The liberties of Shrewsbury were abolished by the municipal boundary act, and now form part of the county of Salop. The several parishes which they comprised are now returned in the Albrighton Division, in the Wem Division of North Bradford Hundred in the Condover Division, Condover Hundred, and in the Ford and Pontesbury Divisions, of Ford Hundred. The following are places included within the liberties of the borough, the residents of which are included in the Shrewsbury Directory:—
Alkmund St.—A parish partly returned in the Albrighton Division, and partly in Ford Division of the Ford Hundred. The parish, in 1841, contained 303 houses and 1641 inhabitants, of whom 1396 were included within the parliamentary borough. The rateable value of the parish is £9,041. 11s.
Chad St.—The parish of St. Chads is partly returned in the Albrighton Division, partly in Condover Hundred, and partly in the Ford Division, of the Ford Hundred. The entire parish, in 1841, contained 7625 inhabitants, of whom 4524 persons resided within the boundaries of the borough, exclusive of those residing in Frankwell. There were also 912 inhabited houses, 80 uninhabited, and 4 houses building.
Frankwell is a populous township in St. Chad’s parish, forming a suburb on the north-west side of Shrewsbury, from which it is approached by the Welsh bridge. In 1841 it was returned as containing 413 inhabited houses, 37 uninhabited and 2 building, with a population of 1895 souls, of whom 902 were males and 993 females.
Holy Cross and St. Giles forms the eastern suburb to the town of Shrewsbury, and contains the township of Abbey Foregate and part of Coleham. Abbey Foregate stretches from the English bridge to Lord Hill’s column, upwards of a mile in length; the street is wide and for some distance planted on each side with trees; it contains many genteel residences, and is by far the handsomest approach to the town. In 1841 the township was returned as containing 358 inhabited houses, 22 uninhabited, and 14 building, and 1638 inhabitants—of whom 701 were males and 937 females. That part of Coleham, returned as in the parish of Holy Cross and St. Giles, contained 30 houses and 104 souls.
St. Julian’s parish is partly in the Condover Hundred and partly in the Ford Division of the Ford Hundred. The entire parish, in 1841, contained 3252 inhabitants, of whom 2902 were in the limits of the borough of Shrewsbury, of the latter number 986 persons were resident in Coleham. In 1841 there were 387 inhabited houses and 22 uninhabited. Rateable value of the parish £12,890.
Coleham is a township, partly in St. Julian’s parish and partly in that of Holy Cross and St. Giles; in 1840 there were 332 houses and 1090 souls—of whom 986 were in the parish of St. Julian and 104 in the parish of Holy Cross and St. Giles. Coleham lies on the south bank of the river Severn and forms the southern suburb to the town of Shrewsbury. Here the manufacture of cotton goods was formerly carried on to some extent; the factories are now unoccupied. The houses are for the most part small, and occupied as cottage residences. A neat church has been built here which is noticed at a preceding page.
St. Mary’s parish is partly in the Albrighton Division, and, in 1841, contained a population of 6684 souls—of whom 6684 were returned as in the borough of Shrewsbury. The return includes the Castle, extra-parochial, containing 7 persons; 168 in the County Gaol, 186 in the County Infirmary, 94 in the Shrewsbury Free Grammar School, and 35 persons in boats. At the same period there were 1048 inhabited houses, 112 uninhabited, and 2 building.
Meol Brace parish is chiefly in the Condover Hundred, the entire parish contained, in 1841, 1195 inhabitants—of whom 361 persons were returned as in the liberty of the borough of Shrewsbury.