Smallman Richard, blacksmith, Priors Ditton
Southern Henry, vict., Cannings Arms, Priors Ditton
Thomas Edward, farmer, Middleton
Thomas John, cattle dealer, Priors Ditton
Wainwright Mary, farmer, Ashfield
WILLEY
is a small parish comprising 1353a. 2r. 6p. of land, situated in a pleasant part of the county, four miles east from Much Wenlock, and four and a half miles north-west from Bridgnorth. At the census in 1801 there were 163 inhabitants; 1831, 159; and in 1851, 144; of whom 75 were males, and 69 females. Inhabited houses, 30. Rateable value, £1,888. 8s. 5d. Lord Forester is the principal landowner, and lord of the manor. Henry Cartwright, Esq., is also a proprietor. Willey Park, the magnificent seat of Lord Forester, is a spacious and elegant mansion of freestone, delightfully situated in an extensive and richly wooded park. The principal front, with the offices, extends upwards of three hundred feet, and is approached by a portico of the Corinthian order, greatly admired for superb workmanship and architectural effect. The interior of the mansion is splendidly furnished, and contains many fine paintings, many of which are the exquisite productions of some of the most celebrated masters. The library is extensive, and contains a valuable and choice collection of standard works. The gardens and pleasure grounds are laid out with great taste, and the park is beautifully adorned with sylvan beauty, a fine lake adding much to the interest of the scene. The family of Weld had anciently a seat at Willey. “William Weld was sheriff of London in 1352: his descendant, Sir John Weld, purchased Willey from Sir Thomas Lacon, of Kinlet, between 1612 and 1623. His descendant in the fourth degree, Elizabeth Weld, married Brooke Forester, of Dothill Park, near Wellington; whose son George, dying unmarried, bequeathed Willey and his other great estates, with an injunction to adopt the name of Weld, to his cousin, Cecil Weld Forester, created Lord Forester, of Willey Park, in 1821.” Mr. Moule, author of a work on Heraldry, says, “Lord Forester is lineally descended from John Forester, Esq., of Watling street, who held a singularly curious grant from King Henry VIII. to wear his hat in the royal presence; which identical document is preserved in the family.”
The Church is a small venerable fabric, consisting of nave and chancel, with a short tower, which contains three bells. There are several memorials to the various members of the ancient family of Weld. The living is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of Barrow annexed, valued in the king’s book at £5. 6s. 3d., now returned at £329, in the patronage of Lord Forester: incumbent, the Hon. and Rev. George O. Bridgeman. The tithes of Willey have been commuted for £233. 18s.
Charities.—Robert Evans, of the Dean, bequeathed 10s. per annum to be expended in bread for the poor. The payment of this gift commenced in 1709, and the legacy is now considered to be secured by a bond in the possession of the parish, given by the late Mr. John Perry, of Willey, whose executors pay the money to the parish officers.
The Rev. Francis Wheeler, rector of Willey, bequeathed 10s. yearly, to be paid at Christmas by the ministers of the two churches in Bridgnorth; 5s. each to be given to the poor of Willey in money or bread. This gift is distributed at Christmas, together with the sacrament money and Evan’s gift.