Shelve

is a sequestered parish, situated in the lower division of the hundred of Chirbury, six miles north of Bishop’s Castle, containing about 587 acres of enclosed land, 200 acres of common, and 18¾ acres of glebe; the rateable value of which is £456. 6s. 10d., and gross estimated rental, £507. 4s. Robt. Bernard More, Esq. is lord of the manor and sole landowner. At the census of 1841 there were 14 houses and 69 persons; population in 1801, 71; and in 1831, 71. This manor formerly belonged to the Corbets of Caux Castle, though it is not mentioned in Doomsday book. In the 45th Henry III., Thomas Corbet had the grant of a market here on a Friday, and a fair on the vigil, the day, and the day after the Invention of the Cross. On the Lords Corbet of Caux dying without male issue, in the 24th Edward III., Robert de Harley paid twenty-five marks relief to the king for the fourth part of the barony of Caux, of which Shelve was a parcel. The White Grit and the Bog lead mines are near this township. It is supposed that these mines were worked by the Romans in the time of Adrian; a pig of lead having been found, on which was a Roman inscription. Messrs. Edward Lloyd, Ward, and Company are the proprietors, and Mr. Edward Dickin, manager. The Church, dedicated to All Saints, is a stone edifice, with square tower, in which is one bell. It was built in the year 1839 by Robert Bernard More, Esq. The Rev. Thomas Frederick More, M.A., is the incumbent. A National School was built in the same year by the same benevolent individual, by whom it is also munificently supported.

Directory.—John Beamond, farmer, Benree; William Bennett, underground steward; Edward Dickin, manager, The Lead Works; John Higgins, schoolmaster; Jeremiah Powell, farmer; Thomas Powell, farmer; Thomas Price, farmer, Squilva Farm; William Rawson, farmer; Messrs. Ward and Co., White Grit Lead Mine proprietors and smelters.