Cleobury North

is a small village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, on the turnpike road from Bridgnorth to Ludlow, eight miles south-west from the former, and eleven miles north-east from the latter. The parish contains 1,560 acres of land, of which 461 acres are in waste and commons. At the census of 1801 there were 136 inhabitants; 1831, 187; and in 1841, 33 houses and a population of 176 souls. Rateable value, £1,001. 14s. 6d. The principal landowners are the Rev. J. Knight, H. G. Mytton, Esq., the Earl of Powis, and Mr. John Hinksman; and the Corporation of Ludlow are also proprietors. The Church is dedicated to St. Peter, and consists of nave, chancel, and south aisle, with a short tower in which are two bells. The windows exhibit the style of architecture which prevailed during the reign of Henry VII.: in other parts are traces of the Norman character. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £5. 12s. 3d., in the patronage of the Mytton family; incumbent, Rev. John R. Webb. The tithes are commuted for £149. 9s.; and there are 75 acres of glebe land, of the annual value of £60. The rectory is a good residence, almost surrounded with water, and has a very picturesque appearance, not far from which are the towering heights of the Brown Clee Hill. The church has recently been restored and beautified, at the expense of the landowners and the principal residents. A fine toned organ has been added, at a cost of £120, which was raised by the interest and exertions of the present incumbent. Cleobury Hall, the residence of Henry George Mytton, Esq., and the Misses Mytton, is a handsome mansion of free stone, erected by the grandfather of the present proprietor; it is beautified with pleasure grounds and shrubberies, and surrounded with fine scenery.

Directory.—Henry George Mytton, Esq., Cleobury Hall; The Misses Mary Ann, Harriette, Ann, and Frances Mytton, Cleobury Hall; Launcelot Dixon, joiner; Thomas Green, farmer and corn miller; John Minton, yeoman; John Miles farmer; William Powell, farmer; Jeremiah Sambrook, farmer; Rev. John R. Webb, the Rectory.