WILMSLOW, a parish in the hundred of MACCLESFIELD,
county palatine of CHESTER, 7 miles (N.W.
by N.) from Macclesfield, comprising the townships
of Bollen-Fee, Chorley, Fulshaw, and Pownal-Fee, and
containing 3927 inhabitants. The living is a rectory,
in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, rated in
the king's books at £32. 15., and in the patronage of
Thomas Joseph Trafford, Esq. The church, dedicated
to St. Bartholomew, is a handsome structure, combining
the decorated and later English styles, and containing
several old monuments of the Dunham, Trafford,
and Newton families; in an adjoining chapel, of
modern construction, are several tombs of the family
of Leigh, by one of whom it was founded. The small
river Bollin, upon which are extensive cotton and silk
mills, runs through the parish. There are places of
worship for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists.
Courts leet and baron are. held, the former by the Earl
of Stamford and Warrington, and the latter at Pownal-
Fee by Mr. Trafford. A school, founded by the Rev.
Henry Hough, with a small endowment, affords instruction
to ten children. A workhouse was established,
about 1780, upon Lindon common, and land, now producing
upwards of £200 per annum, was assigned for its
support. About a quarter of a mile eastward from the
church are some remains of an ancient chapel, supposed
to have belonged to the old manor-house.