ROCK. 311

Rock.

IN the south-west side of Bewdley is the parish of Rock, with the chapelry of Heightington, some twenty miles in circumference, comprising the lordships of Alwynton, or Alton, of Upper and Lower Lindons, of Snead Moor, and Conyswick, and of Heightington, a population of about 1,400, all agricultural, save only a few colliers. Grain crops, chiefly wheat, are grown; acreage, over 8000. W. L. Childe, Esq., of Kinlet, is lord of the manor of Alton, the chief manor of Rock, and the principal landowners are Sir Edward Blount, Mr. Higginbottom, of Pensax, and Mr. Wheeler, of Warsley. The parish is hilly and bleak, and the cottages scattered; substratum of soil, old red sandstone, in which are found strata of coal, varying from two to three feet in thickness; surface soil, clay or marl; and lime also is raised. This is one of the Worcestershire districts famous for longevity. Betty Palmer, born here, died in 1782, aged 113; her brother Richard lived to be a centenarian, and their father and mother to be 102 and 103. Sarah Davis, of Rock, died in 1856 at the age of 103. In the last five years, out of 100 deaths registered, 4 were upwards of 90 years of age, 14 were more than 80, and 15 were between 70 and 80.

The living is one of the best in the county, value £1,110, with 30 acres of glebe. Patron, J. H. James, Esq., of Kingswood, Hertfordshire ; rector, Rev. A. James. There are 400 seats, all free, in the church. This structure is one of the most stately village churches in the county, with fine specimens of Norman work in the chancel arch, north wall, and doorway. The south side of the building, with chapel, and the tower, were reconstructed in the Perpendicular style by one of the Coningsby family in 1510; and in 1861 the church was