Whitchurchis a parish, chiefly in the hundred of Bradford (North), and extending into that of Nantwich, in the county of Chester—the town is 161 milesN.W.byN.from London, situated on the main road between Shrewsbury and Chester, 20 miles from each of the latter places: it is seated on elevated ground, in a rich and picturesque country; and contains some neat streets and respectable dwellings. An intended railway from Crewe to Shrewsbury will include Whitchurch in its route. The town was anciently calledAlbum MonasteriumandBlancminster, which have the same meaning (Whitechurch) and appear to imply the seat of a monastery, of which there are no remains; but a hospital was standing here in the reign of Henry III. and was endowed by the lord of the manor with the whole town of Wilnecot, for the relief of the poor at its gate. Of the foundation and history of the ancient castle—fragments of which were visible in 1760, nothing is known. At the commencement of the civil war between Charles and his parliament, the inhabitants of Whitchurch declared in favour of the monarch, and promptly raised a regiment in support of his cause. An iron and brass foundry, a good brewery, and several roperies, are on a respectable scale, but malting may be considered the principal, if not the staple branch. The Ellesmere canal comes close to the centre of the town, and in its vicinity are several brooks—one of which, called Red Brook, is the boundary between England and Wales, and another separates this county from Cheshire. A high steward who superintends the affairs of the town, is appointed by the lord of the manor (Earl of Brownlow), and presides at courts baron and leet, held in October, in the town hall, which is the depository for the rolls and archives of the lordship. Whitchurch is included in the twenty-seventh circuit of County Court towns under the acts for the recovery of debts not exceeding £50. and it is a polling station at the election of members to represent North Salop.
That which principally engages the notice of a traveller, in this town, is its fine church of Saint Mary (or as some assert Saint Alkmund)—a noble structure of the Tuscan order, erected in 1722 on the spot where an old Gothic one formerly stood. The whole edifice is built of fine freestone; and at the west end is a stately square tower, in which are eight good bells. The entire building is very regular, consisting of a large nave, with side aisles, and contains several ancient monuments; among these is one to the memory of the great John Talbot, the first Earl of Shrewsbury, who was called the English Achilles, and so renowned in France, that no man in that kingdom dared to encounter him single-handed. Another effigy represents Christopher Talbot, fourth son of John Talbot, second Earl of Shrewsbury, who was rector of Whitchurch and archdeacon of Chester. The living—one of the richest in the county, is in the presentation of the lord of the manor. The present rector is the Rev. William Henry Egerton,M.A.The other places of worship are for Baptists, Independents, and Methodists. The free grammar school here was founded in the reign of Edward VI. by Sir John Talbot, rector of this parish, aided by contributions of the inhabitants. It has been lately rebuilt, in the Elizabethan style, and is now a handsome structure. A large national school for boys, and another for girls; a British school; an almshouse for its decayed housekeepers, and the union workhouse, situated at Derr Moss, are the other principal charities. The country round here is fertile, and in an excellent state of agriculture. The views, especially towards the Welch and Derby hills, are very fine; and the nearer prospect is enriched with two lakes, called Blake-mere and Horse-mere. The market is held on Friday; and the fairs on the second Friday in April, Whit-Monday, and the first Friday after the 2nd of August, October 28th, and December 1st, for sheep, cattle, &c. The parish of Whitchurch (not including the township of Wirsall, county of Chester), contained in 1841, 6,285 inhabitants, and in 1851, 5,977.
The township ofDodingtonadjoins Whitchurch, and its population is returned therewith. It has a chapel of ease to Whitchurch and a very handsome one for Independents.
Tilstock, a chapelry to Whitchurch, is between two and three miles from that town. It contains a neat chapel of ease, erected in 1834, one for Wesleyan Methodists, and a national school. Population returned with the parish.
POST OFFICE, Bull Ring,Whitchurch, John Wycherley,Post Master.
Arrival of the Mails—FromLondon,Liverpool,Manchester,Nantwich,Crewe, &c. every morning at a quarter past four.—FromChesterandMalpasat seven in the evening.—FromShrewsbury,Wem, &c. at a quarter past eight in the morning.
Despatches—ToLondonand all parts every evening at eight.—ToShrewsburyevery afternoon at four.—ToChesterevery morning at six.
Money Order Office,open from nine in the morning till five in the afternoon.
Allwood Mr. Joseph, Dodington
Arrowsmith Mrs. —, Dodington
Bailey Frederick, Esq. Ash Hall
Beacall Mrs. Sarah, Dodington
Blantern Mrs. Mary, Pepper st
Brett Miss Margaret, Dodington
Brookes the Misses Fanny & Alice, Green end
Brookes the Misses Mary and Jane, Green end
Brookes Wm. Lee, Esq. Dodington
Clay Mr. Charles senr. Dodington
Combermere the Right Honourable
Lord Viscount, Combermere Abbey
Corser Miss Letitia, St. Marys st
Corser the Misses Margaret, Emma & Eliza, Green end
Corser Miss Selina Maria, St. Marys st
Cotton Captain Francis Vere, Allport Cottage
Dodd John Whitehall, Esq.M.P.Cloverley Hall
Egerton Rev. William Henry,M.A.Rectory
Gaskin Miss Ann. E. Bargate st
Godsal Philip L., Esq. Iscoyd Park
Goodall John, Esq. Belvidere
Hamnett Mrs. Ann, St. John st
Hanmer Mrs. Catherine, Bargate st
Hanmer Sir John, Bart.M.P.Bettisfield Park
Harris Rev. John, Bark Hill
Hassall Mrs. Mary, Claypit st
Hughes Mr. Richard, Beech Cottge
Johnson Mrs. Mary Ann, Bargate st
Joyce Mr. Thomas, Hinton Hall
Justice Rev. John, Ightfield Rectory
Keay Mrs. Elizabeth, Mill st
Kent William C. Esq. Green end
Kirkpatrick Mrs. Elizbth. Dodington
Kirkpatrick Miss Louisa, Dodingtn
Lee Miss Sarah, Dodington
Lee Mr. Thomas Wood, Oak bank
Mainwaring Rev. Edwd. Corra Hall
Mainwaring Sir Harry, Marbury
Morrall Rev. John,M.A.Bark hill
Palmer Rev. Charles E. Dodington
Peake Rev. Jas. Room,M.A.Bargate st
Poole Domville, Esq. Marbury Hall
Poole Wm. Halstead, Esq. Terrick Hall
Price Rev. Henry H. Ash
Reddrop Miss Ann, Claypit st
Renton Rev. Wm. Parsonage, Tilstock
Roe Mr. Robert, Rose Villa
Saxton Mrs. Hannah Maria, Dodingtn
Turnbull Rev. Robert, Allport Cott
Turner the Misses Martha & Mary, St. Marys street
Venables Richard, Esq. St. Marys st
Walford Mrs. Rebecca, St. John st
Wood Mr. John F. Dodington
Worthington Archibald, Esq. the Mount
Billington John, Alkington lane
British School, Steele heath—Sarah Hales, mistress
Cook Ann (& brdng), St. Mary st
Crosse Mary, Claypit st
Grammar School, Bargate st—Rev. James Room Peake,M.A.master
Hewitt Ann, St. John st
Keable William C. (and boarding), Bargate street
National Schools:—
Bargate st (girls’)—Julia Bell, mistress
New st (boys’)—William George Bryant, master
Tilstock—George Edwards, mstr
Sand and Stephen, Green end
Clay Charles, Dodington
Etches James Goulbourn, St. Marys st
Jones Richd. Parry, St. Marys st
Lee & Brookes, Dodington
Churton Brothers, High st
Jenkin George, Green end
Lakin William, High st
Bate John, Bargate st
Bright William, High st
Gorse James, High st
Griffiths Jane, Green end
Phillips Ann, High st
Ridgway William, Yardington
Venables Samuel (and flour & corn factor), High st
National Provincial Bank of England, High st—(draws on the London & Westminster Bank)—George Corser, manager
Whitchurch and Ellesmere Banking Compy, High st—(draw on the Union Bank of London)—John Lowe, managing director
Savings’ Bank, St. Marys st—(open on the first and third Saturday in the month)—Samuel Hassell Parker, actuary
Bennet John, Tilstock
Clay John, Prees heath
Cliff Thomas, Grindley brook
Evans Thomas, Welche’s yard
Hudson John, Blue gates
Oliver Stephen, Alkington
Perry George, Ash
Poston John, Watergate st
Sadler John, Bark hill
Savage Joseph, Green end
Jones Robert Barrow, High st
Newling Henry, High st
Allinson William, Claypit st
Cooper Thomas, Venables yard
Edwards John, Tilstock
Goulborn John, Green end
Green Thomas (and toy and leather dealer), High st
Hesketh John, Green end
Hewlitt Richard, Bargate st
James George, Dodington
Jones Daniel, Tilstock
Lewis Edward, High st
Martin John, Green end
Montford John, Pepper st
Newbrook John, Watergate st
Penk Thomas, Pepper st
Pitt Richard, St. John st
Plant Thomas, Claypit st
Shone Edward, Grindley brook
Wood Thomas, High st
Gill Robert, Watergate st
Howell Thos. Capper, High st
Robinson Jonathan, Castle hill
Clarke Thomas, Alkington lane
Edmonds William, Bargate st
Williams Edward, Castle hill
Allen Charles, Watergate st
Batho George (pork), Bargate st
Bradbury John (pork), Claypit st
Cook Joseph, Green end
Day James, Dodington
Hinton Thomas, Tilstock
Jones John, Bark hill
Jones Thomas, High st
Littler William, Newtown
Milnes Joseph, High st
Roberts Edward, Yardington
Thomas George, Mill st
Arrowsmith Thomas, Green end
Boughey William, Castle hill
Burrows Thomas, Scotland st
Churton Wm. Parker, High st
Holland Thomas, Dodington
Lakin William, High st
Morgan Charles, Dodington
Burgess George, Green end
Burgess Ralph (& corn), High st and Newtown
Elliott Thomas, Clapgate
Lythgoe Thomas (& corn), High gate
Phillips George, Watergate st
Beck Edward, Watergate st
Huxley John, High st
Morris John Harper, High st
Robinson Richard B. High st
Johnston Robert, High st
Marshall John, High st
Arden Edwin, Dodington
Johnson John, Green end
Jones Edward, Marbury
Lowe Thomas (and bone dust and guano), Bone wharf
Roberts Edwin (& lime burner and dealer in fire-bricks tiles, & flags, slates, draining pipes, cisterns, salt, guano, &c.)Victoria Limekiln,and Canal Wharfs
Thelwell Thomas, High st
Wright George, Coal wharf
Cook George, High st
Dawson Thomas, High st
Brereton Margaret, Watergate st
Evans William, Green end
Wycherley John, Bull ring
Agricultural Cattle Insurance Company, William A. Cartwright, Watergate st
Atlas, Robert Barrow Jones, High st
Birmingham, Thomas Wood Lee, Oak bank
British, George Jenkin, Green end
Clerical,Medical and General(life), Henry Morris, High st
Industrial and General(life), Charles Foulkes, St. Marys st
Law, William Parker Churton, High street
Manchester(fire), Samuel Hassell Parker, St. Marys st
New Equitable(life), Samuel Hassell Parker, St. Marys st
Phœnix(fire), Wm. Lakin, High st
Provident and General, Thomas Joyce, High st
Provincial(Welsh), Thomas Whittingham, Dodington
Royal Exchange, Henry Morris, High st
Salop, Richard Matthews Angior, St. John’s lane
Shropshire and North Wales, John Harper Morris, High st
Sun, Walmsley & Pearson, High st
Connor John, Pepper st
Hogan John, St. Marys st
Marked thus * are also Ironmongers.
(See also Shopkeepers,&c.)
Bright William, High st
* Corser Henry, High st
Fenner William, Tilstock
Gorse James, High st
* Hassall John, High st
Huxley John, High st
Jarvis Thomas, High st
Morris John Harper, High st
Mullock Thomas, Green end
Price Robert, High st
* Robinson Richard B. High st
Thompson James, High st
Bottwood William, Watergate st
Foulkes William, Watergate st
Kempster Benjamin, Watergate st
Barber William, Watergate st
Harper Robert, Watergate st
Hinton Catherine & Sisters, Watergate street
(See also Taverns & Public Houses.)
Lord Hill (& inland revenue office), John Price, Watergate st
Swan, Geo. Bradshaw, Watergate st
Victoria, Thomas Platt, High st
White Lion, Honor Jones, Watergate street
Allen Benjamin, Newtown
Elliott Joseph, Red brook
Jenkin George (and architect and surveyor), Green end
Oulton Samuel, Bargate
Rowlands Edward, Dodington
Smith William (& licensed valuer), Dodington
Lee & Co. Red brook, near Whitchurch
Allen Joseph, High st
Bass Charles, High st
Fenner William, Tilstock
Howell Edward James, High st
Moyle Richard, High st
Price Robert, High st
Ravenshaw Arthur, High st
Shone John, High st
Walmsley & Pearson, High st
Brown William, Clay pit street and Newtown
Burgess Ralph, Newtown
Hassell John, High st
Jones Edward, St. Marys st
Joyce Thomas, High st
Lea Edward, Dodington
Roberts John, Tilstock
Jebb Thomas, New Mill
Roberts John, Steam Mill
Allen Ann, Newtown
Bolas Susannah, St. Mary’s st
Boughey Elizabeth, Castle hill
Butler Mary, Alkington lane
Catharall Eliza, Claypit st
Hinton Elizabeth, Green end
Oulton Elizabeth, Bargate st
Phillips Elizabeth, High st
Sumner Ellen, Bark hill
Evanson William, Watergate st
Hamer William, Castle hill
Hassall John, High st
Briscoe John, Dodington
Crosse Thomas, Bargate st
Jarvis John, Dodington
Rodgers William, Watergate st
Skidmore James Stephen, High st
Slaney Thomas, Dodington
Wragg Isaac, Bark hill
Griffiths William, Yardington
Lee John, High st
Ruscoe John, Watergate st
Ruscoe William, Pepper alley
Cork Thomas, Dodington
Dodd George, High st
Kent John, High st
Maddocks John, Green end
Slaney Thomas, Dodington
Batho Richard (and flax dresser), Tilstock
Burrows John, Dodington
Shone Joseph, Green end
Baker Thomas, High st
Cocksey Richard, Pepper st
Porter George, Green end
Wycherley John (& saddlers’ ironmonger), Bull ring
Bailey William (& nursery), Dodingtn
Caldacott Thomas, High st
Corser Henry, High st
Grisdale William, Bargate
Hassall John, High st
Lythgoe Thomas, Highgate
Robinson Richard B. High st
Williams William C. Bargate
Ackers Hannah, Watergate st
Barber William, Watergate st
Barlow Ann, High st
Batho George, Bargate st
Batho Richard, Tilstock
Bebbington John, Newtown
Bradshaw John, High st
Briscoe Elizabeth, Pepper st
Broster John, Green end
Caldacott Thomas, High st
Clutton Thomas, Green end
Cooper Edward, High st
Fallows Thomas, High st
Furber Sarah, Watergate st
Gorse James, High st
Hamer William, Green end
Hort Edward, Claypit st
Kempster Mary, Claypit st
Newbrook John, Watergate st
Newton Margaret, Green end
Poole Mary, Bark hill
Porter Richard, Green end
Povey Joseph, Bargate st
Powdrell Thomas, High st
Rodgers Ann, Watergate st
Roycroft Edward, Grindley brook
Ruscoe Eliza, Pepper st
Taylor Charles, Claypit st
Williams Henry, Green end
Wright George, Mill st
Peters John (& marble), Canal whrf
Roberts Edwin,Limekiln wharf
Baker Ellen, High st
Crosse Harriet, Bargate st
Hewlitt Rebecca, Margate st
Hinton Elizabeth, Green end
Pink Ann, Chester lane
Wood Eliza, High st
Bromfield John, Bargate st
Brown John, Claypit st
Groom Thomas, St. Marys st
Lee & Co. (land agents), Red brook near Whitchurch
New Thomas B. Alkington lane
Catherall William, Tilstock
Crosse Thomas, Claypit st
Elliott John (& draper), High st
Lee Robert, Dodington
Morray William, New st
Morris John, Ash
Nokes Thomas (& clothier), High st
Oulton James, Bargate st
Purcell John, Bargate st
Read Thomas, St. Marys st
Smith William, New st
Taylor Charles, Claypit st
Lewis John, Watergate st
Robinson Richard B. High st
Anchor, Robert Barlow Jones, Pepper st
Black Bear, Elizabeth Large, High st
Black Lion, Isaac Wragg, Tilstock
Bull’s Head, Thomas Harris, Watergate street
Coach & Horses, Thomas Smith, High st
Crown, Daniel Witney, High st
Eight Bells, Hannah Brown, High st
Feathers, Isaac Wragg, Bark hill
Fox & Goose, John Burgess, Green end
George, John Ruscoe, Watergate st
George & Dragon, Elizabeth Jarvis, Ring end
Golden Ball, Margaret Jones, Pepper st
Highgate, Richd. Bradshaw, Highgte
Horse & Jockey, Henry Barrow Jones, Church lane
Horse Shoe, Joseph Allmark
New Inn, Robert Boys, Bark hill
Red Cow, Martha Kent, Pepper st
Red Lion, Thomas Hinton, Tilstock
Royal Oak, Elizth. Wright, Dodingtn
Star, John Jones, Watergate st
Vaults, Robert Barrow Jones, St. Marys street
Vaults, Edward Tudman, High st
Wellington Arms, Thomas Fowler, Newtown
White Bear, John Lee, High st
Cook Henry, Watergate st
Edge Ann, Newtown
George Joseph, Green end
Griffith William, Yardington st
Griffith William, Greed end
Henshall Robert, Bargate st
Lloyd John, Yardington st
Morgan Elizabeth, Watergate st
Morray William, New st
Roberts Thomas, Bargate st
Smith Joseph, Green end
Welsh Benjamin, Green end
Wycherley Hannah, Green end
Jenkin George, Green end
Whittingham James, Green end
Whittingham Thomas, Dodington
Cartwright William Andrew, Watergate street
Keay Samuel, New st
Bradshaw George, High st
Jarvis John, Green end
Joyce James (and church clock), High street
Humston John, Canal wharf
Lowe Thos.Bone & Guano wharf
Roberts Edwin,Victoria LimekilnandCanal wharfs
Wright George, Coal wharf
Allmark Joseph, Tilstock
Cox John, Mill st
Davies William Augustus, Dodington
Groome Joseph, Tilstock
Higgins William, Yardington
Read Samuel (& thrashing machine maker), Grindley brook
Ridgway William, Yardington
Vickers Wm. & Son, Castle hill
Clutton Thomas, Green end
Poston John, Watergate st
Jones Edward, St. Marys st
Jones Barrow, Pepper st
Tudman Edward, High st
Cartwright William Andrew, registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, Watergate street
Chester Mary, corn dealer, Bark hill
Edge John, clogger, Pepper st
Edge William, chair maker, Green end
Foulds John, accountant, Green end
Foulkes John, clerk to the magistrates, St. Mary’s st
Griffiths Thomas, parish clerk and sexton, Bargate st
Hassall John, tanner, High st
Henshall Joseph, box and trunk maker, Yardington
Hesketh William, clogger, Green end
Johnson James, umbrella mkr, Green end
Jones Edward, brewer, Dodington
Jones John, tanner, High st
Jones Wm. corn inspector, Watergate st
Morris Henry, bank clerk, High st
Parker Samuel Hassall, collector of Government taxes and poor’s rates, Saint Mary’s street
Parton Jeremiah, agricultural machine maker and wire worker, Green end
Peake Thos. boat builder, Grindlay brook
Smith William & Son, iron and brass founders, Dodington
Thelwell Thos. small ware dealer, High st
St. Alkmond’s Church, Whitchurch, andSt. Catherine’s, Dodington—Rev. William Henry Egerton,M.A.rector; Rev. Robert Turnbull and Rev. John Harris, curates
Christ Church, Tilstock—Rev. Wm. Renton, incumbent
Baptist Chapel, Green end
Independent Chapel, Dodington—Rev. Charles E. Palmer
Methodist(Wesleyan)Chapels, Saint Mary st and Tilstock
Methodist(Primitive)Chapel, Castle hill
Chairman—Captain W. H. Poole
Governor—Thomas Huxley
Matron—Emma Huxley
Clerk—Robert B. Jones
Surgeon—John Bromfield
Schoolmistress—Emma Weaver
Relieving Officer—Robert Henshaw
Christian Knowledge Repository, Bargate st
County Court Office, St. Mary st—Richard Parry Jones, clerk
Gas Works, Sherriman’s hill—Thomas Jennings, engineer
Inland Revenue Office, at the Lord Hill Inn, Watergate st—R. S. Harrison, supervisor
Mechanics’ Institution, High street, Robert Smith, secretary
News Room, Town Hall—Henry Morris, secretary
Police Office, Claypit street—John Layton, inspector
Stamp Office, High st—Henry Newling, sub-distributer
Town Hall, High street
To CHESTER, theRoyal Mail, from the White Lion Inn, every morning at half-past six.
To CREWE RAILWAY STATION, an Omnibus, from the Swan, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning at eight.
The nearestStationsareBeestonandCrewe, the former 11 miles, the latter about 15N.from Whitchurch, both on the London and North Western line.
There are Omnibuses to the above Stations three days in the week, as before stated.
To BURSLEM, Thomas Reece, from the White Bear Inn, High st
To CREWE RAILWAY STATION, Henry Welch, from the Fox & Goose, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
To NANTWICH, John Read, from the Black Bear, Monday.
To SHREWSBURY, Joseph Owen, from the Lord Hill, and M. Harris, from the Swan, Monday and Friday.
To CHESTER, LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, and forward to all parts, the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Co. from the Canal wharf, daily.
[1]The text of the directory was gathered and written in 1856. E.g. “There is at present (1856) in the course of erection”. However, no physical copy bearing a title page with that publication date has been found, and the text is identical to that contained in Slater’s 1859 directory for Gloucester, Herefordshire, Monmouth, Shropshire, etc. The title page has been constructed, not transcribed.—DP.
[18]There were no advertisements in the copy used for transcription.—DP.