In 1553 “ Lyvesey” (Tockholes and Livesey are often joined together in these early times).
The Township of Tockholes is situated about 3.5 miles on the road leading from Blackburn to Bolton through Belmont. It is nearly equidistant from the two branches of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, viz., Bolton to Blackburn, through Darwen; Bolton to Blackburn, through Chorley and Withnell. In shape it is not unlike an isosceles triangle, having for the western side the river Roddlesworth, for the eastern the Earnsdale stream, and for its base the townships of Lower Darwen and Livesey. On its two long sides it is also flanked by lofty hills, known as Darwen and Withnell Moors ; whilst the apex of the triangle at the extreme south, a little above Hollinshead Hall, is also fixed amongst the hills. Near this point three townships and three hundreds meet the townships of Tockholes, Sharpies, and Withnell ; the hundreds of Blackburn,
Salford, and Leyland.
(from the History of the Independant Chapel, 1894)
