stone, with a spire of wood, in which are three small bells. In the
south transept is a monument to Humphrey Conynsby, which has already been
noticed. In the chancel are two marble tablets to the memories of the
Rev. Edward Baugh, M.A., late rector of this parish, dated 1813, and to
Margaret Baugh, dated 1802. The living is a rectory, with the curacy of
Milson annexed, valued in the king’s book at £13. 2s. 3d., now £550; in
the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Worcester College, Oxford,
and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Hardwicke, D.D. The church was
formerly annexed to one of the abbeys of Gloucester. There are
ninety-eight acres of glebe land.
DIRECTORY.—William Bishop, farmer and corn miller; John Cooke, farmer,
New House; Benjamin Crow, blacksmith; Thomas Griffiths, tailor; Richard
Hall, farmer; Thomas Harris, farmer; Jane Mantle, beerhouse and
shopkeeper; Joseph Mantle, carpenter and joiner; John Massey, shoemaker;
Pattronella Morris, farmer, Haughton; Thomas Morris, farmer, The Bank;
Thomas Moss, farmer; Ann Palmer, farmer; Geo. Parker, farmer; Ann Wall,
farmer, Hill Top; James Williams, farmer; William Yates, farmer.
SILVINGTON,
a parish and village in a sequestered situation, between Titterstone and
Clee Hills, eight miles north-east of Ludlow, contains 1,120 acres of
land, and at the census of 1801 had fifty-eight inhabitants; 1831,
thirty; 1841, forty-six; at the latter period there were nine houses. Of
the land 170 acres are arable, 254 meadow and pasture, 36 woods, 655 moor
land and hills, and 4A. 3R. 20P. in public roads. Richard Betton, Esq.,
is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. The Rev. John Hayton
is also a proprietor. This locality has a bold undulating surface, and
the soil for the most part is of an inferior quality. THE CHURCH is an
ancient structure, dedicated to St. Michael, consisting of nave and
chancel, and has a square tower, in which are two bells. There is an
antique font. The altar was the gift of Edward Mytton, Esq., in 1676: he
died in 1683, and was interred in the chancel. The living is a rectory,
valued in the king’s book at £3. 6s. 8d.; now returned at £120; in the
patronage of Richard Betton, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. John
Hayton. The tithes have been commuted for £50, and there are 31 acres of
glebe land.
The principal residents are Richard Betton, Esq.; George Boddy,
blacksmith; Thomas Green, farmer; John Hammond, parish clerk; Rev. John
Hayton; Richard Palmer, farmer; William Powell, farmer.
THE FORD HUNDRED
is bounded on the north by the Oswestry and Pimhill hundreds, on the west
by Montgomeryshire, on the south by those of Purslow and Chirbury, and on
the east by the Condover hundred and the liberty of Shrewsbury. It is
divided into the Ford and the Pontesbury divisions. The Ford division
contains the parishes of Ford, Cardiston, Minsterley, and Westbury; and
part of the parishes of Alberbury, St. Alkmund, St. Chad, and St. Julian;
and at the census of 1841 had 5,669 inhabitants. The Pontesbury division
contains the parishes of Habberley and Pontesbury, and at the same period
had a population of 3,436 souls.
ALBERBURY
is an extensive parish, comprising the townships of Alberbury, Benthal
with Shrawardine, Amaston, Bulthey, Eyton, Ford (part of), Rowton,
Stanford, Trefnant, Wattlesborough (part of), Winnington, Woolaston,
which are situated in Shropshire; and Bausley, Coydway, Crew Green,
Criggion, upper and lower, Middleton and Uppington, which are in
Montgomeryshire. The entire parish contains 10,780A. 2R. 2P. of land,
the rateable value of which is £7,731. This parish is beautifully
diversified with picturesque scenery, and watered by the river Severn.
At the census of 1841 there were 472 houses, and 1,861 inhabitants.
Population in 1801, 1,204: and in 1831, 1,799, Sir Baldwin Leighton,
Bart., Henry Lyster, Esq., and others are joint lords of the manor.
ALBERBURY is a township and pleasant rural village eight miles west of
Shrewsbury. In this quarter or district are the townships of Alberbury,
Amaston, Benthal with Shrawardine, Eyton, Rowton, and part of the
township of Ford, which have an area of 3,104A. 2R. 27P. of land; of
which 1,277A. 1R. 20P. are arable, 1,532A. 0R. 16P. are meadow and
pasture, 116A. 3R. 13P. are woods, and 67 acres are roads and water. The
township, at the census of 1841, had 130 houses and 638 inhabitants. Sir
Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is the principal landowner. John Lloyd, Esq.,
and All Souls College are also freeholders. A fair is held on the 8th of
August.
THE ABBEY, of which but little now remains, is situated near the village,
and called the White Abbey. It was founded by Fulk, the son of Warine,
in the reign of Henry II., and was subject to the Black Monks of
Grandmorst, in Limosin. At the suppression of the alien priories it was
bestowed on Queen Joan, widow of Henry IV., and after passing through
several hands it was granted to the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford.
There were formerly a chapel within the site of this abbey, dedicated to
St. Stephen, in which were interred the remains of Fulk Warine, its
founder.
THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Michael, is a venerable structure, with a
square tower, in which is a peal of five bells. The interior consists of
nave, chancel, and side aisles. The south compartment belongs to the
estate of Loton. On the walls are various monuments and tablets to
various deceased members of the Leighton family: to Dame Dorothy
Leighton, who died in 1638; and to General Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart.,
who died in 1828. The chancel is separated from the body of the church
by one arch, and was rebuilt in the year 1845. On removing a tomb-stone
in the south wall, the skeleton of a man was found quite perfect, but the
coffin and grave clothes all gone. It was placed in a coffin, and
interred in the same place. Several of the windows are ornamented with
stained glass, and the altar is very beautiful. The patronage of the
church is vested in the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford: incumbent,
Rev. Richard Webster Huntley, B.A. The living is a vicarage, valued in
the king’s books at £5. 10s. The tithes are commuted for £2,624, and
apportioned to the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford, to the dean and
chapter of Hereford, and the vicar of Alberbury. THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
was founded and endowed with £3. 6s. 8d. per annum, by the fellows of All
Souls College, Oxford: it is principally supported by the neighbouring
gentlemen. LOTON PARK is a handsome brick mansion, the seat and property
of Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., surrounded by a park well stocked with
deer, and richly diversified with sylvan beauty.
CHARITIES.—On the table of benefactions in the church are the names of
twelve several donors, who left £169 for the use of the poor of this
parish. This sum is supposed to have been applied in building a school
or workhouse, and the yearly sum of £8. 5s. is paid as the interest
thereof, which is distributed to the poor on Christmas day. _Richard
Lyster_ bequeathed the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be given to
the poor. _John Asterley_ in his lifetime gave £10 for the use of the
poor of the township of Wattlesborough. _John Morgan_ also left £10, the
interest to be given in bread to the poor of this parish.
AMASTON is a small township three miles south; BENTHAL is a township two
miles north-east; and LITTLE SHRAWARDINE is a small township two miles
and a half north-east, of Alberbury. BULTHEY is a scattered township one
and a half mile north-west by north of Woolaston, which contains 711A.
3R. 19P. of land; of which 371A. 3R. 19P. are arable, and 340 acres are
pasture. Robert Gardner, Esq., is the sole landowner.
BAUSLEY, or BALASLEY, is a scattered township and district, ten miles
north-east of Welshpool, which comprises Upper and Lower Criggion, Crew
Green, and Coydway, and has an area of 4,309 acres of land. Rateable
value, £1,954. 17s. 7d. The principal landowners are the Rev. F. K.
Leighton, who is lord of the manor; John Asterly, Esq.; Mr. Eddowes; Mr.
Edward Bufton; Dr. Crawford; Sir Edward Desbrowe, Knt.; Rev. Edward
Humphrey; Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart.; Isaac Swaine; Mr. John Ruscoe; and
Mr. Williams. The township contains 1,684 acres of land, and at the
census of 1841 there were 78 houses and 352 inhabitants. On the
enclosure of Bausley Common, in 1832, the Vicar of Alberbury had allotted
to him eleven acres of land, in lieu of small tithes. There are 31 acres
of glebe land.
CRIGGION is a township and chapelry, one mile east of Llandrinio, which
at the census of 1851 had 35 houses and 189 inhabitants. It contains
2401A. 2R. 17P. of land, the rateable value of which is £874. 12s. 2d.
The tithes are commuted for £220, of which £176 are appropriated to the
Fellows of All Souls College, and £44 to the vicar. On the summit of
Breidden hill, 1,004 feet above the Severn, is “Rodney’s Pillar,” erected
in memory of that brave naval commander. Near the Breidden is the range
of hills called Moel-y-Golfa, on which are the traces of an encampment.
In this district is a fine bed of coal. THE CHAPEL is a neat structure,
built of brick, with a square tower. The Rev. Leicester Darnwell, M.A.,
is the perpetual incumbent.
EYTON is a small township, one mile east of Alberbury. The Hon. and Rev.
R. W. Hill is the proprietor of the land.
MIDDLETON is a township, two miles south-west of Woolaston, which
contains 269½ acres of pasture, 426 acres of arable, 43 acres of woods,
five acres of roads, and 230 acres of common land, the rateable value of
which is £620. 10s. Panton Corbett, Esq., is lord of the manor, and the
principal freeholder. Mrs. Williams and Captain Close are also
landowners.
ROWTON AND AMASTON is a pleasant township and small rural village, seven
miles and a half west of Shrewsbury. At the census of 1811 here were 225
inhabitants, and in 1821 227 inhabitants. Henry Lyster, Esq., is lord of
the manor, and principal landowner. Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is also
a small landowner. Camden says this is the Rutunium described by
Antonious. Rowton was anciently in the possession of the Corbets, and
afterwards of the Le Estranges, from whom it passed to William Lyster,
who was styled Lord of Rowton. In the year 1482 Rowton Castle was razed
to the ground by Prince Llewellyn, at the time the Le Estranges possessed
this manor.
STANFORD is a township, one mile and a half west of Alberbury. Sir
Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is lord of the manor and the principal
landowner. Mr. Asterley and Mr. Edmund Phillips are also proprietors.
TREFNANT is a township and small village, two miles and a half south-west
by south of Woolaston, which contains 518 acres of land. Rateable value
£171. The principal landowners are Miss Oldnall, Mr. Thomas Vincent
Potter, Mr. William Meredith, and the Rev. Mr. Cureton. UPPINGTON is a
scattered township, three miles and a half south-west by west of
Woolaston, containing 968 acres of land, of which 308 acres are in common
and woodlands. In 1841 here were 123, and in 1851 167 inhabitants. The
principal landowner is Miss Oldnall. WATTLESBOROUGH is a township,
partly situated in this parish and partly in the parishes of Cardiston
and Westbury. Roger Corbet de Watlesburg, in the 56th Henry III. had the
grant of a market on Tuesday and a fair on the eve, the day, and the day
after the feast of St. James the Apostle, to be held at this manor.
There was formerly a castle here, little of which now remains.
WINNINGTON is a township, one mile and a half south-west by south of
Woolaston, which contains 1,605A. 3R. 10P. of land, the rateable value of
which is £1,146. 3s. 10d. Winnington is celebrated as the birth place of
Old Parr, who was born at the Glyn, in this township, in the year 1483.
When eighty years old he married his first wife, and in the space of
thirty-two years had two children, both of whom died young. Being aged
120 years, he became enamoured of Catherine Mitton, whom he married, and
had children by her. At the age of 130, a prosecution was entered
against him in the Spiritual Court for bastardy, and Parr did penance in
Alberbury Church. He lived in ten reigns, and died at Westminster on the
15th of November, aged 152 years. The cottage in which he lived stands
in a sequestered spot, near the Shrewsbury and Welshpool road. Mrs.
Oldnell and others are landowners.
WOOLASTON is a township and chapelry, pleasantly situated eight miles
north-east by east of Welshpool, which comprehends the townships of
Woolaston, Bulthey, Trefnant, Winnington, Middleton, and Uppington, which
have an area of 5,274A. 1R. 17P. of land, the rateable value of which is
£4,432. 6s. 6d. This chapelry at the census of 1841 had 126 houses and
609 persons. Woolaston township contains 496 acres of land. The
principal landowners are Sir Richard Jenkins, Mrs. H. S. Taber, and Mr.
Smith. Smythe Owen, Esq., is lord of the manor. THE CHAPEL was built in
1783 of rubble stone, and endowed with a grant from Queen Anne’s Bounty,
which amounts to £46. 16s. 7d. per annum. There are 20 acres of glebe
land. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Vicar of
Alberbury, and incumbency of the Rev. J. H. A. Harries, M.A. _Elizabeth
Collins_ left £10, the interest thereof to be given to the poor of this
chapelry. _Owen George_ bequeathed £50, 40s. of the interest thereof to
pay for six sermons, and 20s. to be given in bread to the poor.
POST OFFICE.—_At Wm. Rogers_, Letters arrive at 8 A.M. and are despatched
at 5 P.M.
ALBERBURY DIRECTORY.
Barrett John, farmer & vict., Cross Gates
Bennett John, farmer & vict., Windmill Inn, posting House, Rowton
Bromley Rd., farmer, Eyton
Brown Thomas, farmer and vict., The Dragon
Bruce Donald, butler, Loton Hall
Cooper William, farmer and lime master, Loton
Crane Geo., farmer, Benthall
Davenport Benj., farmer
Davies Mr., farmer, Whattlesborough
Derwas Thos., farmer, Hays
Evans Edward, farmer, Braggington
Evans Griffiths, tailor
Fox William, blacksmith
Gell Daniel, park keeper, Loton
Gittins James, farmer, The Wood
Gittins Jn., farmer, Amaston
Gittins R., frmer, Lower Wood
Huntley Rev. Rd. Webster, vicar, Bloxwell
Jenner Rev. Mr., M.A., curate, Vicarage
Jones Mary, housekeeper, Loton Hall
Kempster Richard, farmer, Little Woolaston
Lee Mrs. Francis, farmer, Rowton
Leighton Sir Baldwin, Bart., J.P., and chairman of Montgomery quarter
sessions, Loton Park
Lyster Henry, Esq., Rowton Castle
Mansell Stephen, farmer, Little Shrawardine
Onions William, basket mkr
Parry Thomas, farmer, Whattlesborough
Plunley John, farmer, Hilly House
Plunley Samuel, farmer
Pearce John, police constable
Powlter Richard, grocer & blacksmith, Rowton
Price John, traveller
Rogers Elizth., shopkeeper
Rogers William, postmaster
Teece John, farmer, Red Abbey
Tullock David, farmer
Wilde John, farmer, White Abbey
Wilde Wm., farmer, Hays
BAUSLEY DIRECTORY.
Derwas John, farmer
Derwas Richard, farmer
Evans John, basket maker
Evans Thomas, farmer, Pecknall
France John, farmer, Brimpoeth
Jones John, carpenter and builder
Pritchard Mrs., Brook Cot.
Speake Thomas, farmer, The Hill
Swaine Isaac, farmer, Hill
Wilde John, butcher and farmer
Wilde Richard, farmer, Plas-y-Court
BULTHEY DIRECTORY.
Burley Thomas, farmer
Swaine John, farmer, The Bank
Williams Richard, farmer, The Hall
COYDWAY DIRECTORY.
Brown Thomas, grocer and beer retailer
Harris Sarah, farmer
Jones Thomas, vict., Hand and Diamond
Jones Thomas, maltster and farmer
Richard George, shoemaker
Richards Thomas, saddler
Swaine Samuel, farmer
Wynne Thos., wheelwright
CREW GREEN DIRECTORY.
Briscoe John, farmer
Davies David, farmer
Downes Richard, farmer
Everall John, farmer
Mansell Mrs.
Payne Charles, farmer and maltster
Pritchard John, farmer
Pugh William, farmer
Ruscoe Abrahm., shopkeeper and beerhouse
Ruscoe Abraham, junior, farmer
Swaine Robert, blacksmith
Turner Joshua, blacksmith
Vaughan Samuel, shoemakr
Vaughan Thomas, saddler & harness maker
Watkin Evan, cooper
Williams John, grocer and provision dealer, & beerhouse, Glen, Newtown
Williams John, cooper and shopkeeper
CRIGGION DIRECTORY.
Brentnall Mrs., The Hall
Brentnall Samuel, farmer
Darwell Rev. Leicester, M.A., Parsonage
Davies Richard, farmer
Ford John, farmer
Gregory Richard, farmer and butcher
Jones John, farmer, Brinford
Morris John, farmer
Morris Mrs., Upper Farm
Owens John, farmer, Coppice
Ridge Francis, farmer
Vaughan William, farmer
Williams Richard, farmer
MIDDLETOWN DIRECTORY.
Harris Rev. John Henry Acton, M.A.
Hughes Mr. Thomas
Jones Isaac, farmer & beerhouse, Bell Isle
Morris Edward, farmer
Parry Thomas, farmer
Parry William, farmer
Poole Robert, machineman
Pritchard Miss, Doves Cot.
Pritchard Srh., vict., New Inn
Thomas Benjamin, gent.
Thomas Stephen, bricklayer and beer retailer
STANFORD DIRECTORY.
Harris James, farmer
Middle John, farmer
Turner Edward, blacksmith
TREFNANT DIRECTORY
Brown John, farmer
Edwards John, farmer
UPPINGTON DIRECTORY.
Dickin Arthur, farmer
Henley Thomas, farmer
Meredith William, miller and farmer
Rogers Thomas, farmer
WINNINGTON DIRECTORY.
Brown Thomas, farmer
Davies William, vict., Rose and Crown, farmer and blacksmith
Jasper James, carrier
Jones Evan, farmr., Hargreave
Rogers Ths. Hall, Mill Farm
Rogers William, farmer
WOOLASTON GREAT DIRECTORY.
Pigford Chas., wheelwright
Clemson Thomas, farmer
Cooper Joseph, wheelwright
Eddowes Thomas, farmer
Jones Elizabeth, farmer
Jones Henry, timber merchant, registrar of births and deaths for the
Alberbury district
Marsh Walter, tailor
Turner Edward, blacksmith
BICTON AND CALCOTT,
a township and village with a scattered population, three miles and a
half west from Shrewsbury, at the census of 1841 had 107 houses and 560
inhabitants, The principal landowners are Sir Richard Jenkins; John
Lloyd, Esq.; Hon. H. W. Powyes; Dr. Crawford; Colonel Wingfield; Mr. R.
B. Blakemore; Mr. T. Wall; and Mr. Matthews; besides whom Mr. Richard
Russ, Mr. Samuel Roberts, and others, are proprietors. THE CHAPEL of
Bicton is a small structure, dedicated to the Holy Trinity; in the
patronage of the vicar of St. Chad, and enjoyed by the Rev. Edward
Sandford. BICTON HALL is a neat stuccoed house; the residence of the
Misses Cotes. There is a school, chiefly supported by voluntary
subscriptions. BICKTON HEATH was enclosed about forty years ago, and is
now covered with luxuriance and fertility. THE NEW CONNEXION METHODISTS
have a chapel here, and a site had been chosen for a new church when our
agent visited this township. The COTTAGE BUILDINGS are a number of
cottages on the road leading to the Isle. Several scattered residences
near to Montford Bridge are in this township, where there is a small
METHODIST CHAPEL. UP AND DOWN ROSSAL contains upwards of 1,200 acres of
land. THE ISLE is a compact estate of 645 acres; the property of the
Rev. Humphrey Sandford. The Severn here makes a great bend, and forms a
peninsula, with so very narrow an isthmus as to occasion to be called the
Isle of Up Rossal. It acquired the name of Rossal from the circumstance
of a family of that name formerly owning the property. The estate was
granted by Queen Elizabeth to Richard Sandford, Esq., an officer of the
crown, and ancestor of the present proprietor: a family long before
possessed of other estates in this neighbourhood. THE ISLE HOUSE is a
good residence on elevated ground, commanding pleasing views of the
country, occupied by the Rev. H. Sandford, the owner of the estate.
ROSSAL, an ancient brick residence, built in 1077, stands in a
sequestered situation, and is the seat of the Dowager Countess Fielding.
THE LUNATIC ASYLUM for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, situated at
Bicton Heath, is a spacious and handsome structure in the Tudor style of
architecture, consisting of centre and wings. It is a brick edifice,
with stone finishings, and was built under the provisions of an act of
parliament obtained in the 9th of George IV. The buildings and airing
yards occupy about four acres of land; and there are eleven acres of
gardens and pleasure grounds, laid out with admirable taste, and
cultivated by the patients. A terrace has been raised round the kitchen
garden, where the females are allowed to walk, which affords a cheerful
prospect of the country, and contributes to the comfort and gratification
of the patients. The men are employed in useful mechanical trades,
attention being paid to diversify the modes of employment and the means
of amusement, so as to excite agreeable emotions, and to soften the
unavoidable severity of confinement. The establishment will accommodate
220 inmates, and the cost of the structure, with the site and various
alterations up to October, 1849, has been £33,537. 16s. 7½d. The
interior arrangements are admirably contrived for the convenience and
comfort of the inmates, and the whole has a clean, orderly, and
well-regulated appearance. The establishment is under the able
superintendence of Richard Oliver, M.D.
BICTON AND CALCOTT DIRECTORY.
Bowlker Frances, schoolmistress
Breese Mary, boarding school, Lower Calcott
Cotes the Misses, Bicton Hall
Cotton William, farmer, Montford Bridge
Crawford William, D.D., Bicton House
Edwards Mr. John, Udlington
Edwards Thomas, clerk
Evans John, bricklayer, Calcott
Hill Rev. Francis, Montford Bridge
Hilton Ann, farmer
Jellicoe Christiana Ann, boarding school, Bicton Cottage
Jenkins Miss Frances, Lower Calcott
Lloyd John, Esq.
Lloyd Richard, vict., Four Crosses
Millman John, nurseryman, Calcott
Oliver Richard, M.D., Bicton Asylum
Peters Martha, farmer
Pritchard Mrs. Mary
Roberts Samuel, farmer
Rowlands Philip, blacksmith
Russ Richard, farmer
Wall Thomas, farmer, Upper Calcott
Whitehorn Jno., Nag’s Head, Montford Bdge.
Wilkinson Mr. Robert, Lower Calcott
UP AND DOWN ROSSAL DIRECTORY.
Fielding Ann Catherine, Dowager Countess Ross, Hall
Hilton Robert, farmer, Down Rossal
Sandford Folliott, Esq., solicitor, The Isle Hse.
Sandford Rev. Humphrey, incumbent of Bicton and Edgton, The Isle House
Sandford Humphrey, Esq., barrister-at-law, The Isle House
Spearman Andrew, Esq., Udlington
Tomkies Richard, farmer, The Isle
Whitfield Thomas, farmer, Down Rossal
Williams Robert, corn miller, Isle Mill
Wood Henry, farmer, Isle Park Farm
CROW MEOL,
a township in the parish of St. Chad, on the Shrewsbury and Montgomery
turnpike road, two miles west from the former town, at the census of 1841
had 24 houses and 120 inhabitants. The township contains 200A. 3R. 11P.
of land, about one half of which is the property of Thomas Brocas, Esq.,
and the remainder is held by upwards of twenty freeholders. COPTHORNE
HOUSE, the residence and property of Thomas Brocas, Esq., is pleasantly
situated, and commands a pleasing view of the country. Adjoining the
hall a neat chapel has been built by Mr. Brocas, where the ministers of
the Wesleyan New Connexion officiate. The principal residents are Thomas
Brocas, Esq., Copthorne Hall; Robert Phillips, Esq., Bowbrook House;
William Adams, farmer; John Bowdler, tailor; and Francis Pool, farmer.
ONSLOW is a township four miles west from Shrewsbury, having 10 houses
and 76 inhabitants at the census of 1841. The land is the property of
Colonel Wingfield, who resides at ONSLOW HALL, a handsome stuccoed
mansion, partly in the parish of St. Chad and partly in that of
Pontesbury. A pillar in the kitchen of the hall is the point of
separation between the two parishes. The principal residents are Colonel
Wingfield, Onslow Hall, and Charles Edward Boore, Richard Vaughan, and
John Wood, farmers.