Penn in 1817

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

PENN.

Over Penn, a pleasant village, two miles south of Wolverhampton, commands some extensive prospects of the surrounding country. The church, dedicated to St. Bartholomew, is a vicarage in the patronage of the Bishop of Lichfield: it was repaired in 1765, when the tower, of brick, was erected.

Here is a charity-school for the poor children of Penn, founded by the Rev. Charles Wynn, vicar of this place in 1714; and alms-houses for five poor persons, endowed by Mrs. Ann Sedgwick, 1761. The Marquis of Stafford is lord of the manor. South of this village, is The Lloyd's (in old deeds Luyd and Lyde), the property and residence of R. B. Marsh, Esq.

Nether Penn comprehends the west side of the parish, which extends to Trescote-grange. Finchfieid, and Castlecroft on the Canal, are also included in this parish: the former is the property of the Pershouse family, and the latter has been purchased by Mr. Joseph Tarratt, of Wolverhampton.

The Bates, of Penn and the Leasowes, possess considerable property in this parish, mostly in their own occupation. Here is Muchall Hall, the property and residence of Wm. Thacker, Esq. with that of Mr. Burne, and several other respectable occupants. The modern system of farming is attended to, and the neighbourhood is in an improving state.