HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 333 



The boggy land has been drained, and the whole of the common 

 called Maer-heath divided and enclosed, and is now in progress of 

 cultivation. 



The Church, which is dedicated to St. Peter, is situated a few 

 yards to the east of Maer Hall, and is a small plain stone building, 

 consisting of a nave, north-aisle, a chancel at the east, and a tower 

 at the west end of the nave: it has also a south porch. The 

 church appears to have been erected or rebuilt in 1610, as that 

 date is inscribed on the south side of the tower. It contains mo- 

 numental inscriptions of the families of Sir John Bowyer, and 

 Robert Macclesfield, Esq. 



The cloth for the communion-table is an old Turkey carpet of 

 great antiquity, the gift of Margaret Tether, daughter of Thomas 

 Picken, of Maer-heath, and brought by her from Constantinople 

 and given to Maer Church, in 1639. From 1558 to 1803 there 

 were 24 curates in 245 years. 



There are a few benefactions to the poor of this parish. Mr. 

 WilUam Cleytpn, Gent, of Radwood, in the parish of Maer, left by 

 his last will and testament, bearing d,ate Nov. 8, 1624, the sum of 

 ,100. for certain charitable uses, for a limited time. And his son, 

 John CJleyton, of the same place, on September 18, 1634, gave the 

 aum qf o60. with which sum and his father's legacy, amounting to 

 160. he purchased from Sir William Bowyer, Knt. of Knipersley, 

 in the county of Stafford, an annual rent of eight pounds, payable 

 every Lady-day and Michaelmas-day, by equal portions, charged 

 upon certain lands, &c. in the parish of Maer. He also appointed 

 trustees to receive the said annual rent, and to pay the yearly 

 sum of four pounds thereof, by two equal portions, to the Minister of 

 Maer, " to encourage him to take pains in preaching, and also in 

 catechizing and instructing the iguojeant in the principles of reli- 

 gion." Also, to pay the sum of four pounds, being the residue of 

 the said annual rent of eight pounds, for and towards placing poor 

 children, of the parish of Maer, apprentices in some honest and law- 

 ful calling. The interest of the sum of 4*80. was given by differ- 

 ent benefactors to the poor of this parish ; among whom were Mr. 

 Dale, who gave ,20,; and Mr, John Cox, mercer, of Drayton, in 

 the county of Salop, who bequeathed in his will, dated April 22, 

 1691, the sum of .10. The latter (Mr. Cox) bequeathed his 

 charity to the town of Maer, ancj to be distributed in portions of 

 twelve pence each, a little before Christmas. 



lady of the present, ko/d of %>. Manor, Jqsiah 



