The Grosvenors

The manor of Allostock was conveyed to the Grosvenors in the reign of Edward I by John de Lostock. The Grosvenors had their chief seat at Hulme in this township, till the death of Robert Grosvenor Esq., in whom the male line of the elder line became extinct in 1465, when his estates were divided between his daughters.  A moiety of the manor was inherited by Sir John Leicester, who married one of the heiresses of the Grosvenors.  Mr Shakerley inherited a fifth from his ancestor who married the heiress of John Legh, of Booths.

In 1234 Richard Grosvenor of Hulme (ancestor of the Duke of Westminster) took over Hulme Hall from another Norman family. This Richard Grosvenor was related to Hugh Lupus, the first Norman Earl of Chester. In 1269 Richard built a Chapel of Ease at Lower Peover to save the long journey to Great Budworth. In 1464 Robert Grosvenor had a Chantry Chapel built at Lower Peover which was pulled down in 1547 under Henry VIII.

The Grosvenors also established Hulme Mill (opposite Mill Gate Farm) and Bradshaw Brook was diverted about ¾ of a mile to obtain a better head of water. The mill at Old Mill Farm, Townfield Lane, appears to have fallen into disrepair at this time. The “dams” built to provide a better head of water can still be seen in the field between Old Mill Farm and Dams Lane. Mill Farm on the A50, used the Peover Eye for power and fell under the jurisdiction of the Mainwarings of Over Peover.