Ellesmere Shropshire Family History Guide
Ellesmere is an Ancient Parish partly in Flintshire.
The parish includes the townships of Ellesmere, Colemere, Crickett, Criftins, Eastwick, Elson-with-Greenhill, Birch and Lythe, Cockshutt and Crosemere, Frankton, Hamptons-Wood, Hardwick, Kenwicks-with-Stockett and Whettall, Kenwicks-Park, Kenwicks-Wood, Lee, Lyneal, New Marton, Newnes, Northwood, Oteley-with-Newton and Spoonhill, Ridges, Stocks-with-Coptivinney, Tetchill-with-French, and the chapelry of Dudleston, in Salop, and the chapelry of Penley in Flint. The p. curacies of Cockshutt, Dudleston, and Penley are separate benefices.
Parish church:
Parish registers begin: 1654
Nonconformists include: Independent/Congregational, Particular Baptist, Primitive Methodist, Wesleyan Methodist, and Wesleyan Methodist Association.
Table of Contents
Adjacent Parishes
- Loppington
- Whittington
- Baschurch
- Welshampton
- Wem
- Dudleston
- Hordley
- Petton
- St Martins
- Cockshutt
- Penley
- Halghton
- Bettisfield
- Great Ness
Parish History
Ellesmere
The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales 1870
ELLESMERE, a town, a sub-district, and a division in Salop; and a parish and a district, partly also in Flint. The town stands on Ellesmere lake, the Ellesmere canal, and the Cambrian railway, at the junction of the E. and Glyn Valley railway, 16 miles NNW of Shrewsbury. It took its name from the lake, which covers about 186 acres, and was known to the Saxons as Aelsmere, or “the great lake.” It belonged, at Domesday, to Earl Roger de Montgomery; it afterwards was held by the Crown, was frequently given, as a marriage portion with female members of the royal family, to the princes of Wales, but was given, in every instance under reservation of a right of resumption; it possessed, in those times, a strong castle which, as well as its situation on the frontier, made it a place of much importance in politics and in war; and it afterwards passed to successively Lord Strange, the Earls of Derby, Richard Spencer, Edward Savage, and the Egertons. Its castle occupied an eminence; was under special governors during all the times of its being held by the Crown; but began to pass into neglect from the time of Edward III.; was afterwards suffered to go to ruin; and has entirely disappeared. The castle’s site has been converted into a bowling-green; and commands a brilliant view over portions of nine counties. The town presents a pretty appearance; is a seat of petty sessions and a polling place; and has a post office under Shrewsbury, a railway station, three chief inns, two banking offices, a town-hall, a church, four dissenting chapels, a fine cemetery of 1865, a workhouse, and charities £115. The church is cruciform and decorated English; was rebuilt in 1849; has a good E window; and contains some ancient monuments. A weekly market is held on Tuesday; and fairs on the first Monday of every month. There is an extensive foundry at the wharf. There are also gas-works. A large trade is carried on in agricultural produce, and in malting. The Ellesmere and Glyn Valley railway was authorised in 1866; and goes, 15 miles, to Llansaintffraid-Glyn-Cerriog. The town gives the title of Earl to the Egertons. Pop., 2, 114. Houses, 413. The parish includes the townships of Ellesmere, Colemere, Crickett, Criftins, Eastwick, Elson-with-Greenhill, Birch and Lythe, Cockshutt and Crosemere, Frankton, Hamptons-Wood, Hardwick, Kenwicks-with-Stockett and Whettall, Kenwicks-Park, Kenwicks-Wood, Lee, Lyneal, New Marton, Newnes, Northwood, Oteley-with-Newton and Spoonhill, Ridges, Stocks-with-Coptivinney, Tetchill-with-French, and the chapelry of Dudleston, in Salop, and the chapelry of Penley in Flint. Acres, in Salop, 24,597; in Flint, 2,036. Real property, in Salop, £23,334; in Flint, £2,950. Pop., in Salop, 6,071; in Flint, 382. Houses, 1,229 and 91. The property is subdivided. Ellesmere House, a handsome brick-edifice, is the seat of Capt. Cust. Otley Park, a modern Tudor mansion, is the seat of Mainwaring, Esq.; and Lythe Hall is the seat of R. J. Jebb, Esq. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Lichfield. Value, £386. Patron, Earl Brownlow. The p. curacies of Cockshutt, Dudleston, and Penley are separate benefices.
The sub-district contains all the Salop parts of Ellesmere parish, and the parishes of Hordley and Welsh-Hampton. Acres, 28,646. Pop., 6,078. Houses, 1,400. The district comprehends also the sub-district of Baschurch, containing the parishes of Baschurch, Great Ness, Petton, and Middle; the sub-district of Hanmer, conterminate with Hanmer parish, electorally in Flint; and the sub-district of Overton, containing the parish of Overton, and the chapelry of Penley, both electorally in Flint. Acres, 71,081. Poor-rates in 1862, £6,665. Pop. in 1851, 15,239; in 1861, 14,611. Houses, 3,003. Marriages in 1860, 76; births, 407, of which 41 were illegitimate, deaths, 299, of which 74 were at ages under 5 years, and 7 at ages above 85. Marriages in the ten years 1851 60,752; births, 4,352; deaths, 2,894. The places of worship in 1851 were 17 of the Church of England, with 6,051 sittings; 8 of Independents, with 1,220 s.; 1 of Baptists, with 90 s.; 7 of Wesleyan Methodists, with 815 s.; 25 of Primitive Methodists, with 2,100 s.; and 2 of the Wesleyan Association, with 264 s. The schools were 17 public day schools, with 1,265 scholars; 28 private day schools, with 682 s.; 27 Sunday schools, with 1,553 s.; and 1 evening school for adults, with 14 s. The division is part of Pimhill hundred, and contains three parishes and parts of two others. Acres, 35,555. Pop., 8,227. Houses, 1,622.
Source: The Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales [Wilson, John M]. A. Fullarton & Co. N. d. c. [1870-72].
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Ellesmere. A market town, in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill, a vicarage remaining in charge, in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, the deanery of Salop, and archdeaconry of Salop. 1,143 houses, 6,056 inhabitants. 17 miles north north-west of Shrewsbury. 176 miles north-west of London. LAT. 52.56. N. LONG. 2, 59 W.
Ellesmere takes its name from a mere, or great lake in its neighbourhood. It is a town of Saxon origin, and was formerly called Aelsmere, or the greatest mere; the lake that washes it being of the extent of 101 acres (some say 116 acres). Ael in composition signifies excellence, or fullness; and mere, a lake resembling as it were a little sea. Though some derive the name from the abundance of eels in that water.
By statute the twenty seventh of Henry the eighth, Ellesmere cum membris was united to the hundred of Pimhill. In the fortieth year of Elizabeth, the Queen gave license to Sir Edward Kynaston, Knight, to keep a market, on Tuesday, and a fair. But the account given by Leland, of this town, is, that it had four streets, and no market. None of the ruins of the castle are left; (lt was destroyed in the seventeenth century, during the rage of the civil war) but the eminence on which the keep stood, discovers that it has been an ancient fort.
Ellesmere is an elegant little town, and is rendered exceeding beautiful by the fine wood fringed lake, which comes close to its walls. It has a good market, and the chief trade of the town is in malting and tanning.
On the castle hill (formerly the keep) there is one of the finest bowling greens in the kingdom, from which there is an extensive prospect of nine different counties.
The church of Ellesmere is a spacious, but irregular, cruciform building. In the centre is a handsome square tower, adorned with pinnacles. The tracery of the great eastern Window is highly beautiful. In a chapel, south of the chancel, is an ancient tomb of the Kynaston’s of Hordley. The ceiling of this part is highly adorned with Gothick fretwork.
Market on Tuesday. Fairs, February 2, the third Tuesday in April, Whit Tuesday, August 26, and November 14. The second is a great fair for barren cows.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Astley, Newton, and Spoonhill
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Astley, Newton, and Spoonhill. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Birch and Lyth
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Birch and Lyth. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the hundred of Pimhill. 1 mile south of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Cockshut and Crosemere
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Cockshut, and Crosemere. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. Cockshut is chapel to Ellesmere, and is in the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield, the deanery of Salop, and archdeaconry of Salop. Cockshut is 4 miles, and Crosemere 3 miles, south-east of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Coolmere
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Coolmere. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the hundred of Pimhill. 2 miles east of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Cricket
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Cricket. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 2 ½ miles west of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Eastwick
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Eastwick. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Elson or Elston Gregory
Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Elson; or Elston. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 1 ½ mile north-west of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
English Frankton
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Frankton (English). A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 5 miles south-east of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Hardwick
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Hardwick. A township in the parish of Ellesmere and in the Ellesmere division of the hunched of Pimhill. The seat of the Rev. Sir Edward Kynaston, bart. 1 ½ mile south-west of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Kenwick
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Kenwick. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Kenwick Park
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Kenwick Park. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 3 miles south of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Kenwick Wood
Gregory Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Kenwick Wood. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 4 miles south of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Lee
Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Lee. A township in the hundred of Pimhill.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Lineal or Linial or Lyneal
Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Lineal or Linial or Lyneal. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 3 miles south-east of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
New Marton
Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
New Marton. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 4 miles west of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Newnes
Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Newnes. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 1 mile south-west of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Newton Oatley and Spoonhill
Shropshire Gazetteer 1824
Newton Oatley and Spoonhill. A township in the parish of Ellesmere, and in the Ellesmere division of the hundred of Pimhill. 1 ½ mile east of Ellesmere.
Source: The Shropshire Gazetteer, with an Appendix, including a Survey of the County and Valuable Miscellaneous Information, with Plates. Printed and Published by T. Gregory, Wem, 1824
Parish Registers
The Register of the Independent Chapel, Ellesmere 1787-1811
Parish Records
FamilySearch
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Shropshire Historical Directories
Directory Transcriptions
Ellesmere Universal British Directory 1791
Is distant from London 144 miles, sixteen from Salop, and twenty-three from Chester. This town is of Saxon origin, and takes its name from the water, which is called Aelsmere, or the greatest mere, being the chief in this part of the county. This lake is 101 acres in dimensions; it is exceedingly well stocked with fish. The environs have two advantages superior to other lakes: a good town borders on one side; the fine park of Ockle, or Ottley, is a great ornament to another. This is the ancient seat of the Kynastons. The house appears to be very old, and stands low; but the park is a very fine one, having the greatest quantity of the finest elm-trees perhaps to be seen in any part of England. Ellesmere water is the property of the Duke of Bridgewater; and from this place his grace takes the title of baron. This place has little to boast of, except its situation. The principal trade is that of malt, the barley of the neighbourhood being remarkably good.
Here is a market on Tuesday; fairs, third Tuesday in April, Whit-Tuesday, August 25, and November 14. Near the Mere is a house of industry for the poor of five parishes, from which is a delightful prospect. On Castle-hill there is one of the finest bowling-greens in the kingdom; nine different counties may be seen from the green. A new canal is nearly cut to this town, called the Ellesmere canal.
Post-Office. – Letters are dispatched for London, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at six o’clock in the evening; arrive from London, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, morning, between six and seven o’clock; Samuel Lowe, postmaster.
A coach to Shrewsbury, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; to Chester, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. – Jay’s wagon to Wrexham every Monday.
The church has a square tower and eight bells; also a clock and chimes. – The following are the principal inhabitants:
Gentry, &c.
Bird Mr. David
Byollin Mr. Thomas
Gough Mr. Thomas
Griffiths Mr. Thomas
Hatchett Mr. Buckley
Hay Admiral
Kynaston Mr. Robert
Langford Mr. Richard
Lloyd Mr. Francis
Walker Mr. Richard
Wallford Mr. Richard
Warburton Mr. Edward
Clergy.
Cooper Rev. Thomas
Cotton Rev. John Aldrich
Physic.
Badger Overbury Whitby, Surgeon
Crabbs John, Surgeon
James Thomas, Surgeon
Law.
Jones Thomas H. Attorney
Traders, &c.
Bailey John, Bull and Dog Inn
Bartley Robert, Brazier
Bate John, Miller
Baugh William, Stationer
Baugh John, sen. Hair-dresser
Baylin John, Butcher
Baylin Robert, Butcher
Bayman John, Excise-officer
Becket William, Sadler
Bennet John, Currier and Victualler
Bickerton Geo. Clock and Watch Maker
Bickley Robert, Shoemaker
Birch Richard, Shoemaker
Birch Thomas, Victualler, (Swan)
Birch Thomas, Druggist and Grocer
Bond William, Vict. (Bird-in-Hand)
Boote Richard, Maltster
Bowdler Robert, Wheelwright
Briscoe William, Vict. (Three Tuns)
Bullock Richard, Watchmaker
Burris Charles, Wheelwright
Clark Ann, Huckster
Clark Poole, Victualler, (Cross Guns)
Clay James, Smith
Coffin Arthur, Whitesmith
Colmer Joseph, Breeches-maker
Cook Joseph, Shoemaker
Cook Lewis, Maltster
Cureton Edw. Grocer and Ironmonger
Davis Thomas, Smith
Davis William, Nailor
Davis John, Huckster
Davis Edward, Clockmaker
Dodd John, Sadler
Edgecomb Edward, Builder
Edward John, Tanner
Ellerton John, Salt-dealer
Evans John, Turner
Fogdon Sarah, Vict. (Bull’s Head)
Gough William, Shoemaker
Gough Mary, Victualler, (Black Lion)
Gough Thomas, Tanner
Gough William, Organist
Griffith Robert, Grocer
Groom Edward, Wheel-maker
Hamnett Tho. Plumber and Glazier
Hawkins William, Joiner
Higginson Thomas, Confectioner
Hudson Joseph, Hatter
Jackson Edward, Shoemaker
Jackson William, Tanner
Jackson Mary, Butcher
Jackson Samuel, Shoemaker
James John, Joiner
James Thomas, Joiner
James Richard, Joiner
Jones Thomas, Cooper
Jones Robert, Victualler, (White Hart)
Jones John, Maltster
Jones Richard, Hat-manufacturer
Kynaston Edw. Grocer and Ironmonger
Layton Richard, Maltster
Lee Francis, Maltster
Lee Francis, Salesman
Lee William, Sadler
Lee Richard, Maltster
Lloyd Thomas, Glazier
Lloyd John, Shoemaker
Lloyd Margaret, Grocer
Louny John, Hair-dresser
Lowe Samuel, Tallow-chandler, &c.
Maddocks and Fallows, Grocers, &c.
Maddocks Thomas, Tanner
Mansfield Joseph, Navigator
Marsh John, Liquor-merchant
Matthews Thomas, shoemaker
Nixon Samuel, Maltster
Parrott Rob. Linen & Woollen Draper
Pay Richard, Red Lion Inn
Pearce William, Maltster
Platt Samuel, Shoemaker
Price Elizabeth, Royal Oak Inn
Pridden and Whitfield, Drapers, and Stamp-office
Pritchard Ann, Milliner
Ralphs Richard, Bricklayer
Roberts Robert, Taylor
Rode John, Breeches-maker
Rogers John, Joiner
Rose John, Butcher
Rowe John, Baker
Rowland Thomas, Cooper
Sadler Thomas, Bricklayer
Salisbury William, New Inn
Sandland Rob. Joiner and Cabinet-maker
Tamberlin Mrs. Ladies’ School
Thompson Thomas, Taylor
Thompson Mrs. Vict. (Golden Lion)
Thompson Robert, Taylor
Vaughan Thomas, Schoolmaster
Wall Joseph, Grocer
Warburton Rich. Vict. (White Lion)
Warburton Elizabeth, Milliner
Watson John, Hatter
Weston James, Cabinet-maker
Williams Robert, cooper
Williams John, Currier
Willson Benjamin, Excise-officer
Woods Edw. Line & Woollen Draper
The country, from Wem, for the greatest part of the way to Ellesmere, is flat, dirty, and unpleasing. On the approach to the town it becomes more agreeable, and about it breaks into most beautiful risings, fertile, and finely wooded. The bottoms are indeed destitute of rivers, but frequently filled with little lakes, called meres. Elegantly bordered by the cultivated hills. It is singular, that none of them are the parents of streams; their increase from rain and springs, and their loss by exhalations, keep such equal pace.
Source: Universal British Directory 1791.
Administration
- County: Shropshire
- Civil Registration District: Ellesmere
- Probate Court: Court of the Peculiar of the Manor of Ellesmere
- Diocese: Lichfield
- Rural Deanery: Ellesmere
- Poor Law Union: Ellesmere
- Hundred: Pimhill
- Province: Canterbury