Part 121

DIRECTORY.—_Ratlinghope_: Thomas Cooke, farmer, The Coppice; John Elison, farmer; Thomas Jones, farmer; Thomas Lello, farmer; Mary Partridge, blacksmith and victualler, The Bridges; Randolph Poston, miller; Emanuel Preece, farmer. _Stitt and Gatten_: Edward Andrews, farmer, The Stitt; William Groves, farmer, The Stitt; Samuel Medlicott, farmer, Gatten; William Mellings, farmer, Gatten; and John Munslow, farmer, Gatten.

SIBDON CARWOOD

is a small parish eight miles S.S.E. of Bishop’s Castle, which contains 754 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £858. 12s. 6d.: gross estimated rental, £869. 13s. James Baxter, Esq. is the sole landowner, and lord of the manor. At the census of 1841 there were 12 houses and 59 persons. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Michael, is a neat edifice, rebuilt in 1741. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of James Baxter, Esq. and incumbency of the Rev. W. E. Lumb, M.A. SIBDON CASTLE is an ancient castellated mansion, situated in a picturesque position, commanding extensive and varied views of the surrounding country, and is the property of James Baxter, Esq.

DIRECTORY.—James Baxter, Esq., the Castle; Thomas Cooper, farmer; Richard Dawes, farmer; William Griffiths, farmer.

STOWE

is a parish and small village about two miles north-east by east from Knighton, which contains 2,724A. 0R. 11P. of land. At the census of 1841 there were 38 houses and 135 souls. The township of Stowe contains 748A. 2R. 25P. of land, the rateable value of which is £531. The village is romantically situated, and surrounded by lofty hills. Edward Rogers, Esq., is the landowner in this township. THE CHURCH is dedicated to St. Michael, and the living a vicarage, in the patronage of the crown: incumbent, Rev. Thomas Green. The tithes are commuted for £250, of which £45 is apportioned to Clun Hospital. There is also glebe land of the annual value of £20. DIRECTORY.—Sarah Baldwin, miller and farmer, William Langford, stone mason, and Caleb Steadman, farmer.

LURKINHOPE is a township in Stowe parish, containing 1,265A. 1R. 26P. of land, the rateable value of which is £586. 15s. The principal landowner is Charles Edwards, Esq. Sarah Bright is the resident farmer.

WESTON is a small township in the parish of Stowe, containing 710 acres, the rateable value of which is £475. 10s. Edward Rogers, Esq., is sole owner in this township. DIRECTORY.—Charles Steadman, farmer, and Edward Turner, cattle dealer.

WENTNOR

is an extensive parish comprising the townships of Adston, Home, Kinnerton, and Ritton, Medlicott and Wentnor, which have an area of 4,190 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £2,978. The village of Wentnor is pleasantly situated five and a half miles N.E. of Bishop’s Castle, and in 1841 had 43 houses and 200 inhabitants. There is a small woollen manufactory in this parish, worked by water power. THE CHURCH is dedicated to Saint Michael. The living is a rectory in the patronage of the dean and canons of Christ Church, Oxford, and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Hunt. The tithes are commuted for £212. 10s. The principal landowners are the Rev. John Bright, Rev. G. D. Pardoe, Robert Scott, Esq., Thomas Downes, Esq., and Mrs. Sarah Medlicott. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor.

ADSTON is a township situated to the north of Wentnor, the principal landowners of which are the Rev. John Bright, Jeremiah Medlicott, Esq., Francis Norton, Esq., John Whitehurst, Esq., and H. Walters, Esq. In 1841 here were 19 houses and 100 inhabitants.

HOME is a small township containing three houses and 24 persons. The land is the property of the Rev. John Rogers.

KINNERTON AND RITTON is a township and village three miles from Wentnor, which contains 58 houses and 322 persons. Henry Lyster, Esq., is the proprietor of the land and lord of the manor.

MEDLICOTT is a township one mile from Wentnor, containing 14 houses and 60 inhabitants. John Medlicott, Esq., is lord of the manor and chief landowner; Mrs. Sarah Medlicott and Mr. Thomas Bright are also owners.

CHARITIES.—_Rev. Edward Rogers_, by will, dated 1788, left £50, the interest to be applied in teaching poor children of the parish to read. This sum, with the surplus of a subscription raised for building a school, to which _Charles Rogers_, _Esq._, contributed £100, was invested in the purchase of £100 stock new four per cents., and the dividends paid to a schoolmaster who teaches twelve poor children. _Dr. Price_ bequeathed £10, and _Edward Redrobe_ gave £10, the interest to be given to the poor on St. Thomas’s-day.

WENTNOR DIRECTORY.

Beamond John, farmer

Jones Richard, farmer

Hotchkiss William, farmer

Humphrey Rev. Thos., curate

Mapp Richard, farmer

Medlicot John, woollen manufacturer

Medlicot Sarah, beerseller

Morris John, farmer and maltster

Kirkham Edward, farmer

ADSTON DIRECTORY.

Andrews Edward, farmer

Evans John, farmer and miller

Harding John, farmer

Jameson George, farmer

Kirkham George, farmer

Kirkham Samuel, farmer

HOME DIRECTORY.

Gething John, farmer

Rogers Rev. John, rector of Myndtown

KINNERTON AND RITTON DIRECTORY.

Beamond Robert, farmer

Blockley William, farmer

Davies John, farmer

Davies William, farmer

Hotchkiss Francis, farmer

Mountford John, farmer

Potter John, farmer

Potter Jonathan, farmer

Pugh John, farmer

Walters Edward, farmer

MEDLICOTT DIRECTORY.

Bright Thomas, farmer

Hotchkiss Jeremiah, farmer

Maddox Thomas, farmer

WISTANSTOW

is an extensive parish, partly in this hundred and partly in that of Munslow, pleasantly situated ten miles north-west of Ludlow, and intersected by the Shrewsbury and Ludlow turnpike road, the Shrewsbury and Hereford railway, and the Watling street, which here divides the hundreds of Munslow and Purslow. The township contains 728A. 2R., the rateable value of which is £1,126. 1s. In 1841 the parish contained 227 houses and 1051 persons. Population in 1801, 586; and in 1851, 989. THE CHURCH, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a cruciform structure, with a massive square tower. The living is a rectory, in the incumbency of the Rev. Christopher Swainson, and patronage of the Earl of Craven. The principal landowners are the Rev. Christopher Swainson; James Cartwright, Esq.; Thomas D. Duppa, Esq.; Mr. Thomas Owens; Mr. Edward Lewis; and Mr. William Potter.

CHENEY LONGVILLE is a township, ten miles north-west of Ludlow, containing 805A. 1R. 21P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,144, 6s. 10½d. The principal landowners are W. M. Beddoes, Esq.; Thomas D. Duppa, Esq.; and Mr. Joseph Humphreys. In 1841 here were 24 houses and 125 persons. There is a METHODIST CHAPEL in the township. A pack of hounds has been kept here for upwards of 80 years.

FELHAMPTON AND THE GROVE is a township, one mile and a half north-east of Wistanstow, containing 1,524A. 2R. 19P. of land, the rateable value of which is £2,015, 13s. the principal owners of which are the Earl of Craven; Mrs. Thursby; and Francis Marston, Esq. STREFFORD is a small village and township, ten miles north-west of Ludlow, which contains 372A. 2R. 24P. of land, the rateable value of which is £532. The Earl of Craven is the sole landowner. WITTINGSLOW is a township, one mile and a half north-west of Wistanstow, containing 536A. 2R. 12P. of land. Rateable value, £608. 4s. The chief landowners are W. M. Beddoes, Esq.; John Mier, Esq.; Mr. J. Broom; and Mr. Thomas Beman. WOOLSTON is a small village, one mile from Wistanstow, which contains 772A. 0R. 13P. of land, the rateable value of which is £721. 3s. The principal landowner is the Rev. S. J. Knight.

WISTANSTOW DIRECTORY.

Cartwright James, farmer, The Hall

Cox Thomas, butcher

Cox William, farmer

Davies Mrs. Jane

Edwards Mrs. Sarah

Ellis Rev. John S., curate

Home Richard, shopkeeper and postmaster

Jones John, farmer

Oliver Thomas, victualler, The Plough

Owens Thomas, victualler, White Horse

Owens Thomas, farmer, The Corner

Potter Mr. William

Rogers William, shopkeeper

Wilding James, draper and grocer

Williams William, saddler and harness maker

CHENEY LONGVILLE DIRECTORY.

Back Edward, farmer

Beddoes Francis, farmer

Duppa Thomas D., Esq.

Harris Elizabeth, farmer

Humphreys Joseph, tanner and shoemaker

Lucas George, farmer, Newington

Speake Joseph, schoolmaster

STREFFORD DIRECTORY.

Davies Henry, vict., The Boot

Jones John, veterinary surgn.

Jones Robert, surgeon

Rickards James, farmer

Rickards Richard, Esq.

FELHAMPTON & THE GROVE.

Blockley Edward, farmer

Bowen Richard, miller

Goode Thomas, blacksmith

Hancocks George, miller

Oakes John, Esq., Affcott

Marston Francis, Esq.

Martin John, vict., The Rest

Poole Richard, cooper

Thomas William, miller

Tomlinson John, farmer, The Marsh

Urkick Richard, farmer

WITTINGSLOW DIRECTORY.

Beman Thomas, farmer

Clare Peter, farmer

Falkingham Wm., beerseller

Harris Edward, farmer

Hotchkiss Wm., victualler, Cross Pipes

Howells John, farmer

WOOLSTON DIRECTORY.

Broom John, farmer

Martin Benjamin, farmer

Venables Thomas, farmer

THE CLUN HUNDRED

lies on the south-western verge of the county, and is bounded by Radnorshire on the west and Montgomery on the north; by the hundred of Purslow on the east and Radnorshire on the south. It is divided into the Clun and Mainstone divisions, the former having in 1841 a population of 2,077, and the latter 1,331 inhabitants. The Clun division contains the parish of Clun, and the Mainstone division the parish of Llanvair-Waterdine, part of Mainstone, and part of Bettwys-y-Crwyn.

CLUN

is an extensive parish and market town twenty-six miles S.S.W. of Shrewsbury, containing the townships of Bicton, Clun, Edicliffe, Guilden Down, Hopebendrid, Mannutton, Newcastle, Obarras, Pentrehodrey, Peerlogne, Shadwell, Spoad, Treverward, Whitcott-Evan, and Whitcott-Keysett, which together comprehend an area of about 22,000 acres, inclusive of common; of this number there are 11,882 acres subject to tithe. At the census of 1841 there were 424 houses and 2,077 persons, and in 1851 here were 2,119 inhabitants. The rent charge paid to the vicar is £802. 2s. and that to lay impropriators £415. In the township of Clun there are 3,075A. 2R. 12P. of land, the rateable value of which is £3,505. 5s., and at the census of 1841 there were 191 houses and 913 inhabitants; population in 1811, 734; and in 1831, 930 persons. The principal landowner is the Earl of Powis, who is also lord of the manor; Philip Morris, Esq., Rev. Christopher Swainson, P. M. Matthews, Esq., Thomas Evans, Esq., Mr. Thomas Hamer, Mr. Charles Bright, Mr. Edward Chelmick, Mr. John Law, and Mrs. Elizabeth Jones are also proprietors, besides whom are a number of smaller freeholders. Clun takes it name from the river Colun or Clun, which rises six miles east of the town, and flows through it, dividing it in two parts, and thence pursuing its course to the west. The town is romantically situated on a gentle eminence surrounded by lofty hills, and consists principally of one irregular street on the northern bank of the river, over which is an ancient stone bridge of five pointed arches, leading to that part of the town where the church stands. The borough of Clun, now greatly declined from its ancient station, appears from Dugdale to have been of sufficient importance, in the age immediately succeeding the Norman Conquest, to have conferred a title on the celebrated family of “Fitz-Allan.” It remained in the possession of this family till the reign of Elizabeth, when by the marriage of Mary Fitz-Allan with Philip Howard, son of Thomas Duke of Norfolk, the estate became vested in that family. From them it passed to the Walcotts, and afterwards by purchase to the family of its present possessor, the Earl of Powis, who is lord of the manor, though the Duke of Norfolk still retains the title of Baron Clun. The castle was built about the reign of Stephen by William Fitz-Allan Earl of Arundel, and being exposed to the ravages of the Welsh, it was well fortified in the 8th of King Stephen. In Richard the First’s time, the king being in the Holy Land, this castle was taken by Rees Prince of Wales, who laid all the country around waste. Prince Llewellyn in the year 1234 advanced with an army against the town, burnt the suburbs, but could not take the castle; this damage was fully revenged A.D. 1264, by an entire rout of the Welsh army at the battle of Clunne. Lewis says, “Within a quarter of a mile to the north-west of the town is a single entrenchment, said to have been raised by Owen Glendwr, as a shelter for his troops during their attack on the castle, and within half a mile to the south is Walls Castle, from which it was battered.” We are informed by Leland that this castle was “somewhat in ruins” in his time. The remains now present an interesting and picturesque object, consisting of lofty walls, the keep, and the banquet hall, and considerable masses of the ruin mark out both the ancient form and extent of this once stately pile. About two miles and a half to the N.E. is the camp of Ostorious, and five miles S.E., near the confluence of the river Clun and Teme, are the Caer or Bury Ditches, the station of that British hero, Caractacus, and the scene of his last effort against the Roman powers. The camp is of an elliptic form, comprehending an area of three or four acres of land, on the summit of a lofty eminence, commanding an extensive view of the surrounding country. The steep acclivities of the hill are defended by a triple entrenchment, which after the lapse of so many centuries is still entire.

Clun was formerly a lordship in the Marches, and was first incorporated by the Lords Marches, whose charter was confirmed by Edmund Earl of Arundel in the reign of Edward II., at which time its prescriptive right was admitted, but the charter not having been enrolled in Chancery, and all the records of the Lords Marches having been destroyed, its being an incorporate borough was proved by parole evidence. In the sixth year of King John, William Fitz Allan had a charter for a fair to be kept here for three days at Martlemas, which was the 11th of November and two days after. Fairs are now held on the last Friday in January, May 11th, June 15th, September 23rd, and November 22nd, and a market is held every Tuesday. The poor-law union of Clun comprises nineteen parishes, seventeen of which are in Shropshire, and contains a population of 10,024 persons.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. George, is an ancient structure in the early style of Norman architecture, and has evidently been of greater extent than it is at present. It has a low tower of great strength with a pyramidal roof, from the centre of which rises another tower of similar form, but of smaller dimensions; there is a peal of six bells. The most ancient part of the building is the nave, which no doubt existed prior to the Norman Conquest. The arch under the tower forming the western entrance bears a strong resemblance to the Saxon style. The northern entrance is under a highly ornamented Norman arch, on the east side of which is an arched recess, richly cinquefoiled. This church was partly destroyed in Oliver Cromwell’s time by Fleetwood, one of his generals. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £18. 10s. 5d., now £680, in the patronage of the Earl of Powis and incumbency of the Rev. Christopher Swainson. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a neat stone chapel at Clun, built in 1834, which will accommodate 150 persons. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have also a chapel here.

CHARITIES.—_Henry Earl of Northampton_, by will, dated 1614, founded Clun Hospital (dedicated to the Holy Trinity), and endowed it with tithes now producing a revenue of £1,600 per annum, for the support of thirteen poor brethren, including a master or warden. The buildings comprise a quadrangle forty yards in length and the same in breadth, which were extended in the year 1845, by the erection of a chapel, and a dining hall, and a house for the warden. The management of the hospital is vested in the bailiff, vicar, and churchwardens, the steward of the lordship, the rector of Hopesay, and the warden. The Bishop of Hereford is visitor of the hospital, which now consists of 18 poor brethren, who receive 10s. per week, and a warden who receives £80 per year, with a house rent free, and firing. The chapel is beautified with a handsome window ornamented with the arms of the founder, the Earl of Powis and the Bishop of Hereford.

_Sarah Like_, by will, 1725, left £60, and directed that the interest thereof should be expended in teaching 15 poor children to read English.

_William and Elizabeth Stirchley_, by indenture, dated 1730, bequeathed nine acres of land at Hopebendrid township, in this parish, in trust, to apply the rents and profits thereof for the benefit of the poor inhabitants of Clun, to be distributed to them every Sunday in bread.

_Francis Brown_, who died in 1795, left £100 for the benefit of the poor of Clun, the interest thereof to be distributed in bread every Sunday. There is a sum of money in the hands of the present vicar amounting to £80, the origin of which is unknown, but it is probable that the sums of £50 stated in the returns of 1786 to have been given by _Peter Meredith_, and £20 by _William Acton_, form part of it. Interest is paid for this sum at the rate of five per cent., and what is not required for the weekly supply of bread, is given away in clothing. _Randle Tonna_, who died in 1799, left £100, and directed the interest thereof to be distributed among twenty poor people, in such sums as the vicar and churchwardens should appoint.

BICKTON AND WESTON is a township in Clun parish, one and a half mile N.W. by N. of that place, which in 1841 had seven houses and forty persons. It contains 1,787A. 1R. 25P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,138. 18s. 4d., and gross estimated rental, £1,208. The rent charge of this township paid to the vicar is £79. 1s. 2d., and to the lay impropriators £6. 15s. 9d. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor and the principal landowner.

EDICLIFF is a township two miles north of Clun, containing 1,028A. 2R. 9P. of land, the rateable value of which is £944. 10s., and gross estimated rental £1,037. 5s. At the census of 1841 there were 35 houses and 157 persons. The principal landowners are the Earl of Powis, John and Thomas Price, Esqrs., and Mr. John Luther.

GUILDER DOWN is a small township, one mile north of Clun, containing 919A. 2R. 10P. of land, the rateable value of which is £944. 10s. The Earl of Powis is sole landowner. The rent charge paid to the vicar is £37. 8s. In 1841 here were eight houses and fifty persons.

HOPEBENDRID is a township, four miles south of Clun, containing 1,727A. 2R. 35P. of land, the rent charge of which is £53. 11s. 8d. paid to the vicar, and £29. 16s. 6d. to the lay impropriators. At the census of 1841 here were 25 houses and 138 persons. The principal landowners are Mrs. Middleton, Mr. John Hamer, and Mr. Thomas Galliers. In this township is the village of CHAPEL LAWN, where stands a chapel of ease to Clun, which was erected in the year 1844. There are 232 sittings, of which 162 are declared free and unappropriated for ever, in consequence of a grant from the incorporated society. The chapel is in the early English style of architecture. In the chancel is a richly stained glass window representing the Crucifixion.

MANUTTON is a township, one mile and a half south-west by west of Clun, containing 302A. 2R. 37P. of land, the rent charge on which is £37. 11s. 8d. The principal landowners are Mr. Thomas Jones and Mr. William Edwards. In 1841 this township contained 10 houses and 39 persons.

NEWCASTLE is a village, three miles and a half south-west by west of Clun, which contained in 1841, 32 houses and 176 inhabitants. The township has 2,989 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,066. 6s. 8d. The rent charge paid to the vicar amounts to £85. 12s. 8d., and that to the lay impropriators £22. 13s. 1d. The principal landowners are John Oakes, Esq.; the Earl of Powis; Mrs. Beaumond; Mrs. Ann Richards; and Mr. Thomas Owen. There is a Chapel of Ease here annexed to Clun parish.

OBARRIS is a township in the parish of Clun, contains 622A. 2R. 32P. of land, the rateable value of which is £308. 10s. Rent charge paid to the vicar, £19. 16s., and that to the lay impropriators is £16. 12s. 3d. In 1841 here were 17 houses and 67 inhabitants. The principal landowners are William Hamer, Esq.; Thomas Whettall, Esq.; and Mr. Thomas Middleton.

PENTREHODREY township lies about four miles south west from Clun, and consists of two farm houses and a few cottages. There are 670A. 2R. 10P. of land, the rateable value of which is £439. 12s. 6d. The small tithes paid to the vicar amount to £27. 12s. 4d., the tithes paid to the impropriators amount to £29. 12s. 10d. The principal landowners are Richard Edwards, Esq.; B. J. E. Williams, Esq.; and Richard Matthews, Esq.

PEERLOGUE, a township three miles south-west of Clun, containing 1,009A. 2R. 24P. of land. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £39. 16s. 2d., and the rectoral for £29. 11s. 4d. Rateable value of the township, £439. 12s. 6d. The principal landowners are the Rev. Christopher Swainson; Mr. Samuel Pugh; Mrs. Clark; and Mr. Thomas Jones.

SHADWELL is a small township, four miles from Clun, containing 813A. 1R. 3P. of land, the rateable value of which is £709, and the small tithes are commuted for £47. 12s. 11d., and the rectoral for £31. 13s. 8d. In 1841 here were nine houses and 59 persons. The principal landowners in this township are William Botfield, Esq., and Mr. John Luther.

SPOAD, a township three miles south-west by west of Clun, contains 12 houses and 31 persons, and has an area of 1,251A. 3R. 26P. of land, the rateable value of which is £592. 15s. 10d. Rent charge paid to the vicar, £43. 10s. 5d., and that to the lay impropriators £20. 2s. The principal landowners are Thomas Brown, Esq.; Thomas Moore, Esq.; Mr. Thomas Owen; Rev. Christopher Swainson; and Edwd. Morris, Esq.

TREVERWARD is a small township, two miles and a quarter from Clun, and contains 1,025A. 2R. 4P. of land, the rateable value of which is £315. 5s. 10d. Of the rent charge £25. 1s. 5d. is apportioned to the vicar of the parish, and £12. 2s. 1d. to the lay impropriators. In 1841 here were 20 houses and 94 persons. The principal landowners are Thomas Jones, Esq.; Trustees of T. B. Davies, Esq.; Mr. Thomas Middleton; and Mr. Richard Turner.

WHITCOTT-EVAN is a township in the parish of Clun, two miles west of the church, situated in a beautiful vale, and has an area of 426A. 1R. 11P. of land, the rateable value of which is £326. 5s The vicarial tithes are commuted for £22. 1s. 1d., and the amount paid to the lay impropriators is £13. 12s. In 1841 here were six houses and 38 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Roger Bryan, Esq., and Edward Rogers, Esq.

WHITCOTT-KEYSETT is a village and township two miles west of Clun, divided from Whitcott-Evan by the river Clun. It contains 2,303A. 0R. 24P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,267. 18s. 8d. The rent charge paid to the vicar is £81. 8s., and that to the lay impropriators £56. 13s. 5d. In 1841 here were 51 houses and 225 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Rev. John Rogers; Richard Bright, Esq.; Francis Brown, Esq.; Richard Parry, Esq.; John Wellings, Esq.; William Jones, Esq.; the Earl of Powis; Rev. Christopher Swainson; and several others. There is a small Baptist Chapel in this township.

POST OFFICE at _Mrs. Thomas_. Letters arrive at 11 A.M., and are despatched at 2 P.M.

CLUN DIRECTORY.

Addis John, shoemaker

Addis Richard, tailor

Baker John, baker

Beaumond Mrs. Sarah

Beaumond Wm., hairdresser

Bradley Mrs. Mary, Cromfryd

Braze Mary, baker

Bright Jeremh. vict., Buffalo