Part 70
THE NEWS-ROOM.—The news-room was established in 1846, by a number of gentlemen and tradesmen of the town. It is held at Mr. Edwards’s, in the Market square, and is supported by annual subscriptions of 21s. There is also a billiard-room for the use of the subscribers. There are forty-five members.
THE GAS WORKS.—The Gas Works are situated upon the Tanbank, and were established in 1823, by Mr. William Edwards. In consequence of some dispute with reference to lighting the streets, an Act of Parliament has been obtained during the present year (1851) for the establishment of a joint stock company, to be called “_The Wellington Coal and Gas-light Company_.” The company will have a capital of £3,000, raised in three hundred shares of £10 each. The site chosen for the erection of the necessary works is the garden-ground lying between the top of Tanbank and the Wrekin road. Estimated cost of the works, £2,000. R. D. Newell, Esq., is the solicitor and secretary.
THE WATER WORKS.—The Wellington Water Works were provisionally registered in 1851, under 7 and 8 Vic. c. 110. The imperfect supply of water, both as respects quantity and quality, has long been felt in the town of Wellington; and it is to remedy this defect in the condition of the town, as well as to afford other supplies which local interest may require, that the company has been established. It is a well ascertained fact that many of the houses, particularly those where water is most needed, are so ill supplied, that the occupants are obliged, throughout the year, to procure it from a distance, at a considerable cost in both time and money; or, in many instances, especially among the poor, to be content with a supply totally inadequate to the ordinary necessaries of life. It is proposed to raise the requisite supplies from the Ercall Pools, which afford every natural facility for conveying water to any part of the town, without materially interfering with private interests. The water is free from deleterious matter, and considered excellent for culinary and household purposes. It is proposed to have a capital stock of £3,000, to be raised in three hundred ten pound shares. F. Buckle, Esq., is the solicitor to the company.
THE COUNTY CONSTABULARY OFFICE is situated in Walker street, Mr. John M’Michael is the superintendent, under whose directions are twelve police constables. There is a small lock-up on the north-west side of the church-yard.
THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY was established in 1850, and is supported by the principal gentlemen in the town and neighbourhood. The exhibitions are held in the Market Hall.
THE OLD HALL, an ancient structure mantled with ivy, situated on the Watling street road, is the property of Lord Forester, the lord of the manor. One of the rooms is wainscotted with oak, which remains in good preservation. The hall is now converted into a boarding-school establishment, conducted by Joseph Edward Cranage. A road which runs past the Old Hall leads to a few scattered cottages and some extensive lime-works, called Steeraway, which is about a mile and a half south from the town.
It was in Wellington and the vicinity that Charles I. mustered his forces, and, after issuing orders for the maintenance of strict discipline, made a solemn protestation that he would defend the established religion, govern by law, and preserve the liberty of his subjects, and that if he conquered he would uphold the privileges of parliament. It is to be lamented that he should have found it necessary to make a protestation of his adherence to the duties of an English monarch; had he earlier practised them, he would have avoided the contentions between himself and his parliament. The celebrated Dr. Withering, author of the “Botanical Arrangements of British Plants,” was born at Wellington, in the year 1741. His father was a physician, and the family had resided during many generations on a small patrimony in this county. Dr. Withering in his early years seems to have received a good classical education; and in the autumn of 1762 he was matriculated at the University of Edinburgh, where he distinguished himself by pursuing his studies with the greatest diligence and attention. Whilst he was unwearied in the pursuit of academic learning, as well as in all those branches of knowledge which belong more immediately to the medical profession for which he was intended, he did not neglect the cultivation of the lighter and more elegant accomplishments. In the year 1766, Dr. Withering finished his academical studies with great credit to himself, and obtained the degree of Doctor of Physic. He first settled at Stafford, and here he attended the accomplished lady who became the partner of his future life; and it is not improbable that this attachment produced that botanical turn which has since rendered his name so conspicuous in this department of science. She drew beautifully; and he appears to have gathered wild plants as subjects for her pencil. This soon became a favourite pursuit; and possessing at this time a good deal of leisure, he collected specimens for that herbarium which he afterwards rendered so complete. Dr. Withering removed to Birmingham in the year 1775, and notwithstanding the time he continued to devote to chemistry and botany, he soon realised £1,000 per annum by his professional labours. During the following summer he presented the public with the first edition of his English Botany, a work which claims the attention of every botanical student; and is, perhaps, exceeded by none for the facility it offers to the inquirer, and for the copiousness and correctness of its selection. His philosophical attention extended to chemistry, mineralogy, and every branch of natural philosophy connected with his profession occupied him in succession. In the year 1791, in the month of July, he and his family suffered much alarm and some injury in the riot at Birmingham. He died in 1799. Before his death, he directed no ostentatious display to be made at his funeral, and ordered his body to be carried to church by six honest peasants. Dr. Withering, besides his Botanical Arrangement of British Plants, gave to the world several medical works.
THE WREKIN, situated about two miles S. from Wellington, is said to be the highest hill in Europe for the circumference of its base. This proud monarch of the plain rises to the altitude of 1,320 feet, and being in the heart of Shropshire forms a conspicuous feature in the landscape from all parts of the surrounding country. The distance is about a mile from the London road to the summit of the hill; about half way up the ascent is a neat cottage, where numerous parties, after luxuriating in the enjoyment of prospects of unparalleled magnificence, assemble for social repast. This huge mountain is covered with thriving plantations, but the trees as they gradually ascend towards the summit appear of more stunted growth. From the cottage a broad pathway covered with rich verdure leads to the summit, from which seventeen counties can be seen; in every direction the most extensive, varied, and magnificent prospects open to view. The Wrekin is regarded by the residents in Shropshire as the centre towards which the best wishes and affections of the heart converge in that well known convivial sentiment, unchanged by time and never out of place, “_All Friends Round the Wrekin_.” The Rev. Richard Corfield thus beautifully describes the scenery around the lofty mount:—
“The summit gained, the weary toil’s repaid, By prospects varied—mountain, wood, and glade; O’er Salop’s plains with beauteous verdure drest, The Cambrian mountains stretch along the west. Turn to the north and Hawkstone’s hill you see, With Cheshire prospects reaching to the Dee; When to the east you lend th’ admiring gaze, The barren Peak your startled thoughts amaze; More eastward still you ken in distant view Edge Hill, where Charles his faithful followers drew. This fairy circle let us onward trace O’er Brecon’s beacons, Radnor’s forest chase, And as the outline may be further known, So past its limits may our love be shown— Love to our country and to all held dear By ties of kindred, friendship’s off’ring bear— Love to our country, and _to all friends round_ _The Wrekin’s_ circle may our love resound— Such wishes these all Shropshire hearts inspire, In social converse round the winter’s fire.”
WATLING STREET is a populous hamlet forming the eastern suburb to the town of Wellington, from which it is distant about half a mile. It is called Watling street from being situated on the great Prœtorian highway of the Romans, which enters this county at Boningale, and terminates in the county of Cardigan. It is now the Shrewsbury and Birmingham highway, and before the establishment of railways was a road of immense traffic. There are several respectable houses and a good inn and posting house. The names of the principal residents will be found incorporated in the Wellington directory. At the census of 1841 there were 66 houses and 299 inhabitants. Acres, 1,096A. 0R. 31P. of land. Rateable value, 2,194. 4s. The rectoral tithes are commuted for £125. 3s., and the vicarial for £29. 5s.
CHARITIES.—ALMSHOUSES.—There are on the north side of the church-yard six small tenements erected at the expense of the parish about the year 1790, in lieu of some almshouses in the old church-yard which were then pulled down. The old almshouses appear to have had no endowment, and were occupied by parish paupers, and the present are occupied in the same manner, the inmates being selected by the vicar and church-wardens. Three of the inmates have 1s. 6d. per week, and the other three receive 2s. weekly. There are also four or five small tenements called almshouses opposite the pound, supposed to have been built about a century ago by a person of the name of Ick, or some person related to that family. There is no endowment to them, and the persons residing in them when the charity commissioners published their report claimed them as their own.
_Richard Stevington_, by will, bearing date 23rd March, 1658, devised a rent charge of £10 per annum to certain trustees for the use of the poor of the parish of Wellington, to be paid out of certain land called the Bury Yards. These lands are situate near the town of Wellington, and consist of two fields, one of which was sold by Lord Forester about thirty years ago. The other is still held by his lordship, and his agent pays the sum of £10 annually, which is laid out in cloth coats for poor men, and warm gowns for poor women.
_Paviour’s Charity_.—The yearly sum of £4 is paid by the agent of the Marquis of Cleveland, the owner of lands in Garmson, in the parish of Leighton; and in the churchwardens book there is entered a copy of a receipt, given 29th March, 1772, to John Newport, Esq., for the like sum as one year’s annuity, due at Lady-day then last, to the honest poor of the parish of Wellington. This is paid yearly to the churchwardens, and distributed on Easter Monday in sixpences among the aged poor of the parish. We have not been able to obtain any account of the origin of this charity.
_Phillip’s Charity_.—The only account of the origin of this charity we have met with is a statement in the charity book of the parish of Great Ness, from which it appears that William Phillips gave 20s. yearly to this parish, payable out of the same estate as was charged with the payment of 5s. yearly to the poor of Great Ness. The payment is charged upon a copyhold estate in the parish of Wem, belonging to Mr. Nunnerley and others. The amount is distributed in small sums on Good Friday.
POST OFFICE—_At Mr. Benjamin Smith’s_, _New street_. Letters arrive from London and the south at 2.30 A.M. and 3 P.M., and from Shrewsbury and the north at 6.25 A.M. and 10.25 P.M.; and are despatched at 6.25 A.M. and 10.25 P.M. to all parts of the kingdom.
LIST OF STREETS, ROADS, LANES, &c., IN WELLINGTON.
Butcher’s lane, Market square
Chapel lane, New street
Chapel house, Church street
Charlton place, Church st
Church street, Market square
Dun Cow lane, Market sqre
Field Cottages, Wrekin road
Foundry lane, Tan bank
Fountain place, New street
Jarrat’s lane, Tan bank
King street, Park street
Mill bank, New street
Nailor’s row, New street
Park street, Church street
Park terrace, Park street
Parville, Vineyard road
Pump street, New street
Rose hill, King street
St. John street, New street
Street lane, Wrekin road
Summer row, King street
Swine market, Crown street
The Mount, Wrekin road
Tan bank, Swine market
Vineyard road, Church street
Walker street, Market street
Wrekin road, Walker street
ALPHABETICAL DIRECTORY OF NAMES, PROFESSIONS, TRADES, AND RESIDENCES, IN WELLINGTON.
Adney George and Edward, tanners, The Grove, Park street
Agnew David, travelling draper, St. John st
Allinson John, tea dealer, Watling street
Alltree Thomas, tailor and draper, Crown st
Allwood William, linen draper, Church street
Anslow Mrs. Mary Ann, Vineyard road
Anslow Edward, farmer, King street
Archer Wm. John, schoolmaster, (Catholic) Mill bank
Atkins Elizabeth, bonnet-maker, Church st
Austin Wm., baker & confectioner, New st
Aston Mr. John, Vineyard road
Baddeley Thomas, ironmonger, iron and steel merchant, and nail and agricultural implement manufacturer, Market square
Bagshaw Joseph, provision dealer and seedsman, Crown street
Banning Rev. Benjamin, vicar, The Vicarage
Barber John, auctioneer and land and engineering surveyor, Church street, residence Mill Bank
Barnes John, shoemaker, King street
Becall Andrew, farmer, Watling street
Beeston John, surgeon, New street
Beeston Miss Tabitha, Rose Hill
Beetlestone Misses, academy, New street
Bellingham Wm., smallware dealer, New st
Bennett Samuel, tailor, New street
Benson John Esq., bank manager, Church st
Berks Mary Ann, New street
Betton Mr. William Howard, Mill Bank
Binns and Smith, milliners and dressmakers, Church street
Birch John, tailor, New street
Birch William, vict., The Wicketts, Street Lane
Bird Francis, provision dealer, Crown street
Botwood William, coach builder, Tan Bank
Bowring Robert, fishmonger, New street
Bradbury Charles, chemist, druggist, and grocer, New street
Brannan Michael, umbrella maker, Walker st
Bratton Thomas Benjamin, draper and silk mercer, Market square
Brookes George, provision dealer, and boot and shoemaker, New street
Brookes John, clerk, New street
Brookes Wm., brazier, New street
Burton Mr. John, Watling street
Butler Joseph, smallware dealer, New street
Butterey John, provision and salt dealer, New street
Brown John, shopkeeper, Park street
Brown John, vict., Dun Cow, Dun Cow Lane
Brown Thomas, shoemaker, New Town
Buckle Fredk., solicitor and clerk to County Court, New street
Campe Rev. Charles, incumbent of Christ Church, The Parsonage
Capsey Thomas, vict., White Lion, Crown st
Carrane John, old clothes dealer, New st
Cartwright Edw. senr., provision dealer, New street
Cartwright Edward, junr., provision dealer, New street
Cartwright Thomas, beerhouse, Street Lane
Cartwright William, butcher, New street
Chalmers Alex. W., draper, Church street
Chapman Martin, basket maker, New street
Childs John, maltster, Church street
Clay Thomas, butcher, Newtown
Clayton Richard, hair dresser, Newtown
Collier Mrs., Vineyard row
Cooke Henry, corn miller, Wind Mill road, Dawley Green
Corbett John, beerhouse, Wrekin road
Corbett John, tailor and beerhouse keeper, New street
Corbett Samuel, blacksmith, King street
Corbett Thomas, wheelwright and beerhouse, King street
Corbett Thomas, shoemaker, Watling street
Cotterill William, grocer and tea dealer, Church street
Cotton Robert, blacksmith, Walker street
Cranage Joseph Edward, boarding school, The Old Hall
Crowder John, timber merchant, and vict., Britannia, King street
Dabbs Moses, beerhouse, Park street
Dale Wm., station master to joint committees of Shrewsbury and Birmingham & Shropshire Union Railways, The Station
Danby John, grocer and tea dealer, Stamp Office, and agent to Salop Fire Office, Walker street
Davies Charles, tailor and draper, New street
Davies David, hatter, New street
Davies Evan, beerhouse, New street
Davies Henry, beerhouse, New street
Davies James, butcher, New street
Davies John, plumber and glazier, New st
Davies John, hair dresser, New street and Crown street
Davies John, painter, plumber, and vict., Market Tavern, Crown street
Davies William, cooper, New street
Dax John, linen draper, and vict., Bell Inn, New street
Delvecchio and Dotti, jewellers, and furniture brokers, New street
Dickin Mrs. Elizabeth, Vineyard road
Dolphin Joseph, butcher, Butcher’s row
Dolphin William, beerhouse, Watling street
Downing Mary, wine & spirit vaults, Church it
Downes John, bricklayer & builder, Church st
Downes Vincent, stone mason, Church st
Edward Jane, shoemaker, New street
Edwards Thomas, agent, King street
Edwards Thomas, cooper, New street
Edwards Thomas, shoemaker, New street
Edwards Wm., chemist and druggist, and hop merchant, Market square
Edwards Wm. and Son, brass and iron founders, Tan Bank
Ellis Gertrude, dress maker, Church street
Espley George, pork butcher, New street
Espley John, malster, nurseryman and vict., King’s Head, New street
Evans Hannah, bonnet maker, New street
Evans Jane, hosier, New street
Evans Thomas, beerhouse, Pump street
Evans Thomas, tea dealer, New street
Evett Mrs. Ann, Chapel House
Eyton Thomas Campbell, Esq., The Vineyard
Farmer Edward, beerhouse keeper, New street
Farmer James Bayley, solicitor, New street, office, Crown street
Farries Alexander, tea dealer, Watling street
Fieldhouse John, shopkeeper, New street
Foulkes James, agent to Mr. Taylor, brick and tile maker, Gerrard’s lane
Fox Mary, schoolmistress (National) Church yard side
France William, beerhouse, Jarrat’s lane
Gawthrop Rev. Thomas, M.A., curate, Prospect House, Park street
Gibson John, seedsman, Park street
Gill Robert, brazier, New street
Goodman John, vict., Bull’s Head, New street
Goodall Peter, gentleman, Parville
Gough James, shoemaker, Crown street
Grant Alex., travelling draper, Mill Bank
Grant Wm., travelling draper, Mill Bank
Grainger Rev. Henry Gabriel, (Baptist) Fountain Place
Grainger Edward, vict., Red Lion, Street lane
Greatwood Robert, solicitor, Parville
Green Miles, tailor, woollen draper & hatter, Church street
Griffiths Charles, shoemaker, Mill Bank
Griffiths John, beerhouse and shopkeeper, Mill Bank
Griffiths John, blacksmith, Swine Market
Griffiths Mr. James, Vineyard road
Griffiths William, saddler, Walker street
Groom & Sons, timber merchants, New street
Groom Isaac, baker, Walker street
Groom John, joiner and cabinet maker, New street
Groom William, painter, glazier, paper hanger, and provision dealer, New street
Hall Catherine, dress maker, Park street
Hall Michael, tailor, Park street
Hampton Rebecca, vict., Crown Inn, Crown street
Hamlet Richard, vict., Odd Fellows’ Arms, New street
Harper William, saddler, New street
Hartley Henry, beerhouse, New street
Harris George, shoemaker, Church street
Harris George, shoemaker, New street
Hayes Henry, surgeon, Vineyard road
Hayley Sedgley, gentleman, Park street
Haynes John, currier and leather cutter, New street
Haynes John, scripture reader, Church st
Hayward Thomas, professor of music, Church street
Heaford Mary, beerhouse, New street
Heighway Thomas, hair dresser, New street
Heywood Charles, rope and twine maker, New street
Hobson Robert, printer, stationer, bookseller, and bookbinder, and publisher of the _Wellington Advertiser_ (monthly), and honorary secretary of the London Art Union, Market square
Hodgkiss Anne, vict., Cock Inn, Watling street
Holland Ann, confectioner, Church street
Houlston Edward, beerhouse, Watling street
Houlston John, auctioneer, office over the County Court Office, Market square, residence Oaken Gates
Howlet William, surgeon, Park street
Hughes Robert, beerhouse, New street
Hughes William, shopkeeper, New street
Hutchinson John, surveyor of highways, New street
Hussey John, schoolmaster, Church street
Irwin Robert, vict., Sun Inn, Walker street
Ison John, chemist, druggist, and grocer, New street
Ison John, beerhouse, Watling street
Jackson William, beerhouse, New street
Jacobs Maurice, clothier, Crown street
Jonathan William, agent to London bone and guano company, Wrekin road
Jones Charles, maltster and porter merchant, Vineyard road
Jones John, butcher, New street
Jones John, farmer, maltster, hop, seed, and porter merchant, Park street
Jones John, tailor & beerhouse, Church st
Jones John, umbrella maker, New street
Jones Joseph, shopkeeper, Watling street
Jones Samuel Haden, surgeon, New street
Jones Thomas, carpenter, Vineyard road
Jones Thomas, wine & spirit vaults, New st
Jones Thomas William, high bailiff to county court, King street
Juckes Charles, linen draper, New street
Keay Charlotte, shoemaker, Market square
Keay James, printer, bookseller, & stationer, New street
Keay Rev. William, (Baptist), Spring field house, King street
Kimberley Mrs. Mary, Vineyard road
Knowles Isaac, solicitor, Church street
Lane John, veterinary surgeon, Swine market
Large John, joiner, Church street
Lawley Joseph, watch maker, Swine market
Lawrence Richard, tailor, draper, and pawnbroker, New street
Lawson Charles, shoemaker, New street
Leah Edward, seedsman, Park street
Leake Thomas, bookseller, printer, bookbinder, and stationer, New street
Lewis Charles, gentleman, Park villa
Lewis James, plumber, glazier, and painter, Watling street
Lewis John, linen and woollen draper and hatter, High street
Liggatt John, shoemaker, New street
Lloyd Emma, milliner, New street
Lloyd Joseph, shopkeeper, New street
Lloyd Richard, blacksmith, Wrekin road
Lloyd Thos., brazier & tin plate worker, New st
Lloyd William, shoemaker, Field cottages
Lockett John, draper & silk mercer, New st
Lockley Richard, blacksmith, Jarrat’s lane
Luckcock Richard, nail maker, New street
Lunn Mrs. Helen, Mill Bank
Mc.Michael John, superintendent of police, Walker street; residence, Park street
Mansell William, beerhouse, New street
Mansell William, ironfounder, Foundery ln
Marcy George, Esq., solicitor, clerk to Wellington union, & superintendent registrar; Watling street
Matthews Edward, veterinary surgeon, Walker street
Matthews Mary Ann, bonnet maker, Park st
Mawdsley George, patten and clog maker, New street
M’Cabe Thomas, fruiterer, New street
M’Crea James, travelling draper, Mill Bank
Milward Cornelius, beerhouse, New street
Moore James, earthenware dealer, New st
Moore Samuel, ironmonger, grocer, and tallow chandler, Market square
Moreton Joseph, inland revenue officer, Park terrace
Morgan Francis, shopkeeper, New street
Morgan Henry, druggist and grocer, New st
Morgan John, maltster & vict., Nelson Inn, New street
Morgan John, shoemaker, New street
Morris George, pawnbroker, New street
Morris Henry, saddler, Church street
Morris John, hair dresser, Church street
Morris John, goods manager for Shropshire union railway, Fountain place
Morris John, tailor, draper, & hatter, New st
Newill Robert Daniel, Esq., solicitor, and coroner for the Bradford district, New st
Nickless Samuel, vict., Red Lion, New street
Nock William, Esq., solicitor, and agent to Guardian Insurance Office, New street
Oliver James, Esq., Spring hill
Onions Robert, assistant overseer, Church st
Padmore Thomas, vict., Fox and Hounds, Crown street
Page Francis, cabinet maker and builder, New street
Parker James, beerhouse, New street
Parker John, inland revenue officer, Fields cottage
Park George, beerhouse, New street
Parton Thomas, maltster, Church street
Parton William, cabinet maker, New street
Paterson Edward, timber merchant, Mill bank
Peake Richard, corn, seed, and hay dealer, King street
Peplow Richard, woollen draper, tailor, hatter, and agent to Anchor Insurance Office, Charlton place, Church street
Peplow Wm., watch & clock maker, New st
Peplow William, tailor & draper, Watling st
Perry Samuel, beerhouse, King street
Phillips Elizabeth, dressmaker, Walker st
Phillips Jane, dressmaker, St. John’s street
Piggott Rev. Wm., (Wesleyan) St. John’s st
Pinches Wm., maltster, (Taylor & Pinches), St. John’s street
Plant Robert, shoemaker, King street
Poble John, blacksmith, Watling street
Pointon Henry, painter, plumber, and provision dealer, Crown street
Poole William, butcher, Dun Cow lane
Pooler William, tailor and draper, New st
Price Jane, shopkeeper, Church street
Price Edward, schoolmaster (National), Churchyard side
Price Richard, beerhouse, Park street
Price Robert, wheelwright, timber merchant, and vict., Queen’s Head, Walker street
Pritchard Mrs. Ann, Mill Bank
Randles Richard, beerhouse, Park street
Robinson James, shopkeeper, Watling street
Robinson John, tea dealer, Watling street
Roe Richard, cab maker, Swine market
Rogers Mary, shopkeeper, New street
Roper George, carpenter, Wrekin road
Ridding Mrs. Lettice, the Mount
Richards Richard, butcher, St. John’s street
Rimmer Henry, manager of goods department at Shrewsbury and Birmingham railway, St. John street
Russell John, sexton, Church street
Ryder John, surgeon, Crescent house, Park street
Sagah Mrs. Sarah, Park street
Sambrook William, beerhouse, Park street
Sandels John, maltster, porter merchant, and vict., Groom and Horses, Walker st.
Shakeshaft Benjamin, plumber, glazier, and painter, and beerhouse, Church street
Shakeshaft Helen and Ann, braziers and victs., Fox and Grapes, Market street
Shaw Benjamin, bricklayer, Newtown
Shaw John, vict., Charlton Arms, Church st.
Shelton Annette, vict., Duke of Wellington, New street
Shelton Edward, vict., Raven Inn, Walker street
Shelton Robert, farmer and saddler, Watling street
Shepard James, maltster, Park street