THE OSWESTRY HUNDRED.

The Oswestry hundred is bounded on the east by the hundred of Pimhill, on the north and west by Denbighshire, and on the south-west by Montgomeryshire. The river Ceiriog bounds the hundred at the northern extremity, and the Vernieu and the Severn form the southern boundary. The population of this hundred in 1821 was 17,189; and in 1841, 19,858, of whom 3,956 were in the lower division of the hundred, and 15,902 in the upper division. Of the total number of inhabitants at the latter period, 9,805 were males, and 10,054 females.

The lower division of the hundred contains the following parishes and townships, viz., Cotton, Dovaston, Eardiston, Edgerley, Felton West, Haughton, Kinnerley, Knockin, Kynaston, Maesbrook Issa, Maesbrook Ucha, Melverley, Osbaston, Rednal, Ruyton of the Eleven Towns, Sandford, Shelvock, Shotatton, Sutton, Tedsmore, Twyford, Tyricoed, Woolston, and Wykey.

The upper division contains Aston Abertanatt, Berghill, Blodwell, Bryn, Cynynion, Crickheath, Daywell, Ebnall, Fernhill, Frankton, Halston, Henlle, Hindford, Hisland, Ifton Rhyn, Llanvorda, Llanyblodwell, Llanytidman, Llanymyneck, Lynclys, Maesburg, Marton Old, Martin St., Middleton, Morton, Oswestry, Pentregaer, Porkington, Selattyn, Sychtyn, Sweeney, Treprenal, Trefarclawdd, Treflach, Trefonen, Weston Cotton, Weston Rhyn, Whittington, and Wootton.

HALSTON,

an Extra-parochial Liberty, three-quarters of a mile east from Whittington, and three and a quarter miles E.N.E. from Oswestry, contains upwards of 500 acres of land, which is the property of Edmund Wright, Esq., of Halston Hall. This place formerly belonged to the Knights Templars, or Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. It is called in deeds Halystone, or Holystone, and was formerly a sanctuary. Meyrick Lloyd, lord of some part of Uwch Ales, in the reign of Richard I., would not submit to the English government, to which the hundred of Dyffryn Clwydd, and several others, were at that time subject; and having seized some English officers, who came there to execute the laws, put several of them to death. From this fact the lands were forfeited to the king, and Lloyd fled and took sanctuary at Halston, where its possessor, John Fitz Alan, Earl of Arundel, received him under his protection. It was given by this family to the Knights Templars, and in the 26th of Henry VIII. we find the commandary valued at £160. 14s. 10d. a-year. On the abolition of this religious order, King Henry VIII. empowered John Sewster, Esq., to dispose of this manor to Alan Horde, who made an exchange with Edward Mytton, Esq., which alienation was confirmed by Queen Elizabeth. Halston was the birth place of the celebrated General Mytton, who was born in 1608. By his courage and conduct many strongholds in North Wales and Shropshire were subdued, and he greatly distinguished himself in several battles. An ardent love of liberty, it seems, was the motive which governed his conduct; for finding that Cromwell’s views were ambitious, he resigned his command and retired. General Mytton died in London, in 1656: his remains were conveyed to Shrewsbury, and interred in St. Chad’s church. The church or chapel is a small fabric, situated in the park, about five hundred yards from the south front of the hall. The interior is neatly fitted up, and contains an ancient font, of an octagonal shape, rudely carved; an old stone coffin which has been dug up, lies near the tower. The living is a donative, without any other revenue than what the chaplain is allowed by the owner. The Halston estate, after being held by the Myttons from the time of Henry VIII. to the present century was sold in 1817 to Edmund Wright, Esq., the present proprietor. The hall, a spacious and elegant mansion of brick with a stone portico, has been greatly improved by the present owner. It is beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies, and opens into a beautiful and finely-timbered park of about 200 acres. Near the front of the hall is a fine sheet of water, and the river Perry, a small stream, takes its course through the park. The kitchen gardens are in a sheltered situation a little west from the hall, and cover upwards of five acres. Pineries and greenhouses are now in course of erection. At the census of 1841, Halston is returned as containing three houses and thirty-four inhabitants.

Directory.—Edmund Wright, Esq., Halston Hall; Charles Galloway, gardener, the Hall; Thomas Ward, farmer, Kinsall.

KINNERLEY

parish contains the townships of Kinnerley and Argoed, Dovaston, Edgerley, Kynaston, Maesbrook Issa, Maesbrook Ucha, Osbaston, and Tyrycoed, which together have an area of 5,891a. 2r. 28p. of land. Rateable value, £7,761. 9s. 9d. Rent charge, £942. 1s., of which £170 is apportioned to the vicar, and £772. 1s. to the impropriators. Population in 1801, 1,110; in 1841, 1,286.

Kinnerley and Argoed, a township and pleasantly situated village, seven miles S.E. from Oswestry, and twelve miles N.W. by W. from Shrewsbury, contains 848a. 0r. 9p. of land, mostly an undulating district, producing good wheat and barley. The principal land owners are Edward Downes, Esq.; John Morris, Esq.; Mr. John Doune; Rev. Thomas Frank; Mr. John Hilton; Mr. William Parkes; Mr. John Lewis; Mr. Thomas Barlow; Mr. Henry Bowman; Mr. Edward Baddow; Mr. John Pugh; Mr. Edward Evans; the vicar of Kinnerley; Mr. Jones; Mr. Griffiths; and others. George Edwards, Esq., is lord of the manor, and holds a court, the jurisdiction of which extends over Kinnerley Argoed and Edgerley. It is stated in ancient records that Kinnerley Castle was plundered and destroyed by Llewellyn, prince of Wales, during the early part of the reign of Henry III. We afterwards find that he was compelled to promise to make satisfaction for the injury he had done; but it appears the restoration of the castle never took place.

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is built of red sandstone, and has a square tower, with the date of 1600. The nave and chancel were enlarged and beautified in 1755. There are several beautiful monuments in the church, one of which remembers the Rev. John Bridgeman, D.D., bishop of Chester, who died in 1719. In the tower are three fine-toned bells, which were re-cast at Kinnerley. It is related that a farmer returning from Shrewsbury fair, where he had sold two cows named Dobbin and Golden, passing the furnace, was asked what he would give towards the new bells, when he jocularly replied that he would give Dobbin and Golden, at the same time emptying a large handkerchief of silver coin into the furnace. From this circumstance the bells have ever since been called Dobbin and Golden. The living is a vicarage, valued in the King’s book at £7. 6s. 8d.; now returned at £114; in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, and incumbency of the Rev. Edmund Wolryche Orlando Bridgeman. The vicarial tithes of this township are commuted for £18. 12s. 2d.; and £103. 4s. 6d. are paid to Mrs. Tayleur, and £2. 16s. 6d. to other impropriators. There are 30a. 1r. of glebe land. The tithes formerly belonged to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, in whom the patronage of the living was also vested.

Charities.—John Payne left £6, Edward Payne a yearly sum of 4s., and Richard Payne the sum of 10s. yearly, for the benefit of the poor. These sums are secured upon a piece of land in Lwynygo. Nicholas Thornes bequeathed £10, Roger Thornes a like sum, and Thomas Thornes £5, which gifts are secured upon land in Edgerley township, called Brokist. Mr. Kynaston gave the interest of £10 to the poor; Elizabeth Morgan bequeathed £50. Henry Morgan a rent charge of 10s. per annum. The three last bequests are secured on land in Melverley. A yearly sum of £2 is paid to the churchwardens from land which was formerly the property of the Hanmer family. There are two pieces of land in Edgerley, the rent of which, £2. 17s. 6d. per annum, is received by the churchwardens, but from whom it was derived is not known. The amount of these rents, with the produce of the several charities above mentioned, being £11. 7s. 6d. per annum, are distributed in small sums on Good Friday. Roger Gethin left £40, which was laid out in the purchase of two small crofts in Tyr-y-coed, for the benefit of the poor. The land produces £3. 10s. yearly. John Hickin left a rent charge of 10s. yearly, and the poor have a like sum yearly from the bequest of Margaret Dyos—noticed with Great Ness. Hester Farmer, in 1691, gave the rent of a close every fourth year, to be distributed among the poor of Kinnerley. The field is now let for £23 per annum:—See the charities of St. Chad, Shrewsbury.

Post Office—At Mr. Jonathan Rodgers. Letters arrive from Oswestry at 11.30, and are despatched at 2 40 P.M.

Barrett Richard, grocer and provision dealer

Bather Thomas, grocer, druggist and seedsman, wholesale and retail

Beddow Thomas, carrier to Oswestry and Shrewsbury

Bevan Edward, thrashing machine and drill man

Bridgeman Rev. Edmund W. O., vicarage

Croft William, farmer

Davies Thomas, blacksmith

Davies William, shoemaker

Downes Edward, Esq., Argoed hall

Glover Timothy, carrier to Oswestry and Shrewsbury

Griffiths Edward, carpenter

Griffiths Joseph, wheelwright

Hanmer John, corn miller

Jones Richard, shoemaker, Argoed

Morgan John, farmer

Morris John, farmer

Morris Richard, shoemaker

Parkes William, grocer and vict., Cross Keys

Pugh John, maltster and farmer

Roberts Edward, cooper

Rodgers Elizabeth, boarding and day school

Rodgers Henry, painter and glazier

Rodgers Henry, farmer

Rodgers Jonathan, vestry and parish clerk and assistant overseer

Rodgers Jonathan, vict., Swan Inn

Thornes Mr. Henry, Argoed farm

DOVASTON

township is pleasantly situated one mile and a half N.E. from Kinnerley, and seven and a half S.E. from Oswestry, and contains 353a. 2r. 10p. of land. In 1841 there were 39 houses and 157 inhabitants. Rateable value, £725. 8s. 6d. The soil is good pasture land, and, being a mixture of peat and loam, produces good barley. The Earl of Bradford is the lord of the manor; and the principal landowners are J. F. M. Dovaston, Esq., Mr. Richard Candlin, Mr. John Frank, Mr. John Hilton, Mr. James Jones, Mr. Joseph Lloyd, Mr. John Mansell, the Vicar of Kinnerley, Millington Hospital, Mrs. Thornes, Mr. Thomas Pugh, and Mr. Henry Whitford. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £6. 17s. 8d., and the rectorial for £36. 3s. 1d.

Bennion John and Edward, carpenters

Bevan John, farmer and carrier

Butler Samuel, farmer

Cambage George, farmer

Davies David, carpenter, The Heath

Davies Thomas, sawyer

Davis William, carrier

Edwards Richard, stone-mason

Griffiths Edward, sawyer, Knuckin Heath

Griffiths Samuel, carpenter

Grindley George, farmer

Jones Thomas, shoemaker

Jones Thomas, farmer

Lloyd John, wheelwright, The Heath

Mansell John, farmer

EDGERLEY,

a scattered village and township in the parish of Kinnerley, three miles and a quarter S. from Kinnerley church, contains 1383a. 0r. 9p. of land, and in 1841 had a population of 265 souls and 64 houses. Rateable value, £1,694, 4s. 8d. The rectorial tithes are commuted for £120. 18s. 4d., and the vicarial for £44. 9s. 9d. The following are the chief landowners:—The Earl of Bradford, Mr. Thomas Bather, Mr. James Candlin, E. H. Dymock, Esq., Mr. John Comberbach, Sir B. Leighton, Bart., Thomas Mansell, Esq., Mr. Owens, Mr. Parker, Messrs. Rogers, Rev. William Thomas, and others. George Edwards, Esq., is lord of the manor. Pentre is a small scattered hamlet, in the township of Edgerley, where is a venerable ash tree of immense girth, remarkable as standing upon a site where the dioceses of Hereford, Lichfield and Coventry, and St. Asaph, all unite. It also marks the division of the parishes of Great Ness and Kinnerley.

Croxen Richard Jones, Esq.

Davies Mrs. Elizabeth, Edgerley Hall

Davies John, farmer

Davies Richard R., butcher

Edwards Richard, tailor

Evans Robert, mason

Heatley E., Brookhouse farm

Higginson Saml., victualler, Royal Hill Inn

Hopkins Richard, gardener

Jones John, farmer and butcher

Jones Thomas, farmer

Jones William, farmer

Lloyd John, wheelwright

Lloyd Samuel, farmer

Newall Thomas, farmer

Owens Robert, farmer

Price Jeremiah, farmer

Pritchard Thomas, horse breaker

Rigley Smith, beerhouse & shopkeeper

Rodgers William, farmer

Roberts William, farmer

Williams John, bricklayer

Williams William, farmer & grazier

KYNASTON

is a small township, mostly an undulating district, with a fertile soil, one mile and a half S.E. by S. from Kinnerley, and nine miles from Oswestry. In 1841 here were 32 houses and 135 inhabitants. The township contains 517a. 1r. 39p. of land, of which 245 acres are arable, 240 meadow, 11 woodland, and the remainder in gardens and homesteads. The landowners are the Earl of Bradford, Mrs. Eleanor Bather, Rev. S. S. Burroughs, Mr. John Candlin, John Hilton, Esq., Mr. William Duckett, Mr. Thomas N. Parker, and Mrs. Thornes. The tithes were commuted in 1836, when £11 was apportioned to the vicar, and £61 to the impropriators. The Independents and the Primitive Methodists have each a small chapel in this township. Directory.—Farmers: John Candlin, John Mansell, William Probert, William Rodgers, and William Rodgers, jun. William Davies, tailor.

MAESBROOK ISSA,

a township situated two miles S.W. by S. from Kinnerley, and seven and a quarter miles from Oswestry, contains 864a. 3r. 28p. of land, and in 1841 had 19 houses and a population of 101 souls. Rateable value, £1,226. 17s. 2d. Of the land, 254a. 1r. 27p. are arable, 584a. 0r. 33p. rich meadow land, and the remainder 24a. 2r. 12p. are in homesteads. The land has an undulating surface, and the soil is a stiff loam, producing good wheat and barley. The land owners are the Earl of Bradford, Mr. Richard Bennett, Mr. R. J. Croxon, Mr. John Edmunds, Mr. John Frank, The Earl of Liverpool, Mr. James Payne, Mr. Richard Savage, Mr. Hugh Skelhorn, the executors of William Shuker, and the Vicar of Kinnerley. The Earl of Bradford is lord of the manor. The vicarial tithes were commuted in 1845 for £25, and the large tithes for £103. 2s. 6d. The freeholders are the impropriators. Pentreheylin Hall, a delightfully situated residence commanding beautiful views of the country, is the property of Richard Jones Croxen, Esq., and residence of Mr. John Edwards. The farm premises are spacious and admirably arranged. The cattle are chiefly stall fed; there are stalls for feeding 90 head of cattle, besides accommodation for upwards of fifty milk cows. The cheese made is of a superior quality.

Bennett Catherine, farmer

Brown Mrs. Elizabeth, Pentre Parva House

Brown Joseph, farmer

Davies John, farmer and corn miller

Edwards John, farmer, Pentreheylin

Edwards John and Sons, cattle dealers

Howells Samuel, wheelwright

Jones Edward, grocer, draper, and general provision dealer

Lloyd John, farmer, The Grove

Pritchard Samuel, farmer

Skelhorn Hugh, farmer

MAESBROOK UCHA

is a pleasant village and township, containing some genteel residences, two miles and a half W. from Kinnerley and seven miles S. from Oswestry. The township contains 1060a. 3r. 36p. of superior land; the meadows producing an abundance of vegetation, on which large flocks of sheep and herds of cattle are grazed. The land stretches to the extreme western verge of the county, and is separated from Montgomeryshire by the river Vernieu. The up-land has a gravelly soil, and produces wheat, barley, and oats. In 1841 here were 49 houses and 264 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,461. 4s. 1d. The land owners are the Earl of Bradford, Richard Croxen, Esq., George Edwards, Esq., the Earl of Liverpool, James Payne, Esq., Mr. Evan Arthur, Mr. William Shuker, William Taylor, Esq., John William Thornes, Esq., Rev. Mr. Thomas, Samuel Ward, Esq., and others are also proprietors. The Earl of Bradford is lord of the manor. The tithes were commuted in 1847, when £37 was apportioned to the Vicar of Kinnerley, £146. 19s. 9d. to Mrs. Tayleure, and £9. 2s. 6d. to Samuel Ward, Esq. Pentra Ucha Hall, the residence of Frederic Alexander Payne, Esq., is a handsome stuccoed mansion, commanding beautiful views of the surrounding country. Dyffryd House is the property and residence of William Taylor, Esq., celebrated as a breeder and feeder of superior stock. The house is pleasantly situated near the banks of the Vernieu, and the farm premises exhibit a pattern of completeness. The turnpike road from Burlton to Llanymyneck crosses the township. The Baptists and the Primitive Methodists have each a place of worship here.

Adams John, painter, plumber, and glazier

Breadley Richard, wheelwright

Davies Edmund, butcher

Davies John, gentleman, Greenfield House

Davies John, farmer

Davies Thomas, farmer

Davies Thomas, farmer and carrier

Dean Thomas, painter, plumber, and glazier

Grindley John, farmer

Hayes George, grocer and vict., Black Horse

Lawrence Samuel, farmer

Lewis John, farmer

Lloyd John, farmer

Payne Frederick Alexander, Esq., Pentra Ucha Hall

Perry Edward, farmer, The Wood

Ridge Mrs., farmer, The Field

Rodgers John, farmer

Taylor William, farmer and grazier, Dyffryd House

Tudor John, blacksmith

Ward Charlotte, farmer

Ward Samuel, gentleman, The Wood

OSBASTON

township, two miles N.W. by W. from Kennerley, and 5½ miles S. from Oswestry, contains 558a. 3r. 11p. of land, and in 1841 had 23 houses and 125 inhabitants. Rateable value, £757 18s. 6d., of the land; 259a. are meadows and pasture 267 areable, and 8 acres are in wood and homesteads. The soil is a mixture of marl and sand; the farmhouses are well built and provided with convenient out premises. The principal landowners are the Earl of Bradford; Mr. Thomas Clemson; J. F. M. Doveston, Esq., Mrs. Ann Williams; John Jones, Esq.; Mrs. Jones; Mr. James Knight; Rev. E. H. Dymock; J. J. Thomas, Esq.; and Mr. Samuel Ward. The tithes were commuted in 1848, when £120 was apportioned to John E. Pugh, Esq., the impropriator, and £17 5s. to the vicar of Kennerley.

The following are the principal residents, viz.: Capt. Thomas Evans, R.N., Osbaston Wood; Farmers, Thomas Griffiths, James Knight, Edward Pugh, and George Peacock; George Bate, gardener; John Lloyd, blacksmith; and John Rogers, tailor and clothier.

TIR-Y-COED,

a scattered township 1½ mile S.W. from Kennerley, and 8½ S.S. by W. from Oswestry, in 1841 had 7 houses and 29 inhabitants, and has 305a. 0r. 3p. of land, of which 105 are arable, and the remainder meadow and pasture. The soil is chiefly a strong loam. Rateable value, £363 9s. 6d. The tithes were commuted in 1847, when £9 was appropriated to the vicar and £51. 9s. to the impropriators. The chief landowners are Sir Edward C. Disbrowe Knt., Mr. David Adams, Mr. Richard Downes, Trustees of Millington Hospital, Mr. William Downes, Mr. William Duckett, Rev. E. Dymock, Mr. John Edmunds, Mr. John Jones, Mr. James Payne, Mrs. Thornes, Mr. John Suckley and others. The residents are John Gittins, gentleman; William Richards, farmer, The Field; Joseph Evans, bricklayer; and William Rogers, basket maker.

KNOCKIN,

a parish and pleasant rural village, contains several genteel residences, and is situated six miles S.S.E. from Oswestry, and twelve miles N.W. by W. from Shrewsbury. It has 1389a. 3r. 16p. of land, and had in 1801 210 inhabitants, in 1831 311, and in 1841 54 houses and 271 souls. The soil is a mixture of sand and loam. The returns of 1841 include Heath Farm an extra parochial liberty, having two houses and seven persons. Rateable value, £1,982. 1s. The principal land owners are the Earl of Bradford; Joseph Lloyd, Esq.; Mrs. Sarah Jones; Richard Hilton, Esq.; John Hilton, Esq.; Mrs. Ann Williams; Mr. Thomas Higginson; Mr. William Thomas; Edware Downes, Esq.; Edward Parry, Esq.; and lady Tyrhwitt. There are also several smaller freeholders. The Earl of Bradford is lord of the manor, and holds a court at the Bradford Arms.

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, a small handsome structure in the early English style of architecture, was re-built in 1847 of red sand stone. The interior has a very chaste and elegant appearance, and the fabric exhibits some fine specimens of decorated workmanship. The living is a rectory in the patronage of the Earl of Bradford, enjoyed by the Rev. Robert Ridsdale, a non-resident. The Rev. F. B. Foulkes is the officiating minister. The tithes are commuted for £325.

The National School and residence for the teacher is a neat building, erected by the Earl of Bradford. It is supported by subscriptions and a small charge from each scholar. The income is about £60 per annum.

Knockin Hall, situate on the east side of the village, a spacious mansion of brick, is the seat of the Hon. Captain Charles Orlando Bridgeman. It stands on a gentle eminence commanding delightful views into Wales. The interior is finely adorned with antique carved furniture, and the walls are ornamented with valuable and beautifully executed paintings. The park is small, but pleasingly diversified with graceful undulations, and enriched with fine timber. A beautiful avenue leads to the hall. The Knockin Heath Farm, situated about two miles S.E. from the church, contains 350a., and is the residence of John Cooke, Esq. The Hall Farm, an extensive range of premises a short distance from the village, is the residence of Richard Hilton, Esq.

Knockin is said to have given name to the ancient family of L’Estrange, who built Knockin Castle, and fixed their seat here. Guy L’Estrange had three sons, Guy, Hamon, and John, all of whom held lands in Shropshire by gift of Henry II. The younger, Guy, was sheriff of this county from the 2nd to the 11th of Henry II.; other branches of the family were subsequently appointed knights of the shire. Ralph, son of the above Guy, gave the chapel of Knockin to the canons of Haughmond. John L’Estrange, in the 33rd of Henry III., procured a market for the town on Tuesday, and a fair on the eve, day, and day after the anniversary of the decollation of St. John Baptist. Madoc, who was at the head of an insurrection against the king’s officers of North Wales, marched against Lord L’Estrange and defeated him at Knockin. The male line of the family failing in John L’Estrange in the 17th of Edward IV., who leaving an only daughter Joan, she married George Stanley, who was created Earl of Derby by Henry VIII. The title of Knockin is still kept up, though the family is extinct; the eldest son of the Derby family being styled Lord Strange. The castle was demolished during the civil wars in the time of King John. At present there is scarcely a vestige remaining. Some of the stones were used to build the churchyard walls, and a bridge over the brook, and a large quantity of them were carried away to mend the roads. The fairs and market have long been obsolete.

Bridgeman The Hon. Capt. Charles Orlando, R.N., Knockin Hall

Adams Mr., painter, plumber, and glazier

Barrett Thomas, farmer and vict., Bradford Arms

Barneby Alban M., schoolmaster

Burroughs John, vict., Cross Keys

Cooke John, farmer, Heath house

Davies Edward, farmer

Davies Edward, farmer, Heath Farm

Evans John, butler

Evans Mrs., shopkeeper and baker

Foulkes Rev. F. B., The Wain

Griffiths Alice, farmer

Griffiths Edward, farmer and land agent

Griffiths Edward, builder and contractor

Gwynne George, cooper

Haustin William, tailor

Hilton John, Esq., farmer, Knockin House

Hilton Richard, farmer, Hall Farm

Jones John, joiner and carpenter

Jones John, surveyor and collector

Lloyd Joseph, builder and contractor

Lloyd William, farmer

Maddox John, veterinary surgeon

Maddox William, blacksmith

Maddox William, assistant overseer and collector

Morris John, tailor

Morris Samuel, grazier and butcher

Price William, butcher

Price S. M., shopkeeper

Ratcliffe James, shopkeeper

Ratcliffe Richard, saddler and harness maker

Roberts Thomas, boot and shoemaker

Thomas William, farmer

Llanyblodwell is a parish on the western verge of Shropshire, adjoining the county of Denbigh, comprising the townships of Abertannat, Blodwell, Bryn, and Lynclys, which together, at the census of 1841, contained a population of 961 souls and 200 houses. The parish is bounded on the east by Offa’s-dyke, noticed at the preceding page.

ABERTANNAT,

a village and township one mile S.E. from Blodwell, contains 1073a. 3r. 17p. of land, 19 houses, and 102 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,135. 12s 5d. The land has mostly a strong soil, upon the limestone, considered good for grazing purposes. The proprietors are Lord Godolphin and John Hamor, Esq. Earl Powis is lord of the manor. The tithes have been commuted for £90. 2s. 2d., of which £39. 7s. has been apportioned to the Rev. R. Williams; £13. 9s. 10d. to the Rev. R. M. H. Hughes; and £37. 5s. 4d. to the Rev. John Parker. Abertannat Hall is the pleasantly situated mansion of John Edwards, Esq. The scenery in the vicinity is most beautiful and picturesque. Upon the towering heights of some of the hills are seen prospects of unbounded extent. The lands abound with game, and the rippling stream of the Tanat meanders at the foot of the hills, well stocked with trout and other fish.

Directory.—John Edwards, Esq., The hall; James Davies, farmer, Llan; Robert Edwards, farmer, Cafn; Thomas Jones, shopkeeper; Charles Jones, gamekeeper; John Jones, farmer, Garth-issa; William Jones, farmer, Gath-ucha; Richard Jones, gamekeeper; William Lloyd, blacksmith and vict., Horse Shoe Inn; Richard Lewis, farmer, Tynycoed; John Morgan, huntsman; William Pritchard, farmer, Cafn; Matthew Roberts, schoolmaster.

BLODWELL

is a pleasant village in a hilly and romantic country, six miles S.S.W. from Oswestry, having 87 houses and 384 inhabitants. The township contains 1677a. 1r. 18p. of land. Rateable value, £1777, 1s. 9d. Gross estimated rental, £1989 18s. 9d. The principal landowners are the Earl of Powis, Earl of Bradford, Mrs. Aubrey, Rev. John Parker, John Bonner, Esq.; John Edwards, Esq.; and John George Edwards, Esq.; the former is lord of the manor. The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a venerable fabric, the exterior of which is now undergoing a complete reparation at the expense of the present incumbent. The body of the church is divided into two compartments, and has a pitched roof, supported by columns and arches in the Norman style of architecture. The chancel is tastefully decorated, and contains a splendid stained glass window; it is fitted up with stalls, and separated from the body of the church by an antique oak screen, richly carved. The church has had additions and alterations made at several different periods; in 1835 the accommodation of the church was increased by the addition of 47 sittings. The chancel contains several handsome memorials, one of which remembers the Bridgemans, of Blodwell; another very elegantly designed is commemorative of the late Sir John Bridgeman, Bart.; there are also monuments to the Godolphins, Matthews, and others. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s books at £7. 12s. 6d., and now returned at £271 in the patronage of the bishop of St. Asaph, and incumbency of the Rev. John Parker, M.A. Divine service is performed alternately in the Welsh and English languages. The vicarage is a modern and commodious erection of brick, in the decorative style, with ornamental chimneys, and is situated a short distance from the church; a considerable portion of the house has been built by the present incumbent. The bishop of St. Asaph is the impropriator of the large tithes, which are commuted for £211 9s. 6d., and the small tithes payable to the vicar are commuted for £36. 9s. 3d.

Blodwell Hall, a modern stuccoed mansion delightfully situated, is the residence of William Lyons, Esq. The hills above the hall command a scene of sublimity and beauty, perhaps unsurpassed in any part of Wales. The summits of innumerable mountains are seen at once, rising in every variety of ridge, the distant in softest azure, and the near clothed in the richest verdure, with hanging woods, fertile meadows, and the bright rivers, Vernieu and Tanat, meandering at the foot of the hills, on their way to join the sunny waters of the magnificent Severn. Turning towards England, a perfect contrast is presented, in the fertile and expansive plains of Shropshire, richly wooded, and profuse in luxuriant vegetation, terminated on the south by the noble Wrekin, and on the north and east by the faint outline of the distant hills of Cheshire and Stafford. The river Tanat is crossed by a stone bridge at the point of separation of this township and that of Abertannat; at the Grove about a mile and a half below Blodwell it has its confluence with the river Vernieu, which here separates Shropshire and Denbighshire.

The School is endowed with £100 bequeathed by Ursula Bridgeman in 1713; £100 the gift of Sir John Bridgeman in 1739; and £100 given by Judith Bridgeman. In 1825 it was discovered that there was £300 stock in the old south sea annuities standing in the names of trustees, but that no dividends had been received thereon since the 6th April, 1801. In September, 1825, £211. 10s. was received for the arrears of dividends, out of which sum £57. 10s. 6d. was paid for the expense of recovering them, of transferring the stock, and of the new trust deed, and £123. 7s. 2d. was expended in 1826 and 1827 in re-building the school. Out of the dividends amounting to £9 per annum, £7 is paid to the schoolmaster, the residue having hitherto been reserved for repairs. According to the deed of 1753 the master is entitled to three-fourths of the dividends; 50 scholars attend the school, which is partly supported by the vicar.

Edward ap Thomas, by his will bearing date 13th October, 1657, gave a rent charge of £2. 12s. yearly to the poor of Llanyblodwell and Llansilin, in equal portions.

Directory.—William Lyons, Esq., The hall; Rev. John Parker, The vicarage; Farmers, John Davies, Sarah Ellis, Richard Hughes, Edward Morris, Thomas Owen, Mary Roberts, and Edward Wall, The hall farm; Matthew Roberts, schoolmaster.

BRYNN,

a small village and township 1¼ mile N.W. from Blodwell, has 1118a. 0r. 35p. of land, 37 houses and 200 inhabitants. The country around Brynn is bold and mountainous, and the uplands are cold and exposed. The farms are in general small. Rateable value, £1063. 15s. The principal landowners are John Wynn Eyton, Esq.; John Hamor, Esq.; Mrs. Owens; Rev. John Parker; and the Earl of Powis; there are also several other freeholders. The tithes are commuted for £176. 16s. 10d., of which £85. 8s. 5d. is apportioned to the vicar of Blodwell, £27 7s. 1d. to the Rev. Maurice Jones, and £64. 1s. 4d. to the bishop of St. Asaph. Glanyrafon House, the seat of John Hamer, Esq., is situated on an eminence, on the line of road leading into North Wales; it is surrounded with park-like grounds finely timbered and studded with thriving plantations, and from the elevated position of the mansion it has an imposing appearance. It commands views of great diversity and picturesque beauty; the meanderings of the Tanat giving an additional charm to the fairy scene. Bryntanat Hall, the occasional residence or hunting box of William Henry Perry, Esq., is picturesquely seated on the knoll of a hill, the foot of which is washed by the rippling stream of the Tanat. Although the hall is situate near to Bryan, it stands within the bounds of the county of Denbigh.

Directory.—John Hamor, Esq., Glanyrafon Hall; William Henry Perry, Bryntanat Hall; Farmers, Walter Davies, Edward Edwards, Richard Edwards, Richard Griffiths, Robert Hughes, Edward Jones, William Jones, Richard Kilner, Richard Phillips, and Richard Richards.

LLYNCLYS,

a village and small township, four miles S.W. by S. from Oswestry, contains 608a. 0r. 3p. of land; and in 1841 there were 57 houses and 275 inhabitants. Rateable value, £917. 4s. 3d.; gross estimated rental, £1,013. 11s. 10d. The Earl of Bradford; Earl Powis; Rowland Hunt, Esq.; Philip Jennings, Esq.; Hon. Thomas Kenyon; Rev. John Parker; Mr. Humphrey, and others, are land owners. The township is crossed at right angles by the Oswestry and Welshpool and the Knockin and Llansilin turnpike roads. There are extensive lime works in this township: a considerable quantity of that commodity is used by the farmers on the western borders of Shropshire and in Wales for agricultural purposes. Llynck Lys Pool is a small but beautiful lake of great depth, of which strange and superstitious tales prevailed in former times. It is stated that the lake was formerly the site of a royal palace, which in fairy times was sunken below the earth by a fairy spell. The late Mr. Dovaston, of the Nursery, in a ballad entitled “Llynch Lys,” thus beautifully introduces the tradition:—

“Still the villagers near, when the lake is clear, Show the towers of the palace below, And of Croes Willin there, will the traveller hear, And the cave called the grim Ogo.

And oft from our boat of a summer’s eve, Sweet music is heard to flow, As we push from the side of the blue lake’s tide, Where the long green rushes grow.”

The rushes and reeds which grow on the margin are of extraordinary length; some have been drawn upwards of eighteen feet in length. The water lily here flourishes with the greatest luxuriance, and throws out a profusion of blossoms upon the surface of the crystal waters. Porthy-Waen is a populous hamlet in Llynclys township.

Those with * affixed are at Llynclys, and the rest at Porthy-Waen.

Davies Thos., vict., Red Lion

* Evans Thomas, farmer

* Griffiths Ann, farmer, Nut Tree Bank

Griffiths Francis, shopkeeper and baker

Griffiths Mary, farmer

Hughes Thos., toll collector

Hughes John, shopkeeper

Howell John, schoolmaster

Jones Edward, beerhouse

* Jones Mary, farmer

Jones David, shoemaker

* Lawrence Edward, farmer

Lewis Mary Ann, lime works

Lewis John, beerhouse

* Lloyd William, beerhouse keeper and lime works

Martin Maria, beerhouse

Newal Mrs., quarry owner

Pryce William, shopkeeper

Parkes Edward, blacksmith

Probert Edward, assistant overseer and collector

Roberts John, Dolgorth lime works

Savin Mary, lime works

Williams John, lime works

Williams John, jun., lime works

LLANYMYNECH

is a parish which contains the townships of Llanymynech-Llanytidman and Treprenal, partly situated in this county, and partly in the counties of Denbigh and Montgomery, in Wales. The entire parish in 1801 had 596 inhabitants; in 1831, 887; and in 1841, 954. Rateable value, £3,987. The village of Llanymynech is pleasantly situated, six miles south from Oswestry, and ten miles N.W. by S.S. from Shrewsbury. It has attained its present importance from the extensive quarries of limestone with which the vicinity abounds. Considerable quantities of the stone are sent to the Staffordshire iron works, for fluxing the metals. It is also burnt into lime. The Chester, Ellesmere, and Newtown canal affords facilities for carrying the material to distant parts. Copper ore was formerly found in considerable quantities, but the mines have not been worked for some time. There are 1,281 acres of land, the principal owners of which are the Earl of Bradford; Earl Powis; John Lloyd, Esq.; Richard Nightingale Broughton, Esq.; Rev. William Evans; Rev. John Luxmoore; Robert Wall, Esq.; Mr. Parker; Philip Jennings, Esq.; R. W. Kynaston, Esq.; T. W. Thomas, Esq.; Robert Wall, Esq.; Rev. William Thomas; Mrs. Evans; Hon. Francis West; Thomas West, Esq.; and Robert West, Esq. Earl Powis is lord of the manor. The soil is various in this parish. The meadow lands on the banks of the Vernieu are enriched by that river frequently overflowing its banks. The river is here crossed by a substantial stone bridge of three arches; and about a mile and a half from the village a branch of the Ellesmere canal is conducted over the river by an aqueduct of five arches, near which it is joined by the Montgomeryshire canal.

The Church, dedicated to St. Agatha, consists of nave, chancel, side aisles, and a square tower with one bell. It was rebuilt in 1845, in the decorative style of English architecture, and exhibits some fine chiselling and ornamental workmanship. The interior is neatly pewed, and has a very chaste appearance. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £12. 13s. 4d., now returned at £394, in the patronage of the Bishop of St. Asaph, and enjoyed by the Rev. John Luxmore, M.A. The rectory, a neat stuccoed residence a short distance from the church, has been much improved by the present incumbent. The tithes are commuted for £380. The National School stands near the churchyard, and is supported by subscriptions and a small charge from the scholars: about sixty children are educated. There is a school for girls in the village. Fairs are held on April 1st, May 29th, and September 23rd, and are generally well attended. A coach leaves the Red Lion Inn for Shrewsbury and Welshpool daily.

On Llanymynech hill is an artificial cave of considerable length, called Ogo (from the Welsh word Ogof, signifying a cave), supposed to have been worked by the Romans as a copper mine. It contains many sinuosities, and is generally about three yards wide, having many turnings and passages connected with each other. Some years ago, all the passages of this subterraneous labyrinth were explored by J. F. M. Dovaston, Esq., when none of the paths were found to extend more than two hundred yards from the entrance. The passages are cut through the rock, which is of limestone, whereon frequently appear the marks of chisels, and the various ramifications have no doubt been made in quest of the rich veins of ore. Subsequent to the Romans, it probably became either a place of refuge after battle, or a depository for the dead, for human skeletons, culinary vessels, hatchets, and Roman coins have been found in this cavern. A finger-bone was picked up with a ring on it. One of the skeletons had a curious battle-axe beneath his arm, and not far from it were the bones of a man, woman, a child, a dog, and a cat. Some time ago several Roman coins, mostly of Constantine, were found in the earth which was washed down the side of the hill. The water which drops in some parts of the cave is of a petrifying quality, and forms stalactites; the drops of water hanging on the points of each, catch the light of the candle, and give the surrounding space a glittering illumination extremely beautiful. It is probable that a battle has been fought here in disputing for this mine, or that the large entrenchments, that run parallel with the Clawdd Offa eastwardly, were made to defend it. Not far from this cave is a Cromlech, called the Giant’s Grave. At the north-east end are four large stones, which formerly supported a fifth flat stone on their points, in form of a Brandart, called in Welsh Trwbad; but these are now thrown down. Towards the south-west proceed two rows of flat stones, six feet asunder, and thirty-six in length. On digging here a Druid’s celt was found, and several other things, with human bones, the teeth very perfect.

There is a sum of £26 in the hands of the churchwardens, the origin of which is not known. It was received from the executors of the late incumbent, who died in 1829. The interest is distributed among poor women of the parish at Christmas.

LLANYTIDMAN

is a township with a scattered population, five and a half miles south from Oswestry, having in 1841, 113 houses and 545 inhabitants. Here are extensive stone quarries and lime works, and the township is intersected by the Ellesmere and Llanymynech canal, and the Oswestry and Llanymynech turnpike road.

TREPRENAL

is a small township in Llanymynech parish, comprising three houses and 21 inhabitants. Here is Llwynygroes Hall, the residence of R. N. Broughton, Esq., delightfully situated, commanding fine views of the surrounding country.

Post Office.—At Mr. John Lloyd’s. Letters arrive by gig mail from Oswestry at 9.30 A.M., and are despatched 4 P.M.

Those marked 1 reside at Llanytidman, 2 at Treprenal.

2 Asterley Thomas, farmer

Asterley William Lloyd, Esq.

Batterbee Charles, brazier, plumber, painter, and beerhouse keeper

Baugh Margaret, vict., Cross Keys

1 Bothell Mary, farmer

Bower William, wool agent

2 Broughton Richard Nightingale, woolstapler and maltster, Llwynygroes hall

Broughton and Asterley, grocers, drapers, and general dealers

Davies Mrs., gentlewoman

1 Davies John, farmer and miller

Dovaston Edward Milward, surgeon

1 Dyke Isaac, farmer

Ellis Letia, tailor and draper

1 Evans John, farmer, gardener, and rate collector

Griffiths Richard, blacksmith

Griffiths Richard, draper and grocer

1 Griffiths Jn., quarry master

Gwynne George, cooper

Gwynne George, shoemaker

Hackett John, tallow chander

1 Harris Geo., quarry master

1 Harrison John, farmer

Hughes Edward, shoemaker

1 Humphreys James, vict., Cross Guns

Jeffreys John, weaver

Jones Edward., saddler and harness maker

1 Jones Thomas, farmer

Leak Francis, toll collector

Lloyd John, farmer, timber merchant, builder, and vict., Lion Inn

Lloyd Richard, vict., Dolphin

Luxmoore Rev. John, the Rectory

Morgan Edward, saddler and dealer

Morris John, shoemaker

Parkins Charles, shoemaker

Poole Mrs., gentlewoman

1 Price Elizabeth, farmer

Price Hugh, seedsman

1 Pryce William, gentleman, Holly Bush

Pugh Henry, seedsman and druggist

Pugh James Owen, grocer and draper

Ratcliffe Samuel, farmer

Richards Richard, farmer, maltster, and vict., Bradford Arms

1 Roberts William, gentleman, Prospect cottage

Rodgers Edward, farmer

1 Savage Elizabeth, farmer

2 Sheldon Wm., gentleman

Thomas Thomas, farmer

Thomas Robert, schoolmaster and parish clerk

Watson Miss, post office

Whitticose Mary, gentlewoman

Williams Sarah, schoolmistress

Carrier.—Hugh Price, to Oswestry on Wednesdays and on Mondays, Saturdays, and Welshpool on Mondays.

ST. MARTIN

is a parish, and small but pleasantly situated village, five miles N.E. from Oswestry, and about the same distance W. from Ellesmere. The parish comprises the townships of Bronygarth, Ifton Rhyn, and Weston Rhyn, containing together 5,314a. 2r. 25p. of land, and had in 1801, 1,476 inhabitants; in 1831, 2,099; and in 1841, 2,200. The village of St. Martin is included in Ifton Rhyn township, which contains 2,813a. 2r. 33p. of land; and at the census of 1841 had 217 houses and 1,620 souls. Rateable value, £4,570. The principal land owners are the Right Hon. Arthur Trevor Viscount Dungannon, of Bryn-Kinalt Castle, the Hon. W. M. B. Nugent, Dean and Chapter of Winchester, R. G. Jebb, Esq., J. Haslam, Esq., Joshua Jones, Esq., Mrs. Fallows, and Edward H. Dymock, Esq. This township lies on the N.W. confines of the county, and has some fine grazing land. It is separated from Denbighshire by the Ceiriog river. The Morlass brook here turns several corn mills, and has its confluence with the Ceiriog about a mile from the Erewescob corn mill.

The Church, dedicated to St. Martin, stands on an eminence, and is a conspicuous object for many miles around. It consists of nave, north aisle, chancel, and a massive square tower at the west end. The side aisle is separated from the nave by five pointed arches rising from octagonal pillars. The east end of the church and the east window have recently been rebuilt; the lower part of the window is divided into three compartments, and the upper part is foliated, and ornamented with stained glass. The windows on the south side of the church are also richly adorned with stained glass. The one near the pulpit has beautiful representations of St. Peter and St. Paul; another has the armorial bearings of the bishop of the diocese, the rural dean, and the vicar. There are also the armorial bearings of Viscount Dungannon, by whose munificence the church has been renovated; and these beautiful decorations have been added within these last twenty years. The old font, which is of stone, has been re-hewn and modernized. A beautiful mural marble monument remembers Richard Phillips, Esq., of Thyn-y-rhos, who died in 1824, and his second son, Richard, ensign of the 17th regiment of the Hon. East India Company’s service, who died at sea, off the Cape of Good Hope, on his return from India in 1832. There are also several other neat tablets in the church. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £5. 2s. 3½d., now returned at £320, in the patronage of the Bishop of St. Asaph, and enjoyed by the Rev. William Hurst, M.A. The Vicarage is a neat residence, a little W. by S. from the church. The vicarial tithes have been commuted for £261, and the rectorial for £862. On the west side of the churchyard is a lofty and finely proportioned elm tree, which is seen at a great distance; and about a quarter of a mile west from the church, near the toll-gate, stands a magnificent oak tree of considerable magnitude. Ifton Heath is a scattered district, chiefly of detached cottages, half a mile N.W. from the church. Here the Primitive Methodists and the Wesleyan Association have each a small chapel. The Primitive Methodists have also a chapel on St. Martin’s Moor, a scattered district of houses near a mile, W. by S. from the church.

Charities.—Bryngwyla School, situated about a mile W.W. by S. from the church, was founded in 1705 by Edward Phillips, for the instruction of twelve poor boys of the parish of St. Martin to read and write. Mr. Phillips also endowed the school with the sum of £100, and directed £3. 12s. yearly to be paid to the schoolmaster, who was to occupy the school-house rent free, on condition of his keeping the premises in repair. The donor also directed 4d. to be given to each boy every Ascension day for his encouragement; and 5s. to be expended by the vicar, trustees, and schoolmaster, in remembrance of the benefactor. The master now receives £4. 13s. 6d. per annum, from which 5s. is paid to the trustees, but nothing is paid to the children. The master receives 25s. yearly in respect of John Price’s charity hereafter mentioned.

Almshouses.—The almshouses are situated near the west side of the churchyard. They consist of six tenements, mantled with ivy, and are supported by Lord Dungannon. The inmates are clothed, receive 15s. a quarter, a loaf of bread on Fridays, and two tons of coal yearly. There is also a school, where twelve children are clothed and educated.

Arthur Trevor, of Kay Mark, left £2 a-year; one half to be given to the poor on St. Thomas’s day, and the other half on Good Friday. The amount is paid by the agent of Lord Dungannon.

Thomas Abellis left 21s. per annum, payable out of a piece of land called Cae-Rhoes. In 1812, Edward Birch, a mortgagee, and Edward Jones, in consideration of £220. 10s., conveyed to the Ellesmere Canal Company a parcel of land called Cae Rhoes, and the said Edward Jones covenanted that he would indemnify the said company from a rent-charge of 20s., payable out of the said premises. The property is still in the possession of the Ellesmere Canal Company, but nothing had been paid thereout to the poor for a period of twelve years when the Charity Commissioners published their report. Application had been made to Mr. Price, of Felton Butler, who married the heiress of Mr. Jones, and he promised to continue the payment of this rent-charge.

Edward Phillips charged a piece of land with the payment of 4s. yearly for the benefit of the poor.

John Price bequeathed £100, and directed the interest of £25 to be applied in the education of youth, and the interest of £75 to be bestowed in clothing for some of the poorest parishioners. The amount is secured on a piece of land in Weston Rhynn, from which £5 are paid yearly.

There are two cottages in the township of Soutley, in the parish of March Weil, Denbighshire, adjoining premises purchased by the governors of Queen Ann’s Bounty, for the augmentation of the vicarage of St. Martin’s. These cottages have for a length of time been let for the benefit of the poor; but it is not known when or how the rents became thus appropriated. They were repaired some time ago at an expense of £30, which was borrowed for this purpose, and they are now let for £6 a-year. Of the rent, £3 is applied in paying off the debt, and the remaining £3 is given among the poor on St. Thomas’s day.

Hugh Lloyd left a rent-charge of 16s. per annum, issuing out of certain lands, called Cae Dickin, in Weston Rhynn, and directed the amount to be expended in sixteen dozen of bread, to be distributed on St. Thomas’s day. It is stated on the table of benefactions, that “Richard Berkley, for Hugh Lloyd, pays for ten dozen of bread on St. Thomas’s day for ever.” The gift of Edward Edwards, of 20s. per annum to the poor of St. Martin’s, is void under the statute of 9 George II. It is stated in the parliamentary returns of 1786, that David Hughes left £10 for the benefit of the poor; and among the parish documents there is a bond, dated in 1746, from Thomas Phillips, of Trehowell, for the payment of this money. Nothing, however, has been paid on this account for many years.

Post Office—At Esther Edwards. Letters despatched at 2.30 P.M.

Beckitt Godfrey, butcher

Beckitt John, victualler, Cross Keys

Beckitt Roger, farmer, and land and timber valuer, Cadwagans Palace

Boodle William, shopkeeper

Dodd Richard, farmer, Pennybank

Dodd William, farmer and corn miller

Edwards David, tailor

Edwards Esther, farmer and shopkeeper

Edwards Mary, farmer, Peny-bryn

Edwards William, farmer

Griffiths Richard, schoolmaster

Harrison Francis, tailor

Hughes, Mrs. Jane

Hughes John, farmer, Erewescob

Hughes Robert, shopkeeper

Hughes Sarah, farmer and corn miller, Erewescob Mill

Hurst Rev. William, M.A., vicar

Isaac Jane, farmer, Rhosyllan

Jones Edward, wheelwright

Jones Elizabeth, farmer

Jones George, shoemaker

Jones Jane, shopkeeper

Jones Joshua, Esq., Wigginton Hall

Jones Richard, bricklayer, Glynmorlass

Jones Thomas, farmer, Wigginton

Jones William, provision dealer, St. Martin’s Moor

Jones William, shoemaker

Kynaston William, farmer, Wigginton

Lee Richard, farmer, Ifton Hall

Lee William, parish clerk

Lewis Thomas, grazier, Brook House

Matthews George, schoolmaster

Newnes Peter, shoemaker

Owen Richard, farmer, Glanywern

Parry Joseph, cooper

Powell Frances, schoolmistress

Powell Thomas, wheelwright

Powell William, wheelwright

Poynton John, farmer, Glenrid

Price John, farmer

Prynallt William, farmer

Randles Elizabeth, farmer

Roberts Edward, farmer, Wigginton

Roberts Joseph, tailor

Roberts Mary, farmer

Roberts Samuel, victualler, Crown Inn

Rogers Jane, schoolmistress

Rogers John, farmer and maltster, Ifton

Rogers Joseph, registrar & assistant overseer

Rogers Richard, shoemaker

Rogers Robert, stonemason

Rowland Elizabeth, farmer

Williams Daniel, farmer

Williams Jane, farmer

Williams John, farmer, Wigginton

Woodvill Thomas, farmer and maltster, Pine Bryn

Woollam Charles, farmer

Woollam John, farmer

WESTON RHYN

is a township and scattered village from two to three miles W. from St. Martin’s Church, containing 1850a. 2r. 4p. of land, and in 1841 here were 195 houses and 856 inhabitants. Rateable value, £4,053. The principal land owners are Frederick Richard West, Esq.; Rev. John C. Phillips; John Richard Powell, Esq.; Mr. James Edwards; E. H. Dymoch, Esq.; T. E. Ward, Esq.; Mr. John Pritchard, and Mrs. Dickin, Mr. Edward Heys, and others are also proprietors. A neat and ornamental school, in the early English style of architecture, was built in the year 1850 at the Lodge. The structure is of stone got from the neighbouring quarries, with the Cafn hewn stone for the windows and ornamental portions of the building; it measures 20 feet by 40 feet, and has a pitched roof with a neat belfry. The cost of the structure was £700, of which £40 was given by the National Society and £130 by the Privy Council on Education, the rest was raised by voluntary subscriptions. A residence for the teacher adjoins the school. The Calvinistic Methodists have a chapel at the lodge, built in 1811, the services of which are conducted in the Welsh language. Coal of a good quality is found upon the estate of John R. Powell, Esq.; a steam engine is now in course of erection to clear the mines of water. The Quinta, a handsome castellated residence built of lime stone, stands on a gentle acclivity, and commands some pleasing views to the south. It is surrounded with shrubberies and park-like grounds, and is the residence of Rowland Jones Venables, Esq., and the property of F. R. West, Esq. On the knoll of a hill a short distance from the hall, the owner of the estate about ten years ago caused immense blocks of stone to be reared up in the exact form of the celebrated Druidical Temple at Stonehenge. From this eminence a most beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding country is seen. Prees-gwene House, the residence and property of John Richard Powell, Esq., stands in a sheltered situation embosomed in foliage. The Shrewsbury and Chester railway intersects this township, and has a station at Preesgwene, 1½ mile from Gabowen, and 22 miles from Chester. The large tithes of Weston Rhyn are commuted for £270.

Calcott William, corn miller

Davies William, butcher

Duckett Mary, corn miller, New mill

Duckett Mrs. Tamar, Weston villa

Edwards Moses, maltster & vict., The Lodge Inn

Evans David, boot and shoe maker, The Lodge

Evans William, farmer, Berllan-deg

Griffiths Francis, wheelwrigt

Griffiths Thomas, colliery owner and shopkeeper

Hayes Mr. Ed., The Lodge

Hughes Hugh, farmer

Hughes John, inland revenue officer, The Lodge

Hughes John, carpenter

Hughes William, carpenter

Jackson Richard, butcher, The Lodge

Johnson William, maltster and vict., New Inn

Jones John, blacksmith

Jones Peter, saddler and shopkeeper

Jones Thomas, paper manufacturer, Morda

Jones Thomas, farmer

Lewis Richard, farmer

Lloyd Elizabeth, blacksmith

Peate Martha, farmer and maltster, Moreton hall

Phillips Rev. John Croxon, Tryn-y-rhos

Powell John Richard, Esq., Prees-gwene house

Poynton Thomas, farmer, Weston hall

Richards Thomas Anderson, station master, Prys-gwane

Roberts Daniel, provision dealer, The Lodge

Roberts Hugh, farmer

Roberts Thomas, farrier

Rogers John, farmer

Rogers Walter, farmer

Scudamore Mr. John, Moreton hall

Smith Frederick William, Esq., Green field lodge

Thomas David, farmer, The Vron

Turner Joseph, beerhouse & shopkeeper, The Lodge

Usher John, butcher

Vaughan William, tailor

Venables Rowland Jones, Esq., The Quinta

Williams Ann, farmer

Williams Edward, farmer

Williams John, farmer

Williams John, shoemaker and shopkeeper

Williams John, carpenter

Williams Thos., corn miller

BRONYGARTH,

a small township in St. Martin’s parish, with 645a. 1r. 28p. of land, lies on the verge of the county, and is separated from Denbighshire by the Ceireog river. It lies about four miles W.W. by N. from the parish church, and in 1841 had 71 houses and 164 inhabitants. Frederick Richard West, Esq., and the Rev. John Croxon Phillips, are the land owners and impropriators; to the former was apportioned £36, and to the latter £56, when the tithes were commuted. The rateable value of the township is £1168. Tyn-y-rhos is a good house pleasantly situated, the residence and property of the Rev. John C. Phillips. The scenery in this township is bold and romantic, and some of the land is cold and exposed. Lime works have been established on the northern confines of the township, bordering on Wales; lime is extensively used by the farmers as a fertilizer, particularly in the north-west parts of the county.

Directory.—Rev. John Croxon Phillips, Tyn-y-rhos; Moses Edwards, lime burner; John Hughes, carpenter; John Jones, blacksmith; William Lloyd, blacksmith; William Mason, shoemaker; Richard Orford, vict., Britannia, John Owen, farmer; Thomas Owen, farmer; Robert Roberts, butcher; Jane Williams, shopkeeper.

MELVERLEY,

a parish and township with a scattered population, 12 miles W.W. by N. from Shrewsbury, and 9 miles S.S. by E. from Oswestry, is situated on the western verge of the county, and is separated from Montgomeryshire by the river Vernieu and the Severn; the former having its confluence with the Severn at the Cymmeran Ferry. The parish contains 1,445a. 2r. 22p. of land, which from its low situation is frequently inundated by the overflowing of the Severn, thus enriching the meadows and producing the greatest luxuriance; large herds of cattle are usually fed upon the meadows. In 1801 here was a population of 218 souls; in 1831, 216; and in 1841, 229. Rateable value, £2,317 5s. The manor in the time of the confessor was held by one Edric, in whose family it continued till the 9th of Elizabeth, when Henry Earl of Arundle sold it to Young, from whom it subsequently passed to the Willastons. Lord Craven was afterwards lord of the manor, and it is now vested in George Edwards, Esq. The freeholders are Colonel Desbrow, Hon. Thomas Kenyon, Mrs. E. Bather, Mr. Henry Adams, Mr. William Parkes, Mr. Edward Williams, Rev. Mr. Maddocks, Mr. A. D. Benyon, Mr. James Jones, Mr. Stephen Matthews, Mr. William Cooper, Mr. Thomas Bromley, Mr. James Payn, Rev. Mr. Dimmock, Mr. William Downes, Mr. Oswell, Mr. Betta, Mr. John Edmunds, Thomas Justice Bather, Esq., Mr. Owen Owens, Mr. Jones, Mr. Manford, Mr. Duckett, and others.

The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, a large fabric of very primitive appearance, built of wood, stands on an elevated piece of ground near the banks of the Vernieu; part of it was swept away subsequent to the year 1478. Although the workmanship is of the rudest description, yet the magnitude of the building and the fine old porch, give it an attractive and venerable appearance. The windows are small and admit of very little light. It contains several ancient memorials, and was fitted up with oak pews in 1718, previous to which it was provided with massive benches. The living is a rectory annexed to Llandrinio, in the patronage of the bishop of St. Asaph, and enjoyed by the Rev. Henry Rogers. The tithes were commuted in 1841 for £177. 11s., and there are five acres of glebe. The parsonage is a neat residence of brick in the Elizabethan style of architecture, built during the years 1846–7. The Independents have a small chapel with a residence annexed, built in the year 1842.

Charities.—There is a field called the Poor’s Croft, in the upper division of Melverley, containing 2r. 2p., and another piece of land containing about an acre and a half, in the township of Tir-y-coed, in respect of which W. B. Price has for many years paid a rent of 12s. a year. The premises are stated to be worth £3 per annum, and notice has been given to the parties holding the lands to give up possession to the parish. There is also a small piece of ground in Melverley, about one and a quarter acre, producing a yearly rent of £3. 3s., which for many years has been carried to the account of the poor’s rate. Henry Morgen gave a rent charge of 10s. yearly, which is given to the poor on Good Friday. The poor have also a yearly sum of 5s., left by Mrs. Prees. The charities of Richard Lloyd and Elizabeth Lloyd are lost; the former left a rent charge of 20s. per annum in 1780, and the latter bequeathed the sum of £20 for the benefit of the poor.

Bather Mrs. Eleanor, Cross lane house

Bill Edward, farmer

Brown Edward, farmer

Davies William, farmer, Melverley hall

Gittings Benjamin, farmer

Jones David, farmer

Jones Ed., grocer & beerhse

Jones Richard, blacksmith

Jones William, farmer

Lewis John, shoemaker and parish clerk

Lewis Thomas, farmer

Lloyd William, farmer

Manford Thomas, farmer, The green

Morgan William, farmer & cattle dealer

Morris Edward, farmer, Cross lane

Owens John, farmer

Pugh John, shopkeeper & beerhouse

Richards John, grocer and cattle salesman

Rodgers Rev. Henry, The parsonage

Rodgers John, assistant overseer and rate collector

Vaughan Richard, farmer

Vaughan Thomas, saddler

Wild John, butcher

Wild John, farmer

Wild Richard, vict., New Inn

Williams Edward, farmer, The green house

OSWESTRY

is a parish, borough, and considerable market town, locally situated in the hundred to which it gives name, seventeen miles and a half N.W. from Shrewsbury, and 179 miles N.W. from London. The name of Oswestry is connected with some of our earliest historical recollections. On this spot, on August 5th, 652, was fought the battle between the Christian Oswald, king of the Northumbrians, and the Pagan Penda, king of the Mercians. Oswald was defeated, and lost his life. The battle began about four hundred yards west of the church. The assailant appears to have driven Penda’s forces to a field near the town, called Cae Nef, where Oswald fell, and Penda, with a savage barbarity, caused the breathless body to be cut to pieces, and stuck on poles as so many trophies of his victory. Oswald’s strict virtue, and zeal for the religion he had embraced, gained him the esteem of his subjects, and his character was so much revered by the monks, that a short time after his death he was canonized. The importance of the situation, which rendered it one of the keys to the principality of Wales, soon attracted the attention of the political monarch, whose prowess annexed that territory to his dominion. This place was called by the ancient Britons Tre’r-cadeirian, literally the town of chairs or seats commanding an extensive view. Notwithstanding the place was Welsh, and continued so above a century after the death of King Oswald, yet it has since gone under his name, and for some time was famed for the miracles wrought there through his intercession. An ancient poet in noticing Oswald and the fate of Penda says:

“Three gibbets raised, at Penda’s dire commands, Bore Oswald’s royal head and mangled hands; The tenor of the fact, and Oswald’s fate, Were things of moment to the Mercian state. Vain policy! for what the victor got Proved to the vanquished king the happier lot; For now the martyred saint in glory views, How Oswy with success the war renews; And Penda scarcely can maintain his own, Whilst Oswald wears a never fading crown.”

Oswestry is one of the principal towns on the Welsh borders, and is now the most flourishing and prosperous of any in the county. In 1801 there were 2,672 inhabitants; in 1831, 4,478; and in 1841, 987 houses and 4,566 souls; of whom 2,121 were males, and 2,445 females. The entire parish of Oswestry, including the town and liberties of Oswestry in 1841, contained 8,843 inhabitants. The town is situated on a gentle eminence, the streets are in general spacious, and there are many good houses, and retail shops in all the different branches of trade; yet vestiges of its antiquity, timbered buildings with projecting gables, are still to be seen in various parts of the town. The beautiful prospects from the high ground above the town are perhaps not surpassed by any in the county. The rich and luxuriant vale of Shropshire lies as it were a map beneath the feet; while the Staffordshire hills, Nesscliff, the Wrekin, and the Styperstones, are seen in the distance. Towards Wales, the alpine heights and lovely vales are seen in rich profusion; and here the beholder glances upon a country which was eminently distinguished as the birth-place and residence of the children of freedom—a people, who, by their independent spirit and martial prowess, for centuries chastised rapacity and injustice, and made oppression and tyranny tremble upon the throne. The parish of Oswestry contains the townships of Aston, Cynyion, Crickheath, Hisland, Llanvorda, Maesbury, Middleton, Morton, Oswestry, Pentregaer, Sweeney Trefraclawdd, Trevlock, Trefonen, Weston Cotton, and Wootton.

The Britons were in the possession of Oswestry till the latter part of the eighth century, when the warlike King Offa, passing the Severn with a mighty force, expelled them from their fruitful seats on the plains, and reduced the kingdom of Powis to the western side of the celebrated ditch still known by his name. The princes of Powis were then constrained to quit their ancient residence at Pengwern and remove to Mathrafel, in the vale of Myfod, and the plains of Shropshire became a confirmed part of the kingdom of Mercia. The Britons shortly after entered into an alliance with the king of Sussex and Northumberland, and, having made a breach in the rampart, passed the boundary at early dawn, attacked the camp of Offa in an unprepared state, and put great numbers to the sword. In the middle of the following century, we find Roderic, Prince of Wales, added Powisland to his dominions. He, according to the custom of gavel-kind, divided his principality among his children. To Anarawd he gave North Wales; to Cadell, South Wales; to Mervyn, Powisland. Each wore a talaith, or diamond of gold, set with precious stones; whence they were styled Y Tri Tywysog Taleithiog, or the three crowned princes. Bleddyn ap Cynoyn, who ruled Wales jointly with his brother, at the Conquest re-united the kingdoms of North Wales and Powis. The latter, however, eventually devolved to his eldest son, Meredydd, and Oswestry was called Trefred, in honour of this prince. He made the division, which finally destroyed the potent kingdom of Powis. To his eldest son, Madog, he gave the part which bore afterwards the name of Powis Madog. Madog’s chief residence was at Oswestry, where, according to Welsh historians, he built the castle about the year 1140. He died at Winchester, and his body was honourably conveyed to Powis, and buried at Myfod. His widow married Fitzalan, Lord of Clun; who, in right of his wife, obtained the town and castle of Oswestry. This William was a descendant of Alan, who came into England with the Conqueror, and was the first of the Fitzalans that was baron of Oswestry. This honourable distinction was possessed by the Fitzalans, a powerful race, that existed with fewer checks than common to dignity for more than five hundred years. The title of Baron of “Oswaldestre” is now held by the Duke of Norfolk. His ancestor, Thomas Duke of Norfolk, married Lady Mary, daughter of Henry, the last Earl of Arundel, of the name of Fitzalan, in the 13th of Elizabeth, when the lordship of Oswestry was conveyed to the duke. The Powis family subsequently became possessed of the manor. Powisland extended from the Broxton hills, in Cheshire, to Pengwerne Powis, or Shrewsbury, including a large tract of land in both those counties, and also comprehended a considerable portion of Wales. This part of England, previous to the reign of Edward II., was termed the Northern Marches, and was governed by a Lord President, who kept his court at Ludlow Castle, and lived in a style little inferior to that of royalty.

The town of Oswestry had various immunities and privileges granted by different monarchs. In the 12th of Henry III. John Fitzalan obtained the grant of a fair at his manor of Blancminster, upon the eve, the day, and the day after the feast of St. Andrew, and for two days following. Edward I. surrounded Oswestry with walls, that it might be less liable to plundering excursions, and as a key to his intended conquest of Wales. A murage or toll was imposed upon the whole county (except the burgesses of Shrewsbury) for the building of the same for a period of six years. The walls were about a mile in circumference, with an entrenchment on the outside, which could be filled with water from the numerous springs in the vicinity. The remains of this fortification may still be traced. There were also four gates, the only inlets into the town. These gates, in process of time, became exceedingly inconvenient for the passage of carriages and merchandise, and the Blackgate was taken down in 1766, by the consent of Earl Powis, the lord of the manor. In 1782, the corporation entered into an agreement for the demolition of the three remaining gates, and appropriating the materials to the erecting of a prison. This was carried into effect, and pillars substituted in their stead. The New Gate was built in the reign of Edward II. It was used as a prison and guard-room for the soldiers. Beatrice Gate is said to have been named in compliment to Beatrice, wife of Henry IV., and was probably erected in that king’s reign. Willow Gate or Wallia Gate took its name from being the thoroughfare into Wales.

The governing charter, previous to the date of the municipal act, was one of 25th Charles II., styling the corporation the “Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, and Burgesses, of the Borough of Oswestry, in the County of Salop,” and appointing a mayor, fifteen aldermen, fifteen common councilmen, a steward of the lord of the manor, recorder, coroner, or old mayor, town clerk, &c. The mayor, steward, coroner, and recorder, were appointed to act as justices of peace for the borough. A court of quarter sessions for the criminal jurisdiction within the borough was appointed to be held by the mayor, as president, and one to three of the magistrates. The boundaries were from the beginning restricted to a certain district within the parish, and in the maps of the municipal boundary commissioners they are still further restricted to the more immediate vicinity of the town. Under the new municipal act, the borough is divided into two wards, and appointed to be governed by six aldermen and eighteen councillors, under the usual corporate style. It is included in schedule A among the boroughs to have a commission of the peace, which has accordingly been granted. The following is a list of persons who have served the office of mayor since the new municipal act came into operation:—1835, John Croxon, Esq.; 1836, Francis Campbell, Esq.; 1837, Charles Thomas Jones, Esq.; 1838, George Dorsett Owen, Esq.; 1839, Griffith Evans, Esq.; 1840, Thomas Penson, Esq.; 1841, John Hayward, Esq.; 1842–3, William Williams, Esq.; 1844, William Price, Esq.; 1845, Thomas Rogers, Esq.; 1846, John Miles Hales, Esq.; 1847, Thomas Hill, Esq.; 1848, John Jones, Esq.; 1849–50, Edward Morris, Esq. The magistrates who act in the Oswestry district are Joseph V. Lovett, Esq., Thomas Lovett, Esq., Richard H. Kinchant, Esq., W. W. E. Wynne, Esq., the Hon. Thomas Kenyon, and Viscount Dungannon.

Recorder: John Robert Kenyon, Esq. Coroner: John Miles Hayes, Esq. Town Clerk and Clerk to Magistrates: Richard Jones Croxon, Esq. Clerk of the Peace: Robert Simon, Esq. Surveyor: Mr. Thomas Hughes. Treasurer: Mr. George Cooper. Superintendent of Police and Clerk and Inspector of Markets: Mr. Jacob Smith. The police force consists of a superintendent and six constables. The income of the borough for the year ending September, 1st, 1850, was £706. 8s. 5d. The principal items of expenditure were for salaries, £180; police constables and watchmen, £143; prosecutions, £65; gaol expenses, £144; conveyance of prisoners, £29; and miscellaneous expenses, £152.

For upwards of two hundred years the Welsh webs were brought to Oswestry, as the common market, and there bought by the Shrewsbury drapers. The Welsh wished to draw the trade more into their own country, but the English purchaser could not be persuaded to follow them, on account of the unsettled state of the Principality; and thus Oswestry was constituted an emporium of merchandise, in consequence of its contiguity to Wales. The “Company of Drapers” in Shrewsbury made a weekly visit to Oswestry to purchase the cloths. The peril attending these pilgrimages must have been considerable, if we may judge from an order appearing in the records of the Shrewsbury corporation, where, in the 25th of Elizabeth, 1583, it was ordered, that “no draper set out for Oswestry on Mondays before six o’clock, on forfeiture of 6s. 8d., and that they shall wear their weapons all the way, and go in company.” The corporation paid yearly the sum of £20 to the vicar of St. Alkmund for reading prayers; 6s. 8d. for the light; and 6s. 8d. to the clerk for ringing the bell on Monday mornings, before the drapers set out for Oswestry market. In 1621, it was agreed by the drapers to buy no more cloths in Oswestry. The then recorder of Oswestry regarded this withdrawment as inevitably ruinous, and says, “Oswestry flourished and was happy indeed by reason of the market of Welsh cottons. A thousand pounds in ready money was left in the town every week, sometimes more; but now, since the staple of cloth is removed to Shrewsbury, the town is much decayed and impoverished, Shrewsbury having engrossed the said market.” For the defence of the rights secured to the burgesses by the various municipal charters, the members of each trade formed themselves into a guild or company, whose duties it was to guard the monopolies of the brotherhood. Thus we have notices of the company of hatters, glovers, butchers, corvsers, bakers, hucksters, and ale sellers. The charter of Richard II. directs “that the bailiff should treat as well the poor as the rich, and that the burgesses within the town and liberty should be quit of tolls and stallage. That none but burgesses should buy any fresh hides or new cloth in the borough. That they should not be bound to keep any fugitive coming to the church or churchyard, except only for one day and one night next after such flight, within which time they should give notice to the bailiff of the hundred, who should take such fugitive into custody. That the burgesses should be discharged from all fees of the constable, usher, and door-keeper of the castle, for any felonies committed within the town, for which such burgesses might be imprisoned in the castle, except that the constable at the feast of St. Stephen should receive from every mansion of the burgesses one loaf, from every hall one penny, and from every cottage one halfpenny. That the penalty of 6s. 8d. should be imposed for selling Shrewsbury ale in the town, half of such fine to go to the burgesses, and half to the lord. That no such ale should be sold in the town of Chirkslound, Melverdeley, and Kinnardeley, except in the town of Chirk, under the like penalty. That none of the inhabitants of those lordships, or of Oswestry, Edgerley, and Ruyton, should take any cattle, corn, victuals, or other articles to any foreign fair or market, until the same had been exposed for sale in the town of Oswestry, under the penalty of 6s. 8d.” Philip, Earl of Arundel, in the year 1581, affected an uncommon concern for the well doing of the town, and in a charter of that date he states “that by the misconstruction of certain words of the charters theretofore given to the town, several acts which ought to have been passed by the common council, had been done and proceeded in by the general voice of all the co-burgesses, whereby contentions and suits of law were occasioned by such popular governments. Therefore for the quiet and better ordering of the said town,” he arbitrarily appoints the mode of election, directs an oath to be taken by all the burgesses to be loyal and faithful to the Queen’s Majesty, and to be loving and dutiful to the said earl and his heirs, grants them a number of privileges, which had been enjoyed, as he states, from time immemorial, and, with true baronial modesty, not till the close does he discover the secret of all this paternal affection, by the significant clause,—“In consideration of all which agreements, and to the intent that the said bailiffs and burgesses may show their loyalty and good will to the said noble earl, they do undertake to pay him one bundled pounds.”

In the year 1400 Oswestry was burnt during an insurrection of the Welsh. After a peaceable submission of upwards of a century, they made an attempt to regain their ancient independence under the renowned Owain Glyndwr. Lord Grey had unjustly seized upon some part of Glyndwr’s estates, which lay between Llangolen and Corwen. Owain sought satisfaction without having recourse to parliament, but he met with no redress. He, therefore, animated by his descent from the ancient line of British princes, caused himself to be proclaimed Prince of Wales on September 20th, 1400, and commenced his warlike career by attacking his enemy, Lord Grey, from whom he immediately recovered the lands which that nobleman had deprived him of. Relying on the valour of his soldiers and the inaccessible mountains of his country, he set at defiance the whole power of England. He assembled his forces at Oswestry, in order to join Lord Percy against the king. The Welsh chieftain sent off his first division of 4,000 men (an account of which has been noticed in a preceding page), and at the head of 12,000 men had the mortification of being obliged to remain inactive at Oswestry. Gough observes, that about two miles from Shrewsbury, where the Welshpool road diverges from that which leads to Oswestry, there stands an ancient decayed oak tree, of which there is a tradition, that Glyndwr ascended it to reconnoitre; but finding that the king was in great force, and that the Earl of Northumberland had not joined his son, Percy, he fell back to Oswestry, and immediately after the battle retreated precipitately into Wales. In 1409 Glyndwr made great devastations in the Marches, and the estates of Lord Powis suffered greatly. Several of the officers of the lords of the Marches, for the sake of preserving their country from the fury of the Welsh, by their own authority formed a truce with Glyndwr and his partizans. King Henry, highly indignant at these agreements, immediately issued writs to the lords of Knockin, Ellesmere, and other bordering manors, to cause such illegal compacts to be rescinded, and Glyndwr and his adherents to be pursued and attacked with the utmost vigour. Owain appears after this to have secured himself in the mountainous districts of Wales, and to have acted entirely upon the defensive. He died on the 20th of December, 1415.

That dreadful scourge the plague raged in Oswestry in 1559, and continued throughout the principal part of the year, during which time upwards of five hundred persons were swept away. About half a mile from the town, on the Welshpool road, is Croes wylan, where a cross formerly stood, the base of which still remains. During the time of the plague, the market is said to have been held at this cross, lest the country people by coming into the town should be infected. The plague again appeared in Oswestry in 1585, which the parish register states began in March, and continued until July, when three score and four persons died. The market for the sale of the flannel webs was held at Knockin until the calamity abated. In 1542 there was a fire in the town, by which two long streets, with extensive property, were consumed. In 1567 a fire again broke out and burnt two hundred houses. The houses were then principally built of timber. Leland, who passed through Oswestry in the time of Henry VIII., says, “There be within the town X notable streates: the iii. most notable streates be the Cross streate, the Bayly streate, and Newgate streate. with barns for corn and hay to the number VII. score several barns. There is a castelle set on a mont, be likelihood made by hand, and ditched by south west, betwixt Beatrice streate and Willow gate, to which the wall commith. The towne standeth most by sale of cloth made in Wales. There goeth thro’ the towne by the Crosse a broke, comming from a place caullid Simon’s well, a bow-shot without the waulle by N.W. This broke commith in by the waulle betwixt Willow gate and New-gate, and so renning through the towne, goith out under the Black-gate. There be no towers on the waulles beside the gates. The towne is dicked about, and brokettes ren ynto it. The chirch of St. Oswalde is a very fair leddid church, with a great tourrid steple, and it standeth without the New-gate; so that no church is there within the towne.”

The Castle.—The remains of the cattle consist only of an artificial mount on the north side of the town. It had a deep ditch extending to Beatrice gate on the one side and Willow gate on the other. According to Caradoc, the Welsh historian, the castle was founded in 1149, by Madoc, Prince of Powis. Leland says a tower went by the name of Madoc’s tower, which seems to confirm the account respecting the founder of the castle. The English historians, however, assign to it a more ancient date, and inform us that it was in being before the Norman conquest, and that Alan had the town and castle bestowed upon him by William the Conqueror soon after his accession. In the 15th of John, John, nephew of William Mareschall, Earl of Pembroke, being guardian of the Marches of Wales, was at that time constituted governor of the castles of Blancminster and Shrawarden, in the county of Salop. Llewellin, son of Griffin, son of Madoc, made his complaint to the archbishop of Canterbury against this constable of Oswestry, for disturbing him in the possession of the third part of the ville of Ledrot, and who had compelled him to send two young noblemen to be put to death in an ignominious manner, in derogation of their birth and extraction, which disgrace their parents would not have undergone for £300 sterling; also that the constable had twice imprisoned sixty of his men, for which they were forced to pay 10s. a man for their liberty; also that when the Welsh came to Oswestry fair, the constable would seize their cattle by driving them into the castle, and refusing to pay for the same. The castle and manor continued in the possession of the Fitzalans, with little interruption until the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The square now called Bailey-head was the ballium or yard of the castle. A mount in the castle field outside the great ditch is the site of the Barbican, or the outer gate at which the halt and blind were usually relieved, and is still called the cripple gate. Within the precincts of the castle there stood a chapel, dedicated to St. Nicholas, wherein during troublous times religious services were performed. The castle was garrisoned for Charles I. in the beginning of the civil wars; a Colonel Lloyd was governor, Sir A. Shipman succeeded him, and continued in that post until the town and castle surrendered to the parliamentary forces under the Earl of Denbigh and General Mytton, the 22nd June, 1644. Gough, in his manuscript history of Middle, relates, in his own quaint manner, the assault and capture of Oswestry. “I will speak of some things that have happened here in my time. The governor of this town, when it was a garrison for the king, pulled down many houses that were without the walls, lest they might shelter an enemy; the church also being without the walls was pulled down, and the top of the steeple only leaving where the bell frame stood; the bells were brought into the town and the organs were embezzled after. The town was well fortified, and the castle, which is but small, yet very strong, built by a Prince of Wales, A.D., 1149. General Mitton, with parliament forces, came and besieged it; he planted his cannon near that part of the steeple which was left; he battered the gate, called Church gate in such sort, that the garrison of soldiers could not stay at it. General Mitton supposing it was so, but not being sure of it, sent George Cranage, a bold and daring young man, to see whether it were so, who took a hatchet in his hand and went to the drawbridge, and found that the soldiers were gone, and the gate was open, for the cannon had broken the doors, and this Cranage broke the chains of the draw bridge with the hatchet, and let it down, so that the soldiers made haste to enter the town, but those who were within made like haste to meet them, which Cranage perceiving, and seeing a box of drakes standing within the gate ready charged, he turned the box of drakes towards those in the town, and one of Cranage’s partners came with a fire lock and gave fire to them, which made such slaughter amongst the garrison that they retreated and fled to the castle. Cranage was well rewarded, and being well filled with sack, was persuaded by the general to hang a battau on the castle gate; now a battau is an iron shell as big as an iron pot; it was filled with powder and wild fire balls, and had a handle with a hole in it, by which it might be fastened with a nail to any place. Cranage takes this battau, with a cart nail and a hammer, and got from house to house into the house next the castle, and then stepping to the castle gate he fixt his battau, and stepping nimbly back again escaped without any hurt. The battau burst open the gate.” The inmates were granted quarter, but the royalists failed notwithstanding several attempts to regain the town. The castle was shortly afterwards demolished, and nothing is now to be seen of it but a lofty circular mount.

About half a mile N.W. from the town of Oswestry is an insulated eminence of an oblong form, surrounded by two ramparts and fosses of great height and depth, which in former days was known by the name of Caer Ogyrfan and Hen Dinas, but now recognized by the title of Old Oswestry. This elevation bears the strongest marks of having been at some time a place of defence; the top is an extensive area containing 15a. 3r. 0p., and the fortifications which encompass it cannot be less than forty or fifty acres. A gentleman who visited this spot in 1797 says that a well and pavement had been discovered here. Some pieces of iron supposed to be armour had been dug up. The original entrance to this fortification appears to have been on the opposite side of the hill from the great Holyhead road. There is strong ground for the belief that this eminence was the original site of the town, which afterwards took and now bears the name of Oswestry, and that it was planted there by the ancient Britons at a very remote period. That it was known to the Britons will appear evident from the fact of both the names we have mentioned as having been applied to it being British or Welsh, Caer Ogyrfan signifying “The Field of Ogyrfan,” who was contemporary with King Arthur, and Hen Dinas signifying “The Old City.” It is evident that this magnificent work was not a sudden operation like that of a camp, but that it was a work of immense labour and ample security. The character of the elevation answers to the description given of the position of ancient British towns. They are said almost always to have been placed on a hill, and Speed tells us that the Britons “gave the name of townes to certain combersome woods which they had fortified with ramparts and ditches, whither they resort and retreat, to eschue the invasion of their enemies, which stand them in good stead, for when they have by felling trees mounted and fenced therewith a spacious plot of ground, there they build for themselves houses and cottages.” In 1767 as much timber was cut down from the ramparts as sold for £17,000.

The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a fine old fabric of considerable magnitude, ornamented with a massive square tower at the west end, in which are eight musical bells. The structure was enlarged and beautified in 1807, and since that period it has undergone great improvements. A handsome organ was erected by subscription in 1812; it is stated that the old organ, a fine toned instrument, is now in one of the churches in London. The chancel, commonly called St. Mary’s, was destroyed in 1616, and the tower and part of the body of the church were demolished in the civil wars of 1644. The vicarage house, which stood on a piece of ground adjoining the churchyard, with many other buildings, were burnt to the ground at the same period, in consequence of the town being besieged. The church contains many handsome tablets and monumental inscriptions, among which is a beautiful canopy of elaborate workmanship, and underneath it two figures in the attitude of prayer, in memory of Hugh Yale, alderman of this town, and Dorothy, his wife, whose bodies were interred within the chancel of this church, before its demolition in 1616. On the north side of the chancel is an elegant mural monument, with a latin inscription, commemorative of Richard Maurice, who died in 1700, and other members of the family who died at a subsequent period. A superb monument at the east end of the chancel remembers Robert Powell Lloyd, who died in 1769, aged five years; Sarah Lloyd, mother of the above, who died in 1790; and Robert Lloyd, Esq., the father, who died in 1793. A neat tablet at the same end records the death of the Rev. Thomas Trevor, in 1784, vicar of this parish 50 years, and of Rhuabon 15 years, chaplain to W. W. Wynne, Bart., and one of his Majesty’s justices of the peace for the counties of Salop and Denbigh. There are various other marble tablets, some of them beautifully executed, which our limits will not allow us to notice. The living is a vicarage valued in the king’s book at £23. 15s. 7½d., now returned at £507, in the patronage of the Earl of Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. Thomas Salway. The iron gates facing the town were put up in 1738 at the expense of the parish, at a cost of £46 1s. 4d. The churchyard was enlarged in 1817. The elm trees were planted between the years 1707 and 1713. The vicarial tithes upon 1,832a. 2r. 23p. of land in the town and liberties of Oswestry are commuted for £70 1s. 6d., and the rectorial for £211. £13s. 6d. There are 82a. 2r. 7p. of land tithe free. Earl Powis is the impropriator and lord of the manor. The principal landowners are Earl Powis, W. W. Wynn, Bart.; Earl of Bradford; Richard Jones Croxon, Esq.; William Ormsby Gore, M.P.; Mrs. Lloyd, Thomas L. Longueville, Esq.; and Mr. Williams, besides whom are several other proprietors.

Trinity Church, situate in the Salop road, a neat fabric built of free stone in the decorative style of English architecture, was erected in 1837; it consists of nave and chancel, and the roof is of groined timber, which gives it a very interesting appearance. There are 670 sittings, of which 400 are declared free and unappropriated for ever, in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society, for building and enlarging churches. There are 28 pews in the body of the church, 29 in the gallery, and the free sittings are open benches. The gallery contains a small organ, which was presented to the church, on the condition that the incumbent for the time being be allowed to receive the rent of the six pews in front of the communion table, in lieu of the pews in the gallery, partly taken up by the organ, and partly thrown open as free sittings. The chancel exhibits some fine chiselling and decorative workmanship; the east window is also richly adorned with stained glass. The living is a perpetual curacy returned at £450, in the gift of the vicar of Oswestry, and is enjoyed by the Rev. John Jones.

The Independent Chapel, situate in Arthur-street, is a commodious and well built brick structure, with stone finishings, and a portico of the Doric order, which gives it a chaste appearance. The pews are arranged in a semicircular form, and there is a gallery; it will accommodate about 600 hearers. There is a flourishing society and a Sunday school in connection with the chapel.

The Baptist Chapel, situated in Smithfield, was built in 1805, and enlarged in 1818; it is provided with galleries, and will hold 300 persons.

The Methodist Chapel is a good brick structure, erected in 1811, in the Salop road, and will accommodate 400 worshippers.

The Primitive Methodist Chapel, built in 1801, and situated in Castle Fields, is a brick building cemented; it is neatly pewed and calculated to hold 600 hearers. There is a small burial ground annexed to the chapel, and a house has been built for the resident minister.

The Welsh Independent Chapel, a small fabric, is situated in Castle Fields. Divine service is performed in the Welsh language.

The Welsh Calvinistic Chapel (Zion), a good building of brick with a stuccoed front, is situated in Gateacre place, and was erected in 1836. The interior arrangements have a neat appearance. The service of this chapel is also in the Welsh language.

The Welsh Methodists meet for worship in a room near the Welsh walls. The society contemplate building a chapel in a short period.

The Plymouth Brethren assemble for worship in a large room on the premises of Mrs. Macdongall, in Bailey street.

The Independent Methodists have a small chapel in Castle Terrace, built in 1848, which will hold about 150 hearers.

The National School, situate at Pentrepoeth, is a handsome building, in the Elizabethan style of architecture, with a convenient residence for the teacher. The centre of the building is occupied by the girls, and the wings on each side are for the accommodation of the boys and the infants. The school is pleasantly situated, has a play ground attached, and the whole is enclosed by a wall. The institution is supported by subscription, and a small charge from each scholar.

The British School, a substantial and commodious building in Arthur Street, was built by subscription and a grant from the School Society. The building is ornamented with stone quoins and cornices; the upper room is occupied by the girls, and the lower room by the boys.

The Young Men’s Institute was established in October, 1850, with the object of extending the moral and intellectual culture of the young men of the town of Oswestry. We are happy to observe that many of the young men in the town have enrolled themselves as members, a library has been established, and the news room is furnished with papers, and some of the most popular periodicals of the day. The ordinary members pay 1s. 6d. per quarter, honorary members pay an annual subscription of 10s. 6d., or a donation of £10 or upwards. The corporation have kindly granted a room in the Council Hall for the accommodation of the members.

The Savings Bank, in Bailey Square, was established in 1818. The capital stock of the bank on November 20th, 1850, amounted to £50,973. 6s. 1d., at which time there were 1463 separate accounts; of which 23 were charitable societies, having deposits amounting to £851. 8s. 10d., and 31 friendly societies, with deposits amounting to £5,884. 0s. 8d. Of the individual depositors, there were 697 whose respective balances did not exceed £20; 442 were above £20, and not exceeding £50; 180 were above that sum, and not exceeding £100; 62 above £100, and less than £150; 26 did not exceed £200, and two accounts were above that sum. The bank is open on Wednesdays, from twelve to two o’clock. Thomas L. Longueville, Esq., is treasurer, and Mr. John Hughes, secretary.

The House of Industry is an extensive range of building, composed of brick, pleasantly situated about a mile from the town. It was erected by the joint subscription of the town and parish of Oswestry, the several parishes of Whittington, West Felton, St. Martin’s, Chirk, Selattyn, Knockin, Kinnerley, Ruyton, Llansilin, Llanyblodwell, and the township of Llwytidman, in the parish of Llanymynech. The house will accommodate 600 inmates; the average number is about 190. It was built under Gilbert’s Act. The respective parishes appoint the officers, who collect the rates, and pay the out-poor. The board days are every Monday. Richard Nightingale Broughton, Esq., is the chairman, Mr. John Hughes, clerk, Mr. Thomas Morris, governor, Mr. Thomas Davies, relieving officer, and Edward and Ann Jones, schoolteachers.

The Dispensary, in Lower Brook Street, under the superintendence of Mr. Hales, is supported by annual subscriptions and donations. It is worthy of increased support from the charitable and humane; for since its establishment hundreds have partaken of the healing benefits of this Samaritan institution, the object of which is to check, and ameliorate suffering humanity, in whatever form it is found.

The Town Hall is situated near the site of the Castle, and forms one side of the square called Bailey-head. It is a plain stone building, comprising a large room (where the sessions and public affairs of the town are transacted) and offices for the clerks, &c. The front is enclosed by an iron palisade. Near the centre of the building is a figure of King Oswald, carved in stone. At the back of the hall is the police establishment, built in 1830, and residence of Mr. Jacob Smith, clerk of the market and superintendent of police.