Worthen

is an extensive parish twelve miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, which contains the townships of Aston Pigott, Aston Rogers, Beachfield, Brockton, Bromlow, Bynweston, Grimmer, Habberley Office, Hayes, Heath (Upper and Nether), Hope, Leigh, Meadow Town, Walton, Worthen, Leighton, Rhos Goch, and Trelystan,—the last three townships are partly in Montgomeryshire. The townships of Grimmer, Habberley Office, Hayes, Upper and Nether Heath, and part of Hope, are in the Ford hundred. The entire parish comprehends an area of 14,798a. 3r. 31p. of land, the rateable value of which is £11,520. Population in 1801, 1,602; in 1831, 2,290; in 1841, 3,195; and in 1851 here were 701 houses and 3,227 inhabitants. The parish is divided into five parts or districts, namely—Bynweston district, which comprehends the townships of Bynweston, Walton, and Beachfield; Worthen, comprehending the townships of Worthen, Brockton, Aston Rogers, and Aston Pigott; Bromlow district, containing Bromlow, Meadow Town, Leigh, Grimmer, and Hope; the Heath division comprehends Upper and Lower Heath and Habberley Office; and Trelystan district, Trelystan, Rhos Goch, and Leighton. The township of Worthen is situated nine miles N.E. of Montgomery, and contains 707a. 1r. 39p. of land, the rateable value of which is £755. 16s. 6d. In 1841 there were 223 inhabitants, and in 1851 had 48 houses and 240 persons. This division of the parish contains the townships of Worthen, Aston Rogers, Aston Pigott, and Brockton, which together have an area of 3,300 acres of land. The rent charge apportioned to the rector is £461. 2s. 10d. The principal landowner in the township is Sir John Roger Kynaston, Bart., who is also lord of the manor; the Rev. Charles Awdry, Mr. Joseph Bunts, the Venerable Archdeacon Clive, Mr. Thomas Hughes, Mr. John Inions, Baldwin Francis Leighton, Esq., John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., Mr. Thomas Morris, Mr. Thomas Vaughan, and Mr. Robert Woodward, are also proprietors. The name of Worthen is derived from Worth, an old Saxon word, signifying an habitation. This manor was part of the portion that fell to Roger Corbet at the conquest. In 30th Henry III. Thomas Corbet had a grant of free warren here, and in the 54th year of the same reign he had a market on Wednesday, and a grant of two fairs, one on the eve, day, and day after the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, and the other on the eve, day, and day after the exaltation of the Holy Cross. Fairs are now held on April 7th, July 7th, and October 6th, for the sale of cattle and merchandise, and on the 2nd of May for the hiring of servants. The fairs are well attended with all kinds of stock.

The Church is an ancient stone edifice, dedicated to All Saints, having a square tower in which is a clock and a peal of six bells. The interior consists of nave, side aisles, and chancel, the various compartments are neatly pewed with oak. The chancel was rebuilt in the year 1761, at the expense of the then rector, and the arch which separates it from the body of the church by the parish. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £28. 14s. 7d., now returned at £1,495 in the patronage of the New College, Oxford, and incumbency of the Rev. Charles Awdry, B.C.L. The tithes of the whole parish amount to £1,194. 14s. 4d., and there are 160 acres of glebe land. There is a free school now building, chiefly at the expense of the rector.

Charities.—Martha Scarlett, by will, dated 1725, bequeathed £100, the interest thereof to be paid annually to six poor widows. Besides the above there are nine other pecuniary gifts recorded on the benefaction table, amounting to £160, making in the whole £260. There are no deeds or documents relative to these bequests in the parish, but it is understood that about £160 was laid out many years ago in the purchase of a farm in Chirbury, which was sold in 1793 for £375, which, with £100 then on private security, was soon after placed out on the Pool and Montgomery House of Industry. The interest of this sum is distributed among the poor at St. Thomas’s-day.

Robert Nicholson left a house and yard in Aston for the benefit of the poor of Worthen parish for ever. In the year 1793 they were sold for £211. 2s., which, after paying the solicitor’s bill, left £204. 11s. clear. This sum was taken by the overseers of the parish (to defray an expense incurred by a new survey and valuation), who pay an annual sum of £10 as interest, which is distributed to the poor on St. Thomas’s-day.

Peter Scarlett also left a rent charge of £3 per annum for the benefit of the poor of the parish of Worthen. John Powell, by will, in 1774, bequeathed to the minister and churchwardens £150, in trust, to distribute the interest amongst the poor of the parish.

Aston Pigott is a small township and pleasant village eleven miles S.W. by W. of Shrewsbury, containing 541a. 0r. 16p. of land, the rateable value of which is £495. At the census of 1841 here were 14 houses and 82 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Mr. John Leech Rowlands, Mr. Kennedy Smith, Mr. George Griffiths, and Mr. John Inions. The Primitive Methodists have a small chapel here.

Aston Rogers is a small rural township and village ten and a half miles S.W. by S. of Shrewsbury, which had at the census of 1851 35 houses and 140 persons. It contains 807a. 1r. 31p. of land, the rateable value of which is £747. 15s. The principal landowners are Captain Clutton, Mrs. Platt, Mr. Kennedy Smith, and Mr. Phillips.

Beachfield is a small township two and a half miles west of Worthen, which contains 597a. 2r. 4p. of land, the rateable value of which is £604. 13s. 9d. At the census of 1851 here were five houses and 23 inhabitants. The principal freeholder is Thos. Nicholls, Esq.

Brockton is a township and well built village thirteen miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, containing 1,114a. 1r. 21p. of land, the rateable value of which is £914. 3s. 6d. Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart., is the principal landowner; Baldwin Francis Leighton, Esq., Mr. Benjamin Broston, Mr. Aaron Davies, Mr. John Evans, Mr. Alexander Hughes, Mr. Joseph Hickman, Mr. Evan Stephen, and several others are also proprietors. In 1851 here were 72 houses and 295 persons.

Bromlow is a scattered township two miles S.W. of Worthen, situated in a bold undulating district, containing at the census of 1851 96 houses and 406 residents. The township contains 864a. 3r. 6p. of land, the rateable value of which is £557. 0s. 6d. The principal freeholders are Mr. B. Betton, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Richard Betton, Mr. John Blakemore, Mr. Thomas Blakemore, Mr. Thomas Bromley, Mr. Job Davies, and John Eddowes, Esq. Bromlow district comprehends the townships of Bromlow, Grimmer, Hope, Leigh, and Meadow Town, and contains 3,406a. 2r. 19p. of land, the rent charge on which is £282. 2s.

Bynweston is a township and small well built village fourteen and a half miles S.W. by W. of Shrewsbury. It contains 998a. 0r. 28p. of land, the rateable value of which is £835. 11s. 6d. At the census of 1851 here were eleven houses and eighty persons. John Arthur Lloyd, Esq., is lord of the manor and sole proprietor. Bynweston district comprises the townships of Bynweston, Walton, Beachfield, and the Forest of Hayes, and contains 2,112 acres of land, the rent charge on which is paid to the rector of Worthen, and amount to £229. 7s. 3d. annually.

Grimmer is a small township one and a half mile south of Worthen, which in 1851 had eight houses and 39 persons. It contains 382a. 2r. 31p. of land, the landowners of which are the Venerable Archdeacon Clive, M.A., and the Marquis of Bath.

Habberley Office is a scattered township three miles S.E. by S. of Worthen, containing 61 houses and 313 inhabitants in 1841, and 58 houses and 302 persons in 1851. The township contains 1,779a. 2r. 1p. of land, the rateable value of which is £895. 17s. 3d. The Marquis of Bath is the principal landowner. The Earl of Tankerville and the Venerable Archdeacon Clive, M.A., are also proprietors. There are lead mines in this township worked by a company of shareholders.

Hayes, a small township two and a half miles S.W. of Worthen, contains two houses and 13 residents at the census of 1851. The landowners in this township are Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart., and the trustees of the late John Edwards, Esq.

Heath Upper and Nether are townships situated about three miles S.E. of Worthen, containing 1,679a. 0r. 32p. of land, a great portion of which is heath and moor land. At the census of 1851 here were 142 houses and 719 persons. The principal landowners are the Marquis of Bath, Earl Tankerville, and Mr. John Rogers. The Batholes and Stiperstone lead mines are in this district. The lead ore obtained at these mines is of a superior quality, and got in large quantities. The works are carried on by Messrs. Jones and Company, who are erecting new offices and powerful engines for the purpose of extending their mining operations. Mr. William Baratt is the resident manager. The Heath division of the parish comprises the townships of Upper and Nether Heath, and Habberley Office, which together contain 4472a. 2r. of land, the tithes of which are commuted for £158. 19s. 6d.

Hope is a chapelry and township in Worthen parish, eight miles and a half N.E. by N. of Bishop’s Castle, which contains 664a. 3r. 30p. of land, the rateable value of which is £425. 12s. At the census of 1851 here were 78 houses and 355 inhabitants. The Chapel is a small structure, erected in 1843, and consists of nave and chancel, having a small turret. It is neatly pewed with open benches, and will accommodate 280 persons. In consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society, 230 sittings are free and unappropriated. The Hope school was built in 1844, by means of a government grant and private subscription. The average attendance of scholars is 80. The principal freeholders are Mr. James Davies, Mr. William Eddowes, and John Arthur Lloyd, Esq.

Leigh is a small township, one mile from Worthen, which contains 868a. 3r. 6p. of land, the rateable value of which is £559. 9s. In 1851 there were seven houses and 29 persons. The Venerable Archdeacon Clive is sole proprietor of the township.

Leighton is a township and well built village, one mile and a half S.E. by S. of Welshpool, containing 1,568 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,792. 8s. 4d. John Naylor, Esq., is the sole proprietor of this township. In 1841 here were 44 houses and 220 persons. The village is situated on the eastern bank of the river Severn, which is crossed by a stone bridge. This estate was purchased a few years ago by its present owner, who has at a great expense drained the land, and erected new homesteads and farm buildings, and is now engaged in building a magnificent mansion. In July, 1851, the worthy proprietor commenced building a new district church, and a parsonage house for the minister. The tithes of this township are commuted for £172, of which sum £100 is given to the incumbent of Leighton. This township is in the county of Montgomery.

Meadowtown is a scattered township, situated between the Hope and Shelve hills, having a population of 131 persons at the census of 1851 and 27 houses. It contains 264a. 2r. 26p. of land, the rateable value of which is £151. 13s. 6d. Mr. J. M. Edwards, Mrs. Wildblood, Mr. Morris, the Trustees of Chirbury School, and Mr. Edward Parry are the principal landowners in this township.

Rhos Goch is a small township, in the parish of Worthen and the county of Montgomeryshire, eight miles and a half north-east of Montgomery. At the census of 1841 here were six houses and 38 inhabitants. It contains 851 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,060. The tithes are commuted for £57. 15s., and apportioned to the Rector of Worthen. John Naylor, Esq., is the principal landowner. Rhos Goch is celebrated for its mineral springs, which are efficacious in the cure of scorbutic complaints. The Beacon Ring, or mountain, is in this township, on the summit of which are the remains of a Roman encampment.

Trelystan is a chapelry and district in Worthen, comprising the townships of Rhos Goch, Trelystan, and Leighton, which comprehend an area of 3,528 acres of land, the rent charge of which is £292. 10s. The township contains 21 houses and 113 inhabitants, and has an area of 1,109 acres of land. Trelystan is situated in the county of Montgomery.

Walton is a small township, two miles and a half west of Worthen, which had at the census of 1851 three houses and twenty three persons. The principal freeholders of this township are Mr. Wm. Thomas, Miss M. Shuker, Sir J. R. Kynaston, Bart., Thos. Howell, Esq., and Mr. Edward Menlove. The township contains 953a. 0r. 3p. of land, the rateable value of which is £601.

Post Office at Miss Woodward’s. Letters arrive at 9 A.M., and are despatched at 5 P.M.

Worthen.

Awdry Rev. Chs., The Rectory

Bennett Jsh., farmer, Scantley

Bryan Edw., farmer, Leighton

Bunce William, shoemaker

Butler Jno., farmer, The Hall

Downes Arthur, saddler and harness maker

Downes Mr. William

Downes Rd., grocer & draper

Downes Rchd., jun., relieving officer & carrier to Shrewsbury, Wednsy. & Saturday

Gough Geo., c. police const.

Gorner Rbt. plumber & glazier

Green Rev. Mr., B.A., P. C. Trelystan

Howells Thomas, shoemaker

Hughes Alx. farmer, Leighton

Hughes Susannah, farmer, Trelystan

Jacks Job, farmer, Rhos Goch

James David, farmer, Red House, Trelystan

Jones Jno. contractr. & buildr.

Jones Thos. farmer, Trelystan

Maddox Thomas, carpenter

Menlove John, Bank Farm

Morris Mr. Thomas

Naylor John, Esq., Leighton Hall

Passant Wm., Rowens Farm

Poston Rbt. farmer, Shelfield

Preece Philip, farmer, Capsill

Speake William, farmer, Minsterley Bank

Thomas William, joiner

Tomlins Edwd. farmer, Rhos Goch

Tomlinson Rev. Edward, B.A., curate

Trantem Edward, tailor

Vaughan Evan, farmer, Grove Trelystan

Weaver Mr. John

Weaver Wm., farmer & vict., Kynaston’s Arms

Williams Wm., shoemaker

Woodhouse Edward, farmer, Hogstow

Woodward Robt., grocer, draper, maltster, porter agent, and vict., White Horse

Young Alexander, vict. and maltster, Plough, Little Worthen

Aston Pigott.

Cumpston John, farmer

Evans John, farmer

Home Samuel, wheelwright

Kempster Thomas, farmer

Meredith John, wheelwright

Randle Ths. maltster & farmer

Williams John, miller

Aston Rogers.

Bromley Thomas, farmer

Croft Thomas, blacksmith

Done Richard Sutton, farmer

Lloyd John, maltster and beer retailer

Owen Richard, farmer

Parry Jno. farmer, The Hurst

Platt Sarah, farmer

Beachfield.

Groves Sarah, farmer

Brockton.

Braxton Benjn., wheelwright

Broston Benjamin, farmer

Davies Aaron, shopkeeper

Davies Mr. William

Evans Mr. John

Evans William, wheelwright

Hickman Joseph

Lloyd Edward, wheelwright

Menlove John, farmer, The Bank

Savage Richard, farmer

Stevan Evan, farmer

Timmis Thos. the Hall Farm

Wall William, farmer

Young Thomas, blacksmith

Bromlow.

Bright Samuel, farmer

Butler John, blacksmith

Eddowes Edwd. Betton Farm

Eddowes John, farmer

Edwards Edwd., shopkeeper

Ellis Thomas, farmer

Hammons Jane, farmer

Jones Thos., farmer, Mincop

Rogers John, victualler, Sun Inn, and shopkeeper

Watkin Evan, farmer

Byn Weston.

Davies John, farmer

Eddowes Richard, farmer

Jebb Thomas, farmer

Wall Robert, farmer

Grimmer.

Eddowes John, farmer

Morris John, farmer

Habberley Office.

Bromley William, farmer, Lord’s Hill

Cadwalader Thomas, farmer

Johnson Wm., wood bailiff

Powell Hannah, farmer

Speake William, farmer

Vaughan John, farmer

Williams William, farmer

Hayes.

Corfield Jno. farmer, The Has

Jones Saml., farmer, Hampton Hall

Heath Upper and Nether.

Rarratt Wm., mine steward, Batholes

Davies Thos., farmer, Snailbeach

Horton, Johnson, Stainsby and Jones, lead mine proprietors, Batholes and Stiperstones

Lakin Jos. farmer, Crow Nest

Passant John, shoemaker, Gravells

Rawson Arthur, mine manager, Snailbeach

Rogers Edward, victualler, Tankerville Arms

Rogers John, victualler and shopkeeper, Gravel mine

Rogers Richard, blacksmith

Rogers Wm. farmer, Batholes

Hope.

Dorricott Richard, carrier

Eddowes Edward, Hogster Farm and Mill

Gough Ths. farmer, Ivy House

Lindley Wm., farmer, Hope’s Gate

Rogers Mary Ann, dress mkr.

Rogers Sarah, school teacher

Williams John, farmer

Leigh.

Jebb Thos. farmer, The Hall

Meadowtown.

Clare Thos., miner & farmer

Evans Evan, frmr., Whitchley

Gwynne David, cooper

Harrison John, lead mine manager

Higginson Thomas, farmer

Jones William, shoemaker

Powlter Abrm. tailor & carrier

Quilt John, farmer

Reece Cornelius, farmer

Titley Richard, farmer

Walton.

Brown Richard, farmer

Hilton William, farmer

Menlove Edward, farmer

Menlove John, farmer

Smout Richard, farmer