and the Baschurch and Wem turnpike roads, two miles E. from Baschurch,
and five miles S.W. from Wem. The township contains 1,324A. 0R. 14P. of
land, and in 1841 had 35 houses and 172 inhabitants. Rateable value,
£1,604. The soil is various; in some parts a cold clay prevails, and in
other places there is a loamy soil, with a mixture of gravel. The
principal landowners are R. C. Vaughan, Esq., Thomas Woodfield, Samuel
Lee, Robert Leeke, John Menlove, Esq., William Sparling, Esq., The
Corporation of Shrewsbury, Thomas Dickin, Esq., Mr. John Platt, Mr.
Nicholas Robinson, Mr. Peter Shingler, and Mr. Peter Shingler, jun.;
besides whom there are several smaller proprietors. BURLTON GREEN is a
plot of waste land, containing two acres, the herbage of which is claimed
by the freeholders. There is also a considerable tract of woodland in
this township. A court leet and baron is held yearly at the Coach and
Horses, by the lord of the manor, Robert C. Vaughan, Esq. The
jurisdiction of the court embraces the following townships,
viz.:—Burlton, Balderton, Eyton, Fennymere, Frankton, Stanwardine-in-the
Field, and Walford. About four-fifths of the township is tithe free; the
residue has been commuted; the vicarial for £17. 12s., and the rectoral
for £50. 19s., of which £28. 8s. are paid to Messrs. Shingler and Son,
and £22. 11s. to Thomas Bulkeley Bulkeley Owen, Esq. The manor, tithes,
and estate of Burlton were granted by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of
Shrewsbury, in the reign of William the Conqueror, to the Abbey of St.
Peter and St. Paul, in Shrewsbury, in the possession of which house it
remained till the dissolution of monastic institutions in the time of
Henry VIII. In the reign of Elizabeth we find it possessed by one
Griffith. It then passed to the family of Lawley, of whom was Sir Edward
Lawley, K.B., who, dying, left an only daughter, named Ursula. She
married, first, Sir Robert Bertie, K.B., and secondly, George Penruddock,
Esq., who thus became possessed of Burlton. This gentleman, taking an
active part in the wars of King Charles and the Parliament, and being a
zealous royalist, his manor, as did many others in the kingdom, changed
its owner, and became the property of Captain Arthur Chambre, in whose
family it has remained to the present time, and now belongs to his
descendant, Robert Chambre Vaughan, Esq., who resides at BURLTON HALL, a
very ancient mansion, embosomed in foliage. The greater part of the hall
was built about the year 1420; having become much dilapidated, it was
thoroughly repaired and beautified during the year 1837. It is
handsomely furnished, contains some beautiful paintings, and curious
cabinets of the most elaborate workmanship.
Adams Edward, farmer
Baker Joseph, blacksmith and shopkeeper
Baker Robert, beerhouse keeper
Beamont Thomas, farmer, The Coppice
Brown James, farmer, The Grove
Cheshire Thomas, blacksmith
Dean George, fish-net maker
Desert Joseph P., farm bailiff
Dodsworth George, farmer, Wood farm
Done William, shoemaker
Fletcher Richard, shopkeeper
Griffiths Thomas, police officer
Moorehouse Henry Charles, tailor & draper, and victualler, Coach and
Horses Inn
Pearce Robert, farmer and maltster, The Wood
Platt John, farmer, The Mill
Pickstock Seth, gentleman
Sadler James, farm manager
Sadler Joseph, farm manager
Sadler Thomas, farmer
Shingler Peter, farmer, The Grange
Vaughan Robert Chambre, Esq., The Hall
Williams Joseph, farmer
NONELEY, OR NUNNELEY,
is a township in Loppington parish, having a scattered population,
situated about a mile and a half south from the church. The township
contains 931A. 0R. 29P. of land, and in 1841 had 19 houses and 107
inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,018. 10s. The tithes have been
commuted, and £37. 7s. apportioned to the Vicar of Loppington; £11. 16s.
to the Vicar of Baschurch; and £97. 18s. to Peter Shingler, Esq., the
impropriator. The principal landowners are Mrs. Margaret Noneley, Rev.
John Evans, Thomas Dickin, Esq., Mr. George Clay, Mr. George Harris, Mr.
William Groom, Rowland Hunt, Esq., Mr. John Brayne Gregory, Mr. Robert
Betton, D. F. Atcherley, Esq., and Vernon Dolphin, Esq.
DIRECTORY.—_Farmers_: John Davies Bentley; Robert Betton; Samuel Brayne;
Thos. Brown; Thomas Harris, The Hall farm; John Higgins; Evan Jones, and
maltster; William Jones; Mary Morgan, Ruewood; George Tunnah; John
Vernon; George Wall; Thomas Weaver; and William and Richard Webb, The
Shaws. Thomas Astley, boot and shoemaker. Arthur Austin, blacksmith.
MIDDLE
is a considerable parish, partly in the Ellesmere division of the hundred
of Pimhill, and partly in the Albrighton division, the former
comprehending within its bounds the townships of Balderton, Marton,
Middle, and part of Sleap; and the latter the chapelry of Hadnal, which
consists of the several townships of Alderton, Hadnal, Haston, Hardwick,
Shotton, and Smethcott. The entire parish contains 6,902A. 3R. 27P. of
land. Mostly a fertile soil, it presents a fine agricultural district,
with an undulating surface, interspersed with woods and plantations, and
every agreeable feature in landscape beauty. The woods and plantations
cover 55A. 3R. 19P. of land. The parish includes the celebrated
eminences of Pimhill and Harmour Hill, from whence a most delightful and
varied prospect of the country is seen. In 1801 there was a population
of 1,141 souls; in 1831, 1,205; and in 1841, 1,330 inhabitants. Rateable
value, £4,943. The Duke of Cleveland and the trustees of the late Duke
of Bridgewater are joint lords of the manor. The village of Middle is
pleasantly situated on an acclivity of red sand-stone rock, on the line
of the Shrewsbury, Chester, Ellesmere, and Holyhead turnpike roads.
These roads are, however, now but little traversed, the railroads having
diverted the greatest portion of the traffic. There are some good houses
in the village, which has a straggling appearance; and in the immediate
vicinity there are several respectable family residences. The township
contains 2,179A. 2R. 15P. of land, the soil of which in some parts is a
cold clay, in other parts it is more fertile. In 1841 there were 87
houses and 456 inhabitants. Rateable value, £2,240. The principal
landowners are the trustees of the late Viscount Alford, William Henry
Bickerton, Esq., William Teece, Esq., Mr. John Chilton, Mr. Edward Birch,
Edward Edwards, Esq., and J. A. Lloyd, Esq.
MIDDLE CASTLE.—Of this ancient baronial fortress there are but few
vestiges remaining. Lord John L’Estrange, in the time of Edward I.,
obtained licence to make a castle of his house at Middle, which lay less
exposed to the incursions of the Welsh than his castles of Knockin and
Ruyton. The castle was two stories high, with a flat roof, and some part
of the walls were remaining about the year 1640. These were in a great
measure destroyed by an earthquake in 1688. It was a quadrangular
structure, with a square court inside, and was surrounded by a moat. The
moat is yet very perfect, and filled with water; but the castle is
completely demolished, except a tower and a few fragments of the walls.
These existing vestiges were recently put in a state of repair, by order
of the late Viscount Alford. On the east side of the castle, there was a
piece of ground of about half an acre, surrounded by a moat. The
entrance to this piece was by a gatehouse, which stood near the
north-east corner of the castle moat, and near it was a drawbridge over
the moat. In the 3rd of Edward III., John L’Estrange had a grant of free
warren, the view of frankpledge and waif, in this manor. A settlement
made by Richard L’Estrange may be found in the chancery rolls in the 18th
of Henry VI. After the death of this family it descended to the Derby
family, and William Dod was appointed constable or keeper; and after him
Sir Roger Kynaston was, by commission, keeper of Middle and Knockin
castles. Upon the decease of Sir Roger, his son Humphrey (who, from his
dissolute and riotous mode of life, was called Wild Humphrey) was tenant
here. On his being outlawed, he left Middle Castle, which he had
suffered to become ruinous, and went and took up his abode in a cave,
near Nesscliff, which to this day is called Kynaston’s cave.
THE CHURCH, which is dedicated to St. Peter, was rebuilt about a century
ago, with the exception of the tower, which was erected in the year 1634.
It consists of two aisles and a chancel, and exhibits the debased style
of English architecture. Two handsome windows were put into the chancel
about a year ago, in the decorated style, at the expense of Mrs. Egerton,
widow of the late rector, the Rev. Thomas Egerton, to whose memory the
east one is dedicated. The windows are richly beautified with stained
glass, by Wailes, of Newcastle. There are several neat memorials in the
church to the Atcherleys, Bickertons, Kynastons, and others. It is
neatly pewed with oak sittings, and the whole has a chaste and orderly
appearance. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £12.
7s. 3½d., now returned at £1,003, in the patronage of the trustees of the
late Viscount Alford, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Henry Egerton, M.A.,
who resides at the Rectory, a delightfully situated mansion, beautified
with pleasure grounds and shrubberies. The rectory was rebuilt in 1747,
by Dr. Egerton Leigh, the then rector. Subsequent additions have from
time to time been made. The tithes have been commuted for £345. 19s. 6d.
There is a PAROCHIAL AND INFANT SCHOOL in Middle, in which upwards of 100
children are educated. They are chiefly supported by the rector, by whom
the infant school was established. The Middle Friendly and Benefit
Society has 107 enrolled members, and a capital stock of £675. 15s. 11d.;
besides which, there is the Middle Old Friendly Society, and a branch of
the Oddfellows, which have a considerable number of members.
CHARITIES.—_William Gough_, in 1669, devised his lands, subject to the
payment of £5 per annum, on the 25th of December, to the minister and
churchwardens of Middle, to be applied in putting forth poor children
apprentices. _Richard Newton_ left a rent charge of 12s., issuing out of
the Newton estate, to be given in bread to the poor on the second Sunday
in the month. This gift, and the yearly sum of 25s., paid out of the
poor’s-rate, are applied in the purchase of bread, and distributed every
Sunday. This 25s. is supposed to be paid as the interest of some charity
money applicable to this purpose, and carried to the account of the
parish. The same sum has been paid from the year 1786. _Thomas
Atcherley_, by will, 1680, devised a rent charge of 24s. per annum,
payable out of certain lands in Baschurch parish, to be given to the poor
of Middle on Easter Monday. There is a plot of land, consisting of about
three-fourths of an acre, which is let for 30s. per annum, and the amount
is distributed by the churchwardens every Easter Monday, with the sum of
16s. 6d., paid from the parish-rates, as the interest of money supposed
to have been given for charitable uses, and carried to the account of the
parish. There are ten other bequests, which are stated to be vested in
the parish, amounting altogether to £70. If the £24 paid for the
purchase of the above mentioned land be deducted from that sum, there
will remain £46, which is supposed to have been taken to the account of
the parish, and for which the two sums of £1. 5s. and 16s. 6d., paid as
above stated, would be interest at 4½ per cent.
The _Rev. Thomas Watkins_ left to the poor of this parish not receiving
parochial relief, the sum of £20. _Richard Watkins_ left £30 for the
like purpose. _John Mansell_ gave £10 to the poor. The three sums above
mentioned amounting to £60, are secured on the Ellesmere House of
Industry, by bond, bearing date 19th February, 1793. The interest is
distributed among the most necessitous poor of the parish. The poor are
entitled to partake of the benefit of _Dame Mary Hill’s_ charity, noticed
with the chapelry of Hadnal. _Francis Henry Earl of Bridgewater_, by his
will, bearing date August 29th, 1828, gave to the overseers and
churchwardens of the parish of Middle £2,000, to be laid out by them in
the public funds, and the dividends thereof to be expended by the rector
for the time being for the benefit and relief of the poor of Middle,
including Hadnal. The dividends amount to £65 per annum, which is
chiefly appropriated by the present rector to a clothing club, the poor
receiving the addition of the charity to their savings.
POST OFFICE.—_At Mr. William Parry’s_. Letters arrive from Shrewsbury at
8.30 A.M., and are despatched at 5 P.M.
Bate Abigail, farmer, Hollins
Bickley Joseph, farmer
Birch Thomas, farmer
Brisbourne William, farmer
Cheshire Jane, blacksmith and victualler, Blacksmiths’ Arms
Chilton John, wheelwright
Davies Thomas, farmer
Done John, boot and shoemaker
Eaton William, tailor
Egerton Rev. George Henry, M.A., The Rectory
Fardoe Samuel, boot and shoemaker
Fox John, farmer
Grice James, shopkeeper and boot and shoemaker
Griffiths Mary, dressmaker
Hignett Samuel, maltster
Hodnett John, tailor
Humphreys Sarah, farmer
Jones Edward, grocer and provision dealer
Majoribanks Sir John, Bart.
Majoribanks Miss Mary
Majoribanks William, Esq.
Madeley Thomas, farmer
Marsh Henry, farmer
Nisbet Rev. John Majoribanks, curate
Paddock Richard, farmer
Parry Emma, infant school teacher
Parry Sarah, girls’ school teacher
Parry William, postmaster and victualler, Lord Alford’s Arms
Parry William, parish clerk, registrar, and perpetual overseer
Pritchard William, gentleman, Grove Place
Rees John, farmer
Rogers John, tailor, The Wood
Sharrow Jesse, schoolmaster
Wilkes Thomas, wheelwright
William Richard, farmer
BALDERTON
is a small township in the parish of Middle, comprising 714A. 2R. 24P. of
highly productive land, with an undulating surface, well wooded. It is
situated a little to the north-east of Middle, and in 1841 had six houses
and 26 inhabitants. Rateable value, £787. The Duke of Cleveland is lord
of the manor. The principal freeholders are the Rev. Thomas Staniforth;
John Arthur Lloyd, Esq.; Thomas Dickin, Esq.; William H. Bickerton, Esq.;
the trustees of the late Lord Alford; Mrs. Price; and Peter Shingler,
Esq. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a neat stone chapel at Webscott lane.
The tithes of Balderton are commuted for £124. 9s.
The principal residents are Francis Lee, farmer; Rev. Thomas Staniforth,
The Hall; and James Young, farm bailiff.
MARTON
is a township in the parish of Middle, one and a half mile north-east of
Baschurch, which contains 921A. 0R. 16P. of land, and in 1841 had 28
houses and 134 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,023. The farm houses
have here a respectable appearance, and the farms are of considerable
extent. The Shrewsbury, Ruyton, Middle, and Loppington turnpike roads
intersect the township. The principal landowners are the Duke of
Cleveland; the trustees of the late Viscount Alford; David Francis
Atcherley, Esq.; Miss Feaston; and Thomas E. Horseman, Esq. The tithes
are commuted for £135. 12s. MARTON HALL is an ancient mansion, the
residence and property of David F. Atcherley, Esq., whose ancestors were
seated here at a very early period. The house is pleasantly situated,
and stuccoed; it is surrounded by park-like enclosures, which are richly
wooded, and there is a fine pool of water on the verge of the grounds,
which covers a surface of 45A. 2R. 15R. There are three outlets from the
pool, which are well stocked with fish.
Atcherley David Francis, Esq., The Hall
Boliver John, cooper
Davies Edward, farmer, Martin lane
Evans John, land agent
Griffiths Geo., clock maker & general dealer
Horseman J. F. Esq., The Wood
Roberts Thomas, farmer, The Wood
Shingler Thomas, farmer
Wall George, farmer
NEWTON-ON-THE-HILL
is a scattered village, salubriously situated on an eminence, seven miles
north from Shrewsbury. The township contains 669A. 3R. 2P. of land; and
in 1841 there were 63 houses and 265 inhabitants. Rateable value, £893.
The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Viscount Alford;
Richard Palin Bickerton, Esq.; William Henry Bickerton, Esq.; Mr. Richard
Whitfield; Edward Edwards, Esq.; and Thomas Watkins, Esq. THE
INDEPENDENTS have a neat stone chapel, built in 1833, at a cost of about
£700. There is a residence for the minister attached to the chapel. The
congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. George Rogers, who
admits a limited number of youths into his residence as boarding
scholars. There is a Sunday school in connection with this place of
worship. A small cemetery adjoins the chapel. HARMER HILL is a
delightful eminence, which commands a fine view of the rich agricultural
district with which it is surrounded. The situation is highly
salubrious, and the vicinity is beautified with several respectable
residences. Near to this place is PIMHILL, distinguished as having given
name to an important section of the county. It is clothed with thriving
fir trees to its very summit, and is a conspicuous object for many miles
round.
_Those names with_ * _affixed reside at Harmer Hill_.
* Barlow Thomas, farmer and vict., Bridgewater Arms
Bickerton William Henry, Esq., The Hill House
* Boliver John, wheelwright
* Carr Robert, mason and quarry master
* Carr Robert, gamekeeper
* Cooke William, mason and quarry master
Garmston Seth, farmer
* Harris Jane, shopkeeper and vict., Red Castle
* Harris Mrs. S., farmer
Leech George, shopkeeper
* Marsh John, butcher
* Pearce John, medicine vendor (Ploughman’s drops)
* Rogers Rev. George, Independent minister and boarding school proprietor
* Walmsley Robert, farmer
MONTFORD
is a parish and pleasantly situated village on the banks of the river
Severn, five miles N.W. from Shrewsbury. The parish of Montford contains
the townships of Montford, Endson, and Forton, having conjointly 2,937
acres of land; and in 1801, 456 inhabitants; 1831, 566; and in 1841, 102
houses and a population of 490 souls. Rateable value, £3,519. 10s.
There is a fine sheet of water in this parish, covering 47 acres. The
river Severn is crossed by a noble and substantial stone bridge, and
hence Montford is usually called Montford Bridge. The London and
Holyhead turnpike road intersects the township, which contains 987A. 2R.
of land. Rateable value, £1,308. 5s. The soil is a mixture of loam and
sand, and highly fertile. At the census of 1841 Montford township is
returned as containing 92 houses and 434 inhabitants; but there is no
separate return made of the township of Forton, which contains 19 houses.
THE CHURCH is a venerable fabric, consisting of nave and chancel, with a
square tower, in which are three bells. The chancel and the body of the
church were re-built in 1737. The living is a vicarage, valued in the
King’s book at £4. 18s. 6d.; now returned at £246; in the patronage of
the Earl of Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. George Arthur Clive, M.A.
The vicarage is a good residence of brick, about a quarter of a mile from
the church. It was built in 1842, and being lofty, has an imposing
appearance. There is a free school in the village, which is chiefly
supported by voluntary subscriptions. The Earl of Powis is lord of the
manor and proprietor of the whole township. The houses on the south side
of the river at Montford Bridge are partly in Bicton and partly in
Montford. There is a branch post office at Mr. Jones’s, Swan Inn,
Montford Bridge.
Clive Rev. George Arthur, M.A., The Vicarage
Austin Thomas H., farmer
Bowen John, constable
Davies Richard, basket and fish net maker
Davies William, basket maker
Dawson Thomas, farmer and vict., Powis Arms
Edwards John, basket maker, assistant over-seer, registrar for the
Montford district, and collector of rates for the townships of Montford,
Shrawardine, Ensdon, and Forton
Groom Ann, Post Office
Jones William, vict., The Swan, Montford bridge
Mansell Timothy, schoolmaster
Mathews Stephen, farmer
Matthews Thomas, farmer
Randles John, blacksmith
Thomas John, shopkeeper
Till William, farmer
Wilding Edward, farmer
ENSDON,
township in the parish of Montford, six miles W. by N. from Shrewsbury,
contains 983 acres of land, and in 1841 had ten houses and 56
inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,138. 10s. The soil is a mixture of clay
and sand; the whole township is the property of the Earl of Powis.
ENSDON HOUSE, the residence of Evan Bowen, Esq., is a handsome and
pleasantly situated brick structure, in the Elizabethan style of
architecture. The farm premises are conveniently arranged, and of
considerable extent. A steam apparatus has been provided to prepare the
food for cattle, and various other appliances for economising labour.
Mr. Bowen farms more than a thousand acres of land. BEAM HOUSE farm, the
residence of George Benjamin Cureton, is provided with extensive out
premises, and the farm is of considerable extent.
Bowen Evan, Esq., Ensdon House
Bowker Samuel, farmer
Cureton George Benjamin, farmer, Beam House
Edwards John, farmer and farrier
Gough Lucy, farmer
Gouch Thomas, farmer
Hughes William, blacksmith
Minton Mrs., farmer
Nunnerley John, shoemaker
Till Thomas, farmer and gamekeeper
FORTON,
a township in Montford parish, with a scattered population, six miles
N.W. from Shrewsbury, contains 966 acres of land, chiefly arable, the
soil of which is a mixture of sandy loam and clay. Rateable value,
£1,072. 15s. The Earl of Powis is the principal landowner and lord of
the manor. Mrs. Middleton is also a proprietor. The tithes have been
commuted, and £76 apportioned to the Earl of Powis, and £61 to the vicar
of Montford. There are several large farms here, and the homesteads are
provided with conveniently-arranged out-premises. There was no separate
return made of this township at the census of 1841.
Cadman John, farmer and builder
Crane Edward, farmer
Edwards John, wheelwright
Jones Thomas, wheelwright
Middleton Margaret, farmer
Mansell John, farm bailiff to Mrs. Middleton
Minton Samuel, farmer, Forton Hall
Onions John, sawyer and joiner
Price Thomas, maltster, The Heath
PETTON
is a small parish, six miles S.E. by S. from Ellesmere, and twelve miles
N.N. by W. from Shrewsbury, comprising 822A. 1R. 16P. of land, and in
1841 had five houses and 39 inhabitants. Rateable value, £978. A
century ago the Petton estate was held by John Chambre, Esq., who died in
1752, and left three daughters co-heiresses, Hannah, Rebecca, and Mary.
Hannah married a Mr. Corbet, Rebecca died unmarried, and Mary married
John Hill, Esq., of Prees, afterwards Sir John Hill, of Hawkstone, and
grandfather to the present Viscount Hill. Mrs. Hill’s moiety of the
estate was sold to her sister, Mrs. Corbet, by whom and her husband the
whole estate was alienated, about the year 1794, to John Sparling, Esq.,
merchant, of Liverpool, father of the present proprietor, William
Sparling, Esq., who resides at PETTON HALL, a handsome stuccoed mansion
of considerable extent. It is approached by a lofty portico, supported
by stone pillars, and in the front of the mansion are beautiful pleasure
grounds and shrubberies, which open into a park of considerable extent,
having a fine undulating surface, richly wooded with noble timber, and
occasionally studded with thriving plantations. The kitchen gardens and
vineries are extensive, and highly productive. THE CHURCH, situated near
to the Hall, is a plain brick structure, consisting of nave and chancel.
The interior has a chaste and neat appearance. The reading desk and
pulpit were the gift of Mrs. Sparling; they are of dark oak and
elaborately carved; the altar is also of oak, beautifully carved. There
are neat tablets to the Chambre and Morris families, and a beautifully
designed memorial to two members of the family of Sparling, who were cut
off in their early years. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s
book at £3. 4s. 2d.; now returned at £142; in the patronage of the Lord
Chancellor, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Cunliffe, M.A. The Rev.
George Walker is the curate.
DIRECTORY.—William Sparling, Esq., The Hall; Captain Charles Sparling,
The Hall; William Sparling, jun., Esq., The Hall; Miss Sparling, The
Hall; Thomas Davies, gardener; Thomas Drury, coachman; Richard Danneley,
groom; Henry Smith, house steward. _Farmers_: Edward Johnson, The Grange
Farm; Thomas Shingler Wakley.
SHRAWARDINE,