LONGRIDGE, a chapelry in that part of the
parish of RIBCHESTER which is in the lower division
of the hundred of BLACKBURN, county palatine of
LANCASTER, 7 miles {N. E.) from Preston. The po-
pulation is returned with the parish. The living is a
perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Richmond, and
diocese of Chester, endowed with £600 private bene
faction, and £600 royal bounty. Sir H. Hoghton Bart.
was patron in 1780. A festival, or guild, is held on St.
Lawrence's day; and there are fairs on March 16th,
April 16th, the Monday preceding Holy Thursday, and
November 5th, for cattle, pedlary, &c. Here was an
ancient hospital for a master and brethren, dedicated to
the Virgin Mary and our Saviour.