The History and Topography of the Isle of Axholme

chapter, many of the old homesteads were never rebuilt; and in some places' the old orchards are still standing, which from their situation have evidently been planted close behind a house, but of which no vestige remains.

The keepers of the game of the Royal Chase of Hatfield had a station on the south side of this parish called Sampson Lodge, situated on that ground which was just sufficiently elevated above the surrounding marsh to keep dry, and is now called Langholme, not far from Haxey Gate, which was one of the purlieus of Hatfield Chase," where the King's keepers may goe and fetch in his Grace's game at all times." And just below the hill at Westwoodside*, is a spot of ground called the High Willows, which seems to have been frequently resorted to by the deer, after crossing the water, as several of their horns have been found at various times; and in 1818 one of very large size was discovered about three feet below the surface, being at the lower end eleven inches in circumference. In 1802 an antient statue of oak was found in the low ground close by, several feet below the surface: it was about six feet high, carved in the habit of a Roman warrior; one hand held an arrow, and a bow was slung over the shoulder. I should conjecture that this was a statue of the heathen god Mars. The figure bore an inscription, but being claimed by a number of workmen who were digging at that time, both the figure and the inscription were mutilated and lost.

In the year 1744, in the night, between the 28th and 29th of February, a dreadful fire broke out in this village, which consumed, in about three hours, sixty-two dwelling-houses, and all the furniture, wearing apparel, corn, hemp,

*Not far from this place, in the open fields, a balloon made its descent, which had escaped from the aeronaut. In the summer of 1735, Mr. Sadler had ascended at Manchester at two o'clock in the afternoon, and descended at Ferrybridge about half-past three; but while he was getting out of the car the balloon re-ascended, leaving him upon the ground, and it descended about half a mile N.E. of Haxey Church.

In 1823, September 5th, Mr. Green descended close by at Park. While two men were assisting the aeronaut in alighting from his car, the cord which was fastened to the grappling iron broke. The balloon then re-ascended, and finally went to the Texel. He had ascended from Leeds.

And in August 1824, Mr. Charles Brown descended about a mile south of the Church. He had ascended at Sheffield, and came here, a distance of thirty-five miles, in sixty-five minutes.

hemp, and farming implements, and other property to the amount of about five thousand pounds. The inhabitants were driven naked into the fields; and at that inclement season of the year were several hours without shelter. The fire commenced in a flax manufactory near the Church, and is supposed to have been the act of an incendiary. A few days before the master of the manufactory discharged one of his men for misconduct, who let fall some vindictive expressions. He was committed to Lincoln Castle on suspicion ; but as no further evidence could be brought against him, he was of course acquitted at the next Assizes.

In consequence of this great loss to the small farmers and labourers, they had a letter of request addressed to the charitable and humane; in which, after stating the facts, the more wealthy part of the sufferers agreed to give up their share of their money which might be collected. The following gentlemen were appointed trustees, to whom was given a discretionary power to order the distribution of the said charity.