Aldridge in 1817

Description from A Topographical History of Staffordshire by William Pitt (1817)

ALDRIDGE.

Aldridge is a large village situated on a high ground, about two miles south-east of the turnpike-road from Walsall to Lichfield. It is bounded on one side by the extensive waste of Sutton-Coldfield, and on the other by Cannock-heath.

The soil of this parish in general is a sound gravelly loam; the higher ground well-adapted for turnips and barley: the lower, being more cool and moist, is better suited to wheat and oats, or for meadow and pasture.

The manor of Aldridge belongs to Edward Croxall, Esq. of Shustoke, Warwickshire.

The Wyrley and Essington canal has been cut through a considerable part of this parish, terminating in this direction near Hay-head lime-works.

Every Christmas-day the rector used to give to every person, great and small, of this parish, that would come to his house, as much bread, beef, mustard, and vinegar, as they could eat. Of late years, instead of this entertainment, the rector pays to the inhabitants of Aldridge and Great-Barr, £26. 13s. 4d. being about 1s. 6d. to each householder, which the master of the family disposed of according to his pleasure.

The Church of Aldridge is a rectory. It is an ancient stone structure with a tower, is dedicated to St. Mary, and contains several monuments of the Scotts and other families.

The village contains several good houses, and an extensive distillery. The population is 425 males; 422 females: total 847.