ACTON, a parish in the hundred of NANTWICH,
county palatine of CHESTER, 1 mile (N. W. by W.) from
Nantwich, comprising the townships of Acton, Aston
juxta Mondrum, Austerson, Baddington, Brindley,
Burland, Cholmondstone, Cool-Pilate, Eddleston, Faddiley,
Henhull, Hurleston, Newhall, Poole, Stoke, and
Worleston, and containing 3777 inhabitants, of which
number, 273 are in the township of Acton. The living
is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester,
rated in the king's books at £19. 9. 7, and in the
patronage of the Earl of Dysart. The church, dedicated
to St. Mary, exhibits some curiously ornamented
windows, and the tower is partly in the early style of
English architecture. In October 1643, the church and
Dorfold hall were occupied by the royalists, on whose
retreat both were garrisoned by the parliament. They
were afterwards captured by the king's troops under
Lord Byron, but on the raising of the siege of Nantwich,
Sir Thomas Fairfax compelled the garrisons to
surrender. Among the prisoners were sixty officers,
including Col. Monk, afterwards Duke of Albemarle.
Mr. Wilbraham, of Woodhay, left property for the endowment
of two almshouses here, and others at Nantwich:
there is also an endowed free school.