Re: The Manor House. Many thanks Andrede and Alan for your answers. I am researching the life of Bishop Thomas Penswick who was respondible for Catholics in the north of England in the 1830s. He was born in 1772 in the Manor House, Ashton-in-Makerfield, his father being Thomas Penswick senior, who was Agent to the Gerard family The "Agent" would have been the Estate Manager or "Man of Business" for the Gerards. Bishop Penswick, having lived mainly in Chester and in the Liverpool area, also died at the Manor house in 1836. His brother Randolph Penswick had then succeeded to the post of Agent to the Gerards and was living there. Alan, I wonder if the gateposts you mention might mark one of former entries to Garswood Hall where the Gerards lived? A map of 1849 shows two entries with a entrance lodge at each, on the osuth side of Liverpool Road.

Town: oduinn@btinternet.com