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Forton in 1817

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

FORTON.

Forton is an adjoining parish, and situate to the south-west of that of Norbury, in the western division of the hundred of Cuttlestone, and on the borders of the county. In 1811, it contained 121 inhabited houses, 130 families, 297 males, and 310 females; the population of the parish amounting to 607 persons. The turnpike-road from Eccleshall to Newport, in Salop, passes through the village of Forton, which is about two miles distant from the latter town. The parish contains the hamlets of Warton, Sutton, Mereton, and Aqualate.

Sutton is on the same road that passes through Forton, to the north-east thereof, and contains several farm-houses and small tenements. The upland soil is a light loam. "In this place, Sutton or Southtown, (Mr. Loxdale says,) there is a freehold estate, which Robert de Broughton granted to William de Scavington in frank marriage with Ellen his daughter. Hugh de Scavington gave it with Ellen his daughter to Ralph de Layton, 1314. John Symonds and Ann his wife were possessed of it in 1406, and in 1442 passed it to their son John Symonds. In the beginning of Queen Elizabeth it was purchased by John Bettenson, whose daughter and heir, Margaret, carried it in marriage to Roger Benbow, rector of Bolas, in which family it continued to Benbow, of Sutton, with the deeds from whence the above information was taken about 1740.

The Bettensons were a numerous and ancient family in this parish; for, besides the above freehold, there were four more, each of them possessed of a copyhold estate, 1611. Richard B. a younger son of one, then removed into Essex, and from him descended Sir Edw. B. of Chislehurst, in Kent, Bart, who dying without issue, 1723, was succeeded by a near relation of his name, Edw. Bettenson, Esq.

Near to Sutton is a small estate, called the Gild or Guild of Monks'-farm, which "was formerly given to the Abbot of the Benedictine Monastery at Shrewsbury, who had his occasional residence there, as appears from the following words in the Monasticon, Vol. I. p.583: Ricardus Dapifer Cestriae dedit abbate Benedictinorum de Salop, habitationem hermeticam in Sylva de Suttona."

Between Sutton and Forton is a conical building of stone, originally a windmill, or intended as such. It was built in its present form as an object to improve the view from Aqualate-hall by a former possessor. At the bottom of a hilly field called the Yeld, and opposite to this building, is a fountain called Wins-well, which contains several springs of excellent water.

Mereton, or Meertown, is an hamlet, which derives its name from the neighbouring lake. The manor is termed the manor of Meer and Forton, and the latter was included in the former at the Conquest. Near to this hamlet is a pool called Moss-pool, respecting which a superstitious notion existed in the time of Plot: the rising thereof was taken for a certain sign of a dearth of corn!

Two other prognostics of a less alarming description are recorded by the same author, as being a communication made to Edwin Skrymsher, of Aqualat, Esq. by Samuel Taylor, a person belonging to the Severn, but employed by Mr. Skrymsher in making his boats, "who foretold such rains as are usual and frequent by the winds backing to the sun, as he called it, i. e. opposing its course: viz. the sun moving from east by south to west and north, and so to east again; and the wind from west by south to east and north, and so to west again: ex. gr. suppose the wind now in the north, if it shift thence to the east agreeable to the sun's course, it most times proves fair; but if it back to the sun, and shift westerly and thence southerly, etc. so as to oppose its motion, it seldom fails of bringing rain; and so in all the other cardinal and intermediat points.

Much more accurat and certain was the same Samuel Taylor in predicting the winds than the rains that attend them, though even in this too he made use of the clouds themselves, which whenever he perceived to rise in the form of the letter V. jagg'd on each side, and therefore called by the watermen the Hartshead, he forthwith concluded infallibly that the next point of the compass to which the wind would shift, would be either the opposite one to the most patulous part of the V. or Hartshead, (which though happens but seldom) or the point to which the acute angle of the same Hartshead seems nearest to direct itself; and this most frequently happens, always one of the two"

Aqualate Hall, according to Mr. Shaw, was first erected by Sir Thomas Skrymsher, Knt. who died in 1633. He was lord of the manor, and patron of the church. An engraving of the original building is in Plot, where it is termed Aqualate House. From the Skrymshers it descended by marriage to the family of Baldwyn, from whence it came by purchase to the present proprietor, Sir John Fenton Boughey, Bart, one of the representatives for the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme. The worthy Baronet new modelled, rebuilt, and considerably enlarged the old mansion, before he made it his seat. It is now a magnificent Gothic mansion, ornamented with turrets and battlements. The extensive park and pleasure-grounds about it present a delightful variety of rural scenery, and are adorned with several plantations, laid out with much taste; and in which are some of the largest oaks in this county. An arm from one, approaching fast to decay, extends in an horizontal direction twenty-seven yards from the trunk!

Aqualale-mere, the principal ornament of this demesne, is in front of the Hall, and is the finest lake in the county. Plot states its dimensions to be 1848 yards long, and 672 yards broad; thus making it cover a space of more than 250 acres. The river Meese derives its source from this water; which is the resort of various aquatic birds, particularly wild geese and ducks. The latter are sometimes taken in a decoy. Fish are for the most part abundant in this lake, though in time past the otter has proved a destructive animal amongst them; and the voracity of another of their own tribe or genus, in proportion as their numbers increase, must create a diminution of the other species: pike have been taken out of this water of the weight of 36 1bs. Dr. Plot says that he was informed by Edwin Skymsher, Esq. that carp grew to a vast size in this mere, and two were taken therein "remarkably great; one, a melter 33 inches long and 19 inches about, weighing 15 pounds, and the other a spawner, which, though not above two feet six inches long, or thereabouts, yet was 20 inches round, weighing 14 pounds, and sold for 14 shillings, the scales of each being near as broad as one of the milled half-crowns" then in circulation. In the same section he says, pike have been caught in the Lake of Geneva of 80 pounds weight, reckoning 18 ounces to the pound. He also instances, where pike having swallowed their prey, the same has been taken out of them alive. One instance occurred at the Black lake, near Aqualate, and another at Rugeley.

Aqualate-mere is supplied with water by several streams, and a small fountain at the foot of a hill planted with firs, called Anc's-hill, on the NNE side of the lake, and nearly opposite to the Hall. Plot conjectures that the Anc's-hills derived their name from some Roman captain that lay upon them, "whose name, or at least praenomen, perhaps might be Ancus." He says that "it cannot be denied that the Romans had indeed some action hereabout, there being a raised work here at Morton not farr off, which seems to be of their fashion, and no question the large meere that lyes just below it, had its name of Aqualat (quasi aqua lata) from them; not to mention that all these are in or near the parish of Forton, and that there is a village also not far-off, call'd Warton, which are both thought to derive their names from some such actions as are presumed by the story to have happened hereabout."

That a Battle has been fought near this place cannot be doubted, though between whom may still remain a conjecture, for stronger evidence than the etymology of words, the traces of camps, or proximity of ancient military roads, can be adduced in attestation of the fact. About 100 years ago were fallen some very old oaks, which grew on or about the grounds called the Anc's-hills; at which time, according to tradition, in pits and excavations then made, human bones, skeletons, and arms, were found. In 1815 the remains of many skeletons were found in rows, and appeared to have been laid in trenches on each other. They were accidentally discovered by digging to form a plantation. At Oulton, about a mile from thence, nearly twenty years ago, were found some arms, which fell into the hands of the late Richard Whitworth, Esq. of Batchacre. Whether the battle was fought by the Romans or Saxons, is it improbable, that Morton, Warton, and Forton, were the stations of the two contending armies prior thereto? From the field of battle, and the contemplation of contending armies, we pass to another place surrounded by other dead, but more peacefully slain, and more affectionately interred; and that is the parish-church.

Forton Church, situate in the village of Forton, is a stone building, consisting of a nave, north aisle, and square tower at the west end of the nave, in which are five bells. It may hold from two to three hundred persons. At the east end of the north aisle is a tomb to the memory of Sir Thomas Skrymsher, Knt. who died July 13th, 1633; and within the rails of the altar is an inscription on a stone slab, to the memory of Richard Skrymsher, the son of John, and grandson of Sir Thomas S. who is represented as having been the chief instrument in preserving King Charles at Boscobel, inasmuch as he procured an asylum for James Earl of Derby, and the Earl procured one for the king in the house of Penderell.

At the west end of the nave, near the font, is a painting of the Royal Arms, inscribed at the bottom :
"The Gift of JOHN BETTENSON, saddler, of London, 1723,"
which person, no doubt, was of the same family as that once settled at Sutton, and before noticed.

The windows of this Church formerly were of painted glass, and full of arms, and images of saints; During the Usurpation two Oliverian officers on a Sunday evening after divine service, came and destroyed them. This they termed reforming the Church. One coat of arms, being small, escaped their infatuated zeal, and remained in one of the chancel windows.

It contained the arms of two families, Botetourt and Somery. "Thomas Botetourt, one of the ancient lords of this manor (by marriage with Joan, sister and co-heir of John Somery, 16 Edw. II.) was a benefactor to the parish-church of Forton; for the roof being then old and ruinous, or (if tradition may be depended upon) beat down by the fall of a very lofty spire, he covered it anew, and ornamented the interior." The Church had a second reparation about the year 1723, and is dedicated to All Saints.

As a church and church-yard are places for solemn contemplation, not merely in respect of the deeds of the rich and great, but of every rank and station in life, it is presumed that the serious and devout mind will not be averse to notice traits of character, and remarkable occurrences amongst those, whose lot has been to move in the middle and lowly ranks of society. Grandeur must be admonished not to " bear with a disdainful smile The short and simple annals of the poor" and every one should bear in mind, when he walks among the dead, that in many a "neglected spot is laid Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire."

In this church-yard, near the east door of the church, is a plain tomb thus inscribed:
Beneath this Tomb are deposited the Remains of
JANE HEWETT who died October 28, 1800, aged 71.
and
HONOR DARWALL who died October 29, 1800, aged 64.
United by early and sincere Friendship,
They dwelt together upwards of forty-five years,
Redeeming the Time,
In Piety tow'rds God, and in works of mercy to their Fellow-Creatures.
In their death they were not divided.
Reader,
From their Example follow Christian morals,
Hold fast the Christian Faith.
So like Them shall you receive the Hope,
Which maketh not ashamed.

"The above two were maiden ladies, and distinguished themselves by a noble example of sincere and affectionate friendship. They were no relations by birth or family alliance, but became acquainted very early in their youth. A strong and inviolable attachment to each other ensued. When they became possessed of their respective fortunes, and settled in the world, they made the same dwelling their common home in the town of Newport, Shropshire; where they lived together in the strictest amity and friendship with each other, charitable to the poor, and much respected by the whole circle of their acquaintance upwards of forty-five years. During some part of this long period, they experienced a reverse of fortune in the loss of a considerable sum of money, which they had placed in the hands of some gentleman, who became a bankrupt. Their loss was very unequal. The one had to lament the loss of a great part of her all, while the other experienced but a small reduction. However, this unequal change in their circumstances produced no alteration in their dispositions towards each other; but, if possible, was a stronger bond of union. When their fortunes were thus unhappily reduced, they perceived that, in case of the death of either, the survivor would be too much confined by the mere income of her own property. To prevent which, each made her will, by which she bequeathed the interest of her all to the benefit of the survivor, at whose death it was to be distributed among each one's respective relations. "

"Their last bed of sickness exhibited a scene truly affecting and interesting to the feelings of every tender heart. She that was first taken ill, had the misfortune to break her leg. When both were confined, each perceived that the awful exit of one, if not both, was approaching; and as long as strength would permit, she that was most able went every day into the room of her friend to take a final adieu! and when her strength was exhausted she was carried by the attendants. At these affecting interviews they bathed each other's hands in tears, and expressed an heartfelt wish, that it might please God to permit them soon to meet again in a happy eternity. Heaven smiled and heard the pious prayer; and that angel that took away the soul of her that first departed, was, a few hours afterwards, dispatched to release the struggling soul of her absent friend, and to re-unite them in bonds of love for ever."

The living of Forton is a rectory in the patronage of Sir J. F. Boughey, who is lord of the manor and chief proprietor of the estates in the parish. The Rev. Mr. Bright is the present rector.