LEVER (LITTLE), a chapelry in the parish of BOLTON
le MOORS, hundred of SALFORD, county palatine
of LANCASTER, 3 miles (E. S. E.) from Great Bolton,
containing 1854 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual
curacy, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester,
endowed with £200 private benefaction, £800 royal
bounty, and £ 1300 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage
of the Vicar of Bolton. The chapel is dedicated
to St. Matthew the Evangelist. There is a place of worship
for Wesleyan Methodists. A school and a dwellinghouse
were erected, by subscription, in 1736, which are
held by the schoolmaster, in consideration of his teaching
six children free. Coal is obtained here. Lever
hall, an ancient building within the chapelry, was formerly
occupied by Bishop Bridgeman.