Moothall, an ancient half timbered mansion the property of John Berrington, Esq., is still surrounded by a moat filled with water. The interior of the house is of curious workmanship, and has some fine specimens of elaborate oak carving. It is now occupied as a farm residence. Woodhall was built in the year 1684, on the site of a more ancient structure; it is now occupied as a farm house. Hinton is a small rural township one and a half mile north of Pontesbury, which contains 339a. 3r. 13p. of land. In 1841 here were 12 houses and 59 persons. The tithes are commuted for £80. 18s. 3d. Sir Offley P. Wakeman, Bart., is the sole landowner.
Lea is a small township pleasantly situated on the turnpike road from Pontesbury to Shrewsbury, which comprehends the hamlets of Crosshouses and Shorthill. In 1841 here were 27 houses and 132 inhabitants. There are 481a. 3r. 21p. of land. The tithes are commuted for £143. 6s. 3d., of which £33. 15s. 8d. is apportioned to the rector of the first portion of Pontesbury, and £109 10s. 7d. to the Rev. William Harrison, as impropriator. The principal landowners are Sir Offley P. Wakeman, Bart., and William Henry Nicholls, Esq. There are several collieries at Shorthill. The National School, situated at Shorthill, was built in the year 1842. It is supported by voluntary contributions and a small charge from each scholar. About ninety scholars attend.
Longden is a chapelry and township six and a half miles S.W. by S. of Shrewsbury, which contains 1,604 acres of land, of which Sir Joseph Hawley, Bart., is the principal landowner. John Walton, Esq., Rev. George Jewdwyne, Samuel Harris, Captain Parr, and Robert Hesketh, Esq., are also proprietors. In 1841 there were 80 houses and 371 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £330. 19s. 2d., one half of which is apportioned to the rector of the second and the other half to the rector of the third portion of Pontesbury. The Chapel is a small structure consisting of nave and chancel. The living is a donative curacy in the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. Edward Homfray, M.A. The Independents have a chapel here built of brick. The British School is held in the chapel. About forty children attend.
Newnham is a small township six miles west of Shrewsbury, which with the hamlets of Polmer and Ford’s Heath contains 345a. 2r. 6p. of land. In 1841 here was one house and nine inhabitants. The rent charge is commuted for £79. 14s. 5d. The principal landowners are W. H. Nicholls, Esq., Francis Harries, Esq., and the Rev. F. D. Dimmock.
Nox is a hamlet in Newnham township, situated five and a half miles west of Shrewsbury, which contains five houses and 22 inhabitants. Mr. Richard Lloyd is the sole landowner in this hamlet.
Oakes is a township and scattered village three miles west of Pontesbury, which contains 630a. 2r. 25p. of land. In 1841 here were nine houses and 42 inhabitants. H. D. Warter, Esq., is lord of the manor and sole landowner. The tithes are commuted for £110. 12s. 3d., and £97. 10s. are apportioned to the rector of the first portion, and £13. 2s. 3d. to the rector of the second portion.
Onslow is a small hamlet three and a half miles W.W. by N. of Shrewsbury, which contains 251a. 3r. 20p. of land. In 1841 here were two houses and twelve persons. The tithes are commuted for £54. 4s. 8d. Colonel John Wingfield is lord of the manor and sole landowner.
Plealey is a pleasant rural township and village seven miles S.W. of Shrewsbury. It contains 664a. 2r. 12p. of land. This township had in 1841 43 houses and 212 inhabitants. The tithes are commuted for £134. 11s. The principal landowners are Dr. Griffiths, Mr. Thomas Wilkinson, Joseph Phillips, Esq., Rev. Mr. Phillips, Mr. Richard France, and Mrs. Cross. The Wesleyan Methodists have a neat chapel here.
Pontesford is a township seven miles south of Shrewsbury, containing 387a. 2r. 38p. of land, and at the census of 1841 had 67 houses and 283 inhabitants. The tithe is commuted for £82. 12s. 2d. There are coal, lime, and lead works in this township. The Wesleyan Methodists have a small chapel here.
Sascott, a small township five miles west of Shrewsbury, containing 221a. 2r. 28p. of land, in 1841 had 24 persons and three houses. The tithes are commuted for £52. 6s. 6d. Francis Harris, Esq., is the sole landowner.