exception of the steeple, in the reign of Stephen, consists of a nave,
aisles, a chancel, and a square tower; the latter supported by
buttresses, and ornamented with battlements and pinnacles: the living is
a vicarage, in the patronage of Richard Corbet, Esq.; the Rev. James Lee,
M.A. is the present incumbent. Christ church, Little Drayton, first
opened for divine service, in 1847, was erected partly by subscription,
and partly by the aid of the incorporated society for building and
enlarging churches and chapels, who granted £325., and the late Mrs.
Nunneley, a benevolent lady, contributed the munificent sum of £1,000.
It is a neat structure, consisting of a nave, chancel and aisles: the
living is a perpetual curacy, at present enjoyed by the Rev. Edward
Cheere. The situation of the parsonage is remarkably pleasant, and
commands a fine and extensive view over a delightful country. The
charities comprise a free grammar school, founded and endowed in 1554, by
Sir Rowland Hill; several bequests for clothing the poor, an
apprenticeship fund, and two schools, conducted upon the national plan.
There are several seats and many handsome residences in the neighbourhood
of Drayton, and the country around is fertile, diversified by hill and
dale, and fine open plains. The market, formerly of greater note than at
present, is held on Wednesday; and the fairs on the Wednesday before Palm
Sunday; the Wednesday before 22nd of June, September 19th, and October
24th, for horned cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and hempen and woollen
cloth. The fairs, more recently established, are held on the first
Wednesdays, in February, March and August, and the last Wednesday in
November. The parish of Drayton in Hales contained, in 1841, 4,680, and
in 1851 (including Tyrley in Staffordshire, 784), 4,947 inhabitants.
HODNET is a parish, in the hundred of Bradford North—the village a small
one, is situated 6 miles S.W. from Drayton, on the Shrewsbury road. The
parish church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a very ancient structure
and several handsome monuments ornament the interior, the living is a
rectory; the present incumbent is the Rev. S. H. Macauley. Fairs are
held on the Monday before the second Wednesday in March, May 4th, and the
Monday before the 24th of October. The parish of Hodnet contained, in
1841, 2,185, and in 1851, 2,087.
POST OFFICE, Beast market, DRAYTON, Mary Smith, _Post Mistress_.—Letters
from all parts arrive (from NEWPORT), every morning at half-past four,
and are despatched at a quarter to nine in the evening.
The _Letter Box_ closes at a quarter past eight in the evening.
The _Money Order Office_, open from nine in the morning, till six in the
evening.
POST OFFICE, HODNET, Edward Jones, _Post Master_.—Letters from all parts
arrived (from MARKET DRAYTON), every morning at eight, and are despatched
thereto at a quarter before six in the evening.
The _Money Order Office_, open from nine in the morning till five in the
evening.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Allen Rev. William, Muccleston
Andrews Mr. George, Stafford st
Beeston Mr. Benjamin, Summer hill
Brayn Mrs. Mary, Shropshire st
Broome Rev. Frederick, Adderley
Broughton Peter, Esq. Tunstall Hall
Buchanan Rev. Alexr. H., Hales Hall
Cheere Rev. Edward, Little Drayton
Chetwode Sir John Ludford, Bart., Oakley Hall
Cholmondeley Rev. Rd. Hugh, Hodnet
Clive Henry Beyley, Esq. Stych Hall
Clive Robert Herbert, Esq. Stych Hall
Corbet Richard, Esq. Adderley Hall
Davies Rev. Daniel, Wollerton
Dickins Miss Rachael, Shropshire st
Dodd John Whitehall, Esq. Cloverley Hall
Embray Mr. Thomas, Stafford st
Emery Mr William, Rose hill
Gladstone Rev. John, Stoke
Harding Egerton, Esq. Old Springs
Harding George, Esq. Colehurst
Harding Miss Sarah, Shropshire st
Hill Lord Viscount, Hawkstone
Hill Captain George, Peplow Hall
Hill Rev. John, Weston
Hill Thomas Esq. Almington Hall
Hinchcliffe Rev. Edward, Muccleston
Horner Charles John, Shropshire st
Johnson Rev. Bertie, Child’s Ercal
Johnson Mr. Robert, Belton
Justice Henry, Esq. Hinstock Hall
Kilmorey the Honble. the Earl of, Shevington Hall
Lee Rev. James, M.A. Vicarage
Lockett Mr. Thomas, Frog lane
Macauley Rev. Saml. Herrick, Hodnet
Masefield John, Esq. Ellerton Hall
Minor Walter, Esq. Wollerton
Minor Mr. William, Hills
Norcop Wm. Church, Esq. Betton Hall
Percy John A. C. Esq. Hodnet Hall
Powell Mr. Edward, Cotton
Pritchard Mr. Thomas Gray, Hodnet
Ratcliff Mr. William, Little Drayton
Sillitoe Mrs. —, Pellwall House
Spencer Mr. Walter Geo. the Mount
Tayleur Mrs. Frances, Field House
Tayleur Jno. Esq. Buntingsdale House
Twemlow Thomas, Esq. Peats wood
Upton Rev. Robert, Moreton-Say
Whitfield Mr. Thos. Springhill Cottge
Williams Mrs. Elizabeth, Stafford st
Wilson John Edward, Esq. the Grove
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS.
Not otherwise described are Day Schools
Ashley Ann, Hodnet
Bratton Mary Ann (bdg.), Beast mkt
Bratton Mary, Church st
Done Mary, Longslow lane
Eaton George, Cheshire st
Ellcock Frances Mary (boarding and day), Sheep market
FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, Churchyard—Charles Cooke, master
Green Maria, Hales
Jones Edward, Hodnet
Jones Elizabeth, Shropshire st
NATIONAL SCHOOLS:—
Hodnet—Jas. Chas. Clarke, master
Spring hill—Wm. Scott, master; Lucy Capers, mistress
Little Drayton—Charles Miles, master; Judith Ford, mistress
Wigley William Henry (boarding and day), Shropshire st
Williams Lucy, Shropshire st
AGENTS.
(_See also Fire_, _&c._, _Office Agents_.)
Downes Thomas (tile and quarry), Hodnet
Fell Robert (for Hazeldine & Co., coal merchants), Old wharf
Frith Joseph (to Richard Corbet, Esq.), Stafford st
Gill George (to Lord Viscount Hill), Weston
Gregory John (to the Hon. the Earl of Kilmorey), Shevington Hall
Tomkinson William (for Jas. Smith), Old wharf
Warren Joseph Loxdale (to the Property Protection Society) Cheshire
street
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MAKERS.
Gower Andrew Woodgate & Son, Sheep market
Rodenhurst William & John, Shropshire street—(_See advertisement_) {18}
ATTORNEYS.
Grimley Henry, Shropshire st
Pigot Creswell, Stafford st
Warren & Onions, Shropshire st
Warren Joseph Loxdale (and clerk to the magistrates), Cheshire st
Wilkinson William M. & Joseph E. Shropshire st
BAKERS.
Belliss Elizabeth, Hodnet
Chesters William, Shropshire st
Harper Edward H. (& confectioner), High street
Moore John, Shropshire st
Wild Thomas, Hodnet
Wright Nathaniel, Shropshire st
BANKERS.
MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL DISTRICT BANKING COMPY. (Branch) Shropshire
st—(open on market and fair days—draw on Smith, Payne & Smiths’,
London)—John Mills, manager
Saxton Brothers, High st—(draw on Williams, Deacon & Co. London)
SAVINGS’ BANK, Cheshire street—(open the first Monday in every
month)—John Moore, actuary
BLACKSMITHS.
Bruckshaw Benjamin, Old wharf
Bruckshaw Robert, Longslow
Bruckshaw William, Beast market
Duckworth Henry, Little Drayton
Edge John, Hales
Fox William, Beast market
Hughes Enoch, Bell lane
Hughes Samuel, Hodnet
Latham Henry, Hodnet
Ryder George, Little Drayton
Worrall Henry, Hodnet
BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS AND PRINTERS.
Silvester & Lockett, High st
Trundle Josiah S. (and music seller and dealer in patent medicines), High
street
BOOT & SHOE MAKERS.
Beswick William, Stafford st
Boughey Samuel, Little Drayton
Cartwright Samuel, Hodnet
Churton Thomas, Hodnet
Corfield Joseph, Cheshire st
Done Robert, Sheep market
Duckers William, Cheshire st
Griffith John, Hales
Hughes Charles, Hodnet
Jones Joseph, Bell lane
Jones Samuel, Bell lane
Jones William, Little Drayton
Morris William, Sheep market
Mullineux John, Shropshire st
Owen Samuel, Little Drayton
Ralphs Joseph, Little Drayton
Ridgway William, Hodnet
Roylance Thomas, Little Drayton
Stanyer Samuel, Bell lane
Steventon John, Little Drayton
Vaughan Andrew, Hodnet
Williams John, Little Drayton
Williamson James, Beast market
BRAZIERS AND TINMEN.
Griffith Benjamin, Beast market
Snow Thomas & Joseph, High st
Swinchatt Geo. Williamson, High st
Walsh Joseph, Shropshire
BUILDERS.
Barratt Thomas, Sheep market
Griffith Isaac, Sheep market
Montford Thomas, St. Mary st
BUTCHERS.
Barker John, Beast market
Jackson Edward, Hodnet
Jervis Joseph, Little Drayton
Lander Robert, Little Drayton
Painter Richard, Kiln bank
Parsonage John, Little Drayton
Poole Thomas Little Drayton
Sargeant Matthew, Sheep market
Tittley Charles, Hodnet
Tittley Thomas, Hodnet
Wade Hill, Little Drayton
CABINET MAKERS & JOINERS.
Marked thus * are also Upholsterers.
* Bradshaw John, Beast market
Brown Thomas, Cheshire st
Chritchley Cornelius (& coach builder), Beast market
Griffith Isaac, Sheep market
* Harper George, Shropshire st
Jones Josiah, Shropshire st
* Montford Thomas, St. Mary st
Noden William, Cheshire st
Swinchatt Charles, Beast market
Wade Charles, Little Drayton
COOPERS.
Drury Thomas, Shropshire st
Hall Thomas, Shropshire st
Taylor William, Sheep market
CORN MERCHANTS.
Griffiths James, High st
Groom Thomas, Stafford st
Morris Philip H. Cheshire st
Tomkinson William, Old Wharf
CURRIERS AND LEATHER SELLERS.
Hill Thos. (& tanner), Beast market
Lewis George, Little Drayton
DRUGGISTS & TEA DEALERS.
(_See also Grocers & Tea Dealers_.)
King William G. Cheshire st
Morgan George E. Shropshire st
Morris Philip Henry, Cheshire st
Pritchard John & Co. Hodnet
Ridgway William, High st
DYERS.
Heyward Richard (& worsted dealer), Sheep market
Trueman William, Cheshire st
FIRE &c. OFFICE AGENTS.
ACCIDENTAL DEATH (life), Bampfield Kettle, Shropshire st
BIRMINGHAM (fire), Geo. E. Morgan, Shropshire st
INDUSTRIAL AND GENERAL (life), George E. Morgan, Shropshire st
LAW, (fire), Henry Grimley, Shropshire st
LAW UNION, John Henry Onions, Shropshire st
LIFE ASSOCIATION OF SCOTLAND, Josiah S. Trundle, High st
MANCHESTER (fire) George Rodgers, High street
NORWICH UNION, Joseph Loxdale Warren, Cheshire st
PROMOTER (life), Joseph Firth, Stafford st
PROVINCIAL (Welsh), Philip Henry Morris, Cheshire st
ROYAL FARMERS’, William Derbyshire Green, Sheep market
SALOP (fire), William G. King, Cheshire street
SHROPSHIRE AND NORTH WALES (fire), Joseph Firth, Stafford st
SOLICITORS AND GENERAL (life), Henry Grimley, Shropshire st
GARDENERS & SEEDSMEN.
Godwin William (and nurseryman), Kiln bank
Roberts Samuel, Beast market
Woolley Thomas, Hodnet
GLASS & CHINA DEALERS.
Barker James, Cheshire st
Eaton George, High st
GROCERS & TEA DEALERS.
(_See also Druggists & Tea Dealers_, _and also Shopkeepers &c._)
Belliss Elizabeth, Hodnet
Crutchley Alfred, High st
Harper Edwin H. High st
Massie Thomas (& tallow chandler), Cheshire st
Moore Thomas, Cheshire st
Morris Philip Henry, Cheshire st
Pace Piercy, Hodnet
Rodenhurst Wm. & Jun. Cheshire st
Snow Thomas & Joseph, High st
Whitfield George, High st
Wild Thomas, Hodnet
Wright Nathaniel, Shropshire st
HAIR DRESSERS.
Griffiths William, Shropshire st
Monks John, Shropshire st
HATTERS.
Jones John, Shropshire st
Stevens Thomas, Shropshire st
HOP MERCHANTS.
Massie Thomas, Cheshire
Morris Philip Henry, Cheshire st
Pace Piercy, Hodnet
Rodenhurst William & John, Cheshire street
Snow Thomas & Joseph, High st
Whitfield George, High st
HORSE HAIR SEATING MANUFACTURERS.
Godwin William, Newtown
Haslam Jno. W. & H. Little Drayton
Ryley Edward (and curled hair and sieve manufacturer), VICTORIA MILL,
Newtown
INNS & POSTING HOUSES.
(_See also Taverns & Public Houses_)
Corbet Arms (commercial), Henry Thomas Smith, High st
White Bear, George Wild, Hodnet
IRONFOUNDERS.
Gower Andrew Woodgate and Son, Sheep market
Rodenhurst William & Jno. Shropshire street—(_See advertisement_)
IRONMONGERS.
Pace Piercy, Hodnet
Rodenhurst William & John, Shropshire street—(_See advertisement_)
Snow Thomas & Joseph, High st
Whitfield George, High st
Wild Thomas, Hodnet
LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS.
Adams & Powell, Shropshire st
Bradbury Walter Andrews, High st
Brayn Joseph, High st
Lloyd Edmund, Shropshire st
Pace Piercy, Hodnet
Pritchard John & Co. Hodnet
Salter Samuel C. & Sarah, High st
Williams George, High st
MALTSTERS.
Fletcher Joseph, Cheshire st and Stafford st
Key John Sayers, Sheep market
Morgan Thomas, Hodnet
Sandells Thomas, Sheep market
Whilton Thomas, Beast market
Wild George, Hodnet
MILLERS.
Adams John, New Mills
Cartwright Richard, Hodnet
Davis Richard, Hinsley Mill
Harper William, Buntingsdale
Lea William, Moreton-Say Mill
Powell William, Stoke Mill
Ryley Edward, Victoria Mill, Newtown
Shaw Stephen, Rose Hill
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKERS.
Boulton Elizabeth, High st
Cartwright Martha, Shropshire st
Churton Elizabeth, Beast market
Grindrod Christina, Beast market
Hopkins Eliza, Beast market
Hudson Mary & Sarah, Stafford st
Leigh Fanny & Emma, Cheshire st
Morris Sarah & Clara, High st
Powell Mary, Hodnet
Roberts Ann, Peats wood
Salter Sarah, High st
Thompson Mary, Stafford st
Wilks Jane, St. Mary st
PAINTERS,
HOUSE, SIGN, &c.
Cockayne Edward, Stafford st
Fox James, Cheshire st
PLUMBERS & GLAZIERS.
Donkin Thomas, Hodnet
Fox James (and gas fitter), Cheshire street
Hinton Robert, Little Drayton
Parsonage Frederick, Sheep market
Pemberton Joseph, Shropshire st
Roberts William, High st
PORTER DEALERS.
Pickering Thomas, Audley brow
Rogers George, High st
Salter Thomas, High st
SADDLERS.
Hill Henry, High st
Hill Robert, High st
Hopwood John, Cheshire st
Morris Samuel, Hodnet
Sillitoe Aaron, Beast market
SALT DEALERS.
Bennion Joseph, Cheshire st
Harper Edwin H. Beast market
Tomkinson William, Old wharf
SHOPKEEPERS & DEALERS IN GROCERIES & SUNDRIES.
Amson Samuel, Cheshire st
Bate Mary, Little Drayton
Bradshaw John, Beast market
Carver Hugh, Shropshire st
Cutler Joseph, Little Drayton
Duckers Martha, Little Drayton
Griffiths Thomas, Shropshire st
Harper George, Shropshire st
Hopkinson James, Cheshire st
Jebb George, Little Drayton
Jones Thomas, Stafford st
Jones William, Little Drayton
Lewis George, Little Drayton
M‘Manus Charles, Shropshire st
Parker William, Shropshire st
Povell James, Little Drayton
Salt George, Sheep market
Sharp Henry, Sheep market
Steele William, Church st
Wickstead William, Hales
Wilks William, Shropshire st
Woodhouse Thomas, Little Drayton
Worrall John, Hodnet
STRAW BONNET MAKERS.
Boulton Elizabeth, High st
Bradbury Maria, Little Drayton
Bruckshaw Mary Ann, Lit. Drayton
Keeling Mary Ann, Little Drayton
Ryder Ellen, Little Drayton
SURGEONS.
Haslam Jos. Nickson, Little Drayton
Lees Barnard, Hodnet
Sandford James F. Shropshire st
Soxton William Waring, Stafford st
Simpson Harry Ernest, Stafford st
Walmsley John Allen, Hodnet
Warburton Thomas, Little Drayton
SURVEYORS.
Frith Joseph (land), Stafford st
Harding George T. (land), Fern hill
Herd James (income tax) Beast mkt
TAILORS.
Allen John, Sheep market
Arkinstall William, Shropshire st
Churton Chas. (and draper), Hodnet
Farnell John, Bell lane
Farnell Samuel, Little Drayton
Farnell William, Wollerton
Forster Alfred, Hodnet
Griffiths Thomas, Shropshire st
Heywood William, Hodnet
Moulton John, Beast market
Stanyer John, Bell lane
Stevens Thos. (and draper), Shropshire st
Williams Geo. (& outfitter), High st
Workman Richard, Church st
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.
Cheshire Cheese, Wm. Kirkham, High st
Crown, Hy. Boulton, Sheep market
Elephant and Castle, Sarah Dale, Shropshire st
George & Dragon, Martha Barnett, Beast market
King’s Arms, Thomas Hampton, Shropshire st
Lamb, Mary Simester, Sheep market
Moon, James Beeston, Almington
Red Bull, Robert Tibbits, Sandy lane
Red Lion, Geo. Evans, Beast market
Red Lion, Thomas Morgan, Hodnet
Royal Oak, Ann and Martha Hill, Cheshire st
Star, John Sayers Key, Sheep market
Talbot, John Barnett, Old Wharf
Unicorn, Thomas Sandells, Sheep market
Unicorn, George Cartwright, Hodnet
RETAILERS OF BEER.
Brasnell Thomas, Little Drayton
Edge Robert, Beast market
Hall Thomas, Shropshire st
Noden William, Cheshire st
Peake Thomas, Little Drayton
Pegg John, Little Drayton
Preston George, Little Drayton
Roden Jane, Cheshire st
Stubbs Elizabeth, Bell lane
Taylor John, Hodnet
Trevor James, Hodnet
Wade Hill, Little Drayton
Wright Nathaniel, Shropshire st
TILE & SLATE MERCHANTS AND DEALERS.
Downes Thomas (agent), Hodnet
Smith James, Old Wharf—William Tomkinson, agent
TIMBER MERCHANTS.
Barratt Thomas, Sheep market
Dimmock Josiah & Timothy & Co. Shropshire st
Edge Robert, Beast market
VETERINARY SURGEONS.
Kettle Bampfield, Shropshire st
Payne Colin Vernon, Cheshire st
WATCH & CLOCK MAKERS.
Bowker George, Cheshire st
Grosvenor Robert, Church st
Rodgers George, High st
WHARFINGERS.
Johnson Robert, Victoria Wharf
Tomkinson William, (& corn merchant), Old Wharf
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Amson Samuel, Cheshire st
Ashley George, Hodnet
Crutchley Charles, Clod hall
Crutchley William, Hodnet
Edge Robert, Beast market
Heywood Warrington, Hales
Latham Henry, Hodnet
Trevor James Hodnet
Wytcherley Samuel, Beast market
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS.
Barnett John, High st
Sandbrook William & Son, Shropshire st
MISCELLANEOUS.
Atkinson James, umbrella maker, Bell lane
Bonell James, pump maker, Sheep market
Burgess Win, clog maker, Sheep market
Carver Hugh, furniture dlr, Shropshire st
Embrey Thomas, grazier, Stafford st
Fielding Henry, clogger, Cheshire st
Gad Thos. turner & chair maker, Shropshire st
Green William Darbyshire, auctioneer, and secretary to the Castle
Insurance Association, Sheep market
Hall Henry, cutler, Sheep market
Hawley Lavina E., teacher of music, Shropshire st
Hazeldine & Co., coal merchants, Old wharf
Herd James, tax surveyor, Sheep market
Heyward Richard, hosier and worsted dealer, Sheep market
Morris Sarah & Clara, Berlin wool repository, High st
Poole William, bricklayer, Little Drayton
Robson James, stone mason, Beast market
Roden Adam, licensed to let post horses, Little Drayton
Saxton Wm. Waring, dealer in bone dust, Tyrley Mill
Sherwin Margery, stay mkr, Lit. Drayton
Shuker Edwd. bricklayer, Little Drayton
Simester John, rope maker, Sheep market
Stead John, stone mason, Hodnet
PLACES OF WORSHIP
AND THEIR MINISTERS,
ST. MARY’S CHURCH, Church street—James Lee, M.A. vicar.
CHRISTS CHURCH, Little Drayton—Rev. Edward Cheere, M.A. perpetual curate.
ST. PETER’S AND ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, Hodnet—Rev. Samuel Herrick Macauley,
incumbent; Rev. Richard Hugh Cholmondeley, curate.
CHAPEL OF EASE, Hales—Rev. Alexander H. Buchanan.
INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, Church street—(Vacant).
INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, Wollerton—Rev. Daniel Davies.
METHODIST (Wesleyan) CHAPEL, Little Drayton.
METHODIST (Primitive) CHAPEL, Cheshire st
POOR LAW UNION.
WORKHOUSE, Little Drayton.
_Governor_—William Crutchley
_Matron_—Ann Crutchley
_Schoolmaster_—(Vacant)
_Schoolmistress_—Martha Crutchley
_Chaplain_—Rev. Robert Upton
_Surgeon_—William W. Saxton
_Clerk to the Board of Guardians_—Wm. M. Wilkinson
_Relieving Officers_—James Boyden, for the Hodnet district, and George
Heywood, for the Market Drayton district
REGISTRARS
OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES.
_Superintendent_—Wm. Manly Wilkinson, Shropshire st
REGISTRARS.
_For the Market Drayton District_—Robt. Grosvenor, Church st
_For the Hodnet District_—James Boyden, Hodnet
_For the Moreton-Say District_—John Wainwright, Norton in Hales
COUNTY COURT.
HELD MONTHLY IN CHESHIRE ST.
_Judge_—Uvedale Corbett, Esq.
_Clerk_—Joseph Loxdale Warren
_High Bailiff_—William Darbyshire Green
* * * * *
CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE DEPOSITORY, High st—Josiah S. Trundle, keeper
CORN INSPECTOR’S OFFICE, at the Corbett Arms Hotel, High st
GAS WORKS, Newtown—Thomas Owen manager
INLAND REVENUE OFFICE, at the Corbett Arms Hotel, High st
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION AND READING ROOM, Beast market—Geo. Eaton,
secretary
NEWS ROOM, High st—Lydia Barnett, keeper
POLICE STATION, Cheshire st—William Hemming, officer
SHEEP MARKET, Stafford st
STAMP OFFICE, Cheshire st—William G. King, distributer
COACH, OMNIBUSES, &c.
To DRAYTON, an _Omnibus_, from the Red Lion, Hodnet, every Wednesday
morning at eleven.
To SHREWSBURY, an _Omnibus_, from the Red Lion, Hodnet, every Saturday
morning at half-past ten.
To WELLINGTON, an _Omnibus_, from the Red Lion, Hodnet, every Thursday
morning at half past ten.
To the WHITMORE STATION, the _Victoria_, from the Unicorn, Drayton, every
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at half-past nine, arriving at the
Station in time for the trains for London, Birmingham, Manchester,
Liverpool, &c.
RAILWAY.
The nearest _Station_ is at WHITMORE, 9 miles N.E. from Drayton, on the
London and North-Western line.
Then is a Coach to the Station three times a week, as above stated.
CARRIERS.
To STOKE and TUNSTALL, George Dawson, from the Royal Oak, Wed.
To WHITMORE, Adam Roden, from Little Drayton, daily.
CONVEYANCE BY WATER.
To all parts of the KINGDOM, the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal
Company, from the Old wharf—William Tomkinson, wharfinger; and from
Victoria wharf, daily—Robert Johnson, wharfinger.
ELLESMERE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD.
ELLESMERE is a market town and parish, in the hundred of Pimhill, 169
miles N.W. from London, 16 N.N.W. from Shrewsbury, and 12 from Wrexham;
situate near the north-western extremity of the county, contiguous to
Flintshire. The town is of Saxon origin, and supposed to derive its name
from the water called _Ailsmere_, i.e. the greatest mere—being the most
extensive lake in this part of the country; it covers about one hundred
and sixteen acres, and is well stocked with fish. Its environs have two
advantages superior to other lakes; a good town borders on one side, and
the beautiful park of Oteley on the other. A mansion, in the
Elizabethian style, erected by the owner of the property, Charles
Kynaston Mainwaring, Esq., and a tower of considerable height immediately
adjoining it (commemorative of the birth of his son and heir), form
picturesque objects from the town: the park is also a fine one,
strikingly diversified with hill and dale. Near the mere is a house of
industry for the poor of five parishes, from which is a delightful
prospect; and on the Castle-hill is one of the finest bowling-greens in
the kingdom from which nine different counties may be seen. The green
occupies the site of the keep of the ancient castle, a frontier fortress
during the unsettled period which preceded the final subjugation of
Wales, and was probably demolished about the close of the parliamentary
war. Ellesmere formerly gave name to a hundred, which, with its
dependencies, was annexed to that of Pimhill, in the 27th year of Henry
VIII. Part of the manor of St. John of Jerusalem extends to the town and
liberties of Ellesmere, which is exclusively governed by its bailiffs,
chosen annually by a jury at a court-leet of the lord of the manor. The
ancient hundred court for the recovery of small debts has been superseded
by the new county court, in which claims are adjudicated to any amount
not exceeding £50. The town has an aspect of respectability and comfort:
it is gas-lighted, and the houses are in general neat and well
constructed. In 1833 a handsome building was completed for a town-hall
and market-house, the ground floor being for the accommodation of those
who have butter, poultry, &c. for sale; while the upper portion is
appropriated to public meetings and occasional assemblies. The principal
trade of Ellesmere is malting; the barley of the neighbourhood being
remarkably good, a corresponding demand for the malt is generally
experienced; and the butter and cheese produced in this part of the
country are of the finest description. There are several excellent inns,
the chief of which is the Bridgewater Arms. This place is in some
measure benefited by a navigation, called the Ellesmere canal, which
forms a communication between the river Dee at Chester and the Severn at
Shrewsbury, and by collateral branches to all parts of the kingdom. The
canal was constructed, in pursuance of an act of parliament, in the 34th
of George III.