The principal Estates in Horton in 1752.

about 1750, remarkable for his great learning, and his attachment to the Arian Heresy. The greatest part of his estate he sold to Andrew Morris, sen. about 1715. In the 17th century, the Peats, Higginsons, and Hanmers were the principal inhabitants and proprietors of estates in Horton.

THE PRINCIPAL ESTATES, IN 1752.

Mr. Barnes, of the Lowe, has an estate in Horton, containing thirty acres of land; it formerly belonged to the Goldborns', but at the time of the survey to his ancestor, Thomas Baron: even then there was no house on it, but the scite of one is very visible, for it was moated about 36 yards long, and 17 broad; three-parts of the moat remain, and tradition says, that the house, when standing, was called Horton Hall.

Sir Rowland Hill, of Hawkstone, has an estate framed out of the Tylers's and Moodies'; the messuage is in the Green-lane, and at the time of the survey belonged to Catharine Hussey; in 1642, to Thomas Peat, who died in 1655; in 1673 to Randal Hanmer, who at his death divided his estate between his two sons, David and Edward. David had this messuage and appurtenances, and Edward of the Brim, the lands belonging to a demolished

The principal Estates in this Township.

house east of the Slaters. These brothers having no issue, left their respective shares to their nephew Farmer Tyler, who sold 40l. per annum to the Hon. Richard Hill; and the assignees of Mr. Chettoe sold him 167. per annum more. Original rent 60%.

Mrs. Leighton, of Shrewsbury, has the most considerable estate in this township, being the Chettoes entire, and part of the Moodies', with the messuages belonging to both. In 1733, Mrs. Leighton, of Rodenhurst, in the parish of Rodington, purchased the premises of the assignees of Mr. John Chettoe, and by will left them to her daughter, the present owner. Rent 1201.

Andrew Morris's estate was purchased by his father about 1715, being the greatest part of what formerly belonged to the Allens; it is all they were possessed of in the township of Horton, for the Pool lands lie in Wem, and the reversion of them was bought by Mr. Basnet, then of the Ditches. Andrew Morris is the only considerable inhabitant in this town, he lives on his own estate, all the other farins are in the hands of tenants. Rent 301.

Mr. Higginson, of Whitchurch, has the messuage and estate which was formerly the Adeneys, next the Husseys, and then the Adeneys again, who conveyed it to Richard Pay, of Wem, timber-merchant,

The principal Estates in this Township.

about 1703, at which time it was settled on Mr. Higginson, ironmonger, who had married Pay's daughter. Richd. Higginson, their son, is now in possession of it, also of Felton's estate which his father purchased, together with part of Tyler's which he purchased himself. Rent 401.

Mr. Slator, of Moreton Corbet, has the messuage and estate which seems to have been the property of Robert Menlove at the time of the survey; of Mr. Richard Higginson at the time of the civil war; of Edward Tyler before the restoration; of his son Adam from that period to near the time of his death in 1677, about which time it was sold to the Slators, who have made great additions to this estate. Rent 461.

THE COMMON FIELDS, IN 1561.

There were four belonging to Horton, viz. 1st. Homon, Homore, Holmor, or Holman Field, (for so many ways it is written) was near to the Old Pool of Wem, at least on that side of the town.-24. Gronow, Grannow, or Granno Field, did lie between the town and Northwood Hall.-3d. Sindorns, Sinders, or Sinder Field, extended on both sides of the road to Wolverley, but chiefly north of it.-4th. Ryley Field, was situate north-west of Moor Lane, not

The principal Estates, &c. in this Township.

far from Penceford Brook. This was also called the Little Field, because it was of much less compass than any of the other three.

THE LANES OF HORTON.

The Green Lane, from Evans's, the Weaver's house, to Golborn's Cross, near the Smith's shop.— Drake Lane, from the Green Lane to the Ditches.Moor Lane, from the road to Wolverley to Pool Lands. Ryley Lane, from the road to Wolverley to Penceford Bridge.

THE LORD'S DEMESNE IN HORTON, 1561.

Two Crofts called Nicoll's Breech, two acres.Black Croft Meadow, two acres. The Lord's Meadow, seven acres.

THE WITCH OF HORTON,

The Witch of Horton was much talked of formerly, but now is almost forgotten; as such, the following account, I trust, will be acceptable to our readers, being the original :--About fifty years ago, an unlucky boy, servant to Thomas Newns, who

The Witch of Horton.

lived where Brown does now, took into his head to hide his masters plough irons, and to give out that they were conveyed away by witchcraft. The eredulity of the people, and the success he at first met with, encouraged him to attempt greater wickedness, even to set the house on fire. Mr. Hughes, then Curate of Wem, being desired to pray in the family that was disturbed, after he had done his office, called for his horse, whereupon the boy came running to acquaint them that the Parsons saddle was gone. Mr. Hughes was positive that the witch had no power over it, because he had honestly paid for it, and therefore caused a diligent search to be made for the saddle, which was found secreted in the hay loft. This caused the boy to be very much suspected. He was taken before Mr. Hill, of Soulton, and by the Justice and Clergy of Wem, brought to a full confession. The house of correction and a whipping were the punishment of this misdemeanor.

NEWTOWN.

The Boundaries, Extent, Tenure Soil, and Valuation of Newtown.

EWTOWN or Newton, was so called, because it was new in comparison to several other towns in the neighbourhood; yet it is older than