Shropshire Routes to Roots

Trade directories: History and Description of Drayton (Pigot's Directory, 1821-1822)

History and description of Drayton, 1821-1822 [Shropshire Archive reference: Pigot's Directory, 1821-1822]

DRAYTON

MARKET DRAYTON, or Drayton-in-Hales, is a parish, partly in the north hundred of Bradford, and extending into north Pirchill hundred, in the county of Stafford, the town being 151 miles from London, 19 from Shrewsbury, 16 from Wellington, and 11 from Newport; situated on the river Tern; supposed to have been one of the Roman stations, and much larger than the town now is. Before the introduction of canals, Drayton had one of the greatest markets in the district, but the wharf at Stone, in Staffordshire, drew much of its trade. The only manufactures here are, paper and horse-hair seating. The church is a good modern structure, dedicated to St. Mary, the living of which is a vicarage, in the patronage of Richard Corbet, Esq. and incumbency of the Rev. John Poultenay Stubbs. Here are besides a church each for the Wesleyan Methodists, Calvinists and Baptists; and a free grammar school, founded in 1554. There are several seats of the nobility, and other genteel residences in this neighbourhood ; the country around is fertile and agricultural, diversified by hill, dale and fine open plains. The market is held on Wednesday; and the fairs on the 22nd of June, the 19th of September, 24th October and the Wednesday before Palm-Sunday. The population of that part of the parish confined to this county, in 1821, consisted of 3,700 persons, and the whole parish, 4,426.

POST OFFICE, Richard Grant, Post Master. - Letters are despatched at ten in the morning, and arrive at half past three in the afternoon.