Hamstall Ridware in 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"HAMSTALL RIDWARE, a parish in the N. division of the hundred of Offlow, county Stafford, 2½ miles N. of Armitage railway station, 5 E. of Rugeley, its post town, and 8 N. of Lichfield. The village, which is small, is situated on the river Blyth. The parish is bounded on the S. by the Trent, which separates it from King's Bromley. The inhabitants are principally engaged in agriculture. The surface is generally flat, and the soil a rich loam. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £268.

The living is a rectory in the diocese of Lichfield, value £300. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient edifice with square tower, surmounted by a spire. It contains numerous monuments of the Cotton, Combermere, and Egerton families. The parochial charities produce about £42 per annum. There is a National school for both sexes. The ancient manor house is now converted into a farmhouse, the watch tower and ancient gateway still remaining."

An 1868 Gazetteer description of the following places in Hamstall Ridware is to be found on a supplementary page.

• Hay End
• Nethertown
• Olive Green
• Rough Park
• Sandborough

 

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]