TODAY we continue the fascinating story of the Whittles of Horwich as told by Stuart Whittle, chairman of Horwich Heritage, who has investigated the name and its links with the town.

The Whittle name in Horwich commanded respect in the town but the family was also synonymous with notoriety, explains Stuart.

“In 1838 James Whittle was arrested and tried for the murder of George Henderson, the poor unfortunate Scottish tradesman who was shot while travelling over Horwich Moor on his way to Blackburn.

“The inquest was held at the Moorgate Inn which is now the Blundell Arms near to the scene of the crime and from there Whittle was sent for trial at Liverpool Assizes.

“The witnesses were felt to be too unreliable and he was acquitted. Guilty or not James Whittle was badly affected by the ordeal and died not long afterwards a broken man.”

Stuart’s great, great grandfather John Whittle was Christened at Horwich Parish Church in 1812 and the family lived at Land Fold opposite Bob’s Smithy before moving to Doffcocker in the 1870s.

His great great grandmother was a “gasser” at Wallsuches Bleachworks and the men of the family were miners and quarrymen on the moors above Horwich.

“So with such proximity you can see why there is a distinct possibility I might be one of James Whittle’s relatives.”

Stuart’s great grandfather, William Whittle, was one of the founders of Horwich Moor Methodist Church in the 1860s and his son played for Bolton Wanderers.

Stuart’s father was superintendent of Chorley Old Road Methodist Church for 28 years.

Battle of Waterloo veterans John Gee and William Whittle fired the cannon at Wallsuches that signalled the end of the Crimean War. “This shows we had fighting qualities.

“There will be other Whittles who can add to the list of family connections.”