History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Shropshire [1851] (part 6 of 7)

History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Shropshire [1851] (part 6 of 7)

Bromley John, farmer, Bomere

Bromley William, farmer, Boreton

Brwyne Richard, wheelwright, Ryton

Carter John, rope maker, Lyth

Cloud John, maltster, Ryton

Crowe Mr. Henry, The Syche, Ryton

Davies John, wheelwright and beerseller, Bayston

Deakin Benjamin, grocer, Condover

Downes Edward, farmer, Weathall

Edmonds Edward, farmer, Lyth

Edmonds Thomas, farmer, Chatford

Edmonds Thomas, farmer, Lyth

Everall Miss Martha, Condover

Ferriday William, farmer, Condover

Frank Thomas, farmer, The Grange

Gittings Thomas, shopkeeper, Bayston

Goff Harriett, farmer, Chatford

Goff John, farmer, Westley

Gough Thomas, shoemaker, Condover

Hampton George, farmer, The Grove, Condover

Hampton Thomas, farmer, Condover

Hancocks Richard, bricklayer, Condover

Harden Rev. J. W., vicar, Condover

Hartshorn John, tin plate worker, Bayston

Heighway Mr. William, Ryton

Hickman Thomas, farmer, Ryton

Hotchkiss John, farmer, Condover

Hotchkiss Richard, farmer, Condover

Holden William, farmer, Bayston

Howells John, blacksmith, Bayston

Hughes Thomas, farmer, Ryton

Humphreys Mrs. Elizabeth, Condover

Hussey Richard, tailor, Condover

Jones George, maltster and shoemaker, Bayston

Jones Richard, farmer, Lyth

Jones William W., farmer, Wheathall

Jones William, schoolmaster, Condover

Loxdale John, Esq., solicitor, Lyth

Lucas John, farm bailiff, Ryton

Mansell Elizabeth, vict., Three Fishes, Condover

Meire Joseph, farmer, Norton

Millington Richard, surgeon, Ryton Fields

Millman Thomas, blacksmith, Condover

Morgan Thomas, farmer, Westley

Owen Edward William Smythe, Esq., Condover Hall

Olliver John, farmer, Bayston

Pincher Richard, wheelwright, Bayston

Probert Samuel, grocer, Wheathall

Roberts Thomas, farmer, Condover

Rogers Richard, butcher, Condover

Russell Mr. William, Ryton

Stewart Robert, Esq., Ryton Grove

Thomas Mrs. Ann, Condover

Thomas John, farmer, Ryton

Thomas William, saddler, Condover

Watters Miss Jane, Condover

Wilcox Philip, gentleman, Condover

Williams John, parish clerk, Condover

Wood Benjamin, vict., Condover Arms

Wood Richard, farmer, Pigeon Door

Wycherley George, painter & glazier, Bayston

DORRINGTON

is a township and improving village in the parish of Condover, six and a half miles N. from Church Stretton, and seven miles S. from Shrewsbury, having in 1841 66 houses and 328 inhabitants. It is expected a railway station will be formed at Dorrington, on the Shrewsbury and Hereford line of railway, now in course of formation, which will no doubt add greatly to the importance of the place. A new District Church has been erected at Dorrington; it exhibits the early English style of architecture, and contains about 300 sittings, the greater part of which are free. Its simple and unassuming exterior harmonises well with the retired and pastoral character of the surrounding country, and forms a very picturesque object from every point of view. It is built of free stone, and consists of nave, chancel, and transepts, with a tower surmounted with pinnacles. The interior decorations are neat and appropriate, and it has a groined roof; a vestry has since been added. The church was built by John Thomas Hope, Esq., at an expense of £3,000, and endowed with the sum of £3,800 by the same individual. An elegant and spacious parsonage house, commanding a beautiful and extensive view of the Lawley, Caradoc, and Longmynd hills, has since been erected by the munificence of the same respected gentleman, at a cost of £1,800. The living is a perpetual curacy enjoyed by the Rev. George Masters, M.A. The district embraces 545 acres. Convenient schools have also been erected in the village. Edward W. Smythe Owen, Esq., is lord of the manor. John Thomas Hope, Esq., and Mr. George Heyward, are the principal landowners. The Independents have a small chapel in the village; the congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Beynon.

Beynon Rev. J. (Independent)

Bromley Thomas, farmer

Cavill John, nurseryman and seedsman

Clayton Francis, maltster

Cloud Samuel, schoolmaster

Crumpton Jonathan, brazier and tin plate worker

Evans Eleanor, agricultural implement maker

Evason Thomas, butcher

Farmer Thomas, maltster and vict., Grey Hound Inn

Farr James, cooper

Heighway Philip, saddler & harness maker

Heighway Thomas, vict., Cock Inn

Heyward George, farmer, Walford House

Hope John Thomas, Esq., Netley Hall

Hughes Thomas, plumber and glazier

Jones John, tailor

Jones Mr. Thomas

Jones Mrs. Mary

Maddox John, farmer

Masters Rev. George, M.A., Parsonage

Morgan John, draper and grocer

Pugh Thomas, blacksmith

Shakeshaft Mr. Edward

Snaxton Edward, maltster

Taylor Thomas, beerhouse keeper

Tedstone Richard, boot and shoemaker

Turner Edward, vict., Horse Shoe Inn

COUND

is a parish and small village delightfully situated six miles S.S.E. from Shrewsbury, and six miles N.W. from Much Wenlock. The township contains 1,406 acres of land, and in 1841 had 107 houses and 511 inhabitants. Rateable value, £2,006. Mrs. Thursby is the principal landowner and lady of the manor. The church is an ancient structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a tower, in which is a peal of bells. It contains several monuments, one of which remembers Edward Cressett, D.D., bishop of Llandaff, who died February 13th, 1755. The pulpit exhibits an elaborate specimen of oak carving. The living is a rectory with the chapelry of Cressage annexed, valued in the king’s book at £33, now returned at £906. The patronage is vested in Mrs. Thursby; incumbent, Rev. Henry Thursby, M.A.

HARNAGE is a scattered village containing some respectable residences, one and a half miles S.E. from Cound: the township contains 1,642 acres of land, the principal owner of which is John Thomas Smytheman Edwards, Esq.; the population returns are included in Cound. Rateable value, £1,854. 6s.

GOLDING is an estate of 385 acres, the property of the Earl of Liverpool. It is rated as a separate township in the parish books at £441. There was however no distinct return of it as a separate township at the census of 1841.

CHARITIES.—Thomas Langley, in 1694, left a rent charge of £2. 10s. per annum for a distribution of bread every Sunday in the year except two, “for which two Sundays better provision was made.” Thomas Bishop, in 1768, bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens of Cound £20, the interest to be given in penny loaves to the churchwardens on Sunday mornings. A further sum of £60, supposed to have been left by a person of the name of Sicke, for the benefit of the poor of the parish, with the above £20, was laid out in the purchase of £102. 4s. 9d. stock, three per cent consols. Mr. Dodd, in 1774, left £20, the interest to be distributed in bread to the poor. There is a sum of £100, three per cent consols, standing in the name of John Dodson Esq., which was purchased with £50, a legacy left by Richard Dutton, to poor housekeepers, and £10. 2s. 6d. added by John Dodson Esq.; of the dividends 30s. are distributed in Cressage and an equal amount among the poor of Cound. Richard Cheese, in 1808, bequeathed £50 in trust, and directed the interest to be distributed in bread to the poor on Christmas day. This bequest was subsequently invested in the purchase of £65. 18s., three per cent consols.

Marked 1 reside at Cound, 2 Harnage.

1 Thursby Mrs. Frances, The Hall

1 Thursby Rev. Henry, M.A., rector

1 Bowen Edward, schoolmst

2 Brazener Miss Ann

1 Burd Rev. George

2 Clayton Martha, farmer

2 Clayton William, farmer

2 Corbett Rev. Robert, curate

2 Cuckson John, vict., Fox Inn

1 Farmer Mr. Joseph

2 Granger Edward, farmer

Hill Richard, farmer, Golding Hall

2 Horton Thomas, farmer

1 Linell, George, farmer

1 Meire Thomas L., farmer

2 Norris John, farmer, Mosterley

1 Price John, farmer

1 Price Richard, farmer

1 Richards John, farmer

2 Woodcock Richard, farmer

CRESSAGE

is a chapelry in the parish of Cound, four miles N.W. from Much Wenlock, and eight miles S.E. from Shrewsbury. The village is delightfully situated near the Severn, in a fertile district, beautifully diversified with picturesque scenery. The township contains 1,900 acres of land, the gross estimated rental of which is £2,393. 12s. 3d. Rateable value, £1,995. 19s. 4d. At the census in 1841 here were 63 houses and 297 inhabitants. The principal landowners are the Duke of Cleveland, Sir George Harnage, Bart., and William Morris, Esq. Cressage is supposed to have derived its name from a venerable oak of gigantic proportions which stands near the village. Some time ago a fire was kindled in the hollow of the tree, by which it was greatly injured and nearly destroyed; it is supported by iron cramps, and there is now flourishing in the midst of the tree a young oak, raised from an acorn of the old tree. It was formerly called Christ’s Ache, Ache being the Saxon word for oak, and eventually became corrupted to Cressage. The shade of spreading trees we often find were chosen by the early missionaries as preaching places for the propagation of the Christian faith. Hence we have Bishop’s Oak, Postle’s Oak, and at Cressage, Christ’s Oak. THE CHAPEL OF EASE is a small unadorned structure, subordinate to the church of Cound. It was built in 1841 at a cost of £1,400, and contains 260 sittings. The funds were raised by voluntary subscriptions and grants from the government and diocesan church building societies. The original structure was situated in a meadow a short distance from the village, and from its dampness and dilapidated condition was totally unfit for divine worship. The Rev. George Burd is the curate.

This village is celebrated as the birth place of Thomas Lodge, who settled in London as a grocer, accumulated great wealth, and rose to the civic honour of Lord Mayor of London in the year 1562. BALSWARDYNE HALL is a handsome mansion, the seat and property of Sir George Harnage, Bart.; the estate comprises 750 acres, and is partly in this chapelry, and also extends into the liberties of Wenlock, Leighton, and Harley. It was purchased by the ancestor of the present proprietor in the year 1541. By indenture bearing date January 13th, 1672, it was agreed on the part of the churchwardens and overseers of the parish of Cound, that 20s. yearly should be paid to the churchwardens and overseers of Cressage, as their proportion of the yearly produce of a legacy therein stated to have been left for the benefit of the poor, by the will of Dame Ann Eldred in the year 1671. Nothing appears to be known of this charity either in the parish of Cound, or in the chapelry of Cressage.

Harnage Sir George, Bart., Balswardyne

Brazier William, shopkeeper

Brookes Andrew G., surgeon

Carrington Margaret, vict., Crown Inn

Cross Decima, farmer

Dodson George, farmer

Dorricutt William, tailor, and post office

Edwards John, farmer, The Buildings

Hudson Edward, farmer

James William, joiner and shopkeeper

Langley Mr. Samuel

Lewis William, farmer

Mullard Edward, blacksmith

Mullard Michael, blacksmith and shopkeeper

Pinkey Joseph, farmer

Rogers Thomas, shoemaker

Studley Edward, Esq.

Tudor Joseph, butcher

Wild Sarah, vict., Eagle Inn

Williams Robert, saddler and harness maker

CHURCH PREEN,

sometimes called Preen Church, is a parish and small rural village five miles W. by S. from Much Wenlock. The parish contains 1,026 acres of land, the principal owners of which are F. T. Webster, Esq., and the Rev. Samuel Minton. In the year 1801 here were 84 inhabitants; 1831, 75, and in 1841, 17 houses and 101 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,026. 18s. 6d. Here was formerly a small cell of cluniac monks, subordinate to the priory of Wenlock. “In the 29th of Edward I., the cell of Preene was holden of the lords of Holgod, and that on a vacancy the lords of that castle had the custody of the same, and the prior of Wenlock in such a vacancy presented the custodes to the lords of Holgod, who being so presented received the temporalities.” THE CHURCH is remarkable for its length, and the chancel, which belongs to the lay impropriators, occupies more than half the space. It is situated close to the hall, and indeed the walls are so incorporated as to form a part of the mansion. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of F. T. Webster, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Robert Armitage. No tithe or rent charge is paid to the perpetual curate, but a small modus is due from the landowners, and the living is also endowed with £800 royal bounty, and £200 parliamentary grant. THE MANOR HOUSE or HALL, an ancient mansion, originally formed part of the cell above noticed, is now the residence and property of Frederick T. Webster, Esq. The main portion of the land in this parish lies upon a sunny slope, the high grounds of which command some extensive and beautiful prospects. It is generally thought that coal abounds beneath the soil in this parish.

DIRECTORY.—Frederick T. Webster, Esq., The Hall. Farmers, John Aslop, John Dixon, John Everall Newhouse, and Edward Madeley.

CHURCH PULVERBATCH,

usually called CHURTON, is a parish and small rural village 7½ miles S.S.W. from Shrewsbury, and about half a mile from the turnpike road leading from Bishop’s Castle to the former town. The village is delightfully situated, and commands a most extensive and beautiful prospect over thousand of acres of land, with a fine undulating surface teeming with fruitfulness; the majestic Wrekin, Caradoc, and the Lawley are seen in the distance, and give an additional charm to the scene. The parish contains the townships of Church Pulverbatch or Churton, Castle Pulverbatch, Cothercott, Wilderley, and Wrentnall. In 1801 here were 439 inhabitants; 1831, 557, and in 1841, 543. Acres, 3,583. Pulverbatch was formerly a place of some consequence, and had a weekly market. We find Philip Marmyn in the 38th of Henry III. obtained a charter for a market to be held on a Monday, and a fair on the eve, the day, and the morrow of St. Edith. An annual fair is still held on September 27th, but the market has long been obsolete. A short distance south from the village formerly stood a castle, the site of which may still be traced. In the 6th of King John, William de Cantilupe was governor of this castle. It was afterwards the seat of the Botelers, and was a place of great strength. The escheat roll of the 6th of Henry VI., makes mention of a free chapel belonging to the castle, in the patronage of Edward le Botiler. THE CHURCH is an ancient structure dedicated to St. Edith. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £10. 13s. 4d., now returned at £566 in the patronage of Lord Kenyon; incumbent, Rev. George C. Guise. The township of Churton or Church Pulverbatch at the census in 1841 contained twenty houses and ninety inhabitants. The Hon. H. W. Powis is the principal landowner and lord of the manor.

CHARITIES.—The poor of this parish have 20s. yearly from Henry Brickdale’s charity, noticed with Condover. It appears the poor of this parish are entitled to receive 6s. more in respect of this charity, the division at present made between this parish and Condover not being according to the directions of the donor. Ann Jaundrell, in 1777, left by will £20, the interest to be expended in bread for the poor. This gift was subsequently laid out in pewing the church, and a yearly sum of 20s. is paid by the parish as the interest thereof. The bread is distributed on St. Thomas’s-day. James Perkins, by his will, bearing date 11th July, 1790, charged his tenement and farm at Marton, in the parish of Chirbury, with the payment of £1. 6s. per annum to the minister for the time being of Church Pulverbatch, in trust, to lay out the same in the purchase of bread to be distributed every Sunday to six decayed widows, who should attend divine service at the church. There is a distribution of bread every alternate Sunday, with this gift and Brickdale’s charity, among the most necessitous poor. Richard Perkins, who died in 1798, left £1. 6s., charged upon his estate at Church Pulverbatch, to be distributed to the poor on New Year’s-day. The 26s. is annually expended in bread and given on the above day among the most deserving poor.

Bowen George, schoolmaster

Bradley John, shoemaker

Gittins Abraham, saddler

Gittins Richard, farmer

Guise Rev. George Clifford, The Rectory

Madewell Rev. Mr.

Oakley John, farmer

Rowson Orlando, butcher

Tibbey Richard, farmer

Woodcock Samuel, farmer and maltster

CASTLE PULVERBATCH

is a small village and township in the parish of Church Pulverbatch, pleasantly situated on the high road from Shrewsbury to Bishop’s Castle, nine miles S.S.W. from the former place, and eleven miles N.E. from the latter. The township contains 994 acres of land, and in 1841 here were 36 houses and 154 inhabitants. Rateable value, £912. 12s. 10d.

DIRECTORY.—Thomas Bromley, farmer; John Brunt, farmer and vict., White Horse Inn; John Clare, vict., Woodcock Inn; The Misses Gilpin; Thomas Jordan, shoemaker; Humphrey Roberts, blacksmith; John Savage, maltster.

COTHERCUTT

is a township with a few scattered houses, delightfully situated in a hilly district, commanding pleasing views of the surrounding country; the air is peculiarly dry and salubrious, and the situation is one of a retired and pastoral character. Not far from here is Stiperstone Hill, which rises an immense height, and is seen at a considerable distance. Upon this hill are several great heaps of stones, close together, called by the Britons Carneddan tewion. It is uncertain whether these were some of those alluded to by Giraldus Cambrensis in these words, “The last Harold on foot with a company of foot soldiers lightly armed, and furnished with such provisions as the country produced for them, went over all Wales, and made his way through it in so brave a manner that he left very few alive. In token and perpetual memory of this victory, you will find in Wales many heaps of stones, according to the ancient custom of the places where he gained an advantage, with these letters inscribed on them:—‘Hic fuit victor Haraldus; Here Harold was victorious.’” Cothercutt is situated eleven miles S.W. from Shrewsbury, and the township contains 560 acres of land. In 1841 here were six houses and 33 inhabitants.

The resident farmers are David Clayton, John Smith, and William Woodcock.

WILDERLEY

township lies about a mile from Church Pulverbatch, and ten miles S.W. from Shrewsbury. It contains 671 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £659. 1s. 4d. In 1841 here were 11 houses and 71 inhabitants.

The principal residents are the following farmers, viz., James Ambler, Richard Dovaston, Joshua Roderick, and Thomas Jarratt.

WRENTNALL,

a township with 927 acres of land, is situated about a mile N.W. from Church Pulverbatch; the scenery around is beautifully picturesque, and the situation one of quiet retirement. In 1841 here were 38 houses and 195 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,195. 8s. The Baptists have a small place of worship in the village. James Freme, Esq., is the principal landowner in this township, and resides at an elegant mansion most delightfully situated on elevated ground, commanding views of great diversity and beauty.

The principal residents are James Freme, Esq.; John Breese, farmer; and Benjamin Burgwin, farmer.

FRODESLEY

is a parish and village, eight miles south-east from Shrewsbury, containing 2,188 acres of land, and in 1841 had 39 houses and 214 inhabitants: population in 1801, 158; in 1831, 186. Rateable value, £2,322. 7s. 6d. This parish is bounded on the south by one of the Frodesley hills, which form a connecting link between the Caradoc, Lawley, and the Wrekin. Though it possesses little to recommend it to the notice of the antiquarian, it is a parish of ancient date, being mentioned in the Doomsday Survey as held by one Siward, a freeman; the manor is subsequently inserted among the fees of Philip Burnel. The principal landowners are Sir E. J. Smythe, Bart., and Panton Corbet, Esq. The Roman Watling street runs for about two miles through this parish, in a line with the present turnpike road from Atcham to Church Stretton. The Hall is an ancient structure in the Elizabethan style, of rough stone, with dressed quoins and mullions. It was formerly the residence of Colonel Scriven, a staunch adherent to King Charles I. THE LODGE is of a later date, partaking somewhat of the same style as the hall, and was formerly surrounded by a well-wooded and picturesque park. About the year 1780 it was inhabited by Godolphin Edwardes, Esq., then the possessor of the greater part of Frodesley. THE CHURCH dedicated to St. Mark, a plain structure, was rebuilt in 1809. The interior is neat, and the chancel was recently entirely refitted and decorated with much taste by the present incumbent. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 14s., now returned at £392, in the patronage of the Rev. T. L. Gleadowe, M.A., the present rector. The rectory is a commodious house delightfully situated and surrounded with shrubberies and pleasure grounds tastefully laid out. Major Herbert Edwardes, C.B., was born at the rectory, whose father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were severally rectors of Frodesley. A few years ago a coal mine was worked for a short period, but the bed of coal being very thin and of an inferior quality it was closed.

CHARITIES.—There is in the parish of Frodesley a slip of land containing about one acre, formerly a part of the waste which is supposed to have been given for the use of the poor by Godolphen Edwardes, Esq., who was lord of the manor. Thomas Scriven left £5 for the benefit of the poor. This sum was expended in the reparations of the church some time ago, and the churchwardens pay 5s. yearly as the interest. The Rev. Francis Edwardes, rector of Frodesley, who died in the year 1767, left £20 for the benefit of the poor. These gifts are distributed by the rector among the most necessitous parishioners.

DIRECTORY.—Rev. Peter Downward, Longnor Green; Rev. Thomas L. Gleadowe, M.A., The Rectory. Farmers: Thomas Brereton, Frodesley Park; Richard Deakin, Edward Francis, Richard Hotchkiss, William Ison, and brick, tile, and draining pipe maker; William Jones, William Keight, The Lodge; Edmund Meredith, Frodesley Farm; and John Morgan.

HARLEY

is a parish and village, two miles north-west from Much Wenlock, and ten miles south-east from Shrewsbury, containing 1,955 acres of fertile land, the most considerable owner of which is the Duke of Cleveland, who is also lord of the manor. Sir W. W. Wynne, Bart., Samuel Meire, Esq., and Francis Oakes, Esq., are also proprietors. The soil is various, and wheat is grown here to a large extent. There are several plots of land of different dimensions in the vicinity of Harley that are in the parish of Wenlock, although surrounded by land in the parish of Harley. The parish in 1801 contained 221 inhabitants; 1831, 257; and in 1841, 219; at which time there were 47 houses. Rateable value, £1,828. 8s. 4d.; gross estimated rental, £2,070. 8s. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, has a handsome tower in the perpendicular style of architecture, the nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1846 by subscriptions, the greater part of which was contributed by the Duke of Cleveland, and the present incumbent. The interior has a neat and chaste appearance, and the east and west windows are beautified with stained glass, the gift of the late Rev. R. Scott, B.D. The living is a rectory in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, valued in the king’s book at £5. 12s. 1d., now returned at £290.; incumbent, Rev. John Gibbons, M.A. The pious and celebrated Benjamin Jenks held the rectory of Harley for 56 years; he was author of “Prayers and Devotions for Families,” a work at one time very popular. A neat monument has been erected to his memory in the chancel, he died in 1734, aged seventy-eight years. There is a monumental stone slab with brass ornaments and an inscription in the old English characters in the vestry, which was formerly placed over a vault in the church. The Rectory is a commodious residence pleasantly situated near the church, which from the east commands a picturesque view of Wenlock Edge, the beauty of which is much increased by an elegant pyramidal monument in the church yard. There are 46 acres of glebe land, 36 acres of which are situated contiguous to the rectory. Harley was the birth place of Silas Domville, one of the parliamentary committee in the time of the great rebellion. He was a lover of antiquities, and had some curious manuscripts.

Richard Corfield, by will 1715, gave to the poor of the parish of Harley the sum of £20, the interest to be distributed on St. Andrew’s day. This legacy when the charity commissioners published their report, was in the hands of Richard Woofe, who paid interest at the rate of four per cent.

Adney G., farmer & maltster

Bailey Adam, maltster

Bailey Thomas, farmer

Cartwright Mary, farmer

Cartwright Richard, farmer

Casewell William, shoemakr

Davies Richard, farmer and corn miller

Gibbons Rev. John, M.A., The Rectory

Gwinn William, wheelwright

Langford Richard, victualler, Unicorn Inn

Macham William, corn miller

Maddox John, farmer

Meire Samuel, farmer, Castle hill

Partridge Mr. Thomas, Harley Tower

Roberts Robert, blacksmith

Runners Thomas, farmer, Blakeway

Worrall Wm., farmer, Cressage

KENLEY

is a small parish and village with a scattered population four miles W. from Much Wenlock, which in 1801 contained 300 inhabitants; 1831, 281, and in 1841 there were 62 houses and a population of 294 souls. The parish comprises 1,794 acres of land, some of it tolerably good and others of an indifferent quality. Gross estimated rental, £1,305. 4s. Rateable value, £992. 1s. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor, and owner of the whole parish. The tithes are commuted for the sum of £170. The church is an ancient structure, much dilapidated. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, and deanery of Salop, returned at £131 in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, and incumbency of the Rev. H. R. Slade.

DIRECTORY.—Farmers, Ann Bailey, Thomas Bailey, Richard Bishop, Elizabeth Blakeway, Thomas Bryan, Richard Crowther, Thomas Evans, Thomas Hall, Henry Hamlet, Thomas Jarvis, and Edward Pattin; John Jarratt, blacksmith

LEEBOTWOOD,

a small parish and village on the road from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury, four miles N.N.E. from the former place, contains 1,294 acres of land, and in 1801 had 81 inhabitants; 1831, 223, and in 1841, 39 houses and 214 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,574. 18s. Panton Corbett, Esq., and W. Whitmore, Esq., are the landowners. The industrious poor of this locality find employment in the coal works, and the manufacture of bricks, which is carried forward in this parish. The church is an unadorned structure of considerable antiquity, dedicated to St. Mary, and consists of nave and chancel, with a small tower. The view from the church-yard is beautiful and extensive, including the celebrated Caer Caradoc hill. The living is a perpetual curacy, with the chapel of Longnor annexed, endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £600 royal bounty. The living is valued in the king’s book at £8. 1s., now returned at £135 in the patronage of Panton Corbett, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Waties Corbett, M.A. The tithes were commuted in 1839 for £104. 9s. 8d. The poor of this parish are entitled to participate the benefits of the charities of Sir Richard Corbett, which will be found noticed with Longnor parish.

DIRECTORY.—John Dickins, blacksmith; William Dodd, vict., The Pound Inn; Thomas Everall, farmer, The Park; William Heighway, farmer; Mary Lee, farmer; Richard Preen, shopkeeper; James Smith, coal master, and brick, tile, and draining pipe manufacturer; Thomas Wigley, carpenter.

LONGNOR

is a parish and small rural village in a well wooded and fertile country, the prospects of which are enlivened by rich pastoral landscape, rendered more delightful by its contrast with the majestic Carodoc and other hills. The village lies on the road from Shrewsbury to Ludlow, eight miles S. from the former place, and five miles N.N.E. from Church Stretton. The parish contains 790 acres of land, which is chiefly the property of Panton Corbett, Esq., who is also lord of the manor, and resides at Longnor Hall, a handsome brick mansion, built in the year 1670, by Sir Richard Corbett; the situation commands several fine views, and the pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out. The population of Longnor in 1801 was 177; in 1831, 244, and in 1841 there were 53 houses and 243 inhabitants. The church is a small structure situated in the park, with lancet windows, exhibiting the style of architecture prevalent during the 12th century. It was formerly a free chapel belonging to the abbey of Haughmond. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of Panton Corbett, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Waties Corbett, chancellor of Hereford.

Sir Richard Corbett, by his will, dated 19th of November, 1764, devised for a term of 900 years, all his lands and tenements, on trust, among other things by sale or mortgage, to raise £100, and lay out the same on government or other security, and dispose of the interest yearly among the necessitous poor of Longnor. And upon further trust to raise in the same manner £700, and to apply of the interest yearly on the 24th of April £12 yearly among three industrious young or decayed tradesmen, actual housekeepers and shopkeepers, carrying on business and residing in the county of Salop, in equal shares, such persons to be appointed by the owner of the testator’s capital mansion at Longnor, and the residue to be disposed of yearly in clothing six poor boys and six poor girls of Longnor, Cardington, Leebotwood, and Frodesley. The testator also gave the further sum of £200, the interest to be disposed of in the instruction of poor children in the township of Longnor; and also such poor children of the tenants as should he thought proper objects in the parishes of Leebotwood, Cardington, and Frodesley. All the above legacies remain charged upon the estates of the testator, now in the possession of Panton Corbett, Esq., who pays the yearly interest, for the objects specified in the testator’s will.

George Corbett, by will, dated 5th of December, 1664, bequeathed £50, and directed the interest to be applied in clothing two poor persons. In a memorandum containing an account of the legacies and public money belonging to Longnor, the above legacy and the following gifts are noticed, viz.:—£2 given by a maiden relation of William Longford; Humphrey Corbett £3; Francis Walker £5; Mrs. Anne Corbett £20; Miss Elizabeth Corbett £10. It is understood that these sums are in the hands of the owner of the estate at Longnor, and that instead of paying interest yearly in respect thereof, four or five poor persons of the parish are permitted to occupy certain cottages rent free. The five cottages now occupied in this manner are valued at £13. 10s. per annum. The poor have also a yearly sum of 10s., bequeathed by Edward Bayley.

Corbett Panton, Esq., Longnor Hall

Corbett Rev. Waties, Longnor Bank

Carter Thomas, builder

Dayus Samuel, farmer, maltster, & veterinary surgeon

Edwards John, shoemaker

Everall Charles, shopkeeper

Everall Richard, farmer

Heighway Thomas, farmer

Hamilton Mrs.

Pugh Thomas, blacksmith

Scott Richard, farmer

Thomas Edward, corn miller

Wigley Richard, butcher

Wigley William, wheelwright

Wilcox Thomas, farmer

MEOLE BRACE

is a populous and delightful village situated about a mile S. from Shrewsbury, and indeed may be considered a suburb to that town, as there is a continuation of pleasing villas and good residences, occupied by gentlemen and tradesmen, who have by the exertions of honest industry acquired a tolerable share of the conveniences and comforts of this life, scattered on the road from Shrewsbury to the church at Meole. The best situation for viewing this pleasing village is perhaps on the bank, just on crossing the bridge. In the front is the little bridge thrown over the Rea brook, which meanders through the rich meadows, covered with fruitfulness and studded with plantations. The quiet requirement of Meole, with the church embosomed in foliage, and a distant prospect of Shrewsbury, with its turrets, spires, and a pleasing variety of objects, adds much to the picturesque beauty of the scene. The parish of Meole embraces the townships of Newton and Edgbold, Nobold, part of Pulley, and also extends into the borough of Shrewsbury, and in 1801 comprised 1,253 inhabitants; 1831, 1207, and in 1841 there were 209 houses and 1,195 inhabitants. There are 2,487A. 1R. 34P. of land in the parish. Rateable value, £7,375. 15s. The landowners in Meole are Mrs. Bather, Hon. Henry Wentworth Powis, James Loxdale, Esq., George Jeffreys, Esq., and others; the former is lady of the manor. THE CHURCH, dedicated to All Saints, is a neat brick cruciform structure, with a short tower at the west end. It stands on the site of an ancient edifice taken down in the year 1799. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £5, now returned at £389 in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. Edward Bather. There is a NATIONAL SCHOOL in the village, which was built by the late Ven. Archdeacon Bather. It is supported by voluntary subscriptions and a small charge from each scholar; 120 boys and girls are educated in the school. John Davies is the teacher. The rectoral tithes, not purchased by the landowners, are commuted for £24. 1s. 6d., and the vicarial for £196. 19s. 1d. A neat almshouse has recently been erected upon an elevated plot of land near the turnpike road. It is a brick structure with stone finishings, and was built with funds bequeathed by the late Mr. Evans, who also bequeathed certain funds for the endowment. There are nine poor widows inmates; each poor person has a convenient low room and a bed room, with a small plot of garden ground, and an allowance of eight pound per annum. There is a respectable inn and BOWLING GREEN kept by Mrs. Vicars, which is frequented by the tradesmen from Shrewsbury, who here spend a pleasant evening’s relaxation from business. There are collieries at Nobold and some other places, but no coal has been got at Meole for the last four years. The House of Industry noticed with the account of Shrewsbury stands within the bounds of this parish. There was formerly a castle at Meole, which in early times was the residence of the Mackworths; there are no vestiges of the structure left.

Andrews Thomas, farmer

Andrews William, farmer

Badger Joseph, beerseller

Badger Thomas J., Esq., solicitor, Kingsland House

Bather Rev. Edwd., vicarage

Bather Mrs. Mary

Blunt Mr. Henry

Bromley Robert, beerseller

Bullock Thomas, tailor

Burr George, lead merchant, Kingsland

Burr Thomas William, lead merchant, Kingsland

Craig Mrs. Elizabeth, Severn hill

Davies John, schoolmaster and assistant overseer

Darlington Thomas, shoe maker and parish clerk

Edwardes Lady

Edwards Mrs.

Evans Mr. John

Evans Mrs. Martha

Ford Mrs. Ann

Griffiths Thomas, butcher

Hale Miss Elizabeth

Hayward George, tailor

Hiles Timothy, corn miller

Hilditch Mrs.

Holbrook John, shoemaker

Homer Wm., land surveyor

Howells Charles, blacksmith

Hughes John, farmer and maltster

Hughes Wm., corn miller

Humphreys Rev. Henry

Jobson Thomas, farmer, Bank House

Kinaston Miss Eliza

Large Mrs. Elizabeth

Leake Mr. John, Port hill

Mancell Rev. Spencer Percival

Nevett Francis, farmer

Rowlands Benj., beerhouse

Rowlands Elizth., shopkr.

Rowlands Rd., wheelwright

Rowlands Simon, wheelwrt.

Smith John, Esq., Radbrook villa

Stephenson Mrs. Elizabeth

Vaughan Peter Fdk., farmer

Vicars Ann, vict., Bowling Green Inn

Ward Mr. Thos., Kingsland

Woodward Mr. John, Asylum

NEWTON AND EDGBOLD

is a small township in the parish of Brace Meole, about three and a half miles W.W. by S. from the parish church. In 1841 here were ten houses and fifty-six inhabitants; the rectoral tithes have been purchased by the land owners; the small tithes are commuted for £69 16s. 2d. The landowners are the Rev. Edward Bather, and George Jonathan Scott, Esq.

The residents are John Bather, Esq.; Jacob Brown, farmer and butcher; Richard Jones, farmer; and Thomas Morris, farmer.

NOBOLD,

another township, situated west by south of Meole, and three miles from Shrewsbury, in 1841 contained 44 houses and 187 inhabitants, the acres of which are included with Meole; the land owners here are Robert Parr, Esq., Mr. Berrington, William Henry Slaney, Esq., Mr. Richard Juson, the latter is also proprietor of the Corn Mill.

DIRECTORY.—Hartshorn Barney, shoemaker; Thomas Beacall, farmer; George Farmer, cattle dealer and farmer; Samuel Gammon, blacksmith; Elizabeth Griffiths, farmer; John Harris, wheelwright; Edward Heath, farmer; William Juson, farmer and corn miller, Red hill Mill; Thomas Ramsell, vict., Cock Inn; Thomas Ramsell, shopkeeper; Thomas Ramsell, beerhouse keeper.

PULLEY

is a township partly in Meole Brace parish, and partly in that of St. Julian’s, in the former in 1841 there were 77 houses and 295 inhabitants; and in the latter, three houses and 13 inhabitants. Mr. Timothy Hiles and the Hon. Henry Wentworth Powis are the principal landowners. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £64. 7s. 2d., and the rectoral for £63.

The principal residents are Miss Mary Flavell; James France, farmer; Thomas Griffiths, butcher; Samuel Hiles, farmer; James Hughes, maltster and farmer; John Mitchell, beerhouse-keeper; John Norris, farmer; Mrs. Woolaston, farmer.

PITCHFORD

is a pleasant village, containing some genteel residences, seven miles south from Shrewsbury. The parish contains 1,617 acres of fertile land; and in 1801 here were 220 inhabitants; 1831, 197; and in 1841, 35 houses and 186 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,868. 9s. Gross estimated rental, £1,998. 5s. The Earl of Liverpool is the landowner in this township. The name of the place arises from a spring, upon which a scum of a bituminous nature flows. Camden compares the scum of this well with the matter that is found in the lake Asphalites, in Palestine, and says there is a spring of the same kind in Samasota. This place was formerly the seat and inheritance of a family of the same name. In the 5th of Edward I. we find John de Pycheford held the manor by the service of one knight’s fee. The last of this family of whom we read is Ralph de Pycheford, who, in the time of Edward I., levied a fine to Walter de Langton, bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, and to his heirs of the advowson of the church and of lands in Albrighton “et de maner de Pycheford”. In the 15th of Edward II. that bishop was found to be seised of this manor at his death. THE CHURCH is a venerable fabric, dedicated to St. Michael, and contains a curious oaken figure in memory of a Baron de Pycheford, a crusader, in chain armour, who was buried here. There are also four handsome alabaster monuments to the ancient family of Ottley. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £6. 5s. 4d., now returned at £228, in the patronage of the Earl of Liverpool, and enjoyed by the Rev. Charles Powell Peters. PITCHFORD HALL, situated a short distance from the church, the seat of the Earl of Liverpool, is a fine and rare specimen of the old English mansion. The house is framed with timber springing into a variety of forms for its support, the interstices being filled with plaster and painted black and white. It is exceedingly picturesque in appearance, and the grounds are beautifully diversified and richly wooded. It was formerly the residence of the Ottley family. William Ottley was sheriff of this county in 1499, and again in 1513. The mansion, from its style of architecture, was probably built about that period.

CHARITIES.—In the parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated that Lucy Ottley, by will, in 1687, gave £20, and Sir Adam Ottley, by will, in 1693, £50 to the poor of Pitchford, and that there was a parish stock of £20 then vested in Thomas Ottley, Esq., in respect of which sums £5 was paid yearly. This payment continued up to the year 1806, when Thomas Ottley, Esq., died, and his estates became the property of the Hon. C. C. Jenkinson, afterwards Lord Liverpool. In the year 1807 there is an entry in the parish book of £5, received from him, “to exempt him from serving offices,” and that the same sum was paid annually up to the year 1815 inclusive, and from that time the payment was no longer made. In a letter written by Lord Liverpool to the rector, dated 10th March, 1830, in answer to an application upon the subject, his lordship states that he took no personal property from the Ottleys, and that the payment of £5 made by him for a few years after he succeeded to the estate was to exempt him from serving the parish offices, and that when he took the office of overseer in 1815, the payment of course ceased.

DIRECTORY.—The Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, Pitchford Hall; John Durnell, surgeon; Maria Hancock, shopkeeper; George Haughton, farmer; John Lindop, farmer, Stockbatch; Richard Lloyd, tailor; Rev. Charles Powell Peters, The Rectory; Elizabeth Snaxton, farmer; John Turnbull, agent to the Earl of Liverpool.

SMETHCOTT, OR SMETHCOTE,

is a parish and village pleasantly situated in a hilly country, eight and a half miles south-west by south from Shrewsbury. The tops of the hills have a bleak and barren aspect, but the lowlands are clothed with rich verdure, and finely timbered, which gives the scenery a very beautiful and picturesque appearance. A waterfall a little south from the parsonage and the scenery in its vicinity are peculiarly attractive, and the frequent resort of pleasure parties. The parish contains the townships of Smethcott, Picklescott, and the hamlet of Walk Mills. In 1801 there was a population of 338 souls; 1831, 366; and in 1841, 371. The township of Smethcott contains 1,049 acres of land, and at the census of 1841 had 27 houses and 129 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,218. 5s. At the Doomsday survey, Edmund held of Earl Roger Smerecote in Conodoure hundred. In the 1st of Edward I. it was reputed among the fees belonging to the barony of Montgomery, then in the tenure of George de Cantilupe. In the 9th of Edward II., Edward Burnele was seized of the third of the ville of Smethcott, with the liberty of common in the woods there, and had 48s. 3d. issuing out of lands in that manor. Upon the attainder of Lord Lovell, 1st of Henry VIII., Smethcott was given to the Duke of Bedford in tail, who, dying without issue, 5th of Henry VIII., it was granted to the Duke of Norfolk. The principal landowners now are W. W. Whitmore, Esq., and Richard Bromley, Esq. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Michael, exhibits the early English style of architecture, and was almost re-built a few years ago. It has a neat and chaste appearance. The expenses were defrayed by the liberality of the parishioners and the present incumbent. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £4. 9s.; now returned at £276; in the patronage of the trustees of Hulme’s charity; incumbent, Rev. R. J. Buddicom, M.A.

CHARITIES.—By indentures of lease and release, dated 30th September, 1741, Henry Powis, lord of the manor of Wilderley, conveyed to the overseers of Smethcott a cottage and land on Smethcott Common, in trust, for the sole benefit and advantage of the poor of the said parish. There are now four cottages, with a little garden to each, and three closes, containing about an acre and a half of ground altogether. Two of the cottages were occupied by paupers, rent free, and the other two for three pounds per annum each. The land is let at £4. 10s. per annum, and the whole of the rents received are carried to the poor’s rate. All these cottages and premises, about twenty years ago, were in the occupation of persons who, having been long in possession, refused to pay rent, or give them up. By the interference of the magistrates, they were obliged to pay an acknowledgement, and afterwards a full rent was paid. It appears from the terms in which these cottages were given, that they were intended for the benefit of the poor, and therefore any rates received from the premises ought to be given away in charity, and not carried to the poor’s rate.

An entry in the parish book, dated 24th May, 1810, states, that the Rev. Henry Fletcher, rector of Smethcott, had that day transferred £200 navy five per cents, in the name of the rector, the Rev. William C. Curtis, curate, and Mr. Prestland, his attorney, in trust for the poor of this parish, for educating six poor children, and for relieving six of the most necessitous poor widows. Mr. Fletcher died on the 17th of February, 1830, and the sum of £10 was paid on account of this charity by his agent shortly after. Of the £10 received, £6 are applied in relieving the distressed poor, and £4 in educating poor children.

BETCHCOTT is a small township in this parish, a short distance from the village of Smethcott, having 625 acres of land, 3 houses, and 32 inhabitants. Rateable value, £357. The Hon. Henry Wentworth Powis is the landowner.

PICKLESCOTT, another small township in the parish of Smethcott, has 531 acres of land, and in 1841 had 33 houses and 143 inhabitants. Rateable value, £435. 5s. There are a few scattered houses in the parish of Smethcott, usually called THE HAMLETS, which contain 427 acres, and in 1841 are returned as having 15 houses and 67 inhabitants. Rateable value, £270. 5s. 1d. The Hon. Henry Wentworth Powis is the landowner.

Those marked 1 reside at Smethcott; 2 Betchcott; 3 Picklescott; 4 The Hamlets.

3 Bromley Richard, farmer

4 Bromley Richard, farmer

1 Bromley William, farmer, New Hall

4 Bromley William, farmer, Underhill

3 Broxton William, farmer

1 Buddicom Rev. Robert Joseph, The Rectory

1 Davies Thomas, farmer

3 Gamble Edw., blacksmith

1 Gittins Robert, farmer

1 Groves William, farmer

4 Gwilliam Edward, farmer

4 Hill William, farmer

1 Hill William, joiner

3 Howell Richard, farmer

2 Massie Charles, farmer

1 Meredith John, farmer, New House

2 Parry John, farmer

1 Rogers Richard, farmer

1 Rogers Robert, farmer

3 Rogers Thomas, farmer and vict., Bottle & Glasses Inn

2 Rogers William, farmer

4 Savage Jn., farmer, Coppice

3 Thomas David, blacksmith

3 Thomas Samuel, farmer

1 Vaughan Thomas, shop-keeper and post office

3 Willings John, farmer

STAPLETON

is a parish and village, five and a half miles S.S.W. from Shrewsbury, comprising 870 acres of land, and in 1801 had 228 inhabitants; 1831, 235; and in 1841, 46 houses and 257 inhabitants. A short distance from Stapleton are the remains of an ancient barrow, which on being opened some years ago was found to contain a large funeral urn placed near the centre, the ashes it contained were no doubt the remains of a person of distinction in former days. The Hon. H. W. Powis, and John T. Hope, Esq., are the principal landowners. In the 18th of Edward I., Robert de Stapleton had a grant of free warren in Stapleton; two years after the king’s attorney brought a writ of right against the said Robert de Stapleton, for the manor of his name as being seizen of King Henry II., the king’s ancestor, but without effect, for the said Robert died seized of the manor, in the 49th of Edward III. THE CHURCH is a venerable fabric dedicated to St. Julian. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £6. 7s. 6d., now returned at £624, in the patronage of the Hon. Henry Wentworth Powis, and incumbency of the Hon. and Rev. E. R. B. Fielding. An ancient residence, now partly surrounded by a moat, exhibits a fine specimen of the domestic architecture of by-gone days; the walls are of great thickness, and the house contains some beautiful specimens in antique oak carving, which are in a good state of preservation. The moat, now partly filled up, is about 200 yards in circumference, and the width 36 feet. NETLEY is a small hamlet in this township. Netley Hall is a good house, the residence of John Thomas Hope, Esq.; a little west from it is the site of a British camp, some parts of which have recently been levelled for agricultural purposes, so that now only a part of it can be traced. In a field not far from here were found four peculiarly hard stones, with a sharp axe-like edge all round; they are known by the name of celts, and were used by the priests to slay the victims of their sacrifices.

Bayley Wickliffe, blacksmith

Allen John, farmer

Allen Mary, farmer

Bromley Jeremiah, farmer, The Moat

Bromley William, farmer

Cassels Robert, farmer, Netley

Clayton John, farmer, Shady Moor

Cook Robert, farmer, Shady Moor

Dickin Edward, farmer, Netley

Evans Thomas, cow keeper

Fielding Hon. and Rev. E. R. B., The Rectory

Gittings William, farmer, Netley

Hope John Thomas, Esq., Netley Hall

Jones William, joiner

Philips Thomas, farmer, Shady Moor

Richards John, farmer, Vinnels

Sankey Edward, farmer, Netley Old Hall

Sankey Humphrey, farmer, The Moat

Woodfin John, farmer

SUTTON,

a small parish and pleasant little village one and a quarter mile S.E. by S. from Shrewsbury, is watered by the Reabrook stream, upon the banks of which two corn mills have been erected. This parish was formerly an appendage to Wenlock priory, and extra parochial. At the general dissolution of religious houses in the reign of Henry VIII., it fell to the crown, at which time there was an hermitage here. The parish contains upwards of 703 acres of land, and at the census of 1841 there were 16 houses and 67 inhabitants. In 1801 there was a population of 45 souls here. The parish church is a very humble structure of primitive simplicity, dedicated to St. John; it stands on a gentle eminence, and commands some pleasing views of rural scenery. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Hereford and archdeaconry of Salop, valued in the king’s book at £3, now returned at £17 in the patronage of Lord Berwick and incumbency of the Rev. Henry Hill. Divine service is performed once a month. A short distance from the church is the celebrated SUTTON SPA. “The spring issues from a rocky stratum of ash-coloured clay or argillaceous schistus, containing (as appears by its effervesence with nitrous acid) a small portion of lime. Fresh from the spring the Sutton water is clear and colourless, and exhales a slightly sulphureous smell, which is most perceptible in rainy weather. It sparkles little when poured into a glass, having no uncombined carbonic acid in its composition. When first drawn its strong salt taste is evidently mixed with a chalybeate flavour; but the latter is wholly lost on exposure for a few hours, bubbles of air repeating slowly, and a reddish sediment lining the sides and bottom of the vessel. The Sutton water has by many been compared with that of Cheltenham, and supposed to contain nearly the same ingredients. It bears, however, a much closer resemblance to sea water, and has accordingly been found most beneficial in those cases for which sea water is usually recommended. In the case of scrophula, the superior merits of sea water have been universally acknowledged. A similarity of ingredients would naturally lead us to expect similar effects from the Sutton water; and I am happy to bear testimony, says Dr. Evans, that a twenty years attendance at the Salop Infirmary, as well as in private practice, has furnished me with abundant proofs of its success in the treatment of scorphulous affections; and in addition to the properties possessed by the Sutton spring in common with sea water, it enjoys an evident advantage in containing iron.” It is to be lamented that there are not any accommodations for the residence of invalids. The air is pure and salubrious, and as a site for building purposes the immediate vicinity is peculiarly romantic and interesting. There is a cottage at the Spa, where parties sometimes take tea, and a bath has been erected, which is open to the public on reasonable terms. All parties visiting the spring are allowed to partake of the water without any charge. The land in this parish is the property of Lord Berwick.

DIRECTORY.—John Bemand, farmer; Joseph Clay, farmer; George Davies, farmer; Thomas Pugh, corn miller; Edward Thornton, farmer.

WOOLSTASTON

is a village and parish five miles N. from Church Stretton, which contains 834 acres of land. In 1801 there were 101 inhabitants; 1831, 89, and in 1841 17 houses and a population of 84 souls. In the 9th of Edward I. Robert Burnel, bishop of Bath and Wells, had a grant of free warren in Wolfestantone. In the 34th of the same reign we find John de Sibeton had the privilege of free warren here, with the grant of a free market to be held on a Wednesday, and a fair to continue for three days. Upon the attainder of Lord Lovell in the time of Henry VII. this manor was given to Jasper Duke of Bedford, but he dying without issue, Thomas Duke of Norfolk had a grant of it in the 5th of Henry VIII. W. W. Whitmore is now chief landowner in this parish. THE CHURCH is a small structure, with nave, chancel, and tower. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £5, now returned at £162 in the patronage of W. W. Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. E. Carr. Richard Lucas, who died about twenty years ago, was parish clerk for 74 years; he died at the age of 95 years, and rung the church bell almost to the day of his death. In the latter part of his life he would frequently observe he had seen the end of all his parishioners three times over, and had been the clerk to two rectors and six curates. THE HALL, now occupied by Mr. Everall as a farm dwelling, was formerly a place of consequence, and the residence of families of consideration. One of the apartments exhibits some line specimens of carved oak; the floor, ceiling, and sides are all of highly polished oak. A piece of land containing about four acres, supposed to have been given by a person of the name of Pope, for keeping the church in repair, is in the possession of the churchwardens, and is let at the yearly rent of £1. 14s., which is carried to the account of the church rates. There does not appear to be any document in the parish relating to this land.

DIRECTORY.—Meole Rev. Henry, curate. Farmers, Richard Everall, The Hall; Robert Heighway, and John Wigley. Mary Bowen, shoemaker.

THE MUNSLOW HUNDRED.

The hundred of Munslow comprehends the Upper and Lower divisions, and is bounded on the north by the hundred of Condover, on the east by the Wenlock Franchise, the Stottesden hundred, and a detached part of the hundred of Overs; on the west are the hundreds of Clun and Purslow, and on the south the county of Hereford. In the hundred of Munslow there is much clay, with considerable quantities of a stony soil of a great variety lying upon the lime stone. The upper surface of the rocks is frequently broken up by the plough and becomes with the soil a rocky loam, which produces good crops of grain. The population in 1821 was 10,478, exclusive of the borough of Ludlow; the number of houses 1,888. In 1841 there were 12,043 inhabitants, of whom 8,126 were in the Upper division, and 3,917 in the Lower division. At the same period there were 1,576 inhabited houses, 49 uninhabited in the Upper division, and 747 inhabited, and 36 uninhabited in the Lower division. The Lower division comprises the following parishes, viz.: Abdon, Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonell, Bromfield, Clee, St. Margaret, Diddlebury, Easthope, Holdgate, Hopton in the Hole, Halford Chapelry, Ludford, Munslow, Onibury, Richards Castle, Skirmage Extra Parochial, Staneton Lacy, Stanton Long, Stoke St. Milborough, Stokesay, Tugford, and Weston Cold.

The Upper division contains the parishes of Acton Scott, Cardington, Eaton, Hope Bowdler, Rushbury, Shipton, and Church Stretton.

ABDON

is a small parish and village in the Lower division of the Munslow hundred, ten miles south-east from Much Wenlock, which contains 710 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £609. At the census in 1801 the parish had a population of 134 souls; 1831, 170; and in 1841 there were 36 houses and 155 inhabitants. Sir Sidney Herbert is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. THE CHURCH is a small structure dedicated to St. Margaret, and consists of nave and chancel. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £3. 6s. 8d., now returned at £147; patron, Sir Sidney Herbert; incumbent, Rev. John Sheppard. A commodious school, with a residence for the teacher, has recently been built by the lord of the manor, at a cost of upwards of one thousand pounds; it is also munificently supported by the founder. About thirty children attend.

DIRECTORY.—George Bradley, farmer; Thomas Bradley, farmer; Cheswick Cooper, farmer; Rev. John Sheppard, rector; Robert Williams, schoolmaster.

ACTON SCOTT, OR ACTON-ON-THE-HILL,

a parish in the upper division of the Munslow Hundred, three miles and a half S.S.E. from Church Stretton, is bounded on the western side by the Shrewsbury and Ludlow turnpike road, and that from Wenlock to Bishop’s Castle passes through it. It is divided into the townships of Acton Scott and Alcaston, and contains 1,889 acres of hilly land, moderately fertile, resting on sand-stone, in some places rich in fossil shells, and watered by the Quenny and Marbrook streams. At the census of 1801, the parish contained 164 souls; 1841, 34 houses and 204 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,727. On an eminence, above the Shrewsbury road, called the Castle Hill, it is supposed a fortification once existed; and in a field, adjoining the church-yard, some remains of a tower were standing in the memory of some of the old inhabitants, but all traces of it are now gone. In the year 1817, in straightening a road, some remains of a Roman ville were discovered, consisting of hypocausts, tiles, &c. Several eastern coins were also found, which is remarkable as being the only instance in which these coins have been found in Roman stations in England. On some of the tiles were impressions of the sandals of the Roman soldiers, made before the clay had been burned; there were also the foot-marks of dogs and other animals. These remains were found within a mile of the Roman road which runs from Wroxeter, by Church Stretton, to Shenchester. The name of Acton is derived from Ac (the Saxon for oak) and ton (a town), and that of Scott from a family who were very early settled here, and about the 12th century ceased to use their original name and adopted this of their residence only. At the time of the Doomsday survey the manor belonged to Rainald, the Sheriff, and it afterwards passed to the Fitzalans. In the year 1290, an inquest was held to determine the boundaries of the royal forests in Shropshire, when Acton Scott, Henly, and Alcaston, were declared to be without the limits, though Shetton, Minton, and Rushbury, were found to be within them, and subject to all the grievances of forest laws. The present lord of the manor is Edward William Wynne Pendarves, Esq., of Pendarves, in Cornwall, one of the representatives in parliament for that county, who succeeded to the property in 1835, on the death of his brother, who inherited this and other estates in right of his mother, the only daughter of Edward Acton, Esq., of Acton Scott, the last male representative of the elder branch of the family, who died in 1775, Sir John d’Albery Acton, Bart., being descended from a younger branch. The mansion house of Acton Scott is of the Elizabethan period, with projecting gables and bay windows, and stands in a commanding situation near to the church. It is at present occupied by Mrs. Stackhouse Acton. The whole of the township of Acton Scott is the property of E. W. W. Pendarves, Esq.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Margaret, though devoid of architectural beauty, is remarkably neat, and contains a few monuments, chiefly to the Acton family, and a brass tablet, of the date of 1579, to the memory of Elizabeth Mytton. The tower is of much older date than the body of the church, and was probably an appendage to the church to which the bishop of Hereford inducted Hugh de Pentone (by lapse of time) in 1276. In the tower are three bells, on two of which are inscribed in old letters:—“Ave Maria in gratia plena dominus tecum,” and on the other, “Marie eternis et bonis resonet campana.” The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £5. 10s.; patron, the lord of the manor; incumbent, Rev. Walter Corbett, chancellor of the diocese; curate, Rev. George Magee. THE RECTORY is a neat residence, pleasantly situated, and there are 40 acres of glebe land. The tithes are commuted for £230.

CHARITIES.—John Monsell devised four parcels of land, containing, by estimation, 60 acres, in the parish of Mainstone, upon trust, to pay thereout the following sums on the 1st March, viz.:—20s. to the parish of Morvill; 10s. to the poor of Wistanstow; 10s. to buy Bibles for poor children of Bishop’s Castle; and 5s. to the poor of Acton Scott. The above sums had all been regularly paid when the Charity Commissioners published their report, except the yearly sum of 5s. to Acton Scott, which the owner of the estate agreed for the future to pay. In the parliamentary returns of 1786 three donations are mentioned as given for the benefit of poor housekeepers of this parish. To the two first, amounting to £36, no names are given as the donors thereof; the third, being £20, is attributed to Edward Acton. Interest on the sum of £56 is now paid, which is laid out in fuel by the resident curate, which he distributes to the poor.

ALCASTON, a small village and township in the parish of Acton Scott, comprises 527 acres of land, and is situated about a mile south from the parish church. Rateable value, £381. 14s. Alcaston was at an early period taken out of the manor of Acton Scott; it consists of three farms, belonging respectively to Thomas Dunne, Esq., G. M. Benson, Esq., and the Rev. Mr. Hill; the latter gentleman being of the same family as the Hills of Hawkestone. This branch was settled here in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and occupied a curious old timber mansion, a great part of which was taken down about ten years ago. Mr. Benson’s farm house also bears marks of antiquity; it is of brick, and has been moated, but it has lost much of its ancient character by modern repairs. A portion of the long line stone ridge, known as Wenlock Edge, stretches into this township.

DIRECTORY.—The residents in Acton Scott are Mrs. Stackhouse Acton, The Hall; Rev. George Magee, curate; John Monsell, farmer, Henley; Robert Morgan, farmer, Church Farm; Joseph Hotchkiss, blacksmith; Mary Keep, farmer; Thomas Parker, farmer. The residents of Alcaston are Benjamin Martin, farmer; Richard Edwards, farmer; Thomas Lewis, farmer.

ASHFORD BOWDLER

is a parish and village delightfully situated on the south west bank of the River Terne, on the southern verge of the county, adjoining Herefordshire, and about three miles south from Ludlow. The parish comprises upwards of 600 acres of land, the principal owners of which are Mrs. Walker and General Russell. Rateable value of the parish, £884. 3s. At the census in 1801, there were 79 inhabitants; 1831, 99; and in 1841, 17 houses and 96 inhabitants. The village contains several handsome family residences, and a small but elegant church, consisting of nave and chancel, with a tower surmounted with a spire. The living is a perpetual curacy, valued at £55 per annum, in the patronage of the Walker family. Mrs. Mary Green, of this parish, by will dated October 16th, 1832, bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens for the time being, the sum of £55, to be invested in the funds in trust, to pay the interest thereof annually among such of the poor inhabitants as they should consider most in need of aid. “Between the village of Ashford Bowdler and Ludlow is Huck’s Barn, said to have been the residence of George Barnwell, the hero of the popular tragedy named after him. Barnwell’s Green, near it, was so called from his waiting there to rob his uncle as he returned from Leominster fair: adjoining the green is the wood in which he perpetrated the murder of his relative.”

The principal residents are Mr. William P. Bale, Grove Cottage; Isaac Froggatt, farmer, Feather Knowl; Thomas Harper, farmer, Ashford Grove; Thomas G. Powis, farmer; General Lechmere Russell, Ashford Hall; Robert Thomas, Esq., Church House.

ASHFORD CARBONELL

is a parish and village delightfully situated in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, three miles south-east from Ludlow. The parish contains 1335 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,890. 5s. 11d. The principal landowners are J. F. Downes, Esq.; Mr. Walker; John Carter, Esq.; and William Eaton, Esq.; besides whom there are a few smaller proprietors. At the census in 1801, the parish contained 227 inhabitants; 1831, 289; and in 1841, 58 houses, and a population of 226 souls. The church is a small unpretending structure, the living of which is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £800 royal bounty: the living is annexed to the rectory of Little Hereford, and the patronage is vested in the Chancellor of Hereford Cathedral. The Rev. William Tomkin is the officiating minister. ASHFORD HALL is an elegant modern mansion, on rising ground, commanding extensive prospects, and embellished with tasteful pleasure grounds. ASHFORD COURT, the residence of Mrs. Walker, is also a handsome residence.

DIRECTORY—Mr. William A. Bate; John Bloom, boot and shoe maker; Mary Eaton, farmer; William Eaton, farmer; Mr. Thomas Evans; Edward Evans, maltster; James Davies, carpenter; Joseph Davies, carpenter; John F. Downes, Esq., Ashford Hall; Thomas Cantrill, corn miller and vict., The Bridge Inn; John Carter, farmer, Brook House; Henry George, farmer, Huntingdon; John Jones, wheelwright; Mrs. Mary Lowe; John Mason, wheelwright; James Powell, farmer; William Roberts, farmer, Huntingdon; John Thompson, blacksmith; Mrs. Bridgett Walker, Ashford Court; Richard Whiteman, farmer.

BROMFIELD

is a parish and pleasant rural village, two miles north-west from Ludlow, formerly distinguished for its priory which was situated near or adjoining to the present church. The parish comprises 5,592A. 2R. of land, the principal owner of which is the Hon. R. H. Clive; the trustees of Ludlow charities are also proprietors. At the census in 1801, this parish contained 540 inhabitants; 1831, 517; and in 1841, 114 houses, and 531 souls. Rateable value, £7,308. 17s. 7d. The few remains of the ancient priory are situated near to the church. The establishment in the time of Henry I. consisted of a small college of prebendaries or secular canons. Osbertus Prior, of Bromfield, is witness to a deed before the year 1148. This priory was greatly enriched by Henry II., who granted to it his church in Bromfield, which was dedicated to the blessed St. Mary, with his royal licence and protection of their extensive possessions of the towns and lands of Haverford, Dinchope, Efford, Felton, Burghey and Lethewick; three prebends in Bromfield, and three in Halton. In the second of Henry II. the prior and brothers of Bromfield subjected themselves, by authority of Theobald, Archbishop of Canterbury, to the Benedictine Monastery of St. Peter’s, near Gloucester, called Lanthony Secunda, and became Benedictines, and continued so to the time of the general dissolution of religious houses. At the assizes of Salop, 20th Edward I., the prior of Bromfield claimed free warren in the manor of Bromfield by charter of Henry II., which was allowed. The said charter also comprised a grant of Infangthef; and a jury found one Henry de la Chapele guilty of theft, who was tried and condemned by the prior, and hanged at Bromfield. The yearly revenues of the priory were valued at the dissolution at £78. 19s. 4d. In the 4th of Philip and Mary it was granted to Charles Fox. He was the founder of four families, most of which were in opulence for four generations; but his estate at Bromfield, including what is now called Oakley Park, passed by marriage to Matthew Herbert, whose descendant George, late Earl of Powis, devised it to his nephew, the Hon. Henry Clive, whose representative of the same name now inherits the estate, and resides at OAKLEY PARK, an elegant mansion, mostly of modern construction, delightfully situated on the banks of the Terne. The surrounding grounds are extremely romantic and beautiful, and the pleasure grounds and gardens are tastefully laid out. It commands many fine views in different directions; the meanderings of the river adding much to the effect. The park, which formerly contained nine hundred acres, and included within its circuit the priory to which it belonged, is yet of considerable extent. It is finely adorned with groves and clumps of stately oaks. The lordship of Bromfield is co-extensive with the parish, and the chapelry of Walford and Dinchope, and the township of Ledwich. The manor abounds with game, and is watered by the river Terne, esteemed one of the finest fishing streams in the kingdom.

THE CHURCH is picturesquely situated, and consists of nave, chancel, transept and tower: it exhibits some fine specimens of elaborate workmanship, and is said to have formed a part of the structure belonging to the benedictine priory. The interior has a chaste and elegant appearance; the roof is beautifully painted, and the windows are adorned with stained glass. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £6, now returned at £350; the patronage is vested in the Hon. R. H. Clive; incumbent, Rev. Thomas J. Longworth. The Court of Augmentation decreed the vicar of Bromfield a yearly pension from the dissolved monastery at Gloucester; and there are, in vellum hooks in the king’s remembrancer office, accounts of several decrees relating to the possessions of the priory and the rights of the vicar of this place.

DIRECTORY.—The Hon. Robert Henry Clive, Oakley Park; Samuel Bluck, farmer, Bromfield house; the Misses Davies, ladies’ academy; Peter Davis, farmer, King’s head farm; Henry Fletcher, farmer; George Jacks, cow-leech; Rev. Thomas I. Longworth, vicar; Henry Lippitt, farmer, Priors Walton; Thomas Payter, shoe maker; John Preece, vict., The Clive Arms; William Swift, farmer, Hill Halton; Herbert Titley, farmer, Cookridge; Richard White, agent to the Hon. R. H. Clive; Henry Vaughan, farmer, The Butts.

CARDINGTON

is a considerable parish, in the upper division of the Munslow Hundred, comprising upwards of 6,000 acres of land, and containing the several townships of Cardington, Broome, Chatwall, Comley, Enchmarsh, part of Gretton, Holt-Preen, Lydley Heys, Plaish, and Willstone. At the census of 1801 the parish had a population of 623 souls; 1831, 718; and in 1841 there were 138 houses and 691 inhabitants. The village of Cardington is situated is a secluded and romantic country, three miles and a half E.E. by N. from Church Stretton, having the lofty heights of the Caradoc and Lawley to the east, and the Hope Bowdler hills on the south-west. The township contains 995 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £815. 15s. Panton Corbett, Esq., is the principal landowner; there are also a few small freeholders. THE CHURCH is a plain unpretending structure, consisting of nave and chancel, with a tower, in which is a peal of bells. The handsome altar tomb, erected in memory of Sir William Leighton, of Plaish, who died December 20th, 1607, is now much dilapidated. He was chief justice of North Wales, and one of the council of the Marches of Wales, which offices he held with integrity and honour for more than forty years. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £6. 2s. 6d., now returned at £294, in the patronage of Rowland Hunt, Esq.: incumbent, Rev. William J. Hughes. The court leet and court baron, with view of frank-pledge, held for the manor of Lydley and Cardington, as a court of record, is of the highest antiquity, and accounted a king’s court, of which Panton Corbett, Esq., is the present lord. The jurisdiction existed long before the conquest, and the first formation of it is attributed by several law authorities to King Alfred. “The term leet is not discoverable in Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence, but is understood to be derived out of the Sheriffs’ tourn, whose power therein was suspended, if not superseded.” The nature and extent of the court leet jurisdiction, in its first formation, may probably be best illustrated by a brief view of the different ranks of people and the mode of administering justice in the Anglo-Saxon era. The lowest order of the people were complete slaves, either by birth or by forfeiture of their freedom, by crimes or breach of faith, and were incapable of any office of trust or honour. But the spread of Christianity led to the frequent manumissions, and established a class of people called Frilazin; and persons so made free were considered to be in a middle state only, between slaves and freemen. Those who were freemen from birth were called Ceorls, and constituted a middle class between the nobility and such labourers and mechanics as were slaves, and being generally devoted to agriculture, a Ceorl was the usual appellation of a husbandman; but the acquisition of 500 acres of land, the attainment of holy orders, or by the owner of a ship or cargo making three voyages beyond sea, advanced a Ceorl to the dignity of a Thane of the lower order; and the higher class of this order, which were styled King’s Thanes were of three different degrees. The Thanes were the only nobility among the Anglo-Saxons; but all members of royal families were of superior rank. The kings were chief judges in their respective territories, and frequently administered justice in person. King Alfred employed both day and night in hearing appeals, with the aid of learned assessors; thus forming a supreme court of justice, until the establishment of monarchy, when it was found necessary to appoint a chief justicary to preside in the king’s court; and the first institution of such office is supposed to have been at the time of the incursion of the Danes. In 1622, Sir John Hayward obtained from the crown a licence to alienate the manor of Lydley and Cardington to Edward Corbett, Esq., for the sum of £3,200.

CHARITIES.—THE SCHOOL.—William Hall, by his will, dated 6th April, 1720, bequeathed £400 to the parsons of the parishes of Cardington, Hope Bowdler, and Longnor, in trust, for the building a schoolhouse at Cardington, and the maintenance of a schoolmaster. A school was subsequently built with part of the above mentioned legacy, and the residue was laid out in the purchase of copyhold lands, held of the manor of Lydley and Cardington. In 1827, an order was made in the Court of Chancery, on the petition of Richard Butcher and others, overseers and inhabitants of the parish of Cardington, whereby it was referred to the master to take an account of the charity estate, and of the value thereof, and to approve of a scheme for the future management of the charity. The master, by his report made April 1st, 1828, directed £10 a-year to be reserved out of the rents, to put the schoolhouse and the premises on the school estate in good repair, and afterwards such less sum as the directors should see fit, but not less than £5; and that the surplus rents should be paid to the schoolmaster and his assistant. The school estate consists of 27A. 3R. 32P., and an allotment containing 5A. 1R. 10P. on Cardington Moor, allotted to the trustees of the school under an enclosure act, passed 41st Geo. III. The estate now produces £34. 3s. 1d. per annum. The school is open to all the children of the parish (boy and girls) without any charge, except 1s. for entrance and 1s. yearly for fuel. They are taught reading, writing, and accounts.

Roger Maunsell, by will, 1651, devised a piece of ground, called Bowneford, in the parish of Long Stanton, to the churchwardens of the parish of Cardington, and their successors, and to Thomas Powell and his heirs, and ordered that the said churchwardens, at the feast of St. Michael, should receive the sum of 26s. 8d. yearly for ever. He directed the first three years after his decease, the said sum of 26s. 8d. should be expended in a weekly distribution of bread, to be divided among six poor men one week, and among six poor women the following week; and that for the next three years it should be laid out in buying sacramental bread and wine; and the seventh year in adorning or buying any ornament to be used in the church at Cardington; and so from seven years to seven years.

Anne Tipton gave a rent charge of £1. 10s. per annum, issuing out of the Day House, and directed six penny loaves to be given to six poor men and six poor women of this parish, alternately every Sunday in the year; but on Easter Sunday, Whit Sunday, the last Sunday in the old and first Sunday in the new year six threepenny loaves each day.

The sum of £1. 6s. is paid every alternate year to the churchwardens of Cardington, as a gift of Dinah Roberts. This and the like payment made to the parish of St. Julian, in Shrewsbury, are charged upon a farm in Wilstone, which was purchased by Archdeacon Corbett about fifty years ago. The amount is applied in a distribution of six penny loaves every Sunday in the year in which it is received.

Francis Southern, by will, dated May 9th, 1773, bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens of the parish of Cardington and their successors £42. 10s., upon trust, that the interest of £32. 10s., part thereof, should he laid out in bread and given away every Lord’s day to three poor widows or old men of this parish, who should attend divine service; and the interest of the other £10 he left to the minister of Cardington for preaching a sermon every New Year’s-day. Of this money we are informed £32. 10. was laid out in 1814 in the purchase of a cottage at the east end of the town, called the Butt, which was formerly occupied by poor persons placed there by the parish. £1. 6s. is paid from the church-warden’s account for providing bread for the poor. The remaining £10 was paid to the churchwarden’s account in 1819, and the churchwardens pay the interest thereof to the minister.

In the parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated the poor’s stock amounted to £45, for which interest was paid for many years. It is understood that £5 of this money was lost, and that in 1799 £40 having been borrowed of Joseph Powell by the parish for building a poor house, the poor’s stock was applied in paying off the debt. Nothing has been paid in charity in respect of the above sum for a long period. The poor, we conceive, are entitled to the interest of the money which was left for charitable uses, and not for the ease of the ratepayers.

John Russell, by will, 1813, gave to the minister of Cardington for the time being £1 yearly for preaching a sermon annually on the day preceding the day of his interment. He also gave to the poor of Cardington thirty threepenny loaves on each of the following days—Christmas-day, Easter-day, Whit Sunday, and the Wakes Sunday; and to six of the poorest widows of the parish a blue woollen gown every Christmas-day, and the same to six of the poorest girls of the said parish on the same day, and also to a schoolmistress £10 a year to teach twelve poor girls of the said parish to read, knit, and sew. He also gave £5 a year towards a Sunday school, and he bequeathed to certain trustees £570, on trust, to place out the same in public funds, and out of the dividends pay the annuities before mentioned, and also an annuity to the Rev. John Witts for his life. In respect of this charity there is now £628. 12s. 4d. new four per cents. standing in the names of the trustees, producing annual dividends of £25. 2s. 10d. The trustees, after carrying out the specific intentions of the donor, apply the surplus in the purchase of coal, which is distributed among the most necessitous poor.

There were in this parish certain lands called the Church Estate, consisting of several detached parcels; but on the enclosure of the lands in the manor of Lydley and Cardington, in 1817, exchanges were effected, whereby between fifteen and sixteen acres lying together were set out by the churchwardens. There are also nine cottages, chiefly occupied by poor persons. The rents of these premises were formerly paid half to the churchwardens, to be applied in the repairs of the church, or in aid of the church rate, and the other moiety to the overseers of the poor, by whom the amount was given away in charity. But for many years the rent, now amounting to £14, has been carried to the overseers’ account, and applied to the general purposes of the poor’s rate. Coals to the amount of £5 or £6 are, however, annually given away by the overseers. It appears questionable, from the usage which formerly prevailed, whether the rent of this estate ought not to be applied, one moiety thereof in the repairs of the church, and the other to such poor persons as appear fit objects of charity.

DIRECTORY.—William Aincham, carpenter and wheelwright; John Brazier, maltster and beerhouse keeper; John Corfield, farmer; Joseph Dayus, farmer; Samuel Evans, vict., Royal Oak; Mr. John R. Durnell; William Eaton, butcher; Samuel Edwards, farmer; Edward Haynes, shopkeeper; Rev. William Jones Hughes, vicar; John Parker, schoolmaster; George Onslow, farmer; William Preen, farmer and beerhouse keeper; Thomas Price, wheelwright; Francis Smout, farmer; Francis Waters, gentleman; Ann Woof, farmer.

CARDINGTON TOWNSHIPS

BROOME is a small township in the parish of Cardington, having 177 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £178. 10s. At the census of 1841 there were three houses and thirteen inhabitants. Mr. John Evans is the only resident farmer.

CHATWALL township in 1841 had six houses and thirty inhabitants, and contains 763 acres of land, the principal owners of which are Panton Corbett, Esq., John Norris, Esq., Richard Butcher, Esq., Mrs. Bourne. The land is mostly poor and cold. Rateable value, £575. 15s. The chief residents are Samuel Jones, farmer and beerhouse keeper; John L. Mitton, farmer; Richard Wall, farmer, and Thomas Woodcock, farmer, Lower Chatwall.

COMLEY AND BOTVYLLE is a township in the parish of Cardington, containing 464 acres of land, which is chiefly the property of Panton Corbett, Esq. Rateable value, £330 10s. At the census of 1841 there were 17 houses and 57 souls. The principal residents are Edward Evans wheelwright; Philip Hayward, farmer; William Higgins, farmer, The Shoe Trough; John H. Smith, farmer; William Tomlinson, farmer.

ENCHMARSH is a township and village two miles N. from Cardington, comprising 400 acres of land, and in 1841 contained eighteen houses and a population of 94 souls. Rateable value, £392. 5s. Panton Corbett, Esq., is the chief landowner. The principal residents are Richard Evason, farmer; William Haynes, blacksmith; William Norris, farmer.

HOLT PREEN is a township in the parish of Cardington, situated about a mile from Church Preen, and four miles N.E. from Cardington. It contains 793 acres of land, and in 1841 had sixteen houses and 111 inhabitants. Rowland Hunt, Esq., is the landowner and lord of the manor. The principal resident is Mr. Thomas Norris, Holt Hall.

LYDLEY HEYS, a township in Cardington parish, has 790 acres of land, and in 1841 had eight houses and 52 inhabitants. Panton Corbett, Esq., is the sole proprietor in this township. Rateable value, £580. 5s. The chief residents are Richard Everall, farmer, Day House; Henry Matthews, farmer, Lawley Farm; John Russell, farmer, Court House; Richard Shuker, farmer, Pankridge Hall.

PLAISH township in Cardington parish is situated about three miles from the parish church, and at the census of 1841 had six houses and 37 inhabitants. The township contains 908 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £611. 10s. Rowland Hunt, Esq., is sole proprietor and lord of the manor. The Hall is a venerable old structure, partly in ruins, and partly occupied as workshops and granaries. It was formerly the seat of Sir William Leighton, chief justice of North Wales, and one of the council of the Marches. He died in 1607, and was buried under a sumptuous monument in Cardington church. The Hall contains some fine specimens of oak carving, and although decayed and ruinous bears traces of its former splendour. The principal residents in Plaish are Samuel Eaton, farmer, Plaish Hall, and Thomas Lewis, farmer, The Sheaves.

WILLSTONE, a township in Cardington parish, containing 711 acres of land, at the census of 1841 had four houses and 34 inhabitants. Rateable value of the parish, £469. 10s. Panton Corbett, Esq., and Thomas Bolton, Esq., are the landowners; the former is lord of the manor. The resident farmers in Willstone are Isaiah Lindop, and William Minton.

CHURCH STRETTON

is a market town and parish in the Upper division of the Munslow hundred, thirteen miles S.S.W. from Shrewsbury, fourteen miles N.N.W. from Ludlow, and 153 miles from London. The parish comprises the townships of Church Stretton, All Stretton, Little Stretton, and Minton, and contains 5,717 acres of titheable land, and 5,000 of common, making a total of 10,717 acres in the parish, the gross estimated rental of which is £7,592. Rateable value £6,133. At the census of 1801 there were 924 inhabitants; 1831, 1,302; 1841, 1,604. At the latter period there were 346 houses, of which 183 houses and 860 persons were in the township of Church Stretton. This place is supposed to have derived the name of Stretton (formerly Street Town), from its contiguity to the Watling Street, the Roman road that led from Uriconium (now Wroxeter), the principal city of the Cornavii, to Kinchester, near Hereford. This ancient road runs nearly parallel with the turnpike road from Shrewsbury to Hereford. The town is small, and chiefly consists of one street, in the widest part of which is the market hall. It is a polling place for the southern division of the county, and is situated in a picturesque vale, from which rise gradually wooded eminences of great beauty, backed by lofty ranges of hills. On the eastern side are the Lawley and the far-famed Caer Caradoc, one of the military entrenchments of Caractacus in his long and arduous struggle with the Romans; on the western side is the lofty range of the Longmynds, extending eight or nine miles, and on the summit of one called Boddbury was a Roman station or camp of observation. A pole has been erected on the highest point of the Longmynds, from which spot there is a most delightful and commanding view of a wide extent of country. The prospect includes on the west the Stipperstones, the mountainous district of Wales, including the Sugarloaf near Abergavenny, the Table mountain, Cader Idris, and the intervening range from that mountain to Snowdon; on the east and north-east are seen the Edgwood, the Clee, and Malvern hills, and the majestic Wrekin; to the south-west are the hills of Radnorshire, and on the north-west the Denbighshire hills, besides which there is a fine view of the fertile plains of Shropshire, with many other objects of deep interest. The secluded and romantic situation of Church Stretton, the grand and majestic character of the surrounding scenery—its proximity to scenes of great historical interest—the mildness and salubrity of the air, which is at the same time peculiarly bracing,—its general exemption from contagious and epidemic disease, and the excellence of the water, all conduce to render it peculiarly attractive to parties in pursuit of health and pleasure. During the summer months it is a very favourite resort of visitors from the neighbouring towns, the great variety of the scenery rendering it almost impossible to weary the most fastidious taste. When it has become more easy of access by railway it will no doubt become a favourite retreat for persons from all parts of the kingdom. The Shrewsbury and Hereford railway now in course of construction will pass within three hundred yards of the town.

Camden, who wrote in the time of Elizabeth observes, “Near Stretton, in a valley are yet to be seen the rubbish of an old castle called Brocard’s Castle and the same set amiddest greene meadowes that before time were fish ponds.” In the 17th of King John, Hugh de Mortimer received command from the Barons to deliver up the castle of Stretton Dale to Hugh de Neville, but standing firm to the king he was rewarded the next year by receiving a grant of the castle of Holdgate from John. The Caer Caradoc probably acquired that name from having been one of the military stations of Caractacus, and it was once considered the place where he fought his last battle until a strict comparison of its situation, with the description given by Tacitus, caused the opinion to be abandoned. Formerly a society of gentlemen used to meet annually on this hill to celebrate the fame of the British chief in compositions of prose and verse. A very spirited poetical effusion was on occasion delivered almost extempore by the Rev. Sneyd Davies. Almost every dingle and narrow valley of this locality has its peculiar brook or rivulet, which in several instances form beautiful cascades over their rocky channel; they all produce excellent trout. At the foot of the Caradoc, near All Stretton, is a farm house called Botvylle which a family of that name at an early period held under the Knights Templars of Jerusalem. One of this family was a lawyer, and was called John of the Inns, which was corrupted into John Thynne, and from him there is a tradition that the family of the Marquis of Bath is descended, who possessed the manor till the year 1808, when it was sold to Thomas Coleman, Esq. In the 10th of Edward III. the king bestowed Stretton on Richard, Earl of Arundel, and the year following he obtained the grant of a market on Thursday, and a fair on the eve, the day, and the day after the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The market is still held on Thursday, and is well attended with provisions. Fairs are held on the Monday before Shrewsbury first March fair; 14th May, 3rd of July, for wool, 25th of September, and the last Thursday in November. The Market Hall is a neat and spacious building in the Elizabethan style, consisting of a good room where public meetings are held, and an area underneath for the market. It was erected in the year 1839, at a cost of about £1000, and was conveyed to the following trustees, some of whom were the principal subscribers to the funds for its erection, namely: the Earl of Powis, Lord Darlington, Lord Clive, Hon. R. H. Clive, Rev. N. R. Pemberton, E. W. Smythe Owen, Esq., G. R. Benson, Esq., Panton Corbett, Esq., Thomas S. Acton, Esq., E. B. Coleman, Esq., William Pinches, Esq., Mr. John Broome, and Mr. John Robinson. The old market hall, an antique structure much admired for its primitive appearance, was chiefly composed of timber and plaister, and was built in the year 1617; it was fast falling to decay when it was taken down; the inhabitants purchased the site and the tolls for £200, which was raised by subscriptions, so that the market is now toll free. In a deep valley about a quarter of a mile from the town is a flourishing flannel manufactory, the machinery being turned by a mountain stream; the inhabitants are however chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits; large flocks of sheep are pastured on the neighbouring hills. The principal landowners are Moses George Benson, Esq., Charles Orlando Childe Pemberton, Esq., and Mrs. Coleman; the latter is lady of the manor.

THE CHURCH, an ancient cruciform structure with a central tower, chiefly in the early English style of architecture, is dedicated to St. Lawrence, having an image of that saint in the eastern angle of the tower. The tower exhibits some elaborate workmanship, and contains a very melodious peal of bells and an excellent clock. On the north and south sides of the edifice are doorways of Norman character. The tower is supported by four clustered pillars and pointed arches, which divide the nave, chancel, and transepts. The chancel is beautifully ornamented with richly carved oak in antique devices, collected at a considerable cost by the late rector, the Rev. Robert N. Pemberton, who bestowed great care and expense in the embellishment of the sacred edifice. In the centre compartment of the altar is an elegant and well carved representation of Christ after the crucifixion. The windows, principally in the decorated style, with rich and flowing tracery, are beautified with stained glass. The eastern one is peculiarly chaste and elegant, and being immediately over the altar gives the interior a very chastened and effective appearance. The centre division contains a fine figure of our Saviour, and on one side is a representation of St. Peter, and on the other of St. John. This window was the gift of the late rector, the Rev. R. N. Pemberton. The living is a rectory, rated in the king’s book at £15. 10s., in the patronage of C. O. C. Pemberton, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Hugh Owen Wilson. The tithes are commuted for £505, and there is a glebe land attached to the rectory, of the annual value of £60. The parish is in the diocese of Hereford, and the triennial visitation is held here by the bishop. The visitation in the intermediate years is held by the archdeacon. Roger Mainwaring, D.D., vicar of St. Giles in the Fields, and chaplain to King Charles I., was born in this town. His two sermons, entitled “Religion and Allegiance,” were censured in parliament, and he was afterwards imprisoned and suspended for three years. In 1633 the king presented him to the rich rectory of Stanford Rivers, in Essex, made him dean of Worcester, and in 1635 he was consecrated bishop of St. David’s, which see he held till the bishopric was abolished. He was cruelly dealt with by the prevailing powers in the time of anarchy and confusion, and died in 1653, leaving behind him the character of a person of great learning and true piety.

There is a Branch Savings Bank at Church Stretton, which commenced in the year 1821, the business of which is conducted at the school house every Friday. About 300 depositors have their names in the books, and a sum of about £9,000 standing to their credit. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the Manchester Unity have a lodge here, with their funds in a prosperous condition. There is also a clothing club for the benefit of poor families, and one for the supply of coals during the winter season. A police station has been erected at the expense of the county, near to the union house, in connexion with which are cells for the temporary confinement of offenders, and a residence for the superintendent constable.

THE CHURCH STRETTON UNION WORKHOUSE is situated nearly a quarter of a mile from the town, on the Shrewsbury and Ludlow turnpike road, and in the immediate vicinity of the Longmynd hills. The situation is remarkably dry and salubrious, and the building is admirably contrived for the convenience and comfort of the inmates. The building is in the form of a cross, which, with the outer wall, forms four quadrangles, and these are used as airing yards. It was built in 1838, of the rough stone got from the neighbouring quarries, with quoins and cornices of hewn free stone. The cost of the structure was £2,000, and the sum of £200 was paid for the site and land attached, which covers an area of about two acres. The money necessary for the erection was borrowed, and it was agreed to pay back the principal by instalments of £100 per annum: there remains unpaid at the present time £600. The parishes comprised within the union are, Acton Scott, Church Stretton, Cardington, Easthope, Eaton, Hope Bowdler, Leebotwood, Longnor, Rushbury, Shipton, Sibdon, Carwood, Smethcott, Wistanston, and Woolstaston. The house is capable of accommodating 110 inmates, and the guardians meet at the board room every fortnight for the transaction of the business connected with the union. The expenditure for the half year ending Lady day, 1850, was £1,266. 16s., and the average weekly cost per head of the in-door paupers was 2s. 1½d., of which 3d. was for clothing. The number of in-door paupers at the same period was 55. John Belton, Clerk to the Guardians. Thomas Heighway, Relieving Officer. Medical Officers: Richard Wilding, for the house and first district; Thomas R. C. Downes, second district; Robert Jones, third district; Charles Mott, fourth district. Rev. P. Nunn, Chaplain. Henry Evans, Governor. Mary Ditcher, Matron. Sarah Atkinson, Schoolmistress.

CHARITIES.—There is a school and schoolhouse in the town of Church Stretton, built in 1779 on the site of an old school, supposed to have been erected on the waste land by subscription, and another room has since been added thereto. By an act of parliament, passed 28th George III., for enclosing the commons and waste lands in the manor of Church Stretton, it was enacted that all encroachments which had heretofore been made on the said commons and waste lands, for the use of the school and schoolmaster at Church Stretton, should be confirmed by the commissioners to the rector of the parish for the time being, together with nine other persons therein named, and their successors to be appointed as therein directed, on trust to receive the rents and apply the same to the use of the schoolmaster as an augmentation of his salary, and to permit such master to occupy the buildings for the uses for which they were intended. In pursuance of this act the commissioners allotted a parcel of land containing 27A. 0R. 29P., (including a road containing about one acre), which was let, when the charity commissioners published their report, for the yearly sum of £27.

The following legacies have at different periods been left for the benefit of the school, viz:—Sir Rowland Hayward, Knt. £1. 13s. 4d. yearly, payable out of certain lands in the parish. In respect of the charity of Thomas Bridgman, 40s. yearly is paid to the schoolmaster for teaching four poor children. From Lloyd’s Charity the trustees receive the sum of £2. 5s., and £3. 3s. yearly for the support of a Sunday school. The trustees also receive £4. 10s. yearly from Mainwaring’s Charity, and £2. 1s. annually from the churchwardens. The whole annual income derived from these sources amounts to £42. 12s. 4d. The schoolmaster is appointed by the trustees, and receives a salary of £40 a year, and resides in a house free of expense, and for these emoluments he also teaches a Sunday school. The school is conducted on the national system: about 60 boys and 60 girls attend.

Thomas Hawkes, by will dated 19th August, 1703, left £30 to the use of the poor of the parish of Church Stretton, to be laid out in land; the yearly produce thereof to be distributed in bread as follows; viz: eight penny loaves every Sunday, and sixteen penny loaves every first Sunday in the year, Easter Sunday, and Whit-Sunday, to such poor persons as should frequent the church. The aforesaid sum of £30 was laid out in 1708 in the purchase of a copyhold tenement situated in Church Stretton, called Walter’s House, formerly used as a poor-house, in respect of which 30s. is paid yearly as Hawke’s Legacy out of the poor’s rates, and applied with the produce of other charities hereafter noticed.

By Indenture, bearing date 3rd May, 1684, John Garratt and Henry Richards conveyed a meadow, containing by estimation two acres, in the township of Little Stretton to Thomas Hawkes and others, and their heirs on trust, that they should succour and relieve (with the yearly rents and profits) such poor of the said parish as they thought most needy. The meadow called Little Stretton Pools, containing 1A. 1R. 2P. of land, is let at a yearly rent of £5, which is distributed amongst the poor with the other charities.

On the table of benefactions, it is stated that Randolph Jones, in 1710, left £10, the interest to be distributed in bread. This money is supposed to have been laid out in building the poor-house, and the interest thereof, 10s., is paid yearly from the poor’s rates, and forms part of the funds distributed in bread at Easter and Christmas.

Thomas Bridgman, by will dated 28th May, 1718, devised to the school at Church Stretton 40s. yearly, to be paid at Michaelmas and Lady-day to the schoolmaster, on condition that he should teach four poor children till they could perfectly read in the Bible, and then to receive four more, to be nominated from the parish by his executors and trustees, and the minister of the parish. He also gave to the poor housekeepers of Church Stretton 20s., to be given on St. Thomas’s day; and also 10s. more to be distributed in twenty sixpenny loaves to housekeepers of the said parish, not receiving parochial relief.

Edward Phillips, by indenture bearing date 19th May, 1735, left land to the amount of 2A. 3R. 10P. called the Street Meadow, in trust to apply the annual rent of the same for the benefit of the poor. This land was let in 1830 at a rent of £7, which forms part of the general distribution on St. Thomas’s day and Easter.

Edward Lloyd, who died in 1790, bequeathed £100, to be placed out at interest, half the produce to be paid to the schoolmaster, as an augmentation to his salary, and the other half to be applied towards raising a sum to apprentice two boys of the age of 14 scholars of the said school. He also gave £21, on trust, to place out the same to pay the interest to sixteen poor parishioners of Church Stretton, on St. Thomas’s day, to be nominated by the minister and churchwardens. The testator also charged his estate, called The Bank, in Church Stretton, with the payment of £3. 3s. yearly to the trustees of Church Stretton school, for the aid and support of a Sunday school there. The sum of £100 is placed out on a bond, given out under the provisions of an act of parliament, passed for rebuilding St. Chad’s church, Shrewsbury, bearing interest at 4½ per cent. One moiety is paid to the trustees of the school, as before stated; and the other is carried to a separate account, called the apprentice fund, from which children are placed out as apprentices, with a premium of £4 each.

John Bridgman, by will, dated 5th October, 1796, bequeathed £100, in trust, to the minister and churchwardens of Church Stretton, to be by them placed out at interest, on such security as they should think proper, and distributed by them on the 28th of March to poor housekeepers.

Edward Phillips, jun., by will, dated 22nd of September, 1781, gave to the parish of Church Stretton the sum of £30, to be laid out in land, and the produce thereof to be given in bread to poor housekeepers. The yearly sum of £1. 10s. has been considered as a charge upon land in Church Stretton, belonging to the Rev. Robert Norgrave Pemberton, which was formerly the property of the family of Phillips.

The Rev. John Mainwaring, by will, dated 12th of May, 1800, and by a codicil, dated 5th October, 1805, directed that the sum of £100 should be invested in the purchase of stock in the public funds, the interest whereof to be applied to the relief of poor industrious persons residing in the parish as should be thought most deserving; and also £100, the interest whereof to be paid to the master of the Church Stretton school, in augmentation of his salary; and he also directed that £21 should he laid out in the purchase of stock, the interest to be paid to such person as should have the keeping of the churchyard in order, on condition that the parishioners of Church Stretton should continue the yearly payment of 8s. or 10s. hitherto allowed for that purpose. Interest is paid on these sums at 4½ per cent.

The preceding charities, amounting to £27. 1s., are carried to one general fund, of which £4 are disposed of in bread—20s. worth every St. Thomas’s day, the like sum every Easter Tuesday, and 40s. towards a distribution of eighteen pennyworth of bread three Sundays in every month, the residue being paid from the parish rates. The remainder, £23. 1s., with the money collected at the sacrament, and some voluntary additions thereto, are distributed to the poor at Easter and on St. Thomas’s day, in nearly equal proportions.

William Minton, in 1701, left £6, the interest to be distributed in bread every Christmas day. The amount of 6s. is given away in twopenny and threepenny loaves before evening service on the aforesaid day. It is stated, on the table of benefactions, that Thomas Harrison, in 1794, left £10, the interest to be given to the poor on St. Thomas’s day. Widow Owen left £1 yearly, payable from certain houses in Mardol, in Shrewsbury, to repair the west window of Stretton church. At the time the Charity Commissioners published their report, there was a surplus of upwards of £9 ready to be applied to the repair of the aforesaid window.

Andrews Thomas, saddler & harness maker

Beetlestone George, victualler, Crown Inn

Bridgman Mr. John

Bellingham Robert, hair dresser

Broome Mrs. Margaret, Post Office

Corfield The Misses, ladies’ seminary

Childe Thomas, tin plate worker and brazier

Davies Eliza, milliner and dressmaker

Duppa, Banks, & Co., woollen manufacturers

Firm—Duppa Duppa, Esq., and William Banks, Esq., Kington

Evans David, victualler, The Raven

Everall Richard, beerseller

Faulkner John, butcher

Faulkner John, wheelwright

Glover Edward, saddler and harness maker

George William, victualler, The Talbot

Groves Thomas, farmer, Ashbrook

Gwilliam Edward, shoemaker

Howells Mr., farmer

Heighway James, grocer & provision dealer, and agent to the Shropshire and North Wales Fire Office

Heighway Richard, maltster and farmer, Lower Wood

Heighway Thomas, farmer, Pensylvania

Home Richard, grocer and seedsman, and registrar of births and deaths for Church Stretton district

Hopwood Mr. Robert, The Priory

Jones Miss Sarah, Lower Wood

Langford William, farmer, Lower Wood

Lewis John, painter and maltster

Lewis John, blacksmith and victualler, The Queen’s Head Inn

Lewis William, plumber and glazier

Lloyd John, shoemaker

Lloyd Charles, victualler, The Buck’s Head

Lucas John, tailor

Lucas Mary, shopkeeper

Mills Jonathan, victualler, The Red Lion

Mills Thomas, farmer

Mott Charles, surgeon

Morris John, leather dealer

M’Cartney Mr., travelling tea dealer

Meredith Lewis & Co., grocers and drapers

Marston William, tailor

Nunn, Rev. Preston, curate

Pearson George, tailor

Phillips Mrs. Maria, Ashbrook

Phipps George, victualler, The Plough

Painter Thomas, farmer, Lower Wood

Robinson John, ironmonger

Robinson James H., draper

Robinson John, shoemaker

Rogers Thomas, butcher

Steadman John S., farmer and maltster

Teague William, victualler, King’s Arms

Wilding Richard, surgeon

Wilson Rev. Hugh Owen, rector

ALL STRETTON

is a township and village in the parish of Church Stretton, situated about a mile north from the church, which contains 2,192 acres of land, and at the census of 1841 had 88 houses and 454 inhabitants. Gross estimated rental, £2,268. 15s. Rateable value, £1,825. 5s. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Samuel Wilding, Esq., A. B. Markham, Esq., Panton Corbett, Esq., Edward Medlicott, Esq., Duppa Duppa, Esq. The village is in a romantic situation, near the mountainous range of the Longmynd, and not far from the Caradoc and Lawley hills. The occasion of the prefix, “All,” to this Stretton is accounted for by the following tradition:—When James II. was on his journey from Ludlow to Shrewsbury, approaching the first, or Little Stretton, he inquired its name: “Stretton, Sire,” was answered. Arriving at Church Stretton, he made the same inquiry: “Stretton, Sire,” was again the reply. Coming to the third, he renewed the question, and received the same answer. “Upon my word,” said the king, “they are all Strettons in this country.”

LITTLE STRETTON

is a township, about a mile and a half south from Church Stretton, which contains 816 acres, the gross estimated rental of which is £1,054. 15s., and the rateable value £841. 5s. The landowners are, Thomas Bolton, Esq., Mrs. Davies, John Robinson, Esq., Edward Gibbon, Esq., John Mansell, Esq., and Mrs. Coleman. The latter is lady of the manor. The village is pleasant, and the country around is beautifully picturesque. In 1841 there were 41 houses and 165 inhabitants.

MINTON

township has 803 acres of land, and the village is situated in the wild and romantic district of the Longmynd range of hills, three miles south-west from Church Stretton. At the census of 1841 there were 30 houses and 125 inhabitants. Gross estimated rental, £936. 3s. Rateable value, £752. 10s. The chief landowners are W. M. Beddows, Esq., Mr. Richard Minton, C. O. C. Pemberton, Esq. The former is lord of the manor.

ALL STRETTON DIRECTORY.

Belton Mr. John, Innwood

Dolphin Edward, farmer

Donelly Michael, shopkeeper

Edwards Rchd., vict., New Inn

Galliers Rowland, beerseller

Griffiths William, beerseller

Haverkum Mrs. Mary, All Stretton Hall

Heighway Richard, farmer and maltster, Lower Wood

Heighway Thomas, farmer

Hide John, cattle dealer

Hide Wm., vict., Yew Tree

Hince Mr. Cs, Dudgley house

Jones Miss Sarah, Lower Wood

Jones Mr. William

Langford William, farmer, Lower Wood

Lewis John, blacksmith

Lewis William, plumber and glazier

Painter Thos., farmer, Lower Wood

Rawlins Mary, shopkeeper

Smith Timothy, farmer, Dudgley

Taylor Mary, farmer, Hodghurst

Williams Samuel, shoemaker

LITTLE STRETTON DIRECTORY.

Acton Mrs. Mary

Bridgman Francis, farmer

Childe Elizabeth, blacksmith

Corfield William, farmer, The Hall

Davies Mrs., Eleanor The Cottages

Davies George, farmer

Davies John, shopkeeper

Gwynn James, shoemaker

Hammond Thomas, wheelwright

Hammond Richard, wheelwright

Longmore William, farmer

Mansell John, farmer

Miles Thomas, shoemaker

Preen Samuel, butcher

Preen Thomas, tailor

Pritchard John, victualler, Green Dragon

Ray Edward, farmer

Robinson John, maltster

Speake John, farmer

Speake John, victualler, Sun Inn

Simpson William, tanner

Taylor Thomas, tailor

Turner Margaret, victualler, Crown Inn

MINTON DIRECTORY.

Beddows Mrs. Jane, Well House

Beddows William Minton, Esq., Well House

Briscoe Thomas, victualler, New Inn, Marsh Brook

Edwards Francis, miller, Queen Batch Mill

Downes John, farmer, New House

Hotchkiss Thomas, farmer

Jones Pryce, machine maker

Minton Richard, farmer, Manor House

Rogers Edward, farmer

CLEE ST. MARGARET, OR CLEE TOWN,

is a township, parish, and large village in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, seven and a half miles N.N.E. from Ludlow, containing 988A. 2R. 36P. of land. Gross estimated rental, £1,323. 10s. Rateable value, £889. 4s. The village is salubriously situated, a little to the west of the Brown Clee hill, and the inhabitants are celebrated for their longevity. At the census in 1841 there were 71 houses, including the hamlet of Coxheadford, and 269 inhabitants; population in 1801, 294; 1831, 294. The principal landowners are Mrs. Thursby, Richard Turner, Esq., Thomas Millichap, Esq., Mr. Thomas Turner, Mr. William Heighway, the Earl of Craven, Sir Sidney Herbert, and Mr. Samuel Jones. Mrs. Thursby is lady of the manor. The church is a small structure of unpretending appearance, consisting of nave and chancel, with a square tower. The living is a perpetual curacy, formerly of very little value, but has been increased by royal bounty, parliamentary grant, and private benefactions, to £179 per annum. The patronage is vested in the lady of the manor. Incumbent, Rev. J. Corbett. COXHEADFORD is a hamlet in the parish of Clee St. Margaret, situated in a sequestered and romantic dingle formed by two lofty elevations of the Brown Clee hills. Upon that portion of the Clee hill called Norley Bank are traces of an encampment. There is a small place of worship belonging to the Joanna Southcotts.

The principal residents in Clee St. Margaret are Edward Burton, vict., Shoulder of Mutton; Thomas Hall, farmer, Burnt House; John Hanson, farmer, New House; Samuel Heighway, farmer, The Marsh; Isaac Howell, vict., The Boot Inn; Rev. Morgan Jones, The Marsh; Richard Lawrence, corn miller; Thomas Millichap, farmer; Thomas Wall, farmer, Church House; Thomas Wheelwright, farmer, Brook House; Thomas Turner, farmer and cider dealer, Coxheadford; Samuel Hall, weaver and shopkeeper, Coxheadford.

SCIRMAGE, an Extra Parochial Liberty situated about a mile from Clee Town, where the three parishes of Stoke St. Milborough, Cold Weston, and Stoke St. Margaret converge, contains about half an acre of land, and one small house, which is the property of Mr. Thomas Wheelwright, and occupied by Elizabeth Burton.

COLD WESTON

is a small township and parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, seven and a half miles N.N. by E. from Ludlow, which contains 415 acres of land, three cottages, and a farm house. At the census in 1841 there were 27 inhabitants, and in 1841 31. Gross estimated rental, £362. 10s. Rateable value, £258. Mrs. Cornewall is the proprietor of the whole township. The church is a very humble structure, the living of which is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £2. 8s. 4d., now returned at £100 in the patronage of Mrs. Cornewall. Incumbent, Rev. Henry Cowdell; the Rev. Lancelot Dixon is the curate. There was formerly a woollen mill in this parish. The land in this locality has mostly a poor soil. Thomas Keysell is the only resident farmer.

CULMINGTON

is a considerable parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, comprising the townships of Bache and Norton, Burley, Culmington, and Siefton, and embracing 3,460A. 3R. 0P. of land. Gross estimated rental, £4,874. 10s. 6d. Rateable value, £3,249. The principal landowners are the Earl of Craven, George Wood, Esq., and James Beddows, Esq. In 1801 there was a population of 419 souls; 1831, 515, and in 1841 there were 109 houses and 541 inhabitants. At the Doomsday survey Earl Roger held Comintine, which Edric held before the conquest. It was for some time held by the same lord, and included in the same tenure as the castle of Corfham. King Henry II. gave Culmington to Walter de Clifford, and it was afterwards carried in marriage to William Longspe, who, being overthrown in a tournament, is stated to have died of grief in the flower of his age. His widow married Sir John Giffard, who procured a charter of free warren for his lands here, and died possessed of them in the 27th of Edward I. It afterwards passed to the L’Estranges, and then to the Talbots, Earls of Shrewsbury. The village of Culmington is delightfully situated in the beautiful and fertile vale of the Corve dale, five miles N.W. from Culmington. The church is dedicated to All Saints, and consists of nave and chancel, with an octagonal tower surmounted by a spire; the tower contains three bells. The interior is neat, and contains several tablets, chiefly to the family of the present rector. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £18. 9s. 2d., in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. William Johnstone. The tithes have been commuted for £762. 10s., and the glebe land is of the annual value of £79. 10s. A tower has been built on a plot of land where the estates of the four principal landowners of this locality converge; the owners are the Earl of Craven, Hon. Robert Henry Clive, Francis Marston, Esq., and George Wood, Esq. The monument is built on a lofty eminence, and commands a prospect of great extent and diversity.

The principal residents are Alexander Anslow, beerhouse keeper; Samuel Anslow, blacksmith; Thomas James, wheelwright; John Morris, farmer; Richard Pearce, shoemaker; Edward Taylor, farmer; James Williams, farmer.

BACH AND NORTON, a township and small rural village six miles N.W. from Ludlow, in 1841 had 19 houses and 87 inhabitants. The land in this locality is highly fertile. The chief owners in the township are the Earl of Craven, the Marquis of Crosemere, and George Wood, Esq.; the latter is lord of the manor. The principal residents are Richard Bach, farmer, Norton; Edward Bassett, farmer, Bach; William Bromley, farmer, Norton; William Tarte, farmer, Bach.

BURLEY is a small township situated about a mile N.W. from Culmington, returned in 1841 as containing 28 houses and 140 inhabitants. The Earl of Craven is the landowner. John Onions is the principal farmer.

SIEFTON, a small village and township in the parish of Culmington, situated about a mile from the parish church, in 1841 had 41 houses and 223 inhabitants. There is a national school in the village, which is supported by the lord of the manor; upwards of seventy scholars attend. The rectory of Culmington, a handsome residence, is situated in this township. The Earl of Craven and George Wood, Esq., are the landowners. The principal residents are Rev. William Johnstone, rector; William Bach, farmer, New House; Richard Bach, farmer, Madeley Park; Henry Instone, farmer; Thomas Lucas, schoolmaster.

DIDDLEBURY

is an extensive parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, which comprises the townships of Corfton, Diddlebury, Earnstrey Park, Lawton and Little Sutton, Lower Parks and Broncroft, Middlehope Paston, Peaton, Sutton Great and Westhope, together containing 9,043 acres of land: population in 1801, 837; 1831, 920; 1841, 896; at the latter period there were 190 houses. The village of Diddlebury is pleasantly situated seven miles and a half north from Ludlow, and in 1841 had 25 houses and 132 inhabitants. The township contains 1,149 acres of Land; rateable value, £1,191. 16s. 8d. The principal landowners are the Cornewall family, James Davies, Esq., Mr. E. Lodge, William A. Roberts, Esq., and George Wood, Esq. There was formerly an alien priory at Diddlebury, which was subordinate to the convent of Seez, in Normandy, and was afterwards appropriated to the abbey of Shrewsbury. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, consists of nave and chancel, and has a square tower, in which are five bells: there are several memorials, chiefly to the family of Cornewall. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £12. 1s. 3d.; now returned at £384; in the patronage of the dean and chapter of Hereford; incumbent, Rev. Thomas Underwood. There is a National school in the village, attended by about forty scholars. The tithes of this township have been commuted, and £35 apportioned to the vicar, and £45. 10s. to the dean and chapter of Hereford. DELBURY HALL, in this township, the property of Herbert Cornewall, Esq., and residence of Henry Wood, Esq., is said to have formerly belonged to the monks of Wenlock Abbey, from whom it passed to the family of Baldwin, whose monuments are in the chancel of Diddlebury church. It was purchased by Captain Cornewall, father of the late bishop of Worcester, and grandfather of the present proprietor. There has existed a school at Diddlebury every since the year 1595. Lord Herbert, of Chirbury, was partly educated at this school in his youth.

CHARITIES.—The parish officers are in possession of a house which was purchased in 1720 for £150, of which, £128 was money belonging to the parishioners of Diddlebury; the residue £22 was borrowed of Philip Luttley. After paying of interest for the said £22, it was agreed to appropriate the rent in equal moieties to the support of a school, and to the benefit of the poor. At a meeting of the parishioners, held May 13th, 1830, it was resolved that the clear rents (then £8 per annum) should in future be applied to the support of a Sunday school. There was a sum of £21 in the hands of Mr. Beddoes when the charity commissioners published their report, for which he paid £4 a year as the interest; but it is not known from whose gift this charity was derived. This money has been improperly, as it seems to us, carried to the poor’s rate; but at the parish meeting above mentioned it has been determined to apply the interest also for the benefit of the school.

Mary Valentine, by her will, bearing date 23rd May, 1822, bequeathed to the minister, churchwardens, and overseers of the poor of the parish of Diddlebury, £1,000 four per cent. consols, to be transferred into their names as trustees, the dividends to be laid out in bread, and distributed every Sunday to poor housekeepers of this parish not receiving parochial relief. The dividends, amounting to £35 per annum, are received through a bank at London. The income is applied in a weekly distribution of bread amongst all the poor belonging the parish, and not receiving parochial relief; some who are not resident in the parish being included. For the purpose of regulating the distribution, the parish is divided into three districts; and about twenty-six persons from each district in rotation receive a sixpenny loaf each every third Sunday.

The principal residents are John Child, farmer; Mrs. Mary Downes, Melford Lodge; Henry Wood, Esq., Delbury hall; John Morris, farmer; Frederick North, schoolmaster.

CORFTON

is a township and village in the parish of Diddlebury, containing 1,205 acres of land, and in 1841 had 48 houses and 232 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,453. 3s. 4d. The tithes of Corfton and Sparchford are commuted for £116. 17s. The church of Culmington, with the manors of Corfeham, Culmington, Erneston, and Les Clyves, were held by Walter de Clifford of King Henry II., by the service of one knight’s fee, paying £31 rent. “This Walter was the father of Fair Rosamond, the mistress of Henry II., and mother of the noted William, Earl of Salisbury, whom she bore to the king. Walter de Clifford, grandson of the first Walter, espousing the cause of Richard Mareschal, Earl of Pembroke, then in rebellion, was outlawed 17th of Henry III., and his castle and manor of Corfeham seized by the sheriff of Shropshire for the king’s use; but restored to him shortly after upon his submission. He married the daughter of Lewelin, Prince of Wales, relict of John de Braose, and left issue by her one daughter, first married to William Longspe, Earl of Sarum, who had with her in frank marriage Culmington, in the county of Salop, valued at £28. 8s. 2d. per annum, with this proviso, that in case it did not yield the sum aforesaid, the deficiency was to be made up out of the manor of Corfeham: the whole estate given to her in frank marriage being £200 per annum. After the decease of the Earl of Sarum, her second husband was John Giffard, of Brimsfield, Knt., of whom she complained to the king, that he had taken her by force out of her own castle and carried her to his at Brimsfield, where she was kept in duress. To this accusation Sir John Gifford made answer that he had the free consent of the countess, as the sequel would prove, and so tendered the king a fine of three hundred marks for marrying the lady without licence, which was accepted in satisfaction of the contempt, if the countess made no further application upon that score.” It would appear, therefore, that the ancient owners of the manor were the daughters of the Fair Rosamond.

The principal residents in Corfton are Richard Bowen, farmer, Hill house; Edward Bowen, farmer, Lower house; James Beddoes, farmer, Sparchford; Mary Dyer, vict., Sun Inn; Edward Pearce, farmer; William Hince, butcher; Rev. Thomas Underwood, vicar of Diddlebury.

EARNESTRY PARK is a township in the parish of Diddlebury, situated at the foot of the Brown Clee Hill, which contains 1,017A. 1R. 33P. of land, a great part of which is shaded from the sun a considerable portion of the day by that lofty eminence. The Misses Mytton, of Cleobury North, are the proprietors of the whole township. The summit of the Brown Clee Hill is 1,805 feet above the level of the sea, and commands a most extensive and magnificent prospect of the surrounding country. At the census in 1841 there were six houses and thirty-eight inhabitants. The vicarial tithes have been commuted for £20, and the rectoral for £33. The chief residents are Thomas Bradley, farmer; John Evans, farmer; John Hanson, farmer; and Thomas Hanson, farmer.

LAWTON AND LITTLE SUTTON, a township in Diddlebury parish, five and a half miles north from Ludlow, in 1841 had fifteen houses and eighty five souls. Lawton contains 460 acres, the tithes of which are commuted for £51. Sutton portion of the township comprises 331 acres, and the tithes are commuted for £33. 11s. The principal landowners are Herbert Cornewall, Esq., and Charles Powell, Esq.; the former is lord of the manor. SUTTON COURT is a handsome house of modern erection, and is the residence of Charles Powell, Esq., J.P., who, with William Cocks, farmer, Lawton, and Francis Keysell, farmer, Sutton, are the principal residents in the township.

LOWER PARK AND BRONCROFT, a small township in the parish of Diddlebury, comprising 795 acres of land, is situated eight and a quarter miles north-east from Ludlow. At the census of 1841 there were five houses and twenty-six inhabitants. Rateable value, £627. 13s. 4d. The small tithes are commuted for £27, and the large tithes for £47; the dean and chapter of Hereford are the appropriators. George Johnstone, Esq., is the principal landowner. The chief residents are George Johnstone, Esq., Broncroft castle; and John Price, farmer, the Lodge farm.

MIDDLEHOPE, a township in the parish of Diddlebury, contains 1,091 acres of land, which is mostly the property of John Francis Wright, Esq. At the census of 1841 there were sixteen houses and 100 inhabitants.

The tithes have been commuted for £60, of which £20 has been apportioned to the vicar and £14 to the dean and chapter of Hereford. The principal residents are Thomas Jones, farmer, Berwood; Thomas Jones, farmer; Thomas Webster, farmer; William Yapp, farmer; and John Yapp, farmer.

POSTON, a township in the parish of Diddlebury comprises 394 acres of land, two houses, and thirteen inhabitants, and is situated six and a half miles north from Ludlow; Archdeacon Vicers is the landowner. The small tithes are commuted for £8. 10s., and the large tithes for £13. 7s. John Chatham is the resident farmer.

PEATON, a small township and village in the parish of Diddlebury, with 22 houses and 103 souls, contains 1,022 acres of land, which is the property of Lady Louisa Clinton; the tithes have been commuted for £106, of which £30 has been apportioned to the vicar, and £76 to the dean and chapter of Hereford.

DIRECTORY.—William Dyer, shopkeeper; John Gwilt, farmer, New House; Thomas Passey, farmer; Samuel Price, farmer.

SUTTON GREAT, a township with a scattered population, in the parish of Diddlebury, six miles north-east from Ludlow, contains 734 acres of land, principally the property of Herbert Cornewall, Esq.; the vicarial tithes are commuted for £26, and the rectoral for £35. 14s. At the census of 1841 there were thirteen houses and a population of sixty-four souls. The chief residents in Sutton are Benjamin Pitt, farmer, and John Yates, farmer.

WESTHOPE, a township in the parish of Diddlebury, nine miles north-west from Ludlow, has 1186 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £668. In 1841 there were 17 houses and 103 inhabitants. There is a Chapel of Ease here, a small unpretending structure, the living of which is a curacy subordinate to the vicarage of Diddlebury; the small tithes are commuted for £25, and the large tithes for £82. 4s.

DIRECTORY.—John Banks, farmer, Westhope House; Thomas Banks, farmer, Lower Westhope; William Price, farmer, Chapel farm; Richard Smout, farmer; John Smout, farmer, The Hall End.

EASTHOPE

is a parish and small rural village, situated in Hopedale, in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, five miles south-west from the ancient town of Much Wenlock, eight miles east from Church Stretton, and ten miles west from Bridgnorth. The parish contains 815 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £803. At the census in 1801 there were 85 inhabitants; 1831, 103; and in 1841, 21 houses and a population of 103 souls. In the 34th Edward I. John de Easthope died seized of the manor of Easthope, 18th of Edward II. a fine was levied between Thomas de Easthope and John de Hopton defendant, of the manor and of the advowson of the church, to the use of Thomas and Joanna his wife in fee tail. The 21st of Richard II. Richard Earl of Arundel was found to have a knight’s fee in Easthope, holden then by Thomas de Hynkeley. In the 12th of Henry VII. a fine was levied between Henry Warley and Nicholas Warley complainants, John Haltman and his wife defendants, of both the manor and advowson of the church et de terris in Easthope, Presthope, Astwale, Louthwyche, Willey, Bratton, Henley, and Bould. Moses George Benson, Esq. is the principal landowner and lord of the manor; the soil is mostly upon the limestone, and there is a good deal of limestone rock in the parish and neighbourhood. The water is very good and some of the springs are accounted efficacious in scorbutic complaints, and are also of a petrifying quality. The scenery is beautifully diversified and romantic, and some of the high grounds command fine views of the celebrated Wrekin, the Clee hill, and Caradoc, so named after Caractacus, who had a camp on the summit. The Wenlock edge is a great feature in this part of the country; it is a steep wooded acclivity which runs nearly through the centre of the parish, and is of an interesting nature to the geologist.

THE CHURCH is a small structure unpretending in its architecture, and dedicated to St. Peter. It has a short tower, and there is a well-proportioned window in the east end in the early English style: the font is very ancient. On the north side of the church, between two venerable yews, are two tombs without date or inscription but simply a cross upon each. It is supposed that two monks are interred there, who might be connected with the Abbey of Wenlock. The stones have given rise to some curious legends among the people. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £3. 3s. 1½d., now returned at £133, in the patronage of M. G. Benson, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Robert Armitage. The rectory is a neat structure in a sheltered situation, and there are thirty-six acres of glebe land.

On some rising ground situated about a mile west of the turnpike road leading from Wenlock to Ludlow, and about half way between Larden Hall and Lutwyche Hall, is a celebrated British encampment. It encloses about eight acres, and the form is nearly a circle, surrounded by inner and outer fosses; the inner wall falls on the side due east twelve feet, externally twenty-five feet, across the crest of the parapet, six feet. The relief of the second vallum rises ten feet from the foss, and is at present twelve feet wide across its parapet; externally it falls eight feet. It is however partially obliterated, either in consequence of the mounds and ditches being planted over, or through their being injured by natural causes. These ditches have formerly been a post of some importance, for they supply a necessary link in the chain of British entrenchments which stretch throughout the country. The present position is in the immediate view of Nordy Bank, and within observation of both the Caers Bury ditches and the Wrekin. The entrance appears to have been on the north-east side. Were there no other reason for the assumption, the fact of a British urn having been found here would sanction the idea that these were the works of the ancient Britons. A little to the north-west is the semblance of a tumulus, which a few years ago was more prominent than at present; on a recent occasion after making a cut from west to east, the workmen came to a black deposit which led to the supposition that the interment had been simple, and by cremation. On a previous occasion by mere accident an earthen vessel was found by making a drain about three hundred yards south-east from the encampment. It was formed of a sort of red clay so slightly baked on the outside that it washed away when a brush and water were applied to it. The inside was black and somewhat harder as though it had been baked by making the fire within. “Before I saw it,” says Mr. Mytton, “the workmen had broken the lower part which was next the surface of the ground, but by putting the pieces together the form could be made out. It was found with the mouth downwards, and contained fragments of bones. At seems most likely that Astorius made a diversion of part of his forces against Caer Caradoc and the ditches, and after having driven out the Britons from those elevated posts he left garrisons in the country.” The Mogg, or Mock Forest, in which the camp is situated, is reckoned among the ancient forests of this county.

The principal gentleman’s seat in this parish is LUTWYCHE HALL, built by Judge Lutwyche, in the time of Queen Elizabeth; a full length portrait of the judge adorns an apartment inside the mansion. It is supposed that there has been a mansion at Lutwyche from the time of, or probably earlier than the Conquest. It was sold in 1786 by the last of the Lutwyches, and after passing through several intermediate owners was purchased in 1806 by Moses Benson, Esq., whose grandson Moses George Benson, Esq. now resides there. The derivation of the word Lutwyche is said to be from lut, the gathering of an army, and wyche, a cleft or valley.

The chief residents in Easthope are Moses George Benson, Esq., Lutwyche Hall; The Rev. Robert Armitage, The Rectory; Edward Evans, shoemaker; Samuel Evans, farmer; Edward Preece, wheelwright; Francis Ray, farmer; Easthope Cottage; Margaret Wadlow, farmer and corn miller.

EATON-UNDER-HEYWOOD

is a parish, in the upper division of the Munslow Hundred, which comprises the townships of Eaton, Hatton, part of Longville-Lushcott-East Wall, part of Hungerford, Millichope Upper, and Ticklerton. Population in 1801, 513; 1831, 539; 1841, 579. The village of Eaton is pleasantly situated nine miles south-west from Much Wenlock, and the township contains 1,639 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,026. 3s. At the census in 1841 there were 12 houses and 77 inhabitants. Among the landowners are Miss Eatons, Mrs. Stackhouse, Mr. Powell, and Mr. Nugent; besides whom are several other proprietors. THE CHURCH is a neat structure, with nave, chancel, and a tower, in which are three bells. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £5. Gross income, £300. Patron and incumbent, Rev. Richard Sandford. The tithes are commuted for £178. 10s., and there are 148 acres of glebe land. The principal residents are Benjamin Beddows, farmer; Richard Cleeton, farmer; Thomas Farmer, farmer; Thomas Hince, farmer, New Hall; William Harris, corn miller, New Hall Mill; John Medlicott, farmer; Rev. Richard Sandford, rector.

HATTON is a township in the parish of Eaton, twelve miles south-west from Much Wenlock, with 644 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £407. 5s. In 1841 there were nine houses and 54 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Edwin W. W. Pendarvies, Esq., Rev. Thomas C. Powell, and Mr. Downward. The chief residents are Alice Benbow, victualler, The Bell; Susannah Evans, farmer; Edward Jones, farmer; Joice Rawlins, farmer; William Wall, farmer.

HUNGERFORD is a township partly in Eaton parish and partly in that of Munslow. In the former, at the census of 1841 were eight houses and 55 inhabitants, and in the latter one house and nine persons. It comprises 1,002 acres of land. Rateable value, £703. 1s. C. O. C. Pemberton, Esq., is the principal landowner. The residents are Robert Craig, farmer, miller, and tanner; Edward Rowley, victualler, Buck’s Head.

LONGVILLE LUSHCOTT AND EAST WALL township will be found in Rushbury parish.

MILLICHOPE is a small township, in the parish of Eaton, returned at the census of 1841 as having 15 houses and 94 inhabitants. John Francis Wright, Esq., is the principal landowner. The resident farmers are William Downs and John Preece.

TICKLERTON township has 1,384 acres of land, and is also in the parish of Eaton, and situated about a mile south-west from the church. The village is pleasantly situated, and in 1841 had 40 houses and 211 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,008. 10s. The Rev. Robert Joseph Buddicom is the principal landowner. The chief residents are the Rev. Robert Joseph Buddicom; William Downes, farmer; John Edwards, farmer; Thos. Galliers, farmer; Benjamin Pursland, beerhouse-keeper; Francis Wall, blacksmith.

HALFORD,

a chapelry and small village, formerly united to the parish of Bromfield, contains, with the hamlet of Dinchope, 1,320 acres of land, and in 1841 had 26 houses and 124 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,328. 19s. The whole of the land in this parish belongs to the Hon. R. H. Clive, except about fifty acres, which is the property of James Baxter, Esq. The former is lord of the manor. The soil is mostly upon the limestone, and produces tolerable crops of grain, but a considerable portion of the land is used for grazing purposes. THE CHAPEL is a small structure, and the living a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Hon. R. H. Clive, Esq., who is also lord of the manor. The Rev. William E. Lumb is the incumbent.

DIRECTORY.—John Dalloway, corn miller, Halford Mill; John Davies, farmer, Halford; Richard Jukes, farmer, Dinchope; Sarah Lambe, blacksmith, Newington; Richard Marston, farmer, Halford; Henry Ratcliffe, clerk; Joseph Swift, farmer, Dinchope.

HOLDGATE

is a parish in the lower division of the Munslow Hundred, which embraces the townships of Holdgate, Bouldon, and Brookhampton, and contains 1,623 acres of land. Population in 1801, 197; in 1831, 188; 1841, 224. At the latter period there were forty houses. The village of Holdgate seems once to have been a place of some note, and stands on rising ground, eleven miles north from Ludlow. The township comprises 649 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £854. At the census of 1841 there were 12 houses and 79 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Mrs. Thursby, Rev. Joseph Corbett, and George Phillips, Esq. The former is lady of the manor. There was anciently a castle here. Thomas Maudit being in arms with the rebellious barons, his castle was seized by the king and given to Hugh de Mortimer, but returning to his allegiance he had restitution of his castle at Holgot. In the 7th of Henry III., he obtained the charter for a market there every week upon a Thursday. After him William Maudit had a confirmation of the grant of the market. In the 19th of Edward I. Robert Burnel, bishop of Bath and Wells, procured a charter for changing the market day to Tuesday, and to keep a fair on the eve, the day, and on the day after the feast of the Holy Trinity. In the 15th of Richard II., Hugh Burnel, Knt., held the castle and manor of Holdgate at the yearly rent of £2. 13s. 3¼d., which was assessed upon several tenants at Clee St. Margaret. The service for the manor was to find two horsemen at Montgomery for forty days. The heiress of Burnel married Lord Lovell in the time of Edward II., in which family the inheritance rested till Jasper, of Hatfield, Earl of Pembroke, obtained a grant hereof in special trial, who, after the battle of Bosworth, was created duke of Bedford; but dying without issue, in the 24th of Henry VIII. the king gave the manor to Thomas, duke of Norfolk, and his heirs, to be held by the fourth part of a knight’s fee. THE CHURCH, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is evidently of Norman architecture, having the massive and lofty embattled tower peculiar to that style, adorned with rude figures, which may go far to prove the antiquity of the edifice. The principal entrance is through a fine stone doorway, with a cluster of slender pillars on each side, supporting a beautifully carved arch, the effect of which is considerably lessened by several coats of whitewash. The font is of primitive simplicity and curiously sculptured, seems coeval with the building itself, but is seen under similar disadvantage. The back of a large pew is ornamented with the coat of arms, handsomely carved in wood, of the family of Minton, who formerly resided at the Coates, in this parish. Near to the church-yard is an artificial mound called “The Mount.” It was probably thrown up to its present height for the purpose of erecting a watch-tower, or post, during the civil wars, or in the unsettled times when the warlike barons of the feudal system were perpetually invading each other’s territories. The situation is admirably adapted for this purpose, commanding, as it does, an extensive and important tract of country. The living of the church is a rectory with that of Tugford annexed, valued in the king’s book at £13. 9s. 9½d., now returned at £500, in the patronage of the Bishop of Hereford; incumbent, Rev. Joseph Corbett. In the 12th of King John it appears that the abbot of Salop had the third part of the advowson of the church at Castle Holdgate. Thomas Maudit released to him the right of patronage in two parts of the church; yet he reserved the third part to himself, for which he presented to the bishop his clerk. There is a daily school in the village. The poor of this parish enjoy a rent charge of 10s. per annum, under the will of Robert Ellis, in 1652.

BOULDON is a small township, with a few scattered houses, in the parish of Holdgate, which comprises 325 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £274. 10s. At the census of 1841 there were 13 houses and 61 inhabitants. There is a quarry in this township where stone is got in considerable quantities for building and other purposes.

BROOKHAMPTON is another township in Holdgate parish, with 549 acres of land, and in 1841 had fifteen houses and eighty-five souls; rateable value, £390. 15s. Mrs. Thursby and the Corporation of Ludlow are the landowners; the former is lady of the manor.

DIRECTORY.—Jeremiah Cox, farmer and maltster, Holdgate; William Wall, farmer, Holdgate; Edward Esq., farmer, Stanton Holdgate; William Cox, vict., Tally-Ho Inn, Bouldon; William Page, farmer, Bouldon; William Penn, corn miller, Bouldon; Richard Turner, farmer, Bouldon; Thomas Clark, farmer, Brookhampton; Thomas Edwards, farmer, Brookhampton; Ann Harper, shopkeeper, Brookhampton

HOPE BOWDLER

is a parish in the upper division of the Munslow hundred, which comprises the townships of Hope Bowdler, Chelmick, and Ragdon, and contains 1,385 acres of land. In 1801 the parish had a population of 130 souls; 1831, 202; 1841, 184; at the latter period there were thirty-four houses. The village of Hope Bowdler is pleasantly situated two and a half miles south-west from Church Stretton, and at the census of 1841 had 19 houses and 112 inhabitants: the township contains 741 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £672. 3s. 6d. Moses George Benson, Esq., is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. In the 1st of King Edward I., George de Cantilupe held Hope Bowdler by knight’s service under the barony of Montgomery. Philip Burnel, at the assizes in the 20th of King Edward I., upon a quo warranto against him, was adjudged to have free warren in this manor, with the liberty of a fair and market both granted by the king. The manor was afterwards carried in marriage by an heiress of the Burnels to John, Lord Lovel, in whose family it continued till the attainder of Francis Lord Viscount Lovel, who was slain on the 16th of June, 3rd of Henry VII., at the battle of Stoke, near Newark-upon-Trent. THE CHURCH consists of nave and chancel, with a tower in which are three bells. In the 40th of Henry III. the parson of Hope Bullers impleaded the prior of Wenlock for estovers in the prior’s wood of Sutley and Eastwood, and for the common of pasture in the said woods lying in Eaton, as appendant to the church of Hope Bullers. The Prior pleaded that Stephen de Hope, patron of the church about twenty-five years past, dissiezed the prior of the said woods, and a verdict was accordingly granted to the prior. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £6. 13s. 4d., now £228, in the patronage of certain trustees: incumbent, Rev. George W. Marsh.

CHARITIES.—The charity commissioners state, “We are informed by the Rev. George Walkin Marsh, the rector of Hope Bowdler, that for about four years after he came to the benefice he received from his predecessor 12s. yearly, to be distributed in bread, 6s. to be given in money on St. Thomas’s day; that, upon the death of his predecessor about twenty-four years ago, he applied to his representatives for the principal, and ultimately received from them £18. This sum Mr. Marsh states he now has in his hands, that he has added thereto £4, so as to make up £22, and has signed a memorandum to that effect in one of the parish books. He pays 22s. yearly as the interest thereof, and with the churchwardens distributes to the poor of the parish 12s. yearly in bread and 10s. in money on St. Thomas’s day.”

CHELMICK is a township and village in the parish of Hope Bowdler, in a romantic district near the Ragdon and Hope Bowdler hills, about a mile south from the parish church. The township contains 305 acres of land, and in 1841 had thirteen houses and fifty nine souls. Rateable value, £281. 13s. 7d. The Corporation of Ludlow are the landowners.

RAGDON township in Hope Bowdler parish has 339 acres of land, two houses, and thirteen inhabitants. Rateable value, £309. 5s. 6d. The landowners are J. Stanier, Esq., and Thomas Dunn, Esq.

DIRECTORY.—Hope Bowdler: William Adams, farmer, The Hall; Richard Cartwright, farmer; John Craxton, farmer and blacksmith, Francis George, farmer, The Coombs; John Griffiths, shopkeeper; George Hills, farmer, The Coombs; John Jones, wheelwright; Rev. George W. Marsh, rector. Chelmick: John Rodgers, farmer. Ragdon: Martha Heynes, farmer; and Thomas, Wilding, farmer.

HOPTON-IN-THE-HOLE, OR HOPTON CANGEFORD,

is a small parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, four miles N.E. from Ludlow, containing 320 acres of land. At the census in 1801 there were 35 inhabitants, and in 1841 six houses and a population of thirty souls. The church is a small unpretending structure of brick, and the living a perpetual curacy returned in the king’s book at £5. 13s. 8d., now returned at £51 in the patronage of Sir W. R. Broughton. There is no resident clergyman in the parish. The resident farmers are Thomas Green and William Roberts.

LUDFORD

is a parish and village situated about a mile from Ludlow, and separated from that town by the river Teme, which is here crossed by a stone bridge. This parish is partly in the county of Hereford and partly in Salop. The entire parish at the census of 1801 had 34 inhabitants; 1831, 528, and in 1841 there were 46 houses and 294 inhabitants within the bounds of this county. Acres, 2,920. Rateable value, £3,290. 10s. LUDFORD HOUSE, the seat and property of Francis Lechmere Charlton, Esq., is a fine old mansion, situated on a gentle eminence contiguous to the village. Though greatly modernized, its interior quadrangle and the massive style of masonry, are indications of great antiquity. The proprietor has in his possession a deed in which mention is made of a house here as early as the eleventh century. This manor in the time of William the Conqueror was possessed by Osborne, Lord of Richards Castle. It was afterwards enjoyed by the Jordens, from whom it passed by an heiress to Howel Vaughan. The hospital of St. John being seized by the crown at the time of the dissolution of religious houses, this manor, as appertaining to that foundation, was also conveyed to King Henry VIII. In the time of Edward VI. it was granted to John Earl of Warwick, from whom it passed by sale to William Foxe, and in the year 1607 came into the possession of the Charlton family. This family enjoyed extensive possessions in this county, and were seated at Apleby Castle, near Wellington. To the south of the house are tasteful gardens and pleasure grounds, and on the western side is the park, well stocked with deer, and remarkable for its fine sylvan beauty and luxuriant woody scenery. Leland, who visited Ludford between the years 1500 and 1550, observes, “The suburbs over Teme bridge by south is called Ludford, and in it is a little parish church. There be three fayre arches in this bridge over Teme, and a pretty chapel upon it of St. Catherine. It is about 100 years since this stone bridge was erected. Men passed along by a ford a little below the bridge.” THE CHURCH, an ancient structure, is situated in the county of Hereford, contiguous to Ludford house, and consists of nave and chancel, with a square tower. The altar and basons for holy water indicate that Catholicism had not declined at the time of its erection. The chancel is evidently a modern appendage to the church, and was built by William Foxe, who formerly resided at Ludford house. It is the place of sepulchre for several members of the Foxe family, and also of the Charltons. In a recess is the figure of Sir Job Charlton, reclining in his magisterial habiliments. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £105 in the patronage of F. L. Charlton, Esq. LUDFORD HOSPITAL was founded by Sir Job Charlton in the year 1672 for six poor and impotent persons, one of whom was to be warden; the incorporation to be denominated, “The warden and poor of the hospital of Ludford,” The said warden and poor in their corporate capacity to have power to purchase and hold lands, and to sue and be sued, and to have a common seal. The name and distinction of warden as head of the corporation has long ceased to exist. The latest instance of the use of the common seal is on a lease of Saunder’s meadow in 1618. The subsequent lease bears the seal of Sir Francis Charlton. The income is about £63 per annum. The “pretty chapel of St. Catherine,” noticed by Leland, has long been forgotten. The celebrated well, however, of St. Julian, under the garden wall of the hospital, is still remembered by the inhabitants of the village; but the wonderful cures believed to have been miraculously performed ceased with the superstition of the times.

DIRECTORY.—Francis Lechmere Charlton, Esq., Ludford House; Thomas Lowe, farmer, Hucks Barn; George Penny, machine maker and brass founder; John Wade, paper manufacturer, Ludlow Paper Mills; Margaret Worley, vict., Ludford Arms.

SHEET, a township and village situated about a mile from the parish church, in 1841 contained seven houses and 29 inhabitants. The principal landowners are the Hon. R. H. Clive, F. L. Charlton, Esq., and the corporation of Ludlow. The chief residents are Thomas Callon, farmer, Saltmoor; Mary Lawrence, farmer, Saltmoor; Mary and Betsy Longmore, farmers, Steventon; James Wild, farmer, Steventon; Frederick Wood, Esq., The Sheet.

MUNSLOW

is a parish and small village in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, which was of sufficient importance in early times to give name to the division of the county in which it is locally situated. The parish contains 4,110 acres of land, and embraces the townships of Aston, Bach, or Beach Mill, Broadstone, Holloway, part of Hungerford, Millichope, Munslow, Poston, Lower Thonglands, and Topley-vill: population in 1801, 610; 1818, 770. Rateable value, £3,779. 12s. 9d. The village of Munslow is pleasantly situated in a romantic district nine miles north from Ludlow: this township at the census of 1841 had 29 houses and 160 inhabitants. C. O. C. Pemberton, Esq., is the chief landowner. Sir Edward Littleton, son and heir of Sir Edward Littleton, of Henley, in the county of Salop, was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, in the 15th Charles I.; and the year following Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and Lord Littleton, Baron Munslow.

THE CHURCH is a fine old structure dedicated to St. Michael, and consists of nave, chancel, and north aisle, the latter divided from the nave by pointed arches, and a broad obtuse arch; the chancel is divided from the body of the church by a handsome oak screen. The ceiling is carved, resting on strong oak brackets. The font is very ancient, and there are various monuments. Several of the windows are adorned with stained glass of antique workmanship, one of which was added at the expense of Richard Sheppard and Joanna his wife, in the time of Henry VII.; the beautiful decorations of the east window are of more modern date. The living is a rectory with the curacy of Broadstone annexed valued in the king’s book at £21. 15s. 2½d., now returned at £730, in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. T. C. Powell. In the church-yard there is a singular building the uses of which are unknown. It consists of a roof supported by four oak pillars and arches of the same material; as it now stands it is raised little more three feet from the ground. There is a NATIONAL SCHOOL in the village which is supported by subscriptions and a small charge from each scholar.

CHARITIES.—In the year 1795, the sum of £300, five per cent stock, was purchased with a legacy of £100 left to the poor of the parish of Munslow in 1762, by Major John More, and a legacy of £200 left by his sister Catharine More in 1792, the interest of which sum it was directed should be distributed annually to poor housekeepers within the said parish, at the discretion of the minister and churchwardens. When this stock was paid off, £328 stock was purchased in the new four per cents, which is now standing in the name of the rector. The dividends amounting to £13. 2s. 6d. per annum, are distributed to poor housekeepers in the parish by the rector.

DIRECTORY.—Arthur Bach, saddler and harness maker; William Bowley, butcher and shopkeeper; Thomas R. C. Downes, surgeon; Edward Edwards, farmer; Edward Evans, tailor; Edward Hughes, farmer; Edwin Keysell, maltster, corn dealer, and seedsman; Charles Pothecary, surgeon; William Power, surgeon; Rev. Thomas C. Powel, rector; David Pugh, builder; Obadiah Newnham, schoolmaster; John Roberts, farmer.

ASTON, a small township in the parish of Munslow, at the census in 1841 had 31 houses and 164 inhabitants: the acres and rateable value of the several townships in this parish are returned with the parish of Munslow. John Francis Wright, Esq., is the principal landowner. The principal residents in the township of Aston are John Downes, Esq., Aston Hall; John Hince, plumber and glazier; Edward Mullard, blacksmith; Miss Ann Pearce, The White House; Samuel Preece, farmer; William Shirley, farmer; Benjamin Wall, wheelwright; William Wigmore, vict., The Hundred House.

BACH or BEACH MILL, a hamlet in the parish of Munslow, at the census in 1841 had twelve houses and a population of forty eight souls. The landowner in the township is Herbert Cornewall, Esq. The principal residents are James Dyer, carpenter; Samuel Handcocks, blacksmith; Joseph Sankey, tailor and shopkeeper; Richard Sankey, tailor, and post office; John Stubbs, shopkeeper.

BROADSTONE, a township and tolerable village in Munslow parish, is pleasantly situated near the turnpike road from Munslow to Much Wenlock. There is a small Chapel of Ease at Broadstone, where divine service is performed once a month. In 1841 this township contained 42 houses and a population of 120 souls. The chief residents are William Bishop, cooper; John Blockley, farmer and maltster; Joseph Childe, wheelwright; Thomas Cocks, vict., Seven Stars; John Jones, shoemaker; Samuel Lewis, farmer; Thomas Lewis, bricklayer. HOLLOWAY VILLE, situated in the parish of Munslow, consists of only one farm house, which is occupied by Walter Watkins.

MILLICHOPE, a township in the parish of Munslow, at the census of 1841 had fourteen houses and fifty-seven inhabitants. The land is chiefly the property of Charles Orlando Childe Pemberton, Esq., of Millichope Park, an elegant mansion in the Grecian style of architecture, beautified with tasteful pleasure grounds and surrounded with woody scenery. The house is a modern structure, built near the site of an antique mansion which was chiefly composed of timber and plaster, bearing the characteristics of the reign of Elizabeth, and was taken down about eight years ago. On the top of a rock facing the hall, a beautiful Cenotaph has been built in the Grecian style, in memory of two brothers of the name of More, one of whom was an officer in the 79th regiment, and the other in the British navy. It has been erected about seventy-five years. The small but very ancient manor house of Upper Millichope formerly belonged to the Prior of Wenlock; it consists of only one room on a floor. The walls are seven feet in thickness, and lighted by narrow slips of windows; the entrance is by an ornamented circular-headed doorway, to the right of which are some steps of an old stone staircase carried up in the solid wall to the upper chamber, the entrance to which is guarded by three doors, the centre one being secured by a massive wooden bar which passed through the wall of the room into the outer wall on the opposite side of the staircase. The structure now forms part of a farm residence. It is supposed by antiquaries that the lower compartment in the warlike times of former ages was used for the purpose of securing the cattle in times of danger, while the upper story formed the habitation of the family. The principal residents in Millichope are Charles Orlando Childe Pemberton, Esq., Millichope Park; Mr. William Cadwallader, Thomas Clifton, mason; Thomas Wall, blacksmith.

THONGLANDS is a township and small village in the parish of Munslow, which in 1841 contained fifteen houses and eighty-three inhabitants. C. O. C. Pemberton, Esq., of Millichope Park, and the Rev. Frederick Lakin, are the landowners. The chief residents are Joseph Edwards, beerhouse keeper; William Lello, farmer; and Thomas Wall, farmer. TOPLEY VILLE, comprising two houses and twelve persons, is in the parish of Munslow. Mr. John Price is the only resident farmer.

POSTON LOWER is a township in the parish of Munslow, situated six miles north from Ludlow, which comprises three houses and twenty-three inhabitants at the census of 1841. The land is the property of Archdeacon Corbet. John Kelly, blacksmith, and Richard Wellings, farmer, are the residents.

ONIBURY

is a parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, which embraces the townships of Onibury and Walton, and contains 1,900 acres of land, the principal owner of which is Earl Craven; the other part is the property of the Hon. R. H. Clive. At the census in 1801 there were 359 inhabitants; 1831, 438; 1841, 368: at the latter period there were 73 houses. Rateable value £2,311. 17s. The village of Onibury is pleasantly situated on the east bank of the river Oney, and on the turnpike road leading from Shrewsbury to Ludlow: 24 miles S. from the former, and five miles N.W. from the latter. The Shrewsbury and Hereford line of railway, now in course of formation, will intersect the parish, and cross the turnpike on a level with the road. A portion of the village south east of the river is in the respective parishes of Stanton Lacy and Stokesay. A saw mill has been erected by Lord Craven on the river Oney. In the time of Edward the Confessor, Oniberie was in the possession of the bishop of Hereford, and after the conquest Roger de Lacy held it of him. The manor and patronage of the church was long possessed by the Burnels, and eventually passed, in marriage, to the Lovels, in whose family it remained till the attainder of Lord Lovel, in the time of Henry VII. It was subsequently held by the Mainwarings and Barkers, and about the year 1620 came into the hands of Lord Craven, the ancestor of the present proprietor, by purchase. There was formerly a park at Onibury, which is now divided into farms. Wootton, an ancient mansion of considerable extent, in the Elizabethan style of architecture, and moated, has recently been taken down. It was formerly the seat of distinguished families, and the park above mentioned was in all probability connected with this mansion. THE CHURCH is rather a plain structure of the early English style, with a tower at the west end containing four bells. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £8. 17s. 8½d.; in the patronage of Earl Craven, and enjoyed by the Rev. J. J. Hodges. The tithes have been commuted for £330. There is a good rectory house, and ninety acres of glebe land. THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL is a small structure built by subscriptions in the year 1836, and situated at the south-east corner of the church-yard. The school is free to the children of the parish, and those resident in the immediate neighbourhood, and is supported by subscriptions and a rent-charge of £6. 13s. 4d., left for educational purposes by William Norton, in 1593. The township and small village of WALTON, situated about a mile from Onibury, in 1841 had fifteen houses and ninety-five inhabitants; it comprises 625 acres of land, which are the property of Earl Craven.

DIRECTORY.—Samuel Amies, farmer, the Park; Philip Bach, farmer; Herbert Blakeway, farmer, Wootton; William Bright, schoolmaster; William Coston, farmer; Ann Jones, vict., the Griffin; Rev. John J. Hodges, the Rectory; Benjamin Pugh, farmer; Thomas Matthews, wheelwright; William Watkins, blacksmith; Mr. Thomas Wells, Onibury cottage; Thomas Wells, agent to Earl Craven. The residents at Walton are William Blakeway, farmer; Samuel Botfield, shoemaker; Thomas Hotchkiss, farmer.

RICHARDS CASTLE,

a parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, comprises the townships of Moore and Batchcott, Overton, and Woofferton, and is partly in this county, and partly in Herefordshire. The parish contains 4,512 acres of land; and at the census of 1801, 509 inhabitants; 1831, 586; 1841, 656. The village of Richards Castle is delightfully situated about three miles from Ludlow, in the county of Hereford. It was anciently called Gayton, and was a place of considerable importance until the reign of Henry III. “Richards Castle,” says Leland, “standeth upon the top of a very rocky hill, well wooded, and at the west end of the parish then. The keep, the walls, and towers of it stand, but going to ruin. There is a poor house of timber in the castle garth for a farmer. It belongeth now to the king; it belonged of late to the Lord Vaux; after to Pope. There is a park impaled.” Robert de Mortimer, in the reign of King John, had the grant of a fair and market at this place, both of which have long been obsolete. The castle was built before the conquest. At the doomsday survey it was held by Osborn Fitz-Richard, whose granddaughter married Robert de Mortimer, from whose family it passed in like manner by an heiress to the Talbots, who possessed it till the reign of Richard II. King Edward VI. granted the manor to the Bishop of Worcester. In the fifteenth century T. Bradshaw obtained it of the bishop on a long lease, and his grandson sold the lease to Richard Salwey, Esq., in whose representatives it is now vested. Some parts of the keep and walls of the castle are still remaining, but are so embosomed in foliage as scarcely to be discovered until they are nearly approached. Camden says, “Beneath this castle nature, which nowhere disporteth itself more in showing wonders than in waters, hath wrought forth a pretty well, which is always full of little fish-bones, or, as some think, of small frog-bones, although they be from time to time drawn quite out of it, whence it is called Bone Well.” This curious phenomenon is still in existence, and is the frequent resort of the curious, particularly in the spring and autumn, when the bones are found in great abundance. On the declivity of a hill near the castle, the Royalists, amounting to nearly 2,000, were defeated by an inferior number of Parliamentary troops, under the command of Colonel Birch.

The following is a grant to the burgesses made by Lord Mortimer, in the 29th of the reign of King Edward:—“Know all men present and to come, that I, Hugh, the son of Robert Lord Mortimer, lord of Richards Castle, I have given, granted, and by this my present writing conferred, to all my burgesses of Richards Castle, and to all my tenants of the townships of Moor Batchcott and Whitbrook, and to all my tenants of the township of Overton, for their good services done to me in the time of the Welsh war, and for twenty pounds sterling to me in hand paid common of pasture for all manner of their cattle and beasts in my fields at Bury Hynton, at all times after the grain is carried thence, and in all my meadow called Shule Meadow, after the feast of St. John the Baptist, and also common of pasture for all their beasts in all my woods within the said lordship of Richards Castle, as well within the county of Hereford as within the county of Salop, at all times in the year (except my park called Morbeck, and my Heys, lying between the ditch called Farthings Lawnde, and one hedge called the Royard, which are inclosed, and parted in at all times of the year). I have also given and granted to my said burgesses and tenants sufficient house-boot, hay-boot, and fire-boot, with all other necessaries that belong to husbandries, to be yearly taken at all times of necessaries in the said woods, by the order and delivery of my bailiff or constable there for the time being; to have and to hold all the aforesaid common of meadow, pasture, and wood ground as aforesaid, to my said burgesses and tenants of the aforesaid village of Richards Castle, Moor Batchcott, Whitbrook, and Overton, of me and my heirs, the sum of twelve shillings at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, viz., the burgesses of Richards Castle four shillings, the tenants of Moor Batchcott and Whitbrook four shillings, and the tenants of the township of Overton four shillings, for all manner of service, exaction, and demand; and if it shall happen that this my grant gains aid, withheld, or retained by me, my heirs, or by any person claiming under us at any time for the future, then I will and grant that all my said burgesses and tenants thereby, their own proper wills shall take and hold the aforesaid common in all the said meadows, pasture, and wood grounds aforegranted, and in all places thereby strength and virtue of the said deed: and I, the aforesaid Hugh, and my heirs, all the aforesaid common, together with house-boot, hay-boot, and fireboot, as aforesaid, (except as before excepted,) to the aforesaid burgesses of Richard Castle, and my tenants of Moor Batchcott, Whitbrook, and Overton, their heirs and assigns, for the consideration and rent aforesaid, against all nations whatsoever, will warrant and for ever defend; and that this my grant may be for ever ratified and established, I have hereunto set my seal.”

THE CHURCH is a fine structure, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, and stands contiguous to the castle; the tower stands a few feet from the body of the church, and had formerly a spire, which was burnt down. The windows contain some beautiful stained glass. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £15. 1s. 3d. Patron, the Bishop of Worcester; incumbent, Rev. George Landon. The tithes have been commuted for £650, and there are 110 acres of glebe land of the annual value of £270. There are 2,324 acres of land in the township of Richards Castle, the rateable value of which is £1,652. 8s. Gross estimated rental, £1,862. 8s. 6d. The principal landowners are the representatives of J. Salway, Esq., Walter Stubbs, Esq., and William Moreton, Esq.

MOORE AND BATCHCOTT is a township and pleasantly situated village two and a half miles from Ludlow, embracing 928 acres of land, the principal proprietors of which are Richard Betton, Esq., and the trustees of the Rev. J. Salway. Rateable value, £1,244. 12s. At the census in 4841 there were 37 houses and 206 inhabitants.

OVERTON AND WOOFFERTON is a delightfully situated township and village in the parish of Richard’s Castle, about two miles south from Ludlow, on the borders of Herefordshire. The township contains 1,260 acres of land, the chief owners of which are Francis L. Charlton, Esq., Richard Betton, Esq., and the representatives of the late E. Salwey, Esq. Rateable value, £1,677. 8s. At the census of 1841 Overton contained 18 houses and Woofferton nine houses, and together had a population of 137 souls.

DIRECTORIES.—Richard’s Castle.—Edmund S. Davenport, Esq.; Samuel Davies, shoemaker; Miss Ann Child, Westbrook Cottage; John Hammond, vict., The Salwey Arms; Charles Mapp, farmer, Church House; Richard Mason, farmer, The Green; George Mason, farmer, The Rock; Henry Oseland, farmer and horse trainer, The Wood House; Richard Parker, farmer; Benjamin Ridley, farmer; Mary Taylor, vict., The Castle Inn; Mrs. Martha Taylor; Thomas Wheeler, farmer, The Merefield.

Moore and Batchott.—William B. Cooke, farmer; Thomas Froggat, farmer, The Leys; Rev. George Landon, rector of Richard’s Castle; William Parker, farmer; John Salwey, Esq., Moor Park; Thomas Summers, farmer; John Williams, blacksmith; William Wood, boot and shoemaker; Richard Woodhouse, wheelwright

Overton and Woofferton.—Richard Betton, Esq., Overton House; Thomas C. Bridges, Esq., The Lodge; John Burnett, farmer, Overton; Thomas Bywater, farmer; William B. Cooke, farmer; Richard Green, corn miller, Barratt’s Mill; John Lancet, farmer; Thomas Lowe, farmer, Hucks Barn; Richard Hardman, vict., Salwey Arms; William Heywood, farmer; Thomas Nottingham, farmer; Edward Stubbs, farmer.

RUSHBURY

is a considerable parish in the upper division of the Munslow hundred, comprising the townships of Rushbury, Stone Acton, Wall-under-Haywood, and Wilderhope and Stanway, and part of the townships of East Wall and Getton. The parish comprises upwards of 5,600 acres of land, and at the census of 1801 had 356 inhabitants; 1831, 507, and in 1841 had 109 houses and a population of 502 souls. The village of Rushbury is situated about nine miles S.W. from Much Wenlock, and the township contained 26 houses and 115 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Mrs. Lutwyche, Barnard Dickinson, Esq., and Mrs. Thursby; the latter is also lady of the manor. Some authors conjecture this place to be the Roman station Bravinium, between Magnum and Uriconum; the distance agreeing better with the Roman itinerary than Bridgnorth. At the Doomsday survey Roger de Lacy held of Earl Roger Riseberie, and Odo of him, at which time there was an eyrie of hawks. In the 11th of Edward I. Hugh Burnel had a charter for a market on a Thursday, and a fair on the eve, the day, and the day after the feast of St. Margaret the virgin, which upon a quo warranto brought against Sir Philip Burnel in the 20th of Edward I. was ratified and confirmed by the king’s council. In the time of Edward I. Richard de Harley had free warren here. John de Handelo levied a fine on the manor of Rushbury in the 14th of Edward III. Among the fees of Roger Earl of March, Nicholas Burnel held one knight’s fee. In the 3rd of Edward VI. the king gave Rushbury in exchange to Nicholas Bishop of Worcester and his successors for lands in Warwickshire. THE CHURCH is a small structure, dedicated to St. Peter, consisting of nave and chancel, with a tower in which are five bells. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £19. 7s. 8½d., now returned at £449 in the gift of the Bishop of Worcester. Incumbent, Rev. Matthew Y. Starkey. The endowed school, where twelve children are educated, and the almshouses, will be further noticed with the various gifts to charitable uses. The tithes are commuted for £384.

CHARITIES.—Benjamin Wainwright, M.D., by his will, bearing date 1st December, 1817, directed certain trustees to raise out of his personal estate the sum of £1,200, and appropriate £400 in building a school-room and a small dwelling house for a schoolmaster, and also two almshouses, all to be erected in the little church-yard near the Pound, in Rushbury, if the rector would allow it. And he directed that the following words should be cut upon the stone in the front part of the dwelling house:—“This school and almshouse were built and endowed by Benjamin, the seventh son of the late Richard and Mary Wainwright, of Stanway.” The residue of the said sum of £1,200 he directed to be invested in the funds, and 50s. of the yearly dividends thereof to be given to each of the poor widows resident in the said almshouses; the trustees to provide coals for the almshouses, and also to pay £5 yearly to a schoolmaster for teaching poor children of Rushbury, Eaton, and the adjacent parishes every Sunday; £5 to be laid out in warm clothing on the 1st of December for the poor of Rushbury; £5 per annum to be paid to a schoolmistress for teaching children to knit and sew, and to pay the remainder of the dividends to a schoolmaster to instruct nine poor children of Rushbury and three of Eaton in reading, writing, and common arithmetic. The sum of £400 above mentioned was reduced by the payment of the legacy duty to £360, and a school was erected at a cost of upwards of £500, part of the surplus having been advanced by such of the trustees as were of the testator’s family. The remainder of the sum of £1,200 was invested in the purchase of stock, and there is now standing £737 new four per cent. stock, producing dividends amounting to £429. 10s. per annum, of which £20 is paid to a schoolmaster for teaching a Sunday as well as a week day school. Two poor women are appointed by the trustees to reside in the almshouses, each of whom receives £2 annually, including an allowance of coals.

There is a parcel of land in the parish called the Poor’s Land, containing about six acres, and four small tenements with gardens, and also an allotment set out in respect of the above mentioned premises containing about an acre and three quarters, altogether producing a rental of £12 per annum. The four tenements were long used for the reception of paupers. A portion of the poor’s land was given to the rector in exchange for a part of the glebe near the church-yard, on which the school was built. The sum of £2. 2s. is paid to the rector as his portion of the rent, and the residue is chiefly expended in coals and distributed to the poor.

Edward Lutwyche, in 1601, granted a rent charge of 40s. per annum out of his lands in Wall-under-Haywood and East Wall, and directed six penny worth of bread to be distributed every Sunday to six poor parishioners, each of the said poor people to receive 2s. 4d. in money every Good Friday. And he directed that every poor person appointed should receive the charity for life. The yearly sum of 30s. is payable out of Day-house farm in the township of Holt Preen, as the bequest of Anne Tipton. The amount is distributed in bread to six poor men and six poor women, alternately, according to the intentions of the donor. Martha Baker, who died about fifty years ago, is stated to have left £20 to the poor of Rushbury, the interest to be given in bread. This money was applied soon after the death of the testatrix in repairing a house on the poor’s land used as a poor house, and in respect thereof £1 is paid annually from the poor’s rates, which is expended in bread for the poor.

EAST WALL is a township and village seven miles S.W. from Much Wenlock, partly in the parish of Rushbury and partly in that of Eaton, and is usually called Longville, Lushcott, and East Wall township. The portion in Rushbury parish at the census of 1841 contained five houses and 27 inhabitants. Thomas Gibbon, Esq., and Mrs. Lutwyche are the principal landowners.

GRETTON township is partly in Rushbury and partly in Cardington, and is situated about a mile N.E. from the latter place. In 1841 thirteen houses and 73 inhabitants were returned as in Rushbury, and one house and eleven persons in Cardington parish. Lady Tyrwhitt is the principal landowner.

STONE ACTON, a township in Rushbury parish about a mile S.W. from the church, at the census of 1841 had four houses and 24 inhabitants. The land is the property of Mr. William Jones and Mr. Daniel Mytton. Mr. William Jones is the resident farmer.

WILDERHOPE AND STANWAY, a township in Rushbury parish, is situated about five miles S.W. from Much Wenlock, and at the census of 1841 had thirteen houses and 76 inhabitants. Moses George Benson, Esq., and Richard Wainwright, Esq., are the landowners.

WALL-UNDER-HAYWOOD, a township and village in the parish of Rushbury, with 43 houses and 166 inhabitants, is situated about a mile west of Rushbury. The principal landowners are Mrs. Cleeton and John Baker, Esq.

DIRECTORIES.—Rushbury.—Edward Cleeton, farmer; Thomas Corfield, farmer; Richard Cox, saddler and harness maker; Mary Fewtrell, schoolmistress; Julian Fewtrell, registrar of births, deaths, and marriages; William Fewtrell, farmer; Rev. Matthew Y. Starkey, rector.

East Wall.—Richard Butcher, farmer, Longville; Thomas Gippins, farmer; Thomas Haynes, blacksmith and shopkeeper; Charlotte Hotchkiss, farmer; Thomas Hughson, bailiff; Morris Jones, bailiff, Lushcott; Sarah Makin, farmer; Edward Onslow, farmer; Thomas Preen, stone mason; Thomas Roberts, farmer.

Gretton.—Edward Esp, farmer; Richard Haynes, bailiff; Timothy Smout, blacksmith; Edward Humphrey, farmer.—Stone Acton.—William Jones, farmer.

Wall-under-Haywood.—Mrs. Margaret Cleeton; Richard Cleeton, farmer; Thomas Corfield, farmer; Richard Cox, saddler; William Downes, farmer and maltster; John Evason, shoemaker; William Gough, farmer, Cotes; Thomas Hammond, blacksmith; John Moore, vict., Lutwyche Arms; George Morgan, vict., The Plough; John Pritchard, farmer; Thomas Smout, wheelwright; Richard Smout, wheelwright; Mrs. Mary Woof.

Wilderhope and Stanway.—John Norris, farmer, Upper Stanway; John Webster, farmer, Lower Stanway; Mary Webster, farmer, Wilderhope.

SHIPTON

is a parish and village in the upper division of the Munslow hundred, pleasantly situated on the road from Much Wenlock to Ludlow, six and a quarter miles S.W. from the former and fifteen miles N.W. from the latter. The parish contains 1,570 acres of land. Rateable value, £2,220. Population in 1801, 119; 1831, 154; 1841, 153, at the latter period there were 24 inhabited houses. The principal landowners are Thomas Mytton, Esq., Rev. Robert H. G. More, Moses G. Benson, Esq., and John Corser, Esq.; the former is lord of the manor. THE CHURCH is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. James, and consists of nave and chancel, with a square tower. The interior contains several handsome memorials, chiefly to the Mytton family. From a brass plate we learn that the chancel was re-edified from the foundation and glazed, at the charge of John Lutwyche, of Lutwyche, in the 31st of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, 1589. The living is a donative curacy in the patronage of Thomas Mytton Esq. Incumbent, Rev. Robert H. G. More. SHIPTON HALL, a handsome mansion, the residence and property of Thomas Mytton, Esq., exhibits a beautiful specimen of the Elizabethan style of architecture. Thomas Mytton, Esq., is in possession of the original letter, of which the following is a copy, addressed by a needy monarch to the ancestor of Mr. Mytton, then resident at Shipton Hall, and dated February 14th, 1643:—

“TRUSTY AND WELL-BELOVED, we greet you well. Whereas, all our subjects of the kingdom of England and dominion of Wales, are both by their allegiance and the act of pacification bound to resist and suppresse such of our subjects of Scotland as have in a hostile manner already entered, or shall hereafter enter into this kingdome. And by law your personal service, attended in a warlike manner for the resistance of, may be required by us, which we desire to spare, chusing rather to invite your assistance for the maintenance of our army in a free and voluntary expression of your affections to our service, and the safety of this kingdom. And whereas the members of both houses of parliament assembled at Oxford, have taken into their consideration the necessity of supporting our army for the defence of us and our people against this invasion, and for the preservation of the religious lawes and liberties of this kingdome, and thereupon have agreed upon the speedy raising of the summe of one hundred thousand pounds by loane from particular persons, towards the which themselves have advanced a very considerable portion, and by their example hope that our well affected subjects throughout the kingdome will in a short time make up the remainder, whereby we shall not only be enabled to pay and recruite our army, but likewise be enabled to put our armies in such a condition as our subjects shall not suffer by free quarter or the unruliness of our soldiers, which is now in present agitation, and will (we doubt not, by the advice of the members of both houses assembled) be spedily effected. We doe towards so good a work, by the approbation and advice of the members of both houses assembled, desire you forthwith to lend us the sum of thirty pounds, or the value thereof in plate, toucht plate at five shillings, and untoucht plate at four shillings per ounce, and to pay or deliver the same within seven daies after the receipt thereof to the hands of our high sheriffe of that our own county, or to such whome he shall appoint to receive the same, upon his acquittances for the receipt thereof to the hands of our high sherriffe of that our county, who is forthwith to returne and pay the same at Corpus Cristi Colledge in Oxford, to the hands of the Earle of Bath, the Lord Seymour, Mr. John Ashburnham, and Mr. John Fettiplace, or any of them who appointed treasurers for the receiving and issuing thereof by the said members, (by whose order only the said money is to be disposed), and to give receipts for the same, the which we promise to repay as soon as God shall enable us. This sum to be advanced with speed. We are necessitated to apply ourselves to such persons as yourself, of whose ability and affection we have confidence, giving you this assurance—that in such further charges that the necessity of our just defence shall inforce us to require of our good subjects, your forwardnesse and disbursements shall be considered to your best advantage. And so presuming you will not fail to expresse your affection herein, we bid you farewell. Given at our court at Oxford, the 14th day of February, in the nineteenth yeare of our raigne, 1643.”

DIRECTORY.—Timothy Bluck, farmer, Newhouse; John Corser, farmer, More House; Mrs. Frances Danzey, Larden Hall; Richard Esp, farmer, Larden Grange; John Fortune, wheelwright; Richard Jones, farmer; Thomas Mytton, Esq., Shipton Hall; William Partridge, vict., Bull’s Head; John Price, blacksmith.

STANTON LACY

is a considerable parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, comprising the townships of Downton, Hayton Lower, Hayton Upper, part of Henley, part of Hopton, Rock, Stanton Lacy, and Wooton, and the hamlets of East and West. In 1801 there were 905 inhabitants; 1831, 1,467; 1841, 1,540. Acres, 7,765; rateable value, £11,008. 5s. The township of Stanton Lacy has 2,393 acres of land; at the census of 1841 it contained 141 houses and 724 inhabitants, of which 146 persons are returned as in the Ludlow Union Workhouse. The village is pleasantly situated three and a half miles N.N.W. from Ludlow, near the eastern bank of the Corve. The Earl of Craven is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. In the 20th of Edward I., a quo warranto was brought against the Prior of Lantone Prune, in Wales, for claiming pleas of the crown and wayffe, and for holding a fair and a market in the manor of Stanton Lacy, and in Rokele. The Prior pleads that he is not lord of the manor, but is only patron of the church, and holds Rokele that lies in the parish. Hugh de Lowther replies that the bishop cannot prove any of his predecessors to have come in with the Conqueror, and to have acquired those privileges by conquest, because being men in holy orders they come to their freeholds by the grants of others, and therefore he ought to produce some special grant from the crown to support his claim. This place was part of the royal demesnes when the house of York recovered their right to the crown. In the time of Henry VIII., Sir William Thomas, Knt., held the manor of Stanton Lacy and a pasture known by the name of Stanton Fryth, for the term of twenty-one years, at the rent of £7. 10s. THE CHURCH is a fine old structure, some portions of which are unquestionably of great antiquity; it has recently been beautified, and the interior has undergone a complete renovation at a cost of about £1000. The chancel is very beautiful; the altar exhibits some very elaborate workmanship, and the floor is covered with tesselated pavement. The living is a vicarage, rated in the king’s book at £16, now returned at £518, in the patronage of the Earl of Craven; incumbent, Rev. Joseph Bowles, D.D. There is a national school in the village, towards the support of which the Earl of Craven is a liberal contributor. Richard Nash, in the year 1814, bequeathed £100 for the benefit of the poor of this parish.

DOWNTON, a township in the parish of Stanton Lacy, situated four miles from Ludlow, contains 765 acres of land, and in 1841 had 17 houses and 90 inhabitants. Sir W. E. R. Boughton, Bart., is the principal landowner and lord of the manor, and resides at DOWNTON HALL, an elegant mansion of modern erection commanding most beautiful and varied prospects over a luxuriant country richly clothed with woody scenery. The pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out and beautifully ornamented with choice shrubs and flowers.

HAYTON LOWER, a small township and village four miles N.N.W. from Ludlow, contains 535 acres of land, and at the census of 1841 had 24 houses and 104 inhabitants. The Earl of Craven is the principal proprietor of the land.

HAYTON UPPER, a village and township in the parish of Stanton Lacy, comprises 935 acres of land, and is situated four and a half miles N.N.W. from Ludlow. At the census of 1841 there were 53 houses and 256 inhabitants. The Earl of Craven is the landowner and lord of the manor. In this township is the hamlet of HAYTON’S BENT, where the Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have each a small chapel. A small rivulet which flows from the hilly ground in this township becomes on its passage through rocks strongly impregnated with carbonate of lime, and is found to possess the property of forming petrifactions of such articles as are placed in it. The township of Henley, partly in this parish and partly in that of Bitterley, is noticed in the latter parish. The township of Hopton also partly in this parish, is noticed with Hopton parish.

ROCK, a small rural village and township in the parish of Stanton Lacy, contains 735 acres of land, and runs into the borough of Ludlow. At the census of 1841 there were 32 houses and 134 inhabitants.

WOOTTON, another small township in the parish of Stanton Lacy, contains 544 acres of land, and in 1841 had 9 houses and 65 inhabitants. Wootton Hall, a fine specimen of the domestic architecture of by-gone days, has been taken down during the present year and a farm house erected near the site. The Earl of Craven is owner of the land in this township.

EAST HAMLET, in the parish of Stanton Lacy, contains 734 acres of land, the principal owner of which is Frederick Nash, Esq.; William Pattrick is the farmer. In 1841 there were four houses and twenty-four inhabitants.

WEST HAMLET contains 650 acres of land, and in 1841 had nine houses and sixty-five inhabitants. The chief landowners are the Earl of Craven, Hon. R. H. Clive, Mrs. Wakefield, and J. B. Cummings, Esq.

DIRECTORIES.—Stanton Lacy: Herbert Blakeway, farmer, Stanton Cottage; Rev. Joseph Bowles, D.D.; John Davies, blacksmith; John S. Edwards, farmer; Richard Edwards, farmer, Manor House; Henry Evans, vict., Craven Arms; Richard Fletcher, butcher and shopkeeper; Edward Farmer, farmer and shopkeeper; John Hotchkiss, farmer, Woodlands; Ann Oseley, Proprietary School. Downton: Sir William Edward Rouse Boughton, Bart., Downton Hall; Thomas Hotchkiss, farmer. Hayton Lower: Richard Coston, farmer; Sarah Coston, farmer; Samuel Weaver, farmer; and Samuel Weaver, beerhouse keeper. Hayton Upper: Edward M. Burgess, farmer; Rev. Lancelot Dixon; William Price, farmer; and Thomas Smout, farmer. Rock: Mr. Wm. Gardener; James Harding, vict., The Raven; James Hince, timber merchant; John Price, manager at Gas Works; Elias Rollings, coach and jobbing smith; William Russell, governor of Union House; William Thompson, vict., Greyhound; James Watkins, stone and marble mason. Wootton: William Blakeway, farmer, The White House; Josiah Meredith, corn miller. East Hamlet: William Patrick, farmer. West Hamlet: Thomas Lloyd, farmer, Langley; John Mellings, farmer, The Pools; Deborah Sanders, farmer, Ruckley; John Sanders, farmer; and William Small, farmer, Aintree.

STANTON LONG

is a parish and small rural village in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, seven miles S.S.W. from Much Wenlock, and ten west from Bridgnorth. At the census of 1801 there was a population of 206 souls; 1831, 278; and in 1841, fifty-three houses and 327 inhabitants. Acres, 1,710A. 1R. 10P. Rateable value, £2,636. 4s. 6d. The parish extends about four miles in length and one in breadth, and is adjacent to the parishes of Holdgate, Shipton, Monk Hopton, and Ditton Priors. The soil on the north side of the river Corve is well adapted for the growth of turnips and barley; on the south side it is of a stiffer nature, and better suited for wheat. The principal landowners are the Duke of Cleveland; Rev. R. H. G. More; J. Deighton, Esq.; and J. Corser, Esq.; there are also several other proprietors. Mrs. Thursby is lady of the manor. BROCKTON and PATTON are two small townships for highway purposes in this parish, the former containing 376 acres, and the latter 697 acres. THE CHURCH, situated at the south-western extremity of the parish, is a neat edifice dedicated to St. Michael; the interior, however, contains little of interest, except a handsomely-carved oak pulpit, and there are some fine Gothic windows. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £7, in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Hereford. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £95. 6s. 10d.; and there is a good vicarage house and 66A. 3R. 3P. of glebe land attached, commanding a pleasing prospect of the Corve Dale. The rectoral tithes are commuted for £133. 17s. 5d., of which £7. 12s. 7d. is paid to the rector of Holdgate. The Rev. Thomas P. Williams is the curate. There is a National School at Brockton, capable of containing 120 children. The interest of a sum of £20, left by an unknown donor, is expended in bread and given to the poor.

The principal residents are Charles Acton, farmer, Brockton; Thomas Bywater, farmer, Brockton; Thomas Chatham, farmer, Stanton Long; Edward Corks, farmer and maltster, Stanton Long; William Crudington, shoemaker, Brockton; Isaac Day, blacksmith, Stanton Long; Evan Davies, farmer, Patton; Thomas Downes, farmer, Patton; James Edwards, wheelwright, Stanton Long; Edward Esp, farmer, Stanton Long; Edward Instone, farmer, Brockton house; Thomas Mancell, blacksmith, Brockton; Edward Philpot, vict., Feathers; John Pope, carpenter, Stanton Long; Rev. Thomas P. Williams, curate.

STOKE ST. MILBOROUGH

is a parish in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, comprising 4,400 acres of land, and is divided for highway purposes into the townships of Clee Downton, Clee Stanton, and Stoke, and the chapelry of Heath. At the census of 1841 there were 110 houses and 553 inhabitants exclusive of the chapelry of Heath, which contained ten houses and a population of sixty-three souls. Rateable value, £4,454. 8s. The village of Stoke is delightfully situated in a romantic district, near the southern side of the Brown Clee Hill, six miles and a half N.N.E. from Ludlow. From the summit of the Brown Clee Hill, which is chiefly situated in this parish, a most beautiful panoramic view is seen of the country, which for extent and diversity is not surpassed in England. To the north and south are seen the fruitful plains of Shropshire, pleasingly varied with woody hills, and lovely vales dotted with the humble cottage of the labourer and the mansion of the opulent, whilst the Cambrian hills, which rear their lofty heights in wild grandeur towards the west, give an additional charm to the enchanting scene. According to the description given of the manor of Stoke St. Milborough at the Doomsday survey, it would seem then to have consisted of seven hides of land, and a large wood. Earl Roger gave it to the chaplains of the church of St. Milborough. The principal landowners are the Hon. Sidney Herbert; Dr. Cavendish Wall; E. H. Owen, Esq.; and Mr. John Patrick; there are also several other proprietors. The Hon. Sidney Herbert, lord of the manor, regularly pays a fee farm rent of £29. 10s. 3d. to the Duke of Cleveland, as the representative of the grantee of it from the crown; and the Hon. S. Herbert collects from various freeholders of the manor several rents amounting in the aggregate to the said sum. THE CHURCH is a venerable structure, dedicated to the saint from whom the name of the parish is derived. The interior is commodious, and contains an antique font, and several ancient monuments to the Lee family. It has a handsome tower and four bells. The living is a vicarage, with the curacy of Heath annexed, returned at £474, in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. George Morgan, M.A. THE VICARAGE is a good residence, and pleasantly situated. THE METHODISTS and PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have each a small chapel here; and there is a NATIONAL SCHOOL. “In the afternoon of Monday, July 25, 1768, there happened an extraordinary gust of wind, a few miles to the north-west of Cleobury, in Shropshire. Its effects were most remarkable in the parish of Stoke St. Milborough, where it unroofed the dwelling house, barns, stables, and every other building belonging to a farmer of the name of Bishop; one of which buildings was entirely levelled with the ground. In his orchard it destroyed upwards of sixty apple and pear trees, which were either broken off in the butt, or forced up by the roots. Several large elms and poplar trees were likewise blown down. He computed the damage he had sustained at £300. His son, a youth sixteen years of age, being in the fold, was lifted four or five yards above the surface of the ground, and carried to the distance of eighty yards, part of the space being over a fish-pond, a hedge, and a stone wall; but at last, falling gradually in a field of hay, he received but little hurt.” A donation of £400 has been invested by the present incumbent in the three per cent. consols, in the names of certain trustees, the dividends of which are laid out in bread, and distributed among such poor as are most regular in their attendance at church.

DIRECTORY.—Richard Andrews, shoemaker; James Blakemore, farmer; John T. Bright, farmer and corn miller, Court house; Thomas Colton, vict., Red Lion; John Humphries, shopkeeper; Thomas Humphries, wheelwright; John Jones, blacksmith; Samuel Jones, shoemaker; E. H. Owen, Esq., St. Milborough lodge; John Patrick, farmer; Henry Speak, farmer; John Wall, farmer.

CLEE DOWNTON, a small scattered village in the parish of Stoke St. Milborough, consists of a few scattered houses about a mile from the church. E. H. Owen, Esq., is the landowner. The chief residents are Edward Powell, farmer; Edward Poyner, farmer; Richard Sambrook, farmer; William Summers, farmer; and Richard and Thomas Whiteman, farmers.

CLEE STANTON is a village with a few straggling houses, at the foot of Titterstone Hill, two miles east from Stoke St. Milborough. Sir William R. Boughton, and Robert Head, Esq., are the landowners. The principal residents are Henry Ainsworth, farmer; Edward Millichamp, farmer; John Poter, farmer.

HEATH, a chapelry in the parish of Stoke St. Milborough, contains 386 acres of land, and is situated two miles north by west from the church. Gross estimated rental, £492. 10s. The landowners are the Earl of Craven; Edward Turner, Esq.; and Thomas and Edward Millichamp. At the census of 1841 there were ten houses and sixty-eight inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £28, and there are 28 acres of glebe land. THE CHAPEL is a small but interesting structure, the interior of which is admired for its beautiful carved oak. Its architecture displays traces of the Norman style. Service is performed only once during the month.

The principal residents at Heath are Benjamin Cocks, farmer; Edward Millichamp, farmer, New house; Edward Powis, bailiff to E. Turner, Esq.; Mr. Edward Price, Heath cottage.

STOKESAY

is a parish and village in the lower division of the Munslow hundred, containing 3,609 acres of land, and comprising the townships of Aldon, Stoke and Newton, Wettleton, and parts of Broom and Rowton; the latter however is chiefly in the Hopesay parish, where it will be found noticed. At the census of 1801, there were 512 inhabitants: 1831, 529: 1841, 556; at the latter period there were 108 inhabited houses. Rateable value, £3,939 15s. The township of Stoke and Newton contains 1,222 acres of land, and in 1841 had 38 houses and 188 inhabitants. The Craven Arms is a handsome and commodious hotel, not surpassed by any in the county: in the front of which is a conical column, on which is inscribed the distance of this place from all the principal towns in England, Scotland, and Wales. At the Doomsday survey, Roger de Lacy held Stoches of the King, at which period there were eight plough lands, twenty villains, belonging to the manor, and a mill. The Lacy family continued in possession of it till the year 1207, when it was carried by an heiress to John de Vernon. Soon after 1240 the manor was sold to William de Ludlowe, whose son Lawrence de Ludlowe lived at the castle. In 1497 it passed to Thomas Vernon, and afterwards to Sir George Mainwaring, and he sold it about the year 1620 to Lord Craven, whose representative the Earl of Craven is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. STOKE CASTLE, formerly the seat of the Baldwin family, is a curious specimen of the castellated mansion of former days. A gate house constructed of wooden framework, with curious carvings, leads to a quadrangular court, on one side of which are the remains of the rampart, and on the other sides the house, offices, and tower. The hall and tower is opposite the gate house, in the latter is a winding staircase. The hall is very spacious, but there is no vestige of a fire-place, the ancient mode of warming apartments of this description being by a reredoss, or brazier, filled with burning charcoal, and placed in the centre; at one end is the gallery for the minstrelsy on days of festivity; the wainscot is of oak, and the chimney piece is elaborately carved. The tower which is lofty and in the form of an irregular polygon, rises from the south-west corner of the court, and is crowned with an embattled parapet; the ground floor is a gloomy apartment lighted by four small pointed windows, and the upper stories are divided into very small rooms. This stately mansion has suffered a degradation not uncommon to places of ancient note, part of it having been used as an out-house to an adjoining farm, and the rest suffered to fall to decay.

THE CHURCH is a venerable structure situated near the castle, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and consists of nave and chancel, with a tower in which are six bells. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £4. 13s. 4d., now returned at £340.; incumbent, Rev. William Williams. The Parochial school was formerly held in the church belfry, it is now taught in a private house, but a new school is expected shortly to be built. Roger Powell who died in 1616, left to this parish £10. a year, and directed one shilling a week to be distributed to the poor, and the residue towards the maintenance of a schoolmaster. Of this annuity, which is paid out of a farm in Church Stoke and Lydham, £2. 12s; is given away with the sacrament money on St. Thomas’s day, and the remainder is paid to the schoolmaster. Mary Pearce, in 1769, bequeathed £5 to the poor of this parish, and it was then agreed that the said sum should be laid out in the purchase of a bier cloth, the cost of which was £4. 5s. 7½d., and the rest in books for the poor children of the parish; it was further agreed that in lieu of the interest of the said £5, a bible should be given yearly on Easter Monday to such poor child as the parishioners should appoint.

DIRECTORY.—Richard Coston, farmer, Newton; William Jones, wheelwright, Newton; Enoch Morris, farmer, Stoke Castle; Richard Owen, vict., Craven Arms Hotel; Francis Owen, vict., Red Lion, Newton; Joseph Speakes, schoolmaster; Rev. William Williams, vicar, Stokesay.

ALDON, a township and village in the parish of Stokesay, in 1841 contained 45 houses and 236 inhabitants. The chief landowners are Henry Lester, Esq., Hon. R. H. Clive, and Mr. William Hotchkiss, there are also a few small proprietors. Limestone is found in abundance in this township; in getting the stone, bones have frequently been found of animals that are now extinct,—not long ago some very large antlers of the deer were found. The principal residents are John Bishop, farmer; William Hotchkiss, farmer and lime burner; Edward Medlicott, farmer, Aldon Court; Benjamin Pugh, farmer, Steperside; Lady Mary Ann Syer, Stone House.

BROOM AND ROWTON is a township partly in the Munslow hundred and partly in the Purslow hundred, situated about a mile and a half east from Clungunford. At the census of 1841 two houses and eighteen inhabitants were returned as in Stokesay parish, and two houses and fifteen inhabitants as in the parish of Clungunford. The principal residents are Francis Bach, farmer, Rowton; George Beddows, farmer, Rowton; Timothy Bishop, farmer, Rowton; John and Richard Marston, farmers, The Weo.

WETTLETON, a township and small village, is situated about half a mile N.E. from Stoke, and in 1841 had 25 houses and 114 inhabitants. The land is the property of the Earl of Craven, and the resident farmers are Jeremiah Sheppard and William Sheppard.

TUGFORD

is a parish in the upper division of the Munslow hundred, nine miles N.N.E. from Ludlow, which contains 1,990 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,609. 5s. The soil is well adapted for the growth of turnips and barley. Population in 1801, 165; 1831, 188; 1841, 145; at the latter period there were 31 houses. The village of Tugford is on a good road leading to Ludlow, the situation is low, but dry, pleasant, and warm, being sheltered from the east by a tall plantation rising at the back of it. A small stream called Tugford Brook turns a corn mill in the village, and shortly after has its confluence with the river Corfe. In the time of Henry III. the abbot and convent of Shrewsbury held the ville of Tugford, which was computed to consist of two hides and a half of land. At the assizes, in the 20th of Edward I., the abbot of Salop claimed the liberty of free warren here, of which his successors had a confirmation in the time of Richard II. The principal landowners are the Earl of Craven and C. O. Childe Pemberton, Esq. The parish church, dedicated to St. Catherine, is a small but handsome structure, probably erected about the middle of the 16th century. The living is a rectory annexed to that of Holdgate, in the patronage of the Bishop of Hereford. Incumbent, Rev. Joseph Corbett. The rectory house is a good residence adjoining the church-yard. Thomas Clinton, in 1815, gave £100, the interest to be given among ten poor widows of this parish. In 1652, Robert Ellis bequeathed 10s. each to the several parishes of Tugford, Abdow, Holdgate, Tregnon, and Llanwithilaw. The tithes were commuted in 1839; aggregate amount, £178. 18s. 10d.

The principal residents in Tugford are the Rev. Joseph Corbett, The Rectory; John Blakeway, shopkeeper; John Blockley, farmer; Edward Downes, farmer; John Page, farmer and corn miller; Edward Parsons, farmer; Richard Shirley, farmer; Fanny Wall, blacksmith.

THE WENLOCK FRANCHISE.

The Wenlock Franchise is bounded on the east by the Brimstree Hundred, on the south by the Stottesden Hundred, on the west by the Condover and Munslow Hundreds, and on the north by that of South Bradford. The borough and franchise of Wenlock were formerly co-extensive with the Hundred of Patintern, mentioned in Doomsday Book, which comprised the following parishes, viz.:—Much Wenlock, Little Wenlock, Broseley, Madeley, Benthall, Barrow, Tinley, Badger, Beckbury, Priors Ditton, Stoke St. Milborough, Eaton-under-Heywood, Hughley, Shipton, Monk Hopton, Willey, Deuxhill, and the Extra Parochial Liberty of Posenhall. By an order of quarter sessions, held at Shrewsbury, April 4th, 1836, the parishes of Badger, Deuxhill, and Beckbury, were added to the Brimstree Hundred; and the parishes of Eaton, Shipton, and Stoke St. Milborough, should thenceforward be considered as part of the Munslow Hundred. Ironstone, coal, limestone, and a superior clay, are found in this division of the county, which is celebrated for extensive iron-works, the manufacture of porcelain earthenware, tobacco pipes, bricks, tiles, and draining pipes. The manufacturing district is chiefly confined to the north and north-east verge of the franchise. It is intersected by the river Severn at the northern extremity, and the river afterwards forms the boundary of the franchise for some distance. At the census of 1841 this division of the county contained 3,703 inhabited houses, 155 uninhabited, and 29 building; and a population of 18,016 souls; of whom 8,936 were males and 9,080 females. Of the total population 16,518 persons were born in the county, and 1,498 elsewhere.

BARROW

is a small but pleasantly situated village and parish, in the Wenlock Franchise, two miles east from Much Wenlock, and two miles south-west from Broseley. The parish contains 2,989A. 0R. 39P. of land, the rateable value of which is £3,086. 6s. 1d. At the census in 1801 there were 479 inhabitants; 1831, 351; and in 1841 there were 85 houses and a population of 383 souls. Lord Forester and Sir Richard Acton, Bart., are the landowners. WILLEY HALL, a handsome mansion, is the occasional seat of Lord Forester. The lands in this parish abound with game, which is rigidly preserved. THE CHURCH is a venerable structure, dedicated to St. Giles, and consists of nave and chancel, with a turret, in which are two bells. The walls display many tabular monuments, and there is an antique font, with a capacious basin. On the south side of the church-yard is buried Tom Moody, the celebrated whipper-in to George Forester, Esq. The grave-stone is simply inscribed “Tom Moody, died 19th November, 1796.” The church was formerly an appendage to the Priory of Wenlock. The living is a perpetual curacy annexed to the rectory of Willey. The Rev. Henry Bridgeman is the incumbent.

THE SCHOOL AND ALMSHOUSE.—John Slaney, merchant tailor of London, having, in his life-time, built in the parish of Barrow an almshouse for six poor aged men or women that had been ancient dwellers thereabout, and appointed six acres of ground to be laid out for their better relief and to the support of a school. He also directed an allowance of 1s. 4d. weekly to be made to each inmate, and every alternate year a good frieze gown to be given to each person, worth 13s. 4d., and hose and shoes to the value of 6s. 8d. Mr. Slaney also erected a school for the free teaching of twenty children, and ordained that a great part of the six acres of land above mentioned should be for the maintenance of the school; and he gave towards the maintenance of the schoolmaster £10 a-year for ever. For the performance of the said allowance he gave a rent charge of £30 per annum issuing out of his manor of Willey. And for the residue of his gift to make up the pensions of the said schoolhouse and almshouse, he charged his cousin, John Slaney, that he and his heirs and assignees should for ever pay the same as a rent charge out of his lands called the Hem, which lands he gave to his said cousin on his continuing the charities according to the conditions of his will. In this will Mr. Slaney is directed to keep the school and almshouse in continual repair, and to provide fuel. The premises thus conditionally devised became the property of John Stephens, Esq., who, in 1816, exchanged the lands with Cecil Weld Forester, Esq., lord of the manor of Willey, for lands situated near Barrow church. The almshouse having become much dilapidated, the said Cecil W. Forester, Esq., agreed to be at the expense of taking down and rebuilding the school and almshouse (at his own expense), and keeping the same in repair during the term of his natural life, and to find garments and coals, pursuant to the will of the founder. In pursuance of this arrangement, the almshouse was taken down, and a new one and a schoolhouse built on the lands which he had given in exchange. The yearly expenditure when the Charity Commissioners published their report was £33. 16s., of which the rent charge on the manor of Willey provides for £30; so that there remained for the annual charge upon the lands of Mr. Stephens £3. 16s., but which was then paid by Mr. Forester, besides the cost of twelve tons of coals. With respect to the terms of this exchange, it cannot escape observation that the £3. 16s. and the twelve tons of coals which are furnished by Mr. Forester, in pursuance of his agreement, and the expense that he may be at in repairs, are a part of the consideration that he was to give for the old schoolhouse and almshouse, and the land belonging to them; and not the annual supply which Mr. Stephens’s estates were charged by the will of Mr. Slaney to furnish. When the charity has received Mr. Forester’s supply, it has received nothing more than the stipulated equivalent for the old schoolhouse and almshouse premises. But before the exchange it was entitled to something more, namely, to the supply charged on Mr. Stephens’s estates. It must, therefore, continue still entitled to that supply since the exchange; unless the effect of the exchange has been to exonerate the estates of Mr. Stephens during the life of Mr. Forester at the expense of the charity. We think that such has not been the effect, but that Mr. Stephens’s estates are liable to make good to the charity the annual supply of £3. 16s. and twelve tons of coals yearly, and to continue that supply in future. The school teacher, in addition to the £10 prescribed by the will of Mr. Slaney, has the use of a schoolhouse, and about five acres of land attached to it, with the privilege of taking private scholars.

It appears from the parish books, that a sum of £9 poors’ stock, which had for many years been in the hands of successive parish officers, was applied in the year 1788 to the repairs of the church, as interest of which the sum of 10s. is distributed by the churchwardens at Christmas in fourpenny loaves among the poor of the parish.

DIRECTORY.—John Michael Howell, farmer, The Marsh; Thomas Instone, farmer, Swinney; Augusta Jones, schoolmistress; Robert Peake, farmer; William Thursfield, Esq., farmer and land agent to Lord Forester.

BENTHALL

is a small parish with a scattered population, three miles and a half from Much Wenlock, which comprises 1,195A. 3R. 1P. of land, the whole of which is the property of Lord Forester, who is also lord of the manor. The land has a bold swelling surface, and abounds in limestone. There are lime works in this parish, which give employment to a number of the inhabitants. There is also a tobacco pipe manufactory, and an establishment for the manufacture of earthenware, carried on by Mr. Edward Bathurst. At the census of 1801, the parish contained 636 inhabitants; 1831, 525; and in 1841 there were 131 inhabited houses, and 587 souls. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, consists of nave and chancel, and has a small turret, in which is one bell: it was rebuilt in 1667, and stands on a gentle eminence: it is neatly pewed with oak sittings, and has a gallery at the west end. On the north wall of the chancel there is a tablet to the memory of Ralph Brown, Esq. and Catherine, his wife; the former died in 1707: he was lord of the manor of Benthall. On the south wall is a neat memorial to Edward Brown, gentleman, of Broseley, who died January 29th, 1849, aged 74 years. In the nave of the church is buried Philip Benthall, Esq., who died July 26th, 1713, aged 81 years. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Much Wenlock; incumbent, Rev. W. H. Wayne; curate, Rev. Thomas H. Edwards. BENTHALL HALL is a stone mansion situated near the church, some portions of which were erected in the year 1535. It is the property of Lord Forester, but is now unoccupied. In the time of the civil wars it was garrisoned by the royalists, at which period tradition states the old church was destroyed.

Mrs. Ann Brown, by her will dated 30th May, 1764, directed that the dividends of £200 stock, consolidated three per cents, belonging to her, should be yearly, at Christmas, distributed by her brother, Francis Turner Blithe, and his heirs, and the minister of Benthall, as they should think fit. The dividends are received under the power of attorney, and are paid to the minister, who regularly distributes them about Christmas in small sums among the poor.

Edward Brown, Esq., of Broseley, bequeathed £200 to the minister and churchwardens for the time being of Bethnall in the county of Salop, on trust to invest the same in funds, or government or real securities, and to apply the interest in repairing and maintaining the vault and tombstone of his late brother in-law, Sir Humphrey Charlton, situated in the church yard at Benthall, and to apply the surplus to the relief of poor persons from time to time resident in the parish.

POSENHALL is an extra parochial liberty, contiguous to Benthall, which at the census of 1841 is returned as containing five houses and twenty-two inhabitants. There is only one farm here, which is in the occupancy of Mr. Thomas Pitt; there is also an earthenware manufactory: the names will be found included in the Benthall directory.

DIRECTORY.—Edwin Bathurst, earthenware manufacturer, Benthall Pottery; John and Edward Burton, farmers and brick makers; Joseph Currier, shopkeeper; John Duckett, timber merchant; Rev. Thomas H. Edwards, B.A., curate, Benthall House; Mary Gother, vict., Britannia Inn; John Gother, joiner; Hiram Hill, lime burner, residence, Broseley; Joshua Instone, blacksmith; John Jones, vict., Leopard Inn; Warren Taylor Jones, earthenware manufacturer, Posenhall Pottery; John Patten, lime burner and barge owner; Ann Pitt, farmer; Thomas Pitt, farmer, Posenhall; Edward Roden, farmer and corn miller; Mary Roden, farmer; Noah Roden, tobacco pipe manufacturer; James Shepard, maltster.

BROSELEY,

anciently written BURWARDSLEY, is a parish and considerable market town in the Wenlock franchise, four miles east from Much Wenlock, 13 miles south-east from Shrewsbury, and 146 miles north-west from London. The town is seated on an eminence above the Severn, and consists principally of one long irregular built street, with minor streets branching off in different directions. The houses are mostly of brick, some of them of respectable appearance, interspersed with others of a more humble description, inhabited chiefly by miners and the operatives employed in the brick and iron works. It stands in the middle of an extensive mining district, in which coal and ironstone are obtained; and there is an extensive iron foundry here, with others in the immediate vicinity. The town and neighbourhood are also famous for the manufacture of fire bricks and tobacco pipes, which are exported to all parts of the kingdom. Broseley is the only place in England where the celebrated glazed tobacco pipes are manufactured, and it is supposed this was the first place where the manufacture of this article commenced; upwards of two centuries ago they were made from clay procured in this locality, now the clay got here is used for the manufacture of bricks, tiles and earthenware, and the pipeclay is procured from Devonshire and Cornwall. Messrs. William Southron and Co. have an extensive establishment for the manufacture of the glazed pipes, employing upwards of forty operatives, and using forty tons of the Devonshire pipeclay annually. The bricks and tiles made at Broseley are not surpassed by any in the kingdom; there are several extensive establishments conducted by the Messrs. Davies and others. The parish contains 1,970A. 3R. 24P. of land, the principal owners of which are Lord Forester: Francis Harrison, Esq.; John Onions, Esq.; John Davenport, Esq.; and William Taylor, Esq. There are also a number of other freeholders. At the census in 1801, this parish had a population of 4,832 souls; 1831, 4,299; 1841, 4,829, and in 1851 there were 4,738 inhabitants, of whom 2,229 were males, and 2,509 females: at the latter period there were 1,005 inhabited houses, 43 uninhabited, and two building; rateable value of the parish, £7,891. 8s. 6d. The market held on a Wednesday is not very numerously attended. Fairs are held on the last Tuesday in April, and October 28th. The Market Hall is a brick structure, situated in High street, built about the year 1779. The Court Room, over the market hall, contains a fine oak chair beautifully carved, and dated 1626; in this room the petty sessions are held every six weeks. Here also was formerly held the court of requests, which had jurisdiction in eight of the neighbouring parishes; this, however, has been superseded by the new County Court Act.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to All Saints, is a free-stone structure, consisting of nave, chancel and side aisles, with a square tower in which are six bells; the nave is separated from the side aisles by five pointed arches on each side; over the side aisles and at the west end are galleries; upon the latter is placed an organ. The church was rebuilt in 1845, and in consequence of a grant of £400 from the Incorporated Society, 694 of the sittings are free and unappropriated for ever; there is now accommodation for 1,200 hearers; it is neatly fitted up with oak sittings, and the roof is of groined timber. The old church was a brick structure, with a low tower of free stone, and had sittings for 782 persons. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £7. 18s. 6d., in the patronage of Lord Forester: incumbent, the Hon. and Rev. Orlando Watkin Weld Forester, M.A.; curate, Rev. Andrew Burn, B.A. The tithes are commuted for £453. THE BAPTISTS have small chapels in Duke street and on Harris’s Green. THE INDEPENDENTS have a chapel in Duke street. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a chapel at Duke street and one at Coalford. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a chapel at Broseley Wood. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL is held in a spacious room over the Market Hall, which measures sixty-one feet long and twenty-one feet broad. The average attendance of scholars at the present time is one hundred and ninety-five.

JACKFIELD is a populous hamlet, in the parish of Broseley, stretching along the banks of the Severn, and situated near a mile north of the parish church. Here the inhabitants are busily engaged in extensive works for the manufacture of bricks and tiles. At this place is also situated the IVANHOE POTTERY, an establishment conducted by Mr. George Proudman, where all kinds of earthenware are manufactured. The clay used in the manufacture is got from mines on the premises, and is found in regular layers above the coal and limestone; some of the mines extend to the depth of one hundred yards. THE CHURCH (or Chapel of Ease) at Jackfield is a handsome brick structure, with stone finishings, consisting of nave and chancel, with a square tower. It is situated on an eminence overlooking Ironbridge and a part of Coalbrook Dale. It is dedicated to St. Mary, and was built in 1759, by Francis Turner Blythe, Esq. The interior has a neat appearance, and on the south side there is a neat marble tablet to the memory of Alexander Brodie, Esq., ironmaster, of Calcutt, who died June 5th, 1830. Another neat tablet remembers the founder of the church, Francis T. Blythe, Esq., who died September 22nd, 1770, aged 61 years. There is also a tablet to Thomas Carter Phillips, Esq., who died in 1783. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL is a commodious brick structure, erected in the year 1844. The school-room is used as a place of worship on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. The rector and curate of Broseley officiate alternately.

Not far from Jackfield formerly stood the ancient mansion of the Tuckies. About sixty years ago this house was repaired for Lord Dundonald, father of Lord Cochrane, who resided here a considerable time, making chemical experiments, among the principal of which was that of extracting tar from coals. For this purpose many kilns or ovens were erected on the banks of the Severn, and the process was conducted in the following manner:—“A range of stoves was supplied with coal kept burning at the bottom; the smoke was conveyed by horizontal tunnels into a capacious funnel built of brick, supported by arches, and covered on the top by a shallow pond of water. The smoke, condensed by the chill of the water, fell on the bottom of the funnel in the form of tar, and was conveyed by pipes into a receiver, whence it was pumped into a large boiler, and boiled to a proper consistence, or otherwise inspissated into pitch; the volatile parts which arose during this inspissation were again condensed into oil used for varnish.” Great quantities of this useful article were sent for the use of the navy, and much of it was used in japanning. Lord Dundonald expended large sums of money in these undertakings, which were unsuccessful as to profitable remuneration. On the site of these operations was afterwards erected the great iron foundry where so many cannon were cast by Mr. Brodie during the late war.

A most melancholy accident occurred near Broseley on October 23rd, 1799. The passage boat in crossing the Severn, which at this place is very rapid, was overturned. There were forty-one persons in the boat who were employed in the china works of Messrs. Rose and Co., of these thirteen only escaped, the remaining twenty-eight were all drowned. Tradition states that a large house in Broseley was formerly in possession of some Dutchmen, who had a mint for coining money secreted in cellars under the house. They lived in a very expensive style, and kept race horses. There is a curious fossil found here in the stratum of coal resembling a fish with the head and tail cut off. It is covered with scales, and measures about eight inches long. Its solidity is much greater than the substance in which it is infolded, and when broken appears like limestone; if thrown into the fire it explodes with considerable violence.

In the year 1711 a very remarkable inflammable spring was discovered at Broseley, of which the Rev. Mr. Mason, professor at Cambridge, gives the following account:—“The well for four or five feet deep is six or seven feet wide, within that is another hole of like depth, dug in clay; in the bottom whereof is placed a cylindric earthern vessel, of about four or five inches diameter at the mouth, having the bottom taken off, and the sides well fixed in, the clay rammed close about it. Within the pot is a brown water as thick as puddle continually forced up with a violent motion, beyond that of boiling water, and a rumbling hollow noise rising and falling by fits; but there was no appearance of any vapour arising, which perhaps might have been visible had not the sun shone so bright. Upon putting the candle down at the end of a stick, at a quarter of a yard distance, it took fire, darting and flashing after a very violent manner, for about half a yard high, much in the manner of spirits in a lamp, but with great agitation. It was said that a tea kettle had been made to boil in about nine minutes time, and that it had been left burning for forty-eight hours without any sensible diminution. It was extinguished by putting a wet mop upon it, which it was necessary to keep there for a considerable time, otherwise it would not go out. Upon the removal of the mop there arises a sulphurous smoke, lasting about a minute, and yet the water is cold to the touch. The cause of this inflammable property is most probably the mixture of the waters with petroleum, which is one of the most inflammable substances in nature, and has the property of burning on the surface of water.” In the year 1755 this well entirely disappeared by the sinking of a coal pit in its neighbourhood.

CHARITIES.—John Barrett, Esq., of the Madeiras, bequeathed the sum of £200 to the poor of Broseley. Frances Morgan left £50, the interest to be divided among twelve poor widows on Christmas-day annually. Richard Edwards, of Rowton, left £110 to be laid out in land, and the profits thereof to be distributed on Christmas-day and Easter-day, in equal proportions, among such poor widows of the parish as his heirs and the minister of the parish should judge proper objects of charity. Esther Hollyman left £20 to be added to the poor’s stock in 1730. It appears from entries in a modern parish book and from a memorandum in the handwriting of a late curate of the parish, that the several legacies above specified, amounting together to the sum of £380, were lent to the parish about the year 1777, and employed (with other monies borrowed and raised by subscriptions) in building a market house and shops, from the rents of which it was agreed that a sum not exceeding £18 should be annually distributed among the poor. By a more recent resolution, which purports to have been made at a parish meeting held on the 31st May, 1802, it was resolved—“That there should be paid to the poor, from the revenues of the market hall, in half yearly payments, the annual sum of £18 until the £3 above £15 should liquidate a debt which appeared due to the said poor of £43; and that then £15 per annum should be paid only as the permanent interest of £380 borrowed of the trustees of the said poor, and for the purpose of building the said market hall.” How the debt of £43 originated we are not able to state, the old parish books, which would probably have thrown some light upon the subject, having been lost. It appears to us, however, not improbable that this sum may be the remains of the poor’s stock arising from the benefactions which are recorded on the tables in the church, left by ten several donors, and amounting to £51. 10s. If the debt of £43, stated to be due from the parish to the poor, was part of the stock arising from the above benefactions, the resolution by which it was determined to distribute it by instalments among the poor seems to be at variance with the intentions of the respective donors, whose object clearly was the establishment of a fund that should continue permanently productive. It may be necessary to observe that although by the payment of £3 per annum, according to the terms of the resolution above mentioned, the debt of £43 would be wholly liquidated in the year 1816, yet the annual payment of £18 has been since continued without any abatement. This sum is distributed by the minister in equal moieties at Christmas and Easter, among the poor inhabitants of Broseley, in sums proportioned to their necessities.

William Lewis, by indenture, dated January 2nd, 1740, granted a yearly rent charge of 20s., issuing out of a messuage and two acres of land, situate near the church, in Broseley, with the penalty of 6s. for every day that the payment should be in arrear, and directed the same to be distributed among twenty poor widows. It further appears from the benefaction table that Andrew Langley, of the Woodhouse, left 12s. yearly to be distributed by the minister and churchwardens on St. Andrew’s-day yearly, and to be paid for ever by the owner of the Woodhouse estate.

Mary Cotton, who died in 1838, bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens for the time being of this parish the sum of £300, three per cent consolidated bank annuities, upon trust, to receive the interest and divide it among forty poor widows of this parish on the 29th of December, yearly. Fanny Pritchard left £100 in trust to the same parties, to be invested in government securities, and directed the interest to be divided among ten poor widows on St. Thomas’s day.

At a place called the Birches, between Buildwas and Ironbridge, and not far from Broseley, an extraordinary phenomenon occurred in May, 1775, of which the following account has been given by the Rev. John Fletcher, of Madeley. “When I went to the spot,” says Mr. Fletcher, “the first thing that struck me was the destruction of the little bridge that separated the parish of Madeley from that of Buildwas, and the total disappearing of the turnpike road to Buildwas bridge, instead of which nothing presented itself to my view but a confused heap of bushes, and huge clods of earth tumbled one over another. The river also wore a different aspect; it was shallow, turbid, noisy, boisterous, and came down from a different point. Whether I considered the water or the land the scene appeared to me entirely new, and as I could not fancy myself in another part of the country, I concluded that the God of nature had shaken his providential iron rod over the subverted spot before me. Following the track made by a great number of spectators, who came already from the neighbouring parishes, I climbed over the ruins and came to a field well grown with rye-grass, where the ground was greatly cracked in several places, and where large turfs, some entirely, others half turned up exhibited the appearance of straight or crooked furrows, imperfectly formed by a plough drawn at a venture. Getting from that field over the hedge, into a part of the road which was yet visible, I found it raised in one place, sunk in another, concave in a third, hanging on one side in a fourth, and contracted as if some uncommon force had pressed the two hedges together. But the higher part of it surprised me most, and brought directly to my remembrance those places of mount Vesuvius where the solid stony lava has been strongly worked by repeated earthquakes, for the hard beaten gravel that formed the surface of the road was broken every way into huge masses, partly detached from each other, with deep apertures between them exactly like the shattered lava. This striking likeness of circumstances made me conclude that the similar effect might proceed from the same cause, namely, a strong convulsion on the surface if not in the bowels of the earth. Going a little farther towards Buildwas I found that the road was again totally lost for a considerable space, having been overturned, absorbed, or tumbled with the hedges that bounded it to a considerable distance towards the river; this part of the desolation appeared then to me inexpressibly dreadful. Between a shattered field and the river there was that morning a bank on which besides a great deal of underwood grew twenty fine large oaks, this wood shot with such violence into the Severn before it that it forced the water in great columns a considerable height like mighty fountains, and gave the overflowing river a retrograde motion. This is not the only accident that happened to the Severn; for near the Grove, the channel which was chiefly of a soft blue rock burst in ten thousand pieces, and rose perpendicularly about ten yards, heaving up the immense quantity of water and the shoals of fishes that were therein. Among the rubbish at the bottom of the river, which was very deep in that place, there were one or two huge stones and a large piece of timber, or an oak tree, which from time immemorial had lain partly buried in the mud I suppose in consequence of some flood; the stones and tree were thrown up as if they had been only a pebble and a stick, and are now at some distance from the river, many feet higher than the surface of it. Ascending from the ruins of the road I came to those of a barn, which after travelling many yards towards the river had been absorbed in a chasm where the shattered roof was yet visible. Next to those remains of the barn, and partly parallel with the river, was a long edge which had been torn from a part of it yet adjoining to the garden hedge, and had been removed above forty yards downward together with some large trees that were in it and the land that it enclosed. The tossing, tearing, and shifting of so many acres of land below, was attended with the formation of stupendous chasms above. At some distance above, near the wood which crowns the desolated spot, another chasm, or rather a complication of chasms excited my admiration; it is an assemblage of chasms, one of which that seems to terminate the desolation to the north-east, runs some hundred yards towards the river and Madeley wood; it looked like the deep channel of some great serpentine river dried up, whose little islands, fords, and hollows appear without a watery veil. This long chasm at the top seems to be made up of two or three that run into each other, and their conjunction when it is viewed from a particular point exhibits the appearance of a ruined fortress whose ramparts have been blown up by mines that have done dreadful execution, and yet have spared here and there a pyramid of earth, or a shattered tower by which the spectators can judge of the nature and solidity of the demolished bulwark. Fortunately there was on the devoted spot but one house, inhabited by two poor countrymen and their families; it stands yet, though it has removed about a yard from its former situation. The morning in which the desolation happened, Samuel Wilcocks, one of those countrymen, got up about four o’clock, and opening the window to see if the weather was fair he took notice of a small crack in the earth about four or five inches wide, and observed the above mentioned field of corn heaving up and rolling about like the waves of the sea; the trees by the motion of the ground waved also, as if they had been blown with the wind, though the air was calm and serene; the river Severn, which for some days had overflowed its banks, was also very much agitated and seemed to turn back to its source. The man being astonished at such a sight, rubbed his eyes, supposing himself not quite awake, and being soon convinced that destruction stalked about, he alarmed his wife, and taking children in their arms they went out of the house as fast as they could, accompanied by the other man and his wife. A kind Providence directed their flight, for instead of running eastward across the fields that were just going to be overthrown, they fled westward into a wood that had little share in the destruction. When they were about twenty yards from the house they perceived a great crack run very quick up the ground from the river; immediately the land behind them with the trees and hedges moved towards the Severn with great swiftness and an uncommon noise, which Samuel Wilcocks compared to a large flock of sheep running swiftly by him. It was then chiefly that desolation expanded her wings over the devoted spot and the Birches saw a momentary representation of a partial chaos! then nature seemed to have forgotten her laws: trees commenced itinerant!—those that were at a distance from the river advanced towards it, while the submerged oak broke out of its watery confinements and by rising many feet recovered a place on dry land; the solid road was swept away as its dust had been on a stormy day;—then probably the rocky bottom of the Severn emerged, pushing towards heaven astonished shoals of fishes and hogsheads of water innumerable;—the wood like an embattled body of vegetable combatants stormed the bed of the overflowing river, and triumphantly waved its green colours over its recoiling flood;—fields became moveable,—nay, they fled when none pursued, and as they fled they rent the green carpets that covered them in a thousand pieces;—in a word, dry land exhibited the dreadful appearance of a sea-storm. Solid earth as if it had acquired the fluidity of water tossed itself into massy waves, which rose or sunk at the beck of him who raised the tempest; and what is most astonishing, the stupendous hollow of one of those waves ran for nearly a quarter of a mile through rooks and a stony soil with as much ease as if dry earth, stones, and rocks had been a part of the liquid element. Soon after the river was stopt, Samuel Cookson, a farmer who lives a quarter of a mile below the Birches, on the same side of the river, was much terrified by a dust of wind that beat against his windows as if shot had been thrown against it, but his fright greatly increased when getting up to see if the flood that was over his ground had abated he perceived that all the water was from his fields, and that scarce any remained in the Severn. He called up his family, ran to the river, and finding that it was dammed up, he made the best of his way to alarm the inhabitants of Buildwas, the next village above, which he supposed would soon be under water. He was happily mistaken, providence just prepared a way for their escape; the Severn, notwithstanding a considerable flood which at that time rendered it doubly rapid and powerful, having met with two dreadful shocks, the one from her rising bed and the other from the intruding wood, could do nothing but foam and turn back with impetuosity. The ascending and descending streams conflicted about Buildwas bridge; the river sensibly rose for some miles back, and continued rising till just as it was near entering into the houses at Buildwas it got a vent through the fields on the right, and after spreading far and near over them collected all its might to assault its powerful aggressor, I mean the grove, that had so unexpectedly turned it out of the bed which it had enjoyed for countless ages. Sharp was the attack, but the resistance was yet more vigorous, and the Severn repelled again and again was obliged to seek its old empty bed, by going the shortest way to the right, and the moment it found it again it precipitated therein with a dreadful roar, and for a time formed a considerable cataract with inconceivable fury, as if it wanted to be revenged on the first thing that came in its way, began to tear and wash away a fine rich meadow opposite to the grove, and there in a few hours worked itself a new channel about three hundred yards long, through which a barge from Shrewsbury ventured three or four day after, all wonder at the strangement of the overthrow. Some ascribe it to an earthquake, others to a slip of the ground, and not a few remain neuter, confessing that providence has conducted this phenomenon in such a manner as to confound the wisdom of the wise, and force even philosophers to adore in silence the God of nature whose ways are past finding out, who giveth not always account of his matters, and who perhaps strikes an ambiguous blow to convince us that the how of his vengeance has more than one string, and that, to say nothing of the other elements, our mother earth may afford us an untimely grave, either by the slipping of her back or the convulsion of her bowels. My employment and taste leading me more to search out the mysteries of heaven than to scrutinize the phenomena of the earth, and to point at the wonders of grace than those of nature; I leave the decision of the question about the slip and the earthquake to some abler philosopher.”

POST OFFICE—At Mr. Jeremiah Ashwood’s. Letters arrive at 8 A.M., and are despatched 5.35 P.M.

Marked 1 are in Cape or King street; 2 Church street; 3 High street; 4 Queen street; 5 Barratt’s hill; 6 Broseley Wood; 7 Jackfield and neighbourhood; 8 Barber’s row; and 9 Duke street.

2 Amphlet Susannah, vict., The Dog

3 Ashwood Jeremiah, corn miller, maltster, and postmaster

3 Bartlam Edward Glover, Esq., surgeon, and coroner for borough of Wenlock

5 Bathurst Henry Martyn, schoolmaster (national)

5 Baker Mrs. Frances

3 Baker The Misses, drapers and mercers

2 Baugh George, Esq.

2 Bayliss Miss Helen, ladies’ boarding school

7 Beard Thomas, victualler, Werps Inn

3 Beddoes John, shoemaker

6 Beddow Thomas, grocer

6 Bill Jeremiah, butcher, shopkeeper and beerhouse

3 Birch Thomas, coalmaster

7 Boden Susannah, shopkpr.

3 Booth Henry, farmer and butcher

6 Bradley Richard, tobacco pipe maker

3 Bourne Wm., blacksmith and beerhouse-keeper

2 Boycott Richard, baker and confectioner

2 Broadhurst Thos., timber merchant & wheelwright

2 Brodie Mrs.

7 Brown Edwd., blacksmith, and vict., Summer House

3 Burnet Henry, hosier and haberdasher

3 Burnet Isaac, boot and shoemaker

3 Burnet John, grocer and dealer in hops

7 Burn Rev. Andrew, B.A., curate, Rock House

7 Burton Edward, brick and tile manufr. & barge owner

7 Burroughs John, rope manufacturer

3 Cartwright Chas., butcher

6 Cartwright James, butcher

3 Charlton Humphrey, wine and spirit and hop and seed merchant

4 Colley Bernard Wilkinson, maltster

8 Collins Thos., locksmith

2 Cooke Joseph, victualler, Old Crown

3 Corfield Thomas, butcher

3 Cowley Jas., grocer, ironmonger, and seedsman

3 Cox Robert, saddler

3 Crowder Leonard, painter, plumber, and glazier

3 Crump William, butcher

7 Crumpton William, ferryman and barge owner

7 Cullis William, victualler, Tumbling Sailors

7 Davies Ann, brick and tile maker

7 Davies James, sen., brick and tile maker, The Rock

7 Davies James, jun., brick and tile maker, The Rock

3 Davies John, farmer

6 Davies Samuel, butcher and maltster

7 Davies Thos., shopkeeper, and brick and tile maker

Davies Thomas, tailor, The Delph

6 Dean James, thatcher and beerhouse-keeper

1 Davies Thomas, victualler, Duke of Cumberland

7 Dillon Joseph, bargeowner, Salt house

7 Dodd Andrew, bargeowner, Salt-house

7 Doughty Geo., bargeowner, Salthouse

7 Doughty Robert, bargeowner, Salthouse

7 Doughty Theophilus, brick & tile maker, Lloyd Head

6 Easthope Mrs. Ann

2 Edwards Ann, victualler, Foresters’ Arms

3 Evans Edwin R. auctioneer, accountant, house & estate agent, valuer & appraiser, agent to the Sun Fire office, and superintendent registrar

3 Evans Mrs. Maria, draper and mercer

9 Evans Richard, registrar of births and deaths

6 Evans John, shopkeeper and poulterer

Evans Robert, Esq., J.P., The Dunge

8 Evans Susan, confectioner

3 Evans Thos., confectioner

8 Everall Robert, butcher and vict., The Plough

1 Everall Thomas, baker and grocer

3 Fawkes Arthur, victualler, Cape of Good Hope

8 Fenton John, brazier and tinman

2 Forester The Honourable and Rev. Orlando Watkin Weld, M.A., The Rectory

5 Firfield Mrs.

5 Francis Robert, tailor

8 Glover Edwd., hairdresser

6 Gough Mrs. Martha

2 Griffiths Edward, shopkeeper, Salt-house

2 Griffiths John, timber merchant and wheelwright

Griffiths Miss, milliner

3 Gwynn Geo., basket-maker

5 Gwynn Martha, basket-maker

7 Harris Richard, tailor, Salt-house

3 Hartshorne Edward, boot and shoemaker

2 Hartshone Frederick H., Esq., surgeon

3 Hartshorne George, auctioneer, appraiser, cabinet-maker, builder, and upholsterer

1 Harvey John, grocer, draper, accountant, agent to the Birmingham fire office, and medical, clerical, and general life office

9 Hayman John, glass dealer and victualler, The Fox

1 Holmes Wm., coalmaster

8 Hill Benjamin, joiner and builder

5 Hill Hiram, grocer and coal master

8 Hiskett Thomas, tin-plate worker

7 Holt Thomas, victualler, Woodbridge Inn

3 Humphries John, grocer, chandler, and hop dealer

2 Instone Samuel, grocer

2 Jones Adam, surveyor and victualler, The Pheasant Commercial Inn

Jackson Rev. Wm. (Baptist), Broseley Cottage

8 Johnson John, tailor and habit maker

7 Jones Isaac, blacksmith

7 Jones John, vict., Duke of Wellington, The Werps

6 Jones Samuel, baker

3 Jones Stephen, tailor and habit maker

Jones Rev. Wm. (Baptist), Chapel Hill

3 Jones Richard, painter, plumber, glazier, & paper hanger

7 Jones Thos., fishmonger, and beerhouse-keeper, The Rock

2 Knight Henry, Esq., professor of music

3 Leadbetter Enoch, agent to Crown Life Assurance office

9 Legge Mrs. Margaret

3 Lister Edward, victualler, The Elephant

6 Lister Thomas, Esq.

7 Lloyd Henry, waterman and vict., The Oak

6 Lloyd William, beerhouse-keeper

3 Mason James, shoemaker, and licensed to let post-horses

7 Mapp Thomas, cement manufacturer

6 Mason Henry, hatter and marine-store dealer

6 Mason John, grocer and tea dealer

7 Miles Francis, shopkeeper, Salt-house

3 Miles Thomas, victualler, The Albion

3 Molineux Thomas, boot and shoemaker

6 Morris John Cox, Esq.

Morgan Mrs., Rock House

Mortimer Mrs. Favell Lee, Broseley Hall

3 Nevitt Enoch, stationer

3 Nevitt Samuel, shopkeeper

Nicholas William, Esq., Field House

3 Oakley Jesse, druggist and grocer

3 Oare Charles, Esq.

2 Onions John, Esq., iron-founder, and brick & tile maker, White Hall

7 Oswell George, beerhouse-keeper and ferryman

Page Thomas, maltster

7 Parker Benj., bargeowner & vict., Lloyd’s Head Inn

7 Parker Charles, victualler, Black Swan

3 Parsons Wm., blacksmith

3 Perrin William, draper, mercer, and hatter

9 Peters Moses and Richard, nail makers & ironmongers

3 Potts Geo., Esq., solicitor, clerk to borough of Wenlock & to Madeley County Court, The Green

3 Potts & Nicholls, solicitors

2 Pountney Edwin, baker

3 Pountney Samuel, grocer

9 Pountney Samuel, tailor

6 Powell Richd., shopkeeper

7 Price Robert, mine agent, Calcott

3 Pritchard’s Boycott and Nicholas, bankers; draw on Barnett, Hoares, and Company, London

2 Pritchard George, Esq.

3 Pritchard John, Esq.

2 Pritchard Miss

7 Proudman Geo., earthenware manufacturer, Ivanhoe Pottery

3 Pugh Helen, milliner and dressmaker

3 Pugh Thos., china painter

5 Raspass Elizbeth, shopkpr.

7 Reynolds John, bargeowner

3 Rhodes Charles, vict., The Lion Commercial Inn

7 Richards Geo., beerhouse, The Salt-house

7 Richards Robert, victualler, Severn Trow

3 Richards Thomas, saddler

7 Robinson Jas., blacksmith

7 Roden Samuel, brick and tile manufacturer; house, Ironbridge

7 Roden Thomas, joiner, Salt-house

6 Rowe Chas., wheelwright

6 Rufus Hannah, victualler, King’s Head

2 Rushton Henry, joiner and builder

3 Rushton Richard, grocer

2 Shaw William P., agent to legal and general life assurance office, and to Salop fire office

6 Smith Moses, hosier

4 Salmon John, hosier

6 Southorn Ann, beerhouse

6 Southorn Joseph, tobacco-pipe manufacturer

6 Southorn Wm. & Co., tobacco-pipe manufacturers

4 Speak Thos., shopkeeper

5 Squires Richard, builder

2 Stable Mrs. Mary, The Deanery

2 Stables Miss Jane, The Deanery

3 Stephan Caroline, milliner and dressmaker

4 Taylor William, butcher

7 Taylor William, coal and brick master, The Tuckies

2 Thorn John, Esq., White Hall

4 Thursfield Richard, Esq., surgeon, and high bailiff to Madeley County Court

5 Tonkiss Richard, tobacco-pipe maker

5 Trupp Thomas, inland revenue officer

7 Transom Jas., bargeowner

9 Watkin Richd., shoemaker

Watkins Wm., victualler, Duke of York

6 Weaver Mary, shopkeeper

9 Weeks John, shoemaker

6 Weeks Thos., shoemaker

9 Weeks Richard, boot and shoemaker, & beerhouse

8 Willings Benjamin, boot and shoemaker

9 Westover John, attorney’s clerk

7 Wiggins John, schoolmaster (national)

7 Wild John, bargeowner

2 Wilkinson John, blacksmith

5 Wilkinson Mrs. Lucia

3 Williams Ann, shopkeeper and poulterer

7 Williams Edward, shopkeeper, and brick and tile maker, The Werps

7 Williams Edwd., jun., vict., Dog & Duck, Lloyd Head

7 Williams Mr. Silvanus, Salt-house

9 Whooton Herbert, butcher and farmer

Wyke Richard, surgeon, Salt-house

5 Yates Elizabeth, victualler, The Crown

7 Yates Robt., vict., Ash Tree

HUGHLEY

is a parish and village delightfully situated in a lovely vale four and a half miles S.W. from Much Wenlock; the Wenlock Edge bounds the parish on the eastern side, and on the west is a small mountain stream. The parish contains 1,111A. 3R. 38P. of land, the soil of which for the most part is of an inferior description, but produces tolerable crops of oats, and wheat is also grown. Rateable value £817. The land in this parish is the property of the Earl of Bradford, except about three roods and a small cottage. A bridge has recently been built over the stream here, which is a great advantage and convenience to the inhabitants, as the waters occasionally rush with great impetuosity from the hilly district, and render the fording of the stream dangerous. The bridge was built by subscriptions, under the superintendence and aid of the late rector. In former times the extensive woods with which Hughley was surrounded were long the retreat of robbers; a commission was issued in the reign of Richard II. to inquire into the best means of securing the banditti, and protecting travellers from their lawless depredations.

THE CHURCH, a small but interesting specimen of the gothic style of architecture, is dedicated to St. John the Baptist; it is very ancient, and consists of nave and chancel, the latter divided from the nave by a beautifully rood loft elaborately carved; on the roof also is some beautifully carved work. A recess in the wall containing a number of human bones is conjectured to have been a shrine; the bones are probably the remains of some reputed saint, and were formerly secured by a door, but this has long been destroyed. There is a piscina on a pedestal, whereon in former times would very probably stand the patron saint of the church. The living is a rectory valued in the King’s book at £4. 11s. 3d., now returned at £160, in the patronage of the Earl of Bradford, and enjoyed by the Rev. John Wakefield, M.A. The parish of Hughley, at the census of 1801, contained 83 inhabitants; 1831, 115; and in 1841 there were twenty houses and 127 souls. Job Littleford, in 1772, gave to the parish of Hughley 6s. yearly to maintain a poor child at school; 4s. to be distributed among the poor by the rector; and 2s. 6d. to the parish clerk yearly. The premises charged with this payment are situate at Holt Praed, and are the property of Mrs. Thursby.

DIRECTORY.—Richard Bullock, blacksmith; Edward Corfield, miller; Elizabeth Owen, farmer; Thomas Madeley, farmer; Rev. John Wakefield, M.A., rector; Andrew Walker, farmer, Upper Hill farm; Richard Walleter, farmer, Lower Hill farm.

LINLEY

is a small parish in the Wenlock franchise, situated about three and a half miles south-east from Much Wenlock. The parish comprises 636 acres of land, the principal owners of which are Lord Forester and John Stephens, Esq. At the census in 1801 there were 108 inhabitants; 1831, 111; and in 1851, 105; of whom 42 were males, and 63 females. At the same period there were 19 inhabited houses, and one uninhabited. Gross estimated rental of the parish, £809. 2s. Rateable value, £729. 18s. Lord Forester is lord of the manor and impropriator. THE CHURCH, a plain, unpresuming structure, has the appearance of great antiquity: the windows are small and square headed, and there is a short tower. The church is situated in a field, and near it stands a venerable yew tree, but there is no inclosed burial ground. The living is a rectory, annexed to that of Broseley. The Hon. and Rev. Orlando Forester is the incumbent. Divine service is only performed once a month. LINLEY HALL was formerly the seat of the ancient family of Lacon, who possessed the greater part of the parish. It is a plain brick structure, now occupied by Miss Martha Onions.

DIRECTORY.—George Carpenter, vict., Duke of Wellington Inn; Robert Harrison, farmer; Joseph Langmore, wheelwright and blacksmith; Ann Newton, vict., Britannia Inn; Miss Martha Onions, Linley Hall; Edward Owen, proprietor of Owen’s pills and drops, Linley Villa; Josiah Wellings, bailiff to Mr. Hembry.

LITTLE WENLOCK

is a parish and small rural village, styled in ancient records “Wenlock under the Wrekin,” and is situated three miles south from Wellington, thee miles north-west from Ironbridge, five miles N.N.E. from Much Wenlock, and eleven miles south-east from Shrewsbury. The village is pleasantly situated on a bold acclivity, near the eastern side of the Wrekin, commanding some fine views over a picturesque and delightful district. The Wrekin stands partly in this parish, and also extends into the parishes of Wellington, Wroxeter, and Uppington. The Willow Moor or Wrekin farm is situated in a sequestered vale near to the Wrekin. This valley is supposed to have been the scene of a battle at some remote period. As a labourer was cutting a drain in the year 1835, about a hundred yards from the turnpike from Little Wenlock to Wellington, he suddenly came upon a heap of broken spears, which had been thrown together, and which it is stated numbered between two and three hundred. In the immediate vicinity are five barrows, which were opened about sixteen years ago, but nothing was discovered in them. The parish comprises 2,460 acres of land, the soil of which is a mixture of clay and gravel, producing tolerable crops of wheat, barley, and turnips. The minerals are ironstone, coal, and limestone, but none of these valuable minerals are got except on the northern verge of the parish, probably in consequence of their abundance in the adjacent parishes, where extensive iron works and collieries have long been established. Lord Forester is the owner of the land, and lord of the manor. At the census in 1801 the parish contained a population of 980 souls; 1831, 1,057; and in 1841 there were 202 houses, and 1,091 inhabitants, of whom 578 were males, and 513 females; in 1851 there were 1,034 inhabitants, and 199 houses. Gross estimated rental of the parish, £3,760. 10s. Rateable value, £4,351. 8s.

THE CHURCH is a very ancient structure, dedicated to St. Lawrence. The body of the church appears of older date than the tower, which was built in 1667. The fabric was enlarged in 1822 by adding a south transept of brick; the rest of the structure is of free stone. The tower contains five bells. The pulpit is of carved oak, very ancient. There is accommodation for upwards of 600 persons: 520 of the seats are free and unappropriated. A neat marble font is placed at the west end. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £11. 13s. 4d., in the patronage of Lord Forester: incumbent, Rev. George Edmonds, M.A. The tithes have been commuted for £584. 3s. 4d., and there are nine acres of glebe land. The parish register dates from the year 1689. In the church-yard are several venerable yew trees. THE RECTORY is a commodious brick residence, a short distance from the church, from which are seen some pleasing and picturesque views of the country. The house stands 600 feet above the level of the Severn, whose silvery waters flow in the vale beneath. WENLOCK HALL is now divided into cottage tenements. HUNTINGTON is a hamlet about a mile north from the church. COALMOOR a hamlet a mile south from the church.

CHARITIES.—Maurice Haywood, who died in 1760, bequeathed the sum of £10, the interest thereof to be distributed in bread to the poor of the parish on St. Thomas’s day, yearly. This legacy was paid to the churchwarden, and the parish has ever since made a distribution of bread to the amount of the interest at five per cent. Mrs. Alice Green gave an annuity of 11s. 6d. to the poor of this parish, payable out of an estate called the Dairy House Farm, at Brierley, in the parish of Sedgley, in Staffordshire, of which 10s. was to be given to the poor, and 1s. 6d. to the person who fetched it for his trouble. The estate on which this annuity is charged is the property of Mrs. Foley. Much irregularity has taken place in the payment of this little annuity, in consequence apparently of the distance from which it was to be procured.

Mrs. Mary Tipton, in the year 1844, bequeathed £50, and directed so much of the interest as should be necessary to be applied in painting and keeping in repair her monument in the church-yard, and the residue to be annually distributed among the poor. Mrs. Hannah Shepherd bequeathed the sum of £100, the interest to be applied in the purchase of suitable clothing for the benefit of the poor.

Marked 1 are at Coalmoor, 2 Huntingdon, and the rest in Little Wenlock or where specified.

Boore Edward, maltster

Boore George, grocer

Boore John, farmer

1 Boycott Richard, charter master

1 Boycott William, draper, grocer and farmer

Chant Thomas, shoemaker

Davis Richard, farmer

Davis Thomas, farmer and maltster

2 Dawes Benjamin, maltster

Edmonds Rev. George, A.M. rector, The Rectory

Edmonds William, Esq.

1 Garbitt Wm., vict., Peacock

Harper Daniel, farmer, Wrekin farm

Harris Edwin, vict., Spread Eagle

Hulse John, beerhouse keeper

2 Jervis Francis, farmer, maltster, and collector of taxes

Jones Martha, beerhouse keeper

1 Milner William, farmer and maltster

1 Maun James, vict., Labour in Vain

Poole Mrs. Charlotte

Poole Henry, blacksmith and shopkeeper

1 Ralphs John, sawyer and beerhouse

1 Shepherd, Richard, farmer

Steele William, farmer and vict., Five Bells

Walker Edward, farmer, Willow Moor

Wellings, Walter, farmer

Williams Mrs. Emma

Wilson John, farmer

2 Yates Catherine, farmer

MADELEY

is a considerable parish and market town in the Wenlock Franchise, four and a half miles S.W. from Shiffnal, nine miles N.N. by W. from Bridgnorth, and fifteen miles S.E. from Shrewsbury. This parish is celebrated for its valuable mines of coal and ironstone, its extensive and flourishing ironworks, the Coalport china manufactory, and the manufacture of superior bricks. The parish comprises 2,810 acres of land; at the census of 1801 there were 4,758 inhabitants; 1831, 5,822; 1841, 7367; and in 1851, 8,524; of whom 4,163 were males and 4,361 females; at the latter period there were 1,711 inhabited houses, 47 uninhabited, and four houses building. Rateable value, £19,900. The principal landowners are Joseph Reynolds, Esq., James Foster, Esq., Abraham Darby, Esq., Rev. John Bartlet, Francis and John Yates, Esqrs., and the representatives of the late Francis Darby, Esq. Joseph Reynolds, Esq., is lord of the manor. The town of Madeley so far as regards that portion in the vicinity of the church is irregularly built, and consists chiefly of detached ranges of cottages rather than streets; in the immediate vicinity are a number of handsome villa residences and neat cottages. The Prior and convent of Wenlock in the 53rd of Henry III. had the grant of a market on Tuesday, to be held at Madeley, and a fair on the eve, the day, and the morrow of St. Matthew the apostle and evangelist. This market subsequently became obsolete, but was revived in 1763, when a new market house was built in the Dale at IRONBRIDGE; here a flourishing market is held on Friday, and fairs are held on January 26th, May 29th. and October 12th. The extensive establishment of Abraham Darby and Company, ironmasters, and the porcelain manufactory of Messrs. Rose and Co., give employment to a great number of the labouring population. The Madeley Wood Company’s iron works employ about eight hundred operatives, and in the establishment of James Foster and Company are employed upwards of five hundred hands, chiefly in making pig iron. A house and barn not far from the church at Madeley, afforded shelter to the unfortunate Charles II., after his defeat at the battle of Worcester. Madeley Court House, an antique old mansion in the Elizabethan style of architecture, was formerly the residence of Sir Basil Brooke, fourth in descent from Sir Basil Brooke, a zealous royalist in the time of Charles I. It is now the residence of Mr. George Jones; in the grounds is a curious old sun-dial. The MADELEY COUNTY COURT, for the recovery of debts, embraces the following parishes and places, viz.: Albrighton, Badger, Barrow, Beckbury, Benthall, Blymhill, Bonninghall, Broseley, Buildwas, Dawley, Donnington, Kemberton, Linley, Little Wenlock, Madeley, Much Wenlock, Patshull, Posenhall, Ryton, Sheriff Hales, Shiffnal, Stirchley, Stockton, Sutton Maddock, Tong, Weston-under-Lizard, and Willey. Judge, Uvedule Corbet, Esq.: Clerk, George Potts, Esq.: Assistant Clerk, Mr. William Bailey: High Bailiff, Mr. Richard Thursfield.

THE MADELEY POOR LAW UNION comprehends twelve parishes, embracing an area of forty-three square miles, with a population returned at the census of 1831 of 22,164 souls: in 1841 the inhabitants had increased to 26,172, and at the last census in 1851 there were 27,626 inhabitants, of whom 13,668 were males and 13,958 females. The Union House is a plain brick structure which will accommodate 140 inmates; the average number of paupers is about 70. The parishes embraced within the Union are Madeley, Little Wenlock, Buildwas, Dawley, Stirchley, Broseley, Benthall, Posenhall, Barrow, Linley, Willey, and Much Wenlock. Clerk to Guardians, William Reynolds Anstice, Esq.: Superintendent Registrar; Mr. Edwin R. Evans: Chaplain, Rev. James H. Gwyther: Governor, William Wildblood.

THE CHURCH is a handsome and spacious octagonal structure, with a finely-proportioned square tower in which is a peal of bells. This fabric was built in 1795, and subsequently enlarged; it is partly fitted up and provided with commodious galleries, having accommodation for upwards of a thousand worshippers; the organ is a handsome fine-toned instrument. The old church which was taken down on the erection of the present building exhibited the Norman style of architecture; a chantry was erected in the ancient structure and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, in the 11th of Richard II. Several of the ancient monuments were removed from the old church when it was taken down and are now placed in the new one. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £4. 17s. 10d., now returned at £305; incumbent, Rev. James H. Gwyther, who is also chaplain to the Madeley Union, and the Right Hon. Lord Milford. The tithes have been commuted, and £226 apportioned to the vicar, and £115. 10s. to Sir Joseph Hawley, Bart., the impropriator. The vicarage, situated near the church, is a good residence mantled with ivy, and is an object of attraction to strangers, as being the residence of the celebrated pious Fletcher, formerly vicar of Madeley, a short account of whose life will be found on the following page. THE CATHOLIC CHAPEL, a neat structure, was built about the year 1760, and will hold 300 persons. The interior has a chaste appearance, and the altar is beautified with some fine workmanship. The Rev. William Molloy, the priest, resides in a house adjoining the chapel. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a neat chapel built in 1841, capable of holding about 600 hearers. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL is a handsome structure of brick with stone finishings, built in the year 1845, exhibiting the Elizabethan style of architecture. The cost of the building was £859. 1s. 4d., towards which the sum of £629. 1s. 4d. was raised by local subscriptions, and a grant of £230 was obtained from the Committee of Council on Education. One hundred and thirty boys and one hundred and twenty-five girls attend the school; it is conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and three pupil teachers.

IRONBRIDGE, a populous and interesting portion of the parish of Madeley, takes its name from an iron bridge which has been erected across the Severn at this place. Here are many handsome residences, good inns, and shops in all the different branches of the retail trade. A flourishing market is held on Friday. A market hall has been built, gas introduced, and the whole has a thriving and prosperous appearance, and may be considered the focus of commercial pursuits in the parish. The iron bridge which spans the Severn is a magnificent structure, and was cast at the Coalbrook Dale Works, in 1799. The span of the arch is one hundred feet six inches, height forty feet, and the road way twenty four feet broad. It was the first iron bridge erected in England. The total weight of the iron in the bridge is three hundred and seventy-eight tons, and the whole was erected in the space of three months. The abutments of the bridge are of stone, covered with plates of iron, with mortices, in which stand two upright pillars of the same. Against the foot of the inner pillar, the bottom of the main rib bears on the base plate. This rib consists of two pieces connected by a dove-tail point, in an iron key, and secured by screws. The cross stays, braces circle in the spandrils, and the brackets connect the larger pieces, so as to keep the bridge perfectly steady; while a diagonal and cross stays, and top plates, connect the pillars and ribs together in opposite directions. The bridge is covered with iron top plates, projecting over the ribs on each side, and on this projection stands the balustrade of cast iron. The bridge being private property a small charge is made to pass over. Large quantities of iron, all kinds of castings, coal, and lime are shipped at the wharf to distant parts of the country. Near to the Lodge Farm are several beds of fine sand, which is much used by the Coalbrook Dale Company in their beautiful castings.

THE CHURCH, a handsome structure of brick, dedicated to St. Luke, is situated on elevated ground, and approached by a flight of steps one hundred and nineteen in number. It was built in the year 1836, and consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a tower, in which is one bell. The east window is richly beautified with stained glass, and has full length figures of St. Peter, St. James, and St. John, executed by the celebrated Evans, of Shrewsbury. The church is provided with galleries, and has a small organ. There are a thousand and sixty-two sittings, of which six hundred and sixty-two are free and unappropriated. The living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the vicar of Madeley. Incumbent, Rev. John Andrew Jetter. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a chapel at Madeley Wood, built in the year 1837, which will hold about seven hundred persons. They have also a place of worship near to the wharf, and a spacious Sunday school at Madeley Wood, where four hundred children are instructed. THE WESLEYAN NEW CONNECTION have a chapel situated at Foxholes. THE DISPENSARY and SAVINGS’ BANK are at Mrs. Rogers’s, Bridge-street; Mr. William Smith is the secretary of the latter. THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, situate on the Madeley road, is numerously attended, and there is a RAGGED SCHOOL situated in Milner’s-lane. THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION was established in the year 1840. The objects of the institution are to afford to mechanics and others opportunities of acquiring at their leisure hours the principles of science and the arts, and for the cultivation of literature. THE GAS WORKS, situated near the Madeley Wood brick works, were established in 1839, and the streets in Ironbridge were first lighted with gas on November 5th, 1839; Mr. Charles W. Smith is the manager and secretary. An extraordinary phenomenon occurred at the Birches not far from the iron bridge in 1775, a particular account of which has been given with Broseley.

COALBROOK DALE, a winding glen two miles from Madeley, hemmed in by lofty hills and hanging woods, is celebrated for the most considerable iron works in England; the forges, mills, and steam engines, with all their vast machinery,—the flaming furnaces, and smoking chimneys, with handsome residences nestling under the cliffs of the hills, have altogether a most romantic and singular appearance, and perhaps in no part of the globe are features of so diversified and wonderful a character brought together within so limited a compass,—here art has triumphed over nature, and the barren wilderness has been converted into one of the most animating abodes of commerce, and being studded with residences of taste and elegance, it gives the whole a very interesting appearance. Coalbrook Dale is chiefly the property of the Darby family, who carry on the extensive iron works here and in the adjoining parish of Dawley, where they have been already noticed. The Coalbrook Dale Company is one of the largest establishments in England, justly celebrated for the superiority of their castings, and for the manufacture of every description of iron goods. THE FRIENDS’ MEETING HOUSE, a neat brick structure, was built in 1789, and has a small burial ground attached. It stands near the site of a former meeting house. THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL, a plain brick structure, was occasionally the scene of the labours of the eminent Fletcher, the vicar of Madeley. A spacious school room has been built at the expense of the Coalbrook Dale Company, where about eighty boys are instructed. It is chiefly supported by the liberality of the same company. The room above the school is used as an episcopal place of worship, and here the curate of Madeley usually officiates twice on the Sabbath. A commodious school for girls has been built near the works, which is supported by Mrs. Abraham Darby; here about one hundred girls and an equal number of infants are now receiving instruction. Sunny-side House, a good brick residence on the heights above the dale, was unoccupied when our agent visited Coalbrook Dale. The residences of Abraham Darby, Esq., Richard Darby, Esq., and the Mrs. Darby, are handsome mansions, situated near the works in the dale. East Field is a good residence at the bottom of the dale, the seat of Barnard Dickinson, Esq., near to which is Severn House, the residence of Henry Dickinson, Esq., besides which there are several other handsome residences.

COALPORT, celebrated for its rich and extensive china works, is situated about two miles from Ironbridge. The eminent firm of Rose and Company has been established here upwards of half a century; and the articles produced at this manufactory, for superior taste and elegant workmanship, are nowhere excelled. The establishment is known as the Coalbrook Dale China Manufactory, and is the most extensive in the kingdom. The firm employs 537 operatives.

CHARITIES.—By an Indenture dated 29th May, 1706, we find that Basil Brook, by his will bequeathed to the poor of the parish of Madeley the sum of £40, which the churchwardens and parishioners desired might be laid out in the purchase of lands and tenements for the use of the poor of the parish. It was witnessed that Comerford Brook, in consideration of the said £40, and also of a further sum of £30 paid to him by Audley Bowdler and eight others, parties to the said indenture, granted to Audley Bowdler and others three cottages with gardens thereto, on trust, to employ the rents and profits thereof for the use of the poor. By another indenture, dated 26th December, 1713, William Johnson, in consideration of £30, conveyed a tenement in Madeley Wood to the trustees mentioned in the former deed, upon similar trusts. No further account can be obtained of the source from whence the two sums of £30 consideration money were derived. In course of time, the cottages having become out of repair, and there being no fund for repairing them, it was thought advisable to sell them for long terms at nominal rents, and apply the money received for the leases towards the building of a house of industry. Accordingly, on the 2nd January, 1797, the vicar, parish officers, and trustees granted six leases of the trust property for terms of 999 years, in consideration of a sum of £235. 15s. and a nominal rent of 4s. 6d. per annum. The sum thus received was added to a subscription raised in the parish to the further amount of £806. 13s. 6d., making together £1,042. 8s. 6d., and applied in the erection on a part of the charity land of a house of industry, the cost of which was £1,086. 14s. 7½d.; and a lease of that piece of land, with the house so erected upon it, containing 3R. 12P., was granted to certain trustees for the use of the parish for a term of 999 years, at the yearly rent of £18. The income of these premises, amounting to £18. 14s. 6d., together with 5s. a year derived from another fund, has been for many years applied in providing clothing for the poor.

The annuity of 5s. above mentioned was formerly paid out of premises belonging to Mr. Beddoes, but by whom given is not known. In the returns made under the Act of the 26th George III., it is attributed to a person of the name of Johnson, and there was formerly such a person who had property in this parish. A person of the name of Bowdler, who held the premises after Beddoes, became bankrupt, when the premises were sold, and there being no means of establishing a claim to this annuity against the purchase, it was agreed that the trustees of the other charity should receive from the assignees the sum of £5, in lieu and in discharge of this annuity. This sum, and 20s. for four years arrears, was accordingly paid to the trustees, and by them placed in the savings bank. Mr. William Yate, in 1810, bequeathed four kneelings in his pew in the gallery of the church for the benefit of the Sunday school.

The following biographical sketch of the Rev. John Fletcher, formerly vicar of Madeley, is taken from the account of that celebrated individual published by the Rev. Robert Cox, curate of St. Leonard’s, Bridgnorth, and other authorities:—“John Guillaume de la Flechere, or as he was generally designated in this his adopted country, John William Fletcher, was born in Switzerland, at Nijon, in the Pays de Vaud. His father, in the early part of his life, had been an officer in the French service, but on his marriage retired from the army, and afterwards became a colonel in the militia of his own country. Young Fletcher having passed the early part of his boyhood at Nion, was sent to the University of Geneva, where he was soon distinguished by the superiority of his talents, and the intensity of his application. About this period Fletcher met with a providential escape, which he never afterwards mentioned without the strongest expressions of gratitude. He lived for some time at a place very near the Rhine, where he frequently bathed, being careful to keep near the shore that the stream might not carry him away. Once, however, being less careful than usual, he was drawn into mid-channel, where the course of the water was very swift. He endeavoured to swim against it, but in vain, till he was hurried a distance of five miles from home. At last, despairing of life, he was cheered by the sight of a fine smooth creek, into which he was swiftly carried by a violent stream. A powder mill stood directly across it, and the last thing he could remember was the striking of his breast against one of the piles on which it stood. He then lost his senses, and knew nothing more till he rose on the other side of the mill, in a calm safe place, perfectly well. Many persons gladly welcomed him on shore; and one gentleman in particular said, ‘I looked when you went under the mill, and again when you rose on the other side. The time of your being immerged among the piles was exactly twenty minutes.’”

After Fletcher had gone through the usual course of study at the university, he was sent to Leutzbourg, a small town in the Swiss cantons, when, in addition to his other literary pursuits, he studied Hebrew and German. Hitherto it had been the intention of Fletcher to enter into the church; but, contrary to all expectation, before he had arrived at the age of twenty, he manifested views of a very different nature. Disgusted by the necessity of subscribing to the high Calvinism of the Geneva articles, and disinclined to enter upon so sacred an office from any secular motives, he yielded to the desire of some of his friends, and entered the army. Soon after he obtained a commission in the Portuguese service, and was ordered to hold himself in readiness to sail to Brazil; but an accident, occasioned by a servant overturning a kettle of boiling water on his leg, confined him to his bed until the ship had sailed. Being disappointed in a subsequent attempt to enter into the Dutch service, he resolved to visit England, partly from a desire for further improvement, and partly from a hope of obtaining some situation for his future support.

After the arrival of Mr. Fletcher in this country, he resided about eighteen months in the house of a Mr. Burchell, in Herefordshire, under whose directions he studied the English and various branches of polite literature. At length he was engaged as a tutor in the family of Mr. Hill, M.P. for Shrewsbury, who resided at Tern Hall, in this county. Mr. Fletcher generally accompanied the family to London, when Mr. Hill went to attend his parliamentary duties; and on one of these journeys he accidentally met with a poor woman who, he said, talked to him so delightfully of Jesus Christ, that he knew not how the time passed away. This little circumstance was attended with the most important results; and although at first he felt somewhat indignant at the idea of not being perfectly acquainted with the nature of religion, yet at length he obtained that lively faith which, through the grace of God, will incite men to do all they can do, whilst it teaches them to rely upon nothing which they have done.

Not long after this period, Mr. Fletcher’s attention was again directed to the work of the ministry; but being diffident of his qualifications for so weighty an office, two years elapsed before his ordination. “Before,” said he, “I was afraid; but now I tremble to meddle with holy things.” At length his reluctance being overcome, he solemnly determined to offer himself as a candidate for holy orders in the English Church, and was accordingly ordained deacon at the Chapel Royal of St. James’s, on the 6th of March, 1757, and preached on the following day. After having preached to some French refugees in his own language, and also in several chapels belonging to Mr. Wesley, with whom he was now acquainted, he determined to return to the charge of his pupils at Tern Hall. The churches of Atcham, Wroxeter, St. Alkmunds, and the Abbey Church in Shrewsbury, were now the occasional scenes of his gratuitous services. In the summer of 1779 he was frequently engaged in performing the duty of Madeley, and during the following year was presented to the vicarage of that place. This living he accepted in preference to another of above double the value, which was offered to him about the same time; his affection for the people to whom he had ministered would not allow him to be separated from them. The circumstance of his appointment to Madeley is worthy of notice. One day, Mr. Hill informed him that the living of Dunham, in Cheshire, then vacant, was at his service: “The parish,” he continued, “is small, the duty light, the income good (£400 per annum), and it is situated in a fine healthy sporting country.” After thanking Mr. Hill most cordially for his kindness, Mr. Fletcher added, “Alas, sir! Dunham will not suit me; there is too much money, and too little labour.” “Few clergymen make such objections,” said Mr. Hill, “it is a pity to decline such a living, as I do not know that I can find you another: What shall we do? Would you like to go to Madeley?” “That, sir, would be the very place for me.” “My object, Mr. Fletcher, is to make you comfortable in your own way; if you prefer Madeley, I shall find no difficulty in persuading Chambray, the present vicar, to exchange it for Dunham, which is worth more than twice as much!” In this way he became vicar of Madeley, with which he was so perfectly satisfied that he never after sought any other honour or preferment. The inhabitants of Madeley, at this period, were notorious for ignorance and impiety; and in this benighted village Fletcher stood forth as a preacher of righteousness for the space of twenty-five years.

There was an energy in his preaching, observes Mr. Gilpin, that was irresistible; his subjects, his language, his gestures, the tone of his voice, and the turn of his countenance, all conspired to fix the attention and affect the heart. Without aiming at sublimity, he was truly sublime, and uncommonly eloquent without affecting the orator. He was wonderously skilled in adapting himself to the different capacities and conditions of his hearers. He could stoop to the illiterate and rise with the learned; he had incontrovertible arguments for the sceptic, and powerful persuasions for the listless believer; he had sharp remonstrance for the obstinate, and strong consolation for the mourner. Mr. Wesley describes him as superior to Whitfield in his qualifications as a public preacher. Instead of being confined, says he, to a country village, he ought to have shone in every corner of our land. He was full as much called to sound an alarm through all the nation as Mr. Whitfield himself; nay, abundantly more so, seeing he was much better qualified for that important work. He had a more striking person, an equally winning address, together with a richer flow of fancy, a stronger understanding, a far greater treasure of learning, both in languages, philosophy, philology, and divinity; and above all, which I can speak with full assurance, a more deep and constant communion with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ. It is not to be supposed that so zealous a minister of the gospel would meet with no opposition. The drunken colliers and self-interested publicans were his special enemies. The voluptuary detested his temperance; the licentious were offended at his gravity and strictness; and the formal were roused to indignation by that spirit of zeal and devotion which influenced his whole conduct. And to these opponents must be added some of the neighbouring clergy and magistrates, who objected to his well-intended but unauthorised interference in their parishes. In spite, however, of these oppositions, his piety and benevolence won upon the people, and the church, which at first was so thinly attended that he was discouraged by the smallness of the congregation, began to overflow, and he saw an effectual change take place in many of his flock. Madeley abounded with persons in extreme indigence, and over this destitute part of his flock Mr. Fletcher watched with peculiar concern. The whole rents of his small patrimonial estate were set apart for charitable uses, and he drew so liberally from his other funds as at times almost to deprive himself of the necessaries of life. In order to feed the hungry, he led a life of self-denial and abstinence; and to cover the naked he clothed himself in the most homely attire.

The incessant labours of Mr. Fletcher, both in public and in private, with intense application to his studies, at length impaired his health, and in 1777 he was induced to visit Switzerland for the benefit of his native air. He continued at Nijon, the place of his nativity, and its vicinity for nearly three years; during which period, though his health was gradually improving, he was still too weak to undertake much public duty, but he employed his time in writing, giving private exhortations, and in instructing the children who assembled, in the first principles of religion. The fearless intrepidity of Mr. Fletcher’s Christian character was strikingly exemplified in his conduct towards one of his nephews during his residence in Switzerland. This young man had been in the Sardinian service, where his profligate ungentlemanly conduct had given such general offence to his brother officers that they were determined to compel him to leave their corps or fight them all in succession. After engaging in several duels he was obliged to quit the service, and return to his native country. As a desperate man he resorted to desperate measures. He waited on his uncle, General de Gons; and having obtained a private audience, he presented a pistol, and said, “Uncle de Gons, if you do not give me a draft on your banker for five hundred crowns, I will shoot you.” The general, though a brave man, yet seeing himself in the hands of a desperado capable of any mischief, promised to give him the draft if he withdrew the pistol. “But there is another thing, uncle, you must do; you must promise me, on your honour as a gentleman and a soldier, to use no means to recover the draft or bring me to justice.” The general pledged his honour, gave him the draft for the money, and at the same time expostulated freely with him on his infamous conduct. In the evening, passing the door of his uncle, Fletcher, the fancy took him to call and pay a visit. As soon as he was introduced he began to tell him, with exultation, that he had just called upon his uncle, General de Gons, who had treated him with unexpected kindness, and generously given him five hundred crowns. “I shall have some difficulty,” said Mr. Fletcher, “to believe the last part of your intelligence.” “If you will not believe me, see the proof under his own hand,” holding out the draft. “Let me see,” said Mr. Fletcher, taking the draft and looking at it with astonishment; “It is indeed my brother’s writing, and it astonishes me to see it, because he is not in affluent circumstances; and I am the more astonished because I know how much and how justly he disapproves your conduct, and you are last of his family to whom he would make such a present.” Then folding the draft, and putting it into his pocket: “It strikes me, young man, that you have possessed yourself of this note by some indirect method, and in honesty I cannot return it, but with my brother’s knowledge and approbation.” The pistol was immediately at his breast; and he was told as he valued life instantly to return the draft. ‘My life,’ replied Mr. Fletcher, ‘is secure in the protection of Almighty power who guards it, nor will he suffer it to be the forfeit of my integrity and your rashness.’ This firmness drew from the other the observation that his Uncle de Gons, though an old soldier, was more afraid of death than he was. ‘Afraid of death,’ rejoined Mr. Fletcher, ‘do you think that I have been twenty-five years the minister of the Lord of life to be afraid of death now? No, sir; thanks be to God who giveth me the victory! It is for you to fear death who have reason to fear it. You are a gamester—a cheat. You call yourself a gentleman. You are a duellist, and your hand is red with your brother’s blood; and for this you style yourself a man of honour. Look there, sir; look there. See, the broad eye of heaven is fixed upon us. Tremble in the presence of your Maker, who can in a moment kill your body, and for ever punish your soul in hell!’ By this time the unhappy man was pale: he trembled alternately with fear and passion: he threatened, he argued, he entreated. Sometimes he withdrew the pistol, and fixing his back against the door, stood as a sentinel to prevent all egress; and at other times he closed on his uncle, threatening instant death. Under these perilous circumstances Mr. Fletcher gave no alarm to the family, sought for no weapon, and attempted neither escape nor manual opposition. He conversed with him calmly; and at length perceiving that the young man was affected, addressed him in language truly paternal until he had fairly disarmed and subdued him. ‘I cannot,’ said he, ‘return my brother’s draft; yet I feel for the distress in which you have so thoughtlessly involved yourself, and will endeavour to relieve it. My brother de Gons, at my request will, I am sure, voluntarily give you a hundred crowns. I will do the same. Perhaps my brother Henry will do as much. And I hope your other family will make out the sum among them. He then prayed with him and for him. By Mr. Fletcher’s mediation, the family made up the sum he had promised; and with much good advice on one side, and fair promises on the other, they parted.

In March, 1781, Mr. Fletcher took a final leave of Switzerland and returned to England, and in the autumn of the same year was married to Miss Bosanquet, a lady of respectable family and eminent piety. From the time of his marriage Mr. Fletcher experienced no return of his consumptive symptoms, and his general health materially improved. In compliance with the solicitation of Mr. Wesley, Mr. Fletcher was sometimes present at the annual conference, when his sermons and pious conversation became the theme of every tongue. No employment of Mr. Fletcher’s seemed more pleasing to him than that of being engaged in preparing food or medicines for the poor. On Sundays he provided for numbers of poor people who came to the church from a distance. Indeed he scarcely seemed to enjoy his meals unless he knew that some sick or indigent neighbours should partake of them. But with all his generosity he was still careful to live within his income. If he overtook a poor person on the road with a burden too heavy for him, he did not fail to offer his assistance to bear part of it; and under such circumstances he would not easily take a denial. As he approached the end of his course the graces he had kept in continual exercise for so long a season became more illustrious and powerful, his faith was more assured, his hope more lively, his charity more abundant, his humility more profound, and his resignation more complete. After lingering some time under the pressure of an exhausted constitution, but supported by the hopes and consolations of Christianity, Mr. Fletcher calmly expired on the 14th August, 1785, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.

As a clergyman he was never exceeded in zeal, disinterestedness, affection for his flock, or anxiety for their spiritual welfare. As a writer Mr. Fletcher was considerably above mediocrity, and had he been a candidate for literary distinction he had talents to have occupied no inconsiderable rank. His deportment and manners were of the most engaging and courteous kind, presenting such a combination of gravity, condescension, and gentleness as few have ever witnessed. Of his appearance in the pulpit the liveliest fancy could not frame from any of the ancient saints an aspect more venerable or more apostolic. The abundant current of his charity flowed in affection towards all, and his liberal heart rejoiced in the spiritual welfare of other denominations.

In the church-yard is a plain and simple tomb to his endeared memory, covered with a cast iron plate, on which in raised letters is the following memorial:—

“He lies the body of The Rev. JOHN WILLIAM DE LA FLECHERE, vicar of Madeley. He was born in Nijon, in Switzerland, September 12th, MDCCXXIX, and finished his course in this village, August 14th, MDCCLXXXV, where his unexampled labours will be long remembered. He exercised his ministry for the space of twenty-five years in this parish, with uncommon zeal and ability. Many believed his report and became his joy and crown of rejoicing, while others constrained him to take up the lamentation of the prophet:— ‘All day long I have stretched out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people, yet surely my judgment is with the Lord and my works with my God.’ ‘He being dead yet speaketh.’”

The following is a copy of the entry in the parish register:—“John Fletcher, clerk, died on Sunday evening, August 14th, 1785. He was one of the most apostolic men of the age in which he lived. His abilities were extraordinary, and his labours unparalleled. He was a burning and shining light, and as his life had been a common blessing to the inhabitants of this parish, so the death of this great man was lamented by them as a common and irreparable loss. This little testimony was inserted by one who sincerely loved and honoured him. Joshua Gilpin, vicar of Wrockwardine.”

MADELEY DIRECTORY.

Albert William, plumber, glazier, & painter

Alker Thomas, plumber, glazier, & painter

Bailey John, builder

Bailey John, chartermaster

Bailey Joseph, chartermaster

Bailey William, assistant clerk, county court

Barker John, boot and shoemaker

Bartley Thomas, grocer and draper

Bartlett Rev. John, M.A., Marnwood

Beddell Thomas, beerseller

Blanthorne Isabella, beerseller

Bowdler Henry, farmer, Cuckoo Oak

Brewer Francis, grocer

Brickhill Mr. Solomon

Bryan Arnold F., draper

Cartwright George, butcher

Caswell John, boot and shoemaker

Chalmers Rev. John, curate

Currier Thomas, cabinet maker

Dainty William, chartermaster

Davies John, brick, tile, & draining pipe mkr

Dawes William, organ builder

Dyas Charles, vict., Royal Oak

Dyas William, butcher, farmer, maltster, and grocer

Eastwick Miss Mary

Edwards Mr. Edward

Farmer Miss Ann

Farr James, wheelwright

Farr John, beerseller

Fenton Samuel, brazier and tin plate worker

Ferriday Charles James, Esq.

Ferriday Miss Jane

Fisher Jesse, manufacturing chemist

Ford John C., draper

Foster & Co., iron & coal masters; Francis Pearce, agent

Garner Joseph, stone mason

Glaze George, beerseller

Glover Thomas, hair dresser

Green Henry, beerseller

Griffiths Philip, tailor and clothier

Groom Richard, tailor

Guy Benjamin, beerseller

Gwyther Rev. James H., vicar, surrogate for granting marriage licenses, and chaplain to Madeley union

Harper Ann, draper and grocer

Harper William, farmer

Harris William, chartermaster

Harvey Richard and Randall John, grocers and ironmongers

Harvey Thomas J., vict., Horse Shoes

Headley James, chemist and druggist

Heaford William, tailor and woollen draper

Holmes John, chartermaster

Hopley Peter, farmer and chartermaster

Hopley William, chartermaster

Jacks John, chartermaster

Jacks Joseph, painter and glazier

Johnson William, schoolmaster

Jones George, mine agent to James Foster, Esq., Madeley Court

Jones Jonas, chartermaster

Kearsley James, chartermaster

Kearsley Sarah, milliner

Keay John, beerseller and grocer

Keay John, chartermaster

Keay Peter, beerseller

Lane John, wheelwright

Lavender Samuel, draper and milliner

Lissiter William, beerseller

Madeley Wood Company ironmasters; Mr. Anstice, agent

Millard Thomas, gardener and seedsman

Mollineaux Thomas, grocer

Molloy Rev. William

Morgan Mr. Joseph, Gothic Villa

Morris Richard, blacksmith

Munday Thomas, bookseller and stationer

Onions James, confectioner

Owen Thomas, saddler and harness maker

Page William, butcher

Patrick Miss Mary Ann

Pearce Francis, agent to James Foster, Esq., Park Cottage

Peirce Richard, surgeon

Penn Thomas, furnace manager to James Foster, Esq.

Powell William, beerseller

Rayner Mr. Charles, Holley House

Roberts Charles, boot and shoemaker

Rodgers William M., grocer

Rose Mrs. Appilona

Rushton Jane, milliner

Rushton Samuel, blacksmith

Rushton William, grocer

Smith Edward, ale and porter merchant, and maltster and limeburner

Smith Samuel and Co., brick, tile, and drainage pipe manufacturers

Smith Thos., architect, builder, & surveyor

Street Elizabeth, earthenware dealer

Thompson Matthew, chartermaster

Trevor Thomas, grocer and chandler

Walker John, beerseller

Wall William, shopkeeper

Ward Mrs. Alice

Ward George, mine agent to Madeley Wood Company

Ward William, chartermaster

Watson Andrew, tailor

Webb Matthew, surgeon

Wilkins James, grocer and ironmonger

Willcox Mr. Thomas

Williams Mrs. Elizabeth

Williams James, beerseller

Williams Joseph, wheelwright

Williams Richard, farmer, and furnace manager to Madeley Wood Company

Williams Richard, farmer, The Cottage

Williams Susannah, beerseller

Wones John, beerseller and shopkeeper

Yate Joseph, Esq., Madeley Hall

* * * * *

POST OFFICE at Mr. Henry P. Baldwin’s, Bridge street. Letters arrive at 7 45 A.M., and are despatched at 5 50 P.M.

IRONBRIDGE AND MADELEY WOOD DIRECTORIES.

Anstice John, Esq., manager to Madeley Wood Company, The Lloyds

Anstice Wm. Reynolds, solicitor and clerk to Madeley Board of Guardians, Church street

Bartlett Rev. John, M.A., Marnwood

Ball William, supervisor, Church street

Bayliss William, engineer to Madeley Wood Company, The Lloyds

Cartwright Mrs., Hodge Bower

Clarke William, tea and whiskey dealer, Severn Terrace

Cock Miss Ann, Brockholes

Cooke Emanuel, locksmith, Lincoln’s Hill

Davies Mrs., The Orchard

Evans William, secretary to Mechanics’ Institution, house, Broseley

Fisher, John, Esq., Madeley Wood

Ford John, parish clerk, Church street

Gordon, Wm. Pierson, Esq., solicitor & clerk to magistrates, residence, Linley

Haywood John, wire worker, Bridge street

Jetter Rev. John Andrew, incumbent, The Parsonage

Jones Thomas, nail maker, Madeley Wood

Kelsall Rev. Henry, curate, Brockholes

Lewis John Bennett, inland revenue officer, Severn Terrace

Lewis Edward, manager to Joseph Reynolds, Esq., Coalport

Madeley Wood Company, ironmasters, and brick and tile manufacturers, John Anstice, Esq., manager, The Lloyds

Nicholas Joseph, patten maker, Lincoln Hill

Nickless Enoch, ale, porter and cider merchant, Lincoln Terrace

Pugh Charles, agent to Lilleshall Company and Beriah Botfield, Esq., Coalport

Pugh William, Esq., porcelain manufacturer, Coalport

Reeves William, chartermaster, Lincoln Hill

Riddiough William, patten and clog maker, Madeley Wood

Rose John & Co., porcelain manufacturers

Rose William, Esq., porcelain manufacturer, Coalport

Stokes William Smith, gent., Old Parsonage

Wase John, farmer, The Hay

Whiteley Mr. James, agent to Jno. Rose & Co. porcelain manufacturers, Coalport

Wildblood Wm., governor of Union House, Brockholes

Woodruff James, gent., Lincoln Terrace

Wright Henry, ale & porter dealer, Lincoln’s Hill

Yates Adam, gent, Madeley Wood

Weare William, auctioneer, house and estate agent, accountant, agent to Shropshire and North Wales Fire Office, and British Empire Life Office, Madeley Wood

* * * * *

Academies.

Brassington & Southern, the Misses, (Ragged School), Severn Side

Evans Wm., Waterloo street, house, Broseley

Johnston John, (Boarding) Brockholes

Lusmore Miss, (Parochial) Severn Side

Timmis Mrs and the Misses, (Ladies Brdng) Dale Coppy

White Miss, (Ladies Boarding) Church street

Attornies.

Anstice Wm. Reynolds, and clerk to Madeley Board of Guardians, Church street

Gordon Wm. Pierson, & clerk to magistrates for borough of Wenlock, house, Linley

Bakers and Flour Dealers.

See also Shopkeepers.

Broadbridge Chas., Bridge st

Milner George, Bridge street

Bankers.

Savings Bank, Church street, William Smith, manager, residence, Bridgnorth

Shropshire Banking Compy., Hy. C. T. Dickenson, Esq., manager, The Elms

Barge Owners.

Bailey James, The Lloyds

Burton J. & Edw., The Wharf

Goodwin George, The Wharf

Owen Benjamin, The Wharf

Owen Thomas, The Wharf

Owen Edward, The Wharf

Yates Francis and John, The Wharf

Blacksmiths.

Bisall John, Madeley Wood

Edwards Jno., Madeley Wood

Walton John, Church street

Booksellers, Binders, Printers and Stationers.

Slater John, Bridge street

Smith Geo. Mortimer, Market square

Smith Saml. C. Bridge street

Boot & Shoe Makers.

Blocksidge John, Coalport

Crowder John, The Lloyds

Dodd Richd., Church street

Hughes Chas., Bridge street

Lloyd Benj., Madeley Wood

Price Thos., Madeley Wood

Roberts Thos., The Wharfage

Wood Thos., The Wharfage

Braziers & Tin-plate Workers.

Bartham Chas., Bridge street

Fenton Thomas, & constable, Waterloo street

Brick & Tile Manufacturers.

Bayliss John and George, Madeley Wood

Burton John and Edward, The Wharfage

Davis John, Madeley Green

Madeley Wood Company, Waterloo street

Roden Saml., Hodge Bower

Butchers.

Barnett Thos., Bridge street

Barnett Wm., Bridge street

Delves Joseph, Bridge street

Dyas William, Bridge street

Page John, Bridge street

Poole Charles, The Lloyds

Wilcox John, Madeley Wood

Wilcox William, Brockholes

Cabinet Makers and Upholsterers.

Davies George, High street

Jones William, The Wharfage

Chemists & Druggists.

Baldwin Henry P., and post master, Bridge street

Hartshorne Wm., Market sqre

Clothiers.

Cohen Luke, Bridge street

Gotthimer Aaron, Waterloo st

Confectioners.

Barclay William, & dealer in British Wines, Bridge st

Milner George, Bridge street

Rogers Mary, Bridge street

Cooper.

Roberts Richd., Church street

Curriers.

Cock John and James, Madeley Wood

Stirrop Robert J., and leather cutter, Bridge street

Drapers & Silk Mercers.

Brown Samuel, and laceman, Bridge street

Bowyer Thomas, and woollen draper, Market square

Charlton Henry, Bridge st

Evans Thos., Madeley Wood

Goodwin Wm., The Wharfage

Greenhalgh Brothers, Bridge street

Pardoe Edward, Bridge street

Farmers.

Barnett Thos., Bridge street

Dyas William, Bridge street

Thompson Isaac, Lodge Farm

Wase John, Hay Farm

Yates Francis and John, Castle Green

Fire & Life Office Agents.

British Empire Life, William Weare, Madeley Wood

Clerical, Medical & General Life, George M. Smith, Market square

Medical, Legal and General Mutual Life, George M. Smith, Market square

Shropshire and North Wales Fire, Wm. Weare, Madeley Wood

Furniture Brokers.

Davies George, High street

Franks William, High street

Jones Wm., The Wharfage

Grocers & Tea Dealers.

Dax William, Madeley Wood

Evans Wm., Madeley Wood

Franks Benj., Madeley Wood

Greenhalgh Brothers, Bridge street

Hammond Thos., Brockholes

Latham John, & glass dealer, Madeley Wood

Milner Betsey, Bridge street

Price Chas. L., (firm, Smith and Price) Bridge street

Smith & Price, Bridge street

Smith Charles W., Bridge st

Smith Henry, (firm, Smith and Price) Bridge street

Wilcox Thos., Madeley Wood

Hair Dressers.

Baugh George, Bridge street

Poole Thomas, Bridge street

Reynolds Rd., The Wharfage

Hat Manufacturers.

Shingler John, The Lloyds

Shingler John, Bridge street

Hosiers and Haberdashers.

Brown John, Madeley Wood

Crowther The Misses, The Wharfage

Owen Miss Sarah, Bridge st

Hotels, Inns, and Taverns.

Bird in Hand, John Shingler, The Lloyds

Blockhouse, John Heighway, The Lloyds

Golden Ball, John Wilcox, Madeley Wood

Half Moon, Joseph Pugh, Madeley Wood

Horse, Joseph Edwards, Lincolns Hill

Lake Head, William Yates, The Lloyds

Retreat, William Shingler, Bridge street

Robin Hood, James Bailey, The Lloyds

Rodney, Susannah Lloyd, The Wharfage

Royal Oak, Thomas Nivitt, Church street

Swan Inn, John Barrow, The Wharfage

Swan, Wm. Fowler, Lincolns Hill

Talbot, George Boycott, The Wharfage

Three Tuns, Thos. Corfield, and licensed to let post horses, Bridge street

Tontine Hotel, and commercial and posting house, Elizabeth Jones, Bridge st

Unicorn, Samuel Harvey, Madeley Wood

White Hart, commercial and posting house, William Shingler, The wharfage

Beerhouses.

Broadbridge Chas., Bridge st

Davies Jas., Madeley Wood

Franks Benj., Madeley Wood

Harper Joseph, Brockholes

Jones Ann, The Wharfage

Lloyd Samuel, Waterloo st

Morrall Rd., Madeley Wood

Hoole Fred. W., Bath lane

Pugh Thos., Madeley Wood

Taylor Catherine, The Loyds

Thompson Isaac, Madeley Wood

Wood Thos., The Wharfage

York Mary, Madeley Wood

Ironmongers.

Davies Richard, and patten maker, Wharfage

Smith Chas. W., Bridge st

Joiners and Builders.

Marked * Builders only.

Bailey Wm., senr., Madeley Wood

Bailey Wm., jun., Madeley Wood

* Barclay John, Bridge street

Davies George, High street

* Jenks Thomas, High st

Nevitt & Co., Madeley Wood

Nickless Enoch, Lincoln ter.

Maltsters.

Barrow John, The Wharfage

Lloyd Benj., Severn Terrace

Smith Edward, Park lane

Yates Francis and John, The Wharfage

Milliners & Dressmakers.

Armstrong Miss Maria, Market street

Crowther Miss Sarah, The Wharfage

Ferrington The Misses, Church street

Owen The Misses, Bridge st

Stodd Miss Emma, Bridge st

Painters, Plumbers, & Glaziers.

Crowther Leonard, The Wharfage

Hinsley John, The Loyds

Williams Abr., The Wharfage

Saddlers & Harness Makers.

Poole George Hy., Bridge st

Woof Edwd., The Wharfage

Spirit Vaults.

Charlton Humpy., Bridge st

Stirrop Robert, Bridge street

Straw Bonnet Makers.

Acton Mrs., Market square

Hartshorne Mrs., Bridge st

Surgeons.

Proctor Richd., Esq., Severn Terrace

Rowlands Jas., Esq., Church street

Tailors.

Bates Edwin, Madeley Wood

Gwynne Thomas, & woollen draper, Market square

Heaford Hiram, & woollen draper, The Wharfage

Shotton John, Madeley Wood

Timber Merchant.

Chune Joseph Fred., Lincolns Hill

Watch & Clock Makers.

Hinkley Wm., Bridge street

Peplow Fran., The Wharfage

Omnibuses.

To Shiffnal at 7-30 A.M. from the Tontine Hotel, returning at 6-45 P.M.

To Wellington at 8 A.M. and 4-30 P.M. from the Tontine Hotel, returning at 2-45 P.M. and 9 P.M.

COALBROOK DALE DIRECTORY.

Marked 1 reside at the bottom of the dale.

Bailey Benj., boot & shoekr.

Bailey John, beerhouse kpr.

Bailey William, grocer

Biddiough William, grocer

Boycott Thomas, accountant

Branford Thomas, painter, plumber and glazier

1 Chune George and Joseph, timber merchants

Chune John H., miller and corn factor, Coalbrook Dale Mill

1 Clarke William, grocer and seedsman

Coalbrook Dale Company, ironmasters

Cookson Samuel, engineer

Crookes Mr. Chas., manager of the foundry, Paradise House

Darby Abraham, Esq., The Chesnuts

Darby Mrs. Hannah, White House

Darby Mrs. Lucy, Dale House

Darby Richard, Esq.

Delves Joseph, butcher

1 Dickenson Henry C. T., bank manager, The Elms

1 Dickinson Barnard, Esq., East Field

1 Dickinson Henry, Esq., Severn House

Dorsett Joseph, shopkeeper and blacksmith

1 Dunbar Sarah, hosier

Edwards Edward, surgeon

Fox John, accountant

Gething George, tailor

Graham Mr. Thos., Woodside Cottage

Harbridge John, accountant

Hughes John, draughtsman

Lane Julia, schoolmistress

1 Lloyd Aaron, grocer

1 Lowe Geo., tailor & draper

Morgan The Misses Priscilla and Rebecca

Norris William, cashier

1 Oliver William, shopkeeper

Onions Isaac, schoolmaster

1 Owen Benj., barge owner

1 Owen Edwd., barge owner

1 Owen Mr. Thomas

1 Phillips John, tailor

Ramsell Edward, shoemaker

Robinson Mr. John

Roberts William, clerk

Rose Mrs. Ann

Buckley Mrs Sarah, Hawkeshead Cottage

Sankey Mrs. Hannah

Smith and Price, grocers

1 Turton George, inland revenue officer

Timmis Mrs., boarding schl.

Weston Phillip, accountant

Wilbraham Charles, draper, (travelling)

Wright Benjamin, registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, & Commercial Inn and posting house

Wright Peter, farmer, and agent to the Royal Exchange Fire & Life Office

COALPORT DIRECTORY.

Anstice John Esq., agent to Madeley Wood Company

Blocksidge John, grocer & shoemaker

Doughty Daniel, butcher

Fennell Susannah, shopkr.

Hargreave Rebecca, beerhse

Harper John, butcher

Harper Joseph, beerhouse

John Rose and Co., porcelain manufacturer

Lewis Edward, manager to Joseph Reynolds, Esq.

Musgrave Wm., beerhouse

Oakes George, shopkeeper

Pugh Chas., agent to Lilleshall Company and Beriah Botfield, Esq.

Pugh Wm., Esq., porcelain manufacturer

Rose William, Esq., porcelain manufacturer, Rock House

Wase John John Holland, farmer, Hay Farm

Wheeler Thomas, beerhouse

Whiteley James, Esq., agent to porcelain manufactory

MONK HOPTON

is a parish and small rural village pleasantly situated six miles W. from Bridgnorth, and four and a half miles S. from Much Wenlock, contains 2,240A. 0R. 37P. of land, chiefly the property of Lord Wenlock, who is also lord of the manor. The farm houses and cottage residences are mostly neat structures, having been in many instances rebuilt by the late proprietor Sir Francis Lawley. Rateable value, £1,814. 13s. 9d. At the census in 1801 this parish had a population of 212 souls; 1831, 208, and in 1841 there were thirty-five houses and 189 inhabitants.

THE CHURCH, a small structure, has been beautified and repaired within the last few years. The living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the lord of the manor, and incumbency of the Rev. Robert W. Dayrell. There is a school in the village, which is chiefly supported by Lord Wenlock and the minister; about forty children attend. WESTON is a hamlet in the parish of Monk Hopton, about two miles from the church; the Duke of Cleveland and Mrs. Susannah Butcher are the landowners.

The principal residents are Edward Bradley, farmer; Rev. Robert W. Dayrell; William Dixon, farmer and corn miller; Mary Evans, schoolmistress; Elizabeth Evans, blacksmith; Edward Marston, farmer, Monk Hall; Richard Nichols, vict., Wenlock Arms; William Shiston, bailiff; Richard Wall, wheelwright. The residents in Weston are Susannah Butcher, farmer; Richard Lewis, farmer; and Thomas Reynolds, farmer.

MUCH WENLOCK

is a parish, market town, and borough, having separate and independent jurisdiction, twelve miles south east from Shrewsbury, and 148 miles from London. The town consists principally of two streets, at right angles to one another. The houses in general have an ancient appearance, and are ill built; there are, however, several houses and shops of modern appearance of a more respectable character. The parish contains 8,821 acres of land; and at the census of 1841 had 2,487 inhabitants. In 1851 there were 2,398 souls, of whom 1,179 were males, and 1,219 females; and at the same period there were 487 inhabited houses and 17 uninhabited. Rateable value, £14,006. 11s. The townships comprised in this parish are Much Wenlock, Atterley, Bourton, Callaughton, Farley, Wyke, and Bradley, Harley Wigwig and Homer, Presthope, and Walton. The township of Much Wenlock contains 2,492 acres of land, the principal owners of which are W. W. Wynne, Esq., and Lord Forester. At the census of 1841 there were 373 houses and 1,627 inhabitants in the township. Gross, estimated rental, £7,440. 6s. 2d. Rateable value, £6,549. 5s. The tithes have been commuted, and £341 apportioned to the vicar, and £387. 14s. to the impropriators. Monday is market day, for which the town is indebted to the Prior and other religious brethren. Fairs are held second Tuesday in March, May 12th, October 17th, and December 4th. The fair held on July 5th has been discontinued within the last few years.

A charter of incorporation was granted to Wenlock in the 8th of Edward IV. The second and last charter, which is a confirmation and extension of the former, was granted in the 7th of the reign of Charles I. Under this charter the government was invested in a bailiff, a recorder, bailiff’s peers, a treasurer, a coroner, a town clerk, a serjeant-at-mace, and other officers. The bailiff, recorder, and bailiff’s peers, were justices of the peace; the recorder held his office for life, and the others were elected annually on Michaelmas day by a jury of the burgesses. The jurisdiction of these magistrates was co-extensive with the borough. By the charter they were allowed a court of common pleas every second Tuesday, and also an assize court for the trial of criminals, not even excepting those suspected of capital crimes; and from the early registers of the parish of Wenlock many executions seem to have taken place. A court of record was also held by the mayor every alternate Tuesday, and considerable business was done in this court. Under the municipal reform act the government of the borough is vested in a mayor, six aldermen, and eighteen councillors. Quarter sessions are held before the recorder. The mayor is elected annually on the 9th of November by the council. His duties are to preside at all meetings of the council, and to sign notices thereof, and with the assessors to revise the burgess list. He is a justice of the peace ex-officio for the year of his mayoralty and the year following, and has precedence within the borough, and is returning officer at elections for members of parliament. In the absence of the recorder he is empowered to open and adjourn the court of quarter sessions. Any councillor elected mayor, but refusing to serve, is liable to a fine not exceeding £100. The aldermen are one-third of the number of councillors, and are elected triennially by the council on the 9th of November. Half of their number go out of office every three years, but are eligible to be re-elected. An alderman is to preside at elections in case of death or inability of the mayor, and refusing office is to pay a fine not exceeding £50. The councillors are chosen in the different wards on the 1st of November, by persons whose names are on the burgess roll; one-third of the councillors go out of office annually, but are capable of re-election. All such elections are held before an alderman, and two assessors appointed for each ward. The recorder is appointed by the crown, has precedence after the mayor, and is sole judge at quarter sessions and in the court of record, and ex-officio justice of the peace. He must be a barrister of at least five years standing. He cannot be a member of parliament, alderman, or councillor, of the borough. The town-clerk is appointed by the council, and must be an attorney. The freemen’s roll is made out by him. He receives from the overseers, on the 5th of September, the list of burgesses, which he has to get printed, and expose copies on the Town Hall door. He receives claims of persons omitted in the burgess list and of persons objected to. He issues instructions to overseers to make out lists of electors, and publishes the same when revised; attends and takes minutes of all proceedings at council meetings, and makes out warrants for borough-rates, and has charge of all borough registers and other documents. The clerk of the peace is appointed by the council. His duties are to give ten days’ notice of time and place of holding quarter sessions; to summon, at least seven days before, a sufficient number of jurors, and to make out a list of names and descriptions of jurors summoned. The fees paid to this officer are fixed by the town council, and confirmed by the secretary of state. The coroner is appointed by the council, and makes an annual return of the inquests held by him to the secretary of state, as well as a quarterly return to the council. The following is a list of the members of Parliament, the corporate body, and the municipal officers of the borough and franchise of Wenlock for the year 1851:—

Members of Parliament:—The Hon. George Cecil Weld Forester, Esq., and James M. Gaskell, Esq.

Justices of the Peace:—Moses George Benson, Esq.; George Pritchard, Esq.; John Pritchard, Esq.; Thomas Mytton, Esq.; William Pugh, Esq.; Henry George Harnage, Esq.; John Anstice, Esq.; John Stephens, Esq.; W. P. Brookes, Esq.; and Richard Thursfield, Esq.

CORPORATION.—Mayor: Charles Belsher, Esq.

Aldermen: Richard Thursfield, Esq.; William Nicholas, Esq.; J. W. Rowlands, Esq.; John Anstice, Esq.; Charles Belsher, Esq.; and John Parry, Esq.

Councillors of Wenlock Ward: George Adney; Joseph Amphlitt; William Canlin; Robert Horton; William Newill; and William Jeffrey.

Broseley Ward: George Pritchard; Thomas Lister; John Onions; William Thursfield; Thomas Pitt; Robert Evans.

Madeley Ward: Henry Charlton; George Chune; William Cooke; Edward Edwards; Henry Davies; Henry Dickinson.

Recorder: Uvedale Corbet, Esq. Clerk of the Peace: George Potts, Esq. Town Clerk: Roger Charles Blakeway, Esq. Clerk to Justices: William P. Gordon, Esq. Treasurer: Mr. Joseph Roden. High Constable: Mr. Richard Patten.

Wenlock is remarkable as being the first borough that acquired the right of representation by charter in parliament. The boundary of the present parliamentary borough is the same as prior to the passing of the Reform and Corporation Act, but the municipal boundary is not so extensive. The revising barristers divided Wenlock into the three wards of Wenlock, Broseley, and Madeley; Wenlock ward to consist of the several parishes of Much Wenlock, Ditton Priors, Hughley, Monk Hopton, and such part of the parish of Shipton as lies on the left side of the streams called Brockton brook and the river Cowe in descending the same. The Madeley ward to consist of the parishes of Madeley and Little Wenlock; and Brosley Ward to consist of the parishes of Broseley, Barrow, Benthall, Linley, and Willey, and the Extra Parochial Liberty of Posenhall. And having regard as well to the number of persons rated to the relief of the poor in each ward, as to the aggregate amount of the sums at which all the said persons are so rated, they apportioned and assigned six councillors and two aldermen to each of the said wards. The town returned one member to parliament in 1478. It afterwards acquired the privilege of sending two, who were elected by the burgesses (in number about five hundred), the writ being returned by the bailiff. The greatest number of electors polled previous to the Reform Act was 258. The freedom was acquired by inheritance, and occasionally by election from a common hall. The whole precinct now called the franchise appears to have been included in the original charter. The number of electors is now upwards of nine hundred. The lord of the manor holds annual courts at Michaelmas and Easter, at the former of which constables are appointed.

The town of Wenlock gives name to a deanery, and the Borough and Franchise were formerly co-extensive with the hundred of Patintern, mentioned in Doomsday book, which comprised the following parishes—viz., Much Wenlock, Little Wenlock, Broseley, Madeley, Benthall, Barrow, Linley, Badger, Beckbury, Priors Ditton, Stoke St. Milborough, Eaton-under-Heywood, Hughley, Shipton, Monk Hopton, Willey, Deuxhill, and the Extra Parochial Liberty of Posenhall. By an order of Quarter Sessions, held at Shrewsbury, April 4, 1836, the parishes of Beckbury and Badger, were henceforward to be taken as part of the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstree; and the parish of Deuxhill was henceforward to be taken as part of the Bridgnorth division of the hundred of Brimstree: the parishes of Eaton and Shipton were henceforward to be taken as part of the upper division of the hundred of Munslow; and that the parishes of Culmington and Stoke St. Milborough shall henceforward be taken to be part of the lower division of the hundred of Munslow; and it was further ordered that the day from which this should take effect, should be the 11th day of April, 1836.

THE PARISH CHURCH, which stands near the ruins of the priory, is a venerable structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, surmounted by a neat spire of timber, covered with lead. The structure bears many evidences of great antiquity, and the architecture of the Saxon and Norman ages is discoverable. The interior, during the present year, has been restored and re-pewed at a cost of £1,350. The arches, which separate the nave from the side aisles, rise from clustered pillars, and are very beautiful, having been cleared of the plaster and mortar which had accumulated for ages. A lofty round arch separates the nave from the chancel, which contains the remains of a very elegant sedilia, together with a piscina and aumbrey, and several old brass memorials. The Church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity; and from the parish register, it appears that service was first celebrated in the English tongue in this church on the 26th of June, 1559. The church-yard has just been enlarged by the addition of three quarters of an acre, and contains several tombs, but none of them sufficiently remarkable as to deserve special notice. The living is a vicarage, rated at £12. 9s. 6d., in the patronage of Sir W. W. Wynn: incumbent, Rev. William Henry Wayne. The Methodists have a small chapel in the town. The National School was built in 1847, at a cost of about £1,000, of which £500 was obtained of the National Society and the Committee of Council on Education. 150 children attend.

THE TOWN HALL or GUILD HALL is an antique structure, chiefly composed of timber and plaster, resting on piazzas. It is evidently of great antiquity, but there is no record to show the date of its erection. In the parish register of Wenlock, however, which seems to have been also a chronicle of remarkable events of the parish, it is stated that the house over the prisons, which is clearly an addition to the original building, was put up in 1577. The interior consists of two commodious rooms, the first is the sessions room, and over the Recorder’s seat are the arms of Charles II. The inner room is the Municipal Court House, which has recently been panelled and furnished with carved oak of the most elaborate and costly workmanship, principally at the expense of W. P. Brookes, Esq., one of the borough magistrates. The chairs (two of which were presented to the corporation by the Rev. R. H. G. More), as well as the table, chimney piece, and seats, are remarkably handsome, the cost is stated to have been not far short of £1000.

THE SAVINGS BANK is a plain brick building situated near the church. The total number of depositors on November 20th, 1850, were 1,909, including thirty-six charitable societies and thirty-four friendly societies. The capital stock of the bank at the same period amounted to £62,650. 12s.; of the total number of depositors there were 1,061 whose respective balances did not exceed £20., 451 were above £20 and not exceeding £50., 210 not exceeding £100., 66 above £100 and not exceeding £150., 42 not exceeding £200., and nine were above the latter sum. The deposits of the charitable societies at the same period amounted to £2,608. 11s. 8d., and of the friendly societies to £3,248. 17s. 6d. Treasurer, George Pritchard, Esq.: Secretary, Mr. William Smith.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY is situated near the ruins of the abbey, and contains about 1,500 volumes, mostly valuable works, chiefly presented by gentlemen in the neighbourhood, and the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Anglesey, and Major Herbert Edwards. WENLOCK EDGE is a precipitous ridge about two miles from Wenlock, formerly densely covered with wood. King Henry I. on his March to Shrewsbury to besiege that town was under the necessity of employing detachments from his numerous army to cut down the wood and make a road ere he could proceed.

WENLOCK MONASTERY, Bishop Tanner says, that a nunnery was erected at Wenlock about the year 680, by Milburga, daughter to King Merwald, and niece to Walphere king of Mercia, of which she became abbess; she was renowned for sanctity, and it is recorded by William of Malmesbury, who wrote early in the 12th century, that for some “time after the arrival of the Normans, through ignorance of the place of her burial she was neglected; lately however, while a new church was erecting, a boy running violently along the pavement, brake into the hollow of a vault and discovered the body of the virgin, when a balsamic odour pervading the whole church she was taken up, and performed so many miracles, that the people flocked thither in great multitudes; large spreading plains could hardly contain the troops of pilgrims, a common faith impelling all, nor did the saint deceive their expectations, for no one departed without either a perfect cure or a considerable abatement of his malady, and some were even cured of the king’s evil where medical advice had been unavailing.” Traditions of miracles worked by Milburga are still preserved in the neighbourhood, and her shrine is said at length to have been burnt in the market place. The blind devotion which led crowds of people of all ranks with their hands filled with rich oblations to offer at this shrine produced a large income to the monastery, and for some time kept in the shade the wondrous doings of canonized saints of the rival establishments in this neighbourhood. The canonization of saints was for centuries a source of great wealth to the Roman Catholic Church, and much of their success no doubt depended on a wily priesthood trumpeting forth their miraculous powers among the ignorant multitude. To show the craftiness of the priesthood in this respect we may observe that St. Dunstan after his death in 988 was canonized, and his relics were held in such esteem that they shortly after produced an immense revenue to the cathedral of Canterbury. About the time of Henry VII. however, the monks of Glastonbury anxious to bring a portion of grist to their own mill, began to boast of having the relics of St. Dunstan in their possession, which soon turned the tide of affairs and caused the rich offerings and oblations to flow to Glastonbury. This sorely troubled the archbishop of Canterbury, who had the tomb of Dunstan opened, when the body was found in a lead coffin in his pontifical habit; the archbishop therefore immediately issued his mandate charging the monks of Glastonbury to desist from all further boasting of their possession of St. Dunstan’s relics. Notwithstanding the objectionable mode the priesthood had of obtaining riches, it is but justice to observe that their revenues and gains were all expended either in alms or hospitality, or in building and adorning their magnificent churches and abbeys; and although learning was then at a low ebb, it being generally styled the dark or illiterate age, yet what learning there was then was mostly to be found in the cloister of the monks, where some attained to great reputation for their proficiency in knowledge.

The house founded by Milburga was destroyed by the Danes, but was restored by Leofric Earl of Chester, at the request of his wife, the lady Godiva. Before the Norman conquest it had again fallen into decay, and in the 14th of William the Conqueror was rebuilt and endowed by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel, Chichester, and Shrewsbury, a person of vast possessions in these parts, who placed therein a prior and convent of monks of the Cluniac order, and made it a cell to the house of De Charitate, in France; this house suffered the same fate with other alien priories till it was naturalized in the 16th year of Richard II. It was dedicated to St. Milburga, and according to Dugdale, in the 26th of Henry VIII. had revenues to the yearly value of £431. 1s. 2d.

In the Monastican is the patent of King Edward III. reciting and confirming the charter of Isabel de Say, lady of Clun, whereby she granted to these monks the church of St. George, at Clun, with seven chapels depending on it, namely, the chapel of St. Thomas, in Clun, of St. Mary’s, at Waterdune, of St. Swithin, at Clumbierie, St. Mary, at Cluntune, St. Mary, at Appitune, with those of Eggedune, and Subbledune. There is likewise an inquisition taken the 29th of Edward I. determining the right of presentation to the cell of Ferne to be in the monks of Wenlock. In “Stevens’ Supplement,” seven deeds are translated into English from the Latin originals in the hands of Francis Canning, Esq., of Foxcote, in the county of Warwick, viz., the deed of Geoffrey de Say, for the manor of Dointon; a confirmation of that deed by Henry II.; another deed by the same king, granting that these monks might always enjoy the said manor, unless he and his heirs gave them eleven pounds per annum in churches and other things in lieu of it; the charter of Henry III. to them for the same manor; the deeds of William Mitleton and Adam Fitzwilliam about a yard of land in Mitleton; a composition between Simon, Dean of Brug, and the prior and convent of Wenlock, about the chapel at Duddington. The prior of Wenlock, John Cressage, on surrendering the monastery to King Henry VIII. had a pension of £80 per annum assigned him, together with the manor house of Madeley; twelve monks had also pensions assigned to them amounting in the aggregate to £100 per annum. Besides the churches already mentioned, the following advowsons belonged to the monastery at the time it was surrendered, viz., Wenlock Magna, Wenlock Parva, Clun, Burton, Shipton, and Eaton. It had also at an earlier period Sutton, near Shrewsbury, Stoke St. Milborough, and Church Preen. During the wars between Henry III. and his barons he was often called into the Marches of Wales, and several documents were signed at Wenlock by the king, which would lead to the supposition that he was frequently lodged and entertained by the Prior. The monastery is situated near the east end of the churchyard, and the entrance from the town was through a massive gateway; very considerable remains of this magnificent and spacious fabric are still to be seen, and fragments are scattered to a great distance from the site. The great centre tower has long since disappeared, but the four massive piers the bases of which are still in existence, show that it must have been built on a scale of no ordinary splendour, and the size must have been equal to many of our cathedrals. The Chapter House is probably a part of the building erected by Roger de Montgomery, and is a singularly beautiful example of interesting Norman arches, supported on columns of which the capitals are all of different designs. It was entered from the cloisters by three richly ornamented circular porches. Of the Priory church only the south transept and a part of the south aisle of the nave remain, they present an elegant example of the early English style of architecture, but no record has been discovered of the date of their erection. The fragments of the south side of the nave consist of pointed arches which have never been open, but within them there are inserted lower arches of a similar form rising from octagonal pillars. Over the higher arches are the remains of a beautiful gallery which ran along the whole of the second story of the church, and consisted of a series of pointed arches, divided by slender clustered pillars; above these are single lancet windows forming a clerestory; between every arch runs a slender clustered pilaster, and where they break off at the top are remains of the ramifications of a groined ceiling. The room adjoining the dormitory was probably occupied by those monks whose task it was to perform the midnight office of the choir. From the bases of the columns which are all that remain of the choir it appears to have been in the same style of architecture as the Chapter house. The Lady Chapel was east of the choir and may still be traced by its foundations. The length of this stately structure from east to west was 401 feet, the nave being 156 feet, space under the middle tower 39 feet, choir 156 feet, Lady Chapel 48 by 40, and the breadth of the nave and aisles 66 feet.

Adjoining the south side of the nave was the great cloister, which was encompassed by the refectory, dormitory and chapter house. Two arched doors which open in the cloisters still remain, but not a fragment of the cloister itself. The chapter house is an oblong square, 66 feet by 31 feet. It communicates by a small door with the house of the Prior, the exterior of which, and some of the apartments, retain their original character. The whole of the eastern side of the building has a singular cloister or ambulatory, consisting of upper and lower story, each of which is formed by a continued line of arches, that have originally been glazed. Opening into the upper gallery are two apartments, one of which is supposed to have been the dining hall, which was lighted by a line of windows somewhat resembling those of the ambulatory, but having in the angles curious little pedestals, of the height of a table. In some parts of these apartments are traces of fresco painting. A narrow stone staircase in one corner communicates with the kitchen underneath. In another part is the private chapel, now divided into several rooms, in one of which is the stone altar, and a beautifully carved dish was dug up some years ago. The architecture of the Prior’s house would lead to the conclusion that it had not been built long at the time of the dissolution of the priory. Fragments of this opulent monastery are scattered to a great distance, and the precinct included full thirty acres. About a century ago a considerable part of the ruins was taken down by an agent of the manor to rebuild some houses which he had on lease, but Sir W. Wynne put a stop to any further demolition.

The site of this monastery and manor was granted soon after the dissolution to Augustine de Augustine, and was sold in 1545 to Thomas Lawley, Esq., who made it his residence, and it continued in the Lawley family till it was sold by Robert Bertie (who was the son of Ursula, the great granddaughter of the said Thomas Lawley,) to the family of Gage. Viscount Gage sold it about the year 1632 to Sir John Wynne, of Wynnstay, in whose family it continues in the person of Sir W. W. Wynne, whose father was happily called (by George IV., when Regent) “the real prince of Wales.”

The most memorable prior was one Joybert, a Norman, who held the monasteries of Coventry, Daventry, Wenlock and Bermondsey, all at the same time. The annals of Worcester state that a confederacy was entered into in the year 1253, between that house and this, for the mutual support of both; and the same annals take notice of one William, a monk of Wenlock, who put himself at the head of a gang of robbers, but was afterwards taken and executed. John Cressage, who surrendered this monastery January 26th, 1539, had a pension assigned him of £80 per annum.

CHARITIES.—The Rev. Francis Southern by his will, proved on the 19th December, 1778, left to the minister and churchwardens of Great Wenlock, and their successors, the sum of £300, to be disposed of as follows. The interest of £200 to be paid to a school-master for teaching ten poor boys to read and write, to be continued till they can read the Bible and write a plain legible hand, and repeat the catechism with Lewis’s expositions readily and distinctly, and understand the first five rules of arithmetic. The interest of £65 to be laid out in bread, to be given every Lord’s day to six poor widows, or old men, who should attend divine service. The interest of £25 to buy Bibles, Testaments and Expositions, to be distributed on New Year’s day among the poor schoolboys. And lastly, the interest of the remaining £10 he gave to the minister for preaching an annual sermon on New Year’s day. This legacy of £300 was invested in the purchase of £640. 2s. 3d. three per cent consols, the dividends of which amount to £19. 4s. per annum, and are disbursed in the following manner. £14. 5s. 10d. paid to a schoolmaster; £1. 5s. expended in books; 12s. 6d. to the minister for a sermon; and £3. 0s. 8d. is distributed in bread. There have been always ten free boys in the school, and generally twelve. A charge is made to each of 2s. 6d. a year for fire money, which is the only expense incurred by them.

The following benefactions to the poor of this parish are noticed on a table in the church, the donors of which directed the interest of the several sums affixed to their names to be distributed in bread:—Ralph Pendlebury and Dorothy his wife, £20; William Churchman, £5; Thomas Lokier, £4; Henry Sprott, £5; Edmund King, £5; Joan Patten, £8; William Parsons, £111; Richard Cleveley, £10; John Clark, £5; Richard Littlehales, £10; Edmund Hancocks, £10; Joseph Read, £10; Mrs. Jane Litllehales, £5; and Thomas Patten, £10. Of these specific benefactions, the total amount of which is £213, no further trace remains in any parish book or document; but there is a sum of £240. 19s. 4d. stock, in the three per cent. consols, now standing in the name of trustees, supposed to have resulted from a part of these benefactions. The money with which a part of this stock was purchased was £150, which had formerly been placed on the security of the Wenlock turnpike trust. With the dividends of this stock, amounting to £7. 4s. per annum, 420 fourpenny loaves are annually distributed to the poor.

John Murrall, dyer, by will, dated in 1796, bequeathed to such poor people as frequent divine service in the parish church of Much Wenlock, the yearly sum of £7. 4s. to be distributed in bread; twelve twopenny loaves on every Sunday in the year, and ten twelvepenny loaves on each of the following days, namely, St. Thomas’s day, Old Christmas day, Good Friday, and Easter day. Mr. Murrall died in 1769, and his will having been contested, his executors were not able to establish any fund for securing the payment of this charity till 1781, when a sum of £250 stock in the three per cent. consols was purchased for that purpose. The dividends, amounting to £7. 10s. a year, are now received by Dr. Rowley and Geo. Pritchard, Esq., and a distribution of bread takes place on St. Thomas’s day and Good Friday.

John Skett, by will, dated 13th March, 1727, left 10s. per annum to be given to the poor of this parish in bread, chargeable on a certain house in Shineton street, the property of Mr. France.

John Littlehales, by will, 1760, devised to Richard Woof a messuage in Shineton street, in Much Wenlock, in trust, that he and his heirs should pay yearly out of the profits thereof, to the minister and churchwardens, the sum of 30s., on the 25th of December, to be given in wheaten bread, as follows:—Twelve twopenny loaves to be placed near a tombstone erected by him, before the service begins, on the first Sunday of every month, and to be given when the communion is ended by his heirs, the vicar and churchwardens, to twelve ancient people of the parish, regard being had to those who frequent the church service; and so to continue the first Sunday of each calendar month, Christmas day, Good Friday, and Easter day, yearly.

Mrs. Mary Smyth, by will, dated 23rd November, 1773, gave the interest of ten guineas to be distributed yearly in sixpenny loaves on the feast of St. Thomas, amongst poor widows and housekeepers of the parish of Wenlock.

ALMSHOUSES.—Mrs. Ann Sprott bequeathed £10, the interest to be applied in the repairs of the almshouses. In the parliamentary reports of 1786 it is stated that a person of the name of Price left, for clothing the poor in the almshouse, land then vested in Harry Yate, and producing £4 a-year. With respect of the first mentioned sum of £10, it is conjectured that it formed part of a sum of £150 poor’s stock, previously noticed, as an entry found in the churchwardens’ book, in 1773, states that 10s. was then received, to be laid out in the repairs of the almshouse, being part of the money due to the poor of the parish from the turnpike security; but nothing has been paid for this purpose from the produce of the poors’ stock for many years. With respect to Price’s benefaction, it appears that clothing was formerly provided for the poor in the almshouse by Harry Yate, formerly a draper at Ludlow, in respect of a small estate in Herefordshire, but this was discontinued upwards of seventy years ago by the above mentioned Harry Yate, on the ground that the gift was void under the statute of George II., c. 36.

At the time the Charity Commissioners published their report, William Moseley, Esq., the representative of the Sprott family, appointed the almspeople, and stated that when he succeeded to the estate he found the almshouses consisting of four tenements, in miserable condition, and was requested to repair them; and that he rebuilt three brick tenements, with tiled roofs, adjoining another tenement in a different part of the town, with the approbation of the inhabitants. This he did chiefly from charitable considerations; but he was unable to give any information respecting the almshouses from any documents in his possession. He always understood that they were for the benefit of decayed widows of the parish of Wenlock, to be nominated by or with the approbation of the representative of the Sprott family. After referring to the legacy as stated to have been left by Mrs. Ann Sprott, he stated he should decline paying anything in future for the repairs of the almshouses, unless the interest of that money was brought in aid; but that if the churchwardens were willing to advance any money for this purpose he should always be ready to join them.

Mrs. Ann Minshull left £20, the interest to be applied in teaching poor children to read. Nothing has been paid in respect of this legacy for upwards of fifty years. A legacy of £10, left by the Rev. George Carver, and £5 left by the Rev. Mr. Baker, noticed on a tablet in the church, have long been lost.

POST OFFICE.—At Mr. Thomas Lawley’s, Wilmore street. Letters arrive at 7-30 A.M. and are despatched at 5 P.M.

Those Marked 1 reside in Barrow street; 2 The Bank; 3 Bull Ring; 4 High street; 5 Shienton street; 6 Spittal street; and 7 Wilmore street

1 Adney Miss Elizabeth

5 Adney George, tanner

5 Ainsworth Thomas, farmer

4 Amphlett Joseph, currier

6 Aston Jeremiah, victualler, Bull’s Head

2 Aston Jonathan, beerseller

1 Barnett Joseph, butcher

1 Beavan Thos., vict., Black Lion

7 Belcher Charles, grocer

6 Binnell Henry H., tailor and woollen draper

Blakeway Roger C., Esq., solicitor

Boughton Chas., Esq., The Abbey

6 Bowyer Mrs. Fanny

6 Boycott Rd., confectioner

7 Brookes Wm. P., surgeon

Canlin William, maltster, Burton road

7 Castle Wm., provis. dealer

1 Clayton William, boot & shoemaker

1 Christopher James, joiner

4 Coley James, brazier and tin plate worker

1 Cooper & Purton, bankers, (draw on Williams & Co., London), open on Monday and Thursday

2 Cooper Jermh., limeburner

4 Cooper John, vict., The Fox

4 Cooper Lettice, milliner

7 Cooper Thomas & Samuel, graziers

1 Crowther George, boarding school, and registrar for Wenlock district

2 Crowther Edward, farmer

Davies Mrs. Eliz., Burton rd

4 Devey John, shoemaker

3 Divers James, schoolmastr.

4 Edwards Thos., wheelwrt.

2 Felteaus John, vict., Robin Hood

6 Fox William, joiner

4 Franks Richard, builder

1 Griffiths William, agent to Salop fire office and legal and commercial fire and life offices

1 Hartland Rt., vict., Raven

6 Haynes Thos., blacksmith

3 Heighway Mary, librarian

4 Hopton Henry, grocer

Hollis Mary, schoolmistress

1 Horton Ann, vict., The Plough

6 Horton Robert, chemist & druggist

Hinton Edward, land agent to Sir W. W. Wynne

1 Hughes Edwd., shoemaker

5 James James, farrier

5 James John, farrier

4 James Wm. A., surgeon

Jeffreys William, farmer and miller, The Downes

1 Jeffreys Elizabeth, draper

1 Jenks Sarah, vict., Royal Oak

1 Johnson Thomas, tailor

1 Johnson John, tailor

6 Jones Ann, milliner

1 Jones John, skinner

1 Jones Jno., vict., Britannia

6 Jones Sarah, butcher

6 Jones William, skinner

4 Keysell Edwin, maltster, seedsman, and corn dealer

7 Lawley Thomas, stationer and printer

6 Mansell Thos., ironmongr.

4 Martin Mary, vict., The Harp

3 Mason Edwd., vict., Punch Bowl

4 Mason Wm., shoemaker

4 Massey Thomas, boot and shoemaker

6 Miles Thomas, maltster

Minton Rev. Samuel, St. Mary’s lane

4 Minshall Josiah, saddler

7 Moreton George, vict., The Pheasant

6 Moreton George, vict., Talbot

6 Moreton Francis, hat manufacturer

5 Newell William, farmer & maltster

1 Nicholson Martha, tea dealer

5 Palmer Thomas, nailmkr.

1 Parton Benjamin, vict., The Swan

1 Patten Mr. Richard

1 Pearce Chas., wheelwright

1 Phillips Mr. Thomas

1 Phillips Henry & Samuel, curriers

4 Phillips Andrew, solicitor

5 Power Elizabeth, schoolmistress

1 Poyner Wm., confectioner

4 Rhoden Joseph, vict., Wynnstay Arms, hotel and posting house

6 Rowe John, vict., Crown

1 Share Thomas, painter, plumber and glazier

Shepherd George, farmer & limeburner, Westwood Cottage

6 Smith William, grocer & druggist

1 Summers Thomas, draper

1 Thomas Henry, beerseller

5 Silley William, tailor

7 Trevor Edward, provision dealer and baker

6 Trevor Henry, grocer, chandler, & stamp office

5 Vaughan Miss Sarah

4 Wayne Rev. Wm. H., vicar

Wayne William H., Esq., The Grange

6 Webb Feild, saddler

4 Wheeler John, watchmkr.

4 Wheeler George, vict., The Falcon

6 Williams Thomas, grocer

4 Wilkinson Francis, shopkr

4 Woofe William, saddler

4 Yardley Edwin, cooper

6 Yates Mary, vict., The George

6 Yates Thomas, hairdresser

2 Yates Wm., blacksmith

MUCH WENLOCK TOWNSHIPS.

ATTERLEY is a small township in the parish of Much Wenlock, two miles S.E. from the parish church, and at the census of 1841 contained eight houses and 52 inhabitants. This township and that of Walton conjointly contain 903A. 3R. 11P. of land, the principal owner of which is Sir John Acton. WATTON is situate about a mile S.E. from Much Wenlock, and in 1841 had four houses and a population of 23 souls. Gross estimated rental, £1,115. 15s. 4d. Rateable value, £1,016. 18s. The tithes of both townships are commuted for £54. 13s.

The principal residents in Atterley and Walton are Thomas Bayer, farmer, Atterley; Ann Howells, farmer, Walton; John Howells, farmer, Walton; Frank Pardoe, farmer, Atterley.

BURTON, or BORTON, and CALLOUGHTON are two townships in the parish of Much Wenlock, containing together 3,163A. 2R. 39P. of land. Gross estimated rental, £3,501. 7s. 1d. Rateable value, £3,160. 8s. Burton is situated two and a half miles S.W. from Much Wenlock, and at the census in 1841 is returned as having 33 houses and 181 inhabitants; Calloughton at the same period had 23 houses and 149 inhabitants. Lord Wenlock, the principal landowner, occasionally resides at Burton Cottage—an elegant and ornamental structure of only one story in height, the interior of which is very beautifully furnished. The farm houses have most of them been rebuilt by the late proprietor, Sir Francis Lawley, Bart. They are good residences, with commodious and convenient out premises. The church is a small but interesting structure in the gothic style of architecture, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisle, the latter added at the expense of Lady Lawley; it has a tower containing four bells. The living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the vicar of Much Wenlock, and enjoyed by the Rev. Samuel Minton. The income of the living is derived from a farm in Radnorshire of the annual value of £50, and a sum of £200 given by Sir Robert Lawley to augment the living. The village of Calloughton is situated about a mile and a half south from Much Wenlock, and is chiefly composed of cottage residences. The farms are scattered and mostly modern erections; there is also a corn mill which can either be worked by steam or water power, in the occupancy of Mr. W. B. Childs. The tithes of Burton and Calloughton are commuted for £74. 18s.

DIRECTORY.—Those marked 1 are at Burton, and 2 are at Calloughton. 2 Benjamin Ainsworth, farmer, Beggarley Brook; 2 Samuel Ainsworth, farmer, Spoonbill; 1 Thomas Blunt, agent to John Onions, Esq.; 1 John Brooks, farmer; 2 William Baldwin Childs, corn miller; Francis Dickinson, farmer; 1 Joel Evason, shopkeeper; 2 Thomas Instone, farmer; 1 Thomas Instone, farmer; 1 Edward Kinsey, gentleman; 1 Thomas Lewis, blacksmith; John Massie, farmer, Bradeley; 2 Thomas Trow, farmer, Spoonhill; 1 John Woof, painter and vict., Talbot.

FARLEY WYKE AND BRADLEY, a township in the parish of Much Wenlock, situated three miles N.E. from the parish church, comprises 960A. 0R. 8P. of land. Gross estimated rental, £1,948. 5s. 3d. Rateable value, £1,787. 8s. The principal landowners are Sir W. W. Wynn, Abraham Darby, Esq., and Lord Forester. At the census in 1841 this township had 34 houses and 166 inhabitants. Farley is situated in a romantic dale, watered by a small brook. In the dingle there is a corn mill in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Harper and Son, which is worked both by steam and water power. The tithes are commuted for £18. 19s. 5d.

The principal residents in this township are Ann Cadwallader, beerhouse keeper; Thomas Chidley, wheelwright and beerhouse keeper; Thomas Harper, corn miller; Caleb Harper, corn miller; Edward Hill, wheelwright; William W. Hull, Esq., Tickwood; John Perry, farmer, Wyke; Joseph Lloyd, farmer and stone dealer.

HARLEY-WIGWIG AND HOMER, a small township in the parish of Much Wenlock, containing 552A. 1R. 20P. of land, at the census of 1841 had 47 scattered houses and a population of 218 souls. Gross estimated rental, £861. 11s. 6d.; rateable value, £765. 6s. The principle landowners are the Duke of Cleveland, Lord Forester, Samuel Meire, Esq., Sir George Harnage, and the Rev. Samuel Minton. The land is chiefly farmed by the owners except at Harley. The residents in this township are chiefly cottagers, and the houses are for the most part scattered. The tithes are commuted for £48. 15s.

PRESTHOPE is a township with a few scattered houses in the parish of Much Wenlock, situated on the Wenlock Edge, upwards of three miles from the parish church; at the census of 1841 there were fourteen houses and 71 inhabitants in the township, which comprises 742A. 2R. 8P. of land, the principal owners of which are Lord Bradford, and M. G. Benson, Esq. Gross estimated rental, £807. 6s. 8d.; rateable value, £727. 6s. WENLOCK EDGE is a precipitous ridge running about eleven miles in a south-westerly direction. King Henry I. after the capture of Bridgnorth commanded his army to pass through Hunel Hege and lay siege to Shrewsbury. “Hunel hedge is the English name for a passage through a wood; in Latin it may be called malus callis or vicus; for it was a hollow way of a mile in length, full of great sharp stones, and so narrow as scarcely to admit two horsemen abreast. It was overshadowed on each side by a dark wood wherein were stationed archers in ambuscade who greatly annoyed the army with arrows and other missile weapons; but as the king had more than 60,000 men in his army he detached large parties to cut down the wood and make a wide road which should endure for the use of posterity.” From this period we may probably date the existence of a road over this steep ridge which has since been rendered more commodious. Many of the passes however down this rugged steep retain much of their wild and romantic character. The tithes are commuted for £80. 6s.

The chief residents at Presthope are Richard Child Milner, farmer; Rev. Robert H. G. More, and John Shirley, farmer.

PRIORS DITTON,

or DITTON PRIORS is a parish and village pleasantly situated on the northern verge of the Brown Clee Hill, eight miles south-west from Bridgnorth. The parish contains the townships of Priors Ditton, Ashfield and Ruthall, and Middleton Priors, and has 5,284 acres of land, mostly of an inferior quality, the rateable value of which is £3,451. 4s. 8d. At the census of 1801 the parish had a population of 620 souls; 1831, 620; and in 1841 there were 137 houses and 660 inhabitants. The township of Priors Ditton contains 2,154A. 0R. 34P. of land, and in 1841 had 81 houses and 359 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,597. 1s. 8d. The principal landowners in this township are Philip Henry Howard, Esq., William Millward, Esq., and Mrs. Ann Howells; the former is lord of the manor, and impropriator. THE CHURCH dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is an ancient structure consisting of nave, chancel, and south aisle, with a short tower upon which was erected a spire in the year 1831, at a cost of £231; the roof is of groined timber finely wrought, which gives the interior a very beautiful appearance. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £5. 15s. 8d., now returned at £147, in the patronage of Philip Henry Howard, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Edward Ridsdale. This church was formerly an appendage to the abbey of Wenlock. In the reign of Henry VIII., Humphrey Pakington, citizen and mercer of London, purchased of the king the farm of the manor of Dutton, alias Dytton, in Shropshire, with the rectory there, late the property of the Priory of Wenlock, The METHODISTS have small chapel built in 1816.

CHARITIES.—Mrs. Catherine Barker, by her will dated the 24th of January, 1699, devised to trustees certain freehold estates in Priors Ditton, on trust, (after certain other purposes specified by her) that they should out of the residue assure to the use of the poor of the said parish the yearly sum of £5, to continue for ever, and to be paid to the parson and churchwardens at the feast of Christmas and St. John the Baptist in equal portions. This annuity is paid by Francis Canning, Esq., of Foxcote, in the county of Warwick, who is the proprietor of the premises charged. The amount is distributed in small sums among the poor. Mrs. Dorothy Holland, by her will dated November 15th, 1723, bequeathed to the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of the parish, the sum of £20 in trust, to be invested in lands, and the rents of such lands she directed to be laid out in bread and distributed by the minister and churchwardens among twelve poor people of the parish, one half on Easter-day and the other half on Christmas-day. We do not find any account of the disposal of the money prior to the 2nd June, 1783, when it appears to have been placed in the hands of Francis Canning, Esq., at five per cent interest, upon the security of his bond. The interest is distributed by the churchwardens in the same manner as Barker’s charity, a course of distribution which is somewhat at variance with the directions of the donor.

ASHFIELD AND RUTHALL is a small township in the parish of Priors Ditton, on the north-west side of the parish, and within the bounds of the Munslow hundred, the rest of the parish being in the Wenlock Franchise. The township contains 697A. 3R. of land, and at the census of 1841 had nine scattered houses and fifty-five inhabitants. Rateable value, £373. 6s. Lady Boyne is the proprietor of the land at Ashfield. The landowners in Ruthall are Thomas Roberts, Esq., Richard Onslow, Esq., and John Adney, Esq.; the former is lord of the manor. The lord of the manor claims a heriot (usually the best beast) on the death of every owner in his lordship.

MIDDLETON PRIORS is a township in the parish of Priors Ditton which comprises 2,450A. 0R. 34P. of land, mostly an inferior soil. The land as chiefly the property of Philip Henry Howard, Esq., who is also lord of the manor. At the census in 1841 there were 47 houses and 109 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,479. 19s. 6d. MIDDLETON HALL is a spacious modern house which stands on a considerable elevation and is a conspicuous object many miles around. It was formerly the residence of the Howard family, when the top story of the hall was converted into a private oratory; it is adorned with some fine paintings, and over the altar is a beautifully executed representation of the crucifixion; adjoining is a room for robing and unrobing the priests, and another room is used as the confessional. A commodious and airy school room has been built by the lord of the manor, who also pays for the gratuitous education of the children; about sixty attend. A dwelling house for the teacher has also been built.

PRIORS DITTON, ASHFIELD AND RUTHALL, AND MIDDLETON PRIORS DIRECTORIES.

Adney John, farmer, Ruthall

Amies John, wheelwright, Priors Ditton

Andrew William, vict., Plough, Priors Ditton

Barnbrooke, Timothy, farmer, Middleton

Bradley Thomas, farmer, Priors Ditton

Chidley Edward, farmer, Priors Ditton

Cubby William, schoolmaster, Middleton

Davis Edward, surgeon, Priors Ditton

Darrell Thomas, farmer, Middleton

Downes John, farmer, Manor house, Ruthall

Easthope Thomas, farmer, Middleton

Evans John, farmer, Priors Ditton

Evans William, wheelwright, Priors Ditton

Goode Thomas, farmer, Priors Ditton

Green Henry, farmer, Priors Ditton

Green Mary, farmer & corn miller, Middleton

Hicks William, blacksmith, Priors Ditton

Jones George, farmer, Priors Ditton

Jones Thomas, farmer, Middleton

Millward William, farmer, Priors Ditton

Power Michael, maltster, miller, and steward to P. H. Howard, Esq., Middleton

Prentice Mrs. Martha, Priors Ditton

Reynolds Francis, farmer, Priors Ditton

Reynolds Richard, farmer, Middleton

Reynolds Richard, farmer, Priors Ditton

Ridsdale Rev. Edward, vicar, Priors Ditton

Smallman Richard, blacksmith, Priors Ditton

Southern Henry, vict., Cannings Arms, Priors Ditton

Thomas Edward, farmer, Middleton

Thomas John, cattle dealer, Priors Ditton

Wainwright Mary, farmer, Ashfield

WILLEY

is a small parish comprising 1353A. 2R. 6P. of land, situated in a pleasant part of the county, four miles east from Much Wenlock, and four and a half miles north-west from Bridgnorth. At the census in 1801 there were 163 inhabitants; 1831, 159; and in 1851, 144; of whom 75 were males, and 69 females. Inhabited houses, 30. Rateable value, £1,888. 8s. 5d. Lord Forester is the principal landowner, and lord of the manor. Henry Cartwright, Esq., is also a proprietor. WILLEY PARK, the magnificent seat of Lord Forester, is a spacious and elegant mansion of freestone, delightfully situated in an extensive and richly wooded park. The principal front, with the offices, extends upwards of three hundred feet, and is approached by a portico of the Corinthian order, greatly admired for superb workmanship and architectural effect. The interior of the mansion is splendidly furnished, and contains many fine paintings, many of which are the exquisite productions of some of the most celebrated masters. The library is extensive, and contains a valuable and choice collection of standard works. The gardens and pleasure grounds are laid out with great taste, and the park is beautifully adorned with sylvan beauty, a fine lake adding much to the interest of the scene. The family of Weld had anciently a seat at Willey. “William Weld was sheriff of London in 1352: his descendant, Sir John Weld, purchased Willey from Sir Thomas Lacon, of Kinlet, between 1612 and 1623. His descendant in the fourth degree, Elizabeth Weld, married Brooke Forester, of Dothill Park, near Wellington; whose son George, dying unmarried, bequeathed Willey and his other great estates, with an injunction to adopt the name of Weld, to his cousin, Cecil Weld Forester, created Lord Forester, of Willey Park, in 1821.” Mr. Moule, author of a work on Heraldry, says, “Lord Forester is lineally descended from John Forester, Esq., of Watling street, who held a singularly curious grant from King Henry VIII. to wear his hat in the royal presence; which identical document is preserved in the family.”

THE CHURCH is a small venerable fabric, consisting of nave and chancel, with a short tower, which contains three bells. There are several memorials to the various members of the ancient family of Weld. The living is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of Barrow annexed, valued in the king’s book at £5. 6s. 3d., now returned at £329, in the patronage of Lord Forester: incumbent, the Hon. and Rev. George O. Bridgeman. The tithes of Willey have been commuted for £233. 18s.

CHARITIES.—Robert Evans, of the Dean, bequeathed 10s. per annum to be expended in bread for the poor. The payment of this gift commenced in 1709, and the legacy is now considered to be secured by a bond in the possession of the parish, given by the late Mr. John Perry, of Willey, whose executors pay the money to the parish officers.

The Rev. Francis Wheeler, rector of Willey, bequeathed 10s. yearly, to be paid at Christmas by the ministers of the two churches in Bridgnorth; 5s. each to be given to the poor of Willey in money or bread. This gift is distributed at Christmas, together with the sacrament money and Evan’s gift.

The following benefactions, also given to the poor of Willey, are involved in much obscurity. Elizabeth Weld in 1688 gave £10. Dorothy Weld in 1674 gave £10, the interest to be distributed on St. Thomas’s day. Mrs. Mary Saltalston £20, to be added to the poor’s stock, and the interest of £10 to be distributed to the poor yearly. Mary Ogden gave 40s. to the poor in 1680. Judith Corbett £5 in 1691. Mary Evans £5 in 1729. Mrs. Catherine Strange £20. From the parish books it appears that £10 of Mrs. Saltalston’s benefaction, and £10 of Mrs. Weld’s, were applied in 1712 towards building a new tower to the church. It further appears that at a vestry meeting held 7th October, 1777, it was agreed that £40, part of a stock of £60, left for the benefit of the poor of Willey, and then in the hands of Mr. Thomas Perry, of the Dean, should be laid out in the necessary repairs of the church, and that the parish should pay reasonable interest for the same, to be distributed one half on St. Thomas’s day, and the other half on Good Friday. Another agreement, not entered in the parish books, dated 15th August, 1802, and signed by Morgan Jones, minister, and two respectable farmers of the parish, stating that the interest of the £40 mentioned in the former agreement, which had never been paid, then amounted to £50, and agreeing to consolidate the principal and interest, making together £90, and to pay interest on the whole. From the entries in the parish books above stated, it clearly appears that £60 of these benefactions were applied to the repairs of the church, but what became of the rest we have in vain endeavoured to discover. No interest appears to have been paid by the parish, but there has been for many years an annual distribution of corn made by the farmers to the poor on St. Thomas’s day, to the value of £5 and upwards.

The principal residents in Willey are the Right Hon. Lord Forester, Willey Park; the Hon. and Rev. George O. Bridgeman; Henry Cartwright, Esq., The Dean; George Goodfellow, bailiff to George Pritchard, Esq.; Edmund Raby, farmer; and John Stobbs, farmer.

LUDLOW

is a borough and market town, on the southern border of the county, 143 miles N.W. by W. from London, and twenty-five south from Shrewsbury, situated on an eminence, at the junction of the Corve with the Teme, and surrounded by a country varied with delightful prospects in every direction. This ancient and populous town is upwards of a mile in length and half a mile in breadth, having a number of regular and wide well paved streets, lying in diverging and inclined directions from the highest and most central part of the town; a circumstance which greatly promotes its cleanliness and salubrity. The houses in general are neat, well built, and better arranged than those of most inland towns of the same antiquity. The town is skirted by the rivers Corve and Teme, and abundantly supplied with water by pipes from springs in the vicinity to the public pumps, as well as from the river Corve by machinery and pipes to the different houses. The glove trade formerly employed upwards of one thousand hands here, but owing, it is thought, to the introduction of French gloves, and the establishment of marts for articles of a cheaper fabrication in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, the trade declined some years ago, and has now become almost extinct. Malt is made to a considerable extent, and there is a paper mill, and an establishment for the manufacture of blankets and a coarse kind of woollen cloth chiefly used for horse collars. The town has, however, been kept in a flourishing state by the numerous respectable residents which the extreme beauty of its situation has attracted to it. There is a market here on a Monday for grain, provisions, and poultry, which is usually well attended. Markets are also held on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, for provisions. Fairs for horned cattle, horses, pigs, and general merchandise, are held on the Monday before February 13th, Tuesday before Easter, May 1st (for hiring servants), Wednesday in Whitsun-week, August 21st, September 28th, and the first Mondays in November and December. Population in 1801, 3,897; 1831, 5,253. In 1841 the parish of St. Lawrence contained 1,086 houses and 5,064 inhabitants; of whom 3,041 were males and 3,157 females. Rateable value of the borough, £12,812. 4s. 9d. An act of parliament was obtained in 1794 for lighting and paving the town. The annual races are held in July, and continue for two days.

Ludlow was no doubt a town of note in the time of the Britons from the British name it bears (Dinan), though we have no historical record left of it. How it came to be called Dinan, a word of no affinity with Ludlow, we have not found. After the conquest, a noble knight assumed the name of Dinan in honour of the place. It may be observed that Dinas and Dinan are words of frequent occurrence in the account of British antiquities; and upon a careful investigation, it will generally appear that places so denominated have been formerly occupied by some chief or prince of the country. Ludlow seems to have been incorporated from time immemorial. The earliest charter extant is one of confirmation from Richard Duke of York, father of Edward IV. This charter, styling the corporation as “the bailiff’s, burgesses, and commonality, of the town and borough of Ludlow,” and conferring important privileges, has ever since, till the date of the recent municipal act, been deemed, in effect, the governing charter of the borough, though numerous charters were hereafter granted by succeeding sovereigns. The following corporate officers were appointed by charter, viz.:—Two bailiffs, two capital masters and justices, a recorder, twelve aldermen, twenty five common-council, a town clerk, coroner, three serjeants-at-mace, four beadles, and a town crier. No small display of civic pomp and splendour has been here exhibited in the annual election of the corporate officers. The high bailiff was appointed by charter to be elected by the aldermen, and the low bailiff from among the common councilmen; indeed the system of self-election was strictly established, and so were its usual consequences. The bailiffs, and recorder, or steward and capital masters, were all appointed to act as justices of the peace, ex-officio, within the liberties. General sessions of the peace were appointed by Charles I. to be held quarterly, in the same week as the county sessions. Capital convictions, it is said, with executions on the Gallows-hill, anciently took place. Prisoners on higher offences were latterly, however, sent to Shrewsbury gaol for trial at the assizes. The privilege of burgess-ship was inherited by the sons of burgesses; and those who marry their daughters were entitled also to be admitted into this body; for which purpose they were required to petition, according to a prescribed form given in a by-law made in the year 1663. A court of record was instituted by Edward IV. for the trial of debts of 1s. and upwards, and the trial of issues in all personal actions within the municipality. Ludlow first returned members to parliament in the 12th of Edward IV. The boundaries of the borough were little more than co-extensive with those of the old municipal borough; but they have been much extended. Previous to the passing of the Reform Act the borough returned two members, as it still does, and is one of the polling places for the southern division of the county.

Under the Municipal Reform Act, a commission of the peace has been granted anew, and the court of quarter sessions re-appointed. Petty sessions are held weekly, and a court leet annually for swearing in constables. The borough is now governed by four aldermen and twelve councillors, under the usual corporate style. The persons qualified to vote for the town council, after the passing of the act, amounted to 307 in the parish of St. Lawrence, and seven in the township of Ludford, of which latter district the boundary commissioners proposed the exclusion, it being practically beyond the corporate limits. In other respects, the boundaries laid down in their report are extended on the west and east; particularly the latter, which stretches into the parishes of Stanton Lacy, on building ground as far as the parliamentary borough. The following is a list of the members of parliament, borough magistrates, and corporate officers for the year 1851:—

Members of Parliament: Colonel Salwey and Henry B. Clive, Esq.

Magistrates: Francis Massey, Esq.; Humphrey Smith, Esq.; John Thomas, Esq.; Robert Thomas, Esq.; and Benjamin Urwick, Esq.

Mayor: Richard Marston, Esquire. Aldermen: Francis Massey; Benjamin Urwick; Samuel Valentine, and Henry Whittall. Councillors: Francis Boulton, Joshua Cooper, George Griffiths, Ambrose Grounds, James Hand, Charles Harper, James Jones, Horatio Russell, Edward B. Smith, Richard Valentine, Philip Wayn. Town Clerk and Coroner: John Williams, jun. Treasurer: Thomas Childe. Assessors: George Cocking and Richard Jones. Auditors: Thomas Jones and Samuel Oliver. The corporate property chiefly consists of that anciently belonging to Palmer’s Guild, which in 1833 produced a yearly income of £2,120. 8s. 8½d. In 1840 it was reduced to £968. 13s. This great reduction was caused by the corporation having to pay several expensive law suits.

It is well known that the aboriginal inhabitants of this island made a last and determined stand against their invading enemies in that district which had its boundary in what in later times was called the Marches of Wales, in which Ludlow seems to have been anciently included. This tract, however, might be extended from time to time, one way or the other, as either party occasionally gained ground; it is certainly known that Ludlow was early occupied as a military station to withstand the incursions of the Britons, who manfully disputed every inch of ground as they slowly retreated before their powerful enemies. The Romans are said to have been engaged nearly two hundred years in subduing Britain, and of the active operations of the contending parties interesting traces yet remain. Upon the remarkable hill called Caer Caradoc, historical accounts agree in stating it to have been occupied by the brave Caractacus, and many fierce battles to have been fought in its vicinity. An ancient writer describes this place as “exceedingly well fortified, both by nature and art, upon the toppe of an high hill, environed with a tripple ditche of greate depth. There were iij gates, and on three sides steepe headlong places, and compassed on the lifte hande with the river Colun, on the right with Themis.” Different situations have been ascribed to the scene of the last decisive action between Ostorius and Caractacus, but none rest upon such strong grounds of probability as the stations of Brandon Camp and Coxwall Knoll. The first of these is situated a little west of the Roman road leading from Magna to Ariconium or Wroxeter. The second is within sight, and distant from the Roman Camp about three miles, near the village of Brampton Brian. It crowns the summit of a lofty hill, and is of irregular shape, strong by nature, but made stronger by art. A survey of these two camps by the antiquarian must be peculiarly interesting, when he recollects that an Ostorius stood on one camp and a Caractacus on the other; and that their heroic deeds were recorded by the pen of a Tacitus. Each particular related by the historian concerning their respective situations coincides with the natural position of the river Teme and the camps of Brandon and Coxwall hills. From the departure of the Romans to the Norman conquest history supplies no certain information concerning Ludlow; yet it is probable that there existed here a town or fortress previous to the recorded erection of the castle.

LUDLOW CASTLE. It is recorded in old chronicles that “Roger de Montgomery erected the greatest part of the castle, and fortified the town with walls,” from which it may be inferred, that in the times and place alluded to a town and fortress must have been co-incident with each other. This Roger came over with the conqueror, to whom he was related, and led the centre division of his army in the memorable battle which secured the conquest of England, and was afterwards advanced to the Earldoms of Arundel and Shrewsbury. He was the liberal founder of several rich monasteries and churches, particularly the monastery of Wenlock, and the abbey of Shrewsbury. Having completed his favourite structure, “Ludlow Castle,” he enjoyed it until his death in 1094. It was forfeited to the crown by the attainder of his son Robert, who being banished the realm, King Henry I. gave Dinan or Ludlow, with the territory of Corvedale, to a Norman Knight, known by the name of Fulke Fitzwarine, surnamed de Dinan; between whom and Walter de Lacy, Lord of Ewias by right of conquest, there arose several contests, whether out of emulation, or about fixing the boundaries of their royalties, is not known. In one of these skirmishes the said Sir Walter de Lacy, and his trusty knight, Sir Ernauld de Lis, were taken prisoners of war and carried to Dinan, where being in custody, by intriguing with a fair damsel they found a way to make their escape. Gervas Pagnel, governor of the castle, having betrayed his trust in joining the Empress Matilda, King Stephen besieged it, and in conducting the operations of the siege the king gave a signal proof of his courage and humanity. The young Prince Henry, son of King David, who was actively engaged in this enterprise, having approached too near the walls of the castle, was caught from his horse by means of an iron hook fastened to the end of a rope. Stephen, observing the perilous situation of the young prince, boldly advanced and rescued him at the risk of his own life. What right or title the several governors had in the reign of Henry II. is uncertain; though it is most probable that they were only governors, without any fixed interest, till the 16th of King John, when Walter de Lacy had a grant of Ludlow, from whom the title of the place is clearly derived to the house of York, whereby it became vested in the crown. Between the governors of this castle and Hugh de Mortimer terrible dissensions arose. At length it happened that Mortimer was surprised and seized. He was conveyed to Ludlow Castle, and confined in one of the towers, which to this day bears his name.

In the 47th of Henry III., Roger Mortimer, James de Alditheley, and Hamo L’Estrange had a general rendezvous with the barons of the Marches at Ludlow, to concert proper measures for suppressing the insolence of Simon de Montford, Earl of Leicester, and the other barons who had taken up arms against the king. The Earl of Leicester, to oppose the powers of the Marches, made a league with Leoline Prince of Wales, who with united forces attacked the castles of Hay and Ludlow, which were both burnt and demolished. Roger Mortimer, governor of the castle in the time of Edward II., was committed to the tower for a riot that he promoted on account of his dissatisfaction with the ministry of the Spencers: being jealous of a design against his life, he made an entertainment for Sir Stephen de Segrave, the constable of the tower, and in the midst of their cups and jollity, he privately gave him a soporiferous medicine, which, with the contrivance of his keeper, gave him an opportunity of sliding down a rope, and so flying into France. Upon his return, out of a grateful acknowledgment of divine providence for his deliverance out of the tower, he built a chapel in Ludlow castle, dedicated it to St. Peter, and appointed a priest to celebrate divine service for ever. In the second of Edward III. he was made chief justice of Wales, and created Earl of March; and the same year he celebrated with great magnificence the feast of the round table at Bedford. Soon after, the king making a progress into Wales, he was entertained at Ludlow. The promotion of this lord to exalted stations made him excessively proud, and he eventually fell into disgrace at court. He was apprehended at Nottingham, and carried under arrest to London; all his land being seized, and his chattles secured at the same time to the king’s use. The two main articles against him were, his having a hand in conspiring the murder of King Edward II., and his lewd familiarity with the queen, for which he was executed near Smithfield, where his corpse hung two days, and was exposed to greater indignities than usual. The castle, on his insurrection, having come into the possession of Richard Duke of York, was subjected to a siege by the forces of Henry VI. As he advanced towards Ludlow, the army of the Yorkists was drawn out into an intrenched camp in the fields of Ludford. Sir Andrew Trollop, who had been made marshal of the Yorkist army, deserted to the royalists, carrying with him the veteran troops under his particular command, and betrayed all their councils to the king. Dismayed by this defection, the Yorkists broke up their camp and fled, and the Lancasterians entered Ludlow, and wreaked their vengeance on the town and castle, which are said by old historians to have been plundered to “the bare walls.” The Duchess of York, with her two sons, were taken and placed in safe ward, and many of the rich partisans of the duke were executed, and their estates confiscated.

Edward Earl of March was on the Welch border when he received the first intelligence of the disastrous battle of Wakefield, and of the death of his father. He had collected an army in the north and was already marching against the Queen when he was called to oppose a large force of Welsh and Irish, which, under the Earl of Pembroke were advancing in the hope of making themselves master of his person. The two armies met at Mortimer’s Cross, near Ludlow, and it is said that before the battle commenced three suns appeared in the sky over the field, which approached each other till they joined in one, and that Edward taking this as a favourable omen subsequently adopted a sun as his badge in remembrance of this circumstance. The Yorkists obtained a decisive victory and nearly four thousand of the enemy were slain. All the persons of rank were beheaded at Hereford in retaliation for the Queen’s cruelties at the battle of Wakefield. Edward immediately proceeded to London and was proclaimed king under the title of Edward IV. Among the towns which had supported the house of York, none had been more staunch than that of Ludlow. On the 7th of December, in the first year of his reign, he rewarded the townsmen with a charter which extended the privileges of the inhabitants. He created his eldest son Edward, then a mere infant, Prince of Wales, and sent him and his younger brother to the Castle of Ludlow. Hall, in his Chronicles, tells us that he was sent to Ludlow “for justice to be doen in the Marches of Wales, to the end that by the authoritie of hys presence the wild Welshemenne, and evill-disposed personnes should repair from their accustomed murthers and outrages.” On the King’s death, in 1483, the two princes were immediately recalled to London, and perished there within a few weeks, amid the mysterious events which attended the accession of Richard III. to the throne. In 1631, Sir John Egerton was appointed Lord President of Wales and the Marches. At this period Charles I. visited Ludlow, and was welcomed with much ceremony and rejoicing, at which time the exquisite effusion, the “Mask of Comas,” was performed before his Majesty. It is said to have been founded on an incident which occurred in the Lord President’s own family, and which is thus related by Nightingale:—“When the Earl had entered on his official residence he was visited by a large assembly of the neighbouring nobility and gentry. His sons, the Lord Brackley and Sir Thomas Egerton, and his daughter, the Lady Alice, being on their journey, were benighted in Haywood Forest, in Herefordshire, and the lady, for a short time, was lost. Their adventure being related to their father on their arrival at the Castle, Milton, at the request of his friend Henry Lawes, wrote the Mask. Lawes set it to music, and it was acted on Michaelmas night, the two brothers, the young lady, and Lawes himself, each bearing a part in the representation.” The poem, familiar to every English reader, has been allowed by the most competent judges to be one of the finest compositions in the English language, and will ever be held in peculiar estimation, as exhibiting the fair dawn of that genius which burst forth in full splendour in the poem of Paradise Lost.

In the civil wars between Charles I. and the Parliament, Ludlow was occupied by the royal party. In the summer of 1645, a force of nearly two thousand horse and foot, drawn together out of the garrisons of Ludlow, Hereford, and Worcester, were, by a less number of the Parliamentary forces, defeated at Stokesay, near Ludlow. It was not, however, till the following year that Ludlow Castle fell into the hands of General Sir Wm. Brereton, to whom it was given up by Sir Michael Woodhouse. The Earl of Bridgwater, governor of the castle, died in 1648, and was succeeded by Richard Lord Vaughen, Earl Carbery. Samuel Butler, the satirical author of “Hudibras,” was appointed his secretary and steward. A tower is still shown as the place where Butler wrote a part of his incomparable work, the first part of which was published in 1663. This poem was universally admired; the King quoted, the courtiers studied, and the royalists applauded it, but the author was the dupe of promises which were never fulfilled. In the midst of disappointment and neglect he published the third part in an unfinished state, and in 1080 he died in indigence.

The ruins of this ancient baronial fortress are strikingly fine; the sullen stillness that now reigns throughout these forlorn and deserted towers, once the scene of royal splendour and feudal revelry, present a spectacle of the fallen magnificence of past ages, rarely to be equalled. The structure stands at the extremity of a bold headland, and its foundations are laid upon a bare grey rock. The part towards the north consists of square towers, with high connecting walls which are embattled; the old foss and part of the rock have been formed into walks and planted with beech, elm, and lime trees. These trees having now arrived at maturity, form an agreeable shade, and add much to the picturesque ruins of the castle. The principal entrance is by a gateway under a low pointed arch, on the height of which are the ruins of the barracks, which were in constant use when the castle was the residence of the lords presidents of the Marches of Wales. A portion of the barracks has lately been converted into a dwelling house. Further on is a square tower, the embattled rampart pierced with loops here and there, remain in picturesque masses. On the left is a range of stone buildings supposed to have been the stables; contiguous are the ruins of the court house, and beyond it rises a lofty tower called Mortimer’s Tower. The lowest apartment of this tower appears to have been a prison, the original entrance being through a circular aperture in the ponderous keystone of its vaulted roof. On the north and west sides a deep foss cut in the solid rock guarded the body of the castle. The place of the ancient draw-bridge is supplied by a stone bridge of two arches. The portal was built during the presidency of Sir Henry Sidney; over it are the arms of England and France, and the following inscription:—

“Anno Domini Millessimo Quinquitesimo Octagesimo completo, Anno regni illustrissimæ ac serenissimæ regina Elizabethæ vicesima iertio currente, 1581.”

The court is an irregular square, and not very spacious, but the lofty embattled walls by which it is enclosed, though in ruins, still preserve their original outlines, and the frowning towers and bold masses, luxuriously mantled with ivy, present a rare specimen of the fallen magnificence of the feudal ages. The keep is a large square embattled tower, divided into four stories, and rises to the height of 110 feet. It is probably the only part of the castle which dates from the time of Roger de Montgomery. Most of the windows and doorways are distinguished by their round Norman arches. The ground floor is the dungeon half under ground. The arched roof is twenty feet in height. In the arch are three square apertures, which communicating with the chamber above, served for the purpose of admitting and inspecting the prisoners, and were probably intended also for raising supplies of ammunition and provisions, during a time of siege. On the second floor is a room measuring 30 feet by 18, with a fire place. The room communicates on the left with a square arched chamber, and on the right with a narrow oblong room. This tower measures 46 feet by 34, and the walls are from 9 to 12 feet thick. Facing the gate is the hall, measuring 60 feet by 30, and was originally approached by a flight of steps. There remains now neither roof nor floor to this once elegant apartment where the splendid scene of Comus was first exhibited, and where hospitality and magnificence blazed for ages in succession without diminution or decay. Two pointed arches lead to a spacious tower attached to the west end of the hall, in which are several apartments, one of which is still called Prince Arthur’s room. On the opposite end of the hall is another square tower, one of the rooms of which is pointed out as the banqueting hall. A spacious chamber above has been adorned with an unusual degree of rude magnificence.

The chapel was built in the reign of Henry I. by Joce de Dinan; all that now remains of it is the nave—a circular building, one of the earliest of this description in England. The approach is by a remarkably elegant Norman doorway, richly adorned with ornaments peculiar to the style of the period in which it was built. In the interior rising from the floor are fourteen recesses in the wall formed by small pillars, with indented capitals supporting round arches, which have alternately plain and zigzag mouldings. A filleted ornament runs round the exterior of the wall. A covered way led from the state apartments to the chapel. In the time of Queen Elizabeth the interior was covered with panels exhibiting the armorial bearings which church-yard describes as “armes in colours sitch as few can shewe.”

From an inventory of goods found in Ludlow Castle bearing date 1708, the eleventh year of the reign of Queen Anne, we learn that about forty rooms were found entire at that period. Among these were the hall, council chamber, lord president’s and my lady’s, with drawing rooms, the steward’s room, great dining room, chief justice’s room, second judge’s room, Prince Arthur’s room, captains’ apartments, kitchen, &c.; and as in this inventory a table and altar are stated to have been found in the chapel, we may presume the choir was at that time remaining. In the account prefixed to Buck’s antiquity published in 1774, it is observed that many of the apartments were then entire, and that the sword of state and the velvet hangings were preserved. Dr. Todd in his learned edition of Comus says, “A gentleman who visited the castle in 1768 has acquainted me that the floor of the great council chamber was then pretty entire, as was the staircase. The covered steps leading to the chapel were remaining, but the covering of the chapel was fallen, yet the arms of the lord presidents were visible. In the great council chamber was inscribed on a wall a sentence from I. Samuel, chapter 12, verse 3; all which are now wholly gone. On the accession of George I. an order is said to have come down for unroofing the buildings, and stripping them of their lead. The decay of this magnificent structure soon ensued. Many of the panels bearing the arms of the lord presidents were converted into wainscotting for a public house in the town, a former owner of which enriched himself by materials clandestinely taken away. The Earl of Powis, who previously held the castle by virtue of a long lease, acquired the reversion in fee by purchase from the crown in the year 1811.”

THE CHURCH, which stands in the highest part of the town, is a very beautiful cruciform edifice in the decorated gothic style of the latter part of the fifteenth century, forming undoubtedly the finest ecclesiastical fabric in the county, and perhaps the most stately parochial church in England. The structure is dedicated to St. Lawrence, and has a lofty and noble appearance; it consists of nave, chancel, choir, side aisles, transepts, and two chantry chapels, with a handsome tower rising from the centre, having at each angle an octangular turret, surmounted by a pinnacle. The tower contains eight musical bells, and a set of chimes was put up at the expense of the parish in the year 1795. The principal entrance is by a large hexagonal porch. The nave is divided from the aisles by six lofty pointed arches on each side, springing from light clustered pillars. Above them is a clerestory with a range of heavy windows. The four great arches under the tower are remarkably bold, beneath the eastern arch is the choral rood loft, embellished with open carved work, but upon it is erected a modern gallery, above which stands a powerful and fine toned organ, the gift of Henry Arthur Earl of Powis, in the year 1764; it cost £1,000. The choir is lighted by five lofty pointed windows on each side, and one of much larger dimensions at the west end. This window is richly adorned with stained glass, chiefly representing the legend of St. Lawrence, the patron saint of the church. The other windows in this venerable edifice bear evidence of having once been enriched with a profusion of stained glass of the most exquisite workmanship. The large eastern window containing the legendary history of St. Lawrence having been so defaced and wantonly broken that the various subjects could with difficulty be traced. It remained in this state till the year 1828, when the corporation of Ludlow directed Mr. David Evans, of Shrewsbury, to restore the window according to its original design. It was completed in a masterly manner in 1832, and the skill displayed by the artist in overcoming the difficulties he had to encounter has excited the admiration of every one who has seen it. The window is justly considered the most magnificent specimen of the art of glass staining in the county, and for general effect is surpassed by few in England. The window is divided into sixty-five compartments, and contains five hundred and forty feet of glass. The whole of the subjects depicted in the window are under elegant canopies of delicate tabernacle work, differing in design; and the costume of the figures throughout the various scenes are particularly curious, and well deserve attention, as the richness of colour and general effect is not inferior to some of the finest specimens of the ancient stained glass. The window is supposed originally to have been setup during the episcopacy of Thomas Spoford, who was promoted to the see of Hereford in 1421. The three large windows on the south side of the chancel display full length figures of bishops, apostles, and Romish saints, the apex of each containing twelve small curious figures. The glass in the windows on the north side has been greatly mutilated, but sufficient remains to show the splendour and magnificence of the colouring.

The north and south chapels of the choir are separated from the transepts by remarkably handsome carved screens; in the windows are paintings representing the history of the apostles, and also very splendid remnants of stained glass, portraying the story of the ring presented by some pilgrims to Edward the Confessor, who, as “The Chronicles” relate, “was warned of his death certain days before he died by a ring that was brought him by certain pilgrims, which ring he had secretly given to a poor man that asked his charity in the name of God and St. John the Evangelist. These pilgrims, as the legend recites, were men of Ludlow.” The ceiling is of oak resting on corbels, which spring from highly decorated figures of angels bearing shields. The extreme length from east to west is 203 feet, and the breadth across the transepts measures 130 feet. The tower rises 131 feet in height, forming a prominent object, and gives considerable beauty to many prospects from the neighbouring country. In the church there are two highly finished effigies of Judge Bridgeman and his lady, but much mutilated. The head of the tomb was opened in 1805 (on sinking a grave for the body of Mrs. Turner) when the hair of both Sir John and his lady was found perfectly entire; the coffins mouldered on exposure to the air. In the high chancel is a large Grecian monument displaying an elegant sculptured cherub and emblems of time and eternity, in memory of Theophilus Salwey, Esq., who died in 1760. A handsome altar tomb of white marble has recumbent effigies of chief Justice Waiter and his lady; and on the front are figures representing their issue. Judge Walter died in 1592. Within the communion rails is a tomb in memory of Sir Robert Townsend and his lady, with two full length figures, and surrounding the base stand their children. Dame Mary Evre, who died in 1612, has a tomb erected to her memory, at the back of which are the armorial bearings of the family. Upon the tomb is a recumbent figure resting on a cushion, habited in the dress of the times and the head covered with a hood. In various parts of the building will be found several interesting tablets and mural monuments. Though not collegiate the church of St. Lawrence anciently possessed a chantry of ten priests, maintained by the rich guild of St. John, who gave to its choral services the splendour of a cathedral. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £19. 12s. 6d., now returned at £160 in the patronage of the lord chancellor. The tithes have been commuted for £23. 13s. 6d. Ecclesiastical courts are held here for granting probates of wills and letters of administration.

THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, situated in Old street, is a neat structure capable of accommodating upwards of three hundred persons, and was erected in 1830. The congregation formerly assembled for divine worship in a chapel still standing, situate on the banks of the river, near the bottom of Corve street. Before the erection of this fabric, in which they continued to meet for nearly a century, the dissenters conducted their religious services in a licensed dwelling house, where, in the early part of 1731, they were furiously assailed by a mob. This vain attempt to crush them led to the erection of the first dissenting house in the borough. The Rev. Theophilus Davies is the pastor of the congregation.

THE METHODIST CHAPEL, a plain structure situated in Lower Broad street, was enlarged in 1835, and is now capable of holding about five hundred hearers. THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL, situated in Old street, is a substantial building erected in 1836, and has accommodation for upwards of three hundred worshippers.

THE BOYS’ NATIONAL SCHOOL is held in a spacious room over the Market Cross; and the GIRLS’ SCHOOL is held in a house in Brand lane. They are supported by voluntary subscriptions and charitable benefactions: the latter will be found noticed with the general charities of the borough. The gross income for the year 1850 was £155. 16s. 3d.

THE SAVINGS’ BANK, held in the public buildings, Castle street, was established in 1816. On November 20th, 1850, the total number of accounts was 1,939, of which twenty-three were charitable societies and eighteen friendly societies. The capital stock of the bank at the same period amounted to £70,958. 18s. 4d. The respective balances of 961 depositors did not exceed £20; 543 were above that sum and not exceeding £50; 231 not exceeding £100; 96 not exceeding £150; 62 not exceeding £200; and five accounts exceeded the latter sum. Mr. John Williams, actuary.

THE LUDLOW COUNTY COURT, for law proceedings in actions and claims not exceeding £50, embraces the following places, viz., Abdon, Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonell, Aston, Acton Scott, Bitterley, Bromfield, Burrington, Cainham, Clee St. Margaret, Cold Weston, Culmington, Diddlebury, Downton, Elton, Halford, Heath, Holdgate, Hope Baggot, Hopton Cangeford, Leinthall Starkes, Leintwardine, Ludford, Munslow, Onibury, Richards Castle, St. Lawrence Ludlow, Sibdon Carwood, Stanton Lacy, Stoke St. Milborough, Stoke Say, Tugford, Wigmore and Wistanston. Judge, Uvedale Corbett, Esq.; Clerk, John Williams, Esq.; High Bailiff, William Davies.

THE LUDLOW LIBRARY, AND MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION, established in 1841, is held in one of the rooms of the market hall, the use of which has been granted by the corporation. The institution has an interesting library of nearly 300 volumes. Mr. George Cocking is the secretary.

THE PUBLIC ROOMS, situated in Castle street, were erected in 1840 by a company of shareholders. One portion is set apart for the Ludlow Natural History Society, where there is deposited a choice and valuable collection of fossils, British and foreign birds and animals, &c. This institution was established in 1834. There is also a spacious and elegant Assembly Room, and another for magisterial purposes, besides a Reading Room well supplied with the principal London and provincial journals. THE MARKET CROSS is a neat edifice, with a cupola, where butter and other productions are sold on the market days. THE MARKET HOUSE is a plain brick building in Castle street, containing large and convenient rooms for the meetings of the corporation.

THE DISPENSARY is supported by voluntary subscriptions, a collection made in Ludlow church every alternate year, and the dividends of certain charitable bequests. The number of patients cured or relieved during the year 1851 was 279. Mr. H. Hodges, consulting surgeon; and Mr. Harley, dispenser. THE LYING-IN INSTITUTION was established in 1810, since which 3,561 persons have been relieved and visited, under the direction of the managing directors.

THE GAS WORKS. The Union Gas Works were established in 1840 by a company of shareholders with a capital stock of £3,050. The old gas works are situated on the road to the Clee Hill.

THE WATER WORKS are the property of the corporation. The water is forced by an engine from the river to a reservoir at the top of the Market-hall, and thence conveyed in pipes to different parts of the town. There are also conduits supplied by pipes with excellent water from the neighbouring hills.

LUDLOW POOR-LAW UNION WORKHOUSE is a spacious stone edifice, situated in the parish of Stanton Lacy. The union comprehends an area of 125 miles, and embraces the following parishes, viz.:—Abdon, Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonel, Bitterley, Bromfield, Caynham, Clee St. Margaret, Cold Weston, Culmington, Diddlebury, Halford, Heath, Holdgate, Hope Baggott, Hopton Cangeford, Munslow, Onibury, Richard’s Castle, St. Lawrence Ludlow, Stanton Lacy, Stoke, St. Milborough, Stokesay, and Tugford, all in the county of Salop; Aston Burrington, Downton, Elton, Leinthall Starkes, Richard’s Castle, and Wigmore, in Herefordshire; the parishes of Leintwardine and Ludford are situated in both counties. Expenditure for the year ending 28th September, 1850, £3,533. 15s. 10½d. Clerk: Robert Thomas. Medical Officers: Henry Meymott, John Southern, Charles Pothecary, Daniel Gingell, Robert Jones. Relieving Officers: William Russell, James Jones, John Harding, Edward Millichap. Chaplain: Robert Meyricke. Master and Matron: William and Mrs. Russell.

GAOLFORD TOWER, a small structure, situated in Tower street, has four cells for the confinement of prisoners, and a day room and airing yard. It was built by the corporation in the 4th of George III.

DINHAM HOUSE, an elegant and spacious mansion, situated near the Castle (now the residence of John Thomas, Esq.), towards the close of the late war was occupied by Lucien Bonaparte, being then detained a prisoner in England. He left Ludlow on Sunday, June 30th, 1811.

Among the customs peculiar to this town that of rope pulling is not the least extraordinary. On Shrove-Tuesday the corporation provides a rope, three inches in thickness and thirty-six yards in length, which is given out at one of the windows of the Market House, when a large body of the inhabitants, divided into two parties (one contending for Castle street and Broad street wards, and the other for Old street and Corve street wards), commence an arduous struggle; and as soon as either party has gained a victory, by pulling the rope beyond the prescribed limits, the pulling ceases. The rope is usually purchased from the victorious party, and then given out again. Ludlow preserves the custom of walking over the limits of the township once a-year. This procession takes place on the Wednesday before Holy Thursday, on which occasion the boys of the different schools, attended by one of the clergy, proceed from the church to a place near Corve Bridge, where a cross formerly stood. Here the Epistle for the preceding Sunday is read; from whence passing to Weeping Cross, the boys again kneel down, and the Gospel for the same day is read by the clergyman.

THE BROAD GATE, the only one now remaining entire, receives its name from an ancient religious foundation called Barnaby House, famous in past ages as the temporary resting place of the numerous devotees passing through Ludlow on their way to the Holy Well of St. Winefrede, in North Wales. Adjoining formerly stood a chapel, dedicated to St. Mary of the Vale. The Gateway of Millgate is at the end of Barnaby lane. In Lower Millgate traces of the town wall are still to be seen. In 1786 Dinham gate remained entire, adjoining which anciently stood a chapel, approached by a flight of steps. The land leading from the bottom of Mill street to Dinham bears the name of Camp, from the frequent encampment of soldiers there. Old Gate stood at the bottom of Old street.

A religious house of WHITE FRIARS was founded at Ludlow, in 1349, by Sir Laurence de Ludlowe, Knt., which we are informed by Leland “was a fayre and costlie thinge, and stoode without Corve Gate by north, almost at the end of that suburb.” Stukeley, who wrote about the year 1720, says, “There was a rich priory out of the town, on the north side. Little remains now to be seen, excepting a small adjoining church once belonging to it. About the same place an arched gateway went across the street, but now demolished.” The church above mentioned was the chapel of St. Leonard, founded in 1590, and intended for a charitable and religious establishment, the almshouse having survived its chapel, and, according to the will of the founder, contributes to the maintenance of four poor persons. Near to Friars’ lane was situated the establishment of AUGUSTINE FRIARS, to which Edmund de Pontibus was a benefactor. There was an HOSPITAL, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, situated near the bridge, founded by Peter Undergod, and endowed with certain lands for the maintenance of certain religious brethren, and sustentation of poor and infirm people. The annual value at the dissolution was £17. 13s. 3d.

Thomas Johnes, Esq., was born at Ludlow, in the year 1783. He received his early education at Shrewsbury school, and took his degree of M.A. at Oxford. In 1783 Mr. Johnes erected an elegant mansion at Hafod, which in 1807 was consumed by a destructive fire, with much of its valuable contents, the loss amounting to £70,000. Notwithstanding this disaster, he rebuilt and adorned his mansion anew. Here he indulged his taste for literature, employed a printing press on his own premises, and produced some elegant historical works. He died in 1814, and was buried in the church which he had built at Hafod.

Richard P. Knight, Esq., an elegant scholar and distinguished in the literary circles of Europe, represented Ludlow in parliament for many years. Mr. Knight bequeathed his fine collection of medals, drawings, and bronzes (worth at least £30,000), to the British Museum. They include a single volume of drawings by the inimitable Claude, which was purchased for £1,600 from a private individual, who a short time previously had given £3 for the same volume.

CHARITIES.—The Grammar School.—It appears that all the premises specified in a certain grant, and constituting the possessions of the Guild or Fraternity of Palmers, had been unconditionally surrendered by them to King Edward VI. by deed under their common seal, dated 1st June, in the fifth of his reign. The property thus unconditionally surrendered to the king was granted by him to the corporation for the relief and better sustaining of the town and borough of Ludlow, and for the corporation, “at their own costs and charges,” to maintain a free grammar school, and other charitable institutions mentioned in the charter. It appears the legal import of the charter was not to grant the property upon trust to employ the whole of the rents and profits to the maintenance of the charities, but to make a beneficial grant of it to the corporation, coupled with a condition that they should, out of the income they thus acquired, sufficiently maintain the charitable institutions therein specified. The school premises comprise two houses, in which the master resides. About fifty years ago, the premises were nearly rebuilt, at a cost of £700. The school is open to the whole town, without any limitation of number, on payment of £3 annually. Four of the boys, nominated by the bailiffs, receive a benefaction of £2. 13s. 4d. per annum, under the will of Dr. Langford. The school is also entitled to two exhibitions of £45 to Baliol College, Oxford, for 11 years, founded by the Rev. Richard Greaves in the year 1704. There are also three exhibitions of £50 for three years to any college in Oxford, Cambridge, or Durham. It is stated in the particular of the Guild estate, that “there is an almshouse to the Guild appertaining, with thirty-three chambers therein inhabited by poor people, according to the foundation and ordinance of John Hoyser, to every of which poor people is weekly allowed 4d.” THE PALMERS GUILD was a religious fraternity, established about the year 1248, for the relief of the poor, and for the administration of charitable bequests. Before the period of the Reformation, their funds had increased so considerably that they formed a college, with a warden for three priests, and maintained the above almshouse for thirty-three poor people, and the grammar school. On the passing of the Municipal Act, in 1835, it became necessary to separate the charity from the municipal property; and, after much litigation, lands yielding a clear rental of £1,800 a-year were secured to the charity for the purpose of maintaining the above-named objects. The preacher, now called the lecturer (and who, as well as the assistant, is appointed by the corporation), received from them a salary of £26. 13s. 4d. per annum, when the Charity Commissioners published their report. It appears that the Palmers Guild had been used to pay yearly to a schoolmaster, for keeping a free grammar school, £10; to one priest, £6; and to two others, £5. 6s. 8d. each. The particular duties of these priests are not specified; but it seems probable that the usher, preacher, and assistant, were intended to be substituted by the charter in their stead.

From an old book belonging to the corporation, containing copies of wills and other documents relating to the charities of the town, it appears that James Walters, Esq., in 1624, devised an annuity of £20 to be paid out of his lands in Stanton Lacy and Richards Castle; £10 thereof to be distributed among the inmates of the almshouse, and £10 to be bestowed on the preacher. It appears that a fee farm rent of £24. 13s. 4d., reserved by a charter of King Edward IV., out of certain lands granted to the corporation of Ludlow, and also the rent of £8. 13s. 4d., reserved by charter of King Edward VI., eventually became vested in the corporation; and £20 is now paid to the treasurer of the national school, and the remainder, £13. 6s. 8d., is considered as forming a part of the weekly payments to the almspeople.

Thomas Candland, by will dated 1617, gave a house and shop in Ludlow to William Bevan and Alice his wife, and their heirs, in trust, that they should pay annually the sum of 20s. out of the profits thereof to the bailiffs of the town, to be disposed of by them; to every chamber in the almshouse, 4d.; and the residue of the said 20s. to such other poor of Ludlow as they should think fit. William Archer, by deed dated 1677, charged his close, called Sutton’s close, with a yearly rent of 20s., to be divided among the poor in the almshouse near the parish of St. Lawrence. Susan Gay, by indenture dated 1724, conveyed to Richard Plummer and his heirs, a piece of land called Old Hill, in Kingsland parish, in Herefordshire, in trust, that after her death the bailiffs, rector, lecturer and reader of Ludlow for the time being, should receive from the rents and profits thereof an annuity of £7 for ever; £6 thereof to be yearly distributed among the poor of the almshouses in the upper room and in Corve street, and 20s. to the person who received the rent and looked after the estate. An annual sum of 13s. 4d, from one of the Earl of Powis’s stewards, which is distributed among the 33 almspeople in the upper almshouse. The origin of this payment is not known. Mary Beetenson, who died about the year 1806, bequeathed to the bailiffs of the town of Ludlow, and their successors, the sum of £100, to be placed out at interest, and distributed to the poor people inhabiting the almshouse opposite the church of St. Lawrence. Ann Smith in 1809 gave £50 to the corporation of Ludlow, in trust, to be placed out at interest, and distributed in coals to the poor inhabiting the upper almshouse. Susannah Smith, by will in 1801, gave to the rector of the parish of St. Lawrence, in Ludlow, the sum of £100 to be placed out at interest, and distributed among the inhabitants of the almshouses near the church. These small payments amount annually to the sum of 12s. 5¾d, for each of the almspeople.

Charles Foxe, by his will dated 1590, after reciting that he had lately purchased the chapel of St. Leonard, in Corve street, Ludlow, and a parcel of ground near thereto, whereon he had begun to erect four almshouses, for four poor and impotent persons, gave and bequeathed to certain trustees, in trust, four messuages, and all lands, tenements and hereditaments, with their appurtenances, situated in the city of Worcester, of the annual value of £8; to be by them so settled that out of the rents £4 should be paid to the four poor persons in the almshouse, and divided amongst them quarterly. To the curate of Ludford, or some other sufficient minister, for reading divine service to the poor there, the sum of 40s. yearly. To some learned preacher for a sermon in the said chapel at Christmas, 6s. 8d.; and the like sum for a sermon there in Lent. And the residue of the rents (being £1. 6s. 8d.) he directed to be employed for the necessary repairing the said almshouses and chapel, and other necessary charges. He gave two bells to be hung up in the steeple of the chapel. About the year 1751 the chapel had gone greatly to decay, and the houses in Worcester become so ruinous and incapable of repair, that in 1758 the ground on which the tenements stood was let on building leases, at an annual rent of £11. 9s. 6d., for 99 years. James Foxe the trustee, by deed in 1769, conveyed to the bailiffs, burgesses and commonalty of Ludlow, the aforesaid premises, in trust, for the support of the almshouse, in consequence of his residing so remote from Ludlow. The present income of the charity is £14. 13s. 10d. The almshouse consists of four dwellings, with a garden to each, and is inhabited by two poor persons from the parish of Bromfield, and two from Ludlow; who also receive from the corporation 1s. 6d. per week each, and 3s. 2d. yearly from Mrs. Susan Gay’s benefaction.

Thomas Lane, by will in 1674, after giving certain legacies, bequeathed all the rest of his estate to Sir Job Charlton and two others, to be disposed of by them as he should appoint; and in default of such appointment, to some charitable use according to their best discretion. From the will of Sir Job Charlton, bearing date 1691, it appears that the money derived from this bequest had been employed in repairing and furnishing an old house which had been granted to the trustees by the town of Ludlow, and in purchasing certain lands in Middleton of the annual value of £30. Under the residuary clause of Thomas Lane’s will, a reversion passed to the use of this charity of a dwelling house, a garden, and two meadows, containing 5A. 1R. 9P. of land, which had been granted to his wife by a codicil to his will. These lands, comprising an area of 74A. 2R. 9P. of land, and let at an annual rent of £44 per annum, were exchanged in 1790 with C. W. B. Rouse, Esq. for meadow and pasture lands, situated in Stanton Lacy, containing 41A. 3R. 7P. of land, let for £56 per annum. At the time the charity commissioners published their report, the income of the charity amounted to £120, (exclusive of the interest of £216. 8s. 3d., the amount of a balance due in 1816, arising from savings of income,) which was applied in paying to the governor of the workhouse a salary of £20; in disbursements for taxes and repairs of the building and furniture; and in providing flax, hemp and yarn for making stockings, and leather for shoes, for the poor people in the house to work up.

Thomas Lane, by a second codicil to his will, in 1676, devised his closes of meadow and pasture land, lying near the east side of Broad street, in Ludlow, to be conveyed to feoffees in trust, that the rents and profits should be weekly disposed of in bread and money to twelve poor widows of the town of Ludlow. The land contains 1A. 3R. 34P., which produces an annual income of £23. 10s.

From an entry in an old book belonging to the corporation, it appears that Evan Phillips gave £22 to remain a stock for ever for the poor of the town of Ludlow; and directed certain trustees to dispose of the same in the purchase of lands, or otherwise, as they should think fit; the profits of the £20 to be given to twelve poor persons, and the remaining 40s. to be spent by the trustees, for their recreation, at their meetings on the business of the charity. It appears from the same book that he also gave a judgment debt of £10, due to him, for the use of six more poor persons of Ludlow. There is now a piece of land in Lynney appropriated to this charity, called the Poor’s Close, containing 3R. 26P., which is let at an annual rent of £13; of which £12. 6s. 8d. is distributed among eighteen poor persons by the bailiffs of the town.

Richard Davies, by will dated 1699, bequeathed £100 to be laid out in lands, in trust, to distribute the rents and profits among eight poor widows of Ludlow, not partakers of any other charity in the town. In respect of this sum the corporation make an annual payment of £6, which is distributed as the donor directed. Eleanor Handford left £25, the interest thereof to be given to ten poor persons in Castle street ward on Good Friday, yearly. John Long, by will, gave to the poor of the parish of St. Lawrence, in Ludlow, the sum of £20, the interest thereof to be distributed among the poor. There is also found copied into the charity book a statement that Mrs. Robinson left £100 to the poor of Ludlow, the interest to be applied as follows; viz.: 50s. to the Charity school, and 50s. to twenty poor housekeepers, to be named by the bailiffs and rector on St. John the Evangelist’s day.

Thomas Meyricke, by will, dated 1724, bequeathed to the bailiffs, burgesses, and commonalty £40, in trust, to lend it from time to time to four poor tradesmen, not being ale sellers for three years, without interest, in sums of £10 each, upon sufficient security. Sir Timothy Tourueur, Knight, also gave £100, to be lent for a like time to four young tradesmen upon good security. Thomas Meyricke also bequeathed £40, the interest to be paid to the charity schools at Ludlow.

Richard Gwilliams, by will, dated 1629, gave to the parson of Ludlow and vicar of Leominster, and the vicar of Kings Capel £3 a year, issuing out of all his messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments in the county of Hereford, to the intent that they should distribute 20s. thereof yearly to the poor impotent people of each of those places.

Charles Sonnibank, D.D., by deed dated 10th of October, 10th Charles I., after reciting a grant made by him to Margaret Postern and her heirs of a messuage and lands containing about 155 acres, situated at Brome, in the parish of Hopesay, in Shropshire, reserving to him and his heirs a rent of £13. 6s. 8d., granted the said rent to trustees, in trust, to distribute it among ten poor widows inhabiting Ludlow, in weekly payments of 6d. each, and the parson to retain 6s. 8d. for his care in receiving it.

Robert Horne, by will, dated 1640, gave to the rector and rectors of the parish church of St. Lawrence, in Ludlow, for the time being for ever, a rent charge of £10 per annum issuing out of lands in the parish of Kingsland, in the county of Hereford.

Jane Higginson, by will, dated 1707–8, gave £5 per annum to five decayed tradesmen’s widows in Ludlow, for keeping clean the chancel of the church, to be paid on the 28th day of February. She likewise gave an annuity of £5 to the rector of Ludlow and his successors for ever.

The Rev. Richard Morgan, in 1766, left £140, in trust, the interest therefrom to be expended in teaching poor children. The present fund derived from this bequest is £120, three per cent. consols, the dividends of which are £3. 12s. per annum, which is now paid to the national school. There was an ancient charity school in Ludlow called the Blue Coat School, which has formed the basis of a national school now established there. It has been seen in the report of Tonlyne’s charity that in the year 1716 it was ordered by the corporation that £20 should be secured to the trustees of this charity school out of the tolls of the market, as forming part of Mr. Tonlyne’s charity. From an entry in the corporation ledger in 1782 it appears that this sum of £20 was paid by the chamberlain to the treasurer of the charity school till the 28th of October, 1761, from which time it had been in arrear; and that this arrear, together with the interest of the several sums of £100, £50, and £40 due to the charity school on several bonds from the corporation, then amounted to the sum of £629, which sum was afterwards invested in the purchase of £1,000, three per cent. consols. It appears from the ledger that on the 29th of October, 1806, a further arrear of the annuity and of the interest on the bonds had occurred, which left a balance due from the corporation of £458. This balance it was resolved to apply in the purchase of a schoolhouse, which was effected in 1815. The purchase money of this house, with the charges of repairing and fitting up, amounted to £600. 13s., exceeding the amount of the arrears by £142. 13s., which was paid out of the corporation funds. From the year 1806 the annuity of £20 was paid by the charity school till its combination with the national school. The house is now used for the female department of the national school. The children of the Blue Coat School were clothed, and accordingly clothing to the amount of £27 a year is now given to children in the national school, chosen by the subscribers in rotation. These children are also put out apprentice with a premium of £3 each.

Thomas Hollingworth, by will, dated 1809, gave £50 four per cent. bank annuities, to be transferred to the rector and churchwardens of St. Lawrence, Ludlow, the dividends to be laid out in bread and distributed at Christmas to poor widows, inhabitants of the said parish. Richard Nash, by will, dated 1814, gave to the ministers and churchwardens of the parish of St. Lawrence, Ludlow, £100, the interest thereof to be distributed among the poor of the parish. Lost Charities: Among the books of the corporation are mentioned charities left by six several donors, amounting in the whole to £200, which have long been lost to the poor.

Letters arrive from London and Shrewsbury at 8 A.M., Birmingham and London 8.45 P.M., Hereford, &c., 9.58 A.M., and Worcester at 11.58 A.M., and are despatched to London and Shrewsbury at 4.50 P.M., Birmingham 8.45 A.M., Hereford, 2.47 P.M., and Worcester at 1.30 P.M.—Eleanor Sankey, post-mistress.

Acton Capt. Edward, Gravel Hill

Barnes Thomas, wool agent, Castle street

Baxter Mrs. Elizabeth, Broad street

Breakwell Mr. Thomas, Friars Cottage

Brittle Mrs. Penelope, Broad street

Bryce Dr. Charles, Broad street

Burlton Miss Ann, Mill street

Butler Miss Sarah, Mill street

Calvert Mrs. Hannah, Old street

Childe Mr. Thomas, Corve street

Crocker Joseph, inland revenue officer, Corve street

Davenport Mrs. Mary, Bull Ring

Davies Mrs. Ann, Mill street

Davies Miss Mary, Mill street

Davies Rev. Theophilus, (Independent), Brand lane

Dean Rev. Wm., (Prim. Meth.), Old street

Gardner Mr. William, Upper Gaolford

Greenhouse Mrs., Old street

Griffiths Mrs. Ella, Dinham

Hammond Richard, town crier, Old street

Hodges Mrs. Elizabeth, Broad street

Hodges Miss Ann, Cave street

Hodson Mr. William, Castle street

Hookey George, gentleman, Corve street

Hutchings Hubert, Esq., Broad street

Jefferson Mrs. Mary, Mill street

Jenson Mary, poulterer, Harp lane

Jones Robert, superintendent of police

Jones Miss Selina, Brand lane

Lambe Mr. William, Corve street

Lambe Mrs. Sarah, Mill street

Leake Mr. John Linney

Ledderdale Miss Margaret, Corve street

Leech Mr. Edward, Corve street

Locke Rev. John, (Wesleyan), Old street

Mallett Mrs. Mary, Corve street

Maund Mrs. Sarah, Mill street

Middleton Rev. Joseph (Prim. Meth.), Old st

Owen Mr. John, Corve street

Pardoe Miss Isabella, Broad street

Page Mrs. Martha

Parry James, pump maker, Brand lane

Parsons Mrs. Hannah, Brand lane

Penny Mr. John Dingham

Penwarne John, Esq., Mill street

Phillips Rev. John, Broad street

Pillinger Maria and Charlotte, Italian warehouse, Bull Ring

Price John, manager of gas works, Upper Gaolford

Pritchard Mrs. Ann, Corve street

Ree Adam, organist, Mill street

Robinson John, parish clerk, Dinham

Rocke, Eytons, Campbell, and Co., bankers, Broad street

Russell Miss Ann, Mill street

Russell Mr. Benjamin, The College

Salwey Mrs. Isabella, Broad street

Sargeant Richard, supervisor, Corve street

Smith Mr. Jacob, Dinham

Smith The Misses, Broad street

Stott Rev. Ralph, (Wesleyan), Lower Broad st

Swainson Rev. Edward C., Broad street

Taylor Mrs. Elizabeth, Dinham

Thomas John, Esq., Dinham House

Thomas Mrs. Jane, Old street

Thomas Edward, warden, Almshouses, The College

Vaughan Mr. Brettle, Castle street

Warman George, horse trainer, Raven lane

Wayn Mary, stamp office, Corve street

Weems Mrs. Mary, Corve street

Wellings Capt. George, Brand lane

Williams John, town clerk, Mill street

Woodyatt Mary, fancy repository, High st

Academies.

Marked * take Boarders.

Copner Maria, Linney

* Evans Caroline, Castle st

* Evans Thomas, Old street

* Harley Elizabeth, Linney

* Lewis Misses, Corve street

Legge John, College

National, John Robinson and Charlotte Baker

* Powill E. & C., Castle st

* Russell Horatio, Mill street

Williams John, Mill street

Willis Rev. Arthur, (Free Grammar School), Mill st

Whitwell Thomas, Old street

Accountants.

Oliver Samuel, Old street

Whitwell Thomas, Old street

Agricultural Implement Maker.

Hodges Chaplin, Dinham

Artists.

Gill George, Mill street

Gwynn William, Corve street

Attorneys.

Anderson George & Rodney, Mill street

Clark Lutrell, Mill street

Dansey George, Castle street

Lloyd John, Brand street

Russell Charles, College

Salwey Humphrey, Guildhall

Southern Francis, Mill street

Urwick & Marston, Castle st

Weyman Thomas, Corve st

Williams J. & Son, Guildhall

Auctioneers and Valuers.

Bach James, Broad street

Crosse John, High street

Davies William, Guildhall

Griffiths Thomas, Bull ring

Bakers and Flour Dealers.

Christmas William, Corve st

Collings George, Bell lane

Crundell James, Tower st

Davies John, Lower Broad st

Gatehouse Richard, Corve st

Harris William, Harp lane

Holloway Charles, Old street

Jacob Joseph, Old Gate Fee

Leary Edward, Tower street

Lewis Thomas, Bull ring

Whatmore John, Broad st

Bankers.

Shrewsbury and Ludlow Old Bank, Broad st. Rocke, Eytons, Campbell, & Co.; draw on Robarts and Co., London

Ludlow & Tenbury Banking Company; draw on Barnett and Co., London. H. Whittall, manager

Basket Makers.

Price Edward, Corve street

Price Joseph, Lower Gaolford

Blacksmiths.

Lowe Joseph, Corve street

Pillinger Sarah, Bull ring

Pound John, Raven lane

Pugh Richard, Raven lane

Rudd Thos., Lower Gaolford

Booksellers, Binders, Printers and Stationers.

Evans John, Castle street

Felton William, Narrows

Griffiths Thomas, Bull ring

Griffiths Thos. jun., Narrows

Humphries George, Bull ring

Jones Richard, Broad street

Partridge Edward, Broad st

Woodyatt William, High st

Boot & Shoe Makers.

Ashcroft Edward, Bull ring

Baker John, High street

Barker Thos., (and Grindery dealer), Brand lane

Byrne Hugh R., Brand lane

Evans John, Bull ring

George James, Raven lane

King Henry, Bull ring

Morris Thomas, Old street

Needham John, High street

Pearce Alex., Lower Broad st

Pugh William, Bell lane

Robinson John, High street

Venables Charles, Broad st

Watkeys Mary, High street

Wilkes Ricd., Lower Gaolford

Brazier & Tin-plate Worker.

See also Ironmongers.

Cobbin Jph., Upper Gaolford

Builders.

Atkins Robert, Corve street

Griffiths Jno. Lower Gaolford

Grosvenor John, Bell lane

Smith Blakeway, Corve street

Stead Edward, St. John’s

Brick & Tile Manufacturer.

Sheffield T. Upper Gaolford

Butchers.

Chipp S., Tower st. & Bell ln

Coleman Thomas, Broad st

Dayus Samuel, Bull ring

Griffiths John, Old street

Nash John, Bull ring

Pitt Benjamin, High street

Preen Thomas, Old street

Price John, High street

Price Richard, Bull ring

Towers, John Harrows

Williams Charles H., Harp ln

Cabinet Makers.

Marked * are Upholsterers.

* Bowen Thomas, Bull ring

* Davies William, Bull ring

Harper Joseph, Broad street

Price Edward, Castle street

Carvers and Gilders.

Bowen Richard, Old street

Gwynn William, Old street

Chemists & Druggists.

Cocking George, Bull ring

Foster Edward, Castle street

Grounds Ambrose, King st

Grieves John E., Old street

Marston Richard, Broad st

Coach Makers.

Griffiths James, Raven lane

Hunt Thomas, Raven lane

Rollings Elias, Upper Gaolford

Confectioners.

Crane Thomas, Bull ring

Crundell James, Tower street

Lewis Thomas, Bull ring

Powell George, Narrows

Taylor William, Broad street

Coopers.

Bayliss Thomas, Bull ring

Cooke James, Bull ring

Green Geo., Lower Gaolford

Price Edward, Corve street

Sankey Jeremiah, Broad st

Sankey Mry, Lower Gaolford

Curriers and Leather Cutters.

Griffiths Margaret, Narrows

Lello Thomas, Bull ring

Mantell Fred., Lower Gaolford

Cutlery Dealer.

Bursnell Francis, Tower st

Farmers.

Ball Richard, Broad street

Griffiths George, Bull ring

Hand James, Corve street

Fellmonger.

Weaver Joseph, Tower street

Fire & Life Offices.

County.—E. Foster, Castle st

Merchants’ and Tradesman’s.—Geo. Cocking, Bull ring

North Wales.—Philip Wayn, Corve street

Norwich.—William Felton, King street

Phœnix.—Thos. Laurence, Broad street

Salop.—Richard Marston, Broad street

Sun.—T. Griffiths, Bull ring

Fishmongers.

Messer James, Bull ring

Russell Mr., Old street

Williams William, High st

Fruiterer.

Humphries George, Bull ring

Furniture Broker.

Williams William, High st

Glass and China Dealers.

Brown Elizabeth, Bull ring

Crump Ann, Broad street

Milner Benjamin, Harp lane

Jolley Sarah, Broad street

Jones Edward, Broad street

Glover.

Bottomley Mary, Bull ring

Grocers, Tea Dealers, and Cheesemongers.

Bowen John, Narrows

Brown Charles, Tower street

Harding William, Narrows

Hawkins Joseph, Broad st

Mason Charles, King street

Morris Benjamin, Tower st

Morris Thomas, Castle street

Patrick William, Old street

Penny William, Bull ring

Pugh George, Harp lane

Reynolds John, Bull ring

Stokes Mary, High street

Valentine Samuel, Broad st

Gun Makers.

Holland Titus, Old street

Lonorgan Timothy, Old st

Hair Dressers and Perfumers.

Anthony John, Bull ring

Crundell George, Broad st

Griffiths Catharine, Broad st

Pearce Benjamin, King st

Hat Manufacturers.

Ashworth John, Broad street

Jones Blanch, High street

Hop Merchants.

Lloyd Henry, Old street

Rawlins William, Corve st

Hosiers.

Jones Mary Ann, Broad st

Powell Edward, High street

Hotels, Inns, and Taverns.

Angel, Eliz. Cooke, Commercial Inn & Posting House, Broad street

Barley Mow, Eliz. Juckes, Broad street

Bear and White Lion, Mary Ann Harrington, Bull ring

Bell, Ths. Js., Upper Gaolford

Bell, Jas. Pillinger, Lower Broad street

Black Boy, Thomas Jenkins, Tower street

Blue Boar, J. Davies, Mill st

Bricklayers’ Arms, Andrew Fielding, Upper Gaolford

Bull Inn, William Whiteman, Commercial Inn & Posting House, Bull ring

Coach and Horses, Henry Oliver, Bell lane

Compasses, J. Pearce, Corve st

Crown and Horse Shoe, G. Davies, Lower Broad st

Dolphin, Thomas Cooper, Upper Gaolford

Eagle, Jno. Mantell, Corve st

Elephant & Castle, Matthew Evans, Bull ring

Feathers Hotel, T. Prothero, Commercial Inn & Posting House, Bull ring

Fox, Esther Davies, Upper Gaolford

Friars, John Hancock, Old st

George Inn, Margaret Bach, Castle st

Globe, William Coates, Hand and Bell lane

Golden Lion, Wm. Morris, Old street

Green Dragon, Ed. Edwards, Corve street

Green Dragon, Tho. Hodges, Old street

Greyhound, Wm. Thompson, Upper Gaolford

Half Moon, John Davies, Lower Gaolford

Hand and Bell, Jas. White, Hand and Bell lane

Harp, James Dye, Harp lane

Hop Pole, Jno. Wems, Mill st

Horse and Jockey, Wm. Key, Old Gate Fee

Horse Shoes, William Lugg, Upper Gaolford

Mitre, Robert Allum, Corve st

Lowe Frederick, beerhouse, New road

King’s Arms, Ann Owen, Bull ring

Knight John, beerhouse, Lower Broad street

Nag’s Head, James Evans, Corve street

Old Red Lion, Timothy Price, Hand and Bell lane

Ozyer John, beerhouse, Old Gate Fee

Paul Pry, Richard Powis, Lower Broad Street

Pheasant, Henry Hardwick, Tower street

Plough, Thomas Whatmore, Raven lane

Plumbers’ Arms, Jas. Collier, Raven lane

Portcullis Arms, Ed. Painter, Gaolford

Prince of Wales, Wm. Pea, Raven lane

Queen’s Arms, Richard Bird, Corve street

Queen’s Head, Tho. Sheldon, Lower Gaolford

Railway Arms, Hy. Thomas, Old Gate Fee

Ram, John Evans, Corve st

Raven, Jas. Harding, Upper Gaolford

Raven, Rd. Pugh, Raven lane

Rose and Crown, Thomas Amies, Bull ring

Royal Oak, William Pearce, Lower street

Spread Eagle, Ann Ellis, Corve street

Star and Garter, Thomas Coston, Corve street

Sun Inn, William Shepherd, Castle street

Talbot, Jph. Weaver, Tower st

Three Tuns, Thomas Dunn, Mill street

Trotting Horse, Richard Coleman, Corve street

Unicorn, Hny. Oliver, Corve street

Wheat Sheaf, Thomas Humphries, Lower Broad st

White Hart, Thos. Berrington, Old street

Wright John, beerhouse, Lower Broad street

Ironmongers.

Cooper & Bluck, Castle st

Egginton Edward, Bull ring

Hodges Chaplin, Dinham

Penny Thomas, Bull ring

Smith John C., King street

Joiners.

Davies Samuel, Raven lane

Evans John, Mill street

Smith Rd., Lower Broad st

Land, Estate, & House Agents.

Baines Thomas (wool agent), Castle street

Harrison John (wool agent), Linney

Linen and Woollen Drapers and Silk Mercers.

Boulton Francis, Corve street

Evans James, The Cross

Gardener Robt. G., Bull ring

Harding Jas. & Ewd., High st

Harper Charles, High street

Jones Wm. & Harley, High st

Leake James, Castle street

Shepperd John, Broad street

Steward Mr., Narrows

Maltsters.

Acton William, Corve street

Atkins Robert, Corve street

Corfield John, Corve street

Davies Richard, Corve street

Harding Henry, Corve street

Hand James, Corve street

Hockey James, Old street

Jones James, Bull ring

Jones John, Corve street

Lloyd Henry, Old street

Rawlins Wm., Corve street

Smith John, Corve street

Millers and Corn Dealers.

Harding William, Mill street

Hockey James, Old street

Williams Joseph, Dinham

Whatmore John, Broad street

Milliners & Dress makers.

Cartwright Martha, Corve st

Daniel Decime & Catherine, Corve street

Glaye Matilda, Broad street

Hotchkiss Elizabeth, King st

Heighington Harriet, Brown street

Jones Ann M., Broad street

Lello Mary, Bull ring

Montgomery Margaret

Pearce Sarah, King street

Price Sarah, Castle street

Poole Mary, Harp lane

White Mary, Corve street

Millwright.

Hodges Chaplin, Dinham

Nursery and Seedsmen.

Marked * are Nurserymen only.

Bowen Ann, Broad street

Cooke Ann, Raven lane

* Cox Elizabeth, Old street

Hand James, Corve street

* Pillar Thomas, Old gate fee

* Rooke Owen, Corve street

* Tyler William, Old street

Painters.

Bowen John, Broad street

Cooke Thomas, Old street

Gwynn William, Old street

Osborn John, Old street

Powell Edward, Castle street

Powell Samuel, Raven lane

Ward James, Raven lane

Wayn Philip, Corve street

Pawnbroker.

Collins Francis, Corve street

Paper Manufacturer.

Wade John, Paper mills

Physician.

Bryce Charles, Broad street

Plumbers and Glaziers.

Collins Samuel, Old street

Cooke Thos. (and gas fitter), Old street

Powell Edward, Castle street

Powell Samuel, Raven lane

Round Jas., Lower Gaolford

Ward James, Raven lane

Wayn Philip, Corve street

Williams Richard, Brand lane

Poulterers.

Evans Sarah, The Narrows

Jenson Mary, Harp lane

Professor and Teacher.

Price John (dancing and fencing) Corve street

Saddlers & Harness Makers.

Amies Samuel, Bull ring

Gough John, Castle street

Hotchkiss Thos., King street

Jones James, Bull ring

Roberts Edward, High street

Sharebroker.

Bach James, Broad street

Shopkeepers.

Bradley Thos. Lower Gaolford

Dukes Richd. Lower Gaolford

Frances Rosetta, Corve street

Griffith Martha

Hodnett Martha, Lower Broad street

Jones David, Tower street

Leary Edward, Tower street

Pelly Thomas, Old gate fee

Small Wm., Lower Broad st

Spade Tree Makers.

Harper John, Linney

Sankey Jeremiah, Broad st

Stone & Marble Masons.

Greenhouse John, Broad st

Hammond Andrew, Corve st

Russell Edward, Old street

Russell John, Mill street

Stead Samuel, Castle street

Watkins Jas. Upper Gaolford

Straw Hat Makers.

Baker Maria, High street

Gray Hannah, Bull ring

Powell Jane, Old street

Wall Ann, High street

Surgeons.

Hodges George, Broad street

Hodges Henry, Broad street

Meymott Henry, Broad street

Southern John, Broad street

Valentine Richard, College

Walker Henry, Broad street

Surveyors.

Brettle Cornelius (land and mine), Broad street

Clark Edwin F., Corve street

Evans Herb. (land), Castle st

Smith E. Blakeway, Corve st

Tench John & Richard (and land agents), Church-yard

Tailors.

Marked * are Woollen Drapers also.

* Carter John, Narrows

Crosse Samuel, Mill street

Crundell Daniel, High street

Downes Edward, Tower street

* Jones Isaac & Son, High st

Morgan Edwin, Bell lane

Pearce Samuel, Bell lane

* Wall Henry, High street

Wall Richard, Brand lane

Williams Henry, Harp lane

Tanner.

Unwick Benjamin, Corve st

Timber Merchants.

Harper John, Linney

Hind James, Upper Gaolford

Sankey Jeremiah, Broad st

Toy and Fancy Repositories.

Crosse Elizabeth, High street

Crundell George, High street

Woodyett Mary, High street

Trunk Maker.

Powell John, Harp lane

Turner in Wood.

Bennett Wm., Lower Gaolfrd

Veterinary Surgeons.

Cresswell Charles, Broad st

Jones James, Corve street

Watch and Clock Makers.

Ashby John, Raven lane

Edwards Robert, Raven lane

Farmer Joseph, Old street

Payne George, Bull ring

Phillips William, Castle street

Wood Samuel, Bell lane

Whitesmiths.

Day George, Lower Broad st

Halford Thomas, Bell lane

Wells Henry, Old street

Wine & Spirit Merchants.

Evans Edward, The Cross

Massey Francis, Bull ring

Parry Jas., Hand & Bell lane

Powell Edward, Castle street

Sankey Eleanor, Broad street

Woollen Manufacturer.

Evans Wm., Lower Broad st

Carriers.

To SHREWSBURY—Dodd Daniel, Corve street

To WORCESTER—Webb Hry. and James, Upper Gaolford street

THE HUNDRED OF STOTTESDEN.

The hundred of Stottesden is bounded on the north by the Wenlock franchise, on the south by the hundred of Overs and the county of Worcestershire, on the east by the liberty of Bridgnorth and the county of Staffordshire, and on the west by the Wenlock franchise and the hundreds of Munslow and Overs. Farlow is a detached part of the hundred of Herefordshire, bounded by this hundred and an isolated part of Overs. The minerals found in this hundred are coal, ironstone, and limestone. On the western verge of the hundred is a range of hills, some of which rise to a considerable altitude; there are also considerable inequalities of surface, and bold swells in most parts of the hundred. The soil is various; the land which lies over the limestone is mixed with a calcareous gravel, and mostly fertile; the soil over the freestone produces good turnips and barley. The population in 1821, exclusive of the borough of Bridgnorth, was 12,160; and in 1841 there were 12,282 inhabitants, and 2,426 inhabited houses. At the latter period the liberty of the borough of Bridgnorth contained 1,231 inhabited houses, and a population of 6,198 souls. This hundred is divided into the Chelmarsh and Cleobury divisions.

The Chelmarsh division contains the parishes of Acton Round, Alveley, Astley Abbotts, Billingley, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Glazeley, Higley, Middleton Scriven, Morville, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Rudge Sheinton, Sidbury, Tasley, and Upton Cressett.

The Cleobury division contains Aston Botterell, Burwarton, Cainham, Cleobury, Mortimer, Coreley, Dowles, Hope Baggot, Hopton Wafers, Kinlet, Neen Savage, Stottesden, Wheathill and Farlow chapelry.

ACTON ROUND, OR ROUND ACTON,

in a parish and small village six miles north-east by east from Bridgnorth, which contains 1,940 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,447. At the census of 1841 there were 36 houses and 180 persons. Population in 1801, 200; and in 1831, 203. Sir John Acton, bart., is the principal landowner, and lord of the manor. THE CHURCH is an ancient edifice, situated on an eminence commanding extensive and varied prospects of the surrounding country. In the church are several monuments to the memory of deceased members of the Acton family. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir John Acton, Bart.; Rev. William G. Day is the incumbent.

DIRECTORY.—William Ainsworth, farmer; William Davies, farmer; Rev. William G. Day, perpetual curate; Margaret Duff, cow keeper; Thomas Embrey, farmer; Richard Evans, farmer; George Farmer, farmer; Samuel Littlewood, farmer; William Lowe, farmer; Jasper Madeley, farmer; Francis Powell, wheelwright; John Powell, bailiff; William Preen, farmer; Charles Rhodes, farmer; Richard Russell, farmer; Edward Tipton, farmer; Henry Wadlow, farmer, the Hall.

ALVELEY

is a considerable parish in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, which comprises the townships of Alveley, Nordley Regis, and Romsley Liberty. Population in 1801, 791; 1831, 949; 1841, 1,062; 1851, 1,041. The parish is bounded on the western side by the river Severn, on the south and east by the county of Stafford, and on the north by the parishes of Quatt and Claverley. The soil in this parish is variable; in some parts a red sand and loamy earth prevails, and in other parts it is light and sandy. The farms are generally large, and particular attention has been paid to draining and the improvement of the lands; the farm houses are mostly of brick, and have been greatly improved of late years. The village of Alveley is well built and pleasantly situated, six miles and a half south from Bridgnorth, and eight miles north from Bewdley. The township in 1841 contained 187 houses and 914 inhabitants; and has 5,147A. 2R. 37P. of land, 122A. 3R. 15P. of which are in woods and plantations. Rateable value, £5,601. Among the landowners are Miss Green; Mrs. Brittle; Mr. John Crowther; Mary Hayward; Rev. William Wakeley; Trustees of Claverley school; Mr. Edward Hughes; Christ Church College, Oxford; Mr. Richard Veal; Mr. Homer; Messrs. Tunnicliff; Mr. John Hall; Mr. William Wyer; Mr. John Stockall; Rev. Dr. Jenkins, dean and chapter of Bath and Wells; Thomas Beach, Esq.; William Beach, Esq.; Lord Standford; John Bacon, Esq.; the poor of Alveley; John M. Wingfield, Esq.; William Trow, Esq.; Mr. William Corser; Mrs. Hand; Mr. Thomas Feriday; Mr. William Bowen; and others.

THE CHURCH is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Mary, and consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, in which are six musical bells. The nave is divided from the side aisles by four semi-circular arches, and there are two side chapels belonging to the owner of the Coton estate. The tower was taken down and rebuilt in 1666, part of the chancel was rebuilt in 1585, and the south part was repaired in 1638. There are several neat tablets. The church will accommodate 416 hearers. At the east end of the church is a large stone coffin. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Edward G. Gatacre, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Robert Augustus Wellesley Considine, M.A. THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, and residence for the teacher, are situated in the churchyard. It is endowed with certain lands, as will be seen on reference to the charities, from which the teacher receives £25 per annum, in consideration of which he teaches a limited number of scholars free; the rest pay a small weekly stipend; about fifty scholars attend. The feast is held on the first Sunday after the 15th of August. A court leet and baron is held for the manor every three years. Stone quarries near the village are worked to a considerable extent; immense blocks are raised and worked into grinding stones for gunsmiths and others.

NORDLEY REGIS is a township with a few scattered houses in the parish of Alveley, pleasantly situated two miles north-east from the church. COTON is a small hamlet in Nordley Regis. COTON HALL and estate have recently been sold by E. L. Gatacre to the Rev. Mr. Wakeley. The house is a stuccoed mansion pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, commanding some fine views of the adjacent country. The park comprises about eighty acres, and is pleasingly diversified with graceful undulations.

ROMSLEY is a township and village situated about two miles east from Alveley, which at the census of 1841 contained 27 houses and 110 inhabitants; and has 1,900 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,334. 5s. 6d. Abraham Stephen Cresswell, Esq., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner. Dr. Jenkins is also a considerable owner; and John M. Wingfield, Esq., the Misses Cresswell, Mr. Richard Palmer, and Mr. Stephen Cresswell, are also freeholders.

CHARITIES.—John Grove, by will, dated 10th of December, 1616, bequeathed a yearly stipend of £10 to the schoolmaster of Alveley, and a like yearly payment of £10, to have continuance for ever, to be distributed among five poor aged and impotent men. For the establishing of these yearly stipends, the executors purchased a messuage, with the appurtenances, called Longhurst, situated in Ledbury and Eastnor, in Herefordshire, which contained 74A. 2R. 4P. of land, and which was exchanged with Charles Lord Somers in the year 1793 for certain lands in Alveley parish, containing 111A. 0R. 27P. of land, which was held at the time the Charity Commissioners published their report at a rent of £73 per annum. The schoolmaster’s stipend was increased in 1800 to £20, and has since been augmented to £25, with a house rent free, and an allowance of two loads of coal; and five poor men of Alveley receive from this charity a yearly stipend of £6 each.

Thomas Grove, in 1743, left certain lands, comprising 31A. 3R. 0P., upon trust, that the annual rents and profits should be divided among the poor of the parish of Alveley. The land is let to several tenants, at a rent of £42 per annum.

This parish participates in the charity of Mr. William Seabright, who, by his will, dated 1620, gave certain premises, the rents thereof to be employed towards the relief of the poor of several parishes in Worcester, Stafford, and Salop, of which Alveley is one. The parish receives from the charity money wherewith to distribute fourteen pennyworth of bread every Sunday, which is given among the poor.

James Bowen, by will, dated 1st April, 1715, gave to the poor of Alveley the sum of £6, to be put forth at interest by the churchwardens, and the proceeds to be applied to the purchase of good books, to be distributed to the poor families of the parish. About thirty years ago this charity was lost, in consequence of the bankruptcy of the person in whose hands it was placed.

George Garbett, by will, dated 19th June, 1758, bequeathed £100, to be put out at interest, which was to be disposed of on the 1st of January every year to such poor persons of the parish of Alveley as should not receive parochial relief.

Humphrey Dovey, in 1700, left £20, the interest thereof to be distributed among the poor of the parish in bread. In respect of which forty-three penny loaves are distributed on Good Friday, and forty on St. Thomas’s day.

Arthur Arden left a piece of land, containing two acres and a half, the profits of which were to be expended in bell ropes (when required) for the use of the parish church. At the time the Charity Commissioners published their report the land was let at a rent of £6 per annum. It is said the land was given to the parish clerk on condition that he should find bell ropes, but the original conveyance, which had been kept in the church chest, was lost about fifty years ago; and it appears that for more than 100 years the rents of the land have been received by the parish clerk for his own use, and he has provided the bell ropes as they were wanted.

Thomas Russell, in 1842, gave the sum of £40, and directed the interest to be appropriated for the benefit of poor parishioners.

POST OFFICE—At William Evans’s. Letters from Bridgnorth at 9.45 A.M., and are despatched at 3.30 P.M.

ALVELEY DIRECTORY.

Ameys Edmund, farmer

Ameys Thomas, farmer, Dunbolds

Bache William, farmer, Leekhouse

Bacon Jno., farmer, Hall Close

Brewer William, Gorton’s Flour Mills

Bridge James, farmer

Clarke John, butcher and shoemaker

Clarke Stephen, butcher and farmer

Considine Rev. Rbt. Agustus Wellesley, M.A.

Craig John, farmer

Crow Wm., farmer, Turley Green

Davies Henry, farmer

Doolittle Samuel, maltster

Evans George, stone mason and farmer

Evans John, farmer

Evans Thomas, farmer, Moor House

Evans William, postmaster

Fellows Michael, farmer, Pool Hall

Fereday Thomas, farmer

Fox John, farmer

Foxall Mary, farmer, Dod’s Green

Giles Thomas, vict., Bell Inn

Griffiths William, tailor and shopkeeper

Haines Joseph, blacksmith

Harris Rchd., farmer

Hayward John, farmer, The Butts

Hayward Mary, Little London farm

Head John, beer-retailer, Kitlands

Hick Thos., farmer, Hadleys

Higgs John, butcher

Hobbs William, victualler, Squirrel Inn

Hobbis Mary, vict., Three Horse Shoes

Jenning William, shoemaker

Jones James, Hollies farm

Lane John, quarry-master and farmer

Lane Thomas, quarry-master and mason

Lowe Thomas, farmer

Millward John, beerhouse-keeper and wheelwright

Powell Francis, shoemaker

Richards Thomas, farmer

Stockall John, farmer, Cookscroft

Taylor Job, farmer

Veal Rd., farmer, Langford

Walker Charles, butcher and farmer

Warder John, farmer, Hay farm

Webb Benjamin, carpenter

Wilks Jos., farmer, Turley Green

Williams Thos. quarry-mstr.

Wood James, stone mason

Wood James, quarry-owner

Wyer Wm., farmer, Cookscroft

Yates William, wheelwright

NORDLEY REGIS DIRECTORY.

Bache Thomas, Esq., Greenfield House

Berkin Geo., farmer, Astley

Bowen Thomas, farmer

Bowen William, farmer

Cox Thomas, miller, Alan Bridge

Crowther John, farmer, Bolthole

Edmonds William, farmer, High Barns

Edwards Martha, farmer, Hubbolds

Fereday Thomas, farmer, Tuck Hill

Hobbs Wm., farmer, Bird’s Green

Lowe Thomas, farmer, Perry House

Marston George, farmer, Barretts

Massey William, shopkeeper

Nicholls John, farmer

Page William, farmer

Webb Benjamin, shopkeeper, Bird’s Green

Wootton John, beer-retailer

ROMSLEY DIRECTORY.

Cox Thomas, miller and farmer, Alam Bridge

Cresswell Abraham Stephen, Esq.

Cresswell, Ezekiel, farmer, Pool House

Cresswell Nancy, gentlewoman, The Hall

Cresswell Sarah, farmer, The Hall

Cresswell Stephen, farmer

Doolittle Wm., beer-retailer

Edmonds John, farmer, Bowels farm

Foxall John, blacksmith

Foxall William, blacksmith

Gritton Jos., farmer, Harts Green farm

Hincks Wm., farmer, Ulet Hall

Leigh George, wheelwright

Winnell John, farmer, New House

ASTLEY ABBOTTS,

a parish and village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden Hundred, two miles and a half north from Bridgnorth, contains 3,137 acres of land, intersected by the Broseley turnpike road and the Tasley and Linley streams, and is bounded on the eastern side by the river Severn. 193 acres are in woods, plantations, and water. The soil in some parts is a mixture of earth and sand, and in other places a strong loam. Rateable value £4,023. 1s. 2d. At the census in 1801 there were 740 inhabitants; 1831, 666; and in 1841, 657. At the latter period there were 139 inhabited houses. The situation of Astley Abbotts is pleasant and highly salubrious, and there are several handsome residences. The farms are mostly of considerable extent, and by a judicious outlay of capital in draining and other improvements have been brought to a state of great productiveness. The principal landowners are Thos. Charlton Whitmore, Esq.; Lady Tyrwhitt Jones; John Stephens, Esq.; Mr. John Ward; Miss Pilkington; Mr. John Bowen; Rev. C. Whitmore; Lord Forester; Mr. John Lee; Sir John Acton, Bart.; Mr. Thomas Yapp; and George Pritchard, Esq. The former is lord of the manor. There are also several smaller proprietors. THE CHURCH, an ancient fabric neatly pewed with oak sittings, has a groined roof, resting on hammer head projections, upon which are carved figures of the apostles. A neat tablet remembers Sir Tyrwhitt Jones, Bart., F.R.S. and M.P., who died in 1811. The same tablet also records the deaths of several other members of the family. An elegant tablet commemorative of Sir Thomas Jones, Knt., is dated 1782. A memorial of elaborate workmanship to Francis Billingsley, Esq., of Astley, an officer in the army of King Charles, is dated 1656. It also records the deaths of various other members of the Billingsley family. Upon a garland suspended from the sounding board hangs a pair of white kid gloves, and from an inscription we learn that Henry Phillips died in 1707 when presenting himself at the altar to be married. The lady to whom he was about to be united survived him but a short period. The reading desk and pulpit exhibit an exquisite specimen of carved workmanship. The living is a perpetual curacy, enjoyed by the rector of Stockton; officiating minister, Rev. John Wing, B.A. The lord of the manor is patron of the living. The tithes are commuted for £220. ASTLEY HALL, the elegant mansion of Alfred Darby, Esq., is delightfully situated near the banks of the river Severn, and presents a beautiful specimen of the decorative style of the Elizabethan age. The house was originally built in 1642, but has been greatly enlarged and beautified at subsequent periods. The pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out, and the park is richly clothed with sylvan beauty. ASTLEY ABBOTTS HOUSE is an ancient timbered mansion, the residence and property of George Pritchard, Esq. ALBYNES, a good house of modern erection, the residence and property of John Stephens, Esq., is pleasantly situated in a bold undulating district, and surrounded with park-like grounds. DUNVALL HOUSE, the property and residence of Mr. John Bowen, is a place of great antiquity, and was formerly the seat of the Acton family. It is chiefly composed of massive timber and plaster, and is an interesting specimen of the domestic architecture of by-gone days.

CHARITIES—John Huxley, Esq., in the year 1714, gave by his will a rent charge of 20s. per annum, to be distributed among twenty poor widows. A sum of £20, supposed to have been left by one Litttehales, was lent to a person named Bache, of Bridgnorth, and afterwards to William Bourne, a baker, of the same place, who used to send a monthly supply of bread to the amount of the interest. Shortly before the Charity Commissioners published their report Mr. Bourne became bankrupt, and the parish officers had not applied to prove this debt, from an idea that they had not the means of substantiating the claim. Mrs. Catherine Phillips, by will, 1815, gave to the incumbent and churchwardens of Astley Abbotts the sum of £300 stock in the three per cent. consols, in trust, to pay out of the yearly dividends the sum of 20s. among twenty poor widows on St. Thomas’s day, and the remainder to some proper person for teaching poor children to read and write, and for bringing them to church every Sunday in an orderly manner.

Baldwin William, block and pump maker, and vict., Fox and Hounds, Linley Brook

Bate William, beer-retailer and bricklayer

Bentley John, butcher, Cross Houses

Bowen John, farmer and maltster, Dunvall House

Bromley James, farmer, Frog Mill

Clutton Wm., farmer, Nordley Common

Clutton William, butcher

Cox John, farmer, Binnall

Craig Wm., farmer, Bowlings

Crowe John, farmer

Darby Alfred, Esq., Astley Hall

Downes Edw. farmer, Rhodes

Farmer Thomas, farmer

Hall John, farmer, Raven’s Nest

Jones Thos. market-gardener

Littlewood Jane, beer-retailer, Cross lane head

Lowe Launcelot, beer-retailer, Nordley

Morris Wm., farmer, Severn Hall

Nock Thomas, Severn Hall

Nock Thomas, farmer, Cross lane head

Phillips Richard, farmer

Pritchard Geo., Esq., Astley Abbotts House

Pugh Wm., farmer, Hoard’s Park

Reynolds Mrs., Weavers’ Coppice

Smith Caroline and Sarah, Cantern Bank

Stephens John, Esq., The Albynes

Ward John, farmer & brick maker

Wing Rev. John, B.A., curate

Yardley John, blacksmith

Yardley William, shopkeeper

ASTON BOTTEREL

is a parish and scattered village nine miles S.W. of Bridgnorth, containing 2,198A. 0R. 14P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,960. 11s. 10d. Population in 1801, 247; 1831, 260, and in 1841 173. The principal landowner is the Duke of Cleveland. John W. Sparrow, Esq., John Hincksman, Esq., and Henry George Mytton, Esq., are also proprietors. The manor of Aston was formerly held under the Fitzalans Earls of Arundel, by the family of Botterels, from whom it received the addition of their name to distinguish it from the other Astons in the county. In the 48th of Henry III. Thomas Botterel had a grant of a market on Tuesday, and a fair at Michaelmas, and also the privilege of free warren. At the time of the commonwealth circular letters were sent to chose one hundred and four godly men to assist Cromwell in his government, and for this county the choice fell upon William Botterell, and Thomas Baker.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient structure built of stone, having a square tower, in which are three bells. The interior contains nave, chancel, and south aisle, in which is a monument to the memory of John and Mary Botterel, supposed to have been erected about the year 1585. The side aisle is separated from the body of the church by three pointed arches. The church was enlarged and repaired in the year 1830, when one hundred and eight free sittings were provided, in addition to twenty formerly free. The registers of the parish commenced in the year 1559. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £7. 1s. 0½d. The tithes are commuted for the sum of £345. There are seventy acres of glebe land. Patron of the living, His Grace the Duke of Cleveland; rector, Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A.

DIRECTORY.—Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A., The Rectory; Thomas Beddoes, farmer, Moor Brook; Richard Bishop, farmer, Norton; William Bryan, tailor; Edward Davies, farmer, Norton; Richard Eddowes, farm bailiff, The Bould; John Hincksman, farmer, Charlcott; Francis Lawley, farmer and vict., The Fox; Mrs. Elizabeth Lowe, farmer, Aston Hall; George Meredith, farmer; William Meredith, farmer; Ann Miles, farmer, Charlcott; Joseph Wellings, blacksmith; Nathan Weatherall, farmer, Haywood.

BILLINGSLEY,

a parish in the Chelmarsh division of the hundred of Stottesden, six miles S. of Bridgnorth, is pleasantly situated on the Bridgnorth and Cleobury Mortimer turnpike road. It contains 1,285 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £900. 10s. In 1841 there were 29 houses and 149 persons; population in 1801, 320; 1831, 161. The Duke of Cleveland is the principal landowner. William Lacon Childe, Esq., and the rector are also proprietors. This place it is said was anciently called Biligesleague, and that an important congress was held here in 1055 between King Harold and Griffin Prince of Wales, in which they engaged to maintain peace and mutual good will. Dr. Thomas Hyde, the great linguist and librarian, was born at this place in 1638. THE CHURCH is a small structure containing nave, chancel, and has a turret, in which are two bells. The accommodation of this church was increased in 1836, by which means twenty additional sittings were obtained, and in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society fourteen of that number are declared free and unappropriated for ever. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 13s. 4d., now £195. The Duke of Cleveland is patron of the living, and the Rev. Thomas Vaughan is rector.

DIRECTORY.—John Barker, blacksmith; Margaret Benbow, farmer, The Hall; William Birchley, farmer and vict., The Cape of Good Hope; John Green, shoemaker; Darius Griffin, farmer and carrier to Bridgnorth (every Saturday); Edward Humphries, farmer, The Oak; John Humphries, farmer, The Upper House; Rev. William Lewis Jones, curate; Samuel Jordin, farmer; Mary Lawley, farmer, The Bank; John Parry, farm bailiff, The Hall; Benjamin Reynolds, shoemaker.

BRIDGNORTH

is a populous and well built market town and borough, both corporate and parliamentary, having separate jurisdiction, and locally situated in the Stottesden hundred, 139 miles N.W. from London, twenty miles S.E. from Shrewsbury, thirteen miles S.W. from Wolverhampton, and eight miles S.E. from Much Wenlock. The town is situated on the banks of the Severn which divides it into two portions called the Upper and Lower towns. The Upper town is on the western bank of the river, on the sides and summit of a red sandstone rock which rises to the height of near two hundred feet above the level of the river. The appearance of this part of the town is remarkably picturesque, and the view is very fine, especially from that part where the remains of the castle stand, where a terrace walk has been laid out, overlooking the Lower town, the river, and a widely spreading country. This walk extends 622 yards, and was much admired by King Charles I. who was at Bridgnorth three times during the civil wars, and preferred it to all other terraces, in the kingdom. Persons visiting Bridgnorth universally consider it highly interesting, and are charmed with the beautiful scenery it opens to view. The town contains many good houses and handsome shops in the different branches of the retail trade, there are also some good family mansions and villa residences, which are ornamented with pleasure grounds tastefully laid out. Under the brow of the hill are many rude dwellings cut out of the sandstone rock, with several caves, over which the inhabitants have gardens, which gives the whole a very romantic appearance. The road from the Low town to the High town winds round the rock, but the nearer approaches for foot passengers are by several flights of steps, one of which called the Stoneway-steps formed by pebbles secured by a framing of ironwork, consists of 179 steps. The town comprises the two parishes of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Leonard, and at the census of 1801 had 4,408 inhabitants; 1831, 5,065; and 1841, 5,770. Rateable value of St. Mary’s parish, £7,402. 12s. 8d. Rateable value of St. Leonard’s parish, £7,635. 10s. 11d. The principal trade of Bridgnorth is an extensive establishment for the manufacture of carpets and rugs, malting, worsted spinning, and boat building. The town, however, derives its chief importance from its situation on the river, and is a thriving inland port. A large portion of the labouring class obtains employment in the navigation of the Severn, but the market and retail trade with the neighbourhood afford the principal source of profit to the inhabitants.

Bridgnorth is a place of great antiquity; it was originally called Brugia, or Bruges, and derived its name from a bridge erected over the Severn here. The first memorable transaction that we find of this town was in King Alfred’s days, A.D. 894, when the Danes being driven from Norfolk, were forced to leave their ships and spend the winter at Brug upon Severn, on the borders of Wales, where they built a strong fort. Whether the fort was destroyed by the chance of war we are unable to discover, but it is stated that Elfled, daughter of King Alfred, repaired both the town and castle, then fallen to decay. It subsequently underwent the common vicissitudes of the country, being harassed both by the Saxons and the Danes, till Roger de Montgomery having obtained a grant of the earldom of Salop, built a new castle here. Robert de Belesme, eldest son of the said Roger, in the time of Henry I. declared for Robert Curthose, and fortified his castle against the king, but after a siege of three weeks it was surrendered, and with the rest of his possessions annexed to the crown. In the 16th of Edward III. the out-liberties of the castle which anciently were held of the Norman earls of Shrewsbury by the annual service of ten marks, were incorporated with the town. The fee of the keeper of this castle in the time of Elizabeth was £9. 2s. 6d. The castle having not been a sufficient defence of the town without walls about it, therefore in the 11th of Henry III. an aid was granted for two years for the walling of the town, and six years after another aid was granted for the same purpose. The first charter of which any knowledge exists is of the 16th of King John, which grants to the burgesses of Bruges and their heirs, certain liberties and free customs, and freedom from toll throughout the kingdom, except within the liberties of London. The burgesses maintained a suit at law against the Salopians, who hindered them from bringing raw hides and flannel cloth in their market, both towns depending on the validity of their charters which were fully enquired into. In the 10th of Henry III. the grant of a fair was obtained to be held on St. Luke’s day, which subsequently became remarkable for the sale of hops, cheese, and walnuts. The burgesses had liberty in this reign of holding pleas in personal actions, and of erecting fraternities or guilds of tradesmen. In the 33rd of Edward III. the inhabitants obtained the grant of a fair to be held at the feast of the Translation of St. Leonard, and for the three days following. Fairs are now held on the third Thursday in February, third Tuesday in March, 1st May, third Tuesday in June, first Tuesday in August, third Tuesday in September, 20th October, and the first Tuesday after Shrewsbury December fair. The market is held on Saturday, and well supplied with butchers’ meat, butter, poultry, and other provisions of excellent quality. The corn market is numerously attended, and business to a considerable extent is usually transacted.

The old corporation consisted of two bailiffs, a recorder, a deputy recorder, twenty-four aldermen, forty-eight common councilmen, two chamberlains, and two bridge masters, with a town clerk, sergeants at mace, and other officers. The bailiffs were justices of the peace, and justices of the court of record; the senior acted as coroner for the borough. The recorder held his office for life; his deputy whom he appointed was always a barrister, and the legal adviser of the corporation. The bailiffs were chosen every year on St. Matthew’s day, out of the twenty-four aldermen, in the following remarkable manner:—The court being met, the names of twelve aldermen, seniors of those then present, being separately written upon small bits of paper, all of them of the same size and rolled up close by the town clerk, were thrown into a large purse, which after being well tossed by the chamberlains was held betwixt them before the bailiffs, when each bailiff according to seniority took out a scroll; by these scrolls the callers were fixed, who immediately mounting the chequer, alternately called the jury out of such persons as are burgesses, and then presented them to the court to the number of fourteen; these being all sworn, (neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, had made choice of two fit persons, who have not been bailiffs before for three years), were locked up until they were agreed, a regulation which has sometimes occasioned long fasting. At the election in 1793, the jury fasted no less than seventy-four hours. By the new municipal act, Bridgnorth is governed by a bailiff, or mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors. A commission of the peace has been granted, and a court of quarter sessions and recorder appointed. The following is a list of the members of parliament, borough magistrates, and corporate body, for the year 1851:—

Members of Parliament: Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and Sir Thomas Pigot, Bart.

Borough Magistrates: Henry Slater Richards, Esq., mayor; William Jones, Esq., Henry George Mytton, Esq., Thomas Whitmore Wylde Brown, Esq., Edward Farrer Acton Esq., Joshua Sing, Esq., Farmer Taylor, Esq., Thomas Bangham, Esq., Wm Hallen, Esq., and John Stephens, Esq.

Mayor: Henry Slater Richards, Esq.

Aldermen: John Smalman, Esq., Thomas Nock, Esq., Edward Ridley, Esq., and Benjamin Boucher, Esq.

Councillors: Thomas Deighton, James Brown Grierson, Joseph Southwell, Joseph Minton Glase, Samuel Nicholls, James Henry Martin, Robert Harrison, Joshua Sing, Henry Slater Richards, James Edward Newall, Frederick Homfray, and William Jones. Recorder: Uvedale Corbet, Esq. Coroner: William Dones Batte, Esq. Town Clerk: John Jacob Smith, Esq. Clerk to Borough Magistrates: Edward William Hazlewood, Esq. Town Crier: George Evans.

The ruins of a CASTLE fortified by Robert de Belesme, the third Norman earl of Shrewsbury, are still standing. The edifice was erected on the site of a former structure, but a portion of the square tower now standing 17 degrees out of its perpendicular is almost the only relic of this baronial fortress left. A chapel within the walls of the castle was made collegiate, and had a dean and six prebendaries. When Robert de Belesme held this castle in rebellion in 1102, against Henry I., Ralph de Pitchford behaved himself so valiantly, that the king gave him the little Brugg near it to hold by the service of finding dry wood for the great chambers of the castle, against the coming of his sovereign. A romantic act of loyalty is related of Hubert de St. Clare, who with King Henry II. was besieging the castle of Bridgnorth, and seeing one of the enemy taking aim at his sovereign, stepped before him and received the arrow in his own breast, and therewith his death-wound. In the civil wars the castle was garrisoned for the King, who marched here from Shrewsbury to meet the parliamentary army; an engagement took place near to St. Leonard’s church wherein the royalists were defeated, the castle totally demolished, and the collegiate church so injured that it had to be taken down and rebuilt. The GATES and WALLS of the town were thrown down in the civil wars. The north gate was afterwards rebuilt at the expense of the corporation, over which is a room now used for the Blue Coat School. A handsome and substantial stone BRIDGE crosses the Severn, and stands near the site of a former bridge erected by the Saxons. A portion of the Lower town is subject to be flooded by the Severn overflowing its banks. THE RACES have been discontinued for several years, but have been revived during the present year. The race-course is situate about a mile from Bridgnorth, in the parish of Tasley. There are BILLIARD TABLES at the Raven Inn, Whitburne street, and the Star Inn, Underhill street. Mr. Edwards has generously granted the use of Trap-field for a CRICKET GROUND.

There is a BOWLING GREEN at the Hundred House Inn, situated about a mile from Bridgnorth; Mr. George Jarratt is the proprietor. BATHS were established in 1841 upon the premises of the South Shropshire Infirmary. The SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF RELIGIOUS AND USEFUL KNOWLEDGE hold their meetings annually in December. The depository for the CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY is at Messrs. Wilmot and Brickley’s, Market street. THE MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION, situated in High street, is furnished with a library comprising 366 volumes. A reading room has also been established, which is furnished with periodicals, and some of the leading London and provincial journals; Joseph L. Whatmore, secretary. THE TOWN LIBRARY is situated in Castle Terrace, and contains 3,037 volumes; John Pinkstone is the librarian. The Public Library in St. Leonard’s church-yard contains upwards of 4,000 volumes. There are also Circulating Libraries at Mr. Smith’s and Miss Partridge’s. THE STAMP OFFICE is at Mr. Southwell’s, West Castle street, and the EXCISE OFFICE at the Castle Inn.

THE TOWN HALL, situated in the centre of the market place, is an antique structure, built in 1682, and supported by pillars and arches. The large room is appropriated to the town’s business and magisterial purposes. The space under the hall is used for the sale of butter and poultry on the market days. No sessions were held in the town in 1646 by reason of the war. In this conflict the high town was burnt.

THE INFIRMARY, in Listley street, is a handsome structure salubriously situated, and constructed with every attention to the convenience and convalescence of the inmates. This institution was established in 1841, and is chiefly supported by subscriptions, and a few small benefactions left by charitable individuals; the Rev. J. Purton is the treasurer.

THE WATER WORKS.—The town is supplied with water raised from the Severn, and forced by machinery through a four inch main into a tank, situated upon Castle Walk, which when full is capable of holding about 6,500 gallons. The funds for the support of the works are levied by a rate upon the inhabitants. These works being inefficient for the supply of the town, it is proposed to construct a capacious reservoir near Palmer’s Hospital, six feet above the present tank, and twenty feet above High street, capable of holding 14,000 gallons, and so to improve the hydraulic machinery, as to give the inhabitants an abundant supply of this pure beverage of nature; Mr. Thomas Corser is the superintendent.

THE GAS WORKS, situated on the western banks of the Severn, were established in 1838, by Mr. Edward, of Wellington. There are two gasometers for the reception of the luminous vapour, and a charge of 8s. 6d. per cubic feet is made to the consumer; John Lloyd Whatmore, manager.

THE POLICE OFFICE is in East Castle street; Thomas A. Wilmot is the superintendent. THE LOCKUP is in Whitburne street. The mayor and borough magistrates hold a court every alternate Monday for the trial of petty offences committed within the borough. The county magistrates hold quarter sessions and petty sessions every alternate Saturday, and the borough has continued to return two members to parliament since the time of Edward I. The places embraced within the jurisdiction of this borough are the parishes of St. Mary, St. Leonard, Quatford, Oldbury, Tasley, and Astley Abbots, and the townships of Quatt, Jarvis, and Eardington, and the liberty of Romsley. In the year 1850 there were 721 electors to vote in the choice of members to serve in parliament. Of this number 387 were freemen of the borough, and the rest electors in right of occupation. The principal freeholders in the parishes of St. Mary and St. Leonard are Lord Sudeley, Thomas C. Whitmore, Esq., Sir John Acton, Bart., Trustees of Christ Church, Oxford, Messrs. Grierson and Law, A. F. Sparkes, Esq., Mr. John Green, Joshua Sing, Esq., Earl of Shrewsbury, Robert Harrison, Esq., Messrs. F. and J. Oakes, Mr. John Reece, Mr. Thomas Southall, Mr. John Summers, and others, are also proprietors.

THE COUNTY COURT, St. Leonard’s place, for the recovery of debts, and in all pleas of personal action where the damage does not exceed £50, comprises the following parishes and townships, namely:—Alverley, Astley Abbotts, Acton Round, Aston Eyres, Billingsley, Burwarton, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Claverley, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Ditton Priors, Eardington, Glazeley, Middleton Scriven, Monkhopton, Morville, St. Leonard’s, St. Mary Magdalene, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Romsley, Sidbury, Stanton Long, Tasley, Upton Cressett, and Worfield. Judge, Uvedale Corbett, Esq., Aston Hall. Clerk, Harry Childe, Esq. High Bailiff, Mr. John Lacon Bennett. Appraiser, George Evans. Treasurer, W. B. Collins, Esq.

THE BRIDGNORTH UNION HOUSE stands in an open and pleasant situation at the Innage, and was built in 1850, at a cost of £5,299. 17s. 8d., and will accommodate 200 inmates. The number at present on the books is 53. The union embraces an area of 68,076 acres of land, and a population of 15,805 souls. The parishes in the union are 29 in number, namely:—Acton Round, Alverley, Astley, Abbotts, Aston Eyres, Billingsley, Burwarton, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Claverley, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Ditton Priors, Eardington, Glazeley, St. Leonard’s, St. Mary Magdalene, Middleton Scriven, Monk Hopton, Morvill, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Romsley, Sidbury, Stanton Long, Tasley, Upton Cressett, and Worfield. Chairman to the Guardians, Richard H. Gwyn, Esq. Vice Chairman, John Wilson, Esq. Clerk to the Guardians, Arndell Francis Sparkes, Esq. Surgeons, William P. Brookes, Charles Pothecary, William Thursfield, James H. Martin, and Thomas Haslehust. Chaplains, Rev. George Bellett, Rev. William K. Marshall, and the Rev. Robert A. W. Considine. Relieving Officers, George Griffin and William Wall. Master and Matron, Seth Bennett Barber and Mrs. Barber. Superintendent Registrar, James H. Martin. Deputy Registrar for Bridgnorth, William Roberts.

THE SAVINGS’ BANK is situated in Bank street, the capital stock of which on November 20th, 1850, amounted to £81,045. 2s. 3d., at which time there were 2,167 depositors; 60 charitable societies and 24 friendly societies had accounts with the bank. Of the depositors there were 1,161 whose respective balances did not exceed £20; 531 were above £20 and not exceeding £50; 290 were above £50 and not exceeding £100; 102 not exceeding £150; 59 not exceeding £200; and 24 exceeding the latter amount. The gross amount of capital invested by the charitable societies is £5,170. 16s. 1d., and of the friendly societies £2,672 19s.

THE CHURCH of St. Leonard, an ancient and venerable edifice, rebuilt in 1448, was nearly destroyed during the civil wars, but repaired soon after the restoration. It is built of red sandstone, in the Gothic style of architecture, and has a massive square tower, crowned with pinnacles, containing a peal of six bells, a clock, and sun-dial. The interior consists of nave, side aisles, and chancel, the latter of which underwent a complete reparation a few years ago. The south compartment is separated from the body of the church by three arches. The church is neatly pewed with oak, and in the gallery is a powerful and fine-toned organ. The roof is supported by a framework of oak, each beam of which is ornamented by a figure of one of the apostles. The window at the east end was restored by subscription, and beautified in memory of the late Thomas Whitmore, Esq., who by will gave the rectoral tithes of Bridgnorth, due to him as impropriator to the minister of this church, and also to that of St. Mary Magdalene. On the south side is a stained glass memorial window, “restored in 1847 in memory of Mr. Boulton, formerly of the grammar school, by a priest of the English church, as a poor offering of thankfulness to Almighty God for many means of grace and good instruction vouchsafed both in this church and at the adjoining grammar school.” This church had near it a college for the habitation of two chantry priests, appointed to pray for the rest of the soul of Thomas à Beckett, archbishop of Canterbury. It was destroyed, with most part of the high town and church, at the time the parliamentary forces took possession of Bridgnorth. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. George Bellett. The tithes are commuted for £308. The parish of St. Leonard contained at the census of 1841, 627 houses and 2,997 inhabitants.

THE CHURCH dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene is a handsome edifice in the Grecian style of architecture, built in the year 1792, of white freestone, at an expense of £6,027. 11s. 9d. It has a tower, surmounted by a cupola, containing six bells, a clock, and four dials. The interior is spacious and handsome, and on the western gallery is a fine-toned organ. The altar is of oak, richly carved. The church is styled in ancient records, “Liberia regia capella;” that is, a free chapel of the kings, made exempt from episcopal jurisdiction by King John, who personally visited this town on his way to Worcester. It was made parochial in 4th Edward III. This church was a free collegiate chapel, founded by William the Conqueror, consisting of a dean and five prebends. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. W. K. Marshall. The tithes are commuted for £268. There are thirteen and a half acres of glebe land. The parish of St. Mary Magdalene in 1841 contained 577 houses, and 2,773 inhabitants.

THE BAPTIST CHAPEL, situated in West Castle street, is a brick structure, and will accommodate about 280 persons. It was built in the year 1704.

THE CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH, in West Castle street, is a commodious edifice, built of freestone in the year 1835. The building has Gothic windows, ornamented with stained glass. The interior has a beautiful appearance; the altar is of stone, and there are richly carved oak stalls and desks for the priests. The seats are all free. “The congregation is under the rule and government of the apostles, being in charge of an angel, who, with priests, assisted by deacons, fulfil their several duties clothed with appropriate vestments.”

THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, built of brick in the year 1711, will accommodate about 400 hearers. It is situated on the Stoneway Steps.

THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL, situated on St. Mary’s Steps, was erected in the year 1832, and has since been enlarged. It is now capable of seating 250 persons. A Sabbath school is connected with the chapel, where about seventy children attend.

THE NATIONAL AND INFANT SCHOOLS, situated on elevated ground in Listley street, were established in 1820. There is accommodation in these schools for 300 children: 150 boys and 50 girls attend. The schools are supported by annual subscriptions, donations, charity sermons, and small weekly payments from the scholars. The income for the year ending March 25th, 1851, amounted to £228. 14s. 3d.

THE BRITISH SCHOOL, in West Castle street, is held in a spacious and convenient room under the Baptist chapel: it is numerously attended. There is also a school taught in a room over the Independent chapel, where about sixty children are instructed.

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL, situated in the Low Town, is a commodious building of brick, erected by public subscriptions in 1847, at a cost of £756. Upwards of 100 children attend the school.

THE FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.—This school was founded more than three hundred years ago, by the bailiffs and burgesses, for the purpose of affording, free of expense, to “all comers,” instruction in literature and good learning, until they shall be capable to be sent to the universities of Oxford or Cambridge. For the better maintenance of the school, Sir Rowland Hayward, in 1624, gave a rent charge of £20 per annum; £4 a year was left by his son; £2 a year was left by Sir John Hayward for the usher; and £8 a year, called the king’s allowance, was also paid to the usher out of the audit money. In 1639, the lease of a house was granted by Sir William Whitmore, at an annual rent of 8s., for a residence for the master. In 1687 Sir William Whitmore renewed the lease, and by a covenant therein, bound his successors to continue the lease on the same conditions, as long as the school should continue to be a free school. It appears that the master of the free school has always received some allowance from the corporation, which in 1726 amounted to £10; in 1817 it was increased to £30; and it was further agreed to supply from the private funds of those members of the corporation who sent their sons to this school, as much money as, in addition to the several sources of emolument before particularised, would make up an annual salary of £100 for the master. For the last two years the grant from the corporation has been discontinued: it is hoped, however, the corporate body will see the propriety of renewing their grant. The various bequests to this school, and the exhibitions at Christ College, Oxford, will be found noticed with the following account of the general charities of Bridgnorth.

CHARITIES.—Edward Careswell, by will dated 3rd February, 1689, left certain lands in the counties of Salop and Stafford, in all containing 1,075A. 2R. 23P. of land, chargeable with the maintenance of eighteen scholars in the college of Christ Church, in Oxford, four of the aforesaid scholars to be chosen from Shrewsbury Free Grammar School, three from Bridgnorth, four from Newport, three from Shiffnal, two from Wem, and two out of Donnington, in the parish of Wroxeter, who were to receive while undergraduates £18 each for four years, after he should have commenced bachelor of arts; £21 each for three years, until he should commence master of arts; and £27 yearly to each for three years after he should commence master of arts, and no longer. In the year 1813, a considerable surplus of the rents and profits having accrued, the sum of £1,500 was applied to the purchase of the rectoral tithes of the Walker’s Low and Walkham Wood farms: and in 1815 the further sum of £1,515. 7s. was laid out in the purchase of 26A. 0R. 38P. of land, with a new built brick and tiled barn in the parish of Quatford. This farm had previously gained an addition of 36A. 1R. 14P., under the Morfe Enclosure Act; and on the Priors Ditton enclosure, in 1813, an allotment of 10A. 1R. 2P. was awarded to the Sydnall Farm. The tenants of the land respectively hold from year to year, and the rents are varied from time to time, as circumstances are found to require. At the time the charity commissioners published their report, the annual rent was £1,191. 2s. From the surplus rents and profits there remained on 25th January, 1820, the amount of £9,394. 7s. 6d. three per cent. consols, and in cash the sum of £1,093. 18s. 1d.; the former sum affording an income of £281. 16s. 7½d., which, with the rents, make the sum of £1,472. 18s. 7½d. as the total annual income, which is subject to a charge of £308. 1s. 4d. for repairs, leaving for the objects of the charity the sum of £1,164. 17s. 3½d. By a codicil to the will of the aforesaid Edward Careswell, dated 24th February, 1689, he devised the sum of £10 to be annually paid to the minister of Bobbington, in augmentation of his salary, which sum was to be deducted out of the several allowances of the eighteen scholars, when the same shall become payable, by an abatement of 11s. 1½d. out of each of the said scholars’ allowance.

Arthur Weaver, Esq., by will, dated 27th February, 1709, gave to his son Anthony and his heirs the granary, and garden thereunto adjoining, in Bridgnorth, and £112. 12s. 6d. to be disposed of as follows:—First, he desired that it should be employed for keeping about 900 bushels of corn, to be bought when it was 2s. 6d. per bushel and sold when it was above 4s. per bushel, and that the residue of the building and garden should be employed towards the charge of looking after the corn. For perpetuating the stock, he desired that 2s. 6d. should be reserved out of each bushel sold, the residue to be given from time to time to the poor housekeepers having three or more young children of both the parishes of Bridgnorth only, as also the product of the stock when not laid up in the said granary, it being found after the testator’s death impossible to comply with those directions, the sum of £112. 12s. 6d. was placed out at interest and the interest, as also the rents of the granary, were distributed as directed by the will. In 1779, by an order, the aforesaid sum was directed to be invested in the three per cent. consols, and the interest is now distributed to poor housekeepers. The rents accruing from these charities are now applied in aid of a free school, called the Blue Coat School, in which thirty boys are instructed and clothed, and at the time of their leaving school a small sum is allowed to each scholar to apprentice him to some trade. The school is situated over the North Postern Gate.

THE ALMSHOUSES—The earliest mention of the almshouses is contained in a document preserved among the archives of the corporation, which purports to be the presentment and verdict of a jury, impanelled at Bridgnorth, on the 2nd of September, in the 6th year of Charles I., under a commission of charitable uses, by which they presented that William Swanwicke gave to divers feoffees, on the 2nd of March, 2nd and 3rd of Philip and Mary, a tenement and three gardens for the use of the poor almsfolk residing within the almshouses in Church street of the said town. They further presented that Henry Taycock gave towards the relief of the poor almspeople aforesaid a certain close called Brown’s Croft, and seven acres and two selions of land; and William Sparry, by indenture, dated the 2nd of May, 26th Elizabeth, gave two acres of ground in Astley Abbotts, for 3,000 years, to the intent that the profits of one acre should redound to the use of the poor almspeople aforesaid, and the rent of the other acre to the use of the poor of St. Leonard’s parish.

The sum of £80 was vested by the bailiffs and burgesses in the year 1709, with other monies, in the purchase of an estate at Higley, of which we shall give an account when treating of St. Leonard’s parish. In respect of this, an annual sum of £4 is distributed by the churchwardens of St. Leonard’s among the twelve almswomen, together with 10s., which in some of the earlier entries in the parish books is termed “the interest of £10,” and in others, “the interest of late Milner’s money.”

In a common hall order, dated 18th of January, 1768, reciting that twenty elms, the property of the almshouses, were sold for £11, it was agreed that the corporation should take the money, and pay the almswomen 12s. yearly at Christmas for the same. The corporation likewise pays the sum of 20s. yearly for the interest of £25, which was left for the use of the poor people in the almshouses. The inmates have the interest of £100, left in 1838, by Mr. Milner, and of a sum of £37. 5s. 6d., the gift of Mrs. Bell in 1832. Each almswoman has 3s. 6d. weekly. They are appointed by the corporation.

Paul Bridgen, by will, dated 24th of February, 1769, gave to the corporation of Bridgnorth the sum of £24, for the poor women of the almshouses to have a shilling each paid to them on Good Fridays, and one upon the second day of March, it being the interest thereof.

Sarah Pardoe, in 1808, left the sum of £100, to be placed out at interest for the use of the almshouses. This donation was invested in the purchase of £156. 3s. 3d. consols, the dividends of which being £4. 12s. per annum, which sum, after deducting charges, is divided among the twelve poor women in January and July, in shares of 3s. 10d. each.

Mr. Clark left 10s. for a sermon on the 11th day of January, and three shillings to be given in bread the same day.

William Taylor, by will, dated 6th of February, 1735, directed that every person who should hereafter be an owner of his two freehold messuages, land, and premises, with the appurtenances, situated in High street, in the parish of St. Leonard’s, should yearly for ever provide a dinner on the 26th of December, for the poor persons called almshouse-women; or, in default, he ordered the sum of £10 to be divided between the aforesaid almswomen, the same to be chargeable yearly upon the said messuages and premises.

Mary Childe, by her will, dated 27th of August, 1817, and proved in November, 1819, gave the sum of £100, to be placed at interest on some good security, and to pay the interest, dividends, and produce thereof, in equal shares at Christmas, to the almswomen of Bridgnorth.

BREAD FUND.—The almswomen also participate in the general distribution of bread from the parochial fund of St. Leonard’s, of which we shall give an account among the charities of that parish.

Walter Wrottesley, by will, proved in 1630, bequeathed to the poor people of Bridgnorth the sum of £100, to be disposed of by the magistrates of the town as they should think fit. It was resolved in 1633 to repair the conduit pipes of the town with the principal, and that £5 per annum as interest should be given to the poor of St. Leonard’s and St. Mary’s parishes; which sum they now receive.

William Pulley bequeathed a house and land, situated in Beauchamp Roothing, in Essex, on the 20th of December, 1640, to the inhabitants of Bridgnorth for ever, on condition that they should give £16 every year to two young men or women who should stand in need of it; and that those who had it one year should have it no more for the space of three years after.

The Rev. Francis Wheeler, by will, dated 8th of February, 1686, gave five meadows in St. Mary’s parish, containing 21A. 2R. 5P. of land, on condition that the sum of £10 should be given to the poor of Bridgnorth, as an annuity or rent charge; £10 per annum for a sermon to be preached by the minister of St. Leonard’s on the feast of St. James. And having further charged the lands with an annuity of 50s. yearly to the curate of Masemoor, and 10s. to the poor of Willey, he directed that if the rent of the premises should be improved, the increase of the rents should solely redound to the settled public preachers of Bridgnorth. The premises were let in 1818 for a rent of £102. 2s. 6d., which, after deducting the rent charges, left the sum of £44. 11s. 3d. to each of the two ministers, subject to occasional expenses for repairs.

The Spinners’ Money—It seems that the sum of £215 is in the hands of the corporation (which was left by Mr. Blakeway, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Elliot, for the use of the spinners and carders), for which is paid the small sum of £3. 18s, 4d. yearly, as interest, which is divided among the poor of the town.—Bridge Lands: There are several tenements in Bridgnorth, the rents of which are applied to the repair of the bridge, but when and by whom left is unknown. The annual rents amount to £18. 7s. 2d.

CHARITIES OF THE UPPER TOWN.—PALMER’S HOSPITAL.—The Rev. Francis Palmer, by will, dated 2nd September, 1680, bequeathed the sum of £800, to be laid out in the purchase of free lands in or near the county of Salop, of the clear yearly value of £30 per annum; and he also willed that his executors should cause to be erected an almshouse containing ten distinct rooms for ten several poor widows of the Upper Town, such as should frequent the church, and to allow each of them the sum of £3 per annum, save only repairs to be deducted. The executors purchased an estate in Hopton Wafers, containing 111A. 3R. 32P., which was let in 1807, at a rent of £93. 6s. per annum; by a valuation of premises made when the Charity Commissioners published their report it was found that the annual value was £119. 6s. 3d. From sales of timber in 1797 and 1810, and a donation of £200 in 1803 from the executors of the late Mr. Hawkins, the sum of £24 is paid to the charity as interest of the money, in addition to the rent of the land.

Mary Elton, by will, dated 24th of September, 1770, bequeathed the sum of £200, upon trust, to apply the interest for the use and benefit of the ten poor widows of Palmer’s Hospital.—Richard Adney bequeathed in 1805 the sum of £200, the interest thereof to be divided among the inhabitants of Palmer’s Hospital.

William Warter gave the sum of £20 to Palmer’s Hospital, in respect of which 20s. is paid from an estate at Rudge, which formerly belonged to the donor, on St. Thomas’s day, and distributed among the inmates.

Bread Fund.—The poor women of this charity also participate in the general distribution of bread in the parish of St. Leonard’s.

THE LOW TOWN.—Sir Robert Lee, Knt., in 1635, bequeathed £100, to be applied in the purchase of land, the rents and profits thereof to be given for the use of the poor residing in the Low Town of Bridgnorth. The money was applied in the purchase of a close containing about five acres of ground, situated in Oldbury Lordship, the annual rent of which amounts to about £21, which is distributed as the donor directed.

CHARITIES OF ST. LEONARD’S.—Henry Bourne bequeathed in 1693 the sum of £50, the interest thereof to be given away to the poor of the parish in bread every Sunday, as the churchwardens and overseers should think fit.—Edward Jackson, who died in 1709, gave the sum of £100, the interest of which was to be given to the poor in bread every first Sunday in the month. In the year 1709 the bailiffs and burgesses of Bridgnorth purchased an estate at Highley for the sum of £390, which was made up of the following sums:—£50 of Henry Bourne’s legacy, £100 of Edward Jackson’s charity, £50 of John Lem’s legacy, the interest of which was left for the minister of the parish, together with a further sum of £10, said to be given for putting out apprentices, £80 of the almshouse money, and the residue, £110, was money belonging to the parish. This estate consists of 33A. 2R. 20P. of land, which produced in 1820 the sum of £70. 16s. 9½d., and after payment of £4. 10s. to the almspeople, has formed the basis of a general bread fund.

John Bennett, by will, dated 18th January, 1732, gave an annual rent charge of £5, clear of all reduction, to be paid out of his estate at Bobbington, to be laid out in bread and given to such poor as attended church on the days of Wednesday and Friday. He also gave 20s. yearly to the minister of St. Leonard’s for a sermon to be preached every 10th day of October. The £5 for bread forms one of the items in the general distribution.

John Guest, by will, dated 15th of December, 1773, gave to the bailiffs and burgesses of Bridgnorth for the time being the sum of £200, to be put out at interest, and he directed that the interest of £50, part of the said legacy, should be laid out in bread and distributed every 9th day of January, or the Sunday following, at each of the parish churches of Bridgnorth. This legacy was invested in the three per cent. consols, and produces the annual sum of £7. 17s. 6d., of which the sum of £1 is annually paid to the parish of St. Leonard’s, and forms part of the general bread fund, and £1 to the parish of St. Mary.—John Guest, the younger, by will, dated 10th December, 1780, gave £20 to the two parishes of Bridgnorth, in trust, to apply the interest annually for the use of the poor, to be distributed in bread.

William Guest, by will, dated 21st June, 1811, bequeathed £400, upon trust, to apply the interest thereof in the purchase of bread, to be distributed among the industrious poor of the parish.

Bread Fund.—A general distribution of bread is made every Sunday in the year by the churchwardens to such objects as appear to be most in need, from the charities of Wheeler, Bennett, John Guest, John Guest, jun., and William Guest, which in all amounts to £96. 19s. 10½d.

Edward Guest, by will, dated 13th March, 1797, bequeathed the sum of £300, upon trust, to place out the same at interest, and of the profits thereof to pay one-third part to the minister of the church of St. Leonard, and one-third part to the minister of St. Mary’s, and he gave to the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of each of the said parishes £50, to be by them placed out at interest, and the dividends distributed in bread at Christmas, to the poor of the said parishes.

The £2. 10s. which the parish of St. Leonard’s receives on account of Wrottesley’s charity, as stated in the report of the borough, has been hitherto improperly applied in aid of the poor’s rates.

Mrs. Law, by will, bequeathed the sum of £40, upon trust, to place the same out at interest, or purchase land with it, and yearly to buy as much cloth or linsey woolsey as the interest or rent would buy, and have the same made into ten women’s petticoats, and to give the same away at Christmas to ten poor widows, four of whom should be of the parish of St. Leonard’s and six of the parish of St. Mary’s. The benefactions to the minister, amounting to the sum of £65. 11s. 3d. annually, have been noticed in the preceding pages.

Mary Elton, whose bequest to Palmer’s Hospital has been already mentioned, further gave the sum of £100 towards augmenting the income of the minister of this parish. There is reason to believe that this sum formed part of a sum of £200, which the Rev. Thos. Littleton appears to have deposited in the year 1775 with the Governor’s of Queen Anne’s bounty, the remaining £100 being probably a benefaction of his own. This sum, with a like one advanced by the governors, was applied to the purchase of certain premises, containing, by estimation, about nine acres, in the parish of Eye, in Herefordshire.

The Earl of Thanet left a legacy of £200 in the year 1776, for the augmentation of the living of St. Leonard’s Church. The Governors of Queen Anne’s bounty having added a like sum, the amount was applied in 1777 to the purchase of certain premises at Tenbury, in Worcestershire, containing about ten acres of land, which produces a sum of £15 annually.

The rents of two houses and a garden have been long applied to the repairs of the church, but from what source they were derived is unknown. The annual rents amount to £25. 10s.

CHARITIES OF ST. MARY’S PARISH.—The Rev. David Llewellin, by his will, dated 25th of April, 1794, gave the sum of £50, on trust, to the minister, churchwardens, and overseers of the parish of St. Mary’s, to place the same out at interest, on good security, and to apply the interest thereof to the use of the poor, in such manner as they should direct.

Eleanor Church, by will, dated 1798, gave the sum of £20, the interest thereof to be distributed in bread the first Sunday after the 26th of May. John Guest bequeathed a legacy of £20 to this parish, which is mentioned in our report of St. Leonard’s parish. Sarah Medlicott gave the sum of £10 in the year 1780, the interest thereof to be laid out in sixpenny loaves, and given to twenty poor housekeepers of this parish, on every 14th day of February for ever. BREAD FUND.—There is a general distribution of bread weekly, amounting in the whole to £10. 8s. per year. The distribution in September, 1819, appeared to have settled to the amount of four shillings worth of bread weekly, which was far short of the amount of the several charities for which the charity trustees were accountable. Richard Goodden, in 1806, assigned four pews in the church of St. Mary Magdalene to the minister and churchwardens, on trust, to pay and distribute the rents among poor persons not receiving parochial relief, in sums of not more than 5s. each. The rents amount to £3. 18s. annually.

Mrs. Law’s Charity; the particulars of which (the parish of St. Mary’s is entitled to six-tenths) have been given in the report of St. Leonard’s parish.

Paul Bridgen, by will, dated 1763, gave £10 to this parish to purchase a pew, or part of a pew, in the church, from the rent of which 5s. was to be given to the minister for preaching a sermon on Good Friday, and one shilling to the clerk to toll the bell on the said day, and the remainder to be given to the poor. The benefactions to the minister, amounting to £49. 1s. 3d., have been noticed in the preceding pages. William Hand, by will, in 1706, bequeathed to the minister of this parish and his successors, for ever, a messuage, which is let to weekly tenants at 2s. 6d. per week, which sum the minister now receives. Bridget Stackhouse, by will, in 1756, gave the sum of £131 to the minister of the parish of St. Mary Magdalene and his successors, for ever. This legacy was invested in the purchase of £145 South Sea annuities, the dividends of which, amounting to £4. 7s. per annum are duly received by the minister.

It appears that in the year 1811 and 1812 the Governors of Queen Anne’s bounty agreed to augment the curacy of St. Mary’s with five several sums of £200 each, out of grants made to them by parliament, and that, in the year 1816, they agreed further to augment the same with the sum of £300 out of the said grants, in conjunction with Thomas Whitmore, Esq., the patron, who gave the sum of £200, and paid the same to the treasurer of the said governors for the purpose of such augmentation, which said several sums, amounting together to the sum of £1,500, were ordered by the said governors to be laid out in the purchase of lands, tithes, or other hereditaments, to be settled for the perpetual augmentation of the curacy of the said parish. The sum of £1,150 was laid out in 1816 in the purchase of a dwelling-house, with appurtenances thereto, situated in Bridgnorth, together with a pew in the parish church of the said parish. The minister also receives the sum of £14, as interest on £350 (the residue of the said £1,500), which remains on their hands applicable to a further purchase.

Thomas Milner, by will, dated 1837, bequeathed £150, the interest thereof, to be distributed in bread on the first Sunday in every month, after divine service, to the poor of this parish. He also gave the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be applied towards clothing and educating boys of the Blue Coat School, and the sum of £100, the interest to be applied to the benefit of the poor widows of the almshouse of Bridgnorth.

POST OFFICE—Mr. Charles Edward Macmichael’s, East Castle street. Letters from all parts arrive at 6.35 A.M., and are despatched at 5.30 P.M.

Acton Edward Farrer, Esq., Gateacre Park

Acton Sir John E. D., Bart., Aldenham Hall

Adams Mrs. Anne, West Castle street

Audsley Thomas, engineer, West Castle st

Ayre Rev. Legh Richmond, M.A., Newtown

Bache John, Esq., Chesterton

Backhouse Richard Onions, solicitor, Whitburne street

Baker John, Esq., Walsbatch

Baugham Benjamin, Esq., Oldbury Wells

Baugham Thomas, Esq., St. Leonard’s

Bank, Cooper, and Co., High street

Bank, Pritchards, and Co., Waterloo terrace

Bank Saving’s, Bank street

Barber Rev. John, Stoneway head

Barker Rev. John, West Castle street

Batte William, Esq., East Castle street

Batte William Jones, gent., West Castle st

Beeston Richard, van proprietor, The Lodge

Bellett Rev. George, St. Leonard’s Rectory

Bennett John Lacon, St. Mary’s street

Benwell Rev. John Fred., Neenton Rectory

Blathwayte Rev. Chas. W., Clelmarsh Rectory

Brazier Captain James, Bradney

Briggs Rev. Fred. Wm., Wesleyan minister

Brown Mrs. Sarah, St. Mary’s street

Brown Thomas Whitmore Wylde, Esq., Woodlands

Carr Rev. Edmund, M.A., Quatt Rectory

Childe Harry Joseph, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Clarke Joseph and Brother, Listley street

Colley Miss, Mill street

Colley Mrs. Elizabeth, Cann Hall

Colley Mrs. Mary, St. John’s street

Corser Thomas, engineer, West Castle st

Cooper John Henry, Esq., Knowle sands

Curtis Mr. William Fitz Harry, St. Leonard’s

Darby Alfred, Esq., Stanley Hall

Dalton Thomas Wm., gent., East Castle st

Davenport Wm. S., Esq., Davenport House

Deeton Mrs. Mary, The Square

Deighton Thomas, Esq., Castle Terrace

Downes John, gentleman, High street

Dyer John, accountant, High street

Edmonds Edward, Esq., Tasley

Elson Thomas, inland revenue officer, St. Leonard’s Walk

Fernie Mrs. Mary, Whitburne street

Gabert Christopher, Esq., Claverley

Gabert Rev. G. H. B., Claverley Rectory

Gatacre Edward Lloyd, Esq., Gatacre Hall

Gillitlie George, inland revenue officer, Whitburne street

Gitton Miss E., High street

Gitton Thomas, solicitor, High street

Grierson and Law, worsted spinners, Spital

Grierson Thomas, gentleman, The Grove

Green Mr. George, Head’s Buildings

Greenstreet Rev. Frederick Wm., Low Town

Gwyn Richard Hodges, Esq., Astbury Hall

Hall J. Claude, land agent, East Castle st

Hall Mr. Joseph, West Castle street

Hallon Captain William, St. Mary’s steps

Hanbury Mr. George, West Castle street

Hardwicke Thomas Bell, solicitor, High st

Hardwicke T. H. P., Esq., Whitburne street

Harrison Robert, Esq., Mill street

Haslehurst Edwin Wm., solicitor, High st

Haslewood Edward W., gent., East Castle st

Haslewood John, gentleman, Tower House

Haynes Robert, Esq., Danesford

Herbert Rev. Richard, Chetton Rectory

Homfray Frederick, Esq., St. Mary’s steps

Jackson Thomas Austin, gent., Eardington

Jones Mr. Joseph, accountant, St. Mary’s st

Jones William, wine merchant, Underhill st

Kettle Geo. Mackenzie, Esq., Dalicot House

Law John, gentleman, Underhill street

Lea Mrs. Wolryche, Ludstone House

Leah Rev. Mr., curate of St. Mary’s

Leake Mr. Robert, High street

Leonard Wm. Henry, engraver, High street

Lewis Anne, wine merchant, High street

Lewis Miss Elizabeth, Chapel House

Lewis Miss Ann, High street

Lewis Misses Ann & Mary, Head’s Buildings

Llewyllan Mr. Thomas, St. Mary’s street

Lloyd Mrs. Ann, Mill street

Locke Miss, Head’s Buildings

Macmichael Charles Edward, West Castle st

Macmichael Elizabeth and Son, High street

Marshall Rev. William Knox, M.A., St. Mary’s Rectory

Martin Mr. James Henry, Mill street

Merriman Rev. Henry Gordon, M.A., Grammar School

Nicholls Samuel, gentleman, Mill street

Nock Thomas, gentleman, High street

Parkes Joseph, Esq., Wyken Hall

Parsons George, Esq., Whitburne street

Phillips John, gentleman, Whitburne street

Pilkington Miss Mary Ann, East Castle st

Pilkington Mr. Samuel, Head’s Buildings

Pinkstone Mr. John, Library steps

Postlethwaite Rev. John, Tasley Rectory

Potts and Nicholls, solicitors, Mill street

Pritchard George, Esq., Astley Abbots

Purton Rev. John, High street

Purton Thomas, gent., St. Leonard’s Cottage

Purton Thomas Pardoe, Esq., Faintree Hall

Reece John Smythyman, castrator, Newtown

Reece Mr. Edward, Severn side

Richards Henry Slater, Esq., St. Mary’s st

Ridley Edward Wm., Mill street

Ridley Messrs. Samuel and Edward, factors, Mill street

Ridley Mrs., Mill street

Robinson Mrs. Baths, Infirmary

Roby Mrs., The Lodge

Rowley Rev. Thomas, D.D., Middleton Scriven

Rowley Mr. William Jepson, High street

Sing Joshua, Esq., East Castle street

Smalman John, Esq., Quatford Castle

Smith Herbert, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Smith John Jacob, Esq., St. James’s

Smith Wm. Henry Steedman, gentleman, Listley street

Southwell Fred., accountant, Whitburne st

Southwell Joseph, gentleman. East Castle st

Southwell Robert B. stamp office, West Castle st

Southwell Mr. William, Rock House

Sparkes Arndel Francis, sol., St. John’s st

Stephens John, Esq., Albynes

Strange William, M.D., High street

Stringer Mrs. Ann, Salop-road House

Stringer Mrs. Catherine, St. Leonard’s lane

Taylor Farmer, Esq., Chykenell

Tilly Rev. Alfred, Bap. min., East Castle st

Titler George, gentleman, East Castle street

Trevor John, Esq., The Vinery

Trevor Mrs., Bank street

Vickers Henry, Esq., East Castle street

Wall James, Esq., Severn Cliff

Wasley Rev. George Leigh, Knowle Sands

Watts Benjamin, gentleman, Listley street

Westhall Mr. John, St. Mary’s street

Whitcombe Thos., woolstapler, Underhill st

Whitmore Thomas Charlton, Esq., M.P., Apley Park

Whitmore Wm. Wolryche, Esq., Dudmaston Hall

Williams Charles, land agent, Morville Hall

Williams Mr. Edward Vaughan, Bank street

Wilmot Mr. Thomas Abel, superintendent of police, High street

Wilson John, estate agent, Aston Hall

Wilson Thomas, corn agent, High street

Wing Rev. John, Astley Abbots

Wylde Miss, Head’s Buildings

Wyllie James, inland revenue officer, High st

Academies.

Marked * receive Boarders.

* Barber Seth, Castle Terrace

* Barber Mrs., (ladies), Bank street

Blue Coat School, North Gate, William Bower

Brickley Anne, High street

British School, West Castle street

Dodd Samuel, Underhill st

* Grammar School, St. Leonard’s church yard; Rev. Henry Gordon Merriman, M.A., principal; Wm. Fitz Harry Curtis, second master

Independent School, Stoneway, Jane Akrigg

Infant School, Listley street

* Kirtlan Mary, Whitburne st

Moore Mary, St. Mary’s st

National, (boys and girls), Listley street, Mr. & Mrs. Trott, teachers

Nock Ann, St. Mary’s street

* Parker Harriett, St. Mary’s street

Roby Miss, Salop road

Saint Mary’s, St. John’s st., George Marsh

* Wase Mary Ann, (ladies), High street

Wigley Joshua, Commercial, Bank street

Accountants.

Bennett John, Lacon, St. Mary’s street

Jones Jos., bank, Waterloo Terrace

Pilkington Samuel, Head’s Buildings

Architects and Surveyors.

Griffiths Edward Francis, Quatford

Hall John Claude, (land), East Castle street

Penzer Ezer; office, Underhill street

Attornies.

Backhouse Richard Onions, Whitburne street

Batte William, East Castle st

Cox J., High street

Gitton Thomas, (and master in chancery), High street

Hardwicke Thomas Bell, High street

Haslewood Edward William, East Castle street

Nicholls Samuel, Mill street

Potts and Nicholls, Mill st

Smith John Jacob, St. Leonard’s

Sparkes Arndell Francis, St. John’s street

Vickers Henry, East Castle st

Auctioneers and Valuers.

Backhouse Richard Onions, Whitburne street

Nock and Wilson, High st

Perry and Phillips, Postern Gate

Bakers and Flour Dealers.

Birkmire William, Waterloo Terrace

Cureton Thomas, High st

Evans John, High street

Long Henry, High street

Ostin Benj., Bernard’s hill

Peters Ann, Listley street

Roberts Wm., St. John’s st

Weale George, Listley street

Wellings William, Mill st

Barge Owners.

Bradley Saml., Underhill st

Broadfield John Holloway, Underhill street

Brown Wm., Underhill st

Davies Thos., Bernard’s hill

Doughty Benj., Underhill st

Doughty Rd., Underhill st

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Head Richard, Bernard’s hill

Jones Wm., Underhill street

Longmore Henry, Underhill street

Oakes William, Underhill st

Preece William, Cartway st

Reece Richard, Friar’s road

Reece Thomas, Underhill st

Ridley Messrs., Bridge-foot Wharf

Rutter Samuel, Listley st

Salt William, Spital street

Wilson Andrew, Mill street

Boat Builders.

Oakes William, Underhill st

Penzer Ezer, Underhill Wharf

Rushton George, Cartway st

Bankers.

Cooper & Purton, High st., (draw on Williams, Deacon, and Co., London).

Pritchard, Boycott, and Nicholas, Waterloo ter., (draw on Barnett, Hoare, and Co., London).

Savings’ Bank, Bank street, (open on Mondays and Saturdays from ten till one o’clock).

Basket Makers.

Gwynn Charles, Cartway st

Gwynn Edwin John, St. Mary’s street

Gwynn James, Salop street

Berlin Repository.

Williams Fanny, fancy stationer and drawing materials, High street

Blacksmiths.

Atcherley J. Rennell, shoeing forge, High street

Binnell Francis, Whitburne street

Bishop John, North gate

Phillips Walter, Bridge end

Pope Alexander & William, Mill street

Tunkiss John, Listley street

Wellings Benjamin, St. John street

Bookbinders.

Edkins Lousia, High street

Rowley Wm. Jepson, High st

Booksellers, Printers, and Stationers.

Edkin Lousia, High street

Gitton George Robt., High st

Partridge Charlotte, Waterloo Terrace

Rowley Wm. Jepson, High st

Boot and Shoemakers.

Those marked * are dealers

* Badham Henry, Listley st

Badham Joseph, East Castle street

Bagnall Sarah, St. Mary’s st

* Beman Richard, High st

Bright Samuel, St. Mary’s st

Davies Thomas

Felton John, High street

Gregory John, Oldbury road

Heighway Samuel, Whitburne street

Lloyd Fredk., St. John’s st

Lay Matthias, St. John st

Lewis William, High street

* Milner Wm., Waterloo ter.

Newall Henry, Underhill

Pinner Rd., West Castle st

Reynolds James, Newtown

Reynolds James, jun., Newtown

Reynolds Thos., Whitburne street

Smith Charles, East Castle st

* Whatmore John, High st

Winsley Thomas, Newtown

Braziers & Tin-plate Workers.

Broadfield Wm., Cartway st

Coley Thomas, Whitburn st

Edwards Geo., Whitburn st

Glase Jos. Minton, High st

Hill William Whitehouse, High street

Lee Charles, High street

Nicholas William, High st

Bricklayers & Masons.

Case James, Newtown

Elcock Edward, Newtown

Foxall Francis, West Castle st

Gower Thomas, Newtown

Hayward Michael, Bernard’s hill

Lewis James, Friar’s lane

Piper Thomas, West Castle st

Rogers John, Newtown

Brick & Tile Makers.

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Evans George, Kingslowe

Penzer Ezer, Underhill Wharf

Builders.

Griffiths Edward Francis, Quatford Works

Holding William, East Castle street

Lewis Richard, North gate

Page William, Newtown

Penzer Ezer, Underhill st

Perry and Phillips, Postern gate

Powell Thomas, builder

Preece Benjamin, East Castle

Butchers.

Barker George, Whitburn st

Bowen Edward Farmer, Castle Terrace

Brawn Charles, High street

Brown Thomas, High street

Cureton Benjn., High street

Edwards George, Newtown

Giles Joseph, St. Mary’s st

Hall John, St. John’s street

Maun Thomas, Mill street

Miles Francis, Listley street

Reynolds John, High street

Roberts Thomas, Listley st

Rawley William, Underhill st

Smith Thos., West Castle st

Southwell Josiah, Bridge st

Townshend William, High st

Who attend the Market only.

Bill Jeremiah Fred., Broseley

Bentley John, Cross Houses

Cartwright James, Broseley

Cartwright J., sen., Broseley

Clutton George, Worfield

Clutton William, Nordley

Doughty Daniel, Madeley

Edgerley John, Norton

Edwards George, Neenton

Higgs John, Alveley

Jarratt James, Erdington

Mollineux James, Wyken

Poyner George, Beckbury

Reece Thos., Smithy Houses

Scoffham Henry Francis, Chelmarsh

Tasker Jeremiah, Morville

Wellings Benjamin, Ackleton

Yapp Henry, Tasley

Cabinet Makers.

Marked * are Upholsterers.

* Cartwright Richd., High st

* Edwards John, High street

Gower Edward, High street

* Jones Dodo Davies, High st

* Perry and Phillips, Theatre buildings

Carpet & Rug Manufacturers.

Southwells & Co., Friars’ rd. and Pendleston Mills

Carvers and Gilders.

Lingen Francis, Market street

Perry and Phillips, Theatre buildings

Cement and Plaster Dealer.

Penzer Ezer, Underhill Wrks

Chair Maker & Broker.

Colley James, Whitburne st

Charcoal Iron Manufacturer.

Foster James, Eardington

Cheese, Butter & Bacon Dealers.

Callant George, High street

Jefferies Henry, High street

Saloway Benjamin, Bridge st

Southwell Ellen, High street

Southwell Robt. Baker, West Castle street

Chemists & Druggists.

Coley William, Mill street

Fisher George, High street, and dealer in chemical manures

Leake Robert, (dispensing) High street

Macmichael & Son, High st

Steward William, (dispensing) Medical Hall

Clothes Dealers.

Bagnall Mary, Listley street

Dudley Richard, Listley st

Tonkiss Richd. Whitburne st

Coach Makers.

Botwood Thos., Cann bldgs

Pearce Frederick, North gate

Warner John, Newtown

Coal Dealers.

Bradley Samuel, Underhill st

Case James, Newtown

Jones Elizabeth, Severn side

Reece Edward, Severn side

Reece Thomas, Underhill st

Rutter Solomon, Listley st

Wilson Andrew, Mill street

Coal Merchants.

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Evans George, Kingslow

Confectioners.

Birkmire William, Waterloo terrace

Lewis John, East Castle st

Long Henry, High street, and dealer in british wines

Roberts Wm., St. John’s st

Southwell George, High st

Coopers.

Gwynn Charles, and wood turner, Cartway street

Gwynn Edwin John, St. Mary’s street

Jones William, Mill street

Yardley Daniel, Whitburne st

Corn Factors & Seed Merchants.

Bangham Benjamin, Oldbury Wells

Bangham Thos., Granary steps

Nock & Wilson, warehouse, Underhill street

Ridley Edward Wm., Mill st

Ridley Messrs. Samuel and Edward, Severn warehouse

Cow keepers.

Barker Edward, Newtown

Barker George, Whitburn st

Jones John, Northgate

Newall Richard, Underhill st

Perry William, Salop road

Preece William, Mill street

Southwell George, High st

Cutlery Dealers.

Baker Jas. (working), Listley street

Doharty Martin, Listley street

Williamson Thos., Waterloo Terrace

Curriers and Leather Cutters.

Clarke Messrs, Listley street

Lello William, High street

Lewis Francis, Underhill st

M’Michael Charles Edward, West Castle street

Summers John, Underhill st

Dyers.

Lowe Edward (wool), Bernard’s Hill

Rogers Mary (silk), North gate

Engravers.

Broadfield Thos. Underhill st

Gower Jas. (stone), Newtown

Fish-tackle Dealers and Net Makers.

Ball Thomas, High street

Broadbent John, Underhill st

Williamson Thos., Waterloo Terrace

Farmers.

Adams John, Friars’ road

Ball Thomas, High street

Bishop William, Mill street

Garbett Thos., Oldbury road

Newell Richard, Willow Tree House

Nock Thos., Cross lane head

Ridley Saml. & Miss, Low town

Wiar John, Oldbury lane Villa

Fellmongers, Skinners, and Wool Dealers.

Milner William, Robert, and Thomas, Pound street

Wheeler Jos. (executors of) Newtown

Fire and Life Office Agents.

Atlas—John Jacob Smith, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Birmingham—Mrs. Macmichael & Son, High st

Crown—Richard Boycott, Waterloo Terrace

Horse and Cattle Insurance—Mrs. Macmichael & Son, High street

Legal and Commercial and British Guarantee Insurance—John Lacon Bennet, St. Mary’s street

Minerva—Clement Edkins, High street

Phœnix—Miss Partridge, Waterloo Terrace

Royal Exchange—Mr. Smith, Cantern Bank

Shropshire and North Wales—Clement Edkins, High street

Fishmonger & Dealer in Game.

Davies Edward (& fruiterer), High street

Flour Dealers.

Instone Thos., Whitburne st

Jones John, St. Mary street

Meredith Richard, High st

Norcop Henry, Listley street

Furniture Dealers and Paper Hangers.

Cartwright Richard, High st

Edwards John, High street

Jones Dodo Davies, High st

Norwood Samuel, High st

Perry & Phillips, Postern gt

Gardeners & Seedsmen.

Bromage Thos., Mill street

Maun John, Newtown Nursery

Smith Jas., West Castle st

Smith Thomas, Listley st

Thomason Thos., North gate

Woodhouse Wm., High st

Glass & China Dealers.

Brown Thomas, High street

Liner William, Bridge street

Meredith Sarah Broadfoot, High street

Glover.

Bower Wm., Underhill street

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