Smethwick in 1859

SMETHWICK, a hamlet and extensive manufacturing district, in the parish of HARBORNE, union of KING'S-NORTON, S. division of the hundred of OFFLOW 
and of the county of STAFFORD, 3 miles (W. by N.) from Birmingham; containing 5020 inhabitants. This place is situated on the road from Birmingham, through Oldbury, to Dudley, and the hamlet comprises by measurement 1830 acres of arable, pasture, and meadow land.  

The prevailing scenery is pleasingly diversified, and in some parts beautifully picturesque, and enlivened by numerous good residences, of which the principal are, the Lightwoods, a handsome mansion built in 1780; the Firs, the Woodlands, Smethwick House, Galton-Bridge House, Shireland Hall, and Smethwick Hall, built about a century since, on the site of an ancient hall. There are places of worship for Independents and Wesleyans; and near the chapel is a school endowed by Mrs. Parkes with property producing £8.9. per annum. The poor have six almshouses, and some land is vested in trustees for the benefit of the necessitous. 

 

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