THORNTON, a parish in the second division of the hundred of EDDISBURY, county palatine of CHESTER, comprising the townships of Dunham, Elton, HapstorO, Thornton in the Moors, and Wimbolds-Trafford, and containing 853 inhabitants, of which number, 162 are in the township of Thornton in the Moors, 65 miles (N.N.E.) from Chester. The living is a rectory, Jin the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, rated in tne king's books at £24. 7- 8., and in the patronage 01 Lord Berwick. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is partly in the later style of English architecture, witn » handsome tower. The Gowey, a tributary stream to the Mersey, runs through the parish. A school is endowed with about £7. 10. per annum; the school? house was rebuilt about 1790.