Astbury

"ASTBURY, a parish in the hundreds of Northwich and Macclesfield, in the county palatine of Chester, 1 mile from Congleton its post town. It lies near the Macclesfield canal, on the borders of Staffordshire, and comprises the market town of Congleton, and the following townships:- Newbold Astbury, Buglawton, Davenport, Hulme Walfield, Moreton, Odd Rode, Radnor, Smallwood, Somerford Booths, and Somerford. Mow Cop, or Mole Cop Hill, which rises to the height of 1,090 feet, is partly in this parish; and partly within the limits of Staffordshire. Limestone and coal are obtained here, and the silk and cotton manufactures are carried on to a large extent. There are above forty factories, which, with the collieries and lime-works, furnish the chief employment for the population. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Chester, with the perpetual curacy of Hulme Walfield, value £2,240, in the patronage of Lord Crewe. The church, which is a handsome building in the perpendicular style, has a spire and a finely carved roof, executed in 1616 by Richard Lowndes. It contains also a screen, roodloft, stained windows, and several interesting monuments of the Moretons and Bellots. In the churchyard are some very old tombs of the Breretons. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. In addition to the parish church, there are nine district churches and chapels of ease in this extensive parish, named after their districts, Buglawton, Congleton, Congleton St. James's, Congleton St. Stephen's, Eaton, Mossley, Odd Rode, Smallwood, and Somerford chapel. The whole of these, except the last, are perpetual curacies, and will be described under their several headings. There are charitable endowments amounting to £263, of which sum £177 is the produce of Holford's bequest for education, relief of the poor, &c. Little Moreton Hall, situated in the township of Odd Rode, was formerly the seat of the Breretons, since of the Moretons. It is an interesting example of a timbered mansion, and is richly nrnamented; a moat surrounds it, and the entrance is by a stone bridge. The house is in good preservation, and appears, from an inscription over one of the oriel windows, to have been built, at least in part, in 1559. Some portions are evidently of earlier date. The parish of Astbury extends over an area of 19,602 acres, and contains nearly the same number of inhabitants."

"BUGLAWTON, a chapelry and township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, in the county palatine of Chester, near Congleton, its post town. It is situated on the river Dane, near the North Staffordshire railway. Some of the inhabitants are engaged in the silk manufacture. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, worth £150, in the patronage of the Rector of Astbury. The Wesleyans have a chapel in the village. The water of a mineral spring here has been found useful in cases of scurvy."

"CONGLETON, a chapelry, municipal borough, and market town, in the parish of Astbury, in the hundred of Northwich, in the county of Chester, 2 miles from Astbury. It is situated on the North Staffordshire railway; there is also a short branch line to the lime-quarries. The town lies in a hollow on the river Dane, near the Macclesfield canal, and is a place of considerable commercial importance. It is mentioned in Domesday Book under the name of Cogletone, and received a charter of incorporation in 1625 from James I. It is at present governed by a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 18 councillors, and contained, according to the census of 1861, 2,631 houses, inhabited by a population of 12,338, against 10,520 in 1851, showing an increase of 1,818 in the decennial period. The town, which is well-built and lighted with gas contains a guildhall, bank, assembly rooms, three churches and several chapels, besides many factories for the manufacture of silk, cotton, and ribands. Many of the inhabitants are also employed in the making of gloves and leather laces, technically known as " Congleton Points." The livings of all three churches are perpetual curacies in the diocese of Chester: that of the old church, value £143, is in the patronage of Thomas Rowley, Esq.; and those of St. James and St. Stephen, which are of recent erection, value £150 each, in the alternate patronage of the crown and Bishop of Chester. There are grammar, National, and other schools. President Bradshaw, who sat on the trial of Charles I., was once mayor. The honour gives the title of baron to the Parnells. It is the head of a Poor-law Union, and of County Court and Registration districts. Saturday is the market day, and fairs are held on the Thursday before Shrovetide, the 12th May, 12th July, and 22nd November."

"DAVENPORT, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, in the county of Chester, 4½ miles N.W. of Congleton, the ancient seat of the Davenports. It is situated on the river Daven or Dane."

"HULME-WALFIELD, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 1¾ mile from Congleton, its post town, and 4 miles from Astbury. It is situated on rising ground, and the soil consists of clay and sand. The living is a curacy* in the diocese of Chester, and is annexed to the rectory* of Astbury. The church, which was erected in 1856, is a stone structure, with accommodation for 300 persons. There is a National school for both sexes, also a Sunday-school."

"MORETON-CUM-ALCUMLOW, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 2½ miles S.W. of Congleton, its post town. The township, which is of irregular form, is situated near the Macclesfield canal and the North Staffordshire railway, the hamlet of Alcumlow being in a westerly direction near the brink of the township. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. Moreton Hall is an ancient timbered mansion situated in a well wooded and extensive park. George Holland Ackers, Esq., is lord of the manor.

"MOSSLEY, a hamlet in the parish of Astbury, county Chester, 2 miles from Congleton, and 28 E. of Chester. It is situated in the vale of the Dane, near the Macclesfield canal. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, value £127, in the patronage of the Rector of Astbury. The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity."

"NEWBOLD-ASTBURY, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 1 mile from Congleton, its post town. It is situated under Mow Cop Hill, near the border of Staffordshire."

"ODD RODE, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Norwich, county Chester, 4 miles S.W. of Congleton. The Grand Trunk canal passes through the township. There is a village school.

"ODD-RODE, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 4 miles S.W. of Congleton. It is a station on the North Staffordshire railway. Lawton is its post town. The township, which is extensive, is situated on the Trent and Mersey canal, and contains the hamlets of Scholar-Green, Hall-Green, Kent-Green, Rode Heath, Thurlwood, Odd-Rode, and part of Mow Cop. The houses are well built, though somewhat irregular. A large portion of the inhabitants are engaged in the collieries and stone quarries. The soil is of a mixed nature, with clay predominant From the summit of Mow-Cop Hill, which rises to the height of 1,091 feet above sea-level, an extensive view is obtained. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £200, in the patronage of the Rector of Astbury. The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. There are free schools for children of both sexes, entirely supported by the Wilbraham family, at whose expense they were erected. The Wesleyans have places of worship at Hall-Green and Mow-Cop. Old Moreton Hall is an ancient timbered house, built in 1549. Odd-Rode Hall is the principal residence."

"RADNOR, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 2 miles E. of Astbury, and 2 N.W. of Congleton. It is situated on the river Dane."

"SMALLWOOD, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 3 miles S.E. of Sandbach. Church Lawton is its post town. The village, which is irregularly built, is chiefly agricultural. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £100, in the patronage of the Rector of Astbury. The church, dedicated to St. John, is a modern structure with a stained window. There is a National school, and a place of worship for Wesleyans."

"SOMERFORD, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 3 miles S.W. of Congleton, its post town, and 3 W. of Astbury. It is situated on the river Dann, and is wholly agricultural. The soil is a mixture of sand and clay. The living is a donative curacy in the diocese of Chester, value £40. Somerford Park is the principal residence. Sir C. P. Shakerley is lord of the manor."

"SOMERFORD-BOOTHS, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 3 miles N.W. of Congleton, and 3 N. of Astbury. The village, which is of small extent, is chiefly agricultural. The Primitive Methodists have a place of worship, and a Sunday-school. Somerford-Booths Hall is the principal residence."

"SUMMERFORD, a township in the parish of Astbury, hundred of Northwich, county Chester, 1; mile N.W. of Congleton."