Cox John, farmer, The Hall
Haynes Mrs., The New House
Maddocks John, miller and farmer
Passey George, farmer
Wellings Humphrey, blacksmith
TASLEY
is a parish and scattered village in the Chelmarsh division of the Stottesden hundred, two miles N.W. from Bridgnorth, which contains 1,120 acres of land, and at the census of 1841 had 18 houses and 83 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,243. 13s. Gross estimated rental, £1,328. 7s. The land has an undulating surface, and in some parts a strong soil, which produces tolerable crops of grain; the meadow land is generally of an inferior quality, and cold. The Earl of Shrewsbury is the most considerable landowner, the other principal proprietors are Edward Farrer Acton, Esq.; the Earl of Liverpool; the Executors of the late William Clayton; Mr. Newell; Thomas C. Newport, Esq.; and Edward Edmonds, Esq. Edward Farrer Acton is lord of the manor. In the 18th of Edward II. Reginald de la Leigh gave lands in Tasseley towards the endowment of a chantry in Bruges. The Bridgnorth race course is situated in this parish. The Leasows, the property and residence of Captain Edward Edmonds, is a handsome modern erection of brick, pleasantly situated, and surrounded by rural scenery. The Church is a small structure rebuilt in 1840, consisting of nave and chancel, with a turret in which are two bells. There is a gallery, the front of which is ornamented with antique oak carvings, and there is a beautiful screen which separates the chancel from the nave. The font is very ancient, and there is a small organ upon the gallery. The living is a rectory in the patronage of Edward Farrer Acton, Esq.; incumbent, Rev. John Postlethwaite. The tithes have been commuted for £212, and there are 8a. 2r. 37p. of glebe land. When the church was rebuilt 115 additional sittings were added to the original number, and in consequence of a grant from the Incorporated Society for building and enlarging churches, 62 of that number were declared free and unappropriated for ever. A handsome tablet remembers Rowland Hill, Esq., who died in 1766. There is also a neat tablet in the chancel in memory of the Rev. William Moore, M.A., late rector, who died in the year 1848.
Directory.—Samuel Arthur, farmer and vict., Boar’s Head; William Clayton, farmer, Henley; Mr. William Cleaton, Tasley Cottage; John Corbet, farmer; Robert Corbet, farmer, Race-course; Edward Edmonds, Esq., The Leasows; Joseph Giles, farmer, Church Farm; Enoch Gwynn, basket maker; Thomas Lees, farmer, Hundred House; Henry Yapp, butcher.
UPTON CRESSETT
is a parish and village pleasantly situated on an acclivity four miles and a half W.W. by S. from Bridgnorth. The family of Cressett, of ancient and honourable distinction, gave name to the place, and were seated at Cressett Hall, an ancient mansion in the Elizabethan style, built in the year 1580; it was formerly surrounded with a moat, traces of which are still to be seen; several of the rooms are wainscotted with oak. In the old lodge, now converted into a granary, is a spiral stair case, with blocks of solid oak. The parish contains 1,300 acres of land, which is the property of Mrs. Thursby. At the census of 1841 there were 53 inhabitants; 1831, 43, and in 1841 ten houses and a population of 56 souls. The Church is a small antique structure consisting of nave, chancel, and side chapel, with a small spiral turret in which is two bells; an arch of Norman character separates the nave from the chancel. In the side chapel is a brass memorial in memory of Richard Cressett, his wife, two sons and three daughters, dated 1640. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4 15s. 2½d., now returned at £125; incumbent, Rev. Henry Burton, M.A.