Rydar Robert, gentleman
Ward John, shoemaker
Warter Rev. Edward, The Rectory
Yallowley Mary, gentlewmn.
HABBERLEY
is a parish and village in the hundred of Ford, nine miles S.W. from Shrewsbury, pleasantly situated in a bold undulating district, the scenery of which is pleasingly diversified with romantic beauty. The parish comprises 754a. 2r. 19p. of land having mostly a fertile soil, and 335a. 1r. 21p. in hills and common land. 485 acres of the titheable land are arable, 231 acres meadow, 38 woods and water, and five acres in public roads. William Henry Sparrow, Esq., is the principal landowner and lord of the manor; there are also a few smaller freeholders. Population—1801, 104; 1831, 128; and in 1841 there were 27 houses and 125 inhabitants. Rateable value, £1,108. 15s.
The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient gothic fabric consisting of nave and chancel, having a wooden turret. It was partly rebuilt and made parochial in the year 1558. The chancel window was restored by the late rector; the floor is covered with encaustic tiles. Among the memorials is a tomb to William Mytton, Esq., who died in 1747. The living is a rectory valued in the king’s book at £4. 0s. 2½d. in the patronage of W. H. Sparrow, Esq., and enjoyed by the Rev. Richard White, M.A. The tithes are commuted for £132, and there are 23 acres of glebe land. The parish register dates from the year 1599.
Edward Corbett, in 1654, charged a messuage and certain land with the payment of 20s. yearly, and directed the interest to be distributed among the poor, especially orphans and poor widows. Only 6s. is now received as Corbett’s benefaction. John Gittins, who died in 1808, left £20, and his widow, Elizabeth, who died in 1819, a like sum, the interest to be given away among the poor of the parish. The produce of these two legacies are now in the Savings’ Bank.
Directory.—Ann Bromley, farmer; Martha Evans, farmer and corn miller; John Everall, farmer; Thomas Highley, blacksmith, wheelwright, and parish clerk; John Onions, beerhouse keeper; Richard Lewis, blacksmith; Mr. Morris, farmer, The Hall; Thomas Pearce, agent to W. H. Sparrow, Esq.; Thomas Rogers, farmer; Rev. Richard White, M.A., The Rectory.