Part 41
CHARITIES.—_William Gough_, in 1669, devised his lands, subject to the payment of £5 per annum, on the 25th of December, to the minister and churchwardens of Middle, to be applied in putting forth poor children apprentices. _Richard Newton_ left a rent charge of 12s., issuing out of the Newton estate, to be given in bread to the poor on the second Sunday in the month. This gift, and the yearly sum of 25s., paid out of the poor’s-rate, are applied in the purchase of bread, and distributed every Sunday. This 25s. is supposed to be paid as the interest of some charity money applicable to this purpose, and carried to the account of the parish. The same sum has been paid from the year 1786. _Thomas Atcherley_, by will, 1680, devised a rent charge of 24s. per annum, payable out of certain lands in Baschurch parish, to be given to the poor of Middle on Easter Monday. There is a plot of land, consisting of about three-fourths of an acre, which is let for 30s. per annum, and the amount is distributed by the churchwardens every Easter Monday, with the sum of 16s. 6d., paid from the parish-rates, as the interest of money supposed to have been given for charitable uses, and carried to the account of the parish. There are ten other bequests, which are stated to be vested in the parish, amounting altogether to £70. If the £24 paid for the purchase of the above mentioned land be deducted from that sum, there will remain £46, which is supposed to have been taken to the account of the parish, and for which the two sums of £1. 5s. and 16s. 6d., paid as above stated, would be interest at 4½ per cent.
The _Rev. Thomas Watkins_ left to the poor of this parish not receiving parochial relief, the sum of £20. _Richard Watkins_ left £30 for the like purpose. _John Mansell_ gave £10 to the poor. The three sums above mentioned amounting to £60, are secured on the Ellesmere House of Industry, by bond, bearing date 19th February, 1793. The interest is distributed among the most necessitous poor of the parish. The poor are entitled to partake of the benefit of _Dame Mary Hill’s_ charity, noticed with the chapelry of Hadnal. _Francis Henry Earl of Bridgewater_, by his will, bearing date August 29th, 1828, gave to the overseers and churchwardens of the parish of Middle £2,000, to be laid out by them in the public funds, and the dividends thereof to be expended by the rector for the time being for the benefit and relief of the poor of Middle, including Hadnal. The dividends amount to £65 per annum, which is chiefly appropriated by the present rector to a clothing club, the poor receiving the addition of the charity to their savings.
POST OFFICE.—_At Mr. William Parry’s_. Letters arrive from Shrewsbury at 8.30 A.M., and are despatched at 5 P.M.
Bate Abigail, farmer, Hollins
Bickley Joseph, farmer
Birch Thomas, farmer
Brisbourne William, farmer
Cheshire Jane, blacksmith and victualler, Blacksmiths’ Arms
Chilton John, wheelwright
Davies Thomas, farmer
Done John, boot and shoemaker
Eaton William, tailor
Egerton Rev. George Henry, M.A., The Rectory
Fardoe Samuel, boot and shoemaker
Fox John, farmer
Grice James, shopkeeper and boot and shoemaker
Griffiths Mary, dressmaker
Hignett Samuel, maltster
Hodnett John, tailor
Humphreys Sarah, farmer
Jones Edward, grocer and provision dealer
Majoribanks Sir John, Bart.
Majoribanks Miss Mary
Majoribanks William, Esq.
Madeley Thomas, farmer
Marsh Henry, farmer
Nisbet Rev. John Majoribanks, curate
Paddock Richard, farmer
Parry Emma, infant school teacher
Parry Sarah, girls’ school teacher
Parry William, postmaster and victualler, Lord Alford’s Arms
Parry William, parish clerk, registrar, and perpetual overseer
Pritchard William, gentleman, Grove Place
Rees John, farmer
Rogers John, tailor, The Wood
Sharrow Jesse, schoolmaster
Wilkes Thomas, wheelwright
William Richard, farmer
BALDERTON
is a small township in the parish of Middle, comprising 714A. 2R. 24P. of highly productive land, with an undulating surface, well wooded. It is situated a little to the north-east of Middle, and in 1841 had six houses and 26 inhabitants. Rateable value, £787. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor. The principal freeholders are the Rev. Thomas Staniforth; John Arthur Lloyd, Esq.; Thomas Dickin, Esq.; William H. Bickerton, Esq.; the trustees of the late Lord Alford; Mrs. Price; and Peter Shingler, Esq. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a neat stone chapel at Webscott lane. The tithes of Balderton are commuted for £124. 9s.
The principal residents are Francis Lee, farmer; Rev. Thomas Staniforth, The Hall; and James Young, farm bailiff.
MARTON
is a township in the parish of Middle, one and a half mile north-east of Baschurch, which contains 921A. 0R. 16P. of land, and in 1841 had 28 houses and 134 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,023. The farm houses have here a respectable appearance, and the farms are of considerable extent. The Shrewsbury, Ruyton, Middle, and Loppington turnpike roads intersect the township. The principal landowners are the Duke of Cleveland; the trustees of the late Viscount Alford; David Francis Atcherley, Esq.; Miss Feaston; and Thomas E. Horseman, Esq. The tithes are commuted for £135. 12s. MARTON HALL is an ancient mansion, the residence and property of David F. Atcherley, Esq., whose ancestors were seated here at a very early period. The house is pleasantly situated, and stuccoed; it is surrounded by park-like enclosures, which are richly wooded, and there is a fine pool of water on the verge of the grounds, which covers a surface of 45A. 2R. 15R. There are three outlets from the pool, which are well stocked with fish.
Atcherley David Francis, Esq., The Hall
Boliver John, cooper
Davies Edward, farmer, Martin lane
Evans John, land agent
Griffiths Geo., clock maker & general dealer
Horseman J. F. Esq., The Wood
Roberts Thomas, farmer, The Wood
Shingler Thomas, farmer
Wall George, farmer
NEWTON-ON-THE-HILL
is a scattered village, salubriously situated on an eminence, seven miles north from Shrewsbury. The township contains 669A. 3R. 2P. of land; and in 1841 there were 63 houses and 265 inhabitants. Rateable value, £893. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Viscount Alford; Richard Palin Bickerton, Esq.; William Henry Bickerton, Esq.; Mr. Richard Whitfield; Edward Edwards, Esq.; and Thomas Watkins, Esq. THE INDEPENDENTS have a neat stone chapel, built in 1833, at a cost of about £700. There is a residence for the minister attached to the chapel. The congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. George Rogers, who admits a limited number of youths into his residence as boarding scholars. There is a Sunday school in connection with this place of worship. A small cemetery adjoins the chapel. HARMER HILL is a delightful eminence, which commands a fine view of the rich agricultural district with which it is surrounded. The situation is highly salubrious, and the vicinity is beautified with several respectable residences. Near to this place is PIMHILL, distinguished as having given name to an important section of the county. It is clothed with thriving fir trees to its very summit, and is a conspicuous object for many miles round.
_Those names with_ * _affixed reside at Harmer Hill_.
* Barlow Thomas, farmer and vict., Bridgewater Arms
Bickerton William Henry, Esq., The Hill House
* Boliver John, wheelwright
* Carr Robert, mason and quarry master
* Carr Robert, gamekeeper
* Cooke William, mason and quarry master
Garmston Seth, farmer
* Harris Jane, shopkeeper and vict., Red Castle
* Harris Mrs. S., farmer
Leech George, shopkeeper
* Marsh John, butcher
* Pearce John, medicine vendor (Ploughman’s drops)
* Rogers Rev. George, Independent minister and boarding school proprietor
* Walmsley Robert, farmer
MONTFORD
is a parish and pleasantly situated village on the banks of the river Severn, five miles N.W. from Shrewsbury. The parish of Montford contains the townships of Montford, Endson, and Forton, having conjointly 2,937 acres of land; and in 1801, 456 inhabitants; 1831, 566; and in 1841, 102 houses and a population of 490 souls. Rateable value, £3,519. 10s. There is a fine sheet of water in this parish, covering 47 acres. The river Severn is crossed by a noble and substantial stone bridge, and hence Montford is usually called Montford Bridge. The London and Holyhead turnpike road intersects the township, which contains 987A. 2R. of land. Rateable value, £1,308. 5s. The soil is a mixture of loam and sand, and highly fertile. At the census of 1841 Montford township is returned as containing 92 houses and 434 inhabitants; but there is no separate return made of the township of Forton, which contains 19 houses. THE CHURCH is a venerable fabric, consisting of nave and chancel, with a square tower, in which are three bells. The chancel and the body of the church were re-built in 1737. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s book at £4. 18s. 6d.; now returned at £246; in the patronage of the Earl of Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. George Arthur Clive, M.A. The vicarage is a good residence of brick, about a quarter of a mile from the church. It was built in 1842, and being lofty, has an imposing appearance. There is a free school in the village, which is chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor and proprietor of the whole township. The houses on the south side of the river at Montford Bridge are partly in Bicton and partly in Montford. There is a branch post office at Mr. Jones’s, Swan Inn, Montford Bridge.
Clive Rev. George Arthur, M.A., The Vicarage
Austin Thomas H., farmer
Bowen John, constable
Davies Richard, basket and fish net maker
Davies William, basket maker
Dawson Thomas, farmer and vict., Powis Arms
Edwards John, basket maker, assistant over-seer, registrar for the Montford district, and collector of rates for the townships of Montford, Shrawardine, Ensdon, and Forton
Groom Ann, Post Office
Jones William, vict., The Swan, Montford bridge
Mansell Timothy, schoolmaster
Mathews Stephen, farmer
Matthews Thomas, farmer
Randles John, blacksmith
Thomas John, shopkeeper
Till William, farmer
Wilding Edward, farmer
ENSDON,
township in the parish of Montford, six miles W. by N. from Shrewsbury, contains 983 acres of land, and in 1841 had ten houses and 56 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,138. 10s. The soil is a mixture of clay and sand; the whole township is the property of the Earl of Powis. ENSDON HOUSE, the residence of Evan Bowen, Esq., is a handsome and pleasantly situated brick structure, in the Elizabethan style of architecture. The farm premises are conveniently arranged, and of considerable extent. A steam apparatus has been provided to prepare the food for cattle, and various other appliances for economising labour. Mr. Bowen farms more than a thousand acres of land. BEAM HOUSE farm, the residence of George Benjamin Cureton, is provided with extensive out premises, and the farm is of considerable extent.
Bowen Evan, Esq., Ensdon House
Bowker Samuel, farmer
Cureton George Benjamin, farmer, Beam House
Edwards John, farmer and farrier
Gough Lucy, farmer
Gouch Thomas, farmer
Hughes William, blacksmith
Minton Mrs., farmer
Nunnerley John, shoemaker
Till Thomas, farmer and gamekeeper
FORTON,
a township in Montford parish, with a scattered population, six miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, contains 966 acres of land, chiefly arable, the soil of which is a mixture of sandy loam and clay. Rateable value, £1,072. 15s. The Earl of Powis is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. Mrs. Middleton is also a proprietor. The tithes have been commuted, and £76 apportioned to the Earl of Powis, and £61 to the vicar of Montford. There are several large farms here, and the homesteads are provided with conveniently-arranged out-premises. There was no separate return made of this township at the census of 1841.
Cadman John, farmer and builder
Crane Edward, farmer
Edwards John, wheelwright
Jones Thomas, wheelwright
Middleton Margaret, farmer
Mansell John, farm bailiff to Mrs. Middleton
Minton Samuel, farmer, Forton Hall
Onions John, sawyer and joiner
Price Thomas, maltster, The Heath
PETTON
is a small parish, six miles S.E. by S. from Ellesmere, and twelve miles N.N. by W. from Shrewsbury, comprising 822A. 1R. 16P. of land, and in 1841 had five houses and 39 inhabitants. Rateable value, £978. A century ago the Petton estate was held by John Chambre, Esq., who died in 1752, and left three daughters co-heiresses, Hannah, Rebecca, and Mary. Hannah married a Mr. Corbet, Rebecca died unmarried, and Mary married John Hill, Esq., of Prees, afterwards Sir John Hill, of Hawkstone, and grandfather to the present Viscount Hill. Mrs. Hill’s moiety of the estate was sold to her sister, Mrs. Corbet, by whom and her husband the whole estate was alienated, about the year 1794, to John Sparling, Esq., merchant, of Liverpool, father of the present proprietor, William Sparling, Esq., who resides at PETTON HALL, a handsome stuccoed mansion of considerable extent. It is approached by a lofty portico, supported by stone pillars, and in the front of the mansion are beautiful pleasure grounds and shrubberies, which open into a park of considerable extent, having a fine undulating surface, richly wooded with noble timber, and occasionally studded with thriving plantations. The kitchen gardens and vineries are extensive, and highly productive. THE CHURCH, situated near to the Hall, is a plain brick structure, consisting of nave and chancel. The interior has a chaste and neat appearance. The reading desk and pulpit were the gift of Mrs. Sparling; they are of dark oak and elaborately carved; the altar is also of oak, beautifully carved. There are neat tablets to the Chambre and Morris families, and a beautifully designed memorial to two members of the family of Sparling, who were cut off in their early years. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £3. 4s. 2d.; now returned at £142; in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Cunliffe, M.A. The Rev. George Walker is the curate.
DIRECTORY.—William Sparling, Esq., The Hall; Captain Charles Sparling, The Hall; William Sparling, jun., Esq., The Hall; Miss Sparling, The Hall; Thomas Davies, gardener; Thomas Drury, coachman; Richard Danneley, groom; Henry Smith, house steward. _Farmers_: Edward Johnson, The Grange Farm; Thomas Shingler Wakley.
SHRAWARDINE,
usually called SHRADEN, is a village and parish in the lower division of the hundred of Pimhill, bounded on the north by the river Severn, six miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, and 13 S.E. from Oswestry. In 1801 there were 186 inhabitants; 1831, 189; and in 1841 there were 34 houses and 196 souls. The parish contains 1,903 acres of land. The Earl of Powis is the landowner. Rateable value, £2,798. THE CHURCH is a plain Gothic structure, dedicated to St. Mary, which stands upon an elevated site, overlooking a fine undulating district, covered with fruitfulness, and richly clothed with timber. It contains a small but fine-toned organ, the gift of Earl Powis, and the Rev. Isaac Frowd, the rector of Shrawardine, in 1832. It is expected ere long that the unsightly tower, which is of wood, will be taken down, and one of stone, of a more ornamental character, added in its place. There are several neat tablets in the chancel to the Newlings, and others; and a brass memorial remembers Martha Botevyle. It also contains an antique old font. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £9. 12s. 6d.; now returned at £380; in the patronage of Earl Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. George Arthur dive, M.A.; curate, Rev. John Norgreave Baker. The following account of Shrawardine is copied from an old parish register book, now in the possession of the curate:—“In the time of our unnatural broil and unhappy wars that were between the king and his parliament, Shrawardine Castle was made a garrison for the king, September 28th, 1644. Sir William Vaughan, colonel, was made governor of it. This garrison was the head quarters of all his forces. Whilst this garrison continued the church and chancel were pulled down; the outbuildings of the castle, the parsonage house, with all edifices thereto belonging, and the greatest, fairest, and best part of the town were burnt, for the safety, as it was pretended, of the garrison. In this firing, the register book, with many books of the minister, were burned. Shrawardine chancel was thrown down on St. Matthias’ day, February 24th, 1644. The church was pulled down on Whit Sunday eve, June 8th, 1645. The town was burnt on Midsummer eve and Midsummer day, 1645. The garrison was cowardly surrendered up to the parliament forces under the command of Colonel Hunt, Colonel Lloyd, and Mr. Charlton, after five days’ siege; and within less than a fortnight after all the timber of the castle, and much goods that were in it, were all consumed with fire, upon a sudden report that Sir William Vaughan was coming to surprise it. Afterwards the stone work was pulled down, and carried to Shrewsbury for the repairing of the castle there, and the making of Rousal wall, standing on the Severn side. The church was re-built by a voluntary collection through the county, in the year 1649. In the meanwhile the parishioners assembled for the worship of God in the castle stables.” The chancel of the church was rebuilt in 1722. Oliver Cromwell, shortly after the castle was taken, ordered its destruction, at which period he dismantled and destroyed a great number of the ancient baronial fortresses. The castle stood near to the church; the remains of it consist of mere fragments of mortar and rough stones. It was anciently the seat of the Fitz Alans, and subsequently of the Bromleys. It is now the property of Earl Powis, who is also a considerable owner of land in this district. THE HALL FARM HOUSE is an ancient structure, occupied by Mr. James Crane. The farm premises have been newly erected, upon a commodious and conveniently arranged plan. SHRAWARDINE CASTLE is a modern building of red freestone, and being situated on elevated ground, commands a most delightful and picturesque view of the adjacent country. There is a fine sheet of water, covering several acres of land, in the vicinity of the castle. The castle farm contains 506 acres. The farm premises are of considerable extent, most admirably arranged, and furnished with all the modern appliances for agricultural purposes. Thomas Bowen, Esq., is now the occupant. _Joseph Jones_, by his will, bearing date 30th September, 1729, reciting that he had in his hands £30 belonging to the poor of Shrawardine, which was intrusted to him by the family of Bromley, of Holt Castle, to be put out to interest, and the amount yearly expended in coals for the poor. Mr. Jones, to secure the legacy, charged certain premises with the payment of 30s. per annum, and this amount is now paid out of an estate which was subsequently given by Mr. Jones to the poor of Atcham, subject to the above rent-charge.
Asterley John Nightingale, farmer
Baker Rev. John Norgreave
Bowen Thomas, farmer, The Castle
Bowen Even, farmer, Buckley
Bryne Edward, wheelwright
Crane James, farmer
Edwards John, parish clerk
Jones James, shopkeeper and shoemaker
Onions Mary, farmer
Plimley Henry, farmer
Price John, blacksmith
WELSH HAMPTON
is a parish and village in the Ellesmere division of the Pimhill hundred, pleasantly situated three miles east from Ellesmere. This parish lies on the northern verge of the county, adjoining Flintshire, in Wales. At the census in 1801, there was a population of 373 souls, in 1831, 532; and in 1841 there were 118 inhabited houses, four uninhabited, and 569 inhabitants. The parish contains 2,970 acres of land, the soil of which is various; in some places it is highly fertile, and in other parts of an inferior quality. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Earl of Bridgewater, Charles K. Mainwaring, Esq., Mr. Samuel Reeves, Mr. Richard Thomas, Mr. James Smith, Mr. Thomas James, Joshua Lewis Menlove, Esq., Mr. Thomas Grindley, Mr. Richard Evans, Mr. William Hewes, Mr. Thomas Williams, Mr. Thomas Baleman, Sir John Hanmer, Mr. Thomas Speakman, Lord Kenyon, Mr. William Williams, Mr. William Cartwright, Mr. John Price, and Mr. William Stant; besides whom there are several other small proprietors. The living of the church is a perpetual curacy, valued in the king’s book at £6, now returned at £139; in the patronage of Charles K. Mainwaring, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. George S. Master.
Lane Mary, schoolmistress, Hampton Wood
Lawrence Mr. Thomas, Hampton House
Master Rev. George Streyncham
Speakman Thomas, assistant overseer
Thomas John, parish clerk
Warwick Emma, schoolmistress
Windsor Mrs. Jane, Hampton Wood
Blacksmith.
Marth Clay, Hampton Wood
Boot and Shoemakers.
Dodd John
Harris Edward
Kynaston John
Ralphs Matthew
Sproston William
Stant William
Butcher.
Morgan Thomas
Carpenter and Joiner.
Hatton Thomas
Farmers.
Bowen John
Brigg John Bishop
Cooper John
Cook Mary
Downward Peter
Edge Joseph, The Roe
Grindley Mary
Harris John
Holbrook John
Hughes William
Jones John
Lewis Thomas
Lewis William
Oakley Edward
Pay John
Phillips Joseph
Price John
Speakman Thomas
Stant William
Williams Edward, The Fields
Woodall Mary
Grocers & Provision Dealers.
Davies John
Peate Edward
Inns and Taverns.
Red Lion, William Sproston
Royal Oak, Wm. Williams
Sun, Thomas Hatton
Maltsters.
Edge Joseph
Jones John
Stay Makers.
Hughes Jane
Lloyd Sarah Ann
Tailors.
Deakin Benjamin
Trevor Thomas
Wheelwrights.
Jones John
Lloyd William
Speake Thomas
THE NORTH BRADFORD HUNDRED.
The hundred of North Bradford is bounded on the north by Cheshire, on the east by Staffordshire, on the west by the hundred of Pimhill and the Albrighton division, and on the south by the hundred of South Bradford. There is a considerable extent of land in this hundred which is highly fertile, and the cheese, which is extensively made, is said to be quite equal in quality to the celebrated Cheshire cheese in the adjoining county. The soils are various. The meadow lands in general produce a rich herbage, and the arable lands are seen covered with luxuriant crops of grain. The scenery is rich and beautiful, and in some places highly picturesque. The land in most parts is pleasingly diversified with gentle undulations, and in some places there are considerable inequalities of surface and bold swells, interspersed with rising plantations and woody scenery, which add to the beauty of the prospects. In this hundred is found superior clay for making bricks, marl for improving the land, and peat or turf for firing. The hundred is divided into the Drayton Division, Wem Division, and Whitchurch Division, and at the census of 1841 contained 5,428 inhabited houses, 204 uninhabited, and 26 houses building, with a population of 27,971 souls.
_The Drayton Division_ contains the parishes and townships of Adderley, Bearstone, Betton, Betchley, Bolas Little, Cheswardine, Chipnall, Childs Ercall, Drayton Magna, Drayton Parva, Dorrington, Eaton, Goldstone, Gravenhanger, Hinstock, Hodnet (part of), Hawkstone, Hopton, Kenstone, Longslow, Losford, Longford, Marchamley, The Morrey, Moreton Say, Norton-in-Hales, Ollerton, Peplow, Sambrook (part of), Sowdley, Spoonley, Sutton, Styche and Woodlands, Stoke-upon-Tern, Woodseaves, Wollerton, Westanswick, and Woore.
_The Wem Division_ contains the parishes and townships of Acton Reynold, Aston, Besford, Cotton, Edgbolton, Edstaston, Horton, Lacon, Lowe and Ditches, Moreton Corbet, Muckleton, Newtown, Northwood, Preston Brockhurst, Shawbury, Sleap (part of), Soulton, Tilley and Trench, Weston-under-Redcastle, Wem, Wolverley, Wytheford Magna, and Wytheford Parva.
_The Whitchurch Division_ contains Alkington, Ash Magna, Ash Parva, Black Park, Broughall, Booley, Calverhall or Corra, Chinnell, Darliston, Dodington, Edgeley, Fauls, Harcourt, High Hatton, Hinton, Hollyhurst, Ightfield, Lee Brockhurst, Mickley, Millenheath, Moston, Prees, Tilstock, Sandford, Steel, Stanton-upon-Hine-Heath, Whitchurch, Whixall, Willaston, Woodhouses New, and Woodhouses Old.
ADDERLEY