The Wem Union House, situated on the Whitchurch road, near to Islington, is a spacious brick structure erected to accommodate 200 inmates. The union comprehends twelve parishes, and has an area of eighty square miles. The average annual expenditure of the three, preceding the formation of the union, was £4,018. The following are the parishes in the union, viz.:—Wem, Broughton, Clive, Grinshill, Ightfield, Lee Brockhurst, Loppington, Moreton Corbet, Prees, Shawbury, Stanton upon Hine Heath, Weston under Red Castle, and Whixall. Clerk and Superintendent Registrar, William Owen, Esq.; Relieving Officer, Thomas Hanmer; Master and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Rowley.
The County Court for law proceedings on actions and claims not exceeding £50 comprehends the following places, viz.:—Wem 4, Preston Brockhurst 3, Grinshill 4, Clive or Cliff 3, Yorton 4, Tilley 1, Sleap 2, Nunnerley 2, Loppington 3, Northwood 5, part of Whixall 8, Newtown 4, Ightfield 8, Corra 8, Prees 5, Darliston 6, Marchamley 6, Weston under Red Castle 4, Lee 3, Aston 1, Lacon 1, Edgboulton 6, Stanton 6, Shawbury 6, and Burton 6. The figures refer to the mileage from Wem. Judge, Uvedale Corbet, Esq., Aston Hall, near Shiffnal; Treasurer, William B. Collis, Esq.; Clerk, Henry John Barker, Esq.; High Bailiff, Mr. Thomas Griffiths, jun.
The Lock-up is a small brick structure situated in Grove-street; prisoners on committal are sent to Shrewsbury. William Freeman is the superintendent.
The Market House is a brick fabric with stone finishings, supported by arches and pillars in the front. The county court is held in the spacious room over the market. Mr. Thomas Griffiths is clerk of the markets.
The Stamp Office is in Market-street. Mr. George W. Poole, distributor.
The Excise Office is at Mrs. Sand’s, the White Lion Inn, High-street.
The Court House for magisterial purposes is situated in Noble-street; the magistrates who usually attend the petty sessions here are Sir Robert Chambre Hill, Bart.; Sir Andrew Vincent Corbet, Bart.; A. C. Heber Percy, Esq.; Thomas Dickin, Esq., and George Bowen, Esq. William Lucas, Esq., is clerk to the magistrates.
The Gas Works are situated in Grove-street; they were established in 1835 by Messrs. Thomas and Burton, since which they have been transferred to the mortgagee, Mr. Craig. The gasometer will hold 4,000 cubic feet of gas. A charge of 10s. per 1,000 cubic feet is made to the consumer for this luminous vapour. Mr. John Brown is the secretary and manager.
The National Provincial Bank of England has a branch bank here, situated in High-street. Mr. John Daniel Lloyd is the manager.
The traffic of Wem is facilitated by a branch of the Ellesmere canal, which terminates near to Edstaston, about two miles from Wem. It is chiefly used for the conveyance of coal. Mr. John Brown, coal, slate, lime, and guano merchant, has a wharf here.