Assembly Rooms, Public Rooms, Castle st
Gas Works, Oldgate fee—Ambrose Ground, manager
Guildhall, Mill street
Mechanics’ Institute, Market Hall, Castle street
Museum of Natural History, Mill st
Police Station, Cross—Henry Biggs, superintendent
Subscription Reading Room, Public Rooms, Castle st
Theatre, Mill street
Station Corve st—Charles Allen, station master
To CORVE-DALE, an Omnibus, from the Bull, every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
To KNIGHTON, an Omnibus, from the Feathers, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evening.
To WORCESTER, a Coach, from the Feathers, every morning at eight; goes through Tenbury.
To BEWDLEY, John Griffin, from Sand pits, every Tuesday.
To BRIDGNORTH, Chas Cadwallader, from the George, every Monday afternoon at four.
To CLUN, Edwin Taylor, from the George, every Monday afternoon at four.
To HEREFORD, Geo. Hathaway, from the Bull, every Saturday morn. at ten.
To STOURPORT, John Griffiths, from Sand pits, every Tuesday.
To WENLOCK & IRONBRIDGE, Wm. Marston, from the Bull, every Monday, Thursday & Saturday aftern. at four.
To WORCESTER, John Stead, from his house, Upper Gaolford, every Saturday
To BEWDLEY & STOURPORT, John Griffiths, from Sand pits, every Monday and Thursday.
To CLEOBURY MORTIMER, Margt. West and James Wheeler, from the Portcullis, every Monday,
Newport is a borough corporate, market-town and parish, in the Newport division of the hundred of Bradford South; 139 miles N.W. by W. from London, and 19 E.N.E. from Shrewsbury; situated near the line of the Roman Watling street, at the north-eastern border of the county, on a branch of the Liverpool and Birmingham Junction Canal. The Shropshire Union Railway passes through the upper end of the town, from Stafford to Shrewsbury; it is a branch held on lease by the London and North Western, and was opened for traffic in June, 1849. The town, which is seated in a delightful part of the country, sustained, in the year 1665, damage by fire to the amount of upwards of £30,000.—a very large sum at that period. Its appearance now is respectable, having many handsome dwellings, two proprietary banking establishments, a bank for savings, a spacious market-hall, and good inns; the principal is the ‘Royal Victoria Hotel’ (and posting house), in Saint Mary street, which as a commercial and family house can be classed amongst the first in Shropshire. The ‘Raven and Bell’ in the High street, is also a most respectable inn, affording excellent accommodation. The principal manufactories are one belonging to William Scott Underhill, agricultural implement manufacturer, in Saint Mary street, and another of the same to Jones & Aston, of Salters lane; there is also an extensive iron and brass foundry, and two manufactories for bend ware, and various turnery, hair sieves, &c. of the most approved description. A newspaper is published weekly, by H. P. & C. Sylvester, entitled ‘the Newport and North Shropshire Advertiser,’ and enjoys a large circulation.
The liberties and privileges of the town commenced by grants, as early as Henry I, and they have been confirmed by succeeding monarchs. The corporation comprises a high steward, deputy steward, two bailiffs and about twenty-five burgesses, who are entitled to certain property within the parish, the rents arising from which, are chiefly applied to defray the expense of keeping in repair a water-course and pipes, by which, from a spring about a mile distance, the inhabitants are supplied with water—this is conveyed into five large cisterns, placed in different parts of the town, four of which were erected and beautified under the direction of the corporation, at a considerable expense, and are rendered an ornament, as well as a convenience to the inhabitants. There is also derived from a large tract of land, a fund which is applied, amongst other purposes, to the repairs of the streets, lighting the town, and apprenticing poor children. His Grace the Duke of Sutherland is lord of the manor, and holds courts leet annually. Petty sessions, for the Newport division of the hundred, are held here by the magistrates, and the County Court, under the new acts, sits one a month in the town hall, for the recovery of debts to any amount not exceeding £50.
The parish Church of Saint Nicholas, formerly belonged to the abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in Shrewsbury, and was alienated by permission of Henry VI, to Thomas Draper and his heirs, by whom it was made collegiate for a warden and four lay chaplains. The church is principally in the ancient style of English architecture with a square tower, and was repaired and beautified in 1827, at a cost exceeding £3,000, and again in 1835; the living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Crown; the present incumbent is the Rev. William Sandford, A.M. There are places of worship for Independents, Roman Catholics, and Methodists—both Primitive and Wesleyan. The school here was founded, and amply endowed, in 1656, by William Adams, Esq. a native of Newport, who assigned certain lands for the support of a master and an usher, for the endowment of four exhibitions at any of the colleges in Oxford or Cambridge, for the erection and support of four almshouses for that number of that number of poor persons, for annually apprenticing three poor children, and for other purposes. This school also enjoys the benefit of four other exhibitions, founded by Mr. Careswell. The land belonging to this charity yields an annual income of nearly £1,000. There are the town’s almshouses for four poor females, founded and erected in 1446, by William Glover, of this town; a national school, originating from a free grammar school of very ancient foundation, and several other charities and funds vested in trustees. Newport under the new Poor Law, is the centre of an Union, comprising sixteen parishes; and a new and commodious workhouse has been erected. The town is indebted to the same gentleman who so munificently endowed the free school, for its market hall. The country around here is very fertile, the prospects beautiful, and enriched by many seats of note; and among other subjects worthy of observation in the neighbourhood, are the ruins of Saint John’s abbey at Lilleshall, about three miles hence. The market is held on Saturday; cattle and sheep fairs (or markets), every alternate Tuesday, and annual fairs on the first Tuesday after Candlemas, the Saturday before Palm-Sunday, May 28th, July 27th, Sept. 25th, and December 10th, principally for live stock. The parish contained, by the returns rendered in 1841, 2,497 inhabitants, and by those in 1851, 2,906.
POST OFFICE, High street, Maria J. Stillitoe, Post Mistress.—Letters from London, and all parts arrive at ten minutes before three in the morning, and three in the afternoon, and from Shrewsbury and Wellington at eleven in the morning, and twenty minutes before eleven at night, and are despatched to London, and all parts at ten in the morning, and twenty-five minutes past ten at night, and to Shrewsbury, and Wellington, at two in the afternoon, and half-past one in the morning.
A Mail Cart is despatched to Market Drayton, at three in the morning, and to Bridgnorth, and Shiffnal, at four in the morning.
Adams Joseph Harrison, Esq. High st
Baddeley the Misses —, Chetwynd Aston
Barber Mrs. Sarah, High st, Wellington rd
Bill Mrs. —, Chetwynd Aston
Borough John Charles Barton, Esq. Chetwynd Hall
Boughey Robert, Esq. Park Farm
Boughey Sir Thomas F. F. Bart., Aqualate Hall, Staffordshire
Brookes Mr. Ambrose, Aston
Brown Right Rev. Dr. Salter’s Hall
Brown Mr. Charles B. Church Aston
Buckworth Rev. T. A. Norbury
Bunsen Rev. H. G. Lilleshall Old Hall
Burne Rev. T. H. Moreton
Burne Thomas Higgins, Esq. Loynton Hall
Charlton Rev. J. K. Rectory, Brockton
Clarke Rev. S. Sambroook
Cobb Mrs. Sarah, High st
Collier Mr. Thomas, Beech hill
Cooper Mrs. Mary Ann, Old Hall, Aston
Cotes John, Esq. Woodcote Hall
Crump Mr. Thos., Chetwynd Aston
Derrington Mr. Thomas, Chetwynd end
Ellershaw Thomas Phillips, High st
Emery Mrs. Ann, Summer hill House
Eyton Capt. William, Aston Hall
Heakin the Misses —, Edgmond
Heatley Miss —, Chetwynd
Higgins Mr. Robt. Chetwynd end
Hill the Honourable Maria Noel, Meertown
Hughes Mrs. Mary, High st
Humphreys Mrs. Elizbth. Stafford rd
Jellicorse Rev. W. Chetwynd end
Justice Mr. Henry, Hinstock Hall
Keeling Mrs. Sarah, High st
Kyffin Mr. Robert, High st
Leach Rev. W. B. Chetwynd Aston
Make Ralph, Esq. Longford Hall
Masefield Mr John, Chetwynd Aston
Morgan Miss Elizabeth, High st
Musselwhite Rev. T. R. Wellington rd
Norris Mrs. Martha, Chetwynd Aston
Oakes Miss —, Meeson Hall
O’Regan Rev. T. Donnington
Palin Mrs. Jemima, Chetwynd-end
Parr Rev. J. O. Hinstock
Pigot Rev. John Dryden, Rectory, Edgmond
Pigott Miss Charlotte, Chetwynd Aston
Rylands Mrs. Jane, Chetwynd Villa
Rylands Thomas, Esq. Banshee Hse
Sandford Rev. William, High st
Saxton Rev. Charles, D.D. High st
Scott Mr. Robert, High st
Sillitoe Mr. William, Chetwynd end
Smith Mrs. Ann, Aston Villa
Smith Mr. Edward, High st
Steevens Miss Mary Ann, Chetwynd end
Stoneley Mr. James, Chetwynd Aston
Sutherland His Grace the Duke of, Lilleshall Hall
Trovell Rev. Michael, Salter’s lane
Twemlow Rev. Francis C. Forton
Vickers Valentine, Esq. Ellerton Grange
Whately Rev. Thomas, Vicarage, Chetwynd
Wright Mrs. —, Chetwynd end
Not otherwise described are Day Schools
Atkinson & Cooke (ladies’ boarding and day), High st
Bradbury Helen Louisa (boarding and day), Upper Bar
Free Grammar School, High st—Rev. Charles Saxton, D.D. first master; John Benifold, second master; Richard Crowther, third master
Independent School, Wellington road—Elizabeth Johnson, mistress
Lees John, High st
National Schools:
Lilleshall—William Diggins, master; Eliza Arnold, mistress
Church Aston—Joseph Collier, master; Sophia Collier, mistrss
Workhouse lane—Martha Ball, mistress
Forton—G. F. Warman master; Martha Warman, mistress
Pritchard Mary Ann (boarding and day), Chetwynd end
Roman Catholic Charity School, Salters’s lace—Agnes Bailie, mistress
(See also Fire, &c. Office Agents.)
Bott John (to Lilleshall Lime Works), Lilleshall
Bradbury Charles (ale, porter and cider), High st
Cheadle James (to the Lilleshall Coal and Lime Works), Pave lane
Holland John (general), St. Mary st
Jones Edward (to the Lilleshall Iron Bar Co), Donnington Wood
Marsh John (house), High st
Smith William (to His Grace the Duke of Sutherland), Lilleshall
See under the head Carpenters and Builders.
Marked thus * are Commissioners for taking acknowledgments of Deeds by Married Women.
Baddeley Thomas B. High st
* Fisher Henry (and deputy steward of Newport), High st
* Heane Henry (and clerk to the commissioners of taxes), High st
Liddle William (and clerk to the magistrates and to the comity court), High st
Smallwood Brook Hector, High st
Fieldhouse Thomas, High st
Holland John, St. Mary st
Griffiths John, High st
Rogers Stephen, St. Mary st
Sargeant Peter, High st
Tomkinson John, Stafford road
Williams Henry, Upper Bar
National Provincial Bank of England, High street (draws on the London Joint Stock Bank)—Alexander Fowler, manager
Shropshire Banking Company, High street,—(draws on the Union Bank of London), William Silvester, manager
Savings’ Bank, High st—(open every alternate Saturday from 10 till 1)—Charles Silvester, actuary
Allman John, Chetwynd Aston
Cook Joseph, Salters lane
Dawes James, Stafford st
Littleton John, Edgmond
Rowley James, High st
Whitmore Thomas, Forton
Icke Thomas George, High st
Silvester Henry Price & Charles (binders, and publishers of the Newport Advertiser), High st
Allman John, Chetwynd Aston
Beeston John, Lower Bar
Blest David, Chetwynd Aston
Bolas Benjamin, Edgmond
Bolas William, St. Mary st
Griffiths William, High st
Holt William, Upper Bar
Marsh Thomas High st
Pigott David, Edgmond
Plant Stephen, St. Mary st
Stewart Robert, High st
Davies Owen, High st
Underhill William Scott, High st
Watkin John, High st
Cobb John, Chetwynd end
Pooler John, Adney
Silliter Thomas, Edgmond
Ward George Joseph (and tile merchant), Water lane
Hurd Thomas, Water lane
Williams John, High st
Barber Charles, High st
Bruckshaw Freeman, High st
Cornmell Benjamin, Marsh lane
Cornmell George, Marsh lane
Cornmell John, Stafford road
Cornmell William, Marsh lane
Doody George, High st
Gosnell John, Lower Bar
Harper John, Salters lane
Lockley James, High st
Morris Samuel, Stafford road
Rees Philip, jun. High st
Steventon Charles, High st
Steventon John, High st
Yeomans John, Vauxhall
Cobb Samuel, High st
Jenkins William, St. Mary st
Sargeant Peter, High st
Slaney Ann Jane, St. Mary st
Marked thus * are also Architects.
* Cobb John, Chetwynd end
* Doody Joseph, Lower bar
* Treasure John, Aston villa
Whitmore Thomas, Forton
Whittingham Joseph, High st
Williams William, High st
Brittain William, High st
Chalmers Henry, High st
Icke & Yates, High st
Jones & Aston, Lower bar
Oastler Eliza, High st
Watkin & Co. High st
Bradley James, High st
Griffiths John, High st
Allen Charles, Church Aston
Allkins Lewis (and bendware turnery, & hair sieve manufactory), Mill Works
Boughey Thomas (and bendware turnery, and hair sieve manufacturer), Church Aston
Eccleshall John, High st
James John, St. Mary st
Tomkinson James, High st
Barlow James, High st
Veitch Susan, High st
Birmingham, Richard G. Lowe, St. Mary street
Crown (life), Hy. Chalmers, High st
Farmers & Cottagers’ (cattle), Joseph Doody, High st
Law (life), Henry Heane, High st
Norwich Union, Thomas George Icke, High st
Palladium (life) & Phœnix (fire), Alexander Fowler, High st
Professional (life), Henry Chalmers, High st
Royal Farmers’, Joseph Doody, Lower bar
Salop (fire), Henry Chalmers, High st
Shropshire & North Wales (fire) Thomas Fieldhouse, High st
Sun, John Holland, St. Mary’s st
Rowring Thomas, St. Mary st
Thompson John (& dealer in game), High street
(See also Shopkeepers, &c.)
Brittain William, High st
Doody James, High st
Fieldhouse William, High st
Foxall Henry, High st
Howls & Co. Lilleshall
Huxley John, High st
Icke & Yates, High st
Jones & Aston, Lower bar
Lockley James, High st
Norton George, Lower bar
Slaney William, High st
Wild William, St. Mary st
Adderley Charles, High st
Harvey Robert, High st
Edwards David, High st
Keeling John, High st
Warner John, High st
Brittain William, High st
Doody James, High st
Hall Joseph, St. Mary st
Icke & Yates, High st
Jones & Aston, Lower bar
Allen Harry (and hearse and job coaches), St. Mary st
Franklin John Robt. Chetwynd end
Sherry Richard, High st
Icke R. & S. High st
Lowe Elizabeth, St. Mary st
Lowe Richard Gooldin, High st
Thomas Alexander, High st
Warner John, High st
(See also Taverns & Public Houses)
Raven & Bell, Fanny Ward, High st
Royal Victoria (and family and posting house), Harry Allen, St. Mary st
Lilleshall Co., Donington Wood
Brittain William, High st
Jones & Aston (and hurdle manufacturers), Lower bar
Underhill William Scott (and agricultural implement maker), High street
Watkin John, High st
Edwards David, High st
Icke R. & S. High st
Warner John, High st
Wiggin William, High st
Bailey Robert, Forton
Barber Charles, High st
Barlow George, High st
Derrington Thomas, Chetwynd end
Doody George, High st
Fieldhouse John, Forton
Fieldhouse Thomas, High st
Lockley James, High st
Meddings John, Chatwell
Parton Benjamin, High st
Sherry Thomas, High st
Stokes William, High st
Talbot John, Forton
Ward Fanny, High st
Ward George, High st
Yeomans John, Longford
Brittain Thomas, Chetwynd end
Lockley James, High st
Paddock William John & George, Caynton
Armstrong Elizabeth, High st
Barber Sarah & Emma, High st
Belcher Sarah, High st
Bruckshaw Elizabeth, High st
Crowther Mary, High st
Gater Mary Ann, High st
Hutchinson Mary Ann, High st
Lee Alicia Harper, High st
Leech Ann & Betsy, High st
Plant Ellen, St. Mary st
Tomkinson Emma, High st
Smith Sarah Ann, High st
Sturges Sarah, High st
Veitch Susan, High st
Ward Martha & Elizabeth, High st
Massey William (and iron and brass founder), Lower bar
Jones & Aston, Lower bar
Underhill William Scott, High st
Newport Advertiser (published weekly)—Henry Price & Charles Silvester, publishers
Brown Walter, High st
Griffiths Job, St. Mary st
Howle Henry, High st
Sturgess George, High st
Dodd George, High st
Eardley Thomas, High st
Fishwick William, High st
Plant Thomas, Chetwynd end
Rees John, High st
Brittain William, High st
Clarke Mary Ann, St. Mary st
Felton John, St. Mary st
Icke & Yates (& guauo), High st
Morris Thomas, Chetwynd end
Wagg James, Upper bar
Appleby Martha, High st
Bott John, Donnington wood
Dawes James, Stafford st
Icke Susanna, Edgmond
James John, Edgmond
Jones Martha, Stafford st
Littleton Mary, Edgmond
Mancell Margaret, High st
Prentice Thomas, Stafford st
Steventon Jane, High st
Sturgess George, High st
Swallow Isabella, Water lane
Tomkinson Charlotte, High st
Tomkinson John, Water lane
West Samuel, Chetwynd end
Weston & Co. High st
Williams Jobs, High st
Crowther Mary, High st
Edwards David, High st
Lowe Emma, High st
Sturgess Sarah, High st
Warner John, High st
Baddeley William Edward, High st
Godby Augustus H. High st
Lindop William, St. Mary st
Doody Joseph (building), Lower bar
Doody Thomas, High st
Treasure John (and civil engineer), Aston villa
Marked thus * are also Drapers.
* Bradbury Charles, High st
Bratton Thomas, High st
Breeze John, St. Mary st
Doody Charles. High st
* Gater Charles, High st
Gater William, St. Mary st
Hodson James, Stafford road
Jervis William, Upper bar
Johnson Moses, Lower bar
* Keeling James, Stafford road
Latham John, Edgmond
Morris William, Chetwynd end
* Pidgeon Thomas, High st
Tidesley John, Forton
Brittain William, High st
Fieldhouse William, High st
Wilde William, St. Mary st
Barleymow, George Ward, High st
Bell, William Lockley, High st
Bridge, Thos. Plant, Chetwynd end
Bull’s Head, Geo. Blagg, St. Mary st
Feathers, George Barlow, High st
Fox & Duck, Walter Mancell, Pave lane
Fox & Grapes, William Fox, Saint Mary st
George & Dragon, Joseph Parsons, St. Mary st
Horse & Jockey, Joseph Waldron, St. Mary st
Horse & Jockey, Katherine Mancell, Pave lane
King’s Arms, Jas. Lockley, High st
King’s Head, John Robert Franklin, Chetwynd end
Last Inn, Robert Steveson, Church Aston
Lion, John Harper, Edgmond
New Inn, John Price, Stafford road
Old Crow, Benjamin Parton, High st
Old Lamb, Thos. Wiggin, Edgmond
Old Plough, John Talbot, Forton
Pheasant, Richard Sherry, High st
Plough, John Dawson, High st
Red House, Emma Edwards, Lilles hall
Shakspere, Elizabeth Stokes, High st
Star, William Bassage, High st
Swan, James Fieldhouse, Forton
Swan, George Lamonby, High st
Sunderland Arms, George Pearce, Muxton
Unicorn, William Walker, High st
Wharf Tavern, Elizabeth Ward, Water lane
White Horse, John Wakefield, St. Mary st
Birks Thomas, Chetwynd Aston
Cornmell Benjamin, Water lane
Edwards Joseph, High st
Glover Alfred, St. Mary st
Harper John, Lower bar
O‘Shaughansey Manus, High st
Allkins Lewis, Mill Works
Boughey Thomas, Church Aston
Cobb John, Chetwynd end
Ward George Joseph, Upper bar
Whitmore Thomas, Forton
Allen Charles, Church Aston
Allkins Lewis (turners of bendware), Mill Works
Boughey Thomas, Church Aston
Norris William, High st
Northwood James, High st
Whiston Joseph, High st
Whiston Thomas, High st
Goodwin George, Chetwynd Aston
Miles Joseph, Chetwynd end
Shaw John, Water lane
Whitmore Thomas, Forton
Allen Harry, High st
Bradbury Charles, High st
Walker William, High st
Ward Fanny, High st
Bradbury Chas. soda water manufr. High st
Chettter John, rope mater, Upper Bar
Dawson John, basket maker, High st
Ford & Thompson, woolstaplrs, Stafford rd
Matthews Charles, veterinary surgeon, Chetwynd end
Rogers Eliz. tanner, Water lane
Sergeant Wm. carrier and leather cutter, High st
Tipping Richard, gun maker, Upper Bar
Trubshaw William, stone mason, Forton
Woods William B. accountant, High st
St. Nicholas’ Church, High street—Rev. William Sandford, incumbent
St. Andrew’s Church, Church Aston—Rev. John Dryden Pigott, incumbent; Rev. T. R. Musselwhite, curate
St. Michael’s Church, Lilleshall—Rev. Henry H. Bunsen, rector
St. Peter’s Church, Edgmond—Rev. John Dryden Pigott, Incumbent; Rev. John Jeffrey Lambert, curate
All Saints’ Church, Forton—Rev. Francis C. Twemlow, rector
Chetwynd Rectory Church, Chetwynd—Rev. Thomas Whateley, rector; Rev. W. Jellicorse, curate
Independent Chapel, Wellington road
Methodist (Wesleyan) Chapel, High st
Methodist (Primitive) Chapels, Stafford road and Edgmond
Roman Catholic Chapel, Salters lane Rev. Michael Trovell, priest
Master—Samuel Binnell
Matron—Emma Welling
Clerk to the Board of Guardians—Henry Heane
Relieving Officer—Benjamin Rees
Superintendent—Henry Heane
Registrar of Marriages—John Stokes
Registrar of Births & Deaths—Benj. Rees
Judge—Uvedale Corbett, Esq.
High Bailiff—George Hill Townsend
Clerk—William Liddle
Assistant Clerk—F. T. Adams
Dispensary, High st—Henry Chalmers; dispenser
Gas Works, the Marsh—John Stokes, manager
Inland Revenue Office, High st—William Gott, supervisor
Mechanics’ Institution, High street—William Fieldhouse, secretary
Police Office, Stafford road—William Harris, keeper
Religious Tract Society’s Depository, High st—Charles Silvester agent
Stamp Office, Post Office, High st—Maria J. Sillitoe, distributer
Town Hall, High street
An Omnibus, from the Royal Victoria Hotel, awaits the arrival and departure of each train
To LONDON, BIRMINGHAM & WOLVERHAMPTON, and forward to all parts of England, the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Compy. from their wharf, daily—Pickford & Co. agents
To MANCHESTER, LIVERPOOL, CHESTER AND MONTGOMERYSHIRE, the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Co. from their wharf, Water lane, three times a week
To THE POTTERIES, the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Co. three times a week—Pickford & Co. agents
To SHREWSBURY, the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Co. three times & week
Oswestry is a borough corporate, market town and parish, having separate jurisdiction, locally in the hundred of its name; 171 miles N.W. from London, 18 N.W. from Shrewsbury. 16 N. from Welchpool, 15 S. from Wrexham, and 12 S.E. from Llangollen. It lies on the main road from London to Holyhead, upon higher ground than any other town in Shropshire: the country around is delightfully varied with hill, dale, wood, and water—exhibiting some remarkable rich and picturesque scenery. Oswestry is of great antiquity, and its present appellation, which is a corruption of Oswaldstree, was derived from the name of St. Oswald, King of Northumberland, who was defeated and slain here by Penda, King of Mercia, A.D. 642. Subsequently, when the great Offa constructed the barrier still known by his name, Oswestry stood between it and Watt’s dyke, which ran parallel to the former, at the distance of two miles: it was thus rendered a border town, and hence became frequently the scene of contest, first between the Saxons and the Britons, and afterwards between the latter and the Normans. In 1212, under its Lord Fitz-Alan, it was taken and burnt by King John, also by the Welch prince, Llewellyn, in 1233. During this period it was encircled by a strong wall, which had four gates, fronting the four cardinal points: some traces of the former may still be seen, but the gates were entirely demolished about the year 1783. Of the castle, which stood on a lofty artificial mount at the west side of the town, only a few fragments now remain; these, however, are sufficient to indicate its primitive strength, and consequent importance, as a station of defence. It may be said of Oswestry that it ranks as the birth-place of the Stuart race of Kings. Walter Fitz-Alan, founder of Paisley monastery, whose descendants took the name of Stewart, from their office of high ‘Stewards,’ of Scotland, was born here and flourished in the reigns of Stephen, and Henry II. A great part of the town was destroyed by casual fires which occurred in 1542, 1544 and 1567. Oswestry has been much improved since the year 1810, when an act was obtained for widening, paving and lighting the streets, which gave an impulse to the spirit of building. In 1825 gas was introduced; and the ancient structures of timber and brick have given place to respectable modern edifices. Additional improvements have since taken place, and large and commodious market-places have been erected for the sale of butter, cheese, poultry and butchers meat, for which the locality is well adapted, possessing railway communication to all parts, by means of a branch to the town from the Shrewsbury and Chester line, and having an extensive Welsh agricultural district at its back. The corn market is situate in Bailey-square, and is a plain building, with a high clock turret, and the roof is partly covered with glass. A beautiful field of two and a half acres, situated near the very centre of the town, is appropriated as a ‘Smithfield’ for the cattle fairs. A neat theatre is generally opened in the autumn. The races have been discontinued for the last three years.
The first charter of incorporation was granted to the inhabitants by William Fitz-Alan, in the reign of Henry II; the first royal charter was conferred by Richard II, and a subsequent one by Charles II—under the last mentioned the town was governed until the operation of the Municipal Reform Act (passed in 1835), since when, the corporate body has consisted of a mayor, six aldermen and eighteen councillors, with two serjeant-at-mace, and the other usual assistant officers: the borough under the same act, was divided into two wards, and provided with a commission of the peace. Petty sessions for the hundred are held, on the last Thursday in every month, before the magistrates; and a county court, under the new acts is held monthly, for the recovery of debts not exceeding £50. The Earl of Powis is lord of the manor. Oswestry is a polling station at the election of members to represent the northern division of the county. The sale of Welch flannel, and of cotton goods, which was formerly carried on here to a great extent, has entirely disappeared: at present the chief business of the place is malting. There are many corn mills in the vicinity, where is also coal; and upon the Morda stream is a manufactory for paper. Two iron and brass foundries give employment to a large number of persons. There are four excellent inns in the town—they are admirably conducted commercial and family houses.
The parish church of Saint Oswald (or St. Mary), originally the conventual church of the ancient monastery, was greatly damaged during the commotions of 1616 and 1664; at which latter period the tower was taken down by the royalists, this structure was enlarged and beautified in 1807, and since that period it has undergone great improvements. The church contains many very handsome tablets and monumental inscriptions. On the north side of the church yard is a pleasant walk, overshadowed with a double row of lime trees, and terminated by an alcove. The living of Oswestry is a discharged vicarage, in the patronage of the Earl Powis; the present incumbent is the Rev. Thomas Salwey. The other places of worship under the establishment are Saint Martin’s, and Trinity chapels, with one at Trefonen and another at Hengoed. There are several chapels for dissenters, of which a list is appended. The free grammar school here, was founded about the time of Henry IV, by Davy Holbeck, who endowed it; and it has been further enriched by subsequent subscriptions: the school is free to all the sons of parishioners, for instruction in English and classical literature. A letter is still in existence, in the hand-writing of Oliver Cromwell, resting the appointment of master of this school in the corporation of Oswestry—how such appointment has lapsed from the corporation is not ascertained. The other principal charities comprise a school, conducted upon the national plan, one on that of the British and Foreign School Society, a house of industry, and a valuable dispensary, carried on partly by the self-supporting system, and partly by contributions. There is an association for the prevention of crime and the prosecution of felons. It is remarked in ‘Tymm’s Topography,’ that, in 1797, died John Lloyd, attorney, at Oswestry, the original institutor of societies for the prosecution of felons—of which that at Oswestry was the first. This neighbourhood is remarkable for its great respectability; and to the number of genteel and opulent families that have residences in it, may in a great measure, be ascribed the prosperity of the town itself. The ‘Oswestry Advertiser’ newspaper, is published every Wednesday, and is worthy of support for the local information which it contains. The News Room is at the Court House, Bailey square. The markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday; the former is a good one for grain and other produce; the latter is for butcher’s meat, as well as other commodities of domestic consumption. Cattle fairs are held on the first Wednesday of every month. The parish (which comprises several townships) contained in 1841, 8,843 inhabitants, and by the returns for 1851, 8,796. The population of the township is 4,817.
Whittington is a parish, in the hundred of Oswestry—the village, two miles and a half north-east from the town of that name, is chiefly to be noticed for the remains of a castle, anciently belonging to the Fitz-Warrens. The ruins consist of one large tower, with traces of four others, and the exterior gateway, now occupied by a farmer. A station belonging to the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway Company is in this parish. A church belonging to the establishment, a chapel for Independents, and a national school are in the village. The parish contained in 1841, 1,953 inhabitants, and in 1851, 1,927,
POST OFFICE, Willow Street, Oswestry, Sarah Babington, Post Mistress.—Letters from London and all other parts of England, North and South Wales, Scotland and Ireland arrive every morning at six and half-past four in the afternoon, and are despatched at half-past six and nine in the evening, and on Sundays at half-past six and half-past seven in the evening.—Letters from Llanfyllin, Llansaintffraid, Llanymynech, Llandrinio, Llanrhaiadr, Llanyblodwell, Llansilin, Whittington and Kinnerley arrive every evening at seven, and are despatched at seven in the morning.
Money Order Office open from nine in the morning until six in the evening.
POST OFFICE, Whittington, John Spencer, Post Master.—Letters from all parts arrive (from Oswestry) every morning at nine, and are despatched thereto at ten minutes past six in the evening.
POST OFFICE, Morda, Jane Haines, Post Mistress.—Letters from all parts arrive (from Oswestry) every morning at half-past seven, and are despatched at half-past seven in the evening.
Aubrey Mrs. —, Broom Hall
Barnes Thos. Esq. M.P. the Quinta
Bassett Mr. Joseph, Plasfynnon
Beaver Hugh, Esq. Sweeney Hall
Biddulph Robert Myddelton, Esq. Chirk Castle
Bill Mrs. Mary, Bailey st
Broughall Mrs. Elizabeth, Whittington Lodge
Broughall Mrs. Sarah, Brynville
Broughall Mr. Thomas, Castle, Whittington
Bull Mrs. Elizabeth, Kent place
Burlinson Capt. Nathan, Bellevue
Cashell Rev. Frederick, Victoria pl
Crompton Rev. David, Beatrice st
Croxon Mrs Frances, Church st
Croxon John, Esq. Llanforda Issa
Croxon John, Esq. Traforeclwd
Cuthbert Rev. George, Upr. Brook st
Davies Rev. Thos. Z. Greenfield Hse
Davies Mr. Thomas, Willow st
Donne Rev. Stephen, Upper Brook st
Dovaston John, Esq. West Felton
Dungannon the Right Honble. Lord Viscount, Brynkinalt
Edmunds Mrs. Jane, Willow st
Edwards Mr. James, Upper Brook st
Edwards Mr. Thomas, Church st
Evans Mrs. Selina Clementina, Willow street
Evans Mr. Thomas, Willow st
Faulder Mr. Wm. Prassgwene House
Franks Edward, Esq. the Dairy
Gore William Ormsby, Esq. M.P. Porkington
Hawley Mr. Thomas, Blackgates
Hill Col. Richd. Fredrck, Pentrepant
How Rev. William W. Whittington
Howell Mrs. —, Travonan Cottage
Humphreys Mrs. Eleanor, Salop rd
Hurst Rev. Wm. M.A. St. Martin’s
Husband Rev. John, Selattyn Recty
Johnson Rev. Frederick P. Whittingtn
Jones Edward, Esq. Llwynymapsis
Jones Mr. John, Willow st
Jones John, Esq. Shelbrook Hall
Jones Rev. Llewelyn Wynne, Church street
Jones Mr. Thomas, Beatrice st
Jones Thos. Esq. Lower Brook st
Kenyon Lady Charlotte, Pradhoe
Kinchart Richard, Esq. Park Hall
Lees John, Esq. Woodhill
Leigh Mrs. Mary, Willow st
Lewis Mr. Richard, Pentrewern
Lloyd Rev. Albany Rossendale, B.A. Hengoed
Lloyd Mrs. Hannah S. Whittington
Lloyd Mrs. Louisa, Aston Hall
Lloyd Mrs. —, Nant Selattyn
Longueville Mrs. —, Penyllan House
Longueville Mr. Thomas, the Mount
Lovett Joseph Venables, Esq. Bellemont
Lovett Thomas, Esq. (magistrate), Fernhill Hall
Maude Rev. Joseph, Chirk
Menlove Miss Ellen, Beatrice st
Menlove Mrs. —, Salop road
Owen Mrs. Jane Emma, Church st
Owen William, Esq. Wood House
Parr Rev. Thomas, Castlefield
Peate Miss Isabella, Willow st
Phillips Rev. John Croxon, Tynyrhoes
Phillips Miss Mary, Stone Cottage
Povey John, Esq. the Derwen
Powell John Richard, Esq. Preesgwene House
Prue Mr. William, Maesbury House
Roberts Mr. John, Cross st
Roberts Mrs. Maria, Bellam House
Roberts Miss Mary, Lower Brook st
Robley Mr. Isaac, Salop road
Salter Mr. Thomas, Salop road
Salwey Rev. Thomas, Upr. Brook st
Smith Rev. Wm. Henry, Salop rd
Thomas Rev. Robert, Canning green
Venables Mrs. Elizabeth, Whittingtn
Venables Rowland, Esq. Oakhurst
Wade Mrs. —, Kent place
Wildblood Mrs. —, Maesbury
Wildblood Mr. Hugh, Victoria place
Williams Mrs. Jane, Willow st
Wright Edmund, Esq. Halston Hall
Wynne the Honble. Sir Henry W. W. Llanforda Hall
Not otherwise described are Day
Schools.
Thus * are Boarding and Day.
* Asterley Catherine, Willow st
Bentley John, Church st
British School, Arthur st—John Farmer, master; Mary Jones, mistress
Cullis William (writing), Lower Brook street
* Edmunds Maria, Upper Brook st
Free Grammar School, School House—Rev. Stephen Donne, master
Grosvenor Jane, Hengoed
* Holbrooke Rebecca, Blackgates
* Jackson Mary Ann, Willow st
* Jones John Price, Willow st
National School, Whittington—Thomas Chandler, master; Laura Jones, mistress
National School, Maesbury—Sophia Throwssell, mistress
National and Infants School, Welsh walls—Samuel Shepley Lees, master; Fanny Whitfield, mistress; Ann Pierce, mistress of infants’ school
* Roberts Mary Ann & Fanny, Castlefield
Spencer John, Whittington
Wynne Edward, Blackgate
Davies Thomas, Bailey Head
Shaw Edward, Bailey st
Windsor John (& agent for Milner’s fire-resisting safe & boxes), Beatrice street
Penson Richard Kyrke, Willow st
Penson Thomas (and county surveyor for Denbigh & Montgomeryshire), Willow st
Porter Isaac, Salop road
Bull William Isaac, Church st
Croxon Richard Jones (and town-clerk), Church st
Hayward & Davies, Arthur st
Longueville, Williams & Jones, Upper Brook street
Minshall Thomas & Charles (Thos. Minshall commissioner for taking chancery affidavits, and superintendent registrar), Castle view
Oswell Edward, Church st
Roberts William, Cross st
Sabine Charles, Salop road
Thomas Jeremiah Jones, Cross st
Evans Edward, Legh st
Hilditch George, Salop road
Hill Thomas & Son, Upper Brook st
Corney William (& dealer in British wines), Cross st
Davies Edward, Cross st
Davies Ellen (& dealer in British wines), Bailey st
Jones Andrew, Cross st
Jones Charles, Church st
Pope Ann, Church st
Croxon, Longueville, Jones & Co. Willow st (draw on Masterman & Co. London)
North & South Wales Banking Company, Bailey st—(draw on the London & Westminster Bank)—Francis Roberts, manager
Savings’ Bank, Bailey head (open every Wednesday from 12 to 2)—John Hughes, secretary
Briscoe John, Whittington
Briscoe Thomas, Aston Lodge
Evans Francis, Whip lane
Jones John, Whittington
Jones William, Beatrice st
Jones, William, Maesbury
Lloyd John, Ball
Lloyd William, Llwynymapsis
Owens Thomas, Sweeney
Parry John, Whittington
Bayley Charles George, the Cross
Lewis George (stamp office and dealer in patent medicine), Leg st
Morgan John, Cross st
Roberts John Askew (and publisher of the Oswestry Advertiser), Bailey head
Salter Jackson, Church st
Bickley Joseph, Whittington
Capper David, Cross st
Coombs Samuel Howard, Cross st
Daniels Edward, Whittington
Davies Edward, Maesbury
Edwards George, Cross st
Fardoe William, Maesbury
Griffiths & Elleker, Willow st
Grindley Joseph, Whittington
Jones David, Church st
Phillips Eleanor, Leg st
Pugh Thomas, Willow st
Roberts Edward, Beatrice st
Speakeman William, Maesbury
Taylor John, Cross st
Thomas Edward, Quadrant
Thomas John, Upper Church st
Williams David, Willow st
Batterbee John, Bailey head and Beatrice st
Bickerton George Morrell, Willow st
Davies David Christopher, Leg st
Minshall & Dale, Bailey st
Pryce Thomas, Cross st
Shaw Edward, Bailey st
Marked thus * are also Fire Brick Makers
* Gore Wm. Ormsby, Whittington rd
Holland Isaac, Beatrice st
Howell (the representatives of the late John,—and tile), Trefawaclawdd Works
Lloyd Joseph, Maesbury
Morris Wm. & John, Salop road
Rogers Thos. (& tile), Stone house
* Vaughan John B. Beatrice st
Wynne Sir Watkin Williams (and tile), Llanforda