Chapter I: H. T. K. W. I. E. R (3)

It is the head quarters of the Sixth Shropshire Rifle Corps, of which John A. Anstice, Esq., is Captain, and R. E. Anstice, Esq., Lieutenant, and Searj. Johnson drill instructor.

The corps was first formed on the 20th of February, 1860, when the first batch of recruits (fifty in number) were sworn in, in the Guildhall at Wenlock, by Mr. Nicholas, of Broseley, (then Mayor for the borough), Captain Lowndes, Lieutenant Blakeway, and Ensign W. R. Anstice were amongst that number. Only three of the old hands now remain in the corps, Cr. Sergeant W. Y. Owen, Sergeant W. Roberts, and Sergeant Walton. Up to the present time 453 men have passed through the ranks: the last recruit that joined in 1879 being No. 453.

The company stands well in the battalion as a shooting company, having won the county challenge cup twice, viz: in 1876 and 1878. Cr. Sergeant Owen has also twice placed himself in the first sixty at Wimbleton, and consequently has two Queen’s Badges, as well as the St. George’s Cross. He has also been the winner of the Martin’s Challenge Cup. The company are in possession of four of Major Owen’s Memorial Cups out of nine that have been shot for at Berwick since 1870.

William Reynolds Anstice, Esq., uncle of the present captain, on the retirement of W. L. Lowndes, Esq., commanded the corps, and his name is still revered among the men.

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The Shropshire Banking Company, which was formed by the union of the Coalbrookdale, Wellington, and Newport Banks, for many years had an office here in the Market Square. The Dale Bank was in the hands of the Coalbrookdale Company. The Wellington Bank stood in the names of Reynolds, Charlton, and Shakeshaft, the former being Joseph Reynolds, late of Bristol, who received his interest in it from his father, Richard Reynolds; and Mr. Eyton, grandfather of the present T. C. Eyton, Esq., was at one time, we believe, another partner.

The Shropshire Company, which embraced a large number of shareholders, underwent great strain in consequence of delinquencies to the extent of £120,000 by the manager, Mr. Allen, of Shifnal. The noble act of Henry Dickinson, one of the directors at the time, who felt it his duty personally to stave off the ruin, which threatened so many, has already been recorded under the head of Coalbrookdale; he first lent and then gave £100,000. The appalling discovery of these frauds practised by the absconding manager spread the utmost alarm through the parish, and the county generally, and gave hundreds of widows, old maiden ladies, and others, reason to fear that the investments on which they depended were irretrievably gone. The generous act of Henry Dickinson however—who like the heroic Roman of old threw himself into the gap—restored confidence; the bank rallied, soon regained its position, and continued in existence till the shares and business were purchased by Lloyd’s Banking Company, Limited, in 1874. This enterprising and wealthy company purchased the two houses belonging to Mr. William Hartshorne, chemist and druggist, who for many years carried on business in one, and Mrs. Aston in the other, and erected the present commodious building, where they do a large business, half-yearly paying a handsome dividend to shareholders. The subscribed capital of the company is £2,750,000; in 55,000 shares of £50 each. Capital paid up (55,000 shares, £8 paid) £440,000. It has thirty-one other branches, and twelve sub-branches and agencies.

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Of that valued institution the Dispensary we have spoken ante p.p. 240–1. The 51st annual meeting has since been held; at which meeting

“the committee desired to place on record their acknowledgments of
the considerate feeling which prompted the late Edward Edwards, Esq.,
of Coalbrookdale, to bequeath the sum of £50 for the general purposes
of the institution, which sum, less legacy duty of £5, has been
invested in the purchase of £42 Midland Railway 4 per cent.
debentures stock, in addition to the sum of £880 of the game stock
already standing in the names of the Rev. W. H. Wayne, W. Nicholas,
W. G. Norris, and B. B. Potts, Esqrs., on behalf of the society. It
was also stated that from the opening of the Dispensary the number of
cases has been 57,105. In the last year the number was 1,019, of
which 843 had been cured, 78 relieved, 32 renewed, 2 sent to the
Salop Infirmary, and 38 remained under treatment.”

The Temperance Society and Good Templars have branches here and in other parts of the parish. Members of the former can date back their conversion to its principles from the commencement of the movement, forty or more years ago. We have mentioned the “British Workman” at Coalbrookdale; there is one also at Madeley Wood. And besides the regular religious services at the various places of worship, and means of instruction carried on through the established schools, others might be mentioned, on Sundays and week-days, the active promoters of which are Mr. D. White, Mr. A. Maw, Mr. W. R. Bradshaw, Mr. G. Baugh, &c., &c.

Ironbridge too is the head quarters of the Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale Building and Land Society, which has since its establishment been uniformly progressive, and led very many to become not only investors but owners of the houses they live in.

We may here give details of other means of promoting providence and thrift, such as Benefit Societies and Sick Clubs, which are numerous in the parish, and place on record the amounts raised in ways so creditable to the industrial portion of the population, and which added to those raised annually for various religious and other purposes reaches a very large amount indeed.

Let us take first the Coalbrookdale and Madeley Temperance Benefit Society.—This Society was founded during the infancy of the Temperance movement, before total abstinence societies were established. Spirits were forbidden to members, and beer was only to be taken in moderation, rules which have not been strictly adhered to. The members at one time fell away, but they have since increased, and the annual statement just issued for 1879 shews them to be 123 in number. The amount received in monthly contributions for the year ending midsummer was £115 13s. 3d. From interest of money invested £61 5s. 4d., which with the balance of the previous year £1239 10s. 4d. made £1416 8s. 11d.

Shropshire Provident Society.—Number of members 74; contributions £92 18s. 11½d.; Secretary Mr. Walter Sharpe; Surgeons M. Webb, Esq., and H. Stubbs, Esq.; endowment £10. Annual subscribers to the General Fund:

£ s. d. W. R. Anstice, Esq., Ironbridge 1 1 0 John Arthur Anstice, Esq., Madeley 1 1 0 George Anstice, Esq., Madeley 1 1 0 Richard Edmund Anstice, Esq., Madeley 1 1 0 Charles Pugh, Esq., 1 0 0

Meets in one of the rooms of the Anstice Memorial Institute.

Loyal Royal Oak Lodge, No. 3665, of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, Friendly Society.—The place of business is the Royal Oak Inn. Number of members 159. Annual subscriptions £137 16s. 0d. Nett worth of the society £1267 1s. 9½d. Secretary Mr. Joseph Haynes; Treasurer Mr. Henry Ray.

Rose of the Vale Lodge.—This lodge is held at the Tontine Hotel, Ironbridge, and numbers 175 members, who pay into the funds on an average £360 per annum. They have standing to their credit the sum of £781 12s. 7d. Of this sum £400 has been lent on mortgage; £220 has been invested in the Building Society, and the remainder is in Lloyd’s Bank and the treasurer’s hands. Secretary Mr. E. Good; Treasurer Mr. William Skelton.

The Free Masons also meet at the Tontine; but as this does not strictly come under the head either of a sick or benefit society it does not come within the above category.

Ancient Order of Foresters, Pride of the District, No. 4345.—This lodge was founded in 1864, and meets in one of the rooms in the Anstice Memorial Institute on alternate Saturdays. Secretary Mr. T. Beddow, Bridge Street; Treasurer Mr. J. W. Fletcher. Number of members 265; average age 31; amount of funds £872. Annual Subscriptions £341 5s.

Ironbridge, Royal George, meets at the Robin Hood Inn, Madeley Wood, fortnightly. F. Johnson, Secretary; J. Page, Treasurer. It has 114 members of the average age of 34; and £444 in the court fund. Annual Subscriptions £143 2s.

Honourable Order of Modern Masons.—Meets at the Barley Mow Inn, Court Street, Madeley. Number of members 75; contributions per month 2s.; funeral levy per quarter 9d.; sick pay per week 8s.; member’s death £10; member’s wife £5; amount of sick funds £40 3s. 2d. William Instone, secretary.

In addition to these societies there is the United Brothers, but we did not obtain particulars. Also others in connection with the Coalbrookdale and Madeley Wood works. The object of the former society, as stated in the rules, is to secure to its members weekly allowance and medical aid in sickness, and an allowance at the decease of a member or member’s wife. The cashier of the company is treasurer, and Mr. John Hewitt is secretary. Each man and boy employed in the Company’s works at Coalbrookdale, is required to be a member of this society, and to pay his contribution through the work’s office. Every member above the age of eighteen pays one shilling per month; under the age of eighteen, sixpence per month; and any workman entering this society at the age of forty-five years, or upwards, one shilling and sixpence per month. Every workman is considered a member until he has a regular discharge from the Coalbrookdale Company or their agent, provided that he continues paying his contribution and resides in the neighbourhood. The number employed are from 700 to 800; and the income of the society is from £32 to £33 per month. About 440 of the members pay 9d. per quarter to the surgeon, Mr. James Proctor. One of the rules is that should the funds of the society at any time attain £200, the money shall be divided; such divisions of money took place at Christmas 1868, 1870, and 1872; since which dates the society has not been so fortunate in its surplus.

There is a similar society in connection with the Madeley Wood Company’s Works, from which we get no particulars, but the annual subscriptions to which may probably be put at about the same as those at Coalbrookdale.

There is also a similar institution in connection with the Madeley Court Works, with about 350 members, who pay annually £113 15s.

Adding all these together we find that, without taking the United Brothers and a sick society at Coalport called the Pitcher into account, there are 2985 members of clubs, subscribing a total of £2380 1s. 10d. annually, and possessing a capital of £4721 6s. 5d.!!

These facts may be considered as a reply in a great measure to the charge sometimes made against the working classes of an utter want of thrift and forethought, and suggest the question whether men making so much provision for the future for themselves and families ought not to be excused to some extent the payment of poor rates.

THE SANITARY STATE OF THE PARISH.

The sanitary state of Madeley and Ironbridge is far from what it ought to be. There is not only a sad deficiency of water, but much that is used is impure. Severn water is carried and sold at Madeley Wood and Lincoln Hill at 1d., 1½., and sometimes 2d. per pail, or 6d. for a small barrel. Again, any one who knows the turbid tale of Severn-water after rain, or is acquainted with the amount of sewage thrown into the river, will question the quality of such water for drinking purposes. Just above one of the lading places a sewer comes down near the back of the Police Office and empties its black sludge into the river. Some use filters; but high authorities on the subject assert that although mechanical impurities may be got rid of those which are chemical or organic remain.

Let persons who undervalue an abundant supply of good water ask their wives or some medical man as to its importance; or let them beg it or buy it, and fetch it from long distances, often waiting their turns at the well, or count the cost which impure water entails. Let them look at the sickness, the pain and distress of parents watching day by day the fevered or pallid cheeks and withered forms of their household treasures. Perhaps the mother herself is struck down, or the bread-winner of the family; and in case death ensues, added to the crushing force of the blow, there are doctor’s bills, and excessive funeral expenses, which lie as a dead-weight from which the family scarcely ever recovers!

“When,” as the Times newspaper put it some time ago, “it is
considered that water constitutes nearly three-fourths of the entire
weight of the animal body, that it is the basis of all beverages, and
the solvent by means of which all food is assimilated and all
secretion is performed, the importance of obtaining it in a state of
purity would seem to require no further demonstration.
Unfortunately, however, although the facts have for a long time been
universally admitted, the practical conclusions to which they would
lead have comparatively seldom been acted upon. Not only do we
obtain the greater part of our supply of water from that which has
already washed the earth, but we have permitted water flowing in its
natural channels to be everywhere utilised as a carrier of the worst
descriptions of filth.”

All in fact must see on a little reflection that however excusable certain things might have been at one time they are no longer so under the light thrown upon them by deep and long-continued investigations by scientific men who have devoted much study to the subject. All must know that no proper supervision has up to the present been taken, and nothing like proper compulsion has been applied to the removal of glaring evils.

Let those who are apathetic on this subject ponder the following, taken from a paper read a short time since before the Society of Arts by J. J. Pope, Professor of Hygiene to the Birkbeck Institution. The author said:—

“it is a startling fact that one-fourth of the children born into
this world to endure for threescore years and ten, die before they
attain the age of five years. This is a sad truth, and the more
lamentable when we know that these deaths mostly arise from causes
that are quite preventible.”

The same author said, and said truly, that:

“Very few people, indeed, consider the subject of their own health,
until warned by a present attack of sickness, through failing to
acknowledge the true worth of science and medicine, which is far more
preventive than remedial. Can it be doubted that it is better and
wiser to abolish the cause of disease, to prevent its appearance,
than to wait for its attack and cure the result?”

As regards houses: some have been built without reference either to light, air, or dryness. Some have been made out of cattle-sheds, cabins, and stables, and are far worse than prison cells or workhouse wards. These damp dark dungeons lower the temperature of the body, decrease the strength, generate disease, cause rheumatism, and predispose to other evils, not the least of which is consumption. We have it on the authority of the highest medical men that with proper sanitary objects attained a reduction of nearly half the present premature disability from sickness, and mortality due to conditions about their dwellings may be obtained.

Let the people ponder these things; let them balance such heavy items against the trivial cost a better sanitary state of things would entail.

Whatever such cost might be it is for them to consider what they would save by the removal of causes of disease, and the concomitant advantages arising from improved health and prolonged life. Again, it is only fair for them to consider the amount they pay and the precautions they take to mitigate the evils of sickness.

And the question naturally arises whether whilst providing so liberally for sickness, it is not worth while paying a slight rate for the enforcement of such sanitary regulations as may prevent sickness—especially if the statement made on the highest medical authority, to the effect that a reduction of nearly half the present sickness and premature mortality might be prevented, be correct.

THE STEAM ENGINE IN ITS INFANCY.

It will be seen from what has already been written how much this parish has been associated with various improvements and matters connected with the early history of the steam engine, and although the subject might not be of universal interest, we might mention here a correspondence between the Commissioners of Patents and W. R. Anstice, Esq., senior partner of the Madeley Wood Company. On the 24th of May, 1879, an article appeared in the _Times_ under the head of

PATENT MUSEUM,

Stating that a very interesting old engine, the last of its kind which remained at work, had been removed from and re-erected in this museum, having been presented for that purpose to the Commissioners of Patents; and giving the following description issued by the curator, Colonel Stuart Wortley.—

“Heslop’s Winding and Pumping Engine. Letters Patent, A.D. 1790, No.
1760.—This engine was erected at Kell’s Pit, for raising coals, about
the year 1795, afterwards removed to Castlerigg Pit, in 1847, to
Wreah Pit, all near Whitehaven. At the latter place it continued to
raise coals, also to work a pump, by means of a cast-iron beam placed
above the main beam, until the summer of 1878, when it was removed
here. Presented to the Commissioner of Patents by the Earl of
Lonsdale, through Mr. H. A. Fletcher, M. Inst. C.E. Transmitted from
Whitehaven to the Patent Museum by the London and North-Western
Railway Company, at half rate. It will seem that this engine has two
open-topped cylinders, one on each side of the main centre beam, and
both single acting. The cylinders are respectively the ‘hot
cylinder’ and the ‘cold cylinder.’ The steam, on being admitted into
the first, or ‘hot’ cylinder, raises the piston by its pressure
underneath; the return stroke is then made by the weight of the
connecting rod and by the momentum given to the fly-wheel. The
eduction valve being now open, the steam passes from this cylinder to
the second or ‘cold’ cylinder by means of the connecting pipe, which,
being constantly immersed in cold water, produces sufficient
condensation to ‘kill’ or reduce it to atmospheric pressure as it
enters and fills the cold cylinder. The cold piston having arrived
at the top of its stroke, and its cylinder being thus filled with
steam and the injection valve being now open, a jet of water is
admitted, thus bringing a vacuum into play. By this arrangement of
two cylinders Heslop obtained advantages closely approaching those of
the separate condenser, and effected a signal superiority over the
atmospheric engine of Newcomen, even as it then existed with all the
structural improvements introduced by Smeaton, who was compelled to
admit that, in its best state, 60 per cent, of steam was wasted by
alternate heating and cooling of the cylinder. No other engine of
this type now remains in existence, and it is therefore appropriate
that this one, the last worked, should be preserved.”

On seeing the above W. E. Anstice, Esq., at once wrote to say they had three of the same engines now at work, and which had been at work for the past eighty years in the Madeley Wood Co.’s Field; that they still had five, and had had eight. This led to an interesting correspondence in the course of which Mr. Anstice sent up an original drawing, which proved to be one of an earlier engine even than the one they had, and the one for which the original specification was taken out.

The fact is that about Heslop’s time, and whilst Smeaton was at work effecting improvements in Newcomen’s engines, and whilst Watt, with the experience of those who went before him, was to some extent endeavouring to strike out a course for himself and preparing to eclipse the productions of his predecessors, there were a number of minor geniuses engaged in carrying into effect their own or others suggestions: men whose names are little known in consequence of having been thrust aside by greater or more favoured inventors than themselves. Heslop, Murdock, and Cartwright appear have been among these; also Avery and Sadler, and other local schemers and inventors like the Glazebrooks, the Williamses, and Hornblowers. During the latter half of the last century the inventive faculty, stimulated by what had already been achieved, appears to have been in great activity. The iron-making and mining interests were undergoing great expansion, and men like the Darbys, the Reynoldses, Wilkinsons, Guests, and others, were just then prepared to avail themselves of means which would enable them to clear out the water from their mines, that they might bring up minerals from a greater depth, or add to the force of the blast in their smelting operations; and several of these in return rendered Watt and others great services. Wilkinson gave the order for the first engine Watt made at Soho to blow his furnaces at Broseley, where it was erected and ready for use early in 1776. Watt’s first rotary engine was made for Mr. Reynolds, of Ketley, in 1782, to drive a corn mill. The “Philosophical Transactions,” and Urban’s Magazine seem to have been mediums of correspondence, and the means of communicating so much of the discoveries and inventions of the authors as they deemed fit to the public. We have thirty or more volumes of extracts from original communications in these, commencing about 1736, which Mr. William Reynolds had written out, most of them beautiful, and many remarkable specimens of that ornate style of calligraphy so much cultivated at that time.

Also a large folio volume of original drawings and designs, admirably executed. Some by Hornblower, Glazebrook, Sadler, Reynolds, Wilkinson, Banks, Anstice, Chinn, Price, Rogerson, Emerson, Telford, and others. The Hornblowers appear to have trodden closely upon the heels of Watt at one time, and so closely that Watt wrote to Boulton saying, “If they have really found a prize it will ruin us.” We add a list of these drawings, with dates attached.

No. 1 is a small steam engine made by James Sadler which was at work on the hill at the Dale in 1792.

No. 2 Drawing shews Sadler’s plan of rotary motion, with crank for winding engine, dated, 1793.

No. 3 S. Venables’ drawing of Sadler’s engine as it stood when T. Griffiths was putting it up at the Bank 1793.

No. 4 Is a plan of Sadler’s engine sent by Dr. Beddows, May, 1793.

No. 5 Are Drawings of an engine from J. Sadler’s, but which was never completed, 1794.

No. 6 Drawings and description of Thos. Savory’s Engine for raising water by the help of fire, June 14th, 1799; the description states that the inventor entertained the Royal Society by shewing a small model which he made to work before them.

No. 7 Is a plan of Watt’s steam wheel in all parts, but no date.

No. 8 Plan of a substitute for ropes, being an iron chain of novel construction to be used for coal mines, by Bingley, 1795.

No. 9 Glazebrook’s scheme to effect a perpendicular motion, 1794.

No. 10 Plan of Adam Hislop’s engine to work without a beam, scale 1 in. to ft. Drawn by S. Venables.

No. 11 Side view.

No. 12 Ground plan of an engine without a beam erected at Wombridge, Dec. 5, 1794.

No. 13 General section of an engine for winding coal. Scale about ½ in. to ft. July 23, 1793.

No. 14 Outside front view of Horsehay forge engine Feb 21, 1793. Scale one third in. to ft.

No. 15 Section of Hollins Wood Blast Engine. Scale ¼ in. to the ft. William Minor No. 84 Sept. 12, 1793.

No. 16 General section for winding engine, 1 in. to ft. no date.

No. 17 Samuel Venables, Sept 1, 1793, No. 6 differs in construction from the former ones, two cylinders.

No. 18 William Reynolds’ idea of the application of Sadler’s engine to a rotable motion, the lower cylinder communicating with the boiler; this method is applicable to rowing boats with circular oars, 1795, drawn by Venables.

No. 18 Drawing of blast engine of the same period but no date or description.

No. 18 Ditto, winding engine.

No. 19 One Richard Banks 1796.

No. 20 Drawing of old incline engine.

No. 21 Elaborate drawing of an engine for winding coals, sun and moon motion, 30 strokes per minute, proper speed.

Nos. 22–34 Thirteen other engines.

No. 35 Sketch of Hornblowers’ air pump.

No. 36 Plan of Jinney for conveying wheeled corves down descents.

No. 38 Calculation of Mr. Anstices’ rotative engine by D. Rose March 17, 1799.

No. 39 Brick machines April, 1794.

No. 40 Sketch of a river Mill by W. R. improved by—

No. 41 A new method of boring as used by T. Price at the Brownhill Colliery.

No. 42 Original letter by R. Reynolds describing Blakey’s fire engine for raising water for furnaces at Horsehay and Ketley, and one of which had been erected at the Dale, with Sketch. Letter dated Dale 6, 1st month, 1767.

No. 43 Prospective view of Donnington Wood incline plane and engine by William Minor Sept. 12 1793

No. 44 Engine with crank, Richard Speed, June 4, 1796.

No. 45 Plan for an Aqueduct over a river, Thomas Telford, March, 1794, with span of 100 feet.

No. 46 Copy for Fire engine from Emerson’s Engine for raising water.

No. 47 J. Wilkinson’s Idea of Chimney Boiler given by him to W. R. November, 1799.

No. 48 Drawings of an engine under James Glazebrooks’ patent Feb. 24th, 1799. beautifully drawn and coloured.

No. 49 Outside front view of Horsehay large Engine Feb. 21, 1793.

No. 50 Principal arch, 100 ft. for an iron bridge for level crossing (no date).

No. 51 Plans and Drawings of ribs &c., for an Aqueduct, by Thomas Telford. With William Reynolds’ name signed to it.

And a number of others.

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CLAY INDUSTRIES.—We have in earlier pages of this work spoken of some of these. There are still the White Brick-works of the Madeley Wood Company, near Ironbridge; the red brick-works of the same company at Blissers Hill; the clay works of W. O. Foster, Esq., at the Court; and those of Messrs. George Legge & Son at Madeley Wood and the Woodlands; works which from the excellence of their varied productions, no less than from the number of persons employed, are of considerable importance to the district.

CAPTAIN WEBB.

We have in the course of these pages given prominence to the names of men who have in different ways merited distinction, and whose deeds are deserving of record in a local history of this kind; and we cannot omit a passing recognition of the unparalleled feats of this distinguished Salopian, whose early life is so closely associated with this parish. We had prepared copious extracts from our “Life of Captain Webb,” in which is detailed his extraordinary performances, but can only give here a brief summary.

Before he was seven years old he had learnt to swim in the Severn; and in his case the adage that “the boy is father to the man” held good, for when a boy he and his elder brother succeeded in saving from a watery grave another brother, whose strength, in attempting to cross the Severn, failed him, so that he had already sunk beneath the surface when he was rescued. As shewing his pluck and daring it may be mentioned that going along the Severn banks to Buildwas, where boys usually go to bathe, he took off his shoes and walked along the top of the bridge, with his hands in his pockets, his third brother standing by not daring to look up lest he should fall and be killed; but the chief actor stood calm and unmoved when they afterwards met.

His second life-saving feat was performed on the Mersey, when he succeeded in rescuing a comrade who had fallen overboard into the river. The services he rendered to the owners of the _Silver Craig_ in the Suez Canal; but much more his performance on board the _Russia_ in his daring attempt to save a seaman who fell overboard, shewed him to possess qualities of the highest order as a man. He swam the English Channel, Tuesday, August 24th, 1875, at the age of 27. Being weighed and measured it was found that his height was five feet eight inches; his weight when stripped, before starting, 14 st. 8 lbs.; and his girth round the chest 40½ in.

Webb’s subsequent feat in distancing all competitors in his six days swim adds another laurel to his crown as the champion swimmer of the world!

HOTELS, INNS, PUBLIC HOUSES, AND BEERSHOPS, IN THE PARISH—THEIR SIGNS, &c.

Signboards are scarcely so significant or important now as formerly: yet an interest attaches to them still, and there is some pleasure in pondering over their designs, as significant of olden times and manners—the old ones especially. One easily imagines too the jovial tenants of taverns in former years, the noisy chafferings, the political discussions carried on by those who sought recreation and enjoyment in them.

THE THREE HORSE SHOES is the oldest Sign in Madeley; it swings over the door of one of the oldest houses in Madeley, the walls being of rubble, mud, and plaster: and the Sign itself, no doubt, is one of the oldest in the kingdom. A horse shoe, when found and nailed over the door was supposed to bring good luck—hence the single shoe, which is uppermost. The HORSE SHOES is kept by Mr. J. H. Robinson.

The HAMMER, in Park Lane, kept by Mrs. Lloyd, is the next in point of age. It was a trade emblem when the house was much more used than at present by ironworkers, particularly by forgemen.

The ROYAL OAK was the first newly-licensed house for many years in Madeley. The license for it was very adroitly obtained by Mr. Charles Dyas. The Sign is a universal favourite, as emblematic of our old ships and seamen. The house is kept by Mrs. Shingler.

The HEART OF OAK, in Court Street, kept by Mr. Joseph Currier, is another popular Sign, indicative of character, and illustrative of old national songs.

The BARLEY MOW, in Court Street, is kept by Mr. Pitchford.

The CROWN, Court Street, now void, is one of the oldest English signs.

ALL NATIONS, kept by Mrs. Baguley, is the only Sign of its name we know of.

The SIX BELLS, kept by Mr. Ward, near the Church, is a Sign significant of the number of bells in the Church tower.

The ROYAL EXCHANGE, kept by Mr. Goodwin, is a modern house, with an ancient Sign; whilst the RAILWAY INN, kept by Mr. Taylor, is modern in both respects.

The COOPERS’ ARMS is now down, but another house has been built, which has not yet been christened.

The PRINCE OF WALES’S FEATHERS, Lower Madeley, kept by Mr. Daniel Adams, as the name implies, is a royal badge.

THE MINERS’ ARMS, kept by Mr. Kearsley, is so sufficiently significant, as not to need comment. Also The TURNERS’ ARMS, kept by Mr. John Brown; and the THREE FURNACES, kept by Mr. Biddulph.

The TWEEDALE is kept by Mr. G. Ray.

The CUCKOO-OAK Inn, by Mr. H. Wilkes, takes its name from the place.

The BRITANNIA, kept by Mr. E. Hopley, Aqueduct, and the ANCHOR, by Mr. Evans, Court Street, are modern houses with ancient signs.

There are also the COMMERCIAL INN, kept by Mrs. Heighway, and a Beershop in Church Street, kept by Mr. Durnall.

Then there is the CHESTNUTS, formerly the Red Lion, which fakes it name from the tree in front, and is kept by Mr. James Hancock.

The PARK INN, by Mr. Reynolds, and the NEW INN kept by Mr. Jones, Park Lane, with the PHEASANT, kept by Mr. Francis, complete the list of houses at Madeley, where, within our recollection, there were formerly but two.

At Coalport we have the SHAKESPEARE, kept by Mr. Beard, and the JUG, we presume of Toby Philpot fame, of whom it is said,

His body, when long in the ground it had lain,
And time into clay had resolved it again,
A potter found out, in his covert so snug,
And with part of old Toby he made this brown jug.

There is also the BREWERY INN, kept by Mr. George Gough.

The PIT’S HEAD, formerly a noted house for old beer, kept by Barnabas Spruce, has long since disappeared; also the TURK’S HEAD. Then there is the ROBIN HOOD, by Mr. J. Roe; the BLOCK HOUSE, by Mr. Dunbar, come next; and near to these is the BIRD IN HAND, the motto of which (more truthful than grammatical) is—

A bird in the hand far better ’tis
Than two that in the bushes is.

The LAKE HEAD, by G. Barrat, takes its name from a small reach of the Severn.

In Madeley Wood we get the UNICORN, kept by Mr. Fiddler; The Old House by Astbury, and the GOLDEN BALL (formerly a silk mercer’s sign) by Mr. T. Bailey.

The HORSE AND JOCKEY, by Mrs. Davies, and the FOX, by Mr. Curzon, come next, to remind us of old English sports.

The GEORGE & DRAGON also, by Mr. Granger, reminding us of still more ancient times.

HODGE BOWER, by Mr. Wilson, is a sign which lakes its name from the place.

The WHITE HORSE, kept by Mrs. Edwards, at Lincoln Hill is a very old Sign.

The CROWN, the QUEEN’S HEAD (by Mr. Nevitt), the OAK by Ketley, the SEVERN BREWERY and the TONTINE (erected by the Bridge Company), and THREE TUNS are all well-known Inns,

The BATH TAVERN, the SETTERS’ INN, the ROEBUCK, and BELLE VUE, are extinct.

The WHEAT SHEAF by Aaron Lloyd, the WHITE HART, by Woolstein; the TALBOT, by Toddington; the SWAN by Bailey; the RODNEY, by Griffiths; the MEADOW and the COMMERCIAL INN, Coalbrookdale, complete the list of _Houses of Refreshment_ for the parish.

THE BROOKE FAMILY.

From the time that Lord Chief Justice Brooke purchased the manor of Madeley, the names of members of the Brooke family constantly figure in the ecclesiastical and civil records of the parish of Madeley. Until the year 1706 they continued to occupy the Elizabethan mansion known as the Old Court House, now unhappily fallen into decay, the habitable portions being converted into cottages, and the chapel in which they once worshipped being, on the occasion of our last visit, occupied by poultry, whose cackling takes the place of the chant and psalm, which once rose to heaven from voices long ago silenced by the grim king Death. In this, the most important house of the parish, surrounded by a pleasant park, with moat, pleasure grounds, and fish ponds, dwelt Ann Brooke with John her husband, performing her duties as a wife and mother, as well as those social duties pertaining to her station, with honour to herself and profit to her family and neighbours. She died on the attainment of the allotted three score years and ten, having been ten years a widow.

Etheldreda was the daughter-in-law of Mrs. Ann Brooke, being the wife of Sir Basil Brooke, of whose knighthood we have no account. She was a woman richly endowed with mental and moral qualities, and had received an education far in advance of that acquired by most women of her day, having been conversant with four languages in addition to her mother tongue, as well as skilled in music.

The dust of these ladies was laid with that of their husbands in the Old Parish Church of Madeley, their tombs being adorned with their effigies. On the erection of the present edifice, they were placed in the niches they now occupy outside the church. We give below the Latin inscriptions and the English translations, for which latter we are indebted to the kindness and courtesy of the Rev. C. Brooke, of Haughton, himself a descendant of a branch of this honoured family.

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

Madeley Church, 1815.

(British Museum) 21, 181.

Hic jacet Johannes Brooke, Arm: filius Roberti Brooke: equitis aurati
Justiciarii, capitalis de communi Banco (qui eqregiam reginam Mariam
in obtinendo avito regno contra improborum machinationes navavit
operam, et jus Anglicanum pluribus editis voluminibus mirifice
illustravit) et Elizabethæ filiæ et hæredis Francisci Waring armig:
qui postquam vixerat jurisprudentiæ doctrinæque ceteræ fama insignis,
pluribus beneficus omnibus charus diem sunm sancti pie-que obiit Anno
Dom: 1598, Oct. 20, ætat sua 60.

Hic jacet Anna uxor Johann: Brooke armig: et familia Shirleyonis
celeberrima et antiquissima oriunda viro suo filios duos Basilium et
Franciscum filias item tres Dorotheam Priscillam et Milburgam
peperit, priscæ disciplinæ matrona, avitæ fideitenacissima, omnis
officii quæ uxor, qua mater singulare exemplum obiit, Anno Dom: 1608,
September 29. Ætat sua 70, viduitatis 10.

Basilii Brooke equitis aurati fil: Johan: Brooke armig: et Ann uxoris
filiæ Francisci Shirley armigeri de Staunton Harold com. Leicest: et
nepotis Roberti Brooke equitis aurati Justiciarii Capitalis de
Communi Banco, duxit duas uxores (viz) Etheldredam filiam et hæredem
unicam Edmundi Brudenell equitis aurati de Dene com Northam: et
Frances filiam Henrici Baronis Mordaunt et sororem Joannis Comitis de
Peterborough. Obiit Decem. 31. Anno 1646.

Hic jacet Etheldreda uxor Basilii Brooke equitis aurati, filia et
hæres unica Edmundi Brudenell eq: aurati, fæmina pariten Latina,
Gallica, Hispanica et musica perita, pietate fide et prudentia
maquanimite pudicitiata et mansuetudine instructissima. Reliquit
viro suo inaritissimo filium unicum Thomam, filias quinque—Annam
Wilhelmo Fitzherbert armig: Autonii Fitzherbert eq: aurati
Justiciarii Capitilis de Cummuni Banco legum nostratium interpretis
clarissimi pronepoti. Mariam Tho: Moro armig: illustrissimi et
sancti illius Thomæ Mari summi olim Angliæ Cancellarii (cujus vita et
mors inomnium est ore) abnepoti et hæredi nuptam—Dorotheam Agatham et
Catharinam, singularis materæ indolis (id est) optimam obiit anno
Domini.

The following is the English translation:—

Here lieth interred John Brooke, Esquire, the son of Robert Brooke,
Knight Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas (which said Robert
assisted the illustrious Queen Mary in obtaining her rights to the
crown in opposition to the violent factions of that time, and
published an excellent Commentary on the English Law in several
volumes), and of Elizabeth the daughter and heir of Francis Waring,
Esquire. After he had lived, distinguished for his knowledge in the
Science of Law and other learning, being of an extensively liberal
mind, and universally beloved, he made a pious and Christianlike end,
Oct. 20th, in the year of our Lord, 1598, in the 60th year of his
age.

Here lieth Arm, the wife of John Brooke, Esquire, descended from the
very ancient and renowned family of the Shirleys. She had by her
husband two sons, Basil and Francis, and also three daughters,
Dorothy, Priscilla and Milburga. She was a lady of strict
discipline, a rigid adherent to her ancestral faith, and as a wife
and mother most exemplary in the discharge of every duty. She died
September 19th, in the year of our Lord 1608, in the 70th year of her
age, and in the 10th year of her widowhood.

Sacred to the memory of Basil Brooke Knight, the son of John Brooke,
Esquire, and Ann, his wife, who was the daughter of Francis Shirley,
of Staunton Harold, in the County of Leicester, Esquire, and the
grandson of Robert Brooke Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Common
Pleas. He had two wives, Etheldreda the daughter and sole heiress of
Edmund Brudenell, of Dean, in the County of Northampton, Knight, and
Francis, the daughter of Henry, Baron Mordaunt, and the sister of
John, Earl of Peterborough. He departed this life the 31st of
December, in the year 1646.

Here lieth Etheldreda, the wife of Basil Brooke Knight. She was the
daughter and sole heiress of Edmund Brudenell Knight—a woman not only
well-skilled in the knowledge of the Latin, Italian, French, and
Spanish languages, and in the science of music, but also exemplary
for piety, faith, prudence, courage, chastity, and gentle manners.
She left to lament her loss an husband with an only son, named
Thomas, and five daughters—namely Ann, the wife of William
Fitzwilliam, Esquire, the grandson of Anthony Fitzherbert Knight,
Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, eminent for his Commentary on
the Laws. Mary, the wife of Thomas More, Esquire, a descendant of
that renowned and upright character, Thomas More, formerly Lord High
Chancellor of England, a man in his life and death universally
esteemed. Also Dorothy, Agatha, and Catharine, of dispositions the
most motherly, the best of all. She died in the year of our Lord . .
(the date is defaced).

INDEX.

PAGE. Adams 211 Addenbrooke 242 Anstice, J. 176, 234 „ J. A. 178 „ Memorial 177 „ R. E. 178 ,, William 86, 91, 101, 173 ,, W. R 176, 179 Appendix I Aqueduct 167 Ashwood 211 Assessment for carrying on a vigorous war 57 ,, of Lands and Houses 102, 103 Astley 211 Astun 21

Badger 21, 234 Bagnall 192 Ballard, Phillip 159, 206 Banking Co. 352 Banks 192, 364 Baptists 172 Bartlam 241 Battlefield 218 Baugh 225 Beard 192 Beckbury 21 Bedlam Hall 333 Benefactions 217 Benson, Rev. J. 161 Benthall, Lawrence 230 Bicton Heath 248 Billingsley 195 Billy Holyoake 253 Bishton 75 Black Doctor 83 Black Rock 302, 307 Bleak 271 Blisser’s Hill 94, 102 Block House 333 Board of Conservators 268 Boden 192 Booth 239 Botfield 75 Bowdler 34 Bowlegs Tom 118 Boycott 249 Brick and Tile Works 302 Brewer 206 Bridges 236 Brockholes 59, 100 Brooke, Charity 40 ,, and Beddow Charities 242 ,, Family 10 to 15 ,, Arms of 36 ,, Pedigree of 39 ,, Sir Basil 40 Brown, A. H., M.P. 236 Brown, Thomas 105 Buckland 174, 265, 266 Buckley 230 Burd, G. 241 Burgess 192 Burial without a Coffin 33 Bums, Ann, Jane, and Sarah 192 Burton, E. 241 Burton, John 260 Buy-a-Brooms 232

Caldbrooke 59, 100 ,, Smithy 277 Capsi 329 Carolosa, William 45 Chapel of Ease 167 Charities 217 Charity Commissioners 243–4 Chell 192 Cholera and its victims 249 Chune 261 Church Accommodation 167 „ and the Moral and Religious Aspects of the 113 people of Madeley, The „ of England 166 „ of St. Mary 166 ,, Register 53 Clark 194 Claverley 12 Clay Industries 181, 367 Cludd 224 Coaches 341 Coal and Iron Industries Coalbrookdale Co. 59 ,, description of 274 ,, Lum Hole 275 „ Old Hearth Plates 278 „ Origin of Name 276 „ Smithy Place, &c. 277 Coalfield 94 Coalport Chapel 159 Coalport Incline 94 Coalport Works 191 Cobbett 198 Cold October 23rd 19 Collection of Fossils 174 Congregationalists 172 Constables, Instructions to 58, 221 Constablewicks 220 Coneberry 218 Cope 224 Copper Tokens 94 Coracles 270 Cort 61 Counsells opinion 105 County Courts 238 Court House 8, 40 „ „ Chapel of 43 ,, Farm 106 „ Leet 240 Courts for the recovery of debts 238 Craneges 60 Crookes 299 Crowther 198

Dace 271 Daniel, The Messrs. 201 Darbys, The 60 „ Abraham, the first 40 „ ,, uses coke in blast furnaces 281 „ Abraham, the second first uses coal in the 281 forge and lays down iron rails ,, Abraham, the third, erects first iron bridge 281 Davies, William 230 Dearman, Richard 109 Deerclose 218 Devil, the 120 Dickenson, Henry 210, 260 Discussion on Education 300 Dispensary, the 240 Distress, periods of 74, 95, 108 Domesday 22 Dorsett, William 206 Doughty, J. D. 260 Dundonald, Earl 95 Dyas 192, 194 Dyott 218

Easter Dues 38 Edmonds, Daniel 132 Edmunds, Printer 194 Edwards, E. 260 Eels 266 Erroneous Tradition 44 Evans 192 Events relating to Madeley 102 Exhibition, 1851 202 Explosion of Powder 174 Extinct and Ancient Names 218 Extract from Old Book in Church Chest 116

Farnworth 192 Ferrars 10, 36 Firmstone 242 First Boot Printed at Madeley 194 Fletcher 192 „ Rev. J. W., Sketch of 123 to 156 Fletcher, Mrs. 157 to 160 Flounders 266 Ford 306 Forest of the Wrekin 22, 236 ,, Laws 11 Forester 236 Fosbrooke, Roger Appendix Foster, James 41 Foster, W. O. 100 Fossils 86 Fox, John 266 Fowler, Matthew, Roger 13 Fuller 59, 100

Gaskell 236 Gelson, Mr. 203 George III. 73 Giffard 40 Glazebrook, James 180 Good 262 Goodin 24 Goodwin 214 Goosetree 251 Gower, Earl 65 Graham 299 Grant, Alexander 241 Gray 206 Great Fire 54 Great Land Flood at the Dale 288 Gwyther 215

Hales Farm 106 Hales field pits 174 Hancock 201 Hay 328 ,, house 332 Hayes 249 Hayward 225 Harrington 45 Hawking 327 Hawley, Sir Joseph 106–7 Hemmings 342 Heslop, Adam 362 Hibernia, the 341 Hicks 239 Hill 132 Hill’s Lane Pits 174 Homfray 232 Hopyard 218 Hornblower 365 Horton 242 House to house visitation 55 Hunting Lodge 331

Idle Tales 117 Imps 121 Inclined Planes 92–3–4 Invention of Printers’ Rollers by Mr. Dyas 194 Ironbridge 334 to 369 ,, Church 168 and 350 Ironworks, first 60

“John Brown’s Dolls” 172 Johnson 194

King Charles’s Visit to and Concealment at 45 to 54 Madeley

Also see Appendix

Landslips 142, 174 Law of Settlement 55 Lawrence, Sarah 159 Lawson 34 Legge 219 Leigh 192 Lewis 227 L’Hirondelle 340 Lincoln Hill 350 Lister, Thomas 217 Littlehales 34 Lloyds, The 333 Locomotive, the first intended to be used on a 180 railroad Lord Chief Justice Brooke 35 Lord Thurlow 74 Lowe 192 Luccock, Benjamin, Thomas, and Adam 284–5–6

Madbrook 6 Maddison 194 Madeley as part of the Franchise of Wenlock 220 „ China Works 205 „ Church 210 ,, Church, subject to mother Church of Wenlock 165 ,, Early History of 6 ,, Church, Rectors of 21 „ Market 219 ,, Origin of Name 5 ,, Proposed Improvements 259 ,, Religious aspect in Fletcher’s day 161 ,, „ at present time 165 „ Union 241 ,, Wood 100 „ Works 173 ,, ,, Number of Vessels on the Severn 251 Manor House 9 ,, Court 9 ,, Deed of Sale 23 ,, Mill 9 ,, Sold to R. Broke 27 Market House 53 Maw, Arthur 24 Melancholy Event 193 Melville Home 122, 164 Methodism 163 Millstone Grit 314 Minton 204 Molyneux 13 Montgomery 79 Morris, Mason 225 Morris, W. 249 Mountford 192 Mount St. Gilbert 8 Municipal Reform Act 234 Mural Monuments 211 to 216 Murchison, Sir R. 174 Murdock 179

Nantgarw 190 Nicholls 214 Norris, W. G. 241

Oaths of Supremacy 56 Old Barn 152 Old Beer 292 Old Book 115 Old Roberts 98 Owen, John 260 Owen, W. Y. 351

Paston, William 109 Pattrick 217 Perambulation of Forests 22 Perch 271 Perks, George 157 Petty Sessions 236 Phillips 202 Pike 271 Polling District 351 Poll Tax 56 Poole 192 Population 167 Potts, E. B. 239 Powell 225 Press Laws 57 Prestwich 174 Primitive Methodists 171 Proctor, J. 241 Public Houses Appendix Pugh, Charles 203 Pugh, William 201 Purtron 218

Quakers 295

Railways 343 Randall, Martin 206 to 210 Ratcliff, Edmund 203 Rathbone 53, 71 Religious aspect of Madeley 161, 165 Rent and valuation of lands 58 Reynoldses the 60 Reynolds William 81 ,, Anecdotes of 97–8 ,, Death of 101 ,, Predicts Steam Locomotion 91 ,, Prophetic Utterances of 179 Riffle Corps 351 Roberts 351, 253 ,, William 206 Robin Hood 252 Rock Church 132 Rogers, Arundel 239 Rose, John 196 Rose, Thomas & Fredk. Wm. 201 Rose, John, Presentation to 200 Rose du Barry, re-discovered 201 Rotunda 347 Royal Dessert Service 201 Rushton Farm 106

Sadler 365 Salmon 270 Salopian, young and old 341 “Sammy Walters” 232 Saville 241 Scarcity of Wheat at Madeley 107 Scott, Captain 168 Serfs 18 Severn, the 254 ,, As a source of food 262 ,, Fish which no longer frequent the river 266–7 ,, Fish which now frequent the river 270 ,, No. of vessels 256 ,, Mundella’s fresh water fishing Act 268 ,, Proposed improvements 269 ,, The Coracle 270 „ Traffic on the 261 Severn Valley 71 Shad 266 Sheat, George 192 Sheep Stealing 230 Slang 14 Smith, Thomas 217 Smith, W. E. 241 Smitheman 113, 212, 230 Smithy Place 31 Smoke penny 33, 54 Sniggy Oaks 96 Soames 241 Sommerville 236 Sprott 212 Spruce, Barnabas 292 Steam Engine, Infancy of 362 Stephens 224–5 Stephenson, Robert 338 Stringer, John 33 Stubbs 241 Sunday Morning Meetings 159 Superstition 115 Swinfield 20

Tankard, Silver presented by King Charles 53 Tar Tunnel 94, 320 Tax upon Births, Marriages, and Burials 57 Taylor, Jeremy 33 Telford 365 Terrier 32 Tithes 32 Thursfield, T. G. 241 Thompson 229 Tithe Commissioners 106 Titley 300 Tooth, Miss 159, 160 Tramroad subterranean 91 Trilobites 216 Trout 270 Turner, Thomas 205 Tyche’s Nest 348

Urban’s Magazine 364

Vagrants and sturdy beggars 56 Vicar, dispute with 33, 105 Visit to Paupers 248

Wagons covered 340 Wakeley 230 Walker 192, 195 Walters, Rev. S. 218 Walton 351 Warham 229 Washbrook 9 Wayne, Rev. H. 248 Weager, Israel 252 Webb 241 Webb, Capt. 367, 368 Weld 230 Wesley, Charles 163 „ John 159 Wesleyan Methodism 169 ,, Places of Worship connected therewith 170 Wheatley 218 Wheeler, Thos. 206 White House 296 Whitfield, Rev. George 163 Wilkinson 365 Willcox 332 Windmill Farm 106 Wintour, Rev. G. 249 Witches 121 Wolfe’s Barn 45 Wolfe, Family of 53 Wood, William 33 Wootton 194 Wrekin 67 Wyley 107

Yate 268 Yate, Joseph 32 York, Thos. 132