Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/209

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of the church is a pew bearing the date '1662'; and near to are the old pews of Burn Hall, Little Poulton Hall, Mains Hall, and Todderstaff Hall, above which, fastened to the wall and marking the resting place of several members of his family, are the arms of Thomas Fitzherbert Brockholes, esq., of Claughton, the lord of Little Poulton, etc.

The chancel contains a monument in memory of Bold Fleetwood Hesketh died 1819, and his nephew, Edward Thomas Hesketh, died 1820; also of Fleetwood Hesketh, of Rossall, who died in 1769, aged 30, and Frances Hesketh, who died in 1809, aged 74, all of whom were interred beneath the Communion. In addition there are two recent tablets, one being to the memory of the late Thomas Clarke, vicar of the parish; and the other in memory of Francis Wm. Conry, only child of F. A. Macfaddin, surgeon, 47th regt. Within the Communion rails are two antique and elaborately carved oak chairs.

In the south gallery are mural tablets inscribed in remembrance of Edward Hornby, died in 1766, and Margaret, his wife; Edward Sherdley, died 1744, and Ellen, his wife; Giles Thornber, J.P., died 1860, and his wife; Geoffrey Hornby, died in 1732, and Susannah, his wife; Richard Harrison, vicar of Poulton, died in 1718, aged 65; and Christopher Albin, curate of Bispham, died in 1753, aged 56, on a pew door opposite to which is a brass plate engraved:—"Introite et orate, cælo supinas si tuleris manus sacra feceris, malaque effugies.[1] Christopher and Margery Albin 1752."

At one time a sounding board was suspended over the pulpit. An ancient font, formerly belonging to the church and now the property of the vicar, the Rev. William Richardson, M.A., has carved upon its exterior the date 1649, the letters M.H., a cross, and something, in its damaged state difficult to trace but betraying some resemblance to a crown. The successor to this font was removed several years since to make room for a new one presented by the daughter of the Rev. Canon Hull, of Eaglescliffe, in memory of her sister Frances Mary Hull, who died in 1866, aged 20 years.

  1. "Enter and pray, if you have raised to heaven your open palms you will have performed sacred duties, and will fly from evil things."