Directory.—William Sparling, Esq., The Hall; Captain Charles Sparling, The Hall; William Sparling, jun., Esq., The Hall; Miss Sparling, The Hall; Thomas Davies, gardener; Thomas Drury, coachman; Richard Danneley, groom; Henry Smith, house steward. Farmers: Edward Johnson, The Grange Farm; Thomas Shingler Wakley.
SHRAWARDINE,
usually called Shraden, is a village and parish in the lower division of the hundred of Pimhill, bounded on the north by the river Severn, six miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, and 13 S.E. from Oswestry. In 1801 there were 186 inhabitants; 1831, 189; and in 1841 there were 34 houses and 196 souls. The parish contains 1,903 acres of land. The Earl of Powis is the landowner. Rateable value, £2,798. The Church is a plain Gothic structure, dedicated to St. Mary, which stands upon an elevated site, overlooking a fine undulating district, covered with fruitfulness, and richly clothed with timber. It contains a small but fine-toned organ, the gift of Earl Powis, and the Rev. Isaac Frowd, the rector of Shrawardine, in 1832. It is expected ere long that the unsightly tower, which is of wood, will be taken down, and one of stone, of a more ornamental character, added in its place. There are several neat tablets in the chancel to the Newlings, and others; and a brass memorial remembers Martha Botevyle. It also contains an antique old font. The living is a rectory, valued in the King’s book at £9. 12s. 6d.; now returned at £380; in the patronage of Earl Powis, and incumbency of the Rev. George Arthur dive, M.A.; curate, Rev. John Norgreave Baker. The following account of Shrawardine is copied from an old parish register book, now in the possession of the curate:—“In the time of our unnatural broil and unhappy wars that were between the king and his parliament, Shrawardine Castle was made a garrison for the king, September 28th, 1644. Sir William Vaughan, colonel, was made governor of it. This garrison was the head quarters of all his forces. Whilst this garrison continued the church and chancel were pulled down; the outbuildings of the castle, the parsonage house, with all edifices thereto belonging, and the greatest, fairest, and best part of the town were burnt, for the safety, as it was pretended, of the garrison. In this firing, the register book, with many books of the minister, were burned. Shrawardine chancel was thrown down on St. Matthias’ day, February 24th, 1644. The church was pulled down on Whit Sunday eve, June 8th, 1645. The town was burnt on Midsummer eve and Midsummer day, 1645. The garrison was cowardly surrendered up to the parliament forces under the command of Colonel Hunt, Colonel Lloyd, and Mr. Charlton, after five days’ siege; and within less than a fortnight after all the timber of the castle, and much goods that were in it, were all consumed with fire, upon a sudden report that Sir William Vaughan was coming to surprise it. Afterwards the stone work was pulled down, and carried to Shrewsbury for the repairing of the castle there, and the making of Rousal wall, standing on the Severn side. The church was re-built by a voluntary collection through the county, in the year 1649. In the meanwhile the parishioners assembled for the worship of God in the castle stables.” The chancel of the church was rebuilt in 1722. Oliver Cromwell, shortly after the castle was taken, ordered its destruction, at which period he dismantled and destroyed a great number of the ancient baronial fortresses. The castle stood near to the church; the remains of it consist of mere fragments of mortar and rough stones. It was anciently the seat of the Fitz Alans, and subsequently of the Bromleys. It is now the property of Earl Powis, who is also a considerable owner of land in this district. The Hall Farm House is an ancient structure, occupied by Mr. James Crane. The farm premises have been newly erected, upon a commodious and conveniently arranged plan. Shrawardine Castle is a modern building of red freestone, and being situated on elevated ground, commands a most delightful and picturesque view of the adjacent country. There is a fine sheet of water, covering several acres of land, in the vicinity of the castle. The castle farm contains 506 acres. The farm premises are of considerable extent, most admirably arranged, and furnished with all the modern appliances for agricultural purposes. Thomas Bowen, Esq., is now the occupant. Joseph Jones, by his will, bearing date 30th September, 1729, reciting that he had in his hands £30 belonging to the poor of Shrawardine, which was intrusted to him by the family of Bromley, of Holt Castle, to be put out to interest, and the amount yearly expended in coals for the poor. Mr. Jones, to secure the legacy, charged certain premises with the payment of 30s. per annum, and this amount is now paid out of an estate which was subsequently given by Mr. Jones to the poor of Atcham, subject to the above rent-charge.
Asterley John Nightingale, farmer
Baker Rev. John Norgreave
Bowen Thomas, farmer, The Castle
Bowen Even, farmer, Buckley
Bryne Edward, wheelwright
Crane James, farmer
Edwards John, parish clerk