Chapter XLII: Part 42

COALBROOK DALE, a winding glen two miles from Madeley, hemmed in by lofty hills and hanging woods, is celebrated for the most considerable iron works in England; the forges, mills, and steam engines, with all their vast machinery,—the flaming furnaces, and smoking chimneys, with handsome residences nestling under the cliffs of the hills, have altogether a most romantic and singular appearance, and perhaps in no part of the globe are features of so diversified and wonderful a character brought together within so limited a compass,—here art has triumphed over nature, and the barren wilderness has been converted into one of the most animating abodes of commerce, and being studded with residences of taste and elegance, it gives the whole a very interesting appearance. Coalbrook Dale is chiefly the property of the Darby family, who carry on the extensive iron works here and in the adjoining parish of Dawley, where they have been already noticed. The Coalbrook Dale Company is one of the largest establishments in England, justly celebrated for the superiority of their castings, and for the manufacture of every description of iron goods. THE FRIENDS’ MEETING HOUSE, a neat brick structure, was built in 1789, and has a small burial ground attached. It stands near the site of a former meeting house. THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL, a plain brick structure, was occasionally the scene of the labours of the eminent Fletcher, the vicar of Madeley. A spacious school room has been built at the expense of the Coalbrook Dale Company, where about eighty boys are instructed. It is chiefly supported by the liberality of the same company. The room above the school is used as an episcopal place of worship, and here the curate of Madeley usually officiates twice on the Sabbath. A commodious school for girls has been built near the works, which is supported by Mrs. Abraham Darby; here about one hundred girls and an equal number of infants are now receiving instruction. Sunny-side House, a good brick residence on the heights above the dale, was unoccupied when our agent visited Coalbrook Dale. The residences of Abraham Darby, Esq., Richard Darby, Esq., and the Mrs. Darby, are handsome mansions, situated near the works in the dale. East Field is a good residence at the bottom of the dale, the seat of Barnard Dickinson, Esq., near to which is Severn House, the residence of Henry Dickinson, Esq., besides which there are several other handsome residences.

COALPORT, celebrated for its rich and extensive china works, is situated about two miles from Ironbridge. The eminent firm of Rose and Company has been established here upwards of half a century; and the articles produced at this manufactory, for superior taste and elegant workmanship, are nowhere excelled. The establishment is known as the Coalbrook Dale China Manufactory, and is the most extensive in the kingdom. The firm employs 537 operatives.

CHARITIES.—By an Indenture dated 29th May, 1706, we find that _Basil Brook_, by his will bequeathed to the poor of the parish of Madeley the sum of £40, which the churchwardens and parishioners desired might be laid out in the purchase of lands and tenements for the use of the poor of the parish. It was witnessed that Comerford Brook, in consideration of the said £40, and also of a further sum of £30 paid to him by Audley Bowdler and eight others, parties to the said indenture, granted to Audley Bowdler and others three cottages with gardens thereto, on trust, to employ the rents and profits thereof for the use of the poor. By another indenture, dated 26th December, 1713, William Johnson, in consideration of £30, conveyed a tenement in Madeley Wood to the trustees mentioned in the former deed, upon similar trusts. No further account can be obtained of the source from whence the two sums of £30 consideration money were derived. In course of time, the cottages having become out of repair, and there being no fund for repairing them, it was thought advisable to sell them for long terms at nominal rents, and apply the money received for the leases towards the building of a house of industry. Accordingly, on the 2nd January, 1797, the vicar, parish officers, and trustees granted six leases of the trust property for terms of 999 years, in consideration of a sum of £235. 15s. and a nominal rent of 4s. 6d. per annum. The sum thus received was added to a subscription raised in the parish to the further amount of £806. 13s. 6d., making together £1,042. 8s. 6d., and applied in the erection on a part of the charity land of a house of industry, the cost of which was £1,086. 14s. 7½d.; and a lease of that piece of land, with the house so erected upon it, containing 3R. 12P., was granted to certain trustees for the use of the parish for a term of 999 years, at the yearly rent of £18. The income of these premises, amounting to £18. 14s. 6d., together with 5s. a year derived from another fund, has been for many years applied in providing clothing for the poor.

The annuity of 5s. above mentioned was formerly paid out of premises belonging to Mr. Beddoes, but by whom given is not known. In the returns made under the Act of the 26th George III., it is attributed to a person of the name of Johnson, and there was formerly such a person who had property in this parish. A person of the name of Bowdler, who held the premises after Beddoes, became bankrupt, when the premises were sold, and there being no means of establishing a claim to this annuity against the purchase, it was agreed that the trustees of the other charity should receive from the assignees the sum of £5, in lieu and in discharge of this annuity. This sum, and 20s. for four years arrears, was accordingly paid to the trustees, and by them placed in the savings bank. _Mr. William Yate_, in 1810, bequeathed four kneelings in his pew in the gallery of the church for the benefit of the Sunday school.

The following biographical sketch of the Rev. John Fletcher, formerly vicar of Madeley, is taken from the account of that celebrated individual published by the Rev. Robert Cox, curate of St. Leonard’s, Bridgnorth, and other authorities:—“John Guillaume de la Flechere, or as he was generally designated in this his adopted country, John William Fletcher, was born in Switzerland, at Nijon, in the Pays de Vaud. His father, in the early part of his life, had been an officer in the French service, but on his marriage retired from the army, and afterwards became a colonel in the militia of his own country. Young Fletcher having passed the early part of his boyhood at Nion, was sent to the University of Geneva, where he was soon distinguished by the superiority of his talents, and the intensity of his application. About this period Fletcher met with a providential escape, which he never afterwards mentioned without the strongest expressions of gratitude. He lived for some time at a place very near the Rhine, where he frequently bathed, being careful to keep near the shore that the stream might not carry him away. Once, however, being less careful than usual, he was drawn into mid-channel, where the course of the water was very swift. He endeavoured to swim against it, but in vain, till he was hurried a distance of five miles from home. At last, despairing of life, he was cheered by the sight of a fine smooth creek, into which he was swiftly carried by a violent stream. A powder mill stood directly across it, and the last thing he could remember was the striking of his breast against one of the piles on which it stood. He then lost his senses, and knew nothing more till he rose on the other side of the mill, in a calm safe place, perfectly well. Many persons gladly welcomed him on shore; and one gentleman in particular said, ‘I looked when you went under the mill, and again when you rose on the other side. The time of your being immerged among the piles was exactly twenty minutes.’”

After Fletcher had gone through the usual course of study at the university, he was sent to Leutzbourg, a small town in the Swiss cantons, when, in addition to his other literary pursuits, he studied Hebrew and German. Hitherto it had been the intention of Fletcher to enter into the church; but, contrary to all expectation, before he had arrived at the age of twenty, he manifested views of a very different nature. Disgusted by the necessity of subscribing to the high Calvinism of the Geneva articles, and disinclined to enter upon so sacred an office from any secular motives, he yielded to the desire of some of his friends, and entered the army. Soon after he obtained a commission in the Portuguese service, and was ordered to hold himself in readiness to sail to Brazil; but an accident, occasioned by a servant overturning a kettle of boiling water on his leg, confined him to his bed until the ship had sailed. Being disappointed in a subsequent attempt to enter into the Dutch service, he resolved to visit England, partly from a desire for further improvement, and partly from a hope of obtaining some situation for his future support.

After the arrival of Mr. Fletcher in this country, he resided about eighteen months in the house of a Mr. Burchell, in Herefordshire, under whose directions he studied the English and various branches of polite literature. At length he was engaged as a tutor in the family of Mr. Hill, M.P. for Shrewsbury, who resided at Tern Hall, in this county. Mr. Fletcher generally accompanied the family to London, when Mr. Hill went to attend his parliamentary duties; and on one of these journeys he accidentally met with a poor woman who, he said, talked to him so delightfully of Jesus Christ, that he knew not how the time passed away. This little circumstance was attended with the most important results; and although at first he felt somewhat indignant at the idea of not being perfectly acquainted with the nature of religion, yet at length he obtained that lively faith which, through the grace of God, will incite men to do all they can do, whilst it teaches them to rely upon nothing which they have done.

Not long after this period, Mr. Fletcher’s attention was again directed to the work of the ministry; but being diffident of his qualifications for so weighty an office, two years elapsed before his ordination. “Before,” said he, “I was afraid; but now I tremble to meddle with holy things.” At length his reluctance being overcome, he solemnly determined to offer himself as a candidate for holy orders in the English Church, and was accordingly ordained deacon at the Chapel Royal of St. James’s, on the 6th of March, 1757, and preached on the following day. After having preached to some French refugees in his own language, and also in several chapels belonging to Mr. Wesley, with whom he was now acquainted, he determined to return to the charge of his pupils at Tern Hall. The churches of Atcham, Wroxeter, St. Alkmunds, and the Abbey Church in Shrewsbury, were now the occasional scenes of his gratuitous services. In the summer of 1779 he was frequently engaged in performing the duty of Madeley, and during the following year was presented to the vicarage of that place. This living he accepted in preference to another of above double the value, which was offered to him about the same time; his affection for the people to whom he had ministered would not allow him to be separated from them. The circumstance of his appointment to Madeley is worthy of notice. One day, Mr. Hill informed him that the living of Dunham, in Cheshire, then vacant, was at his service: “The parish,” he continued, “is small, the duty light, the income good (£400 per annum), and it is situated in a fine healthy sporting country.” After thanking Mr. Hill most cordially for his kindness, Mr. Fletcher added, “Alas, sir! Dunham will not suit me; there is too much money, and too little labour.” “Few clergymen make such objections,” said Mr. Hill, “it is a pity to decline such a living, as I do not know that I can find you another: What shall we do? Would you like to go to Madeley?” “That, sir, would be the very place for me.” “My object, Mr. Fletcher, is to make you comfortable in your own way; if you prefer Madeley, I shall find no difficulty in persuading Chambray, the present vicar, to exchange it for Dunham, which is worth more than twice as much!” In this way he became vicar of Madeley, with which he was so perfectly satisfied that he never after sought any other honour or preferment. The inhabitants of Madeley, at this period, were notorious for ignorance and impiety; and in this benighted village Fletcher stood forth as a preacher of righteousness for the space of twenty-five years.

There was an energy in his preaching, observes Mr. Gilpin, that was irresistible; his subjects, his language, his gestures, the tone of his voice, and the turn of his countenance, all conspired to fix the attention and affect the heart. Without aiming at sublimity, he was truly sublime, and uncommonly eloquent without affecting the orator. He was wonderously skilled in adapting himself to the different capacities and conditions of his hearers. He could stoop to the illiterate and rise with the learned; he had incontrovertible arguments for the sceptic, and powerful persuasions for the listless believer; he had sharp remonstrance for the obstinate, and strong consolation for the mourner. Mr. Wesley describes him as superior to Whitfield in his qualifications as a public preacher. Instead of being confined, says he, to a country village, he ought to have shone in every corner of our land. He was full as much called to sound an alarm through all the nation as Mr. Whitfield himself; nay, abundantly more so, seeing he was much better qualified for that important work. He had a more striking person, an equally winning address, together with a richer flow of fancy, a stronger understanding, a far greater treasure of learning, both in languages, philosophy, philology, and divinity; and above all, which I can speak with full assurance, a more deep and constant communion with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ. It is not to be supposed that so zealous a minister of the gospel would meet with no opposition. The drunken colliers and self-interested publicans were his special enemies. The voluptuary detested his temperance; the licentious were offended at his gravity and strictness; and the formal were roused to indignation by that spirit of zeal and devotion which influenced his whole conduct. And to these opponents must be added some of the neighbouring clergy and magistrates, who objected to his well-intended but unauthorised interference in their parishes. In spite, however, of these oppositions, his piety and benevolence won upon the people, and the church, which at first was so thinly attended that he was discouraged by the smallness of the congregation, began to overflow, and he saw an effectual change take place in many of his flock. Madeley abounded with persons in extreme indigence, and over this destitute part of his flock Mr. Fletcher watched with peculiar concern. The whole rents of his small patrimonial estate were set apart for charitable uses, and he drew so liberally from his other funds as at times almost to deprive himself of the necessaries of life. In order to feed the hungry, he led a life of self-denial and abstinence; and to cover the naked he clothed himself in the most homely attire.

The incessant labours of Mr. Fletcher, both in public and in private, with intense application to his studies, at length impaired his health, and in 1777 he was induced to visit Switzerland for the benefit of his native air. He continued at Nijon, the place of his nativity, and its vicinity for nearly three years; during which period, though his health was gradually improving, he was still too weak to undertake much public duty, but he employed his time in writing, giving private exhortations, and in instructing the children who assembled, in the first principles of religion. The fearless intrepidity of Mr. Fletcher’s Christian character was strikingly exemplified in his conduct towards one of his nephews during his residence in Switzerland. This young man had been in the Sardinian service, where his profligate ungentlemanly conduct had given such general offence to his brother officers that they were determined to compel him to leave their corps or fight them all in succession. After engaging in several duels he was obliged to quit the service, and return to his native country. As a desperate man he resorted to desperate measures. He waited on his uncle, General de Gons; and having obtained a private audience, he presented a pistol, and said, “Uncle de Gons, if you do not give me a draft on your banker for five hundred crowns, I will shoot you.” The general, though a brave man, yet seeing himself in the hands of a desperado capable of any mischief, promised to give him the draft if he withdrew the pistol. “But there is another thing, uncle, you must do; you must promise me, on your honour as a gentleman and a soldier, to use no means to recover the draft or bring me to justice.” The general pledged his honour, gave him the draft for the money, and at the same time expostulated freely with him on his infamous conduct. In the evening, passing the door of his uncle, Fletcher, the fancy took him to call and pay a visit. As soon as he was introduced he began to tell him, with exultation, that he had just called upon his uncle, General de Gons, who had treated him with unexpected kindness, and generously given him five hundred crowns. “I shall have some difficulty,” said Mr. Fletcher, “to believe the last part of your intelligence.” “If you will not believe me, see the proof under his own hand,” holding out the draft. “Let me see,” said Mr. Fletcher, taking the draft and looking at it with astonishment; “It is indeed my brother’s writing, and it astonishes me to see it, because he is not in affluent circumstances; and I am the more astonished because I know how much and how justly he disapproves your conduct, and you are last of his family to whom he would make such a present.” Then folding the draft, and putting it into his pocket: “It strikes me, young man, that you have possessed yourself of this note by some indirect method, and in honesty I cannot return it, but with my brother’s knowledge and approbation.” The pistol was immediately at his breast; and he was told as he valued life instantly to return the draft. ‘My life,’ replied Mr. Fletcher, ‘is secure in the protection of Almighty power who guards it, nor will he suffer it to be the forfeit of my integrity and your rashness.’ This firmness drew from the other the observation that his Uncle de Gons, though an old soldier, was more afraid of death than he was. ‘Afraid of death,’ rejoined Mr. Fletcher, ‘do you think that I have been twenty-five years the minister of the Lord of life to be afraid of death now? No, sir; thanks be to God who giveth me the victory! It is for you to fear death who have reason to fear it. You are a gamester—a cheat. You call yourself a gentleman. You are a duellist, and your hand is red with your brother’s blood; and for this you style yourself a man of honour. Look there, sir; look there. See, the broad eye of heaven is fixed upon us. Tremble in the presence of your Maker, who can in a moment kill your body, and for ever punish your soul in hell!’ By this time the unhappy man was pale: he trembled alternately with fear and passion: he threatened, he argued, he entreated. Sometimes he withdrew the pistol, and fixing his back against the door, stood as a sentinel to prevent all egress; and at other times he closed on his uncle, threatening instant death. Under these perilous circumstances Mr. Fletcher gave no alarm to the family, sought for no weapon, and attempted neither escape nor manual opposition. He conversed with him calmly; and at length perceiving that the young man was affected, addressed him in language truly paternal until he had fairly disarmed and subdued him. ‘I cannot,’ said he, ‘return my brother’s draft; yet I feel for the distress in which you have so thoughtlessly involved yourself, and will endeavour to relieve it. My brother de Gons, at my request will, I am sure, voluntarily give you a hundred crowns. I will do the same. Perhaps my brother Henry will do as much. And I hope your other family will make out the sum among them. He then prayed with him and for him. By Mr. Fletcher’s mediation, the family made up the sum he had promised; and with much good advice on one side, and fair promises on the other, they parted.

In March, 1781, Mr. Fletcher took a final leave of Switzerland and returned to England, and in the autumn of the same year was married to Miss Bosanquet, a lady of respectable family and eminent piety. From the time of his marriage Mr. Fletcher experienced no return of his consumptive symptoms, and his general health materially improved. In compliance with the solicitation of Mr. Wesley, Mr. Fletcher was sometimes present at the annual conference, when his sermons and pious conversation became the theme of every tongue. No employment of Mr. Fletcher’s seemed more pleasing to him than that of being engaged in preparing food or medicines for the poor. On Sundays he provided for numbers of poor people who came to the church from a distance. Indeed he scarcely seemed to enjoy his meals unless he knew that some sick or indigent neighbours should partake of them. But with all his generosity he was still careful to live within his income. If he overtook a poor person on the road with a burden too heavy for him, he did not fail to offer his assistance to bear part of it; and under such circumstances he would not easily take a denial. As he approached the end of his course the graces he had kept in continual exercise for so long a season became more illustrious and powerful, his faith was more assured, his hope more lively, his charity more abundant, his humility more profound, and his resignation more complete. After lingering some time under the pressure of an exhausted constitution, but supported by the hopes and consolations of Christianity, Mr. Fletcher calmly expired on the 14th August, 1785, in the fifty-sixth year of his age.

As a clergyman he was never exceeded in zeal, disinterestedness, affection for his flock, or anxiety for their spiritual welfare. As a writer Mr. Fletcher was considerably above mediocrity, and had he been a candidate for literary distinction he had talents to have occupied no inconsiderable rank. His deportment and manners were of the most engaging and courteous kind, presenting such a combination of gravity, condescension, and gentleness as few have ever witnessed. Of his appearance in the pulpit the liveliest fancy could not frame from any of the ancient saints an aspect more venerable or more apostolic. The abundant current of his charity flowed in affection towards all, and his liberal heart rejoiced in the spiritual welfare of other denominations.

In the church-yard is a plain and simple tomb to his endeared memory, covered with a cast iron plate, on which in raised letters is the following memorial:—

“He lies the body of
The Rev. JOHN WILLIAM DE LA FLECHERE,
vicar of Madeley.
He was born in Nijon, in Switzerland,
September 12th, MDCCXXIX,
and finished his course in this village,
August 14th, MDCCLXXXV,
where his unexampled labours will be long remembered.
He exercised his ministry for the space of
twenty-five years in this parish,
with uncommon zeal and ability.
Many believed his report and became his joy
and crown of rejoicing,
while others constrained him to take up the
lamentation of the prophet:—
‘All day long I have stretched out my hands
unto a disobedient and gainsaying people,
yet surely my judgment is with the Lord
and my works with my God.’
‘He being dead yet speaketh.’”

The following is a copy of the entry in the parish register:—“John Fletcher, clerk, died on Sunday evening, August 14th, 1785. He was one of the most apostolic men of the age in which he lived. His abilities were extraordinary, and his labours unparalleled. He was a burning and shining light, and as his life had been a common blessing to the inhabitants of this parish, so the death of this great man was lamented by them as a common and irreparable loss. This little testimony was inserted by one who sincerely loved and honoured him. Joshua Gilpin, vicar of Wrockwardine.”

MADELEY DIRECTORY.

Albert William, plumber, glazier, & painter

Alker Thomas, plumber, glazier, & painter

Bailey John, builder

Bailey John, chartermaster

Bailey Joseph, chartermaster

Bailey William, assistant clerk, county court

Barker John, boot and shoemaker

Bartley Thomas, grocer and draper

Bartlett Rev. John, M.A., Marnwood

Beddell Thomas, beerseller

Blanthorne Isabella, beerseller

Bowdler Henry, farmer, Cuckoo Oak

Brewer Francis, grocer

Brickhill Mr. Solomon

Bryan Arnold F., draper

Cartwright George, butcher

Caswell John, boot and shoemaker

Chalmers Rev. John, curate

Currier Thomas, cabinet maker

Dainty William, chartermaster

Davies John, brick, tile, & draining pipe mkr

Dawes William, organ builder

Dyas Charles, vict., Royal Oak

Dyas William, butcher, farmer, maltster, and grocer

Eastwick Miss Mary

Edwards Mr. Edward

Farmer Miss Ann

Farr James, wheelwright

Farr John, beerseller

Fenton Samuel, brazier and tin plate worker

Ferriday Charles James, Esq.

Ferriday Miss Jane

Fisher Jesse, manufacturing chemist

Ford John C., draper

Foster & Co., iron & coal masters; Francis Pearce, agent

Garner Joseph, stone mason

Glaze George, beerseller

Glover Thomas, hair dresser

Green Henry, beerseller

Griffiths Philip, tailor and clothier

Groom Richard, tailor

Guy Benjamin, beerseller

Gwyther Rev. James H., vicar, surrogate for granting marriage licenses, and chaplain to Madeley union

Harper Ann, draper and grocer

Harper William, farmer

Harris William, chartermaster

Harvey Richard and Randall John, grocers and ironmongers

Harvey Thomas J., vict., Horse Shoes

Headley James, chemist and druggist

Heaford William, tailor and woollen draper

Holmes John, chartermaster

Hopley Peter, farmer and chartermaster

Hopley William, chartermaster

Jacks John, chartermaster

Jacks Joseph, painter and glazier

Johnson William, schoolmaster

Jones George, mine agent to James Foster, Esq., Madeley Court

Jones Jonas, chartermaster

Kearsley James, chartermaster

Kearsley Sarah, milliner

Keay John, beerseller and grocer

Keay John, chartermaster

Keay Peter, beerseller

Lane John, wheelwright

Lavender Samuel, draper and milliner

Lissiter William, beerseller

Madeley Wood Company ironmasters; Mr. Anstice, agent

Millard Thomas, gardener and seedsman

Mollineaux Thomas, grocer

Molloy Rev. William

Morgan Mr. Joseph, Gothic Villa

Morris Richard, blacksmith

Munday Thomas, bookseller and stationer

Onions James, confectioner

Owen Thomas, saddler and harness maker

Page William, butcher

Patrick Miss Mary Ann

Pearce Francis, agent to James Foster, Esq., Park Cottage

Peirce Richard, surgeon

Penn Thomas, furnace manager to James Foster, Esq.

Powell William, beerseller

Rayner Mr. Charles, Holley House

Roberts Charles, boot and shoemaker

Rodgers William M., grocer

Rose Mrs. Appilona

Rushton Jane, milliner

Rushton Samuel, blacksmith

Rushton William, grocer

Smith Edward, ale and porter merchant, and maltster and limeburner

Smith Samuel and Co., brick, tile, and drainage pipe manufacturers

Smith Thos., architect, builder, & surveyor

Street Elizabeth, earthenware dealer

Thompson Matthew, chartermaster

Trevor Thomas, grocer and chandler

Walker John, beerseller

Wall William, shopkeeper

Ward Mrs. Alice

Ward George, mine agent to Madeley Wood Company

Ward William, chartermaster

Watson Andrew, tailor

Webb Matthew, surgeon

Wilkins James, grocer and ironmonger

Willcox Mr. Thomas

Williams Mrs. Elizabeth

Williams James, beerseller

Williams Joseph, wheelwright

Williams Richard, farmer, and furnace manager to Madeley Wood Company

Williams Richard, farmer, The Cottage

Williams Susannah, beerseller

Wones John, beerseller and shopkeeper

Yate Joseph, Esq., Madeley Hall

* * * * *

POST OFFICE at _Mr. Henry P. Baldwin’s_, Bridge street. Letters arrive at 7 45 A.M., and are despatched at 5 50 P.M.

IRONBRIDGE AND MADELEY WOOD DIRECTORIES.

Anstice John, Esq., manager to Madeley Wood Company, The Lloyds

Anstice Wm. Reynolds, solicitor and clerk to Madeley Board of Guardians, Church street

Bartlett Rev. John, M.A., Marnwood

Ball William, supervisor, Church street

Bayliss William, engineer to Madeley Wood Company, The Lloyds

Cartwright Mrs., Hodge Bower

Clarke William, tea and whiskey dealer, Severn Terrace

Cock Miss Ann, Brockholes

Cooke Emanuel, locksmith, Lincoln’s Hill

Davies Mrs., The Orchard

Evans William, secretary to Mechanics’ Institution, house, Broseley

Fisher, John, Esq., Madeley Wood

Ford John, parish clerk, Church street

Gordon, Wm. Pierson, Esq., solicitor & clerk to magistrates, residence, Linley

Haywood John, wire worker, Bridge street

Jetter Rev. John Andrew, incumbent, The Parsonage

Jones Thomas, nail maker, Madeley Wood

Kelsall Rev. Henry, curate, Brockholes

Lewis John Bennett, inland revenue officer, Severn Terrace

Lewis Edward, manager to Joseph Reynolds, Esq., Coalport

Madeley Wood Company, ironmasters, and brick and tile manufacturers, John Anstice, Esq., manager, The Lloyds

Nicholas Joseph, patten maker, Lincoln Hill

Nickless Enoch, ale, porter and cider merchant, Lincoln Terrace

Pugh Charles, agent to Lilleshall Company and Beriah Botfield, Esq., Coalport

Pugh William, Esq., porcelain manufacturer, Coalport

Reeves William, chartermaster, Lincoln Hill

Riddiough William, patten and clog maker, Madeley Wood

Rose John & Co., porcelain manufacturers

Rose William, Esq., porcelain manufacturer, Coalport

Stokes William Smith, gent., Old Parsonage

Wase John, farmer, The Hay

Whiteley Mr. James, agent to Jno. Rose & Co. porcelain manufacturers, Coalport

Wildblood Wm., governor of Union House, Brockholes

Woodruff James, gent., Lincoln Terrace

Wright Henry, ale & porter dealer, Lincoln’s Hill

Yates Adam, gent, Madeley Wood

Weare William, auctioneer, house and estate agent, accountant, agent to Shropshire and North Wales Fire Office, and British Empire Life Office, Madeley Wood

* * * * *

Academies.

Brassington & Southern, the Misses, (Ragged School), Severn Side

Evans Wm., Waterloo street, house, Broseley

Johnston John, (Boarding) Brockholes

Lusmore Miss, (Parochial) Severn Side

Timmis Mrs and the Misses, (Ladies Brdng) Dale Coppy

White Miss, (Ladies Boarding) Church street

Attornies.

Anstice Wm. Reynolds, and clerk to Madeley Board of Guardians, Church street

Gordon Wm. Pierson, & clerk to magistrates for borough of Wenlock, house, Linley

Bakers and Flour Dealers.

_See also Shopkeepers_.

Broadbridge Chas., Bridge st

Milner George, Bridge street

Bankers.

Savings Bank, Church street, William Smith, manager, residence, Bridgnorth

Shropshire Banking Compy., Hy. C. T. Dickenson, Esq., manager, The Elms

Barge Owners.

Bailey James, The Lloyds

Burton J. & Edw., The Wharf

Goodwin George, The Wharf

Owen Benjamin, The Wharf

Owen Thomas, The Wharf

Owen Edward, The Wharf

Yates Francis and John, The Wharf

Blacksmiths.

Bisall John, Madeley Wood

Edwards Jno., Madeley Wood

Walton John, Church street

Booksellers, Binders, Printers and Stationers.

Slater John, Bridge street

Smith Geo. Mortimer, Market square

Smith Saml. C. Bridge street

Boot & Shoe Makers.

Blocksidge John, Coalport

Crowder John, The Lloyds

Dodd Richd., Church street

Hughes Chas., Bridge street

Lloyd Benj., Madeley Wood

Price Thos., Madeley Wood

Roberts Thos., The Wharfage

Wood Thos., The Wharfage

Braziers & Tin-plate Workers.

Bartham Chas., Bridge street

Fenton Thomas, & constable, Waterloo street

Brick & Tile Manufacturers.

Bayliss John and George, Madeley Wood

Burton John and Edward, The Wharfage

Davis John, Madeley Green

Madeley Wood Company, Waterloo street

Roden Saml., Hodge Bower

Butchers.

Barnett Thos., Bridge street

Barnett Wm., Bridge street

Delves Joseph, Bridge street

Dyas William, Bridge street

Page John, Bridge street

Poole Charles, The Lloyds

Wilcox John, Madeley Wood

Wilcox William, Brockholes

Cabinet Makers and Upholsterers.

Davies George, High street

Jones William, The Wharfage

Chemists & Druggists.

Baldwin Henry P., and post master, Bridge street

Hartshorne Wm., Market sqre

Clothiers.

Cohen Luke, Bridge street

Gotthimer Aaron, Waterloo st

Confectioners.

Barclay William, & dealer in British Wines, Bridge st

Milner George, Bridge street

Rogers Mary, Bridge street

Cooper.

Roberts Richd., Church street

Curriers.

Cock John and James, Madeley Wood

Stirrop Robert J., and leather cutter, Bridge street

Drapers & Silk Mercers.

Brown Samuel, and laceman, Bridge street

Bowyer Thomas, and woollen draper, Market square

Charlton Henry, Bridge st

Evans Thos., Madeley Wood

Goodwin Wm., The Wharfage

Greenhalgh Brothers, Bridge street

Pardoe Edward, Bridge street

Farmers.

Barnett Thos., Bridge street

Dyas William, Bridge street

Thompson Isaac, Lodge Farm

Wase John, Hay Farm

Yates Francis and John, Castle Green

Fire & Life Office Agents.

British Empire Life, William Weare, Madeley Wood

Clerical, Medical & General Life, George M. Smith, Market square

Medical, Legal and General Mutual Life, George M. Smith, Market square

Shropshire and North Wales Fire, Wm. Weare, Madeley Wood

Furniture Brokers.

Davies George, High street

Franks William, High street

Jones Wm., The Wharfage

Grocers & Tea Dealers.

Dax William, Madeley Wood

Evans Wm., Madeley Wood

Franks Benj., Madeley Wood

Greenhalgh Brothers, Bridge street

Hammond Thos., Brockholes

Latham John, & glass dealer, Madeley Wood

Milner Betsey, Bridge street

Price Chas. L., (firm, Smith and Price) Bridge street

Smith & Price, Bridge street

Smith Charles W., Bridge st

Smith Henry, (firm, Smith and Price) Bridge street

Wilcox Thos., Madeley Wood

Hair Dressers.

Baugh George, Bridge street

Poole Thomas, Bridge street

Reynolds Rd., The Wharfage

Hat Manufacturers.

Shingler John, The Lloyds

Shingler John, Bridge street

Hosiers and Haberdashers.

Brown John, Madeley Wood

Crowther The Misses, The Wharfage

Owen Miss Sarah, Bridge st

Hotels, Inns, and Taverns.

Bird in Hand, John Shingler, The Lloyds

Blockhouse, John Heighway, The Lloyds

Golden Ball, John Wilcox, Madeley Wood

Half Moon, Joseph Pugh, Madeley Wood

Horse, Joseph Edwards, Lincolns Hill

Lake Head, William Yates, The Lloyds

Retreat, William Shingler, Bridge street

Robin Hood, James Bailey, The Lloyds

Rodney, Susannah Lloyd, The Wharfage

Royal Oak, Thomas Nivitt, Church street

Swan Inn, John Barrow, The Wharfage

Swan, Wm. Fowler, Lincolns Hill

Talbot, George Boycott, The Wharfage

Three Tuns, Thos. Corfield, and licensed to let post horses, Bridge street

Tontine Hotel, and commercial and posting house, Elizabeth Jones, Bridge st

Unicorn, Samuel Harvey, Madeley Wood

White Hart, commercial and posting house, William Shingler, The wharfage

Beerhouses.

Broadbridge Chas., Bridge st

Davies Jas., Madeley Wood

Franks Benj., Madeley Wood

Harper Joseph, Brockholes

Jones Ann, The Wharfage

Lloyd Samuel, Waterloo st

Morrall Rd., Madeley Wood

Hoole Fred. W., Bath lane

Pugh Thos., Madeley Wood

Taylor Catherine, The Loyds

Thompson Isaac, Madeley Wood

Wood Thos., The Wharfage

York Mary, Madeley Wood

Ironmongers.

Davies Richard, and patten maker, Wharfage

Smith Chas. W., Bridge st

Joiners and Builders.

_Marked * Builders only_.

Bailey Wm., senr., Madeley Wood

Bailey Wm., jun., Madeley Wood

* Barclay John, Bridge street

Davies George, High street

* Jenks Thomas, High st

Nevitt & Co., Madeley Wood

Nickless Enoch, Lincoln ter.

Maltsters.

Barrow John, The Wharfage

Lloyd Benj., Severn Terrace

Smith Edward, Park lane

Yates Francis and John, The Wharfage

Milliners & Dressmakers.

Armstrong Miss Maria, Market street

Crowther Miss Sarah, The Wharfage

Ferrington The Misses, Church street

Owen The Misses, Bridge st

Stodd Miss Emma, Bridge st

Painters, Plumbers, & Glaziers.

Crowther Leonard, The Wharfage

Hinsley John, The Loyds

Williams Abr., The Wharfage

Saddlers & Harness Makers.

Poole George Hy., Bridge st

Woof Edwd., The Wharfage

Spirit Vaults.

Charlton Humpy., Bridge st

Stirrop Robert, Bridge street

Straw Bonnet Makers.

Acton Mrs., Market square

Hartshorne Mrs., Bridge st

Surgeons.

Proctor Richd., Esq., Severn Terrace

Rowlands Jas., Esq., Church street

Tailors.

Bates Edwin, Madeley Wood

Gwynne Thomas, & woollen draper, Market square

Heaford Hiram, & woollen draper, The Wharfage

Shotton John, Madeley Wood

Timber Merchant.

Chune Joseph Fred., Lincolns Hill

Watch & Clock Makers.

Hinkley Wm., Bridge street

Peplow Fran., The Wharfage

Omnibuses.

_To Shiffnal_ at 7-30 A.M. from the Tontine Hotel, returning at 6-45 P.M.

_To Wellington_ at 8 A.M. and 4-30 P.M. from the Tontine Hotel, returning at 2-45 P.M. and 9 P.M.

COALBROOK DALE DIRECTORY.

_Marked_ 1 _reside at the bottom of the dale_.

Bailey Benj., boot & shoekr.

Bailey John, beerhouse kpr.

Bailey William, grocer

Biddiough William, grocer

Boycott Thomas, accountant

Branford Thomas, painter, plumber and glazier

1 Chune George and Joseph, timber merchants

Chune John H., miller and corn factor, Coalbrook Dale Mill

1 Clarke William, grocer and seedsman

Coalbrook Dale Company, ironmasters

Cookson Samuel, engineer

Crookes Mr. Chas., manager of the foundry, Paradise House

Darby Abraham, Esq., The Chesnuts

Darby Mrs. Hannah, White House

Darby Mrs. Lucy, Dale House

Darby Richard, Esq.

Delves Joseph, butcher

1 Dickenson Henry C. T., bank manager, The Elms

1 Dickinson Barnard, Esq., East Field

1 Dickinson Henry, Esq., Severn House

Dorsett Joseph, shopkeeper and blacksmith

1 Dunbar Sarah, hosier

Edwards Edward, surgeon

Fox John, accountant

Gething George, tailor

Graham Mr. Thos., Woodside Cottage

Harbridge John, accountant

Hughes John, draughtsman

Lane Julia, schoolmistress

1 Lloyd Aaron, grocer

1 Lowe Geo., tailor & draper

Morgan The Misses Priscilla and Rebecca

Norris William, cashier

1 Oliver William, shopkeeper

Onions Isaac, schoolmaster

1 Owen Benj., barge owner

1 Owen Edwd., barge owner

1 Owen Mr. Thomas

1 Phillips John, tailor

Ramsell Edward, shoemaker

Robinson Mr. John

Roberts William, clerk

Rose Mrs. Ann

Buckley Mrs Sarah, Hawkeshead Cottage

Sankey Mrs. Hannah

Smith and Price, grocers

1 Turton George, inland revenue officer

Timmis Mrs., boarding schl.

Weston Phillip, accountant

Wilbraham Charles, draper, (travelling)

Wright Benjamin, registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, & Commercial Inn and posting house

Wright Peter, farmer, and agent to the Royal Exchange Fire & Life Office

COALPORT DIRECTORY.

Anstice John Esq., agent to Madeley Wood Company

Blocksidge John, grocer & shoemaker

Doughty Daniel, butcher

Fennell Susannah, shopkr.

Hargreave Rebecca, beerhse

Harper John, butcher

Harper Joseph, beerhouse

John Rose and Co., porcelain manufacturer

Lewis Edward, manager to Joseph Reynolds, Esq.

Musgrave Wm., beerhouse

Oakes George, shopkeeper

Pugh Chas., agent to Lilleshall Company and Beriah Botfield, Esq.

Pugh Wm., Esq., porcelain manufacturer

Rose William, Esq., porcelain manufacturer, Rock House

Wase John John Holland, farmer, Hay Farm

Wheeler Thomas, beerhouse

Whiteley James, Esq., agent to porcelain manufactory

MONK HOPTON

is a parish and small rural village pleasantly situated six miles W. from Bridgnorth, and four and a half miles S. from Much Wenlock, contains 2,240A. 0R. 37P. of land, chiefly the property of Lord Wenlock, who is also lord of the manor. The farm houses and cottage residences are mostly neat structures, having been in many instances rebuilt by the late proprietor Sir Francis Lawley. Rateable value, £1,814. 13s. 9d. At the census in 1801 this parish had a population of 212 souls; 1831, 208, and in 1841 there were thirty-five houses and 189 inhabitants.

THE CHURCH, a small structure, has been beautified and repaired within the last few years. The living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the lord of the manor, and incumbency of the Rev. Robert W. Dayrell. There is a school in the village, which is chiefly supported by Lord Wenlock and the minister; about forty children attend. WESTON is a hamlet in the parish of Monk Hopton, about two miles from the church; the Duke of Cleveland and Mrs. Susannah Butcher are the landowners.

The principal residents are Edward Bradley, farmer; Rev. Robert W. Dayrell; William Dixon, farmer and corn miller; Mary Evans, schoolmistress; Elizabeth Evans, blacksmith; Edward Marston, farmer, Monk Hall; Richard Nichols, vict., Wenlock Arms; William Shiston, bailiff; Richard Wall, wheelwright. The residents in Weston are Susannah Butcher, farmer; Richard Lewis, farmer; and Thomas Reynolds, farmer.

MUCH WENLOCK

is a parish, market town, and borough, having separate and independent jurisdiction, twelve miles south east from Shrewsbury, and 148 miles from London. The town consists principally of two streets, at right angles to one another. The houses in general have an ancient appearance, and are ill built; there are, however, several houses and shops of modern appearance of a more respectable character. The parish contains 8,821 acres of land; and at the census of 1841 had 2,487 inhabitants. In 1851 there were 2,398 souls, of whom 1,179 were males, and 1,219 females; and at the same period there were 487 inhabited houses and 17 uninhabited. Rateable value, £14,006. 11s. The townships comprised in this parish are Much Wenlock, Atterley, Bourton, Callaughton, Farley, Wyke, and Bradley, Harley Wigwig and Homer, Presthope, and Walton. The township of Much Wenlock contains 2,492 acres of land, the principal owners of which are W. W. Wynne, Esq., and Lord Forester. At the census of 1841 there were 373 houses and 1,627 inhabitants in the township. Gross, estimated rental, £7,440. 6s. 2d. Rateable value, £6,549. 5s. The tithes have been commuted, and £341 apportioned to the vicar, and £387. 14s. to the impropriators. Monday is market day, for which the town is indebted to the Prior and other religious brethren. Fairs are held second Tuesday in March, May 12th, October 17th, and December 4th. The fair held on July 5th has been discontinued within the last few years.

A charter of incorporation was granted to Wenlock in the 8th of Edward IV. The second and last charter, which is a confirmation and extension of the former, was granted in the 7th of the reign of Charles I. Under this charter the government was invested in a bailiff, a recorder, bailiff’s peers, a treasurer, a coroner, a town clerk, a serjeant-at-mace, and other officers. The bailiff, recorder, and bailiff’s peers, were justices of the peace; the recorder held his office for life, and the others were elected annually on Michaelmas day by a jury of the burgesses. The jurisdiction of these magistrates was co-extensive with the borough. By the charter they were allowed a court of common pleas every second Tuesday, and also an assize court for the trial of criminals, not even excepting those suspected of capital crimes; and from the early registers of the parish of Wenlock many executions seem to have taken place. A court of record was also held by the mayor every alternate Tuesday, and considerable business was done in this court. Under the municipal reform act the government of the borough is vested in a mayor, six aldermen, and eighteen councillors. Quarter sessions are held before the recorder. The mayor is elected annually on the 9th of November by the council. His duties are to preside at all meetings of the council, and to sign notices thereof, and with the assessors to revise the burgess list. He is a justice of the peace ex-officio for the year of his mayoralty and the year following, and has precedence within the borough, and is returning officer at elections for members of parliament. In the absence of the recorder he is empowered to open and adjourn the court of quarter sessions. Any councillor elected mayor, but refusing to serve, is liable to a fine not exceeding £100. The aldermen are one-third of the number of councillors, and are elected triennially by the council on the 9th of November. Half of their number go out of office every three years, but are eligible to be re-elected. An alderman is to preside at elections in case of death or inability of the mayor, and refusing office is to pay a fine not exceeding £50. The councillors are chosen in the different wards on the 1st of November, by persons whose names are on the burgess roll; one-third of the councillors go out of office annually, but are capable of re-election. All such elections are held before an alderman, and two assessors appointed for each ward. The recorder is appointed by the crown, has precedence after the mayor, and is sole judge at quarter sessions and in the court of record, and ex-officio justice of the peace. He must be a barrister of at least five years standing. He cannot be a member of parliament, alderman, or councillor, of the borough. The town-clerk is appointed by the council, and must be an attorney. The freemen’s roll is made out by him. He receives from the overseers, on the 5th of September, the list of burgesses, which he has to get printed, and expose copies on the Town Hall door. He receives claims of persons omitted in the burgess list and of persons objected to. He issues instructions to overseers to make out lists of electors, and publishes the same when revised; attends and takes minutes of all proceedings at council meetings, and makes out warrants for borough-rates, and has charge of all borough registers and other documents. The clerk of the peace is appointed by the council. His duties are to give ten days’ notice of time and place of holding quarter sessions; to summon, at least seven days before, a sufficient number of jurors, and to make out a list of names and descriptions of jurors summoned. The fees paid to this officer are fixed by the town council, and confirmed by the secretary of state. The coroner is appointed by the council, and makes an annual return of the inquests held by him to the secretary of state, as well as a quarterly return to the council. The following is a list of the members of Parliament, the corporate body, and the municipal officers of the borough and franchise of Wenlock for the year 1851:—

_Members of Parliament_:—The Hon. George Cecil Weld Forester, Esq., and James M. Gaskell, Esq.

_Justices of the Peace_:—Moses George Benson, Esq.; George Pritchard, Esq.; John Pritchard, Esq.; Thomas Mytton, Esq.; William Pugh, Esq.; Henry George Harnage, Esq.; John Anstice, Esq.; John Stephens, Esq.; W. P. Brookes, Esq.; and Richard Thursfield, Esq.

CORPORATION.—_Mayor_: Charles Belsher, Esq.

_Aldermen_: Richard Thursfield, Esq.; William Nicholas, Esq.; J. W. Rowlands, Esq.; John Anstice, Esq.; Charles Belsher, Esq.; and John Parry, Esq.

_Councillors of Wenlock Ward_: George Adney; Joseph Amphlitt; William Canlin; Robert Horton; William Newill; and William Jeffrey.

_Broseley Ward_: George Pritchard; Thomas Lister; John Onions; William Thursfield; Thomas Pitt; Robert Evans.

_Madeley Ward_: Henry Charlton; George Chune; William Cooke; Edward Edwards; Henry Davies; Henry Dickinson.

_Recorder_: Uvedale Corbet, Esq. _Clerk of the Peace_: George Potts, Esq. _Town Clerk_: Roger Charles Blakeway, Esq. _Clerk to Justices_: William P. Gordon, Esq. _Treasurer_: Mr. Joseph Roden. _High Constable_: Mr. Richard Patten.

Wenlock is remarkable as being the first borough that acquired the right of representation by charter in parliament. The boundary of the present parliamentary borough is the same as prior to the passing of the Reform and Corporation Act, but the municipal boundary is not so extensive. The revising barristers divided Wenlock into the three wards of Wenlock, Broseley, and Madeley; Wenlock ward to consist of the several parishes of Much Wenlock, Ditton Priors, Hughley, Monk Hopton, and such part of the parish of Shipton as lies on the left side of the streams called Brockton brook and the river Cowe in descending the same. The Madeley ward to consist of the parishes of Madeley and Little Wenlock; and Brosley Ward to consist of the parishes of Broseley, Barrow, Benthall, Linley, and Willey, and the Extra Parochial Liberty of Posenhall. And having regard as well to the number of persons rated to the relief of the poor in each ward, as to the aggregate amount of the sums at which all the said persons are so rated, they apportioned and assigned six councillors and two aldermen to each of the said wards. The town returned one member to parliament in 1478. It afterwards acquired the privilege of sending two, who were elected by the burgesses (in number about five hundred), the writ being returned by the bailiff. The greatest number of electors polled previous to the Reform Act was 258. The freedom was acquired by inheritance, and occasionally by election from a common hall. The whole precinct now called the franchise appears to have been included in the original charter. The number of electors is now upwards of nine hundred. The lord of the manor holds annual courts at Michaelmas and Easter, at the former of which constables are appointed.

The town of Wenlock gives name to a deanery, and the Borough and Franchise were formerly co-extensive with the hundred of _Patintern_, mentioned in Doomsday book, which comprised the following parishes—viz., Much Wenlock, Little Wenlock, Broseley, Madeley, Benthall, Barrow, Linley, Badger, Beckbury, Priors Ditton, Stoke St. Milborough, Eaton-under-Heywood, Hughley, Shipton, Monk Hopton, Willey, Deuxhill, and the Extra Parochial Liberty of Posenhall. By an order of Quarter Sessions, held at Shrewsbury, April 4, 1836, the parishes of Beckbury and Badger, were henceforward to be taken as part of the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstree; and the parish of Deuxhill was henceforward to be taken as part of the Bridgnorth division of the hundred of Brimstree: the parishes of Eaton and Shipton were henceforward to be taken as part of the upper division of the hundred of Munslow; and that the parishes of Culmington and Stoke St. Milborough shall henceforward be taken to be part of the lower division of the hundred of Munslow; and it was further ordered that the day from which this should take effect, should be the 11th day of April, 1836.

THE PARISH CHURCH, which stands near the ruins of the priory, is a venerable structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, surmounted by a neat spire of timber, covered with lead. The structure bears many evidences of great antiquity, and the architecture of the Saxon and Norman ages is discoverable. The interior, during the present year, has been restored and re-pewed at a cost of £1,350. The arches, which separate the nave from the side aisles, rise from clustered pillars, and are very beautiful, having been cleared of the plaster and mortar which had accumulated for ages. A lofty round arch separates the nave from the chancel, which contains the remains of a very elegant sedilia, together with a piscina and aumbrey, and several old brass memorials. The Church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity; and from the parish register, it appears that service was first celebrated in the English tongue in this church on the 26th of June, 1559. The church-yard has just been enlarged by the addition of three quarters of an acre, and contains several tombs, but none of them sufficiently remarkable as to deserve special notice. The living is a vicarage, rated at £12. 9s. 6d., in the patronage of Sir W. W. Wynn: incumbent, Rev. William Henry Wayne. The Methodists have a small chapel in the town. The National School was built in 1847, at a cost of about £1,000, of which £500 was obtained of the National Society and the Committee of Council on Education. 150 children attend.

THE TOWN HALL or GUILD HALL is an antique structure, chiefly composed of timber and plaster, resting on piazzas. It is evidently of great antiquity, but there is no record to show the date of its erection. In the parish register of Wenlock, however, which seems to have been also a chronicle of remarkable events of the parish, it is stated that the house over the prisons, which is clearly an addition to the original building, was put up in 1577. The interior consists of two commodious rooms, the first is the sessions room, and over the Recorder’s seat are the arms of Charles II. The inner room is the Municipal Court House, which has recently been panelled and furnished with carved oak of the most elaborate and costly workmanship, principally at the expense of W. P. Brookes, Esq., one of the borough magistrates. The chairs (two of which were presented to the corporation by the Rev. R. H. G. More), as well as the table, chimney piece, and seats, are remarkably handsome, the cost is stated to have been not far short of £1000.

THE SAVINGS BANK is a plain brick building situated near the church. The total number of depositors on November 20th, 1850, were 1,909, including thirty-six charitable societies and thirty-four friendly societies. The capital stock of the bank at the same period amounted to £62,650. 12s.; of the total number of depositors there were 1,061 whose respective balances did not exceed £20., 451 were above £20 and not exceeding £50., 210 not exceeding £100., 66 above £100 and not exceeding £150., 42 not exceeding £200., and nine were above the latter sum. The deposits of the charitable societies at the same period amounted to £2,608. 11s. 8d., and of the friendly societies to £3,248. 17s. 6d. _Treasurer_, George Pritchard, Esq.: _Secretary_, Mr. William Smith.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY is situated near the ruins of the abbey, and contains about 1,500 volumes, mostly valuable works, chiefly presented by gentlemen in the neighbourhood, and the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Anglesey, and Major Herbert Edwards. WENLOCK EDGE is a precipitous ridge about two miles from Wenlock, formerly densely covered with wood. King Henry I. on his March to Shrewsbury to besiege that town was under the necessity of employing detachments from his numerous army to cut down the wood and make a road ere he could proceed.