Part 115

THE CHURCH, dedicated to All Saints, is a cruciform structure, built of stone, with a spire of wood, in which are three small bells. In the south transept is a monument to Humphrey Conynsby, which has already been noticed. In the chancel are two marble tablets to the memories of the Rev. Edward Baugh, M.A., late rector of this parish, dated 1813, and to Margaret Baugh, dated 1802. The living is a rectory, with the curacy of Milson annexed, valued in the king’s book at £13. 2s. 3d., now £550; in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Worcester College, Oxford, and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Hardwicke, D.D. The church was formerly annexed to one of the abbeys of Gloucester. There are ninety-eight acres of glebe land.

DIRECTORY.—William Bishop, farmer and corn miller; John Cooke, farmer, New House; Benjamin Crow, blacksmith; Thomas Griffiths, tailor; Richard Hall, farmer; Thomas Harris, farmer; Jane Mantle, beerhouse and shopkeeper; Joseph Mantle, carpenter and joiner; John Massey, shoemaker; Pattronella Morris, farmer, Haughton; Thomas Morris, farmer, The Bank; Thomas Moss, farmer; Ann Palmer, farmer; Geo. Parker, farmer; Ann Wall, farmer, Hill Top; James Williams, farmer; William Yates, farmer.

SILVINGTON,

a parish and village in a sequestered situation, between Titterstone and Clee Hills, eight miles north-east of Ludlow, contains 1,120 acres of land, and at the census of 1801 had fifty-eight inhabitants; 1831, thirty; 1841, forty-six; at the latter period there were nine houses. Of the land 170 acres are arable, 254 meadow and pasture, 36 woods, 655 moor land and hills, and 4A. 3R. 20P. in public roads. Richard Betton, Esq., is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. The Rev. John Hayton is also a proprietor. This locality has a bold undulating surface, and the soil for the most part is of an inferior quality. THE CHURCH is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Michael, consisting of nave and chancel, and has a square tower, in which are two bells. There is an antique font. The altar was the gift of Edward Mytton, Esq., in 1676: he died in 1683, and was interred in the chancel. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £3. 6s. 8d.; now returned at £120; in the patronage of Richard Betton, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. John Hayton. The tithes have been commuted for £50, and there are 31 acres of glebe land.

The principal residents are Richard Betton, Esq.; George Boddy, blacksmith; Thomas Green, farmer; John Hammond, parish clerk; Rev. John Hayton; Richard Palmer, farmer; William Powell, farmer.

THE FORD HUNDRED

is bounded on the north by the Oswestry and Pimhill hundreds, on the west by Montgomeryshire, on the south by those of Purslow and Chirbury, and on the east by the Condover hundred and the liberty of Shrewsbury. It is divided into the Ford and the Pontesbury divisions. The Ford division contains the parishes of Ford, Cardiston, Minsterley, and Westbury; and part of the parishes of Alberbury, St. Alkmund, St. Chad, and St. Julian; and at the census of 1841 had 5,669 inhabitants. The Pontesbury division contains the parishes of Habberley and Pontesbury, and at the same period had a population of 3,436 souls.

ALBERBURY

is an extensive parish, comprising the townships of Alberbury, Benthal with Shrawardine, Amaston, Bulthey, Eyton, Ford (part of), Rowton, Stanford, Trefnant, Wattlesborough (part of), Winnington, Woolaston, which are situated in Shropshire; and Bausley, Coydway, Crew Green, Criggion, upper and lower, Middleton and Uppington, which are in Montgomeryshire. The entire parish contains 10,780A. 2R. 2P. of land, the rateable value of which is £7,731. This parish is beautifully diversified with picturesque scenery, and watered by the river Severn. At the census of 1841 there were 472 houses, and 1,861 inhabitants. Population in 1801, 1,204: and in 1831, 1,799, Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., Henry Lyster, Esq., and others are joint lords of the manor. ALBERBURY is a township and pleasant rural village eight miles west of Shrewsbury. In this quarter or district are the townships of Alberbury, Amaston, Benthal with Shrawardine, Eyton, Rowton, and part of the township of Ford, which have an area of 3,104A. 2R. 27P. of land; of which 1,277A. 1R. 20P. are arable, 1,532A. 0R. 16P. are meadow and pasture, 116A. 3R. 13P. are woods, and 67 acres are roads and water. The township, at the census of 1841, had 130 houses and 638 inhabitants. Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is the principal landowner. John Lloyd, Esq., and All Souls College are also freeholders. A fair is held on the 8th of August.

THE ABBEY, of which but little now remains, is situated near the village, and called the White Abbey. It was founded by Fulk, the son of Warine, in the reign of Henry II., and was subject to the Black Monks of Grandmorst, in Limosin. At the suppression of the alien priories it was bestowed on Queen Joan, widow of Henry IV., and after passing through several hands it was granted to the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford. There were formerly a chapel within the site of this abbey, dedicated to St. Stephen, in which were interred the remains of Fulk Warine, its founder.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Michael, is a venerable structure, with a square tower, in which is a peal of five bells. The interior consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles. The south compartment belongs to the estate of Loton. On the walls are various monuments and tablets to various deceased members of the Leighton family: to Dame Dorothy Leighton, who died in 1638; and to General Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., who died in 1828. The chancel is separated from the body of the church by one arch, and was rebuilt in the year 1845. On removing a tomb-stone in the south wall, the skeleton of a man was found quite perfect, but the coffin and grave clothes all gone. It was placed in a coffin, and interred in the same place. Several of the windows are ornamented with stained glass, and the altar is very beautiful. The patronage of the church is vested in the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford: incumbent, Rev. Richard Webster Huntley, B.A. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s books at £5. 10s. The tithes are commuted for £2,624, and apportioned to the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford, to the dean and chapter of Hereford, and the vicar of Alberbury. THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL was founded and endowed with £3. 6s. 8d. per annum, by the fellows of All Souls College, Oxford: it is principally supported by the neighbouring gentlemen. LOTON PARK is a handsome brick mansion, the seat and property of Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., surrounded by a park well stocked with deer, and richly diversified with sylvan beauty.

CHARITIES.—On the table of benefactions in the church are the names of twelve several donors, who left £169 for the use of the poor of this parish. This sum is supposed to have been applied in building a school or workhouse, and the yearly sum of £8. 5s. is paid as the interest thereof, which is distributed to the poor on Christmas day. _Richard Lyster_ bequeathed the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be given to the poor. _John Asterley_ in his lifetime gave £10 for the use of the poor of the township of Wattlesborough. _John Morgan_ also left £10, the interest to be given in bread to the poor of this parish.

AMASTON is a small township three miles south; BENTHAL is a township two miles north-east; and LITTLE SHRAWARDINE is a small township two miles and a half north-east, of Alberbury. BULTHEY is a scattered township one and a half mile north-west by north of Woolaston, which contains 711A. 3R. 19P. of land; of which 371A. 3R. 19P. are arable, and 340 acres are pasture. Robert Gardner, Esq., is the sole landowner.

BAUSLEY, or BALASLEY, is a scattered township and district, ten miles north-east of Welshpool, which comprises Upper and Lower Criggion, Crew Green, and Coydway, and has an area of 4,309 acres of land. Rateable value, £1,954. 17s. 7d. The principal landowners are the Rev. F. K. Leighton, who is lord of the manor; John Asterly, Esq.; Mr. Eddowes; Mr. Edward Bufton; Dr. Crawford; Sir Edward Desbrowe, Knt.; Rev. Edward Humphrey; Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart.; Isaac Swaine; Mr. John Ruscoe; and Mr. Williams. The township contains 1,684 acres of land, and at the census of 1841 there were 78 houses and 352 inhabitants. On the enclosure of Bausley Common, in 1832, the Vicar of Alberbury had allotted to him eleven acres of land, in lieu of small tithes. There are 31 acres of glebe land.

CRIGGION is a township and chapelry, one mile east of Llandrinio, which at the census of 1851 had 35 houses and 189 inhabitants. It contains 2401A. 2R. 17P. of land, the rateable value of which is £874. 12s. 2d. The tithes are commuted for £220, of which £176 are appropriated to the Fellows of All Souls College, and £44 to the vicar. On the summit of Breidden hill, 1,004 feet above the Severn, is “Rodney’s Pillar,” erected in memory of that brave naval commander. Near the Breidden is the range of hills called Moel-y-Golfa, on which are the traces of an encampment. In this district is a fine bed of coal. THE CHAPEL is a neat structure, built of brick, with a square tower. The Rev. Leicester Darnwell, M.A., is the perpetual incumbent.

EYTON is a small township, one mile east of Alberbury. The Hon. and Rev. R. W. Hill is the proprietor of the land.

MIDDLETON is a township, two miles south-west of Woolaston, which contains 269½ acres of pasture, 426 acres of arable, 43 acres of woods, five acres of roads, and 230 acres of common land, the rateable value of which is £620. 10s. Panton Corbett, Esq., is lord of the manor, and the principal freeholder. Mrs. Williams and Captain Close are also landowners.

ROWTON AND AMASTON is a pleasant township and small rural village, seven miles and a half west of Shrewsbury. At the census of 1811 here were 225 inhabitants, and in 1821 227 inhabitants. Henry Lyster, Esq., is lord of the manor, and principal landowner. Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is also a small landowner. Camden says this is the Rutunium described by Antonious. Rowton was anciently in the possession of the Corbets, and afterwards of the Le Estranges, from whom it passed to William Lyster, who was styled Lord of Rowton. In the year 1482 Rowton Castle was razed to the ground by Prince Llewellyn, at the time the Le Estranges possessed this manor.

STANFORD is a township, one mile and a half west of Alberbury. Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner. Mr. Asterley and Mr. Edmund Phillips are also proprietors. TREFNANT is a township and small village, two miles and a half south-west by south of Woolaston, which contains 518 acres of land. Rateable value £171. The principal landowners are Miss Oldnall, Mr. Thomas Vincent Potter, Mr. William Meredith, and the Rev. Mr. Cureton. UPPINGTON is a scattered township, three miles and a half south-west by west of Woolaston, containing 968 acres of land, of which 308 acres are in common and woodlands. In 1841 here were 123, and in 1851 167 inhabitants. The principal landowner is Miss Oldnall. WATTLESBOROUGH is a township, partly situated in this parish and partly in the parishes of Cardiston and Westbury. Roger Corbet de Watlesburg, in the 56th Henry III. had the grant of a market on Tuesday and a fair on the eve, the day, and the day after the feast of St. James the Apostle, to be held at this manor. There was formerly a castle here, little of which now remains. WINNINGTON is a township, one mile and a half south-west by south of Woolaston, which contains 1,605A. 3R. 10P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,146. 3s. 10d. Winnington is celebrated as the birth place of Old Parr, who was born at the Glyn, in this township, in the year 1483. When eighty years old he married his first wife, and in the space of thirty-two years had two children, both of whom died young. Being aged 120 years, he became enamoured of Catherine Mitton, whom he married, and had children by her. At the age of 130, a prosecution was entered against him in the Spiritual Court for bastardy, and Parr did penance in Alberbury Church. He lived in ten reigns, and died at Westminster on the 15th of November, aged 152 years. The cottage in which he lived stands in a sequestered spot, near the Shrewsbury and Welshpool road. Mrs. Oldnell and others are landowners.

WOOLASTON is a township and chapelry, pleasantly situated eight miles north-east by east of Welshpool, which comprehends the townships of Woolaston, Bulthey, Trefnant, Winnington, Middleton, and Uppington, which have an area of 5,274A. 1R. 17P. of land, the rateable value of which is £4,432. 6s. 6d. This chapelry at the census of 1841 had 126 houses and 609 persons. Woolaston township contains 496 acres of land. The principal landowners are Sir Richard Jenkins, Mrs. H. S. Taber, and Mr. Smith. Smythe Owen, Esq., is lord of the manor. THE CHAPEL was built in 1783 of rubble stone, and endowed with a grant from Queen Anne’s Bounty, which amounts to £46. 16s. 7d. per annum. There are 20 acres of glebe land. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Vicar of Alberbury, and incumbency of the Rev. J. H. A. Harries, M.A. _Elizabeth Collins_ left £10, the interest thereof to be given to the poor of this chapelry. _Owen George_ bequeathed £50, 40s. of the interest thereof to pay for six sermons, and 20s. to be given in bread to the poor.

POST OFFICE.—_At Wm. Rogers_, Letters arrive at 8 A.M. and are despatched at 5 P.M.

ALBERBURY DIRECTORY.

Barrett John, farmer & vict., Cross Gates

Bennett John, farmer & vict., Windmill Inn, posting House, Rowton

Bromley Rd., farmer, Eyton

Brown Thomas, farmer and vict., The Dragon

Bruce Donald, butler, Loton Hall

Cooper William, farmer and lime master, Loton

Crane Geo., farmer, Benthall

Davenport Benj., farmer

Davies Mr., farmer, Whattlesborough

Derwas Thos., farmer, Hays

Evans Edward, farmer, Braggington

Evans Griffiths, tailor

Fox William, blacksmith

Gell Daniel, park keeper, Loton

Gittins James, farmer, The Wood

Gittins Jn., farmer, Amaston

Gittins R., frmer, Lower Wood

Huntley Rev. Rd. Webster, vicar, Bloxwell

Jenner Rev. Mr., M.A., curate, Vicarage

Jones Mary, housekeeper, Loton Hall

Kempster Richard, farmer, Little Woolaston

Lee Mrs. Francis, farmer, Rowton

Leighton Sir Baldwin, Bart., J.P., and chairman of Montgomery quarter sessions, Loton Park

Lyster Henry, Esq., Rowton Castle

Mansell Stephen, farmer, Little Shrawardine

Onions William, basket mkr

Parry Thomas, farmer, Whattlesborough

Plunley John, farmer, Hilly House

Plunley Samuel, farmer

Pearce John, police constable

Powlter Richard, grocer & blacksmith, Rowton

Price John, traveller

Rogers Elizth., shopkeeper

Rogers William, postmaster

Teece John, farmer, Red Abbey

Tullock David, farmer

Wilde John, farmer, White Abbey

Wilde Wm., farmer, Hays

BAUSLEY DIRECTORY.

Derwas John, farmer

Derwas Richard, farmer

Evans John, basket maker

Evans Thomas, farmer, Pecknall

France John, farmer, Brimpoeth

Jones John, carpenter and builder

Pritchard Mrs., Brook Cot.

Speake Thomas, farmer, The Hill

Swaine Isaac, farmer, Hill

Wilde John, butcher and farmer

Wilde Richard, farmer, Plas-y-Court

BULTHEY DIRECTORY.

Burley Thomas, farmer

Swaine John, farmer, The Bank

Williams Richard, farmer, The Hall

COYDWAY DIRECTORY.

Brown Thomas, grocer and beer retailer

Harris Sarah, farmer

Jones Thomas, vict., Hand and Diamond

Jones Thomas, maltster and farmer

Richard George, shoemaker

Richards Thomas, saddler

Swaine Samuel, farmer

Wynne Thos., wheelwright

CREW GREEN DIRECTORY.

Briscoe John, farmer

Davies David, farmer

Downes Richard, farmer

Everall John, farmer

Mansell Mrs.

Payne Charles, farmer and maltster

Pritchard John, farmer

Pugh William, farmer

Ruscoe Abrahm., shopkeeper and beerhouse

Ruscoe Abraham, junior, farmer

Swaine Robert, blacksmith

Turner Joshua, blacksmith

Vaughan Samuel, shoemakr

Vaughan Thomas, saddler & harness maker

Watkin Evan, cooper

Williams John, grocer and provision dealer, & beerhouse, Glen, Newtown

Williams John, cooper and shopkeeper

CRIGGION DIRECTORY.

Brentnall Mrs., The Hall

Brentnall Samuel, farmer

Darwell Rev. Leicester, M.A., Parsonage

Davies Richard, farmer

Ford John, farmer

Gregory Richard, farmer and butcher

Jones John, farmer, Brinford

Morris John, farmer

Morris Mrs., Upper Farm

Owens John, farmer, Coppice

Ridge Francis, farmer

Vaughan William, farmer

Williams Richard, farmer

MIDDLETOWN DIRECTORY.

Harris Rev. John Henry Acton, M.A.

Hughes Mr. Thomas

Jones Isaac, farmer & beerhouse, Bell Isle

Morris Edward, farmer

Parry Thomas, farmer

Parry William, farmer

Poole Robert, machineman

Pritchard Miss, Doves Cot.

Pritchard Srh., vict., New Inn

Thomas Benjamin, gent.

Thomas Stephen, bricklayer and beer retailer

STANFORD DIRECTORY.

Harris James, farmer

Middle John, farmer

Turner Edward, blacksmith

TREFNANT DIRECTORY

Brown John, farmer

Edwards John, farmer

UPPINGTON DIRECTORY.

Dickin Arthur, farmer

Henley Thomas, farmer

Meredith William, miller and farmer

Rogers Thomas, farmer

WINNINGTON DIRECTORY.

Brown Thomas, farmer

Davies William, vict., Rose and Crown, farmer and blacksmith

Jasper James, carrier

Jones Evan, farmr., Hargreave

Rogers Ths. Hall, Mill Farm

Rogers William, farmer

WOOLASTON GREAT DIRECTORY.

Pigford Chas., wheelwright

Clemson Thomas, farmer

Cooper Joseph, wheelwright

Eddowes Thomas, farmer

Jones Elizabeth, farmer

Jones Henry, timber merchant, registrar of births and deaths for the Alberbury district

Marsh Walter, tailor

Turner Edward, blacksmith

BICTON AND CALCOTT,

a township and village with a scattered population, three miles and a half west from Shrewsbury, at the census of 1841 had 107 houses and 560 inhabitants, The principal landowners are Sir Richard Jenkins; John Lloyd, Esq.; Hon. H. W. Powyes; Dr. Crawford; Colonel Wingfield; Mr. R. B. Blakemore; Mr. T. Wall; and Mr. Matthews; besides whom Mr. Richard Russ, Mr. Samuel Roberts, and others, are proprietors. THE CHAPEL of Bicton is a small structure, dedicated to the Holy Trinity; in the patronage of the vicar of St. Chad, and enjoyed by the Rev. Edward Sandford. BICTON HALL is a neat stuccoed house; the residence of the Misses Cotes. There is a school, chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions. BICKTON HEATH was enclosed about forty years ago, and is now covered with luxuriance and fertility. THE NEW CONNEXION METHODISTS have a chapel here, and a site had been chosen for a new church when our agent visited this township. The COTTAGE BUILDINGS are a number of cottages on the road leading to the Isle. Several scattered residences near to Montford Bridge are in this township, where there is a small METHODIST CHAPEL. UP AND DOWN ROSSAL contains upwards of 1,200 acres of land. THE ISLE is a compact estate of 645 acres; the property of the Rev. Humphrey Sandford. The Severn here makes a great bend, and forms a peninsula, with so very narrow an isthmus as to occasion to be called the Isle of Up Rossal. It acquired the name of Rossal from the circumstance of a family of that name formerly owning the property. The estate was granted by Queen Elizabeth to Richard Sandford, Esq., an officer of the crown, and ancestor of the present proprietor: a family long before possessed of other estates in this neighbourhood. THE ISLE HOUSE is a good residence on elevated ground, commanding pleasing views of the country, occupied by the Rev. H. Sandford, the owner of the estate. ROSSAL, an ancient brick residence, built in 1077, stands in a sequestered situation, and is the seat of the Dowager Countess Fielding.

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, situated at Bicton Heath, is a spacious and handsome structure in the Tudor style of architecture, consisting of centre and wings. It is a brick edifice, with stone finishings, and was built under the provisions of an act of parliament obtained in the 9th of George IV. The buildings and airing yards occupy about four acres of land; and there are eleven acres of gardens and pleasure grounds, laid out with admirable taste, and cultivated by the patients. A terrace has been raised round the kitchen garden, where the females are allowed to walk, which affords a cheerful prospect of the country, and contributes to the comfort and gratification of the patients. The men are employed in useful mechanical trades, attention being paid to diversify the modes of employment and the means of amusement, so as to excite agreeable emotions, and to soften the unavoidable severity of confinement. The establishment will accommodate 220 inmates, and the cost of the structure, with the site and various alterations up to October, 1849, has been £33,537. 16s. 7½d. The interior arrangements are admirably contrived for the convenience and comfort of the inmates, and the whole has a clean, orderly, and well-regulated appearance. The establishment is under the able superintendence of Richard Oliver, M.D.

BICTON AND CALCOTT DIRECTORY.

Bowlker Frances, schoolmistress

Breese Mary, boarding school, Lower Calcott

Cotes the Misses, Bicton Hall

Cotton William, farmer, Montford Bridge

Crawford William, D.D., Bicton House

Edwards Mr. John, Udlington

Edwards Thomas, clerk

Evans John, bricklayer, Calcott

Hill Rev. Francis, Montford Bridge

Hilton Ann, farmer

Jellicoe Christiana Ann, boarding school, Bicton Cottage

Jenkins Miss Frances, Lower Calcott

Lloyd John, Esq.

Lloyd Richard, vict., Four Crosses

Millman John, nurseryman, Calcott

Oliver Richard, M.D., Bicton Asylum

Peters Martha, farmer

Pritchard Mrs. Mary

Roberts Samuel, farmer

Rowlands Philip, blacksmith

Russ Richard, farmer

Wall Thomas, farmer, Upper Calcott

Whitehorn Jno., Nag’s Head, Montford Bdge.

Wilkinson Mr. Robert, Lower Calcott

UP AND DOWN ROSSAL DIRECTORY.

Fielding Ann Catherine, Dowager Countess Ross, Hall

Hilton Robert, farmer, Down Rossal

Sandford Folliott, Esq., solicitor, The Isle Hse.

Sandford Rev. Humphrey, incumbent of Bicton and Edgton, The Isle House

Sandford Humphrey, Esq., barrister-at-law, The Isle House

Spearman Andrew, Esq., Udlington

Tomkies Richard, farmer, The Isle

Whitfield Thomas, farmer, Down Rossal

Williams Robert, corn miller, Isle Mill

Wood Henry, farmer, Isle Park Farm

CROW MEOL,

a township in the parish of St. Chad, on the Shrewsbury and Montgomery turnpike road, two miles west from the former town, at the census of 1841 had 24 houses and 120 inhabitants. The township contains 200A. 3R. 11P. of land, about one half of which is the property of Thomas Brocas, Esq., and the remainder is held by upwards of twenty freeholders. COPTHORNE HOUSE, the residence and property of Thomas Brocas, Esq., is pleasantly situated, and commands a pleasing view of the country. Adjoining the hall a neat chapel has been built by Mr. Brocas, where the ministers of the Wesleyan New Connexion officiate. The principal residents are Thomas Brocas, Esq., Copthorne Hall; Robert Phillips, Esq., Bowbrook House; William Adams, farmer; John Bowdler, tailor; and Francis Pool, farmer.

ONSLOW is a township four miles west from Shrewsbury, having 10 houses and 76 inhabitants at the census of 1841. The land is the property of Colonel Wingfield, who resides at ONSLOW HALL, a handsome stuccoed mansion, partly in the parish of St. Chad and partly in that of Pontesbury. A pillar in the kitchen of the hall is the point of separation between the two parishes. The principal residents are Colonel Wingfield, Onslow Hall, and Charles Edward Boore, Richard Vaughan, and John Wood, farmers.