Cheddleton in 1817

Description from A Topographical History of Staffordshire by William Pitt (1817)

CHEDDLETON.

Cheddleton is a parish situate on the Churnet. The manor, at the time of the general survey, was held by Roger de Montgomery: it has since devolved to several families, and now belongs to the Earl of Macclesfield.

The Caldon Canal passes through this parish. It commences at the Grand Trunk Canal at Shelton, and passes through the parishes of Bagnall, Endon, Cheddleton, nearly parallel with the Churnet, and is continued down the vale through which that river flows to Kingsley, and as near to Caldon as the level will admit. Vast quantities of lime-stone are conveyed from Caldon Lowe to the Canal, which is continued along the vale of the Churnet to the neighbourhood of Alveton, and thence to Rocester and Uttoxeter, where it terminates.

The village of Cheddleton is situated on a hill, near the Canal and the river Churnet. It contains several good houses; and the Church, a neat fabric of stone, with its square tower, is a conspicuous object. There is one instance of longevity recorded in the church-yard, on the tomb-stone of Sarah Bentley, who died 19th July, 1811, aged 90 years.

The parish of Cheddleton is of considerable extent and population, including the townships of Bassford and Cunsall. It contains 261 houses, 261 families; 733 males, 659 females: total of inhabitants 1,395.

The Church is dedicated to St. Edward: it is a curacy, and the Rev. Edward Powys is the present minister. Ashcombe, the elegant mansion of William Sneyd, Esq, is in this parish.