History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Shropshire [1851]

The Condover hundred is bounded on the north by the liberties of Shrewsbury, on the east by the South Bradford hundred and the Wenlock franchise, on the west by the Ford hundred, and on the south by the hundred of Munslow.  The land presents a considerable inequality of surface; the soil is various; in some places there is a good deal of gravelly loam and sand, and in other places a clayey soil prevails, lying upon the red sand stone.  The Lyth hill stands within the bounds of this hundred, and the lofty heights of the Caradoc, Lawley, and Longmynd connect it on the south and west with the hundreds of Munslow and Purslow.  The population of this hundred in 1801 was 5,818, and in 1841, 7,349, of whom 3,701 were males and 3,648 females.  At the latter period there were 1445 inhabited houses and 73 houses building.  This hundred comprehends the Condover and the Cound divisions.  The Condover division contains the following townships and places, viz: Bayston, Betchcott, Betton and Alkmere, Castle Pulverbatch, Chatford, Church Pulverbatch, Churton, Condover, Cothercott, Dorrington, Frodesley, Lee Botwood, Longnor, Meole Brace, Newton and Edgbold, Nobold, Picklescott, Pulley, Smethcott, Stapleton, Sutton, Walkmills, Wilderley, Woolstaston, and Wrentnall.

The Cound division contains Acton Burnell, Berrington, Church Preen, Cound, Cressage, Harley, Kenley, Pitchford, and Ruckley and Langley.

ACTON BURNELL

is a parish and pleasant well-built village, seven miles S.S.E. from Shrewsbury, comprising 2,650 acres of land, and in 1801 had 272 inhabitants; in 1841 there were 54 houses and a population of 311 souls.  Sir Edward Joseph Smythe, bart., is the land owner and lord of the manor, and resides at the Hall, an elegant mansion of white free stone, approached by a beautiful portico of the Ionic order; the pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out, and the park commands a beautiful prospect of the surrounding country.  Near to the Hall are the ruins of Acton Burnell Castle, which is memorable in history for a parliament held here in the year 1283, by King Edward I., on which occasion the lords sat in the castle and the commons in a barn.  It was in this parliament that the statute known by the name of the statute of Acton Burnell was made for the purpose of enforcing the statutuno de mercatoribus.  It appoints the mode in which a statute merchant is to be made, and by whom; fixes the manner of seizing and valuing goods for the payment of debts; in what case the debtor shall be imprisoned, and how maintained in prison; when sureties shall be compelled to pay the debts of their principals, and when they are to be exempted, &c.  Sir Robert Burnell, who lived in the reign of William the Conqueror, had his seat here, and his posterity flourished in this vicinity for a long period.  Philip Burnell, in the 54th Henry III., had the grant of a market on Tuesday, and two fairs in the year, the one on the eve, the day, and the day after the annunciation of the blessed Virgin, and the other on the eve, the day, and the morrow of St. Michael the Archangel.  Robert Burnell, bishop of Bath and Wells, is said to have repaired or built the castle here in the reign of Edward I.  The walls of the castle are of immense thickness, and adorned with battlements and rows of curiously carved windows.  A short distance from the castle stood the barn, where the commons are stated to have assembled when the parliament was held here, it is now a complete ruin, and the gables only remain.  The Church is a venerable fabric dedicated to St. Mary; the living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £6. 10s., now returned at £350, in the patronage of Sir E. J. Smythe and incumbency of the Rev. Edward Arthur Wainwright.  Adjoining the hall is a very beautiful Catholic Chapel, which has recently been considerably enlarged and improved at the cost of Sir E. J. Smythe.  The family at the hall and a great portion of the tenantry usually attend divine worship here.

Charities.—Several sums of money left to the poor by different donors amounting in the whole to £20, were applied in repairing the workhouse, and the inhabitants agreed to pay 20s. yearly out of the rent of the said house, as the interest thereof, to be distributed in bread.  Edward Bayley, in 1789, left a rent charge of 10s. yearly for a distribution of bread.  Thomas Smyth, in 1673, left 5s. per annum for a distribution of bread, to be paid “out of his estate to the world’s end, if his estate should so long continue sufficient to make it good.”  It does not appear that anything has been paid in respect of this charity for a long period.

Directory.—Sir Edward Joseph Smythe, bart., the Hall; John William Benbow, farmer; Edward Everall, shopkeeper; Eli Charles Moore, bailiff to Sir E. J. Smythe; Thomas Morris, farmer; Peter Perry, farmer and maltster, Acton Pigott; Thomas Reynolds, butcher; William Southall, vict., Nag’s head; Rev. Edward Arthur Wainwright, rector.

RUCKLEY AND LANGLEY

is a small village and chapelry in the parish of Acton Burnell, about one mile east from that place, and five and a half miles west from Much Wenlock.  At the census in 1801 there were eighty-two inhabitants; in 1841, fifteen houses and a population of eighty-three souls.  The chapelry contains 952 acres of land, which is the property of Sir Edward Joseph Smythe, bart., who is also lord of the manor.  The chapel is an inconsiderable structure where divine service is performed only twice during the year.  The living is a curacy subordinate to the rectory of Acton Burnell.  Langley Hall, an ancient mansion of considerable extent, is now occupied as a farm house, and although much dilapidated it has an imposing aspect, and shows many traces of its former grandeur.  King Charles during his troubles was for a short period concealed here; a fine old oak table, elaborately carved, is said to have been in the hall since the time of King Charles, and was used by that monarch as a dining table.

The Farmers are George Carter, Langley; Ellen Evans, Causway wood; Richard Farr, Mere Oak; John Grainger, Langley Hall; James Hartwright, Ruckley; Richard Stedman, Park gate; and Edward Sumner, Ruckley.

Betton and Alkmere is a small township in the parish of St. Chad, in the Condover hundred.  The parish of St. Chad is partly returned in the Albrighton division and partly in the Ford division of the Ford Hundred, but is chiefly situated within the limits of the borough of Shrewsbury.  The village of Little Betton, or Betton Strange, is pleasantly situated two and a half miles south from Shrewsbury, and was returned at the census of 1841 as having ten houses and forty-eight inhabitants.  The land owners are Lord Berwick, and George Jonathan Scott, Esq., the latter gentleman resides at a good house embosomed in foliage usually called Betton Strange.

The principal residents are Joseph Cross, farmer; Thomas Elsmere, farmer; and John Scott, Esq., Betton Strange.

BERRINGTON

Charities.—John Churm, in 1629, gave £13, which was laid out in the purchase of a rent charge of 20s. per annum, issuing out of a piece of land called Leeberries.  It is the practice to receive the payment once in three or four years, and distribute it with other money to the poor, in sums varying from 2s. to 5s.  In 1723, Richard Wellings gave £20 for the good of the poor of Berrington.  This money is now in the Savings’ Bank at Shrewsbury.  Margaret Thompson bequeathed £6 to buy Bibles for poor children.  This money is also in the Savings’ Bank.  The interest on this and the preceding legacy amounts to 21s. yearly, and in respect of Thompson’s charity a Bible or prayer book is purchased for the use of the Sunday school, or given to some poor person of the parish, and the remainder is distributed among the poor.

Berrington, Betton, Brompton, Cantlop, and Eaton Mascot Directories.

Bromley John, farmer, Betton

Bromley William, wheelwright, Berrington

Cadwallader Mr. Richard, Brompton

Calcott Charles, farmer, Betton

Calcott Mr. Richard, Brompton

Caswell James, shopkeeper, Brompton

Clark William, farmer, Cantlop

Dilcher Edward, farmer, Brompton

Dixon Joseph, farmer, Betton

Elsmere Thomas, farmer, Berrington

Hill Hon. and Rev. T. H. Noel, Berrington

James Rev. William J., curate, Cantlop

Jones Christiana, blacksmith, Berrington

Lateward John, wheelwright, Berrington

Lawrence William, farmer, Cantlop

Lee Richard, farmer, Brompton

Massie Richard, vict., Bell Inn, Berrington

Miere Joseph, farmer, Berrington

Newell Edward and Son, tailors and drapers, Berrington

Onions Henry, butcher, Cross Houses

Parker Thomas, farmer, Cotons

Poole Thomas, farmer, Berrington

Rogers James, vict., Golden Cross, Cross Houses

Rowlandson Robert, governor of Atcham union house

Sides Thomas, shoemaker, Cantlop

Vickerstaff Thomas, beerseller, Cantlop

Wigley John, schoolmaster, Berrington

Whitfield Thomas, corn miller, Cantlop

William Charles Arthur, Esq., Eaton Mascot

Williams Mrs. Sarah H. H., Eaton Mascot

CONDOVER

is a considerable parish, embracing 7,422a. 3r. 21p. of land, of which 6,632 are titheable, and the remainder tithe free.  In 1801 there was a population of 1,451 souls; 1831, 1,455; and at the census in 1851 there were 1,550 inhabitants.  The parish embraces the townships and hamlets of Condover, Dorrington, Bayston, Chatford, Boreton, Lyth, Ryton, Westley, and Wheatall.  The rectoral tithes have been commuted for £1,303. 5s.  E. W. S. Owen, Esq., is the impropriator.  The vicarial tithes are commuted for £211. 5s.  The village of Condover is pleasantly situated in a fertile vale, five miles south from Shrewsbury, on the road leading towards Church Stretton and Ludlow.  It is a place of considerable antiquity, and retains the same name as entered in the Doomsday book.  William the Conqueror gave Condover to Roger de Montgomery, who gave the church thereof to the abbey of Shrewsbury.  Upon the attainder of the last Earl of Shrewsbury of that family, it was seized by King Henry I., and continued in the hands of the crown until the 11th of Henry III., when that king granted it to his sister, the Princess of Wales.  It was subsequently granted to the Hastings, in whose family it continued till the time of Edward I., when Robert Burnell, bishop of Bath and Wells, became possessed of it by purchase.  From the Burnells it passed to the Lovells, and Lord Viscount Lovell forfeited it to the crown.  King Henry VIII. granted it to Richard Cornwell for the term of his life, and afterwards to Henry Knyvett and his heirs male.  George and John Isam, who had the fee of this manor, sold it to Thomas Owen, Esq., whose representative, Edward William Smythe Owen, Esq., a considerable landowner in this neighbourhood, is now the proprietor, and resides at The Hall, an elegant mansion in the Elizabethan style of architecture, built in the year 1598.  It is surrounded by a park of considerable extent, beautifully diversified with picturesque scenery.  The Owen family suffered much for their adherence to the royal cause during the civil wars.

The Church, which was appropriated to the abbey of Shrewsbury, is dedicated to St. Andrew.  The living is a discharged vicarage, to which belong all vicarial tithes and a rent charge of £69, payable out of the Moot Hall estate.  It is valued in the king’s book at £4. 14s.  Edward W. S. Owen, Esq., is the patron; incumbent, Rev. J. W. Harden.

Bayston Hill is a pleasantly situated village on the road from Shrewsbury to Ludlow, partly in the parish of Condover and partly in St. Julien’s parish.  A small District Church was built here about eight years ago, the necessary funds for which were raised by voluntary subscriptions.  The structure consists of nave and chancel, and a square tower.  The living is a perpetual curacy, enjoyed by the Rev. John Breese.  Bayston township, at the census of 1841, is returned as having 148 houses and 1,193 inhabitants; Chatford township, five houses and 29 inhabitants; and Dorrington, 66 houses and 328 inhabitants.  The above townships comprise the whole parish.

Condover, Bayston, Boreton, Chatford, Lyth, Ryton, Westley, and Wheathall Directories.

Bowen John, shoemaker, Wheathall

Boyer Thomas, maltster, Condover

Bromley John, farmer, Bomere

Bromley William, farmer, Boreton

Brwyne Richard, wheelwright, Ryton

Carter John, rope maker, Lyth

Cloud John, maltster, Ryton

Crowe Mr. Henry, The Syche, Ryton

Davies John, wheelwright and beerseller, Bayston

Deakin Benjamin, grocer, Condover

Downes Edward, farmer, Weathall

Edmonds Edward, farmer, Lyth

Edmonds Thomas, farmer, Chatford

Edmonds Thomas, farmer, Lyth

Everall Miss Martha, Condover

Ferriday William, farmer, Condover

Frank Thomas, farmer, The Grange

Gittings Thomas, shopkeeper, Bayston

Goff Harriett, farmer, Chatford

Goff John, farmer, Westley

Gough Thomas, shoemaker, Condover

Hampton George, farmer, The Grove, Condover

Hampton Thomas, farmer, Condover

Hancocks Richard, bricklayer, Condover

Harden Rev. J. W., vicar, Condover

Hartshorn John, tin plate worker, Bayston

Heighway Mr. William, Ryton

Hickman Thomas, farmer, Ryton

Hotchkiss John, farmer, Condover

Hotchkiss Richard, farmer, Condover

Holden William, farmer, Bayston

Howells John, blacksmith, Bayston

Hughes Thomas, farmer, Ryton

Humphreys Mrs. Elizabeth, Condover

Hussey Richard, tailor, Condover

Jones George, maltster and shoemaker, Bayston

Jones Richard, farmer, Lyth

Jones William W., farmer, Wheathall

Jones William, schoolmaster, Condover

Loxdale John, Esq., solicitor, Lyth

Lucas John, farm bailiff, Ryton

Mansell Elizabeth, vict., Three Fishes, Condover

Meire Joseph, farmer, Norton

Millington Richard, surgeon, Ryton Fields

Millman Thomas, blacksmith, Condover

Morgan Thomas, farmer, Westley

Owen Edward William Smythe, Esq., Condover Hall

Olliver John, farmer, Bayston

Pincher Richard, wheelwright, Bayston

Probert Samuel, grocer, Wheathall

Roberts Thomas, farmer, Condover

Rogers Richard, butcher, Condover

Russell Mr. William, Ryton

Stewart Robert, Esq., Ryton Grove

Thomas Mrs. Ann, Condover

Thomas John, farmer, Ryton

Thomas William, saddler, Condover

Watters Miss Jane, Condover

Wilcox Philip, gentleman, Condover

Williams John, parish clerk, Condover

Wood Benjamin, vict., Condover Arms

Wood Richard, farmer, Pigeon Door

Wycherley George, painter & glazier, Bayston

DORRINGTON

Beynon Rev. J. (Independent)

Bromley Thomas, farmer

Cavill John, nurseryman and seedsman

Clayton Francis, maltster

Cloud Samuel, schoolmaster

Crumpton Jonathan, brazier and tin plate worker

Evans Eleanor, agricultural implement maker

Evason Thomas, butcher

Farmer Thomas, maltster and vict., Grey Hound Inn

Farr James, cooper

Heighway Philip, saddler & harness maker

Heighway Thomas, vict., Cock Inn

Heyward George, farmer, Walford House

Hope John Thomas, Esq., Netley Hall

Hughes Thomas, plumber and glazier

Jones John, tailor

Jones Mr. Thomas

Jones Mrs. Mary

Maddox John, farmer

Masters Rev. George, M.A., Parsonage

Morgan John, draper and grocer

Pugh Thomas, blacksmith

Shakeshaft Mr. Edward

Snaxton Edward, maltster

Taylor Thomas, beerhouse keeper

Tedstone Richard, boot and shoemaker

Turner Edward, vict., Horse Shoe Inn

COUND

is a parish and small village delightfully situated six miles S.S.E. from Shrewsbury, and six miles N.W. from Much Wenlock.  The township contains 1,406 acres of land, and in 1841 had 107 houses and 511 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £2,006.  Mrs. Thursby is the principal landowner and lady of the manor.  The church is an ancient structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a tower, in which is a peal of bells.  It contains several monuments, one of which remembers Edward Cressett, D.D., bishop of Llandaff, who died February 13th, 1755.  The pulpit exhibits an elaborate specimen of oak carving.  The living is a rectory with the chapelry of Cressage annexed, valued in the king’s book at £33, now returned at £906.  The patronage is vested in Mrs. Thursby; incumbent, Rev. Henry Thursby, M.A.

Harnage is a scattered village containing some respectable residences, one and a half miles S.E. from Cound: the township contains 1,642 acres of land, the principal owner of which is John Thomas Smytheman Edwards, Esq.; the population returns are included in Cound.  Rateable value, £1,854. 6s.

Golding is an estate of 385 acres, the property of the Earl of Liverpool.  It is rated as a separate township in the parish books at £441.  There was however no distinct return of it as a separate township at the census of 1841.

Marked 1 reside at Cound, 2 Harnage.

1 Thursby Mrs. Frances, The Hall

1 Thursby Rev. Henry, M.A., rector

1 Bowen Edward, schoolmst

2 Brazener Miss Ann

1 Burd Rev. George

2 Clayton Martha, farmer

2 Clayton William, farmer

2 Corbett Rev. Robert, curate

2 Cuckson John, vict., Fox Inn

1 Farmer Mr. Joseph

2 Granger Edward, farmer

Hill Richard, farmer, Golding Hall

2 Horton Thomas, farmer

1 Linell, George, farmer

1 Meire Thomas L., farmer

2 Norris John, farmer, Mosterley

1 Price John, farmer

1 Price Richard, farmer

1 Richards John, farmer

2 Woodcock Richard, farmer

CRESSAGE

is a chapelry in the parish of Cound, four miles N.W. from Much Wenlock, and eight miles S.E. from Shrewsbury.  The village is delightfully situated near the Severn, in a fertile district, beautifully diversified with picturesque scenery.  The township contains 1,900 acres of land, the gross estimated rental of which is £2,393. 12s. 3d.  Rateable value, £1,995. 19s. 4d.  At the census in 1841 here were 63 houses and 297 inhabitants.  The principal landowners are the Duke of Cleveland, Sir George Harnage, Bart., and William Morris, Esq.  Cressage is supposed to have derived its name from a venerable oak of gigantic proportions which stands near the village.  Some time ago a fire was kindled in the hollow of the tree, by which it was greatly injured and nearly destroyed; it is supported by iron cramps, and there is now flourishing in the midst of the tree a young oak, raised from an acorn of the old tree.  It was formerly called Christ’s Ache, Ache being the Saxon word for oak, and eventually became corrupted to Cressage.  The shade of spreading trees we often find were chosen by the early missionaries as preaching places for the propagation of the Christian faith.  Hence we have Bishop’s Oak, Postle’s Oak, and at Cressage, Christ’s Oak.  The Chapel of Ease is a small unadorned structure, subordinate to the church of Cound.  It was built in 1841 at a cost of £1,400, and contains 260 sittings.  The funds were raised by voluntary subscriptions and grants from the government and diocesan church building societies.  The original structure was situated in a meadow a short distance from the village, and from its dampness and dilapidated condition was totally unfit for divine worship.  The Rev. George Burd is the curate.

Harnage Sir George, Bart., Balswardyne

Brazier William, shopkeeper

Brookes Andrew G., surgeon

Carrington Margaret, vict., Crown Inn

Cross Decima, farmer

Dodson George, farmer

Dorricutt William, tailor, and post office

Edwards John, farmer, The Buildings

Hudson Edward, farmer

James William, joiner and shopkeeper

Langley Mr. Samuel

Lewis William, farmer

Mullard Edward, blacksmith

Mullard Michael, blacksmith and shopkeeper

Pinkey Joseph, farmer

Rogers Thomas, shoemaker

Studley Edward, Esq.

Tudor Joseph, butcher

Wild Sarah, vict., Eagle Inn

Williams Robert, saddler and harness maker

CHURCH PREEN,

sometimes called Preen Church, is a parish and small rural village five miles W. by S. from Much Wenlock.  The parish contains 1,026 acres of land, the principal owners of which are F. T. Webster, Esq., and the Rev. Samuel Minton.  In the year 1801 here were 84 inhabitants; 1831, 75, and in 1841, 17 houses and 101 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £1,026. 18s. 6d.  Here was formerly a small cell of cluniac monks, subordinate to the priory of Wenlock.  “In the 29th of Edward I., the cell of Preene was holden of the lords of Holgod, and that on a vacancy the lords of that castle had the custody of the same, and the prior of Wenlock in such a vacancy presented the custodes to the lords of Holgod, who being so presented received the temporalities.”  The Church is remarkable for its length, and the chancel, which belongs to the lay impropriators, occupies more than half the space.  It is situated close to the hall, and indeed the walls are so incorporated as to form a part of the mansion.  The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of F. T. Webster, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Robert Armitage.  No tithe or rent charge is paid to the perpetual curate, but a small modus is due from the landowners, and the living is also endowed with £800 royal bounty, and £200 parliamentary grant.  The Manor House or Hall, an ancient mansion, originally formed part of the cell above noticed, is now the residence and property of Frederick T. Webster, Esq.  The main portion of the land in this parish lies upon a sunny slope, the high grounds of which command some extensive and beautiful prospects.  It is generally thought that coal abounds beneath the soil in this parish.

Directory.—Frederick T. Webster, Esq., The Hall.  Farmers, John Aslop, John Dixon, John Everall Newhouse, and Edward Madeley.

CHURCH PULVERBATCH,

Charities.—The poor of this parish have 20s. yearly from Henry Brickdale’s charity, noticed with Condover.  It appears the poor of this parish are entitled to receive 6s. more in respect of this charity, the division at present made between this parish and Condover not being according to the directions of the donor.  Ann Jaundrell, in 1777, left by will £20, the interest to be expended in bread for the poor.  This gift was subsequently laid out in pewing the church, and a yearly sum of 20s. is paid by the parish as the interest thereof.  The bread is distributed on St. Thomas’s-day.  James Perkins, by his will, bearing date 11th July, 1790, charged his tenement and farm at Marton, in the parish of Chirbury, with the payment of £1. 6s. per annum to the minister for the time being of Church Pulverbatch, in trust, to lay out the same in the purchase of bread to be distributed every Sunday to six decayed widows, who should attend divine service at the church.  There is a distribution of bread every alternate Sunday, with this gift and Brickdale’s charity, among the most necessitous poor.  Richard Perkins, who died in 1798, left £1. 6s., charged upon his estate at Church Pulverbatch, to be distributed to the poor on New Year’s-day.  The 26s. is annually expended in bread and given on the above day among the most deserving poor.

Bowen George, schoolmaster

Bradley John, shoemaker

Gittins Abraham, saddler

Gittins Richard, farmer

Guise Rev. George Clifford, The Rectory

Madewell Rev. Mr.

Oakley John, farmer

Rowson Orlando, butcher

Tibbey Richard, farmer

Woodcock Samuel, farmer and maltster

CASTLE PULVERBATCH

is a small village and township in the parish of Church Pulverbatch, pleasantly situated on the high road from Shrewsbury to Bishop’s Castle, nine miles S.S.W. from the former place, and eleven miles N.E. from the latter.  The township contains 994 acres of land, and in 1841 here were 36 houses and 154 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £912. 12s. 10d.

Directory.—Thomas Bromley, farmer; John Brunt, farmer and vict., White Horse Inn; John Clare, vict., Woodcock Inn; The Misses Gilpin; Thomas Jordan, shoemaker; Humphrey Roberts, blacksmith; John Savage, maltster.

COTHERCUTT

is a township with a few scattered houses, delightfully situated in a hilly district, commanding pleasing views of the surrounding country; the air is peculiarly dry and salubrious, and the situation is one of a retired and pastoral character.  Not far from here is Stiperstone Hill, which rises an immense height, and is seen at a considerable distance.  Upon this hill are several great heaps of stones, close together, called by the Britons Carneddan tewion.  It is uncertain whether these were some of those alluded to by Giraldus Cambrensis in these words, “The last Harold on foot with a company of foot soldiers lightly armed, and furnished with such provisions as the country produced for them, went over all Wales, and made his way through it in so brave a manner that he left very few alive.  In token and perpetual memory of this victory, you will find in Wales many heaps of stones, according to the ancient custom of the places where he gained an advantage, with these letters inscribed on them:—‘Hic fuit victor Haraldus; Here Harold was victorious.’”  Cothercutt is situated eleven miles S.W. from Shrewsbury, and the township contains 560 acres of land.  In 1841 here were six houses and 33 inhabitants.

WILDERLEY

township lies about a mile from Church Pulverbatch, and ten miles S.W. from Shrewsbury.  It contains 671 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £659. 1s. 4d.  In 1841 here were 11 houses and 71 inhabitants.

The principal residents are the following farmers, viz., James Ambler, Richard Dovaston, Joshua Roderick, and Thomas Jarratt.

WRENTNALL,

a township with 927 acres of land, is situated about a mile N.W. from Church Pulverbatch; the scenery around is beautifully picturesque, and the situation one of quiet retirement.  In 1841 here were 38 houses and 195 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £1,195. 8s.  The Baptists have a small place of worship in the village.  James Freme, Esq., is the principal landowner in this township, and resides at an elegant mansion most delightfully situated on elevated ground, commanding views of great diversity and beauty.

The principal residents are James Freme, Esq.; John Breese, farmer; and Benjamin Burgwin, farmer.

FRODESLEY

is a parish and village, eight miles south-east from Shrewsbury, containing 2,188 acres of land, and in 1841 had 39 houses and 214 inhabitants: population in 1801, 158; in 1831, 186.  Rateable value, £2,322. 7s. 6d.  This parish is bounded on the south by one of the Frodesley hills, which form a connecting link between the Caradoc, Lawley, and the Wrekin.  Though it possesses little to recommend it to the notice of the antiquarian, it is a parish of ancient date, being mentioned in the Doomsday Survey as held by one Siward, a freeman; the manor is subsequently inserted among the fees of Philip Burnel.  The principal landowners are Sir E. J. Smythe, Bart., and Panton Corbet, Esq.  The Roman Watling street runs for about two miles through this parish, in a line with the present turnpike road from Atcham to Church Stretton.  The Hall is an ancient structure in the Elizabethan style, of rough stone, with dressed quoins and mullions.  It was formerly the residence of Colonel Scriven, a staunch adherent to King Charles I.  The Lodge is of a later date, partaking somewhat of the same style as the hall, and was formerly surrounded by a well-wooded and picturesque park.  About the year 1780 it was inhabited by Godolphin Edwardes, Esq., then the possessor of the greater part of Frodesley.  The Church dedicated to St. Mark, a plain structure, was rebuilt in 1809.  The interior is neat, and the chancel was recently entirely refitted and decorated with much taste by the present incumbent.  The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 14s., now returned at £392, in the patronage of the Rev. T. L. Gleadowe, M.A., the present rector.  The rectory is a commodious house delightfully situated and surrounded with shrubberies and pleasure grounds tastefully laid out.  Major Herbert Edwardes, C.B., was born at the rectory, whose father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were severally rectors of Frodesley.  A few years ago a coal mine was worked for a short period, but the bed of coal being very thin and of an inferior quality it was closed.

Charities.—There is in the parish of Frodesley a slip of land containing about one acre, formerly a part of the waste which is supposed to have been given for the use of the poor by Godolphen Edwardes, Esq., who was lord of the manor.  Thomas Scriven left £5 for the benefit of the poor.  This sum was expended in the reparations of the church some time ago, and the churchwardens pay 5s. yearly as the interest.  The Rev. Francis Edwardes, rector of Frodesley, who died in the year 1767, left £20 for the benefit of the poor.  These gifts are distributed by the rector among the most necessitous parishioners.

Directory.—Rev. Peter Downward, Longnor Green; Rev. Thomas L. Gleadowe, M.A., The Rectory.  Farmers: Thomas Brereton, Frodesley Park; Richard Deakin, Edward Francis, Richard Hotchkiss, William Ison, and brick, tile, and draining pipe maker; William Jones, William Keight, The Lodge; Edmund Meredith, Frodesley Farm; and John Morgan.

is a parish and village, two miles north-west from Much Wenlock, and ten miles south-east from Shrewsbury, containing 1,955 acres of fertile land, the most considerable owner of which is the Duke of Cleveland, who is also lord of the manor.  Sir W. W. Wynne, Bart., Samuel Meire, Esq., and Francis Oakes, Esq., are also proprietors.  The soil is various, and wheat is grown here to a large extent.  There are several plots of land of different dimensions in the vicinity of Harley that are in the parish of Wenlock, although surrounded by land in the parish of Harley.  The parish in 1801 contained 221 inhabitants; 1831, 257; and in 1841, 219; at which time there were 47 houses.  Rateable value, £1,828. 8s. 4d.; gross estimated rental, £2,070. 8s.  The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, has a handsome tower in the perpendicular style of architecture, the nave and chancel were rebuilt in 1846 by subscriptions, the greater part of which was contributed by the Duke of Cleveland, and the present incumbent.  The interior has a neat and chaste appearance, and the east and west windows are beautified with stained glass, the gift of the late Rev. R. Scott, B.D.  The living is a rectory in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, valued in the king’s book at £5. 12s. 1d., now returned at £290.; incumbent, Rev. John Gibbons, M.A.  The pious and celebrated Benjamin Jenks held the rectory of Harley for 56 years; he was author of “Prayers and Devotions for Families,” a work at one time very popular.  A neat monument has been erected to his memory in the chancel, he died in 1734, aged seventy-eight years.  There is a monumental stone slab with brass ornaments and an inscription in the old English characters in the vestry, which was formerly placed over a vault in the church.  The Rectory is a commodious residence pleasantly situated near the church, which from the east commands a picturesque view of Wenlock Edge, the beauty of which is much increased by an elegant pyramidal monument in the church yard.  There are 46 acres of glebe land, 36 acres of which are situated contiguous to the rectory.  Harley was the birth place of Silas Domville, one of the parliamentary committee in the time of the great rebellion.  He was a lover of antiquities, and had some curious manuscripts.

Richard Corfield, by will 1715, gave to the poor of the parish of Harley the sum of £20, the interest to be distributed on St. Andrew’s day.  This legacy when the charity commissioners published their report, was in the hands of Richard Woofe, who paid interest at the rate of four per cent.

Adney G., farmer & maltster

Bailey Adam, maltster

Bailey Thomas, farmer

Cartwright Mary, farmer

Cartwright Richard, farmer

Casewell William, shoemakr

Davies Richard, farmer and corn miller

Gibbons Rev. John, M.A., The Rectory

Gwinn William, wheelwright

Langford Richard, victualler, Unicorn Inn

Macham William, corn miller

Maddox John, farmer

Meire Samuel, farmer, Castle hill

Partridge Mr. Thomas, Harley Tower

Roberts Robert, blacksmith

Runners Thomas, farmer, Blakeway

Worrall Wm., farmer, Cressage

KENLEY

is a small parish and village with a scattered population four miles W. from Much Wenlock, which in 1801 contained 300 inhabitants; 1831, 281, and in 1841 there were 62 houses and a population of 294 souls.  The parish comprises 1,794 acres of land, some of it tolerably good and others of an indifferent quality.  Gross estimated rental, £1,305. 4s.  Rateable value, £992. 1s.  The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor, and owner of the whole parish.  The tithes are commuted for the sum of £170.  The church is an ancient structure, much dilapidated.  The living is a rectory in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, and deanery of Salop, returned at £131 in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, and incumbency of the Rev. H. R. Slade.

Directory.—Farmers, Ann Bailey, Thomas Bailey, Richard Bishop, Elizabeth Blakeway, Thomas Bryan, Richard Crowther, Thomas Evans, Thomas Hall, Henry Hamlet, Thomas Jarvis, and Edward Pattin; John Jarratt, blacksmith

a small parish and village on the road from Church Stretton to Shrewsbury, four miles N.N.E. from the former place, contains 1,294 acres of land, and in 1801 had 81 inhabitants; 1831, 223, and in 1841, 39 houses and 214 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £1,574. 18s.  Panton Corbett, Esq., and W. Whitmore, Esq., are the landowners.  The industrious poor of this locality find employment in the coal works, and the manufacture of bricks, which is carried forward in this parish.  The church is an unadorned structure of considerable antiquity, dedicated to St. Mary, and consists of nave and chancel, with a small tower.  The view from the church-yard is beautiful and extensive, including the celebrated Caer Caradoc hill.  The living is a perpetual curacy, with the chapel of Longnor annexed, endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £600 royal bounty.  The living is valued in the king’s book at £8. 1s., now returned at £135 in the patronage of Panton Corbett, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Waties Corbett, M.A.  The tithes were commuted in 1839 for £104. 9s. 8d.  The poor of this parish are entitled to participate the benefits of the charities of Sir Richard Corbett, which will be found noticed with Longnor parish.

Directory.—John Dickins, blacksmith; William Dodd, vict., The Pound Inn; Thomas Everall, farmer, The Park; William Heighway, farmer; Mary Lee, farmer; Richard Preen, shopkeeper; James Smith, coal master, and brick, tile, and draining pipe manufacturer; Thomas Wigley, carpenter.

LONGNOR

is a parish and small rural village in a well wooded and fertile country, the prospects of which are enlivened by rich pastoral landscape, rendered more delightful by its contrast with the majestic Carodoc and other hills.  The village lies on the road from Shrewsbury to Ludlow, eight miles S. from the former place, and five miles N.N.E. from Church Stretton.  The parish contains 790 acres of land, which is chiefly the property of Panton Corbett, Esq., who is also lord of the manor, and resides at Longnor Hall, a handsome brick mansion, built in the year 1670, by Sir Richard Corbett; the situation commands several fine views, and the pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out.  The population of Longnor in 1801 was 177; in 1831, 244, and in 1841 there were 53 houses and 243 inhabitants.  The church is a small structure situated in the park, with lancet windows, exhibiting the style of architecture prevalent during the 12th century.  It was formerly a free chapel belonging to the abbey of Haughmond.  The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of Panton Corbett, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Waties Corbett, chancellor of Hereford.

Sir Richard Corbett, by his will, dated 19th of November, 1764, devised for a term of 900 years, all his lands and tenements, on trust, among other things by sale or mortgage, to raise £100, and lay out the same on government or other security, and dispose of the interest yearly among the necessitous poor of Longnor.  And upon further trust to raise in the same manner £700, and to apply of the interest yearly on the 24th of April £12 yearly among three industrious young or decayed tradesmen, actual housekeepers and shopkeepers, carrying on business and residing in the county of Salop, in equal shares, such persons to be appointed by the owner of the testator’s capital mansion at Longnor, and the residue to be disposed of yearly in clothing six poor boys and six poor girls of Longnor, Cardington, Leebotwood, and Frodesley.  The testator also gave the further sum of £200, the interest to be disposed of in the instruction of poor children in the township of Longnor; and also such poor children of the tenants as should he thought proper objects in the parishes of Leebotwood, Cardington, and Frodesley.  All the above legacies remain charged upon the estates of the testator, now in the possession of Panton Corbett, Esq., who pays the yearly interest, for the objects specified in the testator’s will.

Corbett Panton, Esq., Longnor Hall

Corbett Rev. Waties, Longnor Bank

Carter Thomas, builder

Dayus Samuel, farmer, maltster, & veterinary surgeon

Edwards John, shoemaker

Everall Charles, shopkeeper

Everall Richard, farmer

Heighway Thomas, farmer

Hamilton Mrs.

Pugh Thomas, blacksmith

Scott Richard, farmer

Thomas Edward, corn miller

Wigley Richard, butcher

Wigley William, wheelwright

Wilcox Thomas, farmer

MEOLE BRACE

Andrews Thomas, farmer

Andrews William, farmer

Badger Joseph, beerseller

Badger Thomas J., Esq., solicitor, Kingsland House

Bather Rev. Edwd., vicarage

Bather Mrs. Mary

Blunt Mr. Henry

Bromley Robert, beerseller

Bullock Thomas, tailor

Burr George, lead merchant, Kingsland

Burr Thomas William, lead merchant, Kingsland

Craig Mrs. Elizabeth, Severn hill

Davies John, schoolmaster and assistant overseer

Darlington Thomas, shoe maker and parish clerk

Edwardes Lady

Edwards Mrs.

Evans Mr. John

Evans Mrs. Martha

Ford Mrs. Ann

Griffiths Thomas, butcher

Hale Miss Elizabeth

Hayward George, tailor

Hiles Timothy, corn miller

Hilditch Mrs.

Holbrook John, shoemaker

Homer Wm., land surveyor

Howells Charles, blacksmith

Hughes John, farmer and maltster

Hughes Wm., corn miller

Humphreys Rev. Henry

Jobson Thomas, farmer, Bank House

Kinaston Miss Eliza

Large Mrs. Elizabeth

Leake Mr. John, Port hill

Mancell Rev. Spencer Percival

Nevett Francis, farmer

Rowlands Benj., beerhouse

Rowlands Elizth., shopkr.

Rowlands Rd., wheelwright

Rowlands Simon, wheelwrt.

Smith John, Esq., Radbrook villa

Stephenson Mrs. Elizabeth

Vaughan Peter Fdk., farmer

Vicars Ann, vict., Bowling Green Inn

Ward Mr. Thos., Kingsland

Woodward Mr. John, Asylum

NEWTON AND EDGBOLD

is a small township in the parish of Brace Meole, about three and a half miles W.W. by S. from the parish church.  In 1841 here were ten houses and fifty-six inhabitants; the rectoral tithes have been purchased by the land owners; the small tithes are commuted for £69 16s. 2d.  The landowners are the Rev. Edward Bather, and George Jonathan Scott, Esq.

The residents are John Bather, Esq.; Jacob Brown, farmer and butcher; Richard Jones, farmer; and Thomas Morris, farmer.

NOBOLD,

another township, situated west by south of Meole, and three miles from Shrewsbury, in 1841 contained 44 houses and 187 inhabitants, the acres of which are included with Meole; the land owners here are Robert Parr, Esq., Mr. Berrington, William Henry Slaney, Esq., Mr. Richard Juson, the latter is also proprietor of the Corn Mill.

Directory.—Hartshorn Barney, shoemaker; Thomas Beacall, farmer; George Farmer, cattle dealer and farmer; Samuel Gammon, blacksmith; Elizabeth Griffiths, farmer; John Harris, wheelwright; Edward Heath, farmer; William Juson, farmer and corn miller, Red hill Mill; Thomas Ramsell, vict., Cock Inn; Thomas Ramsell, shopkeeper; Thomas Ramsell, beerhouse keeper.

PULLEY

is a township partly in Meole Brace parish, and partly in that of St. Julian’s, in the former in 1841 there were 77 houses and 295 inhabitants; and in the latter, three houses and 13 inhabitants.  Mr. Timothy Hiles and the Hon. Henry Wentworth Powis are the principal landowners.  The vicarial tithes are commuted for £64. 7s. 2d., and the rectoral for £63.

The principal residents are Miss Mary Flavell; James France, farmer; Thomas Griffiths, butcher; Samuel Hiles, farmer; James Hughes, maltster and farmer; John Mitchell, beerhouse-keeper; John Norris, farmer; Mrs. Woolaston, farmer.