» . •\ /' ^°<* » ^ c* 5 uv 4^ ^ ^6* >* .>^* % ** cat. %. / .•at. % ^ >°++> «b«* A .Wv THE HISTORY AND DIRECTORY CONTAINING ITS ANTIQUITIES, MODERN SURVEY OF ITS IMPROVEMENTS, A DESCRIPTION OF ITS PUBLIC EDIFICES, AND AN Enumeration of its local and commercial Advantages, WITH FORMS OF APPOINTMENT, AND OTHEil HIGHLY INTERESTING MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES, TO WHICH IS ADDED A CORRECT ACCOUNT of the . • . , '.,''',■; ' ; ' TRIAL Between the Borough and Foreign, frc, £fc. BY THOS. PEARCE. BIRMINGHAM: PRINTED BY THOMSON AND WR1GHTSOJT, NEW-STREET, ANB SOLD BY THEM, AND BY F M1LWARD, AND VALENTINE AND THKOSBY, WALSALL. O^Tg 'OS, 4* ^*.»* ADVERTISEMENT. It having been part of my duty to take the population of this town twice, agreeable to acts of parliament for that purpose, and finding that the number of inhabitants exceed- ed eleven thousand, I felt strongly inclined, as well as being much encouraged thereto by my friends, to publish a Directory of the names of the principal inhabitants of the parish, and also their various trades, — the utility of which must be obvious to the manufac- turer, and to the commercial part of the community; the additional account of con- veyances of all descriptions, and other matter contained in this publication, particularly as a book of record and reference, will, I trust, be found a useful source of information. It also occurred to me desirable to mingle plea- sure with utility ; or, in addition to informal ion which could only be interesting to persons in trade, to give a short, but sufficiently explicit^ account of the history of Walsall, of it* public IV buildings and charities, and of other things connected with the town or inhabitants : this had already been done by that learned and indefatigable historian of this county, the late Rev. S. Shaw, B. D. F. A. S. ; but as his book is within the reach of very few^ I have extracted from his history, that part which relates to this parish, making some trifling alterations, rendered necessary by the lapse of time, and adding such farther infor- mation as I have been able to collect in the course of twenty-four years, spent in the dis- charge of the most public parochial duties. Influenced solely by a desire to consult the convenience and add to the pleasure of the numerous inhabitants of this parish, I commit my book to their candour and liberality ; assured that they will be exercised, whenever the intention is good, however defective may be the execution. THOMAS PEARCE, / CONTENTS. ons History and Antiquities of Walsall Moseley's Dole .... Anecdotes of Characters .... Church .... ...• List of Vicars .... .... Inscriptions on Bells .... Paintings, Arms, and Inscript Charitable Gifts Gifts to the Charity School Bloxwich .... .... The Chapel Shelfield • Bescot .... .... .... Charter of the Corporation Churchwardens of Walsall . . Overseers of the Poor .... Curates . . .... .... Organists .... , . . • Mayors . . .... .... Recorders ...» .... Magistrates .... .... Town CJejks . . Constables .... .... Surveyor of Bye Roads Page. 1 15 . 26 30 . 33 40 . 41 47 65 66 , . 57 58 , . ib. 05 . . 91 OS . 103 101 . 10> 107 . ib. 108 . ib. no VI CONTENTS. PLACES OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. Page. Bridge-street Chapel . . .... .... Ill Old Meeting House 112 Methodist Chapel 114 Bioxwich Chapel . . .... .... .... ib. Income of Bioxwich Chapel .... .... 115 Copy of Lease of an Allotment of Land in Essington Wood 118 Baptisms at Bioxwich Chapel. ... .... 122 Burials at ditto 123 Methodist Chapel at Bioxwich ib. Roman Catholic Chapel at ditto .... .... 124 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS. Free Grammar School . . .... • • • • 124 Free School in Park^treet . . .... • • • • 125 New Charity School ib- Workhouse .... .... .... • • • • «*• Sunday Schools .... 127 New Market Place 128 Post Office ib. PLACES OF PUBLIC AMUSEMENT OrandStand 128 Stewards of Walsall Races 130 Billiard Table .... .... o... .... 181 Assembly Rooms ib. Theatre 332 Bowling Greens .... .... . . • • 13 Cock Pit ... . .... . . • t • • i • ''>, CONTENTS. MINES Limestones Mines .... .... .... Birchbills Colliery .... .... Goscott Colliery .... Hayhead Mines . . ... Lime Works at Rushall Limestone Mine . . ... Ryeeroft Sand Mines.. Clay Mine TRADES AND MANUFACTURES Ironmongery .... .... .... Saddlers' Ironmongery .... • . • • Coach Foundery . . .... .... Bridle Cutting, and Currying of Leather . . Bridle Bitts Harness .... .... .... .... File and Plating Manufactory .... Directory of Walsall Borough and Foreign. . Awl Blade Makers .... .... Buckle Makers .... .... .... Bradoon Makers . . .... .... Bridle Bitt Makers .... .... .... Bit Makers .... .... .... Bone and Ivory Turners .... .... Brush Makers .... .... .... Brass Coach Founders. . .... .... Bridle Cutters .... .... .... Bridle and Harness Tongue Maker , . , » Curb Makers. ... , ". , . .... vu Page. 134 ib. 135 ib. 133 140 141 ib. J4S 145 146 ib. ib. 147 ib. 1*9 170 ib. 171 ib. ib. ib. ib. 172 ib. ib. i& Vlll CONTENTS. Curriers .... .... Coach Bitt Makers ' . Coach Harness Makers. . » Coach Iron Pounder Dog Chain Makers .... Factors . . .... Locksmiths . . .... Platers . . .... Saddlers' ironmongers. . Spur Makers .... Spur Rowel Makers .... Stirrup Makers . ... Snaffle Makers .... Saddle Tree Makers Set Makers Bankers . . .... Names of Magistrates and Masters in Chancery Mails from the Post Office Coaches . . .... Waggons .... ... Canal Conveyance other Officers . . P CONTfcN'TS. IX Pgge. Walsall Patrole . . f 1S(> Borough of Walsall Court Leet .... 101 Case submitted to Mr. William Mott .... 193 Opinion of ditto .... .... .... 191 Copy of original Endowment of Walsall Vicarage 19(5 Translation of ditto ditto 199 Expense of the Poor .... .... .... 202 Entry of Provision for the Workhouse, 1733 204 Priee of Provisions, 1812 .. .... .... ib. Vestry Book . . .... .... .... 20.3 Population of the Borough of Walsall .... ib. Ditto of the Foreign of Walsall .... 20G Baptisms in the Parish Church of Walsall .... 207 Burials of ditto .... .... .... ib. Walsall Volunteer Association .... .... 2c8 Presentation of the. Standard Colours .... 911 Address and Prayer .... .... . . . „ 212 Bible Society 217 Lodges, Clubs, and Benefit Societies 21S Ditto Bloxwich 2i0 Survey of Bye Roads .... .... .... 221 Perambulation .... .... .... 224 ( lanals . . .... .... .... .... 22G Burial Ground, near Walsall 227 Interesting Account of a Trial 228 gM lettmirtgijam fire-office, I'MON STREET, BIRMINGHAM, FOR INSURING Houses, Warehouses, Manufactories, and other Buildings, Farming Stock, Goods, Wares, Merchandize, SHIPS IN HARBOUR, AND OTHER PROPERTY, FROM LOSS AWD DAMaGE BY FIRE, SmpotoercD b? 2tt of ©arliament* PATRONS. HIE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD VISCOUNT ASHBROOK, UENEAGE LEGGE, ESQ. WILLIAM VILLERS, ESQ. GEORGE SIMCOX, ESQ. THEODORE PRICE, ESQ. Common Insurance, 8S. per Cent. Hazardous ditto, 38. per Cent. Double Hazardous 58. per Cent. [aiming Stock on any Part of a Farm, or in any Building thereon, insured in one Sum, at the reduced Rate of as. per Cent, per Annum. ANDERSON A6HMORE, SAMUEL BAKER, JAMES BAYLEY, GEORGE BOONE, THOMAS BEILBY, ,10HN COPE, JOHN WILLIAM CROMPTON, JOHN JENNINGS, JOHN T. LAWRENCE, JAMES LLOYD, SAMUEL LLOYD, D IR EC TORS. WILLIAM LEA, JOHN MABSON, RICHARD PRATCHET, PRICE PRITCHIT, THEOPHILUS RICHARDS, SAMUEL ROGERS, s. ryland, (Temple-stJ THOMAS SMALL, TIMOTHY SMITH, WILLIAM WHEELWRIGHT. TRUSTEES. HENEAGE LEGGE, II JOHN RYLAND, CHARLES LLOYD, H JAMES WOOLLEY. RO'ERT IN WOOD WITHER1DGE, Secretary. *** Attendance isghen daily from Nine to Six o'Clock. BIRMINGHAM 3Lift SJnSurancc % annuity Hffice, UNION-STREET, BIRMINGHAM, For Insurance on Lives and Survivorships, Endowments o/\ Children, and Granting and Purchasing Annuities. EMPOWERED BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT. PATRONS. THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD VISCOUNT ASHBROOK, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD BEAUCHAMP, SIR CHARLES MORDAUNT, BART. M. P. DUGDALE STRATFORD DUGDALE, ESQ. M.P. HONOURBLE WILLIAM BEAUCHAMP LVGON, M. P. HONOURABLE WILLIAM HENRY LYTTLETOH, M. P. SIR ROBERT LAWLEY, BART. ISAAC HAWKINS BROWNE, ESQ. M. P. The leading Principles on which this Office is established, are asJbUpw.z 1st —A CAPITAL of HALF A MILLION mil been subscribe.], as a Security for ail the Eig»gem«>nt9»f this lastifttfM; tbe Proprietors taking upon themselves the sole Responsibility, wJuia the Insurers participate with tktn in the Profits, without any Ri^k. 9s than LOO years old. It is kept by the town-clerk, who is also steward for this monor to lord Mountrath. The sheriff of the county, by his deputy, holds a court in this town, at the Castle Inn, every third Mon- day, for the recovery of debts under forty si but the iexpem.es are very great both to plaintiff and defendant; and if the creditor loses the cause, he not only has the loss of his debt, but perhaps six or seven pounds to pay besides. An error prevails in most printed accounts of Walsall respecting the fairs, which are three in the year ; viz. February 24, Whitsun Tuesday, and the Tuesday before St. Michael. This last is sometimes erroneously set down October 10. The fair at Whit- suntide is not held by charter; but may be deemed a market-day in that holiday time, and a fair by pre- scription. In this town is a charity-school, which consists of 24 boys and 16 girls, all cloathed in blue. They are taught and cloathed gratis; but not lodged or boarded. The expence attending this school, and paying the master and mistress, is defrayed by subscriptions, 21 donations, and sermons preached on the Wake Sunday. The present school room is in the Market Cross, which was erected about 100 years since, at the upper end of the High-street ; but is Intended to be taken down, to widen the passage, and open the view to the church. This street is spacious and tolerably well built ; Park- street is also very wide; but has many low houses, Being tinged with the smoke of a manufacturing vicinity, this town has been often looked upon with ignominy and contempt ; but surely without just rea- son, if we may judge from its present improved ap- pearance. And, though it has hitherto been very imperfectly described, and little noticed, it surely de- serves to be better known; for its lords, as we bave before shewn, have been some of the most eminent men in the kingdom, and its situation is peculiarly striking, on a bold eminence, from the summit of which rises its fine old Gothic church and lofty spire, the streets and houses gradually descending on every side. Queen Elizabeth, it is said, once honoured this town with a visit, and slept in a house in Ablewell- street, where the Red Lion now stands ; but of this we have no authority but tradition. Of remarkable persons, either born, educated, or resident in this parish, we have obtained the following particulars. The celebrated statesman, John lord Somers, who died April Q6, 17 Iff, is said, in the 22 European Magazine,* from a MS. in the possession of Dr. Birch, to have had his grammar learning here ; hut, according to Mr. Winnington's account, his education was under Mr. Woodhouse, who kepi a private academy at Sheriff-Hales. We have before mentioned, that bishop Houghf had the early part of his education at the same free- school here, which was founded by queen Mary. The present master is the rev. T. Blackham. " Near Walsall, captain Henry Stone, a merchant of Plymouth, hath his seat, being given him by an uncle, of his own surname, upon condition to reside on it. As I have heard this present possessor was a busy man in sequestrations, decimations, and in the first war against the king, having, as it is believed, gained a great estate by it; he hath ever since been justice of peace, and in 1656 attempted to have been a knight for the county, but was put back with disgrace." + The above house appears to have been what is now known by the sign of the Wheat Sheaff, in the populous hamlet called the Windmill. In addition to common report, and other evidence of this being the residence of that active officer in Cromwell's army, •Vol. XXIII. p. 4. t See Vol. I. p. 277. X D e gge' 8 Additions to Erdeswirft, p. 81. 23 it is now identified by the initials of his and his wife's name in a large brick in front of it, thus, S. H. S. 1662. After the Restoration, however, he distinguished himself by acts of charity and benevolence, as may be. seen by some of his benefactions to the poor, in. the list hereafter printed. He also built a large gal- lery at the West end of this church, for the accom- modation of those parishioners who had not seats of their own; and he left money to keep it in constant repair. He was likewise a benefactor to the poor of Cannock, as appears by the tables of that church. Mr. Stone's children dying before himself, he left three grandaughters under the guardianship of • Hanbury, of Norton, esq. and, in consequence of a suit in Chancery against their guardian, they sold their interest in the estate to a Mr. Stubbs for <£S00. each ; in whose family it remained till lately, when it was Fold in lots, to different purchasers; but,- there being- some defect in the titles, 1 understand the affair is now in Chancery. " There is in Walsall likewise the seat of John Wollaston, gent, and of his father before him ; and at Calmore near by, the seat of one Haw or Hall. George Haw died the Qth of March, 1660, seised of lands in Walsall and Sneltiela, which George, his son, fhen seventeen years old, well improved, and left 24 them to his son. I presume this George Ha\V may be one of the sons of Lawrence Haw, a citizen and fish- monger of London, w r iiose tomb is in Foster church, in Farringdon ward. Arms, " Sa. a chevron between three leopards heads, erased Ar."* There was formerly an antient mansion close to the town called Reynolds hall, to which was a hand- some avenue, or coach-road, from the lower end of Rushall-street. Sir Simon Degge says, at Reynolds hall is the seat of John Persehouse, whose father was a practi- tioner in the law, or his grandfather, and lived in good repute. His son adhered to the king, Charles I. in the late war, and was forced to a composition with the Parliament, at the rate of ,£ L 10. by the name of John Piershouse, of Reynolds haw, or hall, "Walsall. The said John was prebendary and vicar of Weston, Pen, and Rosse. The family had this seat in marriage with one of the daughters and coheirs of Walker, of Reynolds hali, whose ancestor married the daughter and heir of Reynolds, in whose name and family it had for some time continued. Walker's arms, to which the family of the Perse- houses had claim, were; Argent, a chevron, Sable, charged with two bezants, Or, a crescent of the first, between three crescents of the second. * Degg's Additions to Erdetwick, p. 8 1 . A pedigree of the Persehouse family contains the following: John Persehouse, of Reynolds hall, the lawyer, had issue Richard, who, by Frances, daughter of Humphry Wyrley, esq. had issue John (living in the reign of Charles II.) a very loyal person to king Charles I. He married Elizabeth, daughter of- John Chester, esq. and had issue John, aged seven in 16G3. Him I take to have been the father or elder brother of Humphry, who bought Lynne hall. It seems clear that some of the family lived at this place; for, the register mentions the interment of Granada Perse- house, of Lynne, June 29, 1(335. William, son of Humphry, had issue William, of Reynolds hall, in I he commission of the peace, who died in March, 1731, leaving Richard, and two daughters, by his wire, daughter of Parker, gent. lie had a second wife, , daughter of Townshend, but find no issue by her. One of the daughters married to John Douglas. D. I), then chaplain in ordinary to the king, canon of Windsor, and now bishop of Salisbury; the other to the rev. Mr. Burgess, of Herefordshire. Richard Persehouse, esq. the last of the family who resided here, was left a minor. In 1702, he was one of the three persons pricked down for sheriff for the county of Stafford, but was not nominated or confirm- ed by the king. He became heir to Parker, of Bloxwich, gent, his mother's brother* He married E an two wives, both daughters of Ryley, of Won ut; one of them, named Racljael, married December 18,1754; by the first he had several children, who all died infants, but none by the latter, lie, himself, had a tender constitution, and a thin habit of body, which was attacked by a fever, that carried him olV in December 1771, being not more than forty years old. By will he provided for his widow, but left the chief part of his estates at Reynolds hall, Walsall, in Rushall, with a moiety of the tithes of the last parish. in Lynne, &c. to bis godson John Walhouse, second son of Moreton Walhouse, esq. of Hatherton on Can- noc, by Frances, sister of sir Edward Lyttelton, of Pillaton, baronet.* The hall, gardens, and avenue, are now no more, having been all destroyed to get at the lime-stone rocks under them, and not a remnant of the buildings to be seen, except some of the oltices, which are likely to share the same fate. To descend to more modern and trivial sketches in biography, the following anecdotes relating to two natives of this town may perhaps be acceptable. Mr. Siddons, (whose Christian name I believe is William,) the husband of the celebrated tragic performer, was born in Rushall-street, in this town, His father kept a public house, known by the sign of the London Ap- prentice, and met with his death by accident, in spar- ring or wrestling with one Denston. The present Mr. * Sanders' History of Sltenstone, p. 239. 9. 27 Siddons, as I am informed, was bred a barber. He seems to have had a tUTn ibr the stage early in life; for, about thirty years since, he and some others of his acquaintance performed a play in the malt-house of Mr. Samuel Wood, on the Lime-pit bank, in this town, for the amusement of themselves and friends. Re afterwards joined the itinerant company of Mr. Kemble, and in time married one of his daughters; and now, through the abilities of his wife, and the favours of the public, he has become independent in bis circumstances, and has not pei formed on the stage many years. The other person whom I shall treat of is one who was very conspicuous at Sadler's Wells in the sum- mer of 1790", and known to a London audience by the name of Asking, the ventriloquist. His real name is Thomas Haskey, and he is now about thirty years of age. His father was a chape filer, and was also named Thomas. He had used to ring the treble bell, and has since been dead some years; but his mother (who was sister to Joseph Lea, who kept the sign of the Valiant Trooper, at Arden, an hamlet one mile from Walsall) has not been long dead; and has left three daughters in low circumstances. The present Thomas was apprentice at Bloxwich, at the trade of bridle-bit making, and ran away from his master in the American war. He went into the king's service, and lost a leg; and he has a pension. The surprizing faculty he is possessed of, I believe, he knew nothing of when he was a boy; but I imagine he made him- 28 rtJf master of it by imitating O'Bunvlhe re'ebr-- Irish ventriloquist, who died in January, 1 7D(>. After Ha&key's discharge from the service he was a good deal at Walsall; but more at Lich!ieid, where, if i ::m rightly informed, he had used to assist the gar- deners by making holes with his wooden leg to set potatoes in the ground. He has had little or no ation; but he always kept himself very clean and decent in his dress; and, when Mr. Stanton's company of performers were at Walsall, he fre- quently from the gallery set the house on a roar by sham dialogues, in two voices, between himself and Tommy, lie was frequently sent for by lord Dudley to Himley, to exercise his talents for the amusement of his lordship and company; and he had the pride always to hire a post-chaise, to take him there from Walsall. How he was introduced on the _e I cannot say; but he was the means of drawing a deal of company to Sadlei's Wells in the season of 1796, when he cleared 2001, for his benefit. His capacity not allowing him to invent extempore dialogues with sufficient variety and taste, they are composed for him, and he learns them as players learn their parts. The staple manufacture of Walsall may be said to be shoe-buckles and chapes, in which a great number of hands are employed, and some good foi tunes have been made. Also the town and neighbourhood, par- ticularly Bloxwich, is famous for the manufacture of riV ironmon^erv, such as bridle-bits, stirrups, 29 •pUrs, " Prosperity to this parish." 5. " The rev. Mr. John Darwall, vicar." 6. " Thomas Rudhall, Gloucester, founder." 7. " Thomas Hector, Edward Licet, Thomas Overton, Deykin Hemming, church-wardens." 8. " I to the church the living call, And to the grave do summon all." Under the chancel is a remarkable arch-way of massy Gothic workmanship, which is only a common passage through the East part of the church-yard. 41 The internal dimensions of the church are as fol- low : — Length of the middle aile 92 feet, breadth 22 feet 1 inch. South aile, with the Maids' chapel, length the same as the nave, breadth 22 feet. St. Ca- tharine's chapel 27 feet long, and 17 feet 2 inches in breadth. North aile, same length as the body, breadth 20 feet 8 inches. St. Clement's chapel 34 feet 8 inches in length, and 17 feet 2 inches in breadth. Length of the chancel 52 feet and a half, breadth 19 feet. On each side of this chancel are eleven stalls, very entire; the seats of which, being lifted up, exhi- bit a series of grotesque figures, curiously caived in basso-relievo, no two of which are alike. Over the communion-table is a large painting, representing the Last Supper. The arms of the Beauchamps, Hillarys, &c. for- merly in the windows, are now no more. And tlie monuments belonging to the latter family, of which there are drawings in Dugdale's Visitation, in the Heralds' College, are either destroyed, or hid by modern pews. The following description of them is by Wirley, in his Church Notes 1597, and Dugdale in his MS.* " In this church, towards the South part, resteth a fayre and curious monument, with an alabaster figure of one of the Hilaries, leaning his head on one of his hands, as if he were half rising, with one of his legs rising, answerable; his shield on his left arm; * C. 36, p. 32, in the College of Arms. G i-2 and upon Ins body wrought flower de lyces and cross^ crosslets very exactly. " The figure of the portraitures in brasse, and epitaph upon a tomb of gray marble standing towards the North side of this church. " En terre sount retournes mousi 1- Roger Hillary, cheif justice del' Comen Bank, & Katharine sa feme jadis nomez. r Jesu de lour Almes eitz merci pitee se que pur lour almes pater noster et Ave Maria dyra sys vynts jours de pardon." Arms: 1. " In a plain bordure three fleurs de liz between six cross-crosslets fitchee." 2. " Two lions passant." Another thus inscribed: " Orate pro animabus Hugonis Hextale, et Isabella? uxoris ejus qui quidam Hugo obiit. .. ." Arms. 1. " Quarterly, 1 and 4 Gules, a bend Arg ; 2 and S Sable, a fleur de leuce Arg." 2. The same, impaling " Sable, a chevron engrail- ed, between three owls Arg." On another : " Orate pro animabus W'mi Hextale, et Margaretae et Johanna uxor'." Arms, the same as before, impaling " Party per pale and per chevron." 43 Another thus : " Orate pro animabus Ricardi Petett, et Margarets uxoris ejus, etJoh'nis Petett." Arms. " A chevron between three bugle horns." The following arms were in the windows: 1. Quarterly 1 and 4 chequy Or and B, a chevron Arg.; 2 and 3 Gules, afess between six cross-crosslets •Or. (Beauchamp. J 2. Beauchamp, impaling Gu. seven mascles Or. (Ferrers of Groby.J 3. Arg. three fleur de liz between six cross cross- lets Sable ( Hillary J, impaling Gu. fretty Or. 4. Hillary, with the bordure Gu. 5. The same, with a label of three points Gu. 6. Sa. a chevron engrailed between three owls A. 7. A. a chevron indented Sa. on a chief of the first three martlets of the 2d. 8. Quarterly, Or and Gu. a fleur de liz, Sa. in the first, on a bordure Sa. nine bezants. 9. Sable, a fess between three lozenges Arg. (Aston.) 10. Quarterly, 1st, 3. a lion passant, over all a chevron Or. The other three brolven. Besides the coats before noticed, there are two still visible on the lower part of the pulpit, cut in stone, viz. 1. Beauchamp, impaling Ferrers. 2. Hillary. Also eight shields on the line old alabaster font, which is of an octagonal form, and richly sculp- tured. 44 1. Stafford and Beauchamp quarterly. 2. A chevron between three owls. (This is like the arms of Prescot, and of sir C. Burton.) 3. Quarterly, 1 and 4, a chevron, a Hon passant guardant, in chief three lozenges. (This last is like the arms of Blewit.) 4. Quarterly, and , a fleur de lis in the first, all within a bordure. 6 a fess engrailed, three martlets. 6 impaling a chevron. 7 and 8, blank. On a tablet against the North-west pillar of the middle aile. Near this pillar lieth the body of Thomas Nicholls, late of Birmingham, apothecary, who departed this life Sept. 17, 1711, in the 48th year of his age. He wished that all who read this inscription would, in time of health, often think of death, and prepare for it. On the floor on the North aile : In memory of John Grosvenor, esq. 45 who departed this life the 4ih day o! October, 173'i, aged (>3. Against the North-east corner of the church is a small marb'.e, thus inscribed: Near this place lieth the body of Judith, the wife of Francis Best, late of th'.s town, gent. daughter of William Feme, of Crackmarsh, in this county, esq. who, having lived peaceably and lovingly with her husband and neighbours twenty-two years and upwards, leaving behind her one daughter, departed this life the fourteenth day of January, lo'8(5-7. Bene mori est bene vivere. Ora, et abi. Against the opposite wall, going into the vestry, is another mural marble, thus: Near this place lie the remains of Robert Felton, vicar of this parish near six and thirty years, born and educated at Newport in the county of Salop, from whence he went to Oxford, and was some time a commoner of Magdalene hall, where he took a bachelor's degree; from thence he retired into Shropshire, where he was sent for by the right honourable Mary countess of Bradford, who generously gave him this living, without his knowledge or application. Ob. 99 April, mdcclxix. retat 64. 4ti Iii lite window of St. Catherine's chapel is pair of St. Catherine in painted glass, with her wheel. In St. Clement's chapel are several niches, but without any figures. In the same chapel is the following-. in memory of Tho. Pashley, late of this town, who died in the year 1741, aged 31. Be pleased and thankful in what state thou art, Act well and chearful thy allotted part, Enjoy the present hour, be thankful for the past. And neither fear nor wish the approaches of the last. Here are spacious galleries, East, West, North, and South. In the East gallery is a good organ, built by Green of London, 1773. The old organ was purchased by Mr. George Hill, for =£19 10s, who built a house to contain it, but sold it to the inhabitants of Stow-market, Suffolk, for their church, when it how stands, repaired and improved. The old church-yard, or cemetery, being much too small for the parish in 1756', a spacious piece of ground, neatly walled round, on the South side of the town, was consecrated for the interment of the dead, and seems already very amply furnished. At an agreeable distance beyond this stands the neat vicarage, " bo- somed high in tufted trees." It has been lately enlarged, rough cast, &c. and, being finely shaded with trees, is a delightful rural feature in the land- 47 scape; which, when viewed from Warwick fields, North-west, or another eminence North-east of the town, few places can exhibit the like scenery. An account of charitable 'gifts belonging to the Poor of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall, taken from the several Tables in the Church, set up in 1654. John Wolverston, gent, by will, dated October 3, 1670, gave the rents of his house in Walsall, in the tenure of Edward Spink, to be yearly distributed to the poor of the borough of Walsall every Good Friday for ever. Roger Hinton, of Rickerseoat, in the county of Stafford, gent, by will, dated February 5, I6S4, gave to the poor of Walsall, £p yearly out of his lands in Rickerseoat, to be distributed by the minister and churchwardens for ever. The said Spink's house being f JOs. per annum, which said sum is now charged on a house in the tenure of Andrew Rooker. Humphrey Pershouse, gent, by will, dated February 11, 1G97, gave to the poor of Walsall ia yearly, for ever (viz ) 40s. to the borough, and i.3 to the foreign, to be paid to the poor inhabitants every Christmas-da} , bv the vicar and church-wardens. 43 William Syvern, by will, gave to the poor of Wal- sall o£l00; and several tenements in Birmingham are settled for the payment of £ yearly tor ever, to the poor aforesaid, which deed is in the custody of John Perkes, Richard Moseley, John Blackham, Thomas Proper, and Simon Bibb, trustees. Robert Moseley, by will, gave to the poor of Wal- sall .... shillings yearly for ever, to be distributed by the vicar and churchwardens. Mr. William Parker gave towards the maintenance of a minister at Bloxwich chapel, 20s. yearly for ever, which the merchant taylors pay. He gave also to set the poor of Walsall parish on work, o£200. He gave also c£50 to repair Bloxwich chapel, and C0o£ to repair the chapel house, and <£ 150 to repair the highways about Walsall, Rushall, Gorsgate, and Bloxwich. Sir William Craven, knt. gave .£50; Mr. John Parker of 30; Mr. Robert Farker =£20; to make new seats in Walsall Church. Mr. John Parker gave to the poor of Walsall parish and other uses, to be paid out of the manor of Lang- thorne, in Yorkshire, £20 per annum to the uses fol- io wins:. 49 £. s. d. For four sermons to be yearly preached in Bloxwich chapel, 10s. a sermon 2 For two sermons in Walsall church, 10s. a sermon t . .. 100 For two sermons in Rushall church, 10s, a sermon 100 For the repairs of Bloxwich chapel, yearly 1 6 8 To the poor of Great Bloxwich, Little Bloxwich, Harden, Gorsgate, and Cole- poole 4 17 10 To the poor of Shelfield, Rushall, Daw- End, Wood-End, Caldmore, Walsall town's- end, and other houses in lanes and places in the Foreign 4 17 9 To the poor of Walsall borough . . . . 4 17 9 Mr. Robert Parker gave oo rough \ 6 13 4 To the poor of Walsall boi To Great Bloxwich .. G 13 4 And to the rest of the hamlets in Wal- sall parish G 13 4 This is paid by the merchant taylors of London ; they have <£400 in their hands to buy lands in Stafford- shire, for the payment of it yearly, in December, for ever. He gave £5 per annum to maintain one to play on the organ in Walsall church. The merchant tay- lors have =£100 for the payment of this £b per annum. Since the organs were demolished. ii 50 This £5 by a decree in Chancery, is to be paid in bread to the poor of Walsall Borough and Foreign; to wit,,£l 13s. 4d. a year to the Borough, and £3 6s. 8d. to the Foreign. Mr. Robert Parker gave a close at Bloxwich, called Lee Hay, to the intent that £4 of the rent thereof should be distributed every year quarterly, to the poor of Great Bloxwich; and lo employ the overplus for the maintenance of a clock at Bloxwich chapel. Nicholas Parker is tenant to the close. The feof- ment whereby it was given is in the town-chest. Mr. Nicholas Parker, by his will, gave 40s. yearly, towards the repair of the parish church of Walsall, to ease the poor inhabitants of their levies, out of Peakers which Miv Hawe has upon that condition. He gave also 20s. per annum to the poor of Great Bloxwich and Harden, 50s. to the poor of Rushall, and 40s. per annum towards the repair, of the parish church of Walsall, which Nicholas Parker, his kinsman, is to pay out of his lands in Bloxwich, Rushall, and Aklridge, at Christide and Easter, at even portions. Whereas Walsall was antiently a corporation by prescription, Mr. Nicholas Parker gave .£100 to procure a charter for the better government of the town. 51 Mr. Henry Stone, by his will, gave £30 in money, to be lent to poor tradesmen for two years, to have .£3, £4, or £5 a piece, but none above £ 5. He gave £3 per annum to maintain a lecture in Walsall church, the first Tuesday in every month. He gave £13. per annum to poor householders in Walsall Borough and Foreign, one half on Good Friday, and the other at Christide. He gave £7. 10s. per annum to buy twelve coats for twelve poor men, and twelve gowns for twelve poor women, against Christide, yearly, forever. This only for the poor of the borough. . He gave £5. 4s. per annum to distribute 24 penny loaves every Sabbath day in Walsall church, to the 24 poor people to whom he had given coats and gowns. He gave £3. per annum towards the repairs of the parish church of Walsall and gallery, which he caused to be built at his own charge. He gave 40s. per annum to be spent on a banquet at yearly meetings for his heirs and trustees and their heirs, who are to meet once a year to see his charita- ble uses performed; and, as one of the overseers die, the survivors are to chuse another in his place, thai the whole number of overseers may be supplied lot- ever. His nephew, Henry Stone, esq. is to pay all 5-2 the said legacies out of lands which his uncle gf.ve him. Mr. Richard Stone, of Walsall, gave 20s. yearly out of a close in Bentley, tailed Park-Brook-Leasow, to buy two poor people coals against Christide. Wil- liam Rock liath the lands upon that condition. He gave 20s. yearly out of another close called Bentley Leasow, to buy two other coals for two other poor people against Christide, and 6s. year'y to be spent, on the mayor and four of his brethren, when they should inert to see his legacies performed, Mr. Richard Stone, of Oaldmoro, gave 8s. 8d. to be distributed in bread yearly to the poor of Wal- sall Borough, out of Palfry-Grcen-Leasow, which Henry Stone, esq. now hath, in the 11th year of Henry VIII. John Harper, esq. founded an alms-house in Walsall for four poor people to dwell in, and gave towards the maintenance of the said poor people, two acres and a half of land in Windmill Field, and one croft lying in Caldmore. Mr. George Ilawe, -1 and o P. and M. gave a croft at Walsall town's-end to the use of the poor people dwelling in the said alms-house. Mr. William Ridware gave a pasture in Essing- lon, called Priests crofts, to ieofecs, to pay the poor, [ impotent, and aged people of Great and Little Blox- ii, (]?,. s>\.', to the poor of the alms-house fta. upon every Good Friday, yearly, forever; and Is. 4d. to the poor of i Michael Shawe gnve .-f'J. yearly, to the poor of Walsall Borough, on Good. Friday, to be paid outof a Close which now Mr. Wbllasbott hath. Mr. Thomas v> • : >b gave £\. yearly bo the poor of Walsall Borough, out of a close at Sheffield, which now John Bidding hath. Mr. Thomas Gorway gave £Q. to be yearly paid put of his lands in Ilushall and Broinwich, now in Mr. Thomas flawe's hands of Halhcrton, to the poor of Walsall Borough and Foreign, on Good Friday. Mr. John Ctirteys gave £1. 6s. gd. out of two meadows called Swaggers Meadows, to the poor of Walsall Borough, viz. 13s. . t Huathjich #SS. No.- 00 6th of December, 31 Henry VI. leaving sir Bald- win Montfort seised of this manor of Bescot. He died 11 Edward IV; heaving a son and heir, sir Simon Montfort, who was attainted 11 Henry VII. He left issue by Anne, daughter of Richard Verney, of Compton, knt. Thomas Mountfort, of Sutton (Wield, esq. 7 Hairy VII. who, by Elizabeth, daughter of John Greseley, of Drakelow, in the county of Derby, esq. left Simon Monntfort, of Kingshurst, in the county of Warwick, esq. 88 Henry VIII. who, by Ann, daughter of sir Ralph Longford, knt. his first wife, had issue Francis Mounttort, esq. I To died 1*90, leaving by Ann his wife, daughter and co-heir of William Willington, esq. William Monntfort, of Kingshurst, married to Ann, daugh- ter of Brian Fowler, of St. Thomas, near Stafford, whose son, sir Edward Mountfoit, knt. died 1633, leaving by Elizabeth, daughter of Valentine Browne, knt. Simon Montfort, of Bescot, esq. ^ whose son, Edward Montfort, esq. I suppose the last male heir of this ancient family, deceased in l(i<)l, leaving a daughter and heir, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Har- ris, gent, as appears by an indenture 10th October, 16.01, between them, on the one part, and Thomas Ty< r, esq. Humfrey Persehouse, gent. Moreton Slaney, gent., and Jonas Slaney, gent, of the other parti purporting to be a deed for the uses of a fine of this Bescott hall estate. The above Thomas Harris dying possessed of this estate, &c. his widow carried it in marriage to Mr. Jonas Slaney, as appears by an indenture dated 20th January, 1717, between 61 the said Mr; Jonas Slaney and Elizabeth, his wife, widow and relict of the said Thomas Harris, deceased, and daughter and heir of Edward Mountfort, de- ceased, of the one part, and Thomas Poynts, gent, of the other, purporting to be a deed for the uses of a line of this estate, then about 507 acres. The affairs of the late Rev. Jonas Slaney, of Bescott hall, (who was many years an active magistrate for this county, and vicar of [lushall, as there noticed,) being much embarrassed, in pursuance of a decree in Chan- cery, the trustees sold to Mr. Richard Wdkes Bescott ball, manor and estate, for ,£3200. He resided here about six years, and in 1704 sold the same to the late Richmond Aston, esq. for =£1000. The motto which he had adopted; viz. Effodiuntur e tellure opes was very applicable to his circumstances, having obtained a large fortune from coal-mines at Tipton and that vicinity. He purchased the tithes from Mr. Dolphin for .1 lot). The site of the antieut house of the Hillarys and Mountforts is what is now called the moat gar- den, a considerable space of ground, encompassed by a large square moat, over which is a bridge, finely shaded with trees, as represented in the an- nexed view, with the back part of the house, built by one of the Slaneys, whose anus were over the iron gates in front; thus, " Gules a bend between three martlets Or;" Crest, a semee bird volant; the same as borne by another branch of this family, Moreton Aglionhy Slaney, of Shiftnsll, esq. and #2 his brother, the Rev. Richard Slaney, vicar of Pen bridge, &c. Mr. Aston began to make the present alterations of this house, a short time before his death, which have been since finished, according to his plan, by his widow, who resides here with her family; the iron gates, which stood close in front, are removed to the road, and the approach, grounds, &c. much im- proved, as represented in the lower part of the above plate. To the North of the Moat garden are two old pools, called Over Pool, 3 a. res, 1 rood, 31 perches. Great Pool, 3 acres, 2 roods, SO perches. Near this is Bescot Farm, purchased by Mr. Crow, from the Rev. Jonas Slaney; and Mrs. C. bought it in 1795, for about c£500. Mrs. Mary Slaney, second widow of Mr. Slaney, has a jointure of o£200 per annum, called the White house and estate, on the opposite side of the read from Bescott hall. • Dr. Plot tells us, at the village of Bescott was found a sort of earth or mud, which being stirred up seemed to shine like fire. One Mr. Jones riding with Captain Thomas Lane, in the night-time, casually fell into a ditch in Bescott grounds; and Mr. Lane endeavouring to help him out, they stirred the u ud and dirt pretty much, and therewith fouled their 63 gloves, bridles, and horses. Having recovered their horses, they observed, that upon all those things that the water and mud had touched there was a faint flame, like that of burnt brandy, which continued upon them for a mile's riding.* The Doctor also speaks of the pool at Bescot being stocked with eels, though none had ever been put in for breed or otherwise. f * Plot's Staffordshire, p. llG. f Ibid. p. 242. Having in the preceding pages extracted from Shaw's history of this county what relates to this parish, I shall proceed to give a copy of the Charter granted to the antient Corporation of this town, toge- ther with an account of the public edifices, copies of appointments of various public officers, and a great variety of other matter, in the arrangement of which, I must beg leave to request the indulgence of the reader for its defects. THE CIj urter OF THE CORPORATION OF WALSALL. CHARLES II. by the Grace of GO 3), of Eng- land, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, 6fC. To all to who>n these our present Letters shall come Greeting, WE have inspected the Inrollment of certain Letters Patent of our dear Father, Charles, late King of England, bearing Date at Westminster the 20th Day of July in the Third Year of his Reign, directed to the Mayor and Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign of IValsall, made and granted thus in the Patent Rolls of our Court of Chancery remaining of Record in these Wordy, (that is to flay) The King to all whom, &c. Greeting. Whereas the Borough or Village and Foreign oi' IValsall in our County of Stafford are of ancient Demesne of our Crown of England, and the said Village of fVatsall, ev the ancient Village of Merchants and Inhabitant's of K (36 the snme, by the Name of the Mayor and Burgesses of the Village, &c. of Walsall in our County of Stqfford t from Time whereof the Memory of Man is not to be con- trary* have peaceably had and enjoyed divers Jurisdictions, Franchises, Liberties, Immunities, and Priviledges, as well by Prescription as by Reason of and Means of several Charters, granted, confirmed, and by Letters Patent of our Proprietors, or Predecessors Kings of England to them heretofore made. And whereas we are informed that certain Doubts and Questions have arisen, and may arise concerning certain Liberties of the Borough or Village and Foreign aforesaid, and thereupon our beloved Subjects, now Inhabitants of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, have humbly besought us, that we will give and extend to them our Munificence, royal Grace and Liberty, in that behalf: And that we, for the better Order and Government of the said Borough and Foreign, and the People of the same, and others there resorting to the said Inhabitants in one certain and undoubted Body Corporate, and Politic of new, to make, create, and restore, by which they may be known, We having graciously given Ear to the said Petition, and being willing that from henceforth for ever, there shall be and continue in the said Borough and Foreign, one certain and undoubted manner of and for the keeping of the Peace, good Order, and Govern- ment of the People there: And that the said Borough and Foreign be, and remain for ever hereafter, a Borough and Foreign of peace and Quietness, to the dread and terror of Wicked Offenders, and a Reward to the Good, and that our Peace and other Matters relating to Justice there, •without further delay be kept, hoping that if the said Inhabitants of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid and ;• Successors shall by our more ample Grant enjoy 67 Liberties and Priviledges, they would assemble themselves more especially, readily, bravely, to pay the Service, which they shall be able to render to Us, our Heirs and Successors, being obliged thereto by our especial Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere motion, We have Willed, Ordained, Granted, and Constituted, and by these Presents for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do Will, Ordain, Constitute, Grant, and Declare, that the aforesaid Borough or Town of Walsall in the aforesaid County of Stafford shall be for ever hereafter a free Borough of itself, and that the Mayor and Burgesses of the Borough or Town of Walsall aforesaid, and also all and singular the Burgesses and Inhabitants of the Borough .or Town and Foreign of Walsall aforesaid, by whatsoever Name or Names they shall have heretofore been incorporate, or whether they have been heretofore incorporated or not, .and their Successors for ever hereafter be and shall be, by Virtue of these Presents, one Body Corporate and Politic in Deed, Fact, and Name, by the Name of theMayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall, in the County of Stafford: And by these Presents We have raised, made, ordained, constituted, confirmed and declared, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, that them, by the Name of the Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall in t\udCo\\\\iy of Stafford, be one Body Corporate and Politic, in Deed, Fact and Name, really and fully, and that they by the same Name have perpetual Succession: And that they, by the same Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall in the County of Stafford, be and shall be, in perpetual Time to come, Persons lit and capable in Law to have, perceive, receive and possess, Lands, Tenements, Liberties, IVmledges, Jurisdictions, Franchises and Here- 08 ditaments, of what Nature, Kind or Quality soever, tlieY shall be to them and their Successors in Fee and Perpetuity* and also Goods and Chattels, and whatsoever Things, of what Kind, Nature or Quality soever; they shall be also to give, grant, demise and assign, Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments, Goods and Chattels, and also to do and rxecute all and singular other Matters and Things, to be done and executed, by the Name aforesaid : And that by the same Name of Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign of IValsalt in the County of Stafford) shall and may plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered, defend and be defended, in whatsoever Courts, Place or Places, and before whatsoever Judges and Justices or other Pert-ons and Oflieers of Us, our Heirs and Suc- cessors, in all Suite, Plaints, Pleas, Causes, Matters and Demands, real, personal or mixt whatsoever, as well spiritual as temporal, of whatsoever Kind, Nature or Qua- lity they be, in the same Manner and Fotm as our other Liege Subjects of our Kingdom of England, Persons lit and capable in Law, who shall and may plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered, defend and be de- fended, and have, obtain, receive, possess, give, grant and demise: And that the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid and their Successors shall have for ever a Common Seal for trying, and. transacting all Manner of Causes and Businesses whatsoever of their own and their Successors; and that it shall and may be lawful for the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough aforesaid and their Successors to break and change that Seal at their Will and Pleasure and, from Time to Time, to break, change and make anew, as to them shall seem fit to do or to be done. And We I'urther Will and by these Presents for Us, our Heirs 69 and Successors, do grant and ordain, that for ever here- after there may and shall be within the said Borough, one of the Principal, more approved and discreet of the Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, in Form in these Presents undermentioned, who shall and may be named a Mayor of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid ; und also there may and shall be within the said Borough and Foreign, twenty-four of the more approved and dis- creet Burgesses or Inhabitants of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, in Form also in Peseuts undermentioned to be elected, who shall and may be called the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, which said Capital Burgesses shall and may be called the Common Council of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and shall from Time to Time, be aiding and assisting the Mayor of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid for the Time being, in all Actions, Causes and Matters, in any wise whatsoever touchingor concerning the Borough and Foreign aforesaid. And We further Will and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do grant to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall aforesaid and their Successors, that the Ma\or and twenty- four of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid and their Successors for the Time, or the major Part of them, whereof the Mayor for the Time being to be one, We being willing that they have and shall have full Power and Authority, in the Guild-Mall of the Borough aforesaid or other convenient Place within the said Borough, to asbemble and meet, to make, constitute, ordain and establish, from Time to Time, such reasonable Laws, Statutes and Ordinances whatsoever, which to them shall seem good, wholesome, profitable, honest and neces- sary, as shall appear to them in their sound Judgments for 70 the good Order and Government of the Burgesses, Arti- ficers and Inhabitants of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid for the Time being, and in what Manner or Oniet the naid Major and Capital Buigenses, and also ail and every Burgesses and Artificers, Inhabitants and Resi&nta of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, for t\;e Time being, in their Trades and Businesses within the Borough and Foreign aforesaid and the Limits and Precincts thereof May have, bear and use, and further for the Public Good and common Utility and good Order of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and for supplying the said Borough and Foreign with Necessaries ; Aud also for the better pvc- serving, governing, disposing, letting aud demising Lands, Tenements, Possessions, Reversions and Hereditaments, to the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors given, granted aud assigned, and all other Matters and Things whatsoever to the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, or the Estates Bights or Interests, touching or in any wise concerning the same, that the said Mayor and twenty* four of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, for the Time being, or the major Pait of them, whereof the Mayor to be one, We Will that so often as any of the said Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, erected made, ordained or established in Form aforesaid, the like reasonable Pains, Penalties and Punishments, by impri- sonment of the Body, or by Fines aud Ainerciinents or either of them, upon all who offend against the said Laws, Statutes and Ordinances or any of them, or any other that shall or may be assessed or imposed, which to the said Mayor and Capital Burgesses for the Time being, or the major Part of them, shall seem to be reasonable and requisite as aforesaid; and also those Fines and Auierci- neats to be levied aod had, shall aud may be valid without 71 any impediments of Us, our Heirs mid Successors; and all and singular the Laws, Statutes and Ordinances to be made, We Will, shall be observed, under the Penalties in the same contained, nevertheless so that the same Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, Imprisonments, Fines and A mer- riments, be reasonable and not repugnant nor contrary to the Laws and Statutes acci'.siomed, or to the Laws of our Kingdom of England, And for the better execution of our said Grant in this behalf, We assign, nominate, constitute and make, and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do assign* nominate, constitute and make our beloved William Wtbb, the present Mayor of the Borough aforesaid, to be the first and present Mayor of the Borough and foreign aforesaid; We Willing that the said JFUIium Webb shall be and continue in the Office of Mayor of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, from the making of these Presents until the Feast of St. Michael the Atchangel next following, and from the said Feast until one o her of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and foreign niore.-aid shall he duly elected and sworn into the said Office, according to the Ordinance* and Constitutions hereafter in these Presents declared: And also we have assigned, nominated, constituted and made, and by these Presents, for XJs, our Heirs and Suc- cessors, do assign, nominate, constitute and make, our beloved John Woolluxlon, Henry Stone, John Persthouse, Richard Adamson, William Pier son, Richard Stone, Thomas (ivrwey, Thomas Ball, Humphrey Nickins, John Stone the elder, John Stone the younger, Thomas Hancock, Nicholas Sheppard, Nicholas Parker, John Cumber/age, Thomas Osboni, Thomas Burroives, Humphry Willel, Thomas Hodgkinson, Christopher Adamson, Thomas Crete, Henry Sheppard, (Jeorgc Thacker and Richard Webb, 73 Burgesses ami Inhabitants of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, that they be the Brat and now Capital Burgesses of the Morough and Foreign aforesaid, tcr continue in that Office (Hiring their natural Lives, unless in the mean Time by bad Conduct or Behaviour in that behalf they hi all be removed, or any of them shall be removed from that Office: And we further will, ami by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid and their Successors, that the Mayor and Capital Burgesses cf the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, for the Time being, or the major Part of them, whereof the Mayor for the Time being to be one, we will shall from Time to Time and at all Times hereafter have Power and Authority, and shall Yearly and every Year on the Day or Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, by themselves or the major Part of them, assembled in the Guild Mi II, or in any other con- venient Place within the Borough aforesaid, according to tluir Directions shall limit and assign and the same con- tinue, until they or the major Part of them, then assembled as aforesaid, then and there shall nominate and elect one of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, to be Mayor of the Borough and Foreign afore- said for one whole Year then next following: And that, then and there they shall and may nominate and elect, before they depart from thence, one of the Capital Bur- gessses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid for one whole Year then next following, and after that he so as afore- said shall be nominated and elected into the Mayoralty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and that before he is admitted to execute that Office shall take his Corporal Oath upon the Holy Evangelists, Yearly upon that Day of Election, if he shall be present, and if absent, then 7;J within one Month next offer the said D.iy of Election, before tlie last Mayor his Predecessor, to execute that Office honestly, well and faithfully «n all Things touching 1 tin said Office: And after the said Oath so taken the Offiee of Mayor of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid shall and may he executed until the Feast of -5/. Michael the Archangel then next following, ami from thence until one other of the Capital Burgesses of the B'ofough and Foreign aforesaid he elected, prefered and sworn according to the Ordinances and Constitutions as above in these Presents declared. And We further will, and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors', do grant to the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid and their Successors, that if it shall happen the Mayor of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid at any Time hereafter, within one Year all er he shall have hcen pn f red and sworn into the Office of Mayor of the Boiough and Foreign aforesaid, shall die or he removed from his Oflice, which Mayor YvE will shall he removed from his Office upon had Behaviour or any other reasonable Cause, according to the Will of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, or the major Part of them for the Time being, that then and as often as it shall conveniently he, the Capital Bur- gas, s of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, for the Time h.ing, or the major Part of them, nut and assembled for that Purpose within the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, within a convenient Time after the Death or Removal of such Mayor, they shall elect and prefer one of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid into tin Place of such Mayor so dead or removed from his Office; and that he so elected and chose into the Office of Mayor, by his Corporal Oath before two or more of the Capital L 74 Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid for the Time being, in that Office of Mayor of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, in and for all Things touching the Execution of the said Ofitee as before mentioned, do hold and execute that Office during the Reiuuinder of the Year, and from that Time until another of I he Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid he duly elected, prefered, and sworn into that Office, and in like Manner as^often as the Case shall so happen: Wherefore We will and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Suc- cessors, do give and grant to any two or more of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid for the Time being, the Case happening as aforesaid, full Power and Authority to administer the said Oath as afore- said, to the Mayor from Time to Time to be nominated and chosen, without any Commission or further Warrant to be procured or obtained in that Behalf; and if and as often as it shall happen that any or either of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, for the Time being, shall die or be removed from his Office, which Capibd Burgesses, or any or either of them, not behaving himself or themselves well or for any other rea- sonable Cause, We will that he or they shall be removed according to the Direction of the Mayor and Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, for the Time being, or the major Part of them, that then and as often as it shall and may be convenient to the Mayor and the rest of the Capital Burgesses of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, for the Time being, or the major Part of them, for that Purpose met and assembled, within a convenient Time, within the Borough and Foreign afore- said, to nominate, e hereafter levied, nor any of them do levy for Us, our Heirs and Successors, but shall be acquitted thereof for ever, unless they or any of them have Lands and Tene- ments out of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, the Liber- ties or Precincts thereof, for which he or they may be sum- moned. We likewise wile and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and their Successors, that all and every the Burgesses, In- habitants anil Men of the Borough and Foreign, as well now as hereafter, and always for ever, be free, acquitted and discharged, throughout our whole Kingdom of England, from the rendering or Payment of Impost or Toll, in as ample Form, as the People of the Manor of Walsall formerly were, and have been iutitled to by Means, Force and Virtue of certain Letters Patent, dated at Weslmin- Her the Eighth Day of Jul;/, in the Forty-seventh Year of Edward the Third, late King of England, or of some other Letters Patent of om Progenitors or Ancestor!, 8$ Kings of England, heretofore made or granted. Wfi thereupon have granted and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors, special Licence, Liberty, lawful Power, Ability and Authority of purchasing and taking Possession to themselves and their Successors for ever, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Mea- dows, Feedings, Pastures, Woods, Underwoods, Rectories, Tythes, Reversions, or other Hereditaments whatsoever, as well for Us, our Heirs and Successors, as for any other Person or Persons whatsoever, who do not immediately hold of Us, our Heirs or Successors, in Capite nor by Knights-Service, so as the said Messuages, Lands, Tene- ments, Meadows, Feedings, Pastures, and other Here- ditaments so by them to b« had, held and received, do not exceed in the whole the clear Yearly V T alue of Twenty Pounds, above all Issues beyond Reprizes, the Statute for not putting of Lands and Tenements in Mortmain, or any other Statute, Act Order or Provision heretofore made or ordained, or provided, or any other Matter, Cause or Thing whatsoever, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. We likewise give and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do grant to all and every of the Subjects of Us, our Heirs and Successors, special, free and lawful Power, Licence and Authority, that they or any of them, shall and may give and grant, sell, divise, or alien, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Meadows, Feedings, Pastures, Woods, Under- woods, Rectories, Tythes, Yearly Rents, Reversions, Ser- vices, or other Hereditaments whatsoever, which are not immediately held of Us, our Heirs or Successors in Capite or by Knights-Service, to the said Mayor and Commonalty ©f the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and their Sue* sa lessors, so that the said Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Meadows, Feedings, Pastures, and Hereditaments, so to be given, granted, devised, or aliened to the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Successors, by Virtue of these Presents, do not exceed in the whole the clear Yearly Value of Twenty Pounds, above all Issues beyond Re- prizes, the Statute for not putting of Lands and Tenements in Mortmain, or any other Statute, Act, Order, or Provi- sion, or any other Matter, Cause, or Thing whatsoever, to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. And We further will and by these Presents for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign of Walsall aforesaid and their Successors, that they and their Suc- cessors from henceforth for ever hereafter, have, hold and keep, and they shall and may have, hold and keep within the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, the Liberties and Precincts thereof, Yearly and every Year, Two Marts or Fairs, the first of which said Marts or Fairs to begin in and upon the Day or Feast of St. Matthias, and to be held and continue throughout that whole Day or Feast. And the other Mart or Fair to begin on the Tuesday next before the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel Yearly, and to be held and continue throughout the whole Tuesday, together with a Court of Pye-Powder at the said several Times of the Ma>ts or Fairs, so to be held as aforesaid, with all Liberties, free Customs, Stallage, Piccage, Fines,- Amerciaments, and all other Profits, Commodities and Emoluments whatsoever to the said Fairs or Mails, and Courts of Pye-Powder belonging, happening, arising, or appertaining. Provided nevertheless, that the said Fairs or Marts, or either of them, be not to the Damage or Prejudice of any other neighbouring Fairs or Marts near 90 thereto adjoining. Wherefore We will and by these Presents, for Us, our Ht-tns and Successors, do firmly ch.t.ge and command that the aforesaid Mayor and Com- raoi.alty of the borough and Foreign aforesaid, and their Successors, have, hold and keep, aud shall and may have hold ajad keep within the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, or the Liberties and Precincts thereof, or any of them, Yearly and every Year for ever, the aforesaid two Fairs or Marts, the first of them on the aforesaid Day or feast of St. Matthias, to begin and be held, kept and continued throughout that whole Day or Yearly Feast. And the second of the said Fairs or Marts on the aforesaid Tuesday next before the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel Yearly, to begin and be held, kept and continued throughout that whole Tuesday, together with the Court of Pye-Pow- der there, at the Time of the said Fair or Mart to be holden together, with all Liberties and free Customs, Tolls, Stallage, Piccage, Fines, Amerciaments, and all other Profits, Commodities, Advantages and Emoluments whatsoever, to the said Fair or Mart, and Court of Pye- Powder, belonging, happening, arising or appertaining. And this without any Writ of ad quod dampnum, or any other Writ issuing out of our Court of Chancery or else- where. Provided nevertheless, that the said Fairs or Marts, or either of them, be not nor shall be to the Damage or Prejudice of any other neighbouring Fairs or Marts near thereto adjoining. And moreover out of our more abundant smd special Grace, certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, for us, our Heirs and Successors, We give, grant and confirm to the aforesaid Mayor and Com- monalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and their Successors, all and all Manner of Liberties, Franchises, Immunities, Executions, Priviledges, Freedoms, Juris- 91 ■dictions, Markets, and Hereditaments whatsoever, which the Mayor and Commona ty of the Borough an I Foreign now hold, use and enjoy', and which any of them and their Predecessors by whatsoever Name or Names, or by whatsoever Incorporation or by Means of whatsoever Cor- poration heretofore had, held, used, and enjoyed, or ought to have had, held, used or enjoyed of hereditary Right by Reason or Colour of any Charters or Letters Patent, of any of our Progenitors or Predecessors, late Kings or Queens of England, in any vise heretofore made, granted or confirmed, or whatsoever other Custom, Right or Title, prescribed~or used, heretofore lawfully used held or accus- tomed, although the same or any of them, or any other heretofore have not been used, or have been abused or discontinued, and although the same or any of them, or any other have been forfeited or lost, to be had, holden, and enjoyed, by the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and their Su, cessors, for Wherefore We will, and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, firmly require and command that the aforesaid Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid and their Successors, have, hold, use, and enjoy, and shall and may for ever have, hold; use and enjoy, all Liberties, free Customs, Priviledges, Authorities, Jurisdictions, and Immunities as aforesaid, according to the Tenor of these our Letters Patent, without any Hindrance or Impediment from Us, our Heirs and Successors whomsoever, being unwilling that the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, and their Successors, or any or either of them by Reason of the Premisses or otherwise by Us, our Heirs or Successors, or the Justices, Sheriff, Escheator, or other BadifT's-Qfficer, of Us, our Heirs or Successors what- 92 soever, should be disturbed, molested, interrupted, or over-ruled by Occasion thereof, or otherwise howsoever. We willing and by these Presents, commanding and requiring as well our Treasurer, Chancellor, and Barons of our Exchequer at Westminster, and all other the Justices of Us, our Heirs and Successors, as our Attorney-General for t.ie Time being, aud every of them, and all other our Officers and Ministers of Us, our Heirs and Successors whomsoever, that neither they nor any of them, make or cause to be sued or prosecuted, or any of them make or cause to be sued or prosecuted by any Writ or Sum- mons of Quo Warranto, or any other our Writ or Process whatsoever against the said Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, or any of them or any others, forany Cause, Matter, Offence, Clamour or Disturb- ance by them, or any of them, duly claimed, used, attempt- ed, held or usurped before the Day of granting these Presents. We willing also, that the Mayor and Commonalty of the Borough andForeign aforesaid, or any of them, by themselve* orany Justices, Officers, or Ministers aforesaid, in and for the due Use, Claim or Abuse of any other Liberties, Fran- chises, or Jurisdictions, within the Borough aud Foreign aforesaid, the Limits and Precincts thereof, before the Day of granting these our Letters Patent, be in no wise molest- ed or hindered, or compelled to answer to them or any of them. We moreover will, that these our Letters Patent, or any Thing herein contained, shall by no Means extend themselves, or be construed or interpreted to ex- tend to the Prejudice, Derogation, Interruption or Da- mage of any of the Authorities, Priviledges, Liberties, Ex- emptions, Jurisdictions, and Profits, which belong or ap- pertain, or ought to belong or appertain to the Lord of the Manor of Walsall aforesaid, for the Time being, in Right 03 of his Manor, by Boron, Means, or Force of any Charters, Letters Patent, or Grunts by Us, or any of our Progenitors or Ancestors heretofore made, or by any other lawful Custom, Ri^ht or Title, but that the said Lord of the Manor of Wahcl for the Time being, for ever hereafter, filial) and may hav i, hold and enjoy the same Authorities, Priviledges, Liberties, Exemptions, Jurisdictions, and, Profits, well, peaceably, quietly and freely, auv Thing in these Presents contained to the eo itrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding And our FtsaTHr.a will is, and by these Presents, for Us, our Heirs and Successors, do grant to the said Mayor and Commonalty and their Succes- sors, that these our Letters P it:-nt, or the l.irollmrnt thereof shall be firm, valid, and effectual aecarning to the true Meaning thereof, Bfcause that it is expressly men- tioned, §c. In Testimony wh reof, <$•<-. T. R. at West- minster, the Twentieth Day of July, in the Third Year of the Reign of King Charles, by a Writ of the Privy-Seal, ffc. And we have at the Request of John Wollaston, Gen- tleman, Mayor, and John Byrch, Gentleman, Recorder of the Borough and Foreign aforesaid, by the Tenor of these Presents, caused the same to be exemplified. In Testi- mony whereof we have caused these our Letters to bn made Patent. Witness Our-self at Westminster, the Twenty- second Day of February, in the Thirteenth Year of our Reign, Grymston Br, CHURCH WARDENS OF WALSALL. BOROUGH. Easter. 1760 John Smith William Kendrick 1761 John Smith William Kendrick 1762 Thomas Huxley- William Kendrick 1763 Richard James William Kendrick 1764 Richard James William Kendrick 1765 Richard James William Kendrick 1766 Joseph Cotterell,jun. William Kendrick 1767 Simon Waddams William Kendrick 1768 Simon Waddams Joseph Bradley FOREIGN. Moses Bird Rich. Hollinsed, jun. Charles Thomhill William Green Rich. Persehouse, esq. William Green Thomas Fowler William Green Thomas Fowler William Green Moses Yeomans John Scott John Beal^y John Scott John Bealey 95 BOROUGH. Easter. 1709 Joseph Bradley Simon Waddams Geoige Smart 1770 Stephen Barber Joseph Spurrier 1771 Stephen Barber Jacob Smith 1772 John Jesson John Hemming 1773 Joseph Barber John Nicholls 1774 Thomas Hector Edward Lycett 1775 Deykin Hemming Benjamin Williams 1776 John Adams Benjamin Williams 1777 John Adams Benjamin Williams 1778 John Adams Benjamin Williams 1779 Joseph Wood Thomas Carless 1780 Joseph Wood Thomas Carless 1781 John Hemming, gent. Thomas Adams 1782 John Hemming, gent. Thomas Adams FOREIGN'. John Whistance George Harrison, jun. William Woolrich George Harrison, jun. Benjamin Crutch ley William Woolrich Isaac Lea Benjamin Mountfort Richard Green Benjamin Mountfort Thomas Oerton Samuel Humphries Thomas Oerton William Quinton Thomas Oerton Willia ii Quinton Thomas Oerton Thomas Southorn William Harvey Thomas Southorn Edward Winser William Harvey Joseph Hollinsed Edward Winser Edward Crowther Samuel Turner Edward Crowther John Oakley 96 BOROUGH. Easter. 1783 Green Nicholls Richard Barber 17S4 Josiah Adams Roger Hall 1785 Josiah Adams Roger Hall 1786 Ri< hard Burrows Benjamin Wallis 17^7 Joseph Day Benjamin Wallis 1788 Benjamin Wallis Joseph Day 1789 William Spurrier Joseph Day 1790 William Spurrier Joseph Day 1701 Thomas Spurrier Stephen Barber 1792 Thomas Spurrier Stephen Barber 1793 Thomas Spurrier Stephen Barber 1794 Christopher Wren Thomas Nicholls 1795 Christopher Wren Thomas Nicholls 179S Christopher Wren Thomas Nicholls rORHIGtf. Edward C rowdier Robert Hildick William Cowley John Woodward John Woodward William Cowley William Harvey Richard Groves- Daniel Marlow Daniel Marlow William Nevill Daniel Marlow Thomas Turner Daniel Marlow Thomas Turner Thomas Wood Robert Hildick Thomas Wood Robert Hildick John Shenlon Richard Stanway John S hen ton Richard Stanway John Shenton Richard Stanway Richard Stanway Edward Stanley U7 BOROtTCt-Ht Easter. 175^7 Peter Wraiherhead Thomas Nicliolls 1798 Petri- \Vi atherhead Thomas Fi field 1795) Peter Wealherhead Thomas Fifield 1SOO Peter Wcatherhead Thomas Fifield 1801 Peter Weatherhead Thomas Fifield 1802 John Eyland William Nevill 1803 John Fyland William Nevill 1804 John Eyland William Nevill 1803 Richard Mutter Joseph Haden 1S0G Richard Rutter Joseph Haden 18( 7 Frederick Milward B. Barber 1S08 Frederick Milward B. Barber 1809 Frederick Milward B. Barber 1810 Frederick Milward B. Barber FohEinN, Joseph Curtis Edward Stanley Joseph ( 'urtis Edward Stanley Joseph Curtis Edward Stanley Joseph Curtis Edward Stanley Joseph Curtis Edward Stanley Joseph Day Joseph Curtis Joseph Day Joseph Green Joseph Day Joseph Green Joseph Day Joseph Green J. C. Wha.eley, esq. Jos. Bealey Stanley J. C. Whateley, esq. Jos. Bealey Stanley J. C. Whateley, esq. Jos. Bealey Stanley J. C. Whateley, esq. Jos. Bealey Stanley J. C. Whateley, es< | . Jo<*. Bailor Stanley 98 BOROUGH. FOREIGN. Master. 1811 Chas. Henry Darwall Joseph Harrison Samuel Sharratt Thomas l'earce 1812 Chas. Henry Darwall Joseph Harrison Samuel Sharratt Thomas Pearqe OVERSEERS OF THE POOR OF WALSALL. BOROUGH, FOREIGN. for tke Years. 1759 Thomas Bullock Richard Westley Joseph Spurrier Green Nicholls 1760 Daniel Hodgkins William Francis 1761 Daniel Hodgkins William Francis 1762 1763 John Scott Joseph Barber 1764 John Cooper Charles Thornhill Richard Brookes Thomas Cooper 1765 John Perks 99 BOROUGH. For the Years. 1 ]06 John Swairl George Smart Edward Holmes John Perks 1767 Samuel Barber Samuel Hinton 1T08 Thomas HintOn Richard Barber 1709 Joseph Woollat Samuel Loynes 1770 Henry Wathew Edward Lycett 1771 John Nicholls John Barber 1772 John Adams John Badger 1773 Joseph Brookes Josiah Adam9 Wdliam Newton John Abell 1774 William Tomlinson Moses Palmer 1775 Joseph Wood Thomas Carless 1770' Thomas Adams John Belcher 1777 Benjamin Mold Thomas Adams L.ofC. FOREIGN. Richard Green William Green Samuel Humphrys Benjamin Mountfort Samuel Humphrys Benjamin Mountfort Moses Bird Thomas Somerfield William Woolrich Thomas Horton William Hodson John Cater Thomas Southern John Jackson John Thomson William Harvey iOO BOROUGH. For the Years. 1778 John Fletcher Wm. Thurstan, juu. 1779 John Lucas Richard Barber 1780 Thomas Spurrier Richard Burrowes 1781 William Clarkson Joseph Cotterell 1782 John Slokes Robert Cotgrave 1783 John Stokes Robert Cotgrave JohnHeptinsta.il Francis Plant 1784 Benjamin Brodhurst John Westley John Spurrier 1785 Samuel Adams Thomas Fi field John Spurrier 1785 William Adie Charles James John Spurrier 1787 Richard Middlemoie Roger Hall 1788 John Kendrick Richard Cooksey FOREIGN-. William Fletcher John Oakley Samuel Fletcher, juw> William Qn intern Thomas Oerton Samuel Turner John Woodward Thomas Heath Samuel Kendrick Joseph Hollinsed Richard Groves John Stokes Edward Stanley William Spooner Edward Crowther William Nevill John Forrister Samuel Birch, Joseph Green John Harrison William Cowley Etfsha Hawkins 101 BOROUC5H. For the Years. 1789 Christopher Wren Stephen Barber 1790 Edward Wright Thomas- Nieholls Thomas Pearce 1791 William Wal ton Richard Crump Thomas Pearce 1792 William Penn* T. Hipkina Thomas Pearce 1793 James Rooker Thomas Brookes Thomas Pearce 1794 Joseph Haden James Reynolds Thomas Pearce 1795 Ralph Manley John Nieholls Thomas Pearce 1796 Benjamin Mountfoit John Ash Thomas Pearce 1797 William Spurrier Samuel Barber Thomas Pearce FOREIGN, Robert Newman John Rogers Joseph Newman Thomas Hawkins Thomas Peate William Heath John Moiratlbrt Thomas Turner Thomas Huskisson William Col born David Walker John Green F.dwartl Winsfv John Woodward William Croshavv Thomas Bates John Shenton John Siniih. * Died the 15th of May, 1792, aud Thomas Olillmm fctHnne* ap- pointed for the remainder of the year. J 02 BQROVQIU For the Years. 1798 Samuel Fletcher Richard Wathew Thomas Pearce 1799 Thomas Scott William Brookes Thomas Pearce 1800 William Nevill William Parker Thomas Pearce 1801 John Bobbins John Hemming Thomas Pearce 1S02 John Vaughan Barber Samuel Sharratt 1803 William Nicholls Richard Rutter 1S04 John Eld Edward Banton 1805 Benjamin Barber Josiah Adams 1806 John Freeth Joseph Jenns 1807 Fowler Walker Thomas Carter 1808 James Penn William Elwell 1509 Francis Yates * William Mold FOREIGN* Whitmore Jones Lawrence Ward Whitmore Jones Lawrence Ward John Harrison Charles Worsey John Pearce Joseph Rock Walter Horton Simon Fowler John Walker Charles Alblaster Robert Bramall Joseph Adams Samuel Wood, jun. Joseph Bealey Stanley William Harrison Henry Quintou Thomas Rowley Thomas Cadman Joseph Wiggin Joseph Day Joseph Harrison Thomas Morris William Garner 103 BOROUGH. For the Years. 1810 Hill Cox John Thurstan 1811 Thomas Adams Joseph Cowley 1S12 Samuel Fletcher Joseph Cotierell FOREIGN. Samuel Beech Samuel Beech William Biddlc John Tim m ins John Brawn CURATES OF WALSALL. 1746. The Rev. John Nicholls entered, and resigned the beginning of the year 17(51, and was succeeded in 1761, By the Rev. John Darwall, who was made vicar in Sept. 1769, and was succeeded in 176U, By the Rev. David Davenport, who resigned and was succeeded in 1773, By the Rev. Joseph Barber, who resigned, and was succeeded in , By the Rev. Charles Davenport, who died about Michaelmas, 1777, and was succeeded in Dec. 1777, By the Rev. John Kent, who resigned, and was succeeded in Dec. 1778, By the Rev. J. S. Rutter, who was made vicar in June, 1790, and succeeded in 104 1700, By the Rev. William Woodcock, who re? signed in December, 1794, and was succeeded in Jan. 1795, By the Rev. Jeremiah Ives Day, who ■was appointed vicar's curate in July, 1796, when he was succeeded in , By the Rev. John White Weekes, as lecturer ©r curate of Walsall, and at Lady Day, 1798, he re- signed, and was succeeded in , By the Rev. Charles Kippling, who resigned November 24, 1799, and in May, 1801, The Rev. Israel Bull, was appointed lecturer of Walsall, who resigned the 31st of Dec. 1^05, and was succeeded July 27, 1806, By the Rev. John Brown Wright, as lecturer, who left Walsall the 21th of January, Ji-0-% and was succeeded March 25, 1808, By the Rev. John Peglar., as lecturer, who resigned at Lady Day, 1810. ORGANISTS OF WALSALL. John Balaam, (blind,) died and was succeeded in , By John Alcock, B. M. who died the 29th «f March, 17*91, (senior batchelor of music in England,) and was succeeded in 1791, By William Rudge, who resigned in Jan- *a»y, 1796, and was succeeded in 10.:; 17!)G, By Jeremiah Clarke, organist of St. Philip's, Birmingham, who was succeeded June* 34, 1798, By William Rudge, who was succeeded in 18C0, By Miss Partridge, who resigned the 20'th of December, 1811, and was succeeded in 1812, By James Woolman. MAYORS OF WALSALL. Appointed Sept. 29. 1740 Thos.Bradnock,esq. 1741 Samuel Corbett, esq. 1742 Martin Pashley, esq. 1743 W. Haslewood, esq. 1744 Chas. Steward, esq. 1745 Chas. Steward, esq. 1746 Thos.Bradnock,esq. 1747 Thos.Bradnock,esq. 1748 Sam. Corbett, esq. 1719 Jos. Spurrier, esq. 1750 Sam. Corbett, esq 1751 Sam. Corbett, esq. 1752 John Coulson, esq. 1753 Thos. Nicholls, esq. 1751 Sam. Corbel t, esq. Appointed Sept. 29. 1755 Chas. Steward, esn. 1756 T.Bradnock. esq. 1757 C. Turnpenny, esq. 175S T. Brad nock, esq. 1759 Samuel Short, esq. 1760 John Wilson, esq. 176! John Bradnock, esq. 1762 Rich. Palmer, esq. 1763 Thos, Huxley, esq. 1764 John Bradnock, esq. 1?65 Rich. Palmer, esq. 1766 John Taylor, esq. 1767 Rev. Robert Felton 1708 Thos. Huxley, esq. 1769 John Taylor, esq. p 106 Appointed Sept. 29. 1770 John Bradnock, esq. 1771 Rich. Palmer, esq. "1772 John Taylor, esq. 1773 John Stubbs, esq. 1774 Jos. Spurrier, esq. 1775 Thos. Farmer, esq. 1776 Edw. Holmes, esq. 1777 John Smith, esq. 1778 W. Elwelljun. esq. 1771) Steph. Barber, esq. 1780 John Farmer, esq.* 1781 John Palmer, esq. 1782 Charles Forster, esq. 1783 Joseph Stubbs, esq. 1784 J. S. Rutter, esq. 1785 Benj. Mold, esq. 1780* Charles Windle, esq. 1787 W. Elwell,jun. esq, 1788 John Stubbs, esq. 1789 Wm. Kendrick, esq. 1790 Thos. Farmer, esq. 1791 J. S. Rutter, esq. Appointed Sept. 29. 1792 James Adams, esq. 1793 Wm. Adams, esq. 1794 D. Hemming, esq. 1795 Wm. Hipkins, esq, 179G F. O. Chinncr, esq. 1797 Rich. Adams, esq. 1798 Wm. Adams, esq. 1799 John Stubbs, esq. 1800 Chas. Forster, esq. 1801 James Adams, esq. 1802 WalterSpurrier,esq, 1803 Chas. Adams, esq. 1804 John Stubbs, esq. 18C5 Rich. Adams, esq. 1806 James Adams, esq. 1807 WalterSpurrier,esq. 1803 Joseph Curtis, esq. 1809 Thomas Scott, esq. 18 10 Wm. Walton, esq. 1811 Sam. Wilson, esq. 1812 James Adams, esq. * Died the 30lh of June, 1781, and Mr Edward Holmci was ap- pointed in his room for the remainder of the year. 107 RECORDERS OF WALSALL. 1601. Edward Byrch, esq. . Robert Aglionby Slar.ey, esq. of Hatton, near ShitFnall. 1757. Thomas Gilbert, esq. of Colton, near Cheadla. . William Beard, esq, of Newcasrle-under- Lyne, who was a Welch judge, and died the 5th of March, 1789. April 16, 1789. Charles Wallet Willis, esq; of Erdington, near Birmingham, barrister at law, who died the 25th of May, 1794. July 9, 1791. Nathaniel Gooding Clarke, esq. bar- rister at law, of Handsworth. MAGISTRATES OF WALSALL. 1812 James Adams, esq. Mayor, Chas. Forster, esq. ~) Chas. Windle, esq. J Per P etu *l Magistrates. Sam. Wilson, esq. 108 TOWN CLERKS OF WALSALL. Elected. Elected. 1660 Mark Anthony Caesar 174G Richard Nev ill Gallior Delow 175S Roger Holmes 16ji4 Joseph Gorwey 1778 Thomas Hodgkins* 3 702 Jonas Slaney 1S07 Joseph Stubbs 1723 Matthew Stubbs CONSTABLES OF WALSALL. BOROUtill, FOREIGN. Elected October. 1773 Benjamin Williams 1774 William Smith 1775 Richard Hunt 1776* Richard Barber 1777 Joseph Wood 1778 Edward Lycett Richard Groves 1779 Joseph Wooliatt « 1780 John Kcndrick 1781 Richard Middlemore 1782 Hump. Wainwright 1783 William Adie * Died the 12th of February, IR07, and on the 23d of the same month Mr. Joseph Stubbs wis elected. 109 BOROUGH. Elected October. 1784 William Puui l?3j Thomas James 1 17^» Thomas Fifield 1787 Benj. Brodhurst 1783 John Freetb 17S9 Charles James 1790 John Badger 1791 Christopher Wren 17.92 Benjamin Barber ] 793 Thomas Newton 1794 Joseph Burn 1793 Richard Crump 179<> John Thnrstan 1797 Frederick Milward 1798 John Swill. 1799 John Hobbins 1800 John Ash 1801 Benjamin Mount P. d 180-2 John Nicholls 1803 Joseph Jenns 1S01 Thomas Pearee 180"> Ditto I80f> Ditto ISO 7 Ditto 1808 Ditto 1809 Ditto 1810 Ditto 1811 Ditto 1812 Ditt* *• oiikk; N. Samuel Perks Thomas Muskisson Joseph Green John Rogers William Jones "William Spooner William Colbourn Thomas Daniel William Garner William Colbourn Joseph Marlow Jos. Bailey Stanley Henry Quinton John Harrison Elias Hawkins Joseph Griffin Titus Somerficld Ditto Thomas Rowley James Goodwin 110 SURVEYORS OF BYE ROADS FOR WALSALL. Appointed October. 1783 John Badger William Spurrier 1784 Richard Barber William Spurrier 1785 Joseph Haden William Spurrier 1786 Joseph Haden John Heeley 1787 Thomas Cooper Samuel Birch 1788 Thomas Fi field John Higgs 1789 Thomas Fifield Edward Lycett 1700 Thomas James Robert Smith 1791 Thomas James Benjamin Brodhurst 1792 Joseph Burn George Harper 1793 Samuel Barber William Nevill Appointed October. 1794 Thomas Clifford Charles Messenger 1795 Thomas Clifford John Bramidge 1796 Thomas Clifford John Bramidge 1797 Peter Cooper John Bramidge 179S Peter Cooper John Bramidge 1799 Thomas Carter Thomas Bladon 1800 Thomas Carter Thomas Bladon 1801 Thomas Carter Thomas Bladon 1802 Thomas Carter Thomas Bladon 1803 Thomas Nicholls John Adams 1804 John Thompson Joseph Simpson Ill A p pointed October. 1805 John Marlow Joseph Middleton 1806 John Marlow Joseph Middleton 1807 John Nicholls Joseph Jenns 1808 John Nicholls Joseph Jenns Appointed October. 1809 John Nicholls Joseph Jenns 1810 Joseph Jenns William Clarkson 1811 Joseph Jenns William Clarkson 1812 William Clarkson John Davis PLACES OF PUBLIC WORSHIP In Walsall and its Vicinity. BRIDGE-STREET CHAPEL. The Chapel in Bridge-street was erected in the year of our Lord 1790-, upon ground purchased by public subscription, and by the sale of a chapel in Dudley-street; it is occupied by a congregation of Protestant Dissenters of the Independent denomina- tion, and will contain about twelve hundred people. The inside is uniform and handsomely pewed ; two large corresponding seats in the gallery are ap- propriated to the accommodation of a Sunday School upon Mr. Lancaster's plan, consisting of forty boys and forty girls. 112 The present minister, the Rev. Thomas Grow?, has officiated about eighteen years, and by his all. and gentlemanly deportment, together with a strict adherence to the duties of his profession, has gained universal rcsj> OLD MEETfNG HOUSE, BANK COURT. After the destruction of the building belonging to the dissenters of the ancient Presbyterian denomina- tion, which happened in the violent days of Sache- verell, and at the coronation of King.George the first, October, 1714, it was re-built by government, 1715. The minister of that day was the Rev. John God ley, of the University of Leyden, who harangued the mob and desired them to abandon their intention of destroying the placp. They assure,^ lufn that, from personal respect, he should not be injured, and press- ing him earnestly to depart: to avoid being a witness to the scene, he went away, and the pile was instantly levelled to the ground. — The succeeding ministers were the Rev. Warner Dobson, Rev. It. Winter, Rev. D.Jones, Rev. N. Jones, Rev. T. E. Beasley, Rev. B. Davis, Rev. T. Moore, and the Rev. Thomas Bo wen. This meeting house is situated in Bank Court, on the left-hand side leading towards the church — -will contain about 400 persons, and was for near sixty years the only dissenters' meeting house in the place. 113 A Sunday School, on the general plan, was esta- blished by this society, under the Rev. T. E. Beasley, about 24 years ago, on an extensive scale; but the school now existing was established in 1803, and with the assistance of an annual charity sermon, a limited number of from SO to 35 children are clothed and educated. The present minister, the Rev. Thomas Bowen, who is also master of an academy in Rushall-strect, has officiated, with great satisfaction to his congrega- tion, about 18 years. This gentleman has invented and produced a machine for describing lines of longi- tude and latitude in maps. This apparatus will be found very useful in fami- lies and seminaries of education, as it will enable even children of moderate abilities, without other assistance, to draw the lines of longitude and latitude of the maps of the World, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America^ with mathematical accuracy, facility and expedition. Sold by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, Paternoster Row. For the utility of this apparatus, reference may be had to the Rev. A braham Rees, D. D. F. R. S and F. L. S. editor of the new Cyclopaedia ; and also to the R,ev. Thomas Rees, No. G, Barnard's Inn, London, where a specimen may be seen. The Rev. Thomas Bowen has, nearly ready for >\\q press, Geographical Exercises, for the use of 114 Bchools, containing a method lor constructing scales to describe the litres of longitude and latitude. Also the third edition of his English Grammar. On Nov. 14th, 1S00, he established a permanent library,* and generously proposed to find a room and librarian, without expence to the subscribers, until it should become too extensive to be accommodated in his house ; — that being now the case, it is removed to a public room, at Valentine and Throsby's, stationers, High-street, where it is expected to flourish, and furnish the present and future generations With a copious fund of rational entertainment and improve- ment. METHODIST CHAPEL, Situate in Paradise Court, on the right-hand side of High-street, leading to the church. This chapel was erected in the year of our Lord 1801, is neatly fitted up, and will contain about 400 persons. — The congregation attending this place of worship are of the Westleyan connexion. BLOXW1CH CHAPEL. This Chapel is pleasantly situated in the middle of a large burial ground, anl has been lately planted round * The Laws of this Library were published liy Valentine and Tnrosh'y, booksellers, 115 ■with trees ; it is distant two miles from Walsall, on the left-hand side of tbe turnpike road leading 10 Stafford, and when re-built in the year of our Lord 1791, was considerably enlarged, and is now capable of contain- ing about 1100 persons. The inside is handsomely pewed, and there are also spacious galleries, the dimensions of which are in length 65 feet 6 inches, and in breadth 40 feet G inches. It is a Chapel of Ease to the vicarage of Walsall, and the curacy is in the gift of St. John's College, Cambridge; but the choice of the minister is left to the inhabitants. It is a perpetual curacy, and has lately received Queen Ann's Bounty, agreeable to the late augmenta- tion granted by an act of parliament passed in 1811. The income of this chapel and the sources from which it arises will be seen iuthe annexed statement. An Account of ihc Income of Bloxwich Chapel. £. s. d. From the Merchant Taylors', left by Mr. Parker, a Merchant 20 A piece of land called the Parson's Piece, held by Mr. Whatley 3 5 A meadow by Bloxwich turnpike, held by Samuel Kcndrick 2 10 Carried forward . . 2.5 13 O J 10 JP. s, tf. Brought forward .. ,. .. , , 03 13 Another piece called the Parson's Piece at the top of the Black Horse Farm, and next the lane that goe? to Harden, held by T. Oakley . . . . . . . . 2 3 John Taylor, by his will, left a small piece of land, inclosed, behind Humphrey Brookes's house . . . . . . . . 1 I From Langthorn's Dole, paid hy William Smith, the Clerk, the table of which is in Walsall Church 3 The curate of Bloxwich receives from the Clergy's Meeting, at Cannock, yearly, about .. .. .. .. ..500 .£100 in money, out of Mr. Walhouse's estates, from which he pays 5 per cent, interest . . . . . . . . .,500 40 17 Mrs. Pyrcombe's charily, distributed on St. Peter's Day, gives o£l00, when .i 100 is already given as a benefaction for augmenting livings. The trustee is James Barnard, Esq. Crowcombe Court, near Taunton, Somersetshire. The above, together with some charities, produce only the trifling sum of of 50 per annum ; — a small stipend for the duty required by an increased popu- lation. — The present minister is the Rev. Thomas 117 llecto'i Spunier, I..L. B. late of Worcester College, Oxford. There is only oik: Sunday School attached to this chapel at present, and that for hoys, the number that receive instruction is upwards of 800; but it is in the contemplation of the committee to institute one for girls. There is a day school in the chapel yard, where there are tg BiUfcllttllg made the twenty-fourth day of March, in the tifty-second year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, George the Third, hy the grace of God of the TTnited Kingdom of Great. Britain and Ireland, king, defender of the faith, and in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, T&ttiBMlx Thomas Pearce of the Foreign of Walsall, in the county of Stafford, gentleman, and Joseph Harrison, of the Foreign of Wai- sall aforesaid, farmer, churchwardens for the said Foreign of Walsall of the one part, and William Bodenham of the Foreign of Walsall aforesaid, yeoman, of the other part, 22Hitneu"et|> that the said Thomas Pearce and Joseph Harrison for and in consideration of the yearly rents and covenants hereinafter reserved and contained, and which on the part and behalf of the said William Bodenham his executors, administrators, and assigns, are or ought to be paid, kept, done, and performed, C^at|> demised, leased, and to farm let, and by these presents Don) demise, lease, and to farm let, unto the said William Bodenham 81F that piece or parcel of land, being an allotment to them the said Thomas Pearce and Joseph Harrison, upon Essington Wood, in the said county of Stafford, and containing by mensuration four acres and an half, or 110 i hereabouts, be. the some more or less, together with all loads, ways', waters, water courses, easements, commons, privi ledges and appurtenances whatsoever thereto be- longing, Co fyabc anU to fjolD the 6aid piece or parcel of land hereby demised, or intended so to be, unto the said William Bodenham, his executors, administrators and assigns, from the twenty-fifth day of March next ensuing the date hereof, for and during, and unto the full end. and term of seventeen years, thence next ensuing, and fully to be compleat and ended. 2?ierDin8 anU paging therefore yearly and every year during the first three years of tire said term, unto the said Thomas Pearce and Joseph Harrison, their heirs, successors or assigns, the clear yearly rent or sum of one shilling, of lawful British money, the first payment thereof, to begin and be made on the twenty-ninth day of September next ensuing the date hereof. 3nti alfo gieltitng an"D papins therefore, in each and every year, during the residue of the said term of seventeen years, unto the said Thomas Pearce aud Joseph Harrison, their heirs, successors or assigns, the clear yearly rent or sum of four pounds ami ten shillings, of lawful money of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, current in England, free from all deduction whatsoever, either parliamentary or parochial, on the two most usual days or times of payment in the year; (that is to say) the twenty-ninth day of September, and the twenty-fifth day of March, in each and every year of the said term, by equal portions; the first payment thereof to begin and he made on the twenty-ninth day of September, which will be in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen. Ami the said William Bodeuham- doth hereby, for himself, his heirs, executors, and adminis- trators and assigns, covenant, promise, and agree to. 1-20 and with the said Thomas Pearce and Joseph Harrison* their heirs, assigns and successors in manner following, (that is to say) That he the 6aid William Bodenham* his- executors, administrators, and assigns, shall and will, yearly and every year, during the aforesaid term of seven- teen years, to commence as aforesaid, shall and will, and truly pay or cause to be paid the said yearly rents hereby reserved on the days and times and in manner herein before appointed for that purpose, according to the reservations and true intent and meaning of these presents. And also that he the said William Bodenham shall and will, at his own expense within twelve months from the date hereof, fence out the said allotment, piece or parcel of land, in a good and husbandlike manner, with good posts and rails, and shall and will plant round the same, a good hawthorn hedge row, and shall and will during the said term keep in good and sufficient repair, the gates, bounds and fences belongingto the said piece or parcel of land and premises, and scour and cleanse all the ditches and water- courses on the said premises, and shall and will leave the same well and sufficiently repaired, scoured and cleansed at the end or other sooner determination of the said term. And also that he the said William Bodenham shall and will, during the said term, work and manage the said piece or parcel of land and premises, in a fair and husband- like manner, and shall not commit any waste or spoil there- upon. And also that he the said William Bodenham, his executors and administrators shall and will in the spring season of the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty- six, lay the said piece or parcel of land down for meadow land, in a good and husband-like manner, and shall and will in like manner sow upon each acre thereof, twelve pounds of good read clover seed, one peck of good rye 121 grHssi, and six pounds of good Dutch or white Hover seed, and shall and will at the same time and in a husband- like manner, lay and spread upon each and every acre of the said piece or parcel of land eight full carts load of good rottoa dung at the least, and also shall and will keep and use the said piece or parcel of land in grass, and as and for meadow laud during the residue of the said term. Provided always, and these presents are upon this condition, that if the said yearly rent hereinbefore reserved or any part thereof shall happen to be behind and unpaid by the space of twenty-one days next after any of the said days or times hereinbefore appointed for payment thereof, (being lawfully demanded) or if the said William Bodenham shall not in all things well and truly observe, perform, and keep all and every the covenants, articles, anel agreements hereinbefore contained on his and their parts and behalfs, that this present lease, and every matter, clause, and thing herein contained on the lesser part shall be void, and then and from thenceforth it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Thomas Pearce and Joseph Harrison, their heirs, assigns or successors, into and upon the said demised premises or any part thereof, in the name of the whole to re-enter, and the same to have again, re-possess, and enjoy, as in his and their first and former estate, any thing hereiu contained to the cont.ary thereof in anywise notwithstanding; and the said Thomas Pearce and Joseph Harrison, doth hereby for themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators, assigns and successors, covenant and agree to and with the said William Bodenham, his executors, administrators ami assigns, that he the said William Bodenham, his executors, administrators and assigns, paying the said yearly rents in the proportions in manner uud at the times aforesaid, R 322 and performing all and every the covenants and agreements hereinbefore contained on his or their parts and behalfs, shall and may from time to time and at all times during the said term hereby granted peaceably and quietly, have, hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy all and singular the said premises hereby demised, with the appurtenances, without any let, suit, trouble, hindrance,, molestation, interruption, or disturbance of them the said Thomas Pearce and Joseph Harrison, their heirs, assigns, or suc- cessors, or of any other persons whomsoever, lawfully clairaiug or to claim by, from, or under them, or either or any of them, or by or through their or any of their acts,, means, defaults, privity, consent, or procurement. 3ft Wlitntgta whereof, the said paities to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first before written* THOMAS PEARCE. JOSEPH HARRISON. WILLIAM BODENHAM, BAPTISMS AT BLOXWICH CHAPEL. Males. Females. 1801 24 • • • 2 1802 31 30 1S03 46 • • • 32 1804 37 • • • 30 1S05 43 • • • 49 1806 41 42 1807 49 • • • 36 1808 40 • * • 34 1809 46 • • • 27 123 ieio Baptisms continued. Males. Females 40 42 397 342 Total baptisms 739 BURIALS AT BLOXWICH CHAPEL. Males. Female 1801 60 61 1S02 •22 33 1803 20 16 1804 17 17 1805 26 17 1806 24 25 1807 26 21 1808 19 10 1809 26 .... 22 1810 17 . . . . 2S 257 245 Total burials 602 METHODIST CHAPEL AT BLOXWICH. This chapel is situate near Short Heath, on the right-hand side leading from Walsall to Stafford, was 124 erected in the year of our Lord 17 81 ; it is 18 feet 3 inches by 29 feet 3 inches inside, and will contain about 400 persons. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL. At Bloxwich, about a mile and a half on the road from Walsall to Stafford:, is a Roman Catholic Chapel, dedicated to St. Thomas, the Apostle. This chapel was enlarged in the year of our Lord 1808, and is a small but neat place of worship, capable of containing between three or four hundred persons. It is adorned with some beautiful paintings— rthe altar-piece, repre- senting the dead body of our Saviour after its being taken down from the cross, is much admired. The present pastor is the Kev. Francis Marlyn. Public and Private INSTITUTIONS. EREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. This School is situate by the side of the church. — Queen Mary, by her Letters Patent, under the great seal, dated the 2nd day of July, in the first year of her reign, did found a Free Grammar School, in Walsall, and' did nominate and appoint ten persons of the 125 village and j>arish of Walsall, to be governors of the possessions and goods thereof. — And she did thereby grant to the said governors and (heir successors for « ver, in trust for the said school, certain estates, &c. &c. which are amply detailed in the Report of the Committee for Public Charities, and published in 1804. FREE SCHOOL IN PARK-STREET. Here is a day school where 50 boys are taught reading, English grammar, writing, and arithmetic, by the present master, Mr. Thomas Mason, for whose instruction he receives a salary of £60 per annum, paid by the trustees of the Free Grammar School. NEW CHARITY SCHOOL, Situate in Bridge-street, was erected at the ex- pence of the inhabitants and some donations, in the year of our Lord .* Mr. Benj. Brodhurst is the present master. WORKHOUSE. Adjoins the church-yard, and the new part of it, was erected by Mr. Samuel Fletcher and Mr. Richard Wathew, overseers of the poor, in the year 1799, con- * See page s^ of this History, for Shaw's account of the old school and establishment. 126 tains a dining-room 42 feet long, and 15 feet wide, ■with two lodging rooms over it, of the same dimen- sions, very pleasant and airy ; also a large room in which the poor are employed in spinning woollen and linen for their own wear. It is very inconveniently situated on account of the difficulty of conveyance to it, and all the soft water is carried by hand, by poor persons in the house, for the purposes of washing, &c. &c for a numerous family. — Tvvohundredand ten poor persons have been lodged in this house, in the year 1801. Receptacles for the poor should invariably be situated at an easy distance from a town, in a healthy situation, and where water could be readily obtained; and the out premises should afford room for the children's exercise. To rear hearty children is not only a blessing in itself, but at all times desirable to produce such hands that may be useful in a manufac- turing district. Copy of Inscription on the Stone put up at Walsall Workhouse when first erected. vise Providence has bestowed on various countries its peculiar local advantages; from which circumstance, the mutual exchange of produce employs millions of. human beings, fills the swelling sail, and forms the grand basis of commerce. This consideration naturally leads to the contem- plation of the local advantages possessed by the inha- bitants of this county, and particularly by those of this town and neighbourhood. The numerous and exten- sive mines of coal, lime-stone, iron ore, clay, &c. &c. which may be called the parents of trades and manu- factures, are found here of the best qualities and in the greatest abundance. They have been the means of producing the many iron furnaces, forges, and foundaries which have, for a succession of years, per- formed their ponderous task, converting the inestima- ble bowels of the earth into a source of employment for thousands of ingenious artists, and in such a 143 wonderful variety of manufacture, that to detail them would iill a volume. Some of these, the gun and bayonet,* in the hands of brave British soldiers have conquered the " invin- cible" legions of Buonaparte; and the cannon and balls, made at Bradley Iron Works. f and directed by a Nelson, have hurled (heir thunder upon the heads of our inveterate enemies, and contributed to the maintenance of the British empire upon the Main. For the information of the merchant and the stranger, it will be necessary to explain the business of a Walsall General Ironmonger and Manufacturer, from whose spirit and enterprize the three kingdoms are explored, his capital adventured, and who deals in various manufactures, and also every article into which iron, steel, and brass is convertible, for the pur- pose of furnishing both home and foreign markets. Articles manufactured in considerable, quantities in this town and within three miles distance t viz.: IRONMONGERY, that are used in building and furnishing houses, such i? as locks, hinges, bolls, pullics, latches, screws, grates, fenders, tire-irons, &c. * Manufactured at Wednesbury, about :? miles from Walsall, f Tlic works of the famous iron maeti r, the late John Wilkinsoa, J - * « i ■ »Uuat« ;it Bradley, about 3 miles frtmi Wal&iTl. 144 Kitchen Utensils. Pots, kettles, saucepans, coal-hods, grid-irons, chaffing-dishes, box and sad-irons, steelyards and scale beams, coffee mills, metal and iron tinned spoons, &e. Carpenters* Tools. Axes, adzes, hatchets, augers, hammers, chisseis, gouges, plane irons, squares, &c. Coopers' Tools. Axes, adzes, howels, drawing knives, spoke shave#> punches, drivers, chissels, &c. Plantation Stores. Hoes, hatchets, bill-hooks, matchets, bar iron, iron hoops, grind stones, &c. Nails, Both cast and wrought iron of every description. Locks, for all purposes. Cast-iron articles in general. Spades, shovels, frying pans, vices, trowels, files, &c. Patten Makers' Articles. Rings, ties, nails, rivets, &c. 145 Guns and pistols, and gun and pistol locks. Japanned and tin ware of every description. Brushes. Ivory and bone turnery. Braces. Snuffers, steel, iron and japanned. Buckles, metal, hat, knee and brace. SADDLERS' IRONMONGERY. Bridle bittsand bradoons, plated with silver, brass, or com position metal, or polished or tinned, Snaffles, plated with silver, brass, or composition metal, or polished or tinned. Stirrups, men's and women's, plated with silver, brass, or composition metal, or polished or tinned. Stirrups, jointed and spring, plated with silver or brass, or polished steel. Stirrups, ladies' clog, or Devon; also boys' clog. Spurs, plated, brass, or polished steel. Saddle trees, men's, women's, boys', or gig, Saddle bars, plain, rollered, and spring. Saddle nails, plated, silver, and brass. Bridle and martingale mountings, plated, polished, or tinned. Buckles, plain or rollered for siraps, girths, or stirrup leathers, plated, polished or tinned Curry combs of every kind. Chains, rings and squares, and all kinds of iron work used in making waggon or cart harness, black or tinned. 146 COACH FOUNDERY. Springs and steps and every other description of iron work used in the construction of carriages and also in the manufacture of harness; and all kinds of plated and brass articles used in finishing and decorat- ing the same. BRIDLE-CUTTING AND CURRYING OF LEATHER. The art of bridle-cutting is also an important branch of the manufactures of this town. It is a clean and light employ, in which a number of men, women, and boys are engaged. As the demand in this article is extensive, the returns made by the saddlers' iron- mongers carrying on this trade, are very considerable. Through the exertions of the curriers of this town, who have spared neither expence, time, or trouble in the mode of currying their leather, producing the most beautiful brown and fine jet black colours, the sad- dlers' ironmongers of this place have the pre-eminence in this particular branch of their manufacture. BRIDLE BITS Of every description are generally carried to the bridle-cutters, and by them tastefully mounted with 147 leather suitable to the demand, and for the trade of the country for which they are intended, some of which are superbly mounted with gilt and silver trappings, rosetts, &c. with martingales and cruppers to match, to the value of seventy guineas a single bridle ; and many made up in this town have been sent, with other presents, to foreign princes. Bridles, martingales, cruppers, holsters, horse collar heads, and a variety of other leather straps are manu- factured in Walsall, with which the army contractors in London are supplied by the saddlers' ironmongers, this place forming, at once, the seat of the manufactory of all kinds of saddlery goods. HARNESS. The progress made in the manufacture of harness of all descriptions has been very great, and the elegant chariot, the mail coach, and in short every two and four wheeled carriage are furnished with harness, by the saddlers' ironmongers of this town, in the highest state of perfection. And the waggon horse, the roadster, the hunter, the charger and the high mettled racer are by them caparisoned with what they respec- tively want. FILE AND PLATING MANUFACTORY. Here is a fde and plating manufactory on an ex- tensive scale, situate in Ablcwell-street, the former of which was established by the late Mr. John Heptin- us stall, about sixty years ago, and now carried on by Mr. Wm. Parker, who manufactures files of all descrip- tions, not only adapted for the purposes of the various trades of this country, but also for foreign markets. The manufacturers of this place have, from time to time received considerable improvements by the inventions of many ingenious mechanics, and for which several have been rewarded with his Majesty's Letters Patent. The remarks upon this head will be concluded with this singularly striking fact, — that Walsall, from its peculiarly centrical situation, surrounded with mines, procuring the raw material at the cheapest rate, manufacturing the same upon the very soil from whence it has been raised; conveyed, when manufac- tured, by canals which communicate with all the principal sea ports in the kingdom, must, from these combined causes,, continue to insure a trade to the enterprizing and industrious inhabitants of this town against all competition. Dttcctot)) OP WALSALL BOROUGH AND FOREIGN? &LC, &C. A. ^\_DIE Jane, draper, High-street Ash John, brandy merchant, High-street Adam Thomas, surgeon, Park-street Adams John and Sons, (actors, Park-street Adams Charles, Park-street Adams John, Park-stree't Anderson Mary, milliner, Square Adams James, geut. and an alderman of the corporation, High— street Adums William, breeches-maker, High-street Adams Thomas, carrier, Kusludl-Htreet Adams Josiah, Hi -idge-sl net Adams Samuel, twaddlers' ironinonger, Iliishull-blroct Adams Richard | tanner, Rusliall-street Allen Thomas, victualler, Ablewell-street Appleby Humphry, locksmith, Paddock Iain- Adams Thomas, buckle maker, Ablewell-streefc Allen Cornelius, brazier, Ablev* ell-street Adams Thomas, brandy merchant, King-slicet Alsop Thomas, woolcomber and earthen wurchou ,e, Ptal- *treet 150 Adams John, factor and buckle-maker, Birmingham-street Adams and Bagley, factors, St. George' s-street Arnold John, bricklayer, Bloxwich Ansell John, shoe-maker. Short Heath Arblaster Edwatd, tanner, Clayhanger Allen Edward, victualler, ty^tr, Birehills Acton Richard, plater, Lime-pit Bank Arm Thomas, bitt-maker, Little Bloxwich B. Barber Benjamin, draper, High-street Baylis Thomas, chair-maker, George-street Barratt John, bridle-bitt maker, George-street Brace Henry, bridle-cutter, Bridge-street Barber Samuel, saddlers' ironmonger, Bridge-street Barber Henry, brass coach founder, Adams's-row Butler Joseph, taylor, Digbeth Bakewell Ann, ladies' academy, Digbeth Bowrin Joseph, shoe-maker, Park-street Barber Stephen, Park-street Brindley Samuel, shoe-maker, Park-street Bates Thomas, plater, Marsh lane Badger and Newman, saddlers' ironmongers, Park-street Badgerand James, factors, Park-street Busst John, bridle-bitt maker, Badger's yard, Park-street Bart ram Joseph, taylor, Badger's yard, Park-street Bache Thomas, schoolmaster, Bridge-street Brodhurst Benjamin, charity schoolmaster, Bridge-street Bloxwich Stephen, ironmonger, Digbeth Baylies Misses, stamp-office, square Barber and Son, curriers, Bridge-street Barber Vaughan John, Rushall-street Bowen Thomas Rev. gentlemen's boarding school, Rush- all-street Bowden William, Rushall-street Brown Thomas, bone brush turner, Rushall-street Brookes John, wire warehouse, Rushall-street Bibby Elizabeth, huckster, Rushall-street Barker Joseph, wheelright, Rushall-street. — Timber-yard in Bridge-street Bentley William, book-keeper, Rushall-street 151 Brown John, saddle-tree maker, Ablewell-stieet Burbidge Thomas, (2,101 er, WAi w til-street Brookes William and Thomas, baddlers' ironmongers, Ablewell-*trejet Bradley Thomas, carpenter, Ablewell-street Bellamy Sarah, pipe-maker, Ablew* il-street Betteridge Philip, watch-maker, R us) all-street Bentley Joseph, natter, hosier, and shoe warehouse, Market House Barber Thomas, hair-dp 's«er, Peal-street Bramidge John, bakev, Peal-street Blak>-niore James, bridle and harness tongue maker, Cox's Court Brodhurst and Greatrex, platers, Hall lane Birch Samuel, buckle-maker, Hall lane Bruinmall Hugh, pump-maker, Dudley-street Butler Charles, victualler, and Birmingham carrier, sets out from the Bim Pig, New-street, Walsall, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, to the Lyttelton's Anns, Snow-hill, Birmingham, and returns at seven o'clock in the evening of the same days Butler John, bridle-bitt and snaffle maker, New-street Brown Joseph, spur-maker, New-street Bedson Catharine, milliner, Church-street Barnet Samuel, curb and roller buckle maker, Church- street Bullock Mary, huckster, Church-street Bagnall William, plater, King-street Brecknell Thomas, taylor, King-street Bown Francis, sput-iowel maker, Hill-street Brookes James, snuffer-maker, Hill-street Beadle James, draper, High-street Bagnall Joseph, saddlers' ironmonger and patent bridle- bitt maker, Pavk-street Bond James, stirrup-maker, Bloxwich Brookes Humphrey, coach-hilt maker, Bloxwich Bradburn George, victualler, Bloxwich liirch Samuel, suaffle and bradoon maker, Bloxwich Brookes William, co:ich-bitt, maker, Bloxwich Beech Charles, victualler and locksmith, Short-street Beech Samuel, miller and maltster, Bloxwich Beech Joseph, locksmith, Little Bloxwich Beech William, locksmith, Little Bloxwich Bickley William, victualler, King's Arms, Little Bloxwich 1.53 Bullock John, locksmith, Little Bloxwich Bradley and Co. iron founders, Gorscote Barker Samuel, victualler, Trooper, Harden Butler Samuel, dog-chain maker, Stafford-street Banks John, locksmith, Little Bloxwich Birch Henry, roller buckle maker, Birchills Bird Moses, patent locksmith, Stafford-street Busst Mrs. victualler, Birchills Bullin John, tanner, Lime-pit Bank Brown John, dog chain maker, Lime-pit Bank Bolton Roger, farmer, Birmingham Road Barber Mrs. Birmingham Road BiddleWiiliam, saddle-tree and curry-comb maker, New- street Beebee John, plater, New-street, Field Gate Bradbury Richard, castor, New-street, Windmill Bramall Robert, gardener, Little London Butler Thomas, dog chain maker, Caldmore Burton William, farmer, Parks Baker James, tinned pelham maker, Bloxwich Blakenell , Bloxwich c. Cotterell John, spring stirrup maker, Walsall Cokley Robert, letter carrier, Paradise Court, High* street Colboum Walter, cabinet locksmith, Park-street Clarke Charles, bridle bitt maker, Marsh lane Cotterell Joseph, draper, High-street Cox Hill, grocer and druggist, High-street Cocking John, stirrup-maker,Jj oster's Yard, Rushall-street Clinton Charles, snaffle maker, Rushall-street Craddock Benjamin, tin snaffle and mouthing bitt maker, Rushall-stieet Clarke John, tin snaffle manufacturer, Tonks's-court, Rushall-street Curtis Joseph, book-keeper, Rushall-street Collier William, roller buckle maker, Rushall-street Cook Charles, taylor, Rushall-street 153 Cook Mrs. straw bonnet m:iker, Ablewell-street Cox Beley, book-keeper, Ablew»'ll-street Carver John, saddler, collar, and whip thong manufactur- er, Rushall-strtet Cox John, shoe-maker, Ditch Clements William, cooper, Rushall-street Cotterell Thomas, schoolmaster, Rushall-street Cooper Jane, victualler, Rushall-street Chillingworth Thomas, victualler, Peal-street Cooper John, fishmonger, Dudley-street Covvell John, stirrup-maker, Dudley-street Cowleys Joseph and Thomas, coach brass founders, platers, and buckle manufacturers, Dudley-street Clinton Robert, Huckster, Dudley-street Cotterell Thomas, buckle-maker, Halt lane Carter Thomas, carpenter, Dudley-street Cowley Thomas, Dudley-street Carless , victualler, Dudley-street Carless Joseph, plater, Dudley-street Chamberlain Mrs. midwife, New-street Cooper Thomas, Birmingham Road Cross Thomas, spur rowel maker, Birmingham-street Clarkson William, baker, King-street Cork Thomas, farmer, Ablewell-street Cotterell Richard, victualler, George-street Clarkson Mountfort, victualler, Park-street Creig William, plater, Broadstone Collins V\ illiam, shoe-maker, Bloxwich Carrington George, best steel bitt maker, Bloxwich Cooper Joseph, bitt-maker, Bloxwich Colbourn William, victualler, Bull's Head Inn, Bloxwich Chapman Joseph, tinned bitt maker, Harden Cockayne Humphrey, snaffle-maker, Blakenell Heath Clarke John, bitt-maker, Birchills Curtis Joseph, land surveyor, Bank-street Crump Richard, auctioneer, Bank-street Cooper Joseph, victualler, Wheat Sheaf, Birmingham-street Cooper Henry, curb-maker, Town's End Cowley William, Bloxwich Cater Henry, victualler, Vauxhall Cooper Thomas, farmer, Bescote Challenor John, portmantua lock maker, Pleck Colston — — > saddle-tree maker, Stafford-sti eet 154 D. Dudley Sarah, glass warehouse, High-street Devey Thomas, bridle bitt maker, George-street Dickenson Thomas, butcher, Digbeth Darwall Charles H, attorney, Bridge-street Davis John, baker, Ablewell-street Duignan John, schoolmaster, Church-street Dixon Samuel, painter, Birmingham-street Devey Edward and Henry, coach bitt makers, Bloxwich Dace Charles, victualler, Bloxwich Dace Robert, tinned bitt maker, Bloxwich Day Joseph, Locksmith and buckle presser, Stafford-street Dixon Thomas^ book-keeper, Windmill E. Eld John, draper, High-street EylandJohn,spoon>buckle,chape and lock-maker, George- street Edwards Thomas, blacksmith, Park-street Emery William, taylor, High-street Elwell William, sadlers' ironmonger, Bridge-street Eyland Moses, spectacle manufacturer, Rushall-street Eglington and Sons, stone masons, Bank-street Elton\john, victualler, New-street Evans William, supervisor, Church-street Evans Junes, army and steel spur- maker, Hill-street Eagles W 7 id. victualler, Hill-street Elwell Edward, surgeon, High-street Elwell Samuel, iron warehouse, Park-street Elwell Mary, Priory, Park-street Evans David, awl blade-maker, Short Heath Edge Mark, awl blade-maker, Wallington Heath Emery John, polished snaffle-maker, Blakenell Heath Elsmore , tell gatekeeper, Stafford-street Edge Samuel, awl blade-maker, Bloxwich F. Freeth John, grocer and chandler, High-street Forster Charles and Son, Bankers, High-street 155 Forster Charles, esq. magistrate, High-street Fox George, victualler, Park-stieet Forster George, currier, Park-street Forster and Ficlield, coal dealers, Wharf, Park-atreet Fletcher Richard, George Hotel Posting House, Traveller'* Inn and Coach Office, Digbeth Foster William, Butcher, Rushall-street Fletcher Samuel, Bridge-street Fletcher and Sharratt, merchants, saddlers' ironmongers, warehouse, Bridge-street, late in George-street Fletcher William, book keeper, Rushall-street Fallows John, shoe-maker, Rushall-street Franklin William, currier, Ablewell-street Franklin Richard, shoe-maker, Ablewell-street Fletcher Samuel, saddlers' ironmonger, Dudley-street Fenton Thomas, plater, New-street Fletcher Samuel, farmer, Harden Farmer Thomas, plater, Stafford-6treet Faulkner Clement, miller, Birchills Foster Aaron, farmer, Parks Fletcher Stephen, polished steel bit-maker, Bloxwich Fowler Thomas, grocer and ironmonger, Townsend G. Greatrex Sarah and Son, platers, •George-street Gent Joseph, Watch-maker, High-street Green William, coach brass founder and plater, Ablewell- street Groom John, horse-breaker, Digbeth Green William, victualler, Hall >Lane Glover James, hinge-maker, New-street Gould John, spur-maker, New-street Grove T I torn as, Rev. Birmingham road Goodwin Amos, bit-maker, Broadstone Green Richard, bit-maker, Bloxwich Green Thomas, bit-maker, Bloxwich Goodwin Moses, steel bit-maker, Bloxwich Garner William, joiner, Bloxwich Goodwin James, bricklayer, Bloxwich .Green John, weaver, Short Heath 156 Griffin John, farmer, Short Heath Gough David, victualler, Wolverhampton road Groves John, brush-maker, Stafford-street Groves Mrs. Sarah, sett-maker, Birchills Green Edward, best polished steel bit-maker, Birchills Goodwin Thomas, best polished stirrup-maker, Birchills Griffin Joseph, lime master, Hollshill Lane Gee James, agent to the Worcester F ire-Office, and also landlord s agent for the collection of rents, Bank- street Green Joseph, stock and hat buckle-maker, New-street Groves James, maltster, Windmill Green Richard, Windmill Giles Joseph, stirrup-mnker, Windmill Groves John, Stafford-street Green John, schoolmaster, Chapel, Bloxwich Guest Samuel, buckle-maker, New-street Green Elizabeth, plater, Windmill-street Giles William, stirrup-maker, Windmill-street H. Hill Ann, grocer, currier and wire warehouse, High-street Hullsworth Edward, rope-maker, flax dresser, and twine spinner, GeorgerStreet Horton Thomas, barber, High-street Haskew Barnard, joiner and carpenter, High-street Hichel William, draper and hosier, Digbeth Holmes Joseph, barber, Park-street Highway Isaac, baker, Park-street Hume Thomas, coaqh harness plater, Marsh Lane Hall Charles, brush-maker, Park-street Harrison James, stirrup-maker. Idle Alley, Park-street Hawkins Samuel, grocer and flour dealer, Park-§treet Heeley Henrietta, Post Office, Digbeth Hobbins James, H. saddlers' ironmonger, Digbeth Hobbins Elizabeth, pawnbroker, Digbeth Hathaway Edward, grocer and chandler, High-street Haddon John, shoe-maker, Rushall-street Harris John, s>t;iy-rpaker, Rushall-street Holman Thomas *add|e-tree-maker, Rushall-street 157 Hinlon Elizabeth, mantua-maker, Bridge-street Holloway William, skinner, Rushall-street Haidiman Mm. victualler, Uushall-street I laden Joseph, tanner, Rushall-street lleeley John, attorney, Ablewell-street Uacknev John, attorney's writer, Rqshall-street Hawley' William, blacksmith, Rushall-street Shop, Bridge* street Handy Sarah, huckster, Uushall-street Hill William, shoe-maker, Uuslmll-sl ;reet Hodgkins Richard, huckster, Peal-street Highway Williarn, confectioner, Peal-street HowlettJphn, shoe-maker, Peal-street Hildick Mary, grocer and draper, Peal-street Holt Oliver, chimney-sweeper, Dudley-street Ileynes William, coach and bridle bit-maker, bottom of Cox's Court Heath James, huckster, Hall lane Hicken Mary, huckster, New-street Hateley Joseph, polished curb-maker, New-street Halfpenny John, grocer and druggist, New-street Hart William, baker, New-street Hall Thomas, currier, New-street Hulse Stephen, tutania and pewter spoon-maker, New- street Howell Joseph, factor, Birmingham-street Hart William, buckle and cabinet key-maker, Birming- ham road Harrison Lester, bridle bit-maker, Birmingham road Huhhall Stephen, whip thong-maker, King-street Hughes and Newton, saddlers' ironmongers, Park-street, inventors and manufacturers of new driving spiing hooks Hicken Joseph, plater, Rnshall-street Heath William, plater, Broadstone Heath Thomas, bit-maker, Broadstone Horton Walter, farmer, Bloxwich Harrison William, farmer, Bloxwich Hardrnan James, coach bit maker, Bloxwich Harrison Joseph, farmer, Little Bloxwich .Hawkins Thomas, farmer, Little Bloxwich Hough William, stirrup-maker, Little Bloxwich Hildick Fratlpis, farmer, Colepool Hildick Robert, edge tool maker, Colepool 158 Hope James, best polished steel bit and snaffle maker, Harden Harris William, polished stirrup maker, Blakenell Heath Hawkins Elias, farmer, Shaver's End Hawkins John, farmer, Shel field Harrison John, fanner, Shelfield Harrison Join;, farmer, Shelfield Harrison Thomas,' oatmealman, Shelfield Hodgkius, John, victualler, Boathouse, Catshill Harrison John, farmer, Walsall Wood Holmes Joseph, black chain maker, Walsall Wood Hands Joseph, spring stirrup maker, Wolverhampton road Hands Benjamin, spring stirrup maker, Town's End Holden Thomas, coach harness maker, Town's End liardman Joseph, sett-maker Birchills Hathaway Nathaniel,, victualler, Three Crowns, near BaVr Beacon Holder John, Black Boy, Field Gate Higg ins Thomas, sheriff's officer, Windmill Harvey Samuel, plater, Windm'II Huskinson William, dog chain maker, Doveridge Harvey Matthew, plater, Windmill liardman James, coach bit maker, Bloxwich J. James and Payton, factors, High-street, Digbeth Jenns Joseph, coach iron founder, coach furniture, and harness plater, Hall lane Jarvis Lucy, Hour wa.t-house, Park-street Jewsbury Richard, higgler, Park-street James Richard, factor, Park-stie«-t Jackson Richard, hosier and jersey comber, Digbeth Johnson Joseph, collar-maker, Rushali-stieet Jennings John, shoe-maker, llushalt-street James Thomas, spoon, lock, hinge and buckle maker, Ablewell-stieet Jackson Sarah, victualler, Ablewell-street Jennings Edward, bridle bit and snaffle maker, Peal- street Jackson Edward W. brandy merchant, New-street 159 James Charles, victualler and patten ring' manufacturer, opposite Free School Jennings John, common polished, bit maker, Bloxvricli Jackson William, maltster, Colcpool Joy Thomas* spring stinup maker, Birehills Jesson Richard, attorney, Spring Field James Charles, victualler, Church-street Jones Edward, victualler, Windmill Jones Whit more, miller, New Mills Jones Edward, victualler and plater, Windmill-? tr' ' . Jobhit William, plater, Whitehall James and Stubbs, Hirchills Colliery K Knight Richard, plater, Whitehall Kendall Henry, gardener, Rushall-strcet KendaU Samuel, blacksmith, Bloxwh ii Kates Thomas, common bit maker, Bloxwich Keeling James, farmer, Sheliield Keyte William, pump-maker, Wolverhampton road Kendrick Phineas, bridle cutter and engraver, Windturl L. Lea James, draper, High-street Lucas Henry, grocer, High-street Langley William', maltster, Rushall-street Lycetts Miss, Park-street Lycett Henry, victualler, Park-street Lucas James, victualler, Digb>.t!i Lowe Hannah, cheese dealer, Rushall-street London Thomas, saddler and harness maker, Ruslndl- street Leicester Edward, butcher, Ruslndl-street Littler Joseph, shoe-maker, Birch's yard, Rush alb street Lock James, hatter, Rushall-strett Longmore Stephen, plumber and glazier, Du Edward, coach bitt maker, Park-street Stanley Thomas, plater, Park-street Sharratt Samuel, Pa. k-street Sleigh William, hat-maker, Digbeth Smallwood Joseph, shoe and ladies' Devonshire stirrup maker, Digbeth 165 Smith Mary, <-tay-makcr, Digbcth Shorter* William, grocer, High-street Sedgwick Henry, sett maker, Wide Yard, Rushall-street Spurrier Thomas, gent. Bridge-street Smith Joseph, victualler, Rushall-street Stavill John, excise oflfice, Rushall-street Sanders William, bricklayr, Kushall-street Smith Thomas, currier, Rushall-street Shutt William, maltster, Abiewell-street Scott Mrs. Mary, wine inercliant, Ablewell-street Smallwood Joseph, ladies' stirrup maker, Ablewell-street Slubhs Joseph, attonuy, (town clerk,) Rushall-street Smith Simon, taylor, Rushall-street Smith John, stocking weaver, Rushall-street Stanton John, butcher, Rushall-street Shevjn Matthew, woolcomber, Little Hill Smith \\ dliani, huckster, Dudley-Street Stone Joseph, umbrella and parasol maker, Dudley-street Stringer William, spring saddle har and martingale hook maker, Old Meeting yard, Dudley-street Stanton William, spur buckle maker, Dudley-street Stoddard -, taylor, New-street Smith Thomas, sett roller buckle maker, New-street Smith John, clerk at St. Matthew's Church, Church-street, where are kept the keys of the engine Sansome John, victualler, Church-street Stevens Samuel, stay-maker, Gorton's Yard Sheldon Ann, mautua-maker, Gorton's Yard Smith James, brass harness and buckle maker in general, Birmingham-street Spurrier and Wootton, saddlers' ironmongers, King-street Stokes Joseph, plater, Bloxwich Smith William, bit-maker, Bloxwich Stanley I, B. farmer, Bloxwich Somerlield Matthew, ironmonger, Bloxwich. Stokes John, farmer, Bloxwich Stokes William, Bloxwich, Walsall, and Birmingham car- ri'.r, Bloxwich Stokes Joseph, polished coach bit maker, Bloxwich Stokes John, grocer, Bloxwich Stanley Edward, farmer, Bloxwich Smith Samuel, farmer, Bloxwich Somerfield John, awl-blade maker, Bloxwich Stokes Thomas, couch bit maker, Bloxwich 166 Stanley John, common polished bradoon maker, Sho>t Heath Somerfield Titus, awl-blade maker, Short Heath Sargeant Joseph, set-maker, Short Heath Stokes William, tinned stirrup maker, Short Heath Sargeant Edward, set-maker, Short Heath Sarg» ant John, set-miiker, Short Heath Shenton John, farmer, Gorscote Sheldon Thomas, bit-maker, Blakenell Heath Stokes John, victualler, Horse and Jockey, Walsall Wood Stokes Charles, coach bit maker, Stafford-street Stringer Thomas, spring saddle-bar maker, Stafford-street Stanley William, bit-maker, Stafford-street Sillitoe Aaron, packing box maker, Lime Pit Bank Scholey Christopher, farmer, Gillot de greaves Slater John, farmer, Birmingham road Stringer Thomas, spring bar maker, Fubbrook road Spink Robert, farmer, Pleck Small Mrs. victualler, Pleck Somerfield Jacob, asvl-blade and collar makers' needles, &c. manufacturer, Bloxwich Somerfield Thomas, grocer, &c. Bloxwich T. TayTor John, plumber, glazier, and painter, High-street Taylor Thomas, shoe-maker, Digbeth Thursfan John, saddler, Digbeth Thomas John, baker, Digbeth Taylor Joseph, saddlers' ironmonger, Park-street Thomhill Samuel, victualler, Park-street Taylor Abraham, tong-maker, Square Tomlinson William, Rushall-street Thompson Joseph, blacksmith, Rushall-street Tonks Samuel, victualler, Rushall-street Thacker James, gardener and seedsman, Rushall-street Thacker William, plater, Rushall-street Taylor Joseph, taylor, Rushall-street Titley William, draper, Rushall-street Taylor John, broker, Peal-street Tomlinson Thomas, victualler, Dudley-street 167 Thompson John, barber, Dudley-street Thompson John, huckster, church-street Timbrell John, victualler and maltster, Church-street Timbrell Charles, iron warehouse, Church-street Turnor Thomas, farmer, Bloxwich Thomas John, gardener, Bloxwich Townsend Edward, rope-maker, Bloxwich Taylor Thomas, best polished steel bit maker, Short Heath Taylor Thomas, locksmith Taylor Richard, snaffle-maker, Wallington Heath Taylor Thomas, bit-maker, Wallington Heath Taylor William, butcher, Shelfield Turnor Robert, victualler, Four Crosses, Shelfield Tuckley Joseph, locksmith, Birchill* Turnor William, farmer, Birchills Taylor Daniel, curb-maker, Birchills Tudman John, farmer, Wood End Timmins Glazier, plumber, glazier, and painter, New- street Thomas William, plater, Windmill V. Unitt Wid. victualler, Digbeth Unitt Joseph, builder, Park-street Unitt Richard, bridle tong maker, Square Unitt James, grocer, druggist, and chandler, Rushatl- street V. Vickers John, Castle Inn, High-street Valentine and Throsby, stationers, High-street w. Wilcox Susan, brazier, tinman, and d.-aler in rags, High- street l(iS Worrad Joseph, fishmonger, High-street White William, clock ami watch maker, High-street Wilkinson William, black buckle and chape maker in general j Pig hme Whitehouse Joseph, victualler, Park-street Windle Charles, factor, Park-street Windle Charles, esq. magistrate* Park-street Wilson Thomas, victualler, Park-street Whitney Robert, carpenter, Park-street Whitehouse Joseph, jun. victualler, Park-street Wilson Samuel, attorney, Park-street Woodford Mrs. ladies' school, Bridge-street Windsor William, patten tie and bridle cutter, Digbe^b Webster John, rim lock maker, Dog Yard, Digbeth Wakeman James, victualler, High-street Wilson Mary, basket-maker, High-street Westley Charles, loop and slide manufacturer for braces and gaiters, Wide Yard, RushalUstreet Wood John, factor, Bridge-street Wells Thomas, caster, Rushall-street Wilson George, bone turner, Rushall-street Williams John, polished curb, and martingale ring maker, Oatshill lane, Rushall-street Wood William, victualler an'd maltster, Ablewell-street Wright Joseph, victualler, Ablewell-street Woollat Edward, victualler, Excise Office, Rushall-street Woollat Joseph, surgeon, Rushall-street Webster Benjamin, tin curb and chain maker, Old Meeting Yard Weatherhead Thomas, Dudley-Street Weaver Francis, surgeon, Dudley-street Wilcox Thomas, plater, New-street Wiggiu Benjamin, victualler, bridle cutter, and coach harness maker, Church-street Westley John, victualler, King-strtet Womsley Rev. , Bridge-street Woolman .-.-., organist, High-street Whateley Clement Johi., esq. Birchids Hall Welch William, grocer, &c. Bloxwich Wootton James, tinned bit maker, Bloxwich Wood John, awl-blade maker Shoit Heath White Solomon, taylor, Short Heath AValker James, shoe-maker, Short Heath XG9 Wilkes Joseph, locksmith, Short Heath "Wilkes John, locksmith, Short Heath Wood Thomas, stirrup-maker, Short Heath ^ Walker John, higgler, Wallington Heath Wood David, awl-blade maker, Blakenell Heath Wootton I. tinned sharps and pelhams maker, Blakenell Heath Wood Samuel, victualler, Fox, also collector of the King's taxes for the Foreign of Walsall WUitehouse John, curlvmaker, Birchills Wright Edward, bridle cutter and musical instrument seller, Lime Pit Bank Whitehall Thomas, saddle-bar maker, Lime Pit Bank Wood Samuel, rnaltster, Lime Pit Bank Wood Samuel, jun. maltster and brick maker, Wood End road Wainright Henry, farmer, Wood End road Watson Mrs. Birmingham road Wiggin Joseph, farmer, Windmill-street Worsey Charles, fanner, Windmill Webster John, dog chain maker, Fulbrook road Webster George, dog chain maker, Fulbrook road Wilcox John, Doveridge, Fulbrook road Wilcox Richard, polished snaffle and bra,doon maker, Doveridge Worrallo Joseph, ^ridle buckle plater, Doveridge Wilkes Samuel, cabinet locksmith, &c. Short Heath, Bloxwich Walker Mrs. farmer, Little Bloxwich Williams Joseph, polished snaffle maker, Broadstone Y. Yates Francis, grocer and druggist, High-street Yates Thomas, awl-blade maker, Bloxwich Yates Richard, awl-blade maker, Harden Yates Joseph, tin stirrup maker, Walsall W 7 ood Yeomans Edward, buckle-maker, Caldmoor ALPHABETICAL LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL TRADES, $c. WITH THE jlSames of persons EXERCISING THEM RESPECTIVELY. Awl Blade Makers. Evan6 I)avid Somerfield John Edge Mark Somerfield Titus Edge Samuel Somerfield Jacob Nicholls Joseph Wood John Pitt Thomas Wood David Partridge Thomas Yates Thomas Ross Thomas Yates Richard Ross Patrick Buckle Makers. Adams John Guest Samuel Adams Thomas HartWm. Birch Samuel James Thomas Barnett Samuel, (roller) Mason Thomas Birch Henry, (roller) Peat Mrs. Barnett Samuel, (roller) Porter William Collier Wm. (roller) Stanton William Cowleys Jos. and Thos. Smith Thomas, (roller) Cotterell Thomas Smith James Eyland John Wilkinson Wm. Green Joseph Yeomaos Edward 171 Birch Samuel Lander Richard Robathan George Br ado on Makers. Stanley John Wilcox Richard Bridle Bitl Makers. Butler John Barratt John Busst John Bagnall Joseph, (patent) Clarke Charles Devey Thomas Heynes Wm. Harrison Lester Jennings Edward- Nickols Seth Bitt Makers. Arm Thomas Carrington George Cooper Joseph Chapman Joseph Clarke John Dace Robert Fletcher Stephen Goodwin Amos Green Richard Green Thomas Goodwin Moses Green Edward Heath Thomas Hope James Jennings John Kates Thomas Lander William Marsh Edward Marlow Benjamin Pitt Henry Roberts John Smith William Sheldon Thomas Stanley William, Taylor Thomas Taylor Thomas Wootton James Brown Thomas Reynolds and Co. Groves John Hall CbarUs Bone and Ivory Turners* Wilson George Brush Makers. Reynolds James. 172 Brass Coach founders. Barber Henry Green William Cow leys Jos. and Thos. Bridie Cutters. Brace Henry Wiggin Benjamin Windsor William Wright Edward Bridie and Harness Tongue Maker* Blakemore James Curb Makers* Barnet Samuel Russell Jacob Cooper Henry Taylor Daniel Hateley Joseph Williams John Osborne John Webster Benjamin Palmer William Whitehouse John Russell Mary Curriers. Barber and Son Hall Thomas Forstcr George Osborne John Franklin William Smith Thornad Hill Samuel Coach Bitt Makers. Brookes Humphrey Stanley Richard Brookes William Stanley Edward Devey Edward and Henry Stokes Thomas Heynes William Stokes Joseph Hard man James Stokes Charles Coach Harness Makers, Holden Thomas Smith James Mason Joseph Wiggin Benjamin Jeuns Joseph 173 Coach Iron Founder. Butler Samuel 13 row n John Reynolds Joseph Dos C Jul in Makers, Webster John Webster George Factors. Adams John and Sons Adams John Adams and Bagley Badger and James Howell Joseph James and Payton James Richard Mold Willi;.m Marshall and Weatherhead Marlow Joseph Nicholls William /Newton Thomas Perks Samuel Payton James Perks and Newton Rowley Thomas Rock Joseph Windle Charleg Wood John Locksmiths. Appleby Humphrey Beech Charles Beech Joseph Beech William Bullock John Banks John Bird Moses, (patent) Colbourn Walter Day Joseph Lawrence Tboma9 Parker Joseph Rock Thomas Taylor Thomas Tuck ley Joseph Wilkes Joseph Wilkes John Wilkes Samuel Platers, Aston Richard Bates Thoma3 Brodhurst and Greatrex Bagnall William Beebee John Cowleys Jos. and Tlioi. BANKERS, With the Houses they draw upon in London. ■ .rt=>t>tr>tvcg-.— Charles Forster and Co, — On Spooner and Co. Stubbs and Co. — On Spooner and Co. OF THE MAGISTRATES AND OTHER OFFICERS. James Adams, Esq. Mayor. N. G. Clarke, Esq. Brown's Green, Recorder. Charles Forster, Esq. Digbeth, Magistrate, and an Alderman of the Corporation. Charles Windle, Esq. Park-street, Magistrate, and ai> Alderman of the corporation. Samuel Wilson, Esq. Magistrate Joseph Stubbs, Esq, Town Clerk. Joseph Curtis, jnn. Bank-street, High Constable for the Hundred of OfHow, South. Thomas Higgins, Windmill, near Walsall, Sheriff'* Oifieer. Samuel Mason, Birmingham-street, Keeper of the Jail far the Borough and Foreign of Walsall. MASTERS IN CHANCERY. C also a commissioner to take afii- Mr. John Heeley,-^ davitsinKing's Bench, Common £ pleas, Court of Exchequer, &e. Charles H. Darwall, Mr. Isaac Marklew, Joseph Stubbs, Samuel Wilson. 3n 0rcansement OF THE DIFFERENT MAILS, FROM THE POST-OFFICE, WALSALL. J3I3. MANCHESTER MAIL. EVERY morning at half-past ten o'clock; which takes allletters for Willenhull, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Stone, and Newc:is.tle; Cheshire, Lancashire, Scotland, Northum- berland, Durham, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, Carnarvonshire* Flintshire, Denbighshire and Shropshire. The same mail at twelve o'clock, which forwards letters to Peterborough and Thrapston, in Northamptonshire; Tompsford, Potton, and Biggleswade, In Bedfordshire; Wokingham, and Maidenhead in Berkshire; Alresford, Gosport, Basingstoke, Fareham, Havant, and Petersiield, in Hampshire; Hindoo, Mere, and Great Bedwin, in Wilt- shire; Surrey, Kent, Suffolk, Essex, Sussex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Corfe Castle, iu Dor- setshire ; Middlesex, except Uxbridge, on Saturdays; — as also Henley-in-Arden, Stratford-on-Avor«, and Warwick; all Oxfordshire, Abingdon, Farringdon, Wallingford, Wan- tage, and Lainboarne, in Berkshire; Cricklade, Swindon, Malmsbu'ry, Highworth, and Wootton Bassett, in Wiltshire; Cnmpden,. Bourton-on-the- Water, Stow, and Morto:i-in- Marsh, ill Gloucestershire; Shipstone, in Worcestershire; High Wycomb, and Beaconstield, in Bucks; — by the Coventry mail from Birmingham, which takes all letters to that city and its delivery, Nuneaton, Coleshill, Rugby, and Southam, in Warwickshire", Northamptonshire, Buek- inghamshire, Woodburn, Dunstable, Bedford Silsoe-, a»cj A A 178 Leighton Buzzard, in Bedfordshire; St. Albans, Berk- hemstead, Gaddesden, Hemel Hempsted, King's Langley, Tring, Watford, and Barnet in Herefordshire; Leicester, Hinckley, and Lutterworth, in Leicestershire. BRISTOL MAIL FROM BIRMINGHAM, Which takes all letters for the intermediate places; Worcestershire, (except Shipstone and those parts sent by Ihe Bewdley mail,) Gloucestershire, (except Campden, Stow, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Morton-iu-Marsh,) South Wales, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire; Ludlow, and Bishop's Castle, in Shropshire ; Hungerford and Newbury, in Berkshire; Somersetshire, Wiltshire, (except those parts which go by way of Oxford and London,) Dorsetshire, (except Corfe Castle,) Devonshire, Cornwall, and South West parts of Ireland, and Hampshire, (except those places sent by way of London.) WALSALL MAIL, FROM THE NEW INN, PARK-STREET, Every evening at half past three o'clock, which takes all letters for Birmingham and its delivery: this mail arrives every day at two o'clock, with letters for the town and its delivery, — Overcharges allowed from nine in the morning to half past ten in the forenoon, and from four to eight in the evening. AN ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS COACHES* With their Departures and Arrivals. From the New Itm, Park-street. Perks's coach, every morning, (except Sundays) at nine o'clock, to Birmingham, and returns the same day from Birmingham, during the summer season at six o'clock, and during the winter season at five o'clock, in the evening ; this is a very useful coach to the respective towns of Birm- ingham and Walsall, for the conveyance of p»ssengers and parcels. 179 A LIST OF THE WAGGONS, $c. Adams's Birmingham waggon from his warehouse, Rushall-street, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, to his warehouse, Steel house-Lane, Birmingham, where goods are forwarded to London, Bristol, and all parts of the Kingdom. Adams's cart at ten o'clock the same days, for Birming- ham, &c. waggon and cart return in the evening of the same days. Adams's waggon for Wolverhampton daily, and forwards goods to Manchester, Liverpool, and all parts of the kingdom. Twiss's waggon, from Joseph Middleton's, Royal Oak Inn, every Tuesday and Saturday mornings, for Birming- ham, where goods are forwarded from his. warehouse, Dale-End to all parts of the kingdom; returns every Saturday and Wednesday evenings, and loads tor Stafford, Stone, Newcastle, and all parts of the North. Ling's Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and all parts of the North, from his warehouse, Henry Lycett's, Golden Cup, Park-street, every Sunday and Thursday night, returns every Tuesday and Saturday morning, for Birming- ham and all parts of the kingdom. Solloway carrier loads at Henry Lycett's, Golden Cup, Park-street, for Lichfield and all parts of the North. Richard Harris, carrier, loads at Henry Lycett's, Golden Cup, Park-street, for Wolverhampton, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Ashmore, loads at Henry Lycett's, Golden Cnp, every Tuesday for Sheffield. Hodson lakes in parcels at the sign of the Bird in Hand, Park-street, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, for Bilston, 180 Stokes,. Bloxwich and Birmingham carrier, through Walsall every Saturday morning, to the sign of the Ship and Rainbow, in Birmingham. Goold, takes in parcels at the Distill, in Digbpth, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, for Wolverhampton. Boddington, one horse cart, loads at his house, in New- street, every Tuesday, Thursday,, and Saturday morning, for Birmingham. CANAL CONVEYANCE. Adams's and Bickley's boats load at the wharf, at the- top of Park-street, every Wednesday, to all parts of the kingdom. Crowley and Hicklin load at the wharf to all parts of; the kingdom. ffiisctllmtQuti&ttitXtti* FORMS OF THE APPOINTMENT CHURCHWARDENS, Wliich takes place in the Vestry of the Parish Church of Walsall annually, on Easter Tuesday. FOR THE BOROUGH. We the Vicar, and Inhabitants of the town or borough of Walsall, according to ancient custom, being legally in vestry assembled, do elect and make choice of Churchwardens residing within the said town or borough, for the parish of Walsall aforesaid, for the year ensuing, (that is to say) the Vicar maketh choice of William Kendrick, to be one of the said Churchwardens, and the Inhabitants of the said town or borough make choice of Richard James, the younger, to be the other Churchwarden, residing in the said town or borough, for the year ensuing. In witness whereof we the Vicar and Inhabitants so assembled as aforesaid have hereunto subscribed our names this fifth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, 182 Robert Felton, Vicar, Robert Thornbill, Matthew Beale, Charles Vaull, John Scott, Will Lain Fenton, Thomas Huxley, John Mold, Samuel Livesay, Henry Nicholls, Joseph Barber, John Palmer, Robert Onions, John Heeley. FOR THE FOREIGN. We the Vicar of Walsall and Inhabitants of the Foreign of Walsall aforesaid, according to ancient custom, being legally in vestry assembled, do elect and make choice of Churchwardens residing within the said foreign of Walsall, for the year ensuing, (that is to say,) the Vicar maketh choice of William Green, of the Windmill, to be one of the said Churchwardens, and the Inhabitants of the said foreign of Walsall, make choice of Charles Thornbill, to be the other Church- warden, residing in the said foreign, for the year ensuing. In witness whereof we the Vicar and In- habitants assembled as aforesaid, have hereunto sub- scribed our names this fifth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and sixty three. Robert Felton, Vicar, Moses Yeomans, Ezra Meeson, George Thornhill, Richard Hollinsed. Witness, Jonathan Keudrick, Wm. Watson. 183 FORM OF THE APPOINTMENT OF tui: HESPTCTIVB OFFICERS AT THE COURT LEET. Walsall Borough^ and Foreign. S ^° w ' t# ^ ie v ' ew °f f ia "fc pledge with the Court Baron of the Right Hon. Orlando Lord Bradford, Lord of the manor of Walsall aforesaid, there holden the 31st day of October, 1812, before Joseph Stubbs, steward. Borough Homage. John Eld, Joseph Cowley, John V. Barber, Samuel Fletcher, Richard Rutter, William Nevill, William Pratt, Thomas Carter, Thomas James, Thomas Pearce, Joseph Haden, William Langley, John Smith, John Thurstan. We present Thomas Pearce to serve the office of constable, for the township of the said borough, for the year ensuing. We present Henry Lucas, William Ilichel, George Fox, William Wilkinson, James Unitt, Thomas Padgett, James Thacker, Charles Brunt, Richard Green, Joseph Wright, John Ferrington, William Glover, James Thomas, Samuel Mason, Thomas Mason, 184 and William Mason, to serve the office of deputy constables, for "the said township for the year ensuing. We present Thomas Tomlinson and James Brod- hurst, to serve th& office of clerks of the market for the said township, for the year ensuing. We present Thomas Nock Pcmberton, and Thomas Owen, to serve the office of flesh tasters for the said township, for the year ensuing. We present, elect, and choose William Mason, common pinner for the said township, at the said borough, for the year ensuing. We pain and amerse all persons that owe suit and service to the lord of this manor, and who have neglected this day to do suit and service at this court, each four-pence. A fie red ac this court by John Eld, John V. Barber. n John Eld, Joseph Cowley, John V. Barber, Samuel Fletcher, Richard R utter, William Nevill, William Pratt, Thomas Carter, Thomas James, Thomas Pearce, Joseph Haden, William Langley, John Smith, John Thurstan. The officers for the township of the Foreign are "appointed at the same time, previous to the appoint- 185 mcnt the various officers are invited to dine with the steward of the court, the expense of which is paid by the lord of the manor. 31st Oct. 1812, FOREIGN. James Goodwin, Constable, Deputies, Samuel Smith, of Great Bloxwich James Wootton, of ditto William Burton, of the Parks William Giles, of the Windmill John Wigley, of Walsall Wood James Keeling, of ditto James Smith, Lime Pit Bank John Whitehouse, Birchills John Holland, Little Bloxwich £saac Newton, Stafford-street Joseph Hand, ditto Thomas Proud, Blakenell Joseph Nicholls, Short Heath David Evens, ditto Richard Taylor, Wallington Heath James Hope, Harden William Collier, Great Bloxwich, pinner Robert Turner, Walsall Wood, pinner B B 186 It was found necessary in the winter of 1811, to establish a patrole, particulars of divisions, &c. a» follow: — in each division a watch house was opened for the convenience of the patrole,. and the ex pence of providing firing, lanthornsv rattles, staveSj &c. wa» defrayed by the constable, out of the poor rates, and hand bills were circulated for the information of the inhabitants, of which the following is a copy. WALSALL PATROLE *Ofc Tftfc PROTECTION OF PROPERTY, 1,811. 1st. tflGti-STREET DIVISION. To the Bottom of Digbeth, including Adams's Row, and round Mr. Jenns's House, and Mr. Stubbs's Bank, and return again to the Top of Highr-street. Messrs. B. Barber. Messrs. Joseph Proffit. H. Cox- Joseph Jeans. Joseph Cotterellw William Emery. Joseph Curzon, William Smith. Francis Yates. Michael Hill. Thomas Needhath* William Hichel. Andrew Pool. H, Proirtt. William Rogers* Edward Parker. Thomas Shaw. Thomas Parker. Joseph Worrad. 187 2d. PARK-STREET DIVISION, Trom the Bridge in Park-street to the Top of the said Street, returning as far as Mr. Barwali's, in Messrs. John $mith. James Unitt. W. Coldfield^ Bridge-street. Messrs. John Sheldon. Samuel Hawkins. T. Wilson. James Pay ton. 3d. RUSHALL-STREET DIVISION, From Mrs. Coopers, Hare and Hounds, to the Bottom of Rushall-street, returning to the Top of tlie said Street. Messrs. W. Forster. James Reynolds. Samuel Tonks. Joseph Woollatt. Daniel Turner. Thomas Padgett. Josiah Meeson. \V. Bagnall, juo. Samuel Johnson, Simon Smith. Messrs, James Unitt. Joseph Taylor. Isaac Lowe. John Stanton. Francis Thacker. T. Adams. J. V. Barber. G. B, Stubbs. Thomas Adams, 190 Though a constable is not bound to any precise time for this kind of watch, nor punishable if he omit it, barely for the omission, if he be ready upon occa- sion to do his office when required in these cases; yet it is in his power to hold such watches as often as he pleases, and it is convenient and justifiable; and herein the watchmen are the ministers and assistants of the constable, and are under the same protection with him, and may act as he does. 2 H. H. 97. There is a third kind of watch, which is by autho- rity of the justices of the peace; which also may be held at other times than those appointed by the 13 Ed. I.: and the watch thus appointed has the same power as either of the former: and this seems to be within the power of any one justice, by the first assignment in the commission; but the safer and more usual way, is by order of sessions. Lamb. 186. 2 H„ H 97. Bait. c. 104. It seems agreed, that every inhabitant is bound to keep watch in his turn* or to find another. 2 Haw. 80- And the watching and warding ought to be by men able of body, and sufficiently weaponed. Dalt. c. 101. A watchman has a double protection of the law: I. As an assistant to the constable, when the constable is present or in the watch; and so every man assisting the constable in the execution of his office, has the same protection that the law gives the constable. £ f 191 Purely as a watchman, set by order of lawj and tire Jaw takes notice of his authority sub en nomine; and therefore killing of a watchman in the execution of bis office, is murder. 2 H. H. 08. 3 Inst. 62. 9 Co. 66. If a watchman should be killed in endeavouring to apprehend a burglar, his executors shall be entitled to 401. reward. 5 Ann. 31. s. 2. If any person shall refuse to watch in his turn, at the commandment of the constable, he may present the default at the assizes or sesssions, or complain thereof to any justice, who may bind the offender to the good behaviour, and so over to the next sessions. Dalt. c. 104; and there he may be indicted. 2 Haw. 60. THOMAS PEARCE, Constable. BOROUGH OF WALSALL COURT LEET. At the Court Leet of the Right Honourable Orlando, Lord Bradford, Lord of the Manor of Walsall, there holden, the 27*/* Day of October, 1S06, before Thomas Hodgkins, Steward :—- It was presented and ordered, by the jurors, that for the advantage of the public;, in general, and the 102 better management of the market, no person what- ever shall expose to sale any wares, merchandise, pigs, poultry, or provisions of any kind, in the foot paths of the High-street of this town; and that the clerks of the market, with the assistance of the con- stables, be desired to carry this resolution into effect; and that whatever person or persons are found trans* gressing the aforesaid resolutions, be fined in the sum of Ten Shillings and Six-pence. Resolved, that any tradesman working at his usual occupation, or butchers suffering their blocks to stand in the public paths, will be fined in the sum of Ten Shillings and Six-pence. The jurors also directed, that the above present- ment and Resolutions be printed and distributed, that no person may plead ignorance, for the purpose of avoiding an indictment and penalties, which will be incurred, by a breach of the above stated resolutions. November 3rd. 1£0'5. 193 THE OPINION OF Mr. WILLIAM MOTT* TAKEN AT THE JOIST EXPENCE OF THE CHURCHWARDENS OF THE BOROUGH AND FOREIGN OF WALSALL, As to the Customary Charges of the respective Townships. MAY 14, 1803. CASE. The parish of Walsall consists of what is called the Borough of Walsall, and the Foreign of Walsall, and the church of Walsall is the parish church. The custom of choosing churchwardens is for the vicar and Borough, each to choose one, within the limits of, and (o act for the Borough; and for the vicar and Foreign, each, to choose one, within the limits of, and to act for the Foreign, which four are the churchwardens for the parish of Walsall. The churchwardens of the Borough, seem to have the chief management of the repairs of the church, and to have paid the bills, and all other incidental charges relating to the ofifice of churchwardens within the parish, and to have given an account of the whole expences to the parish at large; and the Borough lias been rated (or half such expences and paid them, and c c Wi the Foreign has been rated and paid the other half, by their own Foreign churchwardens, except in some instances they have objected to items which have been allowed. There is a chapel of ease at Bloxwich, which is in the Foreign, but there is no chapelwarden elected or sworn for the chapelry, the Foreign churchwardens generally act as chapelwardens of Bloxwich, and keep it in repair out of their own rates* The Sacrament bread and wine used at Bloxwich chapel, and sparrows heads paid for by the Foreign officers, have been allowed in the churchwardens accounts as part of the disbursements of the parish at large. The Foreign officers object to charges in the parish account, for ornaments of their parish church of Walsall and other incidental expences of the churchwardens in their office, under the idea, that they are exempt from and not liable to such payments, as having a chapel of ease of their own to maintain, and that the Borough alone ought to be at such Charges. Thus far upon perusing the parish book and other papers seems to be the statement for consideration. OPINION. My opinion is, that as the inhabitants of the Foreign are parishioners of Walsall, as well as thoinhabitants 195 of the Borough, that they are equally liable to con- tribute to all the charges of repairing the church, the bells, ornaments, and all other incidental expences, proper to be allowed churchwardens in the execution of their office, and that the objection of the Foreign inhabitants to contribute thereto is not well founded. I think the Sacrament bread and wine used at the chapel at Bloxwich, and sparrows heads, and such like parochial expcnces of the Foreign churchwardens, should be brought into the general churchwardens* accounts for Walsall, as a part of the incidental charges to which the whole parish is liable, for if the bread and wine was not used by the parishioners in Bloxwich chapel, more would be used in Walsall church, and which would then be brought into that account. As to the repairs of the chapel of Bloxwich those must be borne by the inhabitants of the chapelry independent of any thing they are liable to pay to the mother church, as it is merely a chapel of ease for the inhabitants, and where that is so, (unless there is some special custom to the contrary) the inhabitants within such a chapelry must pay for the convenience of having such a chapel. Therefore as there seems to be a custom (which may be a good one) for the Foreign churchwardens to raise and pay half the amount of the expenditure (with a few exceptions to particular items which I do not think were well founded) I advise them to con- 196 tinue to pay such half in future, (bringing the bread and Sacrament wine used at Bloxwich, and the spar- rows heads, and any other incidental expences as above- meniidned into the Walsall accounts) and not to insist upon any exemption, on account of ornaments, ringing, or such like expences as are proper to be allowed churchwardens in the execution of their office, as I do not think such exemption can be supported in this ease. If the custom should be disputed, and on a trial at law, prove a bad custom, the consequence must be, that one geneial equal rate must be made on all the parishioners, and all occupiers of houses and lands throughout the whole parish, and collected by all the churchwardens. WILLIAM NEVILL, 7 „ „ ,_ . ■ '! ' JOHN E YL AND, j Borou S h churchwarden* JOSEPH CURTIS, JOSEPH DAY, ? Foreign Churchwardens. (copy) ENDOWMENT OF WALSALL VICARAGE, Dated 1248. ,r i ,, 1 Appropriate ejusdem Ecclesia Sf Ordinatio H alsall. J y^ aH<£per Kogerum Ccv. Sf Lich. Episcopum. Universis Chr'isti fidelibus ad quos praesens scriptum leryeneHfc Rogeriis Dei gratia Coventrensis & Lich- 197 f-'xH-iiris Episcopns, & Ricardus Thesauraritts Lich. Salutcm in domino sempiti.'mam, INoverit universitas vestra, quod cum, Ilenricus, Dei gratia Rex Anglorum illustris abbuti & conveutui de Hales, pra± monstratensis ordinis, quorum Eeclesiam pater ejusfundaverat patronatum Eecle- siam de Waleshale contulissit; optans quod Ecclesire Fruetus in usus eederent corundem; idem Abbas & Conventus ordiuationi nostra se supposuerunt quoad Eeclesiam ante- dictam & pertinentias ejus qu in corum literis patentibus, super confectis plenius Continetur Nos egitur domini Regis affectum pium in domino oommendantes, desideran- tes etiam profectum dietorum religiosorum, qui bus propter Coufluentiam hospitum, ut dicitur, propria? uon suppetunt facultates divince carilates intuitu, & ob ejusdem dicti domini Regis reverenti.im & ad ejus instantiam, de consensu Capituli Lichfeldensis Oidinaudo decresimus, quod cum Magister Vincentius Rector Ecclesioe de Waleshale ipsi cesserit, vtl decesserit dicti abbas & Conventus, dictain Eeclesiam de Waleshale habeant, cum peitinentixs, & fruc- tibus ejus in usus proprios eonvertendo, salva. tamen A icaria tresdecem Marcarum assignandarum Vicario, per viros fidelis & discretos ad hoc per Episcopum deputatos, rn certis obventionibus Ecclesia?; qui etiam areatn & aedi- 'ficra Ecclesioe divident inter pr?edictosreligiosos & Vicarium, secundum quod ratione pioevia viderint expedire. ^ icarius autem, qui pro tempore fuerit,onera Episcopalia & Archidiacoualia consueta & debita sustinebit ad onera vero Capellarum Ecclesite de Wale.ihale consueta; scilicet settling of the Vicarage, by Roger, Bishop of J Coventry and Lichfield. To all the faithful in Christ to whom this present writing shall come, Roger, by the Grace of God, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, and Richard, Treasurer of Lichfield, eternal health in the Lord, know all of yob, that when Henry by the Grace of God, the illustrious King of England, gave to the Abbot and Convent of Halesowen, the patronage of the Church of Walsall, (whose Father had founded the Church of the aforeshewn order, wishing that the Fruits of the Church should be yielded to the use of the aforesaid, the same Abbot and Convent have given themselves up to our decree with regard to the aforesaid Church and its appurtenances) which is more fully set forth in their Letters Patent above made. We THEREFORE, approving the pious disposition in the Lord of our Lord the King, desiring also the advancement of the said religious Persons, to whom on account of the conflux of Strangers, as it is reported, sufficient oppor- tunity is not afforded at being present at the divine Hymns, and out of reverence of the same Lord the King, and at his desire, and with the consent of the Chapter of 200 Lichfield, we have decreed, that when the Master Vincent, the Rector of the Church of Walsall shall have given up or yielded to him, the said Abbot and Convent, may have the said Church of Walsall with its appurtenances and fruits, to convert them to their proper use; to the vicarage being reserved thirty Marks, to be paid to the Vicar by faithful and discreet Persons, deputed by the Bishop for this purpose from certain Income of the Church, who shall also divide the Area and the Buildings of the Church between the aforesaid religious persons and the Vicar, as they in their consideration may think fit. But the vicar for the time being shall pay the accustomed burthens and dues to the Bishop and the Archdeacon. But for the support of the accustomed burdens and services due to them from the Chapels of the Church of Walsall, to wit, of Wednesbury and Rushall, the same Vicar shall have over and above the Thirty Marks above given to him, all the revenues of the above Chapels, except the Sheaves of Corn, which revenues, if they shall not be sufficient to bear the service and burdens of the aforesaid Chapels, according to the aforeshewn form, the Vicar shall be pro- vided by the above written Men from other Income of the Church, together with those revenues from whence he may be able honestly to bear the same burdens and services in the above named Chapels. But the said Abbot and Vicar shall bear the other burdens according to their respective proportions. Provided, nevertheless, the Abbot and Convent so mentioned shall pay annually to the Church at Lichfield, Six Marks, which we have decreed at the petition of the aforesaid Abbot and Convent, for their peaceable posses- sion of the aforesaid Church, over which the Church of Lichfield sometimes claimed a right out of the afore- suid Six Marks, we have decreed sixty shillings for the 201 support of the repairs of the Church of Lichfield, the remainder to the twenty Vicars, who are deputed alter- nately, every year, according as the custom is, to celebrate the Mass of the blessed Virgin, the above mentioned Money to be given to them by the Chaplain of the blessed Virgin, to whom the twenty shillings ought then to be paid; but the sixty shillings to him who is deputed to take care of the Fabric, at the underwritten periods, so that three Marks be paid at Lichfield upon the Feast of Saint Michael, and the three remaining upon the Feast of the annunciation of our Lord. The above mentioned Abbot of Halesowen (for the time being) shall swear that he will faithfully pay the aforesaid Six Marks at the above written periods. But it shall not be lawful for the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield to convert the said Monev to any other than the above mentioned use. In Witness to and for the confirmation of these Presents and Premises, we have given effect to these Pages by our Seals and bv the Seals of the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield and Coventry, and of the Abbot and Convent of Halesowen. In testimony of their assent, be it however reserved to tlu* Church of Coventry and Lichfield the pontifical and parochial authority done at Lichfield, the day after the blessed Thomas the Martyr, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Two Hundred and Forty-eight. The present vicar, the Rev. P. Pratt, succeeded to the vicarage in the year 1796, as stated in page 39 ; a preacher whose discourses are deliv- ered in a dignified, yet unaffected, style ; and from their piety and eloquence are calculated to have the desirable tendency of reclaiming the vicious, and strengthening the christian hearer in his faffcH*. r> d 202 EXPENSE OF THE POOR, Copied from the Parish Books for Walsall Borough. Mr. Thomas Roper and Mr. Samuel Pearson, Overseers, 1686. £. s. d. Paid by Mr. Roper, 25 weeks .. 4116 5 Paid by Mr. Pearson, 25 weeks . . 41 6 9 Paid for by charges, Mr. Roper . . 6 18 9 Paid for by ditto, Mr. Pearson . . 7 10 8 97 12 7 Total leveys 95 12 2 Received of Mr. Turnpenny . . . . 4 Ditto of Mr. Warren &Benj. Gorton 1 13 8 101 5 10 Not received in the leveys .... 072 In other charges 6 1 Paid John Ball & Simon Bibb, which balances the account , , . . , . SOU 203 The accounts of Mr. Thos. Spurrier, Mr. Thos. Burrowes, Mr. James Biggs, and Mr. Wm. Ehvell, Overseers of the poor, for the year 1749. £. s. d. Received by leveys. 350 81 Disburst 338 17 . 9| Upon balance . . 11 3 6\ Mr. William Mold and Mr. Francis Yates, Over- seers of the Poor of the township of the borough of Walsall, collected upon 15 poor rates, at 8d. in the pound, from Easter, 1809, to Easter, 1810, being 55 weeks .. -£197S 19 8* Collected by Messrs. Thos. Spurrier, James Biggs, and Wm. Elwell, in 1749 350 85 Difference in poor rates in 68 -years, (viz.) from 1749 to 1810 1695 18 111 204 An Eutrey of all the Provision for the Workhouse, from the 12th to the 19th of April, exclusive, 1733. EXTRACTED FROM THE PARISH BOOK. £. S. d. 1 Side of pork, wt. SOlbl ' 7 5 1 Leg of veal, wt. 9lb , 1 3 gftb. of rice 5 4 61b. ofshugar, atSid 1 9 7 Doz. of household bread 7 5 Cheeses ..0 9 3 21b. of butter 8| 2 Pecks and quartter of wheat flower ..01 6 Salt, 1 peek and lib 1 Oatmeal, 1 peck and 3 quartters 1 3 31b. of candles 1 3 1 Strike of malt . 3 2 For hops and barm, and for brewing . . . . 1 1 Milk 024 2 4 3§ PRICE OF PROVISIONS, 1812. £. s. d. Malt, per bushel 14 Wheat, ditto 1 3 Oatmeal, ditto 13 Beef, mutton and veal, per lb S Coals, per ton 12 6 205 VESTRY BOOK. Messrs. Samuel Pearson and Henry Halloway's accompts, being Churchwardens for the years 1(590 and I6yl, given up the 14th day of October. x. s. d. The disbursements for both years amount to, for the borough and foreign , . . . 80 18 3 Received towards this .. .. 80 15 9 Remaining due to us Sam. Pearson and H. Halloway 2 6 POPULATION OF THE BOROUGH Sf FOREIGN OF WALSALL. Population of the Borough of Walsall, taken from the Returns under an Act of Parliament, May, 1801. Inhabited houses ,, 1043 Uninhabited do. .. 135 Total of houses .. 1175 Males 2500 Females .. ,, ,, 2077 Total of persons . . 5177 206 May, 1811. Inhabited houses . • 1131 - Uninhabited do. .. 19 Total ofhouses .. 1150 Males 2686 Females .. ». .. 2855 Total of persons . . 5541 Increased population 364 Increase of inhabited houses .. .. 88 Diminution in total of houses . . . . 23 Poor in workhouse, May, 1801. . .. 197 Ditto, May, 1811.. .. 46 Population of the Foreign of Walsall, taken from the Returns under an Act of Parliament* May, 1801. Inhabited houses . . 941 Uninhabited do. . . 50 Total of houses . . 991 Males 2774 Females . . . . . . 24 13 Total of persons. . 5222 May, 1811. Inhabited houses . . 1060 Uninhabited do. . . 35 Total of houses . . 1095 Males 3009 Females 2639 Total of persons, , 564S Increased population 426 207 Population of the borough of Walsall Ditto of the foreign of ditto . 55-11 . 5643 11,189 Baptisms in the Parish Church o / Walsall, for the following Years: — Males. Females. 1801 t . . 123 .... 110 1S02 • • • 139 141 1803 • » • 191 157 1801 ... 159 179 1S05 ... 143 145 1806 i • • • 161 152 1807 . . . . 170 145 1808 < • • 146 166 1809 ■ . . . 162 151 1810 > • • « 153 124 1540 1470 Total ba ptisms 3010 Burials in the Parish Church of Walsall, for the foliate* ing Years: — Males. Females. 1801 .... 163 154 180S *mi 117 113 203 Burials continued Males. Fotidles J 80S ft ft 1 113 103 1804 78 72 1805 . . < 99 125 180(5 • f 74 03 1807 i • • 65 91 1808 » • • 85 75 1809 . . • 103 10L 1810 • . • 129 119 1020 Total burials 2017 1021 WALSALL VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION. A handsome subscription was entered into by the town, to defray the expense of raising a corps of cavalry and another of infantry, and a meeting took place at the Guildhall, as follows. It may be remark- ed that the alacrity with which these associations were completed, forms an interesting and important feature in the loyalty of the place :— 209 May the 13th, 17ftft Walsall Loyal Volunteer Asso- ciation, — At a meeting held this clay in th: GuikU Joseph Scott, Esq. in the Chair. The chairman communicated a letter from tht Marquis of Stairord, that his Majesty had been graci ously pleased to accept the oiler of sovw e of th< Walsall Loyal Volunteer Cavalry. — The following is a copy addressed to Joseph Scott, Esq. Bath, May the 8th, 1708. Sir, 1 received, this morning, a letter from Mr. Secretary Dundas, the following is the paragraph relating to Walsall : — (Copy.) " My Lord, u The proposals from the town of Walsall to " form a troop of Cavalry, free of expence to goveru- " ment, have been layed before the King, and 1 am " commanded to express the satisfaction with which " his Majesty has received this proof of the zeal and " public spirit of the persons who have offered their " services in the present critical situation of the rc# i I- £ 210 " try, and I am desired to signify Ins Majesty's " gracious acceptance of their offer. " 1 am your Lordship's, &c. (Signed) « H. DUNDAS." I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, STAFFORD. Names of Officers and Gentlemen of the Walsall Loyal Volunteer Association. 29th of June, 1798. Joseph Scott, esq. Captain, James Adams, esq. 1st Lieut, J. V. Barber, esq. 2nd Lieut. T. O. Chinner, esq. Cornet, John Hemming, esq. Adjutant. Joseph Elliot Joseph Mountfort Benjamin Willets John M. Badger James Penn Thomas Scott William Mayne William Osborne John Eld George Strongitharm John Adams Samuel Kent Parson H. Adams Thomas James Parson William Moore Samuel Perks John Batte John Brindley 211 Samuel Fletcher Will-am Bagley George Coleman Joseph Bealey Stanley Joseph Middleton Wm. Gilbert Wood Joseph Round Thomas Adams, jun. Robert Shenton John Wood James Bate Moses Taylor William Davis T. N. Pemberton Edward Ban ton Benjamin Whitehouse James Gunn Richard Rutter Joseph Rock Charles Perks Presentation of the Standard Colours to the associated Corps of Cavalry and Infantry. On Monday morning, the 23rd of September, 1799, the presentation of the cavalry standard took place, at Barr Beacon, about three miles from Walsall. The assemblage of company to witness this ceremony was elegant and numerous — the morning was fine, and the scene was interesting and impressive. The standard was consecrated by the Rev. John Darwall, Chaplain to the Walsall Loyal Volunteer Cavalry ; and the address and prayer (here copied) was delivered in the most solemn aud energetic style. The standard was presented to Captain Scott, by Mrs. W. Adams, of Walsall, as proxy for Lady Scott, assisted by Captain Scott's children, who, on this occasion, made a reply to the address which pourtrayed the feelings of a man with the best interests of his country at heart. 212 THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS AND PRAYEH, OFFERED UPON THE CONSECRATION OF THEIR STANDARD, On Monday the 23rd of September, 1799, ARE RESPECTFULLY PRESENTED TO THE GENTLEMEN OF THE WALSALL LOYAL VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, BY THEIR CHAPLAIN, AND RJOST ODEpiENT SERVANT, J. DARWALL. Gentlemen, The occasion bo highly honourable to yourselves, which now call* upon me to address you, mjst prove to every stn * jj ■*■• s # sQ od t o cio tji OOjho-O C ^ oo r>. 00 CX> CO 00 e ' i— 1 t-< r- t «■» I— < «— < -• C O 3 O O 3 ■3 b "1 ^fi MO |s ^ CN rH t-» fi i- l. Hb «-> o o a. s 3 3 is O 3 O /J ** a •£? . 1) o •*-> el) D *J '-*» _ 2. *- D 1 .C +j *» 2 "aJ ij ^: *■» *■> «j j> C *3 CD CD i 1 ^M-^ ~ -c ^> V ^ • 5 -n ^ efl black. 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E . - ° O ^OtaQ^GH — dJ v o o «o +-I ■*-> ^» 1 "5 CO -J <*-> i 3 o O « sJ •— £& E s g 5) "CT3 g - •>.« ^r* • •« •> •> i*« ■p c c o -*■ c.-a.5.t; u 5-s 1 Ji *> *> u - •5 X .t. .tj -o 55 o -a "c -o 3 3 5 ay CO a, i ^ «° 3 j§ S 9 E c ■ o o © -3 v o o S o o i •— -M -W 4-1 JJ g ."£ .H g u . \\ I «spaas <; q Q p y Q <; 221 It must appear obvious to every liberal and con- templative mind, that these various institutions must be productive of essential utility, not only to the respective individuals cf which they are composed, but to the different parishes of which they constitute a part. — The Lodges allow 10s. 6\1. per week, and a surgeon, in case of sickness, accidents, &c a,od most of the Clubs from 6s. to 8s. per week, and the surgeon, exclusive of the Gifts. — Suppose a member to belong to a Life Club and Gift, his weekly pay would be from 14s. tolos. per week; suppose he is in a Lodge and Club, about 18s. (jd. per week ; and should he be in a Gift also, £l. 6"s. (id. The number of Lodges, Clubs and Benefit Societies at Walsall, exceeds any other town in the county of Stafford. SURVEY OF BYE ROADS. The township of the borough of Walsall surveyed by John Lambert and John Siubbs, 1768. From the town of Walsall toFullbrook, from Hole End to Digberth, from the Four Crosses in Hall Lane, by New Mills, to Bescot Brook; from the Wolver- hampton turnpike road, the Park Lane, to the Pleck; and from the Plcck, along the Pleck Laue, to James 222 Bridge; and from the bottom of Rushall-stieet to Mr, Pershouse's Pool; from Haine's Well, near Mr. Cooper's, to the white stump in Wood End Lane; from Haine's aforesaid, along the Peakhouse Lane to Barr Meadows; from the Town's End to Park Brook, which roads have usually been repaired by the inha- bitants of the borough; and the justices of the borough and foreign of Walsall, at their Special Sessions, on the 1st day of Nov. 176S, ordered that the inhabit- ants of the said borough be liable to do statute work ; — shall do two days work on the new district of the Walsall turnpike road yearly, the other four £ ays to the bye roads. The liberty of Wood End, the Town's End, and Cald~ more, in the foreign of Walsall, surveyed by Richard Green and Joseph Jocsbcrry, 17G8. From the white stump in Wood End Lane to the Gospel Tree, near the Crown, in Wood End Lane; from the Field Gate, near the chapel ground, through Caldmore, to the lane leading to Fullbrook, the Town's End Bank, and Marsh Lane, which roads have been usually repaired by the surveyors of the liberty of Wood End, the Town's End and Caldmore. The above liberties are to do two days statute work on the old turnpike road yearly, if required, 1st Nov. 1768, and four days duty to the bye roads in the said liberties, yearly. Q23 The liberty of Great Bloxwich, Little Bloxwick and Harden, in the foreign of Walsall, surveyed by Robt. Hildick and Thos, Phillips, 1768. From the Wolverhampton turnpike road, by Merry's, the Blue Lane, to Hambridge Forge Brook; from the said Merry's house, through Birchills to Powk Hill Brook, at the bottom of Reed's Wood; from the end of Park-street, Walsall, through Great Blox- wich, to Essington Wood Brook, which runs by the side of Essington Wood; from Great Bloxwich Chapel, to Barn Hales, on Essington Wood ; from Bloxwich Field Gate, the Wolverhampton turnpike road, through Little Bloxwich, to a great stone in Thistly Lane, near Little Wyrley; from the Snead Brook, over Short Heath, to Clock Mill Brook, and which is the Wolverhampton turnpike road and about three quarters of a mile; from Thos. Heath's side Barr, through Harden, to Colepool Brook; from Thos. Heath's side Barr, through Leamore Lane, to Bendy Brook, which roads have been usually repaired by the inhabitants living within the above liberties. And the Justices for the borough and foreign of Wal- sall, at their Special Sessions, on the 1st of Nov. 1768, ordered that the inhabitants of the above liberties, liable to do statute work, shall do two days statute work on the 2nd district of the turnpike road, and one day's duty or statute work on the Wolverhampton turnpike ioad, and the other three days on the bve roads yearly. 224 The liberty of Sheffield and Walsall Wood, in the foreign of Walsall, surveyed by John Glover and John Hil~ dick, 1768. From King's Hays to Catsell ; from Stubber's Green to the Ford Brook, at Pelsall Common ; from the Sheeroaks to Shaver's End Brook ; from the Four Crosses to the Cock at Walsall Wood, which roads have been usually repaired by the inhabitants of the above liberty. The Justices for the borough and foreign of Wal- sall, at their Special Sessions, on the 1st of Nov. 1768, ordered that the inhabitants of the said liberty, liable to do statute work, shall do two days statute work on the new turnpike road, and the remaining four days to do statute work on the bye roads yearly. H. W. PERAMBULATION.* The perambulation of the boundaries of the parish of Walsall, containing about ten thousand acres of land, is performed in three different directions in * The parish was perambulated in the yfars 1779, 1800 and J80I, Dinner each year at Mr. Thomas Carless's, White Swau. Again 1805, 1806, I807. Dinner at Mr, Wmi Baglcy's, Dragon Inn. 225 (Hire Jsiye years; — the vicar, (who previously reads prayers early in the morning) with the various officers of the two townships, perambu'ate the boun- daries, and the expense is equally borne by the two townships. A dinner is provided on the occasion for the officers and the friends whom they choose to invite; and the populace who accompany the officers are treated with bread, cheese and ale, in some parts of the parish, during the perambulation. 1st PART OF THE PARISH. Beginning at Shaver's End Brook, going eastward along the said brook next Rushall, to Stubber's Green, where it joins the parish of Aldridge; from thence to Walsall Wood, Holly Bank, and Stonnall Gate, where it joins the parish of Shenstone, to Shire Oaks and Catshill, where it joins Ogley Hay; and from Cats- hill to Clayanger, and down Clayanger Brook, where it joins Little Wyrley and Pelsall, to Shaver's End Brook, where the perambulation commenced. 2nd PART OF THE PARISH. Beginning at Butt's Gate, where it joins Rushall to Holly Bush Stile, Rye Croft, Cole Pool, leaving the parish of Rushall southward, to Gorscott, Clock Mill Brook, Little Bloxwich and Fistley, adjoining Pelsall, to Hobble-end, and adjoining Little Wyrley,. over Essington Wood, the Suead, and down the Snelul g & 226 Brook, leaving Benttey westward, to Park Brook and James Bridge, where it joins the parish of Darlastou. 3rd PART OF THE PARISH. Beginning at James Bridge, by the water course to Bescott Bridge, and leaving the parish of Wednesbury to the south west, to Shustock Meadow, adjoining Great Barr at the Gospel Tree at Wcod End, Hay- head and Long Wood, adjoining to Cauldwell's Fields, leaving the ' parish of Rushall to the north east, to the Butts Gate, where the 2nd day's perambulation began. CANALS. An extension of the Old Birmingham Canal from Broad Water terminates at Walsall, and is the means of conveyance of merchandize to and from all parts of the kingdom ; — and the coal principally used here is brought from the pits in the neighbourhood, along this canal. 227 WYRLEY AND ESSINGTON CANAL Passes for a very considerable distance through this parish, and within about a mile of the town. This canal joins the Birmingham at Wolverhampton, and the Birmingham and Fazeley near Lichfield, and by this means communicates with the Grand Trunk, and most of the principal canals in the kingdom. — Large quantities of lime and lime-stone are navigated along these canals. BURIAL GROUND, NEAR WALSALL, Was given by the corporation for the use of the parish, and contains about two acres of ground, walled round, and the entrance at the bottom opposite the Vicarage is handsome. There are several neat monuments, and the stone of the first person buried in this cemetry bears this inscription : — William Burn departed this life, August the 8th, aged 56, he being the first that was buried here. 228 INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE TRIAL OF AN APPEAL AGAINST A POOR'S HATE, WHICH TOOK PLACE At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, held for the Borough and Foreign of Walsal/, at the Guild Hall, in the Borough of Walsall, the \Oth Day of January, 1813; before James Adams, Esq. Mayor, N. G. Clarke, Esq. Recorder, Charles Forster and Samuel WiUon, Esqrs, Justices of the Peace, for the Borough and Foreign of Walsall aforesaid. To elucidate the trial of this appeal, which took place in consequence of an attempt made by the foreign of "Walsall against the borough of Walsall, to rate the inhabitants of the borough for such lands as they occupied, as resident payers to the borough, it will be necessary to state, and particularly for the information of the stranger, that- the parish of Walsall consists of two townships, which are called the town- ship of the borough of Walsall and the township of the foreign of Walsall, and that, for time immemorial, a usage has prevailed in this parish, to rate all persons for what lands they occupied to that township in which they resided; so that if a person renting land and residing in the borough, and paying the support Q29 of the poor of the borough, removes Inlo the foreign, still occupying the same land, he would, in like manner, contribute to the support of the poor of the foreign, and just so would it be with a person residing and o cupying lauds in the foreign removing into the borough. Here I shall introduce the notice addressed by the officers of the foreign, whose names are inserted in the late made by them, the names of sixty-four residents in the borough rating them to the foreign for the lands they occupied, and addressed the fol- lowing notice to the Overseers of (he Borough of Walsall. We hereby give you notice, not to collect or interfere in the collection of the poor's rate or assessment made on any inhabitant, or occupier of lands, houses, tithes, or other property, within or rateable to the foreign of Walsall, in the county of Stafford, such collection or interference by you, being contrary to law. Dated this 30th day of April, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twelve. Joseph Harrison, Churchwarden/ John Brawn, -i Overseers of the foreign John Tiiumins, ) of Walsall. To the overseers of the Borough of Walsall, aforesaid, to each an every nf them. 230 In consequence of the above, the following w:is addressed by the churchwardens and overseers of the Borough. To the Payers ef Poors Rates, resident in the Borough of Walsall, Gentlemen, In consequence of a notice (of which the above is a copy J from the churchwarden and overseers of the foreign of Walsall, delivered to the overseers of the Borough of Walsall, you are requested, should any demand be made by any of the above stated foreign officers, for poor rates upon you, as a resident occupier in the Borough, to refuse payment of such demand; and you are also requested to meet the churchwardens and overseers, at the Guild Hall, on Friday next, the Sth day of May inst. at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, to take into consideration the most effectual means of preserving those rights, which the borough has exercised for time immemorial. C. H. Darwall, 7 Samuel Sharratt. $ Churchwardens. Samuel Fletcher, y Joseph Cotterell, J Ooerseers. By order of the churchwardens and overseers, THOMAS PEARCE, Vestry Clerk. Walsall Borough, May 2«d, 1812. 231 N. R. As the parish of Walsall, contains ten thousand acres of land, and the population of the respective townships of borough and foreign the same, it is presumed, if the inhabitants of the borough were to apply to parliament for an act to divide the parish, they would, under such act, obtain a share of five thousand acres! Mr. Wm, Spurrier, of Birmingham, and Mr. C. H. Darwall, of Walsall, having been retained as the attornies, on behalf of the borough residents rated to the foreign, notices of appeal against the rate were given by William Foster and R. M. Fletcher, (who had been previously summoned before the magistrates for their poor rates,) as well as by other persons rated, and counsel were retained on both sides, (viz.) Mr. Reader and Mr. Pearson for the appellants, and Mr. Fuller and Mr. Petittfor the respondents. The appeals were respited from time to time to suit the convenience of the counsel, till the 10th day of January, IS I 3, when William Foster's appeal was tried, and lasted nine hours. Some time was taken up in a preliminary con- versation between the counsel and their application-^ respecting the order of proceeding, which was deter- mined by the court to be for the leading counsel for the respondent to open his case, and the respondent's evidence to be examined ; the evidence for the appel- lant then to be examined, after which each of the 232 appellant's counsel was to address the court, then each of the respondent's counsel, and the leading counsel for the appellants, to reply. This course was accordingly adopted, and Mr. Puller having opened the business, proceeded to call his witnesses. The first witness called was John Green, the clerk of Bloxwich chapel, aged about 32 years, who took upon himself to set out a precise and distinct line of boundary between the borough and foreign, to which part of Bridge-street was thrown into the foreign ; — Green stated that he had derived his know- ledge of the boundary from conversation with the late William Hodgetts, of Bloxwich, although he admitted that Hodgetts had never shewn him the boundary by going over the ground, nor was any thing on the subject ever committed to writing.— Green also admitted that he himself had never gone (what he called) the boundary till the summer of 1812; that he then went according to the verbal information he had received from Hodgetts, and for the purpose of shewing the boundary as it appeared upon a map or plan produced upon the trial by the respondents. Several other witnesses were called for the respondents, chiefly old men, and though some of them spoke to particular parts being considered the boundary, not one, except Green, pretended to describe the whole of the boundary ; but they in general declared their belief that no known line of boundary existed between the borough and foreign. Green's evidence, in one particular, was expressly contradicted by the evi- 233 denre or lUr. Edward Stanley, a witness for the eigiij who stated that he remembered the land which is now Bridge-street, before the road was made, (part of the road being described, by Green, as the boundary,) and that when he (Stanley) first knew it, there was not any road or line of demarcation in the direction described by Green as the boundary. On the part of the appellants, several very re- spectable witnesses were called, who were unanimous in their declarations that there was no known line of boundary or division between the borough and fore'igh. It was proved that the land in question had • i occupied by borough residents, and had uniform- ly Maid to the borough as far back as the levy books could be produced, winch was for the year Hoi, excepting only that Richard Holmes, during three months of his occupation of it, resided in the parish of Rushall, and for that time he was rated and paid to the foreign. After hearing the whole of the evidence adduced, and the arguments o; the counsel on both sides, the court quashed the rate, being of opinion, as the learn- id recorder slated, that the respondents had entirely failed in their attempt to set a line of boundary between the borough and foreign ; and although the t considered that the land in question was proved tc/be locally situated within the foreign, yet, as they iLied th-. errstpm or practice Which had been acted upon bey onH living memory of persons pa] ii u 234 for whatever they occupied to the township in which they resided, to have been the agreement or condition made on the division of the parish, under the 13th and 14th of Charles 2nd, the court held that the parties must be bound by that agreement, or revert to the provisions of the 43rd Elizabeth, and on these grounds the rate was quashed. The foregoing rate being quashed, subject to a case stated and having been argued in the court of King's Bench, the 23rd of June, 1813, and the order of Sessions reversed, which has determined the custom of rating resident occupiers illegal, as the decision goes no further than determining the custom to be bad, consequently the locality of lands in the parish to either township is yet to be proved. — As soon as the case and arguments upon it, together wish. Lord Eh'enborough's decision can be obtained from the Term Pcports, and also the decisions u.p,o.n sixty-thi other appeals yet to be tried, are finished, the wh will be accurately published. isxiu, Pi .HlM^ 6b 39! B& Mk „ • «o A" °o A ' ^**»" $+4 Sr ^, o %f ••■ ^ <*' •*. HECKMAN BINDERY INC. JUN 89 ^ ••••• ^ <* ♦'77^ _<0