History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Shropshire [1851]

Dickin Elizabeth, The Well House

Ray Thomas, The Lion and Commercial Inn

Drury Thos., The College Inn

Beerhouses.

Churton Joseph

Vaughan Samuel

Steam and Horse Thrashing Machines to Let for Hire.

Drury Thomas

Carriers.

To Shrewsbury, William Eccleston & John Handley, on Saturdays.

CALVERHALL, OR CORRA,

is a chapelry and scattered village three miles north-west from Prees, which in 1841 contained 33 houses and 151 inhabitants.  The township contains 1,287a. 0r. 22p. of land, mostly an undulating district.  The principal landowners are John Whitehall Dod, Esq., M.P.; Viscount Hill; Lord Kilmorey; Mrs. Dale; and Thomas Hugh Sandford, Esq.  Viscount Hill is lord of the manor and impropriator of the rectoral tithes, which are commuted for £86. 18s. 9d.  The vicarial tithes are commuted for £26. 7s.  The Chapel is a modern erection of beautiful workmanship, executed in freestone.  The interior has a chaste and imposing appearance; the roof is of groined timber, and the seats are of oak; the windows are decorated with stained glass, and the altar-piece is of freestone of elaborate workmanship.  A neat marble tablet remembers Elizabeth, the wife of the Rev. Edward Mainwaring, the present incumbent; another very beautifully designed, has been erected to the memory of Elizabeth, the wife of John W. Dod, Esq., M.P.; there is also a neat tablet to John Dod, Esq.  The living is perpetual curacy, in the patronage of John W. Dod, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Edward Mainwaring, who resides at the Parsonage, a modern brick residence, pleasantly situated and embosomed in foliage; it is beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies.  The Almshouses consist of eight tenements, and were founded and endowed by Catherine Kerr, in 1724; the inmates are widows or aged people, who have about £4. 10s. per annum.

The Hall, the residence and property of John W. Dod, Esq., M.P., is a commodious brick mansion, stuccoed, with a front of hewn freestone, and a noble portico supported by six fluted pillars.  It stands on a gentle eminence, and the views it commands are beautifully varied, picturesque, and extensive.  The park grounds are richly clothed with timber, and the pleasure grounds and shrubberies are laid out with great taste.  There are no remains of the ancient hall; it was surrounded by a moat, which still is filled with water, a neat bridge connecting the site on which it stood with the gardens.  There is a school in the village, endowed with £20 per annum, free for all cottagers’ children.  The teacher also receives £6 annually from subscriptions.  Jack of Corra is a well-known liquor vessel, composed of leather, which has received the patronage of successive generations in this locality, and is interesting as a relic of the hospitality of by-gone days.  It is stated that a person of the name of Corra or Kerr charged lands with the payment of £10 annually, and directed that any wayfaring traveller should call and refresh himself with the Jack filled with good malt liquor, on the payment of one penny.  The bottom and the top of the vessel are encircled with a broad rim of silver, upon which is engraved, “From time immemorial: Jack of Corra is my name, don’t abuse me then for shame.”  This chapelry comprises Corra, with Willaston and Millen Heath.

Post Office.—At Mr. James Jenkins’.  Letters arrive by foot post from Whitchurch, at 9.30 A.M., and are despatched at 4 P.M.

Dod John Whitehall, Esq., M.P., The Hall

Dod John Whitehall, Esq., jun.

Mainwaring Rev. Edward, M.A., The Parsonage

Beeteley George, farmer

Beeteley John, farmer & vict. Jack of Corra

Court William, postman

Growcott Francis, farmer

Jenkins James, schoolmaster

Newell James, gentleman

Newnes John, farmer

Mac Cload John, gardener

Morris Charles, blacksmith

Overton William, farmer

Owens Owen, farmer

Perry Robert, butcher

Reeves Josiah, farmer

Snipes Robert, coachman

DARLISTON

is a township and well-built village, five miles and a quarter N.E. from Wem, which in 1841 had 53 houses and 278 inhabitants.  The township contains 714a. 3r. 23p. of land, the soil of which is a mixture of sand and loam.  There are several extensive farms here, with commodious out-buildings.  Viscount Hill is lord of the manor, and owner of the whole township.  The rectoral tithes are commuted for £85. 15s. 3d., and the vicarial for £19. 15s.  The township is intersected by the London and Chester and the Whitchurch and Drayton turnpike roads.  There is a school at Lower Heath, in this township, supported by Viscount and Lady Hill.  About 200 children attend for instruction, and are also partly clothed.  The teacher has a fixed salary, and resides in a good residence adjoining the school.  There is a noted coursing meeting held annually at the White Lion Inn.

Adams Abraham, tailor

Adams Thomas, farmer

Adams William, farmer

Dickin Joseph, farmer, and dispenser of medicine

Dickin William, farmer and butcher

Dickin John, butcher

Goffin Robert, schoolmaster

Hartley Timothy, gentleman

Machon William, blacksmith, and collector of tolls

Morris George, farmer

Powell John, shopkeeper and wheelwright

Ruscoe John, farmer, Heath-gate

Shingler Thomas, tailor

Sutton John, shoemaker

Titley Jacob, wheelwright

Watkins John, victualler, White Lion

FAULS,

a township with a scattered population, contains 886a. 0r. 34p. of land, and at the census of 1841 had 22 houses and 102 inhabitants.  The soil is mostly a strong clay.  Viscount Hill is lord of the manor, impropriator, and principal landowner.  Mr. Thomas Ruscoe is also a proprietor.  The rectoral tithes are commuted for £116. 15s., and the vicarial tithes payable to the incumbent of Prees for £25. 1s. 3d.  The turnpike road to Drayton crosses this township.

Directory.—Richard Benbow, farmer; Abraham Ford, farmer, Northwood; Wm. Hares, farmer, Fauls Green; Thomas Hatton, farmer and collector of revenue taxes; William Hudson, farmer, Northwood; George Oakley, gamekeeper, The Green; Elizabeth Powell, farmer; Thomas Ruscoe, farmer and victualler, The Talbot; George Williams, brick and tile agent; Thomas Williams, brick and tile agent.

MICKLEY,

a small township in the parish of Prees, in 1841 had four houses and a population of 36 souls.  The township contains 575a. 2r. 36p. of land, chiefly the property of Viscount Hill.  Rateable value, £744. 7s.  The tithes were commuted in 1841, when £72. 9s. were apportioned to Viscount Hill, and £16. 0s. 4d. to the Vicar of Prees.  The farmers are Martha Churton, Richard Edgerley, George Robinson, and Thomas Ash Wilkinson.

a township with only one house and ten residents, contains 359a. 3r. 17p. of land, which is the property of Lord Kilmorey.  Rateable value, £268. 10s.  The tithes have been commuted, and £33. 3s. 2d. apportioned to Viscount Hill, and £9. 6s. 3d. to the Vicar of Prees.  Mr. Thomas Hares is the resident farmer.

SANDFORD,

a township with a scattered population, five miles and a half N.E. from Wem, contains 1,213a. 3r. 21p. of land.  The soil is a mixture of sand and loam, with a portion of clay.  The land is chiefly used for grazing purposes; and there is a considerable extent covered with woods and plantations.  The tithes were commuted in 1841, when £151. 13s. 1d. was apportioned to Viscount Hill, and £36. 5s. to the Vicar of Prees.  At the census of 1841 there were nine houses and 76 inhabitants.  The rateable value of this township, with that of Darliston and Fauls, is £4,354. 3s.  Thomas Hugh Sandford, Esq., is the principal landowner.  Mr. Thomas Ebrey is also a proprietor.

Directory.—Sarah Bather, farmer; John Fox, farmer; Robert Garmstone, wheelwright and victualler, The Mill House; Ann Hales, farmer; Mary Humphreys, farmer; William Rogers, blacksmith; Thomas Steventon, farmer and corn miller; Joseph Woolrich, farmer, Morton Wood; Stephen Worthen, farmer.

STEELE,

a township in the parish of Prees, at the census of 1841 had 12 houses and a population of 65 souls.  The township contains 436a. 3r. 36p. of land.  Viscount Hill is the impropriator and the principal landowner.  The rectoral tithes are commuted for £54. 12s. 6d., and the vicarial for £13. 14s. 6d.  The principal residents in Steele are John Bradshaw, shopkeeper, The Heath; John Heatley, glazier; Ann Hodgskin, farmer; Thomas Hodgskin, farmer; Daniel Holding, tailor; Richard Holding, farmer; Joseph Hussey, farmer.

WHIXALL

is a township, chapelry, and populous village, in the parish of Prees, four miles N. from Wem, which at the census in 1841 contained 211 houses and 978 inhabitants.  The township comprises 3,361a. 1r. 32p. of land.  Interspersed with gentle undulations, there is some good meadow and pasture land, which produces a fine herbage, and cheese is made to a considerable extent.  The houses are chiefly cottage residences, with a small portion of land to each, and the residents are in many instances freeholders.  The houses are built of brick, and slated, and have a comfortable appearance.  The inhabitants are chiefly employed in cutting the moss, which they dry, and then take it to distant parts of the country for sale.  The moss, usually called Whixall Moss, covers a surface of upwards of 5,000 acres, and extends into the several townships of Northwood, Whixall, Bettisfield, and Fenswood.  It is cut to a depth of from sixteen to thirty feet, and in some instances to a greater depth.  The moss is mostly submerged in water.  A company of gentlemen have recently taken a lease for a term of years of a considerable tract of the moss, and are about to erect works for converting this hitherto comparatively useless commodity into articles of appliance for useful purposes.  It is said to be superior to the Irish moss for some particular uses.  Sir John Hanmer is the owner of about two-thirds of the moss; the other principal landowners are Lord Kenyon, W. P. Poole, Esq., James Foster, Esq., John C. Coham, Esq., John Bowen, Esq., Mr. George Hutchinson, Mr. John Phillips, Mr. John Keay, William F. Dickin, Esq., Mr. William Furber, Rev. John Evans, Mrs. Weaver, Mr. William Cartwright, Mr. Thomas Clay, John Taylor, Esq., Robert Salmon, Esq., Mr. Thomas Jones, Mrs. Hazledine, Mr. Thomas Salt, A. Duff, Esq., Mr. Benjamin Sandbrook, Mr. Jarvis, Rev. R. Young, Mrs. Cooper, Joshua Lee, Esq., Mr. James Rodenhurst, Mr. Thomas Sadler, Mr. William Whitfield, Mr. John Whitfield; besides whom there are many smaller proprietors.

Brookes Thomas, blacksmith

Butler Richard, shoemaker

Callcott Samuel, farmer

Cureton William, shopkeeper

Dawson Thomas, farmer

Eales James, schoolmaster

Evans Rev. John, M.A., incumbent of Whixall, and domestic chaplain to Viscount Combermere, The Parsonage

Forrester Arthur, farmer

Furber Widow, farmer

Furber William, Well Farm

Green James, tailor

Green Joseph, shopkeeper

Hales Walter, The Hall Farm

Hall Richard, beerhouse

Hall William, shopkeeper

Heath Elizabeth, farmer

Heath John, joiner and upholsterer

Hinton Henry, farmer

Hinton John, farmer and butcher

Hughes George, blacksmith

Hunley John, farmer

Jarvis Widow, farmer

Jarvis William, farmer and beerhouse

Jones Richard, Bostock Hall Farm

Jones Samuel, farmer

Jones William, farmer

Keay John, vict., Chapel House, cattle dealer and farmer

Newbrook Richard, shopkeeper & shoemaker

Newbrook Samuel, farmer

Newbrook Thomas, farmer

Newbrook Thomas, shopkeeper

Newbrook William, wheelwright

Parsons William, farmer

Pitt William, shopkeeper and farmer

Poole William Price, maltster and farmer

Powell Samuel, farmer

Powell Thomas, shopkeeper, Waterloo

Powell Thomas, farmer

Powell Widow, shopkeeper

Powell William, farmer

Preston Ellis, farmer

Reeves William, blacksmith

Roberts John, brick and tile manufacturer

Rodenherst Mr. James

Shaw Edward, shoemaker

Shingler Thomas, farmer and corn miller

Sparkes John, farmer

Vardy James, Esq.

Vardy and Co., The Betisfield Moss Works

Walters Sarah, Manor House Farm

Weever William, tailor

Whitfield Frederick, farmer

Williams Henry, farmer

Williams William, farmer

Woolham Thomas, jailor

William Price Poole, coal, lime, slate, and brick dealer, Whixall Wharf

WILLASTON,

The principal residents are John Hussey, farmer, Cloverley; Robert Wilkinson, farmer, The Lawn; James Simons, farmer, and James Simon, jun., farmer.

SHAWBURY

is an extensive parish comprehending the townships of Acton Reynold, Besford, Edgebolton, Muckleton, Shawbury, Wytheford Magna, and Wytheford Parva, which together have an area of 7,222 acres of land, of which 600 acres are in woods and plantations.  Rateable value, £8,486. 1s.  Rent charge, £838.  This parish, although chiefly in the North Bradford hundred, extends into the Shrewsbury liberty, and the hundred of Pimhill.  In 1801 the parish had a population of 948 souls; 1831, 915, and in 1841 there were 212 inhabited houses and 1062 inhabitants.  The soil, to a considerable extent, is a mixture of loam and sand, in other places a strong soil mixed with gravel prevails.  The land has generally an undulating surface, and on the northern verge there are considerable eminences, in which is found a red grit stone.  Shawbury is a delightfully situated village, containing some good residences on the Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Wem, and Whitchurch turnpike roads, six miles S.S. by E. from Wem, and seven miles N.E. by N. from Shrewsbury.  In the centre of the village there is a commodious hotel and family boarding house occupied by Mr. Welling, which is much frequented during the summer months by respectable families.  The township contains 1,605a. 0r. 37p. of land, and in 1841 there were 55 houses and 279 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £1,854. 16s.  Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., is lord of the manor and principal land owner; Rev. W. S. Marvin and Mr. Samuel Winnall are also owners.

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure exhibiting some beautiful workmanship, and consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a lofty square tower ornamented with twelve pinnacles; the tower contains six bells, has a clock and sun dial; in the chancel are two windows beautifully ornamented with stained glass; the altar piece and reading desk are of oak, elaborately carved, and there is an ancient font.  There is a beautiful tablet of marble in memory of Philip Charlton, who died in 1845, and another commemorative of John Minor, Esq., and his wife, with the date of 1836.  The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £7. 1s. 5½d. in the patronage of Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., and incumbency of the Rev. William S. Marvin, M.A.; curate, Rev. William Howell, M.A.; clerk, William Wright.  The vicarial tithes are commuted for £397. 12s. and of the rectorial £247. 18s. was apportioned to Sir Andrew V. Corbet, Bart., £181. 10s. to Mr. Charlton, and £11 to Captain Horner.  The vicarage is a pleasantly situated residence a little north from the church.  There is a free school in the village which has an attendance of about thirty children.  Shawbury heath contains 270a. 2r. 7p. of land, and Shawbury woods contain an area of 159a. 2r. 32p.  Charlton Grange is situated in this township, and contains 433a. 3r. 27p.

Charities.—Elizabeth Corbet, by will, October 29th, 1702, bequeathed the sum of £200, and directed the amount to be laid out in land, and the yearly proceeds to be applied in feeding or clothing the poor, or in apprentice fees, as the vicar for the time being and her heirs should think fit.  The amount was laid out as directed by the donor, and now produces a yearly rental of £45 which is divided into three equal parts, one portion applied in clothing the children of the national school, another in apprentice fees, and the remainder in a weekly distribution of bread.

John Minor gave £20, the interest to be distributed on St. Andrew’s day.  This sum, together with £26. 5s. given by Sir Andrew Corbet, is in the hands of the Rev. W. S. Marvin, and £20 collected many years ago towards building a school house, making together £66. 5s., for which he gave a promissory note to the churchwardens, bearing date 2nd February, 1830, with interest at four and a half per cent.  Of the interest, £1 is given away as Minor’s charity, 18s. are added to the subscriptions collected for the school, and the remainder is distributed on Candlemas day among the poor of the parish.

Mrs. Charlotte Corbet left £100, the interest to be given among the most indigent inhabitants of this parish yearly, as the minister and churchwardens should think fit.  This sum is in the hands of Mr. John Kilvert, who pays £4 as the interest thereof.

Thomas Downes left £5, the interest to be given in bread to the old labourers at Shawbury Park, yearly, on St. Thomas’s day.  This sum was in the hands of Mr. John Harris, who paid 5s. as interest, when the charity commissioners published their report.

Post Office.—At Mr. William Wright’s.  Letters arrive at 9 A.M., and are despatched at 5 P.M.

Armson Charles, cattle salesman

Bayley Mary, straw bonnet maker

Bayley Samuel, butcher

Bayley William, beerhouse keeper

Cartwright Samuel, saddler and harness maker

Clowes Job, cooper and shopkeeper

Davies John, cashier and clerk to William Wyley, Esq.

Deakin Peter, baker

Dickin John, farmer, the Grove

Downes Thomas, tailor

Drury Joseph, farmer and brickmaker

Drury and Rayner, surgeons

Drury Thomas, Esq., Roden villa

Friend James, shoemaker

Hewes Ann, laundress

Hollis Benjamin, farmer, the Heath

Hopwood Peter, farmer

Howell Rev. Alfred, curate

Mainwaring Richard, bricklayer

Marvin Rev. William S., Vicarage

Oswell Thomas, farmer

Owen Edward, blacksmith

Owen Thomas, whitesmith

Pascall William, farmer, the Heath

Pickford Thomas, farmer

Pickford William, farmer, the Park

Powell John, farmer

Plummer John, mole catcher

Rayner Alfred Philip, Esq., the Castle

Southerton Edward, farmer, the Heath

Trevor Samuel, carrier to Shrewsbury

Webb John, coachman

Wellings Joseph, farmer, maltster, and vict., Elephant and Castle Hotel, and posting house

West Thomas, seedsman and green grocer

Wildblood George, gentleman, the Cottage

Williams William, shopkeeper

Winnall Samuel, farmer, Heath Grove

Woodvine James, farmer, the Heath

Wright Robert, wood ranger

Wright William, post master

ACTON REYNALD,

Corbet Sir Richard Vincent, Bart., Acton Reynald

Corbet Vincent Rowland, Esq.

Acton James, house steward

Bell Francis, head gardener and bailiff

Blantern Robert Hardwick

Evans Thomas, coachman

Fowler John, farmer, Acton Reynald farm

Gough John, gardener

Lee Francis, farmer, New House

Lee William, farmer, Painsbrook

Minton Samuel, farmer, Woodstyle

Ratcliffe Joseph, game and park keeper

Wildblood George, steward

BESFORD,

a small township situated two miles north-west from Shawbury, contains 707a. 2r. 19p. of land, the soil of which is highly fertile, and produces good barley and wheat.  In 1841 this township is returned as containing 35 houses and 167 inhabitants.  It extends into the parish of Moreton Corbet, in the hundred of Pimhill.  Rateable value, £1,263. 9s.  Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet is lord of the manor, and owner of the whole township.

The principal residents are Joseph Taylor Reynolds Ogle, Esq.; John Powell, farmer; and William Powell, farmer.

EDGEBOLTON

is a small village pleasantly situated six miles south-east from Wem.  The township contains 617a. 3r. 33p. of land, mostly an undulating district, diversified with picturesque scenery.  Rateable value, £710. 14s.  At the census in 1841 there were 37 houses and 199 inhabitants.  The farms here are much smaller than in the neighbouring townships.  Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., St. J. C. Charlton, Mrs. Bayley, Mr. Harris, and Mr. Thomas Onslow, are the chief landowners.

The resident farmers are Samuel Alltree, William Astley, George Cartwright, John Dickin, George Done, Charles Green, John Henshaw, Thomas Onslow (and licensed victualler), Thomas Richmond, William Shuker, William Spencer, and William Tudor; John Buttery, blacksmith; John Onslow, Pool Cottage; and Thomas Ward, maltster.

a village and township in the parish of Shawbury, seven miles south-east from Wem, contains 1,033a. 3r. 14p. of land.  In 1841 there were 20 houses, and a population of 113 souls.  Rateable value, £955. 1s.  St. J. C. Charlton, Esq., is the landowner.

The principal residents are Richard Higginson, farmer, the Moss; Henry Lawley, farmer, the Moss; Thomas Phillips, farmer, the Moss; Richard Powell, farmer, the Hall; Richard Powell, farmer, Pool House; Thomas Pritchard, boot and shoemaker; Thomas Wellings, the Farm; and John Wright, farmer.

WYTHEFORD MAGNA

is a township and village pleasantly situated on the turnpike road from Shawbury to Wellington, seven miles north-east from Wem.  The township contains 955a. 1r. 7p. of land, the soil of which is a mixture of sand and loam, or red earth.  There are woods and plantations, which cover 207a. 1r. 27p. of land.  In 1841 there were 18 houses and 101 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £1,114. 10s.  Wytheford House is an ancient brick structure of considerable antiquity, now in the occupancy of Mr. William Taylor, as a farm residence.  St. J. C. Charlton, Esq., and Miss Cooke, are the principal landowners.

Directory.—William Bayley, farmer and maltster; Robert Davies, farmer; Robert Hampton, farmer; Thomas Humphreys, farmer; John Stockton, farmer; and William Taylor, farmer, the Hall.

WYTHEFORD PARVA,

a small township two and a quarter miles N.E. by N. from Shawbury, contains 334 acres of land, and in 1841 had 10 houses and 44 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £354. 18s.  The landowners are Captain Horner, St. J. C. Charlton, Esq., and Miss Steedman.

The principal residents are Samuel Davies, wheelwright; William Davies, farmer; David Ferrington, farmer; John Jones, farmer; Peter Light, farmer; Richard Owen, farmer; Joseph Powell, farmer; and Eleanor Wainwright, farmer.

STOKE-UPON-TERN

Charities.—Andrew Turner left £20, the yearly interest to be expended in bread, and distributed to the poor of the parish the first Sunday in every month, after Christmas day, Easter day, and Whit-Sunday.  James Talbot directed twelve penny loaves to be distributed on the same day as Turner’s charity.  In respect of this gift there is 15s. per annum paid out of an estate in Stoke, called The Mount.  There is also paid the yearly sum of 10s., from an estate called Stoke Park, which is also distributed in bread.  The parish officers are in possession of a parcel of ground, containing between two and three acres, on which a workhouse has been built, and also of about half an acre of ground, with six small tenements, and gardens attached to each.  It is not known how the parish became possessed of these premises; but it is supposed that they may have been purchased with the benefactions of Thomas Burrowes, William Burrowes, and Henry Bunbury, each of whom formerly gave £50 to the poor.

EATON

is a small township, two miles and a quarter S. from Stoke-upon-Tern, which in 1841 contained 28 houses and 127 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £916. 16s.  The principal landowners are Mr. Robert Heatley, Mr. John Heatley, Mr. Richard Heatley, and Mr. John Topham.

OLLERTON,

a small township in Stoke-upon-Tern parish, one mile and a half S.E. from the church, in 1841 had 31 houses and a population of 135 souls.  Rateable value, £735. 13s.  The landowners are Viscount Hill, Mrs. Whitfield, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Pointon, and Mr. Freeman.  There is a small Independent Chapel here, erected in 1838.  The congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Parker.

WISTANSWICK,

a township and small village, two miles N.E. from Stoke, and four miles S.W. from Market Drayton, had in 1841, 46 houses and 200 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £621. 7s.  The principal landowners are William Taylor, Esq., Mr. Thomas Goodall, Mr. W. Adams, Mr. William Corfield, and Mr. Robert Dawes; there are also a few smaller proprietors.  The Independents have a small chapel here, of which the Rev. D. Dawes is the pastor.

Stoke-upon-Tern, Eaton, Ollerton, and Wistanswick Directories.

Adams Thomas, farmer, Petsey Stoke

Benbow William, farmer, Ollerton

Blainey James, tailor, Ollerton

Dawes Robert, farmer, Wistanswick

Davies Robert, shoemaker, Stoke

Dutton James, shoemaker, Stoke

Evenson John, butcher, Wistanwick

Gladstone Rev. John, The Rectory, Stoke

Goodall John, farmer, Wistanswick

Goodall Thomas, farmer, Wistanswick

Goodall William, farmer, Wistanswick

Gosnell Edward, farmer, Wistanswick

Gosnell Thomas, farmer, Wistanswick

Green Francis, saddler and harness maker, Ollerton

Griffiths Joseph, shoemaker, Ollerton

Harding George, farmer, Stoke

Hardy Daniel, wheelwright, Ollerton

Heatley John, farmer, maltster, and corn miller, Eaton

Heatley Robert, farmer, Eaton

Heatley Richard, farmer, Eaton

Jenkins Samuel, farmer, Stoke

Juckes Henry, farmer, Stoke

Keay George, blacksmith, Ollerton

Latham Thomas, blacksmith, Stoke

Lea Charlotte, farmer, The Grange, Stoke

Lea William, farmer, Stoke

Lester Robert, farmer, Ollerton

Massey James, wheelwright, Stoke

Massey John, farmer, Ollerton

Meakin George, farmer, The Bendles, Stoke

Meakin William, farmer, Woodhouse, Stoke

Mullock William, farmer, Stoke

Palmer William, farmer, Ollerton

Parker Rev. John, Independent, Ollerton

Pears William, shoemaker and shopkeeper, Wistanswick

Phillips Thomas, farmer, Wistanswick

Pitchford Joseph, weaver, Wistanswick

Powell Edward, farmer, Stoke

Powell John, farmer, Stoke

Powell Thomas, corn miller, Stoke

Preston George, farmer, Ollerton

Preston William, farmer, Stoke

Rodgers Elizabeth, shopkeeper, Eaton

Shaw Stephen, beerhouse-keeper, Wistanswick

Simon John, farmer, Stoke

Talbot Richard, tailor, Wistanswick

Taylor William, farmer, Heathcote, Stoke

Topham John, farmer, Eaton

Walley Samuel, farmer, Stoke

Whitfield Richard, farmer, The Manor, Stoke

Williams Ann, shopkeeper, Ollerton

STANTON-UPON-HINE HEATH

Charities.—Stanton School was endowed with £5 per annum by Mrs. Baddiley, in 1721, who also left £40 towards the erection of the school house.  The site was given by Sir Rowland Hill, and nine other persons subscribed towards the building of the school the sum of £14. 11s. 6d.  About twenty children now attend.  The £5 per annum is paid out of lands called Chealey Meadows and Chealey Wood, in Cheshire.  Mrs. Baddiley left £2. 12s. per annum for a distribution of bread to the poor.  The amount is paid out of the same land, and twelve penny loaves are given in the church every Sunday.

Richard Colley, in 1717, left £50; Joseph Smith left the interest of £20; Richard Smith, clerk of the parish, £2. 2s.; and Sir Andrew Corbet, in 1817, gave 25 guineas.  These several sums, amounting to £98. 7s., together with £1. 13s. advanced from the poor rates, were placed in the hands of Sir Rowland Hill, who gave a promissory note for the amount to the churchwardens and overseers.  Of the interest, £2 is laid out in bread, which is distributed every Sunday, in respect of Colley’s charity, 9s. is laid out on Christmas day, and the same sum on Good Friday, as the gifts of Richard and Joseph Smith.  The remainder is given away in small sums on St. Andrew’s day.

Thomas Harper, in 1828, gave £150, upon trust, and directed the interest of £50 to be distributed among poor widows on St. Thomas’s day; the interest of £50 among poor men; and the profits of the remaining £50 to be paid to the master or mistress of the Sunday school at Stanton.  This sum was placed in the hands of Sir John Hill, and secured by bond, bearing date September 29th, 1813.  The interest is divided into three shares, and distributed according to the donor’s intentions.

Alford William, shoemaker

Astley William, farmer, Sowhatch

Besford Thomas, farmer, the Heath

Buttery William, farmer, the Heath

Faulkes William, farmer, the Heath

Ferrington James, shoemaker

Gollins William, shopkeeper, the Heath

Griffiths Thomas, farmer, the Heath

Hamer James, farmer, the Hazles

Hanmer Samuel, accountant

Hilditch John, farmer

Hollins John, vict., Lord Hill’s Arms

Holloway Rev. Dr. Jas. Thos., B.A., Vicarage

Jackson James, farmer, the Heath

Jeffries Jonas, farmer and corn miller, the Wood Mill

Jeffries William, corn miller, Stanton Mill

Lewis John, farmer, the Lodge

Massey Charles, farmer

Podmore Edward, Greenfields farm

Powell Samuel, farmer

Powell William, farmer, the Heath

Taylor John, blacksmith

Taylor Charles, shopkeeper, the Heath

Taylor John, shoemaker and shopkeeper

Thomason Richard, farmer

Tudor John, shoemaker, the Heath

Wood Mrs., Woodlands

Wood Thomas F., land and estate agent and valuer

BOOLEY, OR BOWLEY,

a township two and a quarter miles N.E. by N. from Stanton, contains, conjointly with High Hatton and Greenfields, 2,978a. 3r. 11p. of land: the soil is a mixture of sand and loam.  The land in this locality has generally a bold and irregular surface; the scenery is beautifully diversified.  The rateable value of Booley is £2,247, 9s.  Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., is the principal landowner, who, with St. John C. Charlton, Esq., are the impropriators of the large tithes, which are commuted for £20 for the above townships; the vicarial tithes are commuted for £78. 10s.  Mr. George Dale is also a freeholder.

The principal residents are Mrs. Ann Betton; Thomas Betton, farmer; James Cadman, farmer; John Hendley, farmer; Thomas Lewis, quarry master; William Phillips, farmer; Benjamin Powell, farmer.

HARCOURT

is a small township with a few houses, picturesquely situated one and a half mile north from Stanton.  The township contains 234a. 3r. 34p. of land, the owners of which are John Faulkner Wood, Esq.; Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart; and Mrs. Wood.  Rateable value, £373. 16s.  The rectoral tithes have been commuted for £55. 10s., of which £48 are paid to the impropriators, John F. Wood, Esq., and Sir A. V. Corbet, Bart.  The vicar of Stanton receives £7. 10s.  Harcourt Park House is a good building of stone.

The principal residents here are William Dale, farmer; The Park farm; and John Powell, The Mill.

HIGH HATTON,

a township and pleasant village, situated two and a half miles east from Stanton-upon-Hine Heath, in 1841 contained 34 houses and 201 inhabitants.  The area of this township, conjointly with Booley, is 2,837a. 1r. 4p.  The land is generally fertile, and there is some strong soil; in other places there is a mixture of sand and loam.  Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet is lord of the manor and the principal landowner.  The rent charge of this township is included in the return for Booley.  Rateable value, £2,095, 1s.  St. John Charlton, Esq., is the landowner.

Directory.—William Betteney, farmer; John Espley, blacksmith; John Gollins, farmer, Greenhurst; Ann Heatley, farmer; William Heatley, farmer, the Hall; William Stephen Hoole, farmer, the Wood; Ibbs Margery, farmer; Richard Rodenhurst, farmer, the Heath; Charles Taylor, farmer and shopkeeper.

MOSTON

township is situated two miles north from Stanton, and contains 639a. 0r. 23p. of land, which is the property of Viscount Hill, who is also lord of the manor.  The tithes have been commuted for the sum of £16.  At the census of 1841 there were 11 houses and 61 inhabitants.  Rateable value £960.

The principal residents in Moston are Robert Cartwright, beerhouse keeper; Thomas Chidley, farmer; George Dale, farmer and maltster; Samuel Forrester, boot and shoemaker; William Harris, farmer; William Ikin, farmer, Pool farm.

is a market town and considerable parish, which embraces the chapelries of Edstaston and Newtown, and the townships of Ashton, Cotton, Horton, Lacon Lowe and Ditches, Northwood, part of Sleap, Soulton, Tilley and Trench, Wem and Wolverley, which together contain an area of 13,841a. 1r. 10p. of land, of which 193a. 2r. 6p. are in roads and waste.  Gross estimated rental, £26,594; rateable value, £24,944.  In 1841 there was a population of 3,919 souls, of whom 1,952 were males and 1,967 females, at which period there were 832 inhabited houses, 40 uninhabited, and two houses building.  The tithes have been commuted for £2,100.  The town of Wem is pleasantly situated near the banks of the river Roden, 11 miles north from Shrewsbury; the streets are irregularly formed, and many of the houses have an ancient appearance; there are, however, many good houses and shops, and several respectable private residences of more modern erection, particularly in those parts of the town called New-street and Islington.  The township contains 1,202a. 3r. 30p. of land, of which 14a, 3r. 24p. are in roads and waste.  Rateable value, £6,428. 5s.  Wem is a place of considerable antiquity, and was anciently written Wemme.  At the Domesday survey it was held by William Pantulph, or Pantulf, of Earl Roger, when there were “four geldable hides and an airy of hawks.”  At this time most of the land about Wem lay waste, covered with a vast pool, or overgrown with woods.  When William the Conqueror deprived the English of their estates he gave the greatest part of Shropshire to Roger de Montgomery, and he shared it out among the principal officers that commanded under him, on condition that they should pay him homage, fight for him, not dispose of their daughters in marriage, nor their goods by will without his leave; that their heirs whilst minors should be in wardship to him, and pay a relief for admission to their estates when they came of age.  On these terms Earl Roger granted to William Pantulph 28 towns or manors in the county of Salop, whereof Wem being one of the chief places Pantulph made it his seat, and the head of his barony.  In the 7th of King John, A.D. 1205, Warin Fitzgerald procured the grant of a market to be held weekly, and a fair yearly at his manor of Wemme.  It has therefore been a market town 646 years.  The market was then held on Sunday, as was then commonly done in other places.  This continued till the 24th of Edward III, when Simon Islip, archdeacon of Canterbury, forbid the going to market on the Lord’s day for the future, and the market was subsequently held on Thursday, on which day it still continues to be held, and is numerously attended by the farmers who reside in the surrounding district.  Fairs are held on the first Thursday in March, May 6th, Holy Thursday, June 29, last Thursday in September, and November 22nd.

The freeholders at Wem are numerous, among whom are William Egerton Jeffreys, Colonel Wynn, Thomas Dickin, Esq., the Trustees of Wem Free School, Jonathan Forgham, Mr. John Jenks, Mr. Craig, Mr. John Rodgers, Mary Llewellin, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Phillips, William Owen, Esq., William Barber, Esq., Mr. James, Mr. Leek, Mrs. Kynaston, H. J. Barker, Esq., Mrs. Burd, Mrs. Gwynn, John Everall, Esq., Mr. George Clay, Mr: Glazebrook, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Holding, Mr. Robert Gough, Mrs. Tyler, Mr. John Basnet, Mr. Snape, Mr. Edward Broomfield, Mr. Breakspear, Mr. Drury, J. H. Walford, Esq., Mr. John Boughey, Mr. Poole, and upwards of forty others.