RUFFORD, a parish in the hundred of LEYLAND,
county palatine of LANCASTER, 5 miles (N. E. by N.)
from Ormskirk, containing 1073 inhabitants. The
living is a rectory not in charge, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Chester, and in the patronage of Pierce
Starkie, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Mary.
This parish was formerly a chapelry in the parish of
Croston, but was made parochial by act of parliament.
The Leeds and Liverpool canal passes through it. Sir
Thomas Hesketh, Bart., in 1816, erected a school, which
is.supported at his own expense, for the education of
all the poor children of the parish. The petty sessions
for the division are held here once in five weeks,
alternately with Chorley, Guerdon, Leyland, and Penwortham.