HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 309 



Stowe, Gayton, and Weston, generally lodges at the house of one 

 of his opulent tenants. 



At present, the ruins of Chartley Castle remind the reflecting 

 ohserver of the description of the Hall of Ossian. The ancient 

 mansion of Chartley was some years ago consumed by fire. It was 

 surrounded by a moat on low ground, about a furlong west of the 

 castle. 



Chartley Park consists of one thousand acres of excellent land, 

 in a state of nature, enclosed within an ancient oak paling, with 

 here and there an old tree, and a few modern clumps of plantations. 

 This tract, which has never been cultivated, abounds with fern and 

 furze. The stock is wild cattle, and deer of two species: the wild 

 cattle are mostly white, with the nose and ears tipped with black. 



HIXON, in this parish, is a large ancient village, situated on an 

 eminence. The houses are thatched. The post of a pillory remains, 

 which proves the antiquity of this mode of punishment. 



The Ferrers family are said to possess 10,000 acres of land, lying 

 nearly together in the parishes and townships of Chartley, Stowe, 

 Gayton, Weston, Colwich, Hixon, Haywood, and Fradswell. 



The parish of Stowe contains 125 houses, 156 families; 440 

 males, 413 females : total of inhabitants, 853. 



ABBOTS BROMLEY 



Is an ancient market-town of Pirehill South, situated five miles 

 north-east of Ru^eley. It is an irregular decayed place, without 

 manufactures or trade, and took its name from the Abbey of Brom- 

 ley, in the neighbourhood. There are no public buildings in this 

 town worthy of observation, except the Church, which is an an- 

 cient structure of stone, with a high tower, which contains six 

 musical bells. It is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and is a discharged 

 vicarage : the Rev. P. P. Neale is the present minister. 



The parish of Abbots Bromley is extensive and populous, includ- 

 ing the township of Bromley Hurst, and the liberty of Bromley 

 Bagots. This parish contains 279 houses, 291 families; 737 males, 

 802 females: total of inhabitants, 1,539. 



In the town of Abbots Bromley there is a Free-school, founded 

 in 1603 by Mr. Richard Clark; and an Alms-house for six indigent 

 old women, endowed by Mr. Lambert Bagot. The weekly market 

 of this town is held on Tuesday ; and there are three annual fairs, 



