Ashley in 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"ASHLEY, a parish in the northern division of the hundred of Pirehill, in the county of Stafford, 5 miles to the N.E. of Market Drayton, and 3 S.E. from Whitmore railway station. The village of Ashley Heath, and the hamlet of Hookgate, are included in this parish.

The living is a rectory in the diocese of Lichfield, value £316, in the patronage of the Rev. H. Hebden and H. C. M. Ingram, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and has been much enlarged by a chapel subsequently built by Thos. Kinnersley, Esq., in which are six fine marble monuments to the Kinnersley family, executed by Chantrey, Noble, and others. On the east side of the chancel are several ancient effigies of the Lords Gerard of Bromley, and an ancient font presented by David Kenric, a native of the village and a soldier who served under the Black Prince. The register dates from 1551.

There are chapels belonging to the Roman Catholics and Independents, and a school supported by the lords of the manor. The charities amount to £40 per annum, distributed to the poor on St. Thomas's day, besides a monthly provision of bread. At Ashley Heath there are remains of a Roman camp, on a hill about 800 feet in height."

"HOOK-GATE, a hamlet in the parish of Ashley, hundred of Pirehill, county Stafford, 7 mile N.W. of Ecclesfield."

 

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]