Shawell (All Saints)
SHAWELL (All Saints), a parish, in the union of Lutterworth, hundred of Guthlaxton, S. division of the county of Leicester, 3 miles (S.) from Lutterworth; containing 203 inhabitants. It comprises 1407a. 2r. 15p.: the soil is partly clay, and partly a rich loam, and the surface generally level. The village, which is scattered, lies east of the Roman Watling-street. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £9, and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes have been commuted for £345, and the glebe comprises 74 acres, with a good glebe-house. The church is in the pointed style, with a tower containing five bells. A free grammar school was established by John Elkington, which has an endowment of £20 per annum, with a house and garden, and a field of four acres, for the master; and the founder also erected an almshouse for six men, who have a weekly allowance, and some perquisites. A dame's school endowed by the Rev. Edward Sherier, a former rector, with 50s. per annum, is further supported by the incumbent. Twelve acres of land, producing £21 per annum, were allotted to the poor on the inclosure of the parish. In a field nearly adjoining the church, numerous skeletons have been dug up, supposed to be the remains of those who were slain in the several skirmishes which took place here during the parliamentary war.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.