CASTLETON, a township, in that part of the parish
of ROCHDALE which is in the hundred of SALFORD,
county palatine of LANCASTER, 2 miles (S. E. by S.) from
Rochdale, containing 7894 inhabitants, many of whom
are employed in the woollen and cotton manufacture.
The name is derived from an ancient castle, one of the
twelve Saxon castles in the county, the keep of which
still remains. Part of the town of Rochdale is situated
within this township, where are the cisterns for supplying
the town with water, and the gas-works for lighting
it. The inhabitants participate in the benefactions
made to the parish both for scholastic and charitable
purposes.