the hundred of Pimhill, bounded on the north by the river Severn, six
miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, and 13 S.E. from Oswestry. In 1801 there
were 186 inhabitants; 1831, 189; and in 1841 there were 34 houses and 196
souls. The parish contains 1,903 acres of land. The Earl of Powis is
the landowner. Rateable value, £2,798. THE CHURCH is a plain Gothic
structure, dedicated to St. Mary, which stands upon an elevated site,
overlooking a fine undulating district, covered with fruitfulness, and
richly clothed with timber. It contains a small but fine-toned organ,
the gift of Earl Powis, and the Rev. Isaac Frowd, the rector of
Shrawardine, in 1832. It is expected ere long that the unsightly tower,
which is of wood, will be taken down, and one of stone, of a more
ornamental character, added in its place. There are several neat tablets
in the chancel to the Newlings, and others; and a brass memorial
remembers Martha Botevyle. It also contains an antique old font. The
living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £9. 12s. 6d.; now
returned at £380; in the patronage of Earl Powis, and incumbency of the
Rev. George Arthur dive, M.A.; curate, Rev. John Norgreave Baker. The
following account of Shrawardine is copied from an old parish register
book, now in the possession of the curate:—“In the time of our unnatural
broil and unhappy wars that were between the king and his parliament,
Shrawardine Castle was made a garrison for the king, September 28th,
1644. Sir William Vaughan, colonel, was made governor of it. This
garrison was the head quarters of all his forces. Whilst this garrison
continued the church and chancel were pulled down; the outbuildings of
the castle, the parsonage house, with all edifices thereto belonging, and
the greatest, fairest, and best part of the town were burnt, for the
safety, as it was pretended, of the garrison. In this firing, the
register book, with many books of the minister, were burned. Shrawardine
chancel was thrown down on St. Matthias’ day, February 24th, 1644. The
church was pulled down on Whit Sunday eve, June 8th, 1645. The town was
burnt on Midsummer eve and Midsummer day, 1645. The garrison was
cowardly surrendered up to the parliament forces under the command of
Colonel Hunt, Colonel Lloyd, and Mr. Charlton, after five days’ siege;
and within less than a fortnight after all the timber of the castle, and
much goods that were in it, were all consumed with fire, upon a sudden
report that Sir William Vaughan was coming to surprise it. Afterwards
the stone work was pulled down, and carried to Shrewsbury for the
repairing of the castle there, and the making of Rousal wall, standing on
the Severn side. The church was re-built by a voluntary collection
through the county, in the year 1649. In the meanwhile the parishioners
assembled for the worship of God in the castle stables.” The chancel of
the church was rebuilt in 1722. Oliver Cromwell, shortly after the
castle was taken, ordered its destruction, at which period he dismantled
and destroyed a great number of the ancient baronial fortresses. The
castle stood near to the church; the remains of it consist of mere
fragments of mortar and rough stones. It was anciently the seat of the
Fitz Alans, and subsequently of the Bromleys. It is now the property of
Earl Powis, who is also a considerable owner of land in this district.
THE HALL FARM HOUSE is an ancient structure, occupied by Mr. James Crane.
The farm premises have been newly erected, upon a commodious and
conveniently arranged plan. SHRAWARDINE CASTLE is a modern building of
red freestone, and being situated on elevated ground, commands a most
delightful and picturesque view of the adjacent country. There is a fine
sheet of water, covering several acres of land, in the vicinity of the
castle. The castle farm contains 506 acres. The farm premises are of
considerable extent, most admirably arranged, and furnished with all the
modern appliances for agricultural purposes. Thomas Bowen, Esq., is now
the occupant. _Joseph Jones_, by his will, bearing date 30th September,
1729, reciting that he had in his hands £30 belonging to the poor of
Shrawardine, which was intrusted to him by the family of Bromley, of Holt
Castle, to be put out to interest, and the amount yearly expended in
coals for the poor. Mr. Jones, to secure the legacy, charged certain
premises with the payment of 30s. per annum, and this amount is now paid
out of an estate which was subsequently given by Mr. Jones to the poor of
Atcham, subject to the above rent-charge.
Asterley John Nightingale, farmer
Baker Rev. John Norgreave
Bowen Thomas, farmer, The Castle
Bowen Even, farmer, Buckley
Bryne Edward, wheelwright
Crane James, farmer
Edwards John, parish clerk
Jones James, shopkeeper and shoemaker
Onions Mary, farmer
Plimley Henry, farmer
Price John, blacksmith
WELSH HAMPTON
is a parish and village in the Ellesmere division of the Pimhill hundred,
pleasantly situated three miles east from Ellesmere. This parish lies on
the northern verge of the county, adjoining Flintshire, in Wales. At the
census in 1801, there was a population of 373 souls, in 1831, 532; and in
1841 there were 118 inhabited houses, four uninhabited, and 569
inhabitants. The parish contains 2,970 acres of land, the soil of which
is various; in some places it is highly fertile, and in other parts of an
inferior quality. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late
Earl of Bridgewater, Charles K. Mainwaring, Esq., Mr. Samuel Reeves, Mr.
Richard Thomas, Mr. James Smith, Mr. Thomas James, Joshua Lewis Menlove,
Esq., Mr. Thomas Grindley, Mr. Richard Evans, Mr. William Hewes, Mr.
Thomas Williams, Mr. Thomas Baleman, Sir John Hanmer, Mr. Thomas
Speakman, Lord Kenyon, Mr. William Williams, Mr. William Cartwright, Mr.
John Price, and Mr. William Stant; besides whom there are several other
small proprietors. The living of the church is a perpetual curacy,
valued in the king’s book at £6, now returned at £139; in the patronage
of Charles K. Mainwaring, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. George S.
Master.
Lane Mary, schoolmistress, Hampton Wood
Lawrence Mr. Thomas, Hampton House
Master Rev. George Streyncham
Speakman Thomas, assistant overseer
Thomas John, parish clerk
Warwick Emma, schoolmistress
Windsor Mrs. Jane, Hampton Wood
Blacksmith.
Marth Clay, Hampton Wood
Boot and Shoemakers.
Dodd John
Harris Edward
Kynaston John
Ralphs Matthew
Sproston William
Stant William
Butcher.
Morgan Thomas
Carpenter and Joiner.
Hatton Thomas
Farmers.
Bowen John
Brigg John Bishop
Cooper John
Cook Mary
Downward Peter
Edge Joseph, The Roe
Grindley Mary
Harris John
Holbrook John
Hughes William
Jones John
Lewis Thomas
Lewis William
Oakley Edward
Pay John
Phillips Joseph
Price John
Speakman Thomas
Stant William
Williams Edward, The Fields
Woodall Mary
Grocers & Provision Dealers.
Davies John
Peate Edward
Inns and Taverns.
Red Lion, William Sproston
Royal Oak, Wm. Williams
Sun, Thomas Hatton
Maltsters.
Edge Joseph
Jones John
Stay Makers.
Hughes Jane
Lloyd Sarah Ann
Tailors.
Deakin Benjamin
Trevor Thomas
Wheelwrights.
Jones John
Lloyd William
Speake Thomas
THE NORTH BRADFORD HUNDRED.
The hundred of North Bradford is bounded on the north by Cheshire, on the
east by Staffordshire, on the west by the hundred of Pimhill and the
Albrighton division, and on the south by the hundred of South Bradford.
There is a considerable extent of land in this hundred which is highly
fertile, and the cheese, which is extensively made, is said to be quite
equal in quality to the celebrated Cheshire cheese in the adjoining
county. The soils are various. The meadow lands in general produce a
rich herbage, and the arable lands are seen covered with luxuriant crops
of grain. The scenery is rich and beautiful, and in some places highly
picturesque. The land in most parts is pleasingly diversified with
gentle undulations, and in some places there are considerable
inequalities of surface and bold swells, interspersed with rising
plantations and woody scenery, which add to the beauty of the prospects.
In this hundred is found superior clay for making bricks, marl for
improving the land, and peat or turf for firing. The hundred is divided
into the Drayton Division, Wem Division, and Whitchurch Division, and at
the census of 1841 contained 5,428 inhabited houses, 204 uninhabited, and
26 houses building, with a population of 27,971 souls.
_The Drayton Division_ contains the parishes and townships of Adderley,
Bearstone, Betton, Betchley, Bolas Little, Cheswardine, Chipnall, Childs
Ercall, Drayton Magna, Drayton Parva, Dorrington, Eaton, Goldstone,
Gravenhanger, Hinstock, Hodnet (part of), Hawkstone, Hopton, Kenstone,
Longslow, Losford, Longford, Marchamley, The Morrey, Moreton Say,
Norton-in-Hales, Ollerton, Peplow, Sambrook (part of), Sowdley, Spoonley,
Sutton, Styche and Woodlands, Stoke-upon-Tern, Woodseaves, Wollerton,
Westanswick, and Woore.
_The Wem Division_ contains the parishes and townships of Acton Reynold,
Aston, Besford, Cotton, Edgbolton, Edstaston, Horton, Lacon, Lowe and
Ditches, Moreton Corbet, Muckleton, Newtown, Northwood, Preston
Brockhurst, Shawbury, Sleap (part of), Soulton, Tilley and Trench,
Weston-under-Redcastle, Wem, Wolverley, Wytheford Magna, and Wytheford
Parva.
_The Whitchurch Division_ contains Alkington, Ash Magna, Ash Parva, Black
Park, Broughall, Booley, Calverhall or Corra, Chinnell, Darliston,
Dodington, Edgeley, Fauls, Harcourt, High Hatton, Hinton, Hollyhurst,
Ightfield, Lee Brockhurst, Mickley, Millenheath, Moston, Prees, Tilstock,
Sandford, Steel, Stanton-upon-Hine-Heath, Whitchurch, Whixall, Willaston,
Woodhouses New, and Woodhouses Old.
ADDERLEY
is a parish and small rural village, four miles N.N.W. from Market
Drayton, which contains 3,938A. 2R. 38P. of land, and comprehends the
townships of Adderley, The Morrey, Spoonley, and part of Shavington. In
1801 there were 365 inhabitants in the parish; in 1831, 468; and in 1841,
64 houses and 404 inhabitants. The township of Adderley, in 1841,
contained 48 houses and 297 inhabitants. Rateable value, £3,096. 10s.
Though now an inconsiderable village, it was in early times of sufficient
importance to become a market town. In the 9th of Edward II.,
Bartholomew Badlesmere had a charter for keeping a market on a Thursday,
at his manor of Adderley, and a fair on the eve, and the day and the
morrow after the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, with the privilege of
free warren. The manor and estate were afterwards carried in marriage to
William Lord Roos, who died in the Holy Land, without issue. Thomas Lord
Roos died on his journey thither. John Lord Roos died on his journey to
Jerusalem. His son, Thomas Lord Roos, for his fidelity to the
Lancasterian interest, was attainted in the parliament 1st of Edward IV.,
and the manor was seized by the king. Richard Corbet, Esq., and the Earl
of Kilmorey are the principal landowners. THE CHURCH is a neat
structure, dedicated to St. Peter, and consists of nave, chancel,
transept, and side chapel. The tower is dated 1732, and the body of the
church was rebuilt in 1801. On the north side is the Kilmorey chapel and
family vault, the windows of which are ornamented with armorial bearings
in stained glass. There are several neat tablets in memory of this
family, one of which contains the following inscription:—
Sacred to the memories of
Robert Viscount Kilmorey and Frances Viscountess Kilmorey,
daughter of Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, Bart., of Combermere Abbey.
Their conjugal felicity, during an union of twenty-seven years,
knew no interruption, felt no decline.
The blow which severed them on earth
was mercifully healed by an early reunion in heaven;
and their mortal remains were together consigned
to the vault beneath, on the 7th day of December,
A.D. M,DCCCXVIII.
There is also a brass plate, with representations of one of the Earls of
Kilmorey, his lady, and the figures of seven boys and two girls, in fine
preservation, dated 1556; near to which is another brass plate, with the
mutilated figure of a person in priestly vestments. The church-yard is
ornamented with several fine yew trees, and the ancient font has been
placed in the church-yard, and converted into a sun dial. The living is
a rectory, in the patronage of the Cotton family, and incumbency of the
Rev. William Cotton. The Rev. Leonard Slater is the officiating curate,
and resides at the Rectory; a good residence, a little north from the
church. ADDERLEY HALL, a handsome stuccoed mansion, with centre and
wings, is approached by a noble portico, and is the seat and property of
Richard Corbet, Esq. It is beautified with pleasure grounds and
shrubberies, and stands in a well wooded park, ornamented with a fine
sheet of water.
CHARITIES.—_The Rev. Robert Adams_, in 1719, devised certain lands, in
trust, for charitable uses, which then produced a yearly income of £13.
12s. per annum. The donor directed £8 to be paid by the rector, vicar,
and churchwardens of Muccleston, Adderley, and Drayton, alternately, on
the 25th of March every year, for the setting a poor boy or girl yearly
apprentice; the yearly sum of 30s. to be paid for the instruction of
children in Adderley; the same sum for the like purpose in Muccleston;
and the sum of 52s. to be expended in bread, and distributed to the poor
who should attend divine service in the parish of Adderley. The estate
now produces a yearly income of £35. 12s.; and the whole of the clear
rents, since 1815, have been applied to the charitable uses mentioned in
the will. The same person also bequeathed £20, to be placed out at
interest, and distributed among the poor of the parish of Adderley.
There is no evidence to show how this legacy has been applied.
_Thomas Reynolds_, in 1725, devised a messuage at Walkerton, near
Wybunbury, in Cheshire, to apply one moiety of the rents and profits
thereof, for the benefit of the poor of Adderley; and the other moiety
among the poor of Dodcot-cum-Wilksley, in the parish of Audlem. The
premises at Walkerton were subsequently sold for £1,050; and in 1814 the
amount was placed in the hands of Sir Corbet Corbet, on the security of a
messuage in Staffordshire-street, Market Drayton, and certain lands
situated in Betton-lane, subject to redemption on the payment of £1,050,
and lawful interest for the same. The yearly sum of £42 is now received
from the trustees, under the will of Sir Corbet Corbet, by the
churchwardens of Adderley, and one half is transmitted to the overseers
of Dodcott-cum-Wilksley; and the other moiety is distributed among the
poor of this parish, in sums varying from 5s. to 10s.
_Thomas Viscount Kilmorey_, by will, 1766, charged his whole estate with
the payment of £1 per month, to be laid out in bread, and distributed
among the poor every first Sunday in the month, in the parish church of
Adderley.
_Thomas Clayton_, in 1760, left £100, and directed the interest to be
expended in bread for the benefit of the poor. This money was invested
in the purchase of £131. 7s. 3d. three per cent. consols, and the
dividends, amounting to £3. 18s. 8d., are applied by the churchwardens in
the purchase of bread, which is distributed every third Sunday in the
month amongst seven poor widows.
Corbet Richard, Esq., Adderley Hall
Burgwin William, gardener, The Hall
Burrows Hester Maria, boarding school
Campell Archibald, farm bailiff, The Hall
Duckers John, farmer, The Lees
Groucott John, farmer
Hudson Thomas Heath, farmer
Kemp John, farmer, Pool farm
Lee Robert, shoemaker and parish clerk
Lowe John, shoemaker
Malem Thomas, farmer
Massey William, victualler, The Raven Inn
Moore George, shopkeeper and blacksmith
Moore John, farmer, Adderley Lodge
Moore Thomas, farmer
Pearce Richard, farmer
Roberts John, lime burner; Ellis Wynne, agent
Simons John, blacksmith
Slater Rev. Leonard, B.A., The Rectory
SPOONLEY,
a small township two miles N. from Market Drayton, at the census of 1841
contained 12 houses and 82 inhabitants, the acres of which are included
in the return of Adderley. Rateable value, £1,421. 1s. Richard Corbet,
Esq., is owner of the whole township, and lord of the manor. The poor of
this township participate in the benefit of the charities noticed with
Adderley. The principal residents are John Hudson, farmer, Castle Hill;
William Lewis, farmer; Thomas Mulliner, farmer; and Richard Swan, farmer.
SHAVINGTON, OR THE MORREY,
is a township four miles N.W. from Market Drayton, partly in this county
and partly in that of Cheshire, situated on the northern verge of
Shropshire. In 1841 there were three houses and 25 inhabitants returned
as within the bounds of this county, and in the parish of Adderley.
Rateable value £1,541. 9s.; the acres are given with the parish. The
Earl of Kilmorey is owner of the land, and lord of the manor, and
occasionally resides at SHAVINGTON HALL—a spacious and elegant mansion of
brick, surrounded with a park richly wooded, and beautifully adorned with
sylvan beauty, comprising upwards of fifteen hundred acres. The noble
owner enlarged the park, and began to enclose the whole with a brick wall
several years ago—upwards of five miles of the wall has already been
built; the park is about seven miles in circumference.
DIRECTORY.—The Earl of Kilmorey, Shavington Hall; John Gregory, Esq.,
steward, Shavington Hall; James Lunt, farmer, The Morrey; and Richard
Vernon, farmer, The Morrey.
CHESWARDINE
is a parish and village delightfully situated near the N.E. verge of the
county, four miles S.S.E. from Market Drayton. The parish comprehends
the townships of Cheswardine, Chipnall, Goldstone, Sambrook, and Sowdley,
and contains 5,723A. 3R. 4P. of land. In 1801 there was a population of
628 souls; 1830, 1051, and in 1841, 1015. The township of Cheswardine
contains 1,715A. 3R. 10P. of land, and in 1841 had 71 houses and 367
inhabitants. Rateable value, £2,989. 10s. 9d. In the time of King Henry
II. Cheswardine was held by John L’Estrange by knight’s service, and in
the 32nd of Edward I. Roger L’Estrange had the grant of a market to be
held on a Monday, and a fair on the eve, the day, and the day after the
translation of St. Swithin. Sir John Mainwaring, knight, was keeper of
the park of Cheswarthyn in the 13th of Edward IV. The church is an
ancient structure, dedicated to St. Swithin, and consists of nave,
chancel, and side aisles, with a tower, in which are six musical bells,
which were put up, and also a new clock, about two years ago; from the
summit of the tower a most extensive and beautiful prospect of the
country is seen. The clock and the bells were purchased with money
raised by voluntary subscriptions, and the gallery on the west side of
the church was erected at the joint expense of John Butter, of Sowdley
Park; William Butter, of Chipnall, and Richard Meeson, of Little Sowdley.
There is a mural tablet in memory of the Rev. Samuel Orpe, who was vicar
of this parish for 56 years; he died in 1724, aged 86 years. A small
memorial of brass remembers Gabriel Lloyd, who died in the year 1623, and
another brass plate states that Richard Jervis died in the year 1688.
The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £5. 6s. 8d., now
returned at £260, in the patronage of T. Smallwood, Esq.; the Rev.
Charles Miller is the officiating curate. This church was anciently held
by the abbot of Haughmond, having been given to the Abbey by John
L’Estrange in the time of Henry II. He also gave to the abbey the mill
at Cheswarthyn, with the appurtenances. Queen Elizabeth, in the 26th of
her reign, devised the tithes of the parish to Richard Corbet, Esq. On
the western verge of the parish there is an open common, covering an area
of about 100 acres. The Shropshire Union Canal intersects the parish,
taking its course through some deep cuttings about a mile west from the
church; on the banks of the canal there is a wharf called the Goldstone
Wharf. The National School for boys was built in 1838; there is also a
girl’s school, which was erected in 1738.
CHARITIES.—The girls’ school was originally built by Richard Smithiman,
and in 1738 it was rebuilt by the parishioners.
_Richard Meeson_, in 1712, left the yearly sum of £4, to be applied by
the ministers and churchwardens of the parish, as an additional salary to
the schoolmaster there, for instructing four poor boys in the English
tongue, for so many years as the minister and churchwardens should think
fit.
_John Sawdley_ left to the poor of this parish £100. The churchwardens
have been in possession of several closes at Foxbrook, in the parish of
Dilhorne, in Staffordshire, from the year 1721. Altogether there are
about ten acres, and it would appear from entries in the churchwarden’s
book, that this property was purchased with the legacy above mentioned,
but the purchase deeds are not now in the possession of the parishioners.
The land is let at a yearly rent of £12.
Several sums of money, amounting in the whole to £172, left at different
periods, and by various donors, were held by the churchwardens in trust
for the poor of the parish, previous to 1754; in that year the sum of
£155 was laid out in the purchase of an estate in the parish of Hinstock,
comprising between eight and nine acres, which now produces a yearly
income of £20. The rents of the above two charities are received by the
churchwardens, and the amount, with the produce of other charities, is
given away on the Friday before the first of July, and on St. Thomas’s
day, in wheat to the poor parishioners in quantities varying from two
gallons to a bushel.
_Richard Jervis_, by will, 24th July, 1688, gave to the poor of
Cheswardine parish £10, to be disposed of at the discretion of his
executors. The yearly sum of 10s. has been paid in respect of this
legacy. The last payment was made by Cresswell Pigott, Esq., as executor
of Henry Z. Jervis, who was the personal representative of the donor.
For two years previous to the Charity Commissioners publishing their
report nothing had been received, in consequence of a suit in the Court
of Chancery having been instituted respecting the estate of Mr. Jervis.
An affidavit was sworn by one of the churchwardens in support of a claim
to this legacy.
_Francis Butler_, by will, 1694, gave a rent charge of £2 10s. per annum
for the benefit of the poor of Cheswardine parish. The property from
which this gift is payable is situate in the township of Chipnall, and
was part of the estate of the late Henry Zachariah Jervis, whose property
became the subject of a suit in the Court of Chancery, as already
mentioned.
In the parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated that Sarah Sambrook
left 2s. 2d. per month, to be given to the poor in bread. A distribution
of bread takes place on the first Sunday in every month, in respect of
this charity, and the amount, £1. 6s. per annum, is paid by the owner of
Sowdley Park farm, upon which the payment appears to be charged.
In the parish books in which the distribution of charities is entered
from 1721 to 1767, there is a memorandum stating that John Butter gave to
the poor of this parish three dozen of bread on Good Friday, in respect
of the legacy left by John Bold, of Great Sawdley. The last entry to
this effect is in 1760, and we have not met with any proof of bread
having been distributed on Good Friday since that time.
_William Goodall_, who died in 1808, left £10 to the poor of the parish,
and John Goodall, who died in 1826, left the like sum for the same
purpose; 20s., the interest of these legacies, are expended in bread and
given amongst the most deserving poor.
There is an estate in Sowdley, the rents of which have been applied from
time immemorial in aid of the church rate. The estate consists of two
closes called Denway Croft and Ames Field, and two other closes
containing altogether about eight acres and a half, which is let at a
yearly rental of £14. 14s. There are also two cottages, with gardens,
let by the overseers for the use of poor persons, at the yearly rental of
£3. The rents are applied in aid of the church rates, and in paying the
interest of £150 borrowed towards the erection of the new church.
POST OFFICE.—At Mr. Henry Bates.
Arkinstall William, tailor
Bate Edwin, butcher
Bate Henry, parish clerk and schoolmaster
Bayley Mr. Edward, surgeon, &c.
Beeston James, grocer and druggist
Beeston William, maltster & beerhouse keepr
Boffey Samuel, tailor
Challenor John, corn miller
Cooper George, shoemaker
Edge Samuel, beerhouse keeper & maltster
Goodall John, farmer
Green Samuel, draper and tea dealer
Hoole John, farmer
Hudson Thomas, Esq., Cheswardine Hill Hall
Hughes Theodore Alfred, plumber & glazier
Hurst Mr. John