his descendants remained there until the death of Richard Stanley, in 1714, when Thomas Westby, of Upper Rawcliffe, obtained possession of the land and mansion, both of which have since descended in his line.
An Episcopal chapel was erected, in 1723, on the summit of a hill at Copp, almost a mile from the village of Great Eccleston, and near to Elswick chapel, "which," says Bishop Gastrell, "being never consecrated and in the possession of the Dissenters, it was thought more proper to build a new one there than to seize upon that." Subjoined is a letter from John ffrance, of Little Eccleston Hall, to William Stafford, Commissary of Richmond, and Secretary to Bishop Gastrell, called forth by sundry matters in connection with the newly completed place of worship:—
"Eccleston parva, Aug. 3, 1724.
"Upon some discourse with Mr. Dixon (vicar of Kirkham) about Cop Chapell I will give you the trouble of this. When Subscriptions were desired towards building the said Chapell it was proposed and intended to be not only for the use of the Inhabitants of St. Michael's, but likewise for the use of several townships, which lye in the Parish of Kirkham, remote from their Parish Church; and the Inhabitants of this township (Little Eccleston-with-Larbrick) have contributed more towards the Building than those of St. Michael's, and would have erected it within Kirkham Parish, if the situation had been thought equally convenient. And likewise the person, who promised to pay the hundred pounds towards the Queen's Bounty, gave a note touching the same, with conditions in favour of Kirkham Parish.
"Before the Chapell was erected the two Vicars of the Parishes aforesaid were together, seemed to encourage our proceedings, and talked amicably and agreeably about Nomination, etc.; but since the Chapell was built several proposals have been made to which the Vicar of Kirkham has consented, but the Vicar of St. Michael's seems to dislike them. One of the proposals was that the determination of the affair might be referred to the Bishop of Chester, whose generous offer to procure £100 towards the Endowment of this Chapell gave great encouragement to our undertaking the building thereof. Some people have refused to pay their Subscriptions on pretence that the Vicar of St. Michael's has departed from former proposals; but we hope (if these differences could be amicably settled to the satisfaction of the neighbourhood) that not only the old, but likewise several new Subscriptions might be procured, especially if our grateful behaviour for by-past favours may continue his Lordship's Countenance and Encouragement; and we desire you to represent the matter to him as favourably as you think it will bear."
(Signed) John ffrance.
The chapel was a small plain brick building, dedicated to
St. Anne, but in 1841 a tower was added, and at the same time
a burial ground was enclosed and licensed in connection with it.
