNION 575 
 
 THE MERSEY SALT & BRINE 
 
 Company, Limited. 
 
 Incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1862 to 1880, by which the liability of Shareholders is limited to tha 
 amount of their Shares. 
 
 CAPITAL, ,£250,000, 
 
 IN 25,000 SHARES OF £10 EACH. 
 
 PIBST ISSTTIE CXE 1 20,000 SHABES. 
 
 Payable 10s. per Share on Application, 10s. on Allotment, and the Balance in calls not exceeding £2 
 
 per Share, at intervals of not less than Three Months. 
 
 IF NO ALLOTMENT BE MADE, THE DEPOSIT WILL BE RETURNED IN FULL 
 Provision has been made for vesting £10,000 in the hands of Trustees, to secure 
 payment of Interest half-yearly, at the rate of 5 per Cent, per Annum, during 
 the period of construction. 
 
 Trustees. 
 The Honorable NORMAN GROSVENOR, 35, Pork Street, Grosvcnor Square 
 GEORGE BEHREND, Esq. (Messrs. Bake, Beheekd 4; Ross), Liverpool. 
 
 Directors. 
 
 TheRightllonorableHENRT CECIL RAIKES, Llwynegrin.MoId, andSt. Martin's House, Chester (Chairman). 
 LIGHTLY SIMPSON, Be*, Bweotor(lato Chairman) of the Great Eastern Railway Company ( Vice-Cltairman). 
 T. GRAHAM BALFOUR, Esq., F.R.S. (Director City of Glasgow Life Assurance Company). 
 The Honorable ASHLEY G. J. PONSONBY (Director of Submarine Telegraph Company). 
 GEORGE STEWARD HAZLEHURST, Esq., The Elms, Runcorn. 
 JAMES LAWRIE, Esq. (James Lawbie & Co.), 63, Old Broad Street, E.C. 
 
 Bankers. 
 NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK OF ENGLAND (L*), 112, Bishopsgato Street Within, E.C. (also 
 
 Manchester, Liverpool and Branches). 
 Messrs. RANSOM, BOUVERIE & Co., 1, Pall Mall East, S.W. 
 PARR'S BANKING COMPANY, Warrington, Runcorn, Widnes, and Branches. 
 
 Solicitors. 
 
 MesBrs. BAXTERS & CO., 5 i 0, Victoria Street, S.W. 
 
 Brokers. 
 Messrs. TATHAM, ROBINSON & HENRY, London. 
 Messrs. T. & T. G. IRVINE, Liverpool. 
 
 Messrs. FIELDER 4i ABERCROMBIE, Manchester. 
 
 Auditors. 
 
 Messrs. QUILTER, BALL & Co., 3, Moorgate Street, E.C. 
 
 Engineer. 
 J. F. BATEMAN, Esq., C.E., F.R.S., ic., &c, 16, Great George Street, Westminster, S.W. 
 
 Secretary. Offices, 
 
 mr. john wilson theobald. no. 8, drapers' gardens, london, e.c. 
 
 PBOSPBCTTJS. 
 
 This Company is formed for the purpose of raising Brine from the great salt deposits on the Estate of A. H. 
 Smith-Barry, Esq., of Marbury, Cheshire, conveying it in iron pipes to the Port of Runcorn on the Mersey, 
 and erecting there extensive Works capable of ultimately producing 200,000 tons of Salt per annum, by which 
 
576 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 means it can be manufactured at a cost considerably less than at existing works in the Salt Districts, and also 
 generally for tho purposes specified in the Memorandum of Association. The arrangements will include 
 the supply of Brine in its natural state to the Chemical Manufacturers of Runcorn, and a subsequent 
 extension to Widnca ""^ g t. Hel ens is also contemplated. 
 
 With these objects in viCw, tl«r Gumpstiy uuqnires the transfer of a very valuable agreement from 
 Mr, Smith-Barry for lease for a term of 99 years, at royalties under 2d. per ton of salt — the rates ordinarily 
 paid in the Districts being about 6d. per ton. Important way -leaves over all the intervening estates, enabling 
 the Brine to be conveyed from Northwich to Runcorn, a distance of 13 miles, have also been arranged, and 
 an admirable site has been arranged for the Works at the latter town, in close proximity to the Dock and 
 Basin of the Bridgewater Navigation, and including siding communication with the London and Nort!i 
 Western Railway. 
 
 By virtue of theso leases and way-leaves the Company will possess special, if not absolutely exclu- 
 sive, advantages for the Supply ot' Brine to the great consuming centres. 
 
 The Salt trade, with the exception of Coal and Iron, is the most important mineral industry in tho 
 Kingdom. 
 
 Tho Cheshire Salt District yields -*wfiffch« «f tho ioiol supply, fumlehlng 1,000,000 teas per 
 annum for export from Liverpool, and upwards of 400,000 to the, Chemical Works of Widnes and the 
 neighbouring towns. 
 
 The existing Salt Works in the Cheshire district, though carrying on a prosperous trade, are subject 
 to heavy charges in respect of dues, freights, &c., on Salt shipped via the river Weaver to Runcorn and 
 Liverpool, the rates charged to the trude being 2s. 6d. and 3s. 6d. per ton respectively ; tho cost of common 
 Salt at Northwich being about 5s. per ton. If destined for export from Runcorn, Salt under the present 
 system requires transhipment from the barges into seagoing vessels. These heavy charges will be avoided, 
 and this Company will be in a position to command the bulk of the coasting and foreign trade from 
 Runeornj averaging at present 200,000 tons per annum, and also largely supply the Liverpool 
 
 Coal or Slack, which is largely consumed in the manufacture of Salt, is cheaper at Runcorn than 
 at Northwich. 
 
 By acquiring the various concessions above detailed, this Company "Will effect a Saving' 
 
 equivalent to 20 per cent, on all Salt manufactured at the Runcorn "Works ; and; 
 this in addition to the saving in the cost of coal, while the exceptionally favourable rates on which tho 
 royalties arc- based will enable the Brine to be delivered at Runcorn at lower charges than are generally 
 paid by the salt manufacturers at Northwich. 
 
 After the most careful calculations, including the cost of wear and tear, &c., it is anticipated that 
 the profit on the manufacture of Salt alone at Runcorn will enable the Company to pay dividends of 
 at least 20 per cent, on the capital subscribed. 
 
 A further source' of eventual profit is anticipated from the supply of Brine in its natural state 
 to the chemical manufacturers of Widnes, St. Helens, and Runcorn, for utilisation in various brandies of 
 their trade. If satisfactory arrangements can be made with the authorities and manufacturers, the Directors 
 will be willing to supply Widnes with Brine by means of lighters, as soon as possible after the completion 
 of the line of pipes from Northwich to Runcorn. 
 
 The Salt Works in the Northwich district, in consequence of the continual extraction of Brine, 
 are subject to such -occasional subsidences as occurred in December last, when Six Works were disabled. 
 The Works of the Company at Runcorn will cot be subject to such contingency; they will be built 
 upon solid ground nearly 13 miles distant from the Salt Districts. 
 
 Particular attention is called to the annexed Report of J. F. Bateman, Esq., C E., F.R.S., the 
 Company's Engineer, in which the works for raising the Brine and conveying it to Runcorn are described as 
 of a very simple character. Mr. Batcmair estimates their cost, exclusive of that of the Evaporating Works, 
 at £106,000. Contracts have been entered into with Messrs. Smith, Finlayson & Co., of Westminster, for 
 the execution of the general works, and with Messrs. James Watt & Co., of Soho, Birmingham, for tho 
 machinery, at prices within the above estimate. 
 
 The various agreements for leases and wayleaves have been granted to Mr. Thomas Coglan Horsfall, 
 but only as agent for Mr. Godfrey Joachim Aman, who is the promoter of the Company, and who joicr 
 Mr. Horsfall in the assignment of these agreements. 
 
 The price agreed to be paid to Mr. Aman for the transfer of these very valuable agreements is the 
 sum of £27,500 in cash, together with 1,250 fully paid-up shares in the Company of £10 each. Mr. Aman 
 will pay a sum of £10,000 to the trustees, in order to provide interest at tho rate of 5 per cent, per annum 
 on the paid-up Capital of the Company during the period of construction up to the delivery at the Brine 
 at Runcorn. He also bears and will indemnify tho Company against all expenses incidental to its 
 formation, with the exception of the charges of its. own solicitors, and a sum equivalent to 1^ per cent, on 
 the amount of the present issue to pay for brokerage, &c. 
 
 Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for an official quotation of the Shares 
 of the Company. 
 
 The Contracts which" have been entered into are the- following, and may be seen at the offices 
 of the Solicitors to the Company, Messrs. Baxters &. Co., 5 and 6, Victoria Street, Westminster : — 
 
 Ouo dated tho 2!)th day ot March, lb'81, mado between Thomas Coglan Ho-ratall of tho first part, Godfrey Joachim Aman 
 of tho second part, and Thomas John Woods, a Trustee fur tho Company of the third part, liemg tin- Agreement 
 for purchase by which tho Company will acquire tho Agreements for Leases therein set forth, subject to tho 
 performance of tho obligations by such Leases ami Agree monts for Lenses imposed upon tho Lessee- — 
 Odd dated tho, 13tli day of Fohruary, 18S1, between Arthur Hugh Smith -Barry and Thomas Coglan Horsfall 
 One dated tho 10th day of January, 1881, betweon Thomas Chii'ko and John Highfield and Thomas Coglan Horsfall. 
 One dated tho 13th day of Junuary, 1881, betweon Charles James Law ton and Thomas Coglan Horsfall. 
 Ono dated tho Itb day of March, 1881, between Algernon Charles Talbot and Thomas Coglan Horsfall. 
 Ono dated tho 30th day o£ March, 1881, mado betweon tho said T. C Horsfall of tho first part, the said G. J. Aman 
 of tho second part, and tho said T. J. Woods of tho third part, and tho Company of tho fourth part, whereby 
 tho Company ratified and adopted the above agreement of the 29tli day of March, 1881 
 Ono dated tho 30th day of March, 1881, made, between I he Company of tho ono part, and Messrs Smith, Finlayson and 
 
 Company of tho other part, being tho above-mentioned contract for the construction of the general works 
 One dated the 30 1 h day of March, 1881, made between the Company of the ono part, and Messrs. James Walt and 
 
 Company of tho other part, being tho above-mentioned contract for tho conduction of tho machiuery 
 One d.ited the 23vd day of February, 1881, and made between tho Company of tho ono part, and Messrs. Baxters and Co., 
 Messrs James Watt and Co., John Frederick Bateman, Esq., Messrs. Smith, Finlayson and Co., and J. Wilson 
 Theobald, Esq., of tho other part, exonerating tho Company from claims in respect of professional services in tho 
 event of the deposited money being returned to tho Share holders. 
 Application for shares may be made on the enclosed form to the Company's Bankers, Brokers, or 
 by letter nddrc&sed to the Secretary, accompanied by the deposit of 10s. per share. 
 
SALT UNION 
 
 577 
 
 THE MERSEY SALT AND BRINE COMPANY, LIMITED. 
 
 In order to make reasonable provisioi 
 ■Established at some distance apart, and that a' 
 prevent any sei-iooo interruptio: _ 
 elation should create temporary ir 
 
 The brine extracted at each B' 
 
 
 r to be pumped iicuig 
 
 10, Gklat George Sthect, Westminster, 
 Dtecmk" 17.A, 1880. 
 
 To THE Ol.uaMAN AND DIRECTORS. 
 OEHTLEilES,— 
 
 I some time ago examined Iho country hot woon North wich and tho River Mersey at Runcorn, with Uio 
 practicability and cost of constructing works tor tho purpose of extracting Brine from tho saliforoua moasurca it No 
 oat-iron pipes from tience to Runcorn, to be there evaporated and manufactured into salt. 
 
 I am informed that arrangement* have been mado with Mr Smith-Barry, 5I.P.. tho owner of the Marbury Estate tor the erection of the 
 necessary pumpim- works near Anderton, and for way-leave for tho pipe through Iih llarbury propert}. Arrangements have also been made for 
 way-leave for the lwa of pipes through the land of different owner* throughout the wholo distance from the Marbury Estate to Runcorn, for 
 land for the construction of a reservoir on the summit of the ground to bo crossed, and for laud for tho manufacturing works at Runcorn, in closo 
 proximity to, tho docks and canals of the Bndgowatcr Navigation. 
 
 No works could be easier of construction. They are simply waterworks of t1.o"most ordinary character, the 
 rail instead of fresh. The only difficulty exists in tho unstable condition of tho ground 10 which too shafts to reach ti> 
 on which the pumping stations for tho extraction of the brine must bo constructed. 
 
 The brine is produced by the melting of the sal t rock, acted upon by the water percolating from tho f^J^A ^^*fj^* 
 
 mporatiou and manufacture of lie salt, ita» the hod subsides, necessitates large outlay u repairs and renewals. 
 
 a-ainst this difficulty, I would suggest that two stations for tho extraction of the bnocBhoiild bo. 
 each of tho stations duplicate cng,ocs and pumps should be erected, so as. as far as no- ... ... w 
 
 , of the Company. By the adoption of this course, wo may oipect that though a subsidence at one 
 ind interruptioo, the other would probably remain uodisturbod. 
 would be conveyed to a sit. on the Marbery property, at which, from it. goologiesl corsittjon there, 
 „ed be no "ap"preie~i5.V'of" subid.nee At this place, whf.h. for e.uren.e.e., should be .. *?<£%*{ ££t£%'J?- "ffiimmli 
 
 ^nT^eoS^^ 
 
 the brine to the site of tho proposed evaporation works at Hanc™ 
 
 .and. 
 
 mid 
 
 irvoir would, therefore, 
 
 o a lift of 200 feet. 
 
 be placed on ground which would bo about forty or fifty feet above the Ordna 
 cfore, bo about \U'j feet, and allowing ton foot per tnilo for friction for four ; 
 
 o Wood, as tho height plui the friction w 
 e engines of, 70 H.P, each, with tho requisite 
 -—j ._ . — ir twclvo hours, or. 
 
 Tho pumping or forcing s- 
 
 Datum. Tho direct lift lo tho sl 
 
 ■ half miles, the force to bo exerted would bo equal U. 
 
 f It is estimated that tho brino would be reached at a depth of about 200 foot, and it is proposed to establish works equal to the ntrato.es. 
 
 of 1,250 000 "allona of brino per day, or about" 1,200 tons of salt if all evaporated. 
 
 It would require about 103 HJ-, working 12 hours per day, to lift this quantity of fresh water from a d, pl h of 200 feet, and as ; the 
 trine at Nortl.wich isjust one-fifth heavier than fresh water, the net power required would be 126 horeos. 
 to force tho brine when lifted to tho summit reservoir at Seven Ait 
 
 recommend that at each of tho-rwrj-brinB pumping stations duplicate „„ , 
 
 j_^ii no j fl nna in«s workine toncther, at either station, will raise tho quantity required i 
 
 In like manner tho brino collected at tho forcing station would bo raised to tho summit reservoir by two engines in Huplicn 
 each, which, working together for ten or twelve hours, would force forward the full quantity of brino ; or, in case of cccidunt or 
 engine, the other would be sufficient for tho purpose by working night and day. 
 
 From this station, a main pipe of eighteen inches in diameter would bo laid across the country to the e'immit resorvoil 
 uroold pass, allowing ten feet of friction per mile, over 3,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours, or 1,500,000 gallons iu twelve hours. 
 " From the i 
 
 There ia no difficulty of any kind'olong the line of pipes ; and tho ground on which tho summit reservoir would bo ci 
 extremely favourable for the purpose, both as regards the situation and tho character of tho material. Tho joints of tho pipes woi 
 perfectly watertight by a peculiar joint which I have used for the last twenty years, and which combines tho advantages of both tho 
 widesocket" joint. 
 
 d for tho summit 
 
 lower would bo i-cqnircd 
 
 :r would b- 
 iitnicted i> 
 
 bored " and the " 
 
 
 and way -leave, 
 tho stability of (he ground. 
 
 I believe the scheme, if economically carried out and property worked, would bo highly remuooralivo to tho Shareholder*. 
 Your very obedient servant, 
 
 (3ignod> JOHN FRED C - BATEMAN, 
 
 C.E., F R.S S„ London £ EJia. 
 
 APPENDIX TO MR. BATEMAN'S REPORT. 
 
 Specific tceight of Bnae obtained ir. 
 
 Vortlimich and i 
 
 ■ liet-jltbourliood 
 
 
 
 Specific Gravity 
 
 QnJlon. 
 
 Foot. 
 
 Captain Townshend's Shaft, Mareton 
 
 Lord Stanley's Shaft, No. 1, Anderton ... 
 
 Lord Stanley's Shaft, No 2. Anderton .,. 
 
 British Salt Company's Shaft, Anderton 
 
 Joseph Verdin & Son's Shaft, Marston 
 
 1-206 
 1-204 
 1-204 
 1-203 
 1206 
 
 1206 Iba. 
 12-01 
 12 04 
 
 12-03 
 1206 
 
 76-37 lbs. 
 7.S-25 
 7i'25 
 7.V 18 
 75 37 
 
 Tho respective weights were token ut GO degrees Fahrenheit, on a sensitive chemical balan 
 Note —Fresh water, specific gravity I.— Weight per cubic foot, lbs G2425. 
 
 2 
 
578 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 to-day — while the combined salt plants of outside manufacturers 
 amounted to 392 pans and three vacuum plants. 
 
 The original capital of the company in shares and debentures 
 was £4,000,000 — a capital which was increased in 1895 to 
 £4,200,000 by the issue of further debentures to the amount of 
 £200,000, and reduced in 1901 to its present total capitalisation 
 of £2,600,000, made up as follows :— 
 
 £600,000 . . . Pref. Shares. 
 
 800,000 . . . Ord. Shares. 
 
 1,000,000 . .1st Debentures. 
 
 200,000 . . . B. Debentures 
 
 £2,600,000 
 
 Even at this figure, the capitalisation is hopelessly inflated. 
 It would appear to be practically impossible for the ordinary 
 shareholders ever to receive another dividend, and in the event of 
 the company being wound up they would certainly get nothing. 
 The question for consideration to-day is whether the properties 
 valued in the balance-sheet at £2,949,578, 12s. Id. would realise 
 sufficient to cover the issued debenture liability of £1,200,000. 
 In my opinion they would not, and failing reorganisation or 
 reconstruction, it would appear that the Salt "Union must 
 eventually fall into the hands of Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co., 
 who have displayed a commercial genius and capacity for 
 economic organisation which have been among the most promi- 
 nent omissions from the governing councils of the Salt Union's 
 directorates. 
 
 In the following pages the history of the failure of the Salt 
 Union is told in the words of the officials and shareholders of the 
 combination. I have refrained from adding many details from 
 ■documents in my possession which would more fully explain and 
 emphasise this story of mismanagement and misfortune ; the 
 successive reports issued by the Board, and the reports of the 
 general and extraordinary meetings of the company, tell their 
 own melancholy tale. 
 
 In October 1888, common salt was selling at 3s. to 5s., and fine 
 salt at 24s. In February 1889, the price of common salt had 
 been advanced to 7s. to 10s., and fine salt was selling at 48s. By 
 the end of that year the Union had made a net profit of £368,512, 
 and declared a dividend of 10 per cent, on the ordinary shares. 
 By the end of 1890 the net profit was less than in the previous 
 
SALT UNION 579 
 
 year by more than £62,000, the interest on the ordinary shares 
 had fallen to 8 per cent., and there were dissensions among the 
 members of the Board. Already it had become apparent to 
 certain of the directors that the Union was working along wrong 
 lines, and some of them had handed in their resignations. An 
 extraordinary meeting which was called in August 1891, to allay 
 " unfounded rumours " regarding the position of the Union, only 
 succeeeded in confirming those reports. The fall in prices, in 
 profits, and in dividends was admitted. High prices had stimu- 
 lated competition, and it was judged advisable to carefully revise 
 market prices, practise increased economy by unification of 
 management, and modify the system of distribution by which the 
 Salt Union had recklessly and unnecessarily fettered its commercial 
 activities. Mr C. A. M'Dowell, at this meeting, eloquently de- 
 plored the grievous mistakes made by directors in the past, alluded 
 to leakages in the system which required immediate rectification, 
 urged that the Cheshire Board should be replaced by an Executive 
 Committee, and appealed for the reorganisation of the emoluments 
 paid to the directors. The new chairman promised that the board 
 would do their best to " wipe up the mess," and the interest on 
 the ordinary shares was reduced to 5 per cent. As the result of 
 about three years' trading, the affairs of the company were offici- 
 ally described as " a mess," and the dividend on the ordinary 
 shares had diminished by fifty per cent. 
 
 The year's working in 1892 was admittedly disappointing to 
 the board, but they had by this time decided upon a policy of 
 selling at low but remunerative prices. They recognised that the 
 future welfare of the company must not rest upon high prices, but 
 on the maintenance and development of their trade. The chair- 
 man courteously offered to consider Mr M'Dowell's demand that 
 the Executive Committee — which at his instigation had replaced 
 the Cheshire Board — should now be superseded by a General 
 Manager, but on questions of the management of the company's 
 business the chairman assumed the attitude which has always 
 characterised the directorate of the Salt Union. " We are 
 appointed to manage this business " is the tone of the official 
 utterance ; "the shareholders must either trust us or get rid of 
 us," and further inquiries on the subject were ignored as being 
 " questions which we have a right not to answer." 
 
 The figures for 1894 were the first in the history of the Union 
 which showed an expansion of trade compared with previous 
 
580 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 years. As against this satisfactory item of intelligence, the net 
 profits had decreased to £170,482, the dividend on the ordinary 
 shares had dropped to 2-| per cent., and the directors had to ask 
 the shareholders to sanction the creation of B Debentures to the 
 amount of £250,000 for working capital. Mr M'Dowell was, if 
 possible, more dissatisfied with the conduct of the board than 
 ever. They had disbanded their Executive Committee and 
 created an office of General Manager, but in Mr Fells they had 
 •selected for the new position the last man in the world who, in 
 Mr M'Dowell's judgment, was capable of filling it. He suggested 
 that a committee of shareholders should be appointed to assist 
 the directors in the conduct of their business. 
 
 Of the £250,000 B Debentures created, £200,000 were issued, and 
 Messrs W. S. M'Dowell and G. H. Cox are registered as the Trustees. 
 
 The security as registered is as follows : — 
 
 " Certain trade marks which have been substituted for others 
 which formed part of the original security. Certain property 
 at Over, mining rights over the Salt Holme and Bellingham 
 Estates, co. Durham, and certain freeholds at Bellingham. Resi- 
 due of unexpired term of lease of land and premises known as 
 Runcorn Soap and Alkali Works, Limited, at Over, Cheshire." 
 
 Another year of disappointing trading and reduced profits 
 in 1895 inspired the directors with the idea that instead of manu- 
 facturing salt at low prices for use in chemical works, it would be 
 more profitable for them to use their own salt for the manufacture 
 of the higher priced chemicals. The ordinary shareholders, learning 
 that they were to receive a dividend of 2 per cent., and probably 
 concluding that even if they adventured into the chemical busi- 
 ness it could not easily be less, approved the suggestion, and the 
 chairman assured the meeting that, although the board would 
 not embark in chemicals in a hurry, the response of the majority 
 of the shareholders had given them fresh courage to think about 
 undertaking the new enterprise. 
 
 The report for 1896 contained the announcement that a 
 Compensation Board had been formed to assess the damages 
 caused by brine pumping in the Northwich compensation area. 
 This marked the end of the long and bitter struggle that had been 
 waged between the Salt Union and the people of the salt towns 
 over the Brine Pumping (Compensation for Subsidence) Bill. The 
 Union had exerted all their influence and expended thousands of 
 pounds in a vain attempt to evade responsibility for the great 
 
SALT UNION 581 
 
 damage they were causing in the salt districts, and now that they 
 were finally compelled by Parliament to pay compensation, the 
 chairman of the annual meeting held in 1897 expressed the hope 
 " that in future years the wisdom and discretion of the Brine 
 Pumping Board and the gradual enlightenment of the residents 
 will arrange that the rate shall not be excessive." As the resi- 
 dents had succeeded in their purpose of forcing the enlightened 
 board of the Salt Union to practise common honesty in their 
 dealings with them, they were not perturbed by this exhibition 
 of bad taste, but the shareholders of the company had less reason 
 for making excuses for their directors. They had had another 
 bad year, and it was admitted that both in regard to tonnage 
 sold and the general average of prices the results were unsatis- 
 factory. But the erection of soap-works had been commenced at 
 Winsford, and the board were still giving " constant and careful 
 attention " to the question of chemical manufacture, and they 
 announced that they proposed to make a start in that business 
 when they saw " reasonable grounds for anticipating success." 
 Although trade was on the down grade and the expenses were 
 increasing, it was believed by the directors that the affairs of the 
 Salt Union had touched bottom, and a revival of prosperity might 
 be anticipated. A dividend of 1 per cent, on the ordinary shares 
 was declared. 
 
 The fallaciousness of these hopeful prognostications was seen 
 when the report for 1897 was published. The year's trading had 
 resulted in a further general decrease in both prices and tonnage. 
 The soap-works had been completed, and the board were still 
 carefully considering the question of the manufacture of chemicals. 
 Moreover, although the Union were so soon to increase their brine 
 pumping from the salt district to Weston Point, over eleven miles 
 of country, they had pleasure in announcing that they had con- 
 trived to injunct a rival salt manufacturer from conveying his 
 brine under roads, the subsoil of which belonged to the Union. 
 When the chairman had delivered his lengthy explanation of 
 the "very unsatisfactory results" of the past year's trading, the 
 question of transferring the head offices of the company from 
 London to Liverpool was debated. Mr C. A. M'Dowell, that 
 consistent critic of the policy of the Union, was dead, but his son, 
 Mr W. S. M'Dowell, had stepped into the breach, and was the 
 enthusiastic leader of the malcontents. It was pointed out that 
 the suggested change from London to Liverpool would mean the 
 
582 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Statement Showing the Rates op Dividend paid by the 
 Salt Union, Ltd., since Incorporation, calculated 
 on the Original Capitalisation and the Stock Exchange 
 Prices op Salt Union Shares. 
 
 
 
 
 Mean. 
 
 
 Pref. Div. 
 
 Ord. Div. 
 
 S.E. Prices 
 Pref. 
 
 of Shares. 
 Ord. 
 
 1889 
 
 7 % 
 
 10 % 
 
 £12 1 10 
 
 £11 11 10 
 
 1890 
 
 7 % 
 
 7 % 
 
 12 17 6 
 
 11 13 9 
 
 1891 
 
 7 % 
 
 5 % 
 
 10 7 6 
 
 7 5 7 
 
 1892 
 
 7 % 
 
 5 % 
 
 9 9 4 
 
 4 15 7 
 
 1893 
 
 7 % 
 
 3 % 
 
 9 10 
 
 4 4 3 
 
 1894 
 
 7 % 
 
 24% 
 
 10 4 5 
 
 4 6 10 
 
 1895 
 
 7 % 
 
 2 % 
 
 10 5 7 
 
 4 
 
 1896 
 
 7 % 
 
 1 % 
 
 10 1 10 
 
 3 1 3 
 
 1897 
 
 li % 
 
 — 
 
 9 7 6 
 
 2 10 
 
 1898 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 6 16 10 
 
 1 15 
 
 1899 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 4 7 6 
 
 1 13 9 
 
 1900 
 
 1 % 
 
 — 
 
 3 10 10 
 
 1 10 
 
 1901 
 
 3 % 
 
 — 
 
 3 16 10 
 
 1 7 7 
 
 1902 
 
 3 % 
 
 — 
 
 5 5 
 
 1 8 1 
 
 1903 
 
 3 % 
 
 — 
 
 4 9 1 
 
 1 1 3 
 
 1904 
 
 14% 
 
 — 
 
 3 18 3 
 
 13 3 
 
 1905 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 3 16 3 
 
 12 10 
 
 1906 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 3 4 
 
 14 7 
 
 1907 
 
 5i% 
 
 1 0/ 
 
 2 /O 
 
 3 19 
 
 16 3 
 
 1908 
 
 3 % 
 
 
 
 4 6 10 
 
 15 9 
 
 1909 
 
 24% 
 
 
 
 3 11 3 
 
 13 5 
 
 1910 
 
 24% 
 
 
 
 3 11 9 
 
 13 3 
 
 1911 
 
 3| % 
 
 
 
 4 1 10 
 
 14 
 
 Average dividend 
 
 
 ) 
 
 
 for 23 years 
 
 •33 O/ 
 
 I /o 
 
 110/ 
 
 L i /o 
 
 1 £1,577,000- 
 
 -av. £68-565 p.a, 
 
 Total paid in 
 
 
 
 1 or 2-285 % 
 
 Dividends £857,000 £720,000. 
 
 Note. — March 1914. At this date the shares of the Salt Union 
 are quoted as follows : — 
 
 Salt Union (£100) Debentures . . £70 
 
 Salt Union (£4) Ordinary . . 6s. 6d. 
 
 Salt Union (£6) 7 % Pref. . £2 
 
SALT UNION 583 
 
 substitution of a new board of directors, but as this was what the 
 agitators were working for, the announcement of the self-evident 
 fact did not cause them any dismay. It was recognised that they 
 had arrived at the lowest ebb at which the fortunes of the Salt 
 Union could fall, and that the situation had been brought about 
 by the fact that the Union had always been in a state of disunion 
 and actual warfare. " Do for one instant all pull together," 
 one shareholder exhorted the meeting, " do for one instant sink 
 your petty differences and petty rivalries and pull altogether 
 for the benefit of the Salt Union." The Hon. C. W. Mills assured 
 the meeting that it was not by economies or a rise in the price of 
 salt that the salvation of the Union would be effected, but by a 
 drastic reconstruction of the capital of the company. The meeting 
 was too disturbed by the elements of faction to pull all together, 
 but the majority were with Mr M'Dowell, and a committee of 
 shareholders was appointed to confer with the directors with a 
 view to improving the company's business and prospects, and to 
 use its best endeavours to strengthen the board. 
 
 The anti-M'Dowell faction if defeated were not inactive, and 
 when, in April 1898, the Committee of Shareholders announced 
 that they had selected a new board of commercial non-salt men 
 and recommended their election, the committee of the Salt Union 
 Shareholders' Association, headed by Dr M'Dougall, issued a 
 counterblast. They pointed out that Mr M'Dowell as share- 
 holder and agent of the Salt Union, was acting in the dual capacity 
 of buyer and seller, and that it would be disastrous to entrust 
 the entire control of the Salt Union to a board nominated by 
 that gentleman. The two committees bombarded the share- 
 holders with circulars, and the existing directorate appear to have 
 exerted themselves in vain to bring about a combination of both 
 parties and induce them to fill up the vacancies on the board by 
 an unanimous vote. At the eleventh hour, however, the two 
 committees met, and it was announced at an extraordinary 
 meeting that while Mr M'Dowell was pledged to his nominees, 
 he entertained a strong hope that when two vacancies would 
 shortly take place on the board, they would be filled by selections 
 from Dr M'Dougall's list. This arrangement was regarded by 
 the chairman as an indication that the Union could really be united 
 and that everybody connected with the concern had its prosperity 
 at heart. 
 
 The first annual meeting held in Liverpool, and the tenth in 
 
584 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the history of the Salt Union, took place in March 1899, and was 
 presided over by Mr George Henry Cox, the daputy-chairroan. 
 It was reported that the transference of the head office from 
 London to Liverpool had lesulted in " economy and advantage " 
 to the company, but they were not evidenced by the accounts. 
 The tonnage has still further decreased, the net profit was trans- 
 formed into a loss of £21,200, and no dividend was declared on 
 either the preference or the ordinary shares. The ordinary shares, 
 which were quoted at £11, lis. lOd. in 1889, and were £2, 10s. 
 in 1897, had fallen to £1, 13s. 9d. in 1899, and they have since 
 steadily declined to their present (March 1914) market price 
 of 6s. 6d. The chairman announced that the policy of the new 
 board embraced the selling, as opportunity offered, of the 
 company's surplus properties, reserving the brine and the salt 
 and mineral lands, and the guarding of their lands against com- 
 petitors — in other words, the practice of the system of locking 
 up the Cheshire salt lands which had been the target of so much 
 recent criticism. The board were considering many reforms, 
 including the suggestion from a shareholder as to " whether so 
 much of the company's capital has not actually disappeared 
 as to render further trading impossible." The chairman disarmed 
 criticism by declaring that if the new board had contemplated 
 the magnitude of the work that lay before them, very few of them 
 would have undertaken the job at all. A suggestion that the 
 payment of the directors should cease was met by the chairman 
 with the confession that he would be pleased to resign his place 
 next day if anyone could be found who would do the work '• for 
 the love of the thing." Dr M'Dougall, the ex-chairman of the 
 abortive committee of the Salt Union Shareholders' Association, 
 fired off a whole string of questions at the chairman and reminded 
 the board that, at the previous meeting, it had been arranged 
 that in the event of vacancies occurring on the direction of the 
 company, two outside people would be appointed to the board. 
 The chairman replied that they were " a compact board, working 
 together," and reminded the meeting of the old adage that " too 
 many cooks spoil the broth." 
 
 During 1899 the management and staff underwent some re- 
 organisation, but the decrease in the tonnage was not arrested. 
 The Union had entered into a new combination for regulating 
 salt prices, and several small lots of the company's superfluous 
 property had been sold. The board claimed that this represented 
 
SALT UNION 585 
 
 a satisfactory year's work. It transpired in answer to a question 
 on the subject, that the expenses of Mr M'DowelPs committee, to 
 the amount of £484, had been defrayed out of the funds of the Salt 
 Union. 
 
 Two pieces of unconscious humour enlivened the proceedings 
 The first was contributed by Mr Fells. In recent years the Salt 
 Union had fought and bled gold, if not corpuscles, in their attempt 
 to maintain that brine-pumping did not cause the subsidence from 
 which the entire salt region was suffering. In the end they lost 
 their case and now Mr Fells explained that the Salt Union was 
 itself a big sufferer from subsidence in the Northwich area, and 
 he appealed to the chairman to approach the other brine pumpers 
 in the district and, by his tact and diplomacy, to obtain from them 
 a substantial amount of compensation for the damage they were 
 inflicting upon the Union by their pumping operations. The 
 second touch of humour emanated from Mr Frederick Walker, 
 the ex-secretary of Mr M'DowelPs Committee of Shareholders 
 which had placed the existing board in office. He had listened 
 with sorrow to the proposals to economise in the matter of 
 directors' fees. He declared that the £2627, 10s. 8d. paid to the 
 board for their services was insufficient, and he proposed that an 
 extra sum of £1000 should be divided amongst them. The motion 
 was not put to the meeting, as the chairman, in replying to this 
 generous suggestion, announced that the board had no wish to 
 accept more remuneration until the company was in a better 
 position. But the chairman did not state., as one thinks it was 
 his duty to have done, that in addition to the £2627 10s. 8d. which 
 figured in the balance-sheet, the directors were receiving a further 
 £2000 which was charged under the heading of Administration 
 Expenses. They evidently considered, however, that it was 
 injudicious to continue to mislead the shareholders in this matter, 
 and in the next balance-sheet the directors' remuneration was 
 clearly stated at £4852. The accounts show that during the 
 ensuing ten years the board never received less than £4852 in 
 any one year, while for eight of those years their fees amounted 
 to over £5000 per annum, and in 1904, although only six directors 
 were acting, the fees and payments to the board reached a total 
 of £5883. 
 
 In the first year of the present century, the Board, while co- 
 quetting with a plant for the recovery of ammonia, announced 
 that their soap-works, of which so much had been anticipated, 
 
586 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Table of Directors' Fees, Law Charges, and Administration 
 
 Expenses 
 
 
 X 
 
 
 Law Charges, 
 
 
 
 "g o 
 
 Directors' Fees, 
 
 Stamp Duties, 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 Travelling 
 
 Preliminary and 
 
 Administration 
 
 
 £J 
 
 Expenses, etc. 
 
 Parliamentary 
 
 Expenses. 
 
 
 
 p. 
 
 
 Expenses. 
 
 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 1889 
 
 14 
 
 9,594 17 4 
 
 12,546 6 7 
 
 27,214 9 11 
 
 1890 
 
 14 
 
 8,545 12 2 
 
 12,546 6 7 
 
 31,303 5 2 
 
 1891 
 
 9 
 
 6,082 15 9 
 
 12,546 6 7 
 
 29.305 13 2 
 
 1892 
 
 8 
 
 2,888 7 10 
 
 12,546 6 7 
 
 26,856 2 5 
 
 1893 
 
 8 
 
 2,994 5 9 
 
 12,546 6 7 
 
 27,731 5 4 
 
 1894 
 
 7 
 
 2,769 19 7 
 
 3,631 6 
 
 29,961 3 8 
 
 1895 
 
 7 
 
 2,564 13 7 
 
 4,410 9 
 
 32,749 7 3 
 
 1896 
 
 7 
 
 2,574 18 2 
 
 7.110 1 8 
 
 32,449 14 8 
 
 1897 
 
 6 
 
 2,429 13 9 
 
 5,175 10 
 
 25,801 11 11 
 
 1898 
 
 7 
 
 2,605 8 11 
 
 1,311 3 11 
 
 22,255 18 
 
 1899 
 
 7 
 
 2,627 10 8 
 
 468 2 6 
 
 30,739 12 9 
 
 1900 
 
 7 
 
 *4,582 9 5 
 
 1,100 2 5 
 
 28,407 17 1 
 
 1901 
 
 7 
 
 5,162 3 8 
 
 594 12 4 
 
 29,611 3 3 
 
 1902 
 
 6 
 
 5,303 2 9 
 
 538 1 6 
 
 29,200 18 7 
 
 1903 
 
 7 
 
 4,871 8 10 
 
 801 12 7 
 
 28,460 19 9 
 
 1904 
 
 6 
 
 5,883 15 
 
 1,721 5 10 
 
 29,076 18 
 
 1905 
 
 6 
 
 5,323 5 
 
 1,147 7 9 
 
 28,633 17 7 
 
 1906 
 
 6 
 
 5,086 10 
 
 604 12 1 
 
 27,662 12 8 
 
 1907 
 
 7 
 
 4,987 10 
 
 190 10 3 
 
 28,191 7 10 
 
 1908 
 
 7 
 
 5,628 5 8 
 
 323 8 1 
 
 30,035 6 6 
 
 1909 
 
 7 
 
 5,200 
 
 533 7 2 
 
 29,105 2 4 
 
 1910 
 
 7 
 
 5,200 
 
 670 11 6 
 
 29,849 19 1 
 
 1911 
 
 6 
 
 4,875 
 
 680 8 6 
 
 30,196 4 8 
 
 1912 
 
 6 
 
 4,800 
 
 4.434 10 9 
 
 29,184 17 8 
 
 1913 
 
 6 
 
 4,600 
 
 1,057 17 8 
 
 29,999 16 8 
 
 117,451 13 10 
 
 99,236 6 2 
 
 723,985 5 11 
 
 1 The Directors' Fees for the previous years appear to be lower, but they 
 were not so, further fees having been paid under the heading of Special 
 Services of Directors, and included in Administration Expenses. 
 
 The items for Law Expenses for the years 1889-1893 include Government 
 stamp duties in connection with the purchase of the properties which were 
 divided over the first five years. 
 
SALT UNION 587 
 
 were in the market and only a reasonable price would be asked of 
 a prospective purchaser. The politeness with which the board 
 listened to a shareholder's suggestion as to the desirability of 
 reconstructing the company seemed to show that the idea had 
 already been discussed by the directors, and, at the annual meeting 
 in 1901, a proposal was submitted for writing off £1,600,000 of 
 the capital of the Union. In the course of a long and heated 
 discussion, one dejected ordinary shareholder protested that if the 
 holders of ordinary shares " are to stand still and take this scheme, 
 we may as well shut up for ever, for we shall never get a penny." 
 The meeting took the scheme, and the pessimistic shareholder's 
 prophecy was happily falsified in 1908, when a dividend of Is. per 
 share was declared on the ordinary shares — since when the Salt 
 Union has paid no other. 
 
 By 1903 the board had decided to erect works at Weston 
 Point for the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia as a bye- 
 product. At this meeting Mr Lowden offered the Union, as a free 
 gift, a new process for making salt for which he claimed that it 
 utilised all the heat of the fuel, instead of wasting 50 per cent. ; 
 it used a good portion of the steam arising from the brine-pans 
 when in work, and effected other economies. Mr Lowden declared 
 that his method had been tried on a commercial scale at the Salt 
 Union works and had effected an enormous reduction in the cost 
 of making salt. The chairman explained that the board had 
 declined the offer as counsel advised them that the patents were 
 not valid. He subsequently admitted that the directors did not 
 believe in the patent, and their decision may have been affected by 
 the fact that they had already arranged to instal the Mond pro- 
 ducer plant at Weston Point. This was completed at a cost of 
 £47,000 in 1904, and in the following year Mr Fells regretted that 
 the board, after twelve months' experience of the Mond plant, 
 could not come to a definite conclusion as to the economies it 
 effected in the manufacture of salt. In view of the fact that the 
 board were erecting a vacuum plant at Winsford, it was evident 
 to him tbat the Mond plant had been adopted either too soon or 
 too late. Mr Fells further pointed out that as the result of the 
 past six years' work as compared with the previous six years, 
 the price of salt was less by 2Jd. peT ton and the cost of 
 manufacture was 9|-d. per ton higher, while in the same period 
 the Union's trade had decreased by nearly 25 per cent. 
 
 The tale of the Salt Union's activities in 1905 was told in a report 
 
588 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 announcing decreased tonnage, a diminution of profits, the passing 
 of the preference dividend, and a sum of £169, 13s. 6d. carried 
 forward. The Salt Association had been dissolved because the 
 Salt Union was not getting fair play at the hands of outside 
 makers. The chairman maintained that the association was not 
 a good thing for the Union, and the board had done wisely in 
 terminating the arrangement, but in the course of the same speech 
 he must have bewildered the shareholders by admitting that the 
 loss of profit was " mainly due to that association coming to an 
 end." A new combination, the North- Western Salt Co., Ltd., 
 came into existence in the following year, and the chairman of the 
 meeting held in 1907 expressed the belief that the Union had 
 arrived at " a thoroughly sound and practical working scheme 
 for regulating the tonnage and prices of the salt world as a whole." 
 The vacuum pans had worked continuously, a remodelling of the 
 existing salt plant and warehouses at Weston Point would be 
 undertaken, and the board were satisfied that they had adopted 
 the right course in establishing the new process. The law action 
 against Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co., had failed in the Lord Chief- 
 Justice's Court, for, while it was decided that Messrs Brunner, 
 Mond had been extracting the Salt Union's brine and mineral, 
 the Union could not legally prevent them from so doing. The 
 board announced their intention of appealing against that decision, 
 but wiser counsels prevailed ; and by the annual meeting in 1908 
 a settlement had been arranged by which the chemical firm paid 
 the Union £125,000 and received from them the transfer of some 
 350 acres of land and minerals in North wich, while both sides 
 paid their own law costs. 
 
 The fluctuations in the fortunes of the Salt Union during the 
 past five years have alternately disappointed and mildly flattered 
 the shareholders. The years 1908 and 1909 were marked by 
 decreased tonnage and shrinkage in the net profits ; in 1910 there 
 was an improvement in both particulars, and this encouraging 
 result was repeated in 1911. But 1912 witnessed a new develop- 
 ment in the company's trading, and while the tonnage had 
 increased by the negligible margin of 6000 tons, the profits showed 
 a falling off of no less than £-15,000. 
 
 With the revival of business in 1908 the board became more 
 optimistic, and the announcement that the company was broad 
 awake to the necessity of abandoning old " rule of thumb " 
 methods and recruiting brains upon the executive staff, was 
 
SALT UNION 589 
 
 coupled with the prediction that a gradual improvement in trade 
 might be anticipated. This hope was not fulfilled in 1909, and 
 the ordinary shareholders, at the meeting held in 1910, were 
 assured that the protracted absence of dividends was " due to 
 the original sin of over capitalisation." But the board announced 
 their decision to employ £115,000 out of the £125,000 received 
 from Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co. in establishing a vacuum 
 plant at Weston Point, and the chairman indignantly denounced 
 the action of the " busybodies of Central Cheshire " in challenging 
 the Union's right to pump brine out of the salt district to be 
 manufactured into salt at Weston. The directors also warned 
 the trade that if the termination of the North- Western Salt 
 Company's operations in 1911 was followed by a scramble for 
 tonnage, the fight would be continued until all the producers had 
 succeeded in losing a great deal of money. 
 
 In 1911 the "mischievous and mistaken " agitation against the 
 Marbury pipe line was persisted in ; the subscribers to the North- 
 western salt combination declined to renew their agreements with 
 the company, and the Salt Union and six other salt firms formed 
 the British Salt Association, Ltd., in competition with ten 
 manufacturers who remained outside the new combine. At the 
 annual meeting held in March 1913, it was learnt that the British 
 Salt Association had been disbanded, the solar salt imports were 
 nearly doubled, the strike among the salt men had disorganised 
 trade in Middlesbrough, and the directors could hold out "no 
 hope for an eventual return to the prices ruling in the previous 
 three or four years." 
 
 Only one piece of satisfactory news had the board to impart 
 to the shareholders, and that was the information that the Brine 
 Pumping (Cheshire). Bill, 1912, had been successfully resisted. 
 The directors congratulated the shareholders cordially on this 
 termination of a protracted struggle, but seeing that the local 
 people, who promoted and supported the Bill, were only trying 
 to prevent the Salt Union from doing what the Salt Union had 
 consistently prevented other people from doing since their 
 incorporation, it is questionable whether the chairman was 
 justified in stigmatising the action of the local authorities as an 
 " altogether monstrous attempt to interfere with the natural 
 course of trade." But the attitude of the Salt Union on the sub- 
 ject of the " natural course of trade " has always been curiously 
 narrow, and, if one dare to say so, singularly selfish. In his speech 
 
590 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 at this meeting, the chairman deplored these efforts to restrict 
 trade; immediately afterwards, he declared that "the greatest 
 enemy of the trade is the overproduction of salt," and he an- 
 nounced with regret that " further additional tonnage is about 
 to be created." By a policy of locking-up salt lands, conspiring 
 with Messrs Brunner, Mond to resist competitive invasion, and 
 opposing the laying of every pipe save their own Marbury conduit 
 to Weston Point, the Salt Union have consistently strained every 
 nerve to restrict trade and preserve a monopoly. 
 
 The perusal of these pages will, I think, convince the impartial 
 reader that the main factor in the failure of the Salt Union lies 
 in the inflated prices they paid for the properties in the first 
 instance. The scheme was plausible enough, and the business 
 should have achieved success if the properties had been acquired 
 on anything like reasonable terms, and the Union had not been 
 handicapped, at the start, with a collection of absurd, indefinite, 
 and incomplete agreements. These impossible contracts have 
 involved the company in incessant and costly litigation and heavy 
 losses, in respect of which payments have been and are being made 
 every year. It cost the Union £60,000, in addition to substantial 
 law costs, to settle the Corbett case, and although they won the 
 Deakin action they had to liquidate their own heavy bill for legal 
 expenses. The Ashton agreement was never contested in the 
 Courts, but it met with the disapproval of the old directors, and it 
 has cost the company thousands of pounds which the M'Dowell 
 family have collected in the shape of commissions on sales of 
 branded salt from Aston's works, although the original purchase 
 price ought to have covered the goodwill in the brands, trade 
 marks, etc. 
 
 That the Salt Union would have proved a commercial success 
 if it had been properly organised and carefully managed, I am not 
 prepared to deny. The inefficiency of the original organisation 
 speaks for itself, and the defect in the management is revealed in 
 the fact that the Company, which, up to 1913, disbursed 
 £1,296,199 for debenture interest and made a net profit of 
 £1,982,721, was mulcted in the following totally disproportionate 
 charges : — 
 
 Directors' Fees and Expenses . . £117,451 13 10 
 
 Law and Charges, Preliminary and 
 
 Parliamentary Expenses . . 99,236 6 2 
 
 Administration Expenses . . 723,985 5 11 
 
SALT UNION 
 
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594 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 STATEMENT of Wages paid by the Salt Union, Limited, in the various districts of the 
 County of Cheshire during the years 1892 to 1911. 
 
 1 
 
 Year 
 
 Winsford 
 
 ! 
 
 Northwich. 1 
 
 Sandbach. \ 
 
 r estOD Point. 
 
 Craft 
 
 Total. 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 £ 
 
 £ 
 
 £ 
 
 £ 
 
 £ 
 
 1892. 
 
 91,439 
 
 52,576 
 
 9,433 
 
 6,598 
 
 13,450 
 
 173,496 
 
 1893.. 
 
 82,625 
 
 45,420 
 
 8,941 
 
 5,627 
 
 10,956 
 
 153,569 
 
 1894 
 
 96,322 
 
 50,811 
 
 10,252 
 
 8,082 
 
 11,788 
 
 177,255 
 
 1895 
 
 90,771 
 
 47,202 
 
 9,638 
 
 6,353 
 
 12,068 
 
 166,032 
 
 1896 
 
 75,760 
 
 42,295 
 
 9,054 
 
 6,666 
 
 11,485 
 
 145,260 
 
 1897 
 
 80,640 
 
 34,411 
 
 7,699 
 
 6,933 
 
 12,002 
 
 141,685 
 
 1898.. 
 
 81,493 
 
 31,420 
 
 6,695 
 
 7,487 
 
 12,901 
 
 139,996 
 
 1899... 
 
 80,615 
 
 32,327 
 
 6,848 
 
 7,244 
 
 13,307 
 
 130,341 
 
 1900 
 
 81,614 
 
 33,423 
 
 6,641 
 
 6,888 
 
 13,486 
 
 142,052 
 
 1901 
 
 83,258 
 
 32,890 
 
 6,118 
 
 6,692 
 
 12,646 
 
 141,604 
 
 1902 
 
 89,301 
 
 35,826 
 
 6,250 
 
 7,350 
 
 12,922 
 
 151,649 
 
 1903 
 
 89,404 
 
 36,719 
 
 6,247 
 
 8,005 
 
 12,643 
 
 150,018 
 
 1904 
 
 88,144 
 
 29,654 
 
 6,067 
 
 11,262 
 
 11,774 
 
 146,901 
 
 1905 
 
 88,535 
 
 29,492 
 
 5,666 
 
 12,427 
 
 12,206 
 
 147,326 
 
 1906 
 
 91,114 
 
 28,999 
 
 5,413 
 
 10,731 
 
 10,996 
 
 147,253 
 
 1907 
 
 89,423 
 
 29,366 
 
 5,084 
 
 9,764 
 
 11,444 
 
 145,081 
 
 1908... 
 
 85,257 
 
 29,820 
 
 4,543 
 
 8,660 
 
 11,616 
 
 139,896 
 
 1909... 
 
 83,864 
 
 26,075 
 
 3,947 
 
 9,499 
 
 11,231 
 
 134,616 
 
 1910... 
 
 91,501 
 
 27,850 
 
 4,084 
 
 15,974 
 
 11,195 
 
 150,604 
 
 1911.. 
 
 89,396 
 
 29,134 
 
 4,056 
 
 20,449 
 
 11,345 
 
 •154,380 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 Railway Stril 
 
 e. 
 
 
 
SALT UNION 
 
 595 
 
 Statement of the Exports of Salt from Salt Union's Cheshire Works for the past 20 years 
 with tonnages to British East Indies also, shown separately 
 
 
 Total S.U Exports 
 
 S.U Exports to B.E Indies. 
 
 
 
 Tons 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1892 
 
 ... 
 
 496,563 
 
 232,244 
 
 3 
 
 ... 
 
 440,963 
 
 196,719 
 
 4 
 
 
 489,875 
 
 210,343 
 
 5 
 
 
 501,170 
 
 183,904 
 
 6 
 
 years 
 
 394,088 
 
 137,070 
 
 Av. for 5 
 
 464,532 
 
 192,068 
 
 7 
 
 ... 
 
 388,756 
 
 168,942 
 
 8 
 
 ... 
 
 395,145 
 
 184,168 
 
 9 
 
 
 356,877 
 
 160,573 
 
 1900 
 
 
 311,170 
 
 109,805 
 
 1 
 
 years «.. 
 
 386,046 
 
 175,334 
 
 Av. for 5 
 
 367,599 
 
 159,764 
 
 2 
 
 ... 
 
 389,930 
 
 170,113 
 
 3 
 
 ..-. 
 
 379,235 
 
 181,775 
 
 4 
 
 ... — , 
 
 414,068 
 
 209,481 
 
 5 
 
 
 354,339 
 
 156,643 
 
 6 
 
 years- ... .'.. 
 
 375,706 
 
 184,297 
 
 Av. for 5 
 
 382,656 
 
 180,462 
 
 7 
 
 
 374,455 
 
 180,267 
 
 8 
 
 .^ 
 
 341,335 
 
 149,643 
 
 9 
 
 ... 
 
 348,589 
 
 140,578 
 
 10 
 
 
 367,443 
 
 143,526 
 
 11 
 
 yearB .-.- 
 
 411,322 
 
 184,833 
 
 Av. for 5 
 
 368,629 
 
 159,769 
 
596 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Statement of Production of Salt other than Vacaum. 
 
 Fishery 
 
 Common & L.B. 
 
 Common. 
 
 Tods 
 280,76 
 
 Calcutta 
 
 Butter and Fine 
 
 Butter 
 
 Tona. 
 160,455 
 
 177,101 
 
 Tons. 
 119,681 
 
 100,455 
 
 Tons 
 560,024 
 
 1)2,311 
 
 206,453 
 
THE SALT TEADE OF WINSFOKD 
 
 It is difficult to say when salt was first made at Winsford. 
 The earliest reference I have found is in an agreement between 
 Charles Cholmondeley of Vale Royal and William Toft and 
 George Wilkinson. This agreement refers to salt works known 
 as the " Winsford Salt Works," and is dated 1723. It is evident 
 from this, that salt-works were established and worked before 
 the Weaver was made navigable. It is true that the Act for 
 making the Weaver navigable was obtained in 1721, but it was 
 about 1732 before the work was properly completed. As the Act 
 was obtained for making the river navigable to Winsford Bridge 
 it is evident salt-works must have existed at Winsford prior to 
 1731, although Brownrigg in his " Art of making Common Salt." 
 published in 1748, does not mention the fact. 
 
 The salt towns of Cheshire, as given in all the old books, were 
 Nantwich, Middlewich, and Northwich — and of these Nantwich 
 was the most important. In a letter dated 1605 we find " there 
 is in the town of Nantwich 216 salt houses of six leads apiece " : — 
 Of Middlewich — " there is in the said town 107 salt houses of six 
 leads apiece and one of four leads " ; of Northwich — " there is in 
 the said town or burrow (borough) 113 salt houses, everyone 
 containing 4 leads apiece and 1 odd lead and 1 four leads which 
 was given to the Earl of Derby by the Burgesses." The agree- 
 ment respecting the Winsford salt works is very interesting. 
 The parties to it are " Charles Cholmondeley of Vale Royal " — 
 " William Toft of Middlewich, Apothecary, and George Wilkinson, 
 late of Middlewich and now Winsford, Yeoman." It would seem 
 that Middlewich men were the first to work the Winsford brine, 
 and foT a considerable time Middlewich and Winsford were joined 
 together in the Weaver toll book. No doubt the Weaver was 
 navigable in some degree prior to the passing to the Act of 1721, 
 as we know that rock-salt was sent to Ireland from Northwich 
 before this date. The Dane being smaller, shallower, and very 
 winding, was not navigable, but the people responsible for the 
 Act for making the Weaver navigable also promoted one for 
 
 597 
 
598 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 making the Dane navigable from Northwich to Wheelock 
 Bridge, but the project was not carried out. The Bridgewater 
 and Trent and Mersey Canal were not in existence when the 
 Weaver was made navigable, and the only way that Middlewich 
 salt could be exported was by conveying it by road to Winsford 
 and thence down the Weaver to Liverpool. However strange 
 this may seem it is a fact, and the Trustees of the Biver Weaver 
 spent a considerable sum of money in making and maintaining 
 a good road between Middlewich and Winsford. After the canal 
 was made, the salt was sent in barges to Broken Cross near 
 Northwich, and the Trustees constructed a good road from Broken 
 Cross to the Weaver at Northwich. This road was abandoned 
 when the connection between the canal and river was made at 
 Anderton. 
 
 The Winsford salt-works were small, consisting of only four 
 pans, the exact size of which is not given. Brownrigg in 1748 
 says " the Cheshire salt boilers, about 100 years ago, made use 
 of pans which only held about 48 gallons of brine, and after- 
 wards pans which held twice that quantity being somewhat 
 more than a yard square and six inches deep. I am well in- 
 formed that afterwards they made their salt pans gradually 
 larger, until they held about 800 gallons, which is the common 
 size of the pans now used in Cheshire." 
 
 The first salt-works in the Winsford district were on the low 
 ground in Over, on the banks of the Weaver on the Delamere 
 estate. The district where the Knights Grange works are located 
 seems, from the various documents existing, to be the earliest 
 spot. The Wharton side of the river had, except in a few places, 
 very high banks, and as the brine would be likely to show itself 
 in the low grounds first, salt works would be sure to be estab- 
 lished there, especially as coal, coming up the river, could not be 
 conveyed so readily to works on the high ground. The best 
 record of the Winsford salt manufacture is to be found in the 
 books of the Weaver Trust, and much of what follows has been 
 gathered from these records. It is evident that Winsford was 
 of but little note when the Weaver was made navigable. 
 
 In a separate chapter of this book upon the River Weaver I 
 have collected an exhaustive mass of data, showing not only the 
 rise and fall in the traffic of the river but also the fluctuations in 
 the salt trade of Cheshire ; but I find it necessary, and I hope 
 excusable, to repeat some of the more important figures here, in 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 599 
 
 order to illustrate the changes that have occurred in the salt 
 industry of Winsford during the past 190 years. Thus, up to 
 September 29th, 1733, when tolls began to be entered by the 
 
 Plan of Salt-works in Winsford District of Cheshire. 
 
 Trustees, the undertakers had received and accounted for 
 £1944, 2s. 3d., but it is impossible to say how much of this came 
 from Winsford. In 1736-37 Northwich tolls began to be kept 
 separate, but Middlewich and Winsford always remained under 
 
600 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 one head owing to the Middlewich salt being shipped at Winsford, 
 To show how small a trade was done on the Weaver in all kinds 
 of goods in these early days it is only necessary to note the 
 amount of the tolls received annually. In the year from 
 September 29th, 1733, to September 29th, 1734, the total tolls up 
 and down the river amounted to £1609, 8s. 2|d. ; in 1734-35, 
 £1490, 19s. 2|d. ; and in 1735-36, £1967, 10s. ll|d. In the year 
 1736-37 the total amount was £1774, 16s. 7£d., of which North- 
 wich contributed £1253, 18s. lOd. and Middlewich and Winsford 
 £520, 17s. 9fd. Although the general trade increased, that of 
 Middlewich and Winsford did not, for some time, show any ap- 
 preciable expansion. In 1746-47 the tolls taken were : North- 
 wich, £2071, 14s. Ofd. ; Winsford and Middlewich, £470, Is. 9£d. 
 In 1756-57 : Northwich, £3168, 0s. lljd. ; Winsford and Middle- 
 wich, £455, 17s. lid. The rock-salt trade from Northwich was 
 very large, whilst no rock salt was shipped from Winsford for 
 nearly a century after this time. From October 1733 to March 
 25th, 1734, there were shipped down the Weaver 3936 tons of 
 rock-salt and 2876 tons of white salt, and in the following year 
 the amounts had increased to 7443 tons of rock-salt and 8322 
 tons of white salt. The books were not kept very carefully, and 
 it is difficult, in the absence of any summaries, to be sure that 
 these figures are perfectly accurate, but they are near as can be 
 ascertained. From March 25th, 1750, to March 25th, 1751, Weaver 
 tolls were paid on 15,637 tons of rock salt and 17,601 tons of white 
 salt. At the end of the year 1758, and also at the time when the 
 second Act was being prepared, we first find tonnage summaries 
 and are enabled henceforward to separate the Winsford tonnage. 
 From September 30th, 1758, to April 1759, Northwich shipped 
 8970 tons of rock-salt and 5276 tons of white salt, whilst Winsford 
 shipped only 1055 tons of white salt. During the year from 
 April 5th, 1759, to April 5th, 1760, Northwich shipped 22,880 tons 
 of rock-salt and 15,168 tons of white salt ; Winsford, 2529 tons 
 of white salt. From April 5th, 1760, to April 5th, 1761, Northwich 
 shipped 20,646 tons of rock-salt and 17,807 tons of white salt, 
 and Winsford, 3113 tons of white salt. From April 5th, 1770, to 
 April 5th, 1771, Northwich shipped 32,424 tons of rock-salt and 
 33,080 tons of white salt ; Winsford, 3908 tons of white salt. 
 A.s Winsford, until the canal was made, included Middlewich, it 
 is evident that Northwich was doing a large trade and Winsford 
 a very little one. The first entry of goods for toll on October 1st, 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 601 
 
 1733, was made by Mr Wood of Winsford, and the flat bringing the 
 goods up the river was called the " Frances." The goods were 
 twelve hogsheads of molasses, one hogshead and three half-hogs- 
 heads of liquor, one hamper, one bag sugar, one rundlet, three 
 small casks of white lead, and half a ton of iron. This Mr Wood 
 subsequently became a large salt shipper, and the Woods remained 
 connected with salt-works and salt lands until after the formation 
 of the Salt Union. The first salt shipments paying toll were a 
 few bushels of rock-salt from Northwich on October 1st, 1733, 
 and 37 tons 17 bushels of white salt by Messrs Wrench & Parrot, 
 of either Winsford or Middlewich. The flat employed was called 
 " Middlewich." The size of the flats at this time was from 30 
 to 40 tons, and it must be remembered that no vessel was allowed 
 to navigate the Weaver drawing more than 4 ft. of water. 
 
 During the greater part of the eighteenth century the growth of 
 the salt trade on the Weaver, especially from Winsford , was very 
 slow, and it was not till 1777 that the first payment to the county 
 out of surplus tolls was made. From about 1786 a distinct im- 
 provement is seen, not only in the Northwich trade, in both rock- 
 and white salt ; but also in the Winsford white salt trade. By 
 the end of the century the average tonnage of white salt sent 
 down the Weaver from Winsford was 44,384 ; that of Northwich 
 being 84,933 tons ; besides an average of 51,109 tons of rock salt. 
 From the commencement of the nineteenth century Winsford 
 started on that career which was soon to place her at the head of 
 the salt towns of the world. The first impetus came with the 
 remission of the duty on salt in 1825, and from 1830-1840 the 
 Winsford trade had reached 169,081 tons, or an increase of rather 
 more than 3000 tons per year. Between 1840 and 1850 the East 
 Indian trade was open and the Winsford Weaver shipments 
 reached in 1850 324,249 tons, or an increase of 15,500 tons per 
 year. The next ten years marked a period of continuous expan- 
 sion, contributed to by the chemical trade, which was commencing 
 to grow rapidly, and by 1860 the shipments from Winsford had 
 reached 420,838 tons, or an increase of between 9000 and 10,000 
 tons per year. Winsford participated most largely not only in 
 the chemical trade but in the East Indian and American trades, 
 and by 1870 the Winsford Weaver shipments reached 640,155 
 tons, or an increase of about 22,000 tons per year. The next 
 ten years from 1870 to 1880 comprised the period of the greatest 
 prosperity for the salt trade, the shipments from Winsford in 
 
602 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1880 being no less than 794,824 tons, or an increase of nearly 
 16,000 tons per year since 1870. It must be borne in mind also 
 that considerable quantities of salt were being now sent from 
 Winsford by rail. From 1880 to 1890, as the following figures 
 show, there was first an advance and then a decline. Up to 
 1884, with one exception, there was a slight increase, after that 
 date there was a steady fall until, in 1890, the Winsford shipments 
 were only 501,548 tons, or a decline from the high water mark 
 of 834,306 tons in 1881 of no less than 332,758 tons. It has been 
 customary to attribute the whole of this great decrease to the 
 formation of the Salt Union, and it is impossible to deny that the 
 formation of the Union and the rise in the price of salt had a 
 prejudicial effect on the Cheshire shipments ; but even if there had 
 been no Salt Union there would have been a substantial decrease. 
 In 1884 the Winsford Weaver shipments were 813,100 tons ; 
 in 1885, 774,422 tons ; in 1886, 668,499 tons ; in 1887, 683,603 
 tons ; in 1888, 679,799 tons. Comparing these last figures we 
 find a decrease from 1881 to 1888 of 154,507 tons in the year. 
 These results antedated the formation of the Salt Union, and as 
 the figures of 1886 were 11,300 tons less than those of 1888 and 
 those of 1887 were only 4804 tons more, it is quite clear that for 
 three years before the Union was instituted there had been a 
 decrease of at least 150,000 tons per annum, caused, in the first 
 place, by the rapid growth of the manufacture of salt at Middles- 
 boro. After 1890 the make of salt at Winsford continued to fall, 
 till in the year ending April 5, 1897, the Weaver shipments were 
 only 417,249 tons, or practically one-half of what they were at 
 the highest point in 1881. These figures carry us back to 1860, 
 when the Winsford Weaver shipments were 420,838 tons. The 
 causes operating for a few years prior to the formation of the 
 Salt Union continued, the demand of the United States fell off, 
 and Fleetwood grew until it became a considerable factor in the 
 salt trade and Middlesboro developed very largely. Fleetwood 
 and Middlesboro being close to the port of shipment a long water 
 carriage is avoided and the river freight saved. 
 
 The rock-salt trade at Winsford has never been so large as at 
 Northwich. Prior to 1830 no rock-salt was sent down the Weaver 
 from Winsford. In that year 6575 tons were shipped and by 
 1842 over 50,000 tons had been shipped. From 1842 to 1856 no 
 rock-salt was shipped, but after that date every year saw ship- 
 ments of a few thousand tons. In 1870 only 3778 tons were 
 
003 
 
604 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 shipped. After this, gradual improvement took place, and in 1880 
 13,512 tons went down the Weaver. From that date to 1888 
 there was a considerable increase, and in 1883-4-5, the ship- 
 ments were over 27,000 tons per annum. In 1886 the highest 
 point, namely 28,236 tons, was reached. 
 
 From that date a rapid decline took place and in 1895 no rock- 
 salt was shipped and the mine on the Falks works on the Delamere 
 estate ceased working. The rock-salt trade not being sufficient 
 to keep all the mines working, only those possessing special 
 facilities remained open. 
 
 As far as can be gathered the first salt proprietors in Winsford 
 who paid tolls down the Weaver were Messrs Patten & Wrench, 
 Mr Parrott, and Mr G. Wilkinson, who leased the Winsford salt 
 works from Charles Cholmondeley. As there was no clear dis- 
 tinction made in the early books of the Weaver Trust between 
 Northwich and Winsford it is not quite certain to which town 
 some of the shippers belonged. Occasionally we find a North- 
 wich name bringing salt from Winsford, but as it seems to be 
 only an occasional cargo, it may have been bought from the salt 
 proprietor and entered down the river in the buyer's name. 
 Bridge is a name well known in the salt trade at Northwich 
 during the eighteenth century, and it occurs once or twice as a 
 Winsford shipper. As early as 1737 we meet with Seaman, and 
 the name occurs again in 1768, and from that time till last century 
 it occurs regularly. In 1738 we meet with E. Lowndes, but it is 
 difficult to say whether this is the Lowndes who is noted for 
 having devised a method of making fishery salt, using alum. 
 In Brownrigg's " Art of Making Common Salt," published in 
 1748, Lowndes is spoken of as having " lately been induced by 
 parliamentary encouragement to reveal his secret," and Lowndes 
 speaks of Cheshire brine. As in 1741 we find Charles Cholmondeley 
 a shipper, it would seem that his tenants had given up the works 
 and that he was carrying them on for a time himself. In the 
 same year we find W. Antrobus & Co. and the next year see 
 Pickering & Co., but they did not continue long. In 1744 we meet 
 with C. Cooke, who shipped pretty regularly for a time. In 1745 
 we meet with the name of Leigh, but it was not till later in the 
 century that the Leighs became very prominent. In 1747 we 
 meet with Isaac Wood as the most important shipper of salt. 
 Not only was he a salt proprietor but he had been a general 
 merchant on the river from the time that it was made navigable. 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 605 
 
 For the next fifty years the Woods held a most prominent place 
 amongst the largest salt shippers from Winsford, and in the worst 
 times they were the only proprietors who kept their works open. 
 Undoubtedly the name of Isaac Wood ought to be respected by 
 Winsford, and that of the Wood family generally, for when the 
 husband Isaac died, the widow, Jane Wood, carried on the business, 
 till we find another Isaac Wood to take it up, to be succeeded 
 shortly afterwards by Annabella. The year 1798 sees the last of 
 the Woods as salt manufacturers, but not as owners of salt 
 property. The advent of the Salt Union seems to have finally 
 severed the interests of the Woods in salt at Winsford after a 
 connection covering a period of nearly a century and a half. 
 
 In 1750 we meet with Stringers and Chesworths, and they con- 
 tinued in the salt trade for a number of years. In 1773 widow 
 Stringer seems to have retired ; but we continue to meet with 
 the Chesworths till 1793. The name of Barrow comes frequently 
 before us from 1750 to 1766, but not as large shippers. In 1757 
 W. Ball commenced to ship and continued till 1775, and about 
 this period we meet occasionally with such names as Marshall, 
 Docksey, Mort, Eastope, Smith. About 1766 we are left with 
 Wood, Low, Ball, Stringer, and Seaman. From 1775 to 1786 
 there was a period of depression and the shipments decreased 
 considerably till in 1783 they reach 1885 tons, the smallest ship- 
 ment of salt from Winsford in one year during the whole history 
 of the River Weaver Trust. It is interesting to note how the hard 
 times operated, for hard times existed then, with the exception 
 of only two or three works, as they have done at intervals of a 
 few years ever since, even when trade has been the briskest for 
 quantity. In 1773 the shipments were 4324 tons and the 
 shippers were Wood, Lowe, Seaman, Ball, Stringer. In 1774, 
 3950 tons were sent down the river by the same persons with 
 the addition of Thomas Marshall, a Northwich shipper and prob- 
 ably the ancestor of the Marshalls, who continued in the salt 
 trade of that town till they disposed of their interests to the Salt 
 Union. In 1775, 3211 tons were shipped, the same names recur, 
 but Chesworth comes in with Marshall in one shipment and alone 
 in others. In 1776 the shipments fell to 2408 tons, and Wood, 
 Lowe, Seaman, and Chesworth were the shippers. In 1777, 2462 
 tons were shipped by the same four firms ; in 1778 there was an 
 improvement and 3298 tons were shipped by the same people, 
 who shipped 2553 tons in 1779 and 2510 tons in 1780. In 1781 
 
606 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 there was a slight improvement, but Lowe and Chesworth had 
 given in and left Wood and Seaman to fight it out. In 1782 
 things were bad again, only 2467 tons were sent down the Weaver, 
 and Wood and Seaman had it to themselves, Seaman doing very 
 little. In 1783 we reach dead low water, 1885 tons. Wood and 
 Seaman still held on though, during most of the year, Seaman 
 shipped no salt and had evidently closed the works. We find an 
 improvement in 1784, viz. 3301 tons, and in this year we find 
 Jane Wood taking Isaac's place, and shipping the largest quantity 
 of salt. Seaman still continues and Chesworth ventured to open 
 his works again. In 1785 trade had evidently improved and we 
 have now touched firm ground, and henceforward after half a 
 century of dull, slow trade, we enter upon a career in which 
 Winsford never looked back for exactly a century. The ship- 
 ments were 4139 tons. Jane Wood and Seaman were now joined 
 by another salt proprietor named Roylance, almost certainly 
 from Northwich, as at this time there was a Roylance sinking rock 
 salt-mines there. Whoever he was, he came to Winsford to stay, 
 and his name occurs till 1843 when Court takes its place. It 
 may be surmised that Court married a Roylance, hence the 
 Roylance Courts which are subsequently found on the records. 
 
 The year 1786 is one deserving of note in the annals of Winsford. 
 There is only a slight increase over 1785 to 4436 tons, yet a 
 stimulus was given that immediately produced gTeat results. 
 Jane Wood, Seaman, and Roylance were joined by the firm of 
 Henry Wilcken & Co. of Liverpool. This German or Dutch 
 firm worked a salt mine at Martson and had salt-works at Wins- 
 ford. It is possible that some change in the demand for salt on 
 the Continent caused a revival of interest, for in this year we find 
 the entry into the Cheshire salt trade of Dutch or Germans, and 
 from this date to the present time we have had a succession of 
 Germans, Dutch, Danes, and other foreigners who have given a 
 great stimulus to the trade, and maintained a leading position 
 amongst the salt manufacturers of the locality. Wilckens Co. 
 had not been more than two years in the trade before they became 
 the largest shippers of salt down the Weaver from Winsford. In 
 1787 no less than 8758 tons of salt were sent by Winsford 
 firms. During 1788, 1789, Wood, Seaman, Roylance, and Wilcken 
 had the trade to themselves with the exception of Josh. Leay & 
 Co., who came in at the end of the year, but the improved position 
 of affairs speedily attracted others and in 1790 we find Hugh 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 607 
 
 Henshall & Co. and G-. Chesworth in the business. In 1790 the 
 Winsford salt shipments reached 13,769 tons and the shippers 
 were Wood, Seaman, Chesworth, Eoylance, Wilckens, Joseph 
 Leay, and Hugh Henshall. In 1792 Arnold Meyer & Co., who were 
 in partnership with Wilcken in the rock-salt trade in Northwich, 
 came in, but only stayed two years. In 1793 Richards joined 
 Leay, and Meyer & Wilckens retired — Richards took over the 
 mine of Meyer & Wilckens at Northwich also. Wilcken came 
 again into the trade in 1800 and remained till 1815. In 1797 
 Mr John Dudley, a noted man in the Winsford salt trade, made his 
 first shipment of salt down the Weaver. The shipments in that 
 year reached 24,335 tons. Dudley owned some of the flat land on 
 the Wharton side of the Weaver, and the stir in the salt trade 
 led him to seek for brine in his lands opposite to the works in 
 Over. For a time he was unsuccessful and was about to abandon 
 the search, when, as tradition states, one of the men searching 
 for brine said he would have another " dig." Brine was found, 
 and in such plenty, that the men had difficulty in getting out of 
 the shaft. Works were immediately erected, being the first in 
 Wharton, and 1797 saw the beginning of one of the largest of the 
 Winsford works and the entry of the Dudleys into the trading 
 life of Winsford, where they remained amongst the most prominent 
 factors, in the first half of the nineteenth century. At one time or 
 another the Dudleys appear, either alone or in partnership with 
 others, in a number of firms. No names have been so long con- 
 nected with Winsford salt manufacture as those of Dudley, Woods, 
 and Seamans. John Dudley continued to ship salt till 1833, 
 a period of 37 years ; in 1834 he was joined by Sir John Williams, 
 a judge of the Court of King's Bench — and this partnership lasted 
 1834-5-6. In 1837 we find Dudley & Son — a firm that seems to 
 have continued until 1844. If this latter firm was a continuation 
 of the firm of John Dudley and Dudley & Williams, the Dudleys 
 continued longer in the trade than any other firm, viz. 48 years. 
 We have John Dudley— who died in 1854— from 1797 to 1833 ; 
 Dudley & Williams, 1834-36 ; John Dudley & Son, 1837-44 ; 
 Dudley, Done & Co., 1809-21, and from 1826 to 1835 ; Dudley, 
 Blackburne & Co., 1816-28 ; Dudley, Walton & Co., 1816-20 ; John 
 Dudley, Junr., 1821-34 ; Richard Dudley, 1808 ; R. L. Dudley 
 & Co., 1819 and 1822-25 ; Dudley, Wade & Co., 1828-41 ; Dudley, 
 Garnett & Co., 1828-29 ; and Dudley, Dutton & Co., 1829-47. 
 A goodly list of Dudleys, of whom the John Dudley of 1797 must 
 
608 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 be looked upon as the pioneer and the salt king of his time. For 
 a few years from 1805 the lessees of the works on the Delamere 
 estate are on the scene. The only firm which lasted any time was 
 that of John Okell & Co., which continued to exist from 1807 to 
 1830 — the others whose leases were referred to, viz. Josh. Goulden 
 & Co., A. Davenport & Co., Rankin & O'Kell, Taylor, Pugh & 
 Co., were out in from three to ten years. The trade at this time 
 averaged only about 50,000 tons per annum, but the Napoleonic 
 wars of the first 15 years of the nineteenth century were not 
 conducive to trade expansion. In the year 1811 the firm of Leigh 
 Bros. & Co. first began to ship down the Weaver and continued till 
 1850, a period of 40 years. In 1813 William Court commenced 
 to manufacture and ship salt and continued till 1856, a period of 
 44 years, and if we continue this record through the Roylance 
 association to the reappearance of a William Court (1813-56) 
 they would boast of a period of 72 years continuous trading. We 
 find both the Dudleys and the Courts still owning salt properties 
 in Winsford after the lapse of over a century from their first 
 appearance. Amongst the Cholmondeley lessees of this time 
 were two Dones ; John Done of Tarporley was in the firm of 
 A. Davenport & Co. which lasted for ten years. In 1819 we find 
 the firm of John Done & Son, which lasted till 1836. The other 
 was Thos. Done, who was in partnership with Richard Lathbuiy 
 Dudley. He was a Wharton man, and the firm of Dudley, Done 
 & Co. shipped salt from 1809 to 1821. Later on we have James 
 Done & Co., 1835 to 1840, and Richard Done, 1836 to 1855. After 
 this period the Dones cease to be shippers but continue to hold 
 salt lands and lease salt works. The growth of the salt trade 
 was not very rapid until a short time after the duty was finally 
 taken off in 1825. During the war the duty had been advanced 
 to 15s. a bushel of 56 lbs., or the enormous amount of £30 per ton. 
 The trade staggered under such a heavy burden. The average 
 for the ten years from 1798 to 1808 was 50,802 tons per annum, 
 from 1808 to 1818 it was 71,367 tons, and from 1818 to 1828 
 83,612 tons. The' figures from 1820 to 1830 are very instructive, 
 they clearly show the effect of the removal of the duty. White 
 salt from Winsford down the Weaver — 
 
 1820 
 
 76,853 tons. 
 
 1821 
 
 72,138 „ 
 
 1822 
 
 61,458 „ 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 609 
 
 1823 
 1824 
 1825 
 1826 
 1827 
 1828 
 1829 
 
 58,865 tons. 
 
 70,440 
 
 79,798 
 114,843 
 102,305 
 110,728 
 132,051 
 
 In January 1823 the duty was reduced from 15s. per bushel 
 to 2s. per bushel, i.e. from £30 per ton to £4 per ton. In January 
 1825 the tax was abolished. As the financial year of the Weaver 
 Trust terminated on April 5 we can see why the shipments 
 of 1823, which is the year terminating April 5, 1823, were so small. 
 It is evident purchasers of salt were waiting for the reduction of 
 the duty. The same remark applies to 1825. The average 
 annual shipment from 1828 to 1838 was 140,649 tons. Taking 
 the ten years just prior to the removal of the duty, we find the 
 average 71,757 tons per annum. Whilst the annual average 
 for the years succeeding the removal of the duty was 132,947 
 tons or an annual increase of 6110 tons. The trade nearly 
 doubled itself in the ten yeaTs. The natural result was to draw 
 in a number of new manufacturers. There were 20 new shippers 
 in the ten years prior to the removal of the duty, but 35 in the 
 ten years succeeding. The firm of Clay & Midgeley, which 
 entered into the trade in 1821, remained till 1843 or 23 years. 
 Very few of the manufacturers prior to about 1829, with the 
 exception of those already mentioned, remained long in the trade. 
 In 1829 we meet with Josiah Perrin — another name well-known 
 in Winsford — who continued to ship till 1853. In the year 1828 
 Mr Perrin leased the land on which the National Salt Co.'s 
 works are situated to William Furnival. There is a most curious 
 history connected with the building of these works, which are 
 said to have cost £105,000. 
 
 Indeed, Furnival' s connection with the salt trade, not only of 
 Cheshire, but also of France and Belgium, is so interesting and 
 instructive that although he should have a place in any record 
 of Winsford, I have decided to reserve a summary of his career 
 and his inventions for a separate chapter. It is sufficient to 
 note here that Furnival made his entrance on the scene in Cheshire 
 in 1822, he erected works at Droitwich in 1823, he was engaged 
 in working French salt in 1826, and returned to England and 
 2Q 
 
610 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 built his costly works at Wharton in 1828. While engaged in 
 erecting salt works in Belgium in 1829, he was enticed over the 
 border and imprisoned by the French authorities at the instigation 
 of creditors who had secured judgment against him for a large 
 sum of money. Escaping after four months' incarceration he 
 returned to England and engaged in the salt industry at Winsford 
 from 1830 to August 1832, when he was seized for debt and lodged 
 in Horsemonger Lane Gaol. Here he wrote his " Statement of 
 Facts," which was published in 1833, but what thereafter became 
 of him is unknown. 
 
 At the De Tabley sale of North wich properties in 1828 Mr 
 Furnival bought lot No. 180 for £1550. 
 
 From 1829 to 1839 the salt trade kept on steadily increasing, 
 and the annual average rose from 83,612 tons in the period from 
 1819 to 1829, to 140,649 tons. During this period there were 
 38 new firms shipping salt, but many of these only continued in 
 the business for a short time. We find a few well-known names, 
 however ; John Cheshire commenced in 1832 and went on to 1848. 
 In 1834 we find Win. A. Jump, who continued to ship from 1834 
 to 1840. No doubt this was the Mr Jump whose name is con- 
 nected with the circular patent butter-pans. These pans are 
 the only patent pans that held their own against the old system. 
 When the salt trade with Russia was an important one, the fine 
 salt made in the Jump's patent pan was used to mix with the 
 heaviest fishery salt, making what was called " patent mixture." 
 The duty on salt in Russia was paid by measure, but the salt 
 was sold by weight, and the object of the importer was to get the 
 heaviest possible salt in order to get the largest quantity into 
 the measure. As soon as the government altered this system 
 and there was no advantage to be gained by the mixing of the 
 salt the patent pan fell into disuse. Mr Jump in 1837, in conjunc- 
 tion with Messrs Fairclough & Frost, leased land in Wharton 
 and Moulton from Mr James France, which, in 1879, was leased 
 to Mrs Ann Deakin, the executrix of George Deakin. When this 
 lease was made, the London and North Western Railway from 
 Liverpool to Birmingham was just completed and the high land 
 in Wharton was able to be utilised for salt works. But for the 
 objection of Mr Dudley the railway would have been carried 
 much nearer the Weaver between Winsford and the Bostock 
 works, which would have been much better for Winsford in every 
 way. Mr W. A. Jump ceased to ship in his own name in 1840, 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 611 
 
 and Firmstone, or Frost, or both in conjunction, continued from 
 1842 to 1853. In 1836 the firm of Bromilow & Partners com- 
 menced to ship and continued under this name until 1841. At 
 a later period we meet with Bromilow Bros. & Southern, which 
 firm continued from 1848 to 1856. The firm of Bromilow, 
 Haddock & Co. shipped from 1828 till 1836, and D. & H. G. 
 Bromilow from 1855 to 1860. In 1842 the firm appears again 
 and continues till 1873. In 1873 we meet with the Ravenhead 
 Colliery Co., which was probably the same firm under a new 
 name. This continues till 1877, and if we look upon the firm as 
 having existed with slight intermissions from 1828 to 1877 in- 
 clusive, we have a connection of 50 years. From 1837 to 1848 
 we have James Muspratt. After this period the Muspratts were 
 purchasers of salt till they became merged into the United Alkali 
 Co. In 1831 we first meet with the name of Wm. Cross as a salt 
 manufacturer, and for a period of 37 years this firm continued 
 to ship salt down the Weaver. The Crosses, however, continued 
 to ship much longer. From 1838 to 1842 we have Cross, 
 Parker & Co. ; from 1844 to 1848, Cross, Cheshier & Co. ; from, 
 1844 to 1846, Cross & Son, and from 1873 to 1877 inclusive, 
 G. R. Cross, a continuation of the firm of Wm. Cross. In 
 1879 we have R. Cross. Thus for over 40 years the Cross family 
 were important salt manufacturers in Winsford. 
 
 In 1839 the troubles of Furnival's works ceased with their 
 absorption by the National Patent Salt Co., which firm continued 
 to 1875, a period of 37 years. In its early years it rapidly reached 
 the position of one of the largest salt manufacturing firms in 
 Winsford, and shipped a considerable quantity of rock salt. 
 Justice Manisty was at last the sole owner of the leasehold interest 
 in these works. In 1875 he surrendered the lease and Stubbs 
 Bros, became the lessees of the works until 1888, when they 
 assigned the lease to the Salt Union. It is not possible to refer 
 to all the firms manufacturing or shipping salt from this time 
 to the present day, as, owing to the rapid growth of the trade, 
 many new firms come in, some continue only a few years, while 
 others remain and leave names inseparably connected with 
 Winsford. Robert Broady & Co. and James Shaw, Senr., and 
 James Shaw, Junr., were well known, but only small shippers. 
 In 1841 we first meet with the name of Falk, one most closely 
 connected with Winsford. The name first meets us as R. Falk 
 Senr., & Co., and under this style the firm continues to trade 
 
612 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 until 1849-50. After this the Falk firm seems to have ceased till 
 1856, when A. T. Falk came in and continued to occupy a very 
 prominent position till 1888, when he assigned his leasehold to 
 the Salt Union. Very few names have been so prominently 
 connected with Winsford as that of A. T. Falk. He was for years 
 a very large shipper, not only of white salt but of rock salt, and 
 he took a very commanding position in the trade. During his 
 business life he was, like Henry Wilcken, the first of the German 
 or Dutch manufacturers, a very energetic man, and the salt 
 trade of the Cheshire districts owes much to his force of character 
 and good business qualities. When the Falks came into the 
 trade they had the same difficulties to contend with as Furnival. 
 The older traders did not like them, and a good deal of what 
 Furnival called " persecution " took place. When the first firm 
 ceased to exist it was said that it had been bought out, a consider- 
 able sum of money having been subscribed by the salt proprietors 
 for the purpose, and it was understood that the firm should not 
 again enter into business in Winsford. 
 
 In 1842 James Blackwell commenced to manufacture salt at 
 Winsford and continued to do so till 1846, when he was joined by 
 Mr John Kay. The partnership existed till 1853, when we meet 
 with the firm of John Kay & Son. This firm continued till 1866, 
 when it was merged into the Cheshire Amalgamated Salt Works 
 Co., of which Mr Christopher Kay was chairman, and the works 
 were assigned to the Salt Union in 1888. 
 
 In 1845 I. & T. Johnson commenced to make salt, and in 1866 
 the name was changed to the Runcorn Soap and Alkali Co. The 
 Salt Union in 1888 purchased the interests of the Runcorn Soap 
 and Alkali Co. , and this agreement led to the very costly lawsuit 
 with J. B. Deakin, who was carrying on the old firm of George 
 Deakin under the name of Deakin Bros. This lawsuit lasted 
 from 1891 to 1897 and was twice through the Courts and House 
 of Lords before its final settlement in favour of the Salt Union. 
 
 In 1846 George Deakin entered into the salt trade. He was 
 one of those pushing energetic watermen, who commenced by 
 erecting a few pans to keep his flats employed. By degrees his 
 trade extended till it became one of the largest in Winsford. 
 Following Mr Deakin's death the business was carried on by 
 his widow, and afterwards by Mr J. B. Deakin, till 1888, when the 
 Salt Union purchased the interest in the various leaseholds. 
 Entering business about the time the East Indian market was 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 613 
 
 open to British salt, and when the annual increase of salt ship- 
 ments was over 20,000 tons, Mr Deakin gradually obtained the 
 leading position in the Winsford salt trade and maintained it 
 for many years. This prominence was maintained until Josh. 
 Verdin & Sons finally stood first. In 1850 the New Bridge Salt 
 Co. came into the trade and continued for 15 years when the 
 younger Verdin Bros, succeeded them, and the name of the firm 
 was subsequently changed to Josh. Verdin & Sons. 
 
 In 1851 the firm of Simpson & Potter commenced to make 
 salt and continued till 1862, and for the ensuing 26 years the 
 firm was known as Simpson, Son & Davies, or as Simpson & 
 Davies. In 1888 the works were acquired by the Salt Union. 
 From 1850 to 1860 the salt trade went on increasing by leaps and 
 bounds, and 43 new manufacturers and shippers entered the trade. 
 This number, although large, was exceeded during the following 
 ten years, in which 55 new firms entered the Winsford salt trade. 
 A further number of watermen associated themselves with the 
 trade and some continued for many years. We have Thomas 
 Deakin 16 years, Thomas Harrison 26 years, Thomas Riley 14 
 years, Ralph Anderton 24 years, James Allcock & Co. 28 years, 
 and William & Thomas Griffiths 15 years. None of these men 
 attained the position of George Deakin or Josh. Verdin, but they 
 plodded steadily on and, on the whole, they succeeded in making 
 a very comfortable living. The firm of Richard Evans was formed 
 in 1856, and, under the subsequent direction of Joseph Evans, it 
 was one of the four or five large firms that remained in the fighting 
 line till 1888, when it was absorbed by the Salt Union. In the 
 same year H. E. Falk entered the salt trade, and, for nearly the 
 whole of the period to 1888, he ran a neck and neck race with 
 Richard Evans, both firms shipping practically the same quantity 
 of white salt, year by year. From 1850 to 1860 the average 
 Winsford trade on the Weaver was 354,014 tons of white salt 
 as compared with 203,587 tons the previous decade, and the 
 whole of the rock salt, amounting to an average of 5818 tons per 
 year, was shipped by H. E. Falk. 
 
 In 1861 James Deakin commenced operations, which he perse- 
 vered with during a period of 25 years. A number of small 
 makers are met with about this time, some of whom attained to 
 prominent positions. We find Atherton & Royle 15 years, 
 Atherton & Griffiths 13 years, Hickson & Co. or Wm. & Robt. 
 Hickson. The Hicksons remained in the business till 1888, 
 
614 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 when their interests were acquired by the Salt Union after 28 
 years of trading. In 1861 we also meet with Stubbs Bros, under 
 the name of J. &. R Stubbs. From 1861 to 1875 this firm made 
 little headway, but in 1875, after taking over the leases of the 
 National and the Little Meadow Works, they went ahead rapidly 
 and became second only to the firms of Geo. Deakin and Josh. 
 Verdin & Sons. Few more successful firms than Deakin, Verdin 
 & Stubbs ever carried on trade in Winsford, and all commenced 
 in a very small way. The Salt Union in 1888 acquired all the 
 works of Stubbs Bros. 
 
 In 1863 the firm of Josh. Verdin & Sons commenced making 
 salt at Winsford. They had been making at Northwich for 
 some years previously. This firm, which existed at Winsford 
 till 1888, a period of 26 years, boasted one of the most prosperous 
 commercial careers ever known in the district, and when its 
 affairs were absorbed by the Salt Union, it was the largest salt 
 firm, not only in Cheshire, but probably in the world. Josh. 
 Verdin & Sons participated very largely in the great increase of 
 salt shipments that distinguished the decade from 1860 to 1870, 
 when the yearly average rose from 354,014 tons to 464,433 tons. 
 In the next ten years the increase was still larger and the average 
 rose from 464,433 tons to 659,752 tons. These figures do not 
 include the very considerable quantities of salt that were conveyed 
 by rail to all parts of the kingdom. At no period of the history 
 of the salt trade has the increase been so great as from 1870 to 
 1880. The new traders from 1860 to 1870 numbered 40, those 
 from 1870 to 1880, 26. As we draw nearer to the present time 
 the names all become so familiar that it is scarcely necessary 
 to name them. 
 
 In 1866 the Cheshire Amalgamated Salt Works Co. was formed at 
 Winsford, and branches were opened at Northwich and Sandbach. 
 The company continued to carry on a large business till 1888, 
 when it was taken over by the Salt Union. William Dignum 
 traded from 1866 to 1884, but never shipped very much salt, and 
 Edmund Leigh traded off and on in a small way from 1869 until 
 his business was absorbed by the Salt Union in 1888. In the 
 same way the Wharton River and Rail Co., which commenced 
 operations in 1872, was bought out by the Salt Union shortly 
 after its formation. Otto Pohl, an enterprising German, made 
 several attempts at manufacturing salt, but he was not very 
 successful. He appears as a shipper in 1873-4-5-7 and 1880. 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 615 
 
 From 1880 to the time when the Salt Union took over all the 
 existing Cheshire salt works, a large but steadily decreasing trade 
 was done. In 1881, 831,306 tons of white salt were shipped 
 down the Weaver from Winsford, and until 1881 the quantity 
 was practically maintained, but after that date the exports fell 
 away rapidly and in the year ending April 5th, 1889, only 679,799 
 tons, or a decrease from the highest point of 151,507 tons, were 
 sent away. 
 
 After the formation of the Salt Union the decrease, which had set 
 in four years before, continued rapidly, and it was not long before 
 
 " Vacuum " Plant and Salt Store, with ijteam Barges loading— Winsford. 
 
 competitors found means of entering the trade. John Garner 
 was the first to start manufacturing, and he was supported by 
 brokers who had lost their business on the formation of the 
 Salt Union. In a short time, owing to the high prices prevailing, 
 Garner was in a position to make considerable additions to his 
 works. He was followed by Geo. Hamlett & Sons, and after a 
 time by Briggs Bros, and Probert & Blagg and Kitchen ; but th^se 
 latter firms were absorbed, after an inconsiderable interval, by 
 the Salt Union. 
 
 During the past quarter of a. century the shipments of salt 
 from the Cheshire districts have largely decreased. The great 
 expansion in the ammonia salt works, such as those of Brunner, 
 
616 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Mond & Co., and also in electrolytic works using brine, led to a 
 largely decreased demand for salt, and much of the present 
 demand for the old Le Blanc process, is supplied by the chemical 
 manufacturers from their Fleetwood and Middlesboro works. 
 Foreign competition increased the duties in various countries, 
 and the growth of Fleetwood in the early days of the Salt Union, 
 seriously reduced the make of salt at Winsford. 
 
 A few of the leading incidents connected with the Winsford 
 salt trade, which are here recorded, will, it is hoped, be read 
 with interest. 
 
 Mr Isaac Wood, who brought the first cargo up the Weaver 
 after tolls were regularly collected, was appointed by the Trustees 
 to collect the dues on their behalf. In 1735 it was reported that 
 Mr Wood was trading on the river, and he was required to either 
 cease shipping or to resign his post. He chose the latter alternative, 
 and for a long time continued to trade, being, after 1747, one of 
 the largest salt shippers from Winsford. The clerkships on the 
 Weaver were almost sinecures at first and the salaries were very 
 small. Mr Thomas Faithful of Middlewich, who was head clerk 
 on the Weaver, and the first of the long line of Weaver clerks, 
 was appointed at a salary of £30 per annum commencing from 
 Oct. 1730. The business of the Weaver does not appear to have 
 been satisfactorily conducted, and in 1757 the dissatisfied Liverpool 
 merchants offered to take the river over and work it themselves. 
 The Trustees refused to accede to this proposal, but they offered 
 to get a second Act of Parliament to enable them to do every- 
 thing necessary to maintain the navigation. One of the sugges- 
 tions, made in 1758, was to build a road from Winsford Bridge 
 via Congleton and Leek to Ashbourne, to encourage traffic to 
 the Weaver. In this year Mr Pownall, who appears to have been 
 collector of tolls at Winsford, was promoted to Northwich as 
 " superintendent and inspector of the navigation and works 
 therein," and his place at Winsford was taken by Thos. Hunt. 
 In 1759 it was found that a difference was being made in the toll 
 up to Winsford as compared with Northwich, and this was ordered 
 to be stopped. In April 1759 the Northwich Lock was destroyed 
 or damaged by the falling in of a rock pit, called Metcalf's, close 
 by, and Winsford traffic was seriously interfered with. The 
 Winsford salt proprietors asked the Trustees of the Weaver to 
 compensate them for their loss of trade, but on the plea that the 
 accident was beyond their control, the Trustees refused compensa- 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 617 
 
 tion. In 1760 Thos. Kent was appointed collector of tolls at 
 Winsford, with Middlewich included in his district, at a salary 
 of £40 per annum. 
 
 In the year 1765 the Trustees of the river Weaver, hearing 
 that a petition was to be presented to Parliament for power to 
 make a navigable canal from Weilden in Derbyshire to Frodsham 
 in Cheshire, and being uncertain how this would affect the traffic 
 on the Weaver, ordered that " Mr Pownall and Mr Hugh Henshall 
 do forthwith survey and take proper levels of the Country from 
 Winsford Bridge to Lawton by Middlewich and also by Nantwich 
 and from Dutton Bottoms and Pickmere Mere to the nearest 
 part of the Duke of Bridgewater's intended Cutt in order to 
 discover the most convenient places and properest method of 
 making a communication between the river Weaver and the 
 said intended new Cutts or Canals and to observe the most proper 
 places to make Quays or Wharfs." 
 
 When they ascertained, subsequently, that the Weilden ferry 
 project was about to be carried out, the Trustees ordered " that 
 the Treasurer do attend all public meetings that shall be advertised 
 and held about fixing the course and other proceedings relating 
 to the said intended navigable canal in order to receive any 
 proposals that may be made for their joining or coming into the 
 River Weaver." Later in the same year the Trustees " Ordered 
 that the river Weaver from Winsford Bridge in the County of 
 Chester to the river Trent at Shutborough in the County of 
 Stafford be carried on from near Stafford to join the River Severn," 
 and plans and surveys made " to show the Public utility of 
 extending the navigation on the river Weaver to Weilden Ferry 
 in the County of Derby." Canal-making seems to have been 
 quite the rage at this time, and could some of the schemes have 
 been carried out, no doubt it would have been easy for Winsford 
 to send her salt inland by canal. At this same time a scheme 
 appears to have been entertained by the Trustees of the Weaver 
 for making the river a link in the chain between the Trent and 
 Mersey, for it was ordered "that the Treasurer and Mr Pownall shall 
 forthwith apply to Mr Josiah Wedgwood of Burslem and such other 
 material persons as are concerned in promoting a scheme lately pub- 
 lished for obtaining an act for a navigable canal between the ports 
 of Liverpool and Hull to know their Resolution if they will agree 
 that the said intended canal in case an act is obtained shall com- 
 municate with the said river Weaver." Why this connection 
 
618 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 was not made it is difficult to say. Probably the river Weaver 
 was in bad odour, and it certainly seems to have been anything but 
 a success. It was deeply in debt, and the traders had complained 
 so much as to mismanagement, that in 1759 a second Act was 
 obtained, but, though matters were mended, it was a number of 
 years before the debt was wiped off. It would have been a good 
 thing for Winsford and the Weaver Valley generally if the Trent 
 and Mersey Canal had been brought to Winsford and a junction 
 there effected with the Weaver. In 1766 it was proposed to 
 make a canal by private subscription from Winsford Bridge to 
 Wrinehill in Staffordshire, and the Weaver Trustees agreed to lend 
 their surveys to the promoters, and help them by reduced tolls, 
 etc. In 1774 Isaac Wood of Winsford made an unsuccessful 
 attempt to obtain compensation for damage done to his trade 
 on the Weaver by the destruction of the lock at Northwich in 
 1759 and the delay in repairing and renewing it. It is evident 
 that at this time Winsford was a very small place, having only 
 two or three sets of works with, at the utmost, four pans each. 
 In 1779 the Traders on the Weaver petitioned the Trustees to 
 make a towing-path for horses — the vessels up to that time 
 having been hauled by men. In 1783 the trade from Winsford 
 had been so much reduced by the opening of communication 
 with the canal at Broken Cross, and the improvement that had 
 been made to the road from thence to the Weaver at North wich, 
 that the salary of Mrs Kent (who had been appointed toll collector 
 at Winsford on her husband's death) was reduced from £40 per 
 annum to £20. Early in 1784 the Winsford and Middlewich 
 road was repaired at considerable cost (over £900) and the Broken 
 Cross establishment dismantled. The Trustees gave instructions 
 for a survey of the Winsford river to see what improvements 
 could be effected to facilitate trade. In July 1784 Winsford 
 Weaver business was transferred to Northwich and the office 
 was given up. In 1785 the Winsford salt proprietors complained 
 to the Weaver Trustees that the water was not deep enough 
 over the lock sills, and a great improvement was made, enabling 
 vessels drawing 10 feet to pass the locks. At the same time that 
 the weirs were being capped the river at Winsford was widened 
 and plans were got out to alter Hartford Bridge, which was found 
 to be too low. 
 
 Trade at this time was evidently improving, as the firm of 
 H. Wilcken & Co. of Liverpool not only obtained a rock salt 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 
 
 619 
 
 mine at Nortkwieh, but established a set of works at Winsford. 
 The salt proprietors continued to press the Trustees for improve- 
 ments in the Winsford river, and in 1785-6-7 plans and estimates 
 were prepared. In 1788, (5 inches was ordered to be put on 
 Butty Meadow Weir. At this time the Trustees decided to make 
 a communication between the Weaver and the Trent and Mersey 
 Canal at Anderton and thus do away with the necessity of main- 
 taining the road to Middlewieh from Winsford Bridge. The 
 superintendent of the road was discharged and orders were given 
 
 "Vacuum" Works at Winsford, Cheshire. 
 
 that no further repairs were to be done. Business had im- 
 proved and in 1789 the bridge at Newbridge was ordered to lie 
 raised 3 feet, In 1790 alterations were made at Vale Royal 
 Lock; in 1791 a new lock and bridge were ordered to be built 
 at Newbridge ; and in 1795 the river was ordered to be widened 
 at Newbridge to allow flats to pass under the east end of the 
 bridge. In 1796 the river was ordered to be widened " near 
 Thompson's works" and to be straightened near Winsford 
 Bridge. It was at this time that the island was formed on which 
 the Island Salt works were built. The towing path having been 
 cut through at the Dutch works, bridges were ordered to be thrown 
 across by Richards, who appears to have taken the works of 
 
620 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Wilckens as well as those of Dudley & Leay. In 1800 we 
 have the first reference to what would seem to be subsidence 
 above Winsford Bridge. " A complaint was made " that " lands 
 above Winsford Bridge belonging to Geo. Wilbraham, Esq., are 
 damaged by raising Newbridge Weir." It was only natural 
 that the raising of the weir should be thought to be the cause 
 of the damage as, at this period, subsidence outside the area of 
 rock salt mines had hardly begun to show itself, but the lands 
 referred to now form part of the Bottom Flash, and from 1820 
 onward for a number of years, regular surveys were made showing 
 the increasing quantity of land covered by water. 
 
 Early in the nineteenth century the low land on the Over side 
 of the river on the Delamere estate, more especially the Knights 
 Grange, seems to have been in request for salt works, and a number 
 of fifty-year leases were granted. As in the first lease of 1723 it 
 was not Winsford men who acquired the leases. In 1802 Messrs 
 John O'Kell & Co. leased the Knights Grange salt works for 
 fifty years from Aug. 21, 1802. The parties forming the company 
 were Joseph Goulden of Anderton, William Holland of Castle 
 Northwich, George Holland of Northwich and John O'Kell of 
 Sandiway. None of these were salt manufacturers. Goulden 
 is described as a merchant, the Hollands as timber merchants, 
 and O'Kell as a gentleman. Another set of works, adjacent 
 to these, was occupied by Clay & Midgely. The provision in 
 O'Kell's lease was for the erection of four pan houses and a store- 
 house. In 1803 the same parties, under the name of Joseph 
 Goulden & Co., acquired some six or seven acres of land adjacent 
 with the object of getting rock salt, but they do not appear to 
 have persisted in their purpose. In 1806 we meet with familiar 
 names ; a lease of land adjoining O'Kell's being granted to Daven- 
 port, Done & Co. The company consisted of Aldersey Davenport 
 of Wharton, merchant, John Done of Tarporley, gentleman, 
 William Dodson of Wharton, timber merchant, and John 
 Thompson and William Harding of Wharton, executors of 
 Charles Heppard. In 1807 we find a lease granted to Bichard 
 Lathbury Dudley & Co. and Thomas Done of Wharton formed one 
 of the company. In 1808 a lease for new works was granted 
 further down the river, but still on the low ground, and these 
 again were erected by strangers, viz. Richard Rankin of Leftwich, 
 William O'Kell of Liverpool, William Leigh of Barnton, and 
 Robert Wade of Over. In connection with these works was a 
 
621 
 
622 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 brine lease made between John O'Kell & Co. and Rankin, O'Kell 
 & Co. The interesting feature in the lease is the size of the 
 pan mentioned, viz. 780 superficial feet, which gives a pan of 
 30 ft. by 26, or 39 ft. by 20. This is to be the standard, and 
 £25 per annum is fixed as the brine rent to be increased or de- 
 creased according to any subsequent alteration in the size of the 
 pan. Late in 1808 another lease of land contiguous to the Knights 
 Grange works was granted to Eobt. Pulf ord Taylor of Middlewich , 
 Doctor John Pugh and Geo. Pugh of Over, drapers, John Barker 
 of Rushton, John Done of Calverley, and John Sim Hitchin of 
 Alpraham, all yeomen. 
 
 Other featuies of interest connected with the size of the pans, 
 subsidence, the price of salt, and the changes in the size and 
 description of the flats are dealt with freely in other chapters, and 
 this division may be concluded with the inclusion of the following 
 tables of manufacture, which speak eloquently of the trade of the 
 eighteenth century and show the marvellous increase of the 
 trade in the following century : — 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1759 
 
 1,005 ) 
 
 1760 
 
 2,528 
 
 1761 
 
 3,113 
 
 1762 
 
 4,015 
 
 1763 
 
 3,097 
 
 1764 
 
 3.815 
 
 1765 
 
 3,700 
 
 1766 
 
 4,765 
 
 1767 
 
 3,637 
 
 1768 
 
 3,419 
 
 1769 
 
 3,780^ 
 
 1770 
 
 5,201 
 
 1771 
 
 3,908 
 
 1772 
 
 4,263 
 
 1773 
 
 4,324 
 
 1774 
 
 3,950 
 
 1775 
 
 3,211 
 
 1776 
 
 2,408 
 
 1777 
 
 2,462 
 
 1778 
 
 3,298 
 
 Tons. 
 33,144 
 
 Average. 
 3,314 
 
 36,805 
 
 3,680 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 623 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1779 
 
 2,552 1 
 
 1780 
 
 2,510 
 
 1781 
 
 3,192 
 
 1782 
 
 2,467 
 
 1783 
 
 1,885 
 
 1784 
 
 3,301 
 
 1785 
 
 4,139 
 
 1786 
 
 4,436 
 
 1787 
 
 8,758 
 
 1788 
 
 10,802 , 
 
 1789 
 
 11,260 ^ 
 
 1790 
 
 13,769 
 
 1791 
 
 19,137 
 
 1792 
 
 17,917 
 
 1793 
 
 13,850 
 
 1794 
 
 19,524 
 
 1795 
 
 13,246 
 
 1796 
 
 25,128 
 
 1797 
 
 24,335 
 
 1798 
 
 30,222 , 
 
 1799 
 
 38,611 ' 
 
 1800 
 
 38,423 
 
 1801 
 
 52,883 
 
 1802 
 
 61,796 
 
 1803 
 
 47,825 
 
 1804 
 
 38,200 
 
 1805 
 
 48,207 
 
 1806 
 
 63,552 
 
 1807 
 
 58,964 
 
 1808 
 
 59,964. 
 
 1809 
 
 55,688 ^i 
 
 1810 
 
 74,188 
 
 1811 
 
 89,696 
 
 1812 
 
 53,432 
 
 1813 
 
 70,330 
 
 1814 
 
 52,954 
 
 1815 
 
 108,059 
 
 1816 
 
 96,535 
 
 1817 
 
 48,729 
 
 1818 
 
 64,065 
 
 Tons. 
 44,042 
 
 Average. 
 4,404 
 
 188,388 18,838 
 
 508,025 
 
 50,802 
 
 713,676 
 
 71,367 
 
624 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1819 
 
 88,6921 
 
 
 
 1820 
 
 76,853 
 
 
 
 1821 
 
 72,138 
 
 
 
 1822 
 
 61,458 
 
 Tons. Average. 
 
 1823 
 1824 
 
 58,865 
 70,440 
 
 836,120 83,612 
 
 1825 
 
 79,798 
 
 
 
 1826 
 
 114,843 
 
 
 
 1827 
 
 102,305 
 
 
 
 1828 
 
 110,728, 
 
 
 
 
 White. 
 
 Rock. 
 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 
 1829 
 
 132,051 
 
 \ 
 
 
 1830 
 
 136,134 
 
 
 
 1831 
 
 143,344 
 
 6,575 
 
 White. Average. 
 
 1832 
 
 124,688 
 
 7,710 
 
 1,406,495 140,649 
 
 1833 
 
 154,800 
 
 10,561 
 
 
 1834 
 
 161,820 
 
 5,807 * 
 
 Hock. 
 
 1835 
 
 148,761 
 
 5,482 
 
 47,011 5,876 
 
 1836 
 
 131,379 
 
 4,078 
 
 
 1837 
 
 132,322 
 
 3,795 
 
 
 1838 
 
 141,196 
 
 3,003 . 
 
 
 1839 
 
 174,949 
 
 2,6691 
 
 
 1840 
 
 169,081 
 
 2,610 
 
 
 1841 
 
 170,459 
 
 1,206 
 
 White. 
 
 1842 
 1843 
 
 152,750 
 176,029 
 
 186 
 
 2,035,874 203,587 
 
 1844 
 
 246,034 
 
 
 Rock. 
 
 1845 
 
 221,856 
 
 
 6,671 1,668 
 
 1846 
 
 229,611 
 
 
 
 1847 
 
 235,908 
 
 
 
 1848 
 
 259,197 
 
 •• 
 
 
 1849 
 
 338,499 
 
 
 \ 
 
 1850 
 
 324,250 
 
 
 
 1851 
 
 266,895 
 
 
 White. 
 
 1852 
 1853 
 
 368,945 
 361,201 
 
 
 3,540,143 354,014 
 
 1854 
 
 341,026 
 
 ! 
 
 Rock. 
 
 1855 
 1856 
 
 319,886 
 384,25' 
 
 \ 
 
 141 
 
 15,067 5,022 
 
 1857 
 
 450,735 
 
 ) 6,889 
 
 
 1858 
 
 384,444 8,037 
 
 . 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 625 
 
 White. 
 
 Bock. 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 
 
 1859 
 
 424,594 
 
 6,623 > 
 
 
 
 1860 
 
 420,830 
 
 7,402 
 
 
 
 1861 
 1862 
 1863 
 
 478,092 
 455,736 
 474,671 
 
 7,591 
 6,594 
 8,138 
 
 White. 
 4,644,333 
 
 Average. 
 464,433 
 
 1864 
 
 438,300 
 
 7,857 
 
 Rock. 
 
 78,182 
 
 
 1865 
 1866 
 
 430,442 
 466,018 
 
 11,273 
 10,197 
 
 7,818 
 
 1867 
 
 579,927 
 
 8,158 
 
 
 
 1868 
 
 575,723 
 
 4,349 j 
 
 
 
 1869 
 
 628,228 
 
 3,679 1 
 
 
 
 1870 
 
 640,155 
 
 3,778 
 
 
 
 1871 
 
 652,775 
 
 6,812 
 
 White. 
 
 
 1872 
 
 703,254 
 
 10,783 
 
 6,597,525 
 
 659,752 
 
 1873 
 
 629,573 
 
 9,481 
 
 
 
 1874 
 
 587,925 
 
 13,740 
 
 Rock. 
 
 
 1875 
 
 682,732 
 
 8,273 
 
 93,041 
 
 9.304 ; 
 
 1876 
 
 719,110 
 
 9,927 
 
 
 
 1877 
 
 706,158 
 
 11,807 
 
 
 
 1878 
 
 647,723 
 
 14,761 , 
 
 
 
 1879 
 
 690,325 
 
 15,691 > 
 
 
 
 1880 
 
 798,824 
 
 13,512 
 
 
 
 1881 
 
 834,306 
 
 11,232 
 
 Whitp 
 
 
 1882 
 1883 
 
 821,318 
 691,210 
 
 16,777 
 27,112 
 
 TV I11UC. 
 
 7,447,406 
 
 TJnnl,- 
 
 744,740 
 
 1884 
 
 813,100 
 
 27,613 
 
 
 1885 
 1886 
 
 774,422 
 668,499 
 
 27,108 
 28,236 
 
 208,338 
 
 20,833 
 
 1887 
 
 683,603 
 
 17,515 
 
 
 
 1888 
 
 679,799 
 
 23,482, 
 
 
 
 1889 
 
 722,665 
 
 18,173 N 
 
 
 
 1890 
 
 501,548 
 
 8,282 
 
 
 
 1891 
 
 535,356 
 
 11,188 
 
 White. 
 
 
 1892 
 
 489,776 
 
 15,623 
 
 4,916,211 
 
 491,621 
 
 1893 
 
 475,142 
 
 6,070 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 437,822 
 
 1,531 
 
 Rock. 
 
 
 1895 
 
 469,610 
 
 
 60,937 
 
 6,093 
 
 1896 
 
 463,588 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1897 
 
 417,249 
 
 68 
 
 
 
 1898 
 
 403,455 
 
 / 
 
 
 j 
 
 2k 
 
626 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 White. Rock. 
 
 
 Tons. Tons. 
 
 1899 
 
 403,744 
 
 1900 
 
 345,718 
 
 1901 
 
 331,312 
 
 1902 
 
 394,926 
 
 1903 
 
 371,624 
 
 1904 
 
 395,249 
 
 1905 
 
 381,330 
 
 1906 
 
 373.912 
 
 1907 
 
 380,510 
 
 1908 
 
 361,840 
 
 1909 
 
 356,969 
 
 1910 
 
 333,667 
 
 1911 
 
 373,984 
 
 1912 
 
 331,688 
 
 1913 
 
 304,976 
 
 White. 
 3,740,165 
 
 Rock. 
 
 Nil. 
 
 White. 
 1,701,284 
 
 Average. 
 374,016 
 
 340,256 
 
 Total shipments down the 
 1909 shown every ten years :- 
 
 1759 to 1769 
 1769 to 1779 
 1779 to 1789 
 1789 to 1799 
 1799 to 1809 
 1809 to 1819 
 1819 to 1829 
 1829 to 1839 
 1839 to 1849 
 1849 to 1859 
 1859 to 1869 
 1869 to 1879 
 1879 to 1889 
 1889 to 1899 
 1899 to 1909 
 
 Total 
 
 Weaver from March 1759 to March 
 
 White Salt. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 33,144 
 
 36,805 
 
 44,042 
 
 188,388 
 
 508,025 
 
 713,676 
 
 836,120 
 
 1,406,495 
 
 2,035,874 
 
 3,540,143 
 
 4,644,333 
 
 6,597,525 
 
 7,447,406 
 
 4,916,211 
 
 3,740,165 
 
 36,688,352 
 
 Rock Salt. 
 Tons. 
 
 47,011 
 6,671 
 15,067 
 78,182 
 93,041 
 208,338 
 60,937 
 
 509,247 
 
 It may be interesting to show the growth of the trade by giving 
 the average yearly shipments and increases of white salt. Ship- 
 ments of rock salt being small may be left out of yearly average. 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 627 
 
 Average Average increase 
 
 per year. every year. 
 
 Tons. Tons. 
 
 1759 to 1769 3,314 366 
 1769 to 1779 3,680 
 
 1779 to 1789 4,404 724 
 
 1789 to 1799 18,838 14,434 
 
 1799 to 1809 50,802 31,964 
 
 1809 to 1819 71,367 20,565 
 
 1819 to 1829 83,612 12,245 
 
 1829 to 1839 140,649 57,037 
 
 1839 to 1849 203,587 62,938 
 
 1849 to 1859 354,014 150,427 
 
 1859 to 1869 464,433 110,419 
 
 1869 to 1879 659,752 195,319 
 
 Average decrease. 
 
 1879 to 1889 744,740 84,988 
 
 1889 to 1897 (9 yrs.) 501,417 243,323 
 
 mlddlewich and wlnsford shipments op salt down the 
 Eiveb Weaver as far as can be traced from October 
 1st 1733 to October 1st 1734 
 
 The Winsfoid and Middlewich shipments are grouped together 
 
 as soon as the tolls are divided into Northwich and the tolls 
 
 beyond Northwich. In the first book there is nothing at first 
 
 to distinguish the place from which the goods come or to which 
 
 they went. We know all rock salt went from Northwich. It 
 
 is only by the names of the shippers and other facts derived 
 
 elsewhere or after the time when the tolls were separated that 
 
 we can even approximately locate them. 
 
 Rate of Toll 
 
 per ton Weight. Toll paid. 
 
 1733 
 
 
 d t c 
 
 £ 
 
 s 
 
 d 
 
 Octr. 1 
 
 Mr Wood p Frances 12 hid* 
 P do: 1 Hh'i & 3 half hhd» 
 
 ' Mol" 9 15 4 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 Liquor 
 
 17 
 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 
 1 Hamper 1 Bag Suggar 1 Rrmdlet 3 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 P. do. 3 Small Casks White Lead. 4 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 Iron Half a Ton . 
 
 10 
 d 15 t Bus 
 
 
 
 7i 
 
 2 
 
 P Middlewich M r Wrench 
 
 . (White Salt) 21 8 \ 
 do 16 9 / 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 n 
 
 it 
 
 P do for M r Parrot 
 
 4 
 
 M r Wrench p Frances . 
 
 do 15 15 1 
 
 \ 
 
 17 
 
 5 
 
 ,, 
 
 M r Parrot p do 
 
 do 14 23 j 
 
 
 
 ? Pottery 
 
 P. Betty for Winsford 
 
 Flint Stones 19 
 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 Trade 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 M r Wrench P Lyon 
 
 White Salt 14 111 
 
 I 
 
 15 
 
 
 „ 
 
 M r Parrot — P — do. 
 
 do. 13 39 / 
 
 
628 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Rate of Toll 
 per ton 
 9 M r Parrot P. Margaret White Salt 
 
 „ M r Wrench P. do. do. 
 
 (Winsford 10 George Wilkinson P. Betty do. 
 
 Salt 
 Works ?) 
 
 Oct. 
 
 Nov. 
 
 12 
 13 
 
 15 
 
 17 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 
 22 
 
 24 
 
 26 
 
 29 
 
 10 
 
 12 
 
 15 
 
 M r Wood — per Winsford Oak Timber 
 M< Wrench P Margaret White Salt 
 
 M r Parrot P do. do. 
 
 M r Wrench P Lyon do. 
 
 M r Parrot p do. do. 
 
 M r Wrench P Middlewich do. 
 
 M r Parrot P do. do. 
 
 M r Wrench P. do. 6 Baggs Malt 
 
 M r Wrench P. Catharine White Salt 
 
 „ Parr otP do. do. 
 
 M r Wrench P Lyon do. 
 
 ,, Parrot p do. do. 
 
 M r Wrench P Winsford do. 
 
 ,, Parrot P. do. do. 
 
 M r Wrench P Margaret do. 
 
 ,, Parrot P. do. do. 
 
 George Wilkinson P. Weaver do. 
 
 George Wilkinson P. Ellinor do. 
 
 M r Wrench per Catharine do. 
 
 „ Parrot p do. do. 
 
 M r Tho s Wrench P Marg' do. 
 
 M r Ja 8 Parrot P do. do. 
 
 M r Thos Wrench P Prosperous do. 
 
 M r Jas Parrot P do. do. 
 
 M r Thos Wrench P Marg' do. 
 
 James Parot (sic) P do do. 
 
 George Wilkinson P Catharine do. 
 
 Tho s Wrench P. Frances do. 
 
 James Parrot P do. do. 
 
 Edward Boden do. do. 
 
 George Wilkinson P Winsford do. 
 
 M Eyre & Co P do. do. 
 
 M r Eyre & Co P Eleanor do. 
 
 Weight. 
 
 Toll paid. 
 
 15 12 1 
 
 9 22 / 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 37 20 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 10f 
 
 T. F. 
 
 
 
 
 16 5 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 15 31 1 
 11 26 f 
 
 1 
 
 14 
 
 H 
 
 13 100 \ 
 13 70 / 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 01 
 
 17 16 1 
 13 6 / 
 
 1 
 
 18 
 
 21 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 10 19 1 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 15 11 / 
 
 
 
 
 13 18 \ 
 16 29 / 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 
 81 
 
 12 0\ 
 
 13 4 J 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 ih 
 
 12 18 \ 
 10 37/ 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 H 
 
 23 22 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 5| 
 
 34 8 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 11 27 \ 
 8 16/ 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 Gals. 
 
 
 
 
 12 26-7 \ 
 12 23-7 f 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 17 15-7 \ 
 12 28-7 f 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 
 n 
 
 16 334 
 
 
 
 
 13 3 
 
 1 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 24 39 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 2f 
 
 5 ) 
 
 
 
 
 5 [ 
 21 35 J 
 
 1 
 
 19 
 
 10J 
 
 
 
 
 19 20 1 
 5 22 / 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 3 
 
 23 31 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 84 
 
 Traders who shipped salt down the Weaver for twenty years or 
 upwards between 1766 and 1897. 
 
 1. Isaac Wood & Successors 
 
 2. Seaman . 
 
 3. John Eoylance 
 
 4. Henry Wilcken & Co. 
 
 5. Josh. Leay & Co. 
 
 6. John Dudley . 
 
 7. John O'Kell & Co. . 
 
 Inclusive. 
 
 1766-1798 
 
 1768-1803 
 
 1785-1813 
 
 /1786-1793\ 
 
 \ 1800-1815/ 
 
 fl788-1793\ 
 
 \ 1804-1828 J 
 
 1797-1833 
 
 1807-1830 
 
 33 years 
 
 36 years 
 29 years 
 
 24 years 
 
 31 years 
 
 37 years 
 24 years 
 
630 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 8. Dudley, Done & Co. 
 
 9. Leigh Bros. & Co. 
 
 10. ffm. Court 
 
 11. Bromilow, Haddock & Co. 
 
 12. Clay & Midgeley 
 
 13. Josiah Perrin . 
 
 14. Eobt. Leng & Co. 
 
 15. Wm. A. Jump, Junr. 
 
 16. Richard Done . 
 
 17. William Cross . 
 
 18. National Salt Co. 
 18a J. & T. Johnson 
 
 19. Geo. Deakin & Successors 
 
 20. William Hayes 
 
 21. Thos. Harrison 
 
 22. Ralph Atherton 
 
 23. Richd. Evans & Successor 
 
 24. H. E. Falk 
 
 25. Jas. Allcock & Co. . 
 
 26. Jas. Deakin & Exors. 
 
 27. Wm. Hickson . 
 
 28. Stubbs Bros. . 
 
 29. Simpson & Potter (Simpson 
 
 Davies) 
 
 30. Josh. Verdin & Sons 
 
 31. Cheshire Amalgamated Salt 
 
 Works Co. 
 
 32. Runcorn Soap & Alkali Co. 
 
 Inclusive. 
 / 1809-1821 \ 
 \ 1826-1835/ 
 1811-1850 
 1813-1856 
 1828-1836 
 1821-1843 
 1829-1852 
 1829-1853 
 1847-1871 
 1836-1855 
 1837-1873 
 1837-1873 
 1845-1866 
 1846-1888 
 f 1850-1852) 
 \ 1858-1877 f 
 1852-1877 
 1853-1876 
 1856-1888 
 1856-1888 
 1859-1886 
 1861-1885 
 1861-1888 
 1861-1888 
 
 33. Edmund Leigh 
 
 1851-1888 
 1863-1888 
 
 1866-1888 
 
 1866-1888 
 1869-1888 
 
 22 years 
 
 40 years 
 44 years 
 
 41 years 
 
 23 years 
 
 24 years 
 
 25 years 
 
 25 years 
 20 years 
 37 years 
 
 37 years 
 
 22 years 
 43 years 
 
 23 years 
 
 26 years 
 
 24 years 
 33 years 
 33 years 
 28 years 
 
 25 years 
 28 years 
 28 years 
 
 38 years 
 
 26 years 
 
 23 years 
 
 25 years 
 20 years 
 
 One of the most curious and characteristic features of the 
 Winsford salt trade is the remarkable number of men who were 
 for a short time engaged in the industry. No sooner did any 
 period of good trade set in than a number of new men came in, 
 and, after forcing their way by underselling and reducing prices, 
 were crushed out for want of means. As far back as records 
 extend we find sharp competition, and as a result low prices, 
 much suffering and finally combination. The improvement in 
 price consequent upon combination then attracted new men into 
 the business, and the usual result followed. Every few years a 
 crisis occurred . When the Salt Union was formed it was thought 
 that by such a complete combination the crises would be avoided, 
 but this hope was destined to be destroyed. It matters not what 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 631 
 
 the demand for salt is, the supply has always overtaken it, and 
 some of the worst crises have occurred when the trade was going 
 up by leaps and bounds. No doubt some of the traders, who 
 only shipped during one year, were persons buying salt at 
 the works and clearing it down the Weaver in their own names. 
 Many small manufacturers who had no flats of their own made 
 a practice of selling at the works. Many watermen commenced 
 by either getting a small flat of their own or joining another 
 person in buying one. In this flat the watermen carried salt 
 for proprietors who either had no flats of their own or too few, or 
 they carried for the merchant who purchased salt at the works 
 and paid the Weaver dues. In busy times the watermen bought 
 a cargo on their own account and took it to Liverpool as a specula- 
 tion. As the freight of 3s. per ton was paid by the merchant 
 as soon as the cargo was discharged, there was always ready 
 money. When dull times came round the flat owner often found 
 himself with nothing to do, and it is to the credit of the watermen 
 on the Weaver that they consisted largely of careful men, and 
 accumulated money. It is very doubtful whether on any naviga- 
 tion in the kingdom so fine a body of watermen, or one so careful 
 and striving, ever existed. As soon as a waterman by carefulness 
 had accumulated a little money, if he was a pushing man, he took 
 a little set of works of two or three pans and made salt enough 
 to keep his flat working steadily. As trade grew he put down 
 more pans and got more flats. Two or three often combined in 
 both works and flats, and the salt brokers of Liverpool sold their 
 salt for them and became practically their bankers, while the 
 more successful among them opened offices of their own. Out 
 of this careful, industrious, pushing class of watermen rose the 
 largest and most successful of the salt manufacturers whose 
 names aTe inseparably connected with Winsford. 
 
 The following table gives the numbers trading from one year up 
 to over forty years, with five yearly and ten yearly summaries. 
 
 Period of Trading by Salt Firms from 1766 to 1897 
 Years. Trading. 
 
 1=64 
 2=31 
 3=20 
 4 =20 5 years and under = 158 
 
632 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 
 Years. 
 
 Trading. 
 
 
 5=23 
 
 
 
 
 6=18 
 
 Between 5 and 10 years 
 
 = 64 
 
 7=13 
 
 
 
 
 8=11 
 
 „ 10 „ 15 
 
 11 
 
 = 31 
 
 9= 9 
 
 
 
 
 10=13 
 
 „ 15 „ 20 
 
 11 
 
 = 12 
 
 11= 9 
 
 „ 20 „ 25 
 
 11 
 
 = 14 
 
 12= 9 
 
 
 
 
 13= 3 
 
 „ 25 „ 30 
 
 11 
 
 = 8 
 
 14= 5 
 
 „ 30 „ 33 
 
 11 
 
 = 3 
 
 15= 5 
 
 „ 35 „ 40 
 
 ,, 
 
 = 5 
 
 17= 2 
 
 Over 40 
 
 
 = 2 
 
 18= 2 
 
 
 
 
 19= 3 
 20= 3 
 
 
 
 297 
 
 21= 
 
 
 
 
 22= 1 
 
 
 
 
 23= 6 
 
 
 
 
 24= 4 
 
 10 years and under 
 
 
 =22^ 
 
 25= 3 
 
 Between 10 and 20 years 
 
 = 43 
 
 26= 3 
 
 „ 20 „ 30 
 
 11 
 
 = 22 
 
 27= 
 
 „ 30 „ 40 
 
 11 
 
 = 8 
 
 28= 3 
 
 Over 40 
 
 ii 
 
 = 2 
 
 30= 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 31= 1 
 
 
 
 291 
 
 32= 
 
 
 
 
 33= 2 
 
 
 
 
 34= 
 
 
 
 
 35= 
 
 
 
 
 36= 1 
 
 
 
 
 37= 
 
 
 
 
 38= 
 
 
 
 
 39= 
 
 
 
 
 40= 1 
 
 
 
 
 41= 
 
 
 
 
 42= 
 
 
 
 
 43= 1 
 
 
 
 
 44= 1 
 
 
 
 
 297 
 
 
 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 633 
 
 Winsford Shippers down the River Weaver showing 
 Period and Length of Time 
 
 These figures run from 1766 to 1896. 
 
 Names. 
 
 1. J. and R. Wood and Successors 
 
 2. J. Lowe (2 years, 1791-2) 
 
 3. W. Ball 
 
 4. J. Seaman 
 
 5. Stringer . 
 
 6. Naylor & Ball 
 
 7. Trios. Marshall 
 
 8. Chesworth & Marshall 
 
 9. Chesworth 
 
 10. John Roylance 
 
 11. Hy. Welcken (& Co.) 
 
 12. Jos. Leay & Co. 
 
 5? 
 
 13. Hugh Henshall & Co. 
 
 14. A. Meyer & Co. . 
 
 15. Richards & Leay 
 
 16. J. P. Richards & Co. 
 
 17. John Leay & Co. 
 
 18. John Dudley . 
 John Dudley & Son 
 
 19. Leigh Hughson & Co. 
 
 20. W. Leay . 
 
 21. T. Midgeley 
 
 22. John Ravenscroft 
 
 23. G-. Leigh & Co. . 
 
 24. H. Clay & Co. . 
 
 25. Jos. Goulden & Co. 
 
 26. John Okell & Co. 
 
 27. A. Davenport & Co. 
 
 28. Robt. Leng 
 
 ears. 
 
 Dates. 
 
 23 
 
 1766-98 
 
 14 
 
 1766-79 
 
 19 
 
 1766-75 
 
 36 
 
 1768-1803 
 
 7 
 
 1768-75 
 
 2 
 
 1770-71 
 
 1 
 
 1774- 
 
 1 
 
 1775- 
 
 6 
 
 1775-80 
 
 1 
 
 1783- 
 
 4 
 
 1790-93 
 
 29 
 
 1785-1813 
 
 8 
 
 1786-93 
 
 16 
 
 1800-15 
 
 6 
 
 1788-93 
 
 25 
 
 1804-28 
 
 3 
 
 1790-92 
 
 2 
 
 1792-93 
 
 2 
 
 1793-94 
 
 4 
 
 1794-97 
 
 1 
 
 1797- 
 
 3 
 
 1801-03 
 
 37 
 
 1797-1833 
 
 8 
 
 1837-44 
 
 12 
 
 1797-1808 
 
 3 
 
 1798-1800 
 
 6 
 
 1798-1803 
 
 2 
 
 1799-1800 
 
 10 
 
 1801-10 
 
 7 
 
 1803-09 
 
 3 
 
 1805-07 
 
 24 
 
 1807-30 
 
 10 
 
 1807-16 
 
 4 
 
 1808-11 
 
634 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 Names. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Dates. 
 
 29. 
 
 Eichd. Dudley & Co. . 
 
 1 
 
 1808- 
 
 30. 
 
 Wm. Marshall & Co. . 
 
 1 
 
 1808- 
 
 31. 
 
 Leigh, Thompson & Co. 
 
 10 
 
 1809-18 
 
 32. 
 
 Henry Harrison & Co. 
 
 9 
 
 1809-17 
 
 33. 
 
 Dudley, Done & Co. 
 
 13 
 
 1809-21 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 . 10 
 
 1826-35 
 
 34. 
 
 Eanken & Okell 
 
 7 
 
 1809-15 
 
 35. 
 
 H. Midgeley & Co. . 
 
 . 12 
 
 1809-20 
 
 36. 
 
 Harrison, Marshall & Co. 
 
 . 10 
 
 1810-19 
 
 37. 
 
 Taylor, Pugh & Co. . 
 
 9 
 
 1810-18 
 
 38. 
 
 Leigh Bros. & Co. 
 
 40 
 
 1811-50 
 
 39. 
 
 Taylor, Ley & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1811-14 
 
 40. 
 
 Thos. Landon 
 
 9 
 
 1812-20 
 
 41. 
 
 J. Lindop & Co. 
 
 5 
 
 1812-16 
 
 42. 
 
 Wm. Court 
 
 44 
 
 1813-56 
 
 43. 
 
 Thos. Mather & Co. 
 
 15 
 
 1814-28 
 
 44. 
 
 John Pugh & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1815-18 
 
 45. 
 
 N. & W. Beaman 
 
 6 
 
 1816-21 
 
 46. 
 
 Wm. Dodson & Co. 
 
 12 
 
 1816-27 
 
 47. 
 
 Dudley, Blackburne & Co. 
 
 . 13 
 
 1816-28 
 
 48. 
 
 Dudley, Walton & Co. 
 
 5 
 
 1816-20 
 
 49. 
 
 Thos. Bourne & Co. . 
 
 1 
 
 1817- 
 
 50. 
 
 W. L. Cotton . 
 
 4 
 
 1817-20 
 
 51. 
 
 T. W. Williams . 
 
 1 
 
 1818- 
 
 52. 
 
 John Done & Son 
 
 . 18 
 
 1819-36 
 
 53. 
 
 Taylor, Skerratt & Co. 
 
 8 
 
 1819-26 
 
 54. 
 
 Taylor, Davies & Co. 
 
 7 
 
 1819-25 
 
 55. 
 
 Williams, Leng & Co. 
 
 10 
 
 1820-29 
 
 56. 
 
 Mark Roberts . 
 
 o 
 
 1820-21 
 
 57. 
 
 John Bayley 
 
 2 
 
 1820-21 
 
 58. 
 
 John Dudley, Junr. 
 
 . 14 
 
 1821-34 
 
 
 ,, ,, & Son . 
 
 8 
 
 1837-44 
 
 
 >> >> 
 
 7 
 
 1848-54 
 
 59. 
 
 Clay & Nudgeley 
 
 23 
 
 1821-43 
 
 60. 
 
 Wm. Wyatt 
 
 6 
 
 1821-26 
 
 61. 
 
 Wm. Marshall . 
 
 r i 
 
 111 
 
 1817- 
 1820-30 
 
 62. 
 
 Thos. Blackburne & Co. 
 
 7 
 
 1821-27 
 
 63. 
 
 R. L. Dudley & Co. 
 
 1 
 
 1819- 
 
 
 51 
 
 4 
 
 1822-25 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 635 
 
 Names. 
 
 64. J. & W. Leay . 
 
 65. Hodson, Davies & Co. 
 
 Years. 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 Dates. 
 
 1823-27 
 1826-33 
 
 66. Skerrat, Hitchens & Co. 
 
 67. Saml. Drinkwater 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 1826-35 
 1827-28 
 
 68. R. & W. Wade . 
 
 7 
 
 1827-33 
 
 69. Bromilow, Haddock & Co. 
 
 . 13 
 
 9 
 
 1836-48 
 1828-36 
 
 70. Dudley, Wade & Co. . 
 
 71. E. Brabant 
 
 . 32 
 . 14 
 
 7 
 
 1842-73 
 1828-41 
 1828-34 
 
 72. Dudley, Garnett & Co. 
 
 73. Johnson & Speakman. 
 
 74. Josiah Perrin 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 . 24 
 
 1828-29 
 1828-33 
 1829-52 
 
 75. Dudley, Dutton & Co. 
 
 76. Eobt. Leng & Co. 
 
 19 
 
 . 25 
 
 1829-47 
 1829-53 
 
 77. Wood, Harrison & Co. 
 
 78. M. R. Kymer . 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 1830-34 
 1831-35 
 
 79. Trustees, Wharton Works 
 
 80. Isaac Whitehead 
 
 1 
 3 
 
 1831 
 1831-33 
 
 81. Alfred Chapman 
 
 82. John Cheshire . 
 
 83. Kymer, Brunton & Co. 
 
 84. Henry Back .... 
 
 85. Edward Parkins 
 
 2 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 1832-33 
 
 1832-48 
 
 1832 
 
 1832-34 
 
 1832-33 
 
 86. Wm. Carpmael .... 
 
 87. Capper, Benson & Co. 
 
 88. Francis Heard .... 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 1833 
 1833 
 1833 
 
 89. JohnHenshall . 
 
 1 
 
 1833 
 
 90. John Reade .... 
 
 3 
 
 1833-35 
 
 91. Emmanuel Thompson 
 
 92. Wharton Salt Works 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1833 
 1833 
 
 93. Thos. W. Williams . 
 
 1 
 
 1833 
 
 94. Dudley & Williams . 
 
 95. Wm. Garrod . 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 1834-36 
 1834-35 
 
 96. Wm. Gregory 
 
 97. J. Johnson & Co. 
 
 98. Wm. A. Jump . 
 
 ,, Junr. 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 . 25 
 
 1834-40 
 1834-39 
 1834-40 
 1847-71 
 
 99. Robt. Morris 
 100. John Wood & Co. . . 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 1834-35 
 1834^0 
 
636 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 We have now traced the Winsford salt trade from its earliest 
 days and have seen that for more than sixty years it was a small 
 trade scarcely worth consideration. Then for a century we 
 traced its growth from 1786, when it made a jump from the 
 4436 tons of 1785 to 8758 tons in the year, until in 1884 we find 
 it 813,100 tons. Thus in a hundred years the trade had 
 practically increased a hundredfold. 
 
 The following is a copy of the old document, from the archives 
 of Lord Delamere at Vale Royal, referred to at the beginning of 
 this chapter, and is interesting as showing the legal formality 
 with which salt-works in Winsford changed hands nearly two 
 centuries ago. 
 
 " Articles of Agreement Indented had made concluded and 
 agreed upon the five and twentieth day of March in the ninth 
 year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the Grace of 
 God of Great Britain ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the 
 fiaith ye Annogz domini 1723 Between Charles Cholmondeley of 
 Vale Royall in the County of Chester Esq of the one part and 
 William Toft of Middlewich in the said County of Chester Apothe- 
 cary and George Wilkinson late of Middlewich and now Winsford 
 in the Lordship of Over in the County of Chester yeoman of the 
 other part as follows vizt. : — 
 
 ' ' Imprimis The said Charles Cholmondeley as well for and 
 in consideration of one Guinea in gold unto him in hand paid 
 by the said William Toft and George Wilkinson att and before 
 the sealing and delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof 
 he the said Charles Cholmondeley doth hereby acknowledge as 
 of the Rents payments covenants and Agreements hereinafter 
 expressed and contained and which on the part and behalf e of 
 the said William Toft and George Wilkinson their Heirs, Bxors 
 or Admors or any of them are or ought to be observed performed 
 fulfilled paid and kept. He the said Charles Cholmondeley doth 
 hereby for himself his heirs Executors and Admors Covenant 
 Grant and Agree to and with the said William Toft and George 
 Wilkinson their Heirs Executors and Admors in manner following 
 To wit that they the said William Toft and George Wilkinson 
 their Executors or Administrators shall or lawfully may peace- 
 ably and quietly enter into and have hold occupy possess and 
 enjoy All that and those the Wych House and Salt House, Wych 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 637 
 
 Houses and Salt Houses Brine pitt and, Brine pitts Brine and Salt 
 water of him the said Charles Cholmondeley commonly called 
 or known by the name of Wins ford Salt Works situate in Over in 
 the County of Chester afd. Together with all pieces and parcells 
 of land, Buildings Brine springs Libertys and other conveniences 
 priviledges and appurtenances to the same belonging or there- 
 with used and also the full and free use exercise and Imploy- 
 ment of all Salt pans Barrows Seeths Tubbs Lounts (?) ffleeters (?) 
 Grates Bearers Hatches Ginns wheels Engines and other Imple- 
 ments and Vtensills whatsoever now or lately used or employed in 
 or with or belonging to the said works and also shall and will 
 find brick for setting the pans from time to time dureing the Term 
 of one whole year at the Costs of the said Charles Cholmondeley 
 his Heirs or Assignes and shall and will hold the same from the 
 date of these presents for and dureing the full time and term of 
 one whole year hence next ensueing and fully to be compleat 
 and ended if the said Brine and the present Duty to his Majesty 
 now on Salt shall so long continue freed and discharged by the said 
 Charles Cholmondeley the Heirs or Assignes of and from all 
 Such Leys Taxes Charges Impositions and Assessments (the 
 duties or Excise upon salt only excepted) which dureing the 
 said term shall be Taxed or Imposed on the same premisses or 
 any other part thereof. And allso that the said Charles Cholmon- 
 deley his Exors or Assignes shall and will repair, maintain and 
 keep Tennantable the said Wych houses and other the Buildings 
 thereunto belonging with all good and Tennantable Repairations 
 and amendments unless a fire or other damage happen by the 
 negligence of their workmen and in such case the Tennants to 
 Repair and it agreed between the said parties to these presents 
 for themselves their Heirs Exors and Administrators that the 
 Smith's shop belonging to the said works is not intended to pass in 
 this Grant to the said William Toft and George Wilkinson or 
 either of them, their or either of their Executors or Admors 
 unless the said Charles Cholmondeley doe neglect or refuse to 
 putt or continue a pansmith in the said shop to be in readiness 
 to doe the business belonging to the said works upon reasonable 
 rates and prices as usuall and in that case the said William Toft 
 and George Wilkinson or either of them shall have liberty at 
 his and their wills and pleasures to putt a workman into the said 
 shop to dispatch the Business of the said works at his and their 
 wills and pleasures. 
 
638 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " In consideration whereof the said William Toft and George 
 Wilkinson for themselves joyntly and severally and for their 
 joynt and severall Heirs Exors and Admors do hereby covenant 
 and promise and agree to and with the said Charles Cholmondeley 
 his heirs and Assignes by these presents that they the said William 
 Toft and George Wilkinson their Executors Administrators or 
 Assignes or some of them shall and will well and truely pay or 
 cause to be paid unto the said Charles Cholmondeley his Executors 
 Administrators or Assignes the rent or Summe of ffourscore 
 pounds of lawful Brittish money att or upon the ffeast days or 
 times of usuall payment vizt the ffeast of St Michael the Arch- 
 angell and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by even 
 and equall portions and the first payment att or upon the ffeast 
 day of St Michael the Archangell now next and also shall and 
 will do his and their utmost endeavour to continue, perserve and 
 encrease a good and full Salt Trade to the said works dureing the said 
 term and continue four pans in working during the said term on 
 the premises aforesaid and shall not imprudently disoblige or in any 
 manner discourage any who are or dureing the said term shall be 
 customers or Traders to the said worlcs But shall to the best of their 
 power fitt and provide them with good and merchantable salt at the 
 same works at the Market rate or price for the time being. And 
 also shall not nor will either by design or negligence hurt or abuse 
 the said Brine pitt or wittingly permit or occasion any loss or 
 damage to the said Charles Cholmondeley therein or dispose of 
 any the Brine from the said pitt without the leave of the said 
 Charles Cholmondeley his heirs or Assignes first had and obtained 
 in writeing or permitt or occasion any loss or damage in or about 
 any the Buildings or other the before mentioned premises But 
 shall preserve the same from fire or other distraction as farr as 
 in him or them lyes. 
 
 " Provided always and itt is agreed by and between the said 
 parties to these presents for themselves their Heirs Exors & 
 Admors that neither they the said William Toft or George 
 Wilkinson or either of them their or either of their heirs Exors 
 or Admors or any of them shall or will dureing the said Term 
 or any part thereof assigne or lett over the said premises or any 
 part of the same to any person or persons whomsoever without 
 the speciail Lycence and consent of the said Charles Cholmondeley 
 his heirs or Assignes in writeing under his or their hands first had 
 and obtained and at the end of the said term shall and will deliver 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 639 
 
 the peaceable and quiett possession of all and singular the afore- 
 said premises into the said Charles Cholmondeley his heirs or 
 Assignes freed and absolutely discharged from any debts to the 
 King Extents (sic) seizures or other incumbrances whatsoever 
 occasioned by them the said William Toft and George Wilkinson 
 or either of them their or either of their Heirs Exors Admors or 
 Assignes or any of them or any other person or persons claiming 
 under him them or any of them in any wise. And it is mutually 
 agreed by and between the said parties to these presents for 
 themselves their heirs Exors Admors That if the said Brine 
 belonging to the said works shall dureing the said term totally ffail 
 or in <part decay so that the same will not maintain fjour fans att 
 Work then and immediately from and after such defect or totall 
 ffailure the said rent shall from the time of such decay wholely cease 
 and for such defect or decay in part the said rent shall be pro- 
 portioned settled and agreed upon by two indifferent persons 
 to be equally chosen by the said parties dureing the time of such 
 defect or decay as aforesaid. 
 
 " Provided also further and it is mutually covenanted declared 
 and agreed by and between the said parties to these presents for 
 themselves severally and respectively and for their severall 
 and respective heirs Exors and Admors That a new valuation 
 and appraisement shall be had and taken by the said parties to 
 these presents of all the Pans, Barrows Grates and all other 
 utensills and materialls to the said Salt works belonging or there- 
 with used to the end the same may be returned in as good repair 
 plight and condition to the said Charles Cholmondeley his heirs 
 or Assignes at the end of the term hereby granted And for that 
 purpose it is mutually declared and agreed by and between the 
 said parties for themselves severally and respectively and for 
 their severall and respective heirs Exors and Admors that another 
 new valuation and appraisement of the same goods shall at the 
 end of the same term be taken by two indifferent persons to be 
 equally chosen by the said parties And if it happen that the 
 Valuation and Appraixement to be taken on their entry upon the 
 said works shall exceed in value the other to be taken at the end 
 of the term then the said William Toft and George Wilkinson 
 or one of them their or one of their Exors Admors and Assignes 
 shall make good and pay in money to the said Charles Cholmon- 
 deley his Exors and Assignes what such latter estimate and 
 appraisement shall fall short in value of the former within four- 
 
640 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 teen days then next. But if the valuation or appraisement so 
 to be made at the end of the said term shall in value exceed that 
 to be made on their entry that then the said Charles Cholmondeley 
 his heirs or assignes shall pay or allow to the said William Toft 
 and George Wilkinson their Exors or Assignes what such estimate 
 so to be taken shall in value exceed that already taken within 
 fourteen days next after the makeing and takeing thereof : And 
 the said Charles Cholmondeley doth hereby for himself his heirs 
 Exors and Admors Covenant promise and agree to and with the 
 said William Toft and George Wilkinson their heirs Exots Admors 
 that he the said Charles Cholmondeley his heirs Exors and Admors 
 and every of them shall and will well and truly observe perform 
 and fmllfill accomplish pay and keep all and singular the Grants 
 Articles Covenants Clauses payments and agreements herein 
 expressed and contained on his and their parts according to the 
 true intent and meaning hereof. 
 
 " And it is mutually agreed by and between the said William 
 Toft and George Wilkinson for themselves their heirs Exors 
 and Admors that there shall be no advantage taken by survivior- 
 ship between them the said William Toft and George Wilkinson 
 in case either of them dye dureing the said term but that the 
 Exors or Admors of the person dyeing shall represent him fully 
 in all respects anything herein contained to the contrary thereof 
 in anywise notwithstanding. 
 
 " Provided also further and it is mutually agreed and declared 
 by and between the said parties to these presents for themselves 
 their heirs Exors and Admors That if the said Saltworks happen 
 to be obliged to stand by reason occasion or means of fire that 
 may happen there without his negligence or default of the said 
 William Toft and George Wilkinson or either of them, their or 
 either of their Heirs Exors Admors, or Assignes or any of them 
 that the Rent before reserved shall for the time the works are 
 totally stopped a lease for dureing and untill the same works 
 shall be repaired so as the same may be worked as before. In 
 witness whereof the partys aforesaid to these presents their 
 hands and seals interchangeably have sett the day and year 
 first above written. 
 
 " William Toft. George Wilkinson." 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 641 
 
 Names. 
 
 101. Atkinson & Co. . 
 
 102. John Davies & Co. 
 
 103. Jas. Done & Co. 
 
 104. Richd. Done . 
 
 105. Leng, Parker & Co. 
 
 106. Bromilow & Partner 
 
 107. Jas. Muspratt . 
 
 108. Wm. Cross 
 
 109. Josh. Hall 
 
 110. W. Brunton 
 
 111. Cross, Parker & Co. 
 
 112. National Salt Co. 
 
 113. Lea & Brassey . 
 
 114. R. Leny, Junr. . 
 
 115. Johnson, Hand & Co. 
 
 116. Robt. Broady & Co. 
 
 117. Sam]. Davies 
 
 118. Done, Hitchin & Co. 
 
 119. Jas. Shaw 
 
 120. R. Falk, Senr. & Co. 
 
 121. Wharton Green Salt Co. 
 
 122. Wm. RawclifT 
 
 123. Arden & Fannin 
 
 124. Thos. Firmstone 
 
 125. Fairclough & Frost 
 
 126. Irvine & Co. 
 
 127. Jas. Blackwell . 
 
 128. John Kennerley . 
 
 129. John Kelley 
 
 130. John Tennant & Co. 
 
 131. Henry Waterton 
 
 132. Hall, Gibson & Co. 
 
 133. Thos. Reeves 
 
 134. Wheelock Salt Co. 
 
 135. Wm. Buckley & Co. 
 
 136. T. Werninck . 
 2s 
 
 Years. 
 
 Dates. 
 
 2 
 
 1835-36 
 
 1 
 
 1839- 
 
 6 
 
 1835-40 
 
 6 
 
 1835-40 
 
 . 20 
 
 1836-55 
 
 4 
 
 1836-39 
 
 6 
 
 1836-41 
 
 12 
 
 1837-48 
 
 . 37 
 
 1837-73 
 
 3 
 
 1838-40 
 
 2 
 
 1838-39 
 
 5 
 
 1838-42 
 
 . 37 
 
 1839-75 
 
 . 10 
 
 1839-48 
 
 . 10 
 
 1839-48 
 
 11 
 
 1840-50 
 
 15 
 
 1840-54 
 
 5 
 
 1841-45 
 
 5 
 
 1841-45 
 
 1 
 
 1841 
 
 3 
 
 1847-49 
 
 1 
 
 1854- 
 
 7 
 
 1841-47 
 
 7 
 
 1849-50 
 
 
 
 1841-42 
 
 9 
 
 1841-49 
 
 2 
 
 1841-42 
 
 14 
 
 1842-55 
 
 12 
 
 1842-53 
 
 1 
 
 1842- 
 
 5 
 
 1842-46 
 
 1 
 
 1842- 
 
 1 
 
 1842- 
 
 1 
 
 1842-48 
 
 1 
 
 1842- 
 
 2 
 
 1843-4 
 
 1 
 
 1843- 
 
 1 
 
 1843- 
 
 2 
 
 1843-44 
 
 3 
 
 1843-45 
 
642 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Names. 
 T. Werninck, Johnson 
 
 &Co. 
 
 137. Leng, Marshall & Co. 
 
 138. Bournes & Eobinson 
 
 139. Cross, Cheshire & Co. 
 
 140. Cross & Son 
 
 141. Williams Bros. . 
 
 142. Alfred Heald . 
 
 143. Birkenhead Salt Co. 
 
 144. William Slater . 
 
 145. J. & T. Johnson 
 
 146. Saml. Stock 
 
 147. Barker & Co. . 
 
 148. Dean Bros. 
 
 149. Thos. Atkinson . 
 
 150. Ceorge Deakin . 
 
 ,, „ Exors 
 
 151. J. Suffield 
 
 152. Ben]'. & Thos. Davies 
 
 153. Kaye & Blackwell 
 
 154. Wm. Horrocks & Sons 
 
 155. Jas. Prest 
 
 156. Stringer & Mann 
 
 157. Thos. Cheshire . 
 
 158. Robt. Leng, Senr. 
 
 159. Bromilow Bros. & Southern 
 
 160. John Ellerker . 
 
 161. Wm. Hayes 
 
 162. J. T. Sullivan . 
 
 163. W. E. Milner . 
 
 164. Saml. Hulse 
 
 165. Dennis Hall 
 
 166. Thos. Poole 
 
 167. John Darlington 
 
 168. Joseph Greenough 
 
 169. Newbridge Salt Co. 
 
 170. S. Jackson & Co. 
 
 171. Wm. Latham . 
 
 Ex. 
 
 Deakin 
 
 &Co 
 
 Years. 
 
 Dates. 
 
 2 
 
 1849-50 
 
 6 
 
 1853-58 
 
 6 
 
 1843-48 
 
 8 
 
 1844-51 
 
 4 
 
 1854-59 
 
 5 
 
 1844-48 
 
 3 
 
 1844-46 
 
 3 
 
 1844-46 
 
 . 11 
 
 1844-54 
 
 1 
 
 1844- 
 
 5 
 
 1845-49 
 
 . 22 
 
 1845-66 
 
 1 
 
 1845- 
 
 1 
 
 1846- 
 
 1 
 
 1846- 
 
 7 
 
 1846-54 
 
 . 43 
 
 1846-88 
 
 5 
 
 1846-50 
 
 5 
 
 1846-50 
 
 8 
 
 1846-53 
 
 1 
 
 1847- 
 
 1 
 
 1847- 
 
 4 
 
 1847-50 
 
 1 
 
 1848 
 
 5 
 
 1848-52 
 
 . 19 
 
 1848-66 
 
 1 
 
 1848 
 
 3 
 
 1850-52 
 
 20 
 
 1858- 
 
 1 
 
 1848- 
 
 4 
 
 1848-51 
 
 1 
 
 1849- 
 
 1 
 
 1849- 
 
 4 
 
 1849-52 
 
 3 
 
 1849-51 
 
 8 
 
 1849-56 
 
 . 15 
 
 1850-64 
 
 16 
 
 1850-55 
 
 4 
 
 1850-53 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 643 
 
 Names. 
 
 172. S. Burgess 
 
 173. Jeffery & Darcey 
 
 174. Fitzhugh, Cornforth & Co. 
 
 175. Simpson & Potter 
 
 176. Thomas Deakin 
 
 177. A. M. Slater 
 
 178. Thos. Harrison 
 
 179. Thos. Eiley 
 
 180. Ed. Henshall 
 
 181. John Hood 
 
 182. John Speakman 
 
 183. Henry Belve 
 
 184. John Kay & Son 
 
 185. Ralph Atherton 
 
 186. Joh. Hulse 
 
 187. Josh. Gough . 
 
 188. Geo. Holt & Bro. 
 
 189. Geo. Makinson . 
 
 190. Richd. Brown . 
 
 191. Threlfall, Rigby & Co 
 
 192. Thos. Higgin & Co. 
 
 193. J. K. Deakin . 
 
 194. Saml. Ellis 
 
 195. Meadow Bank Co. 
 
 196. J. E. Royle & Co. 
 
 197. Eardley Bros. . 
 
 198. Gregory & Wilson 
 
 199. Philip Jrmcker . 
 
 200. D. & H. G. Bromilow 
 
 201. Richard Evans . 
 
 202. F. H. Firth 
 
 203. W. Worthington, Junr. 
 
 204. H. E. Falk 
 
 205. Geo. Thompson 
 
 206. James Blackwell 
 
 207. John Forster . 
 
 208. Jas. Allcock & Co. . 
 
 209. John Fletcher & Co. . 
 
 210. Jas. Diggle 
 
 Years 
 
 Dates. 
 
 8 
 
 1851-58 
 
 8 
 
 1851-58 
 
 2 
 
 1851-52 
 
 . 12 
 
 1851-62 
 
 . 16 
 
 1851-66 
 
 3 
 
 1852-54 
 
 . 26 
 
 1852-77 
 
 . 14 
 
 1852-65 
 
 11 
 
 1852-62 
 
 1 
 
 1852- 
 
 1 
 
 1852- 
 
 1 
 
 1852- 
 
 . 14 
 
 1853-66 
 
 24 
 
 1853-76 
 
 10 
 
 1854-63 
 
 1 
 
 1854- 
 
 1 
 
 1854- 
 
 2 
 
 1854-55 
 
 1 
 
 1854- 
 
 1 
 
 1854- 
 
 3 
 
 1854-56 
 
 1 
 
 1860- 
 
 1 
 
 1855- 
 
 3 
 
 1855-57 
 
 3 
 
 1851-53 
 
 1 
 
 1855- 
 
 3 
 
 1855-57 
 
 1 
 
 1855- 
 
 4 
 
 1855-58 
 
 6 
 
 1855-60 
 
 . 33 
 
 1856-88 
 
 4 
 
 1856-59 
 
 9 
 
 1857-65 
 
 . 33 
 
 1856-88 
 
 6 
 
 1858-63 
 
 9 
 
 1858-66 
 
 6 
 
 1858-63 
 
 . 28 
 
 1859-86 
 
 4 
 
 1859-62 
 
 1 
 
 1859- 
 
644 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Names. 
 
 211. Wm. & Thos. Griffiths 
 
 212. Wm. Beaman . 
 
 ,, & Deakin 
 
 ,, & Exors 
 
 213. Blackburne & Co. 
 
 214. Kirkley & Co. . 
 
 215. Deakin, Jas. 
 
 216. Atherton & Eoyle 
 
 217. Atherton & Griffiths . 
 
 218. Hickson & Co. . 
 
 219. Joynson, Josh. . 
 
 220. Shaw & Lovett . 
 
 221. Stubbs, J. & R. (Stubbs Bros.) 
 
 222. Burrows, Henry 
 
 223. Newall, John . 
 
 224. Cheshire Salt Co. 
 
 225. Lycett, William 
 
 226. Mills & Horton . 
 
 227. Simpson, Son & Davies 
 
 228. Verdin, Josh. & Sons . 
 
 229. Harrison, Willm. 
 
 230. Lovett, Jas. 
 
 231. Henshall Bros. . 
 
 232. Beswick, Saml. . 
 
 233. Darcey, Thos. . 
 
 234. M'Craw 
 
 235. Poole, Wm. 
 
 236. Davenport, J. A. 
 
 237. Astley & Tyldesley Coal, etc. Co. 
 
 238. Clare, John 
 
 239. Cheshire Amalgamated Cos. 
 
 240. Verdin, J. R. & W. . 
 
 241. Dignum, W. 
 
 242. Hulse, Saml. 
 
 243. Lycett, J. & Co. 
 
 244. Lycett, John 
 
 245. Runcorn Soap & Alkali 
 
 246. Aubyn, R. St John . 
 
 247. Wheelock Iron & Salt Co. 
 
 'ears. 
 
 Dates. 
 
 15 
 
 1859-73 
 
 8 
 
 1859-66 
 
 7 
 
 1866-72 
 
 3 
 
 1873-75 
 
 1 
 
 1860- 
 
 1 
 
 1860- 
 
 25 
 
 1861-88 
 
 15 
 
 1861-75 
 
 13 
 
 1861-73 
 
 28 
 
 1861-88 
 
 3 
 
 1861-63 
 
 3 
 
 1861-63 
 
 28 
 
 1861-88 
 
 1 
 
 1862- 
 
 1 
 
 1862- 
 
 1 
 
 1862- 
 
 10 
 
 1862-71 
 
 11 
 
 1862-72 
 
 26 
 
 1863-88 
 
 26 
 
 1863-88 
 
 10 
 
 1863-72 
 
 7 
 
 1863-69 
 
 4 
 
 1872-75 
 
 3 
 
 1864-66 
 
 1 
 
 1864- 
 
 2 
 
 1864-65 
 
 1 
 
 1864- 
 
 1 
 
 1864- 
 
 1 
 
 1864- 
 
 5 
 
 1865-69 
 
 2 
 
 1865-66 
 
 23 
 
 1866-88 
 
 13 
 
 1866-78 
 
 9 
 
 1866-84 
 
 19 
 
 1866-74 
 
 1 
 
 1866- 
 
 5 
 
 1866-70 
 
 23 
 
 1866-88 
 
 3 
 
 1866-68 
 
 2 
 
 1866-67 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 645 
 
 Names. 
 
 248. Beaman & Deakin 
 
 249. Cross, G. & E. . 
 
 „ E. G. 
 
 250. Ellis, Saml. 
 
 251. Griffiths, Wm. . 
 
 252. Leigh, Edmund . 
 
 253. Davies, Josh. 
 
 254. Lycett, G. T. A. 
 
 ?j ■ 
 
 255. Higgin & Hickson 
 
 256. Wood, J. T. 
 
 257. Shaw, Jas., Junr. 
 
 258. Wharton Eiver & Ey. Co. 
 
 259. Eavenhead Colly. Co. 
 
 260. John E. Court . 
 
 261. G. Lycett . 
 
 262. Otto Pohl 
 
 263. A. J. Tomkinson 
 
 264. Parks Bros. 
 
 ?? 
 
 265. Wm. Beaman 
 
 ,, (Lydia) 
 
 266. Wm. Bate 
 
 267. Marsh, Jas. 
 
 268. Lovett, Jas., Junr. 
 
 269. Lycett & Co. . 
 
 270. J. S. Marwood & Co. 
 
 271. Wright & Dodd 
 
 272. Hamer, Wm. . 
 
 273. Cross, Harold . 
 
 274. Eobt. & W. & E. Hickson 
 
 275. Moore, John 
 
 276. Griffiths, Jas. . 
 
 277. Capper, Geo. 
 
 278. Mathison, W. . 
 
 279. Guest, E. . 
 
 Years. 
 
 7 
 
 Dates. 
 
 1866-72 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 1873-77) 
 1879- 
 
 5 
 
 1868-72 
 
 6 
 
 1867-72 
 
 . 20 
 
 1869-88 
 
 1 
 
 1869- 
 
 5 
 
 1872-76 
 
 1 
 
 1880- 
 
 2 
 
 1870-71 
 
 4 
 
 1874-77 
 
 1 
 
 1870- 
 
 4 
 
 1871-74 
 
 11 
 
 1871-81 
 
 . 17 
 
 1872-88 
 
 5 
 
 1873-77 
 
 2 
 
 1873-74 
 
 2 
 
 1873-74 
 
 2 
 
 1873-74 
 
 3 
 
 1875-77 
 
 1 
 
 1880- 
 
 2 
 4 
 
 1874-75 
 1874-77 
 
 1 
 
 1880- 
 
 2 
 
 1873-74 
 
 1 
 
 1875- 
 
 8 
 
 1874-81 
 
 2 
 
 1874-75 
 
 7 
 
 1875-81 
 
 1 
 
 1876- 
 
 . 12 
 
 1876-87 
 
 2 
 
 1876-77 
 
 4 
 
 1876-79 
 
 1 
 
 1876- 
 
 12 
 
 1877-88 
 
 1 
 
 1877- 
 
 5 
 
 1877-81 
 
 . 11 
 
 1878-88 
 
 1 
 
 1878- 
 
 1 
 
 1878- 
 
SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Names. 
 
 280. Whitehead, Geo. 
 
 281. Lockey, Edmund 
 
 282. Cross, Henry 
 
 283. Bate, Forrester 
 
 284. Firth & Co. 
 
 285. Howard & Co. 
 
 286. T. R. Bower 
 
 287. J. Thompson & Son 
 
 288. H. J. Thompson 
 
 289. Salt Union 
 
 290. J. Horsefield . 
 
 291. T. Hassall 
 
 292. J. Rayner & Co. 
 
 293. Briggs Bros. & Probert 
 
 294. John Gainer 
 
 295. Geo. Hamlett & Sons 
 
 296. J. J. Verdin Cooke 
 
 297. Blagg & Kitchin 
 
 Years. Dates. 
 
 1 1879- 
 
 1 1880- 
 
 1 1881- 
 
 1 1881- 
 
 4 1884-87 
 
 5 1885-89 
 9 1886-94 
 
 2 1887-88 
 
 3 1887-89 
 
 3 1893-95 
 26 1888-1914 
 
 2 1890-91 
 
 2 1890-91 
 
 4 1891-94 
 
 3 1892-94 
 22 1892-1914 
 21 1893-1914 
 21 1893-1914 
 
 2 1895-6 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 647 
 
 Table showing Assessments op Salt Works in the Urban 
 District op Winspord, in the Year 1881, as compared 
 with the Years 1888 and 1912 
 
 Reduction 
 between 
 1888 and 
 
 1912. 
 £ s. d. 
 
 4,696 4 
 
 306 
 
 Ratable value 
 Number of pans 
 Working 
 
 1881. 
 £ s. d. 
 17,250 15 
 
 648 
 
 Pan Measurement 
 
 1888. 
 £ s. d. 
 17,589 7 
 
 648 
 sq. ft. 
 786,079 
 
 1912. 
 £ s. d. 
 13,893 3 
 
 342 
 
 sq. ft. 
 531,307 
 
 sq. ft. 
 254,772 
 
 List op Salt Works, Salt Mine and Lands at Winspord, 
 belonging to or held by the salt union, which, prior 
 to the Formation op the Salt Union, were worked but 
 now are dismantled or in a Bad Condition 
 
 
 Amount of 
 
 Present Assess- 
 
 Description. 
 
 Assessment 
 
 in 
 
 ment (Ratable), 
 
 
 1881. 
 
 
 1912. 
 
 1. Capper's Works, Over 
 
 £57 11 
 
 
 
 Not rated 
 
 2. Allcock's Works, Over 
 
 59 13 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 3. Willow Bank Works, Over 
 
 439 8 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 4. Lovatt's Works, Over 
 
 97 3 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 5. Stubbs Bros.' Works, Over 
 
 78 5 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 6. Hiokson's Works, Over 
 
 399 6 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 7. Otto Pohl's Works, Over . 
 
 45 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 8. Jas. Griffiths' Works, Over 
 
 54 14 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 9. E. Lockey's Works, Over . 
 
 70 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 10. Hickson's Works, Over 
 
 66 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 11. Waste Land, behind Red 
 
 
 
 
 Lion, Wharton 
 
 Nil. 
 
 
 £13 10 
 
 12. Waste Land (No. 73) near 
 
 
 
 
 National Works, Wharton 
 
 Nil. 
 
 
 1 7 
 
 13. Wharton Lodge Works, 
 
 
 
 
 Wharton 
 
 627 4 
 
 
 
 659 
 
 14. Liverpool Works, Wharton 
 
 1096 18 
 
 
 
 544 12 
 
 15. Dutch Works, Over 
 
 422 3 
 
 
 
 45 
 
 16. Johnson's Works, Over 
 
 481 1 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 17. Dean's Works, Over 
 
 56 10 
 
 
 
 4 10 
 
 18. Leigh's Works, Over 
 
 63 13 
 
 
 
 4 10 
 
 19. Simpson's Works, Over . 
 
 63 13 
 
 
 
 4 10 
 
 20. Island Works, Over 
 Total 
 
 422 2 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 £4600 4 
 
 
 
 £1321 19 
 
Plan showing Subsidences ' 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 649 
 
 WINSFORD. 
 
 
 STOCKS 
 STAIRS. 
 
 Bouloier Clwy 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 
 BRINE LEVEL Clay* 
 
 '^*r±-*.-r*-?~. 
 
 -37 50 Gravel 
 £/fc>S 4|0ZS Sand 
 
 
 
 r_— _---—---: 
 
 
 r- :_-.-;:;: 
 
 Keuper 
 
 ;-;-=-.--—= 
 
 ^aneacntect 
 Marls 
 
 
 SHAH'S 
 
 f6 
 
 V. ;-:W=/: 
 
 MEADOW 8ANK 
 ROCK PIT. 
 
 L *^-.-^V.] Drift Sand &. Clay 
 frssi-Jzrz Variegated 
 .--X-f-"-"-- Marls, called 
 Shelley 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 I- I 
 
 Keuper 
 Marls 
 
 Sypsum 
 f6 
 
 "art. ■Jnrl Knot-" csV/cg 
 
 ROCK SALT Inferior 
 Marls &not Gypsum 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 Hard Marl 
 
 ROCK 
 SALT 
 
 ^■^ : ^^; Var.egatea~ Marls 
 .._.... with veins of" 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 wm 
 
 Wir. 
 
 ROCK 
 
 SALT 
 
 Maribtone Cubes 
 of ROCK SALT 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 ru/nps Of HOCJl SALT 
 
 ROCK SALT Pure 
 
 flOCK SALT ■ 
 
 ■I »<tb ROCK. SAL 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 >0 20 £0 40 50 
 
 Scale of Feet 
 
650 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Boring at 
 Stock's Stairs,^ 
 Winsford. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 so.o 
 
 165.0 
 
 233.0 
 *4*. O 
 £S2 .0 
 
 ;■*"■ 
 
 
 ■■,M//-\si\i.\,:Z/!\ 
 
 
 • i . ■ ; •• • i 
 
 & Sand. 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 se o 
 
 Sand and 
 Gravels. 
 
 es.o 
 
 Marl 
 
 oa - u Marl anal 
 
 ii. o ROCK SALT. 
 
 B.o ROCK SALT. 
 
 Red Marl. 
 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
 313 . 1*1 ^"I^V-ly/,1 £e . O 
 /If « depth of Z63 Feet the Brine stood 
 at 99 Feet from the surface, at 313 Feet 
 it stands at 77 Feet from the surface. 
 
THE SALT TRADE OF WINSFORD 651 
 
 WEYS GREEN, 
 
 NR. K/INSFORO. 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay. 
 
 Sand and 
 Gravel Wafer 
 here ran away 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 Quicksand 
 
 Gravel 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 Keuper | 
 Red 
 Marl. 
 
 Flag 9' 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 1070 3040 50 
 I II I I -I— 
 
 Scale of Feet. 
 
 100 
 
 STANTHORNE, 
 Nfi. WINSFORO. 
 
 DriH 
 
 Sandy 
 
 Clay 
 
 
 = ■---■ ~ — 1— 
 
 I U I 
 
 ,"^J3£ 
 
 5MjE 
 
 ■i--i- '■ 
 
 Keuper 
 
 Red 
 
 Marl 
 
 with 
 
 Grey 
 
 Beds 
 
 fe 
 
 -58 SHINE Zlbs.lOozs 
 
 Horse Bectns'\ Brine 
 Shaggy Marl I Run. 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 with Marl. 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 Red Marl. 
 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
 Blue Marl. 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
 Blue and 
 Pea Marls 
 Marlstone 
 
 ROCK 
 SALT. 
 
 Red cine* 
 BiuQ Maris. 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
 Reoi Marl. 
 
652 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 CISTERNS 
 
 QCH. 
 
 "1 r"H 
 
 H. Ingram Thompson. 
 \ island Salt works, 
 
 YilNSFORO, 
 
 Cheshire. 
 
 "1 r 
 
 OPEN 
 PAN 
 
 OPEN 
 PAN 
 
 I I I I 
 
 CH. 
 
 CH. 
 
 CH. 
 
 CH. 
 
 CH. 
 
 ~i r~ 
 
 /o 
 
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 YARD] 
 
 l7 -iri-tT 
 
 
 CISTERN 
 
 YARD 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 > r 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 i / : 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 1. ! 
 
 t 
 
 __„! j 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 i 
 t 
 
 4 
 
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 i 
 
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 ROA D 
 
 22 
 
 40 30 tO 10 
 
 IkiM I I I I ■ 
 
 to 
 
 =1= 
 
 SO FEET 
 
N0RTHW1CH 
 
 Noethwich is no longer the largest producer of salt in the Cheshire 
 salt district, but as Hellath-du, or the Black Pit, it was the ancient 
 rival of Hellath Wen, or the White Pit, as the Britons named 
 Nantwich — and from the brine obtained at the little spring in 
 Sheath Street, Northwich, the Komans made the first salt that 
 was ever manufactured in England by the open-pan system. 
 And to-day, although Winsford has surpassed it in the matter 
 of output, Northwich is still the commercial centre of the industry, 
 and continues to hold her own while new districts are opened up 
 around her and her long-time rival has retired from the uneven 
 contest. Moreover, although Winsford's returns of salt manu- 
 factured now head the annual lists, the output of brine from which 
 salt is made is still much greater at Northwich than in any other 
 district ; but whereas the other centres convert their brine into 
 salt on the spot, the Northwich brine, to the amount of hundreds 
 of millions of gallons, is annually pumped out of the neighbour- 
 hood through the Marbury pipe, and all the brine used in the 
 chemical works of Brunner, Mond & Co., and in the Salt Union's 
 works at Weston Point, is raised in Northwich. 
 
 Northwich, in Domesday Book, was in the hundred of Middle- 
 wich, and was in farm at eight pounds. It was under the same 
 laws and customs as obtained in the other wiches, and the manor 
 was worth 35 shillings, although it " was waste when Earl Hugh 
 received it." It appears that in the reign of Henry VIII. that 
 " persons forrayne and not inhabiting " in Northwich were guilty 
 of " makeing of salt contrary to the liberties and ancient customes " 
 of the town, and the king commands the " Justice and Chamber- 
 layne of our County Palatyne of Chester " to order such persons 
 " to appear before you in our Castle of Chester and at there 
 appearance to punish and reforme them: And also further to 
 order them, as right and good conscience shall require, according 
 to the lawes and customes heretobefore used now in other wyches 
 thereabouts within our said County Palatyne, for the reforma- 
 con of such transgressions fayle not hereof as ye maye intend to 
 please us." 
 
654 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 In the early part of the seventeenth century there was at 
 Northwich " a deep and plentiful brine pit with stairs about it, 
 by which, when they have drawn the water in their leathern 
 buckets, they ascend, half naked, to their troughs and fill them, 
 from whence it is conveyed to the wich-houses about which there 
 stand on every side many stakes and piles of wood." In 1670, 
 there were two salt-works in operation at Winsford, but only on a 
 small scale, while at Northwich, " in four pits, is plenty of brine," 
 and of the wich-houses there were 112 having four leads and " one 
 odde lead and noe more." 
 
 In 1605, Northwich with 449 leads was spending £2056 yearly 
 in wood fuel, while Middlewich with 642 leads consumed wood to 
 the cost of £1435 annually, and Nantwich with 1296 leads — that 
 is twice as many as Middlewich and about three times as many as 
 Northwich — has a yearly wood bill of only £1728. Why, in the 
 case of towns so close together, one should spend £18, 2s. 2d. 
 annually in wood in each wich house in one town, £13, 6s. 8d. in 
 another, and £8 in a third is not explained, but as the same method 
 of salt-making was employed in each of the towns, we must 
 assume that the Nantwich brine was stronger than that obtained 
 at Middlewich and Northwich, and consequently required less 
 boiling to precipitate the salt. 
 
 William Smith, the writer of what is known as King's " Vale 
 Eoyal " (1656), speaks of Northwich as a very ancient town, " as 
 the buildings and scituation may testifie," and places it third 
 of the salt-making wiches, " so renowned for that commodity." 
 He further describes it as " a market town, well frequented . . . 
 and seated so near the middest of the County, and so well for 
 travell every way, that it seems fit, and is oft allotted at the 
 meetings of the chief Governours in the Country, for the great 
 affairs. One street thereof called Wytton, yields obedience to 
 the Fee and Barony of Kinderton, the chief owner of them, and 
 the whole town within the chappelry, for so they term it, though 
 it have a very fair church called Wytton, the name of that lord- 
 ship mounted aloft upon a bank that overviews the town of 
 Northwich, and is their Church, though a member as I take it, 
 of Great Budworth Parish. There is also a free Grammar School, 
 endowed with good lands, founded by Sir John Dayn, Priest, 
 born in Shurlach . . who was Parson of one of the St. Bartholo- 
 mews in London, and amongst other lands gave unto this school 
 the Saracen's Head in the City of Chester." 
 
\ - 
 
 C.jo 
 
656 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 In another part of the same informative, if ponderously- 
 written work, we are told that Northwich is " a proper town, 
 having every Fryday a market, and yearly two fairs : that is to 
 say, on the day of Mary Magdalen, and on St Nicholas Day, 
 being the 6th of December. Here is also a salt spring or Brine 
 Pit, on the Bank of the River of Dane : from the which the brine 
 runneth on the ground in Troughes of Wood, covered over with 
 boards until it cometh to the wich houses, where they make salt, 
 as before in Nantwich has been declared. This town is, as it 
 were, divided into two parts : the one part thereof is called the 
 Cross, which belongeth to Sir Thomas Venables : and without 
 the Towns-end standeth a very fair Church of stone : which, 
 although some call it Northwich Church, yet is the proper name 
 thereof Witton, and is but a Chappell, which causeth me to 
 think that the town was named first Northwich after the finding 
 of the salt." 
 
 John Ray, in his article on " the making of Salt at Namptwych 
 in Cheshire " (1674), mentions the discovery at Northwich in 
 1670, of " a rock of natural salt from which issues a vigorous 
 sharp brine," and in the London Magazine (1750) we read that 
 Northwich is famous for making salt " which is of a stronger 
 nature, though not so white as the salt of the other Wiches." 
 From the diary of a parish clerk of Witton Church, one obtains 
 several items of salt news. Thus, in 1770, Ashton's Rock Pit 
 was sunk in Twambrooks ; Kent's Rock Pit was sunk in Twam- 
 brooks in 1774, and the Baron's Quay Salt-works were begun in 
 the following year. 1780 is, of course, one of the red-letters years 
 in the history of the Cheshire salt-mining industry. But while 
 the parish clerk carefully records that " the Rock-getters 
 pulled off their prices 4d. per ton " in February, that there was 
 " a great stir in the Rook Trade " on March 20th, that the " Cotton 
 works began to be built " in August, and " the first Fair was held 
 in York Buildings, built by Mr Most," on December 6th, there 
 is no mention of the fact that the lower bed of rock-salt was 
 discovered in that year. 
 
 The modern history of Northwich is to be found in the story 
 of the subsidences — the result of the brine-pumping operations 
 which have been the making and unmaking of the district ; in 
 the legislative fights its people have waged to maintain their 
 rights and obtain redress for their grievances ; and in the accounts 
 of the Cheshire salt trade and the operations of the Salt Union 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 657 
 
 — all of which will be found in their proper places in this 
 book. 
 
 In any work treating of Northwich and its salt industry, some 
 reference must be made to Mr W. Furnival and his career as a 
 
 Vfheaf . TifHA 
 
 Middle Field- 
 
 Plan of Messrs Bournes and Company's Rock- and White Salt-works 
 in 1814, at Marston, Northwich. 
 
 manufacturer of salt — a career which he has outlined for us in 
 his " Statement of Facts, Humbly and Respectfully submitted 
 to the Consideration of His Majesty, His Majesty's Ministers, 
 and Both Houses of Parliament." This account of oppression, 
 persecution, and conspiracy, which is described as " a case un- 
 paralleled in free England," covers the period between 1822, 
 2t 
 
658 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 when his attention was first directed to salt production, to 1833, 
 when the author was a prisoner in Horsemonger Lane Gaol. 
 
 Furnival was impressed with the very imperfect manner in 
 which salt-making was conducted, and after much inquiry and 
 experiment he patented (in the name of Mr J. Smith, Engineer of 
 Port Seaton) a principle which introduced steam into the manu- 
 facture of salt. In 1823 he erected works at Droitwich and 
 commenced making salt. He tells us that the new patent 
 answered every expectation he had formed of it, and Messrs 
 S. Fowler, Farden & Co. certified, on April 17th 1824, that the 
 advantages of the Furnival method, compared with the former 
 one, consisted — 
 
 " Firstly. — In the saving of fuel, which may be stated at about 
 one-half. 
 
 " Secondly. — In the production of twice the quantity of salt, 
 as usually made in vessels of the same size, in a given space of 
 time. 
 
 " Thirdly. — In the superior quality of the salt, arising out of 
 the regular distribution of heat to the bottom of the brine-pan." 
 
 The inventor secured patents for France and The Netherlands, 
 subsequently took out improved patents, and commenced sinking 
 for brine and making bricks for the erection of salt-works on land 
 he had taken at Anderton. Immediately he began to experience 
 the formidable opposition which eventually landed him in Horse- 
 monger Lane gaol. " The success of my undertakings hitherto," 
 he writes, " and the apparent magnitude of my present plans, 
 created a sensation through the whole salt trade, and the old 
 proprietors became seriously alarmed at the great improvements 
 which they heard so frequently spoken of. They foresaw that 
 the monopoly they had so long and uninterruptedly enjoyed 
 must inevitably be destroyed, and their truly exorbitant profits 
 materially abridged." 
 
 The old salt proprietors had formed an association, called 
 " The Coalition," to regulate the output of salt and fix their own 
 prices, and by virtue of their wealth they had been able in the 
 past, " to ruin all, or any one who should dare to enter the lists 
 against them." Furnival declares that more than once he had 
 broken up this " iniquitous coalition " and brought down the 
 price of common salt from 20s. to 8s. per ton — thus marking 
 himself out for the plots, threats, and conspiracies by which he 
 was followed to the end. Furnival offered to erect his patent 
 
NORTHWICH 659 
 
 apparatus at his own cost and risk on the works of the old pro- 
 prietors, and allow them two-thirds of the saving effected by 
 its application. They replied by ridiculing the introduction of 
 any improvements, saying that " however valuable, they wanted 
 none of them ; they could always command their own profits 
 in defiance of me ; that if not large enough they could make them 
 so ; and they would never sanction any improvements or inno- 
 vations in the trade." 
 
 Furnival and a Mr Bodieu left England and commenced to build, 
 at Rotterdam and Ghent, salt-works capable of taking nearly 
 60,000 tons of rock-salt annually from the British market. His 
 enemies in England used their influence with the salt refiners of 
 Holland and Belgium to importune the Bang to command the 
 cessation of operations, and Furnival and his partner were com- 
 pelled to abandon their works and return to England, the poorer 
 by £13,000 cash, and £33,000 that they were to have received for 
 the patent right. 
 
 In England, the " Coalition " was broken up, but not before the 
 price of salt had been lowered from 30 to 50 per cent. , and this 
 system of tactics was employed by the salt-men, through all the 
 subsequent years of Furnival's oppression. " The moment they 
 feared I was making progress, down went the price of salt. When 
 they thought I was crushed by their arbitrary measures, or em- 
 barrassed beyond prospect of recovery, they raised the price again 
 — causing, as it were, my situation to be the regvdating index 
 of the price at which the public were to be furnished with this 
 necessary article of life." In April 1825 he sold his works at 
 Anderton to the British Rock and Salt Company, and, in the 
 autumn of 1826, he erected his patent plant at Dieuze in France. 
 In April 1828, he bought land at Wharton and sank for rock- 
 salt. His first and second shafts were drowned out by brine, but 
 the success of his third shaft was complete and " produced some 
 of the finest rock-salt in the kingdom." 
 
 The dismay of his enemies, he says, was now complete, and an 
 endeavour was made by them to drown his new mine by stopping 
 their brine engines, calculating that the increased pressure would 
 force the superabundant brine in his new shaft, but Furnival had 
 prepared against this emergency by lining the shaft with iron 
 cylinders. 
 
 At the sale of Lord de Tabley's Cheshire estate in 1828, Furnival 
 purchased, for £1550, a piece of land in Marston, of some five 
 
660 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 acres in extent, which was described in the catalogue as 
 follows : — 
 
 LOT CLXXX 
 
 Part of the Lower Marl Field. 
 
 Part of the Higher Marl Field with an Occupation 1 ac roda poles 
 Eoad of the width of eight yards over the!- 5 3 19 
 next Lot as marked in the Plan . . I 
 
 The land contained in this lot is of good 
 quality ; part of the latter item extends 
 more than 300 feet along the towing path of 
 the Trent and Mersey Canal. It is supposed 
 there is a bed of rock salt underneath ; the 
 lower mine whereof may be raised with- 
 out endangering the land above, and the 
 ground is favourable for sinking in. The land 
 is held by the present occupier as tenant 
 from year to year, at the apportioned yearly 
 rent of £14. 
 
 The new fence on the easterly side of this 
 Lot is to be made and kept in repair by the 
 purchaser of this Lot. 
 
 The old salt proprietors endeavoured to prevent Furnival 
 from arranging a mortgage on his property at Wharton, by 
 causing it to be known that " the moment any rock salt came 
 into the market from the Wharton mine, they would lower the 
 price 50 per cent, and ruin every one concerned, whether proprietor, 
 partner, or mortgagee." There is no doubt that at this period 
 the old proprietors were making great sacrifices to crush the new 
 trespasser upon their preserves. Salt was kept down far below 
 a remunerative price, and every establishment worked at a serious 
 loss, but it was not deemed prudent to relax their efforts. A 
 meeting was held and a resolution was passed that " they deeply 
 lamented the low price of salt, but considered, at the same time, 
 it would not be prudent to raise the price until Mr Furnival was 
 disposed of." 
 
 How much it cost the salt trade to dispose of Mr Furnival 
 may be gathered from the following circular, in which their 
 loss in four and a half years is shown to have amounted to 
 £282,194, 14s. 
 
NORTHWICH 661 
 
 Copy of Circular 
 
 " To the Salt Manufacturers of Northwich and Winsford. 
 
 " It frequently happens that people are blind to their own 
 interests, and surely none so much as those concerned in the salt 
 trade. 
 
 " It is generally acknowledged that 16s. per ton for white salt 
 is a fair remunerating price to the market, and one to which no 
 objection is made by the exporter. 
 
 " Why, then, should the trade give away what to them would 
 be a fair profit ? 
 
 " In the present depressed state of every trade, as well as of 
 agricultural produce, this is the only one which can in these times 
 be to a certainty rendered productive, remunerating the manu- 
 facturer with a fair interest for his capital. 
 
 " The following statement of the quantities of salt sent from 
 Northwich and Winsford to Liverpool from Jan. 1825 to July 
 1829, and the average price of each year, shows that in four years 
 and a half the trade have rejected the enormous sum of £282,194, 
 14s., and still continue to sell at a price about equal to the expense 
 of making. 
 
 " Nothing, for the future, can prevent such a continued loss to 
 the trade (and the only trade, it may be said with truth, which 
 those engaged in have within themselves the power to render 
 with so much certainty a beneficial one) as the determination of 
 each embarked in it, to lay aside all jealousies and come forward 
 with a firm resolve, to act in the most honourable manner in 
 adhering to every regulation which may be agreed upon. They 
 insure to themselves a fair remuneration for their labour and 
 interest upon their capital, which at present prices just yields 
 them a return to enable them to make more salt to sell in the 
 same ruinous way. 
 
 " The following statement is for the consideration of those 
 interested : — 
 
662 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 "Northwich, Aug. 17, 1829. 
 " Quantities of Salt shipped to Liverpool from Northwich and 
 Winsford : — 
 
 
 
 
 
 Difference between that 
 
 Years. Tons. 
 
 Average. 
 s. d. 
 
 £ 
 
 S. 
 
 d. 
 
 price and 16s. 
 £ 
 
 d. 
 
 1825 122,012 
 
 14 
 
 85,408 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 12,201 
 
 4 
 
 O 
 
 1826 132,686 
 
 11 
 
 72,977 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 33,171 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1827 160,781 
 
 9 6 
 
 76,370 
 
 19 
 
 6 
 
 52,253 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 1828 169,250 
 
 11 
 
 93,087 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 42,312 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 2 Qrs. ) 86,430 
 of 1829/ 
 
 11 
 
 47,536 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 21,607 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 £161,546 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 Winsford 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1825 125,866 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 88,106 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 12,586 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 1826 99,328 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 54,630 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 24,832 
 
 
 
 
 
 1827 110,973 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 52,606 
 
 14 
 
 6 
 
 35,994 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 1828 119,973 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 65,985 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 29,993 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 2 Qrs. ) 68,969 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 37, 932 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 17,242 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 of 1829 J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 £120,648 
 161,546 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 Total loss in each year :— 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 1825 
 
 £24,787 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 1826 
 
 58,003 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1827 
 
 88,247 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 1828 
 
 72,305 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 Two quarters 1829 
 
 38,849 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 £282,194 14 
 
 Total loss to the Trade £282. 194 14 
 
 The threat to reduce the price of rock-salt from 10s. 6d. and 
 16s. to 3s. 6d. the moment the Wharton Mine salt came 
 upon the market, succeeded in frightening away the friends who 
 had been prepared to give Furnival financial support, the 
 
NORTHWICH 663 
 
 persistent intruder now found fresh persecution awaiting him 
 from another quarter. In 1826 Furnival had entered into a 
 contract with Peter Beuvain of Paris to erect a salt refinery, 
 on his patent principle, in the Isle of Rhe in France. A thirty 
 days' trial proved the capabilities of the plant, but it also proved 
 to Furnival that Beuvain was an unprincipled trickster who had 
 no intention of fulfilling the terms of the agreement, and he 
 quitted the country in disgust. Beuvain, finding that he took 
 no measures to enforce the contract, set up a fictitious claim against 
 him, contrived to get an arbitration carried through without any 
 evidence on the part of Furnival, and obtained an award of 
 £8000, based on prospective profits calculated by himself. 
 Against this award Furnival appealed in the Court of Cassation 
 in Paris. Without waiting for the appeal to be heard, Beuvain 
 enticed Furnival to The Netherlands by a forged invitation from 
 an opulent salt-refiner to erect his patent salt plant at Liege in 
 Belgium. He was met there by a man representing himself 
 as the nephew of the Belgian refiner, who proposed to drive him 
 to his uncle's estate. Furnival entered the carriage and was 
 driven over the French frontier, where he was arrested at the suit 
 of Beuvain and conducted to the gaol of Rocroy, some 200 miles 
 from Paris. Finding there was no hope or prospect of obtaining 
 redress in France, he succceeded, after four months' incarceration, 
 in breaking gaol, and returned to England in January 1830. 
 
 In April of that year, he found a tenant for a portion of the 
 Wharton salt-works on a royalty rent agreed upon, and two other 
 portions of the Wharton establishment were subsequently leased 
 to other tenants. Before entering into these contracts two 
 committees, each consisting of three men, were commissioned by 
 the several parties interested to investigate and report on Fur- 
 nival's patent, and in their joint-report, dated 22nd August 1829, 
 occurs the following : — 
 
 " The first committee entered upon the investigation on the 
 15th August, 1829 ; remained on duty eight hours ; was then 
 relieved by the second for the like period, and so continued the 
 investigation, alternately superintending the weighing and 
 delivery of the coals and salt, and taking note of the temperatures 
 every hour. 
 
 " The following is the result of working for 162 hours, a steam 
 boiler, constantly fed with brine, the specific gravity from 23 
 to 25-100ths. 
 
664 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Length of the boiler 20 feet, width. 8 feet. 
 A triangular flue pan, 80 feet, width 8 feet. 
 A triangular steam pan, 101'6 in., width 8 feet, 
 
 forming a surface of 1612 superficial feet of brine. 
 The quantity of coal consumed, was 8i tons. 
 The quantity of fine salt produced, was . . 356 cwt. 
 
 Ditto of common and fishery .... 404 ,, 
 
 Making 76 cwt. 
 
 " Being a product of four and a half tons of salt for every ton of 
 coals consumed." 
 
 From first to last Fumival had nothing but trouble with his 
 tenants. At one time they applied for an alteration in the terms 
 of their respective leases ; at another they demanded a guarantee 
 of the cost of manufactured salt at 5s. per ton, only, at a later 
 stage, to insist upon the guarantee being waived when they thought 
 they could make the salt at a less cost. In November 1831 they 
 demanded a reduction of the royalty scale. In order to justify 
 this step they resorted to " shameful mismanagement and wilful 
 neglect " to render the works unprofitable, and, since Fumival 
 continued to resist their claims, they refused to pay their rents 
 or to submit the matter to arbitration. From this point it was 
 war to the knife between the parties, and to add to Fumival's 
 discomfiture, an agent, acting on behalf of Beuvain, once more 
 brought forward the pretended French debt. On August 28th 
 1832, Furnival was arrested for the sum of £8180, and on the 
 following day he was delivered into the custody of the keeper of 
 Horsemonger Lane Gaol. 
 
 According to his own account, his enemies employed every 
 means their vindictive minds could devise to ruin his business, 
 blacken his character, and render his incarceration unbearable. 
 In September, on the false charge of meditating an escape, he 
 was removed from the debtors' side of the prison to a malodorous 
 cell on the felons' side, and a report was circulated that he was 
 gaoled, " either on account of my having forged, swindled or 
 committed some felonious act." The prisoner spent his time 
 in resisting the efforts of his partners to induce him to give up 
 his interests in the Marston and Wharton salt properties, and in 
 obtaining redress for his wrongs from the prison authorities. 
 He persisted in his demands to be removed from the foetid 
 
NORTHWICH 665 
 
 criminal quarters, to be allowed a little wine on account of his 
 failing health, and to have a full and fair investigation of the 
 charge against him. He importuned the keeper of the gaol, the 
 doctor, the magistrates, the sheriff, and the Chairman of Quarter 
 Sessions, but without avail. Meantime, in the beginning of 
 January 1833, he caused an indictment to be preferred against 
 Peter Beuvain, before the Middlesex Grand Jury, at the sessions 
 for January, and a true bill for wilful and corrupt perjury was 
 found. A judge's warrant was issued for his apprehension, and 
 a reward of £500 was offered, but Beuvain escaped to France. 
 Even this moral victory was barren of material results, and 
 Furnival laments that while other prisoners were given some show 
 of disproving the charges brought against them, " I am confined 
 to a felon's cell, subjected to a serious charge, treated as a criminal, 
 not permitted to know who are my accusers, nor allowed the 
 opportunity of exculpating myself, although in possession of 
 abundant evidence, and have a host of witnesses to prove the 
 whole a vile conspiracy, by means of which they calculated on 
 wresting my property from me ; a plot concocted by the very 
 persons who are permitted to poison the ears of those who should 
 protect me, and turn aside the streams of justice from those 
 channels the laws of our country have provided. ... I thus 
 found myself," he adds a little later, " shut out from all hopes of 
 redress, and I would entreat particular attention to the situation, 
 the lamentable situation, of a man foully and unjustly charged 
 by a band of conspirators, defeated in every attempt to obtain 
 justice, and left without a hope or prospect of being able to 
 vindicate himself, or extricate himself from a confinement more 
 close than that awarded to a felon." 
 
 Furnival subsequently wrote a long letter to Sir Henry Fletcher, 
 the new high sheriff, and drew up a memorial to the Secretary 
 of State for the Home Department. From Fletcher he received 
 a formal acknowledgment of his letter ; from the Secretary of 
 State nothing at all. " Thus foiled in all my endeavours to obtain 
 justice, I am reluctantly compelled to address myself to that 
 palladium of British liberty — the Representatives of the People." 
 This address takes the form of his " Statement of Facts " from 
 which I have derived the foregoing particulars. In conclusion, 
 Furnival adds some notes about the Wharton Salt-works, which, 
 " through that kind Providence which has never forsaken me," 
 he had already completed, and the Marston Works, which he is 
 

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 h^M^iM 
 
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 0G7 
 
668 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 still hopeful of carrying to completion. Concerning Wharton, 
 he writes : — 
 
 " The works cover about twelve acres of ground, and present 
 the most splendid mass of slated roofing imaginable." 
 
 " The extent of pannage for the manufacture of the various 
 kinds of salt has been computed at upwards of three miles, 
 (supposing them to be in a straight line) and the erections and 
 fittings have cost altogether upwards of £135,000. 
 
 " The quantity of salt these works are capable of producing 
 may be fairly stated at 130,000 tons per annum, (equal to the entire 
 consumption of 15,600,000 persons) and at about half the price 
 at which it can be manufactured by any other establishment in 
 the kingdom." 
 
 With reference to Marston, he offers the following brief 
 remarks : — 
 
 " These works when completed will occupy nearly six acres of 
 land. They are situated on the Grand Trunk Canal, a short 
 distance from the transhipping place into the River Weaver 
 for Liverpool : and also the line of road from Northwich to 
 Liverpool. 
 
 " On the premises are two rock-salt pits, and a fully saturated 
 brine pit. 
 
 " This and the Wharton property are the only two in the 
 kingdom possessing the peculiar advantages of inexhaustible 
 brine fully saturated, and dry rock salt on the same premises. 
 
 " This important benefit is consequently derived, — that both 
 the steam from the rock and brine engines, and the fire, 
 after having passed under the steam boiler, are employed in the 
 crystallizing of salt. 
 
 " Other rock salt mines, having no saturated brine pits on the 
 premises, can only make brine by dissolving the rock after it is 
 raised, which is attended by considerable expense. 
 
 " On the whole, the Wharton and Marston mines can deliver 
 rock salt at full 25 to 30 per cent, less than any other in the 
 country. 
 
 " The salt also, made on my principle, is admitted to be superior 
 in quality, owing to the regular distribution of heat, which 
 produces more uniform and superior crystals. 
 
 " By a reference to the map (which shows the three districts 
 to which the manufacture of salt is confined) it will at once 
 be understood how easily the old salt proprietors could 
 
NORTHWICH 669 
 
 command their own prices, and make their profits what they 
 liked by ' combination.' And it will be equally easy to under- 
 stand why they are, without a single exception, my opponents." 
 
 Furnival's history, so far as I have been able to trace it, closes 
 with the publication of his book. His works at Anderton had 
 been acquired by the British Rock and Patent Salt Co., which 
 continued to ship salt until 1829. His Marston property is 
 probably the one that was worked by H. Back from 1832 to 1833, 
 when it appears as the property of W. Gregory, who shipped salt 
 from Marston until 1847, a period of fifteen years. Furnival's 
 works at Wharton were managed by Trustees until 1839, when 
 the property was absorbed by the National Patent Salt Co., 
 which became one of the most important firms in the Winsford 
 trade. In 1875 Justice Manisty, the surviving leaseholder, 
 surrendered his interests to Stubbs Brothers, who in 1888 sold 
 the business to the Salt Union. 
 
 The whole history of the salt trade shows that it has been 
 uniformly unfortunate in its method of dealing with competition 
 and almost invariably unfortunate in the results of its arrogant 
 impatience of opposition. In common with all other trades, 
 the big men have endeavoured by combination to crush out the 
 small men, and having temporarily succeeded, they have broken 
 themselves in attempts to exterminate each other. In 1833 
 Furnival was disposed of, but the game of price-cutting was not 
 discontinued, or only for limited periods and at uncertain intervals. 
 Under the heading of Salt Associations I have shown how, having 
 lowered prices, one against the other, until salt-making was 
 carried on at a loss, the proprieters would combine and run up 
 prices only to evade their agreements and commence again to 
 undersell each other. When this cut-throat business promised 
 to destroy everybody connected with the trade, they formed 
 another combination and enjoyed a profitable interregnum, which 
 was followed by a further period of bitter rivalry and trading loss. 
 In the files of the Northwich Guardian I have studied the conditions 
 of the salt trade from the early 'eighties to the formation of the 
 Salt Union in 1888, in the monthly articles and annual reviews 
 contributed to that journal by its Salt Trade correspondent, 
 and the information there preserved is so interesting and illu- 
 minative that excerpts from it are worth producing here. 
 
 We learn from this source that in November 1881, " common 
 salt can be bought freely at 4s. with the broker's discount of 5 per 
 
670 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 cent. This is the lowest price touched since the American War." 
 " The reason for this depression," we read further, " is not an 
 external but an internal one. The spirit of ' envy, hate, malice 
 and all uncharitableness,' which has so long been the bane of the 
 salt trade, has again become rampant, and the whole trade is 
 suffering from the bad state of feeling existing among a small 
 number of salt proprietors " — i.e. the proprietors who are making 
 salt in competition with the existing salt combine. 
 
 In the report for June 1883, we are assured : " It is quite impos- 
 sible for little men to touch the trade, and even men who, 
 though not little, have not the improved appliances now in vogue 
 for facilitating the giving away of the salt with as little loss as 
 possible to the giver." 
 
 It is recorded that in 1883 the state of salt manufacturers was 
 worse than in any previous period. There were more bank- 
 ruptcies ; more works closed owing to the impossibility of 
 carrying them on at a profit ; more violent competition, and low 
 prices ; and the conclusion arrived at by the chronicler is that 
 " the trade is neither being ruled by common sense nor business 
 experience : that it is being ruled by personal animosities and 
 trade jealousies. . . . Will nothing," he asks, " soften and allay 
 the jealousies and ill-feeling so common among salt proprietors ? " 
 
 Early in 1884, at a dinner given in Northwich by the Chairman 
 of the Local Board, Mr R. Verdin declared that the Salt Association 
 was broken up simply because a few large proprietors were jealous 
 of each other and would not agree, and, in his report for June 
 in that year, the Salt Trade Correspondent of the Guardian lam- 
 ented that " the battle is fast becoming a war of giants. . . . 
 Capital is showing itself, almost everywhere, a remorseless jug- 
 gernaut, crushing thousands of victims beneath its ponderous 
 wheels." 
 
 In July 1884 we read that there is some talk of forming the 
 whole trade into one huge company, and that the " adhesion of 
 a sufficient number of manufacturers has been secured to make 
 the scheme independent of the opposition remaining outside." 
 In the following month it is announced that the scheme has been 
 abandoned through internal jealousies among members of the 
 trade. In November there are rumours of another attempt to 
 mend matters on a large scale. Again, in September 1886, 
 attempts are being made " to combine all salt proprietors into 
 a legal company for the purchase and sale of salt," the 
 
672 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 object being to secure " that no salt stall be sold except it has 
 passed into the hands of the company and been resold by them at 
 an advanced price, so as to secure a fund which can be used for 
 the benefit of all." But month after month went by in which 
 nothing was done, for the reason explained by the correspondent 
 of the Guardian, that " it is easy to make laws and regulations 
 and to carry them out successfully when men are governed by 
 the ordinary laws of business and common sense, but when senti- 
 ment or passion is allowed to interfere, it is impossible either to 
 make sensible laws or carry them out successfully when made." 
 
 In March 1888, " the great struggle for mastery still goes on " ; 
 in April " the process of exhaustion is not yet complete," and 
 the deplorable state of the salt trade is attributed to " a few 
 men who seem to have made more money than they know what 
 to do with, and are spending it in seeing what amount of injury 
 they can do to each other, and as a necessary consequence to 
 numbers of others who are innocent of offence." In May, our 
 correspondent deplores the material damage the trade is suffering 
 through the perversity and selfishness of the salt proprietors and 
 proceeds to the conclusion that their object is "not really to do 
 business but to kill one another out." " Is there more morality," 
 he asks, " in the man of means starving out the man without 
 means by selling, below cost of make, than there would be in 
 stopping him on the highway and picking his pocket ? . . . When 
 the intention in the two cases is the same — the plunder or ruin 
 of the opponent — how can the morality differ ? It does seem a 
 most grievous thing that when the greater number in the trade 
 are anxious to do business at a profit to themselves . . they 
 should be prevented because a few — a very few — should think 
 only of themselves, and care nothing for the sufferings of others, 
 and carry on the fight to the bitter end, causing enormous suffer- 
 ing and distress. . . We can see very clearly," he concludes, 
 " that if something is not done shortly to bring about a better 
 state of affairs, some defensive action must be taken by those 
 firms outside the present strife which will result in no good to the 
 parties now responsible for the mischief." 
 
 In the ensuing months the same authority announces the pro- 
 bability of the formation of the Salt Union ; that " all over the 
 county of Chester there is but one opinion, and that is that the 
 company will be a great success and will be the best thing for all 
 connected with the salt trade that has ever happened ; and 
 
NORTHWICH 673 
 
 that the rush to get shares before any prospectus is issued, is 
 really wonderful." In October 1888, the prospectus of the 
 Salt Union, Limited, was issued, and its success was " almost 
 unprecedented." 
 
 The story of the vicissitudes of the Salt Union is told in another 
 chapter, and I only propose here to continue quoting a few com- 
 ments from the articles of the Salt Trade Correspondent of 
 the Northwich Guardian, who, if not as some suppose him to have 
 been, an officer of the Union, was certainly a supporter of the 
 company and a sympathiser with its policy. In announcing the 
 success of the flotation, he has no doubt that, " with careful 
 management," the company will " be a great success." Two 
 months later a curiously dubious tone creeps into his reference 
 to the newly formed monopoly. " In the course of a few months," 
 he writes, " the new company will have shown whether it can go 
 on successfully. The scheme is a gigantic one, and may prove 
 either a great blessing or a great curse, according to the principles 
 upon which it is conducted. Let us hope that a spirit of justice 
 and fairness towards shareholders, servants and the public at 
 large will make the scheme a blessing.'' 
 
 The first fruits of the successful flotation of the Union was the 
 issue of prospectuses of other salt schemes, and from this time 
 forth the Union employed all its powers and wealth to crush this 
 galling competition. They did not adopt the means that the salt 
 proprietors employed earlier in the century to despoil Furnival 
 and drive him out of the trade, but the campaign was waged 
 with the same bitterness that nearly ruined the industry in the 
 years preceding the formation of the Salt Union, which, it was 
 hoped, would bring about the end of " envy, hate, malice and 
 all uncharitableness." The prospectuses of the new companies 
 were declared to stand self-condemned on the face of them, and 
 investors were warned that " although the Salt Union can have 
 no monopoly of the salt lands, it undoubtedly has all worth having, 
 if a fight comes on." 
 
 In February 1889 other schemes for getting salt were being 
 formulated, and the Salt Union issued another warning. " As far as 
 can be seen," we read," none of the projected schemes possess such 
 advantages as would enable them to live if the Salt Union, with 
 its enormous powers and privileges, were to put down prices. 
 The investors should examine carefully before putting money 
 into schemes of this kind. The memory of the sufferings of the past 
 2u 
 
674 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 should deter rash speculation, and should hard times come 
 again, we may expect worse wrecks than in the past. With the 
 control of all the large reservoirs of brine and the best rock-salt 
 in the district, and the admirable situation of its works, the Salt 
 Union can live and make way whilst many of the projected 
 schemes, if they should ever struggle into life, would be found 
 incapable of living long in the struggle for existence." 
 
 In the following month more boreholes were being sunk in search 
 of salt than at any previous period, and another warning was issued : 
 " To those who are acquainted with the salt districts, the pros- 
 pects of any of the borings proving ultimately satisfactory to 
 their makers are very problematical. It must be years before 
 any competition at all likely to prove formidable to the Salt Union 
 can arise. When it does, if ever, the Union will be more capable 
 of fighting a battle than even now, and will always have advan- 
 tages others cannot hope to obtain. It will be interesting for 
 many reasons to watch the progress of the various new companies, 
 or would-be companies. Much will undoubtedly be learned of 
 the limits of the salt beds and of brine, and the money spent 
 may, at all events, increase knowledge." 
 
 By the middle of 1889, one small set of works had been establish- 
 lished at Winsford in competition with the Salt Union, and rock- 
 salt had been discovered at Middlewich. " Doubtless here and 
 there some small works will arise, but the large sums spent on 
 acquiring salt lands have, so far, proved less remunerative than 
 was generally expected," and " the threatened formidable oppo- 
 sition to the Salt Union has effected but little." In September 
 of the same year we learn that not one of the new attempts to 
 find brine had been practically successful, mainly because any 
 works outside the Union " are such as the Union neglected or 
 refused to acquire. We cannot say what the future may bring 
 forth. But it would be well for the competitors to bear in mind 
 that in seriously injuring the SaltUnion it could only be by ruining 
 themselves. If the Salt Union, with its manifold advantages, 
 has to fight any of its rivals, the consequences will be very serious, 
 and new works badly situated must go to the wall." 
 
 Up to November 1889, opposition to the Salt Union " has not 
 resulted in anything very serious," but persistent reports de- 
 trimental to the Union had been circulated, and " the most 
 remarkable thing in connection with salt has been the continuous 
 fall in the price of Salt Union shares." Boring for brine was still 
 
NORTHWICH 675 
 
 continued with, varying success, but with the serious reduction 
 in demand, together with the long-period contracts made by most 
 large purchasers, " there can be nothing to induce outsiders to 
 invest in new schemes." 
 
 In the annual review of the trade for 1889 we read, in con- 
 nection with the search for new salt lands, that : " The Salt 
 Union have so well secured the best salt lands and sites for salt- 
 works that would-be competitors have to take what is left, and 
 so far it is doubtful if any worth having, except very small plots 
 scarcely worth considering, have been discovered. The condition 
 of some of the schemes whose advent was heralded by such 
 flourishes of trumpets as led outsiders to put their money into 
 them, is such as to break the hearts of all investors who might 
 visit them." 
 
 In February 1890 a Bill was being promoted in Parliament 
 to carry brine by pipes from the Cheshire district to be made into 
 salt at Widnes, and the Salt Union was preparing to resist it 
 with all the powers at its command — not because the scheme in 
 itself was formidable but " if the principle of taking brine out of 
 the district where produced, and making it into salt at a distance, 
 is once sanctioned by Parliament, the most serious injury to 
 the whole district of Cheshire would be done and wholesale ruin 
 would follow. . . . Few indeed can see the widespread ruin likely 
 to follow the passing of such a Bill, and it is to be hoped that the 
 Legislature will never sanction a principle so injurious to large 
 sections of the community." Such are the sentiments of a 
 company which was, at that time, pumping brine from Northwich 
 through the Marbury Pipe to be made into salt at Weston Point — 
 eleven miles distant ; which was presently to enlarge that pipe 
 and machinery to increase the quantity of brine pumped to 
 hundreds of millions of gallons annually ; and which in 1912 
 resisted, again with all the powers at its command, an attempt 
 made in the Legislature to compel them to limit the quantity of 
 brine so conveyed to Weston Point, to " the most serious injury " 
 of the Northwich district. 
 
 The Widnes Bill was thrown out, and the Salt Union were 
 jubilant, because the result proved that it was seen that " giving 
 permission to take the brine from the district where it was found, 
 and where its pumping causes such serious injury to property, 
 to be manufactured elsewhere, would be an act of injustice, for, 
 whilst taking all the trade away, with all the benefits derived 
 
676 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 from it, the injury to property would still go on without any direct 
 or indirect compensation to the sufferers." Yet the Salt Union 
 had declared before a Parliamentary Committee that injury 
 to property was not caused by brine pumping, and were soon to 
 contend before a similar tribunal, that any attempt to prevent 
 them from pumping Northwich brine to be manufactured in 
 Lancashire would be a " restraint upon trade." 
 
 In its endeavours to stave off competition the Salt Union's 
 agents continued to declare that the demand for salt was less than 
 the facilities that existed for making it, and that competition 
 must inevitably result in disaster ; while, in the same paragraph 
 (1890), we read that of the new salt schemes, " not one at present 
 has been successful," but that " some of the smaller private 
 concerns have done well." In the following year we are assured 
 that " no more foolish speculation can now be entered into than 
 erecting new salt-works, and there are indications that the in- 
 vesting public has already come to this conclusion." 
 
 It was inevitable that the successful flotation of the Salt Union 
 would tempt imprudent promoters to angle for the subscriptions 
 of rash speculators who wished to gamble in salt ; but it was 
 also inevitable that the Salt Union must fail — save by excellent- 
 management, commercial genius, and great good fortune — to 
 trample out honest competition. The Union declared that their 
 position as monopolists was unassailable ; they implored investors 
 to save their money ; they threatened rivals with ruin and extinc- 
 tion ; yet, by 1897, competition had steadily increased to the 
 diminution of prices, and " we seem fast approaching the state 
 of affairs just prior to the formation of the Salt Union." In one 
 decade the Salt Union had proved whether or not " it could go 
 on successfully," and whether " the principles upon which it is 
 conducted " had made it " a great blessing or a great curse." 
 
677 
 
UTS 
 
plan or Properties in the Township of Witton, Cheshire, 
 belonging to j. s. stv. jarvis esq. and the cheshire amalgamated 
 Salt Works Co ltd. 1873. 
 
 Kjt t 
 
 * ;s =?SS»-'3k 
 
 Scale of Chains 
 
3 s 
 
 z 
 
 >■ 
 
 It 
 '1 
 
 01 
 
 UJ 
 
 U. Q 
 
 u. 
 o 
 
 >- 
 
 
 c 
 
 CO 
 
 
 Uj CO 
 
 2 
 1- 
 
 
 Z 
 
 s: 
 
 Z 
 
 ^ °= 
 
 3 
 O 
 
 l. 
 
 ~ 
 
 £ u> 
 
 O 
 
 680 
 
PLAN OF PROPERTIES AT DUNKIRK IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WlTTON, 
 BELONGING TO J.S.ST. VINCl JERVIS ESQ. AND THE CHESHIRE 
 AMALGAMATED SALT WORKS CO. LTD. 1873. 
 
 Froa 
 
 Wff on «="»«. 
 
 682 
 
i! 
 
 TO 
 
 M C 
 
 o Mh 
 
 p 
 
 J IS 
 
 CM 
 
 ss 
 
 «83 
 
684 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Shippers of Rock and White Salt down the River Weaver 
 from Northwich, 1734 to 1894 
 
 (Including Marston, Wincham, Middlewich, and Lostock Gralam) 
 
 The year commences in March and goes to March of the 
 succeeding, so that both years will be included in the following 
 List. 
 
 The returns commence in 1734 : some may have shipped prior 
 to this date and are complete down to 1894. 
 
 
 
 
 Years' 
 
 
 
 
 
 Shipping. 
 
 Rook 
 
 1 
 
 The Rock Go. . . 
 
 8 
 
 1734-1741 
 
 
 2 
 
 John Hewitt 
 
 1 
 
 1734-1734 
 
 
 3 
 
 John Broome 
 
 4 
 
 1734-1737 
 
 
 4 
 
 Isaac Broome 
 
 5 
 
 1734-1738 
 
 
 5 
 
 Eyne & Co. 
 
 2 
 
 1734-1735 
 
 White & Rock 
 
 6 
 
 Barrow, Ralph (John succeeded 
 
 
 
 
 
 in 1755) 
 
 34 
 
 1734-1767 
 
 
 7 
 
 Clarridge, Benjamin 
 
 3 
 
 1734-1736 
 
 R 
 
 8 
 
 Ford, Stephen 
 
 11 
 
 1735-1745 
 
 R&W 
 
 9 
 
 Barrow, Edward (Elizabeth the 
 
 
 
 
 
 widow, 1743) 
 
 12 
 
 1735-1746 
 
 
 10 
 
 Wrench, Thomas . 
 
 1 
 
 1735-1735 
 
 
 11 
 
 Parrott, James 
 
 2 
 
 1735-1736 
 
 
 12 
 
 Young, Robert 
 
 2 
 
 1735-1736 
 
 R 
 
 13 
 
 Bridge, Ralph & Co. 
 
 14 
 
 1735-1748 
 
 W 
 
 14 
 
 Ellison, Richard . 
 
 2 
 
 1735-1736 
 
 W 
 
 15 
 
 Paleston, Thomas (Ann Paleston, 
 
 
 
 
 1736) . 
 
 2 
 
 1735-1736 
 
 R W 
 
 16 
 
 Marshall, Thomas & Co. 
 
 141 
 
 1734-1874 
 
 R 
 
 17 
 
 Blinston, Jonathan 
 
 9 
 
 1735-1743 
 
 
 18 
 
 Wilkinson, George 
 
 2 
 
 1735-1736 
 
 R&W 
 
 19 
 
 Blackburne, John (& Co., 1742-1751) 112 
 
 1734-1845 
 
 W 
 
 20 
 
 Kenyon, George 
 
 2 
 
 1735-1736 
 
 W 
 
 21 
 
 Walker, George . 
 
 23{j 
 
 1735-1736 
 1735-1740 
 
 R&W 
 
 22 
 
 Jeffreys, John 
 
 1749-1765 
 
 W 
 
 23 
 
 Lowndes, Richard 
 
 
 1736-1736 
 
 R 
 
 24 
 
 Dale .... 
 
 4 
 
 1734-1737 
 
 R 
 
 25 
 
 Marshall, John 
 
 5 
 
 1735-1739 
 
 R W 
 
 26 
 
 Brassey, Richard 
 
 "{J 
 
 1740-1742 
 1749-1766 
 
 
 27 
 
 Leigh, James 
 
 3 
 
 1740-1742 
 
 
 28 
 
 Gildart, Alderman Rd. 
 
 5 
 
 1740-1744 
 
 R 
 
 29 
 
 Metcalf, Samuel (Ann, 1753) . 
 
 14 
 
 1740-1753 
 
 
 30 
 
 Clare, Joseph & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1740-1743 
 
 
 31 
 
 Okell, John & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1740-1743 
 
 R 
 
 32 
 
 Patten, Thos. & Co. (for Mrs 
 Warburton's Rock) 
 
 f 6 
 
 28 \ 5 
 
 (.17 
 
 1741-1746 
 1750-1754 
 1757-1773 
 
 
 33 
 
 Venables, Vernon George 
 
 8 
 
 1741-1748 
 
 R&W 
 
 34 
 
 Antrobus, William 
 
 24 
 
 1741-1764 
 
 
 35 
 
 Vernon, Jonadab 
 
 »{t 
 
 1741-1748 
 
 1748-1762 
 
 
 36 
 
 Lyon, Matthew . 
 
 13 
 
 1742-1754 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 685 
 
 
 
 
 
 Years' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Shipping 
 
 
 
 37 
 
 Rowson, John & Co 
 
 
 7 
 
 1743-1749 
 
 
 38 
 
 Bridge, Charles . 
 
 
 H? 
 
 1744-1745 
 1747-1747 
 
 
 39 
 
 Vernon, Jacob 
 
 
 5 
 
 1744-1748 
 
 White 
 
 40 
 
 Warburton, Mrs . 
 
 
 4 
 
 1745-1748 
 
 
 41 
 
 Gill & Co. . 
 
 
 3 
 
 1745-1747 
 
 
 42 
 
 Cottrell, John 
 
 
 4 
 
 1747-1750 
 
 Rock & White 
 
 43 
 
 Hunt, John & Co. 
 
 
 19 
 
 1747-1765 
 
 
 44 
 
 Ford, Richard 
 
 
 3 
 
 1746-1748 
 
 White 
 
 45 
 
 Bridge, Robert (Ralph. 
 
 Thomas 
 
 
 
 
 
 1794) . 
 
 
 65 
 
 1748-1812 
 
 R 
 
 46 
 
 Ashton, John 
 
 
 11 
 
 1749-1759 
 
 R&W 
 
 47 
 
 Page, Samuel 
 
 
 15 
 
 1750-1764 
 
 
 48 
 
 Faith, Robert 
 
 
 6 
 
 1751-1756 
 
 R&W 
 
 49 
 
 Mort, John & Co. 
 
 
 49 
 
 1752-1800 
 
 
 50 
 
 Piggott, Thomas 
 
 
 6 
 
 1753-1758 
 
 R 
 
 51 
 
 Leigh, Thomas & Pr. 
 
 
 36 
 
 1756-1791 
 
 
 52 
 
 Lawton, Peter 
 
 
 2 
 
 1757-1758 
 
 R&W 
 
 53 
 
 Gildart, James 
 
 
 5 
 
 1758-1762 
 
 R 
 
 54 
 
 Oldham, Isaac 
 
 
 1 
 
 1759-1759 
 
 W 
 
 55 
 
 Mackay, John 
 
 
 1 
 
 1762-1762 
 
 R&W 
 
 56 
 
 Formosson & Co. (Mrs 
 
 Formosson 
 
 
 
 
 & Pr., 1772-1778) 
 
 
 3 
 
 1763-1765 
 
 W 
 
 57 
 
 Cheshire, John & Co. 
 
 
 38 
 
 1763-1800 
 
 w 
 
 58 
 
 Barker, Daniel 
 
 
 3 
 
 1765-1767 
 
 R&W 
 
 59 
 
 Jefferys, Thos. 
 
 
 3 
 
 1765-1767 
 
 R 
 
 60 
 
 Jefferys, Samuel . 
 
 
 2 
 
 1765-1766 
 
 W 
 
 61 
 
 Hunt, John, Jas. & Co. 
 
 
 36 
 
 1765-1800 
 
 R 
 
 62 
 
 Ashton, Nicholas 
 
 
 125 
 
 1765-1889 
 
 R & W, 1839 
 
 
 Do. & Sons, . 
 Do. Henry, . 
 Do. &Co., . 
 
 . 1829 } 
 . 1842 I 
 . 1847 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Do. Nicholas & Sons, 1874 1 
 
 
 
 W 
 
 63 
 
 Kent, Riohd. & Co 
 
 •1 
 
 I 1 
 
 1766-1766 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 1770 
 
 -1797 
 
 28 
 
 1770-1797 
 
 
 
 Do. & Navlor . 1797 
 
 -1802 \ 
 
 53 4 6 
 
 1797-1802 
 
 Rock & White 
 
 
 Do. Naylor, Thos. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 & Co. 1803 
 
 -1821 ) 
 
 119 
 
 1803-1821 
 
 W 
 
 64 
 
 Lowe, John 
 
 
 1 
 
 1766-1766 
 
 R&W 
 
 65 
 
 Oldham & Kent . 
 
 
 4 
 
 1766-1769 
 
 R 
 
 66 
 
 Stubbs & Deacon 
 
 
 1 
 
 1767-1767 
 
 R&W 
 
 67 
 
 Bancroft, P. & Co. (Sarah, 1797-^ 
 
 
 
 
 1807 
 Do. & Jefferys, 1771 
 
 1" 
 
 1767-1807 
 
 
 
 Do. & Formosson, 
 
 1771 
 
 
 R&W 
 
 68 
 
 Barker, John 
 
 • 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 Do. Thomas, 1793 
 
 • 
 
 81 
 
 1768-1848 
 
 
 
 Do. I. & T, 1829 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 W 
 
 09 
 
 Stedman, W. 
 
 
 5 
 
 1768-1772 
 
 R 
 
 70 
 
 Furey, J. & Pr. . 
 
 
 32 
 
 1771-1802 
 
 R 
 
 71 
 
 Warrener, Henry 
 
 
 3 
 
 1773-1775 
 
 R 
 
 72 
 
 Crosbie, Wm. & Pr. 
 
 
 45 
 
 1773-1817 
 
 White 
 
 73 
 
 Heyes, Jonn. & Pr. 
 
 
 1 
 
 1774-1774 
 
 R&W 
 
 74 
 
 Stubbs, John (Lydia & Co., 1810- 
 
 
 
 
 
 1811) . 
 
 
 37 
 
 1774-1810 
 
 W 
 
 75 
 
 Holland, John & Pr. 
 
 
 
 1774-1774 
 
 W 
 
 76 
 
 Piggott, Thos. (see No. 
 
 50) . 
 
 
 1774-1774 
 
 w 
 
 77 
 
 Beayne, Thos. 
 
 
 
 1774-1774 
 
 w 
 
 78 
 
 Wood, Isaac 
 
 
 
 1774-1774 
 
686 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 
 
 Years' 
 Shipping 
 
 
 R 
 
 79 
 
 Pownal], Thos. & Pr. . 
 
 14 
 
 1774-1787 
 
 W 
 
 80 
 
 Filkin, Thos. 
 
 3 
 
 1774-1776 
 
 R 
 
 81 
 
 Roylance, John & Co. . 
 
 12 
 
 1775-1796 
 
 R 
 
 82 
 
 Deakin, Robert . 
 
 W 2 9° 
 
 1777-1796 
 
 
 
 Do. do., Junr. 
 
 1796-1804 
 
 R 
 
 83 
 
 Bancroft, P. & Co. (Sarah 1797) 
 
 
 
 
 (see No. 67) . 
 
 20 
 
 1779-1798 
 
 R&W 
 
 84 
 
 Barker, P. & Pr. . 
 
 4 
 
 1779-1782 
 
 W 
 
 85 
 
 Mort, Jonadab 
 
 It 
 
 1785-1789 
 -1794 
 
 w 
 
 86 
 
 Warburton, John 
 
 15 
 
 1786-1800 
 
 
 
 Do. Sarah 
 
 2 
 
 1801-1802 
 
 R 
 
 87 
 
 Wilckens, Henry & Co. 
 
 6 
 
 1788-1793 
 
 R 
 
 88 
 
 Mort, John & Pr. . 
 
 4 
 
 1788-1791 
 
 W 
 
 89 
 
 Worthington ,Wm. 
 
 
 ' 1788-1808 
 
 W 
 
 
 Do. Ann 1809- 
 
 -1826^1 
 
 
 W&R 
 
 
 Do. & Co. 1811- 
 Do. Wm.,Sem\ 1846- 
 
 ■1843 
 -1889 VllO * 
 
 -1889 
 
 R 
 
 
 Do. Wm. 1840- 
 
 -1846 
 
 
 R&W 
 
 
 Do. do. & Son 1846- 
 
 -1858J 
 
 
 W 
 
 90 
 
 Tomkinson, John 
 
 1 ,.„ 126 
 
 '1789-1814 
 
 
 
 Do. . . 1818-1848/°' \31 
 
 -1848 
 
 R&W 
 
 91 
 
 Chantler, Thos. & Co. . 
 
 40 
 
 1793-1832 
 
 R 
 
 92 
 
 Richards, John P. 
 
 ( 4 
 
 1793-1796 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 I 10 
 
 1801-1810 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 1 4 
 
 1808-1811 
 
 R 
 
 93 
 
 Poole, R. & Co. . 
 
 22 
 
 1794-1815 
 
 R 
 
 94 
 
 Blease, John &' Co. 
 
 10 
 
 1795-1804 
 
 W 
 
 95 
 
 Chesworth, G. 
 
 23 
 
 1795-1817 
 
 W 
 
 96 
 
 Henshall, Hugh & Co. . 
 
 5 
 
 1795-1799 
 
 w 
 
 97 
 
 Seaman, John 
 
 21 
 
 1795-1815 
 
 w 
 
 98 
 
 Lowe, John 
 
 12 
 
 1795-1806 
 
 w 
 
 99 
 
 Wilbraham, Geo. 
 
 2 
 
 1795-1796 
 
 w 
 
 100 
 
 Broughton, Salmon & Co. 
 
 I 6 
 \9 
 
 1796-1801 
 
 
 
 Do. & Co. 
 
 1802-1810 
 
 w 
 
 101 
 
 Whitehead, Wm. 
 
 1 
 
 1796-1796 
 
 w 
 
 102 
 
 Banow, T. 
 
 2 
 
 1796-1797 
 
 R 
 
 103 
 
 Focke, C. & Pr. . 
 
 4 
 
 1797-1800 
 
 W 
 
 104 
 
 Brooke & Owen . 
 
 8 
 
 1797-1804 
 
 White 
 
 105 
 
 Ravenscroft, Jonn. 
 
 8 
 
 1797-1804 
 
 W 
 
 106 
 
 Robinson, Jas. 
 
 3 
 
 1797-1799 
 
 W 
 
 107 
 
 Jefferies, Emma . 
 
 20 
 
 1797-1816 
 
 R&W 
 
 108 
 
 Swinton, Blease & Co. . 
 
 12 
 
 1799-1810 
 
 W 
 
 109 
 
 Twiss, Morris & Co. 
 
 5 
 
 1799-1803 
 
 W 
 
 110 
 
 Watkiss, Wm. 
 
 6 
 
 1799-1804 
 
 R&W 
 
 111 
 
 Gilbert & Co. 
 
 15 
 
 1800-1814 
 
 W 
 
 112 
 
 Wakefield, Thos. . 
 
 .}*{l 
 
 1800-1802 
 
 
 
 Do. & Son 
 
 1802-1804 
 
 W 
 
 113 
 
 Widdowson's 
 
 :}»{IS 
 
 1800-1810 
 
 
 
 Do. Henry & Co. 
 
 1810-1821 
 
 w 
 
 114 
 
 Jackson, G. & Co. 
 
 a 
 
 1801-1811 
 
 w 
 
 115 
 
 Furey & Bradburne 
 
 15 
 
 1802-1816 
 
 w 
 
 116 
 
 Naylor's, J. & T. . 
 
 W 1 ! 
 
 1803-1814 
 
 
 
 Do. T. & Co. 
 
 1815-1816 
 
 R 
 
 117 
 
 Furey, Henry & Co. 
 Do. Grace 
 
 Xl7 
 
 1804-1806 
 1807-1823 
 
 R 
 
 118 
 
 Booth, Geo. & Co. 
 
 5 
 
 1804-1808 
 
 w 
 
 119 
 
 Clowes, Messrs. . 
 
 4 
 
 1805-1808 
 
 w 
 
 120 
 
 Dunn, Josh. & Co. 
 
 40 
 
 1805-1844 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 687 
 
 
 
 
 Years' 
 
 
 
 
 
 Shippin 
 
 y 
 
 3 
 
 w 
 
 121 
 
 Furey, John & Co. 
 
 1 
 
 1805-1805 
 
 w 
 
 122 
 
 Jackson, Carter & Co. . 
 
 {! 
 
 1805-1806 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 1810-1810 
 
 w 
 
 123 
 
 Colclough & Co. . 
 
 5 
 
 1805-1809 
 
 w 
 
 124 
 
 Browne & Co. 
 
 5 
 
 1806-1810 
 
 w 
 
 125 
 
 Lowe, Samuel 
 
 1 
 
 1806-1806 
 
 w 
 
 126 
 
 Bancroft, J. & Co. 
 
 )10{3 
 
 1807-1809 
 
 
 
 Do. J. & T. . 
 
 1810-1816 
 
 w 
 
 127 
 
 Morris & Co. 
 
 }»{S 
 
 1807-1809 
 
 
 
 Do. & Carter . 
 
 1810-1825 
 
 w 
 
 128 
 
 Chantler, Thos. . 
 
 4 
 
 1807-1810 
 
 w 
 
 129 
 
 Sutton, Jas. & Co. 
 
 10 
 
 1808-1817 
 
 w 
 
 130 
 
 Ravenscroft, Thos. 
 
 1 
 
 1808-1808 
 
 R 
 
 131 
 
 Gouldens & Ellson 
 
 6 
 
 1809-1814 
 
 w 
 
 132 
 
 Tomkinson, R. & J. 
 
 10 
 
 1809-1818 
 
 w 
 
 133 
 
 Swinton & Co. 
 
 8 
 
 1809-1816 
 
 R 
 
 134 
 
 M'Nevin, Chas. 
 
 8 
 
 1809-1816 
 
 w 
 
 135 
 
 Worthington, Ann (see No. 89 
 
 ) 18 
 
 1809-1826 
 
 w 
 
 136 
 
 Broughton & Sutton 
 
 1 
 
 1810-1810 
 
 w 
 
 137 
 
 Chesworth & Jump 
 
 2 
 
 1810-1811 
 
 w 
 
 138 
 
 Swinton, Fawcett & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1810-1813 
 
 Rock 
 
 139 
 
 Gibson, John & Co. 
 
 15 
 
 1811-1825 
 
 White 
 
 140 
 
 Rankin & O'Kell 
 
 {1 
 
 1811-1811 
 
 
 
 Do. do. 
 
 1817-1817 
 
 W 
 
 141 
 
 Brown, Cobb & Co. 
 
 5 
 
 1811-1815 
 
 R 
 
 142 
 
 Worthington, W. & Co. (see 89 
 
 ) 33 
 
 1811-1843 
 
 W 
 
 143 
 
 Holbrook, S. & Co. 
 
 17 
 
 1811-1827 
 
 W 
 
 144 
 
 Chantler, Junr. (Dean & Co.) 
 
 1 
 
 1811-1811 
 
 w 
 
 145 
 
 Speakman, R. 
 
 5 
 
 1811-1815 
 
 w 
 
 146 
 
 Whitley, John & Co. . 
 
 17 
 
 1811-1827 
 
 w 
 
 147 
 
 Johnston. John & Co. . 
 
 10 
 
 1811-1820 
 
 w 
 
 148 
 
 Ansdell, R. & Co. 
 
 33 
 
 1812-1844 
 
 w 
 
 149 
 
 Burrows, T. & Co. 
 
 7 
 
 1812-1818 
 
 R 
 
 150 
 
 Neumann, C. & Co. 
 
 41 
 
 1813-1853 
 
 W 
 
 151 
 
 Abrams, R. & Co. 
 
 32 
 
 1813-1844 
 
 W 
 
 152 
 
 Richardson, T. 
 
 2 
 
 1813-1814 
 
 R& W 
 
 153 
 
 Bourne, T. & Co. 
 
 14 
 
 1814-1827 
 
 W 
 
 154 
 
 Meteyard, Josh. . 
 
 3 
 
 1814-1816 
 
 R 
 
 155 
 
 Goulden, John & Co. 
 
 3 
 
 1815-1817 
 
 w 
 
 150 
 
 Naylor, John 
 
 7 
 
 1815-1821 
 
 w 
 
 157 
 
 Wakefield, John & Co. . 
 
 10 
 
 1815-1824 
 
 w 
 
 158 
 
 Braband, J. & T. 
 
 24 
 
 1815-1838 
 
 w 
 
 159 
 
 Colclough, W. & Co. . 
 
 6 
 
 1815-1820 
 
 R 
 
 160 
 
 Cliff & Brady 
 
 }»{» 
 
 1815-1829 
 
 
 
 Do. William 
 
 1830-1836 
 
 w 
 
 161 
 
 Jump, J. 
 
 1 
 
 1815-1815 
 
 w 
 
 162 
 
 Loudon, P. 
 
 2 
 
 1816-1817 
 
 w 
 
 163 
 
 Lodge, Adam 
 
 1 
 
 1816-1816 
 
 w 
 
 164 
 
 West, Holt & Co. 
 
 12 
 
 1816-1827 
 
 R 
 
 105 
 
 Antrobus & Co. . 
 
 14 
 
 1816-1829 
 
 w 
 
 106 
 
 Littler, John 
 
 2 
 
 1816-1817 
 
 w 
 
 167 
 
 Ackers, T. & Co. 
 
 2 
 
 1816-1817 
 
 R& W 
 
 168 
 
 Wakefield. T. & Co. . 
 
 14 
 
 1817-1830 
 
 W 
 
 169 
 
 Landon, T. & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1817-1820 
 
 W 
 
 170 
 
 Bradburne, W. 
 
 9 
 
 1817-1825 
 
 R&W 
 
 171 
 
 Littler, R, 
 
 / 1 
 
 1817-1817 
 
 
 
 Do. . 
 
 127 
 
 1822-1848 
 
 W 
 
 172 
 
 Cunliffe, Roger . 
 
 8 
 
 1817-1824 
 
 R 
 
 173 
 
 Jump, W. A. . 
 
 2 
 
 1817-1818 
 
688 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 
 
 Years 
 
 
 
 
 
 Shipping. 
 
 R 
 
 174 
 
 Urmson & Dawson 
 
 16 
 
 1817-1832 
 
 R&W 
 
 175 
 
 Okell, W. & Co . 
 
 •1 ( U 
 
 1817-1830 
 
 
 
 Do. Mary 
 
 Ul 8 
 
 1832-1839 
 
 
 
 Do. Thos. 
 
 J 1 9 
 
 1840-1848 
 
 White 
 
 176 
 
 Broughton & Sutton 
 
 22 
 
 1817-1838 
 
 R 
 
 177 
 
 Brady, R. C. 
 
 2 
 
 1818-1819 
 
 W 
 
 178 
 
 Hand, Thos. 
 
 1 
 
 1818-1818 
 
 W 
 
 179 
 
 Blereton, Saml. . 
 
 13 
 
 1818-1830 
 
 R&W 
 
 180 
 
 Tomkinson, R. . 
 
 29 
 
 1818-1846 
 
 R 
 
 181 
 
 Mather, T. 
 
 5 
 
 1818-1822 
 
 W 
 
 182 
 
 Grimsditeh, J. 
 
 1 
 
 1818-1818 
 
 w 
 
 183 
 
 Ains worth, W. 
 
 2 
 
 1819-1820 
 
 w 
 
 1S4 
 
 Chatterton, C. 
 
 8 
 
 1819-1826 
 
 w 
 
 185 
 
 Tomkinson, J. 
 
 2 
 
 1819-1820 
 
 w 
 
 180 
 
 Johnson. Jas. 
 
 1 
 
 1820-1820 
 
 w 
 
 187 
 
 Leigh, W. & Co. 
 
 10 
 
 1820-1829 
 
 w 
 
 188 
 
 Stock, Leng & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1820-1823 
 
 w 
 
 189 
 
 Carter, J. . 
 
 5 
 
 1820-1824 
 
 w 
 
 190 
 
 Gibson, John & James 
 
 13 
 
 1820-1832 
 
 w 
 
 191 
 
 Moor. W. 
 
 1 
 
 1823-1823 
 
 w 
 
 192 
 
 Naylor, Jas. 
 
 11 
 
 1821-1831 
 
 R 
 
 193 
 
 Neumann & Ellson 
 
 \ 31 I 12 
 / iL \20 
 
 1823-1834 
 
 
 
 Do. Ellson, Saml. & Co 
 
 1834-1853 
 
 w 
 
 194 
 
 Genders, J. & C. 
 
 2 
 
 1823-1824 
 
 R 
 
 195 
 
 Hadfield, R. R . 
 
 f35 
 \13 
 
 1824-1858 
 
 R& W 
 
 
 Do. & Co. 
 
 1830-1842 
 
 w 
 
 196 
 
 Fowles, John 
 
 7 
 
 1824-1830 
 
 w 
 
 197 
 
 Bates & Hadfield 
 
 21 
 
 1824-1844 
 
 w 
 
 198 
 
 Naylor, Dorothy 
 
 4 
 
 1825-1828 
 
 w 
 
 199 
 
 Morris, John & Co. 
 
 2 
 
 1825-1826 
 
 w 
 
 200 
 
 Burrows, T. 
 
 3 
 
 1825-1827 
 
 w 
 
 201 
 
 Firth, Thos. 
 
 32 
 
 1825-1856 
 
 w 
 
 202 
 
 Holbrook, Caldwell & Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1825-1828 
 
 R 
 
 203 
 
 Gibson, Jas. & Co. (Exors., 1 
 
 861) 47 
 
 1826-1872 
 
 w 
 
 204 
 
 Furnival, W. & Co. 
 
 1 
 
 1826-1826 
 
 w 
 
 205 
 
 Hazlehurst, T. . 
 
 1 
 
 1826-1826 
 
 R&W 
 
 206 
 
 British Rock & Patent Salt ( 
 
 : . 4 
 
 1826-1829 
 
 W 
 
 207 
 
 Barker, Carter & Allen 
 
 8 
 
 1827-1834 
 
 R 
 
 208 
 
 Marston Salt Co. 
 
 21 
 
 1828-1848 
 
 R 
 
 209 
 
 Caldwell & Prs. . 
 
 «{» 
 
 1828-1838 
 
 W 
 
 
 Do. Thos. . 
 
 1838-1864 
 
 w 
 
 210 
 
 Henshall, W. 
 
 4 
 
 1828-1831 
 
 w 
 
 211 
 
 Beaman, E. 
 
 2 
 
 1828-1829 
 
 White 
 
 212 
 
 Caldwell & Bromilow 
 
 11 
 
 1828-1838 
 
 W 
 
 213 
 
 West & Co. 
 
 8 
 
 1828-1835 
 
 R 
 
 214 
 
 Johnstone & Judson . 
 
 13 {io 
 
 1829-1831 
 
 
 
 Judson, Jas. & Co. 
 
 1831-1841 
 
 W 
 
 215 
 
 Sutton, Jas. & Co. 
 
 22 
 
 1829-1850 
 
 R 
 
 216 
 
 Broady, C. & Co. 
 
 12 
 
 1830-1841 
 
 R&W 
 
 217 
 
 Bates, Ed. & Co. 
 
 25 
 
 1830-1854 
 
 R 
 
 218 
 
 Trustees of Wharton Works 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Chapman) 
 
 1 
 
 1831-1831 
 
 R 
 
 219 
 
 Reid, Alex. & Co. 
 
 fi 
 
 1831-1832 
 
 
 
 ,, ,, . . 
 
 1837-1840 
 
 W 
 
 220 
 
 Gandy, R . 
 
 1 
 
 1832-1832 
 
 R 
 
 221 
 
 Back, H. (Winsford & Marst 
 
 on) 2 
 
 1832-1833 
 
 W 
 
 222 
 
 Frodsham & Beckett 
 
 4 
 
 1832-1835 
 
 w 
 
 223 
 
 Reeves & Shaw . 
 
 8 
 
 1832-1839 
 
 R 
 
 224 
 
 Pickering, W. 
 
 20 
 
 1833-1852 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 689 
 
 w 
 
 225 
 
 R 
 
 226 
 
 R 
 
 227 
 
 W 
 
 228 
 
 W 
 
 229 
 
 W 
 
 230 
 
 R 
 
 231 
 
 W 
 
 232 
 
 w 
 
 233 
 
 R 
 
 234 
 
 R 
 
 235 
 
 W 
 
 236 
 
 W 
 
 237 
 
 w 
 
 238 
 
 w 
 
 239 
 
 w 
 
 240 
 
 R 
 
 241 
 
 W 
 
 242 
 
 W 
 
 243 
 
 R 
 
 244 
 
 R 
 
 245 
 
 W 
 
 246 
 
 W 
 
 247 
 
 w 
 
 248 
 
 w 
 
 249 
 
 w 
 
 250 
 
 Rock 
 
 251 
 
 W 
 
 
 W 
 
 252 
 
 R 
 
 253 
 
 W 
 
 254 
 
 R 
 
 255 
 
 R 
 
 256 
 
 W 
 
 257 
 
 R 
 
 258 
 
 R 
 
 259 
 
 W 
 
 260 
 
 W 
 
 261 
 
 R 
 
 262 
 
 R 
 
 263 
 
 W 
 
 264 
 
 W 
 
 265 
 
 w 
 
 
 R&W 
 
 
 R 
 
 266 
 
 W 
 
 267 
 
 W 
 
 268 
 
 w 
 
 269 
 
 w 
 
 270 
 
 R 
 
 271 
 
 R 
 
 272 
 
 W 
 
 273 
 
 R 
 
 274 
 
 W 
 
 275 
 
 R 
 
 276 
 
 W 
 
 277 
 
 R&W 
 
 278 
 
 W 
 
 279 
 
 Clarke, Sylvester 
 
 Gregory, W. (Marston) (see 221) 
 
 Maneur, H. 
 
 Miller, F. & J. . 
 
 Speakman, C. & Co. 
 
 Beckett , Geo. 
 
 Cheshire, John & Co. 
 
 Whitley, John . 
 
 Holbrook, S. . 
 
 Broady & Barton 
 
 Ellson, John 
 
 Anderton Carrying Co 
 
 Littler, R. & Co. 
 
 Sinclair, Archibald 
 
 Neumann, Henry 
 
 Bromilow, W. & Son 
 
 Brunton, Wm. 
 
 Ardern & Fannen 
 
 Flude & Carson 
 
 Ellson, C. H. & Pr. 
 
 National, Salt Co. 
 
 Patrick & Co. . 
 
 Speakman, T. B. & Co, 
 
 Winnington Salt Co. 
 
 Stringer & Mann 
 
 Leake, Jas. & Son 
 
 British Rock Salt Co. 
 
 ,, Salt Co. (including Rock) 
 Speakman, Caldwell & Co. . 
 Dignum, E. & Co. (see 263) 
 Minor, J. B. (see 290-294) . 
 Barton, Josh. 
 Saxon & Miller . 
 Stringer, Robt. 
 Bates, Ed. 
 
 \ ears' 
 
 Shipping 
 
 2 
 
 15 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 13 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 1 
 25 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 35 
 11 
 10 
 (29 
 \40 
 29 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 15 
 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 Thompson, John (see 266, 272. 276) 47 
 
 Johnson, J. & T. 
 
 Clare, John 
 
 Falk, R. & Co. 
 
 Reynolds & Dignum (see 253) 
 
 Bevan, R. ... 
 
 Verdin, Josh. & Co. . . ) 
 
 „ J. & R. . \ 46 
 
 „ J. & Son . . J 
 
 Thompson & Reynolds (see 253) 
 
 Antrobus, Danl. 
 
 Crossfield, J. & Son 
 
 Williams, T. W. 
 
 Brown, Rd. 
 
 Ashton, Blackburne & Corbett 
 
 Thompson & Ellerkamp (see 253) 
 
 Beran & Smith . 
 
 Prest, James 
 
 Walton, John 
 
 Thompson, John & Co. (see 253) 
 
 Rankin, R. & Co. 
 
 Worthington, Wm. & Son (see 89) 
 
 Leake, Jas. & Co. 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 
 1 
 
 f 7 
 
 I 11 
 
 (34 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 II 
 18 
 12 
 2 
 4 
 1 
 4 
 3 
 2 
 3 
 5 
 
 1833-1834 
 1833-1847 
 1834-1835 
 1834-1838 
 1835-1839 
 1835-1838 
 1836-1848 
 1836-1836 
 1836-1836 
 1836-1842 
 1837-1839 
 1837-1838 
 1837-1847 
 1838-1848 
 1838-1838 
 1838-1862 
 1838-1839 
 1839-1840 
 1839-1839 
 1840-1843 
 1840-1842 
 1840-1840 
 1840-1841 
 1840-1874 
 1840-1850 
 1841-1850 
 1841-1869 
 1850-1889 
 1841-1869 
 1842-1845 
 1842-1843 
 1842-1856 
 1842-1846 
 1842-1844 
 1842-1845 
 1843-1887 
 1843-1843 
 1843-1848 
 1844-1850 
 1844-1855 
 1844-1844 
 1844-1850 
 1851-1861 
 1856-1889 
 1844-1844 
 1844-1845 
 1844-1844 
 1844-1844 
 1844-1844 
 1847-1854 
 1845-1856 
 1845-1846 
 1845-1848 
 1845-1845 
 1845-1848 
 1845-1847 
 1845-1846 
 1846-1858 
 1846-1850 
 
 2x 
 
690 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Years' 
 
 Shipping. 
 
 R 
 
 280 
 
 Reynolds, C. (see 253, 263, 266) 1 
 
 W 
 
 281 
 
 Burgess, T. 
 Do. Anne 
 
 }»{" 
 
 W 
 
 282 
 
 Beaman, Ed. 
 
 i 
 
 w 
 
 283 
 
 Acton & Rothwell (see 287) . 
 
 2 
 
 R 
 
 284 
 
 Ashton, Henry & Co. {see 62) 
 
 10 
 
 White 
 
 285 
 
 Deakin Bros. 
 
 38 
 
 W 
 
 286 
 
 Hankey & Smith (see 298) . 
 
 3 
 
 W 
 
 287 
 
 Acton, James (see 283) 
 
 6 
 
 w 
 
 288 
 
 Wilcock, G. 
 
 4 
 
 R 
 
 289 
 
 Williamson, R. . 
 
 6 
 
 W 
 
 290 
 
 Minor & Barker (see 294) 
 
 1 
 
 R 
 
 291 
 
 Hostage, T. B. . 
 
 2 
 
 R 
 
 292 
 
 Sullivan, J. J. . 
 
 1 
 
 W 
 
 293 
 
 Coward, Darsie & Co. (see 311) 4 
 
 W 
 
 294 
 
 Minor, J. B. (see 290 & 254) 
 
 9 
 
 R&W 
 
 295 
 
 Hayes, William (see 401) 
 
 40 
 
 W 
 
 296 
 
 Milner, Ed. (Exors., 1856) . 
 
 35 
 
 R 
 
 297 
 
 Bromilow, Haddock . 
 
 3 
 
 W 
 
 298 
 
 Smith, John (see 286) 
 
 9 
 
 R 
 
 299 
 
 Lyon, Thos. 
 
 8 
 
 W 
 
 300 
 
 Henshall, John . 
 
 1 
 
 R 
 
 301 
 
 Ollershaw Lane Co. 
 
 2 
 
 R 
 
 302 
 
 Stubbs, Wm. (Exors., 1871) 
 
 25 
 
 W 
 
 303 
 
 Caldwells & Thompson 
 
 10 
 
 R&W 
 
 304 
 
 Jackson & Co. . 
 
 {I 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 W 
 
 305 
 
 Starkey Bros. . 
 
 25 
 
 w 
 
 306 
 
 Thompson & Son (see 259) . 
 
 40 
 
 w 
 
 307 
 
 Clarke, Wm. . 
 
 7 
 
 R 
 
 308 
 
 Fletcher, Johnson (see 309) 
 
 12 
 
 R 
 
 309 
 
 Meadow Bank Rock Co. 
 
 3 
 
 w 
 
 310 
 
 Bankes, James . 
 
 1 
 
 W 
 
 311 
 
 Darsie & Gibson (see 293) . 
 
 38 
 
 w 
 
 312 
 
 Bracegirdle, Saml. 
 
 7 
 
 w 
 
 313 
 
 Priestly, C. & Co. 
 
 1 
 
 w 
 
 314 
 
 Mann, William . 
 
 1 
 
 w 
 
 315 
 
 Black well, James 
 
 14 
 
 R 
 
 310 
 
 Neumann, Henry 
 
 6 
 
 W 
 
 317 
 
 Makinson & Co. 
 
 1 
 
 W 
 
 318 
 
 Woods, Wm. 
 
 1 
 
 w 
 
 319 
 
 Bourne & Rigby (see 321) 
 
 1 
 
 w 
 
 320 
 
 Gillon, J. & Co. 
 
 1 
 
 W&R 
 
 321 
 
 Fletcher & Rigby (see 308, 3 
 
 19) 34 
 
 W 
 
 322 
 
 Deakin, Jas. 
 
 13 
 
 White 
 
 323 
 
 Firth, F. H. 
 
 7 
 
 W 
 
 324 
 
 Higgin, Thos. (see 399) 
 
 31 
 
 W 
 
 325 
 
 Starkey & Southern 
 
 3 
 
 w 
 
 320 
 
 Simpson & Potter 
 
 { 3 
 I 9 
 
 w 
 
 327 
 
 Do. & Son (see 381) 
 
 w 
 
 328 
 
 Caldwell & M'Cormick 
 
 4 
 
 w 
 
 329 
 
 Verdin, Richard 
 
 11 
 
 w 
 
 330 
 
 Do. Joseph 
 
 
 15 
 
 w 
 
 331 
 
 Kirkby, Edward 
 
 
 2 
 
 w 
 
 332 
 
 Parke, Chr. 
 
 
 1 
 
 w 
 
 333 
 
 Deakin, J., & W. 
 
 
 12 
 
 w 
 
 334 
 
 Simcock, Wm. . 
 
 
 4 
 
 w 
 
 335 
 
 Barker Bros. 
 
 
 1 
 
 w 
 
 336 
 
 Cross, J. & Co. . 
 
 
 4 
 
 1846-1846 
 
 1847-1861 
 
 1861-1865 
 
 1847-1847 
 
 1847-1848 
 
 1847-1856 
 
 1847-1884 
 
 1847-1849 
 
 1848-1853 
 
 1848-1851 
 
 1848-1853 
 
 1848-1848 
 
 1848-1849 
 
 1848-1848 
 
 1848-1851 
 
 1848-1856 
 
 1848-1887 
 
 1848-1882 
 
 1849-1851 
 
 1849-1857 
 
 1849-1856 
 
 1849-1849 
 
 1849-1850 
 
 1849-1873 
 
 1850-1859 
 
 1850-1852 
 
 1862-1864 
 
 1850-1874 
 
 1850-1S89 
 
 1850-1856 
 
 1851-1862 
 
 1851-1853 
 
 1851-1851 
 
 1852-1889 
 
 1852-1858 
 
 1853-1853 
 
 1853-1853 
 
 1853-1866 
 
 1853-1858 
 
 1854-1854 
 
 1854-1854 
 
 1855-1855 
 
 1855-1855 
 
 1856-1889 
 
 1856-1868 
 
 1856-1862 
 
 1856-1886 
 
 1858-1860 
 
 1858-1860 
 
 1860-1868 
 
 1859-1862 
 
 1860-1870 
 
 1860-1874 
 
 1860-1861 
 
 1860-1860 
 
 1861-1877 
 
 1861-1864 
 
 1862-1862 
 
 1862-1865 
 
NORTH WICH 
 
 691 
 
 
 
 
 Years' 
 
 
 
 
 Shipp 
 
 ing. 
 
 w 
 
 337 
 
 Clare, John 
 
 7 
 
 1862-1868 
 
 w 
 
 338 
 
 Denton & Horton 
 
 2 
 
 1862-1863 
 
 w 
 
 339 
 
 Hatton, John 
 
 3 
 
 1862-1864 
 
 w 
 
 340 
 
 Tarbuck, Thoa. . 
 
 3 
 
 1862-1864 
 
 w 
 
 341 
 
 Hatton, H. 
 
 1 
 
 1863-1863 
 
 w 
 
 342 
 
 Shaw, Josh. 
 
 2 
 
 1863-1864 
 
 w 
 
 343 
 
 Henshall, Bros. . 
 
 1 
 
 1864-1864 
 
 w 
 
 344 
 
 Beaman, Wm. . 
 
 1 
 
 1864-1864 
 
 RW 
 
 345 
 
 Vernon, James (Flatman Carrier 
 
 
 
 
 only) . 
 
 19 
 
 1864-1882 
 
 R 
 
 346 
 
 Crossfield & Son 
 
 1 
 
 1865-1865 
 
 w 
 
 347 
 
 Cheshire Amalgamated Salt 
 
 
 
 
 Works Co. . 
 
 24 
 
 1866-1889 
 
 w 
 
 348 
 
 Verdin, John, Senr. 
 
 5 
 
 1866-1870 
 
 w 
 
 349 
 
 Cook, Geo. Hatt 
 
 2 
 
 1867-1868 
 
 w 
 
 350 
 
 Astley & Tyldesley Salt & Coal "\ a 
 
 1 -1869 
 t 1868-1873 
 
 
 
 Co. {see 394) 
 
 / " 
 
 w 
 
 351 
 
 Davies, Josh. & Co. 
 
 : (i 
 
 1868-1868 
 1870-1876 
 
 
 
 !, ,, 
 
 1880-1880 
 
 w 
 
 352 
 
 Falk, Robt. 
 
 4 
 
 1868-1871 
 
 w 
 
 353 
 
 Orme, Saml. 
 
 4 
 
 1868-1871 
 
 R 
 
 354 
 
 Williamson, Robt. 
 
 9 
 
 1869-1877 
 
 W 
 
 355 
 
 Alcoek, Jas. & Co. 
 
 3 
 
 1870-1872 
 
 w 
 
 356 
 
 Cross, Thos. 
 
 1 
 
 1870-1870 
 
 w 
 
 357 
 
 Harrison, Wm. . 
 
 1 
 
 1870-1870 
 
 w 
 
 358 
 
 Hulse, James 
 
 1 
 f 1 
 
 1870-1870 
 1870-1870 
 
 w 
 
 359 
 
 Hiekson, Robt. . 
 
 J 
 
 1876-1876 
 1879-1881 
 
 w 
 
 360 
 
 Hiekson, E. 
 
 1 
 
 1870-1870 
 
 White 
 
 361 
 
 Lovett, James . 
 
 12 
 
 1870-1881 
 
 W 
 
 362 
 
 Parkes Bros. 
 
 f 1 
 
 I 7 
 
 1870-1870 
 1875-1881 
 
 w 
 
 363 
 
 Pohl, Otto 
 
 1 
 
 1871-1871 
 
 w 
 
 364 
 
 Hindley, Henry, (& So 
 
 ns 1877) { g 
 
 1871-1871 
 1874-1879 
 
 w 
 
 365 
 
 Astles, Thos. 
 
 3 
 
 1872-1874 
 
 w 
 
 366 
 
 Hamer & Davies 
 
 : {? 
 
 1872-1879 
 
 w 
 
 367 
 
 Hamer's Salt Co. 
 
 1880-1880 
 
 w 
 
 368 
 
 Shaw, James, Junr. . 
 
 8 
 
 1872-1879 
 
 w 
 
 369 
 
 Victoria Salt Works Cc 
 
 ■ • ( l 
 
 1872-1872 
 
 w 
 
 370 
 
 Bridgefield & Victoria 
 
 8 
 
 1873-1880 
 
 w 
 
 371 
 
 Victoria Salt Co. 
 
 I 5 
 
 1880-1884 
 
 R 
 
 372 
 
 Moore, John 
 
 2 
 
 1873-1874 
 
 w 
 
 373 
 
 Thompson, Jabez 
 
 8 
 
 1873-1880 
 
 w 
 
 374 
 
 Bower, T. R. . 
 
 : l 1 ^ 
 
 1874-1890 
 
 
 
 Do. 
 
 1893-1894 
 
 w 
 
 375 
 
 Bate, W., Junr., 1881 
 
 8 
 
 1874-1881 
 
 w 
 
 376 
 
 Saunders, Saml. & Ex< 
 
 >rs. . 3 
 
 1874-1876 
 
 w 
 
 377 
 
 Marsh, James 
 
 2 
 
 1874-1875 
 
 w 
 
 378 
 
 Lovett, Jas., Junr. 
 
 16 
 
 1874-1889 
 
 w 
 
 379 
 
 Hiekson, Wm. . 
 
 14 
 
 1876-1889 
 
 w 
 
 380 
 
 Ellison, Wm. 
 
 {f 
 
 1876-1877 
 1879-1879 
 
 •w 
 
 381 
 
 Simpson & Davies {see i 
 
 26, 327) 14 
 
 1876-1889 
 
 w 
 
 382 
 
 Phoenix Salt Co. 
 
 6 
 
 1876- 1881 
 
 w 
 
 383 
 
 Deakin, Wm. 
 
 8 
 
 1877-1884 
 
 w 
 
 384 
 
 Deakin, John 
 
 3 
 
 1877-1879 
 
692 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 
 
 Years 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 Shippin 
 
 g- 
 
 w 
 
 385 
 
 Rayner, Thos. . 
 
 f 1 
 
 1879-1880 
 
 
 
 Do. & Co. . 
 
 I 3 
 
 1887-1889 
 
 w 
 
 386 
 
 Lamb & Ravenscroft . 
 
 2 
 
 1879-1880 
 
 w 
 
 387 
 
 Brunner, Mond & Co. 
 
 2 
 
 1880-1881 
 
 w 
 
 3S8 
 
 Lockey, Edmund 
 
 2 
 
 1880-1881 
 
 w 
 
 389 
 
 Lambert, Charles 
 
 2 
 
 1880-1881 
 
 w 
 
 390 
 
 Sharp, Chr. 
 
 2 
 f 1 
 I 1 
 
 1880-1881 
 1881-1881 
 
 w 
 
 391 
 
 Bate, Forrester . 
 
 1884-1884 
 
 
 
 
 f 7 
 t 1 
 
 1881-1886 
 
 w 
 
 392 
 
 Marwood & Co. . 
 
 1889-1889 
 
 w 
 
 393 
 
 Connah's Quay Co. 
 
 4 
 
 1882-1885 
 
 w 
 
 394 
 
 Tyldesley Coal Co. (see 350) 
 
 1 
 
 1883-1883 
 
 w 
 
 395 
 
 Howard & Co. . 
 
 2 
 
 1884-1885 
 
 w 
 
 396 
 
 Hussall, Thos. . 
 
 11 
 
 1884-1894 
 
 w 
 
 397 
 
 Newport, Mrs . 
 
 3 
 
 1884-1886 
 
 w 
 
 398 
 
 Thompson, H. J. 
 
 j-26 
 
 / 1884-1S89 
 
 
 
 Still manufacturing 
 
 I 1893-1914 
 
 w 
 
 399 
 
 Eureka Salt Co. (see 324) . 
 
 4 
 
 1886-1889 
 
 w 
 
 400 
 
 Speakman, Philip 
 
 1 
 
 1887-1887 
 
 E& W 
 
 401 
 
 Marston Hall Salt Co (see 295) 
 
 3 
 
 1887-1889 
 
 w 
 
 402 
 
 Harris, Thos. 
 
 1 
 
 1888-1888 
 
 R& W 
 
 403 
 
 The Salt Union, Ltd. , still existir 
 
 !g. 
 
 
 
 
 1914 .... 
 
 25 
 
 1889-1914 
 
 w 
 
 404 
 
 Rayner, Josh. & Co. (Rayner & 
 
 
 
 
 
 Howard), 
 
 21 
 
 1891-1912 
 
 w 
 
 405 
 
 Cooke, J. Verdin, Merchant 
 
 22 
 
 1892-1914 
 
 w 
 
 406 
 
 Amans (Middlewich) . 
 
 
 1892-1892 
 
 w 
 
 407 
 
 Dairy & Domestic Salt Co. 
 (Middlewich), taken over 
 
 
 
 
 
 by Henry Seddon & Sons . 
 
 12 
 
 1894-1906 
 
 Names of Chief Shippers of Salt from Northwich for 
 Twenty Years and Upwards 
 
 The years in the Weaver Books commence 
 year and terminate on April 4 the following, 
 in one year commencing at these dates may 
 years from January 1 to January 1. 
 
 Salt Shipped. 
 
 White & Rock 
 W & R 
 W & R 
 
 W & R 
 W & R 
 
 R 
 
 W 
 
 R& W 
 
 R 
 
 W. 
 
 w 
 
 No 
 
 1 Barrow, Ralph 
 
 2 Marshall, Thos. and J. & T. 
 
 3 Blackburn, John & Co. 
 
 4 Jefferys, John 
 
 5 Brassey, Rd. . 
 
 6 Patten, Thos. & Co. 
 
 7 Bridge, RoM., Ralph, Thomas 
 
 8 Mort, John & Co. . 
 
 9 Leigh, Thos. & Pr. 
 
 10 Cheshire, John & Co. 
 
 11 Hunt, Jas., John & Co. . 
 
 at April 5 in one 
 so that a shipper 
 appear as in two 
 
 No. in No. of 
 List. Years. Years. 
 
 26 
 
 6 1734- 
 16 1734- 
 19 1742- 
 ,o H735- 
 " \1749- 
 fl740- 
 \1749- 
 1741- 
 32 \ 1750- 
 
 [1757- 
 45 1748- 
 49 1752- 
 51 1756- 
 57 1763- 
 61 1756- 
 
 23 
 
 1767 34 
 
 1874 141 
 
 1751 112 
 1740) 
 1765/ 
 
 1742 v 21 
 
 1766J ZL 
 ■1746 t 
 
 -1754- 28 
 -1773 I 
 
 1812 65 
 
 -1800 49 
 
 1791 36 
 
 1800 38 
 
 ■1800 36 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 693 
 
 Salt Shipped. No. 
 R (& W) 12 
 
 No. in 
 List. 
 
 No. of 
 Years. Years. 
 
 R & W 1839 
 
 W 
 
 13 
 
 R& W 
 
 
 R&W 
 
 14 
 
 R& W 
 
 15 
 
 R 
 
 16 
 
 R 
 
 17 
 
 R&W 
 
 18 
 
 R 
 
 19 
 
 W 
 
 20 
 
 W& R 
 
 
 R 
 
 
 R&W 
 
 
 W 
 
 21 
 
 R&W 
 
 22 
 
 R 
 
 23 
 
 W 
 
 24 
 
 W 
 
 25 
 
 w 
 
 26 
 
 w 
 
 27 
 
 R 
 
 28 
 
 w 
 
 29 
 
 w 
 
 30 
 
 R 
 
 31 
 
 w 
 
 32 
 
 White 
 
 33 
 
 Rock 
 
 34 
 
 R&W 
 
 35 
 
 R&W 
 
 36 
 
 W 
 
 37 
 
 R&W 
 
 38 
 
 R 
 
 39 
 
 R 
 
 40 
 
 W 
 
 41 
 
 W 
 
 42 
 
 R 
 
 43 
 
 R 
 
 44 
 
 R 
 
 45 
 
 W 
 
 
 W 
 
 46 
 
 R&W 
 
 47 
 
 R 
 
 48 
 
 W 
 
 49 
 
 w 
 
 50 
 
 R 
 
 51 
 
 R&W 
 
 52 
 
 1797-1807 / 
 
 1793 
 1829 
 
 Ashton. Nicholas . 
 
 & Sons, 1829 
 
 Henry 1842 
 
 & Co. 1847 
 
 Nicholas & Son, 1874 
 
 Kent.Riehard &Co. , 1770-1 797 
 „ & Naylor . 1797-1802 
 
 Naylor, T. & Co. 1803-1821 
 
 Bancroft, P. & Co. 1767-1797 "\ 
 „ Sarah 
 
 Barker, John 
 Thos. 
 J. & T. 
 
 Furev, J. & Pr. . 
 
 Crosbie, Wm. & Pr. 
 
 Stubbs, John 
 
 Deakin, Robt., Senr. & Junr. 
 
 Worthington, Wm. 
 
 „ Ann . 1809-1826 
 
 „ & Co. 1811-1843 
 
 „ Wm. Senr. 1846-1889 
 „ Wm. 1840-1846 
 
 „ & Son 1846-1858 
 
 Tomkinson, John 1789-1814 I 
 „ „ 1818-1848 j 
 
 Chantler, Thos. & Co. 
 
 Poole, R. & Co. 
 
 Chesworth, Geo. 
 
 Seaman, John 
 
 Jefferies, Emma 
 
 Widdowson, H. & Co. 
 
 Furev, Henry & Co. . \ 
 
 „ " Grace 1807-1823 / 
 
 Dunn, Josh. & Co. . 
 
 Ansdell, R. & Co. 
 
 Neumann, C. & Co. 
 
 Abrams, R. & Co. 
 
 Braband, J. & T. . 
 
 Cliff & Brady (Cliff, Wm., 1830) 
 
 Littler, R. (1817, one year) 
 
 Okell, W. & Co. (Mary, Thos. ) 
 
 Broughton & Sutton 
 
 Tomkinson, Rd. 
 
 Neumann &EUson, 1823-1834 "| 
 
 Ellson, Saml. & C, 1834-1853 / 
 
 Hadfield, R. P. & Co. 
 
 Bates & Hadfield . 
 
 Firth, Thos. . 
 
 Gibson, Jas. &Co. (Exors., 1861 ) 
 
 Marston Salt Co. 
 
 Caldwell & Prs. 1828-1838 1 
 Thos. 1838-1864 J 
 
 Sutton, Jas. & Co. . 
 
 Bates, Ed. & Co. . 
 
 Pickering, Wm. 
 
 Bromilow, Wm. & Son 
 
 Winnington Salt Co. 
 
 British Rock Salt Co. 1841-18691 
 
 British Salt Co. 1850-1889/ 
 
 - 62 1765-1889 125 
 
 63 
 67 
 
 1770-1821 53 
 1767-1807 41 
 
 68 1768-1848 81 
 
 70 
 72 
 74 
 82 
 
 1771-1802 
 1773-1817 
 1774-1810 
 1777-1810 
 
 32 
 
 45 
 37 
 
 28 
 
 89 1788-1889 110 
 
 90 | 
 
 91 
 93 
 
 95 
 
 97 
 107 
 113 
 
 117 
 
 120 
 148 
 150 
 151 
 15S 
 160 
 171 
 175 
 176 
 180 
 
 193 
 
 195 
 197 
 201 
 203 
 
 208 
 
 209 
 215 
 217 
 224 
 240 
 248 
 
 251 ( 
 
 1789-1814 1 
 1818-1848 / 
 1793-1832 
 1794-1815 
 1795-1817 
 1795-1815 
 1797-1816 
 1800-1821 22 
 
 1804-1823 20 
 
 57 
 
 40 
 22 
 23 
 21 
 2(1 
 
 1805- 
 1812- 
 1813- 
 1813- 
 1815- 
 1815- 
 1822- 
 1817- 
 1817- 
 1818- 
 
 1844 
 1844 
 1853 
 1844 
 1838 
 1836 
 1848 
 1848 
 1838 
 1846 
 
 1823-1853 
 
 1824-1858 
 1824-1844 
 1825-1856 
 1826-1872 
 1828-1848 
 
 1828-1864 
 
 1829-1850 
 1830-1854 
 1833-1852 
 1838-1862 
 1840-1874 
 1841-1869 
 1850-1889 
 
 40 
 33 
 41 
 32 
 24 
 22 
 27 
 32 
 22 
 29 
 
 31 
 
 35 
 21 
 32 
 47 
 21 
 
 37 
 
 22 
 25 
 20 
 25 
 35 
 29 
 40 
 
694 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 No. in No. of 
 List. Years. Years. 
 
 Speakman, Caldwell & Co. 252 1841-1869 29 
 
 Thompson, John, Senr., Junr. 259 1843-1889 47 
 Verdin, Josh. & Co. 1844-1850 | 
 
 „ J. & R. 1851-1861 -265 1844-1889 46 
 „ J. & Son 1856-1889 J 
 
 DeakinBros. . 285 1847-1884 38 
 
 Hayes, Wm. ... 295 1848-1887 40 
 
 Milner, Ed. (Exors., 1856) 296 1848-1882 35 
 
 Stubbs, Wm. (Exors., 1871) 302 1849-1873 25 
 
 Starkey Bros. . 305 1850-1874 25 
 
 Thompson, J. & Son . 306 1850-1889 40 
 Fletcher, Johnson 1851-1862 308) 
 
 Fletcher & Rigby 1856-1889 321 j 1801 - 1889 da 
 
 Darsie & Gibson . . 311 1852-1889 38 
 Higgin, Thos. 1856-1886 324 K 
 
 „ Eureka Salt Co. 1883-1889 349 / 1S!> b-l8S» cS4 
 W 65 Cheshire Amalgamated Salt 
 
 Co. .' . . 347 1866-1889 24 
 
 W 66 Salt Union (still existing) 1888-1914 26 
 
 Salt Shipped. 
 
 No. 
 
 W 
 
 53 
 
 R 
 
 54 
 
 W 
 
 55 
 
 R& W 
 
 
 W 
 
 56 
 
 R& W 
 
 57 
 
 W 
 
 58 
 
 R 
 
 59 
 
 W 
 
 60 
 
 W 
 
 61 
 
 R 
 
 62 
 
 R& W 
 
 
 W 
 
 63 
 
 W 
 
 64 
 
Messrs James Platt & Son. albert 
 Salt Works, Marston, nr.Northwich. 
 
 OPEN 
 
 OPEN PAN 
 3 
 
 E 
 
 OPEN PAN 
 I 
 
 [Zl 
 
 YARD 
 
 OPEN PAN I 
 I J 
 
 YARD 
 
 •*0 30 ZO 10 
 
 l iwi iii ilin ii ml i I i 1 
 
 4-0 FEET 
 
The late Mr. Robert Williamson 
 Salt works, winch am. 
 
Messrs John Thompson & Sons. 
 
 1mitt0n hall salt works, 
 
 witton, northwich. 
 
 
 
 u — 1 
 
 J 
 
 5L_ 
 
 It 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 ROAD 
 
Messrs Fletcher & rigby, 
 
 marston Old Salt works, 
 
 marston, nr. northwich. 
 
 m 
 
 L2ZJ 
 
 YARD 
 
 
 YARD 
 
 ■g 
 
Messrs Fletcher & rigby's new 
 Zealand Salt Works, Marston. 
 Nr. northwich. 
 
 n 
 
 I YARD 
 
 ROAD WA Y 
 
 tO 30 20 10 t-0 80 FEET 
 
 I""" ml '''I I I 
 
MR. WILLIAM PARKES, CANAL BANK SALT WORKS, 
 MARSTON, NR. NORTHWICH. 
 
 OPEN 
 
 "7i r 
 
 OPEN 
 
 I I 
 
 OPEN 
 
 -J 
 
 700 
 
a. J. Thompson's Alliance Salt works, Marston, 
 
 Nft. NORTHmCH. 
 
 CANAL 
 
 I 
 
 'open pan 
 
 i OPEN PAN 
 
 I. One Storey. Boiling Pan House. Wood 
 built Fires under Pan 
 
 Salt Grinding, Sieving and 
 Dressing. One large Machine. 
 Wood built. 
 
 3. Two Storeys. Drying Store for Block 
 
 Salt, also Warehouse. Usual 
 Flues on ground floor of 
 brick, Iron & cemented tops. 
 Heat derived from flues 
 and fires. 
 
 so S5 
 
 I — a 
 
 50 
 
 100 FEET 
 
Q 
 
 V) 
 
 ■0 > 
 
 to 
 
 CO 
 CO 
 
 cc 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 uj 
 
 £ 
 
 %\ 
 
 2 
 
 l_ 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 fc ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 V 
 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 1 
 
 0. 
 
 ■* 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 i 
 i 
 
 2 
 UJ 
 Q. 
 
 2 
 5 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 < 
 
 L 
 
 O 
 
 0. 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 t 
 
 UJ 
 
 a. 
 
 5 
 
 
 i_ 
 
 
 
 
 r~ 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 UJ 
 0. 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 i 
 il 
 
 l 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 1 
 
 Q 
 
 5 
 
 I 1 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 2 
 <t 
 a. 
 
 2 
 
 UJ 
 
 a. 
 
 2 
 0. 
 
 2 
 
 w 
 a. 
 o 
 
 I J 
 
 as 
 
Mrs. Catherine Lovett's Anderton Salt Works, 
 Anderton, Nr. Northwich. 
 
 □ 
 
 ~i i 1 r- 
 
 PANS 
 
 IN 
 
 THE 
 
 OPEN 
 
 I I I I I I I 1 
 
 OPEN PAN 
 
 \COVEHEp_ SJJlPJij 
 
 OPEN PAN 
 
 703 
 
Messrs Hampshire, Gibson & Co., 
 anoerton Hill Salt Works, 
 Anoerton, Nr. northwich. 
 
 "\ 
 
 in 
 
 CZI 
 
 fO SO 10 10 
 
 I Il'll'llld — 1 — -1— 
 
 f-0 FEET 
 
 i 2 
 
 !' ' 
 
 J I 1 
 
 I 
 
 704 
 
to £ 
 
 
 
 *-J Ul 
 
 a: 
 
 
 
 -J Ul 
 
 «■ 
 
 
 <t jc 
 
 
 
 1 f- 
 
 
 
 
 e 
 
 § 
 
 5- vr 
 
 ■a: 
 
 
 ■ <c 
 
 
 
 -C tj 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 
 
 
 
 705 
 
£HN 3Sn0H3V0J.S 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 707 
 
 Weaver Tonnage op Rock- and White Salt from 
 NoRTHwrcn 
 
 1759 
 1760 
 1761 
 1762 
 1763 
 1764 
 1765 
 1766 
 1767 
 1768 
 
 1769 
 1770 
 1771 
 1772 
 1773 
 1774 
 1775 
 1776 
 1777 
 1778 
 
 1779 
 1780 
 1781 
 1782 
 1783 
 1784 
 1785 
 1786 
 1787 
 1788 
 
 1789 
 1790 
 1791 
 1792 
 1793 
 1794 
 1795 
 1796 
 1797 
 1798 
 
 White. 
 
 Rock. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 5,276 
 
 8,970 ' 
 
 
 
 15,168 
 
 22,880 
 
 
 
 17,806 
 
 20,645 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 16.244 
 
 23,937 
 
 174,487 
 
 17,448 
 
 20,263 
 
 30,391 
 
 
 
 17,577 
 
 21,411 
 
 
 
 21,361 
 
 24,570 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 19,256 
 
 26,577 
 
 234,836 
 
 23,483 
 
 18,699 
 
 28,397 
 
 
 
 22,837 
 
 27,058 
 
 
 
 23,306 
 
 31,621 
 
 
 
 28,775 
 
 32,517 
 
 
 
 33,079 
 
 32,424 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 39,424 
 
 34,253 
 
 318,627 
 
 31,862 
 
 38,993 
 
 38,585 
 
 
 
 36,239 
 
 39,215 
 
 > 
 
 
 33,241 
 
 41,233 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 31,006 
 
 39,784 
 
 377,877 
 
 37,787 
 
 24,583 
 
 44,679 
 
 
 
 29,981 
 
 43,566 
 
 
 
 25,533 
 
 38,953 " 
 
 
 
 25,580 
 
 40,170 
 
 
 
 35,814 
 
 27,518 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 35,341 
 
 37,495 
 
 396,636 
 
 39,663 
 
 38,940 
 
 42,397 
 
 i 
 
 
 48,147 
 
 50,093 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 43,492 
 
 52,996 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 43,686 
 
 46,401 
 
 432,771 
 
 43,277 
 
 45,879 
 
 43,047 
 
 
 
 54,224 
 
 53,701 
 
 
 
 38,668 
 
 52,392 ' 
 
 
 
 49,925 
 
 47,730 
 
 
 
 51,641 
 
 52,505 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 51,506 
 
 54,005 
 
 550,867 
 
 55,086 
 
 44,114 
 
 48,140 
 
 
 
 41,273 
 
 61,999 
 
 _ 
 
 
 54,364 
 
 41,917 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 73,234 
 
 45,477 
 
 493,826 
 
 49,382 
 
 75,820 
 
 55,633 
 
 
 
 70,322 
 
 34,028 
 
 
 
708 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 White. 
 
 Rock. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1799 
 
 70,181 
 
 33,983 ' 
 
 
 
 1800 
 
 67,690 
 
 46,206 
 
 
 
 1801 
 
 89,794 
 
 55,903 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 1802 
 
 92,343 
 
 56,405 
 
 912,015 
 
 91,201 
 
 1803 
 
 90,921 
 
 53,861 
 
 
 
 1804 
 
 78,065 
 
 60,946 
 
 
 
 1805 
 
 99,230 
 
 59,826 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 1806 
 
 115,227 
 
 56,104 
 
 526,894 
 
 52,689 
 
 1807 
 
 108,317 
 
 51,412 
 
 
 
 1808 
 
 100,247 
 
 52,248 . 
 
 
 
 1809 
 
 90.275 
 
 49,562 " 
 
 
 
 1810 
 
 96,569 
 
 62,351 
 
 
 
 1811 
 
 112,103 
 
 51,181 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 1812 
 
 67,642 
 
 48,466 
 
 980,993 
 
 98,099 
 
 1813 
 
 104,165 
 
 56,660 
 
 
 
 1814 
 
 96,081 
 
 49,115 
 
 
 
 1815 
 
 . 135,856 
 
 105,120 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 1816 
 
 . 120,201 
 
 88,299 
 
 641,191 
 
 64,119 
 
 1817 
 
 67,911 
 
 66,673 
 
 
 
 1818 
 
 90,190 
 
 63,764 
 
 
 
 1819 
 
 127,361 
 
 97,563 ' 
 
 
 
 1820 
 
 109,811 
 
 85,280 
 
 
 
 1821 
 
 103,152 
 
 86,684 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 1822 
 
 90,298 
 
 84,533 
 
 1,153,190 
 
 115,319 
 
 1823 
 
 96,821 
 
 109,021 
 
 
 
 1824 
 
 . 101,467 
 
 138,682 
 
 ' 
 
 
 1825 
 
 . 105,298 
 
 117,310 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 1826 
 
 115,264 
 
 77,830 
 
 891,804 
 
 89,180 
 
 1827 
 
 138,647 
 
 48,422 
 
 
 
 1828 
 
 . 165,071 
 
 46,479 
 
 
 
 1829 
 
 . 179,851 
 
 69,295 
 
 
 
 1830 
 
 . 175,897 
 
 83,305 
 
 
 
 1831 
 
 192,034 
 
 90,089 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 1832 
 
 178,174 
 
 88,192 
 
 1,901,273 
 
 190,127 
 
 1833 
 
 202,792 
 
 81,388 
 
 
 
 1834 
 
 222,326 
 
 87,768 
 
 r 
 
 
 1835 
 
 . 200,638 
 
 72,626 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 1836 
 
 . 179,997 
 
 62,058 
 
 797,054 
 
 79,705 
 
 1837 
 
 182,442 
 
 86,536 
 
 
 
 1838 
 
 . 187,122 
 
 75,797 
 
 J 
 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 709 
 
 
 White, 
 
 Rock. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 1839 
 
 211,108 
 
 103,663" 
 
 
 
 1840 
 
 . 245,075 
 
 102,516 
 
 
 
 1841 
 
 235,528 
 
 125,638 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 1842 
 
 188,655 
 
 102,728 
 
 1,457,898 
 
 145,789 
 
 1843 
 
 96,960 
 
 201,686 
 
 i 
 
 
 1844 
 
 78,812 
 
 231,697 
 
 
 
 1845 
 
 91,487 
 
 229,987 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 1846 
 
 . 112,731 
 
 233,303 
 
 1,807,632 
 
 180,763 
 
 1847 
 
 99,192 
 
 231,944 
 
 
 
 1848 
 
 98,350 
 
 241.470 
 
 
 
 1849 
 
 . 300,243 
 
 107,708 
 
 
 
 1850 
 
 283,146 
 
 81,429 
 
 
 
 1851 
 
 220.824 
 
 818,03 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 1852 
 
 256,516 
 
 74,466 
 
 2,784,717 
 
 278.471 
 
 1853 
 
 235,332 
 
 68,326 
 
 • 
 
 
 1854 
 
 283,885 
 
 59,743 
 
 
 1855 
 
 248,589 
 
 60,455 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 1856 
 
 325,257 
 
 63,115 
 
 630,569 
 
 63,056 
 
 1857 
 
 . 367,932 
 
 55,789 
 
 
 
 1858 
 
 . 262,993 
 
 57,735 
 
 
 
 1859 
 
 250,817 
 
 62,905 ' 
 
 
 
 1860 
 
 274,934 
 
 60,161 
 
 
 
 1861 
 
 . 281,384 
 
 63,452 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 1862 
 
 . 244,450 
 
 68,417 
 
 2,634,497 
 
 263,449 
 
 1863 
 
 . 280,038 
 
 56,997 
 
 
 
 1864 
 
 257,307 
 
 50,172 
 
 . 
 
 
 1865 
 
 . 240,338 
 
 41,727 
 
 Rock 
 
 A verage 
 
 1866 
 
 . 270,757 
 
 38,081 
 
 529,916 
 
 52,991 
 
 1867 
 
 241,516 
 
 42,594 
 
 
 
 1868 
 
 . 292,956 
 
 45,410 J 
 
 
 
 1869 
 
 273,346 
 
 55,017 
 
 
 
 1870 
 
 . 261,003 
 
 63,631 
 
 White 
 
 Average. 
 
 1871 
 
 277,776 
 
 75,952 
 
 2,770,901 
 
 277,090 
 
 1872 
 
 . 292,126 
 
 50,301 
 
 
 
 1873 
 
 . 288,495 
 
 85,948 
 
 
 
 1874 
 
 261,409 
 
 86,074 
 
 * Rock 
 
 A verage 
 
 1875 
 
 . 262,807 
 
 92,289 
 
 783,445 
 
 78,344 
 
 1876 
 
 . 292,227 
 
 105,876 
 
 
 
 1877 
 
 . 295,483 
 
 83,850 
 
 
 
 1878 
 
 . 266,229 
 
 84,507 
 
 
 
710 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1879 
 1880 
 1881 
 1882 
 1883 
 1884 
 1885 
 1886 
 1887 
 1888 
 
 1889 
 1890 
 1891 
 1892 
 1893 
 1894 
 1895 
 1896 
 1897 
 1898 
 
 1899 
 1900 
 1901 
 1902 
 1903 
 1904 
 1905 
 1906 
 1907 
 1908 
 
 1909 
 1910 
 1911 
 1912 
 1913 
 
 (5 years) 
 
 White. 
 
 Rook. 
 
 To 
 
 113. 
 
 270,990 
 
 68,891 - 
 
 
 
 288,390 
 
 75,331 
 
 
 
 326,336 
 
 78,669 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 302,468 
 
 79,022 
 
 2,812,215 
 
 281,221 
 
 274,915 
 
 77,392 
 
 
 
 283,558 
 
 94,253 
 
 > 
 
 
 289,471 
 
 79,142 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 281,583 
 
 72,981 
 
 763,775 
 
 76,377 
 
 290,195 
 
 61,824 
 
 
 
 204,309 
 
 76,270 
 
 
 
 172,303 
 
 93,335 ~ 
 
 
 
 171,326 
 
 70,927 
 
 
 
 170,841 
 
 73,757 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 149,947 
 
 67,318 
 
 1,601,380 
 
 160,138 
 
 144,947 
 
 64,973 
 
 
 
 129,880 
 
 89,310 
 
 
 
 148,331 
 
 82,797 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 176,985 
 
 92.730 
 
 727,882 
 
 72,788 
 
 183,315 
 
 47,317 
 
 
 
 153,505 
 
 45,417 
 
 
 
 144,693 
 
 43,086' 
 
 
 
 165,701 
 
 29,286 
 
 
 
 137,658 
 
 32,979 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 149,491 
 
 27,907 
 
 1,392,550 
 
 139,255 
 
 142,993 
 
 40,158 
 
 
 
 143,984 
 
 28,069 
 
 r 
 
 
 133,449 
 
 35,646 
 
 Rock 
 
 A reraqe 
 
 136,843 
 
 36,165 
 
 347,546 
 
 34,754 
 
 105.414 
 
 30,982 
 
 
 
 132,324 
 
 43,268 
 
 
 
 116,746 
 
 39,340 
 
 White 
 
 Average 
 
 108,846 
 
 29,088 
 
 563,408 
 
 56,340 
 
 130,277 
 
 29,744 
 
 > 
 
 
 114.670 
 
 28,984 
 
 Rock 
 
 Average 
 
 92,869 
 
 33,541 
 
 160,697 
 
 16,069 
 
NORTHWICH 
 
 711 
 
 Table showing Gross Total of Shipments op Salt 
 every Ten Years prom 1759 to 1913 
 
 
 White Salt. 
 
 Book-Salt. 
 
 
 (Total Tons.) 
 
 (Total Tons.) 
 
 1759-1768 
 
 174,487 
 
 234,836 
 
 1769-1778 
 
 318,627 
 
 377,877 
 
 1779-1788 
 
 396,636 
 
 432,771 
 
 1789-1798 
 
 550,867 
 
 493,826 
 
 1799-1808 
 
 912,015 
 
 526,894 
 
 1809-1818 
 
 980,993 
 
 641,191 
 
 1819-1828 
 
 1,153,190 
 
 891,804 
 
 1829-1838 
 
 1,901,273 
 
 797,054 
 
 1839-1848 
 
 1,457,898 
 
 1,807,632 
 
 1849-1858 
 
 2,784,717 
 
 630,569 
 
 1859-1868 
 
 2,634,497 
 
 529,916 
 
 1869-1878 
 
 2,770,901 
 
 783,445 
 
 1879-1888 
 
 2,812,215 
 
 763,775 
 
 1889-1898 
 
 1,601,380 
 
 727,882 
 
 1899-1908 
 
 1,392,550 
 
 347,546 
 
 1909-1913 
 
 563,408 
 
 160,697 
 
 (5 years) 
 
 
 
Section gone through in sinking a shaft 
 from the bottom of mr. neumann's mine, 
 northwich (about 80 years ago. 
 Commencing at a depth of iio Yards. 
 
 354.0 - L '— 
 
 3BZ.0 
 
 3B7.& 
 3BB'. Z" 
 
 401 .8 
 
 SIZ.S 
 
 >X-f'£J-, 
 
 Hi 
 
 -.f> U-,..lV - ■■; 
 
 35=^" 
 
 
 *tt 
 
 •" V 
 
 
 
 Inferior ROCK SALT 
 
 Brown 
 
 Indurated 
 
 Clay. 
 
 Yellow ROCK SALT 
 
 fi hard substance which took 
 a week to go throug with picks. 
 
 Inferior 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
 Stone 
 
 White Salt 
 Glossy Rock. 
 
Alliance New shaft 
 at marst0n.i895. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 — — - --- 10. 6 
 
 6.0 
 I. 
 
 1 
 3 
 
 U 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 e 
 
 .0 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 u 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 e 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 
 3 
 
 9 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 =*'— ^__-^__ 
 
 t- 
 
 — ■ =_— _-. ..«- 
 
 
 F 1 
 
 
 
 1.9. 
 
 __. __. 
 
 
 
 34 
 
 -° __r — o- 
 
 r_^."___rtr___ 
 
 44 
 
 s^'-^-is 
 
 SO 
 
 e^j^e 
 
 57 
 
 TrjE^ _*_■__ 
 
 57 
 
 
 63 
 65 
 
 69 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 ______ _=r_ 
 
 
 
 - -_ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 _^-----_=F 
 
 
 -- 
 
 .98 
 
 m/lii !< ill)',.." n 111" c- 
 
 39 
 105 
 
 
 109 
 
 yt^rnfil^fy- 
 
 IIZ . 
 
 _r___-__-_.-__ 
 
 Ill- 
 
 — 
 
 US 
 12 
 
 o--^^- -e^c^ 
 
 r_+ 
 
 ~ 3^_ 
 
 '£5 
 
 
 — __-_"_-_ — 
 
 
 
 tto 
 
 S2 l_w/ -1 /y-f/-,,.- 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 I. o Soil 
 _. Clcry 
 /. o Gravel 
 2.0 Clay 
 
 z s 
 
 J 
 
 Black Steel Marl. 
 
 Black Marl & 
 Boulder Stones 
 
 Brown Mart, Sand 
 and Gravel 
 
 Brown & Blue Marl 
 mixed with Gypsum. 
 Blue Marl 
 Brown Marl with Metal. 
 
 Gypsum with Brown Marl 
 Brown &. Blue Marl 
 Dark Brown Marl 
 Blue Marl. 
 
 =1 a- o Blue & Brown Marl. 
 
 q-.o Dark Brown Marl. 
 i e Blue & Brown Marl 
 i s Blue Marl 
 
 4.6 Brown Marl 
 
 Brown £ Blue Slag Marl 
 (A screave of Water 
 in this). 
 
 Dark Blue Marl 
 
 Gypsum. 
 
 Blue Slag 
 
 Brown & Blue Slag. 
 
 Brown Slag mixea with Gypsum. 
 
 Brown Slag 
 Light Brown Slaa 
 Blue Marl. 
 
 3-0 
 I o 
 
 6 
 4 
 3 
 Z0 
 0.6 
 
 5 3 Beany Metal. 
 
 t.6 
 
 0.9 
 3.0 
 
 IZ.O 
 
 Blue Slag. 
 
 Brown slag mixed with Gvpsum 
 
 Blue Slag 
 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
Worthington's 
 mine. 
 
 'V^ 
 
 •n 
 
 Top bed of 
 ROCK SAL! 
 
 Marl. 
 
 Bottom bed 
 
 of | 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 J 
 
 Trial Boring 
 Manor farm Estate 
 
 '"••"' 
 
 \ — About 500 Feet 1— 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 
 about ioo'.o" 
 
 ROCK 
 SALT. 
 
 IB^'.Ol 
 
 Depth of Trial 
 Bore I9l'.0". 
 
 diagram of trial boring, 
 Manor farm estate, 
 North wich. 
 
 Showing Worthington's Mine 
 situate about 500 feet on 
 the West side. 
 
 714 
 
Boring at 
 
 RlVERSDALE, 
 
 NORTHWICH. 
 
 Depth. Thickness. 
 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 10.0 
 
 ie-o 
 ez .o 
 
 it-.o 
 
 B6-0 
 
 103-0 
 115.0 
 
 217 .0 
 
 225 .0 
 
 Z3S .O 
 233 . O 
 
 240 . O 
 
 2BG.0 
 239.0 
 
 301 . 
 303 O 
 
 ^ss^s^s 
 
 
 *M'<r/»\™",*A'*. 
 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 l0 .o Soi ' 
 
 6 . o Fine Sand 
 
 e ■ o Dark Red clay. 
 
 Fine Running 
 IZ . Sand. 
 
 Dark Reel 
 Clay. 
 
 Fine Running 
 
 Sand. 
 17. o 
 
 Clay Bind 
 iz .o Gravel. 
 
 Real 
 and 
 Blue 
 Marl. 
 
 102 ' ° Hard band 
 & .o blue rock. 
 
 Amber ROCK SALT 
 10 . o and Marl. 
 
 3 . Soft Meirl. 
 2 . Qrotvel 
 
 Red mnd 
 Blue Marl 
 
 1-6.0 
 
 3 . a Honey combed Meirl 
 
 iz . o rthite ROCK SALT. 
 
 z ■ o Fine Red Marl 
 
 715 
 
Boring for Coal at Marston 
 
 npl. Albert 
 
 Brine Shaft. 
 
 Thickness 
 Ft. ins- 
 
 31.9 
 
 
 
 
 
 ::: 
 
 Em .6 
 
 wMM- 
 
 
 Zs-L--~- &,- Z'_-_- 
 
 J3fl 2 
 
 -d^iz'u. 
 
 3€t 10 
 
 = ^- -V-r------- 
 
 378 2^ 
 
 "'"ivy""" 
 
 4?4 I 
 
 -^-z-^--^-l,-. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 :«£-£-:-:£; 
 
 
 
 
 T 
 
 '*■£.■:> .4 
 
 ^W| ■](; 
 
 
 Hi 
 
 
 :'i Mii:;.' : 
 IS? 
 
 Soil 5. Drift 
 
 upper beel of 
 90. 6 fiOCKS/lLT. 
 
 2nd or lower bed of 
 H.9 ROCK SALT. 
 
 0.8 Hard Reel t. Blue Marl mth Salt 
 
 5.2 ROCK SAi-T. Jt _ 
 
 S .2 Reel i. Blue Mar i r/i+h Salt 
 
 ^JZ-6 ROCK SALT 
 
 23 6 Rea &. Blue Marl with Salt 
 
 Reel ewe* 
 
 Blue Marl 
 nHh Gypsum 
 
 fie a and Grey 
 Sandstone with Reef 
 Mart ana Gypsum. 
 
 Red and Blue 
 Sandy Marl 
 rtith Gypsum 
 
 ----- 326.4- 
 
 Red and Grey 
 Sandstone wtfr 
 Reel and Blue 
 Marl Joints 
 Pine/ Spots 
 
 BORING ON 
 HILL SIDE FARM, 
 NEWBRIDGE. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 3.0 
 IB-0 
 
 27 .0 
 
 31 . 
 33 . 
 
 
 150.6 
 156. 
 
 
 :e: 
 
 { z—:l~'z.z 
 
 ■ -r -T "■ - 
 
 -f — 1_ ±. , 
 
 306.0 
 
 O Soil 
 
 Wet Sand 
 
 yvet Grovel 
 
 o Boulder Clay, 
 o wet Loam 
 g, water. 
 
 Boulder Clay. 
 
 ze .0 
 
 wet Running 
 ' u Sana 1 . 
 
 wet Sand, Clay 
 & Loam. 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay. 
 
 61 • e Quantity of 
 6 ■ O wciter. Sand 
 &i Gravel. 
 
 Dry 
 Compound 
 
 Metal 
 
 and 
 Grave , 
 
 rock head 
 and Brine. 
 
YYe~f Gravel 
 Clay St Loam 
 
 Running Sand VTV 
 
 »V / T T n n 
 
 Sand & Gravel 
 
 Dry 
 
 compound 
 mei&iV 
 
 and 
 
 Gravel 
 Boulder 
 Clay & 
 Grave/ 
 
 Red Sand. 
 
 Strong Clay 
 an of Mart. 
 
 Bed & Grey 
 Marls 
 
 with 
 
 hard 
 
 bands. 
 
 Flagstone' 
 
 Brine under. 
 
 Rock Sctlt 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 wm 
 
 Quicks a nd 
 
 '- ■'.'{ 
 
 WM 
 
 
 '•" 
 
 i=i(z\ 
 
 
 £:i±V-±- 
 
 Broken -up 
 
 'Maris 
 
 Stone 
 
 and Rock! 
 (Drift) 
 
 
 ^ 
 ~l~-l~ 
 
 =VE££§ 
 
 i 
 
 Keuper 
 Marls. 
 
 
 J 7-t 
 
 IS 
 
 ~~-~p 
 
 "7 7 7- 1: 
 
 Rock 
 Salt 
 
 i_l_ 1— , 
 
 
 
 
 
 l~h 
 
 
 Maris 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 :_rz-z 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 - Ul-Ji- 
 
 
 
 
 
 Marls 
 
 ZZ.Z.-JZZ. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Z -"SI 
 
 
 
 =^-^>-3 
 
 
 Keuper 
 
 Marls 
 
 r& 
 
 Rock 
 Salt 
 
 Rock 
 Salt. 
 
 10 20 SO 40 50 
 
 Scale of Feet. 
 
 Scale of Feet. 
 
 717 
 
LEFTWICH. 
 
 PimbliHs- Dome Meadows. 
 
 Soz. Brine at IZFt. 
 
 Drift 
 Clay 
 
 Brine lib. IZoz. 
 Quick- 
 sand. 
 
 Soil 
 
 Boulder 
 
 Clay 
 
 ~^}£"o 
 
 ^'i'-'' 
 
 
 
 ■ .'.'r -' h . 
 
 ** , t: -w 
 
 Quick- 
 Sand 
 
 --t' ■■'- 
 
 .'S ~_ ■ 
 T, ®2 * ■'■ 
 
 
 
 Clay 
 
 -'— -*---* 
 
 Quick- 
 
 ' '" 
 
 '•'■ ■ •' i 
 
 sand 
 
 
 
 with 
 
 
 .'■.-•' 
 
 Marl 
 
 
 
 partings 
 
 
 . ■- 
 
 (Drift) 
 
 ~A~' f* " 
 
 
 -.;■'■" ■;• 
 
 Pi 
 
 Strong 
 
 r----v£ 
 
 Marl 
 
 Keuper 
 
 fe. 
 
 m 
 
 z zY-. z . 
 
 fled & 
 
 Grey 
 
 Marl, 
 
 zzzzzzz 
 
 
 Rock 
 
 
 
 
 Salt 
 
 ZZS.ZZZZ 
 
 
 
 zz zzz zzz 
 
 
 Marl 
 
 ^~i- 
 
 
 Broken up 
 Marls 
 Stones 
 
 and 
 Rocks 
 (Drift) 
 
 Keuper 
 Maris 
 fe 
 
 Rock 
 Salt 
 "bottom 
 bed" 
 
 
 %~2 
 
 i^t 
 
 I 
 
 if.. 
 
 ryrrz 
 
 Sand and Clay 
 Clay 
 
 Marl in thin bands 
 brown ana blue rtith 
 veins of Gypsum. 
 
 Rock Salt 
 
 Brortn Marl 
 
 Rock Salt 
 
 Br own and blue mart 
 and marlstone 
 with Gypsum 
 
 White Salt 
 
 Hara blue marlstone 
 
 '10 20 30 40 so 
 
 ± 
 
 Scale of Feet. 
 
 wo 
 =1 
 
 Section of Rock salt mine ano 
 Brine Pit Marston. 
 
Thickness 
 
 of Strata. 
 
 Feet, inches 
 
 Top of Shaft. 
 
 7 .; V Y 
 
 Saliferous 
 
 ■V '■'■".' <■ 
 
 w!-; 
 
 ■' ■ ■»" \' 
 
 -i '. - ■ 
 
 -Marl'- 
 
 ■■■;: : f. 
 
 Depth from 
 
 Surface 
 
 Feet, inches. 
 
 Jopof^J \ Mi ne 
 
 -§ Open 
 ! I IJ o/g of Mine I 
 
 Z9S II 
 
 Boring at 
 Pimblotts Boiler Yard, 
 leftwich, Cheshire. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 Z&~S*p^&!£^- 
 
 
 '-\'::'-'.:Z-'-- : . 
 
 
 
 ,; 
 
 7R 
 
 .0 
 
 
 
 -' ■'■ ;. 
 
 
 ZJ i ' > — =^-^^ 
 
 
 '■ '■'■■' '•■■'.'. ■'':.'■■ 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 "-.^■■f"^'^' 
 
 
 
 ' " ' •■ 
 
 
 
 .: ~~— ~-~-^ - 'r 7 
 
 
 ■,' —•'■ *■'.— r-\ -"■ 
 
 
 
 nW-~:i-h 
 
 
 
 --z^-z. 
 
 £03 
 
 e 
 
 - ■-.: - 
 
 
 : 
 
 
 
 ---- 
 
 
 ■ 6 
 
 £55ffEE_-; 
 
 
 
 
 
 7-—~¥"— ^~zz 
 
 
 6 
 
 --j?~^z???± - 
 
 
 
 
 - — —-L — ---U 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -__ — 
 
 134 
 
 
 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 Z .0 Surface Soil 
 3 . O Boulder Clay 
 
 Quicksand 
 
 BS .0 
 5 .o Clay 
 
 Quicksand 
 with thin 
 beols of 
 Marl 
 
 S tro n a 
 Reel Marl. 
 
 Red etna 1 
 Grey Marl 
 mixed with 
 HOCK SALT. 
 o 
 
 Red Marl. 
 
 Section of Rock Shaft, late Townsend's 
 Shaft, Wincham, Northwich. 
 
 Level of surface 4-3 above Ordnance 
 Datum Some weak Brine got at 255.' 0" 
 but a flow of Brine registering from 
 sztof-loz to the gallonoit 301 1 6" 
 from surface. 
 
WINNINGTON 
 
 BROKEN 
 CROSS. 
 
 Drift 
 
 ^'^~ 
 .-£*•" 
 
 Keuper 
 Marls 
 
 Rock 
 Salt 
 
 Mdirl3 —Z-Z-rrz 
 
 Sin* 
 
 Rock 
 
 Salt WS:% 
 
 Keuper 
 
 Marls 
 
 '.--«.'•» 
 
 
 Boring at Gunners Clough, 
 
 BARNTONj WINNINGTON, 
 
 Cheshire. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft Ins. 
 
 I . 3 
 
 Flag 
 'Horse Beans 
 
 Rock 
 Salt 
 
 Marls 
 
 O 10 2i> 30 10 50 
 - 
 
 57 e 
 
 Seals of Feet. 
 
 331.9 
 
 No 
 
 Thickness 
 Ft. Ins. 
 I 3 Surface Soil 
 
 Boulder Clays, Sands 
 « Gravels, with £' of 
 a'rift Coal at it: 6". 
 
 56-3 
 
 Keuper Reoi & 
 
 Blue Marls 
 with Gypsum, 
 fit JO*'. II" a 
 strong Blue Flag 
 such as usually 
 founol above Top 
 Rock was met with, 
 
 Z74-.3 
 
 traces of Salt 
 
Section of the strata passed through in boring an 
 Artesian well at little Leigh on the River Weaver. 
 
 Eag=FJag° 
 
 jyjjpjfe 
 
 .c^-jjfe: 
 
 IDislsf:- 
 
 E-E-3 
 
 mmm 
 
 ^'Vi iHitri'^rfl to 
 
 17 Tt'~T!tJi 1 "' ~ r! "^ 
 
 Sartd and Clay. 
 r 
 <• Sana, ffaterworn Pebbles A Blue Clay 
 
 indurated Red Clay. 
 
 ^Indurated Blue Clay. 
 
 Clayey Marl Blue 
 Do Red 
 
 Do. Blue 
 
 Red Marl 
 Blue Marl 
 „Red with Sulphate of Lime. 
 
 Blue Induraied Clay and Fed Man 
 with Laminae of Sulphate of Lime, 
 sometimes being as thick as half 
 an inch ana" very copious 
 
 o' Weak Brine Broke in here and ran 
 in the Borehole above the shaft water 3 Ft. 
 
 Red and Blue Marl with a slaty 
 formation, in the tatter fibre gypsum 
 (sulphate of lime) interlum'mating. 
 
 o" Bed Marl 
 
 Slaty with Fibre Gyp£um 
 o" 
 
 Red Marl with Fibre Gypsum. 
 
 , Slaty with Gypsum 
 %*Mart Do. 
 .Slaty 
 
 Marl 
 
 °" 
 
 o" Slaty 
 
 Do. 
 Do- 
 do. 
 
 (Two cavities were met with 
 I here one above the other about 
 A 6"dia. The Brine rose in the 
 
 Marl Blue and Red with Gypsum J [ f U . io ■ wf lowing, and the 
 
 „ Marl with Gypsum 
 
 o" Slaty very much Gypsum. 
 - Mart with Gypsum. 
 
 Q .. Salty Marl with Gypsum 
 .o" Salty Blue Indurated Clay & Gypsum. 
 Marl and Gypsum 
 
 o" 
 
 Q- Slaty formation and Gypsum. 
 ,o" Very Salty Blue Indurated Clay. 
 
 Q " very firm Marl. 
 
 o" Slaty, little Gypsum 
 
 Q ..Salty Slaty Marl 
 
 Marl with Gypsum 
 
 \o" 
 
 u Marl with copious Gyps- 
 ,:!■, Slaty Formation 
 
 [Salt strength became l%more. 
 
 f-i%- '. o- Salty, Slaty & Gypsum.^ 
 
 Trace of Marl, much Gypsum 
 ■431 . ' of Alabaster Hue. 
 *37'. o" Slaty with trace of Mart, plenty Gypsum. 
 943'. o' slaty, copious Gypsum 
 4so'.flL" Much Gypsum 
 
 Here a hard cover which took 2* hours 
 to break through. Sheet Iron could have 
 been done in half the time. There was such 
 a pressure below that loose clay sittings 
 in a cavity of state was' constantly 
 driven into +he Borehole and up to bury 
 the bear and Chisel, little progress 
 being made, but there was no fall of 
 firm material which took place only 
 at 0-50', when I stopped. 
 
 2 z 
 
725 
 
NANTWICH 
 
 Nantwich, a market town with a population of nearly 8000, 
 derives its name from the Welsh " nant,'' a vale, and the Saxon 
 " wyche," signifying a salt town. It is generally supposed to 
 have been a place of some importance under the ancient Britons, 
 and if the Romans did not garrison the town, they obtained 
 from its brine springs the salt required for the soldiers of the 
 20th legion, which, according to the itinerary ascribed to Antonius 
 Pius, was obtained at Condate, now Congleton, in the hundred of 
 Nantwich. The great importance of salt as an article of domestic 
 ecomony, and the universality of its use, seem to have decided 
 the Romans to make it a source of revenue as early as 640 years 
 before Christ. At that distant period it was made taxable by 
 Ancus Martius ; and we have proof that it continued to be a 
 dutiable product for many centuries ; for after the conquest 
 of this island the Britons were forced to conform to the tribute. 
 " Salt," says Mr Pennant, " made part of the pay of the Roman 
 soldiers, which was called salarium, and from which we derive 
 our word salary." Under the Saxon Government prior to the 
 Conquest the salt-works at Nantwich were the property of the 
 prince, the nobles, and those that were free. On the ascension of 
 William the Conqueror to the throne of this kingdom, these salt- 
 works were not the exclusive property of either the sovereign 
 or the subject. In the year 1067, William caused the salt pro- 
 duced at Nantwich to be divided between himself and Edwin, an 
 Anglo-Saxon Earl, who had a wych-house upon his estate at 
 Haughton, which produced a sufficiency for the consumption 
 of the Earl's princely establishment. If at the Earl's salt-houses, 
 of which nine were in existence at that time, more was produced 
 than was consumed by his household, and that surplus was sold, 
 there was a duty of twopence per lb. upon the salt sold. If any 
 person who was a proprietor of salt-works at Nantwich, or who 
 farmed any of these which belonged either to the King, or Earl 
 Edwin, carried away salt, and sold it within the county, the 
 salt so disposed paid a duty of threepence per pound, two-thirds 
 of which w r as for the King, and the remaining third for the Earl. 
 
 726 
 
NANTWICH 727 
 
 If the salt was for his own consumption, and carried away 
 within a given time, namely, from Ascension Day to the feast 
 of St Martin, no duty was exacted; but from the feast of St 
 Martin until Ascension Day whoever took salt, either from his 
 own works, or purchased it from others, was to pay a duty, the 
 amount of which depended entirely upon circumstances. The 
 wych-houses, which were originally on each side of the river, 
 were circumscribed by a moat, within the boundaries of which 
 all crimes committed were punishable ; but the offender, on 
 paying a fine of thirty boilings of salt, valued at two shillings, 
 was freed from the punishment. If any person committed 
 murder, or flagitious theft, within the said boundary, the punish- 
 ment was death. In more recent times the brine springs were 
 farmed for the benefit of Government for the following sums 
 payable yearly, viz., Nantwich, £10 ; North wich, £1, 15s. ; 
 Middlewich, £1, 5s. In 1856, the brine toll for Nantwich had 
 dwindled down to 10s. per annum. Among the ancient guilds 
 for establishing and maintaining order in the town, were " The 
 Rulers of Walling." Their duties, as explained by Mr J. W. Piatt, 
 in his " History and Antiques of Nantwich," included the proper 
 regulation of the brine-pits, and establishing the true price of salt. 
 Several persons were chosen from amongst the most wealthy 
 of the proprietors who were sworn to uphold the ancient customs. 
 Their office extended to the adjusting the proportion of brine 
 for each wych-house, inspecting the pits to see that the brine 
 was not weakened by improper means or received a taint from 
 any nuisance. The revenue arising from salt was thought of 
 so much consequence that a particular Board was appointed 
 for its collection and management, having a department quite 
 independent of the excise and customs. Not a peck of salt 
 could go from the works without a permit under the risk of 
 forfeiture and high penalties, and officers were stationed on the 
 roads to demand a sight of permits and re-weigh on suspicion 
 of fraud. These restraints were perpetuated by the duty on 
 salt, and for a long series of years formed a great obstacle to its 
 employment for agricultural purposes ; but ' ' salt has long been 
 removed from the list of taxable commodities by a wise and 
 beneficent legislature." The oppressiveness of the impost may 
 be inferred from the fact that a bushel of salt (a half cwt.) worth 
 sixpence at the works at Nantwich, was increased by the duty 
 before it reached the consumer's hands to 17s. 6d. 
 
728 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Leland, in his " Itinerary," says that the one spring at Nantwich 
 was so abundant that 111 salters were located there, and in 
 Camden's " Britannia " (1607) the customs governing the salt 
 boilings are described. " In two places within our township," he 
 says, " the springs break up so in the meadows as to fret away not 
 only the grass but part of the earth, which lies like a breach at least 
 half a foot or more lower than the turf of the meadow : and hath a 
 salt liquid, oozing, as it were, out of the mud but very gently." 
 
 Nantwich was erected into a barony by Hugh Lupus, first 
 Norman Earl of Chester, who built a castle for the defence of the 
 town against the Welsh. In 1113 the Welsh invaders inflicted 
 considerable damage upon Nantwich, and they invested the town 
 again in 1146, but were then defeated and repulsed. In order 
 to distress the ravaging Welsh, Henry III. in the following century, 
 ordered the brine pits to be closed and only allowed them to be 
 re-opened when peace was concluded. 
 
 The old Biot spring at Nantwich has given rise to a great 
 deal of controversy and speculation as to the true meaning 
 and origin of the word " Biot." Mr Pennant gives to this 
 celebrated brine-pit the name of the " Old Brine," but does 
 not quote his authority for so doing. " Old Biot " was a 
 word or rather two words commonly used in this part of 
 Cheshire, to denote a support or supporter. It was customary 
 for the old people resident in the neighbourhood of Nantwich 
 to exclaim, " Give me my old Biot," or " Where is my old Biot ? " 
 meaning the stick with which they supported themselves when 
 walking. It is also certain, that this brine-pit was called by 
 the provincial name of " Biot," as being the only support which 
 the inhabitants had, when the brine in the other pits was 
 exhausted. Piatt, who published a work entitled " History and 
 Antiquities of Nantwich," in 1818, says the opinion of those 
 who called the spring " buoy oat " on the hypothesis that the 
 strength of the brine was so great that oats which were cast 
 into it floated, was even more fallacious than Mr Pennant's. 
 He affirms that the inventors of the term would have been 
 equally consistent had they called it buoy egg, as buoy oat ; 
 for experiments made prove most satisfactorily that eggs when 
 put into brine of certain strength are floated. The passage 
 in which Mr Piatt disposes of the theory as to the origin of the 
 expression " buoy oat " is worth quoting. He says, " Not 
 desiring merely to deny the doctrine advanced by those gentle- 
 
NANTWICH 729 
 
 men who have asserted that the word is buoy oat, by a simple 
 affirmation to the contrary, without proof, accordingly I pro- 
 cured some oats of excellent quality. A few were put into a 
 basin full of spring water, the result of which was that in the 
 space of ten minutes, about one grain of every hundred was 
 observed not to float. I again took other oats, and put them 
 into the same quantity of sea water, and in the same space of 
 time, about one grain of one hundred and fifty did not float. 
 But judging that these experiments would not be deemed con- 
 clusive, I took one pint of spring water which was afterwards 
 saturated with six ounces of salt to bring it to an equilibrium 
 with the strength of the original brine. Into this I cast oats, 
 and in the space of ten minutes about one grain out of 200 was 
 observed to have descended to the bottom of the basin. Into 
 this brine was put an egg, which also floated ; the same egg de • 
 scended gradually when put into the sea water, and with rapidity 
 when put into spring water." 
 
 Piatt has a further reference to " the Old Biot," which, he 
 writes, " our pious ancestors on Ascension Day decorated with 
 the branches of olives, flowers, and ribbons : and the old people 
 chanted an hymn of thanksgiving to the Almighty for having 
 blessed them with the brine. This custom was continued till of 
 late years, when like all other ancient customs, it was disused. 
 . The Old Biot is still in existence, and supplies the present 
 Wych house with brine. It is situated on the east side of the 
 Weaver, at the distance of only six feet from the river, without 
 having its purity tainted." 
 
 In 1438, and again in 1583, Nantwich was wasted by fire, and in 
 1587, 1596, and 1604 the townspeople were scourged with the 
 pestilence which, in the latter year, lasted for six months and 
 carried off nearly 400 people. During the Civil War Nantwich 
 sided with the Parliament, and in 1643 the town gallantly repelled 
 an attack by the King's forces. 
 
 The ancient castle, erected by the Normans, was in ruins 
 before the time of Henry VII., and no remains of it are now left. 
 The architectural glory of Nantwich is the Parish Church of S.S. 
 Mary and Nicholas, in the Decorated Gothic style, with an octagonal 
 tower, and the principal buildings include the Grammar School, 
 founded in 1611, the Gothic town-hall, and the new market-hall, 
 which replaced the old one in 1867. After the great fire of 
 1583, Queen Elizabeth granted timber from Delamere Forest for 
 
730 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 rebuilding a portion of the town, and the Queen's gracious gift 
 is commemorated by a tablet to be seen in the Square, with the 
 following inscription : — 
 
 " God grante our ryal Queen 
 In England long to raign, 
 For she hath put her helping 
 Hand to bild this towne again." 
 
 William Smith, in his " Vale Eoyal," records the visit of James I. 
 to Nantwich. " One happiness I will not forget to report," 
 he writes, " which it pleased our gracious King, His Most Ex- 
 cellent Majestie to adde unto them in Anno, 1617, the 25th of 
 August, who vouchsafed to make that town the lodging place 
 for his Eoyal Person and after he had for some hours accomodated 
 himself in the house, then His Eoyal Court, of Thomas Wilbraham, 
 Esq., it pleased him to walk so far as to the brine seeth. . . ." 
 In short the King witnessed the operation of drawing the brine 
 and conveying it to the Wich House, " and after His Majestie's 
 gracious enquiry among the poor Drawers, of many things touching 
 the nature of the same Brine, and how they proceed to convert it 
 into salt, most princely rewarding them with his own hand, His 
 Majestie returned to the Court." 
 
 In the London Magazine in 1750, Nantwich is described as 
 " the largest and most considerable town in the county, next to 
 Chester, and lying in the great road from London thither. It is 
 a mile long and has several bye-streets and lanes, all well in- 
 habited. It has a large ancient Church like a Cathedral and a 
 great market on Saturday for all manner of provisions. Its 
 chief trade is salt and cheese." 
 
 " The Bridge at Nantwich," says a writer in " Bygone Cheshire," 
 "is first mentioned in 1398, and a chapel dedicated to St Anne 
 was formerly built upon it, in which a priest, on payment of 
 money, offered up prayers for the safety of wayfarers." It is 
 described in 1621 as a strong timbered bridge, " which asketh 
 no little care and cost by reason of the traffic in wood for 
 boiling the salt." In 1663 it was superseded by a structure of 
 stone. 
 
 Nantwich was for many years the most productive of the 
 Cheshire wiches. According to Leland, there were 400 salt- 
 works there in the days of Henry VIII. The number was 
 reduced to 216 in the reign of Elizabeth, and to 108 in the 
 year 1624. 
 
NANTWICH 731 
 
 In " The History of Cheshire," printed by Poole of Chester in 
 1778, it is written : " Here then it may be proper to speak of 
 the salt works of this town, (Nantwich), in their more ancient 
 state, and as they had been when honoured with a royal visit in 
 the person of James I. The Welsh of the North parts have 
 always been, and still are, supplied with this useful article of 
 life from hence. Their commerce, however, was not always of 
 the friendly kind, for they have frequently infested these parts, 
 committing many dangerous acts of hostility whenever they had 
 power or opportunity. They called the town " Hellath Wen," or 
 the White Pit, and Henry III., in order to distress them, caused 
 these pits to be stopped up for some time. These salt works 
 were formerly more numerous, perhaps, than in most places of 
 England, supplying all the adjacent countries, and all North 
 Wales, besides large quantities exported to Ireland and to 
 many foreign parts. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, this town 
 contained two hundred and sixteen salt works, of six leads wall- 
 ing each, which are now reduced to two ivorhs of five large fans oj 
 wrought iron." 
 
 The salt industry declined until 1849, when the manufacture 
 was practically given up, the cost of carriage to the Crewe and 
 Chester Railway rendering it impossible to compete in price with 
 salt made at works more favourably situated as to means of 
 transport. Salt was last made in Nantwich by Mr Townley in the 
 year 1856. The pit was worked by him for a period of eleven 
 years, under lease from Dr Burton, of Manchester, for a term of 
 twenty-one years. The brine was pumped from a well on Snowhill, 
 behind the present Town Hall, and was conveyed in wooden 
 troughs under the road to where the premises of Mr Bowker, 
 broker, now stand, and where one of the sheds which covered the 
 salt-pans, three in number, may still be seen. The principal 
 part of the trade was inland, most of the salt being sent by canal 
 into Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Wales, and the remainder going 
 to supply local demands. About twenty-five tons per week were 
 manufactured. Only two pans were kept at work, the third pan 
 being reserved in case of accident. Each pan was capable of 
 producing three tons of salt per day, but they were seldom worked 
 to their fullest capacity. The price of table salt of the kind manu- 
 factured in Nantwich was about £1 per ton, a proportionate 
 reduction being made for large quantities, which went by boat, 
 so as to cover the cost of freightage, The salt trade was, however, 
 
732 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 gradually concentrated around Northwich and Winsford, and 
 the industry of the ancient town departed from it. 
 
 Heavily handicapped as the salt trade of Nantwich was, it 
 continued to languish until the Crewe and Shrewsbury Eailway 
 opened up this locality and the other districts which had hitherto 
 supplied Winsford and Northwich. So long as these places were 
 restricted to the use of the canal the additional freightage to 
 Nantwich restored the balance somewhat, and enabled the Nant- 
 wich manufacturer to compete on more even terms with the 
 manufacturers from Northwich and Winsford in the markets of 
 Shropshire and Wales ; but when the railway opened up direct 
 communication, and reduced the carriage 3s. per ton, the Nantwich 
 salt manufacturer could not successfully compete against his more 
 favoured rivals of Northwich and Winsford, and so the trade 
 completely died out. Since then the gentleman before alluded 
 to who last carried on the salt trade in Nantwich has turned 
 his attention to the employment of the brine springs in a more 
 profitable direction. Another advantage of railway communi- 
 cation was that customers could be supplied with a truck load 
 of salt as required, whereas it was only large consumers who 
 could take a boatload at one time. The salt too being carried 
 by railway fresh from the stove retained more of its heat and 
 dryness than when put on board boat, and as a consequence 
 there was less deterioration and loss by reason of its absorbing 
 moisture than when conveyed by canal. 
 
 " The great diminution of trade," we read in the " History of 
 Cheshire," *" is owing to various causes, such as the discovery of 
 new salt springs in the adjacent places at which works have been 
 erected : the superior advantages arising from the navigation at 
 Northwich and Winsford, near Middlewich. Another cause may 
 probably be assigned from the frequent destruction by fire in 
 the works of the town, fourteen of which in the memory of persons 
 lately living, having been destroyed in one day, and it is well 
 known that large tracts of now vacant ground upon both sides of 
 the river, in our grandfathers' days, were covered with numerous 
 salt works, and in these places large pieces of timber with the 
 visible marks of fire upon them have been frequently dug up. 
 The duty paid yearly at these works amounts to near five thousand 
 pounds ; and the whole district (including the works at Lawton, 
 and the small one at Droitwich) from eighteen to twenty thousand 
 pounds " communibus annis " ! 
 
NANTWICH 733 
 
 " Fully sensible of the benefits accruing from commerce," 
 writes Partridge in his " History of Nantwich " (1774), " and in 
 order more particularly to raise the declining trade in their staple 
 commodity, salt, by becoming partakers of the common advan- 
 tages of navigation, an Act of Parliament was obtained above 
 forty years to lengthen the navigation of the river Weaver from 
 Winsford up to Nantwich ; notwithstanding which, the execution 
 of it has laid dormant to this day, owing to the jealousies and 
 disputes betwixt the inhabitants and the persons employed to 
 solicit the Act, who were deemed to have acted too partially in 
 favour of themselves, and precluding in a great measure the 
 advantages the other subscribers to the expense in obtaining the 
 Act ought to have enjoyed. . . . The interest of the representative 
 of the principal solicitor of the Act for making the river navigable 
 from Winsford to Nantwich was bought out with a considerable 
 sum." 
 
 After the drawback as to transport was removed by the 
 construction of the Crewe, Shrewsbury, and South Wales Railway, 
 it was hoped that the industry would be revived. Some years 
 ago a scheme was projected whereby the brine was to have been 
 pumped from the pits in Nantwich, conveyed by means of 
 pipes through the town and along the canal banks via Ches- 
 ter to Ellesmere port, a distance of about fifty miles, and 
 there converted into salt. A good deal of opposition was 
 manifested to the scheme, owing to the doubtful advantage 
 it would prove to the town, and eventually the project was 
 abandoned. 
 
 In December 1883, the late Thomas Ward visited Nantwich 
 and reported on a trial boring for brine on the Shrewbridge 
 estate. The borehole was close to the banks of the Weaver on 
 the town side of the railway line to Shrewsbury, on low-lying 
 land. The borehole was carried down to a depth of 300 feet. 
 The strata passed through were the following : — 
 
 10 feet Coarse Clay 
 
 Water bearing 
 
 First brine 
 Weak 1 lb. 
 
 6 
 
 , , Coarse Gravel 
 
 4 
 
 ,, Red Sand 
 
 1-6 
 
 ,, Coarse Gravel 
 
 98-6 
 
 „ Drift Clay 
 
 5 
 
 ,, Loamy Red Sand 
 
734 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 7 feet Clay with. Small Water- worn Brine 
 
 Pebbles 
 
 8 ,, Red sand — very fine Brine 
 
 2 „ Small Gravel " Brine 21 lbs. 1 oz. 
 
 158 „ Small Marls with Traces of 
 Gypsum (not bored through) 
 
 Mr Ward writes : " The brine rises to within a few inches of 
 the surface. I tested the brine from various depths and found 
 it to vary from 1 lb. 10 oz. to 2 lb. 2 oz. per gallon by the Salino- 
 meter. Having carefully examined and tested this boring, I 
 proceeded to a natural brine spring some half mile from the town 
 proceeding across the railway. This spring lies on the low ground 
 near what seems to be an old branch of the Weaver alongside 
 the boundary of the Shrewbridge estate and not far from Shrew- 
 bridge Hall. This spring is in a field close to a farm alongside the 
 highway. This spring has a small wooden protection some four 
 feet square round it and about 6 feet deep, like the entrance of a 
 shaft. It lies close on the bank of the river or branch, and when 
 I reached it the river water covered the spring and its wooden 
 protection. Before I left, the water having fallen, I was able to 
 see the flow, which is barely visible. There is no bubbling or 
 boiling up, and the water gently oozes over and runs into the 
 brook. Tested at the top, the water was 1 lb. 10 oz. to gallon. 
 Taken from some two feet down, after moving it about, it stood 
 at 2 lb. i oz. This is the strongest taken from the spring. I 
 visited the site of the old spring — now Baths — near the Bridge 
 at the rear of the Town Hall. The brine here I was told corre- 
 sponded in strength with the brines I have just mentioned. I 
 could not determine the existence of any subsidences from brine 
 unless close to the Shrewbridge spring and here and there along- 
 side the river. In these cases, not knowing anything of the 
 district nor its history, I could only surmise that they might have 
 been caused when salt was manufactured. There were no visible 
 traces m buildings of cracking and subsidence unless a crack 
 over the window in the Town Hall nearest the bridge is so 
 caused." 
 
 In 1891 a company was registered for the purpose of acquiring 
 property in Nantwich and manufacturing salt from brine, but the 
 promoters failed to obtain the required support and the project 
 was abandoned. 
 
NANTWICH 
 
 735 
 
 The curative properties of the Nantwich brine springs have 
 long made the town an important place as a health resort, 
 
 Boring at 
 nantwich, Cheshire. 
 (Shrewbrioge Estate). 1883. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. ins. 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 16.0 
 
 zo.o 
 
 Zl .6 
 
 IZ0. 
 115 . 
 
 1*0. 
 ItZ.O 
 
 300.0 E. 
 
 sr^* 
 
 tQ n Coarse Clay 
 
 e _ QtCoarse Gravel. 
 4 . o Red Sand. 
 I .6 smeil I Gravel 
 
 Fine 
 Real 
 Clay 
 
 Weak Brine at izi'o" 
 mt>. Boz.). 
 
 98.6 
 5 QLoamy Red Stxnd 
 
 Clay m'th Pebbles 
 7.0 or Boulders 
 
 Reel Sand 
 2 . o Small Gravel 
 
 Brine at 131:0" 
 Brine «r iq-o'.o' 
 (a lbs I oz.) 
 
 Blue otnd 
 Heel Marls 
 with Gypsum 
 not bored 
 through. 
 
 and the Brine and Medicinal Baths, which were opened in 
 1883, have proved a great success. The following analysis 
 
736 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of the brine, made by Dr Frankland, proves the town's 
 right to claim the possession of " the strongest saline baths 
 in the world " : — 
 
 Chloride of Sodium 
 
 14,697-01 
 
 Choloride of Potassium 
 
 135-28 
 
 Bromide of Potassium . 
 
 1-67 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 
 
 15-49 
 
 Carbonate of Soda 
 
 6-95 
 
 Sulphate of Lime 
 
 455-99 
 
 Chloride of Magnesium 
 
 157-90 
 
 Sulphate of Soda 
 
 353-09 
 
 Alumina and Peroxide of Iron 
 
 •253 
 
 Silica . 
 
 ■47 
 
 Nitrate of Soda 
 
 •47 
 
 In that poetical description of his native land, which he called 
 " Polyolbion," Michael Drayton, the friend of William Shake- 
 speare ; celebrates the waters of the Weaver in the following 
 familiar passage : — 
 
 " To Weeuer let os goe, 
 Which (with himselfe compar'd) each British flood doth scorne ; 
 His fountaine and his fall, both Chesters rightly borne ; 
 The country in his course, that cleane through doth diuide, 
 Cut in two equall shares, vpon his either side ; 
 And, what the famous Flood farre more then that enriches, 
 The bracky Fountaines are these two renowned Wyches, 
 The Nant-wyche, and the North ; whose either brynie well, 
 For store and sorts of salts, make Weeuer to excell. 
 Besides their generall vse, not had by him in vain, 
 But in himselfe thereby, doth holinesse retaine, 
 Above his fellow Floods ; whose healthfull virtues taught, 
 Hath of the sea-gods oft, caus'd Weeuer to be sought, 
 For physic in their need ; and thetis oft hath seene. 
 When by their wanton sports, her Ner'ides have beene 
 So sick, that Glaucus self hath failed in their cure : 
 Yet Weeuer, by his Salts, recouery durst assure." 
 
 In connection with the salt industry of Nantwich, and the 
 litigation arising therefrom, I append a photographic reproduction 
 of an old document concerning a salt case which appears to have 
 dragged on from 1696 to 1728, and to ha.ve been lost to public 
 view after the publication of the following statements : — 
 
NANTWICH 737 
 
 John Crew Efa, Appellant, 
 
 Samuel A&on Refpondent. 
 
 The Refpondent^ CASE. 
 
 T 
 
 . H E R E is an aneientiSalc Spring, or Brine Pic, in Namptwicb in the County 
 of Chefter, out of which great Quancitys of Sale were formerly made. 
 
 The Incereft in the faid Brine Fit was time out of mind divided into zi6 
 Shares, each Share confuting of fix Leads-walling, and in the whole make 
 1296 Leads- walling. 
 
 The Proprietors of thefc Shares not being a Corporation, but only a Community or 
 voluntary Society, in order to carry on the Trade of making of Sale with greater Conveni- 
 ency, had feveral approved Rules, Orders, and Cuftoms, couching the Trade of making of 
 Salt out of the faid Brine Pit, which had time ouc of mind been eftablimed and obferved. 
 
 The Proprietors chat lived in Namptwicb aforefaid were called Home-Lords of Walling, 
 and the Proprietors that lived out of the faid Town of Namptwicb were called Out-Lords 
 of Walling ; and by the Cuftom of the faid Place they ufed yearly to choofe three or four 
 Perfons, who were Home-Lords of Walling, co be che Rulers of Walling for the Year en- 
 fuing, who were fworn at the Court Leet held for the Barony of Namptwicb, and chefe 
 Rulers, together with a Majority of the Home-Lords, had the Management of the faid 
 Brine Pic, and could concroul che reft of the Propriccors of the faid Brine Pic. 
 
 In the making Salt out of this Pic all the Proprietors worked in their Turns, and had 
 an Allowance of a fufhxienc Quantity of Brine ouc of the faid Brine Pic, and a certain Time 
 to work ii in , and the Proprietors worked their Turns (called Cales) fomecimes in a Year 
 and fomecimes in more chan a Year 
 
 When che Proprietors made Salt out of che faid Pic for their own Ufe and Profic, that 
 was called Cale-walling, or Walling by turns. But when the Profits of che Brine Pic were 
 applied co the Defenle, Support, or Repairing of the faid Brine Pic, then it was called 
 Pic- walling. 
 
 The Appellant and his Anceftors have been inticled co che Softer Roll, or Eafier Dues 
 
 of Namptwicb aforefaid, and co pare of the fmall Tithes within the faid Panfh, and co 
 
 feveral Modus's and Cuftomary Payments in lieu of fuch Tithes, all which were Parcel of 
 
 the diflblved Monailery of Cumbermere, in the faid County of Cbejler ; and particularly to 
 
 a Payment or Modus for the Tiche of Salt, or other Payment of 1 d. for every of the faid 
 
 Leads- walling, when che faid Brine was worked for che Profit of che Propriecors, which 
 
 was generally payable and paid co che faid Appellanc and his Anceftors ac or abouc Eajler > 
 
 and when all the Shares were worked round, chen che Sum amounced to 5 /. 8 s. 
 
 ]m lfs6 Suni m About the Year 1696 che Refpondent having funk a Brine Pic wichin a circumfcribed 
 
 chtntnj bttvitm the compafs of Ground which was called Walling Land, and having erected a Sale-work and 
 
 preprint™ of rbc old beginning co make Sale chere, co the DifadvanCage of che Proprietors of che faid old Brine 
 
 Brim Pu and the Ri- pj t] feveral Sui^ i n Chancery were commenced becween che Refpondenc and the Proprie- 
 
 Iftmdint. [()rs j: l j lc f a[C j ant j ent Brine Pit, which came to hearing, and IITues were directed therein, 
 
 and two feveral Trials had ac che Bar, which occafioned greac Expenfes on che part of 
 
 the f.iid proprietors of the faid ancient Brine Pic. 
 
 During che Continuance of che faid Suics, which was from che Yea. 1696 to che Year 
 
 1701, che faid ancienc Brine Pic was worked in Pic-walling only, and the whole Profits ari- 
 
 fing chcrefrom, were employed in the Defenfc of the faid antient Brine Pic, and defraying 
 
 the Charges of the faid Suics, and during thofc feveral Years, the faid Modus or Payment 
 
 of 1 d, a Lead-walling was not paid co the Appellant's Mother (who was then intitled to 
 
 die faid Eajler Roll). But the Profics of che faid Brine pit not being fufficient to carry on 
 
 rhe faid Suits, feveral other Sums were advanced for that purpofe by the Proprietors out 
 
 of their private Purfes, and alio the Sum of 800/. and upwards was tJorrowed, and Se* 
 
 airity was given for the fame by feveral of the Propriecors of die faid ancienc Brine Pit. 
 
 The laid Proprietors of the faid antient Brine pic and che Refpondenc being weary of 
 
 rht,fc sum wt *^"th e Expenfe of the faid Suics, Terms of Accommodacion were propofed and agreed Co; 
 
 'tick? of ' ' jiircimeni and accordingly upon che 6th Day of December 1701, Articles of Agreement were entred 
 
 dand 6 Dec. 1701, into becween che Proprietors of the faid old Brine pic on the one Part, and the Refpondent 
 
 tmrcd inio berwetn i on t ] lc 0[ h er pjr^ whereby reciting che faid Suics and Controverfys, and that in Support 
 
 ib, propritieri en Q f tne famt a g rea [ Debt had been contracted, for which feveral of the faid Proprietors 
 
 ' * 'JF'" nac j gi ven Securitys, which were mentioned particularly in a Schedule co che faid Articles 
 
 annexed, and which then remained unpaid ; For compoting of the faid -Differences, che &id 
 
 Proprie- 
 
 3a 
 
738 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 ( * ) 
 
 cd Proprietors did Demife and to Farm let che faid antient Brine Pit and the fole Ufe thereof, 
 
 JL'mbw'p'* » to the Refpondent, his Executors* Adminiftrators,- and Affigns, T-q hold the fame from 
 
 jfa b/pjNtaKjfc- " the 2 5 thDay of March then next enfuing {1702) for the Term of 11 Years, at and un- 
 
 liin. Tkt 11 Ttan j er tne y ear )y Rent of i oo /. for the firir. 10 Years and 50/. for the laft Year of the faid 
 
 tndtd at udy-day Tcr[Tlj payable tq three of the Proprietors of the faid Brine Pic in the faid Articles parri- 
 
 ,7 ' 3 ' -cularlf mentionedj'who were thereby appointed'the Receivers thereof", the faid Rent to be 
 
 applied to the Ufcs following, viz. 5 I. per Annum to certain Alms Men in the faid Town 
 
 of Namptwicb, and the Refidue thereof towards the Difcharge of the faid feveral Debts u\ 
 
 the faid Schedule mentioned, which amounted to the Sum or 872 /. 19 j In which Articles 
 
 it was declared aod agreed, that if the Refpondent mould be molcfted by reafon or any 
 
 Pains or Forfeitures impofed Upon him in the Manor Court of Namptwtcb, that then the 
 
 Articles mould be void upon three Months Warning given ; it being thought by the faid 
 
 Partys unreafonable to expect the Refpondent mould pay the utmofl Rack Rent before in 
 
 the faid Articles referved, if he mould be involved in any future Suits touching the 
 
 Premifes. 
 
 The Refpondent in purfuance of the faid Articles entred upon the faid Brine Pit, and 
 
 made fome Salt out of the fame for about 5 Years and a half of the faid Term, and for 
 
 the Refidue of the faid Term made no ufe of the faid Brine Pit, but paid the faid yearly 
 
 Rent during the faid Term to the Perfons appointed as aforefaid to receive the fame. 
 
 1%, jtfullant; Me- And altho the Appellant's Mother, who lived till the Year 1 7 1 1 , received conftantly 
 
 iht, did not demand every Year all the other fmall Tithes, or fome Modus or Payment in lieu thereof, yet for 
 
 ili id. fit Ltad- f ucn p art of the faid Term as me lived, flic never by her felf or Agents made any De- 
 
 ii>Mnt during f*ih m2n & fr om [ne Refpondent of the faid Modus or Payment of the faid 1 d. per JLcad- 
 
 farl e/lbe lirm a, II- 
 
 jhilrutd. »*iei««jWaUHlg. j . r*Ji»- «■ 
 
 till iht Tttr 171 i,(* D After the faid Term of 1 1 Years was fpent, the Refpondent rented the faid Bnne Pit 
 
 fin was imiiUi t» 1 he f rom t ] lc f a id Proprietors for 2 Years at the Rent of 108/. per Annum, which was at die 
 
 faid PMymtni whin- j^ a[fi Q f- 1QJ _ ^er Share, or each fix Leads-walling, the fame being divided, as aforefaid, 
 
 iw 11 wet dm. .^^ 2i( , Shares, or fix Leads- walling, which faid Rent or Sum of 108/. was to be paid 
 
 ;o the faid Proprietors of the faid antient Brine Pic for their own proper Ufe ; and the 
 
 Refpondent then paid to the Appellant for and on behalf of the faid Proprietors the Sum 
 
 of 5 /. 8 s. for fuch Time as they had the Rent or Profit thereof. 
 
 The Appellant's Mother died about the Year 171 1, whereby the Appellant became 
 inritled to the faid Eafier JRoll and fmall Tithes. 
 3oMayi7!j, iht Upon the 30th Day of May in the Year 172a, the Appellant exhibited his Bill of Com- 
 sfffdtani'i Bill mthipfoint in the Court of Exchequer in the County Palatine of Cbefier, againft the Refpondent, 
 o«r«»/£xfA*fwr»/f ett i J1 g form that he and his Anceftors were feized in Fee of the &\A~Eaflcr Roll, and well 
 ,bt Cwwy P'teUu intic i e j IO tne yearly Sum of id. per Lead-walling, as a yearly Tithe, Duty, Sum, or 
 Arr.a7,"f id. % Modus, and as Part of the faid Eafier Roll ; and chat his Mother (who had for feveral 
 Lfd-wMUiniftrAtti. Years before been incided co the faid Eafier Roll) died about the Year 1 7 1 1, having be- 
 frem th, nar l7 o3, f ore made her Laft Will and Teftament in Writing, and appointed the Appellant the fole 
 fir 11 Tear,. Executor thereof, and that he had duly proved the fame, whereby he became well intitlcd 
 
 to the faid yearly Payment or Modus, for fo many Years of the faid Tenn of 1 1 Years as 
 had incurred during her Life being 9 Years, and chat he was incitled to the remaining 2 
 Years Payment in his own Right, charging chat the Refpondent refufed to pay the faid 1 1 
 Years Arrears of the faid Payment or Modus, and praying to be relieved in the faid 
 Premifes. 
 Tkt Kifftndmfi An- To which Bill the faid Refpondent put in an Anfwer, and afterwards the faid Appellant 
 fwtr. amended his faid Bill, and the faid Refpondent puc in an Anfwer co the faid amended BUI, 
 
 by which faid Anfwers the faid Refpondent did admit that he believed it to be true chat 
 the faid Appellant and his Anceftors were well intided to the faid yearly Payment or Mo- 
 dus of 1 / per Lead-walling ; but whether the fame was an annual Rent, Toll, fmall 
 Tithe, Modus, or of what other Nature fuch Payment was, he faid he did not know, and 
 infilled chat in any Year in which no Salt was made from the faid Brine Pit, or the Profits 
 thereof were wholly applyed in the Repair or in any publick Service of tfce faid Brine 
 Pit and no Diftribution was made of any Profits amongft the Proprietors, that then the faid 
 i d. per Lead-walling was not due or payable to the Appellant or his Anceftors -, and the 
 faid Refpondent furchcr faid, that a Majority of the faid Home-Lords of Walling and the 
 faid Rulers for the Time being,' had demifed the faid Brine Pit, and the fole Ufe thereof, 
 to him for the faid Term of 1 r Years, and that they had Power co bind all Perfons that 
 had any Intercft in the faid Brine Pic j and that they had appointed all the Rent referved 
 upon the fnid Leafe of the faid antient Pit to the Refpondent, to be applied towards die 
 Payment of the Expenfcs of the faid Suits, and that the faid Rent was accordingly applied, 
 and that no Diftribution was made of any Profits amongft the laid Propietors of che faid 
 Antient Pit during the faid Term, and that che faid id, per Lead-walling was ufually paid 
 by the Proprietors of the faid Brine Pit, and that therefore the faid annual Sum of 5 /. 8 j. 
 was not payable at any time during the faid Leafe to the faid Appellant or his Teftatrix -, and 
 that fince the Death of the faid Appellant's Teftatrix, he had never promifed or agreed 10 
 pay the faid pretended Demand or any Part thereof, and did alfo by his (aid Anfwer hum- 
 bly infift upon the Benefit of the Statute of Limitations in Bar thereof. That 
 
NANTWICH 739 
 
 ( i > 
 
 That the faid Appellant replied to the faid Anfwer, and Ilfiie being joined in the faid 
 Caufe and WitnefTes examined, the faid Caufe came to be heard before Nicba/ai SlariieESqi 
 Vice-Chamberlain of the faid County Palatine of Cbefttr, on the 1 8th Day oiOclober 1725. 
 but there being fomc Objections made to the faid Appellant's Evidence, the Caufe was ad- 
 journed upon the Payment of fome fmall Cofts to the Refpondent. 
 C4*fi heard 14 Ma. Upon the 24th of February 1725. the faid Caufe was heard, and two Ilfues were directed 
 172s- The Pattys being difiatisfied with the faid IfTues, .the faid Caufe was reheard upon the 
 
 Ctufi rt-htrd 18 jgtf, j^y f Qsiober 1726. and upon the Re-hearing thereof, the,faid Vice-Chamberlain 
 Oftob. i7J«,«a conceiving that feveral Facts that were doubtful upon the Evidence in the faid Caufe, were 
 ' " ■""" '"' ' neceifary to be cleared in order to the Determination thereof, was pteafed to direct three 
 feveral IfTues to be tried. 
 
 Jffues. Fffti Whether the Penny for every Lcad-walling hath time out of mind been paid to 
 
 the Appellant, or ihofe under whom he claims, when the Profits of the Works were 
 employed in Repairs or other Defenfe of the Works ? 
 
 Secondly, Whether the Penny for every Lead-walling hath time out of mind been paid to 
 the Appellant or thofe underwhom he claims, when the Works were not worked at all? 
 
 Thirdly, Whether the Penny for every Lead-walling hath been ufually paid by the Oc- 
 cupier or Occupiers in his or their own Right, or by the Proprietors of the faid 
 Lead-walling? 
 
 'ijfMi tried in Sep- The faid IfTues were brought to Trial in September ijl?. before Spencer CovuperUtq;, then 
 
 umber 1717. Chief Juflice of His Majefty's Court of Great Seffions at Cbefier, and John Willes Elqj the 
 
 other Juflice of the faid Great Seffions, and the Jury were fworn, and the Appellant fail- 
 ing to prove the firfl of the faid IfTues, and the Reipondent's Counfel offering to proceed 
 to try the faid two other IfTues, which the Appellant's Counfel declining to do, the Appel- 
 lant thought fit to be nonfuited. 
 tuuptUard 16 0&. That afterwards, viz. the Sittings held at Cbefter the 16th Day of O5!ober 1727. the faid 
 1737. a r° n ,ht fl'?' Refpondent fet down the faid Caufe upon the Equity referved for the final Determination 
 'IppclUai'i b"u dif- °^ tne k'd Caufe, at which time the laid Appellant by his Counfel moved the faid Court 
 gufid viitb Cifii. to alter the two EhrfV of die faid IfTues, and to make the firft ItTuc thus, Whether the 1 d. per 
 Lead-walling bad been time out of mind yearly or otberwife paid to the fa d Appellant, or thofe 
 under whom ha tlouned, -when the faid Works were employed in the Repa r or Defenfe of the 
 faid Works ? and that the like Alteration might be made in the Second IfTue, which being 
 oppofed by the Counfel of the Refpondent, the faid Vice-Chamberlain refufed to alcer the 
 faid IfTues as prayed by the faid Appellant's Counfel, becaufe not agreeable to the Demand 
 in the faid Bill ; whereupon the Appellant having become Nonfuit upon Evidence in the 
 Trial of the faid IfTues as aforcfaid, which was tantamount to a Verdict, and the faid Vice- 
 Chamberlain nor being willing to alter the fame, was pleafed to difmifs the Appellant's Bill 
 with Cofts. 
 It* ApftUaitt mavtd The Appellant gave notice the 9th of November 1727. to the Refpondent that he would 
 th» Vut-ChatnhtrUin by his Counfel on Monday the 27th Day of November 1727. move Mr Vice-Cham berlain 
 a7 Not. 1737. m ac his D welling- Ha ufe at Prejlon, to fpare Cofls in this Caufe and at Common Law, and 
 St™ CB fi'- rj, at he might be heard by his Counfel the next Sitting for hearing of Caufes in the Exchequer 
 
 of Cbefier touching the Matter of Cofts. 
 
 Upon which Notice the Refpondent, by his Counfel or Agents, attended the faid Vice- 
 Chamberlain, but the faid Vice-Chamberlain not thinking it reafonabie to fpare Cofts, he 
 was pleafed to fign the Order by which the Sum of 74/. 2 s. was taxed for his Cofls both 
 in Law and Equity. 
 
 From which Order of Difmiffion the Appellant has appealed, but the Refpondent hum- 
 bly apprehends the Appellant is inrided to no Relief, for the following (amongft other) 
 REASONS. 
 
 REASON I For that the faid Payment of 1 d. per Lead-walling if it be a Modus for the Tithe of 
 
 ' Salt, as is pretended by the Appellant, is a Modus for a Tithe which is not due of 
 
 Common Right but by Cuftom only, and it is not reafonabie to prefume that the 
 Proprietors, when by their own Confent they firft fubmitted to pay this Tithe, or the 
 Modus in lieu of it, which they were not obliged to pay of Common Right, mould 
 agree to pay the fame whether the Works were worked at all, or 'whether they were 
 worked to Profit or not, and by that means to fubject themfelves 10 a perpetual 
 Charge, [ho they made no Profit of the Works ; and it appears by the Proofs in the 
 Caufe° that when the Works were worked in Pit-walling, which was for the Repair or 
 Defenfe of the Work, that the 1 d, per Lead then ufed to ceafe ; and it is not pre- 
 tended by the Appellant that from the Year 1696 to the Year 1 702, when the faid 
 Term of 1 1 Years commenced (during which Time the faid Works were worked in 
 Pit-walling, for the Defenfe of the faid Pit in the faid Suits) that the faid Sum was 
 
 paid, 
 
740 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 paid, and as the Profits of the faid Works were employed during the faid Term for 
 the Difcharge of the Debts which had been contracted by the faid Suits in defenfe of 
 the Works, and not to the private Advantage of the laid Proprietors, it does not feem 
 reafonable that the faid Penny per Lead fhould be paid for that Term ; but as by the 
 laid Suits the whole Inheritance of the faid antient Brine Pit was affected, out of which 
 the faid Appellant's Modus or Payment was to iffue, fo itwasjuft that the Appellant 
 fhould be a Sharer with all the other Proprietors in the common Misfortune that 
 they laboured under by the faid Suits ; neither can ic feem reafonable that if the 
 Works had not been worked at all, that this Duty of i d. per Lead-walling fhould 
 have been a fubfifting Charge upon the Proprietors, or that they fhould have paid a 
 Modus in lieu of the tenth Part of the Salt, when they made no Profit of the other 
 nine Parts, or when they made no Salt at all. 
 
 REASON II. For that the faid Appellant could not Support the faid firft Iffue by Evidence at the (aid 
 Trial at Law, by reafon of which he fuffered himfelf to become Nonfuit, which was 
 tantamount to a Verdict ; and the faid Refpondent humbly hopes, that the Refufal of 
 the faid Vice-Chamberlain to after the faid Iffues was jufl and agreeable to the Rales 
 obferved in Courts of Equity* The faid Appellant endeavouring by the faid Applica- 
 tion to the faid Court to vary the Iffues from the Charge and Demand in his Bill , and 
 therefore if the Appellant would make a new Cafe he ought to do it by a new Bill, 
 and thereby give the Defendant an opportunity of making a new Defenfe. But the 
 Appellant fas it fcems), would have acquiefced in the faid Decree of DifmUfion, in cafe 
 the Vice-Chamberlain would havafpared Cofts. Befides the Appellant's Demand is of 
 fo long (landing that it exceeds the Time given by the Statute of Limitation,, and 
 therefore he ought not now to be admitted to demand this pretended Arrear from 
 the Year 1702 to the Year 1713 
 
 WHEREFORE, and for divers other Reafons, the Refpondent humbly 
 hopes that the Decree ana Dijmiffion Jhall be affirmed, ana the faid Appeal 
 difmijfed with Cofts 
 
 Tho. Lutwyche. 
 
 R. WlLRRAHAM, 
 
NANTWICH 741 
 
 ( i ) 
 
 John Crewe, Efq-, Executor of?* ,. 
 Anne Crewe, Widow, toMS PP ' 
 
 Samuel Acton, Gent. Refpondent. 
 The Appellants CASE. 
 
 T 
 
 ^HAT John Crewe, and John Offiey and Anne his Wife, the Appellants 
 Gtandfathcr, Father and Mother, were rclpc£tivcly feizcd and Owocrs 
 of all the EafterRoll or Eafier Book of Ifycbmalhank, alias Nampt- 
 wyeh, in rhe County Palatioe of Chefter, and of all fmall Tythcs 
 within the Parifh of IVicbmalbank, alias Namftwich aforefaid; and of all 
 Modus' s and prefcriptive Payments in Lieu of fuch Tythcs, Parcel of the Pof- 
 ferTions of the late diffolved Monaftery of Cumbermeir in the faid County of 
 Chefter-. and of all Advowfons, Donations, free Difpolitioos and Rights of Fa- 
 tronagc, of all the Rectories, Churches, Vicarages, Chapels, and otbcr.Benc- 
 fices Ecclcfiaftical belonging thereto And there being in the faid Parifli of 
 Wychmalbank. alias Namptivycb, an ancient Brine Pir, diftinguilhcd into 1196 
 equal Shares, called Lead Walling, or into 116 Shares, each of fuch Shares cou- 
 fifting.of fix oX the faid Leads Walling: And the Owners and Proprietors of 
 fuch Shares having always been numerous, and refident at different and diilant 
 Places, conftantly let the fame to farm. And the Farmers and Occupiers there- 
 of have always paid, or ought to have paid at Eafter yearly, in the Parifli 
 Church of i&atnptwich, to the Owners of the faid Eafter Roll, a cuftoraary 
 annual Paymenr of one Penny, for or in Rcfpeet of every of the faid ii96Sharcs ? 
 making in all the yearly Sum of $ I. 8 s as part of the laid Eafter Roll and 
 Tythes; which faid yearly Sum of $ i %s. was accordingly paid rill 1702 At 
 which Time the laid Anne> the Appellant's late Mother, being feized in Fee of 
 the faid Eafter Roll; and (everal Suits having arifeo between rhe Proprietors of 
 the faid ancient Pit and the Refpondent, occafiooed by the Refpondeot's ha- 
 ving opeucd and working a new Pit of his own near the faid ancient Pit, to the 
 Prejudice thereof; the Refpondent, for ending the faid Suits, took a Lcafe of 
 the faid ancient Brine Pit from the then Proprietors of-thc fame for eleven 
 Htfptnitnt tstit a Years, to commence from the ijth of March 1702, at the yearly Rent of 100 /. 
 u*fi of tht fmd eU an£ j agreed, at the Expiration of the faid Leafe, to fupprefs his the laid Refpon* 
 
 Pit jtr tltven lean, a ( rv r 
 
 /r„Dis *iu.i;ci dents laid new Pit 
 
 Aod by .Virtue of the faid Lcafe, the Refpondent enrct'd upon and workt 
 
 the (aid ancient Pit as he thought fit during the faid eleven Years, and ought 
 
 jfptlUaf, mihit during that Time to have paid yearly the laid Sum of f /. 8 s. But the Appcl- 
 
 ti,V»^ftIi'« ,am ' s faid Mother dying in Mayiju, the Benefit of the laid Eafter Roll dc 
 
 Rait fr fcendtJ re ,h* icended to, and became aod now is vefted 10 the Appellant, as her Heir at Law 
 
 jitfiiUBi. ^nd the Refpondent having neglected to pay the fatd j - / %s. /ten Annum, or 
 
 any Part thereof accrcucd during rhe faid Term of eleven Years, the Appellant, 
 
 as Executor of the Will of his laid late Mother, and in his own Right, brought 
 
 jtppilUnt inviht n j s Bill in the Court of Exchequer at Chefler againft the faid Refpondent to 
 
 h " Blii ' } ° May compel him to pay the fame: And the Rclpondcnt by his Anfvcr admitted the 
 
 Right and Title of the Appellant and his faid late Mother to the faid Eafter 
 
 Roll, and" the laid 5/. 8j, per Annum as part thereof, as above (bred. And 
 
 that 
 
742 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 ( * ) 
 
 that he took fuch Leafc for eleven Years of the Paid ancient Pir, ancT occupied 
 and works the fame, and alfo his own new Pit as aforcfaid ; and that he had 
 Notice of the (aid annual Payment before he took fuch Leafc. 
 
 But infifted that the laid $ I. 8 j\ was not due or payable in any Year in which 
 no DiftributioQ of the Rents or Profits of the laid ancient Pit was made to the. 
 Proprietors thereof: And that luch of the Proprietors as lived in Namptwich 
 were called Home Lords of the Walliug; and that a Majority of fuch Home 
 Lords, together with three or four Rulers appointed by the Court-Lcet held 
 for the BarOny of Namptwich afo'refaid, had Power ro make fuch Orders as 
 they thought fir, touching the faid ancient Pir, and that fuch Orders were bind- 
 inf upon all other the Proprietors of the fame ; and that a Majority of the faid 
 Home Lords and Rulers did appoint all the faid Rent refcrved upon the faid 
 Lcale for eleven Years to be applied towards paying the Expences of the faid 
 Suits, and that fuch Rent was accordingly applied ; and that therefore the faid 
 annual Sum of 5 / 8/ was not payable at any Time during the faid Term of 
 eleven Years to the Appellant, or his faid late Mother. 
 Caufibtard 18 oa And theCaufc being at Iffue, and fcvcral WitncfTcs examined on both Sides, 
 ,716 " was heard belore Nicholas Starkie, Efq; Vicc-Chamberlaio of the faid County 
 
 Palafiue of Cbejfer, who, upon hearing thereof, directed three Iflues to be try- 
 Tbru iff*,, dirtti cd ; viz.. Firft, Whether the laid One Penny for every of the faid Shares of the 
 ** faid ancient Brine Pir had Time out o,f Mind beeu paid to the Appellant, or to 
 
 thofe unde-r whom he claims, when the Profits of the faid ancient Pit were 
 employed in the Repairs or other Defence of the Works? Secondly, Whether 
 the faid One Penny for every of the faid Shares had Time out of Mind been 
 paid when the laid ancient Pit was not workt at all? Thirdly, Whether the 
 fjid One Penny per Share had Time out of Mind been paid by the Occupier or 
 Occupiers in his or their own Right, or by the Proprietors or the faid Shares, 
 and appointed the Caufe to come on upon the Equity refcrved at the Sitriogs 
 rhen following: And the faid Iflues being afterwards brought on to Tryal at 
 ttjji at Chtficr the Grand Seflions for the County Palatine of Cbcfter, the n f ' of Sept. 1717, 
 ii Scpi ,]t; cnc Court declared, that the fame were improperly fettled, and therefore re- 
 commended it ro the Appellant and Refpondcnt's Attorneys to confent to with- 
 draw a Juror , but the Rclpondcnt's Attorney refufing fo to do, the Appellant 
 fufTcred himlclf to be nonfuitcd, upon the Court's declaring rhat fuch Noufuit 
 mould be without Prejudice to the Appellant ; and accordingly a Minute or En- 
 jfi ofl 1711, ihc try was then made thereof by the proper Officer of the faid Courr, by the Or- 
 jftiiUni mcviH '«,j er f the Juftices of the Grand Seflions ; after which the Appellant, on the 
 tut' 'ttfitdd *Afr«/i6 lh of OcJober laft, moved the laid Vice Chamberlain to alter the faid IfTues^ 
 ihi v.c-chnmbn but he refufed to alter the fame; and inftead thereof, decreed the Appellant's 
 u,n d,fm>jf c d *"j a id Bill fhould fiand difmid'cd with Cofts, 
 
 jiffnt. Againft which Decree, and the faid Order of the i8 lh of Off. 1716, the Ap- 
 
 pellant has appealed to this Honourable Houic, and hopes that the fame fhall 
 be reverfed for the following Rcalons amongft others 
 Objection I For that the faid annual Payment of 5 I. 8 s per Annum (the Arrears where- 
 
 of during the faid Term of eleven Years arc demanded by the Appellant's faid 
 Bill as aforefaid) is by the Anlwcr of the (aid Rcfpondcnt admitted; and by 
 the Proofs taken and read in the laid Caufc,> appears to be a ccrrain cooflanc 
 annual Payment, Time out of Mind, paid and payable ro the Appellant, or 
 thole under whom he claims, and to be part of the laid E/iflcr Roll, and to be 
 an Intercfl of a different and diflinil Nature from the Inccrcft which the faid 
 Proprietors of the laid ancient Pit have in their refpedtive Shares thereof. 
 II For that neither the Appellant nor his faid Mother, under whom he claims, 
 
 were privy or commenting to any of the faid Suits between the Rclpondent and 
 the faid Proprietors of the faid ancient Pit, nor inrercfled therein, nor were 
 conleuttng to the faid Leafc fo made to the Respondent, nor to any Order or 
 Direction for the Application of any Rent refcrved by that Leafe for the Payment 
 of the Cofls of the laid Suits, nor had any lutercft iu the laid refer ved Rent, nor 
 
 any 
 
NANTWICH 743 
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 any Power to make or confent to the making of any Order for the AppticSrfon 
 of any Part thereof, nor ever had any thing to do therewith. 
 
 Ijl, For that it appears by the faid Proofs in the faid Caufc. that the Appellant's 
 
 Anceftors were Purchatcrs from the Crown of the Benefit of the faid Eajler 
 Roll for a full and valuable Confideration; and it docs not appear by the Proofs 
 or Pleadings in the faid Caufe, that the Appellant or his laid Mother in any fort 
 coufeated or agreed to wave the faid annual Payment during the faid Lcalc, or 
 any part of the faid Term of eleven Years, for which the lame was made; or 
 that rhc faid f/ 8 s. per Annum ihould at any time be liink, or applied to- 
 wards Payment of any Cofts of any of the (aid Suits, or for any other Pur 
 pole. 
 
 IV. Pot that there is no Proof in the faid Caufe that the Payment of the faid 
 $ I. 8 j. has ufually ceafed or been fufpended, or ought fo to be, when no Pro- 
 fit was made by the Proprietors of the faid ancient Pit; therefore the faid 
 Vice-Chamberlain, as the Appellant is advifed, ought not to have directed the 
 faid IiTues, or any of them, nor have difmifled the Appellant's Bill as afore - 
 faid 
 V. For that there was no Colour for making the faid Order upon the Equity re- 
 ftrved, the faid Iffues (if at all material) not having been tryed, and the Ap- 
 pellant having become Nonfuit only upon the Opinion declared by the Ju- 
 ftices of the Grand Sefllons that the IiTues were improperly framed, and a Mi- 
 nute directed to be enter'd, that it fhould be without Prejudice to the Appel- 
 lant. 
 
 Therefore the Appellant humbly hopes, that the faid Order 
 of the i8 qh of October 1716, and the faid decretal Or- 
 der of 'Difmijjion of the i6' h of October 1717, agatnft 
 which he hath appealed, /ball lie reverfed ; and that the 
 Refpondent floall be decreed to pay to the Appellant all the 
 faid Arrears of the faid <I 8s. per Aud. •withCojts. 
 
 P. YoRKE. 
 
 C. Tat iot. 
 
MIDDLEWICH 
 
 The old-fashioned market town of Middlewich, on the River Dane 
 and the Grand Trunk Canal, is of less importance than formerly 
 as a salt-manufacturing centre, but it boasts an ancient and 
 honourable place in the history of the Cheshire Wiches. 
 
 In Domesday Book, Norwich (Northwich) is described as the 
 third Wich in the hundred of Mildestvic, and was in farm at eight 
 pounds. " In it there were the same laws and customs as in 
 the other Wiches and the King and the Earl divided the receipts 
 in the like manner. All the thanes who held salt-houses in this 
 Wich gave no Friday's boiling of salt the year through. Who- 
 ever brought a cart, with two or more oxen from another shire, 
 gave 4 pence for the toll. A man from the same shire gave for 
 his cart 2 pence within the third night after his return home. 
 If he allowed the third night to pass, he was fined 40 shillings. 
 A man from another shire paid 1 penny for a horse load. But 
 a man from the same shire paid 1 styca within the third night 
 after his return, as aforesaid. A man living in the same hundred, 
 if he carted salt about through the same county to sell, gave a 
 penny for every cart, for as many times as he loaded it. If he 
 carried salt on a horse to sell, he gave 1 penny at Martinmas. 
 Whoso did not pay it at that time was fined 40 shillings. 
 All the other customs in the Wiches are the same. This 
 manor was waste when Earl Hugh received it. It is now 
 worth 35 shillings." 
 
 In another part of the same records we read that in the Middle- 
 wich hundred : " Whoever loaded his wain so that the axle broke 
 within a league of either Wich, gave 2 shillings to the King's 
 or the Earl's officer, if he were overtaken within the league. 
 In like manner, he who loaded his horse, so as to break its back, 
 gave 2 shillings if overtaken within the league, but nothing if 
 overtaken beyond it. Whoever made two horseloads of salt 
 out of one, was fined 40 shillings if the officer overtook him. 
 If he was not found, nothing was to be exacted from any other. 
 Men on foot from another hundred buying salt, paid 2d. for eight 
 
 744 
 
MIDDLEWICH 745 
 
 men's loads. Men of the same hundred paid Id. for the same 
 number of such loads." 
 
 An undated Ancient Deed (A.8616) in the Record Office is as 
 follows : " Grant and quit claim by William son of Matthew de 
 Craunathe to Eoger, son of Robert his brother (fratris mei) and 
 the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, of a messuage in the town 
 of Middlewich (Medio Wycho) and a salt put of four vats (salinam 
 de quatuor plumbis) in the same town, which the said Matthew 
 his father gave to the said Robert with Ellen his daughter in frank 
 marriage ; to hold to the said Roger and the heirs of his body, 
 lawfully begotten, in fee and heredity for ever, doing to the chief 
 lords the services due and accustomed and rendering to him and 
 his heirs silver and a pair of white gloves at Christmas, for all 
 service ; with remainder in default of his issue, to Alice, sister 
 of the said Roger and the heirs of her body." 
 
 Of the two Wells of salt water at Middlewich, " which are 
 parted one from the other by a small brook," we learn from 
 Camden's "Britannia," that " one stands not open but at certain 
 set times, because folke willingly steale the watere thereof, as 
 being of greater vertue and efficacie." According to Lawthorp's 
 " Abridgment of the Philosophical Transactions," brine was first 
 met on the River Wheelock at Lawton, then at Roughwood and 
 Wheelock, and lastly at Middlewich, where the River Wheelock 
 flows into the Dane. No brine seems to have been found in the 
 valley through which the Dane flows from Middlewich to North- 
 wich. Dr Lister, in his " Observations on the Midland Salt 
 Springs," written later than lf>70, says that " at Middlewich, also 
 at Nantwich, and all along the River Weaver, which are places 
 many miles distant, sink on either side of the river and you 
 will scarce miss of brine, as I was credibly informed by the most 
 knowing men in that particular. But yet it proves a venture 
 whether the brine will be strong enough to boil and turn to 
 account ; and for this reason their pits sometimes fail them by a 
 small sweet spring breaking into it and sometimes the river 
 Weaver itself does them this mischief." 
 
 From a letter, written in February 1605, describing the salt 
 towns, we read of Middlewich : " There is, in the said town, one 
 hundred and seven salt houses of six leads a peece, and one of 
 four leads and every one of the said houses doth spend yearly in 
 wood the sum of £13. 6. 8, so as there is spent every year within 
 the said town, £1435. 4. 0." 
 
746 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 In the Harleian MS., Folio 251 (a.d. 1636-1838), twenty-two 
 " lords and owners of salthouses " in Middlewich are given. The 
 chronicler prefaces the list with the explanation : " The names 
 of the psons following are as manie as I can learne for the p'sent 
 to bee owners of Salthouses in Middlewich. But the number of 
 their seu'all and respective howses and leads I cannot learne." 
 
 In King's " Vale Royal," 1656 edition, " The Manner of Making 
 Salt at Middlewich " is thus described : " From these brine pits, 
 the brine runneth in wooden troughs over men's heads, from 
 one pit to another : the pits are foursquare, very broad and deep, 
 boarded up on each side, and with great cross beams in the 
 middest, and at the four corners steps covered with lead. Middle- 
 wich is no market town ; yet may it pass amongst them, as well 
 for the bigness thereof, as also it hath Burgesses and other privileges, 
 as the other wiches have, yet it hath a small market of flesh and 
 other things every Saturday, and yearly two fairs : that is to say, 
 on Ascension Day and St Luke's Day. It hath divers streets 
 and lanes, as King Streeet, Kinderton Street, Wich House Street, 
 Lewis Street, Wheelock Street : Pepper Lane : Cow Lane, and 
 Dog Lane. But the chiefest place of all is a broad place in the 
 middest of the Town, in manner of a market place, called the 
 King's Mexon." 
 
 As has been duly noted in another chapter, Middlewich was 
 for a considerable time joined with Winsford in the Weaver Toll 
 Book, and it would appear that Winsford brine was first worked 
 by the salt men of Middlewich. The Weaver was made navigable 
 by the Act of 1721, and the Bridgewater and the Trent and Mersey 
 Canals were not constructed until a later date, so that prior to 
 1721 the Middlewich export trade was conducted via Winsford 
 by road and thence down the Weaver to Liverpool. The Weaver 
 Trustees were at considerable expense in making and maintaining 
 a good road between Middlewich and Winsford for the conveyance 
 of salt, until the construction of the canal enabled shippers to 
 send down their output in barges to the Weaver at Northwich. 
 The Winsford salt trade is of comparatively recent origin, and its 
 beginning was small, the entire works consisting of only four 
 pans of unrecorded dimensions. But as the Middlewich salt 
 went to Liverpool via Winsford, the Winsford make was at first 
 included in it, and at a later period it dwarfed the export of the 
 more ancient town into insignificance. The toll book of the 
 Weaver Trust shows that the salt outputs of Northwich, Middle- 
 

 
 
 
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 747 
 
748 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 wich, and Winsford were, up to 1736-7, lumped together, and, it is 
 recorded on September 29th 1733, the date on which the register 
 was opened, that £1944, 2s. 3d. had been the total joint-tollage 
 paid by the three towns. In 1736-7 the Northwich dues began to 
 be entered separately, but, until 1758, the Middlewich and Wins- 
 ford tolls were kept under one head. The first joint-shipment 
 recorded, on October 1st 1733 was one of 37 tons 17 bushels of 
 salt ; the shippers were Messrs Wrench & Parrot of either 
 Middlewich or Winsford, and the flat conveying it was called 
 " Middlewich." 
 
 In an article on the salt trade of Cheshire published in the 
 London Magazine (1750), the writer describes Middlewich as 
 " about 9 [sic] miles south east of Northwich, a large town 
 governed by burgesses, with a good market on Saturday. It 
 has a fair Church with monuments of persons of note. Here are 
 excellent salt pits, and the inhabitants drive a great trade in that 
 commodity." 
 
 In 1675 William, Lord Brereton, calculated the total annual 
 quantity of salt made at the three Wiches at 26,927 tons. To 
 this amount the five Middlewich makers — Town Works, Barron 
 of Kinderton, Mr Oldfield, Mr George Cronton, and Mr Charles 
 Mainwaring — employing between them 22 pans, contributed 
 107i tons per week, or 5590 tons a year. From 1870 to 1881 
 there were never more than 13 pans working in any year, while in 
 the same period Winsford was working from 517 to 638 pans, and 
 Northwich from 351 to 478 pans. In 1878, the capacity of make 
 in the three Wiches was calculated to be : Winsford and District, 
 1,036,000 tons; Northwich and District, 880,000 tons, and 
 Middlewich and District, 21,000, while the newly developed Sand- 
 bach district had a capacity of 118,000 tons. As, however, the 
 pans on the average had not worked more than two-thirds time, 
 the Middlewich output must be reduced to 14,000 tons for the 
 year, and that of Sandbach to 78,000. 
 
 In 1873, Dickinson reports that " At Middlewich the deepest 
 pit is now 90 yards. The level which the brine takes in some of 
 the pits varies between 25 and 70 yards from the surface. In the 
 most southerly spring it is copious and strong, and, when not 
 kept down by pumping, it rises to the surface ; but in the others it 
 is not fully saturated. 
 
 In the active quest for brine and rock-salt which was prosecuted 
 after the formation of the Salt Union in 1888 the boring operations 
 
750 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 in the neighbourhood of Middlewich were not a little successful. 
 Mr H. Seddon sank a shaft in the immediate vicinity of the Newton 
 Salt-works and found brine, and he struck it again in a boring to 
 the north of the big factory. The most remarkable discovery, 
 however, was made by Mr Murgatroyd in a field close to the 
 railway, and near to a small stream called Sanderson's Brook. 
 Here a shaft was sunk and rock-salt was encountered at a depth 
 of 66 feet from the surface. Though the existence of rock-salt 
 in the district was regarded as certain, this was the first rock- 
 salt actually found there. This top bed is 50 feet thick, and is 
 succeeded, as at Northwich, by 34 feet of undurated marls. This 
 again is followed by a second bed of rock-salt, 94 yards from the 
 surface, and it was bored into 45 feet. A tunnel was made in the 
 top bed in the direction of the railway with an upward inclination, 
 and brine was eventually met with. Brine was subsequently 
 found in a shaft between Murgatroyd's and Newton Salt-works, 
 also near Cledford Bridge, and in a boring on Wallenge Farm 
 along the canal between Middlewich and Wimboldsley. 
 
 At Middlewich the ground is faulty, and the stratifications in 
 the different districts differ greatly. At Murgatroyd's the top 
 bed is 48 feet thick, and 48 feet below that there is a 12-feet bed. 
 At Annan's Shaft, only about 2 chains from Murgatroyd's, there is 
 no rock-salt in it down to the same depth, showing that there is a 
 dislocation between those two shafts. At Malkin's Bank near 
 Lawton, the top bed has disappeared, the second bed is represented 
 by gypseous marl, but it is found by careful examination that 
 these gypseous marls and the sprinkling of salt in it is so small 
 that it is sometimes passed over without being noticed, although it 
 is there. At the Dairy Salt Co , which is a mile and a quarter nearer 
 Northwich than Murgatroyd's, rock-salt was discovered 29 feet 
 6 inches below the surface, while other borings made and shafts 
 sunk to varying depths in the Middlewich district have failed 
 altogether to strike rock-salt. 
 
 Apart from the salt-works of Messrs Yerdin, Cooke, and the 
 Middlewich Salt-works and others, there are very extensive 
 chemical works at Middlewich belonging to Messrs Brunner, 
 Mond & Co., and the Electrolytic Alkali Co., Ltd. The latter 
 company, having gone into liquidation, has been taken over by 
 the Electro Bleach and By- Products, Ltd. The works of Messrs 
 Brunner, Mond, both here and at Wilmington in Northwich, 
 Plumley, just outside Northwich, and Wheelock, Sandbach, etc.. 
 
MIDDLEWICH 751 
 
 are all perfectly equipped, and have an ample supply of brine, 
 which enables this firm, to carry on their extensive business. The 
 Electrolytic Company, now known as the Electro Bleach and By- 
 products, Ltd., had an area of 32 acres, and the whole of their 
 business and plant were erected since the year 1900. They have 
 a brine shaft 200 ft. deep. 
 
 Ormerod, in his " History of Cheshire," in accounting for the 
 fact that the brine in one of the Middlewich pits rose to the 
 surface and overflowed into the brook, says : " This pit very 
 probably is sunk on or near to a fault up which as a conduit the 
 brine rises from the strata forming originally a natural, but now 
 an enlarged artesian spring. From this fault the brine would 
 percolate through the black gravel between the horizontal gypseous 
 beds forming the seeks found in the other pits. The level to 
 which the spring rises is about 120 or 130 feet above the sea." 
 Dickinson maintains that but for the existence of that fault, 
 all the Middlewich brine would flow down to Winsford, and 
 that this shows a separation of the districts. Bock-salt has been 
 found on the south side, while on the north side it does not exist. 
 
 The fact that a fault exists at Middlewich, which prevents 
 pumpers from drawing brine from Northwich or Winsford and 
 causing any damage from subsidence in those districts, was of 
 vital importence to the good people of Middlewich and Sandbach 
 in 1893, when, after the passing of the Brine Pumping (Compen- 
 sation for Subsidence) Bill, an attempt was made to have the 
 four salt districts formed into one compensation area. The 
 Local Government Board held an inquiry, and, after, hearing the 
 evidence, threw out Middlewich and Sandwich. 
 
 In their petition against inclusion the inhabitants of Middlewich 
 showed that they were almost entirely dependent on the salt and 
 chemical trade, and manufacturers were at the time suffering 
 under great disadvantages compared with manufacturers in either 
 Northwich or Winsford, each of those places having direct river 
 communication with Liverpool, and thus effecting considerable 
 saving in carriage. If increased taxes were put upon the brine 
 pumpers of Middlewich, in respect of damage at Northwich and 
 Winsford, to which it was admitted by all they were in no way 
 contributing, the Middlewich District Council were apprehensive 
 that the salt and chemical trades would be restricted, and might 
 ultimately be driven from the district. Such restriction would 
 mean great injury, and such removal absolute destruction to the 
 
3 b 
 
754 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 trade of the town of Middlewich. It may be added that with a 
 rateable value of only £22,000, the rates in Middlewioh, at the 
 present time, are nearly 10s. in the pound. 
 
 With the exception of two slight subsidences at the Ravens- 
 croft and Hammersley's farms, no appreciable subsidence had 
 occurred in the Middlewich and Sandbach districts. In Dickin- 
 son's Report it is stated : " In Middlewich, Wheelock, Malkins 
 Bank, and Lawton, the brine apparently runs very long distances, 
 so that the subsidence is not noticeable in the immediate neigh- 
 bourhood, but the valley near the old shaft at Lawton has sunk, 
 and between Wheelock and the north-western end of Winsford, 
 a distance of about 8 miles, the surface over the line of brine runs 
 is all on the move." Mr J. H. Cooke has commented on the above 
 statement that " the canal runs through the whole length of 
 this district, with 15 locks, and no part of the canal or locks has 
 been affected." 
 
 As there are no rock-salt mines in Middlewich, and no reservoirs 
 of brine formed by the floodings of old workings, the small quantity 
 of salt which is manufactured in the district by the five salt- 
 makers having works there, is made from brine pumped from the 
 upper bed of rock-salt underlying certain portions of the district. 
 It consequently follows that the brine pumping at Middlewich 
 does not and cannot in any way affect the town and district of 
 either North wich or Winsford. The level of the brine in Middle- 
 wich is 48 above Ordnance datum, whereas at Winsford it is 
 about 51 below Ordnance datum, and at Northwich about 60 
 below Ordnance datum, clearly proving that the brine pumped 
 at Middlewich cannot possibly be pumped from either Winsford 
 or Northwich. 
 
 Professor Boyd Dawkins, in his evidence before the Local Govern- 
 ment Board, said : " In the case of Middlewich we have again a 
 division into two main beds of salt, separated by, of course, a 
 layer of marl as in the other deposits. But I ought to mention 
 that at Middlewich these two layers of salt in some pits have a 
 lenticular division of red marl. I mention this because it is only 
 fair to say that this section merely represents one of those typical 
 sections which Mr Dickinson gave years ago, and which may be 
 said to remain the typical section even now. Now, with regard 
 to these sections, I take it that at these two centres of pumping 
 (Northwich and Middlewich) there are these two layers of rock- 
 salt, and I should say, from an examination of these sections, 
 
756 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 that unless there was clear proof that these were isolated from 
 one another by some physical barriers these layers of rock-salt 
 really may be said to belong to the same sheet which is common 
 to the whole of the area having been deposited in this basin which 
 we are all agreed about." 
 
 This conclusion was powerfully challenged, and the practical 
 certainty of the isolation of Middlewich was established by 
 Professor A. H. Green. Having drawn attention to the fact that 
 the distribution of the brine at Middlewich is most capricious, 
 and the levels at which it stands in closely adjoining shafts are 
 very variable, Professor Green stated : " There was an old 
 brine shaft on the north side of the town by the canal, 105 
 yards deep, in which the brine stood 30 yards above the 
 bottom. Then on the opposite side of the canal, not more than 
 50 yards away, the brine rose to the surface in considerable 
 quantity. Again, on the same side of the canal, there was an 
 old shaft about 25 yards deep where the brine rises to within 
 6 or 7 yards of the surface, and it is saturated ; but only a 
 little way to the south of the last shaft, there was one 40 yards 
 deep where the brine did rise to within 20 yards of the surface ; 
 but the quantity was very small, and from the bottom of that 
 shaft, the boring of which you have already heard was put down 
 to a depth of 564 feet, and no brine at all or salt was found in it. 
 Facts like these seem to me to be explicable only on the supposi- 
 tion that Middlewich is a very faulty distric (• — that there are a great 
 many faults separating the brine and keeping it at different levels 
 in different adjoining shafts, and that in all probability these faults 
 are numerous enough and large enough to completely isolate 
 Middlewich from any other of the salt pumping areas, except 
 perhaps Sandbach." 
 
 It was further sought to maintain that the pumps at Winsford 
 and Middlewich must draw their brine from very long distances, 
 in consequence of the amount of magesiuni that it contains, and 
 the reason given for believing that the Middlewich pumps draw 
 from the Northwich district was on account of the amount of 
 magnesium existing as chloride. There was said to be more 
 magnesian chloride in the brine at Middlewich and Winsford 
 than there is at Northwich, and as the alkali works at Middlewich 
 have not been established long ago to allow calcuim chloride — one 
 of the waste products of alkali manufacture — to percolate the 
 soil, it was contended that the brine must be draw a from North- 
 
MIDDLEWICH 757 
 
 wich which, is impregnated with the calcium salt from the North- 
 wich works decomposed to magesuim chloride. But an analysis 
 of brine at the Dairy and Domestic Company's shaft revealed the 
 fact that the Middlewich supply contained only sulphate of 
 magnesium and no choride of calcium, so that ingenious attempt 
 to trace Middlewich's brine to the Northwich source failed. - [ 
 
 The following particulars relating to the borehole at Cledford 
 Bridge is from a report by Mr A. Timms, F.G.S., dated May 1897 : 
 " In the years 1890-1, my firm made a boring at Cledford 
 Bridge, near Middlewich, for C. F. Yorke, Esq., London. The 
 field on its east side adjoins thf L. & N. W. Railway Co.'s branch 
 line from Northwich to Sandbach Junction of the main line to 
 Manchester and London, on the south by Cledford Lane, and is 
 separated on its west side by two plots of land from the Trent 
 and Mersey Canal. The boring was made at a point 1133 yards 
 from the nearest worked brine shaft in Middlewich : the section of 
 the strata was as follows : — 
 
 ft. in ft. in. 
 
 Drift (soil, brickclay, and gravel) 
 
 28 
 
 
 
 
 
 Keuper Marls 
 
 152 
 
 6 
 
 180 
 
 6 
 
 Mixed Marl and Rock-Salt 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 191 
 
 » 
 
 Keuper Marl 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 203 
 
 
 
 Mixed Marl and Rock-Salt 
 
 36 
 
 
 
 239 
 
 
 
 Red Marl 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 245 
 
 
 
 Marl and Salt Rock 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 255 
 
 
 
 Red Marlstone (Query Flag) 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 256 
 
 
 
 Salt Rock 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 286 
 
 
 
 Red Marl 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 290 
 
 
 
 " The first signs of brine was at 180 ft. from surface, viz., 7 
 oz. per gallon ; at 251 ft. the strength was 2 lb. 6 oz. per gallon, 
 at 261 ft. 6 in. the strength was 2 lb. 10 oz. per gallon or fully 
 saturated brine. The standing level of the brine is 46 ft. below 
 the surface, which is 130 ft. above Ordnance datum. At another 
 boring made by my firm If miles west proved 172 ft. of salt rock 
 within a depth of 460 ft." 
 
758 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Middlewich District 
 List of Brine Shafts and Bore Holes. December 1891. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Level of 
 
 
 No. 
 
 Name. 
 
 Description. 
 
 Depths 
 
 of 
 Shafts. 
 Yards. 
 
 Surface 
 of Ground 
 
 above 
 Ordnance 
 
 Datum. 
 
 Level of Bottom 
 of Shaft, Ord- 
 nance Datum. 
 
 1 
 
 Field Shaft 
 
 Not Work- 
 
 25 
 
 89-27 
 
 14-27 above 
 
 2 
 
 Yeoman's 
 
 ing _ 
 Working 
 
 110 
 
 103-88 
 
 226-12 below 
 
 3 
 
 Wheel Shaft 
 
 Not Work- 
 
 30 
 
 87-57 
 
 2-43 below 
 
 4 
 
 Pepper 
 
 Street 
 
 ing 
 Not work- 
 ing 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 In yard 
 On site of 
 
 Closed 
 Closed 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 Milk Factory 
 Dairy & Do- 
 mestic Salt 
 
 Working 
 
 About 
 100 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 Company 
 Ravenscroft 
 
 Closed 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Seddon 
 
 Working 
 
 Over 
 100 
 
 90-93 
 
 209-07 below 
 
 10 
 
 Dairy & Do- 
 mestic Salt 
 
 Working 
 
 68 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 Company 
 Cheshire 
 Alkali Co. 
 
 Working 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 Amans Co. 
 
 Working 
 
 About 
 81 
 
 
 
 13 
 14 
 
 Murgatroyd 
 Bore Hole 
 
 Working 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 Old Shaft 
 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 Bore Hole 
 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 Bore Hole 
 
 
 
 
 
m "ySALT WORKS 
 
 flfliwe 
 Pit 
 
 Plan of the Middlewieh District, 
 
 750 
 
Section from Winsford (way's green) to Middleyhch (Mvrgatroyd) 
 
 ORDNANCE 
 
 at WinsforcH 
 
 Cotncileit M\doilemch J 
 
 - Brine in 
 
 ~ Yeoman's Sn&ft 
 
 ROCK SALT : 
 
 . I7Z 
 
 ■ 185 3 
 
 I l l I 1 I I 
 
 Horizoirtptl Scale 
 
 I HILL 
 
 =1 
 
 98 
 
 5 Tunne* 
 14-8 
 ,ea 
 ROCh 
 
 8e 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 ido 75 so es 
 
 I 1 I I I- 
 
 verticoii Scale 
 
Section of the 
 Miodlewich Salt District 
 
 Midc/lew/ch 
 
 ORDNANCE 
 
 Shaft- 
 Bottom 
 
 HZ 
 
 220 
 
 'BRINE 
 
 DATUM 
 
 t 
 
 R H 48 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 R.H 98' 
 Tunnel 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 "■ ^-148' 
 
 IBZ' 
 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
 2Z7' 
 
 ' I I k ° 
 
 I i I i I ' I i -I 
 
 Horizontal Scale 
 
 248 
 
 Tapped 
 Brine 
 
 syiiLE 
 
 ioo 75 50 es o 
 
 soft 
 
 Vertical Scale 
 
 7K1 
 
5ECTI0N AT 
 MURGflTBQYOS, 
 MlDOLEWICH. 
 
 Depth 
 rt Ins 
 
 Thickness 
 Ft Ins 
 
 « 
 
 190 .0 
 
 £4B.O 
 
 aez .o 
 
 3Z7.0 
 
 
 
 ZSZ 
 
 ZL1 
 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 4-B.O 
 
 Sali 
 
 Clay 
 
 156-0 
 
 ROCK 
 SALT. 
 
 Marl 
 
 30--O 
 
 ROCK 
 SALT. 
 
 MIODLEHICH 
 Murgatroyds. 
 
 Drift 
 Sand 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 Keuper 
 
 
 M1DDLEHICH 
 
 Ampin's. 
 
 Marls fz: 
 fe 
 
 Rock 
 Salt 
 
 Drift 
 
 Keuper 
 
 Marls 
 
 fe 
 
 Small supply 
 of Brine 
 
 4-5.0 
 
 10 BO 30 40 50 
 
 1 I I -t- 
 
 Scale of Feet 
 
MIDOLEWiCH 0airy Domestic 
 Seadon^s Company. 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 Boulder 
 Clay 
 
 <-P^L 
 
 Keuper 
 
 red 
 Marls 
 mth 
 Grey 
 partings 
 fe 
 
 ricng 4" 
 
 (Water Salty) 
 
 Red Marl 
 
 with 
 Gypsum 
 
 (Brine QI50ZS.) 
 
 (Brine lib. 4- ozs) 
 Flag £" 
 
 Red 
 
 and 
 
 (Brine z lb. Eots) 
 
 blue £- 
 Marl 
 
 Hetrei blue 
 
 Marl and 
 
 Honey-combed ring 
 
 Softer bed bui' 
 
 Honey- combed. 
 
 (Brine Z lbs. Zozs) 
 
 (Bring z lbs. 9ozs) 
 
 SXg 
 
 Keuper 
 
 red 
 
 and 
 blue 
 Marls 
 with 
 Gypsum 
 (good brine) 
 
 Flag blue 
 
 Honey-combed Man 
 and Rock So/It 
 
 Rock Salt 
 
 J-V.-I 
 
 (0 £0 30 t0 SO 
 
 Boring at 
 Cledfofw bridge, 
 
 MlDDLEVYICH. 
 
 Depth. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 26.0 
 
 Thickness 
 Ft Ins. 
 
 Scats of Feet 
 
 180.6 
 191 .0 
 203.0 
 
 239.0 
 2*5.0 
 
 255.0 
 256.0 
 
 286.0 
 290.6 
 
 
 L«5fc.-*»_-.rv£z 
 
 Drift 
 
 28.0 
 
 'Keuper 
 
 Marls. 
 
 152.6 
 
 to .6 
 
 Mixed Marl & 
 ROCK SALT. 
 
 izH==i=~3=: Keuper Marl. 
 
 Mixed Marl & 
 ROCK SAL.T., 
 
 Tz 3e '°Red Marl. 
 
 6 .0 
 
 Marl & 
 
 m „ ROCK SALT. 
 
 "j -_g flee* Marlstone. 
 
 ROCK SMLT. 
 
 30.0 
 
 4. " Red Marl. 
 
 763 
 
764 
 
Messrs Sedoon & sons, Kinderton salt 
 Works, Middlemch,. Cheshire 
 
 i r 
 
 J 
 
 in 
 Q 
 oc 
 
 K 
 
 IS 
 
 I • 
 
 a 
 
 -| r 
 
 I i 
 
 or 
 
 YARD 
 
 YARD. 
 
 J 1- 
 
 l—O. 
 
 ROAD 
 
 <?0 30 ZO 10 
 
 ! toil 'ill 
 
 tO FEET 
 
 T<35 
 
SANDBACH AND WHEELOCK 
 
 Sandbach 
 
 Sandbach is an inland township, having an area of 2693 acres, 
 and a population, according to the last census (1895), of 5824, 
 residing in about 1300 houses. The town boasts a grammar 
 school that dates back to 1594, and has some reputation for its 
 manufactures of boots and shoes, fustian and iron ; but although 
 it is in its infancy as a salt town, the making of salt has already 
 become its principal industry. Domesday Book is silent on the 
 subject of the market town of Sandbach, and you will search 
 the salt records in vain for any mention of it or of its nearest 
 neighbour, Wheelock, on the river from which it takes its name. 
 Sandbach does not come into the pannage statistics until 1870, 
 when she is credited with the possession of 60 pans, a total 
 which she gradually increased to 69 ten years later. In 1878, 
 her capacity make of salt — and in these calcalations Wheelock is 
 included in the Sandbach district — was 118,000 tons, but as no 
 more than an average of two-thirds time was worked in that year, 
 the output was about 78,000 tons. It was a small total compared 
 with the million and a quarter tons of salt produced at Winsford 
 and Northwich, but it was 64,000 tons in excess of the quantity 
 manufactured at ancient Middlewich, and represents, in the form 
 of brine, a yearly extraction of 48,750 cubic yards of rock-salt. 
 
 There is no rock-salt mining in Sandbach, and no subsidence 
 in the neighbourhood that can be attributed to the operations 
 of the two manufacturers who pump the brine in the town- 
 ship. As in the case of Middlewich, the Local Government Board 
 decided to exclude Sandbach from the compensation area — a 
 conclusion that was inevitable since even Professor Boyd Dawkins 
 admitted that it was not possible for the pumpers in Sandbach to 
 draw brine from Northwich or Winsford, since the level of the 
 rock-salt head was so much higher in Sandbach than at either 
 Winsford or Northwich. As far as is known, the Sandbach 
 supply of brine is separate from that of Middlewich, but it is 
 impossible to speak with certainty on this point. 
 
 766 
 
SANDBACH AND WHEELOCK 
 
 769 
 
 Wheelock 
 
 Wheelock, on the River Wheelock, is, with Sandbach, at the 
 south-eastern extremity of the Cheshire Salt district. In Dickin- 
 son's Report we read : " At Wheelock the [Trent and Mersey] 
 canal is 10 locks, or 87| feet above the North wich level = 156 
 feet 9 inches. The new brine shaft there is 282 feet deep to the 
 rock head, and the top of it being about level with the canal, makes 
 that rock-salt, 125 feet below the spring tide level at Runcorn. 
 The brine rises to 96 feet below the canal level, or 60 feet above 
 the ordinary spring tide level. 
 
 " At Malkin's Bank the canal rises four more locks, or 42 
 feet = 198 feet 9 inches, but the top of the brine shaft there, 
 which is in the valley at about the same level as the Wheelock 
 one, is apparently on the same run of brine, as the brine rises and 
 falls in each shaft with the pumping in the other." 
 
 In the same report, Dickinson says : "At Malkin's Bank 
 the pits are now 75 and 77 yards, and bored to 80 yards ; the 
 brine stands at 63 yards when the pumps are at work, but rises 
 two feet higher when they have been standing 24 hours. At 
 Wheelock the d ee P est shaft is 88 yards, and bored six yards 
 below that, and the level to which the brine rises is between 30 
 and 35 yards from the surface. In the other shaft it rises and 
 falls with the brine at Malkin's Bank." 
 
 Wheelock District 
 
 No. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Name. 
 
 Depth 
 
 of 
 Shaft 
 
 in 
 Feet, 
 
 Level of 
 Surface 
 above 
 Ord- 
 nance 
 Datum. 
 
 Level of Bottom of 
 Shaft. 
 
 New Shaft (not working) 
 Top W or ks, shaft work- 
 
 210 
 
 240 
 
 55-25 
 171-34 
 
 
 3 
 
 ing 
 No. 3 shaft working 
 
 166-5 
 
 176-45 
 
 9-95 above O.D. 
 
 4 
 
 No. 2 shaft 
 
 166-5 
 
 174-34 
 
 7-84 do. 
 
 5 
 
 No. 1 shaft (Malkin's 
 
 198 
 
 195-28 
 
 2-72 below O.D. 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 Bank) 
 Hass.all Green (closed) 
 Lawton shaft 
 
 210 
 
 263-96 
 
 53'96 above 
 
 8 
 
 Law]fcon Hall shaft 
 
 240 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Whitehall Stall 
 
 168 
 
 
 
 3 c 
 
Brine Shaft at Malkins Bank, 
 Sanobach, Cheshire. 
 
 /885-S. 
 
 N9 16 
 WHEELOCK 
 Top Works. 
 
 Oepth. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 
 5 
 10.0 
 
 25.0 
 £7.0 
 
 37 
 
 88.6 
 
 106.6 
 
 W9 . 
 
 133. 
 197.0 
 
 235.0 
 239.0 
 
 279.0 2225 
 
 £98.0 
 3/3.0' 
 
 Thickness. 
 Ft. Ins. 
 5 . Red Clay &, Loam. 
 
 5 . Ory Sand. 
 Quicksand. 
 
 '6.0 „, 
 2 . Clay. 
 
 Quicksand. 
 18.0 
 
 Reel Marl 
 & Marlsfone. 
 
 Blue Marl. 
 Red Marl 
 & Marlsfone. 
 
 Blue Mar/. 
 
 Fled Marl 8. 
 
 Mar/stone. 
 
 Blue Mart. 
 
 Red & Blue Marl 
 
 mixed with cypsum 
 
 Fled Marl 
 &. Marlsfone. 
 
 Z ,0-^r-Blue & Red Marltvith 
 4.0-, \„ ROCK SALT. 
 
 I Bottom of SFt. shaft. 
 Red Marlsfone 
 
 ROCK SALT & 
 
 Red Marlsfone. 
 32. 
 4.0 ROCK SALT rvith 
 Blue & Red Marl. 
 
 Hed and Grey 
 Marlsfone. 
 
 30 -° Oo. Kith traces of 
 10.0 ROCK SALT. 
 
 Red and Grey 
 Marlsfone. 
 
 19.0 
 
 Raised Ground 
 
 Quicksand 
 (Drift) 
 
 Brown 
 
 and 
 Blue 
 
 Mar/ 
 
 and 
 Marlsfone 
 
 is.o'' 
 
 ROCK SALT 
 
 Marls 
 
 With 
 three 
 layers 
 
 of 
 Gypsum. 
 
 Brown Marl 
 & Marlsfone 
 with Hock Salt. 
 
 10 2.0 30' to so 
 
 1 i 1 1 1 1 
 Scale of Feet 
 
771 
 
LAWTON 
 
 In the accurate and indispensable " Kelly's Directory of Cheshire," 
 we read : " Lawton is a parish and scattered township on the 
 borders of Staffordshire, on the Trent and Mersey Canal and 
 the road from Hanley, Staffs. , to Sandbach, with a station on the 
 Sandbach branch of the North Staffordshire railway, and is six 
 miles south-west from Congleton and five south-east from Sand- 
 bach, in the Crewe division of the county, hundred and petty 
 sessional division of Sandbach, rural deanery of Congleton, and 
 diocese of Chester. The church of All Saints', originally Norman, 
 is a plain edifice, chiefly of brick, consisting of nave and an 
 embattled western tower of stone, with four pinnacles, and con- 
 taining a clock and eight bells : the nave was rebuilt in 1803 and 
 the tower restored in 1873. On the south side of the nave is a 
 Norman doorway, highly ornamented. The church contains 
 monuments to the family of Lawton ; the registers date from 
 the year 1559. The living is a rectory in the gift of J. W. E. 
 Lawton, Esq., and held since 1864 by the Rev. Samuel Nunn, 
 M.A. The population in 1901 was 850." 
 
 " Lautune," before and after the Conquest, was divided into 
 two unequal portions, both of which were possessed by Godric 
 in the time of the Confessor, and both became the property of 
 Hugo de Mara, and occur together in the Domesday Survey as 
 follows : — 
 
 " Hugo (de Mara) tenet de comite Lautune ; Godric tenuit et 
 liber homo fuit : ibi und hida geldabilis : terra est III. carucarum ; 
 wasta est ; silva ibi una leuva longa, et una lata ; et una acra 
 prati— T.E.E., velebat XVI solidos." 
 
 " Hugo tenet de comite Lautune ; ibi dimidia hida geldabilis ; 
 terra est III carucarum ; wasta est : silva ibi una leuva longa, 
 et una lata : T.R.E. valebat xx soldios." 
 
 This Hugo de Mara, founder of the Barony of Montalt, gave 
 Lawton to the Abbey of St Werburgh in Chester, and the general 
 confirmation oharter of the gift, in which the name of " Lautune " 
 occurs as Lawton, remained in the archives of the abbey until 
 
LAWTON 
 
 773 
 
 the Civil War. In the reign of Henry III. one moiety of the town- 
 ship of Lawton was held, under Chester Abbey, by a family which 
 bore the local name, as we learn from numerous grants to the 
 Abbots of St Werburgh. These grants included half the manorial 
 rights, tithes, and offerings, land for the abbot to make a fosse for 
 the protection of his buildings, and minor donations. This moiety 
 remained in the. possession of the De Lawton family until about 
 
 Section from Wheelock to the Lawton 
 Salt District. 
 
 Horizontal Scale 
 
 Vertical Scale 
 
 the middle of the thirteenth century, when Ranulph de Lawton's 
 daughter and heiress, Cecilia, married Roger de Cromlegh, and 
 the estates were inherited by the issue of that union. The other 
 moiety, which must also have been held under Chester Abbey, 
 was acquired by Robert de Davenport, who settled at Lawton 
 in the reign of Henry III. and assumed the local name. In the 
 laboured pedigree of the Davenports, which is to be found in the 
 Harley MS. ir the British Museum, he is described as the ancestor 
 of the Lawtons of Lawton, and the claim is supported by the 
 armorial bearings of the Lawtons, which differ from those of the 
 
774 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LAWTON 
 
 Salt Works, 
 Cheshire. 
 
 Keuper 
 
 Marls. 
 
 Hock Salt 
 
 Marls einci 
 Marlstone 
 
 Rock Salt 
 
 Marls 
 oinol 
 
 Mar 1st one ~fjy±. 
 
 Rock Salt 
 
 Lowest 3o!o" the 
 purest, the brine 
 possesses full 
 strength, about 
 tlbs ioois to the 
 gallon 
 
 ZLZ. 
 
 
 m 
 
 -\--T 
 
 ~T 
 
 T 
 
 i 
 
 Davenports only in the substitution of a fesse charged with a 
 cinquefoil for the Davenport chevron. There is, however, a 
 hiatus from Henry III. to the reign'of Henry VI., when the Lawton 
 
 pedigree commences and proceeds 
 in an unbroken chain. 
 
 The capital rights continued 
 vested in the Abbot of Chester, 
 who, in his plea, 31 Edw. III., 
 claims to have court-leet and view 
 of frank-pledge at his manor-house 
 of Lawton, and free-warren in his 
 demesne land here, by grant from 
 Edward I. 
 
 After the dissolution of the 
 monasteries, the manor and the 
 patronage of the church were 
 purchased from the Crown, 33 
 Hen. VIII., by William Lawton 
 of Lawton. 
 
 " Inquis. port-mortem 6 Edw. 
 VI. William Lawton, gent, held 
 the manor of Lawton with court- 
 leet and free- warren in the same, 
 and the advowson of the church 
 of Church-Lawton from the King 
 in capite by military service as 
 the twentieth part of a Knights 
 fee, and the render of xxiv s. per 
 annum, val. xi.L. xs. viiid. also 
 la.nds in Lawton and Alsager, 
 val. ixL. xs." 
 
 William Smith, an Elizabethan 
 pursuivant of the Heralds Col- 
 lege (Rouge Dragon, 1597), and 
 a native of Cheshire, described 
 what he would have called his 
 "perambulation" of the county 
 in 1585, in a voluminous work entitled " The Vale Royall of 
 England, or Countie Palatino of Chester." The handsome 
 manuscript of this work, illustrated by the author, is preserved 
 at Oxford, but the book was published in 1656 by Daniel King, 
 
 J 
 
 "1 
 
 V"? 
 
 y~> 
 
 i 
 
 ?, to i 
 
 -K » IS 
 -§"1 1^ 
 
 10 80 30 40 50 
 
 Scale of Feet 
 
 '00 
 
LAWTON 
 
 775 
 
 to whom the authorship is erroneously attributed. William 
 Smith speaks of " Lawton Gate " as a good point for beginning 
 his view of Northwich hundred, and refers to Lawton Church as 
 " being near unto it, and by the same the ancient seat and hall 
 of Lawton, where there have continued many descents of esquires 
 of the same name, the heir of the house now in minority, and 
 matched into the noble race of the Sneyds, a name of great worship 
 
 Plan showing Situation of the Lawton Salt-works. 
 
 and account, and of ample revenues in Staffordshire ; which I 
 rather note because they have great possessions in this county, 
 and especially the city of Chester boasteth, that hence they had 
 their original." The foregoing is given as a specimen of the author's 
 style which can hardly be praised for lucidity. 
 
 Lawton Hall, a handsome and spacious brick building, now 
 appears to have been turned into a boarding-house, and there are 
 two good schools in the village with an average attendance of 
 250 children. The churches are generally handsome : that of 
 Astbury is decidedly pre-eminent. Lawton is, however, the only 
 
776 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 one which retains vestiges of Norman architecture. Unfor- 
 tunately the nave had to be rebuilt in 1803 and the tower restored 
 in 1873. A fine Norman doorway remains in the south side of 
 the nave. 
 
 The discovery of the upper bed of salt at Northwich in 1670 
 gave an enormous impetus to the salt trade of the district, but the 
 existence of the lower bed does not appear to have been suspected. 
 For a hundred years Northwich continued to be the only part 
 of the kingdom in which rock-salt was worked, but in 1779 the 
 search for brine in the Lawton district revealed the existence of 
 another rock-salt deposit. This discovery prompted the North- 
 wich proprietors to undertake those further boring operations 
 which were rewarded by the finding of the lower bed in the follow- 
 ing year. At Lawton the first layer of rock-salt was encountered 
 at a depth of 120 feet, and at a farther depth of 30 feet a bed of 
 12 feet of rock-salt was discoverd. This was afterwards bored 
 through, and at a farther depth of 45 feet another bed of rock-salt 
 was found. The extent of this lower bed is not known, as it has 
 not been bored through, but it has been proved to be a further 
 extensive deposit which has not been pierced at a thickness of 
 72 feet. A large quantity of salt was made at Lawton from 1779 
 onwards, and a house is still standing known as King's House, 
 which the inspectors used to occupy in the days when the salt 
 tax had to be collected. This building is now occupied by the 
 Manager of the Commercial Salt Company. 
 
 The thickness of the top bed of salt at Northwich, furnishing 
 such an abundant supply, and the fear of meeting with springs 
 at a lower depth, which might impede the working of the pits, 
 combined to dissuade the owners from exploring deeper in that 
 district. But the fact that no inconvenince from this cause had 
 been experienced at Lawton, where a much thicker layer of 
 purer salt had been found, moved the Northwich owners to further 
 efforts. In 1780 the bed of undurated clay beneath the upper 
 salt bed was pierced to a depth of some 30 feet, and the lower- 
 stratum of rock-salt underlying the clay was located. 
 
 The records of the salt industry of Lawton are few and in- 
 complete, but Dr Henry Holland, in his " Agriculture of Cheshire," 
 gives the amount of salt made in Lawton from May 1805 to 
 May 1806, and disposed of for home consumption, as 3901 tons. 
 In 1873 the production of salt from brine alone in Wheelock and 
 Lawton is returned at 100,000 tons, and the Government Report 
 
778 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of the Salt Districts, published in August 1882, returns the output 
 of Wheelock and Lawton at the same figure. 
 
 Dickinson, in 1873, alludes to two abandoned rock-salt mines 
 at Lawton, one near the Lawton old brine shaft, both of which 
 are believed to have been sunk in 1779, and another on the 
 opposite side of the brook, lower down the valley. Of the brine 
 pits in the district, one in Odd Rode, which had been worked by 
 a water-wheel since 1779, another at Hassel Green, and a third 
 at Malkin's Bank (where large salt-works were afterwards erected 
 by the Salt Union and Messrs Brunner, Mond) had been closed 
 down, and a pit at Roughwood had fallen in and been abandoned. 
 
 " At Lawton," Dickinson writes, '' the canal rises 10 more 
 locks or 84 feet i inches = 283 feet 1 inch, but the top of the brine 
 shafts are in the valley about 60 feet below, or 223 feet above, 
 the spring-tide level. The shafts are about 120 feet to the rock- 
 head. The top of that rock-salt is therefore 103 feet above the 
 ordinary spring-tide level. The present shafts are sunk through 
 the rock-salt to 222 feet in depth. The brine rises to 196 feet 
 from the surface, and lowers 12 feet with pumping ; the highest 
 level of this brine, therefore, is 27 feet above the ordinary spring- 
 tide level." 
 
 The exact situation of this salt deposit is at Rode Heath, 
 Lawton, and the brine shaft at present being worked is in the 
 valley. There is an excellent flow of brine, or " brine run " as it 
 is called, from which the Commercial Salt Company are able to 
 make some of the finest salt in Cheshire. Salt has been manu- 
 factured here for over 130 years without depleting the salt de- 
 posits, which would appear to be unlimited and capable of yielding 
 brine for the manufacture of salt for many generations to come. 
 
 It will also be observed that the pumping operations at Lawton 
 have been accompanied with no damage to property. Writing 
 on this question of subsidences, Dickinson says : ''At Lawton, 
 Wheelock and Malkin's Bank, the brine apparently runs from 
 long distances, so that subsidence does not seem to have been 
 noticed in the immediate neighbourhood, unless it be in the valley 
 beyond the old brine pit at Lawton. These brine pits are 21 
 miles north-east from the sinkings between Crewe and Sandbach 
 stations hereinafter described, and now, at about two miles 
 north-east of the brine pits, subsidence appears to be commencing 
 between Arclid and Sandbach Heath." 
 
 Damage from subsidence is impossible at Lawton, the rock- 
 
780 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 salt being at such a high elevation that if the whole deposit 
 were to be dissolved and raised in the form of brine, the land 
 would not fall below sea-level. It has been suggested from time 
 to time that the salt-works at Lawton are drawing their brine 
 from Northwich or Winsford ; but since at these latter places the 
 rock-salt now left lies below sea-level, the brine would have to 
 run up-hill to reach the shafts at Lawton — a fact that immediately 
 exposes the absurdity of the contention. 
 
 By referring to the section on page 143 it will be seen that 
 the Cheshire Salt Field commences at Lawton, where the salt 
 is found above ordnance datum, and the Lawton district has been 
 described as the south-east lip of the salt basin. It is just before 
 arriving at this point, where there is a break in the country, that 
 the coal measures come up to the surface. This section also 
 shows the boring put down to a depth of 2610 feet at Marston 
 by the Salt Union in their attempt to find coal. This plan 
 shows the task to have been a hopeless one, as it is almost 
 certain that coal could only be found at such great depth 
 that the cost of working it would be more than the mineral 
 is worth. 
 
 The sections on page 148 give a very good idea of the position 
 and thickness of the beds of rock-salt at Lawton, Winsford, and 
 Marston, but it must be borne in mind that the lower bed of rock- 
 salt at Lawton is only shown as far as it has been proved, and it 
 is believed to extend to a much greater depth . 
 
 The section on page 151 is also of interest, as it shows the 
 position of the beds of rock-salt from Lawton to Wheelock and 
 Middlewich, on to Northwich, and in addition it gives particulars 
 of the brine levels. 
 
 The salt-works at Lawton are very conveniently situated, princi- 
 pally with regard to coal, which is worked within two miles of 
 the Lawton Salt-Works. This proximity represents a great 
 saving in the case of a manufacture in which so much fuel is used , 
 and gives the district a distinct advantage over all the other salt- 
 works in Winsford, Middlewich, Northwich, etc. The works 
 are, also, splendidly situated on the canal which runs into the 
 Midlands, and consequently brings those markets much nearer to 
 Lawton than to any of the other salt-works. 
 
 When the Salt Union was formed in 1888 the salt-works at 
 Lawton were being worked by private owners, who sold the few 
 remaining years of their lease of the Union for a very substantial 
 

 781 
 
LAWTON 788 
 
 sum of money. The owner re-obtained possession of the property 
 when the lease bought by the Salt Union expired, and continued 
 to carry on the works until they were acquired by the Commercial 
 Salt Company. This company has for some time been manu- 
 facturing and selling salt at Lawton, and in addition to effecting 
 certain improvements in connection with the manufacture of salt 
 in the existing works, they have erected a very large plant, which 
 it is claimed has many advantages over any other process. This 
 is known as the Hodgkinson process, and is more fully described 
 in the chapter on the Manufacture of Salt. 
 
 Brine and rock-salt were both worked, at one time, on the 
 adjoining property known as Thuiiwood, and although it offers 
 a plentiful supply of brine, plenty of land for works, and a long 
 canal frontage, no salt is at present being manufactured there. 
 Quite recently, however, a lease has been taken on this property 
 by a gentleman connected with the Commercial Salt Company, 
 and it is possible that new works may be erected at Thurlwood in 
 the near future. 
 
 In 1880 a London company proposed, at a cost of £40.000, to 
 convey brine from Lawton, by means of pipes, to the coke ovens, 
 in connection with the Harecastle and Woodshutts Colliery in 
 North Staffordshire — a distance of between two and three miles — 
 and there converted into salt by the waste heat from the ovens. 
 This project was subsequently abandoned, and the Salt Union 
 continued to retain the distinction of being the only company in 
 Cheshire conveying brine in pipes beyond the district in which it 
 is raised. 
 
 The following is an analysis of the Lawton brine by Mr T. A. 
 Eeid, F.C.S. 
 
 "" I have carefully tested the brine from your Works at Lawton 
 in Cheshire, and the following is the result : — 
 
 By Weight. By Volume. 
 
 Chloride of Sodium 
 ,, of Calcium 
 ,, of Magnesium 
 
 Calcium Sulphate 
 
 26-100 
 
 31-490 
 
 •052 
 
 •063 
 
 ■350 
 
 ■430 
 
 •410 
 
 ■510 
 
784 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Alkalinity - 003, equal to 2 - l grains 
 
 of carbonate lime per 
 
 gallon. 
 
 
 Twuddel at 60° Fat. 40'5 
 
 = 1202, water = 1000. 
 
 Earth Temperature of Brine 
 
 = 53° Fan. 
 
 Iron and Alumina 
 
 — Faint traces. 
 
 Bromides 
 
 — Traces. 
 
 Todides 
 
 —Nil. 
 
 Total Solids . 
 
 26-91 % 
 
 Water 
 
 73-09 % 
 
 
 100-00 % 
 
 •' The Brine is of good quality, and yields high-class salt on 
 evaporation." 
 
LYMM 
 
 At the present time, Heatley, near Lymm, is a village with a 
 few hundred inhabitants, but the recent discovery of an immense 
 deposit of rock-salt, capable of yielding an inexhaustible supply 
 of brine, has attracted attention to the district, and important 
 developments are already in progress. The salt bed has been 
 proved to be 204 feet in thickness, and in normal conditions the 
 brine rises 333 feet in the borehole to within 25 feet of the surface. 
 Mr E. Allen, the well-known mining engineer of Bowden, Cheshire, 
 writes : " There is every evidence that the Heatley salt-field 
 covers an area of many miles in extent, and is probably connected 
 with the Northwich salt-field. The salt deposit is greater in 
 thickness than the average deposit of Northwich ; several bore- 
 holes having been put down by Sir W. Lever prove the foundation 
 is uniform, as rock-salt was found in these bores about a mile to 
 the east." 
 
 Dr E. A. Wagstaffe, Ph.D., M.Sc, who has made an analysis 
 of the brine, reports that it is of excellent quality, showing a 
 white-salt content of 3'193 lb. per gallon, and returning one ton 
 of salt from 691 J gallons of brine. Dr Wagstaffe further states 
 that the brine is of the highest possible strength, and yields a salt 
 of an exceedingly high commercial quality. 
 
 Messrs Verdin, Cooke & Co., of the Bowfield Salt- Works, 
 Middle wich, have secured a tract of land in the new brine area, 
 and according to their account, " the brine comes in at a lower 
 level than is usual in Cheshire, and rises to within 6 feet of the 
 surface, and the supply appears to be abnormally large. The 
 depth of the Bore Hole is 629 feet, and the thickness of the rock- 
 salt is fully 200 feet. A siding from the London & North- Western 
 Railway is being made to the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. 
 By analysis, the brine is fully equal to the best in Cheshire, which 
 of course is superior to Droitwich and other districts." 
 
 Messrs, Lever Brothers have also acquired land at Lymm and 
 Heatley, from which they will pump brine and convert it into 
 alkali for, use in their well-known soap manufacture. For this 
 3d 785 
 
786 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 purpose only a small portion of the property, which consists of 
 about a thousand acres in the neighbourhood of Lymm to the 
 south of the Manchester Ship Canal, is required, and the rest of 
 the area has been disposed of to the Lymm Estate Development 
 Company in which Sir William Lever is the sole shareholder. 
 Some five hundred acres of this area have been ascertained to be 
 salt and brine-bearing lands, and the Lymm Company, in dealing 
 with and developing their property, reserve to themselves the 
 right to pump brine. 
 
section of Borehole at 
 Hawthorn House, Heatlev. 
 
 Depth 
 Ft. Ins 
 
 51. 
 
 
 
 
 flfi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 100 
 
 \3Z, 
 
 
 
 153 
 
 
 
 [SB 
 
 
 
 208 
 ZIO 
 
 
 
 
 
 220 
 
 e 
 
 243 
 
 6 
 
 248 
 
 6 
 
 274 
 
 6 
 
 284 
 
 S8& 
 
 6 
 e 
 
 Z98 
 
 e 
 
 308 
 
 6 
 
 F*. J/is. 
 
 5cm0f * Gravel 
 it o 
 
 s c "»y 
 
 Brown Clay. 
 
 42. o 
 g Loomy Sand. 
 2 . a Course Sanoi g, Rough Gravel 
 » o Sand 
 
 Laomy Sand 
 S3 
 
 Loomy Sand & Stones 
 
 20 
 
 Loomy A thin beds of 
 jg o course Sand &, Gravel 
 
 W—£--.-&:3i e o Soft Mart &. Gypsum. 
 
 Course Sand & Clay 
 
 39.0 
 z . o Loamy 5oind. 
 
 io .6 Red Sand 
 
 Stxnct 
 
 23.0 
 5 . o Red & Blue Mart 
 
 Marl & Gypsum 
 26.0 
 io ,o Soft Marl. 
 
 2 .0 Stronq Marl 
 
 2 o Soft Sloe Marl 
 
 io o Blue Mart with Hard Bands. 
 io o Hard Blue Mart 
 
 SALT ROCK & 
 
 thin streaks 
 of Marl. 
 
 200.0 
 
 3 -6 Red Marl & Gypsum 
 
 Marl & Gypsum. 
 
 BORING AT HEATLEY, 
 
 nr. mn BURTON 
 & lymm, Cheshire, 
 
 Depth Thickness. 
 
 «"*. ins. Ft. Ins. 
 
 
 
 
 O 
 ■ 
 
 .0 
 
 e 
 
 0" 
 
 :-_-_-;::- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ---_-_-—>_" 
 
 
 
 
 
 z_ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 E 3 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 *7? 
 
 
 
 " L 7 -i'- 1 r*r 
 
 
 
 
 >>. 1'?, \*>. IV K' 
 
 
 <<\«,..\-"~AsA\->: 
 r'//* 1 //-^j,,^ 1 *"■ 
 
 
 
 493 
 
 - ----—--" 
 
 
 friJip;'5l- L r- 
 
 5*5 
 
 550 
 
 5H.1 
 
 
 l,.; T- "I P 
 
 2> 
 
 a 
 
 ROCK 
 
 s/ii.7: 
 
 90.0 
 
 Marl. 
 
 31 .0 
 
 ROCK 
 SALT. 
 
 sz.o 
 
 5 .6 Marl & SALT. 
 ,2.6 BOCK SALT. 
 
 787 
 
788 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Summary or Salt Produced in the United Kingdom and 
 Isle op Man from 1908 to 1912 
 
 England 
 Scotland . 
 Ireland 
 Isle of Man 
 
 Total . 
 
 1908 
 
 1,789,970 
 
 46,168 
 7,821 
 
 1,843,959 
 
 1909 
 
 1910 
 
 1,762,674 1,994,003 
 108 113 
 
 48,976 ; 48,585 
 6,761 , 7,929 
 
 1,818,519 2,050,630 
 
 1911 
 
 1912 
 
 2,068,903 , 2,063,414 
 
 104 91 
 
 47,532 50,871 
 
 8,736 7,874 
 
 2,125,275 2,122,250 
 
 Output of Eock-salt prom English and Irish Mines 
 in 1911 and 1912 
 
 County, 
 
 Quantity. 
 
 Comparison 
 with Pre- 
 ceding Year. 
 
 
 i 
 
 England : 
 
 Chester .... 
 Lancaster .... 
 
 Tons. Tons. 
 
 55,056 : - 2,697 
 
 112,128 + 6,694 
 
 Total for England 
 Ireland 
 
 Antrim . ... 
 
 167,184 ' + 3,997 
 50,871 + 13,438 
 
 Total in 1912 
 
 218,055 + 17,435 
 
 Total in Preceding Year 
 
 200,620 - 4,803 
 
SALT STATISTICS 
 
 789 
 
 Quantity of Salt produced from Brine, or contained in 
 Brine sent to Alkali Works in the United Kingdom. 
 
 
 
 Comparison 
 
 County. 
 
 Quantity. 
 
 with Pre- 
 ceding Year. 
 
 England : 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Chester and Stafford 
 
 1,448,749* 
 
 + 69,587* 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 168,126 
 
 - 3,747 
 
 Durham .... 
 
 122,092 
 
 - 65,827 
 
 Worcester .... 
 
 127,106 
 
 - 10,053 
 
 York 
 
 Total for England 
 
 130,157 
 
 - 9,545 
 
 1,896,230 
 
 - 19,585 
 
 Scotland : 
 
 
 
 Edinburgh .... 
 
 1 
 
 
 Fife . ... 
 
 91 
 
 13 
 
 Haddington 
 
 1 
 
 
 Total for Scotland 
 
 91 
 
 13 
 
 Ireland : 
 
 
 
 Antrim 
 
 t 
 
 t 
 
 Isle of Man 
 
 7,874 
 
 862 
 
 Total in 1912 . 
 
 1,904,195 
 
 - 20,460 
 
 Total in Preceding Year . 
 
 1,924,655 
 
 - 79,448 
 
790 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Summary of the Output of Rock-salt, White Salt made 
 from Brine, and Salt contained in Brine used for 
 making Alkali in the United Kingdom 
 
 County. 
 
 Total Quantity Comparison 
 of Salt. with Pre- 
 
 (1) and (2) I ceding Year. 
 
 England : 
 
 Tons. 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Chester and Stafford 
 
 . | 1,503,805* 
 
 + 
 
 66,890* 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 280,254 
 
 + 
 
 2,947 
 
 Durham 
 
 122,092 
 
 - 
 
 65,827 
 
 Worcester 
 
 127,106 
 
 - 
 
 10,053 
 
 York 
 
 30,157 
 
 - 
 
 9,545 
 
 Total for England 
 
 2,063,414 
 
 _ 
 
 15,588 
 
 Scotland : 
 
 
 
 
 Edinburgh 
 
 : I „ 
 
 
 
 Fife 
 
 - 
 
 13 
 
 Haddington 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 
 Total for Scotland 
 
 91 
 
 _ 
 
 13 
 
 Ireland : 
 
 
 
 
 Antrim . 
 
 50,871* 
 
 + 
 
 13,438* 
 
 Isle of Man 
 
 7,874 
 
 - 
 
 862 
 
 Total in 1912 
 
 2,122,250 
 
 - 
 
 3,025 
 
 Total in Preceding Year 
 
 2,125,275 
 
 + 
 
 74,645 
 
 * Including salt from brine from Antrim, 
 f Exclusive of salt from brine, which 
 Stafford. 
 
 is included with Chester and 
 
SALT STATISTICS 
 
 791 
 
 Salt — Rock and White 
 Exported from Great Britain 
 
 
 1908 
 
 1909 
 
 1910 
 
 1911 
 
 1912 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Russia 
 
 17,337 
 
 18,683 
 
 23,591 
 
 35,023 
 
 24,594 
 
 Sweden 
 
 11,023 
 
 14,847 
 
 13,855 
 
 13,293 
 
 17,586 
 
 Norway 
 
 24,257 
 
 23,201 
 
 29,966 
 
 29,088 
 
 29,133 
 
 Denmark (including Faroe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Islands) 
 
 35,086 
 
 30,590 
 
 39,874 
 
 39,309 
 
 36,610 
 
 Germany 
 
 5,580 
 
 5,939 
 
 6,929 
 
 6,480 
 
 3,995 ! 
 
 Netherlands 
 
 22,730 
 
 22,392 
 
 21,064 
 
 21,939 
 
 22,043 j 
 
 Belgium 
 
 28,635 
 
 24,983 
 
 22,802 
 
 22,538 
 
 25,619 
 
 French West Africa 
 
 5,891 
 
 10,124 
 
 8,790 
 
 7,505 
 
 8,170 ! 
 
 Japan (including Formosa) 
 
 5 
 
 3,260 
 
 16,516 
 
 12,835 
 
 595 
 
 United States of America 
 
 44,826 
 
 50,886 
 
 48,192 
 
 43,321 
 
 46,071 
 
 Brazil . . . 
 
 6,653 
 
 8,815 
 
 8,516 
 
 11,295 
 
 11,154 
 
 Other Foreign Countries 
 
 17,192 
 
 16,562 
 
 15,413 
 
 14,801 
 
 17,325 
 
 Total to Foreign Countries . 
 
 219,215 
 
 230,282 
 
 255.508 
 
 257,427 
 
 242,895 
 
 The Colony and Protectorate of 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Southern Nigeria 
 
 26,646 
 
 28,887 
 
 33,024 
 
 31,310 
 
 31,453 
 
 British India, viz : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bombay (including Karach) 
 
 242 
 
 898 
 
 69 
 
 403 
 
 59 
 
 Madras .... 
 
 9 
 
 1,180 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 Bengal .... 
 
 151,207 
 
 142,543 
 
 158,412 
 
 175,041 
 
 145,946 
 
 Eastern Bengal and Assam 
 
 4,839 
 
 750 
 
 
 4,555 
 
 7,400 
 
 Burmah 
 
 13,764 
 
 178 
 
 105 
 
 12,592 
 
 9,315 
 
 Australia : 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Western Australia 
 
 89 
 
 360 
 
 361 
 
 392 
 
 377 
 
 South Australia (including 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Northern Territory) 
 
 470 
 
 303 
 
 959 
 
 387 
 
 251 
 
 Victoria . 
 
 2,344 
 
 3,366 
 
 4,839 
 
 4,258 
 
 6,438 
 
 New South Wales 
 
 14,158 
 
 10,646 
 
 14,843 
 
 20,757 
 
 8,951 
 
 Queensland 
 
 983 
 
 2,806 
 
 2,431 
 
 5,185 
 
 2,235 
 
 Tasmania 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 New Zealand. 
 
 6,673 
 
 7,032 
 
 11,847 
 
 15,129 
 
 9,855 
 
 Canada 
 
 58,637 
 
 58,859 
 
 51,525 
 
 50,801 
 
 56,966 
 
 British West India Islands 
 
 4,823 
 
 5,939 
 
 4,986 
 
 5,355 
 
 4,714 
 
 Other British Possessions 
 
 19,597 
 
 21,414 
 
 23,899 
 
 21,266 
 
 21,631 
 
 Total to British Possessions . 
 
 304,481 
 
 285,161 
 
 307,304 
 
 347,442 
 
 305,601 
 
 Total 
 
 523,696 
 
 515,443 
 
 562,812 
 
 604,869 
 
 548,496 
 
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 7114 
 
PATENTS E ELATING TO THE TREATMENT OF BRINE 
 AND THE MANUFACTURE OF SALT 
 
 Every field of industrial enterprise appeals to and inspires tie 
 imagination of the inventive genius, and salt-making has claimed 
 a full complement of victims. It would seem that no man of 
 intelligence, whose attention has been directed to the business, 
 has failed to be struck with the fact that the open-pan system of 
 making salt from brine is not only a survival of the dark ages, but 
 is a process which calls aloud for revision. And many are the 
 men who have felt themselves qualified to undertake the re- 
 quired improvement, only to find that the process has remained 
 unchanged by reason of the difficulty of effecting a practical 
 reformation of the process. Salt-making has proved the cemetery 
 of more abortive endeavours than almost any other branch of 
 manufacture. Indeed, the principle governing the precipitation 
 of salt from brine is so well defined and the practice is so simple 
 that it is difficult either to make the process simpler or to elaborate 
 it in the direction of economy. 
 
 Moreover, salt men have ever set their faces against change, and 
 remained obdurately sceptical to all suggestions of improvement. 
 Because salt has been manufactured in a certain method for two 
 thousand years in Cheshire, and this despite all efforts to replace 
 it by a superior system, the makers have frowned upon proposed 
 innovations and ignored the overtures made to them by theo- 
 rists and practical chemists alike. When, as in the case of William 
 Furnival, an inventor has dared to put his patent plant to the 
 test, and to attempt to produce salt in competition with the 
 established manufacturers, the latter have rewarded his temerity 
 with the unrelenting antagonism of the combined trade. It was 
 so before the days of the Salt Union, and the Union has remained 
 true to the tradition. An official of the Salt Union, writing in 
 July 1890, comments : " It is very singular that, with scarcely 
 an exception, all companies brought forward since the formation 
 of the Salt Union have failed to do anything. Patents for making 
 salt have been brought forward in great numbers, but in the 
 
 795 
 
796 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 face of the fact that no trade has had more patents applied than 
 the salt trade, and no trade shows so large a percentage of failures 
 in patents, very few of these stand a chance even of trial. The 
 best advertised one has been tried elsewhere, and the success has 
 not been such as to revolutionise the trade. In fact experienced 
 men wait for more proof than has been yet given before putting 
 money into salt patents, however much puffed up. The fact 
 that in America, after trying all sorts of patents, the newer works 
 are falling back upon the old English pan system, seems to show 
 that that which has survived the trial of generations must be 
 the fittest." 
 
 The same writer, in the same year, is critical as to the merits 
 of the vacuum system. Whatever the man in the street may 
 think about the article which appeared in the Times on the 
 subject — and some of them evidently thought a great discovery 
 had been made — it was evident to experts that the laudatory 
 writer " was not conversant with the salt trade as now carried 
 on, or with its history." In short, the claims put forward on 
 behalf of the new system require " further demonstration on a 
 large scale," and the Salt Union critic waved the intrusive in- 
 novation aside and returned to the manipulation of the trusted 
 pans that had survived the trial of twenty generations. A few 
 year later the Salt Union was to install the Americanised vacuum 
 system in Winsford, and in 1913, to part with much of its North - 
 wich properties to Messrs Brunner, Mond & Co., for the £125,000 
 required to set up another of these plants at Weston Point. 
 
 I have before me a complete list of patents relating to the 
 treatment of brine and the manufacture of salt, but to reproduce 
 it in its entirety would be to crowd many pages with the record 
 of failures of which it is almost wholly composed. But I have 
 carefully gone over the document, and in the following list I have 
 selected the twoscore most important and promising improve- 
 ments that have been patented in this country between 1629 
 and 1912. 
 
PATENTS RELATING TO SALT 
 
 797 
 
 Year. 
 
 Number. 
 
 Patentee. 
 
 Description. 
 
 1629 
 
 46 
 
 Rudston & Croote 
 
 A Newe Waye and Means to make 
 White and Baye Salt, 1st Salt 
 Patent no specification enrolled. 
 
 1772 
 
 1,006 
 
 Scott & MaoKay 
 
 Superimposed Salt Pans. 
 
 1801 
 
 2.521 
 
 Manley. 
 
 Purifying Brine by fixed Alkalies. 
 
 1809 
 
 3.227 
 
 London. 
 
 Purifying Salt by Fusion. 
 
 181-1 
 
 3,826 
 
 Johnson. 
 
 Series of Pans heated by steam gene- 
 rated in a Steam Boiler. 
 
 1821 
 
 1,967 
 
 Jump & Court. 
 
 Heating Brine by Waste Heat. 
 
 1831 
 
 6,161 
 
 Jump. 
 
 Providing Salt Pans with Pockets 
 and Revolving Scrapers or Rakes. 
 
 1831 
 
 6,548 
 
 Garrod. 
 
 Heating Salt Pans by Waste Heat 
 and Steam from Steam Boiler 
 under which Fuel was entirely 
 burnt. 
 
 1838 
 
 7,801 
 
 Hall. 
 
 Heating Brine before entering Re- 
 volving Salt Pans to separate 
 Earthy Matters and Self-acting 
 Stoker and Scrapers to Pans. 
 
 1839 
 
 8,155 
 
 Reynolds. 
 
 Triple Effect Evaporator for making 
 Salt from Brine. 
 
 1855 
 
 1,825 
 
 Gardner. 
 
 Superimposed Salt Pans. 
 
 1856 
 
 2,948 
 
 Margueritte. 
 
 Purifying Salt by Fusion. 
 
 1870 
 
 2,782 
 
 Buchanan. 
 
 Removing Sulphate Lime by heating 
 Brine in Coils by Steam and Use of 
 Various Chemicals to assist same. 
 
 1872 
 
 1,845 
 
 Bull. 
 
 Steam and Fire Heating of Salt Pans. 
 This invention has been stated by 
 Counsel to be nearest approach to 
 
 1874 i 4,175 Mond. 
 1878 '' 3,599 ' Mond. 
 
 I 
 
 1880 | 5,350 Biggs. 
 1883 583 | Alexander. 
 
 1886 ' 14,472 , Pitt. 
 
 Brodie's Patent, as a matter of fact 
 Brodie's first claim is covered by 
 Garrod's patent No. 6548 of 
 1834. 
 
 Purification of Brine by Carbonate 
 Soda and Slaked Lime. 
 
 Improvements on above by heating 
 Brine to cause more rapid Settle- 
 ment of Lime and Magnesia. 
 
 Process and Plant for Salt-making, 
 including Brine Purification. 
 
 Treating Cold Brine with Magnesia, 
 Magnesia Carbonate, and Dole- 
 mite to precipitate Carbonate of 
 Lime. 
 
 Adding Phosphate Soda to Table 
 Salt. 
 
798 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Year. I Number. 
 
 Patentee. 
 
 Description. 
 
 1890 j 4,652 , Mewburn. 
 
 1890 14,544 Allison. 
 
 1891 i 15,251 ' Collins. 
 
 1892 | 9,884 | Thompson. 
 
 1893 2,400 Parks. 
 
 1894 3,413 | Wilson. 
 
 1894 7,179 , Hodgkinson. 
 
 1895 6,565 I Tee. 
 6,565a 
 
 1895 ! 8,342 Todd. 
 
 1901 11,497 Gutierriz. 
 
 1902 28,600 | Kaufmann. 
 
 1903 
 1905 
 
 1908 
 
 1908 
 
 28,518 Mell. 
 10,722 ; Bale. 
 
 1907 12,577 , Daguin & Cie. 
 
 19,302 [ Malcolm & Munton. 
 
 5,011 Hodgkinson. 
 
 1908 , 26,068 Hodgkinson. 
 
 1909 22,163 Hodgkinson. 
 
 1910 13,415 Salt Union & Others. 
 
 1911 i 28,171 Brodie. 
 
 1912 : 2,300 
 
 Brodie. 
 
 Heating Brine to Boiling-point to 
 precipitate Carbonates of lime 
 and Magnesia, with Final Addition 
 of Carbonate Soda. 
 
 Purifying Brine by Trisoilium 
 Phosphate. 
 
 Purifying Brine by Low Tension 
 Electric Current to remove Lime 
 and Magnesia. 
 
 Purifying Salt by Fusion with 
 Alkaline Oxides or Hydrates. 
 
 Superimposed Salt Pans. 
 
 Brine Pan heated by Steam and Flue 
 Gases. 
 
 Heating Brine by Waste from Gases. 
 
 Use of Steam Boiler for Salt-making 
 and Generation of Power. 
 
 Heating Brine under Pressure by 
 Heat Waste of Salt Pans to remove 
 Sulphate of Lime. 
 
 Adding Glycerine to Brine to prevent 
 Deposition of Lime Salts in Mul- 
 tiple Evaporation. 
 
 Heating Brine to 60 Celsius to pre- 
 cipitate Sulphate Lime in a Slimy 
 Condition. 
 
 Heating Weak Brine to 75 lbs. 
 Pressure to concentrate. 
 
 Removing and utilising Sulphate of 
 Lime from Brine. 
 
 Removing Sulphate of Lime by 
 allowing Brine to fall upon steam- 
 heated Coil placed over Open Salt 
 Pan. 
 
 Purifying Brine from Lime and 
 Magnesia by Electrolysis. 
 
 Salt-making Plant fired with Stoker. 
 
 Improvements on above. 
 
 Superimposed Salt Pans. 
 
 Purifying Brine by Electrolysis. 
 
 Salt-making and Power Plant, 
 with the Use of Steam Boiler to 
 take up first effect of Heat from 
 Furnace. 
 
 Rakes for emptying Salt-pans. 
 
PATENTS RELATING TO SALT 799 
 
 A study of the foregoing table, which is confined to patents 
 relating to the brine-salt industry, shows that the main objectives 
 of the inventors during the past three centuries have been to 
 effect improvements in the methods of heating the brine and of 
 purifying the salt. The Tee system of producing refined salt by 
 a process direct from rock-salt does not come into this category, 
 but the method will be found to be dealt with under another 
 heading. The first recorded attempt to heat salt pans by steam 
 generated in a steam boiler was patented in 1814, and ten years 
 later Jump & Court introduced the use of waste heat into salt- 
 making. Fifteen years afterwards, in 1839, a patent was taken 
 out for a triple-effect evaporator for making salt from brine. In 
 1894 Hodgkinson patented a system of heating brine by waste 
 from gases, but another fourteen years were to elapse before he 
 conceived the idea of applying his patent automatic stoker for 
 the heating of brine and of subsequently perfecting a process 
 which experts have declared will revolutionise the salt industry. 
 In the meantime the costly and complicated vacuum system 
 which was adopted from the United States of America by the 
 Salt Union was installed at Winsford, and afterwards at Weston 
 Point. These two methods, the only two which have registered 
 improvements upon the ancient open-pan system of brine work- 
 ing, possess practically no features in common. The steam- 
 heating vacuum process is as costly to instal and to run as the 
 fire-heating Hodgkinson plant is inexpensive. The one produces 
 only one grade or quality of salt, the other manufactures every 
 variety that the markets demand. The comparison between 
 them is explained in detail elsewhere in this volume, and if the 
 consideration bestowed upon these two patent processes is 
 thought, at first sight, to be excessive, it must be borne in mind 
 that, in two thousand years, no other successful method has been 
 invented to replace the primitive plant which was bequeathed to 
 Cheshire by the Roman salt-makers. 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 
 
 Salt-Leases in the Nineteenth Century 
 
 The copies of the leases that follow relate to lands, brine, and 
 rock-salt pits and salt-works in the parish of Over, in the district 
 of Winsford, and in Marston in the Northwich district. As the two 
 sets of leases are concerned with properties in different localities 
 in the salt fields, and are further separated by half a century of 
 time, a comparison of the rental values would serve no useful 
 purpose, but they are not without interest as evidence of ^the 
 conditions upon which salt leases changed hands at the beginning 
 and in the middle of the 19th century. 
 
 Documents relating to Salt Works from Archives of Lord 
 Delamere Vale Royal. 
 
 . Thomas Cholmondeley Esq. to Messrs John Okell & Co. 
 Counterpart Lease of Knights Grange Salt Works in Over. 
 Dated 21st August 1802. Term 50 years. 
 
 Parties to the Lease : Joseph Goulden of Anderton (Merchant) 
 William Holland of Castle Northwich 
 
 (Timber merchant). 
 George Holland of Northwich do. 
 John Okell of Sandiway Gentleman. 
 
 Property Leased : Part of Fields on Knights Grange Estate 
 bounded by the River Weaver 30 yards or thereabouts on 
 one side— and other salt works property held by Clay & 
 Midgeley— also all Brine pits— Salt Rock pits— Reservoirs- 
 Canals — Sluices, Wind Mills, Engines with houses, store- 
 houses, etc. 
 
 Term : 50 years from Sept. 29, 1803. 
 
 Rent £100 per year for first 30 years then £142 per year for 
 remaining 20. 
 
 800 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 801 
 
 Other Conditions. 
 
 Build a storehouse for salt 50 yards in length 30 in breadth 
 and 4 in height by March 1804 with 4 pan houses each 12 
 yards square or, if other shape, of equivalent area. Sink a 
 brine pit and erect Engine and pumps to pump brine which 
 is to be refined on this or other lands of Thos. Cholmondeley, 
 but not sold away. 
 
 The usual protective clauses of leases are embodied and the 
 rights for passing brine pipes and troughs over neighbour- 
 ing lands agreed for. 
 
 If no brine in pit covenanted to be sunk — then may sink 
 one or more pits on neighbouring Knights Grange Land 
 not already leased for salt, and if, after sinking these pits 
 to at least 55 yards below level of Eiver Weaver water no 
 brine is found, Lease to terminate forthwith. 
 
 2. Thomas Cholmondeley Esq. to Joseph Goulden & Co. 
 
 Counterpart Lease of land in Over part of Knights Grange 
 
 Estate. 
 Dated 25 April 1803. 
 
 Parties to lease : The same as No 1. This appears to be a 
 Lease taking 6 acres 23 perches of land from the Knights 
 Grange in addition to that in No. 1. 
 Term 50 years from Sept. 29, 1803. 
 Rent £80. 
 
 Other Conditions. Sink a rock pit and erect Engines & 
 Storehouses. 
 
 The usual protective clauses in this Lease. 
 This Lease goes with No. 1 and is to be inoperative if good 
 rock salt is not obtained or if rock salt becomes worked 
 out or the mine destroyed by water or other unavoidable 
 accident. 
 3. Thomas Cholmondeley Esq. to Davenport-Done & Co. 
 Dated August 27, 1806. 
 
 Lease of Saltworks and lands in Over. 
 
 Parties to the Lease. Aldersey Davenport of Wharton 
 
 Merchant. 
 John Done of Tarporley Gentleman. 
 William Dodson of Wharton Timber Merchant. 
 John Thompson and William Harding of Wharton Exors. of 
 
 Charles Heppard. 
 3 E 
 
802 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Property Leased 6 acres 1 rood 15 perches part of Knights 
 
 Grange and adjoining the portion leased to John Okell & Co. 
 
 & containing a brine pit. 
 Time 50 years from March 25, 1807. 
 Rent £130 per annum first 30 years and £172 per annum next 
 
 20 years. 
 Other Conditions Erect storehouse 42 yards long 30 broad and 
 
 5 high. 
 
 Put engine & pumps etc. Other conditions as is previous 
 leases 1-2. 
 
 4. Thomas Cholmondeley Esq. to Marshall & Co. 
 
 Dated July 4, 1806 :— of Salt Works in Over. Term 50 years. 
 Parties to the Lease. William Marshall of Wharton Yeoman. 
 Joseph Bayley of Swettenham Tanner. 
 Thomas Harrison of Kinderton. 
 Eandle Pickin of Middlewich. 
 Property 3 acres 1 rood 57 perches in Over. 
 50 years from Sept. 1806. 
 Rent £100 per year first 30 years and £145 the remaining 
 
 20 years. 
 Other terms and conditions similar to preceding as regards 
 brine and rock salt and all erections. 
 
 5.^Thomas Cholmondeley Esq. to Richard Lathbury Dudley 
 & Co. 
 Dated 20th April 1807. Of Salt Works in Over. 
 
 Parties to the Lease : — Richard Lathbury Dudley of Nant- 
 wich Mercer. 
 
 Thomas Done of Wharton Yeoman. 
 Property Leased : Part of Knights Grange Estate — adjoining 
 the foregoing lands. 
 Term 46 years from Sept. 29, 1807. 
 Rent £60 per year for first 26 years and £80 per year for 
 
 remaining 20 years. 
 Under this lease the brine is to be obtained from the shaft 
 of John Okell & Co. — The conditions beyond this similar 
 to the other leases. 
 
 6. Messrs John Okell & Co. to Messrs Rankin Okell & Co. 
 Counterpart Lease for Letting Brine etc. 
 Dated 30th January 1808. 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 803 
 
 Parties to the Lease : The same as Lease No. 1 only John 
 
 Ellson & 
 James Swindall of Witton take the 
 
 place of 
 Joseph Goulden they being his 
 Executors 
 the other parties seem to t Samuel Harrison of Vale Royal 
 have joined Okell & Co. ■! Yeoman 
 
 iRichard Mather of Hartford Yeoman 
 Richard Rankin of Leftwich 
 
 Merchant. 
 William Okell of Liverpool 
 
 Merchant. 
 William Leigh of Barnton Yeoman. 
 Robert Wade of Over Yeoman. 
 Term 10 years. 
 Brine from John ORell & Co. 
 
 Rent £25 per annum per pan of 780 superficial feet and so in 
 proportion of less or greater pan. 
 
 The brine was for works to be erected on a field of Mill 
 House Farm and was to be conveyed by John Okell & Co. 
 to the boundary of their property. Conditions as to 
 stoppage of supply etc. were included in the lease. 
 
 7. Thomas Cholmondeley Esq. to Messrs Rankin Okell & Co. 
 Dated Jan. 29, 1808. 
 Counterpart Lease of Saltworks in Over. 
 
 Parties to the Lease Richard Rankin of Leftwich. 
 William Okell of Liverpool. 
 William Leigh of Barnton. 
 Robt. Wade of Over. 
 Property. Fields named Hough Meadow — Friars HOI — 
 Friars Wood — part of Mill House farm containing 4 acres 
 2 roods (reaching to the Weaver). 
 Term 50 years from date of lease. 
 
 Rent £100 per year for 30 years and £142 for remaining 20 
 
 years. 
 This is a lease of lands for salt works with the usual conditions 
 as to sinking for brine and erecting storehouses etc. — also 
 usual conditions as to keeping property in repairs. The 
 lease also gave the right to call upon John Okell & Co. 
 
804 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 for brine which, was done as by No. 6. If a rook salt pit 
 were sunk then an additional rent of £50 a year was to be 
 paid. If a brine pit was sunk and any tenants of the 
 Cholmondeley Estate supplied, the price was to be 8d. 
 per superficial foot of pan measurement. This corre- 
 sponds with the £25 per pan mentioned in No. 6. 
 N.B. — Practically this charge was about the same as the modern 
 6d. per ton of salt made. 
 
 8. Thomas Cholmondeley Esq. to R. P. Taylor & Co. 
 Dated November 29, 1808. 
 Draft Lease of Salt Works in Over : 
 
 Parties to the Lease. Robert Pulford Taylor of Middlewich 
 
 Surgeon. 
 John Pugh & Geo. Pugh of Over Drapers. 
 John Barker of Rushton Yeoman. 
 
 John Done of Calveley Yeoman. 
 
 John Sim Hitchin of Alpraham Yeoman. 
 
 Property part of Fryers Hill & Hough Meadow — contiguous to 
 Rankin & OkelPs, also part of Knights Grange Estate con- 
 tiguous to Aldersey Davenports. 
 Term 50 years from Feb. 13, 1809. 
 Rent £100 per year for first 30 years and £142 per year for 
 
 remaining 20 years. 
 If rock salt got, then an extra £50 per annum. 
 
 All the conditions usual in the foregoing leases are in this. 
 A canal is to be made to the Weaver 14 yards wide — each 
 tenant at the side of it to give 7 yards of land for it. 
 
 Leases of Lands having Rock-salt and Brine underneath — for 
 the Purpose of utilising such Rock-salt and Brine 
 
 (1) Lord de Tabley to Messrs Woody att & Eachus : — 
 April 20th 1852. 
 Lease of Land in Marston for a Rock-salt or Brine Pit : 
 
 Parties to Lease. Rt. Honble. Geo. Warren, Baron de Tabley of 
 
 Tabley House, and Wm. Woodyatt & Saml. Eachus 
 of North wich : — 
 
 Land demised. Little Oulershaw Meadow, bounded by Trent and 
 
 Mersey Canal on S., Road to Great Bud worth on E., 
 Oulershaw Meadow on N, Land of Mr Lyons on W. 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 805 
 
 Area. 
 
 Additional Land 
 demised. 
 
 Clay for making 
 
 Bricks. 
 Term- of lease. 
 Privilege of Lord 
 
 de Tabley and 
 
 his Servants & 
 
 Tenants. 
 
 Rent of demised 
 Lands, etc. 
 
 Method of Work- 
 ing Rock Salt 
 and Brine. 
 
 Failure of Rock 
 Salt and Brine. 
 
 Repairs. 
 
 No Rock Salt to 
 be got outside of 
 Land demised. 
 
 Accounts for Ton- 
 nage or Royalty. 
 
 Height of Excava- 
 tion Pillars, etc. 
 
 5 acres 1 rood 3 perches statute measure, with, all 
 Rock Salt and Brine underneath. 
 
 2 acres 2 roods to the north of foregoing, forming 
 part of Oulershaw Meadow and conterminous on 
 the South with former land demised. 
 
 Power to get clay on the lands demised to make 
 bricks for buildings on the land but not for sale. 
 
 50 years from Sepr. 29, 1857. 
 
 To enter on demised land from the Gt. Budworth 
 Eoad to load and unload salt and goods into and out 
 of boats on Trent and Mersey Canal, which boats are 
 to have right of mooring alongside the Quays to 
 be built under this Lease by giving reasonable notice 
 and during reasonable hours. 
 
 £150 per annum and 4d. per ton for any Rock Salt 
 got under the additional 2a: 2 r : of demised land 
 but so as the total sum paid in the whole for Lands, 
 demised salt, etc., shall not exceed £250 per annum. 
 Rent to be paid half yearly from March 1852, first 
 being Sepr. 29, 1852 : All taxes except Landlord's 
 Property tax to be paid by Lessee. 
 
 "In a fair usual and proper manner according to 
 the custom and usage of the best works of a similar 
 description situated anywhere within the distance 
 of ten miles from the said premises." 
 
 Rock salt, etc., to be worked as described before 
 during whole period of Lease " Unless the said Rock 
 Salt or Brine shall fail or shall be wholly worked 
 out or exhausted." 
 
 All shafts — buildings, etc., to be kept in good repair 
 and handed over in such good repair at end of lease. 
 
 £20 per cubic yard to be paid for all Salt got under 
 land outside that demised. 
 
 Quantity of Rock Salt mined under the additional 
 2 acres 2 roods for previous 6 months to be re- 
 turned to Lord de Tabley every 25th Deer, and 
 24th June. 
 
 Excavation to be not more than 15 feet nor less 
 than 13 feet measured from sole to roof of mine. 
 Pillars of 8 yards square at distances of not more 
 
806 
 
 Quay or WharJ. 
 
 Payment for Lord 
 de Tabley. Ten- 
 ants using Quay. 
 
 Lessor to have 
 'power to ins feet, 
 etc. 
 
 Provision respect- 
 ing Failure oj 
 Pock Salt or 
 Brine under 
 demised iMnds. 
 
 Termination oj 
 Lease. Lessees'' 
 Fixtures may 
 be removed and 
 Ijandtobemade 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 than every 25 yards : Pit to be worked safely so as 
 not to fall in— or if it shouMlall to do as little damage 
 as possible. 
 
 To be made within 6 months and kept in good 
 repair during period of lease. 
 
 2d. per ton. 
 
 Lessor to have power to enter mine and inspect 
 level dial and measure— using engine tubs, etc., for 
 descending and ascending. 
 
 If neither Rock Salt nor Brine found : or being 
 found "it shall at any time during the said term 
 utterly fail or be worked out and exhausted, or by 
 any means other than the Act or default of Lessees ' 
 — " shall not be capable of being got or worked," 
 on 6 months' notice being given by Lesses and all 
 payments up to that time being made, lease shall 
 determine. 
 
 3 weeks allowed. Land, except such portion as 
 have property on reverting to Lessor to be made 
 suitable for agriculture and saft securely covered. 
 
 (2) Lord de Tabley to Messrs Joseph and Thomas Verdin :- 
 Nov. 2, 1857 
 
 Lease of Land in Marston for a Brine Pit : — 
 Term 46 years and Rent £60. 
 
 Parties to Lease. 
 
 Land demised. 
 
 Area. 
 Brine. 
 
 Rt. Honble. Geo Warren — Baron de Tabley of 
 Tabley House and Joseph Verdin of Northwicb. 
 and Thomas Verdin of Liverpool. 
 
 Part of Oulershaw Meadow — bounded by other 
 part of Oulershaw Meadow on South, on West by 
 land of Thos. Lyons, N. by other land of Lord de 
 Tabley : Bast by Highway Road from Gt. Bud- 
 worth to Northwich. 
 
 2 acres. 
 
 To sink shafts — pump and dispose of all Brine 
 in or under land demised. 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 807 
 
 Buildings, Clay, To erect and build any Cottages — Pan nouses — 
 etc. Storehousees, etc., to get clay and make bricks for 
 
 buildings on land, but not to sell. 
 Time. 46 years from Sepr. 29, 1857. 
 
 Rent. £60 per annum by | yearly instalments on March 
 
 25 and Sept. 29. 
 Removal of Fix- Away salt Pans, Steam Engines, Gin Wheels, ropes, 
 
 tures. buckets or other articles used in working pit or in 
 
 manufacture of salt : but not Cottage or other per- 
 manent buildings — Shaft not to be injured — Land 
 to be restored to original condition and shafts 
 safely secured. 
 Other terms and conditions as to Brine Pumping, Failure of Brine, 
 etc., similar to preceding. 
 
 (3) The Eight Honourable George Warren — Baron de Tabley : — 
 
 to 
 Messrs Joseph Thomas and Eobert Verdin, and Joseph Verdin the 
 
 Younger : — 
 August 31, 1869. 
 
 Lease of a parcel of land in Marston in the County of Chester for 
 building upon : — 
 
 Term 34J years from 25th March 1869. 
 Kent, £10, 0s. Od. 
 Land demised. Part of Oulershaw Meadow on N.E. and S.E., 
 
 bounded by other part of said Meadow. S.W. by 
 part of said field leased to Joseph Verdin and Thomas 
 Verdin, N.W. by land of Thos. Lyon. 
 
 2 Acres all minerals and Brine and right to work 
 and get them reserved to Lessor. 
 34J years from March 25, 1869. 
 £10 per annum J yearly on March 25 and Sepr. 29, 
 also paying all Rates and Taxes except Landlord's 
 Income Tax. 
 
 Within 12 months to erect substantial dwelling 
 houses or other buildings of the clear yearly letting 
 value of £20 at least. To keep same in goou 
 repair during term of Lease — or if destroyed to 
 rebuild. To insure and keep insured such build- 
 ings. No offensive trade to be carried on in such 
 buildings. 
 
 Area. 
 
 Term. 
 Rent. 
 
 Buildings. 
 
808 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Parties. 
 
 Preamble. 
 
 (4) This lease is a consolidating one. It comprises No. 1 or ratter 
 one in all respects similar made in 1853 with Samuel Eachus and 
 John Gillow, Jr., as Lessees. No. 2 and No. 3. Alterations and 
 additions make this practically a New Lease which supersedes the 
 three previous ones. 
 
 The Right Honourable George Warren — Baron de Tabley to 
 
 Messrs Verdin : — 
 
 Lease of certain mines of Rock Salt and Brine lying under lands in 
 Marston in the County of Chester. 
 
 Term 29 years from 29 September 1874. 
 
 Rent £50 and as within mentioned : — 
 Earl de Tabley and Messrs Thomas — Robert — 
 Joseph — John — Richard Wharton and William 
 Henry — Verdin . 
 
 Recital of Lease of July 20th 1853 (the same 
 as April 20th 1852) of Nov. 2, 1857, and of August 
 31, 1869 : These leases now vested in the Messrs 
 Verdin beforementioned subject to payment of 
 £150 : £60 : and £10 or £220 per annum. 
 
 Rock Salt got (contrary to instructions) under the 
 Trent and Mersey Canal outside land demised by 
 Lease of 1853. No 4d. per ton Royalty paid for 
 Salt got under the Lands demised as additional by 
 Lease of 1853 : and demised by Lease of 1857 at a 
 Rental of £60. Messrs Verdin plead that they con- 
 sidered £60 to include all Royalty. Quay erected 
 under Lease of 1853 shifted to a more convenient 
 spot for Messrs Verdin. 
 
 Salt works to be put upon land demised by Lease 
 of 1869 and Brine Shafts sunk. 
 
 All claims for Rock Salt got under Canal and for 
 Royalty not paid on Rock Salt got under Land de- 
 mised by Lease of 1857 and any other Breaches 
 of Covenant foregone and right to get Rock Salt. 
 ment of Fine of pump brine and erect salt works on and under the 
 £1200. three several parcels of land devised by the Leases 
 
 of 1853.1857.1859 on payment to Lessor of the sum 
 of £1,200 by Lessees. 
 Term. 29 years from 29th Sepr. 1874. 
 
 Breach of Cove- 
 nants. 
 
 Alterations 
 Covenants. 
 
 Condonation 
 Breach of Cove- 
 nants andGrant 
 ingofNewPay- 
 
 "f 
 of 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 809 
 
 Rent. 
 
 Rock Salt how far 
 to be got. 
 
 Size of Excavation 
 
 Roof and Pillars. 
 
 "banger of Mine. 
 
 failing in. 
 Quay. 
 Buildings. 
 
 £50 per annum by |- yearly instalments on 25th 
 March and 29th Sepr. To be paid for new privileges, 
 viz. permission to sink shafts for Eock Salt and 
 Brine and to take all so found under the lands de- 
 mised by the 1. 2. 3. Leases — also to erect salt works 
 on any of the same 3 pieces. 
 
 Not outside boundary line of demised lands nor 
 within 3 yards of North- West boundary of same. 
 If got beyond boundary on Lessor's land, 5s. per 
 cube yard to be paid for all so got. 
 
 Not more than 30 feet nor less than 13 in height 
 from sole to roof. 
 
 Roof to be sufficiently strong and Pillars to every 
 25 yards at least and each 8 feet square. 
 
 All possible steps to be taken to prevent this or at 
 least to lessen damage to surface and property on it. 
 
 Lessor to accept New Quay in place of old. 
 
 Lessees to be allowed to erect Salt-pans and sink 
 shafts for Rock and Brine on land devised by Lease 
 1869. 
 
 If remainder of land (School Field) leased. Lessee 
 must not sink a shaft and erect pumping engine 
 within 20 yards of N.E. boundary of land demised 
 by this Lease not get the Rock Salt within 7 yards 
 of such boundary. 
 
 (Receipt given for £1,200.) 
 
 (5) The Right Honourable George Warren, Baron de Tabley, and 
 Messrs Verdin. 
 
 Lease of a parcel of land situate in Marston in the County of Chester 
 for a Brine pit. 
 
 Term 29 years from 29th Sepr. 1874. 
 Rent £10, 0s. Od. 
 Parties. The Rt. Honble. Geo. Warren, Baron de Tabley 
 
 and Thomas Verdin — Robt. Verdin — Josh. Verdin 
 — John Verdin, Richard Wharton Verdin — William 
 Henry Verdin. 
 Land demised. Part of Lower Walleys Field or Church Field in 
 
 Marston, bounded on N. and W. by land of Lessor, on 
 E. by land of Capn. Townshend, on South — lands 
 leased to Capn. Townshend. 
 
810 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Area. One Statute Acre. 
 
 Brine. To sink a shaft and take all Brine found and to 
 
 convey it along pipes over land of Lessor to Adelaide 
 
 Works, or any other Salt-works of Lessees. 
 Road. Eight of Cart Road to and from land demised to 
 
 Adelaide Salt-works. 
 Buildings. Right to erect cottages — Pans — Pan-houses — 
 
 Store-houses, etc., on land demised. 
 Brine Pipes. Right to take up — relay — substitute new for old 
 
 and when requisite. 
 Sand and Clay. To get sand — dry clay and make bricks, but not for 
 
 sale. 
 Rent. £10 per annum and £ price obtained for any Brine 
 
 sold to third parties : payable \ yearly on 25th 
 
 March and 29th Sepr. 
 Rock Salt. Not to be got out except for making lodgment for 
 
 Brine or Tunnel along Rock head for Brine. 
 Accounts. Account of all Brine sold to third parties to be 
 
 given \ yearly. 
 
 (6) Memorandum of Agreement, dated October 9, 1883. 
 The Lord de Tabley and Messrs Verdin 
 
 Agreement for Lease of a certain mine of Rock Salt, lying under a 
 parcel of land — part of Oulershaw Meadow or School Field in Marston 
 in the county of Chester. 
 
 Parties. 
 
 Land demised. 
 Area. 
 Term. 
 Rent. 
 
 Condition. 
 
 Covenants as to 
 Working. 
 
 Warren, Baron de Tabley, 
 - Josh. Yerdin — Wm. Henry 
 
 Rt. Honble. Geo. 
 and Robt. Verdin - 
 Verdin. 
 
 Part of Oulershaw Meadow or School Field. 
 
 3 Statute Acres. 
 
 20 years from 29th Sepr. 1883. 
 
 Ten pounds per Annum until the first acre of 
 Rock Salt shall have been excavated. 
 Twenty pounds per annum until the second acre of 
 Rock Salt shall have been excavated, and 
 
 Thirty pounds per annum until the third acre of 
 Rock Salt shall have been excavated. 
 
 Subject to lease of part of land made to Wm. 
 Hayes in 1874. 
 
 Similar to lease of 1853 (No. 1) with variation as 
 per lease of 1871 (No. 4). 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 
 
 Up to 30 feet. 
 
 811 
 
 Depth of Ex- 
 cavation. 
 Rents. 
 
 In addition to and not substitution for those of 
 previous leases. 
 
 (7) The Rt. Honble. Geo Warren — Baron de Tabley, and his Mortagee 
 
 to The Marston Hall Salt Co., Limited. 
 Lease of Rock Salt Shafts and premises and of Mines of Rock Salt 
 and Brine lying under lands in Marston in the County of Chester. 
 Parties. Henry Dent Brocklehurst of Acomb Hall in the 
 
 County of York : (Mortgagee) — Rt. Honble. Geo. 
 Warren, Baron de Tabley and 
 
 The Marston Hall Salt Company, Limited. 
 Lands, etc., demised. Two pieces or parcels of land situate in Marston 
 
 Surface 
 6.0.35 
 
 Minerals. 
 
 Brine and Rock. 
 
 Right of Road. 
 
 Clay. 
 
 Buildings, etc. 
 
 Term. 
 
 Rent. 
 
 Proviso as 
 Quantity 
 Salt. 
 
 delineated on Map : (Little Pool Field, etc. 5 a. 1 r. 
 32 p. also Thompson's or Pool Pit land). Rock 
 Salt Shafts — Rock Salt and brine under fields. 
 Plantations as per schedule annexed. 
 
 129 a. 2 r. 18 p., also shafts late John Thompson's. 
 Right to sink shafts on any demised lands. 
 
 Right to sink shafts and take under land demised 
 also Canal and Towing path to dispose of such Rock 
 and Brine. 
 
 Through a plantation dividing Lower Pool Fields 
 from Little Pool Field from the Canal Bridge and 
 along the Field called Park Meadow to the Bast side 
 of Marston Hall House and thence along the private 
 road leading to the High Road from Northwich to 
 Buds worth. 
 
 Right to dig clay and make bricks on any demised 
 lands either for buildings on such lands or for sale 
 elsewhere under conditions to be mentioned, say 
 Is. per 1000. 
 
 May be erected on demised lands. 
 
 15 years from 24 June 1886. 
 
 £370 per annum \ yearly, 24 June, 25 December, 
 and Is. per 1000 for Bricks sold away : — 
 
 If a larger quantity than 80,000 tons of Rock or 
 White Salt or both be got in any one year (2600 lbs. 
 to the ton of Rock salt) then a Royalty of 3d. per 
 ton on all excess over 80,000 in addition to the £370. 
 
812 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Penalty. 5s. per cube yard of Rook to be taken beyond 
 
 defined boundary. 
 
 Quantity of salt or brine taken to be returned 
 every six months. 
 
 Good substantial and sufficient roof to be left, also 
 Pillars of 12 yards on each, face at distances of not 
 more than 30 yards. 
 
 Lessees at own cost to use all possible means to 
 prevent this, or if inevitable to render it as little 
 injurious to property as may be. 
 
 If Rock Salt becomes unmerchantable in quality 
 or fails or is worked out or exhausted or Lessee by 
 giving 6 months notice — to terminate lease. 
 
 Right to 10 statute acres of land other than that 
 already demised as to surface, but part of that under 
 which minerals are demised except the Railway 
 and Canal : — at £5 per Acre. 
 Schedule referred to : — 
 
 Accounts. 
 
 Roof and Pillars. 
 
 Danger of falling 
 
 Giving up. 
 
 Privilege. 
 
 No. 
 
 on 
 
 Drdnanoe Map 
 
 Description. 
 
 Quantity. 
 
 
 28 
 
 
 i Pasture. Along Canal be- 
 
 a. 
 
 r. p. 
 
 
 
 
 tween mines 
 
 7 
 
 39 
 
 
 2!) 
 
 Surface leased 
 
 Marston Hall Mine . 
 
 5 
 
 2 32 
 
 All South 
 
 30 
 
 Between Rail and 
 
 ! Pasture. Top of Pool 
 
 1 
 
 1 5 
 
 of Canal 
 
 
 Forge Brook 
 
 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 West to 30 . 
 
 Osier Bed 
 
 1 
 
 26 
 
 
 32 
 
 Between Rail and 
 
 Pasture. Top of Pool 
 
 4 
 
 2 12 
 
 
 33 
 
 Leased Surface 
 
 Pool Mine 
 
 
 2 3 
 
 
 34 
 
 Between Canal 
 
 Arable Railway and Mine 
 
 1 
 
 15 
 
 
 35 
 
 Between Rail 
 
 Pasture and Forge Pool . 
 
 1 
 
 1 14 
 
 Part of 
 
 30 
 
 
 Part of Forge Pool 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 12 
 
 
 Water near Mere in 13 patch 
 
 
 35 
 
 
 13 
 
 Up to Mere 
 
 Arable . 
 
 2(1 
 
 1 20 
 
 
 14 
 
 Alongside 
 
 Wood. Forge Brook be- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 tween Canal and Mere 
 
 o 
 
 22 
 
 
 15 
 
 Between Canal 
 
 Arable, and 13 
 
 21 
 
 3 22 
 
 
 10 
 
 Same 
 
 Wood as 14 
 
 2 
 
 2 6 
 
 Part of 
 
 17, 
 
 18 Up to Mere 
 
 Arable 
 
 1 
 
 30 
 
 ,, ,, 
 
 24 
 
 Near Mere 
 
 Arable to East of 13 and 15 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 
 25 
 
 Pits in 
 
 Water 15 
 
 
 36 
 
 Part of 
 
 2(i 
 
 Between Canal 
 
 Arable 15 and 24 
 
 11 
 
 2 
 
 
 27 
 
 Between Canal and 
 
 Lyons Land Marston Hall 
 
 30 
 
 12 
 
 
 82 
 
 
 Water 
 
 
 1 21 
 
 
 83 
 
 Pits in 
 
 do 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 Branch Railway 
 
 1 
 
 2 8 
 
 129 
 
 2 18 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 813 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE OLD ACCOUNT BOOK OF THE 
 WILBRAHAM FAMILY 
 The account-book kept by the Wilbrahams, who lived at Dorfold, 
 near Nantwich, was opened by the recording Wilbraham with 
 the payments and receipts of the year 1629, but in the order in 
 which they appear in the volume these details follow a number 
 of accounts for 1708. The financial transactions of the family 
 would appear to have been written down at whatever page the 
 book chanced to be opened when the clerk's inclinations took him 
 (or her) to the task. In April 1638, for instance, a brother and 
 sister make a memorandum that they have let to Tom Horton 
 a 6-lead Walling on certain terms, and they proceed to make notes 
 of the moneys received from him up to May 1640. Then, having 
 entered various items in 1649 and 1650 — they range from £18 
 8s. 2d. to Is. 3d. — they recall a number of outgoings in 1641, and 
 hark back again to 1629. Such irregularities would be the de- 
 spair of any orthodox accountant, but as a record of the cost of 
 salt-making at different periods the book has its value, and its 
 allusions to other salt-makers are not without interest. In the 
 following pages I have arranged the accounts in chronological 
 order. 
 
 1629 
 The New Yeare began the 8th of Aprill 1629 Rulers of the Wall- 
 ing Ed Heyes Senior Arth Maynwaring John Thrush and Edward 
 Brayne being the first tyme w°h I began to make salt, houlding 
 for this half zeare 30 leades of my owne inheritance & my 
 wichowse in make wth John Browne, wch because it was out of 
 repaire I began not to make salt until the second Kinding w<=h 
 began the 12 May 1629 and walled 3 dayes & made in barrows 
 72. (price 6. 0. 0.). 
 
 Reed of Elnor Prowdman the 26 May 1629 
 for 13 barrowe at 20d 
 
 More of Gilbert Willom for 1 
 
 More of Nel Prowdman for 33 rests 25s red 
 of Bess Prowd : thus 
 
 More of Gilbert for 5 Barrowes 
 
 More of Gilbert for 7 
 
 For my owne use 1 barrow 
 
 of Besse Prowdman 30 May 1629 
 rests 5/s pd 
 
 1 1 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 1 5 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
3 6 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 6 10 
 
 1 
 
 6 13 
 
 £ s 
 
 4 
 d 
 
 814 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Walled 3 days 4 June 1629 and made in 
 
 barrows 80 price 6 13 4 
 
 Receaved from Margery Madock 10 June at 
 
 twice 3 2 
 
 Reed more of her the 28 June for all the 
 rest except 2 barrows whereof one was 
 paid to the woodman & the other for 
 our owne use In the whole there was 18d 
 abated so that I receaved of her but 
 
 for owne use on barrowe price 
 
 Walled 3 dayes 24 June 1629 
 & made in barrowes 80. price 
 
 8 15 Reed from Margery Madock the 11 July 
 
 1629. 5 17 
 
 & the rest being 17s was deducted so that 
 
 all is paid. 
 Walled 4 dayes the 6 of July 1629 : 105 
 
 Barrows. 
 My wife receaved hereof first of Margery 
 Madock £4. 10s & 20s of Elenor the 
 rest being £3. 10s she pd the 3 Aug 
 1629 deducting for wages & other 
 charges wch came to 15s & I0d & 2s for 
 selling the salt & 4d given to Gilbert 
 Willom so that now I reed £2. 6s & 
 10d woh with the £5. 10s wch my wife 
 reed comes to 7 16 10 
 
 6 11 8 Walled 3 dayes 22 July 1629 Barrowes 79 : 
 My wife receaved hereof first £4 : Also she 
 had 1 Barrowe & Davyes the Welch- 
 man owes for 1 Barrow & 14s I pd for 
 charges & reed in money the rest being 
 1.14.4 5 14 4 
 
 Walled 3 dayes the 10 Aug: 1629 Barrows 76 
 
 6 6 8 Receaved hereof from Marge Madock the 
 26 Aug 1629 : 51s 5s : deducting 13s 
 for charges : on barrow my wife had 
 Is 8d Rests for Margery to pay 20s wen 
 is now paid 5 13 8 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 815 
 
 Walled 3 dayes the 2 Sept 1629 Barrowes 75 
 
 Eeceaved hereof from Margery Maddock 
 
 first 41b lO & n ow 9s Id. Also my 
 
 wife had 4 Barrowes & the charges 
 
 came to lib. reed 5 4 3 
 
 6 5 Walled 3 dayes 28 Sep 1629. Barrowes 75. 
 Eeceaved this 20 of Oct from Margery Mad- 
 dock 51b 4s 6d web. with 20« 6d in charges 
 makes up the sum aforesaid 5 4 6 
 
 6 8 4 Walled 3 dayes 14 Oct. 1629. Made The towne made 
 in Barrowes 77. meet at 31 
 
 Reed from Margery Maddock the 5. Novem- 
 ber 1629 : 5. 3. 10 wch makes up the 
 whole sum due deducting 24s 3d for 
 charges 5 3 10 
 
 6 5 Walled 3 dayes 2 Nov 1629 made in] The Barons 
 
 Barrowes 75 & having uppon my weekes began 
 head 30 leades. (Rulers) 
 
 Reed from Margery Maddock the 20^-Ric: Church 
 Novemb 1629. 51b 4. 6 wch makes Roger Wright 
 up the whole summe deducting John Farrer 
 20s 6d for charges 5. 4. 6 , John Wilkes 
 
 6 8 4 WaUed 3 dayes 16 Nov 1629 : Barrowes 
 made 77. 
 Reed from Margery Maddock the 14 Deer 
 1629 : 51bs 8s wch makes up the whole 
 sum deducting 20s 3d for charges 5 8 
 
 6 6 8 Walled 3 dayes 30 Novr 1629. Barrowes 
 made 76 
 Reed from Margery Maddock 29 Deer 1629 
 51b lis 8 wob. makes up the whole 
 summe deducting 15s for charges 5 \\ 8 
 
 6 3 4 Walled 3 dayes 15 day of Deer 1629 Bar- 
 rowes made 74 
 Reed from Besse Prowdman 28 Jan: 1629 
 51b 6s 8d web by deducting 3s 4d for 2 
 Barrowes wch were lost & 13s 3 for 
 charges makes up the whole sume 5 6 8 
 
816 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 6 Walled 3 dayes the 18 Jan. 1629 Barrowes 
 made by Nell Prowdman 
 Reed from Besse Prowdman the first of 
 March 1629 51b 72 wch by deducting 
 20s for charges makes up the summe 
 of 61b 5 
 
 6 1 8 Walled 3 dayes 15. March 1629 : Barrowes 
 73 
 Reed from Besse Prowdman & her daughter 
 Elenor 51b 2s 2d wch makes up the 
 whole summe by deducting 19s 6d 
 reed 5 2 2 
 
 6 Walled 3 dayes the 28 April 1630 Barrowes 
 72. 
 Reed from Elenor Prowdman 41b 19s the 
 12 May 1630 wch by deducting 21s 
 makes up the whole summe reed 4 19 
 
 6 Wel'd (sic) 3 dayes the last of May 1630 
 Bar. 72. 
 Reed from Elenor Prowdman 51bs 6d web- 
 site paid the 12 June 1630 wch by de- 
 ducting 19« 6d for charges makes up 
 the whole Summe 5 6 
 
 (Note) — The word walled is changed for Wel'd in the last 
 entry and in the entries for 1630 — the three next are also spelt 
 Wel'd. On Aug. 4, 1630 the word Kind is introduced instead, 
 and seems to be used regularly afterwards. The entries for 1630 
 are similar in all respects to those for 1629 — there are a few notes 
 which I give. On June 30th is the entry : " The town made 
 meet at 30." The next note is, " The New Yeare began the 14 
 day of July." On Nov. 1 the note is : " Richd Minshull. Ed 
 Heyes iundr (? Junr.) Wm Masterson (?) Thos Bickerton — Rulers.'' 
 The 29th Nov. 1630 occurs a Note which is frequently made, viz., 
 (The towne) " made meet 29 No at 28 dayes." This evidently 
 refers to the Meeting of Makers of Salt, often referred to in these 
 accounts. The next note is 13th Deer. 1630 : " Barons Weekes 
 began the 13 Deer 3 dozen of leades in my hands." There appears 
 to have been a reduction in the price of salt for we find " Kind 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 817 
 
 the 18. May 1631. 80." Note, at 18d a Bairow £6. 0. 0. We 
 have then, " Kinded the 9o August 1631 89. 12 howres allowed 
 les 3 dayes." Side Note: " The towne made meet at 27 so 
 that I have 9 olde dayes remaining in the Eulers bookes." 
 " Kind the 6 Sept 1631 12 howers were allowed besides 3 dayes 
 B 83 : 6. 4. 6." Side Note : " The new Zeare began 6 Sep: 
 1631 " " Kind the 26 Septembr 1631 12 howers were allowed 
 because of the Pit charg 87 " " Kind the 17 Oct. 1631 Bar: 88: 
 6. 12. 0. 12 howers were allowed " " Kind the 2nd Novembr 
 1631. B. 76 : 5. 14. 0." Side Note : " Rulers John Thrush. Baph 
 Wixsted : Ric: Wright John (? ) Kind the 20 Febr 1631. B. 
 72. 5. 8. 0." Side Note : " 1. 10. Receaved from Besse Prowd- 
 man for 3 old dayes. Ew Madoch owes me for 6 old days 3. 0. " 
 " Kind the 14 May 1632 76. 5. 14. 0." Side Note " The town 
 made meet at 30 so 3* I have 6 dayes unwalled " " Kind 18 
 July 1632. B. 80. 6. 0. 0." Side Note : " Rd from T Billins for 
 6 old dayes 31b 21 Aug. 1632 " " Kind the 23 Octr 1632 B. 71 
 5. 6. 6." Side Note : " The towne made meet at 27 so that I have 
 remaining 9 Old dayes " " Kind the 26 Novr B. 76 5. 14. 0." 
 Side Note : " pd the Rulers my lay money 3s." Notes : " 9 old 
 dayes were due unto me at this making meet wch was at 27 So 
 gt I have 6 dayes still due unto me & 3 days I have sold to 
 Tho: Myles as get unpaid 26s 8d. Sold more 11 Nov to my 
 Cosen Peg Heyes 3 dayes 1. 3. 4 Sold more 7 Deer to Thos 
 Beelins 3 old dayes for 1. 3. 4 Sold more 13 Deer to Thos Beelins 
 1 night & a day for 7s 9d. 1 old day sold to my Bro: Minsh 
 7s. 6d. " The New Yeare began the 12 Novr 1632 having 3 
 dozen leads &c " " Rulers Edward Church : Wm Main waring : 
 Robt Wilkes : Law : Wilkes " " Kind 23 Mar (1632) 3 daies 
 abit 10 hours 67. 5. 0. 6 " Rd 3 t 24 Maij 1633 41 4s weh i s 6s 
 more for 4 hours walled 6 howers get behind " " The Rulers 
 owe me 6 howers." 1633 : " The Barons Weeks began 23 July 
 1633 having 3 dozen &c." " 1 Kind 23 July for 3 dayes con- 
 taining 76 howers & 6 howers more Barrows 83. 6. 4. 6. 2 Kind 
 14 Aug: for 82 howers Bar: 81. 3 Kind 4 Sep: for 82 ho: B. 
 80 : Pd the Rulers for another Lay 9s : Kind 25 Sep for 82 No: 
 B. 80. Kind 22 Oct for 82 how : Ba 75 : Rulers Roger Wright : 
 Ric Winsted : John Delves : Tho: Myles. Kind 10 Deer for 
 4 dayes B. 98 7. 7. : Reed hereof wth charges & 6s for drink 
 for the whole yeare this 19th of Jan: 1633 all except 31b I0d 
 woh is to be paid unto me betwixt Xmas 1634." 
 3 F 
 
818 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1629 
 The charg of my wood for tlie first zeare of my walling 
 wch began the 12 May 1629. 
 
 Jnpng of my owne wood 6 qRors at Bdlaston 
 
 brought home 18 10 
 
 It: bought 3 Rookes of Thomas Wilson of 
 
 Chorley barron' sa home 4 
 
 Of Willm Wilson of Chorley 1. q^zer to be 
 
 brought home at 3 5 
 
 ,pd this to John Bradshaw the 6 July 1630. 
 
 Ric: Millington 1 rooke 1 10 
 
 of Gilbert Willom of the Frith 3 Rookes 4 4 
 
 of Sr Tho: Delves 5 qRter . 3 m Chorlton Wood \ 
 
 @£3. 13. 4aqr&2inHatherton@£2.10 I 16 
 a qr whereof J 
 
 paid for carriage £3. rests £13. 0. & a 
 Barrow of salt wch I have paid 
 
 of Mr Starkey 2. qrs lying at Wrenbury to be 
 brought home at £2. 16. 8 a qr 111 
 Scotch 5 13 4 
 
 (" The word rest evidently means remains or remaining ; qRrs 
 evidently means quarters, whatever this may mean in quantity. 
 The word berrage may be something else, but it looks like this 
 borrage." — A. F. C.) (? 2 Rookes = 1 quarter.) 
 
 To Wilkinson Sir Tho Delves tent for carriage s 
 
 of a rooke 6 
 
 To John Yeabans (?) Sir T. D. tennant for car: 
 
 of qR from Hatherton spring 12 
 
 To Ralph Cotes for carriage of a Rooke from 
 
 Chorlton 6 
 
 To Tho: Latham of the fields for a rooke car- 
 riage from Chorlton wood 6 
 
 To Lindop for carriage of a rooke out of 
 
 Chorlton wood 6 
 
 To Huxley for a rooke of that wood w<sh my i 
 
 Brother Minshull bought there by my I 1 10 
 wife j 
 
 To Wm Bosley for carriage of a rooke from 
 
 Huxley 29 July 1629 10 
 
3 6 
 
 OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 819 
 
 To Chawner & Bosley for carriage of a rook of 
 
 my owne wood 10 
 
 To Ric: Bosley more for a rook 10 
 
 To Bosley more for bringing forks & some ~\ 
 
 shydes from Huxley j 
 
 To Hugh Moss of Chorlton for carriage of a 
 
 quarter the 13 July 1629 12 
 
 To Hatton & his brothn to car: a rook 
 
 19 July 10 
 
 To Tho: Clutton for bringing a quarter from 
 
 Hatherton spring 12 
 
 To Hattou for bringing a Rooke from Huxley 
 
 6 Aug 1629: 10 
 
 p'd formely to John Chawnor beforehand for a 
 
 Rooke car: 10 
 
 To John Chawnor the 8 Aug. the last of the 8£ 
 
 for carriage of 4 qr of wood 20/- 10 
 
 To Ric Bosley the last of the £8 wch I thought 
 
 had been paid to Chawnor 10 
 
 To John Chawnor the 21 Sept 1629 towards 
 
 bringing of a Rook in Shydes & about a 
 
 load of Poles 22/6 in pt 10 
 
 To Chawnor for carriage of the rest of my Shydes 
 
 the 28 Octr 1629 rests to be brought zet 
 
 almost 2 load of poles & then I am to give 
 
 him 3s 4<i more, pd now 10 
 
 The whole sums of all my wood bought & of 
 
 my owne this year 1629 comes to 72 15 8 
 
 The Charg for the first yr of my walling, unto 
 
 the Brynn Hewer Wallers & others. 
 Jnpng : 15 May to Margery Maddock & Elenor 
 
 Prowdman for thir wages for the first 
 
 Kinding 
 To John Kennerley for bryning 
 To Gilbert Willom at several tymes for hewing 
 To Gilbert 30 May 1629 
 To Gilbert 2 June for lay money 
 To Gilbert 6 June 
 To dick Stocken for joyning wth Gilbert Willom -) 
 
 for half a Kinding / 
 
 To the 2 Wallers for there wages the 6 June 1629 
 
 () 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 
820 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 John Kennerley for Biyning 16 
 
 For casting the leades 111 
 
 For cleansing the leades 4 
 
 For taking off the leads 6 
 
 To Gilbert the 28 of June 2 
 
 To dick Stockton f r tewing wch is upon 
 
 Gilberts account 3 
 
 To Gilbert the 11 July 1629 so that now he hath \ 
 had of me in all 32s abating Id / 
 
 Paid to Margery Maddock for all the salt 
 
 charges 11 July 17 
 
 To Wm Brook for 2 dayes quartering 2 
 
 To Gilbert more 6s so gt it is 38 6 
 
 To Gilbert more 6s in all now 44s 6 
 
 To Gilbert 22 Aug 2s 2 
 
 More to pay fforshaw a day work 6 
 
 Given the head waller for her faring 2/- & to the ) 
 
 Under Waller Is the 26 Aug 1629. J 3 
 
 To Gilbert Willom a faring 10 
 
 To him more to pay fforsha for 2 day work at^i 
 
 10d a day for cleaving ^ 1 » 
 
 Md the 4 day of October 1629 Gilb: Willom & 
 
 I have cast up our accounts & he had them 
 
 reed of me 46s & 12s f Marg: Mad: so 
 
 that deducting 8 Bandings at 5s 6d a Kind- 
 
 ing & 2s for an od day he then remained in 
 
 my debt 12s w ch be is to work out 
 My wife p'd to the head waller at Allhallowtide ) 
 
 2s for her offring & Is to Nel Prowdman j" 3 
 To Robin Hurry for cleaving wichwood 3 days ) 
 
 at 10d p day the 18 November 1629 ) 2 6 
 
 To the Rulers the 9 Noveni: 1629: for my lay ^ 
 
 money for 30 lead walling j 
 
 To Kendall for cutting 
 To John Woolley the 28 November for hewing ) 
 
 for ore Kinding / 
 
 To Robin Hussey for cleaving 3 days 28 No: 
 To Hussy for cleaving 6 days 15 Deer give him 4d 
 Gilbert Willom remaines stil in my debt this 22 
 
 Deer 1629 12s w ch be sayes he will work out. 
 To Robin Harrison 23 Deer for hewing 2Kindings 12 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 821 
 
 1630 
 
 Jan 12. To Wm Brook for cleaving one day 10 
 
 (As the entries are very similar I shall only extract 
 such as contain anything new. — A. F. C.) 
 
 Sep 11. To Gilbert Willom to pay 2 boys for carry- 
 ing cliffs 8 
 Oct 25 To a boy for carrying the wood 9 
 No 13 To Whittakers boy for carrying wood 13 
 Nov 23. To Gilbert to pay a boy for 3 days do. 19 
 Two quarter of my Cosn Cholmeley lying in 
 Peckforton to be brought home at 3£ and 
 a bar of salt a qr 6 3 4 
 Two qr Willm Buckley of Peckforton to be 
 brought home at 3b a qr & on (? one) barro 
 at all 6 18 
 My wood in all this year 1630 comes 
 
 to 60 
 
 My wood this zear 1631 comes to 26 8 6 
 
 The word " rook " is spelt " ruck " in the accounts of 1632, and 
 there is mention of " peck," as on Oct. 13 : "To ¥m Huper 
 for carriage of the half of a ruck & peck from Huxley." 
 
 1631. 
 
 May 23 : To Tho: Barnet for 12 Larg Barrows 4 6 
 
 Aug 6 To Thos Barnet for 20 Barrows of the large 
 
 post 
 Aug 27 To Nel Prowdman for her fairing 
 „ To the under waller for her fairing 
 
 To Robin Harrison for his fairing 
 No: 12 To Gilbert Willom to pay Wm Brooks for 
 
 cleaving my wichwood 7 days 
 To a boy for carrying it 
 Pd for 4 layes to the Pitt for the mending "| 
 
 the tymbn work near the river 12s a j- 2 8 
 lay ) 
 
 Given the Wallers their Allhallowstide 3s 
 and the bryner 6d the 22 of Novenbr 
 1631 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
822 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1632 
 
 Jan 27 Pd to Nel Prowdman wch she pd at Christ- 
 mas for the whole yeare 5s for drinks 
 to the leads : For clensing the leads } 14 8 
 4/s To Jane Wood 4s for carrying the 
 leads Is 3d Tot— 
 Pd more at the same tyme to her to pay 
 
 Eobert Harrison for his Uhr ('? Yule) i q , ,-, 
 6d : for the 2 wallers 6d a peece & to 
 John Kennerley the bryner 6d 
 
 Sep: 12 To John Kennerley to pay my Lay money 
 
 for the Pitt 3 
 
 Dec 7 To my Brother Minshull wch he paid to the 
 
 Rulers for my lay : 3 
 
 Feb 6 To Gilbert Willom to pay Robin Harrison 
 
 for cleaving my wood 2 Kindings at 
 12d a Kinding 2s and after that rate I 
 have agreed to give him for the whole 
 yeare to cleave my wood on Kinding 
 wt another pd him now 2 
 
 Jan : " The towne made meet at 31 so g* I have 5 old dayes 
 remaining so gt this 24 Feb 1633 I have 3 Kindings 
 of old dayes due unto me " 
 " New Zeare began 25 Feby 1633 and then they Kind 
 78 howers Ban. 77 5. 15. 6." " Kind by Nel Worral 
 in her wichouse 28 Maij for 80 howers Bar. 85 : 
 6. 7. 6 " 
 
 1633 Dec 22 : To Kerry for carrying the leads this whole 
 
 yeare next to come — 16 
 
 1634: The Barons weeks began 8 Oct 1634 & then Kind for 
 3 dayes houlding 3 doz : " 
 
 1635. The Towne made meet at 27 (June) so gt I have 9 old 
 dayes remaining of this half geares occupation & 
 8 formerer — being 6 Kindings wanting 1 day " 
 To Fleet for taking downe leads ]> ann mys 27s 
 
 To his sistr Cloves for clensing & ritching 4s 
 
 To Jane Wood to tread clay ]> ann Is 
 
 To Kerry for carrying the loads Is 6d 
 
 To the head Waller for her faring 2s 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 823 
 
 For the Undr Waller Is 
 
 To the hewer his faring Is 
 
 And as much at their Allhallowtyde 4s 
 
 And to their Uhe (wch is the last Kindling 
 before Christmas) 6d a peece 
 
 1636. Pd 12 Nov for making new ovens & for clay 
 
 & other things after the flood — 6 10 
 
 Pd for fence agst an othr flood 7 
 
 A note of the old dayes wch I have walled hi the 
 
 new wy chouse upon " Snowhill " 
 
 my Kind 1. Kind 6 Septr for old days betwixt my Bro 
 
 Minshull & myself. Bar 76 
 my Bro. 2. Kind 3 Oct for 3 old days betwixt my Bro 
 
 & myself. 84 
 my Kinding 3 Kind 24 Octr for 3 old days betwixt us Bar 87 
 Bro. Minsh: Kind 14 Novr Barrowes 83. 
 my Kindg. Kind 30 Novr Barrowes 80. £6. 0. 
 Bro. Minsh: Kind 19 Deer 1636 Ba 80 
 
 To Cord of wood bought of J. Savage of Wren- 
 bury at 4s 6i to be brought home betwixt 
 and St James day 4 10 
 
 1637 : To Tom Horton a fairing for himself 6d for 
 
 his wife 2s for the under Waller Is & 
 2s more for a fairing for Nel for the 
 new house 
 
 May 27 : To George Cubbage for Cowching 32 cord 
 
 at W a Cord 2 8 
 
 July 15 To George Cubbage in discharge of pyling 
 
 up all the cord wood 2 4 
 
 Aug 3 To Cubbage for pyimg 6 cord uncloven & 
 
 6 cord cloven 10 
 
 Sep 29 There remaines 27 cords to be hewen up 
 wch I have agreed wth Francis Toft 
 for 12d a cord & he is to pyle them 
 after the Cart & after the cleaving. 
 Forshaw says that 9 cord without any 
 qrs wood wilbe 3 days wood w°h at 
 10d a cord comes to 7s 6d a Kinding. 
 
824 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Dec. 21. To Tom Hoiton for a Ule (? Yule) end for 3e 
 head waller 6d and 6d for the Under Waller 
 
 6 6 to Tom Deane 16 
 — Md that 1 have payed to the head Waller Ellin 
 
 Horton 4s & id for the Ashes of the wichouse 
 for this zr 1637 being 4d a Kinrtirtg wch Hall 
 is to give me muck for 4 4 
 
 Kind for myself 6 Feb B. 74. 5. 11.0 
 
 Kind 17 Ap: 1637 for 3 days 12 howers. B. 77 for 3 
 days 12 for the odd howers sent by Horton the 26 
 Ap: to the Rulers for od howres 3s 4d 
 
 Kind 13 Junij for 3 days Barr: 82. 
 
 Kind 6 Julii for 3 days 12 h: B. 95 
 
 Kind 28 July for a night & d: B. 28 
 
 Kind 31 Aug for a night & a day B. 27 & for 8 houres 
 more B. 8 wch 8 barrowes my Bro Minshull receaved: 
 
 Kind 26 Sep for 3 days Bar. 80. 
 
 Kind 16 Octr for 3 days B. 79. 
 
 Kind 1 Novem for 2 dayes B. 52 
 16d a Barrow Kind for 3 dayes 25 June. B. 76. 
 
 " The towne made meet 19 Dec: 1637 at 29 so that I have 
 
 7 old dayes due to me at this making meet having 
 36 upon my hand And as Tom Horton says all my 
 form? old dayes are walled out in the new wichouse." 
 
 This pr'sent year from Christmas to Christmas^ £ s d 
 were walled 14 Kinldings wch a t 22s 6d for | , - , : - 
 3 days comes to £15. 15. wch i s the rent of f 
 my Wallings J 
 
 8 Cord of wood cloven and brought to the ^ 
 Wichouse is worth 6s a cord comes to 48s, 
 and 6 walmes wood added to it of lis — so >• 41 6 
 ^e 3 dayes wood comes to £2. 19s and for 14 I 
 Kindling's they come to ; 
 
 The Wallers wages for the whole yeare comes to 
 
 The Bryner hath 
 
 In Abatem" & casting of the leads 
 
 It for fairings offrings & taking off the leads 
 
 I* for the rent of the Wichouse 
 
 More towards mending the Wich : & water- 
 works about 
 
 o 7 14 
 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 
 2 16 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 72 
 
 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 825 
 
 I have cast up my walling for this yeare fro Christmas to 
 Christmas the Salt whereof comes to £85. 8. 6 so gt deduct £72 
 for charges my gaines are £13. 8. 6 which is almost 20s a Kindling 
 April 1638. 
 
 Memd That my sister & I have let to Tom Horton eyther of us 
 a 6 lead Walling for one whole year for the wch he is to 
 pay us 30s every Kindling viz 15s to her & 15s to me and 
 we are to find him leads Barrowes and to pay his layes 
 to the pit & church. 
 
 Reed of him 19 May 1638 for the first Kinding 
 Reed of him 16 June 1638 for a Kinding 
 Reed more of him 28 August 1638 for a Kinding 
 Reed m ofe of him 27 Octr 1638 for a Kinding 
 Reed more of him 17 Novr 1638 for a Kinding 
 Reed more of him 8 Deer 1638 for a Kinding 
 Reed by my wife 1 Jany 1639 for a Kinding 
 Reed more by my wife 13 July for a Kinding 
 
 1639 
 Reed more 24 Aug 1639 for 2 Kindings 
 Reed more 26 May 1640 for 2 
 he stopped for 4 Id of muck & wichhouse 4s i 
 
 ,pd to Horton 12 ap 1638 When he First put ^ 6 
 
 in his note the Rulers due wch is 6d a 6 lead J 
 More to him to pay the Proctors for 6 lead . 6 
 
 More to him for lay money for this 6 lead . 1 
 
 (1638. Kind for 3 days 15 Aug : B. 80. 16d a Barrow. 
 
 New Yeare began Yet I have no salt until the third Kind- 
 ing wch was upon 5 e 29 of May 1638 and then wth 
 stocks in 3 dayes they made 76 
 
 Kind 2nd Oct for 3 dayes & 6 howers Bar: 80 for 7p 3 
 dayes and 6 for 5 e 6 howers = Bar. 86. 
 
 Md That I have as apears by 3 e Rulers Note 19 March 
 1638 4 Kindings which I purpose to wall in 7> e new 
 house being old dayes. 2 of these Kindings are 
 walled in 5 e new house and 1 Kinding sold to John 
 Clemins — rest — this 17 Aug 1639 1 Kinding. 
 
 Kind in ,7' Iron Pan 18 Deer B 68 £4. 10. 8. Side note 
 " Iron pan." 
 (This is the first mention of an iron pan in these accounts, 
 
 s 
 
 d 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 
 1 6 
 
 
 
826 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 and is very interesting as showing the time the change 
 was made. Hall gives 1632 as first introduction of iron 
 pan.— A. F. C.) 
 
 In August 1638 there is a note " 16 a Barrow." In 
 May 1639 " 18d a Barrow." 
 1638-9. 4. " Kind 6 Feb 1638 Barrows 68 : " Note : " First 
 Funding after Christmas " 
 " Sould to my Sistr 28 July 1641 six old dayes £3. 0. 
 " New Yeare 5 Sepr 1642. 30 lead upon my head " 
 " Kind 5 Sep: 4 days B. 106." Note : 16d a Barrow " 
 
 1639. Kind 17 Ap: 1639 Barrowes 79. 
 18d a Barrow Kind 2 Junij 1639 Bar 80 
 
 1640 29 June 1640 Kind in o e new house by Mr Horton 
 
 for 3 days & 2 Walmes on my sisters iron pans 
 being Olde dayes Bar 86 
 Kind for 3 days & 3 Walmes being 6 hours Bar 
 89 
 
 1641 
 Aug. 1. Reed of Robt Wright & Ric. ForshaU for 3 1 
 
 old dayes 31s 06d given them hapkfOl 10 06 
 Is Reed J 
 
 Charges bestowed upon tha Wich house make with John 
 
 Browne 1629. £ s d 
 
 Jnpng for clensing the ship & for berrage 2 2 
 
 for treading a load of clay & claying the ovens 14 
 
 for Cariage of 3 load of sand & 3 of clay 4 
 
 To Ro: Fleet for 3 days @ 2()d a day 4 
 
 for 4 thrave of Straw & drawing it 18 
 
 for 6 burden of rods 10 
 
 to a boy for helping to tread clay 3 days 10 
 
 for a new doore & mending the old one 4 
 
 for a lock & kay 
 
 for 100 brick 
 
 to John Wright for thatching 1 
 
 for making a wichowse bench 
 
 for realing about the chambn where the salt is 2 
 
 for boordes for the ship 3 4 
 
 to Arthur Prowdma for working there 6 days 3 6 
 
 for on to serve the thatcher on day 6 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 2 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 827 
 
 To Tho; Bloore 2 days making the bench & 
 
 other work there at 12d a day 2 
 
 For making Banners & I found Boords 4 
 
 To Clowes the Clayma" for himself & his man 
 
 dawbing 3 days apeece the wichowse 6 
 
 1643. Oetr 25th Reed from Margret Lee for 12 lead 
 
 Wallinge when 3e towne made meet 4 10 
 Oct 31 : Reed from John Clemens for 6 lead 
 
 Wallinge at Making meet 2 5 
 
 Nov 1. Reed from Ed Brayne for 12 lead 
 
 Wallinge at Making meet 4 
 
 Nov 25 Reed from Eldricke Maddocke at 
 
 Making meet 2 5 
 
 Kind 13 Junii 3 days 12 how: 89. B. 18a a Barrow 
 Kind Novr 6 for 3 daies Bar. 80. Note Is 10d a Barrow. 
 Kind Novr 23 for 3 daies Bar. 78. Note 2s ^e Barrow " 
 
 (The Civil War was on at this time & may have affected 
 the price of salt. — A. F. C.) 
 
 1644. Kind Aprill 16. 3 daies. Bar 78 : Note Is 8d a Barrow 
 Kind Aug 13. 4 daies Bar 100. „ 1.4 a Barrow 
 Kind Jan 10 5.d made bar 100.18 
 
 Jane Moyle — Margrett. Reend Wallers. 1. 10 a barrow. 
 (About this time after the number of barrows made appear 
 certain figures, whether they indicate pounds in weight or not 
 does not appear. For instance : 
 
 Bar : 100.4. July 9. 1644 
 
 „ 100.3. Aug 13. „ 
 
 „ 100.5. Sep: 21. „ 
 
 „ 100.30-7. Oct. 8 „ 
 
 „ 100.30.1. Nov. 9 „ 
 
 „ 100.18. Jan. 10 „ (45) 
 
 „ 100.19. Ap. 19. 1645 
 
 „ 100.30. June 9. „ 
 
 „ 100.29. July 1. „ 
 
 „ 100.29. Aug: 12 „ 
 
 „ 100.31. Sepr 10. 
 
 There seems to have been a break here for some years. Nant- 
 wich was besieged during 1643 and Jan. 1644, and no doubt salt- 
 making was checked.) 
 
828 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 (The " barrow" is stated in Hall's " Nantwich," published 1883, 
 to have contained 2 bushels or 112 lbs. I find also the following 
 definitions which will explain many of the terms used in the 
 Wilbraham expense book. They are copied from a description 
 given in 1675 by Mr Thos Brancker, Master of the Grammar 
 School at Macclesfield, who went over to Nantwich by order of 
 the Trustees to inquire about the " wichehousis " which belonged 
 to the school and are as follows :■ — 
 
 " June 10th 1675 I went with Mr Normandsel to Namptwich 
 about the wallings of salt that belong to Macclesfield Schole 
 out of the Brine pit in the town. 
 
 " In Namptwich there is only one large Brine-pit out of which 
 salt is made by many persons each according to their respective 
 concern. 
 
 " The brine they say was once in one man's possession, but 
 in process of time & compact it is now the partial right of a 
 great many : and now some have one dozen, others 2, others 
 3, and one I hear has 17 dozen : that is walls 17 times while 
 he that hath but 1 dozen walls once. 
 
 " A Walling is boyling of salt for 26 hours which in that place 
 is called one days walling : 2 hours being allowed super- 
 numerary to 24 for cleansing 3 e work, as they call it. 
 
 " Four of these days Walling is called a Kinding or Kindling : 
 that is 104 hours : and so long the fire continues when once it 
 is kindled in any wiche house (or house allotted for boiling of 
 salt). 
 
 " All owners of brine contribute to maintaining the common 
 pit, for cleansing it & repairing ~> e walls & timber &c. 
 
 " At every Michaelmas Court Leet 4 Bulers are chosen who 
 are sworn to their office for one zear. These Rulers are . . . 
 
 " 1. To estimate the price & vent (sale) of Salt, and 
 
 "2 To allot the time of every man's walling accordingto pro- 
 portion, & to see that none of ~>e houses be left so unemployed 
 that they decay for want of use. 
 
 " 3 To be present (one or more of them) at ge beginning & 
 end of every fire that is kindled in any wiche house, to see & be 
 able to make oath of it that their Kindings began & ended 
 according to right. 
 
 "4 To keep an exact account of every days walling in each 
 house throughout their year, & also to record in what house and 
 for how many dayes any man borrowed or hired his walling : 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 829 
 
 and to register 3 e names of ye chiefe workman in each Kindling 
 and under whom he wrought. 
 
 "5 To make taxes that concern 3 e charge of o e wich-houses 
 & brine pit. 
 
 " These Rulers order that Account which they call their Making 
 Meet, that is according to rise or fall of salt, so they may all of 
 them wall sooner or later their whole course. Of this the Rulers 
 as was said are judges and they order that in such or such a 
 time all the proprietors shall have all their wallings according 
 to Kale (or call). And because in this Making Meet perhaps 
 the time may be (by reason of ill trade) so long as that those 
 that have but small interest would not have sufficient employ- 
 ment for their houses, therefore the Rulers have power to debar 
 any man from walling all his own number in his owne wiche 
 house, that soe he may sell it, or set (i.e. let) it to be done in 
 some other house, that all 2fi houses may be preserved. 
 
 " This Making Meet was, when trade was quick, every halfe 
 year : and the former halfe year or first Making Meet, they call 
 the new year : the later halfe year, or making meet, they called 
 the Baron's Weeks (of Malbank I suppose, whose 5 e brine once 
 entirely was) But now by reason of the many other pits of 
 brine in Cheshire, these times of Making Meet are not within 
 12 or 18 or 21 months, and it is reasonably feared that they will 
 shortly be extended to 24 months. 
 
 " The whole number of wallings in Z e Rulers books is accounted 
 by 6, or half dozens : and belonging to 3 e whole pit there be in 
 one Making meet 216 halfe dozens." 
 
 Barrows are made of rods or splints, in shape like a very long 
 egg shell open at one end : they contain 2 measures (i.e. 2 
 bushels or 112 lbs.). The 2 pans in each wiche house make of 
 these barrows 7 each 5 hours. 
 
 " The BaTrows of dry salt are sold now for 15d or 16d the 
 barrow."— Hall's "Nantwich," pp. 210-2. 
 
 In Hall's "Nantwich," pp. 256-7, etc., are a full description 
 of the Ancient Salt Laws and Customs in 1563, which, as they 
 continued exactly the same when the Wilbraham account-book 
 was kept, a few extracts may be interesting. 
 
 " 1. First the said Jurie upon their Oathes say, That there 
 is & of right ought to be two hundred and sixteen wiche houses in 
 the said Wiche and noe more, everie of them being a house of 
 sixe leades. 
 
830 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " 2. Itm. They say that everie of the said houses have & of 
 right ought to have yearely for everie of the said wich houses 
 twelve daies walling that is to say, sixe daies of the newe yeare, 
 and sixe daies of the Barons weekes, and to be free at the Brine 
 pitt or sethe for bryne to serve the occupation and walling of 
 twelve daies. 
 
 " 4. Itm. That none of the said inhabitants shall wall or have 
 the occupac'on of anie more walling in the said Towne other 
 then as insueth that is to saie noe manner of married man above 
 three dozen of leades that is to saie, the walling belonging to 
 sixe wich-houses : noe widdow woman or single p'son being a 
 batchelor w°h is not & hath not been married as aforesaid, or 
 anie other p'son or p'sons haveing any handicrafte or occupation 
 within the said Towne above the number of eighteen leades 
 walling, &c") 
 
 1644. Sep: 13. Reed from John Clemens for 6 lead 
 
 wallinge at Making meet 2 5 
 
 Sep 28. Eecd from John Tench at Making meet 4 10 
 
 Similar entries app3ar for 1645, 1646, 1647. On 
 Dec. 5, 1647, the note is : Reed from Peter Snute & 
 Margery Billins by John Merrill for Wallinge set by 
 Kindinges 3 10 7 
 
 Accounts made betwixt my Sist* & my self Mar 16. 
 1649 a day or two before her departure from 
 Nantw(ich) 
 
 In my owne hands & my Sisters 30 leades walling 
 and a house comes to £13. 05. 00 rating it at 
 £2. 5 for every 6d leades ge house rated at 40s 
 per afium 
 
 40 cord of wood made 1649 at 2s 6d ge cord more 
 2s 6d for making & breaking by ge cord : More 
 for loading it home 2s ge cord. Each cord before 
 it came to used comes 7s The whole 40 cords 
 comes to £14. 
 
 10 Cords more made 1649 at 2s 6d ge cord more 2s 6d 
 for making and breaking it by ge cord, more 
 loading it home 2s 4d ge cord. The whole 10 load 
 comes to £03. 13. 04d. 
 
 3 Rucks of quartr wood bought 1649 cost £02. 18. 00 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 831 
 
 (So much, wood as is here set down is already spent 
 save so much as is now in ge wich-house and in 
 ge Court this 16 day of March 1649. 
 Expended in all for Cord wood & Quart? 
 
 wood 20 11 04 
 
 My sister is to account for halfe ge wood 10 05 08 
 
 For ge walling being half e of 30 lead walling 05 12 06 
 For walling in ge pannes 01 10 00 
 
 For halfe ge wich house 01 00 00 
 
 My sister is to account to me at ge next -\ 
 
 making Meet if no more wood be - 18 08 02 
 spent than wch is already accounted for J 
 Of this account I am to abate to my Sistm 
 at ge next making meet £2 paid to my 
 Brothn towards ge wood & so much 
 as I can get for ge halfe of 5 old dayes 
 1650 Ned Hitchinson hath given me Halfe a 
 
 June 26. Crowne in Earnest for ge said 5 old 
 
 dayes which he is to make up £02 10 00 
 when I give him a Note to ge Eulers. 
 July 3. Reed of Ned Hitchenson for 3 old dayes wth 
 
 wt I had in earnest 01 10 00 
 
 ' 31 Reed of Ric Acton by appointment of Ned 
 
 Hitchenson for one old day 00 10 00 
 
 Novr. 18. Reed of Ned Hitchenson for ge last of ge 5 
 
 old dayes 00 10 00 
 
 1650 For carrying about 8 Cord of wood from my 
 
 July 27. Court to the wich house paid 00 04 00 
 
 Aug. 15. To Dick Forshall & his companion for 
 
 cleaveing & piling 13 Cord of wood 00 14 00 
 
 Nov. 18. To Tho Higenson for his paines taken to 
 
 prserve ge wiche house fro drowning 00 01 03 
 Deer. My Sister is to Account to me this Make- 
 
 ing Meet for halfe ge wood spent : 
 halfe of 30 leades walking : halfe ge 
 wichehouse and ge use of my pannes 
 £21. 02s 09d : Out of wch is to be de- 
 ducted £16. 14, 00 ofr so gt shows rest ? 
 due to me, & I to have ge 3 old dayes 
 unsold £04. 08. 08 ofr 
 
832 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 18 Octob 1658. 
 Memd That upon Munday at a generall convention of all ge 
 Lords & Masters of Walleing liveing in Towne & else- 
 where who did or had notice to appeare in pson or by 
 their Agents to consider of Matters tending to ge Ad- 
 vancemt of ge occupacon of walleing (being much decayed) 
 It was unanimously consented & (sic) unto and agreed 
 by Mr Gleaves steward to ge L4 Cholmeley on his Lord's 
 behalf & by Hen: Hayes Baylifi to Sr Thos Wilbraham 
 Baronet & by Rich: Robinson Baylifi to Sr Thos Smyth 
 Knight in their several behalfes & by ge rest of ge Assembly 
 no man contradicting viz. 
 
 1. It was resolved That 6 ancient Customs for Walle- 
 ing whereof ge memory of man is not to ge contrary are 
 not lyable to alteracon wthout a unanimous consent of 
 all ge Proprietors & Owners of Walleing wch in ge whole 
 amounts to 216 six leads 
 
 2. It was resolved (contrary to an inovated opinion 
 or at least pietence of some particular p sons) That a six 
 leads Walleing is an Interest to have so much Brine out 
 of ge Cofnon Pitt as ge occupier in 6 daies & 6 nights 
 space is able to convert into Salt by boyleing in 6 of our 
 Ancient leads or other vessells of wt mettall soever not 
 exceeding ge capacity of ge ancient Leads to woli our late 
 alteracons fro Leads to iron Pannes had an exact respect 
 as to ge size & ge ancient leads by wt Name our Walling 
 is still conveyed fro hand to hand was resolved to be ge 
 undoubted standerd of every man's Interest in ge Pitt. 
 
 3. In as much as there is an overplus of Brine (wch 
 since ge Decay of Walleing) runneth to Wast out of Pitt 
 into ge River It was unanimously accorded That fro & 
 after ge next makeing Meete every Lord or Owner of one 
 two three or more leades Walleing according to every 
 man's interest in ge Pitt, shall have as much more Brine 
 as before to sett or occupy to his uttmost advantage 
 And g* it shall be lawfull for every such Ld by himselfe 
 or Tenant to have use & occupy one two or more Pannes 
 or other vessells for ge makeing of salt w°h may containe 
 twice as much as 4 of our New pannes or 6 leads Anciently 
 did containe. And to have Vent for so much more Salt 
 It was then declared & consented unto fro & after ge next 
 
OLD DOCUMENTS REFERRING TO SALT 833 
 
 makeing Meet to fall ge price of salt to Is 6d ge Barrow 
 as ge only remaineing expedient to revive ge decayed 
 occupacon & to bring Custome to ge Towne 
 
 Upon notice of ge advantage wch both ge other Wiches 
 have made by inlargeing their Pannes, wherein they 
 find by experience that twice as much salt may be made 
 in ge same time as before wth ge same or a very small 
 proporcon more of fewell gt aforesaid Improvemt was 
 unanimously resolved upon but not to be attempted by 
 any Particular p'son till after ge next makeing meete, 
 gt every man have ge interim of time to alter his Pannes 
 & workes to his best likeing & in the same Intervall every 
 man to Wall as before. 
 Memd That after the Makeing Meet in Ma 1659 when ge Pro- 
 motes of ge aforesd project thought to goe on wth their 
 great Pannes The Towne (haveing go concurrence of 2 
 of ge Eulers) did agree & were assisting to ge sd Rulers 
 in setting such as were found to wall in their 2 great 
 Pans and gt because no such profit as was p'tended either 
 by saveing of fuell or otherwise was found by ge use of 
 their great Pannes, while they used but one being cutt 
 to ge gage of ge 4 : And for as much as it plainly appe'd 
 to be a deceptious device of ge undertakers to inrich 
 gmselves by ingrossing a double proporcon of Brine to 
 themselves. 
 
 3 G 
 
THE SALT TAX IN ENGLAND 
 AND ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 
 
 The credit belongs to this country of being the first State in 
 Europe to abolish the tax on salt, and the example was followed 
 in 1844 by Norway, and by Portugal in 1846. Up to the time 
 of the Commonwealth salt was free from any tax in England, and 
 the levy that was then imposed was taken off at the Restoration. 
 Another tax was imposed by William III. in 1694, and for the 
 ensuing hundred and thirty-five years — with the exception of a 
 brief hiatus between 1729 and 1731 — salt was never omitted 
 from the revenue-contributing manufactures of the United 
 Kingdom. The 1694 tax of one shilling per bushel of 56 lbs. 
 was raised in 1698 to 2s. 8d. per bushel, and in 1699 to 3s. 4d. 
 It remained at this high rate until the year 1729, when it was 
 abolished by a Liberal Ministry. However, this freedom from 
 tax did not last long, for on the commencement of the Ministry 
 of Sir R. Walpole in 1731 the tax was reimposed. Walpole's 
 tax was imposed for the purpose of consolidating his already 
 tottering position. This he could only attain by allowing the 
 landed proprietors a consideration of Is. in the pound on the 
 land tax, and the deficiency arising from this concession he 
 covered by the income from the reimposed salt tax. 
 
 Men of sound economic views vainly tried at that time to 
 lighten the salt tax : but the tax was imposed at its greatest 
 height and harshness, viz. 3s. 4d. per bushel. As English finance, 
 during the American War of Independence, was stretched to the 
 utmost, the salt tax was raised to 5s. per bushel. As the exi- 
 gencies of the revenue increased, the salt tax was increased to 
 meet it, so that in 1798 it was 10s. per bushel ; in 1805, 15s. 
 per bushel ; whilst the real worth of the bushel of salt was 
 scarcely sixpence, so that the tax was thirty times the value of the 
 article. 
 
 From this time until the abolition of the tax twenty years later 
 pressure was constantly brought to bear in Parliament to obtain 
 a reduction of the duty and to revise the laws relating to the use 
 
 834 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 835 
 
 of refuse salt for agricultural purposes. In 1783, the duty on 
 refuse salt was 13s. 4d. per ton, but the farmers of Cheshire were 
 so successful in their endeavours to evade the hated tax that 
 Parliament forbade the use of it as a manure altogether. In 1816 
 a law was enacted permitting the untaxed use of ashes, steeped 
 in brine, for agricultural purposes, and the use of rock-salt 
 for cattle, subject to a duty of £10 per ton. In 1818 the duty 
 was reduced to £5 per ton. Later in the same year, refuse salt 
 was restored to agricultural use with a duty of 2s. 6d. a bushel 
 attached, and in the following year the duty was removed, pro- 
 vided that the salt-manure contained a fourth part of ashes and 
 soot. 
 
 The following account of the quantity of salt used for agri- 
 cultural purposes in England from 1818 to 1824 was issued by 
 
 the Excise Office in April 1824 :— 
 
 Bushels. 
 Year ended 5th January 1819 . . . 9,853 
 
 1820 
 1821 
 1822 
 1823 
 1824 
 
 40,923 
 22,333 
 
 5,787 
 1,529 
 9,345 
 
 The duty on refined salt was not reduced until the year 1824. 
 On February 28th, 1822, Mr Calcraft moved in the House of 
 ■Commons, " That leave be given to bring in a Bill for the gradual 
 reduction of the Duties on Salt." In the course of his speech he 
 said that " the tax was now 15s. per bushel, and his proposition was 
 that it should be abolished at the rate of 5s. a year until the whole 
 was extinct. . . . This raw material was bestowed upon us by 
 Providence, like air or water, yet where it had existed in the 
 greatest plenty the ingenuity of man had rendered it the greatest 
 curse. . . . The salt duty gave rise to innumerable crimes. . . . 
 Mr Justice Burton and Sir J. Stanley (both of Chester) had clearly 
 demonstrated that the salt duty was a most fruitful source of 
 crime and vice in Cheshire. . . . One of the great evils attending 
 this tax was that it drove the salt tax into a monopoly. There 
 were individuals in that trade who paid from £100,000 to £200,000 
 a year in duty. . . . Salt was, in his opinion, one of the articles 
 which should be kept untaxed if possible, but if taxed it should 
 be at the very lowest rate. . . ." Mr Davenport seconded the 
 motion. 
 
836 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The Chancellor of the Exchequer was sorry that he could not 
 support the hon. gentleman's motion. 
 
 On a division the House decided against Mr Calcraft's motion 
 by a majority of 4. 
 
 In the course of a debate on the same subject on June 28th 
 1822, Mr Curwen called upon the Government to attend to the 
 demand of the country to abolish the remnant of the salt tax. . , . 
 " If the salt duties were abolished," he said, " where we now drew 
 one million from the sea, we might draw many millions." . . . 
 He moved, " That all duties payable on salt in Great Britain and 
 Ireland shall cease and be no longer payable." The Chancellor 
 of the Exchequer replied that the remnant of the tax had been 
 called contemptible, but it amounted to £200,000 a year, a sum 
 which he could not consent to give up, and the House, by a 
 majority of 12, sided with the Chancellor. 
 
 In 1823 the duty on refined salt was reduced from 15s. to 2s. per 
 bushel, and on April 6th 1824 an effort was made by Mr Calcraft 
 to have this greatly reduced tax removed on the plea that if a 
 particle of the tax was suffered to remain, an opportunity would 
 be taken, when the government wanted money, to add to the 
 existing tax, which, instead of 2s., might be again advanced to 
 15s. Sir M. W. Eiley condemned the tax on salt as one that 
 placed fetters upon all liberal principles of trade. Mr W. Smith, 
 in opposing the abolition of the duty, said that whereas it had 
 been expected to produce £200,000 of revenue during the last 
 year, it had in fact produced £360,000, and he did not think that 
 any other tax could be devised which would raise an equal sum 
 with the same facility. 
 
 In response to a motion passed on the occasion of the last debate, 
 the following return of the total number of Excise Prosecutions 
 (1819-1824) entered for offences against the salt laws in England, 
 and the amount of penalties received, was issued in May 1824 : 
 
 
 
 Number of 
 
 Amount of 
 
 
 
 Prosecutions. 
 
 Penalties. 
 
 ear ended 5th Jan 
 
 1819 
 
 191 
 
 £3411 15 9 
 
 ,, 
 
 1820 
 
 167 
 
 3444 17 6 
 
 
 1821 
 
 186 
 
 3521 15 4 
 
 ,i 
 
 1822 
 
 260 
 
 1776 10 01 
 
 ,, 
 
 1823 
 
 209 
 
 2400 16 2 
 
 
 1824 
 
 23 
 
 53 17 10 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 837 
 
 An account of the expense of collecting the duty on salt for 
 the year ended 5th January 1824 is returned at £32,666, 15s. 11 Jd., 
 but the actual cost of collecting the duties may be estimated at 
 about £15,000, the balance being composed of salaries to officers 
 and superannuated salt officials. 
 
 On May 13th 1824, a motion was introduced for the continu- 
 ance of the salt duty, but after the Chancellor of the Exchequer had 
 expressed the opinion that if any tax on salt were continued it 
 ought to be much more than 2s., the motion was withdrawn, and 
 on the 28th of May Mr Goulburn, Sir George Hill, and Mr 
 Brogden were instructed to prepare and bring in a Bill for the 
 repeal of the tax on salt. From that time matters moved swiftly 
 to their appointed end. On May 31st 1824, the Salt Duties 
 Repeal Bill, appointing January 5th, 1825, as the date of expiry, 
 was read a first time and ordered to be printed. On June 3rd 
 following it was read a second time and referred to a Committee 
 of the whole House, which, on June 4th, ordered the Bill to be 
 engrossed and read a third time on June 9th. 
 
 On that day, a petition of several manufacturers of white salt 
 in the county of Chester was presented and read, taking notice of 
 the Bill to repeal the duties and laws in respect of salt and rock- 
 salt, and praying that the same may not pass into a law as it now 
 stands. An order was made for the petition to be printed, but on 
 the same day the Bill was read a third time and Mr Brogden was 
 ordered to convey it to the Lords and desire their concurrence. 
 On June 15th the reply of the Lords, agreeing to the Bill without 
 amendment, was read, and the Royal Assent was announced on 
 June 17th, 1824. 
 
 ACTS OP PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 
 
 Extracts from "An abridgement of all the Statutes now in Force relating 
 to the Duties on Salt and Herrings." London 1788. 
 
 SALT AND An Act for granting to their Majesties certain rates 
 
 HERRINGS. and duties upon Salt and upon Beer Ale, and other 
 5 & 6 liquors, for securing certain recompenses and advan- 
 
 William & Mary tages in the said Act mentioned, to such persons as 
 cap. 7. shall voluntarily advance the sum of Ten hundred 
 
 thousand pounds towards carrying on the war 
 
 against France. 
 
838 
 
 7 &8 
 
 William III. 
 cap. 31. 
 
 9&10 
 William III. 
 cap. 6. 
 9 & 10 
 William III. 
 cap. 44. 
 
 10&11 
 William III. 
 cap. 22. 
 
 1 Anne 
 cap. 21. 
 
 2 & 3 Anne 
 cap. 14. 
 
 4 & 5 Anne 
 cap. 12. 
 
 5 Anne cap. 8. 
 5 Anne cap. 29. 
 
 6 Anne cap. 12. 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 An Act; for continuing to his Majesty certain duties 
 upon salt, glass wares, stone and earthenwares, and 
 for granting several duties upon Tobacco pipes and 
 other Earthenwares— for carrying on the War 
 against Erasee^ etcr. etc. 
 
 An Act that all retailers of salt shall sell by weight. 
 
 An Act for raising a sum (not exceeding two 
 millions) upon a Fund for payment of Annuities after 
 the rate of eight pounds per centum per anm. and for 
 settling the trade to the East Indies. 
 
 An Act for the more full and effectual chargeing 
 of the duties upon Rock Salt. 
 
 An Act for preventing frauds in the duties upon 
 Salt and for the better payment of debentures at the 
 Custom House. 
 
 An Act for the better securing and regulating the 
 Duties upon Salt. 
 
 An Act for laying further duties upon Low wines 
 and for preventing the damage to Her Majesty's 
 Revenue by Importation of Foreign cut Whalebone : 
 and for making some provision as to the Stamp 
 Duties and the duties on Births, Burials and Marriages 
 and the Salt Duties : and touching Million Lottery 
 Tickets and for enabling Her Majesty to dispose of 
 the Effects of William Kidd a notorious Pirate to 
 the Use of Greenwich Hospital ; and for appropriat- 
 ing the Public Monies granted in this Session of 
 Parliament. 
 
 An Act for an Union of the Two Kingdoms of 
 England and Scotland. 
 
 An Act for the Ease of Her Majesty's Subjects in 
 relation to the Duties upon Salt : and for making the 
 like Allowances upon the exportation of White 
 Herrings Flesh — Oatmeal and Grain called Beer alias 
 Bigg as are to be made upon exportation of the like 
 [torn Scotland. 
 
 An Act to explain the Act of the last Session of 
 Parliament for the Ease of Her Majesty's subjects 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 839 
 
 in relation to allowances out of the Duties upon Salt 
 carried coastwise : and also an Act of the First Year 
 of Her Majesty's Reign, in relation to certain Salt 
 Works near the sea side and Bay of Holy Head in 
 the County of Anglesea. 
 8 Anne cap. 7. An Act for granting to Her Majesty new Duties of 
 
 Excise and upon several imported Commodities : and 
 for establishing a yearly fund thereby and by other 
 ways and means to raise nine hundred thousand 
 pounds by sale of Annuities : and (in default thereof) 
 by another Lottery for the service of the year one 
 thousand seven hundred and ten. 
 12 Anne cap. 2. An Act for allowing a Drawback upon the exporta- 
 tion of salt, to be made use of for the curing of Fish 
 taken at North Seas or at Isleland. 
 5 Geo I. An Act against Clandestine Running of un-cus- 
 
 cap. 11. tomed goods, and for the more effectual preventing 
 
 of Frauds relating to the Customs. 
 5 Geo I. An Act for recovering the Credit of the British 
 
 cap. 18 Fishery in Foreign Parts : and for better securing 
 
 the duties on Salt. 
 8 Geo. I. An Act for taking off the duty upon all salt used 
 
 cap. 4. in the Curing of Red Herrings, and laying a Propor- 
 
 tionable Duty upon all red herrings consumed at 
 home only ; and for ascertaining the Customs and 
 Excise payable for the Sugar Houses in Scotland, 
 and for making an allowance for salt lost in any 
 Harbour or River of this Realm : and for the better 
 securing the duties on Salt delivered in Scotland. 
 8 Geo. I. An Act for taking off the duty upon all Salt 
 
 cap. 16. used in the curing and making of White Herrings, 
 
 and instead thereof laying a proportionable duty 
 upon all White Herrings consumed at home only : 
 and for making an allowance for Tobacco exported 
 from Scotland in the time therein mentioned : and 
 for giving further relief to the Refiners of Rock 
 Salt. 
 8 Geo. I. An Act to prevent the Clandestine running of Goods 
 
 cap. 18. and the danger of infection thereby : and to prevent 
 
 ships breaking their Quarentine : and to subject 
 Copper ore of the production of the British Planta- 
 
840 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 tions to such, regulations as other enumerated Com- 
 modities of the like Production are subject. 
 
 11 Geo. I. An Act for the more effectual preventing Frauds 
 cap. 30. and Abuses in the public Revenues : for preventing 
 
 Frauds in the salt duties : and for giving relief for 
 salt used in the curing of Salmon and Codfish, in the 
 year one thousand seven hundred and nineteen ex- 
 ported from that part of Great Britain and Scotland : 
 for enabling the Insurance Companies to plead the 
 General issue in actions brought against them and 
 for securing the Stamp Duties upon Policies and 
 Insurances. 
 
 12 Geo. I. An Act for the Improvement of His Majesty's 
 cap. 28. Revenues of Customs, Excise and Inland Duties. 
 
 3 Geo. II. An Act for taking off certain duties on Salt and for 
 
 cap. 26. making good any deficiencies in the Fund that may 
 
 happen thereby : and for charging the reduced 
 annuity payable to the East India Company on the 
 Aggregate Fund : and for the relief of Matthew 
 Lyon, Executor of Matthew Page deceased, in respect 
 of the duty for salt lost by the overflowing of the 
 River Mersy in the year one thousand seven hundred 
 and twenty four. 
 
 5 Geo. II. An Act for reviving the Duties on Salt for the term 
 
 cap. 6. therein mentioned. 
 
 7 Geo. II. An Act for granting and continuing the duties upon 
 cap 6. salt and upon Red and White Herrings for the further 
 
 term of seven years, and for licensing the erecting 
 New Refineries of Rock Salt in the Counties of Essex 
 and Suffolk. 
 
 8 Geo. cap. 12. An Act for granting and continuing upon salt and 
 
 upon red and white herrings for the further term of 
 four years and for giving further time for the Payment 
 of Duties omitted to be paid for the Indentures and 
 Contracts of Clerks and Apprentices. 
 14 Geo. II. An Act for granting and continuing the Duties upon 
 
 cap. 22. Salt and upon red and white Herrings for the further 
 
 term of seven years (from the 25th March 1746) and 
 for allowing Rock Salt to be used in making of Salt 
 from Sea Water at the Salt Works at Neath in the 
 County of Glamorgan. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 841 
 
 18 Geo. II. An Act for granting and continuing the Duties upon 
 
 cap. 5. Salt and upon Red and White Herrings for the further 
 
 term of six years, and for declaring that the duties 
 
 on Salt which arise and are payable in that part of 
 
 Great Britain called Scotland, shall be subject to the 
 
 same charges thereon as the same duties were liable 
 
 by the Act of the fifth year of the reign of his late 
 
 Majesty King George the first. 
 
 26 Geo. II. An Act for continuing the duties upon Salt and 
 
 cap. 3. upon Red and White Herrings for the purposes 
 
 therein mentioned. 
 "26 Geo. II. An Act to explain amend and render more effectual, 
 
 cap. ^ an Act made in the twenty -third year of the reign of 
 
 His present Majesty, intituled an Act for the en- 
 couragement of the British White Herring Fishery ; 
 and for regulating the said Fishery, according to the 
 Calender now in use and for other purposes therein 
 mentioned. 
 26 Geo. II. An Act for continuing several laws relating to 
 
 cap. 32. the punishment of persons going armed or disguised 
 
 in defiance of the Laws of Custom or Excise. 
 29 Geo. II. An Act for the encouraging the Fisheries in that 
 
 cap. 23. part of Great Britain called Scotland. 
 
 5 Geo. III. An Act for the better securing and further improve- 
 
 cap. 43. ment of the Revenue of Customs, Excise Inland and 
 
 Salt Duties, and for encouraging the Linen Manu- 
 facture of the Isle of Man, and for allowing the Im- 
 portation of several goods, the produce and manu- 
 facture of the said island under certain restrictions 
 and Regulations. 
 8 Geo. III. An Act for reducing the duties on Foul Salt to be 
 
 cap. 25. used for manure, for altering the Stamp Duties on 
 
 certain Policies of Assurance, for amending so much 
 of an Act made in the thirty -third year of the Reign of 
 His late Majesty King George the Second, as relates to 
 the allowance of the Duties of Customs, and exempt- 
 ing from the Duties of Excise such Rum or Spirits of 
 the growth Produce or Manufacture of the British 
 Sugar Plantations in America, as shall be exported 
 from the Kingdom, for better securing the Excise 
 duties upon Foreign Liquors imported : for repeating 
 
842 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 a Clause in an Act made in the last Session of Parlia- 
 ment, prohibiting the sale of condemned Tea for 
 Home Consumption, for amending such parts of two 
 Acts made in the sixth and seventh year of the Reign 
 of His present Majesty, as relate to the depositing in 
 the Warehouses belonging to the Custom House at 
 London Foreign wrought Silks and Velvets and 
 Cambrics and French Lawn, upon the seizure thereof. 
 
 12 Geo. III. An Act for the further encouragement of the Herring 
 cap. 58. Fishery on the Coast of the Isle of Man and for ob- 
 viating a doubt which has arisen with respect to the 
 allowing the bounties upon the British White Herring 
 Fishery, in the year one thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy- one. 
 
 13 Geo. III. An Act to permit the free importation of Cod fish, 
 cap. 72. Ling, and Hake, caught and cured in Chaleur Bay, or 
 
 any other part of the Gulph of St. Lawrence or on the 
 Coast of Labrador. 
 
 19 Geo. III. An Act for taking off the duty on all salt used in 
 cap. 52. the curing of Pilchards ; and laying a proportionable 
 
 duty upon all Pilchards consumed at home only. 
 
 20 Geo. III. An Act for granting to His Majesty additional 
 cap. 3L Duties upon Salt ; and for regulating the exportation 
 
 of salt to the Isle of Man. 
 20 Geo. III. An Act for granting to His Majesty several addi- 
 
 cap. 42. tional Duties upon certain goods imported into the 
 
 Isle of Man ; and for better regulating the Trade, 
 and securing the Revenues of the said Island. 
 22 Geo. III. An Act for granting to His Majesty additional duties 
 
 cap. 39. upon salt, and certain duties upon Glauber or Epsom 
 
 salts ; and also on Mineral Alkali, or Flux, for Glass 
 made from salt ; and to prevent Frauds in the duties 
 on Foul Salt to be used in manuring of Lands. 
 25 Geo. III. An Act for the encouragement of the Pilchard 
 
 cap. 58. Fishery, by allowing a further Bounty upon Pilchards 
 
 taken cured and exported. 
 25 Geo. III. An Act for reducing the allowances for waste on 
 
 cap. 63. Salt and Rock Salt ; for regulating the exportation 
 
 of salt to Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark ; for 
 repealing the laws allowing the use of Foul Salt for 
 manure only : for allowing a Drawback on the Ex- 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 843 
 
 portation of Glauber or Epsom Salts : for restraining 
 Pish Curers from being dealers in Salt : for regulating 
 the Exportation of Herrings from the Isle of Man : 
 for better securing the duties on Salt : and for in- 
 demnifying persons who have been guilty of offences 
 against the Laws relating to the Duties on Salt : — 
 
 25 Geo. III. An Act for the further Encouragement of the 
 cap. 65. British Fisheries. 
 
 26 Geo. III. An Act to explain an Act made in the last Session 
 cap. 36. of Parliament with respect to the allowances to be 
 
 made for waste, on the exportation of white and Eock 
 Salt to the Isle of Man, etc. 
 26 Geo. III. By an Act made in the twenty-sixth year of the 
 
 cap. 40. reign of His Majesty Geo. III. intitled An Act for 
 
 regulating the Production of Manifests : and for 
 more effectually preventing fraudulent Practices in 
 obtaining Bounties and Drawbacks, and in the 
 clandestine relanding of Goods. 
 26 Geo. III. An Act to continue and amend an Act made in the 
 
 cap. 45. twenty-fifth year of the reign of His present Majesty, 
 
 for the encouragement of the Pilchard Fishery by 
 allowing a further bounty upon Pilchards taken cured 
 and exported. 
 26 Geo. III. An Act for the more encouragement of the British 
 
 cap. 81. Fisheries. 
 
 26 Geo. III. An Act for repealing so much of an Act passed in 
 
 cap. 90. the twenty-second year of His present Majesty's 
 
 Reign, intitled an Acting for granting to His Majesty 
 additional duties upon salt and certain duties upon 
 Glauber or Epsom salts : and also upon Mineral 
 Alkali, or Flux, for Glass made from Salt : and to 
 prevent Frauds in the Duties on Foul Salt, to be used 
 in manuring of Lands, as relates to the obtaining 
 Rock Salt, or Salt Rock or Brine, or Sea Water for 
 the purpose of making Mineral Alkali or Flux, for 
 Glass, Duty free. 
 
844 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 FURTHER EXTRACTS FROM ACTS OF PARLIAMENT re SALT 
 
 BRINE. 
 1 Anne 
 cap. 21. 
 
 5 Geo. I. 
 cap. 18. 
 
 BUSHEL. 
 
 7 & 8 Wm. III. 
 cap. 31. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. 
 
 cap. 44. 
 
 1 Anne cap 21 
 
 8 Geo. III. 
 cap. 25. 
 
 DISCOUNT ON 
 
 PROMPT 
 
 PAYMENT. 
 
 On White Salt : 
 On Rock Salt . 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 No person shall make use of brine before it be 
 boiled into salt, for the pickling or curing of flesh or 
 fish or for preserving of any provisions, on forfeiture 
 of 40s. for every gallon of brine so made use of and 
 so proportionally for a greater or less quantity. 
 
 Brine carried or conveyed from the pits, person 
 carrying or conveying, or causing the same to be 
 carried or conveyed (except known proprietors of 
 pans for boiling white salt) forfeits 40s. for every 
 gallon, and so proportionally for a greater or lesser 
 quantity. 
 
 56 lbs. weight is deemed a Bushel of White Salt. 
 
 65 lbs. weight is deemed a Bushel of Rock Salt. 
 
 56 lbs. weight is deemed a Bushel of Foul Salt. 
 
 If the duty be paid in ready money the pro- 
 prietor allowed a discount of £10 per cent, for six 
 months. By Act 5 Anne Cap 29 it was enlarged to 
 9 months. 
 
 If duty be paid in ready money, the proprietor 
 allowed a discount of £10 per cent, for six months 
 enlarged to 9 months, and by Act 5 Annae cap. 29 
 it was enlarged to 12 months. 
 
 Duty per gallon by Act 5 & 6 W. & M. cap. 7 . ljd. 
 9 & 10 W. III. cap. 44 3|d. 
 20 Geo. III. cap. 34 . 1-i-d. 
 . lid. 
 
 22 Geo. III. cap. 39 
 Duty per Gallon 
 
 7id. 
 
 To be paid by weight viz. : 
 
 White salt refined salt and foul salt at 56 lbs. to 
 the bushel. Rock Salt at 65 lbs. to the bushel. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 845 
 
 10 & 11 Win. III. 
 cap. 22. 
 
 7 & 8 Win. III. 
 cap. 31 & 9 & 10 
 Wm. III. cap. 44. 
 
 8 Geo. III. 
 cap. 25. 
 
 22 Geo. III. 
 cap. 39. 
 
 Duty on Eock Salt to be paid or secured in two 
 days after charge made : upon failure thereof, pro- 
 prietor shall forfeit double the value of said duty. 
 
 All Salt made from Rock Salt (allowing the draw- 
 back from the same) and all refined salt, or salt made 
 from salt either imported or made in England, is 
 chargeable with the above duties. 
 
 N.B. — If white salt or foreign salt which has paid 
 the duty is refined there is no allowance or drawback 
 of the duty on refining. 
 
 Duties on Foul Salt to be used for manure only, 
 is 4d. per bushel. Repealed by 25 Geo. III. cap 68 
 and liable to the same duties as white salt. 
 
 Glauber or Epsom salts which shall be made or 
 produced at any Salt-work within the Kingdom of 
 Great Britain is subject to a duty of 20s. per cwt. 
 and upon exportation, to be allowed a drawback of 
 half the duty. Mineral alkali, or flux for glass, 
 which shall be made of any rock salt, or salt rock, 
 or from any brine or sea water, is subject to a duty 
 of 20s. per ton. 
 
 No person to use any rock salt, etc. for making a 
 Mineral alkali, or flux for glass, without a license 
 
 N.B. — This act is in part repealed by the 16 
 Geo. III. cap. 90 by which it is only lawful for glass- 
 makers to use rock salt or brine etc. for the purpose 
 of making a flux for glass at their respective glass 
 works, and not elsewhere. 
 
 ENTRY. Makers and Proprietors of salt, and rock salt, and 
 
 5 & 6. W. & M. foul salt, to make true entries of the quantities of 
 cap. 7. salt by them made, or taken out of pits and delivered 
 
 9 & 10. W. III. and to have a warrant to carry away the same from 
 cap. 44. the works, which warrant is to be given by the 
 
 3 Geo. III. officers upon the duty being paid or secured, 
 
 cap. 23. 
 
 9 & 10. Wm. III. All salt conveyed by day or by night, by land or 
 cap. 44. by water, before entry made and warrant obtained 
 
 is to be seized. 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Every maker of salt, refiner of rock salt, or pro- 
 
 prietors of salt works or salt pits, shall on or before 
 
846 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 24 June 1702, make a true entry in writing at the 
 next salt office, of the number and situation of every 
 work, salt pit, and the number of pans in each work, 
 and the number and situation of every storehouse, 
 warehouse and other place by him made use of for 
 the making, refining, or keeping of salt, or rock salt, 
 on forfeiture of £40, and the like entry must be made 
 of any salt work, salt pit, salt pan, storehouse, ware- 
 house or other place, that shall be erected, set up, 
 or made use of, after said 24 June 1702, on pain of 
 forfeiting £40 for every work, salt pit, pan, storehouse, 
 warehouse, or other place that shall be so made use 
 of without such entry made. 
 
 EXPORTATION. Any person exporting salt, the officer of the place 
 5 & 6. W. & M. where it was made or imported, shall certify the duty 
 cap. 7 and 9 & 10 to be paid, or secured to be paid, and the officer of 
 Wm. III. cap. 44. the place where the salt is exported, upon producing 
 said certificate, and oath made of shipping off the 
 said salt, and of its not being relanded in England 
 or Wales, shall give a debenture without delay, fee 
 or reward for the repayment of the duty : which 
 debenture being produced to the officer to whom the 
 duty was paid or secured, such officer shall discharge 
 the security given for the said salt or repay all the 
 money he received for the duty of it. 
 5 Geo. II. Persons exporting either Foreign or English, or any 
 
 cap. 6. Rock Salt or Salt refined from Rock Salt, shall have 
 
 no greater allowance on prompt payment, waste 
 coastwise waste to Ireland, and upon the exportation, 
 than what was before paid for the duty : and in case 
 the salt was bonded then to have no greater allow- 
 ance than what will vacate the security. 
 10 & 11. Wm. III. All white salt shipped, to be delivered as a corn- 
 cap. 22. modify, either for exportation, or coastwise, shall 
 be weighed at the place or creek where the said salt 
 is taken on board. 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Ships carrying salt for exportation, shall have a 
 cocquet signed by the Custom and salt officers ex- 
 pressing the particular quantity put on board : And 
 if such ships come into any other port in England, 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 847 
 
 etc. the officers of the Customs or salt duties, may go 
 on board any such ship or vessel, and demand a sight 
 of the cocquet, and if the officer has just cause to 
 suspect there is not so much salt on board as men- 
 tioned in the cocquet and shall make affidavit thereof 
 before the Collector or Customer of the port : officer 
 may weigh the salt, and if there shall want of the 
 quantity expressed in the cocquet, making reasonable 
 allowance for the waste, and for salt delivered at any 
 other port etc., all the salt remaining on board shall 
 be forfeited and lost. 
 
 1 Anne cap. 15. Officers may go on board all ships importing or 
 
 exporting any salt or fish, and continue on board, 
 and take an account and see the same weighed, 
 landed or exported : and if any person obstructs or 
 hinders the said officer, such person forfeits £20 : 
 (by the 25 Geo. III. cap. 63, £100). On exportation 
 of salt or rock salt the officers may take sufficient 
 security from the merchant for the duties, without 
 insisting that the original proprietor be bound. 
 
 2 & 3 Anne No salt or rock salt to be entered for exportation 
 cap. 14. by any person not bound for the duty, until new 
 
 security be given, and the original security is to be 
 thereupon discharged. 
 Do. Salt exported to Isles of Man, Jersey, or Guern- 
 
 sey, is entitled to a drawback under particular 
 restrictions. 
 
 Salt shipped for exportation, perishing by the 
 sinking of the ship before she goes out of port. 
 5 Geo. I. No salt after put on board any boat, barge, ship 
 
 cap. 18. or vessel in any river, port or place, in Great Britain, 
 
 in order to be exported, shall be taken out of such 
 boat, barge ship or vessel, or put on shore, but in 
 the presence of an officer under the penalties of for- 
 feiting the salt and 10s. per bushel and the boat 
 barge, etc., and tackle : and every person concerned 
 therein also forfeits £20. 
 
 Any person may export rock salt or refined salt, 
 made from rock salt for which the duties have been 
 paid and shall be repaid the said duties. 
 
 N.B. — The word Salt in all the foregoing clauses 
 
848 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 (where not distinguished by rock or refined) extends 
 to Foreign as well as English Salt exported. 
 
 FISHERY. British Salt may be delivered duty free for the 
 
 5 Geo. I. cap. 16 Fishery being weighed and warehoused as the 
 
 6 26 Geo. III. Act directs. Refined Salt may be delivered duty 
 cap. 81. free for the curing fish (8 Geo. II. cap. 16). 
 
 IMPORTED. No salt whatsoever either English or Foreign to 
 
 9 & 10. W. III. be imported, brought in, landed, or put on shore, 
 cap. 44. before due entry made and duty paid on pain of 
 
 forfeiture of the salt and 10s. per bushel 
 
 IRELAND. 
 1 Anne cap. 
 
 21. 
 
 5 Anne cap. 29. 
 
 Do. 
 
 25 Geo. III. 
 
 5 Geo. II. 
 cap. 6. 
 
 No debenture to be made or granted, or drawback 
 allowed for salt exported to Ireland, until the ex- 
 porter produce a certificate under the hand of the 
 Collector of the Customs of the port in Ireland, in 
 the quantity landed there and the drawback to be 
 allowed for no greater quantity than what is landed 
 in Ireland. 
 
 No drawback to be allowed for salt landed in 
 Ireland unless the entry of the same salt at exporta- 
 tion be made for some port in Ireland. 
 
 English white salt shipped to be exported to Ireland 
 allowed for waste four bushels in forty bushels : and 
 rock salt two bushels in forty bushels, and debentures 
 to be made out for salt exported. 
 
 N.B. — No waste allowed on foreign salt exported 
 to Ireland. 
 
 Allowance on salt shipped to be exported to Ireland 
 reduced, and to be allowed no more than two bushels 
 for every forty bushels of white salt, and one bushel 
 for every forty bushels of Rock Salt and no more. 
 
 Persons exporting either foreign, English Rock or 
 Refined Salt, shall have no greater allowance on 
 prompt payment, waste coastwise, waste in Ireland, 
 and upon the exportation, than what was before paid 
 for the duty, and in case the salt was bonded then 
 to have no greater allowance than what will vacate 
 the security. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 849 
 
 5 Geo. II. Salt shipped for Ireland, perishing by the sinking 
 
 cap. 6. of the ship or taken by enemies. Vide relief under 
 
 the head of lost at sea or in port. 
 2 & 3 Anne No salt of the produce of England, Wales, Berwick, 
 
 cap. 3, 14. Scotland or Ireland nor any of the salt coming from 
 
 Ireland, Scotland or the Isle of Man, shall be imported 
 or brought into any port or place within England, 
 Wales or Berwick : nor be taken out of any ship or 
 vessel, nor put on shore within any of the said ports 
 or places, upon pain of forfeiting the salt and the 
 ship, together with all her tackle and apparel ; and 
 every person taking the salt on shore, or conveying 
 it after landed, or assisting therein, shall forfeit £20, 
 or suffer six months' imprisonment : and the officers 
 may seize the salt, the ship and tackle and apparel 
 any time within two months after the landing of the 
 salt : and if not claimed within 20 days after seizure 
 and security given for the value, may sell them. 
 This clause not to extend to salt carried coastwise. 
 
 N.B. — Salt made in Scotland, may be imported 
 
 from Scotland by the Act of Union. Foreign salt 
 
 may be brought coastwise from Scotland. Vide 
 
 Act 5 Geo. I. 
 
 2 & 3 Anne Salt from Ireland or other foreign parts, which 
 
 cap. 14. was taken only for provisions of the ship, or for 
 
 5 Geo. I. curing fish, may be landed, if entered in ten days, 
 
 cap. 18. and the duties paid or secured. If not entered in 
 
 ten days, it is forfeited and double the value. 
 
 ISLE OF MAN. (Regulations same as Ireland in general). 
 26 Geo. III. Allowance for waste to the Isle of Man, to be after 
 
 cap. 36. the rate of one bushel in every forty bushels of white 
 
 salt, and half a bushel in every forty of rock salt. 
 
 LOSS AT SEA, A subject of England shipping salt that has paid 
 OR IN PORT, OR the duty, to go coastwise to any part of England 
 IN HARBOURS and the vessel either perishing at sea, or being taken 
 OR IN RIVERS, by the enemies, with the salt on board her : the 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. owner shall upon proof, at the quarter sessions held 
 cap. 44. at the place where he doth inhabit of the loss of such 
 
 salt have the liberty to buy the like quantity, without 
 
 paying any duty for the same. 
 3h 
 
850 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 2 & 3 Anne Salt shipped for exportation, or to be carried 
 
 cap. 14. coastwise perishing by the sinking of the ship before 
 
 she goes out of port, and before the exporter of such 
 salt shall be entitled to a drawback : then, and in 
 such case, the exporter or proprietor, on proof at the 
 next general quarter sessions for the County or place, 
 next to the place where the salt perished, shall have 
 a Certificate that such proof was made ; and on pro- 
 ducing the Certificate to any Collectors of the duties 
 on Salt, he is required to allow the exporter or 
 proprietor to buy the like quantity of salt duty free. 
 2 & 3 Anne Salt shipped by a subject of this realm, to be carried 
 
 cap. 14. coastwise, if the whole, or part thereof, be lost at 
 
 sea by violent or stormy weather, or by being thrown 
 overboard for preserving men's lives or the vessel : 
 the owner on proof by two or more witnesses, whereof 
 the master or mate to be one, at the quarter sessions 
 where the owner lives, of the loss of the salt, and 
 that it was not occasioned by any leakage of the ship 
 or by any negligence of the master, or mariners, 
 shall receive a certificate from the sessions : on pro- 
 ducing which to any of the officers of the salt duties, 
 such officer is required to let the person buy the like 
 quantity of salt as is expressed in the certificate to 
 be lost, without paying any duty for the same. 
 4 & 5 Anne Salt shipped for Ireland (and lost under the condi- 
 
 cap. 12. tions as before and similar steps to prove loss taken) 
 
 on producing certificate to the office of the place 
 where the duty was paid or secured, the security 
 shall be discharged, or the money paid for the duty, 
 repaid. This proof is to be made by two witnesses 
 within six months after the loss or taking as 
 aforesaid. (Enlarged to two years by 25 Geo. II. 
 cap. 32.) 
 12 Anne cap. 2. If salt taken in for the North Sea, or Isleland 
 
 fisheries, be lost at sea or taken by enemies, upon 
 proof thereof at the quarter sessions for the place 
 where the owner doth inhabit (within nine months 
 after such loss or taking) the security shall be dis- 
 charged, or the money paid for the duty, shall be 
 repaid. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 851 
 
 8 Geo. I. cap. 4. Salt that shall perish or be lost in any port or 
 harbour, or river of this realm, by storms or rages 
 of the tides from the sea, or otherwise, shall upon 
 the like proof as is required of the owners of salt 
 lost at sea by stormy weather in the Act 2 & 3 Anne, 
 be entitled to buy the like quantity duty free. 
 See Act 26 Refined salt shipped duty free for the fishery the 
 
 Geo. II. cap. 32 vessel perishing at sea, or taken by enemies, with the 
 
 8 Geo. I. salt on board' her, upon proof thereof by the owner, 
 cap. 16. at the quarter sessions for the place wherein he doth 
 
 inhabit, the certificate applied towards discharging 
 the security given for the Rock Salt. 
 26 Geo. II. Where any salt or rock salt hath been lost or shall 
 
 cap. 32. be lost in carrying the same down any river in order 
 
 to be shipped on board the vessel in which the same 
 is to be exported, or hath been or shall be lost in 
 the port after the same is shipped, and before the 
 exporter is or can be intitled to a debenture and 
 proof thereof hath been or shall be made in all points 
 in names as directed by 2 & 3 Annae cap. 14 and 
 8 Geo. I. cap. 4, then and in every such case, the 
 certificate or certificates, for all such salt or rock 
 salt that hath been or shall be lost, shall and may be 
 applied by the collector of the duties on salt, for the 
 place where the duty on such salt or rock salt hath 
 been or shall be secured to be paid, to discharge and 
 vacate the security given or to be given for the duty 
 of so much salt as shall appear by such certificate 
 to have been lost. 
 20 Geo. III. (The Acts above mentioned are made to apply to 
 
 cap. 34. the Isle of Man and proof of loss to be made within 
 
 two years after the loss or taking.) 
 
 MASTERS OF Masters of Ships carrying any Salt coastwise before 
 
 SHIPS they have a warrant for landing the salt, shall deliver 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. a true particular of the quantity of salt to the salt 
 cap. 44. officer of the port where the salt is to be landed, and 
 
 shall make oath as therein prescribed. 
 5 Geo. I. Upon the re-shipping of any salt out of one 
 
 cap. 18. vessel into another, Master to be sworn that all the 
 
 salt that he took in, or loaded at the place of loading 
 
852 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 (mentioning the quantity) is truly reshipped on board 
 the vessel that he shall reship it on ; and that there 
 was no salt added to it, or taken from it at such 
 place of landing, or since he came from it to the 
 best of his knowledge and belief ; under the penalty 
 of double the value of the salt and £10 per bushel. 
 1 Anne cap. 21. If a ship laden with salt for exportation, be by 
 
 stress of weather, or otherwise, drove, or come into 
 any port : salt officer may go on board, and con- 
 tinue until she unlades her cargo, or proceeds on her 
 voyage : and if the master refuses such entrance or 
 continuance he forfeits £20. Master or other person 
 unlading any such salt, before entry and repayment 
 of duty, forfeits the salt unladen, and also the whole 
 cargo of salt remaining in the ship. 
 8 Geo. I. Upon the warehousing salt delivered duty free for 
 
 cap. 16. the fishery that has been brought by sea, Master etc., 
 
 shall make oath that all the salt he took in, or loaded 
 at the place of lading (mentioning the quantity) is 
 truly delivered to be lodged in the warehouse : and 
 that there was none added to it or taken from it at 
 the place of loading, or since he came from it : under 
 the penalty of forfeiting double the value of the salt, 
 and 10s. a bushel. 
 
 OFFICER. 
 
 Where salt shall be entered for water or land 
 
 9 & 10. Wm. III. carriage, and the duty paid or secured, and all arrears 
 
 cap 6. either upon bond that is due, or otherwise, for salt 
 
 before delivered, be paid, the officer shall be obliged 
 
 between sun rising and setting to attend the weighing 
 
 of salt, under the penalty of 40s. for every default. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. Officers to deliver as many permits to each carrier 
 cap. 44. of salt, as he shall demand for such several horse 
 
 loads of salt as he shall load at one time, and at one 
 salt work. 
 
 10 & 11. Wm. III. Rock salt shall be weighed in the presence of an 
 cap. 22. officer, before the same be removed from the pit, 
 
 and the officer to attend in the day time, and to take 
 an account of the salt weighed, and to make a return 
 or report in writing under his hand, which return or 
 report shall be a charge upon the proprietor. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 853 
 
 10 & 11 Wm. III. All the salt shipped to be delivered as a commodity 
 
 cap. 22. either for exportation or coastwise, shall be weighed 
 
 at the place or creek where the said salt is to be taken 
 on board, by such officers as the Commissioners of 
 excise shall appoint : and if put on board without 
 weighing or tendering to be weighed and a permit 
 obtained, the salt shall be forfeited and 10s. a bushel. 
 Do. The officer to give the permit gratis under the 
 
 penalty of £5. 
 
 Officer refusing to weigh, or not attending to weigh, 
 or after weighing, refusing to give a permit the owner 
 may carry the salt on board, without incurring the 
 penalty. 
 Do. Salt brought coastwise into any port, the officer 
 
 may go on board the ship before the delivery of the 
 salt and demand a sight of the permit, and weigh the 
 salt upon the unlading the same : and if there is 
 more than contained in the permit, the surplusage 
 is forfeited. If the master refuses to show his permit, 
 the officer may seize the salt, and detain the same 
 until the permit or certificate be produced : and if 
 the permit is not produced in four days after seizure, 
 salt to be forfeited. 
 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Officers may enter all salt works, warehouses, 
 
 storehouses, and other places made use of by any 
 maker, refiner or importer of salt : or proprietor of 
 rock salt, in the day time, and in the night with a 
 constable ; and if the maker, refiner or proprietor of 
 rock salt refuse him entrance, he forfeits £40. 
 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Salt carrier or other person removing or conveying 
 
 any salt from any salt work, or place thereinto 
 belonging without entry and payment of duty, or 
 without a warrant, etc., for removing or carrying 
 the same, the officer may seize the salt and appre- 
 hend the offender or offenders, and carry him 
 her or them, before one justice of the peace, for the 
 county or place where the offence was committed : 
 and if upon proof of the fact, the offender do not 
 pay down the penalties incurred, and no sufficient 
 distress can be found, the justice is to commit the 
 offender to the house of correction, there to be whipt 
 
854 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 and kept to hard labour, for any time not exceeding 
 one month. 
 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Any person that shall obstruct or hinder an officer 
 in the execution of his duty, or shall beat or abuse 
 him shall forfeit £20, and for non-payment, and de- 
 fault of distress, the justice upon due proof of the 
 offence shall commit the offender to the house of 
 correction there to be whipt and kept to hard labour 
 for any time not exceeding a month. 
 
 25 Geo. III. If any person or persons obstruct, assault, resist, 
 
 cap. 63. oppose, molest or hinder any officer or officers of the 
 
 salt duties in the execution of his or their office or 
 in the execution of any of the several powers and 
 authority given or granted to such officers, by this 
 or any other act now in force, or hereafter to be made, 
 or shall beat or abuse the said officers or any of them, 
 in the execution of their office, every person or 
 persons so offending shall severally forfeit and lose 
 for every such .offence the sum of one hundred 
 pounds. 
 
 ] Anne cap. 21. If a ship laden with salt for exportation be by 
 stress of weather, or otherwise drove or come into 
 any port, salt officer may go on board, and continue 
 until she unlands (sic) her cargo, or proceeds on her 
 voyage, and if the master refuses such entrance or 
 continuance he forfeits £20. 
 Do. Ships carrying salt, either for exportation or coast- 
 
 wise, shall have a cocquet signed by the custom and 
 salt officers, expressing the particular quantity put 
 on board : and if such ship come into any other port 
 in England, etc., the officers of the customs or salt 
 duties may go on board any such ship or vessel and 
 demand a sight of the cocquet : and if the officer has 
 just cause to suspect there is not so much salt on 
 board as mentioned in the cocquet and shall make 
 affidavit thereof before the Collector or customer of 
 the port, officer may weigh the salt and if there shall 
 want of the quantity expressed in the cocquet 
 making reasonable allowance for the waste of the 
 salt, since its exportation, and also making allowance 
 (for salt going coastwise) of salt delivered at another 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 855 
 
 port and endorsed on the permit, then all the salt 
 remaining on board shall be forfeited and lost. 
 
 I Anne cap. 21. Officers may go on board all ships importing or 
 
 exporting any salt or fish, and continue on board and 
 take an account, and see the same weighed landed or 
 exported and if any person obstructs or hinders the 
 said officer, such person forfeits £20 : 25 Geo. III. 
 cap. 63 £100. 
 5 Geo. I. Officers are authorised and empowered to seize all 
 
 cap. 15. salt and other things, which by that or any law, 
 
 relating to the duties on salt, are declared to be 
 forfeited. 
 
 II Geo. I. Proof of an officer acting as such, sufficient without 
 cap. 30. proving his Commission. 
 
 5 Geo. III. Officer delivering or aiding or assisting in the 
 
 delivery of any Salt, before the duty is charged, and 
 an account thereof taken on the proper book or books 
 kept for that purpose, forfeits over and above the 
 penalty of his bond double the value of the salt 
 delivered and 10s. per bushel. 
 Do. Officer meeting any person conveying salt by land 
 
 or by water, may demand a sight of permit or Cer- 
 tificate, and if he suspects there is more salt than is 
 mentioned therein he may weigh the salt and seize 
 the surplus and any person obstructing him therein 
 forfeits £20 : £100 vide 25 Geo. III. cap. 63. 
 
 PENALTIES. 
 5 & 6 W. & M. 
 cap. 7. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. 
 cap. 44. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. 
 cap. 6. cap. 44. 
 1 Anne cap. 21. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. 
 cap. 6. 
 
 Salt not to be delivered from the Salt works or 
 pits, without notice given to the officers, upon the 
 forfeiture of the Salt, and upon the forfeiture of £20 
 by the ownei of the salt works or pits. 
 
 Salt not to be delivered from Salt works or pits 
 without notice to the officers, on pain of forfeiting 
 the salt and after the rate of 10s. per bushel : to be 
 recovered of the owner of the salt works or pit. 
 
 Salt shall be sold by weight, of fifty-six pounds to 
 the bushel , upon pain of forfeiting £5 to the informer. 
 
 Person buying salt otherwise than by weight 
 forfeits 10s. per bushel. 
 
 Where salt shall be entered for water or land 
 carriage, and the duty paid or secured, and all 
 
856 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 arrears either upon bond that is due, or otherwise 
 for salt before delivered be paid : the officer shall be 
 obliged, between sunrising and setting to attend the 
 weighing of salt, under the penalty of 40s. for every 
 default. 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. All salt conveyed by day or by night, by land or 
 cap. 44. by water, before entry made, and warrant obtained 
 
 shall be seized and carried to the next officer, there 
 to be kept, and if not claimed within ten days, shall 
 be forfeited, and shall be sold at the next general 
 day of sale, to be appointed by the Commissioners 
 or officers, after the said ten days are expired ; one 
 moiety of the proceed (all charges first deducted) to 
 the King, the other to the party who seized. If such 
 salt be claimed within ten days, and the owner shall 
 neglect or refuse to make it appear by oath of one or 
 more credible witnesses, that the salt so seized had 
 been duly entered : then the salt shall be forfeited : 
 and every person who shall carry or convey or cause 
 any salt to be carried or conveyed, before entry made, 
 or warrant obtained, as aforesaid, shall forfeit double 
 the value, and 10s. per bushel. 
 Do. Masters of ships carrying any salt coastwise, before 
 
 they have a warrant for landing the salt, shall deliver 
 A a true particular of the quantity of salt to the salt 
 
 officer of the port where the salt is to be landed, 
 signed by the salt and customs officers of the port 
 from whence he came : and the master, mate or 
 boatswain shall make oath, that there has not been 
 laid on board, or taken into the said ship or vessel, 
 any salt since he came from such port : if part of 
 the salt is to be delivered at one port, and another 
 part at another port or ports : that then the officers 
 at the delivery of part shall certify on the back of 
 the cocquet, the quantity delivered, upon pain of for- 
 feiting double the value of the salt that shall be 
 otherwise delivered, and 10s. per bushel. 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. If any salt after the duty has been repaid, or dis- 
 cap. 44. charged upon the exportation, shall be landed before 
 
 the duty be again paid : the person so offending shall 
 B forfeit double the value and 10s. a bushel for such 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 857 
 
 salt so landed, and such other penalties and for- 
 feitures as are inflicted on any person who shall land 
 foreign salt without entry, contrary to the meaning 
 of the Act. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. No salt whatsoever either English or Foreign to be 
 cap. 44 imported, brought in, landed, or put on shore, before 
 
 C due entry made and duty paid, on pain of forfeiting 
 
 the salt and 10s. a Bushel. 
 Do. Price of salt to be fixed within the bills of Mortality 
 
 by the Lord Mayor, and in the country by the justices 
 of the peace, at the general sessions, and persons 
 selling at higher prices forfeit £5. 
 
 10 & 11 Wm. III. Duty on Rock Salt to be paid or secured in two 
 cap. 22 days after charge made : upon failure thereof, pro- 
 prietor shall forfeit double the value of the said duty. 
 
 Do. Proprietor refusing to weigh rock salt when taken 
 
 out of the pit, on conveying the same from the pit 
 before being weighed, shall forfeit £20 and double 
 the value of the Rock Salt. 
 10 & 11 Wm. III. All white salt shipped to be delivered as a corn- 
 cap. 22. modity, either for exportation or coastwise shall be 
 weighed at the place or creek where the said salt is 
 to be taken on board, by such officers as the Com- 
 missioners of Excise shall appoint : and if put on 
 board without weighing, or tendering to be weighed, 
 and a permit obtained the salt shall be forfeited, and 
 10s. pec bushel. 
 
 Do. The officer to give the permit gratis under the 
 
 penalty of £5. 
 
 Do. Officers refusing to weigh, or not attending to 
 
 weigh, or after weighing, refusing to give a permit, 
 the owner may carry the salt on board, without 
 incurring the penalty. 
 
 Do. Salt brought coastwise into any port, the officer 
 
 may go on board the ship before the delivery of the 
 salt, and demand a sight of the permit, and weigh 
 the salt upon the unlading of the same, and if there 
 is more than contained in the permit the surplusage 
 is forfeited. If the master refuses to show his permit, 
 the officer may seize the salt and detain the same until 
 the permit or certificate be produced, and if the 
 
858 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 permit is not produced in four days after seizure, 
 salt to be forfeited. 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Every maker of salt or refiner of salt, or propiietor 
 
 of any salt work or pits, shall on or before 24 June 
 1702, make a true entry in writing at the next salt 
 office of the number and situation of every salt pit 
 or salt work and the number of pans in each work, 
 and the number and situation of every storehouse, 
 warehouse and other place by him made use of for 
 making, refining or keeping of salt, or rock salt on 
 forfeiture of £40. And the like entry must be made 
 of any salt work, salt pit, salt pan, storehouse, ware- 
 house, or other place that shall be erected, set up or 
 made use of, after the said 24 June 1702, on pain of 
 forfeiture of £40 for every work, salt pit, pan, store- 
 house, warehouse, or other place, that shall be so 
 made use of without such entry made. Officers may 
 enter all such works, warehouses, storehouses, etc., 
 in the day time, and in the night with a constable, 
 and if the maker or proprietor refuse him entrance, 
 he forfeits £40. 
 
 Do. English salt (not duly entered nor duty paid) 
 
 found in the custody of persons near the salt works 
 or sea coasts the person in whose custody it is found, 
 is liable to a forfeiture of double the value, and 10s. 
 a bushel, unless he can prove that he bought it of a 
 maker or retailer of salt, and of whom. 
 
 Do. Salt carrier or other person, removing or conveying 
 
 salt from any salt work, or place thereunto belonging, 
 without entry and payment of duty, or without a 
 warrant, etc. for removing or carrying the same ; 
 the officer may seize the salt, and apprehend the 
 person, and carry them before one justice of the 
 peace for the county or place where the offence was 
 committed ; and if upon proof of the fact the offender 
 do not pay down the penalties incurred, and no 
 sufficient distress can be found, the justice is to 
 commit the offender to the house of correction, there 
 to be whipt and kept to hard labour for any time not 
 exceeding one month. And if any person shall 
 obstruct or hinder an officer in the execution of his 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 859 
 
 duty, or shall beat or abuse him, such person shall 
 forfeit £20 and for non-payment, and in default of 
 distress, the justice upon due proof of the offence, 
 shall commit the offender to the house of correction, 
 there to be whipt and kept to hard labour, for any 
 time not exceeding one month (25 Geo. III. cap. 63 
 £100). 
 1 Anne cap. 21. No person shall make use of brine before it be 
 boiled into salt, or of rock salt before it be refined 
 into white salt, for the pickling or curing of flesh or 
 fish, or for preserving of any provisions, on forfeiture 
 of 40s. for every gallon of brine, or pound of rock 
 salt so made use of. 
 
 No rock salt shall be refined into white salt in any 
 place whatsoever, except such places as are within 
 ten miles distance of the pits from whence the rock 
 was taken, or at such places as on or before the 10th 
 day of May 1702, had been used for refining rock 
 salt, under the pain of 40s. for every bushel of rock 
 salt that shall be melted or refined in any house or 
 place not by this Act allowed. The miles are to be 
 computed miles of the country. 
 
 If a ship laden with salt for exportation, be by 
 stress of weather or otherwise, drove or come into 
 any port, salt officer may go on board, and continue 
 till she unlades her cargo, or proceeds on her voyage 
 and if the master refuses such entrance, or continu- 
 ance he forfeits £20. If any part of the salt be un- 
 laden or put on shore before due entry, or re-pay- 
 ment of the duty, then not only the salt so unladen, 
 but also, the whole cargo of salt in such ship remain- 
 ing, shall be forfeited and lost. 
 Do. Ships carrying salt either for exportation or coast- 
 
 wise, shall have a cocquet, signed by the custom and 
 salt officers, expressing the particular quantity put 
 on board : and if such ship come into any other port 
 in England etc., the officers of the customs or salt 
 duties may go on board any such ship or vessel, and 
 demand a sight of the cocquet : and if the officer 
 have just cause to suspect there is not so much salt 
 on board as mentioned in the cocquet and shall 
 
 Do. 
 N.B.— There are 
 some exceptions 
 vide Rock Salt. 
 
 8 Geo. II. 
 cap. 12. 
 
 1 Anne cap. 21 
 D 
 
860 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1 Anne cap. 21. 
 By Geo. (25) 
 III. cap. 63. 
 £100. 
 
 2 & 3 Anne 
 cap. 14. 
 Salt made in 
 Scotland may 
 be imported 
 into England by 
 the Act of Union. 
 Foreign salt may 
 be brought from 
 Scotland vide 
 
 5 Geo. I. 
 
 2 & 3 Ann e 
 cap. 14. 
 
 5 Anne cap. 8. 
 
 25 Geo. III. 
 cap. 63. 
 
 make affidavit thereof before the collector or cus- 
 tomer of the port, officer may weigh the salt : and 
 if there shall want of the quantity expressed in the 
 cocquet, making reasonable allowance for the waste 
 of the salt since its exportation : and also making 
 allowance (for salt going coastwise) of salt delivered 
 at another port, and endorsed on the permit then all 
 the salt remaining on board shall be forfeited and 
 lost. 
 
 Officers may go on board all ships importing or 
 exporting any salt or fish, and continue on board : 
 and if any person obstruct or hinder the said officer, 
 such person forfeits £20. 
 
 Salt of the produce of England and Wales Berwick 
 Scotland or Ireland, or any other salt from Ireland, 
 Scotland or the Isle of Man imported or put on shore 
 is forfeited, and the ship together with all her tackle 
 and apparel : and every person taking the salt on 
 shore or conveying it after landed, or assisting therein 
 shall forfeit £20 or suffer six months imprisonment. 
 And the officers may seize the salt, the ship, the 
 tackle and apparel, any time within two months after 
 landing the salt ; and if not claimed within twenty 
 days after seizure may sell them. This clause not 
 to extend to salt carried coastwise. 
 
 Salt carrier or other person, carrying or conveying 
 any salt without a warrant or permit, the salt is 
 forfeited, and the carrier forfeits £20, as well as the 
 proprietor from whose works the salt is delivered 
 without notice first given. 
 
 No salt whatsoever to be brought out of Scotland 
 by land on pain of forfeiting the salt, the cattle, and 
 carriages, and 20s. a bushel : for which the carrier 
 as well as the owner shall be liable jointly and 
 severally and the persons bringing or carrying the 
 same, to be imprisoned by any one justice of the peace 
 for six months, without bail, and also until the 
 penalty be paid. 
 
 Every person residing in any county in England 
 near the borders of Scotland, on whose custody or 
 possession, any salt brought from Scotland shall be 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 861 
 
 found, shall be liable to the same penalties, as if be 
 or she was the carrier or owner thereof, unless he or 
 she shall make it appear upon the trial, or hearing 
 of any information for such offence, that it came 
 by sea, and that the duties due and payable on the 
 importation thereof, had been paid or secured. 
 5 Geo. I. Brine carried from the pits, person carrying or 
 
 cap 18. causing the same to be carried, except known pro- 
 
 prietors of pans for boiling white salt, forfeits 40s. for 
 every gallon. 
 Do. No salt after put on board any boat, barge, ship, 
 
 G. or vessel, in any river, port or place in Great Britain, 
 
 in order to be exported, shall be taken out or put on 
 shore, but in the presence of an officer, under the pen- 
 alties of forfeiting the salt, and the boat, barge, etc., 
 and tackle : and every person concerned therein £20. 
 Do. Upon the re-shipping of any salt out of one vessel 
 
 H. into another, master, mate, chief bargeman, or chief 
 
 boatman to be sworn, that all the salt that he took or 
 laded at the place of loading (mentioning the quan- 
 tity) is truly reshipped etc., and that there was 
 no salt added to it, or taken from it at such place of 
 lading, or since he came from it, under the penalty 
 of double the value of the salt and 10s. per bushel. 
 8 Geo. I. Upon the warehousing any salt delivered duty free 
 
 cap. 16. for the fishery that has been brought by sea, the 
 
 master etc., shall make oath, that all the salt he took 
 in, is truly delivered to be lodged in the warehouse : 
 and that there was none added to it, or taken from 
 it, at the place of loading, or since he came from it 
 under the penalty of forfeiting double the value of 
 the salt and 10s. per bushel. 
 25 Geo. III. No salt whatsoever, after the same has been de- 
 
 cap. 63. livered into the sole custody of a curer of fish, shall 
 
 be delivered over to any other person for the curing 
 of fish, nor shall be removed from the place where 
 lodged, to any other place for curing fish, without 
 giving notice to the officer, and having a warrant 
 from him for removing the same, upon pain of for- 
 feiting £50, by the proprietor or owner of the salt, 
 or the person removing the same. 
 
862 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 26 Geo. III. Salt delivered duty free for the fishery, may be 
 
 cap. 81. sent coastwise to any port or place in Great Britain, 
 
 on complying with the regulations of this Act, in 
 
 default of which, it is forfeited with double its value 
 
 besides the duties. 
 
 2 & 3 Anne Salt from Ireland, or other foreign parts, which 
 
 cap. 14 & 5. was taken in for the provision of the ship, or curing 
 
 Geo. I. cap. 18. fish, may be landed if entered in ten days. If not 
 
 entered in ten days it is forfeited and double the 
 
 value. 
 
 11 Geo. I. Any person concealing tuii salt, forfeits the same 
 
 cap. 30. and treble the value thereof, to be taken at the best 
 
 I rate. 
 
 5 Geo. III. Officer delivering, aiding, assisting, suffering to be 
 
 cap. 43. delivered or being privy to the delivery of any salt, 
 
 before the same is. truly entered in the book or books 
 
 to be kept for that purpose, forfeits over and above 
 
 the penalty of his bond, double the value of the salt, 
 
 and 10s. per bushel. 
 
 Do. Salt shipped to be carried down rivers coastwise, 
 
 K. or otherwise landed without an officer being present, 
 
 is forfeited and double the value thereof and 10s. 
 
 per bushel, together with the vessel, her tackle and 
 
 apparel, from which the same is landed and every 
 
 person concerned in the landing the salt forfeits £20. 
 
 5 Geo. III. Officer re-weighing salt, and finding a surplusage, 
 
 cap. 43. it is forfeited and double the value thereof, and 10s. 
 
 L per bushel, and person carrying the same forfeits 
 
 £20. 
 Do. Any person obstructing officer in the execution of 
 
 his office, forfeits £20. 
 25 Geo. III. If any person or persons, shall obstruct, assault, 
 
 cap. 63- resist, oppose, molest or hinder any officer or officers 
 
 of the salt duties, in the execution of any of the 
 several powers and authorities given or granted to 
 such officers, by this or any other Act now in force 
 or hereafter to be made, or shall beat or abuse the 
 said officers, or any of them, in the execution of their 
 office, every person or persons so offending shall 
 severally forfeit and lose for every such offence the 
 sum of £100. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 863 
 
 5 Geo. III. 
 cap. 43. 
 
 M 
 
 PERMITS. 
 9, 10 Will. III. 
 cap. -44. 
 
 10, 11 Win. III. 
 
 cap. 22. 
 
 Do. 
 
 10, 11 Wm. III. 
 
 cap. 22. 
 
 PIT. 
 
 10, 11 Wm. III. 
 cap. 22. 
 Do. 
 
 In all cases where salt is seizable, the package 
 carriages and cattle conveying the same are for- 
 feited. 
 
 The clauses marked with letters in the margin 
 relate to foreign salt as well as English. 
 
 Officers to deliver as many permits to each carrier 
 of salt as he shall demand, for such several horse 
 loads of salt as he shall load at one time, and at one 
 salt works. 
 
 Salt brought coastwise into any port, the officer 
 may demand a sight of the permit. If the master 
 refuses to show his permit, the officer may seize the 
 salt : and if the permit is not produced in four days 
 after the seizure, salt to be forfeited. 
 
 All salt shipped to be delivered as a commodity 
 either for exportation or coastwise, shall be weighed 
 and a permit granted. 
 
 The officer to give the permit gratis under the 
 penalty of £5. 
 
 Rock salt shall be weighed in the presence of an 
 officer, before the same be removed from the pit. 
 
 Proprietors refusing to weigh rock salt, when taken 
 out of the pit, or conveying the same from the pit 
 before weighed shall forfeit £20 and double the value 
 of the rock salt. 
 
 PROPRIETOR. 
 5 & 6 W. & M. 
 cap. 7 & 9 & 10. 
 Wm. III. 
 
 cap. 44. 
 
 5 & 6 W. & M. 
 
 cap. 7. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. 
 cap. 44. 
 
 Proprietors to make true entries of all salt made 
 and taken out of pits, and to have a warrant to carry 
 away the same upon the duty being paid or security 
 given. 
 
 Salt delivered without notice first given to the 
 officer is forfeited and the owner of the salt works 
 or pits forfeits £20. 
 
 Salt delivered without notice first given to the 
 officer, is forfeited, and after the rate of 10s. a bushel 
 for all salt so delivered, to be recovered of the owner 
 of the salt work or pit. 
 
864 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 10, 11 Wm. III. Eook salt shall be weighed in the presence of an 
 cap. 22. officer and such officer to make a return or report in 
 
 writing, under his hand which report or return shall 
 be a charge upon the proprietor. 
 Do. Proprietor refusing to weigh rock salt, when taken 
 
 out of the pit or conveying the same from the pit 
 before weighed, shall forfeit £20 and double the 
 value of the rock salt. 
 
 Every maker of salt to make true entries of his 
 
 works, pans, storehouses, etc. under the penalty of 
 
 £40 for every work, pan, storehouse, etc., made use 
 
 of, and not entered. 
 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Maker of salt refusing officer entry into his works 
 
 Do. etc. forfeits £20. 
 
 REFINED SALT. 
 
 7 & 8 Wm. III. All salt made from Rock Salt (allowing the draw- 
 
 cap. 31 & 9 & 10 back for the same) and all refined salt, or salt made 
 Wm. III. from salt, either imported or made in England, is 
 
 cap. 44. chargeable with the same duties as English salt made 
 
 at the works. 
 
 N.B. — If English White salt, or Foreign salt which 
 has paid the duty as refined : there is no allowance 
 or drawback of the duty on refining. 
 10 & 11 Wm. III. When any rock salt, the duties whereof have been 
 cap. 22. paid or secured shall be melted and refined : the 
 
 person who shall refine the same into white salt 
 (which white salt is charged with new duties) shall 
 have an allowance or abatement, out of the duties 
 of the said white salt, of so much as was charged 
 on the rock so melted : so as the same was before 
 the melting, weighed in the presence of an officer, 
 and so as oath be made before a justice of the peace 
 of the particular quantities of rock salt employed in 
 making the said white salt, and that the said rock 
 salt was not increased by mixing or other undue 
 practice, and that no former abatement or allowance 
 had been made, and so as due proof be made upon 
 oath, or otherwise that the duties for the said rock 
 salt were duly charged and paid, or secured to be 
 paid. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 865 
 
 1 Anne cap. 21. Refiners of salt must make entry of every work r 
 
 pan, storehouse, warehouse, or other place, made 
 use of for making, laying, refining, or keeping of salt, 
 or rock salt, on pain of forfeiting £40 for every place 
 not entered. 
 
 Officer may enter all those places in the day time, 
 
 and in the night with a constable : and if refused 
 
 entrance, refiner etc. forfeits £40. 
 
 Do. No rock salt shall be refined into white salt in any 
 
 Some other ex- place whatsoever (except such places as are within 
 
 ceptions vide ten miles distance from the pits from which the rock 
 
 Rock Salt. The salt was taken, or at such places on or before the 10th 
 
 miles are com- day of May 1702, had been used for refining rock salt) 
 
 puted miles vide under the pain of 40s. for every bushel of rock salt 
 
 Act 8 Geo. II. that shall be melted or refined in any house or place 
 
 cap. 12. not by this Act allowed. 
 
 5 A nn e cap. 29 Refined salt to have no greater allowance on 
 
 6 5 Geo. II. exportation than what was before paid for the duty 
 cap. 6. of the said salt : or if bonded, then to have a deben- 
 ture, which shall discharge the bond. 
 
 8 Geo. I. cap. 16 Refined salt may be delivered, duty free, for the 
 curing of fish : and the collector is to give a certi- 
 ficate thereof expressing the quantity, and whither 
 bound : and the officer of the place where the same 
 is landed and warehoused for the fishery, shall certify 
 the quantity lodged under his lock and key, and if it 
 shall appear to be the full quantity delivered (making 
 reasonable allowance for waste) such certificate shall 
 be accepted by the collector, towards discharging 
 the security given for the rock salt made use of in 
 making the said refined salt. 
 8 Geo. I. Relief given in case such refined salt delivered for 
 
 cap. 16. the fishery, be lost at sea or taken by the enemies. 
 
 RETAILER. 
 9 & 10 W. III. 
 
 cap. 44. 
 
 3i 
 
 Retailer or shopkeeper must not ship any salt to 
 be sent coastwise, before oath is made that the duty 
 is paid or secured : or that it was bought of some 
 other retailer that had paid the duty. 
 
 Retailer of salt must sell by weight, at fifty-six 
 pounds to the bushel, on pain of forfeiting £5 to the 
 informer. 
 
866 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Duties on Salt, when granted and for what times. 
 
 Foreign Salt, English Salt, 
 per gallon. per gallon. 
 
 5 & 6 W. & M. From March 25, 1694 to May 17, 
 
 cap. 7. 1697 . . • -3d. ljd. 
 
 7 & 8 Wm. III. The above duties made perpetual : 
 cap. 31 From March 25, 1697 to Dec. 25, 
 
 8 & 9 Wm. III. 1697 an additional duty of . 2 1 
 cap. 20. 
 
 9 & 10 Wm. III. From July 1, 1698 to Dec. 25, 1699 5 2 
 cap. 44. 
 
 10d. 5d. 
 
 By the said Act of 9 & 10 Wm. III. from Dec. 25 
 1699 for ever (redeemable by Parliament) a duty of 
 7d. per gallon on foreign salt and 3Jd. per gallon on 
 English salt (over and above the duties granted by 
 5 & 6 Wm & M.) were granted as a fund to the East 
 India Company : so that from Deer. 25, 1699 to 
 December 25, 1730, the duties on salt were (and 
 from March 25, 1732 are) as follows : 
 
 Foreign Salt, English Salt, 
 
 
 per bushel. 
 
 per bushel. 
 
 By Act 5 & 6 W. & M. . 
 
 • 2/- 
 
 V- 
 
 By Act 9 & 10 Wm. III. 
 
 4/8 
 
 2/4 
 
 6/8 3/4 
 
 Foreign £13, 6s. 8d. From 1st May 1768 duty on foul salt 4d. per bushel. 
 
 per ton. 
 
 English £6, 13s. 4d. Bepealed by 25 Geo. III. cap 68. 
 
 per ton T.W. 
 
 8 Geo. III. By the Articles of Union, Salt made in Scotland, 
 
 cap. 13. and imported into England, was chargeable from 
 
 May 1, 1707 to May 1, 1714, with a duty of 3s. 4d. 
 per bushel. But after May 1, 1714 to Dec. 1730 on 
 the importation into England only 2s. 4d. per bushel. 
 Scots salt being subject in Scotland to the duty of 
 Is. per bushel from said May 1, 1714. 
 
ACTS OF PARLIAMENT RELATING TO SALT 867 
 
 N.B.— The duty 
 on Foreign salt 
 of 3d. per gallon 
 granted by 5 & 
 6 W. & M. was 
 continued. 
 
 By an Act Geo. II. cap. 20 the duties of 3s. 4d. per 
 bushel on English salt, and the 4s. 8d. per bushel on 
 foreign salt, and the 2s. 4d. per bushel on Scots salt 
 imported into England, and the Is. per bushel 
 payable in Scotland on salt made there were made to 
 cease and determine from and after Deer. 25, 1730. 
 
 By an Act 5 Geo. II. cap. 6 all the duties on salt 
 that determined on Salt on Deer. 25, 1730, were 
 revived from Lady Day 1732, for three years. 
 
 By an Act 7 Geo. cap. 6 the said revived duties were 
 continued for seven years from Lady Day 1735. 
 
 By an Act 8 Geo. II. cap. 12 the said duties are 
 further continued for four years, after the expiration 
 of the above mentioned seven years. 
 
 By an Act 14, Geo. II. cap. 22 the said duties were 
 further continued for seven years (from 25th March 
 1746). 
 
 By an Act 14 & 18 Geo. II. cap. 5 the said duties were 
 further continued for six years (from the 25th March 
 1753). 
 
 By an Act 26, Geo. III. cap. 3 the said duties were 
 made perpetual, subject nevertheless to redemption 
 by Parliament. 
 
PARTICULAES OF THE DE TABLEY SALE IN" 
 NORTHWICH, 1828 
 
 This disposal by auction of a great portion of the De Tabley estate 
 in 1828 occupied five days, and forms one of the most important 
 sales. of land in the county of Chester, although the purchase of 
 properties by the promoters of the Salt Union, sixty years later, 
 eclipsed it in magnitude. The properties consisted of meadow, 
 pasture, arable and building lands, salt-works, rock-salt mines, 
 quays, dwellings, public-houses and shops in the townships of 
 Witton-cum-Twambrooks, Marston, Wincham, and Northwich, 
 and several pews in the Chapel of Witton. The receipts of the 
 sale amounted to £51,922, making, with the reserve price of 
 £58,250 that was put upon the unsold property, a total of £110,172. 
 In the light of subsequent dealings in properties in these districts 
 the prices realised may be considered insignificant, but for that 
 reason they are valuable for reference to all who are interested 
 in land values and the Cheshire salt trade. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 869 
 
 3fn Ctwncerp. 
 
 THOMAS LISTER PARKER Plaintiff. 
 
 The Hishl Honorable GEORGIAN;} A/ARIA Lady DE TABLEY i t, r , 
 new GEORGIAN A MARIA LEICESTER, and Other* . . \VfJep4ant* 
 
 particulars 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MANOR or LORDSHIP 
 
 WITTON CUM TWAMBROOKES, 
 
 ALSO 
 
 Several PEWS in theCHAPELof WITTON 
 
 TOGETHER WITH SUXDRV VALUABLE 
 
 Freehold Estates, 
 
 CONSISTINQ OF 
 
 Rich Meadow, Pasture, Arable, and Building Land, Salt Works, 
 
 Rock Salt Mines, Quays, Water Corn Mill, Forge and Stream 
 
 of Water, and other Hereditaments, 
 
 IW THE SEVERAL TOWNSHIPS OP 
 
 Witton Cum Twambrookes, Marston, Wincham and 
 
 Northwich, 
 
 IN TUB 
 CONTAINING UPWARDS OF 
 
 500 STATUTE ACRES OF LAND, 
 
 Pan of Uic Estates laic of the Ri»bt Honorable JOHN FLEMING Baron DE TABLEY, deoeMaf. 
 
 Oaitncf) tuiU be £oIU be auction, 
 
 Puratunl-lo an Ord« of Ihe Higli Court of ( lum try. 
 
 With the Approbation of SAMUEL COMPTON COX, Esquire, 
 
 The Master to whom the said Cause stands referred, 
 
 CROWN INN, NORTHWICH, 
 
 IN THE COUNTY OF CHESTER, 
 
 On MONDAY the 19th Day of SEPTEMBER .1829, 
 
 AND FIVE FOLLOWING DATS. 
 
 The Sale to commence at Eleven of the Clock in the Forenoon of each Day 
 
 IN 199 LOTS. 
 
 Pitolrd Particular! and Condiiiooi of Salt miv be ban ar I he hj.1 Masteb'j Cbamlicn, id Southampton Build lap, Chaoctrr LaM; Mturi. TW- 
 N*HT, HAttBHOH, aud TatiHANT. 2, Graj i lea Vruari, Mam OontsandFoesTIR, IS, Caiej Street, Lsodoa. Mr. Ht)0R WiilaOI. 
 
 / W'.j/ai,., f rutin, Si-p Plat; Strut, LW- 
 
870 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 PARTICULARS 
 
 TOWNSHIP OF WITTON CUM TWAMBEOOKS 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses, fronting the north end of 
 High St., the main street in North- 
 wich. Subject to a lease of 99 years 
 expiring 1894, at a yearly rent of £15 
 Purchaser, J. Barker, £440. 
 
 r. p. yds. 
 
 21 23£ 
 
 WITTON STEEET 
 
 LOT II 
 
 12 Dwelling-houses, the Old Ship public- V 
 house, fronting Witton Street, and 
 vacant land ..... 
 
 The Baron's Croft Salt Works, consisting of a 
 large Stove, two Storehouses for stor- 
 ing Salt, seven Pan-houses, containing 
 Pans for the manufacturing of Salt, 
 whose Area together is 4201 super- 
 ficial feet ; also a Saw-pit, Shed and 
 Yard, and vacant Ground, whereon 
 additional Works may be erected to- 
 gether with the Weir across the river 
 Dane . . . . . . i 
 
 Reserve, £3600. ' 
 
 I 5 33 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses 
 
 LOT III 
 
 No Bidder. 
 
 20 
 
 LOT IV 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses .... 
 Also a Pew No. 2 on the south side of the 
 middle aisle of Witton Chapel. 
 
 Purchaser, S. Eachus, £120. 
 
 17 19^ 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 871 
 
 L0T v a. r. p. yds. 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses situated on the south side 
 
 of Witton Street 5 io J 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Smith, £132. 
 
 LOT VI 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses, fronting Witton Street 17 19| 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £205. 
 
 LOT VII 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses in Witton Street. Sold 
 subject to the right of the Purchaser 
 of Lot 2, after the expiration of the sub- 
 sisting Lease to Messrs Marshall to lay 
 pipes through the south end of this 
 Lot, within 6 ft. from the north end of 
 
 Lot 9 31 .. 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £305. 
 
 LOT VIII 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses . . . 14| . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £265. 
 
 LOT IX 
 
 The National School . . 25 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Geo. Saxon, £10. 
 
 LOT x 
 
 An Accountant's Office adjoining Witton 
 Street, with vacant land adjoining 
 Witton St., sufficient for the erection 
 of a dwelling-house, &c. . . ... 1 23 .. 
 
 Purchaser, J. Barker, £305. 
 
 LOT XI 
 
 8 Dwelling-houses, &c. . . . . 30 3 17 . 
 
 Also Pew No. 5, on the north side of 
 
 south aisle, in Witton Chapel. i 
 
 Purchaser, J. Barker, £1000. 
 
873 
 
874 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT XII a. r. p. yds. 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses, Surgery, &c. . . ... 1 21 . . 
 
 Purchaser, J. Barker, £105. 
 
 LOT XIII 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses . . . . H§ • • 
 
 Purchaser, J. Barker, £32. 
 
 LOT XIV 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses . . . . ...217.. 
 
 Purchaser, .7. Barker, £290. 
 
 LOT xv 
 
 1 Dwelling-house . . . . ... 1 1 17f 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £205. 
 
 LOT XVI 
 
 1 Dwelling-house . . . . 19 24J 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs S. Dean, £115. 
 
 LOT XVII 
 
 1 Dwelling-house . . . . 19 24-|- 
 
 Purchaser, T. Broadhurst, £120. 
 
 LOT XVIII 
 
 24 Dwelling-houses . . 3 9 9| 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £305. 
 
 LOT XIX 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses 31 20 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Saxon, £185. 
 
 LOT xx 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses, held by the Overseers of 
 the township of Witton, as tenants at 
 
 will at the yearly rent of £14 38 9 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Firth, £310. 
 
 LOT XXI 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . . 16 10 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Stelfox, £150. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 875 
 
 LOT XXII a. r. p. yds. 
 
 1 Dwelling-house, Shop, small Cottage, &c. in 
 
 WittonSt 12 IT 
 
 Purchaser, E. Dignum, £57. 
 
 LOT XXIII 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses in Witton Street . 20 28- 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £57. 
 
 LOT XXIV 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses in Witton Street . 24 4 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs J. Dean, £76. 
 
 LOT xxv 
 
 1 Dwelling-house in Witton Street . ... 1012 
 
 Purchaser, J. Ellson, £120. 
 
 LOT XXVI 
 
 Garden Land, 2 Stables and Barn 1 3 26 
 
 Purchaser, J. Ellson, £110. 
 
 LOT XXVII 
 
 10 Dwelling-houses . . . . 34 27J 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Williams, £150. 
 
 LOT XXVIII 
 
 26 Dwelling-houses 1 37 12| 
 
 Purchaser, Bellinqton, £265. 
 
 LOT XXIX 
 
 12 Dwelling-houses, and Brewery . . . 3 9 18 
 
 Purchaser, Norbury & Co., £710. 
 
 lot xxx 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses . 35 21 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Clarice, £255. 
 
 lot xxxi 
 
 8 Dwelling-houses in Witton Street 28 5- 
 
 Purchaser, Shuttle-worth, £130. 
 
876 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT xxxn ■«,. i. p. yds. 
 
 17£Dwelling-hcrases in Witton Street . ... 1 10 12i- 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £205. 
 
 LOT XXXIII 
 
 10 Dwelling-houses 1 in Witton Street 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Arnold, £180. 
 
 16 4 
 
 LOT XXXIV 
 
 6 Dwelling-houses in Witton Street . 21 8f 
 
 Purchaser, J. Thomas, £85. 
 
 LOT xxxv 
 
 8 Dwelling-houses in Church Street . 39 18J 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £185. 
 
 LOT xxxvi 
 Brick Bank in Church Lane . . ... 2 12 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Burgess, £105. 
 
 LOT XXXVII 
 
 Part of the Intake and Plantation . ... 1 34 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Arnold, £58. 
 
 LOT XXXVIII 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses at the east end of Witton 
 
 Street . . . . . ... 3 ... . 
 
 Purchaser, J. Bradshaw, £145. 
 
 LOT XXXIX 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses . . . . ... 1 14 12 
 
 Purchaser, Mark Topham, £300. 
 
 LOT XL 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses . . . . ..... 14 2| 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £150. 
 
 LOT XLI 
 
 3 Gardens 1 36 24 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Fryer, £240. 
 
877 
 
878 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT XLII a. i. p. yds. 
 
 Purchaser, S. Eachus, £365. 
 
 8 Dwelling-houses . . . . 1 24 
 
 MILL STREET 
 
 LOT XLIII 
 
 12 Dwelling-houses . . 1 28 
 
 Purchaser, R. Tomkinson, £500. 
 
 LOT XLIV 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses adjoining Mill Street 25| . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £95. 
 
 WITTON STREET 
 
 LOT XLV 
 
 14 Dwelling-houses . . . .... 39 . . 
 
 Purchaser, S. Eachus, £195. 
 
 LOT XLVI 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses . . .... 33 24 
 
 No bidders. 
 
 LOT XLYII 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses, fronting Witton Street 32 24 
 
 Purchaser, Bee. Job Wilson, £82. 
 
 LOT XLVIII 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses, fronting Witton Street 30 17?, 
 
 Purchaser, Albion Society, £405. 
 
 LOT XLIX 
 
 6 Dwelling-houses, fronting Witton Street 34 
 
 Purchaser, John Sproston, £160. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 879 
 
 L0T L a. i\ p. yds. 
 
 Green Dragon Public-house, A plot of land 
 adjoining the above, whereon the 
 Lessees of these premises are under a 
 covenant to erect Dwelling-houses 
 to the front of the street. These 
 
 Premises front to Witton Street 36 
 
 Purchaser, Norbury & Co., £245. 
 
 LOT LI 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses fronting Witton Street 30 25| 
 
 Purchaser, S. Fowls, £225. 
 
 Hoebuck Public-house, Brewhouse and 
 
 Stable, 7 Dwelling-houses . .... 27 27 
 
 Purchaser, S. Fowls, £255. 
 
 LOT LIII 
 
 2 Shippons, Joiner's Workshop &c. and 
 
 gardens . . ... 1 26 25 
 
 Purchaser, S. Fowls, £92. 
 
 LOT LIV 
 
 35 Dwelling-houses . . . . ... 1 24 15 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £405. 
 
 LOT LV 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses, Smithy &c. fronting 
 
 Witton Street 20 29 
 
 Purchaser, J. Brandreth, £180. 
 
 LOT LVI 
 
 7 Dwelling-houses, fronting Witton Street . . . 1 18 16 
 Purchaser, Jonathan Fowls, £315. 
 
 LOT LVII 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses, fronting Witton Street . . 10 9 
 
 Purchaser, Neuman, £205. 
 
3 k 
 
 881 
 
882 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 lot lviii a,, i. p. yds. 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses, fronting Witton Street 21 
 
 Reserve, £300. 
 
 LOT LIX 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses . . . ... 1 16 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Joinson, £195. 
 
 LOT LX 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses, 3 Cottages 1 18 0| 
 
 Purchaser, Brassey, £265. 
 
 LOT LXI 
 
 4 Houses, Grocer's Shop . . . 37 4 
 
 Purchaser, E. Dignum, £255. 
 
 LOT LXII 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . ... 1 23 22 
 
 Purchaser, S. Eachus, £200. 
 
 LOT LXIII 
 
 Handsome and modern-built House, fronting 
 
 Witton St., and adjoining land . 7 2 28 . . 
 
 Purchaser, T. Marshall, £760. 
 
 LOT LXIV 
 
 1 Dwelling-house, &c. . . . ... 1 30 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Broadhurst, £355. 
 
 TABLEY STREET 
 
 LOT LXV 
 
 A Plot of vacant Land, situate on the cast 
 side of Tabley Street, suitable for the 
 erection of five Dwelling-houses of the 
 same magnitude as those adjoining 
 
 this Lot 26 
 
 Purchaser, Broadhurst, £80. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 883 
 
 LOT LXVI a . r . p. yds 
 
 Purchaser, Rev. Job Wilson, £62. 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . lOJ 
 
 LOT LXVII 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . . lOJ . , 
 
 Purchaser, J Deakin, £62. 
 
 LOT LXVIII 
 
 1 Dwelling-house . . . . 4| 
 
 Purchaser, J. Clare, £30. 
 
 LOT LXIX 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses . . . 20 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs S. Dean, £130. 
 
 LOT LXX 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . . 11 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Plumer, £62. 
 
 LOT LXXI 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . . 11 
 
 Purchaser, J. Joinson, £62. 
 
 LOT LXXII 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . 8 
 
 Purchaser, J. Joinson, £30. 
 
 LOT LXXIII 
 
 Dwelling-house adjoining Fleming Street 
 
 Purchaser, S. Brown, £21. 
 
 LOT LXXIV 
 
 Dwelling-house ...... 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £22. 
 
 LOT LXXV 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses situated in Tabley Street . 
 Purchaser, J. Moores, £37. 
 
 J 2 
 
884 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT LXXVI a. r. p. yds. 
 
 Dwelling-house situated in Tabley Street 2-J . . 
 
 Purchaser, E. Dignum, £22. 
 
 LOT LXXVII 
 
 Dwelling-house and vacant piece pf Ground 
 intended for the site of another 
 Dwelling-house, which the Lessee has 
 covenanted to build. This Lot is in 
 Tabley Street . . . . . . . 5 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £40. 
 
 LOT LXXVIII 
 
 Dwelling-house . .... 2i . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Firth, £20. 
 
 LOT LXXIX 
 
 Dwelling-house ... 
 
 Purchaser, E. Du/num. £22. 
 
 ■->?, 
 
 LOT LXXX 
 
 6 Dwelling-houses . . .... 16 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Arthur Anderson, £140. 
 
 LOT LXXXI 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . . . . 5 . . . . 
 
 Purchaser, J. Barton, £46. 
 
 LOT LXXXII 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . . . . . . . 3 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs AlfrocL; £24. 
 
 LOT LXXXIII 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . . . . . . . 2A . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £22. 
 
 LOT LXXXIV 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . . . 21 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £26. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 885 
 
 LOT LXXXV B . r . p. yds. 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . . 51 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £44. 
 
 LOT LXXXVI 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses . . . . 9 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £72. 
 
 LOT LXXXVII 
 
 Vacant Ground for building upon in Tabley St . . . . 5§ . . 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £32. 
 
 LOT LXXXVIII 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses . . . 9 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £90. 
 
 WITTON STREET 
 
 LOT LXXXIX 
 
 White Lion Public-House, 9 Dwelling-houses. 
 The Public-house fronts the street, and 
 the dwelling-houses are behind the same, 
 and are held by Messrs Norbury as 
 tenants at will from year to year, at the 
 clear yearly rent of £30 . . .... 20 22| 
 
 Purchaser, Norbury & Co, £450. 
 
 lot xc 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses and 2 Smithies 15 12 
 
 Purchaser, J. Joinson, £80. 
 
 lot xci 
 
 •5 Dwelling-houses . . ■ • 25 9 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Smith, £275. 
 
 lot xcn 
 
 The George" Inn; 3 Dwelling-houses, etc. ... 3 33 1J 
 
 Reserve, £640. 
 
886 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT XCIII a, r. p. yds. 
 
 Dwelling-house, situate on the north side of 
 
 Witton Street 22 17 
 
 Purchaser, John Weston, £42. 
 
 lot xciv 
 
 2 Dwelling-houses, situated on the north side of 
 
 the street . . . . 35 5 
 
 Purchaser, T. Eider, £125. 
 
 LOT XCV 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . . ■ 20 . . 
 
 Purchaser, J. Brandreth, £460. 
 
 lot xcvi 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses, very conveniently situated 
 
 at the junction of Leicester Street with 
 
 Witton Street, and fronting both . 5 17^ 
 
 Reserve, £360. No bidding. 
 
 lot xcvn 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . . . 18 15i 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Firth, £165. 
 
 FLEMING STREET 
 
 LOT xcviii 
 
 10 Dwelling-houses, School . . 36 27 
 
 Purchaser, Thos. Anderson, £240. 
 
 LEICESTER STREET 
 
 LOT xcix 
 
 15 Dwelling-houses 27 28| 
 
 Purchaser, J. Stanway, £255. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 887 
 
 L0T C a. r . p. y(Js. 
 
 3 Dwelling-houses in Leicester St, , 51. 
 
 Purchaser, James Starley, £42 
 
 LOT ci 
 
 5 Cottages 21 10| 
 
 Purchaser, James Gibson Senr., £150. 
 
 lot en 
 
 Dwelling-house, Cottage 17 26 
 
 Purchaser, J. Prescot, £320. 
 
 lot cm 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . . . 7 6 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £125. 
 
 lot civ 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . . . 6 21 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £130. 
 
 lot cv 
 
 5 Dwelling-houses . . . . ... 1 8 11 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £225. 
 
 lot cvi 
 
 6 Dwelling-houses . . . . 34J . . 
 
 Reserve, £200. 
 
 lot cvii 
 
 5 Houses • •• 1 23 21| 
 
 Reserve, £100. J. Stanway. 
 
 LOT CVIII 
 
 Black Dog; Public-house, 3 Dwelling-houses, 
 situated in the main street, near to the 
 
 town of Northwich . . . 39 8| 
 
 Purchaser, Wm. Worthington, £235. 
 
888 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CIX 
 
 The Baron's Quay Salt Works, consisting of N 
 eight Pan-houses, containing 4682 Feet 
 of Pannage, two Store houses, Brine Pit 
 Pit and Engine House, Smithy, Shippon, 
 and Storeroom 
 
 A Dwelling-House 
 
 Do. Shippon and Land, the Baron's Eye 
 Meadow ... 
 
 Do. and Stone Yard . 
 
 3 Smithies .... 
 
 Iron Foundry and Engine House to do 
 
 Blockmaker's Shop 
 
 Quay or Wharf . . • 
 
 The Old Eock Pit Hole, near the Black Dog 
 Public-house ; the lower Mine of Rock 
 Salt underneath has not been got at . / 
 
 The premises contained in this Lot 
 are near the town of Northwich, and 
 extend more than 600 feet on the 
 banks of the navigable river Weaver, 
 where vessels of 80 tons burthen may 
 lie for the purpose of discharging Coals, 
 for the manufacturing of Salt, and for 
 shipping Salt to be conveyed direct to 
 the Port of Liverpool. 
 
 There is a good Brine Pit, from 
 which Brine is raised for the supply of 
 these works, and which is capable of 
 supplying Brine to works of a larger 
 extent ; there is also a Wharf or Quay 
 adjoining the River ; and a consider- 
 able quantity of vacant Land, whereon 
 additional Salt Works, or other Build- 
 ings, may be erected. 
 
 These Premises are subject to a 
 Lease for 42 years, which will expire 
 25th March, 1844, and after that period 
 the Purchaser will have to supply 
 Brine, if required, to the works, which 
 
 yds. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 889 
 
 a. r. p. yds. 
 . now are or hereafter may be erected on 
 
 Lot JQ2, and which may be hereafter 
 
 ereeted on Lot Til, so long as Brine can 
 
 be obtained from the said Brine Pit for 
 
 that purpose, over and above the 
 
 supply of the works now erected, or 
 
 which may be hereafter erected on 
 
 this Lot, at the rate of Is. per cubic 
 
 foot, or £30 per annum for every 600 
 
 feet area of Pannage. 
 
 The present Rent of £15 per annum 
 of 600 feet amounts to £117 Is. Od. 
 per annum ; and there is also a rent of 
 6d. per ton on all common Salt, and 
 Is. per ton on Fishery Salt delivered 
 from the works. 
 
 This Lot is sold subject to the right 
 of the Purchaser of Lot 112 to a supply 
 of Brine from the Brine Pit at Baron's 
 Quay Works on Lot 109, in case the 
 Brine at such pit shall be more than 
 sufficient to supply the Baron's Quay 
 Works, on paying a rent to be fixed by 
 two indifferent persons, or their umpire 
 
 The new fence on the northern side 
 of this Lot is to be made and kept in 
 repair by the Purchaser of this Lot. 
 
 Purchaser, J. Gibson Senr., £3500. 
 
 FLEMING STREET 
 
 LOT CX 
 
 Part of a Close of rich land, conveniently 
 
 situated near the town of Northwich . 1 37 6 
 Purchaser, T. Gibson Senr., £205. 
 
 LOT CXI 
 
 Nearer Intake ..... 
 Part of Garden Ground 
 
 Part of Birches or Little Meadow, including 
 the occupation road . 
 
890 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The nearer Intake is held from year 
 to year, at the yearly rent of £7, and 
 is subject to the use of the Brine 
 Cistern therein by the occupier of 
 the Baron's Quay Salt Works, Lot 109, 
 and the occupier of Messrs James 
 Naylor & Co.'s Salt Works, Lot 112, 
 during the terms of the respective 
 leases of those Works, both of which 
 will expire in the year 1844 ; part of 
 Garden Ground is held by the present 
 tenant, with other lands, from year to 
 year, at the apportioned rent of £5. 
 
 Part of the third item extends up- 
 wards of 260 feet on the Bank of the 
 navigable river Weaver, where vessels 
 of 80 tons burthen may lie for dis- 
 charging or shipping goods and mer- 
 chandize, and, together with Lot 112, 
 is subject to a lease for a term of 37 
 years, which will expire in the year 
 1844, at the yearly rent of £47, of 
 which the apportioned rent to this 
 Lot is £10 per annum. 
 
 The before-mentioned premises are 
 suitable for the erection of Salt Works, 
 Quays, or Wharfs, Graving Docks, 
 Timber Yards, &c. 
 
 The purchaser or lessee of Lot 112 is 
 to be entitled to lay pipes across the 
 western part of this Lot to the Brine 
 Pit on the Baron's Quay Works, doing 
 as little damage as may be, and paying 
 ; for the same at a fair valuation. 
 
 Purchaser, E. Dignum, £610. 
 
 i'. p. yds. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 891 
 
 LOT CXII 
 
 The Patent Salt Works, consisting of four' 
 Pan-houses, 6 Iron Pans, containing 
 4762 feet in area, 2 Storehouses for 
 Salt . .... 
 
 A Cottage, Shipping or Loading Stage, and 
 also a Smithy and Gardens 
 
 This Lot is held under a lease for 
 a term of 37 years, which will expire 
 on 25th March 1844, at the yearly rent 
 of £47, of which the apportioned rent 
 to this Lot is £37 per annum. 
 
 There is also a further rent of 6d. per 
 ton on all common Salt, and Is. per ton 
 on Fishery or large grained Salt, de- 
 livered from the Works. 
 
 The new Fence on the southern side 
 of this Lot is to be made and kept in 
 repair by the purchaser of this Lot. 
 
 This Lot is sold subject to a right of 
 road of eight yards in width over the east 
 end thereof, to and from Lot 113, after 
 the expiration of the subsisting lease. 
 Reserve, £1150. 
 
 lot cxm 
 
 The Island Part of the Yealds 
 
 Remainder of do. 
 
 Higher Yealds . 
 
 These Premises are suitable for 
 Wharfs, Graving Docks, or Salt Works, 
 the Weaver Navigation passing 
 through the middle of same. The 
 Purchaser to be entitled to a right of 
 road of the width of eight yards over 
 the east end of Lot 112 from and for ever 
 after the end of Messrs Naylor & Co.'s 
 Lease, which will expire 25th March 
 1844, in addition to such occupation 
 roads as now belong to the Premises. 
 Reserve, £1250. 
 
 yds. 
 
 2 24 
 
892 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Dwelling-house 
 
 Dwelling-house 
 
 LOT CXIV ,i. i. p. yds. 
 
 8J .. 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £30. 
 
 lot cxv 
 
 • • • Si •■ 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £34. 
 
 lot cxvi 
 Piece of Land adjoining the last-mentioned 
 
 Lot . . . ... 1 8 
 
 Purchaser, T. Gibson Senr., £72. 
 
 lot cxvn 
 
 Dwelling-house . . . 31 
 
 Purchaser, T. Gibson Senr., £125. 
 
 LOT CXVIII 
 
 Salt Works, consisting of 16 Pan-houses, one 
 uncovered Pan, four Store-houses for 
 common Salt, one Stove Work, con- 
 taining 6791 Feet of Pan admeasure- 
 ment, an old Brine Pit Shaft, Brine 
 Cisterns, &c, &c, Smithy, Dwelling- 
 house, and Carpenter's Workshop . 5 1 . . 
 
 The Salt Works are very conveni- 
 ently situated on the bank of the 
 navigable river Weaver, where vessels 
 of 80 tons burthen may lie for the 
 purpose of discharging coals for the 
 manufacture of salt, and for shipping 
 the salt to be conveyed direct to the 
 port of Liverpool ; there is also a quan- 
 tity of vacant land extending in front 
 to the river 100 yards and upwards, 
 suitable for quays, docks, &c. 
 
 This Lot is subject to a lease for 30 
 years from 5th April 1810, at the rent 
 of 6d. per ton for common salt, 9d. per 
 ton for medium salt, and Is. per ton for 
 large grained fishery salt, made at and 
 shipped or delivered from the premises ; 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 893 
 
 a. i: p. yds. 
 and for every pan of 600 feet of super- 
 ficial measure at the rate of £17, 10s. per 
 annum. The lease contains a proviso 
 in case the pans should be discon- 
 tinued working from failure of brine ; 
 then the rent of such pans should 
 cease. 
 
 Reserve, £2000. 
 
 LOT CXIX 
 
 The site of the old Watchhouse at Witton 
 Brook Lock, part of the Cut or Canal 
 there, and the Land whereon the Lock 
 now stands, &c. . 3 1L 
 
 Held by the trustees of the River 
 Weaver Navigation, under the powers 
 of the Navigation Act, at the yearly 
 rent of £4, 3s. 9d. 
 
 No bidders. 
 
 lot exx 
 The Briningshaw or Rock Pit Croft adjoining 
 the Witton Brook Branch of the 
 Weaver Navigation, and covered with 
 water, on which a Rock Salt House 
 formerly stood ; the upper Mine has 
 been worked, but the lower Mine 
 remains ungot . . 2 1 18 
 
 No bidders. 
 
 LOT CXXI 
 
 Haywood Field ... . | 
 
 Land covered with water . . J 
 
 This piece of land adjoins the Witton 
 
 Brook Navigation ; it is supposed 
 
 there is a bed of rock salt underneath ; 
 
 the lower mine whereof, and under 
 
 an adjoining piece of land (about a 
 
 statute acre), and covered with water, 
 
 remains ungot. 
 
 No bidders. 
 
 2 22 
 
894 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CXXII 
 
 Salt Works, consisting of 11 Pan-houses, four 
 uncovered Pans, two Storehouses, 
 sheds, &c, on part of Lower Jeffrey's 
 Field, Brine-pit, Cisterns, &c. 
 
 Dwelling-house ...... 
 
 Garden .... . . 
 
 Occupation Eoad, Tivis Hill, and Further 
 Yates Field ... 
 
 House, Smithy, Shippon, and Garden . 
 
 3 Crofts ... 
 
 Commodious and well-built Dwelling-house, 
 and Garden 
 
 4 Gardens .... . . 
 
 Part of Fox Leeches Field . 
 
 House and Garden 
 
 Garden and Croft 
 
 Part of Nearer Yates Field . . / 
 
 This Lot consists of an extensive 
 salt works, which, together with a con- 
 siderable quantity of vacant land, 
 extends more than 1200 feet on the 
 bank of a branch of the Weaver naviga- 
 tion, called Witton Brook, where 
 vessels of 80 tons may lie for the dis- 
 charging of coals, for the manufacture 
 of salt, and for shipping the same, to 
 be conveyed direct to the port of Liver- 
 pool. There is a brine pit, from 
 whence brine is raised for the supply 
 of the works. The vacant land is 
 suitable for quays, dock yards, &c, &c. 
 The latter part is rich land, and it is 
 supposed there is a bed of rock salt 
 underneath the whole premises, the 
 lower mine whereof may be raised 
 without any danger to the works above, 
 or surface lands, and the purchaser 
 will be entitled to the liberty of sink- 
 ing a shaft or shafts for raising the 
 
 yds. 
 
 18 1 35 
 
34 
 
 PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 895 
 
 a. r. p. yds. 
 mine, upon paying reasonable com- 
 pensation for any damage which may 
 be occasioned thereby, at any time 
 previous to the end of Messrs Firth, 
 Stock & Co.'s term in these premises, 
 which will expire on the 2nd February 
 1863, at the yearly rent of £244. 
 Reserve, £800. 
 
 LOT CXXIII 
 
 S Dwelling houses . . . . . \ 
 
 Lime Kilns and Yard . . . . . | 
 
 Bank part of Tivis Hill . . . . f 
 
 Part of Nearer Yates Field . . . . ' 
 
 The houses on this Lot are chiefly 
 
 new, and well-built with bricks and 
 
 slates. The lime-kilns are well 
 
 situate for carrying on the business 
 
 of burning lime to a considerable ex- 
 tent, the same having an immediate 
 
 communication with a branch of the 
 
 Weaver navigation, called "VVitton 
 
 Brook, and lying near to the town of 
 
 North wich. 
 
 The last item is land of excellent 
 
 quality, and it is supposed there is a 
 
 bed of rock salt under the whole of 
 
 this Lot. 
 
 The whole is subject to a lease for 
 
 the term of 71 years, which will expire 
 
 11th March 1894, at the yearly re- 
 served Rent of £21 . 
 
 Purchaser, Wm. Worthington, £405. 
 
 lot cxxiv 
 
 The Cock Pit, Intake, and further Fox 
 
 Leeches laid together . ■ .2016 
 
 This Lot of rich land adjoins Lot 
 123, and is held by the present occu- 
 
896 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 a. r. 
 pier as tenant from year to year, at 
 the apportioned yearly rent of £10. 
 
 It is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 salt under this Lot. 
 
 Purchaser, Win. Worthington, £295. 
 
 lot cxxv 
 Part of the Fox Leech Field . .21.. 
 
 The Nearer Fox Leeches . . . .21.. 
 
 This Lot of rich land is near the 
 town of North wich, adjoins (in part) 
 an open road leading thereto, and is 
 suitable for building upon, and is held 
 by the present occupiers or tenants 
 from year to year, at the apportioned 
 yearly Rents of £8 for the latter, and 
 £2 for the former. 
 
 It is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 salt under this Lot. 
 
 The new fence on the southern side 
 of this Lot is to be made and kept in 
 repair by the purchaser of this Lot. 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Broody, £315. 
 
 lot cxxvi 
 2 Dwelling-houses near to the town of North- 
 
 wich . . .... 1 7 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Broody, £150. 
 
 lot cxxvi 
 
 Part of the Fox Leech Field • \ 3 •o 9<> 
 
 A vacant Piece of Land . . . . I 
 
 The first item is a most excellent 
 piece of Land, and is conveniently 
 situate near to the town of Northwich, 
 and is held by the present tenant from 
 year to year, at the apportioned yearly 
 Rent of £14. 
 
 The latter adjoins the above land, 
 the new streets, called Tabley Street, 
 
 yds. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 897 
 
 a. r. p. yds. 
 and Fleming Street, and is well cal- 
 culated for building upon. 
 
 It is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 salt under this Lot. 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Broady, £560. 
 
 LOT CXXVIII 
 
 The House Field, and T'ownsend Field and 
 
 Garden ...... 6 
 
 This Lot consists of an excellent 
 piece of grazing land, and is occupied 
 by the present tenant from year to 
 year, at the yearly rent of £33, 10s. 
 
 It is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 salt under this Lot. 
 
 Purchaser, Jonathan Fowls, £1500. 
 
 lot cxxix 
 
 Witton Corn Mills, Public-house, Land ad- 
 joining the Weir, Mill Pool, Land 
 adjoining the Flood Gates, &c, &c. 3 2 13 
 
 Reserve, £1770. 
 
 LOT CXXX 
 
 Garden, Orchard, &c. .... 
 
 Part of the Broom Field 
 
 The land contained in this Lot is of 
 an excellent quality. It is supposed 
 there is a valuable bed of rock salt 
 underneath ; the lower mine whereof 
 may be raised without endangering 
 the land above, and the ground is 
 favourable for sinking upon. 
 
 This Lot will be sold subject to a 
 right of road to be made eight yards 
 in width, over the south west side of 
 the Broom Field, as noticed in the 
 plan to and from Lots 131, 132, and 
 135, contingent on a shaft being sunk 
 3l 
 
 :) 
 
 3 32 24 
 
p- yds 
 
 898 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 on those respective Lots, and the 
 purpose of such shafts only. 
 
 This Lot, together with Lots 129 
 and 131, is subject to a lease for a term 
 of 14 years, which will expire in the 
 spring of 1839, at the yearly Rent of 
 £200, of which the apportioned Rent 
 in respect of this Lot is £16, and the 
 first item at the yearly Rent of £8 10s. 
 Reserve, £2200. 
 
 LOT CXXXI 
 
 The Cock Field 5 1 27 
 
 This Lot consists of excellent land, 
 part whereof adjoins the east end of 
 Witton Street, and it is supposed there 
 is a bed of rock salt underneath the 
 whole ; such part of the lower mine 
 whereof as lies underneath the north- 
 east part of this field, marked with 
 letter A, and containing 1 r. 13 p. is 
 subject to a lease, held by Messrs 
 Marshall, for a term of 60 years, which 
 will expire the 28th September 1883, 
 on payment of a peppei-corn at the 
 end of the term, the rock salt from 
 such mine to be raised through the 
 medium of the lessees' shaft on their 
 own land adjoining, with liberty for the 
 said lessees, in case they find it need- 
 ful, on paying a reasonable compensa- 
 tion for the damage done thereby, to 
 be settled by arbitration, in the usual 
 way, to sink a shaft in the piece marked 
 with the letter C, and to erect build- 
 ings, etc., thereon for raising the mine 
 by means of such shaft, and to make a 
 road of eight yards in width over the 
 same, to convey the rock salt from the 
 said shaft and buildings to the shipping 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 899 
 
 a,. r. p. yds. 
 quays, the lessees leaving pillars, five 
 
 yards square, at every 20 yards distance. 
 
 This Lot will be sold subject to a 
 right of way or road, of the width of 
 eight yards, over the same, in the 
 direction as marked on the plan, to 
 and from Lots 132 and 135, contingent 
 on a shaft being sunk, either in this 
 Lot, or Lots 132 or 135, for the purpose 
 of such shaft only. 
 
 This Lot together with Lots 129 and 
 130 are subject to a lease for a term 
 of 14 years which will expire in the 
 spring of 1839 at the yearly Eent of 
 £200, of which the apportioned Rent 
 in respect of this Lot is £24. 
 
 Reserve, £2200. 
 
 LOT CXXXIT 
 
 The Way Field 1 
 
 The Garden adjoining, and occupation Road I 3 2 15 . . 
 
 to the Field . . . .J 
 
 This Lot consists of excellent land, 
 
 and it is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 
 salt underneath the whole ; such part of 
 
 the lower mine whereof, as lies under 
 
 the northern part of the way field, as 
 
 is divided by a dotted line from the 
 
 remaining part of the field, containing 
 
 2 a. 2 r. 33 p. marked in the plan with 
 
 letter C, is subject to a lease there- 
 of to Messrs Marshall, for a term of 60 . 
 
 years, which will expire 28th September 
 
 1883, on payment of a pepper-corn at 
 
 the end of the term. The rock salt 
 
 from such mine to be raised through 
 
 the medium of the lessees' shaft, on 
 
 their own land adjoining, with liberty 
 
 for the lessees, in case they find it 
 
 needful, on paying a reasonable com- 
 
900 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 pensation for the damage done thereby, 
 to be settled by arbitration, in the 
 usual way, to sink a shaft in the said 
 piece, marked with letter C, and to 
 erect buildings, etc. thereon, for the 
 purpose of raising the mine by means 
 of the said shaft, and to make a road 
 of eight yards in width over the same, 
 to convey the rock salt from the said 
 shaft and buildings to the shipping 
 quays, the lessees leaving pillars, five 
 yards square, at every 20 yards 
 distance. 
 
 Reserve, £460. 
 
 LOT OXXXIII 
 
 The Lodge Hay .... | 
 
 The Lodge Way . . / 
 
 This Lot consists of most excellent 
 land, and is suitable for building pur- 
 poses, being conveniently situated, 
 adjoining the main road bet wen North- 
 wich and Knutsford, and is within 
 half-a-mile of the town of North wich . 
 
 It is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 salt under the whole of this Lot ; the 
 lower mine whereof may be raised 
 without detriment to the surface land, 
 or any buildings, which may be erected 
 thereon, and the whole is held by the 
 present occupier, as tenant from year 
 to year, at the apportioned yearly 
 
 Rent of £14. 
 
 Reserve, £630. 
 
 lot cxxxiv 
 Peasted Croft . . . 
 
 This rich piece of land is situate at 
 the j unction of Penny's land road, 
 with the turnpike road from North- 
 wich to Knutsford. 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Saxon, £105. 
 
 p. yds. 
 
 1 38 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 901 
 
 34 
 
 LOT CXXXV a. r. p. yds. 
 
 Big Hysome . . . . . . ^ 
 
 Wade Brook Field I 6 
 
 This Lot consists of excellent meadow 
 and pasture land. 
 
 The former adjoins the turnpike road 
 from Northwich to Knutsford, and the 
 whole is held by the present occupier or 
 tenant, from year to year, at the appor- 
 tioned yearly Rent of £24. 
 
 There is a bed of rock salt under the 
 whole of this Lot, the part of the lower 
 mine whereof, under that part of the 
 close 116 (Wade Brook Field) situate 
 on the west end thereof, and divided 
 by a dotted line, and marked with the 
 letter F, is subject to a lease to Messrs 
 Marshall, for a term which will expire 
 the 28th September 1883 ; and the 
 rock salt from such mine is to be raised 
 through the medium of the shaft on 
 their own land adjoining ; but in case 
 they find it needful to sink a shaft in 
 the said piece, and erect buildings, 
 they are to have liberty so to do, upon 
 paying reasonable damage for such 
 liberty, and they are to leave pillars in 
 the mine five yards square at every 20 
 yards distance, all which liberties are to 
 cease on the 29th September 1883 ; 
 and in case any part of the said lower 
 mine should then remain ungotten, the 
 same should from thenceforth be con- 
 sidered as the property of the pur- 
 chaser of this Lot. 
 
 Reserve, £2170. 
 
902 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CXXXVI a. r. p. yds 
 
 Middle Wade Brook Field, in two Parts . \ 
 
 Wade Brook Meadow I 7 3 18 . . 
 
 Further Penny's Field. . .J 
 
 There is a bed of rock salt 
 
 under the whole of this Lot ; the lower 
 
 mine whereof may be raised without 
 
 prejudice or injury to the surface land. 
 
 Reserve, £2470. 
 
 LOT CXXXVII 
 
 7 Dwelling-houses . . . . ...26.. 
 
 Purchaser, E. Dignum, £57. 
 
 LOT CXXXVIII 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses, adjoining the turnpike 
 
 road from Knutsford to North wich ... 210.. 
 Purchaser, Jonathan Stanway, £67. 
 
 lot cxxxix 
 
 Part of Middle Penny's Fields . . . ^ 
 
 Further Penny's Field j 2 1 8 .. 
 
 Purchaser, Jonathan Fowls, £200. 
 
 LOT CXL 
 
 Middle Penny's Field 1 2 39 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Jonathan Foivls, £200. 
 
 LOT CXLI 
 
 Nearer Penny's Field 2 1 23 . . 
 
 Purchaser, Geo. Saxon, £280. 
 
 LOT CXLII 
 
 Part of Near Penny's Field . . . . ^ 
 
 my's Field . . . / 
 
 Purchaser, S. Eachus, £360. 
 
 Part of Middle Penny's Field . . J 3 ° 36 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 903 
 
 LOT CXLIII a . r. p. yds. 
 
 Part of Nearer Penny's Field 
 
 Part of Crab Tree Croft, and Avenue . 
 
 Long Penny's Field ,- 7 3 26 
 
 The Long Field, and Part of Wade Brook 
 Meadow ...... 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £710. 
 
 LOT CXLIV 
 
 Crab Tree Croft 1 
 
 Sweet Field 1 10 37 
 
 Long Wade Brook Meadow . . . .J 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Brassey, £860. 
 
 LOT CXLV 
 
 Horse Pasture ... . . "i 
 
 Little Field and Kushy Field in one . J 12 1 35 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Lea, £1020. 
 
 LOT CXLVT 
 
 Further Holdings, and part of nearer Holding ] 
 Part of Lesser Penny's Field . . . Uo 3 6 
 
 Part of Great Penny's Field . . J 
 
 Purchaser, J. Gibson Senr., £935. 
 
 LOT CXLVII 
 
 Part of Nearer Holding 
 Part of Lesser Penny's Field 
 Part of Great Penny's Field . 
 
 Purchaser, J. Gibson Senr., £710. 
 
 LOT CXLVIII 
 
 New Cross, or Penny's Field . . 1 
 
 Martin's Field, and Part of Lamphorn's Field I 
 Reserve, £1450. 
 
 LOT CXLIX 
 
 Near Leech Pit, and Far Leech Pit . . \ 
 
 Part of Lamphorn's Field . . . . i 
 
 Purchaser, S. Fowls, £610. 
 
 15 9 
 
904 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CL a. r. p. yds. 
 
 Middle Leech Pit, and Further Leech Pit laid ") 
 
 together i- 7 3 21 . . 
 
 Part of Lamphorn's Field ... I 
 
 Reserve, £840. 
 
 LOT CLI 
 
 The Nearer Leech Pit . . . . . ~i 
 
 Part of Middle and Further Hay White Stich / 8 ° 30 • • 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £910. 
 
 LOT CLII 
 
 The Higher Hay or Leech Pits . . "| 
 
 Part of Middle and Further Hay White Stich J 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £600. 
 
 LOT CLIII 
 
 Part of Intake and Plantation, Little Church ] 
 
 Field, and Part of Nearer Hay White ^9 2 1 . . 
 Stich . . . J 
 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £1080. 
 
 LOT CLIV 
 
 Dwelling-house, and Big Church Field . .15 21 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Neuman, £2040. 
 
 LOT CLV 
 
 Church Meadow and Bank . . . 8 1 33 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Norburcy, £1270. 
 
 LOT CLVI 
 
 Late Willow Plantation and Chapel Field 2 6 . . 
 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £315. 
 
 LOT C'LVII 
 
 The Intake, and Church Meadow . . 8 15.. 
 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £1140. 
 
 LOT CLVITI 
 
 Church Field . . 4 12 
 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £540. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 905 
 
 LOT CLIX a . r , p. yds. 
 
 The Greater Town Field, and the Black Loont 4 9 . . 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £430. 
 
 A Garden, part of nearer Wittons, Part of 
 
 Middle and Further Hay White Stich 3 2 37 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £460. 
 
 LOT CLXI 
 
 The Further Witton . . . 7 1 31 
 
 Reserve, £700. 
 
 LOT C'LXII 
 
 Part of the nearer Wittons and the Little 
 
 Black Loont . . ..737 
 
 Reserve, £900. 
 
 LOT CLXIII 
 
 The small Town Field . . . 1 19 
 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £150. 
 
 LOT CLXIV 
 
 The higher Town Field . . . .621 
 
 Reserve, £850. 
 
 LOT CLXV 
 
 Part of the White Acres . 4 2 30 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs S. Fowls, £455. 
 
 LOT CLXVI 
 
 Part of the White Acres, and the Weir 
 
 Meadow . . ..73.. 
 
 Reserve, £1000. 
 
 LOT CLXVII 
 
 Gilbert's Moor, and Part of Boots's Meadow .917 
 Reserve, £1150. 
 
306 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CLXVIII a . r. p. yds. 
 
 The Great Commissary and Part -of ^Boots's 
 
 Meadow . . . . . 9 3 24 . . 
 
 Reserve, £1100. 
 
 LOT CLXIX 
 
 The little Commissary and Boot's little 
 
 Meadow 2 2 21 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Broadhurst, £285. 
 
 LOT CLXX 
 
 Further Commissary and Hay Water 
 
 Reserve, £950. 
 
 MARSTON 
 
 LOT CLXXI 
 
 House, &c 2 2 20 
 
 The upper and lower mines of rock 
 salt have chiefly been raised. 
 
 Purchaser, Wm. Darlington, £205. 
 
 LOT CLXXII 
 
 6 Houses 1 3 20 
 
 The greatest part of the rock salt 
 under the premises has been got. 
 
 Purchaser, Firth, £260. 
 
 LOT CLXXIII 
 
 Dwelling-house 2 2 35 
 
 Both the upper and lower beds of 
 rock salt have been got from under 
 these premises. 
 
 Purchaser, Wm. Darlington, £235. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 907 
 
 LOT CLXXIV 
 
 The big Catty's Field, with the Bock Salt \ 
 Storehouse, Gin-house, Engine-house, 
 Water Pit Gin-House 
 
 Dwelling-house, Stable, Sc. erected thereon ; 
 also the Rock Salt Shaft and Water 
 Pit Shaft, together with the Wheels 
 and other Machinery to the same be- ; 12 
 longing ...... 
 
 Two old Dwelling-houses, with a Garden ad- 
 joining the same .... 
 
 Stable, fihippon, Barn and Fold . 
 
 A Garden, the Well Croft, Middle and Little 
 
 Catty's Field 
 
 This Lot consists of land «f^an -ex- 
 cellent quality, and -there is a bed of 
 reek salt under the whole premises 
 which remains ungot (except the lower 
 mine under part of the big Catty's 
 Field and a small part of the middle 
 Catty's Field), and which may be 
 raised by means of the present shaft, 
 and now part of the premises. This 
 rock salt pit and the big Catty's Field 
 are subject to a term of 21 years, 
 which will expire on the 24th March 
 1833, at the yearly reserved rent of 
 £62. The remainder of the premises 
 are held by the present occupiers, as 
 tenants from year to year, at the ap- 
 portioned rent of £20. The whole 
 forms a most desirable property to 
 persons induced to embark in the rock 
 salt trade, being one of the nearest pits 
 to the shipping quays. 
 
 Purchaser, Neuman, £3320. 
 
 yds. 
 
908 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 / 
 
 LOT CLXXV 
 
 Part of the Crab Tree Croft, with, the Eock Salt\ 
 Storehouse, Engine - house, Dwelling- 
 house, Smithy, etc. erected thereon, 
 also the Eock Salt Shaft, and a Moiety 
 of the Water Pit Shaft, together with 
 the fixed Machinery belonging to the 
 same ...... 
 
 A small part of the Lower Ferney Field 
 
 Part of Stoney Field, Part of Brook Meadow, 
 Part of Upper Stoney Field, Part of the 
 Ollershaw Meadow .... 
 
 Eemainder of the Lower Ferney Field, and 
 Eemainder of the Stoney Field 
 
 Messrs Blackburne & Co. hold the 
 whole of the first Lot, together with 
 the lower bed of rock salt under the 
 same ; also under the parts of closes 
 containing 4 a. r. 37 p., for a term 
 of 14 years, which will expire 24th of 
 March 1839, at the yearly reserved 
 rent of £200, and an additional rent of 
 6d. per ton on all export rock salt ; 
 and 3d. per ton on all cistern or roof 
 rock which may be from time to time 
 delivered from the pit during the 
 term. 
 
 It is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 salt under the Lower Ferney Field, and 
 the surface land of the whole of this Lot 
 is of excellent quality, all of which is 
 held by the present occupiers (except 
 the first portion), as tenants from year 
 to year, at the apportioned yearly rents 
 of £5, 10s. to be paid by Eichard 
 Lawrence and £17, 10s. by John Ellson. 
 The new fence on the north-easterly 
 side of this Lot to be made and kept in 
 repair by the purchaser of this Lot. 
 Reserve, £5100. 
 
 vds. 
 
 )l3 
 
 3 38 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 
 
 909 
 
 LOT CLXXVI. 
 
 Part of the Crab Tree Croft, with the Rock 
 Salt Storehouse, Engine-house, Dwell- 
 ing-house, Smithy, Stable, &c. erected 
 thereon ; also the Rock Salt Shaft and 
 a Moiety of the Water Pit Shaft, to- 
 gether with the fixed Machinery be- 
 longing to same 
 
 The Brook Meadow, Cook's Croft, Part of 
 Ollershaw Meadow, and Part of Com- 
 mon Field ..... 
 Messrs Neuman & Ellson hold the 
 whole of the first part, together with 
 the lower bed of rock salt under Brook 
 Meadow and Cook's Croft, for a term 
 of 25 years, which will expire 25th 
 March 1837, at the certain Rent of 
 £150 per annum, and an additional 
 rent of 6d. per ton on all export rock 
 salt ; and 3d. per ton on all cistern or 
 roof rock which may from time to 
 time be delivered from the pit during 
 the term. 
 
 The surface land of Cook's Croft is 
 held by Joseph Ford, by virtue of a 
 lease for the lives of Thomas Ford, 
 aged 45, Joseph Ford, aged 35, and 
 Ellen Littler, aged 23, or thereabouts, 
 at the yearly reserved rent of 2s. 6d., 
 and the remainder of the premises are 
 held by the present occupiers as tenants 
 from year to year, at the apportioned 
 yearly Rents of £4 by John Ellson, 
 and £4 by Messrs Chantler & Co. 
 
 The new fences on the north-easterly 
 and north-westerly sides of this Lot 
 are to be made and kept in repair by 
 the purchaser of this Lot. 
 
 Reserve, £4400. 
 
 p. yds. 
 
 1 27 
 
910 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CLXXV1I a. r. p. yds 
 
 Part of Common Field, Square Common 
 
 Field, and Little Common Field . . 8 19 . . 
 
 The land in this Lot adjoins the 
 public highway leading from North- 
 wich to Warrington, is of a good 
 quality. It is supposed there is a 
 valuable bed of rock salt underneath, 
 the loweT mine whereof may be Taised 
 without endangering the land above ; 
 the ground is favourable for sinking 
 in, and the purchaser of this Lot will 
 be entitled to the liberty of shipping 
 rock salt into boats on an intended 
 basin to communicate with the Trent 
 and Mersey Canal, at a wharf to be 
 made at or near the place, marked 
 upon the map or plan with letter G, 
 which said wharf or shipping place is 
 to extend parallel with the basin 70 
 feet in length. 
 
 This land is held by the present occu- 
 piers as tenants from year to year, at 
 the apportioned yearly rent of £13. 
 Reserve, £2300. 
 
 LOT CLXXVIII 
 
 Part of Upper Stoney Field, and Part of the 
 
 Oilers! aw Meadow . . . . 9 1 17 . 
 
 The land contained in this Lot ad- 
 joins the public highway from North- 
 wich to Warrington, is of good quality, 
 and it is supposed there is a bed of 
 rock salt underneath ; the lower mine 
 whereof may be raised without en- 
 dangering the land above. The ground 
 is favourable for sinking in, and the 
 purchaser will be entitled to the liberty 
 of shipping rock salt into boats on an 
 intended basin to communicate with 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 911 
 
 a. r. p. yds. 
 the Trent and Mersey Canal, at a 
 
 wharf, to be made at or near the place 
 
 marked upon the map or plan with 
 
 letter H, and which wharf or shipping 
 
 place is to extend parallel with the 
 
 basin 70 feet in length. 
 
 The land is held by the present oc- 
 cupiers as tenants from year to year, 
 at the apportioned rent of £11, 10s. 
 per annum by Eichard Lawrence, and 
 £11, 5s. by John Ellson. 
 
 This Lot is sold subject to an occupa- 
 tion road to Lot 179, of the width of 
 eight yards, as marked in the plan. 
 Reserve, £2400. 
 
 LOT CLXXIX 
 
 The Big Ferney Field, with the Eight of Way, 
 of the width of eight yards over the 
 north-east side of the latter item of 
 Lot 178 6 2 3.. 
 
 This is a good piece of land, and it 
 is supposed there is a bed of rock salt 
 underneath ; the lower mine whereof 
 may be raised without endangering 
 the land above. The ground is favour- 
 able for sinking in, and the purchaser 
 will be entitled to the liberty of ship- 
 ping rock salt into boats on an in- 
 tended basin to communicate with the 
 Trent and Mersey Canal, at a wharf 
 to be made at or near the place marked 
 upon the map or plan with letter I, 
 and which wharf or shipping place is 
 to extend parallel with the basin 70 
 feet in length. 
 
 The land is held by the present oc- 
 cupier as tenant from year to year, 
 at the apportioned yearly rent of £15. 
 Purchaser, Lyon, £1220. 
 
912 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CLXXX a . r. p. yds. 
 
 Part of the Lower Marl Field 
 Part of tie Higher Marl Field, with an Oc- 
 cupation Road of the width of eight - 5 3 19 
 
 yards over the next Lot as marked in 
 
 the Plan 
 
 The land contained in this Lot is of 
 
 good quality ; part of the latter item 
 
 extends more than 300 feet along the 
 
 towing path of the Trent and Mersey 
 
 Canal. It is supposed there is a bed 
 
 of rock salt underneath ; the lower 
 
 mine whereof may be raised without 
 
 endangering the land above, and the 
 
 ground is favourable for sinking in. 
 
 The land is held by the present oc- 
 cupier as tenant from year to year, at 
 
 the apportioned yearly rent of £14. 
 The new fence on the easterly side 
 
 of this Lot is to be made and kept in 
 
 Tepair by the purchaser of this Lot. 
 
 Purchaser, Wm. Furnival, £1550. 
 
 LOT CLXXXI 
 
 Part of the Lower Marl Field 
 
 Part of the Higher Marl Field 
 
 The land contained in this Lot is of 
 good quality, is bounded in part of the 
 high road from Northwich to War- 
 rington, and in other part by the 
 towing-path of the Trent and Mersey 
 Canal, along which it extends upwards 
 of 400 feet. 
 
 It is supposed there is a bed of rock 
 salt underneath ; the lower mine 
 whereof may be raised without en- 
 dangering the land above ; the ground 
 is favourable for sinking in. 
 
 The land is held by the present oc- 
 
 3 37 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 913 
 
 a. i. p. yds. 
 cupier as tenant from year to year, 
 
 at the yearly apportioned rent of £14. 
 
 This Lot is sold, subject to an oc- 
 cupation road to Lot 180, of the width 
 of eight yards, as marked in the plan. 
 Reserve, £1420. 
 
 LOT CLXXXII 
 
 F,orge-Iron-house, Scrap-house, &c. 
 
 Agent's house, 4 Dwelling - houses, Field, 
 
 Meadow, and part of the Forge Pool, 
 
 &c.,&c. . . . 17 1 13 . . 
 
 Reserve, £3000. 
 
 WINCHAM 
 
 LOT CLXXXIII 
 
 4 Dwelling-houses, 2 Crofts, &c. . . 1 3 14 . . 
 
 These Premises adjoin the high road 
 leading from Northwich to Pickmere, 
 and it is supposed there is a bed of 
 rock salt underneath. 
 
 Purchaser, J. Butters, £175. 
 
 WITTON 
 
 LOT CLXXXIV 
 
 Quays at Witton Brook . . . 2 34 ... . 
 
 These well-accustomed Quays are 
 conveniently situate at the upper end 
 of Witton Brook navigation, and are 
 subject to a lease, held by the Trustees 
 of the River Weaver navigation, for a 
 term of 99 years, wbich will expire 25th 
 March 1889. The quays are kept in 
 repair at the expense of the lessees, 
 and the purchaser will be entitled to 
 receive one-third part of the produce 
 of the wharfage annually. 
 3 M 
 
914 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 A piece of land, mostly covered with water, 
 adjoining the last-mentioned premises 
 and the Witton Brook navigation, and 
 whereon a rock salt house and build- 
 ings, in the occupation of Messrs Ban- 
 croft & Co., formerly stood . 1 1 28 
 Reserve, £1040. 
 
 LOT CLXXXV 
 
 A valuable piece of Land, at the upper end of, 
 and adjoining to, the Witton Brook 
 Navigation, suitable for the purpose 
 of erecting Wharfs . . . ... 1 38 
 
 Reserve, £1000. 
 
 LOT CLXXXVI 
 
 A chief Rent of £2 per annum, payable by 
 Swynfen Jervis, Esq., out of an Estate 
 in Witton aforesaid, called Witton 
 
 Hall 
 
 Purchaser, J. Broady, £37. 
 
 LOT CLXXXVII 
 
 A Pew on the North Side of the North Aisle 
 
 of Witton Chapel, marked No. 12 in 
 
 the Chapel Plan .... 
 
 Purchaser, Hostage, £17. 
 
 LOT CLXXXVIII 
 
 A Pew on the South Side of the North Aisle 
 of Witton Chapel, marked No. 6 in 
 the Chapel Plan (unoccupied) 
 
 Purchaser, Wm, Worthington, £22. 
 
 LOT CLXXXIX 
 
 A Pew on the South Side of the North Aisle 
 of Witton Chapel, marked No. 14 in 
 the Chapel Plan. 
 
 Reserve, £80. 
 
 p. yds. 
 
PARTICULARS OF THE DE TABLEY SALE 915 
 
 LOT CXC a. i-. p. yds. 
 
 A Pew on the North Side of the Middle Aisle 
 of Witton Chapel, marked No. 16 in 
 the Chapel Plan. 
 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £105. 
 
 lot cxci 
 A Pew on the South Side of the Middle Aisle 
 of Witton Chapel, and marked No. 13 
 in the Chapel Plan. 
 
 Purchaser, J. Butters, £105. 
 
 lot cxcn 
 A Pew at the West End of Witton Chapel, 
 marked No. 4 in the Chapel Plan. 
 
 Purchaser, Adams, £42. 
 
 lot cxciii 
 One Pew being the whole Front of the east or 
 Organ Gallery in Witton Chapel. 
 Reserve, £120. 
 
 lot cxciv 
 One other Pew adjoining and behind the last- 
 mentioned Lot. 
 
 Reserve, £80. 
 
 NORTHWICH 
 
 LOT CXCV 
 
 A Dwelling-house, Shop, and Hatter's Work- 
 shop, &c. behind the same. 
 
 These premises are situate in the 
 Swine Market Street, opposite the 
 butcher's market. 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs Barton, £180. 
 
 LOT oxcvi 
 2 Dwelling-houses, situated in the Swine Market 
 Street. 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs J. Saxon, £105. 
 
916 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 LOT CXCVII a . r. p. yds. 
 
 2 Stables and a Gig house, situated between 
 Church Street and Sheath Street, &c. 
 
 Purchaser, Mrs OaMen, £220: 
 
 lot cxcvm 
 The Living of Witton. 
 
 The perpetual Advowson of the 
 Parochial Chapel of Witton, which 
 is a Donative. 
 
 The Endowment consists chiefly of 
 Land, containing about 40 statute 
 Acres ; and the certain Income, ac- 
 cording to the annual parochial returns, 
 appears to be about £140. The Popu- 
 lation is about 7000. 
 
 The Eev. Geo. Okell, A.M., the pre- 
 sent Incumbent will give any further, 
 information. 
 
 Purchaser, J. Whitley, £2020. 
 
 LOT CXCIX 
 
 The Manor or Royalty of Witton, &c, &c. 
 
 The Manor of Witton Cum Twam- 
 brookes, with Annual Rents, amount- 
 ing to — per annum, payable for Lands 
 and Tenements within the Manor. 
 Reserve, £1000. 
 
 The receipts of the Sale amounted to £51,922. And the value 
 of the Property unsold was estimated at £58,250 — making a 
 total of £110,172. 
 
MANUFACTUBE OF SALT 
 
 The Ancient Methods op Salt-making 
 
 The following interesting extracts referring to salt-making as 
 practised by the ancients are translated from an old Latin book 
 by Georgius Agricola, entitled De Re Metallica, which was pub- 
 lished in 1556. Georgius Agricola was born in Saxony in 1494, 
 and after writing several works he devoted himself to the prepara- 
 tion of De Re Metallica, which occupied about twenty-five years. 
 He died in November 1555 at the age of 62, and his famous work 
 was not published until a year later. This work remained the 
 standard text-book for miners and metallurgists for 180 years 
 until the appearance of Schliiter's work on Mineralogy in 1738. 
 The fulness of Agricola's descriptions and the scrupulous exact- 
 ness of his facts and particulars, not only explain the length of 
 time which he occupied in the composition of his book, but lend 
 a peculiar fascination to his illuminating study of every subject of 
 which he treated. 
 
 In Book XII. of De Re Metallica, Agricola says : — 
 " Salt is made from water either salty by nature, or by the 
 labour of man, or else from a solution of salt, or from lye, like- 
 wise salty. Water which is salty by nature, is condensed and 
 converted into salt in salt-pits by the heat of the sun or else by 
 the heat of a fire in pans or pots or trenches. That which is 
 made salty by art, is also condensed by fire and changed into 
 salt. There should be as many salt-pits dug as the circumstance 
 of the place permits, but there should not be more than can be 
 used, although we ought to make as much salt as we can sell. 
 The depth of salt-pits should be moderate, and the bottom should 
 be level, so that all the water is evaporated from the salt by the 
 heat of the sun. The salt-pits should first be encrusted with 
 salt, so that they may not suck up the water. The method of 
 pouring is not less old, but less common, since to pour well- 
 water into salt-pits, was done in Babylon, for which Pliny is the 
 authority, and in Cappadocia, where they used not only well- 
 water, but also spring-water. In all hot countries salt-water 
 
918 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 and lake-water are conducted, poured or carried into salt-pits, 
 and, being dried by the heat of the sun, are converted into salt. 
 While the salt-water in the salt-pits is being heated by the sun, 
 if they be flooded with great and frequent showers of rain the 
 evaporation is hindered. If this happens frequently, the salt 
 acquires a disagreeable flavour, and in this case the salt-pits 
 have to be filled with other sweet water. 
 
 '" Salt from sea-water is made in the following manner. Near 
 that part of the seashore where there is a quiet pool, and there 
 are wide, level plains which the inundations of the sea do not 
 overflow, three, four, five or six trenches are dug six feet wide, 
 twelve feet deep, and six hundred feet long, or longer if the level 
 place extends for a longer distance ; they are two hundred feet 
 distant from one another ; between these are three transverse 
 trenches. Then are dug the principal pits, so that when the 
 water has been raised from the pool it can flow into the trenches, 
 and from thence into the salt-pits, of which there are numbers 
 on the level ground between the trenches. The salt-pits are 
 basins dug to a moderate depth ; these are banked round with 
 the earth which was dug in sinking them or in cleansing them, so 
 that between the basins, earth walls are made a foot high, which 
 retain the water let into them. The trenches have openings, 
 through which the first basins receive the water ; these basins also 
 have openings, through which the water flows again from one into 
 the other. There should be a slight fall, so that the water may 
 flow from one basin into the other, and can thus be replenished. 
 All these things having been done rightly and in order, the gate 
 is raised that opens the mouth of the pool which contains sea- 
 water mixed with rain-water or river water ; and thus all of the 
 trenches are filled. Then the gates of the first basins are opened, 
 and thus the remaining basins are filled with the water from the 
 first ; when this salt-water condenses, all these basins are in- 
 crusted and thus made clean from earthy matter. Then again 
 the first basins are filled up from the nearest trench with the 
 same kind of water, and left until much of the thin liquid is 
 converted into vapour by the heat of the sun and dissipated, and 
 the remainder is considerably thickened. Then their gates 
 being opened, the water passes into the second basins ; and when 
 it has remained there for a certain space of time the gates are 
 opened, so that it flows into the third basins, where it is all con- 
 densed into salt. After the salt has been taken out, the basins 
 
Ancient Salt-works. Making Salt from Sea-water. 
 
 A, Sea-water. B. A Pool. C. Gate. D. Trenches. E. Salt Reservoirs. 
 F. Rake. 6'. Shovel. 
 
 (From an Old Print published in 1556.) 
 
920 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 are filled again and again with sea-water. The salt is raked up 
 with wooden rakes and thrown out with shovels. 
 
 " Salt water is also boiled in pans, placed in sheds near the wells 
 from which it is drawn. Bach shed is usually named from some 
 animal or other thing which is pictured on a tablet nailed upon it. 
 The walls of these sheds are made either from baked earth or 
 
 Ancient Salt-works. Moulding the Salt. 
 A. Pool. B. Earthenware Bowls. C. Ladle. D. Pans. 
 (From an Old Print published in 1556.) 
 
 E. Tongs. 
 
 from wicker work covered with thick mud, although some may 
 be made of stones or bricks. When of brick they are often 
 sixteen feet high, and if the roof rises twenty-four feet high, then 
 the walls which are at the ends must be made forty feet high, 
 as likewise the interior partition walls. The roof consists of 
 large shingles four feet long, one foot wide, and two digits thick, 
 these are fixed on long narrow planks placed on the rafters, which 
 are joined at the upper end and slope in opposite directions. 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 
 
 921 
 
 The whole of the under side is plastered one digit thick with straw 
 mixed with lute ; likewise the roof on the outside is plastered 
 one and a half feet thick with straw mixed with lute, in order 
 that the shed should not run any risk of fire, and that it should be 
 proof against rain, and be able to retain the heat necessary for 
 drying the lumps of salt. Each shed is divided into three parts, 
 
 Ancient Salt-works. 
 
 A. Large Iron Pots. B. Stool. 0. Ladle. 
 
 (From an Old Print published in 1556.) 
 
 in the first of which the firewood and straw are placed ; in the 
 middle room, separated from the first room by a partition, is 
 the fireplace on which is placed the caldron. To the right of the 
 caldron is a tub, into which is emptied the brine brought into the 
 shed by the porters ; to the left is a bench, on which there is 
 room to lay thirty pieces of salt. In the third room, which is in 
 the back part of the house, there is made a pile of clay or ashes 
 eight feet higher than the floor, being the same height as the 
 bench. The master and his assistants, when they carry away 
 
922 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the lumps of salt from the caldrons, go from the former to the 
 latter. They ascend from the right side of the caldron, not by 
 steps, but by a slope of earth. At the top of the end wall are 
 two small windows, and a third is in the roof, through which the 
 smoke escapes. This smoke, emitted from both the back and 
 the front of the furnace, finds outlet through a hood through 
 which it makes its way up to the windows ; this hood consists 
 of boards projecting one beyond the other, which are supported 
 by two small beams of the roof. Opposite the fireplace the 
 middle partition has an open door eight feet high and four feet 
 wide, through which there is a gentle draught which drives the 
 smoke into the last room, the front wall also has a door of the 
 same height and width. Both of these doors are large enough 
 to permit the firewood or straw or the brine to be carried in, and 
 the lumps of salt to be carried out ; these doors must be closed 
 when the wind blows, so that the boiling will not be hindered. 
 Indeed, glass panes which exclude the wind but transmit the 
 light should be inserted in the windows in the walls. 
 
 " They construct the greater part of the fireplace of rock-salt 
 and of clay mixed with salt and moistened with brine, for such 
 walls are greatly hardened by the fire. These fireplaces are 
 made eight and a half feet long, seven and three-quarters feet 
 wide, and, if wood is burned in them, nearly four feet high ; 
 but, if straw is burned in them, they are six feet high. An iron 
 rod, about four feet long, is engaged in a hole in an iron foot 
 which stands on the base of the middle of the furnace mouth. 
 This mouth is three feet in width, and has a door which opens 
 inward ; through it they throw in the straw. 
 
 '" The caldrons are rectangular, eight feet long, seven feet wide, 
 and half a foot high, and are made of sheets of iron or lead, three 
 feet long, and of the same width, all but two digits. These 
 plates are not very thick, so that the water is heated more quickly 
 by the fire, and is boiled away rapidly. The more salty the water 
 is, the sooner it is condensed into salt. To prevent the brine 
 from leaking out at the points where the metal plates are fastened 
 with rivets, the caldrons are smeared over with a cement of ox- 
 liver and ox-blood mixed with ashes. On each side of the middle 
 of the furnace two rectangular posts, three feet long and half a 
 foot thick and wide, are set into the ground, so that they are 
 distant from each other only one and a half feet. Each of them 
 rises one and a half feet above the caldron. After the caldron 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 
 
 923 
 
 has been placed on the walls of the furnace, two beams of the same 
 width and thickness as the posts, but four feet long, are laid on 
 these posts, and are mortised in so that they shall not fall. There 
 rest transversely upon these beams three bars, three feet long, 
 three digits wide, and two digits thick, distant from one another 
 one foot. On each of these hang three iron hooks, two beyond the 
 
 Ancient Salt-works. 
 
 A. Trench. /I. Tub for holding Salt Water. C. Ladle. 
 
 D. Small Bucket with Long Handle. 
 
 (From an Old Print pnblished in 1556.) 
 
 beams and one in the middle ; these are a foot long, and are 
 hooked at both ends, one hook turning to the right, the other to 
 the left. The bottom hook catches in the eye of a staple, whose 
 ends are fixed in the bottom of the caldron, and the eye projects 
 from it. There are besides two longer bars six feet long, one palm 
 wide, and three digits thick, which pass under the front beam and 
 rest upon the rear beam. At the rear end of each of the bars 
 there is an iron hook two feet and three digits long, the lower 
 end of which is bent so as to support the caldron. The rear end 
 
924 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of the caldron does not rest on the two rear corners of the fire- 
 place, but is distant from the fireplace two thirds of a foot, so that 
 the flame and smoke can escape ; this rear end of the fireplace 
 is half a foot thick and half a foot higher than the caldron. This 
 is also the thickness and height of the wall between the caldron 
 and the third room of the shed, to which it is adjacent. This 
 back wall is made of clay and ashes, unlike the others which are 
 made of rock salt. The caldron rests on the two front corners 
 and sides of the fireplace, and is cemented with ashes, so that the 
 flames will not escape. If a dipperful of brine poured into the 
 caldron should flow into all the corners, the caldron is rightly set 
 upon the fireplace. 
 
 "The wooden dipper holds ten Roman sexlarii, and the cask 
 holds eight dippers full. The brine drawn up from the well is poured 
 into such casks and carried by porters, as I have said before, into 
 the shed and poured into a tub, and in those places where the 
 brine is very strong it is at once transferred with the dippers into 
 the caldron. That brine which is less strong is thrown into a 
 small tub with a deep ladle, the spoon and handle of which are 
 hewn out of one piece of wood. In this tub rock-salt is placed 
 in order that the water should be made more salty, and it is then 
 run off through a launder which leads into the caldron. From 
 thirty-seven dippersful of brine, the master or his deputy at Halle 
 in Saxony, makes two cone-shaped pieces of salt. Each master 
 has a helper, or in the place of a helper his wife assists him at his 
 work, and, in addition, a youth who throws wood or straw under 
 the caldron. He, on account of the great heat of the workshop, 
 wears a straw cap on his head and a breech cloth, being otherwise 
 quite naked. As soon as the master has poured the first dipperful 
 of brine into the caldron the youth sets fire to the wood and straw 
 laid under it. If the firewood is bundles of faggots or brushwood, 
 the salt will be white, but if straw is burned then it is not infre- 
 quently blackish, for the sparks, which are drawn up with the 
 smoke into the hood, fall down again into the water and colour 
 it black. 
 
 " In order to accelerate the condensation of the brine, when the 
 master has poured in two casks and as many dippersful of brine, 
 he adds about a Roman cyathus and a half of bullock's blood, or 
 of calf's blood, or buck's blood or else he mixes it into the nine- 
 teenth dipperful of brine, in order that it may be dissolved and 
 distributed into all the corners of the caldron ; in other places 
 
Ancient Salt-works. 
 
 A. Large Tub. B. Plug. C. Small Tub. D. Ladle. E. Tub. 
 F. Cauldron. 
 
 (From an Old Print published in 1556.) 
 
 925 
 
926 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the blood is dissolved in beer. When the boiling water seems 
 to be mixed with scum, he skims it with a ladle ; this scum, if he 
 be working with rock-salt, he throws into the opening in the 
 furnace through which the smoke escapes, and it is dried into rock- 
 salt ; if it be not from rock salt, he pours it on to the floor of the 
 workshop. From the beginning to the boiling and skimming is the 
 work of half-an-hour ; after this it boils down for another quarter 
 of an hour, after which time it begins to condense into salt. 
 When it begins to thicken with the heat, he and his helper stir it 
 assiduously with a wooden spatula, and then he allows it to boil 
 for an hour. After this he pours in a cyathus and a half of beer. 
 In order that the wind should not blow into the caldron, the helper 
 covers the front with a board seven and a half feet long and one 
 foot high, and covers each of the sides with boards three and three 
 quarters feet long. In order that the front board may hold more 
 firmly, it is fitted into the caldron itself, and the sideboards are 
 fixed on the front board and upon the transverse beam. After- 
 ward, when the boards have been lifted off, the helper places two 
 baskets, two feet high and as many wide, at the top, and a palm 
 wide at the bottom, on the transverse beams, and into them the 
 master throws the salt with a shovel, taking half an hour to fill 
 them. Then, replacing the boards on the caldron he allows the 
 brine to boil for three quarters of an hour. Afterward the salt 
 has again to be removed with a shovel, and when the baskets are 
 full, they pile up the salt in heaps. 
 
 " In different localities the salt is moulded into different shapes. 
 In the baskets the salt assumes the form of a cone ; it is not 
 moulded in baskets alone, but also in moulds into which they 
 throw the salt, which are made in the likeness of many objects, 
 as for instance tablets. These tablets and cones are kept in the 
 higher part of the third room of the house, or else on the flat 
 bench of the same height, in order that they may dry better in 
 the warm air. In the manner I have described, a master and his 
 helper continue one after the other, alternately boiling the brine 
 and moulding the salt, day and night, with the exception only of 
 the annual feast days. No caldron is able to stand the fire for more 
 than half a year. The master pours in water and washes it out 
 every week ; when it is washed out he puts straw under it and 
 pounds it ; new caldrons he washes three times in the first two 
 weeks, and afterward twice. In this manner the incrustations 
 fall from the bottom ; if they are not cleared off, the salt would 
 
Ancient Salt-works. 
 
 A. Fireplace. B. Opening in Fireplace. C. Caldron. D. Supporting- 
 Posts. B. Cross-beams. F. Short Cross-beams. (/. Iron Hooks. 
 //. Staples. /. Long Cross-beams. K. Bent Iron Caldron Supports. 
 (From an Old Print published in 1556.) 
 
928 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 have to be made more slowly over a fiercer fire, which requires 
 more brine and burns the plates of the caldron. If any cracks 
 make their appearance in the caldron they are filled up with 
 cement. The salt made during the first two weeks is not so good, 
 being usually stained by the rust at the bottom where incrustations 
 have not yet adhered. 
 
 " Although salt made in this manner is prepared only from the 
 brine of springs and wells, yet it is also possible to use this method 
 in the case of river, lake, and sea-water, and also of those waters 
 which are artificially salted. For in places where rock-salt is 
 dug, the impure and the broken pieces are thrown into fresh 
 water, which when boiled, condenses into salt. Some indeed, 
 boil sea-salt in fresh water again, and mould the salt into the little 
 cones and other shapes. 
 
 " Some people make salt by another method, from salt water 
 which flows from hot springs that issue boiling from the earth. 
 They set earthenware pots in a pool of the spring-water and into 
 them they pour water scooped up with ladles from the hot spring 
 until they are half full. The perpetual heat of the waters of the 
 pool evaporates the salt water just as the heat of the fire does in 
 the caldrons. As soon as it begins to thicken, which happens 
 when it has been reduced by boiling to a third or more, they seize 
 the pots with tongs and pour the contents into small rectangular 
 iron pans, which have also been placed in the pool. The interior 
 of these pans is usually three feet long, two feet wide, and three 
 digits deep, and they stand on four heavy legs, so that the water 
 flows freely all round, but not into them. Since the water flows 
 continuously from the pool through the little canals, and the 
 spring always provides a new and copious supply, always boiling 
 hot, it condenses the thickened water poured into the pans into 
 salt ; this is at once taken out with shovels, and then the work 
 begins all over again. If the salty water contains other juices, as 
 is usually the case with hot springs, no salt should be made from 
 them. 
 
 " Others boil salt water, and especially sea-water, in large iron 
 pots ; this salt is blackish, for in most cases they burn straw 
 under them. Some people boil in these pots the brine in which 
 fish is pickled. The salt which they make tastes and smells of 
 fish. 
 
 " Those who make salt by pouring brine over firewood, lay the 
 wood in trenches which are twelve feet long, seven feet wide, and 
 
Ancient Salt-works. 
 
 A. Wooden Ladle. B. Cask. C. Tub. D. The Master. E. Assistant. 
 F. The Master's Wife. 6. Wooden Spade. //. Boards. /. Salt- 
 baskets. K. Hoe. /.. Rake. if. Straw. K. Bowls. 0. Bucket 
 for Blood. P. Beer Tankard. 
 
 (From an Old Print published in 1556.) 
 
 3n 929 
 
930 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 two and one half feet deep, so that the water poured in should 
 not flow out. These trenches are constructed of rock-salt where- 
 ever it is to be had, in order that they should not soak up the 
 water, and so that the earth should not fall in on the front, back 
 and sides. As the charcoal is turned into salt at the same time 
 as the salt-liquor, the Spaniards think as Pliny writes, that the 
 wood itself turns into salt. Oak is the best wood, as its pure 
 ash yields salt ; elsewhere hazel-wood is landed. But with 
 whatever wood it be made, this salt is not greatly appreciated, 
 being black and not quite pure ; on that account this 
 method of salt-making is disdained by the Germans and 
 Spaniards. 
 
 " The solutions from which salt is made are prepared from 
 salty earth or from earth rich in salt and saltpetre. Lye is made 
 from the ashes of reeds and rushes. The solution from salty 
 earth by boiling, makes salt only ; from the other, salt and 
 saltpetre are made ; and from ashes is derived lye, from which 
 its own salt is obtained. The ashes, as well as the earth should 
 first be put into a large vat ; then fresh water should be poured 
 over the ashes or earth, and it should be stirred for about twelve 
 hours with a stick, so that it may dissolve the salt. Then the 
 plug is pulled out of the large vat ; the solution of salt or the 
 lye is drained into a small tub and emptied with ladles into 
 small vats ; finally, such a solution is transferred into iron or 
 lead caldrons and boiled, until the water, having evapora 'ed, the 
 juices are condensed into salt. The above are thej various 
 methods for making salt." 
 
Ancient Salt-works. 
 
 A. Sheds. B. Painted Signs. C. First Room. D. Second Room. 
 E. Third Room. F. Windows. 6. Window in Roof. H and /. 
 Wells. K. Casks. L. Pole. M. Forked Resting Sticks. 
 (From an Old Print published in 1556.) 
 
 931 
 
932 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The Open-Pan System 
 
 The old open-pan system of making salt from brine, as has been 
 said, was introduced into Cheshire by the Romans, and although 
 such improvements as the increase in the size of the pans, the 
 substitution of coal for wood fuel, etc., have been introduced 
 from time to time during the past two thousand years, the principle 
 has remained the same. Georgius Agricola and William Smith, 
 who wrote, in the sixteenth century ; Camden, William Jackson 
 and Thomas Eastell, in the seventeenth ; Thomas Lowndes, 
 William Browrigg, and Christoph Chrysel, in the eighteenth ; and 
 Henry Holland, in the nineteenth century, have all described, 
 with more or less detail, the manner of salt-making as it was 
 practised in their several times, and the manner is undeviating 
 throughout the centuries. The brine may be raised differently, 
 the pans may be enlarged or arranged after a new fashion, and 
 the iron road and the locomotive may supplant the turnpike road 
 and the horse as a means of distributing the salt, but these changes 
 have produced no revolution in the system of manufacture, and 
 only in the last few years have variants been successfully applied 
 for increasing the maximum quantity of salt produced from the 
 minimum combustion of fuel. These patent processes will 
 presently be dealt with under the headings of the Tee, the Vacuum 
 and the Hodgkinson systems. 
 
 In the method of brine-pumping and salt manufacture as it is 
 practised in Cheshire to-day, the brine is raised to the surface, 
 almost always, by two double-acting lift-and-force pumps worked 
 by one engine or a pair of engines, one rod travelling up while the 
 other is going down. 
 
 The two working barrels are at the bottom of the shaft, and, 
 usually, there are two sets of pump trees, so called, probably, 
 because hollowed trees were in common use for all kinds of brine 
 pipes ; these extend right to the surface where they connect 
 with one which supplies a cistern for the use of the works. 
 
 The back-pressure valve is placed about 18 feet from the bottom 
 of the shaft. 
 
 The most general type of engine employed for pumping, and 
 also for the winding at the mines, is the beam. 
 
 Several of the most modern are double horizontal, of the follow- 
 ing description : — 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 933 
 
 Two cylinders of 1 ft. 6 in. bore, 3 ft. stroke, working at 50 
 pounds pressure, and each indicating 18 h.p. ; these work on discs 
 on one shaft, one a half stroke ahead of the other ; on this shaft 
 there is a fly-wheel weighing eight tons, and a pinion two feet in 
 diameter. This pinion is geared with a wheel six feet in diameter 
 set on the shaft, on which are two pump cranks, one directly 
 opposite the other. The cranks are three feet from centre to 
 centre, thus giving a throw of six feet ; they are connected with 
 two large wrought-iron beams 24 feet long, pivoted in their 
 centres on blocks on the outer wall of the engine-house, which is 
 specially strengthened to bear the strain. The other ends of the 
 beams are attached by connecting rods to the pump rods. The 
 working barrels of the pumps are twelve inches in diameter. 
 
 The brine being raised to the surface and deposited in the 
 cisterns is ready for converting into salt in the evaporating pans. 
 The cisterns are made either of clay puddle and lined with bricks, 
 which, however, can only be done where there is high land about 
 the works, or they are made of timber, oblong in shape and 
 framed like a ship, planted with three-inch planks on the bottom 
 and sides of the interior, and tied with numerous bolts running 
 through from end to end and from side to side. 
 
 Natural brines are scarcely ever fully saturated, and natural 
 salt springs, like the seas and salt lakes, are rarely more than 
 brackish, but in a few cases in which beds of rock salt exist in 
 the neighbourhood, the water contains considerable quantities 
 of salt. Fresh water will take up more or less salt according to 
 its temperature, varying from 35J lbs. at freezing-point (32° F.) 
 to 40 lbs at boiling-point (226° F.) for every 100 lbs. of water. 
 The specific gravity of fully saturated brine is about 1-2, and 
 it contains 26J per cent, of salt. Roughly speaking, the Cheshire 
 brines consist of 1 part salt and 3 parts water. Salt, in brine, 
 is not held in suspension, but in solution, hence, however long 
 the brine is allowed to remain, say in a closed vessel, no salt will 
 appear. In the manufacture of salt from brine, the object 
 is simply to recover the salt that has been taken up by the water. 
 The problem to be solved in the manufacture is to so regulate 
 the evaporation as to produce the kind of salt that is required. 
 
 The brine is allowed to run into pans, a fire is lit underneath, 
 and as the water evaporates the salt is precipitated and sinks to the 
 bottom of the pan. The pans used at the present day are very 
 large. Those actually working in Cheshire and Worcestershire 
 
934 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 range from 30 feet by 24 feet and 15 inches deep (this being about 
 the smallest now used except in a few of the oldest works, where 
 pans about the size of those in use a century ago still remain) to 
 130 feet by 25 feet, and about 18 inches in depth. The usual 
 size for pans that are required to boil is from 30 feet to 40 feet 
 in length, and from 20 feet to 27 feet in breadth. For pans 
 making coarse salts the usual size is from 60 feet to 70 feet in 
 length by the usual 25 feet to 26 feet in width, though at many 
 of the modern works these pans are from 70 feet to 130 feet in 
 length, and up to as much as 30 feet or, in one or two cases, 32 
 feet in breadth. The most approved width is about 26 feet. 
 There is no absolute rule for size of pans. There are pans, under 
 which exhaust steam is used, as much as 150 feet in length. 
 Should it be found necessary to use a long pan for boiling purposes, 
 it is " mid-feathered " off, as it is called ; that is, a portion is 
 divided off by a wooden partition making a " front pan " for 
 boiling and a " back pan " for coarse salt. 
 
 Mr John Thompson, writing about the middle of last century, 
 
 " Our pans are about 60 ft., 24 ft., and 18 ins. to 2 ft. deep : four 
 fire-places under eaGh pan. The grates (grate bars) are about 
 2'3 to 2'9 from the bottom of the pan. They are about 4'6 long, 
 and as many are put in a furnace as will make it about 2 - 3 to 
 2"6 wide. At the back of each furnace, a hole or brick wall is 
 built as a boundary for the fire-place about 15 in. high, right across. 
 
 " I give a section of the fire-places across each furnace. 
 
 ^vy^V^^a^ V-v-V,.^,. W^ 
 
 " This pan has five fire-places : some have five, but four are 
 sufficient. A boiling-pan is generally only 30 ft. long : a common 
 pan, 60 ft. 
 
 " There are generally more walls under the back part of the 
 pan than under the front part, where the furnaces are. A hurdle, 
 or bench is erected at each side to put the salt on as it is drawn 
 out of the pan, to drain it, etc. This hurdle is often of wood, 
 sometimes of bricks. 
 
936 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " To make common salt, we consume about ten or eleven cwts. 
 of slack for 1 ton of salt : to make butter salt, about 14 cwt. of 
 Burgy." 
 
 The pans spoken of so far are all open pans, and the heat is 
 given to them by fires underneath. Besides these open pans 
 there are a number of circular enclosed pans, known technically 
 as " patent butter-pans," from the kind of salt made in them. 
 This salt is the finest made in England. The pans are from 
 about 21 feet to 27 feet in diameter, and are completely covered 
 in. The fires are made under these pans as under the open ones, 
 and the waste heat from the fires and stream from the pans are 
 conveyed under other open pans, where coarse salt is made ; 
 or else the waste heat is carried in flues to the stove where the 
 salt made in lumps, or squares as they are called, is dried. 
 
 During the manufacture of salt the laws regulating the forma- 
 tion of the crystals may be clearly seen. The kinds of salt 
 manufactured do not vary at all in their constituent parts, but 
 merely in the size of the crystal or " grain," as it is called. To 
 sum up the whole process in a few words, it may be said generally 
 that the larger the crystal the less the heat, and the longer the 
 time required to make the salt ; the smaller the crystal, the 
 greater the heat, and the less time required to make the salt. 
 Brine boils at 226° Fahrenheit. Boiled salts are taken out of 
 the pan two or three times in twenty-four hours ; common salt, 
 such as is used for soaperies, chemical works, etc., every two 
 days. Fishery salt remains in the pan, according to the grain, 
 from six to fourteen days ; bay salt three weeks to a month. 
 The manufacturer, by manipulating his brine, can make the 
 crystal more or less flaky or more or less solid as he wishes ; but 
 the general principle is not altered. 
 
 In Cheshire it has long been customary to use a salinometer 
 graduated so as to show the ounces of salt in a gallon of fully 
 saturated brine. The general statement is that a gallon of this 
 brine contains 2 lbs. 10 ozs. of salt. Most brines run from 2 lbs. 
 9 oz. to 2 lbs. 10 oz. Before this salinometer can be understood 
 it must be explained that the gallon is not the Imperial gallon of 
 277'274 cubic inches, but the old wine gallon of 231 cubic inches, 
 or 28'875 cubic inches to the wine pint. As the Imperial gallon 
 contains so much more than the old wine gallon, all experiments 
 made with it seem to show the usual 2 lbs. 10 oz. to be wrong. 
 The fact is, the Imperial gallon containing 10 lbs. of water contains 
 
938 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 12 lbs. of brine : saturated brine, being of specific, gravity, T2. 
 Thus, if 231 cubic inches contain 2 lbs. 10 oz. of salt, 277-274 will 
 contain 50 - 4 oz.; or 3 lbs. 2'4. oz. There is a great peculiarity 
 about this, viz., the difference between the specific grant of 
 saturated brine and water, thus 277-274 is to 231 as 12 to 10, or T2 
 to 1. Dividing 277-274 by 1-2 = 231-06, or, say, 231. Thus to find 
 the ounces of salt per Imperial gallon of brine we must add one- 
 fifth to that shown by the ordinary Brine Gauge or Salinometer. 
 
 By salinometer (Twaddell), saturated brine holds 42 ounces of 
 salt to the old Winchester gallon (231 cubic inches), but to the 
 Imperial gallon (277-274 cubic inches) there will be 50'4 ounces, 
 consequently there would be 1 ton of salt in 7111 gallons of brine, 
 and, therefore, if 711-1 gallons of brine weigh 8886; deducting 
 2240 lbs. of salt, there remains 6648 lbs. of water evaporated by 
 1120 lbs. of fuel, or 6 lbs. of water for 1 of fuel. 
 
 The Winchester wine bushel was fixed at 18| inches in diameter 
 and 8 inches deep. It was "to be made round with a plain and 
 even bottom 18J inches wide throughout and eight inches deep," 
 
 13 and 14 W. TIL The bushel thus contains 2150'425 cubic inches 
 or 1-244 cubic feet ; roughly this may be taken at 1J cubic feet. In 
 estimating the weight of salt by measurement, common salt is 
 estimated at 12 cwts. to the cubic yard, and 2nd Fishery 15 or 
 16 cwts. to the cubic yard. It would seem that the average of 
 common salt in Northwich District would be about 43 lbs. per 
 cubic foot, or, say, 54 lbs. per bushel, or 10 - 4 cwts. per cubic yard 
 when not shaken down. It is fair to assume, however, that salt 
 under pressure would weigh at least one-fifth more, so that 10 - 4 
 plus i = 12-5 cwts. The average of 2nd Fishery is about 54 lbs. 
 to the cubic foot, or, say, 67 lbs. to the bushel, or 13 cwts. to the 
 cubic yard ; not shaken down or adding one-fifth as before, 15-J 
 cwts. per cubic yard. 
 
 Among the extraordinary features that are to be noted in 
 connection with the manufacture of salt from brine is, firstly, 
 the happy-go-lucky, rule-of-thunib methods that govern the 
 industry, and the conservatism with which saltmen stick to the 
 old primitive system. We read (1889) that " in the construction 
 of salt-works there is not that engineering exactness which 
 engineers pride themselves so much on. As a rule, they are put 
 together just as they happen to come in ; a pan is hardly ever 
 made an exact particular size, but, to a great extent, is governed 
 by the size of plates. The height of brickwork of furnaces, etc., 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 939 
 
 is usually reckoned by courses of bricks. As a rule, drawings 
 are never made for a set of salt-works, and only one Company — 
 and that a modern one — seems to have had any prepared at all." 
 And in a paper on " The Manufacture of Salt," read before the 
 Society of Arts in 1894 by the late Thomas Ward, we read that 
 " the fireman, the real salt maker, whose business it is to attend 
 to the fires and see that the proper degree of heat is maintained 
 to produce the salt required, does his work almost entirely by 
 rule-of-thumb. It is very rare indeed that a thermometer is 
 used. The technical knowledge acquired enables a man to see 
 at a glance whether the pan is working properly ; and the quan- 
 tity and quality of the salt produced show whether he has done 
 his duty." 
 
 Mr Ward has explained in another place that " the manufacture 
 of salt is extremely simple, almost rude ; yet the simple plan in 
 use for ages has been found to answer best in the long run. The 
 price of salt is so low, and the manufacture such a bulky one, that 
 costly and elaborate apparatus has never been found to answer. 
 Comparing the life of an ordinary open salt-pan, such as is used 
 in the trade almost universally, with that of any of the numberless 
 patented pans that have been tried, it has been found that it 
 costs less to manufacture salt by it, and that the pan is far easier 
 to repair." 
 
 It would seem that while individuals have applied their scientific 
 and expert knowledge to the improvement of this almost rude 
 process, the practical saltmen have been quite content to allow 
 it to remain. " The chief business of the salt manufacturer," 
 Mr Ward wrote in 1894, " is to utilise to the best purpose, for the 
 production of salt, the heat obtained from the fuel. To this 
 end, innumerable patents have been taken out, but few have 
 been so successful as the simple application of direct heat to 
 open pans. The method seems a very primitive one, and most 
 visitors to salt-works think they can improve upon what they 
 consider a rude, antiquated system. I have had brought before 
 me, and have seen working, scores of patented plans. In all, 
 or nearly all, the idea was to economise heat ; and if the whole of 
 salt manufacturing consisted in evaporating the greatest quantity 
 of water with the least quantity of fuel, doubtless many of the 
 schemes would succeed instead of fail, as they do now. The 
 majority of the plans are schemes for generating steam and using 
 the heat, but occasionally (as just recently) gas under pressure, 
 
942 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 mixed with air, is lighted under a small kind of diving-bell, and 
 all the heat thus generated is communicated to the brine in 
 which the heater is immersed. Perhaps the most successful 
 method of utilising heat is by what is called the vacuum process. 
 In this, again, steam is generated in a boiler, and used to cause 
 evaporation in a closed vessel. Thus, roughly speaking, salt 
 manufacturers employ either direct heat from the furnaces, or 
 steam generated in a boiler and conveyed through pipes." 
 
 As will be seen from the foregoing, the manufacture of salt 
 from brine by the open-pan system has undergone no drastic 
 change from the time of its introduction into England to the 
 present day. The size of the pans has been increased and their 
 shape has been altered from time to time, and experiments with 
 the object of economising fuel and reducing the cost of production 
 have been continuous ; but, in 1773, 15 cwt. of coal was required 
 to make 20 cwt. of salt, and in 1914 only 1J to 2 tons of salt can be 
 manufactured by this process from the combustion of one ton of 
 fuel. To this day a large proportion of the salt manufactured 
 in the Cheshire salt districts is produced by the old open-pan 
 system. 
 
 WASTAGE IN WHITE SALT MANUFACTURE 
 
 The brine in use generally in the Northwich district varies in 
 strength from 39 to 42 ounces of salt ; (sodium chloride, and other 
 salts), to the old wine gallon ; it is more rarely as weak as 39 
 ounces than as strong as 42 ounces, therefore as a basis of com- 
 putation, it would be fair and ample to reckon 41 ounces ; this 
 is equivalent to a specific gravity of T205, and of 26 % of sodium 
 chloride and other salts. Of this 26 % there is about 7 % of other- 
 salts than sodium chloride, the greater portion of which is de- 
 posited in the salt pans as pan scale, say 5 %, thus leaving as an 
 ample quantity of the salt of commerce, 25-5 %. 
 
 At the specific gravity of 1-205, a gallon of brine weighs 12-05 
 lbs., of which 25-5 is salt ; that is to say, 3-07 lbs. to the imperial 
 gallon. 
 
 3-07 lbs. to the gallon is equivalent to 3070 lbs. to the 1000 
 gallons, which is practically equivalent to 730 gallons to produce 
 one ton of salt, provided that there is absolutely no waste, and 
 that the brine maintains an average of 25-5% which is very 
 ample. 
 
944 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 During the process of manufacture, warehousing, and shipping 
 of the salt, there is considerable waste in the following ways : 
 
 First, leakage of pipes conveying brine from the pumps to the 
 reservoirs, and from the reservoirs to the pans ; leakage of brine 
 reservoirs ; leakage of pans. 
 
 Second, waste of brine and salt in drawing salt from the pans 
 to the hurdles. 
 
 Third, drainage of brine from salt while on the hurdles ; 
 drainage while in the storehouse ; drainage while in wagons and 
 barges, and also, in some cases, while in ships in transit to foreign 
 markets. 
 
 Fourth, waste of brine in letting out, and washing out pans. 
 
 Fifth, waste of salt in pan scale in boiling pans, and waste of 
 salt in hothouse scale ; waste of salt in transferring from hurdles 
 to storehouse, from storehouse to barges, and from barges to 
 ships. 
 
 Sixth, waste of brine from carelessness, allowing reservoirs to 
 overflow, and also in running away muddy or weak brine. The 
 first form of waste is small, but sometimes, where the pipes cross 
 subsiding land, it may be considerable. 
 
 The second also is small, especially if a board is used to bridge 
 over the space between the pan and the hurdles while drawing. 
 This is, however, seldom done, and can only be done where the 
 hurdles are higher than the pans, or, as they are called, '' uphill " ; 
 which, though appreciable, is difficult to estimate. Third, where 
 '' uphill " hurdles are used, and they are well caulked, while the 
 salt on the hurdles returns to the pans by a trough, which, 
 however, is never quite tight, some drains through the hurdles, 
 and a large quantity remains in the salt, to drain away into the 
 storehouse, wagon, or barge. The salt so drawn will lose quite 
 15 % of its weight between its removal from the hurdles and its 
 going away in wagons or barges ; and a further 5 % during 
 transit. 
 
 If the salt is drawn on to hurdles lower than the pans, a very 
 much larger amount of waste takes place : in drawing 10 cwts. 
 and 13 lbs. of what is called Butter salt, 102 gallons of brine 
 drained out in four days, and the salt was then very wet at the 
 bottom. This is roughly equivalent to 200 gallons of brine to 
 each ton of salt. By the same method of experiment, 10 cwts. 
 of common salt drained 78 gallons in twenty-four hours, that 
 is, 156 gallons to the ton : and 10 cwts. of Fishery salt 
 

 3 o 
 
 M5 
 
946 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 drained 60 gallons in twenty-four hours, that is, 120 gallons 
 to the ton. 
 
 A square lump, when taken out of the pan, after standing as 
 long as it would do, in the ordinary course of draining on hangers 
 in the pan, weighed 33 lbs. with the brine in it ; after draining on 
 the hurdles, and drying in the hothouse, the same lump weighed 
 16 lbs., having lost 17 lbs. ; this is equivalent to a wastage of 
 198 gallons of brine to the ton of salt made into lumps and stored. 
 
 Two round lumps weighed, after standing the usual time, 
 52 lbs. and 58 lbs., that is, 110 lbs. ; after draining and drying, 
 they weighed 30 lbs. and 36 lbs., or a total of 66 lbs., having lost 
 44 lbs. This is equivalent to a wastage of 124 gallons to the 
 ton. 
 
 The round lumps, from the nature of the salt, being coarser and 
 more open-grained, and from the fact that the tubs, while stand- 
 ing in the pan, are much higher above the brine, allow of more 
 drainage into the pans. 
 
 Fourth, the waste of brine in letting out and washing the pans 
 is for boiling pans, say once in three or four weeks, 2500 to 3500 
 gallons ; that is on a make of 120 to 160 tons of salt, say 3000 
 gallons to 140 tons of salt, or 21 gallons to a ton of salt. A 
 further quantity of brine is wasted sometimes in washing out the 
 pans, where it costs less than fresh water ; but that may be very 
 small and difficult to estimate. 
 
 Common salt pans will only waste about half the quantity, 
 say 10 gallons per ton, in letting out ; fishery pans waste much 
 more, about 2500 gallons to 16 tons, or 156 gallons to the 
 ton. 
 
 Fifth, the waste of salt in scale on boiling pans may be taken 
 as about 1 ton per week, or rather over 2 %, and the waste in 
 hothouse scale about 20 tons for a make of about 2000 tons, 
 orl%. 
 
 Other waste of salt, even though swept up, and put to sell 
 as soiled, lies so long that much is wasted by rain, say 1 % 
 or 2%. 
 
 Sixthly, the waste of brine through carelessness, etc., is difficult 
 to estimate. 
 
 Taking all the varied services of waste into consideration, it 
 is generally reckoned that 1000 gallons of brine is equivalent to 
 a ton of white salt, and the following series of tests go to show that 
 this is not too great an amount to calculate upon. 
 
947 
 
948 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 DRAINAGE TILL FIT FOE MARKET 
 
 First Test 
 
 6-handed squares were drawn into tubs as usual : 
 The 6 squares, including tubs, weighed as taken out 
 
 of pan ... . . 279| lbs. 
 
 The 6 tubs weighed . . . .104 lbs. 
 
 .•. Salt and brine weighed ..... 175J lbs. 
 After standing the usual time on the hurdle weighed 124 lbs. 
 Thus losing on drainage on hurdle . . . 51 J lbs. 
 
 After stoving in the hothouse they weighed . 94 lbs. 
 
 Total waste from taking out of pan to complete 
 
 drying . . ... 81 J lbs. 
 
 Thus for every ton of salt and brine taken out of 
 the pan there would be 1200 lbs. salt, 1040 
 lbs. brine. 
 Reckoning brine at 12 lbs. to the gallon this would be 86'6 gals. 
 To make one ton of this salt ready for market it 
 would be necessary to draw out of the pan 
 
 / 2240 x 1040 \ 
 V 1200 / 
 
 2240 lbs. of salt and 1942 lbs. of brine 
 
 This shows a waste of brine per ton of salt of 
 
 1942 
 12 
 
 161-8 gals. 
 
 Second Test 
 
 F. F. Conical Lumps : 
 
 As drawn including tubs . . . . = 426 lbs. 
 
 Tubs = 60 lbs. 
 
 .-. Salt and brine . . . . . . = 366 lbs. 
 
 After draining on hurdle .... = 257 lbs. 
 
 Drainage on hurdles . . . 109 lbs. 
 
 When thoroughly stoved 208^ lbs. 
 
 Total loss from drawing to complete stoving . . 157| lbs. 
 
 Thus for every ton of salt ready for market a waste of 1692 lbs. 
 
 Or at 112 lbs. to gallon of brine ... 141 gals. 
 
 These were both stoved salt and the lumps were as 
 usual drawn into tubs standing inside the pans, thus 
 a good deal of brine drained into the pan. 
 
333 
 
 lbs. 
 
 102 
 
 lbs. 
 
 231 
 
 lbs. 
 
 156 
 
 lbs. 
 
 MANUFACTURE OF SALT 949 
 
 Third Test — Common Salt 
 
 6 tubs were drawn (tubs closed to prevent drainage) 
 
 weighed ....... 
 
 Tubs weighed . . .... 
 
 Salt and brine weighed ... 
 
 After draining 24 hours weighed . 
 
 This gives— Salt =156 lbs. ; brine =75 lbs. 
 
 2240 x 75 
 Waste per ton of salt = — — — =1077 lbs. . . =89-75 gals. 
 
 A former test shows that this salt would lose 
 during the next 14 days about 7 gals, per ton. 
 
 Brine wasted in letting out and washing out pans 
 
 Many stoved pans wash out weekly. The brine in several 
 test pans was the following : 
 
 30 x 25 x 1 (length and breadth of pan and depth of brine) 
 =750 cub ft. 
 
 1 cub. foot = 6-25 gallons .-. 750 x 6-25 = 4687'5 gallons. 
 
 These pans make at the outside 40 tons of salt per week .'. brine 
 wasted per ton of salt made= 117 gallons. 
 
 In some works the pans wash out every 14 days, in this case 
 the waste would be only 58J gallons. 
 
 Common and Calcutta butter pans wash out every 6 or 8 weeks. 
 These pans = 60 x25 x 1-5 = 2250 cub. ft. = 14,062 gallons. 
 
 The salt made would be, say, 50 tons per week. 
 
 In 6 weeks 300 tons or waste of 46.6 gals, per ton. 
 
 In 8 „ 400 „ „ 35 
 
 Pans vary much in size and in time of working before washing 
 out. 
 
 Bay pan, 59 x 15 x — = 590 cub. ft. 
 
 590 x 6-25 = 3687-5 gallons. 
 
 Pan washes out every 3 weeks and makes 16 tons of salt. 
 
 3687 '5 
 .-. waste per ton = ,„ = 230'5 gallons per ton. 
 
 (a) Fishery pan, 65 x25 xl =1625 cub. ft. = 10-156 gallons. 
 Washes out every 14 days salt made 25 tons. 
 
 .-. waste per ton = ^ 5 " = 406-25 gallons. 
 
950 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Lump pan (or works), 36 x24 x 1 = 864 cub. ft. = 5400 gals. 
 
 make 40 tons per week wash out every fortnight. 
 
 5400 „ K , 
 •'• -pTT = o7 - 5 gals, per ton of brme wasted. 
 
 Butter pan a, 49 x24 x 1 = 1176 cub. ft. = 7350 gals. 
 make 46 tons per week wash out one a month. 
 
 • 735 ° An l 
 • • 184 = 40 gals " 
 
 Common pan, 65 x25 x 1 =1625 cub. ft. =10'156 gals. 
 
 48 tons per week, 6 weeks = 35 - 2 gals. 
 
 Fishery pans No. b, 85 x 20 x 1 =1700 cub. ft. =10'625 gals. 
 
 Wash out every month and make 50 tons salt =212 - 5 gals, waste. 
 
 Stoved pans No. d, 40 x24 x 1 = 960 cub. ft. = 6000 gals. 
 
 Wash out every week, say, make 35 tons = 17 T4 gals. 
 
 Fishery pans No c, 70 x24 x 1 =1650 cub. ft. =10,500 gals. 
 
 Wash out monthly make 68 tons =154 - 4 waste. 
 
 At Winsford the following test was made : A paraffin oil cask 
 was filled with salt drawn as usual out of the pans. The salt was 
 below the brine as in fishery and many common and other pans : 
 
 Common Fine — Cask salt and brine 
 Weight of cask . 
 
 Weight of salt and brine 
 
 Cask and salt after draining 
 Cask 
 
 Net weight of salt after draining 
 Loss of brine in drainage . 
 
 
 
 c. 
 
 qrs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 18 
 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 llg . 
 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 
 g = 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 18 
 
 rainin 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 u. qrs. 
 
 lbs. 
 
 
 
 
 4 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 •1 
 
 17 
 
 241 224()\20 
 
 ~Yf = 20 gallons 9 . = — = 186 gallons per ton of salt. 
 
 '">41 
 Thus for every ton of salt drained there was ^ = 20 eallons of 
 
 12(7 ° 
 
 waste. 
 
 2240x26-25 „_ n 
 — oTE =250 gallons. 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 951 
 
 Calcutta Butter Salt : 
 Cask salt and brine 
 After draining do. 
 
 c. 
 =4 
 
 =2 
 
 qrs. lbs. 
 
 17 = 
 
 1 17 = 
 
 = 465 lbs. 
 = 269 lbs. 
 
 Cask and drained salt 
 
 or 
 Cask salt and brine 
 Cask 
 
 = 1 
 
 =4 
 =0 
 
 3 = 
 
 17 
 
 2 18 
 
 = 196 lbs. 
 
 Salt and brine 
 Cask salt and brine after 
 drawing- 
 Cask 
 
 =3 
 
 2 
 
 
 1 27 = 
 
 1 17 = 
 
 2 18 = 
 
 =391 lbs. 
 
 =269 lbs. 
 = 74 lbs. 
 
 Net weight of salt after 
 draining 
 
 = 1 
 
 2 27 = 
 
 = 195 lbs. 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 =448 lbs. 
 
 .2 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 =235 lbs. 
 213 lbs. 
 
 
 Br 
 
 ine 
 
 =213 
 = 17} gallons. 
 
 Loss of brine in drainage 391-195 =196 lbs. 
 
 Salt =195 lbs. ; brine =196 =16J gals. 
 
 2240 49 
 
 -jok" x -=r = 187J gallons per ton of salt drained. 
 
 o. qrs. lbs 
 Common before drainage including cask = 
 Common after ,, „ = 
 
 Brine drained away 
 
 448 235 Salt =161 
 
 74 74 
 
 Salt & brine 374 161 salt 
 141 
 
 2240 71 247 gallons 
 
 213 brine 161 4 per ton. 
 
 CALCULATIONS RESPECTING BRINE AND SALT PANS 
 
 Fully Saturated Brine 
 
 1 cubic foot =6 '25 gallons. 
 1 gallon brine sp. g. 1"2 =12 lbs. 
 1 cubic foot weighs 12 x6'25 =75 lbs. 
 1 gallon saturated brine contains 50 ounces of salt. 
 1 cubic foot of brine contains 6'25 x50= 312 - 5 oz. 
 
 = 191 lbs. 
 
952 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 2240 
 lbs. y^H=say 114J cub. ft. to 1 ton. 
 
 35840 
 oz. 7yj~ =716 - 8 gallons contain 1 ton of salt. 
 
 1 cub. ft. contains 312 - 5 oz. of salt. 
 .'. T V „ ,, 26 oz. of ,, 
 
 .■. for every sq. ft. of pan one inch deep in brine there will be 26 
 ounces of salt as 50 ounces are contained in 1 gallon. 
 
 For every inch deep of brine there will be 
 
 for every square foot of pan surface ^ *'- e - ='52 gallons. 
 
 00 (| a gallon.) 
 
 or 1 sq. ft. 1 inch deep contains 144 cub. inches. 
 
 1 imperial gallon contains 277-274 cub. inches. 
 
 144 
 .-. 144 cub. inches = 2 ffffl =' 52 =i gallon (roughly). 
 
 E Works. 
 
 Pans 78 x 32 x 5 = 1248 cub. ft. 
 
 Common78 x32 =2496 sq. ft. 
 
 *■ i i 2496x6 „,„ 
 
 6 inches deep = ^ =7488 gallons. 
 
 Make 4 weeks at 90 tons =360. 
 
 7488 ,. n „ 
 • '■ o^. =20-8 gallons per ton. 
 
 60x26=1560x3=4680 =21-2 gals, per ton 
 
 Common 58 23 =1334 x3 =4002h-22<) =18'2 
 
 73x29=2117x3=6351 =29 
 
 & Butter 60x32=1920x3=5760 
 
 make 312 18-4 gals, per ton. 
 
 F Works. 
 
 50 > 25=1250x3=3750 
 make 50 tons 75 gals, per ton. 
 
 C Works. 
 
 34 > 24=816x3=2448 
 make 70 tons 349 gals, per ton. 
 
 H Works. 
 
 The salt was drawn as customary but drawn into a box which 
 stood over a tub into which the brine drained. The following 
 are the results : 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 953 
 
 14 days' Fishery allowed to drain 24 hours. 
 Result — 10 cwts. of salt. 
 
 60 gallons of brine =120 gallons to the ton. 
 2 days' common salt allowed to drain 24 hours. 
 
 Result — Salt 10 cwts. 
 Brine 78 gallons =156 gallons to the ton. 
 Butter salt allowed to drain 24 hours. 
 Salt 10J cwts. 
 
 Brine 100 gallons =190"5 gallons per ton. 
 A pan was just drawn before washing out at Bye flat works, 
 and there were 10 inches of brine in. 
 
 At Newbridge, after very carefully running and working the 
 brine down as low as consistent with drawing the salt clean, there 
 were 5 inches in one pan and 6 inches in another over the fires 
 and about 9 inches at the back end — say an average of 7 inches. 
 Taking these figures 
 
 then 65x25 =1625 feet. 
 
 1625x1 =5687-5 gallons. 
 
 pan makes 25 =227'5 srallons per Ion 
 
 loss or SALT 
 
 Brine or brackish water is found all over the Triassic Districts. 
 In the River Weaver below Nantwich the water contains 12 
 grains per gallon of chloride of sodium. The amount of salt 
 carried away in the weaver may be put as follows : — 60 cubic feet 
 of water per minute containing 12 grains per gallon = 18,375 
 grains or 2 lbs. 10 oz. of salt. 
 
 Salt made from River Water at Frodsham 
 Grains per Gallon. 
 
 Croks 9-36 
 
 United . • • 4-68 
 
 Dane at Shibprook Bridge . 14 '04 
 
 Dane Farm .... 1872 "j 
 
 Arches at Leftwich . . 24"57 '-March 21st 
 
 DriU HaU Fields . 24 '57 I 
 
 River above Top Flash at Winsford 9 36 
 
 Flash 819 
 
954 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 
 Grai 
 
 is per Gallon. 
 
 Weaver, Barrows Locks 
 
 
 140-4^ 
 
 
 Northwich Town Bridge 
 
 
 81-90 1 
 
 
 Witton Brook 
 
 
 83-07 | 
 
 Salt Works 
 
 Dane, Evans Bope Walk 
 
 
 31- ) 
 
 
 Weaver, Pool Hall 
 
 
 5-85 
 
 
 Brad 
 
 
 4-68 
 
 
 Old Grove . 
 
 
 5-85 
 
 
 Minshill Vernon 
 
 
 5-85 
 
 Per Gallon. 
 
 Sliewbridge Spring 
 
 
 1-146 
 
 36 oz. 35 grs. 
 
 Furbers Farm Brine Pits 
 
 
 1-104 
 
 24 oz. 81 grs. 
 (Deep shaft) 
 
 5> '? 
 
 
 1-065 
 
 15 oz. £- 
 (shallow shaft) 
 
 COAL 
 
 CONTRACTS 
 
 
 (These prices are given to enable one to arrive at the cost of 
 making salt during the period covered by them.) 
 
 Price of Coal Contracts made during following Years : — 
 
 1854 deliv 
 
 1855 
 
 1856 
 
 1857 
 
 1858 
 
 1859 
 
 1860 
 
 1861 
 
 1862 
 
 1863 
 
 1864 
 
 1865 
 
 1866 
 
 1867 
 
 1868 
 
 1869 
 
 1870 
 
 1871 
 
 1872 
 
 1873 
 
 ered at Northwich 
 
 7/9 
 
 per t 
 
 7/0 
 
 
 6/9 
 
 
 6/3 
 
 
 6/3 
 
 
 6/3 
 
 6/8 
 
 8/3 
 
 
 6/10 6/8 
 
 6/5 
 
 ,, 
 
 6/8 
 
 *) 
 
 6/8 
 
 )> 
 
 7/2 
 
 7/8 
 
 8/3 
 
 9/3 
 
 9/3 
 
 
 7/9 
 
 
 7/0 
 
 6/6 
 
 6/5 
 
 
 7/5 
 
 
 9/0 
 
 i 
 
 13/3 
 
 16/5 , 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 
 
 955 
 
 1874 delivered at North wich 14/11 10/11 per ton 
 
 1875 
 
 10/11 9/0 
 
 1876 
 
 9/0 8/6 
 
 1877 
 
 8/3 
 
 1878 
 
 8/3 7/4 
 
 1879 
 
 7/4 7/2 
 
 1880 
 
 7/2 7/0 
 
 PAN SCALE FORMATION 
 
 Eittingen's apparatus for utilising the latent heat in steam in 
 the manufacture of salt was more successful in theory than in 
 practice, for when, after working with brine and producing salt, 
 the vessel was emptied, it was discovered that salt had collected 
 in the form of a thick crystalline crust from one to two inches 
 thick on the sides of the vessel, and could only be removed by 
 the use of chisels. Many experiments were tried to prevent the 
 incrustation, such as evaporating at a lower temperature, causing 
 a rapid motion of the brine in the vessel by means of a centrifugal 
 pump and finally by the introduction of powdered salt and clay 
 into the brine, but without satisfactory results. 
 
 The explanation of the extraordinary fast adhesion of the salt 
 crust to the hot surface of the pans is that gypsum is only soluble 
 in cold water, and in colder brine. If the brine is heated below 
 100° Centigrade (212° Fahrenheit), in closed or open pans, the 
 gypsum falls as mud to the bottom, in the same proportion as 
 the degree of saturation at this temperature. If the temperature 
 exceeds this limit, the gypsum in touch with the hot sides and 
 bottom of the pan becomes changed to anhydrite, losing the 
 water of crystallisation. By this change of the crystallisation 
 relation, there arises a thick body of massed crystals, so that a 
 stony structure originates. This will take place even without a 
 simultaneous evaporation, as also by heating in closed pans. In 
 open pans, where evaporation also takes place, on all those parts 
 of the pan walls, which are of a higher temperature than 100° C, 
 a thin layer of gypsum will next form, upon which salt falls 
 and is enclosed by the crystals of gypsum. The temperature of 
 this gradually thickening layer increases until it reaches the point 
 at which the gypsum is denuded of its water of crystallisation, 
 and becomes anhydrite. As the brine loses more and more of its 
 gypsum, the formation becomes richer in salt, until, by the letting 
 
956 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 in of fresh brine, an opportunity is given for more anhydrite 
 being formed. This pan scale will increase in thickness until the 
 mass is incapable of being heated through to a temperature of 
 over 100 c Centigrade, by which time the depositing crystals of 
 salt and gypsum lie in a soluble condition upon the crust. But 
 these facts were unknown at that time, and this lack ol knowledge 
 led to the condemnation of the Rittingen apparatus as one un- 
 suitable for the production of salt. 
 
0,57 
 
95C 
 
3 p 
 

!J61 
 
966 SALT 1JN CHESHIRE 
 
 The Vacuum System 
 
 Individual saltmen all over the world have devoted years of 
 patient study in the attempt to improve the open-pan process or 
 invent a cheaper and more expeditious method of salt manu- 
 facture, but it is only within very recent times that their efforts 
 have been crowned with success. The delay was caused by the 
 difficulty of maintaining a temperature beneath the pans that 
 would be sufficiently high and sufficiently uniform to produce the 
 absolutely uniform crystallisation that is required for the finest 
 table salt. 80 long as the old furnaces were employed, the 
 process of firing up and of periodical stoking rendered it 
 impossible to preserve an unfluctuating temperature, and the 
 inventor of the vacuum system got round the difficulty by 
 dispensing with fire heat and substituting steam. 
 
 In considering the operation of the vacuum system, it will 
 be remembered that, under atmospheric pressure, as in the open- 
 pan method, brine boils at a temperature of 226 deg. Fahr., whereas 
 in a vacuum of 28 in. mercury the boiling temperature is reduced 
 to about 100 deg. Fahr. Thus it will be recognised that evapora- 
 tion in vacuo renders it possible to use multiple effect apparatus 
 without causing unduly high pressure in the first vessel, and it 
 has this further advantage, that the low-pressure steam in passing 
 through the evaporators gives up its latent heat, whereas if the 
 steam went to the condenser direct from the engine, the heat 
 employed in the steam engine would be only the difference 
 between the heat contained in steam at 170 lb. and the steam at 
 5 lb. pressure. By multiple effect evaporation a great economy 
 in the amount of steam necessary is effected. Between the 
 evaporation of brine and that of other liquors, the chief difference 
 to be noted is that in the multiple effect system, each pan or 
 unit is supplied with its brine independently of the others, and 
 graining goes on in the pans, whereas in concentrating other 
 liquors the pans are fed from the first to the second and from 
 the second to the third. The removal of the salt from each pan 
 has therefore to be arranged for. The method of working a 
 triple-effect plant may be briefly described as follows : — 
 
 Each of the three pans having been charged with brine to the 
 proper level, exhaust steam from the engines is admitted to the 
 calandria of the first pan in which the highest temperature is 
 maintained. The brine in this pan becomes quickly heated, and 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 967 
 
 the steam given off enters the calandria of the second pan, where 
 it serves to raise the temperature of the brine. After doing its 
 work in the second stage the steam is condensed, and thus creates 
 a partial vacuum in the first pan. The atmospheric pressure being 
 thus reduced, violent ebullition of the brine in the first pan results. 
 The same process takes place in the second pan owing to the 
 calandria of the third pan acting as a condenser of the vapour 
 and producing a vacuum. The vapour given off by the brine in 
 the third pan is condensed by means of a jet condenser. It will 
 therefore be seen that the highest vacuum and the lowest tempe- 
 rature exist in the third pan, while the highest temperature and 
 lowest vacuum are found in the first pan. As the salt is pre- 
 cipitated it falls to the bottom of the pans. The bottom of each 
 vacuum pan is connected with the boot of a continuous bucket 
 elevator, which is carried in a cast-iron water-tight casing to a 
 level sufficiently above that of the brine in the pans to ensure that 
 they shall be brine-sealed. The salt is delivered into waggons 
 and the brine drainage returns to the pans. The further treat- 
 ment of the salt crystals varies with the purpose for which they 
 are required. For table salt they are subjected to grinding, but 
 for export they are simply allowed to drain. 
 
 The largest evaporating plant of its kind, which was installed 
 by the Mirrlees, Watson Company, Ltd. Glasgow, at Weston 
 Point, has three main evaporating vessels, each 26 ft. 6 in. diameter, 
 and 66 ft. high, measured from the floor level to the top of the 
 stirring gear casing. The steam entering the first vessel is con- 
 trolled by means of a 28-in. valve, and passes through a large oil 
 separator in order to prevent the evaporating tubes from becoming 
 coated with oil. A high-pressure steam-pipe is also fitted to the 
 first vessel, and by-pass pipes are provided for warming up when 
 starting from cold. Stirrers are provided in each vessel to assist 
 in the circulation of the brine, and these are operated by electric 
 motors through cut worm gearing running in oil baths, the weight 
 of the propellers being taken by ball bearings. Each vessel has 
 a very complete equipment of pressure gauges and thermometers. 
 The condenser which deals with the steam from the third vessel 
 is of the Torricelian or barometric type. This condenser is 10 ft. 
 diameter, and stands 62 ft. high. It is capable of dealing with 
 26| tons, or 60,000 lb. of steam per hour, the quantity of water 
 used for condensing this steam being 330,000 gallons per hour. 
 The air pump in connection with this condenser is of the Mirrlees- 
 
968 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Watson twin dry air type, with cylinders 32 in. diameter by 30 in. 
 stroke, and is driven by a 150 brake horse-power electric motor 
 through cut gearing. The injection water is delivered to the 
 condenser by means of a centrifugal pump, driven by a 100 brake 
 horse-power motor. To supply the brine, a pump capable of 
 delivering 400 gallons per minute is employed. This is driven 
 by a 17 brake horse-power motor, and passes the brine from a 
 feed tank through heaters into the pans. The heaters are six in 
 number, and are capable of raising the temperature of 100 tons 
 of brine per hour from 58 deg. Fahr. to 140 deg. Fahr. For filling 
 the pans there is a pump of 3920 gallons per minute capacity, 
 driven by a 90 brake horse-power motor, and for water service a 
 steam-driven duplex pump with cylinders 8 in. by 10 in. by 10 in. 
 capable of delivering 80 tons per hour. The list of pumps is 
 completed by mentioning the drain-water pump, which is of the 
 same capacity as that just alluded to. 
 
 The water obtained from the evaporation of the brine in Nos. 
 1 and 2 pans is collected from the belts of Nos. 2 and 3 in a large 
 tank measuring 80 ft. 3 in. by 20 ft. 3 in. by 20 ft. 4J in., and is 
 used for washing out the pans, and for fire service, etc., but the 
 exhaust and live steam that is used in No. 1 pan belt is condensed 
 and returned as feed-water to the boilers. 
 
 Balzberg, in his " Die Brdesalz Erzcugung," in his retrospective 
 summary of the vacuum apparatus, says : " The general aim of 
 this apparatus is to divide the boiling process into two stages, 
 in order to prepare the brine beforehand, by purification and 
 out of the purified brine to produce the purest salt possible — 
 chiefly by boiling under the atmospheric pressure — and to acquire 
 mother liquor of rhe highest content in medium salt. 
 
 " This apparatus will be found advantageous where the brine 
 is impure, i.e., mixed with other salts than chloride of sodium 
 although free from gypsum, or again where the winning of the 
 accompanying salts is the chief thing. 
 
 " If, for instance, impure brine is boiled, the heavier soluble 
 salts— gypsum and chloride of sodium— will fall out at first, 
 whilst the lighter soluble double salt— calcium chloride mag- 
 nesium, magnesium sulphate, and finally magnesium chloride 
 and sodium sulphate— still remain in solution, and concentrate 
 mto the mother liquor. If, however, the boiling is continued, 
 these also will finally fall out of the solution to spoil or dirty the 
 common salt, which has then nearly the same chemical com- 
 

 nt ■■rim- View uf the S'alt ("iii.ni Vacuum Plant at Weston Point, 
 Kimcorn. 
 
970 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 position as the brine already treated, particularly if, as happens 
 in Austria, the mother liquor is seldom or never removed. 
 
 "If, however, brine is evaporated, in vacuum, i.e., at a low 
 temperature, the easily soluble salts for the most part fall out 
 without burning, and gypsum, although not so soluble, will also 
 separate out, and the liquor will become enriched with chloride 
 of sodium. 
 
 " The refined or half-refined brine thus prepared, which also is 
 really purer and richer in chloride of sodium, is then further 
 boiled below atmospheric pressure. The solubility of the chloride 
 of sodium now increases with the raising of the temperature far 
 less than that of the accompanying salts, and nearly pure chloride 
 of sodium separates itself by this part of the process, whilst the 
 mother liquor becomes still richer in accompanying salts. 
 
 " The process which is now repeated, results in the most com- 
 plete purification of the common salt. This is, however, not the 
 object of the treatment, which is, before all, to avoid the burning 
 solid, or fast, of the so-called horse salt (Cats or Pan scale in the 
 chief pan), and by this means to prepare the brine in the apparatus 
 in one operation. However, the finished boiling can be accom- 
 plished satisfactorily in the Vacuum apparatus when the pro- 
 duction of a less number of salts is required, and where sufficient 
 hot steam from the boiler or boiling pan is available. At the same 
 time it must be admitted that a complicated machine, which 
 only gains, at a high cost, advantages that can be achieved by 
 more economical and simpler means is of no use in practical 
 business. The question then arises as to whether it is necessary, 
 for the production of domestic or table salt, to have pure chloride 
 of sodium, and whether it pays to use complicated machinery to 
 attain this end." 
 
 One of the most important and also most interesting figures — 
 which is not always the same thing — in connection with the 
 vacuum plant business is Mr George K. Ray, the president of the 
 Manistee Iron Works Company of the United States. Mr Ray, 
 who went to America about forty years ago, on money borrowed 
 for his passage, is now the controlling factor in one of the finest 
 machine shops and foundries of Northern Michigan, employing 
 nearly 200 men. This he has achieved, to use his own words, 
 " by industry, square, dealing, telling the truth and doing good 
 work." The Manistee Company installed the vacuum plant at 
 Winsford for the Salt Union, to whom he gave the idea of generat- 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 
 
 971 
 
 ing electric or steam power initially for any purpose and then 
 producing the salt by the exhaust steam. They have made most 
 of the vacuum plants now in use. including the largest in the 
 world, which is capable of turning out 1000 tons of salt per day 
 with brine at, or near, saturation. The following passages, 
 
 Salt by Mechi 
 Frontage of 
 
 Conveyer at Manchester Ship I 'ana 
 "nion YVorks, Runcorn. 
 
 quoted from a letter from the president of the Manistee Company, 
 give particulars of their claims as to efficiency and capacity of 
 their vacuum installation, with the cost of the same : — 
 
 " With brine at or near saturation and containing not less 
 than 25 per cent, sodium chloride, our guarantee on George R. 
 Ray's Patent Multiple Effect Vacuum Pans is as follows : — 
 " Triple Effect b' tons of Salt to 1 ton of coal. 
 " Based on the following United States figures, viz. :— 
 " 2000 pounds — 1 ton 
 •• 280 ,, —1 barrel. 
 •• 1 Salt year —350 days. 
 " ] Salt day — 20 hours. 
 " the remaining four hours being reserved to boil out and clean 
 up the pans. etc.. we will, to give you some idea, quote you on a 
 set of George R. Ray's Patent Triple Effect VacuumPans requiring, 
 
972 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 say, 32,000 pounds steam per hour, which at an 8 pound eva- 
 poration would require 2 U.S. tons of coal per hour. With 
 the above quantity of steam we would guarantee to produce 
 24,000 lbs. of salt per hour, or 12 tons, or 85 f barrels per hour, 
 in other words, 6 tons of salt per ton of coal. The price for this 
 set of pans would be One hundred and twenty-five thousand 
 dollars ($125,000,00), or approx. £26,041, 13s. 4d. 
 
 " It may possibly, however, be in your mind that you would 
 wish to reduce your salt costs considerably below that of the 
 Salt Union, who use two sets of Triples. In this case we would 
 recommend you to purchase Quadruples as these with exactly 
 the same amount of steam, coal and pan-house labour will give 
 you 33J per cent, more salt. 
 
 " The machinery to be furnished by the Iron Works under 
 agreement would consist of three (3) Cast Iron Vacuum Pans or 
 4, as the case may be, with 2|" copper tubes, cast-iron tube 
 sheets, copper down flow tubes, brass inside drain pipes, and all 
 the necessary air brine and water pumps, all air brine water and 
 vapour pipes, valves, and all steam and vacuum gauges (Mercurial 
 and Spring), condenser, elevators, and engine or motor to drive 
 same, circulators and circulating engine or motors, shafting 
 and belting if not motor drive, and if motor drive, would include 
 starting box, in fact all the required machinery in the pan-house 
 pertaining to the proper construction and operation of said 
 vacuum pans. All pipes to extend two (2) ft. outside of the pan- 
 house wall for connection. 
 
 " The Iron Works would cover the pans and all the steam pipes 
 above 4" diameter in the pan-house that require covering with 
 3 inches (3") of air celled covering, then a |" asbestos cement, and 
 when dry the same to be further covered with 10 oz. duck, and 
 finally to be painted with two coats of the best white lead and 
 linseed oil paint mixed without dryers. Steam pipes less than 
 4" to be covered with standard covering." 
 
 Messrs George Scott & Son (London), Limited, have a Patent 
 Multiple Vacuum Evaporator which is claimed by the makers to 
 produce five tons of salt from the combustion of one ton of coal, 
 and even less where exhaust steam exists. The operation of the 
 triple effect evaporator follows the usual course, the cold brine 
 passing through the heater condenser, where it is warmed up, and 
 thence into the first unit or " effect." As a rule, all the brine 
 passes through the first effect to the second and thence to the 
 
S73 
 
974 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 third, the feeding being arranged continuously at a pace which 
 will just compensate for the evaporation in the three effects. 
 The first effect is supplied with low-pressure steam, whether live 
 or exhaust, or a mixture of both, while a low vacuum is maintained 
 in the interior of this effect. This causes water to be evaporated 
 from the brine at a temperature somewhat under that of ordinary 
 boiling water. This vapour is passed round the tubes of the 
 second effect, the interior of which is working at an increased 
 vacuum. This causes water to be driven off from the brine in 
 that unit at a rather lower temperature than the first, and this 
 is used to heat the third effect, which is working inside at a full 
 vacuum. The vapour from the third effect passes round the 
 tubes of the heater condenser and thence to the jet condenser, 
 where it is cooled with water, the vacuum pump removing the 
 warm water and discharging it at its own level. The salt is 
 produced fairly equally in all three effects, and falls to the bottom 
 of same and thence into the salt vessels. These salt vessels can 
 be isolated from the evaporator, so that when any one of them is 
 full of salt crystals, it may be drained of such brine as still adheres 
 to the crystals, and the latter finally dried by the combined use 
 of steam and the vacuum. The salt crystals are then withdrawn 
 in a powdery condition (not chemically, but popularly speaking) 
 dry. As soon as the vessel is empty it comes into use again by 
 opening up the connection with the evaporator. 
 
 In the " Scott " patent system of tubes, the brine is inside the 
 tubes, and the heating steam or vapour is round the outside of the 
 tubes. The tubes are vertical and perfectly straight, while the 
 tube plates are horizontal. Instead of having one large circulat- 
 ing or centre tube, it has a number of these of smaller individual 
 sizes, and they are evenly spaced out among the boiling tubes. 
 In this way the makers claim that the circulation is greater 
 throughout the entire apparatus. With only one circulating 
 downtake tube, it is obvious that some of the uptake or boiling 
 tubes must have a greater preference than others through the 
 rush of liquor passing over the top of the latter, or through the 
 latter being immediately freed by their contents passing down 
 the tubes. 
 
 The " Scott" patent automatic discharger consists of a horizon- 
 tally rotating drum with two cylindrical vertical pockets. The 
 upper and lower surfaces of the drum make a sliding contact 
 with one another, each hole or pocket in turn comes under the 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 975 
 
 discharge from the evaporator, while the joint is preserved by 
 the two machined surfaces bearing together. As the discharger 
 rotates, the box which has previously been rilled with the moist 
 salt registers with a hole discharging in the atmosphere, and in 
 this way the crystals are continually removed from the evaporator 
 without destroying the vacuum. The large flat surfaces of this 
 valve overcome entirely the difficulties associated previously with 
 valves with conical bearing surfaces, as the sliding action is 
 perfectly even and they are, consequently, self-adjusting. The 
 moistened salt falls into a patent mixer with left hand and right 
 hand spirals, which keep the moisture mixed and in a condition 
 in which it will flow as required through the shoots, delivering to 
 the centrifugal machines. Here the moisture is spun out of the 
 salt, and the latter when dried is discharged through the bottom 
 of the centrifugal into a conveyor which is immediately below it. 
 This delivers the nearly dry salt to the drying-machine or to the 
 drying floor where it is completed. 
 
 A triple effect evaporator, with salt boxes, works on quite a 
 different principle. The communicating valve between the salt 
 box and the evaporator is kept open until the sight glasses on 
 the salt box show that the latter is full of deposited salt. The 
 valve is then closed, the salt in the meantime collecting in the 
 taper bottom of the evaporator until the salt box is next opened. 
 (In some plants each evaporator has two salt boxes used alterna- 
 tively.) As soon as the communicating valve between the 
 evaporator and salt box is closed, the air cock on the latter is 
 opened and the liquor contained in the salt is drawn through the 
 metallic filter bed formed in the bottom of the salt box and so 
 back into the evaporator, leaving a bed of nearly dry salt. By 
 passing steam on to the top of the salt bed thus formed and 
 drawing this steam through the salt, the mother liquor is washed 
 out of the salt and at the same time the latter is rendered almost 
 dry, leaving very little work to be done in the final drier, to which 
 it is generally conveyed by means of a spiral conveyer. 
 
 Comparing the two methods of salt extraction, there is very 
 little to be said one way or the other. The salt box is perhaps 
 the cleaner method, providing the brine be absolutely clear. In 
 the event of its not being quite clear, there is apt to form on the 
 top of the salt a very thin film or scum, which in the preparation 
 of table salt has to be carefully removed. With a clean brine this 
 of course does not appear. Otherwise the expense of the salt 
 
■jr.ls 
 
P5 
 
 SB 
 H 
 
 3q 
 
 977 
 
978 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 box is perhaps less than the other method, which, however, has 
 the advantage of having the whole operation open to inspection. 
 Most manufacturers would probably decide in favour of the salt 
 box, as employing less working parts and having less wear and 
 tear to contend with. 
 
 In double effect the " Scott " plant claim to produce from 
 saturated brine about 4J tons of salt from one ton of coal, while 
 in triple effect their claim is about 5J tons to one ton of coal. 
 Vacuum salt is, of course, all of one grain, viz., of one truly cubical 
 crystal, but is not suitable up to the present for Fishery work and 
 for some chemical processes, though chemical manufacturers are 
 said to be largely adapting themselves to the use of this salt, which 
 has considerable advantages in its purity as well as its cheapness. 
 
 The Hodgkinson Process 
 
 Owing to the nature of the furnaces employed under open 
 brine pans, it has hitherto been found impossible to maintain a 
 sufficiently high and uniform temperature to produce the abso- 
 lutely uniform crystallisation that is required for the finest table 
 salt, and the product has had to be submitted to mechanical 
 grinding in the salt mills in order to obtain the desired homo- 
 geneity. So long as the old furnaces were employed, the process 
 of firing up and of periodical stoking prevented the attainment 
 of a steady, high temperature, and as the result of continuous 
 experiments with the object of economising fuel, the production 
 of only two tons of salt from the combustion of one ton of coal has 
 been obtained. The inventor of the vacuum process solved the 
 problem by procuring an unfluctuating temperature by sub- 
 stituting steam heat for that of a furnace, but the high cost of 
 installation, ranging from £26,000 to £100,000, and the large 
 percentage of skilled labour required in its manipulation, makes 
 the vacuum system very expensive. Even then, only one grade 
 of salt is produced, and this is still insufficiently fine for table 
 purposes. 
 
 Despite the substantial initial cost of a triple effect vacuum 
 plant, and the fact that it is extremely complicated and cannot 
 be worked continuously — three hours out of every twenty-four 
 being required for boiling out and cleaning up the pans — it is a 
 highly efficient piece of mechanism and produces a larger quantitv 
 of salt by the combustion of one ton of coal than the old open- 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 979 
 
 pan method. The cost of the plant might also be regarded as 
 something in its favour, since only a heavily capitalised company 
 could afford to instal it, and, while it remained the best and most 
 economic system in the market, it defied competition. But 
 while this expensive and intricate invention was being perfected, 
 another salt-making process, at once cheap, simple and efficient, 
 was being tested with entire success. The Hodgkinson Patent Salt- 
 making Process, as it is called after its inventor, is an improvement 
 applied to the open-pan system, and is one which Dr H. Warth, 
 the distinguished German chemist and authority on salt manu- 
 facture, declares, " I have looked forward to for many years." 
 By this system the economic waste and serious nuisance repre- 
 sented by the enormous volumes of gases which are given off when 
 the furnaces are being fired up and stoked, is prevented ; the loss 
 of time in scraping and cleaning the bottom of the pans is saved ; 
 the fluctuating heat which prevented uniformity in the shape 
 and size of the salt crystals is controlled ; and the grinding opera- 
 tion necessary to make the salt of the consistency demanded for 
 table use is dispensed with. Add to these practical advantages 
 the facts that every grade or variety of salt for all market purposes 
 is produced at the same time and by one operation, and that over 
 five tons of salt are made from the combustion of one ton of coal 
 at an inclusive cost of 3s. 6d. per ton, and it will be seen that the 
 claim that the Hodgkinson plant will revolutionise the salt 
 industry is based on good theoretical and practical grounds. 
 
 Yet the patentee, Mr James Hodgkinson — the head of Messrs 
 James Hodgkinson, Ltd., the well-known firm of engineers and 
 machinery manufacturers of Manchester — is not a salt man by 
 training, and until a few years ago had never given a thought to 
 this particular manufacture. It was in 1906, to be exact, that 
 Mr Hodgkinson visited a salt works to supervise the erection of 
 some machinery that his firm were installing, and, being keenly 
 interested in every variety of mechanical process, he made an 
 examination of the method by which the salt was being made. He 
 saw the brine pumped from the cisterns into the large open pans ; 
 he watched the lighting of the hand-firing furnaces beneath one 
 end of the pans, and noted that it took about twenty minutes 
 before any heat was produced. He discovered that these furnaces 
 had to be stoked two or three times an hour — processes that 
 precluded the maintenance of anything approaching a uniform 
 temperature in the pans — and learned that the fire had frequently 
 
980 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 to be drawn and work suspended to allow trie pans to be scraped 
 and cleaned. He was further informed that by this primitive, 
 wasteful and inefficient method, only two tons of salt, and that too 
 coarse for use as table salt without grinding, could be produced 
 by the combustion of one ton of coal. 
 
 Mr Hodgkinson reviewed the mechanical shortcomings exposed 
 by this antiquated and expensive process, and asked the official, 
 who was acting as his guide, if the system had been bequeathed to 
 them by Methuselah. Mr Hodgkinson's question was treated 
 with the indulgence usually displayed by the professional salt 
 men to all outsiders, and his expressed belief that a more economic, 
 expeditious, and up-to-date method might be invented, was openly 
 laughed at. He was assured that salt-makers all over the world 
 had devoted years of patient study and experiment with a view 
 to the improvement of the system, and that where they had failed 
 to achieve practical results, he, as an outsider, would have small 
 chance of succeeding. But Mr Hodgkinson was not deterred by 
 this line of reasoning. He had grasped the fact that the size 
 and uniformity of the manufactured salt crystal depends upon the 
 uniformity of the heat brought to bear upon the brine in the pans, 
 and he had thirty years' experience of the theory and practice 
 of steam evaporation behind him. He was, moreover, the 
 inventor of a mechanical stoker which was in use for other manu- 
 facturing purposes, and he solved the problem that had baffled 
 the salt-makers for twenty centuries by applying this method 
 of firing to brine pans. By means of this stoker he produced a 
 high uniform heat that precipitated from the brine a flour-fine 
 salt, and subsequently, by the interpolation of another mechanical 
 contrivance, he succeeded in so controlling and regulating the heat 
 as to produce not only the finest table salt, but dairy or butter 
 salt, common, curing, and fishery salt, or any given proportion 
 of any of these grades of salt, at the same time and in one 
 operation. 
 
 The essential features of the Hodgkinson plant consist of (a) a 
 mechanically-stoked furnace for the production of heat ; (b) a 
 primary closed evaporating pan, 30 ft. in diameter ; (c) two 
 secondary circular pans, 25 ft. in diameter ; (d) four open rect- 
 angular pans, 60 ft. by 25 ft. : (e) a series of folded steam-jacketed 
 pipes for heating the inflowing brine by the waste steam ; and 
 (j) a condensing arrangement to produce a partial vacuum in the 
 closed pans. 
 
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982 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The Hodgkinson furnace is not placed under the pan, as in the 
 old system, but in front of the plant, and the heated gases pass 
 under the primary pan, where the temperature ranges between 
 1800 and 2000 degrees F. In this primary pan is made a finer 
 and better salt than can be produced by any other system in the 
 world. Moreover, by means of the mechanically stoked furnace, 
 and the consequent uniform high temperature, it is possible, 
 for the first time, to control the character of the salt produced. 
 Where the temperature varies, as in the open-pan system, crystals 
 of varying shapes and sizes are produced, and this mixed salt 
 must bs ground to make it suitable for table purposes. Where 
 steam heat is employed, as in thi vacuum process, the temperature 
 is not high enough to make crystals of the smallest size. By the 
 Hodgkinson system the primary pan produces a precipitation 
 which requires no grinding, which flows in a cascade of salt from 
 the pan, and can be delivered to the consumer without having 
 come into contact with the hand of man in the whole course of 
 the operation. 
 
 The heated gases having passed under the primary pan, are 
 then divided and sent under the two secondary pans, and from 
 thence they pass under the open rectangular pans, the gases 
 being distributed by the broken columns of brickwork on which 
 the pans stand. The temperature of the gases passing under the 
 open pans commences at about 600 degrees F., and gradually 
 decreases to about 200 degrjes F. under the farthest pans. By 
 the automatic regulation of the temperature, the waste gases 
 are utilised to produce salts of the various degrees of coarseness 
 required for the dairy, the stockyard, and fishery purposes. In 
 the two secondary closed pans, finely divided table salt is also 
 produced, but it is possible, by opening the manhole traps in the 
 covers, to increase the size of the crystal and make dairy salt in 
 these pans. The coarser crystals and flake salts are made in 
 the open pans in which the crystallisation is at the lowest rate. 
 The grain of the salt can be altered at will. In order to meet 
 any change in the market requirements, coarser salt can be 
 produced at a moment's notice in the secondary pans. The very 
 marked superiority of the whole system over all other processes 
 is seen in the fact that a change in the type of salt produced can 
 be immediately effected, and a constant and uniform output of 
 any combination of products can be absolutely guaranteed. 
 
 Under the old system, the heat, having been employed to 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 983 
 
 make the first quality salt, the gases were allowed to escape up 
 a chimney and poison the air with clouds of smoke. In the 
 Hodgkinson process the chimney is dispensed with, and a 
 mechanical draught, regulating the waste gases, carries them on 
 to complete the production of the coarser varieties of salt. 
 
 The advantages of the system that have been indicated in the 
 foregoing, and its superiority over all other processes for the 
 manufacture of salt, are summarised by Sir Thomas H. Holland, 
 D.Sc, F.R.S.. as follows :— 
 
 (1) Complete utilisation of the heat derived from the fuel 
 
 employed. 
 
 (2) The absolute maintenance uniformly of this heat. 
 
 (3) The fact that finely-divided first-quality table salt can 
 
 be produced in the dry form fit for despatch to the 
 market without grinding or other preparation. 
 
 (4) The fact that coarsely crystallised salt can be produced 
 
 at the same time as the finest table salt. 
 
 (5) That the proportion of the different grades of salt can 
 
 be varied at will, as well as maintained constantly, to 
 suit the varying requirements of the market. 
 
 (6) The automatic and continuous removal of the salt as 
 
 fast as it is precipitated from the brine. 
 
 Even in its experimental stage the results produced by the 
 Hodgkinson process won enthusiastic and unanimous enconiums 
 from salt experts. Dr Warth, who published his first work on the 
 manufacture of salt in 1870, wrote : " This is an improvement 
 which I have looked forward to for many years." Sir Thomas 
 H. Holland, D.Sc, F.R.S., etc., late Director of the Geological 
 Survey of India and Professor of Geology at Manchester University, 
 asserted : " The Hodgkinson process has an enormous advantage 
 over any known process for the production of salt." Dr F. H. 
 Bowman, D.Sc, F.R.S., Ed., F.I.C., etc., declared: "These 
 results defy competition by any other known process." And a 
 celebrated F.R.S., after studying the process in operation, ex- 
 claimed : " This is not an improvement, it is a revolution ! " 
 
 The patent rights for Great Britain of the Hodgkinson process 
 have been acquired by the Commercial Salt Company, Ltd., of 
 London, which has secured at Lawton some of the best brine 
 land in Cheshire. The extent of the rock-salt deposit in this 
 district has not yet been defined, nor has the amount of salt been 
 estimated, but since the bed has been pierced to a depth of 72 feet 
 
984 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 without penetrating its entire thickness, the supply of rock salt 
 must be enormous and the brine supply unlimited. The brine 
 itself is of good quality, containing 26 - 100 chloride of sodium by 
 weight, and yields, on evaporation, high-class salt. For upwards 
 of 130 years salt has been manufactured at Lawton without 
 appreciably depleting the deposits, and the yield of brine from 
 so vast a formation of rock salt will be more than sufficient for a 
 large manufacture of salt for many generations to come. But 
 with this practically limitless reserve of brine at their disposal, 
 the company have not, up to the present, been under the necessity 
 of drawing upon it, for the simple reason that they are pumping 
 at Lawton from an excellent flow of brine, or " brine run," from 
 which they are producing some of the purest and finest salt in 
 Cheshire ; and, as this supply travels from a distance to their 
 pumping shaft, the raising of the brine has been unattended by 
 the damage to property and subsidence of land such as have 
 occurred in many other parts of the Cheshire salt districts. 
 
 The Commercial Salt Company's salt works at Lawton were, 
 prior to 1888, in the possession of private makers, who disposed of 
 the few remaining years of their lease to the Salt Union for a 
 very substantial sum of money. The property appears in the 
 prospectus of the Salt Union which was issued in October. 1888, 
 but upon the expiry cf the balance of the lease, it reverted to 
 the former owners, from whom it was subsequently acquired 
 by the Commercial Salt Company. These works are most con- 
 veniently situated in the important matters of fuel and transport, 
 but principally with regard to coal, which is worked within two 
 miles of the property. Such proximity represents a substantial 
 saving in the case of a manufacture like salt, in which so much 
 fuel is required, and it gives Lawton a distinct advantage over- 
 all the other salt centres, while their location on the canal, which 
 links up Cheshire with the Midland counties, brings these markets 
 much nearer to Lawton than to any of the other works in the 
 salt districts. It is an interesting fact that King's House, the 
 building which was used as the headquarters of the Government 
 inspectors before the Salt Tax was repealed in 1825, is still stand- 
 ing, and is now occupied by the manager of the Commercial Salt 
 Company. 
 
 The Company is now producing and selling salt at their Lawton 
 works, where, at the same time, they are erecting a large Hodgkin- 
 son plant capable of turning out a further 500 tons of salt per 
 
986 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 week. The activity, capability and confidence displayed by the 
 Commercial Salt Company's directors, and the assured progress 
 they have made in the face of the competition of the Salt Union, 
 with its formidable array of open pans and its imposing and costly 
 vacuum installation, has compelled comparison between the 
 three processes, and the advantages possessed by the Hodgkinson 
 system over the other two can be best realised by a perusal of 
 the following brief summary : — 
 
 OPEN PAN. 
 
 Only about two tons of salt 
 can be produced from the con- 
 sumption of one ton of coal. 
 
 HODGKINSON PROCESS. 
 
 From five to seven tons of 
 salt can be produced from the 
 consumption of one ton of coal. 
 
 Fine table salt cannot be 
 manufactured without grinding. 
 
 The finest table salt can be 
 manufactured without grinding. 
 
 There is a furnace under each There is only one furnace re- 
 pan charged by hand, and this quired to work the seven pans 
 process represents a great in each Hodgkinson plant. 
 economic waste. 
 
 The hand stoking of the 
 furnaces entails many varia- 
 tions of temperature, and the 
 bottoms of the pans require to 
 be frequently scraped and 
 cleaned, and constant attention 
 is required to prevent the pans 
 from burning and buckling with 
 the heat. 
 
 Hodgkinson's patent auto- 
 matic stokers enable a regular 
 high temperature to be main- 
 tained, and does away with all 
 the other objections. 
 
 Owing to the variations in 
 temperature by this process, 
 various sizes of salt crystals are 
 produced. 
 
 By means of Hodgkinson's 
 mechanically-stoked furnace, it 
 is possible, for the first time, 
 to control the character and 
 grades of the salt produced. 
 
 Table salt is produced by The primary pan produces a 
 grinding the squares or blocks salt which is flour-fine, and 
 of salt which have previously flows in a cascade of salt from 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 
 
 987 
 
 been made from salt manu- 
 factured by this process. 
 
 In addition to a furnace to 
 each pan, there is a chimney 
 through which the gases are 
 allowed to escape and poison 
 the air with clouds of smoke. 
 
 the pan, and can be conveyed 
 to the consumer without having 
 come into contact with the 
 hand of man in the whole course 
 of the operation. 
 
 By this process the chimney 
 is dispensed with and a mechani- 
 cal draught, regulating the waste 
 gases, carries them on to com- 
 plete the production of the 
 coarser varieties of salt. 
 
 The cost of making salt by The total cost of producing 
 
 this process varies from 7s. to the finest table salt is about 
 
 8s. per ton, exclusive of the cost 3s. 6d. per ton. 
 of grinding. 
 
 The open-pan process 
 wasteful, expensive, and 
 efficient. 
 
 The Hodgkinson process util- 
 ises every particle of heat from 
 the furnace, passing the pro- 
 ducts of combustion from one 
 pan to another, and drawing 
 the spent gases, practically 
 cold, from the rear of the plant. 
 
 VACUUM SYSTEM. 
 
 HODGKINSON PROCESS. 
 
 A complete plant costs any- A complete unit can be 
 thing from £26,000 to £100,000 erected at a cost of about 
 to equip. £4000. 
 
 There are very few companies 
 who can afford this outlay, and 
 there are not many places where 
 there is sufficient demand for 
 salt to justify it. 
 
 Owing to the complicated 
 nature of this plant, specially 
 trained and skilled labourers 
 are required to work it. 
 
 The cost of this plant is with- 
 in the reach of every salt manu- 
 facturer, and there are hundreds 
 of districts where a single unit 
 could be very profitably and 
 successfully worked. 
 
 The majority of the work 
 being automatic, only unskilled 
 labour is required in its mani- 
 pulation. 
 
988 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Can only produce one grade Is the only process which 
 of salt. produces all grades of salt in 
 
 one operation and at the same 
 time. 
 
 Cannot produce the finest Produces the finest table salt 
 table salt. (without grinding), and can be 
 
 so regulated as to produce at 
 will any given quantity of each 
 of the various grades of salt. 
 
 This plant cannot work con- This plant works automa- 
 tinuously, as about three hours tically and continuously, 
 out of every twenty-four have 
 to be devoted to boiling out and 
 cleaning up the pans. 
 
 The estimated cost of producing salt by the Hodgkinson process, 
 based on the figures given by Sir Thomas Holland, K.C.I.E., D.Sc., 
 F.R.S., etc. — which are almost identical with those supplied by 
 Mr James Hodgkinson, and confirmed by other experts — is as 
 follows : — 
 
 One complete plant or unit, consisting of three covered pans 
 and four open pans, is estimated to produce 400 tons of salt per 
 week, or 20,000 tons per annum. 
 
 Sale of 20,000 tons of salt at only 10s. per ton £10,000 
 
 Cost of producing 20,000 tons of 
 salt per annum — 
 
 Coal . ... £1,360 
 
 Manufacturing charges, brine, 
 
 wages, depreciation, sinking 
 
 fund, rates and taxes, etc. . £1,800 £3,160 
 
 Profit per unit per annum — £6,840 
 
 In estimating these profits the value of the salt has been taken 
 at only 10s. per ton, whereas the whole of the salt produced would 
 be worth considerably more on the market at present prices, and 
 the fine salt, which is superior to the table salts at present sold in 
 packets, would realise still higher prices. 
 
 Since the Hodgkinson plant has been in use for salt-making, it 
 has been found that the system of evaporation it embraces can 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 989 
 
 be applied to other industries. A well-known company, which 
 is said to be the only one in the world that has successfully experi- 
 mented in the treatment of certain complex ores, were temporarily 
 delayed in the perfecting of their process by their inability to 
 obtain a good system of evaporation. The vacuum and other 
 systems were tried without success, but the company believe that 
 with the Hodgkinson evaporation they will now be able to com- 
 plete a plant which will do for this special class of ore what the 
 cyanide process has done for the mines of the Rand. 
 
 Brodie Process 
 
 The Brodie patent process for the manufacture of salt from 
 brine was patented in the United Kingdom in 1911, and the follow- 
 ing provisional specification of improvements in the process was 
 registered in January 1913. In this document Mr John Leopold- 
 Brodie declared the nature of his invention to be as follows : — 
 
 " In a known process, precipitation of the crystals of salt has 
 been secured by the application of high heat uniformly maintained 
 to produce uniformity in the size of the crystals. Heretofore this 
 has not been possible, as the precipitation has been irregular, and 
 it has been found necessary to grind the salt in order to secure the 
 fineness and uniformity necessary for table salt. 
 
 " It is the object of my invention to utilise a high heat, uni- 
 formly maintained to produce uniformity in the size of the crystals, 
 and also to carry the process a step beyond this. In the known 
 process the brine is placed in a pan which is closed, partially or 
 wholly, and, as the salt is precipitated, it is lifted by elevators to a 
 point of discharge, mixed with brine ; and it is my discovery that 
 a greater amount of salt can be recovered from a given amount 
 of brine by subjecting the wet precipitant to heat after it leaves 
 the pan, and on its way to the point of storage or use, so that 
 crystallisation is continuous until the salt is perfectly dry, after 
 which it may be discharged into the proper receptacle and mixed 
 with any moisture absorbent ordinarily used, such as rice starch. 
 
 " In this way the maximum amount of salt is produced, and by 
 my treatment it is ready for use at the end of the process without 
 rehandling, thus economising very materially in the cost of pro- 
 duction as well as producing an increased output. 
 
 " In carrying my invention into effect I use a salt-pan of any 
 desired construction, though preferably closed or partly closed, and 
 
990 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 provided with means for applying to the pan a high uniform heat 
 so as to cause a uniform precipitation. As the salt is precipitated 
 to the bottom of the pan, it is preferably scraped into a well or 
 depression in the pan, and from this well it is elevated by con- 
 veyors, which, whilst elevating the salt, allow the brine to drain 
 back into the well. The elevating trough lifts the salt to the 
 hopper, where it is discharged by the endless conveyer used, and 
 from this hopper it is taken by other conveyers driven endlessly, 
 and discharged into a second hopper on to a horizontally moving 
 belt. 
 
 " The two troughs referred to are not only inclined but they 
 are also provided with heating jackets which are in connection 
 with a source of steam, in order to keep the salt, as it passes from 
 the pan to the point of discharge or use, subjected to a uniform 
 temperature, having the effect of continuing the crystallisation of 
 the salt. 
 
 " This heat is applied not only to the inclined troughs, but to 
 the salt at any and all parts of its travel, as may be found necessary, 
 so as to crystallise all the salt in solution. The result is that the 
 salt is drying as it is elevated in the first trough ; and, as it passes 
 successively to the point of storage or use, the salt remaining in 
 solution is crystallised, and passes out from the drying chamber 
 perfectly crystallised and dry, and ready for discharge into a 
 receptacle for admixture with the ordinary moisture absorbent 
 usually mixed with table salt. 
 
 " The endless conveyer in the first trough consists of a series 
 of blades or open buckets, that is buckets having no bottom. 
 These buckets lift the salt against the bottom of the trough, 
 subjected to heat for instance by being steam jacketed on its 
 under side. As the conveyer reaches the upper end of the trough 
 and the conveyer blades turn upwardly, the conveyer comes into 
 contact with an automatically acting knocker, which ensures the 
 fall of the salt into the hopper. 
 
 " A simple form of this knocker consists of a shaft having four 
 walls mounted on projecting spindles, against which the blades 
 knock as they turn over at the limit of their upward movement 
 and as they start back down the incline. 
 
 " From the hopper the salt passes through a second trough, 
 which is also provided with a conveyer, and in the preferred form 
 also this conveyer has open buckets. This second trough is also 
 heated to a crystallising temperature, and the salt is carried down 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 991 
 
 the incline from the hopper to a drying chamber, which may be 
 heated in any manner and from any source. 
 
 " Preferably the salt falls from the incline to an endless 
 conveyer belt running through a drying chamber. This drying 
 chamber may be heated through the flue gases. 
 
 " It will be seen that with the simple process described of 
 subjecting the wet precipitate to a crystallising temperature 
 between the salt pan and point of use or storage, I secure a 
 maximum production of salt with a minimum expenditure of 
 time, and I am enabled to deliver the brine into the salt-pan, and, 
 without handling or regrinding, deliver the finished product of 
 uniform grain and in maximum amount to the point of admixture 
 with rice starch or other material." 
 
 Mr Brodie had been associated with Mr James Hodgkinson as 
 an intermediary in connection with the early trials made of the 
 Hodgkinson patent salt-making process, a process since acquired 
 by the Commercial Salt Company, Ltd. When the prospectus 
 of the United Salt and Power Company, Ltd., was issued in July 
 1913, with a capital of £250,000, for the purpose of acquiring and 
 working the Brodie patent, the Commercial Salt Company took 
 counsel's opinion, and prepared to take legal action to defend the 
 Hodgkinson process from the infringement that was threatened 
 by the working of the Brodie method. It was found unnecessary, 
 however, to proceed in the matter, as the amount of public support 
 given to the venture did not justify the directorate in going to 
 allotment. 
 
 In January of this year 1914, a letter was received from Mr 
 George R. Ray, President of the Manistee Iron Works Co., of 
 Michigan, U.S.A., in which he makes reference to the Brodie 
 patent in the following paragraph : — 
 
 '' I erected a Vacuum Single Effect to work as a condenser to 
 Parsons Turbines, agreeing to produce 4 - 44 tons (American) of 
 salt per hour and maintain a vacuum on the turbines of 22| 
 inches, but in reality did maintain a vacuum, of 25 inches. This 
 was in Wyandotts, Michigan, and it is working yet. This is the 
 proposition Mr Brodie has patented (No. 28,171 of 1911 British) 
 and which the promoters of the United Salt and Power Company, 
 Ltd. endeavoured to float in London last year and failed, but 
 which had been working as above stated 4 or 5 years before that 
 date, and on high pressure engines years before that, for open- 
 pan salt-making here in Manistee and all over Michigan." 
 
992 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The Tee Process 
 
 It would seem to most people who are acquainted with the 
 salt industry that when brine processes of manufacture had been 
 improved both technically and economically beyond the reach of 
 competition by any method of rock-salt treatment, the services of 
 the inventor in the latter sphere of activity would be dispensed 
 with. However, the hope of perfecting some patent that would 
 produce from rock-salt as good a commodity as the brine product, 
 at a cheaper rate, has continued to inspire many ingenious minds ; 
 and the best result so far attained has rewarded the efforts of Mr 
 Harry Tee, who gives his name to the Tee process. 
 
 Rock-salt, as quarried from its native bed, is found in many 
 variations of colour, from grey and yellow to green and brick-red, 
 according to the nature of the impurities of the locality in which 
 the deposit lies, and such salt must be purified of all traces of iron, 
 clay, gypsum, or bitumen before it is fit for general commercial 
 use. " Although the old-fashioned method of evaporating the 
 brine is the simplest process," declare the International Salt 
 Company, which is working the Tee process at Carrickfergus, 
 Ireland, " it is by far the most expensive method of production ; 
 consequently an invention that successfully takes the rock-salt 
 direct from the mine, eliminates at one stroke all the impurities, 
 and delivers into the warehouse an anhydrous salt ready for 
 immediate sale at a fraction of the cost of the ordinary process — 
 performing all this in an hour and a half, as against two or three 
 weeks for the finer grades by the brine process — is a discovery 
 that can only be described by the word ' revolutionary.' " 
 
 The International Salt Company commence by comparing 
 their system with the " old-fashioned method of evaporating the 
 brine," in apparent unconsciousness of the fact that there are in 
 operation at least two new-fashioned processes which supersede 
 the ancient method, and they proceed to claim more for their 
 own Tee system than can be substantiated in fact. In the first 
 place the principle of the " Tee " system is by no means so new 
 as we are asked to believe, since it has long been known and 
 discredited, and Dr Warth, the eminent German scientist, whose 
 first book on salt was published as long ago as 1870, writes me 
 that it was unsuccessfully experimented with in Wurtemburg 
 forty years ago. If the process, whether old or new, was capable 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 993 
 
 of producing salt at the price quoted by its sponsors, it cannot 
 produce the various qualities or grades of salt required for the 
 markets — particularly the fishery salt, for which there is such a 
 large demand — and I have satisfied myself that the figures set 
 forth by the company's experts require revision. Even if the 
 " Tee " process was as perfect and as economic as has been 
 represented, he would be a man of singular courage, or humour, 
 who would suggest the revival of rock-salt mining in Cheshire 
 and a general application of the system, but I think I shall have 
 no difficulty in showing that it will never be able to be worked in 
 competition with the processes by which salt is manufactured 
 direct from brine, where brine is available. 
 
 Assuming that the process itself possessed economic advantages, 
 it must be remembered that before the salt is subjected to the 
 operation, it must be mined, raised to the surface, transported to 
 the works, and purified. All these preparatory operations repre- 
 sent so many items of expense which are avoided by all brine 
 processes, and they make it difficult to understand how anybody 
 can believe that salt manufactured by these means — even if the 
 several operations can be performed in an incredibly short time — 
 can ever seriously rival the treatment of brine, which costs less 
 than sixpence per thousand gallons and produces a ton of salt. 
 
 My conclusions on this point are confirmed by the particulars 
 I have quoted, from which it will be seen that (a) the rock-salt 
 that is being worked is distant three-quarters of a mile from the 
 works ; (b) the company are working a deposit, with rock-drills 
 and dynamite, at a depth of 500 feet ; and (c) the whole of the 
 requirements for the operation of the process are provided locally, 
 with the exception of coal. When one remembers the magnitude 
 of the item for fuel in salt manufacture, even when the source of 
 supply is within a comparatively short distance, one wonders how 
 the estimated costs by the " Tee " system were arrived at. It 
 was originally contended by the International Salt Company that 
 they could make salt at an inclusive cost of 4s. per ton, but the 
 latest figure put forward by the company's experts places the cost 
 of manufacture at 3s. 10Jd. per ton, and their own engineers 
 now admit that the rock-salt cannot be mined at less than 
 Is. 9|d. per ton, thus bringing the total admitted cost up to 5s. 8d. 
 per ton. 
 
 Let me describe this method in more detail before proceeding 
 to examine into the validity of the claims that are put forward 
 3 E 
 
994 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 on its behalf. The following account, taken from a newspaper 
 whose representative had been shown over the property and had 
 the process described to him on the spot, is selected as being 
 entirely favourable to the experiment, and honestly intended to 
 stress the points of superiority to be found in the system. 
 
 " The International Salt Company owns 12 acres of the area 
 underlain by rock-salt, and possesses the right to an additional 
 80 acres. In the mine being worked the deposit is 60 ft. thick, 
 and as it exists at a depth of under 500 ft. it will be clear that 
 mining costs are low. Only about 40 ft. of the stratum is exca- 
 vated, the balance being left to form the roof. The mine itself 
 is perfectly dry. Ordinary rock-drills, with gunpowder blasting, 
 enable the face to be quickly and easily broken. The mine is 
 about three-quarters of a mile distant from the works, the salt 
 being conveyed to the latter by an aerial ropeway. Apart from 
 feeding the furnaces and a little shovelling where the human 
 factor is in evidence, the ' Tee ' process is mechanical, con- 
 tinuous, and simplicity itself. Salt fuses at a temperature of 
 about 1750 degrees, and immediately it assumes a fluid state com- 
 pressed air is blown into it, the effect being the deposition of all 
 impurities at the bottom of the furnace. The molten material 
 runs into rotating pans and gradually overflows ; it is then 
 shovelled into another receptacle and raised by small buckets to 
 a certain height — cold air being blown on it the while — when it 
 travels down inclined screens and grades automatically. From 
 the time of casting the crude material into the furnace until the 
 perfect white article appears only fifteen minutes elapse. It is 
 claimed that rock can be broken in the mine, transported, fused, 
 and packed ready for the table in less than two hours. This 
 one, continuous process, and the brief period of treatment, compare 
 with two separate treatments and a time factor of several days 
 requisite in the evaporation of brine. 
 
 " Another very important consideration is that of fuel consump- 
 tion ; for, according to the claim officially made, one ton of coal is 
 sufficient for an output of 12 tons of salt, whereas in evaporation 
 the ratio is nearer 1 to 2. At present three furnaces are in opera- 
 tion at Carrickfergus, each of two tons per hour capacity. Three 
 shifts of eight hours each are worked, continuity being found to 
 prevent cooling and consequent incrustation of the pans. The 
 works are stopped for twelve hours once every week. Until quite 
 recently little was heard of the ' Tee ' process ; the company 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 995 
 
 lias had to work out its own salvation, because smelting was not 
 previously practised. The resulting product is 97 per cent, of 
 pure salt, and is stated to be the only sterilised salt in the world. 
 It is uncertain yet to what uses the residue can be put. There 
 are five grades of the finished article — none of which will cake — 
 from the very finest for the table to that suitable for fish curing. 
 Salt being essential to human, vegetable, and animal life, the 
 demand is ever increasing, and the works — lighted by the 
 company's own electric plant — are to be enlarged immediately 
 to a capacity of 56,000 tons per annum. The company can sell 
 its product anywhere it likes, without any restraining influence 
 whatever, and at present the output is over-sold. Professor J. H. 
 Smith estimated, in a report made in November last, that with 
 a five-furnace plant the company would be able to produce its 
 salt at 5s. 8d. per ton, delivered in store, and the directors state 
 that this figure has since been borne out by events." 
 
 It is reported that the ' Tee ' process is being satisfactorily 
 worked and is producing salt. Further, that it has been worked 
 for some time past abroad, and particularly in Mexico, where it 
 has given satisfaction. As a matter of fact it is not now being 
 worked in Mexico. It was certainly installed in that country, 
 and was, for a time, persevered with, but, to quote the words of 
 Mr W. L. Bonney, the United States Consul, ' the experiment 
 proved a failure.' If the Irish installation is the successs that we 
 are given to understand, why is the company's salt not yet upon 
 the market ? The master patent was taken out by Mr Harry Tee 
 on April 8th, 1903, and eleven years of the life of the patent have 
 already expired. A further patent on similar lines was applied 
 for in May 1907, and certain details in the working of the process 
 are protected by seven further patents. I do not doubt but that 
 the system is well safeguarded so far as the patent laws are con- 
 cerned, but seeing that the original patent is eleven years old, 
 and that the International Salt Company was formed to work it 
 six years ago, it is about time that definite results, in the shape 
 of a regular output, were forthcoming. 
 
 Cheshire brine, as it is pumped, contains about 25 per cent, 
 of salt, and it is only necessary to evaporate the water and 
 precipitate the clean and pure white salt. The cheapness and 
 simplicity of this process has revolutionised the salt industry 
 of the district, and relegated rock-salt mining into the limbo of 
 extinct enterprises. Apart from the extraneous expense of 
 
996 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 mining, raising, transporting, and treating rock-salt, the purified 
 article can be produced in one grade only, whereas the Hodgkinson 
 process manufactures all the grades required for market purposes 
 in one operation. 
 
 But in their desire to convince the uninformed that the ' Tee ' 
 is economically superior to brine processes, the company state 
 that by the latter method it takes one ton of coal to produce 
 about two tons of salt — an excellent point, I admit, if the state- 
 ment were even substantially correct. The old open-pan system 
 certainly gives no more than two tons of salt from the com- 
 bustion of a ton of coal, but the industry has outlived the process, 
 which was introduced into Cheshire by the Roman salt-makers. 
 The vacuum plant, as everybody knows, produces about four 
 tons of salt for the consumption of one ton of coal ; and although 
 the vacuum is a costly plant to set up, and is incapable of pro- 
 ducing the much-demanded fishery variety of the commodity, 
 it makes salt at a much less cost than 8s. per ton. 
 
 But the vacuum plant is not the latest word or the most 
 economical effort in brine processes, for the Hodgkinson process 
 obtains over five tons of salt from the combustion of one ton of 
 coal, and outputs the manufactured article at a total inclusive 
 cost of 3s. 6d. per ton. These few and simple facts comprise 
 a conclusive proof of my contention that the ' Tee ' process will 
 never be able to compete successfully with brine processes of 
 salt-making in Cheshire — the premier brine district in the world." 
 
 The Thorn Process 
 
 The great factors in the precipitation of salt from brine are 
 heat, dryness, and cold. A moist heat is almost useless for the 
 purpose, and it f( Hows that in tropical countries with a humid 
 atmosphere, little or no salt can be made. A dry wind, without 
 much heat, causes rapid evaporation, and in some parts of 
 Germany, where the natural brines are very weak — containing 
 1| to 2 per cent, of salt — salt-making by means of fuel would 
 be a costly process, and the natural method is employed of evapo- 
 rating the water by exposure to the air. At Mountiers, this is 
 done in four evaporation houses — maisons d'epines, or thorn 
 houses — and the process is described in Tomlinson's " Natural 
 History of Common Salt " as follows : — 
 
 " The houses are on low brick walls, and consist of wooden 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 997 
 
 uprights about 2| feet apart, fixed into sills and caps. Two 
 rows of these, about 7 ft. apart, are tied together by cross pieces. 
 The houses are about 1000 ft. long, in some cases much longer, 
 25 ft. high, and 7 ft. wide. This frame-work down to the level of 
 the brickwork is fitted with thorn faggots. Beneath the faggots 
 are troughs to catch the brine that trickles through the thorns. 
 The brine is pumped up into troughs running the length of the 
 thorn house, and at intervals runs into smaller troughs, and from 
 them runs slowly amongst the thorns. When it reaches the troughs 
 at the bottom, it has lost part of its moisture. The process is 
 repeated, and then the brine passes to a second similar house, and 
 afterwards to a third, which is covered. A great deal of the 
 gypsum in the brine is deposited on the twigs, but not much 
 salt. It is now of about 12 degrees of strength. In Thorn 
 House No. 4, which is a small one, the brine is brought nearly 
 to saturation. The whole process in a dry season takes a month : 
 in a wet, much longer. The saturated brine is passed to boiling- 
 pans, and the ordinary process is followed out." 
 
 The Freezing Process 
 
 The making of salt by refrigeration is a curious and interesting 
 process, but it is unfitted for commercial purposes, as brine remains 
 unaffected at a temperature at which fresh water freezes, while 
 the labour of removing the ice which forms in crystallising the 
 salt would add largely to the cost of the operation. Experiments 
 in this method are so rare that particulars are difficult to obtain, 
 but the appended remarks on the subject, written in 1898 by a 
 practical salt-man, are very much to the point. 
 
 " The problem of salt-making," he writes, " whether by heat 
 or cold, is the same. The surplus water must be removed so as 
 to destroy the equilibrium established in a fully saturated brine, 
 and, as the water is removed, whether by evaporation or con- 
 gelation, the salt crystallises out. In using heat the water 
 removed dissipates itself into the air and needs no labour to remove 
 it. In congelation the water remains as ice and must be removed 
 by labour. If all the salt is obtained from the brine, i.e. if there 
 is to be complete extraction of salt and total removal of water, 
 then, for every ton of salt obtained, three tons of water must be 
 removed either as vapour or ice. If vapour, it removes itself — 
 
998 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 if ice, it must be removed, and the cost would be immense in 
 dealing with it. 
 
 " I have not seen any attemj.t at making salt by freezing. I 
 believe that the white pan salt called Rassol is made this way. I 
 only once saw salt from frozen brine in this country. It was 
 during a very severe winter, 1880 or 1881. A brine pipe had 
 burst, and the brine had filled some shallow depression on the 
 ground. The frost was intense, and the brine froze, and under 
 the ice I found crystals of coarse salt. These, however, soon 
 dissolved when brought into the warm office ; there must have 
 been a coat of frozen water over the salt crystals. I do not 
 see much prospect of any saving in the freezing process, and in 
 my opinion only one kind of salt can be made by it. Of course it 
 might be possible to regulate the freezing and so produce coarser 
 grains, but I have had no experience." 
 
 Purification of Brine 
 
 Before the precipitation of salt begins, it is necessary with 
 some brine to get rid of those substances which would otherwise 
 render the product impure. In the case of weak brine, this is 
 accomplished by a process of graduation, during which oxide 
 of iron, carbonic earths, and lesser quantities of sulphates adhere 
 to the graduation walls, or are deposited as thorn-stone, while 
 bituminous organic substances contained in some brine are also 
 diminished by graduation. 
 
 Graduated as well as undergraduated brines often contain 
 organic substances which are indicated by the large quantity of 
 dark brown scum that forms on the solution. The brine that 
 was practically clear to begin with, becomes quite dark as it 
 boils, and it is sometimes necessary to suspend the boiling opera- 
 tions and remove the mother liquor. When the graduation walls 
 have been covered with fresh thorns the salt is especially liable 
 to absorb extraneous matter from the new wood. The thorns 
 are cut in winter when the sap is low, and when placed on the 
 graduation walls they are repeatedly washed with waste brine. 
 The conditions are best when a layer of thorn-stone accumulates 
 on the thorns and prevents the brine from extracting organic 
 substances from the wood. 
 
 In dealing with brine in limited quantities, the colouring matter 
 is removed by treating the liquid before boiling it with caustic 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 999 
 
 or anhydrous quicklime, which causes it to deposit magnesia. 
 If organic matter remains which does not coagulate sufficiently to 
 enable it to be removed as scum, blood albumen, beer, alum, 
 and pitch are added to the brine in its first boiling stage before 
 effervescence begins. The organic substances are forced, by this 
 means, to coagulate, when they can be removed by skimming. 
 Brine may be filtered through coal-dust, sand, or cake, or it may 
 be treated with permanganate of potash, although the latter 
 method it too expensive for general adoption. The scum on the 
 surface of the brine may also be treated, prior to the commence- 
 ment of effervescence, with alderwood and alder-bark, the gallic 
 acid and tannic acid contained in the bark possessing qualities 
 which causes the organic substances to coagulate and to cause 
 precipitation. 
 
 Experiments in the purification of brine with alum-powder 
 were said to have accelerated the operation, but analyses proved 
 that the salt thus precipitated was not purer, all other conditions 
 being equal, than that produced without alum. 
 
 The colour of the salt is spoilt if iron be contained in the brine. 
 Sulphate of calcium, carbonate of iron, and manganous oxide and 
 silicic acid are precipitated during the first stage of boiling. If 
 this sediment mixes with the salt the latter acquires a yellowish 
 tinge. The iron must therefore be removed. This is generally 
 done before letting the brine into the pans. If the iron cannot 
 be expelled by graduation, the brine is made to flow through 
 long wooden gutters (as at Stotternheim and Inowrazlan) in 
 order to bring it as much as possible into contact with the air, 
 so as to allow the carbonic acid to escape ; or, air is forced into 
 the tanks in which the brine is kept ; or bullock's blood or albumen 
 is added before the brine effervesces. 
 
 In the manufacture of salt from natural brine by the vacuum 
 process of evaporation, the Salt Union employ a process of purifica- 
 tion patented by George William Malcolm and Frederick Thomas 
 Munton, in which the calcium and magnesium salts are removed, 
 before evaporation of the brine, by electrolysing the brine to form 
 sufficient sodium hydrate to decompose the said salts, and pre- 
 cipitate the magnesium and most of the calcium as hydrates, 
 and then, treating the brine with carbonic acid, to complete the 
 removal of the calcium, the chief object being to provide for the 
 more economic production of the salt and to effect the recovery 
 of certain of the by-products separately for use in the arts. 
 
1000 
 
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1002 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 According to this invention, a sufficient quantity of brine is 
 electrolysed to form sodium hydrate equivalent to the magnesium 
 and calcium salts present in the mass of brine to be treated, and 
 the sodium hydrate is partially carbonated, so that on mixing 
 the electrolysed brine with the raw brine the magnesium and 
 calcium salts are precipitated together. The power for driving 
 the engines for working the dynamos employed in generating 
 the current for use in the electrolysing step, is derived from the 
 steam which is generally used for evaporating purposes only, 
 and, to a small extent, for driving the air and other pumps which 
 are indispensable accessories to a vacuum plant, and the exhaust 
 from such engines, which may be superheated, is passed directly 
 to the vacuum plant to furnish the heat necessary for effecting 
 the evaporation of the brine. 
 
 The Concentration of Weak Brine 
 
 Brine is strengthened by (a) dissolving rock-salt or waste 
 brine, or (6) graduation. Graduated brine is often strengthened 
 to increase its " boiling value." Whether brine be boiled in its 
 natural state, or strengthened, so as to boil it to greater profit, 
 depends upon the price of fuel or the graduation arrangements 
 available, and the amount of rock-salt at hand. The exact 
 density at which brine can be profitably boiled cannot be fixed ; 
 16 per cent may be given as the minimum density, but brines 
 containing a higher percentage of salt are generally boiled. 
 
 For the purpose of strengthening the brine with rock-salt, 
 the rock-salt mixed with clay or anhydrite is used. When there 
 are fresh- water springs or brine springs in the mine, the brine is 
 strengthened on the spot, in special receptacles. The weak 
 brine is pumped up to the surface and strengthened above ground, 
 either when there is not sufficient water or brine available in the 
 mine, when the rock-salt is required for other purposes, or when 
 the mine has to be kept dry. 
 
 The dissolving boxes are usually boxes made of planks, held 
 together by wooden frames. The rock-salt is placed upon wooden 
 gratings which are about 20 or 30 centimetres from the bottom 
 of boxes, and brine of water is poured in from above and falls 
 upon the rock-salt. Brine cannot be sufficiently saturated by 
 pouring it once over rock-salt, so a series of 4 to 6 boxes are 
 arranged and the brine flows from one to the other. The brine, 
 
1004 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 or the water, under the grating, flows out through a side-" slit," 
 and rises through the space between the boxes to the top of the 
 box next in height, and so on throughout the series of boxes. 
 It is carried off by a gutter. The flow of the brine can be 
 regulated so as to bring it to the required density by the time it 
 reaches the last box. The debris of the rock-salt remains on the 
 grating, and fine sediment falls through the cracks to the bottom 
 of the box. The boxes are cleaned out from time to time. 
 
 At Hohensalza 15 per cent, brine from an underground spring 
 flows underground over rock-salt, placed in wooden boxes, and 
 then through a bed of gravel that serves as a filter. This bed 
 consists of three layers of gravel, coarse, medium, and fine ; the top 
 layer is the coarse gravel over which the brine first flows, and then 
 percolates through the bed into a brine reservoir, from whence 
 it is pumped up to the surface. 
 
 Boiling Processes 
 
 The brine passes through two distinct stages while boiling : 
 (1) The preliminary stage, during which the brine is fully saturated 
 and enriched until segregation begins. (2) The crystallising 
 stage, during which the salt is deposited. During the first 
 stage, some of the extraneous salts, especially gypsum, become 
 separated, therefore in some salt-works the two stages are gone 
 through in separate pans. 
 
 The first salt precipitated is generally very impure, and mixed 
 with gypsum. When the brine is freed from the first impurities 
 it is let into the crystallisation-pans for further evaporation. 
 
 The usual processes are : — 
 
 1. Letting the heated, or more often the cold, brine into the 
 heated pans. 
 
 2. Causing the brine to effervesce by adding brine as the water 
 evaporates. The salt is often allowed to precipitate a few times, 
 and then the pans are filled again. Occasionally, as in the 
 Austrian salt-works, brine flows in continuously, both when the 
 fluid is evaporating, and when the salt is being deposited. 
 
 3. Skimming off the scum, and taking out the sediment and 
 the first impure salt. These operations are sometimes preceded 
 by an extra purification of the brine. 
 
 4. During the crystallisation stage — scraping, and taking out 
 the salt, and putting it on the pan-covers to drain where it remains 
 while the crystallisation stage lasts. 
 
Brine Pit. 
 
 1005 
 
1006 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 5. Drying the salt, taking it from the draining platforms to 
 the drying space, and turning it over constantly to " loosen " it, 
 and to let the heat penetrate it. 
 
 The composition of brine-constituents is not exactly known, 
 but they are deposited in regular order during evaporation. The 
 order may vary, however, according to the particular composition 
 of the brine. 
 
 First the bicarbonates are deposited as insoluble carbonates, 
 if they are not in graduated brine, and subtilised by carbonic 
 acid. If magnesium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and gypsum 
 are in the brine, they combine, when the brine concentrates, 
 with calcium sulphate, magnesium chloride, and sodium sulphate, 
 so that more lime and less gypsum is deposited. 
 
 Gypsum is precipitated after the carbonates, in proportion to 
 the quantity of water evaporated, and the varying solubility of 
 the gypsurri. 
 
 When the brine is saturated the salt is precipitated with some 
 gypsum, and an insoluble double salt of calcium sulphate and 
 sodium sulphate, until the mother-liquor is saturated with one 
 or more of the subordinate salts, and finally these are deposited. 
 Scum forms on the brine as it evaporates, and contains, besides 
 salt and gypsum, a small quantity of magnesium sulphate and 
 sodium sulphate, and is often discoloured by an admixture of 
 organic substances. 
 
 Drying Processes 
 
 Salt is dried by long exposure to the open air, or in moderately 
 heated rooms, at a temperature of less than 109°, by evaporation 
 only ; by evaporation on hot hearths at a temperature over 
 109° ; by evaporation at less than 109° in heated drying rooms and 
 drying apparatus, and chiefly by evaporation of the moisture 
 at over 109° (boiling-point of saturated brine). 
 
 When the moisture in the salt is evaporated by air, the Warmth 
 and the absorption-capacity of the latter are the chief considera- 
 tions. When water is evaporated at over 100° the drying can be 
 carried out without renewing the air. The absorption-capacity 
 of the air then aids the drying process. 
 
 The air-supply in the drying-rooms generally regulates itself 
 without artificial ventilation. The hot air, saturated with steam, 
 rises and escapes through the openings and draws in fresh air 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1007 
 
 to further dry the salt. If the air, saturated with moisture, 
 cannot escape sufficiently, water will form in the cooler parts of 
 the room ; the air, descending to the cooler walls will reach the 
 salt once more, and, when it is again heated, will absorb more 
 moisture. 
 
 In artificial drying, the drying air should be raised to high 
 temperatures, both at the beginning and at the end of operations, 
 so as to render it as absorbent as possible. The first temperature 
 of the drying air will not rise above 200° to 300°, especially if it 
 comes into contact with iron pans. If the air then escapes at 50°, 
 it may be completely saturated. Air of over 80° cannot be got 
 out of the drying-rooms in a saturated state, unless artificial teat 
 be brought to bear upon the salt — otherwise, air escaping at a 
 higher temperature can certainly not be saturated. 
 
 The flue-gases that escape from the furnace are generally 
 available for drying the salt. In this case the saltmaker may 
 rest content when he is working at a profit with drying air at a 
 lower temperature. If it be necessary to have a separate heating 
 apparatus, the air is heated to the highest temperature attain- 
 able, and brought, for as long as possible, into close contact with 
 the salt, so that it may escape from the drying-room almost 
 saturated. 
 
 Salt is dried in the open air only where coarse-grained salt 
 is manufactured, as in the Westph Jian Salt-works. After the 
 salt has been drained for a long time it is carried into the stores, 
 where it remains for several months before it is dispatched. 
 
 Fine crystalline salt does not part with the mother liquor 
 as easily as does coarse salt, but retains it firmly in its " pores," 
 and even after draining for 24 hours it will usually contain 
 10 to 12 per cent, of moisture — butter-salt even more than that. 
 
 In the usual drying methods the waste heat of the fire-gases 
 is generally used, and less often (Furer, 1900) the exhaust steam 
 from the pans or steam from the engine. Flat pans are used, on 
 which the salt is spread, and over which currents of hot air pass, 
 or the drying-rooms are heated by hot pipes, in which the 
 gases circulate. In these rooms the salt is spread on hurdles 
 that are placed one above the other ; or the salt is passed over 
 long roller-cloths, or it is dried in wicker-baskets. The drying- 
 rooms for moulded salt are heated by fuel gases. 
 
 Salt, when taken from the pans, contains 20 to 25 per cent, of 
 moisture ; fine salt contains more moisture than coarse salt. It 
 
1008 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 is usually left to drain for 24 hours and sometimes longer ; 
 when carried to the drying-rooms it retains from 10 to 12 per cent, 
 of moisture. 
 
 The most modern contrivances for the drying of salt are 
 mechanical centrifugal appliances driven by steam, water, or 
 electricity. They were invented, in the first place, for the 
 manufacture of other products, and have only recently been 
 adapted to the purposes of the salt-maker. 
 
 The principal use to which centrifugal machines are put is 
 for the curing of sugar, but the same machines, with modifications, 
 are now employed for curing salt. Messrs Watson, Laidlaw & Co., 
 Ltd., of Glasgow have supplied a number of their centrifugal 
 machines for the treatment of both coarse and fine salt. The 
 machine essentially consists of a perforated drum or cylinder 
 called the basket, and an outer collecting case. The basket is 
 constructed so that it can rotate at a very high speed, and, when 
 the material has been put into it and the machine set in motion, 
 the liquid matter is forced through the perforations into the 
 collecting case, leaving the solids in the basket. The basket is 
 attached to a steel spindle, and may either be suspended from 
 suitable framing, or made to revolve on a pivot, somewhat the 
 same as a spinning-top. Both types may be driven by belting, 
 steam-engine, water, or electricity, and small pivot machines 
 may be driven by hand. The basket and its spindle are carried 
 on specially designed ball-bearings, which only require a little 
 lubricating grease at long intervals. In combination with this 
 ball-bearing spindle, each machine is filled with a patent conoidal 
 buffer, which has been designed to automatically cortrol oscilla- 
 tion and so minimise danger to the workers and the machine. 
 
 Where the machines are designed for the treatment of coarse 
 salt, the baskets are made of mild steel, fitted with steel 
 linings, and the outer collecting cases are also made of mild steel ; 
 but when the machines are used for fine salt, or if the salt liquor 
 contains any corrosive substance, the baskets and linings are 
 made of copper, the spindles are sheathed with copper where 
 liable to come in contact with the salt, and the monitor cases are 
 lined inside and over the top of the cover with copper, or chemical 
 sheet-lead. The baskets are fitted with central bottom discharge 
 valves, which are raised when the machine is stopped, and the 
 dried salt discharged through the central opening. The machines 
 may be raised above the floor level to admit a suitable conveyer 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1009 
 
 or truck being placed below to receive the dried contents of the 
 baskets, or the machines may be placed on a platform or upper 
 floor and discharge on to the floor below. When the machines 
 are driven by water, it is usual to install a pump to raise the water 
 to a pressure of 180 to 200 lbs. per square inch, as required at 
 the nozzles of the water motors. The pump is automatic in its 
 action, delivering oidy the quantity of water required to drive 
 the number of machines that may be working at any particular 
 time. It draws the water from a tank, and the water runs back 
 from the motors to the tank to be used over and over again, so 
 there is no loss of water, except the little due to evaporation. 
 The pump is usually steam driven, and the exhaust steam from 
 the pump may be used for boiling or heating purposes. 
 
 The Buffalo Foundry and Machine Company of Buffalo, New 
 York State, construct a vacuum rotary dryer which contains 
 features that are exclusive to their apparatus. For drying 
 most materials the outer casing of this machine consists of a 
 heavy steel plate jacketed construction, but for materials which 
 tend to adhere to the shell the outer casing is a gun-iron casting, 
 cast with a jacket between two shells. This construction permits 
 the inside to be machined the full length. This is done so that 
 the paddles or scrapers can be set close to the shell to prevent 
 material being dried adhering to the shell. The paddles or 
 agitators are set at an angle for the purpose of causing a lifting of 
 the material away from the shell of the dryer. In this construction 
 the bevel paddles force the material along and at the same time 
 lift it from the shell which reduces the friction, causing the material 
 to slide off of the paddles on to the centre heating tube. The 
 driving niechanism consists of a series of machine cut gears, 
 turned true, assuring an easy and quiet running dryer. For 
 loading, the dryer contains one or more large openings at the 
 top fitted with cast-iron covers, which, when necessary, are 
 equipped with an observation glass. The unloading apertures, 
 one or more in number, are placed at the bottom of the shell. 
 These consist of doors, properly hinged and counterbalanced. 
 The doors are flush with the inner shell of the dryer so that no 
 material can lodge in the unloading apertures when the doors are 
 closed. Any of these dryers will unload the charge in a few 
 minutes, but for ease in loading and unloading, it is desirable to 
 so place the apparatus that it can be charged from and discharge 
 into hoppers which can be connected with conveying devices, etc. 
 3s 
 
1010 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Manufacture of Salt Blocks 
 
 The coarseness and absorbent quality of block salt, the waste 
 entailed in cutting it, and the difficulty experienced in packing it 
 for transport on account of its irregularity in shape, determined 
 the Austrian Government to improve the system of supplying 
 salt for domestic purposes by having it manufactured into blocks 
 of uniform shape and weight. The production of salt blocks 
 was first advocated in Austria in 1858. Practical experiments 
 resulted in the introduction of various systems of handpresses 
 by Ebensee in 1873, and these were steadily improved upon until, 
 in 1891, the first standard machine press was made. 
 
 Two standard shapes were selected by the Austrian authorities. 
 The first in use at the Ischl salt-works was a prism measuring 
 2 - 9 inches by 3 inches by 5"8 inches, and weighing 2"2 pounds. 
 The second, employed at the Abensee salt-works, was a cube 
 measuring 3"7 inches each way and made in two sizes, weighing 
 respectively 2'2 and 11 pounds. At the Ischl works, the Meyer 
 machine, introduced in 1896, is used, and the Muller brought out 
 in 1895 at Abensee. 
 
 It was impossible so sell such small blocks of equal weight at 
 a profit, unless produced by machinery and in large quantities. 
 To turn out blocks of refined salt of a certain quality and without 
 a flaw suitable machinery was required, and these conditions were 
 provided by the hydraulic salt-press made by Messrs Muller & Co. 
 of Pragi e. The machine as described by Professor Heinrich 
 Gollner consists of a cylindrical hydraulic block-press, two 
 hydraulic delivery-presses, an accumulator, and a high-pressure 
 pump. The main hydraulic and two delivery-presses are all 
 placed on the same baseplate, the hydraulic press being in the 
 centre, and the delivery presses, which it serves alternately, on 
 either side of it. The piston of the hydraulic press is 14 inches in 
 diameter and 4 P 3 inches stroke, and each up (motor) stroke 
 compresses 12 blocks. Above the piston is an iron plate con- 
 nected by two vertical columns to a weight at the top of the 
 engine, which is so adjusted that the down-stroke of the piston 
 takes a shorter time than the upstroke. Four strong columns 
 support the fixed cover of the mould, the lower surface of which 
 forms a 12-celled bed die of phosphor-bronze. The cast-iron 
 mould resting on the hydraulic piston is square, and contains 12 
 four-sided divisions or cells of the same metal. The bottom of 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1011 
 
 each cell is closed by a piston 3J inches in diameter, which forms 
 a kind of die or stamp-cutter, worked upwards from below, and 
 all these pistons rest on one plate. As the lower part of the 
 mould filled with salt is brought beneath the upper part, or 
 stationary cover, it is gripped by a 4-armed lever, the hydraulic 
 piston rises, the upper weight descends, the two halves, upper 
 and lower, of the mould are brought together, and the salt is 
 cut into cubes, and greatly compressed by the continued upward 
 movement of the main and the stamping pistons. The 
 cylindrical press is provided with valve gearing, and when the 
 process of compression begins, the valve sends the water into the 
 piston from the accumulator, whence it is returned to the high- 
 pressure pump. The mould can be easily withdrawn from the 
 machine if required, or the number of cells in it can be varied. 
 
 The cylindrical press is connected to the delivery-presses on 
 either side by slides, along which the mould is run easily and 
 quickly from one to the other and back again. In these presses 
 the cubes are turned out of the mould and each seized separately 
 by small aluminium pincers, and placed in sets of three upon an 
 iron plate, to be conveyed to the drying-oven. The operation 
 takes only two seconds. The pistons of these presses work 
 upwards and have a stroke of 7 "3 inches. The upstroke dis- 
 charges the blocks, the downstroke corresponds with the down- 
 stroke of the main piston, carrying the empty mould, which is 
 then filled afresh with salt. Each delivery-press is worked by 
 valve-gear similar to that of the main press. 
 
 The working of the salt-press is as follows : The purified salt 
 is first weighed by two workmen in two small gauged trucks 
 -which, when full, contain the right weight. The salt falls into a 
 leaden box with 12 partitions closed below with a slide-valve. 
 This box is made in two halves, corresponding to the two sides of 
 the hydraulic main press. When filled with salt, it is placed 
 above the emptied mould ; at the top of one of the delivery-presses 
 the slide-valve is withdrawn, the mould filled automatically, and 
 pushed along the little rail to the main press, where the process 
 of compressing and delivering another set of blocks has just been 
 completed. The piston of the latter is now in its lowest position. 
 The mould is run on to it, the valve-gear connected to the water 
 in the accumulator, and the piston begins to rise. Four hooks 
 at the corners of the mould are caught by tappets on the four- 
 .armed lever, the mould is raised to the bed-plate, and the two 
 
1012 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 lock together. As the piston continues to rise, the 12 stamping- 
 dies or cutters are driven up, and the salt in each cell is forced 
 up into the bed-plate, where the actual process of compression 
 takes place. This completed, the valve opens to discharge the 
 water, and the piston falls. The mould is drawn down by the 
 hooks till it reaches the rails, along which it is pushed by hand 
 on small wheels. As soon as it reaches the delivery-press, the 
 water is again turned on the delivery piston rise, and the blocks 
 are discharged from the machine. As the latter is in duplicate, 
 the mould is emptied and refilled on one side of the hydraulic 
 press, while, on the other, the blocks are stamped and compressed. 
 
 The efficiency of the machine depends on the play of the 
 mechanism and the number of cells in use. The time occupied 
 in the different processes is as follows : Weighing and filling 
 the box, 8 seconds ; filling and cleaning the mould, 10|- seconds ; 
 upstroke of the pressure piston, 6'3 seconds ; downstroke of the 
 pressure piston, 8'2 seconds ; discharge of the 12 blocks, 2 seconds, 
 and complete compression-stroke and interval till beginning of 
 next stroke, 1 minute. The total output during a 10-hours da)' 
 with a 12-celled mould in duplicate is 14,515 or say 15,000 blocks. 
 Five men are required for the work — two to weigh the salt and fill 
 the box ; two men, one on either side of the machine, for pressing 
 and discharging the blocks : the fifth helps the last two alternately. 
 Each truckload of blocks for drying contains 500. The blocks 
 weigh 2 - 2 and 11 pounds respectively ; the edges are slightly 
 rounded, and the surfaces scored at proper intervals in order that 
 the blocks may be easily divided into pieces of one-half and one- 
 quarter of the original weight. 
 
 The efficiency was submitted to careful tests by Professor 
 Gollner. The machine was experimented on with moulds, 
 containing 12, 9, and 6 divisions, and the results plotted on a 
 curve in the original paper. The number of divisions formed the 
 abscissae, the efficiency the ordinates during a 10-hours working 
 day. With a mould with 6 cells 10,000, with 9 cells 12,800, and 
 with 12 cells 15,000 blocks of 2"2 pounds weight were turned out 
 per day. The quantity of water required per block to work the 
 compressing and the delivery-presses was 61 cubic inches (1 litre). 
 As, however, the water is used in a continuous cycle in the high- 
 pressure pump, it is only necessary to calculate one filling of the 
 accumulator, and the supply to replace loss by waste. 
 
 The mechanical work required for the different operations was 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1013 
 
 determined in each successive phase of work from the total time 
 occupied, the dimensions of the machine, load, and total quantity 
 of water per cycle. To obtain a pressure of 54 atmospheres 
 the load on the main piston, deducting friction, was 20,275 pounds, 
 and total horse-power per stroke 12"3. Of this - 3 horse-power 
 was expended at the beginning of the stroke, while the piston 
 did no external work ; 10'3 horse-power during the period of 
 compression, which occupied 5'8 seconds, with a mean effective 
 pressure of 44 atmospheres ; while 0'59 horse-power must be 
 assigned to the delivery -pistons. The balance, namely, 11 
 horse-power, was expended in over-power, or in round numbers 
 1 horse-power per block produced. The static pressure of 54 
 atmospheres sank to 44 atmospheres at the end of the stroke, a 
 fall due principally to friction. The various data thus collected 
 are plotted on curves in the original paper. The efficiency of the 
 hyrdaulic press varied from 93 to 96 per cent., and the co-efficient 
 of friction from 12 to 19, per cent. 
 
 Professor Gollner tested the blocks in a technical, mechanical 
 laboratory in various ways, for uniformity of composition and 
 resistance to pressure increased from the top of the cube, where 
 the pressure was greatest, downwards. The prism-shaped Ischl 
 blocks were also tested, of course with greatly differing results, 
 owing to their different shape. The line of least compressive 
 strength was, however, in both kinds found to be next the lower 
 surface. To determine the resistance of the blocks to a sudden 
 strong pressure, upon which the efficiency of the machine 
 depended, and therefore the output from it, the time required 
 for the piston of the machine was noted. It was found that a 
 period of 63 seconds was needed to produce 12 blocks, this being 
 the maximum number which could be satisfactorily manufactured 
 at one time. The pressures used in the laboratory were from 
 10 to 175 atmospheres, and they were applied from 15 to 75 
 minutes. Irregularities in the speed of the pressure piston were 
 also tested, and with the output of the machine and other data 
 were plotted on curves. 
 
1014 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Salt-Making in New York State 
 
 In the following pages I have quoted freely with permission 
 from a Bulletin of the New York State Museum on " Salt and 
 Gypsum Industries of New York " (published by the University 
 of the State of New York), by Frederick J. H. Merrill, Ph.D. 
 (Columbia), Assistant State Geologist, and from a paper by 
 Thomas M. Chatard on " Salt Making Processes in the United 
 States." 
 
 The salt-springs in New York State were discovered by Jesuit 
 missionaries about the middle of the seventeenth century, and 
 their discovery led to its manufacture by Indians and traders 
 but the systematic manufacture of salt in the vicinity of Syracuse 
 by white men was not begun until 1788. In that year the industry 
 was started in a very primitive way, the outfit consisting of a 
 five-pail kettle suspended by a chain from a pole resting upon 
 two crotcheted stakes. Ten years later the Federal Company 
 erected the largest plant known at that period, consisting of 
 32 kettles ; and in 1806 the first well, 20 feet square and 30 feet 
 deep, was sunk at Salina. Rock-salt was not discovered until 
 1878, when a bed of salt, 70 feet thick, was found in Wyoming 
 County. 
 
 The locality which is of most interest to geologists on account 
 of the completeness of the records kept and the large number of 
 wells bored is Tully, in Onandaga County, where the method of 
 boring wells for brine is similar in every respect to that in use 
 in boring for oil or gas. The matter of principal importance is 
 the method of tubing the well. 
 
 At Tully an 8-inch pipe is first sunk through the surface drift 
 to the bed rock ; inside this a 6-inch hole is drilled through the 
 salt deposits. This hole is tubed sufficiently far to cut off all 
 surface water from the well. Inside this 6-inch pipe a 3-inch 
 pipe is suspended, being coupled to the pipes for brine and water 
 in such a manner that water may flow through the 3-inch pipe 
 and up through the 6-inch pipe or vice versa. The well is then 
 operated by forcing water down one pipe into the salt beds, where 
 it takes salt into solution and becomes more or less nearly a 
 saturated brine. The brine under pressure rises to the surface 
 through the other pipe, flows through a conduit to Geddes, and is 
 used in the manufacture of soda ash. For the first six months 
 after a well is bored the fresh water passes down through the 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1015 
 
 3-mch tube, and the brine rises through the space between the 
 tubes ; afterwards the method is reversed. 
 
 The wells of the Kerr Salt Company are what are known as 
 " forcing wells," i.e. the wells are combined, and they are 
 arranged to prevent the back pressure on the pump which would 
 result if there were only one well, as the amount of water is dis- 
 tributed over several wells instead of one. The principle of 
 forcing down one and up another is based on the theory that it 
 is preferable to take the brine from as great a depth as possible, 
 because there is a tendency for the strong brine to become stronger 
 at the expense of the weaker brine above, and besides, the brine, 
 on account of greater specific gravity, sinks to the bottom below 
 the water. The principle is said to have been invented by the 
 Crystal Salt Company, and is used by them for connected wells 
 and isolated wells. 
 
 The processes, employed to-day in the manufacture of salt in 
 the State of New York are as follows : — 
 
 Solar evaporation. 
 
 Direct fire evaporation. \ -, T ,,f 
 
 r ^Kettle process. 
 
 a, ,■ f Kettle with steam iacket. 
 
 bteam evaporation. in 
 
 1 ^(iramer process. 
 
 Vacuum pan evaporation. 
 
 The manufacture of solar salt is carried on in shallow wooden 
 vats which, in order to protect the contents against rain, are 
 provided with movable wooden covers, running on wooden 
 rollers. At the end of the season the wooden rollers are removed 
 and the covers or roofs fastened securely on the vats. The amount 
 of salt produced in a solar field during a season depends not only 
 on the state of the weather, but also on the composition of the 
 pickle, or fully saturated brine, from which the salt is deposited, 
 since, if the latter is too highly charged with calcium and mag- 
 nesium chlorides — due to keeping the old pickle over from season 
 to season — evaporation may be greatly retarded thereby ; in 
 fact it may cease almost entirely, since whatever evaporation of 
 water may take place in clear warm weather from a pickle over- 
 charged with these chlorides, will be reabsorbed again by them 
 during the prevalence of a damp moist atmosphere. The quality 
 of the salt depends on the weather to a certain extent, but mainly 
 on the intelligence and care of the workman. Supplying the 
 salt rooms with perfectly saturated pickle, allowing the harvested 
 
1016 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 salt to drain properly both in the tub and the storehouse, and 
 finally to discharge the old pickle at the proper time, are of the 
 utmost importance in the manufacture of a good, commercial, 
 solar salt. 
 
 According to the laws of New York State, the freshly harvested 
 salt must remain 14 days in the storehouse before it can be put 
 on the market. 
 
 At Syracuse there are over twelve million square feet of evaporat- 
 ing surface, capable of producing 3,500,000 bushels of salt during a 
 season, which usually extends — according to the weather — from 
 the middle of March to the middle of November. 
 
 There are two processes in use in New York State for the 
 manufacture of salt by direct heat, namely : — 
 
 A. The Pan Process. 
 
 B. The Onondaga Kettle Process. 
 
 A. PAN PROCESS 
 
 Usually several pans are placed under one roof. They are 
 constructed of large wrought-iron plates riveted together. The 
 thickness of the plates is from J to f inch. The usual dimensions 
 are : width 20 to 24 feet, length 100 feet in two sections, and 
 depth 12 inches. The front section is 70 feet and the back one 
 30 feet long, separated by a loose-fitting wooden or iron partition, 
 to allow the brine from the back section gradually to enter the 
 front one. Adjoining the front pan is a back pan 30 feet long by 
 20 to 24 feet wide and 12 inches deep. The walls under this pan 
 are from 12 to 16 inches higher to enable the easy transfer of the 
 brine by syphon from the back to the front pan. The ends of 
 these pans are at right angles to the bottom, while the sides are 
 oblique. The front pan is usually supported by two central and 
 two outside walls (though there are some pans differently 
 supported and constructed) which are 3 feet wide at their base, 
 and grates tapering to one foot in width under the pan bottom. 
 The distance from the top of the grate to the bottom of the pan 
 is between 6 and 8 feet. The grates are 3 to 4 feet wide by 5 to 
 6 feet long. The walls are built in the most substantial manner 
 and lined on the inside with fire brick in the front portion and 
 with ordinary bricks farther back, where the heat is less intense. 
 To protect the pan bottom against a too intense heat directly over 
 the fires, a fire-brick arch is built, the crown of which is between 
 2 and 3 feet below the pan bottom. This arch is solid from the 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1017 
 
 front wall to about 2 feet beyond the grates, where an open space 
 of 6 to 8 inches wide is followed by a second arch from 12 to 16 
 inches wide, and this again after an interval by a third arch only 
 a foot wide, and so on. These arches are called rings and their 
 width decreases from the front of the pan towards the end, while 
 the air spaces increase in width in the same direction. Beyond 
 20 feet from the front of the first section of the pan they cease 
 altogether. To convey the heat as close to the pan bottom as 
 possible, beyond the last arch, the flues are usually filled in with 
 earth or plaster ,and thus the distance between the pan and flue 
 bottom is between 3 and 4 feet or even less, at the end of the 
 first pan, where a perpendicular wall, a so-called bridge wall, 
 reduces the space to about 1J to 2 feet, through which the pro- 
 ducts of combustion pass under the back pan and finally into 
 a common chimney. 
 
 For the purpose of draining the salt before it is conveyed to 
 the storehouse, an inclined wooden platform, the so-called " drip/' 
 is constructed along the entire length of both pans on either side, 
 resting on the inclined iron sides of the pan. 
 
 The so-called settling of the brine is the same as in the kettle 
 method, with this difference, that the settled brine, in consequence 
 of the greater number of cisterns and their greater capacity, 
 remains for 4 to 5 days undisturbed. If it is the intention of 
 the manufacturer to make " Factory Filled Salt," the settling 
 with caustic lime is followed by a second settling with a certain 
 quantity of carbonate of soda, or soda ash, as it is usually called 
 by the workmen. The sodium carbonate is dissolved in salt 
 water and the solution mixed with the brine. The carbonic 
 acid unites with any caustic lime in solution in the brine, while 
 the resultant caustic soda together with the greater quantity 
 of undecomposed sodium carbonate decomposes the calcium and 
 magnesium chlorides, forming calcium and magnesium carbonates 
 and common salt Between the settlings with lime and sodium 
 carbonate twelve hours are usually allowed to intervene 
 
 After the pans are properly cleansed they are white-washed 
 with a thin milk of lime to prevent their rusting until they become 
 thoroughly heated ; the fires are started, and the pans are filled 
 by syphons to a depth of about 6 inches with brine from the back 
 pans. The former are so inserted that a constant flow of brine 
 passes from the back pans into the last section of the front pans, 
 and from these under the partition into the first section. Into 
 
1018 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 the back pan flows a constant stream from the outside cistern 
 until the front pans are sufficiently full, when the flow is stopped. 
 After a sufficient amount of salt has collected in the first section 
 of the front pan it is removed to the " drip " for drainage. This 
 is called drawing or raking the pans. The front pans are refilled 
 from the back pan, in which the brine has become considerably 
 heated, and thus is prevented a too rapid cooling of the brine in 
 the front pan, which would seriously interfere with the formation 
 of a properly grained salt. For the same reason the partition 
 is placed in the front pan, since it prevents any cold brine from 
 coming suddenly into the first section, it being compelled to enter 
 at the bottom of the pan, where its temperature is the highest. 
 The first drawing or " drip " usually contains traces of caustic 
 lime in consequence of the white-washing of the pans, and since 
 this would be detrimental to butter, cheese, provisions, etc., 
 salted with it, it is always kept separate and sent into the market 
 as " agricultural " salt. 
 
 To aid in the formation of a fine grained salt some artificial means 
 are employed. Butter, specially prepared soft soap (made of the 
 best lard or tallow and alkali), gelatine, and white glue, are some 
 of the substances added, and the quantities used are so insignifi- 
 cant in proportion to the amount of salt, that they could not be 
 detected even if they remained, but the hard soap, the lime soap, 
 floats on the brine, and is very carefully skimmed off. When this 
 kind of salt is made the pans are " drawn " every 45 or 60 minutes. 
 In the manufacture of coarser grained salt the " drawing " of 
 the pans takes place at intervals of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 12 hours 
 according to the size of the grain, and the temperature of the brine 
 is reduced from 229° Fahr. to 200° or even 148° Fahr. The 
 storage room for the salt is usually located in a separate bi ilding. 
 
 The amount of salt and its quality depends on the same con- 
 ditions given under the kettle method. With good average coal 
 dust and fair weather 80 to 90 bushels of salt per ton can be made 
 in a well-constructed pan during the summer season from satu- 
 rated brine, which quantity will be reduced to 68 bushels during 
 the winter months. A good average proportion for the entire 
 year is about 1 ton to 72 bushels per ton with brine " up to 
 saturation." 
 
 THE LEWIS PROCESS 
 
 The Lewis process is a modification of the pan process. The 
 evaporating apparatus consists of ten pans, 20 by 10 feet, each on 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1019 
 
 an arch with its own grate and flue. There is also one long pan, 
 15 by 100 feet, with a grate at each end. The hot gases from 
 the smaller flues are made to pass under the larger pan, and thus 
 lose the greater part of their heat before passing to the chimney. 
 The brine is heated to 220° Fahr., in the larger pan to precipitate 
 the gypsum, and then drawn to the smaller pans to be evaporated. 
 The principal advantage claimed for this process over the pre- 
 ceding is that any pan can be removed for repairs or for cleaning 
 without stopping the work in the others. 
 
 B. THE ONONDAGA KETTLE PROCESS 
 
 This is exclusively employed on the Onondaga Salt Reservation. 
 A " Salt Kettle Block," usually called a " Kettle Block," consists 
 of from 60 to 100 hemispherical cast-iron kettles suspended or 
 hung on " lugs " or pins in two parallel flues, called arches, ending 
 in one chimney, which has a height of 50 to 100 feet according to 
 the length of the flues. In front the arches are provided with 
 cast-iron, flat-topped grates, 3 feet in width and 5 feet long, per- 
 forated with holes f inch in diameter and one inch apart. These 
 are well adapted for the burning of anthracite dust or culm, 
 which is now exclusively used for this purpose. The necessary 
 artificial draught is furnished by a pressure blower. The kettles 
 are from 23 to 26 inches in depth, and from 3 feet 10 inches to 
 4 feet 2 inches in diameter, with a capacity of 100 to 150 gallons. 
 The metal at the bottom of the kettle is If inches, and at the rim 
 | inch thick. The two lugs are 5 inches long by 1J inches in 
 diameter, situated about 4 to 5 inches below the rim and opposite 
 each other. The arches or flues are formed by a central wall, 
 3 feet wide at the base and grate, and one foot wide on top, 
 battering an equal amount on both sides, and two side walls 18 
 inches wide at base and grate, battering on the inside to 8 inches 
 on top. These walls are built of ordinary stone and linea on the 
 inside with bricks. That portion of the walls which is especially 
 exposed to an intense heat is lined with fire bricks, which is 
 usually up to the fifteenth kettle from the front. The distance 
 from the bottom of the kettle to the top of the grate is 3 feet 6 
 inches, with a solid fire-brick arch in each, extending somewhat 
 beyond the length of the grate. The distance from the bottom 
 of the kettle to the crown of this arch is 10 ti 12 inches. Beyond 
 the grate the fire-brick arches are constructed in sections, the 
 so-called " rings " with air spaces between, which increase in size 
 
1020 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 with, the advancing distance from the grates. This construction 
 allows the heated gases to pass through these spaces without 
 striking the kettle bottoms directly. While the distance between 
 the bottom of the front kettle and the top of the grate is 3 feet 
 6 inches, these flues decrease in depth as they advance towards 
 the chimney, so that under the last kettle the distance is but 
 6 or 8 inches. The kettles are hung as close as possible with 
 their rims against each other, and the space between the walls 
 and kettles above the lugs is properly covered by masonry, etc., 
 for the purpose of confining all the heat as much as possible 
 within the two arches. The two lugs enable the workman to hang 
 the kettles perfectly free in the arches or flues, leaving an open 
 space of several inches between the walls of the kettles and arches. 
 Thus the heated gases in their passage from the grate to the 
 chimney are most effectually brought in contact with the entire 
 heating surface of the kettles confined in the arches. The slanting 
 of the walls and the gradually decreasing distance between the 
 kettle and arch, bottoms is specially designed to further this 
 object. Lengthwise, and a few inches above the central wall, is 
 placed a wooden conduit, provided with one faucet, and the 
 necessary plug for each salt kettle, in the block. The entire 
 arrangement is such that the workman when standing on the 
 walk can with ease fill the kettles by means of these faucets 
 with brine from the conduit. The latter is connected with two 
 large wooden cisterns situated outside of the building and suffi- 
 ciently elevated to supply the brine contained therein by gravity 
 to the kettles in the block. Their capacity varies in accordance 
 with the amount of brine required for the block in 21 hours. 
 Usually they are from 20 to 25 feet wide, 6 feet deep, and from 
 25 to 40 feet long, having a capacity from 30,000 to 40,000 gallons, 
 or about the quantity required in 24 hours, while the salt block 
 is in operation. A smaller tank wnich holds fresh water is also 
 connected with the conduit. Thus the workman is enabled to 
 draw, as occasion requires, either salt brine or fresh water from 
 the same faucets by closing the gate of the one or the other tank. 
 On both sides of the double row of kettles is a walk made of earth 
 and from 12 to 18 inches below their rims, for the use of the work- 
 men in attending to the various operations connected with the 
 manufacture of salt. It is from 5 to 6 feet wide, extending the 
 entire length of the block with a gutter running lengthwise of it, 
 and on the side farthest from the kettles, to carry off any bitter 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1021 
 
 water ("bitterns"), etc., requiring removal. Next to these 
 gutters are the so-called " salt bins," having usually a depth from 
 6 to 8 feet below the level of the walk, a width of 10 to 14 feet, 
 and a length of nearly 100 feet and over, according to producing 
 capacity of the block. They are always divided into several 
 compartments, and serve as storage rooms for the manufactured 
 salt. Their bottoms are made of 2 in. plank and are from 8 to 
 12 inches above the ground, to permit the circulation of air under 
 them and in order to provide for a proper drainage of the salt — 
 the planks are not closely fitted. Since the heat in the front 
 portion of the arch is so intense that it not only penetrates through 
 the 18-inch brick wall and the five to six feet of earth adjoining, 
 but would also pass througn the wooden lining of the bins, an air 
 space of 8 to 12 inches is left between them to prevent any dis- 
 coloration by " baking " of the salt stored in these bins. When 
 the salt has been removed from these bins they are washed with 
 fresh water for the purpose of dissolving any salt that may remain 
 in the crevices of the bottom planks The time during which 
 these blocks are in operation extends from the middle of April 
 to the first of December. Originally there were 316 salt blocks. 
 In 1893 their number was less than 100, and of these about 20 
 were in active operation. 
 
 The brine employed in the manufacture of boiled or common 
 fine salt, as it is usually called, is the same as that used in the 
 solar fields. The manufacture proper of salt is commenced by 
 lighting the fires under the kettles and filling them partly with 
 brine from the faucets as soon as they become warm, and within 
 3 to i inches of the top when evaporation has well commenced. 
 At the same time a wrought-iron pan is inserted into the 
 kettle, having its handle near the centre instead of on the side to 
 allow its easy insertion and withdrawal from the kettle. Other- 
 wise it is like an ordinary frying-pan, with very slanting sides, so 
 that when it is inserted into the kettle it covers its bottom and 
 fits as close as possible to the sides. This is known as the 
 " bittern pan." Its purpose is to collect the sulphate of lime, 
 " plaster," or " bitterns," which soon separates. This separation 
 becomes more rapid with the incerase of temperature and con- 
 centration, especially near the boiling and saturation-point of the 
 brine. From the time the pan is first inserted till the brine 
 actually boils or salt commences to separate, it is several times 
 drawn out of the kettle and the sediment collected therein (the 
 
1022 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " plaster or bitterns ") is thrown into the gutter beside the walk. 
 That portion of the brine contained in the kettle which is nearest 
 to its bottom and consequently becomes more strongly heated 
 and therefore specifically lighter, ascends along the inner side of 
 the kettle. When it reaches the surface it is cooled by the 
 cold air, becomes again specifically heavier, and sinks back to the 
 bottom of the kettle, but this time through the centre, carrying 
 with it into the pan the separated and finely divided calcium 
 sulphate. When salt commences to separate the pan is with- 
 drawn and the evaporation is allowed to go on undisturbed till a 
 sufficient amount of salt has separated, when the contents of the 
 kettle are well stirred with the ladle and dipped into the basket 
 resting on the so-called basket-sticks laid across the rim of the 
 kettle. While the process of taking the salt from the kettle is 
 going on, the workman opens the faucet for a few minutes to add 
 some fresh brine to the concentrated pickle of the kettle, and 
 washes the salt, so to speak, with this mixture, thereby freeing 
 it as much as possible from the adhering calcium sulphate and 
 the calcium and magnesium chlorides. The basket with its salt 
 remains usually on the kettle for drainage till the kettle has to be 
 " drawn " a second time, when the contents are dumped into the 
 salt-bins beside the walk. The advantage of this method of 
 drainage is readily understood when we bear in mind the fact that 
 the rising steam or vapour, given off from the brine of the refilled 
 and boiling salt kettle below, penetrates the salt in the basket, 
 condenses to water, and in its descent through the salt, carries 
 along some of the still adhering calcium and magnesium chlorides. 
 The panning process, though carried out in the best possible 
 manner, will not completely remove from the kettle all the sepa- 
 rated calcium sulphate, but some of it, together with separated 
 salt, will bake on the bottom and sides, forming an incrustation 
 constantly increasing in thickness, though at every refilling of 
 the kettle with fresh brine considerable of this adhering salt 
 redissolves. This incrustation increases much more rapidly in 
 the front kettles than in those nearer to the chimney, since a 
 front kettle is usually drawn every 4 to 5 hours, while a back 
 kettle often requires from 2-4 to 36 hours before a sufficient amount 
 of salt has separated. Moreover, a front kettle holds 150 gallons 
 of brine, while those nearest the chimney contain but 100 gallons. 
 Usually in 5 or 6 days the incrustation becomes so thick that it 
 interferes very materially with the evaporation, causing a great 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1023 
 
 loss of fuel, as gypsum or plaster of Paris is one of the poorest 
 conductors of teat. The workman therefore draws the salt from 
 the kettle, removes the remaining salt brine, called pickle, to 
 within a few gallons, and refills the kettle with fresh water. After 
 a continuous boiling of about half an hour the greater part of the 
 adhering salt has dissolved and the rest of the incrustation can 
 be readily removed. 
 
 The time a salt block is in operation is between 10 to 15 days, 
 a " 10 or 15 days run." The manufactured salt having been all 
 deposited in the bins, it is " levelled off," and, according to the 
 State law, remains undisturbed for 14 days for drainage, when it 
 is ready for the market. A salt block usually cools sufficiently 
 in 12 hours, when the kettles, grates, arches, etc., are properly 
 cleaned and made ready for the next " run." The time required 
 for this is 24 hours, so that about two runs can be made in one 
 month. The quantity of salt produced in 24 hours in a good salt 
 block with average good coal dust and brine on the " Onondaga 
 Salt Reservation " is from 500 to 600 bushels of 56 pounds each, 
 and the amount obtainable by the burning of one ton of 2000 
 pounds of this fuel varies from 45 to 50 bushels. These results 
 depend mainly on the quality of the brine employed, on the 
 quality of the fuel, the physical conditions of the latter, on the 
 state of the weather, the temperature of the air, amount of heating 
 surface, height of brine in the kettle, thinness of metal through 
 which the heat has to be transmitted, on the more or less perfect 
 combustion of the fuel, on the temperature at which the brine is 
 evaporated, etc. 
 
 STEAM KETTLE PROCESS 
 
 There are two salt blocks in the Wyoming Valley at Warsaw 
 in which the Onondaga kettles are used for the manufacture of 
 salt, but these kettles are heated by steam instead of direct fire. 
 Hence in place of the brick arches in which the kettles are hung 
 at Syracuse, they are supported by a framework, and each kettle 
 is surrounded by a steam jacket covered with a non-conductor. 
 Moreover, the metal of the kettle is made much thinner for the 
 better transmission of the heat. The steam enters the jacket at 
 the upper end of the kettle and at one side, and the condensed 
 water escapes by a valve below it, to be returned to the steam 
 boiler. The method of manufacture of the salt does not differ 
 in any particular from the Onondaga method. 
 
1024 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 THE GRAINER PROCESS 
 
 The grainer or Michigan process is, like the " kettle method," a 
 purely American invention, and consists in passing live or exhaust 
 steam through a set of iron pipes immersed in long shallow 
 wooden or iron vats. These vats rest on a, strong wooden frame. 
 They are from 100 to 150 feet long, usually 12 feet wide, and from 
 20 to 24 inches deep ; provided with 4 to 6 steam pipes having a 
 diameter of 4 to 5 inches, and hung on pendants 4 to 6 inches 
 above the bottom of the vats. These pipes are within a few feet 
 of the same length as the grainer, and so arranged that the salt 
 can be conveniently removed towards the outer side of the grainer. 
 Over the top of the grainer is a strong platform to receive the salt 
 taken from it for proper drainage ; this also supports the pendants 
 holding the steam pipes in their position. In most of the grainer 
 blocks the salt is removed from the grainers by attendants called 
 " lifters." In others an ingenious device called a " raker " does 
 this work, automatically moving the salt constantly from the 
 front end of the grainer to the back, where it drops into properly 
 constructed " conveyers," which deposit it in the salt bins. 
 Where no rakers are employed the salt is removed every 24 
 hours. To obtain the best effect in a grainer system, the tem- 
 perature of the heated brine should be kept at or near the boiling- 
 point when no lifting or removal of salt is in progress To do 
 this we must first supply to the grainers an abundance of high- 
 pressure steam, and secondly the constant supply of brine required 
 for the grainers while evaporation is going on must enter at a 
 temperature but little lower than that of the brine in the grainer. 
 For this purpose two large tanks, so-called settlers, are employed, 
 which are usually as long and wide as the grainers but 6 feet deep, 
 and provided with 4 rows of steam pipes about 1 foot above the 
 floor to heat the cold brine drawn into them from the outside 
 cisterns as required. Although the 6 rows of steam pipes in the 
 grainer have an entire length of from 550 to 750 feet (suspended 
 in the brine 4 to 6 niches above the bottom of the grainer and 
 with 8 to 10 inches of brine above them) and a heating surface 
 of from 700 to 1000 square feet, a great deal of the steam supplied 
 to them is not condensed, and therefore passes from the grainer 
 pipes into the settler pipes (sometimes passing through a steam 
 trap to separate the condensed water) to heat the brine of the 
 settlers. 
 
MANUFACTURE OF SALT 1025 
 
 Vacuum Pan evaporation, or the evaporation of water from 
 brrnes by steam, with a reduction of atmospheric pressure over the 
 heated brine, has been successfully introduced into two localities 
 in New York State, but as this process is installed in England it 
 will be described elsewhere. 
 
 From the description given of the methods employed in the 
 manufacture of salt, it is evident that a perfect comparison in 
 regard to the practical results is a most difficult problem, since 
 the quality of the brine and the fuel will often vary from week to 
 week in the same work. Taking therefore the average results for a 
 season or a year we find that with proper attention, good con- 
 dition of the works and fuel, a kettle-block can produce 45 
 bushels (56 pounds each) of salt with a brine of 67° Salometer 
 fer ton of anthracite dust, or one pound of fuel evaporates 5'83 
 pounds of water, while a pan under the same conditions but with 
 a brine of 96° Salometer yields 73 bushels of salt, hence a pound 
 of fuel evaporates 6 pounds of water. The results with the upper 
 (direct) grainer together with that of the lower or dividend grainer, 
 using a brine of 96° Salometer, is 70 bushels, corresponding to an 
 evaporation of 5 '74 pounds of water per pound of fuel. These 
 results are very low indeed as compared to those obtained in 
 good steam boilers, but it must be taken into consideration that 
 the conditions in both cases are very different. The expense for 
 labour is greatest in the kettle method, next comes the pan, and 
 finally the grainer method. The wear and tear is very heavy 
 in all salt-works, but especially in kettle and pan block. Allowing 
 a kettle or pan block to lie idle for a year almost ruins it, hence 
 it is often cheaper to make salt for a season without profit, than 
 to leave the works to themselves. 
 
 The main difficulty with which the manufacturers of New York 
 State have to contend is the calcium sulphate, or, as it is called by 
 them, and very properly, the plaster. In fact it is this impurity 
 which causes the interruption of the process and the laborious 
 cleaning out, whether the kettle, the pan, the grainer, or the 
 vacuum pan is used. It not only entails a great loss of heat in 
 consequence of it slow conductivity, but it also causes the over- 
 heating of the metal exposed to direct fire wherever this is 
 employed. Suggestions and experiments have been made to 
 overcome this difficulty, involving the expenditure of great sums 
 of money, but without any practical results as far as mechanical 
 means are concerned. 
 3t 
 
1026 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The other impurities found in the salt brines of the State of 
 New York which have an important bearing on the manufactured 
 product are the very soluble and deliquescent calcium and 
 magnesium chlorides. Although only present in the brines m 
 small quantities, namely from about 0'15 to 0*75 per cent., they 
 accumulate in the pickle or bitter water as the salt is removed, 
 no matter by what method the salt is obtained. Thus in the solar 
 salt fields they accumulate (gradually) in the pickle to such an 
 extent, as previously stated, that evaporation practically ceases, 
 when such a pickle contains only about 8 per cent, of salt, but 
 nearly 21 per cent, of the chlorides. In properly attended salt- 
 works the pickle is removed before such an accumulation of the 
 calcium and magnesium chlorides takes place. It is usually 
 discharged whenever it becomes necessary to scale the kettles, 
 pans, or grainer pipes, though in some grainer works a certain 
 portion of the pickle is removed every two or three days from 
 the upper into the lower grainers. When a certain ratio exists 
 between the salt and these chlorides (especially the magnesium 
 chloride) in a pickle evaporated by artificial heat, a thin film is 
 formed over the heated but not boiling liquid, which greatly 
 retards evaporation and forms agains as soon as removed. 
 
 REFERENCES FOR PLANS OF A GRAINER BLOCK 
 
 {Xwpuye* 102,8, 1029) 
 
 A. Posts or piles, 12 inches by 12 inches, 8 feet apart; length according to 
 ground. 
 
 B. Longitudinal sills, 12 inches by 12 inches ; length according to size of grainer. 
 
 C. Cross sills, 17 feet by 12 inches by 10 inches ; 3 feet apart from centre to 
 centre. 
 
 Jj. Bottom planks of grainer, 16 feet or 12 feet long, 12 inches wide, 4 inches 
 thick. 
 
 7?. Side-boards, 26 feet by 4 inches by 22 inches to 24 inches wide, held 
 together by one-inch dowel-pins or water-stays, and in position by the timbers F 
 and wedges. 
 
 /''. Longitudinal wedge timber, 10 inches by 6 inches ; length according to 
 length of grainer. 
 
 G. End-boards, 24 inches high if the side-boards are 24 inches wide ; 12 inches 
 wide and 4 inches thick. 
 
 II, Ingripe timbers, 14 feet by S inches by 6 inches, with one 2 inches by 
 4 inches groove, which is 12 feet long. 
 
 /. Upper cross-benm for holding platform and suspended steam-pipes, 12 feet 
 8 inches long, 8 inches thick and 14 inches wide, <s feet apart. 
 
 ./. Steam-pipes, six rows. 3 inches to 4 inches in diameter. 
 
 K. Platform planks, seven in number, 16 feet by 1 foot by 4 inches. 
 
 L. Iron pendants to hold the pipes. 
 
 M. Pipe for conducting steam and condensed water to steam-tap A. From 
 there the steam is conveyed to the pipes in the settlers and the hot water to the 
 pipes in the dividend gramer, 
 
 X. Pipe for conducting brine from brine settlers to the grainers. 
 
 O. Pipe to convey discharged pickle from grainer to dividend grainer. 
 
 /-*. Pipe to bring steam and condensed water from settlers to dividend grainer. 
 
n. 
 
 
 
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 (For references see p. 1026). 
 
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1034 
 
Vacuum Pan and Settler of Triple-effect System. 
 
 1035 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 
 
 The records that were kept in the Middle Ages, although com- 
 paratively few and lacking in continuity, throw a much clearer 
 and more intimate light upon the manners, customs, and general 
 conditions of the people than could be gained from the perusal 
 of more modern official documents. These old regulations and 
 published chronicles partake more of the nature of newspaper 
 accounts than of formal civic pronouncements, and from the 
 following material, which is derived from the Northwich Book of 
 Orders, the Court Rolls and Walling Booke of Northwich, the 
 Harleian MS., and other ancient documents, we are able to 
 reconstruct an interesting spectacle of the times of which they 
 treat. We may learn from the Book of Orders that the good 
 people of Northwich were ever rightly inclined to take their 
 ancient town and themselves quite seriously, and their records 
 reveal a gravity of demeanour and a respect for law and order 
 which are eloquent of individual and collective dignity. The 
 chronicle of " The Ancient Customes of the Burrow and Town 
 of Northwich concerning the Liberties and Privileges of 
 
 Burgesses, As also concerning the making of Salt and well ordering 
 and government of the said Town," are so full of interest and 
 instruction that we are grateful to Peter Warburton of Chester, 
 Esquire, who collected them, to the Court and Jury of Burgesses 
 who ratified and confirmed them, and to Thomas Poole, Gentln., 
 Clerk of the said Court, who wrote them into a Booke, " to the 
 end the same may remain upon record to future ages." 
 
 The first nine customs written in the Book of Orders deal 
 entirely with the salt industry and these are followed by other 
 nine which were " heretofore omitted meerly through forgetfull- 
 ness." Thereafter we have the Orders and rules to the number of 
 84 of the Burrow and Towne of Northwich concerning Salt- 
 Making but which are also concerned with the general behaviour 
 of the townspeople and the good repute of the borough. " All 
 Inhabitants and Occupiers of the Towne " are here exhorted to 
 " aide and assist lawfully every Officer of the Towne in 
 
1038 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Executing their office lawfully upon paine every one that oflendeth 
 to pay for every offence . . . xd." Innkeepers and Ale-house 
 keepers shall suffer no Person or Persons, other than travellers, 
 to drink or tipple in their houses upon any Sunday ; Butchers 
 shall not display flesh for sale upon any Sunday; "children, not 
 borne in the Towne, shall not be suffered to beg at men's doores 
 nor pike or steal Wood unlawfully " ; and no " persons whatsoever 
 shall misdemeane themselves in open Scoulding of Chideing in 
 the said Town to the trouble or disquietness of the good and 
 honest neighbours and Inhabitants thereof." Breaches of all 
 such rules are punishable by fines. The streets and public places 
 are to be kept clean ; the proclamations put forth by the King 
 are to be proclaimed, and afterwards preserved with due for- 
 mality ; cattle shall not be allowed "to go loose up and down 
 the streets to the hurt or hinderance of the Inhabitants " ; and 
 " the Salt house purchased in this Town of North wich for the 
 Maintenance of a Preaching Minister in the Chappellry of Witton, 
 which is now in great decay," is also taken in hand by the Lords 
 High Steward, and the Jury of Burgesses of the Court. 
 
 Duly set forth in these records are the forms of oaths to be 
 administered by the Court to those who "' shall well and truly 
 execute the office " of Constable, Lead-looker, Overseer, Salt- 
 viewer, Assessor, Killer of Salt, Market Looker, Sealer and 
 Searcher of Leather, Ale-Taster; Skavinger, Gutter Viewer, 
 Wood Tender, or Pan Cutter. Each of these important officers 
 in the prescribed form must " swear by the holy Contents of 
 this Booke," to " spare no man for any love, favour or affection " 
 in the fulfilment of his several duties and " of all Defaults and 
 Defects that you find in the execution of yor office you shall 
 present at every Single Court to be holden after such Default 
 made— So help you God." Follows a complete list of the salt- 
 makers, salt-houses, and number of leads employed in each, the 
 names of the super-landlords, and the rents paid for the salt- 
 house to the number of " 113 salthouses and one (odde) leade, 
 ev'y wich house containing 4 leades." We are further invited to 
 note that " the names before mentioned aiv owners of Wallin.es 
 in North wich. But they are not placed as they are in qaalitie 
 and presidencie but as they are placed in the officers bookes 
 there." The changes in the ownership of the salt-houses and 
 leads is chronicled from time to time, and after each recital we 
 find it recorded that " There is and tyme out of mynd hath been 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1039 
 
 within the Towne of Northwich 112 four leads and one odde lead 
 and noe more ; and four leads called the Running Wioh-house 
 (given to the Earle of Dajbie for provision for his house). Soe 
 the totall is 113 four leads and one odde lead." The Extracts 
 from the Court Eolls of Northwich contain so many complaints 
 of monies due, of strikings " with a certain stick," or " a certain 
 dagger," and assaults in the case of certain ladies " with their 
 fists against the peace," of trespass, and all manner of mis- 
 demeanour, that one is reluctantly compelled to the conclusion 
 that despite the number of rules that were made for " the well- 
 ordering of Government of the Towne," the people of Northwich 
 were neither better nor worse than the majority of persons of 
 their age and generation. 
 
 A Record of Customes, Liberties and Priviledges 
 
 The Ancient Customes of the Burrow and Town of Northwich 
 within the County Palatine of Chester concerning the Liberties 
 and Priviledges of Burgesses, As also concerning the making of 
 Salt and well ordering and government of the said Towne, col- 
 lected and set down by Peter Warburton of Chester Esquire, 
 then Steward of the said Town & afterwards one of his 
 Majestyes Justices of the Court of Coffion Pleas at Westminster, 
 and published in the open Court kept in the said Towne ; And 
 afterwards, to wit, at a Court holden for the said Town & 
 Man nor of Northwich the xviiith day of December Anno Regni 
 Regis Caroli nunc Angl: decimo quarto 1638 all and every the 
 customes priviledges and orders of the said Town were published 
 read and agreed upon before Thomas Berrington Gentln Steward 
 of the said Court, and the Jury of Burgefees there present, to 
 wit ; Paul Winnington Gentln William Leftwich Sei' Gentln 
 Rafie Leftwich Gentln William Litler de Hartford Gentln William 
 Leftwich Jur Gentln Thomas Robinson de Northwich, Randle 
 Winnington, George Bromfield, Thomas Sudlow, Peter Fradsom, 
 Peter Venables, Thomas Sudlow, Thomas Robinson de Coiner- 
 bach, Robert Robinson, Robert Winnington and Richard 
 Winnington, that the same Customes priviledges and orders 
 should be ratifyed and confirmed and written into a Booke 
 by Thomas Poole Gentln Clerk of the said Court ; to the end 
 the same may remaine upon record to future ages. 
 
1040 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 1. It appeareth by the Words of the Great Charter of the County 
 
 of Chester that the Judgers of Northwich had a certain 
 Custome of making Salt and made petition to be remitted 
 of an Amerciament taxed upon them for some default in 
 that behalfe.vizt Et petico'rm de Mi'a Judic' de Wiche 
 trigint' Bullion Salis, which matter hath continued in 
 Custome until within the memory of diverse p'sons yet 
 living (that is to say) that whensoever the Lead-lookers 
 cannot agree in making of Salt then the Judgers of their 
 own authority, set, upon their own judger's houses, and 
 in the same make thirty fillings of Salt a piece to supply 
 the want of every such judger. 
 
 2. The Burgefses of Northwich, wheresoever they dwell ought 
 
 upon lawful Summons to appear to be sworne at the two 
 Leets comonly called the Burgefses Courts &c and at 
 no other Courts of the said Towne. 
 
 3. The Burgefses are by Ancient Custome free from payment 
 
 of Lead Fine for such Salt:houses as they occupy in their 
 own hands and ought to be towle-free in all faires and 
 Marketts throughout the County of Chester and in the 
 City of Chester. 
 
 4. The Son of every such Burgefse as well in the Lifetime of his 
 
 Father as afterwards, and likewise the Daughter of every 
 Burgefse before she be marryed and the Widdow of every 
 Burgefse, while she remain unmarryed are to enjoy the 
 like Freedom and priviledges. 
 
 5. If any person occupie any Salt:house or Waleing for term 
 
 of Life or at will, or for any other terme th' end whereof 
 is uncertaine or determinable upon any uncertainety, 
 allthough his terme end at or before Christmas yet he is 
 to occupy the next year in such like manner as he did 
 the last yeare before (except there be a discharge given 
 upon the Lands in presense of two Burgefses at the least 
 before twelve of the Clock upon Saint Andrewe's Eve or 
 at some other time before in that yeare of Waleing), be- 
 cause it is intended that before that time he had made 
 his provision of Woode & other Necessaryes for the 
 year following : But in all other Cases where a man doth 
 know the Certainety of his terme no discharge needeth 
 to be given : And if a man hould for Yeares or 
 for one year, in such Case he needeth no discharge, 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1041 
 
 because he knoweth the certaine time of the end of his 
 terme. 
 6. If any Person which is in possession of any salthouse or 
 Waleing Claimeth to have any further Estate or Lease 
 in the same, or aleadgeth that his former Lease is not 
 expired & shall happen to be interrupted by the Land- 
 lord or by any other Person which is not in possession 
 thereof the Custome of the said Towne is that the Ancient 
 or former occupiers ought to be allowed to Wall notwith- 
 standing any discharge, untill such time as the tytle be 
 tryed by Law. 
 
 7. If any Person have once begoon to Walle by the consent of 
 
 the Lead-lookers at the Ring of the Bell, when the 
 generall walling of the year doth begin ; The Custome 
 of the Towne is that he ought not to be removed untill 
 the end of the Year, for the Lead-lookers booke wherein 
 all walling is at such time entered, may not be altered, 
 because great trouble and Confusion might by such means 
 ensue it. 
 
 8. If the Steward or Lead-lookers be sueer for putting the 
 
 said Customes in Execution or in defence of them, their 
 Charges are to be borne upon the Brine Pitte in the 
 Maintenance of the right of the Lord & of his Towne. 
 
 9. At the Great Court holden after Ester the Lord's Leadfine 
 
 for that yeare is to be assessed by the Jury : but not to 
 be levyed or gathered till the Yeare be ended, and that 
 the Occupiers have had their full Walling of the same 
 Yeare, for which the same is due. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xij° die Augusti an'o D'ni 1641. 
 
 These Nine Customes following being heretofore omitted 
 meerly through forgetfullness when the first nine Customes 
 were written into this Booke were therefore presented in verdict 
 this present Court by the Jury of Burgesses whose names are 
 subscribed as Ancient Customes of this Town as well as the 
 other, and to be added to the former beginning with the tenth 
 Custome here, and so forward as foils. 
 
 10. At the great leete Courte next after the feaste of Michaell 
 
 tharchangell the Jury of Burgesses beinge impannelled doe elect 
 
 all Officers that are to seme within the sayd Towne (except the 
 
 lords Stewards) and those p'sons which they p'nt to the Steward 
 
 3u 
 
1042 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 for the tyme beinge, have and ought to serue (and none other) 
 for the yeare next after, neither ought any to serue as lead- 
 looker but two burgesses only and those residents within the 
 sayde Towne, the which custoume hath tyme out of mynde 
 been inuiolably kept, till the xvith of Aprill, anns phillippi et 
 marie primo et secundo at which tyme by the Appoyntment of 
 Edward then Earle of Derby lord of this Burrowe with the con- 
 sent of the Burgesses of the same, there was a third officer or 
 Leadlooker chosen by the sayd Jury beinge a forren Burgesse 
 to continue dureinge the pleasure of the sayd Earle and his 
 heires, the which third officer hath been discontinued aboue 
 the space of twentie yeares for some causes heere not needfull 
 to mention yet the costome since hath been & is, that the burgesse 
 Jury haue and may elect a forren burgesse with a towne burgesse 
 to be Leadlookers they beinge both occupyers of waleinge. 
 
 11. The Antient custome of this Towne is that when any 
 newe Burgesses shall be created the lycence of the Lord of the 
 Burrowe is first to be obteyned, and then a Jury of the antient 
 burgesses beinge Impannelled by the Steward there shall make 
 presentment of the names of euery such burgesse soe to be created 
 and shalbe entred into the Court roules before the sayd Steward 
 there to remayne for euer. 
 
 12. Item when, and soe often as there shalbe any matter 
 consulted on for the benifite and comon good of the sayd Towne, 
 or any other matter which the Stewards & Leadlookers thinke 
 conuenient to be .ppownded to the occupyers of Salte makeinge 
 they shalbe assembled by the sound of the comon bell, and that 
 which the greater number soe Assembled beinge of the wysest 
 and discreetest occupyers shall conclude vpon it shalbe put in 
 Execution. 
 
 13. It is also the custome that all occupyers of Saltemak- 
 inge shall begin to make and boyle Salte & soe to cease from the 
 same againe by the appoyntment of the Leadlookers and not 
 other-wayes. 
 
 1-1. In the begininge of the yeare till the ringe of the bell the 
 custome is that the Leadlookers may suffer whome they in their 
 discretions shall thinke fitte to wale or boyle salte beinge occupyers 
 of Wallinge and restrayne all others, soe that at some conuenient 
 tyme in that yeare other occupyers have allowed them soe 
 much walleinge as they in the begininge of the yeare haue had, 
 the poorest allthough they haue but a little walleinge in respect 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1043 
 
 of others yet haue they been euer suffered to leade in the begininge 
 of the yeare. 
 
 15. At the feast of Palme Sunday the custome is that the 
 comon or walleinge bell shall ringe and soe from that tyme till 
 Christmas next after, there shall not be any Kindinge or stintinge 
 but by the sound of the bell (except some beinge behynd with 
 their walleinge be suffered to hould on for a night and a day or 
 some odd fillinge to the end they may be made euen with the 
 Towne. 
 
 16. It is the Custome of this Towne to walle two dayes and 
 two nights for a peeceinge and noe more. 
 
 17. The Leadlookers beinge sworne for the good of the Towne 
 and occupyers thereof, the custome is that the sayd Leadlookers 
 for the tyme beinge shah determine and appoynt how much 
 walleinge shalbe walled upon Christmas eue, and none other. 
 
 18. All the Inhabitants of this Towne ought by Antient 
 Custome to bake their breade at the Loids ouen in the sayd 
 Towne except such as by priuelidge are exempt. 
 
 12° Aug. 1641. We the Jury of Burgesses whose names are 
 subscribed doe .psent these Customes aboue mentioned to be 
 antient customes as well as the former nine customes inserted 
 in the booke of Customes & orders for this Burrow of Northwieh 
 & to be likewise inserted & added to the sd former 9 Customes. 
 
 Indorsement Bobert Venables Sigs Tho. Bobinson de 
 
 Northwych Teredict Paule Winington Comerbach 
 
 August Baffe Leftwiche Bichard Wynynaton 
 
 12° A° Carol. 17° Will. Leftwiche Sigs Robt Bobinson de 
 
 1641. Tho. Robinson Lostocke. 
 
 Peter Venables Sigs George Wright. 
 Afferatr. huis Cur. 
 
 Sig Wm. + Shawe Thomas Bobinson, \ 
 
 Sig Tho T S Sudlowe de Lostocke. Radus Leftwych ) 
 
 Jur. 
 
 The Orders of the Burrow & Towne of Northwich concerning 
 Salt-Making and the rule thereof agreed upon by the Steward 
 and Jury at Diverse Courts and confirmed at the said Court 
 holden the xviijth day of December Anno Regni Rego Carol: 
 nunc Angl &c decimo quarto 1638. 
 
 1. First it is ordered and agreed that the Lead-lookers shall 
 have no dealing with the setting of Extraordinary peecing 
 
1044 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 or extraordinary Waleing for any matter whatsoever : 
 But two of the substantial occupiers whereof one dwelling 
 in the Towne of Northwich and the other a Forrener to 
 be chosen yearly at the Burgefse Court after Michaelmas 
 by the greatest Number of the occupiers then present at 
 the same court to be Surveiors of the Waleing to set for 
 the year following all Peecing & Waleing for the Lead- 
 lookers fees, Officers fees, and all extraordinary matters, 
 making the Lead-lookers privy thereof. And to have 
 yearly for their fee vjs viijd a peece. And these two not 
 to wall any part thereof themselves nor to set any part 
 of it to any of the Lead-lookers for the time being, but 
 to set them over to others, and to make a just Accompt 
 thereof at such time as they shall be required by the 
 Steward or his Deputy : And these two persons to take 
 perfect notes what Peeceinge are set by the Lead-lookers 
 and to P'sent the same at such time as the Lead-lookers 
 make their Accompts, upon paine that every Lead-looker 
 for every his offence conterary to this order shall forfeit 
 xls and tojae disabled to bear the office of Lead-looker 
 afterwards and every one of the said two Persons shall 
 forfeit for every their offence in this behalf xiijs iifjd and 
 to be disabled to occupie any waleing for three years after. 
 
 2. Item. That every person who shaU take any extraordinary 
 
 Walling of the Lead-lookers or of either of them being 
 demanded of the Steward or his deputy for the time 
 beinge shall openly in the Court-house truly declare what 
 waleing he hath so taken and for what price upon paine 
 to forfeit for every Peeceinge he doth conceale . . . xx*. 
 
 3. Item. That no Peeceinge nor waleing be sett for any extra- 
 
 ordinary matter (except Officers fees, the charges of Warrs, 
 and such usual matters as by Ancient Custome are used)' 
 but by the Consent of the greater number of the Occupiers 
 being first called unto it into the Court-house by the Toule 
 of the com' on Bell. 
 
 4. Item. That the Peeceing which shall be given to the poore 
 
 shall be agreed upon yearly by the grep.ter number of 
 Occupiers assembled in the Court house by the Toule of 
 the Com'on Bell, before the later faire and shall be set 
 and walled before the Feast day of Saint Thomas the 
 Apostle yearly, and the money paid on Saint Thomas's 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1045 
 
 day to four honest men to be by them distributed cheifly 
 of the Northwich, & others adjoining by their discretion, 
 and no other gyfte peeoeinge to be set or given upon 
 paine for every offence of . . xxs. 
 
 5. Item. That all Occupiers shall yearly before the 4th Sunday 
 
 in Lent com'only called Care Sunday deliver billets of 
 their walling that present year to the Lead-lookers, and 
 that no man shall deliver any false billets, or of any more 
 walling than he hath upon paine to forfeit for every 
 default . . . xxs. 
 
 6. Item. If any Occupier do wall any walling then of right he 
 
 ought to do, the Lead-lookers shall withstand him and 
 if it be secretly, or without their knowledge they shall 
 make P'sentment of it when they make their accompts 
 to forfeit for every offence xls. 
 
 7. Item. It is ordered that no man shall enter into the Lead- 
 
 lookers book any more walling or occupation for one 
 Wichhouse, then six leads "Walling upon paine for every 
 offence . . . . xs. 
 
 8. Item. That no man shall borrow nor lend nor sett nor give 
 
 any Peeceing or halfe peeceing but only the first Peeceing 
 & the last according to the former order in that behalfe 
 made upon paine to forfeit for every such offence . . . . xs. 
 
 9. Item. That the Bailiffe Feofees for the Schoole lands may 
 
 set their Peeceings being twelve in number yearly ; that 
 is, three in every Quarter, of the Schoole Lands them- 
 selves to the most benefitt of the School Master. 
 
 10. Item. That no Person shall occupie any more Wichhouses 
 
 or Walling in any one year, but only Three six leads, 
 upon paine of .... xls. 
 
 11. Item. That no Person not being an Inhabitant in the said 
 
 Towne shall occupy any more Walling in any one year 
 then two six Leads upon paine to forfeit for every Lead 
 they shall occupy above the same xiijs iiijd. 
 
 12. Item. That no Spirituall P'son Apprentice or Schoole- 
 
 Master, Single- Woman nor any Waller (except Widowes) 
 nor any Brine Drawer Waller or whilst he contin- 
 ueth a Bryne Drawer shall Wall or occupy walling or 
 making of Salt (except it be such as shall be left or 
 come unto them by the gyfte or death of their Parents 
 or Friends) upon paine to forfeit for every offence . . xls. 
 
1046 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 13. Item. That no Person or Persons at any time hereafter 
 
 shall by fraud or collour take upon him or them the name 
 of another man's Walling upon paine to forfeit for every 
 such offence xk. 
 
 14. Item. That no manner of Waller shall deliver or carry or 
 
 cause to be delivered or carried any of her Master's Wood 
 with out his Lycence or Privity either in the night or 
 day (except such as shall be spent for Casting of the 
 Leads), & if any such offence be duly presented at any 
 Co.rt the offender to pay for fine vs or to be punished at 
 ye discretion of the Steward or his deputy. 
 
 15. Item. That if any Person or Persons receive into their 
 
 Houses any Wood by Night or by day by the way of 
 Exchange for Candles Meat or Drink every such Person 
 as well the Changer as the Receiver shall pay fine to the 
 Lord for every default vs or to be punished by the 
 Steward. 
 
 16. Item. That if the Servants or Children of any Person shall 
 
 pike or steal Wood unlawfully in the Wich-house Streets 
 by Collour of pikeing sticks or otherwise, that then every 
 such Person keeping any such children or servants be 
 imprisoned or pay a fine at the discretion of the Steward ; 
 And also every one that shall receive such wood to be 
 imprisoned or fined in that like manner. 
 
 17. Item. That every Waller shall sell the salt she maketh 
 
 by the Walme or Cranock and not by the sack or Load, 
 and at the price which the officers sett down to be the 
 com' on price of the Towne upon paine for every default 
 . . . iijs iiijd. and also to make up the full price to 
 her Mr. upon her wagers. 
 
 18. Item. That no Waller nor no other Person shall make any 
 
 fire in the Wich-house streets in the night time, and every 
 such offence to be presented by the Bailiffe at any single 
 Court and punished by the Steward according to his 
 discretion. 
 
 19. Item. That every Person that shall be in the Wich-house 
 
 streets in the night time to the trouble or disturbance 
 of the Wallers, shall suffer Imprisont. one day and one night 
 in the Court house. 
 
 20. Item. It is ordered that all rent shipps and torne gutters 
 
 from time to time shall be amended by the Owner's thereof 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1047 
 
 upon warning given by the Lead-lookers or other officers 
 for that purpose or else shall forfeit for every default 
 vjs viijd. 
 
 21. Item. That if any Bryne Drawer, Waller, or other Person 
 
 do steale their Neighbour's bryne either by day or by 
 night the offence being duly p'ved all such offenders 
 shall be imprisoned or otherwise punished by the 
 Steward. 
 
 22. Item. That no person shall deliver any bryne to be carryed 
 
 out of this Towne either in Hodge heads or Barrels (except 
 upon Woemens heads) upon paine to forfeit to the Lord 
 for every such offence xxs. 
 
 23. Item. It is ordered that if any of the Bryne Drawers shall 
 
 not be obedient to their ruler (for the time being) com'- 
 only called the Lord of the Seath, as well when to draw as 
 when to rest as also if any fighting or braulling or other 
 disorder shall happen amongst them at the Seath ; if he 
 shall com'and them to be quiet, if any Bryne Drawers 
 disobey him therein, that then upon Notice given thereof 
 by the Lord of the Seath unto the Steward or his Deputy, 
 or in such absence to the Constables and the Lords Bailiffe, 
 every such offender shall suffer Imprisonment in the Court 
 house by the space of two dayes & two nights, or else 
 shall pay fine to the Lord for every such offence .... 
 iijs iiijd. 
 
 24. Item. That there shall be left at every pile made at the end 
 
 of any Wich-house or Wood roome a yard and a halfe 
 between the said pile and the Crest of the Pavement to 
 the intent that waynes may have better passage upon 
 paine of vjs viijd presentable at any single Court. 
 
 25. Item. It is ordered that all killers of Salt shall yearly take 
 
 a Corporall oath before the Steward or his Deputy to do 
 uprightly in all things touching their office and if any do 
 intermeddle therein before he be sworne he shall forfeit 
 to the Lord xxs an d to be debarred from killing salt and 
 every such offence to be presented at any Court. 
 
 26. Item. It is ordered that no Person from henceforth shall be 
 
 suffered to wall or occupy any Odd Lead as 3, 5 or 7, but 
 2, 4 or 6 Leads for avoiding of trouble to the officers 
 except in such case as cannot be remedied upon paine 
 of xs. 
 
1048 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 27. Item. It is ordered that from henceforth no Person shall 
 
 occupie Walling unless they first continue a householder 
 for the space of three years and after such time expired 
 to be allowed by the Steward or his Deputy, and the Lead- 
 lookers (except he be a Burgefs) upon paine to forfeit for 
 every lead . . . xiijs iiijd. 
 
 28. Item. That if any Juror do bewray or disclose his owne 
 
 Councell or his Fellowes, he shall pay for every such 
 offence xs. 
 
 29. Item. It is presented that the void ground com' only called 
 
 the Crumhills, to be an Ancient com'on place usually for 
 all Occupiers to lay their Crum or Earth upon, & by that 
 means defendeth the Salt-houses at great Floods wherefore 
 it is found that no person ought to enjoy any part or 
 portion thereof in Severally ; but such as have dwelling 
 Houses time out of mind , and can shew Cause or evedance 
 thereof upon paine of xiijs iiijd. 
 
 30. Item. It is ordered that the Lead-lookers shall have the 
 
 ancient Fee of xls a peece as hath been accustomed and xs 
 to him that shall keepe their booke. And if any of them 
 shall be duly p'oved to deale fraudulently in taking any 
 Townes Walling to their own use and not justly execute 
 his office to be fined at the Lords Pleasure and for ever to 
 be exempted and cut of from being an Officer. 
 
 31. Item. That the Leadlookers cause to be taken down at everv 
 
 stinting the formost Leads in every Wich-house according 
 to ancient custome, upon paine the Lead lookers to fine 
 for every house they permit and suffer to the contrary — 
 iijs iiijd and for every waller that herein ofiendeth . . . 
 iijs— iiijd presentable at every single Court. 
 
 32. Item. That every Waller that presumeth to put fire under 
 
 the Leads before the Binge of the Bell or appoyntment of 
 the Officer or shall not likewise cease and stint at the like 
 warning according to the Custome of this Towne shall 
 pay to the Leadlookers the usual Fee of xijd and also to 
 the Lord of the Towne xijd for every offence. And also 
 if they shall abuse the officer by giving opprobrious words 
 in execution of his office to pay for such offence 
 . . . vjs viijd. 
 
 33. Item. That all Inhabitants and Occupiers of the Towne 
 
 do aide and assist lawfully every Officer of the Towne in 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1049 
 
 Executing their office lawfully upon paine every one that 
 offendeth to pay for every offence xd. 
 
 34. Item. That the Lead casters shall suffer every person to 
 
 have his right Course for casting their Leads or to forfeit 
 for every offence . . . vjd. 
 
 35. Item. We present and find that there shall not any person 
 
 being an Occupier take Occupation to the intent to set it 
 over again at a dearer rate or price, than he taketh it, but 
 shall occupy the same occupation himself, or set it as he 
 tooke it upon paine to forfeit for every lead so taken and 
 set dearer . . . xs. 
 
 36. Item. That every Occupier that Occupieth any free Occupa- 
 
 tion shall occupie the same Occupation in the same house 
 to which it belongeth (if the house be standing) upon paine 
 of xiijs iiijd. 
 
 37. Item. It is Ordered that all the Roads & highwayes to 
 
 the Water within the said Town shall be kept open and 
 cleane that the Inhabitants may have recourse for to fetch 
 Water & especially when there is danger of fire : upon 
 paine for every one that shall stop or fill up the same or 
 any of them with Crum or other Rubbish for every offence 
 xijd. 
 
 38. Item. That if any Waller or other Person do follow any 
 
 Salter from Place to Place to p'cure them forth of their 
 Neighbour's Salt-house to fine for every such offence yjs 
 viijd presentable at every single Court. 
 
 39. Item. It is ordered that if any occupier shall encourage his 
 
 Waller to Walle contrary to the officers appoyntment or 
 of his lawful Deputy to forfeit for every such offence 
 xls. 
 
 40. Item. It is ordered that if any Waller be found making of 
 
 Course Salt when they might make it better, if they would 
 the Lead-lookers or Salt-viewers so finding them and making 
 presentment thereof e'ry such Waller so offending shall 
 fine to ye Lord for e'ry offence therein .... ijd. 
 
 41. Item. It is ordered by the Jury that it shall be in the dis- 
 
 cretion of the Lead-lookers for the time being, to bind 
 by the Ring of the Bell one quarter of the Towne and more 
 or lefs as they shall think fit, doing it orderly and without 
 Spialty (except it be any Town Peeceing, Schoole Peeceing 
 or other contrary Peeceing of any man that is behind with 
 
1050 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 his Walling) and if any man do attempt to Walle contrary 
 to the true meaning of this order, to pay for every such 
 offence to the Lord of this Town . . . xK 
 
 42. Item. That whereas there are Severall Lords and owners of 
 
 severall Wich-houses within this Town to which houses 
 severall occupations of Walling do belong, are ruined, 
 decayed and fallen down, and out of which said Houses 
 are issuing severall Chiefe rents payable to the Lord of 
 this Mannor, and by reason of decay of the said Houses 
 the several occupations of walling severally belonging 
 thereunto are set and walled in other houses being the 
 Inheritance of others, so as the said Lord is disabled to 
 distraine for the said severall Chiefe rents issuing out of 
 the said Houses which doth tend to the Disinheritance of 
 the said Lord ; for redrefs whereof and for the Preserva- 
 tion of the Lord's Inheritance, and to th' end it may in 
 time to come be knowne what Chiefe rents are issuing out 
 of the said decayed Houses ; It is this day ordered by full 
 & free Consent of the Jury of Burgesses and by the Steward 
 of this Court whose names are formerly mentioned, that 
 such Person or Persons as shall at any time hereafter take 
 any of the said occupations of Walling belonging to any 
 of the said severall Houses decayed as aforesaid shall 
 be severally chargable with the Payment of such Chiefe 
 rents as shall be issuing out of the said Walling by them 
 taken and belonging to any of the said decayed Houses 
 or such others as shall be decayed, and that the said 
 takers shall first pay unto the Baylife of the Mannor for 
 the time being for the said Lords use, such Chiefe rents as 
 aforesaid before their billets shall be received by the Lead- 
 lookers for the time being, or that they shall be suffered 
 to Wall the said Walling belonging to the said decayed 
 Houses, as aforesaid, & that the said Severall owners of 
 the said Houses decayed or shall be decayed hereafter, 
 shall be yearly fined by this Court for suffering the said 
 wasts and decay es of the said Houses, untill the same shall 
 be hereafter re-edifyed. 
 
 43. Item. We do also order that every Occupiers Leads of this 
 
 Town shall henceforth be made Tenn stone weight a peece 
 to the pan before they be cast, upon paine of the Lead- 
 casters forfeiture to the Lord of this Towne for even- 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1051 
 
 default in casting any Leads contrary to this order the 
 sum of xs. 
 
 44. Item. It is ordered that no Innkeeper nor no Ale-house 
 
 keeper shall suffer any Person or Persons, (Travellers ex- 
 cepted) to be drinking or tipling in their houses upon any 
 Sunday upon paine to forfeit for every offence . . . . xijd. 
 
 45. Item. That no Butcher shall set any flesh to sale either in 
 
 Shop Shambles or else where in the said Town upon any 
 Sunday upon paine to forfeit for e'ry offence . xijd. 
 
 46. Item. If any Person tio keepe any Women in their house 
 
 wthin the said Town being gotten with Child in Fornica- 
 tion to forfeit after warning given by the Baylife for 
 e'ry night that she shall be kept there iiijd. 
 
 47. Item. What Person soever shall receive into their house any 
 
 Woman gotten with Child in Fornication or Adultery for 
 the space of six months after the time of her deliverance 
 and Churching shall forfeit — xs. 
 
 48. Item. If any Person do receive into their Dwelling-House 
 
 any Inmates (being Strangers & no Artificers) or make 
 more households in one house then was in the same for the 
 most part of twenty years every such person to forfeit 
 for every week that any such Inmate or new household 
 shall remaine there after warning given by the Baylife 
 vs. And every such Inmate and New house- 
 holder to forfeit for every such week iiijd and to be pre- 
 sented at every single Court (the Inmate not being a 
 Tradsman.) 
 
 50. Item. If any Person take into their houses any poor Children 
 
 not borne in the Town and suffer them to beg at men's 
 doores, or else frame them of at Winter to forfeit for every 
 such offence . . . iij s iiijd. 
 
 51. Item. That the Bayliffe or Toule taker of Corne shall not take 
 
 above a pint of Corne at the Bushell and so after that rate 
 and shall keep just measures, and make cleane places for 
 Corne to stand upon and make cleane the streets ad- 
 joyning to the Court house, upon paine to fine to the Lord 
 for e'ry default in y* behalf e iijs iiijd. 
 
 52. Item. If any Butcher shall abuse his flesh in beating prick- 
 
 ing or otherwise misuseing it he shall forfeit for every 
 such offence . vjs viijd. 
 
 The Flesh to be forfeited and distributed to the Poore 
 
1052 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 by the discretion of the Markett lookers and Constables of 
 the Towne. 
 
 53. Item. That if any Person or Persons whatsoever shall mis- 
 demeane themselves in open Scoulding or Chideing in the 
 said Town to the trouble or disquietness of the good and 
 honest neighbours and Inhabitants of this Town the said 
 Misdemeanors and offences being duly p'ved and pre- 
 sented the said offender sh'l either abide one day 
 and night imprisonment in the Court house of the said 
 Town or else to pay immediately to the Bayliffe of the 
 Town for the time being to the Lords use for the first 
 offence iijs iiijd at the election of the Party offending 
 and for the second offence, two days and two nights, or 
 elfe . . vs. And that if such offence be presented at 
 
 any Court vizt. at the Great Court Leet or single Court by 
 the Bayliffe or any other officer of the said Town upon every 
 such presentment the Steward or his Deputy shall pre- 
 sently .p'ceed to the Punishment thereof. 
 
 5L Item. That if any Person or Persons withstand the officer 
 in bringing such disordered Persons to the Lords Geal 
 to be punished as aforesaid they shall pay fine to the 
 Lord . ... vjs viijd. 
 
 55. Item. That every Inhabitant of the said Town shall or else 
 
 to be punished at the discretion of the Steward weekly 
 every Saturday make cleane the streets before their 
 Dwelling Houses, and at all other times when the scavinger 
 shall give warning upon paine to forfeit for every default 
 • • • vjd. 
 
 56. Item. That no Dunghills, Swine Coats, nor any such 
 anoyance shall be in the face of the Street to the anoy- 
 ance of the Inhabitants of the Town upon paine for every 
 such offence . . vjs viijd. 
 
 57. Pern. If any Person do stretten or annoy the Streets of the 
 
 said Towne by laying of any Stocks, Logs, Timber, or like 
 thing in the same or do leave any Cart, or Waine, standing 
 in the Street in the night-time that they shall forfeit 
 for every such offence — xijd. 
 
 58. Item. That every Person do ring their Swine upon 
 
 paine for e'ry default vjd presentable at every single 
 Court. 
 
 59. Item. It is ordered that the Leach Eye shall be from time to 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1053 
 
 time kept open and purged by such, as are or shall be 
 Chargeable to cleanse the same. 
 
 60. Item. To th' intent to stablish and set some good rules & 
 
 orders as well for the Baxter as the Bakers in the Towne 
 Bakehouse. It is ordered and presented that the Farmer 
 of the Bakehouse shall from time to time keep the Bake- 
 house in good and sufficient repairation. And that the 
 Baxter shall warne or give notice to the Bakers to come with 
 their Dough to the Bakehouse at a due hour, and the Bakers 
 shall bring for every hoope of Dough a good kid of Wood, 
 or other fuell as good ; and all their said fuell to be brought 
 to the Bakehouse one whole hour before they bring their 
 dough, and for every default either in the Baxter, or in 
 them that bring dough to be baked, that shall happen con- 
 trary to the true meaning of this order, the offender to 
 forfeit to the Lord for every offence vjd. And also the 
 Baxter shall not bake or suffer to be baked any horse- 
 bread nor dry oats in the Lords oven after the Inhabitants 
 of the Town have baked ; but shall for the baking of the 
 Horse bread or drying of the oats, heat the oven new again, 
 because the Moystnes of the Horse Bread doth coole the 
 oven and putteth the Town to a greater Charge in Fewell. 
 And moreover the Baxter shall restraine all such Idle 
 Persons as use the said Bake-house & have no thing to 
 do there upon paine of xjd for e'ry such person or persons, 
 or else to be punished at the discretion of the Steward or 
 his Deputy. 
 
 61. Item. All the Inhabitants of the said Town by Ancient Cus- 
 
 tome ought to bake at the Lords oven in the said Town 
 (except such as by priviledge are exempted) upon paine to 
 be amerced for every default according to the Quality 
 of their offence ; And the Baxter ought to have the value 
 of a penny in Dough at a hoop & not above upon paine 
 for every offence . . . xijd. 
 1629 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xv° die Augusti <p Jurats 
 Burgenss An'o Caroli quinto Anno Do'ni 1629. 
 
 62. Item. Whereas there is much anoyance done to the In- 
 
 habitants ('? Inheritance) of diverse men in this Town 
 by reason of the negligence of the Wallers in casting their 
 Crume upon Gentlns Inheritance and void Wich-house 
 
1054 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 rooms wthin this Town : It is ordered by this Jury that no 
 Waller, nor other person whatsoever shall from hence 
 forward lay or cast any Crume or Wich-house muck upon 
 any mans Inheritance or void place in the Streets of this 
 Town But only upon the Crume hills & other places 
 convenient for such purpose, upon paine to forfeit for every 
 such offence xijd. 
 
 63. Item. It is also ordered that every occupier of Walling 
 
 or his Waller, or his Servts shall weekly make Cleane ye 
 pavemt agt their Wich-Houses one yard & a half from 
 the middle of the pavement upon paine to forfeit for every 
 such offence . . . xijd. 
 
 64. Item. Whereas by reason of Sevrall ovens lately set up for 
 
 mens privet use, the Lords oven is much neglected to 
 the great prejudice of the Lord of the Town, the lofs of 
 the farmer of the Oven, and generall hinderance of all 
 such Poor Inhabitants within this Town that want 
 ovens, It is therefore ordered by this Jury that if any 
 person that hath any oven be found either baking bread or 
 Cakes in their ovens, and the same justly <p'ved before the 
 Steward or his Deputy ; for the first offence to pay to 
 the Lord of the Mannor Ten shillings according to the 
 Antient order ; And if it be justly p'ved the second 
 time, then the Farmer, with two burgesses at the least 
 and the Lords Bayliffe shall break down their oven that 
 so offend. 
 
 65. Item. Whereas great trouble ariveth upon the Lead-lookers 
 
 both in keeping of their boke and in Levying the Lords 
 Leadfines by reason yt the occupiers deliver unto the Lead- 
 lookers insufficient Billets : It is therefore ordered by this 
 Jury, That every occupier when he delivereth his Billett, 
 if he occupy any down Walling shall express therein where 
 the same Walling lyeth, and likewise shah set down in his 
 sd Billett, whether his occupation be free or unfree, other- 
 wise the Lead-lookers shall refuse their Billetts and hinder 
 them from Walling until their Billetts be sufficient. 
 
 66. Item. Whereas Complaint is made that Burgesses do 
 
 Arrest, we find that time out of mind the Burgefses, (if 
 it please them) in absence of the Lords sworne Bayliffe 
 have & may arrest any Person or Goods rendering 
 unto the Court the Party Arrested, or his Goods, or sufficient 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1055 
 
 pledge or surety for the same as also the Lords amercement, 
 and the Deputy Stewards Fee for entering the Action or 
 Arrest so made by such said Burgefse, but not otherwise. 
 
 67. Item. It is ordered by this Jury : That such Ashes as are 
 
 made & sold within this Town, shall pay towle for every 
 
 load according as they do for Salts. 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm decimo die Augusti 
 An'o Dom' 1630. An'o Caroli sexto .... 
 
 68. Item. We find that Peter Venables Esq. Baron of Kinderton 
 
 hath and is to have the same Benefitt and priviledge for 
 his Land and house where in Anne Yate now dwelleth 
 near to Sumners house as formerly. 
 Ad Cur' tent' Vicesimo die Decembris 
 An'o Domini 1630. 
 
 69. Item. We find a Cheife Rent of ijs pAnn' due unto the 
 
 Lord of this Manner from Thomas Stanley of Alderley 
 Esqr for Lands in Northwich issuing of Walling in North- 
 wich aforesaid being late Adlington Land. 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xvjo die Augusti An'o 
 R'ni Regs Caroli Angl &c Septimo An'o 
 Dom' 1631. 
 
 70. Item. It is ordered by this Jury, That if any Person keep or 
 
 receive into their dwelling Houses any Tenant or Inmate 
 Stranger or other, that every such Person or Persons so 
 doing shall give sufficient security to the Church Wardens 
 and Overseers of this Parish or Chappellry of Witton for 
 the time being within one Month next after any such 
 default made & complained of to clear and set free 
 the said Parish for all and every Charge, damage, or 
 hinderance that may arise thereof or also shall within 
 one Month after warning given unto the Party or Partyes 
 so offending by the Lord's Bayliffe of this Town, avoid 
 and put out of their houses the said tenant, Inmate, 
 or Inmates for ye discharge of the sd Parish upon Paine 
 
 to the Lord of this Town the sum of vs. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm Septimo die Augusti 
 
 An'o Caroli Reg' Angl &c octavo — Anno Dom'i 1632. 
 
 71. Item. It is ordered by this Jury that all proclamations 
 
 put forth by the King shall be proclaimed the first Market 
 day after the receat thereof, and then every proclamation 
 
1056 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 to be kept safe in the Town Chest by them that have the 
 
 keeping thereof upon paine of iij s iiij d to be 
 
 levyed upon the Bayliffe for every such default. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm decimo sexto die Decembris 
 Anno Domini 1633. 
 
 72. Item. It is ordered by this Jury that no man inhabiting 
 
 in this Town shall at any time after the first day of March 
 next coming keep any Cattell, ether kine, oxen, Calves, 
 or swine to go loose up and down the streets to the hurt, 
 or hinderance of the Inhabitants of this Town, or to the 
 hurt of the Brine passage from the Brine sheath to the 
 
 Salt houses upon paine for every offence xs. And 
 
 the Lords Bayliffe to give public warning of the same or 
 else the Bayliffe for neglecting to give warning (of the 
 same or) before Candlemas next to forfeit to the Lord 
 of this Mannor . . ijs. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xvj° die Decembris An'o 
 
 Reg Caroli nunc Angl &c decimo — An'o Dom: 1634. 
 
 73. Item. It is ordered by this Jury that whosoever shall 
 
 occupie any Walling or occupation in this Town of North- 
 wich which is finable to the Lord of this Manor ; that he 
 shall pay the lead-fine due for the same year for that 
 walling which he occupieth at or before the feast of Saint 
 Michael th' Arch Angell otherwise upon Complaint made 
 by the Lords Bayliffes unto the Lead-lookers for the time 
 being, the Lead-lookers shall withstand such as make 
 default from walling untill such lead-fine be paid. 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xx° die Deeemt) : An'o r'ni 
 Reg Caroli nunc Angl &c duodecimo — An'o Dom: 1636 
 
 74. Item. Whereas there is a great want of Wood and there 
 
 is dayley and diversly great Spoyle made thereof as well 
 of Occupiers of Walling as others : for prevention of 
 future harme by the like means — It is therefore ordered 
 this present Court that no Person or Persons (not being 
 Owners of Wood) shall carry any Shides or Wood fit for 
 Shides & to burne in the Wich:house ; for to burne in 
 their Houses, or in the Common Oven of this Town, but 
 by the Speciall appoyntmcnt and Knowledge of the 
 Owners thereof ; and that every such person and persons, 
 that shall be seen and know to carry any Shides or Wood 
 fit for Shides from and after the Feast of Christmas next 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1057 
 
 contrary to the order aforesaid shall forfeit for every 
 such default vjs viijd. And to be presented at every 
 Single Court, and the Informer to have for his or their 
 
 Information out of the said fine xijd. 
 
 Northwich. Ad Cur' tent' ib'm decimo quinto die 
 Augusti An'o r'ni Rego Caroli nunc Angi &c de- 
 cimo tertio An'o Dom: 1637 — Coram Petro Winn 
 Aro SeneschH ib'm. 
 75. Forasmuch as the Salt house purchased in this Town of 
 Northwich for the Maintenance of a Preaching Minister 
 in this Chappellry of Witton, at the time when it was 
 purchased was worth xijli and more P. ami', and now 
 though the decay of trading of Salt in this Town, and that 
 by reason of the many new Salt-Workes lately found out 
 and erected about us, the said Salt-house by that means 
 is become little worth, to the greater charge of the whole 
 Parish who are to supply that want unto the Minister ; 
 And for that the house is now in great decay and will 
 not be repaired without great charge — It is therefore 
 ordered by the Lords High Steward and the Jury of 
 Burgesses at this Court, and by Consent of diverse 
 Occupiers of Walling in this Town, the said Walling be- 
 longing to the said Salt-house for the readvancing of the 
 profitts thereof shall or may be sett by peeceings, and 
 the house itselfe converted to the best use and advantage, 
 — And it is further ordered that the Lords leadfines for 
 the said Walling shall from time to time be paid out of 
 the P'fitts of the said house and Walling. 
 
 No'ina J'ur: Bur ; 
 
 Paulus Winnington Gen 
 Radw Leftwich Gen. 
 William Littler Gen. 
 Wm'us Sudlow. 
 Ran'us Winnington. 
 Joh'es Winnington. 
 Petrus Venables. 
 
 Peter Winn. 
 
 ;ens' ad Cur. Predict. 
 
 Thomas Robinson 
 Thomas Venables 
 Rob'tus Winnington 
 Rob'tus Robinson 
 Georgius Wright 
 Rob'tus Wright 
 Geo: Bromfield 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' xxvj° die Decemb'. An'o Dom 1637. 
 Coram P'f'at Senllo. 
 3x 
 
1058 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 76. Item. It is ordered by this Jury that the Towle taker of 
 
 Corne shall every Markett day Ring the Markett bell 
 within half an houre after xij of the Clock at the furthest 
 and if the Seller of Corne after warninge given them, the 
 next markett day do not come with their Corne in time 
 shall either be debarred from selling their Corne that 
 day or else pay double Towle, and the Towle taker for 
 every his default to fyne, to the Lord . . . xxs. 
 
 77. Item. It is ordered by this present Jury that no man shall 
 
 hencefore kill Salt for any Chapman or load any Salt 
 for them unlefs he be elected by the Jury & taken the 
 ancient oath of a Salt-Killer upon paine of . . 
 xxs for every default payable to the Lord of this 
 Town. 
 
 78. Item. Whereas it was ordered at the Great Leet or Burgefse 
 
 Court holden in December last concerning the Burning- 
 Stealing and Carrying of Shides, or Wood fit to be Shides 
 for to make Salt with, the same order is confirmed by the 
 Steward and this Present Jury, and that such two or four 
 men as is by this Court elected for the due observation 
 of the said order shall be sworne by the Steward of the 
 Court or his Deputy. 
 
 79. Item. It is ordered by this present Jury that all occupiers 
 
 of Walling shall yearly henceforward make good pave- 
 ments before there Wich-house doores upon paine of . 
 vjs viijd for every years default. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xx° die Augusti An'o D'm'i 1639. 
 Coram Thomas Berrington Gen: Senllo ib'm. 
 
 80. Item. Whereas it appeareth that the Lord's Baylifle is 
 
 negligent & carelefs in the collecting of the Lord's Lead- 
 fines & other Cheife fines & Amercaments & suffereth 
 them to lye & be uncollected & unpaid for two or three 
 years, or more after they are estreated & become due to 
 the Lord— It is therefore Ordered by this Jury that the 
 said Baylifie shall forthwith of the receipt of the estreat 
 levy & gather the sd Cheife fines & Amercamts. And 
 in case he faile in performance of his duty therein above 
 the space of one year & shew no good cause to the Court 
 why he hath he hath not accordingly collected the same, 
 that then the sd Bailiffe shall himselfe be charged wth 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1059 
 
 the paymt of the same Cheife Fines or Amercamts to the 
 Lord. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xx° die Augusti An'o D'ni 1639. 
 Coram P'fat: Senllo ib'm. 
 
 81. .Forasmuch as the Court holden the day & year above said 
 
 it is informed to this Court that the Salt-Viewers have 
 neglected to execute their places in viewing of the Salt 
 as they ought to have done. It is therefore this day 
 ordered by the Jury wth the Consent of the Steward — 
 That the Saltviewers shall from time to time hereafter 
 view the Salt that shall be hereafter made in this Town 
 according to their oaths the next day after the said Salt 
 shall be made or in default thereof to forfeit for every 
 neglect . . . yjs viijd. 
 Ad Cur' tent' xx° die Augusti An'o D'ni 1639 ut 
 sequitur. 
 
 82. And Whereas there hath been some Endeavrs to put in some 
 
 killers of Salt not sworne wth m this Town contrary to 
 the Ancient orders & Customs of the Town — And yt 
 Richard Ditchfield & John Ditchfield who heretofore 
 killers of Salt having for their Miscarriage in the Execution 
 of the said place been displaced by the Jury & the Court 
 — Yet newrthelefs have in Contempt of the Orders of 
 this Court continued in killing of Salt — And for that the 
 sd office of killers of Salt doth Appear by the Orders of 
 this Court to be an Ancient office — It is therefore ordered 
 by the Jury wth the Consent of the Steward, That the 
 said Ditchfields nor neither of them shall at any time 
 hereafter kill any Salt wthin this town for any Person 
 
 or Persons Sub poena xxs for (every) time 
 
 that they or either of them shall kill any Salt. And 
 that no occupiers of Walling shall at any time here- 
 after permitt or suffer the sd Ditchfields or either of 
 them nor any other Townseman not being a Sworne 
 Officer to kill any Salt within any of their houses 
 Sub poena — xs for every time that they shall suffer them 
 or any of them so to do — Yet neverthelefs it is further 
 ordered ; That if the sd Ditchfields shall submit themselves 
 to the Court, And shall obtaine the consent of the Burgefses 
 & occupiers of Walling, that then they may be restored 
 to their office of Salt- Walling (? killing) for so long 
 
1060 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 time as they shall carry themselves well in the execution 
 of the said office. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent: ib'm xx° die Augusti An'o D'ni 
 1639 ut sequitur. 
 
 83. And Whereas there is a Suite comenced by Richard Ditch- 
 field and John Ditchfield against the Lead-lookers & 
 Constables of this Town concerning some Punishmt in- 
 flicted upon the said Ditchfields for some contempt against 
 the orders of this Court — And for defence of wet s d Suites 
 some moneys to the Value of Five marks have been levyed 
 out of the Town Walling according to an Ancient order 
 of this Court made in that behalfe ; And Albeit the same 
 money was justly levyed being Warranted by the said 
 orders, woli said Suite upon the Peti'con of the sd 
 Ditchfields being growne upon Mistaking are quieted and 
 appeased & no further to be P'sented — Yet forasmuch as 
 the Occupiers of Walling Do Conceave, that first before their 
 Consents should have been further required for the levy- 
 ing of the sd Moneys expended in Suite in Defence of 
 the said Constables & Leadlookers : It is therefore by 
 the Jury wth the like Consent of the Steward, And for 
 Satisfaction of the said Occupiers of Walling ordered and 
 agreed that there shall not at any time hereafter be any 
 money charged levied or imposed upon the Town Walling 
 for the like occasion wthc-ut the Consent of the occupiers 
 of Walling, or the greatest number of them first had being 
 called thereunto by the Towle of the Bell. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xviij° die Decembris An'o 
 D'ni 1639 ut sequitur. 
 
 81. Forasmuch as there hath been diverse & sundry Complaints 
 made against the Farmer of the Lord's bake-house in this 
 Town, It is therefore ordered by this Jury that from 
 henceforth there shall be but one Baxter — And that the 
 said Farmer shall only take for Service so much as bv 
 ancient order is limitted & appoynted upon paine for 
 e'ry such default . . . . vjs viijd. 
 North wichfe. Ad Cur' tent' ib'm xyj° die Decembris 
 An'o D'ni 1656. 
 Then presented by the Burgefse Jury wh here followeth. 
 We the Jury of Burgefse do find & present upon our Oaths 
 that the Bugesses of the Town of North wich ; to witt, those 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1061 
 
 that now do or formerly have inhabited in the said Town 
 amongst the other priviledges & Freedomes belonging to 
 them all as well Forriners as inhabitants, that they the 
 sd Burgefses inhabitants are & have been free from the 
 execution of the office of Constables, or of any other office 
 of the said Town except the office of Leadlookers, or other 
 offices solely for & about the Walling, and that such 
 Burgefses as have been once elected into the office of 
 Leadlookers have never afterwards had any inferior 
 office neither any office at all imposed upon them by any 
 Choyce, or election of the Steward, or Grand Jury, or of 
 any Jury wthin this Towne wthin the memory of man 
 or beyond it that ever we heard of. 
 
 Tho. Robinson gen' Senll ib'm. 
 
 The Jurors Names. 
 
 Joh'es Wilmington of Birches gen 
 Bad'us Leftwich de Northwich gen 
 WiU'us Leftwich ib'm gen 
 Petrus Venables de Lostock Grabm gen 
 Petrus Fradsham de Plumley gen 
 Rob'tus Littler de Tarvin gen 
 Thoma Robinson de Comberbach 
 Jonathan Littler de Tarvin 
 Thoma Sudlow de Witton 
 
 Thoma Sudlow de Lostock Graftm^ 
 Georgiu' Wright de Shipbrooke 
 WiU'us Shaw de Northwich 
 WiU'us Sudlow de Witton 
 Ric'us Winnington de Rudheath 
 Thoma Wright de Kelsall 
 Joh'es Wright de Tarvin 
 WiU'us Shaw de Middlewich 
 Northwichfc. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm vicesimo se'to die Decembris 
 An'o D'ni 1663 Coram Will'o Worrall gen Senllo ib'm. 
 It is also ordered by the said Steward & Jury of Burgefses 
 that no Waller or other person whatsoever shall from henceforth 
 lay or cast any Crume or Wich-house muck upon any mans 
 
1062 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Inheritance or other void place in the Streets of this Town but 
 only upon the Crumhills and especially at or upon the back 
 of the Bryne sheath & towards the Eiver of Dane, and all along 
 betwixt the said Bryne Sheath & the Dane Bridge, for the better 
 defence & preservation of the said Bryne sheath & Dane 
 Bridge against all hurts and inconveniences that may happen 
 thereunto by great Floods upon paine for every such Waller or 
 other person as shall offend herein contrary to the true meaning 
 thereof to forfeit to the Lord of this Town for every such offence 
 the sum of Five Shillings to be estreated and levied or otherwise 
 by the Lords Bayliffe for the time being. 
 
 No'i'a Jurat. Burgeng. ad Cur' P'd. 
 
 Will'us Leftwich gen 
 WilPus Littler gen 
 Petrus Venables gen 
 Georgius Leftwich gen 
 Henricus Fradsham 
 Thoma Sudlow 
 
 Northwichfc. 
 
 Will'us Sudlow 
 Georgius Wright 
 Ran'us Fox 
 Joh'es Sudlow 
 Galfrid Fradashm 
 Thoma Robinson Sen. 
 
 Ad Cur' tent' ib'm decimo octavo die Decembris 
 An'o Dom' 1666 Coram P'fat Senile ib'm. 
 
 It is ordered by the Steward of this Court & by the Jury of 
 Burgefsefs at the present Leet that if any Person or Persons what- 
 soever do or shall at any time hereafter lay pile or stack any 
 Kidds or Gorse or other like combustible stuffe in the Wich-house 
 Streets in this Towne, or in any of their Salt-houses, to the 
 endangering of the whole towne by sudden Fire which may 
 unexpectedly fall out, that such person or persons shall forfeit 
 for every such offence six shillings & Eight pence to be estreated 
 & levyed to the use of the Lord of this Mannor. 
 
 It is also ordered by the said Steward & Jury of Burgefses, 
 that no Shoemaker inhabiting within this town, nor any Forreigne 
 Shoemaker hereafter coming to this Market shall at any time 
 hereafter attempt to offer or put to sale any Shoes, Boots or 
 other Leather wares and Comodityes upon his or their Stalls on 
 any markett day to be holden & kept within this Towne, until 
 twelve of the Clock at the soonest upon paine for everv such 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1063 
 
 person to forfeit for every such offence six shillings & eight 
 pence to be estreated & levied to & for the use aforesaid. 
 No'i'a Jur' BuTgeng. ad Cur' P'de. 
 
 Will'us Leftwich gent -, Henricus Fradsham 
 
 G-eorgius Leftwich Gent 
 Petrus Fradsham Gent 
 Petrus Venables Gent 
 Will'us Littler Gent 
 Rob'tus Littler Gent 
 Thoma Robinson 
 Petrus Venables Junr 
 
 Galfrid Fradsham 
 Will'us Sudlow 
 Georgius Wright 
 Robertus Winnington 
 Thomas Winnington 
 Ran'us Fox 
 
 The Oaths op Officers belonging to the Court 
 of Northwich. 
 
 The Form of the Constables Oath — 
 
 You shall well & truly execute the Office of Constable for the 
 Towne of Northwich for one whole year next coming ; You shall 
 well & truly see the Kings Majties Peace preseved and kept so 
 much as in you lieth ; You shall serve, or endeavour to serve all 
 P'cefs & precepts that shall be directed unto, or shall come 
 unto your hands from any of his Majties Justices of Peace ; You 
 shall see to the punishment of Rogues & Vagabonds and Sturdy 
 Beggers ; You shall set watch and ward when you are thereunto 
 comanded and you shall pursue the Statuts of Constable and 
 do all such matters and things as to your office belongeth 
 according to his Majties Lawes, and according to the best of your 
 skill and knowledge ; And of all defaults and defects that you 
 shall find in th' ex'ution of your offices and places you shall make 
 true presentments thereof at the Great Courts here to be holden 
 without Concealment — So help you God. 
 
 The Lead-lookers Oath. 
 
 You two shall well and truly execute the office of Lead-lookers 
 or rulers for this Town of Northwich for the year next coming and 
 untill others be chosen, elected and Sworne in your places ; You 
 shall during the time of your office do right to all Occupiers of 
 Walling, indifferently chose concerning their Walling and Occu- 
 pation according to the Custome & Orders of the said Town ; 
 
1064 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 You shall do your best Endeavour to the comodity & profitt 
 of the Town and Occupiers ; And also keep and maintaine the 
 Antient Customes, Orders, and Libertyes of the said Town ; 
 You shall occupy no more Walling then you ought to do, nor set 
 no extraordinary Peeceings or Walling contrary to the Orders 
 of the said Town ; You shall make a true and just Accompt 
 when you shall be thereunto called by the Steward of this Town 
 or his Deputy, and shall do all other things that appertaine to 
 the Office of Leadlookers according to the best of your skill and 
 knowledge — So help you God. 
 
 The Overseers' Oath. 
 
 You two shall well and truly execute the office of overseers 
 of Walling for the Town of Northwich for this year now next 
 coming & untill new Overseers be chosen & sworne ; You 
 shall not set no extraordinary Peeceings of Walling, otherwise 
 than hath been accustomed ; for Officers Fees & Payment of 
 Layes & Taxes without the consent of the Steward and Occupiers 
 of Walling ; And You shall set all Ordinary Peeceings of Walling 
 for the Purposes aforesaid to the best benefitt and advantage of 
 the Town and occupiers and you shall deliver a true and just 
 Accompt of your doing therein, whensoever you shall be called 
 thereunto by the Steward or his Deputy ; & shall do all other 
 Things which concerne the office of Overseers, to the uttermost 
 of your Endeavours according to the Customes and Orders of 
 the said Towne ; And of all Defaults and Defects you shall find 
 you shall make true presentmt thereof at ye Two Great Courts, 
 here to be holden wthout Concealmt — So help you God. 
 
 The Stilt -viewers'" Oath. 
 
 You two shall well and truly execute the office of Salt-viewrs 
 for this Town of Northwich for one whole Year now next coming, 
 and untill new Salt-viewrs be chosen & sworne ; You shall durina' 
 
 o 
 
 the time of your Office see that your Occupiers of Walling make 
 good and sufficient Salt (Town measure) and shall do all other 
 things which to the said office belongeth according to the Customes 
 and Orders of the said Town ; And of defaults found shall make 
 presentment thereof at the two Great Courts here to be holden 
 without Concealment — So help you God. 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1065 
 
 The Affeefors' Oath. 
 You & either of you shall sware by the holy Contents of this 
 Booke that you shall well, truly & indifferently tax, assels 
 & affeer all & every Amerciamts as are presented at this Court. 
 In doing thereof You shall spare no man for any Love favour or 
 affection nor raise nor inhance of any man more greivously then 
 shall be thought reasonable for any Malice or Envy ; but according 
 to their defects, for their Facts, and not otherwise (having respect 
 and reference to the Orders and Customes of your said Town) — 
 So help you God. 
 
 The Killers oj Salt their Oath. 
 You three shall well and truly execute the Office of Killers of 
 Salt for the Town of Northwich for this year now next coming ; 
 You shall deal truly & justly between the Buyers and Sellers 
 of Salt ; and you shall not prayes nor discoiiiend any man's Salt 
 neither shall you buy or sell for any man at any lets rate, then 
 according to the Towns price ; and shall do all such other matters, 
 Services and things as to the said Town office belongeth, according 
 to the best of your Skill and Knowledge, and according to the 
 Customes and orders of your sd Town & not otherwise — So 
 help you God. 
 
 The Market Lookers'' Oath. 
 You two shall well and truly execute the Office of Market- 
 lookers for one whole year now next following ; You shall see that 
 your Measures wthin yr Town for Corne be according to the 
 Measure of Winchester : And that your Weights & Yards by 
 which men buy & sell are lawfull ; And that good and wholesome 
 Victualls be sold, and at reasonable prices ; And you shall do all 
 such other matters and things according to the Customes and 
 orders of your said Town, as to the sd Office belongeth to the best 
 of your Skill ; And of all Defaults therein that shall come to your 
 knowledge you shall at the two Great Courts make true present- 
 ment without Concealment — So help you God. 
 
 The Sealers & Searchers oj Leather their Oath. 
 
 You two shall well and truly execute the office of Sealers of 
 
 Leather for this year to come for the Town of Northwich. You 
 
 shall see that all such Leather that come to be sold within your 
 
 Market be well tanned and dressed ; & that it be sealed & 
 
1066 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 approved as by the Statute is required ; And if upon your 
 search you find any Shoes or Boots mixed or mingled ; that is to 
 say part Neate's leather, other part Calves Leather Sheep Skin 
 Bull Hyde or Horse Hyde you are to search the same as to the Law 
 apprtenieth, and to bring them to the Steward or his Deputy to 
 th' end the same may be tryed, as by the Statute is appoynted ; 
 and you shall do all such other things as to the sd office belongeth 
 according to your skill & knowledge ; And of all Defaults 
 therein you shall make true presentment at the next Great Court 
 wtliout Concealment — So help you God. 
 
 The Ale-Tasters' Oath. 
 
 You two shal well & truly execute the Office of Ale-tasters 
 for this year to come for this Town ; You shall see that your 
 Inn-keepers and Ale-house keepers sell good and wholesome drink ; 
 and that they observe the Lawes and Statutes in selling of their 
 Ale and Strong beer And of all Defaults and Defects that you shall 
 find in the execution of your Office, You shall make prsentments 
 thereof at the two Great Courts here to be holden ; And shall do 
 all such other things as to the said office belongeth according to 
 the best of yr skill & knowledge — So help you God. 
 
 The Skavinger 's Oath. 
 
 You shall well & truly execute the office of Skavinger of this 
 Town for this year to come & untill another be chosen in your 
 place ; You shall see that the High ways & Streets wthm your 
 Town be cleaned, orderly and decently keept from time to time ; 
 And you shall do all such other matters & things as to the sd 
 office & Custome of yor sd Town belongeth, according to the 
 best of your skill & knowledge. And of all Defaults you shall 
 make true presentment thereof at the Great Courts without Con- 
 cealment — So help you God. 
 
 The Gutter Viewer's Oath. 
 
 You shall well & truly execute the Office of Gutter Viewers 
 for this Town for one year next following ; You shall during the 
 time of yor Office see that the Gutters by & through which the Brine 
 or Salt- Water runeth to e'ry occupiers Wich-house, sufficiently 
 and orderly from time to time kept in repair, & to give notice 
 thereof to the occupiers of AV ailing of e'ry Defect or want of 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1067 
 
 repair to the end the same may be repaired. And if any refuse to 
 repair (wthin convenient time to be given) that you shall present 
 his or her Name, so offending, at the two Great Courts here to be 
 holden — So help you God. 
 
 The Wood-tender's Oath. 
 You shall well and truly execute to the uttermost of your Power 
 & skill the Office & Place of Wood tenders for this Town for one 
 whole year next coming, or untill others be chosen in yor Places ; 
 You shall during the time of your Office & Place take special notice 
 of all such persons whatsoever (not being Owners of Wood) as 
 shall carry any Shides or Wood fit for Shides to burne in the Wich- 
 houses, for to burne in their houses or in the Comon oven of this 
 Town (except such persons as shall carry the same by the special 
 Appoyntmt or knowledge of the owners of the Wood. And of 
 all Defaults & Defects that you find in the execution of yor 
 office You shall present at every Single Court to be holden after 
 such Default made — So help you God. 
 
 Every Offender is fined by Order . . vjs viijd 
 
 Every Informer being a Wood-tender to have out'. 
 
 of the vjs viijd for his Care Paines & Diligence - xijd 
 
 the sum of . . . ■ I 
 
 The Pann-Cutters' Oath. 
 You two shall well & truly execute the Office of Pann-viewers 
 & Pann cutters for this Town of North wich for this year and untill 
 new Pannviewers & Panncutters be chosen & sworne ; You 
 shall take diligent care of occupiers of Iron Panns in the Town be of 
 one just and equall measure according to the Pann ordered by the 
 Steward & Jury of Burgefses to be the Standard Pann to which 
 all the rest are and ought to be sutable, & of the same equall 
 measure & no more ; And if any Occupiers Panns do contayne 
 more bryne than it ought to do, you shall see and cause the same 
 to be cut till it shall containe equal measure with the said Standard 
 Pann & no more, according to the aforesd order of the Steward 
 & Jury ; & the like you shall see and cause done of all Occupiers 
 in this Town now erected or to be erected in this Town during 
 yor Continuance of yor sd Office. And of all Defects & Defaults 
 you shall find in execution of your office, you shall make true pre- 
 sentment at the two Great Leet Courts here to be holden — So help 
 you God. 
 
1068 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 A Copie of the Walling booke of Northwt* a° 7. Eliz. 1565. 
 
 1. Harleian MS. No. 2008. Folio 18. 
 
 a. Edward Golborne 22 leads — viz* 
 
 8 leads of Dutton lands 
 
 4 leads of Mr Wilbrahams of Wadhay 
 
 4 leads of Mr Sutton of Sutton 
 
 4 leads of Mr Irelands 
 
 2 leads of Peter Pauers lands 
 
 b. Wm Pickmere 8 leads — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Suttons lands 
 
 4 leads of Mr Leftwyches lands 
 Raffe Vernon 6 leads — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Wilbrahams lands 
 
 2 leads of Sr John Warburtons lands 
 Ric. Wilbraham 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Rafle Dones lands 
 Robt. Mascye 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr John Warburtons lands 
 Edward Sudlowe 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr John Daynes lands 
 John Masterton 10 — 
 
 4 leads of my lords lands 
 
 6 leads of Mr Starkeys of Darley 
 Robt. Henshawe 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Dutton of Duttons lands 
 
 c. Rondle Shave 10 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Holfords lands 
 
 2 leads of Mr Haseys land of Cilley 
 
 2 leads of Sr John Daynes land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Starkyes lands of Darley 
 
 d. George Bromfield 6 — 
 
 6 leads of Adlingtons land 
 Robt. Haviyson 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr John Warburtons laud 
 
 e. John Huet 6 & 3d pt— 
 
 3 leads & the 3d pt. of Dutton lands 
 
 1 leade of Alley lands 
 
 2 leads of Kinderton lands 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1069 
 
 f. Sibill Wynyngton 6 — 
 
 2 leads of Mr Pauers lands 
 2 leads of Mr Hortons lands 
 
 2 leads of Mr M. Curies lands 
 
 2. 
 
 g. Thomas Wynyngton 12 — 
 
 3 leads of Mr Pauers lands 
 
 2 leads of Mr Leftwich lands 
 
 2 leads of Sr John Warburtons land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Wynyngtons land of the Armitage 
 
 2 leads of Mr Robt. Pickmers of Leftwich 
 
 1 lead of Mr Hartons lande 
 h. Wm Sudlowe 6 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr John Daynes lands 
 
 2 leads of John Hortons land 
 
 a. George Sudlowe 2 — Folio 42 
 
 2 leads of John Hortons land 
 Thomas Newhall 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Starkyes land of Darley 
 
 b. Rafie Pownall 4 — 
 
 2 leads of Sr Tho. Venables land 
 2 leads of Sr John Daynes land 
 John Derbocke 6 — 
 
 6 leads of Or Souraigne Ladye the Queene 
 
 c. Mr Wm Mar bury 12— 
 
 12 leads of his owne land 
 James Ward 4 — 
 
 4 leads of my Lord of Darbyes land 
 
 Fol. 16b 
 
 d. John Pauer 6 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Legh of Adlington 
 2 leads of Mr Hasle of little lands 
 Nicholas Warton 6 — 
 
 6 leads of Mr Starkyes land of Darley 
 
 e. Rafie Bradford 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Hugh meyres land of Rosthorne 
 Xper Birchall 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Wynyngtons land of Birches 
 
1070 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 f. Philip Dowries 7 — 
 
 6 leads of Dutton lands 
 
 1 lead of Mr Sutton land 
 John Warburton 6 — 
 
 6 leads of Sr Win. Brereton of Breretons land 
 
 g. Wm. Roe 6 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr John Holcrofts land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Suttons land 
 John Maynewaring 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr Raffe Leycesters land 
 h. Laurence Winington 6 — 
 
 6 leads of his owne lands 
 Wm. Cowley 6 — 
 
 6 leads of Mr Edgertons land of Ridley 
 i. Laurence Bromfield 6 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr Tho. Venables land 
 
 2 leads of Wm. Worralls land late of the Vale royall 
 k. John Walley 6 — 
 
 4 leads of Robt Bromfields land 
 
 2 leads of Homfrey Wallers land 
 John Bould 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Holford's lands of Holford 
 1. Humphrey Yate 28 — 
 
 10 leads of Sutton lands 
 6 leads of his owne lands 
 
 3 leads of Mr Pauers land 
 
 3 leads of Sr John Warburtons lands 
 
 2 leads of Mr Starkeys land of Stretton 
 
 4 leads of Sr John Warburtons lands 
 m. John Nickall 4 — 
 
 4 leads of my Ld. of Darbyes land 
 
 a. Richard Walton 8 — fo. 43 
 
 4 leads of Sr Arthur Maynewarings land 
 4 leads of John Fouells land 
 Robt. Shawe 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Leftwiches land 
 
 b. Wm. Worrall 24— 
 
 4 leads of Mr Venables land of Antrobus 
 
 4 leads of the armitage land 
 
 6 leads of Sr John Warburtons land 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1071 
 
 2 leads of his owne lands 
 2 leads of Dutton lands 
 2 leads of Kinderton lands 
 2 leads of Raffe Bromfield 
 2 leads of James Pauer 
 
 c. George Johnson 4 — 
 
 4 leads of his fathers land 
 
 Folio 19 
 
 d. Hugh Lowe — 
 
 4 leads of the queenes land 
 
 4 leads of Rafie Bostock of moulton 
 
 2 leads of Richard littes land 
 
 2 leads of Kinderton land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Wynyngtons land of Armitage 
 
 2 leads of Kinderton land 
 
 2 leads of Sutton land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Holfords land 
 
 e. Robt. Wynyngton 26 — 
 
 16 leads of Sutton land 
 
 4 leads of tharmitage land by laur. Wynington 
 
 4 leads of his owne land 
 
 2 leads of Sutton land by Humf . Walley 
 
 f. " Qy whether the .ptictrs be not mistaken in the original]." 
 
 f. Rog. Torbock 18— 
 
 4 leads of Mr Thomas Grimdiches land 
 
 4 leads of Mr Leyes land 
 
 4 leads of my Lord's land 
 
 2 leads of my Lord land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Pauers land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Suttons land 
 
 2 lead of Mr Starkeys land of Darley 
 
 g. Robt. Jefferson 6 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Starkyes land of Stretton 
 2 leads of Robt. Bromfieldes land 
 h. 4. Alex. Taylor 8— 
 
 4 leads of S* Raffe Leycesters land 
 2 leads of Mr Pauers land 
 2 leads of Mr Leftwyches land 
 Wm. Venables 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Sr John Warburtons land 
 
1072 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 j. Raffe Bromfield 6 — 
 
 6 leads of his owne lands 
 
 a. Kobt. Bromfield 12— Fo. 41 
 
 4 leads of Kinderton land 
 
 1 leads of Leftwyck land 
 
 2 leads of Robt. Pickmers land of Bostock 
 2 leads of Adlington land 
 
 John French 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Hugh Crosbyes land 
 
 b. John Forest — 6 — 
 
 . 4 leads of Leftwich land 
 
 2 leads of Mr Breretons land of Tatton 
 Thomas Trewe — 4 — 
 
 4 leads of Mr Foxlys land 
 Tho. Venables gent. 4 — 
 
 4 leads of his owne land 
 
 c. Thomas Bromfield 6 — 
 
 2 leads of Mr Breretons land of Tatton 
 2 leads of Leftwych land by Mr Leigh de Ridge 
 2 leads of Robt. Bromfields lands 
 Oliver Fox— 4 — 
 
 2 leads of Mr Starkyes land of Stretton 
 1 lead of Leftwych land 
 
 1 lead of Mr Richard Suttons land 
 
 Folio 19 
 
 Willm Clotton— 2— 
 
 2 leads of his owne land 
 Geo. Holford— 2— 
 
 2 leads of Mr Suttons land 
 
 d. Peter Venables — 2 — 
 
 2 leads of his owne land 
 Jone Rendye — 2 — 
 
 2 leads of Wynyngtons land of tharmitage 
 Wm Tiewe— 2— 
 
 2 leads of Mr Wm Holfords lands 
 Peter Pauer — 2 — 
 
 2 leads of his owne lands 
 Peter Wynyngton fenior 1 — 
 
 1 lead of Mr James Pauers land 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1073 
 
 Tho. Worral of Witton heath— 3— 
 2 lead of Sr Tho. Venables land 
 
 1 lead of Leftwich land 
 
 e. John Wynyngton of Pickmere 
 
 2 lead of Mr Leftwichs land 
 Robt. Hickcock — 1 — 
 
 1 lead of Mr Huxleys land 
 Rich. Wynyngton — 1 — 
 
 1 lead of Mr James Pavers land 
 Tho. Bostook 3d pt. of— 
 
 2 leads of Mr Duttons land 
 Geo. Wynyngton — 
 
 1 lead of Mr Roger Hortons land 
 Peter Wynyngton Junior — 
 
 1 lead Mr Wm Marburyes land 
 The Sohoole land is 2 pts. of 4 leads. 
 James Wynyngton 
 
 2 leads of Mr Laur. Wynyngton of the Armitage 
 Wm. held 1 & 3d pte.— 
 
 1 lead & the 3d pt. of one lead of Mr James Pau's land 
 Humphrey Holford 8 — 
 
 4 leads of my Lo. of Darbyes land 
 4 leads of Mr James Peuers land 
 
 Tot. five score & thirteene Salthouses & one lead — 
 
 Lead lookers this psent yeare 1565 Laurence Bromfeild the 
 forrayne Lead looker. Ric. Walton. Ric. Winington. 
 
 The names of such psons as had wich houses of Inheritance 
 in Northwich in 7 Eliz. 1565 w th their numbers of Leads. 
 
 fo. 45 
 
 a. Mr Dutton of Dutton 23 Laur. Wynyngton 22 leads 
 
 leads the said 3d pte of a Robt. Pickmer 4 leads 
 
 lead & the 3d pte. of 2 John Horton 4 leads 
 
 leads. The Queene 10 leads 
 
 Wilbraham of Woodhey 8 Hugh Meyre 4 leades 
 
 leads Winington of Birches 4 lead 
 
 Sutton of Sutton 46 leads Sr Wm Brereton 6 lead 
 
 Mr Ireland 4 leads Sr John Holcrofte 4 lead 
 
 Peter Pauer 4 leads Sr Rafle Leycester 8 leads 
 
 Mr Leftwhich 26 leads Sr Ric. Egerton 6 leade 
 3y 
 
1074 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Sr John Warburton Kt. 30 
 
 leads 
 Raffe Done Esqr. 4 leads 
 Sr John Dayne clerke 12 
 
 leads 
 my Lo. of Darby 18 or 16 
 Starky of Darlye 24 
 Leigh of Adlington — 12 leads 
 i. Mr Wm. . Marbury ar. 16 
 leads 
 the 3d pte of a lead 
 Mr Roger Horton 4 leads 
 Folio 18a 
 c. Tho. Venables of Antrobus 
 gent. 8 leade 
 Raffe Bromfeld 8 leade 
 Ric. Litler 2 leade 
 Robt. Wynyngton 4 lead 
 
 (Wm Leftwch 1619) 
 Tho. Grymsdych 4 lead. 
 Wm. Ley 4 lead — laur Hol- 
 
 crofte nunc Husons. 
 Hugh Crosbye 4 lead 
 Humfr. Walley 2 leade 
 Humfr. Yate 6 leade — post 
 
 Robinsons 
 Starkye of Stretton 8 lead 
 Sr Arthur Mainwaring 4 lead 
 
 Wm Worrall 4 leade— John 
 
 Crosby 
 Robt. Bromfeild 8 leade 
 4 Deno. Tho. Venables & 4 
 
 Hen. Mainwaring 
 Mr Holford 10 leads 
 Mr Tho. Holford 2 leads 
 Mr Haste of lettley 4 leads 
 Sr Tho. Venables 20 leads 
 Mr James Pauer 21 leads & 
 
 John Fouell 4 leade 
 d. Wm Foxley 4 leade 
 Mr Huxley 1 leade it wasJJo. 
 
 Winingtons 
 Wm Clotton 2 lead 
 Peter Venables 2 lead dwelled 
 
 at wid-brooke. 
 The Schoole land 2 pts of 4 
 
 leades 
 Som'. 453 leads viz* — 113 
 
 Wichehouses & 1 lead 
 Raffe Bromfeilds supra 2 
 
 leads of the', sold to John 
 
 Hughson 
 2 Jac. Wright 4 are given to 
 
 6 praching minister (pr- 
 
 chased) 
 Brereton of Tatton 4 lead. 
 
 By the Kinge. Between 13 & 19 Hen. 8 
 
 Trustye & welbeloved we greete you And where it is compland 
 unto us on the behalfe of the burgess & inhabitants of Northwich 
 in or County Palatyne of Chester being in or hands duering & by 
 reason of the nonage of Edward Standley sonne & heire of the 
 late Earle of Darbye deceased that diu's gent. & other psons 
 forrayne & not inhabiting wthin the sd towne by extent power 
 do make & intend to make salte in the sd towne contrary to the 
 lifities of the sd towne & auncient customes as well there vsed as 
 in all other townes within or sd County Palatine where anie salte 
 is made wch as the affirme will be not onely to the extreme impou'- 
 ishing but alsoe to the great decay & vtter desolacon of or 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1075 
 
 sd. towne well W ee in noe wyse will suffer, not willing or intending 
 any thing to be done during the nonage of the sd. Edward being 
 in oi' custodie wch may or shall be p'rediciall to any of the inheri- 
 tance liBties or franchies of the sd. towne, Wherefore wee will 
 & comand you that in any case such forayne pson or psons not 
 inhabiting within the sd towne do or hereafter at any tyme shall 
 attempt to vse makeing of salt contrary to the liBties & auncient 
 customes of the same with in the same towne without lycense 
 of the burgess & the rulers thereof. That then without delay 
 ye & ether of you from tyme to tyme upon complaynt to be 
 made vnto you on the behalfe of the sd burgess or of the rulers 
 & gou'nors of the same towne do send for all & euery such for- 
 rayne psons as do or hereafter shall attept to make any salt 
 with in the sd towne of Northwich contrary to the liBties & 
 auncient customes of the same without the assent & agreemt 
 of the sd Burgess & rulers by or writts of Subp. to appeare before 
 you in or Castle of Chester, & at there appearance to punish & 
 reforme them, And also farther to order them as right & good 
 conscience shall require according to the lawes & customes hereto- 
 fore vsed now in other wyches there abouts wthin or sd County 
 Palatyne for the reforrnacon of such transgressions fayle ye 
 riot here of as ye maye intend to please vs Given vnder or Signet 
 at or maner of Greenwch the day of February. 
 
 To Or trusty & wellbeloved the Justice & ChamBlayne of or 
 County Palatyne of Chestr. 
 
 Polio 20b 
 
 In the Cort of Wards 19. H. 8. as appeares in the Northwch 
 
 booke of orders fol. 4. 
 
 b. Porrayne occupyers in the towne of Northwich a° 8. H. 7 = 1492. 
 
 C. Eondle Sauage dwelling in the lodg in Budworth <pish 
 occupied . ..... 16 leads 
 
 Hornfr. Marbury in Anderton . . 8 leads 
 
 Bliz. Hightfeld in Leftwick gals. .... 8 leads 
 
 Wm. Clotton in the Cros . 8 leads 
 
 John Pickm'e in the Cros . . . 8 leads 
 
 Rondle Wrench in leftwick .... 8 leads 
 
 d. Stephen Newhall in (Steven) Wynyngton . . 3 leads 
 
 Eobt. Foxholds in Castle Northwcli . . 8 leads 
 
 Richard Lawrenston in the Cros. .... 16 leads 
 John Bromell in the Cros. . . . 6 leads 
 
1076 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 The saying of Oliu' Walton of the age of lx yeares & more 
 sworne & upon the holie Evangelist declareth & sayth 
 that as touching the matter now in trauerse betwixt 
 the burgess dwelling with in the franches of the towne 
 of Northwoli & other forrayners not being resident wthin 
 the sd franchies. The sd. Oliu' sayth that at what time 
 the same towne of Northwch was in the right & title of 
 the Duches of Exeter that one Robt. Walton fathr of 
 the sd. Oliu' was farmer vnto the sd Duches of the 
 Royaltye of the sd towne & dwelled wth in the sd. franchies, 
 And the same time occupied the space of ix yeares & 
 after the decease of the sd Duches the sd. Robt. was 
 farmer vnto Mr Salenger & at that tyme it was vsed 
 & accostomed that no manner of p'son dwelling within 
 the franchee of the sd towne cold not be suffered to occupye 
 Salte makeing except the came & be resident, & upon 
 that done there was in the Cros dwelling Hichon Oripon 
 Richard Harison & Houken Yate & others wch came downe 
 into the sd franchees & there became resident And the sayd 
 Houkin Yate bee. he could not wall vnles he were resident 
 he came into the Northwch & build & made him amansion 
 of one of his Salt houses & therein dwelled all his life. It' 
 the sd Oliu' saith that at the same tyme there came downe 
 into the sd franchees one John Walton wheh dwelled in 
 Hertford or els he could not be suffered to make Salte. 
 
 b. The saying of John Goldsmith of the (age of) lx & vi yeares 
 
 wth the more sworne upon the holie Evangelist declareth 
 & sayth that at such time as he was prented wth one 
 Jenkin Foxe butcher there dwelled Laurence Lawloc Rio. 
 Lawloc & John Walton in Harford wch could not be 
 suffered to make Salte except the came into the franchees 
 there to be resident & so the came & occupyed. 
 
 c. The saying of Wm. Hollinpreist of the age of lii yeares & more 
 
 sworne upon the holie Evangelist declareth & sayth that 
 his fathr John Hollinpreist wch dwelled in Hertford cold 
 Folio not be suffered to make fait except he came into the 
 21 franchees. And there he sett walling house vnto John 
 Pickrin dwelling within the sd towne & this is matter of 
 troth. 
 
 d. The saying of Jeffray Harryson of the age of lii yeares & more 
 
 sworne upon the holie Evangelist declareth & sayth that 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1077 
 
 at such tyme as the towne of Northwich was in the hands 
 of my old Lord of Darby whose soule God pdon that one 
 John MaTbury Esqr. being afore cold not be suffered 
 to make salt in the Northwich except he became resident 
 & so he sent his sonne Thomas Marbury gent to dwell 
 in the sd towne & sett his walling to the sd Thomas who 
 was resident. 
 
 fo. 48a. 
 
 The saying of Richard Pickerin of the age of liii yeares & more 
 sworne upon the holie Evangelist declareth & sayth 
 that in the dayes of the old Lord of Darby Richard 
 Wynyngton & Edward Sudlow dwelling in the Cros cold 
 not be suffered to make salte except he became resident 
 And so the came downe into the franchees and were 
 tabled with the sd Richard Pickerin for the tyme. It 
 there was Nicolas Walton dwelling in the Crosse in like 
 manner & could not be suffered to make salte except 
 he came & were resident in the franchees & so he came 
 downe & deceased in the Northwich apd. Cestr. 20 Julii 
 a°. 19 Regis Henrici octaui — 1527. 
 
 Folio 27b fo. 64. 
 
 A note of the names of them that have Salthouses w th the 
 rentall of chiefe rents being in the Northwich this pn't 
 yeare 1619 eu'y Salthouse contayneing 4 leades. 
 
 leads 
 
 a. 10 Dn's rex Jacobus 2 \ towle free & fine free & 
 
 one is Judger of Cogshall. 
 
 b. 20 Wms Comes Darbie 5 (I thinke them were supu 
 
 Rauenscroftes lande one is towards the 
 runing house. 
 
 c. 30 Petrs Warbton de Arley ar. 7 \ of free occu- 
 
 pacon one of them & an halfe is both fyne 
 
 free & toll free & another is Judger of s. d. 
 
 Wynyngton & payeth 2s. p an'. 04 00 
 
 Folio 28 
 
 d 3. 1 pt. Gilbtus Diis Gerrard & . . . vx. eius in mre 
 
 ipius fil. & her. Tho. Dutton de Dutton ar. 
 
 defunct 3. & 1 pt. of an ouen of walling de- 
 
1078 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 uided into 3 pts. the 3. & 3d pt. are fyne free 
 & are Judg' of Dutton Leigh & Barterton & 
 pay 2s for eu'y house, & for the one pt. of s. d. 
 
 an ouen of walling 00 08 
 
 e 22 & Robt. Cholmely de Chole miles et Baronet 
 2 pts. 5| & 2 pts of one ouen of walling deuided into 
 3 pts. 2 & d & the 2 pts of an ouen late 
 Dutton lands, one & d. is Judg' of Arton and 
 payeth 2s ,p ann & for the other 05 ( >4 
 
 The other 3 late Holfords lands 2 are Judg' 
 of Lach & Lach dennys & pay 2s a house 
 & for the other 01 00 
 
 f. 48 Hered. Bichi Sutton 12 whereof 8 are fyneable 
 
 2 & \ of them are toll free & fyne free, & 
 another is Judg' of Dunha. massie & payeth 
 2s p an' 04 01 
 
 g. 12 Peter Venables de Kinderton ar. 3 one is Judg' 
 
 of Witton & payeth 2s pr a n' for the same & 
 is fyne free, nota Is is chiefe for the lead 
 pan 02 00 
 
 h. 4 Wms Brereton de Brereton mil one Judg' of 
 
 Crowton 2s ,p an 02 00 
 
 I. 24 Rad. Leftwch de Leftwch ar. 6 one fyne free of 01 00 
 St, Jo: of Jerlm late Mainwarings land of 
 Ightfeild, the Inheritance — Tho. Leftwch 
 fit. 2i. dci: Radi: another is fine free & 
 tolle free inheritance Wm Leftwch fit. 3. 
 anothe' is Judgi' of Eaton and is fine free 
 and toll free & payeth 2« ,p an' the othe 3 
 are fineable and pay 00 U3 
 
 K. 6 Rad. Egerton de Ridley ar. 1|- fine free 
 
 L 8 Rad. Leycester de Toft ar 2. one of them is fine 
 free & Judg' of Lostock & payeth 2* the 
 other is fineable 02 02 
 
 m 8 Ric. Wilbraham de Woodhey miles 2 
 
 fo: 65 
 
 A. 20 Tho. Marbury de Marbury fir. 5.3 of them are 
 fineable another is fine free & Judg' of 
 Marbury and the other is Judgo of Hartford 
 late Holcrofts land & tine free 07 09 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1079 
 
 B 16 Peter Waifeton mil vn' Justic cois banci. 4.3 
 were late Sr Urian Leighs de Adlington mil. 
 2 whereof are fineable & the other is Judger 
 of Clan'ton & payeth 2s p an. the other was 
 late (supw) Robinsons & did pay to the s. d. 
 
 Chiefe Lord supr 00 09 
 
 C. 21 Peter Leycester de Tabley ar. & . . . her. 
 Wnn Leicester 6 late Starkeys of Dunsmore, 
 then Starkey of Darley 2 are fineable Judger 
 of Little Witton & Judg' of Tattenhall are 
 devyded by consent to . . . heire of Wm 
 Lecester being . . leads the rest are M> 
 Lecesters of Tabley inheritnce. 
 
 L>. 26 Hugo Winnington de Armitage ar. 6J fine are 
 vnfree & a halfe, the othe. is free Judg' of 
 Leftwoh which he had by exchange & payeth 
 2s <P ami' 01 02 
 
 Folio 28 
 
 e 1 Rich Newhall de Cestr'. & — vxor eius fil. & 
 her. John Hawes de Litley 1 fine free Judg' 
 of Plumley payeth 2s ,p an. 
 
 f 4 Rich. Wilbram de Witton 1 in feod. firmia. 
 Peter Warbton mit. Justic. et nup. ter. Radi 
 
 Done, (fine free) 01 00 
 
 4 Johes Comes Bridgwater 1 de ter. Tatton & is 
 fine free by St. John of Jerlm. & payeth 
 (once Breretons land of Tatton) 00 06 
 
 h 21 her. Jac. Paver de Watford Mr Duncom & 
 
 1.3d pt. Stepney 5. & 1 leade & the 3d pt. of a leade 02 01 
 
 J 4 Gitfi. Ireland de Hutt. mil. 1 vnfree. 
 
 K. 8 Robt. Venables de Antrobus gen'. 2 wch are 
 
 fineable 00 09 
 
 L 8 Jofi: Starkey de Stretton gen'. 2. one is fine 
 free and Judg' of Comberbach and payeth 
 2s & an. 00 06 
 
 M. 2 Rad. Litler de Wallerscoate gen'. \ fine free 
 by the nunnes of Chester & toll free 
 
 N. 6 Ricfi. Harcott de Wymyncham gen'. 1 & \ of 
 free occupaco the house is fine free & toll 
 free by St. Jo: of Jerlm. the halfe is not free. 
 
 &• 
 
00 06 
 
 
 00 02 
 
 ob 
 
 00 03 
 
 oh 
 
 1080 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 4 Julius Winington 1 fine free Judg' of Tatton s. d. 
 
 2s p an 
 
 A. 8 Roger Deane of Shurlach 2 one is vnfree the 
 oth' is fine free & toll free by the alb. of 
 Basingworke now they are John Deanes 
 landes purchased by p'son Deane 00 08 
 
 b. 4. Thom Sudlowe of Witton late Simcocks Land 
 
 purchased by pson Deane it was the AfB 
 
 of Basingworke but nt free. qre. 00 04 
 
 c. 4 John Horton de Coole 1 which is fineable 02 00 
 
 d. 4 Wm Allen of Rosthorne 1 web. is fineable late 
 
 Marys land 01 06 
 
 E. 4 Henry Mainewaring de Caringham ar. 1 of ye 
 
 land late of RoB. Bromfeild belonging to 
 
 the Abbey of Norton supa fineable 
 f. 4 Rad Bostock de Moulton gent. 1 fineable 
 g 4 Rog Paver de North wch gen 1. 
 h 4 Ric. Newhall 1J more fine free & toll free by 
 
 ye Abby of Whalley it was yates land supa 
 i. 4 Margareta Foxley fil. et her. Wmi. Foxley de 
 
 Pickm'e one wch i s fineable 00 04 ob 
 
 k. 4 John Horton de Aldersey 1. fineable late Ven- 
 
 ables then Clottonsland supa. 00 04 ob 
 
 Folio 29 
 
 L. 4 Henery Pickm'e de Hulse 1 fineable it was 
 late Bostocks land of Moulton as appeareth 
 by division of cheife rente 00 07 ob. 
 
 M. 8 Margaret Shukerley de Hulme 2 fineable one 
 was Fovels land then Venables the othr 
 was George Johnsons lande of Lostock sold 
 to £r Tho. Ireland who sold it to the aforesd 
 Margaret 00 10 ob 
 
 N. 4 Hugh Crosby de Whitley one toll free & fine 
 free it was Worralls sup then Crosby sould 
 it to Tuchet of Whitley it did belong to 
 Venables Judg' of Marshton 02 00 00 
 
 o 4 Tho. Grimsditch of Appleton one fyneable it 
 
 was once Johnsons land of Lostock 00 09 00 
 
 p 6 RoB. Mainwaring & Ales vx' eius fil'. et her. 
 Joh. Hughson de Barterton 1£ one was late 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1081 
 
 Lyes land purchased by Holcrofte sold to 
 Hughson the halfe was Rich. Bromfelds 
 sold to Holcrofte & soe to Hughson it was 
 Wm Leighes supa 
 
 q. 2 Jac. Wright of Namptwch J late Bromfelds 
 sold vt supa 
 
 a. 4 There is one which house purchased of Sr Tho, 
 Holcrofte which was Ric. Bromfelds Land 
 & Ravenscrofts Land to certaine feoffies by 
 ye benevolence of certaine gen' & neighbors 
 towards the hireing of a preaching Minister 
 in the Chappell of Witton 
 
 b 4 Geo'. Bradford de Shipbrooke & . . . vx. 
 
 eius 1 late Clotton's land fineable & it was s. d. 
 Pet. Venables lande 00 04 ob. 
 
 c 1 Geo' Huxley de Bradeley one containeing 1 
 Leade it lieth where the Milne standeth 
 fupa. 
 
 d 2 pts of 4 leads belonging to the schoole fine- 
 
 able purchased by Sr John Deane p'son of 
 greate St. Bartholomews in London. It 
 was Ja'. Pavers land & wrenches and Ellen 
 Bowdes. qre. 
 
 E. In North wich are 113 salthouses and one 
 
 leade eu'y wich house containeing 4 leades 
 whereof one was gene to the Earle of 
 Darbie for ,pvision for his house & is called 
 ye running house bot there is noe lande for 
 the same. 
 
 Folio 29b 
 
 t. eu'y house of 4 leads vsually burneth 9 
 
 qrters of which woode and eu'y qrter at the 
 leaste one with anothe is worth aw 1619 31 
 in toto is burnte 1018 qrters at 5 score to the 
 hundred wch are worth at this rate aboue- 
 said 1 3561. 
 
 g. Ricus Angi. 3 de*. Tho'. duo'. Stanley vitt 
 
 sive man' de Northwich in ward rein' et 
 H. 7. confirm idem man' ped duo Stanley 
 vt Wm. Robinson de Northwich Calls. Wnn 
 
1082 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Com. Derbie indixit wes. qre. Dwelling 
 houses yt pay cheife rent 
 
 h Hugh Juxson for a house at the bridge end s. d. 
 
 called Or Ladie house p an. 02 02 
 
 Wm. Robinsons 00 04 ob 
 
 John Wrench's house sold to Mr Grantam 00 06 
 
 Harleian MS. 2010. Folio 60. 
 
 The Names and Number of all the lords and owners of Salt- 
 houses in Northwich as followeth. (A.D: 1636—1638.) 
 
 l._The Kings Matie is owner of towe Salthouses of xen 
 
 leades. 
 2.— Willm Earle of Derbie five Salthouses xxtie leades. 
 3.— Si Humfrey Davenport Lo. cheife Baron xiew Salthouses 
 
 xlviij leades 
 4. — The heires of Peter Warburton Bsqr vijew Salthouses 
 5.— Si Richard Wilbraham Knight & Baronett twoe Salthouses 
 
 viij leades. 
 6. — Willm. Lo: Brereton one Salthouse 6 leades. 
 7. — Peter Venables Esqr three howses xij leades 
 8. — Willm. Marburie Esqr. hue Salthouses xxtie leades 
 9. — Dutton Lo: Gerrard iij howses xiiijen leades 
 10. — Lawrence Winington gent' vi Salthouses xxvi leades 
 11. — Willm. Ouldfeild Esqr. twoe Salthouses viij leades 
 12. — Robert Lo: Viscount Cholmondeleigh 5 howses xxij le: 
 13. — Peter Tarbucke and Willm. Faldoc gent, five howses & one 
 
 third pte xxtie leades & a third pte. 
 14. — Peter Leycester Esqr. vi howses xxiiij leades. 
 15. — Thomas Stanley Esqr three howses xij leades 
 16. — Raufie Leycester Esqr. towe howses viij leades 
 17. — Robert Venables gent towe howses viij leades 
 18. — Mrs Marie Venables towe howses viij leades 
 19. — Richard Deane twoe howses viij leades. 
 2(>. —Richard Egerton Esqr one howse vi leades 
 21. — Willm Harecourt gen' one howse and a halfe vi leades 
 22. —Richard Newall gen' one howse vi leades. 
 23. — Henery Mainwaringe Esqr. one Howse iiijor leades 
 24. — John Earle of Bridgwater one howse iij leades. 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1083 
 
 Fol. 60b 
 
 25. — John Ireland Esqr. one howse iiijor leades 
 
 26.— Mrs Margaret Shakerley twoe howses viij leades 
 
 27. — Thomas Bromfeild gent, one howse iiijor leades 
 
 28. — Richard Grymsditch gent, one howse iiijor leades 
 
 29. — Rauffe Leftwiche gent, one howse iiijor leades 
 
 30- — Peter Hayes gent, one howse iiijor leades 
 
 31. — Rauffe Bostocke gent, one house iiijor leades 
 
 32. — Paule Winington one howse iiijor leades 
 
 33. — Richard Paver gent, one howse iiijor leades 
 
 34. — Henry Pickmeire one howse iiijor leades 
 
 35. — Richard Crosbie one howse iiijor leades 
 
 36. — John Partington three howses xii leades 
 
 37. — Willm Allen one howse iiijor leades 
 
 38. — Richard Swinton one howse iiijor leades 
 
 39. — John Horton one howse iiijor leades 
 
 40. — Horton one howse iiijor leades 
 
 41. — Thomas Sudlowe one howse iiijor leades 
 
 42. — John Wilbraham one howse iiijor leades 
 
 43. — Rauffe Litler gent, halfe a howse 2 leades 
 
 44. — Richard Bradford one howse iiijor leades 
 
 45. — The schoole of Witton towe leades and towe thirde ptes 
 
 of a lead 
 46. — The Church one howse iiijor leades 
 
 The names before mentioned are owners of Wallinge in North- 
 wiche But they are not placed as they aTe of qualitie and presidencie 
 but as they are placed in the officers bookes there. 
 
 Salt-owxers in Middlewich 
 Folio 61. 
 
 The names of the psons following are as manie as I can learne 
 for the p'sent to bee owners of Salthouses in Middlewich But the 
 number of their seu'all and respective howses and leads I cannot 
 learne. 
 
 1. — Peter Venables Esqr. 
 
 2. — Sr Thomas Smyth Knight 
 
 3. — Thomas Croxton Esqr. 
 
 4. — Richard Church gent. 
 
 5. — Robert Rauenscrofte Esqr. 
 
 6. — Hughe Wilbraham Esqr. 
 
1084 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 7. — John Hurleston Esqr. 
 
 8. — Cotton of Cotton gen' 
 
 9. — Thomas Smith gent. 
 10. — Thomas Manwaringe gent. 
 11.— Michaell Oldfeild gent. 
 12.— George Berkett 
 13. — Thomas Whittingham 
 11. — George Walley 
 15. — Robert Carter 
 16. — James Smalwood 
 17. — Mathewe Smalwood 
 18. — Humfrey Page — gent. 
 19. — Edward Low r e 
 20. — Frances Gamull Esqr. 
 21. — Willrii Reynolds gent. 
 22.— Raffe Hulse gent. Finis. 
 
 Saltownebs in Nantwich 
 
 The names of all those that are owners of Vallinge in Nampt- 
 wich Mr Church hath p'mised mee to send vnto you with all 
 speed. — 
 
 The names of the p'sons followinge are such as haue of late 
 tyme erected newe salt workes uppon their seuerall Inheritances, 
 and uppon newe springes by them founde. 
 
 Impes Dutton Lord Gerrard. But erected in the tyme of his 
 mynoritie by the nowe Lo: Kilmorrie his father in lawe. 
 
 Sr George Boothe Knight and Baronett. — 
 
 Williu Marburie Esqr. — 
 
 Peter Venables Esqr. — 
 
 Willm Warren Esqr. — 
 
 There is another Wiche where there is great store of Salt made 
 in Cheshire And w<* is of greate Antiquitie called Fulwich als 
 
 . . Durtwich, And my Lo: Brereton is an owner of seu'all 
 Wichhouses theire But whoe are owners of the rest I cannot learne. 
 
 Harleian MS. 2073, Folio 1 lib. 115— References to Northwich 
 Plan. (See page 1087.) 
 
 1. Cholmley nup. Holford. 5. The Bryne Pit 
 
 2. Cholmley nup. Jo. Dutton 6. Arleys lande 
 
 3. Hase of Litley 7. Sr. Peter Warberton 
 1. Holford Lands 8. Armitage Lande 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1085 
 
 9. 
 
 Leicester de Tabley 
 
 45. 
 
 Duncombe et Stepney 
 
 10. 
 
 Armitage 
 
 46. 
 
 idem 
 
 11. 
 
 Lo: Gerrard 
 
 47. 
 
 48. heredes Sutton 
 
 12. 
 
 Lo: Gerrard 
 
 49. 
 
 Meyre 
 
 13. 
 
 Harecott et Litler 
 
 50. 
 
 1 
 
 14. 
 
 Earle of Derby 
 
 51. 
 
 J Heredes Sutton 
 
 15. 
 
 Earle of Bridgwater 
 
 52. 
 
 Bostock 
 
 16. 
 
 Jo: Deane 
 
 53. 
 
 Bromfeild Tho. 
 
 17. 
 
 Widdow Deane 
 
 54. 
 
 
 18. 
 
 Sr. Peter Warberton 
 
 55. 
 
 Peter Venables Esqr. 
 
 19. 
 
 Peter Warberton de Arley 
 
 56. 
 
 Pickmere 
 
 
 Esqr. 
 
 57. 
 
 heredes Sutton 
 
 20. 
 
 Wilbram de Witton nu,p. 
 
 58. 
 
 Court house, ,ps Curie terr. 
 
 
 Dones 
 
 
 Leicest de Toft. 
 
 21. 
 
 Sr. Eicb. Wilbram 
 
 59. 
 
 Rich. Jacksons 
 
 22. 
 
 Sr. Rich. Wilbram 
 
 60. 
 
 Leicester de Toft 
 
 23. 
 
 a horse mille Huxley hath 
 
 61. 
 
 the house of Correction 
 
 
 1 leade 
 
 62. 
 
 Tho. Leftwich 
 
 24. 
 
 1 Mr Duncombe et Stepney 
 
 63. 
 
 land of Tho. Leftwich 
 
 25. 
 
 J Her' Pauer 
 
 64. 
 
 the Swan 
 
 26. 
 
 Tho. Bromfeild de Witton 
 
 65. 
 
 land of Duncombe & 
 
 27. 
 
 Mr Duncombe & Stepney 
 
 
 Stepney 
 
 28. 
 
 Rogr Pauer 
 
 66. 
 
 Will in Robinson 
 
 29. 
 
 Tho. Marburg Esqr. 
 
 67. 
 
 Willington 
 
 30. 
 
 Sr. Peter Warberton Jus- 
 
 68. 
 
 land of Petr Venables Bar' 
 
 
 tic'. 
 
 
 Kinderton 
 
 31. 
 
 Earle of Derby 
 
 69. 
 
 Leicester de Tabley 
 
 32. 
 
 Leicester de Tabley. 
 
 70. 
 
 Graunt anc. nup. Wrench 
 
 33. 
 
 Tho. Marbury Esqr. 
 
 71. 
 
 Earle of Derby 
 
 34. 
 
 Jacobus Rex Angl 
 
 72. 
 
 George Marbury 
 
 35. 
 
 Peter Venables Bar' 
 
 73. 
 
 Broome 
 
 
 Kinderton 
 
 74. 
 
 John Johnson 
 
 36. 
 
 Harecot de Wymyncham 
 
 75. 
 
 Tho. Marbury Esqr. 
 
 37. 
 
 Cholmley nu{>. Dutton 
 
 76. 
 
 "(Arley 
 
 38. 
 
 Jacobs. Rex Angl. 
 
 77./ „ 
 
 39. 
 
 Leftwich de Leftwich 
 
 78. 
 
 Crosbye 
 
 40. 
 
 Leicester de Tabley 
 
 79. 
 
 Leftwich nup. mainwaring 
 
 41. 
 
 idem 
 
 80. 
 
 land of Leftwich 
 
 42. 
 
 Jo: Deane de Shurlach 
 
 81. 
 
 Waltons 
 
 43. 
 
 Tho. Sudlowe de Witton 
 
 82. 
 
 Henr. Mainwaringe Esqr. 
 
 44. 
 
 Leicester de . . . 
 
 83. 
 
 Pet. Venables Esqr. 
 
1086 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 84. Sr. Rich. Eggerton 
 
 85. Raffe Leister of Toft Esqr. 
 
 86. the Lady Maiy Cholmley 
 
 87. Tho. Marbury de Marbury 
 
 Esqr. 
 
 88. Sr. Wilt. Brereton. 
 
 89. Lo. Gerrard nu.p Dutton 
 
 90. Arley lands 
 
 91. Julius Winington 
 
 92. heredz. Ric. Sutton 
 
 93. Sir GilBt. Ireland 
 
 94. Meyre de Rousthorne 
 
 95. Leicester de Tabley 
 
 96. Tho. Marbury de Marb. 
 
 Esqr. 
 
 97. Earle of Derbye 
 
 98. the fhopps 
 
 99. Rafe Bostock of Moulton 
 
 100. Marg' taSli akerley 
 
 101. Witt Conies Derbie 
 
 102. Robt. Venables 
 
 103. Hugh Winington Esqr. 
 
 104. Margt Shakerley 
 
 105. Horton de Coole 
 
 106. Leftwich de Leftwich 
 
 107. heredz. Sutton 
 
 108. Rich Newhall 
 
 109. Heredz. Sutton 
 
 110. Sterkey de Stretton 
 
 111. Arley lands Jone Pauer 
 
 112. Heredz. Sutton 
 
 113. Arley Rogersons 
 
 114. a lead Smithy 
 
 115. Leftwich 
 
 116. Heredz Sutton alias Sal- 
 
 moni 
 
 117. Geo. Bradford 
 
 118. Sr. Peter Warberton 
 
 119. Horton de Aldersey 
 
 120. land of Geo. Bradford 
 
 121. Peter Warberton Esqr. 
 
 122. Pet. Leicester de Toft 
 
 Esqr. 
 
 123. land of Pet. Warberton 
 
 Esqr. 
 
 124. Schoole land & heires of 
 
 Pauer 
 
 125. Tho. Starkey of Stretton 
 
 126. Huig' Winington Esqr. 
 
 127. Leftwich de Leftwich 
 
 128. Earle of Derbie ye Back- 
 
 house 
 
 129. Grimsditch de Apleton 
 
 130. Toft. Yeansworth 
 131. '(heredz. Ric. Sutton 
 132./ „ 
 
 133. land of Leicester of Tabley 
 
 Bromes 
 
 134. Bromfeild & Ridgway 
 
 135. Pickmere Darbie 
 
 136. land of Rog'. Pauer 
 
 137. Toft & Yeansworth 
 
 138. Armitage 
 
 139 
 
 140. Tho. Marbury Esqr. 
 
 141. Rot)t. Venables gent 
 
 142. Hug' Winington Esqr. 
 
 143. idem 
 
 144. maras Foxley 
 
 145. (heredz. Sutton 
 146.1 ., 
 
 147. C'rosbve 
 
 148. Petrus Venables 
 
 149. Roftt. Mainwaring de 
 
 M'ton. 1619. 
 
 150. land of Witt. Leftwich 
 
 151. heredes Sutton 
 
 152. Church land 
 
 153. Edw. Mainwaringe 
 
ts^t-s &.""**"'# "ty- 
 
 555 5WW1 
 
 
 mm 
 
 "9UJOUJ 
 
 &>? 
 
 1087 
 
1088 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 A Memorandum op Inconveniences 
 
 Harleian M.S. 7009. Folio 30. Indorsement—" Salt Proiect." 
 There are many inconveniencies brought vpon or comon wealth 
 for that salt the mayne and most necessary comodety wch or 
 country wanteth ys imported and sold by straungers. Fyrst 
 the decaye of shippinge, for that where wthin thease seuen yeares, 
 there were at the least in the west parts of England forty or 
 fyfty saile of shyppes sett on worke by fetchinge of salt most pte. 
 of the yeare, nowe there are not three shippes imploied that waye. 
 
 Secondly — Want of ymployment and releife for so many menu 
 at the least as were imployed in the foresade shyppes. 
 
 Thirdly — a hinderance of the vent of or home comocfeties 
 wch were wount to supply vs wth that provysyon. 
 
 Fowerthly — the robbinge of vs yearly of tenn thousand pounds 
 in mony at the least. 
 
 To proue this to bee true yt. may please his highness to call 
 before him some marchants of the westerne ptes. and to bee 
 informed by them whether thys bee as ys herein related. Then 
 how to meete wth thys inconveyence is necessary to be con- 
 sydered. To restraine forreners who bringe the same maye 
 proue more ynconvenient. To ympose a greater tax vpon 
 Strangers then vpon or natyves may also bee preiudyciall. 
 
 Yeatt discrecon requires and pollecy may meete wth thys for 
 the benefyte of his matie the good of the comon wealth, and 
 contentment of the subiects in general! sauinge such as nowe 
 phapes bee ingrocers of that comodety at the tymes and seazons 
 when yt ys ymported. 
 
 Folio 32 
 
 For remedy of this inconvenyence growing through the neglect 
 and corruption of under officers who by their conyvance wynke 
 at the straunger wch y S bound by statute to ymploy his mony ; 
 yf a better couse bee not devysed, his matie may bee pleased to 
 take the preemtio of all great salt into his owne handes : And 
 appoint Contractors wch may sell the same to his subiectes wth 
 this caution that the prise shall never excede xvd the Wynchester 
 bushell, wch in former tymes hath been solde for fower fyue and 
 syx shillings the bushell. 
 
 The Contractors are to fraight English shippes only, and then 
 th' one halfe of yt wch wee paie to straungers ys gotten freely to 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1089 
 
 the cofnon wealth for the fraight of the shipp the wages of the 
 memi and vyctuals spent upon them ys ordinaryly as much as 
 ys paide for the salt all won retourneth to or Kingdom againe 
 
 Moreover or owne shippes, doe comonly carry forth or home 
 comodeties and wth them buy their salt, wheras nowe all that ys 
 brought out of forraine bottomes ys bought for redy mony. — 
 
 Nowe that the forrener may not complaine nor other Kingdomes 
 take notice of this as of a wronge the contracters may buy of the 
 straunger at such lowe and meane pryses as shall weary them 
 out wch bringe it to sell vnto us. And that or natiues also may 
 not haue any iust cause of complaint yt wylbe necessary that 
 a certaine rate be agreed upon and declared, what fraight shalbe 
 payed for a tonn of salt in euery seuerall port. 
 
 The Contractors may sell the salt at xvd the wynchester bushell 
 and after that rate and yeat paie vnto his matie out of that well 
 wylbe gotten eyght or tenn thousand pounds yearly and I thinke 
 bee gainers by the bargaine. 
 
 There is and hath been time out of mind within the Town of 
 Northwich Five Score and Twelve four-leads and odd lead and 
 no more, but Four leads of Walling called the runing Wich- 
 house so the Total sum is five score & thirteen four-leads and 
 one odd lead, which stands in Town Eow, as followeth. 
 
 On the South side of Seath Street along the River of Dane 
 towards the Seath. 
 
 Imprimis. 
 
 Eichard Sutton of Sutton esqe . } iiij leads 
 Sir Francis Monckton Barrt & now 
 
 Earl Rivers 
 Note : this house stands next to the 
 Court house & not in the Sheath 
 street. _, 
 
 Thomas Willbrame of Woodhey 
 
 esqe one salt-house of . iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Willbrame of Woodhey 
 another salt-house of . . iiij leads 
 
 Richard Wilbrame of Witton one 
 
 salt house of . . iiij leads- 
 
 This Salt house held in fee farme ] 
 & was late yc Inheritance of Sr - 
 Jon Done's of Utkinton. 
 
 3z 
 
1090 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Peter Warburton of Arley esqre one 
 salt house of . 
 
 J"] 
 
 leads 
 
 Judger of 
 Clauerton 
 
 St John of Jeru- 
 salem 
 
 The Nuns of 
 Chester fine 
 free. The one 
 half Litlers 
 part is free 
 only. 
 
 Judgers of Bar- 
 tington 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlington esqr 1 
 
 one salt house of . . . - iiij leads 
 
 Now Mr Stanley's of Alderley . J 
 
 The Heirs of John Deane Clarke \ iiij leads 
 one of . . . ' . . | 
 
 Now Richard Deane's of Shur- j 
 lach. ' 
 
 Richard Breerton of Tatton esqr j iiij leads 
 
 one of ,- 
 
 This is now Lord of Bridgwaters ) 
 
 The Right Honourble Ferdinand 
 Earle of Derby one of . . iiij leads 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich esqr. 
 
 & Richard Litler Gentl one Salt 
 
 house of . . iiij leads 
 
 Halfe of this is now Mr Richard 
 
 Sarcors and the other half Mr 
 
 Litler's. 
 
 John Dutton of Dutton esqr one 
 
 of .... 
 
 Now the land of Lord Chomley & 
 
 Thos Rofsendale Gent. 
 Dutton's Land is 2 leads & -J of 2 
 
 leads Chomley's Land is f of 2 
 
 leads. 
 
 Judger of Little ^ John Dutton of Dutton esqr an- \ iiij leads 
 Leigh J other of these eight Leads last 
 
 written there is due to Dutton 
 but six Leads & one third part 
 of two Leads ; the other third 
 pt of two Leads was purchased 
 by Chomley of Chomley. 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich esqr \ iiij leads 
 one of . . . . . y 
 
 Now Ralph Nicksons land. 
 
 Peers Leycester of Tabley esqr one"'; iiij leads 
 of downe. The one halfe of 
 this i leads is Mr Leycesters 
 of Tabley ; and the other halfe 
 is Mr William Leycesters of New 
 Castle. 
 
 Hugh Wilmington of Hermitage 
 
 Gent, one of . . . . iiij leads 
 
 Now Ralph Nicksons. 
 
 I 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1091 
 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlington esq?' 
 
 one of . 
 Purchased by Judge Warburton 
 
 & now Mr Thomas Stanley's of 
 
 Alderley. 
 
 Fine free Petei Warburton of Arley esqr one 
 of . . . . . 
 
 Sir Hugh Chomley Knight the 
 younger & Dame Mary his wife, 
 Daughter & heir of Christophr | 
 Holford esqr one of . . J 
 
 Judgers of ( John Hawes of Littley Gent one 
 Plumbley J of ..... 
 
 Late Mr Richard Newalls Land in 
 right of his wife now Mr William 
 Bentley's land. 
 
 Sr Hugh Chomley the Elder Knight 
 
 one of . 
 Late the Land of John Dutton 
 
 of Dutton esqr Now downe. 
 
 Judger of ^ Sir Hugh Chomley the Youngr 
 Lach. / Knight &, dame Mary his Wife 
 Daughter & heir of Christopher 
 Holford esqr one of 
 
 Thomas Chomley esqr sets this 
 Four Lead. 
 
 mi 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 ui] 
 
 ui] 
 
 leads 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 On the North Side of the Same 
 Street. 
 
 Robert Pickmere of Husce one Salt "\ 
 
 house of | iiij leads 
 
 Now Richard Bradford's Land of j 
 Shipbrooke. I 
 
 Richard Bromfeild of Northwich ' 
 
 one of . . . . iiij leads 
 
 One oven of this is now Richard 
 Robinson's in right of his wife ; 
 Now William Rowe's of Hart- 
 ford. The other oven is now 
 John Partingtons of Witton. 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton esqr one 
 
 of ... iiij leads 
 
 Now the Lady Davenports of Sut- ] 
 ton & now also John Broome's J- 
 Kitchen in his new building. ) 
 
1092 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 l 
 
 The Heirs of James Pavor of Wat- 
 ford one salt house of 
 
 Now Mr Tarbocks & Mr Halldores 
 Land 
 
 Now Mr Tarbocks & Mr Mariett's 
 Land being the pavement house. 
 
 The Heirs of the said James Pavor 
 another of 
 
 Judgers of Tat- ) Leicester of Tabley one Salt house 
 tonhall J of .... . 
 
 Late Starkey's of Darley Now Mr 
 Leicester of New Castle. 
 
 The Heirs John Deane, Clarke one 
 
 Salt house of . 
 George Simcock of Shebrooke Now 
 
 Mr Thomas Sudlows of Witton. 
 
 Fine free by the "j The Heirs of the said John Deane 
 Abbey of Bas- I Clarke another of 
 wark j Roger Deane of Shurlach Now I 
 
 Richard Deane's of Shurlach. J 
 
 Fine free Abbey 1 Leicester of Tabley one Salt house ' 
 of Vale Royall f This Four Leads is divided be- 
 Towle free ' twixt Mr Lester of Tabley & Mr 
 
 William Leicester Now John 
 
 Broom's Stable. 
 
 Fine free Abbey ] Leicester of Tabley another of 
 of Vale Royall I 
 & Towle free. J 
 
 Judgr of Eaton ~\ Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich esqr 
 Towle free. / one Salt house of 
 
 Now John Partingtons of Witton. 
 Judgr of Cock- 1 
 shall Towle free J The Queens Matie one of . 
 
 One of the Crewes is Judger of 
 
 Coxshall. 
 Sir Hugh Chomley the elder 
 Knight late the Land of John 
 Dutton of Dutton esqr one salt 
 house of 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich esqr 
 
 one Salt house of . 
 Now Mr Ralph Harcorth's of 
 
 Wincham 
 
 Thomas Venables of Kinderton 
 esqr one Salt house of 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 St Jon of Jeru- \ 
 salem j 
 
 Judger of ^ 
 Witton / 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij lead 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 I 
 J 
 
 \ ... 
 
 j iiij leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1093 
 
 Fine free The Queen's Majesty one Salt house 
 of 
 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury one 
 Salt house of 
 
 Judger of "j Now Mr Chomley's of Yale Eoyall. 
 Little - Lester of Tabley one Salt house of 
 Witton J Late Venables of Kinderton Land. 
 This is now Mr Wm Leicesters of 
 Newcastle. 
 
 The Earl of Derby one Salt house 
 of .... 
 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlington esqr 
 
 one Salt house of . 
 Purchased by Judge Warburton & 
 
 now Mr Stanley's of Alderley 
 
 Judger of Mar- \ Thomas Marbury of Marbury esqr 
 bury | one Salt house of . 
 
 Now Mr Tho. Chomleys of Vale 
 Royall. 
 
 Peter Pavor of Northwich one Salt 
 
 house of 
 Now Mr Ealph Wilmington's. 
 
 The Heirs of James Pavor one Salt 
 house of ... 
 
 Now Mr Tarbock's & Mr Falldore's 
 land 
 
 Now Mr Tarbocks & Merietts Land. , 
 
 Robert Bromefield of Witton one 
 Salt house of ... 
 
 On the North Side of the High 
 Street. 
 
 St Jon of Jeru- \ Geoe Mainewareing of Eightfield " 
 
 salem 
 
 Abbey of Vale 
 Royall fine 
 free & towle. 
 
 Judgers of | 
 Winnington I 
 
 esqr one Salt house of 
 This is now Leftwich's of Leftwich 
 & now Mr Ralph Leftwich of 
 Northwich. 
 
 John Crossbey of Whittley one Salt 
 house of ... . 
 
 Peter Warburton of Alrey esqr one ^ 
 Salt house of . . .J 
 
 The same Peter Warburton another 
 of 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
1094 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Out the West End of the Yate Street 
 next to the Markett Stead. 
 
 The Earle of Darbye one salt house 
 
 of .....) iiij leads 
 
 Now Shopps are sett on this Wich- J- 
 house room. j 
 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury one" 
 
 Salt house of . . iiij leads 
 
 Downe. Now Mr Chomley of Vale 
 Royal having a dwelling house on 
 the Land in tenure of Margrett 
 Sudlow i 
 
 Peter Leicester of Tabley one salt- 
 house of . iiij leads 
 
 Late Starkey"s of Darley. 
 
 Hugh Mayor of Rosthorne one \ 
 Salt house of ... 
 
 Now Mr Aliens of Mobberley. 
 
 George Ireland of Crouton esqr one 1 
 
 Salt house of . . [ iiij leads 
 
 Now Mr Thomas Hattons of 
 Crowton. 
 
 m J 
 
 leads 
 
 The High Street. 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton esqr one 
 Salt house of ... 
 
 Now Lady Davenports. 
 
 Julius Winnington of Berches one 
 Salt house of 
 
 Peter Warburton of Aiiey esqr one 
 
 Salt house of 
 John Dutton of Dutton esqr one 
 
 Salt house of ... 
 
 This is purchased by Thomas Rof- 
 
 sendale of Aston grange 
 William Brereton Knight one Salt 
 
 house of 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury one 
 
 Salt house of ... 
 
 Late Hollcroft of Hollcroft after of 
 
 Vale Royall. Now the Land of 
 
 Mr Davies of Ashton. 
 Judgers of Lach \ Sir Hugh Chomley Knight & Dame 
 Dennis I Mary his Wife Daughter & heir 
 
 of Xtopher Holford esqr one Salt 
 
 house of 
 
 Judgers of Dun- 1 
 ham Mafsey / 
 
 Judgers of ) 
 
 Tatton / 
 
 St Jon of Je- \ 
 
 rusalem. free J 
 
 Judgers of "\ 
 
 Dutton J 
 
 Judgers of ) 
 Crowton J 
 
 Judger of \ 
 Hartford 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 vj leads 
 vj leads 
 
 vj leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1095 
 
 Judgers of ~\ George Leicester of Toft esqr one ] 
 
 Lostock- V Salt house of . . ' . I iiij leads 
 
 Gralam J Late Waltons of the Sprincke. J 
 
 On the South Side of the Yate Street. 
 
 Fine free S* Jon^ Eoger Egerton of Ridley esqr one ) 
 of Jerusalem f SaltTinnsp rvf ' 
 
 vj leads 
 
 On 
 
 of Jerusalem / Salt house of 
 
 Now Judge Warburtons Land. J 
 Thomas Venables of Kinderton one ) 
 
 Salt Downe. house of . J iiij leads 
 
 Abbey of I Henry Mainwareing of Carincham 
 
 Norton - one Salt house of . . . iiij leads 
 
 fineable J Now George Brooms. 
 
 the North Side of the Yate Street. 
 
 Thomas Starkey of Stretton esqr" 
 one Salt house of . . . iiij leads 
 
 Downe & built by Mrs Mary Ven- 
 ables the now owner & Now Mr 
 Mackworths Land and Now Doctor 
 Bentleys Land. 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton esqr. one \ 
 
 Salt house of ] vj leads 
 
 Downe Walling. Now Sr Francis '■ 
 Munktons Land, & now Earle 
 Rivers' Land. 
 ] Randall Yate of Northwich one' 
 - Salt house of vj leads 
 
 Downe Walling. Now Sr Francis 
 Munktons Land ; & now Earle 
 Rivers' Land. 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton esqr one 
 
 Salt house of iiij leads 
 
 f Now Mr Mofsleys of the Hoosend. 
 
 Hugh Wifiington of Hermitage. ' 
 \ Now Leftwich by way of ex- 
 / change one Salt house of . > iiij leads 
 
 Now Mr William Leftwich of North- 
 wich his land. 
 
 Mr Horton of Cow Lane one Salt 
 
 house of ... . iiij leads 
 
 .... Fovell of Middlewich one 
 
 Salt house of . . iiij leads 
 
 Now Mrs Margrett Shakerley's Land: 
 Now John Walton's of North- 
 wich & Now Mr Jeffrey Shakerley's 
 land. 
 
 Fine free 
 Abbey of 
 Whaley 
 
 Fine free & 
 Towle free 
 Abbey of 
 Whaley 
 
 Fine free Abbey 
 of Whaley 
 
1096 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Hugh Wilmington of Hermitage \ 
 
 one Salt house of . . Miij leads 
 
 Now John Read's Land. J 
 
 Robert Venables of Antrobus Gent. 
 
 one Salt house of . . iiij leads 
 
 The Earle of Derby one Salt house 
 of ..... iiij leads 
 
 George Johns of Lostock one Salt ^i 
 house of . iiij leads 
 
 Now Tho: Irelands the Lawyer and 
 after Mrs Margrett Shakerley 
 Now Mr Shakerleys Land of 
 Holme. 
 
 The South Side of Yate Street. 
 
 Ralph Bostock of Moulton one ~| 
 
 Salt house of ... - iiij leads 
 
 Now the tenure of Mr Ralph Broome. J 
 
 On the North Side of ye Sam« Street being the 
 Leach Eye. 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich esqr') 
 
 one Salt house of . . | iiij leads 
 
 Now John Partingtons being his 
 new shop. 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton esqr. one \ 
 
 Salt house of . . . | iiij leads 
 
 Now Si' Francis Munkton's & Earle 
 Rivers Land 
 
 The Same Richard Sutton of Sutton 
 esqr one Salt house of 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich esqr 
 Juxta Com 1 one Salt house of . 
 
 Bakehouse J Now Leftwich Oldfield of Leftwich 
 esqr his Land. I 
 
 Thomas Grimsditeh of Appleton. | 
 
 one Salt house of . . . - iiij leads 
 
 Now Thomas Watts of Appleton J 
 
 Hugh Wilmington of the Armitage"^ 
 one Salt house of 
 
 This is now a Barne & now Ralph 
 Nicksons land & now a dwelling- 
 house & Thomas Nicksons land 
 1696 
 
 iiij leads 
 ] iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTH WICH RECORDS 1097 
 
 Arley esqr ") 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 I 
 
 Thomas Starkey of Stretton Gent ' 
 Judger of Com- ) one Salt house of . 
 berbach /Downe. Now Mackworth Land, 
 
 & Now Doctor Bentley's Land 
 of Northwich. 
 Schoole ^ Two third parts of Four Leads be- N 
 Land J longing to the Schoole & the 
 other third part to the heirs of 
 James Pavor 
 
 The £d part belongs now to Mr 
 Tarbock and Falldoe & now to 
 Mr Tarbock & Meriott, both of 
 Witton & the other two thirds 
 belong to the Schoole aforesaid. 
 Fine free \ Peter Warburton of 
 doubted. I one Salt house of 
 
 Downe. 
 
 George Leicester of the Toft esqr 
 one Salt house of . 
 
 Downe. Late Waltons of the 
 Sprinke. 
 Fine free | Peter Warburton of Arley esqr 
 doubted J one Salt house of . 
 
 Peter Warburton of Chester 
 vizt 
 
 Judge Warburton, one Salt house of 
 
 Late Robinsons of Northwich, now 
 Mr Stanleys of Alderley. Note : 
 these Four Leads were purchased 
 by the said Judge of and from 
 Robinson of Northwich. 
 
 Horton of Alderley one ' 
 
 Salt house of 
 
 Late Clottons of Northwich Now 
 Richard Bradfords of Ship- 
 brooke pr purchase 
 
 The Heirs of Clottons of North- 
 wich one Salt house of . 
 
 George Bradfords of Shipbrooke 
 
 Now Richard Bradfords of Ship- 
 brooke 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 esqr 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 On the East Part of the Little Street. 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton Esqr one ] 
 
 ftalf. Iimisp of V ll 
 
 Salt house of. 
 Now the Lady Davenports. 
 Little Street. 
 
 iiij leads 
 
1098 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton Esqr a 
 
 Salt house of. 
 Now Mrs Moseleys of the Howsend. 
 William Foxley of Pickmere one 
 
 Salt house of. 
 Now John Swintons in right of his 
 
 wife. 
 Hugh Wilmington of th' Armitage 
 
 one Salt house of . 
 Now Mr Peter Venables his Land. 
 Hugh Wilmington of th' Armitage 
 
 one Salt house of . 
 Now Mi' George Leftwich's of North- 
 
 wich. 
 Robert Venables of Antrobus Gent. 
 
 one Salt house of . 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury one 
 
 Salt house of. 
 Now Thomas Chomley of Yale 
 
 Royall Esqr 
 The heirs of James Pavor late of 
 
 Whatoroft one salt house of 
 Now Mr Tarbock & Mr Meriotts 
 
 Land. 
 The heirs of the sd James Paver 
 
 another of 
 Ut supra. Note i leads lyes next 
 
 to ye horse mill 
 
 On the West Side of ye sd Salt houses in the Little Street. 
 
 Church ) Richard Bromefield of Northwich 
 Land J one Salt house of . 
 
 Purchased for the Maintenance of 
 
 the Preacher of Witton. 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton Esqr~i 
 
 one salt house of . | 
 
 Now Mrs Moseleys Land of How- ' 
 
 send. i 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich Esqr , j 
 one Salt house of . . . 
 
 Now Leftwich Oldfield Esqr j 
 
 The Lady Julyan Holcroft WidwA 
 one Salt house of . 
 
 Late Lea's of Fradsham Now Mr 
 Holcroft purchased by Hughson 
 of Batterton now William Rowes 
 of Hartford. 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1099 
 
 Robert Bromfield of Witton one "j 
 
 Salt house of ... - iiij leads 
 
 Now Esqr Venables of Kinderton. J 
 
 Hugh Crosby of Lostock Gralam \ 
 or rather of over Whitley one | 
 Salt house of . . . . | iiij leads 
 
 Chief Rent viij pence. 
 
 This is now Purchased by John 
 Partington of Witton. 
 
 Huxley of Brindley one Salt house 1 
 
 of \ j lead 
 
 Horse mill. ) 
 
 The Earle of Derby one Salt house ) 
 
 called the Running house . j iiij leads 
 
 Which 4 leads was given to his 
 Lordships Ancestors by the Bur- 
 gesses & Inhabitants of this Town 
 towds the maintenance of his 
 Lordsps Kitchen with Salt. 
 
 113 '4 Leads & ) The whole number of Salt-houses in this 
 
 odd lead. / Town of North wich are just five score and 
 
 thirteen Four Leads and one odd Lead and 
 
 no more or less were ever known to be time 
 
 out of mind. 
 
 10 Six Leads. 
 There are within this town ten six-lead houses and no more. 
 Their names to whom they belong hereafter followes. 
 
 Ten Six Lead Houses. 
 
 Judger of ) Robert Chomley esqr one six Lead . . 1 
 
 Acton j 
 Fine free. The Kings Ma j tie one .... 1 
 
 Judger of 1 
 
 Dunham - The Heirs of Richard Sutton Esqr two . 2 
 Massey j 
 
 Free by Abbey 1 Hugh Winning-ton of Armitage Esqr one 1 
 
 of Whalley / 
 Free by Jon oi\ Peter Warburton of Arley esqr one . . 1 
 
 of Jerusalem J 
 
 Judger of ") John Dutton of Dutton Esqr one . . 1 
 
 Dutton / 
 Judger of \ S' - William Brereton Knight one . . 1 
 
 Crowton J 
 
1100 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Free by St ] 
 
 Jon of -Ralph Egerton of Ridley Esqr one 
 Jerusalem J 
 Free by Abbey ) Richard Newall of Chester one . 
 of Whalley / 
 
 Northwich. Ano Doni 1605. 
 A true Number of Salt-houses within the Burrow and Town 
 of Northwich with the Services & Freedoms and Customes as 
 hereafter doth appear : the towle free houses & Judgers houses 
 w*h the Cheife Rents as the have been accustomably paid. 
 
 The King 1 Our Soveraigne Lord the Kings Majty hath 
 Majty 10 - two Salt-houses and a halfe which be both 
 leads — 2J j towle free and ffine free, & is Judger of 
 Cockshall. 
 
 The Earle of 1 William Earle of Darby hath Five Salt-houses 
 Darby 20 j- of unfree occupation and if an unfree man 
 leads v 
 
 1 
 
 doth occupie them they must yearly pay 
 'to the Lord of the Manner in Lead fine, the 
 sum of Forty Shillings xls 
 
 Warburton of 1 Peter Warburton of Arley Esqr hath seven 
 
 Arley 30 - Salt-houses and a halfe of free occupation 
 
 leads — 1\ J one of them and a halfe be both Fine free 
 
 and towle free by S* John of Jerusalem 
 
 and another house is Judger of Winnington 
 
 and payeth yearly in Judgers ffine to the 
 
 Lord of the Manner . ijs 
 
 And also in cheife rent to the Lord of the 
 
 Manner .... iiijs 
 
 John Dutton of Dutton Esqr three Salt houses 
 and a halfe and one part of an oven of Wal- 
 ling divided in three parts : the three houses 
 and halfe are fine free and are Judgers of 
 Dutton, Leigh and Bartington and do 
 yearly pay to the Lord for every Judgers 
 house . . ijs 
 
 And for one part of the Oven of Walling viiijd 
 Chomley of \ Robert Chomley of Chomley Esqr five Salt- 
 Chomley 51 | houses and a halfe and two parts of an oven 
 & 2 pts. of I of Walling divided into three parts, two 
 an oven. J leads and a halfe and two parts of the oven 
 were late Dutton land : 1 Salt house and a 
 halfe is Judger of Acton & payeth yearly 
 to the Lord of the Manor for Judgers 
 
 Dutton of 
 
 Dutton 12 
 
 leads 3J & 1 
 
 part of an 
 
 oven. 
 
 fine 
 
 'I s 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1101 
 
 And for the other . . . ijs iiijd 
 
 The other three Salt-houses were late Tho. 
 Holford's esqr land ; two of them are 
 Judgers of Lach and Lach Dennis & pay 
 yearly to the Lord of the Manner 2s a 
 house . . ... iiijs 
 
 And the Other is unfree & payeth for Lead 
 Fines yearly .... viijs 
 
 And in cheife rent for Holford Land . xijd 
 
 The Heirs of \ Richard Sutton of Sutton esqr his heirs hath 
 
 Sutton of I twelve Salt-houses eight whereof are fynable 
 
 Sutton 48 I & payeth yearly to the Lord of the Maner 
 
 leads. 12 |J if an unfree man doth occupie them iijs vhjd 
 
 And two other and a halfe of the said houses 
 
 are both towle free fine free & tyth free. 
 
 The other house is Judger of Dunham Mafsey 
 
 and payeth yearly to the Lord of the Manner 
 
 for Judgers fine . . . ijs 
 
 And for chief e rent to the said Lord . iiijs jd 
 
 Venables of \ Thomas Venables of Kinderton esqr three 
 
 Kinderton. 3 f Salt-houses : two are finable & payeth 
 
 yearly to the Lord of the Maiier if an unfree 
 
 man doth occupie them 16s . xvjs 
 
 The third is fine free and Judger of Witton 
 
 and payeth yearly to the Lord of the manner 
 
 for Judgers fine . . ij s 
 
 And also in chief e rent to the said Lord ijs 
 
 Breerton of] William Breerton of Breerton Knight hath 
 
 Breerton 6 J- one Salt-house of Six Leads of Free occupa- 
 
 leads. 1J. J tion and is Judger of Croton and payeth 
 
 yearly to the Lord of the Manner for Judgers 
 
 fine ijs 
 
 Leftwich of ] Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich esqr hath Six 
 
 Leftwich 26 - Salt-houses : One is fine free ( Jon de ] 
 
 leads 6 J (St John of Jerusalem) and was ■ Jerusalem - 
 
 late George Mainwareing of ( free ) 
 
 Eightfield Kt and payeth yearly to the 
 
 Lord xijd 
 
 One other is tythe free and towle free and one 
 other is fine free & towle free and is Judger 
 of Eaton and payeth yearly to the Lord of 
 the Manner for Judgers fine . . ijs 
 
 The other three are fineable and if an unfree 
 man doth occupy them he payeth to the 
 Lord of the Manner . . . xxiiijs 
 
 And chief e rent to the Lord of this Mailer iijd 
 
1102 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Toft 8 leads , 
 2 J 
 
 Edgerton ofl Ralph Edgerton of Ridley esq? now Judge 
 Ridley 6 - Warburtons hath, one Salt-Louse of Six leads, 
 leads, ljj and is both fine free and towle free by S* 
 John of Jerusalem 
 
 Leicester of] George Leicester of Toft Knight hath two 
 TVft- 8 l^c I Salt-houses, late the lande of Wallton of 
 the Sprinke one of them is fine free and is 
 Judger of Lostock Gralam and payeth 
 yearly to the Lord of the manner for Judger's 
 fine ij s 
 
 The other is fineable and if an unfree man 
 doth occupie it doth pay to the Lord of the 
 manner for Lead nine . . . viijs 
 
 And for cheife rent . . ij s ij d 
 
 Wilbraham of 1 Thomas Wilbraham of Woodhey Esqr hath 
 Woodhey 8 J- two Salt-houses of unfree occupation and 
 payeth yearly to the Lord of the Manner 
 for lead fine ..... xvjs 
 
 Holcroft of "j Thomas Holcroft of Vale Royall Knight hath 
 Vale Rova.ll I two salt houses ; one of them is Judger of 
 Hartford and payeth for the Judgers ffine 
 to the Lord of the Manner yerely . ijs 
 
 The other is fineable and if an unfree man 
 doth occupy it he payeth for Lead fine to 
 the said Lord . viijs 
 
 leads. 2 J 
 
 Vale Royall 
 8 leads. 2 
 
 And in Cheife rent for the unfree house 
 
 v .l 
 
 -id 
 
 Marbury of ] Thomas Marbury of Marbury esqr hath four 
 
 Marbury 4 [ Salt-houses, three of them be unfree occu- 
 
 now 5 J pation and if an unfree man doe occupy 
 
 them he payeth to the Lord of the Manner 
 
 yearly .... xxiiijs 
 
 And the other house is fine free and is Judger 
 
 of Marbury and payeth yearly to the Lord 
 
 of the manner for Judger's fine . ijs 
 
 And in chiefe rent to the Lord of the 
 
 Manner ..... xxjd 
 
 Item. One bought from Sir Tho: Holcroft 
 
 and is Judger of Hartford 
 
 Leigh of i Urian Leigh Knight hath three Salt-houses 
 
 Adlington 12 - two of them finable : and if an unfree man 
 
 leads 3 J doth occupy them he payeth yearly to the 
 
 Lord of the Manner for Lead fine . xvjs 
 
 The other is fine free and is Judger of Claverton 
 
 and payeth yearly to the Lord of the Mailer 
 
 for Judgers fine . . ijs 
 
 And for chiefe rent to the Lord of the 
 
 Manner . . . . . ijs 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1103 
 
 Purchased by Sir Peter Warburton one of 
 the Judges of the Cofnon pleas and are now 
 the lands of Sr Tho. Stanley of Alderley. 
 
 Leicester ofl Peter Leicester of Tabley Esqr and the Heirs 
 Tabley 24 ^ of William Leicester Gentln have six Salt- 
 leads 6 J houses : two of them are finable ; if an 
 unfree man doth occupie them he payeth 
 yearly to the Lord of the Manner for Lead 
 fine . . ... xvjs 
 
 Other two are fine free & towle free by the 
 Abbey of Vale Eoyall. And the other two 
 are fine free being Judger's houses of little 
 Witton & Tattenhall and pay yearly for 
 Judger's ffines . . iiijs 
 
 And in cheife rent yearly . . . xyjd 
 
 And for Kinderton Lands Cheife rent . viijd 
 Now John Starkey of Derby Esqr heretofore 
 had this land & by purchase it came to the 
 sd Peter Leicester & the heirs of the sd 
 William Leicester. 
 
 Winnington of "I Hugh Winning-ton of Armitage Esqr hath 
 
 th' Armitage - six Salt-houses and a halfe. Five of them 
 
 26 leads 6J J is unfree Occupation and if an unfree man 
 
 doth occupie them he payeth yearly for 
 
 Lead fine ... . xlviiijs 
 
 And in cheife rent .... xiiijd 
 
 The other six-lead house is fine free by Abbey 
 
 of Whaley ... 
 
 House of I John House of Littley hath one Salt-house 
 
 Littley 4 | fine free and is Judger of Plumley and payeth 
 
 leads 1 I yearly for Judgers fine to the Lord of the 
 
 ) Manner . . . . . ijs 
 
 Sir John "1 John Egerton Knight son & heire apparent of 
 
 Egerton 4 - the Lord Ellesmere Lord Chancellor of 
 
 leads. I J England hath one Salt-house of Tatton 
 
 Land and is fine free by St John of Jerusalem 
 
 & payeth yearly in cheife rent to the Lord 
 
 of the Manner . . . . yjd 
 
 This four-leads were heretofore the land of 
 
 Eichard Breerton of Tatton Esqr an d is 
 
 now the Earle of Bridgwater's land 
 
 Pavor of Wat- \ James Pavor of Watford Gentln his heires 
 
 ford 5 houses | have five Salt-houses ; one lead & one third 
 
 1 lead & Jd I part of a lead all unfree Walling or occupa- 
 
 part of a lead. J tion & payeth yearly to the Lord of the 
 
 Manner for lead fine . . xlijs 
 
 And payeth yearly in chiefe rent to the Lord 
 
 of the Manner . . . . ijs id 
 
1104 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Ireland of ] John Ireland of Hutt Esqr hath one Salt 
 
 Croton or j- house of unfree occupation and payeth 
 
 Hutt. 1 j yearly for Lead fine to ye Lord of 
 
 Mailer . . • viijs 
 
 Venables of ) Robert Venables of Antrobus Gen* hath two 
 Antrobus 2. / Salt-houses of unfree occupation and if an 
 unfree man doth occupie them he payeth 
 yearly to the Lord of the Mailer for Lead 
 fine . ... xvjs 
 
 And for chiefe rent for them & a dwelling- 
 house . • i xd 
 Starkey of 1 Thomas Starkey of Stretton Esqr hath two 
 Stretton 2 / Salt-houses : the one of them is unfree 
 occupation, & payeth yearly to the Lord of 
 the manner for lead fine . viijs 
 The other is fine free and Judger of Cumber- 
 batch, and payeth yearly to the Lord of the 
 Manner for Judgers fine . ij s 
 And in chiefe rent to the Lord . . vjd 
 
 Littler of \ Ralph Litler of Wallescoat Gent, hath half a 
 Walerscoat - Salt-house ; and is fine free and towle free 
 \ J by the Nuns of Chester 
 
 Harecourt of ) Richard Harecourt of Wincham Gent, hath 
 Wincham \\ j one Salt-house and a halfe : the house is 
 fine free and towle free by S* Jon of 
 Jerusalem : The halfe house is unfree oc- 
 cupation and payeth yearly to the Lord of 
 the mailer for lead fine . . . iiijs 
 
 Justice War- \ Peter Warburton Kt one of the Justices of 
 burton 1 f the Common Please at Westminster hath 
 one Salt house : late Robinsons of Northwich, 
 of unfree occupation, and if an unfree man 
 doe occupy it he payeth to the Lord of the 
 mailer for Lead fine . viijs 
 
 And for cheife rent 9 ... ixd 
 
 Winnington ] Julius Wilmington of the Birches Gent, hath 
 
 of Birches J- one Salt-house and is fine free and is Judger 
 
 1 J of Tatton and payeth in Judger's fine yearly 
 
 to the Lord of the manner . . ijs 
 
 And in chiefe rent for this Land . js 
 
 Deane of Shur- \ Roger Deane of Shurlach hath two Salt- 
 lach 2 J houses one is unfree occupation and if an 
 
 unfree man doth occupy it he payeth yearly 
 for lead fine to the Lord of the Manner viijs 
 The other is fine free and towle free by the 
 Abbey of Basewarke, and payeth for chiefe 
 rent yearly to the Lord of the mailer viijs 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1105 
 
 Simcocke of j George Simcocke of Shawbrooke hath one 
 
 Shawbrooke V Salt-house finable & if an unfree man doe 
 
 1 J occupy it he payeth yearly to the Lord of 
 
 the Manner for lead fine . . viijs 
 
 And in chief e rent .... viijd 
 
 Horton of Cowe \ John Horton of the Cowe one Salt-house of 
 
 1 J unfree occupation and payeth yearly for 
 
 lead-fine to the Lord of the Manner viijs 
 
 And for chiefe rent to the Lord of the 
 
 Manner ..... viijd 
 
 Allen of Eos- \ William Allen of Eostorne hath one Salt-house 
 
 torne 1 J of unfree occupation and payeth yearly to 
 
 the Lord of the Manner for Lead fine viijs 
 
 And in cheife rent to the Lord for this and 
 
 his house .... xviijd 
 
 Mainewaring of \ Henry Mainewaring of Carringham Esqr one 
 
 Carringham 1 J Salt-house of unfree occupation and being" 
 
 occupied by an unfree man payeth yearly 
 
 to the Lord of the Manner for Lead fine viijs 
 
 And in chiefe rent . . . . vjd 
 
 Bostock of ~\ Ealph Bostock of Moulton Gent, hath one 
 
 Moulton j- Salt-house of unfree occupation & payeth 
 
 1 J yearly for Lead fine to the Lord of the 
 
 manner . . . . viijs 
 
 And in chiefe rent 7d|d . . . vijdi 
 
 Pavor of North- \ Peter Pavor of North wich Gent hath one 
 
 wich 1 / Salt-house of unfree occupation and payeth 
 
 yearly to the Lord of the Mailer . viijs 
 
 And for chiefe rent 3d J . . . iijdi 
 
 Newall of ) Eichard Newall of Chester hath one Salt- 
 Chester \\ j house of six-leads which is both towle and 
 fine free, and tyth free by Abbey of Walley 
 it was late Yate's land of Northwich.. 
 
 Foxley of Pick- \ William Foxley of Pickmere hath one Salt- 
 mere 1 / house of unfree occupation & payeth yearly 
 to the Lord of the Manner for lead fine viijs 
 
 Horton of 1 John Horton of AUdersey hath one Salt-house 
 
 Alldersey 1 / of unfree occupation and payeth yearly to 
 
 the Lord of the Manner for Lead fine viijs 
 
 And in cheife rent yearly . vijdi 
 
 Pickmere of ^ Eobert Pickmere of Lostock hath one Salt- 
 
 Lostock 1 / house of unfree occupation, and payeth 
 
 yearly for Lead-fine to the Lord of the 
 
 Manner . . . . viijs 
 
 And for Cheife rent 7| . vijdj 
 
 4 a 
 
1106 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Mis Shackerley | Mrs Margrett Shackerley hath two Salt-houses 
 
 2 / of unfree occupation and if an unfree man 
 
 occupie them he doth pay yearly to the 
 
 Lord of the Manner for Lead fine . xvjs 
 
 And in chiefe rent 7Jd 
 
 vijd§ 
 
 Crossbye of ) John Crossbye of Whitley hath one Salt-house 
 
 Whitley 1 j and is both towle free and fine free by the 
 
 Abbey of Vale Royall and payeth yearly in 
 
 chiefe rent to the Lord of the manner ij s 
 
 Grimsditch of ) Thomas Grimsditch of Appleton hath one 
 
 Appleton 1 / Salt-house of unfree occupation and payeth 
 
 yearly to the Lord of the manner for the 
 
 Lead fine .... viijs 
 
 And in chiefe rent . ixd 
 
 Bromefield of 
 Northwich 
 
 Bradford of 
 Shipbrooke 1 
 
 Huxley of 
 g- Brindley 1 
 
 lead. Horse 
 
 Mill 
 
 Richard Bromefield of Northwich hath two 
 Salt-houses of unfree occupation and doth 
 pay to the Lord of the manner if an unfree 
 man doth occupy them for lead fine xvjs 
 
 George Bradford of Shipbrooke (late Clottons 
 of Northwich) hath one Salt-house of unfree 
 occupation and payeth yearly to the Lord 
 of the Manner for Lead-fine . viijs 
 
 And in chiefe rent 4dJ . . iiijdj 
 
 George Huxley of Brindley one Salt-house 
 containg one lead of unfree occupation and 
 payeth yearly for Lead fine . ijs 
 
 Schoole Walling \ There is belonging to the Free Schoole of 
 2 pts of 4 J- Witton two third parts of four leads of 
 unfree occupation and payeth yearly to the 
 Lord of the manner for Lead fine vs iiijd 
 
 leads 
 
 And for Chiefe rent 
 
 Hugh Crossbye. 1 Hugh Crossbj 
 Judger of , is Judger of 
 
 Marston 1 
 
 11] c 
 
 v r e hath one Salt-house which 
 
 Marston and payeth yearly for 
 
 Judger's fine to the Lord . .ijs 
 
 Bromefield of \ And Thomas Bromefield of Witton gen', his 
 
 Witton 1 J Salt-house which is unfree walling and if 
 
 an unfree man doe occupy it he payeth 
 
 yearly for Lead fine . . . viijs 
 
 Hugh Sarson . 
 Wm. Robinson 
 Jon Wrench 
 
 -Cheife Rents. — 
 
 ij s ij d 
 
 mj d i 
 vjd 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1107 
 
 A Note of the Towle Free Houses. 
 
 The King's Majesty hath . 
 Warburton of Arley . 
 Sutton of Sutton 
 Leftwich of Leftwich 
 Edgerton of Ridley . 
 Leicester of Tabley . 
 Littler of Wallerscoat 
 Harcourt of Wincham 
 Deane of Shurlach 
 Newall of Chester 
 John Crossbey of Whittley 
 Tythe Free I Sutton of Sutton . 
 Houses Leftwich of Leftwich 
 [ Newall of Chester . 
 
 2 
 
 & 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 & 
 
 i 
 
 9, 
 
 . 2 
 
 & 
 
 * 
 
 . 3 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 & 
 
 1 
 o 
 
 . 2 
 
 
 1 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 
 . 1 
 
 & 
 
 1 
 * 
 
 . 1 
 
 
 
 . 2 
 
 & 
 
 1 
 
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 1 
 
 2 
 
 Tenure of the Manor of Northwich. 
 Now the Burgesses beinge twelve armed men were to serve 
 the said Earle of Chester in Duke of Exeter his Warrs against 
 Wales by the space of ten dayes. John Duke of Exeter dyed 
 seised of this Burrow in the Reigne of Edward the Fourth ; and 
 King Richard the third did by his Letters Patent give and grant 
 the said Burrow to Sr Thomas Stanley Lord Stanley ; & Sr 
 George Stanley Lord Strange and the Heires Males of their 
 Bodyes, & of whom descended William Earle of Derby & Lord 
 of the said Burrow. 
 
 N:B: Edward 4th began his Reign Mar: 
 4. 1461 & Richd 3rd began his 
 Reign June 22 1483 & reigned 2 
 yrs. 2 mo. 
 
 —Anno 1606— 
 Observations concerning some Dwelling houses in Northwich 
 .& concerning the Roads therein which ought to be kept open 
 for Liberty to the River of Weaver, ut sequitur. 
 
 The West Side of the Kings High Street beginning 
 at Lodporne Stone — 
 The first house is Sutton Land now in the holding of William 
 Pickmere, and is since the Land of William Bentley Dr in 
 Physick. 
 
1108 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich Esqr hath one house with a yard 
 & Garden thereunto belonging, late in the pofses'on of John 
 Forrest and now of William Leftwich Gent son of the said Ralph 
 Leftwich or of his assignes : he holds it as part of his Legacy 
 or by Lease. 
 
 Ralph Leftwich aforesaid hath another peece of Land joyning 
 to the former whereon Peter Warburton sometime of North- 
 wich learned in the Lawes and now one of his Majesty's Justices 
 of the Common Pleas at Westmr did erect a stable and other 
 necessary Building, and is employed to the use still : the way 
 leadeth to the Back of Mr Justices House : between the said 
 Stable and the house late Forrests is Mr Leftwich his Land 
 likewise. 
 
 Hugh Wilmington of Armitage hath one house, and a fair yard 
 and garden in the poss'ion of Mr Justice Warburton or his 
 Assignes. Mr Justice was born in the said house, and Edward 
 Wood now Farmer of this Town, doth now hold the same of Mr 
 Justice for certain years indureing. 
 
 Hugh Winnington hath another house with little Easemt 
 thereunto belonging late in the poss'ion of George Winnington 
 & of William Winnington Nephew of the said George. 
 
 Peter Venables of Antrobus Gent, hath one house and yard 
 late Robert Winningtons of Northwich but now in the holding 
 of Richard Billington. 
 
 Ralph Leftwich of Leftwich Esqr hath an Ancient howse of 
 Ightrleld lands without any easement belonging unto it : It is 
 now inhabited by Robert Walton, and hath been long heretofore 
 by his Ancestors. This Howse is of the Lands of St John of 
 Jerusalem. — 
 
 This is a true abstract from the Ould Booke of survey of 
 the Towne of Northwich made 1606. 
 Ita testatr 
 
 Jo: Lowe 
 Will: Leftwiche ) Burgefses of 
 Waring Robinson ' Manor of Northwich 
 
 1589 12° Decembvis Alio Elizah: 30° 
 
 The true number of all the Salthouses in Northwich with 
 their Services and Freedomes and Customes as hereafter appeare ; 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1109 
 
 the toulfree, fine free, and Judger's houses with the cheife rents 
 as they have been accustomed to be paid. 
 
 Our Soveraigne Lady the Queene hath 
 x leads two Salthouses of free occupa'con, and 
 
 toulfree wth all and one is Judger of 
 Cogshall. 
 Henry Earle of Derby hath five Salt- 
 xx leads houses of unfree occupacon one where- 
 
 of hath noe howse and is called the xls. 
 
 running house, and the said Earle payeth 
 in leadfines yearely. 
 John Warburton Kt hath seaven Salt- 
 house and a half of free occupacon, and 
 one of the Salthouses and an half is iiijs jd 
 
 xxx both fyne free and toulfree, and of 
 
 leads. the afioresaid howses one is Judger 
 
 of Wynningto and payeth yearly in 
 Judger's fine ijs and in cheif rent yearelie 
 unto the Lord of the mannor for all his 
 afioresaid landes . 
 John Dutton Esqr hath six Salt houses, 
 whereof five be free and is Judger of 
 xxiiij Acton, Dutton, Leigh and Barterton, 
 
 leads the other house is fineable and if an viijs 
 
 unfree man doth occupie it, hee payeth 
 in Lead fine to the Lord. 
 Richard Sutton Esqr hath eleaven Salt- 
 1 lead houfes whereof three containe six leads 
 
 a peece amounting to twelve four leads 
 and a half, and is in the whole fifty 
 leads, and one of the three is Judger of 
 Dunham-mafsie, the other two are free 
 by the Abby of Whalley : the said 
 three houses containe sixteene leads : all 
 the rest wch containe thirty-foure leads iijls viijs 
 are fineable, and if an unfree man doe 
 occupy them hee payeth in lead fine to 
 the Lord of the mannor 
 And in Cheif rent for all the said Leads 
 
 to the Lord . . iiijs jd 
 
1110 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Thomas Venables Kt hath, five Salt- 
 houses two of them bee fineable and xvp 
 pay in Lead fine unto the Lord yearly 
 xx leads The other three are free houses and bee 
 Judgers fines and in cheif rents yearly 
 unto the Lord ... ij s 
 Sir Arthur Mainwaring of Ightfield kt 
 hath one Salt house wch is fine free by 
 iiij St John of Jerusalem and is also toul- xijd. 
 leads free and payeth in cheif rent to the 
 Lord of the mannor 
 Raphe Egerton Kt. hath one Salt howfe 
 of six leads and is both fine free and 
 vj leads toulfree by St John of Jerusalem 
 
 Raphe Leycester Kt hath two Salt howfes, 
 the one is fineable the other is Judger 
 vij of Lostock gralam and payeth yearly ijs ijd 
 
 leads in cheife rent. 
 
 John Houlcroft Kt hath one Salt howfe 
 of four leads, and is free being Judger 
 iiij of Hartford now purchased by Mr 
 
 leads Marbury 
 
 Willm. Marbury Esqr hath four salt 
 houses, three of them are fineable the 
 xvj fourth is Judger of Marbury hee payeth xxjd 
 
 leads in cheif rent to the Lord of the mannor 
 
 Thomas Houlford Esqr hath three Salt 
 houses one of them is fineable the other 
 xij two are free being Judgr of Lach and xijd 
 
 leads Lach Dennis and payeth in cheif rent 
 
 to the Lord of the mannor . 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlington hath three, 
 two of them are fineable ; the other is 
 xij Judger of Clauton and payeth in cheif- ijs 
 
 leads rent to the Lord of the mannor yearly 
 
 John Starkey of Darlev Esqr hath five 
 Salthoufes : two of them bee fineable 
 xx and other two bee toulfree the fifth is xvjd 
 
 leads Judger of Tatton and payeth yearly in 
 
 Cheif rent to the Lord of the Mannor. 
 Laurence Wyiiington of the Armitage 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1111 
 
 XX1 ] hath, five Salt houfes of vnfree occu- xiiijd 
 
 leads paeon, and payeth in cheif to the Lord 
 
 Thomas Hawes of Lytley hath one Salt 
 U1 ] houfe of four leads and is Judger of 
 
 leads Plumbley 
 
 Raphe Done Esqr hath one Salt howfe 
 m ] of free occupation and payeth yearly xijd 
 
 leads in cheif rent to the Lord 
 
 Raphe Leftwich of Leftwich Esqr hath 
 six Salt howfes and a half, three of them 
 are fineable the halfe houfe is also fine- 
 able : two are Judgers of Leftwich and 
 xxvj Eaton and the sixth is fine free by St iijd 
 
 leads John of Jerusalem the three last recited 
 
 are toulefree, and payeth 'in cheif rent 
 to the Lord of the Mannor yearly 
 Richard Brereton of Tatton Esqr hath 
 iiij one Salt-houfe of free occupacon by S* 
 
 leads John of Jerusalem and payeth in cheif vjd 
 
 to the Lord of the Mannor 
 
 There is divers alterations in the inheri- 
 tance of the above named p'sons — 1630. 
 
 Certaine odde Walling as followe. The 
 heyres of James Paver of Watford have 
 § parts of an oven and Cholmondeley of 
 Cholmondeley hath ^ part of four leads 
 
 Schoole Land is § parts of four leads. 
 
 The Schoole Land and the third part of 
 Pavers four leads were some tymes all 
 one our leads. And that odde Walling 
 of Cholmeley and Dutton were likewise 
 all Dutton Land both making one oven. 
 
 These leads answere but unto 308 leads 
 whereas there is 453 leads yearly walled 
 for ut pateat ante : foe that there 
 wanteth 145 leads to make up the full 
 accoumpt for 308 leads and 145 leads 
 make but iust 453. 
 
1112 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 A Just note of the number of Wichouses as have been from 
 the beginninge, and whose landes they are this presente yeare — 
 Anno Domini 1593 Anno regni ElizaB. 35. 
 
 ffyne free 
 ffyne free 
 Judgr Clauton 
 
 St John of 
 Jefslm 
 
 Free by Nunnes 
 of Chester 
 half being 
 Lytlers. 
 
 Judger of Bar- 
 terton 
 
 Judgr of Left- 
 wich 
 
 Beginninge on the South Side of 
 the Seath Street along the river 
 of Daven towards the South. 
 
 ^Imprimis Richard Sutton of Sutton 
 
 Esqr 1 Salt house . . . iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Wilbraham of Woodhey 
 
 Esqr 1 not standinge . . iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Wilbraham another not 
 
 standinge of ... iiij leads 
 
 Richard Wilbraham of Witton late 
 
 Done's 1 of . . -iiij leads 
 
 Peter Warburton of Arley Esqr 
 
 1 of ... iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlington Esqr 
 
 1 of . . . . iiij leads 
 
 The heyres of John Deane, Cleark 
 
 1 of . . . . . . iiij leads 
 
 Richard Brereton of Tatten 1 of . iiij leads 
 
 William Earle of Derby 1 of . iiij leads 
 
 Richard Harcourt of Wyncham and 1 
 Richard Lytler of Wallerscote j- 
 not standing one of . . . ) iiij leads 
 
 John Dutton of Dutton Esqr. not 
 
 standing one of . . . 
 
 John Dutton afforesaid another not 
 
 standing . ... 
 
 f parts of an oven of one of these 
 
 is now Cholmley's Lands, that is 
 
 a lead and J part of a lead 
 Hugh Winnington of the Armitage 
 
 Esqr late Leftwich Lands not 
 
 standing one of . 
 Peter Leycester of Tabley Esqr not 
 
 standing one of 
 
 Hugh Winnington afforesaid another 
 
 of . . . 
 
 Thomas Leigh afforesaid another 
 
 (now Stanleys of Alderley) one of 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 • 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1113 
 
 ffine free Peter Warburton afforesaid another 
 
 of . . . . . iiij leads 
 
 Si'- Hugh Cholmondeley knight and 
 
 dame Mary his wife daughter and 
 
 sole heyre to X'tofer Houlford 
 
 Esqr one of . . iiij leads 
 
 Judger of John Hayes of Lytley Gent, now 
 
 Plumbley Richard Newalls Gent. — in iure 
 
 uxore eius — one of . iiij leads 
 
 Sr Hugh Cholmundley Knight 
 afforesaid late Dutton of Dutton 
 not standing one of . . iiij leads 
 
 Judger of Laches Sr Hugh Cholmundley afforesaid in 
 
 iure ux. eius one of . . . iiij leads 
 
 On the North Side of the Seath Street. 
 
 Robert Pickmere of the Hulse one 
 
 of . . iiij leads 
 
 Richard Bromfield of North wich one 
 oven whereof is now Robert Main- 
 waring of Marton in iure ux. eius 
 the other John Partingtons not 
 standing one of . . iiij leads 
 
 Richard Sutton afforesaid not 
 
 standing another of . . iiij leads 
 
 Richard Sutton afforesaid not stand- 
 ing another of . . .iiij leads 
 
 The Heyres of James Paver of Wat- 
 ford now betweene M«s Hayes and 
 Duncome, and now lately betweene 
 Mris Hayes and one Faldowe 
 called the pavement house . . iiij leads 
 
 Another of the same inheritance be- 
 tweene the p'ties as above said 
 one of .... . iiij leads 
 
 Peter Leycester aforesaid of Tably 
 
 one now WilPm Leycesters, 
 
 Judgr of quserit whether Willm's inherit- 
 
 Tattenhall ance. ... . iiij leads 
 
 George Symcock of Shipbrooke one ] iiij leads 
 
 of . . . . . A 
 
 Now Sudlowes of Witton I 
 
 Roger Daine of Shurlach one of . iiij leads 
 Fine free by Peter Leycester of Tably one now \ 
 
 the Abbey of conv'ted into a Cow-house and a - 
 
 Vale-Royall barne and hath been long soe ] iiij leads 
 
1114 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Peter Leycester afforesaid another ) 
 of, not standing . . . f 
 
 Fine free by 
 
 the Abbey of 
 
 Vale Eoyall 
 
 Raphe Leftwich Esqr one of 
 Judger of Eaton Now Mr Will'm Oldfield in iure ux. 
 
 eius 
 Fine free : one The Queene's Matie one of 
 
 of the 
 
 Queene's is 
 
 Judger of 
 
 Cogshall 
 Judger of Acton 
 
 St John of 
 Jerusalem 
 
 Judger of 
 Witton 
 
 Fyne free 
 
 Judger of Little 
 Witton 
 
 Judger of 
 Marbury 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 St John of 
 Jerusalem 
 
 Abbey of Vale 
 Eoyall Toul 
 free & Fyne 
 free 
 
 Fyne free 
 Judger of 
 Wyningto 
 
 Sr Hugh Cholmondley late Dutton 
 
 Land one of 
 Richard Harcourt of Wyncham 
 
 Gent, once Leftwiche's one of 
 Thomas Venables of Kynderton 
 
 Esqr one of 
 
 The Queene's Matie another of 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury Esq. 
 
 one of .... 
 Peter Leycester of Tabley one of 
 
 William Earle of Derby one of 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlingtone one of . ) 
 Now Stanleyes . . . . / 
 
 Thomas Marbury afforesaid Esq. 
 
 one of .... 
 
 Peter Paver of Northwich one of . 
 The Heyres of James Paver one now \ 
 
 Mris Hayes and Duncombe, Dun- | 
 
 combes ,pt being sold to one Fal- 
 
 dowe ut supra . 
 Thomas Bromfield of Witton one of 
 
 The North Side of the High Street 
 
 Raphe Leftwich of Leftwich Esq.) 
 one of . . . . I 
 
 Late Mainwaring's of Ightfield ) 
 
 John Crosby of Whitley one of 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 vj leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 Peter Warburton afforesaid one of . 
 not standing .... 
 
 Peter Warburton afforesaid another 
 not standing 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1115 
 
 The West End of the Yate Street next to the Market stead the 
 South Side of Yate Street. 
 
 William Earle of Derby now con- ^ 
 
 verted into shoppes, one of . . J iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury Esq \ 
 
 one of . V iiij leads 
 
 not standing . . . .J 
 
 Peter Leycester of Tably Esq one of iiij leads 
 Hugh Meyre of Rostorne now John 
 
 Allen's . . . iiij leads 
 
 George Ireland of Crowton Esq, one 
 
 of . . . iiij leads 
 
 Judgr of Richard Sutton of Sutton afforesaid 
 
 Dunha' Mafsie one of . vj leads 
 
 Judger of Paul Wynnington of Byrches one of iiij leads 
 
 Tatten 
 St John of Peter Warburton afforesaid one of . vj leads 
 
 Jerusalem 
 Judger of Dutton John Dutton of Dutton Esqr one of ) vj leads 
 
 quaere whose now . j 
 
 Judger of Sir William Brereton of Brereton 
 
 Crowton Knight one of . . . vj leads 
 
 Judger of Thomas Houlcroft of the Vale 
 
 Hartford Royall one of . . . iiij leads 
 
 Now Thomas Marburies of Mar- 
 bury Esq. 
 Judger of Lach- Sr Hugh Cholmondley iure ux eius 
 
 Dennis one of ... . iiij leads 
 
 The South side of the Yate Street. 
 
 Judger of Raphe Leycester of Toft Esq one of iiij leads 
 
 Lostock Gralam 
 St John of Raphe Egerton of Ridley Esq one 
 
 Jerusalem of vj leads 
 
 Thomas Venables Baron of Kyn- 
 
 derton one of . . iiij leads 
 
 Abby of Norton Henry Mainwaring of Caringham 
 
 one of ... iiij leads 
 
 The North side of the Yate Street. 
 
 Thomas Starky of Stretton one of iiij leads 
 Fyne free & ) Richard Sutton of Sutton one of • ) vj leads 
 Toul free by | not standing . . . . ) 
 
 the Abby of 
 Whalley. J 
 
1116 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Fyne free by 
 Abbey of 
 Whalley 
 Fyne free & 
 
 Toul free by 
 
 Abbey of 
 
 Whalley 
 
 Fyne free by 
 Abbey of 
 Whalley 
 
 | Richard Yate of Northwich one of \ vj leads 
 - Now Richard Newalls by purchase j 
 
 Richard Sutton afforesaid another 
 of iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 Hugh Wynnington of the Armitage \ iiij leads 
 
 one of ... 
 
 Exchanged wth Raphe Leftwich for 
 
 the Judger of Leftwich and sould 
 
 unto William Leftwich by William 
 
 Oldfield . . . ' . 
 
 Horton of Coolane one of . . iiij leads 
 
 The North Syde of the Yate Street. 
 
 John Fovell of Middlewich one of . ) iiij leads 
 
 Now Mris Margaret Shakerleyes . / 
 
 Hugh Wynnington afforesaid one of iiij leads 
 
 Robert Venables of Antrobus one of 
 
 The Earle of Derby one of . iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Ireland of Bewsey one of iiij leads 
 
 Late George Johnson's now Mris 
 
 Margt Shakerleyes 
 Raphe Bostock of Moulton one of . iiij leads 
 
 Betweene the West End of the Yate street, and the Lead-smithy 
 from the Queene's Highway or market place Eastward. 
 
 Raphe Leftwich of Leftwich Escj 
 
 one of ... iiij leads 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton one of . iiij leads 
 At the back of the Lead-smithie 
 
 not standing- 
 Richard Sutton afforesaid another of 
 Raphe Leftwich afforesaid another 
 of . 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 The North Side of the Leach Eye. 
 
 Richard Grimsditch of Appleton 
 one of 
 
 Hugh Wynington afforesaid one of . \ 
 
 Now converted into a barne . f 
 
 Judger of Thomas Starkey of Stretton one of ) 
 
 Comberbach not standing . / 
 
 iiij leads 
 iiij leads 
 
 iiij leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS HIT 
 
 Two third ,p'ts of 4 leads belonging 
 to the Schoole and the other 3d 
 part belonging to the heyres of 
 James Paver not standing . iiij leads 
 
 Peter Warburton of Arley one of iiij leads 
 
 Fyne free not standing .... 
 
 Raphe Leycester of Toft one of iiij leads 
 
 Fyne free Peter Warburton of Arley one of . iiij leads 
 
 Peter Warburton of Chester one of 
 her Maties Justices of the Com- 
 mon Pleas one purchased of 
 Will'm Robinson of Northwich 
 now Mr Stanleyes of Alderley . iiij leads 
 
 At the East End of the Leach eye. 
 
 George Bradford of Shipbrooke \ 
 
 late Clotton . one of J iiij leads 
 
 Richard Sutton one of . . . iiij leads 
 
 The said Richard Sutton another 
 
 not standing . . of iiij leads 
 
 William Foxley of Pickmere one of . | iiij leads 
 Now John Swintons in iure ux 
 
 eius 
 Hugh Wilmington of the Armitage 
 
 one of . . vj leads 
 
 Hugh Winnington afforesaid another 
 
 of . . . iiij leads 
 
 Robert Venables of Antrobus one of iiij leads 
 not standing 
 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury one of iiij leads 
 The heyres of James Paver one of . iij leads 
 The heyres of the said James one of vj leads 
 
 On the West End of the Horse Mill Street, Beginnning at the 
 North End. 
 
 Richard Bromfield of Northwich one 
 
 of . . . . . . iiij leads 
 
 Now the Church Land . 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton one of iiij leads 
 
 Raphe Leftwich one of . . . iiij leads 
 
 Thomas Houlcrofte of the Vale- 
 
 Royall one of ... iiij leads 
 
 Now Robert Main waring of Marton ] 
 in iure ux. eius and was bought by V 
 her father of the said Houlcrofte . J 
 
1118 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Peter Venables Baron of Kinderton 
 
 one of . iiij leads 
 Judger of Hugh Crosby of Lostock Gralam 
 
 Marston one of • iiij leads 
 
 Huxley of Brinsley one Salt house 
 contayning one lead at the Horse 
 
 Mill ... j leads 
 
 The Earle of Derby one of . . j iiij leads 
 
 Commonly called the Running - 
 house . . . . -J 
 
 There is and time out mynd hath been wthin the Towne of 
 Northwich 112 four leads and odde lead and noe more ; and what 
 four leads called the Running house : foe the totall some is 113 
 four leads and one odde lead, which stand in the Towne rowe as 
 is before written and declared. 
 
 There be Twentie and three Judger' s Houses. 
 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlington, Judger of Claverton . . 1 
 John Dutton of Dutton, Judger of Barterton ... 2 
 The said John Dutton, Judger of Leigh .... 3 
 
 Hugh Wynnington, Judger of Leftwich (late Leftwich) . 1 
 
 John Hayes, Judger of Plumbley (now Venables) . . 5 
 
 Sr Hugh Cholmondley, Judger of Lache . . .6 
 
 Peter Leycester of Tabley, Judger of Tattenhall . . 7 
 
 Raphe Leftwich Judger of Eaton ... 8 
 
 Sr Hugh Cholmondley, Judger of Acton . . 9 
 
 The Queene's Matie Judger of Cogshall . . 10 
 
 WilPm Leycester of Tabley Judger of Little Witton . 1 1 
 
 Thomas Venables Judger of Witton . . 12 
 
 Thomas Mar bury Judger of Marbury . . .13 
 
 Richard Sutton, Judger of Dunham-Mafsie . 11 
 
 Paul Winning-ton Judger of Tatten . . . . .15 
 
 Peter Warburton Judger of Wynnington . .16 
 
 John Dutton Judger of Dutton . . . . .17 
 
 Sr William Bivreton Judger of Crowton . . .18 
 
 Sr Thomas Houlcroft Judger of Hartford . 19 
 
 Sr Hugh Cholmondley Judger of Lach-Dennis . 20 
 
 Thomas Starky Judger of Comberbach . 21 
 
 Hugh Crosby Judger of Marston . . . 22 
 
 Raphe Leycester of Toft, Judger of Lostock Gralam . 23 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1119 
 
 Anno D'ni 1604. 
 
 The Names of those that have any Salt-houses within the 
 Towne of Northwich, & how much Walling Every one hath. 
 
 The Kings Most excellent Matie hath 2 
 containinge ..... 
 
 Richard Sutton of Sutton Esq hath 11 
 containinge ..... 
 
 Peter Warburton Esq hath 7 con- 
 taininge ..... 
 
 Hugh Wilmington of the Armitage hath 
 6 containinge ..... 
 
 Peter Leycester of Tabley Esq hath 6 
 containinge 
 
 Raphe Leftwich of Leftwich Esq hath 
 6 containinge . 
 
 Sr Hugh Cholmondeley Knight hath 5 
 containinge 
 
 The Heyres of James Paver have 5 and 
 3d pt. containing .... 
 
 William Earle of Derby hath 5 con- 
 taininge . ... 
 
 Thomas Marbury of Marbury Esq, hath 
 4 containinge . 
 
 John Dutton of Dutton Esq hath 3 
 containinge 
 
 Thomas Leigh of Adlington Esq hath 
 3 containinge 
 
 Sr George Leycester Knight hath 2 con- 
 taininge 
 
 Thomas Venables Baron of Kinderton 
 hath 2 containing .... 
 
 Thomas Wilbraham of Woodhey Esq 
 hath 2 containinge . 
 
 Thomas Holcroft of Valeroyall Esq 
 hath 2 containing 
 
 Robert Venables of Antrobus Gent, hath 
 2 containinge . 
 
 Thomas Starky of Stretton Gent, hath 
 2 containing . 
 
 X 
 
 leads 
 
 1 leads 
 
 XXX 
 
 leads 
 
 xxvj 
 
 leads 
 
 xxiiij 
 
 leads 
 
 xxiiij 
 
 leads 
 
 xxij 
 
 leads 
 
 XX] 
 
 leads 
 
 xx leads J 
 
 XX 
 
 leads 
 
 xiiij 
 
 leads 
 
 xi i 
 
 leads 
 
 viij 
 
 leads 
 
 xi j 
 
 leads 
 
 vi J 
 
 leads 
 
 vi i 
 
 leads 
 
 vi i 
 
 leads 
 
 vi i 
 
 leads 
 
1120 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Roger Dayne of Shurlach hath. 2 con- 
 taininge ..... 
 
 Richard Bromfield of Northwich Gent, 
 hath 2 containing 
 
 Sr William Brereton Knight hath 1 
 containing ..... 
 
 Raphe Egerton of Ridley Escj hath 1 
 containing ..... 
 
 Richard Harcourt of Wyncham Gent, 
 hath 1 containing .... 
 
 Richard Yate of Northwich hath 1 con- 
 taining . ... 
 
 Justice Warburton hath 1 containing . 
 
 Henry Mainwaringe of Caringeham hath 
 1 containinge . . . . 
 
 George Ireland of Crowton Escj hath 
 
 1 containinge .... 
 
 Pyne free Richard Brereton of Tatton hath 1 
 
 containinge . ... 
 
 Thomas Ireland of Bewsey hath 1 con- 
 taininge . ... 
 
 Robert Bromfield of Witton hath 1 
 containinge ... 
 
 Thomas Grimsditch of Appleton hath 
 
 1 containinge . . . . 
 
 Fyne free John Hayes of Lytley hath 1 containinge 
 
 Raphe Bostock of Moulton hath 1 
 containing ... 
 Fyne free Julius Wynington of Byrches hath 1 
 containing 
 
 Peter Paver of Northwich hath 1 con- 
 taininge 
 
 Robert Pickmere of Hulse hath 1 con 
 taininge 
 Pyne free John Crosby of Whitley hath 1 con- 
 taininge ..... 
 Pyne free Hugh Crosby hath 1 containinge . 
 
 John Allen of Rostherne hath 1 con- 
 taininge . . . 
 
 William Poxley of Pickmere hath 1 
 containing 
 
 vij 
 
 leads 
 
 vi] 
 
 leads 
 
 vj 
 
 leads 
 
 v j 
 
 leads 
 
 v J 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 m J 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1121 
 
 John Horton of Aldersey hath. 1 con- 
 taininge ..... 
 
 . . . Horton of Coolane hath 1 con- 
 taininge ..... 
 
 George Simcock of Shipbrooke hath 1 
 containinge .... 
 
 . . . Fovell of Middlewich hath 1 con- 
 taininge 
 Fyne free Richard Wilbraham of Witton hath 1 
 containinge . ... 
 
 George Bradford of Shipbrooke hath 1 
 containinge ... 
 Fyne free Richard Lytler of Wallerscote hath J 
 containinge .... 
 
 Schoole Land being .... 
 
 Huxley of Brinsley out of the Horse 
 
 Mill . . . . j leads 
 
 There is and tyme out of mynd hath been wthin the Towne 
 of North wich 112 four leads and one odde lead and noe more ; 
 and four leads called the Running Wich-house. Soe the totall 
 is 113 four leads and one odde lead. 
 
 Finis huius libri 
 
 J Ranuna Bewr'hwheadd 
 
 Betium Novwiri 
 
 Scriptum 29° die Septembris Anno Domi 1630. 
 
 i'ij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 "ij 
 
 leads 
 
 iiij 
 
 leads 
 
 "ij 
 
 leads 
 
 ij leads 
 
 ijf 
 
 leads 
 
 A Translation of the Grant of Various Manors and inter alia 
 the Manor of Northwich by King Richard 3rd to Thomas Lord 
 Stanley & his son George Lord L'Estrange — 1484. 
 
 Richard by the grace of God King of England Scotland 
 & France & Lord of Ireland to all whom these presents come 
 greeting — 
 
 Whereas not only Nobility of Birth but also the laws of Justice 
 challenge all but particularly Kings & Princes to reward the 
 well deserving and good : Know then that for the singular & 
 faithful service which our well beloved Thomas Stanley Knt 
 Lord Stanley & George Stanley Kt Lord L'Estrange son of the 
 4b 
 
1122 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 aforesaid Thomas Stanley have rendered not only in maintain- 
 ing our right & Title by virtue of which right & title We have 
 by God's assistance lately succeeded to the Crown of this our 
 Kingdom of England, but also by crushing Plots Rebellions 
 & Traitors who some time since stirred up our Kingdom to 
 Treason & Rebellion ; as well as for the good & faithful services 
 to be rendered to us and our Heirs the Kings of England by the 
 said Thomas & George & their heirs for our protection & that of 
 our kingdom aforesaid against all enemies & Rebels ; & at all 
 times when their services shall be wanting. 
 
 By Our Special Grace We have given & granted, and by these 
 presents do give and grant to the said Thomas and GeoTge the 
 underwritten being of the Yearly Value of One Thousand Nobles ; 
 that is to say the Castle, Manor & Lordship of Hope and Hopedale 
 in the Borders of Wales, adjoining the County of Chester, with 
 all their Members and Appurtenances : The Manor and Vill. of 
 Northwich with the Pasturage of overmarsh with their appurten- 
 ances in the County of Chester : and the Manor & Lordships of 
 West Lideford, Blakenden, Halshartie otherwise called Hales- 
 bear with their appurtenances in the County of Somerset the 
 Manor or Lordship of St Martins of Bereford with its appurten- 
 ances in the County of Wilts — 
 
 The Manor & Lordship of Ardington with their appurten- 
 ances in the County of Berks : the Manor & Lordship of Steventon 
 with their Members & appurtenances in the County of Bedford ; 
 & the manors & lordships of Knotting, Collesden & Catton with 
 their appurtenances in the County of Bedferd aforesaid and all 
 the lands and tenements in Blomeham with their appurtenances 
 in the said County of Bedford which lately were Roger Tocot's ; 
 the Manor & Lordship of Great Gaddersden with their appurten- 
 ances in the County of Hertford : the Castle Manor Lordship & 
 Franchise of Kymbalton with the Manors of Swinshead, Hardwick 
 & Tillbrooke & every vill. Parish & appurtenance whatever 
 belonging to the aforesaid Lordship of Kymbalton in the County 
 of Huntingdon : as well as all the messuages, Lands & Tenements, 
 Rents & Services in Macclesfield & Christleton with their appurten- 
 ances in the County of Chester which were lately Henry duke of 
 Buckingham or some others for his use in the aforesaid County 
 of Chester ; the Manors of Chorley & Bolton with their appurten- 
 ances in the County of Lancaster, and the lands and tenements in 
 /'cightmeed in the said County ; & also all that messuage & all 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1123 
 
 other the Lands & tenements with their appurtenances which 
 were lately Eobert Willingby's Knt or some others for his use 
 in the Parish of St Peter, near Paul's Wharf in the City of 
 London or elsewhere within the said City, together with all 
 Lands tenements Messuages, Meadows, pastures, pasturage, 
 Woods, Forests, Waters, pools, piscaries, mills, gardens, Water- 
 courses rents services revenues, Courts Leet, Courts Baron, 
 Frankpledges, Escheats, Liberties, Rights, Commodities of every 
 kind whatsoever ; & also the Feudal, Military Advowson & 
 patronage of Church, Abbey, Priory, Hospital, Rectory, Chapel, 
 Chantry, & all other benefits, Escheats of what kind soever, with 
 the Wards Marriages, Knight Services, Reliefs, Hundreds Wapen- 
 takes, Fines, Amerceaments, Forfeitures, Fairs, Markets, Chaces, 
 Parks, Warrens, Fisheries, Shipwrecks, Treasure Trove, Waif, 
 Straif of Cattle, Felons & goods of Fugitive Felons, outlaws, 
 attainted, convicted, & Felos de se, Returns of Writs & Execution 
 of ye same & also all & singular other Liberties, Jurisdictions, 
 Franchises, Acquittances, Commodities, Profits & free Customs 
 of what kind soever to the aforesd Castles, Lordships, Manors, 
 Lands, Tenements & other Mefsuages & every thing thereunto 
 formerly appertaining or belonging ; or within the said Castles, 
 Manors, Lordships, Lands, Tenements & other premises ; or 
 anything arising from, falling to or proceeding from the same, 
 or formerly held by any tenure whatsoever ; & as firmly & 
 unreservedly as any person or persons in the same or any part 
 thereof, have held or enjoyed the same by any tenure heretofore. 
 All the tenements to be had & held, and all & singular the Castles, 
 Manors, Lordships, Lands, Tenements, and other premises with 
 all & singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging by the 
 aforesaid Thos Stanley and George Stanley & the heirs male 
 of the said Thomas, to be had and held of us & our Heirs for ever 
 rendering unto us and our heirs Military Service and an Annual 
 Rent of Fifty Pounds, to be paid at- the feast of Easter & S* 
 Michael the Archangel in equal portions or payments. We have 
 moreover granted and by these presents do grant to the sd 
 Thomas Stanley & George and their heirs aforesd all the profitts 
 & revenues arising from the aforesd Castles, Manors, Lordships, 
 Lands Tenements & other premises with their appurtenances, 
 or from any parcel thereof from the Feast of St Michael the 
 Archangel last past every thing proceeding from or falling to, 
 •or in any lawful way enjoyed by us, as well by the hands of 
 
1124 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 receivers, Bailiffs, Farmers or other occupiers of the same or any 
 part thereof as well as by the hands of the now Escheators or 
 late Escheators in the several Counties and places wherein the 
 respective Castles, Manors, Lordships and other premises sever- 
 ally are ; And we will and grant that the said Escheats & every 
 of those Escheats, which shall hereafter arise from the said 
 profits & preventions are by these presents Quit and free from 
 us & our Heirs. 
 
 And if it should so happen that any of the sd Castles, Manors, 
 Lordships, Lands, Tenements, & other premises ; or any part 
 thereof, shall be recovered from the said Heirs of the aforesd 
 Thomas to be evicted from the posson of them the said Thomas 
 & George or either of them or any the said Heirs of the aforesaid 
 Thomas by any lawful procefs, or that they or any of them shall 
 be legally disseized — in such case — We and our heirs will make 
 satisfaction and compensation to the said Thomas & George and 
 the heirs of the sd Thomas for all the Castles, Manors, Lordships, 
 Lands, Tenements, & pofsessions within our kingdom of England 
 according to the yearly Value of the said Castles, Manors, Lord- 
 ships, Lands, Tenements, & other premises so recovered and 
 evicted. 
 
 And moreover by Our Special Grace aforesaid we give and 
 grant by these presents all & singular the premises aforesaid to 
 the said Thomas & George without fine or fee great or small 
 in any way to be rendered paid or done to us or to our use for 
 the said premises or any part thereof ; To this end an exprefs 
 mention of the real value of the said premises or any part thereof 
 or of the gifts or grants to the said Thomas & George or either 
 of them has heretofore been made by Patents or other statute ; 
 any Act, Ordinance or Restriction to the Contrary made, pub- 
 lished, or ordained, or any thing, cause, or matter whatsoever 
 notwithstanding. 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1125 
 
 Northwich Court Fees 
 
 [MS. Harl. Mus. Brit. No 2078. fol. 54b.] 
 
 The ffees of Northwitch Court 
 a Court Baron 
 
 Ffor entring an aeon ...... 
 
 flor entring eury declaracon & answer 
 
 ffor copyes of declaracons vpon accons of debt . 
 
 ffor copyes of declaracons vpon accons of the case vjd"l 
 
 or viijd according to the length of them ffor eury J 
 
 execution .... 
 
 ffor eu'y capias ad satiffaciend . 
 ffor putting on accon to the Jury 4d & 3d 
 
 more to the Lord of the court 
 ffor a replevin ..... 
 
 vpon the receipt of a cerciorary 
 vpon the Teed of a writt of false Judgmt 
 ffor certefying records vpon writts of false Judgmt 'l 
 
 accordin to the length of them . . . . J 
 
 Tho Poole cticus eiufd cur. 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 The Bayliffes fees 
 
 ffor serueing execut or capias 
 
 the Burgefses fee vpon executions for goods 
 
 The Bayliffes fee for serveing a replevin 
 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 A true table of fees taken in the court Barron of Northwitch 
 belonging to the Bight honorbt James Lord Strange, taken 
 by the clearke & Bayliffes of the said court. 
 
 Ita Testat Tho. Poole cficus iBm. 
 
1126 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Manor of ^ Chief Rents due September 29. 
 
 North wich I AD. 16 
 
 1 s d 
 
 The Barle of Bridgwatr for Tatton Lands . . 00 00 06 
 
 The Lord Cholmondeley for Holford Lands . . 00 01 00 
 George Warburton of Arley esqe . . 00 04 01 
 
 The Lady Davenport, Mrs Moseley & Mr Mountaine | 
 
 for Sutton Lands . . . . J 00 04 01 
 
 Peter Venables esqe Baron of Kinderton . 00 02 00 
 Thomas Cholmondeley esqe for Marbury Lands 00 01 09 
 
 Peter Lister esqe <fe Wm. Lister of Newcastle Gent. 00 02 00 
 
 Thomas Stanley esqe for Adlington Lands . . 00 02 00 
 Thomas Stanley esqe for late Robinsons Land 00 00 09 
 
 Thomas Robinson for another pt of ye same land 00 00 04§ 
 
 Henry Manwareing esqe . . . 00 00 06 
 
 Leftwich Oldfield esqe 00 00 03 
 
 Ralph Leftwich Gent . . 00 01 00 
 
 Robert Venables Gent. . . . . . 00 00 09 
 
 Mr Faldoe & Peter Tarbucke Gent. . . . 00 02 01 
 
 Lawrence Wilmington Gent. . . 00 01 02 
 
 John Wilbraham of Witton . . . 00 01 00 
 
 Wm Row Gent. . . 00 00 06 
 
 Thomas Wall ... . 00 00 09 
 
 Richard Bradford for his owne & purchased Lands 00 01 0±l- 
 
 Jeoflrey Shakerley esqe . . 00 00 08| 
 
 John Walton for Fe wells Land . 00 00 02 
 
 Edmund Allen of Rosthorne . . 00 01 08 
 
 Richard Deane . . .. 00 00 08 
 
 Thomas Sudlow of Witton . 00 00 04 
 
 Ralph Bostocke of Moulton . . 00 00 OH 
 Mrs Winnington of Birtches . 00 01 00 
 
 John Partingion of Whitton . . 00 08 
 
 Peter Pavor or Ralph Winnington . 00 00 03i- 
 
 Richard Crosbie Gent. . . . 00 02 02 
 
 Mrs Horton of Coole . . . . . 00 02 01 
 
 The feoffees of the free schoole of Whitton 00 00 03 
 
 George Lister esqe . . . . . . 00 02 02 
 
 The heires of James Grantham . . 00 00 06 
 
 John Sefton of Northwich . . . . 00 02 00 
 
 2 
 
 Note that these two last tib 02 03 02i 
 
 ment'oned doe pay. — ~ 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1127 
 
 Extracts from the Court Eolls op Northwich 
 (with Notes) 
 
 Court Eolls Public Eecord Office— Portfolio No. 156— No. 9. 
 Manor of Northwich County of Chester 2 Edward iij. 
 
 Court Eolls of Northwich held there before John de Coton 
 Steward from the Tuesday next after the feast of St Cuthbert 
 the Bishop in the second year of the reign of King Edward the 
 Third after the Conquest until the morrow of St Michael next 
 following, that is to say Court held here on Tuesday next after 
 the feast of St Cuthbert the Bishop in the second year of the 
 reign of King E(dward) the Third after the Conquest. 
 
 By the issue of the Stocks xvjs vd 
 
 From Elena wife of Eoger Bulkylegh: Matilda de 
 Frodesham, the wife of William son of Edd: the wife 
 of William Pauer & the wife of Thomas son of Bat' 
 the wife of Hugh de Drap, the wife of Eoger Topimod, 
 the wife of William de Noterlegh, the wife of John son 
 of Edd'. iiijs 
 
 From Herneys iijs jd 
 
 From Furnage & the Bushel xijd 
 
 From Hugh Son of Henry Bondd for the entry of 
 
 1 Saltpitt vjd 
 
 From John Son of Henry Bondd for the entry of 
 
 1 Saltpitt vjd 
 
 From Henry de Croxton because he did not come to 
 
 answer to Alice iijd 
 
 Sum xxvjs iijd 
 
 Notes. — This would be the year 1329. St Cuthbert's Day was 
 March 20th, St Michael's Sept. 29. 
 
 The Word " Stocks " appears as " Tolstok " in later books. 
 There can be no doubt but that " Stocks " here means the place 
 where the toll or dues were collected. In Anglo-Saxon Tol = 
 toll, and Stock = a place. 
 
 The various wives named were, as is seen by later entries, 
 Alewives or keepers of alehouses, or else brewers of beer paying 
 a licence. The names are very interesting. Elena and Matilda 
 
1128 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 seem named, and we learn that these were common names, prob- 
 ably carrying down the names of Queens Matilda and Eleanor. 
 
 Bulkylegh is most likely the present Buckley. Frodesham 
 shows how surnames were obtained : Matilda of Frodesham, 
 William Son of Edd' : Is this Edd' short for Eddy or Edward ? 
 We find " son of " instead of the " son " following, as in this case, 
 William son of Edd — William Edd(i)son. Before this century 
 was out instead of finding as here " Thomas son of Bat," we find 
 •' Thomas Battessone," a name still in use in Northwich, as is also 
 Bate and Bates. Hugh le Drap or Hugh (the) Draper — this 
 shows that Norman names were still in use. 
 
 " Herneys," probably " Taxes," from Saxon Hernise = a tax. 
 " Furnage & the Bushel " — from later entries " Bushel " seems 
 to refer to corn from the Town Mill. Possibly Furnage may 
 be fuel. In Middle English (see Halliwell) this word (Furnage) 
 means baking, so that there was probably a town oven as well 
 as mill. Bondd ? — Is this the Anglo-Saxon for a husbandman or 
 boor ? A.S. Bonda = a proprietor, husbandman, boor. 
 
 The notice of a payment for entry into a " Saltpitt " is interest- 
 ing as showing that salt-making continued from Domesday Book 
 time and earlier. 
 
 Croxton still exists near Middlewich. 
 
 By the issue of the "Stocks" — the word "issue" must = 
 receipts or " produce " or returns. 
 
 Issues of the Court of Northwich on Tuesday in Easter week 
 in the year abovesaid. 
 
 By the issue of the Stocks xvijs viid 
 
 Prom the wife of John le Baker, Emma de Hunte 
 the wife of Roger Topimood— the wife of William son 
 of Edd' the wife of Richard Bulkilegh— the wife of 
 Richard de Bulkilegh — Augnes Salamon — the wife of 
 Hugh son of Wade— the wife of William Achard the 
 wife of John son of Edd' vs 
 
 From Ralph Heswale for Stallage iiijd 
 
 From " Herneys " jj.- s 
 
 From Furnage & the Bushel x^j-jd 
 
 From the rent which is called Kyngesmole xijs jd qr 
 
 Sum xxxixs ij qr 
 
 Note.~Joh.n le Baker— Emma de Hunte— familiar names. 
 Augnes Salamon— this seems a Jewish name. During this 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1129 
 
 reign the Jews were banished from England till the Common- 
 wealth — though no doubt some remained. Wade still remains 
 a name in Northwich, and one of the brooks and a portion of Witton 
 still retain the name. Wadebrook, Anglo-Saxon "Wade" = a 
 ford, and no doubt the portion of Witton where the main (Roman) 
 road crossed the brook at a ford received its name from this 
 " Wade " thus = ford — both names still in Northwich. " Kynges- 
 mole " : this was royal burgh, and no doubt this was a duty or tax 
 going to the King — the part of the word " mole " I cannot trace. 
 
 Issues of the Court on Tuesday next before the feast of St 
 Mark the Evangelist in the year abovesaid — 
 
 By the issue of the Stocks xxs iiijd 
 
 From the wife of William le Pauer — the wife of William 
 de Northlegh — from Matilda formerly wife of Henry 
 son of Sidkoe' from the wife of Alan de Twenbrocus — 
 the wife of Roger de Starlix the wife of Richard Bulki- 
 legh — the wife of William son of Edd' iij vid 
 
 From Herneys for 8 carts xvjd 
 
 From Furnage & the Bushel xd 
 
 Sum xxvjs 
 
 Notes. — Pauer ? Pawa = peacock ? Paver = a paver. 
 
 Northlegh = Norley. 
 
 Twenbrocus = Twambrooks now in use = Between the Brooks, 
 from A.S. Tweon — two or between, and Br6c = a brook. Witton, a 
 part of Northwich, is legally Witton Cum Twambrooks or Witton 
 with the two brooks or between the two brooks — there being 
 two brooks. 
 
 Issues of the Court on Tuesday in the feast of the Veneration 
 of the Holy Cross in the year abovesaid. 
 
 By the issue of the Stocks xxiiijs viijd 
 
 From the wife of Hugh le Drap — the wife of Thomas son of 
 Bat' the wife of Thomas son of Stephen Agnes 
 Salomon the wife of Hugh son of Wade the wife of 
 William de Olton — the wife of Simon de Herteford, from 
 Matilda formerly the wife of Henry son of Sidkocus, 
 the wife of William Achard — the wife of William de 
 Northlegh vs 
 
 From Herneys' xijd 
 
 From Furnage & the Bushel xviij qr 
 
 Sum xxxijs ijd qr 
 
1130 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Issue of the Court of Northwich on Tuesday next after the 
 feast of the Ascension of our Lord in the zear abovesaid. 
 
 By the issue of the " tolstok " xxiijs xd 
 
 For brewing beer, the wife of Richard de 
 Bulkylegh — the wife of William le Pauer — 
 Emma le Huntle the wife of Thomas son of Bat' 
 the wife of Alan de Twembrocus : the wife of 
 Hugh son of Wade iij s 
 
 From Herneys iiij s viijd 
 
 From Cogeshule for a default (pro def) ij s 
 
 From Parva Witton for the same ij s 
 
 From John Caus for failing against John 
 Bonban in a plea of debt, by Pledge of Ealph de 
 Swetenham iijd 
 
 From William le Pauer because he did not 
 prosecute against Alice le Murie by Pledge of 
 John le Clerk iijd 
 
 From Furnage & the Bushell xvij ob. 
 
 Sum xxxvs vd ob. 
 
 Sundry Notes : — 
 
 Names. — Cogeshall = present Coggeshall a village near North - 
 wich. Parva Witton — not known now — probably part of Witton. 
 The word " Pledge " seems to be the modern " surety" as when 
 bail is allowed — 
 
 Herteford — Hartford. 
 
 Thomas Werkoe — John Baret. Richard le Tabourer, Richard 
 de Lake, the "judicator " of Eyton (? Eaton). The " defenser " 
 of Merburn (? Merbury), Richard Doon. " Philip de Egerton." 
 We have a Philip Egerton as early as this, and whilst others were 
 let off for ixd he had to pay xviijd. " Richard de Morton." " The 
 Judicator of Tantontal " (? Tattenhall). " The deffnsor of Com- 
 hurbachr 
 
 Brewers of Ale — the wife of William le Pauer — Matilda the 
 wife of Henry Sidkoc — the wife of Richard Bulkylegh — the 
 wife of Roger Tobsond the wife of John Eddesone — the wife of 
 Hugh Wadesson. (Here again we have the word son following 
 and joined to, instead of " son of " preceding.) 
 
 " From ' herneys ' at his court from Roger de Winniton xx." 
 (Here we have Wilmington, a place name and also a common 
 surname at present.) 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1131 
 
 " Roger Lostok & James de Lostok " (place name now). 
 
 " From Roger de Lostok because he failed against Margaret 
 daughter of Roger Toprond in a plea of battery by Pledge of 
 Geoffry de Winniton & Ran: Salamon." (The de seems dropping 
 out — in one line we have Roger Lostok, then Roger de Lostok.) 
 
 From " Stuth " of the town. (The Anglo-Saxon word Stuth 
 would seem to be meant a stud, pillar, prop, post, but these 
 do not seem applicable). 
 
 " From Magge Salamon for license to agree by the Pledge of 
 Hugh Wadesson & William Bemond." (Magge seems strange. 
 Bemond may be modern Beamont.) 
 
 " Margaret de Noris " Adam Pluffin — Richard de Davenham." 
 The wife of Simon de Herteford by Pledge of Simon Herteford 
 (again de omitted). 
 
 " Alice Peronel "— " Robert Lytel." 
 
 " Roger de Stretton," " William de Oldinton." 
 
 "Robert Snyg," "Richard Couhed," "Henry Blanchard 
 & William son of Ralph son of Bate." " From Hugh le Draper 
 because he obstructed the road with dung by pledge of William 
 son of Ralph Batesson & the Kings Serjeant." 
 
 " From the Judicators of Mershton (? Marston) Wytton, 
 Luttewitton (sic) (? Lytlewitton). 
 
 " From furnage & the bushel nothing received because none 
 was there." (This would seem to refer to goods in the market.) 
 
 " From John son of Joan le Rene " — " Richard son of Henry " 
 —"Richard le Colker "— " Roger son of Molkyn "— " Emma 
 wife of Thomas Roed." 
 
 It is interesting to note how instead of the day of the month 
 and the month as now, all the sessions are fixed in relation to 
 saints' days or feasts of the Church, for instance in the rolls of 
 Edward III., the second year, we have — 
 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of St Cuthbert the Bishop " 
 " Tuesday in Easter Week : " 
 
 " Tuesday next before the feast of St Mark the Evangelist " 
 " Tuesday in the feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross " 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of the Ascension of our Lord " 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of the Holy Trinity " 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of St Barnabas the Apostle " 
 " Tuesday next before the feast of the Nativity of St John the 
 Baptist " 
 
1132 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of the Translation of St Thomas 
 the Martyr " 
 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of St James the Apostle " 
 
 " Tuesday in the Vigil of St Laurence " 
 
 " Tuesday in the Vigil of St Bartholomew " 
 
 " Tuesday next before the feast of the Navitity of the Blessed 
 Mary " 
 
 " Tuesday next before the feast of St Michael the Archbishop " 
 (sic) (? "Archangel") 
 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of St Michael in Monte Tumba " 
 
 " Tuesday next before the feast of the Apostles Symon & Jude " 
 
 " Tuesday next before the feast of St Mark " 
 
 " Tuesday next after the feast of St Mark " 
 
 Issues of the Court on Tuesday next after the feast of Holy 
 Trinity in the year abovesaid. 
 
 By issue from the " Tolstock " xvjs vijd 
 
 From the wife of Thomas son of Stephen — The 
 wife of John son of Edd — the wife of John le Baker 
 — the wife of Richard de Bulkylegh, the wife of 
 William son of Edd, the wife of William de North- 
 legh, the wife of William Achard, the wife of Hugh 
 le Drap, Agnes Salamon iiijs vjd 
 
 From the " fensor " of Herteford for a fine ixd 
 
 From Thomas Werkoe because he came not to 
 answer John Baret by pledges of Richard le 
 Tabourer, Richard de Lake vid 
 
 From furnage x id 
 
 From the Judicator of Eyton for a fine ixd 
 
 From the defensor of Merburn for the same ixd 
 
 From Process (jpc) of Richard Doon ixd 
 
 From Philip de Egerton for the same xviijd 
 
 From Richard de Morton ns vid 
 
 From Coggeshulle for a fine i x d 
 
 From the " Judicator " of Tantontal for the 
 same xyii - d 
 
 From the defensor [of] C'omburbach for the same ixd 
 
 From " herneys " xiiijd 
 
 Sum xxxiijs viijd 
 
 Issues of the Court held on Tuesday next after the Feast of 
 St Barnabas the Apostle in the year abovesaid. 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1133 
 
 By the issue of the " Tolstok " of which John 
 the Clerk received xiiijs yjd xxvjs ixd 
 
 From vj brewers of ale, to wit : the wife of 
 William le Pauer, Matilda the wife of Henry 
 Sidkoc : the wife of Richard Bulkyligh — the 
 wife of Roger Tobrond, the wife of John Eddesone, 
 the wife of Hugh Wadesson iij s 
 
 From " herneys " at his Court from Roger de 
 Winniton xxd 
 
 From Matilda Broys for licence to agree by 
 pledge of Roger Lostok and James de Lostok iijd 
 
 From Roger de Lostok because he failed against 
 Margaret daughter of Roger Toprond in a plea of 
 battery by pledge and Geoffrey de Wininton & 
 Ran. Salamon iijd 
 
 From the lady of Dutton for fine for her suit ijs 
 
 From furnage & the bushel xvijd 
 
 From John the clerk for " herneys " during his 
 time ij s virjd 
 
 Sum xxxviijs 
 
 M. jd Having heard the account of William le Pauer and 
 Roger de Wynyngton Receivers of the moneys of the Lord the 
 King arising from the issues of the town of Northwich from 
 Tuesday next after the Feast of St Cuthbert the Bishop in the 
 second year of the reign of King Edward the Third after the 
 Conquest until the morrow of St Michael next following. 
 
 The same Receiver renders account of xxixli xijd 
 ob. q received from the issues of the town aforesaid 
 by the same time as appears in the particulars 
 Sum xxixli xiid ob. q : Of which 
 the same receiver accounts in moneys paid to 
 Sir (domino) Thomas de Blaston Treasurer of 
 Chester : xxvii j u xiiij s i"j d l 
 
 and for his wages by the said time vjs viijd 
 
 Sum delivered xxixli xijd ob. q And so he is quit. 
 
 Notes, extracts, etc. : — 
 
 From the wife of Richard Murie by pledge of 
 Richard Murie for the making of flour iiij d 
 
 From the wife of Thomas Wade by pledge of 
 Thomas Wadessone iij c 
 
1134 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 From Margaret de Olecroft : From Joan the 
 wife of Roger le Har' : From the wife of William 
 Kyde From Kyngesmole for the term of the 
 Nativity of St John Baptist xijs od 
 
 Issues of Court on Tuesday next after the Feast of St James 
 the Apostle in the second year of the reign of E(dward) 
 
 From Robert Lytel for trepass made upon the 
 highway vjd 
 
 Issues on Tuesday in the Vigil of St Laurence 
 
 From Roger de Stretton for licence to agree 
 with William de Oldinton in a plea of detention 
 of one penny by pledge of the Sergeant iij d 
 
 From Robert Snyg for unjust dispute by pledge 
 of John the Clerk iij d 
 
 Issues of the Court on Tuesday next before the Feast of the 
 Nativity of the Blessed Mary in the year abovesaid. 
 
 From Richard Couhed for licence to agree by 
 pledge of Henry Blanchard & William son of 
 Ralph son of Bate. iijd 
 
 From Hugh le Draper because he obstructed the 
 road with dung by pledge of William son of Ralph 
 Batesson & the King's Sergeant iijd 
 
 From " Stuth " of the country xvijs od 
 
 Court held on Tuesday next after the Feast of St Michael in 
 Monte Tumba 
 
 From the Rent called Kyngesmole for the term 
 of St Michael the Archangel xijs jd ob. q 
 
 From the issue of the stalls (seldarum) vj ixd 
 
 From the Judicators of Mershton Wytton 
 Luttewitton for this Tuesday vjd 
 
 (xij Brewers on this day — all the names had before — all women) 
 
 Issues of Court on Tuesday next before the Feast of the 
 Apostles Symon & Jude 
 
 From " furnage " & the " bushels " nothing 
 received because none was there From John son 
 of Joan le Rene because he failed against William 
 de Oldyngton by pledge of Roger de Bukylegh, 
 Richard son of Henry iijd : From Richard le 
 ( 'olker for the trespass by Richard his brother by 
 pledge of Roger son of Molkyn iijd 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1135 
 
 Having heard the amount of Roger de Wynyngton Receiver 
 of the moneys of the lord the King arising from the issues of trie 
 town of Northwich from Tuesday next after the Feast of St 
 Michael in the second year of the reign of King E(dward) the 
 third after the Conquest until the xxix day of November next 
 following, on which day Sir (dominus) Oliver de Ingham, 
 Justice of Chester & farmer there succeeded &c. 
 
 The same receiver renders account of vjli xvjs ijd qr ie- 
 ceived for the issues of the said town during the said time. 
 
 Sum vjli xvjs ijd qr. From which the same accounts in 
 moneys paid to Sir (domino) Thomas de Blaston, Treasurer 
 of Chester vjli xijs xd q 
 
 And in the fee of the said receiver during the 
 time of the account iijs iiijd 
 
 Sum delivered vjli xvjs ijd q. And so he is quit. 
 
 Court Rolls Public Record Office Portfolio 156. No 10. Manor 
 of Northwich — County of Chester — 29. 3 Edward iij 
 
 Court of Northwich held here in Wednesday next after the 
 Feast of St Luke the Evangelist hi the 29th year 
 
 From the issue of the " tolstok " lxijs iijd ob. 
 
 From the issue of the Mill 1 bushel of mixed 
 corn of the price xiiijd Also ij bushels of cursal 
 price malt 
 
 From the issue of the Oven xd 
 
 From Dunfoul vjd From the wife of Hugh 
 
 de Laghton vjd 
 Alewives From the Wife of William le Barker vjd ; 
 
 From the wife of John Starkey vjd from the 
 wife of Roger del Nomplewich vjd From the 
 
 wife of Rob. son of vjd 
 
 From Ralph de Hide for entry to one third 
 part of 1 salt pit by pledge &c ijs : The same 
 Ralph gives for release from suit of Court until 
 the feast of St Michael. 
 Mercy viijd Thomas Jalloc complains of Roger de Merton 
 
 on a plea of trespass, pledge to prosecute William 
 son of Gregory pledge to answer John Ken. 
 And they are agreed by licence of the Court 
 and Roger gives by pledge of the Sergeant. 
 
1136 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Mercy iijd Thomas Jalloc complains of Thomas del 
 
 Lake on a plea of trespass pledge to prosecute 
 William son of Gregory — pledge to answer 
 Eoger Beket. And they are agreed by licence 
 of the Court and Thomas Jalloc gives by pledge 
 to Thomas del Lake 
 
 first essoin Richard Mereton complains of Thomas 
 
 Nanel & his wife on a plea of trespass — pledge 
 to prosecute William Hugh Bonde pledge to 
 answer William Batessone And the defendant 
 essoins himself first by Richard Toprond 
 
 Law Thomas Jalloc is attorned for affray of the 
 
 peace made with John son of Thomas Hullessone 
 — pledge to answer Hugh Bonde And the 
 accused desires therefore to law by pledge of 
 Richard Toprond. 
 
 Mercy vjd John le Fleccher complains of Henry del Bonk 
 
 on a plea of debt — pledge to prosecute William 
 
 pledges to answer William le Wodeward & 
 
 Laurence le Frer. And they are agreed by 
 
 licence of the Court Henry gives by pledge 
 
 of William le Wodeward. 
 Only such extracts as are interesting are made as the same 
 
 names and circumstances are frequently recurring. 
 
 " John de Merbury complains of Robert son 
 of Thomas Hullesone " 
 
 " Richard de Wynynton complains of Ralph 
 de Hulgreve " 
 
 " Elena Treddchare attached for breaking 
 the peace upon Agnes Rudd " 
 
 fine half a marc " Henry Tushet is attached for taking away 
 the toll of the lord to witt one halfpenny " 
 
 " William del Diche is attached for taking 
 
 away the toll of the lord to witt one halfpenny " 
 
 " Robert le Barker is attached for taking 
 
 away the toll of the lord to witt one halfpenny " 
 
 Fines xiijs iiijd Pledge to answer R de Basyngworke and 
 
 the accused puts himself on the grace of the 
 lord by pledge of the said Abbot " 
 
 " From John le Mercer of Houme for stallage 
 xijd " 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1137 
 
 " Ralph de Vernon complains of Robert son 
 
 of Adam Houdessone on a plea of trespass 
 
 he complains that defendant with his cattle 
 trespassed in his corn to the damage of xld 
 And the defendant denies it " 
 
 " Margery Mereton defendant at the suit of 
 Olis Malledoghter " 
 
 " John de Marbury complainant & William 
 Hannesson " 
 
 " John Stevene complainant against Emma 
 daughter of Richard Toprond on a plea of trespass 
 essoins himself twice by John de Horton " 
 
 " The same Emma complainant against John 
 
 Stevene on a plea of trespass essoins herself 
 
 twice by Thomas de Hale " 
 
 Note. — This is a case of cross-summons for assault, and occurs 
 
 repeatedly in these rolls, especially, as is now so often 
 
 the case, when the quarrel is between women. This 
 
 Emma Toprond was the daughter of a brewer and was 
 
 frequently before the Court for assault. 
 
 " Ranulph le Dauber & his wife defendants 
 at the Suit of Hugh son of Thomas " 
 
 " William del Gleneway — for a lesene made 
 upon the Bedel — fine vjd " 
 
 " Emma daughter of Richard Toprond — for 
 breach of the peace on Margery le Rud " 
 
 " Richard de Wynynton complainant against 
 Henry Cristiane " 
 
 " Hugh Peawe defendant at the Suit of Thomas 
 
 Son of Thomas on a plea of trespass essoins 
 
 himself the first time upon the law by Richard 
 
 de Leftewich " 
 
 Fine xij " The Judicator of Dunham for the fourth 
 
 part of one salt pit." 
 Fine xij " The Judicator of Lache for the fourth part 
 
 of one salt pit." 
 Fine ijs " The Judicator of Comberbach for the fourth 
 
 part of one salt pit." 
 Note. — The Judicators of Clarton (?), Cronton, Legh-Berterton, 
 Mershton, Wytton, Litelwytton-Coggeshull are mentioned 
 in the records of this Court. 29 Ed. iii. 
 4 c 
 
1138 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Note. — In the Summaries of Fines we 
 find evidently the Tolstok so 
 
 Issues of Mill 
 Toll box 
 
 often mentioned is the toll j" Issues of the Oven 
 named— J Perquisites of Court 
 
 The word "Strike" as a measure is given by the translator 
 for estr. 
 
 Court of iiij of November in the twenty ninth year. 
 Issues of the Mill—" From the issue of the Mill 
 iij Strikes (estr) of wheat price u j s 1X 
 
 also iij Strikes of mixed corn — price ij s iij d 
 
 also iij hoops of capital malt price xv d 
 
 From the issues of the oven vij d 
 
 Ale wives " Wife of Robert de Wynynton— vjd. 
 
 Margery le Roher vjd — the wife of William son of 
 Gregory vjd : the wife of Alan son of John vjd." 
 Fine vjd "William Mafiay puts himself on the grace of 
 
 the lord because he set at nought (contempsit) 
 the collector of pontage " 
 
 " Richard do Wynynton chevalier complainant 
 essoins himself the first time by William Bates- 
 sone against Richard son of Warin de Mod- 
 berley in a plea of trespass " 
 Note. Names. — Court of December second : — Ralph de Ledes 
 — John le Lorymer — Thomas Wercok — Robert 
 de Longshagh — Margery Whithed — Agnes le 
 Ape — Robert Bamefray — William le Canner : 
 Thomas de Haie — Agnes Anyon Betok wife 
 of Hugh le Hale — Alice Huldoghter — William 
 del Birches — William le Herdemon — Richard 
 Fustart, Thomas Nanel — James le Fode — 
 Geoffrey Stevenssone William Startout : Roger 
 le Wright of Tabbeley : William son of Gregory. 
 John le Baxster of Knotesford. 
 Court Roll : " William Startout complains of Roger le 
 
 Wright of Tabbeley— that he made a certain 
 agreement with him that he should make one 
 wheel and one pair of " Trendeles " at the mill 
 of the park and this he did not do to the damage 
 of xlvs." 
 Notes — Names — Adam de Glasebrok : Hugh le Fleccher : 
 Edmond de Mottrom : John Jalloc Harpor : 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1139 
 
 Roger Bolet : John le Ayr : Adam son of 
 William Gorst : 
 
 Court Roll : " Elena Bate complains of John Jalloc, Harpor : 
 
 — that the defendant broke the pales of her in- 
 closure to the damage of 10s and the defendant 
 answers nothing otherwise than simply " twert 
 nyh " therefore it is considered that such answer 
 is not sufficient " 
 
 Notes — Names — Robert Dobbessone : Richard son of Hikedon 
 Agnes de Elhale Henry Russel : John. Starky 
 W. le Love : Roger le Couper. Stephen Jenkyn 
 Hull Tabourer : Richard de Skypton •. Richard 
 Rowessone : Hugh de Leghorn : Hugh le 
 Smyth : Adam Godale 
 
 Alewives — " Wife of Richard Toprond : wife of William 
 
 le Barker : Wife of John del Nomptwich : 
 
 Court Rolls Matilda de Frodesham : Agnes de Croxton : 
 wife of John Starky : wife of Roger Jakkes- 
 sone : wife of Robert Thumsone : " 
 
 Names : Hugh de Leghton. William le Milward : 
 
 Robert de Sudlowe : Thomas de Venables : 
 Thomas Stub : John le Pope : Ranulph Wirgan 
 Hugh del Hall : John Manlich : John de 
 Horton : Nicholas le Page : Richard le Thwacker : 
 Robert de Halghton : Roger de Warton : 
 William de Holynhad : William Dauwesson 
 John Crone : Ralph le Peris : Roger le Stuycher : 
 Margery Whicher : John Jallocus : John de 
 Leftewich (this given as John de Lestewich, no 
 doubt owing to confusing the long f and f). 
 Margery Litfot : John le Cook : Hugh son of 
 William de Wytton — Adam de Tymperlegh : 
 Agnes de Norlegh : Henry the Millar : Adam 
 Shert : William Jackesson del Wick' : Thomas Cut : 
 Richard the son of Thomas de Lostok Graeham 
 Emma le Kemster : Agnes Dad : Hugh Madyn 
 — John Lyttelose Ralph de Wylberham : Margery 
 Bunt : Henry Bullok Richard Donne : William 
 Jakkesson del Wich : Robert Hullessone del 
 Holes : Adam de Claytelegh : William le 
 Denhale : Robert Wrenche William le Prust 
 
1140 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of Holford: John Dughty : Hugh del Tonne 
 Richard de Saynesbury Abbot of Chester : 
 Roger de Goostre : William le Prokatonr : 
 John Cady: Edde Garnefray : John Dugul : 
 John de Berwik: William son of Gregory: 
 Richard de Haselhurst : Richard de Wastencis : 
 William de Lirpole Adam Fleet : William Hob- 
 mon : Richard Rosesone : Beatrix Dade : 
 Becok' Skylsone : Olis Tarry : Hugh Skay- 
 thorn Nicholas le Druyster : Ranulph de 
 Auterbus : Fyvian del Forde Mathew Wallicus : 
 Robert Fox : Agnes Joneswif : Alan de Twen- 
 brokes. Dykon' le Rede of Knottesford : 
 Juliana wife of John de Hendeford John del 
 Yate : Richard de Staundon : Hawisia wife of 
 John son of : Felicia daughter of Richard 
 de Staundon : Richard : Abbot of Wallegh : 
 Wymark'a wife of Richard le Harpour : 
 Robert Godyer : Henry Skile Nicholas le 
 Dayfter : Hugh le Reneyet : Margareta : Henry 
 le Tew : Warin son of Hulcok of Danen- 
 haner : James Salmon : William Mayfay : 
 Henry Throstel : John Ingot' : William Hiche- 
 cokessone : Alice Wilde Alice de Merry : 
 William Wattessone : Hugh Madyn : Henry 
 Bendbowe : William Pymmessone : Richard 
 le Penker : Thomas Cutus : John Flesh William 
 son of William son of Thomas : William de 
 Runcore John Simcok : David del Holes vicar 
 of Budworth : Peter Symson. Reginald son in 
 law of Hugh de Leghton : Matilda Wyger : — 
 Reginald de Haulegh : Jordan de Bradeford : 
 Aldith' Crone, Michael Skot : Roger son of Aston' 
 Adam de Bertumlegh : John le Fissher : John 
 Underwode : Peter del Berne : Hugh Elena de 
 Edleston : Cristiana Codde : Roger le Tascher : 
 Yadyn. Nicholas le Irissh : Hugh le Taillour : 
 Roger del Dycher. Henry Torfot : John Rad- 
 hed : William le Spicer & Sibilla his wife. Adam 
 de Yorkshire : Robert de Waterfal : William 
 Skarth : Hugh de Wirhale : Richard del 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1141 
 
 Burghes : John the clerk of Davenham. Eoesia 
 Jenkyn : Olis Jakeswif : Elena Cane : Olis 
 le Grete John Crouciv (sic) : Richard Lallow : 
 Robert Dod : 
 
 Coukt Rolls Public Record Office. Portfolio 156 
 
 Manor of Northwich 
 
 1 & 2 Henry V. 1413. 1414 
 
 Great Court of the town of Northwich held there before 
 
 Lawrence de Merbury farmer of the town aforesaid on Tuesday 
 
 next before the feast of St Luke the Evangelist in the first year 
 
 of King Henry the fifth after the Conquest. 
 
 Of John de Bradshagh for customs of ale. vjd 
 
 Of Matilda wife of Hugh Ankas for the same vjd 
 
 Of Agnes wife of Hamo le Roer for the same vjd 
 
 Note. Names. Richard son of Thomas Hicson : John de 
 Snelleston — Roger de Wolnylegh : John Abbot 
 of the Monastery of the Blessed Mary of Norton : 
 Thomas le Caryour : William Race. Henry 
 de Ravenescroft (Steward of the town) : Henry 
 de Pynynton Nicholas del Boche : Hugh de 
 Venables of Golburn : Geoffrey le Wright 
 William Profet : Robert le Bocher : Thomas 
 le Caripur : Henry de Walton : Hugh de Legh : 
 Thomas le Bret : Richard de Clotton : 
 2Vofe. — The names of the husbands now appear in the Bremers 
 or ale sellers lists as : 
 
 " John de Tabley for customs of ale vjd 
 
 John Toprond for the same vj d 
 
 William Jallok for the same vjd " 
 
 Note Names : Thomas Abbot of Vale Royal : John Bouell 
 
 Hamo Resyns. Amicia Schachart : William 
 de Bostok : John de Owsam : Thomas de 
 Dokenfeld : Alexander del Grene : William 
 Basnet : William de Prymerose : Thomas 
 Janny : John de Berynton : Henry de Radclif : 
 John Kelt : J. Knebrigge. Thomas le Webster : 
 Stephen de Norley : Thomas Henyet William 
 de More : Philip Whitmay : Robert Sterlyng : 
 David de Wylley : Ranulph de Leycestre : 
 Richard de Kirkeham : John Roo : Roger de 
 
1142 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Alewives 
 
 Wolnylegh : William le Werkeman : William 
 de Lutely : Join Diconson : John Brace : 
 John Bucbrigge : Elias le Mulward : Mabota 
 Fairwheill : Alice Buchorne : Elena Raulynnes- 
 doghter Jevan le Bochour : John de Toft : 
 John de Bixton de Knottesforde : John del 
 Grosse de Antrebus in le Eede : Elias Gernet : 
 Emmeta Adullart John Carles : John Thorpe : 
 Thomas Alkoc : William de Dufford : Bichard 
 de Cranache : Edmund de Hollyneshede : 
 Bobert del Wode Edmond le Walshemon : 
 Henry de Rondon : Roger de Swynton : Peter 
 de Wilberham : Rosa Carles : Agnes del Toun : 
 John de Tabley. Henry le Hosier : Thomas 
 Prat : Richard de Woley : Alice Buchorne : 
 Rosa wife of John de Tabley : Joan wife of 
 John Topronde : John de Snelleston : 
 
 XI] c 
 
 References to Salt in the Court Rolls 
 
 29 year Edward III. 1356 : 
 
 " The Judicator of Dunham for 
 
 the fourth part of one salt pit Fine xijd 
 
 " The Judicator of Lache made 
 fine for the like 
 
 " The Judicatorof Comberbach, 
 fine for the like 
 I The Judicator of Cronton made 
 fine for the behalf of Philip 
 de Egerton 
 The Judicator of Cronton made 
 
 fine for the behalf of Thomas Doune 
 The Judicator of Legh & 
 
 It is doubtful 
 
 whether these 
 
 refer to 
 
 salt pits : 
 
 they occur 
 
 in this order 
 
 in the rolls : 
 
 i] s 
 
 !J S 
 
 xi] c 
 
 Berterton made fine for the like 
 The Judicatorof Mershtonmade 
 
 fine for the like 
 The Judicator of Wytton made 
 
 fine for the like 
 The Judicator of Litel wytton 
 
 made fine for the like 
 The Judicator of Coggeshull 
 
 made fine for the like 
 
 xls 
 
 fine ija 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1143 
 
 " Thomas Cut complains of Hugh de Holynhed 
 of a plea that the same Hugh with his cattle 
 damaged the salt of the aforesaid Thomas placed 
 
 before a certain ship in the port of desham 
 
 to the damage of half a mare." 
 Note. — The name of the place is evidently partially obliterated 
 and it is difficult to understand the reference to a '" ship " 
 and fort. A " ship " in Northwich meant, as far as salt 
 is concerned, the hollowed-out trunk of a tree used in 
 the " wich " house or salt-house as a reservoir for brine, 
 and possibly the cattle had got in the "wich" house and 
 trampled on salt lying near. The word port I cannot 
 understand, and the name or word given in the original 
 document not being given in the translation, I cannot 
 say whether the translator has been misled by the word 
 ship. The place called port may have been " Frodesham," 
 but no salt was made there at so early a date, and not 
 until after 1670, when rock salt was discovered. 
 Rolls. " Joan servant of Thomas Jallok puts herself 
 
 (sic) for obstructing of the paths leading to the 
 salt pits " Fineviijd 
 
 1 & 2 Henry V. (1413. 1414) 
 
 " Thomas le Croucher for licence to boil (salt) 
 
 for this year with vj leads yjs " 
 
 " Nicholas del Bothe complains of William 
 
 le Clerke of a plea of detention of fifteen weighs 
 
 of lead And whereupon he complains that 
 
 he took of William Dan Steward of the 
 
 lord the King of his lordship of Halton a certain 
 salt pit with the said weighs being in his custody 
 and he detains them to damage of xijd & the 
 aforesaid William in his proper person comes 
 & says he does not detain the weighs aforesaid 
 and of this he wages thereof his law ' 
 
 " Thomas le Caryour Bailiff of the town 
 aforesaid presents that William Brace on 
 Thursday next after the feast of St Mark the 
 Evangelist in the second year of the reign of 
 King Henry the Fifth after the Conquest at 
 Northwich came to the ' seche ' of the town 
 aforesaid and put a certain ladder in the said 
 
1144 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 ' seche ' and with a certain instrument called 
 
 a ' recke ' beat down the said ' seche ' so that 
 
 the profits thereof for that time could not be 
 
 taken to the use of the lord nor of the tenants 
 
 of the town aforesaid, to the grave damage of 
 
 the lord & of his tenants " 
 
 Note.— By " Seche " is evidently meant the " Seathe " or 
 
 " Sheathe," the old brine pit belonging to the town and 
 
 described in King's Vale Eoyal. The narrow street 
 
 which led to this brine pit, which was near to the River 
 
 Dane, still exists and is known as " Sheath " Street. 
 
 " Thomas le Paver : Thomas le Croucher : 
 Emmeba Adullart : Margery who was wife of 
 William Starkey John De Bradshagh : Henry 
 de Bradshagh : John Carles : William del 
 
 More : Roger de Wolnylegh : have not 
 
 sufficiently cleansed a certain stream called 
 " Chanell " on the highway by which all the 
 tenants of the town aforesaid have & ought 
 to have their passage to and fro as far as " le 
 Sethe " to the annoyance of the tenants of the 
 town aforesaid." (Fines iijd each) 
 
 " Thomas le Caryour bailiff of the town pre- 
 sents that the said bailiff on Saturday next 
 after the Feast of the Apostles Peter & Paul 
 in the second year of the reign of King Henry 
 the Fifth after the Conquest came to the house 
 of Hugh le Drapoux and there by virtue of the 
 precept to him the said bailiff directed wished 
 to have stayed a leaden rat and a salt pit for 
 execution of xvjs & viijd recovered in the Court 
 of the town aforesaid," &c. 
 
 " William de DufTorde complains of Thomas 
 
 Janny that he owes him iiijs & iiijd for salt 
 
 bought from him at Northwich on Saturday 
 next after the Feast of St Hilary — to damage 
 of vjd " 
 
 " Of Henry de Legh for licence to boil for 
 this year with six leads vjs 
 
 " Of Thomas Burges for the same with four- 
 leads iiijs 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1145 
 
 " Of Eosa Carles for the same with four leads 
 iiijs " 
 
 Of Thomas Jacson of fine for licence to boil 
 salt with eight leads for this year viijs 
 
 Of Thomas Janny of fine for licence to boil 
 for the whole year with four leads iiijs 
 
 Of Richard le Croucher for licence to boil 
 for this year with four leads iiijs 
 Note. — At the end of this roll there is the following summary : — 
 " Sum total of all the abovesaid Courts as appears in 
 this vj roll, to wit xxvj Courts held this year 
 Of Perquisites of Court xli vijs ijd 
 
 Of the issue of the Box xixli vijs ixd 
 
 Of the issue of the Mill iiijli viis ijd 
 
 Total : xxxiiijli ijs jd proved, 
 also of a Certain Custom called Stuth & Hacstuth of carts 
 carrying turfs [and] brushwood to sell to wit of each 
 cart ijd xiijs iiijd." 
 Note. — The " box " mentioned is the " toll box," the proceeds 
 of which or " issues " are stated each Court day in the rolls 
 thus : "Of the issue of the toll box from the last Court 
 until the feast of St Michael the Archangel." 
 Note. — The names of towns and villages in these rolls generally 
 applied as a " surname," show that nearly all those now 
 existing were in existence then : the following are found — 
 
 Court Rolls in the Second year of King Edward III. 1329. 
 
 Frodesham Knotesford (Knutsford) 
 
 Noterlegh (? Norley) Bud worth 
 
 Croxton Glasebrok 
 
 de Bulkilegh (? Buckley) Mottram 
 
 Northlegh (? Norley) Elhale 
 
 (Twenbrocus (Twambrooks) 29th year King Edward III 
 I Twenebrookes (1356) 
 
 Olton (? Oulton) Leftewich 
 
 Herteford (Hartford) Chester 
 
 Cogeshull (Coggeshall) Skypton (?) 
 
 Parva Witton Venables (?) 
 
 Swetenham Leghton 
 
 Eyton (? Eaton) Sudlowe 
 
 Merburn (?) Halghton (Haughton) 
 
1146 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Egerton 
 
 Warton 
 
 Morton 
 
 Holynhedd 
 
 Tantonhal (? Tattenhall) 
 
 Tymperlegh 
 
 Comburbach 
 
 Norlegh 
 
 (Wininton (Wilmington) 
 
 Lostok Gralham 
 
 I Wynynton 
 
 Ouston 
 
 Lostok 
 
 Lyttelone (Littler) 
 
 Dutton 
 
 Giphole (?) 
 
 Oldinton (?) 
 
 (Wich del Wich) 
 
 Davenham 
 
 Claytelegh (?) 
 
 Olecroft (?) 
 
 Denhall (?) 
 
 Stretton 
 
 Holford 
 
 Wytton 
 
 Tabenhale 
 
 Luttewitton 
 
 Saynesbury 
 
 Mershton (? Marston) 
 
 Coostre 
 
 29th year King Edward 3. 1356 
 
 . Berwik 
 
 Laghton (? Lawton) 
 
 Haselhurst 
 
 Nomptwich (Nantwich) 
 
 Wasteneis (Wasteneys) 
 
 Hide 
 
 Lirpole (Liverpool) 
 
 Merbury (Marbury) 
 
 Whitelegh 
 
 Marbury 
 
 Auterhus 
 
 Hulgreve 
 
 Northcotes (de — del) 
 
 Stafford 
 
 Staundon (?) 
 
 Basyngworke 
 
 Whallegh 
 
 Houme 
 
 Plumlegh 
 
 Acton 
 
 Murry (?) 
 
 Horton 
 
 Runcore (Runcorn) 
 
 Clarton (? Claugliton,Claverton) Barton 
 
 Dunham 
 
 Haulegh (?) 
 
 Lache 
 
 Bradeford (?) 
 
 Crowton 
 
 Edleston 
 
 Legh 
 
 Yorkshire (Adam de York- 
 
 Berterton 
 
 shire) 
 
 Modberley (? Mobberley) 
 
 Waterfal (Robert de Waterfal) 
 
 Vernon (?) 
 
 Wirhale (? Wirral) 
 
 Longshagh (Longshaw) 
 
 1st and 2nd year of King 
 
 Haie Haye (?) 
 
 Henry Y. 1413. 1414 
 
 Birches (del Birches) 
 
 Bradshagli (?) 
 
 Weuerham 
 
 Snelleston (?) 
 
 Tabbeley (Tabley) 
 
 Wolnylegh 
 
 Merssheton 
 
 (de) Berynton 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1147 
 
 Witton 
 
 Litelwiton 
 
 Dutton 
 
 Acton 
 
 Berterton 
 
 Legh 
 
 Tatton 
 
 Lachedenys 
 
 Claverton 
 
 Eyton 
 
 Norton 
 
 de Ravenescroft 
 
 de Pynynton (?) 
 
 Golburn 
 
 de Walton 
 
 Tabley 
 
 de Clotton 
 
 Vale Royal 
 (de) Bostok 
 (de) Owsam (?) 
 (de) Moston 
 (de) Dokenfeld 
 
 (de) Radclif 
 
 (de) Rucbrigge ? Bucbrigge 
 
 (de) More 
 
 (de) Clotton 
 
 (de) Wylley 
 
 (de) Leycestre 
 
 (de) Kirkeham 
 
 (de) Lutely (?) 2nd Hen: V 
 
 Halton 
 
 Kyndexton 
 
 Toft 
 
 de Rixton 
 
 de Duflord (?) 
 
 of Ruddeworth (? Rudheath 
 
 or Bud worth) 
 
 de Cranache 
 
 Shurlache 
 
 (de) Holynnestede 
 
 (de) Swynton (?) 
 
 (de) Wilberharn 
 
 de Woley (?) 
 
 Notes and extracts from Court Rolls Public Record 
 Office. Portfolio 156. No. 11 
 
 Henry V. 1413. 1414 
 
 " John Abbot of the Monastery of the Blessed 
 Mary of Norton complains of William Starkey 
 . . that he owes him xvjs viijd for wheat barley peas 
 & oats purchased from him at Northwich which he 
 should have paid at the feast of the Nativity of St 
 John Baptist next past " 
 
 " Richard de Clotton complains of Hugh de 
 Venables of Golburn of a plea of debt . . . that he 
 owes him ijd for pr & of one pair of " Pater- 
 nosters of jet " 
 
 " Hugh de Venables of Golburn complains of 
 Nicholas del Bothe of a plea of detention of one 
 sleeve of worstede value ijd whereupon he com- 
 
1148 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 plains that lie delivered to him the sleeve aforesaid 
 at Northwich in the feast of St Michael the Arch- 
 angel in the xiij year of the reign of King Henry the 
 fourth" 
 
 " Thomas le Caryour, Cachepoll of the town afore- 
 said presents that Thomas Alkoc made affray upon 
 William le Cutes (?) on the Sunday next after the 
 feast of the Epiphany of our Lord in the first year 
 of the reign of King Henry the fifth after the Con- 
 quest at Northwich and struck him with a certain 
 stick. And that John de Berinton on the day place 
 & year abovesaid made affray upon the aforesaid 
 William & wished to strike him with a certain stick. 
 And that Thomas le Webster on Saturday next after 
 the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord in the first 
 year of the reign of King Henry the fifth after the 
 Conquest at Northwich made affray upon John de 
 Rucbrigge & wished to strike him with a certain 
 dagger. And that the said John on the day, place 
 & year aforesaid made affray upon the aforesaid 
 Thomas & wished to strike him with a certain dagger." 
 " Thomas le Caryour, Cachepoll of the town afore- 
 said present that Sibilla wife of Thomas le Webster 
 on Sunday next before the Feast of St Peter ' in 
 Cathedra ' in the first year of the reign of King 
 Henry the fifth after the Conquest, at Northwich 
 struck Joan wife of Alexander de Whitlegh with her 
 fist against the peace. And that the same Joan on the 
 day place & year aforesaid made assault upon the 
 aforesaid Sibilla & struck her with her fist against 
 the peace " &c 
 
 " Of William de Clotton for his stall- 
 age this year viijd 
 
 " Of Richard de Clotton for the same 
 this year viijd 
 
 " Of William le Werkeman for the same viijd 
 " Of Philip Whitmay for the same viijd 
 
 " Of John le Croucher for the same viijd 
 
 " Of Hugh de Legh for the same viijd 
 
 " Of William de Luteley for the same viijd 
 
 " Of John Diconson for the same viijd " 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1149 
 
 " Hugh, de Venables of Kynderton complains of 
 Elias le Mulwar . . . dthat he owes xxxixs xjd for 
 the farm of a certain Mill of Merssheton which he 
 took at Northwich at the feast of Easter for one 
 year then next ensuing " &c. 
 
 " Thomas le Caryour bailiff of the town aforesaid 
 presents that John de Buchrigge on Tuesday next 
 after the feast of Pentecost in the second year of the 
 reign of King Henry the fifth after the Conquest at 
 Northwich assaulted Hugh de Legh — and wished 
 to have struck him with a certain knife called a 
 dagger and that the said Hugh on the day, place & 
 year above-said assaulted the aforesaid John & would 
 have struck him with a certain stick " 
 
 " Great Court of the Town of Northwich held 
 here before Henry de Ravenescroft Steward of the 
 Town aforesaid on Tuesday next after the Feast 
 of the Nativity of St John Baptist in the second 
 year of the reign of King Henry the fifth after the 
 Conquest " 
 
 " Inquisition taken here on the day & year afore- 
 said by the oath of John de Wynynton, William 
 Starkey, Richard Starkey, Hugh Ankus, Hugh de 
 Wynynton, John de Berynton William Jallok John 
 de Bradshagh Edmund de Pynynton, Thomas Bonde 
 John Topronde Hugh le Drapour who say upon their 
 oath that Joan wife of William Brace on Sunday 
 next before the feast of the Nativity of St John 
 Baptist in the second year of the reign of King Henry 
 the fifth after the Conquest at Northwich rebuked 
 & violently reviled Hugh le Drapour and Margaret 
 his wife in disturbance of the peace and that Mabota 
 Fairwheil on Sunday next before the Feast of Pente- 
 cost in the second year of the reign of King Henry 
 the fifth after the Conquest at Leftwiche & in divers 
 other places bought butter and divers other victuals 
 by the same Alice & divers other persons led & carried 
 to the town of Northwich to serve William Starkey 
 & other burgesses of the town aforesaid in the 
 market of the said town on the same day to the 
 regrating of the aforesaid victuals and the disturbing 
 
1150 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 of the said victuals lest they be led to the said town. 
 And that Joan wife of Alexander de Whiteley re- 
 buked & reviled Alice servant of William Starkey 
 on Thursday next before the feast of Pentecost in 
 the second year of the reign of King Henry the fifth 
 after the Conquest at Northwich, rebuked and 
 reviled Elena Eaulynnesdoghter & divers other 
 persons by divers turns. And that Alice Scacheart 
 rebuked reviled Alice Servant of William Starkey 
 on Friday next before the feast of Pentecost in the 
 second year of the reign of King Henry the fifth 
 after the Conquest at Northwich. And that Isabella 
 servant of Margery Starkey rebuked & reviled Alice 
 Scacheart at Northwich on Thursday next before 
 the feast of Pentecost in the year aforesaid. And 
 that Alice servant of Margery Starkey rebuked & 
 reviled the aforesiad Alice Scacheart at Northwich 
 on Thursady next before the feast of Pentecost in 
 the second year of the reign of King Henry the fifth 
 after the Conquest, and that Alice servant of William 
 Starkey rebuked & reviled Joan wife of Alexander 
 de Whitlegh on Thursday next before the feast of 
 Pentecost in the second year of the reign of King 
 Henry the fifth after the Conquest at Northwich 
 in disturbance of the peace &c. And that the lane 
 
 iijd iijd 
 
 of William Bate, the lane of John le Drapour the 
 
 iijd 
 lane of Hugh le Drapour, the lane of Henry de 
 
 iijd iijd 
 
 Pynyngton & the lane of Robert de Whitley were 
 not sufficiently cleansed from the feast of St Michael 
 the Archangel next past until the day of taking 
 this inquisition. And that William le Werkemon 
 by the time aforesaid occupied the highway of the 
 lord the King with a certain Shop to the hurt of the 
 tenants of the town aforesaid And that Hugh de 
 Wynynton occupied the highway aforesaid with 
 another Shop by the time aforesaid. And that 
 Roger Ankus occupied the highway aforesaid with 
 another Shop by the time aforesaid. And that 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1151 
 
 Robert le Bochour, Jevan le Bonchour William le 
 
 vjd vjd 
 
 Fleccher, William de Toft John de Toft John de 
 Rixton de Knottesforde & John del G-rosse de 
 Autrebus in le Rede are common butchers and have 
 broken the assize for the time aforesaid, and that 
 Richard Janny, Elias Gernet, Alice Rede and Margery- 
 wife of William le Clerke are common bakers and have 
 broken the assize for the time aforesaid. And that 
 puts himself iij d puts himself iij d iij d 
 
 Thomas le Paver : Thomas le Croucher : Emmeta Adul- 
 
 iijd 
 lart Margery who was wife of William Starkey : John 
 iijd puts himself iijd puts himself iijd 
 
 de Bradshagh : Henry de Bradshagh : John Carles : 
 puts himself iijd puts himself iijd 
 
 ijs iijd William del More : Roger de Wolnylegh for the time 
 aforesaid have not sufficiently cleansed a certain 
 stream called ' Chanell ' on the highway by which 
 all the tenants of the town aforesaid have & ought 
 to have their passage to & fro as far as le ' Seche ' 
 to the annoyance of the tenants of the town aforesaid. 
 And that Richard Janny on Monday next after the 
 close of Easter last past broke the pavement of the 
 lord upon the highway with certain piles and a certain 
 wooden bridge at his house. And that Elizabeth 
 wife of John de Bradshagh, Matilda wife of Hugh 
 Ankus, Agnes wife of Hamo le Roer, Alice wife of 
 John de Snelleston, Henry de Pynynton, Margaret 
 
 grace all. wife of John le Vernon, Rosa wife of John de Tabley, 
 Joan wife of John Topronde, Elena wife of William 
 Jallok, Margery wife of William Starkey, Hamo- 
 Reszug, Joan wife of John de Wynynton, Margery 
 wife of Thomas le Paver, Margaret wife of William 
 le Paver, Margaret wife of John de Berynton, 
 Margaret wife of William Starkey & Margaret wife 
 of Edward de Pynynton are common alewives and 
 haue commonly brewed this year & broken the 
 assize. 
 
 iijd " Of John Thorpe for his Stallage until the feast of 
 
 St Michael the Archangel next ensuing 
 
1152 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 xijd Of Hugh de Legh indicted for trespass of fine to 
 
 be paid by pledge of William Bate 
 xviijd Of Thomas Alkoc indicted for trespass, of fine to 
 
 be paid by pledge of Richard Starkey 
 xxxjs Of the issue of the toll box 
 
 nothing Of the mill there 
 
 , | whereof of perquisites of Court vijs iijd 
 
 _ " , - of the issue of the box xxvjs 
 
 ] J I of the issue of the Mill nothing 
 
 " William del More, John Brace, & William de 
 Dufford complain of Alice wife of John de Snelleston 
 of a plea of trespass. Pledge to prosecute Thomas 
 le Caryour and to answer. And whereupon it is 
 complained that she has saleable ale and refuses to 
 sell her ale according to the Statute. The defendant 
 wages thereof her law. Pledge of law Thomas le 
 Pauer." Afterwards the aforesaid William, John 
 William did not prosecute &c & therefore they 
 & their pledge to prosecute in mercy &c 
 
 " Of Elizabeth wife of John de Bradshagh, Matilda 
 wife of Hugh Ankus Agnes wife of Hamo le Boer, 
 Alice wife of John de Snelleston, the wife of Henry 
 de Pynynton Margaret wife of John le Vernon, 
 Rosa wife of John de Tabley, Ivan wife of John 
 Topronde, Elena wife of William Jallok, Margery 
 wife of William Starkey, Joan wife of John de 
 Wynynton Margery wife of Thomas le Pauer 
 Margaret wife of William le Pauer Margery wife 
 of John de Berynton Margaret wife of William 
 Starkey Margery wife of William le Clerke & Mar- 
 garet the wife of Edward de Pynynton judged for 
 lxvjs vijd breach of the Assize of ale commonly by them broken 
 iijs xjd of each head 
 
 Proved ( whereof of perquisites of Court lxvijs xd 
 
 Sum of this Court i of the issue of the box xxxs 
 
 iiijli xvijs xd I of the issue of the mill nothing 
 
 Court of the Fairs of the Town aforesaid, held there before 
 the aforesaid Steward on Tuesday next before the Feast of St 
 James the Apostle in the second year of the reign of King Henry 
 the fifth after the Conquest. 
 
 John del Holes complains of Richard de Crannache 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1153 
 
 of a plea of debt. Pledge to prosecute Edward de 
 Pynynton and to answer William Jallok. And 
 whereof he complains that he owes him xxjd for 
 the rent of one acre of land in Shurlache to wit for 
 the terms of the Nativity of St John Baptist & St 
 Martin next past & he set anis them to the damage 
 of vjd. And the aforesaid Richard acknowledges 
 & the complainant freely remitted to him the damages 
 
 vj mercy Therefore the said Richard in mercy &c 
 
 Roger Ankus complains of Roger de Wolesyley 
 of a plea of debt. Pledge to prosecute Hugh Ankus 
 and to answer William Jallok and whereof he com- 
 plains that he owes him xs for a certain horse bought 
 from him at Northwich & he detains, to the damage 
 of xijd. And the aforesaid Roger le Wolnyley 
 acknowledges Therefore he is in mercy &c but the 
 
 mercy vjd complainant remitted to him the damages. 
 
 John de Bothe complains of Thomas Janny of a 
 plea of debt. Pledge to prosecute Nicholas del 
 Bothe and to answer Janny. And whereupon he 
 complains that he owes him vjs ixd for dead wood 
 bought from him at Northwich on Monday next 
 before the feast of St Mary Magdalene in the first 
 year of the reign of the lord the now king & he detains, 
 to damage of xld & the aforesaid Thomas acknow- 
 ledges & prays taxation of the damages which are 
 taxed at vjd. Therefore it is considered that he may 
 recover against him the debt & damages aforesaid & 
 
 mercy vjd the said Thomas in mercy &c 
 
 Alice who was wife of Hugh de Bulkylegh com- 
 plains of Roger de Wolnyley of a plea of debt. 
 Pledge to prosecute Thomas le Caryour and to answer 
 William Jallok. And whereupon she complains 
 that he owes her ijs vjd for dead wood bought from 
 her at Northwich on Monday next after the feast 
 of the Nativity of St John next past &c. And the 
 aforesaid Roger comes & says that he cannot deny 
 the debt aforesaid but says that he was always 
 ready to render the debt aforesaid & offered her 
 the same debt & hereupon he paid the aforesaid 
 ijs vjd here in Court & took his oath by the 
 4d 
 
1154 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 twelfth hand that always lie was ready to pay in form 
 aforesaid, 
 mercy vjd Therefore the aforesaid Alice in mercy &c 
 
 As zet pleas of the Court of the Fairs, of the town of North- 
 wich held there on Tuesday next before the Feast of St James 
 the Apostle in the second year of the reign of King Henry the 
 fifth after the Conquest. 
 
 Eobert del Wode complains of Edward le Walshe- 
 mon of a plea of debt. Pledge to prosecute Thomas 
 le Caryour and to answer Henry de Pynynton & 
 whereupon he complains that he owes him iiijs for 
 the rent of a certain place of land which he holds of 
 him &c and detains to damages jd And the aforesaid 
 Edward acknowledges the debt aforesaid There- 
 fore he is in mercy &c And hereupon the aforesaid 
 Robert remitted to him the damages &c. 
 
 Henry de Rondon complains of Edward le Walshe- 
 mon of a plea of debt. Pledge to prosecute John 
 de Bradshagh & to answer Henry de Pynynton. 
 And wherupon he complains that he owes him 
 iijs vjd for a certain horse bought from him & he 
 detains to damages jd and the aforesaid Edward 
 
 acknowledges &c &c . 
 
 Richard de Swynton complains of Edward le 
 Walshemon of a plea of debt. Pledge to prosecute 
 
 &c And whereupon he complains that he owes 
 
 him iijs for a certain " faldyng " and detains to 
 damage of vjd. And the aforesaid Edward acknow- 
 ledges &c . 
 
 Peter de Wilberham complains of Rosa Carles of 
 
 a plea of debt & Pledge & , And whereupon he 
 
 complains that she owes him vjd for the rent of a 
 certain messuage in Northwich for the term of St 
 Martin next past, And the defendant acknowledges 
 & prays taxation of the damage &c & they are taxed 
 
 by the Judicator at damages of jd &c &c . 
 
 Thomas le Caryour, Cachepoll of the town afore- 
 said presents that he on Sunday in the feast of St 
 Mary Magdalene in the second year of the reign of 
 King Henry the fifth after the Conquest at the suit 
 of Robert del Wode and others arrested Edward le 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1155 
 
 Walshemon to answer to the said Robert of a plea 
 of debt according to the use & custom of the Court 
 of the Markets of the said town & because he could 
 not find pledge to answer according to the Custom 
 of the said Court he arrested him & detained him 
 in the house of pleas of the said Court upon the 
 bridge of the town aforesaid & locked the door of 
 the said house whereupon came Henry de Pynynton 
 & opened the door aforesaid against the will of the 
 aforesaid bailiff and took the aforesaid Edward from 
 the same house & broke the arrest aforesaid & 
 grievously threatened the aforesaid Robert by occasion 
 of the arrest aforesaid in contempt of the lord & in 
 disturbance of the peace 
 
 The Surety of Henry de Pynynton indicted of 
 trespass essoined at the next Court to wit John le 
 Draper as zet by John de Bradshagh as zet by 
 Edmund de Pynynton. 
 
 xxxvs Of the issue of the toll box 
 
 nothing Of the issue of the mill 
 
 ^ -, (of Perquisites of Court vis vid 
 
 Proved , ., • - .- , 
 
 - of the issues of the box xxxvs 
 
 J I of the issue of the mill nothing 
 
 Court of the town of Northwich held there before the afore- 
 said Steward on Tuesday next after the feast of the Assumption 
 of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the second year of the reign of 
 King Henry the fifth after the Conquest. 
 
 Of Robert le Wodeward for a certain horse of a 
 certain felon & fugitive forfeited to the lord the 
 King payable by pledge of William son of Peter 
 Starkey vjs viijd 
 
 Court of the town of Northwich held there before the afore- 
 said Steward on Tuesday next before the feast of the Nativity 
 of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the second year of the Reign of 
 Kin°- Henry v after the Conquest. 
 
 Of Margery Wife of William le Clerke for 
 Customs of Ale vjd 
 
 Of Elena wife of William Jallok for the 
 same vjd 
 
1156 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Of Elizabeth wife of John de Bradshagh 
 for the same v j d 
 
 Of Alice servant of William Starkey 
 indicted of trespass of fine payable by 
 Pledge of the aforesaid William vj d 
 
 Of Hamo Resyng of fine for licence to 
 brew once vjd 
 
 Of John Buchorne of fine for licence to 
 brew once vjd 
 
 Of Henry de Legh for licence to boil for 
 this year with six leads vjs 
 
 Of Thomas Burges for the same with 
 four leads iiijs 
 
 Of Eosa Carles the same with four leads iiijs 
 Proved. fof perquisites of Court xvij« 
 
 Sum xxxvjs iiijd -> of the issue of the box xvjs 
 
 whereof I of the issue of the mill ijs iiijd 
 
 Court of the town of Northwich held there before the afore- 
 said Steward on Tuesday next after the feast of the Exaltation 
 of the Holy Cross in the 2nd year of King Henry v after the 
 Conquest. 
 
 Of Thomas le Paver for breaking the 
 Assize of Ale vjd 
 
 Of Margery wife of William Starkey for 
 the same vjd 
 
 Thomas le Caryour bailiff of the town aforesaid 
 presents that Gruff servant of Robert de Wynynton 
 on Monday next before the feast of St Mary Mag- 
 dalene in the second year of the reign of King Henry 
 the fifth after the Conquest at Northwich assaulted 
 John de Bucbrigge and struck him with a certain 
 stick, against the peace. And that Edmund de 
 Pynynton on Tuesday next before the feast of the 
 Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the second vear 
 of the reign of King Henry the fifth after the Conquest, 
 assaulted Richard del Lake & struck him with a 
 certain stick against the peace. And that the said 
 Richard he waged thereof his law of the twelfth hand 
 Richard on the day place & year aforesaid assaulted 
 the aforesaid Edmund & would have struck him 
 
ANCIENT NORTHWICH RECORDS 1157 
 
 with a certain stick against the peace &c And that 
 Henry de Pynynton on the day place & year afore- 
 said assaulted the aforesaid Eichard & struck him 
 with a certain stick. 
 
 Of Thomas Jacson of fine for licence to 
 boil salt with eight leads for this year viijs 
 
 Of Robert le Bocher, butcher indicted 
 of trespass of fine payable by pledge of 
 Hugh Ankus xijd 
 
 Of Jevan le Bocher for the same of fine 
 payable by pledge of Eichard Starkey xviijd 
 
 Of Edmund de Pynynton indicted of 
 trespass of fine payable by pledge of 
 Eichard Starkey ijs 
 
 Of Eichard Janny baker indicted of 
 trespass of fine payable by pledge of John 
 de Wynynton xijd 
 
 Of Elias Gemet baker indicted of tres- 
 pass of fine payable by pledge of John de 
 Bradshagh xijd 
 
 Of Alice Eede for the same payable by 
 pledge of John de Wynynton vjd 
 
 Of Margery wife of William le Clerke 
 payable by pledge of the aforesaid 
 William iiijd 
 
 Of Hugh de Wynynton for occupying of 
 a pavement against the will of the lord iijd 
 
 Of Eoger Ankus for the same iijd 
 
 Of Thomas Janny of fine for licence to 
 boil for the whole year with four leads iiijs 
 
 Proved. ( of perquisites of Court xxs xd 
 
 Sum xxxijs xd -, of the issue of the box xijs 
 
 whereof I of the issue of the mill nothing- 
 
 Court of the Town of Northwich held here before the afore- 
 said Steward on Tuesday next before the Feast of St Michael 
 the Archangel in the second year of the reign of King Henry 
 the fifth after the Conquest. 
 
 Of Margaret wife of William Starkey for 
 customs of Ale vjd 
 
1158 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Thomas le Caryour bailiff of the town aforesaid 
 presents that Joan wife of John de Wynynton & 
 Elizabeth wife of John de Bradshagh from the feast 
 of St Michael the Archangel next past until the day 
 of the making of these presents, by divers turns 
 were alewives within the town aforesaid without 
 licence & without giving anything therefor according 
 to the custom of the town aforesaid to wit : on the 
 Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday next before the 
 feast of the Nativity of our Lord next past &c. 
 
SnlisiikiK'i.' of a T.nililer'* Office at Xorthwich. 
 
: 
 
 '^ f :*^J^-^.~^&, 
 
■ ■.■■ /$?■"■ " \r'- ■ . ■?■ "^ • " *■ ™ ^ ■»- / ** i bs>""i.-.vi 
 
4 E 
 
Marion Hole Subsidence, near Whites-ate, North wich. 
 
 1173 
 

 •■-; 
 

 
Shop-lifting, Northwkh, 
 
 L181 
 
Subsidence of an Hotel at Norfchwich. 
 
 1183 
 
Collapse of House, Leicester Street, Northwich. 
 
4 F 
 
A Door at Northwich in the Subsiding Area. 
 
 1187 
 
1191 
 
Street-raising — High Street, North wich. 
 
 The shops and streets in this part of the town are continually sinking 
 and have to be raised several feet every few years to keep them above the 
 level of the river. 
 
 1193 
 
43 rf 
 
Effects of Subsidence on the Angel Hotel, High Street, Northwich. 
 
 1190 
 
U9« 
 
1197 
 
1198 
 
The Bridge Inn, near the Ball King, Northwich, showing the height it was 
 raised a few years ago, The foundations have several times collapsed and 
 contents of the cellar have disappeared, for this reason the barrels were slung 
 from the ceiling. This building has recently been condemned. 
 
 U09 
 
INDEX 
 
 "Abridgment of the Philosophical 
 
 Transactions," by Lawthorp, 745 
 Acoustic property of Salt, 30 
 Action of Heat on Salt, 31, 32 
 Acts of Parliament relating to Salt, 15, 
 201, 202, 325, 385-430, 564, 574, 580, 
 590, 751-757, 834-867 
 Adam, E. M., 347, 348. 
 Adelaide Marston Mine (Northwich), 
 
 248 
 Agrieola, G., 917 
 
 Agriculture, Salt in, 3, 4, 14, 15, 31 
 " Agriculture of Cheshire," by Dr 
 
 Holland, 776 
 Alkali, Salt used for, 792, 793 
 Allen, E., 785 
 Amazon, River, 178 
 American Salts, Analyses of, 50, 51 
 Analyses of Brine, 37, 38, 39, 54, 736, 
 783-785, 1000, 1001 
 ,, Commercial White Salts, 
 
 51 
 Rock Salt, 34, 38 
 Sea Salts (various), 52 
 ,, Various Salts (American 
 
 and English), 50 
 Ancient Methods of Salt-making, 917- 
 930 
 Northwich Records, 1037-1158 
 Anderton, 38, 72, 138, 149, 193, 195, 
 1000 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38, 1000 
 
 Anecdotes relating to Salt, 6, 7, 9 
 Aral, Sea of, 183 
 
 Area of Cheshire Salt Beds, 190-198 
 Artern (Analysis of Salt), 51 
 ' ' Art of making Salt, " by Dr Brownrigg, 
 
 109-121 
 Ashton (Analysis of Salt), 50 
 
 Northwich (Analysis of Salt), 50 
 Ashton's Mine, 204, 205, 206, 212 
 ,, Salt Works, 74, 550 
 
 ,, (Subsidence), 356- 
 
 359, 362, 363, 366, 367 
 Associations (Salt), 514-548 
 Atlantic Ocean, 37, 53 
 Audlem, 72, 78, 141 
 Austraston, 72 
 Austria, 24, 1010 
 
 Baddilt, 72, 141 
 
 Baddington, 72 
 
 Baikal, Lake (C. Asia), 178 
 
 Baltic Sea, 37 
 
 Balzberg, 968 
 
 Barnton, 72, 195 
 
 4g 
 
 Baron's Quay Mine (Witton), 192, 195 
 249 
 ,, Salt Works, 126 
 Bay Salt, 110, 123 
 Beaume"s Hydrometer, 24 
 Beckett, R., 399 
 Bickley, 72, 141 
 Black Sea, 37, 53, 180 
 Blades, C. M. , 404 
 Blaisdon (Glos.), 187, 188 
 Board of Trade, 387 
 Bowman, Dr F. H., 983 
 
 ,, Thompson & Co., 367 
 Brine, Analyses of, 37, 38, 39, 54, 783- 
 785, 1000, 1001 
 ,, Composition of, 36, 37 
 ,, Salt contained m, 39, 40, 41, 936, 
 
 938 
 ,, Temperatures of, 56, 57 
 ,, Table, 58, 59, 60, 61 
 ,, Production of, 129-140 
 „ Shafts, 159, 160, 254-277 
 „ Tapping, 294-299 
 „ Making Salt from, 932-991, 996- 
 
 998 
 ,, Purification of, 998, 999, 1002 
 „ (Weak), Concentration of, 1002, 
 
 1004 
 „ (Boiling Processes), 1004, 1006 
 ,, Pumping (Compensation for Sub- 
 sidence) Bill, 414, 
 418, 580, 751-757 
 „ ,, (Cheshire) Bill, 420, 
 
 422-424, 564, 574, 
 590 
 ' ' Brine Salt Improved, " by T. Lowndes. 
 
 94-109 
 British Mine (Wincham), 248 
 
 ,, Salt Association, 544, 590 
 Brodie Process, 989-991 
 Brownrigg, Dr Wm., 1, 14, 109-121, 
 
 129, 134, 135, 598 
 Brunner, Mond & Co., 192, 202, 215, 
 348, 350, 351, 418, 420, 422-424, 558- 
 568, 572, 574, 578, 588, 591, 750 
 Buffalo Foundry and Machine Co., 1009 
 Bull, S., 399 
 
 Bunge, Professor, of Basel, 4 
 Bushel of Salt, 36 
 Bye Flat Salt Works, 121, 122 
 
 Calcutta, Salt imported into, 291 
 Camden's "Britannia," 70, 71, 72, 745 
 Canal Proprietors, 518 
 Caspian Sea, 37, 53, 172, 173, 175, 180, 
 183, 186 
 
 1201 
 
1202 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 " Chambers's Journal," 327, 330-333 
 Chatard, T. M., 1014 
 "Chemical News," 30 
 Chemistry of Salt, 17-61 
 Cheshire, Mines, 24, 30, 34, 39 
 
 White Salt (Analyses of), 51 
 Salt Deposits, 141-160 
 ,, Beds, Area of , 190-198 
 ,, Districts Compensation 
 Bills, 201, 202, 325, 
 385-430 
 ,, Subsidences, 304-374 
 
 Chrysel, C, 121-128 
 Cleavage of Salt, 30 
 Clemenhall {Analysis of Brine), 54 
 Coal Prices, 954 
 Coarse Salt, 124 
 " Collection of English Words," by John 
 
 Ray, 79 
 Collitz, Professor Hermann, 4 
 Colour of Salt, 17, 18 
 Commercial Salt Co., 776, 778, 783, 983- 
 
 986 
 Common Salt, 17, 18, 19, 25, 30, 31, 32, 
 
 33, 51 
 Composition of Rock Salt, 34, 35 
 ,, Brine, 36, 37 
 
 ,, Sea Waters, 53 
 
 Concentration of Weak Brine, 1002, 
 
 1004 
 Conditions of Cheshire Mines in 1893, 
 
 369-374 
 Congleton, 73 
 
 "Contemporary Review," 178-187 
 Cooke, J. H., 389, 401, 754 
 Cookery, 1, 2 
 Corbett, J., 557, 558 
 ' ' Covenant of Salt," by Clay Trumbull, 4 
 Cowley, J., 400 
 Cox, G. H., 584 
 
 Crystallography, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 
 Currency, 10, 11, 12 
 Customs in various countries relating to 
 Salt, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 
 
 Dacre, 8 
 
 "Daily News," 385, 386 
 
 Dane Meadows Borehole, 192 
 
 Dane River, 73 
 
 Davenport, J. A,, 400 
 
 Davies, D. C, 346 
 
 Dawkins, Professor Boyd, 754 
 
 Dax (Analysis of Salt), 51 
 
 Dead Sea, 13, 29, 37, 53, 173, 175, 185 
 
 Deakin (Analysis of Salt), 50 
 
 Deakin, G. H., 406 
 
 Decomposition, 25 
 
 Delamero, Lord, 387, 406, 800 
 
 Deliquescence, 24 
 
 De Ranee, C. E., 402, 403, 408, 410 
 
 " De Re Metallica," by Georgius 
 
 Agricola, 917-930 
 Derivations of Words, 13 
 De Tabley Sale, 209, liiil, 868-916 
 Diathermancy of Salt, 30 
 Dickinson, J., 73, 204, 324, 387, 397, 
 
 748, 751,754, 769, 77* 
 
 Diffusion, 24, 25 
 
 Discovery of Rock Salt, 142-144 
 
 Documents (Old), 66-69, 636-640, 745, 
 
 800-833 
 "Domesday Book," 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 
 
 653, 744, 772 
 Domestic uses of Salt, 2 
 Droitwich, 38, 54, 62, 66, 71, 72, 91-94, 
 117, 118, 126, 137, 569 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38, 54 
 
 Drying Salt, 1006-1009 
 Dunham, 72 
 
 Dunkirk District, 158, 202, 203, 212, 213 
 Dutch Salt, 99, 100, 105, 110 
 
 Eakly History of Cheshire Salt In- 
 dustry, 62-84 
 
 Egypt, Salt in, 2, 3, 5, 6, 14 
 
 Eitton, 72 
 
 Elton, Lake (Russia), 172, 174, 175 
 
 Endomorphs of Salt, 32 
 
 Englehardt, Dr F. E., 58, 59, 60, 61 
 
 English Channel, 37, 53 
 
 , , Salts, Analyses of, 50 
 
 ' ' Erdesalz Erzcugung, Die, " by Balz- 
 berg, 968-970 
 
 Evaporating Pans, 74 
 
 Exports of Salt, 283, 284, 286, 2S7, 289 
 
 Palk, H. E., 74, 340, 404, 442 
 
 ,, H. J., 404 
 Federated Institution of Mining En- 
 gineers ( " Transactions " ), 468, 469 
 Fells, 585, 587 
 Fine Salt, 124 
 Fishery Salt, 124, 131 
 Flashes, 328, 330 
 Fletcher, J., 405 
 A., 406 
 Flintshire, 66 
 " Folk-lore of the West'of Scotland," by 
 
 James Napier, 9, 10 
 Foreign Salt imported into England, 107 
 Ireland 10S 
 ,, consumed in England and 
 
 Wales, 108 
 Scotland, 108 
 Formation of Rock Salt Deposits, 43-49 
 ,, ,, ,, (Theories of), 
 
 163-188 
 Foster, S., 220,221 
 Fowls, Samuel, 209, 210 
 Fracture of Salt, 30 
 
 France (Dax), Analysis of Rock Salt, 34 
 White Salt, 51 
 ,, ,, Brine, 54 
 
 Freezing Process, 997, 998 
 French Bay Salt, 94, 96, 99, 100 
 Friedrichshall (Analysis of Salt, 51 
 
 i, >, Brine, 54 
 
 Fuel for Salt-making, 137-140 
 Furnival, W. , 609, 610, 657-669, 796 
 
 Gandv, E., 406 
 Gay Lussac, 20 
 "General View of the Agriculture of 
 
 Cheshire," by Dr Henry Holland, 411 
 
 412 
 
INDEX 
 
 1203 
 
 Geographical Society, Proceedings of, 
 
 Geological Society, Quarterly Journal, 
 
 73 
 "Geology of Kutch," by Wynne, 174 
 Gerlach, 24 
 German Ocean, 37 
 
 Gollner, Professor H., 1010, 1012, 1013 
 Grainer Process (U.S.A.), 1024 
 Great Salt Lake, 173, 175, 185, 186 
 Green, Professor A. H., 756 
 Growth of the Salt Industry, 281-292 
 
 " Handbook of Common Salt," by Dr 
 
 Ration, 18 
 Hardness of Salt, 25, 26 
 Harleian MSS., 69, 70, 743 
 Harvey, J. P. , & Co. , 568 
 Heatley (see Lymm) 
 Higgin, T., 405 
 
 "History and Antiquities of Nantwich," 
 by J. W. Piatt, 75 
 ,, of Nantwich," by Partridge, 
 
 ,, of Cheshire," by Poole, 84 
 ,, ,, by Ormerod, 751 
 
 Hodgkinson Salt Process, 783, 932, 978- 
 989 
 J., 979, 980 
 Holland, Dr Henry, 38, 72, 129-140, 146, 
 411, 412, 776 
 Sir Thomas, 983, 988 
 Hull, Professor Edward, 342-346 
 Hygienic Value of Salt, 1 
 
 India, Salt in, 14, 17, 18, 30, 32, 62, 172, 
 174 
 „ (Subsidences), 347, 848 
 Inman, E. V., 478, 479 
 International Salt Co., 992-995 
 
 Jackson, Dr Wm., 85 
 Johnson, Cuthbert Wm. , 3 
 
 Kabsten, 19-23 
 
 " Kelly's Directory of Cheshire," 772 
 
 Kingsley, Charles, 141 
 
 Latham, B., 403 
 
 Lawton, 38, 72, 83, 140, 145, 147, 154, 
 
 197, 204, 772-784, 983, 984 
 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38 
 
 (Section of Strata), 147 
 
 (Salt Output), 776, 778 
 
 Leader Williams, Sir K, 321-324, 330, 
 
 398, 463 
 Leftwich, 38, 72, 192, 195, 218 
 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38 
 Lever Bros., 785, 786 
 Lewis Process (U.S.A.), 1018 
 " Life of Pythagoras," by Dacre, 8 
 Lister, Dr, 73, 745 
 "London Magazine," 81, 656, 748 
 
 Merchants, Ltd., 544, 548 
 Lowndes, Thos., 94-109, 110, 120, 121, 
 
 129, 135 
 Lunge, George, 21, 24 
 
 Lymm, 785, 786 
 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 785 
 
 , . Estate Development Co. , 786 
 
 Lynch, Lieut. , 29, 175 
 
 M'Dougall, Dr, 533, 584 
 M'Dowell, C. A., 549, 550, 579 
 
 W. S. 550, 554, 581, 583 
 Macgregor, 7 
 
 Manistee Iron Works Co. , 970 
 "Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid and 
 Alkali," by George 
 Lunge, 21 
 Salt, 917-1026 
 ,, (Ancient), 917- 
 930 
 Marbury Estate, 73, 141-144, 193, 201, 
 
 281 
 Marbury Pipe, 419-429, 573, 574, 590, 
 
 591 675 
 Marco Polo, 10, 11, 12 
 Marine Salt, 99, 104, 111 
 Marl, Thickness of (various districts), 
 
 149. 
 Marshall (Analysis of Salt), 50 
 Marston (Cheshire), 18, 28, 36, 38, 54, 
 145, 146, 154, 156, 158, 190- 
 193, 195, 196, 201, 212, 224, 
 225, 278-280 
 (Boring), 278-280 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38, 54 
 „ Mine (Northwich), 34, 204, 
 
 245, 246, 249, 668 
 „ Hall Mine (Northwich), 247 
 „ Pool Mine (Northwich), 247 
 
 (Subsidence), 338, 350, 351, 
 353, 354, 356, 360, 368 
 Martindale, Adam, 142-144 
 Maundrel, 4 
 
 Mayo Mines (Punjab), 17, 30, 32 
 Meadow Bank Mine ( Winsford), 249 
 Mechlenburg (Analysis of Salt), 51 
 Mediterranean Sea, 37, 53 
 Melting Point, 24 
 Mendele'ef, 19, 23, 28, 35 
 Merrill, F. J. H., 1014 
 Mersey Salt and Brine Co. , 575-577 
 Middlewich, 38, 65, 68, 71, 73, 76, 78, 79, 
 82, 86, 87, 117, 140, 154, 
 159, 197, 215, 218, 264, 
 282, 570, 744-765. 
 (Analysis of Brine), 38 
 (Brine Shafts and Bore- 
 holes), 264, 758 
 (Salt Output), 748 
 (Discovery of Brine and 
 
 Rock Salt), 750 
 (Section of Strata), 757 
 (Salt made 1675), 282 
 Mond, L., 400 
 Mongolia, 172 
 Muller, 5, 19 
 
 „ & Cie (Prague), 1010 
 
 Nantwich, 62, 64, 70-73, 75-79, 82, 84- 
 91, 117, 138, 141, 197, 220, 
 282, 726-743 
 
1204 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Nantwich (Analysis of Brine), 736 
 
 (Salt made 1675), 282 
 Napier, James, 9, 10 
 "Nature," by G. F. Rodwell, 166 
 Neumann, H., 400 
 Neumann's Mine, 190, 191, 192, 196, 
 
 224, 228, 232, 233 
 Nevada, Salt in, 17, 18, 173 
 New York (Analysis of Brine), 54 
 
 „ State (Salt-making), 1014- 
 
 1036 
 North-Eastern Salt Co. , 543 
 
 ,, Western Salt Co., 544, 588, 590 
 Sea 53 
 " Northwich Guardian," 669, 670, 672, 
 
 673 
 Northwich, 38, 62, 64, 70, 72-76, 78, 79, 
 81, 117, 138, 141, 145, 146, 
 154-156,159,193,196,197, 
 204, 206, 215, 239, 254- 
 259, 281, 653-711, 1000, 
 1001 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38, 
 
 1000, 1001 
 ,, (Section of Strata), 145, 
 
 146 
 ,, (Brine and Rock Salt 
 
 Shafts), 254-259 
 (Subsidences), 305-316, 327 
 
 328, 330-333, 337-340 
 (Salt made 1675), 282 
 Salt shipped), 684-694, 707- 
 711 
 ,, District Compensation 
 
 Board, 417 
 ,, and Mersey Co., 565-567 
 
 Salt Co., 216 
 ,, Book of Orders, 74 
 
 ,, Records (Ancient), 1037- 
 
 1158 
 
 " Observations on the Midland Salt 
 
 Springs " by Dr Lister, 73, 745 
 Old British Mine (Northwich), 228, 229, 
 
 232, 248, 298 
 "Old Continents," by A. C. Ramsay, 
 
 178-187 
 Onondaga Kettle Process (U.S.A.), 
 
 1019-1023 
 Open-pan System, 932-942, 986, 9S7 
 Ormerod, 73, 167, 168, 320, 751 
 
 Pacific Ocean, 37 
 
 Pan Process (U.S.A.), 1016-1018 
 
 Pans, Salt, 285, 286 
 
 (Formation of Scale) 955 
 Partridge, 83 
 
 Patents relating to Salt, 796-799 
 Peace, M. W., 403 
 Penny's Lane Mine, 190, 192 
 Petroleum Wells, 35 
 "Philosophical Transactions" (Royal 
 
 Society), 72, 85-94, 142-144 
 Piatt, J. W., 75 
 
 Piatt's Hill (Subsidence), 351-367 
 Poggiale, 19, 20 
 Portugal, Salt in, 18 
 
 Preservative uses of Salt, 2, 3, 30 
 "Principles of Chemistry," bv Mende- 
 
 le'eff, 28 
 " Proceedings of Geographical Society, " 
 
 187 
 "Production of Salt Brine," by Henry 
 
 Holland, 129-140 
 Pseudomorphs of Salt, 32 
 Punjab Salt Range, 17, 18, 30, 32 
 Purification of Brine, 998, 999, 1002 
 „ Salt, 33 
 
 Ramsay, A. C, 178-187 
 Rastel, DrThos., 91-94 
 Ratton, Dr, 18, 28, 29 
 Ray, G. R., 970, 971, 991 
 
 ,, J., 79, 656 
 " Recent Advances in Physical and In- 
 organic Chemistry," by Dr A. W. 
 Stewart, 43 
 Record Office (Ancient Deeds relating 
 
 to Salt), 66-69, 745 
 Red Sea, 37 
 Refined Salt, 111, 123 
 Refraction of Salt, 30 
 Rigby, W., 407 
 
 Ritual uses of Salt, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 
 Riversdale Estate, 192, 195, 218 
 ' ' Rob Roy on the Jordan, " by Mac- 
 
 Gregor, 7 
 Rock Salt, 13, 18, 26, 30 
 
 ,, Composition of (various 
 
 countries), 34, 35 
 ,, Analysis of, 34, 38 
 
 ,, Formation of Deposits, 43- 
 
 49, 141-156, 163-188 
 ,, Discovery of, 142-144 
 
 Mines, 149, 150, 157, 158, 
 201-233 
 ,, Mines, Temperatures of, 55 
 
 ,, (Depths), 154, 155. 
 156 
 ,, ,, (Abandoned), 223 
 
 Shafts, 159, 160, 254-280 
 Area of, 190-198 
 ,, Mining in Cheshire, 234-280 
 
 „ Output (Great Britain), 791 
 
 ,, Manufacture, 992-996 
 
 Rodwell, G. F., 166 
 Roughwood, 72, 140 
 Runn of Kutch (India), 174 
 
 " Sacred Books of the East " by 
 Muller, 5 
 
 Salt, Hygienic Value, 1 
 ,, Ritual uses of, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 
 ,, Domestic uses of, 2 
 ,, Preservative uses of, 2, 3, 30 
 „ Agricultural use of, 3, 4, 14, 15 
 
 31 
 ,, Anecdotes referring to, 6, 7, 9 
 ,, Customs in various countries re- 
 ferring to, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 
 ,, Superstitions referring to, 7 8 9 
 
 10 
 „ As Currency, 10, 11, 12 
 ,, Taxation, 14, 15, 608, 834-867 
 
INDEX 
 
 1205 
 
 Salt, Chemistry of, 17-61 
 „ Common, 17, 18, 25, 30, 31, 32 
 „ Colour of, 17, 18 
 „ Taste of, 18 
 ,, Smell of, 18 
 „ Solubility of, 19-23 
 „ Specific Gravity of, 23, 24 
 ,, Deliquescence of, 24 
 ,, Melting-point of, 24 
 ,, Decomposition, 25 
 „ Diffusion, 24, 25 
 „ Hardness of, 25, 26 
 ,, Crystallography of, 26-30 
 ,, Fracture of, 30 
 ,, Cleavage of, 30 
 ,, Diathermancy of, 30 
 , , Refraction of, 30 
 ,, Acoustic Property, 30 
 ,, Action of Heat, 31, 32 
 ,, Pseudomorphs of, 32 
 ,, Endomorphs of, 32 
 „ Purification of, 33 
 ,, Composition of Rock, 34, 35 
 „ Weight of, 35, 36 
 ,, Contained in Brine, 39, 40, 41, 
 
 936, 938 
 ,, Analyses of, 50, 51 
 „ White, 51, 110, 111, 942-951 
 ,, Houses, 75, 76 
 ,, Making in Seventeenth and 
 
 Eighteenth Centuries, 85-140 
 „ French Bay, 94, 96, 99, 100 
 „ Marine, 99, 104, 111 
 ,, Foreign imported into England, 
 
 107 
 ,, ,, ,, ,, Ireland, 
 
 108 
 ,, Foreign, consumed in England and 
 Wales, 108 
 Scotland, 108 
 „ Bay, 110, 123' 
 „ Refined, 111, 123 
 „ Fine, 124 
 ,, Coarse, 124 
 ,, Fisheiy, 124, 131 
 „ Sunday, 131 
 
 ,, Deposits of Cheshire, 141-160 
 ,, Beds in Cheshire, 190-198 
 ,, Industry, Growth of, 281-292, 
 ,, Exported, 283, 284, 286, 287, 289, 
 
 790 
 „ Shipped (White), 284, 288, 290 
 „ Pans, 285, 286 
 ,, ,, (Formation of Scale), 955 
 ,, Imported into Calcutta, 291 
 
 United States, 292 
 Chamber of Commerce, 386, 442, 
 518-520, 571 
 „ Trade from 1878 to 1912 (Home 
 
 and Abroad), 494-513 
 ,, Associations, 514-548 
 ,, Proprietors, 516, 517 
 ,, Brokers' Association, 520 
 , , Trade Committee, 521 
 
 „ Association, 522-528, 670 
 ,, Pool, 528 
 „ Prices, 538-542, 545-547 
 
 Salt, Outputs (Cheshire and Staffs. ) , 592, 
 593, 596 
 ,, (Foreign), 788 
 ,, (United Kingdom), 789 
 ,, ,, (Great Britain and 
 
 Foreign), 794, 795 
 „ Used for Alkali, 792, 793 
 ,, Manufacture, 917-1026 
 
 (Ancient), 917-930 
 ,, (Drying Processes), 1006-1009. 
 ,, Blocks, 1010-1013 
 „ Union, 215, 225, 418-430; 537-544, 
 548-596, 672-676, 796, 797, 
 999 
 ,, ,, (Prospectus), 551-553 
 
 ,, (Litigation), 557-562, 588, 
 
 591 
 ,, (Dividends), 582 
 ,, ,, (Directors' Fees, etc.), 586 
 ,, ,, (Wages paid), 594 
 ,, ,, (Exports), 595 
 
 „ (Works at Winsford), 647 
 Saltersford, 72 
 
 Sambhur, Lake (India), 172, 175 
 Sandbach, 197, 766 
 Sandeman, J. W, 467 
 Scale, formation of Pans, 955 
 Schleiden, 3, 14, 173, 175 
 Schb'nebeck (Analysis of Salt), 51 
 ,, ,, Brine, 54 
 
 Scott & Son, 972-978 
 Sea Salt, Analysis of, 52 
 
 ,, Waters, Composition of, 52 
 Sections of Strata, 145, 146, 147 
 Seddon & Sons, 570 
 Smell of Salt, 18 
 Solar Salt Manufacture, 1015 
 Solubility of Salt, 19-23 
 Specific Gravity of Salt, 23, 24 
 Stassfurt, 34, 43, 49 
 
 ,, (Analysis of Salt), 51 
 " Statement of Facts," by W. Furnival, 
 
 610, 657, 665 
 Stewart, Dr A. W., 43, 49 
 Stoke (Analysis of Brine), 38, 54 
 
 ,, Prior Works, 557, 558 
 Storer, 21 
 
 Strata, Sections of, 145, 146, 147 
 Strickland, H. E., 187, 188 
 Stubbs (Analysis of Salt), 50 
 
 ,, J., 405 
 Subsidences, 141, 201-233, 289, 304-374, 
 
 451, 452, 571 
 Subsiding Areas, 319, 320 
 Sulz (Analysis of Brine), 54 
 Sunday Salt, 131 
 
 Superstitions referring to Salt, 7, 8, 9, 10 
 Sweden, 178, 179 
 
 Tapping the Brine, 294-299 
 Taste of Salt, 18 
 Taxation of Salt, 14, 15 
 Tee Process, 932, 992-996 
 Temperatures of Rock-Salt Mines, 55 
 
 Brine, 56, 57 
 Theories of the Formation of Deposits, 
 163-188 
 
1206 
 
 SALT IN CHESHIRE 
 
 Thomson, J., 191, 192, 934-936 
 
 Thorn Process, 996, 997 
 
 "Times," 327, 554, 555 
 
 Timms, A., 757 
 
 Top Rook Mines, 201-233 
 
 Trade in Salt, 2, 3 
 
 "Travels in Russia,'' by Pallas, 174, 
 
 175 
 Trumbull, Clay, 4 
 
 United Alkali Co. , 544 
 
 ,, States, Salt imported into, 292 
 
 Vacuum Process, 932, 966-978, 987, 988 
 ' ' Vale Royal," by William Smith, 76-79, 
 
 137, 654, 656, 746, 774 
 Van't Hoff, 35, 43-49 
 Verdin, R., 406 
 
 Cooke & Co., 785 
 
 Wagstaffe, Dr B. A. , 785 
 Walker, F., 585 
 
 Ward, Thos., 224-233, 249, 325, 340- 
 342, 388, 389, 397, 549, 556, 558, 
 939 
 Warth, Dr H., 26, 32, 979, 983, 992 
 Wastage in White Salt Manufacture, 
 
 942-951 
 Watkin, Sir E., 406 
 Watson, Laidlaw & Co., 1008, 1009 
 Weaver, River, 72, 73, 77, 84, 138, 141, 
 281, 284, 287, 288 
 ,, ,, (Navigation Records), 
 
 313-316 
 ,, ,, (Navigation Records), 
 
 431-493 
 ,, ,, (Acts of Parliament), 
 432-445, 450, 451, 
 456, 458, 462-466, 
 470-472 
 „ (Old Tracts), 434-440 
 ,, Trust, 441-441, 472-475, 
 616-620 
 ,, ,, (Table of Distances), 449 
 ,, ,, (Accounts), 457, 465, 
 
 493 
 „ „ (Locks), 466-469 
 ,, ,, (Tolls), 471, 472, 599, 
 
 600, 637, 638 
 ,, ,, (Damages paid), 4/7-4S0 
 ,, ,, (Dues paid), 480 
 
 Weaver, River (Tonnage of Salt ship- 
 ped), 481-492, 600, 602, 
 605-609, 613, 615, 
 622-628, 707-711 
 (Salt Shippers), 627, 
 628, 630, 633-635, 641- 
 646, 684-694 
 Weaversham, 72 
 Weight of Salt, 35, 36 
 Weights and Measures, 36, 41, 42, 43 
 Weston Point, 419-430, 573, 574, 587- 
 591 675 
 „ John,' 206-209, 294 
 „ and Westall, 548 
 Westphalia, 29 
 Wharton, 668 
 Wheelock, .38, 54, 72, 140, 769 
 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38, 54 
 River, 72, 73, 141 
 White Salt (Analyses of), 51 
 „ ,, 110,111,942-951 
 ,, ,, Shipped, 284, 288, 290 
 „ ,, Trade, 514, 515, 522 
 , , , , Association, 529-535 
 Wich, 13, 62, 63, 64, 65, 71 
 Widnes Brine Bill, 564 
 Wieliczka, 17, 18, 26, 29, 34, 35 
 Wilbraham, G. F., 399 
 Wilhelms-Gluck (Analysis of Salt), 51 
 Wincham, 146, 209, 212, 216, 297 
 Wine and Ale Measure. 41 
 Wilmington, 149, 193, 207 
 Salt Co., 192 
 Winsford, 38, 51, 72, 74, 138, 145, 
 147, 154, 156, 160, 197, 215, 218, 1001 
 Winsford (Analysis of Brine), 38, 1001 
 (Analysis of Salt), 51 
 ,, (Section of Strata), 146, 147 
 ,, (Brine and Rock Salt Shafts), 
 260-263 
 (Salt Output), 2SS, 623-627 
 (Subsidences), 317-319 
 (Salt Proprietors), 517, 604-622 
 (Salt Trade), 597-652 
 (Salt Works), 597, 598 
 , , (Assessments of Salt Works), 
 647 
 Witton, 38, 74, 138, 141. 196, 202, 206, 
 209, 212, 29S 
 ,, (Analysis of Brine), 38 
 
 (Diary of Parish Clerk), 82 
 „ Hall Mine (Northwich), 249 
 
IN PREPARATION. 
 
 SALT DEPOSITS 
 OF THE WORLD 
 
 BY 
 
 ALBERT F. CALVERT, F.G.S. 
 
 Profusely Illustrated with Photographs, Maps, and Plans. 
 
 This work will give particulars of the principal Salt Deposits of the 
 World and the various methods of manufacturing Salt, and is intended 
 to form a companion volume to " Salt in Cheshire." Full and 
 complete statistics will be included, and special chapters will be 
 devoted to the following countries and districts : Ireland, Middles- 
 brough, Droitwich, Isle of Man, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, 
 Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Roumania, Turkey, Canada, United 
 States of America, Central America, South America, Africa, India, 
 Arabia, Persia, China, Japan, Australia, &c. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 E. & F. N. SPON, LIMITED, 57 HAYMARKET 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 SPON & CHAMBERLAIN, 123 LIBERTY STREET 
 
SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD 
 
 5: r/Tr -m.--fT] ME I • 
 
 .GYPSUM 
 
 * . AND 
 
 DIAGRAM OF THE DUNCRUE SALT MINE, MAIDEN MOUNT, 
 CARRICKFERGUS, IRELAND, SHOWING THE I20-FT. BEDS 
 
 or rock salt. [From an old print.) 
 
SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD 
 
SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD 
 
 
 
 I 
 
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SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD 
 
SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD 
 
 
SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD 
 
SALT DEPOSITS OF THE WORLD 
 
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