More information : [SJ 5918 9522] NEWTON HALL [GT] (1)
Newton Hall was originally built by Robert Banastre who came
over with William the Conqueror. The earlier structure built by
him is described as having two wings and being surrounded by a
moat. The present building is supposed to have occupied the same
site, but as a portion of it stands against rock, which rises
above the level of the house, and as at this point there can
have been no moat, the newer structure may not have been
built on quite the same ground as the old. The present structure
was built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth by Richard Blackburn,
and is a good specimen of that period. The house which had become
ruinous, was restored about thirty years ago by the owner,
Lord Newton. In what was the great hall there is a fireplace
surmounted by the coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth carved in oak.
The remains of the gallery surrounding what was once the great
hall were absorbed into rooms built in the upper part of the hall,
and the old fireplace was completely rebuilt, the old bricks
being replaced with stone. (2)
"Before the Conquest Newton was the head of a hundred assessed
at 5 hides. One of the hides, including Newton itself, was held
in demesne by Edward the Confessor, as lord of the manor.....
In 1346 .... Sir Robert de Langton held the plough-lands in Newton
by the service of one knights fee, paying 10s. for ward of
Lancaster Castle, and doing suit at the Wapentake Court at
West Derby every three weeks. The manor of Newton with its
members, Lowton, Kenyon Arbury, a moiety of Golburne, and the
advowson of Wigan church, was so held .....
A grant of free warren was obtained by Robert Banastre in 1257
and licence to crenellate his mansion by Robert de Langton in
1341. Manorial rights are still claimed, but no court has been
held for many years.....
A resident family or families took the local name one of them
in the time of Edward III was known as Richard the Receiver from
the office he held under the lord of the fee. Another also had
an official name - Serjeant; the family remained here down to the
end of the 17thc....
The Blackburnes, afterwards of Orford and Hale acquired lands
here in the latter part of the 16thc. Their house known more
recently as Newton Hall, was built by Thos. Blackburne in 1634
..... a small 'H' - shaped house standing N. and S. with hall
between living rooms and kitchen .....". (3)
The name 'Newton hall' confirmed by tenant.
There are no surface indications of a moat, and the topographical
situation of the Hall creates great doubt as to whether such
a feature over existed at this site.
See GPs. (4)
Now covered by modern housing estate. (5)
Moat identified by documents and maps. (6)
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