Parishmouse Free Resources For Family Historians

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.