Pigots Directory 1828

Great Harwood, a chapelry, in the parish of Blackburn, four miles and a half north-east of that town, is a very ancient manor, given in the 12th century to Richard de Felton, and afterwards devolved in marriage to the Heskeths, the Leighs, and the Nowells. The chapel of ease here was founded in the 14th century; the present minister is the Rev. Robert Dobson. The manufacture of cotton has made its appearance here, at present, however, it is but circumscribed in its operation. The population of the chapelry, in 1821, consisted of 2104 persons.