WESTBURY: Geographical and Historical information from the year 1831.

"WESTBURY, a parish in the hundred of FORD, county of SALOP, comprising the chapelry of Minsterley, and the township of Westbury, and containing 2153 inhabitants, of which number, 1395 are in the township of Westbury (including Westley and Yockleton townships), S miles (W. by S.) from Shrewsbury. The living is a rectory in two portions, in the archdeaconry of Salop, and diocese of Hereford; Westbury in Dextera Parte, rated in the king's books at £13. 9. 4., and Westbury in Sinestra Parte, rated at £11. 12. S., both in the patronage of Smythe Owen, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. An extensive colliery is worked in the neighbourhood. Petty sessions for the division are held here during the winter months. The Rev.-Earl, in 1716, gave land producing about £30 per annum, for teaching and apprenticing twenty-four boys and girls."

" MINSTERLEY, a chapelry in the parish of WESTBURY, hundred of FORD, county of SALOP, 9 miles (S.W.) from Shrewsbury, containing 758 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the rectory of Westbury, in the archdeaconry of Salop, and diocese of Hereford, endowed with £800 parliamentary grant. The chapel is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. There is a place of worship for Baptists, and another for Independents."

" WESTLEY, a township in the parish of WESTBURY, hundred of FORD, county of SALOP, 10 miles (W. Si W.) from Shrewsbury. The population is returned with the township of Westbury."

" YOCKLETON, a township in the parish of WESTBURY, hundred of FORD, county of SALOP, 6 miles (W. by S.) from Shrewsbury. The population is returned with the township of Westbury."

[Transcribed information from A Topographical Dictionary of England - Samuel Lewis - 1831](unless otherwise stated)

[Description(s) transcribed by Mel Lockie ©2015]