Bury

by James Pigot  (1818)

Bury is a handsome market town, about nine miles north of Manchester, is situated in a fertile valley, on the banks of the River Irwell, which runs close to the west side of the town. The church is an elegant modern structure, rebuilt upon the foundations of the old gothic fabric; there is also a chapel of ease, besides several meeting-houses for dissenters. The cotton and woollen manufactures are here carried on to a considerable extent, in all their branches. The whole parish abounds with factories, every convenient situation upon the rivers and brooks, being occupied by mills for carding and spinning wool and cotton; also for fulling woollen cloth. Calico printing and bleaching are also most extensively carried on in the town and neighbourhood. The population of Bury amounts to about 9.000; in 1773 it was not more than 2.000. The grammar school is a handsome building well endowed by a Rev. M. Kay, Rector of Fittleton, in Wiltshire there are two masters. There is also a charity school here, founded by the late Rev. John Stanley, formerly Rector of Bury, for the education of 80 boys, and 30 girls. An auxiliary bible society is also established here, and other benevolent institutions. Market-day, Thursday. Fairs, March 5, May 3, second Thursday after Whit Sunday, and September 18, for horned cattle, &c.