Whitegate

"WHITEGATE, (or Newchurch), a parish in the first division of Eddisbury hundred, county Chester, 4 miles S.W. of Northwich, its post town, and 2 from the Hartford station on the Grand Junction line of the London and North-Western railway, It is situated on the western bank of the river Weaver, and contains the townships of Darnhall and Marton, and parts of Over and Weaverham. Vale Royal, the seat of Lord Delamere, stands on the site of the old abbey, occupying an elevation overlooking the valley of the Weaver. The old Hall, rebuilt by the Holcrofts in the reign of Elizabeth, suffered considerably during the Civil War, but has since been restored and considerably altered. It has some old stained glass, chiefly heraldic, brought from the Hall at Utkinton, and contains a collection of portraits and paintings, some of which are by Rubens. Merton Grange has been taken down, but the farm, with several other granges in this parish, still enjoys prescriptive privileges, having formed part of the possessions of the abbey of Vale Royal. The living is a vie,* in the diocese of Chester, value £250. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, was rebuilt in 1726. The register dates from 1565. There is a school for both sexes, supported by Lord Delamere. The manor of Darnhall formerly belonged to the Earls of Chester, but now to T. G. Corbett, Esq., who is sole landowner. The local charities produce about £24 per annum.

"DARNHALL, a township in the parish of Whitegate, or New Church, first division of the hundred of Eddisbury, in the county of Chester, 4½ miles S.W. of Middlewich. It is situated on a small stream called Ashbrook, near the Newton railway. T. G. Corbet, Esq., is lord of the manor."

"MARTON, a township in the parish of Whitegate or New Church, first division of the hundred of Eddisbury, county Chester, 5 miles S.W. of Northwich. This township, at the request of the king in 1305, was exchanged by the Merton family, who gave it to the Abbey of Vale Royal in return for Gayton-in-Wirral and Lach-on-Rudheath. For his ready submission to the above royal request, Randle-de-Merton received a grant by patent of the Earl's Eye in Chester, and the bailiwick of the hundred of Caldey. The manner of Merton continued in the possession of the monks of Vale Royal until the Dissolution, after which it passed through several hands, and finally became the property of Lord Delamere, of Vale Royal, the principal owner of the soil. There are schools supported by Lord and Lady Delamere."