Clunbury

is a parish, comprising the townships of Clunbury and Causton, Clunton, Kempton, Obley, and Purslow, which at the census of 1841 had a population of 994 persons. The township of Clunbury is pleasantly situated 7 miles south-east of Bishop’s Castle, and contains with Causton 1,661a. 3r. 36p. of land, the principal owners of which are Edward Turner, Esq.; Captain Gordon; John Morris, Esq.; John Rocke, Esq.; and Charles Meteyard, Esq. In 1841 here were 66 houses and 279 persons. The Church is dedicated to St. Swithin. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Earl of Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. T. J. Hogg. The tithes are commuted for £179. Causton township in 1841 had five houses and 21 inhabitants. Clunton lies about two miles east of Clun, and contains 1,974a. 3r. 33p. of land, the rateable value of which is £2,436. 5s. The tithes are commuted for £173. In 1841 here were 69 houses and 304 persons. The principal landowners are Philip Morris, Esq.; Rowland Statham, Esq.; and Rocke, Eyton, and Co. Kempton, a small village and township, one mile west of Clunbury, contains 1,885a. 3r. 33p. of land. Rateable value, £2,095. 10s. In 1841 here were 43 houses and 216 inhabitants. The Earl of Powis is sole landowner. Obley is a township on the south-western extremity of the parish, containing 1,025a. 3r. 33p. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,023. 1s. The tithes are commuted for £110. In 1841 here were 30 houses and 164 inhabitants. The Earl of Powis is the sole landowner. Purslow is a small township in this parish, containing five houses and 31 persons.

Charities.—The Parish School of Clunbury was built on the waste, by subscription, and is partly supported by the rents of two closes of land. In the parliamentary returns of 1686 it is stated that Mr. Tankard left £12, the interest thereof to be given to the poor.

Directory.—Clunbury: Thomas Anthony, shopkeeper; Richard Hints, beerseller; Rev. Thomas J. Hogg, curate; Edward Jones, victualler, Purslow Hundred House; Charles Meteyard, surgeon; John Morris, farmer; John Rudd, farmer; Edward Turner, Esq., Causton Hall; Edward Tomkins, schoolmaster; John Woolley, farmer; Thomas Taylor, farmer, Causton; Thomas Weyman, farmer, Purlow Hall. Clunton: Richard Brown, farmer; John Farmer, victualler, Crown; George Hamar, farmer; Richard Williams, beerseller. Obley: James Edwards, farmer, The Combs; Joseph Edwards, farmer, Pool House; Richard Edwards, farmer; Richard Jones, farmer, New House; John Palfrey, farmer, Llanadevey. Kempton: Samuel Bright, farmer; and Francis Southern, farmer.