Legends and Unsubstantiated Stories.

The Legend of St. Werburgh.

The oldest legend concerning Upton is recounted by Henry Bradshaw in his "Lyfe of St. Werburge." The manor of Upton had been given to the Abbot and the Convent of St. Werburgh by Hugh Lupus. We are told that when cruel enemies, including the Danes, were ravishing the Wirral, the people fortified themselves within the city of Chester, and had brought their corn and cattle to the Park of Upton for safety. But the enemy, pursuing, turned their horses loose among the crops, hoping to destroy them. Here St. Werburgh intervened, and by a miracle prevented the horses doing any damage. The Danes, thankful to escape with their lives, promised never to return.

"Wherefore the citizens have cause to love the place,
And thank this virgin for her help and grace."

Ghost Stories.

Upton has tales of several ghosts, but they seem quiet retiring little ghosts who have done no harm.

At Upton Farm, a ghost was supposed to have walked through the walls, and disappeared again, on the occasion of a wedding twenty-three years ago.

We are told, too, of a ghostly carriage and pair which used to drive up to the door of Upton Lawn on windy nights.

Upton Hall was said to have been haunted by a monk, but not according to the families who lived there. They say that there was an old lady in black silk, or in grey, who silently walked there, but was never seen by any of them. Another tale of Upton Hall has been told to us by an old lady in her eighties, as her grandmother told her:-

An old lady was left alone in the house while the rest of the family were away for the evening. As she sat quietly sewing in the kitchen she heard a sound like the towel on the door being moved behind her. She turned, and saw nothing. A second time she heard the sound and asked "What do you want?" thinking someone must be at the door. A voice replied "Follow me." She got up and found no one at the door. Again she heard "follow me" so she went in (41)
the direction of the voice, and was led to a flagstone and there told to take it up and she would be rich. She obeyed the instructions and found a lot of monev. The voice had disappeared and was never heard again.