Part 25

an Extra-parochial Liberty, three and a half miles N.E. from Shrewsbury, contains 1,564A. 0R. 3P. of land, and at the census of 1841 had 27 houses and 169 souls. This place forms a portion of the Sundorne demesne, which comprises 8,634A. 1R. 26P., and is the property of Andrew William Corbet, Esq. The stately pile of HAUGHMOND ABBEY is now fallen into almost total decay, but the magnificent ruins have an imposing appearance; they stand on rising ground, backed by woods, and command an extended view the plain of Shrewsbury, its town, and castle, and the fine demesne of Sundorne. From the extent of the ruins it must have been a place of great magnitude. Of the Abbey Church few remains exist: the south door of the nave, which opened into the cloister, exhibits an elegant specimen of Anglo-Norman architecture. The outer walls of the chapter house are in a perfect state of preservation. The entrance is by a finely ornamented round arch, with a window on each side, divided into small lights. Southward of the chapter house are the remains of the refectory, and beyond it the shell of a noble hall, measuring eighty-one feet by thirty-six feet. The windows were formerly filled with Gothic tracery. The ruins of the cloister and abbots’ lodging may also still be traced. The monastery was founded in the year 1110, by William Fitz Alan, for canons of the order of St. Augustine. It was richly endowed with lands by the founder, and other individuals, and had many valuable privileges and immunities granted by the Popes Honorus III., Nicholas III., Boniface IX., and Martin IV. The yearly revenues of the abbey at the dissolution were £269. 13s. 7d., according to Dugdale, and £294. 13s. 9d. according to Speed. Leland says, “There were an hermitage and chapel on this spot before the abbey was built.” William Fitz Alan and other members of the family were buried here.

SUNDORNE CASTLE, a spacious and splendid Gothic mansion, adorned with battlements and turrets, is situated on a beautiful lawn, amidst the rich verdure of the adjoining grounds, which are pleasingly diversified with shrubberies and pleasant walks, and ornamented with a fine sheet of water, covering upwards of sixty acres. The interior of the mansion is superbly furnished. The chairs in the drawing room are of ebony, most elaborately carved. It also contains a remarkably fine antique statue of Venus. There are some exquisite paintings by Titian, Salvator Rosa, Rembrandt, Guido, Raphael, Rubens, Wouvermans, and Van Huysum, among which is the original design for the altar-piece at Antwerp, by Rubens, and the Holy Family, exquisitely executed by Raphael. The library contains a valuable and extensive collection of rare books, and the windows are ornamented with stained glass. Amongst a collection of antiquities is the chapter roll of Haughmond Abbey, and the seal of the abbot: the latter was found about thirty years ago, near the ruins of the abbey. A beautiful sequestered carriage drive, of five miles in length, leads through the woods of the Sundorne demesne. The kitchen gardens and vineries are situated at the back of the castle, and cover an extent of about four acres. The Corbets of Lee removed to Albright Hussey in the reign of Charles I., and to Sundorne Castle in the middle of the last century.

DIRECTORY.—Andrew William Corbet, Esq., Sundorne Castle and Pimley House; Henry Jarvis, butler; Martin King, gardener; John Metcalf, bailiff. Richard Ford, farmer, Home barns; Elizabeth Latham, farmer; Samuel Whitehouse, farmer, Haughmond hill.

ALBRIGHTON,

a township and chapelry in St. Mary’s parish, pleasantly situated on the Shrewsbury and Whitchurch road, three miles N. from the former place, contains 800 acres of land, of which 90 acres are in woods and plantations; rateable value, £883. In 1801, there were 58 inhabitants; and in 1841, 12 houses and 85 souls. Colonel Studd owns all the land in this township, about two-thirds of which is arable. The soil is various: in some places a rich loam prevails, in other parts it is not so fertile.

THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, a neat structure in the Elizabethan style, situated on elevated ground, near the turnpike road, is built of red sand stone, and has a neat porch on the south side, and a small belfry at the west end. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £52 per annum. The income arises from a farm in Wales, which, since the return was made, has augmented in value. The Rev. George H. Moller is the incumbent, and the Rev. John D. Letts, B.A., officiating curate. The magistrates hold a petty session for the Albrighton division the second week in every month, at the Fox Inn. The Hall, a spacious brick mansion, formerly the seat of the Ireland family, is now unoccupied. The principal residents in this township are:—Charles Smallman, farmer, Perrill farm; Richard Yates, farmer; Ann Brown, victualler, Fox Inn; and Richard Gough, blacksmith.

ASTLEY,

a township, chapelry, and scattered village, five miles N.N.E. from Shrewsbury. In 1801 had 141 inhabitants, and in 1841, a population of 264 souls, and 55 houses. The township contains 1181A. 3R. 3P. of land, more than two-thirds of which is the property of John Bishton Minor, Esq., of Astley House; besides whom, Mr. Richard Minton and Mrs. Wildig are proprietors. There is also a farm belonging to the trustees of the charities for St. Chad’s parish. Gross rental £1,936. 13s. 5d. Rateable value, £1,763. 13s. THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, a neat stone fabric in the Gothic style, was repaired and beautified in 1837, when a new tower was added at the west end. The entrance, formerly on the south side, exhibits the Saxon style of architecture. In the interior is a neat marble tablet, in memory of the Minor family, of Astley House. A new font was added at the time the tower was built. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £56, in the patronage of the corporation of Shrewsbury, and enjoyed by the Rev. William Vaughan. In the church yard are the following lines, on a grave stone in memory of Rowland Deakin, who died in 1751, aged 95 years:—

“Many years I’ve seen, and Many things I’ve known: Five kings, two queens, And a usurper on the throne; But now lie sleeping in the dust. As you, the reader, shortly must.”

The governors of the Free Grammar School, in Shrewsbury, are the impropriators of the tithes, which are commuted for £211. ASTLEY HOUSE, a handsome mansion, beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies, and pleasantly situated a short distance from the church, is the residence and property of John Bishton Minor, Esq. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a chapel in this township, situated on the Hadnal road. The particulars of the several charities, founded by the will of _Joseph Jones_, in 1729, will be found noticed with the parish of Atcham. Out of the residuary rents of the estates, held in trust for the purposes mentioned in the testator’s will, £10 per annum is applied in educating poor children of this chapelry, and £6 per annum paid to the minister of Astley chapel, for reading prayers and preaching in the said chapel every first and last Sunday in the month, and administering the sacrament four times during the year. It appears when Mr. Jones made this bequest, that divine service in Astley chapel was only held every third Sunday in the month.

Minor John Bishton, Esq., Astley House

Adams Edward, farmer

Adams James, farmer

Barker James, shoemaker

Birch William, farmer, Braidway House

Davies Charles, butcher

Dodd William, blacksmith

Hughes John, shoemaker

Minton John, farmer

Minton Richard, farmer

Minton Samuel, farmer

Minton Thomas, farmer

Moreton Ann, butcher

Morgan John, farmer

Oliver Rev. William, Astley Lodge

Powell John, farmer, New House

Stanley Thomas and Richard, brick and tile makers

Williams Richard, provision dealer and victualler, Dog Inn

BERWICK,

a township pleasantly situated two miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury; at the census of 1841 had 67 houses, and a population of 271 souls. Here the country has an undulating surface, richly clothed with timber, and presents many interesting views of picturesque beauty. The estate is now the property of the Honourable Henry Wentworth Powys. Berwick House is a handsome mansion, of considerable extent, composed of brick with stone finishings. It is delightfully situated in a spacious and finely wooded park; and the immediate vicinity of the house is richly beautified with shrubberies and pleasure grounds. The iron gates, at the entrance of the park, are of the most elaborate workmanship; they have a noble and magnificent appearance, and are said to have cost £1,000. Berwick House is now the temporary residence of Thomas Hope, Esq.; and Upper Berwick House, a neat brick structure, is the occasional seat of the Hon. Henry Wentworth Powys.

A short distance from the hall are the almshouses, erected and endowed in 1672 by _Sir Samuel Jones_. They consist of sixteen tenements, and a small room for the use of the chaplain, with gardens attached thereto, and are surrounded by a lofty wall. The yearly income amounts to about £183. 7s. 6d. per annum, and arises from the following sources:—Nine acres of land in Castle Foregate, let for £36 per annum; the several sums of £20, £40, and £80 per annum charged on the Berwick estate; and the dividends on £245. 18s. 3d. South Sea Annuities. From the sources above mentioned, each inmate receives about £5. 8s. annually, besides clothing and coal. The emoluments of the chaplain amount to about £54. 9s. per annum. Between the almshouses and the hall is the chapel appropriated to the use of the inmates of the adjacent almshouses. It is a small fabric, of a primitive appearance, with a tower at the west end, and was built in 1762, on the site of a former edifice which had become ruinous. There is a free school in the township, supported by the Hon. Henry W. Powys, where forty scholars are educated. Leaton Knolls, the delightful residence of John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is just within the bounds of this township, situated in a picturesque glen, and surrounded with beautiful shrubberies and thriving plantations.

Powys Honourable Henry Wentworth, Upper Berwick House

Hope Thomas, Esq., Berwick House

Lloyd John Arthur, Esq., Leaton Knolls

Briscoe, Mrs. Mary

Davies John, blacksmith

Davies Samuel, farmer, Cross Green

Gough Edward, farmer

Jones John, wheelwright

Maddox Martha, schoolmistress

Morris Jeremiah, shoemaker

Oakley Thomas, farm bailiff

Roberts Mary, farmer

Roberts Thomas, farmer, Great Berwick

Slinn John, gamekeeper

Vaughan Richard, farmer, Almond Park

CLIVE

is a chapelry in the parish of St. Mary, Shrewsbury, 3½ miles south from Wem, and eight miles north from Shrewsbury. In 1801 there was a population of 289 souls, and in 1841 there were 61 houses and 273 inhabitants. The township contains 1370 acres of land, mostly highly productive; the soil is a mixture of sand and loam, and considered good turnip land. Rateable value, £2,546 10s. The Duke of Cleveland is the principal owner and lord of the manor; Mr. Joshua Holmes, George Harding, Esq., Mrs. Nickson, Mrs. Griffith, and others, are also freeholders. The village is pleasantly situated on high ground, and commands some pleasing views of the romantic and rural scenery by which it is surrounded.

THE CHURCH is a plain stone fabric, dedicated to All Saints, and consists of nave and chancel, with a small turret containing two bells; it is neatly pewed, and the roof is of groined timber. The pulpit is of white free stone exquisitely carved, and a new front has recently been added. The windows on the south side and at the west end were beautified, and had new mullions introduced in 1849, when other alterations and improvements were made by the incumbent. The living is a perpetual curacy returned at £66 in the patronage of the corporation of Shrewsbury; incumbent, Rev. William Jaudwine, M.A. THE INDEPENDENTS have a small chapel built in 1844; the congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. David Jones. CLIVE HALL, a plain substantial stone edifice in the Elizabethan style, was built by Daniel Wycherley, father of the poet William Wycherley; it is now the property of George Harding, Esq. SANSAW HALL, the residence of Captain Martin, a handsome and commodious brick residence, is delightfully situated in park-like grounds, and surrounded by lawns and shrubberies laid out with great taste and beauty. SHOOTERS’ HILL, another good house delightfully situated, is the property and residence of Mrs. Griffiths.

Clive is said to have been the birth place of the poet Wycherley, though some affirm that he was born at Wem. Wycherley was one of the wits and poets of Charles II., and was born about the year 1640. After receiving an education at school, he was sent to France, where he embraced the Roman Catholic religion. A little before the restoration he returned to England, and entered as a gentleman commoner at Queen’s College, Oxford; but, being never matriculated, he quitted the university without a degree, and took chambers in the middle temple. He soon, however, deserted the law, and following the taste of that dissipated age, devoted himself to the composition of comedies. His first piece, “Love in a wood, or St. James’ Park,” made its first appearance in 1672, and quickly brought its author into notice. He was much esteemed by Villiers, the witty Duke of Buckingham, and was honoured with the attentions of his Majesty. His marriage with the Countess of Drogheda proved an unhappy one. His lady was excessively jealous of him, and though on her death a few years after, she settled her whole estate on her husband, the title was disputed, and he became so involved in his circumstances by law expenses and other incumbrances, that he was thrown into prison. He remained in confinement about seven years, when James II., going to see his comedy of “The Plain Dealer,” was so much delighted with it that he gave orders for the payment of the author’s debts, and granted him a pension of £200 a year. Wycherley died in 1675, at the age of 75. His posthumous works in prose and verse were published in 1728.

Abbot James, carrier to Shrewsbury

Cartwright Margaret, schoolmistress

Done Richard, quarry master and bricklayer

Green Hannah, shopkeeper

Griffiths Mrs., Shooters Hill House

Groom William, farmer

Harding Miss Elizabeth, The Hall

Harding Geo., farmer, Hall Farm

Hill Ann, schoolmistress

Huffa George, blacksmith

Huffa Sarah, vict., Three Horse Shoes.

Jones John, grocer, builder, and quarry master

Lea George, farmer, Sansaw farm

Lee Francis, farmer, Hopes.

Martin Capt. Murrey, Sansaw Hall

Massey Thomas Harris, farmer, The Wood

Needham John, farmer

Northwood Richard, farmer

Parker Thomas, shopkeeper and cattle salesman

Parr Lawrence, farmer, Clive farm

Peters Edward, shoemaker

Peters George, tailor

Puliston Mrs. Charlotte

Puliston Francis, farmer

Smith Thomas, quarry master and stone mason

Williams William, wheelwright

Yeomans William, farmer, Holbrook

LEATON

township, four and a half miles N.W. by N. from Shrewsbury, in 1841 contained 60 houses and 245 inhabitants. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is the proprietor of the whole township, and resides at LEATON KNOLLS, a beautiful modern mansion, which has been erected about thirty years. The house stands on the acclivity of a hill, overlooking a romantic glen, planted with thriving plantations. The grounds are beautifully diversified with shrubberies and pleasant walks; and in no place in the county is there to be seen such a fine collection of rare shrubs and choice forest trees as are to be met at Leaton Knolls. Among the more remarkable objects is an extensive and valuable collection of the conifera tribe, with their curious and varied foliage. A short distance from the house a large plot of ground has been enclosed with a lofty brick wall, for a kitchen garden, which is now in course of formation. The house and a portion of the pleasure grounds stand within the bounds of Berwick township. There is also a neat free school, at the cross of roads, built in 1828, by John A. Lloyd, Esq., who also pays for the education of the children, of whom 35 attend. Leaton Hall, now a good farm residence, was built in 1683. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway intersects the township, and has a station here. Bomere Heath is partly in this township and partly in Preston Gobalds.

DIRECTORY.—John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., Leaton Knolls; Thomas Daighton, land agent, Leaton Lodge; Charles Kynaston, carpenter and beerhouse keeper, Bomere Heath; Richard Littlehales, shoemaker; John Morgan, schoolmaster; William Nevett, farmer, Leaton Hall; Oliver Francis, farm bailiff; Sarah Legh, farmer; John Wilson, gardener to J. H. Lloyd, Esq.; and William Withers, carpenter.

NEWTON,

a small township, comprising two farms only, is the property of the Hon. Henry Wentworth Powys, and Richard Betton, Esq., and is situated three and a half miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. At the census of 1841 there were 2 houses, and a population of 21 souls. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway passes through the township. The farm premises of Samuel Davies, at Cross Green, Berwick, are situated within the bounds of this parish.

The resident farmers are Samuel Davies and Charles Kent.

WOLLASCOTT,

another small township in the parish of St. Mary’s, is situated four miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. In 1841 there were 4 houses and 23 inhabitants. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., and Lady Tyrwhitt are the land owners. The occupants of the farms are James Teece and Richard Tonkies.

HADNAL, OR HADNAL EASE,

is a township and chapelry in the parish of Middle, five miles N.N.E. from Shrewsbury. The village is pleasantly situated on the turnpike road from Shrewsbury to Chester, and contains some good farm houses and a commodious and respectable inn. The township contains 814A. 2R. 19P. of land. Viscount Hill is the principal land owner; besides whom Sir Andrew V. Corbet, Mr. Charles Woodward, Mr. Joseph Morris, Mrs. Wildig, and others, are also owners. The population in 1801 was 362; and in 1841 there were 92 houses and 429 souls in the chapelry, and 221 in the township. Rateable value, £1,119. 16s. 8d. Rent charge, £107. 18s.

THE EPISCOPAL CHAPEL is a neat stone edifice, mantled with ivy; it has a square castellated tower, ornamented with a clock, and the chapel is surrounded with a spacious cemetery, the margin of which is fringed with flourishing limes, yews, and fir trees, which give it a pleasing and rural appearance. In the east window are several fragments of stained glass, apparently of the date of the erection—the sixteenth century. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the rector of Middle, and enjoyed by the Rev. William Oliver, of Astley Lodge. In the Liber Ecclesiasticus the living is returned at £55. The annual value, however, now is upwards of £70, arising from the sum of £400, royal bounty, and the moiety of the rent of a farm in the township of Criggion, which was purchased with money belonging to the livings of Preston Gubbals, Hanwood, and Hadnal, by the then incumbent, who, in consequence of enjoying several benefices, was denominated “St. John of the Seven Churches.” The chapelry contains the townships of Alderton, Hardwick, Haston, Shotton, and Sneethcott. Rateable value of the chapelry, £5,614. 17s. 9d; acres, 2,418 0R. 20P. The Banasters, a family of considerable note in former times, had an estate and seat at Hadnal as early as the time of William the Conqueror. The hall was a spacious mansion of chequered timber work, and occupied a site near the episcopal chapel. The moat may still be traced, adjoining the turnpike road. Mr. Hulbert is of opinion that Hadnal Hall was the place where the Duke of Buckingham was betrayed by Humphrey Banaster, in 1483, from whence he was taken to Shrewsbury, and, without trial, beheaded, by command of Richard III. Thomas Banaster, of Hadnal, was sheriff of the county in 1403.

PROVIDENCE GROVE is a neat house, the residence and property of Mr. Charles Hulbert, the author and publisher of an elaborate history of the county, and numerous other publications. On the 7th of January, 1839, an awfully destructive fire occurred at Providence Grove, and so rapid was the progress of the devouring element, that all the valuable property, consisting of a library of more than 3,000 volumes, manuscripts, curiosities, paintings, furniture, a large stock of new books and engravings, with the whole of the house, and a great portion of the houses adjoining, were consumed. The loss to the proprietor was irreparable, as only the premises were insured, and those at one half of their value. Mr. Hulbert has now arrived at a good old age, and is publishing an account of his own life, which he entitles “Seventy Years of an eventful Life.”

THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, a neat stone fabric, was built in 1832. The congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. David James.

THE FREE SCHOOL is endowed with £300, bequeathed by Dame Mary Hill, in 1787, who at the same time made the following bequests, viz., £30 towards building a school-house in Hadnal, £100 to the treasurer of the Salop Infirmary, the interest of £100 to be distributed among poor persons residing in Hadnal, the same amount for the benefit of the poor of Middle, and the residue of her personal estate for such charitable purposes as she by a codicil to her will should direct. The residue of the personal estate amounted to £1,305 2s. 5d., in respect of which £30 per annum is paid to a dissenting minister at Hadnal, £14 towards the support of the school, and £10 to Prees school. These several sums appear to be the interest of £1,200, at 4½ per cent.; it is stated the balance, £105. 2s. 5d. was applied in building the school at Weston. In respect of the £300 bequeathed to Hadnal school, £12 per annum as the interest thereof is paid to the teacher. It does not appear that any new trustees have been appointed for carrying into effect the trusts declared in the will of Dame Mary Hill. The management has therefore continued in that family.

It is stated in the parliamentary returns of 1786, that Mr. Watkins gave £15 for the use of the poor of Hadnal. About thirty years ago Sir Andrew Corbet gave £10, on the marriage of his son, for the same purpose. These two sums are in the hands of Viscount Hill, and he pays 20s. annually as the interest thereof.

Birch William, provision dealer

Brittain Mr. Thomas

Brookes Benjamin, farmer

Cooper the Misses, the Academy

Davies John, farmer

Dodd Samuel, blacksmith

Ellis William, farmer

Heath Thomas, provision dealer and boot and shoe maker

Hulbert Charles, author and publisher, Providence grove

James David, Independent minister

Lee William, farmer

Leech John, farmer

Leech Sarah, schoolmistress

Payne Stephen, farmer

Powell John, wheelwright

Preston John, farmer

Walton Ann, vict., Saracen’s head

ALDERTON,

a township and village in the chapelry of Hadnal, three miles N.N.W. from the latter place, contains 239A. 3R. 37P. of land, the owners of which are Mrs. Minor, Miss Corbett, and Mr. William Teece. Population in 1841, twenty-five. Rateable value, £410. 6s. 8d. Rent charge, £54. 5s. The resident farmers are John Clay, Cornelius Maddocks, and Richard Williams. The following are resident in the village of Alderton, but situated within the boundaries of the parish of Broughton, viz.: Joseph Mullinex, blacksmith; William Sutton, wheelwright; and Richard Williams, blacksmith.

HARDWICK,