six miles south-east of the town, takes its name from a kind of mineral
pitch, which exudes out of a red sand stone, from which an oil is
extracted called British oil. A similar substance is also found at this
place, floating on a spring of water. Pitchford Hall is a beautiful
specimen of the half-timbered mansion erected during the sixteenth
century, and is the property of the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, a
descendant maternally of the Ottley family, one of whom purchased the
estate in 1473.
The church, erected in the reign of Henry I. is a specimen of the lesser
Anglo-Norman edifices erected in villages. Its foundation throws some
light on the formation of our parochial establishments and the nature of
tithes.
It appears that previously to its erection the inhabitants of the
lordship went to some of the surrounding churches to hear divine service
and receive the sacraments, and gave their tithes where they chose. Many
of them contributed their tithes to the dean and chapter of St. Chad, in
Salop, on condition that they found a chaplain and clerk, who should
perform service three times a week, and daily visit the sick and baptize
infants; but these duties being much neglected, one Ralph lord of
Pitchford, moved by “charity and zeal,” built a church at his own
expence, and formed a certain district as the boundary of the parish.