Rocester History

ROCESTER
Description and History from 1868 Gazetteer

"ROCESTER, a parish and small town in the S. division of Totmonslow hundred, county Stafford, 4 miles N.E. of Uttoxeter, and 7 S.W. of Cheadle. It is a station on the Churnet Valley section of the North Staffordshire railway. Ashbourn is its post town. The village is situated near the confluence of the rivers Dove and Churnet. A canal passes from Uttoxeter to the Potteries, by which coal and lime are brought for the supply of the neighbourhood. The river Dove is crossed here by a bridge of 60 feet span, constructed by Fradgley in 1839.

The soil is good, consisting for the most part of rich meadow and pasture land. The village, which is well built, has recently been lit with gas. A portion of the inhabitants are engaged in a large cotton mill, built by the late Sir Richard Arkwright. The parish comprises Rocester Green and four other hamlets. An abbey for Black Canons was founded here by Richard Bacoun in 1146; but no traces of it now remain. Its revenue at the Dissolution was valued at £111 11s. 7d. The impropriation belongs to the Dean and Canons of Windsor.

The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Lichfield, value £150. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient edifice with a tower, and has been enlarged. It contains tombs of the Staffords, and two pillar crosses. There is also a district church at Denston, the living of which is a perpetual curacy, value £150. The parochial charities produce about £12 per annum, exclusive of other small donations bequeathed by the Bainbrigge and other families. There are British schools for both sexes. The Wesleyans and Baptists have each a place of worship. Dove Leys, Barrow Hill, and Woodseat are the principal residences. Wakes are held on the Sunday following 11th October."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]