History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Shropshire [1851]

is an extensive parish in the Overs hundred, comprising the townships of Burford, Buraston with Whetmore, Nash, Tilsop, Weston, and Whitton, Greet, and Stoke, which have an area of 8,537a. 2r. 19p. of land, of which 312 acres are in hop grounds.  Rateable value, £9,875. 18s. 9d.  At the census of 1841 there were 212 houses and 1,031 inhabitants; population in 1801, 819; and in 1831, 1,086 persons.  The parish is bounded on the south by the river Teme, which is here crossed by a handsome stone bridge of six arches; the river here separates Salop from Worcestershire.  The township of Burford is situated one mile west of Tenbury, and contains 1,510a. 2r. 1p. of land, the rateable value of which is £2,683. 3s. 3d.  In 1841 here were 67 houses and 297 persons; population in 1801, 215; in 1831, 365.  George Rushout, Esq., M.P., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner.  In 1839 springs of strongly impregnated saline water were discovered in the immediate locality of this place.  The water is similar to that of Cheltenham, except that there appears to be double the quantity of saline matter in the fluid, one pint of which, on slow evaporation in a shallow vessel, produced an ounce of crystalline salt.  The analysis of one of the springs is as follows:—Chloride of sodium 923.52 grains, of calcium 461.9, of potassum 38.63, of magnesium 41.81; sulphate of magnesia 1.57, protoxide of iron 4.82; silica 4.54, and bromine and iodine .84;—total, 1,476.89 grains.  Convenient and elegant buildings have been erected for the accommodation of the numerous visitors who frequent the baths.  In the immediate vicinity of the baths are several good inns.  The situation is remarkably salubrious, and the scenery beautifully picturesque and varied.  Coaches from Ludlow to Bewdley, Kidderminster, Dudley, and Birmingham, pass and repass twice a day, calling at the Swan Inn and the Royal Oak Hotel.

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a handsome stone edifice with a square tower.  It contains some interesting tombs and monumental tablets.  On the north wall of the chancel is a very elegant tryptych to the memory of Edmund Cornwall, Baron of Burford, who was sheriff of Shropshire in 1580; on the outer part are the representations of the apostles, and in the inner compartment are the figures of Edmund Cornwall, his father and mother, and below a representation of the baron in his winding sheet.  He is said to have been 7 feet 8 inches in height.  The triptych was painted in 1588, by Melchior Salaboss, better known by the name of Gherardino Milanese.  This very beautiful work of art is in admirable preservation, and with two others in different parts of the kingdom are the only triptychs in England.  There is a recumbent figure, beautifully carved in oak, to the memory of the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of John of Gaunt, and sister of Henry IV., who died and was buried at Burford in the year 1426.  There is also a recumbent figure of wood to the memory of Edmundas Cornewalle.  An ancient tomb remembers Elizabeth Devroke, daughter of Sir Walter Devroke, Knight, who lived to see seventeen score and more children raised from her body, she died in 1508; besides which there are various memorials which our limits will not allow us to notice.  In the chancel are two beautiful stained glass windows.  The organ was the gift of the Misses Rushout, in 1846.  The tithes have been commuted for £1,644. 18s. 11½d.  The bishop of the diocese has recently divided the parish into three divisions, and assigned to each rector a separate districts, namely—Buraston and Nash chapelry to the rector of the first portion, Whitton chapelry to the second, and the district of the Mother Church to the rector of the third portion.  Handsome residences have recently been built for the rectors of the second and third portions.  Burford House is a beautiful and commodious structure, the seat and property of George Rushout, Esq., M.P.

Charities.—John Turner, by will, dated 1753, bequeathed £100, the interest thereof to be distributed to the poor of the parish.  John Knowles, by a codicil to his will proved in 1814, bequeathed £200, the interest of which was to be distributed to the poor in bread at Christmas and Whitsuntide annually.

Greet is a small township three miles N.W. by W. of Burford, containing seven houses and 115 persons in 1841.  The principal landowners are J. H. Hope, Esq., and Thomas Hodgkiss, Esq.

Nash is a township and chapelry two and a half miles north of Burford, which in 1841 had 23 houses and 115 persons.  The chapelry comprises the townships of Nash, Tilsop, and Weston, which have an area of 2,377a. 2r. 35p. of land.  The Church is a small structure with a square tower surmounted by a wooden spire.  The south window is beautified with stained glass.  The tithes are commuted for £560.  Nash Court is a handsome brick mansion, the seat and property of George Pardoe, Esq.  It is surrounded by beautiful pleasure grounds, and the park is richly timbered.  Court of Hill, the ancient seat of the family of Hill, is now the residence of Major Arthur Charles Lowe.

Stoke is a small township four miles N.W. of Burford, containing 23 houses and 115 inhabitants.  The principal landowner is P. P. Williams, Esq.  Stoke Hall is a handsome residence surrounded with park-like grounds, the seat and property of Philip Penrey Williams, Esq.

Tilsop, a scattered township three and three quarter miles north of Bridgnorth, in 1841 had 61 houses and 226 inhabitants.  The principal freeholders are Mr. Benjamin Bridgman and Mr. John Pugh.  Tilsop and Nash school was erected in 1846 by voluntary subscriptions; about forty scholars attend.

Weston township, three miles N.W. by W. of Burford, at the census of 1841 had ten houses and 41 residents.  The tithes are commuted for £46. 11s.  Major A. C. Lowe is the sole landowner.

Whetmore, or Whatmore, is a small town containing seven houses and 24 persons.  The principal freeholders are Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Wilks, and George Pardoe, Esq.  Captain Rushout, Mrs. Mary Beddoes, and Mr. Foxall, are also proprietors.

Whitton, a chapelry four miles N.W. by N. of Tenbury, embraces the townships of Greet, Stoke, and Whitton, which have an area of 1,582 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £674. 10s.  The principal landowners are Mrs. Lucy Botfield, the Ludlow Corporation, and the Rev. Charles Adams.  The Church is a plain structure with a square tower.  The Rev. Caleb Whiteford, M.A., is the incumbent.  The tithes are commuted for £327.  Whitton Court, a fine old mansion in the Elizabethan style of architecture, was formerly the seat of the Charlton family.  It contains some fine specimens of carved oak.

BURFORD DIRECTORY.

Berrington John, farmer, Venns

Davies and Edwards, brick and tile makers

Davies William, Dean Park

Edwards Edmund, farmer

Edwards Jno., miller & farmer

Giles William, farmer

Grove William Henry, vict., Swan Inn

Holmes Thomas, gentleman, Park Villa

Jones George, Bank Farm

Joyce Rev. J. W., rector

Morris John, farmer, The Lodge

Rushout George, Esq., M.P., Burford House

Smallman Hy., vict., Rose & Crown

Tenbury, Gas Co.’s Office

Tranter John, wine & spirit merchant, vict., Royal Oak Hotel, Commercial and Posting House

Wall Mary, Rockhill Mill

Weaver Wm., Wall House

Webb John, fly waggon proprietor, from Ludlow and Worcester daily.

Williams Philip Penrey, Esq., Stoke Hall

Bowden Thomas, cooper

Down Thomas, blacksmith

Good Edmund, miller

Good Edward, farmer

Howells William, mason

Mac Laughlin Rev. Hubert, The Rectory

Meakin Thomas, farmer

Reynolds William, farmer

Rudge Rev. William

Sayer Benjamin, farmer

Smallman Esau, farmer and vict., Peacock Inn

Smallman William, farmer

GREET DIRECTORY.

Griffiths John, farmer

Grove Joseph, farmer

NASH DIRECTORY.

Brown William, wheelwright

Cork John, farmer

Hardwick Vincent, farmer, Hartall

Holt Letitia, farmer, Underhill

Hotchkiss Samuel, farmer

Jones John, farmer, Batch

Jones Thomas, farmer, The Shire

Lowe James, farmer, Greenway-head

Lowe Major Arthur Charles, Court of Hill

Morris Joseph, farmer, Shirebourne

Nott Mrs., Hartall

Pardoe George, Esq., Nash Court

Price Wm., farmer, Cliffords

Quaterman John, schoolmr.

STOKE DIRECTORY.

Wall Mary, farmer

Williams Philip Penrey, Esq., The Hall

TILSOP DIRECTORY.

Bridegman Benj., farmer

Pugh John, farmer

Ricketts George, farmer, The Wood

Robinson George, farmer, Cottrills

WESTON DIRECTORY.

Godfrey Benjamin, farmer, The Court

Tantram Thomas, farmer, Old Furnace

WHATMORE DIRECTORY.

Farmers.

Beddoes Mary

Brown Richard

Meakin Richard

Mytton James, & miller

Potts George

Powell William, carpenter

Weaver Joseph

Wilks Mary

WHITTON DIRECTORY.

Adams Rev. Charles

Amies Francis, wheelwright

Bill James, farmer, Whiteway Head

Bill John, farmer

Swift John, farmer, Whitton Court

Town Benjamin, shopkeeper and parish clerk

Whiteford Rev. Caleb, The Rectory

Whiteman Saml., wheelwrt.

GREET

is a small but pleasant village and parish, five miles south-east from Ludlow, which contains 1,041 acres of land, of which fourteen acres are in woods and plantations, and 8a. 2r. 15p. in roads and waste.  At the census of 1801 there was a population of 90 persons; 1831, 93; and in 1841, 22 houses and 112 inhabitants.  Rateable value of the parish, £1,276. 14s.  The principal landowners are J. H. Hope, Esq.; P. P. Williams, Esq.; Devisees of the late Mr. Mason; and the Trustees of Ludlow Charities.  The Church is a small structure, of unpretending appearance (built of rubble stone), having a small turret.  The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £5, now returned at £170.  The patronage is vested in the Hope family; incumbent, Rev. J. C. Bradney, M.A.  The tithes of this parish have been commuted, and £161. 5s. 8d. apportioned to the rector of Greet, and £24. 1s. 6d. to the rector of Whetton.  The Rectory is a good house, of modern erection, pleasantly situated a short distance from the church.  It was built by the present incumbent, on the site of the old rectory, about three years ago.  The cost of the structure was upwards of £1,400.  The rector has 6a. 2r. 13p. of glebe land.  The Rev. Francis Edwards, who died in 1767, left £10 for the benefit of the poor of this parish, the interest of which was formerly paid by the tenant of the Court Farm, at Greet; but it does not appear to have been a charge upon the estate.  A voluntary donation of 10s. yearly is now distributed by the Hope family in lieu of it.

Directory.—John Berrington, farmer; Rev. Joseph C. Bradney, M.A., The Rectory; Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin; John Griffin, farmer; John Hardwicke, wheelwright; Richard Mason, farmer, Brick House; Thomas Morgan, farmer, Rock Hill; William Morgan, farmer; Samuel Price, blacksmith; Mary Rawlins, farmer, Stoke; Lydia Smith, farmer, Longlands; Mary Wall, corn miller, Rock Hill; Richard Whiteman, farmer, Bower.

is a parish and small rural village, three miles south-west of Cleobury Mortimer, and one mile north-west of Neen Sollars, which in 1851 had 31 houses and 170 inhabitants.  Population in 1801, 134; and in 1831, 156; 1841, 160.  The parish contains 1,102a. 2r. 39p. of land, the rateable value of which is £934. 13s. 4d.  Gross estimated rental, £1,028. 3s. 6d.  The principal landowners in Milson are H. G. Mytton, Esq.; Thomas Perry, Esq.; Mr. William Lowe; and Mr. Thomas Jones; besides whom are several smaller proprietors.  The Church, dedicated to St. George, is a small structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and small square tower, surmounted by a turret.  On the south side of the church-yard is a fine old yew tree.  The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the rectory of Neen Savage.  Incumbent, Rev. Thos. Hardwicke, D.D.

Directory.—Rev. Thomas Hardwicke, D.D., rector, The Rectory; William Barker, farmer; John Cox, farmer; William English, blacksmith; John Evans, tailor; Thomas Jones, farmer, Upper Langley; William Lowe, farmer, Church House; Edward Palmer, farmer; Francis Penny, farmer, Lay Fields; John Radnor, farmer, Little Down; Edward Smallman, carpenter and wheelwright; John Watters, farmer, Hill House.

NEEN SOLLARS

is a parish and pleasant rural village, in the Hundred of Overs, situated three miles south-west from Cleobury Mortimer, and ten miles east by south from Ludlow.  It is intersected by the river Rea, which is crossed a short distance below the village by a brick bridge.  In this parish are several hop plantations.  It contained at the census of 1851, 40 houses and 218 persons.  Population in 1801, 197; and in 1831, 208; 1841, 190.  There are 1,916a. 1r. 31p. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,732. 14s.  The principal landowners are Sir Edward Blount, Bart.; Mr. John Cooke; Mrs. Ann Wall; Mrs. Lucy Botfield; Charles Wickstead, Esq.; Mr. Joseph Mantle; and Mr. Richard Hall; besides whom are several smaller proprietors.  The family of the Conynsbys were formerly lords of this manor and residents in the parish.  In the church is a monument to the memory of Humphrey Conynsby, Esq., who was born about the year 1567, and commenced his travels in 1594, and for four years remained on the continent, when he returned home a little while, and then took his journey again into Bohemia, Polonia, and Hungary, where for the defence of the Christian faith, he put himself under the banner of Rodulph, the second emperor of the Romans, and was at the siege of Stregonium, in Hungary, against the Turks.  Afterwards he visited most of the ancient cities of Greece, and from thence he went to Constantinople, in the reign of Mahomet, the third emperor of the Turks, who, to do him honour, gave him a Turkish gown of cloth and gold; and his mother, the Sultana Ebrita, gave him another rich gown of cloth and silver, and fifty chequins in gold.  After a twelvemonths sojourn there, he returned to England; where, after staying a while, he went into Spain, and came back in safety: and again, the fourth time, took his journey from London to Venice, in October, 1610; from which time he was never seen by any of his acquaintances, nor any certainty known of his death.  Thomas Hearne, speaking of the descent of the family of Coningsby, informs us that an ancient parchment is preserved by them as a precious relic, on which is written:—

“William de Coningsby
Came out of Brittany,
With his wife Tiffany,
And his maid Manifras,
And his dog Hardigras.”

Directory.—William Bishop, farmer and corn miller; John Cooke, farmer, New House; Benjamin Crow, blacksmith; Thomas Griffiths, tailor; Richard Hall, farmer; Thomas Harris, farmer; Jane Mantle, beerhouse and shopkeeper; Joseph Mantle, carpenter and joiner; John Massey, shoemaker; Pattronella Morris, farmer, Haughton; Thomas Morris, farmer, The Bank; Thomas Moss, farmer; Ann Palmer, farmer; Geo. Parker, farmer; Ann Wall, farmer, Hill Top; James Williams, farmer; William Yates, farmer.

SILVINGTON,

a parish and village in a sequestered situation, between Titterstone and Clee Hills, eight miles north-east of Ludlow, contains 1,120 acres of land, and at the census of 1801 had fifty-eight inhabitants; 1831, thirty; 1841, forty-six; at the latter period there were nine houses.  Of the land 170 acres are arable, 254 meadow and pasture, 36 woods, 655 moor land and hills, and 4a. 3r. 20p. in public roads.  Richard Betton, Esq., is the principal landowner and lord of the manor.  The Rev. John Hayton is also a proprietor.  This locality has a bold undulating surface, and the soil for the most part is of an inferior quality.  The Church is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Michael, consisting of nave and chancel, and has a square tower, in which are two bells.  There is an antique font.  The altar was the gift of Edward Mytton, Esq., in 1676: he died in 1683, and was interred in the chancel.  The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £3. 6s. 8d.; now returned at £120; in the patronage of Richard Betton, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. John Hayton.  The tithes have been commuted for £50, and there are 31 acres of glebe land.

The principal residents are Richard Betton, Esq.; George Boddy, blacksmith; Thomas Green, farmer; John Hammond, parish clerk; Rev. John Hayton; Richard Palmer, farmer; William Powell, farmer.

THE FORD HUNDRED

is bounded on the north by the Oswestry and Pimhill hundreds, on the west by Montgomeryshire, on the south by those of Purslow and Chirbury, and on the east by the Condover hundred and the liberty of Shrewsbury.  It is divided into the Ford and the Pontesbury divisions.  The Ford division contains the parishes of Ford, Cardiston, Minsterley, and Westbury; and part of the parishes of Alberbury, St. Alkmund, St. Chad, and St. Julian; and at the census of 1841 had 5,669 inhabitants.  The Pontesbury division contains the parishes of Habberley and Pontesbury, and at the same period had a population of 3,436 souls.

ALBERBURY

The Abbey, of which but little now remains, is situated near the village, and called the White Abbey.  It was founded by Fulk, the son of Warine, in the reign of Henry II., and was subject to the Black Monks of Grandmorst, in Limosin.  At the suppression of the alien priories it was bestowed on Queen Joan, widow of Henry IV., and after passing through several hands it was granted to the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford.  There were formerly a chapel within the site of this abbey, dedicated to St. Stephen, in which were interred the remains of Fulk Warine, its founder.

The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a venerable structure, with a square tower, in which is a peal of five bells.  The interior consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles.  The south compartment belongs to the estate of Loton.  On the walls are various monuments and tablets to various deceased members of the Leighton family: to Dame Dorothy Leighton, who died in 1638; and to General Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., who died in 1828.  The chancel is separated from the body of the church by one arch, and was rebuilt in the year 1845.  On removing a tomb-stone in the south wall, the skeleton of a man was found quite perfect, but the coffin and grave clothes all gone.  It was placed in a coffin, and interred in the same place.  Several of the windows are ornamented with stained glass, and the altar is very beautiful.  The patronage of the church is vested in the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford: incumbent, Rev. Richard Webster Huntley, B.A.  The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s books at £5. 10s.  The tithes are commuted for £2,624, and apportioned to the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford, to the dean and chapter of Hereford, and the vicar of Alberbury.  The Parochial School was founded and endowed with £3. 6s. 8d. per annum, by the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford: it is principally supported by the neighbouring gentlemen.  Loton Park is a handsome brick mansion, the seat and property of Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., surrounded by a park well stocked with deer, and richly diversified with sylvan beauty.

Charities.—On the table of benefactions in the church are the names of twelve several donors, who left £169 for the use of the poor of this parish.  This sum is supposed to have been applied in building a school or workhouse, and the yearly sum of £8. 5s. is paid as the interest thereof, which is distributed to the poor on Christmas day.  Richard Lyster bequeathed the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be given to the poor.  John Asterley in his lifetime gave £10 for the use of the poor of the township of Wattlesborough.  John Morgan also left £10, the interest to be given in bread to the poor of this parish.

Amaston is a small township three miles south; Benthal is a township two miles north-east; and Little Shrawardine is a small township two miles and a half north-east, of Alberbury.  Bulthey is a scattered township one and a half mile north-west by north of Woolaston, which contains 711a. 3r. 19p. of land; of which 371a. 3r. 19p. are arable, and 340 acres are pasture.  Robert Gardner, Esq., is the sole landowner.

Criggion is a township and chapelry, one mile east of Llandrinio, which at the census of 1851 had 35 houses and 189 inhabitants.  It contains 2401a. 2r. 17p. of land, the rateable value of which is £874. 12s. 2d.  The tithes are commuted for £220, of which £176 are appropriated to the Fellows of All Souls College, and £44 to the vicar.  On the summit of Breidden hill, 1,004 feet above the Severn, is “Rodney’s Pillar,” erected in memory of that brave naval commander.  Near the Breidden is the range of hills called Moel-y-Golfa, on which are the traces of an encampment.  In this district is a fine bed of coal.  The Chapel is a neat structure, built of brick, with a square tower.  The Rev. Leicester Darnwell, M.A., is the perpetual incumbent.

Eyton is a small township, one mile east of Alberbury.  The Hon. and Rev. R. W. Hill is the proprietor of the land.

Middleton is a township, two miles south-west of Woolaston, which contains 269½ acres of pasture, 426 acres of arable, 43 acres of woods, five acres of roads, and 230 acres of common land, the rateable value of which is £620. 10s.  Panton Corbett, Esq., is lord of the manor, and the principal freeholder.  Mrs. Williams and Captain Close are also landowners.

Rowton and Amaston is a pleasant township and small rural village, seven miles and a half west of Shrewsbury.  At the census of 1811 here were 225 inhabitants, and in 1821 227 inhabitants.  Henry Lyster, Esq., is lord of the manor, and principal landowner.  Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is also a small landowner.  Camden says this is the Rutunium described by Antonious.  Rowton was anciently in the possession of the Corbets, and afterwards of the Le Estranges, from whom it passed to William Lyster, who was styled Lord of Rowton.  In the year 1482 Rowton Castle was razed to the ground by Prince Llewellyn, at the time the Le Estranges possessed this manor.

Stanford is a township, one mile and a half west of Alberbury.  Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner.  Mr. Asterley and Mr. Edmund Phillips are also proprietors.  Trefnant is a township and small village, two miles and a half south-west by south of Woolaston, which contains 518 acres of land.  Rateable value £171.  The principal landowners are Miss Oldnall, Mr. Thomas Vincent Potter, Mr. William Meredith, and the Rev. Mr. Cureton.  Uppington is a scattered township, three miles and a half south-west by west of Woolaston, containing 968 acres of land, of which 308 acres are in common and woodlands.  In 1841 here were 123, and in 1851 167 inhabitants.  The principal landowner is Miss Oldnall.  Wattlesborough is a township, partly situated in this parish and partly in the parishes of Cardiston and Westbury.  Roger Corbet de Watlesburg, in the 56th Henry III. had the grant of a market on Tuesday and a fair on the eve, the day, and the day after the feast of St. James the Apostle, to be held at this manor.  There was formerly a castle here, little of which now remains.  Winnington is a township, one mile and a half south-west by south of Woolaston, which contains 1,605a. 3r. 10p. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,146. 3s. 10d.  Winnington is celebrated as the birth place of Old Parr, who was born at the Glyn, in this township, in the year 1483.  When eighty years old he married his first wife, and in the space of thirty-two years had two children, both of whom died young.  Being aged 120 years, he became enamoured of Catherine Mitton, whom he married, and had children by her.  At the age of 130, a prosecution was entered against him in the Spiritual Court for bastardy, and Parr did penance in Alberbury Church.  He lived in ten reigns, and died at Westminster on the 15th of November, aged 152 years.  The cottage in which he lived stands in a sequestered spot, near the Shrewsbury and Welshpool road.  Mrs. Oldnell and others are landowners.

Post Office.—At Wm. Rogers, Letters arrive at 8 A.M. and are despatched at 5 P.M.

ALBERBURY DIRECTORY.

Barrett John, farmer & vict., Cross Gates

Bennett John, farmer & vict., Windmill Inn, posting House, Rowton

Bromley Rd., farmer, Eyton

Brown Thomas, farmer and vict., The Dragon

Bruce Donald, butler, Loton Hall

Cooper William, farmer and lime master, Loton

Crane Geo., farmer, Benthall

Davenport Benj., farmer

Davies Mr., farmer, Whattlesborough

Derwas Thos., farmer, Hays

Evans Edward, farmer, Braggington

Evans Griffiths, tailor

Fox William, blacksmith

Gell Daniel, park keeper, Loton

Gittins James, farmer, The Wood

Gittins Jn., farmer, Amaston

Gittins R., frmer, Lower Wood

Huntley Rev. Rd. Webster, vicar, Bloxwell

Jenner Rev. Mr., M.A., curate, Vicarage

Jones Mary, housekeeper, Loton Hall

Kempster Richard, farmer, Little Woolaston

Lee Mrs. Francis, farmer, Rowton

Leighton Sir Baldwin, Bart., J.P., and chairman of Montgomery quarter sessions, Loton Park

Lyster Henry, Esq., Rowton Castle

Mansell Stephen, farmer, Little Shrawardine

Onions William, basket mkr

Parry Thomas, farmer, Whattlesborough

Plunley John, farmer, Hilly House

Plunley Samuel, farmer

Pearce John, police constable

Powlter Richard, grocer & blacksmith, Rowton

Price John, traveller

Rogers Elizth., shopkeeper

Rogers William, postmaster

Teece John, farmer, Red Abbey

Tullock David, farmer

Wilde John, farmer, White Abbey

Wilde Wm., farmer, Hays

BAUSLEY DIRECTORY.

Derwas John, farmer

Derwas Richard, farmer

Evans John, basket maker

Evans Thomas, farmer, Pecknall

France John, farmer, Brimpoeth

Jones John, carpenter and builder

Pritchard Mrs., Brook Cot.

Speake Thomas, farmer, The Hill

Swaine Isaac, farmer, Hill

Wilde John, butcher and farmer

Wilde Richard, farmer, Plas-y-Court

BULTHEY DIRECTORY.

Burley Thomas, farmer

Swaine John, farmer, The Bank

Williams Richard, farmer, The Hall

COYDWAY DIRECTORY.

Brown Thomas, grocer and beer retailer

Harris Sarah, farmer

Jones Thomas, vict., Hand and Diamond

Jones Thomas, maltster and farmer

Richard George, shoemaker

Richards Thomas, saddler

Swaine Samuel, farmer

Wynne Thos., wheelwright

CREW GREEN DIRECTORY.

Briscoe John, farmer

Davies David, farmer

Downes Richard, farmer

Everall John, farmer

Mansell Mrs.

Payne Charles, farmer and maltster

Pritchard John, farmer

Pugh William, farmer

Ruscoe Abrahm., shopkeeper and beerhouse

Ruscoe Abraham, junior, farmer

Swaine Robert, blacksmith

Turner Joshua, blacksmith

Vaughan Samuel, shoemakr

Watkin Evan, cooper

Williams John, grocer and provision dealer, & beerhouse, Glen, Newtown

Williams John, cooper and shopkeeper

CRIGGION DIRECTORY.

Brentnall Mrs., The Hall

Brentnall Samuel, farmer

Darwell Rev. Leicester, M.A., Parsonage

Davies Richard, farmer

Ford John, farmer

Gregory Richard, farmer and butcher

Jones John, farmer, Brinford

Morris John, farmer

Morris Mrs., Upper Farm

Owens John, farmer, Coppice

Ridge Francis, farmer

Vaughan William, farmer

Williams Richard, farmer

MIDDLETOWN DIRECTORY.

Harris Rev. John Henry Acton, M.A.

Hughes Mr. Thomas

Jones Isaac, farmer & beerhouse, Bell Isle

Morris Edward, farmer

Parry Thomas, farmer

Parry William, farmer

Poole Robert, machineman

Pritchard Miss, Doves Cot.

Pritchard Srh., vict., New Inn

Thomas Benjamin, gent.

Thomas Stephen, bricklayer and beer retailer

STANFORD DIRECTORY.

Harris James, farmer

Middle John, farmer

Turner Edward, blacksmith

TREFNANT DIRECTORY

Brown John, farmer

Edwards John, farmer

UPPINGTON DIRECTORY.

Dickin Arthur, farmer

Henley Thomas, farmer

Meredith William, miller and farmer

Rogers Thomas, farmer

WINNINGTON DIRECTORY.

Brown Thomas, farmer

Davies William, vict., Rose and Crown, farmer and blacksmith

Jasper James, carrier

Jones Evan, farmr., Hargreave

Rogers Ths. Hall, Mill Farm

Rogers William, farmer

WOOLASTON GREAT DIRECTORY.

Pigford Chas., wheelwright

Clemson Thomas, farmer

Cooper Joseph, wheelwright

Eddowes Thomas, farmer

Jones Elizabeth, farmer

Jones Henry, timber merchant, registrar of births and deaths for the Alberbury district

Marsh Walter, tailor

Turner Edward, blacksmith

BICTON AND CALCOTT,

a township and village with a scattered population, three miles and a half west from Shrewsbury, at the census of 1841 had 107 houses and 560 inhabitants, The principal landowners are Sir Richard Jenkins; John Lloyd, Esq.; Hon. H. W. Powyes; Dr. Crawford; Colonel Wingfield; Mr. R. B. Blakemore; Mr. T. Wall; and Mr. Matthews; besides whom Mr. Richard Russ, Mr. Samuel Roberts, and others, are proprietors.  The Chapel of Bicton is a small structure, dedicated to the Holy Trinity; in the patronage of the vicar of St. Chad, and enjoyed by the Rev. Edward Sandford.  Bicton Hall is a neat stuccoed house; the residence of the Misses Cotes.  There is a school, chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions.  Bickton Heath was enclosed about forty years ago, and is now covered with luxuriance and fertility.  The New Connexion Methodists have a chapel here, and a site had been chosen for a new church when our agent visited this township.  The Cottage Buildings are a number of cottages on the road leading to the Isle.  Several scattered residences near to Montford Bridge are in this township, where there is a small Methodist Chapel.  Up and Down Rossal contains upwards of 1,200 acres of land.  The Isle is a compact estate of 645 acres; the property of the Rev. Humphrey Sandford.  The Severn here makes a great bend, and forms a peninsula, with so very narrow an isthmus as to occasion to be called the Isle of Up Rossal.  It acquired the name of Rossal from the circumstance of a family of that name formerly owning the property.  The estate was granted by Queen Elizabeth to Richard Sandford, Esq., an officer of the crown, and ancestor of the present proprietor: a family long before possessed of other estates in this neighbourhood.  The Isle House is a good residence on elevated ground, commanding pleasing views of the country, occupied by the Rev. H. Sandford, the owner of the estate.  Rossal, an ancient brick residence, built in 1077, stands in a sequestered situation, and is the seat of the Dowager Countess Fielding.

BICTON AND CALCOTT DIRECTORY.

Bowlker Frances, schoolmistress

Breese Mary, boarding school, Lower Calcott

Cotes the Misses, Bicton Hall

Cotton William, farmer, Montford Bridge

Crawford William, D.D., Bicton House

Edwards Mr. John, Udlington

Edwards Thomas, clerk

Evans John, bricklayer, Calcott

Hill Rev. Francis, Montford Bridge

Hilton Ann, farmer

Jellicoe Christiana Ann, boarding school, Bicton Cottage

Jenkins Miss Frances, Lower Calcott

Lloyd John, Esq.

Lloyd Richard, vict., Four Crosses

Millman John, nurseryman, Calcott

Oliver Richard, M.D., Bicton Asylum

Peters Martha, farmer

Pritchard Mrs. Mary

Roberts Samuel, farmer

Rowlands Philip, blacksmith

Russ Richard, farmer

Wall Thomas, farmer, Upper Calcott

Whitehorn Jno., Nag’s Head, Montford Bdge.

Wilkinson Mr. Robert, Lower Calcott

UP AND DOWN ROSSAL DIRECTORY.

Fielding Ann Catherine, Dowager Countess Ross, Hall

Hilton Robert, farmer, Down Rossal

Sandford Folliott, Esq., solicitor, The Isle Hse.

Sandford Rev. Humphrey, incumbent of Bicton and Edgton, The Isle House

Sandford Humphrey, Esq., barrister-at-law, The Isle House

Spearman Andrew, Esq., Udlington

Tomkies Richard, farmer, The Isle

Whitfield Thomas, farmer, Down Rossal

Williams Robert, corn miller, Isle Mill

Wood Henry, farmer, Isle Park Farm

CROW MEOL,

a township in the parish of St. Chad, on the Shrewsbury and Montgomery turnpike road, two miles west from the former town, at the census of 1841 had 24 houses and 120 inhabitants.  The township contains 200a. 3r. 11p. of land, about one half of which is the property of Thomas Brocas, Esq., and the remainder is held by upwards of twenty freeholders.  Copthorne House, the residence and property of Thomas Brocas, Esq., is pleasantly situated, and commands a pleasing view of the country.  Adjoining the hall a neat chapel has been built by Mr. Brocas, where the ministers of the Wesleyan New Connexion officiate.  The principal residents are Thomas Brocas, Esq., Copthorne Hall; Robert Phillips, Esq., Bowbrook House; William Adams, farmer; John Bowdler, tailor; and Francis Pool, farmer.

Onslow is a township four miles west from Shrewsbury, having 10 houses and 76 inhabitants at the census of 1841.  The land is the property of Colonel Wingfield, who resides at Onslow Hall, a handsome stuccoed mansion, partly in the parish of St. Chad and partly in that of Pontesbury.  A pillar in the kitchen of the hall is the point of separation between the two parishes.  The principal residents are Colonel Wingfield, Onslow Hall, and Charles Edward Boore, Richard Vaughan, and John Wood, farmers.

Woodcote and Horton, a township in the parish of St. Chad, three miles and a half from Shrewsbury, at the census of 1841 had 11 houses and 78 inhabitants.  The chief landowners are Colonel Wingfield; John Walton, Gent.; Rev. John Yardley; and Mr. Thomas Woodward.  The principal residents are Edward Kynaston, farmer; James Large, farmer; Thomas Lloyd, farmer; William Sherratt, farmer; John Walton, Gent.; John Wilding, blacksmith and wheelwright.

CARDISTON,

a parish containing the township of Cardiston and part of Wattlesborough, is situated six miles and a half west of Shrewsbury.  It comprises 2,548a. 2r. 13p. of land, of which 2,395 acres are titheable.  Rateable value of the parish, £2,692. 5s.  Sir Baldwin Leighton is lord of the manor, and the principal landed proprietor; the Rev. Francis Leighton, bart.; Henry Lyster, Esq.; John Lloyd, Esq.; and the representatives of the late John Vaughan are also freeholders.  At the census of 1841 here were 76 houses and 372 inhabitants.  The parish is bounded on the south by the river Severn, and is intersected by the Shrewsbury and Welshpool road.  The remaining part of Wattlesborough township is situated in Alberbury parish.  The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, was rebuilt of stone in the year 1749.  The tower and windows were re-edified in 1844, at the expense of Sir Baldwin Leighton, bart., who is patron of the living.  Rector, the Rev. Francis Leighton, M.A.  The tithes are commuted for £392, of which £267 are apportioned to the Rev. Francis Leighton, M.A.; £120 to Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart.; and £5 to the small impropriators.  A yearly sum of 10s. is paid to the churchwardens of this parish on account of Morgan’s Charity, which is distributed among the poor.  On the table in the church three other benefactions, amounting to £25, are mentioned, which have been long lost.

Directory.—Richard Bromley, farmer; Richard Dyas, farmer; Thomas Hordley, wheelwright, and shopkeeper; Thomas Evans, coachman; John Lamb, shopkeeper; John Lee, farmer; Rev. Francis Leighton, M.A., The Rectory; John Netherway, painter and glazier; Captain Owen; Thomas Poole, farmer, The Park; Richard Poulter, shopkeeper and blacksmith; Ann Thomas, housekeeper; Richard Weaver, butler.

FORD

Directory.—John Baldwin, farmer, Shoot Hill; John Barrett, farmer, maltster, and victualler, Cross Gates; Hy. Brayne, wheelwright; Ths. Breese, shoemaker; Edw. Bufton, shopkeeper and draper; Edwd. Bufton, jun., farmer; Rchd. Clayton, blacksmith; David Evans, farmer; Jno. Gittins, farmer, Ford heath; Joseph Gough, farmer, Ford heath; Rchd. Hughes, shoemaker; Thomas Humphreys, farmer, Chavel; Wm. Jones, shoemaker; Wm. Pugh, shopkeeper; John Quay, shoemaker; George Rogers, farmer; Thomas Rogers, tailor; William Wall, farmer; Joseph Waring, shopkeeper; Rev. John Wason, M.A., The Rectory; William Weaver, carpenter and parish clerk.

Post Office—At Mary Bishop’s.  Letters arrive at 5.30 A.M., and are despatched at 6.30 P.M.

HANWOOD GREAT

is a parish and pleasantly situated village four miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, which contains 415a. 2r. 21p. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,066. 10s. 5d.  Gross estimated rental, £1,122. 12s.  Sir Offley P. Wakeman is lord of the manor.  The principal freeholders are Francis Harris, Esq., R. and W. Blakeway, Rev. Edward Warter, Mr. Nicholl, Joseph Sheppard, Esq., Messrs. Marshalls, Eleanor Hill, and H.D. Warter, Esq.  In 1841 here were 43 houses and 167 residents; population in 1801, 264; and in 1831, 288.  There are bleach grounds and mills in this parish carried on by Messrs. Marshalls and Co.  The Church is built of brick, and has a small wooden turret, in which are two bells.  At the east end is a handsome stained glass window, the gift of Henry Diggory Warter, Esq., the patron of the living.  There is a stone font dated 1683.  The church-yard is nearly surrounded by venerable yew trees.  The parish register bears date from the reign of Queen Elizabeth.  The tithes are commuted for £237, and there are 32a. 1r. of glebe land.  The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £3, in the incumbency of the Rev. Edward Warter, M.A., who resides at the rectory, a commodious residence near the church.  Mrs. B. M. A. Harries, by will, in 1833, bequeathed to the rector and churchwardens for the time being of this parish the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be distributed amongst the poor inhabitants.

Alltree John, whitesmith, shopkeeper, and parish clerk

Blakeway, Richard, corn miller and farmer

Blakeway Wm., corn miller

Bridge Joseph, grocer and provision dealer

Bromley Mary, gentlewoman

Cotton John, bleach mill manager

Crane John, shoemaker

Edwards Thomas, higgler

Harries Francis Blythe, Esq.

Harrison Rev. Wm., M.A., Bank house

Hayward Rd., blacksmith

Higginson William, tailor

Hill Mrs. Eleanor

Hullen Eliza, boarding sch.

Jones Ann, vict., The Cock Inn

Jones Thomas, wheelwright

Jones Thomas, shoemaker

Jones Wm., basket maker

Littlehales John, wheelwrt.

Littlehales Rd., blacksmith and shopkeeper

Lloyd Mr. John

Matthews John, farmer

Oakey William, farm bailiff

Phillips Thomas, tailor and draper

Rydar Robert, gentleman

Ward John, shoemaker

Warter Rev. Edward, The Rectory

Yallowley Mary, gentlewmn.

HABBERLEY

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient gothic fabric consisting of nave and chancel, having a wooden turret.  It was partly rebuilt and made parochial in the year 1558.  The chancel window was restored by the late rector; the floor is covered with encaustic tiles.  Among the memorials is a tomb to William Mytton, Esq., who died in 1747.  The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 0s. 2½d. in the patronage of W. H. Sparrow, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Richard White, M.A.  The tithes are commuted for £132, and there are 23 acres of glebe land.  The parish register dates from the year 1599.

Edward Corbett, in 1654, charged a messuage and certain land with the payment of 20s. yearly, and directed the interest to be distributed among the poor, especially orphans and poor widows.  Only 6s. is now received as Corbett’s benefaction.  John Gittins, who died in 1808, left £20, and his widow, Elizabeth, who died in 1819, a like sum, the interest to be given away among the poor of the parish.  The produce of these two legacies are now in the Savings’ Bank.

Directory.—Ann Bromley, farmer; Martha Evans, farmer and corn miller; John Everall, farmer; Thomas Highley, blacksmith, wheelwright, and parish clerk; John Onions, beerhouse keeper; Richard Lewis, blacksmith; Mr. Morris, farmer, The Hall; Thomas Pearce, agent to W. H. Sparrow, Esq.; Thomas Rogers, farmer; Rev. Richard White, M.A., The Rectory.

MINSTERLEY

is a parish, nine miles S.W. by W. of Shrewsbury, containing 2,875a. 3r. 7p. of land, the rateable value of which is £3,165.  At the census of 1841 there were 168 houses and 914 persons.  Population in 1811, 705; and in 1831, 809.  Half a century ago Minsterley consisted of only a few farm houses; but since the lead mines have been extensively worked it has greatly increased.  The lead ore of this place is found enclosed or covered with a spar, over which is a kind of blue stone or slate, and contains a great quantity of red lead, and a small portion of silver.  The Snailbeach mines are situated about a mile from Minsterley, and have been worked for 60 years in a most efficient and profitable manner, without experiencing any stoppage.  The shafts are from 300 to 360 yards in depth, and the engine and machinery for crushing the ore are on an extensive scale.  There are about 500 miners daily at work, besides others engaged in washing and smelting the ore.  Upwards of £2,000 per month is paid in wages.  The mines are the property of Messrs. Lovett, Jones, and Company, and under the management of Mr. John Harrison.  In the year 1851 a Roman pig of lead was found by some workmen in sinking through a slag heap of smeltings, on which appears the following inscription in raised letters:—

IMP.  HADRIANI.  AVG.

It is in length twenty inches, and the girth is twenty inches, weighing 173 pounds.

Some years ago, an act of parliament was obtained by several landed proprietors to form a canal to carry the surplus water from Marton Pool to the Severn, which covered upwards of 200 acres of land for several months in the year.  Since the cutting of the canal a great part of the land has been reclaimed, and brought into a state of cultivation.  The Marquis of Bath is lord of the manor, and principal landowner.  The Fair, or “Gentlemen’s Meet,” at Minsterley, is held on July 25th.

Adams Wm., maltster, farmer and vict., Miners’ Arms

Beady George, shoemaker

Beady Tryphena, milliner and dressmaker

Bowen Wm., underground assistant bailiff

Brumbil Thomas, victualler, Angel Inn

Clarke William, wheelwright

Croft Richard, perpl. overseer, Hawkstowbank

Davies David, engineer and mineral draftsman

Davies John, grocer & draper

Dolphin John Lloyd, druggist, draper, grocer, and maltster

Dorrcott Edward, schoolteacher and barber

Dyas Richard, blacksmith

Eddowes Edward, Hockstow Corn Mills and farmer

Eddowes Mrs. Judith, Reabrooks

Evans William, farmer

Everall William, farmer

Griffiths Mrs. Ann, ladies’ boarding school

Harrison John, gentleman, Snailbeach

Hincks Mary, dressmaker

Hincks Thomas, mason

Hughes Thomas, beer retailer

Hughes Vincent, engineer

Hughes Wm., linen weaver, and parish clerk

James Joseph, blacksmith

Jones Edward, shopkeeper

Jones George, tailor

Jones John, schoolmaster

Jones John and Co., Snailbeach Mines

Kempster John, Park Farm

Lee William, saddler and harness maker

Nealor Mr. Edwd., The Hall

Nealor William, Esq.

Nicholson Rev. Emilius, The Rectory

Philpot Jno. & Son, engineers

Powell Thomas, beer retailer

Robinson Thomas, tailor