MOBBERLEY, a parish in the hundred of BUCKLOW,
county palatine of CHESTER, 3 miles (E. N. E.)
from Nether Knutsford, containing 1198 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese
of Chester, rated in the king's books at £ 23.3.4., and in
the patronage of the Rev. J. H. Mallory. The church,
dedicated to St. Wilfrid, has a rich screen, the remains
of a rood loft, and some stalls in the chancel: it was
thoroughly repaired and the tower rebuilt with stone in
1533, at the expense of Sir John Talbot. There are places
of worship for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists.,
A free grammar school was founded, in 1569, by the
Rev.WiUiam Griffith, who endowed it with the interest
of £200. The manufacture of cotton is carried on at
this place, a large factory affording employment to
about one hundred persons. Three distinct courts
baron are annually held for the several manors within
the parish. A priory of Black canons, in honour of the
Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Wilfrid, was founded here,
in 1206, by Patrick de Modberley, who having only a
life interest in the property with which he endowed it,
the establishment existed but a short time.