Part 117
is an extensive parish, partly in this hundred and partly in that of Munslow, pleasantly situated ten miles north-west of Ludlow, and intersected by the Shrewsbury and Ludlow turnpike road, the Shrewsbury and Hereford railway, and the Watling street, which here divides the hundreds of Munslow and Purslow. The township contains 728A. 2R., the rateable value of which is £1,126. 1s. In 1841 the parish contained 227 houses and 1051 persons. Population in 1801, 586; and in 1851, 989. THE CHURCH, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a cruciform structure, with a massive square tower. The living is a rectory, in the incumbency of the Rev. Christopher Swainson, and patronage of the Earl of Craven. The principal landowners are the Rev. Christopher Swainson; James Cartwright, Esq.; Thomas D. Duppa, Esq.; Mr. Thomas Owens; Mr. Edward Lewis; and Mr. William Potter.
CHENEY LONGVILLE is a township, ten miles north-west of Ludlow, containing 805A. 1R. 21P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,144, 6s. 10½d. The principal landowners are W. M. Beddoes, Esq.; Thomas D. Duppa, Esq.; and Mr. Joseph Humphreys. In 1841 here were 24 houses and 125 persons. There is a METHODIST CHAPEL in the township. A pack of hounds has been kept here for upwards of 80 years.
FELHAMPTON AND THE GROVE is a township, one mile and a half north-east of Wistanstow, containing 1,524A. 2R. 19P. of land, the rateable value of which is £2,015, 13s. the principal owners of which are the Earl of Craven; Mrs. Thursby; and Francis Marston, Esq. STREFFORD is a small village and township, ten miles north-west of Ludlow, which contains 372A. 2R. 24P. of land, the rateable value of which is £532. The Earl of Craven is the sole landowner. WITTINGSLOW is a township, one mile and a half north-west of Wistanstow, containing 536A. 2R. 12P. of land. Rateable value, £608. 4s. The chief landowners are W. M. Beddoes, Esq.; John Mier, Esq.; Mr. J. Broom; and Mr. Thomas Beman. WOOLSTON is a small village, one mile from Wistanstow, which contains 772A. 0R. 13P. of land, the rateable value of which is £721. 3s. The principal landowner is the Rev. S. J. Knight.
WISTANSTOW DIRECTORY.
Cartwright James, farmer, The Hall
Cox Thomas, butcher
Cox William, farmer
Davies Mrs. Jane
Edwards Mrs. Sarah
Ellis Rev. John S., curate
Home Richard, shopkeeper and postmaster
Jones John, farmer
Oliver Thomas, victualler, The Plough
Owens Thomas, victualler, White Horse
Owens Thomas, farmer, The Corner
Potter Mr. William
Rogers William, shopkeeper
Wilding James, draper and grocer
Williams William, saddler and harness maker
CHENEY LONGVILLE DIRECTORY.
Back Edward, farmer
Beddoes Francis, farmer
Duppa Thomas D., Esq.
Harris Elizabeth, farmer
Humphreys Joseph, tanner and shoemaker
Lucas George, farmer, Newington
Speake Joseph, schoolmaster
STREFFORD DIRECTORY.
Davies Henry, vict., The Boot
Jones John, veterinary surgn.
Jones Robert, surgeon
Rickards James, farmer
Rickards Richard, Esq.
FELHAMPTON & THE GROVE.
Blockley Edward, farmer
Bowen Richard, miller
Goode Thomas, blacksmith
Hancocks George, miller
Oakes John, Esq., Affcott
Marston Francis, Esq.
Martin John, vict., The Rest
Poole Richard, cooper
Thomas William, miller
Tomlinson John, farmer, The Marsh
Urkick Richard, farmer
WITTINGSLOW DIRECTORY.
Beman Thomas, farmer
Clare Peter, farmer
Falkingham Wm., beerseller
Harris Edward, farmer
Hotchkiss Wm., victualler, Cross Pipes
Howells John, farmer
WOOLSTON DIRECTORY.
Broom John, farmer
Martin Benjamin, farmer
Venables Thomas, farmer
THE CLUN HUNDRED
lies on the south-western verge of the county, and is bounded by Radnorshire on the west and Montgomery on the north; by the hundred of Purslow on the east and Radnorshire on the south. It is divided into the Clun and Mainstone divisions, the former having in 1841 a population of 2,077, and the latter 1,331 inhabitants. The Clun division contains the parish of Clun, and the Mainstone division the parish of Llanvair-Waterdine, part of Mainstone, and part of Bettwys-y-Crwyn.
CLUN
is an extensive parish and market town twenty-six miles S.S.W. of Shrewsbury, containing the townships of Bicton, Clun, Edicliffe, Guilden Down, Hopebendrid, Mannutton, Newcastle, Obarras, Pentrehodrey, Peerlogne, Shadwell, Spoad, Treverward, Whitcott-Evan, and Whitcott-Keysett, which together comprehend an area of about 22,000 acres, inclusive of common; of this number there are 11,882 acres subject to tithe. At the census of 1841 there were 424 houses and 2,077 persons, and in 1851 here were 2,119 inhabitants. The rent charge paid to the vicar is £802. 2s. and that to lay impropriators £415. In the township of Clun there are 3,075A. 2R. 12P. of land, the rateable value of which is £3,505. 5s., and at the census of 1841 there were 191 houses and 913 inhabitants; population in 1811, 734; and in 1831, 930 persons. The principal landowner is the Earl of Powis, who is also lord of the manor; Philip Morris, Esq., Rev. Christopher Swainson, P. M. Matthews, Esq., Thomas Evans, Esq., Mr. Thomas Hamer, Mr. Charles Bright, Mr. Edward Chelmick, Mr. John Law, and Mrs. Elizabeth Jones are also proprietors, besides whom are a number of smaller freeholders. Clun takes it name from the river Colun or Clun, which rises six miles east of the town, and flows through it, dividing it in two parts, and thence pursuing its course to the west. The town is romantically situated on a gentle eminence surrounded by lofty hills, and consists principally of one irregular street on the northern bank of the river, over which is an ancient stone bridge of five pointed arches, leading to that part of the town where the church stands. The borough of Clun, now greatly declined from its ancient station, appears from Dugdale to have been of sufficient importance, in the age immediately succeeding the Norman Conquest, to have conferred a title on the celebrated family of “Fitz-Allan.” It remained in the possession of this family till the reign of Elizabeth, when by the marriage of Mary Fitz-Allan with Philip Howard, son of Thomas Duke of Norfolk, the estate became vested in that family. From them it passed to the Walcotts, and afterwards by purchase to the family of its present possessor, the Earl of Powis, who is lord of the manor, though the Duke of Norfolk still retains the title of Baron Clun. The castle was built about the reign of Stephen by William Fitz-Allan Earl of Arundel, and being exposed to the ravages of the Welsh, it was well fortified in the 8th of King Stephen. In Richard the First’s time, the king being in the Holy Land, this castle was taken by Rees Prince of Wales, who laid all the country around waste. Prince Llewellyn in the year 1234 advanced with an army against the town, burnt the suburbs, but could not take the castle; this damage was fully revenged A.D. 1264, by an entire rout of the Welsh army at the battle of Clunne. Lewis says, “Within a quarter of a mile to the north-west of the town is a single entrenchment, said to have been raised by Owen Glendwr, as a shelter for his troops during their attack on the castle, and within half a mile to the south is Walls Castle, from which it was battered.” We are informed by Leland that this castle was “somewhat in ruins” in his time. The remains now present an interesting and picturesque object, consisting of lofty walls, the keep, and the banquet hall, and considerable masses of the ruin mark out both the ancient form and extent of this once stately pile. About two miles and a half to the N.E. is the camp of Ostorious, and five miles S.E., near the confluence of the river Clun and Teme, are the Caer or Bury Ditches, the station of that British hero, Caractacus, and the scene of his last effort against the Roman powers. The camp is of an elliptic form, comprehending an area of three or four acres of land, on the summit of a lofty eminence, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. The steep acclivities of the hill are defended by a triple entrenchment, which after the lapse of so many centuries is still entire.
Clun was formerly a lordship in the Marches, and was first incorporated by the Lords Marches, whose charter was confirmed by Edmund Earl of Arundel in the reign of Edward II., at which time its prescriptive right was admitted, but the charter not having been enrolled in Chancery, and all the records of the Lords Marches having been destroyed, its being an incorporate borough was proved by parole evidence. In the sixth year of King John, William Fitz Allan had a charter for a fair to be kept here for three days at Martlemas, which was the 11th of November and two days after. Fairs are now held on the last Friday in January, May 11th, June 15th, September 23rd, and November 22nd, and a market is held every Tuesday. The poor-law union of Clun comprises nineteen parishes, seventeen of which are in Shropshire, and contains a population of 10,024 persons.
THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. George, is an ancient structure in the early style of Norman architecture, and has evidently been of greater extent than it is at present. It has a low tower of great strength with a pyramidal roof, from the centre of which rises another tower of similar form, but of smaller dimensions; there is a peal of six bells. The most ancient part of the building is the nave, which no doubt existed prior to the Norman Conquest. The arch under the tower forming the western entrance bears a strong resemblance to the Saxon style. The northern entrance is under a highly ornamented Norman arch, on the east side of which is an arched recess, richly cinquefoiled. This church was partly destroyed in Oliver Cromwell’s time by Fleetwood, one of his generals. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £18. 10s. 5d., now £680, in the patronage of the Earl of Powis and incumbency of the Rev. Christopher Swainson. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a neat stone chapel at Clun, built in 1834, which will accommodate 150 persons. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have also a chapel here.
CHARITIES.—_Henry Earl of Northampton_, by will, dated 1614, founded Clun Hospital (dedicated to the Holy Trinity), and endowed it with tithes now producing a revenue of £1,600 per annum, for the support of thirteen poor brethren, including a master or warden. The buildings comprise a quadrangle forty yards in length and the same in breadth, which were extended in the year 1845, by the erection of a chapel, and a dining hall, and a house for the warden. The management of the hospital is vested in the bailiff, vicar, and churchwardens, the steward of the lordship, the rector of Hopesay, and the warden. The Bishop of Hereford is visitor of the hospital, which now consists of 18 poor brethren, who receive 10s. per week, and a warden who receives £80 per year, with a house rent free, and firing. The chapel is beautified with a handsome window ornamented with the arms of the founder, the Earl of Powis and the Bishop of Hereford.
_Sarah Like_, by will, 1725, left £60, and directed that the interest thereof should be expended in teaching 15 poor children to read English.
_William and Elizabeth Stirchley_, by indenture, dated 1730, bequeathed nine acres of land at Hopebendrid township, in this parish, in trust, to apply the rents and profits thereof for the benefit of the poor inhabitants of Clun, to be distributed to them every Sunday in bread.
_Francis Brown_, who died in 1795, left £100 for the benefit of the poor of Clun, the interest thereof to be distributed in bread every Sunday. There is a sum of money in the hands of the present vicar amounting to £80, the origin of which is unknown, but it is probable that the sums of £50 stated in the returns of 1786 to have been given by _Peter Meredith_, and £20 by _William Acton_, form part of it. Interest is paid for this sum at the rate of five per cent., and what is not required for the weekly supply of bread, is given away in clothing. _Randle Tonna_, who died in 1799, left £100, and directed the interest thereof to be distributed among twenty poor people, in such sums as the vicar and churchwardens should appoint.
BICKTON AND WESTON is a township in Clun parish, one and a half mile N.W. by N. of that place, which in 1841 had seven houses and forty persons. It contains 1,787A. 1R. 25P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,138. 18s. 4d., and gross estimated rental, £1,208. The rent charge of this township paid to the vicar is £79. 1s. 2d., and to the lay impropriators £6. 15s. 9d. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor and the principal landowner.
EDICLIFF is a township two miles north of Clun, containing 1,028A. 2R. 9P. of land, the rateable value of which is £944. 10s., and gross estimated rental £1,037. 5s. At the census of 1841 there were 35 houses and 157 persons. The principal landowners are the Earl of Powis, John and Thomas Price, Esqrs., and Mr. John Luther.
GUILDER DOWN is a small township, one mile north of Clun, containing 919A. 2R. 10P. of land, the rateable value of which is £944. 10s. The Earl of Powis is sole landowner. The rent charge paid to the vicar is £37. 8s. In 1841 here were eight houses and fifty persons.
HOPEBENDRID is a township, four miles south of Clun, containing 1,727A. 2R. 35P. of land, the rent charge of which is £53. 11s. 8d. paid to the vicar, and £29. 16s. 6d. to the lay impropriators. At the census of 1841 here were 25 houses and 138 persons. The principal landowners are Mrs. Middleton, Mr. John Hamer, and Mr. Thomas Galliers. In this township is the village of CHAPEL LAWN, where stands a chapel of ease to Clun, which was erected in the year 1844. There are 232 sittings, of which 162 are declared free and unappropriated for ever, in consequence of a grant from the incorporated society. The chapel is in the early English style of architecture. In the chancel is a richly stained glass window representing the Crucifixion.
MANUTTON is a township, one mile and a half south-west by west of Clun, containing 302A. 2R. 37P. of land, the rent charge on which is £37. 11s. 8d. The principal landowners are Mr. Thomas Jones and Mr. William Edwards. In 1841 this township contained 10 houses and 39 persons.
NEWCASTLE is a village, three miles and a half south-west by west of Clun, which contained in 1841, 32 houses and 176 inhabitants. The township has 2,989 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,066. 6s. 8d. The rent charge paid to the vicar amounts to £85. 12s. 8d., and that to the lay impropriators £22. 13s. 1d. The principal landowners are John Oakes, Esq.; the Earl of Powis; Mrs. Beaumond; Mrs. Ann Richards; and Mr. Thomas Owen. There is a Chapel of Ease here annexed to Clun parish.
OBARRIS is a township in the parish of Clun, contains 622A. 2R. 32P. of land, the rateable value of which is £308. 10s. Rent charge paid to the vicar, £19. 16s., and that to the lay impropriators is £16. 12s. 3d. In 1841 here were 17 houses and 67 inhabitants. The principal landowners are William Hamer, Esq.; Thomas Whettall, Esq.; and Mr. Thomas Middleton.
PENTREHODREY township lies about four miles south west from Clun, and consists of two farm houses and a few cottages. There are 670A. 2R. 10P. of land, the rateable value of which is £439. 12s. 6d. The small tithes paid to the vicar amount to £27. 12s. 4d., the tithes paid to the impropriators amount to £29. 12s. 10d. The principal landowners are Richard Edwards, Esq.; B. J. E. Williams, Esq.; and Richard Matthews, Esq.
PEERLOGUE, a township three miles south-west of Clun, containing 1,009A. 2R. 24P. of land. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £39. 16s. 2d., and the rectoral for £29. 11s. 4d. Rateable value of the township, £439. 12s. 6d. The principal landowners are the Rev. Christopher Swainson; Mr. Samuel Pugh; Mrs. Clark; and Mr. Thomas Jones.
SHADWELL is a small township, four miles from Clun, containing 813A. 1R. 3P. of land, the rateable value of which is £709, and the small tithes are commuted for £47. 12s. 11d., and the rectoral for £31. 13s. 8d. In 1841 here were nine houses and 59 persons. The principal landowners in this township are William Botfield, Esq., and Mr. John Luther.
SPOAD, a township three miles south-west by west of Clun, contains 12 houses and 31 persons, and has an area of 1,251A. 3R. 26P. of land, the rateable value of which is £592. 15s. 10d. Rent charge paid to the vicar, £43. 10s. 5d., and that to the lay impropriators £20. 2s. The principal landowners are Thomas Brown, Esq.; Thomas Moore, Esq.; Mr. Thomas Owen; Rev. Christopher Swainson; and Edwd. Morris, Esq.
TREVERWARD is a small township, two miles and a quarter from Clun, and contains 1,025A. 2R. 4P. of land, the rateable value of which is £315. 5s. 10d. Of the rent charge £25. 1s. 5d. is apportioned to the vicar of the parish, and £12. 2s. 1d. to the lay impropriators. In 1841 here were 20 houses and 94 persons. The principal landowners are Thomas Jones, Esq.; Trustees of T. B. Davies, Esq.; Mr. Thomas Middleton; and Mr. Richard Turner.
WHITCOTT-EVAN is a township in the parish of Clun, two miles west of the church, situated in a beautiful vale, and has an area of 426A. 1R. 11P. of land, the rateable value of which is £326. 5s The vicarial tithes are commuted for £22. 1s. 1d., and the amount paid to the lay impropriators is £13. 12s. In 1841 here were six houses and 38 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Roger Bryan, Esq., and Edward Rogers, Esq.
WHITCOTT-KEYSETT is a village and township two miles west of Clun, divided from Whitcott-Evan by the river Clun. It contains 2,303A. 0R. 24P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,267. 18s. 8d. The rent charge paid to the vicar is £81. 8s., and that to the lay impropriators £56. 13s. 5d. In 1841 here were 51 houses and 225 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Rev. John Rogers; Richard Bright, Esq.; Francis Brown, Esq.; Richard Parry, Esq.; John Wellings, Esq.; William Jones, Esq.; the Earl of Powis; Rev. Christopher Swainson; and several others. There is a small Baptist Chapel in this township.
POST OFFICE at _Mrs. Thomas_. Letters arrive at 11 A.M., and are despatched at 2 P.M.
CLUN DIRECTORY.
Addis John, shoemaker
Addis Richard, tailor
Baker John, baker
Beaumond Mrs. Sarah
Beaumond Wm., hairdresser
Bradley Mrs. Mary, Cromfryd
Braze Mary, baker
Bright Jeremh. vict., Buffalo
Bright Margaret, dressmaker
Bright Thomas, maltster
Bowen John, carrier to Salop
Carter Rev. William, curate
Chelmick Edwd., shoemaker
Chelmick William, beerseller
Childe Joseph, farmer
Cooke John, joiner
Coombs Lawrence, inland revenue officer
Cullis Mrs. Dorothy
Davies Ann, stationer
Davies Benjamin, stone and marble mason
Davies John, beerseller
Davies John, carpenter
Davies John, cooper
Davies Margaret, academy
Davies Mary, baker
Davies Thomas, butcher
Davies Thomas, glazier and ironmonger
Davies Wm., relieving officer
Dear Wm., supervisor, Villa
Evans Daniel, beerseller
Evans Mrs. Elizbth. Cottage
Evans Ths. Esq. Castle Cttge.
Faulkner John, mason
Farmer William, beerseller
Francis John, shoemaker
Francis John, wheelwright
Francis William, shoemaker
Gwilliam Benjamin, farmer
Hamer Jas. grocer & ironmgr.
Hamer John, farmer
Hamer Ths. frmr., Woodside
Harris Thomas, farmer
Haynes John, joiner
Heighway Thomas P. farmer, Cock’s Hall
Hinckman Walter, carrier to Ludlow
Howells Mrs. Elizabeth
Hughlings Mrs. Martha
Jones James, shoemaker
Jones Jeremiah, blacksmith
Jones Richard, tailor
Jones, William and Harley, drapers and grocers
Jones William, warden, Clun Hospital
Langford Jno. frmr. the Villa
Lewis Rev. Lewis, curate
Luther Mr. Richard
Luther William, beerseller and maltster
Matthews Thomas, farmer
Moore Jane, draper & grocer
Morgan Rev. Jenkin, curate
Morris Philip, Esq. the Hurst
Morris Thomas, butcher
Oldbury Charles, vict., White Horse
Parry Thomas, saddler
Poston Samuel, shopkeeper
Price Edward, shoemaker
Rawlings Francis, shoemaker
Rawlings John, draper and grocer
Roberts John, skinner
Rogers Mrs. Ann
Sheild Robert D., surgeon
Smith Mrs Martha
Speake Samuel, stone mason
Swainson Rev. Chrisr., vicar
Taylor Edwin, vict. Six Bells
Thomas Eliza, grocer
Thomas Richard, druggist
Vaughan Rich., stone mason
Walters Edward, weaver
Whiston John, vict. the Sun
Whittall Thomas, shoemaker
Williams Morgan, saddler and harness maker
BICTON DIRECTORY.
Collings John, farmer
Hamar Henry, farmer
Luther Martin, farmer
Statham Rowland, farmer
EDICLIFFE DIRECTORY.
Adams Richard, beerseller
Gough Thomas, farmer
Gwillian James, farmer
Thomas Edward, farmer
GUILDEN DOWN DIRECTORY.
Gwilliam Richard, farmer
Luther Thomas, farmer
HOPEBENDRID DIRECTORY.
Baldwin Saml., maltster and victualler, the Woodcock
Bright Richard, farmer
Jones John, blacksmith, Chapel Lawn
Lloyd William, farmer, Lyne-y-ven
Williams Jno. farmer, Chapel Lawn
MANUTTON DIRECTORY.
Edwards William, farmer
Matthews Isaac farmer, Wear
NEWCASTLE DIRECTORY.
Beaumond William, farmer, Fron End
Beddows Geo., farmer, Garn
Evans John, blacksmith
Hamar Henry, farmer
Hamar Thomas, farmer
Jones Richard, beerseller and shopkeeper
Southern Robert, miller
OBARRIS DIRECTORY.
Edwards Thomas, farmer
Gittins Wm. frmr. Penywarne
Hamar William, Esq.
Middleton Thomas, farmer
PENTREHODREY DIRECTORY.
Davies John, farmer
Edwards Richard, farmer, Bryncalled
PURLOGUE DIRECTORY.
Bevan Francis, farmer
Bright Charles, farmer
Jones Thomas, farmer
Mason Edward, farmer
Lewis Thomas, farmer
SHADWELL DIRECTORY.
Jones Thomas, farmer, Llanhedrick
Luther John, farmer and corn miller
Sankey John, farmer
SPOAD DIRECTORY.
Brown Thomas, farmer
Hamar Henry, farmer
Hudson Stephen, farmer
Wooley Thomas, farmer
TREVERWARD DIRECTORY.
Davies Mr. William, Upper Treverward
WHITCOTT-EVAN DIRECTORY.
Bryan Roger, Esq. Little Hall
Owens Richard, farmer
WHITCOTT-KEYSETT DIRECTORY.
Bright Richard, farmer
Brown Francis, farmer
Edwards John, farmer
Miles John, farmer
Francis John, wheelwright
Gough John, farmer
Hamar Henry, farmer
Jones James, blacksmith
Parry Richard, farmer
Wellings John, farmer
BETTWS-Y-CRWYN, OR BETTWS,
is an extensive parish, near the south-western verge of the county, nine miles north-west from Kington, comprehending the townships of Kevancalanog, Rugantine, and Trebrodier, which together comprise an area of 8,664 acres of land, of which 5,950 are in common lands. The tithes are commuted for £214. 2s. Rateable value of the parish, £2,037. 2s. 6d. At the census of 1841 there were 308 inhabitants; 1851, 452.
KEVANCALANOG township has a scattered population, and in 1841 had 232 inhabitants, at which period 19 persons were returned as resident in Clun parish. This township contains 4,800 acres of land, the tithes of which have been commuted for £67. 5s. The Earl of Powis is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. Michael Jones, Esq., and others are also proprietors.
RUGANTINE township lies on the western borders of the county, and contains 1,970 acres of land, separated from Radnorshire by the river Teme, which adds beauty and fertility to this delightful valley. One thousand three hundred and fifty acres of the land in this township are in open common. The principal owners are the Earl of Powis; John Lloyd, Esq.; William Price, Esq.; and George Green, Esq. At the census of 1841 there were 19 houses and 100 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £66. 7s.