HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 159 



Hamstead (from Homestead,) has been the ancient seat of the 

 Wyrleys for many generations, but went in the female line, about 

 the commencement of the eighteenth century, to the Birches, the 

 present owners. The present mansion is modern, and erected 

 about a quarter of a mile from the old site. It is delightfully situ- 

 ated on an eminence, and commands a rich prospect of the vale of 

 Tame, and the Aston and Sandwell estates. The interior of the 

 mansion is handsome and commodious ; and the dining-room is 

 adorned with a full-length portrait of Judge Birch, an ancestor of 

 the family. In the rear there is a large walled garden, with ex- 

 cellent hot-houses. 



Perry, (formerly Pyrrie,) is an ancient manor, on the N. w. ad- 

 joining Sutton Coldfield, the river Tame passing along the side of it 

 from Hamstead. Perry Hall and Park, and other estates, and a 

 moiety of the manor, was purchased by Sir Henry Gough, Knight, 

 in the year 1669, and it has continued in that family down to the 

 present owner, John Gough, Esq. 



Harborne, situated to the west of Birmingham, is surrounded by 

 the counties of Warwick, Salop, and Worcester. The soil is good 

 corn and grass-land, and very productive of potatoes. The church 

 is in the deanery of Tamworth, and is a vicarage dedicated to St. 

 Peter : it is a neat structure, with a tower. A charity-school for 

 the education of fifty children, has been established in this parish. 



Dr. Plott, ever in quest of marvellous facts, informs us, that 

 " James Sands, of Harborne, died December 6, 1588, aged 140, 

 having outlived five leases of a farm of 21 years each, after his 

 marriage ; his wife lived also to 120 years of age." 



Population of Harborne in 1811: males 626, females 658: 

 total 1284. 



Smethwick is situated to the north of Harborne, to the south of 

 Westbromwich, and two miles to the west of Birmingham. This 

 manor was formerly the joint property of Mr. John Reynolds and 

 Mr. John Baddeley. The latter gentleman was a most ingenious self- 

 taught mechanic, and mathematical-instrument-maker. He was a 

 native of Shropshire, and consequently his biography belongs to the 

 history of that county. 



A neat chapel was erected in Smethwick, in the year 1719, by a 

 donation from Mrs. Dorothy Parkes, and voluntary contributions in 

 this and the neighbouring parishes. 



The population of this parish has rapidly increased since the 

 Birmingham Canal passed through it. The iron foundry belonging; 



