LITTONSLACK BEFORE 1796

At the moment there is no firm evidence of a community at Littonslack before this year.

There is a reference to Littonslack in 1774 - but as I have found nothing else between 1774 and 1796 this must be considered doubtful.

Littonslack from Priestcliffe

The 1774 reference is from Thomas Brushfield J.P. who died aged 78 in 1875. In April 1865 he published an article in "The Reliquary" No 20. Vol V. Pages 187-192. The Reliquary was a "Quarterly Journal and Review; A Depository for precious Relics - Legendary, Biographical and Historical. Illustrative of the Habits, customs, and pursuits of our forefathers." (Price Half-a-Crown).

Thomas Brushfield's article was "A brief Sketch of the Life of John Howe, an Ashford Worthy".  John Howe was know as the "Poet of the Peak" and published a book of poems. Brushfield tells us ...

"In 1816 he published the book above referred to - a small volume of poems - which he entitled, Trifles Light as Air," and which he dedicated to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire. The book of poems was purchased by the public very freely, and I think, affords sufficient evidence that John Howe, under more favoured circumstances, would have held no mean position among village minstrels. His satirical strictures on hypocritical pretensions to sanctity, caused him to be looked upon by some as enemy to religious truth, and the busy tongue of bigotry poured out its accustomed venom upon him."

There is much more on John How on the Wirksworth.org.uk website. See here. A copy of this book is held in the British Library, St Pancras and University of Leeds. Brushfield begins his article as follows:

"I CANNOT conceive any thing more delightful to the mind, than the making note and record of high and noble virtues in the life and actions of a member of the human family-ennobling as well as delightful is the task - cheering as the voice of welcome, as thoughts of a happy home, or the smile of a friend: Charming! yes, truly

               'Charming as Divine, Philosophy,

               And musical as is Apollo's Lute!'

And such is my task in this humble endeavour to preserve from oblivion the name of John Howe, an inhabitant of Ashford-in-the-Water. His name stands high, in my estimation, among the men of genius and worth who are connected with my little favourite village. John Howe was born about the year 1777, at a place called "The Slack," not far from Cressbrook; it is a small row of cottages, standing on a bleak and wild looking moor-like prominence, as if the buildings had been lifted out of the adjoining valley to look about them."

Brushfield tells us that John Howe was born at the slack in 1777 (although further investigation shows that 1774 is the correct year). But is the location of his birth at Littonslack reliable? Brushfield is writing this in 1865... around 100 years after John Howe's birth and with no other evidence of the existence of Littonslack between this date and 1796, then this looks unreliable. However, John's parents (George and Mary) did live at Litton Mill Slack, as in February 1797 Mary's death is recorded there.