Part 16

“MARY, wife of Humphrey Mostyn, Esq., died September 3rd, 1781, aged 60. Also of HUMPHREY, youngest son of William Mostyn, Esq., of Brongwyn, Montgomeryshire, died 12th of January, 1786, aged 60.”

Scroll, surmounted by military insignia, on south-east wall:

“Sacred to the memory of Captain OWEN ARTHUR ORMSBY GORE, of the 43rd Light Infantry, third son of William Ormsby Gore, Esq., M.P., of Porkington, who fell in action with the Caffres, at the head of his Company, on the 6th of April, 1852, at ‘Antas Cave,’ British Caffraria. This monument was erected by his brother officers, as a mark of their affectionate regard.”

Arms—Motto, “In hoc signo vinces.”

Tablet, surmounted by an urn:

“Sacred to the memory of HENRY PINSON TOZER AUBREY, Esq., of Broom Hall, in this Parish, who died deeply and deservedly lamented, September 30th, 1848, aged 69.”

“The memory of the just is blessed.”

Monuments in the Church-yard.

We select the following from various parts of the Churchyard:—

“Sacred to the memory of SAMUEL LEACH, Esq., Llanforda Issa, and an alderman of the corporation of this town, who departed this life November 4th, 1833, aged 67 years.”

“Sacred to the memory of MARY, relict of the late Samuel Leach, who departed this life February 25th, 1838, aged 60 years.”

* * * * *

“To the memory of the Rev. JOHN SHEIL, Incumbent of Cannock, Staffordshire, who died at Oswestry, September 24th, 1841, aged 61. This tribute of esteem and regard, is erected by his former pupils—Arthur Viscount Dungannon, of Brynkinalt, and the Rev. John Parker, Vicar of Blodwel.”

* * * * *

“THOMAS HUNT, died February 17th, 1831, aged 69 years. SUSANNA, widow of the said Thomas Hunt, died August 21st, 1844, aged 82 years.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of FRANCIS CAMPBELL, Esq., an alderman of the corporation of this borough, who died September 26th, 1841, aged 73. Also, MARY CAMPBELL, relict of the above, who died April 30th, 1845, aged 78.”

“Sacred to the memory of ELIZABETH, daughter of the late Thomas Peate, Esq., of Preeshenlle, who died November 6th, 1841, aged 67 years.”

“Sacred to the memory of JOHN TOMLEY, Gent., late of Middleton, in this parish, who died August 25th, 1808, aged 74 years.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of ELIZABETH, the beloved wife of John Jones, Esq., who departed this life, the 2nd February, 1835, aged 68. Also to the memory of the above-named John Jones, who departed this life the 8th June, 1846, aged 86.”

“Sacred to the memory of RANDLE JONES, son of John and Elizabeth Jones, who departed this life April 10th, 1821, aged 23 years.”

“Sacred to the memory of MARY, youngest daughter of John and Elizabeth Jones, who departed this life January 27th, 1833, aged 31 years.”

“Sacred to the memory of EMMA, the beloved wife of John Jones, jun. Esq., who died June 19th, 1834, aged 37.”

“Sacred to the memory of ELIZA, eldest daughter of John and Elizabeth Jones, who departed this life the 24th May, 1854, aged 61 years.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of SKINNER HANCOX, Esq., late colonel of the 7th Dragoon Guards, who departed this life January 27th, 1843, aged 55.” “If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Psalm cxxx: 3, 4.

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of General JOHN DESPARD, late colonel of the 5th West India regiment, who died at Swanhill, September 3rd, 1829, in the 85th year of his age, after having honorably served his country for 70 years. Also of HARRIET ANNE, sister of the late Sir Thomas Dalrymple Hesketh, Bart., of Rufford Hall, Lancashire, and relict of the above General John Despard. She died at Brighton, May 14th, 1848, aged 76 years.”

* * * * *

“CONWAY LONGUEVILLE, eldest daughter of Thomas Longueville Longueville and Anne, his wife, died 17th March, 1854, aged 14 years.”

“CHARLES HENRY LONGUEVILLE, their youngest son, died 30th June, 1854, aged 6 years.”

* * * * *

“In memory of JOHN CROXON, alderman of this town, who died March 21st, 1803, aged 66; and of ALICE, his wife, daughter of Richard and Alice Jones. She died July the 19th, 1824, aged 87. ELIZABETH, wife of Samuel Tudor, of Shrewsbury, and daughter of the above-named John and Alice Croxon, died January the 24th, 1811, aged 36.”

“Sacred also to the memory of RICHARD CROXON, of this town, eldest son of the said John and Alice Croxon, who died the 31st July, 1838, aged 70.”

* * * * *

“Here lie the remains of ALEXANDER KYFFIN, who died August 10th, 1766, aged 51. Also of MARGARET, his wife, who died December 20th, 1815, aged 73,”

“In memory of SARAH, wife of Charles Osburn, who died February 11th, 1851, aged 66. Also of the above-named CHARLES OSBURN, who died February 16th, 1851, aged 66.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of WILLIAM PRICE, who died November 4th, 1847, aged 70 years. Also of JANE, widow of the said William Price, who died April 10th, 1848, aged 68 years.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of CHARLES THOMAS JONES, late of this Town, Banker, who died 16th October, 1847, aged 70 years.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of ROBERT EDWARDS, late of the Queen’s Head Inn, in this Town, who died February 2nd, 1843, aged 62. And of SARAH, his beloved wife, who died April 7th, 1843, aged 59. Also of THOMAS, third son of the above Robert and Sarah Edwards, who died June 20th, 1843, aged 27 years. Life, how short, how uncertain! Look, O! look on this monument, ye gay and careless; attend to these dates, and boast no more of to-morrow.

‘Father, thy chastening hand we own, And bow submission to Thy rod; That must be wise which Thou hast done, It must be kind, for Thou art God.’”

“In memory of ROBERT, second son of Robert and Sarah Edwards, who died December 1st, 1808, aged one year. Also of ROBERT, their fourth son, who died January 20th, 1818, aged 6 months. Also of MARTHA, their fourth daughter, who died March 8th, 1823, aged 11 months. Also of SOPHIA, their fifth daughter, who died May 15th, 1824, aged 4 months. Also of ROBERT EDWARDS, grandfather of the above infants, who died May 10th, 1837, aged 84.”

“Sacred to the memory of JOSEPH, fifth son of Robert and Sarah Edwards, who died May 2nd, 1851, aged 32.”

* * * * *

“In a vault beneath are deposited the remains of WILLIAM JONES, late Ironmonger, of this town, who died December 28th, 1827, in the 71st year of his age. Also the remains of ELIZABETH JONES, relict of the above, who died April 12th, 1843, aged 81.”

“THOMAS, youngest son of William and Elizabeth Jones, died June 28th, 1828, in the 27th year of his age. Also of ALICE, eldest daughter of William and Elizabeth Jones, who died March 7th, 1844, aged 50.”

“Sacred to the memory of JOHN JONES, late of Plas-fynnon, who departed this life December 10th, 1853, aged 61 years.”

* * * * *

“In memory of EDWARD BENNION, Surgeon, Cyrn-y-Bwch, who died July 31st, 1844, aged 87. Also ALICE BENNION, wife of the above Edward Bennion, who died July 16th, 1838, aged 70.”

“In memory of EDWARD BENNION (senior), Surgeon, who died February 27th, 1788, aged 69. Also ELIZABETH BATTEN and ELIZABETH ROBERTS, who died in their infancy.”

* * * * *

“MARGARET CARTWRIGHT, wife of Robert Cartwright, Surgeon, died June 28th, 1807, aged 29 years. ROBERT CARTWRIGHT, died July 17th, 1822, aged 51 years.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of GEORGE DORSET OWEN, late of this Town, who departed this life November the 3rd, 1839, aged 52.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of EDWARD POWELL, late of Preesgwyn, in this County, and of the Excise Office in the City of London, second son of Edward Powell, by Sarah his wife, who departed this life January 6th, 1825, and was interred the 12th of the same month, at St. Dunstan’s Church, Mile End, Old Town, Middlesex, aged 68 years. Underneath rest the mortal remains of JOHN POWELL, late of Preesgwyn, youngest son of the above Edward and Sarah Powell, who departed this life November 24th, 1825, aged 63 years.”

* * * * *

“In a vault beneath this stone are deposited the mortal remains of MARY, the beloved and affectionate wife of Mr. William Faulder, late of this town, and mother of Margaret, wife of John Richard Powell, of Preesgwyn, who died February 17th, 1847, in the 73rd year of her age.”

* * * * *

“Underneath lie the remains of MARGARET JENNINGS, eldest daughter of Thomas and Margaret Jennings, of Penylan. She died May 12th, 1826, aged 59. Also the remains of MARY, youngest daughter of Thomas and Margaret Jennings, who died 31st of March, 1834, aged 61. Also the remains of EDWARD, the youngest son of Thomas and Margaret Jennings, who died November 27th, 1835, aged 61. Also the remains of THOMAS, eldest son of Thomas and Margaret Jennings, who died July 26th, 1844, aged 74. Underneath are deposited the remains of THOMAS JENNINGS, of Penylan. He died l7th of December, 1805, aged 79. Also the remains of MARGARET JENNINGS, relict of Thomas Jennings, of Penylan. She died the 31st of March, 1811, aged 79. JANE, the wife of John Wolfe, of Penylan, departed this life July 19th, 1695. SINAH, the second wife of John Wolfe, of Penylan, departed this life October 25th, 1736, aged 77. MARY JENNINGS, of Penylan, (widow), departed this life November 11th, 1756, aged 51. JOHN WOLFE, of Penylan, departed this life July 3rd, 1739, aged 80.”

* * * * *

“EDWARD GOUGH, departed this life March 14th, 1803.”

“Also to the memory of CATHERINE WILLIAMS, who departed this life April 28th, 1840, aged 97.”

“Also to the memory of MARIA, relict of the above-named Edward Gough, who departed this life February 25th, 1853, aged 82.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of THOMAS POTTER MACQUEEN, late of Ridgemount, Bedfordshire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Beds. Yeomanry Cavalry, and M.P. for that County, born May 28th, 1792, died March 31st, 1854.”

In the New Church-Yard.

“In memory of CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH URWICK, eldest daughter of Thomas and Frances Penson, and wife of William Urwick, of Ludlow. She died of consumption, at Torquay, on the 26th of November, 1846, aged 30 years. In this dispensation of the Divine will, her parents have to sorrow for a most dear and dutiful daughter, and her husband to bemoan the loss of an affectionate wife. Her remains, with those of her only child, THOMAS PENSON URWICK, who died on the 27th of May, 1847, aged 13 months, are deposited beneath.”

* * * * *

Near this place are deposited the remains of HANNAH PENSON, who died an infant, on the 28th of September, 1823. And underneath lie the remains of SARAH MARIA PENSON, who died on the 25th of April, 1829, aged 8 years. Also the remains of HENRY PENSON, who died on the 1st of May, 1832, aged 12 years; children of Thomas and Frances Penson.

‘Happy children, early blest, Rest, in peaceful slumbers rest.’”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of JANE, daughter of Edmund Faunce, Esq., late Lieutenant-Colonel of the 4th or King’s own regiment, and Bridget his wife, who died April the 12th, 1826, aged 16. Also sacred to the memory of the above-named EDWARD FAUNCE, Esq., of St. Mary’s Hall, county of Kent, late Lieutenant-Colonel in the 4th or King’s own regiment. He died September 29th, 1838, aged 72.”

* * * * *

“Sacred to the memory of JOHN WILLIAM BOURKE, obiit August 21st, 1823, ætat. suæ 47. Sacred to the memory of ANNE, relict of the Rev. John William Bourke, who died October 22nd, 1833, aged 73.”

TRINITY CHURCH.

[Picture: Trinity Church]

The great want of accommodation for the poor in the Parish Church led to the building of another church, in the outskirts of the town, in the year 1835. This church, dedicated to the HOLY TRINITY, was consecrated by the Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. Carey) in 1837, and a district, consisting of the wards of Leg-Street and Beatrice Street, in the town, and of the townships of Middleton, Hisland, Wootton, Aston., and Maesbury, has since been formed for it by the Church Commissioners. The population of the district so assigned was estimated at the time at about 2,300. The church contains accommodation for 700 persons, for about 400 of whom there are free sittings. The ornamental parts of the interior were executed at the expense of the Rev. John Parker, of Sweeney Hall, Vicar of Llanyblodwel. The Viscount Dungannon presented a handsome bible and prayer book, and the communion services, for the use of the church. The communion plate was given by the late Earl of Powis. T. L. Longueville, Esq., has also been a most liberal contributor to the church, both in presenting an organ, and in subscribing largely to the original structure, and to the subsequent improvements. A school-room at Maesbury, with a house for the master, was built some years since in this district, and subsequently licensed for the performance of worship by the Bishop of St. Asaph, and which is served gratuitously by the Incumbent of Trinity Church. It is much to be desired that a chapel-of-ease were erected in this part of the parish. Trinity Church is now altogether separated from the living of Oswestry, the Vicar of Oswestry for the time being appointing the Incumbent. The present Incumbent is the Rev. Frederick Cashel, M.A.

TREFONEN CHURCH.

To meet the wants of the Welsh population of the parish, a church was built in the township of Trefonen, and consecrated in the year 1821; and in 1842 a district was assigned to it, by an Order in Council bearing date August 27th, consisting of the three townships of Trefonen, Treflach, and Treferclawdd. In 1851 this district contained 319 houses, and 1233 inhabitants—viz., 589 males and 644 females.

Trefonen Church, which is capable of containing about 500 persons, was built on a piece of land given for that purpose by the late Sir W. W. Wynn, father of the present Baronet. It was originally intended that the service of this church should be wholly in Welsh; but, owing to the increase and prevalence of the English language, that intention was not persevered in, and the service has for some years past been performed in Welsh and English alternately. A substantial school-room, with a house for the Master, was erected in the year 1825, upon a portion of the glebe given for that purpose, with the sanction of the Bishop, by the late Incumbent, the Rev. Edward Jones, and which has been of great advantage to the district. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Earl of Powis. The present Incumbent is the Rev. D. Lloyd.

Trefonen abounds in mineral wealth. Coal was raised in considerable abundance some years since in the adjoining township of Treferclawdd, but the pits there are now exhausted. It is still worked, however, in the township of Treflach, where there are also valuable and extensive quarries of lime. A mine was opened some years since in the Moelydd, which produces lead and calamine.

RHYDYCROESAU CHURCH.

In addition to the above means of providing church accommodation to the inhabitants of the parish, an additional advantage has been gained by annexing the two Welsh townships of Pentregaer and Cynynion to the new church at Rhydycroesau. This church is situated on the high road to Llansilin, about three and a half miles from the town of Oswestry. It owes its foundation to the Rev. G. N. K. Lloyd, late Rector of Selattyn, who contributed liberally himself, and, with the co-operation of the first and present Incumbent, the Rev. Robert Williams, M.A., raised a sufficient fund, by voluntary contributions, to complete the church and erect a glebe-house. The church was consecrated August 2nd, 1838, by the Bishop of St. Asaph, and the glebe-house was built in 1840. It is a Consolidated District Church, licensed for all parochial purposes; and has a legally-assigned district, consisting of the townships of Cynynion and Pentregaer, in the parish of Oswestry; a detached portion of the parish of Llanyblodwel, called Cefnymaes; with portions of the parishes of Llansilin and Selattyn. A very neat Gothic building has also been erected by the present Incumbent, aided by voluntary contributions, and opened as a National School in January, 1850. The sites for the school and playground, as well as for the church and church-yard, are the munificent gifts of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart. The portion of the population of the parish of Oswestry thus transferred to the district of Rhydycroesau is about 200.

Nothing is now needed to make the ecclesiastical arrangements of the parish of Oswestry complete but the building of a chapel-of-ease at Maesbury, and the annexing a district to Morton Chapel; the latter of which objects will no doubt be effected whenever a new Incumbent shall be appointed to it.

Oswestry is a discharged Vicarage, in the gift of the Earl of Powis. The present Incumbent is the Rev. Thomas Salwey, B.D.

LIST OF VICARS.

David Owain instituted 1534

Rector of Whittington 1532, and Prebendary of Myfod 1534 Peter Brereton 1537 John Price, L.L.B. 1552

He became Prebendary of Myfod 1558, and Chancellor 1559. William Owen 1583 William Horton 1587 Thomas Somerfield 1588 John Bagshaw 1591

Rector of Whittington 1588. William Morgan 1599

Vicar of Pool 1575. Richard Pagot 1602 Nathaniel Tattersall (deprived) 1603 Richard Muckleston 1612 John Kyffin, B.D. 1625 Humphrey Wynne 1639 Rowland Nevet, A.M. —

Ejected by the Act of Uniformity. Richard Edwards 1664 Richard Jones 1680 Samuel Wilson, A.M. 1690 Archibald Guild 1694 Thomas Jones 1697 Thomas Owen 1707 Edward Parry 1713 Thomas Trevor, A.M., Bodynfol 1736 Turner Edwards, L.L.B., Talgarth 1784

Vicar of Llansilin. Daniel Griffiths 1803 J. W. Bourke, A.M. 1807

Vicar of St. Martins 1803. Thomas Salwey, B.D. December, 1823

The present esteemed Vicar of Oswestry, suffering much from illness, has long been unable to attend personally to the duties of his office. When however occasion has offered to promote, by his counsel and aid, any measure of benevolence in the Parish, he has been active in the good work. There are two Curates at present attached to the Parish Church—the Rev. Llewelyn Wynne Jones, and the Rev. George Cuthbert, both of whom are zealous and faithful in their ministerial labours, and have acquired the regard and affection of the numerous congregations to whom they dispense the Bread of Life.

Dissenting Places of Worship.

THE OLD CHAPEL.

The Congregational Church of Protestant Dissenters now assembling in the Old Chapel, Arthur-Street, was formed in the township of Sweeney, in the year 1662, and the Rev. Rowland Nevet, A, M., ejected from the vicarage of Oswestry by the Act of Uniformity, was its first pastor. Mr. Nevet laboured in the ministry for thirty years; seventeen as a clergyman of the established church, and thirteen as a dissenting preacher. Calamy, in his “_Nonconformists’ Memorial_,” mentions to his honour, that when the Plague prevailed at Oswestry, he still continued with his people, extending to them both temporal and spiritual aid. He died December 8th, 1675, and was succeeded by the Rev. James Owen, a distinguished minister, who bore part, as we have already mentioned, in a theological controversy which took place in the Oswestry Guildhall, in the year 1681, in the presence of Bishop Lloyd. He was appointed pastor at Sweeney in November, 1676, the duties of which office he faithfully discharged, as well as those of chaplain to Mrs. Baker, a pious lady residing on her own estate at Sweeney Hall. Vestiges of the ancient burial-ground of the first Nonconformists are yet to be seen near the site of the old mansion at Sweeney, enclosed within iron railings by the late T. N. Parker, Esq. The following inscriptions are still legible:—

“Here lieth Mrs. ABIGAIL CHETWOOD, daughter to Sir Richard Chetwood, who died the 1st May, 1658.”

“THOMAS BAKER, Esq., deceased March 19, aged 68, A.D. 1675.”

The above Thomas Baker served the office of High Sheriff of the county, in 1649, the first year of Cromwell’s Protectorate; and in the parliament of 1653 he was summoned by Cromwell, with John Brown, of Little Ness, as a knight of the shire. In 1692 the place of worship was removed, for convenience, from Sweeney into the town of Oswestry. The room fitted up for religious worship was part of a house in Willow-Street, now known as the Butchers’ Arms. Here Mr. Owen laboured for eight years, and then removed to Shrewsbury, where he was soon placed at the head of the dissenting theological seminary. He was succeeded by the Rev. Jenkyn Evans, who died in 1709, and his funeral sermon was preached by the celebrated Mathew Henry. The Rev. Joseph Venables was the next minister appointed; and after Mr. Venables came the Rev. Thomas Morgan. During his ministry the site on which the present chapel and chapel-house stand was purchased, with an old maltkiln upon it, for £38. The sum of £200 having been given for the purpose by Mrs. Sarah Lloyd, a chapel was erected, and opened for public worship in July, 1750. The immediate successors of Mr. Morgan were Mr. Davies and Mr. Dewhurst; the latter became Socinian or Arian in his doctrines, and soon left. In September, 1777, the Rev. Dr. Edward Williams removed from Ross to Oswestry. In 1783 he enlarged the chapel; and the Collegiate Institution at Abergavenny having been removed to Oswestry, Dr. Williams became its Tutor, and for the accommodation of the students he enlarged the chapel-house also. In 1791 he removed to Carr’s-Lane, Birmingham; afterwards to Rotherham College, of which he was appointed Principal, and there he died. The Rev. John Whitridge, who had been minister of the Congregational Church at Newcastle-under-Lyme for nine years, succeeded Dr. Williams, and he remained the kind and benevolent pastor of his congregation, which greatly increased under his ministry, till the period of his death, October 11th, 1826. On the west side of the chapel, and over the spot where the pulpit then stood, in which for thirty-five years he had dealt out the bread of life to his congregation, a plain marble tablet was erected, bearing the following inscription:—