Barlaston in 1817

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

BARLASTON.

Barlaston, is a village situated about three miles north of Stone, to the east of the road leading to Newcastle. 

The Church of Barlaston is situated close to Barlaston Hall, and is a small structure of brick, built in the Gothic style, with four windows on each side, and a handsome east window. The ancient square tower, which is low, and rather in a ruinous state, is of stone. This church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and is a curacy, in the patronage of the Marquis of Stafford. The Rev. Benjamin Adams is the present minister. 

Barlaston Hall is situated on an eminence, which commands an extensive view of a picturesque part of the vale of Trent. 
The Grand Junction Canal passes through the grounds below the mansion, which is a large and handsome building. Tittensor-heath and Trentham-woods bound the prospect. Thomas Mills, Esq. is the present proprietor. 

The parish of Barlaston contains 77 houses, 81 families ; 191 males, 205 females : total, 396 persons. 

Darlaston Bridge, over the Trent, is in this parish ; and Darlaston Holly the seat of John Smith, Esq. is situated in the meadows, where a very ancient plantation of firs skirts the road. 

Tittensor Heath, in this neighbourhood, is a considerable length of high, sound, sandy, waste land. At the extremity of the heath, towards Trentham, there is an Asylum for lunatics, kept by Mr. homas Bakewell, facing the vale of Trent, which is on the opposite side of the road.