bread on St. Thomas’s-day. There are two other bequests recorded on the
table of benefactions, one a sum of £10, and the other a rent charge of
20s. per annum, which have long been lost to the poor.
DUDSTON, a township and small village, is situated about a mile and a
half west from Chirbury, and at the census of 1851 had twelve houses and
96 inhabitants. There are 679A. 3R. 12P. of land, the rateable value of
which is £786. The Earl of Powis is owner of the land in this township.
Rent charge, £93. 11s. 2d.
HOCKLETON township comprises 487A. 2R. 9P. of land, and is situated about
a mile N.E. of Chirbury. The rateable value is £422. 15s. At the last
census there were seven houses and a population of 38 souls. The Earl of
Powis is owner of the land. The small stream of the Camlad intersects
the township. The tithes have been commuted for £49. 10s. 8d.
MARRINGTON, a small rural village a mile and a half south from Chirbury,
is situated in a picturesque glen, watered by a small stream. The hills
on each side rise to a considerable altitude, and being richly covered
with foliage, it forms one of the most romantic dingles in the county of
Shropshire, and is the admiration of every visitor. The township
contains 1,002A. 3R. 37P. of land, and at the census of 1851 had 15
houses and 77 inhabitants. Rateable value, £801. The Earl of Powis and
John Davies, Esq., are the landowners. Rent charge, £65. 14s. 11d.
Merrington Hall is an antique structure composed of timber, the property
of John Davies, Esq., and residence of Mrs. Helena Forbes.
MARTON is a township and pleasant village situate on the Shrewsbury and
Montgomery turnpike road, three miles N.E. from Chirbury. The township
contains 1,318A. 2R. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,419. The
village contains several good residences, and at the census of 1841 there
were 64 houses and 273 inhabitants. Rent charge, £133. 11s. 7d. Marton
Pool covers 40A. 2R. 37P., of which 27A. 2R. 35P. are in this township,
and the rest in that of Wilmington. It is well stocked with various
kinds of fish, and is the frequent resort of wild fowl. John Hamer,
Esq., is the principal landowner in this township. A neat INDEPENDENT
CHAPEL was built some years ago by William Nevitt, Esq., of Marton Villa.
MIDDLETON is a village, township, and chapelry, three miles S.E. from
Chirbury, comprising 1,247A. 3R. 33P. of land, and at the last census had
31 houses and 156 inhabitants. Rent charge, £55. 14s. 7d. THE CHURCH is
a neat structure, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, consisting of nave,
chancel, and transepts, and has 280 sittings, of which 262 are free and
unappropriated. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of the
vicar of Chirbury; incumbent, Rev. Robert Edward Warren, M.A. On
Middleton hill are some druidical remains, which no doubt originally
consisted of twelve upright stones; vestiges of eleven are still to be
seen, in an upright position, and about six feet above the surface of the
ground. The diameter of the circle is about ninety feet. THE NATIONAL
SCHOOL was built in 1843, and enlarged in 1848. The average attendance
of children is about fifty. The principal landowners in Middleton are
George Pritchard, Esq., and Mrs. Stokes.
PRIESTWESTON is a township in the parish of Chirbury, comprising 1,107A.
2R. 26P. of land, the rateable value of which is £847. 12s. 1d. The
village of Priestweston, pleasantly situated three miles S.E. from
Chirbury, contains fifty houses and a population of 222 souls. The
principal landowners are the Earl of Powis, Sir Offley P. Wakeman, Bart.,
George Pritchard, Esq., David Lloyd, Esq., John Beeman, Esq., and Edward
Smith, Esq. Rent charge, £82. 17s. 2d. THE CALVINISTIC METHODISTS have
a small chapel, built in the year 1845.
RORRINGTON, a small village and township in the parish of Chirbury, four
and a half miles east from the church, contains 969A. 0R. 9P. of land,
and at the census of 1851 had 23 houses and 111 persons. Rateable value,
£532. 12s. 6d. Sir Offley P. Wakeman, Bart., is the sole landowner in
this township.
STOCKTON township is situated two and a half miles N.E. from Chirbury,
and has 404A. 3R. 14P. of land, the rateable value of which is £547. 15s.
It contains eleven houses and 53 inhabitants. Rent charge, £35. 2s. 9d.
The Rev. H. Mostyn Pryse and Edward Humphries, Esq., are the landowners.
TIMBERTH township has 257A. 1R. 27P. of land, seven houses and 31
inhabitants, and lies about a mile and a half S.W. from Chirbury.
Rateable value, £258. 5s. 6d. Rent charge, £24. 11s. 8d. The land is
the property of Earl Powis.
WILMINGTON is a township with a few scattered houses, pleasantly situated
four miles N.E. from Chirbury, and has 693A. 1R. 16P. of land, the
rateable value of which is £777. 10s. At the census of 1851 there were
nine houses and 37 inhabitants. Rent charge, £85. 13s. 10d. A fine
sheet of water called Marton Pool covers upwards of forty acres, of which
13A. 0R. 2P. are in this township. The landowners are J. Medlicott,
Esq., and Mr. William Rubbathan.
WALCOT, a township situated on the Shrewsbury and Montgomery turnpike
road, and about half a mile N.E. from Chirbury, contains 345A. 2R. 1P. of
land, and has three houses and a population of 18 souls. Rateable value,
£459. Rent charge, £56. 7s. 1d. Edward Humphries, Esq., is the
landowner.
WINSBURY, a small township a mile and a quarter west from Chirbury,
intersected by the Shrewsbury and Montgomery turnpike road, contains
658A. 1R. 4P. of land, and at the census of 1851 had six houses and 41
inhabitants. Rateable value, £850. Rent charge, £96. 7s. 1d. The land
in this township is the property of the Earl of Powis
WOTHERTON, a small village and township, at the census of 1841 had 18
houses and 95 inhabitants. Rateable value, £756. 13s. 4d.
POST OFFICE.—_At Mr. William Gough’s_. Letters arrive at 9 A.M. and are
despatched at 4 30 P.M.
CHIRBURY DIRECTORY.
Bower Edward, blacksmith
Bridgewaters Benjamin, registrar of births, deaths, and marriages
Bridgewaters Saml., blacksmith
Cotterell Richard, shoemakr
Davies Thomas, shoemaker
Evans Samuel, tailor
Fletcher Mr. Geo., assistant overseer
Gough William, shopkeeper and postmaster
Groves Samuel, farmer
Harris Ann, schoolmistress
Langford Jane, farmer, The Hall
Price John, farmer
Pugh Jno. Frederick, schoolmaster (endowed)
Sneade Mrs. Margaret, vict., The Cross
Watts Thomas, farmer
Whittingham Wm., shoemkr
Wilding Rev. James, M.A., vicar, The Vicarage
Williams Henry, shopkeeper, auctioneer, and butcher
Wood Edward, wheelwright
DUDSTON DIRECTORY.
Gardner Humphrey, farmer, Little Moat
Groves Robert, farmer
Harris John, farmer, Great Moat
Jones Matthew Edwd., farmr
Powell Jeremiah, farmer
Smith Philip, farmer
HOCKLETON DIRECTORY.
Hughes Richard, maltster and farmer
Robinson Joseph, farmer
MARRINGTON DIRECTORY.
Bemand John, farmer
Benson Thomas, shoemaker
Farmer Thomas, farmer
Forbes Mrs. Helena, the Hall
Gittins Thomas, miller
Hurdley Francis, farmer
Makelin William, farmer
Pearce John, farmer, Kingswood
Reynolds William, farmer
Thomas John, farmer, The Bank
MARTON DIRECTORY.
Bemand Richard, farmer
Edwards Matthew, wheelwrt.
Gardner John, blacksmith
Gough Joseph, shopkeeper
Griffiths John, maltster and beerhouse keeper
Griffiths John, farmer
James William, beerhouse and shopkeeper
Jones Rev. John Peter (Independent)
Lewis Richard, farmer
Meddings John, farmer
Morgan Richard, victualler, The Sun Inn
Oliver John, cooper, shopkeeper, and carrier
Phillips Richard, farmer
Preece Mary, farmer
Roberts Samuel, blacksmith
Wilcox Richard and Evan, shoemakers & shopkeepers
MIDDLETON DIRECTORY.
Bromley William, farmer
Gittins John, farmer, Kinton
Mellings Jane & Sons, frmrs.
Preece Vincent, farmer
Price Charles, schoolmaster (national)
Rogers Richard, blacksmith
Warren Rev. Robert Edwd., M.A., incumbent
PRIESTWESTON DIRECTORY.
Davies Wm., farmer, Little Weston
Francis John, farmer, Rudge
Gough Thomas, blacksmith
Holloway John, victualler, Red Lion
Mountford John, farmer, Stapeley
Pearce Saml., farmer, Rudge
Poulton Thos., farmer, Over House
Powell Mary, farmer, Lower Aldrees
Prince Thos., farmer, Brook House
Richards Samuel, shopkpr.
Rolands John, farmer
Taylor George T. R., surgeon
Thomas John, farmer, Upper Aldrees
Thomas William, tailor
Ward John, farmer, Little Weston
Ward Thomas, farmer, New House
Williams Thomas, farmer, Hagley
RORRINGTON DIRECTORY.
Bowen William, shoemaker
Corfield John, miller
Gittins Edward, farmer
Parry William, farmer, Rorrington Hall
Powell John, farmer
Roberts Mary Ann, farmer
Stokes John, shoemaker
Whettall John, blacksmith
Whettall Martha, farmer
STOCKTON DIRECTORY.
Croft Richard, blacksmith
Jones William, farmer
M’Cape Rev. Alex., curate of Chirbury
Morris John, miller
Williams Thomas, farmer
TIMBERTH DIRECTORY.
Davis Edward, farmer
WALCOT DIRECTORY.
Humphries Edward, Esq.
WILMINGTON DIRECTORY.
Miller Samuel, farmer
Rubbathan William, farmer
Whettall Thomas, farmer
WINSBURY DIRECTORY.
Farmer Thomas, farmer
WOTHERTON DIRECTORY.
Blockley Edwd., stone mason and quarry master
Chelmick Edward, farmer
Evans David, farmer
Titley William, farmer and gamekeeper
Whettall John, farmer
BROMPTON-WITH-RISTON, OR RHISTON,
is a township in the parish of Church Stoke, six miles north-west by west
of Bishop’s Castle, containing 1,560 acres of land, the rateable value of
which is £1,168. 18s. 4d. At the census of 1841 there were 22 houses and
119 persons returned as in Brompton, and 10 houses and 71 persons in
Riston. Church Stoke parish is situated in the hundred of Cawrse, in
Montgomeryshire, excepting the above township. There is a good Inn in
the village, called the Blue Bell, situated on Offa’s Dyke, at the
junction of the Montgomery, Newtown, Bishop’s Castle and Shrewsbury
turnpike roads. The principal landowners are the Earl of Powis; Rev.
Richard John Davies, M.A.; Sir Offley P. Wakeman, Bart.; Mr. George
Montford: Mr. Lloyd; and Thomas Brown, Esq.
BROMPTON DIRECTORY.—Thomas Barrs, farmer; Samuel Beamond, wheelwright;
Richard Blaney, farmer, The Ditches; Edward Davies, farmer, Penyllan;
William Davies, farmer and vict., Blue Bell; William Ellis, farmer;
Edward Evans, blacksmith; William Lockley, mason; George Montford,
farmer, Pentra-heylin; William Pugh, farmer, Wellingwern farm; Evan
Watkin, miller and farmer; Stephen Williams, farmer, Lock. RISTON
DIRECTORY.—David Blaney, farmer, Gwarthlow; Richard Griffiths,
wheelwright; Samuel Groves, farmer, Rockley; Richard Lewis, farmer,
Gwarthlow; Edward Price, farmer, Cœprion Farm.
MUCKLEWICK is a township in the parish of Hyssington, in the Chirbury
hundred, the rest of the parish being comprised within the bounds of the
county of Montgomery. The village of Mucklewick lies in a valley five
miles north of Bishop’s Castle, and at the census of 1851 had 13 houses
and 64 inhabitants. The township contains 296 acres of land, exclusive
of common lands, the rateable value of which is £292. 18s. 6d. The
principal landowners are Richard Tibby, Esq.; R. B. More, Esq.; and Mr.
William Llewellyn; besides whom there are several other smaller
proprietors. An act of parliament has recently been obtained for the
enclosure of the common lands in this township.
The principal residents are Thomas Evevall, farmer; William Llewellyn,
farmer; William Mellings, farmer; John Preece, farmer; and Robert Preece,
farmer.
SHELVE
is a sequestered parish, situated in the lower division of the hundred of
Chirbury, six miles north of Bishop’s Castle, containing about 587 acres
of enclosed land, 200 acres of common, and 18¾ acres of glebe; the
rateable value of which is £456. 6s. 10d., and gross estimated rental,
£507. 4s. Robt. Bernard More, Esq. is lord of the manor and sole
landowner. At the census of 1841 there were 14 houses and 69 persons;
population in 1801, 71; and in 1831, 71. This manor formerly belonged to
the Corbets of Caux Castle, though it is not mentioned in Doomsday book.
In the 45th Henry III., Thomas Corbet had the grant of a market here on a
Friday, and a fair on the vigil, the day, and the day after the Invention
of the Cross. On the Lords Corbet of Caux dying without male issue, in
the 24th Edward III., Robert de Harley paid twenty-five marks relief to
the king for the fourth part of the barony of Caux, of which Shelve was a
parcel. The White Grit and the Bog lead mines are near this township.
It is supposed that these mines were worked by the Romans in the time of
Adrian; a pig of lead having been found, on which was a Roman
inscription. Messrs. Edward Lloyd, Ward, and Company are the
proprietors, and Mr. Edward Dickin, manager. THE CHURCH, dedicated to
All Saints, is a stone edifice, with square tower, in which is one bell.
It was built in the year 1839 by Robert Bernard More, Esq. The Rev.
Thomas Frederick More, M.A., is the incumbent. A NATIONAL SCHOOL was
built in the same year by the same benevolent individual, by whom it is
also munificently supported.
DIRECTORY.—John Beamond, farmer, Benree; William Bennett, underground
steward; Edward Dickin, manager, The Lead Works; John Higgins,
schoolmaster; Jeremiah Powell, farmer; Thomas Powell, farmer; Thomas
Price, farmer, Squilva Farm; William Rawson, farmer; Messrs. Ward and
Co., White Grit Lead Mine proprietors and smelters.
WORTHEN
is an extensive parish twelve miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, which contains
the townships of Aston Pigott, Aston Rogers, Beachfield, Brockton,
Bromlow, Bynweston, Grimmer, Habberley Office, Hayes, Heath (Upper and
Nether), Hope, Leigh, Meadow Town, Walton, Worthen, Leighton, Rhos Goch,
and Trelystan,—the last three townships are partly in Montgomeryshire.
The townships of Grimmer, Habberley Office, Hayes, Upper and Nether
Heath, and part of Hope, are in the Ford hundred. The entire parish
comprehends an area of 14,798A. 3R. 31P. of land, the rateable value of
which is £11,520. Population in 1801, 1,602; in 1831, 2,290; in 1841,
3,195; and in 1851 here were 701 houses and 3,227 inhabitants. The
parish is divided into five parts or districts, namely—Bynweston
district, which comprehends the townships of Bynweston, Walton, and
Beachfield; Worthen, comprehending the townships of Worthen, Brockton,
Aston Rogers, and Aston Pigott; Bromlow district, containing Bromlow,
Meadow Town, Leigh, Grimmer, and Hope; the Heath division comprehends
Upper and Lower Heath and Habberley Office; and Trelystan district,
Trelystan, Rhos Goch, and Leighton. The township of Worthen is situated
nine miles N.E. of Montgomery, and contains 707A. 1R. 39P. of land, the
rateable value of which is £755. 16s. 6d. In 1841 there were 223
inhabitants, and in 1851 had 48 houses and 240 persons. This division of
the parish contains the townships of Worthen, Aston Rogers, Aston Pigott,
and Brockton, which together have an area of 3,300 acres of land. The
rent charge apportioned to the rector is £461. 2s. 10d. The principal
landowner in the township is Sir John Roger Kynaston, Bart., who is also
lord of the manor; the Rev. Charles Awdry, Mr. Joseph Bunts, the
Venerable Archdeacon Clive, Mr. Thomas Hughes, Mr. John Inions, Baldwin
Francis Leighton, Esq., John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., Mr. Thomas Morris, Mr.
Thomas Vaughan, and Mr. Robert Woodward, are also proprietors. The name
of Worthen is derived from _Worth_, an old Saxon word, signifying an
habitation. This manor was part of the portion that fell to Roger Corbet
at the conquest. In 30th Henry III. Thomas Corbet had a grant of free
warren here, and in the 54th year of the same reign he had a market on
Wednesday, and a grant of two fairs, one on the eve, day, and day after
the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the other on the eve, day, and
day after the exaltation of the Holy Cross. Fairs are now held on April
7th, July 7th, and October 6th, for the sale of cattle and merchandise,
and on the 2nd of May for the hiring of servants. The fairs are well
attended with all kinds of stock.
THE CHURCH is an ancient stone edifice, dedicated to All Saints, having a
square tower in which is a clock and a peal of six bells. The interior
consists of nave, side aisles, and chancel, the various compartments are
neatly pewed with oak. The chancel was rebuilt in the year 1761, at the
expense of the then rector, and the arch which separates it from the body
of the church by the parish. The living is a rectory valued in the
king’s book at £28. 14s. 7d., now returned at £1,495 in the patronage of
the New College, Oxford, and incumbency of the Rev. Charles Awdry, B.C.L.
The tithes of the whole parish amount to £1,194. 14s. 4d., and there are
160 acres of glebe land. There is a free school now building, chiefly at
the expense of the rector.
CHARITIES.—_Martha Scarlett_, by will, dated 1725, bequeathed £100, the
interest thereof to be paid annually to six poor widows. Besides the
above there are nine other pecuniary gifts recorded on the benefaction
table, amounting to £160, making in the whole £260. There are no deeds
or documents relative to these bequests in the parish, but it is
understood that about £160 was laid out many years ago in the purchase of
a farm in Chirbury, which was sold in 1793 for £375, which, with £100
then on private security, was soon after placed out on the Pool and
Montgomery House of Industry. The interest of this sum is distributed
among the poor at St. Thomas’s-day.
_Robert Nicholson_ left a house and yard in Aston for the benefit of the
poor of Worthen parish for ever. In the year 1793 they were sold for
£211. 2s., which, after paying the solicitor’s bill, left £204. 11s.
clear. This sum was taken by the overseers of the parish (to defray an
expense incurred by a new survey and valuation), who pay an annual sum of
£10 as interest, which is distributed to the poor on St. Thomas’s-day.
_Peter Scarlett_ also left a rent charge of £3 per annum for the benefit
of the poor of the parish of Worthen. _John Powell_, by will, in 1774,
bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens £150, in trust, to
distribute the interest amongst the poor of the parish.
ASTON PIGOTT is a small township and pleasant village eleven miles S.W.
by W. of Shrewsbury, containing 541A. 0R. 16P. of land, the rateable
value of which is £495. At the census of 1841 here were 14 houses and 82
inhabitants. The principal landowners are Mr. John Leech Rowlands, Mr.
Kennedy Smith, Mr. George Griffiths, and Mr. John Inions. THE PRIMITIVE
METHODISTS have a small chapel here.
ASTON ROGERS is a small rural township and village ten and a half miles
S.W. by S. of Shrewsbury, which had at the census of 1851 35 houses and
140 persons. It contains 807A. 1R. 31P. of land, the rateable value of
which is £747. 15s. The principal landowners are Captain Clutton, Mrs.
Platt, Mr. Kennedy Smith, and Mr. Phillips.
BEACHFIELD is a small township two and a half miles west of Worthen,
which contains 597A. 2R. 4P. of land, the rateable value of which is
£604. 13s. 9d. At the census of 1851 here were five houses and 23
inhabitants. The principal freeholder is Thos. Nicholls, Esq.
BROCKTON is a township and well built village thirteen miles S.W. of
Shrewsbury, containing 1,114A. 1R. 21P. of land, the rateable value of
which is £914. 3s. 6d. Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart., is the principal
landowner; Baldwin Francis Leighton, Esq., Mr. Benjamin Broston, Mr.
Aaron Davies, Mr. John Evans, Mr. Alexander Hughes, Mr. Joseph Hickman,
Mr. Evan Stephen, and several others are also proprietors. In 1851 here
were 72 houses and 295 persons.
BROMLOW is a scattered township two miles S.W. of Worthen, situated in a
bold undulating district, containing at the census of 1851 96 houses and
406 residents. The township contains 864A. 3R. 6P. of land, the rateable
value of which is £557. 0s. 6d. The principal freeholders are Mr. B.
Betton, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Richard Betton, Mr. John Blakemore, Mr. Thomas
Blakemore, Mr. Thomas Bromley, Mr. Job Davies, and John Eddowes, Esq.
Bromlow district comprehends the townships of Bromlow, Grimmer, Hope,
Leigh, and Meadow Town, and contains 3,406A. 2R. 19P. of land, the rent
charge on which is £282. 2s.
BYNWESTON is a township and small well built village fourteen and a half
miles S.W. by W. of Shrewsbury. It contains 998A. 0R. 28P. of land, the
rateable value of which is £835. 11s. 6d. At the census of 1851 here
were eleven houses and eighty persons. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is lord
of the manor and sole proprietor. Bynweston district comprises the
townships of Bynweston, Walton, Beachfield, and the Forest of Hayes, and
contains 2,112 acres of land, the rent charge on which is paid to the
rector of Worthen, and amount to £229. 7s. 3d. annually.
GRIMMER is a small township one and a half mile south of Worthen, which
in 1851 had eight houses and 39 persons. It contains 382A. 2R. 31P. of
land, the landowners of which are the Venerable Archdeacon Clive, M.A.,
and the Marquis of Bath.
HABBERLEY OFFICE is a scattered township three miles S.E. by S. of
Worthen, containing 61 houses and 313 inhabitants in 1841, and 58 houses
and 302 persons in 1851. The township contains 1,779A. 2R. 1P. of land,
the rateable value of which is £895. 17s. 3d. The Marquis of Bath is the
principal landowner. The Earl of Tankerville and the Venerable
Archdeacon Clive, M.A., are also proprietors. There are lead mines in
this township worked by a company of shareholders.
HAYES, a small township two and a half miles S.W. of Worthen, contains
two houses and 13 residents at the census of 1851. The landowners in
this township are Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart., and the trustees of the
late John Edwards, Esq.
HEATH UPPER AND NETHER are townships situated about three miles S.E. of
Worthen, containing 1,679A. 0R. 32P. of land, a great portion of which is
heath and moor land. At the census of 1851 here were 142 houses and 719
persons. The principal landowners are the Marquis of Bath, Earl
Tankerville, and Mr. John Rogers. The Batholes and Stiperstone lead
mines are in this district. The lead ore obtained at these mines is of a
superior quality, and got in large quantities. The works are carried on
by Messrs. Jones and Company, who are erecting new offices and powerful
engines for the purpose of extending their mining operations. Mr.
William Baratt is the resident manager. The Heath division of the parish
comprises the townships of Upper and Nether Heath, and Habberley Office,
which together contain 4472A. 2R. of land, the tithes of which are
commuted for £158. 19s. 6d.
HOPE is a chapelry and township in Worthen parish, eight miles and a half
N.E. by N. of Bishop’s Castle, which contains 664A. 3R. 30P. of land, the
rateable value of which is £425. 12s. At the census of 1851 here were 78
houses and 355 inhabitants. THE CHAPEL is a small structure, erected in
1843, and consists of nave and chancel, having a small turret. It is
neatly pewed with open benches, and will accommodate 280 persons. In
consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society, 230 sittings are
free and unappropriated. The Hope school was built in 1844, by means of
a government grant and private subscription. The average attendance of
scholars is 80. The principal freeholders are Mr. James Davies, Mr.
William Eddowes, and John Arthur Lloyd, Esq.
LEIGH is a small township, one mile from Worthen, which contains 868A.
3R. 6P. of land, the rateable value of which is £559. 9s. In 1851 there
were seven houses and 29 persons. The Venerable Archdeacon Clive is sole
proprietor of the township.