HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 221 



ley is situated four miles and a half north-west of Uttoxeter ; it 

 consists of a few farm-houses and smaller tenements, but the most 

 conspicuous object is its ancient and lofty church and high square 

 tower of stone. The tower contains a clock and six bells, and 

 the grey appearance of the exterior of the whole edifice, with its 

 windows strengthened by stone-work, and its high flat roof with 

 battlements, impress the idea of antiquity and durability. The 

 interior, though much out of repair, presents a variety of interest-? 

 ing objects to the observer. The roof of the nave is high, of 

 oak, and supported by eight Gothic arches, and round pillars. A 

 gallery on the north side contains several pews of oak, and the 

 pews and forms below are made of the same material, but are now 

 in a ruinous and neglected state. A very high arch supports the 

 roof at the west end of the chancel. This part of the church is 

 lighted by two windows on each side, and a large east window 

 adorned with curious figures painted on the glass. There is an 

 altar tomb in the chancel, with the recumbent figure of a knight 

 in armour, and a female lying by his side. They are of alabaster, 

 and part of the inscription on the tomb is broken off. A tomb- 

 stone near the communion table bears the following inscription : 



" To the memory of the Reverend JAMES WHITEHALL, retor of this place 

 twenty and five yeares, who departed this life the second daie of March, 1644. 



" WHITE was his name, and whiter than this stone, 



In hope of joyfole resverrection ; 



Here lies that orthodox, that grave divine, 



In wisdom trve, virtve did soe clearly shine ; 



One that covld live and die as he hath done, 



Svffer'd not death bvt a translation ; 



Bvt ovt of churitie Pie speake no more, 



Lest his friends pine with sigths, with teares the poore !" 



Three stones which stand in the church-yard, have for ages 

 puzzled our antiquaries, none of whom have been able to discover 

 why they were set up. 



Checkley Church is dedicated to St. Mary and All Saints. It 

 is a rectory : the Rev. William Langley, the present rector, is also 

 the patron of the benefice. 



UPPER and LOWER -TEAN are two populous villages in this pa- 

 rish. They contain several new tenements, some of which are 

 handsome mansions. The principal building, however, is the ex- 

 tensive tape-manufactory of John and Nathaniel Philips. Tean- 

 hall, which was the ancient mansion of the Ashley family, now be- 

 longs to Messrs. Philips, with the whole extensive manor of Tean. 



