contains 1,564A. 0R. 3P. of land, and at the census of 1841 had 27 houses
and 169 souls. This place forms a portion of the Sundorne demesne, which
comprises 8,634A. 1R. 26P., and is the property of Andrew William Corbet,
Esq. The stately pile of HAUGHMOND ABBEY is now fallen into almost total
decay, but the magnificent ruins have an imposing appearance; they stand
on rising ground, backed by woods, and command an extended view the plain
of Shrewsbury, its town, and castle, and the fine demesne of Sundorne.
From the extent of the ruins it must have been a place of great
magnitude. Of the Abbey Church few remains exist: the south door of the
nave, which opened into the cloister, exhibits an elegant specimen of
Anglo-Norman architecture. The outer walls of the chapter house are in a
perfect state of preservation. The entrance is by a finely ornamented
round arch, with a window on each side, divided into small lights.
Southward of the chapter house are the remains of the refectory, and
beyond it the shell of a noble hall, measuring eighty-one feet by
thirty-six feet. The windows were formerly filled with Gothic tracery.
The ruins of the cloister and abbots’ lodging may also still be traced.
The monastery was founded in the year 1110, by William Fitz Alan, for
canons of the order of St. Augustine. It was richly endowed with lands
by the founder, and other individuals, and had many valuable privileges
and immunities granted by the Popes Honorus III., Nicholas III., Boniface
IX., and Martin IV. The yearly revenues of the abbey at the dissolution
were £269. 13s. 7d., according to Dugdale, and £294. 13s. 9d. according
to Speed. Leland says, “There were an hermitage and chapel on this spot
before the abbey was built.” William Fitz Alan and other members of the
family were buried here.
SUNDORNE CASTLE, a spacious and splendid Gothic mansion, adorned with
battlements and turrets, is situated on a beautiful lawn, amidst the rich
verdure of the adjoining grounds, which are pleasingly diversified with
shrubberies and pleasant walks, and ornamented with a fine sheet of
water, covering upwards of sixty acres. The interior of the mansion is
superbly furnished. The chairs in the drawing room are of ebony, most
elaborately carved. It also contains a remarkably fine antique statue of
Venus. There are some exquisite paintings by Titian, Salvator Rosa,
Rembrandt, Guido, Raphael, Rubens, Wouvermans, and Van Huysum, among
which is the original design for the altar-piece at Antwerp, by Rubens,
and the Holy Family, exquisitely executed by Raphael. The library
contains a valuable and extensive collection of rare books, and the
windows are ornamented with stained glass. Amongst a collection of
antiquities is the chapter roll of Haughmond Abbey, and the seal of the
abbot: the latter was found about thirty years ago, near the ruins of the
abbey. A beautiful sequestered carriage drive, of five miles in length,
leads through the woods of the Sundorne demesne. The kitchen gardens and
vineries are situated at the back of the castle, and cover an extent of
about four acres. The Corbets of Lee removed to Albright Hussey in the
reign of Charles I., and to Sundorne Castle in the middle of the last
century.
DIRECTORY.—Andrew William Corbet, Esq., Sundorne Castle and Pimley House;
Henry Jarvis, butler; Martin King, gardener; John Metcalf, bailiff.
Richard Ford, farmer, Home barns; Elizabeth Latham, farmer; Samuel
Whitehouse, farmer, Haughmond hill.
ALBRIGHTON,
a township and chapelry in St. Mary’s parish, pleasantly situated on the
Shrewsbury and Whitchurch road, three miles N. from the former place,
contains 800 acres of land, of which 90 acres are in woods and
plantations; rateable value, £883. In 1801, there were 58 inhabitants;
and in 1841, 12 houses and 85 souls. Colonel Studd owns all the land in
this township, about two-thirds of which is arable. The soil is various:
in some places a rich loam prevails, in other parts it is not so fertile.
THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, a neat structure in the Elizabethan style, situated
on elevated ground, near the turnpike road, is built of red sand stone,
and has a neat porch on the south side, and a small belfry at the west
end. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £52 per annum. The
income arises from a farm in Wales, which, since the return was made, has
augmented in value. The Rev. George H. Moller is the incumbent, and the
Rev. John D. Letts, B.A., officiating curate. The magistrates hold a
petty session for the Albrighton division the second week in every month,
at the Fox Inn. The Hall, a spacious brick mansion, formerly the seat of
the Ireland family, is now unoccupied. The principal residents in this
township are:—Charles Smallman, farmer, Perrill farm; Richard Yates,
farmer; Ann Brown, victualler, Fox Inn; and Richard Gough, blacksmith.
ASTLEY,
a township, chapelry, and scattered village, five miles N.N.E. from
Shrewsbury. In 1801 had 141 inhabitants, and in 1841, a population of
264 souls, and 55 houses. The township contains 1181A. 3R. 3P. of land,
more than two-thirds of which is the property of John Bishton Minor,
Esq., of Astley House; besides whom, Mr. Richard Minton and Mrs. Wildig
are proprietors. There is also a farm belonging to the trustees of the
charities for St. Chad’s parish. Gross rental £1,936. 13s. 5d. Rateable
value, £1,763. 13s. THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, a neat stone fabric in the
Gothic style, was repaired and beautified in 1837, when a new tower was
added at the west end. The entrance, formerly on the south side,
exhibits the Saxon style of architecture. In the interior is a neat
marble tablet, in memory of the Minor family, of Astley House. A new
font was added at the time the tower was built. The living is a
perpetual curacy, returned at £56, in the patronage of the corporation of
Shrewsbury, and enjoyed by the Rev. William Vaughan. In the church yard
are the following lines, on a grave stone in memory of Rowland Deakin,
who died in 1751, aged 95 years:—
“Many years I’ve seen, and
Many things I’ve known:
Five kings, two queens,
And a usurper on the throne;
But now lie sleeping in the dust.
As you, the reader, shortly must.”
The governors of the Free Grammar School, in Shrewsbury, are the
impropriators of the tithes, which are commuted for £211. ASTLEY HOUSE,
a handsome mansion, beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies, and
pleasantly situated a short distance from the church, is the residence
and property of John Bishton Minor, Esq. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a
chapel in this township, situated on the Hadnal road. The particulars of
the several charities, founded by the will of _Joseph Jones_, in 1729,
will be found noticed with the parish of Atcham. Out of the residuary
rents of the estates, held in trust for the purposes mentioned in the
testator’s will, £10 per annum is applied in educating poor children of
this chapelry, and £6 per annum paid to the minister of Astley chapel,
for reading prayers and preaching in the said chapel every first and last
Sunday in the month, and administering the sacrament four times during
the year. It appears when Mr. Jones made this bequest, that divine
service in Astley chapel was only held every third Sunday in the month.
Minor John Bishton, Esq., Astley House
Adams Edward, farmer
Adams James, farmer
Barker James, shoemaker
Birch William, farmer, Braidway House
Davies Charles, butcher
Dodd William, blacksmith
Hughes John, shoemaker
Minton John, farmer
Minton Richard, farmer
Minton Samuel, farmer
Minton Thomas, farmer
Moreton Ann, butcher
Morgan John, farmer
Oliver Rev. William, Astley Lodge
Powell John, farmer, New House
Stanley Thomas and Richard, brick and tile makers
Williams Richard, provision dealer and victualler, Dog Inn
BERWICK,
a township pleasantly situated two miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury; at the
census of 1841 had 67 houses, and a population of 271 souls. Here the
country has an undulating surface, richly clothed with timber, and
presents many interesting views of picturesque beauty. The estate is now
the property of the Honourable Henry Wentworth Powys. Berwick House is a
handsome mansion, of considerable extent, composed of brick with stone
finishings. It is delightfully situated in a spacious and finely wooded
park; and the immediate vicinity of the house is richly beautified with
shrubberies and pleasure grounds. The iron gates, at the entrance of the
park, are of the most elaborate workmanship; they have a noble and
magnificent appearance, and are said to have cost £1,000. Berwick House
is now the temporary residence of Thomas Hope, Esq.; and Upper Berwick
House, a neat brick structure, is the occasional seat of the Hon. Henry
Wentworth Powys.
A short distance from the hall are the almshouses, erected and endowed in
1672 by _Sir Samuel Jones_. They consist of sixteen tenements, and a
small room for the use of the chaplain, with gardens attached thereto,
and are surrounded by a lofty wall. The yearly income amounts to about
£183. 7s. 6d. per annum, and arises from the following sources:—Nine
acres of land in Castle Foregate, let for £36 per annum; the several sums
of £20, £40, and £80 per annum charged on the Berwick estate; and the
dividends on £245. 18s. 3d. South Sea Annuities. From the sources above
mentioned, each inmate receives about £5. 8s. annually, besides clothing
and coal. The emoluments of the chaplain amount to about £54. 9s. per
annum. Between the almshouses and the hall is the chapel appropriated to
the use of the inmates of the adjacent almshouses. It is a small fabric,
of a primitive appearance, with a tower at the west end, and was built in
1762, on the site of a former edifice which had become ruinous. There is
a free school in the township, supported by the Hon. Henry W. Powys,
where forty scholars are educated. Leaton Knolls, the delightful
residence of John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is just within the bounds of this
township, situated in a picturesque glen, and surrounded with beautiful
shrubberies and thriving plantations.
Powys Honourable Henry Wentworth, Upper Berwick House
Hope Thomas, Esq., Berwick House
Lloyd John Arthur, Esq., Leaton Knolls
Briscoe, Mrs. Mary
Davies John, blacksmith
Davies Samuel, farmer, Cross Green
Gough Edward, farmer
Jones John, wheelwright
Maddox Martha, schoolmistress
Morris Jeremiah, shoemaker
Oakley Thomas, farm bailiff
Roberts Mary, farmer
Roberts Thomas, farmer, Great Berwick
Slinn John, gamekeeper
Vaughan Richard, farmer, Almond Park
CLIVE
is a chapelry in the parish of St. Mary, Shrewsbury, 3½ miles south from
Wem, and eight miles north from Shrewsbury. In 1801 there was a
population of 289 souls, and in 1841 there were 61 houses and 273
inhabitants. The township contains 1370 acres of land, mostly highly
productive; the soil is a mixture of sand and loam, and considered good
turnip land. Rateable value, £2,546 10s. The Duke of Cleveland is the
principal owner and lord of the manor; Mr. Joshua Holmes, George Harding,
Esq., Mrs. Nickson, Mrs. Griffith, and others, are also freeholders. The
village is pleasantly situated on high ground, and commands some pleasing
views of the romantic and rural scenery by which it is surrounded.
THE CHURCH is a plain stone fabric, dedicated to All Saints, and consists
of nave and chancel, with a small turret containing two bells; it is
neatly pewed, and the roof is of groined timber. The pulpit is of white
free stone exquisitely carved, and a new front has recently been added.
The windows on the south side and at the west end were beautified, and
had new mullions introduced in 1849, when other alterations and
improvements were made by the incumbent. The living is a perpetual
curacy returned at £66 in the patronage of the corporation of Shrewsbury;
incumbent, Rev. William Jaudwine, M.A. THE INDEPENDENTS have a small
chapel built in 1844; the congregation is under the pastoral care of the
Rev. David Jones. CLIVE HALL, a plain substantial stone edifice in the
Elizabethan style, was built by Daniel Wycherley, father of the poet
William Wycherley; it is now the property of George Harding, Esq. SANSAW
HALL, the residence of Captain Martin, a handsome and commodious brick
residence, is delightfully situated in park-like grounds, and surrounded
by lawns and shrubberies laid out with great taste and beauty. SHOOTERS’
HILL, another good house delightfully situated, is the property and
residence of Mrs. Griffiths.
Clive is said to have been the birth place of the poet Wycherley, though
some affirm that he was born at Wem. Wycherley was one of the wits and
poets of Charles II., and was born about the year 1640. After receiving
an education at school, he was sent to France, where he embraced the
Roman Catholic religion. A little before the restoration he returned to
England, and entered as a gentleman commoner at Queen’s College, Oxford;
but, being never matriculated, he quitted the university without a
degree, and took chambers in the middle temple. He soon, however,
deserted the law, and following the taste of that dissipated age, devoted
himself to the composition of comedies. His first piece, “Love in a
wood, or St. James’ Park,” made its first appearance in 1672, and quickly
brought its author into notice. He was much esteemed by Villiers, the
witty Duke of Buckingham, and was honoured with the attentions of his
Majesty. His marriage with the Countess of Drogheda proved an unhappy
one. His lady was excessively jealous of him, and though on her death a
few years after, she settled her whole estate on her husband, the title
was disputed, and he became so involved in his circumstances by law
expenses and other incumbrances, that he was thrown into prison. He
remained in confinement about seven years, when James II., going to see
his comedy of “The Plain Dealer,” was so much delighted with it that he
gave orders for the payment of the author’s debts, and granted him a
pension of £200 a year. Wycherley died in 1675, at the age of 75. His
posthumous works in prose and verse were published in 1728.
Abbot James, carrier to Shrewsbury
Cartwright Margaret, schoolmistress
Done Richard, quarry master and bricklayer
Green Hannah, shopkeeper
Griffiths Mrs., Shooters Hill House
Groom William, farmer
Harding Miss Elizabeth, The Hall
Harding Geo., farmer, Hall Farm
Hill Ann, schoolmistress
Huffa George, blacksmith
Huffa Sarah, vict., Three Horse Shoes.
Jones John, grocer, builder, and quarry master
Lea George, farmer, Sansaw farm
Lee Francis, farmer, Hopes.
Martin Capt. Murrey, Sansaw Hall
Massey Thomas Harris, farmer, The Wood
Needham John, farmer
Northwood Richard, farmer
Parker Thomas, shopkeeper and cattle salesman
Parr Lawrence, farmer, Clive farm
Peters Edward, shoemaker
Peters George, tailor
Puliston Mrs. Charlotte
Puliston Francis, farmer
Smith Thomas, quarry master and stone mason
Williams William, wheelwright
Yeomans William, farmer, Holbrook
LEATON
township, four and a half miles N.W. by N. from Shrewsbury, in 1841
contained 60 houses and 245 inhabitants. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is the
proprietor of the whole township, and resides at LEATON KNOLLS, a
beautiful modern mansion, which has been erected about thirty years. The
house stands on the acclivity of a hill, overlooking a romantic glen,
planted with thriving plantations. The grounds are beautifully
diversified with shrubberies and pleasant walks; and in no place in the
county is there to be seen such a fine collection of rare shrubs and
choice forest trees as are to be met at Leaton Knolls. Among the more
remarkable objects is an extensive and valuable collection of the
conifera tribe, with their curious and varied foliage. A short distance
from the house a large plot of ground has been enclosed with a lofty
brick wall, for a kitchen garden, which is now in course of formation.
The house and a portion of the pleasure grounds stand within the bounds
of Berwick township. There is also a neat free school, at the cross of
roads, built in 1828, by John A. Lloyd, Esq., who also pays for the
education of the children, of whom 35 attend. Leaton Hall, now a good
farm residence, was built in 1683. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway
intersects the township, and has a station here. Bomere Heath is partly
in this township and partly in Preston Gobalds.
DIRECTORY.—John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., Leaton Knolls; Thomas Daighton, land
agent, Leaton Lodge; Charles Kynaston, carpenter and beerhouse keeper,
Bomere Heath; Richard Littlehales, shoemaker; John Morgan, schoolmaster;
William Nevett, farmer, Leaton Hall; Oliver Francis, farm bailiff; Sarah
Legh, farmer; John Wilson, gardener to J. H. Lloyd, Esq.; and William
Withers, carpenter.
NEWTON,
a small township, comprising two farms only, is the property of the Hon.
Henry Wentworth Powys, and Richard Betton, Esq., and is situated three
and a half miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. At the census of 1841 there
were 2 houses, and a population of 21 souls. The Shrewsbury and Chester
railway passes through the township. The farm premises of Samuel Davies,
at Cross Green, Berwick, are situated within the bounds of this parish.
The resident farmers are Samuel Davies and Charles Kent.
WOLLASCOTT,
another small township in the parish of St. Mary’s, is situated four
miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. In 1841 there were 4 houses and 23
inhabitants. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., and Lady Tyrwhitt are the land
owners. The occupants of the farms are James Teece and Richard Tonkies.
HADNAL, OR HADNAL EASE,
is a township and chapelry in the parish of Middle, five miles N.N.E.
from Shrewsbury. The village is pleasantly situated on the turnpike road
from Shrewsbury to Chester, and contains some good farm houses and a
commodious and respectable inn. The township contains 814A. 2R. 19P. of
land. Viscount Hill is the principal land owner; besides whom Sir Andrew
V. Corbet, Mr. Charles Woodward, Mr. Joseph Morris, Mrs. Wildig, and
others, are also owners. The population in 1801 was 362; and in 1841
there were 92 houses and 429 souls in the chapelry, and 221 in the
township. Rateable value, £1,119. 16s. 8d. Rent charge, £107. 18s.
THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL is a neat stone edifice, mantled with ivy; it has a
square castellated tower, ornamented with a clock, and the chapel is
surrounded with a spacious cemetery, the margin of which is fringed with
flourishing limes, yews, and fir trees, which give it a pleasing and
rural appearance. In the east window are several fragments of stained
glass, apparently of the date of the erection—the sixteenth century. The
living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the rector of Middle,
and enjoyed by the Rev. William Oliver, of Astley Lodge. In the Liber
Ecclesiasticus the living is returned at £55. The annual value, however,
now is upwards of £70, arising from the sum of £400, royal bounty, and
the moiety of the rent of a farm in the township of Criggion, which was
purchased with money belonging to the livings of Preston Gubbals,
Hanwood, and Hadnal, by the then incumbent, who, in consequence of
enjoying several benefices, was denominated “St. John of the Seven
Churches.” The chapelry contains the townships of Alderton, Hardwick,
Haston, Shotton, and Sneethcott. Rateable value of the chapelry, £5,614.
17s. 9d; acres, 2,418 0R. 20P. The Banasters, a family of considerable
note in former times, had an estate and seat at Hadnal as early as the
time of William the Conqueror. The hall was a spacious mansion of
chequered timber work, and occupied a site near the episcopal chapel.
The moat may still be traced, adjoining the turnpike road. Mr. Hulbert
is of opinion that Hadnal Hall was the place where the Duke of Buckingham
was betrayed by Humphrey Banaster, in 1483, from whence he was taken to
Shrewsbury, and, without trial, beheaded, by command of Richard III.
Thomas Banaster, of Hadnal, was sheriff of the county in 1403.
PROVIDENCE GROVE is a neat house, the residence and property of Mr.
Charles Hulbert, the author and publisher of an elaborate history of the
county, and numerous other publications. On the 7th of January, 1839, an
awfully destructive fire occurred at Providence Grove, and so rapid was
the progress of the devouring element, that all the valuable property,
consisting of a library of more than 3,000 volumes, manuscripts,
curiosities, paintings, furniture, a large stock of new books and
engravings, with the whole of the house, and a great portion of the
houses adjoining, were consumed. The loss to the proprietor was
irreparable, as only the premises were insured, and those at one half of
their value. Mr. Hulbert has now arrived at a good old age, and is
publishing an account of his own life, which he entitles “Seventy Years
of an eventful Life.”
THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, a neat stone fabric, was built in 1832. The
congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. David James.
THE FREE SCHOOL is endowed with £300, bequeathed by Dame Mary Hill, in
1787, who at the same time made the following bequests, viz., £30 towards
building a school-house in Hadnal, £100 to the treasurer of the Salop
Infirmary, the interest of £100 to be distributed among poor persons
residing in Hadnal, the same amount for the benefit of the poor of
Middle, and the residue of her personal estate for such charitable
purposes as she by a codicil to her will should direct. The residue of
the personal estate amounted to £1,305 2s. 5d., in respect of which £30
per annum is paid to a dissenting minister at Hadnal, £14 towards the
support of the school, and £10 to Prees school. These several sums
appear to be the interest of £1,200, at 4½ per cent.; it is stated the
balance, £105. 2s. 5d. was applied in building the school at Weston. In
respect of the £300 bequeathed to Hadnal school, £12 per annum as the
interest thereof is paid to the teacher. It does not appear that any new
trustees have been appointed for carrying into effect the trusts declared
in the will of Dame Mary Hill. The management has therefore continued in
that family.
It is stated in the parliamentary returns of 1786, that Mr. Watkins gave
£15 for the use of the poor of Hadnal. About thirty years ago Sir Andrew
Corbet gave £10, on the marriage of his son, for the same purpose. These
two sums are in the hands of Viscount Hill, and he pays 20s. annually as
the interest thereof.
Birch William, provision dealer
Brittain Mr. Thomas
Brookes Benjamin, farmer
Cooper the Misses, the Academy
Davies John, farmer
Dodd Samuel, blacksmith
Ellis William, farmer
Heath Thomas, provision dealer and boot and shoe maker
Hulbert Charles, author and publisher, Providence grove
James David, Independent minister
Lee William, farmer
Leech John, farmer
Leech Sarah, schoolmistress
Payne Stephen, farmer
Powell John, wheelwright
Preston John, farmer
Walton Ann, vict., Saracen’s head
ALDERTON,
a township and village in the chapelry of Hadnal, three miles N.N.W. from
the latter place, contains 239A. 3R. 37P. of land, the owners of which
are Mrs. Minor, Miss Corbett, and Mr. William Teece. Population in 1841,
twenty-five. Rateable value, £410. 6s. 8d. Rent charge, £54. 5s. The
resident farmers are John Clay, Cornelius Maddocks, and Richard Williams.
The following are resident in the village of Alderton, but situated
within the boundaries of the parish of Broughton, viz.: Joseph Mullinex,
blacksmith; William Sutton, wheelwright; and Richard Williams,
blacksmith.
HARDWICK,
is a small township about a mile north from Hadnal, which comprises 372A.
2R. 1P. of land, the rateable value of which is £551. 6s. 2d.
Inhabitants in 1841, thirteen. Rent charge, £23. HARDWICK HALL, a
handsome mansion delightfully situated in a well wooded park, was the
country seat of that distinguished warrior, the late General Lord Hill,
who greatly improved the hall and pleasure grounds, and erected a
handsome lodge of Grinshill free stone, at the entrance from the
Shrewsbury turnpike road. A more detailed account of this illustrious
commander, who spent his last years amidst the rural beauties of
Hardwick, has been given at a preceding page. The property is now vested
in Viscount Hill, and the Misses Hill reside at Hardwick Hall. Robert
Blantern, Hardwick Grange, is the only resident farmer in this township.
HASTON
township, situated one mile W.W. by N. from Hadnal, contains about 400
acres of good land, the owners of which are Viscount Hill, Wilbraham
Egerton, Esq., and Messrs. Richard and William Boodle Pickstock.
Rateable value of the township, £574. 18s. 6d. Population in 1841, 78,
Rent charge, £62. There are two respectable farm residences in this
place, one of which has recently been built by the Messrs. Pickstock.
The resident farmers are Mr. George Blantern and Messrs. Richard and
William Boodle Pickstock.
SHOTTON,