Rushly / Rushley near Baschurch?

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Atcherley.org.uk
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The Baschurch baptism records for the children of Thomas and Mary Birch in the late 1750s and early 1760s are all appended "Rushly" or "(Rushly)" but I cannot find such a place name on current maps or the early O.S. map of the area.

Shropshire Archives document ref 103/1/2/1 dated 2 March 1668/9 contains the only potential reference I can find, although they appear to be field names:


Contents:
1. George Clive of Walford, esq.; Elizabeth, his wife; Thomas Hunt of Shrewsbury esq.; Richard Waringe of Woodcott, gent.
2. Thomas White of Leaton, p. St. Mary, yeoman
3. Isaac Cleaton of the Hollyes, p. Middle, yeoman; Arthur Tonge of Shrewsbury, mercer
Of lands called the great Rushley (50a.), the little Rushley (12a.), Wharpoole Meadowe (8a.), the Wharpoole Bancke (20a.), the Shutt bancke (25a.), Charleshie (12a.), 7a. meadow adjoining the Hayes Meadow formerly taken out of the Heye Meadowe, with propotionate common in Walfords Heath with a way over Stathams Heath leasowe to it. All in Walford.


A location near Walford would make sense as Thomas Birch the father was of Walford when he was baptised back in 1730. The family was later at Fennemere. Does anybody with local (historical) knowledge of the area have any information which might clarify where Rushly / Rushley was located?

Many thanks,

Steve

Michael J Hulme
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Hello Steve

Have a look at Rushy Meadow, Little Ness which was a Chapelry and township in Baschurch parish. It wasn't very far from Walford but the River Perry ran between them.

In the Shropshire Field-Names book by H.D.G. Foxall he says, "The name Rushy Meadow is common throughout the C o u n t y. The rushes that grew in these meadows once formed an important element in the rural economy, as they were extensively used for house lighting before the advent of paraffin, when candles were beyond the means of all but the well-to-do."

Mike

 

Atcherley.org.uk
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Thanks for that suggestion Mike. Rushly could easily be an alternate spelling of Rushy, and looking for that led me to another Shropshire Archives document (103/1/3/48-49 dated 24-25 March 1820) which includes a reference to "the m. or tmt. and farm called Leasow Farm with pieces called the Meadow, Hunger lane, Three Acres, Five Acres, Rushy Meadow with road from fold, barn yard Middle Leasow, Warpole Meadow and road, Warpole Bank, Big Meadow. Little Charles Piece, Little Shut Bank, Big Shut Bank and Big Charles Piece (100a. 35p.) - all in Walford, p. Baschurch, late of John Birch ..."

John Birch was very likely part of the family I am looking at, and there was Thomas Birch at Leasows who died in 1827 and was buried at Baschurch.

It seems that while it may not be possible to pin down the location with certainty given the frequency with which the Rushy name was used, in all probability the place was likely in the vicinity of Walford (perhaps near The Leasows) or in Little Ness township.

Thanks again,

Steve

Martyn Freeth
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Hello Steven. I hope that you are refreshed after last week's marathon at Archives.

Small tip. When searching for docs held there it can pay to try both the original site at www.archives.shropshire.gov.uk and www.a2a, selecting Shropshire Archives from the list of depositaries. There is not a complete overlap in the material on the two sites; and, I believe, the Walford Manor [ Baschurch ] collection is covered only by the latter.

By the way, my ancestral uncle Thomas Green (1771-1847), later of The Maesydd, Pool Quay, Guilsfield married 20.9.1813 at Knockin Mary (bap there 19.9.1790), d of Joseph Birch, of Top Farm, Knockin. Their very extensive descendants have been tabulated by self and kinsmen. I gather that you may be extending your study to the Kinnerley and adj areas. A Birch daughter also marries early in 18th c into Mansell in Kinnerley. (Table held).