Neston

"NESTON, (or Great Neston,) a parish, post and market town, in the higher division of the hundred of Wirrall, county Chester, 4 miles W. of the Hooton station on the Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire junction railway, and 11 N.W. of Chester. It is situated on the S.W. side of a peninsula formed by the estuaries of the rivers Mersey and Dee, opposite the county of Flint. The parish comprises the townships of Little Neston, Ledsham, Willaston, Thornton Hough, Ness, Raby, and Leighton, and the flourishing bathing place of Parkgate. Neston is a petty sessions town, and the magistrates' sittings are held at the court-house; also a court leet and baron are held yearly. The board of guardians meet at Clatteridge and Birkenhead every Wednesday alternately. The village derives its chief support from visitors, who resort to it during the summer months for the benefit of bathing. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Chester, value £535, in the patronage of the dean and chapter. The church, dedicated to SS. Mary and Helen, is an ancient stone structure, with a square tower containing six bells. The interior of the church contains an antique font, old register chest, and numerous monuments. The parochial charities produce about £42 per annum. There are National and infant schools; to the former is attached a small lending library free to the inhabitants. Market day is Friday, but the market is unattended. Fairs are held on 2nd February, 29th May, and 29th September, for cattle. Races are held on Whit-Monday and the two following days.

"LEDSHAM, a township in the parish of Neston, Higher division of the hundred of Wirrall, county Chester, 6 miles N.W. of Chester. It is a station on the Manchester, Chester, and Liverpool line of railway. The village is small and scattered. There is a chapel for Independents."