Part 61

BLACKMERE, or BLETCHMORE, one mile and a half N.E. from Whitchurch, is noted as the birth-place of John Talbot, the first Earl of Shrewsbury. He was the second son of Sir Richard Talbot, of Goodrich Castle, in Herefordshire; and on the death of his elder brother, he became heir to that family. John Talbot, who was called to Parliament by Henry IV. by the title of Lord Furnival (having married the eldest daughter of that nobleman), was appointed Lord Chief Justice of Ireland in 1412, and Lord Lieutenant in 1414. In 1420 he accompanied Henry V. to France, where he remained till the death of that monarch. He afterwards served in France under the Regent (the Duke of Bedford), and by his exploits rendered his name more terrible to the foe than that of any other English officer. He was afterwards raised to the rank of general, and commanded the troops which were sent into the province of Maine to the succour of the Earl of Suffolk, and made himself master of Alencon. He joined the Earl of Salisbury at the siege of Orleans, which failed through the intervention of the celebrated Maid of Orleans, under whose guidance the French recovered their lost courage, became assailants in their turn, and defeated the English at Patai, where Talbot was taken prisoner. He obtained his liberty by ransom, and raising fresh troops, recrossed the sea, and defeated the French in several engagements. For these and other services he was raised to the dignity of Marshal of France, and the title of Earl of Shrewsbury was conferred upon him. He was a second time sent to Ireland as lord lieutenant, and the earldom of Wexford and Waterford in that kingdom was added to his honours. In 1541, the English influence in France continuing to decline, Talbot was again sent thither, and constituted Lieutenant General, with extraordinary powers. His presence restored success; he took Bordeaux, and brought back several other places to their allegiance to the English crown. He afterwards marched to the relief of Chastillon, and made an attack on the enemy, when he was shot in the thigh by a cannon ball, and soon after died, at the age of eighty years. In this engagement one of his sons was slain, the English were defeated, and the consequence was their total expulsion from France. The remains of this celebrated general were interred at Whitchurch, where a splendid monument was raised to his memory, which has been previously noticed. Blackmere is a noted and extensive sheet of water in this township, well stocked with fish.

DIRECTORY.—George Bradshaw, farmer; Arthur Dickin, farmer, The Yockings; John Edwards, farmer; Thomas Maddocks, farmer, The Lodge; James Price, farmer; William Reddrop, farmer; Joseph Savage, blacksmith.

BROUGHALL.

a township in Whitchurch parish, one mile S.E. from the parish church, contains 818A. 2R. 9P. of land, the soil of which is a mixture of sand and stiff loam. In 1841 here were 44 houses and 203 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,024. 10s. The tithes have been commuted for the sum of £82. 4s. The chief landowners in this township are Mr. John Weaver, Mr. Robert Tudman, Misses Ann and Mary Beckett, Mr. Thomas Overton, Mr. John Brookes, William Lee Brookes, Esq., George Harper, Esq., Mrs. Hopley, the trustees of the late Earl of Bridgewater, William Palmer Churton, Esq., Archibald Worthington, Esq., William Worthington, Esq., and Mrs. Jones; there are also several other proprietors. The Methodists have a neat chapel in this township.

The chief residents are the Misses Ann and Mary Beckett; John Brookes, farmer; Peter Caldecott, farmer; Thomas Caldecott, farmer; Rev. Mr. Colley; Arthur Dickin, farmer; William Etchess, farmer, Broughall House; John Fox, boot and shoemaker; Thomas Goodall, farmer; George Hales, farmer, The Fields; Mr. Jones, farmer, Broughall Cottage; William Edward Jones, gentleman; Richard Nickson, farmer; Thomas Palmer, carpenter and joiner; John Pennill, farmer; John Weaver, farmer; William Vicars, wheelwright.

CHINNEL, OR CHIMNEL,

is a small township in the parish of Whitchurch, one and three quarters of a mile N. from the parish church, which contains 240 acres of land, three houses and sixteen inhabitants. Rateable value, £296. 4s. The tithes have been apportioned, and are returned in the amount given with Hollyhurst township. The freeholders are Viscount Combermere, Lord Kenyon, Domville Halstead Cudworth Poole, Esq., Mr. Thomas Overton, and Mr. Sarah Saddler. The residents are Thomas Overton, farmer, Chinnel farm; and Ann Tomlinson, farmer.

DODINGTON

is a township and populous chapelry half a mile S. from Whitchurch, and may be considered a suburb to that town. In 1841 there were 211 houses and 1,010 inhabitants. Rateable value, £3,406. 8s. The township contains 1,626A. 3R. 14P. of fine land, highly productive both the arable and pasture; the soil is a mixture of sand and loam, and there are some good farm houses with commodious out premises, and farms of considerable extent. There are also several respectable family mansions and neat villa residences scattered over the township. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Earl of Bridgewater, William Lee Brookes, Esq., Rev. George Richard Downward, George Harper, Esq., John Lowe, Esq., John Faulkner Wood, Esq., Mr. Thos. Burgess, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, besides whom there are 39 smaller freeholders. The tithes are commuted for £130. 3s., and apportioned to the rector of Whitchurch-cum-Marbury.

THE CHURCH of St. Catherine is a commodious structure of brick, with an elegant front of white free stone, exhibiting the Grecian style of architecture, and was erected in the year 1836 by the late Countess of Bridgewater, at a cost of upwards of £8,000. The church has a noble appearance, and is ornamented with some very elaborate workmanship; it is very beautifully fitted up with oak pews, and has a gallery supported by iron pillars; it consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles. The solemnity of the whole is greatly heightened by the chastened light entering from the richly stained glass window in the chancel, which has a most pleasing and magnificent effect. The living is a curacy subordinate to the rectory of Whitchurch, the ministers of which perform divine service here.

THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL is a handsome, lofty, and commodious edifice of brick, fronted with free stone, and ornamented with a portico supported with pillars of the doric order; the whole has a chastened and beautiful appearance. It was built in 1846, and cost upwards of £2,000. The interior fittings are neat and appropriate, and there is accommodation for more than 500 hearers. The structure stands partly on the site of a former edifice, which was erected in the year 1796. There is a respectable and increasing congregation, under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Tiler. In connection with the chapel there is a flourishing Sunday school.

THE UNITARIAN CHAPEL is now being enlarged and remodelled. A previous chapel was built here by the congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. Phillip Henry, of Broad Oak, father of Matthew Henry, the celebrated commentator. This chapel was the place of sepulchre of many of the descendants and friends of the pious Henry’s—the Benyons, and others. THE BRITISH SCHOOL, formerly the Unitarian chapel, is under the management and inspection of the dissenting bodies in this place. It was endowed by Thomas Benyon, in 1707, a particular account of which will be found in general account of charities of this parish, noticed with the town of Whitchurch. The property devised by Mr. Benyon produced £50 per annum when the charity commissioners published their report; out of the income, however, he bequeathed 40s. per annum to the Presbyterian minister. About 140 children attend the school. It is also used as a Sunday school, and numerously attended; Mr. and Mrs. Sandland are the teachers.

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL is a commodious structure, situate within the bounds of this township, measuring sixty feet by thirty feet, and will accommodate 300 scholars; the average attendance is about 150. It is supported by subscriptions and donations, and a charge of one penny per week from each scholar. The income is about £60 per annum. There are three government pupils placed here as teachers. Charles Frederick Bird is the master. THE GIRLS’ NATIONAL SCHOOL, in Clay pit street, has an attendance of 85 scholars. The above are also used as Sunday schools, and numerously attended. There is a PAROCHIAL LENDING LIBRARY in the national school, which contains a considerable number of valuable and instructive publications. It was established for the benefit of the humbler members of society, to whom the books are lent without any payment. MOSS FIELD HOUSE is a commodious structure of brick, with projecting gables, and a noble portico of free stone supported by massive pillars. The pleasure grounds and shrubberies are extensive, and laid out with great taste, and the park-like grounds and beautiful scenery add much to the interest of the place. Messrs. Lee and Brookes are stewards of the courts leet and baron, which are held for the manor. A branch of the Ellesmere and Chester canal intersects this township, and terminates near to New-street.

Andrews Thomas, gentleman

Arrowsmith Rev. Aaron

Baxter Jane, milliner, Bark hill

Bayley William, gentleman, The Nursery

Benson Mrs. Mary

Bird Charles Frederick, schoolmaster

Boughey Joseph, farmer, Blackoe

Boughey Mrs. Ellen, High street

Boyes Robert, vict., New Inn, High street

Bradshaw Richard, vict., High gate

Brett Miss, High street

Bromfield John, surgeon

Bromfield The Misses Elizabeth and Mary

Brookes George, Esq., High street

Brookes William Lee, Esq., High street

Burgess Thomas, Esq., The Hall

Burrows John, Bark hill

Burston Mrs., High street

Cartwright Mary, stay maker, Sherriman’s hill

Carver Captain Daniel, High street

Chester George, farmer, Bark hill

Chester Hannah, milliner, Bark hill

Chidlow Richard, tailor, High street

Churton William Phillip, Turnbridge

Clarke Thomas, bricklayer, Alkington road

Cureton John, farmer, Blackoe

Currie Mrs. Mary, High street

Currie William F., Esq., High street

Dupre Mrs. Lucy, Ladies’ seminary

Evanson Joseph, shopkeeper, High street

Foulkes Charles, deputy registrar, Bark hill

Finn Thomas, furniture dealer, Bark hill

France William, farmer

Garratt Mrs. Sarah, High gate

Gould Mr. William

Grindley William Thomas, New street

Griffiths Wm., beerhouse, Sherriman’s hill

Harper George, Esq., Moss field

Hassall Thomas, farmer, Hadley farm

Hinton Thomas, farmer, Fields farm

Humpston John, canal clerk

Jackson Lucy, boarding school

James George, shoemaker, Bark hill

Jarvis John, painter, &c., High street

Jarvis Thomas, grocer, tea dealer, & draper High street

Jebb Thomas, gentleman, Wrexham road

Jones Edward, maltster, Alkington lane

Keay John, vict. and farmer

Kempster Thomas, gentleman, High street

Kirkpatrick Edward Brace, Esq.

Kirkpatrick Miss Lousia, gentlewoman

Lea Edward, maltster, Bark hill

Lee John, Esq., High street

Lee Robert, tailor, High street

Lowe Thomas, wharfinger, New wharf

Lyth Richard, Hadley farm

Lythgoe Thomas, factor, High gate

Maddocks Joseph, beerhouse, Sedge ford

Marsh Thomas Palmer, physician

Morgan Ann, dressmaker, Bark hill

Morgan Charles, cabinet maker, Bark hill

Morrall Rev. John, Bark hill

Morray William, beerhouse, Havannah

Nunnerley Thomas, gentleman, The Farm

Pace John, tailor, High street

Pickering Rev. Edward, High street

Podmore John, gentleman, High gate

Roberts John, Danston’s yard

Roberts John, The Dairy Farm

Roberts Thos., cabinetmaker, Alkington ln

Sadler John, beerhouse, Bark hill

Sadler John, jun., blacksmith, Bark hill

Sandland Stephen, schoolmaster

Sanders Mr. S., High street

Saxton Charles, gentleman

Sharkes Mary, Blackoe farm

Slaney William, plumber, High street

Smith Joseph, beerhouse keeper

Smith Robert, iron founder

Smith William, engineer

Smith William, tailor, New street

Sumner William and Daniel, pump makers

Swinnerton John, surgeon, New street

Tiler Rev. William, Independent minister

Turner The Misses

Watkiss Miss, High street

Wood John Foulkner, Esq., High street

Woollam John, parish clerk

Woolley William, farmer, New street

Wragg Isaac, vict., Bark hill

Wright Elizabeth, vict., Royal Oak, High st

Yond Thomas, dyer, Bark hill

Academies.

Dupre Mrs. Lucy, Ladies’ boarding

National, New street; Charles Frederick Bird, master

British, High street; Mr. & Mrs. Stephen, Sandland

Accountants.

Parker Samuel H., Saving’s bank

Smith William, High street

Architect.

Smith William, High street

Attorneys.

Brookes and Lee Messrs., High street

Harper George, Moss fields

Kirkpatrick Edward Bruce, High street

Auctioneer.

Churton William Parker

Baker & Flour Dealer.

Poole Mary, Watergate street

Blacksmith.

Saddler John, Bark hill

Boot & Shoemaker.

James George, High street

Brewer.

Jones Edward, The brewery

Brick and Tile Merchant.

Roberts John, New wharf

Cabinet Makers.

Burrows Thos., Havannah buildings

Lakin William, New street

Cheese Factors.

Burgess Messrs. Thomas and Ralph; warehouses, The Factory buildings, canal side, and Prospect row, canal head

Lythgoe Thomas, High gate

Civil Engineer.

Smith William, High street

Coal Agents.

Lowe Thomas, New wharf

Roberts John, New wharf

Wright George, New street

Corn Factors.

Burgess Messrs. T. R. W., Prospect row, and Factory buildings

Farmers.

Boughey Joseph, Blackoe

Chester George, Bark hill

Cureton John, Blackoe

France Wm., Dodington lane

Hassall Thos., Hadley farm

Hinton Thomas, Fields farm

Keay John, Dodington

Lyth Richard, Hadley

Nunnerley Thos., The fields

Podmore John, High street

Roberts John, Dairy farm

Sharkes Mary, Blackoe

Woolley William, New street

Fire and Life-office Agents.

The British Empire Fire & Life, Richard Thomas, Prospect place

The Star and General Insurance Company, Robert Smith, Dodington

Grocer and Draper.

Jarvis Thomas, High street

Inns and Taverns.

Boyes Robert, High street

Bradshaw Richard, High gate

Wragg Isaac, Bark hill

Wright Elizabeth, High st

Beerhouses.

Griffiths Wm., Sherriman’s hl

Maddocks Joseph, Sedge ford

Murray William, Havannah

Sader John, Bark hill

Ironfounders.

Smith Wm. & Son, Dodington

Land & Estate Agents.

Brookes and Lee, High street

Lime & Guano Dealers.

Lowe Thomas, New wharf

Roberts John, New wharf

Machine Makers.

Smith Wm. & Son, High st

Maltsters.

Burgess & Son, New street

Jones Edward, Alkington rd

Lea Edward, Bark hill

Millers.

Jebb Thomas, Old mills

Roberts John, Steam mills

Painters.

Jarvis John, High street

Wragg Isaac, High street

Plumber & Glazier.

Slayney William, Dodington

Professor of Music.

Saxton Charles, High street

Surgeons.

Bromfield John, Dodington

Marsh Thos. Palmer, High st

Swinnerton John, New street

Tailors.

Chidlow Richard, High st

Morray William, High street

Smith William, High street

Timber Merchant.

Garratt Mrs. Sarah, High st

Wharfingers.

Brooks John, Sherriman’s hl

Humstone John, Sherriman’s hill

Lowe Thomas, New wharf

Roberts John, New wharf

Wheelwrights.

Davies William Augustus, Dodington

Smith William, Doddington

EDGELEY,

a small township with 416A. 0R. 24P. of land situated 1½ miles S.E. by S. from Whitchurch, in 1841 contained seventeen houses and seventy-three inhabitants, the soil is in general strong, with a portion of sand and gravel. Rateable value £583. 14s. The tithes are commuted for the sum of £37. 10s. The freeholders are William Lee Brookes, Esq., Wm. Worthington, Esq., Samuel Alexander Duff, Esq., John Goodall, Esq., Peter Soole Taylor, Esq., John Lowe, Esq., Archibald Worthington, Esq., and Mr. Richard Weaver. The BAPTISTS have a neat chapel with a residence for the minister and a school attached. It is situated in the lane leading from Edgeley Moss to Ash, near the verge of the township, and was built and endowed by Mr. Brown. The school is open for the instruction of the children residing in the surrounding townships; those that are admitted free must belong to the children who attend the chapel, and prefer the Baptist faith. The master has an income of £30 per annum, which is now paid by Mrs. Brown. The pastor of the congregation also teaches the school. There is a small plot of ground used as a burial place for members of the congregation. EDGELEY MOSS, usually called Brown Moss, contains 77A. 2R. 7P. and is now chiefly covered with water. EDGELEY HOUSE, the residence of John Lowe, Esq., is a modern erection of brick, stuccoed. It is delightfully situated, and beautified with shrubberies and park-like grounds.

The principal residents are John Lowe, Esq., Edgeley House; William Poole Churlton, farmer; James Harding, farmer; Rev. William Jones, Baptist minister.

GRINDLEY BROOK is a detached hamlet on the high road from Whitchurch to Malpas, a mile and a half north-west from the former place. It lies on the verge of the county, and is separated from Cheshire by the Grindley brook, a small stream which is here crossed by a stone bridge. The Whitchurch, Ellesmere, and Chester Canal takes its course near the village, and near to the wharf are extensive lime works carried on by Mr. John Roberts. The chief freeholders are the trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater, Mr. James Hancock, Mr. Robert Roe, Mr. Joseph Rycroft, Miss Harper, Mr. Parry Jones, and Mr. George Blanton.

DIRECTORY.—Mr. Joseph Beddoe, toll collector at the canal locks and tonnage clerk; Mr. Richard B. Briscoe, Brookhouse; Thomas Cliff, beerhouse and shopkeeper; Philip Hales, farmer, Denston; William Hassall, Esq., land and estate agent, Bubney House farm, Thomas Peake, boat builder; John Roberts, lime merchant; George Seaman, victualler, Canal Inn; James Whittingham, victualler, Horse and Jockey.

HINTON,

a township one and a quarter miles north from Whitchurch, in 1841 had six houses and forty-one inhabitants: the township contains 498A. 0R. 36P. of land the soil of which is a mixture of gravel and loam; the principal land owner is Thomas Boycott, Esq. William H. Poole Esq., and George Harper, Esq. are also proprietors. The district here has a bold undulating surface. The tithes payable to the rector of Whitchurch have been commuted for the sum of £51. 15s.

The residents are Thomas Chester, farmer; Thomas Joyce, farmer, the Hall; W. H. Poole, Terrick Hall; Joseph Vernon, farmer, the Field.

HOLLYHURST,

a small township with a few scattered houses one mile and three quarters north-east from Whitchurch, contains 241 acres of land, and in 1841 had seven houses and thirty-eight souls. The rateable value is included in the return of the township of Chinnel, and the tithes with those of Chinnel have been commuted for £22. 9s. 6d., which is paid to the incumbent of Whitchurch. The land owners are Lord Combermere, John Nickson, Esq., Mrs. Sarah Sadler, and Domville Poole, Esq.

The principal residents are John Sadler, farmer; Sarah Sadler, farmer; and Thomas Venables, farmer.

TILSTOCK

is a chapelry and populous village delightfully situated one and a half miles south from Whitchurch; the township contains 2,549A. 2R. 20P. of land, and at the census of 1841 there were 136 houses and 637 inhabitants; the soil is a mixture of sand and loam, with a portion of gravel, considered good turnip land; the country around is pleasingly diversified with rural scenery, and there are some extensive farms, with good farm houses occupied by intelligent and respectable agriculturalists. The township is intersected by the Ellesmere and Chester Canal, and the Wem and Whitchurch turnpike road. The principal land owners are the trustees of the late Earl of Bridgewater, George Corser, Esq., John Goodall Esq., Rev. Geo. Richard Downward, Francis Jas. Hughes, Esq., Daniel Kempster, Esq., Rev. William Renton, Mr. John Whitfield, and Mrs. Wood. There are also several other freeholders.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to our Saviour, is a neat erection of brick, with a small square tower ornamented with stone finishings. It was built in 1835, not far from the site of a former edifice which was dedicated to St. Giles; the cost of the structure was about £2,000, which was defrayed by the munificence of the late Countess of Bridgewater. It consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles; the body of the church will accommodate 303 hearers, and there is a gallery which will hold 100 persons; the whole has a neat and tasteful appearance. The living is a perpetual curacy endowed with a grant from Queen Anne’s bounty, and funds given by the Bridgewater family which were laid out in the purchase of land situated in Wales. The value of the living is returned at £120. The rector of Whitchurch is the patron; the Rev. William Renton, M.A. is the incumbent. Tilstock was formed into a district parish for ecclesiastical purposes in 1844. The church, the parsonage, and the national school, have all been erected during the incumbency of the present minister. There is a vestry attached to the church in which are kept two volumes of Jones’s Book of Martyrs. The Parsonage House, a neat and commodious residence near the church yard, was built at a cost of £1,000 given by the munificent family who also built the church. The tithes have been commuted for the sum of £244. 11s. which is paid to the rector of the parish. The WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a neat place of worship, which was built in the year 1837, adjoining which is a small burial ground.

THE NATIONAL SCHOOL, a modern erection of brick, with a residence for the teacher, stands on the site of the old church, and was built by subscription and a grant of £60 from the National Society. Among the most liberal donors towards its erection were the Countess of Bridgewater, who gave £60, the Rev. Charles M. Long, rector of Whitchurch, £60, and Lord Farnborough £20. About 100 children attend the school, which is chiefly supported by the incumbent of the church and a few benevolent individuals. The minister and his lady assiduously superintend the school.

_Samuel Austin_ bequeathed £10, and directed the interest to be distributed to the poor every St. Thomas’s day. Ten shillings per annum is now paid from a farm in the township of Tilstock, which belongs to G. S. Corser, Esq. The amount is given among the poor by the officiating minister with the sacrament-money at Christmas. The poor also participate in a bread charity, noticed with Whitchurch.

Allen Joseph, inland revenue officer

Allmark Joseph, victualler (Horse Shoe) and wheelwright

Batho Richard, rope maker

Batho Stephen, farmer, rope maker, and shopkeeper

Bayley John, farmer

Bayley Thomas, farmer

Beckett William, maltster, farmer, and beerhouse-keeper

Bennett John, blacksmith

Bennon Randle, farmer

Bolton John, castrator

Broomhall John, maltster, farmer, and victualler, Black Lion

Catterall William, tailor

Cliff Ann, dressmaker

Cliff Joseph, blacksmith, The Heath

Darlington Abraham, shopkeeper and shoemaker

Dudleston Ann, farmer, The Park

Dudleston Richard, farmer, The Park

Dutton Ann, schoolmistress

Eaton Thomas, farmer, Wood-lane Farm

Edwards George, schoolmaster

Edwards John, shoemaker

Fenna William, grocer and ironmonger

Groome Joseph, wheelwright & parish clerk

Hinton James, farmer

Hinton Thomas, butcher and grazier, and victualler, Red Lion

Jones Daniel, shoemaker

Jones Samuel, shopkeeper

Kempster Mr. Daniel, Ivy House

Kempster Miss Mary

Massey Samuel, Tilstock-park Farm

Morris John, tailor

Parbutt John, shopkeeper

Parry John, farmer, The Hollins

Reece John, farmer

Renton Rev. William, M.A., The Parsonage

Roberts John, lime-master, maltster, and farmer, Brick-walls

Watling John, drill-machineman

Wenlock William, farmer

Whitfield John, farmer, Tilstock Park

WOODHOUSES (NEW),