DAVENHAM, a parish in the hundred of
NORTHWICH, county palatine of CHESTER, comprising
the townships of Bostock, Davenham, Eaton,
Leftwich, Moulton, Newhall, Rudheath, Shipbrook,
Shurlach, Stanthorne, Wharton, and Whatcroft, and
containing 3470 inhabitants, (exclusively of 97 in the
township of Rudheath, which are returned with the
parishes of Great Budworth and Sandbach) of which
number, 379 are in the township of Davenham, 2 miles
(S.) from Northwich. The living is a rectory, in the
archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's
books at £23. 13. 1., and in the patronage of R. W.
Tomkinson, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Wilfred.
Dayenham derives its name from its situation on the
river Daven, or Dane. A school, founded more than
a century since, is supported by a rent-charge on
Shipbrook-hill farm, and other benefactions, amounting
together to about £20 per annum. In the lordship
of Rudheath, in this parish, an action was fought on the
22d of February, 1643, between the king's troops and
the parliamentary forces under Sir William Brereton.