Chapter XVIII: Part 18

CHARITIES.—By indenture, dated 8th September, 1753, _John Edwards_, _Esq._ conveyed a plot of land called the Chapel Yard, at Nesscliffe, to the Rev. William Parry, then vicar of Great Ness, for the erection of a school and residence for the teacher. The following benefactions are stated to have been given towards the support of the school, viz., _Sir Orlando Bridgeman_, £20; _Sir John Langham_, £10; _Mrs. Pridie_, £20; the _Rev. William Parry_, £25; and _Mrs. Parry_, £25. This sum, amounting to £100, was in the hands of John Edwards, Esq., when the charity commissioners published their report, and he paid interest for it at the rate of five per cent. The master resides in a house built on the land, containing about an acre in the whole, and in consideration of the above emoluments is required to teach six poor children in reading, writing, and accounts, without any charge.

_Samuel Shuker_, by will bearing date June 18th, 1821, devised two leasehold estates, then let at a yearly rent of £148. 15s., to John Edwards, Esq., upon trust to sell the same, and to invest the proceeds of such sale in the public funds, and out of the first year’s dividends to improve the present school house, and afterwards to pay the dividends yearly, in promoting the views of the said school, by causing so many poor children of indigent parents, not exceeding the age of twelve years, nor under the age of six years, to be properly instructed in reading, writing, and the four first rules of arithmetic, and finding them in books, pens, ink, and paper; the proportions of such children to be admitted into the said school being two boys and one girl. The property above mentioned was sold by John Edwards, Esq., to whom the testator left the residue of his personal estate, not otherwise disposed of, the bequest to the charity being void under the statute of 9 George II., c. 36. The produce of the sale of the above estates was about £1,070. Mr. Edwards proposed settling this property ultimately upon the school, but retaining the disposal of the produce thereof for his life.

_Margaret Dyos_, by will 1729, bequeathed £10, and directed the proceeds to be distributed to the poor of Great Ness for the first three years, and the fourth year to the poor of Kinnerley, and so on in rotation from four years to four years. This gift and £5 in the hands of the parish officers was laid out in the purchase of a piece of land in Melverley, which now produces a yearly rent of £1. 10s.

_William Phillip_ left a rent-charge of 5s. yearly, to be distributed among twenty poor housekeepers. The sum of 5s. is paid yearly to the churchwardens of Great Ness, as charged upon the Plough Inn, at Wellington, by Mr. Leeke, the owner of those premises.

DIRECTORY.—Thomas Justice Bather, Esq.; Rev. Henry Calverley Cotton; George Edwards, Esq., the Hall; James Jones, gentleman. _Farmers_: William Davies, grazier, William Hughes, Samuel Smith, John Sides, John Wildblood. Thomas Davies, butcher.

ALDERTON

is a small township one and a half mile from Great Ness, having one house, 13 inhabitants, and 196A. 3R. 10P. of land, with an undulating surface and light sandy soil. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor, and sole proprietor. The tithes have been commuted, and £17. 15s. apportioned to the impropriator, and £7. 7s. 6d to the vicar of Great Ness. ALDERTON HALL is a neat brick residence, occupied by Mr. Thomas Jones. The farm buildings are extensive, and near to the hall is a pool of water of considerable extent. The rateable value of this township is £234.

FELTON BUTLER

is a pleasantly situated township, with a scattered population, one and a half miles S.W. by S. from Great Ness, having at the census of 1841 twelve houses and 65 inhabitants. It contains 534A. 3R. 3P. of land of a light sandy nature, about two-thirds of which is arable. Rateable value, £642. 18s. 9d. The Earl of Powis and Thomas Justice Bather, Esq., are the landowners. The former is lord of the manor. One half of the rectoral tithes are apportioned to the vicar of Great Ness, and the other moiety of £28. 17s. 6d. to the prebend of Holgate. The vicar receives £46. 15s. Mr. Thomas Harris resides at a very neat house, with grounds tastefully laid out. The farm premises are of considerable extent and conveniently arranged.

The principal residents are Thomas Harris, farmer and grazier; John Lewis, jun., farmer; Thomas Lewis, farmer; and Robert Jones, shoemaker.

HOPTON,

a township in Great Ness parish, near to the Holyhead turnpike road, contains 653A. 2R. 5P. of land, the soil of which is a mixture of peat and sand, upon which rye, turnips, and some little wheat are grown. There is some good pasture land below the cliffs. The village is divided into what may be considered Higher and Lower Hopton, and is pleasantly situated a mile and a quarter N.W. by N. from Great Ness, and eight and a half miles N.W. from Shrewsbury. To the north-east of the village are the Nesscliffe hills, which rise four hundred feet above the level of the village. In 1841 there were 38 houses and 179 inhabitants. Rateable value, £607. The Earl of Bradford is lord of the manor. The freeholders are Mr. Richard Minton; Mr. Samuel Minton; Thomas Justice Bather, Esq.; Mr. Richard Wildblood; the Earl of Bradford; Mr. Thos. Bather; Mrs. Haddy; Mr. John Rodgers; Miss Williams; Mr. James Canlin; Mr. Charles Lloyd; Mr. John Povey; Mr. William Payne; and Mr. James Jones. The rectoral tithes have been commuted for £81. 15s., and apportioned to Thomas I. Bather, Esq. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £32. There are stone quarries here, from which a fine red freestone is procured, in blocks of almost any dimensions. THE WESLEYAN METHODISTS have a neat stone chapel near the village.

The principal farmers are Thomas Clayton, Startlewood; Edward Davies; Samuel Minton; Richard Minton; and John Suckley. William Davies, butcher.

KINTON

is a village pleasantly situated two miles W. from Great Ness, commanding views of great strength and diversity; the township contains 1,163A. 0R. 3P. of land, the soil of which is sandy, upon a strong sub-soil, producing good wheat and barley. The Earl of Bradford is lord of the manor. The chief landowners are the Earl of Bradford, Mr. Richard Wildblood, Thomas Justice Bather, Esq., Mrs. Haddy, Miss Williams, Mr. Charles Lloyd, Mr. James Canlin, Mr. John Rodgers, Mr. William Payne, and others are also proprietors. At the census of 1841 there were 21 houses and 97 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,115. 2s. 2d. There are several neat villa residences in the village. THE GROVE is a modern erection, the residence of Mr. Robert Suckley, and has conveniently-arranged farm premises attached. THE WOLF’S HEAD FARM, the residence of Mrs. Mary Suckley, was formerly a noted public house, and is situated near to Knockin Heath, on the side of the Holyhead turnpike road. It was the rendezvous of thieves and vagabonds, and robberies were so frequently committed in this locality that the stout-hearted had a dread on passing this road.

Canlin Mrs. Maria

Canlin James, gentleman

Evans Edward, shoemaker

Gittins Thomas, blacksmith

Higginson William, grocer and provision dealer

Jones Richard, shoemaker

Lloyd Thomas, farmer

Massey James, farmer

Mansell Richard, farmer

Payne Mrs., gentlewoman

Suckley Mrs. Mary

Suckley Robert, farmer, The Grove

Taylor George, farmer

Wildblood Richard, farmer, The Hall

NESSCLIFFE

is a township in the parish of Great Ness, pleasantly situated on the Holyhead turnpike road, four and a half miles W. by S. from Baschurch, and eight miles N.W. from Shrewsbury. There are 28 houses and 189 inhabitants, and the township contains 86A. 5R. 13P. of land. Rateable value, £157. Thomas Justice Bather, Esq., George Edwards, and the Earl of Bradford, are the landowners; the latter is lord of the manor, and holds a court leet. The village is remarkable for its clean and neat appearance, and there are two respectable and commodious inns. An annual fair is held here on the last Monday in April, and there are meetings in the season for coursing, archery, and steeple chasing. There is a prosperous friendly society in the village, having 267 members and a reserve fund of £1,904. 5s. 9d. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £9, and Mr. Payne and Mr. Bather, the impropriators, receive £3. 11s. 8d. The endowed school, supported with money arising from the benefactions noticed with the general charities of the parish, is situated in this village. The school is capable of accommodating eighty children; there are now 52 receiving instruction. The master receives 20s. per annum for every scholar admitted; John Jones is the teacher. Over the school house door is the following inscription, which has reference to a chapel dedicated to St. Mary, which formerly stood near the site of the school:—

“God prosper and prolong this public good,
A school erected where a chapel stood.”

The school was built in 1753. This village is celebrated for its immense quarries of red sand stone, from which blocks of almost any dimensions can be raised. The red stone of which the castle, town walls, abbey, and most other old buildings in Shrewsbury are formed, was in all probability brought from this place. Nesscliffe hill will amply repay the labour of an ascent, the prospect is most delightful and varied. On the side of the hill is the celebrated KYNASTON’S CAVE, perched like an eagle’s nest upon the brow of an overhanging precipice. Humphrey Kynaston was the keeper or constable of Middle Castle, who from his dissolute and riotous manner of life, was surnamed _The Wild_. The enormous debts he contracted by his conduct caused him to be declared an outlaw, upon which he fled from Middle Castle, and sheltered himself in a cave in Nesscliffe rock, called to this day “Kynaston’s Cave.” It is divided into two rooms by a strong pillar of the rock, upon which is carved, “H. K., 1564.” One of these was the stall for the celebrated outlaw’s horse. The approach was by a flight of broad steps, which have since been partly cut away. Many a deed of daring is rehearsed of this high-born freebooter; among others, his draining to Mr. Lloyd’s health, in that gentleman’s court yard, the great hall tankard of ale; and while some of the retainers were closing him in, and others were securing every way of escape, Kynaston coolly pocketed the silver cup, and clapping spurs to his horse, cleared the gates and the heads of his would-be gaolers at a leap. All his depredations seem more to have been dictated by whim than a desire to plunder, for he supplied the wants of the poor by dispensing the spoils he abstracted from the rich. His grateful pensioners cooked for him in return, and found provender for his elf-like steed; the rich paying him tribute through fear, and the poor from gratitude. Kynaston was never taken, but died, as tradition says, in his cave.

POST OFFICE.—_At Mr. Richard Minion’s_. Letters arrive at 5.40 A.M., and are despatched at 7.20 P.M.

Bickley Andrew, farmer and vict., Nesscliffe Inn

Dovestan Thomas, stone mason

Evans Robert, maltster, farmer, and vict., The Pigeons

Evans Richard, wheelwright

Gittins John, blacksmith

Gittins Stephen, sawyer

Humphreys Thomas, joiner & cabinet maker

Jones John, schoolmaster

Lloyd Richard, blacksmith

Minton John, saddler and harness maker

Minton Richard, postmaster

Morris John, carpenter

Owen John, tailor and draper

Randell George, cooper

Roberts Elizabeth, shopkeeper

WILCOTT,

a township and small well-built village in the parish of Great Ness, one and a half mile S.W. by W. from the church, having in 1841 eleven houses and 57 inhabitants. The scenery in the vicinity of Wilcott is bold and romantic; the soil is fertile, producing good wheat and barley. The principal landowners are William Payne, Esq.; John Povey, Esq.; George Edwards, Esq.; Richard Wildblood, Esq.; and Thomas Bather, Esq. At the apportionment of the tithes, £76. 15s. was awarded to the impropriators, John Povey, Esq., Thomas Bather, Esq., and William Payne, Esq., and £25. 15s. to the vicar of Great Ness. There are 374A. 0R. 22P. of land in this township. Rateable value, £477. 2s. 9d. THE INDEPENDENTS have a small chapel, built of stone, and situated between this village and Kinton.

DIRECTORY.—Thomas Bather, Esq., The Villa; David Frumstone, blacksmith; Thos. Higginson, farmer and maltster; Owens Owen, farmer, grazier, maltster, and cattle salesman; William Payne, Esq.; Jane Price, gentlewoman.

HORDLEY

is a parish and pleasantly situated village, three miles south from Ellesmere. The parish comprehends the townships of Hordley and Bagley, and contains 2,417A. 1R. 39P. of land, and in 1801 had a population of 247 souls; 1831, 325; and in 1841 there were 62 houses and 308 inhabitants. The township of Hordley contains 1,211A. 1R. 18P. of land. Rateable value, £1,802. 2s. 6d. The soil is a mixture of sand and loam, producing good crops of wheat, barley, and turnips; but there is a considerable breadth of grazing land in this locality, which has a bold undulating surface. The farm houses have a respectable appearance, and are provided with convenient out-premises. Sir John Roger Kynaston, Bart., is lord of the manor, and owner of the whole township. A remarkable elm tree, of immense size, stands at the cross roads. The canal to Weston and the Ellesmere turnpike road intersect the township.

THE CHURCH, situated at Higher Hordley, is a plain structure, with a small turret, in which there are two bells. It consists of nave and chancel, and contains neat tablets to Sir John Kynaston, Bart., John Kynaston, Esq., and to the family of Cureton. The chancel contains a fine altar-piece of elaborate workmanship; and there is a beautiful stone font. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £3. 19s. 2d.; now returned at £330; in the patronage of Sir John Roger Kynaston, Bart., and incumbency of the Rev. John Walter Moore; curate, Rev. William Frazer. The tithes are commuted for £358, of which sum £272 are apportioned to the rector of Hordley; £16 to the rector of Baschurch; £40. 10s. to Mrs. Topp; and £29 to other impropriators. THE RECTORY is a commodious and modern erection, situated on a gentle eminence about a quarter of a mile south-east from the church. It was built by the present incumbent, aided by a grant from Queen Anne’s bounty. The old rectory is now occupied as a farm residence. A NATIONAL SCHOOL and residence for the teacher was built at Lower Hordley, near the centre of the parish, in 1844. The average attendance of scholars is about sixty. It is supported by subscription and a small payment from the children. There are 28A. 2R. 24P. of glebe land in the parish.

DIRECTORY.—Stephen Burroughs, farmer, Lower Hordley; Mary Cureton, farmer; Rev. William Frazer, curate, the Rectory; John Groom, farmer; Richard Harper, blacksmith; Thomas Hewitt, farmer; Joseph Hignett, farmer; Joseph Hignett, farmer, Dandyford farm; Edward Jones, parish clerk and rate collector; Robert Lewis, farmer, Lower Hordley.

BAGLEY

is a township and village in the parish of Hordley, the population of which is returned with that village. The township contains 1,206A. 0R. 21P. of land. Rateable value, £1,785. 10s. The landowners are Rowland Hunt, Esq.; Rev. John Walter Moore; John Dodd, Esq.; Mr. John Groom; Mrs. Davies; Mrs. Leigh; Mrs. Topp; Hon. Thomas Kenyon; Mr. Edward Lewis; Mr. Joseph Hignett; Mr. Edward and John Martin; Mrs. Sutton; Mr. John Langford, and others. Rowland Hunt, Esq., is lord of the manor. The township is bounded by the river Perry, and intersected by the Ellesmere and Weston canal. There are several farms here of considerable extent, and the farm premises are extensive and conveniently arranged.

DIRECTORY.—Samuel Bickley, farmer and maltster; Jane Davies, farmer; John Davies, farmer, The Oaks; Samuel Cheshire, blacksmith; Stephen Denston, Esq., The Hall; John Dodd, farmer; William Griffiths, farmer; John Higgins, grocer and vict., Fox Inn; Thomas Lea, farmer; Joseph Lea, farmer and butcher; Edward Martin, farmer; Sarah Nickson, farmer; Richard Paddock, farmer, Bromley Green; Robert Pembury, farmer, Bromley House; Edward Stant, farmer; Edward Tomlinson, wheelwright; Edward Wilson, wheelwright.

LOPPINGTON

is a parish and pleasantly situated village two and a half miles W.W. by S. from Wem. This place, from its contiguity to Wem, was the scene of several skirmishes between the royal and the parliamentary forces in the civil wars. In one of these skirmishes the royal party set fire to the floor and roof of the church, which being covered with shingles was the more easily accomplished, and the parliamentary soldiers who had taken refuge in the church, were compelled to surrender it to the king’s party. The parish of Loppington comprises the townships of Loppington, Burlton, and Noneley, and contains 3,411A. 1R. 36P. of land, of which 97 acres are in woods, plantations, and fox covers. Gross estimated rental, £5,162. 12s.; rateable value, £4,197. 15s. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor, and holds a court. At the census in 1841 there were 612 inhabitants. The township of Loppington contains 1159A. 0R. 33P. of land, and in 1841 had 68 houses and 331 inhabitants. Major Thomas Dicken, is the most considerable landowner; George Wycherley, Harriet Kynaston, Thomas Lloyd Dickin, Esq., The Trustees of the Poor’s Land, Mr. William Williams, Rev. William Thomas, Robert Chambre Vaughan, Esq., and Thomas Windsor, are also proprietors. The soil is in general a strong clay, and a mixture of turf and sand. There is a flat of waste land called the Brown Moss, of which the freeholders are entitled to the herbage; the moss extends into other townships and covers a considerable surface; 7A. 0R. 21P. are within the bounds of Loppington township.

THE CHURCH is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Michael, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, in which are three bells; the nave is lofty, and supported by arches rising from oaken pillars; the body of the church is neatly pewed with oaken sittings, and there is an antique stone font. The north wall was demolished during the civil wars in 1650; it was rebuilt and the interior beautified in 1655. There is a very handsome marble tablet to Richard Marigold Noneley and others of the family; the families of Dickin, Chambre, Wingfield, Payne, Groom, Chester, Griffiths, and others, are also remembered on other mural tablets. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £6. 12s. 1d., now returned at £270 in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor and incumbency of the Rev. William Thomas, M.A. The vicarial tithes of Loppington township are commuted for £111. 16s., and the rectoral for £93. Thomas Dickin, Esq., is the impropriator. There are 24A. 1R. 26P. of glebe land. THE VICARAGE is a commodious brick residence, pleasantly situated a little S.W. from the church, with pleasure grounds tastefully laid out. LOPPINGTON HOUSE, the mansion of Thomas Dickin, Esq., J.P., is a handsome and extensive range of building, the front of which is ornamented with a portico; it is surrounded with a park of considerable extent finely wooded; the pleasure grounds and shrubberries are laid out with great taste, and beautified with fine shrubs and choice flowers. THE HALL or Manor House, a good brick residencies is occupied by Mr. James Baddaley, farmer.

CHARITIES.—_John Kynaston_, by his will, bearing date 30th May, 1694, devised a house, garden, stable, and croft, in the township of Loppington, to his kinsman, Roger Kynaston, and his heirs, to the use of the then schoolmaster of Loppington, and his successors as a salary, for their pains in teaching to read six of the poorest children within the parish, to be appointed by the said Roger Kynaston and his heirs; and if there should happen to be no schoolmaster, he directed that the profits of the premises should be to the use of Roger Kynaston and his heirs. The property devised by the testator consists of a public house in Loppington, with a stable, garden, and croft, containing altogether half an acre. The property, when the Charity Commissioners published their report, was claimed by Thomas Kynaston, grandson of Richard Kynaston, named in the following conveyance:—“By indenture, bearing date 17th November, 1741, between Roger Kynaston, grandson of Roger Kynaston, the devisee above-mentioned, of the one part, and Richard Kynaston, of Loppington, of the other part, reciting the will as above extracted, the said Roger Kynaston, party thereto, in consideration of £4 conveyed to the said Richard Kynaston and his heirs, the messuage, tenements, and lands, and all other the premises in the said will mentioned, and all his estate and interest therein, subject nevertheless to the trusts in the said will mentioned concerning the same.” The premises are let for £13 per annum, an additional sum of £2 being paid by the tenant for a piece of garden formerly no part of the trust premises. The rent of £13 is received by Thomas Kynaston, and he pays thereout £2 yearly to a schoolmaster for the instruction of six poor children. The residue of the rent Thomas Kynaston reserves to his own use; but it is clear that the whole of the rent above-mentioned is applicable to the charitable uses mentioned in the testator’s will, and that notwithstanding that in the conveyance of 1731, £4 was paid as a consideration, Thomas Kynaston can only be considered as a trustee for such charitable uses. It is stated that within the last twenty years Thomas Kynaston has laid out upwards of £300 in rebuilding and improving the premises, but as he has been in possession between thirty and forty years, and during that time has enjoyed the benefit of all the surplus rent beyond the yearly sum of £2, there seems to be no reason why the schoolmaster should not from the present time receive the benefit of the whole rent. It seems also desirable that new trustees should be appointed; but considering the testator vested the property solely in his kinsman, Richard Kynaston, and his heirs, we apprehend that a conveyance to new trustees would not be enforced in a court of equity, provided the said Thomas Kynaston gives up all claim to any beneficial interest therein.

_Jane Manlove_, in 1751, bequeathed £10, and directed the interest to be disposed of in the purchase of clothing for poor widows; the interest to be applied two years to poor widows resident in Loppington township, and the third year to widows of Burlton township.

_Thomas Price_, in 1797, bequeathed £50, the interest to be applied in a distribution of bread every Sunday; he also bequeathed the residue of his personal estate, after the payment of certain legacies, for the same purpose. To this legacy of £50 and £30 in augmentation thereof out of personal estate, and the sum of £10 given by Mrs. Menlove, as above-mentioned, £10 was added by the parish to make up £100, which sum was laid out on mortgage of three cottages in Wem, the deed bearing date the 1st August, 1820. The interest, £4, is distributed according to the donor’s intentions. The particulars of Richard Corbet’s charity will be found noticed with Wem. There is a farm of about 63 acres of land in this parish, the rent of which for a great number of years (certainly from 1690) has been considered as applicable to the repairs of the church, the relief of the poor, and such other purposes as the parishioners should direct, and has been so applied at their discretion.

_Mary Griffiths_, in 1837, bequeathed £300 in the three per cent. consols, and directed the interest to be distributed in money or clothes for the benefit of the poor.

POST OFFICE.—At Elizabeth Matthews. Letters arrive by foot post from Middle at 10 a.m., and are despatched at 3 p.m.

Allen William, bricklayer and plasterer

Astley Thomas, farmer and shopkeeper

Austin John, shoemaker and shopkeeper

Baddaley James, farmer, The Hall

Barnes Mr. William

Bickerley Margaret, farmer

Booth Thomas, gentleman

Brown Charles, farmer and gamekeeper

Capp John, gentleman

Cheetwood Samuel, farmer, Stump House

Chorley James, schoolmaster and assistant overseer

Danks Henry, farrier

Dannelly Richard, farmer and vict., Fox Inn

Davies Joseph, farmer

Dickin Thomas, Esq., Loppington House

Dovaston John, farmer and gardener

Eaton Richard, wheelwright

Eddowes Rev. John, curate

Evans Henry, farmer and wheelwright

Evans Richard, farmer

Harper Hannah, farmer

Harper Samuel, farmer

Heatley Thomas, farmer

Jones John, farmer, Hollywell Moor

Kynaston Harriett, corn miller

Kynaston Rebecca, vict., Dickin’s Arms Inn

Matthews Thomas, farmer

Price John, tailor, The Lodge

Pugh Joseph, farmer

Shingler Miss, gentlewoman

Stanway William, farmer

Thomas Harwood, solicitor

Thomas Rev. William, M.A., The Vicarage

Thomas William, surgeon

Turner Ann, farmer

Vaughan Edward Goldsborough Chambre, Esq., Wood Gate

Watson Robert, farmer and shoemaker

Williams Robert, gentleman

Williams William, blacksmith and vict., Blacksmith’s Arms

Wycherley George, gentleman

Wycherley Robert, farmer

BURLTON

is a village and township, intersected by the Shrewsbury and Ellesmere and the Baschurch and Wem turnpike roads, two miles E. from Baschurch, and five miles S.W. from Wem. The township contains 1,324A. 0R. 14P. of land, and in 1841 had 35 houses and 172 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,604. The soil is various; in some parts a cold clay prevails, and in other places there is a loamy soil, with a mixture of gravel. The principal landowners are R. C. Vaughan, Esq., Thomas Woodfield, Samuel Lee, Robert Leeke, John Menlove, Esq., William Sparling, Esq., The Corporation of Shrewsbury, Thomas Dickin, Esq., Mr. John Platt, Mr. Nicholas Robinson, Mr. Peter Shingler, and Mr. Peter Shingler, jun.; besides whom there are several smaller proprietors. BURLTON GREEN is a plot of waste land, containing two acres, the herbage of which is claimed by the freeholders. There is also a considerable tract of woodland in this township. A court leet and baron is held yearly at the Coach and Horses, by the lord of the manor, Robert C. Vaughan, Esq. The jurisdiction of the court embraces the following townships, viz.:—Burlton, Balderton, Eyton, Fennymere, Frankton, Stanwardine-in-the Field, and Walford. About four-fifths of the township is tithe free; the residue has been commuted; the vicarial for £17. 12s., and the rectoral for £50. 19s., of which £28. 8s. are paid to Messrs. Shingler and Son, and £22. 11s. to Thomas Bulkeley Bulkeley Owen, Esq. The manor, tithes, and estate of Burlton were granted by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, in the reign of William the Conqueror, to the Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul, in Shrewsbury, in the possession of which house it remained till the dissolution of monastic institutions in the time of Henry VIII. In the reign of Elizabeth we find it possessed by one Griffith. It then passed to the family of Lawley, of whom was Sir Edward Lawley, K.B., who, dying, left an only daughter, named Ursula. She married, first, Sir Robert Bertie, K.B., and secondly, George Penruddock, Esq., who thus became possessed of Burlton. This gentleman, taking an active part in the wars of King Charles and the Parliament, and being a zealous royalist, his manor, as did many others in the kingdom, changed its owner, and became the property of Captain Arthur Chambre, in whose family it has remained to the present time, and now belongs to his descendant, Robert Chambre Vaughan, Esq., who resides at BURLTON HALL, a very ancient mansion, embosomed in foliage. The greater part of the hall was built about the year 1420; having become much dilapidated, it was thoroughly repaired and beautified during the year 1837. It is handsomely furnished, contains some beautiful paintings, and curious cabinets of the most elaborate workmanship.

Adams Edward, farmer

Baker Joseph, blacksmith and shopkeeper

Baker Robert, beerhouse keeper

Beamont Thomas, farmer, The Coppice

Brown James, farmer, The Grove

Cheshire Thomas, blacksmith

Dean George, fish-net maker

Desert Joseph P., farm bailiff

Dodsworth George, farmer, Wood farm

Done William, shoemaker

Fletcher Richard, shopkeeper

Griffiths Thomas, police officer

Moorehouse Henry Charles, tailor & draper, and victualler, Coach and Horses Inn

Pearce Robert, farmer and maltster, The Wood

Platt John, farmer, The Mill

Pickstock Seth, gentleman

Sadler James, farm manager

Sadler Joseph, farm manager

Sadler Thomas, farmer

Shingler Peter, farmer, The Grange

Vaughan Robert Chambre, Esq., The Hall

Williams Joseph, farmer

NONELEY, OR NUNNELEY,

is a township in Loppington parish, having a scattered population, situated about a mile and a half south from the church. The township contains 931A. 0R. 29P. of land, and in 1841 had 19 houses and 107 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,018. 10s. The tithes have been commuted, and £37. 7s. apportioned to the Vicar of Loppington; £11. 16s. to the Vicar of Baschurch; and £97. 18s. to Peter Shingler, Esq., the impropriator. The principal landowners are Mrs. Margaret Noneley, Rev. John Evans, Thomas Dickin, Esq., Mr. George Clay, Mr. George Harris, Mr. William Groom, Rowland Hunt, Esq., Mr. John Brayne Gregory, Mr. Robert Betton, D. F. Atcherley, Esq., and Vernon Dolphin, Esq.

DIRECTORY.—_Farmers_: John Davies Bentley; Robert Betton; Samuel Brayne; Thos. Brown; Thomas Harris, The Hall farm; John Higgins; Evan Jones, and maltster; William Jones; Mary Morgan, Ruewood; George Tunnah; John Vernon; George Wall; Thomas Weaver; and William and Richard Webb, The Shaws. Thomas Astley, boot and shoemaker. Arthur Austin, blacksmith.

MIDDLE

is a considerable parish, partly in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill, and partly in the Albrighton division, the former comprehending within its bounds the townships of Balderton, Marton, Middle, and part of Sleap; and the latter the chapelry of Hadnal, which consists of the several townships of Alderton, Hadnal, Haston, Hardwick, Shotton, and Smethcott. The entire parish contains 6,902A. 3R. 27P. of land. Mostly a fertile soil, it presents a fine agricultural district, with an undulating surface, interspersed with woods and plantations, and every agreeable feature in landscape beauty. The woods and plantations cover 55A. 3R. 19P. of land. The parish includes the celebrated eminences of Pimhill and Harmour Hill, from whence a most delightful and varied prospect of the country is seen. In 1801 there was a population of 1,141 souls; in 1831, 1,205; and in 1841, 1,330 inhabitants. Rateable value, £4,943. The Duke of Cleveland and the trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater are joint lords of the manor. The village of Middle is pleasantly situated on an acclivity of red sand-stone rock, on the line of the Shrewsbury, Chester, Ellesmere, and Holyhead turnpike roads. These roads are, however, now but little traversed, the railroads having diverted the greatest portion of the traffic. There are some good houses in the village, which has a straggling appearance; and in the immediate vicinity there are several respectable family residences. The township contains 2,179A. 2R. 15P. of land, the soil of which in some parts is a cold clay, in other parts it is more fertile. In 1841 there were 87 houses and 456 inhabitants. Rateable value, £2,240. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Viscount Alford, William Henry Bickerton, Esq., William Teece, Esq., Mr. John Chilton, Mr. Edward Birch, Edward Edwards, Esq., and J. A. Lloyd, Esq.

MIDDLE CASTLE.—Of this ancient baronial fortress there are but few vestiges remaining. Lord John L’Estrange, in the time of Edward I., obtained licence to make a castle of his house at Middle, which lay less exposed to the incursions of the Welsh than his castles of Knockin and Ruyton. The castle was two stories high, with a flat roof, and some part of the walls were remaining about the year 1640. These were in a great measure destroyed by an earthquake in 1688. It was a quadrangular structure, with a square court inside, and was surrounded by a moat. The moat is yet very perfect, and filled with water; but the castle is completely demolished, except a tower and a few fragments of the walls. These existing vestiges were recently put in a state of repair, by order of the late Viscount Alford. On the east side of the castle, there was a piece of ground of about half an acre, surrounded by a moat. The entrance to this piece was by a gatehouse, which stood near the north-east corner of the castle moat, and near it was a drawbridge over the moat. In the 3rd of Edward III., John L’Estrange had a grant of free warren, the view of frankpledge and waif, in this manor. A settlement made by Richard L’Estrange may be found in the chancery rolls in the 18th of Henry VI. After the death of this family it descended to the Derby family, and William Dod was appointed constable or keeper; and after him Sir Roger Kynaston was, by commission, keeper of Middle and Knockin castles. Upon the decease of Sir Roger, his son Humphrey (who, from his dissolute and riotous mode of life, was called Wild Humphrey) was tenant here. On his being outlawed, he left Middle Castle, which he had suffered to become ruinous, and went and took up his abode in a cave, near Nesscliff, which to this day is called Kynaston’s cave.

THE CHURCH, which is dedicated to St. Peter, was rebuilt about a century ago, with the exception of the tower, which was erected in the year 1634. It consists of two aisles and a chancel, and exhibits the debased style of English architecture. Two handsome windows were put into the chancel about a year ago, in the decorated style, at the expense of Mrs. Egerton, widow of the late rector, the Rev. Thomas Egerton, to whose memory the east one is dedicated. The windows are richly beautified with stained glass, by Wailes, of Newcastle. There are several neat memorials in the church to the Atcherleys, Bickertons, Kynastons, and others. It is neatly pewed with oak sittings, and the whole has a chaste and orderly appearance. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £12. 7s. 3½d., now returned at £1,003, in the patronage of the trustees of the late Viscount Alford, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Henry Egerton, M.A., who resides at the Rectory, a delightfully situated mansion, beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies. The rectory was rebuilt in 1747, by Dr. Egerton Leigh, the then rector. Subsequent additions have from time to time been made. The tithes have been commuted for £345. 19s. 6d. There is a PAROCHIAL AND INFANT SCHOOL in Middle, in which upwards of 100 children are educated. They are chiefly supported by the rector, by whom the infant school was established. The Middle Friendly and Benefit Society has 107 enrolled members, and a capital stock of £675. 15s. 11d.; besides which, there is the Middle Old Friendly Society, and a branch of the Oddfellows, which have a considerable number of members.

CHARITIES.—_William Gough_, in 1669, devised his lands, subject to the payment of £5 per annum, on the 25th of December, to the minister and churchwardens of Middle, to be applied in putting forth poor children apprentices. _Richard Newton_ left a rent charge of 12s., issuing out of the Newton estate, to be given in bread to the poor on the second Sunday in the month. This gift, and the yearly sum of 25s., paid out of the poor’s-rate, are applied in the purchase of bread, and distributed every Sunday. This 25s. is supposed to be paid as the interest of some charity money applicable to this purpose, and carried to the account of the parish. The same sum has been paid from the year 1786. _Thomas Atcherley_, by will, 1680, devised a rent charge of 24s. per annum, payable out of certain lands in Baschurch parish, to be given to the poor of Middle on Easter Monday. There is a plot of land, consisting of about three-fourths of an acre, which is let for 30s. per annum, and the amount is distributed by the churchwardens every Easter Monday, with the sum of 16s. 6d., paid from the parish-rates, as the interest of money supposed to have been given for charitable uses, and carried to the account of the parish. There are ten other bequests, which are stated to be vested in the parish, amounting altogether to £70. If the £24 paid for the purchase of the above mentioned land be deducted from that sum, there will remain £46, which is supposed to have been taken to the account of the parish, and for which the two sums of £1. 5s. and 16s. 6d., paid as above stated, would be interest at 4½ per cent.

The _Rev. Thomas Watkins_ left to the poor of this parish not receiving parochial relief, the sum of £20. _Richard Watkins_ left £30 for the like purpose. _John Mansell_ gave £10 to the poor. The three sums above mentioned amounting to £60, are secured on the Ellesmere House of Industry, by bond, bearing date 19th February, 1793. The interest is distributed among the most necessitous poor of the parish. The poor are entitled to partake of the benefit of _Dame Mary Hill’s_ charity, noticed with the chapelry of Hadnal. _Francis Henry Earl of Bridgewater_, by his will, bearing date August 29th, 1828, gave to the overseers and churchwardens of the parish of Middle £2,000, to be laid out by them in the public funds, and the dividends thereof to be expended by the rector for the time being for the benefit and relief of the poor of Middle, including Hadnal. The dividends amount to £65 per annum, which is chiefly appropriated by the present rector to a clothing club, the poor receiving the addition of the charity to their savings.

POST OFFICE.—_At Mr. William Parry’s_. Letters arrive from Shrewsbury at 8.30 A.M., and are despatched at 5 P.M.

Bate Abigail, farmer, Hollins

Bickley Joseph, farmer

Birch Thomas, farmer

Brisbourne William, farmer

Cheshire Jane, blacksmith and victualler, Blacksmiths’ Arms

Chilton John, wheelwright

Davies Thomas, farmer

Done John, boot and shoemaker

Eaton William, tailor

Egerton Rev. George Henry, M.A., The Rectory

Fardoe Samuel, boot and shoemaker

Fox John, farmer

Grice James, shopkeeper and boot and shoemaker

Griffiths Mary, dressmaker

Hignett Samuel, maltster

Hodnett John, tailor

Humphreys Sarah, farmer

Jones Edward, grocer and provision dealer

Majoribanks Sir John, Bart.

Majoribanks Miss Mary

Majoribanks William, Esq.

Madeley Thomas, farmer

Marsh Henry, farmer

Nisbet Rev. John Majoribanks, curate

Paddock Richard, farmer

Parry Emma, infant school teacher

Parry Sarah, girls’ school teacher

Parry William, postmaster and victualler, Lord Alford’s Arms

Parry William, parish clerk, registrar, and perpetual overseer

Pritchard William, gentleman, Grove Place

Rees John, farmer

Rogers John, tailor, The Wood

Sharrow Jesse, schoolmaster

Wilkes Thomas, wheelwright

William Richard, farmer

BALDERTON

is a small township in the parish of Middle, comprising 714A. 2R. 24P. of highly productive land, with an undulating surface, well wooded. It is situated a little to the north-east of Middle, and in 1841 had six houses and 26 inhabitants. Rateable value, £787. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor. The principal freeholders are the Rev. Thomas Staniforth; John Arthur Lloyd, Esq.; Thomas Dickin, Esq.; William H. Bickerton, Esq.; the trustees of the late Lord Alford; Mrs. Price; and Peter Shingler, Esq. THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS have a neat stone chapel at Webscott lane. The tithes of Balderton are commuted for £124. 9s.

The principal residents are Francis Lee, farmer; Rev. Thomas Staniforth, The Hall; and James Young, farm bailiff.

MARTON

is a township in the parish of Middle, one and a half mile north-east of Baschurch, which contains 921A. 0R. 16P. of land, and in 1841 had 28 houses and 134 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,023. The farm houses have here a respectable appearance, and the farms are of considerable extent. The Shrewsbury, Ruyton, Middle, and Loppington turnpike roads intersect the township. The principal landowners are the Duke of Cleveland; the trustees of the late Viscount Alford; David Francis Atcherley, Esq.; Miss Feaston; and Thomas E. Horseman, Esq. The tithes are commuted for £135. 12s. MARTON HALL is an ancient mansion, the residence and property of David F. Atcherley, Esq., whose ancestors were seated here at a very early period. The house is pleasantly situated, and stuccoed; it is surrounded by park-like enclosures, which are richly wooded, and there is a fine pool of water on the verge of the grounds, which covers a surface of 45A. 2R. 15R. There are three outlets from the pool, which are well stocked with fish.

Atcherley David Francis, Esq., The Hall

Boliver John, cooper

Davies Edward, farmer, Martin lane

Evans John, land agent

Griffiths Geo., clock maker & general dealer

Horseman J. F. Esq., The Wood

Roberts Thomas, farmer, The Wood

Shingler Thomas, farmer

Wall George, farmer

NEWTON-ON-THE-HILL

is a scattered village, salubriously situated on an eminence, seven miles north from Shrewsbury. The township contains 669A. 3R. 2P. of land; and in 1841 there were 63 houses and 265 inhabitants. Rateable value, £893. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Viscount Alford; Richard Palin Bickerton, Esq.; William Henry Bickerton, Esq.; Mr. Richard Whitfield; Edward Edwards, Esq.; and Thomas Watkins, Esq. THE INDEPENDENTS have a neat stone chapel, built in 1833, at a cost of about £700. There is a residence for the minister attached to the chapel. The congregation is under the pastoral care of the Rev. George Rogers, who admits a limited number of youths into his residence as boarding scholars. There is a Sunday school in connection with this place of worship. A small cemetery adjoins the chapel. HARMER HILL is a delightful eminence, which commands a fine view of the rich agricultural district with which it is surrounded. The situation is highly salubrious, and the vicinity is beautified with several respectable residences. Near to this place is PIMHILL, distinguished as having given name to an important section of the county. It is clothed with thriving fir trees to its very summit, and is a conspicuous object for many miles round.

_Those names with_ * _affixed reside at Harmer Hill_.

* Barlow Thomas, farmer and vict., Bridgewater Arms

Bickerton William Henry, Esq., The Hill House

* Boliver John, wheelwright

* Carr Robert, mason and quarry master

* Carr Robert, gamekeeper

* Cooke William, mason and quarry master

Garmston Seth, farmer

* Harris Jane, shopkeeper and vict., Red Castle

* Harris Mrs. S., farmer

Leech George, shopkeeper

* Marsh John, butcher

* Pearce John, medicine vendor (Ploughman’s drops)

* Rogers Rev. George, Independent minister and boarding school proprietor

* Walmsley Robert, farmer

MONTFORD

is a parish and pleasantly situated village on the banks of the river Severn, five miles N.W. from Shrewsbury. The parish of Montford contains the townships of Montford, Endson, and Forton, having conjointly 2,937 acres of land; and in 1801, 456 inhabitants; 1831, 566; and in 1841, 102 houses and a population of 490 souls. Rateable value, £3,519. 10s. There is a fine sheet of water in this parish, covering 47 acres. The river Severn is crossed by a noble and substantial stone bridge, and hence Montford is usually called Montford Bridge. The London and Holyhead turnpike road intersects the township, which contains 987A. 2R. of land. Rateable value, £1,308. 5s. The soil is a mixture of loam and sand, and highly fertile. At the census of 1841 Montford township is returned as containing 92 houses and 434 inhabitants; but there is no separate return made of the township of Forton, which contains 19 houses. THE CHURCH is a venerable fabric, consisting of nave and chancel, with a square tower, in which are three bells. The chancel and the body of the church were re-built in 1737. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s book at £4. 18s. 6d.; now returned at £246; in the patronage of the Earl of Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. George Arthur Clive, M.A. The vicarage is a good residence of brick, about a quarter of a mile from the church. It was built in 1842, and being lofty, has an imposing appearance. There is a free school in the village, which is chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor and proprietor of the whole township. The houses on the south side of the river at Montford Bridge are partly in Bicton and partly in Montford. There is a branch post office at Mr. Jones’s, Swan Inn, Montford Bridge.

Clive Rev. George Arthur, M.A., The Vicarage

Austin Thomas H., farmer

Bowen John, constable

Davies Richard, basket and fish net maker

Davies William, basket maker

Dawson Thomas, farmer and vict., Powis Arms

Edwards John, basket maker, assistant over-seer, registrar for the Montford district, and collector of rates for the townships of Montford, Shrawardine, Ensdon, and Forton

Groom Ann, Post Office

Jones William, vict., The Swan, Montford bridge

Mansell Timothy, schoolmaster

Mathews Stephen, farmer

Matthews Thomas, farmer

Randles John, blacksmith

Thomas John, shopkeeper

Till William, farmer

Wilding Edward, farmer

ENSDON,

township in the parish of Montford, six miles W. by N. from Shrewsbury, contains 983 acres of land, and in 1841 had ten houses and 56 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,138. 10s. The soil is a mixture of clay and sand; the whole township is the property of the Earl of Powis. ENSDON HOUSE, the residence of Evan Bowen, Esq., is a handsome and pleasantly situated brick structure, in the Elizabethan style of architecture. The farm premises are conveniently arranged, and of considerable extent. A steam apparatus has been provided to prepare the food for cattle, and various other appliances for economising labour. Mr. Bowen farms more than a thousand acres of land. BEAM HOUSE farm, the residence of George Benjamin Cureton, is provided with extensive out premises, and the farm is of considerable extent.

Bowen Evan, Esq., Ensdon House

Bowker Samuel, farmer

Cureton George Benjamin, farmer, Beam House

Edwards John, farmer and farrier

Gough Lucy, farmer

Gouch Thomas, farmer

Hughes William, blacksmith

Minton Mrs., farmer

Nunnerley John, shoemaker

Till Thomas, farmer and gamekeeper

FORTON,

a township in Montford parish, with a scattered population, six miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, contains 966 acres of land, chiefly arable, the soil of which is a mixture of sandy loam and clay. Rateable value, £1,072. 15s. The Earl of Powis is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. Mrs. Middleton is also a proprietor. The tithes have been commuted, and £76 apportioned to the Earl of Powis, and £61 to the vicar of Montford. There are several large farms here, and the homesteads are provided with conveniently-arranged out-premises. There was no separate return made of this township at the census of 1841.

Cadman John, farmer and builder

Crane Edward, farmer

Edwards John, wheelwright

Jones Thomas, wheelwright

Middleton Margaret, farmer

Mansell John, farm bailiff to Mrs. Middleton

Minton Samuel, farmer, Forton Hall

Onions John, sawyer and joiner

Price Thomas, maltster, The Heath

PETTON

is a small parish, six miles S.E. by S. from Ellesmere, and twelve miles N.N. by W. from Shrewsbury, comprising 822A. 1R. 16P. of land, and in 1841 had five houses and 39 inhabitants. Rateable value, £978. A century ago the Petton estate was held by John Chambre, Esq., who died in 1752, and left three daughters co-heiresses, Hannah, Rebecca, and Mary. Hannah married a Mr. Corbet, Rebecca died unmarried, and Mary married John Hill, Esq., of Prees, afterwards Sir John Hill, of Hawkstone, and grandfather to the present Viscount Hill. Mrs. Hill’s moiety of the estate was sold to her sister, Mrs. Corbet, by whom and her husband the whole estate was alienated, about the year 1794, to John Sparling, Esq., merchant, of Liverpool, father of the present proprietor, William Sparling, Esq., who resides at PETTON HALL, a handsome stuccoed mansion of considerable extent. It is approached by a lofty portico, supported by stone pillars, and in the front of the mansion are beautiful pleasure grounds and shrubberies, which open into a park of considerable extent, having a fine undulating surface, richly wooded with noble timber, and occasionally studded with thriving plantations. The kitchen gardens and vineries are extensive, and highly productive. THE CHURCH, situated near to the Hall, is a plain brick structure, consisting of nave and chancel. The interior has a chaste and neat appearance. The reading desk and pulpit were the gift of Mrs. Sparling; they are of dark oak and elaborately carved; the altar is also of oak, beautifully carved. There are neat tablets to the Chambre and Morris families, and a beautifully designed memorial to two members of the family of Sparling, who were cut off in their early years. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £3. 4s. 2d.; now returned at £142; in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, and enjoyed by the Rev. George Cunliffe, M.A. The Rev. George Walker is the curate.

DIRECTORY.—William Sparling, Esq., The Hall; Captain Charles Sparling, The Hall; William Sparling, jun., Esq., The Hall; Miss Sparling, The Hall; Thomas Davies, gardener; Thomas Drury, coachman; Richard Danneley, groom; Henry Smith, house steward. _Farmers_: Edward Johnson, The Grange Farm; Thomas Shingler Wakley.

SHRAWARDINE,

usually called SHRADEN, is a village and parish in the lower division of the hundred of Pimhill, bounded on the north by the river Severn, six miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, and 13 S.E. from Oswestry. In 1801 there were 186 inhabitants; 1831, 189; and in 1841 there were 34 houses and 196 souls. The parish contains 1,903 acres of land. The Earl of Powis is the landowner. Rateable value, £2,798. THE CHURCH is a plain Gothic structure, dedicated to St. Mary, which stands upon an elevated site, overlooking a fine undulating district, covered with fruitfulness, and richly clothed with timber. It contains a small but fine-toned organ, the gift of Earl Powis, and the Rev. Isaac Frowd, the rector of Shrawardine, in 1832. It is expected ere long that the unsightly tower, which is of wood, will be taken down, and one of stone, of a more ornamental character, added in its place. There are several neat tablets in the chancel to the Newlings, and others; and a brass memorial remembers Martha Botevyle. It also contains an antique old font. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £9. 12s. 6d.; now returned at £380; in the patronage of Earl Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. George Arthur dive, M.A.; curate, Rev. John Norgreave Baker. The following account of Shrawardine is copied from an old parish register book, now in the possession of the curate:—“In the time of our unnatural broil and unhappy wars that were between the king and his parliament, Shrawardine Castle was made a garrison for the king, September 28th, 1644. Sir William Vaughan, colonel, was made governor of it. This garrison was the head quarters of all his forces. Whilst this garrison continued the church and chancel were pulled down; the outbuildings of the castle, the parsonage house, with all edifices thereto belonging, and the greatest, fairest, and best part of the town were burnt, for the safety, as it was pretended, of the garrison. In this firing, the register book, with many books of the minister, were burned. Shrawardine chancel was thrown down on St. Matthias’ day, February 24th, 1644. The church was pulled down on Whit Sunday eve, June 8th, 1645. The town was burnt on Midsummer eve and Midsummer day, 1645. The garrison was cowardly surrendered up to the parliament forces under the command of Colonel Hunt, Colonel Lloyd, and Mr. Charlton, after five days’ siege; and within less than a fortnight after all the timber of the castle, and much goods that were in it, were all consumed with fire, upon a sudden report that Sir William Vaughan was coming to surprise it. Afterwards the stone work was pulled down, and carried to Shrewsbury for the repairing of the castle there, and the making of Rousal wall, standing on the Severn side. The church was re-built by a voluntary collection through the county, in the year 1649. In the meanwhile the parishioners assembled for the worship of God in the castle stables.” The chancel of the church was rebuilt in 1722. Oliver Cromwell, shortly after the castle was taken, ordered its destruction, at which period he dismantled and destroyed a great number of the ancient baronial fortresses. The castle stood near to the church; the remains of it consist of mere fragments of mortar and rough stones. It was anciently the seat of the Fitz Alans, and subsequently of the Bromleys. It is now the property of Earl Powis, who is also a considerable owner of land in this district. THE HALL FARM HOUSE is an ancient structure, occupied by Mr. James Crane. The farm premises have been newly erected, upon a commodious and conveniently arranged plan. SHRAWARDINE CASTLE is a modern building of red freestone, and being situated on elevated ground, commands a most delightful and picturesque view of the adjacent country. There is a fine sheet of water, covering several acres of land, in the vicinity of the castle. The castle farm contains 506 acres. The farm premises are of considerable extent, most admirably arranged, and furnished with all the modern appliances for agricultural purposes. Thomas Bowen, Esq., is now the occupant. _Joseph Jones_, by his will, bearing date 30th September, 1729, reciting that he had in his hands £30 belonging to the poor of Shrawardine, which was intrusted to him by the family of Bromley, of Holt Castle, to be put out to interest, and the amount yearly expended in coals for the poor. Mr. Jones, to secure the legacy, charged certain premises with the payment of 30s. per annum, and this amount is now paid out of an estate which was subsequently given by Mr. Jones to the poor of Atcham, subject to the above rent-charge.

Asterley John Nightingale, farmer

Baker Rev. John Norgreave

Bowen Thomas, farmer, The Castle

Bowen Even, farmer, Buckley

Bryne Edward, wheelwright

Crane James, farmer

Edwards John, parish clerk

Jones James, shopkeeper and shoemaker

Onions Mary, farmer

Plimley Henry, farmer

Price John, blacksmith

WELSH HAMPTON