Sir Richard Hill, by his will bearing date January 1st, 1808, bequeathed £300 in trust to pay the interest of £100 to the poor of each of the parishes of Hodnet, Prees, and Wem, in such proportions as his brother John Hill, during his life, and after his decease, the owners of his mansion house, at Hawkstone, should think fit. The interest on the sum of £100 is paid by Sir Rowland Hill to the poor of each of the parishes of Hodnet and Prees. Nothing however was paid when the charity commissioners visited Wem, in respect of the legacy for Wem, nor had they any evidence to show the principal had ever been paid. If the payment of the principal cannot be proved, we apprehend that Sir Rowland Hill is accountable for it as the representative of the testator.
Sir Andrew Corbet, in 1817, gave the sum of 25 guineas, the interest to be given to the poor of the parish. This sum was applied in rebuilding the church, and the sum of 25s. is paid out of the church-rate as the interest thereof, which sum is expended in bread for the poor.
Mary Hankey, by will 1818, bequeathed £40, to be placed out at interest, and laid out in bread, to be distributed every Easter Sunday among poor housekeepers of the parish of Wem, at the discretion of the churchwardens.
Upwards of two hundred years ago there were three common fields belonging the town: they consisted of arable land, and were divided by stones or other land marks, so that each proprietor knew his own ground, which he ploughed and sowed, but when harvest was gathered in, their cattle ranged in common and fed promiscuously. The cross field took its name from a cross erected on that road, as was usual in popish countries. The chapel field extended towards Horton, and the middle field towards Edstaston road.
A LIST OF
STREETS, LANES, AND PLACES IN THE PARISH OF WEM.
Back street, High street
Bank house, Ireland
Bow street, Market street
Brunswick house, Islington
Brunswick row, Islington