150 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



and a collection after a charity sermon annually preached on the 

 Sunday after St. Lawrence. 



Bentley-Hall is an ancient manor belonging to Wolverhampton* 

 It is memorable as the residence of Colonel Lane, who, with his 

 sister Jane, concealed Charles the Second after his defeat at the 

 battle of Worcester, and assisted him in effecting his escape out of 

 the kingdom. The manor is now the property of Lord Anson, 



WILLENHALL is a considerable and populous place, situated mid- 

 way between Wolverhampton and Walsall. It is in a low situation, 

 on the banks of a brook. The town consists of one long street : the 

 principal house was formerly inhabited by Dr. Wilkes, who was born 

 here. It did not begin to flourish till the iron manufacture was in- 

 troduced in the reign of Queen Elizabeth ; and it has since become 

 populous. It is conjectured that a greater number of locks are 

 manufactured here than at any other town in Europe of the same 

 size; and in consequence of prosperity, many good houses have been 

 built by the opulent manufacturers. 



On the 13th of June, 1776, James Lees, of Willenhall, aged 63 

 years, exhibited a padlock and key manufactured by himself, which 

 was not the weight of a silver twopence ; and he said he would en- 

 gage to make a dozen locks with their keys, that should not exceed 

 the weight of a sixpence. 



According to the population return for Willenhall, in 1811, the 

 males were 2014 ; the females 1509 : total 3523. Hence the males 

 exceed the females in number in the proportion of 4 to 3. Similar 

 returns were also made for the parishes of Wednesfield, Darlaston, 

 Wednesbury, arid Tipton. This disproportion of number can only 

 be accounted for by the situation not being very congenial to the 

 habits and general feelings of the sex. 



The Church of Willenhall is considered as a chapel of ease to 

 Wolverhampton ; the patronage is in the principal inhabitants that 

 inherit lands here, but the curate is also to be approved by the lord 

 of the manor. Some time ago, there was a serious dispute between 

 the Marquis of Stafford and the inhabitants, about the nomination 

 of a curate, but the townsmen persevered, and carried their point. 

 The foundation of Willenhall Church was laid, May 6, 1748 ; and 

 the edifice was opened for divine service October 30, 1749. 



It contains a monument, erected to the memory of Dr. Wilkes, 

 in 1800 ; and we shall conclude the account of this place with a 

 brief biographical account of that beneficent and ingenious man. 



Richard, the eldest son of Mr. Richard Wilkes, of Willenhall, and 



