Ratlinghope

is a parish comprising the townships of Ratlinghope, Stitt, and Gatten, which have an area of 3,690 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,901. 8s. At the census of 1841 there were 50 houses and 315 inhabitants. The township is pleasantly situated 13 miles south-west of Shrewsbury, and comprises 1,269 acres of land, exclusive of common. Rateable value, £750. 12s. Ratlinghope township in 1841 contained 25 houses and 162 persons. Robert Scott, Esq., is lord of the manor, and the sole landowner. This place, at the Doomsday survey, was in the possession of Robert, the son of Corbet, one of whose descendants gave it to the canons regular of St. Augustine. There was anciently a priory here, in which were placed a few black canons. The Church is dedicated to St. Margaret. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s books at £3. 6s. 8d., in the patronage of Robert Scott, Esq., and incumbency of the Rev. Edward Homfray.

Stitt and Gatten is a township in this parish, ten miles south-west of Shrewsbury, which contains 2,421 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,151. 8s. In 1841 there were 25 houses and 153 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Samuel Smith, Esq., and the Hon. H. W. Powys. James Rowson, in 1746, left £20 for the benefit of the poor of this parish.

Directory.—Ratlinghope: Thomas Cooke, farmer, The Coppice; John Elison, farmer; Thomas Jones, farmer; Thomas Lello, farmer; Mary Partridge, blacksmith and victualler, The Bridges; Randolph Poston, miller; Emanuel Preece, farmer. Stitt and Gatten: Edward Andrews, farmer, The Stitt; William Groves, farmer, The Stitt; Samuel Medlicott, farmer, Gatten; William Mellings, farmer, Gatten; and John Munslow, farmer, Gatten.