THE HUNDRED OF STOTTESDEN.

The hundred of Stottesden is bounded on the north by the Wenlock franchise, on the south by the hundred of Overs and the county of Worcestershire, on the east by the liberty of Bridgnorth and the county of Staffordshire, and on the west by the Wenlock franchise and the hundreds of Munslow and Overs. Farlow is a detached part of the hundred of Herefordshire, bounded by this hundred and an isolated part of Overs. The minerals found in this hundred are coal, ironstone, and limestone. On the western verge of the hundred is a range of hills, some of which rise to a considerable altitude; there are also considerable inequalities of surface, and bold swells in most parts of the hundred. The soil is various; the land which lies over the limestone is mixed with a calcareous gravel, and mostly fertile; the soil over the freestone produces good turnips and barley. The population in 1821, exclusive of the borough of Bridgnorth, was 12,160; and in 1841 there were 12,282 inhabitants, and 2,426 inhabited houses. At the latter period the liberty of the borough of Bridgnorth contained 1,231 inhabited houses, and a population of 6,198 souls. This hundred is divided into the Chelmarsh and Cleobury divisions.

The Chelmarsh division contains the parishes of Acton Round, Alveley, Astley Abbotts, Billingley, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Glazeley, Higley, Middleton Scriven, Morville, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Rudge Sheinton, Sidbury, Tasley, and Upton Cressett.

The Cleobury division contains Aston Botterell, Burwarton, Cainham, Cleobury, Mortimer, Coreley, Dowles, Hope Baggot, Hopton Wafers, Kinlet, Neen Savage, Stottesden, Wheathill and Farlow chapelry.

ACTON ROUND, OR ROUND ACTON,

in a parish and small village six miles north-east by east from Bridgnorth, which contains 1,940 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,447. At the census of 1841 there were 36 houses and 180 persons. Population in 1801, 200; and in 1831, 203. Sir John Acton, bart., is the principal landowner, and lord of the manor. The Church is an ancient edifice, situated on an eminence commanding extensive and varied prospects of the surrounding country. In the church are several monuments to the memory of deceased members of the Acton family. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir John Acton, Bart.; Rev. William G. Day is the incumbent.

Directory.—William Ainsworth, farmer; William Davies, farmer; Rev. William G. Day, perpetual curate; Margaret Duff, cow keeper; Thomas Embrey, farmer; Richard Evans, farmer; George Farmer, farmer; Samuel Littlewood, farmer; William Lowe, farmer; Jasper Madeley, farmer; Francis Powell, wheelwright; John Powell, bailiff; William Preen, farmer; Charles Rhodes, farmer; Richard Russell, farmer; Edward Tipton, farmer; Henry Wadlow, farmer, the Hall.

ALVELEY

is a considerable parish in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, which comprises the townships of Alveley, Nordley Regis, and Romsley Liberty. Population in 1801, 791; 1831, 949; 1841, 1,062; 1851, 1,041. The parish is bounded on the western side by the river Severn, on the south and east by the county of Stafford, and on the north by the parishes of Quatt and Claverley. The soil in this parish is variable; in some parts a red sand and loamy earth prevails, and in other parts it is light and sandy. The farms are generally large, and particular attention has been paid to draining and the improvement of the lands; the farm houses are mostly of brick, and have been greatly improved of late years. The village of Alveley is well built and pleasantly situated, six miles and a half south from Bridgnorth, and eight miles north from Bewdley. The township in 1841 contained 187 houses and 914 inhabitants; and has 5,147a. 2r. 37p. of land, 122a. 3r. 15p. of which are in woods and plantations. Rateable value, £5,601. Among the landowners are Miss Green; Mrs. Brittle; Mr. John Crowther; Mary Hayward; Rev. William Wakeley; Trustees of Claverley school; Mr. Edward Hughes; Christ Church College, Oxford; Mr. Richard Veal; Mr. Homer; Messrs. Tunnicliff; Mr. John Hall; Mr. William Wyer; Mr. John Stockall; Rev. Dr. Jenkins, dean and chapter of Bath and Wells; Thomas Beach, Esq.; William Beach, Esq.; Lord Standford; John Bacon, Esq.; the poor of Alveley; John M. Wingfield, Esq.; William Trow, Esq.; Mr. William Corser; Mrs. Hand; Mr. Thomas Feriday; Mr. William Bowen; and others.

The Church is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Mary, and consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, in which are six musical bells. The nave is divided from the side aisles by four semi-circular arches, and there are two side chapels belonging to the owner of the Coton estate. The tower was taken down and rebuilt in 1666, part of the chancel was rebuilt in 1585, and the south part was repaired in 1638. There are several neat tablets. The church will accommodate 416 hearers. At the east end of the church is a large stone coffin. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Edward G. Gatacre, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Robert Augustus Wellesley Considine, M.A. The Parochial School, and residence for the teacher, are situated in the churchyard. It is endowed with certain lands, as will be seen on reference to the charities, from which the teacher receives £25 per annum, in consideration of which he teaches a limited number of scholars free; the rest pay a small weekly stipend; about fifty scholars attend. The feast is held on the first Sunday after the 15th of August. A court leet and baron is held for the manor every three years. Stone quarries near the village are worked to a considerable extent; immense blocks are raised and worked into grinding stones for gunsmiths and others.

Nordley Regis is a township with a few scattered houses in the parish of Alveley, pleasantly situated two miles north-east from the church. Coton is a small hamlet in Nordley Regis. Coton Hall and estate have recently been sold by E. L. Gatacre to the Rev. Mr. Wakeley. The house is a stuccoed mansion pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, commanding some fine views of the adjacent country. The park comprises about eighty acres, and is pleasingly diversified with graceful undulations.

Romsley is a township and village situated about two miles east from Alveley, which at the census of 1841 contained 27 houses and 110 inhabitants; and has 1,900 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,334. 5s. 6d. Abraham Stephen Cresswell, Esq., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner. Dr. Jenkins is also a considerable owner; and John M. Wingfield, Esq., the Misses Cresswell, Mr. Richard Palmer, and Mr. Stephen Cresswell, are also freeholders.

Charities.—John Grove, by will, dated 10th of December, 1616, bequeathed a yearly stipend of £10 to the schoolmaster of Alveley, and a like yearly payment of £10, to have continuance for ever, to be distributed among five poor aged and impotent men. For the establishing of these yearly stipends, the executors purchased a messuage, with the appurtenances, called Longhurst, situated in Ledbury and Eastnor, in Herefordshire, which contained 74a. 2r. 4p. of land, and which was exchanged with Charles Lord Somers in the year 1793 for certain lands in Alveley parish, containing 111a. 0r. 27p. of land, which was held at the time the Charity Commissioners published their report at a rent of £73 per annum. The schoolmaster’s stipend was increased in 1800 to £20, and has since been augmented to £25, with a house rent free, and an allowance of two loads of coal; and five poor men of Alveley receive from this charity a yearly stipend of £6 each.

Thomas Grove, in 1743, left certain lands, comprising 31a. 3r. 0p., upon trust, that the annual rents and profits should be divided among the poor of the parish of Alveley. The land is let to several tenants, at a rent of £42 per annum.

This parish participates in the charity of Mr. William Seabright, who, by his will, dated 1620, gave certain premises, the rents thereof to be employed towards the relief of the poor of several parishes in Worcester, Stafford, and Salop, of which Alveley is one. The parish receives from the charity money wherewith to distribute fourteen pennyworth of bread every Sunday, which is given among the poor.

James Bowen, by will, dated 1st April, 1715, gave to the poor of Alveley the sum of £6, to be put forth at interest by the churchwardens, and the proceeds to be applied to the purchase of good books, to be distributed to the poor families of the parish. About thirty years ago this charity was lost, in consequence of the bankruptcy of the person in whose hands it was placed.

George Garbett, by will, dated 19th June, 1758, bequeathed £100, to be put out at interest, which was to be disposed of on the 1st of January every year to such poor persons of the parish of Alveley as should not receive parochial relief.

Humphrey Dovey, in 1700, left £20, the interest thereof to be distributed among the poor of the parish in bread. In respect of which forty-three penny loaves are distributed on Good Friday, and forty on St. Thomas’s day.

Arthur Arden left a piece of land, containing two acres and a half, the profits of which were to be expended in bell ropes (when required) for the use of the parish church. At the time the Charity Commissioners published their report the land was let at a rent of £6 per annum. It is said the land was given to the parish clerk on condition that he should find bell ropes, but the original conveyance, which had been kept in the church chest, was lost about fifty years ago; and it appears that for more than 100 years the rents of the land have been received by the parish clerk for his own use, and he has provided the bell ropes as they were wanted.

Thomas Russell, in 1842, gave the sum of £40, and directed the interest to be appropriated for the benefit of poor parishioners.

Post Office—At William Evans’s. Letters from Bridgnorth at 9.45 A.M., and are despatched at 3.30 P.M.

ALVELEY DIRECTORY.

Ameys Edmund, farmer

Ameys Thomas, farmer, Dunbolds

Bache William, farmer, Leekhouse

Bacon Jno., farmer, Hall Close

Brewer William, Gorton’s Flour Mills

Bridge James, farmer

Clarke John, butcher and shoemaker

Clarke Stephen, butcher and farmer

Considine Rev. Rbt. Agustus Wellesley, M.A.

Craig John, farmer

Crow Wm., farmer, Turley Green

Davies Henry, farmer

Doolittle Samuel, maltster

Evans George, stone mason and farmer

Evans John, farmer

Evans Thomas, farmer, Moor House

Evans William, postmaster

Fellows Michael, farmer, Pool Hall

Fereday Thomas, farmer

Fox John, farmer

Foxall Mary, farmer, Dod’s Green

Giles Thomas, vict., Bell Inn

Griffiths William, tailor and shopkeeper

Haines Joseph, blacksmith

Harris Rchd., farmer

Hayward John, farmer, The Butts

Hayward Mary, Little London farm

Head John, beer-retailer, Kitlands

Hick Thos., farmer, Hadleys

Higgs John, butcher

Hobbs William, victualler, Squirrel Inn

Hobbis Mary, vict., Three Horse Shoes

Jenning William, shoemaker

Jones James, Hollies farm

Lane John, quarry-master and farmer

Lane Thomas, quarry-master and mason

Lowe Thomas, farmer

Millward John, beerhouse-keeper and wheelwright

Powell Francis, shoemaker

Richards Thomas, farmer

Stockall John, farmer, Cookscroft

Taylor Job, farmer

Veal Rd., farmer, Langford

Walker Charles, butcher and farmer

Warder John, farmer, Hay farm

Webb Benjamin, carpenter

Wilks Jos., farmer, Turley Green

Williams Thos. quarry-mstr.

Wood James, stone mason

Wood James, quarry-owner

Wyer Wm., farmer, Cookscroft

Yates William, wheelwright

NORDLEY REGIS DIRECTORY.

Bache Thomas, Esq., Greenfield House

Berkin Geo., farmer, Astley

Bowen Thomas, farmer

Bowen William, farmer

Cox Thomas, miller, Alan Bridge

Crowther John, farmer, Bolthole

Edmonds William, farmer, High Barns

Edwards Martha, farmer, Hubbolds

Fereday Thomas, farmer, Tuck Hill

Hobbs Wm., farmer, Bird’s Green

Lowe Thomas, farmer, Perry House

Marston George, farmer, Barretts

Massey William, shopkeeper

Nicholls John, farmer

Page William, farmer

Webb Benjamin, shopkeeper, Bird’s Green

Wootton John, beer-retailer

ROMSLEY DIRECTORY.

Cox Thomas, miller and farmer, Alam Bridge

Cresswell Abraham Stephen, Esq.

Cresswell, Ezekiel, farmer, Pool House

Cresswell Nancy, gentlewoman, The Hall

Cresswell Sarah, farmer, The Hall

Cresswell Stephen, farmer

Doolittle Wm., beer-retailer

Edmonds John, farmer, Bowels farm

Foxall John, blacksmith

Foxall William, blacksmith

Gritton Jos., farmer, Harts Green farm

Hincks Wm., farmer, Ulet Hall

Leigh George, wheelwright

Winnell John, farmer, New House

ASTLEY ABBOTTS,

a parish and village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden Hundred, two miles and a half north from Bridgnorth, contains 3,137 acres of land, intersected by the Broseley turnpike road and the Tasley and Linley streams, and is bounded on the eastern side by the river Severn. 193 acres are in woods, plantations, and water. The soil in some parts is a mixture of earth and sand, and in other places a strong loam. Rateable value £4,023. 1s. 2d. At the census in 1801 there were 740 inhabitants; 1831, 666; and in 1841, 657. At the latter period there were 139 inhabited houses. The situation of Astley Abbotts is pleasant and highly salubrious, and there are several handsome residences. The farms are mostly of considerable extent, and by a judicious outlay of capital in draining and other improvements have been brought to a state of great productiveness. The principal landowners are Thos. Charlton Whitmore, Esq.; Lady Tyrwhitt Jones; John Stephens, Esq.; Mr. John Ward; Miss Pilkington; Mr. John Bowen; Rev. C. Whitmore; Lord Forester; Mr. John Lee; Sir John Acton, Bart.; Mr. Thomas Yapp; and George Pritchard, Esq. The former is lord of the manor. There are also several smaller proprietors. The Church, an ancient fabric neatly pewed with oak sittings, has a groined roof, resting on hammer head projections, upon which are carved figures of the apostles. A neat tablet remembers Sir Tyrwhitt Jones, Bart., F.R.S. and M.P., who died in 1811. The same tablet also records the deaths of several other members of the family. An elegant tablet commemorative of Sir Thomas Jones, Knt., is dated 1782. A memorial of elaborate workmanship to Francis Billingsley, Esq., of Astley, an officer in the army of King Charles, is dated 1656. It also records the deaths of various other members of the Billingsley family. Upon a garland suspended from the sounding board hangs a pair of white kid gloves, and from an inscription we learn that Henry Phillips died in 1707 when presenting himself at the altar to be married. The lady to whom he was about to be united survived him but a short period. The reading desk and pulpit exhibit an exquisite specimen of carved workmanship. The living is a perpetual curacy, enjoyed by the rector of Stockton; officiating minister, Rev. John Wing, B.A. The lord of the manor is patron of the living. The tithes are commuted for £220. Astley Hall, the elegant mansion of Alfred Darby, Esq., is delightfully situated near the banks of the river Severn, and presents a beautiful specimen of the decorative style of the Elizabethan age. The house was originally built in 1642, but has been greatly enlarged and beautified at subsequent periods. The pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out, and the park is richly clothed with sylvan beauty. Astley Abbotts House is an ancient timbered mansion, the residence and property of George Pritchard, Esq. Albynes, a good house of modern erection, the residence and property of John Stephens, Esq., is pleasantly situated in a bold undulating district, and surrounded with park-like grounds. Dunvall House, the property and residence of Mr. John Bowen, is a place of great antiquity, and was formerly the seat of the Acton family. It is chiefly composed of massive timber and plaster, and is an interesting specimen of the domestic architecture of by-gone days.

Charities—John Huxley, Esq., in the year 1714, gave by his will a rent charge of 20s. per annum, to be distributed among twenty poor widows. A sum of £20, supposed to have been left by one Litttehales, was lent to a person named Bache, of Bridgnorth, and afterwards to William Bourne, a baker, of the same place, who used to send a monthly supply of bread to the amount of the interest. Shortly before the Charity Commissioners published their report Mr. Bourne became bankrupt, and the parish officers had not applied to prove this debt, from an idea that they had not the means of substantiating the claim. Mrs. Catherine Phillips, by will, 1815, gave to the incumbent and churchwardens of Astley Abbotts the sum of £300 stock in the three per cent. consols, in trust, to pay out of the yearly dividends the sum of 20s. among twenty poor widows on St. Thomas’s day, and the remainder to some proper person for teaching poor children to read and write, and for bringing them to church every Sunday in an orderly manner.

Baldwin William, block and pump maker, and vict., Fox and Hounds, Linley Brook

Bate William, beer-retailer and bricklayer

Bentley John, butcher, Cross Houses

Bowen John, farmer and maltster, Dunvall House

Bromley James, farmer, Frog Mill

Clutton Wm., farmer, Nordley Common

Clutton William, butcher

Cox John, farmer, Binnall

Craig Wm., farmer, Bowlings

Crowe John, farmer

Darby Alfred, Esq., Astley Hall

Downes Edw. farmer, Rhodes

Farmer Thomas, farmer

Hall John, farmer, Raven’s Nest

Jones Thos. market-gardener

Littlewood Jane, beer-retailer, Cross lane head

Lowe Launcelot, beer-retailer, Nordley

Morris Wm., farmer, Severn Hall

Nock Thomas, Severn Hall

Nock Thomas, farmer, Cross lane head

Phillips Richard, farmer

Pritchard Geo., Esq., Astley Abbotts House

Pugh Wm., farmer, Hoard’s Park

Reynolds Mrs., Weavers’ Coppice

Smith Caroline and Sarah, Cantern Bank

Stephens John, Esq., The Albynes

Ward John, farmer & brick maker

Wing Rev. John, B.A., curate

Yardley John, blacksmith

Yardley William, shopkeeper

ASTON BOTTEREL

is a parish and scattered village nine miles S.W. of Bridgnorth, containing 2,198a. 0r. 14p. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,960. 11s. 10d. Population in 1801, 247; 1831, 260, and in 1841 173. The principal landowner is the Duke of Cleveland. John W. Sparrow, Esq., John Hincksman, Esq., and Henry George Mytton, Esq., are also proprietors. The manor of Aston was formerly held under the Fitzalans Earls of Arundel, by the family of Botterels, from whom it received the addition of their name to distinguish it from the other Astons in the county. In the 48th of Henry III. Thomas Botterel had a grant of a market on Tuesday, and a fair at Michaelmas, and also the privilege of free warren. At the time of the commonwealth circular letters were sent to chose one hundred and four godly men to assist Cromwell in his government, and for this county the choice fell upon William Botterell, and Thomas Baker.

The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient structure built of stone, having a square tower, in which are three bells. The interior contains nave, chancel, and south aisle, in which is a monument to the memory of John and Mary Botterel, supposed to have been erected about the year 1585. The side aisle is separated from the body of the church by three pointed arches. The church was enlarged and repaired in the year 1830, when one hundred and eight free sittings were provided, in addition to twenty formerly free. The registers of the parish commenced in the year 1559. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £7. 1s. 0½d. The tithes are commuted for the sum of £345. There are seventy acres of glebe land. Patron of the living, His Grace the Duke of Cleveland; rector, Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A.

Directory.—Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A., The Rectory; Thomas Beddoes, farmer, Moor Brook; Richard Bishop, farmer, Norton; William Bryan, tailor; Edward Davies, farmer, Norton; Richard Eddowes, farm bailiff, The Bould; John Hincksman, farmer, Charlcott; Francis Lawley, farmer and vict., The Fox; Mrs. Elizabeth Lowe, farmer, Aston Hall; George Meredith, farmer; William Meredith, farmer; Ann Miles, farmer, Charlcott; Joseph Wellings, blacksmith; Nathan Weatherall, farmer, Haywood.

BILLINGSLEY,

a parish in the Chelmarsh division of the hundred of Stottesden, six miles S. of Bridgnorth, is pleasantly situated on the Bridgnorth and Cleobury Mortimer turnpike road. It contains 1,285 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £900. 10s. In 1841 there were 29 houses and 149 persons; population in 1801, 320; 1831, 161. The Duke of Cleveland is the principal landowner. William Lacon Childe, Esq., and the rector are also proprietors. This place it is said was anciently called Biligesleague, and that an important congress was held here in 1055 between King Harold and Griffin Prince of Wales, in which they engaged to maintain peace and mutual good will. Dr. Thomas Hyde, the great linguist and librarian, was born at this place in 1638. The Church is a small structure containing nave, chancel, and has a turret, in which are two bells. The accommodation of this church was increased in 1836, by which means twenty additional sittings were obtained, and in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society fourteen of that number are declared free and unappropriated for ever. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 13s. 4d., now £195. The Duke of Cleveland is patron of the living, and the Rev. Thomas Vaughan is rector.

Directory.—John Barker, blacksmith; Margaret Benbow, farmer, The Hall; William Birchley, farmer and vict., The Cape of Good Hope; John Green, shoemaker; Darius Griffin, farmer and carrier to Bridgnorth (every Saturday); Edward Humphries, farmer, The Oak; John Humphries, farmer, The Upper House; Rev. William Lewis Jones, curate; Samuel Jordin, farmer; Mary Lawley, farmer, The Bank; John Parry, farm bailiff, The Hall; Benjamin Reynolds, shoemaker.

BRIDGNORTH

is a populous and well built market town and borough, both corporate and parliamentary, having separate jurisdiction, and locally situated in the Stottesden hundred, 139 miles N.W. from London, twenty miles S.E. from Shrewsbury, thirteen miles S.W. from Wolverhampton, and eight miles S.E. from Much Wenlock. The town is situated on the banks of the Severn which divides it into two portions called the Upper and Lower towns. The Upper town is on the western bank of the river, on the sides and summit of a red sandstone rock which rises to the height of near two hundred feet above the level of the river. The appearance of this part of the town is remarkably picturesque, and the view is very fine, especially from that part where the remains of the castle stand, where a terrace walk has been laid out, overlooking the Lower town, the river, and a widely spreading country. This walk extends 622 yards, and was much admired by King Charles I. who was at Bridgnorth three times during the civil wars, and preferred it to all other terraces, in the kingdom. Persons visiting Bridgnorth universally consider it highly interesting, and are charmed with the beautiful scenery it opens to view. The town contains many good houses and handsome shops in the different branches of the retail trade, there are also some good family mansions and villa residences, which are ornamented with pleasure grounds tastefully laid out. Under the brow of the hill are many rude dwellings cut out of the sandstone rock, with several caves, over which the inhabitants have gardens, which gives the whole a very romantic appearance. The road from the Low town to the High town winds round the rock, but the nearer approaches for foot passengers are by several flights of steps, one of which called the Stoneway-steps formed by pebbles secured by a framing of ironwork, consists of 179 steps. The town comprises the two parishes of St. Mary Magdalene and St. Leonard, and at the census of 1801 had 4,408 inhabitants; 1831, 5,065; and 1841, 5,770. Rateable value of St. Mary’s parish, £7,402. 12s. 8d. Rateable value of St. Leonard’s parish, £7,635. 10s. 11d. The principal trade of Bridgnorth is an extensive establishment for the manufacture of carpets and rugs, malting, worsted spinning, and boat building. The town, however, derives its chief importance from its situation on the river, and is a thriving inland port. A large portion of the labouring class obtains employment in the navigation of the Severn, but the market and retail trade with the neighbourhood afford the principal source of profit to the inhabitants.

Bridgnorth is a place of great antiquity; it was originally called Brugia, or Bruges, and derived its name from a bridge erected over the Severn here. The first memorable transaction that we find of this town was in King Alfred’s days, A.D. 894, when the Danes being driven from Norfolk, were forced to leave their ships and spend the winter at Brug upon Severn, on the borders of Wales, where they built a strong fort. Whether the fort was destroyed by the chance of war we are unable to discover, but it is stated that Elfled, daughter of King Alfred, repaired both the town and castle, then fallen to decay. It subsequently underwent the common vicissitudes of the country, being harassed both by the Saxons and the Danes, till Roger de Montgomery having obtained a grant of the earldom of Salop, built a new castle here. Robert de Belesme, eldest son of the said Roger, in the time of Henry I. declared for Robert Curthose, and fortified his castle against the king, but after a siege of three weeks it was surrendered, and with the rest of his possessions annexed to the crown. In the 16th of Edward III. the out-liberties of the castle which anciently were held of the Norman earls of Shrewsbury by the annual service of ten marks, were incorporated with the town. The fee of the keeper of this castle in the time of Elizabeth was £9. 2s. 6d. The castle having not been a sufficient defence of the town without walls about it, therefore in the 11th of Henry III. an aid was granted for two years for the walling of the town, and six years after another aid was granted for the same purpose. The first charter of which any knowledge exists is of the 16th of King John, which grants to the burgesses of Bruges and their heirs, certain liberties and free customs, and freedom from toll throughout the kingdom, except within the liberties of London. The burgesses maintained a suit at law against the Salopians, who hindered them from bringing raw hides and flannel cloth in their market, both towns depending on the validity of their charters which were fully enquired into. In the 10th of Henry III. the grant of a fair was obtained to be held on St. Luke’s day, which subsequently became remarkable for the sale of hops, cheese, and walnuts. The burgesses had liberty in this reign of holding pleas in personal actions, and of erecting fraternities or guilds of tradesmen. In the 33rd of Edward III. the inhabitants obtained the grant of a fair to be held at the feast of the Translation of St. Leonard, and for the three days following. Fairs are now held on the third Thursday in February, third Tuesday in March, 1st May, third Tuesday in June, first Tuesday in August, third Tuesday in September, 20th October, and the first Tuesday after Shrewsbury December fair. The market is held on Saturday, and well supplied with butchers’ meat, butter, poultry, and other provisions of excellent quality. The corn market is numerously attended, and business to a considerable extent is usually transacted.

The old corporation consisted of two bailiffs, a recorder, a deputy recorder, twenty-four aldermen, forty-eight common councilmen, two chamberlains, and two bridge masters, with a town clerk, sergeants at mace, and other officers. The bailiffs were justices of the peace, and justices of the court of record; the senior acted as coroner for the borough. The recorder held his office for life; his deputy whom he appointed was always a barrister, and the legal adviser of the corporation. The bailiffs were chosen every year on St. Matthew’s day, out of the twenty-four aldermen, in the following remarkable manner:—The court being met, the names of twelve aldermen, seniors of those then present, being separately written upon small bits of paper, all of them of the same size and rolled up close by the town clerk, were thrown into a large purse, which after being well tossed by the chamberlains was held betwixt them before the bailiffs, when each bailiff according to seniority took out a scroll; by these scrolls the callers were fixed, who immediately mounting the chequer, alternately called the jury out of such persons as are burgesses, and then presented them to the court to the number of fourteen; these being all sworn, (neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, had made choice of two fit persons, who have not been bailiffs before for three years), were locked up until they were agreed, a regulation which has sometimes occasioned long fasting. At the election in 1793, the jury fasted no less than seventy-four hours. By the new municipal act, Bridgnorth is governed by a bailiff, or mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors. A commission of the peace has been granted, and a court of quarter sessions and recorder appointed. The following is a list of the members of parliament, borough magistrates, and corporate body, for the year 1851:—

Members of Parliament: Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and Sir Thomas Pigot, Bart.

Borough Magistrates: Henry Slater Richards, Esq., mayor; William Jones, Esq., Henry George Mytton, Esq., Thomas Whitmore Wylde Brown, Esq., Edward Farrer Acton Esq., Joshua Sing, Esq., Farmer Taylor, Esq., Thomas Bangham, Esq., Wm Hallen, Esq., and John Stephens, Esq.

Mayor: Henry Slater Richards, Esq.

Aldermen: John Smalman, Esq., Thomas Nock, Esq., Edward Ridley, Esq., and Benjamin Boucher, Esq.

Councillors: Thomas Deighton, James Brown Grierson, Joseph Southwell, Joseph Minton Glase, Samuel Nicholls, James Henry Martin, Robert Harrison, Joshua Sing, Henry Slater Richards, James Edward Newall, Frederick Homfray, and William Jones. Recorder: Uvedale Corbet, Esq. Coroner: William Dones Batte, Esq. Town Clerk: John Jacob Smith, Esq. Clerk to Borough Magistrates: Edward William Hazlewood, Esq. Town Crier: George Evans.

The ruins of a Castle fortified by Robert de Belesme, the third Norman earl of Shrewsbury, are still standing. The edifice was erected on the site of a former structure, but a portion of the square tower now standing 17 degrees out of its perpendicular is almost the only relic of this baronial fortress left. A chapel within the walls of the castle was made collegiate, and had a dean and six prebendaries. When Robert de Belesme held this castle in rebellion in 1102, against Henry I., Ralph de Pitchford behaved himself so valiantly, that the king gave him the little Brugg near it to hold by the service of finding dry wood for the great chambers of the castle, against the coming of his sovereign. A romantic act of loyalty is related of Hubert de St. Clare, who with King Henry II. was besieging the castle of Bridgnorth, and seeing one of the enemy taking aim at his sovereign, stepped before him and received the arrow in his own breast, and therewith his death-wound. In the civil wars the castle was garrisoned for the King, who marched here from Shrewsbury to meet the parliamentary army; an engagement took place near to St. Leonard’s church wherein the royalists were defeated, the castle totally demolished, and the collegiate church so injured that it had to be taken down and rebuilt. The Gates and Walls of the town were thrown down in the civil wars. The north gate was afterwards rebuilt at the expense of the corporation, over which is a room now used for the Blue Coat School. A handsome and substantial stone Bridge crosses the Severn, and stands near the site of a former bridge erected by the Saxons. A portion of the Lower town is subject to be flooded by the Severn overflowing its banks. The Races have been discontinued for several years, but have been revived during the present year. The race-course is situate about a mile from Bridgnorth, in the parish of Tasley. There are Billiard Tables at the Raven Inn, Whitburne street, and the Star Inn, Underhill street. Mr. Edwards has generously granted the use of Trap-field for a Cricket Ground.

There is a Bowling Green at the Hundred House Inn, situated about a mile from Bridgnorth; Mr. George Jarratt is the proprietor. Baths were established in 1841 upon the premises of the South Shropshire Infirmary. The Society for the Promotion of Religious and Useful Knowledge hold their meetings annually in December. The depository for the Christian Knowledge Society is at Messrs. Wilmot and Brickley’s, Market street. The Mechanics’ Institution, situated in High street, is furnished with a library comprising 366 volumes. A reading room has also been established, which is furnished with periodicals, and some of the leading London and provincial journals; Joseph L. Whatmore, secretary. The Town Library is situated in Castle Terrace, and contains 3,037 volumes; John Pinkstone is the librarian. The Public Library in St. Leonard’s church-yard contains upwards of 4,000 volumes. There are also Circulating Libraries at Mr. Smith’s and Miss Partridge’s. The Stamp Office is at Mr. Southwell’s, West Castle street, and the Excise Office at the Castle Inn.

The Town Hall, situated in the centre of the market place, is an antique structure, built in 1682, and supported by pillars and arches. The large room is appropriated to the town’s business and magisterial purposes. The space under the hall is used for the sale of butter and poultry on the market days. No sessions were held in the town in 1646 by reason of the war. In this conflict the high town was burnt.

The Infirmary, in Listley street, is a handsome structure salubriously situated, and constructed with every attention to the convenience and convalescence of the inmates. This institution was established in 1841, and is chiefly supported by subscriptions, and a few small benefactions left by charitable individuals; the Rev. J. Purton is the treasurer.

The Water Works.—The town is supplied with water raised from the Severn, and forced by machinery through a four inch main into a tank, situated upon Castle Walk, which when full is capable of holding about 6,500 gallons. The funds for the support of the works are levied by a rate upon the inhabitants. These works being inefficient for the supply of the town, it is proposed to construct a capacious reservoir near Palmer’s Hospital, six feet above the present tank, and twenty feet above High street, capable of holding 14,000 gallons, and so to improve the hydraulic machinery, as to give the inhabitants an abundant supply of this pure beverage of nature; Mr. Thomas Corser is the superintendent.

The Gas Works, situated on the western banks of the Severn, were established in 1838, by Mr. Edward, of Wellington. There are two gasometers for the reception of the luminous vapour, and a charge of 8s. 6d. per cubic feet is made to the consumer; John Lloyd Whatmore, manager.

The Police Office is in East Castle street; Thomas A. Wilmot is the superintendent. The Lockup is in Whitburne street. The mayor and borough magistrates hold a court every alternate Monday for the trial of petty offences committed within the borough. The county magistrates hold quarter sessions and petty sessions every alternate Saturday, and the borough has continued to return two members to parliament since the time of Edward I. The places embraced within the jurisdiction of this borough are the parishes of St. Mary, St. Leonard, Quatford, Oldbury, Tasley, and Astley Abbots, and the townships of Quatt, Jarvis, and Eardington, and the liberty of Romsley. In the year 1850 there were 721 electors to vote in the choice of members to serve in parliament. Of this number 387 were freemen of the borough, and the rest electors in right of occupation. The principal freeholders in the parishes of St. Mary and St. Leonard are Lord Sudeley, Thomas C. Whitmore, Esq., Sir John Acton, Bart., Trustees of Christ Church, Oxford, Messrs. Grierson and Law, A. F. Sparkes, Esq., Mr. John Green, Joshua Sing, Esq., Earl of Shrewsbury, Robert Harrison, Esq., Messrs. F. and J. Oakes, Mr. John Reece, Mr. Thomas Southall, Mr. John Summers, and others, are also proprietors.

The County Court, St. Leonard’s place, for the recovery of debts, and in all pleas of personal action where the damage does not exceed £50, comprises the following parishes and townships, namely:—Alverley, Astley Abbotts, Acton Round, Aston Eyres, Billingsley, Burwarton, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Claverley, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Ditton Priors, Eardington, Glazeley, Middleton Scriven, Monkhopton, Morville, St. Leonard’s, St. Mary Magdalene, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Romsley, Sidbury, Stanton Long, Tasley, Upton Cressett, and Worfield. Judge, Uvedale Corbett, Esq., Aston Hall. Clerk, Harry Childe, Esq. High Bailiff, Mr. John Lacon Bennett. Appraiser, George Evans. Treasurer, W. B. Collins, Esq.

The Bridgnorth Union House stands in an open and pleasant situation at the Innage, and was built in 1850, at a cost of £5,299. 17s. 8d., and will accommodate 200 inmates. The number at present on the books is 53. The union embraces an area of 68,076 acres of land, and a population of 15,805 souls. The parishes in the union are 29 in number, namely:—Acton Round, Alverley, Astley, Abbotts, Aston Eyres, Billingsley, Burwarton, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Claverley, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Ditton Priors, Eardington, Glazeley, St. Leonard’s, St. Mary Magdalene, Middleton Scriven, Monk Hopton, Morvill, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Romsley, Sidbury, Stanton Long, Tasley, Upton Cressett, and Worfield. Chairman to the Guardians, Richard H. Gwyn, Esq. Vice Chairman, John Wilson, Esq. Clerk to the Guardians, Arndell Francis Sparkes, Esq. Surgeons, William P. Brookes, Charles Pothecary, William Thursfield, James H. Martin, and Thomas Haslehust. Chaplains, Rev. George Bellett, Rev. William K. Marshall, and the Rev. Robert A. W. Considine. Relieving Officers, George Griffin and William Wall. Master and Matron, Seth Bennett Barber and Mrs. Barber. Superintendent Registrar, James H. Martin. Deputy Registrar for Bridgnorth, William Roberts.

The Savings’ Bank is situated in Bank street, the capital stock of which on November 20th, 1850, amounted to £81,045. 2s. 3d., at which time there were 2,167 depositors; 60 charitable societies and 24 friendly societies had accounts with the bank. Of the depositors there were 1,161 whose respective balances did not exceed £20; 531 were above £20 and not exceeding £50; 290 were above £50 and not exceeding £100; 102 not exceeding £150; 59 not exceeding £200; and 24 exceeding the latter amount. The gross amount of capital invested by the charitable societies is £5,170. 16s. 1d., and of the friendly societies £2,672 19s.

The Church of St. Leonard, an ancient and venerable edifice, rebuilt in 1448, was nearly destroyed during the civil wars, but repaired soon after the restoration. It is built of red sandstone, in the Gothic style of architecture, and has a massive square tower, crowned with pinnacles, containing a peal of six bells, a clock, and sun-dial. The interior consists of nave, side aisles, and chancel, the latter of which underwent a complete reparation a few years ago. The south compartment is separated from the body of the church by three arches. The church is neatly pewed with oak, and in the gallery is a powerful and fine-toned organ. The roof is supported by a framework of oak, each beam of which is ornamented by a figure of one of the apostles. The window at the east end was restored by subscription, and beautified in memory of the late Thomas Whitmore, Esq., who by will gave the rectoral tithes of Bridgnorth, due to him as impropriator to the minister of this church, and also to that of St. Mary Magdalene. On the south side is a stained glass memorial window, “restored in 1847 in memory of Mr. Boulton, formerly of the grammar school, by a priest of the English church, as a poor offering of thankfulness to Almighty God for many means of grace and good instruction vouchsafed both in this church and at the adjoining grammar school.” This church had near it a college for the habitation of two chantry priests, appointed to pray for the rest of the soul of Thomas à Beckett, archbishop of Canterbury. It was destroyed, with most part of the high town and church, at the time the parliamentary forces took possession of Bridgnorth. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. George Bellett. The tithes are commuted for £308. The parish of St. Leonard contained at the census of 1841, 627 houses and 2,997 inhabitants.

The Church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene is a handsome edifice in the Grecian style of architecture, built in the year 1792, of white freestone, at an expense of £6,027. 11s. 9d. It has a tower, surmounted by a cupola, containing six bells, a clock, and four dials. The interior is spacious and handsome, and on the western gallery is a fine-toned organ. The altar is of oak, richly carved. The church is styled in ancient records, “Liberia regia capella;” that is, a free chapel of the kings, made exempt from episcopal jurisdiction by King John, who personally visited this town on his way to Worcester. It was made parochial in 4th Edward III. This church was a free collegiate chapel, founded by William the Conqueror, consisting of a dean and five prebends. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. W. K. Marshall. The tithes are commuted for £268. There are thirteen and a half acres of glebe land. The parish of St. Mary Magdalene in 1841 contained 577 houses, and 2,773 inhabitants.

The Baptist Chapel, situated in West Castle street, is a brick structure, and will accommodate about 280 persons. It was built in the year 1704.

The Catholic and Apostolic Church, in West Castle street, is a commodious edifice, built of freestone in the year 1835. The building has Gothic windows, ornamented with stained glass. The interior has a beautiful appearance; the altar is of stone, and there are richly carved oak stalls and desks for the priests. The seats are all free. “The congregation is under the rule and government of the apostles, being in charge of an angel, who, with priests, assisted by deacons, fulfil their several duties clothed with appropriate vestments.”

The Independent Chapel, built of brick in the year 1711, will accommodate about 400 hearers. It is situated on the Stoneway Steps.

The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, situated on St. Mary’s Steps, was erected in the year 1832, and has since been enlarged. It is now capable of seating 250 persons. A Sabbath school is connected with the chapel, where about seventy children attend.

The National and Infant Schools, situated on elevated ground in Listley street, were established in 1820. There is accommodation in these schools for 300 children: 150 boys and 50 girls attend. The schools are supported by annual subscriptions, donations, charity sermons, and small weekly payments from the scholars. The income for the year ending March 25th, 1851, amounted to £228. 14s. 3d.

The British School, in West Castle street, is held in a spacious and convenient room under the Baptist chapel: it is numerously attended. There is also a school taught in a room over the Independent chapel, where about sixty children are instructed.

St. Mary’s School, situated in the Low Town, is a commodious building of brick, erected by public subscriptions in 1847, at a cost of £756. Upwards of 100 children attend the school.

The Free Grammar School.—This school was founded more than three hundred years ago, by the bailiffs and burgesses, for the purpose of affording, free of expense, to “all comers,” instruction in literature and good learning, until they shall be capable to be sent to the universities of Oxford or Cambridge. For the better maintenance of the school, Sir Rowland Hayward, in 1624, gave a rent charge of £20 per annum; £4 a year was left by his son; £2 a year was left by Sir John Hayward for the usher; and £8 a year, called the king’s allowance, was also paid to the usher out of the audit money. In 1639, the lease of a house was granted by Sir William Whitmore, at an annual rent of 8s., for a residence for the master. In 1687 Sir William Whitmore renewed the lease, and by a covenant therein, bound his successors to continue the lease on the same conditions, as long as the school should continue to be a free school. It appears that the master of the free school has always received some allowance from the corporation, which in 1726 amounted to £10; in 1817 it was increased to £30; and it was further agreed to supply from the private funds of those members of the corporation who sent their sons to this school, as much money as, in addition to the several sources of emolument before particularised, would make up an annual salary of £100 for the master. For the last two years the grant from the corporation has been discontinued: it is hoped, however, the corporate body will see the propriety of renewing their grant. The various bequests to this school, and the exhibitions at Christ College, Oxford, will be found noticed with the following account of the general charities of Bridgnorth.

Charities.—Edward Careswell, by will dated 3rd February, 1689, left certain lands in the counties of Salop and Stafford, in all containing 1,075a. 2r. 23p. of land, chargeable with the maintenance of eighteen scholars in the college of Christ Church, in Oxford, four of the aforesaid scholars to be chosen from Shrewsbury Free Grammar School, three from Bridgnorth, four from Newport, three from Shiffnal, two from Wem, and two out of Donnington, in the parish of Wroxeter, who were to receive while undergraduates £18 each for four years, after he should have commenced bachelor of arts; £21 each for three years, until he should commence master of arts; and £27 yearly to each for three years after he should commence master of arts, and no longer. In the year 1813, a considerable surplus of the rents and profits having accrued, the sum of £1,500 was applied to the purchase of the rectoral tithes of the Walker’s Low and Walkham Wood farms: and in 1815 the further sum of £1,515. 7s. was laid out in the purchase of 26a. 0r. 38p. of land, with a new built brick and tiled barn in the parish of Quatford. This farm had previously gained an addition of 36a. 1r. 14p., under the Morfe Enclosure Act; and on the Priors Ditton enclosure, in 1813, an allotment of 10a. 1r. 2p. was awarded to the Sydnall Farm. The tenants of the land respectively hold from year to year, and the rents are varied from time to time, as circumstances are found to require. At the time the charity commissioners published their report, the annual rent was £1,191. 2s. From the surplus rents and profits there remained on 25th January, 1820, the amount of £9,394. 7s. 6d. three per cent. consols, and in cash the sum of £1,093. 18s. 1d.; the former sum affording an income of £281. 16s. 7½d., which, with the rents, make the sum of £1,472. 18s. 7½d. as the total annual income, which is subject to a charge of £308. 1s. 4d. for repairs, leaving for the objects of the charity the sum of £1,164. 17s. 3½d. By a codicil to the will of the aforesaid Edward Careswell, dated 24th February, 1689, he devised the sum of £10 to be annually paid to the minister of Bobbington, in augmentation of his salary, which sum was to be deducted out of the several allowances of the eighteen scholars, when the same shall become payable, by an abatement of 11s. 1½d. out of each of the said scholars’ allowance.

Arthur Weaver, Esq., by will, dated 27th February, 1709, gave to his son Anthony and his heirs the granary, and garden thereunto adjoining, in Bridgnorth, and £112. 12s. 6d. to be disposed of as follows:—First, he desired that it should be employed for keeping about 900 bushels of corn, to be bought when it was 2s. 6d. per bushel and sold when it was above 4s. per bushel, and that the residue of the building and garden should be employed towards the charge of looking after the corn. For perpetuating the stock, he desired that 2s. 6d. should be reserved out of each bushel sold, the residue to be given from time to time to the poor housekeepers having three or more young children of both the parishes of Bridgnorth only, as also the product of the stock when not laid up in the said granary, it being found after the testator’s death impossible to comply with those directions, the sum of £112. 12s. 6d. was placed out at interest and the interest, as also the rents of the granary, were distributed as directed by the will. In 1779, by an order, the aforesaid sum was directed to be invested in the three per cent. consols, and the interest is now distributed to poor housekeepers. The rents accruing from these charities are now applied in aid of a free school, called the Blue Coat School, in which thirty boys are instructed and clothed, and at the time of their leaving school a small sum is allowed to each scholar to apprentice him to some trade. The school is situated over the North Postern Gate.

The Almshouses—The earliest mention of the almshouses is contained in a document preserved among the archives of the corporation, which purports to be the presentment and verdict of a jury, impanelled at Bridgnorth, on the 2nd of September, in the 6th year of Charles I., under a commission of charitable uses, by which they presented that William Swanwicke gave to divers feoffees, on the 2nd of March, 2nd and 3rd of Philip and Mary, a tenement and three gardens for the use of the poor almsfolk residing within the almshouses in Church street of the said town. They further presented that Henry Taycock gave towards the relief of the poor almspeople aforesaid a certain close called Brown’s Croft, and seven acres and two selions of land; and William Sparry, by indenture, dated the 2nd of May, 26th Elizabeth, gave two acres of ground in Astley Abbotts, for 3,000 years, to the intent that the profits of one acre should redound to the use of the poor almspeople aforesaid, and the rent of the other acre to the use of the poor of St. Leonard’s parish.

The sum of £80 was vested by the bailiffs and burgesses in the year 1709, with other monies, in the purchase of an estate at Higley, of which we shall give an account when treating of St. Leonard’s parish. In respect of this, an annual sum of £4 is distributed by the churchwardens of St. Leonard’s among the twelve almswomen, together with 10s., which in some of the earlier entries in the parish books is termed “the interest of £10,” and in others, “the interest of late Milner’s money.”

In a common hall order, dated 18th of January, 1768, reciting that twenty elms, the property of the almshouses, were sold for £11, it was agreed that the corporation should take the money, and pay the almswomen 12s. yearly at Christmas for the same. The corporation likewise pays the sum of 20s. yearly for the interest of £25, which was left for the use of the poor people in the almshouses. The inmates have the interest of £100, left in 1838, by Mr. Milner, and of a sum of £37. 5s. 6d., the gift of Mrs. Bell in 1832. Each almswoman has 3s. 6d. weekly. They are appointed by the corporation.

Paul Bridgen, by will, dated 24th of February, 1769, gave to the corporation of Bridgnorth the sum of £24, for the poor women of the almshouses to have a shilling each paid to them on Good Fridays, and one upon the second day of March, it being the interest thereof.

Sarah Pardoe, in 1808, left the sum of £100, to be placed out at interest for the use of the almshouses. This donation was invested in the purchase of £156. 3s. 3d. consols, the dividends of which being £4. 12s. per annum, which sum, after deducting charges, is divided among the twelve poor women in January and July, in shares of 3s. 10d. each.

Mr. Clark left 10s. for a sermon on the 11th day of January, and three shillings to be given in bread the same day.

William Taylor, by will, dated 6th of February, 1735, directed that every person who should hereafter be an owner of his two freehold messuages, land, and premises, with the appurtenances, situated in High street, in the parish of St. Leonard’s, should yearly for ever provide a dinner on the 26th of December, for the poor persons called almshouse-women; or, in default, he ordered the sum of £10 to be divided between the aforesaid almswomen, the same to be chargeable yearly upon the said messuages and premises.

Mary Childe, by her will, dated 27th of August, 1817, and proved in November, 1819, gave the sum of £100, to be placed at interest on some good security, and to pay the interest, dividends, and produce thereof, in equal shares at Christmas, to the almswomen of Bridgnorth.

Bread Fund.—The almswomen also participate in the general distribution of bread from the parochial fund of St. Leonard’s, of which we shall give an account among the charities of that parish.

Walter Wrottesley, by will, proved in 1630, bequeathed to the poor people of Bridgnorth the sum of £100, to be disposed of by the magistrates of the town as they should think fit. It was resolved in 1633 to repair the conduit pipes of the town with the principal, and that £5 per annum as interest should be given to the poor of St. Leonard’s and St. Mary’s parishes; which sum they now receive.

William Pulley bequeathed a house and land, situated in Beauchamp Roothing, in Essex, on the 20th of December, 1640, to the inhabitants of Bridgnorth for ever, on condition that they should give £16 every year to two young men or women who should stand in need of it; and that those who had it one year should have it no more for the space of three years after.

The Rev. Francis Wheeler, by will, dated 8th of February, 1686, gave five meadows in St. Mary’s parish, containing 21a. 2r. 5p. of land, on condition that the sum of £10 should be given to the poor of Bridgnorth, as an annuity or rent charge; £10 per annum for a sermon to be preached by the minister of St. Leonard’s on the feast of St. James. And having further charged the lands with an annuity of 50s. yearly to the curate of Masemoor, and 10s. to the poor of Willey, he directed that if the rent of the premises should be improved, the increase of the rents should solely redound to the settled public preachers of Bridgnorth. The premises were let in 1818 for a rent of £102. 2s. 6d., which, after deducting the rent charges, left the sum of £44. 11s. 3d. to each of the two ministers, subject to occasional expenses for repairs.

The Spinners’ Money—It seems that the sum of £215 is in the hands of the corporation (which was left by Mr. Blakeway, Mr. Lamb, and Mr. Elliot, for the use of the spinners and carders), for which is paid the small sum of £3. 18s, 4d. yearly, as interest, which is divided among the poor of the town.—Bridge Lands: There are several tenements in Bridgnorth, the rents of which are applied to the repair of the bridge, but when and by whom left is unknown. The annual rents amount to £18. 7s. 2d.

Charities of the Upper Town.—Palmer’s Hospital.—The Rev. Francis Palmer, by will, dated 2nd September, 1680, bequeathed the sum of £800, to be laid out in the purchase of free lands in or near the county of Salop, of the clear yearly value of £30 per annum; and he also willed that his executors should cause to be erected an almshouse containing ten distinct rooms for ten several poor widows of the Upper Town, such as should frequent the church, and to allow each of them the sum of £3 per annum, save only repairs to be deducted. The executors purchased an estate in Hopton Wafers, containing 111a. 3r. 32p., which was let in 1807, at a rent of £93. 6s. per annum; by a valuation of premises made when the Charity Commissioners published their report it was found that the annual value was £119. 6s. 3d. From sales of timber in 1797 and 1810, and a donation of £200 in 1803 from the executors of the late Mr. Hawkins, the sum of £24 is paid to the charity as interest of the money, in addition to the rent of the land.

Mary Elton, by will, dated 24th of September, 1770, bequeathed the sum of £200, upon trust, to apply the interest for the use and benefit of the ten poor widows of Palmer’s Hospital.—Richard Adney bequeathed in 1805 the sum of £200, the interest thereof to be divided among the inhabitants of Palmer’s Hospital.

William Warter gave the sum of £20 to Palmer’s Hospital, in respect of which 20s. is paid from an estate at Rudge, which formerly belonged to the donor, on St. Thomas’s day, and distributed among the inmates.

Bread Fund.—The poor women of this charity also participate in the general distribution of bread in the parish of St. Leonard’s.

The Low Town.—Sir Robert Lee, Knt., in 1635, bequeathed £100, to be applied in the purchase of land, the rents and profits thereof to be given for the use of the poor residing in the Low Town of Bridgnorth. The money was applied in the purchase of a close containing about five acres of ground, situated in Oldbury Lordship, the annual rent of which amounts to about £21, which is distributed as the donor directed.

Charities of St. Leonard’s.—Henry Bourne bequeathed in 1693 the sum of £50, the interest thereof to be given away to the poor of the parish in bread every Sunday, as the churchwardens and overseers should think fit.—Edward Jackson, who died in 1709, gave the sum of £100, the interest of which was to be given to the poor in bread every first Sunday in the month. In the year 1709 the bailiffs and burgesses of Bridgnorth purchased an estate at Highley for the sum of £390, which was made up of the following sums:—£50 of Henry Bourne’s legacy, £100 of Edward Jackson’s charity, £50 of John Lem’s legacy, the interest of which was left for the minister of the parish, together with a further sum of £10, said to be given for putting out apprentices, £80 of the almshouse money, and the residue, £110, was money belonging to the parish. This estate consists of 33a. 2r. 20p. of land, which produced in 1820 the sum of £70. 16s. 9½d., and after payment of £4. 10s. to the almspeople, has formed the basis of a general bread fund.

John Bennett, by will, dated 18th January, 1732, gave an annual rent charge of £5, clear of all reduction, to be paid out of his estate at Bobbington, to be laid out in bread and given to such poor as attended church on the days of Wednesday and Friday. He also gave 20s. yearly to the minister of St. Leonard’s for a sermon to be preached every 10th day of October. The £5 for bread forms one of the items in the general distribution.

John Guest, by will, dated 15th of December, 1773, gave to the bailiffs and burgesses of Bridgnorth for the time being the sum of £200, to be put out at interest, and he directed that the interest of £50, part of the said legacy, should be laid out in bread and distributed every 9th day of January, or the Sunday following, at each of the parish churches of Bridgnorth. This legacy was invested in the three per cent. consols, and produces the annual sum of £7. 17s. 6d., of which the sum of £1 is annually paid to the parish of St. Leonard’s, and forms part of the general bread fund, and £1 to the parish of St. Mary.—John Guest, the younger, by will, dated 10th December, 1780, gave £20 to the two parishes of Bridgnorth, in trust, to apply the interest annually for the use of the poor, to be distributed in bread.

William Guest, by will, dated 21st June, 1811, bequeathed £400, upon trust, to apply the interest thereof in the purchase of bread, to be distributed among the industrious poor of the parish.

Bread Fund.—A general distribution of bread is made every Sunday in the year by the churchwardens to such objects as appear to be most in need, from the charities of Wheeler, Bennett, John Guest, John Guest, jun., and William Guest, which in all amounts to £96. 19s. 10½d.

Edward Guest, by will, dated 13th March, 1797, bequeathed the sum of £300, upon trust, to place out the same at interest, and of the profits thereof to pay one-third part to the minister of the church of St. Leonard, and one-third part to the minister of St. Mary’s, and he gave to the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of each of the said parishes £50, to be by them placed out at interest, and the dividends distributed in bread at Christmas, to the poor of the said parishes.

The £2. 10s. which the parish of St. Leonard’s receives on account of Wrottesley’s charity, as stated in the report of the borough, has been hitherto improperly applied in aid of the poor’s rates.

Mrs. Law, by will, bequeathed the sum of £40, upon trust, to place the same out at interest, or purchase land with it, and yearly to buy as much cloth or linsey woolsey as the interest or rent would buy, and have the same made into ten women’s petticoats, and to give the same away at Christmas to ten poor widows, four of whom should be of the parish of St. Leonard’s and six of the parish of St. Mary’s. The benefactions to the minister, amounting to the sum of £65. 11s. 3d. annually, have been noticed in the preceding pages.

Mary Elton, whose bequest to Palmer’s Hospital has been already mentioned, further gave the sum of £100 towards augmenting the income of the minister of this parish. There is reason to believe that this sum formed part of a sum of £200, which the Rev. Thos. Littleton appears to have deposited in the year 1775 with the Governor’s of Queen Anne’s bounty, the remaining £100 being probably a benefaction of his own. This sum, with a like one advanced by the governors, was applied to the purchase of certain premises, containing, by estimation, about nine acres, in the parish of Eye, in Herefordshire.

The Earl of Thanet left a legacy of £200 in the year 1776, for the augmentation of the living of St. Leonard’s Church. The Governors of Queen Anne’s bounty having added a like sum, the amount was applied in 1777 to the purchase of certain premises at Tenbury, in Worcestershire, containing about ten acres of land, which produces a sum of £15 annually.

The rents of two houses and a garden have been long applied to the repairs of the church, but from what source they were derived is unknown. The annual rents amount to £25. 10s.

Charities of St. Mary’s Parish.—The Rev. David Llewellin, by his will, dated 25th of April, 1794, gave the sum of £50, on trust, to the minister, churchwardens, and overseers of the parish of St. Mary’s, to place the same out at interest, on good security, and to apply the interest thereof to the use of the poor, in such manner as they should direct.

Eleanor Church, by will, dated 1798, gave the sum of £20, the interest thereof to be distributed in bread the first Sunday after the 26th of May. John Guest bequeathed a legacy of £20 to this parish, which is mentioned in our report of St. Leonard’s parish. Sarah Medlicott gave the sum of £10 in the year 1780, the interest thereof to be laid out in sixpenny loaves, and given to twenty poor housekeepers of this parish, on every 14th day of February for ever. Bread Fund.—There is a general distribution of bread weekly, amounting in the whole to £10. 8s. per year. The distribution in September, 1819, appeared to have settled to the amount of four shillings worth of bread weekly, which was far short of the amount of the several charities for which the charity trustees were accountable. Richard Goodden, in 1806, assigned four pews in the church of St. Mary Magdalene to the minister and churchwardens, on trust, to pay and distribute the rents among poor persons not receiving parochial relief, in sums of not more than 5s. each. The rents amount to £3. 18s. annually.

Mrs. Law’s Charity; the particulars of which (the parish of St. Mary’s is entitled to six-tenths) have been given in the report of St. Leonard’s parish.

Paul Bridgen, by will, dated 1763, gave £10 to this parish to purchase a pew, or part of a pew, in the church, from the rent of which 5s. was to be given to the minister for preaching a sermon on Good Friday, and one shilling to the clerk to toll the bell on the said day, and the remainder to be given to the poor. The benefactions to the minister, amounting to £49. 1s. 3d., have been noticed in the preceding pages. William Hand, by will, in 1706, bequeathed to the minister of this parish and his successors, for ever, a messuage, which is let to weekly tenants at 2s. 6d. per week, which sum the minister now receives. Bridget Stackhouse, by will, in 1756, gave the sum of £131 to the minister of the parish of St. Mary Magdalene and his successors, for ever. This legacy was invested in the purchase of £145 South Sea annuities, the dividends of which, amounting to £4. 7s. per annum are duly received by the minister.

It appears that in the year 1811 and 1812 the Governors of Queen Anne’s bounty agreed to augment the curacy of St. Mary’s with five several sums of £200 each, out of grants made to them by parliament, and that, in the year 1816, they agreed further to augment the same with the sum of £300 out of the said grants, in conjunction with Thomas Whitmore, Esq., the patron, who gave the sum of £200, and paid the same to the treasurer of the said governors for the purpose of such augmentation, which said several sums, amounting together to the sum of £1,500, were ordered by the said governors to be laid out in the purchase of lands, tithes, or other hereditaments, to be settled for the perpetual augmentation of the curacy of the said parish. The sum of £1,150 was laid out in 1816 in the purchase of a dwelling-house, with appurtenances thereto, situated in Bridgnorth, together with a pew in the parish church of the said parish. The minister also receives the sum of £14, as interest on £350 (the residue of the said £1,500), which remains on their hands applicable to a further purchase.

Thomas Milner, by will, dated 1837, bequeathed £150, the interest thereof, to be distributed in bread on the first Sunday in every month, after divine service, to the poor of this parish. He also gave the sum of £100, the interest thereof to be applied towards clothing and educating boys of the Blue Coat School, and the sum of £100, the interest to be applied to the benefit of the poor widows of the almshouse of Bridgnorth.

Post Office—Mr. Charles Edward Macmichael’s, East Castle street. Letters from all parts arrive at 6.35 A.M., and are despatched at 5.30 P.M.

Acton Edward Farrer, Esq., Gateacre Park

Acton Sir John E. D., Bart., Aldenham Hall

Adams Mrs. Anne, West Castle street

Audsley Thomas, engineer, West Castle st

Ayre Rev. Legh Richmond, M.A., Newtown

Bache John, Esq., Chesterton

Backhouse Richard Onions, solicitor, Whitburne street

Baker John, Esq., Walsbatch

Baugham Benjamin, Esq., Oldbury Wells

Baugham Thomas, Esq., St. Leonard’s

Bank, Cooper, and Co., High street

Bank, Pritchards, and Co., Waterloo terrace

Bank Saving’s, Bank street

Barber Rev. John, Stoneway head

Barker Rev. John, West Castle street

Batte William, Esq., East Castle street

Batte William Jones, gent., West Castle st

Beeston Richard, van proprietor, The Lodge

Bellett Rev. George, St. Leonard’s Rectory

Bennett John Lacon, St. Mary’s street

Benwell Rev. John Fred., Neenton Rectory

Blathwayte Rev. Chas. W., Clelmarsh Rectory

Brazier Captain James, Bradney

Briggs Rev. Fred. Wm., Wesleyan minister

Brown Mrs. Sarah, St. Mary’s street

Brown Thomas Whitmore Wylde, Esq., Woodlands

Carr Rev. Edmund, M.A., Quatt Rectory

Childe Harry Joseph, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Clarke Joseph and Brother, Listley street

Colley Miss, Mill street

Colley Mrs. Elizabeth, Cann Hall

Colley Mrs. Mary, St. John’s street

Corser Thomas, engineer, West Castle st

Cooper John Henry, Esq., Knowle sands

Curtis Mr. William Fitz Harry, St. Leonard’s

Darby Alfred, Esq., Stanley Hall

Dalton Thomas Wm., gent., East Castle st

Davenport Wm. S., Esq., Davenport House

Deeton Mrs. Mary, The Square

Deighton Thomas, Esq., Castle Terrace

Downes John, gentleman, High street

Dyer John, accountant, High street

Edmonds Edward, Esq., Tasley

Elson Thomas, inland revenue officer, St. Leonard’s Walk

Fernie Mrs. Mary, Whitburne street

Gabert Christopher, Esq., Claverley

Gabert Rev. G. H. B., Claverley Rectory

Gatacre Edward Lloyd, Esq., Gatacre Hall

Gillitlie George, inland revenue officer, Whitburne street

Gitton Miss E., High street

Gitton Thomas, solicitor, High street

Grierson and Law, worsted spinners, Spital

Grierson Thomas, gentleman, The Grove

Green Mr. George, Head’s Buildings

Greenstreet Rev. Frederick Wm., Low Town

Gwyn Richard Hodges, Esq., Astbury Hall

Hall J. Claude, land agent, East Castle st

Hall Mr. Joseph, West Castle street

Hallon Captain William, St. Mary’s steps

Hanbury Mr. George, West Castle street

Hardwicke Thomas Bell, solicitor, High st

Hardwicke T. H. P., Esq., Whitburne street

Harrison Robert, Esq., Mill street

Haslehurst Edwin Wm., solicitor, High st

Haslewood Edward W., gent., East Castle st

Haslewood John, gentleman, Tower House

Haynes Robert, Esq., Danesford

Herbert Rev. Richard, Chetton Rectory

Homfray Frederick, Esq., St. Mary’s steps

Jackson Thomas Austin, gent., Eardington

Jones Mr. Joseph, accountant, St. Mary’s st

Jones William, wine merchant, Underhill st

Kettle Geo. Mackenzie, Esq., Dalicot House

Law John, gentleman, Underhill street

Lea Mrs. Wolryche, Ludstone House

Leah Rev. Mr., curate of St. Mary’s

Leake Mr. Robert, High street

Leonard Wm. Henry, engraver, High street

Lewis Anne, wine merchant, High street

Lewis Miss Elizabeth, Chapel House

Lewis Miss Ann, High street

Lewis Misses Ann & Mary, Head’s Buildings

Llewyllan Mr. Thomas, St. Mary’s street

Lloyd Mrs. Ann, Mill street

Locke Miss, Head’s Buildings

Macmichael Charles Edward, West Castle st

Macmichael Elizabeth and Son, High street

Marshall Rev. William Knox, M.A., St. Mary’s Rectory

Martin Mr. James Henry, Mill street

Merriman Rev. Henry Gordon, M.A., Grammar School

Nicholls Samuel, gentleman, Mill street

Nock Thomas, gentleman, High street

Parkes Joseph, Esq., Wyken Hall

Parsons George, Esq., Whitburne street

Phillips John, gentleman, Whitburne street

Pilkington Miss Mary Ann, East Castle st

Pilkington Mr. Samuel, Head’s Buildings

Pinkstone Mr. John, Library steps

Postlethwaite Rev. John, Tasley Rectory

Potts and Nicholls, solicitors, Mill street

Pritchard George, Esq., Astley Abbots

Purton Rev. John, High street

Purton Thomas, gent., St. Leonard’s Cottage

Purton Thomas Pardoe, Esq., Faintree Hall

Reece John Smythyman, castrator, Newtown

Reece Mr. Edward, Severn side

Richards Henry Slater, Esq., St. Mary’s st

Ridley Edward Wm., Mill street

Ridley Messrs. Samuel and Edward, factors, Mill street

Ridley Mrs., Mill street

Robinson Mrs. Baths, Infirmary

Roby Mrs., The Lodge

Rowley Rev. Thomas, D.D., Middleton Scriven

Rowley Mr. William Jepson, High street

Sing Joshua, Esq., East Castle street

Smalman John, Esq., Quatford Castle

Smith Herbert, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Smith John Jacob, Esq., St. James’s

Smith Wm. Henry Steedman, gentleman, Listley street

Southwell Fred., accountant, Whitburne st

Southwell Joseph, gentleman. East Castle st

Southwell Robert B. stamp office, West Castle st

Southwell Mr. William, Rock House

Sparkes Arndel Francis, sol., St. John’s st

Stephens John, Esq., Albynes

Strange William, M.D., High street

Stringer Mrs. Ann, Salop-road House

Stringer Mrs. Catherine, St. Leonard’s lane

Taylor Farmer, Esq., Chykenell

Tilly Rev. Alfred, Bap. min., East Castle st

Titler George, gentleman, East Castle street

Trevor John, Esq., The Vinery

Trevor Mrs., Bank street

Vickers Henry, Esq., East Castle street

Wall James, Esq., Severn Cliff

Wasley Rev. George Leigh, Knowle Sands

Watts Benjamin, gentleman, Listley street

Westhall Mr. John, St. Mary’s street

Whitcombe Thos., woolstapler, Underhill st

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

Whitmore Wm. Wolryche, Esq., Dudmaston Hall

Williams Charles, land agent, Morville Hall

Williams Mr. Edward Vaughan, Bank street

Wilmot Mr. Thomas Abel, superintendent of police, High street

Wilson John, estate agent, Aston Hall

Wilson Thomas, corn agent, High street

Wing Rev. John, Astley Abbots

Wylde Miss, Head’s Buildings

Wyllie James, inland revenue officer, High st

Academies.

Marked * receive Boarders.

* Barber Seth, Castle Terrace

* Barber Mrs., (ladies), Bank street

Blue Coat School, North Gate, William Bower

Brickley Anne, High street

British School, West Castle street

Dodd Samuel, Underhill st

* Grammar School, St. Leonard’s church yard; Rev. Henry Gordon Merriman, M.A., principal; Wm. Fitz Harry Curtis, second master

Independent School, Stoneway, Jane Akrigg

Infant School, Listley street

* Kirtlan Mary, Whitburne st

Moore Mary, St. Mary’s st

National, (boys and girls), Listley street, Mr. & Mrs. Trott, teachers

Nock Ann, St. Mary’s street

* Parker Harriett, St. Mary’s street

Roby Miss, Salop road

Saint Mary’s, St. John’s st., George Marsh

* Wase Mary Ann, (ladies), High street

Wigley Joshua, Commercial, Bank street

Accountants.

Bennett John, Lacon, St. Mary’s street

Jones Jos., bank, Waterloo Terrace

Pilkington Samuel, Head’s Buildings

Architects and Surveyors.

Griffiths Edward Francis, Quatford

Hall John Claude, (land), East Castle street

Penzer Ezer; office, Underhill street

Attornies.

Backhouse Richard Onions, Whitburne street

Batte William, East Castle st

Cox J., High street

Gitton Thomas, (and master in chancery), High street

Hardwicke Thomas Bell, High street

Haslewood Edward William, East Castle street

Nicholls Samuel, Mill street

Potts and Nicholls, Mill st

Smith John Jacob, St. Leonard’s

Sparkes Arndell Francis, St. John’s street

Vickers Henry, East Castle st

Auctioneers and Valuers.

Backhouse Richard Onions, Whitburne street

Nock and Wilson, High st

Perry and Phillips, Postern Gate

Bakers and Flour Dealers.

Birkmire William, Waterloo Terrace

Cureton Thomas, High st

Evans John, High street

Long Henry, High street

Ostin Benj., Bernard’s hill

Peters Ann, Listley street

Roberts Wm., St. John’s st

Weale George, Listley street

Wellings William, Mill st

Barge Owners.

Bradley Saml., Underhill st

Broadfield John Holloway, Underhill street

Brown Wm., Underhill st

Davies Thos., Bernard’s hill

Doughty Benj., Underhill st

Doughty Rd., Underhill st

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Head Richard, Bernard’s hill

Jones Wm., Underhill street

Longmore Henry, Underhill street

Oakes William, Underhill st

Preece William, Cartway st

Reece Richard, Friar’s road

Reece Thomas, Underhill st

Ridley Messrs., Bridge-foot Wharf

Rutter Samuel, Listley st

Salt William, Spital street

Wilson Andrew, Mill street

Boat Builders.

Oakes William, Underhill st

Penzer Ezer, Underhill Wharf

Rushton George, Cartway st

Bankers.

Cooper & Purton, High st., (draw on Williams, Deacon, and Co., London).

Pritchard, Boycott, and Nicholas, Waterloo ter., (draw on Barnett, Hoare, and Co., London).

Savings’ Bank, Bank street, (open on Mondays and Saturdays from ten till one o’clock).

Basket Makers.

Gwynn Charles, Cartway st

Gwynn Edwin John, St. Mary’s street

Gwynn James, Salop street

Berlin Repository.

Williams Fanny, fancy stationer and drawing materials, High street

Blacksmiths.

Atcherley J. Rennell, shoeing forge, High street

Binnell Francis, Whitburne street

Bishop John, North gate

Phillips Walter, Bridge end

Pope Alexander & William, Mill street

Tunkiss John, Listley street

Wellings Benjamin, St. John street

Bookbinders.

Edkins Lousia, High street

Rowley Wm. Jepson, High st

Booksellers, Printers, and Stationers.

Edkin Lousia, High street

Gitton George Robt., High st

Partridge Charlotte, Waterloo Terrace

Rowley Wm. Jepson, High st

Boot and Shoemakers.

Those marked * are dealers

* Badham Henry, Listley st

Badham Joseph, East Castle street

Bagnall Sarah, St. Mary’s st

* Beman Richard, High st

Bright Samuel, St. Mary’s st

Davies Thomas

Felton John, High street

Gregory John, Oldbury road

Heighway Samuel, Whitburne street

Lloyd Fredk., St. John’s st

Lay Matthias, St. John st

Lewis William, High street

* Milner Wm., Waterloo ter.

Newall Henry, Underhill

Pinner Rd., West Castle st

Reynolds James, Newtown

Reynolds James, jun., Newtown

Reynolds Thos., Whitburne street

Smith Charles, East Castle st

* Whatmore John, High st

Winsley Thomas, Newtown

Braziers & Tin-plate Workers.

Broadfield Wm., Cartway st

Coley Thomas, Whitburn st

Edwards Geo., Whitburn st

Glase Jos. Minton, High st

Hill William Whitehouse, High street

Lee Charles, High street

Nicholas William, High st

Bricklayers & Masons.

Case James, Newtown

Elcock Edward, Newtown

Foxall Francis, West Castle st

Gower Thomas, Newtown

Hayward Michael, Bernard’s hill

Lewis James, Friar’s lane

Piper Thomas, West Castle st

Rogers John, Newtown

Brick & Tile Makers.

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Evans George, Kingslowe

Penzer Ezer, Underhill Wharf

Builders.

Griffiths Edward Francis, Quatford Works

Holding William, East Castle street

Lewis Richard, North gate

Page William, Newtown

Penzer Ezer, Underhill st

Perry and Phillips, Postern gate

Powell Thomas, builder

Preece Benjamin, East Castle

Butchers.

Barker George, Whitburn st

Bowen Edward Farmer, Castle Terrace

Brawn Charles, High street

Brown Thomas, High street

Cureton Benjn., High street

Edwards George, Newtown

Giles Joseph, St. Mary’s st

Hall John, St. John’s street

Maun Thomas, Mill street

Miles Francis, Listley street

Reynolds John, High street

Roberts Thomas, Listley st

Rawley William, Underhill st

Smith Thos., West Castle st

Southwell Josiah, Bridge st

Townshend William, High st

Who attend the Market only.

Bill Jeremiah Fred., Broseley

Bentley John, Cross Houses

Cartwright James, Broseley

Cartwright J., sen., Broseley

Clutton George, Worfield

Clutton William, Nordley

Doughty Daniel, Madeley

Edgerley John, Norton

Edwards George, Neenton

Higgs John, Alveley

Jarratt James, Erdington

Mollineux James, Wyken

Poyner George, Beckbury

Reece Thos., Smithy Houses

Scoffham Henry Francis, Chelmarsh

Tasker Jeremiah, Morville

Wellings Benjamin, Ackleton

Yapp Henry, Tasley

Cabinet Makers.

Marked * are Upholsterers.

* Cartwright Richd., High st

* Edwards John, High street

Gower Edward, High street

* Jones Dodo Davies, High st

* Perry and Phillips, Theatre buildings

Carpet & Rug Manufacturers.

Southwells & Co., Friars’ rd. and Pendleston Mills

Carvers and Gilders.

Lingen Francis, Market street

Perry and Phillips, Theatre buildings

Cement and Plaster Dealer.

Penzer Ezer, Underhill Wrks

Chair Maker & Broker.

Colley James, Whitburne st

Charcoal Iron Manufacturer.

Foster James, Eardington

Cheese, Butter & Bacon Dealers.

Callant George, High street

Jefferies Henry, High street

Saloway Benjamin, Bridge st

Southwell Ellen, High street

Southwell Robt. Baker, West Castle street

Chemists & Druggists.

Coley William, Mill street

Fisher George, High street, and dealer in chemical manures

Leake Robert, (dispensing) High street

Macmichael & Son, High st

Steward William, (dispensing) Medical Hall

Clothes Dealers.

Bagnall Mary, Listley street

Dudley Richard, Listley st

Tonkiss Richd. Whitburne st

Coach Makers.

Botwood Thos., Cann bldgs

Pearce Frederick, North gate

Warner John, Newtown

Coal Dealers.

Bradley Samuel, Underhill st

Case James, Newtown

Jones Elizabeth, Severn side

Reece Edward, Severn side

Reece Thomas, Underhill st

Rutter Solomon, Listley st

Wilson Andrew, Mill street

Coal Merchants.

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Evans George, Kingslow

Confectioners.

Birkmire William, Waterloo terrace

Lewis John, East Castle st

Long Henry, High street, and dealer in british wines

Roberts Wm., St. John’s st

Southwell George, High st

Coopers.

Gwynn Charles, and wood turner, Cartway street

Gwynn Edwin John, St. Mary’s street

Jones William, Mill street

Yardley Daniel, Whitburne st

Corn Factors & Seed Merchants.

Bangham Benjamin, Oldbury Wells

Bangham Thos., Granary steps

Nock & Wilson, warehouse, Underhill street

Ridley Edward Wm., Mill st

Ridley Messrs. Samuel and Edward, Severn warehouse

Cow keepers.

Barker Edward, Newtown

Barker George, Whitburn st

Jones John, Northgate

Newall Richard, Underhill st

Perry William, Salop road

Preece William, Mill street

Southwell George, High st

Cutlery Dealers.

Baker Jas. (working), Listley street

Doharty Martin, Listley street

Williamson Thos., Waterloo Terrace

Curriers and Leather Cutters.

Clarke Messrs, Listley street

Lello William, High street

Lewis Francis, Underhill st

M’Michael Charles Edward, West Castle street

Summers John, Underhill st

Dyers.

Lowe Edward (wool), Bernard’s Hill

Rogers Mary (silk), North gate

Engravers.

Broadfield Thos. Underhill st

Gower Jas. (stone), Newtown

Fish-tackle Dealers and Net Makers.

Ball Thomas, High street

Broadbent John, Underhill st

Williamson Thos., Waterloo Terrace

Farmers.

Adams John, Friars’ road

Ball Thomas, High street

Bishop William, Mill street

Garbett Thos., Oldbury road

Newell Richard, Willow Tree House

Nock Thos., Cross lane head

Ridley Saml. & Miss, Low town

Wiar John, Oldbury lane Villa

Fellmongers, Skinners, and Wool Dealers.

Milner William, Robert, and Thomas, Pound street

Wheeler Jos. (executors of) Newtown

Fire and Life Office Agents.

Atlas—John Jacob Smith, solicitor, St. Leonard’s

Birmingham—Mrs. Macmichael & Son, High st

Crown—Richard Boycott, Waterloo Terrace

Horse and Cattle Insurance—Mrs. Macmichael & Son, High street

Legal and Commercial and British Guarantee Insurance—John Lacon Bennet, St. Mary’s street

Minerva—Clement Edkins, High street

Phœnix—Miss Partridge, Waterloo Terrace

Royal Exchange—Mr. Smith, Cantern Bank

Shropshire and North Wales—Clement Edkins, High street

Fishmonger & Dealer in Game.

Davies Edward (& fruiterer), High street

Flour Dealers.

Instone Thos., Whitburne st

Jones John, St. Mary street

Meredith Richard, High st

Norcop Henry, Listley street

Furniture Dealers and Paper Hangers.

Cartwright Richard, High st

Edwards John, High street

Jones Dodo Davies, High st

Norwood Samuel, High st

Perry & Phillips, Postern gt

Gardeners & Seedsmen.

Bromage Thos., Mill street

Maun John, Newtown Nursery

Smith Jas., West Castle st

Smith Thomas, Listley st

Thomason Thos., North gate

Woodhouse Wm., High st

Glass & China Dealers.

Brown Thomas, High street

Liner William, Bridge street

Meredith Sarah Broadfoot, High street

Glover.

Bower Wm., Underhill street

Grocers & Tea Dealers.

Callant George, High street

Callant Wm., St. Mary’s st

Coley William, Mill street

Cooke Richard, High street

Crockett George, High street

Fisher George, High street

Hall Thomas, Underhill st

Jeffries Henry, High street

Lewis Francis, Underhill st

Macmichael Elizabeth & Son, High street

Morris William, High street

Pearson Benjamin, Bridge st

Saloway Benjamin, Bridge st

Southwell Ellen, High street

Southwell Robert Baker, West Castle street

Yate Josh., Waterloo terrace Gun Maker

Williamson Thos., Waterloo terrace

Hair Dressers and Perfumers.

Botwood Beriah, Listley st

Botwood Benjamin, High st

Botwood Benjamin, Mill st

Brickley John, High street

Curtis Thomas, Bridge street

Evanson Edw., St. Mary’s st

Milner Thomas, Cartway st

Hatters.

Ellis Langslow, High street

Gething Thomas, High street

Whatmore Joseph Lloyd, High street

Wollatt John Thos., High st

Hop Merchants.

Deighton Thos., Castle terrace

Mapp Thomas, warehouse, Underhill street

Hosiers.

Edwards Matthew, High st

Whatmore Joseph Lloyd, High street

Hotels, Inns and Taverns.

Ball, James Lowe, East Castle street

Bandon Arms, Wm. Bishop, Mill street

Bear, Jno. Bishop, North gate

Bell, George Evans, High st

Bell and Talbot, Richard Evans, Salop road

Bird-in-Hand, Thomas Piper, West Castle street

Black Horse & Commercial Inn, John Maun, Bridge street, Low Town

Bricklayer’s Arms, Susan Piper, Listley street

Bull, Thomas Southwell, Bridge street

Bull’s Head, Elizabeth Matthews, Listley street

Castle Inn, Samuel Willcox, High street

Castle (Old), Richd. Pinner, West Castle street

Commercial, William Davies, Salop street

Cross Keys, John Reynolds, High street

Eagle, Francis Smith, St. Mary’s street

Falcon, Commercial & Posting house, William Preece, Mill street, Low Town

Fox, Elizabeth Rutter, St. John’s street

Friar, John Adams, Friars road

Golden Lion, Charles Austin, High street

Greyhound, Robert Milner, Listley street

Harp, John Price, High st

Hen & Chickens, John Hudson Munday, St. Mary’s street

King’s Head, and Railway Coach Office and Posting House, George Edwards, Whitburne street

Leopard, Joseph Mason, Salop road

Lion, James Cooper, West Castle street

New Inn, James Andrews, St. Mary’s street

New Inn, William Davies, Salop road

Pheasant, John Churns, High street

Plough, Mary Salt, St. John’s street

Prince of Wales, John Shipman, Friars road

Raven Hotel, Commercial Inn and Posting House, Thomas Whitefoot, Whitburne and Raven street

Red Lion, Henry Longmore, Underhill street

Rein Deer, Thos. Dallaway, North gate

Rose and Crown, Walter Phillips, Stoneway

Royal Oak, George Perry, High street

Royal Hotel and Crown Inn, Commercial and Posting House, Joseph Bateman, High street

Shakspere, Francis Foxall, East Castle street

Ship and Anchor, William Walford, Cartway street

Squirrel Inn & Commercial, Thomas Charles Burrows, Newtown

Star Inn and Commercial, Thomas Ross Southwell, Bridge street

Swan Inn, James Rennell Atcherley, High street

Tumbling Sailors, Thomas Reece, Underhill street

White Hart, John Martin, Cartway street

Woodman’s Inn, Ed. Elcock, Newtown

United Kingdom, Samuel Walters, Mill street

Vine Tavern, Thos. Maun, Mill street

Beerhouses.

Bennett James, Underhill st

Broadfield John Holloway, Underhill street

Brown Edmund, St. Mary’s st

Brown Wm., Underhill st

Brown Wm., Bernard’s hill

Collins Rd., Whitburne st

Evans Addison, Cartway st

Felton John, High street

Foxall James, Cartway st

Gower Thomas, Newtown

Hall Thos., Shiffnal road

Hayward Michael, Bernard’s hill

Jones Eliza Ann, Severn side

Jordan Edward, Underhill st

Lane Francis, St. John’s st

Lowe Edward, Bernard’s hill

Mason Joseph, Salop road

Page William, Newtown

Parker John, Whitburne st

Perry William, Salop road

Preece William, Cartway

Roberts Sarah, Listley st

Roberts Wm., Underhill st

Rutter Solomon, Listley st

Tench Edward, St. Mary’s st

Tipton Benj., St. John’s st

Wellings Elizabeth Hannah, West Castle street

Ironfounders.

Barker Hannah, Underhill st

Pope Alexander, Mill street

Pope William, Mill street

Irondealers.

Glase Jos. Minton, High st

Hill W. Whitehouse, High st

Lee Charles, High street

Pope Alexander and Son, Mill street

Ironmongers.

Glase Jos. Minton, High st

Hill William Whitehouse, High street

Lee Charles, High street

Joiners and Builders.

Andrew John, Newtown

Baker John, West Castle st

Gower Edward, High street

Hall Henry, St. John’s st

Holding Wm., East Castle st

Lewis John, West Castle st

Lewis Richard, High street

Moore John, for T. C. Whitmore, Esq.

Overton W., St. Mary’s steps

Page Wm., Yew Tree Cotge.

Penzer Ezer, St. Mary’s st

Perry & Phillips, Postern gt.

Pickard John, Whitburne st

Rea William, Listley street

Lacemen.

Edwards Matthew, High st

Nock Edwin, High street

Land and Estate Agents.

Hall, J. Claude, East Castle street

Parsons George, to Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq., Whitburne street

Linen Drapers and Silk Mercers.

Bowen Henry, High street

Bromwich & Oakes, High st

Grierson James Brown, Waterloo terrace

Pidduck William, High st

Locksmiths.

Binnall John, Whitburne st

Hardy John, Underhill street

Hardy John, Bernards hill

Piper Thomas, Cartway st

Livery Stable Keepers.

Bateman Josh., Royal Hotel

Edwards Geo., Kings Arms

Machine Makers.

Gittons Richard, Salop road

Perry William, Spital street

Maltsters and Dealers in Hops.

Boucher Benj., St. Mary’s st

Bowen John, High street

Deighton Thos., Postern gt

Edkins Clement, High st

Jones Wm., Underhill street

Lewis John, Listley street

Lewis John, East Castle st

Mapp Thomas, Cartway st

Maun John, Bridge street

Morris Richard, High street

Newell John, Whitburne st

Oakes Francis, Underhill st

Oakes John, Underhill st

Price John, High street

Ridley Samuel and Edward, Mill street

Salt William, Bernard’s hill

Southwell Josiah, St. Mary’s street

Summers John, Underhill st

Weston Elias, Mill street

Whitefoot Thos., Whitburne street

Market Gardeners.

Maun John, Newtown Nursy.

Power Edward, St. Mary’s st

Woodhouse Wm., High st

Millers.

Crowther John, St. Mary’s st

Ridley Messrs. S. and E., Steam Mill

Milliners and Dress Makers.

Baker Mrs. West Castle st

Edwards Mary, Newtown

Haines Hannah, St. Mary’s st

Lawley Ann, Bridge street

Maddocks Mary, West Castle street

Nock Harriett, High street

Onians Edith, The Square

Ree Elizabeth, Listley street

Rushton Susannah, Underhill street

Whatmore Sarah Ann, High street

Nail Makers.

Dodd Joseph, Underhill st

Hill William, High street

Oil and Faint Dealer.

Lee Charles, High street

Painters, Plumbers, and Glaziers.

Brown and Crump, Whitburne street

Corser Thos., West Castle st

Hughes Wm., Bridge street

Hunter Thomas, High street

Lees Charles, West Gate Cottage

Nicholas Henry, North gate

Patent Medicine Dealers.

Edkins Mrs., High street

Leake Robert, High street

Partridge Charlotte, Waterloo Terrace

Rowley Wm. J., High street

Yate Joseph, Waterloo Ter.

Pawnbroker.

Edwards Mary, St. Leonard’s lane

Physician.

Strange William, High st

Porter Agents.

Jones Wm., (Stone), Stoneway

Lewis Ann, High street

Whitefoot Thomas, Raven st

Post Horses. For Hire.

Boatman Joseph, High st

Edwards Geo., Whitburne st

Price John, High street

Southwell George, High st

Tench Edward, St. Mary’s st

Professors and Teachers.

Mercerot Wm., (dancing), Shiffnal road Villa

Sewell Wm., (music), St. Leonard’s lane

Williams Edward Vaughan, (astronomy), Bank st

Rope and Twine Makers.

Baker Joseph, Whitburne st

Roberts Thomas, Listley st

Saddlers and Harness Makers.

Clayton Charles, High st

Evans Henry, Listley street

Garbett Thos., Whitburne st

Giles John, Whitburne st

Jehu William, High street

Munday John Hudson, St. Mary’s street

Salt Dealers. Fine and Agriculture.

Doughty Benjamin, Underhill street

Doughty Richard, Underhill street

Seed, Guano, & Tillage Dealers.

Ridley Samuel and Edward, Riddleford Mills

Shopkeepers. Dealers in provisions & sundries.

Armstrong George, Newtown

Bates & Pearce, St. Mary’s st

Case James, Newtown

Cheese Mary, Bridge street

Cox John, Listley street

Foxall James, Cartway st

Garbett Maria, Whitburne st

Giles Joseph, St. Mary’s st

Hall John, Cartway street

Jenkins Mary, Whitburne st

Jones John, North Gate

Lawley John, Bridge street

Lay Thomas, Friars lane

Lee Richard, Underhill st

Matthews Thos., Listley st

Owen Thomas, Ebenezer pl

Page Wm., Whitburne st

Page Elizth., Whitburne st

Pearce Jane, St. Mary’s st

Phillips Ann, Friars lane

Ravenscroft Wm., Spital st

Sanders Alexander, West Castle street

Scott Gabriel, St. John’s st

Stowers Henry, Library steps

Townsend Thos., North gt.

Wellings William, Mill st

Whittingham Danl., Underhill street

Winsley Thomas, Newtown

Spirit Vaults.

Downes John, High street

Jones William, Stoneway

Lewis Ann, High street

Stay Maker.

Sharp Mary, Whitburne st

Stone Masons and Slaters.

Collins Rd., Whitburne st

Nuttall Thos., Whitburne st

Gower Thomas, Newtown

Gower William, Newtown

Straw Bonnet Makers.

Ball Mary Ann, High st

Nock Harriet, High street

Rogers Mary, North Gate

Southwell Maria St. Mary’s st

Surgeons.

Martin & Burleigh, Mill st

Mathias Alfred, Mill street

Newall James Edward, West Castle street

Phillips John, Whitburne st

Smith Steadman, Listley st

Thursfield Wm., High st

Surveyors.

Brown John, (road), St. Mary’s street

Hall Claude, (land), East Castle street

Taylor Richard, (land), Vine Cottage

Tailors.

Marked * are Woollen Drapers.

* Bache John, East Castle st

Brown Richard, Whitburne

Dudley Richard, Listley st

* Gething Thomas, High st

Hall George, High street

Hall Thos., Underhill street

* Hughes Wm., St. Leonard’s Walk

Lyster Thos., West Castle st

Pinner Ezekiah, West Castle street

Pursall Jas., West Castle st

Roberts Thos., St. Mary’s st

Sharpe Charles Jas., Whitburne street

Swayne James, Cartway st

Swayne Wm., Whitburne st

Tench John, West Castle st

* Tonkiss Richd., Whitburne street

Walford Wm., Cartway st

Walton John, Whitburne st

* Williams David, High st

Tallow Chandler.

Morris Benj., Listley street

Tanners.

Clarke Messrs. Joseph and Brother, Listley street

Sing Joshua, Mill street

Tea and Coffee Dealers.

Long Henry, High street

Macmichael Chas. Edward, West Castle street

Southwell George, High st

Timber Merchants.

Elcock Thomas, Newtown

Lewis Richard, North gate

Oakes William, Underhill st

Penzer Ezer, Underhill st

Perry & Phillips, Postern gt

Richard John, Whitburne st

Tobacco Pipe Makers.

Phillips Danl., The Foundry

Southern Thomas, Pound st

Toy & Fancy Repository.

Evanson Ed., St. Mary’s st

Wilmott & Bickley, High st

Veterinary Surgeons.

Atcherley James Rennell, High street

Bradshaw Henry Ainsworth, Castle Terrace

Churns John, High street

Pope John, West Castle st

Watch and Clock Makers.

Addison John, High street

Glase Thomas, High street

Pearson James M., (gilder and dentist), St. Mary’s street

Wharfingers.

Doughty Rd., Underhill st

Doughty Wm., Underhill st

Jones Wm., Underhill st

Ridley Messrs. J. and E., Underhill street

Wheelwrights.

Gittons John, Salop street

Lay Thomas, Friars lane

Lloyd John, Salop street

Pearce Wm., West Castle st

Perry John, Bernard’s hill

Preece Benj., East Castle st

Price Benjamin, Newtown

Whitesmiths & Bell hangers.

Binnall John, Whitburne st

Downes Jane, Underhill st

Lewis John, West Castle st

Wine and Spirit Merchants.

Downes John, (vaults) High street

Jones Wm., (vaults), Underlain street

Lewis Ann, High street

Wood Turners.

Gwynn Charles, Cartway st

Langford Ed., North gate

Langford Henry Thomas, North gate

Worsted Spinners.

Law & Grierson, Spital works

Wool Staplers.

Grierson & Law, Spital works

Grierson Thos., Grove house

Southwell Messrs. Josiah, William, and Joseph, Pendleston Mills

Whitcombe Thomas, Underhill street

Woollen Drapers.

Ball Thomas, High street

Brown Henry, High street

Bromwich & Oakes, High st

Gething Sophia, High street

Grierson James Brown, Waterloo house

Pidduck William, High st

Wager James, High street

Coaches.

To Birmingham—Ryl. Htl., at 7-45 A.M., dly., Sun ex.

To Shrewsbury—Ryl. Htl., Mon. Wed. & Fdy., 2-30 P.M.

Omnibuses.

To Shiffnal—Twice a day from the King’s Head

To Wolverhampton—From the Leopard Inn on Monday, Wednes., & Friday

Carriers.

The market carriers leave the several inns on Saturday afternoon, except when specified

To Billingsly—A van from the Ball

To Stottesden—A van from the Ball

To Stourbridge—Eliza Gough, from the Bell

To Much Wenlock—Wm. Clayton, from the Bell

To London, Birmingham, &c.—Crowley and Co., from the Cross Keys every Monday, Tuesday, Wed. and Friday, and to Ironbridge and Broseley on Tuesday and Friday; T, Moseley, agent

To London, Birmingham, &c.—Pickford and Co., from the Cross Keys daily

To Crofton—John Beddoes, from the King’s Head

To Stoke & Ludlow—T. Colton, from the King’s Head

To Corve Dale—Edward Hopkins, from the King’s Head

To Church Stretton—J. Jones, from the Bell

To Kidderminster—Saml. Hill, from the Black Horse

To Ludlow Hall—From the Squirrel, Monday

To Ludlow & Kidderminster—Samuel Breakwell, from the New Inn

To Munslow—J. Edwards, from the Raven

To Stottesden—Edward Bytheway, from the Ball

To Wolverhampton—Rd. Beeston, from the Fox, on Tuesday, Thurs., & Sat.

BURWARTON

is a parish and village in the Cleobury division of the Stottesden hundred, on the turnpike road from Bridgnorth to Ludlow, nine miles south-west from the former, and ten miles north-east from the latter. The parish contains 1,236 acres of land, and in 1801 there were 107 inhabitants; 1831, 112; and in 1841, 27 houses and a population of 151 souls. Rateable value, £1,115. 11s. 6d. The Hon. G. F. H. Russell is the principal landowner, and occasionally resides at Burwarton Hall, an elegant free stone mansion, in the Italian style of architecture, delightfully situated in a park richly clothed with sylvan beauty, and watered by several mountain streams. There are some fine lakes of water, and to the north-west of the park is the majestic Brown Clee Hill, which adds much to the picturesque beauty of the scenery. The pleasure grounds and shrubberies are laid out with a pleasing variety, and kept in the most admirable order. The Church, a small structure dedicated to St. Lawrence, has recently been repaired and beautified by the Hamilton family; the east window is ornamented with stained glass, and cost upwards of £50, which was defrayed by Lady Hamilton, who also presented the communion table. The pulpit and seats are of oak, elaborately carved, and there is accommodation for about ninety persons. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £4. 6s. 8d.; gross income, £140; patron, Rev. John Churton; incumbent, Rev. T. Theodosius. The tithes have been commuted for £90. The Wesleyan Methodists have a small chapel at Burwarton. The Hamilton Russell Arms Hotel and posting house is a commodious inn, and the post office for a wide district. Letters arrive from Bridgnorth at 11 30 A.M., and are despatched at 3 P.M.

Directory.—Hon. G. P. H. Russell, Burwarton Hall; John Bradley, farmer; William Jones, vict., the Hamilton Russell Arms; James Prece, carpenter; Rev. John Rathbone, curate; John Reynolds, shoemaker.

CAINHAM

is an extensive parish and scattered village three miles south-east from Ludlow, comprising upwards of 3,040 acres of land. At the census of 1801 there were 711 inhabitants; 1831, 1,005; 1841, 973. Gross estimated rental, £3,730. Rateable value, £3,333. 5s. The principal landowners are Major Calcott, Hon. R. H. Clive, and Sir W. R. Broughton; the former is lord of the manor. Cainham Court, an elegant mansion surrounded by plantations and shrubberies, was formerly the residence of the Calcott family; it is now unoccupied. Not far from the above mansion is the site of an ancient castle, noticed by Leland, who observes, “Kainsham or Kensham Castle, clene down, stood within two miles of Ludloe, on a hill top.” The place is now known by the name of Castle Fields, in which is a deep and wide entrenchment. Tradition says that this was a depository of the military stores of Cromwell, during the siege of Ludlow Castle. In the neighbourhood of Cainham apples are extensively grown for making cider. The Church, a venerable structure, picturesquely situated, and dedicated to St. Mary, has a massive low tower containing three bells. It consists of nave, chancel, and north transept, the latter having been recently added at a cost of £140, of which sum the Hereford Diocesan Society contributed £60. The interior has a neat appearance. The beautiful altar was added at the expense of the late vicar. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £4. 13s. 4d., in the patronage of Charles K. Mainwaring, Esq.: incumbent, Rev. Charles Adams. There are upwards of 240 acres of glebe land. The Methodists have a small chapel here.