HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 237 



One of the ancestors of the present proprietor of Okeover- 

 hall and manor, left an estate at Atlow, in Derbyshire, the rent of 

 which is appropriated to the support of three clergymen's widows, 

 each of whom receives o30. per annum, and have a house rent-free, 

 near the family-mansion. He also left an annuity to support an 

 organist in Okeover church, and money to provide clothing for 

 twelve children in the parishes of Okeover, Atlow, Mappleton, 

 and the hamlet of Swinescote, in Staffordshire, and to place them, in 

 rotation, as apprentices, with a premium. 



BLOBE is a small parish, including Swinescote township, situ- 

 ated about a mile and a half to the N.w. of Okeover, on the west 

 side of the Dove. The village is situated on high ground, and in 

 a fertile tract, within a mile of Ham, which may be termed the 

 boundary of the comparatively barren. Moorlands. This parish 

 contains 39 houses, 39 families ; 83 males, 81 females : total in- 

 habitants, 164. 



The village of Blore is chiefly remarkable for having formerly 

 been the residence of the ancient family of Bassett, whose mansion 

 stood here. Not a single vestige of which now remains; and the an- 

 tiquary, in his researches for some fragment of this ancient scene of 

 baronial splendour, may exclaim, " Sic transit gloria mundi /" 

 The few houses now in the village are inhabited by farmers and 

 people employed in agriculture. 



The Church is an ancient Gothic edifice, with a large tower ; the 

 roof is covered with lead, and there are two small windows in the 

 east end. 



The only monument worthy of observation is one to the me- 

 mory of a young woman, with the following inscription : 



" Here lieth the body of MARY HALL, who departed this life, Dec. 12, 1764, 

 aged 23 years : 



Though short my days, my wit and beauty bright, 



I was my parents' joy and hearts* delight; 



In me alone they comfort thought to find, 



God called me hence it was his blessed mind." 



The church is dedicated to St. Bartholomew, and is a rectory. 

 The Rev. William Bailey is the present curate. It contains se- 

 veral monuments of the Bassett family, now mouldering in ruins. 



ILAM, with THROWLEY, and CASTERTON, and OKEOVER. This 

 parish, which is situated on the banks of the Manifold, may with 

 propriety be termed the boundary of the sterile part of the Moor- 

 lands, the vale through which the river flows presenting on the 

 side towards Blore rich woodlands and cultivated fields, while near 



