Tugford

is a parish in the upper division of the Munslow hundred, nine miles N.N.E. from Ludlow, which contains 1,990 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,609. 5s. The soil is well adapted for the growth of turnips and barley. Population in 1801, 165; 1831, 188; 1841, 145; at the latter period there were 31 houses. The village of Tugford is on a good road leading to Ludlow, the situation is low, but dry, pleasant, and warm, being sheltered from the east by a tall plantation rising at the back of it. A small stream called Tugford Brook turns a corn mill in the village, and shortly after has its confluence with the river Corfe. In the time of Henry III. the abbot and convent of Shrewsbury held the ville of Tugford, which was computed to consist of two hides and a half of land. At the assizes, in the 20th of Edward I., the abbot of Salop claimed the liberty of free warren here, of which his successors had a confirmation in the time of Richard II. The principal landowners are the Earl of Craven and C. O. Childe Pemberton, Esq. The parish church, dedicated to St. Catherine, is a small but handsome structure, probably erected about the middle of the 16th century. The living is a rectory annexed to that of Holdgate, in the patronage of the Bishop of Hereford. Incumbent, Rev. Joseph Corbett. The rectory house is a good residence adjoining the church-yard. Thomas Clinton, in 1815, gave £100, the interest to be given among ten poor widows of this parish. In 1652, Robert Ellis bequeathed 10s. each to the several parishes of Tugford, Abdow, Holdgate, Tregnon, and Llanwithilaw. The tithes were commuted in 1839; aggregate amount, £178. 18s. 10d.

The principal residents in Tugford are the Rev. Joseph Corbett, The Rectory; John Blakeway, shopkeeper; John Blockley, farmer; Edward Downes, farmer; John Page, farmer and corn miller; Edward Parsons, farmer; Richard Shirley, farmer; Fanny Wall, blacksmith.