The village appears in Domesday Book as "Lege"; there were only five households and the manor was held by William FitzNigel of Halton.

Originally in the parish of Great Budworth, an ancient chapel of ease in Little Leigh was fully rebuilt in 1712 and was described as "a mean building of brick, standing defenceless in the highway".

The salary for a schoolmaster had been paid from a bequest since 1728; classes were held in the west end of the chapel until a National School was built in 1840.

It contains a plaque commemorating an early minister, the Reverend Thomas Fownes Smith (1802–1866), who is said to have been the inspiration for the well known folk song "The Farmer's Boy".

[2] Below are transcripts of documents found in Northwich Library: The township of Little-Legh was held by William Fitz-Nigell baron of Halton in the time of the Conqueror, as appears by Doomsday-book.

A School has always been held in the Chapel, but the Master's Salary, which arises from interest of money left by a person unknown [actually Ralph Horton's will of 1728 – see below.

A board is displayed inside St Michael's & All Angels, on the south wall near the door, with the details of this will.LEIGH, (LITTLE) or LEIGH-JUXTA-BARTINGTON, is a chapelry township and pleasant village, 3 ¼ miles North West by West from Northwich, and 8 miles South from Warrington.

The village is pleasantly situated on high ground, commanding extensive views of the surrounding country.

About the reign of King John, Simon Fitz-Osborne purchased the manor, which was subsequently granted, with other estates, to Hugh Dutton and his heirs, paying annually two silver marks at the festival of St. Martin.

This sum was in the hands of Edward Barker, when the Charity Commissioners published their Report, but owing to some remissness on the part of the parish in claiming it of his executors after his death, no interest was paid for several years.

John Dones charged his estate in Hedge Lane, in the township of Weaverham, with the annual payment of 16s.

No payment has been made for some time, but on representation of the case to the owner of the estate, he undertook to pay the money for the future.The township is situated on high ground on the north bank of the Weever, about three miles north-west from Northwich.

[Preparations are now being made by the present incumbent, the Rev George Willett, for the erection of a church, the corner stone of which has been recently laid.

It is replicated on a board in St Michael's & All Angels, and a copy exists at Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives in Stratford upon Avon.

Condition of bequest is that Wrench pay £400 in bequests, made up from £100 given by Sir Robert Cotton, Bart, for a minister at Little Leigh: £100 subscription now collecting to qualify for Queen Anne's Bounty of £200: Bequests £200 to brother John Horton, £20 at interest which to be paid to grammar school master at Little Leigh: £20 to Tailors guild: £20 to poor of Great Budworth, £10 to Ester Worral; £10 to Randle Pierson: £10 at interest to be paid to poor of Little Leigh not in receipt of any other relief: £10 to poor of Barnton: £100 at interest for preaching minister at Little Leigh.

Inhabitants entered caveat at Chester but Mr. Jeffs (the other appete) has broken into chapel but refuses to reside or serve.

Ric Jones (present minister) by vicar of Great Budworth: sale of trust lands by Jones to Trent and Mersey Canal Company, Requesting intervention of Bishop.The following are transcripts from records at the Shakespeare Birthplace trust, available on www.a2a.org.uk.

Previously there was a chapel in the grounds of the existing churchyard, sited to the western end, near the small pedestrian gate.

Mr Newman, curate of Little Leigh: Is willing to contribute to repairs to present building but does not support enlargement to accommodate people of Barnton.