is an extensive parish containing the townships of Arscott, Asterley, Boycott, Cruckmeole, Cruckton, Edge, Farley, Halston, Hanwood (Little), Hinton, Lea, Longden, Newnham, Oakes, Onslow, Plealey, Pontesbury, Pontesford, Sascott, and Siberscott, with the hamlets of Exford’s Green, Ford Heath, Horton, Lea Cross, Longden Wood, Moathall, Pansom, Polmer, Malehurst, Shorthill, and Woodhall, which together comprehend an area of 10,635a. 2r. 13p. of land, the rateable value of which is £14,513. 10s. At the census of 1841, here were 697 houses and 3,311 inhabitants; population in 1801, 2,053; and in 1831, 2,936 persons. Edward William Smythe Owen, Esq., is lord of the manor. A great portion of the labouring population find employment in the extensive lead and coal works of this parish. The township of Pontesbury is situated seven and a half miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, and fifteen and a half miles N.N.E. of Montgomery, and, with the hamlet of Malehurst, contains 1,119a. 1r. 30p. of land. Francis Harries, Esq., is the principal landowner. Sir Joseph Hawley, Bart., H. D. Warter, Esq., Colonel Wingfield, Henry Gardener, Esq., T. H. Hope, Esq., and Sir Offley P. Wakeman, and others are also proprietors. The turnpike road from Shrewsbury, which joins the Montgomery road at Brockton, passes through this township. In May, 1811, Pontesbury was visited by a most terrific tempest, when “a cloud burst upon the Stiperstone hill,” and the waters rushed down the acclivities with irresistible force, sweeping away cottages, mills, cattle, and trees, and drowning nine persons. The water being in many places from thirteen to seventeen feet deep.
The Church, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, was formerly collegiate, having a dean and two prebendaries. The old structure was taken down in 1825, except the chancel, and was rebuilt of rubble stone in the year 1829. At the west end is a lofty square tower containing a peal of five bells. The interior consists of nave, lofty north and south aisles, and chancel. The living is a rectory divided into three portions, the first portion is in the patronage of the present incumbent, the Rev. William Harrison, M.A. The tithes of this portion are commuted for the sum of £780. 6s. There are 21a. 3r. 21p. of glebe land. The second portion is in the gift of Brazen-nose College, and incumbency of the Rev. Charles Drury, M.A., the tithes of which amount to £774. 11s. 10d., and there are 58a. 2r. 3p. of glebe land. The third portion is in the gift of the present rector, the Rev. William Vaughan, who purchased it from Smythe Owen, Esq., for his life and ten years after. The tithes are commuted for £571. 6s. 4d., and there are 59a. 2r. 36p. of glebe land. The Rev. William Harrison, M.A., also receives £129. 9s. as the impropriator. The Independents have a neat brick chapel, built in 1839, which will accommodate 200 hearers. The Baptists have also a small chapel here. The National School is a spacious brick structure. Charities—It is stated on the table of benefactions that Thomas Davies left £200, John Peers £10, Eleanor Peers £10, and Thomas Higgins, D.D., left £10 the interest thereof to be distributed to the poor. This sum, amounting to £230, was expended in the purchase of 21a. 3r. 2p. of land in 1716, the rent of which is distributed to eight poor widows of this parish.
Arscott is a small township and sequestered village situated two and a half miles N.E. by E. of Pontesbury, which contains 463a. 3r. 5p. of land. The soil is mostly strong. Coal is got in the township. In 1841 here were 24 houses and 127 persons. The tithes are commuted for £93. 15s. 6d., and apportioned to the rector of the second portion. Francis Harries, Esq., is the sole landowner.
Asterley and Inwood is a township and pleasant village, one mile and a half west of the parish church, which at the census of 1841 had 61 houses and 305 residents. The township contains 535a. 3r. 31p. of land. The tithes are commuted, and apportioned to the rector of the third portion, for the sum of £90. 15s. 6d. The principal landowners are Henry Gardner, Esq.; William Gardner, Esq.; and Mr. Everall. Extensive coal works are carried on here. The Primitive Methodists have a small chapel.
Boycott is a small township, three quarters of a mile N.W. by N. of Pontesbury, containing 344a. 2r. 9p. of land. In 1841 here were three houses and 33 persons. The tithes are commuted for £75. 2s. Thomas Baycott, Esq., and Henry Warren, Esq., are the principal freeholders.
Cruckmeole is a township and pleasant rural village four and a half miles S.W. of Shrewsbury, which contains 512a. 0r. 13p. of land. At the census of 1841 here were 33 houses and 136 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for the sum of £114. 17s. The township is intersected by the Reabrook and the Shrewsbury and Minsterley turnpike road. H. D. Warter, Esq., and Francis Harries are the principal freeholders. Cruckmeole Hall is a handsome brick mansion, the property and residence of Henry Diggory Warter, Esq.
Cruckton is a township, chapelry, and pleasant village four and a half miles S.W. by W. of Shrewsbury, which contains 900a. 1r. 28p. of land. In 1841 here were 27 houses and 155 persons. The tithes are commuted, and £76. 4s. 4d. is paid to the rector of the first portion, to the Rev. Wm. Harrison, as impropriator, £10. 9s. 4d., and to Geo. Tomline, Esq., £7. Francis Harries, Esq., is sole landowner. The Chapel, dedicated to St. Thomas, was built in the year 1839. On the entrance door are two figures of angels carved in oak. It will accommodate 180 persons. This chapel was built for the district comprising the townships and hamlets of Arscott, Sibberscott, Shorthill, Cruckmeole, Cruckton, Sascott, Horton, Nox, Onslow, Woodhall, Moathill, Panson, and Little Hanwood, so much of the township of Newnham as is north of Yockleton brook, and for the places on Ford’s Heath. The Rev. Charles Drury, M.A., is patron and incumbent. The Hall, a commodious and handsome mansion in the early English style of architecture, is built of brick, with stone facings, and is the seat and property of Francis Harries, Esq.
Edge township, situated two miles N.W. by W. of Pontesbury, contains 422 acres of land. In 1841 here were 15 houses and 68 persons. The tithes are commuted for £95. 11s. 6d. The executors of the late Mr. Thornes are the principal landowners.
Farley is a small township one mile N.W. by N. of Pontesbury, which contains 172a. 0r. 10p. of land. At the census of 1841 here were three houses and 19 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £34. 3s. 3d. The principal proprietors are Mr. Thomas Inions, and Mr. John Hughes.
Halston is a small township to the S.W. of Shrewsbury, which contains 275a. 0r. 39p. of land. In 1841 there were three houses and 17 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £78 17s. 9d. W. L. Childe, Esq., is the sole landowner. Hanwood Little is a small scattered township four miles south of Shrewsbury, which contains the hamlets of Moathall, Woodhall, and Pansom, and comprehends an area of 667a. 2r. 37p. of land. In 1142 here were 11 houses and 60 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £133. 13s. 9d. The principal landowners are Miss Oldnell, John Berrington, Esq., and Francis Harries, Esq. Coal is got here in considerable quantities.