Hundred, the rest of the parish being returned in Drayton division. The
village is delightfully situated near the verge of Hawkstone Park, four
miles E. from Wem, and in 1841 there were 76 houses and 348 inhabitants.
The township contains 2,210 acres of land, of which 576 acres are in
woods and plantations, and 15 acres in roads. Rateable value, £2645. 4s.
10d. The tithes are commuted for £195. 17s. 6d. Viscount Hill is the
principal landowner and lord of the manor; Philip Hill, Esq., is also a
landowner. The country around Weston is pleasantly diversified with hill
and dale, richly clothed with timber, and the scenery beautifully
picturesque. Here are extensive quarries of free stone, which is much
used for building purposes; blocks of immense size are frequently raised
from the quarries. THE CHAPEL is a neat structure of free stone, with a
tower containing a clock; it was rebuilt in 1791, with funds raised by
subscriptions, towards which Sir Rowland Hill, Bart., gave the munificent
sum of £720. The organ was purchased by subscriptions in 1838, and cost
upwards of £100, of which £83. 2s. were given by various benevolent
individuals, and the remainder was given by General Lord Hill, together
with the communion plate. The font is of Grinshill free stone, and
exhibits some fine workmanship. A neat marble tablet dated 1809
remembers George Downward and his wife Elizabeth. The living is enjoyed
by the Rev. John Hill. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL is a neat modern erection,
with a residence for the teacher, built and endowed by the Hill family,
of Hawkstone, (see charities noticed with Hodnet), 54 boys and 20 girls
attend; the teachers have each a stipend of £20 per annum. THE CITADEL
is a stately pile of building in the castellated style of architecture,
situated on a bold eminence, commanding delightful views, and beautified
with park grounds richly clothed with timber. It is the residence of the
Rev. John Hill, M.A. HAWKSTONE HOTEL is a commodious and handsome
structure elegantly fitted up, and situated near the entrance to the
park. From its contiguity to Hawkstone, the magnificent seat of Viscount
Hill, it is frequented by immense numbers, who annually visit this
delightful locality. WIXHALL is a hamlet in this township, the acres of
which are returned with the parish. Viscount Hill is the chief
landowner; Phillip Hill, Esq.; C. D. Hill, Esq.; J. H. Sandford, Esq.;
Mr. E. Evanson, and Clara Beddow, are also freeholders.
_Those marked * reside at the hamlet of Wixhall_.
* Ashley Ann, The Hall
* Ashley Samuel, farmer
* Ashley Thomas, farmer
Blakeway Richard, coachman
Clewes Richard, grocer, draper, & provision dealer
Denham James, Esq., architect
Evanson Edward, beerhouse keeper
Farnandez Mariano, vict., Hawkstone Hotel
Gill George, Esq., land agent and steward to Lord Hill
Hamer Mrs.
Higginson William, blacksmith
Hill Rev. John, The Citadel
Holding Thomas, Abbey Farm
Izzard Susannah, schoolmistress
Jones John, shoemaker
Lester Samuel, farmer
* Lewis Edward, quarry master
Lewis Samuel, tailor, The Heath
Lewis Thomas, mason, The Heath
Lewis William, mason, The Heath
Massey William, The Berry Farm
Phillips John, shoemaker, The Heath
* Powell Ann, farmer
Robinson Thomas, gamekeeper
Snape John, park keeper
Vigers John, Hawkstone Farm
Watson Joseph, shoemaker
Whalley James, The Hermitage Farm
* Williams Enoch, wheelwright and machine maker
Williams William, schoolmaster
WOLLERTON
is a straggling but pleasantly situated village a little more than a mile
E.E. by N. from Hodnet. At the census of 1841 there were 46 houses and
231 inhabitants; the township contains 1,334A. 2R. 6P. of land, the
principal owners of which are A. C. H. Percy, Esq., Viscount Hill, Walter
Minor, Esq., Mr. Richard Whitfield, Mr. William Massey, Mr. John Beacall,
Mr. Samuel Brayn, and Mr. Thomas Pritchard. There is a small Independent
Chapel with a residence for the minister, situated on rising ground not
far from the turnpike road leading from Hodnet to Market Drayton; it was
built about half a century ago, and will accommodate about 120 hearers;
the congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. Daniel Davies.
The tithes of Wollerton are commuted for £196. 1s. 1d. The township is
watered by the river Tern, on the banks of which there is a corn mill.
DIRECTORY.—Walter Minor, Esq.; Betty Blockley, farmer; Rev. Daniel
Davies, Independent minister; Richard and John Cartwright, farmers,
maltsters, and corn millers; John Hope, wheelwright; Phillip Hughes,
blacksmith; Samuel Hughes, blacksmith; Margaret Icke, beerhouse keeper;
John Lester, farmer; William Massey, farmer; William Massey, jun.,
farmer; James Pickering, cooper; William Powell, farmer.
IGHTFIELD,
a parish and village in the Whitchurch division of the hundred of North
Bradford, four miles and a quarter S.E. by E. from Wem, contains 2,800
acres of land, mostly a strong soil, which produces good crops of grain.
In 1801 there were 209 inhabitants; 1831, 301; and in 1841, there were 70
houses and 361 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,959. The principal
landowners are Lord Kilmorey, Messrs. Corsers, Mr. John Walmsley, Mr.
Isaac Forrester, Miss Morton, Mr. Samuel Lea, the Misses Hinton, Rev.
John Justice, George Harper, Esq., and the representatives of William
Skitt; besides whom there are several smaller freeholders. THE CHURCH,
dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is situated on an eminence, and has a
lofty square tower, ornamented with pinnacles. It is an ancient
structure in the Gothic style of architecture, much delapidated, and fast
falling to decay. The body of the church is divided into two
compartments, and has a pitched roof, supported by octagonal stone
pillars with pointed arches; the caps of the pillars are curiously
carved. The tower contains four bells; and from its summit a most
delightful and extensive prospect over the fertile plains of Shropshire
is seen. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £7. 19s.
4½d., in the patronage of H. Justice, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev.
John Justice, M.A. The tithes were commuted in 1839 for the sum of £657.
16s. 5d., of which the sum of £320 was apportioned to the rector. The
estate of Lord Kilmorey in this parish is tithe-free, but he pays a small
modus, and keeps a portion of the north compartment of the church in
repair. KEMPLEY HOUSE is an ancient residence, and was formerly
surrounded by a moat, which may still be traced.
CHARITIES.—Several sums of money, amounting in the whole to £113, left by
ten several donors, were laid out in the year 1819 in the purchase of
certain premises, for the purpose of converting the same into a
poor-house. The sum of £5. 10s. has been since paid annually as the
interest of the charity money out of the parish rates, and disposed of as
follows:—The sum of £1 is divided annually among poor widows of this
parish; 18s. are expended in penny loaves, and distributed every Sunday
amongst poor old persons most constantly attending the church; and the
residue is distributed among the most necessitous poor of the parish, in
sums varying from 4s. to 8s.
Bentley William, farmer, The Heath
Bentley William, jun., farmer
Blackmore John, farmer
Burgess Geo., farmer, Dairy House
Dickin Robert, farmer
Ebrey John, butcher
Gresty William, maltster and farmer
Haynes Thomas, tailor
Heath John, farmer
Hinton John, farmer and butcher
Jones Elizabeth, farmer
Justice Rev. John, M.A., The Rectory
Langford Enoch, shoemaker
Langford Joseph, bricklayer
Langford Joseph, victualler, Lamb Inn
Shelley John, farmer, The Hall
Shucker William, blacksmith
Skitt Wm., farmer, Kempley
Tyler Thomas, shoemaker and parish clerk
Wainwright John, shopkeeper
Walmsley Samuel, farmer
Wharton John, shopkeeper
Wiggin Richard, farmer
Williams Richard, beerhouse-keeper and blacksmith
Wilson George, wheelwright
Wilson John, wheelwright
Worrall Josh., farmer, Yew-tree House
LEE BROCKHURST
is a small parish and village, two miles and a half S.E. from Wem, in the
Whitchurch division of the hundred of North Bradford. In 1801 there was
a population of 137 souls; 1831, 151; and in 1841 there were 31 houses
and 165 inhabitants. The parish contains 564A. 2R. 21P. of land, of
which 216A. 3R. 36P. are arable, 75 acres meadow, 10A. 2R. sheep walks,
61A. 2R. woods and plantations, and about eleven acres in gardens and
homesteads. Of the total acreage 374A. 3R. 23P. are titheable, and the
remainder tithe-free. Rateable value, £588. 11s. 3d. The principal
landowners are Viscount Hill, John H. Walford, Esq., Mrs. Brooks, and
Samuel Long Waring, Esq. The tithes are commuted for £74; John H.
Walford, Esq., is the impropriator. The turnpike road from Whitchurch to
Newcastle intersects the parish, which is bounded on the south-east and
south west by the river Roden, the stream being crossed by two stone
bridges. At Lee Bridge there is a respectable and commodious inn, the
Corbet Arms; near to which are immense rocks of red sandstone, the soil
on the summits of which is planted with fir and other timber trees. On
the top of one of these rocks a tower has been erected, from which a most
extensive and picturesque view of the country is obtained. The whole
district has a bold undulating surface, finely wooded, and the scenery
towards Hawkstone, the fine domain of Viscount Hill, is truly
magnificent. An OBELISK has been erected by the tenantry of Besford and
Lee Bridge, as a token of esteem and respect to their landlord, Sir
Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., and to commemorate the coming of age of his
eldest son, Vincent Rowland Corbet, Esq., August 11th, 1842. It bears
the following inscription:—
“May there be Corbets and Hills this obelisk to pass,
So long as time and it doth last.”
A bath has been cut out of the red sandstone rock, which is supplied with
an abundance of fine spring water. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Peter,
is a plain unpretending structure of venerable appearance; the interior
is neatly pewed, and consists of nave and chancel, and contains a small
gallery. A neat tablet remembers John Henshaw, Esq., and there are
several tombs in the church-yard in memory of the Heatleys. The living
is a perpetual curacy, returned at £74, in the patronage of John H.
Walford, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. William Walker. The parish
register is in good preservation, and dates from the year 1566. Near the
church is a barrow or tumuli, where it is stated human bones have been
found.
DIRECTORY.—Mrs. Brookes; Miss Harris; Samuel Heatley, farmer, The Hall;
John Holding, shopkeeper and shoemaker; William Ikin, farmer, Cranberry
farm; Mary Ikin, schoolmistress; Richard Powell, farmer; Richard Powell,
jun., farmer; the Misses Skitt; William Staples, huntsman to the
Albrighton Subscription Hunt, and victualler, the Raven and Hand and
Corbet Arms.
MORETON CORBET
is a village and parish seven miles N.N. by E. from Shrewsbury, and four
and a half miles south-east from Wem. The parish contains the township
of Moreton Corbet and part of the townships of Preston Brockhurst and
Besford, and comprises 2,140A. 1R. 17P. of land, of which 200 acres are
in woods and plantations. In 1801 there was a population of 180 souls;
in 1831, 679; and in 1841 there were 37 houses and 226 inhabitants.
Rateable value, £2,765. 8s. Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., is lord of
the manor, impropriator, and owner of the whole parish. The land is of a
superior quality; the soil is a mixture of sand and loam. There is a
fine breed of sheep kept here, and several of the farmers have large
flocks. The tithes have been commuted for £400. The township of Moreton
Corbet contains 607A. 3R. 1P. of land, of which 214 acres are woods and
plantations.
MORETON CORBET CASTLE stands a short distance from the church, and
presents a noble pile of ruins, magnificent in decay. A considerable
portion of the walls is still standing, but its roof has been many years
demolished. In early times it was the stately mansion of the Corbets.
Several dates may be discovered in different parts of the building, but
the date of its erection is uncertain; it is probable that only a portion
of the original design was ever completed; and it has by no means the
appearance of having been intended for a fortress, for the windows are
large, and unlike those of castles in general. It was garrisoned in 1644
by the parliament against Charles I. The king having possession of
Shrewsbury and several places in the neighbourhood, the parliament sent
part of the garrison from hence against Shrewsbury, which soon after
surrendered to their forces. This castle is said to have been partly
burnt during the civil wars, since which it has gradually sunk into
insignificance and dilapidation. The present noble owner is descended
from an ancient and honourable family, who have been seated in this
county from the time of the conquest, when Roger Corbet held large
possessions under the Earl of Shrewsbury. Sir Vincent Corbet was created
a baronet in 1641, whose descendant, Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart.,
now resides at Acton Reynald. Mr. Blakeway gives the following tradition
of the Pilgrim of Moreton:—“The real progenitor of all the Shropshire
Corbets had but one son that we know of, William, who left issue. Ebraid
and Simon occur as granting lands in Wentnor to the Abbey of Shrewsbury,
but we know nothing of them. William Corbet is stated to have made
Wattlesborough his residence, and no doubt dwelt in that ancient castle,
of which, however, there are no remains so old as his age. He had three
sons, Thomas Corbet of Wattlesborough, Robert of Caus, and Philip.
Several circumstances concur to show that the former was the eldest,
though Robert became much the more considerable personage. A tradition
still subsists that the heir of Moreton Corbet went to the Holy Land, and
was kept in captivity so long that he was supposed to be dead. In
consequence of this his younger brother engaged to marry, that he might
continue the line. On the morning of his marriage, says the tradition, a
pilgrim came to the house to partake of the hospitalities of that festal
occasion. After dinner he revealed himself to the assembled company as
the long-lost elder brother; but when the bridegroom would have
surrendered the estate, he declined the offer, and desired only a small
portion of the land, which he accordingly received. Such incidents are
related of other families, and were perhaps not unfrequent in a romantic
age; and some were doubtless feigned. I am inclined to think the present
has a basis of truth, for we are assured that Thomas Corbet of
Wattlesborough went beyond sea, and left his lands in the custody of his
brother Robert; and this may have given rise to the tale I have just
related. The primogeniture of Thomas is established by the armorial
bearings of his posterity,—the single raven. The descendants of Robert
bore two such—a proof that they were a younger line; but they were barons
of the realm, an elevation never attained by the Wattlesborough branch:
and Caus, the seat of their barony, appears to have been carved out of
the elder line, Westbury, where it lies, having been granted by Earl
Roger to their progenitor, Roger, son of Corbet. All these coincidences,
with the tradition above mentioned, afford it some support. Moreton,
indeed, has in this case been made prematurely the scene of the
transaction.”
THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, is a handsome structure of free
stone, in the decorative style of English architecture, with a square
tower. The interior has a very beautiful and chastened appearance, and
the tablets and monuments to the Corbet family exhibit some very
elaborate workmanship. A monument to Vincent Corbet, the third baronet,
who died in 1670, is richly decorated with festoons of oak leaves, finely
executed in marble. The four corners are held up by ravens, in allusion
to the armorial bearings of this ancient family, and surmounted by their
crest, the elephant and castle. The latter is said to have been the
armorial bearings of the Scottish Oliphants, one of whom was taken
prisoner by a Corbet, in a war between the two kingdoms. The livingis a
rectory, valued in the king’s book at £5. 3s. 6d.; now returned at £376;
in the patronage of Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., and incumbency of
the Rev. Robert F. Wood, M.A., who resides at the rectory, a good
residence situate near the church. There are 39A. 2R. 26P. of glebe
land. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL, a spacious stone building, is supported by
Sir A. V. Corbet. About eighty children attend. The poor of this parish
are entitled to a yearly sum of £1. 5s., the gift of _Andrew_ and
_Elizabeth Downes_, which is now paid out of certain lands in Ollerly
lane, in the manor of Wem. Various benefactions left for the benefit of
the poor, in the whole amounting to £86. 5s., were formerly placed out at
interest; but in 1821 the amount was laid out in building some cottages
for the poor, upon land rented for this purpose by the parish officers.
The parishioners having found that no benefit had been derived from the
use of these houses, prevailed on Sir Andrew Corbet to take the land with
the cottages thereon, and to repay them the sum they had expended, which
was again put out at interest for the benefit of the poor.
The principal residents in Moreton Corbet are Eleanor Bennett, school
teacher; Robert Broughall, farmer; John Harris, farmer; John Harris,
jun., farmer; Mrs. Ann Henshaw, the Castle; Richard Henshaw, the Castle
Farm; William Lawley, blacksmith; Rev. Robert Faulkner Wood, M.A., the
Rectory.
PRESTON BROCKHURST
is a scattered village and township, partly in the parish of Shawbury,
and partly in the parish of Moreton Corbet, three and a quarter miles
south-east from Wem. At the census of 1841 there were 21 houses and 138
inhabitants, of which 2 houses and 17 persons were returned as in the
parish of Shawbury, and the remainder in this parish. The township
contains 1,482A. 1R. 23P. of land, much improved by superior cultivation.
The village is delightfully situated on the turnpike road from Shrewsbury
to Hawkstone; the vicinity has a bold undulating surface, richly wooded,
and pleasingly diversified with rural scenery. Sir Andrew Vincent
Corbet, Bart., is lord of the manor and sole proprietor. THE HALL is a
fine specimen of ancient architecture, with projecting gables and bay
windows, and was in early times the seat of a branch of the Corbet
family. It is lofty and spacious, and entered by a fine old porch, above
which is a watch tower; the whole has a venerable yet interesting
appearance. The interior contains some fine specimens of elaborate oak
carving; the entrance hall is of panelled oak, and the antique staircase
is also of oak, of massive and beautiful workmanship, the whole of which
is in excellent preservation. PRESTON WOOD covers an area of 204A. 1R.
20P. acres of land.
Brayne Richard, farmer, the Hall
Darlington Thomas, vict., the Elephant and Castle
Deakin James, butcher
Edwards William, farmer, Bridleway-gate
Evans John and Son, blacksmiths and agricultural implement makers
Evans John, farmer, Shawbury house
Huxley Richard, farmer, the Grove
Lewis Thomas, maltster and vict., Corbet Arms
Morgan Mr. Thomas
Snape Thomas, shopkeeper and gamekeeper
Travar John, sawyer
Travar Richard, joiner and cabinet-maker
Travar Samuel, wheelwright and van proprietor
Windsor Thomas, farmer, Wainhouse
MORETON SAY, OR MORETON SEA,
is a parish which comprehends the townships of Betchley, Longford,
Moreton Say, Styche, and Woodlands, and contains 4,804A. 1R. 30P. of
land, of which 53A. 2R. 13P. are woods and plantations, roads, and waste;
the soil for the most part is a strong tenacious clay: in other parts a
fertile loam prevails. In 1801 the parish contained 683 inhabitants; in
1831, 679; and in 1841, there were 126 houses and 770 inhabitants.
Rateable value of the whole parish, £5,299. 8s. Rent charge, £645. The
middle and the northern verge of the parish bordering on Cheshire,
present a bold undulating surface, and from the high grounds a most
beautiful prospect of the surrounding country may be seen. Richard
Corbet, Esq., and John Tayleur, Esq., are joint lords of the manor. The
village of Moreton Say is pleasantly situated three miles west from
Market Drayton, and in 1841 had 42 houses and 202 inhabitants. Rateable
value of the township, £1,928. 11s. The population are chiefly employed
in agricultural pursuits, and the land in this locality has been greatly
improved by draining and superior cultivation. The principal landowners
are John Whitehall Dod, Esq., M.P.; the Earl of Powis; and John Tayleur,
Esq. THE CHURCH is a venerable fabric, with a tower surmounted by a
wooden turret. The structure underwent a complete reparation in 1788, at
a cost of £386. 8s., which was raised by private subscriptions. The
chancel is ornamented with a beautiful stained glass window, of exquisite
workmanship. The walls of the chancel are decorated with implements of
war, taken by the late Lord Clive in his campaign through India; there
are also six beautifully designed marble tablets, in memory of the
predecessors of Lord Clive, of Styche Hall; a fine tomb of elaborate
workmanship, with three full sized figures in a recumbent posture,
remembers the Grosvenors of Eaton, and is dated 1619. A beautiful mural
monument, chastely executed, has been erected in commemoration of John
Bostock, Esq., who died in 1623. There is also a tablet of curious
workmanship in memory of Elizabeth Rotton, with others to the Corser,
Redshaw, Woolley, and other families. In the churchyard is a magnificent
altar tomb of marble, to the memory of Sir John Markham, who died in
1778. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the rector
of Hodnet, and enjoyed by the Rev. Robert Upton, M.A. The tithes have
been commuted, and £555 apportioned to the rector of Hodnet, and £90 to
the incumbent of Moreton Say. There are 48A. 2R. 39P. of glebe land.
The parsonage is an ancient structure a short distance from the church.
There is a school here, which is chiefly supported by the minister and a
few benevolent individuals.
In the parliamentary returns of 1786 several sums of money are mentioned
as having been given to the poor of this parish, amounting in the whole
to £199. 10s., which sum is stated to have been laid out in the purchase
of £250 stock in the four per cents. There is reason to question the
accuracy of this statement, as we find that most of the charities
recorded (many of which do not exceed £5) are supposed to have been
distributed as soon as received. There was, however, a close called the
Poor’s Field, containing about seven acres, the rent of which was given
away to the poor; but whether this field was purchased with any part of
the charities bequeathed to the parish, or derived from any other source,
is not now known. This field was sold about seventy years ago, with the
consent of the parishioners, by the churchwardens and overseers, to
Archdeacon Clive, the then incumbent of Moreton Say, who gave for it £250
stock in the four per cents., producing £10 a year, being the rent at
which the close was then let. The dividends of this stock now amount to
£8. 15s., with £1. 5s. added from the poors’ rate, to make up £10, is
expended in bread, and given away among poor persons attending divine
service at the church.
DIRECTORY.—Francis Grocott, farmer, Calverhall; Johnson and Moore,
farmers, Styche farm; William Lea, farmer and corn miller; Samuel Minor,
farmer, Moreton Hall; William Overton, farmer, Higgins Wood; William
Parker, farmer, the Wood; Thomas Peplow, farmer; Rev. Robert Upton, M.A.,
the Parsonage.
BETCHLEY
is a township and scattered village, pleasantly situated one mile south
from Moreton Say, which in 1841 had 16 houses and 101 inhabitants.
Rateable value, £684. 16s. The acres and tithes are included in the
returns given of the parish. The Earl of Powis and George Corser, Esq.,
are the landowners. The soil is mostly a cold clay, but has been much
improved by draining and by freely using bone-dust as a fertilizer.
The principal residents are Thomas Baker, farmer; Mrs. Cartwright,
farmer; William Humphreys, farmer; and Samuel Sharratt, farmer,
Oldfields.
LONGFORD,
a township and village, delightfully situated on elevated ground, two
miles S.E. by E. from Moreton Say, in 1841 contained 53 houses and 262
inhabitants. The land produces good crops of wheat and barley, and there
is some fine grazing land; the soil is chiefly strong. The Market
Drayton, Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, and Newport turnpike roads intersect the
township. The scenery around is beautifully varied and picturesque.
Gross estimated rental, £1,537. 14s. John Tayleur, Esq., is lord of the
manor and a landowner; besides whom the Rev. Thomas Henshaw Jones, Mr.
Charles Warren, Mr. Samuel Hudson, Richard Corbet, Esq., John Hazledine,
Esq., and others are also proprietors.
DIRECTORY.—George Harding, Esq., estate agent and steward to Richard
Corbet, Esq., Tern Hill House; Joseph Harris, farmer; Samuel Harris,
farmer; John Hazledine, Esq., Tern Hill; John Hill Stephenson, farmer;
Samuel Hudson, farmer; Joseph Johnson, blacksmith and victualler, the
Lion; Joseph Sillitoe, farmer, Tern Hill; James Wood, beerhouse-keeper.
STYCHE AND WOODLANDS,