Transcribed from the [1855] George Lewis edition by David Price.
THE
HISTORY OF OSWESTRY,
COMPRISING THE
BRITISH, SAXON, NORMAN, AND ENGLISH ERAS;
THE
TOPOGRAPHY OF THE BOROUGH;
AND ITS
ECCLESIASTICAL AND CIVIC HISTORY:
WITH NOTICES OF
BOTANY, GEOLOGY, STATISTICS, ANGLING, AND BIOGRAPHY:
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
SKETCHES OF THE ENVIRONS.
ILLUSTRATED WITH WOOD-ENGRAVINGS,
By MR. PERCY CRUIKSHANK, after Sketches by MR. ROBERT
CRUIKSHANK.
WRITTEN AND COMPILED
BY WILLIAM CATHRALL,
AUTHOR OF “THE HISTORY OF NORTH WALES,” “WANDERINGS
IN NORTH WALES,” &c.
OSWESTRY:
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GEORGE LEWIS.
ENTERED AT STATIONERS’ HALL.
Preface.
The issue of this volume has been “the accident of an accident.” I was called by commercial business last autumn to Oswestry, where I found, temporarily located, a man with humour at his finger-ends, and of “infinite jest” on paper. I allude to Mr. Robert Cruikshank, an artist scarcely inferior to his celebrated brother, Mr. George Cruikshank—par nobile fratrum, who have both successfully laboured in their vocation to
—“Shoot folly as it flies,
And catch the living manners as they rise.”
Mr. Robert Cruikshank, pleased with the rich and diversified scenery of the neighbourhood of Oswestry, undertook to illustrate the present book. To be thus pictorially aided was a distinction, and I therefore cheerfully complied with the wish of the respectable publisher, to try my “’prentice hand” at a History of the Borough. Mr. Cruikshank has well executed his task. What may be my portion of merit will be determined by the judgment, not critically severe, I hope, of my readers.
The History of Oswestry and its neighbourhood is, however, worthy of a more elaborate and carefully-wrought volume than that which I now send forth; and I should have been glad had some pen, abler than my own, been employed in the completion of so desirable a work. Oswestry is not deficient in the talent or learning necessary to produce a voluminous history; but until the historic mantle fall upon some kindred spirit, that can evoke with magic skill the dramatis personæ and chequered incidents of bye-gone ages, and beguile his readers with beautiful delineations of his native hills and vallies, the good citizens of Oswestry must, I fear, content themselves with the present volume, whose chief excellence, if it possess any, may be found to consist in supplying a collection of interesting facts, connected with the town and district, hitherto dispersed through many publications.
In preparing this volume for the press much delay has occurred from the pressure of other and more anxious engagements. In wading, however, through musty tomes and modern books, I have been instructed and solaced by the way. The Past reveals little else than vandal darkness and the pride and pomp of feudal power. Lords and their vassals figure chiefly in the discordant scene, and ignorant dependence is too commonly seen prostrate at the feet of favourites, in court or field, of ambitious and despotic monarchs. The Present has a more genial and encouraging aspect. Religion, with her gentle handmaids, Literature, Science, and Art, is shedding its radiance even over this district, so long the theatre of Border-feuds, strife, and injustice. The Future, therefore, indicates still more agreeable promise; and those of the present generation who are co-operating in the good work already begun, of endeavouring to make the world better than they found it, will have the consolation of leaving to posterity an inheritance more precious than silver or gold.
I cannot close these remarks without thankfully acknowledging the assistance I have derived, from several gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, in the prosecution of my labours. If I could have stirred up many others to the grateful task of elucidating the history of their native or adopted place of residence, I should have been still more satisfied. I take this opportunity of mentioning the names of The Rev. Thomas Salwey, Vicar of Oswestry, Richard Redmond Caton, Esq., F.S.A., Edward Williams, Esq., of Lloran House, R. J. Croxon, Esq., Charles Sabine, Esq., and one or two other gentlemen, who, with a becoming feeling of respect for the ancient borough, have kindly aided me by various contributions.
I am sensible of many imperfections in the volume; but I trust, by the generous support of the Public, I may be enabled, at some not far distant day, to revise my pages, and render them still more worthy of acceptance.
WILLIAM CATHRALL.
Oswestry, October, 1855.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.
Asterley Miss, Willow-street
Attree R. W., Esq., Plasmadoc
Bassett Joseph, Esq., solicitor
Berry Joseph, Accountant
Bennion Edward David, Esq., Summer Hill
Baugh Robert, Llanymynech
Bull William Isaac, Esq., solicitor
Bickerton George Morrel, brazier
Bartlett Charles Archibald, 32, Paternoster Row, London
Buckley Miss Eliza
Broughall John, Esq., Fernhill, Whittington
Barlow Thomas, Esq., postmaster, Worksop
Barnes William, Osberton Hall, Notts
Bayley Joseph, Quadrant
Cashel Rev. Frederick, Incumbent of Trinity Church
Corbett Vincent, Esq.
Caton Richard Redmond, Esq., F.S.A.
Croxon Richard Jones, Esq., Town Clerk
Crutchloe Henry, Lloran Cottage
Cooper George, Esq., Salop-road
Cullis William, Lower Brook-st.
Corney William, confectioner and spirit merchant
Churchill Benjamin, Esq., Bellan House
Cross Thomas, Ornithologist
Cox J., porter merchant, Birmingham
Clarke Mrs., 3, Devonshire-terrace, Paddington, London
Cruikshank Percy, Pentonville, London
Churchill Miss, Bellan House (2 copies)
Crippin R., Church-street
Cross William B., Cross-street
Cartwright Samuel, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury
Donne Rev. Stephen, the Schools (12 copies)
Dovaston John, Esq., Nursery, West Felton
Davies Henry, Esq., solicitor
Davies John, draper
Davies Edward, confectioner
Davies Captain, Llanymynech
Dicker Phillip Henry, Esq., surg.
Davies Messrs. R. & W., Golden Eagle
Downes Richard, Esq., Haughton Grange
Davies Edward, Esq., surgeon, Llansilin
Davies Henry, schoolmaster, Llandrinio
Duckett Mrs. Tamar, the Lodge
Davies Mrs. E., Chirk
Duncan John, Esq., solicitor, 2, New Inn, Strand
Davies W. M., Waterloo-house
Davies Giles, Lower Brook-street
Davies Thomas, Greenwich
Davies John, Erwallo, Glyn
Edwards James, Esq., Upper Brook-street (2 copies)
Edmunds Rev. Edw., M.A., Vicar of St. Michael’s, Southampton
Eddy Walter, Mine Agent, Fron, Rhuabon
Evans Edward, auctioneer
Edwards Thomas, Esq., Cae Glas
Edwards Ed., Commercial Hotel
Eyeley Edward, organist
Evans R. D., Esq., Meifod
Edwards James Coster, Trefynant
Edwards Thomas, chandler
Evans John, ship builder, Morbum, Machynlleth
Edwards Alfred, Hanwell, Middlesex
Edmunds Griffith, Albion Hill
Edisbury James, Esq., Wrexham
Edisbury J. F., Esq., Holywell
Ellis Henry, English Walls
Evans Edward, Liverpool Gas Co.
Evans William, Glascoed
Edwards Edward, currier
Edwards William, Queen’s Head
Evans John, Church-street
Ewing John, gardener, Osberton Hall
Fitz-William, The Right Hon. The Earl (4 copies)
Fitz-William, The Hon. Lady Charlotte Wentworth, Wentworth House
Fitz-William, The Hon. M. S. C. Wentworth
Fitz-William, The Hon. Lady Dorothy H. Wentworth
Francis Captain, Aberystwith
Fallon Rev. J. M., Bailee Rectory, Ireland
Fuller William, Esq., Salop-road
Furnin The Rev. J. P., Rode Parsonage, near Lawton, Cheshire
Faulder F. J., Esq., St. Ann’s-square, Manchester
Fox John, accountant
Gore William Ormsby, Esq., M.P. for North Shropshire
Grey William, Esq., New Burlington-street, London
Gray Thos., Esq. architect, Chester
Greenwood J. W., Esq., London
Goodwin John, Beatrice-street
Galloway Charles, Halston
George Roger, Willow-street
Giles Henry, Cross-street
Gornall Mrs. Jane, Swan Inn
Griffiths William, Esq., solicitor, Dolgelley
Hill The Right Hon. The Viscount, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Salop
Hales John Miles, Esq., Lower Brook-street
Hill T. Esq., Upper Brook-street
Hill T. W., Esq., Upper Brook-st
Hargraves James, Esq., Whittington (2 copies)
Hayden Wm. Henry, 17, Warwick-square, London
Higgins Samuel, draper
Holland George, Whittington
Husband Rev. J., Rectory, Selattyn
Hopwood F. A., Station Master, Gobowen
Hardman Thomas, 14, Slater-street, Liverpool
Hughes T., Esq., solr., Wrexham
Hughes Miss Catherine, Church-street
Hughes Alexander, Willow-street
Hughes Miss Anne, Salop-road
Humphreys Edmund, East Sheen, Richmond (2 copies)
Hughes John, Savings’ Bank
Hilditch George, Esq., Salop-road
Heaton Rev. H. E., M.A., perpetual curate of Llangedwin
Hodgkinson R., Esq., estate agent, Osberton, Worksop
Howell David, Willow-Street (2 copies)
Hughes Thos., Esq., Plasnewydd, Llansilin
Jones, Rev. Llewelyn Wynn, M.A., Curate of Oswestry (2 copies)
Jacob Rev. L. R., Rhuabon
Jones John, Esq., solicitor
Jones Miss Harriette, Church-st.
Jones Thomas, Esq., Boughton, Chester
Jones Joseph, wine merchant
Jones Edward, Plas Issa, Rhuabon
Jones Mrs. Frances, London House
Jones John, hair dresser
Jones Edwin, Union-place
Jones James Thomas, Esq., Brynhafod (2 copies)
Jones Oswald Croxon, Esq., Enfield, Middlesex
Jones Mrs. Mary Watkin, Cross-street
Jacques Edwin William, Esq., Llangollen
Jones Henry, tobacconist
Jones Thomas, Esq., Brook-street
Jones John, Esq., Domgay, Llandisilio
Jervis Geo. Boot Inn, Whittington
Jones Rev. D. L., Meifod
Jones Rev. Walter, Llansilin
Jones Richard, Cross-street
Jones Richard, Salop-road
Jones Thomas, builder, Chester
Jones Gwen, Cross-street
Jones Henry, grocer, Cross-street
Jones John Pryce, Willow-street
Jones John, Cross
Jones Richard, Esq., Bellan Place, Rhuabon
Jones Edward, Mine Agent, Llwynymapsis
Kenyon John Robert, Esq., Recorder of Oswestry
Kinchant Richard Henry, Esq., Park Hall
King John Edward, Cross Keys Hotel
Kilner Richard, Britannia Inn
Lovett Joseph Venables, Esq., Belmont
LLoyd, Mrs., Aston Hall
Longueville Mrs., Pen-y-lan
Longueville Thomas Longueville, Esq.
Lloyd Rev. Albany Rosendale, Hengoed
Large Joseph, Esq., surgeon
Lewis Richard, Osberton Hall, Notts (4 copies)
Lloyd David Edward, Cross
Lloyd David, Wynnstay Arms Hotel
Lewis Charles Thomas, 38–9, Holloway Head, Birmingham (6 copies)
Lewis Henry, painter, Beatrice-st.
Lloyd Rev. David, Trefonen
Lewis William, Elephant and Castle, Newtown
Leah John, Esq., Willow-street
Lewis Henry, building surveyor & contractor, Chester (2 copies)
Lever William H., Esq., Chirk
Lewis Miss Margaret, Cross
Lees S. S., National Schools
Lyons Aaron, Jeweller, Leg-street
Lloyd Miss M. A., Willow-street
Milton The Hon. Viscountess, Osberton, Notts
Milton The Hon. Selina, Viscountess, Osberton Hall, Notts
Mickleburgh Chas. Esq., Montgomery (2 copies)
Minshall Thomas, Esq., solicitor
Morris Edward, Esq., Salop-road
Morris William, builder
M’Kie William Hay, Scybor Issa
Morgan Captain, 54, Terrace, Aberystwith
Minett William, Esq., Maesbury
Meredith Edward, Rednal
Morris Joseph, Esq., Shrewsbury
Morgan John, Wynnstay
Moreton and Son, Cross
Morgan Thomas, Willow-street
Mytton John, Church-street
Manning Benjamin, Esq., Warwick-square, London
Martin John, Esq., Gold Mine, Dinas Mowddy (3 copies)
Monk Charles, Llangollen
Morris George, Porkington
Morgan R., Aberystwith
M’Kie William H., Melbourne, Australia
Morris John, builder (2 copies)
Morris Thomas, chemist, Worksop, Notts
Norfolk The Most Noble His Grace the Duke of (Baron of Oswestry), Arundel Castle, Sussex (4 copies)
Nicholson J. Esq., Upper Brook-street
Oswell Edward, Esq., solicitor
Owen M. Wynne, Esq., Plas Wilmot
Owen George, Esq., Park Issa (2 copies)
Oliver Irwin, Leg-street
Owen Elizabeth, 5, Upper Parade, Leamington
Oliver John, druggist, Liverpool
Powis The Right Hon. the Earl of (Lord of the Manor of Oswestry), Powis Castle
Portman The Right Hon. Lord, Bryanstone House, Dorset
Portman The Hon. William Berkeley, M. P.
Phillips John, Esq., Cross
Porter Isaac, Esq., Salop-road
Pryce Thomas, Cross-street
Powell John Richard, Esq., Preesgwene
Price William, Esq., Fulford, York
Phillips the Rev. John Croxon, Tynyrhos
Pearson Mr. S., clothier, 2, Lamb’s Conduit-street, London
Penson Richard Kyrke, Esq., Willow-street
Price Miss Mary, The Cross
Phillip and Son Messrs., Liverpool
Penson Thomas Mainwaring, Esq., Chester
Price Miss Elizabeth, Confectioner, Cross
Peate Jane, Porkington Terrace
Pierce Mrs. H., 87, Park Terrace, Green Heys, Manchester
Perkins Samuel, Bailey Head
Pearson W., J. Munn and Co., Manchester (4 copies)
Powell William, Salop Road
Parry Thomas Price, Willow-st.
Provis William A., Esq., Cross-street
Pearce R.A., Esq., Worksop, Notts
Rogers Thomas, Esq., Stone House
Roberts Thomas Vaughan, Esq., solicitor
Roberts Thomas, Esq., Glyndwr, St. Asaph
Roberts John, Esq., Cross-street
Roberts Maurice, draper
Roberts David, Leg-street
Rogers E., Church-street
Roberts John Askew, Bailey Head
Rodenhurst Charles, Whittington
Roderick William, Esq., surgeon
Redrobe James, Royal Oak
Roberts Miss, Brook-st. Cottage
Roberts R., gas proprietor
Roberts E., Willow-street
Roberts William Whitridge, Melbourne, Australia
Reed Mrs., London
Ruscoe John, Horse Shoe Inn
Salwey Rev. Thomas, Vicar of Oswestry
Sabine Charles, Esq., solicitor
Smith Frederick William, Esq., Ruthin (3 copies)
Smale William, chemist
Sharwood Messrs. S. and T., 120, Aldersgate-street, London (2 copies)
Saunders George James, chemist
Sage Mrs. Catherine, Middleton-road
Smith Captain, Dinas Mowddy
Smith Henry, Supervisor, Inland Revenue
Savin Thomas, draper
Stokes Mrs., Rock Ferry
Sides Miss Sarah, Fron, Rhuabon
Sissons Henry, stationer, Worksop, Notts
Shaw Henry, ironmonger, Worksop, Notts
Smith Benjamin, innkeeper, Norton, Notts
Tipton Edward Blakeway, Esq., Distributor of Stamps for Shropshire and North Wales
Thomas Edward Wynne, Esq., Cross
Tomkies John, Esq., Manchester (2 copies)
Thomas Rev. John, Liverpool
Thomas John, maltster
Tucker St. Felix, Esq, H.M.C., West Derby-road, Liverpool
Taylor John, shoemaker
Tyley Thomas, Sun Inn
Thomas Henry, Coney Green
Thompson John, Leg-street
Towers Mr., Angel Hotel, Dale-street, Liverpool
Thompson Thomas, Chester
Venables Rowland Jones, Esq., Oakhurst
Vaughan Robert Chambre, Esq., Burlton, Shrewsbury
Venables Mrs. Eliz., Whittington
West Frederick Richard, Esq. M.P., Ruthin Castle
West Frederick Myddleton, Esq.
Williams Edward, Esq., Lloran House (4 copies)
Wilding John Powell, Esq., Montgomery
Whalley George Hammond, Esq., Plasmadoc
Waite George, Esq., New Burlington-street, London
Williams Rev. Rt., Rhydycroesau
Webster Benjamin Esq., Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London
Wood Richard, Leg-street
Woods Richard, farmer, Osberton, Worksop
Williams J. Vincent, Accountant
Wright Edmund, Esq., Halston
Wynn Edward, Black-gate
Williams Edward, Belle Vue, Wrexham
Williams Rt., draper (2 copies)
Williams Samuel, The Llys
Winter John, Chirk
Webb Miss J. C., Melbourne, Australia
Windsor William, Babin’s Wood
Windsor Samuel, Powis Castle
Wilson William, upholsterer
Williams G. H., Esq., The Lymes
Williams William, Esq., 295, Kent-St., Southwark, London
Williams Michael, Railway Station
Whitridge Mr., bookseller, Carlisle
Index.
Page | |
Agricultural Statistics | |
Album Monasterium | |
Aldermen and Common-Councilmen | |
Alfred the Great | |
Ancient Customs | |
Ancient Houses | |
Ancient Relics | |
Angling | |
Aston Hall | |
Attack on the town | |
Baptist Chapel | |
Banks | |
Battle of Oswestry | |
Belmont | |
Benevolent Institutions | |
Bethesda Chapel | |
Blanc-Minster | |
Bleddyn ab Cynvyn | |
Biography | |
Botany of the Parish | |
Bray, Dr. Thomas | |
British Period | |
British Schools | |
Broom Hall | |
Brunswick Dynasty | |
Brynkinalt | |
Cadwaladr’s reign | |
Cae Nef | |
Carreg Hofa Castle | |
Castle of Oswestry | [15]–172 |
Overton | |
Ceiriog, the | |
Civil Wars | |
Charitable Donations | |
Church or Chapel-Field | |
Charles I., Character of | |
Charter, First Royal | |
Charter of Charles II. | |
Charter the Third | |
Chirk | |
Chirk Castle | |
Clawdd Coch | |
Coed Euloe, Battle of | |
Cranage’s Daring | |
Crogen, Battle of | |
Croes-Oswallt (Oswald’s Cross) | |
Croes Wylan | |
Death of Oswald | |
Derivation of Name, &c. | |
Derwen | |
Dispensary and Baths | |
Dissenting Places of Worship | |
Dovaston, John Freeman Milward | |
Drenewydd | |
Ecclesiastical History | |
English Period | |
Extension Line (Oswestry and Newtown) Railway | |
Famine | |
Felton West | |
Fernhill | |
Fitz-Alan, William | |
Fletcher, Philip Lloyd | |
Fitz-Gwarine | |
Free Grammar School | |
Friendly Societies | |
Gas-works | |
Gates | |
Genealogical Table | |
Geology, &c. | |
Glorious Age | |
Glyndwr Insurrection | |
Reverses | |
Death of | |
Great Western Railway Company | |
Greenfield Lodge | |
Griddle Gate | |
Grufydd ab Cynan | |
Guto (y Glyn) | |
Halston | |
Hen Dinas | |
Hengoed | |
Hotels | |
House of Industry | |
Humphreys, Humphrey, D.D. | |
Hywel Dda (the Welsh Justinian) | |
Independent Methodist Chapel | |
Ingratitude of (Common Wealth) Parliament | |
Invasion of Wales | |
Jones, Thomas | |
King Oswald | |
Knockin | |
Kynaston, Humphrey | |
Le Strange, Roger | |
Lighting | |
Lodge, the | |
Llanforda | |
Llangollen Vale | |
Llanymynech | |
Llanyblodwel | |
Llansilin | |
Lloyd, Colonel | |
Lloyd, Bishop | |
Llynclys (or Llynclis) Pool | |
Lupus, Hugh | |
Llwyd, Edward | |
Llywarch Hen | |
Llywelyn ab Jorwerth | |
Madog | |
Maelor | |
Marrow’s Assault | |
Marches Lordships | |
Margery Bruce | |
Markets and Fairs | |
Markets | [102]–3 |
Maserfield | |
Mathrafal | |
Maud Verdon | |
Maurice, William | |
Mayors, List of | |
Mayor’s Blunders | |
Mediolanum | |
Montgomery, Roger de | |
Morda, the | |
Morlas, the | |
Morus, Hugh | |
Monuments within the Church | |
in the Church-yard | |
in the New Church-yard | |
Morva Rhuddlan | |
Mortimers, the | |
Mount Pleasant | |
Municipal and Civil Government | |
Officers | |
Myddelton, Sir Thomas | |
Mytton, Major-General | |
Mytton, the late John, Esq. | |
National Schools | |
Natural History | |
Newport, Mr. | |
Norfolk, Duke of | |
Norman Period | |
Notabilia | |
Oakhurst | |
Offa’s Dyke | |
Old Chapel | |
Oswald’s Well | |
Oswestry Race-course | |
Castle, Burning of | |
Government of | |
As it was | |
recent History of | |
Castle Hill | |
Owain Brogyntyn | |
Oswald and Penda | |
Parliament, the Great | |
Parish Church | |
Sunday School | |
Park Hall | |
Penda, the Mercian King | |
Pengwern | |
Pentre Pant | |
Pentre Poeth | |
Penylan | |
Perry, the | |
Plague, records of | |
Plot to remove the markets | |
Poor Rate Return—Oswestry town and parish (1855) | |
Population | |
Porkington | |
Post Office | |
Powys Vadog | |
Preesgwene House | |
Primitive Methodist Chapel | |
Public Establishments and Institutions | |
Quinta, the | |
Railway Communication | |
Restoration, the | |
Review of Ancient History | |
Revolution, the | |
Reynolds, John | |
Richard II., death of | |
Rivers | |
Rhyd-y-croesau Church | |
Roberts, the Rev. Peter | |
Rug | |
Sacheverell, Dr. | |
Salter, Mr. Robert | |
Savings’ Bank | |
Saxon Period | |
Selattyn | |
Shrewsbury, the Battle of | |
Siarter Cwtta, the Short Charter | |
Site of the town | |
Sketches of the Environs of Oswestry | |
Social Improvement | |
Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor | |
Spot, Dick | |
St. Martin’s | |
Stamp Office | |
Statistics | |
Streets | |
Sweeney Hall | |
Tenants’ Service | |
Theatre | |
Topographical History | |
Town Walls | |
Tre’r Cadeiriau | |
Tre’r Fesen | |
Trefaldwyn | |
Trefonen Church | |
Tre Meredydd | |
Trevor, Sir John | |
Trinity Church | |
Tyn-y-Rhos | |
Visit of Baldwin and Giraldus | |
Vicars, List of | |
Walter the Stewart | |
Watt’s Dyke | [11]–12–13 |
Welsh Cloth Market | |
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel | |
Whittington | |
William the Conqueror | |
Wood Hill Hall | |
Wynnstay | |
Young Men’s Institute | |
Zion Chapel | |