Hale, 453 H. Hall, Halle, 388, 390, 428 Hardman, 158, 159, 197, 198 Harteles, 374, 382, 386, 387 Haslewall, 227 Hatherweed, 106 Heapey, Hepey, 42, 343 Henryson, 101, 116 Herdman, 64 † Hevelte, Havelte, 77, 434 Hewitt, see Huett Hewlett, see Hevelte I. Irlam, see Erlam J. Jacson, Jackson, 211, 260 Higenson, Hygynson, 73, 316, Longshawe, see Langshawe 121, 135, 154, 396, 433, 466, | Perrin, see Pyrin 467 Person, 454 Pettowe, 162 Ne[i]lde, 362 Randleson, see Raundleson Raundleson, Randylson, 104, 244 Rawlynson, 471 Rawson, Rauson, 289, 456 Richardson, 30, 80, 155, 333, 447, 460, 462 Richerop, see Rythrope * Ridere, 315 Ridgway, see Rydgewaye Partington, Partynton, 67, 401, Rigbye, 487 STONE AXE FOUND AT WESTON POINT Communicated by William Handley THERE has recently been unearthed an interesting relic consisting of an ancient stone axe head, probably dating from the Neolithic period, at Weston Point, near Runcorn, on the site of the Mersey Brine Works belonging to the Salt Union Limited. These works were erected some twenty-five or thirty years ago on a portion of the alluvial land, which stretches from the base of Runcorn Hill and the high land of Weston to the river Mersey, immediately adjacent to its eastern shore bank as it existed prior to the construction of the Runcorn and Weston Canal. It was during the progress of some excavations for the foundation of a considerable extension of the works that the interesting find was made. At a depth of about ten and a half feet from the surface a workman struck what he thought was a boulder, and on lifting it out of its position was surprised at its unusual shape, and on closer examination discovered a perfectly rounded hole in its broader part or base. The attention of the manager, Mr. J. B. Chadwick, being called to it, it was carefully cleaned, and its character and purpose placed beyond reasonable doubt. It was deposited in his care in the office. Immediately overhanging it was a strata of a gravelly nature, and between this and the surface soil was a bed of white and grey sand. These lower beds bore no evidences of having been previously disturbed. The ancient implement is a granite wedge, shaped somewhat like a heart, measuring in length about ten inches by five inches in width, and three inches in thickness. Its front end or point is bluntly rounded, a piece on one side, either by accident or design, having been roughly chipped off. The flaw seems as old as the implement itself. The rounded hole at the base end is very true, evidencing careful and intelligent workmanship, being smoothed and polished to perfection. In order to secure its preservation to the public, Mr. Chadwick has kindly and generously presented it to the Runcorn Free Library Committee with a view to its being added to other treasures in their custody as the nucleus of a local museum. |