MEREHOUSE
is a township intersected by the Shrewsbury and Chester railway, situated about a quarter of a mile from the Baschurch station, and eight miles N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. The township contained one house and sixteen persons in 1841. Rateable value, £200. 5s. Rowland Hunt, Esq., is the lord of the manor, but the land is the property of Richard Wall, Esq., who resides on the estate, having erected a pleasantly situated house to the east of Baschurch station, with commodious and conveniently arranged farm buildings. In this township is situated the British Fortress, previously noticed with Baschurch, as the retreat of Cynddylan, a British Prince, after being driven by the Saxon invader from the city of Pengwerne (Shrewsbury). It is protected by a pool of water of considerable extent, called the Berth, and a morass. Richard Wall, Esq., of Merehouse Hall, is the only resident.
NESS LITTLE, OR NESS CLIFF,
is a chapelry and village, consisting chiefly of respectable farm houses, in the parish of Baschurch, pleasantly situated two miles and a half S.W. from the Baschurch station, and seven miles and a half N.N.W. from Shrewsbury. In 1801 the population was 202, and at the census of 1841 there were 46 houses and 238 inhabitants. The tithes were commuted in 1847 for £232. 10s. The rectoral tithes of this township are paid to the Rev. David Birds, except those of the Milford and Adcott Hall estates. The incumbent of Baschurch receives the small tithes. The township contains 1,348 acres of land. The soil is generally a stiff sandy loam, producing good crops of wheat, barley, and beans. About two-thirds of the land is arable. Rateable value, £1,326. 13s. Earl of Powis is lord of the manor. The principal landowners are Henry Dickinson, Esq.; George Edwards, Esq.; R. A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; Edward Brayne, Esq.; William Matthews, Esq.; Mrs. Jones; and Samuel Bickerton, Esq. Henry Dickinson, Esq., has recently purchased an estate from the Earl of Powis, and is now erecting an extensive and costly range of farm premises on the most approved principles. The Church is an ancient structure, paved with encaustic tiles, and was new pewed in 1835, the expense of which was defrayed by public subscription. It contains a fine old font, with the date of 1565. The communion cup, which is of silver, exhibits a curious piece of handicraft, and has the date 1565 upon it. The living is a curacy annexed to the vicarage of Baschurch. Adcott Hall, the residence of Thomas Mansell, Esq., is an ancient erection, with extensive farm premises, conveniently arranged, connected with it. Milford Hall, an ancient timbered residence in good preservation, exhibits a fine specimen of the domestic architecture of by-gone days.
Directory.—Farmers: Edward Brayne, and maltster; Thomas Brookfield, Adcott Mills; Andrew Mansell; Thomas Mansell, Adcott Hall; James Payne, Milford House; Abraham Powell, Milford Mill; Alice Smith, Milford Hall; Abraham Woolrich; Thomas Gilston, farm bailiff to Henry Dickinson, Esq. Edward Griffiths, shoemaker; William Hughes, parish clerk; William Jones, shopkeeper, Vale lane; Edward Pugh, wheelwright.
PRESCOTT
is a township and pleasantly situated village on the Shrewsbury and Baschurch turnpike road, seven and a half miles N.E. by N. from the former place, and one mile south from the latter. In 1841 there were 23 houses and 103 inhabitants. The principal landowners are Robert A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.; John Bromley, Esq.; and Mrs. Barrett; besides whom there are several other freeholders. The land has an undulating surface, with a strong loamy soil.
Directory.—John Bromley, Esq.; Andrew Mellor Needham, Esq.; Thomas Pearce, blacksmith; John Poole, tailor; Richard Smith, farmer; William Thomas, grocer and provision dealer; David Vaughan, farmer; Griffith Windsor, builder.
STANWARDINE-IN-THE-FIELDS
is a township and well-built village, near the line of the Shrewsbury and Chester railway, one and a half mile N.W. from Baschurch, and nine miles N.W. by N. from Shrewsbury. The railway is here crossed by a substantial stone bridge. At the census of 1841 there were 30 houses and 160 inhabitants. The land in this township is generally good, and produces fine crops of wheat and turnips. The Duke of Cleveland is lord of the manor; and the trustees of Mrs. Eleanor Harris’s charily, Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Hilton, Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart., Miss Emma Jones, and the vicar of Baschurch, are the principal landowners. The Park House, a good residence of brick, stands about half a mile north-west from the village, and is the residence of Mr. Richard Hiles. It was built two years ago. The farm premises are admirably contrived, and replete with every convenience.