of Oswestry, was closely connected with it, as he was the natural son of
Edward Lloyd, of Llanforda, a man of dissolute character, and who, after
dissipating his estate, died without legitimate issue. Edward Llwyd was
born in 1660, and at the age of seventeen was entered in Jesus College,
Oxford. He studied fossils, and became under-keeper of the _Ashmolean
Museum_, and in 1680 succeeded to the head-keeper’s place, vacant by the
resignation of his friend and patron, Dr. Plot. In 1704 he took the
degree of M.A. His researches into the languages, histories, and customs
of the original inhabitants of Great Britain obtained for him a
distinguished name; but the chief fruit of his studies and travels was
his “_Archæologiæ Britannica_,” of which Baxter, in a letter to Sir Hans
Sloane, said, “That it was the work of an age, rather than of a few
years; that it gave great light to the history and antiquities of
Britain, and was an honour to his ancient country.” He was elected
Fellow of the Royal Society, and in the following year the University
gave “proof of the high esteem in which it held his extensive learning,
by electing him Esquire Beadle in Divinity;” but he did not long enjoy
the appointment, as he died after a few days’ illness, in June 1709. His
manuscript collections, relating to Welsh and Irish antiquities,
consisted of above forty volumes in folio, ten in quarto, and upwards of
one hundred of smaller sizes. They were ultimately sold to Sir Thomas
Seabright, of Beachwood, Herts, and were afterwards purchased from Sir
John Seabright, part by the late Thomas Johnes, Esq., of Hafod, and the
other part by the late Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., of Wynnstay. Some years
afterwards, Mr. Johnes’ portion of these literary-treasures were consumed
in a destructive fire that broke out at his elegant mansion, and a
similar fate befel the more valuable of the Wynnstay portion, they having
been consumed in a fire which occurred on the premises of a bookbinder in
Covent-garden, London, where they had been sent for the purpose of being
bound.
WILLIAM MAURICE, of CEFN-Y-BRAICH, and HUGH MORUS, the BARD OF
CEIRIOG.—These two able men, although not Oswestrians, were so closely
connected with the town, as natives of the neighbouring parish of
Llansilin, that a few words on their biography will not be misplaced.
Mr. _Maurice_ was an eminent antiquary, and the industrious collector of
the library of manuscripts now in the Wynnstay library. He was descended
from Lowri, sister of Owen Glyndwr, and what is singularly coincident, he
married Letitia, a descendant of Glyndwr’s successful opponent, Henry
Bolingbroke. She was a Kynaston, of Morton, descended from the Greys of
Powys, and the Greys from Antigony, daughter of Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester, fourth son of Henry IV. William Maurice was so devoted to
Welsh literature, that he erected close to his house, at Cefn-y-Braich, a
building three stories in height, for his library. It was called “The
Study,” but has long since been in ruins. Mr. Walter Davies says of it,
“From what I recollect of it, and of a print in an old Oxford almanack of
‘Friar Bacon’s Study,’ in that university, I judge the one to have been a
_fac simile_ of the other.” This assiduous antiquary died from about
1680 to 1690.
_Hugh Morus_, the Poet, as he is emphatically called, because he excelled
all others in the smooth and flowing _awen_, or song-writing, was born at
Pont-y-Meibion, in the Vale of Ceiriog, in the year 1622. He died in
1709, at the advanced age of 87 years, as appears from his tomb-stone in
Llansilin church-yard having lived in six reigns, exclusive of the
commonwealth. His songs, carols, &c., hundreds in number show his
fertile genius, and many of his productions are marked by wit, irony,
fun, satire, and high poetic beauty. He was a frequent visitor at
Porkington and Chirk Castle, and always a welcome guest.
Mr. JOHN REYNOLDS.—This gentleman, a native of Oswestry, was a nephew of
Mr. John Davies, of Rhiwlas, Denbighshire, author of a small work
entitled “_Heraldry Displayed_.” After his uncle’s death he published a
_Book of Pedigrees_, from Mr. Davies’s manuscript, in the quarto form.
The REV. PETER ROBERTS, A.M., an able writer on Welsh history, resided in
Oswestry for some time. He was born at Rhuabon, Denbighshire, in 1760,
and in 1810 was presented to the living of Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog. He
was prevented by the delicate state of his health from residing on his
living for more than a few of the summer months, his regular home being
in the town of Oswestry, where he was generally respected for his
literary talents and private worth. In 1814 the freedom of the borough
was presented in full assembly to Mr. Roberts, as “Author of numerous and
extensive publications,” “for his deep and laborious researches of
ancient records,” and “in consideration of his profound learning.”
Astronomy and the Oriental languages were his favourite studies in the
early part of his life, and he had aspired to the Astronomical Chair in
Trinity College, Dublin, as successor to the celebrated Archbishop Usher,
whose friendship and regard he had long possessed. The illustration of
his native language, and of the ancient history of the Cymry, afterwards
deeply engaged his attention, and to the discussion of these subjects he
brought such powers of mind, united with such multifarious learning, that
he reminded his contemporaries of the gigantic power of the renowned
Edward Llwyd, and justly entitled himself to the high eulogium of Bishop
Horsley, who declared “there was only _one_ Peter Roberts in the world.”
He closed his earthly career at Halkin, Flintshire, in 1821, whilst
administering relief to a poor parishioner; he was seized with apoplexy,
and died in a few hours afterwards. His published works were numerous
and able. In the list we find “Christianity vindicated, in a series of
letters to Mr. Volney;” “Harmony of the Epistles;” “an essay on the
Origin of the Constellations;” “Art of Universal Correspondence;” “A
Sketch of the Early History of the Cymry or Ancient Britons;” “Review of
the Policy and Peculiar Doctrines of the Church of Rome;” “Manual of
Prophecy,” “Collectanea Cambrica;” “Letter to Dr. Milner, on the supposed
miracle at St. Winifred’s Well;” “Cambrian Popular Antiquities,” &c.
“DICK SPOT.”—A man figuring under this patronymic, but whose real name
was Edward Morris, flourished at Oswestry some years ago. He was
celebrated as a conjuror or professor of legerdemain, and pursued his
tricks with such marvellous success that the name of “_Dick Spot_” was
popular among the humbler classes throughout the district. He professed
to tell a love-sick damsel who was to be her husband; to detect thieves
by turning a key upon the Bible; and by other “craft and subtlety”
inspired his credulous visitors with hopes of coming grandeur and
overflowing fortunes, &c. At length death arrested Morris in his
deceptive career, and his remains were consigned to the earth in Oswestry
Church-yard. Hulbert, in a notice of Oswestry, in his “History of the
County,” refers to Dick Spot’s career, and says, “On requesting an
eccentric but ingenious inhabitant, now one of the Churchwardens, to
furnish me with some particulars of a pamphlet said to be the Life of
_Dick Spot_, he thus replied,—‘I know not who has got his life, but this
I know, that I am in possession of his mortal remains in Oswestry
Church-yard, having purchased the spot of earth which contained them,
from his grand-daughter. His skull, which I had in my hand the other
day, was treated with very little respect by the Hamlet-like grave
digger.’ If poor Morris had been blessed with the gift of foresight, he
certainly would have directed that his mortal remains should be deposited
in a more secure place of sepulture.” Who the eccentric Churchwarden was
the historian does not inform us. We are half inclined to believe that
his _grave_ discovery was a hoax, a species of pleasantry, somewhat
resembling what is called “Bolton Trotting,” and which two or three
well-known wags were wont to indulge in, many years ago, occasionally
with thoughtless imprudence and merciless severity.
Mr. ROBERT SALTER.—This gentleman’s family had for centuries been
connected with Oswestry, the name of “Salter” being recorded in civic
documents of very ancient date. He was author of a piscatorial work,
entitled “_The Modern Angler_,” a _brochure_, written in a series of
letters to a disciple of Isaac Walton, and evidencing a
thoroughly-practical acquaintance with the art of angling. It was
published in 1811. Like that celebrated lover of the finny tribes, he
looks upon his favourite recreation with the warmest enthusiasm of his
craft, and quotes Walton’s refreshing picture of some of the angler’s
joys on closing a long day’s sport. Safely landed at some “friendly
cottage, where the landlady is good, and the daughter innocent and
beautiful: where the room is cleanly, with lavender in the sheets, and
twenty ballads stuck about the wall; there he can enjoy the company of a
talkative brother sportsman, have his trouts dressed for his supper, tell
tales, sing old tunes, or make a catch. There he can talk of the wonders
of nature, with learned admiration, or find some harmless sport to
content him, and pass away a little time, without offence to GOD, or
injury to man.” Mr. Salter’s Letters are worthy of re-publication.
Notabilia.
The use of coaches was introduced into England by Fitz-Alan, Earl of
Arundel, in the year 1580. At first they were drawn only by two horses,
but about the year 1619 six horses were used by the notorious Duke of
Buckingham.
The Duke of Powis visited Oswestry in the Mayoralty of Robert Barkley,
Esq. (1737), in whose accounts are the following items:—“Aug. 8th—Paid
Mrs. Sarah Evans’ bill for wine, for his grace the Duke of Powis, at the
Town Hall, 13s. 3d.; paid John James, for drink to a bonfire when his
grace the Duke of Powis was at the Town Hall, 2s. 6d!”
Oswestry Association, for the prosecution of felons, formed Dec. 14th,
1771, by John Lloyd, Esq., Solicitor. First Treasurer, Mr. Edward
Browne. Mr. Lloyd was the original institutor of societies for the
prosecution of felons.
Races re-commenced September 1802, under the patronage of Sir W. W. Wynn,
Bart., after being discontinued 17 years.
The foundation of Castle Buildings was laid February 1803.
The first Sheriff’s Court held at Oswestry, on Friday, June 20th, 1804.
Stage-coach first established from Shrewsbury, through Oswestry to
Holyhead, by Mr. Robert Lawrence, of Shrewsbury.
The Holyhead and London mail-coach first ran through Oswestry, instead of
Chester, 6th September, 1808, when great rejoicings took place; a saving
of 22 miles was effected in the journey by this change.
Act of Parliament passed in 1809, for paving, cleansing, lighting,
watching, and otherwise improving the streets, and other public passages
and places within the borough.
In 1809 Charles Williams Wynn, Esq., Recorder of Oswestry, received the
thanks of the Corporation and inhabitants of the borough, for voting
independently in the case of the late Duke of York, and for his strict
attention to his parliamentary duties. A piece of plate, of the value of
£60, was presented to him at the same time.
From 1811 to 1814 about three hundred French prisoners of war (military
and naval) on parol in Oswestry. They were in the service of Napoleon
Bonaparte, and consisted of French, Germans, Spaniards, Dutchmen, Poles,
&c. Among them were the Prince D’Aremberg, General Phillipon (who broke
his parol), and other officers of distinction.
In 1812 a Grand Musical Festival was held in the Parish Church, on
occasion of the opening of the New Organ. The _Messiah_ was performed
with great _eclât_ in the church, and a Miscellaneous Concert was given
in the Theatre.
In 1814 the freedom of the borough was presented in full corporative
assembly to _John Freeman Milward Dovaston_, Esq., A.M., of West Felton,
author of _Fitz-Gwarine_, and other beautiful poems, “as a mark of their
respect and admiration of his very pleasing poetic talents, and taste for
elegant literature.”
The New Gaol finished in 1816.
Monday, January 6th, 1817, The Archduke Nicholas, of Russia (the late
Emperor), passed through Oswestry from Wynnstay, on his way to Powis
Castle.
William Ormsby Gore, Esq., High Sheriff of the County in 1817.
The New Burial Ground (formerly Vicar’s Croft), consecrated by the Bishop
of St. Asaph (Dr. Luxmoore), October, 1817.
_Oswestry Herald_ Newspaper first published by the author of this book,
March 21st, 1820, and discontinued Tuesday, Dec. 31st, 1822. In those
days the newspaper stamp-duty was 4d., and advertisement-duty 3s. 6d. on
each advertisement. The newspaper was swamped by excessive taxation.
February 14th, 1820, the Mayor and Corporation of the borough proclaimed
the accession of George IV. to the throne.
The celebrated Mile Oak Tree felled Monday, May 20th, 1824. The girth of
the lower part of the tree, 16½ feet; the largest branch, 5 feet 10
inches in circumference; length of the tree, 57 feet.
Evening Lectures commenced June 20th, 1824, in Oswestry Church, by the
Rev. Thomas Salwey, Vicar of the Parish.
The Church and Burial-ground at Trefonen consecrated by the Bishop of St.
Asaph, on Wednesday, January 17th, 1825, and service commenced on Sunday
morning, January 24th, by the Rev. John Hughes.
The Chancel and new entrance-door to the Parish Church, from
Church-street, finished in 1831.
Our present Gracious Sovereign, when Princess Victoria, on her way from
Powis Castle, visited Oswestry, with her illustrious mother, the Duchess
of Kent, in September, 1832. The royal visitors were received at
Croes-wylan gate by the High Steward (the Hon. Thos. Kenyon), the
Deputy-Mayor, the Coroner, and other members of the Corporation, in their
robes, and a large number of the gentry and tradesmen of the town bearing
white wands. The Princess and her mother did not alight from their
carriage, but merely changed horses at the Wynnstay Arms. During this
short stay Mr. Kenyon congratulated the royal visitors in the name of the
Corporation, and was commanded by the Duchess of Kent to inform the “good
people of Oswestry” of the “very great satisfaction she felt at the
manner in which she was received by the inhabitants of the town and
neighbourhood, and that she felt obliged by their loyal and affectionate
feeling manifested towards herself and the Princess Victoria.” The
Corporation and gentlemen conducted the cavalcade to the Beatrice Gate,
and the Oswestry squadron of North Shropshire Cavalry, under the command
of Captain Croxon, escorted the royal party to Chirk Bridge. Here they
were met by Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., and a detachment of the Denbighshire
Cavalry. Captain Croxon having been introduced to the Princess and
Duchess, and received their thanks, the royal party proceeded onward to
Wynnstay.
A new Church Clock put up, by subscription, April, 1836.
The first Writ of Enquiry from the Court of Queen’s Bench, _Pierce_ v.
_Foulkes_, was tried at Oswestry, December 5th, 1837.
A Vestry held 15th July, 1842, to assess a church-rate. Objections
raised against the Organist’s salary, which, upon vote, was rejected by a
majority of _five_. The following Sunday the organ was not played, nor
was there any singing!
November 2nd, 1842, Prince Ferdinand of Austria passed through Oswestry.
In 1846 the Corporation of Oswestry, assisted by the inhabitants of the
borough, and the gentry of the neighbourhood, entered into a subscription
to present to the Recorder (J. R. Kenyon, Esq.,) a piece of plate, on his
marriage, as a testimonial of their regard and esteem. The plate
consisted of a salver of chaste and elegant workmanship, weighing upwards
of 164 oz., and measuring across twenty-four inches. The inscription in
the centre was as follows:—(Surmounted by the Arms of Oswestry). “To
John Robert Kenyon, D.C.L., on his marriage, from the Corporation and
inhabitants of the town of Oswestry, in testimony of the deep respect in
which he is held as Recorder of the borough, and the grateful feelings
entertained for his liberal support of the different charitable
institutions connected with the town.”—(The Family Arms below.)
Oswestry is 450 feet above the level of the sea, and 254 feet higher than
the Shrewsbury meadows. Shrewsbury is 196 feet above the level of the
sea.
The following heights of places above the sea, either near or in sight of
the Great Western Railway (Birmingham, Shrewsbury, and Chester Sections,)
taken by the Rev. T. E. Evans, of Trinity College, Cambridge, are “facts
worth knowing:”—Hawkstone, 834 feet; Grinshill, 696; Nesscliff, 630;
Llanymynech church, 246; Breiddin, 1,236; Wrekin, 1,494.; Cyrn Moelfre,
1,746; Cader Ferwyn, 2,826; Cern-y-Bwch, 1,206. By Mr.
Murchison:—Oswestry, 460; plan of Shrewsbury, 97; surface of the
Ellesmere canal under Heathhouse bridge, 260 feet. The canal at Chirk is
the height of two locks more than the canal near Whittington. Allowing
24 feet for the rise, it would make the surface of the canal at Chirk,
334 feet.
The late Rev. Walter Davies, rector of Manafon, in his Historical notice
of Llansilin, published in the first volume of the _Cambro-Briton_, says,
“In 1699 there was a well in the parish of Oswestry, called _Ffynnon Maen
Tysilio_, where the inhabitants resorted to celebrate their annual Wake.”
_Oswestry Show_, long since discontinued, was generally held on the first
Thursday after Trinity Sunday. As a pageant it bore no comparison with
Shrewsbury Show. The incorporated companies of the town walked in
procession, preceded with flags, bands of music, &c.
“There was formerly,” says the _Oswestry Herald_, “a castle at Maesbury,
in that township, as we find from Domesday Book. Rainald the Sheriff
(all whose estates devolved on the Fitz-Alans,) held Maesburie under
Roger et ibi fecit Rainaldus Castellum Lvvre.” No mention of this castle
is made by Pennant, Bingley, or any subsequent historian or tourist.
Poor Rate Return.
OSWESTRY TOWN AND PARISH (1855.)
Town and Parish. Acreage Gross Rental Rateable value
assessed to the
Relief of poor.
A. R. P. £ S. D. £ S. D.
Oswestry Town & Liberties. 1753 2 24 16604 18 6 14933 13 0
Ditto Parish 13911 1 31 22280 0 0 20052 10 3
Sketches
OF
The Environs of Oswestry.
SUFFICIENT has been said in these pages to justify much more extended
notices than we can give to the ancient castles, fine old mansions, and
modern residences of wealthy proprietors in this neighbourhood, imparting
as they do so much additional beauty and interest to the bold and
picturesque natural scenery in the midst of which they are so tastefully
situated. Oswestry, as we have already described, is not only a pretty
town, but historically curious; and the charms of nature and art
surrounding it render it still more worthy of admiration. We append
brief descriptions of neighbouring places, all fixed near the Border
Lands of England and Wales, whose history teems with glowing narratives
of embattled hosts, of fierce chieftains in bright array, and of
minstrels famed
“In Cambria’s noon of story,
Ere bright she set in glory!”
Almost every nook and corner has its historic tale, its love or war-song,
or its tradition. These remains of ancient times and deeds of bravery,
with natural beauties superadded,—mountains, valleys, and rivers, of
surpassing loveliness, have invested the Environs of Oswestry with an
enduring interest with which few, if any other towns in the kingdom, can
vie. Our DISTRICT SKETCHES, being arranged alphabetically, will commence
with
ASTON HALL,
The seat of Mrs. Lloyd, widow of the late William Lloyd, Esq. It is
situated on the right of the turnpike-road from Oswestry to Shrewsbury,
about two miles distant from the former. The highly-respected family who
have for so many years occupied this beautiful estate are of great
antiquity, having descended from Einion, Prince of part of Powys, who
distinguished himself in the wars against Henry I. Yorke, in his “_Royal
Tribes of Wales_,” writing in 1799, has furnished a copious notice of the
house of Aston.
“The Lloyds,” he says, “are descended from Einion. The heiress of
the house, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Lloyd, married Foulke Lloyd,
of Fox Hall, or the hall of Foulke, and was great grandmother to the
Rev. John Robert Lloyd, Rector of Whittington and Selattyn, both in
his advowson, the present possessor of Aston. The name of the Fox
Hall family was Rosindale, when they came first from the north. To a
younger branch, settled at Denbigh, we owe our learned countryman,
Humphrey Llwyd. He was of Brazen-nose, Oxford, studied physic, and
lived as family physician in the house of the last Earl of Arundel,
of the name of Fitz-Alan, the Chancellor of the University. He sat
in Parliament for his native town of Denbigh, and died there in the
forty-first year of his age, and was buried in the Parish Church with
a coarse monument, a dry epitaph, and a psalm-tune under it. He
collected many curious books for Lord Lumley (whose sister he
married), which form at this time a valuable part of the Library in
the British Museum. One of his sons was settled at Cheam, in Surrey,
whose great grandson, Robert Lloyd, was Rector of St. Paul’s, Covent
Garden, and contended, but without effect, for the Barony of Lumley.”
Aston Chapel was built in 1594, at the expense of Richard Lloyd, Esq., of
Aston, and then called Christ’s Chapel. It was endowed by its founder
with £15 per annum, and Anne, his wife, left by will £5 per annum in land
to the Chapel, and 40s. for four Welsh sermons to be preached in the
year, with 15s. to be distributed to the poor of Oswestry parish at each
sermon. The chapel was consecrated by Bishop Parry.
BRYNKINALT,
The seat of the Right Hon. Viscount Dungannon, is situated about a mile
from Chirk, and one of the most picturesque mansions in the Principality.
The house was built during the reign of James I., from a design by Inigo
Jones, and is situated on the brow of a hill, at the foot of which flows
the Ceiriog. The park is fine, and is divided by the river. On the site
of this house formerly stood the residence of Tudor Trevor, a British
nobleman who lived A.D. 924, the head of the tribe of March or Maelor,
and who bore the title of Earl of Hereford in right of his mother, the
daughter and heiress of Lluddocca, ab Caradog Vreichvras, Earl of
Hereford. Trevor had large possessions between the Wye and Severn, and
was Lord of both Maelors, Chirk, Whittington, Oswestry, &c. His chief
residence was Whittington Castle; he was contemporary of Hywel Dda, the
Welsh law-giver; and Angharad, daughter of Hywel, became the chieftain’s
wife, and had by him three sons and one daughter. The arms of this
distinguished man, which are still borne by the Trevor family,
are—“Parted per bend sinister ermine and ermines, over all a lion
rampant, or.” Debrett informs us that “Arthur Hill, first Viscount, was
only brother of Trevor, Viscount Hillsborough, ancestor of the Marquess
of Downshire, and grandson of William Hill, who married secondly Mary,
eldest daughter of Sir Marcus Trevor, Viscount Dungannon; so created,
1662, for his signal gallantry in wounding Oliver Cromwell at the Battle
of Marston moor. Arthur, succeeding, 1762, to the estates of his
maternal grandfather, Sir John Trevor, of Brynkinalt, Speaker of the
House of Commons in England, and first Lord Commissioner of the Great
Seal, assumed the name and arms of Trevor, and was created, April 27th,
1765, Viscount Dungannon.” An interesting fact connected with this noble
family is, that the mother of the Duke of Wellington, the “Hero of a
hundred fights,” was Anne, Countess of Mornington, daughter of Arthur
Hill, the first Viscount Dungannon. This illustrious lady was closely
allied with two greatly-distinguished men: her husband, the Earl of
Mornington, ranked high as a musical composer, and “the Duke,” her son,
placed himself high on the roll of fame with conquerors of ancient and
modern renown.
[Picture: Brynkinalt]
The present Viscount Dungannon takes much interest in archæological
pursuits, and is author of an ably-written work, in two volumes, 8vo.,
entitled “The Life and Times of William the Third, King of England, and
Stadtholder of Holland.” His Lordship has acquired the literary
distinctions of M.A., F.A.S., and M.R.S.L., and is an active magistrate
for the district in which he resides. He has large possessions in the
north of Ireland, in which he takes much interest.
CHIRK CASTLE,