Shropshire Routes to Roots - Shropshire places - Wem
by Samuel Garbet
The Parish of Wem lies in the deanery of Newport, and is subject to the visitation of the Archdeacon of Salop. The length of it from east to west, that is from Ball's of the Brook, to Black Waterford, is six miles; the breadth of it from north to south, that is, from Sandland's Brook in the confines of Whitchurch parish to Billow Brook that divides it from the liberties of Shrewsbury, is five miles. It contains Wem, the church, and market town, and twelve hamlets or villages, Edstaston, Cotton, Newtown, Northwood, Wolverley, Horton, Lowe and Ditches, Lacon, Soulton, Aston, Tilley and Trench, and Sleap.
The allotments of Wem is of less extent than the parish, for it does not include Sleap, which belongs to Pimhill hundred. In respect to the landtax which was first granted in 1689, the first year of William and Mary, it is computed to be £2911. 15s. 5d. per annum, and consequently the sum charged upon it at 1s. in the pound is £145. 11s. 9d.
The manor of Wem is of less compass than the allotment, for it comprehends only the market town of Wem, together with nine hamlets within that Parish; Edstaston, Cotton, Newtown, Northwood, Wolverley, Horton, Lowe and Ditches, Aston, Tilley and Trench, and one hamlet in the parish of Prees, viz. Steel.
All lands within this Manor were either the Lord's demesne, or held of him by the several tenures of freehold, borough-hold, or copyhold. The Lord's demesne, which in ancient times was very large, is now reduced to nothing, having been alienated at several times to several purchasers. This encreased the number of freeholders, who before were but few.
Oxen are seldom seen here, only horses being used for draught. But few sheep are kept; they which feed on Cotton Wood are of a small size.
Page created 7 September 2003 and last updated 22 June 2007
