BRETHERTON, a township in the parish of CROSTON, hundred of LEYLAND, county palatine of LANCASTER, 10 miles (N.N.B.) from Ormskirk, containing 748 inhabitants. There is-a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. A free school was built, in 1654, at the expense of Mr. James Fletcher, who endowed it with £230, to' which various donations have -since been added: the annual income is now about £112, for which the boys and girls within the township are taught reading gratuitously.