244 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



The hamlet of Sheen consists of a few large farm-houses. The 

 Church is a small ancient structure of stone, with a low tower. 

 There are several ancient inscriptions of the seventeenth century 

 on the tomb-stones in the church-yard; the letters and figures are 

 large, and cut in basso-relievo, like the carving on wood at that 

 period. There is one remarkable instance of longevity recorded 

 by the sculptor, namely, to the memory of Isaac Oilman, who died 

 Feb. the 8th, 1805, in the 99th year of his age. 



The church is a curacy : the Rev. Matthew Beetham is the 

 present curate. 



LONGNOR 



Is a township of the parish of Alstonefield, and the population is 

 467 persons, as has already been mentioned. The small market- 

 town of Longnor is situated eight miles north-east from Leek, and 

 contains 100 houses, including two large inns. The market-house, 

 which stands on a gentle eminence, is very convenient : the mar- 

 ket is held on Tuesday. There are eight annual fairs held in this 

 town, namely, on Candlemas-day, Easter Tuesday, May the 4th 

 and 17th, Whit Tuesday, August the 6th, the Tuesday before Old 

 Michaelmas-day, and the 12th of November. 



Longnor Church is a neat modern structure of stone, with a high 

 square tower adorned with eight pinnacles. The interior is plain, 

 and the pews of fir painted to resemble oak- The church-yard con- 

 tains several monuments, the most curious of which is the follow- 

 ing biographical record of a veteran : 



" In memory of WILLIAM BILLINGE, who was born in a corn-field at Fair- 

 field-head, in this parish, in the year 1679. At the age of 23 years he enlisted 

 into his Majesty's service under Sir George Rooke, and was at the taking of the 

 fortress of Gibraltar in 1704. He afterwards served under the late Duke of 

 Marlbro' at the ever-memorable battle of Ramillies, fought on the 23d of May, 

 1706, where he was wounded by a musket-shot in the thigh; afterwards 

 returned to his native country, and with manly courage defended his Sove- 

 reign's rights, at the Rebellion in 1715, and 1745. He died within the space of 

 150 yards of the place where he was born, and was interred here the 30th of Ja- 

 nuary, 1791, aged 112 years. 



Billeted by Death, I quarter'd here remain, 



When the trumpet sounds, I'll rise and inarch again !" 



There are also some other instances of longevity recorded on 

 the tomb-stones in this church-yard, namely, " To the memory of 

 Sarah Wain, who died Jan. 28th, 1809, aged 91 years." Another, 

 a->-ed 90 ; and several between 80 and 90. 



