HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 165 



improving the grounds, and making large gardens, amounted to 

 ofGOjOOO. The prospect from different parts of the grounds is ex- 

 tensive and beautiful. 



Drayton-Bassett is situated two miles south of Tamworth, and 

 was a place of some distinction in ancient times. The latter part 

 of the name is derived from the family of the Bassets, who were 

 for some time lords of the manor. It afterwards became the pro- 

 perty of the Earls of Essex. 



The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a rectory: the King is 

 the patron, and the Lord Chancellor presentist. This edifice is 

 modern, and built in the gothic style of architecture. The interior 

 is adorned with a variety of tombs and heraldic blazonry of the 

 Bassets. 



Pelshall is a manor held by the Earl of Darlington, and is situate 

 on the Walsall water, about eight miles distant from Wolverhamp- 

 ton, in the direct line for Lichfield. The Wyrley canal from 

 Wolverhampton passes upon its long level, the whole length of 

 Pelshall, and will facilitate the future working of its mines of coal 

 and iron. 



The Chapel is a small ancient brick building. On the north wall 

 is a rudely-painted figure of an old man holding a purse in his left 

 hand and money in the right, and underneath this inscription : 



" Richard Harrison gave 20 groats to the poor of Pelshall, to be paid yearly 

 on New-year's day. The land charged to pay the money is the Old Croft. 

 Aged 101." 



According to the returns to Parliament in 1811, Pelshall con- 

 tained, 252 males ; 219 females : total 471. 



Norton-under-Cannock, is situated on the south of that extensive 

 waste called Cannock-heath, and about half-a-mile north of the 

 Watling-street. At the time of the Conquest, it belonged to the 

 Bishop of Chester. Two-thirds of this manor were purchased in 

 1760, by Richard Gildart, Esq. of Liverpool, and the other third 

 has since been purchased by Phineas Hussey, Esq. of Little Wyrley. 



The Church is a neat gothic edifice, with a small tower, and 

 contains seveval monuments of the Fowke, Hussey, and other 

 families. Norton wake is held on the first Sunday in August, 

 when it is customary to adorn the interior of the Church with 

 flowers and laurels. 



Little Wyrley is a hamlet of this parish ; it was held by the 

 Bishop of Chester, at the time of the Conquest, and has passed 

 from the family of Fowkes, by marriage, to the family of Hussey. 



