To CHESTER, SHREWSBURY, and forward to all parts, the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company, from Edstaston wharf, daily.
WENLOCK.
Or Much Wenlock, is an ancient borough, both corporate and parliamentary, a market town and parish, and the head of a liberty, having separate jurisdiction; 148 miles N.W. from London, and 12 S.E. from Shrewsbury. The town, which is situated on the Phobrook, and in a pleasant vale, is of considerable antiquity. The British name was Llan Melien, or ‘Saint Milburgh’s Church;’ and in the Monasticon it is denominated Winnica, or ‘the windy place.’ Its early importance originated with the establishment of a convent, about 680, by Melburga, daughter of king Merwald. Having been destroyed by the Danes, it was restored by the Earl of Mercia, after which it fell into decay. Soon after the Conquest it was rebuilt by Roger de Montgomery, and converted into a priory for Cluniac monks. The ruins are on the south side of the town; they are extensive, and present the most finished specimens of Norman architecture, together with the early and decorated English styles. Of the church, the south transept is in the most perfect state, three beautiful Norman arches, and two of the cloisters remain in good preservation. This establishment must have been extensive, and its buildings magnificent. The town consists principally of two narrow streets, some of the houses forming which are modern and respectable in appearance, and others but poorly built. The guildhall, more remarkable for its antiquity than its external beauty, is constructed of timber frame-work, resting on piazzas. This building underwent in 1849, restoration with great taste and skill, at the expense of the corporation. Two charters have been granted to this ancient borough; the first in the eighth of Edward IV, at the request of Sir John Wenlock, Knight, ‘in consideration of laudable and acceptable services performed by the liege men of the town of Wenlock.’ The second charter was granted in the reign of Charles I. Under the Municipal Reform Act, the corporate body consists of a mayor, two aldermen and six councillors. The borough is divided into three wards—namely, Wenlock Ward, Broseley Ward, and Madeley Ward. Sessions are held quarterly in the guildhall, before the recorder, and the magistrates meet here in petty sessions every sixth Tuesday. The Madeley circuit of the new County Court, includes Wenlock in its jurisdiction; the court sits monthly at the former town, and takes cognizance of debts and claims to any amount not exceeding £50. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., is lord of the manor, and holds, by his agent, courts leet and baron, in the months of May and October. The elective franchise was conferred upon the burgesses by Edward IV, with the privilege of returning one member—the borough now sends two; those returned at the general election in 1852, were the Honble. George Cecil Weld Forester, Willey Park, Salop; and James Milnes Gaskell, Esq. Thornes House, Wakefield, Yorkshire (both re-elected). The Boundary Act defines the limits of the borough to comprise ‘the old borough of Wenlock:’ by the same act the town is appointed a polling station at the election of members to represent North Salop. In the time of Richard II, this place was noted for copper mines, and lime quarries: the former have ceased to be wrought, but the latter are still productive, and in the town are two maltings and a tannery.
The places of worship are the parish church of the Holy Trinity, and a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists. The former is a venerable structure, with a square tower surmounted by a spire; it partakes, in a remote degree, of the style of the abbey, being partly of the Norman and partly of the decorated English: the living is a discharged vicarage, with the perpetual curacies of Burton and Benthall annexed, in the gift of the lord of the manor; the Rev. William Henry Wayne, is the present incumbent, and the Rev. Nathaniel Haywood, curate. The principal charities consist of a free school, originally endowed in 1778, by the Rev. Francis Southern; and almshouses for four poor widows. There is a reading room in connection with a well-selected library, to which, also is attached, a museum, formed to illustrate the natural history and antiquities of Wenlock and its neighbourhood. The market is held on Monday; and the fairs, on the second Monday in March, and May 12th, for horned cattle, horses and sheep, and for hiring servants; July 5th, for sheep and October 17th, and December 4th, for cattle of all kinds. The parish of Much Wenlock contained, by the government returns for 1841, 2,487 inhabitants, and in 1851, 2,398.
POST OFFICE, Wilmore-street, Thomas Lawley, Post Master.—Letters from London and all parts arrive (from Wellington), every morning at twenty-eight minutes before seven, and are despatched thereto at seven in the evening.
NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY.
Acton Sir John Edward Emerich Dalberg, Bart. Aldenham Hall
Adney Miss Elizabeth, Barrow st
Benson Moses Geo. Esq. Lutwych Hall
Burd Rev. Alfred, Harley