Aston Botterel

is a parish and scattered village nine miles S.W. of Bridgnorth, containing 2,198a. 0r. 14p. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,960. 11s. 10d. Population in 1801, 247; 1831, 260, and in 1841 173. The principal landowner is the Duke of Cleveland. John W. Sparrow, Esq., John Hincksman, Esq., and Henry George Mytton, Esq., are also proprietors. The manor of Aston was formerly held under the Fitzalans Earls of Arundel, by the family of Botterels, from whom it received the addition of their name to distinguish it from the other Astons in the county. In the 48th of Henry III. Thomas Botterel had a grant of a market on Tuesday, and a fair at Michaelmas, and also the privilege of free warren. At the time of the commonwealth circular letters were sent to chose one hundred and four godly men to assist Cromwell in his government, and for this county the choice fell upon William Botterell, and Thomas Baker.

The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient structure built of stone, having a square tower, in which are three bells. The interior contains nave, chancel, and south aisle, in which is a monument to the memory of John and Mary Botterel, supposed to have been erected about the year 1585. The side aisle is separated from the body of the church by three pointed arches. The church was enlarged and repaired in the year 1830, when one hundred and eight free sittings were provided, in addition to twenty formerly free. The registers of the parish commenced in the year 1559. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £7. 1s. 0½d. The tithes are commuted for the sum of £345. There are seventy acres of glebe land. Patron of the living, His Grace the Duke of Cleveland; rector, Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A.

Directory.—Rev. Forbes Smith, B.A., The Rectory; Thomas Beddoes, farmer, Moor Brook; Richard Bishop, farmer, Norton; William Bryan, tailor; Edward Davies, farmer, Norton; Richard Eddowes, farm bailiff, The Bould; John Hincksman, farmer, Charlcott; Francis Lawley, farmer and vict., The Fox; Mrs. Elizabeth Lowe, farmer, Aston Hall; George Meredith, farmer; William Meredith, farmer; Ann Miles, farmer, Charlcott; Joseph Wellings, blacksmith; Nathan Weatherall, farmer, Haywood.