Part 112

a small parish and village on the banks of the river Severn, about a mile and a half south from Bridgnorth, derives its name from _Coed_ and _Forda_ (British), signifying the Wood at the Ford—originally within the Forest of Morfe. The parish contains 1,773 acres of land, and includes the lordships of Hay and Eardington, which are situated on the opposite side of the river Severn. The parish in 1801 contained 417 inhabitants; 1831, 492; 1841, 553. Rateable value, £3,586, 18s. 3d. The township of Quatford comprises 514 acres of land, and in 1841 had 44 houses and a population of 204 souls. The manor belongs to the corporation of Bridgnorth, and the mayor for the time being is lord of the manor. John Smalman, Esq., is the principal landowner; George Pritchard, Esq., W. W. Whitmore, Esq., Henry Vickers, Esq., Mary Jones, Mr. Thomas Hudson, Lord Sudeley, Mr. William Hughes, Mr. Thursfield, and others, are also proprietors. In this township stands the castellated residence of John Smalman, Esq., J.P., called QUATFORD CASTLE. It stands within sight of the rock where stood the castle erected by Ethelfleda Countess of Mercia (the wife of Ethelred, the first Earl Palatine of Mercia), prior to the year 919. Mr. Smalman is descended from an ancient family long seated at Wilderhope Hall, in the parish of Rushbury. The castle is built on a prominent hill, surrounded by plantations overlooking the beautiful river Severn for several miles, and only approached by an artificial road on its eastern side. This enchanting spot, from its varied views and pleasurable walks, is the constant attraction of families resident in the town and neighbourhood of Bridgnorth, who are welcomed by its liberal and much respected proprietor.

THE CHURCH, a venerable structure, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, has a square tower, surmounted with pinnacles, and contains three bells. The interior of the church has a handsome appearance; the altar is elaborately carved, and the floor of the chancel is covered with encaustic tiles. There are several neat monumental tablets, one of which remembers Thomas Crump, who died in 1718; another is erected to the memory of Joseph Corbet, Esq., who died in 1790. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Lord Sudeley, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Leigh Wasey, M.A. Mr. Cox has the following account of Quatford:—“The manor of Quatford, belonging to Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, he built a church here, upon this occasion: Adaliza, his wife, coming out of Normandy, there happened so great a storm at sea that nothing but shipwreck was expected by the mariners; but her chaplain being wearied with much watching, fell fast asleep, and as he lay at rest a venerable matron appeared to him, and said: ‘If your lady will make a vow to build a church to St. Mary Magdalene, in the place where she first meets the earl, her husband, in England, she shall be preserved from the danger of this tempest.’ This vision being told his lady, she presently vowed accordingly, and got safe to shore; from whence, going towards her husband at Shrewsbury, she met him in this place a hunting, and telling him the vision, he willingly fulfilled her vow, and built this church at Quatford, and dedicated it to St. Mary Magdalene, endowed it with ample possessions, and gave it to his collegiate chapel, in the Castle of Bridgnorth. Robert de Belesme, his eldest son, coming to his father’s inheritance in England (by the death of his younger brother, Hugh), removed from this town of Quatford,—but whither, we find not.”

THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a small chapel in the village. There is also a SCHOOL here, a decorated structure, built in the year 1847, by subscription; about thirty children attend. A LIBRARY for the use of the parish is kept in the church vestry.

CHARITIES.—_John Corfield_, in 1718, directed six twopenny loaves to be distributed the first Sunday in every month in the year. This annuity is paid out of land in Stottesden. _Arthur Weaver_, _Esq._, in 1709, bequeathed out of the several tithes of Morville, Aston Eyre, and Quatford, to the curates of each yearly; the bequest to the curate of Quatford being £3. 13s. 4d.

It appears that in the years 1767 and 1769, _Arthur Weaver_ granted two rent charges of £7 each, towards the augmentation of this curacy, and that the Governors of Queen Ann’s Bounty, in conjunction with the said Isaac Weaver, agreed to augment the curacy with two several sums of £200 each, having previously agreed to augment the same with a like sum of £200 by lot. In pursuance of this agreement, in the year 1784, the sum of £600 was laid out in the purchase of a certain messuage and about seven acres of land, situated at Eardington, which were conveyed to the then curate, to hold to him and his successors for ever.

CHURCH LANDS.—The following premises have been appropriated to the repairs and uses of the church for a long period, but from what source they were originally derived we have been unable to discover:—A parcel of land, called Paradise, containing four acres and three-quarters, producing £10 per annum. A house and garden let for 10s. a-year, also rendering the service of rowing over the parishioners at all times free to the parish church on the other side of the river. There are also several other plots of land, comprising upwards of 14 acres, which, with the above sums, produce an annual rent of £20. 1s. 11d. In the year 1810, timber was sold from the church land for £100. 12s. 6d., part of which was laid out for a new boat, and there remained a sum of £70 in the Bridgnorth Bank.

_William Nicholls_, in 1846, bequeathed £150 to the minister of Quatford, upon trust, to dispose of the interest thereof among the most deserving poor of the parish.

The sum of £20, left by _Thomas Spencer_ in 1722, for the benefit of the curate of Quatford, and £10, left by _Elizabeth Oldburg_ in 1730, have long been lost.

DIRECTORY.—John Smalman, Esq., The Castle; John Clayton, Esq., Quatford House; John Davies, beerseller; Robert Griffiths, timber merchant, architect, builder, quarry-master, and dealer in tiles, bricks, slates, &c., Chantrey House; Thomas Hudson, beerseller; Mary Lambert, school-teacher; William Martin, victualler, Red Lion Inn; Thos. Owen, shopkeeper, and foreman to Mr. Griffiths; John Thomas Poole, farmer, The Bank; The Misses Shepherd, The Grove; John Sing, Esq., The Hall; Richard Turley, parish clerk and ferry-house keeper; Stephen Wolryche, Esq., The Villa.

EARDINGTON

is a township and pleasantly situated village, in the parish Quatford, one mile south from Bridgnorth, which contains 1,259A. 0R. 7P. of land, the rateable value of which is £2,727. 13s. Gross estimated rental, £2,997. 18s. The principal landowners are Mrs. Mary Oldbury; Mr. William Baldwin; The Devisees of the late Thomas Duppa, Esq.; Lord Liverpool; and Lord Sudeley; besides whom there are several other small freeholders. In Doomsday Book we find this place written _Ardintone_, and though annexed to the mother church of Quatford (on the opposite side of the river Severn) in ecclesiastical matters, yet in all other respects is virtually a parish of itself. About three miles below Bridgnorth, on the western bank of the Severn, is the EARDINGTON FORGE, a charcoal iron manufactory, celebrated for making the best charcoal wire, horse nail, and gun iron. The works are carried on by James Foster, Esq., of Stanton Castle, in Worcestershire, under the able management of Mr. Thomas Austin Jackson, and are the largest of the kind in the kingdom. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL is a neat brick structure, which will accommodate about fifty children. It was erected in the year 1837. This township in 1801 had a population of 328 souls; 1831, 325; 1841, 349. At the latter period there were 71 inhabited houses.

Angeworth William, farmer, Hay Farm

Baker Thomas, farmer

Cooper John Henry, Esq., banker, The Knowle Sands

Cole George, stock taker, The Forge

Crowder John, corn miller

Duppa Mrs. Georgiana Elizb.

Fryer John, blacksmith

Garbett Francis, shoemaker

Harrison Mr. Samuel

Hudson William, victualler, The Crown

Jackson Mr. Thomas Austin, manager, Eardington Forge

James David, beerhouse

Jarratt James, butcher

Lloyd Thomas, shoemaker

Miles Thos., vict., Red Lion

Minshull John, miller

Noakes Samuel, farmer

Oldbury Mrs. Mary, farmer, Eardington House

Oldbury The Misses Anne and Margaret

Pitt James, engineer

Powell Martha, shopkeeper

Simkiss John, manager of Coal and Buck’s Works

Summers Samuel, farmer

Wasey Rev. Geo. Leigh, M.A. incumbent of Quatford and Morville Knowle Sands

Weaver William, maltster, and farmer

QUATT,

an extensive parish, anciently within the forest of Morfe, is intersected by the Bridgnorth and Kidderminster turnpike road, and bounded on the western side by the river Severn, which is crossed at several places by ferry boats. The parish comprehends the hamlets of Quatt Malvern, Quatt Jarvis, Mose, Wooton, and Dudmaston, and contains 2,674A. 1R. 11P. of land, of which 238A. 0R. 14P. are in woods and plantations, 33A. 3R. 36P. water, 23A. 1R. 4P. public roads, and 66A. 2R. 26P. in the demesne and grounds of Dudmaston Hall. The soil is for the most part highly fertile. Rateable value, £3,514. 4s. 5d. Population in 1801, 300; 1831, 328; 1841, 365; part of the population is included within the limits of the borough of Bridgnorth. The township of Quatt Malvern at the census of 1841 is returned as containing 29 houses and 141 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £415. 9s. 8d. Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., M.P., is the principal landowner and lord of the manor; John Sing, Esq., Thomas Bowen, and others, are also freeholders. The village of Quatt is scattered, but pleasantly situated, four miles S.E. from Bridgnorth; it contains some good residences, and the surrounding country is beautifully picturesque and romantic. In Leland’s time there were to be seen here the ruins of the manor house of Robert de Montgomery. About four miles from Quatt Malvern are the remains of a Roman camp called THE WALLS. The form of it is nearly quadrangular, and there have been four gates into it; one in the middle of the north front, another in the middle of the west, a third in the south-east, and a fourth at the north-east corner. The odd position of the two last take advantage of declivities in the rock. Besides these a sloping way is cut through the bank, and down the rock in the middle of the south face, to the water. The west side has been doubly fortified with a deep trench cut out of the solid rock between two ramparts. To the north it has only one bank. It embraces an area of more than twenty acres, but no coins or antiquities have been found there. Not far from the Severn an ancient sword was discovered, differing in form and metal to any hitherto found in Great Britain. Similar have been found in Ireland.

THE CHURCH is a venerable fabric, dedicated to St. Andrew, partly composed of free stone, and partly of brick. It consists of nave, chancel, side chapel, and north aisle, the latter separated from the nave by three arches resting on octagonal pillars; the tower contains four bells. The pulpit and reading desk are beautifully carved, and dated 1629. The font is very ancient, and there is a gallery at the west end, upon which is placed an organ. The altar is of oak, exquisitely carved. On the floor is a remarkable inscription, with some curious tracery, dated 1387 and 1495. On a pillar are remembered some of the ancient family of Wolryches. In the side chapel is a black marble tomb in memory of Sir Francis Wolryche, who died in 1668, near to which is an elaborate monumental tomb with figures in black marble, in bold relief set in a block of alabaster. There is also a fine figure in alabaster, exquisitely carved, in memory of Dame Marie Wolryche, dated 1628. Another tomb of fine workmanship has the figures of a knight and his lady, and remembers Francis Wolryche, Esq., and Margaret, his wife, and is dated 1614. There are also some neat tablets in the church which our limits will not allow us to notice in detail. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £14. 15s., now returned at £415. 4s. 8d., in the patronage of W. W. Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Edmund Carr, M.A. The rectory is a handsome and spacious residence situated near the church. On rebuilding the church of Quatt in 1763 were found a number of figures painted on the walls, representing the Seven Charities and the Day of Judgment; and on a piece of vellum nailed to an oak board the figure of our Saviour rising from the sepulchre, underneath the figure were the following lines:—“Saynt Gregory and other popes and byshops grantes sex and twenty thousand zere of pardonz thirtti dayes to alle that saies devoutlye knelyng afor yis is ymage fife paternosters, fife aves, and a cred.”

THE SOUTH EASTERN SHROPSHIRE DISTRICT SCHOOL has been established for the reception of children belonging to the several unions of Bridgnorth, Cleobury Mortimer, Madeley, and Seisdon. The object of the institution is not only to give a sound healthy education, but so to improve both the physical and mental powers as shall break the thread of pauperism, and enable this hitherto unhappy class to establish themselves in after life as independent labourers. The experiment has proved most satisfactory, and even more successful than was expected, not only in giving a good healthy education combined with labour to the children, but yielding such a return in money as altogether prevented any additional cost to the ratepayers, and even paid a portion of the former expenses. The actual profits of the four acres of land cultivated having amounted to between £60 and £70 per annum. The question of profit, though of importance, is trifling when compared with the benefits derived by the children, who are here removed from scenes of inferiority and degradation and brought up in habits of industry, and a knowledge of gardening combined with the inculcation of honest principles and religious knowledge, are blessings of incalculable amount. The house is capable of accommodating 170 children, and the boys are employed in the cultivation of the land, in the management of cows, pigs, and a pony; the girls are employed in the house and dairy work. Henry Garland is the governor, and Mrs. Garland matron.

DUDMASTON HALL, the seat and property of W. W. Whitmore, Esq., J.P., is a handsome brick mansion, situated near the Bewdley and Bridgnorth turnpike road. It stands in an extensive and richly wooded park, and is beautified with tasteful pleasure grounds and choice shrubs. Dudmaston is a manor within the manor of Quatt, and was in early times the residence of Dudmastons, from whom it passed in marriage to the Wolryches, and they devised it to their maternal relation, William Whitmore, Esq., whose descendant now inherits the estate and mansion.

CHARITIES.—By an indenture, dated September 17th, 1687, the churchwardens and two parishioners of this parish devised, for a term of 99 years, to Richard Gough, a piece of land in St. Leonard’s parish, in consideration that the said Richard Gough should, within five years, erect thereon a bay of building with brick and stone; and also should pay, during the term, the annual rent of five shillings, for the benefit of the poor of Quatt. It does not appear to what source the parish was indebted for this land, but in an old corporation book belonging to the corporation of Bridgnorth, there is an entry, purporting to be an extract from the will of _Thomas Dovey_, dated 13th of February, 1601, whereby he gave to the parish of Quatt £5 for the use of the poor for ever. In 1788, the former lease having expired, a new lease of the premises was granted for the like term, and at the same rent; the sum of £12 being paid as a fine for renewal.

This parish appears also to have enjoyed for many years the property of a house and land, in the parish of Worfield, of the origin of which we have not been able to discover any trace. The earliest notice that we find of it is in the year 1759, when it appears in the occupation of a tenant at the rent of £2. 10s. per annum. In 1802 the premises were sold for £110, and the amount was placed in the bank of Bates and Jones, at Bridgnorth, which subsequently failed. A dividend of 4s. in the pound was afterwards paid, and this sum, amounting to £22. 13s. 2d. was placed in the Stourbridge bank. The interest is carried to the poor rates.

DIRECTORY.—William Wolryche Whitmore, Esq., Dudmaston Park; Miss Elizabeth and Ellen Bowen; Thomas Bowen, farmer, Wooton; Rev. Edmund Carr, M.A.; Thomas Clare, farmer, Mose; William Clare, maltster and farmer; Wm. Coupar, farmer, Hoult; John Craig, farmer, Wooton; Henry Garland, governor of Union School; William L. Loundes, Esq., The Lodge; Samuel Minor, farmer, Mose; George Pool, farmer, Morfe; John Sayce, farmer, Lye Hall; Robert Sayce, farmer, The Hall Farm and Harles Farm; William Spence, agent to W. W. Whitmore, Esq.; John Warder, farmer, Morfe.

RUDGE

is a sequestered village and township in the parish of Pattingham, situated seven miles east of Wolverhampton, and eight miles south by west of Bridgnorth, bordering on the county of Staffordshire, from which it is separated by a small stream of water. This township has no connexion with the mother parish except for church assessments, all other parochial rates being raised by a collection from the resident holders of property. In 1841 there were 19 houses and 101 persons. There are 1,567 acres of land here, of which 40 acres are woodlands, 10A. 2R. 18P. roads, 166A. 2R. 25P. of meadow or pasture, 894 acres arable, and 455A. 3R. 14P. common and waste, which is now being enclosed by Thomas Boycott, Esq., who gives employment to a number of the labouring population. The Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth turnpike road crosses Rudge Heath. Rateable value of the township, £1,792. 1s. The tithes were commuted in 1839 for £199. 10s. 10d. to the impropriator, and £75. 15s. to the vicar of the parish. Thomas Boycott, Esq. is lord of the manor, and the principal landowner. RUDGE HALL, the seat and property of Thomas Boycott, Esq., is pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, commanding most beautiful prospects of the surrounding country. It is built of brick, and stuccoed. The park grounds are of considerable extent, and richly wooded.

DIRECTORY.—Thomas Boycott, Esq., Rudge Hall; Rev. William George Greenstreet, M.A., The Vicarage; James Bentley, machine maker; John Bentley, carriage builder and smith; Thomas Edwards, farmer; Robert Francis, farmer; James Herbert, shopkeeper; Benjamin Hithcock, gardener; George Jones, jun., farmer; George Jones, farmer; Sarah Jones, dressmaker; William Jones, farmer; Richard Keysell, coachman; Charles Lakin, farmer and vict., New Inn; William Lyndon, farmer; Alexander Mac Donald, gardener; Richard Morris, butler; William Nash, farmer; Thomas Pound, blacksmith, Hobston; James Tomkiss, grocer and provision dealer; Robert Turnbull, farm bailiff; Benjamin Waklam, beerhouse keeper.

SHEINTON, OR SHINETON,

a parish and small rural village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, picturesquely situated in a romantic district, 2¾ miles N.N.W. from Much Wenlock, contains 967A. 3R. 4P. of land, bounded on the north by the river Severn. Gross estimated rental, £1,428. 14s. Rateable value, £1,352. 17s. Population in 1801, 163; 1831, 133; 1841, 154; at the latter period there were 36 houses. The principal landowners are the Duke of Cleveland, Sir George Harnage, Francis Benthall, Esq., and the devisees of the late Walter Moseley, Esq. The family of Sheynton were seated here at a very early period. William de Sheynton held one knight’s fee in this manor in the 22nd of Richard II. Hugh de Sheynton had the grant of free warren here in the time of Edward II. The land is for the most part fertile in this parish, and produces good turnips and barley: the low lands have been improved by draining. THE CHURCH consists of nave and chancel, with a tower, in which are three bells. It is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and has an ancient appearance. There are no memorials worthy of notice. Some of the curious carving in oak is of great antiquity. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £6. 9s. 2d., now returned at £360; in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. H. Bagnall. _Ann Lacon_ bequeathed a rent charge of £5 per annum for the benefit of the poor. The amount is received by the overseers, who distribute it in equal shares of 25s. each, among four poor widows of the parish. They are appointed by the minister and churchwardens, and continue to enjoy the charity during their respective lives.

The principal residents are the Rev. Henry Bagnall, rector; Charlotte Adney, farmer; Andrew Dodson, farmer; John Young, vict., The Rising Buck.

SIDBURY

is a parish and small village, six miles S.W. by S. from Bridgnorth, in the Chelmarsh division of the hundred. It is situated on a slight eminence in a bold undulating district, and contains 1248 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £966. 14s. 6d. In 1841 the parish had 14 houses and 94 souls; population in 1801, 92; in 1831, 103. The parish of Sidbury formerly belonged to the family of the Cresswells, whose ancestor was Richard the faithful servant of Charles I., who was in attendance on the king when he took the fatal step of escaping from the University of Oxford. This was one of those villes that Edmund de Mortimer separated from the hundred of Stottesden in the time of Edward I. The landowners in this parish are William Henry Cresswell, Esq., Thomas Crump, Esq. and Mr. Barnard Acres.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, consists of nave, chancel, and north side chapel, the latter built by the Cresswell family; it contains a tablet to the memory of Richard Cresswell, Esq., dated 1705. The church is built of stone, with a small turret in which is one bell. On the south wall is a tablet to the memory of Jacob Smith, Esq., dated 1795, and also one to the memory of George Smith, Esq., who died in 1802. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 13s. 4d., now returned at £227.; patron, the Earl of Shrewsbury; incumbent, Rev. R. Maddox. There are 34 acres of glebe land. SIDBURY HALL is a good stone residence, in the occupancy of Mr. James Pugh, farmer.

DIRECTORY.—Barnard Acres, farmer, Oxwood; John Corfield, farmer, Lower House; Rev. William Lewis Jones, curate; Joseph Massie, farmer, The Batch; William Powell, farmer, The Rectory; Samuel Pritchard, farmer, New Barn; James Pugh, farmer, Sidbury Hall; Jane, Catharine, and Harriet Snow, farmers, The Upper House.

STOTTESDEN