Cooper Hill on Church Brow in Walton-le-Dale
Cooper Hill, Church Brow, Walton-le-Dale
Cooper Hill, now demolished, was a large house overlooking the village of Walton le Dale. One of the past owners was a great friend of the American scientist, and Founding Father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, who invented the lightning conductor. It is claimed that Franklin tested out his invention on the roof of Cooper Hill during a visit.
The friend of Benjamin Franklin residing at Cooper Hill was General John Burgoyne, Preston M.P. from 1768 to 1792. Benjamin Franklin visited Cooper Hill in 1771 and 1775. Just three years after his second visit, Britain and America were at war with each other, and Franklin and Burgoyne were obviously on opposing sides.
Another well-known resident was Charles Swainson. He was the head of Swainson, Birley & Co. who ran a large mill in the Fishwick area of Preston, known locally as the “Big Factory”. Between 1809 and 1825 Swainson and his various partners also owned the Bannister Hall textile printing works. In 1845 Swainson was chairman of the Preston and Longridge Railway.
This image comes from a book called ‘The History of the Borough of Preston and Its Environs in the County of Lancaster’, By Charles Hardwick that was published in 1857. At the time, it was recorded as ‘The Seat of Charles Swainson Esquire’.
I think the view is from the land at the side of the former Mill Pond, looking north. The artist would have been stood on what is now the recreation ground, somewhere near to, or on, the cricket pitch.
Cooper Hill Sale – Advertisements & Notices in 1866
SALE OF VALUABLE FREEHOLD LAND AND BUILDINGS,
SITUATE IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WALTON-LE-DALE, NEAR PRESTON.
AUCTION, BY MR. TO WALTON, at his Commission Sale Books, Fisher gate, Preston, on Thursday, the ninth day of August next, at three o’clock in the afternoon, prompt, in the following or such other lots as may be agreed upon at the time of sale, and subject to such conditions as shall be then and there produced.
Lot 1.-All that MANSION, called Cooper Hill, situate in Walton-le-dale, near Preston, in the county of Lan-caster, together with the Gardens, Plantations, Pleasure Grounds, Stable, Coach-house, Cottage, and Outbuildings occupied therewith, late in the occupation of Charles Swainson, Esq., deceased, and containing 4a. 3г. 21p. statute measure, or thereabouts.
Lot 2.-All those two plots, pieces, or parcels of LAND situate on the north side of, and fronting to, the turapike-road leading from Preston to Blackburn, and adjoining lot 1, and now in the occupation of Mrs. Mansley, containing la. Ir. 10p. statute measure, or thereabouts.
Lot 3.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of pasture LAND, Garden, and Plantations, situate on the south side of and fronting to the turnpike-road leading from Preston to Blackburn, late in the occupation of the said Charles Swainson and others, and containing 5a. 2r. Op. statute measure, or thereabouts.
Lot 4.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of Pasture LAND and Garden, also situate on the south side of, and fronting to the above-named turnpike-road, adjoining lot 3, and late in the occupation of the said Charles Swainson and others, and containing 2a. 2r. Op. statute measure, or thereabouts.
Lot 5.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of Meadow LAND and Garden, also situste on the south side of, and fronting to the above-named turnpike-road, adjoining lot 4, and late in the occupation of the said Charles Swainson and others, and containing 2a. 2r. Op. statute measure, or thereabouts,
Lot 6. All that plot, piece, or parcel of Meadow LAND and Garden, also situate on the south side of, and fronting to the above-named turnpike-road, adjoining lot 5, and late in the occupation of the said Charles Swain-son and others, and containing 2a. 2r. Op. statute mea-sure, or thereabouts.
Lot 7.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of LAND or Garden Ground, also situate on the south-side of, and fronting to the above-named turnpike-road, and adjoining lot 6, now in the occupation of Mr. Turner and others, and containing 24. 2r. Op. statute measure, or thereabouts.
Lot 8.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of LAND, or Garden Ground, also situate on the south side of and fronting to the above-named turnpike-road, and adjoining lot 7, now in the occupation of Mr. Turner and others, and containing 4a. Or. Op. statute measuro, or there-abouts.
Lot 9.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of LAND, or Garden Ground, also situate on the south side of and fronting to the above-named turnpike-road, and adjoining lot 8, now in the occupation of Mr. Turner and others, and containing 4a. 2r. 28p. statute mesure, or there-abouts, including part of the river Darwen.
Lot 10.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of LAND, Garden, or Orchard, situate on the north side of and fronting to the abovo-named turnpike-road, and now in the occupation of Mr. Nowell and Mrs. Mansley, and con-taining 4a. Or. 15p. statute messure, or thereabouts.
Lot 11.-All that plot, piece, or parcel of LAND, Garden, or Orchard, also situate on the north side of the above named turnpike-road, and adjoining lot 10, now in the occupation of Mrs. Mansley and Mr. Nowell, and con-taining 41. Or. 20p statute measure, or thereabouts.
Lot 12. All that plot, piece or parcel of Meadow and Wood LANDS, situate on the north side of and fronting to the highway lending from the village of Walton-lo-Dale to Walton Church, together with all those three COTTAGES and Buildings erected thereon, containing altogether 2a. 1r. 25., statute measure or thereabouts.
Lot 13. All that COITAGE or DWELLING-HOUSE with the garden and outbuildings thereto belonging, adjoining lot 12, and now in the occupation of Mrs. Sumner, and containing nine perches statute measure or thereabouts,
Lot 14. All that COTTAGE, Building, and Garden, situate on the north side of and fronting to the highway leading from the village of Walton-le-Dale to Walton Church, now in the occupation of Mr. Walsh and others, and containing eighteen perches statuto measure or there-abouts.
The whole of the above property is freehold of inherit ance, and is situate within one mile of the town of Preston. All the lots are admirably adapted for building purposes, and command extensive views, and the land is also of excellent quality.
Plans and further particulars may be had on application to Nussra. GARLICK, PARK, and SYKES, surveyors, or to Messrs. CHARNLEY, SON, and FINCH, solicitors, Preston.
Advertisements & Notices
Date: Saturday, July 21, 1866
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources – British Library Newspapers
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207468242/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=1&xid=0e6f370c