1716       

11th. February Saturday
Thomas Syddall executed 11th February. He was a blacksmith, and headed the mob which partially destroyed the Cross Street Chapel in 1715. For this, he with others was sentenced to the pillory and imprisonment in Lancaster Castle, but was released by the army of the Jacobite rebellion. He joined the forces of the Old Chevalier and was taken prisoner at Preston fight. He was tried at Liverpool, and sent for the death penalty with five other rebels, William Harris, Stephen Seager, Joseph Porter, and John Finch, to Manchester. It is traditionally stated that Knott Mill was the place of execution. The Sheriff’s “charge at Manchester on executing Sydall, &c.,” was £8 10s. (Palatine Note-book, vol. iv., p. 93.)(7)

1st. September Saturday
Rev. James Cunningham, A.M., died in London, September 1. He was the assistant of Mr. Chorlton at Cross Street Chapel, and was associated with him in the conduct of a Nonconformist Academy. After Mr. Chorlton’s death a prosecution was instituted against him for keeping this academy, and in 1712 he resigned the Manchester pastorate and became minister of a congregation in London. (Baker’s Memorials, p. 20.) He published The Everlasting High Priest, 1705, and other sermons.(7)

20th. November Tuesday
Nathaniel Gaskell died 20th November, aged 63. He was the grandfather of Lord Clive, and left the interest of £50 for the poor of Cross Street Chapel, and £4 per annum for teaching poor children to read the Bible. (Baker’s Memorials, 70.)(7)

1716. Whitefield
Among the early Presbyterians were the Gaskells, of Clifton Hall. Nathan Gaskell, who died in 1716, was father to Rebecca, who became mother of Lord Clive, of Indian fame, who was educated at Stand Grammer School.(9)

1716
General Willis passed through Manchester with the army under his command against the Scottish rebels.(7)

1716. London
Last of the Derwentwater branch of the Radcliffes was beheaded at Tower Hill; aged 26.(9)