HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 385 



family the manor devolved by marriage to the Fitzherberts in the 

 reig-n of Henry the Eighth. 



The Mansion-house of Swinnerton, the residence of the Fitz- 

 herbert family, is situated on an eminence which commands very 

 extensive prospects of the circumjacent fertile country, and of part 

 of Shropshire. In one of the apartments there is a very fine full- 

 length picture of Sir John Fitzherbert, Knt. This house and the 

 demesne land were a few years ago occupied by George Toilet, . 

 Esq. of Betley, during the minority of the owner. While under his 

 management, the lands were well cultivated and greatly improved. 



Swinnerton Church is an ancient fabric, situated close to the 

 Mansion-house. It is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a rectory 

 which formerly was in the patronage of the University of Oxford, 

 but afterwards came into private patronage. The late Rev- William 

 Robinson, Clerk, was both patron and incumbent. The Rev. Mr. 

 Corns is now rector ; and the Rev. Thomas Orritt, is curate. 



Swinnerton Park is situated between two and three miles N.N.W. 

 of the Mansion, and to the west of Trentham demesne. It consists 

 of wood land and waste land, of a good quality, but in a state of 

 nature. It is in an elevated situation, capable of being rendered 

 very valuable land, and is somewhat similar in circumstances to 

 Chartley Park, and like it capable of very high improvement. It 

 is of considerable extent, and is much resorted to during the 

 season by many of the poor for the purpose of gathering bilberries, 

 which they sell to the nearest towns and villages. Hanchurch 

 High-heath adjoining is also a considerable waste of similar land. 

 Millstone-Green is another neglected waste contiguous to Han- 

 church-heath. Perhaps no part of the county is more worthy of 

 the attention of the agriculturist than these tracts. 



Millstone-Green is likewise the name given to an hamlet situate 

 between Newcastle and Whitmore, about two miles and a half from 

 the former place. 



Dr. Plot says (ch. ii. sec. 12) " that those places that are situate 

 highest, and enjoy the fewest waters, mines, aid woods, must un- 

 doubtedly be the healthiest, in proportion as they are free from 

 one, more, or all of them : upon which account (he continues) I 

 lake Swynerton, the village of Beech, and all the hill country be- 

 twixt that and Trentham (being void of most if not all these) to 

 be the healthiest spot of ground in all the county, which seems 

 amply to be made out by an observation they have there, viz, 

 that they have three christenings for one buryal." 



