Wroxeter Genealogical Records

Wroxeter Birth & Baptism Records

England & Wales Birth Index (1837-2006)

An index to births registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of birth certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Wroxeter Baptisms (1613-1900)

Digital images of baptism registers, searchable by a name index, essentially recording births, but may also include places of residence and occupations.

Wroxeter Baptism Records (1613-1812)

A searchable transcript of Wroxeter baptism registers. The transcriptions essentially record births in and around Wroxeter between 1613 and 1812.

Wroxeter Baptism Records (1613-1812)

A transcript of registers recording the baptism of children in the parish church.

Wroxeter Baptism Records (1618-1812)

A searchable transcript of Wroxeter baptism registers. The transcriptions essentially record births in and around Wroxeter between 1618 and 1812.

Wroxeter Marriage & Divorce Records

England & Wales Marriage Index (1837-2008)

An index to marriages registered throughout England & Wales. This is the only national marriage index that allows you to search by both spouse's names. Provides a reference to order copies of marriage certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Wroxeter Marriage Banns (1777-1837)

Registers of those who intended to marry. An intended marriage was called for three weeks at church, so parishioners could voice objection to the marriage. Contains details on an individual's parish of residence.

Wroxeter Marriages (1613-1900)

Digital images of marriage registers, searchable by a name index. These records may help trace a family as far back as 1613.

Wroxeter Marriage Records (1613-1806)

A searchable database containing a transcription of the marriage registers of Wroxeter. These records may help trace a family as far back as 1613.

Wroxeter Marriage Records (1613-1806)

A transcript of registers recording marriages solemnised in the parish church.

Wroxeter Death & Burial Records

England & Wales Death Index (1837-2006)

An index to deaths registered throughout England & Wales. Provides a reference to order copies of death certificates from the national registrar of births, marriages and deaths – the General Register Office.

Wroxeter Burials (1613-1900)

A name index linked to original images of the burial registers of the church. Records document an individual's date of death and/or burial, age residence and more.

Wroxeter Burial Records (1613-1812)

A searchable transcript of burials recorded at Wroxeter. These records essentially record deaths in and around Wroxeter between 1613 and 1812. Details may include the age of the deceased, their residence and name of relations.

Wroxeter Burial Records (1613-1812)

A transcript of registers recording those buried in the parish churchyard.

Wroxeter Burial Records (1618-1812)

A searchable transcript of burials in the churchyard of Wroxeter. These records essentially record deaths in and around Wroxeter between 1618 and 1812.

Wroxeter Census & Population Lists

1939 Register (1939)

An index to and digital images of records that detail 40 million civilians in England and Wales. Records list name, date of birth, address, marital status, occupation and details of trade or profession.

England, Wales, IoM & Channel Islands 1911 Census (1911)

The 1911 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1901 British Census (1901)

The 1901 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1891 British Census (1891)

The 1891 census provides details on an individual's age, residence, place of birth, relations and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows searches on for multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

1881 British Census (1881)

The 1881 census provides details on an individual's age, residence and occupation. FindMyPast's index allows for searches on multiple metrics including occupation and residence.

Newspapers Covering Wroxeter

Shrewsbury Chronicle (1772-1778)

A record of births, marriages, deaths, legal, political, organisation and other news from the Shrewsbury area. Original pages of the newspaper can be viewed and located by a full text search.

Cardiff Times (1858-1910)

A Welsh newspaper that circulated throughout most of Wales and The Marches. Editions can be searched and images of pages viewed.

Salopian Journal (1835-1862)

A searchable newspaper providing a rich variety of information about the people and places of the Shropshire district. Includes obituaries and family announcements.

The Salopian Journal (1810-1831)

A great run, but with gaps for some years. This paper covers the county of Shropshire and its borders. Original images, searchable by an OCR index.

The Daily Herald (1926)

A London newspaper that later became The Sun.

Wroxeter Wills & Probate Records

England & Wales National Probate Calendar (1858-1966)

Searchable index and original images of over 12.5 million probates and administrations granted by civil registries. Entries usually include the testator's name, date of death, date of probate and registry. Names of relations may be given.

Lichfield and Coventry Diocese Probate Index (1650-1760)

An index to wills, administrations and inventories proved by the Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry. Copies of wills can be ordered or viewed at the record office in Lichfield.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Admon Index (1559-1660)

An index to estate administrations performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. The index covers the southern two thirds of England & Wales, but may also contain entries for northerners.

Lichfield Diocese Probate & Administration Index (1516-1652)

A searchable database providing brief details of surviving probates and administrations granted by the Diocese of Lichfield, which covered parts of Derbyshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. Contains a reference to order the original documents.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Probate Abstracts (1630-1654)

A searchable database of mid-17th Century probates performed by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Supplies details of testator and executor.

Wroxeter Immigration & Travel Records

Passenger Lists Leaving UK (1890-1960)

A name index connected to original images of passenger lists recording people travelling from Britain to destinations outside Europe. Records may detail a passenger's age or date of birth, residence, occupation, destination and more.

UK Incoming Passenger Lists (1878-1960)

A full index of passenger lists for vessels arriving in the UK linked to original images. Does not include lists from vessels sailing from European ports. Early entries can be brief, but later entries may include dates of births, occupations, home addresses and more. Useful for documenting immigration.

Victoria Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists (1839-1923)

An index to and images of documents recording over 1.65 million passengers who arrived in Victoria, Australia, including passengers whose voyage was paid for by others.

Alien Arrivals in England (1810-1869)

Details on over 600,000 non-British citizens arriving in England. Often includes age and professions. Useful for discerning the origin of immigrants.

17th Century British Emigrants to the U.S. (1600-1700)

Details on thousands of 17th century British immigrants to the U.S., detailing their origins and nature of their immigration.

Wroxeter Military Records

Shropshire Militia Buried at Yarmouth (1804)

The names of Shropshire militia men who were buried in Great Yarmouth.

Prisoners of War of British Army (1939-1945)

A searchable list of over 100,000 British Army POWs. Records contains details on the captured, their military career and where they were held prisoner.

British Prisoners of World War II (1939-1945)

Details on around 165,000 men serving in the British Army, Navy and Air Force who were held as prisoners during WWII.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls (1914-1920)

Index and original images of over 5 million medal index cards for British soldiers It can be searched by individual's name, Coprs, Unit and Regiment. Due to the loss of many WWI service records, this is the most complete source for British WWI soldiers

British Army WWI Service Records (1914-1920)

This rich collection contains contains records for 1.9 million non-commissioned officers and other ranks who fought in WWI. Due to bomb damage in WWI, around 60% of service records were lost. Documents cover: enlistment, medical status, injuries, conduct, awards and discharge. A great deal of genealogical and biographical documentation can be found in these documents, including details on entire families, physical descriptions and place of birth.

Abstracts of Quarter Sessions Rolls for Shropshire (1696-1800)

A searchable transcript of Shropshire legal records. They include matters relating to militias, alcohol, agriculture, coroners' inquests and much more.

Shropshire Eyre Roll of 1256 (1256)

Transcriptions of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes.

Act Books of the Archbishops of Canterbury (1663-1859)

An index to names and places mentioned in act books of the Province of Canterbury. It records various licences and conferments, such as marriage and physician licences.

Shropshire Eyre Roll of 1203 (1203)

Translations of pleas brought before a court. They largely concern land disputes.

Home Office Prison Calendars (1868-1929)

Records of over 300,000 prisoners held by quarter sessions in England & Wales. Records may contain age, occupation, criminal history, offence and trial proceedings.

Wroxeter Taxation Records

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (1710-1811)

An index linked to original images of registers recording apprenticeship indentures. Details are given on the trade and nature of apprenticeship. Many records list the parents of the apprentice.

Red Book of the Exchequer (1066-1230)

A compilation of records from the Court of the Exchequer primarily dealing with taxes and land. These records are in Latin.

Index to Death Duty Registers (1796-1903)

An index to wills and administrations that incurred a death duty tax. The index can be used to order documents that give a brief abstract of the will and details on the duty. It can be used as a make-shift probate index.

Wroxeter Land & Property Records

Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire (1085-1299)

A sprawling work detailing Shropshire's early historical records. It is particularly useful for the study of medieval Shropshire families.

The Red Book (1240-1274)

An account of the Hereford bishopric estates in the 13th century.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Land Tax Redemption (1798-1811)

This vital collection details almost 1.2 million properties eligible for land tax. Records include the name of the landowner, occupier, amount assessed and sometimes the name and/or description of the property. It is a useful starting point for locating relevant estate records and establishing the succession of tenancies and freehold. Most records cover 1798, but some extend up to 1811.

UK Poll Books and Electoral Rolls (1538-1893)

Poll books record the names of voters and the direction of their vote. Until 1872 only landholders could vote, so not everyone will be listed. Useful for discerning an ancestor's political leanings and landholdings. The collection is supplemented with other records relating to the vote.

Wroxeter Directories & Gazetteers

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1934)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key contemporary and historical facts. Each place has a list of residents and businesses. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1917)

A directory of settlements in Shropshire detailing their history, agriculture, topography, economy and leading commercial, professional and private residents.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1913)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1909)

A comprehensive place-by-place gazetteer, listing key historical and contemporary facts. Contains details on local schools, churches, government and other institutions. Also contains a list of residents and businesses for each place.

Nooks and Corners of Shropshire (1899)

Details of a travel through Shropshire, describing towns, monuments and other areas of interest. Contains sketches of buildings, views, interiors etc.

Wroxeter Cemeteries

Shropshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Shropshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

Deceased Online (1629-Present)

Images of millions of pages from cemetery and crematoria registers, photographs of memorials, cemetery plans and more. Records can be search by a name index.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

Mausolea and Monuments (1500-Present)

Profiles of several hundred mausolea found in the British Isles.

Maritime Memorials (1588-1950)

Several thousand transcribed memorials remembering those connected with the nautical occupations.

Wroxeter Obituaries

iAnnounce Obituaries (2006-Present)

The UKs largest repository of obituaries, containing millions of searchable notices.

United Kingdom and Ireland Obituary Collection (1882-Present)

A growing collection currently containing over 425,000 abstracts of obituaries with reference to the location of the full obituary.

Quakers Annual Monitor (1847-1848)

A collection of 364 obituaries of Quakers from the British Isles. The volume was published in 1849 and includes obituaries of those who died in late 1847 through 1848.

Musgrave's Obituaries (1421-1800)

This transcribed and searchable work by Sir William Musgrave contains 10,000s of brief obituaries. The work is a reference point for other works containing information on an individual.

British Medical Journal (1849-Present)

A text index and digital images of all editions of a journal containing medical articles and obituaries of medical practitioners.

Wroxeter Histories & Books

Nooks and Corners of Shropshire (1899)

Details of a travel through Shropshire, describing towns, monuments and other areas of interest. Contains sketches of buildings, views, interiors etc.

Victoria County History: Shropshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire (1085-1299)

A sprawling work detailing Shropshire's early historical records. It is particularly useful for the study of medieval Shropshire families.

Shropshire Church Photographs (1890-Present)

Photographs and images of churches in Shropshire.

Shropshire Churches (2010-Present)

Descriptions and photographs of Shropshire Anglican and other denominational churches. Also provides details for those wishing to visit the church.

Wroxeter School & Education Records

National School Admission & Log Books (1870-1914)

A name index connected to digital images of registers recording millions of children educated in schools operated by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education. Records contain a variety of information including genealogical details, education history, illnesses, exam result, fathers occupation and more.

Teacher's Registration Council Registers (1870-1948)

A name index linked to original images of registers recording the education and careers of teachers in England & Wales.

Oxford University Alumni (1500-1886)

A name index linked to original images of short biographies for over 120,000 Oxford University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge University Alumni (1261-1900)

A transcript of a vast scholarly work briefly chronicling the heritage, education and careers of over 150,000 Cambridge University students. This is a particularly useful source for tracing the ancestry of the landed gentry.

Cambridge Alumni Database (1198-1910)

A searchable database containing over 90,000 note-form biographies for students of Cambridge University.

Wroxeter Occupation & Business Records

Midlands Mines Index (1896)

Profiles of coal and metal mines in the Midlands region of England.

Lost Pubs of Shropshire (1750-Present)

Short histories of former public houses, with photographs and lists of owners or operators.

British Trade Union Membership Registers (1870-1999)

An index to and images of registers recording over 3.7 million trade union members.

UK Medical Registers (1859-1959)

Books listing doctors who were licensed to operate in Britain and abroad. Contains doctor's residencies, qualification and date of registration.

Railway Employment Records (1833-1963)

A rich collection of records documenting those who worked for railway companies that were later absorbed by the government. Records include: staff registers, station transfers, pensions, accident records, apprentice records, caution books, and memos. Records may include date of birth, date of death and name of father.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Wroxeter

Victoria County History: Shropshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Wroxeter Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

Victoria County History: Shropshire (1086-1900)

A detailed history of the county's hundreds, parishes and religious houses.

Eyton's Antiquities of Shropshire (1085-1299)

A sprawling work detailing Shropshire's early historical records. It is particularly useful for the study of medieval Shropshire families.

Shropshire Church Monuments (1300-1900)

Photographs and descriptions of Shropshire's most illustrious church monuments, often featuring effigies, medieval inscriptions and heraldic devices.

British & Irish Royal & Noble Genealogies (491-1603)

Extensive and impeccably sourced genealogies for British, Irish & Manx royalty and nobility. Scroll down to 'British Isles' for relevant sections.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Wroxeter Church Records

Wroxeter Parish Registers (1613-1812)

Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Wroxeter are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Wroxeter Parish Registers (1613-1812)

A transcript of registers recording baptisms, marriages and burials recorded by the parish church.

Wroxeter Parish Registers (1618-1812)

Prior to civil registration in 1837, the parish registers of Wroxeter are the most common place to turn for details on births, marriages and deaths.

Shropshire Parish Registers (1538-1900)

A facility to browse digital images of registers recording births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials. To search these register by a name index, use the links in the above sections.

Shropshire Parish Register Transcripts (1538-1813)

Transcripts of baptism, marriage and burial registers for over 100 parishes in Shropshire.

Biographical Directories Covering Wroxeter

Debrett's Peerage (1923)

A searchable book, listing pedigrees of titled families and biographies of their members.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1902)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Dod's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage of Britian (1885)

A book containing genealogies and biographies of Britain's titled families.

Crockford's Clerical Directories (1868-1914)

Brief biographies of Anglican clergy in the UK.

The Concise Dictionary of National Biography (1654-1930)

A directory containing lengthy biographies of noted British figures. The work took over two decades to compile. Biographies can be searched by name and are linked to images of the original publication.

Wroxeter Maps

Maps of Shropshire (1600-1900)

Digital images of maps covering the county.

UK Popular Edition Maps (1919-1926)

Detailed maps covering much of the UK. They depict forests, mountains, larger farms, roads, railroads, towns, and more.

Ordnance Survey 1:10 Maps (1840-1890)

Maps showing settlements, features and some buildings in mainland Britain.

Tithe Apportionments (1836-1856)

An index to 11,000,000 parcels of land and property, connected to digital images of registers that record their owner, occupier, description, agricultural use, size and rateable value.

Parish Maps of Britain (1832)

Maps of parishes in England, Scotland and Wales. They are useful in determining which parish records may be relevant to your research.

Wroxeter Reference Works

England Research Guide (1538-Present)

A beginner’s guide to researching ancestry in England.

Parish Register Abstract (1538-1812)

Compiled in 1831, this book details the coverage and condition of parish registers in England & Wales.

Building History Research Guide (1066-Present)

A comprehensive guide to researching the history of buildings in the British Isles.

Surname Origins (1790-1911)

A service that provides advanced and custom surname maps for the British Isles and the US.

British Family Mottoes (1189-Present)

A dictionary of around 9,000 mottoes for British families who had right to bear arms.

Historical Description

The village of Wroxeter, originally a Roman city ; and it is generally thought to have been the station called by the Romans Uriconium, or Viroconium. It was the second, it not the first city of the ancient Cornavii, and fortified by the Romans, to secure the ford of the Severn. The wall was about three miles in extent; and from some fragments of it that still remain, the foundation appears to have been nine feet thick. It had a vast trench on the outside, which is still, in some places, very deep.

Here are also other remains of Roman buildings, now called the Old Works of Wroxeter. There are fragments of a stone wall, about 100 feet long, and 20 feet high in the middle; and some years ago was discovered under ground, a square room, supported by four rows of small brick pillars, with a double floor of mortar, built in the nature of a sudatory or sweating-house, much in use among the Romans. Great numbers of Roman coins have frequently been dug up in and about the town : among the coins are a few of gold ; those of silver are very common, and there are others of brass and mixed metals ; but scarce one in ten of the inscriptions is legible, or has an image upon it that appears plain and distinct. Several Roman urns have also been found here.

When or how this considerable town was demolished is not certainly known; but it is remarkable that among the great number of coins found here there has not yet been discovered one single piece of Saxon money. However, from the blackness of the soil, and the defaced appearance of most of the coins, it is probable that this place was consumed by fire, and that it was done before the arrival of the Saxons, or in their war with the Britons ; for had it been destroyed by the Danes, there would certainly have been Saxon coins mixed with the Roman.

At the distance of about nine miles to the southeast of the last-mentioned place, we arrive at Madeley Market, a town, the market of which was long discontinued, owing to the civil wars, but it was revived in the year 1763, by the spirited encouragement of a private individual, and is now become considerable, having been removed by the lord of the manor, to the foot of the iron-bridge, two miles from the original market-place.

In digging a foot-road pit in this parish in the year 1788, there rushed out a spring of native tar from several holes, one of which was as thick as a man’s thigh, and several hogsheads per day were caught fora long time, but it is now almost exhausted.— A navigable canal, completed some years since, from Ketley iron works, through several coal works, and through this parish to the river Severn, is of no use but to the coal and iron masters.

The market is on Friday, and the parish contained, according to the late returns made to Parliament, 112 houses and 659 inhabitants.

Colebrook, situated about a mile from Madeley Market, is a winding glen, between two vast hills, which break into various forms, with beautiful hanging woods. Here are the most considerable iron works in England: "The noise of the forges, mills, &. (says Arthur Young,) with all their vast machinery, the flames bursting from their furnaces, with the burning of coal, and the smoke of the limekilns, are altogether horribly sublime." A bridge, entirely made of cast iron, which has been thrown over the Severn, gives these scenes a yet nearer resemblance to the ideas in romance.

This famous bridge was built in the year 1779, the whole being cast in open sand, a large scaffold being previously erected, each part of the rib was elevated to a proper height by strong ropes and chains, and then lowered till the ends met in the centre. All the principal parts were erected in three months, without any accident to the work or workmen, or the least obstruction to the navigation of the river. On the abutments of stone work are placed iron plates, with mortises, in which stand two upright pillars of the same. Against the foot of the inner pillar the bottom of the main rib bears on the base plate. This rib consists of two pieces, connected by a dovetail joint in an iron key, and fastened with screws. Each piece is 70 feet long. The shorter ribs pass through the pillar at apertures, left for that purpose, and are mortised into the top bearers, and into the base plate and pillar, the back rib in like manner, without coming down to the plate. The cross stays, braces, circle in the spandrils, and the brackets connect the larger pieces, so as to keep the bridge perfectly steady, white a diagonal and cross stays, and top-plates, connect the pillars and ribs together, in opposite directions. The whole bridge is covered with iron top-plates, projecting over the ribs on each side, and on this projection stands the balustrade of cast-iron. The road over the bridge, made of clay and iron slag is 24 feet wide, one foot deep. The span of the arch is 100 feet six inches, and the height from the base line to the centre, 40 feet. The weight of the iron in the whole, is 378 tons, 10 cwt.: each piece of the long ribs weighs, 5 tons, 15 cwt. On the largest and exterior rib, is inscribed in capitals:

"This bridge was cast at Coalbrook, and erected in the year 1779."

From the same manufactory another handsome bridge has been erected over the Severn, at Buildwas, about two miles higher up the river, and close by the abbey ruins. It consists of one handsome arch of 130 feet span, and the rise 24 feet, and is highly ornamental to the surrounding scenery. Close by on the banks of the Severn, are the ruins of Buildwas Abbey. At Coal port, lower down the Severn, has for some years been established a China Manufactory, now very respectable. Their works will speak highly in their favour,—an inspection of them and their elegant and valuable stock will be interesting to the travellers who may visit Colebrook dale.

Here also have been made most of the cast-iron bridges erected in different parts of the kingdom.

In the dale is a manufactory for obtaining fossil, tar, or petroleum, from the condensed smoke of pit coal; besides which, there are some springs of native tar, and also a brine spring.

The parish of Dawley, situated about two miles to the north of Madeley, has two large coal and iron works.

Broseley, a market town, is parted from Madeley by the river Severn on the south-west, and is a very populous parish, coals and iron being its chief manufactories, as it is situated among the coal-mines. Here is also a manufacture of glazed tobacco-pipes, garden pots, and other vessels of a coarse fabric are made here. At Caughley, in that neighbourhood, is a China manufacture of great excellence, where the blue and white, and the blue, white, and gold, are more like the real China than many other. At Coal port, coloured china of all sorts and of exquisite taste and beauty has been made. Here is also a manufacture of ropes and one of chains.

The market-day is on Wednesday ; and by the late population act, the town contained 1019 houses, and 4814 inhabitants.

In the year 1711, a burning spring was discovered here, the most remarkable indeed, of which any particular description remains upon record. The following account of this spring was given by the Rev. Mr. Mason Woodwarden, professor at Cambridge, dated Feb. 18th, 1764. "The well for four or five feet deep, is six or seven feet wide ; within that is another less hole of like depth, dug in the clay, in the bottom whereof is placed a cylindric earthen vessel, of about four or five inches diameter at the mouth, having the bottom taken off, and the sides well fixed in, the clay rammed close about it. Within the pot is a brown water, thick as puddle, continually forced up with a violent motion beyond that of boiling water, and a rumbling hollow noise, rising or falling by fits five or six inches; but there was no appearance of any vapour rising, which, perhaps, might have been visible, had not the sun shone so bright. Upon putting a candle down at the end of a stick, at a quarter of a yard distance, it took fire, darting and flashing after a very violent manner for about half a yard high, much in the manner of spirits in a lamp, but with great agitation. It was said that a tea-kettle had been made to boil in about nine minutes time, and that it had been left burning for forty-eight hours, without any sensible diminution. It was extinguished by putting a wet mop upon it, which must be kept there for a little time, otherwise it would not go out. Upon the removal of the mop, there arises a sulphureous smoke, lasting about a minute, and yet the water is cold to the touch."

In the year 1755, this well totally disappeared by the sinking of a coal-pit in its neighbourhood — The cause of the inflammable property of such

waters is, with great probability, supposed to be their mixture with petroleum, which is one of the most inflammable substances in nature, and has the property of burning on the surface of water.

Topography of Great Britain (1829) by George Alexander Cooke

WROXETER is a village and parish on the river Severn, 3 miles south-west from Upton Magna station on the Great Western and London and North Western joint railway and 6 south-east from Shrewsbury, in the Western division of the county, Wellington division of South Bradford hundred, petty sessional division of Wellington, Atcham union, Shrewsbury county court district, rural deanery of Wrockwardine, archdeaconry of Salop and diocese of Lichfield. The church of St. Andrew is an ancient edifice of stone, consisting of chancel, nave, south porch and an embattled western tower containing a clock and 6 bells: the east window is stained, and there are some very interesting monuments to the Newport family, and an altar-tomb to Sir Thomas Bromley kt. Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench 1544-55, and one of the executors of the will of King Henry VIII. ob. 1555: about 1864 an Easter sepulchre was discovered in the chancel wall: in 1889-90 the tower was restored, the south door re-opened and a new south porch built, the expense, amounting to £610, being defrayed by the late Duke of Cleveland K. G. The register dates from the year 1613. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £205, gross yearly value £263, net £230, including 26 ½ acres of glebe, with residence, in the gift of Lord Barnard, and held since 1885 by the Rev. Robert Steavenson B. A. of Trinity College, Cambridge. There are charities of about £6 10s. yearly value. Wroxeter was the Roman station “Uriconium”: of late years considerable explorations have been undertaken on its site, in the course of which very interesting discoveries have been made of extensive portions of the walls of buildings, and hypocausts, which stood therein; in the course of the excavations two new classes of Roman pottery, both evidently made in Shropshire, have been met with, as well as some curious glass and metal vessels, numerous specimens of personal ornaments, many of which are hairpins made of bone and bronze, fibulae, finger rings, bracelets, glass beads, combs and bone needles, as well as a great variety of other objects of a miscellaneous character, with quantities of Roman coins, all of which have been deposited in the Museum of the Shropshire Natural History and Antiquarian Society at Shrewsbury. The Roman cemetery, which appears to have commenced about 150 yards from the north gate and to have extended easterly along the side of the road, has also been explored to some extent; a great number of interments were found, but hitherto no traces of burial except by burning; many urns were discovered, which appear to have been deposited in small pits or rows. Lord Barnard, who is lord of the manor, and Lord Berwick are the principal landowners. The soil is light loam; subsoil, gravel and clay. The chief crops are wheat, turnips, barley, and clover. The population of the civil parish in 1891 was 535, with the townships of Donnington, Dryton, Byton, Norton and Rushton, and of the ecclesiastical, 463. The entire area is 5,880 acres of land and 73 of water; rateable value, £8,573. A detached part of Atcham parish called Uckington by Local Government Board order was added to this parish in 1885.

Schools

Donnington Free, founded in 1627, with a house for the master, who is appointed by the vicar & churchwardens of Wroxeter Wroxeter & Uppingham National (mixed), built with master’s residence, in 1874, for 130 children; average attendance, 55.

Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1895)

Most Common Surnames in Wroxeter

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in South Bradford Hundred
1Davies231:210.33%2
2Jones201:240.15%1
3Mason121:412.56%64
3Ford121:416.35%206
5Bather111:4415.49%606
6Hall101:491.19%27
7Evans91:540.16%3
7Edwards91:540.23%5
7Carver91:5424.32%1,024
10Williams81:610.17%4
10Hill81:611.04%33
10Morris81:610.24%6
10Chapman81:618.51%453
10Harvey81:613.35%158
10Payne81:612.50%103
10McHin81:616.20%321
10Dyke81:615.33%266
10Southern81:619.52%526
10Active81:6188.89%2,544
20Burgess71:703.78%211
20Ridgway71:704.73%274
20Jervis71:703.26%178
20Blowers71:7023.33%1,166
20Brisbourne71:7016.28%915
25Lewis61:810.28%13
25Carter61:811.79%96
25Gregory61:811.63%86
25Humphrey61:8115.38%989
25Bevan61:812.88%184
25Davenport61:815.77%412
25Mapp61:815.04%354
25Bladen61:8111.11%761
25Gwilliams61:8131.58%1,571
34Roberts51:980.18%7
34James51:980.53%23
34Parr51:989.26%761
34Parton51:981.29%81
34Timmis51:989.09%749
34Derricott51:9845.45%2,205
34Habberley51:9810.42%837
34Scoltock51:9812.20%948
34Meire51:9862.50%2,782
43Adams41:1220.67%48
43Ellis41:1220.55%35
43Barker41:1221.19%95
43Rogers41:1220.27%20
43Pearce41:1220.73%52
43Holland41:1221.85%175
43Harper41:1220.81%59
43Bowen41:1220.47%26
43Cookson41:1222.96%303
43Jarrett41:1224.55%492
43Feltus41:12233.33%2,085
54West31:1636.25%837
54Fox31:1630.74%78
54Oakley31:1631.05%119
54Mansell31:1630.62%62
54Poulter31:1634.23%606
54Elson31:1638.33%1,046
54Breeze31:1630.93%102
54Handy31:16330.00%2,352
54Nokes31:16342.86%3,088
54Manwaring31:16313.64%1,413
54Dorsett31:1634.84%686
54Dyas31:1632.86%404
54Tunley31:16311.54%1,275
54Careswell31:1636.25%837
54Egremont31:163100.00%4,996
69Wood21:2440.30%43
69Allen21:2440.57%91
69Jenkins21:2440.99%189
69Rowe21:2441.25%243
69Massey21:2440.94%181
69Preece21:2440.25%30
69Downes21:2440.39%55
69Hand21:2442.04%439
69Holding21:2442.44%539
69Lawley21:2440.76%134
69Speak21:2445.00%967
69Challenor21:2444.17%837
69Seabury21:2443.57%741
82Brown11:4880.07%18
82Thomas11:4880.04%11
82Robinson11:4880.18%51
82Hughes11:4880.04%10
82Jackson11:4880.23%71
82Turner11:4880.13%29
82Harris11:4880.11%25
82Morgan11:4880.07%17
82Richards11:4880.08%21
82Murray11:4881.69%717
82Ball11:4880.21%64
82Parry11:4880.15%44
82Porter11:4880.55%215
82Poole11:4880.20%61
82Humphreys11:4880.15%41
82Franklin11:4881.75%728
82Bullock11:4880.45%169
82Sadler11:4881.69%717
82Goodall11:4881.16%507
82Meredith11:4880.21%63
82Howes11:48825.00%4,390
82Handley11:4881.23%545
82Millington11:4880.33%110
82Pye11:4880.84%354
82Goode11:4880.96%412
82Pryce11:4880.41%153
82Hammonds11:4880.64%248
82Everall11:4880.50%193
82Gittens11:4881.49%643
82Chidley11:4881.08%459
82Calcott11:48814.29%3,088
82Picking11:4885.00%1,510
82Whitefoot11:4881.16%507
82Goadby11:488100.00%6,726
82Keele11:488100.00%6,726
82Casewell11:4882.17%873
82Capsey11:4884.76%1,465
82Juckes11:4881.67%706
82Hillcock11:488100.00%6,726
82Tabbiner11:48816.67%3,445
82Nagginton11:488100.00%6,726