Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company, general carriers to all parts of the kingdom; Charles Pearce, agent, Canal wharf
BIRCH AND LYTHE
is a small township, nearly a mile S.E. from Ellesmere, comprising 652a. 2r. 27p. of land, and in 1841 had eleven houses and 65 inhabitants. The township contains some good land, has an undulating surface, and is intersected by the Shropshire Union Canal, on the banks of which are a commodious residence and offices erected by the Canal Company. The landowners are the trustees of the Earl of Bridgewater and Richard George Jebb, Esq. The latter gentleman resides at a neat mansion, pleasantly situated and beautified with pleasure grounds, called The Lythe. Birch Hall is a good farm house, with commodious out-buildings, of modern construction.
The principal residents in Birch and Lythe are Richard George Jebb, Esq., The Lythe; William Shingler, farmer, Birch Hall; William Whalley, builder; and John Young, canal inspector, Canal-office.
COCKSHUT AND CROSEMERE
is a township and well-built village on the turnpike road from Ellesmere to Shrewsbury, four miles S.E. from the former town. The village contains some good residences, and is situated in an important and flourishing agricultural district, noted for producing fine cheese. The magistrates hold a petty sessions at the Court-room on the second Thursday in every month, except in the months of April and November, when they are held on the first Thursday in each month. The presiding magistrates are Sir John R. Kynaston, Bart., C. K. Mainwaring, Esq., Richard G. Jebb, Esq., and Wm. Sparling, Esq. The township contains 1,533a. 1r. 19p. of land, and in 1841 there were 93 houses and 434 inhabitants. The principal landowners are the trustees of the late Earl of Bridgewater; Mr. Samuel Lee; Mr. Thomas Austin and Mr. John Trevor are also owners. William Sparling, Esq., is lord of the manor. Fairs are held on May 3rd and the last Friday in October for the sale of cattle, sheep, and general merchandise, which are well attended. A Feast is held on the first Sunday after the 25th of October. The Church is a neat brick structure, erected in 1776, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a square tower containing two bells and a clock. The interior has a neat appearance, and is fitted up with oak sittings. The chancel contains a beautiful altar piece, and a neat mural monument in memory of F. Lloyd, of Crosemere. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the patronage of the Vicar of Ellesmere, and enjoyed by the Rev. Samuel Hollinsend Burrows. The church was repaired and beautified in 1842. The Primitive Methodists have a neat chapel, ejected in 1847. Crosemere is a joint township with Cockshut, about three miles S.E. from Ellesmere, and is noted for the extent of its meres or pools. That of Crosemere covers a surface of 44 acres; and Sweat-mere is also of considerable extent; they are well stocked with different sorts of fish. Crosemere Hall is a good house, the residence and property of Mr. Samuel Lee. Wackley Lodge, a neat house, with commodious farm premises, is the residence of Richard Hampson.
Francis Lloyd, Esq., in 1691, gave a rent charge of 6s. per annum, issuing out of a croft in Frankton, to be distributed to the poor of Cockshut, Crosemere, and Frankton.
John Parker, in 1849, bequeathed £200, the interest to be expended in bread for the poor, by the minister and chapel wardens, at such times and in such quantities as they shall think fit.
Post Office.—At John Green’s. Letters arrive from Ellesmere at 9.10 A.M., and are despatched at 3.20 P.M.
Those marked * reside at Crosemere.