Swynnerton in 1817

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

SWYNNERTON (SWINNERTON).

Swinnerton parish is in Pirehill North, and contains part of Seabridge township. The village of Swinnerton is about three miles to the south of Trentham, and four miles WNW from Stone. This large and fertile manor was possessed for ages by a race of gentlemen who took their names from it. The first of this family on record was Roger de Swinnerton, who in the 34th of Edward the First obtained a Charter of free-warren in all his demesne lands in this manor ; and for keeping a market on Wednesday every week, and a fair yearly upon the feast of our Lady's assumption. From this family the manor devolved by marriage to the Fitzherberts in the reign of Henry the Eighth. 

The Mansion-house of Swinnerton, the residence of the Fitzherbert family, is situated on an eminence which commands very extensive prospects of the circumjacent fertile country, and of part of Shropshire. In one of the apartments there is a very fine full-length picture of Sir John Fitzherbert, Knt. This house and the demesne land were a few years ago occupied by George Tollet, Esq. of Betley, during the minority of the owner. While under his management, the lands were well cultivated and greatly improved. 

Swinnerton Church is an ancient fabric, situated close to the Mansion-house. It is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a rectory which formerly was in the patronage of the University of Oxford, but afterwards came into private patronage. The late Rev William Robinson, Clerk, was both patron and incumbent. The Rev. Mr. Corns is now rector ; and the Rev. Thomas Orritt, is curate.

Swinnerton Park is situated between two and three miles NNW of the Mansion, and to the west of Trentham demesne. It consists of wood land and waste land, of a good quality, but in a state of nature. It is in an elevated situation, capable of being rendered very valuable land, and is somewhat similar in circumstances to Chartley Park, and like it capable of very high improvement. It is of considerable extent, and is much resorted to during the season by many of the poor for the purpose of gathering bilberries, which they sell to the nearest towns and villages. Hanchurch High-heath adjoining is also a considerable waste of similar land. 
Millstone-Green is another neglected waste contiguous to Hanchurch-heath. Perhaps no part of the county is more worthy of the attention of the agriculturist than these tracts. Millstone-Green is likewise the name given to an hamlet situate between Newcastle and Whitmore, about two miles and a half from the former place. 

Dr. Plot says " that those places that are situate highest, and enjoy the fewest waters, mines, aid woods, must undoubtedly be the healthiest, in proportion as they are free from one, more, or all of them : upon which account (he continues) I take Swynerton, the village of Beech, and all the hill country betwixt that and Trentham (being void of most if not all these) to be the healthiest spot of ground in all the county, which seems amply to be made out by an observation they have there, viz, that they have three christenings for one buryal." 

Acton, is an hamlet in this parish, situate about a mile to the east of Whitmore, and is noticed in the Conqueror's Survey. It is therein termed ACTONE, and is stated to be the property of the Bishop of Chester, and held of him by Rob't. The arable land was four carucates, one was in demesne. There were ten villains and eight bordars holding four carucates. There was likewise a mill of two shillings rent, eight acres of meadow, and a wood three furlongs long and two broad; each furlong being forty perches. It is remarkable that a pinnacle at the top of the gable end of an old barn built of wood is now to be seen, or was within these two years past, having carved thereupon the arms of the See of Lichfield and Coventry; from which is it improbable that the Bishop of Chester's property became vested in the Bishopric of Lichfield and Coventry. To such of our readers, who incline to that opinion, this old barn will be considered as affording a striking proof of the long duration of those kind of buildings, which have been erected with strong timber frames, and covered with boards. The chief, if not sole proprietor of estates in Acton, is Edward Mainwaring, Esq. of Whitmore Hall. 

Close to Acton is a large gravel pit, which continues still to be much used by the public. 

About a mile from Acton is a water mill, which bears marks of great antiquity; and we presume, in regard to the walls and plan thereof, is the identical mill noticed in Doomsday Book, as rented at two shillings a-year. 

The parish of Swinnerton contains 167 houses, 167 families ; 461 males, 432 females : total 893 inhabitants.