In 1850, ALLOSTOCK is a township and village 5 miles S. by W. from Knutsford, on the road from that town to Newcastle-under-Lyne; the township contains 2,924 A., 2r. 24p. of land, the soil of which is various, in the north east part it is chiefly of a light peaty nature; there are several extensive fir plantations in the township. Sir Charles P.B. Shakerley is the largest landowner, the other principal owners are, Edmund Taylor, Esq., Harry Mainwaring, Esq., Mr William Carter, Mr Henry Long, Mrs Antrobus, Mrs Dobson, and Mr Samuel Hall. In 1841 here were 79 houses and 427 inhabitants; population in 1801, 419; in 1831, 448. Rateable value, £3,626 13s. 7d. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £26, and paid to the vicar of Budworth; Christ Church College, Oxford receive the large tithes, commuted for £200.
The manor of Allostock was conveyed to the Grosvenors in the reign of Edward I by John de Lostock. The Grosvenors had their chief seat at Hulme in this township, till the death of Robert Grosvenor Esq., in whom the male line of the elder line became extinct in 1465, when his estates were divided between his daughters. a moiety of the manor was inherited by Sir John Leicester, who married one of the heiressess of the Grosvenors. Another moiety was purchased of the Stanleys, of Hooton, whose ancestor married the other co-heiress. Mr Shakerley inherited a fifth from his ancestor who married the heiress of John Legh, of Booths; the other shares, in the absence of documentary evidence, are supposed to have been aquired by purchase, by the ancestors of the present proprietor, Sir Charles, P.B. Shakerley.
Hulme Hall, the ancient seat of the Shakerley's, is surrounded by a moat nearly 20 yards in width, very little of the original mansion is now to be seen. The approach to the house is by a fine old bridge with two arches. The Hall, is occupied by Mr Joseph Brocklehurst, farmer.
The Unitarians have a small brick chapel at Rudd Heath; the Rev. Henry Green of Knutsford usually officiates. There is a school, in connection with the chapel, conducted by David Bell.
CHARITIES:-
Peter Shakerley, by will, bearing the date 27th May 1726, gave a rent charge of £5 per annum, issuing out of certain lands in this township, to be divided annually at Martinmas, amongst poor communicants at the chapel of Nether Peover, inhabitants of the township of Allostock, and not receiving relief therefrom. The farm charged with this payment, is the property of Sir C.P.B. Shakerley, and the payment is made to the incumbent of Nether Peover for distribution among the poor communcants.
Mrs Mary Antrobus, by her will in 1810, left to the most indigent inhabitants of the township of Allostock, the sum of £50, to be distributed according to the discretion of the minister of Lower Peover, and her trustees, on St Thomas's Day, forever. The money was placed in the hands of Mr Wright, of Knutsford, who about 20 years ago, became a bankrupt; a dividend of £14 14s. has been recovered, and is now in the hands of the Rev, J Holme, who regularly pays the interest, and distributes it with the sacrament money, at Christmas. |
