Cardiston,

a parish containing the township of Cardiston and part of Wattlesborough, is situated six miles and a half west of Shrewsbury. It comprises 2,548a. 2r. 13p. of land, of which 2,395 acres are titheable. Rateable value of the parish, £2,692. 5s. Sir Baldwin Leighton is lord of the manor, and the principal landed proprietor; the Rev. Francis Leighton, bart.; Henry Lyster, Esq.; John Lloyd, Esq.; and the representatives of the late John Vaughan are also freeholders. At the census of 1841 here were 76 houses and 372 inhabitants. The parish is bounded on the south by the river Severn, and is intersected by the Shrewsbury and Welshpool road. The remaining part of Wattlesborough township is situated in Alberbury parish. The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, was rebuilt of stone in the year 1749. The tower and windows were re-edified in 1844, at the expense of Sir Baldwin Leighton, bart., who is patron of the living. Rector, the Rev. Francis Leighton, M.A. The tithes are commuted for £392, of which £267 are apportioned to the Rev. Francis Leighton, M.A.; £120 to Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart.; and £5 to the small impropriators. A yearly sum of 10s. is paid to the churchwardens of this parish on account of Morgan’s Charity, which is distributed among the poor. On the table in the church three other benefactions, amounting to £25, are mentioned, which have been long lost.

Directory.—Richard Bromley, farmer; Richard Dyas, farmer; Thomas Hordley, wheelwright, and shopkeeper; Thomas Evans, coachman; John Lamb, shopkeeper; John Lee, farmer; Rev. Francis Leighton, M.A., The Rectory; John Netherway, painter and glazier; Captain Owen; Thomas Poole, farmer, The Park; Richard Poulter, shopkeeper and blacksmith; Ann Thomas, housekeeper; Richard Weaver, butler.