Lapley in 1868

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

"LAPLEY, a parish in the W. division of the hundred of Cuttlestone, county Stafford, 3½ miles S.W. of Penkridge, its post town and railway station, and 3 N. of Brewood. The parish, which is wholly agricultural, is situated near the Liverpool and Birmingham canal and railway. It contains the chapelry of Wheaton Aston.

Here was formerly a Black priory, founded in Edward the Confessor's time by Aylmer, as a cell to St. Remigius, at Rheims. It was subsequently given by Henry I. to Tong College, and in the reign of Edward IV. to Sir Richard Manners. The impropriate tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £300, and the vicarial of £200.

The living is a vicarage with the curacy of Wheaton Aston annexed, in the diocese of Lichfield, joint value £124. The church, dedicated to All Saints, has been thoroughly restored. It is a stone edifice with a tower containing five bells. The parochial charities produce about £25 12s. per annum. There is a National school for both sexes. Captain Frederick Hay Swinfen is lord of the manor."

"WHEATON ASTON, a township and chapelry in the parish of Lapley, county Stafford, 5 miles S.W. of Penkridge. It is situated near the Grand Junction canal. Fairs are held on the 20th April and 1st November for cattle.

 

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