AUDENSHAW, a township in the parish of ASHTON under LINE, hundred of SALFORD, county palatine of LANCASTER, 5 miles (B. by S.) from Manchester, containing 3781 inhabitants. The name of this place, in ancient documents written Aldwinshagh, is said to be derived from the Saxon Aid-win, an elder or chieftain, and Shagh, a wood. It is supposed to have belonged, prior to the Conquest, to some Saxon thane, whose residence was on, or near, the site of the present village, which exhibits appearances of earlier cultivation than the surrounding district, which consists mostly of woods and morasses. The Ashton under Line canal passes through the township, and a large reservoir has been constructed here for supplying the town of Manchester with water. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the various branches of the hat manufacture and in weaving. There is a place of worship for Methodists of the New Connexion. A parochial school was founded about the year 1745, and endowed by Miles Hilton with two estates in the parish of Manchester, producing £40 per annum. The school-room, with a large house for the master, has lately been erected, at an expense of nearly £1000, defrayed partly by subscription, and partly by the appropriation of the income arising from the endowment. There are also Sunday schools supported by subscription.