The Albrighton division was formed into a separate jurisdiction for magisterial purposes under the authority of an Act of parliament, passed in the 4th of William IV. It comprises the following places:—The parishes of Battlefield, Broughton, Fitz, Grinshill, Preston Gubballs, and Uffington; the chapelries of Albrighton, Astley, Clive, and Hadnal; and the township of Acton Reynold, Albrightlee, Harlscott, Hencott, Longner, Berwick, Leaton, Merrington, Newton and Wollascot; and the extra-parochial liberty of Haughmond. It may be necessary to observe, that the arrangement of this work being by hundreds, the townships, or chapelries, comprised in the several hundreds, will be found alphabetically arranged, under the head of the respective town or village, in which the parish church is situated.

ALBRIGHTLEE,

a small township in St. Mary’s parish three miles N.N.E. from Shrewsbury, containing 742a. 2r. 21p. of land, is the property of Andrew William Corbet, Esq. At the census of 1841 there were 8 houses and 45 inhabitants. The principal residence is an antique house of timber and plaster, occupied by Mr. John Minton, who farms a considerable portion of the land in the township, and is also a maltster.

HARLSCOTT

township, situated two and a half miles N.N.E. from Shrewsbury, is partly in St. Alkmund, and partly in that of St. Mary’s. In 1841 there were 8 houses and 41 inhabitants returned as in the former parish, and 6 houses and 28 inhabitants in the latter. The land owners are Andrew William Corbet, Esq., and Scarlett LLoyd Parry, Esq.

The principal residents are Thomas Briscoe Barber, farmer; Scarlett LLoyd Parry, Esq., solicitor; John Ralphs, carpenter; and William Hewlett, shoemaker.

HENCOTT,

a small township with a scattered population, is about one and three quarter miles N. from Shrewsbury. Colonel Wingfield is the only proprietor in this township, which in 1841 had 14 scattered houses and a population of 84 souls. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway intersects this township. The soil for the most part is a fertile loam.

The following are the principal farmers, viz.:—Robert Legh, Cross Hall; Ann Bromley, Hencott farm, Robert Parry, manager; Edward Randles, Old Heath; and Joseph Yates, Old Heath.

BATTLEFIELD

is a small parish, pleasantly situated three and a quarter miles N.N.E. from Shrewsbury, which contains 1,008a. 0r. 3p. of land, the whole of which is the property of Andrew William Corbet, Esq., of Sundorne Castle. In 1801 there was a population of 83 souls; in 1831, 70; and in 1841 there were 14 houses and 64 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,008. 6s. 8d. The name is derived from the battle fought here on the 21st of July, 1403, between Henry IV. and the forces under Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and generally denominated the battle of Shrewsbury, which will be found noticed in a preceding page. The king afterwards built a collegiate church for secular canons, upon the spot where the battle was fought, and “endowed it with a piece of ground, with all the buildings on it, within the lordship of Albrighton Husee, in the field called Battlefield, which piece of ground was ditched in, and contained in length and breadth two acres of land, together with two inlets and outlets along the lands of Richard Husee, one twenty feet wide and the other fifteen feet wide.” No doubt appropriate buildings for the residence of the canons and servants of the establishment were erected on the land inside this ditch: these probably were demolished at the period of the dissolution of monasteries, but no remains of them are now to be seen.

The Church, a venerable fabric dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, consists of nave, chancel, and embattled tower ornamented with pinnacles; the nave, however, has long been roofless, the windows are destroyed, and the tower is in a dilapidated state. Divine worship is now performed in the chancel, which has been neatly fitted up, and a new font recently added. The fine east window was formerly richly adorned with stained glass. In a recess on the south side of the altar is a mutilated carving of the Virgin Mary, with a small figure of the dead Saviour on her lap. A beautiful monument of the white Grinshill freestone, enriched with Gothic tracery, remembers John Corbet, Esq., Emma Elizabeth, his wife, and John Kynaston Corbet, their son. About half a century ago, when the vault was made in which rest the remains of Mr. Corbet, the workmen discovered an ancient stirrup and bridle bit, which had lain among the ashes of the slain since the period of the battle which gave origin to the church. Near the chancel wall, surrounded by pallisades, is the tomb of the Rev. Edward Williams, incumbent of this parish and Uffington, who died on January 3, 1833, aged 70 years. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £233, in the patronage of A. W. Corbet, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. J. O. Hopkins, who is also the perpetual curate of Uffington.

Albright Hussey, an ancient moated residence, situated about half a mile from Battlefield church, was formerly the seat of the Husseys, a family of consequence in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The mansion, in the reign of Charles I., became the seat of the Corbets, who resided there for more than one hundred years. One of the rooms has a fine oak chimney piece, most elaborately carved. Near to the mansion formerly stood a chapel, the remains of which, and the old font, are still to be seen. Roger Roe, rector of the chapel of St. John the Baptist, at Albrighton Husee, by his will, dated 1444, ordered his body to be buried near the high altar of Battlefield church, and bequeathed to the five chaplains in the college three silver chalices, one paxbrede of silver gilt, two silver cruets, three brass bells hanging in the belfry, two cases after the manner of Sarum, otherwise called lyggers, three gilt copper crosses, two new missals, two new graduals, three old missals covered with old leather, one old case, one processional, one executor of the office, one book of collects, four placebo and dirage, one pair of vestments of red velvet, one red velvet cope, two velvet dalmatics, one pair of vestments of white silk, one white silk cope, and four pair of other vestments. Mrs. Margaret Jones, in 1773, left £50, and directed the interest to be given to the poor of the parish on Easter Sunday.

Directory.—Henry Colley, farmer, Huffley; Edward Moreton, farmer, Allbright Hussey; Martha Winnall, farmer, Battlefield farm

BROUGHTON,

a parish and township in the Albrighton division, also contains the township of Yorton, which conjointly contain 878a. 2r. 1p. of land, and in 1841 had 37 houses and 188 inhabitants. The soil is mostly a stiff loam, and the meadow land is of good quality. There are 27a. of woods and plantations in the parish. The principal land owners are Viscount Hill, Spencer Roger Dickin, Esq., Mr. William Teece, and Cornelius Maddocks, the former is lord of the manor. Rateable value of the parish, £1836. 10s. The Church is a small ancient structure, dedicated to St. Mary, and was formerly subordinate to that of St. Mary, Shrewsbury; it is built of rubble stone, and rough cast, and has nave, chancel, porch, and small turret. The living is a perpetual curacy returned in £67, in the patronage of Viscount Hill, and incumbency of the Rev. Francis Parkes. It is related on a late occasion the parish clerk of Broughton was desired to acquaint the congregation during public worship that the then officiating minister would perform divine service at that church and at the Clive alternately, when, not exactly understanding the meaning of the latter term, he very gravely gave notice the Rev. Mr. W. “will preach here and at the Clive to all eternity.” The tithes are commuted for £105, Henry Lister, Esq., is the impropriator. In the field where the church stands an attempt has recently been made to open coal works; it appears that coal was found and lime works were also established, but the project was shortly after abandoned.

Directory.—Mr. William Clay, The farm; Mr. Alderton Clay, The hall; Joseph Molynax, blacksmith; Mr. Samuel Sherratt, The villa, William Sutton, wheelwright.

YORTON,

a small scattered township in the parish of Broughton, is situate about one mile from the church. The population and acres are included in the returns for Broughton. Viscount Hill is lord of the manor, Robert Panting Gardener, Esq., Mrs. Sarah Bayley and others are land owners. The greatest portion of the township is in the hands of R. P. Gardner, Esq.

Yorton Villa, the residence of the Rev. William Jaudwine, M.A., is a square stuccoed house pleasantly situated, and beautified with pleasure grounds, and shrubberies laid out with great taste. The following are the principal residents in this township:—Those with † affixed reside at Yorton Heath, Rev. William Jaudwine, M.A., The villa; † Thomas George, shopkeeper; † George Lea, farmer; † Joseph Lea, farmer; Lucy Martin, farmer; † Benjamin Shuker, farmer, Black Birch. Thomas Gregory carrier to Shrewsbury on Wednesday and Saturday.

LONGNER

is an isolated portion of the parish of St. Chad, situated three miles south east from Shrewsbury. Robert Burton, Esq., of Longner hall, is owner of the whole township, which in 1841 is returned as containing four houses and 13 inhabitants. The hall is a handsome and commodious mansion, with projecting gables ornamented with turrets and pinnacles, and fronted with the beautiful white Grinshill free stone; it stands on an acclivity commanding a rich view of the surrounding country, and of the Severn, which rolls immediately beneath it. The views up and down the river and over the adjoining highly cultivated and well wooded country are peculiarly picturesque and beautiful, affording a great variety of landscape scenery. An extensive and finely timbered park surrounds the hall, the immediate vicinity of which is tastefully ornamented with pleasure grounds and shrubberies. The interior of the mansion is elegantly furnished, and contains some beautiful paintings; a fine portrait of Queen Elizabeth is supposed to have been presented by her Majesty to the ancestors of the present proprietor. A magnificent gothic window of stained glass ornamented with figures of different members of the family, lights the entrance hall.In the garden is a tomb placed over the body of Edward Burton, Esq., a zealous protestant in Queen Mary’s days, and is by Fox, in his Acts and Monuments, named among those who by various means escaped persecution. He one day sitting in his parlour alone, meditating on the troubles of the times, and the deliverances he and others had found; and whilst thus reflecting heard a general ring of bells in Shrewsbury, which he concluded must be for the accession of the Lady Elizabeth to the throne. Anxious to know the truth, and not daring to send any of his servants to inquire, he sent his eldest son—a youth about sixteen years of age, ordering him if the bells rang for the Lady Elizabeth’s accession to throw his hat up into the air on his arrival at a certain place where he could he seen from the hall. The young man finding it as was expected, threw up his hat, which his father seeing, was suddenly affected with a transport of joy, that he with difficulty reached a chair, and immediately expired. By his will he ordered that his body should be buried in the parish church of St. Chad, in Shrewsbury, and that no mass monger should be present at his interment. His friends designing to execute his will in this respect, brought his corpse to the church, and were there met by the curate, who said that “Mr. Burton was an heretic and should not be buried in his church.” His friends were therefore obliged to carry his body back again, and bury it in his own garden. A monument was set over him, which, being injured and defaced with the weather, Edward Burton, Esq., his grandson, in the year 1614, re-edified the tomb. The following is the epitaph placed on the tomb, written by Sir Andrew Corbet, Bart.:—

“Was’t for denying Christ, or some notorious fact,
That this man’s body Christian burial lack’d?
Oh no! his faithful true profession,
Was the chief cause, which was then held transgression;
When popery here did reign, the See of Rome,
Would not admit to any such a tomb,
Within their idol temple walls; but he
Truly professing Christianity,
Was like Christ Jesus in a garden laid,
Where he shall rest in peace till it be said—
Come faithful servant, come, receive with me,
A just reward for thy integrity.”—1614.

There is a free school at Longner, situated in the park, which is supported by R. Burton, Esq.; 42 children are now taught in the school.

The principal residents at Longner are Robert Burton, Esq., Longner hall, and Robert Weatherby, schoolmaster.

FITZ

is a parish and village delightfully situated on a gentle eminence 5¾ miles N.W. from Shrewsbury; the country around is fertile, and pleasingly diversified with graceful undulations; the scenery is very beautiful, and includes the picturesque windings of the river Severn. The parish contains 1512a. 1r. 32p. of land; in 1801 there were 236 inhabitants; in 1831, 211, and in 1841 fifty houses and a population of 246 souls. Rateable value, £2,774. 6s. The river Perry intersects the township, and has its confluence with the Severn a little below Mytton. The soil is rich, producing good wheat and barley, and there is some rich pasture land. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway passes this township over Leaton Heath, where there is a station, about a mile and a half from Fitz.

The Church, dedicated to St. Paul, is situated on an eminence, and consists of nave and chancel, with a lofty square tower, in which is one bell. It is a birch fabric with stone finishings, and contains a fine toned organ; the pews are of oak, and there are some interesting monuments within its sacred walls to the families of Wood, Powell, Lloyd, Jones, Denstons, Hopkins, Pytons and others; it is also beautified with two finely executed stained glass windows. Twenty-two free sittings were added in 1842, at the expense of the Rev. William Hopkins, then rector of this parish. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s books at £5. 5s. 8d., now returned at £272 in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, and incumbency of the Rev. Daniel Nihill, M.A., who resides at the rectory, a pleasantly situated mansion near the church. There are 34a. 2r. 1p. of glebe land, and the tithes were commuted in 1839 for £266. There is a neat school in the village, built in 1850, at the cost of near £100, which was raised by subscriptions, and a collection in the church; 45 children are instructed. A residence has been provided for the master near the school.

The Hall, a handsome stuccoed mansion, pleasantly situated and beautified with pleasure grounds, is the residence and property of Richard Middleton, Esq. Among the land owners in the parish are John A. Lloyd, Esq.; Robert A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; Richard Middleton, Esq.; Mr. Joseph Hignett, Mrs. Morris, Mr. Richard Vaughan, Rev. Edward H. Dymock, Mr. Richard Lloyd, James Payne, Esq., Mr. James Davies, Devisees of late Sir John Betton, and others. The Duke of Cleveland is the lord of the manor.

MYTTON

is a scattered village in the parish of Fitz, salubriously situated, containing some good residences, and surrounded with picturesque scenery. Mytton is celebrated as the birth place of Edward Waring, M.D., whose mathematical publications prove the extent and profundity of his knowledge. He was born in the year 1734, and after being educated at Shrewsbury free school, was sent on one of Millington’s exhibitions to Magdalen College, Cambridge, where he applied himself with such assiduity to the study of Mathematics, that when he left the university he carried with him the credit of being one of the most able mathematicians that ever filled the professor’s chair. In 1776 he entered into a matrimonial connection with Miss Oswell, and not many years after retired from the university, first to a house in Shrewsbury, and at length to his own estate at Plealey, near Pontesbury, where he died on the 15th of August, 1798, in the 64th year of his age.—Grafton is another small village in the parish of Fitz. Here are several good farms, and Grafton Lodge, a good house pleasantly situated, the residence of John Henry Denston, Esq.

Fitz Directory.—John Bather, Esq., Richard Middleton, Esq., The hall; Rev. Daniel Nihill, M.A., The Rectory; Farmers, Joshua Burroughs, Leaton Heath; Richard Middleton, Samuel Onions, Leaton Heath; Thomas Vaughan, corn miller; John Walmsley, Leaton Heath; Alban Davies, fisherman; Maria Davies, schoolmistress; William France, farm bailiff; John Vaughan, butcher.—Grafton Directory: Mrs. Ann Denston, John Henry Denston, Esq.; Edward Davies, farmer; John Davies shopkeeper; Richard Davies, blacksmith; Richard Lloyd, wheelwright; John Pugh, farmer; and Thomas Vaughan, farmer.—Mytton Directory: William Davies, farmer; John Evans, farm bailiff; Mrs. Jemima Hopkins; John Litttlehales, basket maker; Mrs. Elizabeth Morris, farmer; William Rowland, farmer and corn miller; Richard Wildig, farmer.

is a parish and township seven miles N. from Shrewsbury, which contains 872a. 0r. 34p. of land, the chief owners of which are Viscount Hill, Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart., trustees of Shrewsbury School; Rev. John Wood; Mr. Richard Kilvert; P. Gardner, Esq.; Mr. William Embrey Wood; Mr. John Williams; and the devisees of the late John Kilvert. Viscount Hill is Lord of the Manor. The beautiful and romantic village of Grinshill is delightfully situated, and contains many good residences, occupied by respectable families. In 1801 there was a population of 179 souls, and in 1841 there were 56 houses and 255 inhabitants. Rateable value, £587. 5s. 6d.The Church, dedicated to All Saints, has a neat, light, and beautiful appearance, and exhibits the decorative style of English architecture; it is built of the Grinshill free stone, and ornamented with a square tower. The interior consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles: a neat mural tablet remembers Robert Embrey, and other members of that family. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £82, in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. John Wood. The parsonage, near the church, is pleasantly situated, and the grounds neatly ornamented with shrubberies. The Independent Methodists have a small stone chapel, built in 1843. The Free School in connection with the church was built by, and is supported by, Sir A. V. Corbet. There are 56 scholars attending the day school. The spacious building occupied by Mr. Barkley as a classical and commercial school, was built about half a century after the Shrewsbury Free School, for the safety of the masters and scholars of that seminary, in case any contagious disease should prevail in that town.

The Quarries, where the beautiful white Grinshill freestone is got, are very extensive, and give employment to a considerable number of hands. Many of the churches and public buildings in the county are built of this stone, which is of a fine close quality, and superior to most others for carving and ornamental purposes.

Charities.—Major Richard Corbet bequeathed £20, and Mrs. Judith Corbet a like sum, and directed the interest to be expended in books and the education of poor children; Eleanor Allen and Thomas, her sons, left £20 for the poor. William Key left £50, the interest to be given to the minister of this parish, if approved of by his trustees, if not to the poor. Thomas Embrey left £10. John Kilvert, £5; and an unknown donor £9, for the benefit of the poor. The Rev. Mr. Price left £12. for the instruction of two children. The above moneys were laid out in the purchase of 10a. 2r. 20p. of land, at Coton, which was let on lease in 1757, for the term of 100 years, at the yearly rent of £4. 18s. The premises are stated now to be worth £20 a year. Of the rent, £1. 10s. is paid to the minister, £2. 2s. to the schoolmaster, and the residue is distributed among the poor. Sir Andrew Corbet, in 1830, gave £15. 15s. to the poor of this parish.

Barkley Richard, boarding school, The Grove

Blantarn Robert, farmer

Boora Charles, farmer

Carline John, quarry master and contractor

Cureton Edward, quarry master & stonemason

Downes Andrew, quarry master & stonemason

Downes Mrs. N., dress maker

Downes Nathaniel, tailor and draper

Griffiths William, parish clerk

Higgins John, farmer

Huffa William, blacksmith and vict., Barley Corn Inn

Jessop Francis, butcher and salesman

Jessop John, farmer, Hill farm

Killan John, butcher and horse breaker

Kilvert Mrs. Catherine

Matthews John, farmer

Naylor Miss, school teacher

Nelson Arthur, farmer

Onslow Mrs. M., boarding house and vict., Elephant and Castle

Onslow Margaret, farmer and maltster

Phillips William, shopkeeper & shoemaker

Smith Thomas, quarry master and mason

Williams Henry Parton, farmer

Williams Joseph, wheelwright

Wood Rev. John, M.A., the Parsonage

Wood William Embrey, Esq., the Vineyard

HAUGHMOND,

an Extra-parochial Liberty, three and a half miles N.E. from Shrewsbury, contains 1,564a. 0r. 3p. of land, and at the census of 1841 had 27 houses and 169 souls. This place forms a portion of the Sundorne demesne, which comprises 8,634a. 1r. 26p., and is the property of Andrew William Corbet, Esq. The stately pile of Haughmond Abbey is now fallen into almost total decay, but the magnificent ruins have an imposing appearance; they stand on rising ground, backed by woods, and command an extended view the plain of Shrewsbury, its town, and castle, and the fine demesne of Sundorne. From the extent of the ruins it must have been a place of great magnitude. Of the Abbey Church few remains exist: the south door of the nave, which opened into the cloister, exhibits an elegant specimen of Anglo-Norman architecture. The outer walls of the chapter house are in a perfect state of preservation. The entrance is by a finely ornamented round arch, with a window on each side, divided into small lights. Southward of the chapter house are the remains of the refectory, and beyond it the shell of a noble hall, measuring eighty-one feet by thirty-six feet. The windows were formerly filled with Gothic tracery. The ruins of the cloister and abbots’ lodging may also still be traced. The monastery was founded in the year 1110, by William Fitz Alan, for canons of the order of St. Augustine. It was richly endowed with lands by the founder, and other individuals, and had many valuable privileges and immunities granted by the Popes Honorus III., Nicholas III., Boniface IX., and Martin IV. The yearly revenues of the abbey at the dissolution were £269. 13s. 7d., according to Dugdale, and £294. 13s. 9d. according to Speed. Leland says, “There were an hermitage and chapel on this spot before the abbey was built.” William Fitz Alan and other members of the family were buried here.

Sundorne Castle, a spacious and splendid Gothic mansion, adorned with battlements and turrets, is situated on a beautiful lawn, amidst the rich verdure of the adjoining grounds, which are pleasingly diversified with shrubberies and pleasant walks, and ornamented with a fine sheet of water, covering upwards of sixty acres. The interior of the mansion is superbly furnished. The chairs in the drawing room are of ebony, most elaborately carved. It also contains a remarkably fine antique statue of Venus. There are some exquisite paintings by Titian, Salvator Rosa, Rembrandt, Guido, Raphael, Rubens, Wouvermans, and Van Huysum, among which is the original design for the altar-piece at Antwerp, by Rubens, and the Holy Family, exquisitely executed by Raphael. The library contains a valuable and extensive collection of rare books, and the windows are ornamented with stained glass. Amongst a collection of antiquities is the chapter roll of Haughmond Abbey, and the seal of the abbot: the latter was found about thirty years ago, near the ruins of the abbey. A beautiful sequestered carriage drive, of five miles in length, leads through the woods of the Sundorne demesne. The kitchen gardens and vineries are situated at the back of the castle, and cover an extent of about four acres. The Corbets of Lee removed to Albright Hussey in the reign of Charles I., and to Sundorne Castle in the middle of the last century.

Directory.—Andrew William Corbet, Esq., Sundorne Castle and Pimley House; Henry Jarvis, butler; Martin King, gardener; John Metcalf, bailiff. Richard Ford, farmer, Home barns; Elizabeth Latham, farmer; Samuel Whitehouse, farmer, Haughmond hill.

ALBRIGHTON,

a township and chapelry in St. Mary’s parish, pleasantly situated on the Shrewsbury and Whitchurch road, three miles N. from the former place, contains 800 acres of land, of which 90 acres are in woods and plantations; rateable value, £883. In 1801, there were 58 inhabitants; and in 1841, 12 houses and 85 souls. Colonel Studd owns all the land in this township, about two-thirds of which is arable. The soil is various: in some places a rich loam prevails, in other parts it is not so fertile.

The Episcopal Chapel, a neat structure in the Elizabethan style, situated on elevated ground, near the turnpike road, is built of red sand stone, and has a neat porch on the south side, and a small belfry at the west end. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £52 per annum. The income arises from a farm in Wales, which, since the return was made, has augmented in value. The Rev. George H. Moller is the incumbent, and the Rev. John D. Letts, B.A., officiating curate. The magistrates hold a petty session for the Albrighton division the second week in every month, at the Fox Inn. The Hall, a spacious brick mansion, formerly the seat of the Ireland family, is now unoccupied. The principal residents in this township are:—Charles Smallman, farmer, Perrill farm; Richard Yates, farmer; Ann Brown, victualler, Fox Inn; and Richard Gough, blacksmith.

ASTLEY,

a township, chapelry, and scattered village, five miles N.N.E. from Shrewsbury. In 1801 had 141 inhabitants, and in 1841, a population of 264 souls, and 55 houses. The township contains 1181a. 3r. 3p. of land, more than two-thirds of which is the property of John Bishton Minor, Esq., of Astley House; besides whom, Mr. Richard Minton and Mrs. Wildig are proprietors. There is also a farm belonging to the trustees of the charities for St. Chad’s parish. Gross rental £1,936. 13s. 5d. Rateable value, £1,763. 13s. The Episcopal Chapel, a neat stone fabric in the Gothic style, was repaired and beautified in 1837, when a new tower was added at the west end. The entrance, formerly on the south side, exhibits the Saxon style of architecture. In the interior is a neat marble tablet, in memory of the Minor family, of Astley House. A new font was added at the time the tower was built. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £56, in the patronage of the corporation of Shrewsbury, and enjoyed by the Rev. William Vaughan. In the church yard are the following lines, on a grave stone in memory of Rowland Deakin, who died in 1751, aged 95 years:—

“Many years I’ve seen, and
Many things I’ve known:
Five kings, two queens,
And a usurper on the throne;
But now lie sleeping in the dust.
As you, the reader, shortly must.”

The governors of the Free Grammar School, in Shrewsbury, are the impropriators of the tithes, which are commuted for £211. Astley House, a handsome mansion, beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies, and pleasantly situated a short distance from the church, is the residence and property of John Bishton Minor, Esq. The Primitive Methodists have a chapel in this township, situated on the Hadnal road. The particulars of the several charities, founded by the will of Joseph Jones, in 1729, will be found noticed with the parish of Atcham. Out of the residuary rents of the estates, held in trust for the purposes mentioned in the testator’s will, £10 per annum is applied in educating poor children of this chapelry, and £6 per annum paid to the minister of Astley chapel, for reading prayers and preaching in the said chapel every first and last Sunday in the month, and administering the sacrament four times during the year. It appears when Mr. Jones made this bequest, that divine service in Astley chapel was only held every third Sunday in the month.

Minor John Bishton, Esq., Astley House

Adams Edward, farmer

Adams James, farmer

Barker James, shoemaker

Birch William, farmer, Braidway House

Davies Charles, butcher

Dodd William, blacksmith

Hughes John, shoemaker

Minton John, farmer

Minton Richard, farmer

Minton Samuel, farmer

Minton Thomas, farmer

Moreton Ann, butcher

Morgan John, farmer

Oliver Rev. William, Astley Lodge

Powell John, farmer, New House

Stanley Thomas and Richard, brick and tile makers

Williams Richard, provision dealer and victualler, Dog Inn

BERWICK,

a township pleasantly situated two miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury; at the census of 1841 had 67 houses, and a population of 271 souls. Here the country has an undulating surface, richly clothed with timber, and presents many interesting views of picturesque beauty. The estate is now the property of the Honourable Henry Wentworth Powys. Berwick House is a handsome mansion, of considerable extent, composed of brick with stone finishings. It is delightfully situated in a spacious and finely wooded park; and the immediate vicinity of the house is richly beautified with shrubberies and pleasure grounds. The iron gates, at the entrance of the park, are of the most elaborate workmanship; they have a noble and magnificent appearance, and are said to have cost £1,000. Berwick House is now the temporary residence of Thomas Hope, Esq.; and Upper Berwick House, a neat brick structure, is the occasional seat of the Hon. Henry Wentworth Powys.

A short distance from the hall are the almshouses, erected and endowed in 1672 by Sir Samuel Jones. They consist of sixteen tenements, and a small room for the use of the chaplain, with gardens attached thereto, and are surrounded by a lofty wall. The yearly income amounts to about £183. 7s. 6d. per annum, and arises from the following sources:—Nine acres of land in Castle Foregate, let for £36 per annum; the several sums of £20, £40, and £80 per annum charged on the Berwick estate; and the dividends on £245. 18s. 3d. South Sea Annuities. From the sources above mentioned, each inmate receives about £5. 8s. annually, besides clothing and coal. The emoluments of the chaplain amount to about £54. 9s. per annum. Between the almshouses and the hall is the chapel appropriated to the use of the inmates of the adjacent almshouses. It is a small fabric, of a primitive appearance, with a tower at the west end, and was built in 1762, on the site of a former edifice which had become ruinous. There is a free school in the township, supported by the Hon. Henry W. Powys, where forty scholars are educated. Leaton Knolls, the delightful residence of John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is just within the bounds of this township, situated in a picturesque glen, and surrounded with beautiful shrubberies and thriving plantations.

Powys Honourable Henry Wentworth, Upper Berwick House

Hope Thomas, Esq., Berwick House

Lloyd John Arthur, Esq., Leaton Knolls

Briscoe, Mrs. Mary

Davies John, blacksmith

Davies Samuel, farmer, Cross Green

Gough Edward, farmer

Jones John, wheelwright

Maddox Martha, schoolmistress

Morris Jeremiah, shoemaker

Oakley Thomas, farm bailiff

Roberts Mary, farmer

Roberts Thomas, farmer, Great Berwick

Slinn John, gamekeeper

Vaughan Richard, farmer, Almond Park

CLIVE

is a chapelry in the parish of St. Mary, Shrewsbury, 3½ miles south from Wem, and eight miles north from Shrewsbury. In 1801 there was a population of 289 souls, and in 1841 there were 61 houses and 273 inhabitants. The township contains 1370 acres of land, mostly highly productive; the soil is a mixture of sand and loam, and considered good turnip land. Rateable value, £2,546 10s. The Duke of Cleveland is the principal owner and lord of the manor; Mr. Joshua Holmes, George Harding, Esq., Mrs. Nickson, Mrs. Griffith, and others, are also freeholders. The village is pleasantly situated on high ground, and commands some pleasing views of the romantic and rural scenery by which it is surrounded.

The Church is a plain stone fabric, dedicated to All Saints, and consists of nave and chancel, with a small turret containing two bells; it is neatly pewed, and the roof is of groined timber. The pulpit is of white free stone exquisitely carved, and a new front has recently been added. The windows on the south side and at the west end were beautified, and had new mullions introduced in 1849, when other alterations and improvements were made by the incumbent. The living is a perpetual curacy returned at £66 in the patronage of the corporation of Shrewsbury; incumbent, Rev. William Jaudwine, M.A. The Independents have a small chapel built in 1844; the congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. David Jones. Clive Hall, a plain substantial stone edifice in the Elizabethan style, was built by Daniel Wycherley, father of the poet William Wycherley; it is now the property of George Harding, Esq. Sansaw Hall, the residence of Captain Martin, a handsome and commodious brick residence, is delightfully situated in park-like grounds, and surrounded by lawns and shrubberies laid out with great taste and beauty. Shooters’ Hill, another good house delightfully situated, is the property and residence of Mrs. Griffiths.

Clive is said to have been the birth place of the poet Wycherley, though some affirm that he was born at Wem. Wycherley was one of the wits and poets of Charles II., and was born about the year 1640. After receiving an education at school, he was sent to France, where he embraced the Roman Catholic religion. A little before the restoration he returned to England, and entered as a gentleman commoner at Queen’s College, Oxford; but, being never matriculated, he quitted the university without a degree, and took chambers in the middle temple. He soon, however, deserted the law, and following the taste of that dissipated age, devoted himself to the composition of comedies. His first piece, “Love in a wood, or St. James’ Park,” made its first appearance in 1672, and quickly brought its author into notice. He was much esteemed by Villiers, the witty Duke of Buckingham, and was honoured with the attentions of his Majesty. His marriage with the Countess of Drogheda proved an unhappy one. His lady was excessively jealous of him, and though on her death a few years after, she settled her whole estate on her husband, the title was disputed, and he became so involved in his circumstances by law expenses and other incumbrances, that he was thrown into prison. He remained in confinement about seven years, when James II., going to see his comedy of “The Plain Dealer,” was so much delighted with it that he gave orders for the payment of the author’s debts, and granted him a pension of £200 a year. Wycherley died in 1675, at the age of 75. His posthumous works in prose and verse were published in 1728.

Abbot James, carrier to Shrewsbury

Cartwright Margaret, schoolmistress

Done Richard, quarry master and bricklayer

Green Hannah, shopkeeper

Griffiths Mrs., Shooters Hill House

Groom William, farmer

Harding Miss Elizabeth, The Hall

Harding Geo., farmer, Hall Farm

Hill Ann, schoolmistress

Huffa George, blacksmith

Huffa Sarah, vict., Three Horse Shoes.

Jones John, grocer, builder, and quarry master

Lea George, farmer, Sansaw farm

Lee Francis, farmer, Hopes.

Martin Capt. Murrey, Sansaw Hall

Massey Thomas Harris, farmer, The Wood

Needham John, farmer

Northwood Richard, farmer

Parker Thomas, shopkeeper and cattle salesman

Parr Lawrence, farmer, Clive farm

Peters Edward, shoemaker

Peters George, tailor

Puliston Mrs. Charlotte

Puliston Francis, farmer

Smith Thomas, quarry master and stone mason

Williams William, wheelwright

Yeomans William, farmer, Holbrook

LEATON

township, four and a half miles N.W. by N. from Shrewsbury, in 1841 contained 60 houses and 245 inhabitants. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is the proprietor of the whole township, and resides at Leaton Knolls, a beautiful modern mansion, which has been erected about thirty years. The house stands on the acclivity of a hill, overlooking a romantic glen, planted with thriving plantations. The grounds are beautifully diversified with shrubberies and pleasant walks; and in no place in the county is there to be seen such a fine collection of rare shrubs and choice forest trees as are to be met at Leaton Knolls. Among the more remarkable objects is an extensive and valuable collection of the conifera tribe, with their curious and varied foliage. A short distance from the house a large plot of ground has been enclosed with a lofty brick wall, for a kitchen garden, which is now in course of formation. The house and a portion of the pleasure grounds stand within the bounds of Berwick township. There is also a neat free school, at the cross of roads, built in 1828, by John A. Lloyd, Esq., who also pays for the education of the children, of whom 35 attend. Leaton Hall, now a good farm residence, was built in 1683. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway intersects the township, and has a station here. Bomere Heath is partly in this township and partly in Preston Gobalds.

Directory.—John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., Leaton Knolls; Thomas Daighton, land agent, Leaton Lodge; Charles Kynaston, carpenter and beerhouse keeper, Bomere Heath; Richard Littlehales, shoemaker; John Morgan, schoolmaster; William Nevett, farmer, Leaton Hall; Oliver Francis, farm bailiff; Sarah Legh, farmer; John Wilson, gardener to J. H. Lloyd, Esq.; and William Withers, carpenter.

NEWTON,

a small township, comprising two farms only, is the property of the Hon. Henry Wentworth Powys, and Richard Betton, Esq., and is situated three and a half miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. At the census of 1841 there were 2 houses, and a population of 21 souls. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway passes through the township. The farm premises of Samuel Davies, at Cross Green, Berwick, are situated within the bounds of this parish.

The resident farmers are Samuel Davies and Charles Kent.

WOLLASCOTT,

another small township in the parish of St. Mary’s, is situated four miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. In 1841 there were 4 houses and 23 inhabitants. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., and Lady Tyrwhitt are the land owners. The occupants of the farms are James Teece and Richard Tonkies.

HADNAL, OR HADNAL EASE,

is a township and chapelry in the parish of Middle, five miles N.N.E. from Shrewsbury. The village is pleasantly situated on the turnpike road from Shrewsbury to Chester, and contains some good farm houses and a commodious and respectable inn. The township contains 814a. 2r. 19p. of land. Viscount Hill is the principal land owner; besides whom Sir Andrew V. Corbet, Mr. Charles Woodward, Mr. Joseph Morris, Mrs. Wildig, and others, are also owners. The population in 1801 was 362; and in 1841 there were 92 houses and 429 souls in the chapelry, and 221 in the township. Rateable value, £1,119. 16s. 8d. Rent charge, £107. 18s.

The Episcopal Chapel is a neat stone edifice, mantled with ivy; it has a square castellated tower, ornamented with a clock, and the chapel is surrounded with a spacious cemetery, the margin of which is fringed with flourishing limes, yews, and fir trees, which give it a pleasing and rural appearance. In the east window are several fragments of stained glass, apparently of the date of the erection—the sixteenth century. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the rector of Middle, and enjoyed by the Rev. William Oliver, of Astley Lodge. In the Liber Ecclesiasticus the living is returned at £55. The annual value, however, now is upwards of £70, arising from the sum of £400, royal bounty, and the moiety of the rent of a farm in the township of Criggion, which was purchased with money belonging to the livings of Preston Gubbals, Hanwood, and Hadnal, by the then incumbent, who, in consequence of enjoying several benefices, was denominated “St. John of the Seven Churches.” The chapelry contains the townships of Alderton, Hardwick, Haston, Shotton, and Sneethcott. Rateable value of the chapelry, £5,614. 17s. 9d; acres, 2,418 0r. 20p. The Banasters, a family of considerable note in former times, had an estate and seat at Hadnal as early as the time of William the Conqueror. The hall was a spacious mansion of chequered timber work, and occupied a site near the episcopal chapel. The moat may still be traced, adjoining the turnpike road. Mr. Hulbert is of opinion that Hadnal Hall was the place where the Duke of Buckingham was betrayed by Humphrey Banaster, in 1483, from whence he was taken to Shrewsbury, and, without trial, beheaded, by command of Richard III. Thomas Banaster, of Hadnal, was sheriff of the county in 1403.

Providence Grove is a neat house, the residence and property of Mr. Charles Hulbert, the author and publisher of an elaborate history of the county, and numerous other publications. On the 7th of January, 1839, an awfully destructive fire occurred at Providence Grove, and so rapid was the progress of the devouring element, that all the valuable property, consisting of a library of more than 3,000 volumes, manuscripts, curiosities, paintings, furniture, a large stock of new books and engravings, with the whole of the house, and a great portion of the houses adjoining, were consumed. The loss to the proprietor was irreparable, as only the premises were insured, and those at one half of their value. Mr. Hulbert has now arrived at a good old age, and is publishing an account of his own life, which he entitles “Seventy Years of an eventful Life.”

The Independent Chapel, a neat stone fabric, was built in 1832. The congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. David James.

The Free School is endowed with £300, bequeathed by Dame Mary Hill, in 1787, who at the same time made the following bequests, viz., £30 towards building a school-house in Hadnal, £100 to the treasurer of the Salop Infirmary, the interest of £100 to be distributed among poor persons residing in Hadnal, the same amount for the benefit of the poor of Middle, and the residue of her personal estate for such charitable purposes as she by a codicil to her will should direct. The residue of the personal estate amounted to £1,305 2s. 5d., in respect of which £30 per annum is paid to a dissenting minister at Hadnal, £14 towards the support of the school, and £10 to Prees school. These several sums appear to be the interest of £1,200, at 4½ per cent.; it is stated the balance, £105. 2s. 5d. was applied in building the school at Weston. In respect of the £300 bequeathed to Hadnal school, £12 per annum as the interest thereof is paid to the teacher. It does not appear that any new trustees have been appointed for carrying into effect the trusts declared in the will of Dame Mary Hill. The management has therefore continued in that family.

It is stated in the parliamentary returns of 1786, that Mr. Watkins gave £15 for the use of the poor of Hadnal. About thirty years ago Sir Andrew Corbet gave £10, on the marriage of his son, for the same purpose. These two sums are in the hands of Viscount Hill, and he pays 20s. annually as the interest thereof.

Birch William, provision dealer

Brittain Mr. Thomas

Brookes Benjamin, farmer

Cooper the Misses, the Academy

Davies John, farmer

Dodd Samuel, blacksmith

Ellis William, farmer

Heath Thomas, provision dealer and boot and shoe maker

Hulbert Charles, author and publisher, Providence grove

James David, Independent minister

Lee William, farmer

Leech John, farmer

Leech Sarah, schoolmistress

Payne Stephen, farmer

Powell John, wheelwright

Preston John, farmer

Walton Ann, vict., Saracen’s head

ALDERTON,

a township and village in the chapelry of Hadnal, three miles N.N.W. from the latter place, contains 239a. 3r. 37p. of land, the owners of which are Mrs. Minor, Miss Corbett, and Mr. William Teece. Population in 1841, twenty-five. Rateable value, £410. 6s. 8d. Rent charge, £54. 5s. The resident farmers are John Clay, Cornelius Maddocks, and Richard Williams. The following are resident in the village of Alderton, but situated within the boundaries of the parish of Broughton, viz.: Joseph Mullinex, blacksmith; William Sutton, wheelwright; and Richard Williams, blacksmith.

HARDWICK,

is a small township about a mile north from Hadnal, which comprises 372a. 2r. 1p. of land, the rateable value of which is £551. 6s. 2d. Inhabitants in 1841, thirteen. Rent charge, £23. Hardwick Hall, a handsome mansion delightfully situated in a well wooded park, was the country seat of that distinguished warrior, the late General Lord Hill, who greatly improved the hall and pleasure grounds, and erected a handsome lodge of Grinshill free stone, at the entrance from the Shrewsbury turnpike road. A more detailed account of this illustrious commander, who spent his last years amidst the rural beauties of Hardwick, has been given at a preceding page. The property is now vested in Viscount Hill, and the Misses Hill reside at Hardwick Hall. Robert Blantern, Hardwick Grange, is the only resident farmer in this township.

HASTON

township, situated one mile W.W. by N. from Hadnal, contains about 400 acres of good land, the owners of which are Viscount Hill, Wilbraham Egerton, Esq., and Messrs. Richard and William Boodle Pickstock. Rateable value of the township, £574. 18s. 6d. Population in 1841, 78, Rent charge, £62. There are two respectable farm residences in this place, one of which has recently been built by the Messrs. Pickstock. The resident farmers are Mr. George Blantern and Messrs. Richard and William Boodle Pickstock.

SHOTTON,

a small township pleasantly situated on elevated ground, two miles N.W. from Hadnal, contains 230a. 2r. 13p. of land, the rateable value of which is £417. 4s. 6d. Colonel Watkins owns the whole township. The number of inhabitants at the census in 1841 were twenty-two, at which period the land was divided into two farms. Within the last few years the two farms have been united, and the whole township is now farmed by Mr. John Groome. The tithes are commuted for £54. 5s.

SMETHCOTT

township, situated a mile and a half W. by N. from Hadnal, in 1841 had a population of seventy souls. The houses are scattered, and the land is well timbered, which gives the whole a pleasing and rural appearance. The township contains 588a. 0r. 28p. of land, the owners of which are Mrs. Sarah Bayley and the two Mr. Edward Groomes. Rent charge, £92. 3s. 6d. Rateable value, £767. 9s. 1d. The Black Birches is a handsome and pleasantly situated house, the property and residence of Mrs. Sarah Bayley; besides whom, Mr. Francis Lloyd Bayley, Mr. Edward Groome, farmer, and Mr. Edward Groome, farmer, are residents in this township.

PRESTON GUBBALS OR GOBALDS

is a parish township, and small village 4½ miles N. from Shrewsbury, on the turnpike road from that town to Chester. The township contains 1350a. 3r. 5p. of land, the principal owner of which is Lady Tyrwhitt; R. R. Slaney, Esq., M.P., is a small proprietor, and there are also a few small freeholders. The former is lady of the manor and impropriatoress. Population in 1801, 313, and in 1841, 388. Rateable value, £1,386. This place is said to have derived its name from one Godebalte, a clerk to Roger de Montgomery, and was anciently called the priests town of Godebalte, which eventually became corrupted to Preston Gubbals. The Church, dedicated to St. Martin, is a small fabric of primitive simplicity, with a porch on the south side, composed of massive oak timber; the living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the vicarage of Prees, and is endowed with a farm at Criggion, in Montgomeryshire, of 58a. 3r., with a sheep walk of about 28 acres; the Rev. William Stephens Burd, M.A., is the incumbent, and resides at a neat residence near the church, which has been built with the intention of attaching it to the living. There is a small library, of standard divinity, in the vestry of the church, which was given by Charles Mather, Esq., for the use of the officiating clergyman. The tithes are commuted for £170. This township includes a portion of Bomere Heath, where there are a number of small cottages, and a Wesleyan New Connexion chapel within the bounds of it. In the parliamentary returns of 1786 it is stated that Richard Brethens in 1777 bequeathed £100 for the benefit of the poor of Preston Gobalds; the interest is usually laid out in coals, and distributed among the most deserving poor of the parish. Besides the farmers given in the directory, John B. Minor, Esq., holds the Lea Hall farm in the township. There are 220 acres of wood land in the parish.

Directory.—Rev. William Stevens Burd, M.A.; Farmers, Edward Acton, Robert Hales, and Richard Poole; William Littlehales, wheelwright; William Thompson, wood bailiff to Lady Tyrwhitt.

MERRINGTON

township, 1¼ miles N.W. from Preston Gobalds, and 5½ N.N.W. from Shrewsbury, contains 898a. 1r. 26p. of land, which is the property of Lady Tyrwhitt, except one farm held by R. R. Slaney, Esq., M.P. The population in 1841 was returned at 188 souls, at which time there were 46 houses. Rateable value, £1073 5s. 6d. This township comprises a considerable portion of Bomere Heath, which was enclosed upwards of forty years ago; it is now the most densely populated part of the township, and consists chiefly of small detached cottages, with a few acres of land or a garden plot attached to each cottage. Here is an Independent chapel, a Wesleyan chapel, and a Wesleyan New Connexion chapel, not far from each other, the two former are in this township, and the latter in Preston Gobalds township. There is also a free school for all the children in the parish, which is supported by R. R. Slaney. About two-thirds of the land in Merrington is arable, a deep loamy soil prevails in some places, and in other parts a cold clay.

Directory.—Farmers, John Jones, Joseph Kent, William Kent, John Shore, and William Shore; William Dodd, blacksmith; the rest are at Bomere Heath, Richard Ellis, shoemaker; James Holmes, contractor; Martha Owen, butcher; John Price shopkeeper; and John Wright, schoolmaster.

UFFINGTON

is a parish and small village delightfully situated on the banks of the Severn, three miles E.N.E. from Shrewsbury. The parish contains 1309a. 3r. 9p. of land, and forms a part of the Sundorne domain, which is the property of Andrew William Corbett, Esq. At the census of 1801 the population was returned at 120 souls and in 1841 there were 32 houses and 163 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1804. 19s. The picturesque beauty of the village, surrounded by a lovely and fertile country, and its contiguity to Haughmond Hill, which commands a most delightful view of the surrounding district, causes this to be a place of much attraction in the summer season for pleasure parties from Shrewsbury and other places. There is a good inn, with a spacious bowling green, which is kept in admirable order, where parties may recreate themselves and have every attention and comfort at a moderate charge, from the worthy host of the “Corbet Arms.” A spacious room which opens upon the bowling green will accommodate nearly a hundred persons.

About half a mile east from Uffington is Haughmond Hill, from the summit of which is seen a most beautiful, panoramic view of the fertile plains of Shropshire, the lofty steeples of its ancient capital, the windings of the graceful Severn, and in the distance the blue mountains of Wales, whilst in the foreground is seen the stately mansion of Sundorne Castle, adorned with battlements and turrets, which forcibly reminds us of the beautiful lines of Mrs. Hemans:—

The stately homes of England,
How beautiful they stand!
Amidst their tall ancestral trees,
O’er all the pleasant land.

Upon the summit of the hill has been built a castellated tower, which is a conspicuous object for many miles around. Near the tower is a steep crag, down which the Earl of Douglas leaped with his horse, on being closely pursued, after his escape from the battle of Shrewsbury. He was seriously injured by this daring act, and on his being taken prisoner, the king set him at liberty, in admiration of his valour.

The Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a small fabric of venerable appearance, with a porch on the south side, and a small belfry. The interior harmonizes with the simplicity of the structure. The font is large and circular. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £49, in the patronage of Andrew William Corbett, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. John Oliver Hopkins, M.A. In the churchyard are several fine old yew trees.

Pimley House is a handsome residence, pleasantly situated about a quarter of a mile from the village. It stands on a gentle acclivity rising from the Severn, and commands some fine prospects. The house was completed in 1849; it is of brick, with stone finishings, exhibiting the Elizabethan style of architecture. Pimley House is the occasional residence of Andrew William Corbet, Esq., of Sundorne Castle.

A Neat Schoolhouse and residence for the teachers was built in 1849, on the turnpike road leading to Shrewsbury, by A. W. Corbet, Esq., who also munificently supports the institution, which is free to all the children of the tenants upon the Sundorne estate. There is also a good Sunday school nearly opposite the church. This parish is intersected by the river Severn, and the Shropshire union canal.

Corbet Andrew William, Esq., Sundorne Castle, and Pimley House

Allen John, farmer, corn miller, and brick and tile makers

Bullock Richard, blacksmith

Davies John, farm bailiff, Pimley

Evans John, farmer

Evans Robert Lloyd, gentleman

Grice Thomas, vict., Corbet Arms

Hazledine John and Co., coal merchants; John Mabury, agent

Heath Thomas, shoemaker

Hopkins Rev. John Oliver, M.A., Parsonage

Jarratt Stephen, schoolmaster

Ralphs Samuel, carpenter and clerk

Sproston Edward, tailor