In Chapter 4.2 I referred to the fact that Thomas Hazlehurst laid around 100 foundation stones of Wesleyan Methodist chapels and schools and that on each occasion he was presented with a commemorative silver trowel or mallet. Each of these was inscribed with details of the date and occasion. These objects appear to have disappeared. I am trying to discover where and when the foundation stones were laid and, if possible, to find a copy of the inscription. Below are the few details I have discovered to date.
If any reader is aware of any other foundation stone laid by Thomas Hazlehurst (it may be the stone of your own chapel) I should be grateful if you would send details via our "Can You Help Us?" link. The details I should like are: the name of the chapel or school; the date of the event; where the information was found (chapel history, newspaper, etc.); and, if possible, the wording of the inscription.
| 1860 | May 1 | Ditton | Warrington Guardian, 5 May 1860 | |
| July 5 | Penketh Methodist chapel | Web site | ||
| Warrington Guardian, 7 July 1860 | ||||
| 'Presented to Thomas Hazlehurst, Esq. by the trustees on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of a new Wesleyan chapel at Penketh, July 5th MDC'. | ||||
| 1864 | May 25 | Knutsford Methodist chapel | Web site | |
| July 12 | Runcorn St Paul's | |||
| 1865 | April 18 | Whiston Methodist chapel | Web site | |
| 1867 | May 21 | Widnes Moss Bank | Warrington Guardian, 25 May 1867 | |
| 1869 | May 6th | Runcorn Halton Road | Warrington Guardian, 8 June 1869 | |
| 'Presented to Thomas Hazlehurst, Esq. on his laying the first foundation stone of the Wesleyan chapel, Halton Road, Runcorn (to be erected at his own cost) by a few friends in the Runcorn circuit.' | ||||
| 1870 | Sept 8 | Kingsley Hurst (73) | Northwich & Winsford Guardian | |
| 10 September 1870 - quoted in CRO EMS 200/5309/1 | ||||
| Sept (later) | Bolton Bridge St (74) | A/A | ||
| 1871 | July 5 | Widnes Albert Road | Runcorn Guardian, 8 July 1871 | |
| Aug 19 | Golborne | Runcorn Guardian, 26 August 1871 | ||
| 'Presented to Thomas Hazlehurst, Esq., of Runcorn, by the trustees, on the occasion of his laving one of the memorial stones of the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Golborne, August 19th, 1871.' | ||||
| 1872 | July 3 | Chester Central Hall, City Road | ||
| Artingstall, George (Ed) The Methodist Central Hall, City Road, Chester: Gold and Silver Jubilee, 1873 - 1933 - 1958 (in CRO - no reference given) | ||||