Rocester (St. Michael)
ROCESTER (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of Uttoxeter, S. division of the hundred of Totmonslow, N. division of the county of Stafford, 4½ miles (N. by E.) from Uttoxeter; containing 1136 inhabitants. This parish, anciently called Rocetter, or Roucestre, comprises about 2370 acres; the soil is very good, consisting for the most part of rich meadow and pasture. The Churnet and Dove rivers unite a little below the village: in 1838, an act was obtained for building a bridge over the latter. A canal from Uttoxeter to the Potteries passes here, by which coal and lime are brought for the supply of the neighbourhood, as also goods from Liverpool and Manchester. A large cotton-mill built by Sir Richard Arkwright is now employed for doubling lacethread. The living is a perpetual curacy, valued in the king's books at £4; net income, £69; patron, George Alsop, Esq.; appropriators, the Dean and Canons of Windsor. The church, an ancient edifice, has been enlarged. There are places of worship for Baptists and Methodists: and a national school. An abbey for Black canons, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was founded here in 1146 by Richard Bacoun, the revenue of which at the Dissolution was valued at £111. 11. 7.: no traces now remain.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.