Part 37

township, three miles N.E. from Whittington, has four houses, 23 inhabitants, and 496A. 2R. 3P. of land, which is the property of Richard James Griffiths, Esq., Rev. George Salt, and Mr. Jones. Mr. John Pridden, who was born at Old Marton Hall, was one of the many instances in which integrity and perseverance have introduced their votaries to ease and affluence. His father dying when he was only twelve years old, and his mother marrying again, he was subjected to the most unmerciful and cruel treatment of a step-father. Having endured his unmerited sufferings for several years, he bade adieu to his unpropitious home, and arrived in London in March, 1748, where he soon found protectors in Mr. Nourse and Mr. Manley, the latter of whom he succeeded in business as a bookseller, where he soon found himself supported by a numerous and respectable set of friends, and eventually rose to wealth and affluence. To do good was his delight; to communicate happiness to all around him was his unceasing aim. He died in 1807, and left two sons and three daughters.

The resident farmers in Old Marton are Thomas Brayne, Stephen Burrows, and Amelia Jones.

PIMHILL HUNDRED.

The Hundred Pimhill is bounded on the north by Flintshire, on the west by the Oswestry Hundred, on the east by the Albrighton division and the Bradford Hundred, and on the south by the Hundred of Ford and the Albrighton division. The population of this hundred in 1801 was 11,874; the number of inhabited houses 2,112. In 1841 there was a population of 11,857 souls, of whom 5,900 were males., and 5,857 females. At the same period there were 2,297 inhabited houses, 48 uninhabited, and 10 houses building. This hundred comprehends the Baschurch and Ellesmere divisions. The former contains the following townships and chapelries, viz., Alderton, Baschurch, Birch, Boreatton or Bratton, Ensdon, Eyton, Felton Butler, Fennemere, Hopton, Kinton, Merehouse, Montford, Ness Cliff, Ness Great, Ness Little, Newtown, Petton, Prescott, Shrawardine, Stanwardine-in-the-Fields, Stanwardine-in-the-Wood, Walford, Weston Lullingfield, Wilcott, and Yeaton.

The Ellesmere division contains Balderton, Birch and Lythe, Burlton, Cockshutt and Crosemere, Colemere, Crickett, Criftins, Dudleston, Eastwick, Ellesmere, Elson and Greenhill, Frankton, Hampton Welsh, Hampton Wood, Hardwick, Hordley, Kenwick Stockett and Whattall, Kenwicks Park, Kenwicks Wood, Lee, Lineal, Loppington, Marton, Middle, New Marton, Newnes, Newton, Noneley, Northwood, Oteley, Newton and Spoonhill, Sleap (part of), Stocks and Coptiviney, Tetchill, Trench.

BASCHURCH

is a respectable village, pleasantly situated about half a mile west of the Baschurch railway station, and eight miles N.W. from Shrewsbury. The parish contains the several townships of Baschurch, Birch, Boreatton, Eyton, Fennemere, Merehouse, Newtown, Prescott, Stanwardine-in-the-Fields, Stanwardine-in-the-Wood, Walford, Weston and Yeaton, which together have an area of 10,758 acres of land. Rateable value, £11,470. 11s. 6d. Population in 1801, 1,059; in 1831, 1,321; and in 1841, 1,491. Baschuch is a place of great antiquity. Cynddylan, the British prince, slain at Whittington by the Saxons, about the year 570, was interred here. The parish church is one of the eighteen churches found in the county at the Doomsday survey, at which time Baschurch was the head of a hundred. About a mile from the village is a remarkable British fortress, or hold, the remains of which are very distinct, and an object of great attraction to the antiquary. It consists of two positions, one a natural eminence about forty-five feet high, surrounded at the bottom by a circular vallum; the other an elliptical entrenchment, on which more pains have been bestowed, very much lower than the other, and perfect on three sides, the fourth being open, and apparently extended into a wider and more irregular form. The vallum of this elliptical entrenchment, where it faces the eminence described above, is thrice the height of any other part of it. These two positions are surrounded, on one side by a deep pool, on the other sides by an extensive tract of black peaty soil, which was probably at an early period covered with water. The works are connected by a low road, made, by incredible labour, of small stones heaped together; and both are connected with the main land by a similar road leading across the morass in a curve. If this road was covered with water, as probably it was to the depth of a few inches, strangers would not know where it was; and the loftier fortress had a farther defence in an interruption of the roads, which do not reach all the way to it, but cease within a few feet of the point of juncture, and thus act as a kind of rude draw-bridge, where those in the fortress might lay down a plank for those without to pass over. At the point where this interruption of the road exists, was evidently the road into the fort, which is there defended by two outworks; one on each side. It was in this fastness that Cynddylan, imitating his aboriginal forefathers, who fortified themselves in woods and marshes, sought an asylum after his expulsion from Pengwern (Shrewsbury). No reason can be assigned why he should be buried at Baschurch, but that his residence was in the immediate vicinity.

THE CHURCH is an ancient structure, dedicated to All Saints, and consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, in which are four bells. There is a gallery at the west end, upon which is a fine-toned organ. The south side of the church was built about the year 1615, and the north side in the year 1790. It contains several handsome tablets and memorials to some of the principal families in the neighbourhood; one of which, a handsome pyramidal monument of elegant and costly workmanship, executed in marble, records the death of William Basnett, Esq., of London, a native of Baschurch, whose nephew and adopted heir, William Birch, assumed the name of Basnett. Another memorial remembers Rowland Hunt, Esq., and there are others to the Preslands, Slaneys, Mucklestons, and Corbets. There is an ancient Bible chained to the reading desk. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s book at £10. 16s., in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, and enjoyed by the Rev. William Jones. The church stands on the site of a former edifice, which was burnt down in the year 1404. Divine service was performed in the Manor House, at Walford, till a new church was built. A stone in the churchyard remembers William Green, who died at the age of ninety years; and about fifteen years ago Mrs. Jones Hill Green died at the age of ninety-nine years. The tithes were commuted in 1844 for £285. The vicarage is a good residence, pleasantly situated, and stands a little east from the church. It has been considerably improved by the present incumbent

NEWTOWN may be considered to form a part of Baschurch. It is a separate township, situated between the railway station and the village, the Shrewsbury and Chester railway intersecting the eastern side of the township. In 1841 here were 25 houses and 131 inhabitants. There are two neat and capacious schools at Newtown, and a preparatory school at Weston, supported from the funds of Mrs. Harris’s charity. In consequence of the advantages of gratuitous education, the village is constantly improving. The salubrity of the air, the facilities of railway communication, and the general order and quiet retirement, render it a desirable place for the erection of villa residences. A commodious inn has recently been built at the railway station, which is conducted by Mr. Thomas Wilkinson. A market has been established on Friday, for the sale of corn, butter, and poultry, which is held near the railway station. There is a bowling green at the Admiral Duncan, and a female benefit society, which is well supported. Rowland Hunt, Esq., is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are the lord of the manor; the Rev. William Jones; Robert A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; Richard Edwards, Esq.; Frederick Edwards, Esq.; Edward Edwards, Esq.; William Sparling, Esq.; Mary Pickstock; and others are also proprietors. The soil is a mixture of gravel and loam, highly productive, and about one half may be considerable arable. The river Perry divides Baschurch from Ruyton, and skirts Boreatton Park.

CHARITIES.—_Eleanor Harris_, by will, bearing date 17th May, 1709, devised certain land and tenements, at Stanwardine-in-the-Fields, in trust, to pay certain annuities therein mentioned, and to dispose of the residue for the providing of schooling for the boys and girls of such of the lowest rank of inhabitants within the parish of Baschurch as should not be able to give them a proper schooling; and she directed that such children should be taught to read and spell well, and to write fair hands and cast accounts, so as to fit the boys for ordinary trades; and that when the profits of the trust estate should be sufficient her trustees should apply a reasonable part thereof for putting out the boys apprentices, and for providing portions for the girls, to be given them on marriage; and she further directed that her trustees should pay yearly 20s. to the officiating minister of the parish for a sermon in the church, on the afternoon of the Sunday next after the anniversary of her death, at which time she desired such minister to declare publicly the principal directions of her will, to the intent that the same might never be concealed or suppressed; and that the trustees should lay out 20s. for a dinner for themselves. The property belonging this charity consists of 267A. 2R. 36P. of land and certain houses, besides 7A. 2R. 31P., which was planted about fifty years ago with oaks, and the school premises, consisting of 1A. 1R. 32P., at Newtown. When the Charity Commissioners published their report the yearly income amounted to £323. 10s. The boys are taught reading, writing, and accounts, and the girls reading and needlework. They are all supplied with every article of clothing, except linen, once a year, and with books and all school requisites; and they are permitted to remain in the school till they are of sufficient age to go out to service, or to be bound apprentice. When the children go out to service they receive a complete suit of clothing, and a Bible and a Prayer Book; and if they continue in the same place with credit for five years, they receive a gratuity of £3; and if for seven years, £5. In this respect no difference is made between the boys and girls. The boys are occasionally placed out apprentice, with a premium of £6 each. Nothing is paid out of the fund for marriage portions. There is also a dame school supported out of the funds, for teaching the younger children of poor persons residing at Weston. The present trustees are R. A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; William Matthews, Esq.; Richard Wall, Esq.; and Mr. John Jebb.

_Thomas Baker_, in 1839, gave a rent charge of £4 per annum, to be expended in bread, and given to the poor of the parish on Sundays for ever.

_Edward Tomkies_, by will, in 1771, bequeathed to the poor of the parish of Baschurch £100. The interest to be laid out in sixpenny loaves of good bread, and given to the poor over and above their usual allowance on Christmas days and Easter Sundays.

_Richard Wilkins_ gave £20, the interest to be distributed by the vicar and churchwardens to such poor people as should not receive relief.

_Rev. John Barnet_ gave £20, and directed the interest to be distributed to the poor.

A yearly sum of £4. 11s. 2d. is paid to a schoolmaster, as the interest of £114 in the hands of R. Hunt, Esq. It does not appear from whose benefaction this money was derived; but it appears it was formerly laid out on turnpike security, with £130 belonging to two other charities, making altogether £244; which sum was afterwards placed in the hands of R. Hunt, Esq.

_Sarah Atcherley_ gave £30 to the poor, the interest to be given in bread on Christmas days.

_Thomas Presland_, in 1779, gave £20, the interest to be distributed yearly to poor distressed housekeepers.

POST OFFICE.—_At Mr. John Morris’s_. Letters arrive at 8.45 A.M., and are despatched at 4 45 P.M.

_Those marked_ 1 _reside at Baschurch_; 2 _New town_; 3 _Railway Station_.

1 Birch Edward, Esq., The Hall

2 Birch Miss M. A., boarding school

1 Buckley and Davies, milliners and bonnet makers

1 Carr William, tailor

2 Crookenden Mrs., schoolmistress

1 Davies Richard, baker and parish clerk

3 Haycock Robert, agent to the Brymbo Company, dealer in coal, lime, slate, &c.

1 Hinksman John, shoemaker

2 Humphreys Mary, provision dealer

2 Jebb John, station master

2 Jones Joseph, farmer and maltster

2 Jones Joseph, butcher

2 Jones Mary, farmer

2 Jones Thomas, farmer

2 Jones William P. schoolmaster, and collector of rates

1 Jones Rev. William, The Vicarage

1 Leek Thomas, wheelwright

1 Matthews William, farmer

2 Morris Charles, licensed to let post horses

3 Morris Charles, agent to Mr. Ward for the Black Park Coal, dealer in lime, slate, &c.

1 Morris John, grocer and innkeeper

2 Mullinex John, blacksmith

2 Oliver Joseph, shoemaker

1 Pickstock Henry, farmer

1 Poole Edward, tailor

2 Poole Sarah, beerhouse-keeper

1 Pugh John, shoemaker

1 Pugh Thomas, farmer

1 Roberts Thomas, blacksmith

1 Simpson John, joiner and builder

2 Throckmorton J. Esq.

1 Thomas John, shoemaker

3 Thomas William, agent to G. Young for the Cefn coal, and dealer in lime and bricks, &c.

3 Wilkinson Thomas, victualler, Station Inn and Posting House, and Admiral Duncan Inn

BIRCH

is a small township in the parish of Baschurch, two miles N.W. from the Baschurch Railway Station, which in 1841 was returned as containing two houses and twenty-two inhabitants. The river Perry divides this township from Ruyton, and is skirted on the east by Boreatton Park. Rowland Hunt, Esq., is the landowner, and lord of the manor. The township contains 432 acres of land. Rateable value, £439. The Birch Park farm is occupied by John Vaughan.

BOREATTON, OR BRATTON,

is a township pleasantly situated nine miles and a half N.W. by N. from Shrewsbury, and about two miles from the Baschurch Railway Station. In 1841 there were seven houses and 32 inhabitants. (The acres are given with the parish.) Rateable value, £708. 5s. The soil is of a superior quality, producing good wheat and barley. Large flocks of sheep are kept in this neighbourhood. BOREATON HALL, an elegant mansion of brick in the Elizabethan style of architecture, is the seat and property of Rowland Hunt, Esq. The mansion is approached by a handsome portico of free stone, supported by four circular pillars. The grounds are tastefully laid out with pleasure grounds and shrubberies; and the Park, though not of great extent, is richly wooded, and beautified with some fine avenues of beech and other trees.

The principal residents are Rowland Hunt, Esq., Boreatton Hall; Miss Hunt, Boreatton Park House; John Grant, farm bailiff; George and Henry Hunt, farmers and corn millers, Platt Mills, Thomas Payne, gamekeeper.

EYTON,

a small township and sequestered village, is situated about two miles N.E. by E. from Baschurch. At the census of 1841 there were 11 houses and 56 inhabitants. The township is intersected by the railroad from Shrewsbury to Chester. Here are several large pools of water, covering many acres of land, and are well stocked with fish. The land has an undulating surface, and the soil is a mixture of loam and clay. The principal landowners are the Duke of Cleveland, and D. F. Atcherley, Esq.; besides whom there are several smaller proprietors. THE BIRCH GROVE HOUSE, the residence of John Evans, Esq., is a neat edifice, stuccoed, and is surrounded with pleasure grounds tastefully laid out. Near it is a fine sheet of water. _Elizabeth Waring_ bequeathed £20, and directed the interest to be distributed among the poor of this township on the Sunday before Christmas day.

The farmers in Eyton are Richard Cutt, Samuel Price, Ann Teece, John Weston, and Thomas Whittingham. John Mason, blacksmith.

FENNEMERE,

another small township in Baschurch parish, had six houses and 43 inhabitants at the census of 1841. It is situated two miles and a quarter from Baschurch, and five miles S.W. of Wem. (The acres are returned with the parish.) The land presents gentle undulations and inequalities on the surface, and the soil is in general heavy, producing good crops of wheat and barley. The Duke of Cleveland is the sole proprietor. In this township there is a fine sheet of water, covering a considerable extent of land. The farms are extensive, and the houses and out-buildings are conveniently arranged. The resident farmers are Edward Kent, Joseph Lee, and Charles Wood.

MEREHOUSE

is a township intersected by the Shrewsbury and Chester railway, situated about a quarter of a mile from the Baschurch station, and eight miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. The township contained one house and sixteen persons in 1841. Rateable value, £200. 5s. Rowland Hunt, Esq., is the lord of the manor, but the land is the property of Richard Wall, Esq., who resides on the estate, having erected a pleasantly situated house to the east of Baschurch station, with commodious and conveniently arranged farm buildings. In this township is situated the British Fortress, previously noticed with Baschurch, as the retreat of Cynddylan, a British Prince, after being driven by the Saxon invader from the city of Pengwerne (Shrewsbury). It is protected by a pool of water of considerable extent, called the Berth, and a morass. Richard Wall, Esq., of Merehouse Hall, is the only resident.

NESS LITTLE, OR NESS CLIFF,

is a chapelry and village, consisting chiefly of respectable farm houses, in the parish of Baschurch, pleasantly situated two miles and a half S.W. from the Baschurch station, and seven miles and a half N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. In 1801 the population was 202, and at the census of 1841 there were 46 houses and 238 inhabitants. The tithes were commuted in 1847 for £232. 10s. The rectoral tithes of this township are paid to the Rev. David Birds, except those of the Milford and Adcott Hall estates. The incumbent of Baschurch receives the small tithes. The township contains 1,348 acres of land. The soil is generally a stiff sandy loam, producing good crops of wheat, barley, and beans. About two-thirds of the land is arable. Rateable value, £1,326. 13s. Earl of Powis is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are Henry Dickinson, Esq.; George Edwards, Esq.; R. A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; Edward Brayne, Esq.; William Matthews, Esq.; Mrs. Jones; and Samuel Bickerton, Esq. Henry Dickinson, Esq., has recently purchased an estate from the Earl of Powis, and is now erecting an extensive and costly range of farm premises on the most approved principles. THE CHURCH is an ancient structure, paved with encaustic tiles, and was new pewed in 1835, the expense of which was defrayed by public subscription. It contains a fine old font, with the date of 1565. The communion cup, which is of silver, exhibits a curious piece of handicraft, and has the date 1565 upon it. The living is a curacy annexed to the vicarage of Baschurch. ADCOTT HALL, the residence of Thomas Mansell, Esq., is an ancient erection, with extensive farm premises, conveniently arranged, connected with it. MILFORD HALL, an ancient timbered residence in good preservation, exhibits a fine specimen of the domestic architecture of by-gone days.

DIRECTORY.—_Farmers_: Edward Brayne, and maltster; Thomas Brookfield, Adcott Mills; Andrew Mansell; Thomas Mansell, Adcott Hall; James Payne, Milford House; Abraham Powell, Milford Mill; Alice Smith, Milford Hall; Abraham Woolrich; Thomas Gilston, farm bailiff to Henry Dickinson, Esq. Edward Griffiths, shoemaker; William Hughes, parish clerk; William Jones, shopkeeper, Vale lane; Edward Pugh, wheelwright.

PRESCOTT

is a township and pleasantly situated village on the Shrewsbury and Baschurch turnpike road, seven and a half miles N.E. by N. from the former place, and one mile south from the latter. In 1841 there were 23 houses and 103 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Robert A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; John Bromley, Esq.; and Mrs. Barrett; besides whom there are several other freeholders. The land has an undulating surface, with a strong loamy soil.

DIRECTORY.—John Bromley, Esq.; Andrew Mellor Needham, Esq.; Thomas Pearce, blacksmith; John Poole, tailor; Richard Smith, farmer; William Thomas, grocer and provision dealer; David Vaughan, farmer; Griffith Windsor, builder.

STANWARDINE-IN-THE-FIELDS

is a township and well-built village, near the line of the Shrewsbury and Chester railway, one and a half mile N.W. from Baschurch, and nine miles N.W. by N. from Shrewsbury. The railway is here crossed by a substantial stone bridge. At the census of 1841 there were 30 houses and 160 inhabitants. The land in this township is generally good, and produces fine crops of wheat and turnips. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor; and the trustees of Mrs. Eleanor Harris’s charily, Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Hilton, Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart., Miss Emma Jones, and the vicar of Baschurch, are the principal landowners. THE PARK HOUSE, a good residence of brick, stands about half a mile north-west from the village, and is the residence of Mr. Richard Hiles. It was built two years ago. The farm premises are admirably contrived, and replete with every convenience.

The residents are—_Farmers_: Thomas Atcherley, Edward Corden, Thomas Davies, the Beith; Richard Hiles, Stanwardine Park; John Pembrey, Thomas Perry, and James Windsor. Edward Griffiths, blacksmith; Richard Parbutt, shopkeeper.

STANWARDINE-IN-THE-WOOD

is a small township and secluded village with a scattered population, four and a quarter miles north from Baschurch, and 12 miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. In 1841 there were 9 houses and 69 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,037. 8s. THE HALL is an antique mansion, built about the year 1681, and occupied by Stephen Denston, Esq. It is approached by a flight of steps and a portico; the sides of the great hall are of panelled oak, enriched with carved work, and upon one of the scrolls is the date 1588. The apartments are decorated with some fine paintings and costly prints; the steps of the staircase are of solid blocks of oak, and the floors are laid with oaken planks four inches thick. In the front of the hall is a pedestal of stone, upon which is affixed a sun-dial; on the plate, which is of silver, is a beautiful engraving and some fine tracery, bearing the arms of the Corbets and the Wynns, and the date 1560. The ancient hall of Stanwardine was a moated mansion, and stood a little south from the present structure. It was in early times the seat of a branch of the ancient family of Corbet, and subsequently of the Wynns. In the front of the present hall are the family arms of the Corbets and the Wynne, exhibiting a beautiful specimen of chiselling. WICHERLRY HALL, an ancient structure chiefly composed of timber, has recently undergone considerable reparations, and a new front has been added. It is the property of C. K. Mainwaring, Esq., and occupied by Mr. George Belliss, who farms upwards of 200 acres of the land in this township. William Sparling Esq., is the principal landowner; Charles Kynaston Mainwaring, Esq., and others, are also proprietors.

DIRECTORY.—_Farmers_, George Belliss, Wicherley Hall; John Williams, Stanwardine Hall; Mary Jones, Andrew Jones, and John Young.

WALFORD,