The first general meeting of the shareholders was held at the Town Hall, Welshpool, on Saturday, July 21st;William Ormsby Gore, Esq., Chairman of the Board of Provisional Directors, in the chair. The attendance was very numerous.The report stated that it was the intention of the Directors to proceed with the construction of the railway with as little delay as possible, that the certificates of the proprietorship of the shares in the capital of the Company, under the seal of the Company, could be forthwith issued to the Shareholders; that the Directors congratulated the Shareholders and the district upon the unanimity which had prevailed in the establishment and progress of the Company, and expressed their hope that this would lead to the speedy completion of the undertaking, and the further developement of the resources of the country. The speakers on this occasion were the Chairman, Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. M.P., the Rev. C. T. C. Luxmoore, the Ven. Archdeacon Clive, G. H. Whalley, Esq., the Rev. Maurice Lloyd, Richard Humphreys, Esq., George Brace, Esq., and other gentlemen. The Directors named in the Act were, William Ormsby Gore, Esq., M.P., Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart. M.P., D. Pugh, Esq. M.P., John Naylor, Esq., John Carnac Morris, Esq., Richard Herbert Mytton, Esq., John Davies Corrie, Esq., Rowland Jones Venables, Esq., Arthur James Johnes, Esq., Col. Herbert Watkin Williams Wynn, M.P., J. Powell Wilding, Esq., and Wm. Lloyd, Esq., and they were re-elected unanimously. An important resolution was also passed, “That it is the opinion of this meeting, that it is of the utmost importance to the interest of the Company that a communication by railway should be effected between Newtown and Milford Haven; and the Directors are hereby requested to afford such co-operation and assistance to any Companies now existing, or which may be projected, as would best tend to accomplish that object.” The entire proceedings were marked by harmony and good spirit, and all present appeared suitably impressed with the importance and value of railway communication through Montgomeryshire, and with the benefits, in connection with the great national harbour at Milford Haven, which would ultimately accrue to the “Oswestry and Newtown Railway Company.” Few, ifany, railway enterprizes were ever started under a more able and upright management, and perhaps equally few lines, of so short a distance, had at their outset such encouraging prospects before them. With these signal advantages no doubt can be entertained that the undertaking will be crowned with abundant success.
TheBoroughofOswestryis situated on the north-west border of Shropshire, in the Diocese of St. Asaph, and Deanery of Marchia, and in the Hundred to which it gives name. In 1535, by a statute of Henry VIII., Oswestry, with Whittington, Maesbrook, Knockin, Ellesmere, Down, and Chirbury, was, by Act of Parliament, severed from Wales, and annexed to the County of Salop. TheHundredofOswestryis bounded on the west by Montgomeryshire and Denbighshire; on the north by the rivers Ceiriog and Dee, and the stream of Shelbrook, which separates it from Denbighshire and Flintshire; on the east by the Hundred of Pimhill; and on the south by the rivers Vyrnwy and Severn, which divide it from Montgomeryshire, and from the Hundred of Ford.
TheUpper Divisionof the Hundred contains the parishes of
St. Martin,
Whittington,
Selattyn(part of),
Oswestry(part of),
Llanymynech(part of),
Llansilin(part of),
West Felton(part of),
Ellesmere(part of),
Llanyblodwel,
and the extra-parochial places of Halston and Heath Farm.
The parish of St. Martincontains the townships of Ifton Rhyn (upper), Ifton Rhyn (lower), Weston Rhyn (upper), Weston Rhyn (lower), and Bronygarth (east and west).
The parish of Whittingtoncontains the townships of Whittington, Welsh Frankton, Old Marton (part of), Berghill, Daywell, Fernhill, Hindford, Henlle, and Ebnall.
The parish of Selattyncontains the townships of Porkington (upper), and Porkington (lower).
The parish of Oswestrycontains the townships of Oswestry, Middleton, Aston, Hisland, Wooton, Sweeney, Weston Cotton, Maesbury, Llanvorda, Pentregaer, Cynynion, Coed-tan y gaer, Treferclawdd, Treflach, Trefonen, and Crickheath. The parish of Oswestry contains also the township and chapelry of Morton, which are in the Lower Division of the Hundred.
The parish of Llanyblodwelcontains the townships of Llanyblodwel, Abertanat, Blodwel, Bryn, and Llynclis, or Llunck-Llys.
Theparish of Llanymynechcontains the townships of Carreghofa, Llanymynech and Llwyntidman. The parish of Llanymynech contains also the township of Treprenal, which is in the Lower Division. The rest of the parish is in Denbighshire, and, for election and other purposes, is annexed to Montgomeryshire.
Theparish of Ellesmere, in the Upper Division of the Hundred of Oswestry, contains the townships of Dudleston (upper), and Dudleston (lower). The other townships in the parish are in the Ellesmere Division of the Hundred of Pimhill.
Theparish of West Feltoncontains the townships of Woolston (part of), Sandford, and Twyford. The other townships in this parish, namely, West Felton, Sutton, Rednal, Haughton, and Tedsmere, are in the Lower Division.
Theparish of Llansilinhas only one township in Shropshire (Sychtyn). The rest of the parish is in Denbighshire.
TheLower Divisionof the Hundred contains the parishes
West Felton(part of),
Knockin,
Ruyton,
Melverley(part of),
Oswestry(part of),
Llanymynech(part of),
Kinnerley.
Theparish of West Feltoncontains the townships of West Felton, Rednal, Sutton, Haughton, and Tedsmere, or Tedsmore. The other townships in the parish, namely, Woolston, Sandford, and Twyford, are, as already stated, in theUpper Division.
Theparish of Knockincontains only the township of Knockin.
Theparish of Ruyton(of the Eleven Towns) contains the townships of Ruyton, Cotton, Shotatton, Shelvocke, Eardiston, and Wikey.
Theparish of Kinnerleycontains the townships of Kinnerley and Argoed, Dovaston, Kynaston, or Kinaston, Maesbrook-issa, Maesbrook-ucha, Edgerley, Tir-y-Coed, and Osbaston.
Theparish of Melverleycontains the townships of Melverley (upper), and Melverley (lower).
Theparish of Oswestry, in the Lower Division of the Hundred, contains only the township of Morton.
Theparish of Llanymynech, in the Lower Division of the Hundred, contains the townships of Carreghofa and Treprenal.
TheManorsin Oswestry Parish are Aston, Duparts, and Middleton.Astonincludes the townships of Aston, Hisland, and Wooton, and also Twyford, in West Felton parish.Dupartsincludes the township of Crickheath,Cynynion, Llanvorda, Maesbury, Morton, Pentre-gaer, Sweeney, with Weston Cotton, and the township of Sychtyn, in Llansilin parish.Middletonincludes the township of Middleton, andOswestrythe town and liberties of Oswestry. Lady of the Manor forAston, Mrs. Lloyd; and Lord of the Manor ofOswestryandDuparts, the Earl of Powis.
The population of the town and parish, in 1801, amounted to 5,839; and the number of houses, 788. In 1811 the population of the town and parish had increased to 6,733. In 1821 the returns showed that the population of the town and parish was still on the increase, the number of males and females being 7,523. The population of the town and liberties, in June, 1831, was—males, 2,007; females, 2,471; total, 4,478. The return further showed that the number of houses in course of being built, was 3; houses uninhabited, 29; ditto inhabited, 885; families engaged in agriculture, 11; in trade, 276; all others, 613. Total number of families, 899. Male servants, 42; females, 311; retired tradesmen, 38; clergy, educated men, &c., 79; handicraft, 567; gardeners, &c., 232. The returns for 1841 were as follows;—Town and Liberties, 4,569; Parish, 4,277; total, 8,846. Houses occupied in the town, 931; unoccupied and building, 68; in the parish, 886; unoccupied and building, 18. In 1851 the census returns were as follows:—
MALES.
FEMALES.
TOTAL.
Town and Liberties
2,251
2,565
4,816
The Parish
1,972
2,006
3,978
Total
4,223
4,571
8,794
A return was made in 1854, giving the following details on agriculture, in reference to Oswestry Town and Liberties, Oswestry Parish, and other parishes within the Hundred:—The total number of acres occupied in the Town and Liberties of Oswestry, the Parish of Oswestry, Llansilin, Llanyblodwel, Selattyn, Llwyntidman, Sychtyn, St. Martin’s, Chirk, Whittington, Felton, Ruyton, Knockin, and Kinnerley, was 78,301; sown with wheat, 7,909 acres; with barley, 6,512; oats, 2,924; rye, 39¾; beans and peas, 275; vetches, 160; turnips, 4,420½; mangold, 48¼; carrots, 24; potatoes, 566; flax, 5. Total under tillage, 24,013; clover, lucerne, and other artificial grasses, 6,307¼; permanent pasture, 3,198; irrigated meadows, 2,599¼; sheep walks and downs, 3,095½; total under grass, 63,990; number of acres in houses, gardens, roads, fences, &c., 1,468¾; number of acres in waste (if any) attached to the farms, 2,258; horses, 2,618; colts, 802; milch cows, 6,854; calves, 5,571; other cattle, including working oxen, 4,636; tups, 588; ewes, 12,509; lambs, 9,047; other sheep, 4,572; swine, 7,142; number of acres in wood and plantations, 3,749; common lands, 227.
The greatest registered quantity of wheat, according to the excise returns, ever sold in one day at Oswestry market, was disposed of on Wednesday, the 11th of July, 1855, namely, 4,373 imperial measures.
Our limits will not admit of extended observation on this subject, but it is our duty to direct the attention of our readers to the feathered tribes in the district, which include many of the more remarkable and beautiful of British birds. Mr. Cross, of Oswestry, has, in the last few years, made collections of rare and valuable birds, some delightful songsters, including the nightingale, the piping bullfinch, with birds of prey, those of the passerine order, and a large variety of water birds. The following list, formed more than twenty years ago, the names given according to Bewick’s history of birds, will show that the neighbourhood has long abounded with fine specimens of the feathered creation:—
Kites.—Ring-tailed eagle, osprey, common buzzard, honey buzzard, kite, goshawk, sparrow-hawk, hen harrier, kestrel, and marten.
Owls.—Great-eared owl, white owl, and tawny owl.
Butcher Birds.—Great ash-coloured shrike, red-backed shrike.
Pies.—Raven, carrion crow, hooded crow, rook, jackdaw, magpie, jay, starling, ring ousel, ousel cock or blackbird, missel thrush or storm cock, fieldfare, throstle or thrush, redwing, cuckoo, and wryneck.
Woodpeckers.—Green, greater spotted, lesser spotted, nuthatch, and creeper.
Grosbeaks.—Grosbeak or hawfinch, green grosbeak, bullfinch, pine grosbeak.
Buntings.—Brown, yellow hammer, blackheaded or reed sparrow, and snow bunting.
Finches.—House sparrow, mountain sparrow, chaff, or pied-finch, mountain-finch, gold-finch, linnet, and lesser redpole.
Larks.—Sky-lark, field-lark, grashopper-lark, wood-lark, and tit-lark.
Wagtails.—Pied, or water wagtail, grey, and yellow.
Flycatchers.—Pied, or gold-finch, spotted, or house linnet.
Warblers.—Robin redbreast or ruddock, redstart or brantail.
Fauvette.—Lesser fauvette, winter fauvette or hedge sparrow, reed fauvette, black-cap, white-throat, yellow willow wren, willow wren, least willow wren, wren, golden-crested wren, white rump or wheat ear, win-chat, or gorsehopper, stonechat, and nightingale.
Titmice.—Greater, blue or tom-tit, cole, marsh, long-tailed, or can-bottle.
Swallows.—Chimney swallow, marten, sand marten, swift or deviling, night jaw or fern owl.
Doves.—Wild pigeon, ring dove, turtle dove, and small black rock pigeon.
Gallinaceous.—Domestic cock, pheasant, turkey, peacock, pintado or guinea fowl, wood grouse, black grouse, red grouse, partridge, quail, corncrake or landrail.
Plovers.—Great plover, pee-wit or lapwing, golden plover, and grey plover.
Water Birds.—Long-legged plover, water crake, or rail, water ousel, and kingfisher or haleyon.
Herons.—Heron, bittern or bog-boom, and curlew.
Snipes.—Woodcock, great snipe, common snipe, and judcock, or jacksnipe.
Godwit.—Brown sandpiper, common sandpiper, water, or moor hen, coot, greater coot, great crested grebe, little grebe, or jack doucker.
Terns.—Common and lesser.
Common gull.
Ducks.—Wild swan, swan goose, grey-lag goose, tame goose, mallard, or wild duck, shieldrake, widgeon, and teal.
Pelicans.—Cormorant,—pelecanus graculus, or the shag.
The district has occasionally other aërial visitants, including theperegrine falcon, the bird which furnished the ancient amusement of falconry, thecolymbus troile, or guillemot, and thecorvus caryocatactes, or nutcracker.
Mr. Cross’s specimens are of recent date, many of the birds named having been taken during the last twelve months. We subjoin his list, which will be read with interest by all lovers of natural history:—
Peregrine falcon, kite, buzzard, goshawk, blue hawk, merlin, hobby, sparrow hawk, kestrel, large butcher bird, small butcherbird. Tawny owl, white owl, long-eared owl, short-eared owl, night jay or goat sucker-cuckoo. Green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, lesser spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, creeper. Wood pigeon, rock pigeon, coblard turtle, turtle dove. Rook, crow, jackdaw, magpie, jay, starling, black bird, wood thrush, thrush, fieldfare, red wing, stone chat, whin-chat, yellow hammer, mounting finch, red finch, gold-finch, bull-finch, robin, reed sparrow, hedge sparrow, common sparrow, green linnet, grey linnet, yellow wagtail, pied wagtail, red start, black cap, pied flycatcher, spotted flycatcher, white throat, black cap titmice, small black cap titmice, blue cap titmice, long tailed titmice, willow wren, common wren, golden crested wren. Swift, barn swallow, house marten, sand marten. Woodlark, skylark, meadow pipit, tree pipit. Pheasant, grouse, partridge, black grouse, corncrake. Heron, bittern, cormorant, eared grebe, goosander, smews, curlew, widgeon, silver widgeon, magpie widgeon, golden eye widgeon, pintail duck, coot, moorhen, jack curlew, teal, seagull, woodcock, solitary snipe, common snipe, small grebe, lapwing, grey plover, golden plover, jack snipe, water rail, ring ouzel, water ouzel, marsh sandpiper, common sandpiper, knot, and kingfisher.
Oswestryhas no rivers immediately contiguous to it, but at short and easily-approachable distances are several, namely, theSevern, theVyrnwy, theTanat, theDee, theCeiriog, thePerry, theMorlas, and theMorda. The Severn has its rise from a small lake, on the eastern side of Plinlimmon, whence it flows in a devious direction, under the Welsh name ofHafren, to Newtown, whence it assumes its English name of Severn, and pursues its circuitous route to Shrewsbury. From its source to fair Salopia it runs nearly one hundred miles, receiving the waters of several tributaries. From Shrewsbury it continues its winding course, and receives the Tern, at the foot of the Wrekin, about which it describes a semi-circle; then curving repeatedly, it flows towards Coalbrookdale, whence it flows in a north-west direction to Tewksbury, and eventually to the British Channel. Blakey, in his recently-published volume on “Angling,” says, “The best bottom-fishing for carp, perch, roach, chub, and eel, is within those portions of the river appropriated to navigation. Grayling are to be met with in many parts of the Severn.” The Vyrnwy and Tanat abound with fish; the former so much so that it has obtained the title ofPiscosus Amnis. The Tanat falls into the Vyrnwy at Aber-Tanat, and the Vyrnwy into the Severn at a place calledY Cymmerau(the Conflux), at the lower end of Guilsfieldparish, not far distant from the Breiddin, Moel y Golfa, and Cefn y Castell mountains. The scene in this district has been sung in rapturous and beautiful strains by a Welsh bard and warrior, of the 12th century (Gwalchmai):—
“Rise orb of day! the eastern gates unfold,And shew thy crimson mantle, fring’d with gold;Contending birds sing sweet on every spray,The skies are bright—arise, thou orb of day!I, Gwalchmai, call—in song, in war renown’d,Who, lion-like, confusion spread around,—The live-long night the Hero and the Bard,Near Breiddin’s rocks, have left a constant guard,Where cool transparent streams in murmurs glide,And springing grass adorns the mountain’s side,Where snow-white sea-mews in the current play,Spread their gay plumes, and frolic through the day!”
“Rise orb of day! the eastern gates unfold,And shew thy crimson mantle, fring’d with gold;Contending birds sing sweet on every spray,The skies are bright—arise, thou orb of day!I, Gwalchmai, call—in song, in war renown’d,Who, lion-like, confusion spread around,—The live-long night the Hero and the Bard,Near Breiddin’s rocks, have left a constant guard,Where cool transparent streams in murmurs glide,And springing grass adorns the mountain’s side,Where snow-white sea-mews in the current play,Spread their gay plumes, and frolic through the day!”
Blakey furnishes some practical information on this branch of our notice. He says:—
“The Vyrnwy has a great number of dependent feeders, the principal of which are theEunant, theAfon, theGedis, theAfon Gynnan, theGlasgwn, and theCown. These undoubtedly constitute a considerable range of the waters, and are well adapted for the fly, and some for trolling as well. After the main river receives all these tributaries, it flows a south-eastern course for twenty miles, and then receives the waters of theTwrch, which flows a distance of twenty miles, through a very interesting section of the country. This tributary itself has good angling feeders, capable of affording fair sport with the rod. The Vyrnwy likewise receives theCain, and, a little farther down, theTanat, both of which contain good fish. The Tanat itself is fed by several good streams, as theRhaiadr, theAfon Harrog, and theYmrch. Here there is good fly-fishing. All these waters, large and small, are bright, sparkling, and flowing, and have that peculiar form of stream which indicates good sport. As to the colour of the fly requisite in these mountain streams, little need be said; in fact, when the fishare in humour, and they are not here capricious, they seem to snatch at anything in the shape of an insect. Very large flies, however, will not answer well.”
“The Vyrnwy has a great number of dependent feeders, the principal of which are theEunant, theAfon, theGedis, theAfon Gynnan, theGlasgwn, and theCown. These undoubtedly constitute a considerable range of the waters, and are well adapted for the fly, and some for trolling as well. After the main river receives all these tributaries, it flows a south-eastern course for twenty miles, and then receives the waters of theTwrch, which flows a distance of twenty miles, through a very interesting section of the country. This tributary itself has good angling feeders, capable of affording fair sport with the rod. The Vyrnwy likewise receives theCain, and, a little farther down, theTanat, both of which contain good fish. The Tanat itself is fed by several good streams, as theRhaiadr, theAfon Harrog, and theYmrch. Here there is good fly-fishing. All these waters, large and small, are bright, sparkling, and flowing, and have that peculiar form of stream which indicates good sport. As to the colour of the fly requisite in these mountain streams, little need be said; in fact, when the fishare in humour, and they are not here capricious, they seem to snatch at anything in the shape of an insect. Very large flies, however, will not answer well.”
TheDeehas its origin in Merionethshire, by the junction of two small streams rising about four miles to the north-west of Llanwchllyn, and two miles below that village enters Pimblemere, or Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid); issuing from that, beneath Bala, it flows under the bridge, takes a north-easterly direction through the Vale of Eideirnion, and turning to the east in fine meandering curves, waters the Vales of Glyndwrdwy (Vale of the Dee), and Llangollen, where it receives the tributary Brân. Thence, passing through Llangollen Vale, beneath Pont-y-cysyllte Aqueduct, and the Great Western (Shrewsbury and Chester) Viaduct, both of which span the Vale, it curves below Wynnstay Park, emerges into the Vale Royal of Cheshire, and finally, after passing through Holt, and skirting Eaton Hall, the magnificent seat of the Marquis of Westminster, glides past the Church of St. John the Baptist, in Chester, beneath the ancient and new bridges and railway viaduct there, and finally, at the estuary of the Dee, enters St. George’s Channel. The portion of the Dee running through Denbighshire and Flintshire (not far distant from Oswestry,) is an excellent locality for trout-fishing, as the well-supplied dinner-tables of the two hotels in Llangollen (theHandand theVictoria) can amply testify. The Ceiriog, the Perry, the Morlas, and the Morda, are each well stored with fish, and can supply the angler with tempting rewards for his patience and skill. TheLake of Llynclys, near Oswestry, has not only a poetical, but a piscatory celebrity also. It is the scene of a clever ballad, from the pen of the poet Dovaston, who, as a prefix to his metrical tale, has given the following description of the Lake:—
“Llynclys Poolis a small but beautiful lake, of extraordinary depth, on the Welsh border, near Oswestry. The name in the Welsh signifiesSunk Palace, and the vulgar have a firmly-believedsuperstition (in which the neighbourhood abounds), corresponding with the catastrophe of this ballad; nay, some even at this day go so far as to affirm, that when the water is clear and the surface smooth, towers and chimneys may be seen in it at a great depth. In the summer months fishing parties of ladies and gentlemen frequently spend the day on it in a boat with music and refreshments; on one of these occasions this ballad was hastily written.”
“Llynclys Poolis a small but beautiful lake, of extraordinary depth, on the Welsh border, near Oswestry. The name in the Welsh signifiesSunk Palace, and the vulgar have a firmly-believedsuperstition (in which the neighbourhood abounds), corresponding with the catastrophe of this ballad; nay, some even at this day go so far as to affirm, that when the water is clear and the surface smooth, towers and chimneys may be seen in it at a great depth. In the summer months fishing parties of ladies and gentlemen frequently spend the day on it in a boat with music and refreshments; on one of these occasions this ballad was hastily written.”
The Lake is situated near the turnpike-road from Oswestry to Welshpool, only a short distance from Llynclys turnpike-gate. It is bordered on some of its sides with reeds and rushes, and a few years ago the flower of a white water lily was pulled up, not far from the shore, the stalk of which measured nearly fourteen feet. The fishery is the property of the Earl of Powis, and the water abounds with pike, bream, perch, and dace. R. H. Kinchant, Esq., of Park Hall, near Oswestry, has also an interest in the fishery.
TheCeiriog, a picturesque and romantic river, winds among the rocks behind Oswestry, forming deep glens and dingles, and falls into the Dee below Chirk. ThePerryandMorlasare two bright rivulets arising in the mountains near Selattyn; the former passes Whittington and falls into the Severn, near Fitz, whilst the latter unites with the Ceiriog, near Pont-y-blew. TheMorda, no inconsiderable stream, finds its rapid way between the rocks at Llanforda, immediately above the town of Oswestry, and, sweeping its course to the south, falls into the Vyrnwy at Pentreheylin.
The following metrical instructions to the student angler, although the lines are quaint, may not be deficient of interest to the younger disciples of Isaac Walton:—
“In deep the silverSalmonloves to rove;And marly swifts allure theBarbeldrove;Sharp streams delight theTrout, still deep theBream;The fearfulChub, he loves the shaded stream.In shady holes and hollow banks, thePerchhe dwells,And, for his boldness, the finny race excels;RoachandDacethe sandy bottom choose,AndCarpthe weeds, andTenchthe muddy ooze.In streams with gravel bottomGudgeonsdo delight,The wantonBleakwill ever sport in sight;ThePike, the tyrant of the finny brood,Near weeds and ledge lies lurking for his food.”
“In deep the silverSalmonloves to rove;And marly swifts allure theBarbeldrove;Sharp streams delight theTrout, still deep theBream;The fearfulChub, he loves the shaded stream.In shady holes and hollow banks, thePerchhe dwells,And, for his boldness, the finny race excels;RoachandDacethe sandy bottom choose,AndCarpthe weeds, andTenchthe muddy ooze.In streams with gravel bottomGudgeonsdo delight,The wantonBleakwill ever sport in sight;ThePike, the tyrant of the finny brood,Near weeds and ledge lies lurking for his food.”
We are indebted to theRev. Thomas Salwey, Vicar of Oswestry, for the subjoined interesting paper on the Botany of the Parish. It gives evidence of his ardent attachment to this pleasing branch of Natural History, and its publication may lead others to follow his example, in studying a science which delightfully leads the mind of its possessor to an increased admiration of the beauty and wisdom of the Creator’s marvellous works:—
“By cooling streams and softening showersThe vegetable race are fed;And trees and plants, and herbs and flowersTheir Maker’s bounty smiling spread.The flowing tribes all blooming riseAbove the faint attempts of art;Their bright inimitable dyesSpeak sweet conviction to the heart.”
“By cooling streams and softening showersThe vegetable race are fed;And trees and plants, and herbs and flowersTheir Maker’s bounty smiling spread.
The flowing tribes all blooming riseAbove the faint attempts of art;Their bright inimitable dyesSpeak sweet conviction to the heart.”
“The interest and variety of the Botanical productions of any district will always be found to depend upon its geological character; and in this respect there are perhaps few Parishes which comprise within their boundaries so many different geological formations as that of Oswestry. The lower part of the Parish, from the neighbourhood of the Town to the Queen’s Head, consists of the new red sandstone; or rather to that part of it which is called by modern Geologists the Permian formation, and which is so called because this formation is most amply developed in the District of Perm, in Russia. The Town itself is situated upon the coal-measures. With this is associated the usual sandstone grit andchert, breaking out in Sweeney Mountain and Mynydd-y-Myfyr. Immediately at the back of these hills the mountain, or carboniferous limestone, breaks out, running in a line through the parish from Cynynion, through Pentregaer, Trefonen, and Treflach, to Porth-y-waen. This is here and there broken through by detached masses of Trap Rock, as at the point on which the Tower of Pentregaer is built, and upon the western slope of the Moelydd; whilst on the slope of the hill from Cynynion, and under Coed-y-Coch, the Silurian system begins to shew itself. In such a district we may reasonably expect a corresponding variety of plants. In the following list, however, it is by no means intended to give anything like a complete enumeration of the plants to be found within the district, which would be inconsistent with such a publication as the present. Such plants only have been selected as will show the character of the Botany, and be a sufficient guide to any Botanist in conducting his researches.
“Great, however, as is the variety of Geological formation within the Parish, there is one feature, always of the greatest interest to the Botanist, which unfortunately it does not possess, namely, old woods, with their ancient oaks, the growth of centuries, and the deep mossy dells which are so favourable to the production of the scarcer cryptogamic plants. We have no scenery of this kind in our Parish, or even in the immediate neighbourhood, and hence our mosses are only those which are found everywhere. The beautiful littleDicranum bryoides(the moss which so revived the spirit of the unfortunate Mungo Park when fainting in the deserts of Africa), may indeed be found in Broom Hall lane; and theHypnum commutationmay be gathered at the foot of the Moelydd. TheBryum palustremay also be found above Morda pool; and theBryum roseum, and the large and handsomeBryum ligulatum, in some of the wet and shady lanes in the upper part of the Parish; but beyond these I am not aware that there are any mosses of peculiar interest to be found amongst us. We have, however, a greater variety offerns than perhaps any other district of equal extent could produce; but here again only the more scarce ones are enumerated.
“The more minute cryptogamic plants, and especially those under the head ofFungi, will of course be the least interesting portion of the list; but any notice of the Botany of the district would be incomplete without the introduction of a proportionate number of these obscure, but, to a Botanist, highly-interesting plants.
“The following are some of the plants which will be found in the parish, or close to its immediate boundaries:—
Circæa lutetiana—Penylan and Llanforda lanes
Scirpus lacustris—Llynclys pool.
Arundo phragmites—Llynclys pool.[215]
Myosotis collina—Hedge banks about Pentreshanel,
Anchusa sempervirens—Croes-wylan, and Llanforda lane.
Menyanthes trifoliata—Bog above Morda pool.
Campanula trachelium—Hedges between Cynynion, and Pentregaer.
Viola hirta—Limestone rocks, Trefonen.
Artropa Belladonna—Porthywaen.
Gentiana amarella—Moelydd.
,,campestris—Ditto.
Parnassia palustris—Meadows between Sweeney and Morton; and in a field on the west side of the Brick-kilns, at the High Vawr.
Galanthus nivalis—Upon the ledge of a low rock on the west side of Sweeney mountain.
Allium ursinum—Lanes and moist places about the upper parts of the Parish; and in the Nant-Mawr.
Colchichum autumnale—Meadows at Sweeney and elsewhere.
Paris quadrifolia—Thickets about Treflach.
Adoxa moschatellina—Broom Hall lane; Penylan lane; and other places.
Chrysosplenium alternifolium—Near the mill at Llanforda; and in other similar wet places.
,,oppositifolium—Ditto.
Saxifraga tridactylites—Walls about the Town; and rocks at Pentregaer and Craig-y-Rhu.
Cotyledon umbilicus—In the lane below the Race-ground, on the east side.
Sedum anglicum—Rocks below Coed-y-coch; and between Craig-y-Rhu and Cynynion.
Prunus padus—Below Penylan mill.
Pyrus aria—Craig-y-Rhu.
Rosa villosa—Pentregaer.
Tilia parvifolia—Croes-wylan lane.
Cistus helianthemum—Rocks at Trefonen, above the Nant-Mawr.
Aquilegia vulgaris—Thickets at Treflach, where it is also found with white flowers.
Ranunculus parviflorus—Not uncommon on hedge banks; Maesbury road, near the Gallows-Tree Bank.
Trollius europæus—Fields in the upper part of the Parish; and below the house at the Hayes.
Teucrium chamædrys—This was found some years ago upon an old wall (since taken down) at the Hayes. It may be found now upon the wall of a garden in Brook-Street, lately belonging to the Vicar, having been transplanted there from the Hayes. It grows also sparingly upon the old walls of Whittington Castle.
Scrophularia vernalis—Penylan and Llanforda lanes; brought there probably by the celebrated naturalist, Mr. Lloyd, who lived formerly at Llwynymaen.
Hutchinsia petræa—Pentregaer and Trefonen; upon the slope of the hills facing Llansilin.
Arabis hirsuta—Pentregaer.
Geranium colum binum—Hedge banks, occasionally.
Fumaria claviculata—Craigforda.
Ornithopus perpusillus—Moelydd, and Pentregaer.
Anthyllis vulneraria—Treflach, and Trefonen.
Tragopogon pratensis—Llanforda (1st park).
Tussilago petasites—Meadows near Llwynymaen.
Hieracium paludosum—Maesbury.
Achillæa ptarmica—Upper part of the Parish.
Listera ovata—Road-side near Mount Sion.
Myriophyllum spicatum—Pool at Llanforda.
Typha latifolia—Morda, and Llynclys pool.
Carex paniculata—Llynclys pool.
,,hirta—Llanforda
Polypodium phegopteris—Craigforda.
Aspidium oreopteris—Ditto.
Grammitis ceterach—Crickheath Hill and Treflach Hill, above Porthywaen and Blodwel rocks
Cystea dentata—On the loose heap of stones below the Tower at Pentregaer; also upon a high wall, at the back of the house, at Broom Hall.
Hymenophyllum Wilsoni—Upon a rock in a wood at Treflach.
Osmunda regalis—Maesbury.
Botrychium lunaria—In the 1st park at Llanforda; and on the brow of the hill between the tower at Pentregaer and Craig-y-Rhu.
Ophioglossum vulgatum—Fields about Llanforda and Llwynymaen.
Equisetum limosum—Morda.
,,fluviatile—Maesbury.
Dicranum bryoides—Broom Hall lane.
Bryum palustre—Above Morda pool.
,,roseum—Wet and shady lanes in the upper part of the Parish.
,,ligulatum—Ditto.
Calicium furfuraceum(Coniocybe Fries)—Upon the hedge bank of the Vicar’s field on Cyrn-y-bwch.
Opegrapha chevallieri—Craigforda.
,,saxatilis—Ditto.
Lecanactis lyncea—Llanforda.
Sphærophoron coralloides—Craigforda.
,,b. cæspitosum—Ditto.
Endocarpon miniatum—Ditto.
,,læte-virens—Mynydd-y-myfyr.
,,rufo-virescens—Craigforda.
Verrucaria plumbea—Pentregaer, and Craig-y-Rhu.
,,gemmifera—Craigforda.
,,umbrosa—Ditto.
,,codonoidea—Craig-y-Rhu.
,,immersa—Craigforda.
,,epipolœa—Treflach, Trefonen, and Craig-y-Rhu.
Pyrenothea leucocephala—Park Sychant.
Variolaria conspurcata—Limestone rocks, Craig-y-Rhu.
,,globulifera—Upon an old ash tree at Craig-y-Rhu.
Urceolaria calcarea—Limestone rocks, Pentregaer.
Lecidea morio—Upon the loose stones under the Tower at Pentregaer.
,,lapicida—Mynydd-y-myfyr.
,,premnea—Upon an old oak in Middleton lane.
Lecidea griffithsia—Treflach, near Woodhill
,,aromatica—Wall in Llanforda lane, just under the house.
,,enteroleuca—The saxicolar form—same habitat as above.
,,synothea—Upon an old gate-post near Treflach Hall.
,,immersa—Limestone rocks, Pentregaer.
,,pruinosa—Wall in the lane below the house at Llanforda.
,,speirea—Limestone rocks, Pentregaer.
,,incompta—Elm-trees in the Church-yard at Oswestry; and upon a wych elm at the Hayes.
,,canescens—Occasionally found about Oswestry; but not common.
,,quernea—Pentreshanel and Llanforda.
,,œruginosa—Upon an old gate-post, Treflach Hall.
,,quadricolor—Mynydd-y-Myfyr.
,,rupestris—Limestone rocks, Moelydd, &c.
,,pineti—Llanforda (scarce).
,,lutea—Llanforda.
,,polytropa—Mynydd-y-myfyr.
,,lucida—Pentreshanel, and other places.
,,erythrella—Llanforda.
,,cœruleo—nigricans—Moelydd.
Lecanora rubra—Craig-y-Rhu (very scarce).
,,hæmatomma—Craigforda.
,,crassa—Moelydd and Craig-y-Rhu.
,,candicans—Pentregaer.
,,repanda—Pentregaer.
Parmelia glomulifera—Upon a single tree in Llanforda (2nd Park).
,,Borreri—Upon oak trees opposite to the house at Woodhill.
,,conspersa—Craigforda.
,,pityrea—Upon a decayed oak near Old Port; and upon trees opposite to the house at Trafalgar.
,,aquila—Mynydd-y-myfyr, upon a single isolated piece of rock on the south end of the hill. This is a very unusual habitat for this plant, which is usually a marine lichen.
,,cæsia—In fruit; but rarely at Pentregaer and other places.
Sticta pulmonaria—Pentregaer.
Collema fragrans—Llanforda and Pentregaer.
,,ceranoides—Llanforda and Pentregaer.
,,multipartitum—Moelydd.
,,marginale—Pentregaer.
,,tunœforme—Pentregaer.
,,dermatinum—Pentregaer.
,,muscicola—Pentreshanel.
Peltidea scutata—In fruit upon ash trees at Pentregaer.
Peltidea aphthosa—Craigforda; at the bottom of the wood a little above the brook (scarce).
,,spuria—Upon a hedge bank, near Aston.
Gyrophora polyphylla—Mynydd-y-myfyr (scarce).
Borrera furfuracea—Mynydd-y-myfyr.
Cenomyce cæspititia—Craigforda.
Cornicularia aculeata—Craigforda.
Chara hispida—Ditches above Morda Pool.
Ulva calophylla—Walls of Oswestry church; east end and lower part of the wall in the great walk; but not found every year.
,,crispa—Oswestry church-yard; and other places about the town.
Lemania fluviatilis—In the Morda.
Zygnema nitidum—In the lane by the cottage at Porkington.
Batrachospermum moniliforme—In the well at Pen-y-lan; and in other places near the Morda.
Draparnaldia plumosa—In the Morda, below Penylan bridge.
Meloseira varians—In the Morda, below Craigforda, and below Penylan bridge.
Fragilaria hyemalis—In the Morda, below Craigforda.
Diatoma vulgare—In the Morda.
,,flocculosum—In the pool, in the wood, at Llanforda.
Meridion circulare—In the well at Penylan; and in a ditch near the Morda, above Morda pool.
Cymbella minor—Penylan mill.
Agaricus rubescens—In the shrubbery at Porkington.
,,cristatus—Craigforda.
,,phyllophilus—Craigforda.
,,laccatus—b. amethystinus—Craigforda.
,,clavus—Blodwel woods.
,,galericulatus—Llanforda.
,,stellatus—Llanforda (rare).
,,disseminatus—Near the Lawnt.
Cantharellus cibarius—By the lower pool, at Porkington.
Dædalea betulina—In a timber yard at Oswestry.
Polyporus sulphureus—On the yew trees in the church-yard, at Oswestry; but not found every year.
,,salicinus—On stumps of trees, near Penylan mill.
Polyporus abietinus—On fir poles at Treflach.
,,scoticus—Llanforda, in the wood above the garden.
,,incarnatus—Upon broom by the pool in the wood, at Llanforda.
Fistulina hepatica—Upon a Pollard oak, at Penylan.
Thelephora purpurea—Llanforda.
Thelephora quercina—Llanforda.
,,lactescens—Llanforda
,,incrustans—Upon an old felled trunk below Penylan Bridge.
,,incarnata—On laburnum in the wood, by the pool at Llanforda.
Clavaria rugosa—Llanforda.
Peziza reticulata—Penylan.
,,aurantia—Upon the stump of a tree near Trafalgar.
,,humosa—Upon an old mossy trunk at Llynclys pool.
,,anomala—Llanforda.
,,cyathoidea—On stems of herbaceous plants, Oswestry.
,,cinerea—On fallen branches, Oswestry.
Bulgaria sarcoides—On an old stump at Llanforda.
Exidia glandulosa—Llanforda.
Næmatelia encephala—On larch and fir rails in Llanforda park (scarce).
Sclerotium scutellatum—On oak leaves at Llanforda.
Phallus caninus—On an old stump by the pool, in the wood, at Llanforda (scarce).
Sphæria concentrica—Upon an old ash tree at Maesbury.
,,multiformis—On rails in Llanforda (first park), and at Craigforda.
,,nummularia—Upon an ash tree near Penylan bridge.
,,lata—On dry wood near Penylan mill.
,,leiphæmia—On dead oak branches, Oswestry.
,,laburni—On laburnum, Oswestry.
,,cupularis—On lime branches, Oswestry.
,,elongata—On broom, Llanforda.
,,yuccæ—On yucca glancescens, Oswestry.
,,sanguinea—On timber, at Llanforda.
,,moriformis—On an old tree under the Blodwel rocks.
,,pulvis-pyrius—Llanforda.
,,eutypa—On a dead tree near Llwynymaen.
Phacidium patella—About Oswestry.
Scleroderma vulgare—Woods at Llanforda and Porkington.
Lycogala epidendrum—Llanforda.
Reticularia umbrina—On a decayed larch pole, Oswestry.
Trichia fallax—Llanforda.
,,clavata—Llanforda.
,,turbinata—Llanforda.
Trichoderma viride—On fallen trees, Oswestry.
Tubercularia granulata—On lime branches, Oswestry.
Torula antennata—On fallen timber, Llanforda.
Puccinia saxifragarum—On adoxa moschatellina; lanes about Oswestry.
Æcidium violæ—Mynydd-y-myfyr.
Uredo scillarum—Llanforda.
The town of Oswestry is situated upon and near the southern termination of the North Wales Coal Field, which extends a little farther south of the town, and, north-west, through Ruabon, Brymbo, Flint, Mostyn, and on to the sea, near the Great Ormshead. Running parallel, and lying at the back, or to the west of these coal-measures, is the great belt of mountain limestone, commencing at Llanymynech Hill, and extending also, north-westerly, to the Ormshead, and from thence dipping into the sea.
The metalliferous character of the district is distinguished for the production of lead, copper, and zinc. Trials have been made for minerals at Treflach Wood, and portions of carbonate and sulphuret of copper, of average qualities, have been found, but not in sufficient quantities to justify extended operations. At Llanymynech Hill both copper and lead, sulphurets and carbonates, with carbonate of zinc, or calamine, have been raised in large quantities by various companies, and occasionally the ores have reached a high per centage, ranging from five to twenty-five per cent. The ores are found in beds or flats, at from thirty to fifty yards from the surface, and lying between, and running parallel with, the strata of limestone that inclose them. It is an extraordinary fact, that the metalliferous belt of limestone abruptly terminates at the south end of the hill, and cannot be traced farther. Proceeding west, at the back of Oswestry, in Treflach Wood, there are some fine beds of Derbyshire marble or entrochal limestone, that have been worked for mantle-pieces and other ornamental purposes.
Trials have been made, and small quantities of lead and copper found in this limestone belt, extending to Minera, including the Eglwyseg range which bounds a portion of the Vale of Llangollen, near to Ruabon.
The Minera district is too well known for its rich mineral products, especially of lead and zinc, to require particular notice, and the same may be said of the Mold, Halkin, and Holywell mineral formation, passing on with continued fine mineral deposits, to Talargoch, near Prestatyn, in Flintshire.
The coal-measures in the district of Oswestry abound in fossils,Lepidodendrons,Sigillaria,Stigmaria, andCalamites, &c.; and the carboniferous limestone is much more prolific of that class of fossiliferous productions which usually accompany the old mountain limestone.
The application of capital and scientific labour to mining operations, during the last ten years, has given to the district an active and business-like character, and brought with it a large increase to the working population. At Llanymynech Hill, in addition to mining operations, there are annually raised about 60,000 tons of limestone, which is chiefly used for farming purposes in Montgomeryshire and Shropshire. At Porth-y-Waen rocks, in the same range, there is nearly the same quantity of limestone raised. The united quantities hewn and blasted from these vast limestone rocks produce about 70,000 tons of burnt lime, thus showing the extended use now made of limestone in the cultivation of farm lands in the immediate district.
The manufacture of iron is most extensively carried on in Ruabon parish, principally by the New British Iron Company, the quantity of good bar iron made amounting on the average to 350 tons per week. These works give employment to about 2,500 people, men and boys. The Company works its own collieries, and consumes nearly all the coal itsnumerous pits produce. In the same parish there are two extensive manufactories, for the conversion of the ores of calamine and black jack (carbonate and sulphuret of zinc) into zinc or spelter, and at each of these places from twenty to thirty tons of these metals are made.
The coals raised from the coal-fields in and around Oswestry, worked by Messrs. Croxon and others, amount to about 40,000 tons per annum; whilst nearly 250,000 tons are raised in the Ruabon district, and a much larger quantity at Brymbo.
At Minera a powerful Company is actively engaged in working the old mines that produced so much ore during the former operations upon them. These mines were closed from the influx of water, and the inadequacy of the machinery then employed to carry it off. The present Company have, with an enterprising spirit, adopted the highest class of machinery, and employed the best mining talent that could be procured. By these means, which have called forth the application of at least £50,000 to this gigantic undertaking, the Company has fortunately succeeded in discovering rich veins of lead-ore, which produce from 100 to 150 tons per month. Other mining companies are also largely engaged in the district, some of which are producing large quantities of lead-ore.
Oswestry, although not the birth-place of many distinguished men, has amongst its present population some “choice spirits,” men born not, perhaps, to wield “the fierce democracy,” or to attract the nation’s glare by the display of brilliant talents, yet who possess the happy art of imparting sterling benefits to their fellow-men, and scattering blessings all around them. We could point to gentlemen, still honourably connected with the borough, whose good names must be well-deserved, because they have been earned among theirfellow-citizens. The borough has nevertheless extended education to several eminent characters, and been the chosen residence of many others. The names of Kenyon, Charles W. W. Wynn, West, Parker, Longueville, Lloyd, Donne, and Dovaston, are still cherished with grateful recollections, their talents and labours having been ably exercised for the social benefit and intellectual advancement of the town.
We subjoin a few sketches of worthies that did the “State some service,” and whose connection with Oswestry claims for them a notice in these pages:—
Dr. Thomas Bray, an eminently pious and learned divine of the 17th century, was educated in Oswestry. He was afterwards entered of Hart Hall, Oxford, took his degree of Master of Arts there, was chosen by Dr. Compton, Bishop of London, to model the infant church at Maryland, and afterwards took the degree of Doctor in Divinity. He returned from Maryland, after a long and useful residence there, and rendered immense service to the cause of foreign missions, by his numerous publications and remarkable personal exertions. He closed a useful life in 1730, having reached the age of seventy-three years. He was born at Marton, in Salop.
John Freeman Milward Dovaston, M.A.—The death of this sweet poet, accomplished musician, and profound naturalist, occurred in August, 1854. Mr. Dovaston was not a native of Oswestry, but his birth-place (Westfelton) being so near to the borough, and his social connexion with it so constant and intimate during the whole of his life, that he may fairly be ranked among the celebrities of the town. He was the only son of John Dovaston, Esq., of “The Nursery,” at Westfelton, a man also of great natural talents, and who was distinguished for his science, learning and ingenuity. The subject of our present notice was educated for the Bar,but having a dislike for the profession, and possessing an ample property left by his father, he preferred a life of literary leisure, amid the charming scenery in his neighbourhood, to the wordy war and the feverish excitement of forensic ambition. In his sylvan retreat he sought amusement and instruction from the glories of nature so profusely scattered around him, and with the pure taste of the poet and philosopher, found
“Sermons in stones,Tongues in trees, books in running brooks,And good in every thing.”
“Sermons in stones,Tongues in trees, books in running brooks,And good in every thing.”
In early life he published a volume entitled “Fitz-Gwarine and other poems,” to which he made considerable additions in later years. He also published an able discourse on Natural History, and contributed two lectures on Music and National Melody. He was the author of a most interesting sketch of Bewick, the clever wood-engraver, whom Mr. Dovaston styled “the celebrated xyographer and illustrator of nature;” wrote several prologues and epilogues to histrionic performances for charitable purposes; and employed his graceful pen so long as Providence gave him mental and bodily strength. For several years, however, he was confined to his bed, and died at the age of 72 years. His education was commenced at Oswestry Free Grammar School, to which Institution he reverts, in the pride of his manhood and the fervent inspiration of the poet; and subsequently he was removed to Shrewsbury School, where he remained for some years, under the able tuition of Dr. Butler, afterwards Bishop of Lichfield. Mr. Dovaston’s poetic genius led him almost entirely into the realms of nature. His ardent fancy revelled amid flowers and trees, murmuring rivulets and mountain torrents, or roamed among “boxen bowers” and greenwood shades, where no sounds are heard but the drowsy hum of bees, the joyous notes of the mavis or the lark, or the plaintive warblings of his “bonny robin.” His metrical romance of “Fitz-Gwarine”gives evidence of high descriptive power; and his Ballad, entitled “Bala Water,” will bear comparison with the best stanzas of Scott. His works will live in the district in which they were written, comprising as they do so many local allusions; but had his muse soared to loftier themes, he would, in all probability, have transmitted to posterity a name which the lovers of song throughout the land would have delighted to honour. Never having been married, he left a considerable property, which is now in the possession of his relation, John Dovaston, Esq.
Guto(y Glyn,) orGriffith, ofGlyn, having been elected a burgess of Oswestry, is entitled from that distinction, as well as from his genius as a poet, to a brief notice. We have already quoted from his quaint description of Oswestry, but we shall now give it entire, as it was this production of his muse that procured for him the honour of enrolment as a burgess of the town. He was a native of Llangollen, and domestic bard to the Abbot of Llanegwestl, or Valle Crucis, near that town, to whom several of his poems are addressed. He is represented as witty and social, and was an acceptable guest at the halls of the Welsh nobility and gentry in his triennial visitations through the Principality. His gentle muse must have been more than ordinarily gracious when he poured forth such mellifluous strains as the following, in honour of Oswestry:—
“Oswestry is the liberal, the best endowed of cities;The beloved of heaven that draws me to it.Oswestrythe strong fort of conquerors; theLondonof Powys;Where the houses are well stored with wine, and the land is rich.Its school is celebrated, and its city for preachers and men of science.Godis present in its beautiful temple—A church adorned with rich chalices,And with bells and a rich-toned organ.No better choir is there from it to Canterbury:None in which there is correcter singing,Or the habilments more suitable.ToWhite MinsterI know no convent superior.The handsomest and best-dressed women are those of Oswestry.It resembles Cheapside in merchandize,And its people are honest and unanimous.God’sgrace be with the city, and those that dwell therein;MayGodbe its guardian and kind preserver.”
“Oswestry is the liberal, the best endowed of cities;The beloved of heaven that draws me to it.Oswestrythe strong fort of conquerors; theLondonof Powys;Where the houses are well stored with wine, and the land is rich.Its school is celebrated, and its city for preachers and men of science.Godis present in its beautiful temple—A church adorned with rich chalices,And with bells and a rich-toned organ.No better choir is there from it to Canterbury:None in which there is correcter singing,Or the habilments more suitable.ToWhite MinsterI know no convent superior.The handsomest and best-dressed women are those of Oswestry.It resembles Cheapside in merchandize,And its people are honest and unanimous.God’sgrace be with the city, and those that dwell therein;MayGodbe its guardian and kind preserver.”
Humphrey Humphreys, D.D., an eminent prelate, born November 24th, 1648, was for some years placed at the Free School of Oswestry, under the care of his uncle, Humphrey Wynn, A.M., who was master of the school and vicar of the parish. Bishop Humphreys was an able Welsh antiquary, and wrote some memoirs of eminent Welshmen, in addition to those contained in Wood’sAthenæ Oxonienses, printed in the last edition of that work, and in the first volume of theCambrian Register. “He was a person of excellent virtues during the whole course of his life, and in his latter years of a piety so extraordinary, as has but few examples.”
Thomas Jones, son of John Williams, was born in Oswestry, and distinguished himself as an able defender of the Protestant faith. Having received his early education in his native town, he was entered at Jesus College, Oxford, at the commencement of the rebellion, but he left the University soon after, and returned when Oxford was surrendered to the Parliament, in 1646. He became Fellow of University College, by authority, of the parliamentary visitors, in 1648, and was remarkably zealous in the republican cause. He took the degree of M.A. in the year following, and in 1655 became rector of Castell Caerinion, in Montgomeryshire, where he acquired a knowledge of the Welsh language, to serve those parts where the orthodox clergy were rejected. His subsequent life was marked by strong zeal against papacy, and in an action for slander brought against him by Dr. Morley, Bishop of Winchester, whom he charged as a promoter of popery, he was fined £300, and the rectory of Llandyrnog, to which he had been appointed, was sequestered for the payment of it. He continued this severe course ofpolemic warfare, and published several other works, amongst which, in 1682, “Elymas the Sorcerer; or a memorial towards the discovery of the bottom of this Popish Plot.” This effusion exposed him to much persecution, and would have subjected him to further punishment, had he not escaped by his decease, which occurred at Totteridge, Herts, in the same year.
Humphrey Kynaston, surnamedThe Wild.—This remarkable man, whose exploits would furnish skilful romance-writers with materials for at least three entertaining volumes, was not a native of Oswestry, but as there is a tradition that his first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Meredydd ab Hywel ab Morris, of Oswestry, and another that she was Margaret, daughter of William Griffith, of Oswestry, called Coch-William, or theRed, we have deemed his history worthy of brief narration in this volume. Kynaston was son of Sir Roger Kynaston, of Hordley, by Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Grey, Earl of Tankerville, by Antigony, daughter of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. The enormous debts he contracted by his imprudent life and conduct caused him to be outlawed, upon which he fled from Middle Castle, his usual place of residence, but which he had so neglected that it was falling into ruins, and sheltered himself in a cave in the western point of Nesscliff Rock, called to this dayKynaston’s Cave. The cave is large, and divided into two rooms by a pillar of the rock, upon which is carved “H. K. 1564.” Yorke says of him, that “he was a gentleman of many strange pranks, still the talk of the neighbouring peasantry. The cave in the rock, at Nesscliff, called Kynaston’s Cave, was the retreat of himself and mad companions. He was outlawed the sixth of Henry VII., pardoned the next year, and died in 1531.” Kynaston’s career was brief, but his exploits and vagaries within the short period of twelve months filled the country round with enthusiastic reports of his courage and semi-madness. His horse, somewhat resemblingthe notorious Turpin’s “Black Bess,” seemed to have an instinctive knowledge of his master’s love of daring adventure. Tradition states that this animal was stalled in the cave, the ascent to which was by a flight of steps, and that when he was grazing in any of the fields below, on hearing his master’s whistle, he would immediately attend to the summons, ascend the steps of the cave, and kneel at Humphrey’s bidding. Kynaston is represented as no common outlaw, and that in all his depredatory warfare he ever regarded a sort of justice, giving freely to the poor, by whom he was idolized, a portion of the “black mail” he had levied from the rich. On the road, if he saw a cart with one horse, and another with three, he made them equal, by taking the fore-horse from the latter and hooking it to the former. Most of the adventures ascribed to him seem to have been more dictated by whim than a desire of plunder. He had a plentiful supply of necessaries from the people around, the rich paying him tribute through fear, and the poor from gratitude.Kynaston’s Horse-leap, a place thus named on Dovaston Common, received its name from the following circumstance: Kynaston having been observed to go over Montford Bridge to Shrewsbury, the Sheriff, intending to take him, caused one of the divisions of the bridge (then formed of planks laid upon stone pillars,) to be taken up, and placed a number of men in ambush. When Kynaston had advanced on the bridge, the men came up and blocked up his retreat, upon which he put spurs to his horse, which bore him safely over the wide breach, and carried him to his cave at Nesscliff; some say the horse leaped into the Severn, and carried him across! The length of this leap was afterwards measured on Dovaston Common, with an H cut at one end and a K at the other. The letters were an ell long, a spade’s graffe wide, and a spade deep, and were generally cleansed annually by order of Mr. Kynaston, of Kington, as Gough, the historian of Middle, informs us. Camden merely mentions Nesscliff and its cave, but says not a word about Kynaston. WildHumphrey’s adventures were probably much exaggerated by the vulgar people of the district, some of whom have not scrupled to declare that his leap was forty yards! Kynaston, being a desperate man, would not hesitate much at daring feats, but a forty yards’ leap is fit only for record in the pages of Major Longbow.
Edward Llwyd, orLloyd, the celebrated antiquary, although not a native of Oswestry, was closely connected with it, as he was the natural son of Edward Lloyd, of Llanforda, a man of dissolute character, and who, after dissipating his estate, died without legitimate issue. Edward Llwyd was born in 1660, and at the age of seventeen was entered in Jesus College, Oxford. He studied fossils, and became under-keeper of theAshmolean Museum, and in 1680 succeeded to the head-keeper’s place, vacant by the resignation of his friend and patron, Dr. Plot. In 1704 he took the degree of M.A. His researches into the languages, histories, and customs of the original inhabitants of Great Britain obtained for him a distinguished name; but the chief fruit of his studies and travels was his “Archæologiæ Britannica,” of which Baxter, in a letter to Sir Hans Sloane, said, “That it was the work of an age, rather than of a few years; that it gave great light to the history and antiquities of Britain, and was an honour to his ancient country.” He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society, and in the following year the University gave “proof of the high esteem in which it held his extensive learning, by electing him Esquire Beadle in Divinity;” but he did not long enjoy the appointment, as he died after a few days’ illness, in June 1709. His manuscript collections, relating to Welsh and Irish antiquities, consisted of above forty volumes in folio, ten in quarto, and upwards of one hundred of smaller sizes. They were ultimately sold to Sir Thomas Seabright, of Beachwood, Herts, and were afterwards purchased from Sir John Seabright, part by the late Thomas Johnes, Esq., of Hafod, and the otherpart by the late Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., of Wynnstay. Some years afterwards, Mr. Johnes’ portion of these literary-treasures were consumed in a destructive fire that broke out at his elegant mansion, and a similar fate befel the more valuable of the Wynnstay portion, they having been consumed in a fire which occurred on the premises of a bookbinder in Covent-garden, London, where they had been sent for the purpose of being bound.