Part 63

is a parish and small rural village, in a retired part of the country, seven miles W. by N. from Wellington. The houses are in general scattered, but pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Tern, which divides this parish from Little Bolas. The parish contains 1,784 acres of land; mostly a bold undulating district, the soil of which is a mixture of sand and loam. The meadow lands are highly fertile. In 1801, there were 207 inhabitants; 1831, 255; and in 1841, 55 houses and a population of 228 souls. Rateable value, £2,682. The principal landowners are John Taylor, Esq., Thomas Taylor, Esq., Joseph Ogle, Esq., and Mrs. Pooler, besides whom there are several smaller proprietors. The Newport, Preston Brockhurst, and Wellington turnpike roads cross the township. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, is a brick structure, except the chancel which is of stone, situated on a gentle eminence near the banks of the river Tern. It has a square tower, which contains two bells. The interior has a neat appearance; it is pewed with oak sittings, and has a small gallery. In the chancel is a neat tablet in memory of John Ogle, Esq., and his wife, dated 1840. Another mural tablet remembers Thomas Griffith, and several members of that family, and is dated 1745. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £7. 9s. 4½d. Gross income, £368. 14s, in the patronage of Viscount Hill, incumbent, Rev. John Hill, M.A., who resides at THE RECTORY, a pleasantly situated house, on elevated ground, near the banks of the river Tern. The rectory was built a few years ago by the present incumbent, in aid of which a grant was obtained from the governors of Queen Anne’s Bounty. There are 46 acres of glebe land. A small organ was purchased for the church in 1843; the cost of it, £63, was raised by subscriptions, chiefly given by the family of Hill. There is a SCHOOL in the village, where 20 children are educated free; other children are admitted on the payment of a small sum weekly. BOLAS HOUSE, the residence of John Taylor, Esq., is a spacious brick structure, surrounded with neat pleasure grounds and park-like enclosures. BURLEIGH VILLA, a good house, with projecting gables, is approached by an avenue of trees, and delightfully situated, is the property and residence of Thomas Taylor, Esq. Bolas is celebrated as the place where the late Marquis of Exeter domiciled for a time under the assumed name of Mr. Jones, courted, and married Miss Sarah Hoggins, and finally raised her to the rank of a British peeress. At the time Mr. Cecil visited Great Bolas, Mr. Hoggins had a farm and kept a small shop. One evening, just as the day had closed, a stranger presented himself at the door, and stated that he was benighted in a strange part of the country, and would be grateful for the accommodation of a bed, or, in case that would be inconvenient, to rest on a chair or otherwise. Mrs. Hoggins, however, very abruptly gave a refusal, but Mr. Hoggins expressed it as his opinion that it was their christian duty to befriend the stranger; to which Mrs. Hoggins eventually assented. In the morning, the stranger arose, and went to survey the farm premises and stock; but the principal object that attracted his attention was the farmer’s daughter, Sarah, feeding the poultry. She was a handsome girl, with a lively and cheerful countenance, bespeaking sensibility and happiness. The heart of the stranger was no longer his own, but he determined not to be too premature, and therefore made an agreement to become an inmate of the farmer’s dwelling. He employed his leisure hours in assisting Mr. Hoggins in the rural affairs of his farm, and in domestic matters as occasion occurred, frequently visiting Wellington in the market cart. Mr. Jones eventually began to manifest a degree of partiality for Miss Hoggins, and placed her at a school at Wellington. This circumstance did not escape the notice of the neighbours, and the mysterious stranger was the talk of the surrounding district. Most people could discover that he was no ordinary person, and various were the suppositions as to his real character; but generally the idea prevailed among the gossips of the neighbourhood that he was captain of a gang of robbers, and this opinion was strengthened by the occasional visit of strangers and the absence of Mr. Jones every now and then for a few days, after which he had always plenty of money. He finally made proposals of marriage to Miss Hoggins, whose heart had from the first felt a kindred flame, and he was accordingly accepted. He then pressed his suit with the parents, but the cautious mother sternly refused, and thought there might be some truth in the supposition of her neighbours as to the real character of her guest; but the father had observed their mutual attachment, and the conclusiveness of his reasoning, “Has he not plenty of money to keep her?” eventually prevailed with the good old dame. After his marriage with Sarah, he engaged masters in every branch of polite education to accomplish his bride. In the course of time the lovely bride had a daughter, which died, and was buried at Bolas. Her second child, Brownlow, became the Marquis of Exeter. On the demise of his uncle, in December, 1793, he became entitled to the honours and estates of the Earldom of Exeter; he, therefore, found it necessary to repair to London. He accordingly set out, as on a journey of pleasure, taking his wife with him, and on the route called at several noblemen’s houses, where, to the astonishment of his wife, he was welcomed in the most friendly manner. At length they arrived at the beautiful patrimonial seat of his lordship (Burleigh, in Northamptonshire), and on approaching the house he asked his wife, with an air of unconcern, whether she would like it to be her home; which she immediately assenting to, he then said, “My dear Sarah, it is yours!” and on making his appearance in front of the house, he was instantly recognised, and received with acclamations of joy by the family and domestics.

His lordship shortly afterwards returned to Bolas, discovered his rank to his wife’s father and mother, put them in a house he had built there, and settled on them an income of £700 per annum. He also amply provided for the brothers and sisters of his countess; and generously pensioned all the servants and workpeople of the villa. The countess, from her pleasing and unassuming manners, was received with the greatest cordiality in the high circle of her noble husband, and was introduced to her majesty, the late Queen Charlotte. She, however, lived but a short period to enjoy her exalted station, dying in child-bed January 8th, 1797.

MESSON is a small township, in Great Bolas parish, about half a mile S.E. from the church, the acres of which are returned with the parish. The landowners are the Duke of Cleveland, Joseph Ogle, Esq., Mr. Collier, Mr. Samuel Miner, Mr. William Flemming, Mr. William Wild, and Mr. Thomas Wild. At the census in 1841 the township contained 17 houses and 85 inhabitants. MESSON HALL is now occupied by Mr. Joseph Ogle, as a farm residence.

CHARITIES.—_Elizabeth Walker_, in 1723, bequeathed £20 to the poor of this parish, the interest to be expended in bread, and given every Lord’s day among the poor. _John Whitfield_, who had lived 55 years a servant in the family of Sir Rowland Hill, and who died in 1747, left £10 for a distribution of bread on St. John’s day.

BOLAS DIRECTORY.—William Oxon, farmer; John Betley, farmer; John Blanton, farmer; Samuel Brasenell, shopkeeper and victualler; Fox and Hounds; Samuel Buckley, farmer and corn miller; Richard Cherrington, shoemaker; Richard Fox, farmer; Rev. Matthew Kinsey, curate, The Rectory; Benjamin Phillips, wheelwright; John Taylor, Esq., Bolas House; Thomas Taylor, Esq., Burleigh Villa.

MEESON DIRECTORY.—Thomas Bellingham, farmer, Shrey-hill; Thomas Blanton, farmer; William Flemming, tailor; Samuel Miner, farmer; Joseph Ogle, farmer, Meeson Hall; Thomas Wild, shoemaker; William Wild, farmer.

BUILDWAS

is a parish township and small rural village delightfully situated near the banks of the Severn, four and a half miles N.E. from Much Wenlock. The parish contains 2,152 acres of land, of which 350 acres are in woods and plantations, the remainder is about equally divided in arable and pasture or meadow lands; the soil is mostly heavy, and produces good wheat and barley. In 1801 there was a population of 258 souls; 1831, 240, and in 1841 there were 59 houses and 273 inhabitants. A beautiful iron bridge of one arch 130 feet span was erected by the Coalbrook-dale Company over the Severn at this place in 1796, at an expense of £6,034. The rise of the bridge is 24 feet, and as the road-way could not be carried to a greater height, advantage was taken of the Schaffhausen principal by making the ribs rise to the top of the railings, and connecting them to the lower ribs by means of dove-tailed king posts. The old bridge, which had narrow arches that impeded the navigation of the river, was carried away by a flood in 1795. Walter Moseley, Esq., (a minor), is landowner, lord of the manor, and impropriator of the tithes, which are commuted for £350. The incumbent of the parish has a payment of £16. 2s. 6d. issuing out of certain lands contiguous to the abbey. THE CHURCH is a small structure of free stone, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and consists of nave and chancel, with a wooden turret; it was rebuilt in 1720. It contains several neat marble tablets, one of which on the north wall remembers Margaret Smitheman, who died 1818; another on the south side remembers John Smitheman, and is dated 1809; Humphrey Wheeler and his four sons are also remembered on a neat mural tablet dated 1739, besides which there are several others. The living is a donative in the patronage of W. Moseley, Esq. Incumbent, Rev. John Bartlett, M.A., who resides at Marn Wood, a pleasantly situated residence just within the bounds of Madeley parish. The poor of this parish enjoy the benefit of a rent charge of £5 per annum, the benefaction of Miss Ann Lacon. The annuity is received by the churchwardens, who distribute in equal moieties at Michaelmas and Lady-day among four poor widows in shares of 12s. 6d. each. Near to the bridge there is a respectable inn, conducted by Mr. William Jones.

BUILDWAS ABBEY.—The magnificent ruins of Buildwas abbey are situated in a picturesque vale, near the banks of the river Severn, whose silvery waters are here crossed by a noble cast iron bridge, having a span of 130 feet. The massive walls of the abbey, with the grey pillars and arches, present a fine contrast to the rich verdure which surrounds them, and being environed with high grounds crowned with timber, it presents one of the most lovely spots for conventual retirement that can well be imagined. The outer walls of the abbey church are almost entire. The structure was cruciform with a massive tower in the middle, which rested on four pointed arches. On each side of the nave are seven pillars, with indented capitals, from whence spring arches with obtuse points. Above is a clerestory with small round headed windows. The side aisles, the transept, and the chapel of the choir are entirely in ruins. Under the north wing of the transept is the crypt, the whole of which has evidently been groined with stone, and was supported by circular and diagonal pillars. Over the chapter house and other apartments forming the east side of the cloister are the remains of a second story, which was probably the dormitory. A little eastward of the cloister are probably the remains of the refectory. The view of this venerable structure from the west end is peculiarly striking: the huge pillars with their bold arches and projecting capitals, the lofty arches which supported the tower, and the windows of the gloomy choir, contrasted with the rich verdure, and the luxuriant ivy mantling the walls, altogether form a solemn spectacle of fallen grandeur. The abbey was founded by Roger de Clinton, in 1135, for monks of the order of Savigny, who were afterwards united to the Cistercians. The house was dedicated to St. Mary and St. Chad, and the foundation was confirmed by King Stephen, in the year 1139. Leland in his itinerary says, “Matilda de Bohun, wife of Sir Robert Burnell, was founder of Buildwas abbey,” but among the charters of the monasticon there is no mention of this Matilda, and the foundation is in two or three places ascribed to Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Chester. Rustandus, the pope’s legate, with the assistance of the bishop of Hereford, extorted large sums of money from the clergy; the legate summoned the abbots of the Cistercian order to meet at Reading, when he demanded supplies for the use of the pope and the king, which amounted to the value of their wool. The abbots made answer that the tax was very grievous, and therefore could come to no resolution without the consent of their convents. Rustandus incensed at that answer acquainted the king that the Cistercians refused to grant him supplies. The king swore that those who refused to submit to his demands should feel the effects of his power. There was then at court the abbot of Buildwas, whom the king reprimanded after this manner, “What is the meaning, abbot, that you refuse to supply my necessities; am I not your patron?” To whom the abbot replied, “I would to God, sir, you were our patron, our father, and defender; but it does not become your majesty to extort money from those who can only assist you with their prayers; let the exemplary piety of the king of France be a precedent to your majesty in this respect.” The king replied, “I demand both your money and your prayers.” “How is that consistent,” said the abbot, “for one of them you must be without.” At the suppression here were twelve monks who, according to Dugdale, were endowed with £110. 19s. 3d. per annum, but Speed estimates the value at £129. 6s. 10d. The site, with all the land in Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire, were granted to Edward Lord Powis in the 29th of Henry VIII.

An extraordinary phenomena occurred on the 27th of May, 1775, at a place called the Birches, situated between Buildwas and Ironbridge, which will be found noticed with the latter place.

Moseley Mrs. Elizabeth, Buildwas Park

Moseley Walter, Esq., Buildwas Park

Bartlett Rev. John, M.A., Marnwood

Birkin Charles, farmer

Eveson Thomas, farmer and gardener

Francis Thomas, farmer

Hewlett John, farmer, Lawleys Cross

Intone Thomas, blacksmith

Jones William, maltster, farmer, and vict. Bridge Inn, Buildwas

Lewis William, farmer, Abbey farm

Nickless Enoch, farmer & builder; residence, Iron bridge

Nunn Rev. John, B.A., curate, Wire Hill Cottage

Pothan William, farmer

Ridley Edward and Samuel, farmer and corn millers

CHETWYND

is a parish which includes the townships of Chetwynd and Howle, part of Pickstock and part of Sambrook; the latter will be found noticed in Cheswardine parish, and Pickstock is given with Edgmond in which parish it is chiefly situated. The hamlet of Pixley noticed with Hinstock contains 89A. 1R. 28P. of land in this parish. The parish of Chetwynd contains 3,803A. 0R. 30P. of land, and in 1801 had 594 inhabitants, 1831, 766, and in 1841, 760. The village of Chetwynd forms the northern suburb to the town of Newport, on the line of road leading from that town to Market Drayton, but the church, the hall, and the rectory are situated on the same line of road nearly two miles north from Newport. The township contains 1,727A. 2R. 5P. of land, and in 1841 had 109 houses and 543 inhabitants. John Charles Burton Borough, Esq., is the principal land owner and lord of the manor; Robert Fisher, Esq., Thomas Collier, Esq., the Rev. William Dalton, are also land owners. The CHURCH, a plain brick structure dedicated to St. Michael, has been built about one hundred years; it consists of nave and bay, and has a square tower in which are six bells; there is a gallery at the west end built in the year 1841 by voluntary subscriptions. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £10. 16s. 3d., now returned at £775. in the patronage of J. C. B. Borough, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Rev. Thomas Whateley, M.A., who resides at the rectory, a good residence near the church. The tithes are commuted for £742. 4s. 11½d. The HALL is an ancient structure near the east end of the church, which appears to have been built at different periods; in the low grounds in front of the hall, the river Meese, an inconsiderable stream takes its course. The park comprises about 300 acres of land, and is situated on the west side of the turnpike road leading from Newport to Market Drayton; it has a bold undulating surface, well timbered and stocked with about two hundred head of deer; a fine sheet of water covers about thirty acres. The NATIONAL SCHOOL is situated about midway between Newport and Chetwynd church; there is a residence for the teacher, and the number of scholars that attend average about seventy.

CHARITIES.—In 1717 a house and croft situated in High street, Newport, was conveyed in trust for the benefit of the poor of Chetwynd, in consideration of £80 paid to James and Thomas Liversage, whereof £50 was money given by Honor Dryden and others for charitable uses. This house has been unfortunately long lost to the charity, and there is no evidence to show that the poorhouse ever derived any benefit from it. Of the croft in Chetwynd a small part, about a rood, was taken upwards of fifty years ago for the site of a house of industry, for which no compensation had been made when the charity commissioners published their report. The remainder of the land produces about £3 per annum.

There is a piece of land containing about three acres known by the name of Lady meadow, the rent of which was received by the parish officers as early as the year 1625, but there is no trace of the source from which the land was derived. The sum of £1 0s. 4d. was the rent paid from the above year down to 1820, although the premises were then worth about £8 per annum. There are certain premises in the parish of Edgmond now consisting of three cottages with gardens and about nine acres of land, which were purchased in 1728 with certain benefactions left by Ann Pigott and Robert Pigott for the benefit of the poor of Chetwynd; the rents from these premises amount to £28 per annum.

There is reason to believe from entries in the parish books, that the land at Hinstock consisting of about ten acres, was purchased for the use of the poor of Chetwynd about the beginning of the 18th century, but there is no evidence to show what was the amount of purchase money, or from what particular source it was derived. It first appears in the parish books in the year 1700 at a rent of £2. 10s., which continued without increase until 1760. In 1783 it was let for £4. 15s. and the amount has since been raised to £14. 14s.

_William Unite’s_ charity of five penny loaves weekly, and several sums of money amounting to £30 left by several benefactors, have been applied to the use of the parish, and the parish officers now pay £2. 11s. 8d. as the interest thereof.

The gross income of the several charities above mentioned amounts to £49. 6s. per annum, and at the time the charity commissioners visited Chetwynd, was expended in the following manner: £1. 14s. applied in aid of the church rates, £5. 6s. 8d. in distributions of bread, £4 in the purchase of coal, and £38. 10s. was carried to the poor’s rates. The latter, we conceive, is an objectionable mode of applying money left for charitable uses, and totally at variance with the donors’ intentions. It was intended, however, by the parishioners, to have a fresh application of the charitable funds, and to apply a portion towards the support of a school.

_Robert Pigott_, who died in 1746, left the sum of £50, the interest to be distributed among poor housekeepers. Certain benefactions, recorded on tables in the church, left by twelve several donors, amounting to £68, in the absence of any account of their disposal, may be presumed to have formed the purchase money of the lands, of which there are no documents to trace their origin.

The inhabitants of Chetwynd End are entitled to participate in the benefits of the Grammar School and other charities at Newport.

_Those names with * affixed are at Chetwynd End_.

Boroughs John Charles Burton, Esq., Chetwynd hall

* Allen Harry, spirit merchant

Allmen George, blacksmith, Pilson

* Bailey Robert, maltster and farmer

* Brittain Thos., corn miller

* Cobb John, builder and architect

* Cockayne Miss Sarah

* Cockerill Thomas, Esq.

Collier Thos. Esq., Beech hill

* Derrington Thomas, Chetwynd villa

Emberey Mrs. Ann, Summerhill house

Fisher Robert, Esq. Chetwynd lodge

Ford William, woolstapler

* Franklin John, vict., King’s Arms

* Geates Joseph, gardener

* Hector Miss Elizabeth

Holt David, gamekeeper

* Icke Mrs. Mary

Ingram George, land agent

* Jellicore Mrs. Mary

* Matthews Charles veterinary surgeon

* Morris Thomas, seedsman

Myatt Richard, farmer

* Palin Mrs. Jemima

* Pickworth Mrs. Elizabeth

Podmore Thomas, farmer

* Pritchard Mary Ann, boarding school

* Randal John, architect

Rowley Andrew, schoolmaster and parish clerk

* Rylands Mrs. Jane

* Stevens Mary Ann, schoolmistress

Thompson Mark, woolstapler

Veitch John, farmer

* Washbourne William, Esq., solicitor, Chetwynd house

* Watkin Watkin, timber merchant

* Weate William, farmer and butcher

Webb Joseph, farmer, New house

* West Samuel, shopkeeper

Whately Rev. Thomas, M.A., the Rectory

HOWLE

is a small township with a scattered population, five miles north-west from Newport, and three miles north-west from Chetwynd. The township contains 765A. 1R. 28P. of land; and at the census in 1841 there were 18 houses and 102 inhabitants. The land here has an undulating surface, and is highly fertile. Arthur Mountford, Esq., is the principal landowner, and farms most of the land. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a small chapel in the township.

The chief residents are Arthur Mountford, Esq.; and Messrs. Dawes and Whitfield, corn millers.

DAWLEY MAGNA,