Rocester in 1859

ROCESTER (ST. MICHAEL), a parish, in the union f UTTOXETER, S. division of the hundred of TOTMONSLOW, N. division of the county of STAFFORD, 4 miles (N. by E.) from Uttoxeter; containing 1136 inhabitants. The quality of the soil is very good, consisting for the most part of rich meadow and pasture land.

The Churnet and Dove water the parish, and unite a little below the village; and, in 1838, an act was obtained for building a bridge over the latter river. A canalfrom Uttoxeter to the Potteries passes Rocester, by which coal and lime are brought for the supply of the neighbourhood, as also goods from Liverpool and Manchester. A large cotton-mill, built by the late Sir Richard Arkwright, is now employed in doubling lace-thread.

The living is a perpetual curacy, valued in the king's books at £4; net income, £69; patron, George Alsop, Esq.; appropriators, Dean and Canons of Windsor. The church, an ancient edifice, has been enlarged. There are places of worship for Baptists and Methodists; and a national school. An abbey for Black canons, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded here in 1146, by Richard Bacoun, the revenue of which, at the Dissolution, was valued at £111.11.7: no traces now remain. 
 

 

[Description(s) from The Topographical Dictionary of England (1859) by Samuel Lewis - Transcribed by Mike Harbach ©2020]