hˈɑːɹtfɚd wʌz fˈɔːɹmɚli ɐ tˈaʊnʃɪp dᵻvˈaɪdᵻd bᵻtwˌiːn tˈuː ˈeɪntʃənt pˈæɹɪʃᵻz, wɪððə ɡɹˈeɪɾɚ pˈɑːɹt bᵻlˈɔŋɪŋ tə wˈɪʔn̩ tʃˈeɪplɹi ʌv ɡɹˈeɪt bˈʌdwɜːθ ˈeɪntʃənt pˈæɹɪʃ, ænd ɐ mˈʌtʃ smˈɔːlɚ pˈɑːɹt ɪn wˈiːvɚɹˌæm kˈʌm mˈɪltən ˈeɪntʃənt pˈæɹɪʃ.
Hartford was formerly a township divided between two ancient parishes, with the greater part belonging to Witton chapelry of Great Budworth ancient parish, and a much smaller part in Weaverham cum Milton ancient parish.