HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 327 



ter is thus delineated on a brass plate on the south side of the nave, 

 over the second pillar from the pulpit : 



" In perpetuam rei memoriam, 



Manubias Deo, 

 David Kenricus, pietas ejus memoriae, 



Hoc virtutis praemiolum dicavit. 

 Mira cano, Pietas saevis reperitur in armis. 

 jEdificat bellum sternere quod soleat ! 

 Hanc sacram struxil miles memorabilis aedem 

 Principe sub nigro, quern meruisse ferunt, 

 David Kenricus : Davide beatior illo 

 Templum cui Superis aedificare nefas. 

 Fair Virtue's deeds transmit a glorious name 

 That lives on records of eternal fame. 



This holy edifice, arising from the spoils of a conquered enemy, was dedicated 

 by David Kenrick to the Omnipotent. 



Hail wond'rous Piety, when seen in arms, 

 Whose balmy breath a hero's bosom warms 

 To build, and not destroy with impious ire, 

 The solemn Temple, and the sacred Choir ! 

 Kenrick, to early scenes of slaughter led, 

 By Edward's son in toils of battle bred, 

 This pile erected, by bis God approv'd, 

 His Country honour'd, and his Prince belov'd. 

 Happier than David he allow 'd to raise 

 An Altar sacred to Jehovah's praise." 



The Church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The living 

 is a rectory in the patronage of Thomas Kinnersly, Esq. two 

 turns, and Hugo Meynell, Esq. one : the Rev. W. Anwyl is the 

 present incumbent. 



The soil of the old inclosed land in the parish is a lightish loam 

 on a sand or gravel bottom. 



The parish of Ashley contains 141 houses, 141 families ; males 

 321, females 295 : total of inhabitants, 616. 



Ashley Common, to the south of the village, is a thin black 

 peat moor, the hilly parts having an under-stratum of sand, gravel, 

 or sandy rock. The herbage is poor, possessing but few of the 

 better grasses, but the soil improves into an inferior friable marl 

 nearer to Eccleshall. Hungershutt, another waste in this parish, 

 is now under inclosure. The principal land-proprietors are Thomas 

 Kinnersly and Hugo Meyneil, Esqs. 



Blore-in-Tyrley, is a township in Pirehill North, and contains 

 several farm-houses and smaller tenements, the property of Hugo 

 Meynell, Esq. of Hoar Cross, Derbyshire. The inhabitants gene- 

 rally attend Drayton Church, believing themselves to be in that 

 parish. The soil is a gravelly loam. 



2 T 



