Lower Darwen
A History by Gerald Schofield
Introduction...
Through family ties I chose as my project the village of Lower Darwen, and the Eccles family. Soon after starting my research it became obvious that the subject was much larger than I had realised. First the name Lower Darwen, this, in days gone by, applied to both a township, and village. Should I leave out the township, would it matter to the project? In the end I have included it. The next problem was with the Eccles family, there were so many of them. I have only included those who either ran the mill, or lived and played a part in the life of the village. The mill that Thomas Eccles built would have to be mentioned, perhaps for no other reason that it was from 1774 to 1939 the largest employer in the village. Brief mention will be made of other places of employment, the railway, the churches, and the social life of the village. My connection with the village is through the maternal side of the family, my grandmothers family were from the village. She, and two of her daughters worked in the mill, as did her sister. Many members of that side of the family rest in the churchyard of St. James’ Church, one has his name engraved on the village War Memorial. As for me, at the tender age of three, I was dragged kicking and screaming along Branch Road, from Ewood, to start my education at Sandy Lane School.
Gerald Schofield
Lower Darwen - The Township
Lower Darwen Mill
Other Industry
The Eccles Family
Lower Darwen Village
Conclusion
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