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Ilam in 1817

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

ILAM.

Ilam, with Throwley, and Casterton, and Okeover. This parish, which is situated on the banks of the Manifold, may with propriety be termed the boundary of the sterile part of the Moorlands, the vale through which the river flows presenting on the side towards Blore rich woodlands and cultivated fields, while near the eastern bank of the river, several barren hills rise in frowning majesty, bidding defiance to the skilful hand of the cultivator, the fertilizing dews, the showers, and sunshine.

This parish, exclusive of Okeover, which has been correctly estimated before, contains 26 houses, 26 families; 83 males, 94 females: total of inhabitants, 177.

The village of Ilam contains about eight or ten houses, including the stately mansion of Jesse Russell, Esq. situated on a gentle eminence, with two verdant terraces, and a pleasant lawn, in front, terminated by the church-yard. Behind the house, on the SW bank of the Manifold, a flourishing wood of oak, elm, ash, etc. rises along the side of the hill, and spreads to a considerable extent, in form of an amphitheatre, and above it the ground gradually rises in a cultivated eminence to a great height, terminated by a coppice, which is a conspicuous and pleasing object, and may be seen for several miles. The river falls in two natural cascades near the mansion, and their regular and constant sound, has a tendency to tranquillize the mind.

Eastward of the church, which is itself a most interesting object, the village appears peeping amid the embowering trees; the white house of the vicar is most conspicuous; while beyond it rise two barren hills or mounts, with the grey rocks above the surface, which seem to forbid cultivation.

The Church is a small but very beautiful Gothic edifice of stone, situated about two hundred yards in front of the principal mansion. The date of its erection, as marked over the entrance, is 1618. The tower is of stone, with four pinnacles, a vane, and battlements. Two of the pinnacles, and almost the whole of the tower, to the ground, is covered with flourishing ivy in full verdure, which has a most picturesque and pleasing effect. Part of the west end, and of the body of the church, is also overgrown with ivy. The interior is plain, and the pews of oak; but there are several monuments in the chancel, particulary some tombs of the descendants of Oliver Cromwell, who lived at Throwley Hall, in this parish.

The following inscription on a tomb-stone in the church-yard is worth notice:
"Richard Ensor, AM, formerly of Magdalen College, Cambridge, was instituted vicar of this church, Anno Dom. 1669, departed this life, Nov. 6, 1714, aged 79. And on his right hand lies Hannah, his wife, who died Dec. 29th, 1740, aged 95."

The church is dedicated to the Holy Cross, in the patronage of John Port, Esq. The present vicar is the Rev. Burnet Port.