The Chelmarsh division contains the parishes of Acton Round, Alveley, Astley Abbotts, Billingley, Chelmarsh, Chetton, Cleobury North, Deuxhill, Glazeley, Higley, Middleton Scriven, Morville, Neenton, Oldbury, Quatford, Quatt, Rudge Sheinton, Sidbury, Tasley, and Upton Cressett.
The Cleobury division contains Aston Botterell, Burwarton, Cainham, Cleobury, Mortimer, Coreley, Dowles, Hope Baggot, Hopton Wafers, Kinlet, Neen Savage, Stottesden, Wheathill and Farlow chapelry.
ACTON ROUND, OR ROUND ACTON,
in a parish and small village six miles north-east by east from Bridgnorth, which contains 1,940 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,447. At the census of 1841 there were 36 houses and 180 persons. Population in 1801, 200; and in 1831, 203. Sir John Acton, bart., is the principal landowner, and lord of the manor. The Church is an ancient edifice, situated on an eminence commanding extensive and varied prospects of the surrounding country. In the church are several monuments to the memory of deceased members of the Acton family. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir John Acton, Bart.; Rev. William G. Day is the incumbent.
Directory.—William Ainsworth, farmer; William Davies, farmer; Rev. William G. Day, perpetual curate; Margaret Duff, cow keeper; Thomas Embrey, farmer; Richard Evans, farmer; George Farmer, farmer; Samuel Littlewood, farmer; William Lowe, farmer; Jasper Madeley, farmer; Francis Powell, wheelwright; John Powell, bailiff; William Preen, farmer; Charles Rhodes, farmer; Richard Russell, farmer; Edward Tipton, farmer; Henry Wadlow, farmer, the Hall.
ALVELEY
is a considerable parish in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, which comprises the townships of Alveley, Nordley Regis, and Romsley Liberty. Population in 1801, 791; 1831, 949; 1841, 1,062; 1851, 1,041. The parish is bounded on the western side by the river Severn, on the south and east by the county of Stafford, and on the north by the parishes of Quatt and Claverley. The soil in this parish is variable; in some parts a red sand and loamy earth prevails, and in other parts it is light and sandy. The farms are generally large, and particular attention has been paid to draining and the improvement of the lands; the farm houses are mostly of brick, and have been greatly improved of late years. The village of Alveley is well built and pleasantly situated, six miles and a half south from Bridgnorth, and eight miles north from Bewdley. The township in 1841 contained 187 houses and 914 inhabitants; and has 5,147a. 2r. 37p. of land, 122a. 3r. 15p. of which are in woods and plantations. Rateable value, £5,601. Among the landowners are Miss Green; Mrs. Brittle; Mr. John Crowther; Mary Hayward; Rev. William Wakeley; Trustees of Claverley school; Mr. Edward Hughes; Christ Church College, Oxford; Mr. Richard Veal; Mr. Homer; Messrs. Tunnicliff; Mr. John Hall; Mr. William Wyer; Mr. John Stockall; Rev. Dr. Jenkins, dean and chapter of Bath and Wells; Thomas Beach, Esq.; William Beach, Esq.; Lord Standford; John Bacon, Esq.; the poor of Alveley; John M. Wingfield, Esq.; William Trow, Esq.; Mr. William Corser; Mrs. Hand; Mr. Thomas Feriday; Mr. William Bowen; and others.
The Church is an ancient structure, dedicated to St. Mary, and consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower, in which are six musical bells. The nave is divided from the side aisles by four semi-circular arches, and there are two side chapels belonging to the owner of the Coton estate. The tower was taken down and rebuilt in 1666, part of the chancel was rebuilt in 1585, and the south part was repaired in 1638. There are several neat tablets. The church will accommodate 416 hearers. At the east end of the church is a large stone coffin. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Edward G. Gatacre, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. Robert Augustus Wellesley Considine, M.A. The Parochial School, and residence for the teacher, are situated in the churchyard. It is endowed with certain lands, as will be seen on reference to the charities, from which the teacher receives £25 per annum, in consideration of which he teaches a limited number of scholars free; the rest pay a small weekly stipend; about fifty scholars attend. The feast is held on the first Sunday after the 15th of August. A court leet and baron is held for the manor every three years. Stone quarries near the village are worked to a considerable extent; immense blocks are raised and worked into grinding stones for gunsmiths and others.
Nordley Regis is a township with a few scattered houses in the parish of Alveley, pleasantly situated two miles north-east from the church. Coton is a small hamlet in Nordley Regis. Coton Hall and estate have recently been sold by E. L. Gatacre to the Rev. Mr. Wakeley. The house is a stuccoed mansion pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, commanding some fine views of the adjacent country. The park comprises about eighty acres, and is pleasingly diversified with graceful undulations.
Romsley is a township and village situated about two miles east from Alveley, which at the census of 1841 contained 27 houses and 110 inhabitants; and has 1,900 acres of land, the rateable value of which is £1,334. 5s. 6d. Abraham Stephen Cresswell, Esq., is lord of the manor and the principal landowner. Dr. Jenkins is also a considerable owner; and John M. Wingfield, Esq., the Misses Cresswell, Mr. Richard Palmer, and Mr. Stephen Cresswell, are also freeholders.