Part 83

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, stands within the fine demesne of Tong Castle, and is a spacious and beautiful structure in the pointed style of the fourteenth century, consisting of nave, side aisles, choir, chancel, and side chapel. From the centre rises a handsome but singular tower. Immediately above the roof it is square; on it rests an octagonal bell-story, which is lengthened in a chastely-executed and lofty spire, about half-way up adorned with pinnacles, springing as it were out of the shaft. The nave is divided from the side aisles by three handsome pointed arches, with clustered pillars on each side. The tower contains a peal of eight musical bells, besides the great bell of Tong, and is ornamented with a clock and sun-dial. It is supported by four lofty pointed arches, rising from clustered pillars enriched with Gothic tracery. The ceiling is of dark oak, and the pews and reading desk are of the same material, the latter exhibiting some fine carving. The rood loft or screen is nearly perfect, and embellished with much carving; the choir is small, and contains eight stalls on each side, of beautiful workmanship. The east window is beautifully foliated, and a portion of it ornamented with stained glass, and underneath is the communion table, which is of alabaster; a remarkable old font exhibits some fine chiselling. Adjoining the south aisle is a beautiful chantry chapel, erected by Sir Henry Vernon, in 1515; the roof is of groined freestone, having a profusion of delicate ribs and centre pendants. The windows are richly adorned with stained glass. The tomb of Sir Henry Vernon, Knight, is in the wall which separates the chapel from the church. It has the figure of a knight and his lady in a recumbent posture. Over this is a fine open screen, rising about ten feet; on the divisions are four rich tabernacles, with the original painting and gilding, but bereaved of their statues. Within the area of the tower are four superb monuments, with recumbent figures on altar tombs, all of alabaster, highly adorned with elaborate workmanship, in memory of the Pembruges and Vernons. It appears the former family possessed the castle and estates of Tong as early as the year 1280. In the south aisle is a magnificent tomb, with the full length figure of a knight and his lady, in memory of the Hon. Thomas Stanley, second son of the Earl of Derby, and Margaret his wife, dated 1576, and has the following inscription:—

“Ask who lies here, but do not weep; Hee is not dead, he do but sleep, This stonie register is for his bones, His fame is more perpetual than these stones; And his own goodness with himself being gone, Shall live when earthlie monument is none.

Not monumental stone preserves our fame, Nor skie-aspiring pyramids our name; The memory of him for whom this stands, Shall outlive marble and defacer’s hands. When all to time’s consumption shall be given, Stanley, for whom this stands, shall stand in heaven.”

In a canopied niche is a carved figure, beautifully executed in basso-relievo, in memory of Mrs. Wylde, one of the co-heiresses of Sir Thomas Harris, Bart., the owner of Tong Castle and domain, which he purchased from the Stanley family about the year 1610. Near to the pulpit is an alabaster tomb, of superb workmanship, with two figures representing a knight and his lady with hands joined in the attitude of prayer, remembering Richard Yernon, of Nether Haddon, and his wife Margaret. The former died in 1557, and the latter in the year 1500. On the opposite side is a large monumental tomb of grey marble, the top of which is inlaid with brass figures, and dated 1460. This also remembers a branch of the Vernon family. A neat tablet of white marble has been erected over the vestry door to the memory of Elizabeth Pierpoint, only daughter of Gervaise Pierpoint, Esq., the grandson of Robert Pierpoint, Earl of Kingston, a gallant soldier who fell a victim to loyalty in defending his prince, King Charles I. He was descended from Robert de Pierpoint, a companion-in-arms of William the Conqueror, whose family is still extant in Normandy. On the north side of the altar is a sumptuous pyramidal monument of white marble on a black ground, in memory of George Durant, Esq., and several other members of that family. A splendid marble monument also remembers George Durant, Esq., who died November 29th, 1844, aged 69 years. On the left of the altar is a grey marble monument to the memory of William Skeffington, Esq., of the White Ladies, who died in 1550. From the crest and armorial bearings, he would appear to have descended from the ancient family of Massarene. Gervaise Lord Pierpoint is interred in a family vault under the communion table. He died May 22nd, 1715, aged 66 years. Thomas Stanley, Esq., and his wife lie in the same vault. There are many other interesting tablets and memorials, which our limits will not allow us to notice. The great bell in this church was given by Sir Henry Vernon, Knt., in 1518. It was broken by the Parliamentary forces in the troublesome times of King Charles I., and recast at the expense of the parish in 1720. The bell remained entire till the first Wednesday in Lent, 1849, when it cracked while tolling for divine service. It is stated that nine persons may comfortably stand under this bell at the same time.

King Henry IV., in 1411, in consideration of £40 granted to Isabel, relict of Sir Fulke de Pembrugge, Knt., the liberty of purchasing of the abbot and convent of Shrewsbury, the advowson and patronage of the church of St. Bartholomew, at Tong, then holden of the king in capite, paying an annual pension of 6s. 8d. to the monastery of Salop; and further, that the said church should be erected into a college, consisting of five chaplains, one whereof to be custos or warden of the college. The duty of the warden and fellows was to pray for the souls of the king and of his brother, Thomas de Beaufort, and for the soul of the said Isabel. The endowments, besides the provision for the warden and fellows, were to be applied for the maintenance and support of thirteen decrepid old men. The priory of Lapley, anciently a cell of the convent of Rheimes, seized by King Edward III. as an alien priory, was annexed to this foundation. The statutes and ordinances of the college, confirmed by the Bishop of Coventry, were to this effect:—That none of the fellows should be capable of any other ecclesiastical preferment, except the master; that the master was to have a man and a pair of horses kept at the expense of the college, to travel about the business of the fraternity—but, if occasion required it, he might keep more horses; that the warden was excusable from constant residence, but with the restriction not to be absent more than two months in the year, and if longer his salary was to be applied to the use of the college; that whoever of the fellows were absent from mass should forfeit one penny. Every Sunday the mass of the Holy Ghost was to be celebrated for the founders and benefactors; on Mondays the mass of the Holy Ghost; on Tuesdays, Salus Populi, or the mass for the salvation of all men; on Wednesdays, the angels’ mass; on Thursdays, the mass de Corpore Christi; on Fridays, the mass of the Holy Ghost; and on Saturdays, the mass of rest. That whoever was guilty of adultery, incest, perjury, sacrilege, robbery, after penance done for the first offence, he was to take an oath not to commit the like crime again, and if convicted the second time, to be expelled the house. The church living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of G. C. S. Durant, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. George Shipton Harding, M.A. The rectoral tithes have been commuted, and £391. 1s. 10d. apportioned to the impropriators. The incumbent receives £80 per annum, with parsonage, and 2A. 0R. 37P. of glebe land.

CHARITIES.—_Gervaise Lord Pierpoint_, by indenture of the 23rd of October, 1697, granted to trustees all the tithes (except the tithes of corn and grain) yearly growing within the parish of Tong, and also six several annuities or yearly rents of £30, £14, £6, £12, £12, and £10, making together £84 per annum, to be issuing out of the manor of Tong, on trust, as to the said tithes and the several annuities of £30, £14, and £6, to permit the minister or curate to enjoy the same; one of the annuities of £12 to be distributed among the six poor widows in the almshouses; and the other £12 to be expended in purchasing Stafford shalloon, and setting to work the poor people of Tong in manufacturing the same into cloth, part thereof to be made into six gowns for the said poor widows, and the remainder to be applied in clothing the necessitous poor; the residue £10 to be disposed of in buying hemp and flax and setting the poor at work in manufacturing it into cloth, and after selling the same, to apply the proceeds in putting forth poor children apprentices. Lord Pierpoint granted a further annuity of £30, to be also issuing out of the manor of Tong, on trust, to permit the minister to receive and enjoy the same from such time as he could not (without covin or neglect on his part) have and enjoy the said tithes; but the minister was not to enjoy the tithes and last mentioned annuity at the same time. The minister had also the privilege of holding a certain chamber in the castle of Tong, as the same was then furnished with books and presses, together with the free use of the said books; and also stabling for one horse, and the privilege of depasturing it for a certain time in Tong Park. And for the better assuring the performances of the several grants, Lord Pierpoint granted to the trustees three other annuities of £5. 40s., and 40s. to be for ever issuing out of the manor, castle, and premises, and to be respectively forfeited, and to continue payable so long as the minister should not enjoy the said chamber, stabling, and pasture, respectively.

By an indenture of the 11th of August, 1725, in which it is recited, that the premises charged had descended to Evelyn Duke of Kingston, upon the death of Lord Pierpoint; and that the Castle of Tong had been a long time uninhabited and Tong Park disparked and inclosed, and that the said duke, at his own charge, built with brick a strong handsome and convenient house in Tong, with a room for a library, and stable and hayloft, and other conveniences, for the habitation of the minister, and had delivered the books to him and his successors; so that the covenants made by Lord Pierpoint in respect of the room and library in Tong Castle, and the stabling and depasturing, were become unnecessary, and the several annuities granted for enforcing the specific performance thereof should therefore be repealed; and that the common fields in Tong having been inclosed and converted into pasture, the revenue of tithes granted to the minister had been reduced to £12 per annum, but that the duke was willing, on condition that the said small tithes should be invested in him and his heirs, to be discharged from the trust; that the said annuity of £30 should be absolutely and indefeasibly settled and assured to the said minister and his successors for ever; which, together with the several annuities of £30, £14, and £6, make £80 per annum. And after reciting that the said duke and the late Lord Pierpoint had for a long time paid £4 a year for maintaining a schoolmaster, the said duke for perpetuating the charily, conveyed a messuage, situated near the west end of the church, then used as a school-house, in trust, to permit the same to be occupied as a school for teaching ten poor boys within the parish of Tong to read, and granted a rent charge of £4 per annum, issuing out of the manor of Tong, to be paid to the schoolmaster. The library above mentioned, which is understood to have been augmented by Mr. Peitier, was removed several years ago to the vestry room.

It appears that shortly after the late Mr. Durant came into the possession of the estate, the old almshouse and school-house were taken down, and new ones built by that gentleman on other sites. It is stated that the old buildings had become too dilapidated to admit of any effectual repairs, and that Mr. Durant having, under these circumstances, conceived the idea of erecting new buildings, was induced to select new situations as better suited for the purpose; and the charity has derived much advantage from the change. But it is to be observed that no regular transfer of the new premises was ever made to the trustees, an omission it appears desirable to supply. In the year 1802, the almshouse having grown much in need of repair, the sum of £102, from the funds of a charity to be presently adverted to, was applied to that purpose; since which time the repairs have been kept up at the expense of the parish, aided by the voluntary contributions of Mr. Durant. The inmates of the almshouses each receive £3 quarterly, and occasionally other benefactions. The ruins of the old hospital are still to be seen.

By an indenture dated 31st May, 1734, it is recited that the sum of £100 was given by the late Lady Harris, for the use of the poor of the parish; the sum of £200 was likewise bequeathed by Lady Pierpoint, and a sum of £100 was given by Lewis Peitier, minister of Tong, and party to the said indenture, making in the whole the sum of £400, which was laid out in the purchase of certain premises in Albrighton, called the New Lands and the Hawklees, containing 30A. 3R. 2P., now producing £45 per annum. In 1781 a sale of timber from this farm produced the sum of £100, which in 1802 was applied to the repairs of the almshouse granted by the Duke of Kingston. In the year 1814 £100 was laid out in the purchase of a cottage and 1A. 3R. 2P. of land in Horsebrook, which is now let for £10 10s. per annum; the rent of the last mentioned premises is apportioned to the schoolmaster, who has also £10 from the farm at Albrighton, and £4 from the manor of Tong, making altogether the sum of £24. 10s., with the additional benefit of a house and garden from the charity of the Duke of Kingston, in consideration of which the children are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, and they are furnished with the necessary books and clothing from the charity. The master has also £5 per annum for teaching a Sunday school. The portion of income which is allotted for general distribution is laid out in the purchase of warm clothing, which is given to the poor during the winter season.

A feast is held at Tong on the Sunday before St. Matthew’s-day. Mr. Durant’s agent at the present time is holder of four of the largest farms in the parish, viz., Tong Park farm, Hubbal farm, Holt farm, and the Mees farm.

Andrews George, carpenter

Archer Henry, Little White Oak farm

Bennion Owen, Tong farm

Bennion Owen, The Hill farm

Bennion Owen, jun., White Oak farm

Boden John, shoemaker and shopkeeper

Bucknal Richard, farmer and beerhouse

Chipps Mrs. Mary

Cherrington William, wheelwright

Earp William, Lizard Grange farm

Georges The Misses

Harding Rev. George Shipton, M.A., The Rectory

Hempenstall George, Esq., land steward

Higgs William, Offoxey farm

Holder Charles, shoemaker

Hounsom Abraham, farmer, Norton, and deputy land agent

Hufferdine Charles, wheelwright

Humpage Samuel, shoemaker

Icke Thomas, grazier, Vauxhall

Jaundrell John, tailor

Jones William, vict., The Bush Inn, grocer and provision dealer and farmer

Langford William, nursery and seedsman

Longstaff John, schoolmaster & parish clerk

Milner Thomas, maltster

Page John, vict. and farmer, The Bell

Quantrell Walter, Ruckley Wood

Savage Gilbert Cole, The Knowle farm

Thornycroft Mrs., Tong Lodge

Wilks Samuel, Lizard Grange, corn miller

Worrall William, New Buildings farm, and maltster

WORFIELD

is an extensive parish in a delightful and salubrious part of the county, watered by the meandering stream of the Worf. The land exhibits inequalities of surface, and bold swells, which in some instances rise to a considerable height, from whence most beautiful and varied prospects over a luxuriant country are seen. The soil is variable, the arable lands produce good wheat, turnips, and barley, and the meadows and grazing lands are highly fertile. The farms in most instances are large, and the houses in general are good residences, with conveniently arranged out premises. Several ancient dwellings have been taken down, and handsome villa residences erected in their place. The cottages are for the most part well built, and in most instances have small allotments of garden ground. The parish comprises 10,314 acres of land, and at the census in 1801 had 1,354 inhabitants; 1831, 1,676, and in 1841 there were 357 houses and 1,643 souls. Rateable value, £16,145. 19s. 9d. Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., M.P., of Apley Park, and William S. Davenport, Esq., are the principal landowners; the two former, with Mrs. Bache, are joint lords of the manor. The parish contains the following hamlets or townships for highway purposes, viz., Ackleton, Allscott, Barnsley, Bentley, Bromley, Bradney, Burcote, Chesterton, Cranmere, Catstree, Ewdness, Fenngate, Hilton, Hoccom, Hallon, Hartleberry, Kingslow, Little Gane, Oldington, Newton, Roughton, Ringleford, Rowley, Stanmore, Stableford, Swancote, Worfield, Wheel Green, Winscote, and Wyken, which places are divided into four districts or collections, called north-east quarter, south-east quarter, north-west quarter, and south-west quarter.

The small and sequestered village of Worfield is pleasantly situated at the foot of an immense rock of red sand stone, except on the northern verge where the houses stand on the side of a precipitous acclivity, and is three and a half miles N.E. from Bridgnorth, eight miles S. from Shiffnal, and eleven miles S.W. by S. from Wolverhampton. From the summit of the rock, which is crowned with timber, a most delightful panoramic view of the surrounding country is seen, the romantic situation of the village, and the circuitous windings of the Worf adding much to the picturesque beauty of the scenery. The river Worf is noted for its fine trout. The land between this place and Claverley stretching as far as Bridgnorth was the celebrated Morffe Forest, where the inhabitants of Worfield had common pasture; the king, however, appointed stewards and rangers to take care of the woods and deer. In the reign of Henry VIII. the Earl of Shrewsbury was steward or ranger for life with a fee of 4d. per day. The forest has long been enclosed, and is now covered with luxuriance and fertility. On the south east side of the Morffe in early times was an important military station, which may still be traced; the ground is elevated, and the moat still visible, circumscribing a large area. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Peter, is an ancient structure of red sand stone, which has been enlarged and beautified from time to time. The tower is ornamented with pinnacles, and surmounted with a lofty spire; it is beautified with a clock, and contains a peal of six musical bells. The interior has a chaste and beautiful appearance, the side aisles are separated from the nave by pointed arches rising from octagonal pillars, the pews are of oak, and upon the gallery at the west end is a fine toned organ. The pulpit and reading desk are elaborately carved. Several of the windows are richly adorned with stained glass, and the altar is of dark oak, exquisitely carved. The chancel is spacious, and contains memorials to deceased members of some of the principal families in this locality. A side chapel, separated by a richly carved oak screen, contains an altar tomb, with two figures in a recumbent posture, in memory of Sir George Bromley and his lady, dated 1688. Under a canopy of beautiful workmanship are two figures in a recumbent position, which remembers Sir Edward Bromley, Knight, chancellor of England, and his wife, dated 1626. There are also many elegant mural monuments of beautiful design and admirable workmanship, in memory of the Davenports, Broughtons, Vickers, Marindins, Fletchers, Masons, Johnsons, and others. In the church-yard are several family vaults cut in the solid rock. Archdeacon Vickers was entombed in one of these vaults with much solemnity in May, 1851. The southern entrance to the church is by an ancient porch, and through a door of remarkable and curious workmanship. Over the centre of this door are located a swarm of bees, which tradition states have been there for ages. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £16. 15s., in the patronage of William S. Davenport, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Cornelius Francis Broadbent, M.A. The Rev. Henry Cunliffe, M.A., is the officiating minister. The vicarial tithes have been commuted for £288. 10s. Mr. Davenport, the impropriator of the rectoral tithes, receives £1,745. The vicarage is an ancient erection a short distance from the church. “The annals of the church of Worcester assert that King Edward I. gave the church of Worfield to their prior and convent for the sustenance of three monks, and for maintaining two wax candles to be kept continually burning at the feast of St. Wulstan, and for eight days after, and to be daily lighted at the saying of high mass both at matins and vespers. This was done in accomplishment of a vow made to St. Wulstan.” There is an endowed GRAMMAR SCHOOL, which will be found noticed with the charities, and a NATIONAL SCHOOL for boys and girls—a spacious structure of modern erection, with residences for the teachers; about sixty boys and fifty girls attend. It is partly supported by endowment and partly by subscriptions. DAVENPORT HOUSE is a handsome and spacious mansion of brick, with stone finishings, the seat of William Sharington Davenport, Esq., J.P. The situation is delightful, and the extensive park grounds are richly studded with fine timber, the drives and pleasure grounds are kept in the most beautiful order, and several of the eminences in the park are ornamented with sculptured figures.

CHARITIES.—King James I., by his letters patent, dated 1st of May, in the 10th of his reign, in consideration of £5. 4s. paid by Thomas Beech and Thomas Bradburne, granted to William Lloyd and Thomas Parker, and their heirs, certain premises in Worfield, Bridgnorth, and Quatford, in trust, that the yearly proceeds thereof should be employed by the parishioners towards the maintenance of a school for the instruction of youth in reading and writing English, and in the accidence and principles of grammar and the Latin tongue. This is usually called Lloyd and Parker’s charity, after the names of the original grantees of the crown, but they appear to have been in fact only the channel through which these premises were conveyed to the real purchasers, who were Beech and Bradburne. Besides the rent an annual sum of £9 was received from Mr. Smythe when the charity commissioners published their report, as interest at 4½ per cent. on a joint bond from his father and himself for £200, dated December 13th, 1796, being an accumulation of funds which he held in his hands as receiver of the rents of this charity. The total income was £46. 1s., which was applied in a distribution of money to the poor, in the reparation of the trust premises and schoolhouse, and in paying a small salary to a schoolmaster. _Thomas Smith_ left a rent charge of 16s. a year, for the instruction of two poor boys to read English. _William Lewis_, who died about fifty years ago, left £60, the interest to be applied for educating three boys in Worfield school.