APPENDIX

It has been generally admitted that, in compiling "The Historical Sketches of Oldham," the late Mr. Butterworth rendered an important service to the inhabitants of this district by placing before them, in an easily accessible form, full and authentic details, so far as they could be obtained, of its early history, from a period so remote as the beginning of the fourteenth century, when nothing is known of it but the name, it being then held in tenure of the crown with other lands in the earldom of Lancaster; by tracing its gradual emergence from the position of an obscure hamlet to that of a wealthy, flourishing, and populous town; and by showing the rise and progress of the manufacturing industry of its inhabitants, which has rendered it second only in importance to the great seats of commerce in the country. Since the time at which he wrote, however, many great and important changes have taken place in the borough. Improvements of a most important and valuable character have been effected in the external appearance of the town as well as in its internal government, its population has been greatly augmented, and its trade and manufactures have been increased to an unprecedented extent. Under these circumstances, the present has been considered a favourable time for revising the work, in order to record these improvements, to show the extent of the increase in its trade and population, and otherwise to complete what Mr. Butterworth so well began.

The Editor of this edition, with the view of extending the history of the town to the end of the year 1855, has been at very considerable pains to collect informa-

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