HEMLINGFOR:D IJUNDitED lUBMINGHAM DIVISION. 851 terest of £42., held on a promissory note, dated 27th May, 1796, and given to the poor on St. Thomas's day, usually in sums of Is. each. The sum of £39. 5s., by the last indenture of the t'harities, 1812, stated to be in the hands of the Re\". Robert Digby, Rector of Sheldon, cannot be accounted for. Mary Sheldon, by will, 1826, gave to the ministers and churchwardens for the time being of the parish of Sheldon, £650. upon trust to invest the same in their names, in the public funds, and to distribute the interest in blue coats and cloaks, and otht>r warm clothing, to the aged poor on St. Thomas's day. The above sum was reduced by the income-tax to £585., which was invested, in 1826, in tbe purchase of £656. 7s. 7d. Three and a half reduced annuities, producing £22.19s. 4d. pt>r annum, and distributed by the minister and churchwardens to about 50 poor persons, in cloaks, blankets, :flannel, and sheeting. DirectCYI'y.,-John Andrews, corn miller, Hill Horlon and Babb's Mills; Rev. B. J. Bateman, B.A., rector; John Berwick, shoemaker; S. Bray, solicitor, The Cottage; Thos. Coleman, solicitor, Sheldon House; Edwd. Hall, vict., Bell Inn; Chas. Harvey, vict., plumber and glazier, Old Ring of Bells; Geo. Hawkins, vict., Three Horse Shoes; Thos. Kirby, shopkeeper; Tbos. Knowles, solicitor, Mackadowne Hs.; Chas. Martin, blacksmith; Waiter Martin, blacksmith; Edwd. Newhall, schoolmMter; Jph. Paddy, vict. and tailor, Wheat Sheaf; Chas. Pearson, vict., Cross Inn and White Hart; Jas. Taylor, shoemaker; Geo. Underwood, tailor. The farmers are John Broadway, John Bromwich, Jph. Croxall, Rd. Farmer, John Greenway, Rd. Harvey, and buildt>r; John Marson, John Mayou, John Newbley, Thos. Rea.ves, Robt. Thornley, Geo. Wells, and William Wells. SUTTON COLDFIELD, a neat market town, borough, and extensive parish, 7 miles N. by E. from Birmingham, 26 N.W. by N. from Warwick, and llO N.W. by N. from London; containing 13,030 acres of land, and, in 1841, 834 inhabited houses, 49 uninhabited, and 4 building, with 4~300 inhabitants; 1801, 2,847; 1821, 3,466; 1831, 3,684; rateable value, .£18,824. 12s. 1~d. The principal land owners are Sir Robt. Peel, Bart., Capt. Somerville, Mrs. Bedford, Sir W. H. Hartopp, Bart., Sir F. Lawley, F. B. Harket, Esq., H. M. Chadwick, Esq., Rd. Horton, Esq., the Rev. E. A. Bagot, and the Corporation, who are also lords of the manor. This was held by the Conqueror, at the time of the Norman survey; but Henry I. granted it to Roger, Earl of Warwick ; and one of his successors, Guy de Beanchamp, obtained in the 28th of Edward I., a charter for a market and fair here. It appears, however, that in the reign of Henry VII. both the market and town itself had fallen into great decay; when a great benefactor arose, in the person of John Vesey, Bishop of Exeter, a native of the place, and a prelate of eonsiderable eminence, to whose numerous benefactions may be attributed its subse­ quent prosperity. Not only did the bishop bestow upon the poor of Sutton a large tract of land, for pasturage, bot, in the 20th of Henry VIII., procured a charter of incorporation for the town, built a market house, founded a free school, and enlarged and omamented the parish church. Nor did his active benevolence stop here, for he attempted to introduce the clothing manufacture, and, thereby, provide a pennanent source of prosperity to the place, building several houses for the free use of persons following the trade ; but the exotic manufactory did not flourish, and has long since ceased to be practised, though the houses still remain. The town occupies a bleak and exposed situation, on rising ground, of steep aclivity, and consists principally of one long street. The houses are mostly modern, well built, and of handsome appearance; the inhabitants are well supplied with water from springs. Adjacent to it, is a very extensive and finely wooded park, in which the inhabitants ha\"e the privilege of pas­ turage, for a small payment to the corporation; it is crossed by the Iknield street, which is distinctly traceable for two miles, entering the park near a small artificial mount, called King's, standing on the Coldfield, from the circumstance of Charles having harangued his troops from Shropshire on this spot ; and taking thence a direction into the Lichiield road. Here is a medicinal spring, called Ronnton Well: another, possessing wlphurous qualities, is now disused, The principa.l occupa.tion is the manufa.cture of