SHIFFNAL: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1824.

"SHIFFNAL (or IDSALL), a parish and market town in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry, a vicarage in charge, in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, the deanary of Newport, and archdeaconry of Salop. 866 houses, 4,411 inhabitants. Market on Friday; Fairs, 1st Monday in April, August 6, November 23. 18 miles south-east by east of Shrewsbury, 143 north-west of London.

Shiffnal was anciently called Idsall. It is a small town, near the borders of Staffordshire, in the direct road from London to Shrewsbury and Holyhead. With the exception of its parish church, which is a large and interesting cruciform building, it contains little that is worthy of particular remark. Under the square central tower of the church, there were formerly four semi-circular arches, which have been transformed into elegant painted ones. On the north aisle, the choir has ancient, round headed windows, with Saxon mouldings. There is a fine altar, and tombs of the family of Briggs. An inscription in this church informs us that William Wakely was baptised at Idsall, or Shiffnal, May 1, 1501, and was buried at Asbaston, November 28, 1714, his age being upwards of 124; that he had lived in the reigns of eight Kings and Queens, viz., Elizabeth, James the first, Charles the first, Charles the second, James the second, William and Mary, Anne, and George the first. Attached to the south aisle is a chantry. The roof of the nave, of oak, which is said to be richly carved, has been of late entirely obscured by a plaister ceiling. In 1810 the whole church was fitted up at considerable expense.

Shiffnal is the native place of Dr. Thomas Beddoes, a man justly eminent as well for his medical skill as for his general literary talent. He was born in the year 1754, or 1755, and was educated at the free school at Bridgnorth. When he had completed his school education, his father, who was a respectable tanner, sent him to Oxford, from whence he repaired to Edinburgh. During his residence at this celebrated school of medical science, Dr. Beddoes attended the lectures of the most eminent professors of the age, and probably became an ardent disciple of Dr. Brown, whose system was at that time exceedingly popular, and on which Dr. Beddoes seems to have founded many of his theories. He devoted a considerable part of his time to the study of chemistry, which wes his favourite science; and in 1786, acted as reader of chemistry at Oxford, where no professorship was then established. In the course of the following year Dr. Beddoes visiting France, became acquainted during his residence at Paris, with the great Lavoisier, with whom, after his return, he held a correspondence. In the latter end of the year 1792, he resigned his readership, and after deliberating some time on the choice of a residence, at length fixed upon Bristol. Here he applied with all his energies to the study and practice of his profession, and occasionally published the fruits of his lucubrations. His principal work was "Hygeia; or Essays, moral and medical, on the causes affecting the personal state of the middling and affluent classes." This work is characterised by much acuteness of observation. Its chief fault is too strong a bias to mere theory.

Dr. Beddoes died on the twenty fourth of December, 1808. His disorder was a dropsy of the chest, under which he had laboured for some time, though without any apprehension that his end was so near. His life had been devoted to experiment, enquiry, and correspondence with men of science, and his ardour in pursuit of medical knowledge was very exemplary. His style is in general vigorous, glowing and animated, but sometimes deformed by terseness and obscurity.

His talent for poetry was considerable, and he possessed the happy faculty of viewing every subject on the most brilliant side. His conduct in the private relations of life was marked by candour and benevolence.

" ASTON, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. ½ of a mile north- east of Shiffnal. Aston Hall is the seat of J. Moultrie, esq. See appendix."

" COPPICE GREEN, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 1 mile north-east of Shiffnal."

" CRACHLEY BANK (or CRACKLEY BANK), a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 3 miles north-east of Shiffnal.

" DRAYTON, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstrey."

" EVELITH, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry, 1½ mile south of Shiffnal."

" GRINDLE, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 8 miles south of Shiffnal."

" HATTON, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 109 houses, 588 inhabitants. 2 miles south-east of Shiffnal."

" HAUGHTON, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. ½ mile north-west of Shiffnal. The residence of B. Benyon, Esq., M.P."

" HEM, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 1½ mile southwest of Shiffnal."

" HEM MILL, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 1 mile south of Shiffnal."

" HUNNINGTON and EVELITH, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstrey."

" INNAGE, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry."

" OAKEN GATES (or OAKEN YATES), a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 3½ miles north-west of Shiffnal.

" PAYNE'S LANE, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 3 miles north-west of Shiffnal."

" PRIOR'S LEIGH, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. Prior's Leigh and Oaken Gate contain 367 houses, 1,851 inhabitants. 3 miles north-west of Shiffnal."

" SHAW, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 1½ mile west of Shiffnal."

" SHIFFNAL MANOR, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. ¾ mile south-west of Shiffnal."

" STANTON, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry."

" STONETON, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry."

" UPTON, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 1½ mile southeast of Shiffnal."

" WOODHOUSES, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 3 miles north- west of Shiffnal."

" WOODSIDE, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstry. 90 houses, 509 inhabitants. 2½ miles north-east of Shiffnal."

" WYKE, a township in the parish of Shiffnal, and in the Shiffnal division of the hundred of Brimstrey."

[Transcribed information from A Gazetteer of Shropshire - T Gregory - 1824](unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]