Colwich (St. Michael)

COLWICH (St. Michael), a parish, in the S. division of the hundred of Pirehill, union, and N. division of the county, of Stafford, 3 miles (N. W. by N.) from Rugeley; containing, with Fradswell chapelry, the townships of Bishton, Moreton, Shugborough, and Wolseley, and part of those of Drointon, Great and Little Haywood, and Hixon, 2015 inhabitants, of whom 205 are in the township of Colwich. This parish, which is situated on the banks of the Trent, and intersected by the road from London to Liverpool, comprises by measurement 6492 acres. The scenery is very delightful, the river flowing through a vale of the richest verdure, adorned with a variety of elegant villas, among which are the charming seats of Shugborough and Wolseley. There are two quarries from which a durable stone is obtained for building. The Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal forms a junction with the Grand Trunk canal near Great Haywood: the Trent-Valley railway passes through the parish; and in 1846 an act was obtained for a railway from this place, through the Potteries, to Macclesfield. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £6. 0. 5.; patron, the Bishop of Lichfield: the great tithes have been commuted for £700, and the vicarial for £500; the glebe consists of about 6 acres, 4½ of which are in the parish of Stowe. The church is of some antiquity, and contains a monument to the memory of the celebrated navigator, George, Lord Anson, who was interred in the family cemetery at this place, June 14th, 1762. At Great Haywood is a parochial chapel, and there is an endowed chapel at Fradswell. The Independents have a place of worship. In 1837 was established here the Mount Pavilion convent of Benedictine nuns; attached to it is a private chapel. The remains of Haywood Abbey, situated in the parish, have been converted into a gentleman's seat.