Longden-Upon-Tern

is a parish and village in the Wellington Division of the South Bradford Hundred, three miles and a half N.W. by W. from Wellington. The villager is scattered, but pleasantly situated on elevated ground on the southern banks of the river, and commands many interesting views of rural beauty. In 1801 there were 102 inhabitants; 1831, 109; and in 1841, 15 houses and 99 inhabitants. The parish contains 796A. 1R. 32P. of land, and is intersected by the Shropshire Union Canal, and the turnpike road from Wellington to Shrewsbury. The river and its tributary streams are crossed by two bridges—one of metal, the other of stone,—and the canal by a brick structure. The canal is carried over the vale of the river by an aqueduct of sixty-two yards in length. There are 6a. 1r. of land in roads and waste. The soil is various: in some parts it is cold and wet. Gross estimated rental, £1,522. 9s. 2d. Rateable value, £1,358. 8s. The Duke of Sutherland is lord of the manor, and the principal landowner, William Howard, Esq., is also a proprietor.

The Church, a small brick structure dedicated to St. Bartholomew, has a square turret, containing one bell. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Duke of Sutherland, and incumbency of the Rev. Edward Meredith, M.A. The tithes are commuted for £110. The Parsonage is a neat brick residence, embosomed in foliage, and pleasantly situated a short distance from the church. The minister receives a limited number of young gentlemen as boarding scholars. The Hall is a spacious structure, of considerable antiquity, with lofty chimneys; it is built of brick, with stone quoins and finishings, and is the property of William Howard, Esq., and residence of Mr. Henry Stormont. Extensive and conveniently arranged farm-buildings have recently been added to the farms occupied by Mr. Peter Brisbourne and Mr. George Belliss. The School is a brick structure, erected in 1849, at the expense of the Duke of Sutherland, who also gave the site. It is partly supported by subscription, but chiefly from the private resources of the minister, and a small payment from the children that attend for instruction. There are extensive corn mills on the banks of the river in this parish.

Directory.—George Belliss, farmer; Edward Brisbourne, farmer; Mrs. Brisbourne; Peter Brisbourne, farmer; Joseph Cooke, corn miller; Elizabeth Hatton, schoolmistress; John Jones, farmer; Rev. Edward Meredith, boarding-school, and incumbent of the church; Thomas Paddock, farmer and corn miller, Manor House; Henry Stormont, farmer, The Hall.