In 1850, BUDWORTH GREAT is an extensive parish, which embraces a greater number of townships than any other parish in the county of Cheshire. The following townships and chapelries are comprised in the parish; viz., Anderton, Antrobus, Aston, Appleton, *Allostock, *Birches, Budworth Great, Barnton, Bartington, Cogshall, Comberbach, Castle Northwich, Crowley, Dutton, Hartford, *Hulse, *Lach Dennis, *Lostock Gralam, Little Leigh, Marbury, Marston, *Northwich, Plumley, *Peover Over, Peover Nether, Pickmere, Rudheath, part of Seven Oaks, Stretton, Tabley Nether, Whiteley Higher, Whiteley Lower, Winnington, *Witton, and Wincham. In 1801, the parish contained a population of 11,747 souls; in 1831, 15,955; and in 1841, 17,103; and 29,894 acres of land. Those townships with * affixed are in Northwich hundred.
BUDWORTH (GREAT), is a township and pleasant village, 3 miles north from Northwich, situated on the acclivity of a hill, near two fine sheets of water, called Budworth mere, and Pick mere. The fine old Church, from its elevated position, is a conspicuous object for miles around. The township contains 875A. 0r. 30p. of land; and in 1841, had 126 houses and 677 inhabitants. Population in 1801, 463; in 1831, 568; rateable value £1.998.
This place, says Leycester, hath its name from the old Saxon word Bede, which signifies a dwelling, and Wurth, a place by a water. At the Conquest, Budworth was held by William Fitz Nigell, Baron of Halton. In the reign of Henry III, it was possessed by Geoffrey, son of Adam de Dutton, (ancestor of the Warburtons of Arley,) whose posterity, in the reign of Edward II, assumed the name of Warburton. About the beginning of the reign of Henry VII, they removed their seat to Arley, where Peter Warburton built a handsome house, in 1495. Geoffrey de Dutton, in the reign of Henry III, gave a third part of Budworth to the priory of Norton, to pray for his soul forever. After the dissolution, Henry VIII sold all the lands of the priory in Budworth and Comberbach, and R.E.E. Warburton and Mrs Leigh, are now the principal proprietors. The former is lord of the manor. Fairs are held for cattle on February 13th., April 5th., and October 2nd. An agricultural show is held in September.
The Church, which stands in a delightful situation, is dedicated to God and All Saints. It consists of nave, chancel, side aisles, and two transepts, with a noble tower, in which is a peal of eight musical bells. Six pointed arches, resting on clustered columns, divide the nave from the side aisles. A new organ was purchased in 1839, and three new windows were added, on the south side, in 1848. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King's books, at £6. 9s. 4d. The Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford, are patrons, and appropriators. The Rev. George Henry Webber, M.A., incumbent, and the Rev. Henry Plumer Stedman, curate.
The Church of Budworth was originally given to the priory of Norton, by William, the constable, which gift, Robert Lacy afterwards, confirmed. At the dissolution, Henry VIII gave the rectory, together with Runcorn, to Christ Church, Oxford, by grant, December 11th., 1546. The tower of the parish church, which has the arms of Sir John Warburton and some others, under the great west window, appears to have been built or repaired about the year 1520. In the north transept are the monuments of Sir Peter Leycester, bart, the historian, of the Bucklow hundred, who died October 11th., 1678; Sir Robert Leycester, his son; and Sir Francis, his grandson, the last heir male of that ancient family, who died in 1742. The vicar receives the small tithes of the whole parish, and the large tithes of Cogshall and Great Budworth, were given to the vicar by the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, in 1846.
The vicarial tithes of the whole parish are commuted for £415. 12s. 10d., and the rectorial tithes, for £2,565. 11s. 2d. The vicarages is situate on the west side of the church yard, and is now undergoing a complete reparation.
The PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, on the north side of the church, was founded by John Dean, in 1600. The vicar has the appointment of the master. It is endowed with £200, given by Mr. Pickering, and Mrs. Glover.
The Methodists have a small chapel in the village.
A school was built at Budworth Heath, in 1845, by Mrs. Leigh, who resides at BELMONT, a handsome brick mansion, half a mile north from the church.
CHARITIES: Dame Elizabeth Booth, gave £400 to the mayor and citizens of Chester, on condition that they should pay £5 per annum, to the parish of Great Budworth, to be distributed in bread.
Hannah Selby, in 1793, gave £200, the interest to be paid to four poor men and 6 poor women of this parish.
Ann Walton, in 1691, gave 6s. yearly, to be given in bread.
Thomas Starkey, by deed, gave an annual sum of 10s. to the poor. This sum is payable out of an estate at Pickmere, formerly belonging to Mrs. Peacock.
CLOTHING CHARITY: the following sums were bequeathed at various periods, viz., Elizabeth Warburton, £20; Wm. Bassett, £40; Ralph Horton, £20; Francis Warburton, £36; Wm. Harcourt, £50; Francis Pigott, £200. These several sums, amounting to £366, are supposed to have received an addition from the parish of £40, and together have formed a fund of £400, called the "Parish Stock". This money was placed in the hands of the Rev. R.E.Warburton, secured by his bond, October 1816, with interest at the rate of £4. 10s. per cent. The money is expended in clothing, which is distributed among the different townships of this parish. |
