from LONDON and all parts arrive (from SHREWSBURY), every morning at six,
and are despatched thereto at eight in the evening.
GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Acton Mrs. Fanny Stackhouse, Acton Scott
Baldwin Mrs. —, Church Stretton
Beddoes Wm. Minton, Esq. Minton
Bray Miss Sarah, Church Stretton
Bridgman, Mrs. Clarissa, Church Stretton
Corfield the Misses Ann & Martha, Church Stretton
Darcey William, Esq. Ticklerton
Gibbon Mrs. Ann, Church Stretton
Haverkam Mrs. Mary, All Stretton
Hopwood Mr. Robt. Church Stretton
Nunn Rev. Preston (and surrogate), Church Stretton
Phillips Mrs. Maria, Church Stretton
Robinson Mrs. Eliz. Church Stretton
Tomlinson Miss Ann, Church Streton
Wainwright Mr. Richd. All Stretton
Wilson Rev. Hugh Owen, Church Stretton
ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS.
Andrews Eliza, Church Stretton
FREE SCHOOL, Church Stretton—Thomas Cureton, master; Henrietta G.
Cureton, mistress
Hammond Ann, Little Stretton
Smith the Misses, All Stretton
Wilding Mary (day and boarding), Church Stretton
BLACKSMITHS.
Hotchkiss Mary, Acton Scott
Lewis Robert, All Stretton
Lewis John, Church Stretton
Taylor William, Little Stretton
Wood Henry & Co. Church Stretton
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS.
Davies William, Church Stretton
Dodd Thomas, Church Stretton
Gwynn James, Little Stretton
Hammond Vincent, Little Stretton
Lloyd John, Church Stretton
Miles Thomas, Little Stretton
Reynolds Samuel, All Stretton
Robinson John, Church Stretton
Williams Samuel, All Stretton
BUTCHERS.
Eaton —, Church Stretton
Faulkner John, Church Stretton
Langford John, Lower wood
Preen Samuel, Little Stretton
FIRE &c OFFICE AGENTS.
CROWN, Chas. Mott, Church Stretton
MANCHESTER (fire), James Robinson Home, Church Stretton
SALOP, John Belton, Church Stretton
SHROPSHIRE AND NORTH WALES, James Heighway, Church Stretton
GROCERS AND DEALERS IN SUNDRIES.
Beaumond Thomas, All Stretton
Davies John, Little Stretton
Donnelly Michael, All Stretton
Downes Edward, Little Stretton
Heighway James, Church Stretton
Home Richard & Son (and tallow chandler), Church Stretton
Hughes John, Church Stretton
Lucas Mary, Church Stretton
M‘Cartney Robert (tea), Church Stretton
Meredith Lewis & Co. (& drapers), Church Stretton
Morris John, Church Stretton
Rawlins Mary, All Stretton
Robinson James H. (and draper), Church Stretton
HAIR DRESSERS.
Bellingham James, Church Stretton
Bellingham Hubert, Church Stretton
INNS AND PUBLIC HOUSES.
In CHURCH STRETTON when not otherwise stated.
Buck’s Head, David Evans
Crown (commercial & posting & inland revenue office), Geo. Beetlestone
Crown, Margt. Turner, Little Stretton
Grapes, John Pritchard
King’s Arms, Thomas Owen
Lion, Sarah Mills
New Inn, Thomas Millichop, Little Stretton
New Inn, Richd. Edwards, All Strettn
Plough, George Phipps
Raven, John Martin
Station Inn, William Teague, Marsh brook
San, Edward Downes, Little Stretton
Yew Tree, Wm. Hide, All Stretton
IRONMONGERS.
Cope Matthew, Church Stretton
Wood Henry & Co. Church Stretton
JOINERS & WHEELWRIGHTS.
Beaumond Thomas, All Stretton
Faulkner John, Church Stretton
Hammond Richard, Little Stretton
Hammond Thomas, Little Stretton
Owen Thomas, Church Stretton
Robinson Edward, Church Stretton
Williams Richard, Church Stretton
MALTSTERS.
Evans David, Church Stretton
Heighway Thomas, Lower wood
Lewis John, Church Stretton
M‘Cartney Robert, Church Stretton
Robinson James H. Little Stretton
MILLERS.
Edwards Francis, Little Stretton
Pinches John, All Stretton
PAINTERS, PLUMBERS AND GLAZIERS.
Bailey George, Church Stretton
Lewis John, Church Stretton
Lewis William, Church Stretton
SADDLERS.
Andrews Thomas, Church Stretton
Glover Edward, Church Stretton
STONE MASONS.
Gough Thomas, Church Stretton
Humphries Wm. Church Stretton
Lister Edward, Lower wood
SURGEONS.
Mott Charles, Church Stretton
Wilding Richard, Church Stretton
TAILORS.
Bromley John, Lower wood
Fewtrill James, Church Stretton
Lucas John, Church Stretton
Marston Richard, Church Stretton
Marston William, Church Stretton
Pearson Geo. B. Church Stretton
Preen Thomas, Little Stretton
Roberts William, Church Stretton
Taylor Richard, Lower wood
Taylor Thomas, Little Stretton
WHEELWRIGHTS.
_See Joiners and Wheelwrights_.
WOOLLEN MANUFACTURER.
Williams James, Church Stretton
MISCELLANEOUS.
_The names without address are in_ CHURCH STRETTON.
Bakewell Samuel Glover, proprietor of the lunatic asylum
Beddoes John, skinner
Belton John, clerk to the Union
COUNTY CONSTABULARY OFFICE—Charles Lewis, superintendent
Everall Mary, beer retainer
Hammond Richard, pump maker and well sinker, Little Stretton
Hayes Mary, milliner
Heighway Edwd. auctioneer, All Stretton
Heighway Jas. actuary to savings’ bank
Hince Charles, cattle dealer, All Stretton
Home James Robinson, registrar of births and deaths
Lewis Charles, superintendent of county constabulary
Lewis John, beer retailer
Moore John, watch and clock maker
Morris John, leather cutter
Profit Ann, confectioner
PUBLIC LIBRARY, Church Stretton—Richard Robinson, librarian
Robinson George, cattle dealer
Simpson William, tanner, Little Stretton
STAMP OFFICE—Henry Wishlade, sub-distributer
UNION WORKHOUSE—Henry Evans, master; Louisa Howell, matron
Wishlade Henry, chemist and druggist
Wood Mary, baker
CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY.
ON THE SHREWSBURY AND HEREFORD LINE.
_Station_ at the east end of the town—Hugh Morgan, station master
VANS.
To BISHOPS CASTLE, BRIDGNORTH and CLUN, John Jones, from his house, every
market day.
To SHREWSBURY, — Dobson, every Friday.
CLEOBURY MORTIMER
IS a parish in the hundred of Stoddesdon—the market town, a small one, is
137 miles N.W. from London, 33 S.S.E. from Shrewsbury, and 11 E. from
Ludlow, situated on the road from the metropolis to the latter town,
close to the southern border of the county, abutting upon Worcestershire,
and on an eminence rising gradually from the western hank of the river
Rea, which is crossed by a neat stone bridge. The country around here is
very productive, and its fertility is promoted by the river, and by
numerous fine springs that rise in this neighbourhood. The name of the
place is said to be derived from its situation, in a district abounding
with clay, and from the Saxon word _byrig_, a town; the adjunct, by which
it is distinguished from North Cleobury, is obtained from its ancient
possessor, Ralph de Mortimer, who held it at the time of the general
survey. The town consists principally of one long street, in which are
some good houses, and the mutilated remains of an old cross. The
government of the town is vested in a constable, who is annually
appointed at the court-leet of the lord of the manor, William Lacon
Childe, Esq. This town is included in the twenty-seventh circuit of
County Court towns, for the recovery of debts not exceeding £50.
Formerly this was a place of good trade, having extensive iron works;
these have disappeared, and, with the exception of the extensive paper
works belonging to Mr. Thomas Lambert Hall, jun., and which affords
employment to a considerable number of hands, the town is not
distinguished by any manufactures. The malting business is carried on by
a few individuals; and on the Clee hills, about three miles west, are
collieries, producing good coal, but the works have little or no
influence upon the trade of the town.
The parish church of St. Mary is an ancient structure, with a plain
square tower, surmounted by an octagonal spire of wood, and formerly
belonged to one of the mitred abbeys. The living is a vicarage, in the
gift of the lord of the manor; the Rev. Edward George Childe is the
present incumbent. There is a chapel each for Methodists and Roman
Catholics—the latter is attached to Mawley Hall, about a mile to the
west, the seat of Sir Edward Blount, Bart. The locality of this hall is
very beautiful, and the prospects extensive and pleasing. The endowed
school was founded pursuant to the will of Sir William Lacon Childe,
Knight, dated 1714; and in 1740 the ground was purchased on which the
buildings are erected: it is a well endowed establishment, and educates
upwards of two hundred pupils, of whom forty boys and girls are annually
clothed; and a fee is given for apprenticing boys on their leaving the
school. The present income (including land) amounts to about £500. per
annum: the management is vested in ten trustees: the head master is
appointed by W. L. Childe, Esq., as representative of the founder, and
visitor of the schools. The market is held on Wednesday, and the fairs
April 21st, May 2nd, Trinity Monday, and October 27th. The parish
contained, in 1841, 1,730 inhabitants, and in 1851, 1,738.
POST OFFICE, William Jefferies, _Post Master_.—Letters from various
places EAST and SOUTH arrive (from BEWDLEY) every morning at eight, and
are despatched thereto at a quarter before five in the evening.
GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Blount Sir Edward, Bart. Mawley Hall
Botfield Mrs. Lucy, Hopton Court
Childe Rev. Edward George, Cleobury Mortimer
Childe William Lacon, Esq. Kinlet Hall
Cocks Rev. Charles Richard Somers, Neen Savage
Cooksey Mr. — Cleobury Mortimer
Crump Thomas, Esq. Chorley
Crump Thomas, jun. Esq. Cleobury Mortimer
Davis Rev. William, Bayton
Halliburton Rev. Chas. Corley Rectory
Hayton Rev. John, Cleobury Mortimer
Kemp Rev. Henry, Cleobury Mortimer
Maddison Rev. Charles, St. Hesdon Vicarage
Reynolds Mrs. Elizabeth, Cleobury Mortimer
Richardson Lieutenant Jno. Cleobury Mortimer
Ricketts Rev. Martin H. Cleobury Mortimer
Southam Phillip Saml. Esq. Cleobury Mortimer
Smith Captain—Holly Waste, Cleobury Mortimer
Wicksted Charles, Esq. Shakenhurst
Williams Rev. Jno. Farlow Parsonage
Woodward Rev. Frank, Hopton
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS.
Allday Ann (boarding & day)
ENDOWED SCHOOL—Rev. Henry Kemp, head master
INFANTS’ SCHOOL—Mrs. Tongue, Newall Emma, mistress
ATTORNEYS.
Pope Benjamin
Trow Adam, Prattinton
AUCTIONEERS.
Backhouse Henry O.
Hill William
BAKERS & FLOUR DEALERS.
Keysell Edward
Price James
Yapp Thomas
BLACKSMITHS.
Corfield William, Neen Savage
Harris Thomas
Potter Edward
Webb Sarah
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS.
Bodendam James
Breakwell Thos.
Hide Thomas
Whatmore Jno.
Wheeler Ann
Wheeler James
BUTCHERS.
Bright Edward
Lloyd Thomas
Williams Thos.
Worrall Chas.
CHEMISTS.
Bryant Robert Waller
Hodgkinson William
FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS.
BIRMINGHAM (fire), James Mytton
CROWN (life), Edmund Banks, Whitcombe
SALOP (fire), William Dalls
GROCERS AND DEALERS IN SUNDRIES.
Allen Rebecca
Beddoe Ann
Dallow James
Downes John
Jefferies Wm.
Keysell Edward
Parry Isaac Thos.
Wheeler James
Williams Elizbth.
Yapp Thomas
INNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.
Bell, Hannah Vaughne
Crown, Joseph Mineall
Fountain, Thomas Breakwell
Fox, James Jones
King’s Arms, William Adams
Plough, James Ward
Red Lion, Thomas Worrall
Swan, Benjamin Dorrall
Talbot, Wm. Dorrell (inland revenue office)
LAND AGENTS.
Boucher James
Bourne James
LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPRS.
Downes William
Mytton James
MALTSTERS.
Beddoe Charles (& dealer in hops)
Dorrell William
Keysell Edward
Wheeler William
MILLERS.
Dorrell Benjamin
Hall Thomas Lambert, jun. Neen Savage
Yapp Thomas
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKERS.
Cooper Mary Ann
Morris Caroline
Nichols Misses
Tonge Julia
PAPER MAKER.
Hall Thomas Lambert, jun. CLEOBURY PAPER MILL
SADDLERS.
Littler William
Palmer Samuel
STONE MASONS.
Habberley William
Jones John
Potter Samuel
SURGEONS.
Jones William Weaver
Pope Thomas
Whitcombe Edmund Banks
SURVEYORS—LAND.
Dallow William (and road)
Hill William
TAILORS.
Cook Charles
Farmer Thomas
Mytton James
Pennington Geo.
Potter George
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Merrick John
Williams Thomas
MISCELLANEOUS.
Cook William, high bailiff, clerk to the Union, assistant clerk to the
Magistrates, and superintendent registrar of births, deaths and marriages
Dallow James, skinner
Dearn Andrew, nail maker
Downes Thomas, beer retailer
Evans John, tin-plate worker and ironmonger
Farmer Wm. parish clerk and collector of taxes
Griffiths John, hair dresser
Hare Mary, joiner
Howell James, sawyer
Hume Benj. & Jas. painters and glaziers
Jeffries William post master
Knott Richard, cooper
Morris Elizabeth, beer retailer
Napper William, painter and glazier
Share Thomas, sawyer
Smith John, joiners
Stockell Thos. watch and clock maker
Tonge George, cattle dealer
Wainwright William, relieving officer
Watmore John, town crier
Whetstone William, beer retailer
Whitcombe Edmund Banks, registrar of births, deaths and marriages
Whitworth Thos. Milne, inland revenue officer
POOR LAW UNION.
WORKHOUSE, Cleobury Mortimer,
_Master_—Thomas Harding
_Matron_—Sarah Harding
_Schoolmistress_—Sarah Jones
_Clerk to the Board of Guardians_—Wm. Cook
_Medical Officer_—C. B. C. Beale
_Relieving Officer_—William Wainwright
COUNTY COURT.
_Judge_—Uvedale Corbett, Esq.
_High Bailiff_—William Cooke
_Clerk_—Adam Brattington Trow
_Bailiff_—William Farmer
RAILWAY.
The nearest _Station_ is at LUDLOW, 11 miles to the west of Cleobury
Mortimer, on the Shrewsbury and Hereford line.
CARRIERS.
To LUDLOW, Margaret West & James Wheeler, every Monday
To KIDDERMINSTER, James Jones and James Wheeler, every Tuesday
CLUN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD.
CLUN is a parish in the hundred of Purslow—the market town, which was a
borough, incorporated by the Lords Marchers, in the thirteenth century,
is 157 miles N.W. from London, 26 S.S.W. from Shrewsbury, and 16 W. by N.
from Ludlow; pleasantly and rather romantically situated on a gentle
eminence surrounded by hills of bolder elevation. It takes its name from
the river Colun or Clun (by the Welsh called _Colunwy_), which passes
through the town, and is crossed by an ancient bridge of five arches.
The castle, according to Camden, was built by William Fitz-Alan, Earl of
Arundel in the reign of Henry III, and is supposed to have been
demolished by Owen Glyndwr, in his rebellion against Henry IV.: it
continued in the line of Fitz-Alan until the reign of Elizabeth, when, by
the marriage of Mary Fitz-Alan to Philip Howard, son of Thomas, Duke of
Norfolk, it became vested in that noble family. It is now a most
magnificent ruin; the remains consist of the lofty and massive walls of
the keep, the banquet-hall, and part of two round towers. This castle
and neighbourhood is conjectured to have been the scene of Sir Walter
Scott’s much admired tale of ‘the Betrothed.’ In the parish are the Caer
Ditches, or _Caer Carodoc_, the station of the renowned British hero,
Caractacus, and the scene of his last efforts against the Roman general
Ostorius; and about two miles west of the town passes the great dyke
thrown up by the Saxon king Offa in the eighth century. The government
under its ancient incorporation was vested in a high steward, two
bailiffs, a recorder, and the burgesses, assisted by a town clerk, two
serjeants at mace, &c. The steward is now the principal governing
officer, but the court of record for adjudicating claims has been
superseded by the new County Court, which sits at Bishop’s Castle, and
takes cognizance of debts to any amount not exceeding £50. The Earl
Powis is lord of the lordship or honour of Clun, and holds his courts for
the same at certain periods; and Clun is a polling station at the
election of members to represent South Salop.
The parish church of Saint George is a venerable pile, partially
destroyed by Fleetwood, one of Cromwell’s generals, and never since
perfectly restored. The most ancient part is the nave, which is of a
very early date, probably anterior to the Norman conquest. The side
aisles are purely in the early English style, and one of them has a very
handsome roof and canopy. In the interior are some neat monuments, and
it possesses an organ and a choir of singers. The church is surmounted
by a low tower, containing a peal of six fine bells. It formerly was
connected with Wenlock abbey, and at the dissolution of religious houses
the great tithes were alienated from the church, and are now in the
possession of the Earl Powis, who is the patron of the living which is a
vicarage; the present incumbent is the Honourable Rev. George Herbert,
brother of the patron. The other places of worship are a chapel of ease
in the town, another in the township of NEWCASTLE, and the Wesleyan and
Primitive Methodists have one each. Adjoining the town is Clun Hospital,
dedicated to the Holy and Undivided Trinity, founded in the year 1613 by
the Right Honbl. Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, for the maintenance
of fourteen old men and a warden. The building consists of sixteen
distinct dwellings for the old men, a house for the warden, a chapel and
a dining hall forming a quadrangle. The old men receive £2. per month,
are provided with a garden and fuel, and have other perquisites. The
management is vested in the rector of Hopesay, the vicar of Clun, and the
vicar and bailiff of Bishop’s Castle; the bishop of Hereford is visitor.
The market is held on Tuesday; and the fairs, May 11th, Whit-Tuesday,
September 23rd, and November 22nd, for cattle, sheep, pigs and pedlary.
The parish contained in 1841, 2,077 inhabitants and in 1851, 2,121.
POST OFFICE, CLUN, Eliza Thomas, _Post Mistress_.—Letters from LONDON and
all parts arrive (from SHREWSBURY) every morning at nine, and are
despatched thereto every afternoon at five.
GENTRY & CLERGY.
Creswell Rev. James, Newcastle
Evans Mrs. Elizabeth, Clun
Evans Thomas, Esq. Castle Cottage
Haighway Mr. Thomas, Clun
Herbert Honourable Rev. George, Vicarage Clan
Langford Mr. John, Clun
Matthews Mr. Thomas, Clun
Morgan Rev. John Jenkins, Clun
Morris Philip, Esq. the Hurst
Owen Mrs. Mary, Clun
Rogers Mrs. Ann, Clun
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS.
Davies Margaret (day)
Downes Ann (day)
FREE SCHOOL—Henry Steuart; Sarah Tallis, mistress
Rawlings Mary (day)
BAKERS & FLOUR DEALERS.
Baker John
Davies Mary
Harris Richard
Jackson Thomas
BLACKSMITHS.
Evans John, Newcastle
Jones John, Chapel lawn
Jones Thomas
Morgan James, Whitcott
Price John
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS.
Addis John
Chelmick Francs.
Cottrell Richard
Francis John
Francis Thomas
Giddings Thos.
Hinse William, _Clunton_
Jones James
Price Edward
Rawlings Fras.
Whiston Edwd.
Whittall Thos.
BUTCHERS.
Davis Thomas
Sarkey Richard
GROCERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES.
Haighway Harriet
James Sarah
Jones Richard, Newcastle
Jones William & Harley (& drapers)
Moore Jane (& draper)
Rawlings John (&. draper)
Thomas Eliza
Vaughan Richard
INNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.
Buffalo (commercial and inland revenue office), Jeremiah Bright
Crown, John Farmer, Clunton
Crown, Richard Jones, Newcastle
Crown, Morgan Williams
Six Bells, Edwin Taylor
Sun, John Whiston
While Horse, William Lloyd
Woodcock, Samuel Baldwin, Chapel lawn
RETAILERS OF BEER.
Chelmick William
Davies John
Evans Daniel
Jones James, Whitcott
Luther William
Pritchard Edward, Newcastle
Williams Richard
Williams William
JOINERS.
Chelmick William
Cooke John
Davies John
Davies John, cooper
Hamar James (and builder and iron monger)
Haynes John
MALTSTERS.
Baldwin Samuel, Chapel lawn
Bright Thomas
Evans Daniel
Jones Francis, Clunton
Luther William
MILLERS.
Davies John, Castle Mill
Green William, Hurst Mill
Luther John, Birches Mill
Southern Robert, Newcastle
Watkins Evan
Williams John, Clunton
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKERS.
Beamond Mary
Blight Susanna
Hamer Elizabth
Roberts Elzbth.
SADDLERS.
Parry Thomas
Williams Morgan
STONE MASONS.
Davies John
Faulkner John
Jordan Edward
Speake Samuel
Vaughan Richard
William William
SURGEONS.
Jackson William, M.D.
Shield Robert de la Fosse
TAILORS.
Addis Richard
Harris Richard
Home John
Jones Richard
Mold Benjamin, Clinton
Tudor William
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Francis John
Francis John, Whitcott
Francis Richard
Hinse Thomas, Clunton
Pitchford Francis, Newcastle
MISCELLANEOUS.
Breese Hyla, painter
CLUN HOSPITAL—Jas. D. Lewis, warden
Davies John, cooper
Davies Thomas, painter, plumber, glazier and ironmonger
Downes William, relieving officer
Edwards Edward, fellmonger
Hamar James, agent to the Royal Farmers’ Insurance Company
Lloyd Edward, fellmonger
Thomas Richard Wall, chemist, druggist and veterinary surgeon
Walters William, watch mater
PLACES OF WORSHIP,
AND THEIR MINISTERS.
ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH, Clan—the Hon. and Rev. George Herbert, vicar
CHAPEL OF EASE, Chapel Lawn—Rev. John Jenkins Morgan
CHAPEL OF EASE, Newcastle—Rev. Jas. Creswell
METHODIST (Primitive) CHAPEL, Clan
METHODIST (Wesleyan) CHAPEL, Clun
RAILWAY.
The nearest _Station_ is CRAVEN ARMS, on the Shrewsbury and Hereford
line, twelve miles distant
CARRIER.
To CRAVEN ARMS, John Bowen, from Clun, once a week.
DRAYTON,
WITH THE VILLAGE OF HODNET AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.
DRAYTON, or MARKET DRAYTON, is a market town, in the parish of Drayton in
Hales—which latter is partly in the hundred of Bradford North, in the
county of Salop, and partly in the northern division of the hundred of
Pirehill, county of Stafford; 151 miles N.W. by N. from London, 19 N.E.
by N. from Shrewsbury, 20 N.W. from Stafford, 9 W.S.W. from Whitmore, a
first class station on the London and North-Western Railway, and 18 S.W.
from Newcastle-under-Lyme, which town is about a mile and a half from the
line of the North Staffordshire Railway; situated on the north-western
bank of the river Tern. In Domesday book this place is called
_Druitune_; and the manor belonged successively to the abbot of St.
Ebrulph, in Normandy, and the abbot of Combermere in Cheshire; and it was
from the latter that it received the grant of a market and fair. Blore
heath, about two miles from the town, was the scene of a sanguinary
battle between the houses of York and Lancaster; the latter, with a force
of ten thousand men, being defeated by the Yorkists, with only half that
number. At one period, the town enjoyed considerable business, and had
one of the best markets in this district, but in consequence of the
construction of the Grand Trunk canal its trade declined. Under the head
of manufactures, all that can be mentioned is that for hair-cloth; there
are several corn mills and maltings, and two iron foundries, one of
which, Messrs. William and John Rodenhurst, employ upwards of one hundred
hands. The petty sessions for the Drayton division of the hundred are
held here monthly, and the town is included in the twenty-seventh circuit
of County Court towns, under the acts for the recovery of debts to any
amount, not exceeding £50. The inhabitants of the Staffordshire portion
of the parish have the privilege of proving wills before a steward or
judge, appointed by the lord of the manor, which custom is recorded to
have existed prior to the year 1680.