Part 34

a chapelry and township pleasantly situated 3½ miles S. from Oswestry, and at the census of 1841 had 28 houses and 147 inhabitants; the township contains 685A. 1R. 18P. of land; the Earl of Bradford is lord of the manor. Morton chapel is situated within the bounds of Llanyblodwell parish; it was built by Mrs. Bridgman in 1774, who endowed it with funds to the annual value of £47; with this property, and a grant of £200 obtained from Queen Anne’s bounty, certain lands were purchased in Staffordshire. Some time after the lands so purchased were found to contain a valuable bed of coal, and they were ultimately sold for the sum of £19,000, when the amount was invested for the benefit of the incumbent. The living was formerly presented to by the Earl of Bradford, who neglecting to appoint, it became vested in the bishop of the diocese, who is now patron; incumbent, Rev. John Henry M. Luxmore; officiating minister, Rev. David Lewis. The church is a plain brick fabric, with nave and transepts; the parsonage house is a neat modern erection, a short distance from the church. The tithes have been commuted for £211, of which £190 are apportioned to the Earl of Bradford, and £21 to the vicar of Oswestry. The living of the church is returned at £669. The Primitive Methodists have a small chapel at Morton Common, built in 1838. The poor of Morton, Maesbury, and Crickheath, are entitled to one-third of the rent of an estate at Osbaston, left by Mr. Jeffreys, and now amounting to £4. 8s. per annum. The donor directed that out of every 10s. of the rent, 4s. should be distributed in Morton, 3s. in Maesbury, and 3s. in Crickheath.

DIRECTORY.—Croxon Jones and Co., Coal and Mine Wharf; Samuel Davies, shoemaker; Edward Edwards, farmer, Ley; John Jones, farmer, Lower Farm; Thomas Jones, tailor and draper; Rev. Mr. Lewis, curate; Richard Lloyd, dealer in coal, fire bricks, and flagstones, &c.; Redwith, Old Wharf; John Peirce, beerhouse; William Thomas, farmer.

PENTREGAER

township has 512A. 2R. 28P. of land, and is situated 5 miles W.W. by S. from Oswestry; in 1841 here were 17 houses and 98 inhabitants; the township lies on the borders of Denbigh; the scenery is varied and romantic, and the whole district mountainous; a strong soil prevails, which is mostly upon the limestone; upon the hills the land is cold and bleak, but in the valleys there is some fine grazing and arable land. Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., is the impropriator of the large tithes, which are commuted for £24. 1s. 11d., and the small tithes which are commuted for £10. 16s. 6d. are paid to the vicar of Oswestry. COAD-Y-GAER TOWER, the occasional summer residence of Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., is a square lofty structure, situated on a bold eminence, commanding most extensive and delightful views into the counties of Denbigh and Montgomery, the western borders of Shropshire and the lovely vale of Llansilin. Near the tower is a large pool of water covering several acres, which is well stocked with fish. TAN-COED-Y-GAER, a hamlet returned as a separate township on the commutation map, but of which there is no return for 1841, contains 357 acres of land, the principal owner of which is Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., who is also lord of the manor; when the tithes were apportioned £12 was awarded to Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., to the vicar of Oswestry £1. 7s. 6d., to the vicar of Llansilin £14. 15s., and to the parish clerk of Llansilin 5s.

Edwards John, farmer

Ellis Robert, Tan-y-coad-y-gaer farm

Evans T., Nant-y-gollan farm

Hughes Allen, farmer

Hughes John, Tan-y-coad-y-gaer farm

James John, farmer and wheelwright

Jones John, farmer

Jones Richard, Tan-y-coad-y-gaer farm

Lewis David, Warnydeuon farm

Lewis Thomas, farmer

Morris Hugh, Tan-y-coad-gaer farm

Morris Robert, farmer

Thomas John, Pennybrin farm

SWEENEY

is a village and township 2½ miles S. from Oswestry, having conjointly with Maesbury 3,164 acres of land, and in 1841 had 105 houses and 513 inhabitants. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor, the chief freeholders are Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Haines, Mrs. Jennings, Thomas Jones, Esq., Mr. Thomas Evans, Miss Oldnall, Miss Dymoch, the Vicar of Oswestry, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Owen, Charles Clay, Esq., Mr. James O. Pugh, William Roberts, Esq., Colonel Wynn, and others. In this township are immense heights and rocks called the Sweeney Mountains: here coal is found in considerable quantities, which is conveyed to distant parts by the Hordly Aston Moor and Llanymynech canal. There is a wharf here where Messrs. Croxon Jones and Co. have on sale coal and lime, Edward Jones, manager; coal, slate, and fire bricks are also sold by Richard Lloyd, at the Old Wharf. SWEENEY HALL, the seat of Mrs. Parker, is a handsome mansion of free stone, delightfully situated in a well timbered park near the Welshpool turnpike road; the pleasure grounds and shrubberies are laid out with great taste; the interior of the mansion is elegantly furnished, and contains some fine paintings and statuary. In the grounds near the hall are the vestiges of a burial ground, adopted as such in the turbulent period of the Commonwealth. Thomas Barker, Esq., who died in 1675, was buried here; he served the office of high sheriff for the county, A.D. 1649, the first year of Oliver Cromwell’s usurpation, and in the parliament of 1653 he was summoned by Cromwell, with John Brown, of Little Ness, as a knight of the shire. Mr. Pierce gave one moiety of the rent of land called Cae Mark to the poor of Sweeney. The amount is paid out of certain land in Llanyblodwell, the property of Mrs. Oliver, and she distributes 10s. in money and 10s. worth of bread yearly among the poor. The same property is considered as charged with 6s. 8d. yearly for a sermon in the Welsh language, but the payment has not been made of late years, no sermon having been preached at Sweeney in Welsh.

British Coal Company, Croxon, Jones, and Company, coal and lime masters, Drilth, Sweeney, and Coed-y-goe Collieries

Davies Thomas, farmer

Edwards Thomas, farmer

Evans Thomas, farmer

Evans Thomas, jun., farmer

Haines Elizabeth, vict., The Drill Inn

Jennings Mrs., farmer

Jones and Co., coal masters

Jones David, farmer

Jones Edward, Esq., Llwynymapsis House

Lloyd William, blacksmith

Owens John, blacksmith

Parker Mrs., gentlewoman, The Hall

Pugh Thomas, farmer and miller

Rogers George, bookkeeper, Colliery

Rogers Mary, beerhouse

Rogers Richard, grocer and collector

Savin John, farmer and lime master

Savin Mary, farmer

Wainwright Richard, farmer

Wall William, farmer

Watkin Edward, wheelwright

Williams John, tailor

Yorke Thomas, farmer, and lets thrashing machine.

TREFARCLAWDD,

a village and township, lies about 2¼ miles W.W. by S. from Oswestry; the township comprises 934 acres of land, the owners of which are Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., and John Croxon, Esq.; the Earl of Powis is lord of the manor; here were 94 houses and 435 inhabitants when the census was taken in 1841. There are extensive collieries in this township, which are worked by Messrs. Jones and Co.; fire bricks and ornamental tiles are also manufactured here by Mr. John Howell, of Trefonen Cottage. The tithes were commuted in 1837, for £49. 3s. 2d., of which £33. 3s. 1d. were appropriated to Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., and £16. 0s. 1d. to the vicar of Oswestry. TREFARCLAWDD HOUSE, the residence of John Croxon, Esq., is a handsome stuccoed mansion, embosomed in foliage, and beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies. PENTRE SHANNEL HOUSE is a good residence with extensive premises attached, now in the occupation of Mr. William Hughes, farmer.

DIRECTORY.—British Coal Company’s Coal Works, Coed-y-Goe; Croxon John, Esq., Trefarclawdd House; Thomas Davies, farmer; John Howell, fire brick and fancy tile manufacturer; Mr. William Hughes, Pentre Shannel House; Jane Hughes, farmer, Ty-tan-y-myn-ydd; Edward Price, blacksmith; Godfrey Roberts, farmer and corn miller; John Thomas, farmer; John Williams, farmer, Vron.

TREFLACH OR TREVLACH,

a scattered village three and a half miles S.W. by S. from Oswestry, in 1841 had 103 houses and 396 inhabitants; the township contains 1,098A. 0R. 31P. of land, mostly a poor soil, in a bleak and mountainous district. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor, L. J. Venables, Esq., and Rowland Hunt, Esq., are land owners and impropriators: to the former 5s. were apportioned, and to the latter £13. 10s.; the tithes payable to the vicar are commuted for £13. 10s. THE WOOD HILL HALL, the property and residence of Lazarus Jones Venables. Esq., is a pleasantly situated house in park-like grounds, which are studded with thriving plantations. THE HALL is an ancient residence, in the occupancy of George Hilditch, estate agent. At Treflach Wood are several extensive quarries of stone, which is used for building purposes, blocks of immense size are frequently raised; there is also a small stone got here which is burnt into lime. The Independents have a small chapel at Treflach Wood.

David Jones, relieving officer

Edwards Jane, quarry owner

Edwards John, quarry mastr

Hilditch George, auctioneer & estate agent, The Hall

Jones David, beerhouse and shopkeeper

Jones David, lime burner

Jones John, higgler

Jones Thomas, blacksmith

Jones John & Owen, farmers

Jones Richard, shopkeeper

Lloyd William, farmer

Moreton Edward, farmer

Roberts John, quarry master

Stoakes Walter, beerhouse and shopkeeper

Tudor Thomas, farmer

Venables Lazarus Jones, Esq., Wood hill Hall

Williams Edward, higgler

Williams Walter, shoemaker

TREFONEN,

a township and village with a scattered population, four miles S.W. from Oswestry, in 1841 contained 146 houses and 632 souls; there are 953A. 3R. 9P. of land, with a strong soil lying upon the limestone; the land rises into bold swelling hills. The tithes are commuted for £82. 15s. 8d., of which £74. 5s. 8d. are apportioned to the bishop and dean of St. Asaph, £5. 13s. 4d. to the vicar of Llansilin, and £2. 16s. 8d. to the vicar of Oswestry. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., is the principal land owner. The church, a plain structure of stone, was built in 1821, and enlarged in the year 1828, when 95 additional sittings were obtained. The service is performed alternately in the Welsh and English languages. The living is a perpetual curacy returned at £85 in the patronage of Earl Powis and incumbency of the Rev. David Lloyd, M.A. In the last thirty years 836 burials have been registered here. The parochial school has an attendance of 65 children. It is supported by subscriptions, charity sermons, and a small charge from each scholar attending the school. THE INDEPENDENTS have a neat chapel here built in 1832. THE WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODISTS have also a chapel built of stone called “Carmel.” There are Sunday schools connected with the several places of worship, which are numerously attended.

Davies Edward, farmer, lime master, and maltster

Davies Morris, shopkeeper

Dolbey Mrs., gentlewoman

Ginder John, Esq.

Gittins Edward, farmer

Howel John, brick and tile maker, The Cottage

Hughes Evan, vict., The Eel Inn and charter master, Coal Works

Hughes John, schoolmaster and parish clerk

Lloyd Rev. David, M.A., incumbent

Probert John, farmer and lime master

Smout Jane, farmer

Stoakes Edward, farmer and maltster

Thomas Mary, farmer

Thomas John, farmer

Thomas William, farmer

Tudor Samuel, farmer

Watkins Thomas, shoemaker

Williams John, farmer and lime master

WESTON COTTON,

situated one and a half mile S.S. by E. from Oswestry, is a small township, having in 1841 49 houses and 361 inhabitants. The turnpike road from Oswestry to Welshpool, and the Morda Stream intersects the township; the latter is here crossed by a stone bridge. The land owners are Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart.; Mrs. Lloyd; John Croxon, Esq.; Mrs. Parker; Henry Warren, Esq.; Mr. Edward Peat, and Mr. John Warren. Earl Powis claims the manorial rights. Belle View, the residence of William Banning, Esq., is a neat and pleasantly situated mansion in this township. The House of Industry will be found noticed at a preceding page.

Banning William, Esq., Belle View

Davies Francis, shopkeeper

Griffiths, Jones and Co., corn millers and factors, Morda

Hayward Joseph, farmer

Hayward Joseph, jun., farmr

Hughes John, Paper Mills, agent, Morda

Jones Thomas, paper manufacturer, Morda

Minnitt Mr. Thomas, bookkeeper, Morda

Morris Edward, corn factor and commission agent

Morris Mr. Thomas, Morda House

Morris Thomas, wheelwright

Lea Job, Weston corn mills

Peate Ed., miller & farmer

Phillips Griffiths, shopkeepr

Poole Richard, farmer and butcher

Price William, schoolmaster

Roberts Benjamin, Morda corn mills

WOOTON

is a small village and township, three and a quarter miles S.E. from Oswestry, bounded on the east by the Shropshire union canal; there is a wharf near the Queen’s Head Inn, not far from which the townships of Ashton, Wooton, and Twyford converge. At the census of 1841 here were 29 houses and 162 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £167. 2s. 4d., the impropriators Mrs. Lloyd receives £136. 1s. 3d., and Lady Tyrwhitt £19. To the vicar of Oswestry was also apportioned £12. 1s. 1d.

DIRECTORY.—_Farmers_: John Jones, Thomas Roberts, Thomas Williams, and Wm. Windsor; Francis Dodd, beerhouse; John Evans, blacksmith; John James, vict., Queen’s Head; John Jones, provision and coal dealer; Richard Jones, shoemaker; Thomas Lacon, shoemaker; Edward Kynaston, wheelwright; Richard Thomas, gamekeeper to Mrs. Lloyd.

* * * * *

RUYTON OF THE ELEVEN TOWNS is a parish, containing the six townships of Cotton, Eardiston, Ruyton of the Eleven Towns, Shelvock, Shotatton, and Wikey, all situated in the lower division of the hundred of Oswestry, and altogether comprising an area of 3,991 acres of land. In 1801, the number of inhabitants was 720; in 1831, 933; and in 1841, 1,083, and 216 houses. George Edwards, Esq. is lord of the manor. The soil is a mixture of loam and sand, producing good wheat and barley. There is also some fertile grazing land. The farms are in some instances of considerable extent, and are provided with good houses and commodious outbuildings.

RUYTON OF THE ELEVEN TOWNS

is a place of great antiquity, and though now considered as a village only, it was formerly a borough of honourable account. “Edmund, Earl of Arundel, in the 5th of Edward II., obtained a grant of a market on a Wednesday at his manor of Ruiton, in the Marches of Wales, and a fair to be kept yearly, on the eve of the day of St. John the Baptist, and for three days following.” The charter is confirmed by Richard II. and Henry VI., and grants that the burgesses may have certain customs and laws as freely as the burgesses of Shrewsbury. Fairs are held the second Monday in April, July 5th, and second Monday in November. The market has long been obsolete. Ruyton is pleasantly situated two and a half miles west from the Baschurch railway station, ten miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, and nine miles S.E. from Oswestry. The township contains 1,717A. 3R. 22P. of land, and in 1841 there were 142 houses and 658 souls. Rateable value, £1,865. 4s. 5d. The land rises into bold swelling hills, thickly studded with plantations, and watered by the river Perry. The following are the freeholders in this township:—Samuel Bickerton, Esq.; Robert Broughton, Esq.; Robert S. Comberbach; John Comberbach; George Davies; Edward Davies; Mrs. Edwards; Rev. George Evans; Richard Griffiths; Thomas Griffiths; David Hiles; Thomas Hall; the Hon. Ths. Kenyon; John Kough, Esq.; Henry Kent; Edward Leeke; Miss Middleton; Saml. Minton; Richard Minton; Robert Peel; John Price; William Rodgers; John Thomas; and John Walford, Esq.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, has been built at different periods. The chancel is very ancient, and the tower is massive and lofty. The south side of the fabric was built about the year 1696, and the north side was re-built and enlarged in 1845, when 96 additional sittings were obtained, which, in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society for building and enlarging churches, the whole are declared free and unappropriated for ever. Previous to the alterations there were 294 sittings, of which 30 were free. The body of the church has a double pitched roof, supported by lofty pointed arches, and the ceiling is of dark oak, which gives the interior of the edifice a very interesting appearance. There are several neat mural monuments to the families of Kinaston, Hunt, Evans, and others. The Kinastons were formerly numerous in the parish. In the churchyard are some fine tombs, beautifully chiselled, remembering some of the principal families who were formerly residents in the parish. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s book at £5. 18s., now returned at £313. The patronage is vested in the Lord Chancellor. Rev. George Evans, M.A., is the incumbent, and resides at the vicarage, which is pleasantly situated on an eminence. The tithes were commuted in 1839, when £94 was apportioned to the vicar, and £105 to the impropriators. There are 44A. 1R. 11P. of glebe land. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL, a good building, with a residence for the teacher, was built in 1819, by subscription, and a grant of £60 from the National Society. It is endowed with £438. 11s. 10d., of which £200 is secured on the Oswestry House of Industry, and £238. 11s. 10d. are invested in government securities, Mrs. Margaret and Mrs. Anne Kinaston gave the site, and left £20 towards the repairs of the school. THE INDEPENDENTS have a neat chapel and a residence for the minister, built in 1833. The congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. David Harris. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have also a chapel here. There is a small Lock-up in the village. The following are the principal houses in the township:—RUYTON PARK, the residence of the Hon. Charles Nowell Hill; the VILLA, a modern erection of brick, the residence of Robert Broughton, Esq.; west from the church is the residence of R. S. Comberbach, Esq.; the HALL, a pleasantly situated house with projecting gables, is occupied by the Rev. L. Slater, the officiating minister; the residence and boarding school of the Rev. David Harris, lies nearly a mile north-west from the church; the residence of Samuel Harmon, Esq., is also a good house.

POST OFFICE.—_At Mary Cooper’s_. Letters arrive from Shrewsbury at 9.45 A.M., and are despatched at 4 P.M.

Alexander Elizabeth, farmer

Benbow Joseph, vict., Admiral Benbow Inn

Bickerton Samuel, farmer, Park

Bickley Miss, dress maker

Broughton Robert, surgeon, The Villa

Bullock Richard, corn miller and baker

Brown John, farmer

Comberbach Charles, farmer

Comberbach John, corn miller, New Mills

Comberbach Robert Suker, Esq.

Comberbach Thomas R., grocer and draper

Cooper James and Mrs., National School teachers

Cooper Mary, postmistress

Cooper Sarah, farmer

Cooper William, saddler and harness maker

Cooper William, bailiff

Corden Thomas, farmer, The Lawn

Croft John M., surgeon, The Cottage

Davies George, shoemaker

Davies Robert, butcher

Evans Rev. George, M.A., The Vicarage

Evans Mrs., gentlewoman

Fisher Charles, inland revenue officer

Foulkes Joseph, joiner and cabinet maker

Foulkes Joseph, farrier and horse breaker

Griffiths David, blacksmith

Griffiths Richard, farmer

Griffiths Richard, maltster and shopkeeper

Harmon Samuel, Esq.

Harris Rev. David, boarding school

Harris John, farmer, The Hill

Hiles Richard, maltster

Hill Hon. Charles Nowell, Ruyton Park

Jones George, farmer

Jones John, wheelwright

Jones Mrs., dressmaker

Jones Robert, saddler and harness maker

Jones Robert, quarry master, Queen’s court

Leek Edward, shoemaker

Llawalling Mary, vict., Talbot Inn

Lloyd John and Son, blacksmiths

Maddocks Thomas, farmer

Minton Mr., assistant overseer

Minton Thomas Rowland, butcher

Minton William Rowland, machine manufacturer

Morris Edward, shoemaker

Morris John, shoemaker

Morris Thomas, farmer

Parry William, mason

Pickering Miss

Price John, brazier and painter

Price Mary, draper and bonnet maker

Price William, tailor and draper

Roberts John, farmer

Slater Rev. Leonard, M.A., The Hall

Stant Thomas, builder and contractor

Thomas John, bricklayer

Stokes Joseph, cooper and undertaker

Tanswell Henry, hairdresser

Taylor John, carrier to Shrewsbury

Tomlinson Edward, wheelwright

Tomlinson Edward, farmer

Tomlinson Miss, dress maker

Timmis Lydia, vict., Commercial Inn

Timmis Thomas, farmer and maltster

Timmis Thomas, jun., farmer, The Hill

Vaughan William, farmer, The Lodge

Wace Charles R., solicitor, office, Powis Arms

Wilde Robert M., tailor, Blackbow hill

COTTON

(usually called COTON), a small township, salubriously situated, one and a quarter mile S.W. from Ruyton, contains 233A. 2R. 9P. of land, and at the census of 1841 had one house and 14 inhabitants. Rateable value, £181. 15s. 9d. The tithes were commuted in 1847, when £10. 15s. was apportioned to the vicar, and £40 to the impropriator, George Edwards, Esq. Mr. Thomas Thomas is the principal landowner, and occupies all the land in the township.

EARDISTON,

a village pleasantly situated two and a half miles west from Ruyton, contains some good residences. The township is bounded by the London and Holyhead turnpike road, and has 705A. 0R. 25P. of land, the soil of which is mostly a stiff loam, with a portion of sand. In 1841 here were 26 houses and 160 inhabitants. Rateable value, £977. 4s. 6d. The landowners are the Hon. Thomas Kenyon; Thomas Basnett Oswell, Esq.; Mr. Thomas Wilkinson; Mr. John Wilkinson; Mrs. Cureton; Mr. Menlove; and a few smaller proprietors. The vicarial tithes were commuted for £61 in 1847, when £120 was apportioned to the impropriators. There is a school here, where about thirty children attend. The Hon. Thomas Kenyon gives a yearly sum of £15 towards the support of the school, in consideration of which twenty children are taught free.

DIRECTORY.—The Hon. Thomas Kenyon, The Pradoe; William Dovaston, tailor; John Edwards, farmer; Joseph Edwards, grocer and vict., Barley Mow; Joseph Evans, jun., mole catcher; William Gydvill, butcher; John Jones, farmer; Thomas Basnett Oswell, Esq., Eardiston House; John Pearce, blacksmith; Thomas Williams, maltster and farmer; Thomas Wilkinson, farmer.

SHELVOCK

township contains 324A. 3R. 30P. of land, and is situated two miles and a quarter S.W. by W. from Ruyton. Buckley Owen, Esq., is the land owner and impropriator. In 1841 here were two houses and sixteen inhabitants. Rateable value, £341. 7s. 9d. The principal residents here are Buckley Owen, Esq., John Morris, farmer, and John Hughes, farm bailiff and woodranger to B. Owen, Esq.

SHOTATTON,

a scattered village in the parish of Ruyton, two miles and a quarter S.W. by W. from the church, in 1841 had 14 houses and 84 inhabitants. The township has 850A. 3R. 1P. of land, of which 730A. 1R. 37P. are arable, 101A. 1R. 6P. meadow, and 26A. 3R. 38P. are in woods and plantations. The soil is of a light sandy nature. Rateable value, £748. 15s. 5d. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., owns the whole township. The tithes were commuted in 1838, when £30. 18s. were apportioned to the Vicar of Great Ness, £15. 9s. to the Vicar of Ruyton, £93 to the late Countess of Bridgewater, £11. 17s. 6d. to R. A. Slaney, Esq., M.P., £33. 10s. to J. A. Lloyd, Esq., and £1. 17s. 6d. to several smaller impropriators.

The principal residents are Samuel Bickerton, Esq.; Joseph Humphreys, farmer, Handley Hall; Robert Lee, farmer; Robert Wall, farmer; Samuel and Joseph Briscoe, blacksmiths and agricultural implement makers; Samuel Briscoe, registrar for the Knockin district; and John Lloyd, wheelwright.

WIKEY, OR WYKEY,