Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 1.djvu/153

Rh knight, second son of Edward, third Earl of Derby, a lease of the said rectory, parish church and benefice, with the manor, park, and glebe lands, for the term of 99 years, at a yearly rent of £120; and he seems to have done but little better for the rectory of Wigan.

, whom I suppose to have been the next rector, paid his first fruits on 22nd June, 11 Eliz., 1569.

From certain pleadings in the Duchy Court in the time of the next rector it appears that Blackleach leased the tithes of the rectory of Wigan, for the term of his own incumbency, to Edmund Wynstanley and John Wodcocke and their assigns, who passed over their interest therein to John Assheton and Robert Worseley, of the Boothes, Esq. I learn nothing more of this rector, who resigned the benefice within two years of his appointment.

 was admitted and instituted on 8th February, 13 Eliz., 1571, to the parish church of Wigan, vacant by the resignation of the last incumbent, on the presentation of Queen Elizabeth by reason of the minority of Thomas Langton the patron. He paid his first fruits on the 12th of the same month.