ILAM, a parish in the northern division of the hundred
of TOTMONSLOW, county of STAFFORD, 4 miles (N.w.)
from Ashbourn, containing, with the hamlets of Casterton
and Tbrowley, 253 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage,
in the archdeaconry of Stafford, and diocese of Lichfield
and Coventry, rated in the king's books at £6. 13. 4.
3. Watts Russell, Esq. was patron in 1814. The church
is dedicated to the Holy Cross. Here is a National
school, in which fifty boys and thirty girls are instructed
at the expense of Jesse Watts Ritssell, Esq., with the
exception of a benefaction of £4 per annum, left by
Lady Bellot for the education of eight children, which
is now applied towards the support of this school.
Congreve, the dramatic poet, retired to this secluded
and romantic spot, after his return from Ireland, and
here composed his first comedy, The Old Bachelor.