Himley in 1817

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

HIMLEY.

Himley is a pleasant village, delightfully situated six miles south of Wolverhampton, on the road to Stourbridge. Here is the splendid seat of Lord Viscount Dudley and Ward, who is lord of the manors of Sedgley, Himley, Swindon, King's Swinford, and Rowley Regis.

The mansion is a noble structure, situated in the midst of an extensive and rich park, abounding with deer, having at a proper distance in front a magnificent sheet of water, and in the back ground, close on the left, a steep rocky hill, finely clad with ancient and modern foliage; while, to the right, the woods and hills gradually arise towards the horizon, where the spire of Sedgley church, and windmill towards Dudley, raise their lofty heads amidst the picturesque scene, charmingly secluded by a barrier of hills from the manufacturing country beyond. From the upper part of the park, the woods and water on the right appear to great advantage. Over the house the village church is a pleasing object, and the rising back-ground over Swindon common and Ashwood is richly terminated by the distant hills and woods of Envillc.

The interior of the house consists of a spacious hall or dining-room, well furnished with pictures etc, on the left of which is a billiard-room, and beyond that the library. The opposite wing consists of a large and elegant music-room, decorated with full-length portraits of the late Lord and Lady Dudley etc, and furnished with one of the best private organs in the kingdom. Himley has frequently been the scene of rejoicing and festivity upon public occasions. The King's escape from assassination, in 1786, and several of our great naval victories, were celebrated here by illumination, fire-works etc.

But the noble owner is not more conspicuous for his loyalty than for benevolence of heart. In 1792, no less than 1000 poor persons in the neighbourhood were regularly relieved by him; and his Lordship's princely donations to the subscriptions in London, and in this county, (1816), for the relief of the poor, besides innumerable acts of private charity, entitle him to the thanks of his countrymen, and the enviable appellation of the Poor Man's Friend.

The beautiful and extensive wood called Baggeridge, adjoining, is intersected with commodious carriage roads, and well stocked with pheasants.

The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a rectory in the patronage of the Dudley family: it is a plain fabric of brick whitened and was built in the year 1764 by the late Lord Dudley and Ward. The parsonage-house is an excellent brick building, with a good garden. The soil in the neighbourhood of Himley is a light sandy loam, in high cultivation.

To the west is the village and hamlet of Swindon, also a light sandy soil: here are an iron-Works, some forges, and a blade-mill, where, by a peculiar temperament of the iron, it is formed into scythes, sickles, axes, etc. The navigable canal passes through Swindon. In 1796 a common of 1100 acres in this hamlet was inclosed, and it is now good turnip and barley land: the hilly parts have been planted, and are very picturesque.