Prestbury

"PRESTBURY, a parish and township in the hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 2¼ miles N.W. of Macclesfield, its post town, and 15¼ E. of Manchester. It is a station on the Manchester and Macclesfield railway. This parish, which is of large extent and very populous, includes the town of Macclesfield, the villages of Bollington, Bosley, Capesthorne, Chelford, Henbury, Hurdsfield, Marton, Poynton, Pott-Shrigley, Rainow, North Rode, Saltersford, Siddington, Sutton, Wincle, Woodford, and 15 townships, each of which is described under its own head. The soil is in some parts sandy, and in others clayey. A considerable portion of the inhabitants are engaged in the silk and cotton mills, and others in agriculture. A court leet and baron for the township is held twice a year in May and December. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Chester, value £500. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is an ancient structure, with a lofty tower containing eight bells. On the S. side is an ancient building of stone, supposed to have been a Norman chapel, with an enriched western entrance. The church contains a piscina and several mural monuments. The interior was improved and restored in 1857. In addition to the parish church are the following district churches, viz: Macclesfield, Christchurch, St. Paul's, St. Peter, Macclesfield Forestchapel, Bollington, Bosley, Capesthorne, Chelford, Henbury, Hurdsfield, Marton, Poynton, Pott-Shrigley, Rainow, North-Rode, Saltersford, Siddington, Sutton St. George, Sutton St. James, Wincle, and Woodford, most of which are described under their separate heads; the livings are all perpetual curacies, varying in value from £300 to £48. The parochial charities produce about £40 per annum. There is a free school for both sexes, also a Sunday-school. In the township of Butley, in this parish, several tumuli containing urns and other relics of antiquity, were discovered in 1808. T. Legh, Esq., is lord of the manor. Fairs for cattle are held on the 28th April and 22nd October."

"ARLINGTON, a chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, in the hundred of Macclesfield, in the county palatine of Chester, 5 miles to the N. of Macclesfield. It is situated in a picturesque neighbourhood, on the small river Bollin, and is a station on the Macclesfield branch of the London and North Western railway. The parish contains some coal mines and quarries of flagstone. Silk weaving is the principal employment of the working classes. Adlington Hall is an old seat of the Legh family. During the civil war it was garrisoned for the king, but was taken in Feb. 1645, after a siege of fourteen days, by the forces of the parliament. There is a small chapel in it which received the bishop's licence in the reign of Henry VI."

"BIRTLES, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, in the county palatine of Chester, 3 miles to the W. of Macclesfield. It is situated in a pleasant and wooded country. The living is a perpetual cur in the diocese of Chester, value £50, in the patronage of T. Hibbert, Esq., whose seat is Birtles Hall."

"BOLLINGTON, a chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, in the county palatine of Chester, 3 miles to the N. of Macclesfield. It is seated in a pleasant district, on the small river Bollin, near its head, and on the Macclesfield canal. The silk and cotton manufactures are carried on here, and many of the inhabitants are employed in the coal-works, and stone and slate quarries, which are of considerable extent. There is also a water-mill for grinding bark. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, of the value of £174, in the patronage of the Vicar of Prestbury. The church is dedicated to St. John. The Wesleyans have a chapel here."

"BOSLEY, (or Bosly), a chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, in the county palatine of Chester, 4 miles to the N.E. of Congleton. It lies on the border of Staffordshire, and is a station on the North Staffordshire railway. The river Dane, a feeder of the Mersey, flows by this place. Here is an extensive reservoir connected with the Macclesfield canal. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, of the value of £110, in the patronage of the Vicar of Prestbury.

"BUTLEY, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, in the county palatine of Chester, 3 miles to the N. of Macclesfield. Prestbury is a station on the Macclesfield branch of the London and North-Western railway. Some of the inhabitants are employed in the silk manufacture. The Wesleyans have a chapel and a large school in the village. Butley Hall is the chief residence. Roman antiquities have been discovered in the neighbourhood. Thomas Newton, author of a history of the Saracens, was born at Butley."

"CAPESTHORNE, a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, in the county palatine of Chester, 4 miles to the W. of Macclesfield. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, value £76, in the patronage of Mrs. Davenport. The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Capesthorne Hall, the seat of the Davenports, pleasantly situated in a spacious and beautiful park, on the bank of a small lake or mere, was burnt down in September, 1861."

"CHELFORD, a chapelry and township in the parish of Prestbury, in the hundred of Macclesfield, in the county of Chester, 5 miles S.E. of Knutsford, 8 N.W. of Congleton, and 142 N. of Crewe. It is a railway station on the Manchester and Macclesfield line, the distance of the station being about 1 mile from the village. The two streams forming the river Peover here unite. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £100, in the patronage of J. Dixon, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. Werbergh, is in the early English style, with tower and spire. Here is a parochial school for both sexes. The charities, including school, endowments, amount to about £30 per annum. Withington Hall, most delightfully situated, is a handsome edifice. The chapelry of Chelford embraces the townships of Chelford and Old Withington."

"EATON, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county palatine Chester, 2 miles N.E. of Congleton. It is situated on the river Dane. Here is acorn mill and a silk-throwing mill. The manufacture of cigars is carried on in the neighbourhood. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, in the patronage of Gibbs Crawford Antrobus, Esq. Christ Church, a handsome stone structure, was consecrated in 1857. There is a parochial school for boys and girls. Eaton Hall, the seat of G. C. Antrobus, Esq., is the principal residence."

"FALLYBROOME, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county palatine of Chester, 2 miles N.W. of Macclesfield."

"FENCE, a hamlet in the parish of Prestbury, county palatine Chester, in the vicinity of Macclesfield, within which borough it is included."

"HARROP, a hamlet in the chapelry of Rainow, parish of Prestbury, county Chester, 4 miles N. of Macclesfield."

"HENBURY-WITH-PEXHALL, a village and township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 2¼ miles W. of Macclesfield, its post town. The village is small, and wholly agricultural. The land is principally arable. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £152. The church, dedicated to St. Thomas, is a stone edifice, with a lofty tower, containing one bell. The church, built in 1845, has some stained-glass windows. A National school for both sexes was erected in 1846, and is endowed with an annuity of £20. The principal residence is Henbury Hall, situated in a wooded park, with a very extensive lake. The interior of the Hall contains a choice collection of paintings and a large library. Edward Marsland, Esq., J.P., is lord of the manor and principal landowner."

"HIGH SUTTON, a chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 4 miles S.E. of Macclesfield.

"HURDSFIELD, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 1½ mile N. of Macclesfield, its post town. A portion of the inhabitants are engaged in the silk manufacture, for which extensive mills have been erected, and there are dye-houses in connection with them. Stone of excellent quality is quarried, and there are several coal mines, but the latter are of small extent. The soil consists of clay and gravel. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £130, in the patronage of the trustees of Hyndman's charity. The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a stone structure, with a square tower containing one bell. Here are two National schools. The Sunday-school is held in the schoolrooms adjoining the church. The Wesleyans have a chapel and a school. Hurdsfield House is the principal residence."

"JENKIN, a village in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 5 miles N.E. of Macclesfield."

"KETTLESHULME, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 7 miles N.E. of Macclesfield. The village is small, and principally agricultural. There are stone quarries, and candle-wicks are manufactured. The Wesleyans have a place of worship. The charities produce about £2 per annum. The Earl of Derby is lord of the manor and principal landowner."

"LOWER and OLD WITHINGTON, townships in the parish of Prestbury, county Chester, 6 miles W. of Macclesfield, near Tunstead Hill, in the vale of the river Weaver.

"LYME-HANDLEY, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county palatine of Chester, 6 miles N.E. of Macclesfield. Stockport is its post town. It is situated in the vicinity of the Peake Forest canal, and commands a view of the country round Disley, with the Mersey and Derbyshire hills in the distance. This manor belongs to the Legh family, whose ancestor, Sir Perkin, served with the Black Prince at the battle of Cressy. Lyme Hall, the family seat, is a quadrangular building of white grit-stone, partly Elizabethan, and partly by Leoni. It contains some stained windows, the carved bedstead of the Black Prince, and a picture gallery with a portrait of the Prince. The park is very extensive, and abounds with red deer. In the neighbourhood are a large number of wild cattle."

"MACCLESFIELD, a market town, municipal and parliamentary borough, in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county palatine of Chester, 17 miles from Manchester, 32 E.N.E. of Chester, and 167 from London by road, or 165 by the North Staffordshire railway, on which it is a station. The town is situated on the acclivity of a steep hill, near the borders of the district still called Macclesfield Forest. The river Bollen, which runs through the lower part of the town, divides the E. from the W. portion, but is crossed by several bridges. Macclesfield is one of the oldest towns in England, being included in the royal demesne of the earls of Mercia. In Domesday it is described as a seat of Earl Edwin, and as forming part of the earldom of Chester; but it afterwards lapsed to the crown. It was first chartered by Prince Edward, as Earl of Chester, in 1261; which charter was confirmed successively by Edward III., Richard II., Edward IV., and Elizabeth. During the Civil War it was besieged and taken by Sir William Brereton for the parliament. Subsequently four regiments were raised there, and placed at the disposal of King Charles II. In 1745 the Pretender took possession of the town, but was forced to retire before the forces of the Duke of Cumberland. The corporation was settled in the reign of Charles IS. Under the Municipal Reform Act it is divided into six wards, and is governed by a mayor, 12 aldermen, and 36 common councilmen, with the style of "mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of the borough of Macclesfield." The town consists of four principal streets, containing houses of a superior kind. They are well paved and drained. The road from London to Stockport, running through Park and Mill streets, forms one principal street, and the road from Chester to Buxton another. Macclesfield is well supplied with water, and lighted with gas. Numerous improvements have taken place since the establishment of the local board of health in 1852. A park was opened in 1854, near the Prestbury-road, which comprises 16 acres, and cost about £6,000. It originated in a memorial from the working classes to the late Sir Robert Peel, and, when completed, was transferred to the corporation in trust for the inhabitants. There are many public buildings, viz:, the townhall, erected in 1826; the museum, borough gaol and police office, market-house, mechanics' institution; public library, established in 1770, and containing about 14,000 volumes of standard literature, and a complete collection of public records; a theatre, two banks, and a savings-bank. The public baths and washhouses were built in 1849, and cost £3,000, which was raised by subscription. The union workhouse was built at a cost of £10,000. The almshouses were founded and endowed by Elizabeth Stanley in 1703. The population in 1851 was 39,048, which in 1861 had decreased to 36,101. The township covers an area of 2,210 acres, and contains coal, slate, and stone quarries. The Macclesfield Poorlaw Union contains 41 parishes and townships, with an area of 65,078 acres. Formerly Macclesfield was the centre of an extensive trade in wrought buttons of mohair twist and silk; and even a century ago, as an encouragement to this trade, an Act was passed to prevent the wearing of buttons covered with the same stuff as the garment was made of; but the attempt to enforce this Act brought into use horn and metal buttons. This particular manufacture has wholly given way, but Macclesfield may now be reckoned as the principal seat in England of the silk, satin, and velvet trade. The weaving of silk was introduced here in 1787, and numerous mills have been erected in all parts of the town. The oldest silk-mill is in Park-green, and the street leading from thence to the market-place is called Mill-street in consequence. The manufacture of cotton used also to be carried on, but has quite disappeared. Gimps, fringes, and other silk trimmings, are made in large quantities. There are also a few makers of engines, several dye works, foundries, potteries, and breweries; and small wares are extensively made. The Macclesfield canal connects this town with Manchester, and the Grand Trunk canal with London, but the railway has almost superseded this mode of transit. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, value £201, in the patronage of Simeon's Trustees. It was once held by Watson, author of the "History of Halifax." The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, was founded in 1279 by Queen Eleanor, but was almost entirely rebuilt in 1740. It has a tower with a peal of ten bells, and two mortuary chapels, one of Archbishop Savage, a native of Macclesfield, who died in 1508, and the other of the Leghs, of Lyme, who were at Agincourt and Cressy. There are five other churches in different parts of the town, the livings of which vary in value from £66 to £250. Christ Church, a proprietary church under the old church, was built in 1775, and has sittings for 1,205 persons. It contains an organ upon which the great Handel often played, and a pulpit in which John Wesley preached. St. Paul's, Hallefields, was not completed until 1844, and cost about £5,500. It can be seen from almost any part of the town. St. Peter's, Windmill-street, was built in 1848, at a cost of some £3,000, with sittings for 600 persons. St. George's, High-street, erected by Dissenters in 1822, but since placed under episcopal authority, accommodates about 1,700 persons, and cost about £6,600; and Trinity Church, Hurdsfield, was erected in 1839, at a cost of £2,500, with 800 sittings. Besides these churches there are places of worship for the Independents, Wesleyans, Primitive, New Connexion, and Association Methodists, Baptists, Roman Catholics, and Mormonites. The free grammar school of King Edward VI., founded in 1502 by Sir John Percyvale, Lord Mayor of London, and a native of Macclesfield, was originally endowed with £10 per annum. Its income now exceeds £1500 per annum, and it is considered one of the first schools in England. The present schoolhouse is of stone, and was built in 1856 at a cost of about £3,000. There is also a modern free school, built in the Elizabethan style in 1840 for about £2,500, and supported out of the surplus funds, of which not more than £500 per annum are ever to be expended on the modern school. The Sunday-school is one of the handsomest buildings of the town; and its principal room, which will hold 2,000 persons, is fitted with galleries, and an organ. It was completed in 1813, at a cost of nearly £6,000, and contains a library of 1,200 volumes. There are besides St. Michael's National school, Christ Church National school, St. Paul's, St. Peter's, St. George's, and some thirty others. Macclesfield publishes the Macclesfield Chronicle, Courier, and Herald, and gives the title of earl to the Parkers. Market days are Tuesday and Saturday. Fairs for cattle, cloth, hardware, wool, &c. are held on the 6th May, 22nd June, 11th July, and 11th November. The races take place in October."

"MACCLESFIELD FOREST, a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, and hundred of Macclesfield, county palatine of Chester, 4 miles E. of Macclesfield, its post town. This is the chief of several townships which formed part of the ancient royal forest of Macclesfield. The village is a small straggling place. The living is a curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £120. The church is a small edifice, rebuilt about 1824 on the site of the old one. There are small charities of about £2 10s. per annum, also a parochial school. The Earl of Derby is lord of the manor and seneschal of the forest."

"MARTON, a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 5 miles S.W. of Macclesfield, its post town, and 3 N.W. of Congleton. In the reign of Henry I., the manor was given by Venables, Baron of Kinderton, to his daughter, who brought it by marriage to an ancestor of the Davenport family. The grand serjeantry of Macclesfield forest, with the right to levy heriot; over that hundred, was attached to it. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, value £48. The church is a rude wooden structure, said to have been built in the reign of Edward III., by Sir J. Davenport. It has a chancel and spire of more recent date, and contains effigies of the Davenport family. It had once a chantry. There is a National school."

"MOTTRAM ST. ANDREW, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 4½ miles N.W. of Macclesfield. The village is small, but neatly built. There is a National school."

"NEWTON, a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 5 miles N.W. of Macclesfield. It is situated on the river Bollin."

"NORTH RODE, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 3½ miles N.E. of Congleton, its post town, and 5 S.W. of Macclesfield. It is a station on the North Staffordshire railway. The village, which is of small extent, is situated near the canal and the river Dane. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £150. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, has a tower containing a clock and one bell. The church contains several stained windows. There is an endowed school for both sexes. Rode Hall is the principal residence. The Rev. J. Daintry is lord of the manor.

"PEXHALL, a hamlet in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 3 miles W. of Macclesfield. It forms a township in conjunction with Henbury."

"POTT-SHRIGLEY, a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 4½ miles N.E. of Macclesfield, its post town, and 1 mile from Bollington. The village, which is of small extent, is situated on the Macclesfield and Congleton canal. A portion of the inhabitants are employed in the collieries. There are several brick kilns and tile works. The soil is of a clayey and sandy nature, with a rocky subsoil. Freestone is quarried. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £100. The church is an ancient stone structure, with an embattled tower containing a clock and three bells. The parochial charities produce about £10 per annum. There is an infant school, in which a Sunday-school is also held. Pott Hall and Shrigley Hall are the principal residences; the latter is situated in a well-wooded park."

"POYNTON, (or Poignton), a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 5 miles S.E. of Stockport, its post town, and 6¼ N. of Macclesfield. It is a station on the Macclesfield branch of the London and North-Western railway. The village, anciently called Ponynton and Poynington, is situated near the Macclesfield canal, and on the main road from Macclesfield to Stockport. A large portion of the inhabitants are engaged in the collieries. A court-baron is held twice in the year. The glebe comprises about 18 acres. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, value £85. The church, dedicated to St. George, or St. Thomas, was rebuilt in 1789, and subsequently enlarged. The parochial charities are of small amount. There are National schools for both sexes, also for infants, in which last a Sunday-school is also held. Lord Vernon is lord of the manor and principal landowner. The hall, built about the middle of the 16th century, was taken down by Sir George Warren at the end of the last century, and a modern mansion erected on the site, which is surrounded by well-laid-out grounds.

"RAINOW, (or Rainhow), a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 3 miles N.E. of Macclesfield, its post town. The village, which is large but straggling, is situated on the road between Macclesfield and Sheffield, and near the Roman way from Manchester to Buxton. A large portion of the inhabitants are employed in the silk and cotton mills, and some in the slate and flagstone quarries at Kerridge Hill. The soil is of a clayey and sandy nature, with a subsoil of rock. The parish includes the hamlet of Harrop. In the vicinity are numerous collieries. The living is a perpetual curacy* in the diocese of Chester, value £120, in the patronage of the Vicar of Prestbury. The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is usually called Jenkin or Saltersford chapel. It is of modern erection, with a square embattled and pinnacled tower containing two bells. The parochial charities produce about £10 per annum. There are National and Sunday schools, also a place of worship for the Wesleyans.

"SALTERSFORD, a chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 4 miles N.E. of Macclesfield. It is situated near the river Bollin, and line of the Manchester railway. Some of the inhabitants are employed in the neighbouring silk and cotton mills. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, value £70, in the patronage of the Vicar of Prestbury. The church was erected in 1731. This place gives the title of baron to the family of Stopford, earls of Courtown."

"SIDDINGTON, a township and chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 5½ miles N.W. of Congleton, its post town, and 5 S.W. of Macclesfield. The village is, situated on a branch of the river Weaver, and is chiefly agricultural. To the N.E. of the township is Reed's Mere, an extensive sheet of water, upon which is a floating island of about 2 acres in extent, covered with brushwood and beech trees. The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Chester, value £106. There is a National school for both sexes. Thornycroft Hall is the principal residence. A. H. Devonport, Esq., is lord of the manor and principal landowner."

"SUTTON, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 3 miles N. of Macclesfield."

"TYTHERINGTON, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 1 mile N.E. of Macclesfield, its post town. The village is on the high road to Stockport, near the Macclesfield branch of the Manchester and Birmingham railway. The soil is clayey, with a subsoil of clay and sand. T. Brocklehurst, Esq., is lord of the manor."

"UPTON, a township in the parish of Prestbury, hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 1 mile N.W. of Macclesfield."

"WILDBOAR-CLOUGH, a township in the parish of Prestbury and hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 6 miles S.E. of Macclesfield."

"WINCLE, a chapelry in the parish of Prestbury, county Chester, 5 miles S.E. of Macclesfield, on the river Dane."

"WOODFORD, a township in the parish of Prestbury, county Chester, 7 miles N.W. of Macclesfield, and 6 S.W. of Stockport, on the river Bollin."

"WORTH, a township in the parish of Prestbury and hundred of Macclesfield, county Chester, 6 miles S.E. of Stockport, 7 N.E. of Macclesfield, and 1 mile from the Poynton railway station. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the collieries belonging to Lord Vernon, who is lord of the manor and chief landowner."