Rushall in 1859

RUSHALL (ST. MICHAEL), a parish, in the union of  WALSALL, S. division of the hundred of OFFLOW and of the county of STAFFORD, I mile (N.E. by N.) from Walsall; containing 1609 inhabitants. The parish comprises 1920a.1r.14p., of which the soil is partly light, but mostly a strong clay; the surface is undulated, and in some places hilly, and the substratum contains limestone and iron-stone, the former of which is worked to some extent, several lime-works being carried on, on an extensive scale. The village is situated on the road leading from Walsall to Lichfield; and the Wyrley and Essington canal, now merged into the old Birmingham, canal, passes through the parish.

The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £4.5.; patrons, William L. and George Mellish, Esqrs., who are lords of the manor; net income, £304, with a good glebe-house, enlarged in 1843. The vicarial tithes have been commuted for £170.1., and the glebe comprises 46 acres: 24 acres in Aston parish, producing £60 per annum, were purchased by Queen Anne's Bounty. The church is a neat structure, with a square tower, and was repaired in 1828 at an expense of 600, raised by subscription; it contains some old monuments to the Leigh family, of whom Edward, author of Critica Sacra and several other works, died in 1677 and was buried in the chancel. A national school is supported by subscription. Here are the ruined walls of an ancient castellated mansion. 
 

 

[Description(s) from The Topographical Dictionary of England (1859) by Samuel Lewis - Transcribed by Mike Harbach ©2020]