Kemberton,

a parish and small rural village, pleasantly situated two miles and a half S.W. by S. from Shiffnal, at the census in 1801 contained 289 inhabitants; 1831, 318; and in 1841, 79 houses and a population of 380 souls. The parish comprises 1,385a. 2r. 16p. of land, of which twenty-three acres are in woods and plantations. Rateable value, £1,930. The Shiffnal, Madeley, Bridgnorth, and Ironbridge turnpike roads intersect the parish. The principal landowners are Robert Aglionby Slaney, Esq., M.P., Mr. John Bradburne, Lord Sudeley, Mr. Henry Thomason, and Mr. T. L. Beddows; besides whom Mr. Thomas Harper, Mr. Ward, Mr. S. Broughall, Mr. John Cherrington, Mr. William Harper, and others, are also proprietors. The soil is variable; in some parts a light loam prevails, in other parts the soil is strong, and there is a portion of clay. This locality is noted for the salubrity of the air. The land is broken into bold swells, from the high grounds of which some fine views of the surrounding country and of the distant county of Stafford are seen.

The Church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is a small fabric, with a square tower ornamented with pinnacles. The interior consists of nave and chancel, and is neatly pewed with oak sittings; the tower contains four bells. A neat marble tablet has been erected, at the expense of the parishioners, in memory of the Rev. John Williams. The living is a rectory, with the vicarage of Sutton Maddock annexed; valued in the king’s book at £5. 6s. 5½d., in the patronage of Robert Aglionby Slaney, Esq., M.P.; incumbent, Rev. George Whitmore, M.A. The tithes are commuted for £580. The Rectory is a handsome stuccoed residence adjoining the church-yard, beautified with pleasure grounds, tastefully laid out. There is a Parochial School in the village, which is chiefly supported by the rector.

Directory.—George Adlington, wheelwright; Samuel Barker, shoemaker; William Bowdler, farmer; John Cherrington, gentleman; James Clulow, farmer; Wm. Downes, shoemaker; Charles Gough, shopkeeper and wheelwright; Thomas Harper, victualler, Masons’ Arms; Wm. Harper, bricklayer and parish clerk; Benjamin Heyward, gardener; William Richard Jackson, farmer; William Lumley, farmer; John Onions, maltster; Peter Reynolds, farmer; Elizabeth Rogers, school-teacher; Thomas Spenser, gentleman, Langley Cottage; Thomas Stonely, corn-miller; Mrs. Eliza Lloyd Thomas, farmer; Mary Ann Tomkins, shopkeeper; James Vaughan, blacksmith; Rev. George Whitmore, M.A., The Rectory; William Williams, tailor.