., ACTON BURNELL PARISH. 499

AcToN PmoTT is a hamlet with one farm and a few cottages, one mile north-east from Acton Burnell. CHARITIEs.-Several sums of money left to the poor by different donors amounting in the whole to £20, were applied in repairing the workhouse, and the inhabitants agreed to pay 20s. yearly out of the rent of the said house, as the interest thereof, to be distributed . in bread. Edward Bayley, in 1789, left a rent charge of 10s. yearly for a distribution of bread. Thomas Smyth, in 1673, left 5s. per annum for a distribution of bread, to be paid "out of his estate to the wol'!d's end, if his estate should so long continue sufficient to make it good." It does not appear that anything has been paid in respect of this charity for a long period. DIRECTORY.-Sir Edward Joseph Smythe, hart., the Hall; John Williarn Benbow, farmer; Edward Everall, shopkeeper; Eli Charles 1\foore, bailiff to Sir E. J. Smythe; Thomas Morris, farmer; Peter Perry, farmer and maltster, Acton Pigott; Thomas Rey­ nolds, butcher; William Soutball, viet., Nag's head; Rev. Edward Arthur Wainwright, rector.

RUCKLEY AND LANGLEY is a small village and chapelry in the parish of Acton Burnell, about one mile east from that place, and five and a half miles west from Much Wenlock. At the census in 1801 there were eighty-two inhabitants; in 1841, fifteen houses and a population of eighty-three souls. The chapelry contains 952 acres of land, which is the property of Sir Edward Joseph Smythe, hart., who is also lord of the manor. The chapel is an inconsiderable structure where divine service is performed only twice during the year. The Jiving is a cnracy subordinate to the rectory of Acton Burnell. LANGLEY HALL, an ancient m.ansion of considerable extent, is now occupied as a farm house, and although much dilapidated it has an imposing aspect, and shows many traces of its former grandeur. King Charles during his troubles was for a short period concealed here ; a fine old oak table, elaborately carved, is said to have been in the hall since the time of King Charles, and was used by that monarch as a dining table. The Farmers are George Carter, Langley; Ell en Evans, Cansway wood; Richard Farr, Mere Oak; J obn Grainger, J,angley Hall; J ames Hartwright, Ruckley; Richard Stedman, Park gate; and EdwarShrewsbury. The village of LITTLE BETTON, or BETTON STRANGE, is plEa· santly situated two and a half miles south from Shrewsbury, and was returned at the census of 18.!1 as having ten houses and forty.eight inhabitants. The land owners are Lord Berwick, and George Jonathan Scott, Esq., the latter gentleman resides at a good house cm bosomed in foliage usually called Betton Strange. The principal residents are Joseph Cross, farmer; Thomas Elsmere, farmer; and John Scott, Esq., Betton Strange.

BERRINGTON is a small rural village pleasantly situated four and a half miles S.E. by S. from Shrewsbury. The parish contains th•J several townships of Berrington, Erompton, Betton, Cantlop, and Ea ton l\fascot, which together in 180 l had a population of 603 souls; 1831, 684, and in 1841 there were 97 houses and G51 inhabitants. There was no separate return of the respective townships at the census of 1841. The township of Berrington contains 880 acres of land, with a fertile soil highly productive. Lord Berwick and Sir Edward Smythe, Bart., are the principal landowners, the latter is lord of the manor. The church is an ancient structure, dedicated to All Saints; the living is a rectory