Draycott-in-the-Moors in 1817

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

DRAYCOTT-IN-THE-MOORS.

Draycott-in-the-Moors is a small parish about three miles SW of Cheadle, and situated on the northern bank of the river Blithe. The village of Draycott is small and irregular. The only manufacture carried on here is that of tape: about eight looms, belonging to Messrs. Philips, of Tean, are employed in this village.

The Church is situated on a hill, in a rural spot near the village. It is a neat structure of stone: the tower and the body of the church are modern, and the principal entrance is adorned with two lofty Doric columns, and a pediment; but the chancel, which is very ancient, is Gothic. The nave of the church is spacious, the roof is supported by columns of the Doric order, and the pews are of oak. In the chancel, and two small chapels, there are several monuments of the Draycott family, with figures in alabaster, recumbent on altar tombs. At the south side of the church, close to the wall on the outside, is the recumbent figure of a knight in armour, with his right hand on the hilt of his sword, and a dragon at his feet. It is dedicated to St. Peter, and is a rectory. The present rector, the Rev. Robert Porter, purchased the living, the rectory-house, and estate, from the late Mr. Bill, some years ago.

Longevity. "Hannah, the wife of Thomas Barnes, departed this life the 17th Dec. 1777, aged 100 years." The parish of Draycott contains 92 houses, 97 families; 262 males, 274 females: total inhabitants 536.

Totmanslow is an ancient but obscure hamlet in this parish, consisting of two or three farm-houses, and a few smaller tenements: this place, equally insignificant with Seisdon, gives name to the hundred.