Part 117

LONGDEN is a chapelry and township six and a half miles S.W. by S. of Shrewsbury, which contains 1,604 acres of land, of which Sir Joseph Hawley, Bart., is the principal landowner. John Walton, Esq., Rev. George Jewdwyne, Samuel Harris, Captain Parr, and Robert Hesketh, Esq., are also proprietors. In 1841 there were 80 houses and 371 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £330. 19s. 2d., one half of which is apportioned to the rector of the second and the other half to the rector of the third portion of Pontesbury. THE CHAPEL is a small structure consisting of nave and chancel. The living is a donative curacy in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. Edward Homfray, M.A. THE INDEPENDENTS have a chapel here built of brick. THE BRITISH SCHOOL is held in the chapel. About forty children attend.

NEWNHAM is a small township six miles west of Shrewsbury, which with the hamlets of Polmer and Ford’s Heath contains 345A. 2R. 6P. of land. In 1841 here was one house and nine inhabitants. The rent charge is commuted for £79. 14s. 5d. The principal landowners are W. H. Nicholls, Esq., Francis Harries, Esq., and the Rev. F. D. Dimmock.

NOX is a hamlet in Newnham township, situated five and a half miles west of Shrewsbury, which contains five houses and 22 inhabitants. Mr. Richard Lloyd is the sole landowner in this hamlet.

OAKES is a township and scattered village three miles west of Pontesbury, which contains 630A. 2R. 25P. of land. In 1841 here were nine houses and 42 inhabitants. H. D. Warter, Esq., is lord of the manor and sole landowner. The tithes are commuted for £110. 12s. 3d., and £97. 10s. are apportioned to the rector of the first portion, and £13. 2s. 3d. to the rector of the second portion.

ONSLOW is a small hamlet three and a half miles W.W. by N. of Shrewsbury, which contains 251A. 3R. 20P. of land. In 1841 here were two houses and twelve persons. The tithes are commuted for £54. 4s. 8d. Colonel John Wingfield is lord of the manor and sole landowner.

PLEALEY is a pleasant rural township and village seven miles S.W. of Shrewsbury. It contains 664A. 2R. 12P. of land. This township had in 1841 43 houses and 212 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £134. 11s. The principal landowners are Dr. Griffiths, Mr. Thomas Wilkinson, Joseph Phillips, Esq., Rev. Mr. Phillips, Mr. Richard France, and Mrs. Cross. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a neat chapel here.

PONTESFORD is a township seven miles south of Shrewsbury, containing 387A. 2R. 38P. of land, and at the census of 1841 had 67 houses and 283 inhabitants. The tithe is commuted for £82. 12s. 2d. There are coal, lime, and lead works in this township. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a small chapel here.

SASCOTT, a small township five miles west of Shrewsbury, containing 221A. 2R. 28P. of land, in 1841 had 24 persons and three houses. The tithes are commuted for £52. 6s. 6d. Francis Harris, Esq., is the sole landowner.

SIBBERSCOTT is a township five and a half miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, having 147A. 3R. 6P. of land, and in 1841 had one house and nine inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £34. 18s. 1d. H. W. Meredith, Esq., is the sole landowner.

POST OFFICE.—_At Mr. Samuel Griffith’s_. Letters arrive at 6 A.M. and are despatched at 7 P.M.

PONTESBURY & PONTESFORD DIRECTORIES.

Bennett Isaac, inland revenue officer

Birkenshaw Mr.

Chapman Miss

Croft Mr. Richard, registrar

Deakin William, farrier

Drury Rev. Charles, M.A., The Rectory

Eddowes William, surgeon

Harrison Rev. Wm., M.A., The Rectory

Heighway Miss, gentlewmn., Upper House

Jones Frederick, Esq., Pontesford Hall

Jones John and Company, Pontesford Works

Jones Mrs. Sarah

Jones Rev. Thomas, Independent minister

Jones Robert Corbet, gentleman

Jones The Misses

Jones Wm., land surveyor

Nicholls Thomas, parish & vestry clerk

Philpot Charles, mine agent

Plimmer Mrs.

Preece Richard, engineer

Rogers Robert, agent, lead works

Rogers Thomas, schoolmr.

Vaughan Mr. John

Vaughan Rev. William, M.A., The Rectory

Ward and Co., Shorthill Colliery

Agents.

Jones William, (land)

Philpots Charles, (coal)

Rogers Robert, (lead)

Blacksmiths.

Elks William

Griffiths John

Boot and Shoemakers.

Breeze John

Hughes John

Bricklayer.

Barber John, and builder

Butchers.

Cross Forrester

Blackmore William

Broxton William

Coal Merchants.

Harries Francis

Jones Frederick

Snailbeach Co., Nagshead Colliery

Whitegrit Co., Shorthill Colliery

Cooper.

Griffiths Edward

Corn Millers.

Blakeway Richard and Wm.

Edwards Patience

Evans Thomas

Farmers.

Croft William, Pontesford

Inions Edward, Red House

Jones Frederick

Jones Henry, New House

Jones John and Company

Morris Edward, Nills

Morris Thomas, Woodhouse

Price Widow

Ward and Company

Wilde Samuel, White Hall

Grocers and Tea Dealers.

Griffiths Samuel

Owens Owen & Son, drapers, outfitters, shoemakers, & leather cutters

Roderick John, and druggist

Innkeepers.

Breese Mary, vict., Red Lion

Croft Mary, vict., Seven Stars

Langford John, vict., Nag’s Head Inn

Beerhouses.

Evans Ann

France John

Tipton Edward

Wilde Samuel

Lead Merchants, Miners, and Smelters.

Snailbeach Company

White Gritmines Company

Shopkeepers.

Davies Mary

Jones Hugh

Shevlin John

Saddler.

Brazanor Samuel

Tailors.

Davies Richard

Littlehales Mr.

Powell William

Tomlins William

ARSCOTT DIRECTORY.

Bearcroft Rev. Thos., M.A.

Bridgeman John, farmer

Deakin Thomas, farmer

Nicholls Henry, butcher

ASTERLEY DIRECTORY.

Breese John, blacksmith

Chapman Richd., vict., Wind Mill

Everall Richard, farmer

Gardner Hry, Esq., The Hall

Gardner Messrs., coal masters and farmers

Jones Robert, beerhouse

Lewis William, shopkeeper and joiner

Marsh Henry, shopkeeper

Pritchard John, farmer

Tipton Jacob, mine agent

Wheelding John, wheelwrt.

BOYCOTT DIRECTORY.

Andrews Thomas, farmer

Jones Edward, farmer

CRUCKMEOLE DIRECTORY.

Cumpson Joseph, miller & farmer

Pugh William, farmer

Warter Henry Diggery, Esq., The Hall

Weaver William, farmer

Whittall Thomas, miller

Wilding James, farmer

CRUCKTON DIRECTORY.

Bates John, farmer

Crump Thos., vict., Hare and Hounds, maltster & farmer

Harries Fras., Esq., the Hall

Wilding Henry, Holly Bank

Shepherd Mr. Jph., the Lodge

EDGE DIRECTORY.

Jackson George, assistant overseer and collector

Pugh William, farmer

Thornes George, gentleman, The Grove

FARLEY DIRECTORY.

Briscoe John, farmer

Inions Thomas, farmer

HALSTON DIRECTORY.

Bennett Thos., underground bailiff

Blowet Benj., Shorthill farm

Glover Joseph, farm bailiff

Lee Mr. farmer

Ward & Company, farmers

HANWOOD LITTLE DIRECTORY.

Crapper and Proctor, coal-masters, Moathall colliery

Gibbs William, farmer

Passant Jas., Woodhall farm

Savage Thos., Moathall farm

HINTON DIRECTORY.

Everall John, farm bailiff to Sir O. P. Wakeman, Bart.

Parry John, Esq.

LEA DIRECTORY.

Baldwin John, farmer, Shorthill

Bowen John, farmer

Davies Richard, wheelwright

Diggery John, machine mkr.

Edwards John, machine mkr.

Hudson William, vict., the Cross, and farmer

Lashbrook Richard, National Schoolmaster

Rowland David, blacksmith

LONGDEN DIRECTORY.

Bowers William, parish clerk

Casewell Richard, beer retailer, Exford’s green

Crisp Alfred, school teacher

Davies Thos., beer retailer

Deakin Edward, farmer

George Samuel, joiner

Gittins Adams, blacksmith

Harris Mr. Samuel, farmer and maltster

Higley William, wheelwright and beer retailer

Homfray Rev. Edward, M.A.

Jewdwyne Rev. George

Jones Edward, saddler and harness maker

Jones Richard, vict., Tankerville Arms Inn, & farmer

Jones Richard, farmer

Jones William, farmer

Littlehales Rd., blacksmith

Matthews John, vict., Red Lion, the Wood

Morgan Thomas, Hall farm

Munslow Join, farmer, the Wood

Nicholls Henry, butcher

Preece Joseph, tailor

Richards Edward, bricklayer

Roberts William, cowleech

Sutton John Hart, surgeon

Thomas John, farmer

Thompson Wm., farm bailiff

Timmis Rd., grocer & draper

Tipton Wm., pump maker

Whittall Edward, beerseller

Woodcock Samuel, farmer

MALEHURST.

Issard Thomas, farmer

NEWNHAM AND POLMER DIRECTORY.

Niccolls Wm. Henry, Esq., Newnham house

Skyrinsher John Mytton, Polmer farm

NOX DIRECTORY.

Dillow William, blacksmith

Lloyd Richard, gentleman

Nicholls Thomas, farmer

Tomlins Thomas, wheelwright

OAKS DIRECTORY.

Howells Wm., gamekeeper

Lewis Jeremiah, farmer

Perks Thomas, farmer

Whitehurst Jn., the Hall Farm

Woodcock John, farmer

ONSLOW DIRECTORY.

Vaughan Richard, farmer

Wingfield Col. John, the Hall

PLEALEY DIRECTORY.

Bowers James, shoemaker

Bromley Edward, blacksmith

Bromley Richard, farmer

Cross Mrs., the Villa

France Richard, farmer

Hall Mary, farmer

Little Thomas, wheelwright

Peacock George, farmer

Phillips Joseph, farmer

Phillips Mrs., the Cottage

Phillips William, glazier

Wilkinson Thomas, farmer

SASCOTT DIRECTORY.

Evans Robert, farmer

Higginson Thomas, farmer

SIBBERSCOTT DIRECTORY.

France Richard, farmer

France Samuel, farmer

PRESTON MONTFORD, AND DINTHILL

is a township in the parish of St. Alkmund, returned in 1841 as containing 17 houses and 76 inhabitants. Preston Montford is situated four miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, and consists of a few scattered houses leading to Montford Bridge. Dinthill is completely severed from Montford, and lies about three and a half miles S.W. from Shrewsbury, near the Shrewsbury and Welshpool road. It is considered as a distinct township by the parochial officers. Mr. Thomas Hawkins, farmer, Dinthill Hall, is the only resident. The chief inhabitants of Preston Montford are John Bowen, police officer; William Jones, farmer and vict., Swan; John Randles, blacksmith and machine maker; John Thomas, grocer and general dealer; George Whitehorn, vict., Nag’s Head; George Whitehorn, Jun., fish net and shoemaker; Miss Wingfield, The Cottage; Mrs. Wingfield, The Hall.

WESTBURY

is a parish and considerable village situated on the Shrewsbury and Montgomery turnpike road, nine miles S.W. by S. of the former place, and twelve miles N.E. of the latter. It comprises the townships of Marsh district, Newton, Stretton, Vennington, Wallop, Westbury, Westley, Whitton, Wigmore, Winsley, and Yockleton, which have an area of 18,347 acres of land. Rateable value, £10,810. The woodlands are 197 acres, and roads 67½ acres. Edward William Pembroke Smithe Owen, Esq., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner. Colonel John Wingfield and John Michael Severne, Esq., are also considerable proprietors. The rent charge is £1,459. 16s. 5d. Population in 1801, 1,991; 1831, 2,228; and in 1841 there were 314 houses and 2,412 persons. Westbury, anciently written _Wesberie_, was held in the reign of the Confessor by Ernui, and was free. Roger, the son of Corbet, held of Earl Roger most of that tract of land lying in the hundred of Ford, with parts of Chirbury and Condover hundreds, which in the whole consisted of 39 manors or hamlets, and for his seat he built the Castle of Cause. It is thought that Roger Corbet or his son espoused the cause of his patron, Robert de Belesme, against Henry the I., and upon incurring the king’s displeasure, forfeited his inheritance, which was given to Pain Fitz John. In 2nd Henry III. the king commanded the Earl of Chester to restore to Thomas Corbet the Castle of Cause and all his lands. In 30th Henry III. the said Thomas Corbet had a grant of free warren in Cause and two years after, the grant of a fair to be kept on the eve, the day, and the day after, the translation of Thomas the martyr. The site of the castle is lofty and commanding; it stood on an isolated ridge, rising abruptly from a deep ravine on one side, and sloping towards a vast valley bounded by the Stiperstones on the other. The castle is in a state of complete dilapidation. There is a colliery in this township, and bricks and tiles are also made near the village.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, has a square tower, in which are five bells. The interior is neatly pewed, and consists of nave, side aisles, and chancel. There are many neat tablets in the church. The living is a rectory divided into the two portions of Westbury in Dextra and Westbury in Sinistra. The former portion is rated in the king’s book at £13. 9s. 4½d., now returned at £643, and the latter at £11. 12s. 8½d., is now returned at £556.

CHARITIES.—_John Topp_, by deed, dated 1716, left a yearly rent charge of £30 issuing out of certain lands in Vennington, upon trust, to dispose of the same yearly in the education of poor children of the parish of Westbury, and in putting out such children apprentices. _Letitia Barnster_, by indenture, dated 1726, left for the benefit of the poor of the parish a small parcel of land fourteen yards in length and six yards eight inches in breadth. On this land a school was built in 1736, and a residence for the master has since been built upon land belonging to E. W. P. S. Owen, Esq.

On the tables of benefactions in the church are noticed charities left by twenty several donors for the benefit of the poor, amounting to the sum of £153. 13s. 4d. This sum, with an additional £6. 6s. 8d., was expended in the year 1710 in the purchase of three parcels of land in the parish of Worthen, containing about 17 acres, the rent of which amounted to £43. 10s. per annum at the time the Charity Commissioners published their reports. One-fourth of these rents are distributed in bread to the poor of the parish on Good Friday, and the residue given away on St. Thomas’s day in clothing, fuel, and money, as is most advisable.

NEWTON is a small township in Westbury parish, one and a half mile N.E. by E. of Westbury, containing twenty inhabitants. Robert Corbet Jones, Esq., is the sole landowner. MARSH is one and a half mile N.E. by N. of Westbury. The principal landowners are Mr. William Howells, Mr. John Turner, and John Wood, Esq. STRETTON AND THE HEATH is situated two miles N.E. of Westbury, and contains 290 inhabitants. The landowners in this township are Mr. J. Cadwallader, Mr. S. Dovaston, Mr. R. James, Mr. William Millman, Mr. Timothy Oakley, Mr. Rd. Evans, Mr. Rd. Hughes, and Mr. R. H. Gwynn. VENNINGTON is a township 1½ miles S.W. by W. of Westbury, which contains 313 persons. The Rev. Mr. Parr is the principal landowner. WALLOP is a small township containing 77 inhabitants, situated two miles west of Westbury. John Michael Severne, Esq., is the sole landowner. WESTLEY, a township two and a half miles east of Westbury, contains 88 persons. The principal landowners are Mr. R. Butler, Mr. E. Butler, Richard Gardner, Esq., Mr. John Gardner, Mr. John Smith, and Mr. Rogers. WHITTON has a population of 38 persons, and Mrs. Topp is the sole landowner. WIGMORE township lies two miles N.W. of Westbury, and contains 63 inhabitants. The freeholders are Mr. Edward Davies, Mr. John Davies, Mr. John Dorricott, Mr. Richard Hillhouse, and Mr. Thomas Randles. WINSLEY township is situated two miles from Westbury, and contains 15 inhabitants. Mr. John Blakeway Tipton and Mr. John Phillips are the principal landowners. YOCKLETON is a township containing 231 inhabitants, and situated two miles N.E. of Westbury. The principal landowners are Colonel Wingfield and Thomas Nichols, Esq.

POST OFFICE.—_At Thomas Clark’s_. Letters arrive at 8 A.M. and are despatched at 6 P.M.

WESTBURY DIRECTORY.

Bebb Thos., farmer, Wigmore

Birch Benj., farmer, Forest of Hayes

Corfield Richard, farmer

Clarke Thos., farmer & vict., Red Lion Inn

Clemson Thomas, farmer, Perton Woods

Cureton Rev. William, M.A., Chaplain to the Queen

Darrell Geo., undergrd. agent

Davies Richard, blacksmith and parish clerk

Dickenson Joseph, Esq.

Evans John, farmer, Wigmore

Hanley Wm., pump-maker

Harrison William, farmer and beerhouse, The Wood

Hayman Elzbth., shoemaker

Hayman William, shoemaker

Inions John, frmr., The Hall

Jasper Jas., carrier to Shrewsbury

Jones Sarah, grocer & draper

Mason Richard, stone-mason

Meredith Mrs.

Owen Jeremh., frmr., Sightly

Parr Rev. Thos., The Rectory

Perry Joseph, farmer, Wigmore Hill

Phillips John, Esq., Winsley Hall

Preece John, farmer, Wigley

Pugh John, farmer, Cause Castle

Randalls Thomas, victualler, The Bear, Wigmore

Reese Edward, farmer

Reeves Rev. J. Somerville, M.A., curate

Roberts Jos., farmer, Marsh

Sambrook Chas., mine agent

Sambrook Mrs., The Cottage

Smith John, frmr., Radbrook

Smout Richard, shoemaker

Smout Thomas, linen weaver

Smout Thomas, butcher and farmer

Trantham Edward, tailor

Webster Thomas, shoemaker

Wood John, Esq., Marsh Hall

MARSH DIRECTORY.

Davies Edward, farmer

Davies John, farmer

Dolphin Edward, farmer and butcher

Dorricott John, farmer

Edwards Thomas, maltster

Hills Wm., farmer, Irongate

Howell William, blacksmith

Kempster Richard, farmer, Woolaston Little

Perry Thos., beerhouse and shopkeeper

Turner Jno., victualler, Half-way House

Turner John, jun., farmer

Wilde George, shopkeeper

Wilde Sml., farmer, Wattlesborough Heath

Wood John, farmer

NEWTON DIRECTORY.

Pitchard Thomas, farmer

Williams William, farmer

STONEY STRETTON DIRECTORY.

Brazenor Thomas, victualler, Elephant and Castle

Beddoe Robert, blacksmith

Cadwallader John, farmer, Heath

Cooper James, shoemaker

Griffiths Mrs., beerhouse and shopkeeper

Jones Elizabeth, shopkeeper

Morgan John, farmer

Nicholls Richard, glazier

Oakley Timothy, farmer

Padduck Robert, tailor

Parry John, farmer, Hinton

Pugh George, farmer

Richards Richard, shopkeepr

Tomkins Thomas, farrier

Tomlins Wm., wheelwright

VENNINGTON DIRECTORY.

Dorricott Richard, farmer

Evans William, blacksmith

Gittins Samuel, farmer

Habberley George, wheelwright

Hanley John, shopkeeper and carrier

Knight George, farmer

Maddocks John, farmer

Mason Thomas, corn miller, farmer, and beerhouse kpr.

WALLOP DIRECTORY.

Davies John, farmer

Gittins Samuel, blacksmith

Marsh Joseph, farmer, Napps

Morris Wm., farmer, Broomhill

Rydar Richard, farmer, Tilled House

Severne John Michael, Esq., The Hall

WESTLEY DIRECTORY.

Gardner John, farmer

Gardner Richard, coalmaster and farmer

WHITTON DIRECTORY.

Brayton Edward, farmer

Dickinson Joseph, farmer

Edwards Thos., frmr., Grange

Palmer Thomas, shoemaker

Parry Joseph, Field Farm

Topp Mrs., Whitton Court

Wilding Matthew, farmer and wheelwright

WINSLEY DIRECTORY.

Corfield William, farmer

Eddowes William, farmer, The Lakes

Morris David, farmer, Forest of Hayes

Nevett William, farmer, The Hem

Parry William, farmer, The Hurst

YOCKLETON DIRECTORY.

Beddoe Edward, shoemaker

Bland Joseph, blacksmith

Bromley Thomas, farmer, Lynches

Bromley William, butcher

Bromley William, farmer

Broughall Richard, farmer

Broughall Richd., grocer, &c.

Gittins George, butcher

Gittins Richard, farmer

Meredith John, Bank Farm

Nichols Thomas, Esq., The Hall

Tudor Mrs., The Villa

SHELTON AND OXON,

a small township and pleasant village, with some neat villa residences, two miles west from Shrewsbury, partly in St. Chad, and partly in the parish of St. Julian, at the census of 1841 had twenty-three houses and 100 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Robert Burton, Esq.; Edward Morris, Esq.; and Sir Richard Jenkins. At this place stands the celebrated SHELTON OAK, famed from the tradition that Owen Glendower, in 1403, ascended its branches to ascertain the event of the battle of Shrewsbury. The interior is hollow, and capable of holding a dozen persons. This venerable monarch of the forest, although much decayed, and many of the branches broken off, yet shows vigorous signs of life. The girth, five feet from the ground, is 34 feet 4 inches; and at the base, 44 feet 3 inches.

DIRECTORY. _Those with * affixed are at Bicton Heath_. Miss Ann Burton; * Samuel Cookson, shoemaker; * Stephen Davies, blacksmith and shopkeeper; William Davies, farmer; * George Evans, vict., The Grapes; Edward Evans, pig dealer; William Evans, cow keeper; * Mr. Joseph Lakelin; * Joseph Lloyd, shopkeeper; * Thomas Mansell, tailor; James Martin, butcher, Little Oxon; * Magdalene Morgan, beerhouse; John Morris, Esq., Oxon; Thomas Norton, Esq., solicitor; * John Roberts, joiner and wheelwright; * John Rowlands and Sons, iron and brass founders, engineers, millwrights, and agricultural implement makers; * Mr. William Smith, Zion Villa; * Mrs. Mary Urwick; Francis Walford, Esq.; * John Williams, shoemaker.

THE HUNDRED OF CHIRBURY

is bounded on the north by the hundred of Ford, on the south and west by Montgomeryshire, and on the east by the hundred of Ford and Purslow. It is divided into the upper and lower divisions; the former containing 1,783 inhabitants, and the latter 2,956, at the census of 1841. The upper division contains the parish of Chirbury, and part of Church Stoke; and the lower division the parishes of Shelve, Worthen, and part of Hyssington.

CHIRBURY