Chorley

In 1231 Chorley was known as ‘Chearlec’’ (clearing of the freemen or peasants) [The Oxford Names Companion]

Lichfield Union also included the parishes and townships of Alrewas, Armitage-with-Handsacre, King's Bromley, Colton, Elford, Farewell-and-Chorley, Fradswell, Longdon, Ogley-Hay, Orgreave, Pipe-Ridware, Hamstall-Ridware, Mavesyn-Ridware, Rugeley, Swinfen-and-Packington, Shenstone, Weeford, Whittington, and Yoxall. The Union had an area of 94 square miles, and 24,127 inhabitants in 1841. The Union workhouse stood on Burton Road, Lichfield, and was a large building in the Elizabethan style, erected in 1841, with room for about 200 paupers.

"Farewell and Chorley, are two picturesque hamlets, within a mile of each other, and forming a parish of 179 inhabitants, and about 470 acres of land, lying on the eastern side of Cannock Chase, from two to three miles NW of Lichfield. The Marquis of Anglesey is the principal owner, and lord of the manor. Chorley Hall, an ancient mansion on the western side of the parish, was taken down some years ago, and its site is now occupied by a farm house. John Foster, and James and Joel Smith, Esqs. have estates here, and the latter has a pleasant seat, called Chorley Place." [History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire, William White, Sheffield, 1851]

Chorley (or Charley) a hamlet, in the parish of Farewell, union of Lichfield, S. division of the hundred of Offlow and the county of Stafford, 4 miles (W. by N.) from Lichfield; containing 158 inhabitants. It lies on the eastern side of Cannock Chase, and west of the village of Farewell. Charley Hall is an ancient mansion. [Samuel Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of England 1859]

Are you related John Arnott born in Farewell in 1765? His descendants lived in Chorley and Farewell for many years. You might find yourself on his family tree

The University of Leicester website gives on-line access to the Chorley section of White's History Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire 1851