Part 38

a small township with a scattered population, is situated two and a half miles S.E. from Baschurch, and six miles and a half N.W. by N. from Shrewsbury. In 1841 there were 74 inhabitants. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor; Robert A. Slaney, Esq., M.P., is a considerable land owner. The land has generally a fertile soil. The turnpike road from Shrewsbury to Baschurch intersects the township. WALFORD MANOR is a handsome mansion of modern erection, the seat and property of Robert Aglionby Slaney, Esq., M.P. for Shrewsbury; Mr. Slaney has been a member of parliament for thirty years, devoting himself to the advancement of the people, labouring to disclose and have removed the causes injurious to the public health, and to increase the means of instruction and healthful recreation of the working classes. Free trade and political reforms have had his constant support. He has also published several works, on subjects identical with those which have busied him in public life—an “Essay on the employment of the poor,” (to this was awarded a silver medal from the Board of Agriculture); an “Essay on the beneficial direction of rural expenditure;” a “Plea to power and parliament for the working classes,” &c. The old Manor House is an ancient dilapidated structure, now occupied as a farm dwelling.

Slaney Robert Aglionby, Esq., M.P., Walford Manor

Burroughs Joshua, farmer, The Heath

Davies John, blacksmith

Griffiths Richard, shoemaker

Jennings Thomas, beerhouse

Jones Isaac, wheelwright

Jones John, farmer

Jones Mary, farmer

Jones William, gamekeeper

Lee Wm. farmer, The Heath

Price Thos. farmer, Leasows

Price Thomas, jun., butcher

Shore Thomas, farmer and maltster

Smith Richard, farmer, bailiff, The Manor

Speake Samuel, joiner and carpenter

Williams William, tailor

Wycherley John., farmer, The Hayes

WESTON LULLINGFIELD

is a township and straggling village two and a half miles north from Baschurch, and ten and a half miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. There are several good farm houses here, with commodious and conveniently arranged out premises. The chief landowners are the trustees of Mrs. Harris’s charity, Mrs. Bowman, William Birch, Esq.; the Earl of Bradford, the Vicar of Baschurch, Thomas Tisdale, Esq.; William Sparling, Esq.; D. F. Atcherley, Esq.; C. K. Mainwaring; Esq.; Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart.; Mrs. Mary Parton, and Mr. Hilton. The Primitive Methodists have a neat stone chapel here. The Free School for the junior children of the parish is a branch in connection with the school at Newtown, under the management of the trustees of Mrs. Eleanor Harris’s charity. The master receives a progressive payment according to the number of children instructed. This place is returned at the census of 1841 as having a population of 213 souls, at which time there were 46 houses. A branch of the Chester and Ellesmere canal runs into this township.

Adams John, farmer

Adams William, farmer

Birch William, farmer

Boliver Edward, cooper

Boliver Richard, shopkeeper

Boliver William, tailor

Cotton Thomas, farmer

Griffiths Wm., wheelwright

Haycocks John, blacksmith

Higgins John, farmer

Jones Thomas, farmer

Jones Thomas, wheelwright

Lee George, tailor

Lee John, shoemaker

Lee John, farmer

Parton Thomas, shoemaker

Price Richard, shopkeeper & vict., Boat Inn

Trevor William, farmer and tailor

Williams Edward, agent to Richards & Co., Ruabon, coal and lime merchants, Canal Wharf.

YEATON

is a village and township two and a half miles S.E. from Baschurch, and six and a half miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury, returned in 1841 as having 37 houses and 195 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Robert A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; J. A. Lloyd, Esq.; Captain James Parry, Mr. Richard Williams, and John Smith, Esq.; the former is lord of the manor and impropriator. The hall, a handsome stuccoed residence occupied by George Wade, Esq., is pleasantly situated near the turnpike road from Shrewsbury to Baschurch. There are also several neat villas of modern erection.

The principal residents are Miss Beech, The Hall; Captain James Parry, The Grove; George Wade, Esq., The Hall. _Farmers_, Richard Cotton, William Cotterhill, Upper Corn Mills; Samuel Onions, Medley Farm; James Perry, The Grove Farm; William Turner, and corn miller, and Richard Williams, The Flour Mills.

ELLESMERE

is a respectable market town and extensive parish, partly in the hundred of Maylor, in the county of Flint, but chiefly in the Ellesmere division of the Pimhill hundred, in the county of Salop, sixteen miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury, and eight miles N.N.E. from Oswestry. The parish contains the following townships in this county, viz.:—Birch and Lythe, Cockshutt and Crosmere, Crickett, Dudleston, Eastwick, Ellesmere, Elson and Greenhill, Frankton, Hampton’s Wood, Hardwick, Kenwick Stockett and Whattall, Kenwick’s Park, Kenwicks Wood, Lee, Lineal, New Marton, Northwood, Oteley Newton and Spoonhill, Stocks and Coptiviney, Tetchill, and Trench, which together contain 25,676A. 0R. 20P. of land. Rateable value, £42,341. In 1801 there were 5,909 inhabitants; 1831, 7,057, and in 1841, 7,080. The rectoral tithes have been commuted for £2,351, when £1,576 were apportioned to the trustees of the Earl of Bridgewater, £515 to C. K. Mainwaring, Esq., £174 to J. Dickin, Esq., £46 to Richard Wynn, Esq., and £15 to Mr. Benyon. The vicarial tithes were commuted for £430.

Ellesmere, formerly written Aelsmere, is a place of considerable antiquity, and derives it name from a fine sheet of water or mere on the east side of the town, which covers one hundred and sixteen acres. Leland describes the town in his day as having four streets, while Camden speaks of it, “as a small tract of rich fertile ground, together with a small castle, which King John settled on Llewellyn, Prince of North Wales, when he made up the match between him and Joan, his natural daughter.” The town now contains several respectable inns, and many good houses and shops, in all the different branches of the retail trade. The malting business is extensively carried on. Mr. John Frumston’s is one of the largest establishments in the county. The cultivation of barley being particularly attended to in the neighbouring country, causes the farmers usually to attend the market here, which is held on Tuesday. Fairs are held on the first Tuesday after February 2nd, third Tuesday in April, Whit Tuesday, first Tuesday in July, last Tuesday in August, and the third Tuesday in October and November for horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs. The castle of Ellesmere stood on an artificial mount, near to the church. At the present time there are no vestiges of it to be seen, the top of the mount being formed into a bowling green, which is kept in admirable order, and supported by the gentry and tradesmen of the town. From this eminence a most extensive and delightful panoramic view of the fertile plains of Shropshire is seen; the fine mere and the beautiful residence of C. K. Mainwaring, Esq., are charming objects in the vicinity. History is silent as to the time and by whom the castle was built. In the 6th of King John, the king gave the castle and manor of Ellesmere in marriage with his daughter Joan to Llewellyn, Prince of North Wales; in the 10th of that reign Bartholomew Turve, the governor, he having turned his arms against the English, was commanded upon his allegiance to put the place into the possession of William, Earl of Shrewsbury, the king’s natural brother, and Thomas de Edginton. In the 4th of Henry III., Roger L’Estrange held this castle, and it continued to his successors for a long period. In the 25th of Henry III., David, son of Llewellyn, late Prince of Wales, by his charter, surrendered up Ellesmere and Englefend to the crown of England, and after that we hear no more of its being in the hands of the Welsh. This being a frontier town and of some importance to the marches, and consequently not to be left in the power of the Prince of Wales. The continued skirmishes between the English and the Welsh, made the tenure of the latter very uncertain; and though King Henry II. and King John, being embroiled in foreign wars, gave the town and castle in dower, the first with his sister and the latter with his daughter, in order to conciliate the ancient animosities of both people; yet upon the least appearance of a rupture those kings might and did resume at pleasure, or gave what recompense they thought fit upon the seizure, and such as the Prince of Wales holding upon their good behaviour were glad to receive. On the 12th of Edward II., Roger L. Estrange, with the king’s approbation, granted several parcels of land, part of the demesnes of the manor, to several persons in fee, at which time the wastes and the commons of the manor were enclosed, and converted into freeholds. Two years after Oliver de Ingeham, who adhered so firmly to the king, upon the insurrection of the Earl of Lancaster and other lords, was governor of this castle. In the following reign a writ was issued, to inquire concerning the encroachments made by the tenants of the neighbouring manors, and to settle the boundaries, which being performed, the king gave the castle and manor of Ellesmere to Eubule L. Estrange, a younger son of the baron of Knockin. In the reign of Elizabeth we find Thomas Egerton, an ancient lawyer, created Baron Ellesmere; in the 23rd of Elizabeth he was made Solicitor-General, and afterwards Attorney-General, from which advancement he was soon after promoted to the Mastership of the Rolls and the office of Keeper of the Great Seal, which he held till that queen’s death. The Duke of Bridgewater is deserving of notice in this place, as having been possessed of large estates in Ellesmere and its neighbourhood, and as being distinguished for his public spirit, and for the vast plans he formed and executed for the improvement of his estates. He died in 1803, and the dukedom became extinct. On the death of the late Countess of Bridgewater the estates became vested in Viscount Alford, and he dying in the autumn of the year 1850, they are now vested in trustees.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, stands on a considerable elevation, overlooking the Mere, and presents a fine specimen of ecclesiastical architecture, for the most part in the decorative style. It is a spacious cruciform structure, comprising nave, chancel, side aisles, transepts, two side chapels, and a handsome square tower, adorned with pinnacles. The sacred edifice underwent a thorough restoration during the year 1849, when an entirely new nave and side aisles were built, at a cost of upwards of £8,000, from a design of George G. Scott, Esq., architect. The original nave bore marks of being the most ancient part of the building, and presented traces of the old Norman style. One of the pillars which stands near the pulpit on the north side of the western arch of the tower is the only part of the old nave remaining. On entering the church at either of the transept doors the spectator cannot fail to admire the bold span of the central arches on which the tower rests. The exterior of the eastern end remains as it was, the work of enlargement being confined to the western side. The roof is of open timber work of very high pitch, and the curve of the beams according so exactly with the form of the central arches, renders the vista of the church singularly fine. The same character of roof is extended over the side aisles. This part of the building receives the bulk of the congregation, and is neatly fitted up with open seats of oak, uniform in their character, with their facings relieved by tracery of various patterns, and affording about 900 appropriated sittings. The transepts have been provided with benches, thereby affording room for more than 300 sittings. On the north side of the western arch of the tower stands the pulpit, which is of stone, and richly carved. On the opposite side is the desk for reading prayers; and under the central part of the tower is placed the lectern, from which the lessons are read. The chancel has been thoroughly restored and altered, and the old screens which separated it from the side chapels renovated, and decorated with highly-finished tracery. On each side are stalls with carved finials, and otherwise ornamented, containing seats for the clergy and the choir. The paving is composed of encaustic tiles, in patterns which increase in richness as they approach the east. The altar stands on an elevation of five steps from the level of the entrance of the chancel, and is backed by a reredos of encaustic tiles. The three sedilia on the south side, which were in good preservation, have been restored to their original use. By means of a separate subscription a new organ, which cost 300 guineas, built by Holditch, of London, has been placed in the south chapel: the instrument is of great power and sweetness, and finely contributes to the musical part of the services. A new octagonal font of carved stone—an exact representation of the old one—has been placed in the south aisle. The south chapel, commonly called the Otely chapel, is distinguished by a curious oak roof, with carved panels, and though it cannot lay claim to a date earlier than the 16th century, yet it forms one of the most beautiful features in the old part of the church. This chapel contains a fine altar tomb, elaborately ornamented, on which are recumbent figures cut in marble, to the memory of Francis Kynaston and his wife, with the date 1790.

Other decorations, in various parts, are not wanting to help the effect and beauty of the restoration. Besides the rich carving in stone on the corbels and doors, and the wood tracery and highly-finished screen work, eighteen of the windows are richly ornamented with stained glass, by the liberality of various donors. The magnificent east window, the gift of Robert Clarke, Esq., late agent to the Bridgewater estates, was executed by Evans, of Shrewsbury, some twenty years ago. In the different compartments of the window are the four evangelists; the arms of David Prince of Wales; Llewellyn Prince of Wales; Sir Roger le Strange, who in the reign of Edward III., granted the second charter to the town; Lord Chancellor Egerton, &c., &c. The west window, a beautiful specimen of the decorated Gothic, is conceived and executed in the highest taste, and is illustrative of the four Christian graces of Faith, Hope, and Charity. It was the joint presentation of J. and G. Stanton, Esqs., in memory of Thomas Stanton, Esq., and was executed by Warrington of London. In the south transept is a fine window by Wailes of Newcastle, in memory of the late vicar, the Rev. J. A. Cotton, added by his surviving family. The three windows in the south aisle are by the same artist, and all gifts to the church. The first, representing the crucifixion of our Lord, was presented by the widow of the late Captain Fowler; the next, the gift of the Oswell family, is illustrative of our Saviour’s ascension into heaven; the third represents infant and adult baptism, and was presented by Colonel Salisbury. Some of the other windows are filled with ornamental glass, with a light pattern foliage upon each square, and scrolls containing texts of scripture running obliquely through them. One of the same sort, but more richly ornamented, is placed in the Oteley chapel, in memory of some of the faithful retainers of the household of C. K. Mainwaring, Esq. The church has thus been rendered one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical edifices in the county, by the liberality of the parishioners and other donors, under the skill and taste of its able architect. The extreme length of the church is 140 feet, and width 79 feet. The late Countess of Bridgewater gave the munificent sum of £3,300 towards the restorations; the Diocesan Society, £350; the Incorporated Society for Enlarging and Building Churches, £150; and £227. 2s. 6d. was collected after a sermon preached by the Bishop of Lichfield at the consecration of the church, on the 11th October, 1849. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s book at £17. 18s. l½d.; returned in the Clergy List at £386; in the patronage of the trustees of the late Earl of Bridgewater, and incumbency of the Rev. John David Day, M.A.; curate, Rev. John Peake, B.A. The churchyard was enlarged in 1850, by the addition of near half an acre of land on the west side of the church. The vicarage is pleasantly situated on elevated ground near the south side of the churchyard. Ellesmere is remarkable for the longevity of its inhabitants: in 1767 Jane Holt died, at the age of 108 years; and her husband died in 1757, aged 98 years. Among the various memorials in the churchyard is a remarkable epitaph to William Parks, who died at Lee, in 1746, aged 104 years:—

“Interr’d here, lies one hundred years and four; No one knew scripture less and virtue more: Peace his ambition, contentment was his wealth, Honesty his pride,—his passions health, The father’s duty, and the husband’s guide; By nature good, the age’s wonder died.”

THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, situated in Chapel street, is a plain brick building, erected in 1815; it is provided with galleries, and has accommodation for about 500 worshippers. THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL is a small fabric in Watergate street, erected in the year 1844. There is also a WESLEYAN ASSOCIATION CHAPEL, built in 1835, and a PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL, built in 1840, both situated in Scotland street. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL, which stands near the wharf, has an attendance of 160 scholars. The school room is spacious and lofty, and was built at the sole expense of the Countess of Bridgewater, who also gave the sum of £200 towards the support of the school. THE GIRLS’ NATIONAL SCHOOL, situated on St. John’s hill, has an attendance of 85 children. The vicar, with a laudable desire to extend the advantages of education, established what is termed the MIDDLE SCHOOL, in 1848, on St. John’s Hill, where the youths are instructed in the higher branches of learning. The school is built of wood, and covered with thatch, and the interior lined with panelled oak, taken from the old church on its restoration. It was built at the sole expense of the vicar, whose zeal and persevering efforts in the education of youth are worthy of commendation. THE TOWN HALL, a handsome building of freestone, was erected by the munificence of the late Countess of Bridgewater. The lower compartment of the structure is used for the sale of butter, poultry, &c., on the market days; above it is a spacious room for magisterial and other purposes, with suitable offices. The magistrates hold a petty sessions here on the first Monday in the month. The Countess of Bridgewater kindly granted the use of the large room to the MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION, which was established in 1845. There are about forty members, adults paying 6s. per annum, and apprentices 4s. A library has been established, and gratuitous lectures are occasionally given by the clergy and gentlemen in the neighbourhood, on interesting and scientific subjects. G. H. Smith is the secretary. A COURT LEET is held annually, when a coroner and two bailiffs are appointed. The SAVINGS’ BANK is situated in Scotland street. It was established in 1817, and then held in a private house. The present structure was built in 1830, from the surplus funds of the bank, at a cost of £550. The capital stock of the bank on November 20th, 1849, was £29,562. 15s. 2¼d., at which time there were 752 separate accounts, of which eight were charitable societies, having deposits to the amount of £854. 14s. 10½d., and twelve friendly societies, the deposits of which amounted to £3,527. 15s. 2¼d. Of the total depositors there were 392 whose respective balances did not exceed £20; 180 above £20 and not exceeding £50; 90 above that sum and not exceeding £100; 41 not exceeding £150; 21 not exceeding £200; and 8 above £200. Mr. William Lee is the actuary. GAS WORKS have been established in the town by a company of shareholders. The works are situated near the canal wharf. The commercial intercourse of Oswestry is facilitated by the Shropshire union canal, previously noticed. The township of Oswestry, in 1841, comprised 446 houses and 2,326 inhabitants.

THE ELLESMERE UNION HOUSE is a spacious brick structure, pleasantly situated about a quarter of a mile from the church, on a gentle acclivity overlooking the Mere. It was built in 1792, and will accommodate 350 inmates. The average number in the house is usually about 150. The internal arrangements are well managed, and have a clean and orderly appearance. The union comprehends eighteen parishes, of which nine are in the county of Flint, and nine in Shropshire, embracing an area of 109 square miles. The parishes are Bettisfield, Bronington, Halghton, Hanmer, Iscoyd, Overton, Penley, Tybroughton, Willington, Baschurch, Ellesmere, Hadnal Ease, Hordley, Middle, Ness Great, Ness Little, Petton, and Welsh Hampton. The south-west wing is occupied by the males, and the north-east wing by the females. In the latter is the Chapel, which is neatly and appropriately fitted up, and set apart for divine worship. In this respect, we think the authorities of the Ellesmere union have set a laudable example, which might be followed by other unions; for the honest poor are scarcely put on a level with the felons of our prisons in chapel accommodation. There are twenty-three guardians appointed by the different parishes. Richard George Jebb, Esq., is chairman; Thomas Wood Lee, Esq., vice-chairman; Rev. George Walker, chaplain. The surgeons are:—Thomas Gwynn, for the house and town district; Thomas Mousley, for Hordley and Dudliston district; Edward Ellis Eyton, Welsh Hampton district; Charles Tomlinson, Hanmer district; John Ellis Eyton, Overton district; Mr. Broughton, Baschurch district; and Andrew M. Needham, for the Middle district. Clerk: Andrew Bickley. Relieving officers: John Wood Jones, Ellesmere district, and John Poycott, Hanmer district. Master: John Pembrey Pritchard. Matron: Sarah Pritchard. Schoolmaster: Edward Jones. Schoolmistress: Mary Pay.

CHARITIES.—_Edward Jeffereys_, by his will, bearing date January 4th, 1687, devised a messuage and lands, in Osbaston, to the churchwardens and overseers of the parish of Oswestry and Ellesmere, upon trust, to dispose of two parts of the yearly profits for the relief of poor inhabitants of Ellesmere, 16s. 8d. at Christmas, and the rest on Good Friday; and 16s. 8d. of the yearly profits to be divided among the poor inhabitants of Maesbury, Moreton, and Crickett—6s. 8d. to the former, and 5s. each to the two latter townships. The property thus devised consists of two cottages and six closes, containing together 5A. 1R. 22P. It is let, from time to time, by the churchwardens of Ellesmere, and now produces a rental of £12. 2s.