HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 235 



CALDON is a small parish, about four miles east of Ipstones, 

 and eight miles from Leek, situated to the south of the turnpike- 

 road leading from Leek to Ashbourne, and in a barren and dreary 

 part of the Moorlands. This parish contains 59 houses, 59 families; 

 165 males, 15*2 females : total of inhabitants 317. There is no 

 manufacture carried on in this parish ; but Caldon Lowe furnishes 

 an abundant supply of lime-stone to the neighbouring parishes, and 

 to a great extent, through the medium of the canal. 



The Church, which is small, is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a 

 chapel of ease to Church Mayfield, which is about five miles 

 distant. The Rev. Thomas Blackey is the present minister. 



The principal food of the inhabitants of this parish, and of the 

 Moorlands in general, is oatmeal baked into thin cakes on a bake- 

 stone ; but this comparatively coarse fare is certainly conducive to 

 health, for the people who are reared on it are hardy, and long-lived. 



CALTON is a parish, or rather a township, two miles to the north- 

 east of Caldon, and about nine miles from Leek. This township 

 extends into four parishes, namely, Waterfall, Mayfield, Blore, and 

 Crokesden. It contains 44 houses, 44 families ; 112 males, 108 

 females : total of inhabitants 220. 



The Church is a small structure, dedicated to St. Mary, and is a 

 curacy, in the patronage of Mr. Wheeldon. The Rev. Mr. Newton 

 is curate. 



OKEOVER is a small parish, situated on the west bank of the 

 Dove, northward of the road from Leek to Ashbourne. It contains 

 10 houses, 10 families; 33 males, 27 females: total of inhabitants 60. 



This parish is remarkable for the barrows of Hallsteds and Arbour 

 Closes, being deep square entrenchments of stone, and supposed by 

 antiquaries to have been formed by the Romans. 



Okeover-Hall, the elegant residence of Haughton Farmer Oke- 

 over, Esq. is a magnificent mansion of brick and stone, with an 

 Ionic portico in the centre, consisting of two columns and two 

 pilasters, with two wings. The principal front is towards the deer 

 park, where herds of deer quietly graze, or repose at will. The 

 hall and dining-room belonging to this mansion are adorned with 

 several excellent paintings, particularly the Holy Family, by 

 Urbino, valued at 1500 guineas ; the Magi at the Tomb of Christ, 



rith an Angel sitting upon it, by Carlo Dolci; Christ bearing the 

 Crpss, by Titian ; the Unjust Steward, by Rubens ; the Baptism, 

 by Titian; a Venus, by the same artist; St. Paul, by Rubens ; 

 and several others. 



