Knutsford

"KNUTSFORD, a parish and market town in the hundred of Bucklow, county Chester, 25 miles N.E. of Chester, and 172 from London. This place, which is of great antiquity, is situated on the banks of a small stream, over which Canute the Dane is said to have passed with his army for the conquest of the northern parts of the kingdom in the reign of Ethelred; hence its name of Canute's or Cnut's ford. It is a station on a section of the Cheshire Midland railway. The town consists principally of two good streets, which are well paved, and lighted with gas. It contains a townhall, sessions-house, market-house, working man's library, bank, savings-bank, house of correction, and poorhouse. The Cheshire quarter sessions at Midsummer and Michaelmas are held in the town. Cotton, thread, worsted, and leather are manufactured. There is also a large iron foundry. The environs are adorned with villas, and near the town is a racecourse. The Trent and Mersey canal passes within 5 miles of the town, which is a polling place, and the place of election for the northern division of the shire. Constables and other officers are appointed at the court-leet of the lord of the manor, who also holds a court-baron. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Chester, value £225, in the patronage of the lords of certain manors alternately. The parish church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a brick and stone structure, erected in 1744. There are also two district churches at Cross Town and Toft, the livings of both which are perpetual curacies,* value respectively £60 and £30. The Independents, Wesleyans, Unitarians, Baptists, and Primitive Methodists have each a place of worship. There are free grammar, parochial, and infant schools. Norbury Booths Hall is the principal residence. Market day is Saturday. Fairs are held on 23rd April, Whit-Tuesday, and 8th November."

"BEXTON, a township in the parish of Knutsford, hundred of Bucklow, in the county palatine of Chester, near Knutsford."

"INFERIOR and SUPERIOR KNUTSFORD, townships in the parish of Knutsford, county Chester, 2 miles from Knutsford.

"OLLERTON, a township in the parish of Knutsford, hundred of Bucklow, county Chester, 2 miles S.E. of Nether Knutsford. The land is partly in common."

"TOFT, a township in the parish of Knutsford, hundred of Bucklow, county Chester, 2 miles S. of Knutsford, its post town."