OSWESTRY TOWN COUNCIL

CATALOGUE OF ARCHIVES

Oswestry Town Council

THE Guildhall

Oswestry

Shropshire

SY11 1PZ

INTRODUCTION

Among the archives in the custody of the Town Council there is a copy, made in the fifteenth century, of a charter granted in 1262 by John Fitzalan, Lord of Arundel. By this charter John granted to the Burgesses of Oswestry “full and free power and authority to ordain, make and conclude among themselves praiseworthy ordinances and agreements for their betterment and benefit” (translation from the Latin). This is the earliest indication we have of a group of people in Oswestry working together for the common good of the Town. Later royal charters, of Richard II in 1398, and Henry IV in 1407, set out in more detail the rights and privileges to be enjoyed by the Burgesses, and the extent of their jurisdiction. By 1582 disputes and misunderstandings had arisen in the Burgesses’ administration of local affairs, and constitutions were agreed that year “for the good and quiet government” of the Town. Twenty-five Burgesses were to be elected to the Common Council, who, together with the two Bailiffs they elected, would “doe and execute in everie thing according toe their best skill all that which by the said commen Counsell shallbe from tyme to tyme determyned”. It was perhaps inevitable that there would be disagreements between the Burgesses and the Lord of Oswestry about the liberties enjoyed by the former and the privileges claimed by the latter, and the doubts and ambiguities in the interpretation of previous documents resulted in the granting of a new charter by James I in 1617. Under this charter Oswestry was to be a free borough, its affairs to be administered by the Bailiffs and Burgesses, with the right to hold land, a common seal, a Guildhall, authority to make laws and impose fines. This charter remained in force for over half a century.

In 1673 the Lord of Oswestry, the Bailiffs and Burgesses petitioned for a new charter, giving as grounds for the petition the loyalty of the Town to the King during the Civil Wars of the mid-seventeenth century, and the damage suffered at the hands of the Roundheads. In the new charter, in place of the Bailiffs and twenty-five Burgesses, there was to be a Mayor, twelve Aldermen and fifteen Common Councilmen. A Town Clerk was appointed, the nomination to that office to be in future the prerogative of the Lord of Oswestry.

The 1674 charter remained in force until local government nation-wide was reorganised under the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835. Under this Act the administration of Town affairs was placed in the hands of the Mayor, six Aldermen and eighteen Councillors. Whereas under the charters the Common Councilmen had been elected by the Common Council itself, the Councillors were now elected by the ratepayers of the Town. The Mayor and Aldermen continued to be elected by the Council. The Town Clerk was appointed by the Council, as is the case today. The new style Council was a major force in developments in Oswestry in the next 130 years. Health and housing, water and electricity, the fire brigade, allotments, markets, parks, street works were all under its administration, some of these responsibilities being eventually lost in subsequent legislative changes.

In 1967 a reorganisation of local government in Shropshire resulted in the creation of the Rural Borough of Oswestry. Some of the functions of the old Borough Council were transferred to Oswestry Rural District Council, leaving the Rural Borough Council to operate in much the same way as a traditional parish council, but retaining responsibility for markets, car parks, and parks (until 1972) and open spaces in the Town. In the major reorganisation of local government in 1974 the Rural Borough Council became the Town Council, with sixteen instead of eighteen Councillors from 1975. Despite the reduction in powers in 1967 the Council still plays a major role in all aspects of the life of the community, striving, as did the early Burgesses, for the “betterment and benefit” of the Townspeople.

The Council’s archives date from 1324, when the Earl of Arundel granted two shops (‘duas schoppas’ in the Latin original) in Leg Street to the Burgesses of Oswestry. Comparatively few records survive before 1674, the year of the charter granted to the Town by King Charles II, but they include deeds and charters, and accounts and memoranda of the Bailiffs, who received the tolls and other payments due to the Town. Between 1674 and 1835 records are more plentiful, consisting of minutes of the Council, accounts of the Mayor and other Town officers, proceedings of the Quarter Sessions and Court of Record, and various correspondence and papers relating to the Guildhall, the gaol, markets and fairs, and other matters of local interest. The nineteenth century from 1835 was a period of great development in Oswestry. New markets were built in the late 1840s; reservoirs were built in the late 1860s and the late 1880s; the Guildhall was rebuilt in 1892. The voluminous minutes of the Council and its Committees, and the numerous bundles of deeds and documents which complement them, reflect these major developments as well as the more routine, and sometimes trivial aspects of the administration of Town affairs. Major and minor developments of the twentieth century are likewise documented – housing estates between the Wars; the modernisation of Powis Hall (the indoor market) in 1963; the new Smithfield in 1968; the changes brought about by local government reorganisation in 1974.

The majority of the Council’s older archives were at one time stored in Oswestry Library, which until 1959 was based in the Guildhall. The rest, and more recent records, were in scattered storage places in the Guildhall and Powis Hall. In 1985 the older archives were brought together in the Guildhall, later to be joined by the material from Powis Hall. However, three volumes of Quarter Sessions proceedings dating from 1737 to 1836 had in 1981 been transferred to Shropshire Record Office in Shrewsbury, which was at that time the repository recognised under Public Records Acts 1958 as a place of deposit for such records. The Town Council determined to do whatever was necessary to meet the requirements of the Lord Chancellor’s Department in order to gain recognition as a place of deposit, and thereby win the right to keep all the records in Oswestry. By April 1986 a room in the Guildhall had been equipped as a strongroom, with air conditioning to ensure that the right levels of temperature and humidity, so essential for long-term preservation of archives could be achieved and maintained. The provision of a properly equipped strongroom was not the only requirement to be met, however. Arrangements had to be made for the records to be catalogued, for conservation work to be done on damaged items, and for public access to the records. Consequently the services of a professional archivist were engaged, and the Archivist now attends regularly to work on the records and deal with matters arising. The Council now has an ongoing conservation programme for those books and documents in need of repair. In early 1987 the Council’s administrative staff moved into newly adapted office accommodation on the first floor of Powis Hall. One of the rooms there was used as a search room where records could be consulted by members of the public. The provisions made by the Town Council were finally approved in 1989. The Guildhall was formally appointed a place of deposit under the Public Records Act 1958, allowing the return of the Quarter Sessions records to Oswestry.

In 1999, following a successful application for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund the Guildhall was renovated for Council and community use. An additional room was equipped for storage of archives, and improved search room facilities were provided. The catalogue of the archives was published to mark the re-opening of the building.

NOTES

SCOPE OF THE CATALOGUE

The catalogue excludes the post 1974 records of Oswestry Town Council. A list of these is available in the searchroom. Excluded also are the Council’s legal documents, which are not normally available for public consultation. Among these are some contracts for works. These documents are referred to in the catalogue and are available on request.

Some of the post 1835 archives are described in the catalogue by bundle. Work is ongoing on itemised lists of the contents of the bundles. These lists are available for consultation in the searchroom, and their existence is indicated in the searchroom copy of the catalogue.

PUBLISHED TRANSCRIPTS

Extracts from and transcripts of some of the pre 1835 records were printed in The Records of the Corporation of Oswestry, edited by Stanley Leighton (reprinted from Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological Society, 1879 – 1883) and in Bye-gones relating to Wales and the Border Counties (1879 – 1939). These works are cited in the catalogue as “Leighton” and “Bye-gones” respectively.

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

Some of post 1900 records are confidential and are either closed to public access for a set period of time, or are available for consultation only with the consent of the Town Clerk. These restrictions are indicated in the catalogue.

Items which are fragile and would be further damaged by handling are not available for consultation until they have been repaired. Photocopies will not be made of any items which, because of their condition or format, would be subject to risk of damage in the photocopying process. These restrictions are indicated in the searchroom copy of the list.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The searchroom is open by appointment only. Details of opening hours and regulations are obtainable from Oswestry Town Council’s Offices and website.

Oswestry Town Council,

The Guildhall,

Oswestry,

Shropshire, SY11 1PZ

Telephone (01691) 680222

Fax (01691) 671080

Website WWW.oswestrytowncouncil.org.uk

E-mail: otc@enterprise.net

THE UNREFORMED BOROUGH

	ASSSEMBLY
A1	Assembly Books 2 vols.	1674 - 1834
	Minutes of meetings of the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council to discuss Town business, decide policy, elect and swear in Officers and Burgesses.
A1/1	Feb. 1673/4 - Oct. 1801 Regular record begins May 1674. Entries prior to that date relate to proceedings following the granting of the charter of 13 Jan. 1673/4. At beginning: memorandum of disenfranchisement, 13 Sep. 1715, of John Davies, then Mayor, he having been found guilty of murdering Richard Evans junior of Whittington. On pp. 181 - 186: oaths to be sworn by the Mayor, Coroner, Recorder, Town Clerk, Sergeants, Watch, Burgesses, High Steward, Justices of the Peace, Muringer, Common Councillors, Aldermen, Attorneys (in the Court of Record), and the oaths of supremacy and allegiance (see Leighton, p. 181). For extracts see Bye-gones 1882-3, pp. 70,150, 216 - 217, 311, 313; 1884-5, p. 121; 1888, pp. 242, 246, 253.
A1/2	Oct. 1801 - Oct. 1834 At end: oaths as in /1, excluding those of Burgesses and Watch, including those of Marshall (of the Court), and Clerk of the Market and Examiner of Weights and Measures.
	MAYOR
A2	Mayor’s Account Book 1 vol. For extracts see Leighton, pp. 165 - 173 and Bye-gones 1882-3, pp. 1, 124; 1887, pp. 348, 353 - 354. In reverse: Muringer’s accounts, 1687 - 1688, including receipts of tensery money.	1674 - 1753
A3	Mayor’s Accounts 20 docs. These were copied into A2, but with some minor details omitted.	1700 - 1748
A3/1	1700, 1702 Accounts of Francis Tomkies, and also ‘Money Laid out by me upon the Coronation Day by the orders of Mr Mayor & Aldermen April 23th 1702.’
A3/2	1712 - 1714 Accounts of John Skie.
A3/3	1718 - 1719 Accounts of Owen Hughes.
A3/4	1720 - 1722 Accounts of John Evans.
A3/5	1721 - 1722 Accounts of Richard Payne.
A3/6	1724 - 1725 Accounts of the late Peter Poval. Not entered in A2.
A3/7	1724 - 1725 Accounts allowed to Sarah Poval. Not entered in A2.
A3/8	1725 - 1726 Accounts of John Kyffin.
A3/9	1729 - 1730 Accounts of John Evans, Deputy to Charles Lloyd.
A3/10	16 Jul. 1730 Receipt of A. Wicksteed for 3s. for mending the maces. Annexed to /9.
A3/11	1732 - 1733 Accounts of John Huxley. Endorsed: list of Aldermen and Common Councillors present 19 Oct. 1733.
A3/12	1732 - 1733 Accounts of John Evans, Deputy to John Mytton.
A3/13	1735 - 1736 Accounts of John Evans, Deputy to Robert Williams.
A3/14	1736 - 1737 Accounts of Robert Barkley.
A3/15	Undated [1739] Accounts of Thomas Tomkies.
A3/16	1744 Accounts of John Mort.
A3/17	1746 - 1747 Accounts of David Morris.
A3/18	1747 Accounts of Richard Lloyd.
A3/19	1747 - 1749 Account of John Hughes, Deputy to Richard Williams, for expenditure on clothes for the Marshall and Bellman. Not entered in full in A2.
A3/20	1748 Accounts of John Hughes, Deputy to Richard Williams.
A4	Mayor’s Vouchers of John Croxon. 18 docs. See also A38, A39.	1813 - 1814
A4/1	4 Oct. 1813 William Owen, for £4 Os 7 1/2d. for work done on the Castle Bank.
A4/2	15 Oct. 1813 Overseers, for 10s. and £1 for ‘weighing weights and going to the Publick Houses’.
A4/3	23 Oct. 1813 William Owen, for £3 7s. 6d. for work done in levelling the Castle Bank.
A4/4	28 Jan. 1814 David Thomas, bricklayer, for £6 13s. for work done at Castle Bank.
A4/5	28 Jan. 1814 David Thomas, for £1 8s. 8d. for ‘fixing up an iron chest’ in the Town Clerk’s office.
A4/6	[Mar. 1814] Roberts & Williams, mercers and drapers, for goods supplied for the prison, to the value of £3 1s. 8 1/2d.
A4/7	[Mar. 1814] Hugh Phillips, for 3s. 6d. for repairing the lock of the iron chest in the Town Clerk’s office.
A4/8	7 Apr. 1814 Ellis Jones, for £18 18s. for carpentry at the prison.
A4/9	28 Apr. 1814 William Lacon for £28 17s. 6d. for ‘1 Large Book Case’.
A4/10	13 Apr., 6 May 1814 Edward Owens, for £2, and Ralph Fox, for £18 2s. for building materials.
A4/11	7 May 1814 Ellis Jones, for £10 16s. 9 1/2d. for gates, posts, stiles at Castle Bank.
A4/12	7 May 1814 Charles Eyeley, for £1 3s. 4d. for painting and decorating in the Town Clerk’s office.
A4/13	7 May 1814 Ellis Jones, for £2 4s. 1 1/2d. for carpentry in the Town Clerk’s office.
A4/14	20 Jun. 1814 William Price, for £10 8s. 4d. for printing and stationery.
A4/15	19 Jul. 1814 Robert Stanton, for £5 4s. for ‘Worke Dun to the Corporation Punch Bowl’.
A4/16	19 Jul. 1814 Ellis Jones, for £12 12s. for four oak chairs with the arms of Oswestry, and William Jones, for £8 8s. for castors for the Town Clerk’s office.
A4/17	19 Jul. 1814 Ellis Jones, for £10 10s. for a desk, and Robert Stanton, for £7 9s. for brass rods for the Town Clerk’s office.
A4/18	19 Jul. 1814 Ellis Jones, for £2 8s. for shutters for the Town Clerk’s office.
A5	Licence 1 doc.	8 Aug. 1833
	The Aldermen and Common Councillors grant licence to Thomas Longueville Longueville, Mayor, to be absent for a month and to appoint Thomas Morris, esq., as his Deputy during that time.
	ALDERMEN AND COMMON COUNCILLORS
A6	Declarations against the Solemn League and Covenant 1 doc. Signed by Thomas Jones, Philip Ellis, Morgan Powell, Fran. Tomkies, Thomas Kyffin, with mark of Edward Jones. See Leighton, p. 164. Includes memoranda of election of Francis Tomkis and Thomas Kyffyn ‘to serve Com[m]on Counsels’ and allowance of 2s. per £1 to the Sergeants for collecting tensery money, 5 Oct. 1682.	8 Jan. 1682/3
	BURGESSES See also A12.
A7	Register of Burgesses and Freemen 1 vol. Records Burgesses elected and sworn in following the renewal of the charter in 1674, and those elected and sworn in thereafter to Oct. 1834. Continues with elections of Honorary Freemen, viz. Alfred Wynne Corrie of Park Hall, esq., 9 Nov. 1893; Joseph Parry Jones of Beechfield, esq., 18 Aug. 1898; Aldermen Thomas Whitfield and Edward Bremner Smith of Oswestry, 10 Aug. 1908. At front: memorandum of the purchase of the book by Richard Edwards, Mayor, 16 Aug. 1676, burgess’ oath; memorandum, 12 Jun. 1696, of the admission by Richard Jones, Mayor, and David Lloyd, Justice of the Peace, of Thomas Arthur to the Company of Butchers, they having refused to admit him; a similar memorandum, 30 May 1700, of the admission of Richard, son of Nathaniel Jones, by Richard Jones and Nathaniel Edwards, Justices of the Peace.	1674 - 1908
A8	Certificates of Election of Burgesses 73 docs.	1704 - 1830
A8/1	22 Aug. 1704 Richard Helton of Oswestry, dyer.
A8/2	4 Oct. 1723 Thomas Rogers of Bromwich Park, co. Salop.
A8/3	17 Nov. 1725 Humphey Parry of Llanvyllin, co. Montgomery.
A8/4	4 Jan. 1725/6 Henry Wytherington.
A8/5	[28 Jan. 1725/6] Francis Wem of Oswestry.
A8/6	30 Sep. 1726 Nathaniell Edwards, butcher.
A8/7	30 Sep. 1726 John, son of Nathaniell Edwards, butcher.
A8/8	14 Apr. 1727, 2 Mar. 1727/8. William Jordon of Oswestry; Sidney Rigby of same, widow, salt dealer; John Rigby, her eldest son, aged about 10; William Rigby, her second son, aged about 2; Thomas Hughes of same, weaver; Thomas Hughes, his only son, aged about 4; Richard Jones of same, butcher.
A8/9	2 Mar. 1727/8 Edward Owen of Oswestry, hatter.
A8/11	18 Jul. 1729 John Davies of Oswestry, brewer and baker.
A8/12	18 Jul. 1729 John Davies of Glascoed, co. Denbigh, gent.
A8/13	18 Jul. 1729 John Davies the younger of Glascoed, gent.
A8/14	18 Jul. 1729 Thomas Davies of Glascoed, gent., ‘but was not Sworne he being under Age’.
A8/15	3 Oct. 1729 John Basnett of Rednall, co. Salop, gent., and his son Thomas.
A8/16	3 Oct. 1729 Edward Williams of Eastymcolwyn, co. Montgomery, esq.
A8/17	3 Oct. 1729 John Williams of Oswestry, nailer.
A8/18	2 Oct. 1730 Thomas Beakall of Oswestry, saddler.
A8/19	2 Oct. 1730 Thomas Evans of Whittington, co. Salop, innholder.
A8/20	2 Oct. 1730 John Fraile of Whitchurch, co. Salop, plumber.
A8/21	2 Oct. 1730 Timothy George of Hinford, co. Salop, yeoman.
A8/22	23 Jul. 1731 Thomas Dawes of Oswestry, gent.
A8/23	23 Jul. 1731 John Paine of Oswestry, tobacconist, and his son John.
A8/24	2 Mar. 1731/2 Edward Roberts of Oswestry, cardmaker, and his two sons.
A8/25	6 Jun. 1732 Robert Jackson of Ellesmere, co. Salop, tanner.
A8/26	6 Jun. 1732 Charles Wicksteed of Oswestry, watchmaker.
A8/27	12 Jan. 1732/3 Andrew Jones of Kinsall, co. Salop, yeoman.
A8/28	12 Jan. 1732/3 John Mort of Oswestry, gent.
A8/29	12 Jan. 1732/3 John Rees of Derwenypandy, co. Salop, yeoman.
A8/30	5 Oct. 1733 Joseph Davies of Oswestry, apothecary.
A8/31	5 Nov. 1734 Edward Evans of Oswestry, periwig maker, and his son.
A8/32	5 Nov. 1734 Vincent Phips of Oswestry, grocer, and his son.
A8/33	5 Nov. 1734 Charles Thomas of Oswestry, cooper, and his son.
A8/34	6 Dec. 1735 John Basnett of Oswestry, grocer.
A8/35	6 Dec. 1735 John Boulton of Oswestry, shoemaker.
A8/36	6 Dec. 1735 John Evans of Oswestry, wheelwright.
A8/37	16 Jan. 1735/6 William Basnett of Oswestry, periwig maker.
A8/38	16 Jan. 1735/6 William Lewis of Porkington, co. Salop, chandler.
A8/39	2 Feb. 1736/7 William Boodle of the Clive, co. Salop, yeoman.
A8/40	2 Feb. 1736/7 John Morris of Broomhall, co. Salop, yeoman.
A8/41	2 Feb. 1736/7, 15 Jul. 1737 Edward James, son of Edward James of Oswestry shoemaker; William Simpson of same, gent.
A8/42	15 Jul. 1737 Henry Jones of Llanvorda, co. Salop, gent.
A8/43	6 Oct. 1738, 13 Jan. 1738/9 Richard Williams, esq.; John Hurleston, joiner: Edward Evans, innholder.
A8/44	2 Mar. 1740/1 John Williams, tailor.
A8/45	17 Dec. 1741 John Griffith, ironmonger.
A8/46	17 Dec. 1741 John Jones, joiner.
A8/47	1 Oct. 174[2] Abraham Phillips of Oswestry, carpenter.
A8/48	20 Apr. 1743 Thomas Adams, victualler.
A8/49	20 Apr. 1743 James Roberts, saddler.
A8/50	5 Oct. 1744 Charles Williams, weaver.
A8/51	8 Aug. 1745 Joseph Blocklin, joiner.
A8/52	8 Aug. 1745 George Dorsett, gent.
A8/53	8 Aug. 1745 Nathaniel Evans and his two sons Nathaniel and Richard.
A8/54	12 Jun. 1747 James Lloyd, corviser, and his son Edward; Samuel Carter, gent.; John Ellis, sawyer.
A8/55	15 Jul. 1748 Thomas Lewis and his son John; John Brookes, victualler; John Griffith, weaver, and his two sons James and John; Thomas Rathbone and his son Thomas.
A8/56	22 Jul. 1748 Ralph Fox and his son John; Jonathan Shaw, gent.; Edward Evans, grocer.
A8/57	27, 29 Jul. 1748 Roger Clark and his three sons Thomas, Roger, and John; John Chidloe and his two sons John and Edward; Cadwalader Lloyd; Humphrey Philips and his son William; Joseph Fox.
A8/58	5 Oct. 1750 John Evans, hatter.
A8/59	8 Feb. 1750/1 Morris Harries, wheelwright, and his son John.
A8/60	6 Oct. 1752 Samuel Evans, dyer, and his sons Samuel and Edward.
A8/61	1 Mar. 1754 Isaac Davies Jones, gent.
A8/62	3 Oct. 1755 Thomas Morris and his two sons Edward and John.
A8/63	3 Oct. 1755 Joseph Venables and his six sons John, Joseph, Richard, Lazarus, Edward, and George.
A8/64	4 Aug. 1759 John Barton of Oswestry, flax dresser.
A8/65	4 Aug. 1759 John Lloyd, gent.
A8/66	23 Nov. 1759 John Jones of Oswestry, malster, and his two sons John and Robert.
A8/67	3 Oct. 1760 William Griffiths of Oswestry and his two daughters.
A8/68	24 Oct. 1807 Arthur Noneley Davenport of West Felton, co. Salop, gent.
A8/69	2 Oct. 1828 Henry Hughes, clerk to Lewis Jones, gent., Town Clerk of Oswestry, elected 22 Oct. 1819, [subject to the consent of the High Steward].
A8/70	3 Oct. 1828 Peploe Cartwright of Oswestry, surgeon.
A8/71	17 Oct. 1828 John Jones of Foxhall in the parish of Oswestry, farmer, elected 18 Jan. 1828.
A8/72	21 Oct. 1830 Charles Lewis of Oswestry, mercer.
A8/73	21 Oct. 1830 John Lewis of Drenewydd in the parish of Whittington, co. Salop, farmer.
A9	Certificates of Swearing of Burgesses 9 docs.	1827 - 1834
A9/1	18 Dec. 1827 Rev. Sir Edward Kynaston of Hardwick, co. Salop, bt., sworn 5 Nov. 1824.
A9/2	18 Dec. 1827 John Edwards of West Felton, co. Salop, great - great - great - grandson of Edward Edwards of Llwyntidmon, co. Salop, sworn 26 Jan. 1825.
A9/3	18 Dec. 1827 Edward Edwards of West Felton, great - great - great - grandson of Edward Edwards of Llwyntidmon, sworn 26 Jan. 1825.
A9/4	18 Dec. 1827 Richard Edwards of West Felton, great - great - great - grandson of Edward Edwards of Llwyntidmon, sworn 26 Jan. 1825.
A9/5	7 Mar. 1829 Robert Morrall of Oswestry, esq., great - great - grandson of John Morrall, Town Clerk, sworn 3 Oct. 1828.
A9/6	7 Mar. 1829 John Richard Powell of Preesgweene in the parish of St. Martin’s, co. Salop, gent., great - great - grandson of Edward Philips of Ifton Rhyn in the parish of St. Martin’s.
A9/7	21 Oct. 1829 George Dorsett Owen of Oswestry, wine merchant, son of John Owen of same, grocer, deceased.
A9/8	22 Oct. 1833 John Jones of Oswestry, esq., son of John Jones, esq., Senior Alderman.
A9/9	3 Oct. 1834 James Edwards of Oswestry, esq., son of the late Rev. Turner Edwards, Common Councillor.
A10	Oaths of a Burgess and Muringer 1 doc.	[17th cent.]
	TOWN CLERK
A11	Deed of appointment 1 doc.	14 Dec. 1703
	[William Herbert], Lord Viscount Montgomery, appoints Roger Green junior Town Clerk of Oswestry and Register of the manor courts of Dupart and Tynan. Recites deed of appointment, 19 Jan. 1688/9, of Edward Morrall of Duddleston, co. Salop, gent., by William, late Earl of Craven, deceased; deed of appointment, 8 May 1698, by the same Edward Morrall, of Roger Green of Oswestry, gent., as his Deputy; that the manors of Dupart and Tynan are now by the death of the Earl of Craven vested in Lord Viscount Montgomery; and that as Roger Green has accepted the office of Mayor of Oswestry he has asked Lord Viscount Montgomery to appoint his son in his place. See Leighton p. 174.
	BAILIFFS
A12	Bailiffs’ Book 1 vol.	1546 - 1674
	Accounts and memoranda of the Bailiffs. Transcripts are printed in Bye-gones as indicated, but these should be used with caution, as there are some errors.
	p. 1: Re lease to Robert Griffith, late of Oswestry, tailor, now deceased, of three lofts, cellars and chambers adjoining the Cross, for 21 years, 20 Nov. 1646; legacies to the poor of Oswestry in wills of Hugh Yale, gent., 23 Oct. 1638, and Richard Wicherley, [1635] (Bye-gones 1876-7, p. 188).
	p. 31: Re exhibiting three charters at the assizes at Bridgnorth, co. Salop, 27 Mar. 1573 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 84).
	p. 33: Re making the book for recording the names of Bailiffs and Burgesses, 1 Nov. 1546 (Bye-gones 1876-7, p. 200).
	p. 35: Bailiffs’ names, [1546] (Bye-gones 1876-7, p. 200).
A12 continued	pp. 41 - 47: Accounts, 1548 - 1596 (part only in Bye-gones 1876-7, p. 190).
	pp. 49, 50: Inventories of charters and other items, 1596, 1597, 1601.
	pp. 52, 53: Receipts of a lease and bonds, 19 Nov. 1619 (Bye-gones 1878-9, pp. 318, 319).
	pp. 72, 73: Muringer’s accounts of Thomas ap Evan, undated [c. 1620].
	p. 77: Re agreement to constitutions and bye- laws, and election of six assistants to the Bailiffs, 26 Oct. 1616 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 318).
	pp. 93 - 96: List of Burgesses, 1546 (Bye- gones 1876-7, pp. 199, 200).
	p. 97: Election of Burgesses, 18 Jun. 1548, and the oath of Robert Twiford, gent., that all his legitimate children are Burgesses, 3 May 1582 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 91).
	pp. 99 - 104: Election of Burgesses and related resolutions of the Bailiffs, Aldermen and Burgesses, 1565 - 1572 (Bye- gones 1878-9, pp. 91, 92, 102, 103, 113).
	p. 105: Receipt of charters and other items, 17 Oct. 1574 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 84).
	p. 106: Re charters and documents, 13 Oct. 1575, 15 Jun. [1576], and school lands, 14 Jun. 1576 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 113).
	pp. 107, 108: Election of Burgesses, 1577 - 1578 (Bye-gones 1878-9, pp. 126, 127).
	pp. 109 - 111: Re inspection of charters and other items, 1579 - 1581 (Bye-gones 1878-9, pp. 127, 138).
	pp. 111, 112: Election of Burgesses, 1582 (Bye- gones 1878-9, pp. 138, 139).
A12 continued	pp. 112 - 114: Re book of constitutions, 3 Jun. 1582 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 142).
	pp. 114 - 116: Re books and charters, 1582 - 1586 ( Bye-gones 1878-9, pp. 162, 163).
	pp. 117 - 121: Election of Burgesses, 1582 - 1585 (Bye-gones 1878-9, pp. 164 - 168).
	pp. 125, 126: Receipt and inspection of charters and other items 17 Dec. 1566, 31 Oct. 1571 (transcribed in Leighton, pp. 266, 267).
	pp. 127: Election of Burgesses, 11 Apr. 1589 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 220).
	pp. 132 - 136: Procedure for electing Councillors, 8 Jan. 1581/2 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 193).
	p. 137: Accounts, 1583 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 193).
	p. 139: Re inspection of charters and other items, 15 Oct. 1585 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 203).
	pp. 141: Re the Oswestry bushel, 22 Oct. 1586 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 203.
	pp. 141 - 149: Election of Burgesses and receipt of charters, armoury and other items, 1586 - 1613 (Bye-gones 1878-9, pp. 179,184 - 186, 220, 229, 230, 242).
	p. 150: Re sale of timber on school lands, 5 Nov. 1613 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 262).
	pp. 151 - 153: Receipt of charters and other items, 1620 - 1626 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 324).
	p. 154: Accounts of Harry Blodwell, Bailiff for the year 1633, 14 Apr. 1635 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 326).
A12 continued	p. 156: Election of the six men and the fees due to them, 20 Oct. 1547 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 162).
	p. 160: Re sealing acquittances, 29 Sep. 1619 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 318).
	p. 161: Re payment of charity money due under the will of Owen Morgan, citizen and haberdasher of London, and unpaid from the fire of London in 1666 until a decree made 19 Jan. 1671/2, 9 Apr. 1672 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 338).
	p. 234: Receipt of same charity money, 1674 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 338).
	p. 236: Re lease of a croft and garden formerly belonging to Hugh Yale, gent., deceased, to Richard Parry, hat presser, for 8 years from 2 Feb. 1660/1 (Bye-gones 1878-9, p. 338).
A13	Bond in £300 1 doc.	5 Nov. 1646
	(1) Morris Evans of Oswestry, esq.
	(2) Thomas Edwards of same, esq. (1), as one of the Bailiffs of Oswestry, has elected Richard Jones of Oswestry as his sergeant for the coming year, and has taken a bond of indemnity from him. (1) now indemnifies (2) against any charges rising out of the sergeanty. Witnesses: Richard Jones, weaver, Robert Griffith, tailor, Raphe Blower, David Evans, butcher, Samuell Roberts, scrivener.
A14	MURINGER See also A2, A12. Muringer’s Accounts 1 vol. Detailed accounts to 1753, summary accounts 1753 - 1758. Includes typescript introductory note on the office and responsibilities of a Muringer (see Leighton, p. 31). Extracts are printed in Bye-gones 1907-08, pp. 64, 65.	1731 - 1758
A15	Muringer’s Vouchers of John Mort 21 docs.	1742 - 1743
A15/1	25 Jan. 1741/2 Charles Thomas, for 4s. for timber.
A15/2	18 Feb. 1741/2 Mr. Wicksteed, for £1 5s. for looking after the clock.
A15/3	23 Feb. 1741/2 Robert Jones, for 5s. for making the Bellman’s clothes.
A15/4	24 Feb. 1741/2 John Jones, for 5s. for his quarterly payment as Beadle [Bellman].
A15/5	10 Apr. 1742 Richard Griffiths, bricklayer, for work done.
A15/6	14 Apr. 1742 Joseph Davies, for 10s. for drink for the ringers.
A15/7	4 May 1742 Thomas Jones [Sergeant], for 15s. 1 1/2d. for payments to Gilbert Griffiths and Mary Hughes.
A15/8	19 May 1742 John Jones, for 5s. for his quarterly payment as Beadle.
A15/9	10 Jul. 1742 Watkin Kyffin, for 9s. 2 1/2d. for candles for the Town Hall.
A15/10	2 Aug. 1742 Wm. Phipps, for £1 12s. 2d. for cloth and haberdashery.
A15/11	23 Aug. 1742 C. Wicksteed, for £1 for engraving coats of arms and letters on a punch ladle and bowl and a silver plate.
A15/12	13 Oct. 1742 Chattn. [Catherine] Price, for 10s. 6d. for 3 pairs of shoes.
A15/13	13 Oct. 1742 John Burgess, for 2s. 8d. for 8 yards of spars for work at the cross.
A15/14	16 Oct. 1742 Edward Evans, for 13s. for straw and gravel.
A15/15	20 Oct. 1742 Lucy Powel, for £2 7s. 6 1/2d. for cloth and haberdashery.
A15/16	21 Oct. 1742 Robt. Barkley, for 2s. 6d. for ‘A hat for the Crier’.
A15/17	22 Oct. 1742 Thos. Francis, glazier, for 5s. 8d. for repairs at the Cross and materials.
A15/18	11 Nov. 1742 John Dawson for 2s. 6d.’ for a hatt for Edwd. Jones Marshall’.
A15/19	16 Dec. 1742 John Piggot, for 4s. ‘for Clening ye Hall foure Quarter Shessons & foure fars’.
A15/20	17 Feb. 1742/3 Geo. Wright for 6s. 1d. for locks, nails, and work done.
A15/21	Undated Thomas Jones, Sergeant, for 1s. 4 1/2d, he having ‘Dieted Hugh Hughes when in the Gate’.
A16	Tensery Accounts 1 vol.	1716 - 1781
	Assessments of the ‘Fines Forfeitures and other Sums of Money payable to the Corporation of Oswestry from Inhabitants within the Town of Oswestry being not Burgesses as also from Foreigners not residing within the said Town and an Account of the Rents of the said Town’ for the years 1716, 1748, 1749, 1751, 1752, 1781. 7 gatherings bound together.
	CORONER
A17	Coroner’s Inquest 1 doc.	22 Aug. 1782
	On Hannah Urion, widow, found dead ‘in a certain Necessary House’ in the house of Thomas Jones in Leg Street Ward. Jurors find that she, ‘being very old and infirm’, died of natural causes. Signed by Nathl. Price, Coroner, and 12 Jurors.
	CONSTABLES
	See also A101 between ff. 61, 62.
A18	List of Constables 1 doc.	1740
A19	List of Constables and Watchmen 1 vol.	1771 - 1799
	At front: Watchman’s oath; table of Oswestry measure (strikes, pecks, kernels); list of ‘Innkeepers who attended & had their Measures sealed’, 9 Nov. 1799; record of Watchmen sworn Mar. 1771 - Aug. 1799. At end: Constables oath; record of Constables sworn Dec. 1783 - Nov. 1799.
	CHARTERS
A20	‘Oswestry Charters and Documents’ 1 vol.	1324 - 1671
	The following charters and documents are mounted or guarded and bound together.
A20/1	Gift of two shops in Leg Street, Edmund [Fitzalan]. Earl of Arundel to the Burgesses of Oswestry. For transcript and translation see Leighton, pp. 6 - 8.	29 Sep. 1324
A20/2	Charter of Richard II. For transcript and abstract see Leighton, pp. 8 - 16.	14 Aug. 1398
A20/3	Charter of Thomas [Fitzalan], Earl of Arundel and Surrey and Lord of Oswestry. For transcript and abstract see Leighton, pp. 16 - 25.	25 Jan 1406/7
A20/4	Quitclaim of £100 left by Richard [Fitzalan], Earl of Arundel and Surrey, to the Burgesses of Oswestry, and pardon to those who had dealings with Welsh rebels in the late disturbances, made by Thomas [Fitzalan], Earl of Arundel and Surrey, to the Burgesses of Oswestry. For transcript and abstract see Leighton, pp. 25, 26.	25 Jan. 1406/7
A20/5	Lease of Heath Mill at Ruyton, co. Salop, Abbot and Convent of Haughmond, co. Salop, to Roger Adecot. For transcript and abstract see Leighton, pp. 28, 29.	13 Sep. 1432
A20/5A	Charter of John Fitzalan, Lord of Arundel (15th cent. copy). Endorsed on /5. For transcript and translation see Leighton, pp. 3 - 6.	12 Jan. 1262/3.
A20/5B	Defaced document. Endorsed on /5. For transcript of legible portions see Leighton, pp. 29, 30.
A20/6	Constitutions, decrees, and articles. For transcript and abstract see Leighton, pp. 43-49.	22 May 1582
A20/7	Order by the Council of Wales concerning the Book of Constitutions. For transcript see Leighton, pp. 52, 53.	12 Jun. 1588
A20/8	Lease of a chamber in the Market House for 21 years, Richard Drihurste and Thomas Cooper, Bailiffs of Oswestry, to Edward Williams, glover. For abstract see Leighton, p. 54; for transcript see A98 pp. 43 - 45.	6 Jun. 1597
A20/9	Exemplification of ‘Quo Warranto’ proceedings concerning the rights and privileges of Oswestry. For transcript see Leighton, pp. 55 - 61.	24 Oct. 1600
A20/10	Declaration of the Burgesses upholding the rights and privileges of Oswestry. For transcript see Leighton, pp. 63 - 67.	28 Nov. 1603
A20/11-14	Conveyance (lease, with copy and counterpart, and release) of premises in Oswestry devised by Hugh Yale, deceased, for the use of the poor, John Edwards senior of Chirk, co. Denbigh, surviving trustee, to the Bailiffs and Overseers of the Poor. For abstracts see Leighton, p. 100.	22, 23 Oct. 1638
A20/15	Lease of two chambers adjoining the Cross, and the Town weights, for 21 years, Bailiffs of Oswestry to Robert Griffiths, tailor.	20 Nov. 1646
A20/16	Lease of Burchin Close and appurtenances in the manor of Tryan and Lordship of Oswestry for 99 years or three lives, William [Craven], Earl of Craven, Viscount Uffington and Baron of Hampstead Marshall, to Thomas Edwards senior of Kelehendrey, co. Salop, esq. For abstract see Leighton, pp. 111, 112.	22 Nov. 1666
A20/17	Release of a messuage in Pentreclawdd in Porkington, co. Salop, Thomas Kynaston of London, gent., at the request of the Bailiffs, Vicar and Churchwardens of Oswestry, to John Jones of Porkington, yeoman. For abstract see Leighton, pp. 112, 113.	4 Sep. 1671
A21	Charter of James I 5 membranes	15 Mar. 1616/7
	For transcript and abstract see Leighton, pp. 68 - 93. The membrances have been separated and mounted. The seal is missing.
A22	Charter of Charles II 9 membranes	13 Jan. 1673/4
	For transcript and abstract see Leighton, pp. 123 - 157. For translation see A99 pp. 1 - 60. The membranes have been separated and mounted. The seal is missing.
	BUILDINGS
A23 - A50	Papers relating to Gates, Goal and Town Clerk’s Office 33 docs.	1782 - 1827
	See also A101, reverse ff. 4 - 9.
A23	Articles of agreement.	16 Sep. 1782
	(1) Rt. Hon. George Edward Henry Arthur [Herbert], Earl of Powis, Lord of the Manor of Oswestry.
	(2) Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council and Burgesses. Parties agree to the taking down of the Willow gate, the Beatrice gate and the New gate, the erection in their stead of pillars as shown on the ground plan and side elevations in the margin, like the Black gate taken down some years previously, and to the use of the remaining
A23 continued	stone in the building, a new gaol. Witnesses: J. Probert, his Lordship’s Agent, Edmd., Thomas, his Lordship’s House Steward. See Leighton, pp. 179 - 181.
A24	Draft notice of the sale of gaol by public auction.	20 Jul. 1811
A25	Promissory note and receipt.	1811
	John Williams promises payment, 20 Jul. 1811, and Lewis Jones Junior acknowledges receipt, 30 Aug. 1811, of £42 15s, being the deposit money agreed for the purchase of the gaol.
A26	Plan of proposed new goal.	2 Sep. 1811
A27	Specification and estimate of Thos. Jones for erecting a new goal. Estimated cost £297 10s.	2 Sep. 1811
A28	Tenders. 4 docs.	Sep. 1811
A28/1	5 Sep. 1811 Chas. Milnes, £265.
A28/2	5 Sep. 1811 Thomas Jones Junior, £224 2s. 5d.
A28/3	12 Sep. 1811 Ellis Jones, £245.
A28/4	Undated Thomas Jones, £297 10s. Further estimate including plans, specification etc.
A29	Letter.	9 Sep. 1811
	From John Williams to Lewis Jones concerning the payment of the first instalment of purchase money and the clearing out of the room by the joiner.
A30	Receipt of Lewis Jones junior for £140 from Mr. Williams, part of the purchase money for the old gaol.	25 May 1812
A31	Statements of cash paid by John Williams on account of the purchase of the building on Bailey Head. 2 docs.	24 Feb. 1813
A32	Letter.	27 Feb. 1813
	From John Williams Wrexham co. Denbigh, to Lewis Jones, Town Clerk, saying that he is unable to attend a meeting at the Guild Hall on 5 Mar. due to an engagement in Manchester, and that nearly all the purchase money has been paid.
A33	Draft agreement.	1 Mar. 1813
	(1) Ellis Jones of Oswestry, joiner.
	(2) John Croxon, esq., Mayor, John Jones, esq., Rev. J. W. Bourke, Rev. C.A.A. Lloyd, Rev.G.N.K. Lloyd, Rev. Peter Roberts, clerks, members of the Charity Schools Management Committee. For the erection by (1) of a ‘Commodious building on the Bailey Head’.
A34A	Insurance policy. Issued by Salop Fire - Office in the sum of £800 on the Town Clerk’s office, the Gaoler’s house, schoolroom and the other offices on Bailey Head.	16 Sep. 1813
A34B	Cover for A34A. Gives particulars of the Salop Fire - Office and conditions of insurances.
A35A	Acknowledgement.	15 Oct. 1813
	The Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council and Burgesses acknowledge allowance of £100 by the County Justices towards the repair of the gaol, on condition that the County Justices shall have the use of the gaol for the confinement of prisoners and of the Town Clerk’s Office for the transaction of business. See Leighton, p. 185. The document is damaged, and despite repair, barely legible, but the Oswestry seal is intact.
A35B	Another copy of A35A, with papered seal.	15 Oct. 1813
A36	Certificate of completion and order for payment.	15 Oct. 1813
	Thos. W. Parker, Jas. Donne and Sam. Harwood, County Justices, certify completion of the Town Clerk’s office and cells according to proposals submitted to the County Quarter Sessions, 27 Apr. 1813, and order payment by the County Treasurer of £100 towards the same, on conditions stated in A35A. Endorsed: copy of A35A and instructions of John Croxon, Mayor, on mode of payment.
A37	Receipt of Wm. Bayley for Eyton, Rorke & Co., bankers, for the £100.	23 Oct. 1813
A38	Statement of accounts of Oswestry Corporation in account with Oswestry Bank Mar. 1813 - Jun. 1815. Relates mainly to work done at the Town Clerk’s office and gaol. See also A4.	1815
A39	Draft statement of accounts of John Croxon, Mayor, May 1812 - Jun. 1815. Relates mainly to work done at the Town Clerk’s office and gaol. See also A4.	1815
A40	Certificate of completion.	9 Dec. 1826
	Thos. Stanton on behalf of Thos. Telford, County Surveyor, certifies completion of the new prison.
A41	Draft Letter.	11 Jan. 1827
	From Joseph Loxdale, Clerk of the Peace for the County of Salop, to Hon. T. Kenyon. High Steward of Oswestry, reporting receipt of A40.
A42	Copies of proceedings 1813 - 1826 in connection with the building of the new gaol and the County contribution to the same.	Jan. 1827
	Copies of A36, A40; extracts from Shropshire Quarter Sessions records, viz. order for payment of £100 to Messrs. Eyton & Co. for the use of Oswestry, Michaelmas 1813; submission from Oswestry Justices concerning a new gaol, Jan. 1824; order to bring up the subject at the next Sessions, 12 Jul. 1824; order for contribution of £150, 18 Oct. 1824.
A43	Letter.	21 Jan. 1827
	From W. Hughes for L. Jones, Town Clerk, to Joseph Loxdale, seeking payment of the £150.
A44	Letter.	11 May 1827
	From W. Hughes to Joseph Loxdale, again seeking payment of the money, and asking for a copy of an order made at the County Quarter Sessions respecting allowances to Magistrates’ Clerks and Prosecutors in felony cases.
A45	Letter.	16 May 1827
	From Lewis Jones to same, concerning the necessary acknowledgement for the £150. Asks also if the Justices at Quarter Sessions would allow the Justices for the Hundred of Oswestry to commit vagrants to the goal and allow them maintenance while in custody, with some small allowance to the gaoler.
A46	Draft orders and acknowledgements for the £150. 2 docs.	21 May 1827
A47	Copy letter.	4 Jun. 1827
	From Joseph Loxdale to Lewis Jones, asking for the names and descriptions of the parties to be entered on the order for payment, and of the parties to the contract for erecting the gaol.
A48	Letter.	8 Jun. 1827
	From Lewis Jones to Joseph Loxdale supplying the particulars required.
A49	Copy letter.	15 Jun. 1827
	From Joseph Loxdale to Lewis Jones, saying that he is forwarding the proposed acknowledgement and the certificate of the Justices for the Hundred of Oswestry.
A50A	Acknowledgement.	16 Jun. 1827
	The Mayor, Alderman, Common Council and Burgesses acknowledge the allowance of £150 by the County Justices towards the new gaol on condition that the County Justices shall have the use of the gaol for the confinement of prisoners until discharged or committed to the County gaol. See Leighton, p. 185. With seal.
A50B	Another copy of A50A.	16 Jun. 1827
	MARKETS AND FAIRS
A51	Tables of Tolls 3 docs.	[1673] - [1818]
A51/ 1	[1673] Table of ‘the auncient towle custome usually payd at the gates of this Towne by buyers and sellers on faire market and weeke dayes’. Signed by Jo. Trevor senior; Richard Jones and John Glover, Bailiffs; Morg. Wynne, Recorder.
A51/2	14 Mar. 1720/1 A later version of /1, signed by John Evans, Mayor, and Owen Hughes. A third signature is illegible.
A51/3	Undated [1818?] A later version of /1 and 2, unsigned.
A52 - A60	Records relating to Tolls, Corn Markets and Fairs 9 items	1811 - 1819
A52	List of Committee appointed to solicit subscriptions towards the purchase of the market tolls. 1 gathering	5 Sep. 1811
A53	Minutes of the Committee.	27 Sep. 1811
A54	Resolution of Town Meeting	21 Sep. 1812
	Resolved that ‘in consequence of the Races always falling upon the Fair day, it is considered more Beneficial for the Interest of the Trade that such Fair should be altered to the Friday next before Michaelmas’. Signed by Edwd. Edwards, Mayor, Thos. Hilditch, Coroner, John Croxon, Muringer, and sixteen others.
A55	Circular letter.	27 Feb. 1813
	From John Croxon, Mayor, and Edwd. Edwards, Coroner, to members of the Committee in A52, urging the speedy collection and payment of subscriptions.
A56	Draft letter.	19 May 1813
	From the Town Clerk to the Earl of Powis outlining the proposal to convert the Town Hall into a corn market, and seeking his approval and that of Sir Watkin [Wynne].
A57	Letter.	31 Oct. 1813
	From J. Dodson to John Croxton quoting a letter received from Lord Darlington declining to subscribe to the purchase of tolls.
A58	Brief. 1 vol.	[1818]
	For Plaintiff, in suit brought by Lord Clive against Edward Rogers for non-payment of tolls due. Inside back cover: copy of part of A51/1.
A59	List of documents to be produced by the Town Clerk in the same suit.	[1818]
A60	The British Press.	19 Aug. 1819
	Contains report of trial of the suit at Shropshire Assizes.
	POOR AND CHARITIES
A61	Indemnity Bonds 3 docs.	1641 - 1673
A61/1	Bond in £40.	13 Feb. 1640/1
	(1) Rees ap John, John ap Evan, and Humphrey ap Richard, all of Oswestry, labourers.
	(2) William Jones, mercer, and William Muckleston, sherman, Churchwardens of Oswestry.
	Rees ap John, a stranger, promises to maintain the child his wife Katherine now carries, and any other children they might have, or to leave the town. Witnesses: Edward Davies, Moris Evans, Thomas Moris.
A61/2	Bond in £40.	7 May 1647
	(1) Edward ap Hugh of Oswestry, corviser.
	(2) Morris Evans and Thomas Edwards, esq., Bailiffs of Oswestry. (1), who has been elected and sworn a Burgess, promises to maintain and keep in school for two years John Morris, son of John Morris and grandson of Thomas Morris late of Oswestry, sherman, deceased.. Witnesses; John Payne, Samual Roberts, scrivener.
A61/3	Bond in £20.	24 Apr. 1673
	(1) William Thomas late of Braniarth, co. Montgomery, scrivener, and John Tomley of Oswestry, gunsmith.
	(2) Richard Jones and John Glover, esq., Bailiffs of Oswestry. William Thomas indemnifies (2) against any charges for the maintenance of any children he and his wife Anna might have , they now being inhabitants of Oswestry. Witnesses: Richd. Kemp, Philip Philips.
A62	Apprenticeship Papers 5 docs.	1653 - 1693
A62/1	Indenture.	1 Jun. 1653
	(1) Ellis ap Ellis, one of the sons of Ellis Morris late of Oswestry, sherman, deceased.
	(2) George Harrington of Oswestry, tailor. (1) apprentices himself to (2) for seven years and covenants to serve and obey (2), keep his secrets, do him no harm nor suffer any harm to be done to him, not to waste his goods nor give any away without permission. (2) covenants to teach (1) the trade of a tailor, to ‘chastise & correct’ him, and maintain him. Witnesses: Thomas Roberts, John Muckleston, sherman, Samuell Roberts, scrivener.
A62/2	Bond in £20.	1 Jun. 1653
	(1) George Harrington as in /1.
	(2) Roger Williams and John Muckleston, esq., Bailiffs of Oswestry. For performance by (1) of covenants in /1. Witnesses: Edward Thornes, gent., John Muckleston, sherman, John Edwards, sherman, Samuell Roberts, scrivener.
A62/3	Bond in £10.	3 Sep. 1653
	(1) Richard Greene of Oswestry, smith.
	(2) Roger Williams and John Muckleston as in /2. For performance by (1) of covenants in the apprenticeship indenture of William Jones, son of William Jones of Oswestry. Witnesses: Philip Tompkies, corviser, Humffrey Jones, Theo. Richards, scrivener.
A62/4	Bond in £10.	3 Sep. 1653
	(1) Philip Tompkies of Oswestry, corviser.
	(2) Roger Williams and John Muckleston as in /2. For performance by (1) of covenants in the apprenticeship indenture of Morris Jones, son of Thomas Jones late of Oswestry, weaver, deceased. Witnesses: Humffrey Jones, William Jones, corviser, Thomas Richards, scrivener.
A62/5	Bond in £10.	30 Oct. 1693
	(1) Thomas Jones and John Hall, both of Oswestry, tailors.
	(2) John Thomas and Robert Skye, Churchwardens of Oswestry . Thomas Jones indemnifies the Mayor, Vicar and Churchwardens of Oswestry against any charges for the maintenance of Joseph Hall, son of Joseph Hall of Oswestry, tailor, who has apprenticed himself to Thomas Jones for seven years. Witnesses: John Muckleston, John Owen, Jo. Edwards.
A63	Papers relating to Phillips’ Charity 3 docs.	[c.1676] - 1832
	By his will made 24 Apr. 1661 James Phillips of London, esq., gave, after the decease of his wife, premises in Southwark, co. Surrey, to the Mayor and Aldermen of Shrewsbury to finance a lecture and sermon in the parish churches of Whitchurch, Ellesmere, Oswestry and Shrewsbury, the remainder of the rents and profits to be used to provide gowns or clothes for poor people in the same parishes.
A63/1	Legal opinions on the validity and interpretation of the devise.	[c.1676]
A63/2	Copy of indemnity bond in £200.	21 Dec. 1831
	(1) The Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council and Burgesses of Oswestry.
	(2) The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of London. (1) indemnify (2) against any claim in respect of a messuage, being no. 3 on the east side of Carter Lane in the Parish of St. Olave, Southwark, which (1) has conveyed to (2) by conveyance of even date. Recites that (1) agreed to convey the premises under an Act of 10 Geo. IV ‘ for improving the Approaches to London Bridge’ for £110, and that the title deeds are lost. Witnesses: R. Jones Croxon, solicitor, Oswestry, H. Hughes, clerk to Lewis Jones, Town Clerk of Oswestry.
A63/3	Solicitor’s accounts of R. Jones Croxon in connection with the sale of property in Southwark, and receipt for the £18 15s. 5d. due.	Feb. 1832
A64	Substance of the Act of Parliament, &c 1 file	[1791]
	Summarises the provisions of the Oswestry Poor Act 1791 (31 Geo. III c.24).
A65	Mortgages and related Papers 25 docs.	1791 - 1842
	Under Section 26 of the Oswestry Poor Act 1791 the Corporation (i.e. the incorporated Guardians of the Poor of the Town and Liberties of Oswestry ....and ..... the several Parishes united therewith) was empowered to borrow money by assigning premises and poor rates for security for repayment. The assignments were to be signed by five or more of the fifteen Directors appointed by the Guardians, and sealed with the common seal of the Corporation.
A65/1	Mortgage.	14 Nov. 1791
	(1) Directors Robert Lloyd, esq., John Probert, esq., William Owen, esq., Thomas Davies, esq., Turner Edwards, clerk.
	(2) Rev. Thomas Edwards of Mount Sion in the parish of Selattyn, co. Salop. Consideration: £400. Witness: Lewis Jones. Endorsed: memorandum, 28 May 1836, of loan by Messrs. Croxon Jones & Co. of £400 to pay R.M. Bonnor, clerk, until another mortgagee can be found; receipt of R.M. Bonnor, 28 May 1836; receipts of Croxon Jones for £300 from John Edwards of Stone Cottage, 28 Aug. 1837, and for a further £100, 6 Nov. 1837.
A65/2	Mortgage.	2 Jan. 1792
	(1) Directors Joseph Dixon, clerk, John Robert Lloyd, clerk, Turner Edwards, clerk, William Owen, esq., John Gibbons, esq.
	(2) Magdalen Hennings of Oswestry, widow.
	Consideration: £400.
	Witness: Thos. Hughes.
	Endorsed: memorandum of payment of £400, 24 Feb. 1823, to Messrs. Croxon Jones & Co., bankers Oswestry, following the execution of two bonds for £200, 17 Feb. 1823, one to Hon. Thomas Kenyon, the other to Mrs. Elizabeth Jones.
A65/3	Mortgage.	19 Mar. 1792
	(1) Directors Joseph Dixon, clerk, William Owen, esq., John Robert Lloyd, clerk, Thomas Davies, esq., Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic.
	(2) Thomas Williams of Oswestry, gent. Consideration: £300. Witness: Lewis Jones. With receipt of (2) for £100, 2 May 1796, witness Lewis Jones.
A65/4	Mortgage.	4 Jun. 1792
	(1) Directors Thomas Williams, gent., John Lloyd, esq., Deputy Mayor, Thomas Davies, esq., Rev. Joseph Venables, clerk, John Gibbons, esq.
	(2) Maria Jones of Cefn Rug, co. Merioneth, spinster. Consideration: £250. Witnesses: John H. Haycock, Thos. Jones. With receipt of F. Campbell for £250, 2 Nov. 1829, witness E.B. Marriott.
A65/5	Mortgage.	14 Oct. 1793
	(1) Directors John Gibbons, esq., Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic, Richard Phillips, gent., Owen Owen, clerk, Thomas Davies, esq.
	(2) Annabella Williams of Drenewydd in Whittington parish, co. Salop, widow. Consideration: £200. Witness: Lewis Jones.
A65/6	Mortgage.	21 Oct. 1793
	(1) Directors Thomas Williams, gent., John Robert Lloyd, clerk, Thomas Davies, esq., Joseph Venables, clerk, Edward Peploe, gent.
	(2) Luke Parry of Aston in Oswestry parish, yeoman. Consideration: £200. Witnesses: Lewis Jones, Thos. Jones. With receipt of Thos. Rattenbury and Margaret Parry for £203 5s., 12 Mar. 1827, witness E.B. Marriott.
A65/7	Mortgage.	5 May 1794
	(1) Directors John Gibbons, esq., Joseph Venables, clerk, Richard Philips, gent., Owen Owen, clerk, Edward Peploe, gent.
	(2) Edward Davies of Whittington, co. Salop, gent. Consideration: £150. Witness: Lewis Jones.
A65/8	Mortgage.	7 Jul. 1794
	(1) Directors Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic, Owen Owen, clerk, Edward Peploe, gent., Thomas Davies, esq., Thomas Williams, gent.
	(2) Annabella Williams as (2) in /5. Consideration: £200. Witness: Lewis Jones.
A65/9	Mortgage.	24 Aug. 1795
	(1) Directors Joseph Venables, clerk, John Gibbons, esq., Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic, Thomas Williams, gent., John Jones, tanner.
	(2) Thomas Davies of Oswestry, esq. Consideration: £200. Witness: Thos. Hughes. With transfer of mortgage, 31 Dec. 1829, by John Bonnor of Bryny Gwalie, co. Denbigh, esq., sole executor of Elizabeth Davies, widow and executrix of (2), to Elizabeth Jane Bonner of Bryn Gwalie, spinster, residuary legatee of Elizabeth Davies, witness Edw. Williams, clerk to Messrs. Longueville; receipt of Longueville & Williams for £201 3s. 8d., 22 Dec. 1841.
A65/10	Transfer of mortgage.	1 Nov. 1795
	(1) Edward Davies as (2) in /7.
	(2) Rev. Thomas Edwards as (2) in /1. (1)transfers mortgage in /7 to (2). Witness: Willm. Williams.
A65/11	Transfer of mortgage.	1 May 1796
	(1) Thomas Gabriel of Hisland in Oswestry parish, yeoman.
	(2) Dorothy Hollis of Wootton in Oswestry parish, widow. (1) transfers to (2) a mortgage in the sum of £100 made 14 Oct. 1793. Witness: Thos. Hughes.
A65/12	Mortgage.	1 May 1797
	(1) Directors John Gibbons, esq., John Jones, tanner, John Roberts, hatter, Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic, William Leigh, esq.
	(2) Thomas Davies as (2) in /9. Consideration: £100. Witness: Lewis Jones. With transfer of mortgage and receipt for £100 11s. 10d. as in /9.
A65/13	Mortgage.	18 Dec. 1797
	(1) Directors William Leigh, esq., Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic, John Jones, gent., Thomas Howell, gent., George Withers, esq.
	(2) Rev. Thomas Edwards as (2) in /1. Consideration: £100. Witness: Lewis Jones.
A65/14	Mortgage.	1 May 1798
	(1) Directors Samuel Harwood, esq., Thomas Howell, Edward Williams, Walter Vaughan Morris, Evan Jones.
	(2) Rev. Thomas Edwards as (2) in /1. Consideration: £100. Witness: Thomas Cooper.
A65/15	Mortgage.	6 Feb. 1804
	(1) Directors John Whitridge, clerk, Joseph Dixon, clerk, William Issard, plumber, Richard Bill, ironmonger, John Frank, farmer.
	(2) Ellin Humffreys of Oswestry, spinster. Consideration: £200. Witness: Tho. Hughes.
A65/16	Mortgage.	1 May 1805
	(1) Directors Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic, Whitehall Whitehall Davies, clerk, George Withers, esq., Robert Crisp, gent., John Whitridge, clerk.
	(2) Robert Barkley of Ellesmere, co. Salop. Consideration: £100. Witness: Thomas Cooper. With receipt of (2) for £101 19s. 10d., 9 Apr. 1827. Endorsed: memorandum of a payment of principal to Messrs. Croxon Jones & Co., 5 Nov. 1827, for John Jones, esq., who advanced the money, ‘until it was paid up and it is now retained for the sinking fund’.
A65/17	Mortgage.	1 Dec. 1806
	(1) Directors George Withers, esq., Samuel Harwood, Doctor of Physic, John Thomas, John Maurice, Richard Birch.
	(2) Lewis Jones of Oswestry, esq., Thomas Hughes of same, wine merchant. Consideration: £100. Witness: The Williams.
A65/18	Mortgage.	1 May 1809
	(1) Directors John Frank, William Broughall, Thomas Jackson, all gent., Rev. John Whitridge, Edward Williams, wine seller.
	(2) Elizabeth Davies, wife of Thomas Davies of Oswestry, esq.
	(3) John Bonnor as in /9, John Jones of Oswestry, tanner. (1) assign premises and poor rates to (3) in trust for (2). Consideration: £200 paid by (2) to (1). Witness: Edw. Williams, assistant to Mr. L. Jones. With transfer of mortgage and receipt as in /9.
A65/19	Mortgage as /18.	1 May 1809
A65/20	Mortgage.	1 May 1810
	(1) Directors Samuel Harwood, esq., Thomas Netherton Parker, esq., Thomas Jennings, Edward Edmunds, Edward Williams, all gent.
	(2) Elizabeth Mytton of Shrewsbury, co. Salop, spinster, Consideration: £100. Witness: Lewis Jones Junr. With memorandum of cancellation 16 Nov. 1835.
A65/21	Mortgage.	1 May 1810
	(1) Directors Samuel Harwood, esq., John Franks, Thomas Edmunds, Rev. John Whitridge, Edward Edwards, all gent.
	(2) Elizabeth Mytton as (2) in /20. Consideration: £400. Witness: Lewis Jones Junr. With memorandum of cancellation 16 Nov. 1835.
A65/22	Mortgage.	9 Dec. 1811
	(1) Directors Charles Arthur Albany Lloyd, William Roberts, clerks, Thomas Jennings, William Issard, William Farr, all gent.
	(2) Jane Roberts of Upper Brook Street in Oswestry, spinster. Consideration: £300. Witness: Thomas Armson.
	With transfer of mortgage, 19 Jun. 1828, by Thomas Jennings of Oswestry, gent., trustee and executor of Margaret Roberts, late of same, spinster, sister and administratrix of Sidney Roberts, late of same, spinster, who was sister and administratrix of (2), to Mary Jennings of Oswestry, spinster, witnesses Henry Hughes and his son Henry Arthur Hughes.
	Endorsed: memorandum of interest from 1 Nov. 1835 to Jan. 1842 when the principal was paid to Mary Jennings.
A65/23	Mortgage.	31 May 1813
	(1) Directors John Hunt, esq., Samuel Leach, esq., Rev. Griffith Howell, clerk, Edward Edwards, gent., William Issard, gent.
	(2) John Griffiths of Oswestry, hosier. Consideration: £100. Witness: Lewis Jones.
A65/24	Mortgage.	1 Oct. 1815
	(1) Directors John Richards, Thomas Richardson, Thomas Evans, William Penson, Edward Jennings, all gent.
	(2) Ann Bentley of West Felton, co. Salop. Consideration: £50. Witness: Henry Hughes, clerk to Mr. L. Jones, attorney.
A65/25	Transfer of mortgage.	23 Apr. 1821
	(1) Charlotte Lewis, late of Newtown, co. Montgomery, now of Aberystwyth, co. Cardigan, widow, executrix of Magdalen Hennings as (2) in /2.
	(2) William Owen of Lincoln’s Inn, co. Middlesex, esq. (1) transfers mortgage in /2 and another, 27 Aug. 1792, in £300 to (2). Witnesses: Chas. Jones, solicitor, Aberystwyth, Richard Pugh, his clerk.
A66 - 69	Miscellanea 6 items	[post 1791] - 1831
A66	Examples of the seal of Oswestry House of Industry. Three impressions made on wax on paper, two of them over ribbon. Only fragments of one survive, and another is cracked. The mount bears the typed inscription ‘Presented by Mr. Edward Roberts, the last holder of the Office of Clerk to the Guardians before the disbanding of Boards of Guardians’ [in 1929].	[post 1791]
A67	Copy letter.	13 Sep. 1816
	[From Thomas Netherton Parker?], Sweeney, near Oswestry, to the London Association for Relief of the Manufacturing and Labouring Poor. Draws attention to the plight of the unemployed in the neighbourhood of Oswestry, outlines his own efforts to provide suitable employment, and puts forward his ideas for improving the local situation.
A68	Notice and conditions of letting of four pieces of land at Weston Cotton, adjoining the Road leading from the Drill to Weston near Oswestry. With agreement of John Goolden of Maesbury, co. Salop, and Richard Thomas of Morton, co. Salop, two of the Directors of Oswestry House of Industry, to take the land at a rent of £50, and of John Warren to let it, witness Edward Rogers.	21 Feb. 1831
A69	Memorandum that the land in A68 is not to be let under £54.	[1831]
	SCHOOL
A70 - A74	Miscellanea 5 docs.	[1577] - 1986
A70	Copy of part of School Statutes. For transcript see A98 p. 121.	[1577]
A71	‘A Catalogue of ye bookes yt I found in ye Schoole of Oswestree att my first Com[m]ing thither’. Signed by Thomas Clopton. For transcript see A98 p. 120.	[c.1672]
A72	Letter. From Isaac [Barrow], Bishop of St. Asaph, to Gabriel Edwards and Richard Jones, Bailiffs of Oswestry, chiding them for reminding him of his promise to remove the Oswestry schoolmaster. He reminds them that the promise was made on condition that they ‘should affoord a civill & friendly usage’, which they have failed to do, since they ‘have putt many abuses & affronts uppon him, & given him all sorts of discouragements by sequestring his rents, & suffring ye rude rabble of yr towne to interrupt him with unseemly language, & a continued violence of severall daies in ye performance of his duty’. He will hold to his promise, but points out that had they dealt fairly with him he would not have delayed. For partial transcript see A99 p. 140.	9 Jan. 1672/3
A73, A74	Draft letters.	18 Jan. 1685/6
	To the Bishop of St. Asaph seeking an early answer to the objections filed in the Petty Bag Office against Mr. Evans the schoolmaster, whom they desire to be removed, the town of Oswestry being ‘almost a decayd figure within yor Diocess for want of an [orthodox deleted] able schoolmaster’. For transcript see A99 pp. 138, 139.
	GENERAL AND MISCELLANEA
A75 - A90	Various Records of the Corporation 20 items	1377 - 1833
A75/1	Oswestry Corporation Manuscripts.	1377, 1560 - 18th cent.
	The documents have been guarded or mounted and bound in full vellum.
A75/1/1	Muringer’s accounts. For transcript see Leighton, pp. 33 - 39.	1560
A75/1/2	Letter (incomplete) from Lord of Oswestry to the Bailiffs concerning toll money intended to be used for the repair of the walls. For transcript see Leighton, p. 40.	[c.1570]
A75/1/3	Copy of A76. For transcript see Leighton, pp. 49, 50.	18th cent.
A75/1/4	Copy of order of the Lord President and Council of the Marches of Wales for the postponement of the hearing of the suit between Henry Jones and Edward Hanmer, the latter being unable to attend. For abstract see Leighton, p. 53.	25 Jun. 1596
A75/1/5	Letter from [Thomas Howard, Earl of] Suffolk, to the Burgesses of Oswestry concerning their petition against the rights due to the Lord of Oswestry. For transcript see Leighton, pp. 61, 62.	25 Oct. 1603
A75/1/6	Letter from [Sir] John Towneshend to the Bailiffs of Oswestry concerning controversy about the election of Bailiffs. For transcript see Leighton, pp. 93, 94.	26 Sep. 1617
A75/1/7	Letter from W[illiam Compton, Earl of] Northampton, to the Bailiffs of Oswestry, summoning them to a hearing at Bewdley, co. Salop. For abstract see Leighton, p. 94.	29 Aug. 1622
A75/1/8	Order of Privy Council concerning the restriction of the Welsh cloth trade to Oswestry. For abstract see Leighton, pp. 94, 95.	21 Dec. 1622
A75/1/9	Copy of statement to the Privy Council by the County Justices concerning the benefits of allowing the Welsh clothiers free trade. For abstract see Leighton, p. 95.	Jan. 1622/3
A75/1/10	Copy of petition of the Bailiffs and Burgesses of Shrewsbury to the Privy Council against the restriction of the Welsh cloth trade to Oswestry. For abstract see Leighton, p. 96.	[c.1623]
A75/1/11	Copy of report of the Attorney General to the Privy Council recommending the recontinuing of the Welsh cloth trade at Oswestry. For abstract see Leighton, p. 96.	[c.1624]
A75/1/12	Copy of petition of the Bailiffs and Burgesses of Shrewsbury to the Privy Council that both Oswestry and Shrewsbury may enjoy the cloth trade.	[c.1623]
A75/1/13	Letter from Joh[n Hanmer, Bishop of St.] Asaph to the Bailiffs and Burgesses of Oswestry in support of his cousin John Davies, glover, who seeks election as a Burgess. For abstract see Leighton, p. 98.	4 Oct. 1627
A75/1/14	Copy of part of a letter from Arthur Kynaston to Thomas [Howard], Earl of Suffolk, concerning the decay of the market at Oswestry. For abstract see Leighton, p. 95.	[c.1623]
A75/1/15	Letter from Hugh Nanney to the Bailiffs and Aldermen of Oswestry, declining to sign a petition sent via Thomas Edwards but nevertheless offering support. For abstract see Leighton, p. 96.	7 May 1640
A75/1/16	Copy of petition of the poor clothiers of North Wales and adjoining counties to John [Williams], Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, urging speedy consideration of the Attorney-General’s report on the Welsh cloth trade. For abstract see Leighton, p. 98.	[c.1624]
A75/1/17	Another copy of /10.
A75/1/18	Copy of petition of the Shrewsbury Company of Drapers to the Privy Council, urging them all to call the Company of French Merchants to explain why they do not buy up Welsh cloth at Blackwell Hall as before.<