Hales Owen, (formerly in the county of Salop), in a market town and parish—the latter insulated, separated from Shropshire, and entirely surrounded by Staffordshire and Worcestershire, and extending into the hundred of Haltshire, in the latter county, to which it was in 1844, annexed by act of parliament; 117 miles N.W. from London, 11 S. by E. from Wolverhampton, 5 S. by E. from Dudley, and 7 S.W. from Birmingham, and 5 from Stourbridge—the last named is the nearest railway station, it being on the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton line. This place is said to have formerly been a borough, though it does not appear to have ever returned members to the legislature. The town, which is seated in a fertile valley, consists principally of one street, in which are some respectable houses, and of several smaller streets, containing humbler dwellings, irregularly built. The river Stour, which rises in some hills not far distant, passes the town, as does the Netherton canal; about half a mile from it. Lord Lyttleton is lord of the manor, and holds an annual court leet, when a high and low bailiff, a constable, and head-borough are appointed. A court for the recovery of debts under £5., the jurisdiction of which included Hales Owen, is held at the court-house, Oldbury, once a fortnight, but this is now become inoperative, by the acts of the new County Court under which debts are recoverable to any amount, not exceeding £50. This place has been noted for the manufacture of nails, chains, and pearl and horn buttons. There are also, extensive iron works, (including the British Iron Company), and manufactories for gun-barrels, wrought iron hinges, anvils and vices, hammers and files, spades, shovels, &c. The coal trade is of importance; bricks and tiles are made to a considerable extent; and there are several maltings and corn mills, in the town and neighbourhood.
The parish church of Saint John, (which has recently undergone a thorough repair), is said to have been erected prior to the Conquest, contains a beautiful monument to the memory of Major Halliday, and a plain one to Shenstone the poet; the benefice is a vicarage, in the patronage of Lord Lyttleton, and incumbency of the Rev. Richard Brindley Hone. There are places of worship for Independents, and Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists. The free grammar school here, was founded under a commission for charitable uses. At a short distance from the town are the ‘Leassowes,’ the seat of the celebrated Shenstone, who received the rudiments of his education in the Hales Owen grammar school, it is now occupied by William Matthews, Esq. The market, which at the present day is of little or no importance, is chartered to be held on Monday (now held on Saturday); and a fair on Easter Monday. The entire parish of Hales Owen contained in 1841, 17,376 and in 1851, 23,330 (this is inclusive of Oldbury township which of itself contained at the last named period 10,155.)
Cradley is a chapelry, in that part of the parish of Hales Owen which is in the lower division of the hundred of Haltshire, county of Worcester; two miles N.N.W. from Hales Owen, and three from Dudley and Stourbridge; situated on the river Stour, which, running on the northern and western sides of the chapelry, separates it from the county of Stafford. Beautifully situated in a woody district, and pleasing walks, and on the banks of a large pool or artificial lake, is Cradley Spa, where warm and cold baths have been erected; the water is impregnated with sulphate of soda, magnesia, &c., and is much used by invalids during the summer. At one period, an attempt was made to manufacture salt here, but with very partial success. Tin making of nails and chains now constitute the staple of the chapelry. The places of worship are the chapel under the establishment, and three others for dissenters: the living is a perpetual curacy, of which the Rev. Charles Walker Simons, is the incumbent. A national school, established here, is supported by subscription. The soil of this district is fertile, and brick clay of an excellent quality is obtained. The population of the chapelry, in 1851, was 3,383.
Netherend is a small village in Cradley chapelry, adjacent to Hales Owen; and is chiefly to be noticed as having in its vicinity the extensive iron works of Messrs. Evers & Sons, for the manufacture of tar, rolled, and slit iron, for horse nails &c. which furnish employment to many hands, and others are engaged in the malting trade, it also contains extensive coal and brick works. In the village is a chapel for Unitarians, and a free school. Population returned with Cradley chapelry.
POST OFFICE, High street, Hales Owen, William Parkes, Post Master.—Letters from all parts arrive (from Birmingham), every morning at half-past six, and are despatched at seven in the evening.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Attwood Miss Mary Ann, Hawne
Clarke Mrs. Mary Ann, Church st
Cochrane Rev. William, Netherend
Darby Mr. William, Hasbury