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Gawsworth

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"GAWSWORTH, a parish in the hundred of MACCLESFIELD, county palatine of CHESTER, 3½ miles (S. W. by S.) from Macclesfield, containing 804 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's hooks at £7. 4. 4½., and in the patronage of the Earl of Harrington. The church, dedicated to St. James, is a handsome structure. There is a small sum for the education of children. The New Macclesfield canal, connecting the Grand Trunk with the Peak Forest, passes through the eastern side of the parish. Courts leet and haron are held annually." [From Samuel Lewis A Topographical Dictionary of England  (1831) ©Mel Lockie]

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  • Gawsworth, also a township and ancient parish in Macclesfield hundred (SJ 8869), became a civil parish in 1866.
  • It includes the hamlets of Danes Moss, Dighills, Gawsmoor Hill, High Lane, Moss Houses, Shellow, Tidnock, Walkers Heath, Warren, Whitemoor and Woodhouse End.
  • The population was 697 in 1801, 788 in 1851, 573 in 1901, 1093 in 1951, and 1673 in 2001.
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Civil Registration

  • Macclesfield (1837-1998)
  • Cheshire East (1998-2007)
  • Cheshire (2007-09)
  • Cheshire East (2009+)
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Court Records

  • Prestbury (1828-1974)
  • Macclesfield (1974+)
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Description & Travel

You can see pictures of Gawsworth which are provided by:

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Gazetteers

The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

"GAWSWORTH, a parish in the hundred of Macclesfield, county palatine Chester, 3 miles S.W. of Macclesfield, its post town, and 6 N. of Congleton. The North Staffordshire railway and the Macclesfield section of the Grand Trunk canal pass through the parish. The scenery in this neighbourhood is rich and varied, comprising a large extent of woodland and plantation, with several small lakes. Many of the houses are old, and built of wood. This place is mentioned in Domesday Book as forming part of the demesne of Earl Ranulph, who gave it to Hugh Bigod, Earl of Chester, for a caparisoned horse. A court-leet and a court-baron are held at Martinmas. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Chester, value £734. The church is an ancient edifice, with a tower surmounted with pinnacles, and dedicated to St. James. It contains monuments of the Fitton family. There is a National school with a small endowment. The ancient manor-house, formerly the residence of Lord Mohun, is now a farmhouse. The Earl of Harrington is lord of the manor."

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Historical Geography

Places associated with Gawsworth ancient parish with separate pages

 

  • 1936 April 1 — Lost part to Macclesfield (20 acres, pop. 41 in 1931)
  • 1955 March 8 — Lost part to Macclesfield (147 acres, pop. 53 in 1951)
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Maps

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SJ895694 (Lat/Lon: 53.221914, -2.159285), Gawsworth which are provided by:

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Politics & Government

  • Macclesfield Rural Sanitary District (1875-94)
  • Macclesfield Rural District (1894-1974)
  • Macclesfield (1974-2009)
  • Cheshire East (2009+)
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Poor Houses, Poor Law

  • Macclesfield
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Voting Registers

  • North Cheshire (1832-67)
  • East Cheshire (1868-85)
  • Macclesfield (1885-1974)