Madeley in 1817

Description from A Topographical History of Staffordshire by William Pitt (1817)

MADELEY.

Madeley is a parish of Pirehill North, situated about six miles west of Newcastle, and bordering on the west upon Shropshire and Cheshire. It consists of the hamlets of Great Madeley and Little Madeley. 

The village of Great Madeley contains several good houses, the most remarkable of which is a half-timbered house, with the following quaint inscription on the front " 16-- Walk Knave what lookst at --47." By the side of the village is a large pool, which supplies a corn-mill with water. 

The Church is an ancient structure of stone, and consists of a nave, side-aisles, transepts, and a chancel, which is at the east end of the nave, to the north wall of which latter is attached a cemetery of nearly the same size and plan as the transepts. It has also a south porch, and a square embattled tower at the west end of the nave, in which is a ring of six bells; the sixth having been lately bequeathed by Mr. Samuel Stretch. In the interior the different parts are separated from each other by pointed arches, supported on plain pillars. On the north side of the chancel arch are the reading-desk and pulpit, the latter of which is ancient oak, moderately carved with small Saxon arches. 
The crimson velvet cloth and cushion were the gift of the Rev. Thomas Barlow, as is mentioned on one of the tables of benefactions. Above the same arch, in the nave, is painted the Paternoster, the Creed, and the Commandments, on two tables. Between these tables are the Royal arms, painted in the year 1804. A small brass chandelier of 12 lights is suspended from the middle of the ceiling of the nave, and is inscribed: "Bequeathed ; by Samuel Stretch, of Madeley."

At the west end of the nave there is a small organ. It contains several monuments of the Egerton family, particularly one of Elizabeth, wife of Sir John Egerton. who died in the year 1701. She was daughter and sole heir of William Holland, of Denton Heaton, in the county of Lancaster,; from whom descended the Earls of Wilton, who retain the family name of Egerton. There are also several other memorable family monuments; and among others, one in the cemetery attached to the chancel, of Sir John Offley, who died September 6, 1688. 

This church stands by the side of a public road in the village; and to the west, on the opposite side of the road, is a school, which is a plain old building, with two apartments, one for the boys, and the other for the girls : it has also a small area enclosed before it. This school was founded and endowed by Sir John Offley. 

The Church is dedicated to All Saints, and is a vicarage in the patronage of Lord Crewe. The Rev. Peter Roberts is the present vicar ; and the Rev. Alexander Simpson is curate, and Master of the free-school. 

The benefactions to the poor of Madeley are rather numerous ; amongst them those of Sir John Offley, and Ralph Horton, gent, are most conspicuous. 

Little Madeley, is an irregular hamlet, situated about a mile to the east of Madeley church. It contains some good farm-houses and smaller tenements. 

Madeley Park, to the south, is the property of Lord Crewe; part of it is in a state of nature, and overgrown with heath, and part of it is now under cultivation. The soil is light, may be quickly brought into culture, and promises to make useful land. 

The parish of Madeley contains 177 houses, 186 families; 529 males, 489 females : total, 1,018 persons.