Middleton in 1839
Middleton is in Salford hundred, 6 miles north by east of Manchester, and 192. from London, near the river Irk which flows into the Irwell. The parish contains 11,510 acres, with a population in 1831 of 14,379 : it is divided into eight townships or chapelries ; Middleton township contains 1,860 acres, with a population of 6,903. This town owes its prosperity to the cotton manufacture, which is carried on in its different branches. A charter for a market was granted in 1791 : it is held on Friday. A market-house with shambles, also warehouses for general merchandise, were erected by Lord Suffield, lord of the manor. Coals are dug in the parish. The church is an ancient building, with a carved screen dividing the chancel from the choir. There are several dissenting places of worship. The living is a rectory in the diocese and archdeaconry of Chester, of the clear yearly value of £1,070, with a glebe-house. There were in 1833 in the township, a grammar-school, founded and endowed by Dr. Alexander Nowell, dean of St. Paul's, London, with about 100 children ; a school with 33 children, partly supported by Lord Suffield ; and thirteen other day-schools, with 391 children ; and one boarding-school, with from 50 to 60 children ; also ten Sunday-schools, with 2,644 children. |