Barton-under-Needwood

Barton-under-Needwood.-This place was anciently merely called Barton, and was of considerable importance at the time of the Conquest. The church was built in the reign of Henry VIII. Dr. John Taylor was born in this village, and was the eldest of three at a birth. Their father, who was a forester, entertained the king, who had lost his way hunting; and this hospitality the monarch repaid by providing for his sons. "The windows of the chancel still display the remains of rich and elegantly-finished paintings of the twelve apostles. In the centre one is the figure of the Saviour upon the cross." The free school was built in 1593. The chapelry includes the village, and is in the parish of Tattenhall. The living is a perpetual curacy worth £135, and the dean of Lichfield is the patron. The village or chapelry contains 3520 acres, 1589 inhabitants, 359 houses, and real property valued at £12,054. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have chapels; there are two endowed schools with £60 a year, and other charities with £39.