174 HADSOR.

Hadsor

ABOUT a mile from Droitwich is the entirely agricultural parish of Hadsor, famous only for being the residence of the Galton family. Their mansion, Hadsor House, is modern, surrounded by most delightful grounds, and commanding extensive and varied scenery. Mr. Galton bought the property of one of the Amphletts, who owned the manor from the time of James I, and who had succeeded the Lewkners, Pakingtons, the Crown, the Earls of Warwick, and Fitzwarrens of Wyke. Before the time of any of these potentates, Brihtwin, who possessed Hadsor by inheritance, offered it to God and St. Mary - which means the monks of St. Mary's, at Worcester - throwing into the bargain his grandson Edwin, to be a monk; and Edwin's father took to the cowl of his own choice, and confirmed the grant. The unscrupulous Normans, however, took the property away from the church, to which it returned no more. Mrs. Howard Galton is now lady of the manor, patroness of the living, and, with Mr. Vernon, M.P., a principal landowner in the parish. Population 158, haying doubled since the days of Elizabeth; acreage, 885. The parish was enclosed in 1773, and its chief products are wheat, beans, and barley.

Rev. J. Bearcroft is rector; value of living, about £200; church accommodation, 110; free seats, 50. Church belongs to the Decorated style, has a nave and chancel, with new vestry on north side, and small bell-tower at the west end, the porch being underneath. It contains curious corbel-heads, an Easter recess (sepulchre), and other objects of interest. The church has been re-pewed with open sittings at the expense of Douglas Galton, Esq., Under Secretary at War, and some stained-glass windows erected by the Galton family.