The Hall, which stands on the verge of the forest, consists of a body and two wings, in the form 

 of a crescent, and was erected by the late Sir Edward Littleton, Bart., about ninety years ago. It 

 is built of brick, and occupies a gently-rising eminence, surrounded by fine old forest trees and thriving 

 plantations of more recent growth. The situation is healthy, and commands an extensive view both of 

 Staffordshire and Shropshire ; and at the foot of the hill, about four miles distant, lies the singularly- 

 quiet town of Penkridge — invested by many antiquarians with the interest and honour of a Roman origin, 

 the site being the supposed one of Pennocrucium, about two miles to the north of which ran the 

 Watling Street, or military road of those universal conquerors. 



Previous to the erection of the Hall, the residence of the Littletons was at Pilleton, about three 

 miles distant, in a low and unfavourable situation. It is of ancient origin, being shortly after the 

 Conquest in the possession of the Abbot of Burton, and was then called Pillatenhall. In the time of 

 Henry I, it became the property of Edwin de Pillatenhall, and subsequently that of a family named 

 Wynnesbury, the last of which was Alicia, or Alice, married to Richard Littleton, who thus acquired 

 the estates of Pilleton, Teddesley, Huntington, and the whole of her father's possessions. This Alice 

 would seem to be considered a Wrottesley by blood, as the Wrottesley coat is introduced in place of 

 the paternal one of Wynnesbury, on the tombs of the first four Sir Edward Littletons, in Penkridge 

 Church ; the living of which, as well as the greater part of the town, being the property of the family, 

 whose monuments in the church are both numerous and splendid. They were succeeded by their son 

 Sir Edward Littleton ; and it is a somewhat singular circumstance that from that time to the present, 

 with but few exceptions, the heir to the estates and title should be named Edward. 



The Littletons are an ancient family, and have always been distinguished for their wealth and 

 powerful connexions. John de Littleton had extensive possessions in the Vale of Evesham in the time 

 of Henry II, whose son bore the device of three scollop-shells, which are still borne by the family. 

 They had also an estate at Frankley, in Worcestershire, where the eminent Judge Littleton was born in 

 the beginning of the fifteenth century : he died in 1481, and was buried in Worcester Cathedral. The 

 celebrated Bishop Littleton was likewise an ancestor of this family. We also find that Edward Littleton, 

 15 Hen. VIII, and 31 same King; Sir Edward Littleton, Knt., 4 Edw. VI, 5 Elizabeth, and 23 and 

 35 same reign ; Sir Thomas, Knt., James I ; Sir Edward, Bart., 12 Charles I ; Edward, 33 Charles II ; 

 Edward, 2 Anne; and Sir Edward Littleton, Bart, 3 George III., were Sheriffs of the County; and 

 the present representative of the family is Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire. His Lordship's predecessor, 

 Sir Edward Littleton, was celebrated for his patriotism and hospitality. He was chosen to represent the 

 County in Parliament five different times ; and, as soon as those duties permitted, he retired to 

 Teddesley to carry out some of the finest agricultural improvements of the age, and to endear to him 

 both rich and poor, by personal kindness and affability. His public conduct was deservedly admired; and 

 the formation of the Worcestershire Canal through this part of the country was due to the energy and 

 liberality with which he supported the undertaking. He also followed a fine old English custom, of 

 providing all respectable visitors with beef and ale who chose to partake of so substantial a fare. After 

 a life devoted to the improvement and comfort of his numerous tenantry, he died at Teddesley in 

 the year 1812, and was succeeded by his nephew, the present Lord Hatherton, then E. J. Walhouse, 

 of Hatherton, Esq., who took the name of Littleton, and was created first Baron Hatherton in 1835. 

 Hatherton Hall is an ancient residence of the Walhouse family, in the parish of Cannock, on the 

 Watling Street. 



To those at all interested in agricultural pursuits, the name of Teddesley and its noble owner must 

 be familiar. The celebrated steam cultivator, and several other implements of an ingenious character, are 

 here used, and their important capabilities made known by a series of public trials. Some of these 

 improved instruments of husbandry are the invention of his Lordship's agent, J. Bright, Esq., who has 

 been connected with the estate a great number of years, and is distinguished for his high professional 

 attainments and sound judgment. The home-farm consists of about 1,700 acres, many of which have 

 been recovered from the old Chase. Attached to the farm-buildings is an immense water-wheel, 

 thirty-eight feet in diameter, worked by water obtained by land drainage, which is conducted from a 

 reservoir erected for the purpose, and afterwards passed on and distributed to great advantage over 

 several water meadows. This wheel is a powerful auxiliary, and is applied with great success to numerous 

 important purposes. 



The breed of cattle on this estate is highly prized ; and altogether it presents one of the best 

 specimens of agricultural excellence to be found in the country. 



The gardens of this fine establishment are not of such extensive dimensions as some others in the 

 county ; but they are of a high order, excellent, and present some most beautiful and interesting features. 

 The principal garden is a large plot of ground, intended at one time to be devoted to American plants 



