HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 229 



CHEADLE 



Is a market-town in Totmanslow South, situated in a vale near the 

 river Tean, and 145 miles from London. This town was the ancient 

 seat of the Bassets, of Drayton, but it contains no remains of an- 

 tiquity. The hills near the town are bleak and barren ; many of 

 them are covered with heath, and have lately been planted with 

 firs and other trees. Cheadle Park, which is three miles in cir- 

 cumference, contains thirty-three inclosures, and has been much 

 improved. Here are some valuable coal-mines ; and a high 

 barren hill belonging to it, which rises near the town, is the princi- 

 pal public walk of the inhabitants, as it affords an extensive pros- 

 pect of the surrounding country. Lichfield Cathedral, which is 

 twenty-seven miles distant, is perceptible on a clear day. 



The parish of Cheadle contains 626 houses, 640 families ; 1535 

 males, 1656 females : total inhabitants 3,191. About one-third of 

 the population is employed in the tape-manufactory, and other 

 handicraft arts ; and the remainder in agriculture, and as shop- 

 keepers, innkeepers, and various professions connected with me- 

 chanical arts. The weekly market is held on Friday, and is plenti- 

 fully supplied with provisions. There are two annual fairs for 

 horses and cattle ; one held on Holy Thursday, and the other on 

 the 21st of August. 



There are extensive brass and copper-works, belonging to Messrs. 

 Patten and Co. situated in a valley on the Tean, about half a mile 

 south of Cheadle. Part of the copper is supplied from a mine at 

 Mixon, but the principal part is brought from the great mines at 

 Ecton. The copper and brass are smelted in the furnaces here. 

 The brass is made into ingots for the brass-founders ; and copper 

 and brass are rolled into sheets. 



Cheadle Church is an ancient Gothic structure of stone, roofed 

 with oak. It is situated on an eminence, and the square stone 

 tower, which contains a clock and six bells, is adorned with four 

 pinnacles and vanes. The interior of the church is neat. The 

 nave is supported by six Gothic arches, and it contains two gal- 

 leries. When viewed from the chancel, the effect is simple and sub- 

 the windows " casting a dim religious light/' and the large 



gan at the west end, in a very elevated situation, rising almost to 



e high roof, gives an air of magnificence to the whole. This 

 church is dedicated to St. Giles, aud is a rectory in the patronage 



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