Part 95

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:—