Manuscript volume entitled ‘Memoranda for an Account of the Nonconformist Churches of Lancashire. By Thomas Raffles, LL.D., Liverpool, 1822’, containing notes by Rev. Thomas Raffles on Nonconformist churches and chapels in Lancashire and on their ministers and notable members. The notes were presumably compiled in preparation for an unpublished history of Nonconformity in the county.
The volume commences with indexes of places and persons. The main section of the volume (pp. 1-531) comprises alphabetically arranged entries for places in Lancashire. There are major entries for: Bolton (pp. 1-9, 224-233), Blackburn (pp. 12-19, 316-318), Bury (pp. 21-32), Darwen (pp. 40-55), Lancaster (pp. 56-67), Tockholes (pp. 68-74), Toxteth (pp. 90-99), Liverpool (pp. 146-187), St Helens (114-121), Manchester (pp. 201-221, 498-513, 526), Preston (pp. 280-300), Cockey Moor [Ainsworth] (pp. 352-361) and Rochdale (pp. 464-467). For each church or chapel, there are biographical notes on ministers and other significant figures associated with the church or chapel.
The following items are contained within the volume:
- Small ink sketch of a griffen’s head on tracing paper, being the heraldic device of Thomas Raffles (enclosed inside the front cover).
- Engraved portrait of Rev. Robert Simpson (pasted on p. 4).
- Addendum sheet on Lower Chapel Darwen, 1829 (loosely inserted between pp. 42-43).
- Engraved portrait of Rev. Thomas Waldegrave (pasted on p. 71).
- 2 printed sheets re the Old Independent Chapel, St Helens (loosely inserted between pp. 114-115).
- Brief notice of the life of Rev. John Toothill (loosely inserted between pp. 136-137).
- Printed order of service for the opening of Great George St Chapel, Liverpool, 1841 (loosely inserted between pp. 174-175).
- Engraved portrait of Peter Samuel Charrier (pasted on p. 178).
- Engraved portrait of Rev. Joseph Smith (pasted on p. 213).
- Printed memoir of William Manning Walker (loosely inserted between pp. 282-283).
- Ink sketch elevation of Grimshaw Street Chapel, Preston (loosely inserted between pp. 292-293).
- Manuscript notes on Forton Chapel (loosely inserted between pp. 376-377).
- Printed order of service for the opening of Hanover Chapel, Toxteth [Liverpool], 1830, on which is written a manuscript letter from Rev. George Smith to Thomas Raffles, 2 January 1830 (loosely inserted between pp. 502-503).
- Manuscript notes on Ashton under Lyne Independent Chapel (loosely inserted between pp. 528-529).
The bookplates of Thomas Raffles and Lancashire Independent College are pasted inside the front cover. There is a printed book-stamp of Thomas Raffles facing the title page.