The history of Oswestry, comprising the British, Saxon, Norman, and English eras; the topography of the borough; and its ecclesiastical and civic history; with notices of botany, geology, statistics, angling, and biography: to which are added sketches of the environs

Front matter

(lass 3lf\Q>°\Q

Book-^0 % Ql2l

THE

Preface

volume than that which I now send forth ; and I should have been glad had some pen, abler than my own, been employed in the completion of so desirable a work. Oswestry is not deficient in the talent or learning necessary to produce a voluminous history ; but until the historic mantle fall upon some kindred spirit, that can evoke with magic skill the dramatis personce and chequered incidents of bye-gone ages, and beguile his readers with beautiful delineations of his native hills and vallies, the good citizens of Oswestry must, I fear, content themselves with the present volume, whose chief excellence, if it possess any, may be found to consist in supplying a collection of interesting facts, connected with the town and district, hitherto dispersed through many publications.

In preparing this volume for the press much delay has occurred from the pressure of other and more anxious engagements. In wading, however, through musty tomes and modern books, I have been instructed and solaced by the way. The Past reveals little else than vandal darkness and the pride and pomp of feudal power. Lords and their vassals figure chiefly in the discordant scene, and ignorant dependence is too commonly seen prostrate at the feet of favourites, in court or field, of ambitious and despotic monarchs. The Present has a more genial and encouraging aspect. Religion, with her gentle handmaids, Literature, Science, and Art, is shedding its radiance even over this district, so long the theatre of Border-feuds, strife, and injustice. The Future, therefore, indicates still more agreeable promise ; and those of the present generation who are co-operating in the good work already begun, of endeavouring to make the world better than they found it, will have the consolation of leaving to posterity an inheritance more precious than silver or gold.

PREFACE.

I cannot close these remarks without thankfully acknowledging the assistance I have derived, from several gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, in the prosecution of my labours. If I could have stirred up many others to the grateful task of elucidating the history of their native or adopted place of residence, I should have been still more satisfied. I take this opportunity of mentioning the names of The Rev. Thomas Salwey, Vicar of Oswestry, Richard Redmond Caton, Esq., F. S. A., Edward Williams, Esq., of Lloran House, R. J. Croxon, Esq., Charles Sabine, Esq., and one or two other gentlemen, who, with a becoming feeling of respect for the ancient borough, have kindly aided me by various contributions.

I am sensible of many imperfections in the volume ; but I trust, by the generous support of the Public, I may be enabled, at some not far distant day, to revise my pages, and render them still more worthy, of acceptance.

WILLIAM CATHRALL.

Osiuestry, October, 1855.

LIST OF SUBSCKIBEKS.

Asterley Miss, Willow- street Attree R. W., Esq., Plasmadoc

Bassett Joseph, Esq., solicitor Berry Joseph, Accountant Bennion Edward David, Esq.,

Summer Hill Baugh Robert, Llanymynech Bull William Isaac, Esq., solicitor Bickerton George Morrel, brazier Bartlett Charles Archibald, 32,

Paternoster Row, London Buckley Miss Eliza Broughall John, Esq., Fernhill,

Whittington Barlow Thomas, Esq., postmaster,

Worksop Barnes William, Osberton Hall,

Notts Bayley Joseph, Quadrant

Cashel Rev. Frederick, Incumbent of Trinity Church

Corbett Vincent, Esq.

Caton Richard Redmond, Esq., F.S.A.

Croxon Richard Jones, Esq., Town Clerk

Crutchloe Henry, Lloran Cottage

Cooper George, Esq., Salop-road

Cullis William, Lower Brook-st.

Corney William, confectioner and spirit merchant

Churchill Benjamin, Esq., Bellan House

Cross Thomas, Ornithologist

Cox J., porter merchant, Birmingham

Clarke Mrs., 3, Devonshire- terrace, Paddington, London

Cruikshank Percy, Pentonville, London

Churchill Miss, Bellan House (2 copies)

Crippin R., Church-street

Cross William B., Cross-street

Cartwright Samuel, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury

Donne Rev. Stephen, the

Schools (12 copies) Dovaston John, Esq., Nursery,

West Felton Davies Henry, Esq., solicitor Davies John, draper Davies Edward, confectioner Davies Captain, Llanymynech Dicker Phillip Henry, Esq., surg.

Eagle Downes Richard, Esq., Haughton

Grange

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Davies Edward, Esq., surgeon,

Llansilin Davies Henry, schoolmaster,

Llandrinio Duckett Mrs. Tamar, the Lodge Davies Mrs. E., Chirk Duncan John, Esq., solicitor, 2,

New Inn, Strand Davies W. M., Waterloo-house Davies Giles, Lower Brook-street Davies Thomas, Greenwich Davies John, Erwallo, Glyn

Edwards James, Esq., Upper

Brook-street (2 copies) Edmunds Rev, Edw., M.A., Vicar

of St. Michael's, Southampton Eddy Walter, Mine Agent, Fron,

Rhuabon Evans Edward, auctioneer Edwards Thomas, Esq., Cae Glas Edwards Ed., Commercial Hotel Eyeley Edward, organist Evans R. D., Esq., Meifod Edwards James Coster, Trefynant Edwards Thomas, chandler Evans John, ship builder, Mor-

bum, Machynlleth Edwards Alfred, Hanwell, Middlesex Edmunds Griffith, Albion Hill Edisbury James, Esq., Wrexham Edisbury J. F., Esq., Holywell Ellis Henry, English Walls Evans Edward, Liverpool Gas Co.

Evans William, Glascoed Edwards Edward, currier Edwards William, Queen's Head Evans John, Church- street Ewing John, gardener, Osberton

Hall Fitz-William, The Right

Hon. The Earl (4 copies) Fitz-William, The Hon. Lady

Charlotte Wentworth, Went-

worth House Fitz-William, The Hon. M, S. C.

Wentworth Fitz-William, The Hon. Lady

Dorothy H. Wentworth Francis Captain, Aberystwith Fallon Rev. J, M., Bailee Rectory,

Ireland

Fuller William, Esq., Salop-road

Furnin The Rev. J. P., Rode Parsonage, near Lawton, Cheshire

Faulder F. J., Esq., St. Ann'ssquare, Manchester

Fox John, accountant

Gore William Ormsby, Esq.,

M.P. for North Shropshire Grey William, Esq., New Burlington-street, London Gray Thos.,Esq. architect, Chester Greenwood J. W., Esq., London Goodwin John, Beatrice-street Galloway Charles, Halston George Roger, Willow-street Giles Henry, Cross-street Gornall Mrs. Jane, Swan Inn Griffiths William, Esq., solicitor, Dolgelley

Hill The Right Hon. The Viscount, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Salop Hales John Miles, Esq., Lower

Brook-street Hill T. Esq., Upper Brook-street Hill T. W., Esq., Upper Brook-st Har graves James, Esq., Whitting-

ton (2 copies) Hayden Wm. Henry, 17, Warwick-square, London Higgins Samuel, draper Holland George, Whittington HusbandRev. J., Rectory, Selattyn Hopwood F. A., Station Master

Gobowen Hardman Thomas, 14, Slaterstreet, Liverpool Hughes T., Esq., solr., Wrexham Hughes Miss Catherine, Church-street Hughes Alexander, Willow-street Hughes Miss Anne, Salop-road Humphreys Edmund, East Sheen,

Richmond (2 copies) Hughes John, Savings' Bank Hilditch George, Esq., Salop-road Heaton Rev. H. E., M.A., perpetual curate of Llangedwin Hodgkinson R., Esq., estate agent,

Osberton, Worksop Howell David, Willow-Street (2 copies)

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Hughes Thos., Esq., Plasnewydd, Llansilin

Jones, Rev. Llewelyn Wynn,

M.A., Curate of Oswestry (2

copies) Jacob Rev. L. R., Rhuabon Jones John, Esq., solicitor Jones Miss Harriette, Church-st.

Jones Thomas, Esq., Boughton,

Chester Jones Joseph, wine merchant Jones Edward, Plas Issa, Rhuabon Jones Mrs. Frances, London House Jones John, hair dresser Jones Edwin, Union-place Jones James Thomas, Esq., Bryn-

hafod (2 copies) Jones Oswald Croxon, Esq.,

Enfield, Middlesex Jones Mrs. Mary Watkin, Cross-street Jacques Edwin William, Esq.,

Llangollen Jones Henry, tobacconist Jones Thomas, Esq., Brook-street Jones John, Esq., Domgay,

Llandisilio Jervis Geo. Boot Inn, Whittington Jones Rev. D. L., Meifod Jones Rev. Walter, Llansilin Jones Richard, Cross-street Jones Richard, Saloprioad Jones Thomas, builder, Chester Jones Gwen, Cross-street Jones Henry, grocer, Cross-street Jones John Pryce, Willow-stree£ Jones John, Cross Jones Richard, Esq., Bellan Place,

Rhuabon Jones Edward, Mine Agent,

Llwynymapsis

Kenyon John Robert, Esq.,

Recorder of Oswestry Kinchant Richard Henry, Esq.,

Park Hall King John Edward, Cross Keys

Hotel Kilner Richard, Brittania Inn

Lovett JosephVenables, Esq.,

Belmont LLoyd, Mrs., Aston Hall

Longueville Mrs., Pen-y-lan Longueville Thomas Longueville,

Esq.

Lloyd Rev. Albany Rosendale,

Hengoed Large Joseph, Esq., surgeon Lewis Richard, Osberton Hall,

Notts (4 copies) Lloyd David Edward, Cross Lloyd David, Wynnstay Arms

Hotel Lewis Charles Thomas, 38-9, Holloway Head, Birmingham

(6 copies) Lewis Henry, painter, Beatrice-st.

Lloyd Rev. David, Trefonen Lewis William, Elephant and

Castle, Newtown Leah John, Esq., Willow-street Lewis Henry, building surveyor

& contractor, Chester (2 copies,) Lever William H,, Esq., Chirk Lewis Miss Margaret, Cross Lees S. S., National Schools Lyons Aaron, Jeweller, Leg-street Lloyd Miss M. A., Willow-street

Milton The Hon. Viscountess,

Osberton, Notts Milton The Hon. Selina, Viscountess, Osberton Hall, Notts Mickleburgh Chas. Esq., Montgomery (2 copies) Minshall Thomas, Esq., solicitor Morris Edward, Esq., Salop-road Morris William, builder M'Kie William Hay, Scybor Issa Morgan Captain, 54, Terrace,

Aberystwith Minett William, Esq., Maesbury Meredith Edward, Rednal Morris Joseph, Esq., Shrewsbury Morgan John, Wynnstay Moreton and Son, Cross Morgan Thomas, Willow-street Mytton John, Church-street Manning Benjamin, Esq., Warwick-square, London Martin John, Esq., Gold Mine,

Dinas Mowddy (3 copies) Monk Charles, Llangollen Morris George, Porkington Morgan R., Aberystwith

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

M'Kie William H., Melbourne,

Australia Morris John, builder (2 copies) Morris Thomas, chemist, Worksop,

Notts

Norfolk The Most Noble His Grace the Duke of (Baron of Oswestry), Arundel Castle, Sussex (4 copies)

Nicholson J. Esq., Upper Brook-street

Oswell Edward, Esq., solicitor Owen M. Wynne, Esq., Plas

Wilmot Owen George, Esq., Park Issa (2

copies) Oliver Irwin, Leg-street Owen Elizabeth, 5, Upper

Parade, Leamington Oliver John, druggist, Liverpool

Powis The Right Hon. the

Earl of (Lord of the Manor of

Oswestry), Powis Castle Portman The Right Hon. Lord,

Bryanstone House, Dorset Portman The Hon. William

Berkeley, M. P.

Phillips John, Esq., Cross Porter Isaac, Esq., Salop-road Pryce Thomas, Cross-street Powell John Richard, Esq., Prees-

gwene Price William, Esq., Fulford, York Phillips the Rev. John Croxon,

Lamb's Conduit-street, London Penson Richard Kyrke, Esq.,

Willow-street Price Miss Mary, The Cross Phillip and Son Messrs., Liverpool PensonThomas Mainwaring,Esq.,

Chester Price Miss Elizabeth, Confectioner,

Cross Peate Jane, Porkington Terrace Pierce Mrs. H., 87, Park Terrace,

Green Heys, Manchester Perkins Samuel, Bailey Head Pearson W., J. Munn and Co.,

Manchester (4 copies)

Powell William, Salop Road Parry Thomas Price, Willow-st.

Provis William A., Esq., Cross-street PearceR.A., Esq., Worksop, Notts

Rogers Thomas, Esq., Stone

House Roberts Thomas Vaughan, Esq.,

solicitor Roberts Thomas, Esq., Glyndwr,

St. Asaph Roberts John, Esq., Cross-street Roberts Maurice, draper Roberts David, Leg-street Rogers E., Church-street Roberts John Askew, Bailey

Head Rodenhurst Charles, Whittington Roderick William, Esq., surgeon Redrobe James, Royal Oak Roberts Miss, Brook-st. Cottage Roberts R., gas proprietor Roberts E., Willow-street Roberts William Whitridge,

Melbourne, Australia Reed Mrs., London Ruscoe John, Horse Shoe Inn

Salwey Rev. Thomas, Vicar of

Oswestry Sabine Charles, Esq., solicitor Smith Frederick William, Esq.,

Ruthin (3 copies) Smale William, chemist Sharwood Messrs. S. andT., 120,

Aldersgate-street, London (2

copies) Saunders George James, chemist Sage Mrs. Catherine, Middleton-

road Smith Captain, Dinas Mowddy Smith Henry, Supervisor, Inland

Revenue Savin Thomas, draper Stokes Mrs., Rock Ferry Sides Miss Sarah, Fron, Rhuabon Sissons Henry, stationer, Worksop,

Notts Shaw Henry, ironmonger, Worksop, Notts Smith Benjamin, innkeeper,

Norton, Notts

LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Tipton Edward Blakeway, Esq., Distributor of Stamps for Shropshire and North Wales

Thomas Edward Wynne, Esq., Cross

Tomkies John, Esq., Manchester (2 copies)

Thomas Rev John, Liverpool

Thomas John, maltster

Tucker St. Felix, Esq , H.M.C., West Derby-road, Liverpool

Taylor John, shoemaker

Tyley Thomas, Sun Inn

Thomas Henry, Coney Green

Thompson John, Leg- street

Towers Mr., Angel Hotel, Dalestreet, Liverpool

Thompson Thomas, Chester

V£NABLEsRoWLANDjONES,Esq.,

Oakhurst Vaughan Robert Chambre, Esq.,

Burlton, Shrewsbury Venables Mrs. Eliz., Whittington

West FREDERicKRiciiARD,Esq.

M.P., Ruthin Castle West Frederick Myddleton, Esq.

Williams Edward, Esq., Lloran

House (4 copies,)

Wilding John Powell, Esq.,

Montgomery Whalley George Hammond, Esq.,

Plasmadoc Waite George, Esq., New Burlington-street, London Williams Rev. Rt., Rhydycroesau Webster Benjamin Esq., Adelphi

Theatre, Strand, London Wood Richard, Leg^street Woods Richard, farmer, Osberton,

Worksop Williams J. Vincent, Accountant Wright Edmund, Esq., Halston Wynn Edward, Black-gate Williams Edward, Belle Vue,

Wrexham Williams Rt., draper (2 copies) Williams Samuel, The Llys Winter John, Chirk Webb Miss J. C„ Melbourne,

Australia Windsor William, Babin's Wood Windsor Samuel, Powis Castle Wilson William, upholsterer Williams G. H., Esq., The Lymes Williams William, Esq., 295,

Kent- St., Southwark, London Williams Michael, Railway Station Whitridge Mr,, bookseller, Carlisle

%nfax.

Page

Agricultural Statistics

..

. 205

Album Monasterium

• .

. . .

. . •

. 166

Alfred the Great

. 17

• . •

. 191

Ancient Houses

••

• • ..

..

. 185

Ancient Relics

..

..

. 186

Angling

• • . .

•

. 209

Aston Hall

. .

. 242

Attack on the town

••

..

..

. 65

Baptist Chapel

• • • .

. 155

Banks . .

..

. .

. 100

Battle of Oswestry

..

Belmont

..

. 285

Benevolent Institutions

. .

• • • •

• . .

. 119

Bethesda Chapel

. .

.

. 157

Blanc-Minster

. .

• • .

Bleddyn ab Cynvyn

..

.

. 14

. .

. 223

Botany of the Parish

. . . . .

.

. 213

Bray, Dr. Thomas

. .

. 224

British Period

. . . . .

British Schools

. .

. .

. . •

. 114

Broom Hall

..

. 289

Brunswick Dynasty

. .

• . •

. 88

Brynkinalt

..

. 243

Cadwaladr's reign . .

. . • • .

. .

Cae Nef

• • •

Carreg Hofa Castle

. . . . .

. 257

Castle of Oswestry

..

• •

.. 15

Overton . .

. . . .

. 15

Ceiriog, the ••

..

..

..

. 312

Civil Wars

• • . . .

. 61

Charitable Donations

• • •

. 121

Church or Chapel-Fielc

..