WHITE’S HISTORY, GAZETTEER AND DIRECTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE, 1851

LONGDON PARISH

GENTLESHAW church in this parish, near Beaudesert, and Cannock Chase is a neat brick structure, which was built in 1845 by the Marquess of Anglesey, and will seat 120 people, and has a district of about 550 souls allotted to it. The living is a perpetual curacy, valued at £100, in the alternate patronage of the Bishop and Dean and Chapter of Lichfield, and incumbency of the Rev. E. Carte, B.A.

Beaudesert, anciently a palace of the Bishops of the diocese, and now the delightful residence of the Marquis of Anglesey, is situated on the eastern verge of Cannock Chase, 2 miles W.S.W of Longdon Church and 5 miles N.W. of Lichfield. The mansion, which is very magnificent, stands on the declivity of a lofty, sloping eminence, sheltered above by beautiful rising grounds, and completely enveloped in trees of the finest and most luxuriant growth. The greater part of it was built by Thomas, Lord Paget, in the reign of Elizabeth, and many improvements have been made by the late and present noble owners. The principal entrance is under a light Gothic portico, which leads into a spacious and handsome hall. Many of the apartments are large, and elegantly furnished; and the library contains a valuable collection of books and manuscripts. The paintings in the house are numerous and valuable, including many works of the most eminent ancient and modern artists. Part of the oldest portion of the house is said to have been erected at the time of William Rufus. Among the modern improvements are the stables and coach-houses, built of white stone, in the form of a crescent, and situated in a romantic valley, at a convenient distance from the house. Beyond these, extensive gardens display all the beauties of horticulture; both the soil and the situation being well adapted to the production of the most valuable herbs, roots, fruits and flowers. The park is well stocked with deer ans contains an extensive succession of hills and dales, abounding with excellent springs. Upon the lofty summit of Castle hill in the rear of the mansion are traces of an extensive encampment, which Pennant conceives to be of british origin, in opposition to Plot, who considers it as the work of King Canute. It is surrounded by a vast rampart and two ditches, and is nearly circular, except on the south side, where it is straight. The two entrances face east and west; and opposite the former are several advanced works. This was certainly a spot well chosen for an observatory station, as it commands an extensive prospect over no less than nine counties in England and Wales..............

Gentleshaw directory

Bonehill Edward, miller and beerhouse
Carte Rev. Edward B.A. incumbent of Gentleshaw and Farewell, and domestic chaplain to the Marquis of Anglesey
Stringer Lydia, schoolmistress

FARMERS

Mills James

JOINERS ETC.

Austin Joseph