The British School, a neat brick structure pleasantly situated, was erected in 1839, at the cost of about £800; it is capable of accommodating 200 boys and 200 girls, and consists of an upper and lower room; the latter is occupied by the boys, and the entrance is from Dark-lane, and the former by the girls, who have an entrance from Chapel street.  At the present time 130 boys and 90 girls attend the school, which is chiefly self-supporting.  The Privy Council on Education gave the sum of £200 towards the erection of the school.  Thomas H. Taylor and Mrs. Taylor are the teachers.

The National School, a commodious brick building situated in an open situation, consists of two spacious rooms, which were erected at an expense of about £1,000, including the cost of the site.  Thomas Grainge and Mary Ebrey are the teachers.

The Infant School, situated in Chapel-street, has an attendance of about 120.  Mary Green is the teacher.

The Wem Union House, situated on the Whitchurch road, near to Islington, is a spacious brick structure erected to accommodate 200 inmates.  The union comprehends twelve parishes, and has an area of eighty square miles.  The average annual expenditure of the three, preceding the formation of the union, was £4,018.  The following are the parishes in the union, viz.:—Wem, Broughton, Clive, Grinshill, Ightfield, Lee Brockhurst, Loppington, Moreton Corbet, Prees, Shawbury, Stanton upon Hine Heath, Weston under Red Castle, and Whixall.  Clerk and Superintendent Registrar, William Owen, Esq.; Relieving Officer, Thomas Hanmer; Master and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Rowley.

The County Court for law proceedings on actions and claims not exceeding £50 comprehends the following places, viz.:—Wem 4, Preston Brockhurst 3, Grinshill 4, Clive or Cliff 3, Yorton 4, Tilley 1, Sleap 2, Nunnerley 2, Loppington 3, Northwood 5, part of Whixall 8, Newtown 4, Ightfield 8, Corra 8, Prees 5, Darliston 6, Marchamley 6, Weston under Red Castle 4, Lee 3, Aston 1, Lacon 1, Edgboulton 6, Stanton 6, Shawbury 6, and Burton 6.  The figures refer to the mileage from Wem.  Judge, Uvedale Corbet, Esq., Aston Hall, near Shiffnal; Treasurer, William B. Collis, Esq.; Clerk, Henry John Barker, Esq.; High Bailiff, Mr. Thomas Griffiths, jun.

The Lock-up is a small brick structure situated in Grove-street; prisoners on committal are sent to Shrewsbury.  William Freeman is the superintendent.

The Market House is a brick fabric with stone finishings, supported by arches and pillars in the front.  The county court is held in the spacious room over the market.  Mr. Thomas Griffiths is clerk of the markets.

The Stamp Office is in Market-street.  Mr. George W. Poole, distributor.

The Excise Office is at Mrs. Sand’s, the White Lion Inn, High-street.

The Court House for magisterial purposes is situated in Noble-street; the magistrates who usually attend the petty sessions here are Sir Robert Chambre Hill, Bart.; Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart.; A. C. Heber Percy, Esq.; Thomas Dickin, Esq., and George Bowen, Esq.  William Lucas, Esq., is clerk to the magistrates.

The Gas Works are situated in Grove-street; they were established in 1835 by Messrs. Thomas and Burton, since which they have been transferred to the mortgagee, Mr. Craig.  The gasometer will hold 4,000 cubic feet of gas.  A charge of 10s. per 1,000 cubic feet is made to the consumer for this luminous vapour.  Mr. John Brown is the secretary and manager.

The traffic of Wem is facilitated by a branch of the Ellesmere canal, which terminates near to Edstaston, about two miles from Wem.  It is chiefly used for the conveyance of coal.  Mr. John Brown, coal, slate, lime, and guano merchant, has a wharf here.

The Wem corn mill is an extensive modern erection of brick, situated on the river Roden; the machinery is of a superior construction; it is occasionally worked by steam power, but the water power is constructed so as to work the machinery without any delay after the rise of the water.  Mr. J. Boughey is the proprietor.

The following account of the state of Wem during the civil war is chiefly extracted from Garbet’s interesting history of that town.  When the war broke out in 1642 the populace were in general in favour of royalty; the persons of most distinction in the county who supported the parliament were Mr. Mitton, Mr. Mackworth, and Thomas Hunt, Esq., M.P. for Shrewsbury.  The above gentlemen, attended by Richard Baxter, a famous dissenting minister, having got a small body of troops about the latter end of August, 1643, settled a garrison at Wem, being the first which the parliament had in this county.  To fortify the town a rampart or wall of earth was thrown up, which began at Drayton gate, and ran along the side of Sandland’s yard, and about fourscore yards into Cordwell, where it formed an angle, defended by a wooden tower; then it turned towards the mill, crossing a meadow and a road just below Oliver’s well, and passed along the side of the parsonage garden, till it came to the Shrewsbury gate.  It then crossed the alleys to the corner of the school garden, whence it turned through the tan pits on the east side of the brook to Ellesmere gate.  Thence it extended along the Noble-street garden to two houses, then in the fields where a guard was kept, and from those houses to the Whitchurch gate, and thence over Shenton’s field it came up to Drayton gate.  The ditch was about four yards wide and of a proportionate depth, but probably narrower in those places where the land could be flooded, for the low grounds were laid under water from Woodhouse’s croft to Cordwell.  The earth thrown out of the ditch made the wall or rampart, which was strengthened by palisades placed so thick that a whole coppice in Lacon was cut down for this purpose.  All the houses and buildings without the rampart were burnt to prevent their giving shelter to the enemy.  As soon as the king had notice of a garrison having been placed at Wem, he sent Lord Capel to Shrewsbury, as lieutenant-general of Shropshire; the parliament sent Sir William Brereton, a Cheshire gentleman, to oppose him.  Lord Capel, at the head of 5,000 men, made an attack upon Wem before its works were finished.  At the same time Sir William Brereton, with his Cheshire forces, drew near the town to support and defend it.  By a manœuvre Lord Capel induced General Brereton to return to Nantwich, and in the meantime he attacked Wem, which was but ill provided against an assault, the gates were without hinges, being only reared up, and only forty soldiers remained in the town, the rest of the forces consisted of the rabble of the town, among whom a number of women particularly distinguished themselves, and gave occasion for the following rhyme:—

“The women of Wem and a few musketeers,
Beat the Lord Capel and all his cavaliers.”

The dreadful fire which happened March 3rd, 1677, is a remarkable era in the history of Wem.  It was occasioned by a girl suffering a lighted caudle to ignite the thatch of her parents’ dwelling.  The season being dry and the wind boisterous, the devouring flames were speedily carried along the High street, Cripple street, and the Horse Fair, consuming every edifice except the free school.  In Noble street it extended as far as the Draw well house, and in Milk street as far as the Rector’s barn.  The church, the market house, seven score houses, and treble the number of outbuildings were burnt.  The wind blew the burning thatch and shingles to a vast distance, so that in one hour the town was completely enveloped in flames.  The loss of the property consumed was estimated at £23,677. 3s. 1d.

Among the eminent individuals of which Wem has been the birth place or residence, may be enumerated the benevolent Sir Thomas Adams, before mentioned, the founder of the Grammar School.  Wycherley, one of the most eminent wits and comic poets of his day, was born here in 1640; he married the Countess of Drogheda, but after her death, from law suits with her relatives, he became embarrassed in his circumstances.  He married a second wife a few days before his death, which happened in September, 1815.  John Astley, Esq.: This artist, from the peculiarity of his good fortune, rather than by his exertions as an artist, has obtained a memorial in biographical history.  He was born at Wem, and when of age to assume a profession he was sent to London, and placed as a pupil under Mr. Hudson; when he left him he visited Rome, and on his return from thence he went to Dublin, where he practised as a painter for about three years, and in that time acquired three thousand pounds by his pencil.  On his coming over to England, and painting his way back to London, in his own post chaise, with an outrider, he loitered, with a little pardonable vanity, in his native neighbourhood, and visiting Knutsford assembly with another gentleman, Lady Daniel, a widow then present, was at once so won by his appearance, that she made arrangements to sit for her portrait, and then made him the offer of her hand; a boon which he did not think it prudent to refuse.  This lady, by marriage articles, settled the whole of the Duckinfield estate upon him, after the death of her daughter by Sir William Daniel.  Mr. Astley eventually became possessed of these estates, and died at his house, Duckinfield Lodge, Cheshire, November 13th, 1787, and was buried at the church in that village.  John Ireland, the author of “Illustrations of Hogarth,” and other esteemed works, was also born at Wem.

Charities.—Francis Chambre, by his will, dated December 26th, 1676, charged certain lands with the payment of 40s. per annum, to be disposed of for the benefit and repairs of the chapel at Newton, or for the augmentation of the salary of the third school-master at Wem, or to both, at the discretion of his kinsman, George Chambre of Loppington, and the Rev. William Chettoe, and their heirs for ever.  The premises charged with this payment are now the property of Mr. Dickin, who pays £2 to the schoolmaster and chapel warden every alternate year.

William Hinton, and Dorothy, his wife, in consideration of £101. 1s. 6d., conveyed to certain trustees and their successors two pieces of land in Whixall, called the Stanley End Pieces, to the use of the poor of the parish of Wem.  Of the above, £50 was the gift of Thomas Spendelow during his lifetime, who directed the proceeds thereof should be laid out in bread every Lord’s day for the poor inhabitants of the parish.  There has been no subsequent conveyance to trustees, and the churchwardens have from time to time let the property, which consists of two fields, containing rather more than seven acres, now let at a good rent of £12 per annum.  There is also an allotment on Whixall Moss, given in lieu of a right of turbury, which is let for 5s. per annum.  The rents are carried to the account of the churchwardens of Wem quarter, and out of this account there is paid, in respect of the rents above mentioned, and for Sir Andrew Corbet’s charity hereafter mentioned, 4s. a week, amounting to £10. 8s. per annum, which is disposed of in bread, and £3 of which is distributed in money.  The sum of £3 is divided by the churchwardens and vestry clerk, together with £2 paid in respect of the Hon. Richard Hill’s charity, in small sums among the poor.

The Hon. Richard Hill, in 1726, bequeathed £100 to the poor of the parish of Wem, to be applied as the minister and churchwardens should think fit.—Rowland Whittingham, in the same year, bequeathed £10 for the objects of the said charity.  With these two sums, and £2 advanced by the overseers, three messuages were purchased adjoining the church-yard.  These premises were pulled down in the year 1822, and the site added to the church-yard.  Before this period, the rents never exceeded £5 or £6 a year.  The sum of £2 has been since paid out of the church-rate collected for Wem quarter, and £1 out of the rate collected for each of the other three quarters.  When the charity commissioners published their report there was a sum of £40 in the hands of Thomas Wilkinson, which is understood to have been left many years ago by Mr. Minshull of Tilley.  Mr. Wilkinson pays 40s. yearly as the interest thereof, of which 20s. is paid to the minister of Whixall, 10s. among the poor of Wem, 5s. among the poor of Tilley and Trench, and 5s. to the poor of Hollingwood End.

Sir Richard Hill, by his will bearing date January 1st, 1808, bequeathed £300 in trust to pay the interest of £100 to the poor of each of the parishes of Hodnet, Prees, and Wem, in such proportions as his brother John Hill, during his life, and after his decease, the owners of his mansion house, at Hawkstone, should think fit.  The interest on the sum of £100 is paid by Sir Rowland Hill to the poor of each of the parishes of Hodnet and Prees.  Nothing however was paid when the charity commissioners visited Wem, in respect of the legacy for Wem, nor had they any evidence to show the principal had ever been paid.  If the payment of the principal cannot be proved, we apprehend that Sir Rowland Hill is accountable for it as the representative of the testator.

Sir Andrew Corbet, in 1817, gave the sum of 25 guineas, the interest to be given to the poor of the parish.  This sum was applied in rebuilding the church, and the sum of 25s. is paid out of the church-rate as the interest thereof, which sum is expended in bread for the poor.

Upwards of two hundred years ago there were three common fields belonging the town: they consisted of arable land, and were divided by stones or other land marks, so that each proprietor knew his own ground, which he ploughed and sowed, but when harvest was gathered in, their cattle ranged in common and fed promiscuously.  The cross field took its name from a cross erected on that road, as was usual in popish countries.  The chapel field extended towards Horton, and the middle field towards Edstaston road.

A LIST OF
STREETS, LANES, AND PLACES IN THE PARISH OF WEM.

Back street, High street

Bank house, Ireland

Bow street, Market street

Brunswick house, Islington

Brunswick row, Islington

Chapel street, Market street

Church street, Mill street

Court house, Market street

Cripple street, Noble street

Crown street, Back street

Dark lane, High street

Draw well lane, Back street

Ellesmere road, Ireland

Grove house, Grove street

Grove street, Bow street

High street, May pole end

Hibernia cottages, May poll end

Ireland, Grove street

Islington, Whitchurch road

Islington cottages, Islington

Islington crescent, Islington

Islington house, Islington

Islington row, Islington

Maiden lane, High street

Market street, High street

Market house, Market street

May pole end, Drayton and Aston road

Mill street, Salop road

New street, Islington

Noble street, Back street

Roden lodge, Mill street

Rose cottage, New street

Salop road, Tilley

Union Buildings, Market st

Wembrook place, Islington

Well house lane, Dark lane

Whixall road, Ireland

Post Office.—At Miss Jane Deakin’s, Market-street.  Letters arrive at 6 20 A.M. and are despatched at 7 20 P.M.

Aston John, gentleman, Market street

Barker Henry John, Esq., Salop road

Barker Charles Frederick, Esq., Market st

Barker Mr. Thomas, Salop road

Barlow Henry, tallow chandler and soap boiler, Market street

Beetenson Charles, Esq., Noble street

Boughey John, Salop road

Boulton Rev. William, Grove street

Brown Thomas Dickin, Esq., New street

Burd Mrs., Bow street

Cartwright Miss, Church street

Cotgrave Miss, Chapel street

Clay George, gentleman, New street

Deakin Miss Jane, Market street

Dickin Roger Spencer, Esq., Grove street

Dickin Thomas, Esq., Noble street

Dickin Mr. Thomas, Grove street

Dickin Mr. Richard Parker, Grove street

Dixon Rev. Wm., Noble street terrace

Edwards Edward, bookkeeper, Market st

Everall John, gentleman, Grove street

Ferrett Henry, inland revenue officer, Back st

Forgham Mrs., Noble street

France Thomas, Noble street

Gough Mrs., Back street

Gough Robert, gentleman, Back street

Gough Mr. Samuel, Market street

Greenwood Joseph, gentleman, Chapel st

Griffiths Henry, porter dealer, Market street

Griffiths Richard, draper, High street

Gwynn Edward, Esq., Noble street

Gwynn Samuel Betten, Esq., Noble street

Gwynn Miss, Grove house

Hanmer Thos., relieving officer, Wem union

Heatley William, Esq., Market street

Ireland Mrs., Islington house

Jones William, Chapel street

Jones Miss, Chapel street

Jones Samuel, cattle salesman, Back street

Kindillow Wm. Nail, governor union house

Kynaston Mrs. Mary, High street

Lee Henry, Esq., Chapel street

Lee Mrs. Mary, Chapel street

Littlehales Fred., clerk, county court office

Lloyd John Daniel, gentleman, High street

Lucas William, Esq., Noble street

Mason John, skinner, Ireland

Meredith Charles David, registrar, Islington

Meredith Mrs., Islington

Meredith Rev. Charles David, Crescent

Merest Rev. John William D., The Rectory

Morris Henry, gentleman, Islington Crescent

Morris Mrs., Islington Crescent

Nickson Mrs., Chapel street

Oldham Charles, Esq., Tilley house

Owen William, Esq., New street

Parkes Mrs., The Crescent

Parkes Mr. Richard, Islington Crescent

Pattinson Rev. Joseph, Islington villa

Pearson Mrs. Sarah, Grove street

Phillips Mr. George, May pole end

Poole Mr. George Wright, Market street

Prince Captain Charles, Market street

Pritchard Rev. Mr., Chapel street

Ravenshaw Richard, bank clerk, New street

Sadler Rev. John, Islington

Smith Mrs. Wycherley, New street

Smith John, tea dealer, Noble street

Snape Walter, gentleman, Creamore road villa

Stockhall Henry, attorney’s clerk, Market st

Thomas Thomas, gentleman, Islington

Walford John Henshaw, Esq., Roden lodge

Walker Mrs., Back street

Walmsley Thomas, Esq., Cripple street

Walmsley George, gentleman, Hawkstone rd

Walmsley Mr. John, Hibernia cottage

Wilkinson Mr. William, Ellesmere road

Williams Sir John Bickerton, Knight, The Hall

Wilson Joseph, Esq., New street

Academies.

Marked * take boarders.

British School, Dark lane, Thomas Hickson Taylor, master; T. H. Taylor, mistress

* Cooke Miss, Noble street

* Foncier Miss, Noble street

* Grammar, Grove street, Rev. William Boulton, M.A., principal; Benjamin Burd, English master

Infants’, Chapel street, Mary Green

* Meredith Mrs. Hannah, Bow street

National, Back street, Thos. Grainge, master; Mary Ebrey, mistress

* Strutt Miss, Noble street

Accountants.

Burd John, Mill street

Wycherley Thomas, Noble st

Attorneys.

Barker Charles Frederick, Market street

Barker Henry John, clerk to county court; office, Market street

Brown Thomas Dickin, New street

Burd Jonathan, Market st

Lucas William, clerk to magistrates, Noble street

Owen William, clerk to the Wem union, and superintendent registrar, New street

Auctioneers & Valuers.

Burd John, Mill street

Franklin Josiah, Market st

Wycherley Thomas, and appraiser for the Wem county court, Noble street

Bakers & Flour Dealers.

Astley Mary, Back street

Harris George, Grove street

Kynaston Charles, Market st

Vaughan Thomas, High st

Watkin Sarah, High street

Weever George, Market st

Bankers.

The National Provincial Bank of England Company, draw on the London Joint Stock Bank, John Daniel Lloyd, manager

Blacksmiths.

Humphreys Wm., Noble st

Rogers Robert, Ireland

Watkin Thomas, Dark lane

Watkin William, Grove st

Wilkinson John, Market st

Booksellers, Bookbinders, and Stationers.

Cooke Mary, Draw well ter

Franklin Josiah, & printer, Market street

Boot & Shoemakers.

Marked * dealers only.

Bannister John, Back street

Forgham Jonathan, May pole end

Higgins Williams, Rookery, Ireland

Jenkins George, Grove st

Jenks John, Market street

* Owen Miss Ann, High st

Robins Henry, Market st

* Tomlins Charles, Market st

Watkin Richard, Chapel st

Weaver John, High street

* Wilkinson Thomas, Market street

Braziers & Tin Plate Workers.

Barlow Henry, Market street

Edge Samuel, Union place

Brewer.

Cooke Joseph, Draw well brewery

Bricklayers.

Beckett William, Cripple st

Hewes William, Back street

Morris John, New street

Richards William, Back st

Tomey Jonathan, Back st

Brick and Tile Merchants.

Barker Henry John, Northwood

Brown John, Grove street

Maddocks Samuel, Barker’s green

Builders.

Beddoe John, Wem brook pl

France Thomas and Son, Noble street

Prince Frederick and Son, Church street

Walton Thomas, Salop road

Butchers.

Astley Thomas, Noble street

Davies Benjamin, Grove st

Deakin Henry, Market street

Elkes George, Market street

Hales William, Bow street

Parkes John, High street

Watkin James, High street

Weaver Charles, High street

Weaver George, High street

Weever Frederick, Market st

Cabinet Makers.

Broomhall John, foreman, Cripple street

France Thomas, Noble st

France Thomas, jun., Noble street

Lee John, New street

Prince Frederick and Son, Church street

Carriage Builders.

Eaton George, May pole end

Prince John, Church street

Cheese Factors.

Richards John, Market st

Vaughan Thomas, High st

Chemists and Druggists.

Bickerton Samuel, High st

Lee Thomas, Market street

Micklewright George, Market street

Onslow Richard, & dispensing, Cripple street

Clothes Dealer.

Huntington John, Market st

Coal Agent.

Brown John, Grove street, and Edstaston wharf

Coal Dealers.

Jenkins George, Grove street

Ralphs Jane, Noble street

Wilkinson Thos., Dark lane

Confectioners.

Kynaston Charles, Bow st

Stockall John, Market street

Vaughan Thomas, High st

Watkin Elizabeth, High st

Weaver George, High street

Coopers, Turners, and Dealer in Bendware.

Crewe Joseph, High street

Drury William, Noble street

Corn Factor.

Richards John, Market street

Curriers & Leather Cutters.

Everall John, Grove street

Gough Robert, Noble street

Gough Samuel, Market st

Dyer—Silk, Woollen, & Cotton.

Yoad Samuel, High street

Farmers.

Barber Wm., May-pole-end

Clay George, New street

Cooke Joseph, Draw-well lane

Everall John, Lowe-hill lane

Forgham Thomas, Foxley

Forgham Wm., Well-house farm

Griffiths Thomas, Soulton lane

Jenks John, Market street

Jones John, Noble street

Parkes John, Market street

Richards John, Market street

Snape Walter, Creamore road

Farm Tillage Dealers.

Brown John, Edstaston wharf, and guano merchant

Lowe Thomas, New street

Richards John, Market street

Fire and Life-office Agents.

The Agriculturists Cattle Insurance Compy., Benjamin Burds, Market street

Legal and Commercial, John Everall, Grove street

Pelican, Family Endowment and Manchester Fire, Wm. Owen, New street

Salop Fire, Josiah Franklin, Market street

Shropshire and North Wales, Messrs. Barker, Market st

Fishmonger.

Salt William, Market street

Glass, China, and Earthenware Dealers.

Franklin Josiah, Market st

Green Jane Charlotte, High street

Robins Henry, Market street

Grocers and Tea Dealers.

Heatley Wm., Market street

Kynaston Charles, High st

Kynaston Henry, Market st

Lee Thomas, Market street

Onslow Richard, Cripple st

Poole & Wilkinson, Market st

Richards John, Market street

Vaughan Thomas, High st

Wilkinson Andrew, High st

Hairdressers.

Green Samuel, Bow street

* Jenkins Richard, and perfumer, Market street

Hatter.

Howard Andrew, High street

Hosier & Berlin Repository.

Russell Lucy, Noble street

Black Lion, Thomas Nevett, Market street

Buck’s Head, Martha Higley, Church street

Bull’s Head, James Russell, Bow street

Castle, Commercial & Posting House, Robt. Higley, High street

Corbet Arms, John Lewis, Chapel street

Crown, Frederick Wycherley, Market street

Dickins’ Arms, John Jones, Back street

Fox Robert Rogers, Ireland

Hawkstone Arms, Richard Wire, Islington

Horse and Jockey, Robert Davies, Bow street

Lord Hill’s Arms, Thomas Lloyd, High street

Plough, Thomas Griffiths, Market street

Royal Oak, Mary Llewellin, May-pole end

Seven Stars, John Jenks, Market street

Shropshire Arms, Oliver Snape, Bow street

Talbot, Richard Darlington, High street

White Horse Hotel, Commercial & Posting House, Thomas Griffiths, Market street

White Lion, Ann Sands, and Excise-office, High street

Ironmongers.

Kynaston Henry, Market st

Wilkinson Andrew, Market street

Joiners and Builders.

Beddow John, Islington

Francis Thomas and Son, Noble street

Prince Frederick and Son, Church street

Walton Thomas, Market st

Jewellery & Cutlery Dealers.

Franklin Josiah, Market st

Jenkins Richard, Market st

Land & House Agent.

Francis Thomas, Noble st

Lime Dealer.

Brown John, Grove street

Linen & Woollen Drapers Silk Mercers.

Heatley William, Market st

Huntington John, Market st

Poole & Wilkinson, Market st

Livery Stable-keepers.

Marked * are Licensed to Let Post Horses.

* Burd Benjamin, Noble st

Griffiths Thomas, Market st

Higley Robert, High street

* Owen Joseph, High street

Maltsters.

Abbott William, Noble street

Barber John, High street

Barber William, May-pole end

Cooke Joseph, Draw-well terrace

Elkes John, Ireland

Higley Robert, High street

Wilkinson Sarah, High street

Merchants.

Francis Thomas (timber), Noble street

Onslow Rd. (hop), Cripple st

Miller and Corn Factor.

Boughey John, Wem Steam and Water Mills

Milliners and Dressmakers.

Green Sarah, New street

Phillips Eliza, Union Buildings

Williams Ann, Chapel street

Painter, Glazier, and Paper-Hanger.

Worrall George, High street

Plumbers, Glaziers, & Painters.

Davies Samuel, Mill street

Parsonage Frederick, New st

Shenton William, High st

Shenton William, Market st

Rope Makers.

Green John, High street

Fowles James, Bow street

Saddlers and Harness Makers.

Stockall John, Market street

Tomlins Charley, Market st

Seedsmen and Gardeners.

Bickerton Samuel, Market st

Llewellin Mary, High street

Newnes John, Back street

Richards John, Market street

Shopkeepers and Provision Dealers.

Green Jane Charlotte, High street

Harris Ellen, High street

Harris George, Grove street

Jackson Sarah, Bow street

Jones Richard, High street

Owen Joseph, Market street

Stockall John, Market street

Sherratt William, New street

Vaughan Thomas, High st

Watkin Sarah, High street

Skinners & Leather Dressers.

Everall John, Grove street

Mason John, Ireland

Slaters and Plasterers.

Hughes William, Back street

Richards William, Back st

Smallware Dealers.

Burd Benjamin, Market st

Harris Ellen, Market street

Spirit Vaults.

Griffiths Thomas, Market st

Ireland Richard, Market st

Onslow Richard, Cripple st

Stays Makers.

Owen Mrs. & Miss, Market st

Surgeons.

Gwynn Edward, Noble street

Gwynn Samuel Betten, Noble street

Lee Henry, Chapel street

Wilson Joseph Green, New street

Surveyor (Land).

Burd John, Mill street

Tailors.

Butter Richard, Market street

Cartwright John, Backstreet

Cartwright William, New st

Drury John, Noble street

Edwards John, Backstreet

Parsonage John, New street

Powell Joseph, High street

Tallow Chandler.

Barlow Richard, May-pole end

Tanners.

Everall John, Grove street

Gough Robert, Noble street

Veterinary Surgeon.

Burd Benjamin, Market st

Burd William, Noble street

Upholsterers.

Francis Thos., Noble street

Prince Frederick and Son, Church street

Watch and Clock Makers.

Butler Henry, High street

Hill Thomas, Market street

Wheelwrights.

Eaton George, May-pole end

Phillips Samuel, Bow street

Watkin John, May-pole end

Wine and Spirit Merchants and Porter Agents.

Ireland Richard, Market st

Onslow Richard, Cripple st

Carriers.

To Shrewsbury—Thomas Harris and Joseph Owen, Wednesdays & Saturdays.

ASTON

is a scattered village and township one mile E. from Wem, which contains 1,460a. 0r. 25p. of land, the soil of which in some parts is clay, in other parts a mixture of mould, gravel, and sand prevails; the strong soils produce excellent wheat.  At the census in 1841 there were 47 houses and 212 inhabitants.  Rateable value, £2,107.  There are 15a. 3r. 37p. in roads and waste.  The principal landowners are Viscount Hill, Major Dickin, John H. Walford, Esq., and Thomas Holly Cooke, Mrs. James, Mrs. Nickson, the Duke of Cleveland, Sir Andrew Corbet, Bart., Mrs. Griffiths, Mr. Caleb Powell, and the executors of the late Mr. Gwynn and Mr. Hassall are also proprietors; Major Dickin is lord of the manor.  At the survey in 1561 there was only one estate that was freehold in the township, and that was the property of John Astley.  The river Roden intersects the township, and is crossed by bridges to Lee Brockhurst and Aston.  Barker’s Green in this township is noted for clay which makes a superior kind of bricks.  Hill Cop Bank is also in this township.  Aston Hall, an ancient structure built of timber and plaster, is now occupied as a farm homestead.  At the Domesday survey the Astleys were seated here, from whom are descended the Astleys, of Ashton; the estate was then of much larger extent.  It was afterwards sold to the Wilkinsons, and about the year 1680 Lord Chancellor Jeffreys purchased this estate; it is now the property of Mr. Thomas Holley Cooke.  It is stated on the table of benefactions that Ralph Wilkiss, of Aston, left to the poor housekeepers of that township four nobles a year, charged on Shaw’s land in the said township.  The yearly sum of £1. 6s. 8d. is paid out of the said land now vested in the executors of Mr. Hassall, and is distributed in small sums among the poor.

Directory.—Farmers, Thomas Holly Cooke, The Hall Farm; Thomas Harris, The Old Hall Farm; Thomas Kempster, Brook Farm; Edward Morgan, Moat House; Thomas Powell Brookhouse, and John Woodfin; Thomas Abbott, shopkeeper; William Hewes, maltster and beerhouse keeper; Edward Williams, blacksmith and agricultural implement maker.

COTTON,

Bowen George, Esq., J.P., Cotton Hall

Ashley James, shopkeeper

Ashley Thomas, farmer

Bather Thomas, farmer, Wood End House

Bather Wm., farmer, Rookery

Bather William, farmer and corn miller

Bennett Benjamin, farmer

Boote William, farm bailiff, The Hall

Calcott John, watch & clock maker

Cartwright Joseph, farmer

Cooper Henry, farmer, Bank Farm

Cooper Mrs., farmer, Bank House

Cotton Thomas, farmer

Davies Abraham, bailiff to V. Dolphin, Esq.

Dickin Thomas, farmer, Common

Dickin William, farmer and butcher

Hall Richard, shoemaker

Higgins John, farmer, Common

Rodenhurst John, farmer

Ruscoe George, farmer, shopkeeper, & wharfinger

Ruscoe Messrs., lime works

Sandland Robert, farmer

Sparks John, farmer, The Brook

Tasker Francis, vict., Bull and Dog

Williams Thos., blacksmith

EDSTASTON,

The Chapel, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, in ancient writings is usually called our Lady’s chapel of Edstaston.  The festival of the nativity of the blessed Virgin being on the 8th of September, is the day appointed for holding the feast or wake, if that day happen on Sunday; if not, on the Sunday following.  Mr. Garbet is of opinion that this was a free chapel built by Edstan, for the health and welfare of his own soul, as it lost its endowment at the time of the general suppression of religious houses in the reign of Henry VIII.  In the times of popery mass was sung here every day for the advantage of the deceased, and on Sunday the usual church service was performed for the living.  It was not only independent of the rector of Wem, but also free from the visitation of the bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, who neither instituted nor inducted the incumbent, so that in this respect it was much on the same footing as a donative.  The structure has a very ancient appearance, and is 23 feet wide and 82 feet in length.  It is entered by a spacious porch of elaborate workmanship, built in 1710, exhibiting the Norman style of architecture.  It is neatly pewed with oak sittings, and there is a gallery at the west end, erected by private subscriptions and a grant from the Diocesan Society amounting to £84. 4s., in consequence of which the sittings are free and unappropriated for ever.  There are some relics in the chancel of the superstition of popish times; on each side of the altar are stands cut in stone, to bear the tapers that usually burn there; on the east wall is a stone jutting out, on which stood the image of the blessed Virgin, the patroness of the chapel; near the altar is a recess probably used for the preservation of the consecrated host, and in each of the side walls is a stone basin to hold holy water.  On the north side of the altar there formerly stood a sacristy, or vestry where the sacred utensils and priestly vestments are kept.  In 1723 a part of the west end wall of the chapel fell down, and the roof was so much decayed that it was found necessary to take the greatest part of it down.  To lessen the charge, a license was obtained from the bishop, to make the chapel ten or eleven feet shorter than it had been.  On the south side is a window beautifully foliated and ornamented with the family arms in stained glass, in memory of Admiral George Bowen and his wife, of Cotton Hall.  In the chancel is an ancient mural tablet in memory of Richard Goldisborough; another to John Knight, Esq., and one to Thomas Payne, gentleman, with the date of 1760; a brass memorial remembers Richard Chambre, Esq.  The living is a curacy annexed to the rectory of Wem.  The Rev. John Stewart is the incumbent, and resides at Edstaston House, a handsome mansion of brick, delightfully situated, and beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberries.

Boote Daniel, Esq., the Hall

Brown John, coal merchant, Park Bridge wharf

Chamberlain, E. H., Esq., the Park

Cliff Thomas, vict., Canal Tavern, Quino Brook

Cowley John, farm bailiff to Sir John Bickerton, Knight, Foxholes Farm

Davies Abraham, farm bailiff to Vernon Dolphin, Esq.

Dickin Edward, farmer, the Park

Groome Edward, farmer and shopkeeper

Hayward John, coal agent

Holding Daniel, tailor

Holding Thomas, shopkeeper, Quino Brook

Hope Thomas, wheelwright

Jebb William Thomas, Creamore cottage

Jebb and Son, farmers and corn millers

Kynaston John, Bank house

Lea James, farmer, High field

Lea Joseph, farmer, High field

Lea Samuel, farmer, High field

Matthews John, farmer, Rye bank

Nicholas Edward, shopkeeper

Richards Thomas, vict., Duke of Wellington, and agent and canal clerk for the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company

Rogers Edward, blacksmith and vict., the Harp

Ruscoe George and Abraham, dealers in coal, slate, tile, brick, lime, and general tillage merchants’ warehouse, Quino Brook

Stewart Rev. John, curate

Taylor William, farmer, Pepper street

Unsworth John, Esq., Creamore house

Unsworth William, Esq., Creamore farm

Walmsley John, farmer and maltster, Creamore bank

Walmsley Thomas, Rye bank farm

Wallace William, farm bailiff to E. H. Chamberlain, Esq.

Wilkinson William, farmer, Pepper street

Withington George, Foxholes farm

HORTON,

a small township one and a half mile north-west from Wem, contains 496a. 1r. 20p. of land, of which 8a. 3r. 34p. are in roads and waste.  Rateable value, £725. 5s.  In 1841 there were 20 houses and 86 inhabitants.  The principal landowners are Thomas Dickin, Esq.; Mrs. Lawrence; Mrs. Young; and the devisees of the late Mr. Nickson; and Mr. Ireland.  The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor.  The tithes are commuted for £88. 13s. 2d.  About the middle of the sixteenth century the Husseys were the largest landowners here; the Moodies were the next considerable family; the Chettoes, Allens, and Tylers, were also families of consequence.  The Ellesmere and Wem turnpike road crosses this township.

Directory.—Farmers: Ann Kynaston, John Onslow, Caleb Powell, and Philip Ratcliff.

LACON,