Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 1.djvu/140

128  was the same as Richard Smyth who was instituted, on 27th September, 1548, to the vicarage of Sandbach, in Cheshire, which had become void by the resignation of Thomas Smyth.

Richard Smyth, parson of Wigan, died early in 1554, and was succeeded by Richard Gerrard.

Mr. , clerk, was presented to the parish church of Wigan, vacant by the death of Mr. Richard Smyth, the last incumbent, on 27th February, 1554, by Edward, Earl of Derby, Henry Lord Straunge, and others by virtue of the concession of Sir Thomas Langton, knight, the true patron. He was admitted and instituted to the same by George [Cotes] Lord Bishop of Chester, on 2nd March of the same year. Richard 