![History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Shropshire [1851] cover](/books/content/62250/OEBPS/7820053497793645517_cover.jpg)
Porter William, farmer and beerseller, Down
Porter William, wheelwright, Down
Purton Thos. Pardoe, Esq., banker, Faintree Hall
Reece Harriet, farmer, Criddon
Reynolds Wm., shoemaker and vict., Old Inn
Rudd John, farmer, Scotland
Smith James, farm bailiff, Tedstill
Taylor Thomas, farmer, Upper House
Wallace William, farmer, Hill Farm
Wall Thos., farmer, Archley
Walters Thos., miller, Down Mill
Yeardley Wm., blacksmith and farmer, Down
Loughton Directory.
Blakemore Jesse, farmer
Chatham William, farmer
Evans John, shoemaker
Hall Richard, farmer
Kitson Mary, farmer
Lawley John, farmer
Noakes Thomas, shopkeeper
CLEOBURY MORTIMER
is parish and market town in the Cleobury division of the hundred of Stottesden, situated 137 miles N.W. of London, thirty-three miles S.S.E. of Shrewsbury, eleven miles E. of Ludlow, and eight miles W. of Bewdley. It is divided into four quarters, viz.: Cleobury Town Liberty, West Foreign Liberty, East Foreign Liberty, and Doddington Liberty, which together contain 7,671 acres of land, of which 738 acres are in woodlands, 104a. 0r. 14p. of public roads, 2a. 2r. water, and 619a. 2r. 3p. in common lands and waste. Rateable value of the parish, £7,300. At the census in 1841 there were 364 houses and 1,730 inhabitants; population in 1801, 1,368; and in 1831, 1,716, William Lacon Childe, Esq., is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are the Earl of Craven; Sir Edward Blount, Bart.; W. L. Childe, Esq.; Charles Wickstead, Esq.; Mrs. Lucy Botfield; Beriah Botfield, Esq.; John Downes, Esq.; Richard and Henry Backhouse, Esq.; Trustees of Cleobury School; George James Compson, Esq.; Thomas Foxhall, Esq.; and Thomas Pardoe Purton, Esq., besides whom are a number of smaller freeholders. The tithes are commuted for £676. 12s. 6d., of which £602. 10s. is apportioned to the vicar of the parish, £34. 10s. to the Earl of Craven, and 12s. 6d. to William L. Childe, Esq.
The name of Cleobury Mortimer is said to be derived from its situation in a district abounding with clay, and from the Saxon word Byrig, a town, and the adjunct by which it is distinguished from North Cleobury is obtained from its ancient possessor, Ralph de Mortimer, who held it at the time of the general survey. The town principally consists of one long street extending from east to west, and contains several family mansions and good shops, in all the different branches of the retail trade. The labouring population are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits. There were formerly extensive ironworks in the vicinity, but these have now disappeared. There are two paper mills in the adjoining parish of Neen Savage, carried on by Mr. T. L. Hall. The Clee Hill collieries, about three miles west of the town, have of late been little wrought, though they contain extensive fields of good coal, ironstone, and limestone. This town is generally thought to have been the birth place of Robert Langlande, author of the “Vision of Pierce the Ploughman,” which was published in the year 1369. A strong castle which formerly stood in this place was entirely destroyed in the wars between Henry II. and his rebellious barons; it was built by Hugh de Mortimer.
The Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is an ancient and venerable structure, built of rubble stone, probably about the 14th century. Hugh de Mortimer settled this church for part of the endowment of the Abbey of Wigmore, about the time of Henry II. The square tower, containing a peal of six musical bells, a clock, and two dials, is surmounted by an octagonal spire of wood painted white. The interior consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, the latter is separated from the nave by five pointed arches on each side. The chancel is separated from the body of the church by a pointed arch. The western gallery contains a fine-toned organ, built by subscriptions about seven years ago, at a cost of £250. On the south side is a stained glass window, with the representation of Christ and the emblems of the crucifixion, and underneath are the words, “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd.” On the north side is a beautiful stained glass window in memory of Mary Ann, the wife of John Lynn Priest; and also a stained glass window containing figures of St. Anne and St. Mary the Virgin, erected in memory of Ann Golderby, who died in 1849. There are several marble tablets and tombs within the church, to the memory of deceased members of the various families in the neighbourhood. Within the entrance of the porch is the following epitaph to the memory of Honor Evans.
My days, alas! my mortal days, were short and wretched too:
Evil and few, the patriarch says, and well the patriarch knew
That death, like overflowing stream, sweeps all away; life’s but a dream,
An empty tale, a morning flower, cut down and withered in an hour.
Remember, Lord, man’s mortal state; how frail is life, how short the date,
Where is the man that draws his breath, safe from disease, secure from death,
For man, weak man is born to die, made up of guilt and vanity.
Thy dreadful sentence, Lord, is just; return ye sinners to your dust.
The living of the church is a vicarage, valued in the king’s books at £12. 10s. 10d., in the patronage of William Lacon Childe, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Edward George Childe, M.A.
The Wesleyan Methodists have a small chapel in High street, built of brick. The Roman Catholics have also a chapel near Mawsley Hall, in this parish.
The Free School was founded and endowed by Sir Lacon William Childe, knt., in the year 1714, for the education of the youth of Cleobury Mortimer; for which purpose he gave by will, dated 28th of October, 1714, all his personal estate, undisposed of, to be put out at interest or to be invested in land for the maintenance of a master, to whom he gave £30 for ever to teach and instruct the children of the parish. By an order of the court of exchequer, dated 19th of June, 1735, it was ordered that £200 should be laid out in the building or purchasing a school and schoolhouse, and that the residue of the trust money should be laid out in the purchase of lands, the rents and profits thereof to be applied to the payment of £30 a year to the schoolmaster, buying English books for the scholars, repairing the school and schoolhouse, and putting out six or more poor children of the parish to husbandry, as the trustees should think fit. By a further order it was directed that the securities should be called in, and the money invested in the South Sea Annuities, which produced in 1742 the sum of £2,475. 6s. which with an outstanding mortgage of £100 constituted the whole of the testator’s personal estate. In 1751, the sum of £2,700 was expended in the purchase of 348a. 3r. 36p. of land, in the parish of Cleobury Mortimer, which is now let at a yearly rent of £343. There is also funded property consisting of £1,700 south sea annuities; £1,600 three per cent. consols; and a sum of £600 composed of surplus income, and £198. 16s. received for return of property tax. Of this fund £1000 three per cents were bequeathed to the trustees in 1810 by Mr. John Winwood, of Bristol, towards paying an usher to assist in teaching. The interest of these funds with the rents of land beforementioned amount to the sum of £463. 1s. 5d. per annum. Upwards of 160 children are now educated in the school, of whom twelve boys and twelve girls are annually clothed, and a fee is given yearly for the apprenticing of six or more poor scholars to some mechanical or agricultural pursuit. The head master is appointed by William Lacon Childe, Esq., of Kinlet, as representative of the founder, and receives £60 per annum, besides other perquisites; especially an allowance of 30s. per head for copy books, &c. The Rev. Henry Kemp, B.A. is the head master: James Birchall, second master.
The County Court for the recovery of debts, and in all pleas of personal action where the damage does not exceed £50, is held monthly at the Town’s Offices, in the Lower town. The several parishes and places within the jurisdiction of the court are Aston Botterel, Bayton, in Worcestershire, Cleobury Mortimer, Coreley, Farlow, in Herefordshire, Highley, Hopton Wafers, Kinlet, Loughton, Mamble, Milson, Neen Savage, Neen Solars, Rock, in Worcestershire, Silvington, Stottesden, and Wheathill. Judge, Uvedale Corbett, Esq., Aston Hall: Clerk, Samuel Phillips Southam, Esq.; Assistant Clerk, William Nichols: High Bailiff, William Cooke: Bailiff and Appraiser, William Farmer.
Cleobury Mortimer Union House is situated half a mile north-west of the church. The union comprises the following parishes, viz.:—Aston Botterel, Coreley, Farlow, Highley, Hopton Wafers, Kinlet, Loughton, Milson, Neen Savage, Neen Solars, Silvington, Stottesden and Wheathill, in the county of Salop; and Bayton, Rock and Mamble, in the county of Worcestershire. The union comprehends an area of upwards of 50,000 acres, or 88 square miles, and a population of 8,632 souls. Chairman to the Guardians, Sir Edward Blount, Bart.: Clerk, William Cooke, Esq.: Surgeon, Henry Vevers: Relieving Officer, Mr. William Wainwright: Master, Isaac Alfred Read: Matron, Sarah Read: Schoolmistress, Sarah Jones.
The Market Hall, situated near the church, is a modern erection of stone, in which the weekly market is held on Wednesday. Fairs are held on April 21st, May 2nd, first Monday after Whitsuntide, and October 27th, which are well attended. There is also a feast held the first Sunday after the 15th of August.
The Petty Sessions are held on the third Tuesday in each month, at the Towns Offices, in the lower town. There is a Lock-up in Church street, which was built of freestone in 1836; it is a small structure, containing two cells: Richard Roberts, police constable. The Excise Office is held at the Talbot Inn, where there is also a reading room, supported by annual subscription. There is a Circulating Library in Market street, of which Joseph Wainwright is the proprietor.
Cleobury Mortimer township and liberty contains 947a. 1r. 27p. of land, of which 315 acres are woodlands, 31a. 3r. 35p. are public roads, and 2a. 2r. are water. The soil is fertile and productive, and is watered by numerous fine springs, as well as the River Rea, which intersects the township, and is crossed by a bridge a short distance east of the village. At the census of 1851 the liberty contained 211 houses and 1,122 persons. The rent charge payable to the vicar is £131. William Lacon Childe, Esq., is lord of the manor, and holds a court leet and baron, at the Talbot Inn annually, in November; Mr. James Boucher is the steward.
Doddington liberty, situated two miles west of the parish church, at the census of 1851 had 87 houses and a population of 383 souls. It contains 2,878a. 6r. 19p. of land, of which 35a. 0r. 16p. are public road, and 619a. 2r. 3p. are moor, common, and waste, being part of the Clee Hill. The tithes are commuted, and £172 apportioned to the vicar of Cleobury Mortimer and £34. 10s. to the Earl of Craven. William Lacon Childe Esq., is lord of the manor.
The District Church, situated on the side of Clee Hill, was founded and endowed by the late Thomas Botfield, Esq., and his widow, Mrs. Lucy Botfield, of Hopton Court, who has invested the sum of £1,000 for the endowment, erected a parsonage house near the church, and given five acres of land. The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and built of stone, with a square tower, the site and building of which cost about £4,000. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of Mrs. Botfield, and incumbency of the Rev. Henry Brown, M.A. There are several coal works on the Clee Hill in this township, carried on by Beriah Botfield, Esq. The townships in this liberty are Catherton, Ditton, Dudnell, Hill Houses, and Woodhouses, an extra parochial liberty, situated two miles from Cleobury.
The East Foreign Liberty, situated three miles from Cleobury Mortimer, contains 1,878a. 1r. 39p. of land, of which 17 acres are public roads, and 132 acres woods and plantations. The vicarial tithes are commuted for the sum of £121. W. L. Childe, Esq., is lord of the manor. The liberty contains the townships of Mawley and Weston.
Mawley Manor House, situated one mile S.E. of Cleobury Mortimer, is the seat and residence of Sir Edward Blount, Bart. The mansion is a commodious and handsome brick structure, with stone facings and mullions, and surrounded by a richly wooded park.
West Foreign Liberty, situated two miles from Cleobury, contains 1,312a. 1r. 24p. of land, of which 291 acres are woods and coppices, 20 acres public roads. The rent charge amounts to £122. 2s. 6d., of which the sum of £121. 10s. is apportioned to the lord of the manor. William Lacon Childe, Esq. This liberty, with that of East Foreign, contains 48 houses and a population of 242 souls.
Charities.—Sir William Lacon Childe, the founder of the free school previously noticed, also gave by will the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be distributed to the poor in bread every Sunday.
Richard Walker, gave by will, dated 1666, the sum of 1s. every Lord’s day and 2s. every Christmas day, to be distributed in bread to the poor of the parish of Cleobury Mortimer. This gift is paid out of certain lands in the parish.
It is stated on a tablet in the church that Benjamin Bateman, clerk, left £20, and Mrs. Joyce Cumber left £5, for teaching poor children to read. From a copy of part of the will of Mr. Bateman in the parish book it appears that the £20 given by him was to be disposed of by the vicar of Cleobury Mortimer and one Mr. Read in such a manner as they should think fit.
Henry Fox, by deeds of lease and release, dated 1743, reciting that his sister, Mary Fox, had by her will given £50, which she intended should be laid out in land, and the rents applied to teaching poor girls to read, conveyed to the vicar a field containing one acre, in trust, that he should raise yearly the sum of 54s., and pay the same to a poor woman of the parish to teach ten poor girls to read. Also German Fox, in 1775, bequeathed £50, the interest thereof to be applied towards teaching poor boys to read.
Near to Cleobury Mortimer is a large school room and school house annexed, usually called the Old School Premises, but now uninhabited and in complete decay. From an indenture dated 1727 it appears that these buildings were erected upon a piece of land belonging to John Meysey, Esq., by means of contributions raised among the neighbouring gentry, for the purpose of a school for the benefit of the children of the parish of Cleobury Mortimer.
The Post Office.—Mr. William Jeffries, postmaster, Church street. Letters arrive from Bewdley at 7-45 A.M., and are despatched at 4-30 P.M.
Adams George, carrier, High street
Ashwood Thomas, gardener, Market place
Baker Slade, Esq., Sandbourne
Birchall James, second master of Free School, Market street
Blount Sir Edward, Bart., Mawley Hall
Boucher James, Esq., Church street
Bourne James, Esq., Mawley town
Bourne James, Esq., The villas
Botfield Lucy, gentlewoman, Hopton court
Brown Rev. William Henry, M.A., Doddington Parsonage
Childe Rev. Ed. Geo., M.A., The Vicarage
Childe Wm. Lacon, Esq., Kinlet Park
Childe William Lacon, Esq., junr., Kinlet
Cocks Rev. Charles Richard Somers, M.A., Neen Savage Rectory
Cocksey Mr. Charles, Market street
Colerick William, inland revenue officer, High street
Cooke Mr. William, junr., High street
Crump Thomas, Esq., Chorley
Crump Thomas, Esq., jun., The Hall
Dorrell Benjamin, miller and farmer
Farmer Wm., parish clerk & perpetl. overseer
Hall Thomas Lambert, paper manufacturer
Hardwicke Rev. Thos., D.D., Milson Rectory
Harris Sarah, school teacher
Hayton Rev. John, Market street
Hulme Rev. Benjamin, Mawley
Jefferies William, postmaster, Church street
Jones James, carrier, Market street
Jones Sarah, school teacher
Jones William Weaver, gentleman, Market st
Kemp Rev. Henry, B.A., Grammar School
Lowe Arthur Charles, Esq., Court of Hill
Marcy Wm. Nicholls, solicitor, and agent to Shropshire Fire Office, Bewdley
Mytton Henry George, Esq.
Nichols Wm., county court clerk, Market st
Pardoe George, Esq., Nash court
Pope Benjamin David, Market place
Pope Thomas, gentleman, Market street
Read Isaac Alfred, M.A., Union house
Reynolds Mrs. Elizabeth, Church street
Roberts Richard, county police officer, Lower town
Southam Samuel Phillip, Esq., Market st
Tongue Mary, school teacher, Free School
Vevers Henry, gentleman, Lower town
Wainwright William, relieving officer
West Margaret, carrier, High street
Whatmore John, town crier, Church street
Whitcombe Edmund Bancks, gentleman, High street
Wickstead Charles, Esq., Skakenhurst
Woodward Mrs., Lower town
Woodward Rev. Thomas, M.A., Hopton Rectory
Academies.
Free School, Rev. Henry Kemp, principal; Birchall James, second master; Sarah Harris, mistress
Infant, Mary Tongue
Attorneys.
Backhouse Richard Onions, Lower town
Marcy William Nicholls, Lower town
Pope Benj. David, Market place
Southam Samuel Phillips, master extraordinary in chancery, coroner for the southern district of Shropshire, and clerk to the county court
Auctioneers and Valuers.
Backhouse Richard Onions, Lower town
Hill William, Lower town
Jones Lloyd, Lower town
Baker and Flour Dealer.
Price James, Market street
Blacksmiths.
Harris Thomas, Church st
Hay John, (& ironmonger), Market street
Potter Edward, Lower town
Webb Thomas, High street
Boot and Shoemakers.
Bodenham John, Market st
Breakwell Thos., The Hurst
Whatmore John, (& leather cutter), Church street
Wheeler James, Church st
Butchers.
Bright Edward, High street
Lloyd Thomas, (& farmer), Market place
Williams Thos., (& grazier) Market place
Coopers.
Knott John, High street
Simmonds Wm., Market pl
Chemist and Druggist.
Wainwright Joseph, Market place
Grocers and Tea Dealers.
Downes John, High street
Downes Thomas, (& provision dealer), Lower town
Eaton Robert, High street
Jefferies Wm., (& chandler), Church street
Wainwright Joseph, Market place
Williams Elizth., Church st
Yapp Thomas, Market pl
Hair Dresser.
Griffiths John, Lower town
Hotels, Inns, and Taverns.
Bell, Jas. Lane, Lower town
Crown, James Wm. Smith, High street
Fountain, Elizth. Williams, Church street
Fox Inn, Thomas Farmer, High street
King’s Arms, commercial inn and spirit vaults, Benjamin Taylor, Church st
Lion, Thomas Worrall, Church street
Swan, Benjamin Dorrell, Church street
Talbot Hotel, and commercial inn & posting house, Wm. Dorrell, Market pl
Beer and Cider Retailers.
Eaton Robert, High street
Wadeley James, Lower town
Whetstone Wm., High st
Butter and Cheese Dealer.
Yapp Thomas, (& dealer in corn), Market place
Joiners and Builders.
Hare Thomas, High street
Hardy Edwin, (upholsterer and & bell hanger), Church street
Smith John, High street
Land Agents.
Boucher James, Church st
Bourn James, junr., Mawley town
Linen and Woollen Drapers and Silk Mercers.
Downes Wm., Market place
Mytton James, Market pl
Maltsters.
Beddoe Charles, (and hop merchant), Church street
Wheeler Wm., (and corn miller), Lower town
Milliners and Dressmakers.
Dallow Jane, (fancy repository and hosiery), Market place
Wright Elizth., Church st
Paper Manufacturer.
Hall Thomas Lambert, Neen Savage
Painters, Plumbers, & Glaziers.
Hume Benjamin and Sons, (& paperhanger), Market place
Hume Benj., Lower town
Hume James, Union road
Napper William, High st
Saddlers and Harness Makers.
Littler Wm., Market place
Palmer Samuel, Market pl
Shopkeepers and Dealers in Groceries and Sundries.
Allen Rebecca, High street
Beddoe Ann, High street
Farmer Thomas, High st
Keysall Edward, Market pl
Whetstone William, High st
Skinner and Woolstapler.
Dallow James, High street
Stone Masons.
Haberley Wm., Lower town
Hare Thomas, High street
Potter James, Lower town
Surgeons.
Jones Wm. Weaver, Markt. st
Pope Thomas, Market pl
Vevers Henry, Lower town
Whitcombe Edmund Bancks, High street
Surveyors.
Dallow Wm. Aloysius, (land and road), Mortimer pl
Hill William, (land), Lower town
Tailors.
Mytton James, Market st
Pennington George, Lower town
Potter George, Lower town
Tinman and Brazier and Ironmonger.
Evans John, Market street
Watch and Clock Maker.
Stockall Thomas, Market st
Wheelwrights.
Merrick John, Lower town
Williams Thos., Market st
Carriers.
To Birmingham—From the King’s Arms (Cleobury Mortmr.), passing through Bewdley, Kidderminster, and Hales Owen, to the Swan with Two Necks, Birmingham, every Monday, Benjamin Taylor, proprietor
To Bewdley—James Jones, Mondays and Saturdays
To Kidderminster—Geo. Adams, Saturdays
To Ludlow—Margt. West, Mondays
CLEOBURY NORTH
is a small village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, on the turnpike road from Bridgnorth to Ludlow, eight miles south-west from the former, and eleven miles north-east from the latter. The parish contains 1,560 acres of land, of which 461 acres are in waste and commons. At the census of 1801 there were 136 inhabitants; 1831, 187; and in 1841, 33 houses and a population of 176 souls. Rateable value, £1,001. 14s. 6d. The principal landowners are the Rev. J. Knight, H. G. Mytton, Esq., the Earl of Powis, and Mr. John Hinksman; and the Corporation of Ludlow are also proprietors. The Church is dedicated to St. Peter, and consists of nave, chancel, and south aisle, with a short tower in which are two bells. The windows exhibit the style of architecture which prevailed during the reign of Henry VII.: in other parts are traces of the Norman character. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £5. 12s. 3d., in the patronage of the Mytton family; incumbent, Rev. John R. Webb. The tithes are commuted for £149. 9s.; and there are 75 acres of glebe land, of the annual value of £60. The rectory is a good residence, almost surrounded with water, and has a very picturesque appearance, not far from which are the towering heights of the Brown Clee Hill. The church has recently been restored and beautified, at the expense of the landowners and the principal residents. A fine toned organ has been added, at a cost of £120, which was raised by the interest and exertions of the present incumbent. Cleobury Hall, the residence of Henry George Mytton, Esq., and the Misses Mytton, is a handsome mansion of free stone, erected by the grandfather of the present proprietor; it is beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies, and surrounded with fine scenery.
Directory.—Henry George Mytton, Esq., Cleobury Hall; The Misses Mary Ann, Harriette, Ann, and Frances Mytton, Cleobury Hall; Launcelot Dixon, joiner; Thomas Green, farmer and corn miller; John Minton, yeoman; John Miles farmer; William Powell, farmer; Jeremiah Sambrook, farmer; Rev. John R. Webb, the Rectory.
CORELEY
is a parish and small village four and a half miles N.N.E. from Tenbury, containing 2,173a. 3r. 9p. of land, of which 877a. 2r. 6p. are common lands. The rateable value of the parish is £2,266. 10s.: gross estimated rental, £2,624. 3s. 6d. At the census of 1841 there were 112 houses, and 525 souls; population in 1801, 458; and in 1831, 553. The principal landowners are the Earl of Craven, John Pritchard, Esq., W. S. Davenport, Esq., Mrs. Lucy Botfield, and Miss Compson; besides whom there are several smaller proprietors. There are coal works in this parish, carried on by Beriah Botfield, Esq. The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, is built of brick, and has a square tower, surmounted by a spire of wood. The interior is neatly pewed with oak. The pulpit is carved, and has the date of 1648. On the south wall is a tablet to the memory of William Coling, of Coreley, dated 1657. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s books at £5. 5s. 8d.; patron and incumbent, Rev. Walter Haliburton, M.A. The tithe is commuted for £168. There are 65 acres of glebe land in the parish.
Directory.—William Adams, farmer, Hince; William Bishop, blacksmith; Samuel Brown, wheelwright; Benjamin Bytheway, shoemaker and shopkeeper; George Corfield, farmer, Brick House; James Davies, Esq., banker, Church stile; William Davies, farmer; Rev. Walter Haliburton, M.A., rector, the Rectory; William Honeybourn, vict., the Poplar; Jeremiah Jeffries, farmer; John Kay, farmer; Edwin Wall, vict., the Colliers Arms; John Webb, shoemaker; Richard Wyer, farmer, New Barn.
DEUXHILL
a small parish in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, contains 683 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £471. The principal landowners are the Rev. Mr. Haden, Mrs. Deenton, and the Rev. Richard Herbert; besides whom there are a few smaller proprietors. At the census in 1801 there were 30 inhabitants; and in 1841, eight houses and a population of 45 souls. The village is pleasantly situated on the Bridgnorth end Cleobury Mortimer turnpike road, four and a half miles S.S.W. from the former town. The Church is a small structure, consisting of nave and chancel, with a small turret, in which is one bell. Over the porch is the date 1668. A neat tablet remembers John Lewis, who died in 1804, and his wife Frances, who died in 1809. The living is a rectory, annexed to that of Chetton: incumbent, Rev. Richard Herbert.
The principal residents are Charles Birkin, farmer; Mary Ann Birkin, farmer; Mary Jenkins, schoolmistress; Thomas Stonyer, corn miller, Horsford.
DOWLES,
a small parish in the Cleobury division of the hundred of Stottesden, situated one mile north of Bewdley, contains 1080 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1130. 10s., and gross estimated rental £1300. In 1841 there were nine houses and eighty persons; population in 1801, fifty-seven; 1831, sixty-two. The Misses Taylors are ladies of the manor and the principal landowners, Mr. James Taylor, Rev. Joseph Fletcher, and others are also proprietors. The word Dowles comes from the British Dôl, which signifies a bottom surrounded with hills, or perhaps from the Saxon Doelar, to divide, as it is on the extreme border of the county, a small brook dividing it from Worcestershire. It is situated on the bank of the river Severn and surrounded with beautiful scenery. The Bewdley Gas Works are in this parish, and the manufacture of bricks and tiles is carried on extensively here.
The Church, dedicated to St. Andrew, stands in a sequestered situation near the Severn. It is built of brick and has a small turret; the interior consists of nave and chancel and the fittings are neat and appropriate. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4, in the patronage of the Misses Taylor, and incumbency of the Rev. J. Fletcher, B.A. The tithes are commuted for £120. There are two acres of glebe land.
Charities.—An old parish book records benefactions to the poor between the year 1636 and 1710 to the amount of £13. 10s., which in the year 1786 was applied towards the rebuilding of the church, the rent of one of the pews thereof being given to the poor in consideration of this sum, which was regularly distributed till the year 1800, when a new minister of the parish opposed the further letting of any pews and ordered them to be thrown open to the public.
Directory.—Samuel Hill Crocket, farmer; William Downing, farmer; Rev. Joseph Fletcher, B.A., The Parsonage; Benjamin Jeffries, parish clerk and overseer and inspector of the Bewdley police; James Lawley, farmer; William Meredith, farmer; and Thomas Perry, farmer.
GLAZELEY
is a parish and village situated on the Bridgnorth and Ludlow turnpike road, three and a half miles S.S.W. from the former town. This parish is in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, and contains 636 acres of land. At the census in 1801 there were 31 inhabitants; 1831, 47, and in 1841 eight houses and 38 souls. Thomas Whitmore Wylde Browne, Esq., is lord of the manor and owner of the land. Adjoining the church-yard is a mound or tumulus. The Church is a small unpretending structure of brick, consisting of nave and chancel, and will accommodate about eighty persons. In the chancel is a tablet in memory of Edmund Wylde, Esq., who died in 1695. On the floor is brass, in a good state of preservation, with two full length figures and six children, commemorative of Thomas and Elizabeth Wylde and their children; it is dated 1599. The living is a rectory annexed to that of Chetton, enjoyed by the Rev. Richard Herbert. The parsonage house is a neat brick residence on the south side of the church-yard. The Woodlands, a handsome stone mansion, the seat and property of T. W. Wylde Browne, Esq., is surrounded by a finely timbered park, and commands extensive views of the surrounding country.
The principal residents are Thomas Whitmore Wylde Browne, Esq., J.P., Woodlands; and Edward Brown, farmer.
HIGHLEY
is a parish and pleasant rural village near the western bank of the Severn, seven miles S.S.E. of Bridgnorth, situated on an eminence commanding fine views of the surrounding country, and noted for its extensive orchards and the excellency of its cider, which is made to a considerable extent in this locality. There are several quarries of superior stone in the parish. At the census of 1841 there were 88 houses and 360 inhabitants; population in 1801, 274, and in 1831, 404. Highley contains 1,527a. 1r. 7p. of land, of which 780 acres are arable, 570 acres meadow and pasture, and 40 acres are woodlands, the rateable value of which is £1,128. 3s. 4d; gross estimated rental, £1,929. 18s. 6d. The tithes are commuted for £225. 1s. 6d. William Jordin, Esq., is lord of the manor and principal landowner, besides whom Mr. John Crane, Rev. Samuel Du Pre, Mr. Easthope, Mr. Thomas Fenn, Mr. J. H. Windle, Mr. Daniel Jordin, Mr. Levi Jordin, Mr. Thomas Jordin, and Mr. George Peplow, are proprietors.
The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is built of free stone, with square tower, in which is four bells. It consists of nave, chancel, and has a gallery on which is placed a small organ. The Rev. Samuel Burrows is the patron, and the Rev. Samuel Du Pre, incumbent. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £5. 19s. 2d. Some portion of the land is tithe free, the rest has been commuted and apportioned as follows:—To the vicar the sum of £115. 10s.; to Mr. Jordin, £89. 11s.; to the Rev. P. Haslewood, £19, and to Thomas Lowe, £1. The vicar has 89a. 3r. 2p. of glebe land.
Charities.—Richard Lowe gave the sum of £10 by will in 1579; George Harris, in 1607, gave £1. 6s. 8d.; and Giles Rawlins, by will, in 1677, gave £5, to be employed for the use and benefit of the poor of the parish of Highley. With this money land was purchased containing two acres, on which two cottages have been built, and the rents have been given to the poor of the parish in bread every Sunday. Thomas Getton, Esq., in 1808, gave £5. 10s., the interest thereof to be distributed in bread to the poor of the parish on Christmas day.
Directory.—Decimus Burrows, farmer, Church Hill; William Burrows, farmer, Rea Farm; John Davies, shopkeeper; Rev. Samuel Du Pre, The Vicarage; William Easthope, farmer, Haylewells; William Evans, builder; Thomas Fenn, farmer, Dustley; George Gough, shopkeeper; William Thomas Homer, schoolmaster; Martha Hughes, beer and cider retailer; Daniel Jordin, miller and farmer; Levi Jordin, farmer; Thomas Jordin, farmer, Netherton House; William Jordin, Esq., New House; William Jordin, farmer, Highley House; William Kirk, shopkeeper and quarry owner; John Kirkham, vict., The Ship; William Lloyd, shoemaker; John Oakley, farm bailiff; William Pritchard, blacksmith; Richard Tomlinson, farmer, The Heath; William Walford, shoemaker; Benjamin Williams, tailor.
HOPE BAGGOT,
a small parish five miles east by south of Ludlow, containing 650 acres of land, in 1841 had 21 houses and 75 inhabitants; population in 1801, 94; 1831, 62. The tithes of this parish have been commuted for £75. In the 22nd of Richard II., William de Hulle held half a knight’s fee here under the Earl of March, which was formerly possessed by Robert Baggard, from whom this place took its name. The principal landowners are Benjamin Giles, Esq., Mrs. Lucy Botfield, Mrs. J. Hooley, and Mr. Richard Bray. The Church, dedicated to St. John, is a small stone edifice, capable of accommodating 63 persons. The interior consists of nave and chancel, in the latter of which is a tablet to the memory of Benjamin Giles, Esq., dated 1795, and another to the memory of Benjamin Giles, Esq., dated 1813. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s books at £3. 6s. 8d., now returned at £90; in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, and incumbency of the Rev. David Jones. Directory.—Richard Bray, farmer; Edward Downes, shoemaker; Benjamin Giles, Esq., Hope Court; Mrs. Jemima Hooley; Rev. David Jones, the Rectory; and James Geo. Lewis, Esq., Hope Villa.
HOPTON WAFERS
is a parish and pleasantly situated village on the Cleobury Mortimer and Ludlow turnpike road, 9 miles from the latter place. It contains 1,610a. 3r. 26p. of land, of which 22a. 3r. 18p. are roads; 236a. 3r. 26p. common; and 60a. are in woods and plantations. In 1851 there were 94 inhabited houses, 20 uninhabited, and 444 inhabitants; population in 1801, 392; 1841, 481. There were formerly three paper mills in this parish. Hopton Wafers is remarkable as giving a singular instance of longevity in William Hyde, who resided in this place, and lived to the advanced age of 106 years, and at the time of his decease in 1798, had sons upwards of eighty years old. The principal landowner is Mrs. Lucy Botfield, who is also lady of the manor; the trustees of Ludlow charities, trustees of Palmer’s charities, and the rector are also proprietors. Rent charge, £186. 12s. There are 83a. 1r. 21p. of glebe land. The Church is a fine gothic structure, built of free stone, having a square tower with pinnacles at the angles. In consists of north and south aisles and chancel, and has a gallery, in which is a small organ. On the altar is represented in statuary a Bible opening to the Ten Commandments, and on each side of the window are marble scrolls with the Creed and Lord’s Prayer engraved thereon. The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and the patronage is vested in Mrs. Lucy Botfield, incumbent, Rev. Thomas Woodward. The Primitive Methodists have a chapel, built in the year 1837.
Directory.—Joseph Allen, blacksmith; Mrs. Lucy Botfield, Hopton Court; John Bishop, farmer, Bank House; John Caldwell, tailor; Thomas Caldwell, tailor; John Dolphin, farmer and beer retailer; William Edwards, schoolmaster; William Farr, blacksmith; Richard Hatton, wheelwright; William Highfield, farmer; Eliza Hyde, schoolmistress; Thomas Hyde, shoemaker; William Hyde, shoemaker; William Jones, farmer, Little Shote; Thomas Page, farmer, Roch Head; William Radnor, farmer, Sproseley; Thomas Ree, farmer, White House; William Steed, stone mason; William Thatcher, farmer, Great Shote; John Whitehead, vict., the Crown and farmer; Rev. Thomas Woodward, M.A., the Rectory.
KINLET
is a parish in the Cleobury division of the Stottesden hundred, embracing the townships of Kinlet and Earnwood, and contains 6,692 acres of land, of which 1,079 are in woods, plantations and water; and 30 acres in public roads. Population in 1801, 602; 1831, 532; 1841, 480; at the latter period there were 98 houses. Rateable value, £5,760. 19s. 8d. The soil is various; in some parts a strong loam, and in other places a light soil prevails. The meadow land produces a rich herbage. William Lacon Childe, Esq., is lord of the manor, and the principal landowner. John White, Esq., Rev. Edward George Childe, Esq., George Crump, Esq., and Mr. William Rudd are also proprietors. The village of Kinlet is delightfully situated in a luxuriant district, five miles north from Cleobury Mortimer, and eight miles south from Bridgnorth. The township is intersected by the Bridgnorth, Cleobury Mortimer, and Bewdley turnpike roads, and a portion of the land stretches to the Severn side. This locality is richly timbered, and the high grounds commands some fine views of the surrounding country. At the census of 1841 there were 45 houses, mostly scattered, and a population of 227 souls, within the bounds of this township.
The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a venerable cruciform structure, situated near the mansion in Kinlet Park: it has a lofty square tower containing six bells. The interior has a very chaste and elegant appearance, and the Saxon or early Norman arches of the nave bespeak its antiquity. The structure was repaired and beautified in the year 1814, when the east window was restored, at the sole expense of Mr. Childe; it is richly adorned with armorial bearings and figures in stained glass. The altar is of oak exquisitely carved. On the south side of the church is an altar tomb, with the figures of a knight and two ladies in a recumbent position; the male figure is in steel armour, and remembers Sir William Childe, Knight; his feet rest on a lion couchant. On the north side is a tomb with two full length figures, in memory of Sir William Childe and his lady, dated 1678. There is also a beautiful marble tomb, with a rich canopy, having the figures of a knight and his lady, in a kneeling position, with those of a boy and a girl between them; it has the date of 1584. There is also the figure of a knight in a recumbent posture, in memory of George Blount, formerly lord of Kinlet, who died in 1581. Several elegant marble tablets, some of which are very chastely designed, have been erected to the memory of various members of the Childe family, of Kinlet Hall. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £8. 2s. 4d., now returned at £360 in the patronage of William Lacon Childe, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Edward George Childe, M.A.; officiating minister, Rev. Edward Prest, M.A. The tithes have been commuted, and £322 apportioned to the vicar, and £3. 7s. 6d. to the impropriator, the lord of the manor. There are 45a. 0r. 16p. of glebe land. A neat school and residence for the teachers was built in the year 1844, by William Lacon Childe, Esq., by whose munificence and that of the incumbent it is entirely supported.
Kinlet Park, the seat and property of William Lacon Childe, Esq., J.P., is a stately mansion of considerable extent, built in 1789, near the site of a former mansion, which was taken down. It stands on a gentle eminence in a delightful park, commanding views of great diversity and beauty. The pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out, and kept in the most admirable order, and the park is well timbered and beautifully picturesque. A magnificent avenue stretches across the grounds. The park contains 456 acres of land, besides which there are 1,076 acres covered with woods, plantations, and water. W. L. Childe, Esq., at the present time has upwards of 4,000 acres of land in his own hands. A feast is held at Kilnet on the first Sunday after Midsummer day. Cider is made to a considerable extent in this neighbourhood.
Childe Wm. Lacon, Esq., J. P., Kinlet Park
Barker Henry, farmer, Winnell
Beach Henry, farmer, Rotton row
Boucher James, Esq., steward & land agent
Chappell John, butler
Childe Rev. Edward George, The Hall
Childe William Lacon, Esq., junr.
Deverell Mr. William, farm steward
Elcock John, farmer, Winwoods
George George, farmer, Fastings
Hall John, farmer, Severn lodge
Jones William, Tip house
Jones William, farmer, Tip house
Lawley James, farmer, Norton’s end
Lawley John, farmer, Birch
Lawley Joseph, farmer, Button bridge farm
Lawley Thomas, blacksmith
Okey Edward, farmer
Pearson John, forrester and gardener
Pitt Hannah, school mistress
Pountney Charles, farmer, Catsley hall
Pountney Richard, farmer, Tilley grove
Prest Rev. Edward, The Vicarage
Reynolds Thomas, farmer, Braidley
Rhodes Richards, farmer and vict., Eagle and Serpent Inn
Rolf John, coachman
Rudd William, farmer, Hall of Hammons
Ward John, wheelwright
Whitehead John, park and gamekeeper
MIDDLETON SCRIVEN
is a parish and small rural village, in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden Hundred, five miles S.W. from Bridgnorth. The parish contains 786a. 0r. 16p. of land, the soil mostly a strong marl, producing wheat, barley, and turnips. The village is watered by two small streams, and in 1801 contained 80 inhabitants; 1831, 99; 1841, 108: at the latter period there were twenty houses. The principal landowners are the Rev. Thomas Rowley, D.D., and the Rev. F. S. Bolton; the former is lord of the manor. There are also several smaller freeholders. Gross estimated rental of the parish, £903. 16s.; rateable value, £827. 9s. The Church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was almost entirely rebuilt in 1845 by the present worthy rector. It consists of nave and chancel, and is neatly fitted up with oak sittings; several of the windows are beautified with stained glass, which gives the interior a very chastened and pleasing appearance. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 6s. 8d., now returned at £150 in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Rowley, D.D. The rectory is a good residence a little south from the church.
Directory.—The Rev. Thomas Rowley, D.D., The Rectory; Joseph Brown, farmer, The Vicarage House; Richard Giles, joiner; Thomas Hall, junr., farmer, The Cave; Richard Lane, wheelwright; James Lock, draining contractor; John Tongue, farmer and shopkeeper; Silas Webley, farmer; William Wellings, blacksmith.
MORVILLE
is a parish in the Chelmarsh division of the hundred of Stottesden, three miles N.W. of Bridgnorth, and five miles S.E. of Much Wenlock. At the Doomsday survey it was written Membrefelde, and was granted by William the Conqueror to Roger de Montgomery. The parish contains 2,778 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £4299. 5s. 2d. The principal landowners are Sir John E. D. Acton, Bart., and Lord Sudeley; Mrs. Thursby, Lord Forester, and Thomas C. Whitmore, Esq., M.P., are also proprietors. At the census of 1841 Morville contained eighty houses and 412 inhabitants; population in 1801, 415; in 1831, 517. The parish is intersected by the Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock turnpike road, and watered by the Mar brook.
The Church, dedicated to St. Gregory, was rebuilt in the year 1118, on an old Saxon foundation, and formed a part of the possessions of Salop abbey. The interior contains nave, chancel, and side aisles, the latter is separated from the body by three arches on each side. The structure is neatly pewed, and will accommodate 294 persons. In the family seat of the Acton’s is a tablet to the memory of Sir Edward Acton, Bart., who departed this life September 28th, 1716, aged 64 years. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of Lord Sudeley, and incumbency of the Rev. George Leigh Wasey, M.A. The chapelry of Aston Eyre is annexed to this church. The tithes have been commuted, and £645 apportioned to Lord Sudeley, and £21 to Sir John E. D. Acton.
The Roman Catholics have a neat chapel near Aldenham Hall, which was built about the year 1836 by Lady Granville, and will accommodate near 200 persons. The interior has a chaste and elegant appearance. The east window is of stained glass, having a beautiful representation of our Saviour. In the chapel is a marble tablet to the memory of Sir Richard Ferdinand Acton, Bart., who died at Paris, January 31st, 1837, aged 35 years. The Rev. Francis Ruiz is the priest.
Aldenham Hall, a handsome stone mansion, the seat and property of Sir John E. D. Acton, Bart., situated four miles north-east from Bridgnorth, was built in the year 1691. It is approached by a fine avenue of lofty elms, and surrounded by a park of 170 acres. The owner of the mansion and estate is now a minor
Charities.—Thomas Burte, by will, dated 30th January, 1631, gave the sum of £100 to Walter Acton, Esq., of Morville, to the intent that he should add thereto the like sum of £100, and should lay out the whole £200 in the purchase of land for the use of the poor people of the parish of Morville. The money was expended in the year 1635 in the purchase of fifteen acres of land in the parish of Claverley, to which was added 2a. 1r. 19p. of land in 1812 on the Enclosure of the common of Morfe. The whole of the land is now let at a yearly rent of £20, one half of which is paid to the perpetual curate of Morville, and the other half is distributed among the poor
On the benefaction table it is stated that John Mousall gave 10s. per annum to the poor of Morville, to be expended in the purchase of Bibles, which sum is charged upon an estate at the Reilth, in the parish of Mainstine.
It is further stated on the benefaction table that Arthur Weaver gave to the poor at Morville on every Sunday sixpenny loaves, which is charged upon an estate in this parish, which formerly belonged to that family.
John Guest, by will, dated 1,773, directed his son and executor, John Guest, junr., to distribute the interest of £10 to such of the poor of the parish of Morville as he should think the greatest objects of charity. The interest of this sum, with another sum of £5 said to have been left by Richard Geary, and £20 left by the aforesaid John Guest, in 1797, has been regularly distributed in bread to the poor of the parish.
Aston Eyre, a chapelry in the parish of Morville, four miles N.E. of Bridgnorth, contains 1,200 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,111. At the census of 1841 it had 23 houses and 130 inhabitants; population in 1801, 106, and in 1831, 120. The landowners in this chapelry are Sir John E. D. Acton, Bart., Lord Sudeley, and St. John C. Charlton, Esq. The chapel was built in the year 1147, and endowed by Robert Fitz Aber, with sixty acres of land, the title deeds of which are still extant. Over the door on entering the chapel is a tympanum of antique workmanship, representative of our Saviour entering Jerusalem on an ass. The chapel is built of stone, and contains nave and chancel, which is separated from the body by a pointed arch. There is accommodation for 76 persons. The living is subordinate to that of Morville.
Acton Sir John E. D., Bart., Aldenham Hall
Backhouse Henry O., farmer & auctioneer
Braithwaite John, farmer, Haughton
Brown Mary & Sons, blacksmith
Brown Sarah, farmer, The Croft
Bryant Michl., miller & gardener, Aldenham
Clarke John, farmer, The Croft
Cureton Thomas, farmer, Bridgwalton
Downes John, farmer, and wine & spirit mer
Dutertre Rev. Peter, (Catholic), The Priory
Elcock Wm., miller & farmer, Ley mill
Fortel Rev. Thomas, (Catholic), The Priory
Green John, miller and farmer, Harpswood
Henbury Charles, farmer, The Hurst
Meredith James, farmer, Underton
Oliver William, farmer, Bridgwalton
Panter Charles, farm bailiff, Croft
Reece Edwin, farmer, Harpsford
Reynolds Joseph, farmer, Underton
Richards Rev. Fred., B.A., curate, Morville Hall
Rudd The Misses, farmers, The Croft
Ruiz Rev. Frances, O.M.C., (Catholic), The Priory
Russell Thomas, farm bailiff
Taylor Thomas, farmer & vict., Acton’s Arms
Trudeau Rev. Alex., (Catholic), The Priory
Wadlow Charles, farmer, The Hurst
Wasey Rev. George Leigh, M.A., incumbent, The Knowle Sands
Wall Francis, shoemaker and shopkeeper
Williams Charles, steward to Sir J. E. D. Acton, Bart., Morville Hall
Willis Joseph, farmer, Morville Hall
Aston Eyre Directory.
Beddoes Mr. George, Aston Cottage
Corser William, farmer
Embrey William, farmer
Gittings Richard, farmer
Taylor Thomas, farm bailiff
Wall Hercules, farmer
NEEN SAVAGE
is a parish in the Cleobury division of the hundred of Stottesden, one mile north-west from Cleobury, situated in a sequestered valley watered by the River Rea. It contains 3,690 acres of land, and had at the census of 1841, 99 houses and 490 inhabitants; population in 1801, 469; 1831, 450. The landowners in the parish are the Rev. Charles Richard Somers Cocks, M.A.; William Lacon Childe, Esq.; C. B. Ogle, Esq.; Robert Hinckesman, Esq.; and a few smaller proprietors. There are two paper mills in this parish, in the occupancy of Mr. Thomas Lambert Hall. The tithe of this parish is commuted for £420. The Church is an ancient gothic edifice of stone, consisting of nave and chancel, and will accommodate 300 persons. It was appropriated to the Abbey of Wigmore, by Hugh de Mortimer, immediately after the finishing of that abbey. It is rated in the king’s books at £6. In 1630, the advowson of Neen Savage, now worth £445, was sold for only £80. On the 19th of January, 1825, the wooden spire of the church was struck with lightning and burnt to the tower; the roof was much injured, and the bells were melted and fell to the bottom of the tower, and but for the exertions of the surrounding inhabitants, the whole edifice would soon have been in ruins. There are seven acres of glebe land in the parish. The Lord Chancellor is patron of the living; and the Rev. Charles R. Somers Cocks, M.A., is the vicar.
Charities.—Richard Edwards, by will, gave the sum of £400, in trust, that the same should be laid out in land, and the rents and profits thereof paid to some good schoolmaster to teach twenty poor boys of the parish of Neen Savage. In 1732 the sum of £285 was applied in the purchase of 17 acres of land in Stottesden parish, which is now let at a rent of £35. The remainder of the money was placed out at interest until some opportunity may offer of making an advantageous purchase in land.
Richard Hinckesman, Esq., by will, dated 1780, charged certain lands in this parish with the payment of 6s. 8d. annually, for a sermon; and 13s. 4d. to be given to 10 poor widows annually.
John Longmore, by will, dated November 7th, 1835, gave the sum of £500, to be invested in government securities; the interest, dividends, and produce thereof to be expended in bread, and distributed to the most deserving poor of the parish every Sunday morning after Divine service. The aforesaid £500 was invested on the eighth day of March, 1839, in the purchase of £538. 7s. 2d. in the three per cent. consols, in the name of the vicar and churchwardens.
Bluck Samuel, farmer, Stepple Hall
Cleeton William, farm bailiff, Stone House
Cocks, Rev. Charles Richard Somers, vicar, the Vicrge.
Corbett Michael, farmer, Nethercott
Dallow John, castrator
Dorrall James, farmer, Wyer
Edmonds John, farmer, Wall Town
Hall Thomas Lambert, jun., paper manufacturer
Meredith Joseph, farmer, Rea Side
Minton Josh, farmer, Upper Beavney
Moore Thomas, blacksmith
Nisbett, Rev. Mr.
Preece John, farmer
Reynolds Thomas, farmer, Upper Beavney
Stephens Francis, farmer, Bank Top
Ward William, schoolmaster
Ward Elizh., schoolmistress
Weston Thomas, farmer
Wheeler George, farmer
Wheeler Joseph, miller
Whooton Thomas, farmer, the Lodge
Worrall John, farmer, Nash
Worrall Thomas, farmer, Elcott
NEENTON
is a parish and township in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, situated on the western bank of the River Rea, near the foot of the Brown Clee Hill, and six and a half miles south-west from Bridgnorth. The parish contains 1,000 acres of land, and is intersected by the Ludlow and Bridgnorth turnpike road. The land has mostly a strong soil, tolerably productive. In 1801 there were 120 inhabitants; 1831, 130; and in 1841, 29 houses and a population of 144 souls. The principal landowners are Henry Lyster, Esq.; John Minton, Esq.; Rev. J. F. Benwell, and Mr. T. Edwards; besides whom there are several smaller freeholders. The Church is an inconsiderable structure of brick, consisting of nave and chancel, with a turret in which are two bells. The living is a vicarage, rated in the king’s book at £5. 3s. 6½d., now returned at £196: patron and incumbent, Rev. John Frederick Benwell. The Vicarage is a neat brick residence, situated a short distance from the church.
Directory.—James Amiss, wheelwright; Rev. John Frederick Benwell, The Vicarage; William Childs, farmer, The Park; Richard Cleeton, wheelwright and beerhouse keeper; Richard Dodd, farmer, The Hay; George Edwards, butcher; George Edwards, farmer; Edward Hall, farmer, The Hall; John Hodnett, tailor and vict., New Inn; William Massey, farmer, The Bank; John Medlicott, farmer.