Kelly Directory : Macclesfield Forest

MACCLESFIELD FOREST is a township in the parish of Prestbury, 4 1/2 miles east-by-south from Macclesfield, in the Knutsford division of the county, petty sessional division of Prestbury, hundred, union, county court district, rural deanery and archdeaconry of Macclesfield and diocese of Chester. The township, which forms a part of the lofty chain of hills skirting the eastern verge of the county adjoining Derbyshire, is very bleak and mountainous and the land exceedingly unproductive. The Forest of Macclesfield, formerly an extensive demesne, was, like other royal forests, preserved for pleasure and recreation. The chapel, originally built in 1673 and rebuilt in 1834, is a plain edifice of stone consisting of nave and a small western tower containing one bell: there are sittings for about 150 persons. The register dates from the year 1759. The living is a perpetual curacy with Wildboarclough annexed, net yearly value £128, with residence, in the gift of the Earl of Derby, and held since 1901 by the Rev. John Trist Gasking, who resides at the Parsonage, Wildboarclough. Brough's charity of £1 12s. yearly is for distribution in money.

The township contains 3,499 acres, the property of the Earl of Derby K.G, G.C.B., P.C. who is lord of the mannor. The townships of Lyme, Hurdsfield, Kettleshulme. Rainow, Bollington, Pott Shrigley, Upton, Tytherington, Wincle, Macclesfield Forest, Sutton, Wildboarclough and Bosley, formed part of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield. The farms are small and widely scattered. "Shining Tor," 1,834 feet above the sea level and the highest point in Cheshire, is in this township. The population in 1901 was 172; area 3,499 acres; rateable value, £2,158.

Letters through Macclesfield; Wildboarclough, is the nearest post & telegraph office, 2 miles distant. Macclesfield is the nearest money order office.

National School (mixed) for 60 children; average attendance, 30; George Worthington, master.

(There follows a list of 33 names : interestingly Bottom-of-the-oven farm is in this township, it is the neighbouring farm to Broughs Place.)