Chapter XXXV: Part 35

CHARITIES.—SHIFFNAL FREE SCHOOL. The earliest mention that we find of this school is contained in the will of _John Aron_, dated 5th July, 1595, in which subject to certain contingencies he gives the sum of £20 towards erecting a school house in Shiffnal. From the will of _Gordian Strowbridge_, dated 22nd November, 1626, it appears that a school house was there “erected and set up” in the town, in which eight poor scholars were instructed to read and write under the auspices of the testator; and for the continuance of which number therein, after his death, he provides by a legacy of £50. But contemplating the possibility of a cessation of the school in the house which had been so erected, he in that event appoints the interest of the legacy to other uses, one moiety to be given to any schoolmaster who should teach a school either in the town or parish. An uncertain or temporary interest in the building which had been there erected would sufficiently explain the grounds of the testator’s apprehension that the school might cease to be kept in it; and we are led to believe that such was the nature of the interest which the charity at that time possessed, from the testimony which we find subsequently recorded on the benefaction table, that “John Careswell, in 1652, gave the sum of £10, with which he purchased the school house for the use of the inhabitants of the town and parish of Shiffnal.” It is probable, therefore, from this recorded purchase, that we are to derive the title to the school house which the town and parish now enjoy; although a later date seems to be assigned to the present building or some part of it, by an inscription in the year 1682, which appears upon one of its walls. Of the legacy given by Gordian Strowbridge we do not find any further mention, but it is supposed to have formed a part of the consolidated charities hereafter mentioned.

_Sir Humphrey Briggs_, _Bart._, by deed dated 9th November, 1652, granted to certain trustees all the tithes of corn, grain, and hay, coming within the titheable places of the township of Hem, on trust for the security of the payment, among other things, of the sum of £1. 13s. 4d. out of the profit of the premises to the schoolmaster of Shiffnal.

_Eliazer Careswell_, by will, 1675, gave to certain trustees an annuity or rent charge of 48s., to be for ever issuing out of a tenement and lands within the manor of Shiffnal, and directed the same to be paid half yearly to some schoolmaster or schoolmistress for the education of six poor boys. The sum of £2. 4s. is all that is at present paid in respect of this annuity, nor do we find that more has been received for a considerable period. It seems probable that the 4s. were deducted under the provisions of the land tax act.

CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES.—_Robert Sidney_, in 1677, in consideration of the sum of £200, which money had been given by ten several donors for charitable uses, granted a rent charge of £10 per annum, to be issuing out of his manor of Grindle, as to 10s. of it for the payment of the Tenstree rent, the residue thereof to be applied in apprentice fees, and other charitable uses. On the 15th August, 1761, at a general meeting held in the parish church, the vicar, churchwardens, overseers, and others, signed a written declaration in the parish book, testifying that they thereby assigned the annuity so charged for the use of the schoolmaster in consideration of his teaching six additional children to read and write. In consequence of this proceeding the master has since continued to receive this annuity, which, with the respective annuities of £1. 13s. 4d. and £2. 4s., constituted the whole of his income down to the year 1816, in which year it was resolved to adopt the national system of education, and with the interest of a legacy amounting to £4. 10s., and funds raised by subscriptions, the annual income now amounts to about £40.

_Careswell’s Exhibitions_.—The particulars of this endowment will be found noticed with the account of the free grammar school at Bridgnorth, where it will be seen that three scholars of the free school at Shiffnal are eligible to exhibitions at Christ College, Oxford. It does not appear that the free school, properly so called, has ever participated in the benefit of these exhibitions, not having at any time included classical instruction in its course of education. But it seems that the practice has been to elect the exhibitioners from a private classical school kept in the town of Shiffnal—a practice probably grounded upon the provision which extended the benefit of the endowment to scholars not free of the school. We conceive (observe the charity commissioners) that the true meaning of that provision was to include the private scholars of the master of the free school, and not the scholars of any other school, having no connection or communication with the free school. Such, however, as far as we can trace it, appears to have been the character of the classical school to which we have alluded, into which if any scholars were ever admitted from the free school, it was not as free scholars, but on payment of the same price, and subject to the same conditions that were required from the other scholars. It appears indeed that the master of this school received a formal appointment as classical tutor of the free school from the minister, trustees, and principal inhabitants of Shiffnal; but he was at the same time exempted from affording any tuition or discharging any duties towards the free school, other than preparing for Christ Church such exhibitioners as came forward as candidates agreeably to the provisions made for them in Mr. Careswell’s will. The duty, therefore, which he thus engaged to perform, appears to have been simply to receive and instruct such of the free scholars of the free school as should be able to pay that price, and comply with these conditions. We cannot but think that a more important benefit to the free school was contemplated by the founder of these exhibitions, who in extending the benefit to scholars not free of the school, probably intended to provide for a classical master such a source of remuneration from private scholars as should entitle the free scholars gratuitously to participate in the advantages of his instruction.

_Richard Bennet_, in 1794, bequeathed £100 upon trust, and directed the interest or proceeds thereof to be paid to the master of the free school. The interest, £4. 10s., is now paid to the master of the national school.

_Beatrice Jobber_, in 1716, bequeathed £200, and directed the interest to be applied in clothing and instructing six poor children, daughters of widows or other poor persons belonging to the parish of Shiffnal.

DOLE CHARITIES.—It is recorded in an old book belonging to the trustees of the poor’s stock, and purporting to contain an account of the charities of this parish, that in 1506, Sir John Leigh, a priest who had long served in the church of Wolverhampton, gave £12. 13s. 4d. to purchase a mark a year, to be given to the poor of Shiffnal. An annuity of 13s. 4d., which has long been received for the use of the poor, appears to be charged upon certain premises in Pipers-row, Wolverhampton.

_Sir Humphrey Briggs_, in 1652, left a rent charge of 40s. per annum, to be distributed by the churchwardens and overseers among the poor of the parish.

_Arthur Mainwaring_, in 1690, gave four butts of ground lying in Churchfield and Wykefield, within the parish of Shiffnal, to Mary, his wife, and Ann, his daughter, and their heirs for ever, on trust, to pay 20s. yearly on the feast of St. Andrew, to forty poor old people belonging the parish.

_Vincent Latham_ gave £20 for the use of the poor. In respect of this gift there is now a rent charge of 20s. per annum, issuing out of a certain tenement in High-street, which is divided among the poor on the feast of St. Andrew.

_William Smith_, in 1713, gave £10 to the poor of Shiffnal, and directed the interest to be distributed among poor widows who do not receive parochial relief.

_Edward Revell_, by deed, 1693, assigned to certain trustees a bond which had been made to him for the payment of £200, with lawful interest, in trust, for the benefit of the poor. The bond which was thus assigned appears to have been discharged in 1698, and £100 of the money, after passing successively through several hands at interest, was in 1847 given to Humphrey Pitt, Esq. John Revell, in 1723, gave £100 for charitable uses; this, it appears, eventually also came into the hands of Mr. Pitt, and at his death in 1769 it was found necessary to institute a suit against his representatives for the recovery of the money due from his estate. An arrangement afterwards took place, by which it was agreed that the sum of £312 should be paid to the trustees, in full of all principal and interest then due, of which £12 was immediately distributed among the poor, and the remaining £300 was placed out at interest. The other £100 left by Edward Revell, above mentioned, after being held by the Phillip’s family, came into the possession of George Appleby, Esq., in whose hands the above £300 was also placed, and who paid interest at the rate of five per cent. for the same till the year 1804, when the principal was transferred to George Brooke, Esq., who gave a promissory note for the security of the same, and pays interest at the rate of five per cent. This money, with other charities previously noticed, produces a yearly income of £25. 3s. 4d., which, with other monies furnished by voluntary contributions, is distributed at Christmas in small sums among the poor.

_Reginal Piper_, in 1659, granted to the churchwardens of Shiffnal a rent charge of 10s. issuing out of his messuage in the Sheep market, and directed the same to be disposed of among twenty poor old people.

_Henry Green_, in 1702, granted to trustees a rent charge of 20s. per annum, to be disposed of on Good Fridays and Christmas-days among poor widows.

_Frances Moreton_, in 1781, devised to her nephew, John Brooke, a piece of land, called Aston Croft, in trust, to permit the vicar of the parish to dispose of the rents and profits among poor housekeepers. By indenture, dated 5th of May, 1788, reciting the abovementioned will, and that the said Frances Moreton had no power to devise the said land, the same descending to Sarah Atkis, as heir-at-law of Robert Moreton, deceased; the said _Sarah Atkis_ conveyed to trustees the plot of land called Aston Croft, to permit the vicar to take the rents thereof, and during the life of Mary Stockwell, to apply a part, and after her decease, the whole of the profits amongst decayed housekeepers. The land, about the year 1806, was exchanged for 3A. 3R. 12P. situate at Aston, in the parish of Shiffnal, which now produces a rent of £12 per annum. The amount is distributed at Christmas eve among poor widows or other indigent persons, in sums varying from 4s. to 10s. each, according to their several necessities.

_Sir Humphrey Briggs_, by a deed, dated 9th of November, 1652, charged the tithes of Shiffnal with the payment of £1. 6s. 8d. to the clerk or deacon of the parish. _Francis Mallard_ and _Elizabeth_, his wife, in 1587, left an annuity of 16s. for the benefit of the poor. This gift has long been lost to the poor.

POST OFFICE—_At Miss Frances Adams’s_, New street. Letters arrive at
5.30 A.M., and are despatched at 7.30 P.M.

Adams Miss Frances, New street

Allen William, Esq., Bank House

Bailey Mr. George, Union House

Barnfield Mrs., The Cottage

Bennett Cornelius, organist, High street

Bennett Mr. Samuel, The Grove

Bidlake Roger, gentleman, Old road

Bothfield Mrs. Lucy, Decker-hill Hall

Bradburn William, Old road

Brooke Rev. John, Haughton Hall

Brooke Rev. Townshend, Idsal Vicarage

Cannon Chas., inland revenue officer, Innage

Cherrington Mr. Edward, Church street

Cope William, Esq., barrister, Park House

Corbet Uvedale, Esq., Aston Hall

Cuxson Mrs. Eleanor, New street

Evett Mr. James, Horse fair

Eyke John, Esq., Stanton House

Fletcher Mr. John, Park Villa

Gas Company (office) High street

Gilbert Mr. Thomas, Old road

Glover William Cheshire, Esq., High street

Goodall Michael, Esq., Evelith

Gray Mrs., New street

Hills Mr. George A. F., High street

Horton John, Esq., Priors Lee Hall

Hudson Mr. Job, Old road

Jones Miss Martha, Innage

Jones The Misses, Uplands

Lander Edward, Market street

Lander Mr. Thomas Eaton, Beech House

Lander Mr. Thomas Eaton, Innage

Leake James, solicitors’ clerk, High street

Lello Mrs. Mary, High street

Lloyd Charles, railway clerk, High street

Masefield Mrs. Alice, Woodhouse

Masefield Mrs. Ann, Aston street

Masefield Mr. Thomas, Woodhouse

Orwin Mr. James, High street

Osborne Mr. Peter, New street terrace

Perrin Dudley Josiah, New street

Phillips Mr. Andrew, Market street

Pidgeon Robt., Esq., land agent, Russell place

Roden Mrs. Charlotte, Church street

Roden William, registrar, Haughton

Shirley Mr. William, trainer, Church street

Smyth Amelia, Rock terrace

Spedding Rev. Francis, M.A., New street

Thomas Evan, inland revenue officer, High st

Venables Richard, relieving officer, Church st

Wadlow Henry, horse trainer, Stanton

Academies.

Beetlestone John, Old road

Beetlestone Mrs., Aston st

Gentlemen’s Boarding, High street; Rev. James Thos. Matthews, principal

Gilbert Mary, Church street

Ladies’ Boarding, Rock terrace; Miss Smyth

National (Boys), Innage; David Whittle

National (Girls), Innage; Jemima Owen

Accountant.

Gilbert Thomas, Old road

Attorneys.

Glover William, Cheshire High street

Perrin Dudley Josiah, New street

Phillips Andrew, office back of Market place

Auctioneers.

Houlston John, office Mr. Fraser’s, Market place

Weare Wm., office Market pl

Bakers and Flour Dealers.

Lowe Mary, Horse fair

Randle Catherine, Market pl

Bankers.

Shropshire Banking Company, Horse fair; Wm. Allen, manager

Savings Bank, New street; Peter Osborne, secretary

Blacksmiths.

Clarke Thomas, High street

Evans Richard, Church st

Ferney John, Aston street

Smout John, Aston street

Tozer William (and whitesmith), High street

Booksellers, Printers, Stationers, & Bookbinders.

Beddow Barnabas Leman, New street

Edmunds Ann, Market place

Boot and Shoemakers.

Bullock Thomas, High street

Fenn William, High street

Harper John, Aston street

Jones Joseph, Church street

Norton George, High street

Norton Thomas, High street

Owen John, Church street

Warrender Jas. (and dealer), High street

Westbrooke John, Market place

Williams Thos., High street

Braziers and Tin-plate Workers.

Bullock John, High street

Tomlinson Wm., Market pl

Bricklayers and Masons.

Beetlestone Benjamin, Aston street

Beetlestone John, High street

Ingram William, Aston street

Yates Richard, High street

Yates Thomas, High street

Butchers.

Hall Mary, Market street

Hall Robert, High street

Hall William, High street

Haywood Thomas, Market pl

Parkes Francis, High street

Poyner William, High street

Ward George, Market place

Cabinet Makers & Upholsterers.

Blud Thomas, Back street

King Charles (and dealer in British wines), Back st

Linall William, High street

Pointon William, High st

Cheese, Butter, and Bacon Factors.

Dagleish William, High st

Pointon Thomas, Market pl

Randle Catherine, Market pl

Chemists and Druggists.

Bate Wm. Stokes, Market pl

Langman Frederick, Market place

Pace William Cherrington, Back street

Coal Agents.

Fellows Aaron, Railway statn.

Hills and Phillips (and lime and salt), Railway station

Coal Merchants.

Botfield Beriah, Old Park Colliery

Horton & Company, Priors Lee Works

Lilleshall Co., Priors Lee

Confectioners.

Bartley John, Market place

Lowe Mary, Marketplace

Coopers.

Wakelain Joseph (and dealer in turn and bend ware), High street

Williams Charles, High st

Williams Robert, High street

Corn Factor.

Fellows Aaron, Aston street

Curriers & Leather Cutters.

Cherrington Roger, High st

Lello George, High street

Farmers.

Masefield Thos., Woodhouse

Norton Alfred, New street

Powell John, Church street

Roden John, High street

Fellmongers.

Fenn Samuel, High street

Hodgkinson John, High st

Fire and Life Office Agents.

Accidental Death; Mr. Beddow, New street

Birmingham Fire and Life; Charles King, Back street

Great Britain Life; Mr. Osborne, New street

Salop Fire, Mr. Beddow, New street

Shropshire & North Wales; Lander & Sons, Market pl

Fishmonger.

Harris John, Market street

Grocers and Tea Dealers.

Bate William Stokes, Market place

Bryant John, Market place

Bullock John, High street

Dagleish William, High st

Pace William Cherrington, Back street

Hair Dresser.

Morris James, Market place

Hatters and Dealers.

Hardy Charles, High street

Higgins William, Church st

Reynolds Peter and George, High street

Hotels, Inns, and Taverns.

Bell Hotel, John Podmore, Church street

Crown, Robt. Williams, High street

Eight Bells, Richd. Morgan, Market place

Jerningham Arms Hotel, Commercial, and Posting House, Miss Anne Masefield, Church street and Horse fair

Lion, Donald Fraser, New street

Nag’s Head, John Lowe, Market place

Plough, Thomas Williams, High street

Queen’s Head, Chas. Leake, High street

Railway Tavern, Thomas Latham, Aston street

Star Hotel, Elizabeth Wild, Market place

Talbot, Richard Pointon, High street

Union Inn and Coaching House, Edward Nickless, New road

Unicorn, James Medlicott, Horse fair

Victoria Hotel, Family, Commercial, & Posting House, John Wood, Market pl

Wheat Sheaf, Thos. Dunn, High street

White Hart, Elizabeth Simpson, High street

White Horse, Emma Smallman, Market place

Wonder, Thomas Lowe, Horse fair

Beerhouses.

Evans Thomas, High street

Fenn Samuel, High street

Ward Sarah, Aston street

Yates Richard, High street

Yates Thomas, High street

Ironfounders.

Botfield Beriah, Old Park Works

Horton & Simms, Priors Lee

Lilleshall Company, Snedshill Iron Works

Ironmongers.

Bate William Stokes, Market place

Bullock John (and nail-manufacturer), High st

Joiners and Builders.

Cherrington Edward (and timber merchant), Salop road

Power Michael, New street

Linen and Woollen Drapers and Silk Mercers.

Hardy Charles, High street

Higgins William, Church st

Lander & Sons, Market pl

Reynolds Peter and George, High street

Livery Stable Keepers.

Masefield Anna, Horse fair

Roberts John, Horse fair

Wild Elizabeth, Market pl

Wood John, Market place

Maltsters.

Fellows Aaron, Aston street

Forrest William, High street

Lello John, Aston street

Masefield Thomas, Aston st

Morgan Richard, Market st

Podmore John, Church st

Roden George, Old street

Roden William, High street

Thomason Samuel, (and dealer in British wines), High street

Wakelam Samuel, High st

Milliners and Dressmakers.

Biss Eliza, New street

Fenn The Misses, Old road

Jones Elizabeth, Aston st

Nicholas Rebecca, High st

Peake Jane (bonnet maker), New street

Plumbers, Painters, and Glaziers.

Heyward George, High street

Lawson William, New street

Phillips Samuel, Horse fair

Yates James, Horse fair

Rope, Oil Cloth, and Tarpauling Makers.

Heywood Thomas, High st.

Heywood William, High st.

Saddlers and Harness Makers.

Hitchcock Thomas, High st.

Lowe Thomas, Market place

Smith Moses, Horse fair

Tillage Dealers and Farm Seedsmen.

Longman Frederick, Market place

Lander & Sons, Back street, Richard Owen, agent

Shopkeepers and Dealers in Sundries and Groceries.

Cullwick John, High street

Evans Thomas, High street

Fenn Samuel, High street

Mole Allen, High street

Morgan William, High street

Ralphs Mary, Market place

Rudge Joseph, Aston street

Yeardley Andrew, High street

Smallware Dealer.

Morris James, High street

Spirit Vaults and Wine and Spirit Merchant.

Cherrington Edward, Church street

Surgeons.

Bennett Samuel, Aston street

Evett James, Horse fair

Lander Thomas Eaton, Innage

Orwin James, High street

Tailors.

Bennett William, Horse fair

Clemson John, Church street

Hitchcock Thomas, High st.

Pugh Henry, Innage

Roberts Thomas, Aston st.

Tallow Chandler.

Rayworth Wm., High street

Veterinary Surgeons.

Harris Thomas, Church st.

Poole George, cow leech, High street

Robinson Sampson, New st.

Rexham George, High street

Watch and Clock Maker.

Davies John, Back street

Wheelwrights.

Pointon John, Aston street

Pointon Richard. Back street

HATTON DISTRICT DIRECTORY.

Ashdown Wm., Hem farm

Badger and Hewitt, Grange farm

Barker Thomas, Spring Bower farm

Bill John, corn miller, Hinnington

Booth Henry, Naird and Shaw farms

Bradbury Messrs., bone mills and merchants

Burgess George, Evelith corn mills

Crawley John Leatham, farmer and maltster, Rookery

Durant Rev. Francis Osian, Old hall, Evelith

Goodall Michael, Esq., Evelith manor

Hoole Richard, Common farm

Lander Thomas Eaton, surgeon, Innage

Lander Thomas Eaton, gent., Beech house

Langley Thomas, maltster, Upton farm

Lawrence John, gardener, Hatton grange

Mellor James, farmer, Wyke

Miller Martha, farmer, Wyke

Morgan George, the Elms farm

Morgan Thos., farmer, Wyke

Morris John, Manor farm and miller

Pepper Sander, the Hill farm

Powell John, farmer, Shaw lane

Power Michael, contractor

Slaney Miss, the Grange

Slaney William Henry, Esq., Hatton grange

Smith John, farmer, Wyke

Smith the Misses, Rock terrace

Smith Robert, Hem farm, and miller

Smith William, Homer farm

Smith William, butler, Hatton grange

Summers Charles, coachman, Hatton grange

Swain Thomas, farmer, Hinnington

Taylor Robert, farmer, Evelith

Wright Herbert Hancox, Grange farm

HAUGHTON DIRECTORY.

Baddeley William, farmer

Brooke Rev. John, the Hall

Coulston Joseph, farmer

Old Park and Stirchley Iron Works, Beriah Botfield, Esq., proprietor; George Bishton, secretary and cashier; William Hudson, accountant; William Summers, bookkeeper; Mark Tipton, manager

Phillips David, corn miller

Roden William, farmer

Sharratt Thomas, road surveyor

Ward James, gentleman

PRIORS LEE DIRECTORY.

Astbury James, parish clerk

Booth Edwin, maltster and farmer

Booth Thomas, Castle farm

Booth William, farmer

Bulger Christopher, mine bailiff

Colebank Rev. Robert, M.A.

Dawes Wm., schoolmaster

Franks William Henry, shopkeeper

Garbett John, tailor

Horton John, Esq., the Hall

Horton Samuel, Esq., ironmaster

Horton, Simms and Bull, ironmasters and forgers, Snedshill works

Hughes John, vict., the Lion, and accountant

Hughes Thomas, vict., the Pigeon Box

Jones William, Wood green, farm

Langley Richard, farmer

Langley Samuel, Blythbury farm

Latham Roger, Woodhouse, farm

Lilleshall Company, ironmasters and coal proprietors

Llewyllyn Mary, shopkeeper

Masefield Alice, Woodhouse

Sargent Elizabeth, schoolteacher

Smart Ellen, boarding school proprietor

Smart John, farmer

Tipton Edward, accountant

Tipton Luke, secretary, Lilleshall company

Tipton William, bookkeeper

Tipton William, mine manager

WOODSIDE DISTRICT DIRECTORY.

Abercrombie James, farmer and vict., Hare and Hounds, Crackley bank

Botfield Mrs., gentlewoman, Decker hill hall

Butterton Enoch, farmer, Lizzard

Butterton Mary Ann, farmer, Burlington

Butterton Miss Hannah, Burlington

Corbet Uvedale, Esq., Aston hall

Dunn George, farmer

Embrey Stephen, butler, Aston hall

Eyke John, Esq., land agent to Lord Stafford, Stanton house

Hadin Joseph, farmer, Lizzard

Inscoe Daniel, farmer, Lizzard

Kendrick Mrs. Ann, Burlington

Kendrick Thomas and Wm., farmers, Burlington

Langley Thomas, gentleman, Coppice green hall

Lawrence Charles, farmer, Drayton lodge

Norton Alfred, farmer, Aston

Pickin Widow, Coppice green farm

Revitt John, shoemaker, Crackley bank

Revitt Thomas, shoemaker Crackley bank

Richards Wm., beerhouse, & blacksmith, Crackley bank

Rudge Henry, coachman, Aston hall

Smith John, farmer, Woodside

Wadlow Henry, race horse trainer, Stanton

Wild Samuel, farmer, Upton

Wilkes Samuel, Brewar’s Oak farm

STOCKTON

is a parish and village on the turnpike road from Bridgnorth to Shiffnal, five miles N.N.E. from the former town and five miles S.E. from the latter. At the census in 1801 there were 409 inhabitants; 1831, 459; 1841, 422, and in 1851 88 houses and 479 inhabitants, of whom 237 were males and 242 females. The parish embraces the hamlets of Apley, Higford, Norton, and part of Cheswardine-lane, and contains 3,162A. 0R. 21P. of land, of which 1,065A. 1R. 37P. are in Apley; the park and pleasure grounds contain 484 acres, and there are 79A. 3R. 19P. in the red deer park. Rateable value, £4,262. 17s. The soil is various, in some parts a light loam upon a red sand prevails, in other parts the soil is strong, and in some places there is a mixture of gravel. The strong soil yields fine crops of barley and wheat, the meadow lands on the banks of the Severn produce a fine herbage, and is highly fertile. Considerable flocks of sheep are kept in this parish. Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., M.P., is lord of the manor, and owner of the whole parish. The vicinity of Stockton is pleasingly diversified with hill and dale, and beautified with romantic scenery; the high grounds command some fine views of the distant country, and the woody scenery in the immediate neighbourhood. Within the last few years several handsome residences have been erected, and some of the older houses have been modernized and beautified. The farms in this parish are of considerable extent, and by a judicious outlay of capital and superior management have been brought to a state of high productiveness. A court leet and court baron is held every five years at the Hundred House Inn, Norton.

THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Chad, is a venerable structure of free stone, (some portions of which have been rough cast,) consisting of nave and chancel, with a square tower, in which are five bells and a clock; the ceiling is of panelled oak, with projecting rests, on which are carved figures of the twelve apostles; the ceiling of the chancel is also of beautiful dark oak, and the pulpit and reading desk are elaborately carved. The living is a rectory, with the curacy of Boningale annexed, valued in the king’s book at £13. 11s. 3d., in the patronage of Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Charles Blaney Cavendish Whitmore, M.A.; the Rev. Stutville Isaacson, M.A., is the officiating minister. The tithes are commuted for £635. 15s., and there are 184A. 2R. 26P. of glebe land. The rectory is a commodious brick structure pleasantly situated a short distance from the church. There is a commodious school and residence for the teachers at Norton, which is supported by the munificence of T. C. Whitmore, Esq. At the present time there are about one hundred children instructed in this school.

APLEY PARK is the magnificent seat of Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., M.P. for the borough of Bridgnorth. The mansion is an elegant structure of the Grinshill free stone, in the castellated style of architecture, with polygonal turrets at the angles, and a porch of three arches at the entrance of the eastern front. A lofty square tower ornaments the centre of the southern front, and on the north is a domestic chapel. It stands on a gentle eminence, and exhibits a noble specimen of architectural skill and superb workmanship, and may justly be considered one of the most costly and splendid mansions in the county of Shropshire. The terrace is one of the most extensive and delightful in the kingdom, and commands fine views over a park richly adorned with sylvan beauty and stocked with red deer; the windings of the Severn, whose silvery waters are seen through the rich foliage, forming an interesting object in the views. The gardens, pleasure grounds, greenhouses, and vineries are extensive, and stocked with a profusion of the choicest flowers and rare plants, which exhibit a luxuriance and beauty that show them to be under the management of a skilled gardener. This manor before the reign of Henry III. belonged to the family of Huggeford, from whom it passed in marriage to Sir Thomas Lucy. Its proprietor, Sir Thomas Lucy, disposed of the manors of Stockton, Apley, and Huggeford, and the estates within the parish, with the advowson of the church of Stockton, in 1551, to William Whitmore, Esq., of Oxton, near London,—a gentleman whose ancestors had long been resident at Whitmore, in the parish of Claverley. The above William Whitmore was a merchant who had acquired an immense fortune by trading with Spain in fine cloth, being a freeman of the Haberdashers’ Company, London. The abundant wealth of this great merchant laid the foundation of the future prospects of this respectable family, who soon after increased their possessions around their ancient patrimony, as well as in many other counties in the kingdom. Sir George Whitmore, Knight, the second son of the above William, was Lord Mayor of London in 1632. Sir William Whitmore, Knight, of Apley, was sheriff in this county in 1620, in which year he was elected member of parliament for Bridgnorth, of which borough his successors, the Whitmores, of Apley, have almost uniformly been representatives. The Whitmores were distinguished for their loyalty and sufferings in the troublous times of the great rebellion; and among the gentlemen of this county who compounded for the estates during the commonwealth, we find Sir Thomas Apley, of Whitmore, paid £5,000. Apley House was besieged by the parliamentary forces under Sir John Price, when Sir W. Whitmore and his son, Sir Francis Oateley, Mr. Owen, Mr. Fowler, Mr. Griffiths, and about sixty soldiers were taken prisoners.

THE SOUTH LODGE at Norton is the residence of William H. Austin, Esq., a neat and pleasantly situated mansion, beautified with tasteful pleasure grounds.

CHARITIES.—_Mr. Thomas Talbot_, in 1678, bequeathed £34 for the use of the poor of the parish of Stockton, the interest to be expended in bread. _John Gough_ gave £30, and directed the yearly produce to be expended in bread, and given among six poor people. This legacy, as well as Talbots, was placed on private security in the hands of Mr. Thomason, who gave his note of hand for the same. _Mrs. Eleanor Church_, in 1798, gave to the churchwardens of Stockton £20, the interest to be given to the poor of the parish in bread on the first Sunday after the 26th of May. This money was also lent to Mr. Thomason. The interest of these three legacies now forms one fund for the distribution of bread, amounting to £4. 4s. a year. The annual cost of the loaves distributed when the charity commissioners published their report was £3. 9s. 4d. It did not appear why the whole of the interest had not been yearly expended, but the party holding the money agreed to pay up the principal, which it was intended to deposit in the Bridgnorth Savings’ Bank.

An omnibus leaves the Hundred House Inn twice a day, for the conveyance of passengers to and from the station at Shiffnal, and to Bridgnorth.

POST OFFICE.—Receiving house at _Mrs. Margaret Summer’s_.

Whitmore Thomas Charlton, Esq., M.P., Apley Park

Whitmore Rev. Charles Blaney Cavendish, M.A., The Rectory

Arkinstall Abraham, blacksmith

Austin Wm. Hazledine, Esq., South Lodge

Bate John William, Asthall Farm

Branson Thomas, Esq., land & estate agent, Echoeshill

Brewster Henry, Higford Corn Mills

Bridgeman Mrs., Higford House

Bridgeman Orlando Jack, Esq., Cotsbrook House

Cherrington William, farmer

Darby Richard Sorton, Esq., Crowgreaves

Edgerley Thomas, carpenter and joiner

Edgerley John, butcher

Ferguson Alexander, farmer, Higford

Fletcher Mary, school teacher

Isaacson Rev. Stuteville, M.A., curate

Lee George, tailor

Lee John, tailor

Medcalf Charles, schoolmaster and organist

Nock Mrs. Mary Ann, farmer, Greaves

Nock Thomas, farmer, Leavenhall

Payne James, butler & farm bailiff, Rectory

Pearman Richard, farmer

Robinson Walter, shopkeeper

Rushton Edward, farmer

Summers Margaret, grocer, farmer, & vict., The Hundred House Inn

Yates Bartholomew, farmer, Old Park

SUTTON MADDOCK

parish is situated in the Shiffnal division of the Brimstree hundred, and comprises 3,240 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £4,042. The arable lands are highly fertile, and the grazing lands produce a fine herbage. The village is pleasantly situated on the Bridgnorth and Shiffnal turnpike road, six miles north from the former, and five miles south-west from the latter. At the census in 1801 there were 400 inhabitants; 1831, 384; and in 1841, 79 houses and a population of 352 souls. The principal landowners are Richard Phillips, Esq., Brockton Hall; T. C. Whitmore, Esq.; Richard Phillips, gentleman; Mr. William Wilkinson; Mr. William Braidley; and the Rev. John Brooke; there are also several other smaller proprietors. THE CHURCH is a freestone structure, dedicated to St. Mary, and consists of nave and chancel, with a tower, in which are five bells. The tower appears much older than the body of the church, which has in all probability been re-built, but of which we find no historical record. There is a small organ placed upon the gallery. A neat memorial remembers Elizabeth Farmer, of this place, who died on the 16th December, 1827, aged thirty years; there is also a neat tablet in memory of William Jones, late of Harrington, in this parish, who died in 1823, and various others. This church was given to the priory of Wombridge by King Henry II. The living is a discharged vicarage, annexed to the rectory of Kemberton. The Rev. George Whitmore, M.A., is the incumbent. In the 15th of Henry III., Madoc, the son of Griffin, held Sutton by knights’ service. From this person it acquired the name of Sutton Madoc, now corrupted to Sutton Maddock. BROCKTON is a hamlet in this parish, pleasantly situated on the turnpike road from Shiffnal to Bridgnorth, about a mile north from the parish church. It contains several good family mansions. The noble family of Sutton de Dudley are said to be descended from the Suttons of Sutton Maddock.

DIRECTORY.—William Braidley, gentleman; John Broughall, farmer, Sutton Hall; Mrs. Mary Broughall, the Villa, Brockton; William H. Davies, farmer, Harrington; William Jones, Esq., Brockton; Thomas Nock, farmer, Sutton farm; Richard Phillips, Esq., Brockton hall; Richard Phillips, Esq., the Grange, Brockton; Francis Ray, parish clerk; Mr. George Roden; William Rose, Esq., porcelain manufacturer, Rock house; Henry Smith, farmer, New house; John C. Titterton, blacksmith; Rev. George Whitmore, M.A., vicar, residence Kemberton; William Wilkinson, maltster and farmer.

TONG, OR TONGE,

is a parish in the Shiffnal division of the Brimstree hundred, comprising 3,464A. 3R. 37P. of land, mostly a strong loamy soil. The woodlands cover one hundred and twenty acres. At the census in 1801 there were 404 inhabitants; 1831, 510; and in 1841, 115 houses and a population of 566 souls. Rateable value of the parish, £4,505. 1s. The village of Tong is of considerable antiquity, and is delightfully situated in a fertile district richly beautified with picturesque scenery, three and a half miles east by south from Shiffnal, and ten miles south-east from Wolverhampton, George Charles Selwyn Durant, Esq., is the principal landowner and lord of the manor. The Earl of Bradford, Mrs. Celeste Durant, and Mr. Jones, are also proprietors. TONG CASTLE is stated to have been in ancient times the seat of Hengist the Saxon, whom Vortigern the British king called in to his assistance; and having been successful in his warlike engagements, he afterwards begged of Vortigern as much land as an ox-hide would inclose. On his request being granted, he cut the ox-hide into small thongs, and had as much land as it encompassed, whereon he built a castle. The present castle is a magnificent structure, erected in the last century by George Durant, Esq., on the site of the old castle, which he purchased in 1764, and demolished. The architecture is a fantastic mixture of Gothic and Moorish, and though bad in detail, the effect produced is strikingly grand, arising from the numerous turrets and pinnacles, the rich colour of the stone, the wide extent, and stately crown given to the whole by two lofty and magnificent Turkish domes. It is beautifully situated in a fine champaign country, watered by a serpentine river which flows through the grounds, and passes close to the castle. The park comprises 319A. 3R. 19P. of land, and is finely wooded with venerable timber. The castle is now occupied by two female servants, the owner, G. C. S. Durant, Esq., being abroad.

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.