Melverley,

a parish and township with a scattered population, 12 miles W.W. by N. from Shrewsbury, and 9 miles S.S. by E. from Oswestry, is situated on the western verge of the county, and is separated from Montgomeryshire by the river Vernieu and the Severn; the former having its confluence with the Severn at the Cymmeran Ferry. The parish contains 1,445a. 2r. 22p. of land, which from its low situation is frequently inundated by the overflowing of the Severn, thus enriching the meadows and producing the greatest luxuriance; large herds of cattle are usually fed upon the meadows. In 1801 here was a population of 218 souls; in 1831, 216; and in 1841, 229. Rateable value, £2,317 5s. The manor in the time of the confessor was held by one Edric, in whose family it continued till the 9th of Elizabeth, when Henry Earl of Arundle sold it to Young, from whom it subsequently passed to the Willastons. Lord Craven was afterwards lord of the manor, and it is now vested in George Edwards, Esq. The freeholders are Colonel Desbrow, Hon. Thomas Kenyon, Mrs. E. Bather, Mr. Henry Adams, Mr. William Parkes, Mr. Edward Williams, Rev. Mr. Maddocks, Mr. A. D. Benyon, Mr. James Jones, Mr. Stephen Matthews, Mr. William Cooper, Mr. Thomas Bromley, Mr. James Payn, Rev. Mr. Dimmock, Mr. William Downes, Mr. Oswell, Mr. Betta, Mr. John Edmunds, Thomas Justice Bather, Esq., Mr. Owen Owens, Mr. Jones, Mr. Manford, Mr. Duckett, and others.

The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, a large fabric of very primitive appearance, built of wood, stands on an elevated piece of ground near the banks of the Vernieu; part of it was swept away subsequent to the year 1478. Although the workmanship is of the rudest description, yet the magnitude of the building and the fine old porch, give it an attractive and venerable appearance. The windows are small and admit of very little light. It contains several ancient memorials, and was fitted up with oak pews in 1718, previous to which it was provided with massive benches. The living is a rectory annexed to Llandrinio, in the patronage of the bishop of St. Asaph, and enjoyed by the Rev. Henry Rogers. The tithes were commuted in 1841 for £177. 11s., and there are five acres of glebe. The parsonage is a neat residence of brick in the Elizabethan style of architecture, built during the years 1846–7. The Independents have a small chapel with a residence annexed, built in the year 1842.

Charities.—There is a field called the Poor’s Croft, in the upper division of Melverley, containing 2r. 2p., and another piece of land containing about an acre and a half, in the township of Tir-y-coed, in respect of which W. B. Price has for many years paid a rent of 12s. a year. The premises are stated to be worth £3 per annum, and notice has been given to the parties holding the lands to give up possession to the parish. There is also a small piece of ground in Melverley, about one and a quarter acre, producing a yearly rent of £3. 3s., which for many years has been carried to the account of the poor’s rate. Henry Morgen gave a rent charge of 10s. yearly, which is given to the poor on Good Friday. The poor have also a yearly sum of 5s., left by Mrs. Prees. The charities of Richard Lloyd and Elizabeth Lloyd are lost; the former left a rent charge of 20s. per annum in 1780, and the latter bequeathed the sum of £20 for the benefit of the poor.

Bather Mrs. Eleanor, Cross lane house

Bill Edward, farmer

Brown Edward, farmer

Davies William, farmer, Melverley hall

Gittings Benjamin, farmer

Jones David, farmer

Jones Ed., grocer & beerhse

Jones Richard, blacksmith

Jones William, farmer

Lewis John, shoemaker and parish clerk

Lewis Thomas, farmer

Lloyd William, farmer

Manford Thomas, farmer, The green

Morgan William, farmer & cattle dealer

Morris Edward, farmer, Cross lane

Owens John, farmer

Pugh John, shopkeeper & beerhouse

Richards John, grocer and cattle salesman

Rodgers Rev. Henry, The parsonage

Rodgers John, assistant overseer and rate collector

Vaughan Richard, farmer

Vaughan Thomas, saddler

Wild John, butcher

Wild John, farmer

Wild Richard, vict., New Inn

Williams Edward, farmer, The green house