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Shenstone in 1859

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Topographical Dictionary of England, Samuel Lewis - 1859

SHENSTONE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST), a parish, in the union of LICHFIELD, S. division of the hundred of OFFLOW and of the county of STAFFORD, 3 miles (S. by W.) from Lichfield; containing 1962 inhabitants. The parish comprises 8451a.2r.35p., of which 30 acres are common or waste land; the soil is fertile, producing crops of wheat and barley, and there are extensive and luxuriant pastures; the surface is undulated, and watered by several rivulets abounding with trout.

The scenery is enlivened with some gentlemen's seats and pleasant villas; the village is neat, and the parish is intersected at one end by the Wyrley and Essington canal. Limestone is brought hither from Rushall to be burnt at Sandhills, by Messrs. George and James Brawn, who have wharfs on the canal. A considerable fair for cattle is held on the last. Monday in February.

The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £6.5.8., and in the gift of the Rev. John Peel: the impropriate tithes have been commuted for £500, and the vicarial for £435; the glebe comprises 38 acres. The church exhibits specimens of the various styles of English architecture, and has an enriched Norman arch at the south entrance; a gallery has been lately erected. There is a chapel of ease at Upper Stonall, containing 180 free sittings, the Incorporated Society having granted £200 in aid of the expense of its erection; and national schools are supported, both at Shenstone and Stonall. There was once a castle or fortification at Stonall, of which the remembrance is preserved in the name of Castle Field. 

 

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