HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 243 



Gothic arches. The pulpit and reading-desk are curious ; they 

 are painted blue, with gilded cornices, and remarkable as being 

 the gift of the celebrated Charles Cotton the poet, who resided 

 many years at Beresford-Hall, on the banks of the Dove. The 

 date carved in the wood is 1637. Opposite the pulpit is a pew 

 which belonged to the Cotton family ; it is also painted blue. 



The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and is a vicarage in the 

 patronage of Sir Harry Harper, Bart. : the Rev. James Whitaker, 

 who resides in the vicarage-house, near the church, is the present 

 vicar. 



Among the monuments in the chancel, there is one to the memory 

 of the Rev. Roger Farmer, vicar, who died in the year 168*2; and 

 another of the Rev. Peter Parr, who was instituted vicar of this 

 church in 1713, and died in 1764, aged 74. 



WARNSLOW is a small township belonging to Alstonefield parish, 

 situate to the north-east of Butterton. 



The village of Warnslow consists of several good houses ; the 



Church or Chapel is a small modern structure : the Rev. 



Richardson is curate. 



UPPER ELKSTONE is a township and village about two miles to 

 the west of Warnslow. The hamlet of Upper Elkstone consists of 

 about six houses, and that of Lower Elkstone of twelve. The 

 surrounding country is barren and uneven, in many places over- 

 grown with heath, and altogether an uncomfortable district to 

 reside in. 



The Church is a small modern structure. It is a curacy, the 

 Rev. Richardson, who also officiates at Warnslow, is curate. 



The following inscription on a tomb-stone in Elkstone church- 

 yard, is worthy of notice : 



" WILLIAM GRINDON, of Stonyfold, died Dec. 26, 1791, aged 62 years. 

 In hopes of future bliss content I lie, 

 Tho' pleas'd to live, yet not displeas'd to die : 

 Life has its comforts, and its sorrows too, 

 For both to all-wise heaven our thanks are due. 

 How far my hopes and views are founded well 

 God only knows but the last day will tell." 



SHEEN is a small parish, situated near the west bank of the 

 Dove, and bordering on Derbyshire. The face of the country here 

 is wild and romantic, but the soil about the hamlet of Sheen is 

 fertile. 



This parish contains 63 houses, 73 families ; 205 males, 209 fe- 

 males : total of inhabitants 414. 



