The Mather Map

The Mather Map of 1827 shows the early development of King Street. The Market Place can be seen with All Saints, the Parish Church nearby. Four roads ran out from the centre, names that are in use today: Hallgate, Millgate, Standishgate and Wallgate

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This is a copy of the original Mather Map of Wigan dated 1827

In 1827, Mr John Mather began to survey the principal towns of Lancashire and produced a series of detailed maps. These are some of the first maps to clearly show and indicate individual buildings.

A typical plan form for a medieval town was the establishment of Burgage. Burgage is a medieval term which means Borough. It was the term given to rental property on land owned by a king or lord. Burgage plots are long, narrow strips of land running at right angles to main streets. The houses or shops would usually be at the front, facing directly onto the street. Behind them would be workshops and garden areas. They had connecting alleyways at the back. The Burgage plot system also influenced politics and the right to vote. The right to vote was attached to the occupation of a Burgage plot tenancy. Therefore, many members of parliament. who sat in the House of Commons, prior to 1832, were Burgage plot tenants. This gave rise to the ‘Burgess’ of a town or elected person. The word Burgeis or Bourg is French in its origin and means ‘market town’.

The traces of Burgage plots can still be identified throughout Wigan town centre, good examples can be seen in Bretherton Row and Rowbottom Square, just off Wallgate close to The Berkely.

If you want to see the original map, pop into Wigan Local Studies, or give them a ring and ask if it’s available. You will find the Local Studies on the first floor of Wigan Museum in Library Street.

Phone number: 01942 828128