Part 111

a small parish five miles east by south of Ludlow, containing 650 acres of land, in 1841 had 21 houses and 75 inhabitants; population in 1801, 94; 1831, 62. The tithes of this parish have been commuted for £75. In the 22nd of Richard II., William de Hulle held half a knight’s fee here under the Earl of March, which was formerly possessed by Robert Baggard, from whom this place took its name. The principal landowners are Benjamin Giles, Esq., Mrs. Lucy Botfield, Mrs. J. Hooley, and Mr. Richard Bray. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. John, is a small stone edifice, capable of accommodating 63 persons. The interior consists of nave and chancel, in the latter of which is a tablet to the memory of Benjamin Giles, Esq., dated 1795, and another to the memory of Benjamin Giles, Esq., dated 1813. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s books at £3. 6s. 8d., now returned at £90; in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, and incumbency of the Rev. David Jones. DIRECTORY.—Richard Bray, farmer; Edward Downes, shoemaker; Benjamin Giles, Esq., Hope Court; Mrs. Jemima Hooley; Rev. David Jones, the Rectory; and James Geo. Lewis, Esq., Hope Villa.

HOPTON WAFERS

is a parish and pleasantly situated village on the Cleobury Mortimer and Ludlow turnpike road, 9 miles from the latter place. It contains 1,610A. 3R. 26P. of land, of which 22A. 3R. 18P. are roads; 236A. 3R. 26P. common; and 60A. are in woods and plantations. In 1851 there were 94 inhabited houses, 20 uninhabited, and 444 inhabitants; population in 1801, 392; 1841, 481. There were formerly three paper mills in this parish. Hopton Wafers is remarkable as giving a singular instance of longevity in William Hyde, who resided in this place, and lived to the advanced age of 106 years, and at the time of his decease in 1798, had sons upwards of eighty years old. The principal landowner is Mrs. Lucy Botfield, who is also lady of the manor; the trustees of Ludlow charities, trustees of Palmer’s charities, and the rector are also proprietors. Rent charge, £186. 12s. There are 83A. 1R. 21P. of glebe land. THE CHURCH is a fine gothic structure, built of free stone, having a square tower with pinnacles at the angles. In consists of north and south aisles and chancel, and has a gallery, in which is a small organ. On the altar is represented in statuary a Bible opening to the Ten Commandments, and on each side of the window are marble scrolls with the Creed and Lord’s Prayer engraved thereon. The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and the patronage is vested in Mrs. Lucy Botfield, incumbent, Rev. Thomas Woodward. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a chapel, built in the year 1837.

DIRECTORY.—Joseph Allen, blacksmith; Mrs. Lucy Botfield, Hopton Court; John Bishop, farmer, Bank House; John Caldwell, tailor; Thomas Caldwell, tailor; John Dolphin, farmer and beer retailer; William Edwards, schoolmaster; William Farr, blacksmith; Richard Hatton, wheelwright; William Highfield, farmer; Eliza Hyde, schoolmistress; Thomas Hyde, shoemaker; William Hyde, shoemaker; William Jones, farmer, Little Shote; Thomas Page, farmer, Roch Head; William Radnor, farmer, Sproseley; Thomas Ree, farmer, White House; William Steed, stone mason; William Thatcher, farmer, Great Shote; John Whitehead, vict., the Crown and farmer; Rev. Thomas Woodward, M.A., the Rectory.

KINLET

is a parish in the Cleobury division of the Stottesden hundred, embracing the townships of Kinlet and Earnwood, and contains 6,692 acres of land, of which 1,079 are in woods, plantations and water; and 30 acres in public roads. Population in 1801, 602; 1831, 532; 1841, 480; at the latter period there were 98 houses. Rateable value, £5,760. 19s. 8d. The soil is various; in some parts a strong loam, and in other places a light soil prevails. The meadow land produces a rich herbage. William Lacon Childe, Esq., is lord of the manor, and the principal landowner. John White, Esq., Rev. Edward George Childe, Esq., George Crump, Esq., and Mr. William Rudd are also proprietors. The village of Kinlet is delightfully situated in a luxuriant district, five miles north from Cleobury Mortimer, and eight miles south from Bridgnorth. The township is intersected by the Bridgnorth, Cleobury Mortimer, and Bewdley turnpike roads, and a portion of the land stretches to the Severn side. This locality is richly timbered, and the high grounds commands some fine views of the surrounding country. At the census of 1841 there were 45 houses, mostly scattered, and a population of 227 souls, within the bounds of this township.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Peter, is a venerable cruciform structure, situated near the mansion in Kinlet Park: it has a lofty square tower containing six bells. The interior has a very chaste and elegant appearance, and the Saxon or early Norman arches of the nave bespeak its antiquity. The structure was repaired and beautified in the year 1814, when the east window was restored, at the sole expense of Mr. Childe; it is richly adorned with armorial bearings and figures in stained glass. The altar is of oak exquisitely carved. On the south side of the church is an altar tomb, with the figures of a knight and two ladies in a recumbent position; the male figure is in steel armour, and remembers Sir William Childe, Knight; his feet rest on a lion couchant. On the north side is a tomb with two full length figures, in memory of Sir William Childe and his lady, dated 1678. There is also a beautiful marble tomb, with a rich canopy, having the figures of a knight and his lady, in a kneeling position, with those of a boy and a girl between them; it has the date of 1584. There is also the figure of a knight in a recumbent posture, in memory of George Blount, formerly lord of Kinlet, who died in 1581. Several elegant marble tablets, some of which are very chastely designed, have been erected to the memory of various members of the Childe family, of Kinlet Hall. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £8. 2s. 4d., now returned at £360 in the patronage of William Lacon Childe, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Edward George Childe, M.A.; officiating minister, Rev. Edward Prest, M.A. The tithes have been commuted, and £322 apportioned to the vicar, and £3. 7s. 6d. to the impropriator, the lord of the manor. There are 45A. 0R. 16P. of glebe land. A neat school and residence for the teachers was built in the year 1844, by William Lacon Childe, Esq., by whose munificence and that of the incumbent it is entirely supported.

KINLET PARK, the seat and property of William Lacon Childe, Esq., J.P., is a stately mansion of considerable extent, built in 1789, near the site of a former mansion, which was taken down. It stands on a gentle eminence in a delightful park, commanding views of great diversity and beauty. The pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out, and kept in the most admirable order, and the park is well timbered and beautifully picturesque. A magnificent avenue stretches across the grounds. The park contains 456 acres of land, besides which there are 1,076 acres covered with woods, plantations, and water. W. L. Childe, Esq., at the present time has upwards of 4,000 acres of land in his own hands. A feast is held at Kilnet on the first Sunday after Midsummer day. Cider is made to a considerable extent in this neighbourhood.

Childe Wm. Lacon, Esq., J. P., Kinlet Park

Barker Henry, farmer, Winnell

Beach Henry, farmer, Rotton row

Boucher James, Esq., steward & land agent

Chappell John, butler

Childe Rev. Edward George, The Hall

Childe William Lacon, Esq., junr.

Deverell Mr. William, farm steward

Elcock John, farmer, Winwoods

George George, farmer, Fastings

Hall John, farmer, Severn lodge

Jones William, Tip house

Jones William, farmer, Tip house

Lawley James, farmer, Norton’s end

Lawley John, farmer, Birch

Lawley Joseph, farmer, Button bridge farm

Lawley Thomas, blacksmith

Okey Edward, farmer

Pearson John, forrester and gardener

Pitt Hannah, school mistress

Pountney Charles, farmer, Catsley hall

Pountney Richard, farmer, Tilley grove

Prest Rev. Edward, The Vicarage

Reynolds Thomas, farmer, Braidley

Rhodes Richards, farmer and vict., Eagle and Serpent Inn

Rolf John, coachman

Rudd William, farmer, Hall of Hammons

Ward John, wheelwright

Whitehead John, park and gamekeeper

MIDDLETON SCRIVEN

is a parish and small rural village, in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden Hundred, five miles S.W. from Bridgnorth. The parish contains 786A. 0R. 16P. of land, the soil mostly a strong marl, producing wheat, barley, and turnips. The village is watered by two small streams, and in 1801 contained 80 inhabitants; 1831, 99; 1841, 108: at the latter period there were twenty houses. The principal landowners are the Rev. Thomas Rowley, D.D., and the Rev. F. S. Bolton; the former is lord of the manor. There are also several smaller freeholders. Gross estimated rental of the parish, £903. 16s.; rateable value, £827. 9s. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was almost entirely rebuilt in 1845 by the present worthy rector. It consists of nave and chancel, and is neatly fitted up with oak sittings; several of the windows are beautified with stained glass, which gives the interior a very chastened and pleasing appearance. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 6s. 8d., now returned at £150 in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Rowley, D.D. The rectory is a good residence a little south from the church.

DIRECTORY.—The Rev. Thomas Rowley, D.D., The Rectory; Joseph Brown, farmer, The Vicarage House; Richard Giles, joiner; Thomas Hall, junr., farmer, The Cave; Richard Lane, wheelwright; James Lock, draining contractor; John Tongue, farmer and shopkeeper; Silas Webley, farmer; William Wellings, blacksmith.

MORVILLE

is a parish in the Chelmarsh division of the hundred of Stottesden, three miles N.W. of Bridgnorth, and five miles S.E. of Much Wenlock. At the Doomsday survey it was written Membrefelde, and was granted by William the Conqueror to Roger de Montgomery. The parish contains 2,778 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £4299. 5s. 2d. The principal landowners are Sir John E. D. Acton, Bart., and Lord Sudeley; Mrs. Thursby, Lord Forester, and Thomas C. Whitmore, Esq., M.P., are also proprietors. At the census of 1841 Morville contained eighty houses and 412 inhabitants; population in 1801, 415; in 1831, 517. The parish is intersected by the Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock turnpike road, and watered by the Mar brook.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Gregory, was rebuilt in the year 1118, on an old Saxon foundation, and formed a part of the possessions of Salop abbey. The interior contains nave, chancel, and side aisles, the latter is separated from the body by three arches on each side. The structure is neatly pewed, and will accommodate 294 persons. In the family seat of the Acton’s is a tablet to the memory of Sir Edward Acton, Bart., who departed this life September 28th, 1716, aged 64 years. The living is a perpetual curacy in the patronage of Lord Sudeley, and incumbency of the Rev. George Leigh Wasey, M.A. The chapelry of Aston Eyre is annexed to this church. The tithes have been commuted, and £645 apportioned to Lord Sudeley, and £21 to Sir John E. D. Acton.

THE ROMAN CATHOLICS have a neat chapel near Aldenham Hall, which was built about the year 1836 by Lady Granville, and will accommodate near 200 persons. The interior has a chaste and elegant appearance. The east window is of stained glass, having a beautiful representation of our Saviour. In the chapel is a marble tablet to the memory of Sir Richard Ferdinand Acton, Bart., who died at Paris, January 31st, 1837, aged 35 years. The Rev. Francis Ruiz is the priest.

ALDENHAM HALL, a handsome stone mansion, the seat and property of Sir John E. D. Acton, Bart., situated four miles north-east from Bridgnorth, was built in the year 1691. It is approached by a fine avenue of lofty elms, and surrounded by a park of 170 acres. The owner of the mansion and estate is now a minor

CHARITIES.—_Thomas Burte_, by will, dated 30th January, 1631, gave the sum of £100 to Walter Acton, Esq., of Morville, to the intent that he should add thereto the like sum of £100, and should lay out the whole £200 in the purchase of land for the use of the poor people of the parish of Morville. The money was expended in the year 1635 in the purchase of fifteen acres of land in the parish of Claverley, to which was added 2A. 1R. 19P. of land in 1812 on the Enclosure of the common of Morfe. The whole of the land is now let at a yearly rent of £20, one half of which is paid to the perpetual curate of Morville, and the other half is distributed among the poor

On the benefaction table it is stated that _John Mousall_ gave 10s. per annum to the poor of Morville, to be expended in the purchase of Bibles, which sum is charged upon an estate at the Reilth, in the parish of Mainstine.

It is further stated on the benefaction table that _Arthur Weaver_ gave to the poor at Morville on every Sunday sixpenny loaves, which is charged upon an estate in this parish, which formerly belonged to that family.

_John Guest_, by will, dated 1,773, directed his son and executor, John Guest, junr., to distribute the interest of £10 to such of the poor of the parish of Morville as he should think the greatest objects of charity. The interest of this sum, with another sum of £5 said to have been left by Richard Geary, and £20 left by the aforesaid John Guest, in 1797, has been regularly distributed in bread to the poor of the parish.

ASTON EYRE, a chapelry in the parish of Morville, four miles N.E. of Bridgnorth, contains 1,200 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,111. At the census of 1841 it had 23 houses and 130 inhabitants; population in 1801, 106, and in 1831, 120. The landowners in this chapelry are Sir John E. D. Acton, Bart., Lord Sudeley, and St. John C. Charlton, Esq. The chapel was built in the year 1147, and endowed by Robert Fitz Aber, with sixty acres of land, the title deeds of which are still extant. Over the door on entering the chapel is a tympanum of antique workmanship, representative of our Saviour entering Jerusalem on an ass. The chapel is built of stone, and contains nave and chancel, which is separated from the body by a pointed arch. There is accommodation for 76 persons. The living is subordinate to that of Morville.

Acton Sir John E. D., Bart., Aldenham Hall

Backhouse Henry O., farmer & auctioneer

Braithwaite John, farmer, Haughton

Brown Mary & Sons, blacksmith

Brown Sarah, farmer, The Croft

Bryant Michl., miller & gardener, Aldenham

Clarke John, farmer, The Croft

Cureton Thomas, farmer, Bridgwalton

Downes John, farmer, and wine & spirit mer

Dutertre Rev. Peter, (Catholic), The Priory

Elcock Wm., miller & farmer, Ley mill

Fortel Rev. Thomas, (Catholic), The Priory

Green John, miller and farmer, Harpswood

Henbury Charles, farmer, The Hurst

Meredith James, farmer, Underton

Oliver William, farmer, Bridgwalton

Panter Charles, farm bailiff, Croft

Reece Edwin, farmer, Harpsford

Reynolds Joseph, farmer, Underton

Richards Rev. Fred., B.A., curate, Morville Hall

Rudd The Misses, farmers, The Croft

Ruiz Rev. Frances, O.M.C., (Catholic), The Priory

Russell Thomas, farm bailiff

Taylor Thomas, farmer & vict., Acton’s Arms

Trudeau Rev. Alex., (Catholic), The Priory

Wadlow Charles, farmer, The Hurst

Wasey Rev. George Leigh, M.A., incumbent, The Knowle Sands

Wall Francis, shoemaker and shopkeeper

Williams Charles, steward to Sir J. E. D. Acton, Bart., Morville Hall

Willis Joseph, farmer, Morville Hall

ASTON EYRE DIRECTORY.

Beddoes Mr. George, Aston Cottage

Corser William, farmer

Embrey William, farmer

Gittings Richard, farmer

Taylor Thomas, farm bailiff

Wall Hercules, farmer

NEEN SAVAGE

is a parish in the Cleobury division of the hundred of Stottesden, one mile north-west from Cleobury, situated in a sequestered valley watered by the River Rea. It contains 3,690 acres of land, and had at the census of 1841, 99 houses and 490 inhabitants; population in 1801, 469; 1831, 450. The landowners in the parish are the Rev. Charles Richard Somers Cocks, M.A.; William Lacon Childe, Esq.; C. B. Ogle, Esq.; Robert Hinckesman, Esq.; and a few smaller proprietors. There are two paper mills in this parish, in the occupancy of Mr. Thomas Lambert Hall. The tithe of this parish is commuted for £420. THE CHURCH is an ancient gothic edifice of stone, consisting of nave and chancel, and will accommodate 300 persons. It was appropriated to the Abbey of Wigmore, by Hugh de Mortimer, immediately after the finishing of that abbey. It is rated in the king’s books at £6. In 1630, the advowson of Neen Savage, now worth £445, was sold for only £80. On the 19th of January, 1825, the wooden spire of the church was struck with lightning and burnt to the tower; the roof was much injured, and the bells were melted and fell to the bottom of the tower, and but for the exertions of the surrounding inhabitants, the whole edifice would soon have been in ruins. There are seven acres of glebe land in the parish. The Lord Chancellor is patron of the living; and the Rev. Charles R. Somers Cocks, M.A., is the vicar.

CHARITIES.—_Richard Edwards_, by will, gave the sum of £400, in trust, that the same should be laid out in land, and the rents and profits thereof paid to some good schoolmaster to teach twenty poor boys of the parish of Neen Savage. In 1732 the sum of £285 was applied in the purchase of 17 acres of land in Stottesden parish, which is now let at a rent of £35. The remainder of the money was placed out at interest until some opportunity may offer of making an advantageous purchase in land.

_Richard Hinckesman_, _Esq._, by will, dated 1780, charged certain lands in this parish with the payment of 6s. 8d. annually, for a sermon; and 13s. 4d. to be given to 10 poor widows annually.

_John Longmore_, by will, dated November 7th, 1835, gave the sum of £500, to be invested in government securities; the interest, dividends, and produce thereof to be expended in bread, and distributed to the most deserving poor of the parish every Sunday morning after Divine service. The aforesaid £500 was invested on the eighth day of March, 1839, in the purchase of £538. 7s. 2d. in the three per cent. consols, in the name of the vicar and churchwardens.

Bluck Samuel, farmer, Stepple Hall

Cleeton William, farm bailiff, Stone House

Cocks, Rev. Charles Richard Somers, vicar, the Vicrge.

Corbett Michael, farmer, Nethercott

Dallow John, castrator

Dorrall James, farmer, Wyer

Edmonds John, farmer, Wall Town

Hall Thomas Lambert, jun., paper manufacturer

Meredith Joseph, farmer, Rea Side

Minton Josh, farmer, Upper Beavney

Moore Thomas, blacksmith

Nisbett, Rev. Mr.

Preece John, farmer

Reynolds Thomas, farmer, Upper Beavney

Stephens Francis, farmer, Bank Top

Ward William, schoolmaster

Ward Elizh., schoolmistress

Weston Thomas, farmer

Wheeler George, farmer

Wheeler Joseph, miller

Whooton Thomas, farmer, the Lodge

Worrall John, farmer, Nash

Worrall Thomas, farmer, Elcott

NEENTON

is a parish and township in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, situated on the western bank of the River Rea, near the foot of the Brown Clee Hill, and six and a half miles south-west from Bridgnorth. The parish contains 1,000 acres of land, and is intersected by the Ludlow and Bridgnorth turnpike road. The land has mostly a strong soil, tolerably productive. In 1801 there were 120 inhabitants; 1831, 130; and in 1841, 29 houses and a population of 144 souls. The principal landowners are Henry Lyster, Esq.; John Minton, Esq.; Rev. J. F. Benwell, and Mr. T. Edwards; besides whom there are several smaller freeholders. THE CHURCH is an inconsiderable structure of brick, consisting of nave and chancel, with a turret in which are two bells. The living is a vicarage, rated in the king’s book at £5. 3s. 6½d., now returned at £196: patron and incumbent, Rev. John Frederick Benwell. The Vicarage is a neat brick residence, situated a short distance from the church.

DIRECTORY.—James Amiss, wheelwright; Rev. John Frederick Benwell, The Vicarage; William Childs, farmer, The Park; Richard Cleeton, wheelwright and beerhouse keeper; Richard Dodd, farmer, The Hay; George Edwards, butcher; George Edwards, farmer; Edward Hall, farmer, The Hall; John Hodnett, tailor and vict., New Inn; William Massey, farmer, The Bank; John Medlicott, farmer.

OLDBURY

is a parish and village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, situated about a mile S.S.W. from Bridgnorth. The village is on a gentle eminence, and contains some respectable family residences, and is surrounded by scenery of the most picturesque and romantic character. The parish comprises upwards of 1,400 acres of land, and is bounded on the east by the River Severn, and intersected by the Bridgnorth, Ludlow, and Cleobury Mortimer turnpike roads. At the census in 1801 there were 107 inhabitants; 1831, 126; and in 1841, 28 houses, and a population of 142 souls. THE CHURCH is a plain structure, dedicated St. Nicholas, consisting of nave and chancel, with a tower partly composed of wood. The interior is neatly pewed, and the nave is separated from the chancel by a carved oak screen. The Rev. Joseph Woolley, rector of this place 51 years, is remembered on a neat tablet dated 1728. There are also tablets to members of the families of Dethic, Beech, Hincksman, and others. The living is a rectory, rated in the king’s book at £5, now returned at £254, in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor: incumbent, Rev. John Purton, M.A. There are 16½ acres of glebe land. Sir John E. D. Acton, Bart. is the principal landowner, and lord of the manor. Mr. Nicholas Edwards and the Rev. John Purton are also proprietors. The Rectory is a good residence, situated near the church.

CHARITIES.—_Mrs. Mary Harris_ left by her will £5 for the poor of the parish. The time of this bequest is not mentioned; but in April, 1770, it appears that the principal and interest then amounted to £10. No application of this legacy seems to have been made to the use of the poor for a period of upwards of fifty years. About thirty years ago the principal and interest were paid over by Mr. Thomas Farmer, and invested in the stock; the money so invested produced a sum of £57. 12s. stock in the three per cent. consols; the dividends of which are yearly distributed among the poor.

The _Rev. Thomas Littleton_, by his will, dated 17th September, 1792, gave to the minister and churchwardens or Oldbury the sum of £10, upon trust, to pay the interest among the poor who frequent the service of the church. The personal property of Mr. Littleton passed into the hands of his executor, Richard Green, and eventually into those of his brother, Jonathan Green, who became embarrassed in his circumstances. The property had been sold when the Charity Report was published, and it was expected that this, with other claims, would soon be liquidated.

DIRECTORY.—John Bentley, butcher, Crosshouses; Samuel Bentley, farmer; Edmund F. Bowen, farmer and beerhouse keeper; Mr. James Brawn; William Brown, blacksmith; Miss Edwards; Nicholas Edwards, farmer, Westwood; John Green, farmer and corn miller; Mrs. Sophia Elizabeth James, The Cottage; Richard Jerrett, farmer and vict., The Hundred House; Margaret Wynne Jones, gentlewoman, The Lodge; Mrs. Mary Longmore, The Villa; Rev. John Purton, M.A., The Rectory; Miss Spalding; John Warden, farmer; Edward Welding, wheelwright; Mary Wheatley, gentlewoman, Oldbury House; Mr. Wright

QUATFORD,