Rushall (St. Michael)

RUSHALL (St. Michael), a parish, in the union of Walsall, S. division of the hundred of Offlow and of the county of Stafford, 1 mile (N. E. by N.) from Walsall; containing 1609 inhabitants. It comprises an area of 1920a. 1r. 14p., of which the soil is partly light, but mostly a strong clay; the surface is undulated, in some places hilly, and the substratum contains limestone and ironstone, the former of which is worked to some extent, several lime-works being carried on. The village is situated on the road leading from Walsall to Lichfield; and the Wyrley and Essington canal, now merged into the old Birmingham canal, passes through the parish. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £4. 5.; patrons, William L. and George Mellish, Esqrs., who are lords of the manor; net income, £304, with a good glebe-house, enlarged in 1843. The vicarial tithes have been commuted for £170. 1., and the glebe comprises 46 acres: 24 acres in Aston parish, producing £60 per annum, were purchased by Queen Anne's Bounty. The church was repaired in 1828 at an expense of £600, raised by subscription; it contains some old monuments to the Leigh family, of whom Edward Leigh, author of Critica Sacra and several other works, died in 1677, and was buried in the chancel. A national school is supported by subscription. Here are the ruined walls of an ancient castellated mansion.