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Longner. A township in the parish of Atcham, and in the liberties of Shrewsbury.

It is the seat of the ancient family of the Burtons, and is distant three and a half miles S.E. from Shrewsbury, to the left of the London road. The house, which has been wholly rebuilt and decorated by its present owner, is delightfully situated on an eminence, commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding county, and of the Severn, which rolls immediately beneath it. Nature seems to have been extremely favourable to this spots and art, where it was deemed necessary, has contributed to its embellishment; the views up and down the river, and over the adjoining highly cultivated and well wooded country, are peculiarly picturesque and beautiful, affording a great variety of fine landscape scenery.

In the garden is a tomb placed over the body of Edward Burton, Esq., who was buried here in consequence of the refusal of the Roman Catholic Curate of St. Chad’s, Shrewsbury, to permit his interment in the common receptacle of the dead of that parish. He was a zealous protestant; and died suddenly, in a transport of joy, at Longner, in 1558, on hearing of the death of Queen Mary, and the release of the kingdom from the persecutions of the clergy. The following is the epitaph placed on the tomb, written by Sir Andrew Corbet, Bart., in 1614:-

‘Was’t for denying Christ, or some notorious fact,

That this man’s body christian burial lack’d ?

O no! his faithful true profession

Was the chief cause, which then was held transgression

When Pop’ry here did reign, the See of Rome,

Would not admit to any such a tomb

Within their Idol Temple walls :- but he,

Truly professing Christianity,

Was, like Christ Jesus, in a garden laid

Where he shall rest in peace, till it be said

Come faithful servant, come, receive with me,

A just reward for they integrity. – 1614.’

The family of the Burtons have ever been esteemed for those virtues which adorn and dignify human nature, and for that unassuming piety which marks the Christian. Nor has this character lost any thing in the person of the present possessor of the Longner estate – Robert Burton, Esq.; this gentleman, together with his amiable lady, being continually employed in distributing the bounties of providence in a judicious and benevolent manner.

In the hall at Longner are the following beautiful paintings: - Rome, Florence, Venice with the Rialto, the Bay of Naples, and a view in Italy, by Marlow, - A Storm, by Van Eest - the Custom house at Venice, by Carnaletti, - A Spanish Bull Hunt, by Schneider, - Portraits of Mrs. Burton, and her sister, by Pickersgill, and of Judge Burton’s lady, by Sir Godfrey Kneller. There is also a variety of beautiful prints, among which, are the busts of two Zealand Youths, Tooi, and Teeterrie, who were on a visit some time at Longner.

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