Directory.—Francis Burd, gentleman; Farmers: John Hales; Mrs. Matthews, The Hall; John Matthews; Thomas Parks; John Tagg; and Samuel Wollan.
NORTHWOOD
is a small rural village, on the borders of Flintshire, four miles N.W. from Wem, which takes its name from the large wood that was formerly here and its situation in respect of Lineal Wood, which was south of it. The township contains 1,409a. 1r. 16p. of land, and in 1841 had 47 houses and 233 inhabitants. There are 21a. 1r. 14p. of land in roads and waste. Rateable value, £1,824. The tithes are commuted for £181. 15s. The soil in some places is sandy, with a mixture of gravel; in other places a clay soil prevails, and there is a small portion of moss. In 1561 the township contained six small tenements and four cottages. The great wood was cut down during the reigns of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth, so that nothing remains of it now but the name. The principal landowners are Lord Kenyon, George Bowen, Esq., Mr. James Rodenhurst, Mrs. Wilkinson, Mr. Bickerton, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Groome, John Barker, Esq., the Devisees of the late Mr. Watson, the Trustees of Wem School, Mrs. Maddocks, Mrs. Hassel, Mr. Edward Dickin, Mr. Edward Phillips, Mr. Thomas Windsor, and Mr. Walter Hales; others are also proprietors. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor. This township lies contiguous to the Betchfield and Whixall mosses, where many of the labouring population are employed in cutting the moss and raising the submerged timber, which they carry to the surrounding towns for fuel; immense quantities of oak and fir trees are constantly got up. This and the neighbouring townships are noted for producing fine dairies of cheese, and the farms are occupied by practical and intelligent agriculturists. Considerable flocks of sheep are kept on the borders of Flintshire. The Redfellis brook has its rise on the fens of Whixall moss, passes through Northwood, and enters Newtown with a considerable stream, which, after heavy rains, overflows its banks, and covers the adjacent meadows. The Blackford brook divides Northwood from Flintshire. Northwood Lawns, the residence of Mrs. Wilkinson, is a pleasantly situated house, surrounded with tasteful pleasure grounds. The Hall is occupied as a farm residence.
Post Office—At Mr. Joseph Davies’s. Letters arrive from Ellesmere by gig mail at 7.30 A.M., and are despatched at 6.45 P.M.
Bowen George, farmer, The Pinfold
Brown Mr. John
Clay George, farmer
Darlington Thomas, farmer
Davies Elizabeth, grocer and shopkeeper
Davies John, farmer