Ludford

is a parish and village situated about a mile from Ludlow, and separated from that town by the river Teme, which is here crossed by a stone bridge. This parish is partly in the county of Hereford and partly in Salop. The entire parish at the census of 1801 had 34 inhabitants; 1831, 528, and in 1841 there were 46 houses and 294 inhabitants within the bounds of this county. Acres, 2,920. Rateable value, £3,290. 10s. Ludford House, the seat and property of Francis Lechmere Charlton, Esq., is a fine old mansion, situated on a gentle eminence contiguous to the village. Though greatly modernized, its interior quadrangle and the massive style of masonry, are indications of great antiquity. The proprietor has in his possession a deed in which mention is made of a house here as early as the eleventh century. This manor in the time of William the Conqueror was possessed by Osborne, Lord of Richards Castle. It was afterwards enjoyed by the Jordens, from whom it passed by an heiress to Howel Vaughan. The hospital of St. John being seized by the crown at the time of the dissolution of religious houses, this manor, as appertaining to that foundation, was also conveyed to King Henry VIII. In the time of Edward VI. it was granted to John Earl of Warwick, from whom it passed by sale to William Foxe, and in the year 1607 came into the possession of the Charlton family. This family enjoyed extensive possessions in this county, and were seated at Apleby Castle, near Wellington. To the south of the house are tasteful gardens and pleasure grounds, and on the western side is the park, well stocked with deer, and remarkable for its fine sylvan beauty and luxuriant woody scenery. Leland, who visited Ludford between the years 1500 and 1550, observes, “The suburbs over Teme bridge by south is called Ludford, and in it is a little parish church. There be three fayre arches in this bridge over Teme, and a pretty chapel upon it of St. Catherine. It is about 100 years since this stone bridge was erected. Men passed along by a ford a little below the bridge.” The Church, an ancient structure, is situated in the county of Hereford, contiguous to Ludford house, and consists of nave and chancel, with a square tower. The altar and basons for holy water indicate that Catholicism had not declined at the time of its erection. The chancel is evidently a modern appendage to the church, and was built by William Foxe, who formerly resided at Ludford house. It is the place of sepulchre for several members of the Foxe family, and also of the Charltons. In a recess is the figure of Sir Job Charlton, reclining in his magisterial habiliments. The living is a perpetual curacy, returned at £105 in the patronage of F. L. Charlton, Esq. Ludford Hospital was founded by Sir Job Charlton in the year 1672 for six poor and impotent persons, one of whom was to be warden; the incorporation to be denominated, “The warden and poor of the hospital of Ludford,” The said warden and poor in their corporate capacity to have power to purchase and hold lands, and to sue and be sued, and to have a common seal. The name and distinction of warden as head of the corporation has long ceased to exist. The latest instance of the use of the common seal is on a lease of Saunder’s meadow in 1618. The subsequent lease bears the seal of Sir Francis Charlton. The income is about £63 per annum. The “pretty chapel of St. Catherine,” noticed by Leland, has long been forgotten. The celebrated well, however, of St. Julian, under the garden wall of the hospital, is still remembered by the inhabitants of the village; but the wonderful cures believed to have been miraculously performed ceased with the superstition of the times.

Directory.—Francis Lechmere Charlton, Esq., Ludford House; Thomas Lowe, farmer, Hucks Barn; George Penny, machine maker and brass founder; John Wade, paper manufacturer, Ludlow Paper Mills; Margaret Worley, vict., Ludford Arms.

Sheet, a township and village situated about a mile from the parish church, in 1841 contained seven houses and 29 inhabitants. The principal landowners are the Hon. R. H. Clive, F. L. Charlton, Esq., and the corporation of Ludlow. The chief residents are Thomas Callon, farmer, Saltmoor; Mary Lawrence, farmer, Saltmoor; Mary and Betsy Longmore, farmers, Steventon; James Wild, farmer, Steventon; Frederick Wood, Esq., The Sheet.