Shenstone History

SHENSTONE
Description and History from 1868 Gazetteer

"SHENSTONE, a parish in the hundred of South Offlow, county Stafford, 31 miles S.W. of Lichfield, and 12 from Birmingham. It is situated on the borders of Stafford and Warwick shires, adjoining Cannock Chase on the W. The parish, which is large, is divided into two districts, the eastern, or Shenstone, and the western, or Stonnall, divisions; the former containing the hamlets of Chesterfield, Footherley, Shenstone Little Hay, Shenstone Woodend, and part of Wall Hilton; and the latter those of Little Aston, Catshill, Lynn, Sandhills, Shire Oak, and Upper and Lower Stonnall.

The surface is undulating, and the lower lands are watered by several trout streams falling into a branch of the river Tame. In the eastern division are extensive pastures skirting the banks of the rivulets, much of the uplands produce excellent crops of wheat, barley, and turnips, but in some parts the soil is poor and peaty.

The village is large, and stands upon an eminence. Many of the houses are detached, and in the vicinity are numerous mansions, as Shenstone Hall, Shenstone Moss, Shenstone House, Shenstone Lodge, Aston Hall, and Footherley Hall. Petty and special sessions are held fortnightly for the northern division of the hundred of South Offlow. The impropriate tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £500, and the vicarial for £435; the glebe comprises 3 acres.

The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Lichfield, value £488. The old church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, has been taken down, with the exception of the tower, and a structure erected in 1853 at a little distance, on an eminence commanding a view of the surrounding country. There is also a district church at Upper Stonnall the living of which is a perpetual curacy, value £180. The church is an ancient edifice. The Wesleyans have a chapel at Little Hay. The parochial charities produce about £125 per annum.

There is a National school recently built. At Upper Stonnall was formerly a castle or fortification, the site of which is still called Castle Field, and near the hamlet of Chesterfield was the site of the Roman station Etocetum. A fair is held on the last Monday in February, chiefly for cattle, and the wakes on the Sunday before St. Peter's Day."

 

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