The 1831 Dictionary tells us that Mottram-in-Longdendale was "a parish in the hundred of Macclesfield, county palatine of Chester", containing 10,086 inhabitants, of which 1944 lived in the township of Mottram-in-Longdendale itself. Apart from Mottram-in-Longdendale township the parish included the townships of Godley, Hattersley, Hollingworth, Matley, Mottram-in-Longdendale, Newton, Stayley-Bridge, and Tintwisle. The village of Mottram consisted of one long and spacious street where the Mersey (sic) expanded into a broad stream.

In 1849 the description of the composition is very similar (apart from Stayley-Bridge being more accurately described as Stayley), the main difference is the addition of the information that the parish was in the (Poor Law) union of Ashton-under-Lyne. Woodhead had not rated a mention in 1831 but in 1849 was described as a chapelry and a division of the township of Tintwistle. The population of the parish was then 21,215 inhabitants, of whom 3247 lived in Mottram township. The reason for the expansion of the population was the increase in manufacturing industry. Prior to the beginning of the 19th century, the parish was wholly agricultural, but since that period it had become one of the most flourishing manufacturing districts in that part of the country.

Administration and Fairs

In both years, Mottram had fairs for cattle on the 27^th of April and the 31^st of October. In 1831 we are told that a court leet was held annually on Michaelmas-day, at which a constable is elected. By 1849 this description was expanded to say that a constable was appointed for each of the townships in the parish; and that a court baron was held under J. Tollemache, Esq., as lord of the manor.

Tintwistle was anciently a borough, and had a court leet of its own, but by 1831 was only a member of the lordship of Mottram-in-Longdendale, and was within the jurisdiction of a court of requests held there, for the recovery of debts under 40s. Fairs, for cattle, were held on May 2^nd and November 1^st.

The Railway

No railway in 1831, of course, but by 1849 the parish had three stations on the Manchester and Sheffield railway: one about a mile from Mottram, one at Newton, and the third at Woodhead, "where a tunnel commences, which is upwards of three miles long". A major feature was the viaduct over the Etherow, having three arches, the centre of which was of 150 feet span. The first stone had been laid by John Chapman, Esq., deputy-chairman of the company, and the bridge cost £25,000. The tunnel at Woodhead took about six years to build and was opened in December 1845. A second line, the Huddersfield railway, passed through the township of Stayley.

Population

	Status	1831	1849
	Parish	10086	21215
Mottram	Township	1944	3247
Godley	Township	514	1399
Hattersley	Township	563	610
Hollingworth	Township	1393	2012
Matley	Township	324	251
Newton	Township	2159	7501
Stayley	Township	1609	3905
Tintwistle	Township	1580	2290
Woodhead	Chapelry		Included in Tintwistle

Industry

On the banks of the Mersey in Mottram, in 1831, were the extensive mills of Messrs. Marshland, "occupying a large space excavated in the rock, and reaching to the middle of the river, which, lower down, is crossed by a stone bridge of one immense arch.". There were extensive manufactories for cotton and woollen goods, paper, and machinery; works for printing calico, and an establishment for smelting iron-ore, which abounded in the south-west part of the parish, and had the advantage of large collieries in the neighbourhood. The picture in 1849 was similar though the spinning of cotton was specifically mentioned, as were the working of collieries and the quarrying of stone.

In Godley, in 1831, the manufacture of cotton was principally carried on by hand-loom weaving, and there was some manufacture of hats. That had not changed 18 years later.

At the beginning of the century, Hollingworth was an agricultural district with few inhabitants. By 1831 there were extensive manufactories for cotton goods, paper, and machinery, also for the printing of calico, and a foundry for smelting metals (described as a brass and iron foundry in 1849).

The major sources of employment in Newton, both in 1831 and 1849, were the manufacture of cotton and hats, and the printing of calico. Other industries mentioned in 1831 were stone quarrying, salt, coal, and iron works; a large furnace had lately been erected for smelting iron ore.

In 1831, most of the population of Tintwistle were employed in the manufacture of cotton and woollen goods, and at stone quarries. In 1849 we are also told that Messrs, John and Robert-Hyde Buckley had a cotton-mill for spinning and weaving, employing 300 hands.

Religion

Both editions of the dictionary mention that the living at Mottram (St Michael's) comprised a rectory and a vicarage, rated in the king's books at £32. 3s. 9d.. In 1831 we are told that the former was an impropriation belonging to the Bishop of Chester, the latter endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Bishop. In 1849 the net income was £219 and the patron & appropriator was the Bishop of Chester. In both 1831 and 1849 there were also places of worship for Independents, and the Wesleyan Methodists.

Godley, and part of Newton, were formed into a church district in 1847, the living being in the gift of the Crown and the Bishop of Chester alternately.

There is no mention of religion in Newton in 1831. In 1849, the living was a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Vicar of Mottram; income, £150, with a house. The church, St. Mary's, was built in 1839, at a cost of £2500, and was in the Norman style. The Wesleyan Methodists had a place of worship.

The living at Stayley, in 1849, was also a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Bishop of Chester and three other Trustees; net income £180. The church of St. Paul had cost £4000 and several cottages had been built as an endowment for the organist.

In 1831, Tintwistle had a place of worship for Calvinistic Methodists. Christ Church was erected in 1837, at a cost of £3000. The living was a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Trustees; income, £150. By 1849 there was also a place of worship for Independents in addition to that of the Calvinistic Methodists.

Religion in Woodhead had not even rated a mention in 1831, despite the fact that it had a chapel of long standing. In 1849, when it was described as a chapelry, and a division of the township of Tintwistle we are told that the chapel was "founded by Sir Edmund Shaa, lord mayor of London at the time of Richard III's usurpation". The living was a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of John Tollemache, Esq., M.P, for South Cheshire, who was owner of the entire division: the incumbent had an endowment of £100 per annum, with a house purchased in 1844 for £400, partly granted from Queen Anne's Bounty, and partly raised by subscription. There was also a place of worship for Calvinistic Methodists.

Education

A free grammar school had been founded, in Mottram, in 1612. According to the 1831 dictionary the founder was Robert Garside, and it was endowed with about £53 per annum. The 1849 dictionary credits Robert Garsett and Sir Richard Wilbraham, continuing by saying that the school was endowed with land, the proceeds of which, with other benefactions, amounted to £65 per annum. In 1831 there was also a parochial school, in which about four hundred children were taught, a small subscription library and a school attached to the Methodist chapel. There is no mention of the Methodist school in 1849 but it is stated that John Chapman, Esq., in 1845, gave a library of 400 volumes for the use of the town.

There is no mention of education in Newton in 1831 but in 1849 there was a national school, at which time Stayley had "a good school".