In 1850, BIRCHES township contains 157A. 3r. 13p. of land and is situated 3 miles E.S-E from Northwich and has 1 house and 8 inhabitants. The rectorial tithes are commuted for £14 and a modus of 2s 4d. is paid to the vicar of Budworth. This manor passed with the daughter and heiress of Nicholas de Birches, in the reign of Edward II, to Nicholas de Winnington, in whose family it continued for several generations; in the reign of Charles I a co-heiress of the Winningtons brought it to Ralph Starkey, who continued in possession in 1662. This manor in 1695 was the property of Mrs Eliz. Dobson, who by her deed of that date, conveyed it to Thomas Cholmondeley Esq., and Peter Shakerly Esq., as trustees for herself, during life, and after her death for the use of the said Peter Shakerly and his wife, if he should marry, during their lives, and after their decease, the trust to continue in the heirs-male of the Cholmondeleys, for the purpose of educating two boys, one to be the son of a councellor at law, bred up in one of the inns of Court, the other the son of an orthodox episcopal divine of the doctrine of the Church of England, as by law established. Peter Shakerly died unmarried in 1726, since which time, boys appointed by the Cholmondeley family have been educated in constant succession from the funds of this charity.
William Okell, farmer, resides at Birches Hall. (Birches Hall 1851 Census details) |
