THE UPTONS. 349

Master of the Rolls decided that the charity should be divided into three shares - one to be applied to the church, one to the bridge, and the other to necessary uses within the parish. The property brings in about £200 a year, and the money is deposited in the Funds and the Savings Bank. A new bridge has been constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Severn Navigation Commissioners.

A building still called "the King's Stable" is extant; and some entrenchments, intended for the defence of the town against the Parliamentary army, are still visible in a field on the right hand side of the road leading to Hanley, near Pool Brook.

Dr. Dee, the celebrated astrologer and Rosicmcian, had the living of Upton in 1552. His associate, Kelly of Worcester, had his ears cut off at Lancaster. Dee, who was a good mathematician, complained grievously of his being considered a conjuror, but it is certain that in that superstitious age the precious pair wrote and perpetrated a deal of foolery.

Upton Warren: A parish of 2,600 acres, in which wheat, barley, oats, peas, beans, turnips, and other green crops, are grown. A population of 338 are engaged in agriculture, except a few who work at Stoke saltworks. The Earl of Shrewsbury is lord of the manor, patron of the living, and owner of four-fifths of the parish. The rest is owned by Mr. Vernon, M.P., and a few small proprietors. From the previous domination of the Talbot family a large proportion of the tenantry are Roman Catholics, who used to attend the chapel at Grafton, but which is closed now. The parish belonged to the Earls of Shrewsbury ever since the time of Henry VII, who granted it to Sir Gilbert Talbot. Except the tower, which is old, the church was built in the last century, and already greatly needs restoration; has 160 sittings, one-half being free. Value of living, about £800; rector, Rev. F. B. Hooper. Thomas Morris, Esq., Park Hall, and J. R. Horton, Esq., are the only gentry resident in the parish. There is an endowed school, tolerably well supported. The parish register is