Rugeley in 1859

RUGELEY (ST. AUGUSTINE), a market-town and parish, in the union of LICHFIELD, E. division of the hundred of CUTTLESTONE, S. division of the county of STAFFORD, 9 miles (E.S.E.) from Stafford, and 127 (N.W. by N.) from London; containing 3774 inhabitants. This parish includes a portion of Cannock chase, the whole of which, containing nearly 20,000 acres, still uninclosed, was, together with the manor of Rugeley, granted by Henry VIII. to William, first Lord Paget, ancestor of the Marquess of Anglesey, the present lord of the manor.

The town is agreeably situated near the south bank of the river Trent, on the road from Stafford to Lichfield; it is lighted with gas, is remarkably clean, and of respectable appearance, and consists of several good streets, two of them recently formed, called Albion-street and Church-street, many of the houses in the latter of which are of a very superior order. The trade is greatly promoted by the proximity of the Grand Trunk canal, which connects the navigation of the rivers Trent and Mersey, and, passing northward of the town, between it and the river, communicates with Brereton collieries by a railroad, and not far distant is carried over the Trent by a fine aqueduct. Here are an iron-foundry, and mills for rolling sheet-iron, also a small manufactory for sugar of lead and verdigris: hats were formerly made to a considerable extent, but this branch of trade has very much declined.

At Brereton, in the parish, are extensive coal-works belonging to Earl Talbot and the Marquess of Anglesey, and employing about 400 persons, most of whom reside in cottages on the estate: in sinking, good iron-ore is found in detached pieces, but not in sufficient quantity to pay the expense 
of working it. The market is on Thursday; and fairs take place on April 15th, June 1st, a very large horse-fair, which continues till the 6th, on which day is also a large cattle-fair; October 21st, for cattle, sheep, and horses; and the second Tuesday in December. Races occur in September upon an excellent l mile course at Hitchin Hill, about one mile from the town. A court leet is held in October, by the Marquess of Anglesey, at which two constables are appointed.

The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £5.2., and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield, the appropriators: the great tithes have been commuted for £405, and the vicarial for £315, with a glebe of 8 acres. The church was erected in 1822, with stone given by the Marquess of Anglesey, and contains 430 free sittings, in consideration of a grant of £800 from the Incorporated Society. Of the old edifice, the tower and chancel remain entire, and the latter is used as a schoolroom; the arches are in ruins. A district church has been recently built at Brereton. There is a place of worship for Independents, and one for Wesleyans at Glover's-Hill.

The free grammar school was endowed by Queen Elizabeth with estates now producing about £350 per annum. Bamford's school was established by John Bamford, who by will dated February 11th, 1733, gave £400: this benefaction having been augmented, 
the income is now £35 per annum. A national school for girls was founded by the Hon. Mrs. Curzon, now Lady de la Zouche; another at Brereton, by the Misses Sneyd; and an almshouse, for four women, by Mrs. Hopkins. 

 

[Description(s) from The Topographical Dictionary of England (1859) by Samuel Lewis - Transcribed by Mike Harbach ©2020]