"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)
Halesowen including Cradley in Pigot's 1844 1st page
Halesowen including Cradley in Pigot's 1844 2nd page
