is a parish and village in the Cleobury division of the Stottesden hundred, on the turnpike road from Bridgnorth to Ludlow, nine miles south-west from the former, and ten miles north-east from the latter. The parish contains 1,236 acres of land, and in 1801 there were 107 inhabitants; 1831, 112; and in 1841, 27 houses and a population of 151 souls. Rateable value, £1,115. 11s. 6d. The Hon. G. F. H. Russell is the principal landowner, and occasionally resides at Burwarton Hall, an elegant free stone mansion, in the Italian style of architecture, delightfully situated in a park richly clothed with sylvan beauty, and watered by several mountain streams. There are some fine lakes of water, and to the north-west of the park is the majestic Brown Clee Hill, which adds much to the picturesque beauty of the scenery. The pleasure grounds and shrubberies are laid out with a pleasing variety, and kept in the most admirable order. The Church, a small structure dedicated to St. Lawrence, has recently been repaired and beautified by the Hamilton family; the east window is ornamented with stained glass, and cost upwards of £50, which was defrayed by Lady Hamilton, who also presented the communion table. The pulpit and seats are of oak, elaborately carved, and there is accommodation for about ninety persons. The living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £4. 6s. 8d.; gross income, £140; patron, Rev. John Churton; incumbent, Rev. T. Theodosius. The tithes have been commuted for £90. The Wesleyan Methodists have a small chapel at Burwarton. The Hamilton Russell Arms Hotel and posting house is a commodious inn, and the post office for a wide district. Letters arrive from Bridgnorth at 11 30 A.M., and are despatched at 3 P.M.
Directory.—Hon. G. P. H. Russell, Burwarton Hall; John Bradley, farmer; William Jones, vict., the Hamilton Russell Arms; James Prece, carpenter; Rev. John Rathbone, curate; John Reynolds, shoemaker.
CAINHAM
is an extensive parish and scattered village three miles south-east from Ludlow, comprising upwards of 3,040 acres of land. At the census of 1801 there were 711 inhabitants; 1831, 1,005; 1841, 973. Gross estimated rental, £3,730. Rateable value, £3,333. 5s. The principal landowners are Major Calcott, Hon. R. H. Clive, and Sir W. R. Broughton; the former is lord of the manor. Cainham Court, an elegant mansion surrounded by plantations and shrubberies, was formerly the residence of the Calcott family; it is now unoccupied. Not far from the above mansion is the site of an ancient castle, noticed by Leland, who observes, “Kainsham or Kensham Castle, clene down, stood within two miles of Ludloe, on a hill top.” The place is now known by the name of Castle Fields, in which is a deep and wide entrenchment. Tradition says that this was a depository of the military stores of Cromwell, during the siege of Ludlow Castle. In the neighbourhood of Cainham apples are extensively grown for making cider. The Church, a venerable structure, picturesquely situated, and dedicated to St. Mary, has a massive low tower containing three bells. It consists of nave, chancel, and north transept, the latter having been recently added at a cost of £140, of which sum the Hereford Diocesan Society contributed £60. The interior has a neat appearance. The beautiful altar was added at the expense of the late vicar. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £4. 13s. 4d., in the patronage of Charles K. Mainwaring, Esq.: incumbent, Rev. Charles Adams. There are upwards of 240 acres of glebe land. The Methodists have a small chapel here.
The District of St. Paul’s Knowbury is partly in this parish and partly in that of Bitterley. A considerable portion of the scattered district called Bennett’s End is in the former parish. In 1839 a church was erected at a cost of £1,200, which is dedicated to St. Paul. The structure is built in a simple style of architecture, and has a square tower. The living is a perpetual curacy; and the patronage is vested in the Bishop of Hereford: incumbent, Rev. Burleigh James. In connexion with the church, spacious schools have been erected, by the Hon. R. H. Clive, who also munificently supports the same: upwards of one hundred children are educated in them. The Methodists and Primitive Methodists have small meeting houses. The labouring population of this locality are chiefly employed in collieries and brick works. The chief landowners are the Hon. R. H. Clive, Sir W. R. Broughton, and William Poyser, Esq.
CAINHAM DIRECTORY.
Adams Rev. Charles, vicar
Bozwood Thos., wheelwright
Corbett Thomas, shoemaker
Gould Mary, farmer