BACKFORD, a parish comprising the townships of Backford, Chorlton, Lea, and Great Mollington, in the higher division of the hundred of WIRRALL, and the township of Conghall, in the lower division of th§ hundred of BROXTON, county palatine of CHESTER, and containing 450 inhabitants, of which number, 140 are, in the township of Backford, 4 miles (N.) from Chester. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's books at £5. 0. 5., endowed with £400 private benefaction, an £400 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the .Bishop of Chester. The church is dedicated to St. Oswald. The Ellesmere canal passes along the southern side of the parish.