Shropshire Routes to Roots - Shropshire places - Wem
by Samuel Garbet
The township of Wem extends north-ward to Creamore Brook, which divides it from Edstaston, south-ward to the farther bridge at the mill, which divides it from Tilley, east-ward to a rivulet beyond the cottage of Samuel Forgham, which divides it from Lacon, west-ward to another rivulet near Mr. Green's marle pit, which separates it from the Lowe. The boundary towards Aston is a cross pavement near Cordway Hill; towards Horton, the bridge between the houses at the Ditches.
In respect to landtax, this township is valued at £761. 13s. 4d. per annum, and so the sum charged upon it at 1s. in the pound, is £38. 1s. 8d.
The soil, exclusive of the pool land, is generally mould or mother earth, of a dark brown colour, and pretty dry. It is mostly arable, and does best produce muncorn, rye, and barley. The chief manure is muck, though considerable quantities of lime are used. Heifers are the cattle the farmers chiefly breed for sale. Wem pool in ancient times was waste ground, in which the burgesses of the town had free common. In the beginning of queen Elizabeth's reign, certain parcels of it had been lately enclosed, as now the whole is. These pool lands which are about two miles in compass, are all pasture ground, and in the winter much exposed to floods.
Page created 7 September 2003 and last updated 22 June 2007
