HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 305 



and the revenue protected from fraud, as there is a regular atten- 

 dance of revenue officers at the works. Brine and other ingredi- 

 ents might be mixed with dung-hills and composts, and chymistry 

 might improve agriculture. 



An elegant mansion has just been erected by Mr. Moore, near 

 Shirleywich. 



SANDON is a small village on the turnpike-road between Stone 

 and Rugeley, consisting of a large inn, a few public-houses, and 

 several scattered tenements. The manor of Sandon is large, and 

 the whole parish contains 92 houses, 92 families ; 238 males, 242 

 females: total of inhabitants, 480. The parish contains the hamlets 

 of Great and Little Sandon, Hard wick, Small Vise, Dracote, Leighs 

 Newton, and Cresswell. 



Before the Conquest, Algar, Earl of Mercia, was lord of the 

 manor ; it was afterwards given by William the First to Hugh, Earl 

 of Chester, who gave it to William Baron Malbank. His son Hugh 

 founded Combermere-abbey; and his son William gave Sandon 

 Church to the Monks. Adilla, the daughter of this William, mar- 

 ried Sir William Stafford, and had the manor of Sandon for her 

 portion. She left it to her son James Stafford. He had issue 

 one daughter, who marrying Thomas Erdeswicke, brought this 

 manor into his family. Sampson Erdeswicke was the last of this 

 family. He was a learned and industrious antiquary ; and, among 

 other public works, he repaired and glazed Sandon Church. The 

 manor was sold to Mr. George Digby, in the reign of James I. and 

 came by marriage into the possession of Charles Lord Gerard, of 

 Bromley, whose grand-daughter carried it to William, Duke of 

 Hamilton, by one of whose descendants it was sold to Lord Har- 

 rowby, whose son, the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby, is now 

 the possessor. 



The Mansion-house is an elegant building, in a pleasant situation. 

 It was built on the site of the ancient half-timbered house of the 

 Erdeswickes, and traces of the moat which surrounded it are still 

 visible. Beyond the modern mansion, the sides of the hill are 

 covered with plantations of young and flourishing trees; and on the 

 summit of an eminence, the lofty Obelisk erected to the Memory of 

 Mr. PITT, about eight years ago, is a very striking and beautiful 

 object. 



The Church stands on a gentle elevation not far from Lord Har- 

 rowby's seat : it is dedicated to All Saints, and is a vicarage. The 

 Rev. George Bonney is the present vicar. Sandon Church is a 



2 Q 



