MOSSLEY, a chapelry in the parish of ASHTON under
LINE, hundred of SALFORD, county palatine of LANCASTER,
9 miles (E.) from Manchester. The population
is returned with the parish. The living is a perpetual
curacy, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, endowed
with £1000 royal bounty, and £ 1600 parliament--
ary grant, and in the patronage of the Rector of Ashton
under Line. The chapel was built in 1755, and enlarged
in 1786. There is a place of worship for Methodists of
the New Connexion, who support a school in which
there are nearly six hundred children. There is a charity
school, affording instruction to about two hundred
and twenty children in connexion with the establishment.
Mossley is a neat village, the houses being principally
built with stone. The manufacture of cotton and
woollen goods is extensively carried on, but the former
prevails. There are two fairs for cattle, on June 21st
and the last Monday in October. On an eminence in
the vicinity is Hartshead Pike, a lofty and circular tower
surmounted by a spire; it was rebuilt of stone in 1758,
and has been used as a beacon.