Rocester in 1817

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

ROCESTER.

Rocester is a parish situated near the Dove, about four miles N.N.E. of Uttoxeter. It was the demesne of Algar Earl of Mercia, in Edward the Confessor's time. He left it to his son Edwin, who forfeited it by rebellion to the Conqueror, who gave it to Robert de Stafford, one of his followers.

A monastery of Canons regular of St. Augustine, was founded and endowed with large possessions at Rocester, by Richard Bacon, nephew to Ranulph Earl of Chester. These possessions and liberties were confirmed to the monks by Henry the Third, in the 30th year of his reign, AD 1246. Some of the Stafford family, of Sandon, who settled here, were great benefactors to this monastery; and in the parish church, which formerly belonged to the monks, there are monuments of the Staffords. At the time of the Dissolution, this house was valued at £100. 2s. 101/2d. per annum. Thomas Trensham, a favourite of Henry the Eighth, obtained it of that prince, and made it his residence. It was held by his descendants in the 17th century, but not a vestige of it now remains.

Rocester Church is an ancient structure, with a square tower of stone; it stands in the middle of a field, in which there is part of a broken cross, which probably belonged to the abbey. The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and is a vicarage. The present vicar is the Rev. Jell: the Rev. George Hake is curate.

The village of Rocester contains several good houses, and a cotton manufactory, the property of Mr. Bridone. The confluence of the Dove and Churnet in the meadows below this village, contribute to the fertility of the soil.

The parish contains 155 houses, 168 families; 376 males, 497 females: total of inhabitants, 873. Of this number nearly one-half are employed in the cotton manufactory.

Cowbridge is a hamlet belonging to this parish: it is situated to the south-west, upon the banks of the Churnet; and the branch of the Grand Trunk Canal, which terminates at Uttoxeter, passes through it. Near this hamlet there is a wharf on the canal, with large warehouses, and a few tenements.

Mince-pie Hall is a curious mansion, situated on in eminence, with a turret and observatory.