ECCLESTON (GREAT), a township in the parish of ST-MICHAEL, hundred of AMOUNDERNESS, county palatine of LANCASTER, 6 miles (N.) from Kirkham, containing 648 inhabitants. Several of the inhabitants are employed in cutting and preparing rushes for tallowchandlers. There are fairs on April 14th, Trinity-Monday, and November 4th. A school, in whichabout eighty children are educated, is chiefly supported by the benefactions of William Fyld and William Gualter, the present income being £50 per annum.