Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/154

 purchased Newton, lands in Thistleton, and several other estates of considerable magnitude in the Fylde, all of which he bequeathed to his son and heir, Richard. Richard Blackburne married Jane, the daughter of John Aynesworth, of Newton, and had issue John of Eccleston; Richard, of Goosnargh; Thomas, of Orford and Newton; Edward, of Stockenbridge, near St. Michael's-on-Wyre; Robert, who was suspected of being implicated in the Gunpowder Plot, but acquitted, the evidence being insufficient; Annie, who married—Nickson; and Elizabeth, the wife of William Standish. When the Singletons of Staining became extinct, the Hall and estate of that name passed to a William Blackburne, as heir-at-law, and there is great probability that he was a descendant of one of the sons of Richard Blackburne of Thistleton, Newton, etc.—most likely of John Blackburn, of Eccleston.

During the years more immediately previous to the opening of the new port at the mouth of the river, a great many large ships from America, laden with timber, and brigs from Russia, with flax and tallow, were discharged at Wardleys. A three masted vessel, for the foreign trade, was also constructed in the ship-yard attached to that place, but as far as can be learnt this was the only vessel of equal dimensions ever built there, repairs being the chief occupation of the workpeople.

Several of the officers connected with the Custom House at Poulton, were stationed at Knot End, opposite the Warren, living in the small cottage standing near the shore, in order to board the different craft as they entered the river, and pilot them up the stream to Wardleys. A large hotel is situated behind the site of the old ship-yard, and during the summer months is generally well patronised by visitors, to whom, as well as to the pleasure-parties arriving by water from Fleetwood, and by road from Blackpool, the hamlet is now mainly indebted for support. Some large mussels, the "Mytili angulosi," but known amongst the natives of those parts as "Hambleton hookings," were found formerly in large quantities a little lower down the river, but lately specimens of this fine shell-fish have been growing much scarcer. Dr. Leigh, in his Natural History of our county, informs us that pearls have frequently been discovered enclosed within the shells of these molluscs, and also that their popular name arises from the manner in which they are taken, the feat being accomplished "by