DEAN, a parish in the hundred of SALFORD, county
palatine of LANCASTER, 1 mile (S.W. by W.) from Great
Bolton, comprising the chapelries of Farnworth, Little
Hilton, Horwick, and West Houghton, and the townships
of Heaton, Middle Hilton, Over Hilton, Halliwell,
Kearsley, and Rum worth, and containing 18,916 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged vicarage, in the
archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's
books at £4, endowed with £527 private benefaction,
£200 royal bounty, and £600 parliamentary grant,
and in the patronage of the Crown. The church is
dedicated to St. Mary. There are some dissenting places
of worship and endowed schools at the different townships
in this parish.