The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient structure built of stone, having a square tower, in which are three bells.  The interior contains nave, chancel, and south aisle, in which is a monument to the memory of John and Mary Botterel, supposed to have been erected about the year 1585.  The side aisle is separated from the body of the church by three pointed arches.  The church was enlarged and repaired in the year 1830, when one hundred and eight free sittings were provided, in addition to twenty formerly free.  The registers of the parish commenced in the year 1559.  The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £7. 1s. 0½d.  The tithes are commuted for the sum of £345.  There are seventy acres of glebe land.  Patron of the living, His Grace the Duke of Cleveland; rector, Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A.

Directory.—Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A., The Rectory; Thomas Beddoes, farmer, Moor Brook; Richard Bishop, farmer, Norton; William Bryan, tailor; Edward Davies, farmer, Norton; Richard Eddowes, farm bailiff, The Bould; John Hincksman, farmer, Charlcott; Francis Lawley, farmer and vict., The Fox; Mrs. Elizabeth Lowe, farmer, Aston Hall; George Meredith, farmer; William Meredith, farmer; Ann Miles, farmer, Charlcott; Joseph Wellings, blacksmith; Nathan Weatherall, farmer, Haywood.

BILLINGSLEY,

a parish in the Chelmarsh division of the hundred of Stottesden, six miles S. of Bridgnorth, is pleasantly situated on the Bridgnorth and Cleobury Mortimer turnpike road.  It contains 1,285 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £900. 10s.  In 1841 there were 29 houses and 149 persons; population in 1801, 320; 1831, 161.  The Duke of Cleveland is the principal landowner.  William Lacon Childe, Esq., and the rector are also proprietors.  This place it is said was anciently called Biligesleague, and that an important congress was held here in 1055 between King Harold and Griffin Prince of Wales, in which they engaged to maintain peace and mutual good will.  Dr. Thomas Hyde, the great linguist and librarian, was born at this place in 1638.  The Church is a small structure containing nave, chancel, and has a turret, in which are two bells.  The accommodation of this church was increased in 1836, by which means twenty additional sittings were obtained, and in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society fourteen of that number are declared free and unappropriated for ever.  The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 13s. 4d., now £195.  The Duke of Cleveland is patron of the living, and the Rev. Thomas Vaughan is rector.

Directory.—John Barker, blacksmith; Margaret Benbow, farmer, The Hall; William Birchley, farmer and vict., The Cape of Good Hope; John Green, shoemaker; Darius Griffin, farmer and carrier to Bridgnorth (every Saturday); Edward Humphries, farmer, The Oak; John Humphries, farmer, The Upper House; Rev. William Lewis Jones, curate; Samuel Jordin, farmer; Mary Lawley, farmer, The Bank; John Parry, farm bailiff, The Hall; Benjamin Reynolds, shoemaker.

BRIDGNORTH

The old corporation consisted of two bailiffs, a recorder, a deputy recorder, twenty-four aldermen, forty-eight common councilmen, two chamberlains, and two bridge masters, with a town clerk, sergeants at mace, and other officers.  The bailiffs were justices of the peace, and justices of the court of record; the senior acted as coroner for the borough.  The recorder held his office for life; his deputy whom he appointed was always a barrister, and the legal adviser of the corporation.  The bailiffs were chosen every year on St. Matthew’s day, out of the twenty-four aldermen, in the following remarkable manner:—The court being met, the names of twelve aldermen, seniors of those then present, being separately written upon small bits of paper, all of them of the same size and rolled up close by the town clerk, were thrown into a large purse, which after being well tossed by the chamberlains was held betwixt them before the bailiffs, when each bailiff according to seniority took out a scroll; by these scrolls the callers were fixed, who immediately mounting the chequer, alternately called the jury out of such persons as are burgesses, and then presented them to the court to the number of fourteen; these being all sworn, (neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, had made choice of two fit persons, who have not been bailiffs before for three years), were locked up until they were agreed, a regulation which has sometimes occasioned long fasting.  At the election in 1793, the jury fasted no less than seventy-four hours.  By the new municipal act, Bridgnorth is governed by a bailiff, or mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors.  A commission of the peace has been granted, and a court of quarter sessions and recorder appointed.  The following is a list of the members of parliament, borough magistrates, and corporate body, for the year 1851:—

Members of Parliament: Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and Sir Thomas Pigot, Bart.

Borough Magistrates: Henry Slater Richards, Esq., mayor; William Jones, Esq., Henry George Mytton, Esq., Thomas Whitmore Wylde Brown, Esq., Edward Farrer Acton Esq., Joshua Sing, Esq., Farmer Taylor, Esq., Thomas Bangham, Esq., Wm Hallen, Esq., and John Stephens, Esq.

Mayor: Henry Slater Richards, Esq.

Aldermen: John Smalman, Esq., Thomas Nock, Esq., Edward Ridley, Esq., and Benjamin Boucher, Esq.

Councillors: Thomas Deighton, James Brown Grierson, Joseph Southwell, Joseph Minton Glase, Samuel Nicholls, James Henry Martin, Robert Harrison, Joshua Sing, Henry Slater Richards, James Edward Newall, Frederick Homfray, and William Jones.  Recorder: Uvedale Corbet, Esq.  Coroner: William Dones Batte, Esq.  Town Clerk: John Jacob Smith, Esq.  Clerk to Borough Magistrates: Edward William Hazlewood, Esq.  Town Crier: George Evans.

There is a Bowling Green at the Hundred House Inn, situated about a mile from Bridgnorth; Mr. George Jarratt is the proprietor.  Baths were established in 1841 upon the premises of the South Shropshire Infirmary.  The Society for the Promotion of Religious and Useful Knowledge hold their meetings annually in December.  The depository for the Christian Knowledge Society is at Messrs. Wilmot and Brickley’s, Market street.  The Mechanics’ Institution, situated in High street, is furnished with a library comprising 366 volumes.  A reading room has also been established, which is furnished with periodicals, and some of the leading London and provincial journals; Joseph L. Whatmore, secretary.  The Town Library is situated in Castle Terrace, and contains 3,037 volumes; John Pinkstone is the librarian.  The Public Library in St. Leonard’s church-yard contains upwards of 4,000 volumes.  There are also Circulating Libraries at Mr. Smith’s and Miss Partridge’s.  The Stamp Office is at Mr. Southwell’s, West Castle street, and the Excise Office at the Castle Inn.

The Town Hall, situated in the centre of the market place, is an antique structure, built in 1682, and supported by pillars and arches.  The large room is appropriated to the town’s business and magisterial purposes.  The space under the hall is used for the sale of butter and poultry on the market days.  No sessions were held in the town in 1646 by reason of the war.  In this conflict the high town was burnt.

The Infirmary, in Listley street, is a handsome structure salubriously situated, and constructed with every attention to the convenience and convalescence of the inmates.  This institution was established in 1841, and is chiefly supported by subscriptions, and a few small benefactions left by charitable individuals; the Rev. J. Purton is the treasurer.

The Water Works.—The town is supplied with water raised from the Severn, and forced by machinery through a four inch main into a tank, situated upon Castle Walk, which when full is capable of holding about 6,500 gallons.  The funds for the support of the works are levied by a rate upon the inhabitants.  These works being inefficient for the supply of the town, it is proposed to construct a capacious reservoir near Palmer’s Hospital, six feet above the present tank, and twenty feet above High street, capable of holding 14,000 gallons, and so to improve the hydraulic machinery, as to give the inhabitants an abundant supply of this pure beverage of nature; Mr. Thomas Corser is the superintendent.

The Gas Works, situated on the western banks of the Severn, were established in 1838, by Mr. Edward, of Wellington.  There are two gasometers for the reception of the luminous vapour, and a charge of 8s. 6d. per cubic feet is made to the consumer; John Lloyd Whatmore, manager.

The County Court, St. Leonard’s place, for the recovery of debts, and in all pleas of personal action where the damage does not exceed £50, comprises the following parishes and townships, namely:—Alverley, Astley Abbotts, Acton Round, Aston Eyres, Billingsley, Burwarton, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Claverley, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Ditton Priors, Eardington, Glazeley, Middleton Scriven, Monkhopton, Morville, St. Leonard’s, St. Mary Magdalene, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Romsley, Sidbury, Stanton Long, Tasley, Upton Cressett, and Worfield.  Judge, Uvedale Corbett, Esq., Aston Hall.  Clerk, Harry Childe, Esq.  High Bailiff, Mr. John Lacon Bennett.  Appraiser, George Evans.  Treasurer, W. B. Collins, Esq.

The Bridgnorth Union House stands in an open and pleasant situation at the Innage, and was built in 1850, at a cost of £5,299. 17s. 8d., and will accommodate 200 inmates.  The number at present on the books is 53.  The union embraces an area of 68,076 acres of land, and a population of 15,805 souls.  The parishes in the union are 29 in number, namely:—Acton Round, Alverley, Astley, Abbotts, Aston Eyres, Billingsley, Burwarton, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Claverley, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Ditton Priors, Eardington, Glazeley, St. Leonard’s, St. Mary Magdalene, Middleton Scriven, Monk Hopton, Morvill, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Romsley, Sidbury, Stanton Long, Tasley, Upton Cressett, and Worfield.  Chairman to the Guardians, Richard H. Gwyn, Esq.  Vice Chairman, John Wilson, Esq.  Clerk to the Guardians, Arndell Francis Sparkes, Esq.  Surgeons, William P. Brookes, Charles Pothecary, William Thursfield, James H. Martin, and Thomas Haslehust.  Chaplains, Rev. George Bellett, Rev. William K. Marshall, and the Rev. Robert A. W. Considine.  Relieving Officers, George Griffin and William Wall.  Master and Matron, Seth Bennett Barber and Mrs. Barber.  Superintendent Registrar, James H. Martin.  Deputy Registrar for Bridgnorth, William Roberts.

The Savings’ Bank is situated in Bank street, the capital stock of which on November 20th, 1850, amounted to £81,045. 2s. 3d., at which time there were 2,167 depositors; 60 charitable societies and 24 friendly societies had accounts with the bank.  Of the depositors there were 1,161 whose respective balances did not exceed £20; 531 were above £20 and not exceeding £50; 290 were above £50 and not exceeding £100; 102 not exceeding £150; 59 not exceeding £200; and 24 exceeding the latter amount.  The gross amount of capital invested by the charitable societies is £5,170. 16s. 1d., and of the friendly societies £2,672 19s.

The Church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene is a handsome edifice in the Grecian style of architecture, built in the year 1792, of white freestone, at an expense of £6,027. 11s. 9d.  It has a tower, surmounted by a cupola, containing six bells, a clock, and four dials.  The interior is spacious and handsome, and on the western gallery is a fine-toned organ.  The altar is of oak, richly carved.  The church is styled in ancient records, “Liberia regia capella;” that is, a free chapel of the kings, made exempt from episcopal jurisdiction by King John, who personally visited this town on his way to Worcester.  It was made parochial in 4th Edward III.  This church was a free collegiate chapel, founded by William the Conqueror, consisting of a dean and five prebends.  The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. W. K. Marshall.  The tithes are commuted for £268.  There are thirteen and a half acres of glebe land.  The parish of St. Mary Magdalene in 1841 contained 577 houses, and 2,773 inhabitants.

The Baptist Chapel, situated in West Castle street, is a brick structure, and will accommodate about 280 persons.  It was built in the year 1704.

The Catholic and Apostolic Church, in West Castle street, is a commodious edifice, built of freestone in the year 1835.  The building has Gothic windows, ornamented with stained glass.  The interior has a beautiful appearance; the altar is of stone, and there are richly carved oak stalls and desks for the priests.  The seats are all free.  “The congregation is under the rule and government of the apostles, being in charge of an angel, who, with priests, assisted by deacons, fulfil their several duties clothed with appropriate vestments.”

The Independent Chapel, built of brick in the year 1711, will accommodate about 400 hearers.  It is situated on the Stoneway Steps.

The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, situated on St. Mary’s Steps, was erected in the year 1832, and has since been enlarged.  It is now capable of seating 250 persons.  A Sabbath school is connected with the chapel, where about seventy children attend.

The National and Infant Schools, situated on elevated ground in Listley street, were established in 1820.  There is accommodation in these schools for 300 children: 150 boys and 50 girls attend.  The schools are supported by annual subscriptions, donations, charity sermons, and small weekly payments from the scholars.  The income for the year ending March 25th, 1851, amounted to £228. 14s. 3d.

The British School, in West Castle street, is held in a spacious and convenient room under the Baptist chapel: it is numerously attended.  There is also a school taught in a room over the Independent chapel, where about sixty children are instructed.

The Free Grammar School.—This school was founded more than three hundred years ago, by the bailiffs and burgesses, for the purpose of affording, free of expense, to “all comers,” instruction in literature and good learning, until they shall be capable to be sent to the universities of Oxford or Cambridge.  For the better maintenance of the school, Sir Rowland Hayward, in 1624, gave a rent charge of £20 per annum; £4 a year was left by his son; £2 a year was left by Sir John Hayward for the usher; and £8 a year, called the king’s allowance, was also paid to the usher out of the audit money.  In 1639, the lease of a house was granted by Sir William Whitmore, at an annual rent of 8s., for a residence for the master.  In 1687 Sir William Whitmore renewed the lease, and by a covenant therein, bound his successors to continue the lease on the same conditions, as long as the school should continue to be a free school.  It appears that the master of the free school has always received some allowance from the corporation, which in 1726 amounted to £10; in 1817 it was increased to £30; and it was further agreed to supply from the private funds of those members of the corporation who sent their sons to this school, as much money as, in addition to the several sources of emolument before particularised, would make up an annual salary of £100 for the master.  For the last two years the grant from the corporation has been discontinued: it is hoped, however, the corporate body will see the propriety of renewing their grant.  The various bequests to this school, and the exhibitions at Christ College, Oxford, will be found noticed with the following account of the general charities of Bridgnorth.

Charities.—Edward Careswell, by will dated 3rd February, 1689, left certain lands in the counties of Salop and Stafford, in all containing 1,075a. 2r. 23p. of land, chargeable with the maintenance of eighteen scholars in the college of Christ Church, in Oxford, four of the aforesaid scholars to be chosen from Shrewsbury Free Grammar School, three from Bridgnorth, four from Newport, three from Shiffnal, two from Wem, and two out of Donnington, in the parish of Wroxeter, who were to receive while undergraduates £18 each for four years, after he should have commenced bachelor of arts; £21 each for three years, until he should commence master of arts; and £27 yearly to each for three years after he should commence master of arts, and no longer.  In the year 1813, a considerable surplus of the rents and profits having accrued, the sum of £1,500 was applied to the purchase of the rectoral tithes of the Walker’s Low and Walkham Wood farms: and in 1815 the further sum of £1,515. 7s. was laid out in the purchase of 26a. 0r. 38p. of land, with a new built brick and tiled barn in the parish of Quatford.  This farm had previously gained an addition of 36a. 1r. 14p., under the Morfe Enclosure Act; and on the Priors Ditton enclosure, in 1813, an allotment of 10a. 1r. 2p. was awarded to the Sydnall Farm.  The tenants of the land respectively hold from year to year, and the rents are varied from time to time, as circumstances are found to require.  At the time the charity commissioners published their report, the annual rent was £1,191. 2s.  From the surplus rents and profits there remained on 25th January, 1820, the amount of £9,394. 7s. 6d. three per cent. consols, and in cash the sum of £1,093. 18s. 1d.; the former sum affording an income of £281. 16s. 7½d., which, with the rents, make the sum of £1,472. 18s. 7½d. as the total annual income, which is subject to a charge of £308. 1s. 4d. for repairs, leaving for the objects of the charity the sum of £1,164. 17s. 3½d.  By a codicil to the will of the aforesaid Edward Careswell, dated 24th February, 1689, he devised the sum of £10 to be annually paid to the minister of Bobbington, in augmentation of his salary, which sum was to be deducted out of the several allowances of the eighteen scholars, when the same shall become payable, by an abatement of 11s. 1½d. out of each of the said scholars’ allowance.

The Almshouses—The earliest mention of the almshouses is contained in a document preserved among the archives of the corporation, which purports to be the presentment and verdict of a jury, impanelled at Bridgnorth, on the 2nd of September, in the 6th year of Charles I., under a commission of charitable uses, by which they presented that William Swanwicke gave to divers feoffees, on the 2nd of March, 2nd and 3rd of Philip and Mary, a tenement and three gardens for the use of the poor almsfolk residing within the almshouses in Church street of the said town.  They further presented that Henry Taycock gave towards the relief of the poor almspeople aforesaid a certain close called Brown’s Croft, and seven acres and two selions of land; and William Sparry, by indenture, dated the 2nd of May, 26th Elizabeth, gave two acres of ground in Astley Abbotts, for 3,000 years, to the intent that the profits of one acre should redound to the use of the poor almspeople aforesaid, and the rent of the other acre to the use of the poor of St. Leonard’s parish.

The sum of £80 was vested by the bailiffs and burgesses in the year 1709, with other monies, in the purchase of an estate at Higley, of which we shall give an account when treating of St. Leonard’s parish.  In respect of this, an annual sum of £4 is distributed by the churchwardens of St. Leonard’s among the twelve almswomen, together with 10s., which in some of the earlier entries in the parish books is termed “the interest of £10,” and in others, “the interest of late Milner’s money.”

In a common hall order, dated 18th of January, 1768, reciting that twenty elms, the property of the almshouses, were sold for £11, it was agreed that the corporation should take the money, and pay the almswomen 12s. yearly at Christmas for the same.  The corporation likewise pays the sum of 20s. yearly for the interest of £25, which was left for the use of the poor people in the almshouses.  The inmates have the interest of £100, left in 1838, by Mr. Milner, and of a sum of £37. 5s. 6d., the gift of Mrs. Bell in 1832.  Each almswoman has 3s. 6d. weekly.  They are appointed by the corporation.

Paul Bridgen, by will, dated 24th of February, 1769, gave to the corporation of Bridgnorth the sum of £24, for the poor women of the almshouses to have a shilling each paid to them on Good Fridays, and one upon the second day of March, it being the interest thereof.

Sarah Pardoe, in 1808, left the sum of £100, to be placed out at interest for the use of the almshouses.  This donation was invested in the purchase of £156. 3s. 3d. consols, the dividends of which being £4. 12s. per annum, which sum, after deducting charges, is divided among the twelve poor women in January and July, in shares of 3s. 10d. each.

Mr. Clark left 10s. for a sermon on the 11th day of January, and three shillings to be given in bread the same day.

Mary Childe, by her will, dated 27th of August, 1817, and proved in November, 1819, gave the sum of £100, to be placed at interest on some good security, and to pay the interest, dividends, and produce thereof, in equal shares at Christmas, to the almswomen of Bridgnorth.

Bread Fund.—The almswomen also participate in the general distribution of bread from the parochial fund of St. Leonard’s, of which we shall give an account among the charities of that parish.

Walter Wrottesley, by will, proved in 1630, bequeathed to the poor people of Bridgnorth the sum of £100, to be disposed of by the magistrates of the town as they should think fit.  It was resolved in 1633 to repair the conduit pipes of the town with the principal, and that £5 per annum as interest should be given to the poor of St. Leonard’s and St. Mary’s parishes; which sum they now receive.

William Pulley bequeathed a house and land, situated in Beauchamp Roothing, in Essex, on the 20th of December, 1640, to the inhabitants of Bridgnorth for ever, on condition that they should give £16 every year to two young men or women who should stand in need of it; and that those who had it one year should have it no more for the space of three years after.

The Rev. Francis Wheeler, by will, dated 8th of February, 1686, gave five meadows in St. Mary’s parish, containing 21a. 2r. 5p. of land, on condition that the sum of £10 should be given to the poor of Bridgnorth, as an annuity or rent charge; £10 per annum for a sermon to be preached by the minister of St. Leonard’s on the feast of St. James.  And having further charged the lands with an annuity of 50s. yearly to the curate of Masemoor, and 10s. to the poor of Willey, he directed that if the rent of the premises should be improved, the increase of the rents should solely redound to the settled public preachers of Bridgnorth.  The premises were let in 1818 for a rent of £102. 2s. 6d., which, after deducting the rent charges, left the sum of £44. 11s. 3d. to each of the two ministers, subject to occasional expenses for repairs.

The Spinners’ Money—It seems that the sum of £215 is in the hands of the corporation (which was left by Mr. Blakeway, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Elliot, for the use of the spinners and carders), for which is paid the small sum of £3. 18s, 4d. yearly, as interest, which is divided among the poor of the town.—Bridge Lands: There are several tenements in Bridgnorth, the rents of which are applied to the repair of the bridge, but when and by whom left is unknown.  The annual rents amount to £18. 7s. 2d.

Charities of the Upper Town.—Palmer’s Hospital.—The Rev. Francis Palmer, by will, dated 2nd September, 1680, bequeathed the sum of £800, to be laid out in the purchase of free lands in or near the county of Salop, of the clear yearly value of £30 per annum; and he also willed that his executors should cause to be erected an almshouse containing ten distinct rooms for ten several poor widows of the Upper Town, such as should frequent the church, and to allow each of them the sum of £3 per annum, save only repairs to be deducted.  The executors purchased an estate in Hopton Wafers, containing 111a. 3r. 32p., which was let in 1807, at a rent of £93. 6s. per annum; by a valuation of premises made when the Charity Commissioners published their report it was found that the annual value was £119. 6s. 3d.  From sales of timber in 1797 and 1810, and a donation of £200 in 1803 from the executors of the late Mr. Hawkins, the sum of £24 is paid to the charity as interest of the money, in addition to the rent of the land.

William Warter gave the sum of £20 to Palmer’s Hospital, in respect of which 20s. is paid from an estate at Rudge, which formerly belonged to the donor, on St. Thomas’s day, and distributed among the inmates.

Bread Fund.—The poor women of this charity also participate in the general distribution of bread in the parish of St. Leonard’s.

The Low Town.—Sir Robert Lee, Knt., in 1635, bequeathed £100, to be applied in the purchase of land, the rents and profits thereof to be given for the use of the poor residing in the Low Town of Bridgnorth.  The money was applied in the purchase of a close containing about five acres of ground, situated in Oldbury Lordship, the annual rent of which amounts to about £21, which is distributed as the donor directed.

Charities of St. Leonard’s.—Henry Bourne bequeathed in 1693 the sum of £50, the interest thereof to be given away to the poor of the parish in bread every Sunday, as the churchwardens and overseers should think fit.—Edward Jackson, who died in 1709, gave the sum of £100, the interest of which was to be given to the poor in bread every first Sunday in the month.  In the year 1709 the bailiffs and burgesses of Bridgnorth purchased an estate at Highley for the sum of £390, which was made up of the following sums:—£50 of Henry Bourne’s legacy, £100 of Edward Jackson’s charity, £50 of John Lem’s legacy, the interest of which was left for the minister of the parish, together with a further sum of £10, said to be given for putting out apprentices, £80 of the almshouse money, and the residue, £110, was money belonging to the parish.  This estate consists of 33a. 2r. 20p. of land, which produced in 1820 the sum of £70. 16s. 9½d., and after payment of £4. 10s. to the almspeople, has formed the basis of a general bread fund.

John Bennett, by will, dated 18th January, 1732, gave an annual rent charge of £5, clear of all reduction, to be paid out of his estate at Bobbington, to be laid out in bread and given to such poor as attended church on the days of Wednesday and Friday.  He also gave 20s. yearly to the minister of St. Leonard’s for a sermon to be preached every 10th day of October.  The £5 for bread forms one of the items in the general distribution.

John Guest, by will, dated 15th of December, 1773, gave to the bailiffs and burgesses of Bridgnorth for the time being the sum of £200, to be put out at interest, and he directed that the interest of £50, part of the said legacy, should be laid out in bread and distributed every 9th day of January, or the Sunday following, at each of the parish churches of Bridgnorth.  This legacy was invested in the three per cent. consols, and produces the annual sum of £7. 17s. 6d., of which the sum of £1 is annually paid to the parish of St. Leonard’s, and forms part of the general bread fund, and £1 to the parish of St. Mary.—John Guest, the younger, by will, dated 10th December, 1780, gave £20 to the two parishes of Bridgnorth, in trust, to apply the interest annually for the use of the poor, to be distributed in bread.

William Guest, by will, dated 21st June, 1811, bequeathed £400, upon trust, to apply the interest thereof in the purchase of bread, to be distributed among the industrious poor of the parish.

Bread Fund.—A general distribution of bread is made every Sunday in the year by the churchwardens to such objects as appear to be most in need, from the charities of Wheeler, Bennett, John Guest, John Guest, jun., and William Guest, which in all amounts to £96. 19s. 10½d.

The £2. 10s. which the parish of St. Leonard’s receives on account of Wrottesley’s charity, as stated in the report of the borough, has been hitherto improperly applied in aid of the poor’s rates.

Mrs. Law, by will, bequeathed the sum of £40, upon trust, to place the same out at interest, or purchase land with it, and yearly to buy as much cloth or linsey woolsey as the interest or rent would buy, and have the same made into ten women’s petticoats, and to give the same away at Christmas to ten poor widows, four of whom should be of the parish of St. Leonard’s and six of the parish of St. Mary’s.  The benefactions to the minister, amounting to the sum of £65. 11s. 3d. annually, have been noticed in the preceding pages.

Mary Elton, whose bequest to Palmer’s Hospital has been already mentioned, further gave the sum of £100 towards augmenting the income of the minister of this parish.  There is reason to believe that this sum formed part of a sum of £200, which the Rev. Thos. Littleton appears to have deposited in the year 1775 with the Governor’s of Queen Anne’s bounty, the remaining £100 being probably a benefaction of his own.  This sum, with a like one advanced by the governors, was applied to the purchase of certain premises, containing, by estimation, about nine acres, in the parish of Eye, in Herefordshire.

The Earl of Thanet left a legacy of £200 in the year 1776, for the augmentation of the living of St. Leonard’s Church.  The Governors of Queen Anne’s bounty having added a like sum, the amount was applied in 1777 to the purchase of certain premises at Tenbury, in Worcestershire, containing about ten acres of land, which produces a sum of £15 annually.

The rents of two houses and a garden have been long applied to the repairs of the church, but from what source they were derived is unknown.  The annual rents amount to £25. 10s.

Charities of St. Mary’s Parish.—The Rev. David Llewellin, by his will, dated 25th of April, 1794, gave the sum of £50, on trust, to the minister, churchwardens, and overseers of the parish of St. Mary’s, to place the same out at interest, on good security, and to apply the interest thereof to the use of the poor, in such manner as they should direct.

Eleanor Church, by will, dated 1798, gave the sum of £20, the interest thereof to be distributed in bread the first Sunday after the 26th of May.  John Guest bequeathed a legacy of £20 to this parish, which is mentioned in our report of St. Leonard’s parish.  Sarah Medlicott gave the sum of £10 in the year 1780, the interest thereof to be laid out in sixpenny loaves, and given to twenty poor housekeepers of this parish, on every 14th day of February for ever.  Bread Fund.—There is a general distribution of bread weekly, amounting in the whole to £10. 8s. per year.  The distribution in September, 1819, appeared to have settled to the amount of four shillings worth of bread weekly, which was far short of the amount of the several charities for which the charity trustees were accountable.  Richard Goodden, in 1806, assigned four pews in the church of St. Mary Magdalene to the minister and churchwardens, on trust, to pay and distribute the rents among poor persons not receiving parochial relief, in sums of not more than 5s. each.  The rents amount to £3. 18s. annually.

Mrs. Law’s Charity; the particulars of which (the parish of St. Mary’s is entitled to six-tenths) have been given in the report of St. Leonard’s parish.

It appears that in the year 1811 and 1812 the Governors of Queen Anne’s bounty agreed to augment the curacy of St. Mary’s with five several sums of £200 each, out of grants made to them by parliament, and that, in the year 1816, they agreed further to augment the same with the sum of £300 out of the said grants, in conjunction with Thomas Whitmore, Esq., the patron, who gave the sum of £200, and paid the same to the treasurer of the said governors for the purpose of such augmentation, which said several sums, amounting together to the sum of £1,500, were ordered by the said governors to be laid out in the purchase of lands, tithes, or other hereditaments, to be settled for the perpetual augmentation of the curacy of the said parish.  The sum of £1,150 was laid out in 1816 in the purchase of a dwelling-house, with appurtenances thereto, situated in Bridgnorth, together with a pew in the parish church of the said parish.  The minister also receives the sum of £14, as interest on £350 (the residue of the said £1,500), which remains on their hands applicable to a further purchase.

Thomas Milner, by will, dated 1837, bequeathed £150, the interest thereof, to be distributed in bread on the first Sunday in every month, after divine service, to the poor of this parish.  He also gave the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be applied towards clothing and educating boys of the Blue Coat School, and the sum of £100, the interest to be applied to the benefit of the poor widows of the almshouse of Bridgnorth.

Post Office—Mr. Charles Edward Macmichael’s, East Castle street.  Letters from all parts arrive at 6.35 A.M., and are despatched at 5.30 P.M.

Acton Edward Farrer, Esq., Gateacre Park

Acton Sir John E. D., Bart., Aldenham Hall

Adams Mrs. Anne, West Castle street

Audsley Thomas, engineer, West Castle st

Ayre Rev. Legh Richmond, M.A., Newtown

Bache John, Esq., Chesterton

Backhouse Richard Onions, solicitor, Whitburne street

Baker John, Esq., Walsbatch

Baugham Benjamin, Esq., Oldbury Wells

Baugham Thomas, Esq., St. Leonard’s

Bank, Cooper, and Co., High street

Bank, Pritchards, and Co., Waterloo terrace

Bank Saving’s, Bank street

Barber Rev. John, Stoneway head

Barker Rev. John, West Castle street

Batte William, Esq., East Castle street

Batte William Jones, gent., West Castle st

Beeston Richard, van proprietor, The Lodge

Bellett Rev. George, St. Leonard’s Rectory

Bennett John Lacon, St. Mary’s street

Benwell Rev. John Fred., Neenton Rectory

Blathwayte Rev. Chas. W., Clelmarsh Rectory

Brazier Captain James, Bradney

Briggs Rev. Fred. Wm., Wesleyan minister

Brown Mrs. Sarah, St. Mary’s street

Brown Thomas Whitmore Wylde, Esq., Woodlands

Carr Rev. Edmund, M.A., Quatt Rectory

Childe Harry Joseph, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Clarke Joseph and Brother, Listley street

Colley Miss, Mill street

Colley Mrs. Elizabeth, Cann Hall

Colley Mrs. Mary, St. John’s street

Corser Thomas, engineer, West Castle st

Cooper John Henry, Esq., Knowle sands

Curtis Mr. William Fitz Harry, St. Leonard’s

Darby Alfred, Esq., Stanley Hall

Dalton Thomas Wm., gent., East Castle st

Davenport Wm. S., Esq., Davenport House

Deeton Mrs. Mary, The Square

Deighton Thomas, Esq., Castle Terrace

Downes John, gentleman, High street

Dyer John, accountant, High street

Edmonds Edward, Esq., Tasley

Elson Thomas, inland revenue officer, St. Leonard’s Walk

Fernie Mrs. Mary, Whitburne street

Gabert Christopher, Esq., Claverley

Gabert Rev. G. H. B., Claverley Rectory

Gatacre Edward Lloyd, Esq., Gatacre Hall

Gillitlie George, inland revenue officer, Whitburne street

Gitton Miss E., High street

Gitton Thomas, solicitor, High street

Grierson and Law, worsted spinners, Spital

Green Mr. George, Head’s Buildings

Greenstreet Rev. Frederick Wm., Low Town

Gwyn Richard Hodges, Esq., Astbury Hall

Hall J. Claude, land agent, East Castle st

Hall Mr. Joseph, West Castle street

Hallon Captain William, St. Mary’s steps

Hanbury Mr. George, West Castle street

Hardwicke Thomas Bell, solicitor, High st

Hardwicke T. H. P., Esq., Whitburne street

Harrison Robert, Esq., Mill street

Haslehurst Edwin Wm., solicitor, High st

Haslewood Edward W., gent., East Castle st

Haslewood John, gentleman, Tower House

Haynes Robert, Esq., Danesford

Herbert Rev. Richard, Chetton Rectory

Homfray Frederick, Esq., St. Mary’s steps

Jackson Thomas Austin, gent., Eardington

Jones Mr. Joseph, accountant, St. Mary’s st

Jones William, wine merchant, Underhill st

Kettle Geo. Mackenzie, Esq., Dalicot House

Law John, gentleman, Underhill street

Lea Mrs. Wolryche, Ludstone House

Leah Rev. Mr., curate of St. Mary’s

Leake Mr. Robert, High street

Leonard Wm. Henry, engraver, High street

Lewis Anne, wine merchant, High street

Lewis Miss Elizabeth, Chapel House

Lewis Miss Ann, High street

Lewis Misses Ann & Mary, Head’s Buildings

Llewyllan Mr. Thomas, St. Mary’s street

Lloyd Mrs. Ann, Mill street

Locke Miss, Head’s Buildings

Macmichael Charles Edward, West Castle st

Macmichael Elizabeth and Son, High street

Marshall Rev. William Knox, M.A., St. Mary’s Rectory

Martin Mr. James Henry, Mill street

Merriman Rev. Henry Gordon, M.A., Grammar School

Nicholls Samuel, gentleman, Mill street

Nock Thomas, gentleman, High street

Parkes Joseph, Esq., Wyken Hall

Parsons George, Esq., Whitburne street

Phillips John, gentleman, Whitburne street

Pilkington Miss Mary Ann, East Castle st

Pilkington Mr. Samuel, Head’s Buildings

Pinkstone Mr. John, Library steps

Postlethwaite Rev. John, Tasley Rectory

Potts and Nicholls, solicitors, Mill street

Pritchard George, Esq., Astley Abbots

Purton Rev. John, High street

Purton Thomas, gent., St. Leonard’s Cottage

Purton Thomas Pardoe, Esq., Faintree Hall

Reece John Smythyman, castrator, Newtown

Reece Mr. Edward, Severn side

Richards Henry Slater, Esq., St. Mary’s st

Ridley Edward Wm., Mill street

Ridley Messrs. Samuel and Edward, factors, Mill street

Ridley Mrs., Mill street

Robinson Mrs. Baths, Infirmary

Roby Mrs., The Lodge

Rowley Rev. Thomas, D.D., Middleton Scriven

Rowley Mr. William Jepson, High street

Sing Joshua, Esq., East Castle street

Smalman John, Esq., Quatford Castle

Smith Herbert, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Smith John Jacob, Esq., St. James’s

Smith Wm. Henry Steedman, gentleman, Listley street

Southwell Fred., accountant, Whitburne st

Southwell Joseph, gentleman.  East Castle st

Southwell Robert B. stamp office, West Castle st

Southwell Mr. William, Rock House

Sparkes Arndel Francis, sol., St. John’s st

Stephens John, Esq., Albynes

Strange William, M.D., High street

Stringer Mrs. Ann, Salop-road House

Stringer Mrs. Catherine, St. Leonard’s lane

Taylor Farmer, Esq., Chykenell

Tilly Rev. Alfred, Bap. min., East Castle st

Titler George, gentleman, East Castle street

Trevor John, Esq., The Vinery

Trevor Mrs., Bank street

Vickers Henry, Esq., East Castle street

Wall James, Esq., Severn Cliff

Wasley Rev. George Leigh, Knowle Sands

Watts Benjamin, gentleman, Listley street

Westhall Mr. John, St. Mary’s street

Whitcombe Thos., woolstapler, Underhill st

Whitmore Thomas Charlton, Esq., M.P., Apley Park

Whitmore Wm. Wolryche, Esq., Dudmaston Hall

Williams Charles, land agent, Morville Hall

Williams Mr. Edward Vaughan, Bank street

Wilmot Mr. Thomas Abel, superintendent of police, High street

Wilson John, estate agent, Aston Hall

Wilson Thomas, corn agent, High street

Wing Rev. John, Astley Abbots

Wylde Miss, Head’s Buildings

Wyllie James, inland revenue officer, High st

Marked * receive Boarders.

* Barber Seth, Castle Terrace

* Barber Mrs., (ladies), Bank street

Blue Coat School, North Gate, William Bower

Brickley Anne, High street

British School, West Castle street

Dodd Samuel, Underhill st

* Grammar School, St. Leonard’s church yard; Rev. Henry Gordon Merriman, M.A., principal; Wm. Fitz Harry Curtis, second master

Independent School, Stoneway, Jane Akrigg

Infant School, Listley street

* Kirtlan Mary, Whitburne st

Moore Mary, St. Mary’s st

National, (boys and girls), Listley street, Mr. & Mrs. Trott, teachers

Nock Ann, St. Mary’s street

* Parker Harriett, St. Mary’s street

Roby Miss, Salop road

Saint Mary’s, St. John’s st., George Marsh

* Wase Mary Ann, (ladies), High street

Wigley Joshua, Commercial, Bank street

Accountants.

Bennett John, Lacon, St. Mary’s street

Jones Jos., bank, Waterloo Terrace

Pilkington Samuel, Head’s Buildings

Architects and Surveyors.

Griffiths Edward Francis, Quatford

Hall John Claude, (land), East Castle street

Penzer Ezer; office, Underhill street

Attornies.

Backhouse Richard Onions, Whitburne street

Batte William, East Castle st

Cox J., High street

Gitton Thomas, (and master in chancery), High street

Hardwicke Thomas Bell, High street

Haslewood Edward William, East Castle street

Nicholls Samuel, Mill street

Potts and Nicholls, Mill st

Smith John Jacob, St. Leonard’s

Sparkes Arndell Francis, St. John’s street

Vickers Henry, East Castle st

Auctioneers and Valuers.

Backhouse Richard Onions, Whitburne street

Nock and Wilson, High st

Perry and Phillips, Postern Gate

Bakers and Flour Dealers.

Birkmire William, Waterloo Terrace

Cureton Thomas, High st

Evans John, High street

Long Henry, High street

Ostin Benj., Bernard’s hill

Peters Ann, Listley street

Roberts Wm., St. John’s st

Weale George, Listley street

Wellings William, Mill st

Barge Owners.

Bradley Saml., Underhill st

Broadfield John Holloway, Underhill street

Brown Wm., Underhill st

Davies Thos., Bernard’s hill

Doughty Benj., Underhill st

Doughty Rd., Underhill st

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Head Richard, Bernard’s hill

Jones Wm., Underhill street

Longmore Henry, Underhill street

Oakes William, Underhill st

Preece William, Cartway st

Reece Richard, Friar’s road

Reece Thomas, Underhill st

Ridley Messrs., Bridge-foot Wharf

Rutter Samuel, Listley st

Salt William, Spital street

Wilson Andrew, Mill street

Boat Builders.

Oakes William, Underhill st

Penzer Ezer, Underhill Wharf

Rushton George, Cartway st

Bankers.

Cooper & Purton, High st., (draw on Williams, Deacon, and Co., London).

Pritchard, Boycott, and Nicholas, Waterloo ter., (draw on Barnett, Hoare, and Co., London).

Savings’ Bank, Bank street, (open on Mondays and Saturdays from ten till one o’clock).

Basket Makers.

Gwynn Charles, Cartway st

Gwynn Edwin John, St. Mary’s street

Gwynn James, Salop street

Berlin Repository.

Williams Fanny, fancy stationer and drawing materials, High street

Blacksmiths.

Atcherley J. Rennell, shoeing forge, High street

Binnell Francis, Whitburne street

Bishop John, North gate

Phillips Walter, Bridge end

Pope Alexander & William, Mill street

Tunkiss John, Listley street

Wellings Benjamin, St. John street

Bookbinders.

Edkins Lousia, High street

Rowley Wm. Jepson, High st

Booksellers, Printers, and Stationers.

Edkin Lousia, High street

Gitton George Robt., High st

Partridge Charlotte, Waterloo Terrace

Rowley Wm. Jepson, High st

Boot and Shoemakers.

Those marked * are dealers

* Badham Henry, Listley st

Bagnall Sarah, St. Mary’s st

* Beman Richard, High st

Bright Samuel, St. Mary’s st