HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 347 



a dirty bluish cast, which rises by the side of a brook, whose wa- 

 ter is tinged thereby for a considerable distance. Sometimes the 

 water of this well is remarkably muddy ; but whether such vari- 

 ation is owing to change of weather, or other cause, has not yet 

 been ascertained. It is highly valued by the common people, wh 

 extol it as a specific in cutaneous disorders, and call it a great 

 sweetener of the blood, &c. It is not at all improbable thai it 

 possesses some valuable medicinal properties. 



WOLSTANTON is an extensive and populous parish of Pirehill 

 North, about six miles in legth, and nearly two miles in breadth. 

 It contains ten townships, an hamlet, and one liberty ; tramely, 

 the townships of Chatlerley, Chell, Chesterton, Knutfofl, QU- 

 eott, Rainsclifte, Stadmoreslow, Thursfield, Wedgwood, Wolstaui- 

 ton, the hamlet of Brieryhurst, and the liberty of Tuntstall Court, 

 It was originally a member of the manor of Newcastle. Clay, 

 ironstone, and coal abound in this parish, and afford employment 

 to a very considerable part of the inhabitants. Several potteries are 

 established ia the northern part of it, particularly at TuustaiJ, 

 and a Cotton manufactory was established between Chesterton and 

 Newcastle in the year 1797. 



This parish contains 1,279 houses, 1,338 families ; 3,470 male*, 

 3,520 females : total, 6,990 persons, of whom above one-half are 

 employed in manufactures and handicraft. 



The village of Wolstanton is situated on an eminence about a 

 mile and a half to the north of Newcastle. Several of the houses 

 are small, old, and thatched, but there are some elegant mansions of 

 opulent potters in its vicinity. 



The Church is an ancient fabric of stone, with a high spire, 

 which is seen at the distance of several miles around. The tower 

 contains a clock and six bells. It is dedicated to St. Margaret, and 

 is a vicarage, endowed with small tithes, surplice-fees, and tifty 

 acres of glebe land. Walter Sneyd, Esq. of Keel, is patron and 

 impropriator ; the Rev. Lewis Sneyd, is vicar ; and the Rev. Ed- 

 ward Carless, curate. 



The funerals from 1706 to 1805, were in the twelve calendar 

 months at this place in 105 years in number 4,062, as follows ; 

 January, 391 ; February, 360 ; March, 423; April, 399 ; May, 

 380; June, 284 ; July, 325 ; August, 274 ; September, 282; Oc- 

 tober, 247; November, 312; and December 385: total, 4,062. 

 New-chapel had besides about 30 annual funerals. 

 The Parish Register contains the entries of several marriage*,. 



