CHELMARSH
is a parish and small village, pleasantly situated on a gentle eminence, four miles S.E. from Bridgnorth, which contains 3,126 acres of land, having a rich loamy soil in some parts, and in others a strong clay. There is a small colliery on the western side of the village, and free-stone is got from the quarries on the common. Rateable value of the parish, £3,660. At the census of 1801 there was a population of 411 souls; and in 1841, 104 houses and 495 inhabitants. Chelmarsh Common is an unenclosed piece of land, containing 119 acres. The principal landowners are Thomas Charlton Whitmore, Esq.; John Nicholls, Esq.; John F. Wylde, Esq.; Edward Hughes, Esq.; and Mr. Richard H. Gwyn; besides whom are several other smaller proprietors. Earl Edwin was lord of Chelmarsh before the Conquest, and for some ages afterwards it was the inheritance of the Mortimers. In the 49th of Edward III., Edmund Lord Mortimer gave the manor to the Abbey and Convent of Wigmore, to maintain a secular priest resident in the church of Lentwardine, to sing mass, and daily pray for the souls of himself, family, and ancestors. The Church is an ancient structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and north aisle, with a tower, in which is a peal of six musical bells. The aisle is separated from the nave by four pointed arches, and there is a gallery at the west end. The east window is beautified with stained glass. A tablet in the chancel, dated 1645, remembers John N. Minnis. The living is a vicarage, valued in the king’s book at £6. 5s. 8d., now returned at £264; patron, Sir John Seabright; incumbent, Rev. Charles W. Blathwayt, B.A. The vicarial tithes are commuted for £237, and the rectoral for £369. 3s., of which £358 are paid to Sir John Seabright, and £11. 3s. to Edward Hughes, Esq. There are 24 acres of glebe land. The National School, a neat stone structure, built in the year 1850, has a residence for the teacher annexed. About fifty children attend. Chelmarsh Hall, an ancient structure, in the Elizabethan style of architecture, was formerly the residence of the Nicholl family. It is now the property of John Nicholl, Esq., but occupied as a farm house. Hempton’s Load is a small village in the parish of Chelmarsh, two miles south-east from the church, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Severn, which is here crossed by a ferry. Sutton is a small hamlet, about a mile south from the church.
Post Office—At George Dudley’s. Letters arrive at 9 A.M., and are despatched to Bridgnorth at 4.30 P.M.
Ball Thomas, woollen draper, tailor, & farmer
Barker Thomas, blacksmith
Bishop Francis, farmer, The Hall
Blathwayt Rev. Charles Welfitt, B.A., vicar, The Vicarage
Corfield William, farmer, Spadeley
Detton Richard, tailor, The Common
Detton William, tailor, Hempton’s Load