portion of worldly substance for the education or relief of the poor is
recognized by very few of our wealthier fellow-countrymen. The usual
channels of relief to the poor and needy—the Poor-Law Union, the Night
Asylum, the Good Samaritan Society, and other institutions of like
class—are excellent in their way, and diffuse much benefit and comfort
among the aged and indigent; but still our ancient charities, especially
our schools and almshouses, whilst they secure to their recipients
permanent, not precarious good, shed a brilliant lustre over the land,
and denote the kind and benignant spirit of many of our ancestors. Would
that the old benevolent English spirit were revived among us, and that
all affluent men, who have possessed their money by inheritance, or
obtained it by the force of their talents, or success in trade or
commerce, would, among their testamentary bequests, never fail to
“remember the poor.” Then should we have comfortable asylums for many
hoary-headed men and women, who, reduced by misfortune, or overwhelmed by
the distressing calamities of life, have no place of quiet shelter—no
resting-place in which to pass the residue of their days.
The following list of Charitable Donations, left for the benefit of the
poor of Oswestry, shows that in days gone by, the weak were not
overlooked by the strong, and that many, imbued with practical Christian
benevolence, deemed it their duty to aid, not only the poor of their own
days, but those also of succeeding generations. The only Aims-Houses in
the town are those situated near the turnpike-gate in Willow-Street.
They are six in number, and were left by Dame Ellen, widow of Sir Francis
Eure. Mrs. Jane Owen, in 1732, bequeathed to the twelve poor persons
(six men and six women), inmates of the alms-houses, the sum of 18s. to
be paid to them yearly, for ever, and also ordered her executor to charge
her real and personal estate with the payment thereof. Mrs. M. Ormsby,
by her will in 1805, requested her daughter (the present Mrs. Ormsby
Gore), and those who should succeed her in the Porkington Estate, would
pay “as she had done,” the poor people in the alms-houses for ever. Mrs.
Ormsby Gore regularly distributes £3 among the inmates on Christmas-Day,
that being the sum her mother had previously given. The alms-houses are
kept in good repair by Mrs. Ormsby Gore, and she selects the inmates.
Names of By what Nature of When payable. By whom. By whom Time of
Donors. Instrument Property, or directed to be distribution.
created, and Amount. distributed,
Date. and in what
manner.
Owen Morgan Will, 31 March £20 per Annum. 25 March Haberdashers’ Parson and
1604 Co., London. Churchwardens
of the Parish
of Oswestry,
for the relief
of the poor
Hugh Yale Will, 2nd Jan. Several Rts. payable at Tenants Bailiffs and 1st January.
1605 messuages and different times Overseers,
lands in amongst the
Oswestry, poor of the
producing at town and 6s.
present £13, of 8d. for a Welsh
thereabouts Sermon
John Morris, & Deed, 24th Ju. £1 10s. per On Feast day of J. W. Eyton. Trustees to be
Wife 1629 annum, on lands Philip & James appointed by
in Crickheath & All-Souls the Burgesses,
to be
distributed in
bread, and for
other purposes
Richard Deed, 23rd Dr. A field in 25 March R. Brayne, Bailiff 52s.
Wycherley 1624 Beatrice St. tenant per annum. for
let for £7 pr. bread and the
annum remainder to
set out an
Apprentice
Dorothy Santley Deed, 18th Ch. £2 12s. per 25 March Roberts, Church-wardens, Every Sunday.
I., 1643 annum issuing Ruthin, Rt. Bailiffs’ and
out of a field Roberts tenant Vicar, in
called Cae bread, to the
Bychan poor of the
town
William Gough Will, 1669 £5 6d. 8d. 25 Decbr. Rd. Hunt, Esq. £2 10s. by the
issuing out of Overseers of
lands in the Parish, and
Treflach the like sum by
the Overseers
of the town,
for the Poor,
and 6s. 8d. to
the Ministers
for a Sermon on
St. Stephen’s
Day
A butt of land Church-wardens
in Beatrice and Overseers
St., for which {124}
5s. pr. anm.
was pd.
Muckleston 5s. per annum 25 March Reps. of David In bread, but
Allen issuing out of Oliver not stated by
houses in whom to be
Cross-Street distributed
Winifred Will, 20th Ju. £2 10s. issuing 25 March Sir W. W. Wynn Vicar and
Matthews 1709 out of a field, Churchwardens
in Trefonen, to put out an
called Maes y apprentice,
Benglog from Oswestry,
and the
townships of
Trefonen,
Treflach,
Sweeney, and
Treferclawdd,
alternately
Mary Lloyd Will. June 5th £100 secured on Dec. 30th Trustees Vicar, Christmas.
1727 Willow-Street Church-wardens,
Gate & Road and Overseers,
in putting out
an apprentice,
and in woollen
clothing for
the poor of the
town each
alternate year
— Peacock — 1732. £5 secured with Dec. 30th Ditto To be Christmas.
the above distributed
amongst poor
house-keepers
of the town
Thomas Turner Will, 1777 £20 secured on March 25 Trustees The Christmas.
Llangedwin Church-wardens
Turnpike Road
Richard Will, 20th Jan. £2 per annum March 25 Rev. Jn. Lloyd The Bailiff, Good Friday.
Muckleston 1638 issuing out of Brunant Vicar, &
estates in Church-wardens,
Carmarthenshire in bread, to
the poor of the
Township of
Oswestry
Francis Shore Will, 13 Aug. £1 per annum This has Feast of St.
1691 issuing out of hitherto been Thomas.
houses in Ch. distributed by
Street, Mr. D. Jones,
belonging to who claims to
Mr. David Jones do so, as the
lineal
descendant of
the surviving
Trustee of the
Testator
Margaret Lloyd Will, 2nd May £1 issuing out Jany. 1st Thomas Allen Mayor and New Year’s Day.
1794 of her house, Church-wardens,
forge, yard, & amongst 20 poor
dwelling-house labourers or
in Oswestry decayed
aforesaid, with tradesmen
one croft of
land thereunto
belonging,
devised to
Richd. Pryce,
Mercer
Elizabeth Will, 1703. £2 per annum Plm Mon Reps. of James Church-wardens, Palm Monday
Williams. issuing out of Vaughan to the poor, in
Mixon Hall, and 6d. or 1s. to
croft each
Rebecca Lloyd Will, 10th Jan. £1 per annum 25 Decbr. Rv. J. Thomas Vicar, amongst Christmas
1733 issuing out of the poor
house in
Cross-Street
Sir William Will, Sep. 7th, £200 21 Decbr. Sir W. W. Wynn Vicar, At such time as
Williams 1734 Church-wardens, they shall
and Trustees, please
amongst such
poor persons of
the Parish as
they shall
think fit
Elizabeth Will Croft at Croxon & Co. The tenant of
Williams Croes-Wylan, Penylan has
occupied with hitherto
Penylan, for distributed
which £1 10s. this sum yearly
has hitherto in clothing for
been paid the poor
— Pierce Will A field called Marg. Oliver She distributes
Cae Mark, in 10s. upon
the Parish of All-Saints’
Llanyblodwel, Day, at Sweeney
occupied by Mountain, to
Margt. Oliver; poor persons of
consists now of Sweeney and
a house and Weston, in
buildings, and money; and also
several small another 10s. in
closes bread
James Phillips Will, 24th Ap. In 1833, £522 Mayor & Church-wardens, Feast of St.
1661 7s. 10d., Corporation of in flannel Simon and St.
which, after Shrewsbury Jude
certain
deductions,
left £186 8s.
8d. to be
distributed
between the
Parishes of St.
Chad,
Shrewsbury,
Oswestry,
Ellesmere, and
Whitchurch
Lady Eure Will Porkington Alms Reps. of Mrs. Money to be
houses, and Jane Owen distribtd. at
18s. per annum Christmas
to poor people
occupying them,
since incrsd.
to £3
Margaret Deed, 2nd Mar Messuage in If not occupied
Godolphin 1748 Cross St. by the Vicar,
exchanged in then to be let
1823 for one in and the rents
Brook St. for distributed by
the use of the the _Country_
Vicar, if Wardens in
actually placing out
resident in the children in the
same _Parish_ whose
Parents’ names
are not in the
Poor’s Books
Sir Nathaniel Will, 1740 Interest of Christmas & Trustees, or Nomination in Christmas and
Lloyd Stock, at Midsummer person the Reps. of Midsummer 12
present authorized by Sir N. Lloyd, & poor persons of
producing £97 them the Bishop of Oswestry, & 8
19s. 8d. per St. Asaph, of Whittington
annum alternately
— Thomas Will £2 12s. Every Su. in Owner of the Ditto St. Thos. Day
annually, out bread Aston property
of lands in —
— Jeffreys ⅓ of an estate Church-wardens St. Thos. Day,
at Osbaston, of lower 4s. out of
which 3rd now division of every 10, to
produces £4 0s. parish the poor in
8d. per annum Morton; 3s. in
Maesbury and
3s. in
Crickheath.
*** Swinnerton’s Charity is lost.
LIST OF CHARITIES FOR THE USE OF THE CHURCHWARDENS, CONSISTING OF SUCH
ONLY AS ARE PAID TO AND DISTRIBUTED BY THEM.
CHARITIES RELATING TO THE TOWN ONLY.
Yale’s; Morris’s; Witcherley’s; Sontley’s; Donor unknown, (Owen?) Land in
Beatrice Street; Muckleston Allen’s; Lloyd and Peacock’s; Muckleston’s
(Poor of Oswestry); Margaret Lloyd’s; Elizabeth Williams’s (Mixon Hall);
Rebecca Lloyd’s (Freeman).
CHARITIES RELATING JOINTLY TO THE TOWN AND PARISH.
Morgan’s; Gough’s; Winifred Matthews’s; Turner’s; Sir William Williams’s.
CHARITIES RELATING TO THE PARISH ONLY.
Elizabeth Williams’s (Croft at Croes-Wylan); Jeffreys’s.
THE SOCIETY FOR BETTERING THE CONDITION OF THE POOR,
Within the Hundred of Oswestry, was established in or about the year
1812, by the late Rev. C. A. A. Lloyd, Rector of Whittington, and the
late Rev. G. N. K. Lloyd, Rector of Selattyn. The objects of the Society
at its original institution were—the encouragement of schools for the
education of the lower classes; the increase of the comforts of the poor
in their dwellings, by the improvement of cottages; the distribution of
moral and religious books and tracts; the encouragement and promotion of
friendly societies; the establishment of a bank for the poor, paying
interest for small sums; and, finally, the distribution of rewards among
the poor for extraordinary acts of industry.
During the progress of the Society very much has been done in the
neighbourhood, through its instrumentality, with regard to the above
objects. Several schools were established soon after its commencement,
and a vast number of moral and religious publications have been given as
prizes, from time to time, to the best-informed children, and also as
rewards for proficiency in writing, drawing, sewing, &c. With respect to
the improvement of cottages, the Society issued several small
publications some years ago, directing the attention of owners of
property to this very important social amelioration; some plans were also
engraved, and rules printed, relative to the building of habitations for
the poor. Through the influence of this institution some Friendly
Societies were established, and also (which is well worthy of notice) a
Savings’ Bank for the poor, about four years _before_ the present
excellent institution commenced operations in conformity with an Act of
Parliament passed on the subject. As soon as the Government Savings’
Bank was opened, the funds of the former were transferred to it.
Subjoined are specimens of some of the prizes which were offered by the
Society during the year 1854:—
No. 2.—To the Labouring Cottager who shall be found to occupy the
best-furnished, neatest, and cleanest Cottage, together with the
best-cultivated Garden, the same being not less than a quarter of an
acre in extent:
£. s. d.
First Prize 1 10 0
Second ditto 1 0 0
Third ditto 0 10 0
No. 5.—To the most deserving Widow, who under the greatest difficulties
has supported herself by her own unassisted exertions:
£. s. d.
First Prize 1 0 0
Second ditto 0 15 0
Third ditto 0 10 0
No. 8.—To the Cottager, or Farming Servant, who shall have accumulated
most money in the Savings’ Bank, the same to have arisen entirely from
his or her own earnings:
£. s. d.
First Prize 2 0 0
Second ditto 1 0 0
No recipients of parish relief are allowed to become candidates for any
of the prizes.
It is to be regretted that the Society, since the loss of its benevolent
founders, has been in a declining state; but it is to be hoped that an
institution which has effected so much social and domestic comfort, and
advanced the cause of morality and vital religion, will not, in this
wealthy district, be allowed to expire for want of support. Franklin has
well observed, that “more will be done for the happiness of the poor by
inuring them to provide for themselves, than could be done by dividing
all your estates among them.” To establish principles of self-reliance
among a people is to secure to them respectability and a manly
independence of character.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.
There are several Friendly Societies in Oswestry, all of which are
conducted with prudence and judgment, and are at present in a state of
prosperity. The following is a list of these institutions:—
Sun Friendly Society, established 1765, consisting of 107 Members.
The Feathers Friendly Society, established 1830, consisting of 150
Members.
King Oswald Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 603 Manchester Unity; established
1833, consisting of 153 Members. Held at Osburn’s Hotel.
Philanthropic Lodge of ditto, No. 1637, established 1838, having 50
Members. Held at the George Inn.
Duke of Cornwall Court of Foresters, No. 86, established 1840, consisting
of 86 Members. Held at the Unicorn Inn.
Ecclesiastical History.
THE PARISH CHURCH.
THIS ancient fabric, though having no pretensions to beauty of
architecture, externally or internally, yet, from its size and the
massiveness of its ivy-mantled tower, has a venerable and somewhat
imposing aspect. Girded on the west side by noble elm trees, and on the
north by an avenue of limes, its tower presents on every side an object
of much interest in the surrounding country. The eye even of the casual
observer cannot fail to remark how much the fabric has suffered in former
times, little probably of the original structure remaining. The
different styles of architecture in the present building might enable the
antiquary to decide with some probability when each particular part was
restored. The only windows possessing any architectural beauty are those
in St. Mary’s chancel, and it is to be lamented that, when the south side
of the chancel was restored some years ago, the new windows were not made
uniform with these. At present nothing can be more incongruous than the
different styles which present themselves on every side.
[Picture: The Parish Church]
There are perhaps few churches, in a parish so large and important as
Oswestry, which contain so meagre a collection of records relating to it.
Doubtless many of the books belonging to it were lost during the
disturbed times which ended in the establishment of the Commonwealth.
The old Vicarage House is supposed to have been burnt down, either at
this time or in some former incursions of the Welsh. It stood on the
north side of the church-yard, and when this site was exchanged with the
late Mr. Lloyd, of Swan Hill, by the then Vicar, for what is now the New
Church-Yard, and which then became the Vicar’s Croft, the row of trees
forming the north side of the avenue, though separated by a wall from the
church-yard, was expressly reserved as belonging to the church; and the
present owner of that property has no right to cut down, or even to lop,
the trees; whilst the Vicar has at all times power to enter upon the
premises to plant new trees, if any of the present ones should be blown
down or injured. The croft which became the Vicar’s, by the above
exchange with Mr. Lloyd, was again exchanged by the late Lord Powis for
what is now the Vicar’s land in Salop Road, and Lord Powis then gave the
croft thus obtained as a free gift to the parish for a new Burial-ground.
This, however, is already nearly filled, and as the Old Church-yard ought
unquestionably to be shut up and disused for burials, another and a
larger Burial-ground is much needed.
In the year 1748 Mrs. Margaret Godolphin endeavoured to remedy the loss
of the old Vicarage House, by leaving to the Vicar and his successors for
the time being a small tenement at the back of Cross-Street, as a
residence, but coupled with this proviso, that if the Vicar should not
occupy it himself, then it was to be let by the Churchwardens, and the
rent appropriated in putting out apprentices from amongst the poor. It
does not appear that the house so given by Mrs. Godolphin was ever
occupied by any Vicar, and it consequently fell at once under the second
provision of the will, and became a sort of Poor-house for the town.
This continued till the year 1823, when the house was exchanged for more
desirable premises in Brook-Street, which were for many years occupied by
the present Vicar; but in consequence of his non-residence, through ill
health, the property has been given up by him, and has once more reverted
to the second purpose of the charity.
The antiquity of the church, as we have already intimated, is not clearly
defined in any of the books relating to the history of the county. In
the records of the Augmentation Office the following minutes are made in
reference to the Rectory and Vicarage of Oswestry:—
“The Church of Oswestry is doubtless of great antiquity. There was
certainly a vicarage here antecedent to the formation of the Valor by
Pope Nicholas IV., A.D. 1291; for in the record, the original of
which is preserved in the Exchequer, Oswestry is thus recorded:—
“ST. ASAPH. SPIRITUALITIES.
DEANERY OF MARCHIA.
_Church of Oswalstræ_:
£. s. d.
Rectory 26 13 4
Vicarage 8 13 4
“From this it is evident that the vicarial endowment of Oswestry must
be of a date prior to 1291; and in all probability, therefore, so
ancient as to preclude the expectation of its being extant,
“The Church of Oswestry was, in early times, given to the Monastery
of Shrewsbury, and afterwards appropriated thereto, and the rectory
and tithes converted to the uses of the said monastery. They
continued to belong to the monastery until, as one of the great
religious houses, Shrewsbury was, by force of the statute of 31 Henry
VIII., dissolved, when its tithes and other possessions came into the
hands of the crown.”
The tithes of Oswestry afterwards became the property of the Earl of
Arundel, Lord of Oswestry, and then of the Earl of Powis, who sold them
in 1819 (excepting the liberties of Oswestry town and Middleton township)
to Mr. W. Lloyd, of Aston, Mr. T. N. Parker, of Sweeney, the Hon. T.
Kenyon, of Pradoe, and others.
Within the tower of the church are eight silver-toned bells, whose joyous
peals on occasions of festivity give hilarity to all who hear them. A
new clock was substituted for an old one in 1836, the cost of which was
paid by public subscription.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary. A new organ was erected by
subscription in 1812; and the organist, by the adoption of effective
sacred music, and the choir, by its able execution of the beautiful
psalmody selected, contribute much to the solemnity and effect of public
worship in this venerable church. The present Organist is Mr. Edward
Eyeley. It is stated that the old organ, a fine-toned instrument, is
fixed in one of the metropolitan churches.
The interior of the church, especially on a Sabbath morning, when a
numerous congregation generally assembles, presents a most delightful
spectacle. The place where, for ages past, divine worship has been held,
and the footsteps of grandsires and great-grandsires have led them to bow
before the “throne of the heavenly grace,” cannot fail to exhibit an
affecting scene to all who understand the frailty and brevity of human
life.
The church was enlarged and beautified in 1807: and in 1831 a new
entrance door was completed at the east or chancel end. A great
improvement in the interior, both as to comfort and effect, would still
be added, were a new set of pews erected. Many of the present pews are
most unsightly and inconvenient. A new set, formed on the most approved
principle of church seat-accommodation, would be acceptable to all
pew-holders, giving neatness and adding comfort within the fabric which
every member of the congregation would heartily approve. The inhabitants
of the parish have accomplished much, in the way of public improvement,
within the last few years; and the alterations we have now suggested
would be a crowning point to their spirited exertions for the benefit and
honour of the town.. The altar-piece might be removed, and a more
suitable one introduced, at a trifling expense.
The Communion Plate belonging to the church consists of the following
articles:—A silver cup, bearing the inscription, “Ex Dono Dauidi
Edwards”; another cup, dated 1575, the gift of “Richard Stanni,” “Elder
Mercer”; a silver flagon, the letters “I. H. S.” engraved thereon, with
the inscription, “Given for the use of the Holy Communion, in the Parish
Church of Oswestry, 1707”; and two silver salvers, the gift of Mrs.
Elizabeth Roderick.
The CHURCH-YARD is no ordinary resting-spot for the dead. As we have
already said, it would be well now to close it as a place of sepulture.
Sanitary motives would urge this change; and the feelings of those whose
departed relatives or friends are about to be consigned to the grave
should be religiously deferred to. The Church-yard may soon be
surrounded by human dwellings, and then the newly-laid dead will lie
amidst the busy living.
[Picture: The Church Gate and Avenue]
Its beautiful avenue, rendered still more pleasant in spring, summer, and
autumn, by the lofty row of lime-trees which separates it from the space
appropriated to the tenements of the dead, might be made still more
impressive in character, were a neat lattice-work constructed, extending
from tree to tree, to mark the line of demarcation between the avenue and
church-yard more distinctly. A sketch of the Avenue, with the Alcove at
the west end, is here given, as well as the florid, chastely-designed
Gate leading to it from Church-Street. This gate was put up in 1738, at
the expence of the parish. Country churchyards are always deeply
interesting to the contemplative and thoughtful; and Gray’s truthful and
pathetic Elegy, which appeals so powerfully to the best feelings of our
nature, has invested them, however rude and humble, with an affecting
character that touches the hearts even of the most indifferent. Oswestry
Church-Yard, with its aged elms of more than a century’s growth; its
sombre yews; its stately tombs and humble graves for patrician and
plebeian dust, “the rich and the poor meeting together,” is a scene
conveying monitory lessons to all who will seriously read them. Among
the tombs are several, bearing appropriate inscriptions, containing the
ashes of French prisoners of war, who died in Oswestry on their parole,
between the years 1811 and 1814. The ancient entrance to the Church-yard
from Upper Brook-Street, through the GRIDDLE GATE, is a curious relic of
byegone times. Formerly, on occasions of burial from the south side of
the town, the coffin of a deceased party was placed temporarily on a bier
within the porch of the Griddle Gate, and thence conveyed to the church.
It will be seen from the engraving we give of this Gate that it was
erected in 1631.
[Picture: The Griddle Gate]
We may here state that the elm-trees in the church-yard were planted at
the expense of the Rev. Thomas Owen, when Vicar of the Parish, between
the years 1707 and 1713.
Monuments and Tablets within the Church.
How valuable are Monumental Inscriptions, when they are the records of
truth, and affectionate tributes to departed worth! The tablets on our
church walls are silent, but often effective monitors, reviving drooping
spirits, recalling scenes of sublunary enjoyments, transient as the stay
of the dew-drop in the sun, and suggesting the brevity and uncertainty of
human existence. Within Oswestry Church, as well as in its grave-yard,
most of the Monuments and Inscriptions are simple, chaste, and
impressive. They either plainly mark the spot where lies the departed
body, or touchingly express the natural grief of surviving relatives or
friends. Whilst wandering among the habitations of the dead, and
viewing, with “slow and solemn steps,” the houses, for rich and poor,
“appointed for all men living,” we can sympathize with Salopia’s own
sweet poet, in his beautiful apostrophe:
“Thou, sainted Memory, art mine,
And smiling Hope, of birth divine,
Ev’n now I feel your mingled pow’r,
Ev’n in this solitary hour.”
On the north wall, within the church, is an ancient monument exhibiting a
male and female kneeling.
“In memory of Mr. HUGH YALE, alderman of this town, and DOROTHY his
wife, daughter of Roger Roden, Esq., of Burton, in the county of
Denbigh, whose bodies are interred within ye chancel of this church,
commonly called St. Mary’s, before its demolition in the late wars,
anno 1616. They gave to ye poor of this town the yearly interest and
benefice of one hundred pounds, to continue for ever; besides other
good acts of charity.”
Beneath this inscription:
“Underneath are interred the remains of MARGARET, the wife of David
Yale, Esq., daughter and heiress of Edward Morris, of Cae-mor, Gent.
She departed this life, the 20th day of December, 1754, aged 66.
Also lye the remains of DAVID YALE, Esq., who dy’d January the 29th,
1763, aged 81. This was erected by her son, John Yale, of Plas yn
Yale, Clerk.”
In 1721 died Edward Yale. There is a monument to him in Wrexham Church,
with the following inscription:—