Gnosall in 1817

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

GNOSALL.

Gnosall is an extensive parish in Cuttlestone west, including Apeton Liberty, Cowley township, Moreton hamlet, and Knightley township. According to the population returns in 1811, Gnosall parish contained 455 houses, 492 families; 1,174 males, and 1,210 females: total of persons 2,384. The soil in this large parish is various, and the uplands generally a strong loam. There are several valleys with rivulets, and the land on their banks by draining and proper management, form good meadows.

The village of Gnosall is an ancient place, with a large Church, which was formerly a College for secular canons. This edifice consists of a nave and two aisles, a chancel and two aisles, and a cross aisle. The tower, which rises in the centre of the fabric, is in the Saxon style of architecture to the height of the roof; and the western arch is adorned with flat receding chevron mouldings. The principal part of the church is built in the modern style of English architecture, and the five windows in the western end are decorated with pointed arches.

Gnosall Church is a perpetual curacy, dedicated to St. Lawrence; the patronage belongs to the Bishop of the diocese, and the Rev. Mr. Lowe is the present minister.

Dawley Moor, a considerable common, is situated about a mile north-west of the village.

The township of Knightley is still farther to the north-west from Gnosall. The estate is the property of Lord Anson. It is of considerable extent, and contains many excellent oaks.

Moreton is a populous hamlet of Gnosall. The estate formerly belonged to Lord Ducie Moreton, but was lately purchased by Henry Green, Esq. who is making great improvements on the land by draining.

Wilbrighton is also a small hamlet of Gnosall.

From Knightley to Chatwell this parish extends about seven miles in length. Chatwell is said to derive its name from a spring called Chad's-well, formerly in repute.

Cowley township and hamlet is also in Gnosall parish. The most remarkable mansion here is Brough-hall, the property of Henry Crockett, Esq, The soil is in some places a strong loam, and in others lighter, and inclining to gravel.

The manors and estates of Walton Grange, Bescot, and Broadhill, are in this parish. They include an extent of one thousand acres of old enclosed land, and are the property of John Gough, Esq. Braunston-heath, near Walton Grange, was formerly a common, but has lately been enclosed. Broadhill is a small common, upon a declivity, interspersed with several cottages on its side and summit, some of which command extensive prospects, particularly a distinct view of Aqualate Mere and Chetwynd Park.

Snowden, in Carnarvonshire, was once seen by an observer in a clear winter's morning, in a direction beyond Chetwynd Park, above which it was evidently elevated. The object was covered with snow, and though the distance is nearly one hundred miles, Snowden may be seen in similar favourable circumstances from the summit of Broadhill. Walton Grange estate contains a coppice of twenty acres, of full-grown oak, equal to any in the county for size and quality.

Apeton is a liberty in this parish, which extends to the brook, near Church-Eaton.