Staffordshire

The fallowing are some of the more important villages : Abbots Bromley, population 1563, about 13 miles E. by S. from Stafford, consists chiefly of one long straggling street, containing several neat houses. The parish church has been much modernised, but retains a Norman doorway. The Independents have a chapel, and there are National and Free schools. Three fairs are held annually for cattle. Aldridge, population of the township 1173, about 4 miles N.E. from Walsall, has some well-built houses. The church, which has been recently repaired, has a good square tower. The Grammar school, founded in 1718, has an income from endowment of 130b a year, and had 50 scholars in 1853, all free. There are also National and Free schools. AtsroNnetn. Alton, or Aire:on, population of the township 1162, finely situated near the right bank of the Churnet, about 4 miles E. by S. from Cheadle, is a neat village, containing some good houses. The parish church, an ancient edifice of stone, was repaired and partly rebuilt in 1830. There are chapels for Weelcyan and Primitive Methodists, Independents, and Roman Catholics; also National schools. Alton Castle, a massive structure of gothic character, recently erected on the site of the former castle; St. John's Heepital ; a mechanics institute ; and an observatory, are among the objects requiring notice. Alton Towers, the magnificent seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury, about a mile from Alton, on the opposite aide of the Churnet, has been considerably altered and added to during the last few years. A Roman Catholio chapel, monastery, and schools were erected under the direction of the late Mr. A. W. Pugin. A mbkrote, population of the hamlet 1623, on the Worcestershire border, forms part of the parish of Old Swinford, the rest of which is in Worcestershire. Amblocote being in the iron and hardware district, its population is chiefly occupied in the various branches of the iron manufacture. Aston, population Included In that of Stone parish, about 2 miles S.S.E. from Stone, on the right bank of the river Trent, has a neat district church, a Roman Catholic church, and a district school. Aston Hall is occupied by a community of the Roman Catholic Order of the Paseionists, who also conduct a school for boys. A sidley, population of the township 1030, about 5 miles N.W. from Newcaatie.under-Lyme ; it possesses an ancient church of decorated character, with a massive, pinnacled tower; the chancel was rebuilt a few years back. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel and schools, and there are National schools. The Free Grammar school, founded in 1610, has an income from endowment of 1201. a year, and had 54 scholars in 1354. Coal and iron-stone are extensively worked in the neighbourhood. Barlaston, population 617, about 3 miles N. by W. from Stone, is situated on elevated ground, near the left bank of the river Trent, and on the line of the Grand Trunk Canal. The pariah church is a modern brick edifice, except the tower, which is old, and constructed of stone. Near the church is Barlaston Hall, an elegant mansion. A school for boys and girls is supported by the Duke of Sutherland. Rarton-undcr•-Ncedmood, population of the township 1561, about 9 miles N.N.E. from Lich field, has a chapel of ease, a stone edifice of Norman date, with a large square tower ; chapeLs for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists ; and National and Free schools. Biddulph, population 2633, about 7 miles N. from Buralem, at the foot of the Mole Cop Hills, has an ancient parish church; a chapel of ease, in the early English style ; chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists; and a Free schooL In the vicinity are extensive collieries, quarries, a silk-mill, and a manufactory of spades and shovels. There are here the vestiges of a stone circle, called the Bridestones. Bias-each, population 4477, about 3 miles N.N.W. from Walsall, has a church, chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists, and Roman Catholics; and National schools. There are coal-and iron-mines, flour-mills, lime-works, and manufactures of awl-blades, bridle-bits, &c. Dar/as:ea, population 10,590, about 2 miles S.W. from Walsall, has in its vicinity coal-pits and iron-mines, which, with stone-quarries and various branches of the hardware manufacture, employ a large proportion of the population. The parish church is a brick building of the 16th century. There are chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists and Independent, also National schools. A branch of the Birmingham Canal navigation passes near the village, and is carried over the Bescot Brook, at a height of 120 feet, by a handsome aqueduct bridge of two lofty arches. Over one part of the aqueduct Is a viaduct for the Bentley-road. Dilhorne, population of the township 823, about 3 miles N.W. from Cheadle, has an ancient church, partly rebuilt in 1819, and a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists. The Free Grammar school, which has an income of about 260/. a year, had 84 scholars in 1854. Drayton Bassett, population 403, is about 9 miles S.E. from Lichfield. The pariah church is a plain stone building with a square tower. There is a Free school. Drayton Manor, the seat of Sir Robert Peel, a mansion in the Elizabethan style, erected from designs by Sir Robert Smirke, La situated in an extensive and well-wooded park, about a mile north from the village. Ellastone, population 1312, about 7 miles E. from Cheadle, has a handsome gothic church, situated ou elevated ground, near the village ; chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists, and National schools. Etruria, population 2306, is about 2 miles S.W. from Stoke. The church is a new stone building with a spire. Tho Wesleyan and New Connexion Methodists have chapels, and there aro National and Infant schools. There are large gas-works, iron-works, and an extensive steam-engine factory. At Etruria is the celebrated porcelain manufactory founded by Josiah Wedgwood, who also built the village. Pazeley, population 1634, is situated on the river Tame, which is here crossed by a neat bridge. On the banks of the Fazeley Canal are extensive wharfs. Tape and oval laces are manufactured, and there is a mill for cotton spinning and doubling. The chapel of ease, a small neat building, was erected and endowed by the first Sir Robert Peel; the Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel, and there aro National and Infant schools. Monthly fairs for sheep and cattle, and a yearly feast, are held. Gnosall, population 2673, about 7 miles W. by S. from Stafford, has a commodious church ; a chapel for Wesleyan Methodists; and a Free school. Malting is carried on, and there arc flour-mills. Harborre, population of the parish, exclusive of Smeth wick township, 2350, about 3 miles S.W. from Birmingham, on a narrow outlying slip of the county, contains many respectable houses, the residences of Birmingham manufacturers. The church, which is of atone, is an ancient structure, but has beeu much altered. The Baptist and Wesleyan Methodists have places of worship. There are National and Infant schools, partly endowed ; a Wesleyan school; and a library. In the vicinity are numerous market-gardens. Ilandsworth, population 7047, about 2 miles N.W. from Birmingham, has a parish church, which, except the tower, is modern. In the church are monu ments to James Watt and Matthew Boehm, the eminent engineers and manufacturers of Soho. There are chapels for Wesleyan Method ists and Independents; also National and Infant schools. Iron- and coal-mines employ a considerable number of the inhabitants. Einfarc, or Kinrer, population 2872, about 4 miles W. by S. from Stourbridge, has a church, partly of Norman date. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapeL The Free Grammar school has an income from endowment of about 2501. a year, and had 36 scholars in 1854. Kinfare was at one time a borough and market-town ; fairs are held for cattle, sheep, and pigs, in February, May, and December. Bar-, rod-, and sheet iron are manufactured. Kingsley, population of the township 890, is about 3 miles N. from Cheadle. The church is an ancient gothic structure, with a tower. The Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists have chapels, and there are endowed National schools. Clockmaking employs some of the inhabitants. In the vicinity are flour-mills. Leigh, popu lation of the township 965, about 5 miles W.N.W. from 17ttoxeter, is situated in a rich grazing district, on the banks of the river Blythe. The church, a handsome cruciform edifice, with a battlemented tower rising from the intersection, was rebuilt, except the tower, in 1846. There Is an endowed Free schooL Longdon, population 1143, about 4 miles N.W. from Lichfield, is irregularly built aud spread over a considerable space. The parish church' is a handsome stone building of mixed Norman and pointed styles. The Wesleyan Methodists aud Independents have chapels, and there are parochial and Infant schools. Shoemaking employs a considerable number of hands. Malting and brickmaking are carried on. Beaudesert, the seat of the Marquis of Anglesey, stands in a spacious park about a mile west from the village. ifadeley, population 1423, about 5 miles W. by S. from Newcastle under-Lyme ; the parish church is of Norman character. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel, and there are endowed schools. Nail-making and machine-making are carried on. Pattinyham, popu lation 939, is about 6 miles W. from Wolverhampton. Tho chancel of the parish church is of early English character, other parts are of later date: a double piscine, sedilia, and aumbryes were lately disco vered. There is is National schooL In the vicinity are market-gardens. A cattle fair is held on the hat Tuesday of April. Rowley Reyts, popu lation 14,249, about 8 miles W. from Birmingham, IS dependent on the iron manufacture, which is carried on extensively in various departments. The British iron-works at Congreaves employ uumerous workmen. The old pariah church is at Rowley village; the Wealeyau and Primitive Methodists and Baptists have places of worship; there are National schools, and the British Iron Company's schools at Reddal Hill. There are extensive coal- and iron-mines; and clay is found of a kind particularly suitable for the construction of furnaces. Chains, traces, gun-barrels, jews'-harps, gas-tubing, and agricultural imple ments are manufactured. Poshall, population 1946, about 2 miles N.N.E. from Walsall, has an old church, which has been much altered and modernised. There are National schools. Malting aud brick making are carried on. There are limo-works in the vicinity. Sandon, population 556, about 5 miles N.E. by N. from Stafford, has a church of early English character, standing on a rocky eminence, a short distance east from the village. Sandon Hall, the scat of the Earl of Harrowby, was burned down in June 1848. A monument to William Pitt stands on a hill in Sandon Park, and iu another part of the park is a gothic temple in memory of the Right Hon. Spencer Percival. The park is open to the public. National schools are supported by the Earl of Harrowby. Sedgley, population 29,447, about 3 miles N.W. from Dudley, is situated in a hilly district which abounds in coal, ironstone, and iliac. The manufacture of nails, locks fire-iroua, chain*, and iron safes, gives extensive employment The church, erected by the late Earl of Dudley, is a handsome gothic structure. The east window is filled with stained glees representing the twelve apostles. The Wesleyan Methodists and Roman Catholics have chapels, and there are National and Infant schools. Shelton, one

of the pottery towns, plulation of the township 14,796, is Included in that of Hanley town given before. Shelton church is an elegant gothic structure, erected in 1331. The tower is 120 feet high. There are chapels for Primitive and Now Connexion Methodists and Inde pendent.; National, British, Methodist New Connexion, and Infant schools ; a School of Design; a subscription library; and a news-room. The town-hall and market-place are usedjointly for Shelton and lianley. The china and earthenware manufacture, chemical works, brewing, and the making of shoes and clogs, give extensive employ ment. The North Staffordshire Infirmary is situated here. Shenstone, population 2043, about 4 miles S. by W. from Lichfield, has many well-built houses. The church, which stands on the top of a bill, is an ancient cruciform structure, with a square tower. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel. Malting, boot- and ehoo-making, and the manufacture of steam-engines and agricultural implements, give considerable employment. A cattle fair is held about the end of February. Se. population of the chapelry 8379, about 4 miles W. from Birmingham, has very extensive glass-, iron- and steel-works, smelting furnaces, chemical works, rolling-mills, L.; wrought-iron boilers are manufactured. Messrs. Chance a glass-works, and Messrs. Fox, Ilendersoo, and Co.'s engineering and iron-founding factories, are at Stnethwick. There are also works for the manufacture of patent iron tubing, and patent enamelled hollow ware. Nail-making is carried on very extensively, the smilers chiefly working in their own houses. There are a chapel of case, a chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and chapels for Weelcyan Methodists, Independents, and Baptists. Near Smethwick there is over the New Birmingham and Dudley Canal an iron bridge, 261 feet long by 25 feat broad, and 68 feet high from its base, containing in all about 700 tons of iron. Sminforcl Regis, or Kingsteinford, ropulaticn 27,301, including the popula tion of Brierly Hill before noticed, about 9 miles S. by W. from Wolverhampton, is in a rich mining district The former parish church, which is in the village of Kingswiuford, was made a chapel of ease about 1830, when the new parish church wag erected at \Vordsley; in 1843 it was constituted a eeparate parish church, and had a district assigned to it. There are National schools. Talk-o'-ile Hill, population of the township 1973, about 6 miles N. by W. from Newcastlo-under-Lymo, is seated on a lofty hill, which affords an extensive proapect. The church, which was rebuilt in 1704, was enlarged about 1830, and the tower again rebuilt. The Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists have places of worship. There are National and Infant schools. In the neighbourhood are coal-mines and flour-mills. Seines-rem, population 946, about 4 miles W.N.W. from Stone, presses an ancient parish church, a Roman Catholic chapel, and National schools. Tettenhall, or Tattenhall, population 3396, about 2 miles W.N.W. from Wolverhampton, contains many good houses, occupied chiefly by manufacturers and tradesmen of Wolverhampton. Loeb, keys, and fire-irons aro made hero. Malting and brick-making are carried on. The church, which is now a royal free chapel, was anciently collegiate. It was enlarged in 1825, and re-pened in 1841. There are endowed National and Infant schools. Tipton, or Tibbington, population 24,872, is about 2 miles N. by E. from Dudley, in the heart of the iron and coal district It has risen into importance with the advance of these branches of the industry of Staffordshire. A considerable amount of heavy iron goods is manufactured for export. Railway iron-work, and the making of steam-engine boilers, employ several extensive establishments. There are several churches of the Establishment; chapels for Wesleyan, Primitive, and New Connexion Methodists, Independents, Baptists, and Unitarians ; several National schools, and schools supported by Wesleyan, Primitive, and New Connexion Methodists. Trentham, population of the township 630, about 4 miles S.S.E. from Newcastle-under-Lyme, has a church, rebuilt in 1842 by the Duke of Sutherland. In the centre of the new burial ground, is a pyramidal mausoleum erected by the late duke for the family cemetery. Trentham Hall is a splendid mansion in the Italian style, considerably enlarged and improved under the direction of Sir Charles Larry, who has added a fine Belvedere tower 100 feet high. The pleasure grounds in the park aro extensive, and beautifully laid out ; the river Trent, which runs through the grounds, contri buting greatly to the beauty of the scenery. The park is stocked with deer. There are schools supported by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland. IretInceeld, population of tho township 4S58, about 2 nines N.E. from Wolverhampton, has a church of modern date, built of brick ; two chapels for Wesleyan Methodists; a chapel for Independents • and National schools. There is here a largo manufac ture of key., (mks, hinges, traps, files, rasps, sta. Extensive collieries and Iron-works are in operation. Whittington, population 809, about 3 miles E. by S. from Lichfield, has a square church of brick, with a stone tower, surmounted with a lofty spire. There is a Free school. Whittington Ilan is a large ancient mansion, near the church. On the Heath, which is an uninclosod sheep-walk upwards of 300 acres in extant, Lichfield races are held. Willenhall, population of the township 11,931, about 3 miles E. from Wolverhampton, has an ancient parish church ; two new district churches; chapels for Wealeyan and Primi tive Methodists, and Baptists; National and British schools; and a school supported by Wesleyan Methodists The iron manufacture in various branches is pursued here to a considerable extent : locks and padlocks of every variety are made; numerous iron-foundries are in operation. There are varnish-works and malt-kilns. Willenhall is lighted with gas. Yoxall, or YoxhaU, population 1496, about 7 miles N.N.E. from Lichfield, on the right bank of the river Swerboro, an affluent of the Trent, has an ancient gothic church ; a Roman Catholic chapel; and National and Free schools. Cotton-spinning, brick-making, and malting are carried on.

Divisions for Ecclesiastical, Legal, and Parliamentary Purposes.— The county of Stafford is in the diocese of Lichfield, and constitutes the archdeaconry of Stafford. Staffordshire is in the Oxford circuit : the assizes and quarter sessions are held at Stafford, where is the county jail. County courts are held at Cheadle, Hanley, Leek, Lichfield, New castle, Itugoley, Stafford, Stone, Uttoxeter, Walsall, and Wolverhamp ton. The county lunatic asylum is at Stafford. The number of repre sentatives returned to parliament by the county and places within it was before the Reform Act 10, namely, two knights of the shire, and two members each for the city of Lichfield and the boroughs of New castle-under-Lyme, Stafford, and Tamworth. By the Reform Act tho county was formed into two divisions, and two members allotted to each. Wolverhampton, Stoko-upon-Treni, and Walsall were made parliamentary boroughs; the first and second to return two members each, Walsall to return one member. The whole number of repre sentatives sent from the district was thus increased from 10 to 17. By the Poor-Law Commissioners the county ie divided into 17 unions Alatonfield, Burton-on-Trent, Cheadle, Leek, Lichfield, Newcastls under-Lyme, Penkridge, Seisdon, Stafford, Stoke-upon-Trent, Stone, Tamworth, Uttoxeter, Walsall, West Bromwich, Wolstanton and Burslom, and Wolverhampton. These unions include 259 parishes and townships, and comprise an area of 743,278 acres, with a popu lation in 1851 of 566,284.

History, Antiquities, cf:c.—lu the earliest period of authentic history Staffordshire appears to have formed part of the territories of the Coruavii, or Carnabii. Under the Romans it was comprehended in the province of Flavin Ctesarieosis. The ancient roads, Watling-street, Ityknield-street, and the Via Devana (Deva or Cheater road) crossed this county. Watling-street entered it at Fazeley, near Tamworth, and ran west-north-west, a little to the south of Cannock and Penkridge into Shropshire. The turnpike-road from London to Shrewsbury falls in with Watling-street on Cannock Chase, and coincides with it through the remainder of its course in this county. The Roman towna of Etocetum and Pennocrucium were on this line of Watling-street : the first was at Wall, 2 miles S.S.W. from Lichfield ; the second near Penkridge village. Itykuield-atreet entered the county across the Dove near Burtou, and ran south-west by Burton and Alrowas to Etocetum, or Wall, where it crossed Watling-atreet, and turning more towards the south, rau by Sutton Park and Perry-barr Common into Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The Ad Trivonam (On-Trent) of Richard of Cirencester, may bo fixed between Branton and Borten ' upou-Trent. The Via Dovaua entered the county across the Trent near Ad Trivonam, and appears to have passed by Uttoxeter, and through the Pottery district into Cheshire. Chesterton, 2 miles N.W. from Newcastle, was probably a Roman station. There are traces of camps or other military works supposed to be Roman at Ashwood, near Kingswioford ; at Oldbury, between Birmingham and Dudley ; at Aldridge, between Sutton Coldfield and Walsall ; and in Arley Wood, near Over Arley on the Severn. Roman antiquities have been dis covered in various places.

There are some ancient camps, of which it is doubtful whether they belong to the British, Saxon, or Danish period. One of these, called Castle Old-Ford, or Old-Fort, near Stonall, about 4 miles S. from Lichfield, is very conspicuous. There are others in Beau desert Park, near Rugelcy; on Abbots Castle Hill, on the Shropshire border, between Wolverhampton and Bridgenorth ; and at Barr Beacon, near Walsall. Tumuli are found in various parts of the county.

On the conquest of South Britain by the Saxons, the county was included in tho kingdom of Mereia, or of the Middle Angles. When Wulf here, king of hiereia, was converted to Christianity, the bishopric of Meretu (which had been previously founded under the rule of Penda and Oswio, the sons of Penda) was re-established, and fixed at Lich field. There are the traces of as ancient camp or fort, called the Burgh, or Braff, uoar Meer. The Mercian kings appear often to have resided at Tamworth. In the division of the island between the Saxons and Danes, in the time of Alfred, Staffordshire was partly included iu the Danelagh, or Danish territory, Watling-street being the boundary ; but the whole was recovered by Alfred's successors. Iu the wars of Edward the Elder, son of Alfred, with the Danes (910), a battle was fought at Tettenhall Regis, near Wolverhampton, in which the Danes were beaten; and in the following year they aus tainedanother great defeat at Wednestield : two years after Ethetfleda, Lady of Mercia, sister of Edward, built forts at Taniworth and Staf ford ; and next year one at Eadesbyrig, which some suppose to be Wedneabury. Ethelfieda died at Tamworth in 920, at which town Edward assumed the direct government of Mercia. Under Edward the Confessor there was an Earl of Staffordshire. There are in the county several camps which are doubtless of Saxon or Danish origin.