HALES OWEN (Worcestershire), WITH THE VILLAGES OF CRADLEY, NETHEREND, AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.
Reading edition
Hales Owen, (formerly in the county of Salop), in a market town and parish—the latter insulated, separated from Shropshire, and entirely surrounded by Staffordshire and Worcestershire, and extending into the hundred of Haltshire, in the latter county, to which it was in 1844, annexed by act of parliament; 117 miles N.W. from London, 11 S. by E. from Wolverhampton, 5 S. by E. from Dudley, and 7 S.W. from Birmingham, and 5 from Stourbridge—the last named is the nearest railway station, it being on the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton line. This place is said to have formerly been a borough, though it does not appear to have ever returned members to the legislature. The town, which is seated in a fertile valley, consists principally of one street, in which are some respectable houses, and of several smaller streets, containing humbler dwellings, irregularly built. The river Stour, which rises in some hills not far distant, passes the town, as does the Netherton canal; about half a mile from it. Lord Lyttleton is lord of the manor, and holds an annual court leet, when a high and low bailiff, a constable, and head-borough are appointed. A court for the recovery of debts under £5., the jurisdiction of which included Hales Owen, is held at the court-house, Oldbury, once a fortnight, but this is now become inoperative, by the acts of the new County Court under which debts are recoverable to any amount, not exceeding £50. This place has been noted for the manufacture of nails, chains, and pearl and horn buttons. There are also, extensive iron works, (including the British Iron Company), and manufactories for gun-barrels, wrought iron hinges, anvils and vices, hammers and files, spades, shovels, &c. The coal trade is of importance; bricks and tiles are made to a considerable extent; and there are several maltings and corn mills, in the town and neighbourhood.
The parish church of Saint John, (which has recently undergone a thorough repair), is said to have been erected prior to the Conquest, contains a beautiful monument to the memory of Major Halliday, and a plain one to Shenstone the poet; the benefice is a vicarage, in the patronage of Lord Lyttleton, and incumbency of the Rev. Richard Brindley Hone. There are places of worship for Independents, and Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists. The free grammar school here, was founded under a commission for charitable uses. At a short distance from the town are the ‘Leassowes,’ the seat of the celebrated Shenstone, who received the rudiments of his education in the Hales Owen grammar school, it is now occupied by William Matthews, Esq. The market, which at the present day is of little or no importance, is chartered to be held on Monday (now held on Saturday); and a fair on Easter Monday. The entire parish of Hales Owen contained in 1841, 17,376 and in 1851, 23,330 (this is inclusive of Oldbury township which of itself contained at the last named period 10,155.)
Cradley is a chapelry, in that part of the parish of Hales Owen which is in the lower division of the hundred of Haltshire, county of Worcester; two miles N.N.W. from Hales Owen, and three from Dudley and Stourbridge; situated on the river Stour, which, running on the northern and western sides of the chapelry, separates it from the county of Stafford. Beautifully situated in a woody district, and pleasing walks, and on the banks of a large pool or artificial lake, is Cradley Spa, where warm and cold baths have been erected; the water is impregnated with sulphate of soda, magnesia, &c., and is much used by invalids during the summer. At one period, an attempt was made to manufacture salt here, but with very partial success. Tin making of nails and chains now constitute the staple of the chapelry. The places of worship are the chapel under the establishment, and three others for dissenters: the living is a perpetual curacy, of which the Rev. Charles Walker Simons, is the incumbent. A national school, established here, is supported by subscription. The soil of this district is fertile, and brick clay of an excellent quality is obtained. The population of the chapelry, in 1851, was 3,383.
Netherend is a small village in Cradley chapelry, adjacent to Hales Owen; and is chiefly to be noticed as having in its vicinity the extensive iron works of Messrs. Evers & Sons, for the manufacture of tar, rolled, and slit iron, for horse nails &c. which furnish employment to many hands, and others are engaged in the malting trade, it also contains extensive coal and brick works. In the village is a chapel for Unitarians, and a free school. Population returned with Cradley chapelry.
POST OFFICE, High street, Hales Owen, William Parkes, Post Master.—Letters from all parts arrive (from Birmingham), every morning at half-past six, and are despatched at seven in the evening.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Attwood Miss Mary Ann, Hawne
Clarke Mrs. Mary Ann, Church st
Cochrane Rev. William, Netherend
Darby Mr. William, Hasbury
Fisher Rev. —, Hales Owen
Gemm Edward, Esq. (magistrate), Belle Vue
Green John, Esq. (magistrate), Hagley st
Hayes Wm. Steele, Esq. Cornbow
Homfrey David, Esq. Witley Lodge
Hone Mrs. Augusta, Church st
Hone the Venerable Archdeacon, Church street
Horton Mrs. —, Cradley
Hunt Miss Rachael Maria, Townsend
Lyttleton the Right Honble. Lord, Hagley Park
Mason Mr. Samuel, Netherend
Matthews William, Esq. (magistrate), Leasowes
Moore Edward, Esq. (magistrate), Townsend House
Price Mr. William Bransley, High st
Simons Rev. Chas. Walker, Cradley
Smith Mrs. Elizabeth, Grange House
Stafford Rev. Robert, High st
Swindon Mr. James Evens, Cradley
Trewolla Mr. Benjamin, Cornbow
Wharton Miss Elzth. Hasbury Cott.
Wheeler Mrs. Amelia Ann, Green hill
ACADEMIES & SCHOOLS.
Free Grammar School, Dudley road—John Lomax, master
Free School, Netherend—Thomas Billingham, master; Mary Billingham, mistress
Independent School, Cornbow—Moses Hodgetts, master; Nancy Robinson, mistress
Infants’ School, Church st—Mary Ann Thompson, mistress
National School, Church st—Thomas Fox, master; Jane Fox, mistress
National School, Cradley—George Midgley and Isaac Marsh Jones, masters; Mary Ann Woolridge, mistress
Westwood Joseph, Netherend
ANVIL & VICE MANUFCTRS.
Cemm Thomas, Cradley
Hingley & Sons, Cradley
Hipkiss Joseph, Hales Owen Forge
Hipkiss Sarah, Rag Mill Forge
Rose William & Major, Forge
BLACKSMITHS.
Evers Alfred, Cradley Forge
Hinton John, Long lane
Mole William Henry, Collygate
Partridge Charles, Runbow
Partridge William, the Grange
Standen Robert, Spring hill
Taylor Francis, Long lane
Taylor Thomas, Cornbow
BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS.
Beach Thomas, Cornbow
Bell William, Hasburry
Christopher William, Cradley
Crumpton Benjamin, Stourbridge rd
Eden John, High st
Ferraby Joseph, Hagley st
Finney Joseph, Hagley st
Hawkswood Richard, Collygate
Hewit Joseph, Church st
Horner Joseph, Collygate
Jackson James, Cradley
Jones James, Cradley
Jones Thomas, Church st
Lee James, Cornbow
Smith Jesse, High road
Smith Joseph, Spring hill
Williams Robert, High st
BRICK & TILE MAKERS.
Attwood Geo. & Sons, Hawne lane
Finney Francis, Whitehall
King William Hartley (and Stourbridge fire clay), Netherend
King Joseph & Co. (and coal masters), Netherend
Knight William, Stourbridge road
Warr Lucy, Cradley
BRICKLAYERS.
Baskerfield William, Spring hill
Brettell John, Cradley
Brettell Samuel, Cradley
Connop Samuel, Forge lane
Grove James, Islington
Grove Thomas, High st
Hughes Isaiah, Cradley
BUILDERS & TIMBER SEALERS.
Connop Benjamin, Church
Grove David, Townsend
Smith William, Hagley road
Withers Joseph, Spring hill
Withers Thomas, Cornbow st
BUTCHERS.
Attwood Alexander, Cradley
Attwood James, Cradley
Attwood James, Netherend
Attwood William, Cradley
Cooper John, Church st
Gill Daniel, Cradley
Hodgetts Henry, Peckingham st
Hollis William, High st
Hollis William, jun. Hagley st
Jones Thomas, Cradley
Moseley George, Church st
Pearman Joseph, Spring hill
Robinson William, Peckingham
Smart Robert, High st
Tandy David, Collygate
CARPENTERS & JOINERS.
Adams Henry, Cradley
Bloomer John, Cradley
Connop Benjamin, Church st
Grove David, Cornbow
Sargent Thos. Birchy close, Northfild
Smith William, Hagley road
CATTLE DEALERS.
Hollis Henry, Hagley street
Smith Joseph, Oaton fields
CHEMISTS & DRUGGISTS.
Merrick Wm. Higgins, Hagley st
White Alfred John, Cradley
COAL MERCHANTS.
Attwood Geo. & Sons, Hawn Collry
Davenport Joseph, the Hill
King Joseph & Co. Netherend Colly
FILE & RASP MAKERS.
Bissell Joseph, Netherend
Fellows George, Netherend
FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS.
Birmingham (fire), William Hayes, Cornbow
Birmingham District (fire), Thomas Homer, Hales Owen
Crown, William Hayes, Cornbow
Liverpool Royal, William Higgins Merrick, Hagley st
Phœnix (fire), Joseph Smith, Spring hill
GARDENERS.
Beache Noah, Cradley
Fiddian Richard, Collygate
Horner Thomas, Cradley
GREENGROCERS.
Clay John, Hagley st
Davis Sarah, Church st
Hurton John, High st
Jones Henry, Cradley
White Thomas, Hagley st
GROCERS & DEALERS IN SUNDRIES.
Attwood William, Cradley
Bayliss John, Cornbow
Bissell & Co. High st
Bridgewater John, Cradley
Carr Solomon, Hasbury
Cemm Thomas, Cradley
Cooper Thomas, High st
Corbett Amelia, Hagley st
Cross Thomas, Peckingham st
Eyles Edward, Peckingham st
Fellows John, Hagley st
Gill Daniel, Cradley
Graham George, Birmingham st
Granger Matthew Field Pearce (and druggist), Hagley st
Grove John, Collygate
Grove Richard, Peckingham st
Hawkeswood Wm. Herbert, Cradley
Hawkswood Joseph, Cradley
Hill Mary Maria, Netherend
Hodgetts Thomas, Whitehall
Horton John, Cradley
Hulston John, Spring hill
Leonard Samuel, Cradley
Neath William, Church st
Parish Thomas, Stourbridge road
Pattison Robert, Stourbridge road
Shaw William, Cradley
Smith Samuel, Cradley
Tandy George, Cradley
Tate James, Collygate
Taylor Jacob Townsend, Spring hill
Tibbets Joseph, Collygate
Walker Ann, Whitehall
Whillett George, Islington
White Richard, Peckingham st
Williams William, Islington
Wythes Joseph, Cradley
GUN BARREL MANUFACTRS.
Burr John, Hayseech Mills
Rose William & Major, Hales Owen Mill
HABERDASHERS.
Bissell & Co. High street
Pardoe William, Peckingham st
Trewolla & Connop, High st
HAIR DRESSERS.
Hodgetts Thomas, High st
Pearhouse Joseph, Netherend
Williams John, Hagley st
HORN BUTTON MANUFCTRS—PATENT.
Coley Thomas, Spring hill
Harris Wm. Joseph, Spring hill
INNS.
(See also Taverns & Public Houses)
George, Wm. Mosley, Church st
Lyttleton Arms, Benjamin Connop, junr. High st
New Inn (commercial & posting & inland revenue office), Felix B. Granger, Whitehall
IRON MANUFACTURERS.
Evers Samuel & Son, Cradley Iron Works
Hipkiss Sarah, Rag Mill Forge
New British Iron Company, Corngreaves—George Thompson, manager
IRONMONGERS & TINMEN.
Gill Joseph, Birmingham st
Johnson Thomas, Hagley st
Pardoe William, High st
Salt Samuel, Hagley st
LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS.
Bissell & Co. High st
Trewolla & Connop, High st
Wythes Joseph, Cradley
MALTSTERS.
Cooper Joseph, Cornbow
Fellows Joseph, Cradley
Granger George, Cornbow
Jones William, Netherend
Jones William, Hagley st
Laister Thomas, Collygate
Laister William, Netherend
Lea George, Cornbow st
Moseley George, Peckingham st
Paskin George, Netherend
Tibbetts Joseph, Collygate
MILLERS.
Fellows Joseph, Cradley
Green William, Luttley Mill
Moss Joseph, the Grange
MILLINERS & DRESS MAKRS.
Chorlton Mary Ann, Cornbow
Hickman Mary, Cradley
Newey Mary Ann, Church st
Sneath Eliza, Cradley
NAIL & CHAIN MAKERS.
Bloomer Thomas & Son, Collygate
Coley William, Lodge Forge, Cradley
Fellows Thomas, Netherend
Hawkswood Joseph, Cradley
Hingley Noah & Sons, Cradley
Hobbs Emanuel, Spring hill
Parish Thos. & Son, Stourbridge rd
Rock William & Co. Cradley
Stephens John, Netherend
Wood Thomas, Collygate
NAIL TOOL MAKERS.
Bayliss Joseph, Cornbow
Iddridge Joseph, Cornbow
PAINTERS, PLUMBERS AND GLAZIERS.
Crumpton John, Townsend
Day Edward Green, Cornbow
Fellows John, Hagley st
Haddock John, Netherend
Round William, High st
Wyer Samuel Edward, Cradley
SADDLERS.
Newey Joseph, Cornbow
Reynolds Thomas Knight, High st
SPADE & SHOVEL MANUFACTURERS.
Burr John, Hayseech Mills
Clift James, Whitehall
Millward John, Bell vale Forge
Rose William Henry, Birmingham st
Vaughan William, Drew’s Forge
Wood Thomas, Collygate
SURGEONS.
Bloxham Chas. William, High st
Kenrick George, Church st
Moore Edward, Town’s end house
Phillips Benj. Erasmus, Hagley rd
TAILORS.
Charlton Wm. Henry, Church st
Gilbert William, Church st
Moore Benjamin, Bull ring
Moore William Joseph, Church st
Young John, High st
TANNERS.
Bishop John, Collygate
Compson Thomas, Cornbow
TAVERNS & PUBLIC HOUSES.
Black Swan, Francis Simms, Cradley
Bridge, Thomas Cemm, Cradley
British Arms, Jabez Adams, Cradley
Bull’s Head, John Smith, Hagley st
Cock, George Lea, Cornbow
Crown, Elizabeth Simms, Cradley
Crown, Wm. Stokes, Peckingham st
Fish, Thomas Fox, Cradley
Fox and Hounds, Joseph Willetts, Cornbow
Globe, George Moseley, Peckingham st
Golden Cross, Thomas White, Peckingham street
Hollybush, Isaiah Hughes, Cradley
Malt Shovel, Ann Waretts, Church st
Maypole, Saml. Leonard, Cradley
Nelson’s Arms, William Knight, Spring hill
Plume of Feathers, Moses Rose, Church st
Queen’s Head, Charles Fox, Birmingham st
Sun, Wm. Herbert Hawkeswood, Cradley
Waggon & Horses, Thomas Talbot, Cradley Forge
RETAILERS OF BEER.
Attwood Alexander, Cradley
Beasley James, Cradley
Bloomer Josiah, Cradley
Fellows Thomas, Netherend
Graham George, Birmingham st
Granger Henry, Birmingham st
Granger Samuel, Birmingham st
Grove Thomas, High st
Hall Joseph, Birmingham st
Hawkeswood James, Cradley
Hawkeswood Joseph, Cradley
Hipkiss Ann, Cradley
Hobbs Emanuel, Spring hill
Hodgkins William, Spring hill
Kendrick William, Collygate
Knight William, Spring hill
Lane Robert, Whitehall
Mole William Henry, Collygate
Norbury John, Netherend
Oliver William, Collygate
Parkes Sarah, High st
Parkes William, Cradley
Rudge Joseph, Peckingham st
Shaw Williams, Cradley
Tate Abel, Collygate
Tibbets Joseph, Collygate
Williams Eliza, Netherend
Williams John, Stourbridge road
Williams Samuel, Hell hole
Williams William, Islington road
Withers Edward, Spring hill
Withers Thomas, Cornbow
Wyer Judith, Crawley
WHEELWRIGHTS.
Bache William, Town’s end
Osborne John, Spring hill
MISCELLANEOUS.
Attwood George & Sons, fire-clay merchants and steel manufacturers, Hawne
Bloomer Josiah, pawnbroker, Cradley
Brittle James, mason, Netherend
Bullus John, earthenware manufacturer, Greenhill Pottery
Burr John, engineer, Highfield house
Clewes Thomas Matthew, woollen mop maker, Collygate
District Fire Office Station, Church st
Edwards Thomas, inland revenue officer, Cornbow
Gas Works, Cornbow—John Devonport, manager
Glaze John, leather cutter, Peckingham st
Hayes & Wright, attorneys, Cornbow
Hayes William, deputy coroner for Worcestershire, Cornbow
Hemming William, policeman, Cornbow
Hodgetts Charles Ruby, woollen yarn spinner and felt manufacturer, Collygate
Hodgetts Joseph, farmer, High st
Hodgetts Thomas, stationer, High st
Howell Thomas, auctioneer, Collygate
Johnson Thos. patten maker, Hagley st
Maclow John, clothes broker, High st
O’Connor Arthur, relieving officer, Hagley st
Pardoe William, wire worker, High st
Parkes Sarah, baker, High st
Parkes William, post master, High st
Police Station, Cornbow—Miles Overend, superintendent
Rogers James, watch maker, High st
Salt Samuel, general dealer, Hagley st
Siviter Thos. gas tube manufctr, Cornbow
Smith David, cooper, Hagley road
Thomson George, manager of the New British Iron Company, Corngreaves
PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND THEIR MINISTERS.
St. John’s Church, Hales Owen—The Venerable Archdeacon Hone, vicar; Rev. George Thompson and Rev. Robert Stafford, curates
Episcopal Chapel, Cradley—Rev. Chas Walker Simons, incumbent; Rev. Geo. Augustus Caley, curate
Baptist Chapel, Cradley
Independent Chapel, Cornbow—Rev. — Fisher
Unitarian Chapel, Netherend—Rev. William Cochrane
Methodist (Wesleyan) Chapels, Townsend, Cradley and Hasberry
Methodist (New Connexion) Chapel, Cradley Forge
Methodist (Primitive) Chapel, Birmingham street and Cradley
REGISTRARS OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS.
John Smith, Spring hill
Jesse Smith (deputy), Hagley road
COACHES.
To BIRMINGHAM, the Independent (from Stourbridge) calls at the New Inn every morning at nine.
To STOURBRIDGE, the Independent (from Birmingham) calls at the New Inn every evening at six.
CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY.
The nearest Station is at Stourbridge, five miles distant, on the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton line, from whence persons may be conveyed to any part of the kingdom. For conveyance thereto see above.
CARRIERS.
To BIRMINGHAM, Thomas Parry from Whitehall, Tuesday, Thurs. and Sat.
To STOURBRIDGE, Richard Tildesley, from Church st, Monday, Wed. & Fri.
CONVEYANCE BY WATER.
To & from BIRMINGHAM, DUDLEY, WORCESTER, TIPTON, STOURBRIDGE, and STRATFORD, Boats pass daily, & forward goods to all parts