Part 113

is an extensive parish in the Cleobury division of the hundred to which it gives name, situated five miles north of Cleobury Mortimer, containing the townships of Bardley and Harcourt, Chorley, Duddlewick, Hinton, Kingswood and Button, Oak, Newton, Ingwardine and Lowe, Oreton, Overton, Prescott, Walton and Bagginswood, Picton, Stottesden, Walkerslowe, Wricton and Northwood, which together comprehend an area of 12,074A. 2R. 27P. of land, the rateable value of which is £8,796. 16s. 8d. At the census of 1841 there were 259 houses and 1,217 persons in the Shropshire portion of the parish, part of it extending into the Wolphy hundred of the county of Hereford. The tithes have been commuted for £987. 17s. 1d. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor, and a considerable landowner. The farms in the parish are generally large, excepting on the south-western side, adjoining the Clee Hill, where are collieries and ironstone mines, which give employment to a number of the labouring population, but the principal part are engaged in agricultural pursuits. There is a considerable portion of clayey soil in the parish, other parts are of a more light and sandy nature, and in some places a fertile loam prevails. STOTTESDEN is a pleasant village, 13 miles north-east by east of Ludlow, five miles north of Cleobury Mortimer, and eight miles south-west by south of Bridgnorth. The township contains 987A. 2R. 19P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,216. 4s. 7d.; and at the census of 1841 there were 53 houses and 215 inhabitants. The principal landowners in the township are Mrs. Oldbury; Rev. Charles J. Maddison; Rev. Mr. Wakefield; Mr. Edward Bytheway; Mrs. Jones; Mrs. Waterhouse; Mr. Frier; Mr. Pope; Mr. Edward Cleeton; Mr. Turner, and Mrs. Howard. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £42. 3s. There are 27A. 3R. 4P. of glebe land. The manor of Stottesden was the possession of Edwin, Earl of Mercia, (at the time of Edward the Confessor), who rebelled against that monarch, in consequence of which it was given to Roger de Montgomery, in whose family it remained till a failure of male heirs. On the 28th of Henry III., John de Plessitis had a grant of a market here on a Tuesday, and a fair on the eve, the day, and the day after the assumption of the Blessed Virgin. There is a feast held the first Sunday after Michaelmas day.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient edifice, built of rubble stone, having been covered with three roofs, supported on each side of the interior by five semicircular arches of equal size, rising from four slender pillars, and from a pillar on each side. From these latter spring two small arches, slightly pointed, and adjoining to the rector’s chancel; the one is connected with and opening into the Stottesden chancel, which is still kept apart by its ancient oak screen. The other semicircular arch served as an opening to admit the staircase leading up to the ancient rood loft, which no doubt stood under an arch between the church and the communion chancel. The rood loft was swept away at the reformation, and the arch probably about the period of the civil wars. At the west end of the north and south aisles are still to be seen the Norman pilasters, decorated with mouldings, and carried up with the walls in the interior; probably the oldest part of the fabric. The elegant part of the exterior of this mouldering pile has been most sacrilegiously destroyed; its parapets and battlements, with its lead roof, have entirely disappeared. The north wall has been lowered, and the windows cut through, having removed the upper or traceried part to within five feet six inches of the surface of the cemetery. The fine mullioned windows in the rectory and Wrickton chancels, as well as on the south side of the church, afford a beautiful display of architectural taste. The eastern window of the former had twelve figures of its ancient lords and their connections, with their armorial bearings, including that of the sovereign of the day, and the royal arms displayed on shields, exhibited upon their breasts: five only of these now remain, in a very mutilated state. The upper or traceried compartments are still ornamented with stained glass. In the south wall is still to be seen the piscina or sink for the reception of any impurity falling into the elements. In the same wall appear the canopied seats of the priest, deacon, and sub-deacon, in their beautifully ornamented niches; and near to these is an ancient oilet or loophole window, with exquisitely fine mouldings, all of which savour much of the reign of Edward I. The circular stone font at the west end is of large dimensions, well adapted for the ancient practice of immersion; it is most elaborately carved, having a beautiful cordage twisted with much taste around the verge of the upper extremity: it is greatly ornamented, having eight compartments, the one exhibiting the Agnus Dei, the others those of Griffins, Cockatrices, and Centaurs, and is altogether a beautiful and rare specimen of an inimitable chisel of its day, probably as early as the reign of Henry III. The pulpit exhibits much ancient carving, beautifully executed, and put up with a sounding board in 1675. The desk, also much ornamented with carving, was set up in 1583. The entrance of the porch to the south is under a semicircular arch of great antiquity, probably introduced from a former porch. This, the principal approach into the interior of the edifice, is under an ancient arch of the pointed style; that on the north side is of a very early period, as well as that into the chancel. This latter is singular and rare, exhibiting an unusual display of fine chiselling. The entrance out of this chancel into the vestry is under a stone arch of the florid style, executed by a tasteful und scientific artist. The tower is lofty, and standing on a commanding eminence is a beautiful land mark in the country: the lower part to the second string course is built like the church with rubble material, but from that course upwards, including its battlements, is of good Ashler stone. It was rebuilt in 1583, and contains a peal of five musical bells, and clock and sun dial. Over the doorway leading from the tower to the church is an ancient and curious tympanum. The church was repaired in the year 1840, by which means 268 additional sittings were obtained, of which 215 are declared free and unappropriated for ever, in consequence of grants from the Incorporated and Hereford Diocesan Societies. The living is a vicarage, to which the curacy of Farlow is annexed, valued in the king’s books at £5. 10s. 10d., now returned at £676; in the patronage of the Duke of Cleveland, and incumbency of the Rev. Charles John Maddison. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a small chapel here built of stone in the year 1849. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL, supported by donations and subscriptions, will accommodate 80 children; about 53 is the average number that attend.

BARDLEY is a township in Stottesden parish, two and a half miles south-east by east of the parish church. It contains, with the township of Harcourt, 1,800A. 0R. 20P. of land, of which 760 acres are arable, 774A. 3R. 34P. pasture, and 170A. 1R. are woodlands. William Lacon Childe, Esq. is lord of the manor, and the principal landowner. Thomas Crump, Esq., Mr. Hyde, Miss Smith, John and Robert Lateward, Esqrs., Mr. Kyer, Messrs. Jones, Thomas Gregory, Richard Porter, and others are also proprietors. This township contained at the census of 1841, 38 houses and 178 persons. The tithes are commuted for £232. 9s. 0d., of which £92. 15s. 6d. to the vicar of Stottesden; £48. 16s. 6d. to William Lacon Childe, Esq.; £40 to Mr. John Humphries; £14. 16s. 6d. to John and Robert L. Lateward, Gents.; to Mr. Jones, £11. 6s.; to the Duke of Cleveland, £10. 3s. 6d.; to Mr. Hyde, £8. 16s. 6d., of which £5 yearly is paid to the rector of Dowles; to Mr. Compson, £5. 8s., and 16s. 6d. to Thomas Crump, Esq.

CHORLEY is a township pleasantly situated one and a half mile north-east by north of Stottesden, containing with Northwood 1,210A. 2R. 17P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,402. 7s. 5d. In 1841 there were in this township 21 houses and 114 inhabitants. The tithes were commuted in 1847 for £63. 14s. 7d., and the sum of £50. 8s. 7d. was apportioned to the vicar of Stottesden, £12 to Mr. Hincksman, and £1. 6s. to the Duke of Cleveland, Thomas Crump, Esq., is lord of the manor, and principal landowner. Lord Sudeley, Mr. John Hinckesman, W. L. Childe, Esq., Mr. John Gittins, and several others are also proprietors.

DUDDLEWICK is a small township one mile north west by west of Stottesden, which in 1841 had 4 houses and 36 inhabitants, and contains, with the township of Hinton, 932A. 0R. 6P. of land. The tithes are commuted for £127. 10s. The Duke of Cleveland is the principal landowner. Thomas Crump, Esq., is also a proprietor.

HARCOURT is a township 1½ mile south east by east of the parish church, containing, with Bardley, 1,800A. 0R. 20P. of land, the rateable value of which is £2,004. 0s. 2d. The tithes are commuted for £232. 19s., of which £83 7s. 8d. is apportioned to the vicar of Stottesden, and £140. 3s. 6d. to the impropriators. There are six houses and 34 inhabitants in this township. W. L. Childe, Esq., is lord of the manor and sole landowner.

HINTON, a small township one mile north west of the church, contains, with Stottesden and Duddlewick, 1,916A. 2R. 3P. of land, of which 1,070A. 2R. 25P. are arable: 823A. 0R. 19P. meadow and pasture: and 22A. 3R. 33P. are roads and waste. The tithes are commuted for £169. 13s., of which £84 is apportioned to the vicar of Stottesden; £64 to the respective landowners; £12. 13s. to the Duke of Cleveland, and £9 to William Whitesides, Esq. The Duke of Cleveland is sole proprietor of this township.

INGWARDINE is a small township three miles north west by west of Stottesden, containing 4 houses and 20 souls. The tithes are commuted and apportioned to the vicar of the parish for £110. This township, with that of Lowe, contains 652A. 0R. 34P. of land, the freeholders of which are the Rev. G. D. Pardoe and Mr. Johnson.

KINGSWOOD is a rural village with twenty-three houses and ninety-seven inhabitants, situated six miles south west by south of Stottesden, from which place it is separated by the parishes of Kinlet and Neen Savage intervening. It contains, with the hamlet of Button Oak, 1,392A. 1R. 31P. of land, a great portion of which is woodland, of which 524A. 2R. 2P. are woods belonging to Lord Ward, and 588A. 2R. 29P. belonging to Sir Edward Blount, bart., who are the principal landowners. Mrs. Elizabeth Doolittle, Mr. Frier, Mr. Joseph Mole, Mr. Thomas Trow, the Misses Lewis, and Mr. Boycott are also proprietors. The tithes have been commuted for £22. 14s, 10.

LOWE township, situated 2½ miles north west by west of Stottesden, contained at the census of 1841 one house and 10 persons, and with the township of Ingwardine, has 652A. 0R. 34P. of land, of which Mrs. Goulder is sole proprietor.

NEWTON is a township 2 miles north of the parish church, which in 1841 had three houses and 23 souls, and contains, with the townships of Wrickton, Overton, and Walkers Lowe, 2,186A. 1R. 17P. of land, of which 125A. 3R. 26P. are arable: 904A. 3R. 17P. pasture, and 21A. 2R. 14P. are roads and waste. The tithes of these townships have been commuted for £180. 10s., of which the vicar of Stottesden receives £95, and the remainder is paid to several impropriators. George Peach Aston, Esq., is the sole proprietor of Newton.

NORTHWOOD is a small township 1½ mile north west of Stottesden, which had, at the census of 1841, three houses and 16 persons. It contains, with the township of Chorley, 1,210A. 2R. 17P. of land, the principal proprietors of which are Thomas Crump, Esq., Mr. John Hincksman, and Lord Sudeley. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £18. 4s. 6d., and the rectorial for £12.

ORETON is a township two miles south of the parish church, containing 68 houses and 275 inhabitants. It contains 580A. 1R. 37P. of land, of which upwards of 300 acres are in common and waste. In this township are extensive lime works and stone quarries. The tithes are commuted for £100. 5s. 8d., of which £38. 10s. are apportioned to the vicar of Stottesden, and £61. 15s. 8d. to the Duke of Cleveland. George Compson, Esq., is lord of the manor and principal landowner. Rev. G. D. Pardoe, Mr. John Page, Mr. Edward Wyer, Mr. Wm. Page, Mrs. Page, Mr. Preston, and Mr. Wm. Wheeler are also small proprietors.

OVERTON is a township and small village 2¾ miles north of the parish church, containing 3 houses and 22 souls. It has, with the townships of Wrickton, Newton, and Walkers Lowe, 2,186A. 1R. 17P. of land. The tithes are commuted for £24. 10s. 11d. Hamilton Tennant, Esq., is sole proprietor of this township.

PICKTHORN is a township, one mile north-west of the parish church, containing 560A. 0R. 37P. of land, and had at the census of 1841 four houses and 16 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £61, of which £19 is apportioned to the Vicar of Stottesden, and £42 to William Henry Cresswell, Esq.

PRESCOT township, situated two miles south of Stottesden, contains, with the townships of Walton and Bagginswood, 804A. 2R. 34P. of land. The tithes are commuted for £47, of which £44. 19s. is apportioned to the vicar, and £2. 1s. to Mrs. Botfield. Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Botfield are the principal landowners.

WALTON is a township, one mile and a half south-east of the church, containing 804A. 2R. 34P. of land, with the townships of Prescot and Bagginswood, and had at the census of 1841 one house and 12 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £47. The Duke of Cleveland is the principal freeholder; W. L. Childe, Esq., is also a proprietor.

WRICKTON is a scattered township, two miles and a half north-west by west from the parish church, having at the census of 1841, 21 houses and 123 inhabitants. It contains, with the townships of Walkerslowe, Overton, and Newton, 2,186A. 1R. 17P. of land. The tithes are commuted for £95. 1s. 4d., namely, from Wrickton township, £33 18s.; Walkerslowe, £26. 14s.; Overton, £24. 10s. 11d.; and Newton, £9. 18s. 5d. The principal freeholders are Mrs. Haynes; Mr. Thomas Lowe; Panton Gardner, Esq.; and Mr. John Maddocks.

CHARITIES.—There was formerly a sum of £30. 6s. 8d. in this parish, called the poors’ stock, the origin of which is unknown, and which, with some additions raised by subscription, made the sum of £45, which was lent to the trustees of the turnpike road from Bewdley to Prescott, and secured by a mortgage on the tolls in the year 1763, at an interest of four per cent., in respect of which two pounds five shillings are annually paid and distributed to the poor of Stottesden on St. Thomas’s day. _Thomas Morris_, by will, in 1723, bequeathed to the poor of the parish of Stottesden the sum of 20s. yearly, issuing out of his estate at Bardley, in this parish. _George Rushbury_ and _Richard Rushbury_, in 1703, granted to trustees a piece of land in Stottesden, containing one acre or thereabouts, in trust, for the erection thereon of an almshouse to lodge some of the poor impotent persons of the said parish. An almshouse was accordingly erected, the expense of which, amounting to £35, was defrayed from the poor rates and contributions from the parishioners. The house consists of five distinct dwellings, with a garden to each, which are inhabited by the poor belonging to the parish. _James Rushbury_, by will, dated 1717, gave the sum of £100, to be laid out by his executor in the purchase of land, the yearly rents and profits thereof to be distributed in the following manner, viz.: £3 yearly towards maintaining an orthodox parson at Wombridge, who should read divine service and preach yearly on the day of the testator’s death; 20s. yearly to the poor of the parish of Wombridge; and 20s. yearly to the poor of the parish of Stottesden. _The Rev. Samuel Meredith_, by will, dated 1756, devised all his messuages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever, to his godson Charles Hinckesman, his heirs and assigns, he and they paying thereout (among other things) the sum of £120 to the minister, churchwardens, and overseers of the poor of the parish of Stottesden, upon trust, that they should place the same out at interest, and apply it in educating and teaching poor children of the said parish to read. This legacy has never been received, the present proprietor of the estate alleging that it is void under the statute of mortmain.

STOTTESDEN DIRECTORY.

Alltree John, farmer, New House

Bytheway Edw., shoemaker, shopkeeper, carrier, and parish clerk

Bytheway John, butcher and farmer

Brookes Joseph, farmer, Woodhouse

Cleeton Edward, farmer

Cleeton Emma, farmer, Hardwick

Elcock John, farmer

Gittins John, farmer, maltster, and wheelwright

Hancox John, joiner

Hyde Mrs., The Hall

Hyde Thomas, farmer, The Hall

Jones Dorothy, blacksmith and victualler, The Cock

Jones John, blacksmith

Jones Mrs.

Lane William, wheelwright

Maddison Rev. Chas. John, The Vicarage

Millichap Richard, farmer

Nott Henry, cooper

Page Thomas, farmer

Price John, beerhouse and shopkeeper

BARDLEY DIRECTORY.

Beach James, shoemaker

Deverell William, farmer, Knowle Bays

Edwards Richard, farmer

Gittins William, wheelwright

Gregory Thomas, shoemaker

Lateward John, farmer, The Hall Orchard

Lateward Mr. Robt., Lambert

Millington Thomas, farmer, Headcroft

Nuth William, schoolmaster

Pugh John, farmer, Ribbly

Smith Thomas, farmer, The Lower Farm

BUTTON OAK DIRECTORY.

Bevan Edward, beer retailer

Giles John, farmer and vict., Button Oak Inn

CHORLEY DIRECTORY.

_Those marked * reside at High Green_.

Birkin Benjamin, farmer

Birkin Sarah, farmer

* Cooke Thos., beer retailer

* Corfield William, engineer and blacksmith

Crump Thomas, Esq., The Hall

* Downes Henry, shoemaker

Jordin Joseph, farm bailiff

Page John, farmer

Powell William, farmer

* Richards Thos., shopkeeper

Wall Richard, wheelwright

DUDDLEWICK DIRECTORY.

Dorrell William, farmer, The Hall

Hyde Thomas, farmer

Meredith John, miller and farmer

Pugh John, farmer

HARCOURT DIRECTORY.

Benbow Edward, farmer

Deverell William, farm bailiff

HINTON DIRECTORY.

Hyde John, farmer

INGLEWARDINE DIRECTORY.

Amies Edward, farmer

Pardoe Rev. G. D., The Hall

KINGSWOOD DIRECTORY.

Band Richard, miller and farmer

Doolittle James, farmer

Doolittle Samuel, maltster

Doolittle William, farmer

Mole Joseph, farmer

Parkes Thomas, farmer

LOWE DIRECTORY.

Bishop William, farmer

NEWTON DIRECTORY.

Fletcher John, farmer

NORTHWOOD DIRECTORY.

Brown William, farmer

Medlicott William, farmer

ORETON DIRECTORY.

Boddy George, blacksmith

Chatham George, saddler

Clayton Samuel, lime and quarry master

Davies John, farmer, Lower House

Haycocks James, beerhouse and shopkeeper

Jones John, farmer, Middle House

Martin Mary, wheelwright

Martin John, wheelwright

Page Mrs., Stocking House

Page Wm., farmer, Upper House

Page Wm., farmer, Stocking Farm

Preston Thos., lime master and farmer

Trow Edward, beer retailer and shopkeeper

OVERTON DIRECTORY.

Baker William, farmer

Fletcher Thomas, farmer

FICKTHORN DIRECTORY.

Fletcher Thomas, farmer

PRESCOTT DIRECTORY.

Gittins Elizabeth, farmer

Preeton Thomas, miller and farmer

WALKERSLOWE DIRECTORY.

Colebach George, farmer

Wyer Richard, farmer, Manor House

WALTON DIRECTORY.

Farmer George, farmer, The Hall

Oakley Richard, farmer

Page John, farmer, The Heath

WRICKTON DIRECTORY.

Cox John, farmer, The Hall

Haynes Mrs., The New House

Maddocks John, miller and farmer

Passey George, farmer

Wellings Humphrey, blacksmith

TASLEY

is a parish and scattered village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, two miles N.W. from Bridgnorth, which contains 1,120 acres of land, and at the census of 1841 had 18 houses and 83 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,243. 13s. Gross estimated rental, £1,328. 7s. The land has an undulating surface, and in some parts a strong soil, which produces tolerable crops of grain; the meadow land is generally of an inferior quality, and cold. The Earl of Shrewsbury is the most considerable landowner, the other principal proprietors are Edward Farrer Acton, Esq.; the Earl of Liverpool; the Executors of the late William Clayton; Mr. Newell; Thomas C. Newport, Esq.; and Edward Edmonds, Esq. Edward Farrer Acton is lord of the manor. In the 18th of Edward II. Reginald de la Leigh gave lands in Tasseley towards the endowment of a chantry in Bruges. The Bridgnorth race course is situated in this parish. THE LEASOWS, the property and residence of Captain Edward Edmonds, is a handsome modern erection of brick, pleasantly situated, and surrounded by rural scenery. THE CHURCH is a small structure rebuilt in 1840, consisting of nave and chancel, with a turret in which are two bells. There is a gallery, the front of which is ornamented with antique oak carvings, and there is a beautiful screen which separates the chancel from the nave. The font is very ancient, and there is a small organ upon the gallery. The living is a rectory in the patronage of Edward Farrer Acton, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. John Postlethwaite. The tithes have been commuted for £212, and there are 8A. 2R. 37P. of glebe land. When the church was rebuilt 115 additional sittings were added to the original number, and in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society for building and enlarging churches, 62 of that number were declared free and unappropriated for ever. A handsome tablet remembers Rowland Hill, Esq., who died in 1766. There is also a neat tablet in the chancel in memory of the Rev. William Moore, M.A., late rector, who died in the year 1848.

DIRECTORY.—Samuel Arthur, farmer and vict., Boar’s Head; William Clayton, farmer, Henley; Mr. William Cleaton, Tasley Cottage; John Corbet, farmer; Robert Corbet, farmer, Race-course; Edward Edmonds, Esq., The Leasows; Joseph Giles, farmer, Church Farm; Enoch Gwynn, basket maker; Thomas Lees, farmer, Hundred House; Henry Yapp, butcher.

UPTON CRESSETT

is a parish and village pleasantly situated on an acclivity four miles and a half W.W. by S. from Bridgnorth. The family of Cressett, of ancient and honourable distinction, gave name to the place, and were seated at Cressett Hall, an ancient mansion in the Elizabethan style, built in the year 1580; it was formerly surrounded with a moat, traces of which are still to be seen; several of the rooms are wainscotted with oak. In the old lodge, now converted into a granary, is a spiral stair case, with blocks of solid oak. The parish contains 1,300 acres of land, which is the property of Mrs. Thursby. At the census of 1841 there were 53 inhabitants; 1831, 43, and in 1841 ten houses and a population of 56 souls. THE CHURCH is a small antique structure consisting of nave, chancel, and side chapel, with a small spiral turret in which is two bells; an arch of Norman character separates the nave from the chancel. In the side chapel is a brass memorial in memory of Richard Cressett, his wife, two sons and three daughters, dated 1640. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4 15s. 2½d., now returned at £125; incumbent, Rev. Henry Burton, M.A.

DIRECTORY.—Thomas Bishop, farmer, Upper House; Martha Churms, farmer, New House; William Corser, farmer, The Hall; George Giles, farmer, Upton Park; Richard Howells, farmer, Stapeley; Edward Morris, gamekeeper, The Rectory; Richard Porter, farmer, The Lodge.

WHEATHILL