Smith Rd., Lower Broad st
Land, Estate, & House Agents.
Baines Thomas (wool agent), Castle street
Harrison John (wool agent), Linney
Linen and Woollen Drapers and Silk Mercers.
Boulton Francis, Corve street
Evans James, The Cross
Gardener Robt. G., Bull ring
Harding Jas. & Ewd., High st
Harper Charles, High street
Jones Wm. & Harley, High st
Leake James, Castle street
Shepperd John, Broad street
Steward Mr., Narrows
Maltsters.
Acton William, Corve street
Atkins Robert, Corve street
Corfield John, Corve street
Davies Richard, Corve street
Harding Henry, Corve street
Hand James, Corve street
Hockey James, Old street
Jones James, Bull ring
Jones John, Corve street
Lloyd Henry, Old street
Rawlins Wm., Corve street
Smith John, Corve street
Millers and Corn Dealers.
Harding William, Mill street
Hockey James, Old street
Williams Joseph, Dinham
Whatmore John, Broad street
Milliners & Dress makers.
Cartwright Martha, Corve st
Daniel Decime & Catherine, Corve street
Glaye Matilda, Broad street
Hotchkiss Elizabeth, King st
Heighington Harriet, Brown street
Jones Ann M., Broad street
Lello Mary, Bull ring
Montgomery Margaret
Pearce Sarah, King street
Price Sarah, Castle street
Poole Mary, Harp lane
White Mary, Corve street
Millwright.
Hodges Chaplin, Dinham
Nursery and Seedsmen.
_Marked * are Nurserymen only_.
Bowen Ann, Broad street
Cooke Ann, Raven lane
* Cox Elizabeth, Old street
Hand James, Corve street
* Pillar Thomas, Old gate fee
* Rooke Owen, Corve street
* Tyler William, Old street
Painters.
Bowen John, Broad street
Cooke Thomas, Old street
Gwynn William, Old street
Osborn John, Old street
Powell Edward, Castle street
Powell Samuel, Raven lane
Ward James, Raven lane
Wayn Philip, Corve street
Pawnbroker.
Collins Francis, Corve street
Paper Manufacturer.
Wade John, Paper mills
Physician.
Bryce Charles, Broad street
Plumbers and Glaziers.
Collins Samuel, Old street
Cooke Thos. (and gas fitter), Old street
Powell Edward, Castle street
Powell Samuel, Raven lane
Round Jas., Lower Gaolford
Ward James, Raven lane
Wayn Philip, Corve street
Williams Richard, Brand lane
Poulterers.
Evans Sarah, The Narrows
Jenson Mary, Harp lane
Professor and Teacher.
Price John (dancing and fencing) Corve street
Saddlers & Harness Makers.
Amies Samuel, Bull ring
Gough John, Castle street
Hotchkiss Thos., King street
Jones James, Bull ring
Roberts Edward, High street
Sharebroker.
Bach James, Broad street
Shopkeepers.
Bradley Thos. Lower Gaolford
Dukes Richd. Lower Gaolford
Frances Rosetta, Corve street
Griffith Martha
Hodnett Martha, Lower Broad street
Jones David, Tower street
Leary Edward, Tower street
Pelly Thomas, Old gate fee
Small Wm., Lower Broad st
Spade Tree Makers.
Harper John, Linney
Sankey Jeremiah, Broad st
Stone & Marble Masons.
Greenhouse John, Broad st
Hammond Andrew, Corve st
Russell Edward, Old street
Russell John, Mill street
Stead Samuel, Castle street
Watkins Jas. Upper Gaolford
Straw Hat Makers.
Baker Maria, High street
Gray Hannah, Bull ring
Powell Jane, Old street
Wall Ann, High street
Surgeons.
Hodges George, Broad street
Hodges Henry, Broad street
Meymott Henry, Broad street
Southern John, Broad street
Valentine Richard, College
Walker Henry, Broad street
Surveyors.
Brettle Cornelius (land and mine), Broad street
Clark Edwin F., Corve street
Evans Herb. (land), Castle st
Smith E. Blakeway, Corve st
Tench John & Richard (and land agents), Church-yard
Tailors.
_Marked * are Woollen Drapers also_.
* Carter John, Narrows
Crosse Samuel, Mill street
Crundell Daniel, High street
Downes Edward, Tower street
* Jones Isaac & Son, High st
Morgan Edwin, Bell lane
Pearce Samuel, Bell lane
* Wall Henry, High street
Wall Richard, Brand lane
Williams Henry, Harp lane
Tanner.
Unwick Benjamin, Corve st
Timber Merchants.
Harper John, Linney
Hind James, Upper Gaolford
Sankey Jeremiah, Broad st
Toy and Fancy Repositories.
Crosse Elizabeth, High street
Crundell George, High street
Woodyett Mary, High street
Trunk Maker.
Powell John, Harp lane
Turner in Wood.
Bennett Wm., Lower Gaolfrd
Veterinary Surgeons.
Cresswell Charles, Broad st
Jones James, Corve street
Watch and Clock Makers.
Ashby John, Raven lane
Edwards Robert, Raven lane
Farmer Joseph, Old street
Payne George, Bull ring
Phillips William, Castle street
Wood Samuel, Bell lane
Whitesmiths.
Day George, Lower Broad st
Halford Thomas, Bell lane
Wells Henry, Old street
Wine & Spirit Merchants.
Evans Edward, The Cross
Massey Francis, Bull ring
Parry Jas., Hand & Bell lane
Powell Edward, Castle street
Sankey Eleanor, Broad street
Woollen Manufacturer.
Evans Wm., Lower Broad st
Carriers.
To SHREWSBURY—Dodd Daniel, Corve street
To WORCESTER—Webb Hry. and James, Upper Gaolford street
THE HUNDRED OF STOTTESDEN.
The hundred of Stottesden is bounded on the north by the Wenlock
franchise, on the south by the hundred of Overs and the county of
Worcestershire, on the east by the liberty of Bridgnorth and the county
of Staffordshire, and on the west by the Wenlock franchise and the
hundreds of Munslow and Overs. Farlow is a detached part of the hundred
of Herefordshire, bounded by this hundred and an isolated part of Overs.
The minerals found in this hundred are coal, ironstone, and limestone.
On the western verge of the hundred is a range of hills, some of which
rise to a considerable altitude; there are also considerable inequalities
of surface, and bold swells in most parts of the hundred. The soil is
various; the land which lies over the limestone is mixed with a
calcareous gravel, and mostly fertile; the soil over the freestone
produces good turnips and barley. The population in 1821, exclusive of
the borough of Bridgnorth, was 12,160; and in 1841 there were 12,282
inhabitants, and 2,426 inhabited houses. At the latter period the
liberty of the borough of Bridgnorth contained 1,231 inhabited houses,
and a population of 6,198 souls. This hundred is divided into the
Chelmarsh and Cleobury divisions.
The Chelmarsh division contains the parishes of Acton Round, Alveley,
Astley Abbotts, Billingley, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Cleobury North, Deuxhill,
Glazeley, Higley, Middleton Scriven, Morville, Neenton, Oldbury,
Quatford, Quatt, Rudge Sheinton, Sidbury, Tasley, and Upton Cressett.
The Cleobury division contains Aston Botterell, Burwarton, Cainham,
Cleobury, Mortimer, Coreley, Dowles, Hope Baggot, Hopton Wafers, Kinlet,
Neen Savage, Stottesden, Wheathill and Farlow chapelry.
ACTON ROUND, OR ROUND ACTON,
in a parish and small village six miles north-east by east from
Bridgnorth, which contains 1,940 acres of land, the rateable value of
which is £1,447. At the census of 1841 there were 36 houses and 180
persons. Population in 1801, 200; and in 1831, 203. Sir John Acton,
bart., is the principal landowner, and lord of the manor. THE CHURCH is
an ancient edifice, situated on an eminence commanding extensive and
varied prospects of the surrounding country. In the church are several
monuments to the memory of deceased members of the Acton family. The
living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir John Acton, Bart.;
Rev. William G. Day is the incumbent.
DIRECTORY.—William Ainsworth, farmer; William Davies, farmer; Rev.
William G. Day, perpetual curate; Margaret Duff, cow keeper; Thomas
Embrey, farmer; Richard Evans, farmer; George Farmer, farmer; Samuel
Littlewood, farmer; William Lowe, farmer; Jasper Madeley, farmer; Francis
Powell, wheelwright; John Powell, bailiff; William Preen, farmer; Charles
Rhodes, farmer; Richard Russell, farmer; Edward Tipton, farmer; Henry
Wadlow, farmer, the Hall.
ALVELEY
is a considerable parish in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden
hundred, which comprises the townships of Alveley, Nordley Regis, and
Romsley Liberty. Population in 1801, 791; 1831, 949; 1841, 1,062; 1851,
1,041. The parish is bounded on the western side by the river Severn, on
the south and east by the county of Stafford, and on the north by the
parishes of Quatt and Claverley. The soil in this parish is variable; in
some parts a red sand and loamy earth prevails, and in other parts it is
light and sandy. The farms are generally large, and particular attention
has been paid to draining and the improvement of the lands; the farm
houses are mostly of brick, and have been greatly improved of late years.
The village of Alveley is well built and pleasantly situated, six miles
and a half south from Bridgnorth, and eight miles north from Bewdley.
The township in 1841 contained 187 houses and 914 inhabitants; and has
5,147A. 2R. 37P. of land, 122A. 3R. 15P. of which are in woods and
plantations. Rateable value, £5,601. Among the landowners are Miss
Green; Mrs. Brittle; Mr. John Crowther; Mary Hayward; Rev. William
Wakeley; Trustees of Claverley school; Mr. Edward Hughes; Christ Church
College, Oxford; Mr. Richard Veal; Mr. Homer; Messrs. Tunnicliff; Mr.
John Hall; Mr. William Wyer; Mr. John Stockall; Rev. Dr. Jenkins, dean
and chapter of Bath and Wells; Thomas Beach, Esq.; William Beach, Esq.;
Lord Standford; John Bacon, Esq.; the poor of Alveley; John M. Wingfield,
Esq.; William Trow, Esq.; Mr. William Corser; Mrs. Hand; Mr. Thomas
Feriday; Mr. William Bowen; and others.
THE CHURCH is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Mary, and consists
of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, in which are six
musical bells. The nave is divided from the side aisles by four
semi-circular arches, and there are two side chapels belonging to the
owner of the Coton estate. The tower was taken down and rebuilt in 1666,
part of the chancel was rebuilt in 1585, and the south part was repaired
in 1638. There are several neat tablets. The church will accommodate
416 hearers. At the east end of the church is a large stone coffin. The
living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Edward G. Gatacre,
Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Robert Augustus Wellesley Considine, M.A. THE
PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, and residence for the teacher, are situated in the
churchyard. It is endowed with certain lands, as will be seen on
reference to the charities, from which the teacher receives £25 per
annum, in consideration of which he teaches a limited number of scholars
free; the rest pay a small weekly stipend; about fifty scholars attend.
The feast is held on the first Sunday after the 15th of August. A court
leet and baron is held for the manor every three years. Stone quarries
near the village are worked to a considerable extent; immense blocks are
raised and worked into grinding stones for gunsmiths and others.
NORDLEY REGIS is a township with a few scattered houses in the parish of
Alveley, pleasantly situated two miles north-east from the church. COTON
is a small hamlet in Nordley Regis. COTON HALL and estate have recently
been sold by E. L. Gatacre to the Rev. Mr. Wakeley. The house is a
stuccoed mansion pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, commanding
some fine views of the adjacent country. The park comprises about eighty
acres, and is pleasingly diversified with graceful undulations.
ROMSLEY is a township and village situated about two miles east from
Alveley, which at the census of 1841 contained 27 houses and 110
inhabitants; and has 1,900 acres of land, the rateable value of which is
£1,334. 5s. 6d. Abraham Stephen Cresswell, Esq., is lord of the manor
and the principal landowner. Dr. Jenkins is also a considerable owner;
and John M. Wingfield, Esq., the Misses Cresswell, Mr. Richard Palmer,
and Mr. Stephen Cresswell, are also freeholders.
CHARITIES.—_John Grove_, by will, dated 10th of December, 1616,
bequeathed a yearly stipend of £10 to the schoolmaster of Alveley, and a
like yearly payment of £10, to have continuance for ever, to be
distributed among five poor aged and impotent men. For the establishing
of these yearly stipends, the executors purchased a messuage, with the
appurtenances, called Longhurst, situated in Ledbury and Eastnor, in
Herefordshire, which contained 74A. 2R. 4P. of land, and which was
exchanged with Charles Lord Somers in the year 1793 for certain lands in
Alveley parish, containing 111A. 0R. 27P. of land, which was held at the
time the Charity Commissioners published their report at a rent of £73
per annum. The schoolmaster’s stipend was increased in 1800 to £20, and
has since been augmented to £25, with a house rent free, and an allowance
of two loads of coal; and five poor men of Alveley receive from this
charity a yearly stipend of £6 each.
_Thomas Grove_, in 1743, left certain lands, comprising 31A. 3R. 0P.,
upon trust, that the annual rents and profits should be divided among the
poor of the parish of Alveley. The land is let to several tenants, at a
rent of £42 per annum.
This parish participates in the charity of _Mr. William Seabright_, who,
by his will, dated 1620, gave certain premises, the rents thereof to be
employed towards the relief of the poor of several parishes in Worcester,
Stafford, and Salop, of which Alveley is one. The parish receives from
the charity money wherewith to distribute fourteen pennyworth of bread
every Sunday, which is given among the poor.
_James Bowen_, by will, dated 1st April, 1715, gave to the poor of
Alveley the sum of £6, to be put forth at interest by the churchwardens,
and the proceeds to be applied to the purchase of good books, to be
distributed to the poor families of the parish. About thirty years ago
this charity was lost, in consequence of the bankruptcy of the person in
whose hands it was placed.
_George Garbett_, by will, dated 19th June, 1758, bequeathed £100, to be
put out at interest, which was to be disposed of on the 1st of January
every year to such poor persons of the parish of Alveley as should not
receive parochial relief.
_Humphrey Dovey_, in 1700, left £20, the interest thereof to be
distributed among the poor of the parish in bread. In respect of which
forty-three penny loaves are distributed on Good Friday, and forty on St.
Thomas’s day.
_Arthur Arden_ left a piece of land, containing two acres and a half, the
profits of which were to be expended in bell ropes (when required) for
the use of the parish church. At the time the Charity Commissioners
published their report the land was let at a rent of £6 per annum. It is
said the land was given to the parish clerk on condition that he should
find bell ropes, but the original conveyance, which had been kept in the
church chest, was lost about fifty years ago; and it appears that for
more than 100 years the rents of the land have been received by the
parish clerk for his own use, and he has provided the bell ropes as they
were wanted.
_Thomas Russell_, in 1842, gave the sum of £40, and directed the interest
to be appropriated for the benefit of poor parishioners.
POST OFFICE—_At William Evans’s_. Letters from Bridgnorth at 9.45 A.M.,
and are despatched at 3.30 P.M.
ALVELEY DIRECTORY.
Ameys Edmund, farmer
Ameys Thomas, farmer, Dunbolds
Bache William, farmer, Leekhouse
Bacon Jno., farmer, Hall Close
Brewer William, Gorton’s Flour Mills
Bridge James, farmer
Clarke John, butcher and shoemaker
Clarke Stephen, butcher and farmer
Considine Rev. Rbt. Agustus Wellesley, M.A.
Craig John, farmer
Crow Wm., farmer, Turley Green
Davies Henry, farmer
Doolittle Samuel, maltster
Evans George, stone mason and farmer
Evans John, farmer
Evans Thomas, farmer, Moor House
Evans William, postmaster
Fellows Michael, farmer, Pool Hall
Fereday Thomas, farmer
Fox John, farmer
Foxall Mary, farmer, Dod’s Green
Giles Thomas, vict., Bell Inn
Griffiths William, tailor and shopkeeper
Haines Joseph, blacksmith
Harris Rchd., farmer
Hayward John, farmer, The Butts
Hayward Mary, Little London farm
Head John, beer-retailer, Kitlands
Hick Thos., farmer, Hadleys
Higgs John, butcher
Hobbs William, victualler, Squirrel Inn
Hobbis Mary, vict., Three Horse Shoes
Jenning William, shoemaker
Jones James, Hollies farm
Lane John, quarry-master and farmer
Lane Thomas, quarry-master and mason
Lowe Thomas, farmer
Millward John, beerhouse-keeper and wheelwright
Powell Francis, shoemaker
Richards Thomas, farmer
Stockall John, farmer, Cookscroft
Taylor Job, farmer
Veal Rd., farmer, Langford
Walker Charles, butcher and farmer
Warder John, farmer, Hay farm
Webb Benjamin, carpenter
Wilks Jos., farmer, Turley Green
Williams Thos. quarry-mstr.
Wood James, stone mason
Wood James, quarry-owner
Wyer Wm., farmer, Cookscroft
Yates William, wheelwright
NORDLEY REGIS DIRECTORY.
Bache Thomas, Esq., Greenfield House
Berkin Geo., farmer, Astley
Bowen Thomas, farmer
Bowen William, farmer
Cox Thomas, miller, Alan Bridge
Crowther John, farmer, Bolthole
Edmonds William, farmer, High Barns
Edwards Martha, farmer, Hubbolds
Fereday Thomas, farmer, Tuck Hill
Hobbs Wm., farmer, Bird’s Green
Lowe Thomas, farmer, Perry House
Marston George, farmer, Barretts
Massey William, shopkeeper
Nicholls John, farmer
Page William, farmer
Webb Benjamin, shopkeeper, Bird’s Green
Wootton John, beer-retailer
ROMSLEY DIRECTORY.
Cox Thomas, miller and farmer, Alam Bridge
Cresswell Abraham Stephen, Esq.
Cresswell, Ezekiel, farmer, Pool House
Cresswell Nancy, gentlewoman, The Hall
Cresswell Sarah, farmer, The Hall
Cresswell Stephen, farmer
Doolittle Wm., beer-retailer
Edmonds John, farmer, Bowels farm
Foxall John, blacksmith
Foxall William, blacksmith
Gritton Jos., farmer, Harts Green farm
Hincks Wm., farmer, Ulet Hall
Leigh George, wheelwright
Winnell John, farmer, New House
ASTLEY ABBOTTS,
a parish and village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden Hundred,
two miles and a half north from Bridgnorth, contains 3,137 acres of land,
intersected by the Broseley turnpike road and the Tasley and Linley
streams, and is bounded on the eastern side by the river Severn. 193
acres are in woods, plantations, and water. The soil in some parts is a
mixture of earth and sand, and in other places a strong loam. Rateable
value £4,023. 1s. 2d. At the census in 1801 there were 740 inhabitants;
1831, 666; and in 1841, 657. At the latter period there were 139
inhabited houses. The situation of Astley Abbotts is pleasant and highly
salubrious, and there are several handsome residences. The farms are
mostly of considerable extent, and by a judicious outlay of capital in
draining and other improvements have been brought to a state of great
productiveness. The principal landowners are Thos. Charlton Whitmore,
Esq.; Lady Tyrwhitt Jones; John Stephens, Esq.; Mr. John Ward; Miss
Pilkington; Mr. John Bowen; Rev. C. Whitmore; Lord Forester; Mr. John
Lee; Sir John Acton, Bart.; Mr. Thomas Yapp; and George Pritchard, Esq.
The former is lord of the manor. There are also several smaller
proprietors. THE CHURCH, an ancient fabric neatly pewed with oak
sittings, has a groined roof, resting on hammer head projections, upon
which are carved figures of the apostles. A neat tablet remembers Sir
Tyrwhitt Jones, Bart., F.R.S. and M.P., who died in 1811. The same
tablet also records the deaths of several other members of the family.
An elegant tablet commemorative of Sir Thomas Jones, Knt., is dated 1782.
A memorial of elaborate workmanship to Francis Billingsley, Esq., of
Astley, an officer in the army of King Charles, is dated 1656. It also
records the deaths of various other members of the Billingsley family.
Upon a garland suspended from the sounding board hangs a pair of white
kid gloves, and from an inscription we learn that Henry Phillips died in
1707 when presenting himself at the altar to be married. The lady to
whom he was about to be united survived him but a short period. The
reading desk and pulpit exhibit an exquisite specimen of carved
workmanship. The living is a perpetual curacy, enjoyed by the rector of
Stockton; officiating minister, Rev. John Wing, B.A. The lord of the
manor is patron of the living. The tithes are commuted for £220. ASTLEY
HALL, the elegant mansion of Alfred Darby, Esq., is delightfully situated
near the banks of the river Severn, and presents a beautiful specimen of
the decorative style of the Elizabethan age. The house was originally
built in 1642, but has been greatly enlarged and beautified at subsequent
periods. The pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out, and the park is
richly clothed with sylvan beauty. ASTLEY ABBOTTS HOUSE is an ancient
timbered mansion, the residence and property of George Pritchard, Esq.
ALBYNES, a good house of modern erection, the residence and property of
John Stephens, Esq., is pleasantly situated in a bold undulating
district, and surrounded with park-like grounds. DUNVALL HOUSE, the
property and residence of Mr. John Bowen, is a place of great antiquity,
and was formerly the seat of the Acton family. It is chiefly composed of
massive timber and plaster, and is an interesting specimen of the
domestic architecture of by-gone days.
CHARITIES—_John Huxley_, _Esq._, in the year 1714, gave by his will a
rent charge of 20s. per annum, to be distributed among twenty poor
widows. A sum of £20, supposed to have been left by one _Litttehales_,
was lent to a person named Bache, of Bridgnorth, and afterwards to
William Bourne, a baker, of the same place, who used to send a monthly
supply of bread to the amount of the interest. Shortly before the
Charity Commissioners published their report Mr. Bourne became bankrupt,
and the parish officers had not applied to prove this debt, from an idea
that they had not the means of substantiating the claim. _Mrs. Catherine
Phillips_, by will, 1815, gave to the incumbent and churchwardens of
Astley Abbotts the sum of £300 stock in the three per cent. consols, in
trust, to pay out of the yearly dividends the sum of 20s. among twenty
poor widows on St. Thomas’s day, and the remainder to some proper person
for teaching poor children to read and write, and for bringing them to
church every Sunday in an orderly manner.
Baldwin William, block and pump maker, and vict., Fox and Hounds, Linley
Brook
Bate William, beer-retailer and bricklayer
Bentley John, butcher, Cross Houses
Bowen John, farmer and maltster, Dunvall House
Bromley James, farmer, Frog Mill
Clutton Wm., farmer, Nordley Common
Clutton William, butcher
Cox John, farmer, Binnall
Craig Wm., farmer, Bowlings
Crowe John, farmer
Darby Alfred, Esq., Astley Hall
Downes Edw. farmer, Rhodes
Farmer Thomas, farmer
Hall John, farmer, Raven’s Nest
Jones Thos. market-gardener
Littlewood Jane, beer-retailer, Cross lane head
Lowe Launcelot, beer-retailer, Nordley
Morris Wm., farmer, Severn Hall
Nock Thomas, Severn Hall
Nock Thomas, farmer, Cross lane head
Phillips Richard, farmer
Pritchard Geo., Esq., Astley Abbotts House
Pugh Wm., farmer, Hoard’s Park
Reynolds Mrs., Weavers’ Coppice
Smith Caroline and Sarah, Cantern Bank
Stephens John, Esq., The Albynes
Ward John, farmer & brick maker
Wing Rev. John, B.A., curate
Yardley John, blacksmith
Yardley William, shopkeeper
ASTON BOTTEREL
is a parish and scattered village nine miles S.W. of Bridgnorth,
containing 2,198A. 0R. 14P. of land, the rateable value of which is
£1,960. 11s. 10d. Population in 1801, 247; 1831, 260, and in 1841 173.
The principal landowner is the Duke of Cleveland. John W. Sparrow, Esq.,
John Hincksman, Esq., and Henry George Mytton, Esq., are also
proprietors. The manor of Aston was formerly held under the Fitzalans
Earls of Arundel, by the family of Botterels, from whom it received the
addition of their name to distinguish it from the other Astons in the
county. In the 48th of Henry III. Thomas Botterel had a grant of a
market on Tuesday, and a fair at Michaelmas, and also the privilege of
free warren. At the time of the commonwealth circular letters were sent
to chose one hundred and four godly men to assist Cromwell in his
government, and for this county the choice fell upon William Botterell,
and Thomas Baker.