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"Halesowen, with the villages of Cradley, Netherend and neighbourhoods" from Pigot and Co.'s 1844 directory of Shropshire

Cradley Links wishes to record our grateful thanks to Stephanie Robinson, who generously gave her time to produce this transcription.

HALES OWEN WITH THE VILLAGES OF CRADLEY, NETHEREND AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.

HALES OWEN is a market town, lying in an insulated parish of its name, separated from the country of Salop, and entirely surrounded by those of Stafford and Worcester - the parish extending into the hundred of Halfshire, in the latter county; 117 miles N. W. from London, 11 s. by E. from Wolverhampton, 5 s. from Dudley, and 7 s. w. from Birmingham - at which latter town are the stations of several important railway lines. This place is said to have formerly been a borough, though it does not appear to have ever returned members to parliament. The town, which is seated in a fertile valley, consists principally of one street, in which are some respectable houses, and of several smaller streets, containing humbler dwellings, irregularly built. The river Stour, which rises in some hills not far distant, passes the town, as does the Netherton canal, about half a mile from it. Lord Lyttelton is lord of the manor and holds an annual court leet; and a court for the recovery of debts under £5. (the jurisdiction of which includes Hales Owen) is held at the court-house,  Oldbury, once a fortnight. This place has been noted for the manufacture of nails, chains and horn buttons. There are, also, an extensive concern, under the firm of the British Iron Company, at Corngreaves; two manufactories for gun barrels; and others for anvils, vices, hammers, files, spades, shovels, &c. The coal trade is of importance; bricks and tiles are made to a considerable extent; and there are several maltings and corn mills, in the town and neighbourhood.

  The parish church of St. John (said to have been erected prior to the conquest) contains a beautiful monument to the memory of Major Halliday, and a plain one to Shenstone the poet; the benefice is a vicarage, in the patronage of Lord Lyttelton, and incumbency of the Rev. Richard Brindley Hone. There are places of worship for Independents, and Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists.  The free grammar school here was founded under a commission for charitable uses. At a short distance from the town are the 'Leasowes,' the seat of the celebrated Shenstone, who received the rudiments of his education in the Hales Owen grammar school.  The market, which at the present day is of little or no importance, is chartered to be held on Monday; and the fair on Easter Monday.  The parish contained, in 1831, 11,839 inhabitants, and in 1841 the population had increased to 17,376.

  Cradley is a chapelry, in that part of the parish of Hales Owen which is in the lower division of the hundred of Halfshire, county of Worcester; two miles N.N.W. from Hales Owen, and three from Dudley and Stourbridge; situated on the river Stour, which, running on the northern and western sides of the chapelry, separates it from the county of Stafford.  Beautifully situate in a woody district, amid pleasing walks, and on the banks of a large pool or artificial lake, is Cradley Spa, where warm and cold baths have been erected: the water is impregnated with sulphate of soda, magnesia, &c, and is much used by invalids during the summer.  At one period an attempt was made to manufacture salt here, but the success was very partial. The making of nails and chains now constitute the staple trade of the chapelry.  The places of worship are the chapel under the establishment, and three others for dissenters: the living is a perpetual curacy. A national school, established here, is supported by subscription.  The soil of this district is fertile, and brick clay of an excellent quality is obtained.  The population of the chapelry, is about 2,000.

  Netherend is a small village in Cradley chapelry, and is chiefly to be noticed as having in its vicinity extensive iron works, where iron in bar, rolled and slit, is manufactured.  In the village is a chapel for Unitarians, and also a free school.  Population returned with Cradley chapelry.

  POST OFFICE, Hagley-street, Hales Owen, Elizabeth Cox, Post Mistress.- Letters from all parts arrive (from Birmingham) every morning at half-past seven, and are despatched thereto every evening at six.

NOBILITY, GENTRY AND CLERGY

Attwood George, Esq.  Hawn House

Attwood Miss Mary Ann, Leasowes

Best Benjamin, Esq.  Corngreaves

Bowen Rev. William, Netherend

Bradley Miss Charlotte, Church st

Green Mr James, Hagley st

Homfray David Esq. Witley Lodge

Hone Mrs Augusta, Church st

Hone Rev. Richard Brindley, Vicarage House

Lyttelton Right Hon. Lord, Hagley Park

Meredith William, Esq. Bellevue

Phillips Mrs. Mary, Hagley St

Reeves Rev. Edward, Highfield

Smith Mrs Elizabeth, Grange House

ACADEMIES AND SCHOOLS.

Free Grammar School, Dudley road - John Lomax, master

Infants' School, Church St - Mary Ann Thompson, mistress

National School, (girls) Church st - Mary Bannister, mistress

National School, Cradley - Benj. Harrison, master; Ann Allen, mistress

Todd Miss (boarding) Honnington

Unitarian Charity School, Netherend, - Thomas Henry Billingham, master

Westwood Joseph, Netherend

Wharton Miss, High St

ANVIL MANUFACTURERS.

Hopkiss Moses, Rag Mill forge

Wood Brothers (& vice) Furnace hill

ATTORNEYS.

Hayes & Son (& clerks to the magistrates) Cornbow

Homfray Jeston, High St

BAKERS & FLOUR DEALERS.

Deeley Charles, Cornbow

Moss William, High St

BLACKSMITHS.

Higgs John, Islington

Mole Daniel, Colleygate

Partridge Charles, Rumbow

Partridge William, Grange

Standen Robert, Spring hill

Taylor Thomas, Cornbow

BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS.

Harris William (& printer) High St

Sault Saml. (& ironmonger) Cornbow

BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS.

Eden John, Hagley st

Glaze John, Hagley st

Hall James, Hagley st

Hall William, Hagley st

Hawkswood Richard, Colleygate

Homer Joseph, Cradley

Leech Edward, Peckingham st

Parkes William, High st

Simmons William, Bull ring

Smith Jesse, High st

Smith Joseph, Spring hill

BRICK AND TILE MAKERS.

Attwood George & Co. Hawn Works

Finney John, Hasbury

Finney Labon, Spring hill

Grove Richard, Spring hill

BRICKLAYERS.

Brettell John, Cradley

Brettell Samuel, Cradley

Grove Edward, High st

Grove Thomas, High st

BUTCHERS.

Attwood James, Cradley

Attwood William, Cradley

Beasley Stephen, Cradley

Cooper George, Church st

Hodgetts Henry, Peckingham st

Hollies William, High st

Jeptha William, Hagley st

Jones Thomas, Cradley

Moseley George, Peckingham st

Robinson William, Hagley st

Smart Robert, High st

BUTTON MANUFACTURER - HORN.

Harris Thomas, Spring hill

CARPENTERS & JOINERS.

Bloomer John, Colleygate

Connop Benjamin, Church st

Thomas Francis, Peckingham st

Whitehouse Joseph, Hagley st

COAL MASTERS.

Attwood George & Sons, Hawn Colliery

King J. & W. Netherend Colliery

COOPERS.

Dallow William, Hagley & Cradley

Forrester Charles, Islington

Stokes William, Bull ring

DRUGGISTS.

Bishop Thomas, Cradley

Granger Mattw.Field Pearce, Hagley st

Johnson Thomas, High st

Phillips David, Peckingham st

Welch John, Hagley st

FIRE, &c. OFFICE AGENTS.

Birmingham, Matthew Granger, Hagley st

Birmingham District, A. C. Homer, Colleygate

Crown, Hayes & Son, Cornbow

Phoenix, Benjamin Trewolla, High st

GARDENERS.

Bayliss Charles, Townsend

Beache Noah, Cradley

Bennett William, Cradley

Crosby Thomas, Spring hill

Roper William, Cradley

GROCERS AND DEALERS IN SUNDRIES.

Bishop Thomas, Cradley

Bissell Thomas & Co.  High st

Cemm Thomas, Cradley

Chatwin Henry, Islington

Fellows Noah, Birmingham st

Granger Mattw.Field Pearce, Hagley st

Grove John Haden, Cradley

Grove Richard, Peckingham st

Hawkshead Joseph, Cradley

Hodgkins Benjamin, Cornbow

Horton William, Hagley st

Moss Milliam, High st

Petford Felix, Cradley

Phillips David, Peckingham st

Sault Susan, Cradley

Smith Samuel, Cradley

Taylor Abraham, White hall

Taylor Jacob, Spring hill

Tibbetts Joseph, Cradley

White Sarah, Bull ring

White William, Islington

Willetts George, Islington

GUN BARREL MANUFACTRS.

Burr John, Hayseech

Rose Aaron, Hales Owen Mills

INNS & PUBLIC HOUSES

Birmingham Tavern, John Smith, Hagley st

Black Horse, Joseph Heath, Greenfield

Black Swan, Nathl. Ward, Cradley

Cock, Peter Parton, Cornbow

Crown, William Stokes, Bull ring

Fox, William Grove, Cornbow

George Inn, John Cooper, Church st

Globe, Geo. Moseley, Peckingham st

Golden Cross, James Cooksey, Peckingham st

Half Moon, Isaac Mallin, Peckingham st

Holly Bush, Simeon Wooldridge, Cradley

Horse Shoe, Daniel Mole, Colleygate

Leopard, Thomas Grove, High st

Lodge Ford Inn, Benjamin Woodhall, Cradley

Lyttelton's Arms Inn (& excise office) Samuel Challinor, High st

Malt Shovel, Ann Willetts, Church st

May Pole, Samuel Leonard, Cradley Forge

Nelson's Arms, William Knight, Spring hill

New Inn (& posting house) George Granger, White hall

Old Mogul, Thos. Fellows, Netherend

Plume of Feathers, Aaron Rose, Church st

Queen's Head, Jane Ganner, Birmingham st

Retailers of Beer.

Beasley John, Cradley

Beddall Francis, Netherend

Bloomer Josiah, Cradley

Byng Thomas, Cradley

Cannop Samuel, Lower wharf

Cemm Thomas, Cradley

Edwards Elizabeth, Cradley

Granger Edward, Birmingham st

Grove James, Islington

Haddock John, Netherend

Hadley William, Cradley

Hall Joel, Rumbow

Hall Joseph, Rumbow

Harrison Elizabeth, Cradley

Harrison George, Spring hill

Hawkshead Joseph, Cradley

Homer Thomas, Cradley

Jones Thomas, Cradley

Jones William, Islington

Nash Mary, Peckingham st

Roper William, Colleygate

Tate Abel, Colleygate

Tibbetts Joseph, Cradley

White Samuel, High st

White Sarah, Birmingham st

Withers Henry, Spring hill

Withers Thomas, Cornbow

IRON MASTERS AND IRON MANUFACTURERS.

Evers Samuel & Sons, Cradley Iron Works

New British Iron Company, Corngreaves - Benj. Best, manager

LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS.

Fernie Henry, Hagley st

Petford Felix, Cradley

Trewolla Benjamin, High st

MALTSTERS.

Corbett John, Church st

Fellows Joseph, Cradley

Ganner Jane, Birmingham st

Harris James, High st

Harrison Elizabeth, Cradley

Jones William, Hagley st

Mason Samuel, Netherend

Oliver William, Netherend

Parkes Edwin, Cornbow

Potter George, Honnington

Tibbetts William, Cradley

MILLERS.

Fellows Joseph, Cradley

Hulston William, Hasberry

Morris Joseph, Luttley Mill

Moss Joseph, Grange

Potter John, Illey

NAIL AND CHAIN MANUFACTURERS.

Bissell Thomas, & Sons, Greenfields

Cox William, Cradley

Hawkswood Joseph, Cradley

Hingley Joseph (chain) Cradley

Hodgkins Henry, Hagley st

Hodgkins Thomas, Cornbow

Jones Thomas, Olive House

Pargeter Joseph and Thomas, Birmingham st and Careless green

Rock Joseph & William, Cradley

Wood Brothers (chain) Furnace hill

York Edward, Cornbow

PAINTERS, PLUMBERS AND GLAZIERS.

Cooper John, Cradley

Day Edward Green, Cornbow

Harris Thomas, Church st

Round William, New road

Wyer Samuel Edward, Cradley

SADDLERS.

Fiddian George, Peckingham st

Prynn Thomas, High st

Reynolds Thomas, High st

SPADE AND SHOVEL MANUFACTURERS.

Rose William Henry, Birmingham st

Vaughan John, Drew's forge

Wood Brothers, Furnace hill and Stourbridge

STEEL MANUFACTURERS.

Attwood George and Sons, Corngreaves Steel Works

STRAW HAT MAKERS.

Charlton Mary, High st

York Sarah, Cornbow

SURGEONS.

Bloxham Joseph, Townsend

Haslewood & Teed, Cradley

Hayes Henry, High st

Kendrick George, Church st

Moore Edward, Townsend

Phillips Benjamin Erasmus, High st

TAILORS.

Brettell Benjamin, Islington

Charlton John Horatio, High st

Gilbert William, Church st

Moore Benjamin, Cornbow

Moore Joseph, Spring hill

Whatmore Samuel, Hagley st

TIMBER DEALERS.

Withers Joseph, Spring hill

Withers Thomas, Cornbow

WHEELWRIGHTS.

Beach Richard, New rd

Osborne John, Spring hill

Southwell George, Grange  1

Miscellaneous.

Athanaeum Reading Room, Townsend - Arthur Burr, secretary

Brewin Thomas, agent to the Dudley Canal Co.  Hales Owen hill

Bridgewater Elizth, milliner, Church st

Burr Jno. civil engineer, Highfield House

Compson Thos. tanner & currier, Cornbow

Fellows George, file and rasp manufacturer, Netherend

Gas Works, Cornbow

Grove David, corn dealer, Peckingham st

Hodgetts Jane, hair dresser, High st

Johnson Thomas, tin-plate worker, Peckingham st

Jones Mary, lime burner, Heywood wharf

Lane James, watch maker, Hadley st

Police Station, Hadley st

Shilcock Edwin, hardware dealer, Hagley st

Siviter Thomas, gas tube manufacturer, Rumbow

COACHES & OMNIBUSES.

To BIRMINGHAM, the Mail (from Stourbridge) calls at the New Inn, every evening at six, and a Coach, every morning at a quarter before ten - Jordan's Omnibus (from Kidderminster) calls at the Lyttelton's Arms, every morning (Sunday excepted) at half-past eight - and another calls at Mr Trewollas', at the same hour.

To KIDDERMINSTER, Jordan's Omnibus (from Birmingham) calls at the Lyttelton's Arms, every afternoon (Sunday excepted) at half-past five - and another calls at Mr Trewollas', at the same hour.

To STOURBRIDGE, the Mail (from Birmingham) calls at the New Inn, every morning at half-past ten - and a Coach every evening at half-past seven.

CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY.

The nearest Station to Hales Owen is Birmingham, seven miles distant, where the London and Birmingham, the Grand Junction, the Birmingham and Derby Junction, and the Birmingham and Gloucester Railways have their respective Stations.

There are regular conveyances to Birmingham, as noticed in the preceding list of Coaches and Omnibuses.

CARRIERS.

To BIRMINGHAM, Thos. Knight, from his house, Birmingham street, every Monday, Thursday and Saturday - and Jos. Tildesley, from his house, Church street, every Tuesday, Thursday & Sat.

To BROMSGROVE, Thos. Knight, from his house, Birmingham st, every Tuesday.

To STOURBRIDGE, Joseph Tildesley, from his house, Church st, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

CONVEYANCE BY WATER.

To BIRMINGHAM, DUDLEY, TIPTON, STOURBRIDGE. &c.  Boats, pass through daily, and forward goods to all parts - Thomas Brewin, agent, Heywood wharf.

Note

1 Mr George Southwell was the great-great-great-grandfather of the transcriber of this directory (Stephanie Robinson)