Oakengates, noted for the extensive iron works of Messrs. Horton, Simms,
and Bull, and the iron works and collieries of the Lilleshall company.
WOODHOUSE is situated three miles N.W. from Shiffnal. WOODSIDE, a
township three miles N.E. from Shiffnal, at the census of 1841 had 72
houses and 360 inhabitants. This is an extensive farming district, which
comprises 4,086 acres of land, of which 324A. 2R. 26P. are in woods and
plantations. Rateable value, £5,592. The Marquis of Stafford, Mrs.
Botfield, Major Moultrie, Rev. John Brooke, Rev. Townshend Brooke, and
Mr. Thomas Langley, and others, are landowners.
CHARITIES.—SHIFFNAL FREE SCHOOL. The earliest mention that we find of
this school is contained in the will of _John Aron_, dated 5th July,
1595, in which subject to certain contingencies he gives the sum of £20
towards erecting a school house in Shiffnal. From the will of _Gordian
Strowbridge_, dated 22nd November, 1626, it appears that a school house
was there “erected and set up” in the town, in which eight poor scholars
were instructed to read and write under the auspices of the testator; and
for the continuance of which number therein, after his death, he provides
by a legacy of £50. But contemplating the possibility of a cessation of
the school in the house which had been so erected, he in that event
appoints the interest of the legacy to other uses, one moiety to be given
to any schoolmaster who should teach a school either in the town or
parish. An uncertain or temporary interest in the building which had
been there erected would sufficiently explain the grounds of the
testator’s apprehension that the school might cease to be kept in it; and
we are led to believe that such was the nature of the interest which the
charity at that time possessed, from the testimony which we find
subsequently recorded on the benefaction table, that “John Careswell, in
1652, gave the sum of £10, with which he purchased the school house for
the use of the inhabitants of the town and parish of Shiffnal.” It is
probable, therefore, from this recorded purchase, that we are to derive
the title to the school house which the town and parish now enjoy;
although a later date seems to be assigned to the present building or
some part of it, by an inscription in the year 1682, which appears upon
one of its walls. Of the legacy given by Gordian Strowbridge we do not
find any further mention, but it is supposed to have formed a part of the
consolidated charities hereafter mentioned.
_Sir Humphrey Briggs_, _Bart._, by deed dated 9th November, 1652, granted
to certain trustees all the tithes of corn, grain, and hay, coming within
the titheable places of the township of Hem, on trust for the security of
the payment, among other things, of the sum of £1. 13s. 4d. out of the
profit of the premises to the schoolmaster of Shiffnal.
_Eliazer Careswell_, by will, 1675, gave to certain trustees an annuity
or rent charge of 48s., to be for ever issuing out of a tenement and
lands within the manor of Shiffnal, and directed the same to be paid half
yearly to some schoolmaster or schoolmistress for the education of six
poor boys. The sum of £2. 4s. is all that is at present paid in respect
of this annuity, nor do we find that more has been received for a
considerable period. It seems probable that the 4s. were deducted under
the provisions of the land tax act.
CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES.—_Robert Sidney_, in 1677, in consideration of the
sum of £200, which money had been given by ten several donors for
charitable uses, granted a rent charge of £10 per annum, to be issuing
out of his manor of Grindle, as to 10s. of it for the payment of the
Tenstree rent, the residue thereof to be applied in apprentice fees, and
other charitable uses. On the 15th August, 1761, at a general meeting
held in the parish church, the vicar, churchwardens, overseers, and
others, signed a written declaration in the parish book, testifying that
they thereby assigned the annuity so charged for the use of the
schoolmaster in consideration of his teaching six additional children to
read and write. In consequence of this proceeding the master has since
continued to receive this annuity, which, with the respective annuities
of £1. 13s. 4d. and £2. 4s., constituted the whole of his income down to
the year 1816, in which year it was resolved to adopt the national system
of education, and with the interest of a legacy amounting to £4. 10s.,
and funds raised by subscriptions, the annual income now amounts to about
£40.
_Careswell’s Exhibitions_.—The particulars of this endowment will be
found noticed with the account of the free grammar school at Bridgnorth,
where it will be seen that three scholars of the free school at Shiffnal
are eligible to exhibitions at Christ College, Oxford. It does not
appear that the free school, properly so called, has ever participated in
the benefit of these exhibitions, not having at any time included
classical instruction in its course of education. But it seems that the
practice has been to elect the exhibitioners from a private classical
school kept in the town of Shiffnal—a practice probably grounded upon the
provision which extended the benefit of the endowment to scholars not
free of the school. We conceive (observe the charity commissioners) that
the true meaning of that provision was to include the private scholars of
the master of the free school, and not the scholars of any other school,
having no connection or communication with the free school. Such,
however, as far as we can trace it, appears to have been the character of
the classical school to which we have alluded, into which if any scholars
were ever admitted from the free school, it was not as free scholars, but
on payment of the same price, and subject to the same conditions that
were required from the other scholars. It appears indeed that the master
of this school received a formal appointment as classical tutor of the
free school from the minister, trustees, and principal inhabitants of
Shiffnal; but he was at the same time exempted from affording any tuition
or discharging any duties towards the free school, other than preparing
for Christ Church such exhibitioners as came forward as candidates
agreeably to the provisions made for them in Mr. Careswell’s will. The
duty, therefore, which he thus engaged to perform, appears to have been
simply to receive and instruct such of the free scholars of the free
school as should be able to pay that price, and comply with these
conditions. We cannot but think that a more important benefit to the
free school was contemplated by the founder of these exhibitions, who in
extending the benefit to scholars not free of the school, probably
intended to provide for a classical master such a source of remuneration
from private scholars as should entitle the free scholars gratuitously to
participate in the advantages of his instruction.
_Richard Bennet_, in 1794, bequeathed £100 upon trust, and directed the
interest or proceeds thereof to be paid to the master of the free school.
The interest, £4. 10s., is now paid to the master of the national school.
_Beatrice Jobber_, in 1716, bequeathed £200, and directed the interest to
be applied in clothing and instructing six poor children, daughters of
widows or other poor persons belonging to the parish of Shiffnal.
DOLE CHARITIES.—It is recorded in an old book belonging to the trustees
of the poor’s stock, and purporting to contain an account of the
charities of this parish, that in 1506, Sir John Leigh, a priest who had
long served in the church of Wolverhampton, gave £12. 13s. 4d. to
purchase a mark a year, to be given to the poor of Shiffnal. An annuity
of 13s. 4d., which has long been received for the use of the poor,
appears to be charged upon certain premises in Pipers-row, Wolverhampton.
_Sir Humphrey Briggs_, in 1652, left a rent charge of 40s. per annum, to
be distributed by the churchwardens and overseers among the poor of the
parish.
_Arthur Mainwaring_, in 1690, gave four butts of ground lying in
Churchfield and Wykefield, within the parish of Shiffnal, to Mary, his
wife, and Ann, his daughter, and their heirs for ever, on trust, to pay
20s. yearly on the feast of St. Andrew, to forty poor old people
belonging the parish.
_Vincent Latham_ gave £20 for the use of the poor. In respect of this
gift there is now a rent charge of 20s. per annum, issuing out of a
certain tenement in High-street, which is divided among the poor on the
feast of St. Andrew.
_William Smith_, in 1713, gave £10 to the poor of Shiffnal, and directed
the interest to be distributed among poor widows who do not receive
parochial relief.
_Edward Revell_, by deed, 1693, assigned to certain trustees a bond which
had been made to him for the payment of £200, with lawful interest, in
trust, for the benefit of the poor. The bond which was thus assigned
appears to have been discharged in 1698, and £100 of the money, after
passing successively through several hands at interest, was in 1847 given
to Humphrey Pitt, Esq. John Revell, in 1723, gave £100 for charitable
uses; this, it appears, eventually also came into the hands of Mr. Pitt,
and at his death in 1769 it was found necessary to institute a suit
against his representatives for the recovery of the money due from his
estate. An arrangement afterwards took place, by which it was agreed
that the sum of £312 should be paid to the trustees, in full of all
principal and interest then due, of which £12 was immediately distributed
among the poor, and the remaining £300 was placed out at interest. The
other £100 left by Edward Revell, above mentioned, after being held by
the Phillip’s family, came into the possession of George Appleby, Esq.,
in whose hands the above £300 was also placed, and who paid interest at
the rate of five per cent. for the same till the year 1804, when the
principal was transferred to George Brooke, Esq., who gave a promissory
note for the security of the same, and pays interest at the rate of five
per cent. This money, with other charities previously noticed, produces
a yearly income of £25. 3s. 4d., which, with other monies furnished by
voluntary contributions, is distributed at Christmas in small sums among
the poor.
_Reginal Piper_, in 1659, granted to the churchwardens of Shiffnal a rent
charge of 10s. issuing out of his messuage in the Sheep market, and
directed the same to be disposed of among twenty poor old people.
_Henry Green_, in 1702, granted to trustees a rent charge of 20s. per
annum, to be disposed of on Good Fridays and Christmas-days among poor
widows.
_Frances Moreton_, in 1781, devised to her nephew, John Brooke, a piece
of land, called Aston Croft, in trust, to permit the vicar of the parish
to dispose of the rents and profits among poor housekeepers. By
indenture, dated 5th of May, 1788, reciting the abovementioned will, and
that the said Frances Moreton had no power to devise the said land, the
same descending to Sarah Atkis, as heir-at-law of Robert Moreton,
deceased; the said _Sarah Atkis_ conveyed to trustees the plot of land
called Aston Croft, to permit the vicar to take the rents thereof, and
during the life of Mary Stockwell, to apply a part, and after her
decease, the whole of the profits amongst decayed housekeepers. The
land, about the year 1806, was exchanged for 3A. 3R. 12P. situate at
Aston, in the parish of Shiffnal, which now produces a rent of £12 per
annum. The amount is distributed at Christmas eve among poor widows or
other indigent persons, in sums varying from 4s. to 10s. each, according
to their several necessities.
_Sir Humphrey Briggs_, by a deed, dated 9th of November, 1652, charged
the tithes of Shiffnal with the payment of £1. 6s. 8d. to the clerk or
deacon of the parish. _Francis Mallard_ and _Elizabeth_, his wife, in
1587, left an annuity of 16s. for the benefit of the poor. This gift has
long been lost to the poor.
POST OFFICE—_At Miss Frances Adams’s_, New street. Letters arrive at
5.30 A.M., and are despatched at 7.30 P.M.
Adams Miss Frances, New street
Allen William, Esq., Bank House
Bailey Mr. George, Union House
Barnfield Mrs., The Cottage
Bennett Cornelius, organist, High street
Bennett Mr. Samuel, The Grove
Bidlake Roger, gentleman, Old road
Bothfield Mrs. Lucy, Decker-hill Hall
Bradburn William, Old road
Brooke Rev. John, Haughton Hall
Brooke Rev. Townshend, Idsal Vicarage
Cannon Chas., inland revenue officer, Innage
Cherrington Mr. Edward, Church street
Cope William, Esq., barrister, Park House
Corbet Uvedale, Esq., Aston Hall
Cuxson Mrs. Eleanor, New street
Evett Mr. James, Horse fair
Eyke John, Esq., Stanton House
Fletcher Mr. John, Park Villa
Gas Company (office) High street
Gilbert Mr. Thomas, Old road
Glover William Cheshire, Esq., High street
Goodall Michael, Esq., Evelith
Gray Mrs., New street
Hills Mr. George A. F., High street
Horton John, Esq., Priors Lee Hall
Hudson Mr. Job, Old road
Jones Miss Martha, Innage
Jones The Misses, Uplands
Lander Edward, Market street
Lander Mr. Thomas Eaton, Beech House
Lander Mr. Thomas Eaton, Innage
Leake James, solicitors’ clerk, High street
Lello Mrs. Mary, High street
Lloyd Charles, railway clerk, High street
Masefield Mrs. Alice, Woodhouse
Masefield Mrs. Ann, Aston street
Masefield Mr. Thomas, Woodhouse
Orwin Mr. James, High street
Osborne Mr. Peter, New street terrace
Perrin Dudley Josiah, New street
Phillips Mr. Andrew, Market street
Pidgeon Robt., Esq., land agent, Russell place
Roden Mrs. Charlotte, Church street
Roden William, registrar, Haughton
Shirley Mr. William, trainer, Church street
Smyth Amelia, Rock terrace
Spedding Rev. Francis, M.A., New street
Thomas Evan, inland revenue officer, High st
Venables Richard, relieving officer, Church st
Wadlow Henry, horse trainer, Stanton
Academies.
Beetlestone John, Old road
Beetlestone Mrs., Aston st
Gentlemen’s Boarding, High street; Rev. James Thos. Matthews, principal
Gilbert Mary, Church street
Ladies’ Boarding, Rock terrace; Miss Smyth
National (Boys), Innage; David Whittle
National (Girls), Innage; Jemima Owen
Accountant.
Gilbert Thomas, Old road
Attorneys.
Glover William, Cheshire High street
Perrin Dudley Josiah, New street
Phillips Andrew, office back of Market place
Auctioneers.
Houlston John, office Mr. Fraser’s, Market place
Weare Wm., office Market pl
Bakers and Flour Dealers.
Lowe Mary, Horse fair
Randle Catherine, Market pl
Bankers.
Shropshire Banking Company, Horse fair; Wm. Allen, manager
Savings Bank, New street; Peter Osborne, secretary
Blacksmiths.
Clarke Thomas, High street
Evans Richard, Church st
Ferney John, Aston street
Smout John, Aston street
Tozer William (and whitesmith), High street
Booksellers, Printers, Stationers, & Bookbinders.
Beddow Barnabas Leman, New street
Edmunds Ann, Market place
Boot and Shoemakers.
Bullock Thomas, High street
Fenn William, High street
Harper John, Aston street
Jones Joseph, Church street
Norton George, High street
Norton Thomas, High street
Owen John, Church street
Warrender Jas. (and dealer), High street
Westbrooke John, Market place
Williams Thos., High street
Braziers and Tin-plate Workers.
Bullock John, High street
Tomlinson Wm., Market pl
Bricklayers and Masons.
Beetlestone Benjamin, Aston street
Beetlestone John, High street
Ingram William, Aston street
Yates Richard, High street
Yates Thomas, High street
Butchers.
Hall Mary, Market street
Hall Robert, High street
Hall William, High street
Haywood Thomas, Market pl
Parkes Francis, High street
Poyner William, High street
Ward George, Market place
Cabinet Makers & Upholsterers.
Blud Thomas, Back street
King Charles (and dealer in British wines), Back st
Linall William, High street
Pointon William, High st
Cheese, Butter, and Bacon Factors.
Dagleish William, High st
Pointon Thomas, Market pl
Randle Catherine, Market pl
Chemists and Druggists.
Bate Wm. Stokes, Market pl
Langman Frederick, Market place
Pace William Cherrington, Back street
Coal Agents.
Fellows Aaron, Railway statn.
Hills and Phillips (and lime and salt), Railway station
Coal Merchants.
Botfield Beriah, Old Park Colliery
Horton & Company, Priors Lee Works
Lilleshall Co., Priors Lee
Confectioners.
Bartley John, Market place
Lowe Mary, Marketplace
Coopers.
Wakelain Joseph (and dealer in turn and bend ware), High street
Williams Charles, High st
Williams Robert, High street
Corn Factor.
Fellows Aaron, Aston street
Curriers & Leather Cutters.
Cherrington Roger, High st
Lello George, High street
Farmers.
Masefield Thos., Woodhouse
Norton Alfred, New street
Powell John, Church street
Roden John, High street
Fellmongers.
Fenn Samuel, High street
Hodgkinson John, High st
Fire and Life Office Agents.
Accidental Death; Mr. Beddow, New street
Birmingham Fire and Life; Charles King, Back street
Great Britain Life; Mr. Osborne, New street
Salop Fire, Mr. Beddow, New street
Shropshire & North Wales; Lander & Sons, Market pl
Fishmonger.
Harris John, Market street
Grocers and Tea Dealers.
Bate William Stokes, Market place
Bryant John, Market place
Bullock John, High street
Dagleish William, High st
Pace William Cherrington, Back street
Hair Dresser.
Morris James, Market place
Hatters and Dealers.
Hardy Charles, High street
Higgins William, Church st
Reynolds Peter and George, High street
Hotels, Inns, and Taverns.
Bell Hotel, John Podmore, Church street
Crown, Robt. Williams, High street
Eight Bells, Richd. Morgan, Market place
Jerningham Arms Hotel, Commercial, and Posting House, Miss Anne
Masefield, Church street and Horse fair
Lion, Donald Fraser, New street
Nag’s Head, John Lowe, Market place
Plough, Thomas Williams, High street
Queen’s Head, Chas. Leake, High street
Railway Tavern, Thomas Latham, Aston street
Star Hotel, Elizabeth Wild, Market place
Talbot, Richard Pointon, High street
Union Inn and Coaching House, Edward Nickless, New road
Unicorn, James Medlicott, Horse fair
Victoria Hotel, Family, Commercial, & Posting House, John Wood, Market pl
Wheat Sheaf, Thos. Dunn, High street
White Hart, Elizabeth Simpson, High street
White Horse, Emma Smallman, Market place
Wonder, Thomas Lowe, Horse fair
Beerhouses.
Evans Thomas, High street
Fenn Samuel, High street
Ward Sarah, Aston street
Yates Richard, High street
Yates Thomas, High street
Ironfounders.
Botfield Beriah, Old Park Works
Horton & Simms, Priors Lee
Lilleshall Company, Snedshill Iron Works
Ironmongers.
Bate William Stokes, Market place
Bullock John (and nail-manufacturer), High st
Joiners and Builders.
Cherrington Edward (and timber merchant), Salop road
Power Michael, New street
Linen and Woollen Drapers and Silk Mercers.
Hardy Charles, High street
Higgins William, Church st
Lander & Sons, Market pl
Reynolds Peter and George, High street
Livery Stable Keepers.
Masefield Anna, Horse fair
Roberts John, Horse fair
Wild Elizabeth, Market pl
Wood John, Market place
Maltsters.
Fellows Aaron, Aston street
Forrest William, High street
Lello John, Aston street
Masefield Thomas, Aston st
Morgan Richard, Market st
Podmore John, Church st
Roden George, Old street
Roden William, High street
Thomason Samuel, (and dealer in British wines), High street
Wakelam Samuel, High st
Milliners and Dressmakers.
Biss Eliza, New street
Fenn The Misses, Old road
Jones Elizabeth, Aston st
Nicholas Rebecca, High st
Peake Jane (bonnet maker), New street
Plumbers, Painters, and Glaziers.
Heyward George, High street
Lawson William, New street
Phillips Samuel, Horse fair
Yates James, Horse fair
Rope, Oil Cloth, and Tarpauling Makers.
Heywood Thomas, High st.
Heywood William, High st.
Saddlers and Harness Makers.
Hitchcock Thomas, High st.
Lowe Thomas, Market place
Smith Moses, Horse fair
Tillage Dealers and Farm Seedsmen.
Longman Frederick, Market place
Lander & Sons, Back street, Richard Owen, agent
Shopkeepers and Dealers in Sundries and Groceries.
Cullwick John, High street
Evans Thomas, High street
Fenn Samuel, High street
Mole Allen, High street
Morgan William, High street
Ralphs Mary, Market place
Rudge Joseph, Aston street
Yeardley Andrew, High street
Smallware Dealer.
Morris James, High street
Spirit Vaults and Wine and Spirit Merchant.
Cherrington Edward, Church street
Surgeons.
Bennett Samuel, Aston street
Evett James, Horse fair
Lander Thomas Eaton, Innage
Orwin James, High street
Tailors.
Bennett William, Horse fair
Clemson John, Church street
Hitchcock Thomas, High st.
Pugh Henry, Innage
Roberts Thomas, Aston st.
Tallow Chandler.
Rayworth Wm., High street
Veterinary Surgeons.
Harris Thomas, Church st.
Poole George, cow leech, High street
Robinson Sampson, New st.
Rexham George, High street
Watch and Clock Maker.
Davies John, Back street
Wheelwrights.
Pointon John, Aston street
Pointon Richard. Back street
HATTON DISTRICT DIRECTORY.
Ashdown Wm., Hem farm
Badger and Hewitt, Grange farm
Barker Thomas, Spring Bower farm
Bill John, corn miller, Hinnington
Booth Henry, Naird and Shaw farms
Bradbury Messrs., bone mills and merchants
Burgess George, Evelith corn mills
Crawley John Leatham, farmer and maltster, Rookery
Durant Rev. Francis Osian, Old hall, Evelith
Goodall Michael, Esq., Evelith manor
Hoole Richard, Common farm
Lander Thomas Eaton, surgeon, Innage
Lander Thomas Eaton, gent., Beech house
Langley Thomas, maltster, Upton farm
Lawrence John, gardener, Hatton grange
Mellor James, farmer, Wyke
Miller Martha, farmer, Wyke
Morgan George, the Elms farm
Morgan Thos., farmer, Wyke
Morris John, Manor farm and miller
Pepper Sander, the Hill farm
Powell John, farmer, Shaw lane
Power Michael, contractor
Slaney Miss, the Grange
Slaney William Henry, Esq., Hatton grange
Smith John, farmer, Wyke
Smith the Misses, Rock terrace
Smith Robert, Hem farm, and miller
Smith William, Homer farm
Smith William, butler, Hatton grange
Summers Charles, coachman, Hatton grange
Swain Thomas, farmer, Hinnington
Taylor Robert, farmer, Evelith
Wright Herbert Hancox, Grange farm
HAUGHTON DIRECTORY.
Baddeley William, farmer
Brooke Rev. John, the Hall
Coulston Joseph, farmer
Old Park and Stirchley Iron Works, Beriah Botfield, Esq., proprietor;
George Bishton, secretary and cashier; William Hudson, accountant;
William Summers, bookkeeper; Mark Tipton, manager
Phillips David, corn miller
Roden William, farmer
Sharratt Thomas, road surveyor
Ward James, gentleman
PRIORS LEE DIRECTORY.
Astbury James, parish clerk
Booth Edwin, maltster and farmer
Booth Thomas, Castle farm
Booth William, farmer
Bulger Christopher, mine bailiff
Colebank Rev. Robert, M.A.
Dawes Wm., schoolmaster
Franks William Henry, shopkeeper
Garbett John, tailor
Horton John, Esq., the Hall
Horton Samuel, Esq., ironmaster
Horton, Simms and Bull, ironmasters and forgers, Snedshill works
Hughes John, vict., the Lion, and accountant
Hughes Thomas, vict., the Pigeon Box
Jones William, Wood green, farm
Langley Richard, farmer
Langley Samuel, Blythbury farm
Latham Roger, Woodhouse, farm
Lilleshall Company, ironmasters and coal proprietors
Llewyllyn Mary, shopkeeper
Masefield Alice, Woodhouse
Sargent Elizabeth, schoolteacher
Smart Ellen, boarding school proprietor
Smart John, farmer
Tipton Edward, accountant
Tipton Luke, secretary, Lilleshall company
Tipton William, bookkeeper
Tipton William, mine manager
WOODSIDE DISTRICT DIRECTORY.
Abercrombie James, farmer and vict., Hare and Hounds, Crackley bank
Botfield Mrs., gentlewoman, Decker hill hall
Butterton Enoch, farmer, Lizzard
Butterton Mary Ann, farmer, Burlington
Butterton Miss Hannah, Burlington
Corbet Uvedale, Esq., Aston hall
Dunn George, farmer
Embrey Stephen, butler, Aston hall
Eyke John, Esq., land agent to Lord Stafford, Stanton house
Hadin Joseph, farmer, Lizzard
Inscoe Daniel, farmer, Lizzard
Kendrick Mrs. Ann, Burlington
Kendrick Thomas and Wm., farmers, Burlington
Langley Thomas, gentleman, Coppice green hall
Lawrence Charles, farmer, Drayton lodge
Norton Alfred, farmer, Aston
Pickin Widow, Coppice green farm
Revitt John, shoemaker, Crackley bank
Revitt Thomas, shoemaker Crackley bank
Richards Wm., beerhouse, & blacksmith, Crackley bank
Rudge Henry, coachman, Aston hall
Smith John, farmer, Woodside
Wadlow Henry, race horse trainer, Stanton
Wild Samuel, farmer, Upton
Wilkes Samuel, Brewar’s Oak farm
STOCKTON